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. 

Black Bear Killed in Wilkes

A black bear was killed in Wilkes this morning.  According to Trooper Stokes with the Highway Patrol, a Duke Power truck was traveling on Traphill Road when a bear ran out in front of the vehicle.  Trooper Stokes said it was a small black bear, possibly a cub.  The bear was killed in the accident.  The driver in the truck was not injured and there were no damages to the vehicle.  Also, there were no charges filed.  Wildlife Resources and the DOT were called about removing the bear from the roadway.  The incident happened about 11 o’clock Tuesday morning on Traphill Road.

Living on a Church Road Attracts Crooks

Both reports were from someone living on a church road.  In one report, maybe they were trying to steal the car and in the second report they succeeded in stealing from the car.  A property owner on the Welcome Home Church Road talked to Sheriff’s Officials this week about damages to his car.  The car was left unlocked, and someone had entered the vehicle and greatly damaged the steering column.  Again, it’s unclear if someone was trying to steal the car of if this was just a case of vandalism.  Damages are estimated at 1000 dollars.  Then a victim on Baptist Home Church Road called to report a car break-in and larceny.  As in the first report, the vehicle was left unlocked and parked in the owner’s driveway.  Someone entered the vehicle and stole a pocketbook.  The victim’s bank card from her pocketbook had already been used at the Dollar General on Hwy 18 by the time she reported the theft.  There is no word on suspects in either vehicle related investigation.

Wilkes Home Break-Ins

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department even after making several arrests continues to have a list of home break-ins to investigate.  A homeowner in Millers Creek arrived at their residence and noticed the blinds on the kitchen window were down instead of up.  Then they noticed the front door had been kicked in and two storage buildings had been broken into.  The thief or thieves took a Pioneer radio and speakers, a knife, 5-speed bicycle, rod and reels, and other items.  There were damages to the home door and outbuilding doors.  Then a resident in North Wilkesboro on Speedway Road also had someone entered their home while they were away for a few days.  As in the other report, they returned home to find the front door kicked open.  A laptop, watch, and some cash was stolen.  There are suspects in both of these home break-ins, and charges are pending further investigation by the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department.

Interim Town Manager for North Wilkesboro

In a special meeting this week, the North Wilkesboro Town Commission Board chose a Interim Town Manager to fill the position being vacated by Hank Perkins as of July 5^th.  The North Wilkesboro Commissioner agreed to get Cecil Wood as the Interim Town Manager.  Wood, who is a graduate of North Wilkes High, served as the Wilkes County Manager from 1986 to 1995.  Wood will begin working for the Town on July 6^th.

Job Offered on Graduation Day

A local student went to a state competition that led to a job at graduation.  A.J. Felts so impressed a proctor during the April SkillsUSA competition that he landed a job on the day of his college graduation, Friday, May 11. Felts, who received an Associate Degree in Networking Technology competed in Internetworking at the state competition in Greensboro on April 18. One of the proctors for the competition is a Customer Support Engineer II for Cisco Systems, a worldwide leader in computer networking.  Randy Gambill, lead instructor for Networking Technology, said, “A.J. went through a series of interviews and learned of his job offer on graduation day. Needless to say, he was elated. His words were, ‘I landed this job as a direct result of SkillsUSA and our college!’”  Felts and his wife, Heather, relocated to Research Triangle Park, N.C., for his new position at Cisco.  All 146 students representing WCC finished in the top 20 in the state competition.  SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. Wilkes Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College System.