Two Vehicle Fires in One Week Ruled as Arson

Two vehicle fires in one week are believed to be arson.  Roaring River and Ronda Fire Departments responded to an older model van fire that burned near a home off Hwy 268 in Roaring River early yesterday morning.  The van was parked next to a garage.  Assistant Fire Marshal Nikki Hamby said fire spread from the van to the side of the garage and burned a portion of the building before being extinguished by firefighters. It is believed the fire started in the interior of the van and was intentionally set.  Reportedly the van had not been driven in months. A car found burning earlier this week was also ruled as arson.  Monday night, the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department and Millers Creek Fire Department called Assistant Fire Marshal to the scene of a car fire.  A 2011 Hyundai had been stolen from the home of the owner and was later found burning on Hensley Eller Road.  The car was stolen from a Moravian Falls residence.  The burning vehicle was found on the premises of Select Hardwoods Lumber Yard.  Hamby ruled that the car had been intentionally set on fire after it was stolen and left at the lumber yard.  There are no known suspects at this time.

It Was Not In Mint Condition But Stolen Anyway

Local thieves are not always that picky about what they steal.  Sometimes the stolen items don’t even have to be in working order.  In a report filed with the Sheriff’s Department this week, a Traphill resident reported that a 4-wheeler and a ladder rack were stolen from her backyard.  The Honda 4-wheeler had been purchased for parts and was stored in the backyard.  The ladder rack was bent where it had been on a truck involved in a wreck.  The non-working and dented stolen property is valued at 500 dollars.  The victim did not know who might have taken the ATV and rack; the investigation is still underway.

Come Join the Unity Community Choir of Wilkes

If you have a passion and desire to praise and worship either singing or playing, then you’re invited to the Unity Community Gospel Choir here in Wilkes.  April Isaac, Minister of Music and organizer of the choir EVERYONE is invited to North Wilkesboro First Baptist on Monday, September 26 at 6pm for the first practice.   Issac says the point and purpose of the Unity Community Choir is all about the Kingdom of God.  Again, the first rehearsal is Monday at 6pm at the First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro.  If you have questions, you may call April at 336-651-2988.

Charges Filed In Wreck

Charges have been filed against a North Wilkesboro resident in a wreck that happened on Wilkesboro earlier this week.  According to a report filed with the Wilkesboro Police, two vehicles were stopped one behind the other at a light at the corner of Wilkesboro Blvd and Main Street.  When the light turned green, both cars started to move forward. Delmar Walker was driving the car behind another car driven by a woman from Lenoir.  Walker’s car hit the back of the other vehicle, and Walker told police his brakes were not working properly.  However, the officer investigating the wreck reviewed the evidence and questioned witnesses.  The officer then concluded that Walker should not have been using his brakes as both cars were moving forward at the time.  It was determined that Walker accelerated too quickly causing him to hit the other car from behind.  Walker was charged with failure to reduce speed and no insurance.  One passenger in the first car was transported to WRMC with injuries.  Property damage to the cars ranged 300 to 3000 dollars.

Seat Check Saturday Is Tomorrow In Wilkes

This week is Child Passenger Safety Week and Safe Kids of Wilkes County held an informal luncheon on Thursday as a way to find out more about Safe Kids.  Wayne Goodwin, the State Insurance Commissioner, State Fire Marshal, and State Chair of SAFE Kids, explained SAFE Kids is all about teaching parents and guardians things to keep children safe in the home, outside, in a car, etc.  Goodwin reminds us that taking a short trip in a car without a child in a safety seat or leaving them in a hot car for just a minute is never good, because most accidents happen close to home and cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures.  There have been several events this week concluding with another one on Saturday.  Tomorrow Seat Check Saturday will be at Empire Chevrolet in Wilkesboro from 8 til Noon on the 24^th.  Child Safety Seats will be inspected and replaced free if there is a problem with the seat.  The checks are free and take only 10 to 15 minutes. For more information on Safe Kids Wilkes County call 921-7534 or go online www.safekids.org or www.ncdoi.com .

