3WC News Blog

Sex Crime Plea Earns Long Sentence

2009-11-20T05:32:00.001-05:00

A Wilkesboro man has begun serving a minimum of 11 years in prison following his conviction of sexual crimes committed against a 14-year-old girl. Jeremiah Ezra Bare was sentenced this week after admitting to the allegations against him. As part of a plea agreement, all of the charges were consolidated into one count of soliciting to commit statutory rape. The Journal-Patriot reports Bare's wife, Sheila Tester Bare, is also facing charges, including first-degree sexual offense, taking indecent liberties with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Prosecutors said Mrs. Bare is the person who attracted the girl to spend time with the couple, and that the sexual abuse included plying the girl with alcohol and drugs to reduce her resistance to their advances.

Make Plans Now to See "The Promise"

2009-11-20T05:27:00.001-05:00

It's just about time for Tri-City Baptist Church's annual producion of "The Promise" -- the story of the life of Jesus. It's the 13th year the church has presented the play, and they're coming off a record year last year. Eric Gentry, who plays Jesus, told 3WC's Angela Henley during Focus on the Foothills yesterday they've actually had to back off just slightly from the number of people involved in the cast:

Performances of "The Promise" are December 3rd through the 6th and December 11th through the 13th. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door, and in recent years, most nights have been a sellout. call the church for more information.

Ronda Commissioner Resigns

2009-11-19T19:10:00.001-05:00

A town commissioner resigned this week.

Ronda Commissioner Holly Staley resigned from the board Wednesday night. Staley said the board hasn't helped the town of Ronda and has quote -- "let decisions be made by others." She went on to say that the board has quote '' "bent rules for the rich and likeable and struggled to be fair with those they didn't like." Staley apologized that she did not try to do more during her term. Her father and town commissioner Manual Wood was the one who circulated a petition to try to dissolve the town of Ronda. He is also not running for reelection.

Yadkin Officials Served Jail Injunciton

2009-11-19T13:52:00.001-05:00

Officials in Yadkin county have received the injunction issued yesterday by a Superior Court judge that orders a committee to stop working on plans for a jail smaller than the one that the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners approved in 2007.

Judge John Craig ordered the committee to cancel its meetings until he holds a hearing on the matter on Jan. 8. Craig told the commissioners Monday that in the coming weeks he would send orders and subpoenas to them asking them to explain why they haven't build a new jail.

In the injunction, Craig said that the committee was trying circumvent the wishes of the commissioners by working on a smaller jail, and that the committee's chairman was undermining the process. The injunction was served as expected, last evening. Commision chair Chad Wagoner told the Winston-Salem Journal he will follow the Craig injunction, but said he was frustrated over the delays in building the planned jail.

PASS Race at North Wilkesboro Set for Labor Day Weekend

2009-11-19T05:41:00.001-05:00

Racing will return to North Wilkesboro Speedway almost a month earlier than originally thought -- just in time for Labor Day. In fact, officials with the Pro All Stars Series announced today they will hold the PASS South Super Late Models will stage a 200 lap event on Saturday, September 4th at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. The race will fall on Labor Day weekend and will also include an optional practice day on Friday, September 3rd. The PASS South Super Late Models will be among the first touring divisions to visit the mile North Wilkesboro Speedway since Jeff Gordon won the final Winston Cup Series event there in 1996.

PASS President Tom Mayberry said, “This 200 lap event at North Wilkesboro Speedway will be one of the crown jewels in the 2010 PASS schedule. We look for Super Late Model drivers and fans from across the country to converge on North Wilkesboro for this prestigious event.”

When officials announced early this month that the speedway would in fact once again host races, they said the first date for a race would be October 3rd. When they made that announcement,t hey said the PASS race was still being finalized. The announcement of the Labor Day weekend race was made yesterday in Charlotte.

Scott In Jail On No Bond; Police Send Evidence to State Lab

2009-11-18T19:01:00.001-05:00

Police are gathering evidence in a week old murder, and the accused is still in jail with no bond.

