RFP Staff

♦ While Rowan County and Salisbury are hammered on almost a daily basis by car break-ins, two communities in East Rowan are especially hard it.  During a stretch of several days about a dozen cars were broken into and various items stolen including a Ruger .38 revolver, purses, wallets, change, designer sunglasses, credit cards, and cash.

The break-in streak included Graceland Place, Luther Barger Road,  Oak Grove Lane, and Gold Knob Road.  Many of the cars broken into were left unlocked save for one vehicle that had its side window smashed in by a heavy gardening stone before a purse was grabbed.  The same two areas underwent a stretch of car break-ins only a few weeks back.

If you know anything about the vehicle break-ins please call Salisbury-Rowan Crimestoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Protecting Your Vehicle from Break-In Artists: Law Enforcements Top Tips:

http://rowanfreepress.com/2015/04/24/protecting-your-vehicle-from-break-in-artists-law-enforcements-top-tips/

RFP Staff

♦ Kimberly Ann Howell, 25, of 4625 Long Ferry Road in Rowan County was found guilty today of animal cruelty at Rowan County District Court with Judge Kevin Eddinger presiding for duct taping her dog’s muzzle shut last October and displaying her pet on Facebook.  Today Howell received a 45 day suspended sentence, 18 months probation, and 36 hours of community service working at Rowan County’s Animal Control.  At first her attorney Bill May said he would appeal the ruling, but Howell had the appeal withdrawn.

The RFP Article appearing on October 1st 2015–“Kimberly Ann Howell of Rowan County Busted for Allegedly Duct-Taping Her Pooch’s Mouth Shut. Charged with Cruelty to Animals”:

“Kimberly Ann Howell, 25, of 4625 Long Ferry Road in Rowan County, N.C. was arrested early Thursday morning by a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office detective and charged with cruelty to animals for duct-taping her dog’s muzzle shut and showing it on Facebook. The dog pictured in the Facebook snap was a short-haired female mixed breed alleged to have multiple bands of duct tape cruelly shutting its muzzle. (Facebook Pictures Below)

Its reported that the original photo, of the alleged abused dog, was removed soon after after a number of Facebook posters began an outcry of protests against what they viewed as animal abuse. Photos of the stressed animal are difficult to stomach especially the one of the dog cowering on the floor.

According to sources in law enforcement the Sheriff’s Office was alerted about Howell’s Facebook activities when a tipster contacted the Rowan County Department of Social Services and reported Howell’s alleged Facebook caption for the duct taped dog said words to the effect that the dog barked all night and her mouth had to be shut. A child was said to share the photo with the animal. The Department of Social Services responsibly reported the alleged cruelty to the Sherriff’s Office who took action.

When the Sheriff’s Office Deputy initially investigated, both the boyfriend and Howell allegedly claimed the photo was harmless good fun. It appeared to the investigator that the animal seemed in good health with no signs of ill-treatment. However, Howell’s cellphone revealed the photograph in question. Howell was promptly arrested and charged with cruelty to animals (misdemeanor).

Under a $2,000 secured bond, Howell was released.”

Kimberly Ann Howell record (Record below fails to show more recent charges of larceny and a failure to appear):

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1257390&searchLastName=Howell&searchFirstName=Kimberly&searchMiddleName=a&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

The Duct-Taped Dog from Facebook:

Public Announcement

♦ The Rowan Republican Men’s Club Breakfast meets on Saturday December 5th at Ryan’s on 730 Jake Alexander Blvd in Salisbury.

Doors open at 8 a.m. Meeting starts at 9 a.m.

Enjoy political discussion over breakfast. Bring your friends. Women are encouraged to attend.

Hear local Republican elected officials and special guests.

Craig Pierce and Mike Caskey, county commissioners both signed up to run for their seats in 2016.  Both are frequent attenders as are Representatives Carl Ford and Harry Warren.  State Senators Andrew Brock and Tom McInnis also show up from time to time.

