The local and regional news page of 12403wc Hometown Christian Radio.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Break-In Reported at Pleasant Valley Church
Someone has stolen more than a thousand dollars worth of tools and supplies from inside the building being constructed next to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Pastor Jerry Harris made the discovery yesterday morning. He says several rolls of copper wire were stolen, along with a hammer drill, two power saws, a number of pliers, hammers and a four foot level. Each of those items had some sort of distinguishing mark or characteristic, which Pastor Harris relayed to Wilkesboro police. While it's unknown right now who the thief might have been, there was a unique identifying feature left behind -- we're withholding that so the police and the criminal remain the only people who know it. The neighbors across the street were gone at the time the burglary is believed to have happened -- from Saturday afternoon through mid-morning yesterday. But Harris told police he would check with them anyway, to see if they'd seen someone casing the church or anything else out of place. The incident remains under investigation.
posted by Newsroom # 3:45 PM
NC Highway Patrol to Increase Patrols for Holiday
The Labor Day holiday weekend marks the end of a busy summer vacation travel season and heavy traffic is expected statewide this year. Speed is the leading cause of traffic deaths on the state’s highways. Troopers will be cracking down on speeders and aggressive drivers during the holiday weekend. There will be an increased presence of Troopers on all interstates in North Carolina. Last year, there were 1,189 crashes, 584 injuries and 19 fatalities investigated by the Highway Patrol statewide during the holiday period.
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 Combined Accident Reduction Effort. “C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated effort of Highway Patrol and state police agencies. These high visibility patrols are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws.
posted by Newsroom # 6:00 AM
Fay-INduced Rains Help, But Won't Ease Drought Status Much This Week
All that rain we've received from Tropical Depression Fay is helping river and lake levels in the area, at least in the short term. The Reddies River, which was down to 14 cubic feet per second over the dam at North WIlkesboro Monday, was gushing more than 2-thousand-300 cubic feet per second yesterday. North Wilkesboro officials say that doesn't mean the water restrictions are over, though. They want to see the river flow stabilize above 20 cubic feet per second before lifting the restrictions. An official told the Journal-Patriot they don't want to be dropping and re-instating the restrictions over and over, so as to avoid confusion and frustration for town residents and the water systems served by North Wilkesboro. However, at least for the time being the rainfall should avoid the need to purchase Wilkesboro water, a happening that had seemed more and more likely with each passing day until Fay came to the area.
At W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir, water is flowing in at more than 2-thousand cubic feet per second. WIth the flood gates at the dam set to minimum flow of 127 cubic feet of water per second, the reservoir has risen to 2½ feet below normal. The reservoir should be at full pool or over by Friday.
The best news of it all is that with several days of slow to moderate rain, the water has had a chance to soak into the parched ground, rather than running off and being lost as it would have if the five-plus inches had arrived in one day. New drought information from the federal government is due out later today, but the Fay-induced rains are not likely to affect the county's D-3 drought status, because the cutoff for rainfall reports each week is on Tuesday morning.
posted by Newsroom # 5:59 AM
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Several Saws Stolen
A Wilkes man says he wasn't going to report the theft of several saws from his home recently, but was prompted to do so when he saw one of them sitting on the counter in a local pawn shop. Alan Shepherd says the saws were stolen around the first of the month. Yesterday, he went into the pawn shop and saw one of them, a Black and Decker chop saw, for sale. The pawn shop owner told him two young white males had brought in the saw. Deputies are following up with the pawn shop owner to find out who those people are. The other saws stolen included a DeWalt Super Saw, A Tile & Ceramic saw, and a circular saw. Together, the four stolen saws are worth nearly 500-dollars.
posted by Newsroom # 4:28 PM
Home Invasion Nets Robbers $2,800
Wilkes sheriff deputies are investigating a home invasion that happened early this morning on Highway 16 North. Shortly after midnight, deputies received the call from Ernesto Trejo-Villeda and Genman Villeda, who said four Hispanic men had burst into their home at gunpoint, hit Enresto over the head with a crowbar, and stolen a total of 28-hundred dollars in cash from them. The men fled in a black, 1990's model Chevy truck with a black camper top. He believed they were headed out of the county. Ernesto told deputies he heard one of the men referred to as Angel, and that man was wearing a black t-shirt and jeans. Two others were wearing red t-shirts, and the last man was in a white t-shirt, according to the crime report. Although deputies broadcast a description of the men and the pickup, they have not been seen since. The case remains under investigation.
posted by Newsroom # 4:23 PM
Linda Marley Had Sought Protection Order Before Her Death
A search of court records indicates the woman who was killed Saturday had asked for a domestic restraining order against her husband. In her request, she said that he had threatened to shoot and kill her. As we're reported previously, Terry Crit Marley is recovering from a severe knife wound at Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where he is listed in fair condition.
