Re-Count Results

The Wilkes County Board of Elections says they are not issuing a certification until everything is resolved for the third seat on the Wilkes County School Board.  The final totals left just a few votes difference between Rickey Lankford and Colleen Bush.  On Tuesday at the request of Bush, the Board of Elections held a machine re-count which resulted in Lankford leading by one vote.  A hand to eye re-count was requested and conducted today.  From a random drawing, one precinct, Walnut Grove, was selected.  Again, the hand to eye re-count agreed with the machine re-count on Tuesday and Lankford leads by one vote.  Colleen Bush can now ask for a full hand to eye re-count or she can file a protest as it is believed a 17-year-old might have been given a full ballot by mistake.  The request for a full re-count of the protest must be filed through and decided by the State Board of Elections. 

Raleigh and Wilkes County Schools

Wilkes County Schools and action in Raleigh was the topic of an email sent from the Governor’s Office on Wednesday.  NC Gov Bev Perdue in her proposed budget released last week, pushed for additional funds for education.   In a news release this week, the Governor says that Wilkes County K-12 schools received approximately $59,504 in federal EduJobs money during this school year. That federal money—which was designed to help states deal with declining revenue associated with the economic downturn—goes away later this year. Gov Perdue says if the General Assembly fails to act to restore the cuts they made last year, the harm to schools—which superintendents are already saying is severe—is going to get even worse.  So we spoke with the Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools Dr. Marty Hemric about what they need from Raleigh.  AIR  Dr. Hemric says that Wilkes County Schools are poised to maintain with current funding, but with the depletion of EduJobs funding, relief from additional cuts is needed.  AIR  3WC News also spoke with our Wilkes Representative in the General Assembly Shirley Randleman about the Governor’s comments on the budget.  Representative Randleman said that the General Assembly is still in the early stages of the budget process and any comments made right now are premature.

Followed Crooks to Next County

The store manager followed the crooks into the next county.  Wilkesboro Police received a call this week from an employee at Sears.  The employee told Police that the Wilkesboro Sears store manager saw 3 men inside the store take items from the shelves and then leave without paying.  The same 3 had been in the store repeatedly trying to return items without a receipt.  Video surveillance in the store showed the men taking the merchandise and stuffing into their pockets.  One or two would steal while another tried to distract employees.  The store manager followed the 3 when they left the store and continued following them all the way into Alexander County.  Sheriff’s Officials in Alexander stopped the car and the stolen Sears merchandise was recovered.  Wilkesboro Police traveled to Alexander County to take custody of the men identified as Eric Davis, Dustin Galloway, and Charles Williams all of Taylorsville.  All 3 were arrested and charged by Wilkesboro Police with larceny.  A unknown white pill was also found on Galloway.  That pill has been sent to the SBI Lab for analysis.  The case is still open as additional charges could be pending.

Additional List of Break-Ins

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department continues to have a list of break-ins and thefts to investigate.  A resident on Old Hwy 16 in Millers Creek called to report a break-in at their home.  Someone kicked in the front door to gain access to the house and several things were stolen including a weedeater and some tools.  Stolen property and damages total 2300 dollars.   Then a Moravian Falls Road victim called to report a theft from his outbuilding.  Apparently someone entered the shed and stole several pieces of lumber totaling 11,000 dollars.  A property owner of a rental house on Deerfield Road called the Sheriff’s Department concerning a renter taking a washer that did not belong to them.  All of these cases are still under investigation and charges are pending.

Wreck Caused by Speeding

No one was injured but one was charged in a wreck this week near the Y.  According to the Wilkesboro Police’s accident report, a Wilkes County Sheriff’s Deputy passed a car on Hwy 268.  The Deputy said the car was traveling at a high rate of speed.  He initiated his blue lights and turned around to stop the speeding vehicle.  However, before he could catch up with them, the wreck had already occurred.  A Wilkesboro woman said that she didn’t see anything coming when she pulled out from the YMCA.  Then she heard tires sliding.  The speeding driver, Shana Johnson of North Wilkesboro, admitted to speeding and said she was unable to stop in time to avoid the collision.  Johnson was charged with speeding and revoked license.  Again, no injuries were reported.

Trying to Walk Away Without Purchasing

Makeup, a book, and a blue tooth headset were among the items taken from a local store this week.  The Loss Prevention Office at Walmart called Wilkesboro Police regarding a shoplifter that they had detained at the store.  A Taylorsville woman was observed taking 8 items from makeup, a book, and a blue tooth headset.  She took the merchandise, concealed it in her clothing, and left the store without paying.  Store employees detained the woman until Police arrived.  All of the nearly 99 dollars in stolen items were recovered and returned to the store.  The woman was not arrested, but she did get a citation for shoplifting with a court date scheduled for July 27.

NC Senator Honored

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) this week, in the middle of National Small Business Week, was honored with the Small Business Council of America’s 2012 Congressional Award.  Senator Hagan, a member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, was recognized for her significant efforts on behalf of small businesses.  “I'm honored to receive this award for my work supporting small businesses in North Carolina and around the country,” said Senator Hagan.  The Senator also acknowledged that small businesses represent over 98 percent of North Carolina's private sector employers and nearly half of our state's jobs.  

Wilkes Drug Bust and Multiple Arrests

Lt. Dancy with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department contacted 3WC News yesterday to inform us of a large drug bust, here in the county. Thirty people were charged with felony drug charges following an investigation that has been going on over two and a half months. Charges ranged from simple possession, possession with the intent to sell and deliver, and also sale and delivery. Drugs included cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, and prescription medication. Those arrested were mostly street-level dealers but also included four mid-level dealers. The sheriff’s department would like to thank citizens for their help in reporting suspicious activity.

Wilkesboro Car Break-In's Solved and Charges Filed

Wilkesboro Police now know who was involved with multiple vehicle break-ins dating back in March and charges have been filed.   The cars of employees at Applebees, Tiptons, and Kohl’s were broken into while the four victims were at work.  Pocketbooks and other items were taken from the vehicles.  When two of the victims put a stop on her bank cards, they were informed that the cards had already been used for some unauthorized purchases at Walmart.  From the bank information, Police Officers were able to determine the exact date and times that the purchases were made.  Video surveillance from the store was obtained that led Police to the identity of the suspects.  Also video from the parking lots at other locations where the car break-ins occurred showed the same two suspects.  Wilkesboro Police learned this week that the two men, Christopher Whitener and Matthew Whitener of Hickory, had been arrested in Alexander County on other charges.  Warrants were obtained locally and both men have now also been charged with multiple counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, larceny, damage to property, and financial card fraud in the four Wilkesboro car break-ins.  Both men were served with these additional charges while in jail in Alexander County.

Odd and Creepy Bystander

Ever so often in Wilkes, we report on something that is just a little bit…odd.  Well, this next story is one of those odd ones.  Some might even say “kind of creepy.”  Wilkes Sheriff’s Deputies received a report early Wednesday morning of a suspicious person outside a residence on the Traphill Road.  When Deputies arrived at the house about 1:20 am, they saw a white male just standing beside the carport of the home.  He wouldn’t talk to Deputies or answer questions.  He wasn’t trying to break into the house; he was just standing there.  Deputies searched the man and identified him as Michael Taylor of Hays.  Deputies also found in Taylor’s possession some drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs.  EMS was called and Taylor was checked out at WRMC.  Taylor was arrested and charged with drug possession.  The homeowners were not harmed in the incident.