Our school board members Chuck Hughes, Josh Wagner, Dean Hunter, and Travis Allen frequently appear.

RFP Staff

♦ Rowan County Sheriff’s Office investigators joined with the Conyer’s Police Department (Georgia) and Snellville Police Department (Georgia) in an attempt to locate and arrest 2 Black male suspects alleged to be involved in a multi-state theft ring stealing  agricultural equipment from businesses located in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Back on November 11th in the early morning hours the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a larceny of a $3,200 enclosed utility trailer from Faith Farm and Equipment on West Ritchie Road in Salisbury.  A white U-Haul pick-up truck slammed through the main gate at Faith Farm and Equipment, hooked up with the utility trailer, and quickly departed.  Surveillance cams caught the activity.

The hunt for the white U-Haul and the stolen utility trailer in Rowan County proved a dead end.

Finally on November 18th Snellville Georgia Police officers discovered the white U-Haul pulling the stolen utility trailer and attempted a vehicle stop.   Trying to elude the the police, the driver crashed the U-Haul, left it in a parking lot, and successfully fled on foot.  During his flight, the driver entered a convenience store where his image was caught on camera (below).

If you have any information about the suspects you are urged to call call Detective Rodney Mahaley at 704-216-8711 or Lt. Chad Moose 704-216-8687.

CNBC.Com

♦ Google’s Chromebooks Make Up Half of U.S. K-12 Classroom Devices.  Apple Not Even Close:

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/03/googles-chromebooks-make-up-half-of-us-classroom-devices.html

RFP Staff

**Updated: http://rowanfreepress.com/2015/12/05/updated-suspected-big-lots-purse-snatcher-robert-maurice-singletary-arrested-early-saturday-morning-in-salisbury-n-c/

♦ The Salisbury Police are hunting for Robert Maurice Singletary, 24, formerly of 1210 W. Horah Street in Salisbury and whose current whereabouts are unknown, for two alleged purse snatching incidents in November at Big Lots on 711 East Innes Street. The first taking place on November 23rd when Singletary allegedly approached a 65 year-old woman inside of Big Lots and shoved her shopping cart, snatched her purse, and fled through the front door.

The second purse snatching incident allegedly occurred on November 29th when Singletary was said to accost Dolores Burack, 69, from Virginia in the Big Lots parking lot and was reported to snatch her purse with enough force to drive the woman to the ground where she struck her head and had to be treated at the hospital. That lot, which includes Big Lots, Office Depot, and K-Mart, was the scene of several successful purse snatchings in late November.

Singletary is said to have outstanding warrants for common law robbery, felony larceny, and two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.

Robert Maurice Singletary’s previous record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1107625&searchLastName=singletary&searchFirstName=robert&searchMiddleName=m&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

If anyone has information about Singletary or his current location they are requested to call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff

♦ Back on October 14th Larry Scott Barnhardt, 44, of 505 Spring Garden Street in Enochville was arrested along with his father Billy Joe Barnhardt, Sr.,81, and his brother Billy Joe Barnhardt, Jr., 45,  were arrested for methamphetamine possession and maintain a one-pot meth lab in a back yard shed.  The Barnhardts were raided by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office who were tipped off that the Barnhardts were alleged to be using and distributing meth, heroin, and painkillers.  Larry, a convicted felon, was said to possess a firearm.

When the Sheriff’s Office raided the Barnhardts, they found a .22 caliber revolver and ammo as well as precursor chemicals used to manufacture meth.  All of this led to Larry Barnhardt being charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, manufacturing methamphetamine (felony),  possession of precursor materials used to manufacture methamphetamine (felony), trafficking 28 grams or more of opium (felony), conspiracy to traffick 28 grams or more of opium by possession (felony), and maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances (felony).

On Thursday trial in Rowan County Superior Court he pleaded guilty to attempted manufacture of methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic heroin, maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances, 2 counts of possession of methamphetamine precursor with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Larry Barnhardt received a sentence of 70 months to 96 months in the penitentiary and a recommendation to the DART program of chemical dependency.  The father Billy Joe Barnhardt, Sr. remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a secured $250,000 bond and  Larry’s brother Billy Joe Barnhardt, Jr. remains in the Rowan County Detention under a $200,000 secured bond.

