Another ID Theft Victim in Wilkes

The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office continues to have a list of Identity Theft and/or Financial Fraud cases from the local area.  In the most recent report, a Millers Creek man called after he discovered unauthorized charges on their credit card.  The victim stated that someone used his credit card information to purchase a cellphone through Best Buy.  The purchase was made online.  Wilkes Sheriff's Investigators have traced the Internet purchase to the Conover, North Carolina area.  No names of suspects were listed with the report and charges of ID Theft are pending.  If you believe you are a victim of ID or Identity Theft, the Federal Trade Commission advises you to take immediate action.  As the Millers Creek resident did, you should take action quickly in order to stop an identity thief from doing more damage.  The three initial steps recommended by the FTC are to place a report with local law enforcement, order your credit reports, and create and Identity Theft Report.  For more information on steps to repair ID Theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.consumer.ftc.gov

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Arrest

He was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop.  A Wilkes Sheriff's Deputy was observing traffic on the Elkin Highway this week, when he noticed a male passenger in a vehicle that was wanted for arrest here in Wilkes.  The Deputy initiated a traffic stop at the Ultimate Car Wash.  While speaking with the driver of the car, the Deputy saw the suspect in the passenger's seat trying to hide something between the seat and the console.  The Deputy later searched the vehicle and found some pills in a silver container.  The man, John Riddle, was arrested and charged with simple possession, trafficking Opium or Heroin, and with the outstanding warrants.  Riddle was then  taken to the Wilkes County Jail.

Local School System Get Award

The local school system received an award last week. Wilkes County Schools was presented the 2013 Healthy Youth Act Award on behalf of the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina. The award was presented at their annual state-wide awards luncheon which took place at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center on May 17th, 2013. The award is presented to a school system in North Carolina that has advanced the level of sex education taught in their schools by selecting a science-based curriculum. Special thanks goes to Westley Wood, WCS Student Services Director; Lora Davis, Communities in Schools; Amanda Stamper, Wilkes County Health Department; and Todd Williams, WCS Career and Technical Education Director. 

Trucks Leaving North Wilkesboro for Oklahoma

Some trucks have been leaving North Wilkesboro over the past few days to help with recovery efforts out west.  Samaritan’s Purse is responding to a series of vicious storms that pounded the Oklahoma City area Sunday and Monday.  Their staff were one of the first teams on the ground after traveling to the affected area on Sunday to determine how we could help the people impacted by the tornadoes that raked the area. Then they sent out two Disaster Relief Units from the North Wilkesboro, North Carolina headquarters before dawn on Tuesday. One is now located in Moore, and the other is in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Samaritan’s Purse is asking for volunteers to help with our response to the tornadoes in Moore and Shawnee.  A mile-wide twister pounded the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, leveling homes, businesses and schools in Moore. At least 51 people were killed, including 20 children trapped inside their elementary school when the storm hit. Authorities expect the death toll to rise. Samaritan’s Purse is also responding to tornadoes that hit Hood County in Texas on Wednesday night. Volunteers began helping in Granbury on Monday, the first day Samaritan's Purse Teams were allowed into the affected area.

Battleship NC License Plates Applications Available

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA announces applications are being accepted for the North Carolina First In Flight Specialized Battleship NORTH CAROLINA License Plate.  The plates will provide sustainable revenue for operations of the Ship, as the Ship does not receive state or federal funding for day to day functionality.  The cost is an annual $30 for a regular plate or $60 for personalized plus the regular license fee (both regular and personalized).  For each plate purchased, the Battleship receives $20. In order to apply for a Battleship tag, complete the application form available at battleshipnc.com and remit a $30.00/$60.00 check or money order to Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, PO Box 480, Wilmington, NC 28402.  The Ship needs a minimum of 300 applications from North Carolina residents who currently have vehicles registered with the DMV before the plate will be produced.  The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax supported and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship's Store, donations and investments. Visit www.battleshipnc.com or follow us on Facebook.com/ncbb55 and Twitter.com/battleshipnc for more information. Relive with the crew on the Battleship Blog http://seastories.battleshipnc.com/. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is an historic site within the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (www.NCCulture.com).

Technician Appreciation Week

With all the storm devastation in the news this week, it is ironic that CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) had already designated the week of May 20 as “Technician Appreciation Week” to thank its more than 11,000 installation, maintenance and repair technicians nationwide who work night and day, often in inclement weather, to serve the company’s customers across the U.S. There are more than 260 technicians in the western NC/TN area. This past year, technicians worked in snow storms, cleaned up after tornados and thunderstorms, and in heat and cold to install and maintain customer services. But, you can also find technicians volunteering their time providing high-speed Internet for large community events such as MerleFest here in Wilkes.  CenturyLink workers serve as volunteer firemen, bag food for backpack programs to feed children, and work with children in little league programs or Special Olympics. “CenturyLink has a dedicated employee base with a customer-focused culture, and our technicians do an excellent job upholding our company’s commitment to our customers,” said Lottie Ryans, CenturyLink’s vice president and general manager for western NC/TN.  

Guns Stolen in Wilkes Break-In

Guns...four of them were the only thing reported stolen in a home break-in at a Boomer residence.  As we have reported before, guns are on the list of the Top 10 Things Stolen in Home Break-ins.  The homeowner in Boomer called the Wilkes Sheriff's Office when they returned home and found their front door kicked open.  A thief or thieves had entered the house and had stolen 4 guns including a 7mm Winchester, a Remington, a shotgun, and another long rifle.  The stolen guns were valued at 1200 dollars.  No suspects were listed with the report.  The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate.

Theft from Car at WCC

Wilkesboro Police are investigating a theft from a vehicle at Wilkes Community College.  According to the report, the female victim said that her 2007 Chrysler was parked in the parking area at the playground.  She left the car unlocked and was away from the car for about an hour.  When she returned, she saw that someone had entered the car and had stolen her diaper bag, Acer Notebook, and Student ID.  WCC Security reviewed security video in hopes of determining a suspect but were unable to do so.  Stolen property is valued at nearly 200 dollars.  The theft happened over the weekend.

Registered Sex Offenders in Wilkes

Two registered sex offenders are in trouble once again with local authorities.  Wilkes Sheriff's Officers are currently looking for a woman whose verification letter as registered sex offender was returned unopened to the Wilkes Sheriff's Office.  She has failed to notify local law enforcement of her change of address, so a warrant for her arrest has been issued.  Another registered sex offender was found and arrested.  This time the offender failed to verify his address and also failed to inform the Wilkes Sheriff's Office that he had enrolled at WCC as a student.  He has been found, was arrested, and was taken to the Wilkes County Jail.  Anyone can go online and find out if any registered sex offenders live near you at www.sexoffender.ncdoj.gov.  For example, there are 42 registered sex offenders within a 5 mile radius of Wilkesboro.

Wilkes County Commissioners Meeting Tonight

The Wilkes County Commissioners are scheduled to have their regular meeting this evening.  At 6:45, County Commissioners will hear any public concerns and then at 7pm, there will be a public hearing on the 2013-2014 Proposed Wilkes County Budget.  The meeting will begin immediately following the public hearing.  Other items on the Agenda tonight include a report from the Finance Dept, Approval of an amendment to the New Jail Construction Contract, and Veterans Service Scholarship Recipients.  The meeting will be in the Commissioners' Room of the County Office Building.