Attempted Downtown Break-In

Wilkesboro Police are investigating the attempted break-in of a downtown business.  There have been a number of reports from local downtown businesses over the past couple of weeks.  Mainly, the reports have been more property damage than break-ins.  In the most recent report, Police were called to Emmalynes on West Main in Wilkesboro.  The business owner said she found the door and door frame damaged when she arrived to work.  The incident happened sometime during the overnight hours.  No entrance was gained inside the business and nothing was reported stolen.  Damages to the door are estimated at 100 dollars.  There are no suspects, but Police are continuing to investigate this attempted break-in.

NC Congresswoman Says Chief Justice Got It Wrong and Law Is Bad

People everywhere in this politically charged election year are still debating the Supreme Court’s Decision regarding the Government run healthcare law.  In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision ruled as constitutional the so-called individual mandate requiring most Americans to obtain health insurance starting in 2012.  Chief Roberts, who was appointed under a Republican administration when George W. Bush was President, cast the deciding vote.  Congresswoman Foxx from the 5^th District including Wilkes County says she believes the Chief Justice got it wrong and that this is just a bad law.  AIR  My complete interview with Congresswoman Foxx can be heard as a podcast on our website:  www.hometownchristianradio.com

NC Senator Comments on President Signing Bill

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) commented a bill signed by the President that prevents student loan interest rates from doubling on North Carolina students and funds transportation projects across the state.  Hagan said. “I am relieved the House and Senate finally put partisanship aside to move this important legislation forward….”  The bill prevents student loan rates from doubling from 3.4 to 6.8 percent. Without this legislation, 160,000 North Carolina students would have paid an additional $1,000 in interest during the 2012-2013 academic year.  The surface transportation bill also provides certainty and funding for North Carolina construction projects that have relied on nine consecutive short-term funding measures since 2009. The legislation supports 27,600 jobs and allows $981.4 million worth of construction projects in North Carolina to continue.  Sen Hagan said, “These funds will be used to improve our roads, bridges and mass transit systems – projects that will put North Carolina back to work and help us compete in the 21st century global economy.”  And again, Sen Hagan’s scheduled stop in North Wilkesboro this week has been postponed to a later date.

Over $7000 in Property Damage at Wilkesboro Elementary

Over 7000 dollars in damages were done to Wilkesboro Elementary by vandals.  Wilkesboro Police were called to the scene after someone passing by saw the damage.  When Police arrived they saw damage to the front of the building.  Several things were spray painted including multiple signs at the school, outside brick walls, a window on the east side of the building, a sidewalk, a fire hydrant, and the storage shed.  One sign was removed and bent,  and other signs belonging to the Town of Wilkesboro were also damaged.  Police took photos of the damages and were able to find footprints at the scene and crossing the roadway that were photographed and measured as evidence.  There are no suspects at this time.  Again the total damage estimate of the Wilkes County Buildings and Signs is 7250 dollars.  If you have any information about this vandalism at Wilkesboro Elementary, you are asked to call the Wilkesboro Police Department at 667-7277. 

Whoops....Wrong Address

They were banging on the door demanding money, but as it turns out, they were at the wrong house and apologized when they left.  In a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department over the weekend, a woman living in Traphill said that three white males came to her home, kicked the door, and demanded money.  The three came to the house early Saturday morning.  The woman did not know who the men were.  She grabbed her 22 rifle and demanded that the 3 men leave her property.  A friend at the woman’s house went outside and got into a fight with the 3 unwanted guests.  The woman shot her gun into the air and the fight ended.  The three then explained that they were at the wrong house and before leaving said they were sorry.  No injuries from the encounter were reported.  However, it seems the armed homeowner shook up the 3 men so much that they left behind a handgun and a knife.  The handgun and knife were secured by Sheriff’s Deputies and taken as evidence.    Again, the identity of the three white males is unknown, but the investigation is still underway by the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department. 

WCC Students Win Medals

Forty-three students and fifteen instructors from Wilkes Community College travelled to Kansas City, Mo., recently for the national SkillsUSA conference and contest. Out of 7,800 student competitors from across the nation, 34 of the 43 WCC students placed in the top 15 positions. WCC’s student medal count was four silvers and seven bronzes.  The competition began on  Saturday June, 23, 2012. Students competed Sunday through Wednesday, showcasing their knowledge and skills in their selected career fields. Hardin Kennedy, WCC SkillsUSA advisor said, “These placements prove that Wilkes Community College students and instructors are a step above the rest.” Kennedy went on to say, “It is evident that WCC produces a workforce second to none, especially with all of the students placing in the top 1% of America’s workforce. WCC students earned almost half of the medals awarded to the state of North Carolina.” Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.  