Larry Scott Bernhardt’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0552224&searchLastName=barnhardt&searchFirstName=larry&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Billy Joe Bernhardt, Jr.’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0493718&searchLastName=Barnhardt&searchFirstName=Billy&searchMiddleName=j&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Larry Scott Barnhardt:

Billy Joe Barnhardt,Jr.:

Billy Joe Barnhardt, Sr.:

RFP Staff

♦ Suspected Big Lots purse snatcher Robert Maurice Singletary was arrested in Salisbury at around 3:15 a.m. Saturday.

Singletary was charged with common law robbery, larceny from a person, and obtaining property by false pretenses.  Under a secured $25,000 bond, he is now in the Rowan County Detention Center.

A RFP Article posted on December 5th about Robert Maurice Singletary:

“The Salisbury Police are hunting for Robert Maurice Singletary, 24, formerly of 1210 W. Horah Street in Salisbury and whose current whereabouts are unknown, for two alleged purse snatching incidents in November at Big Lots on 711 East Innes Street. The first taking place on November 23rd when Singletary allegedly approached a 65 year-old woman inside of Big Lots and shoved her shopping cart, snatched her purse, and fled through the front door.

The second purse snatching incident allegedly occurred on November 29th when Singletary was said to accost Dolores Burack, 69, from Virginia in the Big Lots parking lot and was reported to snatch her purse with enough force to drive the woman to the ground where she struck her head and had to be treated at the hospital. That lot, which includes Big Lots, Office Depot, and K-Mart, was the scene of several successful purse snatchings in late November.

Singletary is said to have outstanding warrants for common law robbery, felony larceny, and two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.”

Robert Maurice Singletary’s previous record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1107625&searchLastName=singletary&searchFirstName=robert&searchMiddleName=m&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

If anyone has information about Singletary or his current location they are requested to call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff

♦ Pizza Delivery in Salisbury is fast becoming a most dangerous game as the number of pizza delivery armed robberies in Salisbury ramps up. A popular pastime in the Bury is relieving pizza delivery persons of their pizza, wing orders, and wallets and sometimes even their vehicles. We fear for any woman delivering pizza after dark to a fake address where an armed robber might go for far more than piping hot pizza, wings, and a bulging wallet filled with the night’s tips.

After 12:30 a.m Friday a Papa John’s delivery person Dashanna Poe pulled out of the Holly Leaf Apartments by Woodleaf Road in Salisbury after completing a delivery. She had break to a stop. A gray Toyota blocked the exit. She blew her horn. Moments later someone came up on the Pizza delivery vehicle’s driver’s side. A pistol leveled on Poe.

“Give it up–all your money,” said the female robber feigning a husky voice.

Poe handed over an undisclosed amount of cash to the robber who promptly jogged off into the dark.

The robber was described as a Black female wearing brown sweatpants and a black zipper hoodie with its drawstrings pulled tight to obscure her face and head.

Persons with any knowledge of the incident or the robber are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-4333 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 704-932-7463.

RFP Staff

♦ The Rowan County Commissioners Meet at 3 p.m. Monday December 7th on the 2nd floor of the County Administration Building at 130 W. Innes Street in Salisbury. Items of significant interest appear in bold print.

