Took Pocketbook and Left Child

It could have been worse.  They could have stolen the car with the child inside.  In a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department, a Ronda woman said that while she walked inside Pleasant Hill Daycare to drop off her child, someone entered her unlocked vehicle and stole her pocketbook.  A Deputy questioned the victim’s other child who was in the car at the time of the theft.  The child said that after his mother went in the daycare—a heavy set, dark-headed white female entered the unlocked van, looked eye to eye with him, and took his mother’s purse.  The woman then got in a silver minivan and left heading toward Elkin.  The stolen pocketbook was recovered a short time later in the Burger King parking lot in Elkin.  The victim reported that the only thing stolen from the pocketbook was 40 dollars in cash.  The man who recovered the purse said he found in the restaurant parking lot near the front door.  The identity of the suspect is unknown.

Sanctity of Life Month

January is Sanctity of Life Month and yesterday was Sanctity of Life Sunday.  Many area churches had special services in honor of Sanctity of Life Sunday.  Last week, we spoke with Susan Sturgill with the Wilkes Pregnancy Life Center about why some don’t take a stand against abortion.  Sturgill says it goes back to that age old problem of sin.  Sturgill said either we believe the Bible or we don't, and the Bible teaches that "Thou shalt not kill."   Abortion was legalized in the US back in 1973.  Today and every day, more than 3000 babies are aborted in this country.  If we want to save American lives, then we should stop a practice that kills over a million each year.  My complete interview with Susan can be heard as a Focus on the Foothills podcast on our website:  hometownchristianradio.com 

Three People Charged Following a Traffic Stop

Three people were charged following a traffic stop in Traphill.  According to the report filed with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, a deputy stopped a car on the Spicer Road after he saw that they were acting suspiciously after they changed drivers.  The deputy ran the tag number and it came back registered to another vehicle.  The deputy discovered that both people he had observed driving the car, Michael Harold and Christy Howell, had a suspended license and the car had no insurance.  A search of the vehicle found a tic tac container filled 53 Oxycodone pills in the seat of a passenger, Richard Billings.  All 3 were arrested.  Billings was charged with drug possession and two open warrants.  Harold and Howell were charged with driving with license revoked, no insurance and fictitious tag.  

Thursday Lab Busts

We received word Friday of two meth lab busts in Wilkes.  According to the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, one lab was found Thursday morning following a tip.  The lab was in a camper behind a residence on Parsons Road.  Vincent Ricci, age 51, was arrested and charged with manufacture of meth, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of meth pre-cursors.  The SBI did the cleanup of meth at the camper.  Then Thursday afternoon, Officer Whitley ran the tag on a car he was following and determined it was a tag registered to another vehicle.  The Officer conducted a traffic stop of the car which had 4 people inside.  A search of the vehicle found a small shake and bake meth container.  Michael Ashley of Roaring River, Jeffery Walker of Wilkesboro, Molly Wyatt of Wilkesboro, and Julie Absher of Millers Creek were all arrested and charged with manufacture  and possession of meth.  Mr. Ashley was already awaiting trial for selling meth last year.  Deputies seized 3 grams of meth from the car.  All those arrested in both meth lab busts were taken to the Wilkes County Jail.

Local Car Break-Ins

Car break-ins and a possible theft of gas from vehicles were all investigated last week by the Sheriff’s Department.  One victim called to report that she had left her vehicle parked at a Hays residence for a couple of days.  When she returned, a Sony CD player had been stolen from the car.   There is a suspect and charges are pending.  Also, a Millers Creek truck driver left his tractor and trailer parked in a local parking lot.  When he returned, the lock had been cut off the trailer and the door was opened.  Officials will not know if anything was stolen until the truck is unloaded at its destination in Alabama.  Then one night, a Roaring River resident heard a car door shut.  When she went to the front door, she saw a small black car spin out of her driveway.  A gas can was found in the ditch beside the driveway.  The victim believes the suspects were attempting to steal gas from their vehicles.  No arrests have been made in either case and the Sheriff’s Department is still investigating.

Tips to Reduce Energy Bill

Reducing your energy bill is a great way to lower operating costs and increase your bottom line. However, the large upfront investment required for many efficiency upgrades is often a barrier, despite the long-term financial benefits. So Duke Energy recommends some cost-saving steps: 1--Take a walk. A walk-through energy audit is free and it is a great way to uncover cost-saving opportunities. Visually inspect your home or business to look things that waste energy.  2--Use only what you need. This is the simplest and often the most effective energy-saving strategy. Turn off lights, motors, and electronic equipment when they are not being used.  3--Control temperature settings. Set building temperatures to minimize energy use while maintaining occupant comfort. Recommended energy-saving temperatures are 68°F in the winter and 75°F in the summer.