The list of the WCC Student winners includes:  Staci Ingram and Tyler Lambert – 3D Visualization and Animation team, 7th place;  Joseph Bliss – Architectural Drafting, 17th place; John Miller – Cabinet Making, 19th place; Nathan Scott – Carpentry, 23rd place; Bryant Mumpower – CNC Turning, 18th place;  Toby Evans – Collision Repair, 14th place; Kasey Prevette, Ryan Reavis and Blake Shumate – Community Service Team, 6th place; Diamond Little – Customer Service, 3rd place; Alyson Johnson – Dental Assisting, 6th place; Patrick Murphy – Diesel Equipment Technology, 11th place; Shane Davis, Drew Lovette and John Souther – Engineering Design Technology Team, 2nd place; Douglas Cline – First Aid/CPR,6th place; Lori Eller, Yvette Gooch, Amber Minton and Steven Sloan – Health Knowledge Bowl Team, 4th place; Sara Lowry – Health Occupation Professional Portfolio, 3rd place; Graylin Martin – Industrial Motor Control, 23rd place; Chad Spears – Internetworking, 2nd place; Brandie Stone – Job Interview, 6th place; Adam Miller and Derek Rhodes – Mechatronics, 5th place; Cody Amburn – Medical Assisting, 4th place; Blair Sudderth – Medical Terminology, 3rd place; Shayla Adkins – Photography, 10th place; Tim Pickett – Plumbing, 5th place; Chris Shumate – Practical Nursing, 10th place; Kasey Osborn and Holly Underwood – Promotional Bulletin Board, 6th place; David Miller, Jacob Shepherd, Luke Walsh and Jeremy Wishon – Teamworks Team, 3rd place; Paula Stacey – Technical Computer Applications, 13th place; Brian Johnson – Technical Drafting, 12th place; Jamie Trivette – Telecommunications Cabling, 6th place; Nathan Church – Welding, 38th place; Wesley Blackwell, Ryan Hancock and Jordan Vance – Welding Fabrication Team, 18th place.

Not Knock on Door...Knock Out Window Beside Door

While he was at work, someone came to visit.  Apparently, they did not want to see him; only to steal his stuff.  In a report filed with Wilkesboro Police over the weekend, a person living at the River Street Apartments fail victim to a thief.  The property owner had gone to work.  When he returned, he saw that the window beside the door was broken.  Inside the man found that his stereo, a pocket knife, a bottle of cologne, and some clothing were missing.  There is a suspect in the case.  Police gathered evidence at the scene and charges are pending.

Funny Money

At the end of last year it was a common occurrence here in Wilkes for local stores and restaurants to report counterfeit currency to local police and the Sheriff’s Department.  Now a store has had a fake 20 to be discovered in their bank deposit.  Yadkin Valley Bank called the Wilkesboro Police after trying to process a deposit from the Run In on Oakwoods Road.  The bank employee counting the cash in the deposit found one counterfeit 20-dollar-bill.  Police came to the bank and agreed that the currency was phony.  Police seized the fake 20 as evidence.  There is no word at this time who passed funny money at the store.

Thou Shalt Not Use Another's Debit Card

If you use someone’s debit card without their permission, it is stealing.  A North Wilkesboro resident called the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office when she found that someone had stolen her debit card.  Before the woman could get a stop on the account, the bank card was used at Just Save and at a local ATM.  A total of 180 dollars was stolen from victim’s account using her stolen card.  There is a suspect in this case and charges are pending further investigation.

NC Forest Employees Fighting Fires Nationwide

The N.C. Forest Service has sent 32 employees to help other states and the federal government fight wildfires around the country.  “N.C. Forest Service employees are recognized nationally as excellent wildland firefighters,” said State Forester Wib Owen.  Forest Service employees are working on fires in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. The agency also is providing staff for the Southern Area Coordination Center in Atlanta. In North Carolina, workers are helping the U.S. Forest Service battle the 21,000-acre fire in the Croatan National Forest near New Bern.  The N.C. Forest Service has helped other agencies by providing a 20-member firefighting crew as well as personnel to fill a variety of roles.  The requesting agencies will reimburse the state for providing the assistance.  “We are very proud of these men and woman for the personal sacrifice they are making to aid in fighting these fires,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.