WCC and Dual Enrollment Opportunities

The WCC Board of Trustees recently endorsed a tentative agreement to offer dual college and high school enrollment of classes in Ashe County.  The new Career & College Promise program, which became effective on January 1, eliminates all previous rules for concurrent enrollment of high school students and provides new guidelines and structure under one umbrella.  Career & College Promise provides seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities for eligible North Carolina high school students in order to accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that lead to college transfer or provide entry-level job skills.  The Program & Planning Committee approved and submitted to the NCCCS the Career & College Promise program offerings at WCC. The board endorsed those offerings at its Thursday evening meeting.  Through a tentative agreement between the college and Ashe County High School (ACHS), the Ashe Campus will potentially begin offering the Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology program on the ACHS campus beginning in fall 2012. Plans are underway to develop a pathway for this program under the Career and College Promise initiative, allowing high school and adult students to seek up to the first year of the Associate in Applied Science in Collision Repair at the Ashe Campus.

What Happened to the Tires?

Wilkesboro Police were called recently concerning an alleged damage to property case that proved to be a bit confusing.  The call for damage to property came from Myers Tire.  The victim said that he had stayed at the Holiday Inn Express overnight and came out to find two of his tires completely flat.  The man told police when he came out to his car the left front and back tires were flat and the right front and back tires had gouge marks on them.  The Holiday Inn did not have surveillance video in the parking lot where his car was overnight.  According to the police report, the tire technicians with Myers Tire said that the marks on the tire were not consistent with the victim’s story.  Damages to the tires was estimated over 600 dollars.  No charges have been filed, and there is no other information at this time.  

Wilkes EDC Fund Helps Create Jobs

Wilkes Economic Development Corporation President Jeff Garstka says that the EDC is a one-stop shop for anything businesses need and that they are a step ahead of some other areas because of money that was raised in the private sector for a special fund to help businesses and create jobs.  Monies from this fund can help the expansion of businesses by buying equipment or materials.  Garstka says the money from the fund is not to be used as “seed money” but can be used for small business loans.  My complete interview with EDC President Garstka can be heard on our website as a Focus on the Foothills podcast.

Employee on Leave Pending Investigation

An Avante employee is on leave until an investigation can be completed regarding an incident between a patient and a male CNA.  In a report filed with the Wilkesboro Police, the grandson of a patient had called to check on his grandfather when he was told about an altercation that left bruising on his grandfather’s arm.  Reportedly, the CNA tied the man’s hands in his shirt, pulled his shirt over his head, and smacked him in the face with a glove.  Other employees and patients have been interviewed concerning the incident and written statements have been taken by police.  No charges for assault have been filed at this time.  Again, the CNA is on leave until the investigation is completed.

Jonesville Fire Ruled Arson

The fire was on Saturday and the arrest was made on Sunday.  According to Jonesville Police, a 16-year-old was arrested on Sunday for arson related to a Saturday night fire at the Jonesville Dollar General.  The fire was reported just before 9 o’clock Saturday night at the Dollar General on Winston Road in Jonesville.  There was extensive damage to the store and contents before the fire could be extinguished.  8 area fire departments were called out Saturday to battle the store fire.  After further investigation, Jonesville Police arrested a teenager on Sunday for intentionally starting that fire.  

NC Senator Hagan About MLK Day

Monday was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) released the following statement yesterday morning at the 32^nd Annual Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham.  “When I look out on the national mall, I see memorials to some of our greatest leaders—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln. And since this fall, it has been an inspiration to add one more name to that list, that of a Baptist minister who left an indelible impact on our American identity: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”  Hagan also said, “In North Carolina and around the country, we honor the civil rights contribution of the Montford Point Marines, the first African-Americans to serve in the Marine Corps, forced to train in a segregated facility next to Camp Lejeune. These American heroes served our country with distinction in the face of prejudice, and last year, it was my honor to successfully lead the effort to award them with the long overdue Congressional Gold Medal.”

Tax Season Tips

If I were Elmer Fudd, I would say, “Be very quiet.  It’s rabbit season.”  But I’m not Elmer Fudd and it’s not rabbit season.  However, it is tax season and the IRS has some tips for just this time of year.  1. Gather your records. Round up any documents you’ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support income or deductions you’re claiming on your return.  2.    Be on the lookout.  W-2s and 1099s will be coming soon; you’ll need these to file your tax return.  3.    Have a question? Use the Interactive Tax Assistantavailable on the IRS website to find answers to your tax questions about credits, deductions, general filing questions and more.  And finally, Visit the official IRS website often. The IRS website atwww.irs.gov is a great place to find everything you need to file your tax return: forms, publications, tips, answers to frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes.

Stolen Dump Truck from Fire Training Grounds

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s is investigating the break-in of a building and a truck theft from the Fire Training Grounds in Wilkes.  According to the report, a county employee arrived to the Poplar Grove Road location and discovered the theft.  The gate locks were cut, a dump truck was stolen, a door lock to a building was broken open, and several items were taken.  Included in the theft were a 1997 Chevy dump truck, a small torch welder, a 110 volt wire welder, a 30 gallon air compressor, a 5000 watt Honda generator, and a roofing nailer.  Stolen property is valued over 12,000 dollars.  No suspects were listed with the break-in in theft.  Again, the Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

WCC Board of Trustees Meeting

The Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees met last week in the John A. Walker Community Center.  The trustees approved several naming opportunities based on the recommendation of the Building and Grounds Committee. Facilities – buildings, rooms, streets, and other named places – may be named in honor or memory of individuals, businesses, and organizations.  The board approved a $14,543 increase in the design fee to CBSA Architects for the Automotive Technology Complex, for additional work required as the result of splitting the early site work.  Construction on the Automotive Technology Complex is expected to begin in April with completion slated for December 2012.  Also, the board heard about efforts to reduce energy consumption at the college, including electricity, natural gas, water and other utilities. Due to a conversion to natural gas in 2010 at WCC, installation of water saving faucets in restrooms, and a change in strategy/methods for landscape irrigation, the college saw total utility costs decrease from $724,735 in fiscal year 2010 to $666,384 in fiscal year 2011.  And finally, the building committee reported that renovations to the North Wilkesboro Center were completed in December 2011, converting the former Basic Law Enforcement Training room to a computer testing lab and conference room.  Also space on the first floor of Thompson Hall, previously occupied by the drama program, will be converted to classroom and computer lab space for developmental math. Renovations begin this month and will be completed by fall semester this year.

Another Stolen Tag

Last week we reported on a number of license tags stolen from vehicles in the area.  There is another to add to the list.  A Traphill resident called the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department to report the theft of her tag.  The victim said the tag was either removed while the car was parked at her Hanks Street residence in Traphill or while she was at work at the Elkin Food Lion.  The tag number has been entered in NCIC and local law enforcement are investigating.