Police say they're collecting evidence that they'll send to the State Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab. They're also doing interviews about the case.Courtney Neil Scott is still in jail, held with no bond, and facing a murder charge for allegedly shooting and killing William Eugene Sprinkle. Captain Steve Cabe of the Wilkes County Sheriff's Department said Sprinkle was shot at Scott's home in Millers Creek after Sprinkle went to talk about money with Scott. Cabe says Scott does have a criminal record, but Sprinkle did not.

County Credit Rating is A+

2009-11-18T05:22:00.001-05:00

The credit rating of one local government entity remains strong, according to a bond rating firm. Fitch Ratings recently affirms the 'A+' rating on Wilkes County's $14.1 million outstanding public improvements project certificates of participation series 2000. According to Fitch the rating reflects the county's satisfactory credit characteristics, solid legal provisions, the lien on essential government assets, and the fact that COPs are subject to annual appropriation. The rating incorporates a limited county economy concentrated in manufacturing, contributing to the below average wealth indicators and high unemployment rate. Fitch expects that reserve levels will remain solid and the debt burden low, given the county's conservative budgeting and willingness to defer capital projects to enhance financial flexibility.

Van Donated to Help Local Family

2009-11-17T14:19:00.001-05:00

A local family dealing with disability will have a slightly easier time now, due to the efforts of a group of local people. You may remember that West Wilkes high school senior Harley Hendrix was severely injured last year at the Southern National AAU Wrestling Tournament. His family doctor, Tim Van Noy, explains what happened from there:

The van award was made today at the Window Wolrd headquarters in Wilkesboro

Person Found Dead in Home Off Austin-Traphill Road

2009-11-17T05:29:00.001-05:00

Little solid information is available yet concerning the death of a person near Austin yesterday afternoon. Deputies and first responders were called to a home off Austin-Traphill Road, and when first responders arrived, they found one person in the house, dead. Dispatchers tell me the call came in as a request to check the condition of a person inside the home. Reports that the person was shot have not been confirmed by officials so far. Early this morning, medical examiner's personnel were on scene, and an autopsy will be performed as is routine in all unattended deaths. But officials so far have not characterized the death beyond the status of a found body.

Money Stolen From Church Shows Up

2009-11-16T20:34:00.001-05:00

This shows you how far a little faith can go:

When just over 900 dollars was stolen from the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church last month, D. Kevin Brown and his prayed it would be returned, even though the Wilkes County Sheriff's Department told them not to count on it. The money that the church had been raising for the Wilkes Crisis Pregnancy Center was in fact returned -- three days later. Brown commented, "We have no clue who took it and we don't care. We are just glad that it showed up." The man who took the money left a note with it asking for Brown, the church and God to forgive him. The money has been given to the center.

Elkin Woman Dies After Sea-Diving Problem off Florida

2009-11-16T05:27:00.001-05:00

An Elkin woman who was diving off the shore of Florida died after having trouble during a dive on Friday. Johnsie Hudspeth was diving offshore Key Largo with a commercial dive trip when she surfaced indicating she was in distress. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office told WGHP-TV Hudspeth was rushed to shore, where she was conscious and breathing, but she later died at a local hospital. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death. Services for Hudspeth are pending at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin.

Share-A-Thon Raises $50,120

2009-11-16T05:24:00.001-05:00

The fall Share-A-Thon to benefit Ebeneezer Christian Children's Home is over, with pledges this year totaling just over 50-thousand dollars. Everyone who pledged is reminded: don't forget to mail in your pledge. This year, the proceeds go to help furnish a new home being built, the Joe Severt Foster Home. It will be licensed for 5 foster children. The modular is being built at this time. Please mail your donations to the home, at PO Box 2777, North Wilkesboro. You can also submit your pledge online at http://www.ebenezerfamily.org/

Health Care Forum in Wilkes Tomorrow

2009-11-16T05:19:00.001-05:00

The AARP and the Winston-Salem Urban League are teaming up next week to bring a Senior Healthcare Forum to Wilkes. It's tomorrow, from 2:30 to 4pm at the Senior Center of Wilkesboro. Bill Wilson, the Associate State Director for Advocacy with the AARP, explains what the forum is all about:

We'll have more details on the forum coming up in later 3WC newscasts.