Marley's estranged wife, Linda Diane Marley, 46, was found in her yard in the 400 block of Old Lankford Road about 12:30 a.m., said Capt. Steve Cabe of the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office. She had been shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have been filed. Cabe said that investigators are talking to officials in the district attorney's office about possible charges.
The Wintson-Salem Journal reports court records show that Linda Marley filed a complaint May 31 in which she said that her husband had been released from jail on bond, went to her home and started arguing. He had threatened to kill her, shoot her, and beat her to death, she wrote. "This goes on every time he gets drunk," she wrote in her complaint. "In the past he has beat me, stoned me, choked me, hit me with a plate that cut my arm open. Has pulled guns and knives on me." She said he had threatened to commit suicide if she didn't stay with him.
A judge granted a temporary domestic protection order that required Terry Marley to stay at least 250 feet from her and to surrender any firearms he owned. The case was dismissed June 9 when neither showed up for the trial date in District Court.
Marley's estranged wife, Linda Diane Marley, 46, was found in her yard in the 400 block of Old Lankford Road about 12:30 a.m., said Capt. Steve Cabe of the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office. She had been shot in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have been filed. Cabe said that investigators are talking to officials in the district attorney's office about possible charges.
The Wintson-Salem Journal reports court records show that Linda Marley filed a complaint May 31 in which she said that her husband had been released from jail on bond, went to her home and started arguing. He had threatened to kill her, shoot her, and beat her to death, she wrote. "This goes on every time he gets drunk," she wrote in her complaint. "In the past he has beat me, stoned me, choked me, hit me with a plate that cut my arm open. Has pulled guns and knives on me." She said he had threatened to commit suicide if she didn't stay with him.
A judge granted a temporary domestic protection order that required Terry Marley to stay at least 250 feet from her and to surrender any firearms he owned. The case was dismissed June 9 when neither showed up for the trial date in District Court.
posted by Newsroom # 6:23 AM
Fatal Wreck Occured Hours Before It Was Discovered
The wreck that killed a Wilkes woman happened about 10 Monday night, and it was more than six hours before anyone realized it had happened. Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Rankin tells me Barbara Ann Teague was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her husband Jimmy, that went off Shumate Mountain Road near Dehart Church Road and down an embankment. It crashed into a tree, knocking him unconscious. The wreck couldn't be seen from the road:
Rankin believes this happened a short time after the wreck -- an autopsy will confirm if that is correct, and what killed Mrs. Teague. It was several hours before Jimmy Teague regained consciousness and made his way up the embankment to the roadside, where a passerby took him to his parents house nearby. From there he was taken by car to Wilkes Regional, then by ambulance to Baptist in Winston-Salem, where he is reported in serious condition. Funeral arrangements for Barbara Teague have not been finalized. The couple's children are staying with family members. The wreck remains under investigation.
Rankin believes this happened a short time after the wreck -- an autopsy will confirm if that is correct, and what killed Mrs. Teague. It was several hours before Jimmy Teague regained consciousness and made his way up the embankment to the roadside, where a passerby took him to his parents house nearby. From there he was taken by car to Wilkes Regional, then by ambulance to Baptist in Winston-Salem, where he is reported in serious condition. Funeral arrangements for Barbara Teague have not been finalized. The couple's children are staying with family members. The wreck remains under investigation.
