RFP Staff

♦ The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education’s Retreat Where They Discussed Consolidation of Six County Schools. From about 1 hr 28 minutes to the end::

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Rowan County Commission Meeting at 6 P.M. Monday, April 18th:

http://rowancountync.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=581

RFP Staff

♦ Gunfire could be heard Monday night around 10:30 p.m. coming from the intersection of South Craig and Monroe Streets in Salisbury (near Livingstone College). Two Black males were reported wounded in the brief firefight. One man sustained a chest wound and was transported by EMS to Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center. The other man received a hand wound. The men, not yet identified, were said to be conscious and okay.

Salisbury Police arrived on the scene and are conducting an investigation. No one from nearby Livingstone College was involved.

As yet no motives for the shootings were released. No one at this time was taken into custody or suspects developed.

If anyone has information about the shootings please call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as new information arrives.**

Area around Monroe and South Craig Streets in Salisbury:

Daylight Screenshot of Monroe and South Craig:

Where one of the shooting victims lay before EMS arrived:

RFP Staff

♦ Late Monday afternoon fire investigators declared the home fire on Stills Drive near Stokes Ferry Road in Salisbury an arson.  It’s alleged someone deliberately set fire to a vehicle in a carport which in turn spread to a second vehicle and the carport.  The 2 a.m. blaze in the carport ignited the home and destroyed it.  Fortunately the home’s three occupants heard their smoke detectors going off and escaped. It’s said they already found a place to stay.

Summoned to the scene early Monday morning were firefighters from the Salisbury Fire Department, the Faith Fire department, and the Granite Quarry Fire Department. The Salisbury Police Department were on the scene. Support units from Rowan EMS and the Rowan County Rescue Squad were early responders.

If someone has information about this arson they are requested to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333 or the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

Arson, Pyromania, Serial Fire Starters:

Arson, Pyromania & Serial Fire-Starters

RFP Staff

♦  Early Tuesday morning Ray Leonard Wiseman, 23, of 408 North Craig Street, was arrested for allegedly firing into an occupied home at 134 Newsome Road.  The persons inside the home fearfully scrambled for cover as slugs shattered glass and punched holes in the walls.  Wiseman allegedly gunned his engine and took off, eventually slamming his van into a phone pole near Newsome Road and East Council Street where he abandoned his transportation and fled on foot.

Soon after the Salisbury Police found Wiseman’s van, they began a search of the area.   Wiseman was discovered walking nearby.

Luckily nobody was injured in the house although glass shards covered the floor. It was reported Wiseman used a .22 cal. handgun

Wiseman was charged with discharging a firearm into an occupied property (felony). Under a secured $25,000 bond, Wiseman was briefly held in Rowan County Detention Center before being released on bond.

No motive disclosed yet for the shooting.

RFP Staff

♦ On Tuesday evening the highlight of the Salisbury City Council Meeting was when City Manager Lane Bailey provided an update on the search for a new full-time police chief for a city wracked by shootings, break-ins, assaults, robberies, and unsolved murders. Many in the city and the understaffed and underpaid police department were left with a bad taste having experienced the last full-time chief who’s deposition revealed he was a ten year synthetic heroin (OxyContin) user and who left the department in shambles. According to Collin’s deposition, the real decision maker was Assistant City Manager (former H.R. person) Zack Kyle.

City Manager Bailey told the council he received around 50 applications from across the country.  Some of the applicants were chosen for further questioning and from their responses he would pair the field down to a dozen or so.  Those individuals, no matter where they lived, would be interviewed via Skype (teleconferencing) over the next few weeks.  Follow-up interviews would arrive in May.  According to Bailey every applicant would go through the same process.

City Councilman Kenny Hardin questioned Bailey if there would be an interview team or if city council would be involved.

Baily responded that he and Assistant City Manager Zack would conduct the interviews.  An ISS employee is helping with background checks.

Hopefully City Hall will find an experienced professional from outside the police department and they won’t have their decisions made by Kyle.  Salisbury is in bad shape with crime and they have a major shortage in experienced police manpower.

Ada M. Fisher, Salisbury, N.C.

♦ The movie God Is Not Dead II is one that should resonate with all religions, belief systems or searchers for constitutional freedoms. Free speech on issues of conscience, schools, public gatherings or those with a different point of view are used to misinterpret the US Constitution citing the separation of church and state which is not within this founding document.

Any discussion of Jesus as a historical figure is allowable as should be that of Abraham, Mohammed, Buddha and other pillars of our faiths. The movie’s legal arguments are outstanding and will move the hearts of most. The sincerity of those desiring to acknowledge their belief in God is one that the US Congress supports with its designated Chaplin. By the same token the disallowance of free speech by others not sharing those beliefs is too often experienced not just about religion but much of politics.

