3WC News Blog

These Folks Have A Really Bright Bulb

2008-07-18T15:21:00.001-04:00

There's a reason law enforcement officers recommend you not take the law into your own hands -- if you happen to go overboard, you can go from being the victim to being the criminal. Then there's the extreme a Wilkes woman and her son are accused of going to. For reasons that will become obvious, we'll leave the 53-year old woman and her 22-year old son, as well as their victims, nameless.

Deputies responded to the victims' home twice this week -- Wednesday and Thursday night. For some reason the woman and her son had chosen to highlight the side of his grandparents' house with an incredibly bright spotlight. When a deputy came out Wednesday night, he could see the side of the victims' house lit up like a Friday night football game, the spotlight proudly standing on a tripod in a bedroom, shining through the window against the side of the house next door. The deputy proceeded to knock on the door and ring the door bell -- for ten minutes, he says, and no one came to the door. So, he took photos -- undoubtedly the shaft of bright light showed up well in the dark of shortly after 10pm.

Fast forward to last night. Same situation. This time, the deputy goes next door and finds a thumbtack taped to the doorbell, pointy side facing out. So now it's become personal. The deputy says he rang the doorbell, and this time mama came to the door. She said the spotlight was where it was for "security." Exactly what wasn't secure about the side of grandma and grandpa's house, no one is saying. Enter the 22-year old grand son, who freely admitted it was him who had aimed the light next door, making the inside of the grand-folk's house look like an Alaskan night in the summer. When asked why the thumbtack was put on the doorbell, the young man said it was his house, his land, and his right to do whatever he wanted. That was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.

After he informed the blinding duo they were under arrest an argument ensued, with the deputy eventually laying down the law: come with him or have him sit outside until a judge gave him a search warrant and come in to rifle the place and see what else he might find. (Okay, part of that may be poetic license.) So the son went back in the house and got the spotlight, making a stop on the way to call 9-1-1 and claim the officer was trying to force his way in the house. Mind you, the officer was on the front porch at the time. Sonny seems to have neglected the fact that the people on the other end of 9-1-1 can talk to the deputy on his radio -- and they did. Another ruckus ensued, as the deputy went in to relieve the son of the telephone and mama stood in the door to block his entrance. The officer got into the house only to find the young man behind the lens of a camcorder, producing evidence of the part of the story that would make it look -- well, bad for the deputy.

Bottom line...mom and son were both carted off to jail and face multiple charges. Presumably grams and gramps slept peacefully without the klieg light shining on the side of the house.

Driver Runs Intersection, Hits Another Car

2008-07-18T06:09:00.001-04:00

It's commonly accepted that having a police officer direct traffic when a signal light is out improves safety at the intersection. It is also a hazardous time for the officer, though, when drivers don't pay attention. An officer says it's unclear whether the driver that didn't follow his direction Wednesday at US 421 and Highway 16 knew he was there directing traffic. The driver, 29-year old Wesley Hansen of Huntersville, North Carolina, went through the intersection on 421 and slammed into the side of a car turning left, which was driven by Robert Holman of Millers Creek. Both drivers, who were alone in their vehicles, refused treatment. A determination has not been made on whether a ticket will be issued in connection with the wreck.

Restaurant Accused of Adding Tip to Check Without Permission

2008-07-18T06:03:00.001-04:00

A Wilkes woman accuses a local restaurant of adding a tip to her meal when she'd already left one on the table. Wilkesboro police were called to the Chile Verde restaurant around mid-day Wednesday when both parties decided it would be best to get the police involved. Tammy Shepherd of Millers Creek said she had bought lunch on an earlier date, which a receipt showed costing a bit over 8-dollars. But her bank statement showed the card had been debited for exactly 2-dollars too much. Shepherd says she left a cash tip on the table. Shepherd tells 3WC News that when she confronted the staff they initially were not going to refund the extra money, but they eventually did so at the "encouragement" of police. They tried to give her a coupon for a future visit, which she refused. She tells police this is the second time it has happened to her at Chile Verde. The case is listed as under investigation.

Margaret Johnson Arrested While Eating Lunch in North WIlkesboro

2008-07-18T05:40:00.001-04:00

Wilkes County authorities have arrested a woman in connection with the 2002 slaying of a man who disappeared from a location on Cicero Road. Acting on a tip, they arrested Margaret Johnson's at a North Wilkesboro restaurant yesterday afternoon. Her husband, Robert, was arrested on Monday. The two have been charged with murder in the disappearance of Kenneth Ray Miller. Authorities say Margaret Johnson was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday at a restaurant on West D Street in North Wilkesboro. The sheriff's department received a tip that she was there eating lunch. Two undercover detectives were sent in to identify her and arrested her.
Margaret Johnson was the ex-wife of Miller. Miller's remains may have been recovered earlier this week. Authorities unearthed remains on Monday that they are testing to verify whether they are Miller. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Wilkes County Sheriff's Department at 903-7600 or 838-9111.

