BBB Warning About Extended Auto Warranty

BBB is continuing to warn automobile owners about the dangers of making a hasty extended warranty purchase based solely on a postcard or phone call you may receive. It has become unfortunately too commonplace that these typically result in high pressure sales combined with misleading coverage offers, high prices, and having either no clue with whom you are talking to or mis-representation about who they are. The Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina has confirmed recent calls were not originated from locally and regionally known car companies. The BBB offers the following advice to keep in mind if you’re considering an after-market car (extended) warranty:  Don’t give out personal information,  including Social Security, bank or credit card numbers,  over the phone or by email unless you are absolutely certain with whom you are dealing.  Don’t be pressured into making an abrupt and un-informed decision.  Insist on getting a contract that clearly explains all terms and conditions before signing up or providing credit card or other payment information. The BBB says-- Consumers should always check out the company first with the BBB atwww.bbb.org; Caller ID can be “spoofed”; Local phone numbers are easy to obtain; and Consumers can place their phone number on the federal do not call list by visiting www.donotcall.gov.

Loaded Up and Stolen

Over 500 dollars in property was stolen from an open field and Wilkesboro Police were called to investigate.  The incident happened on James Street. The victim said family members called to tell him that someone was near the house loading up some of his stuff.  The victim came home and saw that thieves had taken 6 boxes of utility shelves, 5 wire rack utility shelves, 4 8-foot sheets of roofing time. and 10 closet shelves.  A glass table that was inside a box with some of the other property was broken.  Witnesses got a description of the truck and a tag number.  The suspects were last seen in a red Dodge pickup with a West Virginia tag.  Police are tracking a couple of leads concerning the thieves and charges are pending.

Multiple Vehicle Break-Ins in Ronda

The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office received a number of reports over the weekend of car break-ins.  All 6 of the car break-ins happened overnight Thursday and were reported Friday morning.  Also all the break-ins occurred on the Little Elkin Church Road in Ronda.  According to a spokesperson with the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, the only thing reported stolen out of all the 6 cars entered was some loose change stolen from one vehicle.  Also, thankfully, none of the car owners reported any damages from the break-ins.  The cars were gone through, but no damages were reported and only a small amount of change was taken.  A witness did see a suspicious person in the area at the time of the break-ins.  That person is described as a white male wearing tan pants, a jacket, and ball cap.  The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate.

Take the Pods and Run

While some debate their safety with children since the new laundry detergent pods look like candy, others in Wilkes will just taken them and run.  Wilkesboro Police were called after store staff from Lowes Foods got into a foot chase with a man who stole Tide Laundry Pods.  Store personnel observed a white male enter the store, hide 3 containers of Tide Pods under his jacket and run from the store.  A store employee chased the pod thief on foot for a short distance but was unable to catch him.  Police obtained store surveillance and have a description of the man.  Charges are pending.  The stolen Tide Pods were valued at nearly 60 dollars.

North Wilkesboro Commissioners' Meeting Today

North Wilkesboro Board of Commissioners will hold their Regular Meeting this evening at 5:30 p.m.  Items on the agenda include:  Approve quarterly pay request from Wilkes EDC in the amount of $12,500.00, Approve Resolution to dispose of surplus property by private sale, and Approve Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor Kiosk placement at Memorial Park.  There will also be an open public hearing.  Town Board is to hold a public hearing on an Economic Investment Agreement for Gardner Glass Products.  And, the  Town Board is to consider approval of Interlocal Agreement between Town of North Wilkesboro, Wilkes County and the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation for Gardner Glass Products.   Town Board will take action on calling for a public hearing regarding urban deer hunting in the town limits.  That public hearing is to be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.  Again, the North Wilkesboro Town Board meeting is today at 5:30.