I part ways with those holding positions of public trust who would deny others the protections required in their lawful activities with which I might disagree. Pharmacists may be in the wrong profession who hold critical roles in health care but want to withhold lawfully prescribed medications because they disagree with who the recipients are or the activities such may be used for. By their very nature, Private Clubs and Private Businesses neither engaged with the general public nor taking government funds shouldn’t be subjected to discrimination suits for serving those they chose.

The advent of photos on demand from phones, car cams or other devices allows those non-involved to pry and spy on activities which may not be their business or intrude on others privacy. The limits of the Free Speech provisions of the US Constitution are challenged when citizens find their lawful conversations or sequestered actions recorded without their knowledge. It should be an implicit understanding in this nation that in exercising the tenets of one’s religion, the constitution or laws are not violated. Jesus is quoted as saying “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” [Matthew 22:21]

Public polls would have one believe that there is a correlation with trending decreased church attendance and support for G-d. I’d beg to differ for as our soldiers willingly take up arms to preserve democracy for others or when people donate their organs or donations mount for charitable organizations, we “See a sermon rather than hear one” everyday knowing God is very much alive.

RFP Staff

♦ Annie Nichole Oxendine, 31, of 8141 Smith Road in Rowan County was arrested Tuesday after neighbors allegedly reported that her 2 year-old boy was wandering unsupervised in the streets and through neighbors yards and climbing into vehicles on Smith Road near the toddler’s home. According to reports the boy allegedly left his home on several occasions with out his mother’s knowledge and allegedly according to neighbors this is a chronic situation.

Allegedly Oxendine was told by sheriff’s deputies that she ought to secure her doors and several methods were offered. The mother appeared disinterested.

Oxendine was charged with 2 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor (misdemeanor) and 2 counts of child abuse (misdemeanor). Under a secured $4,000 bond, Oxendine is locked up in the Rowan County detention Center. Her first hearing will be on May 26th.

According to reports the dwelling was allegedly unfit to live in. The toddler lived in a home that was said to be incredibly dirty with trash piled up against the kitchen walls, dirty pots and pans were piled up in the kitchen, dirty diapers were strewn on the floor and counters. The child’s face was dirt smeared and a sore was visible on his lips, food clung to his mouth, his hair was matted, and his clothing soiled. His finger nails were long and dirt appeared to be packed under his nails. The toddler smelled as if he had not seen bath water.

The Sheriff’s Office contacted Rowan Social Services. On Tuesday the Rowan Sheriff’s Office was called out to the house by a neighbor living close by who allegedly saw the boy out again unsupervised. The neighbor informed the deputies the toddler wore the same clothes or went naked.

The deputies woke up Oxendine who allegedly appeared unaware where her child’s whereabouts. A deputy noted a syringe on a table where the toddler could reach it. A search of the house allegedly showed the same filthy living conditions.

Oxendine was reported to have tested positive for amphetamine.

RFP Staff

♦ A lone masked bandit stepped into the Watts BP Mart on 7350 Unity Church Road in Rowan County around 9 p.m. Tuesday and stuck up the convenience store clerk at gunpoint for an undisclosed amount of cash. Holding a stainless steel pistol, he shoveled his take into a black and gray backpack and left.

A number of customers witnessed the robbery, but could not make out the robber’s face because he wore a dark bandanna covering his nose and mouth as well dark glasses and a green baseball hat with what is appeared to be a UNCC 49’ers logo on it. Sporting purple gloves, he stood between 5’10” and 6 feet tall and weighed approximately 150 lbs.

Persons with any information about this robbery are urged to call the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700 or the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated at as soon as more information arrives.**

CEDMagazine.com

♦ It’s On! Amazon’s Stand Alone Streaming Targets Netflix:

http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2016/04/its-onamazons-stand-alone-streaming-targets-netflix

RFP Staff

♦  Stick-ups and car break-ins happen with some frequency on Bendix Drive’s “Motel Row” in Salisbury.  Jesse Lee Hobart, 27, from 255 Lawrence Avenue in Rockwell, was held up at gunpoint at the Economy Inn property on 319 Bendix Drive and allegedly lost $30 in cash to the robber described as a Black male sometime around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

If anyone has information about this robbery please call the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Video: Salisbury City Councilman Speaks Out on Crime and Violence in Salisbury:

CarolinaJournal.com/Barry Smith

♦ Expert: Federal Appeals Court May Uphold N.C. Broadband Law:

Kenny Hardin, Salisbury City Councilman

♦ I’ve received a lot of correspondence in the last couple of weeks from people who are angry, tired, and frustrated about the level of violence and gunplay in our City. In a four day span last weekend and earlier this past week, the number of shootings was ridiculous. I’m just as tired too and I shared that frustration at our City Council meeting last week in a video on the Rowan Free Press.

