Session for NC Farmers on Produce Safety Rule

Produce farmers and packers can learn more about the federal government’s proposed produce safety rule at a listening session Feb. 20 at the State Fairgrounds.  Individuals also will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session, which will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Scott Building.  “The produce safety rule could mean big changes for produce farmers and packers, so it’s critical that they learn everything they can about it,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who will be the meeting’s host.  On Jan. 4, the FDA announced a proposed rule (www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety) focused on measures that produce farmers and packers should take to prevent the contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables. The agency is collecting comments about the rule before finalizing it.  Individuals interested in attending the listening session are encouraged to register at www.ncagr.gov/FDAlisten so that organizers will have an estimate of the audience size. Anyone with questions about the event should contact Christina Waggett with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 919-707-3008.

Stomach Flu Hitting Hard

In the midst of the flu outbreak, another virus – Norovirus – is spreading quickly  throughout our area. Urgent care doctors have been slammed with patients suffering from Norovirus – marked by stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. This is especially dangerous for the elderly and children because it leads to dehydration.  The Centers for Disease Control is reporting the Norovirus outbreak in 47 out of 50 states. People with norovirus illness are contagious from the moment they begin feeling sick until at least 3 days after they recover. Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.  Each year, it causes about 21 million illnesses and contributes to about 70,000 hospitalizations.  Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.  Unlike influenza which spreads through the air, Norovirus lives on surfaces or food people touch, is easily transmitted, very contagious and can infect anyone.  This virus is so strong that hand sanitizer does not really stop it from spreading.  The best way to help prevent Norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.  Also, carefully wash fruits and vegetables, do NOT prepare food while infected, clean and disinfect surfaces, and wash contaminated clothes and linens thoroughly.              

22 Counterfeit 20-Dollar Bills in 1 Transaction

All 22 20-dollar bills were counterfeit and were passed at a local store in one purchase.  Wilkesboro Police were called to Walmart early Monday morning concerning some funny money totaling 440 dollars.  According to the report, a white female and black male with 2 small children came through a checkout at the store.  The woman bought some merchandise which she made for with real money.  Then she proceeded to purchased a Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card in the amount of 443 dollars.  She used 22 20-dollar bills in the purchase of the card.  The clerk at the checkout was suspicious of the money but continued with the transaction.  After the couple left the store, the money was checked and all 22 bills were found to be counterfeit.  Police obtained video from the store showing the two people involved in passing the fake cash.  Police also have a description of the SUV they drove to the store.  Store management are currently trying to obtain the activation codes of the Visa Card that was purchased with the funny money.  The investigation is still underway, and charges are pending identifying the two suspects.

Wilkes County Man Robbed While Sleeping

The scary thing is that the burglar came in while the man was asleep and robbed the safe in the bedroom.  In a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, a Wilkes resident called when he discovered his home had been entered overnight.  The front door had been kicked in while he was asleep.  The robber then entered the victim's bedroom, cracked open the safe, and stole prescription medicine, cash, and a Smith & Wesson handgun.  Reportedly, the victim does suffered some hearing loss and did not hear the intruder.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office does have a suspect in this robbery and charges are pending further investigation.  The victim was not harmed in the break-in and theft.

Caught in the Act...Again

He was caught in the act back in October, and he was caught again over the weekend.  Wilkesboro Police were called to Walmart on Friday regarding a shoplifter being detained by store staff.  The Loss Prevention Officer at the store told Police that he saw a white male remove the anti-theft device on some items and then conceal them in his clothes before leaving the store.  The Loss Prevention Officer also advised Police that this same man was caught shoplifting at this store just a few months back.  The man, David Clark of North Wilkesboro, was arrested for felony larceny by Police and taken to jail and his bond was set at 1500 dollars.  The stolen items were returned to the store.

Car Hit By Bullet

The Wilkes Sheriff's Department is investigating a shooting and damages to vehicle report.  A victim from the Airport Road area called the Sheriff's Office when he found that his car had been hit by a bullet.  It appears the damage was caused by a small caliber bullet that was shot from a long distance.  The victim lives across an open field and does not believe the damage was done on purpose but rather by accident.  No injuries were reported, only the damages to the vehicle.

Theft From Local Business

A local business has reported a theft.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called to Hamby's Towing Service in Millers Creek.  The owner of the business reported that multiple batteries were taken from several vehicles parked at the towing service.  The victim is currently conducting an inventory of the cars entered and the exact number of stolen batteries is not known at this time.  Again, the Sheriff's Department does have a suspect in the theft and charges are pending.

Sen Kay Hagan on Black History Month

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan spoke about Black History Month. Hagan said:  “Our nation takes time to honor Black History Month every February, but in North Carolina this history surrounds us every day. From the downtown Greensboro Woolworth’s, now marked by the renowned International Civil Rights Center and Museum, to the state-of-the-art campuses of our ten Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the contributions of our state’s trailblazing African-American leaders are immeasurable."  Sen Hagan went on to say:  “In 2013, I look forward to continuing to work with the leaders, communities and organizations across North Carolina that continue to leave a positive mark on our history.”  Those words from Sen Hagan on Black History Month.

Congresswoman Foxx on Jobless Report

GOP Conference Secretary Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) last week issued the following statement in response to the release of January’s jobless statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:  “Government is getting bigger while the number of Americans in the workforce is getting smaller. We have to do better."  Congresswoman Foxx, who represents the 5th District here in North Carolina also said,  “Taking money out of the private sector to fund government expansion is certainly not going to grow the economy or create jobs for the millions of Americans who need them. Hopefully the President and Democrat Senate learn this lesson and join with House Republicans to finally put government on a balanced budget that combats debt and respects hardworking taxpayers.”  Again those comments were from Congresswoman Foxx after the release of the recent Unemployment Rates.

Local Church Break-In

Last week, we had a couple of reports of thefts near churches, and now we have the report of an attempted break-in at a local church.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office responded to an alarm at New Damascus Church over the weekend.  When deputies arrived, they found the double doors leading into the church were open.  Deputies went through the building and made sure no one was hiding somewhere inside the sanctuary.  The key holder of the church did a walk-through of the building with deputies, but nothing was missing.  A closer look at the front doors of the church revealed that someone had pried them open.  Apparently, the alarm at the church scared off the thief.  There are no witnesses to the break-in and are no suspects currently.