High School Graduations in Wilkes

It's that time once again for high school graduations here in Wilkes.  Wilkes Early College at WCC held their commencement ceremonies on May 15th, and Harvest Time Christian Academy held graduation exercises at Bethel Baptist Church last Friday night.  Tonight West Wilkes High will have their commencement ceremonies at 6pm in the gymnasium, and North Wilkes High will hold graduation tonight at 7:30 at the John A Walker Center.  On Friday, tomorrow night, East Wilkes High will hold graduation at 8pm in the Tharpe Stadium.  Finally, Wilkes Central will have early morning commencement Saturday at 9am at the West Steele Stadium.  We at 3WC say congratulations to all the graduates.

Local Help for Oklahoma Tornado Victims

With the devastating EF5 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma this week, there have been several local groups and individuals that have come together to help.  Bro Larry Adams of Rescue America Baptist Missions is currently collecting donations that they hope to deliver to the Oklahoma tornado victims next week.  Adams told 3WC News what types of donations they are collecting.  AIR  There are 3 drop off locations in Wilkes including Bethel Baptist Church, Goshen Baptist Church, and Calvary Baptist Church.  You may also call Bro Larry Adams at 336-667-8660 or 927-2182 for more information on how to help.

Veterans Service Scholarship Winners

The Wilkes County Veterans Service Office is pleased to announce the following children of veterans have been awarded scholarships by the NC Division of Veterans Affairs:  Miss Reina Carolynn Branch, a graduate of West Wilkes High plans to attend Western Carolina, Mr. Darren James Brown, a graduate of Surry Central High and best friend of my son plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill, Kenneth King Cook, III, a graduate of Cook Christian Academy plans to attend East Carolina, Katie Lynn Harrold, a graduate of WCC plans to attend Appalachian State, Makayla Ashleigh Nichols, a graduate of West Wilkes plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill, Rebecca Jean Mullins, a graduate of North Wilkes plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill, and Jasmine Nachelle Strickland, a graduate of Elkin High School plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill.  Each of these young people received a full 4-year scholarship through the Veterans Service to further their education goals.

Stolen From Porch

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is investigating a theft from a home in Millers Creek.  This time there was no break-in as the property was stolen from the front porch.  The homeowners returned home and found that their pressure washer and a weedeater were missing from the porch.  The stolen property is valued at 400 dollars.  There is no word on suspects and are no known witnesses at this time.  Again, the Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate.

Wilkes Health Summit Held Yesterday

The 2013 Wilkes County Health Summit was held yesterday at the Stone Center in North Wilkesboro.  Members of the Wilkes Health Foundation, WRMC, Wilkes Health Dept, Project Lazarus, local law enforcement and area citizens came together for the event.  The Keynote Address was Dr. Pam Silberman, CEO and Executive Director of NC Institute of Medicine.  There were break-out sessions on different topics such as access to care, mental health, physical activity and nutrition, unintentional injury, chronic disease, and substance abuse.  Fred Brason of the Substance Abuse Task Force and Project Lazarus explains what the Health Summit is all about.  AIR  Heather Murphy of the Wilkes Health Foundation explains how the Summit works to benefit Wilkes.  AIR  Murphy said results of the Wilkes County Health Summit will be posted on the websites of the Wilkes Health Dept, Health Foundation, and WRMC.

Highway Patrol and Memorial Day Weekend

The State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.  The holiday officially kicks off the summer vacation season in North Carolina.  This means more people will be on our highways, increasing the chance of traffic crashes.  Troopers will increase patrols on all interstates and major four lane highways during the holiday weekend.  Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state.   The Highway Patrol will also join other law enforcement agencies at “Click-It or Ticket” seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week, and Troopers will be participating in the nationwide “Operation C.A.R.E.” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). “Operation C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated education and enforcement effort involving all Highway Patrol and state police agencies across the nation.  These high visibility patrols during national holiday periods are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws.  The Memorial Day holiday, which is set aside to honor deceased men and women from the Armed Forces, is expected to be a busy one on North Carolina highways. The holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, and ends at midnight, Monday, May 27.  Last year the Highway Patrol investigated 5 fatal collisions and over 360 injury related collisions during the Memorial Day weekend.  Citizens may report crashes, impaired drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing * HP (*47) on their cellular telephones.  This is a toll free call that connects the caller to the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.

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.