Another ID Theft Report Locally

As we continue to report, ID Theft or Identity Theft is an ever-increasing problem across the country and across Wilkes.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office has been contacted several times by Wilkes residents since the beginning of the year concerning ID theft and financial fraud.  In the latest report, a Wilkesboro man told Sheriff's Investigators that he tried to get a loan from the Credit Association in Elkin.  The company ran a credit report and found that the man had two credit cards in his name.  The Wilkesboro man said he had not applied for either of those cards and does not know who might have stolen his personal information.  The Sheriff's Office is currently trying to obtain some paperwork on the credit card applications in hopes of determining a suspect.  Charges are pending further investigation.  According to the Federal Trade Commission: Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It’s a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, and reputation — and can take time, money, and patience to resolve. If identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance.  For more information on protecting yourself from ID Theft or information on what to do if you become a victim of ID theft, visit the consumer division of the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.ftc.gov

Load the Buggy, Load the Car, and Run

Police do have the names of suspects in the theft and charges are pending.  In a report filed with the Wilkesboro Police this week, two white females are being sought for shoplifting at Big Lots.  Store Management told Police that the two women came inside the store, filled a buggy with items, and then left out the front door.  The two were loading the stolen merchandise into a Nissan Juke with store staff tried to detain them in the parking lot.  The women then left the scene with part of the stolen property in their car and the rest left in the buggy.  Store employees got a tag number of the suspect's car.  Police ran the tag and obtained a picture of a suspects that store staff identified as one of the two female shoplifters.  Again charges are pending.

Wednesday Night DWI Wreck

A Wilkesboro woman was arrested following a car accident after she blew .22 which is about 3 times the legal limit.  According to the Wilkesboro Police report, Wednesday night Tina Dula was making a left turn from Hwy 421 onto Dancy Road when she pulled in front of another car.  Police noticed a strong odor of alcohol and asked Dula if she had been drinking.  She admitted that she had been drinking and also admitted to Police that she should not be driving.  Dula was arrested and charged with DWI, possession of open container, and unsafe movement.  No injuries were reported from the wreck.  Property damage to the vehicles ranged from 3500 to 5000 dollars.

Greenway Turtle Regatta Tomorrow

Watch out for the turtles on the Greenway.  The 11th Annual Turtle River Regatta is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, May 18th.  The starting time for the rubber turtle race is 1pm on the 18th at the CVS Trailhead of the Greenway.  You can adopt your turtle for $5.00 and be entered to win one of many outstanding prizes. Proceeds go to help the Yadkin River Greenway.   The Yadkin River Greenway is a natural area between urban communities that provides for transportation, recreation, and exercise.  RG Absher gives us a brief history of the Greenway here in Wilkes.  AIR  The next expansion of the Greenway is to connect Smoot Park and Cub Creek Park.  Greenway funding comes from grant money and from fundraisers such as the 11th Annual Turtle River Regatta scheduled for tomorrow. Contract the Yadkin River Greenway get your Turtle at 336-651-8967.  

WCC Honors Retirees

Wilkes Community College recognized its 2012-2013 retirees this week at the Spring Faculty/Staff Luncheon. Those at the Watson Stage gathering included full-time faculty and staff, and former college retirees. Those recognized for their retirement were Phil Caudill, Sherry Dancy, Kathy Gray, John Hawkins, Wanda Lowe, Kathie Rider and Stan Wright. Each honoree received a retirement package that included for 2013-2014 tuition/registration fee for one WCC course and two MerleFest 2014 VIP passes with on-campus parking compliments of the WCC Endowment Corporation. Dr. Gordon Burns, WCC president, recognized this year’s retirees saying, “It is appropriate that we pause to recognize those who have given so much to the college and played such a pivotal role in its development. These people have been instrumental in molding and shaping the college as we know it today. This year’s seven retirees have contributed a collective 139 years and 11 months of service to Wilkes Community College.”  Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties.

NC Boating Safety Week

A sunny day on the water can turn deadly in seconds. North Carolina ranks No. 7 in the nation for boating fatalities and No. 6 in the nation for boating accidents, with boating mishaps causing 23 deaths in the state in 2012 alone.  Also according to the US Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety Statistics, approximately 85 percent of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket.  So, the National Safe Boating Council is kicking off its national campaign promoting safe boating and wearing life jackets this weekend with National Safe Boating Week, which runs from May 18-24.  In North Carolina, all recreational vessels must have one Type I, II or III PFD of a suitable size for each person aboard and each skier being towed.  For more information on NC Boating laws and safety information, visit www.ncwaterways.com        

Congresswoman Foxx: Smarter Solutions for Students Act

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) recently introduced legislation to tackle the upcoming student loan interest rate cliff by moving to a market-based solution.  The Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911) would take politicians out of the business of calculating student loan interest rates by moving all federal student loans (except Perkins Loans) to a new interest rate formula based on the 10-year Treasury Note, similar to a proposal put forth in President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget plan. Students need more certainty and less confusion about their federal loan interest rates," said Rep. Foxx. "Republicans have been working to provide stability for a long time and it appears from the President’s budget proposal that he also sees the need to remove the whims of Washington from the student loan equation."  To find out more go to http://edworkforce.house.gov/smartersolutions/

Prescriptions Stolen From House

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is investigating a theft from property in which prescription medication was stolen.  According to the report, the victim lives in Millers Creek.  He said that his medication, money, and bank card were stolen from his residence sometime over the past few days.  The victim also said a friend had been staying with him, and he noticed the property missing after the friend left.  Sheriff's Investigators do have the name of the suspect and charges are pending further investigation.  Wilkes County Sheriff Chris Shew advises to not publicize to anyone that you have narcotics in the house and to always lock up medication as that is one of main things stolen in home break-ins.  AIR

Counterfeit Cash in Bank Deposit

They know it came from a Run In Store, but they don't know which one or who passed the funny money.  Wilkesboro Police were called this week to Yadkin Valley Bank regarding a counterfeit 20-dollar-bill found in the deposits.  The bank employee who found the phony currency said that there were counting the Run-In deposits.  The bank said that they were unable to determine which Run-In Store location received the fake 20 due to the way the account is handled.  There are no suspects at this time.  The counterfeit bill was confiscated by Police and placed into evidence.  

North Wilkesboro School/Benton Hall 100 Year Celebration

The original North Wilkesboro School or the current Benton Hall on D Street is celebrating 100 years in service this Saturday, May 18, from 2 til 5.  The 100 Birthday Organizing Committee, along with the Town of North Wilkesboro and the Wilkes Playmakers, the current owners of the building, are hosting birthday celebration.  In years past, the old North Wilkesboro School was part of the North Wilkesboro School District and welcomed both elementary and high school students until Wilkes Central High School was built in the 1950s. In 1975-76, the North Wilkesboro and Wilkes County school systems consolidated.  Students in North Wilkesboro began attending the current North Wilkesboro School in the late 1970s. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders continued to attend the old North Wilkesboro School until the new Wilkes Central High School was completed in 1980.  Then in the 1990s, the Wilkes Playmakers began using the old North Wilkesboro School. The 100 Year Celebration on Saturday will feature a small opening ceremony, with a ribbon cutting with alumni of North Wilkesboro School and the Wilkes Playmakers.  The event will include a tour of the building, a display of memorabilia and four anniversary cakes. Organizers hope alumni will bring back memories and stories of school days at the event on Saturday.  A tour of the building will be organized for those who would like a guide.  Donations will be accepted to cover the cost of the celebration and for the preservation and continued use of Benton Hall.  For more information call one of the organizers; Martha Nichols at 667-1606 or Jacqui Pizarro at 973-4696.