Raleigh Legislators Over-riding NC Gov's Vetoes

The tug of war continues in Raleigh with State Legislators garnering votes to override the Governor’s vetos on the budget and other laws.  On July 2, 2012 Republicans in the House and Senate voted to override Governor Perdue’s veto of the $20.17 billion budget adjusted for 2012-2013 (HB 950). This budget increased spending by 2.5% (-0.5% after inflation).  Reportedly, no tax rates were increased.  The budget provides state employees and teachers a 1.2% raise. It fully funds the state retirement system and gives retirees a 1% cost of living adjustment.  The 2012-2013 adjusted budget restores $251 million to public education. It provides $27 million for an education reform program that focuses on student literacy, improving graduation rates, and rewarding effective teachers. The budget fully funds enrollment growth in K-12, community colleges, and the university system.  Community colleges and the university system are given funds for a 1.2% raise for recruiting, retaining, or rewarding excellent instructors. The budget cuts and freezes the gas tax at 37.5 cents per gallon. This is 1.4 cents less than the current rate.  Then, SB 820 “Clean Energy and Economic Security Act”  creates the Mining and Energy Commission that will develop regulations for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. It became law this week on July 2, 2012 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto.   And finally, SB 416 amends death penalty procedures. Major changes detail the use of evidence to prove racial discrimination. It eliminates the defendant’s ability to use statewide statistical evidence. It also limits the use of statistical data to approximately a 15 year window around the time the death sentence was sought or imposed. It ends the moratorium on the death penalty.  It also became law this week on July 2, 2012 after the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto.

From Fighting to Meth Arrests

Two Sheriff’s Deputies observed a fight in progress on River Street in Wilkesboro and called Police to the scene.  Police checked the apartment where the two were fighting to see if anyone else was there.  An Officer found what he believed to be a meth lab inside a bedroom closet.  Everyone was asked to step outside the apartment for safety reasons.  Other Officers were called to secure the hazardous materials inside the building.  No active meth lab was found; however, precursors, chemicals, and equipment used to make meth were found.  Burned areas were seen in the carpet that suggested meth had been manufacture there.  All chemicals, equipment, and materials used to make meth were seized, photographed, and placed into evidence.  The two suspects who had been involved in the fight were arrested and charged.  David Johnson of Wilkesboro was charged with 3 felony counts of manufacture, possession, and maintaining a dwelling of meth.  Kimberly Bramwell of Wilkesboro was charged with misdemeanor assault and two felony counts of manufacture and possession of meth.  Both were being held without bond until their first court appearance.

From Shoplifting to Meth Charges

From shoplifting to a meth lab, it’s a fascinating tale of a woman shoplifting for cash and driving a car with meth pre-cursors.  Wilkesboro Police were called to Kohls this week regarding a female shoplifter being detained at the store.  The woman, Juliet Dula of Zionsville, NC, was seen by store employees concealing items in her pocketbook.  Dula then fought with store employees who tried to stop her from leaving with the stolen merchandise that included over 200 dollars in jewelry and 136 dollars in clothing.  When Police arrived, Dula told Police that she was shoplifting to get cash to go to Tennessee.  Police noticed that the woman appeared to be impaired and asked what drugs she was using.  She said meth and stated that there was some stuff in her car.  Other Officers with the Hazardous Devices Team were called to the area due to the possibility of a meth lab in Dula’s car.  Only precursor materials were found and not an active lab.  Dula was arrested and charged with Possession and Manufacture of Meth, maintaining a place for a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and larceny.  She was taken to jail with a 21,500 bond.

Multiple Gun Thefts from Home Break-Ins

Guns, guns, guns….continue to top the list of stolen items in home break-ins here in Wilkes.  The Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating a number of break-ins involving gun thefts.  A Millers Creek resident came home to find that a panel had been kicked out of a door in the home.  The thief was then able to reach in and unlock the door to gain access inside the house.  The only thing reported stolen was a Ruger pistol.  Then a resident on the Statesville Road call to report that they came home and found the front door kicked open.  This time the thief or thieves took guns, ammo, and several pieces of jewelry.  Stolen property is valued at 1000 dollars.  Also a Flint Hill Road resident call the Sheriff’s Department regarding a break-in where the only things taken were a single-shot shotgun and a Toshiba laptop.  No suspects were listed in either of those home break-ins and the investigations are still underway.