New Goal Set for NC

This week more than 40 state, local, and national groups met in Chapel Hill and endorsed a new state goal. Over the next ten years - by 2020 - North Carolina will reduce its teen pregnancy rate by 30%.  According to the latest reports, North Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate is down nearly 53% since its peak in 1991.  Statistic show that decline has saved North Carolina taxpayers more than $7.7 billion, and fewer teen pregnancies means more healthy people, more financial stability, and more educations finished.  Reducing North Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate by 30% in ten years, means the teen pregnancy rate would drop from 49.7 to 34.8 by 2020.  This equates to nearly 5,000 fewer teen pregnancies each year, less than 9,000 babies born to teen parents each year, and a ten-year cumulative savings of nearly $500 million to taxpayers. 

Two Meth Lab Busts Yesterday in Wilkes

Arrests made in two meth lab busts yesterday.  According to the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, one lab was found Thursday morning following a tip.  The lab was in a camper behind a residence on Parsons Road.  Detective Jennings and SBI Agent Carsons found the lab and made the arrest.  Vincent Ricci, age 51, was arrested and charged with manufacture of meth, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of meth pre-cursors.  The SBI did the cleanup of meth at the camper.  Then Thursday afternoon, Officer Whitley ran the tag on a car he was following and determined it was a tag registered to another vehicle.  Whitley conducted a traffic stop.  There were 4 people in the vehicle.  While speaking with the driver, the Officer saw a passenger try to hide something under the seat.  A search of the vehicle found a small shake and bake meth container.  The four people in the car, Michael Ashley of Roaring River, Jeffery Walker of Wilkesboro, Molly Wyatt of Wilkesboro, and Julie Absher of Millers Creek were all arrested and charged with manufacture  and possession of meth.  Mr. Ashley was already awaiting trial for selling meth last year.  Deputies seized 3 grams of meth from the car.  Detectives Jennings and Scott, who are certified to handle and over see cleanup, provided the cleanup of meth in the vehicle.  All those arrested in both meth lab busts were taken to the Wilkes County Jail.

Sanctity of Life Sunday This Weekend

January is Sanctity of Life Month.  Legalized abortion happened 39 years ago with the Roe v.Wade decision.  This weekend, many churches plan special services to focus on life.  Susan Sturgil with the WPCC explains that all life is special including those that are mentally and physically challenged, the elderly--every life has purpose--and this is something to really think about this weekend.  Sturgill says that while abortions are down, there are still over 3000 babies aborted every day, seven days a week in this country.  At the WPCC they try to simply present the truth to pregnant women about parenting, adoption, and abortion.  If you would like more information or would like to schedule a time for Sturgill to speak at your church or organization, call WPCC at 838-9272.  My complete interview with Susan Sturgill can be heard as a Focus on the Foothills podcast on our website.

Is the Same Man Stealing Breaking Store Windows?

For the second time, a white male has been caught on surveillance video breaking the glass door of a local business; however, his identity is still unknown.  So far after at least two attempts, a thief has been unsuccessful in stealing.  He has only succeeded in property damages totaling 600 dollars from both attempts.  About 2am Tuesday morning the man threw a rock against the front door of Shatters Internet Sweepstakes on Hwy 16 in Millers Creek.  The glass door was not broken through; only chips were knocked out of the glass.  The man then ran off.  Video surveillance showed that the suspect was a white male wearing a green coat with a hood pulled over his head, blue jeans, and dark tennis shoes.  Damages to the door are estimated at 300 dollars.  A similar report came in early Monday morning.  Sheriff’s Duties responded to a breaking and entering at the Little Market Basket on Hwy 268 in Wilkesboro.  When Deputies arrived they found a store employee standing in front of the broken front door.  A Deputy reviewed the security tape at the store and saw that a white male wearing a camouflage coat hit the door glass twice with a rock.  When the glass broke, the man ran off.  Apparently, the security alarm caused him to leave before he could steal anything.  Again, damages to the door were 300 dollars.  The suspect was described as a white male in his 20’s, 5’10’ and about 150 pounds.  There is the only information at this time; the Sheriff’s Department is still investigating.