NC Gov Signs ABLE Act into Law

Governor Pat McCrory signed H.B. 556, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, into law today. North Carolina joins 29 other states in allowing individuals and families dealing with disabilities the opportunity to save and provide the necessary care families need. The ABLE Act will give individuals with disabilities and their families the opportunity to establish accounts to save for future essential expenses such as medical and dental care, education, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. Funds in ABLE accounts will not count against the financial eligibility standards of Medicaid and other support programs designed to support disabled citizens. H.B. 556 is in response to the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, a federal law championed by North Carolina’s U.S. Senator Richard Burr. That legislation calls for the establishment of ABLE accounts in each state. ABLE accounts will give North Carolinians with disabilities increased choice, independence and opportunities to participate fully in their communities. 

New NC Juvenile Detention Center Opens Soon

The NC Department of Public Safety this week during an open house offered community leaders and elected officials their first view of Cabarrus Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Concord. Officials with the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice will open the new center next week, in efforts to provide safer, more secure and more efficient care for detained youth in its custody. The juvenile detention center currently located and operated as Gaston Juvenile Detention Center is being relocated to the former Kirk Building located on the grounds of Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center in Concord, and has been renamed as the Cabarrus Regional Juvenile Detention Center. This relocation marks the first phase of the 2014 Juvenile Justice Strategic Plan. The Cabarrus Regional Juvenile Detention Center will begin official operations on Aug. 19. Inclusive of this center, the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice operates six juvenile detention centers statewide. Juvenile detention centers are secure, temporary facilities where a juvenile will stay while waiting to go to court or until a more appropriate and long-term placement can be arranged. 

Sen Burr Presents Forsyth Tech with Certificate from NSA

Yesterday, Senator Richard Burr presented a special honor to a nearby college.  Burr went to Forsyth Tech on Tuesday and presented them with a certificate declaring Forsyth Technical Community College’s Davis iTec Program a “Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.” This special recognition comes from NSA and the US Department of Homeland Security, and the designation will give Forsyth Tech students an advantage in securing 21st Century jobs in cyber security.  Senator Burr posted information on the presentation at Forsyth Tech on his Facebook page.

Sen Tillis Opposes Iran Nuclear Deal

Sen Thom Tillis of NC continues to express his opposition to the Iran Nuclear Deal brokered by Pres Obama and Sec Kerry.  On Monday, Tillis said on Facebook, "Today the "trial" of jailed American journalist Jason Rezaian ended. The Iranian regime has accused Rezaian of spying."  Tillis said, "The failure of the Obama administration to secure the release of the innocent American being imprisoned in Iran is one of the reasons I remain adamantly opposed the the Iran nuclear deal."  Then on Tuesday, Tillis continued his opposition by posting:  Even President Obama is admitting that Iran would be able to develop a nuclear weapon in "a matter of months" after the Iran deal expires.  Tillis said that he strongly oppose the deal, which paves the path for Iran to become a nuclear power and threatens the security of Israel and our partners in the Middle East.

Four Who Stole Four-Wheeler Arrested

The four were seen loading the four wheeler on the back of a pickup.  The property owner called the Wilkes Sheriff's Office concerning the larceny and said he recognized one of the suspects.  The four thieves of the four wheeler were found by Deputies and all four were charged with larceny.  Also, one of the suspects was charged with an additional breaking, entering, and larceny as they broken into a motor vehicle to get the 4-wheeler key.  The four charged in the theft were:  Phillip Triplett and Cody Martin along with a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old female. 

Stolen Meds Only

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is investigating a couple of thefts from local houses where only prescription medication was stolen.  The first report is from John McGrady Road, North Wilkesboro.  The victim returned home to find that someone had been inside her house.  Only her prescriptions were taken from a lock box in the closet.  Then a report came in from a residence on Vannoy Road in McGrady where Sheriff's Deputies responded to a burglar alarm.  The homeowner told Deputies that prescription medications were the only things stolen in the break-in.  No suspects were listed with either report.

Having Drugs in Jail

He was already arrested on one charge when he snuck drugs into the jail.  A man who was already arrested on charges of obtaining property by false pretense was in the Wilkes County Jail.  The Jailors noticed him trying to hide something in his hand. A Deputy was dispatched to the Jail.  The man tried to swallow something and then tried to hide something that turned out to be drugs.  The man, Mickey Williams, was then charged with possession of a controlled substance in jail.

SAFE Support Group Meetings Start Today

Sheltered Aid to Families in Emergencies, known as SAFE, is starting two new support groups for local women recovering from domestic or sexual violence. SAFE’s sexual abuse survivor group will meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Its next meeting will be August 11th.  SAFE’s abusive relationship survivor group will meet the first and third Monday of each month from 5:15 until 6:15 p.m. Its next meeting will be Aug. 17th. Both groups meet at the SAFE office at 1260 College Avenue, just off School Street in Wilkesboro. Each group meeting includes sharing time for group members and a brief educational discussion led by a member of the SAFE staff. The groups are free and open to the public. For more information, call SAFE at (336) 838-9169.

Get Children Immunized for Back to School

Children entering kindergarten and seventh grade this fall are required by North Carolina to have specific vaccines to protect them from serious diseases. State law requires the school system to suspend students who haven't received these vaccinations after 30 days into the school year. In addition to the new laws affecting children, students attending colleges and universities in North Carolina are also required to receive certain vaccines.  Parents with questions about their children's vaccinations can contact the Wilkes Health Dept at 651-7450.  WCHD offers vaccinations for infants and children through age 18. Immunizations required for routine infant vaccination, daycare or school attendance, work or foreign travel are available. 

New NC Law to Protect Identity Theft and Mistaken Identity Victims

Governor Pat McCrory signed S.B. 233 into law at the end of last week. The law will provide for the automatic expunction of certain records of a person when the charge or charges against the person are dismissed as a result of identity theft or mistaken identity. Although similar legislation has been passed and introduced in other states, North Carolina is the first state to sign the legislation into law.  Governor McCrory said. "I hope other governors across the nation will follow our lead to defend the rights of those wrongfully charged with committing a crime." Under current law, North Carolina will expunge certain offenses from a person’s criminal record in cases of identity theft. S.B. 233 goes a step further and includes “mistaken identity” as well. This applies when a mistake has been made in identifying who committed the crime, or when a witness or law enforcement officer has been given misinformation on the person who committed the crime.