Latest Incident at Local Business: Broken Antique Window

It was an antique window and very costly to replace.  Wilkesboro Police were called to investigate a broken window at a local business.  The owner of Wilkes Shops on Main in the Old Gray Brothers Company Warehouse came to the station to file the report.  Police Officers returned the building an found an antique window in the back of the building had been broken out.  Damages are estimated at 1000 dollars.  The property owner said that someone had been damaging her business for some time now; this was not the only incident.  Police took pictures of the damages as evidence.  There are currently no suspects.  If you have any information on the business vandalism, you’re asked to call the Wilkesboro Police Dept at 667-7277.

Turning Around and Looking Guilty

Yeah, if you turn around near a traffic check, you look guilty and Police will follow you.  A Wilkesboro Police Officer was helping with a traffic check last week on South Curtis Bridge Road when he noticed a vehicle turn around and head in the opposite direction.  So the Officer pursued the car and conducted a traffic stop at Woodland Blvd.  The driver, Jackie Collins of North Wilkesboro, admitted that she turned around because her license was revoked.  The Police Officer also determined that the woman’s registration and inspection were expired.  Collins was arrested but released on a 500 dollar bond.  Her court date is set for August.

Compensation in NC Put on Hold

Due to the joint budget agreement to exclude funding for compensation for victims of the state’s former Eugenics Board program, as well as continuation funding for operation of the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation, the Foundation has suspended intake of new victim verification requests. The House approved legislation earlier this month that reflected Gov. Bev Perdue’s call to pay $50,000 lump sum compensation to living victims, as well as funding for the Foundation’s continued operation. House Speaker Thom Tillis last week restated his personal support for House Bill 947, but added: “There is a very strong message from the Senate that they are not prepared to take it up this year.”  The Foundation must curtail intake requests because its current operational funding is scheduled to expire on June 30, the end of the fiscal year.  As of today, Lenoir County, where the Caswell Center is located, continues to have the highest number of verifications with 24 matches to N.C. Eugenics Board records. Mecklenburg, which had the highest number of procedures of any North Carolina county, follows with 13 verifications.  Wilkes County is ranked 12 in the state with 100 sterilizations but only 3 verifications to date.  The N.C. Eugenics Board implemented a program of involuntary sterilization that took place in all 100 counties between 1929 and 1974. By the end of the program, nearly 7,600 documented people were sterilized. 

Safe Boating in NC: Lifejackets

July 4 is right around the corner and it’s a popular time for both experienced and inexperienced boaters to hit the water.  According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard released in May, North Carolina ranked in the Top 5 in the nation for boating fatalities. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, approximately 84% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.  Wearing a life jacket saves lives. It’s that simple.  The National Safe Boating Council [http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/] (NSBC) is encouraging all boaters to take the “Safe Summer Pledge” this July 4th. The pledge allows boaters to share with their family and friends their dedication to boat safety and wearing a life jacket each and every time they are on the water. The pledge can be signed and shared via your social networks by visiting http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/camp-pledge.htm.

Singing in the Foothills Continues TONIGHT!!!

Singing in the Foothills, a yearly fundraiser for Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home, began last night with an enthusiastic crowd enjoying great gospel music and good food.  The annual Southern Gospel Singing to benefit The Home is held at Wilkesboro Raceway Park off Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro.  Board Member Bridgett Gardner reminds us what Ebenezer is:  AIR  And Bridgett says that the money you spend at the concert benefits the children.  AIR  Tonight the concert lineup includes:  The Diplomats, Perrys, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Skyline Boys, and Michael Combs.  And the benefit concert concludes on Saturday with The Martins, Karen Peck & New River, The Primitives, Nelons, Talleys, and Kingsmen.  Tickets are still available at the gate for tonight and Saturday’s concerts.   There is also a Talent Contest scheduled for Saturday, and you can sign up through Saturday morning.  Tonight and Saturday, trolleys can take you from the parking area to the Big Tent, there is handicap parking, and lots and lots of good food.  For more information on the Talent Contest call 984-6291.  For more information about Ebenezer or Singing in the Foothills go to www.singinginthefoothills.org or call 667-5683.

Business Break-Ins

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a couple of business break-ins both reported early Wednesday morning.  Deputies responded first to the Run In on Statesville Road in North Wilkesboro.  Someone used a rock to break the glass on the door and get inside the store.  A list of merchandise was stolen from the Run-In, but the suspect had already left the scene by the time Deputies arrived.  Then Sheriff’s Officials responded to a damage to property call at the Village Market in Moravian Falls.  Upon arrival, Deputies determined it was an attempted break-in where someone tried to get through the front door but failed.  There were pry marks near the door handle.  Also a 50 pound flower pot had been thrown against the door glass.  No entrance was gained, so nothing was reported stolen.  Damages are estimated at 165 dollars.  No suspects were listed with either report.

