Stolen Transmission

Stolen parts were valued at 500 dollars.  Wilkesboro Police are investigating a theft from a local business.  USA Wheel and Tire concerning the larceny this week.  According to the owner of the business, they had an automatic transmission for a V6 Mustang stored outside.  The transmission was wrapped in plastic, surrounded with tires, and not easily seen.  Apparently, someone saw it and stole it.  The theft happened sometime over the Memorial Day weekend and was discovered Tuesday when employees returned to work.  Police gathered evidence at the scene, but there are currently no suspects.

Commissioners Cancel Work Session on Budget

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners will hold a “Work Session” on the proposed 2014-2015 Budget for Wilkes County on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners Room, Wilkes County Office Building, Wilkesboro.  The proposed budget is available for inspection by the public from 8:30 A. M. until 5:00 P. M., Monday through Friday, in the County Manager’s Office, Room 101, Wilkes County Office Building, Wilkesboro. Then the Wilkes Board of Commissioners are scheduled to have their first regular meeting for the month of June on Tuesday, June 3 at 10am.  

Cited for Racing

The report listed the crime at Willful Speed Competition. Two local teenagers were cited for racing in North Wilkesboro.  In a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, a Deputy observed two vehicles racing on Hwy 18 by Miller Funeral Home.  The Deputy was able to initiate a traffic stop on both cars.  The two teenage boys were given citations for speeding.  

NC House Speaker Thom Tillis Gets Award

The North Carolina office of National Federation of Independent Business, the state's leading small-business association, has presented its coveted Guardian of Small Business Award to House Speaker Thom Tillis. The Guardian of Small Business award is the most prestigious honor that NFIB bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small business issues. The NFIB/North Carolina Leadership Council, an advisory board comprised of NFIB members, voted to present the award to Tillis for supporting small-business issues in the Legislature. NFIB has over 8,000 dues-paying members in North Carolina representing a cross section of the state’s economy. 

Gov and First Lady and the Durham Rescue Mission

Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory hosted a group of women graduating from the Durham Rescue Mission's recovery program at the governor's mansion this week. The  Women’s Victory Program Graduation marked the completion of a year-long initiative for Triangle-area women that helps them conquer addictions, abusive relationships, homelessness and other trials. The Durham Rescue Mission is Durham’s oldest and largest long-term shelter providing food, clothing, vocational training, biblical counsel, job placement, education, safe shelter, permanent supportive housing, dental, medical, vision and continued accountability for residents to remain drug free. It serves more than 350 men, women and children.

Sen Burr Sends Open Letter to Veterans

On Friday, U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, released an open letter to America’s veterans.  Burr said: Over the course of the last few weeks, there has been a great deal of media coverage—rightly so—....of the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding secret wait lists and other problems...."  Sen Burr also stated that last week, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs heard from Secretary Shinseki, representatives of some of the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), and others. Burr said, "First and foremost, I must recognize and commend the American Legion, National Commander Dan Dellinger, and the American Legion team for taking a principled stand, before the hearing and during it, and calling for leadership change at the VA."  The Senator showed his disapproval of other groups when he wrote in the letter:  Regrettably, the Legion was alone among the VSOs that testified in taking such a stand.  Last week’s hearing made it clear to me that the staff has ignored the constant VA problems expressed by their members and is more interested in their own livelihoods and Washington connections than they are to the needs of their own members."  Burr ended the letter by saying that he did not believe change in the VA was possible without the support of all VA organizations.

Sen Hagan Working to Halt Inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing

Last week, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan announced that the Senate Armed Services Committee approved her provision that would halt the inactivation of the 440^th Airlift Wing at Fort Bragg. Senator Hagan worked to include a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2015 that would halt all C-130H and C-130J aircraft transfers until 60 days after the Air Force issues a report outlining a full justification of their decision. Hagan’s provision also subjects the Air Force report to an independent review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) followed by a time for congressional review. The NDAA will now move to the Senate floor for a full vote.  “I staunchly oppose the Air Force’s decision to inactivate the 440^th Airlift Wing, which would adversely affect the readiness of units at Fort Bragg...,” said Senator Hagan.  Hagan has expressed to military leaders numerous times her strong opposition to the inactivation of the unit and continuously pressed for full justification of the decision. Hagan also sent a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saying that the Air Force should not move forward with their plans to inactivate the 440th Airlift Wing until Congress has fully considered the President's FY15 budget proposal.

Explosive Noises in Wilkes

For those hearing explosive noises in the Hays area, there's a reason for that and the Sheriff's Department has investigated the situation.  According to a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, Deputies were called regarding loud explosions causing a disturbance in the Hays area.  When a Deputy arrived, the owner of the property explained that he had set up a contraption with a propane tank to keep the crows out of his crops.  The contraptions was connected to a deer stand and was not close to anyone's house or posed any immediate danger to people.  The Deputy explained to the property owner about the noise ordinance which stated that the noise needed to stop by 10pm.  The man agreed to cut off his explosive bird chaser each night and no arrest or citation was issued as the man complied with the local noise ordinance.

They Just Stole the Front Door

Often with the break-in reports, there is damage to a front or back door where the thief has pried, kicked, or broken open the door to get inside the house.  However, in another "only in Wilkes County" reports, someone simply stole the front door.  A Greensboro man called the Sheriff's Dept regarding the theft.  He has a house under construction here in Wilkes in the Hays area.  He returned over the weekend to find that someone had stolen the wooden front door valued at 700 dollars.  Nothing else was reported stolen.  There actually are suspects and charges are pending further investigation.

County Board Meeting Next Week

The Wilkes Board of Commissioners are scheduled to have their first regular meeting for the month of June on Tuesday, June 3 at 10am.  On the agenda for Tuesday's Commissioners' meeting is a report from the High Country Workforce Development Board, a progress update from the Elkin Valley Trails Association, decisions on grants for Aging Services of Wilkes, Board appointments, road petitions, and a contract decision for the Landfill.  The meeting is 10am Tuesday in the Commissioners' Room of the County Office Building.