ROWAN COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA

Invocation
• Provided By: Chaplain Michael Taylor
Pledge of Allegiance
• Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair / County Attorney Jay Dees
Consider Additions to the Agenda
Consider Deletions From the Agenda
Consider Approval of the Agenda
Board members are asked to voluntarily inform the Board if any matter on the agenda
might present a conflict of interest or might require the member to be excused from
voting.
• Consider Approval of the Minutes: November 16, 2015
1 Consider Approval of Consent Agenda
A. Grant Funding Changes for Rowan Transit System Riders
B. Proclamation for Radon Action Month
C. Refunds for Approval
D. Fees for Vanadium and Hexavalent Chromium Test Kits
E. HOME Annual Agreement
F. Set Quasi-judicial Hearing for CUP 05-15 for January 4, 2016
G. Traffic- Directional Signs Agreement with NCDOT For Installation of
Welcome to Rowan County Signs
H. Resolution Establishing Board of Commissioners 2016 Meeting Schedule
I. Policy Clarification for Sworn Law Enforcement Officers Benefits in the
Detention Center and Reclassification of Positions
J. Lease for Folder/Inserter and Two Letter Openers
K. Annual Bond Report
L. Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency’s Community Services Block
Grant Application for FY 2016-17
M. Acceptance of Grant Award from Salisbury Community Foundation to
Sheriff’s Office for Rowan County Youth Leadership Camp
N. Geocaching Policy
O. Acceptance of Foundation for the Carolinas Grant Award
P. Request to Apply for Project Lazarus Grant Funding
Q. Settlement Agreement with John Knight
R. Release Agreements with Retired Employees, Thomas Lane and James
Ferree
S. Second Contract Amendment With Strategic Moves and Change Order
2 Public Comment Period
3 Consider Approval of Rockwell EMS Station Renderings, Floor Plan and Elevations
4 Officer Safety Program Presented by Taser International
5 Sports Complex Presentations
6 Medical Plan Update and Wellness Incentive
7 Selection of Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan
8 Consider Approval of Budget Amendments
9 Consider Approval of Board Appointments
10 Adjournment

For additional information about the agenda:

http://agenda.rowancountync.gov/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MeetingID=126

Citizens with disabilities requiring special needs to access the services or public meetings
of Rowan County Government should contact the County Manager’s Office three days prior
to the meeting by calling (704) 216-8180.

RFP Staff

♦ Time Warner Cable Rolls Out New Higher-Speed Business Class Internet Up to 10 Gigs Dedicated Internet Access in Salisbury, N.C. and Rowan County:

https://business.timewarnercable.com/services/internet/business-internet/overview.html

The Fibrant Debacle Non-Competitive with AT&T U-Verse GIGAPOWER and TWC Maxx. Game Over in Salisbury, N.C.:

http://rowanfreepress.com/2015/11/11/the-fibrant-debacle-non-competitive-with-att-u-verse-gigapower-and-twc-maxx-game-over-in-salisbury-n-c/

RFP Staff

♦ SALISBURY N.C. ALERT: As Crime Spirals Out of Control in SHOTZBURY Our Crack RFP Art Department is Prepared for Any Eventuality:

On Thursday December 3rd Someone Fired a Bullet through the Front Window of KRISPY KREME on West Innes in Salisbury. Is No Public Space Sacred in Salisbury? With a Grossly Understaffed, Inexperienced, and Underpaid Police Department the Door is Wide Open.

RFP Staff/Rowan County Commissioner Mike Caskey, Photographer

♦ Greetings from the Rowan County Republican Men’s Club Breakfast:

Last Saturday morning at Ryan’s in Salisbury. Craig Pierce, Carl Ford, Chuck Hughes, Harry Warren, Todd Paris, John Leatherman, Tom Lynch, Adam Sewell, Joe Coladarci.

Commissioner Craig Pierce, Commissioner Mike Caskey, and Rep. Carl Ford:

Rep. Harry Warren and Commissioner Mike Caskey at the Cleveland Christmas Parade on Saturday:

Commissioner Mike Caskey signing up for re-election at the Rowan County Board of Elections last Thursday morning:

History.com

♦ IN MEMORIAL: The Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941–When Another Extreme Political Cult Tried Their Hand:

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor

RFP Staff

♦ Uncle Buck’s All American Pub and Grub, a popular mainstay eatery at 127 South Main in struggling Downtown Salisbury, closed its doors forever after this weekend.  Uncle Bucks originally opened on East Innes back on December 15th 2006.  A favorite with the biker community and with our Editor, the closing came as a surprise.

