More Assaults in Wilkes

Actually, local law enforcement was busy this weekend responding to multiple reports of assault including a fight among family members on Fairplains Road, an assault on an officer, and an assault on a 19-year-old female in Moravian Falls.  Wilkesboro Police were called to investigate a fight at Dooley's that left one man with multiple facial fractures along with cuts and bruises to his knees and hands.  Police have the name of that suspect and charges are pending.

Arrested for Stealing from a Local Store

A 38-year-old woman from Ferguson was arrested over the weekend for stealing from the Little Market Basket on NC 268 in Wilkesboro.  The manager of the store contacted the Wilkes Sheriff's Office about the theft of nearly 200 dollars in cigarettes.  During the investigation, a suspect was identified.  Wilkes Sheriff's Deputies found the suspect, Amanda Smoot, and arrested her for larceny.  She was taken to the Wilkes Women's Detention Center.  The stolen cigarettes were recovered.

Attempted Home Break-In

Well, while the homeowners were away someone tried to get inside the house but were not successful.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Department was called concerning some damage to property at a residence on Annie Sophia Lane.  The homeowners came home to find the door standing wide open.  Someone had gone through the house and tossed property around but nothing was reported stolen.  There are no suspects at this time.

Wilkes Central Gets Lowes Toolbox Grant

Wilkes Central High School has been awarded the Lowe’s Toolbox Grant in the amount of $4,575.00. The grant is titled, “GreenLIFE (Landscape Inspiration for Eagles). Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grants are reserved for approved school improvement projects that can be completed within one year of grant receipt. Michele Shepherd, Principal of Wilkes Central High School was very appreciative to Lowe’s for their support to schools in Wilkes County. Mrs. Shepherd said, “Thanks to the grant writing efforts of John Elledge, we have been awarded a grant. The Lowe's Toolbox grant will incorporate skills from Mr. Treadway’s welding classes, Mr. Wyatt’s masonry classes and the horticulture class.” The new horticulture class is the result of collaboration between Wilkes County Schools and Wilkes Community College. The timeline for project GreenLIFE is the 2013-2014 school year. 

Hwy 18 Expansion in Wilkes Going Well

Even with all the rain over the past couple of weeks, the work by Carl Rose & Sons is actually ahead of schedule on the DOT's project of widening NC Hwy 18 North in Fairplains and Mulberry.  At least 16 structures including houses, stores, and barns are in the process of being taken down.  Negotiations continue on purchasing land as right of way on both sides of the highway.  At completion, that stretch of Hwy 18 North will have wider north and south bound lanes, and there will be turn lanes at intersections such as the one at Mulberry Elementary.  Work is slated for completion by March 2016.

NC Bill to Prohibit Sex-Selective Abortions

HB 716, a bill to prohibit sex-selective abortions, passed the NC House last week and now has been referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate. HB 716: Clarify Law/Prohibit Sex-Selective Abortion passed the House on Tuesday (79-40). Polls have consistently shown that the majority of people believe that sex-selective abortions should be illegal. In March 2006: A Zogby Poll found that 86 percent of Americans believed that an abortion performed because of the sex of the child should be illegal. In April 2013: A Civitas Institute poll asked North Carolinians if they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “women in North Carolina should be allowed to have an abortion when their primary reason for the abortion is the sex of the unborn child.” Seventy-six percent (76%) of respondents disagreed with the statement; 18 percent agreed. When separated by Party ID, 66 percent of Democrats disagreed with the statement. Twenty-five percent (25%) agreed. Finally, 74 percent of women who are registered as Democrats disagreed with the statement. Nineteen percent (19%) agreed. Six separate studies over the past four years document the sad reality of baby girls being aborted in the United States simply because they are girls. Five states already have bans on sex-selective abortion including Pennsylvania—Pennsylvania’s law has been in place for over 20 years. Thirteen other states including North Carolina are considering it.

Operation Road Watch Today

The Highway Patrol will conduct Operation Road Watch beginning today, Tuesday, May 14, at 6 a.m. focusing on Cleveland and surrounding counties. Operation Road Watch is a 48 hour multi-agency enforcement event that focuses on commercial motor vehicle inspections with an emphasis on commercial motor vehicle driver violations, aggressive driving around commercial vehicles, unsecured load violations, hazardous materials transported across state lines and fuel violations.  The goal is to reduced collisions in and around the I-85 Corridors of Gaston, Cleveland & Mecklenburg Counties.  During the Road Watch operation, North American Standard roadside inspections and portable weight operations will be conducted. The intent of this operation is to heighten public awareness and achieve voluntary compliance within the trucking industry, in order to ensure safe and efficient transportation on our streets and highways.  Again, Troopers will conduct safety inspections today on commercial motor vehicles on I-85 in Cleveland County and other highways in adjacent counties during the operation.

Thousands Stolen & Damaged

Over 3000 dollars in property was stolen in addition to 1000 dollars in damages to property.  A self-employed businessman called the Sheriff's Office regarding the a break-in and theft at a job site.  The victim had a truck parked at a job site on Benge Ashe Road in Purlear where he was cutting some timber.  While he was away from the site, someone broke into a work truck.  Two Stihl chainsaws, 1 Husqvarna chainsaw, some walkie-talkies, a battery for a Caterpillar, and some chains were stolen.  Also some toolboxes on the truck were damaged.  Again stolen property was valued over 3000 dollars and damages were estimated at 1000 dollars.  There are no suspects, but the Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate.

Stolen Tractor from Local Business

The tractor would not start and then it was gone.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called to WE Sale and Sons on Hwy 268 in Ronda regarding a theft.  The victim stated that the company's red and silver Massey-Ferguson 35 tractor was in Building #3, and it wouldn't start.  The owner stated that when he returned to work the next day, the tractor was missing.  Upon further investigation, they found the door to the building damaged and tire tracks leading down through the woods toward Big Bend Road.  It is unknown if someone got the tractor started and drove it off or if they pushed it off.  The stolen tractor is valued at 7000 dollars, and there are no suspects.

Vehicle Damage & Vandalism

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is also investigating damages to a car parked on the side of the road.  According to the report, the owner of a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle was having trouble with the vehicle.  She had parked the car on the side of Somers Road and left it unattended.  When she returned to wait for assistance from AAA, the car owner found that the back glass of the VW had been broken out causing 300 dollars in damages.  An ax handle was found at the scene, and it is believed someone used the ax handle to break out the window.  Nothing was reported stolen from the car, and there are currently no suspects.