posted by Newsroom # 6:12 AM
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Break-in Nets Someone over $5,000
Wilkes sheriff deputies have no identified suspects in the break-in that occurred late Sunday or yesterday at the home of a retired Ronda woman. Judy Jolly tells deputies she left Sunday afternoon to go out of town, and left her front door unlocked so her son could use the computer. When she came home she found the door locked, which to her was a bit odd. When she got inside she realized someone had taken several valuables from the house, but left a number of other valuable items behind. The stolen items include two necklaces worth 350-dollars together, several other jewelry items worth a total of 300-dollars, a DVD player and coins, together worth 255-dollars, and nine collector's edition Barbie dolls still in their boxes, worth an estimated 500-dollars each. Total value of the stolen items is over 53-hundred dollars. The case remains under investigation
posted by Newsroom # 3:33 PM
Wreck Kills Hays Woman, Seriously Injures Husband
A Wilkes woman is dead and her husband is hospitalized in Winston-Salem following an accident sometime overnight on Shumate Mountain Road. Rescuers were called to where the vehicle had run off the road and hit a tree about 6:15 this morning, but Trooper Joe Rankin tells me he believes the wreck happened some time earlier, perhaps in the late evening or very early morning hours. It was near where Shumate Mountain Road and Dehart Church Road intersect. A passer-by had found Jimmy Wayne Teague of Hays still alive and had taken him by car to Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Rescuers found his wife, 37-year old Barbara Ann Teague, outside the vehicle, but pinned in some fashion by it. She was dead upon their arrival. Mr. Teague was transferred to Baptist Medical Center by ambulance not long after he arrived at Wilkes Regional, with injuries believed at the time to be critical. Hospital officials say he is in serious condition now. The investigation of the wreck, and even determining who was driving the vehicle, is still in progress.
posted by Newsroom # 3:22 PM
Two Businesses Take Bogus Bills
Two instances of counterfeit money being passed at local businesses this weekend have left more questions than answers. Police were called to Wal-mart and to Burger King in Wilkesboro on Sunday, as employees counting money at the end of shifts found that they had received counterfeits. At Wal-Mart, it was a fake 100-dollar bill received sometime Saturday, while at Burger King it was a fake 20-dollar bill received sometime Sunday. Neither store was able to track which employee took the counterfeit bill, and there were not suspects identified in either case. Both have been closed by police for a lack of leads.
posted by Newsroom # 6:31 AM
Boat Bill to be Subject of Legislative Override Session
Gov. Mike Easley today is reconvening the legislative session for tomorrow morning. The session is called for the sole purpose of reconsidering House Bill 2167, which was vetoed by the governor last week. According to the North Carolina Constitution, when a veto occurs after the General Assembly has adjourned, the governor is required to reconvene the session within 10 days of the veto or the bill becomes law. House Bill 2167 is titled, “An act to increase the width of boats that may be transported on highway routes during the day and night without a permit and to provide for an annual permit as opposed to a single trip permit for oversize boats.”
posted by Newsroom # 6:14 AM
Fay Rain to Help Our Drought
Rainfall estimates over the next couple of days are anywhere from an inch and thre-quarter to over three inches, as the remnants of no-Tropical Depression Fay approach from the west. Mountain areas may get even more. The entire area remains under drought conditions, and while this week’s rainfall may not get the rain totals back to where it should be, it is expected to help alleviate the dry conditions for a while. It comes over a week after it looked like Fay would miss North Carolina entirely.
posted by Newsroom # 6:13 AM
Monday, August 25, 2008
Chase Leads to Property Damage, Charges
A police chase led to an accident that caused damage to a fence on Tyson property along River Street in Wilkesboro and resulted in some jail time for a man. It all started Saturday just before noon, when a Highway patrol trooper tried to pull over the 2008 Chevy S10 being driven by 49-year old Robert Tevepaugh of Wilkesboro. Tevepaugh sped off, though and a one point he went into the Tyson parking lot on the south side of River Street, sped through the lot, and came out the north side, sliding across all four lanes of River Street and hitting a fence between the street and Tyson properly on that side of the street. Tevepaugh skidded along the fence for a bit, then got loose and went on down the street. When he was eventually caught by the trooper, Tevepaugh was charged with failing to maintain lane control by Wilkesboro Police, and with a raft of other charges by the Highway patrol.
posted by Newsroom # 2:49 PM
Woman Killed by Rifle Shot
Wilkes County Sheriff deputies are investigating a homicide. Captain Steve Cabe says deputies were called to the home of Linda Marley on Old Lankford Road about 12:30am Saturday. She and her estranged husband, Terry Crit Marley, had gotten into an argument:
Cabe says at some time after the shooting Mr. Marley cut himself -- no one's sure if it was a suicide attempt or not -- and he was subsequently airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in critical condition. Hospital officials report him in fair condition today.