Man Collapses, Dies on the Greenway

2008-07-17T10:22:00.001-04:00

An unfortunate circumstance. That's what police are saying happened yesterday on the Yadkin River Greenway. Wilkesboro Major Stephen Dowell spoke with us this morning concerning th e death of William Thomas Sell yesterday afternoon:

Dowell says it appears that Sell died from natural causes, and that no foul play was involved. A group of people out exercising on the Greenway reported Sell unconscious a little after 1pm, prompting the emergency response.

Fight Leads to Potential Assault Charges

2008-07-17T03:13:00.001-04:00

Deputies say charges are pending against two men who were involved in a fight Monday night in Traphill. Deputies were called to a location on Grissel Tail Road about 7:30 Monday evening, and encountered David Williams and Gullermo Rodriguez, both of whom were bruised and bleeding. First responders and EMS packaged the two up and took them to Wilkes Regional. Deputies are looking for two other people, 16-year old Brian Allen Conley and 21-year old Steven Allen Rice, in connection with the assault. Warrants are pending on both.

Death Reported on the Greenway

2008-07-17T01:45:00.001-04:00

Few details are available concerning the death of a person yesterday on the Greenway. Dispatchers confirm the call of a possible death happened yesterday afternoon shortly after 2pm in an area of the Greenway accessible behind the Red Carpet Inn. But no further details are being released at the moment concerning the case. We expect to find out more from Wilkesboro Police later today.

Gov. Candidate Pat McCrory on Jobs

2008-07-16T11:01:00.001-04:00

North Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate Pat McCrory was in Wilkes this morning, bringing his message centered on jobs and the economy to the county. He took a few minutes to speak with 3WC's Angela Henley about a subject near and dear to many in the county -- job maintenance and creation:

We'll have additional comments from McCrory in upcoming 3WC newscasts. This evening, we'll discuss his proposals for energy independence and sharing the wealth with the whole state.

Wilkesboro Wreck Injures One

2008-07-16T05:59:00.001-04:00

An apparent street racing incident led to one person being injured in a crash on US 421 in Wilkesboro Monday night. Wilkesboro Police say there were several people in 19-year old Christopher Lee Foster's car; one of the passengers, Christopher Todd Collins, was taken by ambulance to Wilkes regional Medical Center. According to the wreck report, Foster and another vehicle were traveling east on 421 near Winkler Mill when the other driver tapped his brakes. Foster says he tried to whip the car to the right to avoid hitting the other driver. He over-corrected, sending the car into a skid and across the median, where it overturned, coming to rest on its top. Foster was ticketed for reckless driving and for not having a current inspection sticker; the other driver left the scene and has not been identified.

Man Accused of Purposely Hitting Scooter Rider with Car Mirror

2008-07-16T05:52:00.001-04:00

A Wilkes teen says he was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple injuries when a man sideswiped him with a car mirror as he was riding his scooter on Mulberry Pine Road. 17-year old Jimmy Taylor says the event early yesterday morning was not an accident, either. He tells deputies he rode up to the Fairplains BP station about 1:20am yesterday. While he was there, he got into a verbal disagreement with an unidentified man, who had called him a derogatory name. Taylor says the man eventually got back in his car and left the store. However, as Taylor was riding home, the car appeared out of nowhere and sideswiped him, knocking him off the scooter with the passenger-side mirror. After he woke up and dusted himself off, Taylor called 9-1-1. He had a number of cuts and scratches. While he wasn't able to give deputies a name of the man who was driving, he gave a detailed description of both the man and the car. The investigation continues.

Smart Start Rodeo This Weekend

2008-07-16T05:39:00.001-04:00

Smart Start presents East Coast Sanctioned Championship Pro Rodeo this weekend. The event, which will feature bronco and bull riding, calf roping and other rodeo excitement, will be held at Rotary Fair Grounds off U.S. 421 Bypass in North Wilkesboro. The rodeo starts Friuday and Saturday evenigns at 8 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m. Returning this year will be free sheep riding for children, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, children 6 to 12 are $5, children 5 and under are admitted free of charge.

Pickup Stolen Overnight

2008-07-15T11:16:00.001-04:00

Wilkesboro police are looking for a 1996 Dodge Diesel pickup that was stolen overnight from a local merchant. Jay Yoder called police when he arrived at work this morning about 6 at J&D Tractor Sales on Highway 421. Sometime during the night, a burglar had come onto the lot and driven the pickup out through the fence. It is maroon, and has a half-length camper top/work bed unit on it, along with a full-size yellow light bar. It appears the front of the pickup and the light bar were both damaged as the thief drove the truck through the fence. There were a number of tools, an air compressor, and a welder on the truck when it was stolen. All together, the value of the stolen items is over 13-thousand dollars, plus about 5-thousand dollars damage to the fence. One neighbor reports hearing a loud noise sometime during the night, and another reports a white Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled into his driveway and parked, then left a while later. This happened about 1:30am. Police ask anyone who may know more about the cast to give them a call. They presently have no suspects.

