Bedroom Window Rocked

There's an old Jeff & Sheri Easter song called:  I've Got No Rocks to Throw.  Well, apparently, someone in Wilkes disagrees with the sentiment in that old song.  A Wilkesboro resident called the Wilkes Sheriff's Office this week concerning some damage to property.  According to the victim, an unknown person threw a large rock through her bedroom window.  The incident happened just before 2am.  Damages are listed at 100 dollars.  The woman inside the house was not injured by the rock.  Sheriff's Officials were unable to locate any witnesses or suspects.  The investigation is continuing.

New Red Cross Executive Director for Wilkes Area

There is a new Red Cross Director for Wilkes and surrounding counties. The Red Cross Heart of Carolina Region is pleased to announce Cindy Jones as the new American Red Cross Executive Director for the Blue Ridge Chapter. She will serve Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes Counties in North Carolina. Jones has a B.A. from NC State University and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University. She also has an extensive background in non-profit management. John Hughes, Regional Chief Executive Officer says, “We are delighted to have Cindy join the Red Cross. Her experience in management, fundraising and community relations will make her a wonderful addition to our team.”  Jones will work out of the Boone office but will serve all five counties including Wilkes. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Upcoming County Commissioners' Meeting & Public Hearing

Tuesday is the next scheduled meeting of the Wilkes County Commissioners.  Items on the agenda for Tuesday include a Public Hearing at 10am concerning the Economic Development Public Facilities Agreement with Gardner Glass Products.  The Commissioners meeting will immediately follow the Public Hearing Tuesday morning.  Items on the Agenda include an update on the Wilkes County Detention Center, a resolution approving the ASJ Mathis Farms Lease for the Landfill, and appointments to the WTA and High Country Council.

Lost/Recovered Cell Phone at Courthouse

Did you lose a cell phone at the Courthouse?  Wilkesboro Police now have possession of a cell phone found at the Wilkes Courthouse.  A Wilkesboro man brought the phone by the Police Station this week.  He said found it laying in Courtroom 4, and he picked it up thinking it belonged to his friend.  When he found out it was not his friend's phone, he brought it to the Wilkesboro Police Station.  They have tried to retrieve information from the phone to determine the owner.  If you lost your cell phone at the Courthouse in Wilkes, you may call Wilkesboro Police to determine if this is your phone.  Their number is 667-7277.

NC Unemployment Rate Drops

This week  Governor Pat McCrory and Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker released the following statement after North Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped by 0.5 of a percentage point to 6.9 percent – the lowest rate in more than five years. “The trend of more people getting back to work in North Carolina is great news for our state,” said Governor McCrory. “While this is welcome news, we will remain focused on policies that will encourage job growth – not just for the short-term, but for the long-term to sustain the progress we have made.”  Secretary Decker added, "We're encouraged to see these early signs of economic recovery, but we won't rest until every North Carolinian who wants a job has one."  Also this week, Governor McCrory met with business leaders from throughout the state for the inaugural meeting and swearing-in of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Small and Historically Underutilized Businesses. The governor signed Executive Order No. 24 in September 2013 that ensured businessmen and women would comprise the council.  "My administration is dedicated to making North Carolina a more business-friendly state, especially for businesses that have been historically underutilized," said Governor McCrory. These 13 members represent small, minority-owned, women-owned, and physically disabled businesses, among others.

NC Senator's Reaction to State of the Union Address

U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) issued the following statement on President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night:  "President Obama touched on many issues, most notably on income inequality. But it's as if the President, five years into his term in office, still doesn't understand our country and what makes it work. The greatest achievement of our modern, free society is not the promise of equal outcomes -- history is littered with the wrecks of nations that tried -- but rather equality of opportunity."  Burr said, "Unfortunately, the President's policies are destroying opportunities for families and businesses across the country in the misguided belief that tearing down some will benefit all."  Burr ended with:  "It is my wish that the President would stop looking for someone to blame, and instead spend time thinking about how we can reach bipartisan solutions to the issues he laid out this evening. I look forward to the President reaching out for suggestions as how to change the unsustainable path our nation is currently on."

Burglar Starts Fire

Early Tuesday morning a 911 call went out concerning a burglary and a fire at the same location.  According to the report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, the homeowner woke up when she heard her dogs barking about 2am.  Then she heard what sounded like someone in her basement.  She turned on her outside light, she saw a man she recognized.  She went to call 911, but before she could get to the phone, smoke started coming out of her vents from a fire in the basement.  She ran out of the house and called 911.  Firefighters and Sheriff's Deputies both arrived on the scene.  The suspect fled into the woods, but was later apprehended by Sheriff's Deputies.  Michael Cicero Royal of McGrady was arrested and charged with First Degree Arson.  The fire was mainly contained to the basement but the floor of the home was burned and there was smoke damage throughout the house.  Damages were estimated at 25,000 dollars.  No injuries were reported.

Dogs Alert Owners to Burglars

It was a breaking and entering in progress. The Wilkes Sheriff's Office received a 911 call regarding a break-in in progress at a home in Ronda.  When Deputies arrived, the homeowners told them that the suspect was gone.  Apparently, the victims were alerted that someone was going on when they heard their dogs barking.  The victims were at the home of a neighbor at the time of the incident.  When they looked out, they saw the suspects leaving the scene.  The thieves entered through a broken window but did not steal anything.  The victims did get a description of the suspects' car and arrests are pending.

Stealing Out of Carport

What is it they say:  if it isn't tied down, they will steal it...  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called to a Moravian Falls residence this week regarding a theft from their home.  There was no break-in and nothing inside the house was reported stolen.  However, someone did steal a hand-crank corn-sheller from the carport of the victim.  The antique piece was valued at 250 dollars.  There is no word on suspects.

Slick NC Highways Across the State

Slick, snow-covered roads remain in some areas and many secondary roads. Black ice concerns continue today. Between midnight and 11 a.m yesterday, the State Highway Patrol responded to about 600 service calls in central and eastern North Carolina. Patrol officials said that call volume is typical and the calls were mostly weather-related. Troopers answered more than 2,500 service calls Tuesday and Wednesday, which included collisions, stranded motorists and abandoned vehicles. That number of service calls was about 20 percent higher than normal. “Unless it is absolutely necessary to be out, stay off the roads,” Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry advised. "Most of the state has had some combination of sleet, freezing rain and/or snow and with below freezing temperatures, we’re expecting those icy road conditions to continue into Thursday.”