Theft from School Storage Building

Wilkes sheriff deputies are investigating a break-in at an elementary school. It happened sometime over the weekend and was reported on Monday, but deputies did not release the report until today. Just before noon Monday, someone discovered the hasps holding locks on a storage shed at Mount Pleasant Elementary School had been pried loose and a number of items taken from inside the shed. They include a leaf blower, two hedge trimmers and a string trimmer. Together with the damage to the building, loss is estimated at 500-dollars. The burglar left nothing behind that deputies were able to use as evidence. The case remains under investigation.

Sales Tax Discussion, Part 3

We have our own issue on the May 6th ballot- a quarter-cent sales tax with the funds designation to education needs in Wilkes County Schools and Wilkes Community College. Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Laws describes the construction-related needs the money would finance for county elementary schools:

The money would also fund technology improvements. We'll hear from Dr. Laws concerning that in tomorrow's focus piece. The statements came during last week's Focus on the Foothills program, and you can download the entire interview from our podcasts. Find that at 12403wc.com.

Silver Alert Issued for Surry County Man

The N.C. Center for Missing Persons is asking for your help to find a missing endangered man from Surry county, Louis Leo Morosko. Morosko is believed to be suffering from dementia or some other cognitive impairment. He was last seen leaving his home in Pilot Mountain, but authorities have no knowledge yet which way he went or where he intended to go. Morosko is 81, White, 5' 9" tall, about 180 pounds; with gray hair. He wears glasses, and was last seen wearing a red and black flannel shirt with black pants, black shoes and a red/black flannel jacket. Mr. Morosko is also wearing an orange ball cap. If you see him, contact local law enforcement or the Surry county sheriff's department at 336-401-8900.

Former Pres. Clinton Visits, Touts Hillary's Gas Price Plan

Former President Bill Clinton was in Wilkes County yesterday and spoke to a large crowd of nearly 1500 people at the home of Dewey and Wilma Prevette. During his stump speech for his wife, Hillary, Mr. Clinton said she has a plan to get gas prices down, both in the short and long term.

The former president also described his wife's long-term plan, should she be elected president. The speech came as part of a two-day, whirlwind tour of 11 communities in North Carolina ahead of the North Carolina primary elections which take place next Tuesday. NC Gov. Mike Easley endorsed Hillary Clinton yesterday.

Man Charged After Tussle with Deputies

A man faces relatively minor charges, following an extended altercation with sheriff deputies last night. Deputies were called to the home of 26-year old David Allen Cooper just before 10 last night when someone reported a disturbance with someone threatening himself with a knife. They found only Cooper, who said there was no disturbance and he was not suicidal. But when the second deputy showed up and the first started to search the house for anyone else, Cooper grabbed the knife he'd been sharpening. That earned him a shock from a Taser -- an ineffective shock, since neither barb actually pierced his skin. The deputy tried again, still not bringing Cooper under control. But the deputy was able to kick the knife out of his hands. After Cooper was tackled and handcuffed, he was taken to a patrol car. On the way he kicked at his front door, damaging it, and once in the car he proceeded to kick out the rear passenger door glass. That earned him a third stun from the Taser and a pair of shackles. Even with all that, when deputies got Cooper to the jail, they filed charges of resisting an officer and damaging public property.

Details of Mr. Clinton's Visit

The Clinton campaign has released details of former President Bill Clinton's stump speech for Hillary in Wilkes today. It will happen at 5:15 this afternoon, and Clinton is expected to speak from the deck at the back of Dewey and Wilma Prevette, which is at 1002 Absher Street in North Wilkesboro. The former president will also be attending events in Boone, Elkin and Mount Airy. His Elkin stop is at 6:30, so his speaking time in Wilkes is expected to only be about half an hour. This will be followed Wednesday with a swing through the eastern part of the state, including stops in Apex, Sanford, Lillington, Dunn, Hope Mills, Lumberton and Whiteville.­
The campaign says the event is open to the public, and no invitations or special tickets are needed. Absher Street and the area around it will be blocked off for Clinton’s visit. If you're attending the event, you can reach K Street off of Trogdon Avenue. The home was chosen Sunday by the U.S. Secret Service because it is an area from which it is easy to provide security and crowd control, Eller said.

Sales Tax Proposal Part 2

In addition to the Presidential primary, an issue will be on the May 6th ballot for Wilkes county voters to either approve or reject a quarter-cent sales tax, the funds from which would be used for schools. We're focusing on that vote this week on 3WC News. In comments on the most recent Focus on the Foothills Program, Wilkes Community College president Dr. Gordon Burns says the alternative to the sales tax is a property tax:

You can hear the complete interview on our podcast, available at 12403wc.com. We'll have additional comments from Dr. Burns and Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Laws on upcoming 3WC newscasts.

Incident at Roaring River Mill

A reported shooting at a local business turns out to be a bit overblown. Dispatchers say information is incomplete so far, but the sheriff's department was called to Roaring River Mill about 10:30 last night after shots were fired during an incident there. Initial reports indicate someone was trying to break into a vehicle at the Mill, possibly a loader, and set it on fire, but was confronted before the act was completed. In the resulting altercation, shots were fired by one of the people involved, but the rounds missed the other person. No names have been released so far, and the sheriff's department report is incomplete.

Man Suspected of Intoxicated Driving; Admits Taking Prescirpiton Painkillers

Wilkesboro police ticketed a man for driving while impaired after finding him run off the road into a ditch at Industrial and YMCA Road Saturday morning. Officers were called to the single-vehicle wreck about 5:25 am, and found 18-year old Joseph Corey Hawkins passed out in the front seat of the car, which had run off the end of the road into an embankment. It took an officer several attempts to wake him up, and it took the efforts of several people including EMS crews to keep him awake once he'd woken up. THe officer describes Hawkins pupils as constricted, or very small, and says he was slurring his words. Hawkins admitted to taking two prescription painkillers. The report does not say how much of each he admitted taking. Blood was drawn at the hospital for a toxicology test, and any further charges are pending the results of that test. He was ticked for suspicion of driving under the influence and for an unsafe movement.

Spring Share-A-Thon

The Spring Share-a-thon for Ebenezer Christian Children's Home was held over the weekend on 3WC. Around 100 volunteers came together to answer phones at the radio station, collect money at various intersections, and work at the Hot Dog stand at Walmart. Nearly $34,000 was raised to help construct a new administrative and visitation center on the campus on Byrd Ridge Road. The Ebenezer Board has contracted with W.A. Lankford Construction Company to complete the building. Alan Lankford, owner of the construction company says he really worked hard on getting the cost of the building as low as possible.

If you did make a pledge during the Share-a-thon you may mail your pledge to:

"The Home"
Po Box 2777
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659