...At Least it Wasn't Beanie-Weinies

2008-07-15T05:30:00.001-04:00

A middle-of-the-night urge for some Spaghetti-O's and a beer led a Wilkes man to an overnight stay in the pokey. A Wilkesboro police officer detained 23-year old Charles Stanley Schuder on a warrant for shoplifting after the Wilkesboro man was stopped by a security officer working at the Run-In on River Street. The officer had watched as Schuder had tucked a can of Spaghetti-O's into his backpack along with a can of beer and tried to leave the store without paying. For want of 4-dollars to pay for the stuff, Schuder ended up jailed for at least 8 hours, until a magistrate came in Sunday morning to set bond on the warrant.

Two Men Break into Convenience Store

2008-07-15T05:23:00.001-04:00

Deputies are investigating the theft of nearly 900 dollars worth of cigarettes from a Wilkes convenience store. The burglary, discovered about 4:35 Saturday morning, was accomplished when two men threw a chunk of asphalt through the front door of the Market Basket on Highway 268 West. Once inside, they stole 30 cartons of cigarettes, most of them some variety of Marlboro. The security video shows the two, but so dimly a deputy was not able to make out facial features. The thieves are described as white males who appeared to be in their 20's. They left the store on foot in the direction of Browns Ford Road. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 903-7600,

Burglar Leaves Items Behind

2008-07-15T05:17:00.001-04:00

It's unclear why a thief left behind several items following a break-in at a Wilkes home over the weekend. Richard Norris of Moravian Falls tells sheriff deputies he was gone Saturday and Sunday and arrived home to find his basement door kicked in. The thief had taken a 38-inch cut riding moder worth about 13-hundred dollars, a skil saw, and an 18-volt cordless drill. A push mower was hauled outside, but not taken from the property. The thief left behind a number of items that were laying right next to the stolen mower, including two chainsaws, a weed-eater, and a backpack-style leaf blower. Deputies report no suspects in the crime so far.

Thurmond Pair Charged in 2002 Murder

2008-07-14T15:14:00.001-04:00

Wilkes sheriff deputies have charged two Thurmond residents in relation to a six-year old case. According to the sheriff's department, tips received in the past few weeks led them to the man and woman, who are charged with murdering Kenneth Ray Miller of Speedway Road in 2002. Deputies arrested 37-year old Robert Wayne Johnson Friday, following a search at a undisclosed site in Wilkes. Deputies returned to the site today, according to a report in the Journal-Patriot. Johnson's wife, 34-year old Margaret Diane Miller Johnson, has not been apprehended.

Friday Wreck Injures Three

2008-07-14T11:39:00.001-04:00

Wilkesboro police say a medical situation led to a two-vehicle wreck that sent one person to the hospital Friday. Millers Creek resident Kelly Dewallot apparently had a seizure as she was driving eastbound on US 421 at Winkler Mill Road about 6pm Friday. She rear-ended a car driven by Jodie Stanley of North Wilkesboro, who was waiting at the stop light. Both drivers suffered minor injuries, as did a passenger in the Stanley vehicle. Dewallot was taken to the hospital by EMS, while the two people form the Stanley vehicle both refused treatment. Police ticketed Dewallot for failing to slow to avoid an accident.

Ronda Man Arrested for Cocaine Possession, Possible Dealing

2008-07-14T11:33:00.001-04:00

Wilkes deputies conducting a license and sobriety check in Ronda early yesterday ended up arresting a Ronda man who avoided the roadblock and charging him with possession with intent to sell cocaine. 50-year old Alvin Dale Johnson approached the checkpoint slowly, deputies say, and turned into Ronda Park in an apparent attempt to avoid stopping. When a deputy followed him into the park, he saw Johnson's Cadillac next to a dumpster, and when he approached it, the driver started to ease away. Acting on earlier tips that Johnson was a drug dealer, the deputy called over the department's canine deputy, which alerted on a couple of bags of white powder that were on the ground near the car, and on the driver's seat of the Cadillac. Johnson was arrested with about 430-dollars in his pocket.

WCC: Remaining Flexible in Times of Change

2008-07-14T05:49:00.001-04:00

The continually-changing employment picture in the foothills means Wilkes Community College administrators have to remain flexible. At last week's board meeting, trustees saw an example. Leviton Manufacturing recently announced plans to downsize and consolidate its Ashe County operations, cutting over 300 jobs in the process. The WCC Ashe Campus is making plans to provide mini-mester courses for employees who are dislocated after the start of the fall semester. Additionally, extra sessions of the Industrial "Technology Boot Camp' program are being offered along with other short-term training programs as needed.

