NC Court Ruling Allows Parents to Apply for Scholarships

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Supreme Court granted the parents’ request to stay the preliminary injunction of the Opportunity Scholarship Program. This is believed to be good news for all of the families that applied for scholarships. Before the program, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) received over 5,500 applications. This substantially exceeds the 2,400 scholarships available for the 2014-15 school year, making North Carolina’s program the first school-choice program in the country whose applications exceeded scholarship availability in its first year.  NCSEAA will now be able resume implementation of the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Applications and program information is on the website (http://www.ncseaa.edu/OSG.htm). The Opportunity Scholarship Program was passed by the General Assembly to provide parents the opportunity to choose the educational environment  best suited for their child. The program created scholarships of up to $4,200 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a private school.

Gov Speaks of Joyce Pope

Following the news of the death of Joyce Pope, State Budget Director Art Pope’s mother, Governor Pat McCrory released the following statement: “North Carolina has lost the bedrock of a family that has given so much to this state...”  Joyce Pope passed away Wednesday afternoon in Raleigh. She established an endowment for the Raleigh Fine Arts Society. She also created a scholarship fund at Performance Edge, a performing arts training program for young adults, and was instrumental in supporting the North Carolina Symphony and Carolina Ballet.

NC Gov and College Commencements

The Office of Governor Pat McCrory announced today that he will be delivering the commencement address at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Wingate University this upcoming weekend. The governor will first speak at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College on Friday followed by Wingate University on Saturday. In addition to this weekend’s commencement addresses, Governor McCrory will also speak at the Caterpillar Youth Apprenticeship Program graduation this evening in Sanford. This is the first graduating class of the apprenticeship program established between Lee County Schools, Central Carolina Community College and Caterpillar Inc.

Changes for WCC Graduation Today

It's today and with a change in venue for graduates. Wilkes Community College’s 48^th Annual Commencement Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 15, in the John A. Walker Community Center. College officials implemented the rain plan due to the forecast of imminent heavy rains today. Two ceremonies will be held, and tickets will be required for admission. Graduates have received their allotments of admission tickets. Members of the public may view the graduation ceremonies through a live stream. Access the live stream from  www.wilkescc.edu/Graduation. The Health Sciences Division and Industrial and Workforce Development Divisions graduates will participate in the 4 p.m. ceremony. The Arts and Sciences Division and the Business and Public Service Technologies Division graduates will participate in the 7 p.m. ceremony.

More Stolen Copper in Wilkes

More copper has been reported stolen.  Over the past few years with the rising cost of the copper metal, some have resorted to stealing it to re-sale at salvage companies.  There have been a couple of reports in Wilkes this month including the most recent from a Traphill residence.  The homeowner lives out of town, but he came back this week to check on the property.  He realized there was a problem with his water and went to check out the well.  He found that someone had damaged the well house and had stolen copper wiring and a well pump.  Stolen property was estimated at 1200 dollars with damages at 900 dollars.  There are currently no suspects.

Rabies Vaccination Clinics Tomorrow

The 2014 Rabies Vaccination Clinics continue this week for area dogs and cats.   You must present PROOF of current rabies vaccination to receive a 3 year vaccine.  The North Carolina State Law states:  It shall be unlawful for an owner to fail to provide current inoculation against rabies (hydrophobia) for any dog or cat four (4) months of age or older.  All dogs are to be held securely on a leash and all cats are to be contained in a carrier or box by a responsible person.  A charge of $7.00 will be made for each dog or cat vaccinated.  A licensed veterinarian will administer the vaccine.  Sponsors are the Wilkes County Animal Control, The Humane Society of Wilkes, and participating Veterinarians.  On Saturday, May 17th from 8 til noon rabies vaccination clinics will be at Animal Hospital of Wilkes, Riverview Animal Hospital, State Road Animal Hospital, and Wilkes Veterinary Hospital.  Elkin Veterinary Hospital will also have a rabies vaccination clinic this Saturday from 9 til noon. For more information, call the Wilkes County Animal Control and Animal Shelter and 903-7688.

Equipment Stolen From Shed

Over 1200 dollars in property was stolen from an outbuilding in Millers Creek.  The building was an open storage shed.  The thief took 2 trimmers including a Skil trimmer and a Husqvarna trimmer and a DeWalt miter saw.  Stolen tools are valued over 1200 dollars.  There was no word on witnesses or suspects.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft.

Stolen Car Recovered

Someone saw his take the car and called the owner.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called after someone saw a man use a screwdriver to start and steal a car from the Traphill area.  The owner of the victim was notified by witnesses that her car was taken.  Sheriff's Deputies found the car thief who stated that the car was actually his and he didn't steal it.  However, the title of the vehicle was not in his name but in the name of the woman who called the Sheriff's Dept.  The man was arrested and charged with auto theft.  The debate over ownership will now move to a courthouse setting.

Chickenfest Coming Later This Month

The countdown to ChickenFest 2014 is on. Hosted by The Record and presented by Tyson Foods, the ninth annual ChickenFest will feature more than 35 musical acts. The three-day, free-to-the-public music festival will be held on Friday, May 23; Saturday, May 24; and Sunday, May 25, at The Record Park at the corner of Fourth and E streets in North Wilkesboro. And, like always, there will be plenty of chicken for sale. This year’s event will focus on festival musicians, supporters, friends and family members who we have lost. The feature segment of this year’s event will be an all-star tribute to Wilkes native and bluegrass innovator Billie Ray Johnson. The tribute will close out Saturday evening’s performances and will be organized and led by David Johnson, Billie Ray’s son. David Johnson and his cousin, Eric Ellis, are both members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame and will be part of the tribute. Food will be prepared and sold by Arbor Grove United Methodist Church and others. The church will also hold a service on Sunday morning. A children’s play area will also be provided. For more information, call The Record at 336-667-0134.

NC Soldier Gets Medal of Honor

Tuesday, at a ceremony at the White House with President Barack Obama, Charlotte resident Sergeant Kyle J. White received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery during a battle in Aranas, Afghanistan in 2007. Governor Pat McCrory, who met with Sgt. White in April, thanked him for his service after he received the award. “First and foremost I would like to thank Sgt. White for his selfless service to our nation, but I would also like to congratulate him on receiving our nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor,” said Governor McCrory. “It is people like Kyle that make our nation the greatest on earth and I am honored to say that he is a North Carolina resident.”