Camera Stolen From Car

It’s a pity there was no surveillance video available to get a snap shot of the thief who stole a camera from a car in Wilkesboro.  Police were called to the apartments on Collegiate Drive.  A woman from Jonesville had been visiting her son when the theft occurred.  While her car was parked outside the apartment, someone stole a Nikon Camera with tripod, lens, and camera bag along with a book and cover from inside her Honda CRV.  The car had been left unlocked.  Stolen property was valued over 900 dollars.  

Leaf Blower Stolen From Vehicle

Police were also called concerning a leaf blower being stolen from a car.  In that report, the victim said that he parked his vehicle in the county parking lot at the corner of North and Bridge Streets in Wilkesboro.  He left the vehicle parked there overnight and could not remember if he locked it or not.  According to the police report that was no signs of forced entry.  While the vehicle was parked in downtown Wilkesboro, someone stole the leafblower from the front passenger’s seat.  The orange and white Echo blower with strap is valued at 550 dollars.  There were no witnesses and are no suspects at this time in either of these larcenies from vehicles.  Wilkesboro Police are investigating.

Unoccupied House Break-In

They broke in but didn’t get anything as it is an unoccupied dwelling.  Wilkes County Sheriff’s Officials were called to a North Wilkesboro residence.  According to the owner, this house on Richardson Road is rental property and is unoccupied currently.  On Tuesday, she noticed that the air conditioning unit had been pushed through a window and the house had been entered by an unknown suspect.  Nothing was reported stolen and no damages were listed.  There are no suspects at this time.

New Drug to Fight Cardiovascular Disease

A new therapy being studied in non-human primates by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and colleagues is demonstrating promise as a potential tool for combating cardiovascular disease by increasing good cholesterol and lowering triglycerides in the blood.  While there are several effective therapies available on the market for lowering LDL, or bad cholesterol, modern medicine has yet to find a good way to raise HDL, even if you take a statin or some other therapy to lower your LDL, the risk of having coronary heart disease is still around 50 percent.  For the current study, researchers tested a drug in non-human primates and found that it increased HDL cholesterol and lowered triglycerides. The researchers will next evaluate whether the drug has the ability to stimulate cholesterol movement out of the arteries, where it has accumulated and formed lesions.  According to Ryan Temel, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pathology and lipid sciences at Wake Forest Baptist. “Coronary artery disease is the number one killer of people in the United States.”

Sen Hagan Congratulates NC Man for White House Honor

United States Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) applauded Mr. Rich Cregar, a North Carolinian who was recognized as a "Champion of Change" by the White House on Thursday. Cregar was honored for his work as a scientist, engineer and educator in sustainable transportation technologies.  “Mr. Cregar’s innovation, leadership and eagerness to give back to the community are what make him a 'Champion of Change', and a terrific representative of the spirit of North Carolina,” said Hagan.   Rich Cregar is an instructor in sustainable transportation technologies at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, NC.   In addition to teaching, Mr. Cregar develops and presents continuing education workshops dealing with the production of biodiesel, clean diesel technology, vehicle emissions systems, hybrid electric drive systems and electric vehicles every year.

County Commissioners' Resolutions

A resolution of moral support and a resolution against a rate increase were just a couple of items on the agenda this week at the Wilkes County Commissioners Meeting.  At the last Commissioners meeting, a presentation was given concerning a film studio in Wilkes and its potential economic benefits.  At this week’s meeting, County Commissioners passed a resolution in support of Red River Media LLC Film Studio which involved no funding but rather was a vote of moral support.  County Commissioners also addressed the proposal of Duke Energy’s request for increasing their rates again.  There have been some meetings in the area recently including one in High Point which was attended by Wilkesboro Mike Inscore and Wilkesboro Councilman Sam Stroud to oppose the rate hikes.  This week Commissioners passed a resolution opposing various electricity rate increases for our state.  The resolution which was passed unanimously by County Commissioners will now be sent to the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Charges Pending in Monday's Traffic Accident

Charges are still pending in a traffic accident from earlier this week.  Monday evening there was a 2-vehicle accident on Hwy 421 involving a car and a motorcycle.  According to the Wilkesboro Police report, Debra Byrd of Ronda was traveling east on Hwy 421 near Zion Hill Church Road.  Mark Richardson was on a motorcycle and traveling west on Hwy 421.  Byrd merged her vehicle into the turning lane and then attempted to turn left onto Zion Hill Church Road when the motorcycle collided with the right rear corner of Byrd’s car.  Byrd and two passengers in the car were transported by EMS to WRMC where they were evaluated for injuries and released.  Richardson was transported to WRMC and then airlifted to Baptist Medical Center.  Due to the severity of the accident, the accident reconstruction officer was called to the scene.  The accident is still under investigation and charges in the wreck are still pending.  Richardson is listed in stable condition at Baptist.

Same Suspicious Truck; Different Break-In

A suspicious small pickup that has been seen in areas of other home break-ins was spotted again near a home break-in at a Purlear residence.  The owner told Sheriff’s Officials that this house on Deer Track Lane is a second residence and that he doesn’t live here full time.  When the victim came to the house on Tuesday, he saw that someone had broken in through the front door.  Some property was stolen including a DVD player, telescope, Seiko watch, tool set, and 2 boxes of drywall screws.  Stolen property is valued at nearly 200 dollars.  Again a truck was seen in the area that has been seen in other areas where break-ins were reported.  The truck is described as a small, blue, older model pickup.  However, the driver of the truck and identity of a possible suspect is unknown.  The Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

County Commissioners on Airport Project

An airport grant project vote and the introduction of a new forester were on the agenda this week at the Wilkes County Commissioners’ Meeting.  The Commissioners received information on the project funded by grant money at the Wilkes Airport which would upgrade the 20 year old Automatic Weather Observance System.  Commissioner Gary D. Blevins commented that he believed this upgrade was needed since the equipment was 20 years old and was a good use of grant money.  The new AWOS system should be up and running by March.  New Forester Mr. Nathan Gatlin was introduced to Commissioners by District Forester Hunter Birckhead.  Gatlin said he is living now in Roaring River and has never been where people are so friendly.  Commissioners also approved the appointment of Dr. Rob Miller and the reappointment of Pharmacist Don Manus to the Wilkes county Board of Health. 

Heated Argument Leads to Arrest

Have a heated argument with someone in a parking lot and you could end up being arrested.  Wilkesboro Police were called to the Wendy’s parking lot regarding a disturbance.  Police met the car used by those involved in the disturbance and initiated a traffic stop.  The driver, Randy Absher of North Wilkesboro, told police that there was no disturbance.  “It was just a heated argument.”  Police then noticed open beer containers inside the vehicle.  They checked NC AWARE and found that Absher had a suspended license and one outstanding warrant for assault.  So Absher was arrested and charged with driving with license revoked, open container, and for the assault warrant.