ID Theft of Child's Info

A Roaring River parent has reported a case of ID Theft involving their underage daughter.  The parent reported to the Wilkes Sheriff's Office that someone is using her 17-year-old's name and social security number.  That investigation is underway. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a child's Social Security number can be used by identity thieves to apply for government benefits, open bank and credit card accounts, apply for a loan or utility service, or rent a place to live. Many school forms require personal and, sometimes, sensitive information. Find out how your child’s information is collected, used, stored, and thrown away. Your child’s personal information is protected by law. Asking schools and other organizations to safeguard your child’s information can help minimize your child’s risk of identity theft. Check for a credit report to see if your child’s information is being misused. If it is, visit IdentityTheft.gov to report and recover from identity theft.

Stalking in Wilkes and Stalking Awareness Month

Why some may consider it harmless, stalking or cyberstalking is a crime. Recently a Wilkes County woman was served a criminal summons regarding cyberstalking.  The woman had been using the social media site Facebook to harass an ex-boyfriend.  The summons was served against the 29-year-old Wilkes County woman last week. Ironically, Governor Pat McCrory  signed a proclamation declaring January Stalking Awareness Month in North Carolina. “Stalking is too often the precursor of more serious crime,” Governor McCrory said.  Data shows stalking affects people of all ages and backgrounds.  Stalking  Facts indicate:  7.5 million people are stalked every year in the United States; The majority of victims are stalked by someone they know; About half of all victims of stalking indicated that they were stalked before age 25, with 14 percent of female victims and 16 percent of male victims experiencing stalking between ages 11 and 17; and Data also shows that many victims of murders or domestic violence were also victims of stalking.

Stop Thief

It was attempted theft stopped by a neighbor.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office received a call last week regarding an attempted theft.  When a Deputy responded to the Yellow Banks Road location, the caller said they saw a trespasser dragging a garden tiller which belonged to their landlord.  The suspect was dragging the tiller across the yard of an abandoned house next door.  When the witness grabbed their phone, the suspect ran off and left the tiller in the yard.  There is no word on suspects at this time.

Tobacco Farmers to Vote Tomorrow

Attention farmers:  Flue-cured tobacco growers in North Carolina will have a chance to vote Jan. 27 on whether to continue their self-assessment programs conducted by Tobacco Associates for the next three years.  The assessment would be in effect for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Growers should contact their county extension office for information about polling locations and times. For 68 years, Tobacco Associates, solely farmer -financed with no third party funding, has directed its activities to protect, promote and expand foreign markets for U.S. flue-cured leaf. Ballots will be available for flue-cured tobacco growers at N.C. Cooperative Extension offices on January 27.

Hall of Fame Nomination Applications Through 31st

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame (WCHOF) Governing Board is currently accepting Nominations for the 3^rd Annual Hall of Fame. Applications are being accepted through January 31, 2016. Established in November 2013, The Wilkes County Hall of Fame was created to recognize citizens and corporations that have made invaluable contributions to Wilkes County and beyond. Inductees for the Wilkes County Hall of Fame are chosen from the following categories: Arts and Entertainment, Enterprise, Sports, and Leadership. Online applications can be submitted at the Wilkes County Hall of Fame’s website (www.wilkescountyhalloffame.org). Again, the deadline for applications is January 31.

Carolina Cup A Major NC Event

The Carolina Cup, the world's largest gathering of stand up paddleboard racers, landed key support from West Marine as the 2016 title sponsor. Organized by the Wrightsville Beach Paddle Club and sanctioned by the World Paddle Association, the 2015 Carolina Cup attracted top paddlers from roughly 20 nations and 40 states. An estimated 950 people registered for last year's races and clinics. The 6th annual West Marine Carolina Cup presented by Surftech is expected to attract more than 1,000 competitors from around the world. Races, clinics, and expos will be in Wrightsville Beach, April 19-24.

More NC Company Expansions

Governor Pat McCrory and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced that Coty, Inc., a global leader in beauty products, will expand its manufacturing facility in Lee County and is planning to hire an additional 25 employees. Coty also plans to invest approximately $19 million at the site during the next three years. Coty is a leading global beauty company with a portfolio of well-known fragrances, color cosmetics and skin & body care products sold in over 130 countries and territories. Coty’s existing Lee County workforce totals more than 750 employees. The average annual payroll of the new jobs will be approximately $1.1 million. Governor Pat McCrory and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) also announced that The Hillshire Brands Company will create 98 jobs over the next three years as it expands its bakery operations in Edgecombe County. The company plans to invest $28.4 million to upgrade and improve the Tarboro facility. Hillshire Brands is a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), one of the world’s largest food companies. Its facility in Tarboro produces the company’s Sara Lee® line of baked goods. Hillshire Brands’ Tarboro facility opened in 2000 and employs an existing workforce of 687. Its expanded workforce will add nearly $3 million to Hillshire’s annual payroll there. 

Bad Weather Related Deaths in NC and Wilkes

North Carolina Troopers report that six people have died as a result of snow and ice that have covered the state’s roads in recent days.  Friday, a father was charged in the death of his 6-year-old son in a wreck in Iredell County after he lost control of his vehicle and hit a wrecker on the side of the road. Troopers say he was going too fast for conditions. Here in Wilkes, Joey Carl Darnell, 44, of Rock Creek Church Road, died from injuries he received during the snow and ice on Rock Creek Road, Wednesday night.  Darnell was initially airlifted to Baptist Medical Center where he later died. Darnell was a passenger in a truck driven by his nephew, Christoper Darnell, who was in was charged in the wreck with driving left of center and driving with license revoked.  

Possible Murder in Wilkes

The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate a possible murder in Wilkes. On Thursday evening, January 21, Deputies from the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office responded with Wilkes EMS to a reported Death at 1365 Roaring Gap Rd, Thurmond, NC.   Officers arrived to find a white male dead in the home.   Officers were on the scene until the early morning hours Friday.  The victim’s name is being withheld pending a positive identification and notification of next of kin.  The manner and cause of death is under investigation, however, the case is being treated as a homicide.  The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation on this case.   According to David Carson of the Sheriff’s Office, more information will be released as it becomes available.

Naked and Knocking on Doors

An 18-year-old white male was taken into custody after running naked through a neighborhood and banging on doors.  Sheriff’s Deputies were first called to an attempted break-in at a house on Stratford Road where the suspect left of foot.  Another caller to 911 reported that a naked man had run out in front of them.  Sheriff’s Deputies found the man who was acted irrationally.  The man was restrained for his safety and clothed.  He was then taken to WRMC for treatment.  Charges for indecent exposure and breach of peace are pending medical evaluation and release from hospital.