Store Manager in Pursuit

The Store Manager kept in contact with 911 as he trailed a shoplifting suspect.  Wilkesboro Police received a call this week concerning a shoplifter in the store at Sears.  While they were en route, 911 let Police know the suspect had left the store and was being followed by the Store Manager.  Police caught up with the suspect on Hwy 16 South and initiated a traffic stop.  They asked the driver and two passengers to step out of the car.  The Sears Store Manager identified the driver Jason Alexander of North Wilkesboro and a passenger, Brittany Mathis of Moravian Falls, as the two that were in the store.  Police recovered the stolen Craftsman Impact Driver valued at 60 dollars from inside the car.  The Store Manager also identified Alexander as being the one involved in another shoplifting incident earlier this month.  Alexander was arrested and charged with two counts of larceny.  Mathis was arrested and charged with one count of larceny.  The stolen wrench was returned to Sears. 

BBB Warning to Local Residents

Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be extremely cautious when answering the door to traveling alarm system salespersons. BBB received more than 4,221 complaints against burglar alarm companies in 2011, a 21 percent increase over the previous year. Already this year, many BBBs have issued warnings to locals regarding door-to-door alarm salesmen making the rounds.  Every summer alarm salesmen hit the pavement and every summer BBB receives a rash of complaints from consumers who feel they were ripped off. Even if the salesperson claims it’s a limited offer and they must act now, consumers must always stop and do their research before purchasing any products or services.  BBB offers the following advice for consumers on how to avoid becoming a victim of a deceptive door-to-door alarm salesperson:  Deal only with reputable firms and check out the company at the Better Business Bureau’s Web site, www.bbb.org.  Don’t be pressured into buying something you don’t want or need.  Some companies will offer a “free” alarm system. While the equipment and installation may be free (make sure this is in writing), there is a monthly monitoring fee. When you compare costs, make sure you compare all the costs.  Study the contract carefully. Make sure it includes all promises made by the sales person. If the promises are not in the contract do not sign the contract.  For more advice on keeping your home and personal property safe, visit www.bbb.org

IRS Exam for Preparers

The Internal Revenue Service announced this week that more than 27,600 North Carolina tax preparers have now registered with the agency, as required by recent regulations, but more than 12,000 of them must take an IRS competency examination by Dec. 31, 2013, or they will not be able to prepare tax returns for compensation.  So far, 134 tax preparers in North Carolina have passed the competency exam and, as a result, have been given the new credential of Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP).  Enrolled Agents, CPAs and attorneys are not required to take the exam because they already have testing requirements. Nationwide, close to 87 million returns, about 60 percent of the total, were prepared by paid tax preparers last year.  Three years ago, the IRS began a program to register paid preparers and require certain ones to pass a competency test.  In addition, paid preparers are expected to take continuing education courses and meet ethics standards.  For returns prepared in 2012, paid tax preparers must, at least, hold a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), and that the PTIN must be shown on tax returns they prepare.  More information about the IRS return preparer program is available at www.IRS.gov/PTIN.

Singing in the Foothills Starts TONIGHT!!!

Singing in the Foothills, a yearly fundraiser for Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home, begins today.  Ebenezer Board Member Bridgett Gardner says that the big tent that seats nearly 5000 is ready.  Volunteers are getting the stage, sound, and lighting ready for the 3-day Southern Gospel Concert that begins this evening and goes through Saturday.  Advance tickets sales have ended, but tickets are still available at the gate.  This week, Bridgett says tickets were selling like hotcakes.  The annual Southern Gospel Singing to benefit The Home is held at Wilkesboro Raceway Park off Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro.  Tonight the concert begins with Jason Crabb, Triumphant, The Cookes, Sisters, and Pfeifers.  On Friday, everyone is invited back the second night for The Diplomats, Perrys, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Skyline Boys, and Michael Combs.  And the benefit concert concludes on Saturday with The Martins, Karen Peck & New River, The Primitives, Nelons, Talleys, and Kingsmen.  There is also a Talent Contest scheduled for Saturday, and Bridgett says you can still sign up.  AIR  For more information on the Talent Contest call 984-6291.  For more information about Ebenezer or Singing in the Foothills go to www.singinginthefoothills.org or call 667-5683.