That meeting wasn’t the first time I’ve shared my concerns. As a regular citizen back in May 2015, I attended a City Council meeting and shared similar words. I said this City was at a tipping point with violence and people with the City came down on me for saying it. A few weeks later, it tipped over.

I’ve been a constant voice for improvement since 13 year old Treasure Feamster was killed back in 2008 in gang crossfire. Her murder made it into an article published in the NY a Times. A lot of people jumped on an emotional bandwagon, used it for photo ops, squandered gang grant money, and then hopped right back off after doing nothing.

In 1996, I led a City sponsored West End revitalization effort that partnered with them to fight against gangs, drugs, and boarded up and dilapidated homes. In 2016, we’re still focusing on those issues with little progress. Why?

I don’t think the City has taken the gang and gun violence serious enough. The actual incidents of violence are not being reported and I’ve been criticized for speaking out about them for fear it will smear the reputation of our City. Yeah, that’s what you should be more worried about.

Salisbury High was on lock down two days this week and from messages I’ve received from upset parents, this is a normal occurrence. These parents have told me they’re angry and afraid for their children’s safety. Instead of suppressing information and getting upset with folks for speaking out honestly, work to stop the bullshit violence that’s creating the fear and frustration.

We can’t wait for or expect the City, the Police or anyone outside the Community to come in and solve this issue. We have to own it. So, I pose the questions, what are we going to do and how much longer do we wait to do it?

RFP Staff

♦ At Tuesday’s Salisbury City Council Meeting, during the 3rd Financial Quarter Update, it was revealed that Fibrant losses for the fiscal year may exceed $3 Million dollars. The update not only showed the Fibrant Fund currently running at a loss, but an additional $2.45 million dollars  was spent on Fibrant from the General Fund. The total amount may exceed $2.98 million by the end of the fiscal year.

The Fibrant Fund lacks enough money for equipment replacement, new installations costs, or even to pay the sales and technical staff. So the city is forced to pay for those items out of the General Fund. Combined, the total Fibrant loss for the year could exceed $3 million dollars and would be paid by your tax dollars. Fibrant simply isn’t making enough money to cover its operations.

The 3rd quarter financial update also showed subscriber numbers decreased during the end of the fiscal year’s 3rd quarter.  Most of those subscribers were “turned off” because they could not keep up payments.  Trying to sell Fibrant isn’t getting any easier with both AT&T Gigapower and TWC Maxx both lowballing Fibrant in price and outperforming their shaky municipal rival in marketing and performance.

The size of the loss ($3M) is sizable enough that without Fibrant the city could decrease property taxes by 10 cents, or use those funds to add approximately 30 new police officers fully equipped with patrol new cars.

Despite touting Fibrant as a turnaround goal, the 3 incumbents city council persons Miller, Blackwell and Alexander failed.  Fibrant losses skyrocketed. Assistant City Manager John Sofley was relieved of his role managing Fibrant earlier in the year and placed on a retirement track by City Manager Lane Bailey after pressure from elected officials and Human Resources over Fibrant’s mushrooming losses and lack of financial transparency. Sources in city hall tell us that Bailey met with consultants about unloading Fibrant. A previous attempt to unload Fibrant to North State Communications took place under former City Manager Doug Paris’ leadership, but was blocked by former Mayor Paul Woodson.

The clock is ticking on Fibrant and City Hall.

Corey Hill, President, UAW Local 3520, Cleveland, N.C.

♦ On April 16, 2016, the 10th Annual Touch a Truck Event was held in Salisbury, NC for the community to attend.  UAW Local 3520 from the Daimler Trucks North America (Freightliner) plant, located in Cleveland, NC, attended the event. We brought with us two semi-trucks to the event: the original Cascadia, and the newly released Western Star Phantom 5700 series truck. These trucks were built locally here at the Cleveland, NC plant by individuals from Cleveland, Salisbury and surrounding counties. We were proud to show off our American made, quality built with the community.

Just to hear the laughter of the children as they climbed in the driver’s seat and got to pull the air horn.

“Again, Again,” they’d yell.

“Honk, Honk, HONKKKK,” The air horns would ring out. Their eyes lit up as they climbed into the seat of the Western Star and realized how big the inside of the truck was. Not only the children were surprised to see our fabulous Cascadia and Western Star trucks, many adults were surprised as well. Many employees of Daimler brought their family members over, excited to see their work.

“I built this truck. See these mud flaps? I put these on.”

“See this fabulous paint job? This is my work.” Many employees of the Cleveland, NC plant were excited to show off what their job was. Pointing out what particular part they installed or built for these two trucks. They got to share with their family what they do on the inside of the plant. Many local truck drivers were dreaming how they wish they could have the beautiful Western Star truck. Many stated if they had that truck they wouldn’t ever have to go home.

