Student Forgivable Education Loans

The Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) application for the 2013-14 academic year is now available at CFNC.org/FELS.  Qualified students committed to working in North Carolina in fields that have a critical need for more employees, such as nursing, teaching, allied health fields, or medicine, may apply for a FELS loan.  The program was established by the North Carolina General Assembly and is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.  The loan program provides financial assistance to help students with their higher education expenses.  Prior to receiving funding, recipients must sign a promissory note agreeing to pay back the loan after graduation either by working a year in an approved position in North Carolina for each academic year of funding received or by repaying the loan in cash.  Full details of the FELS program, the application, eligibility requirements, award amounts, loan repayment details and listings of qualifying academic programs and institutions can be found at www.CFNC.org/FELS.  

Upcoming FAFSA Day

College financial aid officers and specialists will be available across North Carolina on Saturday, February 23rd to help high school seniors and families complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms online.  There will be free FAFSA Day programs in all 100 counties with most sites open from 9:00 a.m. until noon.  Completing the FAFSA form is a requirement to be considered for all federal and most state financial aid for college, including scholarships and grants.  Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.  More than 300 sites will be available, including campus sites and State Employees’ Credit Union branches.  A list of all locations and registration is available at CFNC.org/FAFSAday or by calling 866-866-CFNC toll-free.  To be fully prepared to complete the FAFSA on February 23rd,  participants should either file their 2012 federal taxes in advance.  Another option for students and parents with a few questions on completing the FAFSA is the FAFSA Phone-In offered every Tuesday night in February.  Financial aid specialists and experts will be available to answer specific FAFSA questions on the toll-free number, 866-866-CFNC (2362), between 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.  

Missing Woman From Wilkes Found in Tennessee

A 73-year-old woman from Wilkes County who was reported missing yesterday has now been found in another state.  According to the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, Wilma Edssel of Moravian Falls left her residence at about 5 PM on Monday and went to her Aunt's house on Jess Walsh Road.  She left there at about 7 PM.  When she did not return home, her husband called to report her missing, and the Wilkes Sheriff's Office issued a nationwide Silver Alert. Mr. Edssel reported that his wife Wilma had trouble remembering things and possibly had dementia.  3WC NEWS received word this morning from the Wilkes Sheriff's Department that Wilma Edsel had been found.  She was located in Sullivan County, Tennessee, where she had been involved in a motor vehicle accident.   She was transported to Bristol Hospital.  There is no word on her condition at this time. 

Bank Robbery in Wilkesboro

A bank robber is in custody following a armed robbery at Yadkin Valley Bank in Wilkesboro yesterday afternoon.  The Wilkesboro Police were called to Yadkin Valley Bank on Main Street about 4pm Tuesday.  Reportedly, a black male entered the bank, implied he had a gun and handed a Teller a note.  She handed him 23 100-dollar bills and he left the scene on a moped.  Witnesses outside told Police that the robber was last seen going down the hill toward the Dept of Social Services.  Police began canvassing the area and quickly determined the name of a suspect.  The suspect, James Edward Porter of Wilkesboro, was found a short time later.  The money was found in his pocket.  The moped and robbery note were found at his apartment.  Porter was arrested and charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and taken to jail with a 75,000 dollar bond.

Houses, Outbuildings, and Garage

Houses, outbuildings, and garages locally have all been hit recently by thieves. In the first report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff's Department, two McGrady victim's living at the same residence reported break-ins.  The first victim told Sheriff's Deputies that there was a break-in at their house.  Someone forced open the rear entry door.  Once inside, the thief took a jewelry box and a couple of vehicle batteries.  Another victim at the same location said that someone had also pried the locks off of their storage buildings.  However, it did not appear that anything was stolen from the outbuildings.  There were no suspects in this break-in.  In a couple more break-in reports, Sheriff's Officials do have suspects.  A Millers Creek resident called the Sheriff's Department when he discovered that his garage was broken into.  The only thing reported stolen was a Stihl chainsaw valued at 800 dollars.  Then a resident on Byrd Ridge Road reported that their house was entered.  This time the thief took some prescriptions and a wallet.  Again, there are suspects in both of those break-ins and charges are pending further investigation.

The Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center Is Helping

Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center has been serving Wilkes and surrounding areas since 1996.  They are a nonprofit, non-denominational, non-political organizations committed to providing care, compassion, information, and support to anyone facing an unintended pregnancy.  They offer free pregnancy test and support services to anyone in need.  This month is the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in our country.  Executive Director Susan Sturgill says one of main reasons behind legalizing abortion was too reduce child abuse, a fact that did not prove to be true.  AIR  There continues to be 3800 abortions every day, 7days a week in our country.  For more information on the WPCC and their free services, call 838-9272.

Theme: Home Break-Ins

Home break-ins are the theme of the day for this first month of the year.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office has received several reports recently.  A theft in North Wilkesboro involved jewelry and electronics.  The homeowner stated that, when they returned to their residence on Mulberry Fields Road, they found the back door damaged.  Someone had entered the house and had stolen earrings, an iPod, and a bookbag.  That same day, the Wilkes Sheriff's Department received a report of another home break-in this time on Elledge Mill Road.  The victim came home and found that a thief had entered their house through the basement.  Two air conditioning units, a pool set, a wheelchair, and a Kerosene heater were stolen.  Stolen property was valued at 600 dollars.  There is no word on suspects in either of those break-ins, but the investigations are still underway.

Same Thief...Different Day

According to the report, the thefts happened day after day.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office received a report from the Dollar General in Moravian Falls of an unknown white male that would come in the store, steal something, and leave.  The thefts happened day after day January 19 to 24.  The identity of the thief is still unknown.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office investigation is continuing.

Saluting Senior Volunteers

The search is on for North Carolina’s outstanding senior volunteer.  The Salute to Senior Service program, sponsored by Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network, honors the contributions of adults 65 and older who give at least 15 hours a month of volunteer service to their favorite causes.  Nominations for outstanding senior volunteers will be accepted between Feb. 1 and March 31, 2013. State winners then will be selected by popular vote at SalutetoSeniorService.com. Online voting will take place from April 15 to April 30, 2013. From those state winners, a panel of senior care experts will pick the national Salute to Senior Service honoree.  Home Instead, Inc. will donate $500 to each of the state winners’ favorite nonprofit organizations and their stories will be posted on the Salute to Senior Service Wall of Fame. In addition, $5,000 will be donated to the national winner’s nonprofit charity of choice.  Senior care professionals and those who work at hospitals, senior care facilities and other places where seniors volunteer are encouraged to nominate older adults. So, too, are family caregivers and the adult children of aging parents. Older adults also may self-nominate.  For more information about the Salute to Senior Service program or to complete and submit a nomination form online and to view the contest’s official rules, visit SalutetoSeniorService.com. Completed nomination forms also can be mailed to Salute to Senior Service, P.O. Box 285, Bellevue, NE 68005.

Invited to Sen Hagan's Office

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan from North Carolina invites North Carolinians visiting or living in Washington, DC, to visit her office for a "Carolina Coffee," held every Wednesday when the Senate is in session. This is a great opportunity to see Senator Hagan’s Washington office and talk with staff in an informal setting. It’s a little piece of NC in DC, complete with Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Stockton & Graham coffee roasted in North Carolina. Carolina Coffee runs from 9-10 a.m.  “I get back to North Carolina every weekend, but Carolina Coffee gives me an opportunity to hear from North Carolinians even when the Senate is in session,” said Hagan. Senator Hagan’s office is located at 521 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. If you have any questions, please call us at 202-224-6342.