"Miracle Girl" survives Being Run Over by Mower

2008-07-14T05:45:00.001-04:00

A six-year-old girl remains hospitalized in serious condition after she fell off a tractor last week and was caught under the machine's bush hog. Family members say Jessie Keaton was riding a tractor with her father, Jason Keaton. He apparently became distracted by his five-year-old son, Jason, who was also on the mower with Jessie and Jason. According to a family member, the boy said something to his dad, and in the blink of an eye, Jessie fell off the tractor, it rolled over her, and she was under the bush hog deck. She remains at Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem where she has undergone several operations. Doctors were forced to amputate Jessie's right leg below the knee, and part of her left ring finger. Doctors, who have kept the girl heavily sedated for most of her hospital stay, were also tending to a large cut to the back of her head. She's though the toughest part, family members, say, and the prognosis appears good at this point. The family does have medical insurance, but for those who wish to contribute to their medical bills, an account has been established at the Wachovia branch in Yadkinville. A benefit is scheduled for August 2nd at Crissman's farm on Lime Rock Road in the Fall Creek community.

Regular WCC Audit to Result in Some Changes

2008-07-14T05:36:00.001-04:00

Some changes are on the way in accounting procedures at Wilkes Community College. The changes are in response to the latest semi-annual audit of the school, which occurred earlier this year. All community colleges in North Carolina are audited on a two-year cycle and this cycle included new audit standards issued by the Auditing Standards Board. Auditors now spend much of their time testing internal accounting controls, assessing risk and reviewing accounts that have been identified as a result of these assessments. As a result of the audit, college officials will further split the duties in payroll, purchasing/accounts payable and handling machinery and equipment.

WCC Trustees Meet

2008-07-11T10:20:00.001-04:00

Officials at Wilkes Community college have something to crow about today. WCC has earned a rating of "exceptional institutional performance" from the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges. It is one of only seven such institutions to do so as the state community colleges' rating system has undergone significant changes, making it more difficult for a college to earn this prestigious designation.

During their regular meeting yesterday, held at the WCC Allegheny center, WCC trustees approved the low bid for the Daniel Hall addition project from Kearey Builders from Statesvillle. The addition of 8,376 square feet will house state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing equipment, including high-speed CNC machines and electro-mechanical and automation controllers with robots. These new features will prepare students in our region for jobs utilizing new technologies in manufacturing.

The board also approved the WCC Facilities Master Plan (FMP) which is submitted to the North Carolina Community College System office. The top facilities projects identified in the plan include the following projects on the Wilkes campus: the construction of a new health technologies center; construction of classroom, office, addition to the shipping and receiving building; relocation of the child development center; renovation of the Beacon Building and other vacated spaces; construction of a new general classroom building accompanied by the construction of a parking deck; and energy conservation initiatives and upgrades of paving and sidewalks. The FMP also includes expansion of the WCC Ashe Campus.

State, Local Results Released for July 4th Traffic Enforcement

2008-07-11T02:39:00.001-04:00

State and local law enforcement officers cited nearly 2-thousand motorists for driving while impaired during the July 4th holiday “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign. In results released this week, officials say a total of 66,738 traffic and criminal citations were issued statewide. In Wilkes, officers, deputies and troopers issued 495 total citation during the effort, including 9 DWI and 86 seat belt of child safety seat violations. There were 11 drug arrests made, and two fugitives from justice were put behind bars. During the Governor’s Highway Safety Program campaign, which ran from June 27 through July 6, officers statewide conducted more than 57-hundred sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols.

Revised Drought Plan Moves Forward

2008-07-11T02:35:00.001-04:00

The North Carolina Senate has approved a revised version of Governor Easley's drought response plan. Senators approved the bill earlier in the week, and it is now awaiting House approval before heading to the Governor's desk. The plan expands on a current state law that requires local water systems to file conservation plans with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Those plans are intended to include increasingly strict conservation levels to correspond with increasingly severe droughts. In the revised plan, state officials could reject plans if they determine they won’t reduce water consumption.

Shooting Reported Wednesday Night; Authorities Release Little Info

2008-07-11T02:24:00.001-04:00

Initial reports of a shooting incident Wednesday night were somewhat confusing as to the actual location. Steve Cabe with the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office Talked with 3WC News yesterday afternoon and explained what happened and where:

Cabe would not say whether it appeared the shooting was self-inflicted or not, deferring to the results of the autopsy. He did say the person was found by a friend. It could be as late as today before the autopsy is completed.