UAW members would tell them you can have one built here locally at the Cleveland plant, not even 20 miles from where we stood. Also, many of the UAW Local 3520 members, who attended, explained to local and city officials how important it was to us for them to request an U.S. made truck for city and county fleets. You have the right to request where your truck is built. This is important because we must compete with other plants for orders within our own organization. We have two DTNA plant in Mexico that we compete with for orders. Even though you receive the same style truck your request keeps orders here in return keeps and creates jobs. Orders equals jobs, jobs that put people back to work.  When employees go back to work, they make money, and the money is put back into the community. We currently have over 1330 employees laid off at the Cleveland facility that need our help.

Members of the community were surprised to see the compassion from the UAW Local 3520 members as they talked about their jobs at the Cleveland plant. Many people were shocked to know that the trucks were built from ground up, from rails rolling through the door, to the end of the line, where you’re driving it out the other end of the plant as a complete truck. Our members at Cleveland (Freightliner) pride themselves on building good quality and safe trucks. From the time the rails hit the door to the complete truck sold to the customer.

Also, UAW Local 3520 passed out over 400 plus Child Identification Kits to the community members who attended this event. These free kits purchased by the UAW were given out to family members for free. These kits included a pamphlet to record all the identifiable characteristics of your child, as well as a finger print card to record prints and a swab to collect a DNA sample. These kits were given to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members. Some even took some for their elderly parents that they take care of. At the local this is our way of giving back and being a present in the community we live and work in.

Just remember UAW Local 3520 supports our community in various ways, and we also say to you that you have a right to request your truck  at the Cleveland, NC plant, and if we don’t carry the style of truck, We’re sure our sister plant in Mt. Holly can build it. Remember when you buy American you keep jobs in America! You help people get back to work and create more jobs in America.

CLEVELAND: Where Real People – Build Real Trucks!

RFP Staff

♦ Wayne Robert Branch, 54, of Concord was arrested late Friday night at 226 North Long Street in Salisbury by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies for allegedly for sex crimes with children.

The alleged crimes occurred between June 1st and July 1st in 2015. The victim was said to be under 16 years of age.

Branch was charged with indecent liberties with children (felony) and statutory rape/sex with a 13/14/15 year old by a defendant 6 years older (felony).

Under a secured $500,000 bond, Branch is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.  He will have a hearing on April the 25th.

**This article will be updated as more details arrive.**

Branch appears to have two prior arrests this year.  One on April 22nd was for an alleged violation of a 50B order in Rowan County.

WSOCTV.Com/Tina Terry

♦ Salisbury High School is Plagued by Lockdowns and Fights.  The Rowan-Salisbury School System has long been known to suppress information about lockdowns, school violence, and for underreporting crime in the schools.  Hear Salisbury City Councilman Kenny Hardin weigh in on suppressing important parent information on lockdowns and fights at Salisbury High School.  Trying to look good by suppressing information puts our students and teachers at risk. Here’s a solid report by Channel 9’s Tina Terry:

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/salisbury-high-school-plagued-by-lockdowns-fights/236330818

RFP Staff

♦ The N.C. Highway Patrol reported today that Phantasha Krystal Sky Cook, 22, of Airport Road in Salisbury, was tragically killed in a head-on collision on Stokes Ferry Road near Trexler Road in Rowan County at 7:30 a.m. Cook’s 2015 Nissan Altima swerved across the center line and slammed head-on into 2007 white Ford Mustang. Sadly Cook was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Ford Mustang, Jennifer Lasure, 40, of Salisbury was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. She is reported to have numerous broken bones from the collision’s impact.

This morning Cook’s totaled vehicle sat in the center of Stoke’s Ferry Road. Lasure’s crumpled Mustang rested on a roadside embankment. It’s next stop will likely be a scrapyard.

The N.C. Highway Patrol ruled out speed and alcohol as factors in the accident. Drugs however may be a factor given Cook’s record with drugs.

The Late Phantasha Krystal Sky Cook:

Jennifer Lasure:

**This Story will be updated as soon as more information arrives.**

RFP Staff

♦ Christine Elizabeth Morgan, 25, of China Grove was arrested for alleged prostitution on the 300 block of Virginia Avenue along with her alleged “john” Frankie Eugene Bumgarner, 51, also of China Grove early Saturday morning.

Morgan was charged with prostitution (procure or solicit) (misdemeanor). Under a $500 dollar secured bond, she remains in the Rowan County Detention Center. Her next court date is May 12th 2016.

Bumgarner was charged with engaging in prostitution (misdemeanor) and is being held under a secure $500 bond at the Rowan Counn

Christine Elizabeth Morgan:

Frankie Eugene Bumgarner: