Shooting and Possible Shooting

The local sheriff’s department is investigating a shooting and an alleged shooting here in Wilkes.  Warrants have been issued for the uncle of a shooting victim following an incident in Boomer.  The shooting was reported early Monday morning.  The victim received a wound from a shotgun pellet to his leg.  According to the report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office, the victim and his uncle had been drinking and got into a fight.  The uncle reportedly shot his shotgun into the ground and a pellet from the shot hit the victim’s leg.  A warrant for assault inflicting serious injury were issued for the uncle.  That shooting is still being investigated.   Last week, a resident in Roaring River told Sheriff’s Deputies that he and his mother were on the porch of their home when a suspect came by, stopped in the road, and fired a shot in their direction.  Deputies could not find a bullet hole or evidence of a gunshot at the home, and the suspect could not be found for questioning.  No one was injured.  This alleged shooting is also still under investigation.

Stuff in Shorts and Leave

Perhaps it was his way of shopping for Father’s Day.  Wilkesboro Police are currently looking for the white male involved with shoplifting at Sears over the weekend.  The store video showed a white male enter the store, kneel down in front of a shelf, remove a Craftsman cordless drill combo kit, and conceal it in his shorts.  The man then exited the store.  Employees ran into the parking lot and got a description of the car but no tag number.  The male shoplifter was driving a gold Pontiac.  Again Police are still trying to ID the man in the video and charges are pending.  The stolen drill kit was valued at 104 dollars.

WCC Gets Grant Money

Enterprise Holdings Foundation presented a $1,500 grant to the WCC Endowment Corporation in support of the Automotive Technology Complex Capital Campaign.   Enterprise Holdings is the most comprehensive and largest car rental company in the world. The company foundation’s website states: “Our giving flows from the belief that we owe our success to the communities we serve, and we must support their good causes in return.”  Representatives from the Enterprise branch in Hickory presented the check to members of the WCC Endowment Corporation.  For more information on making a donation to the WCC Endowment Corporation or the Automotive Technology Complex capital campaign, contact the Wilkes Community College Development Office at 336-838-6491. Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties and beyond. 

Shoplifting...Shoplifting...Same Place...Same People

We have said it before, the motto of some shoplifters is:  If at first you do succeed, then try, try again.  Such was the case in multiple shoplifting reports from Walmart over the weekend.  Wilkesboro Police were called to the store Friday night.  The store surveillance video showed one black male get out of a Ford Expedtion, come in the store, get a shopping cart, walk around,  the store, and then leave.  A second black male got out of the same vehicle, came in the store, got a shopping cart, put a LCD TV and a weedeater in the shopping cart, and then leave the store without paying.  An employee at the store said one of the men was also seen on video from the night before stealing several things from the store.  On Sunday,  Wilkesboro Police were called back to Walmart.  The subjects involved in the thefts from Thursday and Friday night had once again come to the store this time to steal an air conditioner.  Police located the suspects in a Ford Expedition in the Shoe Show parking lot.  Police questioned the man and woman inside the vehicle.  Only one, Marvin Hill of Wilkesboro, had been involved with the thefts.  The other person in his vehicle was involved with a gas drive off from earlier that day.  Hill did identify the other man who took the TV and weedeater on Friday.  Hill was arrested and charged with larceny.  A warrant has been issued for the other man and charges are pending.

Power Merger Papers Due This Week

According to the NC Sustainable Energy Association, Progress Energy and Duke Energy must this week submit all merger paperwork to the NC Utilities Commission.  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission twice rejected the merger as a monopoly threat to wholesale competition, forcing the companies to revise their proposal. The NC Utilities Commission issued a scheduling order last week to submit paperwork this week. NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) is evaluating its options for further involvement in the merger. 

Run-Off Elections in NC

There will be state-wide runoff elections on July 17^th for the Republican and Democratic Primaries.  Early Voting begins on June 28th. The state wide offices for the Republican run-off are:  NC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR(Dan Forest, Tony Gurley), NC SECRETARY OF STATE(Kenn Gardner, Ed Goodwin), NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, (Richard Alexander, John Tedesco), and NC COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE (Mike Causey, Richard Morgan).  The statewide office for the Democratic run-off is: NC COMMISSIONER OF LABOR (Marlowe Foster, John C. Brooks).  According to the Wilkes Board of Elections, Early Voting at the County Office Building is June 28 through July 14; Monday through Friday 8:30 til 5 and Saturday, July 14^th  from 8:30 til 1.  The run-off election is July 17^th.  Polls open at 6:30 am and close at 7:30 pm.