Not Too Late for Wilkes Living Healthy Workshops

The Wilkes County Health Department is offering a free Living Healthy workshop to help individuals self-manage their ongoing health conditions. If you have diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, COPD, fibromyalgia, or any other chronic disease, Living Healthy is for you. By attending this FREE workshop one time per week for 6 weeks, you will learn how to: manage symptoms, communicate effectively with your doctor and other health care professionals,  lessen your frustration, fight fatigue, build your confidence, make daily tasks easier, and get more out of life.  The workshop began Thursday, January 30^th and will continue through March 6^th, from 9:30am-12:00pm. Participants may still join on February 6^th if they missed the session on January 30^th.  The workshop is being held at the Wilkes County Diabetes & Nutrition Center, located at 234 Jefferson St. in North Wilkesboro. For more information about Living Healthy or to register for the workshop, please contact the Wilkes County Health Department at 651-7449.

NC Ag Development and Farm Preservation Workshops

The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will hold three workshops across the state for local governments interested in protecting their communities’ agricultural lands. The Voluntary Agricultural District workshops are for agricultural advisory board members, county representatives, program staff, farmers, landowners, elected officials and anyone interested in farmland preservation and the administration of the Voluntary Agricultural Districts program. The workshops are free and open to the public.  The closest Workshop for Wilkes is March 26 at the Caldwell County Agricultural Center in Lenoir. Topics covered at the workshops include the basics of conservation agreements and easement programs, present-use value, estate planning and tax preparedness, Voluntary Agricultural District program management and upcoming changes to agricultural policy. North Carolina currently has 86 counties with active Voluntary Agricultural Districts. For more information and to register, go to www.ncadfp.org/VADWorkshops.htm.

NC Sen Hagan Pushes for XL Pipeline

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan released the following statement after the State Department released the final environmental impact report for the Keystone XL pipeline:  “While I’m pleased the State Department has completed its environmental review, I’m disappointed a firm deadline for a final decision has not been set."  Senator Hagan said, "I once again call on Secretary Kerry and President Obama to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline that will create tens of thousands of American jobs and support American energy security."  Hagan concluded by saying:  "Energy security is a national security issue, and I support comprehensive efforts—including clean and renewable energy — to reduce our dependence on oil imported from overseas, especially from unstable countries.” 

Half-Naked Shoplifter Jumped in His Truck

If a half-naked woman jumps in your truck, do not drive her away from the scene of the crime.  You will get sent to jail and will lose your truck.  According to the report filed with the Wilkesboro Police Department, they were called to Walmart regarding a shoplifting incident.  Store staff saw a woman place 91 items totaling over 1100 dollars in a shopping cart.  She then exited the store without paying and was stopped by a Loss Prevention Officer.  She refused to go back into the store and tried to get away.  The Loss Prevention Officer grabbed the back of her coat.  In the struggle, the woman came out of her coat, hoodie, and shirt.  Clad in only a bra and pants, the woman ran across the parking lot and jumped in a Chevy pickup that sped off.  Police watched video surveillance and obtained a tag number on the truck.  They went to the address of the truck owner and waited for him to return.  The owner of the truck told Police he was just sitting in his truck in the parking lot when a half-dressed woman jumped in and said, "Let's go."  He said he drove her to Boomer Road and she got out.  The man denied knowing the identity of the woman.  Police asked him why he didn't call Police since he didn't know the half-clothed woman that jumped in his truck, and why he drove her 10 miles away from the scene of a felony.  The man, William Wolfe, Jr., still denied knowing the woman.  He was arrested and taken to jail for felony aid and abet larceny with a bond set at 5000 dollars.  His pickup was also seized and towed to the impound lot. The woman is still being sought by Police. 

Counterfeit Cash in Wilkesboro

More funny money has shown up in Wilkesboro.  Earlier in January, there were a couple of incidents of fake 20-dollar-bills getting into the overnight bank deposits from local businesses.  Last week, it was phony 10-dollar-bills that were found by banks in the overnight deposits.  In the most recent incident, Wilkesboro Police were by BB&T.  The banking was processing a deposit from a local business in North Wilkesboro when they found the counterfeit bill.  The serial number on this fake 10 was the same number on the other phony 10 that was discovered earlier in the week.  No suspects were listed with the report; the Wilkesboro Police are still investigating the reports of counterfeit money.