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.

Break-Ins to Steal Drugs

Prescription medications continue to be a target of those breaking into houses across Wilkes.  While statistics show that the problems with addiction to prescription drugs in our county has improved, the problem has not been totally eliminated.  Users and sellers are still in the stealing business locally.  A North Wilkesboro resident called the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department this week concerning a home break-in.  Reportedly, the thief removed the window air conditioner unit to get inside the house, and the only stolen was prescription meds.  Then another Wilkes resident called about a home break-in on the McCarter Road.  This time the door was pried open but again the only thing stolen from the home was prescription drugs.  No suspects were listed with either report that the Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate.

Fireworks Display Laws

With the Fourth celebrations less than a month away, did you know that you now need to get an approved application before conducting a fireworks display?  Kevin Bounds, Wilkes Fire Marshal, was at the County Commissioners’ meeting earlier this month to explain the new state law and get applications approved.  After the 2009 incident at Okracoke Island, the state changed the law.  Under the new law, no fireworks display may be conducted unless it is at a concert or public exhibition which is personally directly by an insured display operator who has received mandated training by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  Also, the fireworks display must receive a permit from the Board of County Commissioners.  Some local groups and towns have already applied and received approval for fireworks displays.  Fire Marshal Kevin Bounds and Wilkes Sheriff Chris Shew will be on Focus on the Foothills today at 1:05 to discuss the new law and procedures with fireworks.  

Smoot Park Farmer's Market Opens

The Smoot Park Farmer’s Market will be open Saturdays beginning this Saturday, June 23, from 7 til 11am.  The market will also be open Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 beginning June 26^th.  The Smoot Park Farmer’s Market is held under the picnic shelter at Smoot Park in North Wilkesboro.  If anyone has a bumper crop of home grown produce and is interested in selling at the Farmer’s Market, then call the Wilkes County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension Service at 651-7333 for more information.

NC Sen Burr's Resolution for Biomed

U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), along with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), introduced a resolution to honor the 10th anniversary of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) which passed the Senate unanimously this week.   Senator Burr said.  “I commend them for their strong commitment to research in the field of biotechnology, imaging, and biomedical engineering and for pursuing the next generation of life-saving treatments and technologies for our nation’s patients.”  The scientific and medical research conducted at and supported by the NIBIB offer the hope for accelerating treatments and cures for debilitating diseases and conditions that impact America’s patients.  Scientific breakthroughs in areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer treatments, and nanotechnology are helping physicians better target care and meet patients’ individual needs.   Senator Burr introduced the bill (H.R. 1795) to establish the NIBIB in 1999, and it was signed into law in December 2000.

Sen Hagan Applauds Amendment Passage

This week, U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) applauded passage of her “Plain Language” amendment to the Farm Bill now before Congress that will make information about federal crop insurance policies more readable and accessible to farmers in North Carolina and nationwide.  AIR  Hagan’s “Plain Language” amendment would require the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) to use clear, concise and easily readable information about federal crop insurance programs.  In addition, the amendment requires USDA to improve their Web site so that farmers have easy access to clear information about existing and new crop insurance policies created in the 2012 Farm Bill.