Cabe says at some time after the shooting Mr. Marley cut himself -- no one's sure if it was a suicide attempt or not -- and he was subsequently airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in critical condition. Hospital officials report him in fair condition today.
posted by Newsroom # 11:18 AM
Woman Who Fell From Horse Lucky, Doctors Say
Doctors say a young woman injured this weekend while riding a horse near her home is extremely lucky. It happened in the 200 block of Taylor Lane in McGrady about 9 last night. Rescuers with the McGrady Fire Department say apparently the horse 27-year old Jennifer Saddler was riding spooked, causing it to rear up and dump Saddler off the back. She was laying on the ground, conscious, when they arrived, and other than the challenge of getting a vehicle close to where she fell, the rescue and transporting her to the McGrady Fired Department for a helicopter to airlift her out went smoothly. She had held herself rock-still after the fall, and apparently luck and her presence of mind combined to keep her from suffering any major injuries. She has been released without being admitted to the hospital.
posted by Newsroom # 11:16 AM
Goss: Worth Wilkesboro Recevies Rural Center Grant for Reddies Dredging
The Town of North Wilkesboro will receive a grant of nearly $260,000 from the N.C. Rural Development Center to fund dredgning sediment out of the Reddies River impoundment lake. Town Commissioners asked the Rural Center earlier this month to place their grant request on a fast track because of worsening drought conditions. "This project is critical to helping the town continue to provide water for its residents during the extended drought,” said N.C. Sen. Steve Goss, who helped seek the grant for the town, in a news release.
The sediment has largely clogged North Wilkesboro’s raw-water intake there, slowing access to the town’s drinking-water supply.
“Dredging will have a favorable impact on the quality of water coming into the water treatment plant, according to Town Manager Hank Perkins. “It will also help our ability to store the water in the impoundment.”
The Journal-Patriot reports North Wilkesboro is also seeking grant funds to build its share of a larger water intake from the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir on the Yadkin River.The project is part of a five-year program to connect intakes for North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro at the reservoir.
The sediment has largely clogged North Wilkesboro’s raw-water intake there, slowing access to the town’s drinking-water supply.
“Dredging will have a favorable impact on the quality of water coming into the water treatment plant, according to Town Manager Hank Perkins. “It will also help our ability to store the water in the impoundment.”
The Journal-Patriot reports North Wilkesboro is also seeking grant funds to build its share of a larger water intake from the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir on the Yadkin River.The project is part of a five-year program to connect intakes for North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro at the reservoir.
posted by Newsroom # 6:14 AM
Fist Day of School Reminders
The first day of school is up on us, and as we speak, Wilkes county kids are awaiting buses to take them to school. New routes are in place, and transportation officials say to be patient, as with any time there are changes,t here will likely be some adjustments for the first couple of weeks. They say you need to have kids to the bus stop -- which may be at the end of your street if you live off a side road that's less than 3-tenths of a mile long -- 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. If you have an elementary-age child, the bus stop remains close to he house where it has been. Two of Wilkes County's 101 school buses will not be running this year because of state funding cutbacks. One of the two buses serves Millers Creek Elementary School, while the other serves East Wilkes High School. Students on those routes have been moved to other routes, which in turn have been lengthened.
Also, school officials say, it's time to start being on the lookout for school buses during your morning and evening driving activities. Remember that you cannot pass a school bus from either direction if it has the stop arm extended and red lights flashing. One other note: on the first day of school, students will attend only a half day. They will be dismissed at 12:30 in the elementaries and at 1pm in the middle and high schools. Lunch will be served before students are sent home.
Also, school officials say, it's time to start being on the lookout for school buses during your morning and evening driving activities. Remember that you cannot pass a school bus from either direction if it has the stop arm extended and red lights flashing. One other note: on the first day of school, students will attend only a half day. They will be dismissed at 12:30 in the elementaries and at 1pm in the middle and high schools. Lunch will be served before students are sent home.
posted by Newsroom # 6:10 AM
Woman Hurt Falling from Horse
McGrady firefighters and Wilkes EMS crews worked together last night to help a woman who had been injured when she fell off a horse. The call was reported about 9:30 last night, according to Wilkes county dispatch, at 236 Taylor Lane. No further details are available right now, except that a helicopter was called to transport her to the hospital. Dispatchers did not have a record of whether she was flown to Winston or Charlotte.
