Damage at Duke Energy Substation

Duke Energy has reported damage on the property of a substation locally.  Over the weekend, officials with Duke Energy in Charlotte reported to the Sheriff’s Department that someone had cut a hole in the chain link fence surrounding the power grid on Antioch Church Road in Wilkesboro.  Damages are listed at 200 dollars.  No other damages were reported and there is no word on suspects.

The Journey and The Shoe Box

Did you know you can be a part of one of the greatest journeys without even leaving town?  Just go to “The Journey” event at Baptist Home Church this week.  You’ll gain ideas, inspiration, encouragement, and resources to support you and your group in collecting shoe boxes.  Dan Jarvis with Operation Christmas Child of Samaritan's Purse says the shoe boxes are sent to over 100 countries around the world to children in need.   Jaris says sharing the Gospel of Jesus is the main mission of the shoe boxes and that they work with the local church in these countries.  National collection week for the shoe boxes begins November 14^th.  For more information go to www.samaritanspurse.org or go to Baptist Home Church, Sparta Road, North Wilkesboro this Thursday from 6:30 til 8pm.

Symphony in Wilkesboro for Public and Students

Every year, the North Carolina Symphony presents over 45 free education performances to elementary and middle school-age students across North Carolina. The series forms the core of the most extensive education programs of any U.S. orchestra.   Conductor William Henry Curry leads the Symphony in the 2011/12 concert program in Wilkesboro when the orchestra plays for an audience of Wilkes students at The Walker Center on Friday, Oct. 7, at 10:00 a.m.  The concert features special demonstrations by the Symphony’s renowned staff of conductors and world-class musicians.  “We break down music to its fundamentals to provide students with the essential tools for understanding the total influence of orchestral music in their lives,” says North Carolina Symphony Director of Education Jessica Nalbone.  Education concerts are presented free in schools or concert halls for school groups and are closed to the public.  This performance follows a public concert at The Walker Center, Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the Oct. 6 concert are available at www.ncsymphony.org .

NC Irene Survivor and Assistance Update

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) applauded the U.S. Department of Labor's decision to extend the deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) in North Carolina counties seriously impacted by Hurricane Irene.  “While North Carolina is dedicated to a complete recovery from Hurricane Irene, many of our counties continue to face major infrastructure and communications obstacles,” Hagan said.  The extension to November 1, 2011, was granted for all 35 North Carolina counties included in the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Irene.   DUA is meant specifically for individuals whose jobs have been lost or interrupted directly because of a major natural disaster.   In the month since Hurricane Irene struck North Carolina, nearly $1 million a day in state and federal aid has made its way to help individuals and families recover from the storm. More than $29.9 million in disaster assistance has been approved to help speed recovery across the 35 counties designated for individual assistance in the disaster declaration.  October 31 is the deadline to apply for disaster assistance.  Survivors who do not need FEMA disaster assistance or have additional needs are referred to partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Small Business Administration.

Stolen Off the Top of the Frig

On top of the refrigerator isn’t the safest place in your home to keep money or medications.  A Wilkesboro man called the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department last week with the report of a break-in at his apartment.  The break-in occurred during the day between 9:30 and 4:30 while the victim was away from home.  When the man returned to his Pads Road Apartment, he found that his door had been broken in.  The only things reported stolen were 4 bottles of medication and over a hundred dollars in cash that were on top of his refrigerator.  There are no suspects.

Copper Theft From Wilkes Business

As 3WC has been reporting, copper thefts have increased to the point even Homeland Security has issued warnings due to copper being stolen from critical facilities in the US.  Here in Wilkes, thieves have stolen copper wire and tubing from both individuals and businesses.  Over the weekend, Interconnect called the Wilkesboro Police with a theft.  According to the owner, someone come the property overnight and unrolled some copper wire off a wooden spool near the end of the parking lot.  In fact, the thieve or thieves rolled off 710 feet of Essex 24 gauge copper wire cable valued at 1800 dollars.  Video surveillance did not record any suspect information.  Wilkesboro Police are still investigating this theft.

Same Crook, Same Place, Same Crime

I believe we’ve mentioned this before, but if at first you do succeed in stealing then try, try again.  At least that must be the philosophy of a repeat diesel thief in Wilkes.  Murphy’s called the Wilkesboro Police Department last week concerning a gas drive off.  In the report, store employees reported that someone driving a blue 2010 or 2011 Ford Truck pulled up to a gas pump.  The driver left the door open, pumped 50 dollars in diesel fuel, jumped back in the truck, and left the parking lot with tires spinning.  The driver was in such a hurry he didn’t even bother to close the fuel cap.  Now ironically, the same driver in the same truck committed the same crime at the same location about 3 weeks ago.  There was no license tag displayed on the vehicle but police are still looking for the truck matching the description of the diesel thief.

Batteries Now Popular Among Thieves in Wilkes

It’s odd how thieves go from stealing one thing to another.  Here in Wilkes, some of the items that top the list of thieves are copper, prescriptions, and recently….batteries.  Over the weekend, a Millers Creek resident reported the theft of two diesel truck batteries.  The stolen batteries valued at 200 dollars were taken from a vehicle parked inside his garage at the time of the theft.  There are no leads or suspects at this time.  As 3WC has already reported, a victim from Hays told Sheriff’s Deputies that there had been multiple thefts from his property including one last week where 3 batteries were stolen off his road tractors parked on his property in North Wilkesboro.  Also a Boomer man returned home with his father and brother when he saw two men attempting to steal the batteries from his dump truck. Those two men were captured and arrested by Sheriff’s Deputies.

Stolen Off Generator

Speaking of odd things to steal, how about a stolen radiator?  Maybe the thief needed the part for his motor or maybe they just wanted to sell it for scrap.  In either case, a Boomer resident called the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department when he discovered the theft.  The radiator was cut off the victim’s 4-cylindar generator that was in his shed.  There were tracks leading to the shed and nothing else was reported stolen.  The stolen radiator is valued at 150 dollars.

Local Coats For Kids

The Child Abuse Prevention Team and Our House "COATS FOR KIDS" drive is underway through the end of the month.  You are asked to donate any size new or slightly used coats, jackets, and sweaters.  Simply bring the coats to either of the Drop-off points which are: Wilkesboro Cleaners and both locations of Hourglass Cleaners today through October 31, 2011.  When all the coats, jackets, and sweaters are collected and cleaned then Hope Ministry will distribute them during their annual Toy Store.  For more information concerning Coats for Kids call Our House at 667-5555.