Attempted Break-Ins, Property Damage, and a Stolen Gun

Was this a case of vandalism, an attempted larceny, or an attempted break-in?  A homeowner on the Robinhood Road came home to find that while they were gone someone damaged their air conditioner.  The A/C unit was located outside the home.  Entrance was not inside the house and nothing was reported missing.  Also a resident on the Bouchelle Road in Wilkesboro called to report an attempted break-in.  They homeowner came home to find that someone had tried to pry open the back door.  Again, no one got inside the residence and nothing was reported stolen.  No suspects were listed with either report.  However, a State Road resident reported that an unknown person did get inside their home.  The only thing reported stolen was a pistol.  Over the past couple of weeks, guns have been a hot item among thieves and have been stolen in several home break-ins throughout the county.

About to Load Up Scrap Metal

A couple of people were arrested after attempting to take some scrap metal from someone’s property.  In a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department, some family members saw a truck and trailer pulling onto the victim’s property off Hwy 421 in Champion.  The victim was notified and came home to find two suspects attempting to load up some scrap metal.  The property owner called the Sheriff’s Department.  Deputies came out and arrested Brandy and Benjamin Baird for Second Degree Trespassing.  The property owner retained possession of the metal and nothing else was reported stolen.

Run-Off Elections in NC / Early Vote This Week

Before November General Elections….there will be state-wide runoff elections on July 17^th for the Republican and Democratic Primaries that were held in May.  Early Voting has already begun but ends on Saturday.  The state wide offices for the Republican run-off are:  NC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR(Dan Forest, Tony Gurley), NC SECRETARY OF STATE(Kenn Gardner, Ed Goodwin), NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, (Richard Alexander, John Tedesco), and NC COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE (Mike Causey, Richard Morgan).  The statewide office for the Democratic run-off is: NC COMMISSIONER OF LABOR (Marlowe Foster, John C. Brooks).  According to the Wilkes Board of Elections, Early Voting at the County Office Building is through July 14; Monday through Friday 8:30 til 5 and Saturday, July 14^th  from 8:30 til 1.  The run-off election is July 17^th  when polls will open at 6:30 am and close at 7:30 pm.

Sen Hagan Coming to North Wilkesboro This Week

A US Senator is stopping by Wilkes for a visit this week.  Senator Hagan is continuing her North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour to listen to business owners and employees for ideas on how to move our economy forward.  The tour will include a stop in North Wilkesboro on July 13^th.  Hagan says we need to work together, both Republicans and Democrats.  AIR  Sen Hagan will be at the Stone Center in North Wilkesboro to meet with constituents from 10 til 11 on July 13^th.  Her staff will be at the Stone Center from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. to help people navigate issues with federal agencies, such as the VA, IRS or the Social Security Administration. For more information visit:  www.hagan.senate.gov

Attempted and Failed....Twice

It was attempted a couple of times but appears to have been unsuccessful with both attempts.  Wilkesboro Police were called on Tuesday morning concerning a couple of drink machine break-ins that happened overnight Monday.  The first drink machine was located near a medical facility on Industrial Drive in Wilkesboro.  When Police examined the machine, they found that someone had tried to pry the dollar changer from the front of the machine.  However, the thief did not get inside the machine or get any money.  Then Police were called to business on US Hwy 421 where again someone had attempted to get money from another drink machine.  Again the would-be thief had attempted to cut the dollar changer from the Pepsi machine.  There were no surveillance cameras in the area at either location where the machines were damaged, so there are no suspects.  Damages to the drink machines were estimated at 1200 dollars each.  

New Wilkes Jail Coming Soon

It should be completed sometime within the next year and a half.  Wilkes County Commissioners voted this week to build a new 224-bed jail next to the Wilkes County Courthouse in Wilkesboro.  County Finance Director and County Manager John Yates determined that the county could borrow up to 11 million dollars for the new jail without having to raise taxes.  The 11 million for the new jail is to be paid off in 20 years.  All four County Commissioners presented voted to build the new jail.  Commissioner Sink was unable to attend this week’s meeting.  Since late 2010, Wilkes County has been forced to pay to house prisoners in surrounding county jails due to the over-crowding problem at the Wilkes Jail.  Just last month, the County Commissioners voted to dissolve a proposal to build a 298-bed jail at the cost of 23.5 million dollars.  The current contract with Hemphill-Randel of Charlotte calls for the new 11 million dollar jail to be completed in Wilkes within 18 months.

Caught with Drugs at the Carwash

On more than one occasion, Wilkesboro Police have been called to the Four Brothers Carwash regarding suspicious persons.  Earlier this week, Police were again called to Four Brothers.  They found one white male and one black male just sitting in a car in the second bay of the carwash.  An Officer observed “shake” on the ground next to the car.  Shake is the street name for the tobacco shaken out of a cigar so marijuana can be packed in and smoked.  The men were questioned by Police and asked to step outside of the car.  While searching their vehicle, Police found cellphones, a quart jar of marijuana, a sock with four bundles of cash, a digital scales, baggies, and other drug paraphernalia.  James Dean Barker was arrested and charged with 3 counts of possession including felony possession.  Kirk Brandon Whittington was arrested and charged with two counts of possession.  Both were taken to the Wilkes County Jail.

Not Stealing and Not Knowing

Three people were arrested after being caught in the act at a local store.  Perhaps they thought everyone including police would be watching the fireworks and not the works of thieves.  According to a Wilkesboro Police report, just after 10 pm on the Fourth an Officer observed 3 people down beside a MDT Gold Riding Mower outside Aaron’s on Winkler Street.  When Police approached the 3 individuals at the mower, he saw one man kneeling beside the mower with a pruning tool trying to cut off the security cable.  When questioned by the Police Officer, the 3 people denied trying to steal anything and even denied knowing each other.  All 3:  Hans Reeves, Cedric Wilder, and Edith Jackson were arrested and charged with attempted larceny.  The pruning tool was seized as evidence.  

Do You Have a Century Farm?

Is your family owned farm 100 years old?  Eligible NC farmers interested in joining the Century Farm Family program are encouraged to apply for membership soon if they want to be included in the printed 2012 Century Farm Directory.  The deadline for inclusion is August 1.  All members will be invited to the Century Farm Family reunion at the NC State Fair in October.  The reunion, held every four years, honors the heritage of farms that have been owned continuously by the same family for at least 100 years.  There are more than 1600 Century Farms in North Carolina including all counties except for Dare and Swain.  Wilkes County currently has 16 farms listed in the Century Farm Family Registry.  For more information visit www.ncagr.com or call 919-707-3001.

Beat the Heat Before It Beats You

As this heat wave across the country including North Carolina continues, physicians at hospitals and urgent care centers are seeing a hike in heat related injuries and illnesses. The heat has patients coming in with sunburn, heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year. In fact, on average, excessive heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. The good news- heat related illnesses and injuries are totally preventable.  The following are tips on how to stay healthy in the heat:  Drink plenty of water and avoid consuming dehydrating caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  Avoid prime heat hours by going outside only early or late in the day.  Seek air conditioning wherever possible.  Dress for the heat by wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing.  Never leave a person or pet in a parked car - even if a window is open a crack, it can heat up in seconds.  And finally, if you start feeling overheated, get out of the heat and sun immediately.  The key is to stay cool and stay hydrated.