Don't Leave Pocketbook in Shopping Cart

Law enforcement officers have warned in the past to never leave a pocketbook in a cart while shopping.  It is just too tempting for some thieves who can quickly walk by and snatch the purse without being seen.  Such was the case this week with a woman shopping at Walmart.  She advised police that she was shopping and had left her pocketbook in the cart.  When she completed her shopping and went to the checkout, she realized her pocketbook was gone.  Personal information, bank cards, money, and prescription medications were in the stolen bag.  Police checked store security video, but none was showed the theft.  There are no suspects.

Pocketbook Stolen from Car in Parking Lot

Police are also investigating a pocketbook theft from the parking lot at Walmart.  The victim said that she went inside the store to do some shopping.  When she returned an hour later, the interior lights were on inside the vehicle and her pocketbook had been stolen.  She is unsure if she locked the car before going inside the store.  Police are viewing store security video to see if the purse snatcher was caught on camera.  Charges are pending further investigation.  

Wilkes Fly In Is Tomorrow

For years the event was held during the Fourth of July Weekend; however, the hot temperatures prompted the local sponsors to move the event to a cooler time of year.  So the Annual Fly In has been moved from July to September.  Held at the Wilkes County Airport, the Annual Fly In is a complete day of fun for the whole family.  This year’s Fly In is slated for tomorrow, September 17 from 9 til 3.  As in years past, the Fly In will have plane displays, classic cars and trucks, food, and drinks.  Also this year, Classic Air Ventures of North Myrtle Beach will be offering rides to the public in an open cockpit Bi Plane.  The admission to the Fly In is free.  So all of Wilkes and surrounding areas are invited this month to a cooler Fly In at the Wilkes County Airport, Saturday from 9 til 3.  As always, the event is sponsored by Mountain View Ruritan Club.  And 3WC’s Ted R. Hayes will be there for a live remote in the morning.

Seasonal Paid Positions with Operation Christmas Child

If you’re looking for a job through the holidays, Operation Christmas Child is having a Job Fair for seasonal paid positions at Samaritan's Purse 801 Bamboo Rd in Boone on Thursday October 6th from 4 til 7 pm.  Operation Christmas Child uses Shoeboxes filled with clothes, candy, and toys o demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus.  Over 130 countries have received shoe boxes since the program began in 1993.  Last year, 8 million children around the world received shoe boxes.  Those interested in obtaining the temporary paid employment must complete online job applications before coming to the job fair.   For more information go to www.samaritanspurse.org .

Former Tyson Manager Dies

A man well-known in the Wilkes business community has died.  Ralph Steele, 73, of  Wilkesboro, who retired as human resources manager for the Tyson Foods complex in Wilkesboro, died this morning, Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Newton.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by Reins Sturdivant.  A memorial Service for Mr. Steele, of Forest Hill Drive, Wilkesboro will be held Saturday, 11:00 at the First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro.  The family will receive in the Church Santuary following the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wes Steele Stadium Fund, Hospice of Wilkes, or to the First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro.

Car Break-Ins Continue

It seems to come in waves here in Wilkes…car break-ins.  A woman called the Sheriff’s Department this week after her pocketbook was stolen from her car.  In most cases the thefts have occurred overnight, but this theft happened during the day while she was at a Johnson Road residence working.  The woman returned to her car and found her pocketbook containing her Social Security Card, check card, and checkbook was gone.  There a couple of suspects and charges are pending.

Earlier this week we reported on car break-ins from the Kerry Lane area in Wilkesboro.  Here is another to add to the list.  A victim called the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department to report that his car had been entered overnight.  The man’s vehicle was unlocked and no damages were reported.  However, the thief or thieves did steal a Garmin GPS valued at 100 dollars.  A suspicious vehicle was seen in the area that Sheriff’s Officials are looking for in relation to recent car break-ins.

And finally, Sheriff’s Officials are also investigating a car break-in on the Speedway Road.  In that theft, the Dodge pickup was entered overnight.  The thief entered the truck through the back sliding glass window.  The radio valued at 300 was stolen from the truck.  No suspects were listed with the report.

Shoplifters Caught at Local Stores in Wilkes

There are Loss Prevention Officers on the lookout and video surveillance in most stores, so be sure there is a good chance that your sins will find you out.  The Wilkesboro Police Department was really busy this earlier this week with multiple citations for shoplifting in area stores.  The first report was from Kohl’s.  When police arrived, they spoke with the Loss Prevention Officer that advised he saw a woman conceal several things and leave the store.  The woman headed toward the parking area but was confronted by the Loss Prevention Officer.  She willingly returned inside the store and waited for police to arrive.  A total of 162 dollars in merchandise was taken from the store.  The woman was issued a citation from police for misdemeanor larceny.  Later the same day, Wilkesboro Police were called to Walmart.  Police met with the store’s loss prevention officer who stated that minutes earlier he had seen a man remove items from their containers and leave the store without paying.  The man was confronted in the parking lot by store staff, and he also willingly returned to the store and waited for police.  The man admitted to taking over 60 dollars in items from the store, and he was issued a citation for misdemeanor larceny.  A couple of days later, police were again called to Walmart concerning a larceny.  This time, the Loss Prevention Officer observed a man take two music CD’s into the restroom.  The Loss Prevention Officer followed the man into the restroom and heard him remove the CD’s from their packaging.  The Officer found the empty packages and followed the shoplifter past the last point of sale before detaining him.  Later that day Police returned to Walmart.  This time, a woman had entered a dressing room with clothes and minutes later left the dressing room with only part of the merchandise.  Store employees followed her to the parking lot.  Initially the woman was not willing to return to the store but eventually agreed.  A total of 58 dollars in clothing had been concealed by the woman.  Again, citations for misdemeanor shoplifting were issued.  

Mailbox Theft

Usually these things happen to several residents in one night; however, this time only one victim called in a report.  A South Recreation Road resident called this week to report the theft of a mailbox.  According to the report filed with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, the mailbox valued at 25 dollars was unscrewed from the post and stolen.  There is no word on suspects.

Coats for Kids in Wilkes

It’s that time of year again already.  The Coats for Kids drive is underway.  The Coats for Kids Drive is sponsored each year by the Child Abuse Prevention Team and Our House.  You are asked to donate any size new or slightly used coats, jackets, or sweaters.  The area drop off locations are Wilkesboro Cleaners and both locations of Hourglass Cleaners.  The Coats for Kids Drive is going on now through October 31.  Hope Ministry will distribute all the coats and sweaters collected during their annual Toy Store.  

NC Will Vote at Ballot Box for Marriage Amendment

During a special session, the North Carolina House passed a constitutional amendment, 75 – 42, to let voters decide whether or not marriage should be defined as solely between one man and one woman.  Ten House Democrats joined Republicans to support the measure.  The Senate voted 30 – 16 to concur.  The state’s first attempt to amend the constitution to define marriage was proposed in 2003 by Democrats and Republicans.  Subsequent amendments have received bi-partisan support for more than eight years but were held in committee by former House and Senate leaders.  North Carolina is the only state in the southeast that does not have a constitutional amendment defining marriage.  Other states have acted because activist judges in other states have overturned state statutes that define marriage.  Today, legislators decided to give voters the ability to define marriage at the ballot box.  According to Forbes Magazine ranking of best business climates, eight out of the top ten states have defined marriage in their state constitution.  As business communities look for government to provide stable economic environments, protecting marriage from re-definition by the courts safeguards the freedom and flexibility to offer employee benefits based on business decisions.  It protects business from additional government-imposed benefit packages.  The measure will now be put before voters in a statewide referendum to be held during the May primary.