posted by Newsroom # 6:04 AM
Shooting Leaves One Dead, One Hurt
Wilkes county 9-1-1 dispatchers confirm one person is dead following a reported shooting Saturday morning on Old Lankford Road. Few details are known at this time, but dispatchers tell me deputies were called about 12:30am to the home at 475 Old Lankford Road, and one person was airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem while another was found to be dead when deputies arrived. No word on the current condition of the person who was flown to Baptist.
posted by Newsroom # 6:01 AM
Friday, August 22, 2008
40 Year Old Man Dies, Police Unsure Why
An autopsy has been called for in the death of a 40-year old Wilkesboro man. Timothy Mark Shumate was found dead in his unit at Green Hill Apartments by the complex manager at mid-day yesterday. EMS workers confirmed he had died, and police have found no obvious cause for his death. Family members had to positively identify Shumate, because officers found no ID in the apartment.
posted by Newsroom # 1:41 PM
Crash in Wilkesboro Injures One
A rear-end collision sent a Millers Creek woman to the hospital yesterday. Police say Marelyn Pendry was sitting at the stoplight at Highway 268 and Woodland Boulevard when she was hit from behind by a car driven by 22-year old Darrel Wilkes of Hays. Wilkes say he was distracted tuning his radio when the wreck happened about 5:45 last night. Pendry was taken to Wilkes Regional with minor injuries, according to the accident report, and Wiles was ticketed with failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision.
posted by Newsroom # 1:38 PM
Police Issue Warrant in SUV Theft Case
Wilkesboro police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a person in connection with the theft of a Nissan Xterra last weekend. The woman, whose first name was given as Lori by the victim of the theft, Jenny Pennington, lives near where the Xterra was found early this week. That was behind MIllers Creek Methodist Church on Indian Hill Road. Pennington had given "Lori" a ride early Saturday and had come out from using the restroom at a local convenience store to find the SUV missing. She picked the woman, whose name has not been released pending her arrest, out of a lineup earlier today.
posted by Newsroom # 1:35 PM
Stolen Car Recovered
Sheriffs deputies found a stolen car early yesterday, several days after it was reported missing. In the interim someone had stolen some items from inside it. Deputies took a report Wednesday night from Fabiola Santana of Wilkesboro, who said her brother had borrowed her 94 Honda Accord Saturday to go to a friend's house in rural North Wilkesboro. Her brother spent the night, according to the crime report, and when he woke up found the car missing. He had no idea who might have taken it. A deputy on routine patrol saw the car about 1am yesterday at the Moravian Falls Post Office. Someone had stolen the car title from the glove box and taken out the CD player. The car has been returned to Cervantes and the case remains under investigation.
posted by Newsroom # 6:43 AM
Health Officials Caution About Rabies
Twenty cases of rabies have been identified in Wilkes county so far this year, almost ten-percent of the statewide total. Summer and fall mean more outdoor time and more open windows-and more chances for people to come in contact with wildlife, including flying bats. Health offisials say any mammal, especially carnivores (meat eaters), may carry rabies. And while most domestic dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies, which is required under N.C. state law, wild animals are not, so it is important to avoid contact with wild or unfamiliar animals, including baby animals.
While many people are aware that raccoons, foxes and unvaccinated dogs and cats may carry rabies, many do not know that bats can also transmit this deadly disease to people. And because bats are small and quiet, and their bites are usually painless, people don’t always realize when they have been bitten.
While many people are aware that raccoons, foxes and unvaccinated dogs and cats may carry rabies, many do not know that bats can also transmit this deadly disease to people. And because bats are small and quiet, and their bites are usually painless, people don’t always realize when they have been bitten.
posted by Newsroom # 6:32 AM
Water Rates Set -- For Now -- for East Wilkes HS
Ronda commissioners voted earlier this week to lower the rates being paid for water and sewer service at East Wilkes High School. Ronda, according to the state, is the only water system in the county not under voluntary or mandatory use restrictions. Commissioners approved a $10 base rate per month for East Wilkes High and $7.18 for every thousand gallons the school uses. The school hooked up to the system in the final weeks of last school year, so town officials do not know how much the water usage will be. They based their original rate on an estimate that the school would use the same water as 60 homes. After comparing water use at other county schools over the summer, they found the projection was probably too high.
