NC Sen Hagan Co-Chair of Sportsmen's Caucus

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan has been named Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, which includes more than 300 members of Congress from all 50 states. Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, will serve as the Caucus’ other Co-Chair. Hagan has served as Vice-Chair of the Sportsmen’s Caucus since January 2011.  “North Carolina is among the best places to hunt and fish in the country, and I’m honored to continue working to protect our rich outdoor heritage as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said Hagan. Established in 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus works to protect the interests of America's hunters, anglers and trappers.     

NC Move Over Law Reminder

Highway Patrol Reminds Motorists to Be Vigilant of Emergency Vehicles.  More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.  So, the State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists across the state to be vigilant of all emergency vehicles on the sides of highways and interstates. North Carolina is not immune to these deaths and injuries. Since the Patrol’s inception, two troopers have been struck and killed while countless others have been injured while conducting traffic stops. Just recently, Trooper Matthew Mitchell, stationed in Madison County sustained critical injuries when he was struck during a traffic stop on US19.  In 2002, North Carolina implemented the Move Over law, however many motorists are not familiar with its existence. North Carolina state law requires motorists slow down and approach cautiously when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder of the roadway with its lights flashing. Motorists are required to move over to another lane away from the emergency vehicle on a multi-lane highway or slow down on a two lane highway and can do so safely. Motorists must slow down while maintaining a safe speed.  On October 1, 2012, the law was expanded to include utility vehicles that are on the side of the road performing their duties. The utility vehicles are required to have a flashing amber-colored light. Failure to comply with the move over law will result in a mandatory fine of $250.00 plus court costs.

2 Break-ins, 1 Theft, and 1 Moped Driver

Local law enforcement are investigating multiple reports concerning break-ins or thefts involving a suspect on a moped.  On Sunday, a North Wilkesboro man reported that he heard something outside, looked out the window, and saw a moped sitting in his driveway.  The victim walked away from the window expecting a knock on the door.  When there was no knock, the victim looked out the window again and saw that both the moped and his chainsaw were gone.  On Monday two reports were made with a suspect on a moped.  In the first, a resident on Old Hwy 60 came home and saw a man in her house.  When the man saw the homeowner, he took off on a moped.  Nothing was reported stolen from the house but a door to the home was damaged.  Wilkes Sheriff's Deputies issued a BOLO for the man on the moped.  Then about an hour later, Wilkesboro Police received a report of a break-in on Brock Street.  Again, the victim came home and found man in her house.  He ran out and left on a moped as the victim called Police.  As with the other report, nothing was reported stolen but the door to the house was damaged.  Wilkesboro Police checked the area and found a store where employees said a man matching that description had been there earlier in the day.  Surveillance video was obtained and the man on the moped was identified and warrants were issued for his arrest.  

Stealing Catalytic Converters

There have been various reports over the past couple of months of catalytic converters being stolen from vehicles in Wilkes.  Since 1975, all vehicles produced in the United States must have a catalytic converter as part of the exhaust system. Catalytic converters are supposed to protect your vehicle and the environment from harmful emissions; however, Catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be resold.  Across the country, thousands of vehicle owners are experiencing the same fate. With the price of precious metals skyrocketing, thieves are helping themselves to catalytic converters that contain enough platinum, palladium or rhodium to make it worth the risk of stealing them.  A Ronda resident is the latest victim in Wilkes.  According to a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, a woman reported that she heard the dog outside barking during the night.  The next morning, the woman started her car and it sounded really loud.  She had the vehicle checked and found that the catalytic converter had been cut off.  No suspects were listed with the report.  The website www.nationwide.com  lists ways to prevent catalytic converter theft including engraving the license tag number on the converter to make it traceable and having the converter secured to the car's frame. 

Armed Robbery and Assault Charges

Wilkesboro Police were called to the Shell Station on Hwy 421 regarding a disturbance which resulted in one being arrested for armed robbery and assault of a disabled person.  According to the report, the victim was attacked by a woman with a knife outside the store.  She grabbed his money and ran off.  Police found the woman, the knife and the money.  At first there were conflicting stories, but the woman finally admitted to pulling a knife on the victim and the stolen money was found hidden in her clothes.   The victim has a health problems and is listed as disabled.  The woman, Lisa Anderson, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, assault on a disabled person, and an outstanding warrant.  

Looking for Hit & Run Driver

She hit another car and then left the scene.  Wilkesboro Police are looking for a female driver involved in a hit and run accident over the weekend.  A Purlear woman was traveling west on Hwy 421 when another car crossed the road and collided with the left rear quarter of her car.  The victim stated that the hit and run driver entered the Sonic parking lot, came back out traveling west on Hwy 421, and did not stop for the accident.  Other witnesses stated that the hit and run driver was female and was in a older model, two-door, dark blue car.  At this time, the identity of the hit and run driver is unknown.  Damages to the victim's car were listed at 800 dollars; no injuries were reported.

Lost and Stolen Phone

As we have told you before, National statistics show that one in four thefts involves a cell phone.  And if you leave it somewhere, someone will most likely steal it.  In a report filed with Wilkesboro Police, a woman stated that she discovered her cell phone missing after shopping at the Goodwill Store.  She retraced her steps and asked store personnel if a phone had been turned in.  Her cell phone was not found, and she has cancelled her service.  The LG cell phone was valued at 150 dollars.

From Paper Checks to Electronic Deposit

With less than two months until the March 1, 2013, deadline to pay all federal benefits electronically, the Treasury Department has reported that 5 million paper checks continue to be mailed to federal beneficiaries each month.  In North Carolina alone, more than 160,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) checks are sent each month.  The Treasury Department is urging Social Security and other federal benefit recipients to not delay and switch now to either direct deposit or the Direct Express^® Debit MasterCard^®card. Check recipients can sign up for direct deposit or the Direct Express^® card by calling toll-free 1-800-333-1795, visiting www.GoDirect.org, or talking to their local federal paying agency office. The Treasury Dept says the process is fast, easy and free.

Input from NC Farmers Is Needed

N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said the release today of long-awaited federal food safety rules represents an opportunity for farmers, packers, food companies, government and the public to work together to improve food safety in America.  The proposed rules announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasize measures that farmers and produce packers should take to prevent the contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables. The rules also include preventive measures for the manufacturing of food products.  “The Food Safety Modernization Act and these rules represent a significant step forward in protecting the American public by focusing on prevention,” said Troxler, who is also serving as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.  Now that the rules are available for public comment, Troxler said it is important that farmers, packers and food manufacturers scrutinize them and take time to offer feedback. “Input from the industry and the public will be essential to ensuring that FDA gets these rules right,” he said.  North Carolina was the first state to hold listening sessions as FDA was developing the proposed rules. Information about the rules can be accessed online at http://www.fda.gov/fsma.

Cases of Bank Card Fraud in Wilkes

A couple of Wilkes residents called the Wilkes Sheriff's Office last week concerning bank card fraud.  The first victim from North Wilkesboro reported that they noticed some unauthorized charges on their bank card dating back to November of last year.  The victim went to their bank and applied for a new card.  Then before the victim could even used the new card, again, some charged that she did not make appeared on her bank card account.  No suspect was listed with the report.  In another case, a Wilkes resident reported that his debit card was stolen from his wallet and used in several area stores and at ATM machines.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office will be obtaining surveillance video from the stores and ATM's in order to determined a suspect in this theft.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate both bank card fraud reports.