Posted on Uncle Bucks Facebook page Monday morning: “Well, I don’t know exactly how to start…I guess I’ll start by saying THANK YOU!!! Our success over the last 9 years can all be attributed to YOU & your loyalty. And, yes what you heard is not a rumor, it’s a fact… WE HAVE CLOSED OUR DOORS!!!
You’ll probably hear different stories “rumors” as to what happened, but, the simple fact of the matter is, we’re tired. It’s been 14-18 hours a day, 6 days a week for 9 years. Both of our sons have moved on with their careers & we’re very proud of them & their future before them. We always tried to operate as a family business & when most of the family has moved on……. sometimes it’s just time to let go & move on too!!!

So, again THANK YOU ALL for being apart of our lives for the last 9 years!!!! It’s been a great ride, luv each & everyone of ya!!!! We’re not sure what the future holds for Judy & I. We’re going to take a little time & then start looking for whats next in our lives. So, if ya looking for a couple good employees… let us know we’ll be looking for something to do.
Thanks again, Buck, Judy, Jake”

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Rowan County Commission Meeting at 3 P.M. Monday, December 7th in Salisbury, N.C:

http://rowancountync.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=562

CarolinaJournal.com/Kristen Blair

♦ Classroom Technology: Hope or Hype?

http://www.carolinajournal.com/daily_journal/index.html

RFP Staff

♦ On Sunday evening Ralph Sylvester Cauble, 82, of the 100 block of Scamp Road in China Grove was quietly watching TV when someone knocked on the door.  Cauble opened the door and a woman he knew named “Brandy” brushed past him and hurried uninvited into his bedroom.  Cauble followed after her and told her to leave.  Moments later Cauble felt a heavy blow to the top of his head and the floor corkscrewed woozily up at him.  The “screen of consciousness” terminated.

When Cauble’s sensorium gradually returned, he pieced together that “Brandy” hiked with his wallet containing about $300 dollars.

It’s alleged Cauble suffered no serious injury from the head blow.

If someone has information about “Brandy”, they are asked to call Lt. Chad Moose at 705-216-8687 or call Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff/Landis Police Department

♦ The Landis Police Department reported: “Suspect in Landis armed robbery arrested by US Marshals in Texas.

Shortly after executing the search warrant at the Cabarrus County residence of robbery suspect Dominic Brookins, Landis Police investigators developed information indicating that Brookins had fled from North Carolina.

The Landis Police Department contacted the US Marshals Office for the Middle District of North Carolina, and requested assistance from their fugitive task force. Around 4:00 PM today, US Marshals located & arrested Brookins at a home near Fort Worth, Texas.

Brookins faces extradition to North Carolina, where he is charged with 3 counts of armed robbery & 1 count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery in Rowan County, and an additional two counts of armed robbery in New Hanover County.

A second suspect in the robbery, Ricky Leon Tolson, the younger brother of Brookins, remains a fugitive & faces similar charges. The third suspect has yet to be identified.

Anyone having any information regarding Tolson’s location or the identity of the third suspect is asked to contact the Landis Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Salisbury Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

The Landis Police Department would like to thank all of the citizens who provided tips, the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, the US Marshals Office for the Middle District of North Carolina, the US Marshals Office for the Northern District of Texas, and the Parker County, Texas Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.” – Capt. Hosey

RFP Staff/Radio-Locator.com

♦ Radio-Locator.Com is the Leading Search Engine for Locating AM and FM Radio Stations Accessible to Your Zip Code.  Useful for finding AM and FM Radio stations, their signal strengths, whether they carry news, weather, talk, sports, what variety of music they play, public radio, university radio, religious–it all can be found in this search engine.  This search engine can be used for any zip code in North Carolina or in any state across the United States.  Links to over 15,000 Radio Stations web pages and over 10,000 station’s audio streams from across the U.S.A. and around the world.

http://radio-locator.com/