posted by Newsroom # 6:29 AM
Drought Status Update
The drought status in Wilkes County remains unchanged this week, with the entire county considered in the Extreme, or second-highest, stage of drought. According to figures released by the state, in our area only Allegheny county remains in the D2, or severe, status. All other counties surrounding Wilkes are also in D3 status. Statewide, 73-percent of North Carolina is under some sort of drought status, and the remaining areas are considered abnormally dry. Last year at this time, all of the state was experiencing drought of some level, although conditions were better in Wilkes last year than now. This week in 2007, the county was in D2, severe, status.
posted by Newsroom # 6:25 AM
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Car Shot Up in Ronda, Driver Unhurt
Their stories differ as to why, but two Wilkes men agree: one of them shot at the other's car last night. Alan Dale Johnson of Ronda called deputies after the incident, which happened near Hoots Road and Cemetery Street in Ronda about 9 last night. He says 55-year old Johnny Mark Sprinkle sped up behind him, then passed him and screeched to a stop, jumping out of his car with a gun and threatening Johnson. He says he was ordered out of his car, and Sprinkle began berating him about the power being turned on at a mobile home and who had done it. At some point, both men say, Sprinkle turned and fired eight shots -- seven of them leaving holes in the car and the eight bullet lodging in the passenger door. Sprinkle says the confrontation was because of his wife's infidelity with Johnson. When he was contacted by deputies, Sprinkle admitted to firing the shots and turned himself in peacefully. Although he did not hurt Johnson, he is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, assault by pointing a gun, and going armed to the terror of people.
posted by Newsroom # 3:37 PM
Latest on the Water Situation
Wilkesboro leaders are preparing for the time when they'll be selling water to North Wilkesboro. This week they set a rates of a dollar-16 per thousand gallons for the first 30 days, and a dollar-28 per thousand gallons after that. It costs them a dollar-7 to treat a thousand gallons of water. Council members also agreed Monday to supply all the water needs of the West Wilkes Water Association if needed, instead of half the water as they do now. That would relieve North Wilkesboro of about 633-thousand gallons a day of water usage, which they'd be taking a loss of as much as 43-cents per thousand gallons. North Wilkesboro sells water to West Wilkes at 85-cents a thousand gallons. It also means water bills are likely to rise for West Wilkes Association users, as the cost of Wilkesboro water is a dollar-14.
If water is needed on an emergency basis, the Journal-Patriot reports, Wilkesboro will not charge North Wilkesboro for the first 24 hours. North Wilkesboro officials have said that they would purchase water from Wilkesboro in order to avoid rationing and stiffer mandatory usage restrictions if the current drought persists. The town imposed the first level of mandatory restrictions on July 30.
North Wilkesboro draws its raw water from the town reservoir on the Reddies River. The purchase of water from Wilkesboro will begin if and when the flow of the river drops to 10 cubic feet per second. Last weekend's rains briefly brought the flow up to 40 cubic feet, but it has leveled off at 15 cubic feet over the past several days.
If water is needed on an emergency basis, the Journal-Patriot reports, Wilkesboro will not charge North Wilkesboro for the first 24 hours. North Wilkesboro officials have said that they would purchase water from Wilkesboro in order to avoid rationing and stiffer mandatory usage restrictions if the current drought persists. The town imposed the first level of mandatory restrictions on July 30.
North Wilkesboro draws its raw water from the town reservoir on the Reddies River. The purchase of water from Wilkesboro will begin if and when the flow of the river drops to 10 cubic feet per second. Last weekend's rains briefly brought the flow up to 40 cubic feet, but it has leveled off at 15 cubic feet over the past several days.
posted by Newsroom # 6:24 AM
Record-Setting Catfish Caught with Barbie Fishing Pole
A Wilkes County man used his granddaughter's Barbie Doll rod-and-reel combo - all 2 ½ feet of it - to reel in a new state record channel catfish that measured 2 inches longer than the fishing pole. David Hayes landed the record-breaking fish, which weighed 21 pounds, 1 ounce, early this month on his pond while fishing with his 3-year old granddaughter Alyssa.
Like previous fishing trips, Hayes baits the hook and Alyssa catches the fish, using her hot pink Barbie doll rod-and-reel combo. It is a routine that usually works well - until that afternoon when nature called at the most inopportune time. "After catching two or three bluegill, Alyssa turns to me and says 'Papa, I've got to go to the bathroom. Hold my fishing rod'," Hayes recalled. "A few minutes later, the float went under and I saw the water start boiling up - I knew right then that I had my hands full with that fishing rod."
