Churches Needed to Pray at Schools

As 3WC has already reported, churches are asked to help with the upcoming Wilkes PASS or  Prayer Around the School System.  Several churches are still needed to hold prayer services at the schools in Wilkes County.  According to organizers, the church may decide the school, date, and time that they wish to hold their special prayer service.  Originally, the Wilkes PASS events were planned for Saturday or Sunday August 4th and 5th or Wednesday, August 8th.  It is possible for services to also be held after school has started on the weekend of August 11th or 12th.   Any church interested may call 835-7133 or email Amy at asamples79@embarqmail.com

Wilkes Election Hearing Scheduled in Raleigh

What will finally be the outcome of the Wilkes School Board election concerning the winner of the third seat?  The N.C. Board of Elections has scheduled a hearing on the protest filed by Coleen Bush who is currently one vote behind Rickey Lankford following the May Primary.  The NC Board of Elections hearing is slated for August 7 at 9:30 am in the Boardroom of the State Office in Raleigh.  Bush filed the protest after Wilkes elections officials found irregularities in the voting process as there was the possibility that one or two 17-year-olds were given full ballots.   Darren Shumate and Hardin Kennedy III were the top two candidates in the race, but they cannot be sworn in until the protest is resolved and the election is certified.  At next week’s hearing, the State Board of Elections could call for a new election of all eight original candidates, call for a special election for the third seat between Lankford and Bush, or dismiss the protest.  Again, the Hearing regarding the protest of the Wilkes Board of Elections third seat is one week from today in Raleigh.

Two Thefts, Two Car Chases, and Two Arrested

It was quite a trek for the two men.  They stole a car in West Virginia, got into a car chase with Police in Wilkesboro, and were arrested in Boone.  Sunday afternoon Wilkesboro Police were called regarding a theft at Walmart.  Police were given a description and license tag of the suspects car.  Police saw the white Subaru with the two white male suspects and attempted to stop them.  A car chase ensued along Hwy 421 Business, Hwy 16/18, Hwy 421, and Oakwoods Road.  Police terminated the chase as it was becoming dangerous for other cars on the road.  Police returned to Walmart and obtained store video surveillance of the two men trying to cash a check with a fake ID and then stealing a surround sound system, a pellet gun, and 4 fishing poles.  Later Boone Police advised that they had arrested the two following another car chase.  Brandon Carroll and Jeremy White both of West Virginia were arrested and put in jail by Boone Police. Warrants from Wilkes for larceny, vehicle pursuit, and speeding to elude arrest have been issued for both Carroll and White.

Arson Investigation in Wilkesboro Following House Fire

The Wilkesboro Police Department along with the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fire last week believed now to be arson.  On Thursday night, Wilkesboro and Broadway fire departments were dispatched to a single-wide mobile home fire on Fletcher Street in Wilkesboro.  The vacant single-wide was totally destroyed in the fire.  Since no one was living at the residence, no injuries were reported.  Also evidence at the scene led investigators with the Wilkesboro Police and SBI to determine that the fire was intentionally set.  There is a possible suspect in the arson and charges are pending SBI lab results and further investigation.

Wilkes Break-Ins and Thefts

When they came home, they found the front door kicked in.  A resident on Hwy 268 in Ferguson called the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office when they discovered the break-in at their home.  The door was locked, so the thief kicked it open.  Once inside, the thief stole two handguns and some cash.  No suspects were listed with that break-in.  There was no break-in with this next report, but property was stolen from the residence in Roaring River.  A homeowner on the Mountain Scenery Road called the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department when they came home and discovered the theft.  Some copper, 6 bicycles, and a lawn mower were stolen from the property.  There is a suspect in this theft and charges are pending.  

3 Times the Legal Limit

He blew a .25 which is over 3 times the legal limit.  Wilkesboro Police were conducting a traffic check on Curtis Bridge Road Sunday when they noticed a car going really slowly.  When the car got to the checkpoint, the driver opened the door and said he didn’t have a license.  It was obvious both the driver, Eduardo Paz, and a passenger in the car were very intoxicated.  Paz gave conflicting reports to Police about where he was from and said he had never had a North Carolina driver’s license.  A check by police concluded that he did in fact have a NC license that had been suspended indefinitely due to past DWI convictions.  Paz was arrested and taken to the Wilkes County Jail with a 2000 dollar bond.  Due to the past DWI convictions, his vehicle was a DWI seizure and was picked up by Toad’s Towing.  

Wilkes Farmers: Pollinator Habitat CCRP

Wilkes County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director CED Julia W Houck, announced that pollinator habitats will now be accepted as a Continuous Sign-up Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP). CCRP is a voluntary program that helps producers apply conservation practices to safeguard environmentally sensitive land.  Pollinator habitats are areas of permanent vegetation located in an agricultural landscape: field edges, field middles, odd corners, or any agricultural location that is suitable for establishing pollinator habitat.  Participants are eligible to receive a $150 CRP Signing Incentive Payment (SIP) per acre. For more information about the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program, contact the Wilkes County FSA office at 336-838-3622 ext 2 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Wishing NC Athletes Well at Olympics

The Olympic Summer Games began over the weekend.  U.S. Senator Kay Hagan from North Carolina offered her support to each North Carolinian competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  Hagan sent a letter to each Olympian to let them know that North Carolina and the entire nation will be cheering them over the next two weeks.  At least 10 athletes and coaches with North Carolina ties will be competing in London in swimming, rowing, and tennis.  North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue said, “No matter what sport they compete in, or whether they win gold medals, all North Carolinians should be proud of all of our athletes who have dedicated so much to their sports and who are now competing on this international stage.”

Theft and Over $300,000 in Damages

The thief or thieves took a couple of things but caused over 350,000 dollars in damages before they left.  The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department was called to investigate a break-in at a two-story house on Timbertrail Road.  The homeowners had not been at the house since July 5th.  When they returned, the discovered the break-in and interior damages to their house. Apparently, the suspects found an unlocked door to get inside the house.  Once inside they stole a DVD player and a pressure washer.  Then before leaving, they caused extensive damage to walls and interior of the house.  Again estimate on damages to the house is over 350,000 dollars.  No suspects were given with the report; the Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate.

Mystery Theft of Thousands

It’s a mystery.  The doors were locked and there was no sign of forced entry; however, over 9000 dollars in metal was stolen.  The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate a break-in and larceny at a Roaring River residence.  The homeowner reported that while he was away someone entered his locked residence and stole several cutting heads and other metal pieces.  It is believed the metal was stolen to sell for scrap.  No other property was reported stolen from the residence.  Again over 9000 dollars in cutting heads and other metal was stolen.  Deputies could find no signs of forced entry and there are no suspects at this time.  The investigation is still underway.