Thief Takes From Unlocked Car

The car was left unlocked, so someone just helped themselves to the things inside the vehicle.  Wilkesboro Police were called to the Red Carpet Inn regarding a larceny from a motor vehicle.  The victim from Wilkesboro stated that someone had entered her ’96 Ford Explorer parked at the Inn.  Over 70 CD’s valued at 300 dollars were stolen along with some prescription medication.  The victim told Police that the stuff was in the car just after midnight but was gone when she returned to the car at 10:15 that morning.  The car was left unlocked as there was no key for the door.  Nothing else was reported stolen, and there is no word on suspects at this time.  Police will attempt to obtain video surveillance of the area in an attempt to identify the thief.

Another Stolen Heat Pump

Yet another heat pump has been reported stolen.  Local law enforcement have received numerous reports from inside the towns and throughout the county concerning the theft of heat pumps, A/C units, or the copper tubing from these units.  The latest report comes from a house on Pardue Lane.  The property is a rental house that is currently unoccupied.  The property owners noticed the unit missing this week and call the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office.  The stolen heat pump sometime since June 25^th is valued at 3000 dollars.  No suspects were listed with the theft report.

NC Korean Vets and Certificate Presentations

About 1,500 Certificates of Appreciation have been requested through the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs by Korean War veterans and family members as part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s launch of “The Year of the Korean War Veteran.”  The N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA) is working with community groups to present certificates to Korean Vets statewide.  Interested organizations are encouraged to call NCDVA at 919-807-2450.  “The Korean War was sometimes referred to as the ‘Forgotten War.’  NCDVA records indicate that more than 177,000 North Carolina citizens served in Korea between June 27, 1950, and Jan. 31, 1955.  More than 72,000 of these veterans are still living in North Carolina today.  According to NCDVA, 968 North Carolinians died during the Korean Conflict.  Over 2,000 were wounded; 109 were taken as prisoners of war (POWs), and 204 were designated as Missing in Action.  In addition to the Certificate of Appreciation, the U.S. Department of Defense encourages any Korean War veteran to share his or her story with the Korean War Commemoration Committee at http://koreanwar.defense.gov/ or call 703-545-0522.

NC Power Merger

The North Carolina Utilities Commission announced this week its approval of the proposed merger between Duke Energy Corporation and Progress Energy, Inc. The combined company will serve approximately 3 million customers in North Carolina including many in Wilkes.  The merger guarantees at least $650 million in fuel and fuel-related savings to be allocated among utility customers and is expected to produce operating efficiencies to be reflected in future rates.  In addition, the Commission imposed conditions to protect consumers.  It is requiring the merged companies commit $16.48 million annually in community and charitable support during the first four years, as well as $10 million in energy assistance for low-income customers, $5 million for workforce development and $2 million for NC Greenpower, a nonprofit promoting renewable energy.  The Commission is also requiring any costs associated with the merger to be paid by the companies and their shareholders – not by North Carolina utility customers.

Wilkes Sheriff on Fourth, Fun, and Fireworks

With the July 4^th weekend approaching, Wilkes County Sheriff Chris Shew asks all citizens to join him in making this Fourth of July holiday happy, enjoyable and safe for everyone.  Wilkes County citizens should remember that fireworks, as enjoyable as they are to watch, can be dangerous and should only be handled by professionals.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, there are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year. You can enjoy a safe Fourth of July by following these safety tips:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Beat Up and Robbed

He was beat up and robbed, so a Common Law Robbery is currently being investigated by Wilkes Sheriff’s Officials.  Deputies were called to the WRMC Emergency Room regarding an assault victim.  The 27-year-old victim from Boomer said that he was at an unspecified location on Hwy 268 when 8 to 10 people jumped him and beat him up.  Reportedly, after the beating, the group also stole some cash and a cell phone from the victim.  The man was treated and released from the hospital.  Total value of stolen items is 800 dollars.  The identity of the attackers is unknown at this time, but the investigation is ongoing.