It took Hayes about 25 minutes to land the fish, which measured 32 inches in length and 22 ½ inches in girth. Once he got it to the bank, Hayes said he was pretty certain his channel cat would exceed the former state record, an 18-pound, 5-ounce fish reeled in by Wesley Trucks of New Bern in August 2007. After being weighed in Thurmond and certified by the state, he is now the new record-holder.
Like previous fishing trips, Hayes baits the hook and Alyssa catches the fish, using her hot pink Barbie doll rod-and-reel combo. It is a routine that usually works well - until that afternoon when nature called at the most inopportune time. "After catching two or three bluegill, Alyssa turns to me and says 'Papa, I've got to go to the bathroom. Hold my fishing rod'," Hayes recalled. "A few minutes later, the float went under and I saw the water start boiling up - I knew right then that I had my hands full with that fishing rod."
It took Hayes about 25 minutes to land the fish, which measured 32 inches in length and 22 ½ inches in girth. Once he got it to the bank, Hayes said he was pretty certain his channel cat would exceed the former state record, an 18-pound, 5-ounce fish reeled in by Wesley Trucks of New Bern in August 2007. After being weighed in Thurmond and certified by the state, he is now the new record-holder.
posted by Newsroom # 6:13 AM
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Two Injured in Tuesday Wreck
A high-speed crash at mid-day yesterday sent two people to the hospital. It happened shortly before 1pm on River Street in front of Payne Power in Wilkesboro. Police report 22-year old Jordan Ray McGrady of Wilkesboro was eastbound on River Street, and had been reported by other drivers speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. He lost control of the 2001 Kia and started to spin, crossing the center line and striking a 1999 Toyota driven by Joline Eggers of Millers Creek. She ended up facing south, blocking the westbound lane of traffic. McGrady continued to slide, eventually impacting his driver's door against the front of a westbound Toyota driven by William Thomas, Jr. of Wilkesboro. That spun McGrady's car around and he came to rest facing north, just across the line in his own lane. Police indicate he slid nearly 100 feet before the initial impact, and another 100 feet-plus afterward. Officers estimated his speed at 60 miles an hour in the 35 zone. McGrady and the driver of the first car he hit, Jolene Eggers, were each taken by ambulance to Wilkes Regional Medical Center with moderate injuries. Mr. Thomas was uninjured. Police ticketed McGrady for reckless driving and failing to maintain his lane of travel.
posted by Newsroom # 3:20 PM
School Improvements Await Students Monday
The summer has brought work on several projects at Wilkes County schools, which have been completed in time for students to enjoy them when they return to class Monday. The $31 million renovation project has been completed at West Wilkes, Wilkes Central and North Wilkes high schools. The work at East Wilkes is expected to be done by Christmas, according to Superintendent Dr. Steve Laws. He says there have also been aesthetic improvements at Ronda-Clingman and Wilkesboro elementary schools, Laws added.
The district's technology initiative is having an effect on classrooms this year, too. Fourth and fifth grade students will each get PDA devices. They’ll be used for writing, learning keyboarding skills, math projects and students can download e-books onto them. Laws told the Record, “We will also have over 200 of our SMART classrooms. These classrooms will have a SMART board, with 72-inch screen, instead of a chalkboard. You can do all kinds of projects on these. Teachers will have a laptop that will interact with the boards. The kids are just enthralled with the possibilities of that."
The district's technology initiative is having an effect on classrooms this year, too. Fourth and fifth grade students will each get PDA devices. They’ll be used for writing, learning keyboarding skills, math projects and students can download e-books onto them. Laws told the Record, “We will also have over 200 of our SMART classrooms. These classrooms will have a SMART board, with 72-inch screen, instead of a chalkboard. You can do all kinds of projects on these. Teachers will have a laptop that will interact with the boards. The kids are just enthralled with the possibilities of that."
posted by Newsroom # 6:18 AM
Foxx Named "Friend of the American Motorist"
The grassroots free-market group Americans for Prosperity has named Rep. Virginia Foxx as a “Friend of the American Motorist” on the group’s “Freedom from Foreign Oil” scorecard, which ranks U.S. Representatives based on their support for – or opposition to – policies that would lower gas and energy prices by increasing American energy supplies. Rep. Fox was among 172 House lawmakers to receive the award from the 270,000-strong citizen group for achieving a score of 70 percent or better.
posted by Newsroom # 6:03 AM
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