Fewer Agencies to Help More in Need of Christmas

2009-11-15T22:25:00.001-05:00

With fewer volunteers to help, Christmas in Wilkes, which gives Christmas to children in need, disbanded. Now, several other groups are feeling that loss, and feeling the tough economy.

Chirstmas in Wilkes helped some 14 hundred kids last year alone, and had been helping kids for some 13 years. This year, several organizations, like the Care Connection, the Salvation Army and Wilkes Ministry of Hope used to each operate independently, but will now join forces to give Christmas to kids. With the economy in the shape its in, the few organizaitons helping, say more families will be applying for help. If you want to help, contact the Care Connection.

Light Up Downtown is Next Friday

2009-11-13T15:06:00.001-05:00

Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro organizers are planning the 14th Annual Light Up Downtown Christmas Celebration to be held on Friday, November 20th from 5:30pm - 9:00pm in Downtown North Wilkesboro.

New additions this year include emergency vehicles from the area that will be on display shining their lights and helping Light Up Downtown. Santa’s Gift Shop will be open in the office of Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro, at 211 9th Street, for children to select gifts for friends and family. A visit to participating shops in the downtown area will turn into a progressive story about Santa’s reindeer.

Smart Start will be hosting an adventure into Santa’s Reindeer Land at the Wilkes Art Gallery on C Street. Mrs. Claus will be reading a Christmas story, children will have the opportunity to have their faces painted as reindeers with antlers (FREE) and to complete their visit to Reindeer Land they will receive reindeer food to sprinkle in their yard to guide Rudolph on Christmas Eve.

Santa will be in the lobby of Wilkes Towers from 5:30pm - 9:00 pm to listen to all your Christmas wishes. Free pictures will be available to take with Santa. Hayrides will also be available to ride around the downtown and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations.

Prizes to be Offered at Leukemia Benefit Event Saturday

2009-11-12T05:32:00.001-05:00

Parents and community members at Millers Creek Elementary School are banding together to help the family of a second grader there who has been diagnosed with leukemia. It's a scrapbooking day, which will run from 8am to 9pm this Saturday at the school. Organizer Tanya Goss says there will be prizes offered, as well as an opportunity to fellowship and scrapbook at the same time.

The first 40 people who pre-register for the event by calling Goss at 927-7805 will also receive a gift bag. Funds raised during the event will go to help the boy, Joshua and his family as they face crippling medical expenses due to his disease.

Three Agencies Share Load Left when Christmas in Wilkes Folded

2009-11-12T05:24:00.001-05:00

Three local non-profit agencies are stepping into the void left by the disbanding of Christmas in Wilkes this fall. The Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Salvation Army and Ministry of Hope are all expanding efforts to help the 16-hundred Wilkes children they already know of who need assistance this season. Karen McNeil is with BROC. She tells the Journal-Patriot, "There is no reason any child in Wilkes should go without if parents know where to go for assistance, thanks to the generosity of Wilkes people who are willing to help."

The three agencies are sharing a master list of children's names to make sure there is no overlapping of eligible applicants who meet the criteria of need established by each agency. Names are coming from parental applications, school and other agency referrals. Assistance from the community is needed for all three groups to fulfill their mission, say officials. That assistance can come in the form of money, toys, clothing or hands-on work.

To donate, contact the The Care Connection, which is affiliated with BROC; look for the Wilkes Ministry of Hope wish trees at Walmart, Belks, Maurices, the YMCA locations and Java Hills; or the Salvation Army Angel Trees which will be going up at Belks and at least two other places.

Man Jailed, Charged with Murder in Cricket

2009-11-11T20:33:00.001-05:00

A Cricket man's in jail, charged with murder there.