NC Troopers Benefit MADD

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is holding a special event to benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving or MADD.  The 5th annual Patrol Stroll will be held at the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Training Academy on Garner Road in Raleigh on Saturday, September 24, 2011. There will be a 5k race and a one mile fun run. Registration for runners will begin at 7:00 a.m. This will be a family event and the public is welcomed to attend and participate.  In addition, a "silent auction" will be held on several items.  The goal of the Patrol Stroll is to bring citizens and law enforcement together in a combined effort to improve the overall health of the men, women and children across the state. The Patrol Stroll was first created in 2006. The National Guard will be helping for the third time this year and they will be bringing the rock climbing wall and an obstacle course. All proceeds raised will go to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).  More further information, contact Trp. Larry McKeithan at 919-609-2753 or online at  www.thepatrolstroll.org.

Stolen Motors Found in Hole in the Ground

Watch for holes in the ground while mowing, you might hit a motor.  It seems a thief in the area would also make good pack rat.  Wilkes County Sheriff’s Officials were called out to the Governor Stokes Road area this week in reference to some electric motors being found in a hole in the ground.  A local resident was doing some mowing when he saw the motors in a hole near the shoulder of the road.  Records were checked and it was determined that the motors were taken in a break-in at Bryant Church Hard Woods back in June.  Some of the things taken in that break-in had been recovered earlier and Joshua Anthony Stone of Ferguson was arrested and charged in the theft.  In all, 4 electric motors, a electric blower assembly, and alternator with a total value over 2500 dollars were recovered.  Bryant Church Hard Woods were contacted and they came to identify the stolen property which was returned to them.

SAFE Kids of Wilkes Events Today and Saturday

This week is Child Passenger Safety Week and Safe Kids of Wilkes County has several events planned for today and Saturday.  Fire Marshal Kevin Bounds says Safe Kids Wilkes County will be hosting an informal luncheon on Thursday, September 22 at the Wilkesboro Civic Center as a way for those attending to find out more about Safe Kids.  A Child Passenger Safety Seat Check and hyperthermia demonstration will be conducted today Thursday from 12 til 4 at the Wilkesboro Fire Department.  Child Safety Seats will be inspected and replaced free if there is a problem with the seat.  The checks are free and take only 10 to 15 minutes.  Another event Seat Check Saturday will be at Empire Chevrolet in Wilkesboro from 8 til Noon on the 24^th.  Again this is a free check of child safety seats.  For more information on Safe Kids Wilkes County call 921-7534 or go online www.safekids.org .

Multiple Break-ins at One Residence

Three buildings were entered, an attempt was made to enter a 4^th building, there was property damage, and some property was stolen.  In a report filed with the Sheriff’s Department this week, a Macedonia Church Road resident reported multiple break-ins and a theft.  According to the victim, he returned home and found someone had been inside his house.  Drawers were opened, mattresses were overturned, but nothing appeared to be missing.  A screen on the back door had been cut for the unknown person to get inside the house.  Then the victim saw that the hinges had been removed from a shed and entry was made.  Again it appeared someone had gone through the stuff inside but nothing was stolen.  Two windows on another shed were broken out but there were no signs that anyone got in that time.  However, a window was broken out of a wood work shop and entry was made.  This time the victim noted that an air compressor, a leaf blower, and a miter saw had been stolen.  Stolen property is valued at 160 dollars.  Damages are estimated at 220 dollars.  There are no leads and no suspects at this time.

Prescription Abuse in Wilkes Community Forum

For a number of years, Wilkes County has been at the forefront of the epidemic of prescription drug misuse, abuse, and overdoses.  Several in the community including local law enforcement, Child Abuse Prevention Team, DSS, Wilkes County Schools, and Fred Brason of Project Lazarus have responded to the problem in Wilkes.  On Thursday, September 29, a Community Forum will be held at the Stone Family Center from noon til 1:30 with lunch provided.  This will be a time of reporting, defining how and what has been accomplished, acknowledging those involved, revealing the current status of the county and state, and our next steps in battling the epidemic of prescription drug abuse.  According to Brason, Wilkes is now headed in the right direction and the things learned here are being shared with other counties in the state.  The public is invited.