3 Wrecks in 2 Days

Three people were airlifted following a 2-car traffic accident this morning.  According to Trooper Hall of the Highway Patrol, the wreck happened on Dehart Church Road just before 9am today.  Dustin Wagoner in a 2007 Nissan Versa was traveling North on Dehart Church Road when he lost control of the vehicle, crossed the centerline, and hit a Toyota Camry.  The driver of the second car was Wanda Weaver.  The cars collided at the drivers’ side doors.  Both driver’s Wagoner, Weaver, and a passenger in Wagoner’s car were air-lifted to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries.  A second passenger in Wagoner’s car was transported to WRMC by EMS.  Charges in the wreck are pending further investigation. (additional)  Then a couple of hours later, two more were sent to Baptist following a two-car wreck this time on Hwy 16 at Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro.  According Wilkesboro Police, James Goforth of North Wilkesboro was traveling North on Hwy 16 and was turning left onto Hwy 421.  Sheila Austin of Hiddenite was driving a minivan and traveling South.  The minivan hit Goforth’s car in the passenger side door.  A passenger in the car, Darrell Goforth was airlifted to Baptist Hospital.  The driver, James Goforth, was taken to WRMC and later transported by ambulance to Baptist.  Ms. Austin was taken to WRMC with minor injuries.  It is believed that both Goforths have serious but non-life threatening injuries.  Austin was charged with careless and reckless driving.  Other charges are possibly pending against Goforth.  The wreck occurred just before 11am today.  (additional)  A 19-year-old North Wilkesboro man was involved in a one-vehicle accident at 4pm Sunday.  Trooper Jennings told 3WC News that Jordan Goforth was traveling North on Old 16 when he went into a curve and laid the bike down causing it to slide into a guardrail.  Goforth was taken to WRMC and later airlifted to Baptist where he is listed in critical but stable condition.

Monday AM Wreck: 4 Injured and 3 Airlifted

Three people were airlifted following a 2-car traffic accident this morning.  According to Trooper Hall of the Highway Patrol, the wreck happened on Dehart Church Road just before 9am today.  Dustin Wagoner in a 2007 Nissan Versa was traveling North on Dehart Church Road when he lost control of the vehicle, crossed the centerline, and hit a Toyota Camry.  The driver of the second car was Wanda Weaver.  The cars collided at the drivers’ side doors.  Both driver’s Wagoner, Weaver, and a passenger in Wagoner’s car were air-lifted to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries.  A second passenger in Wagoner’s car was transported to WRMC by EMS.  Charges in the wreck are pending further investigation.

Van Full of Stolen Batteries

The found them with a van full of batteries and no explanation.  In a report filed recently, the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call of suspicious persons in the area.  Deputies found a van pulling out of a wooded area with the possible suspects inside the vehicle.  Deputies pulled the van, and while questioning the two men inside, they saw several batteries in the back of the vehicle.  Deputies asked the men why they had a van full of batteries, but the men didn’t seem to have an explanation.  Upon further investigation, Deputies found that there had been a theft at Southeastern Cars and Parts in Ronda. At least 10 different vehicles were entered at the car lot and the batteries were stolen.  John Hollandsworth and Glenn Hayes, both of North  Wilkesboro were arrested and charged with breaking, entering, and larceny.  All the batteries were recovered.

Pushed or Dragged Mower

It was parked under the deck until someone pushed it away.  Wilkesboro Police were called to a North Brock Street residence regarding the theft of a mower.  According to the property owner, the TroyBilt wide-cut, walk-behind mower was parked under the deck of their house.  The victim said the mower was in good condition other than the tires were flat. The Police investigation determined that the mower was dragged or pushed from underneath the deck and through the back yard.  Tire impressions continue across the road and onto a gravel driveway where it looks like it was loaded onto a vehicle.  Neighbors were questioned by Police, but no one reported seeing or hearing anything.  There are no other leads at this time.  The stolen lawn mower is valued at 1000 dollars.