Wilkes County Sheriff's deputies arrested Courtney N. Scott of Beginning Street, charging him with killing 46 year old William Eugene Sprinkle of North Wilkesboro yesterday morning. Sheriff dane Mastin said Scott allegedly shot Sprinkle as the two argued over money near Scott's home. Mastin said Scott was still on the scene when officials arrived and that there were witnesses to the incident. Sprinkle was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Flu Shot Permission Forms Soon Available on WIlkes Schools Web Site

2009-11-11T12:57:00.001-05:00

Parents of Wilkes school children will soon have the ability to visit the schools' web site and print out the permission forms needed to allow their child to receive the flu vaccines. Donna Shumate with the Wilkes County Health Department explains:

Shumate says the joint effort to post the forms isn't quite complete. A completion date isn't known.

Benefit for 2nd Grader with Leukemia is Saturday

2009-11-11T12:47:00.001-05:00

A benefit scrapbooking event is scheduled for this Saturday at Millers Creek Elementary School. Tanya Goss, one of the organizers, explains who the event will benefit:

The event is from 8am to 9pm Saturday at the school. We'll have further information concerning it in upcoming 3WC newscasts.

Not One Race, But 3 Planned for North Wilkesboro Next Year

2009-11-11T05:54:00.001-05:00

About 200 people turned out in a steady rain yesterday to hear about plans to revive racing at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Speedway Associates Inc., the group that has a three-year lease on the track, had already announced that a USA Racing Pro Cup race (the former Hooters Cup series) will be held here Oct. 3, 2010. Alton McBride Jr., the president of SAI, said yesterday that two more series are coming here. The American Speed Association Late Model Series will bring its 300-lap Kings Ransom televised finale sometime in November 2010. Also coming will be the Pro All Star Series late-model touring series. Dates are still to be confirmed.

Bobby Allison was there

along with Ned Jarrett

Junior Jounson was there, too. And of course the local dignitaries. North Wilkesboro Town Manager Hank Perkins:

and County Commission Chair Zach Henderson.

Afterward, county and city officials said that the group has not asked the local governments for anything. North Wilkesboro has the nearest water and sewer lines, which are about a mile away along N.C. 115, but officials believe the group's plans can utilize the track's existing septic system.

Road Extension Could be Opened by Christmas

2009-11-10T20:52:00.001-05:00

After two years, people in Hickory can look forward to a Christmas present.

The NC Department of Transportation says its finishing up the Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard extension and HOPES to have it finished by Christmas. The road's bee closed from Tate Boulevard to Seventh Avenue NE for the better part of two years. Brian Withers is an assistant resident engineer for division 12 with the DOT. He says the most time consuming part of the project has been building a detour for railroad tracks that are used everyday and run above the road. When the project is completed, Hickory plans to begin a landscaping project around the Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard Extension area.

Extended Flu Shot CLinics Available

2009-11-10T15:20:00.001-05:00

In the effort to make flu shots available to as many people as possible, the Wilkes County Health Department is extending their clinic hours several nights a week. Donna Shumate explains:

For more information, call the Wilkes County Health Department.

School-Church Partnership Organizes

2009-11-10T15:14:00.001-05:00

A follow up to a story we first reported last week: the developing partnership between Wilkes schools and the community's churches to provide something for kids to do on days off from school. Superintendent Steve Laws was one of the people at an organizational get-together last night concerning the partnership:

If your church is interested in being part of the effort, contact Dr. Laws for more information.

Crash Kills Mom and Daughter on Way to School

2009-11-10T15:05:00.001-05:00

A kindergarten student and her mother died after a head-on collision on the way to school this morning in Wilkes County. According to the highway patrol, a nurse, who was the driver of the other car involved in the accident, performed CPR on the girl, both she and her mother were pronounced dead when they arrived at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. The patrol identified them as 22-year old Brittney Dancy and her daughter, 5-year old Makayla Birch the girl was a kindergarten at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.

Troopers say Dancy was northbound on Dragway Road about 7:40am, and hydroplaned on the wet road. Sarah Huffman was on her way home from a shift at Wilkes Regional, driving south. She saw Dancy's car sliding and tried to get as far off the road as she could, but the car slid into her head-on. Although she was injured, Huffman pulled Makayla from the car and laid her on the trunk lid, where performed CPR on the girl for more than 15 minutes until paramedics arrived. Neither the mother nor daughter were wearing seat belts. Troopers say Huffman did everything she could, both to avoid the accident and to try to save the girl.