RFP Staff

♦ According to Salisbury Police sources Daniel Real Albarran, 31, of Leonard Road in Salisbury, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at 109 Lakewood Drive as the 2nd suspect in the home invasion murder of Lacynda Diane Feimster, 38, at 325 Crown Point Drive on May 24th.  Alberran, a felon with a record of breaking and entry convictions, is charged with murder (first degree) (felony), robbery with firearms or other dangerous weapons (felony), and assault with a dangerous weapon (felony). He is being held without bond in the Rowan County Detention Center.  Friday is his first court appearance.

Daniel Real Albarran:

Sindy Lina Abbitt, 33, the first suspect arrested, is charged with murder (first degree) and is being held without bond at the Rowan County Detention Center.

Sindy Lina Abbitt:

According to law enforcement sources someone knocked on Feimster’s apartment door and demanded money just before Feimster was shot.  Mary Gordon, Feimster’s mother who was in the apartment at the time, was struck hard in the face by the gunman’s pistol.  Later Mary Gordon was transported to Novant Health Rowan Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released.

Salisbury Police found Feimster murdered inside the Crown Point Drive apartment.

The Late and Much Beloved Lacynda Diane Feimster:

325 Crown Point Drive:

Daniel Real Albarran’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0968992&searchLastName=albarran&searchFirstName=daniel&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Sindy Lina Abbitt’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0902977&searchLastName=abbitt&searchFirstName=sindy&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

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

RFP Staff

♦ Keith Alan Barbee, Jr., 33, convicted sex offender formerly living at 1025 Bear Poplar Road in Cleveland, was arrested Wednesday night for allegedly using a social media website page and failing to notify the authorities of a changed online I.D.

Back in March of 2002 Barbee was convicted of 2 counts of first degree sex offense in Davie County.

Keith Allen Barbee, Jr.:

Barbee was charged with sex offense–use of social website (felony) and failure to notify of change of online I.D. (felony). Under a secured $5,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Keith Alan Barbee, Jr.’s Previous Record.

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0756022&searchLastName=Barbee&searchFirstName=keith&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

AWWA.Org

♦ Hexavalent Chromium in the Drinking Water Primer (PDF.):

http://www.awwa.org/Portals/0/files/legreg/documents/UpdatedChromiumInDrinkingWaterSummaryFinal.pdf

RFP Staff

♦ Shane Jerome Greene, 42, a much convicted petty criminal from Rowan County, was arrested Friday morning by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies at 3860 Cliffdale Road in Salisbury for alleged sex crimes with children.

Shane Jerome Greene:

Greene was charged with indecent liberties with children (felony) and first degree statutory sexual offense (felony). Under a secure $350,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Shane Jerome Greene’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0559454&searchLastName=greene&searchFirstName=shane&searchMiddleName=j&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

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

RFP Staff

♦ Tony Ray “Cream” Wingler, Sex Offender formerly living on Scaley Bark Road in Salisbury and was on the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office MOST WANTED LIST since March of this year, was arrested allegedly on sex crimes charges by the Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

Wingler on the run from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of failing to notify the Sheriff’s Office of his change of address. On Wednesday the Mecklenburg Sheriff’s Office arrested Wingler and charged him with 2 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child (felony) and 2 counts statutory sex with a child by an adult. Under a secure $400,000 bond, he is being held in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.

In March of 2002 Wingler was convicted of taking indecent liberties with a child and became a registered sex offender.

Tony Ray Wingler’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/offendersearch.do;jsessionid=B8C7AFA8573268AE939597514ADF4A28.WV6JFHAP56T_512?method=list

RFP Staff

♦ The Rowan Sheriff’s Office reports that Christopher Scott Kyles, 23, of the 100 block of Bethhaven Drive in Salisbury, turned himself in for arrest Friday to Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies at 232 N. Main for alleged sex crimes with a child under 13.

Christopher Scott Kyles:

Kyles was charged with indecent liberties with children (felony) and first degree sexual offense–victim under 13 (felony). Under a secured $25,000 bond, Kyles is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center. His first court date is Monday.

**This article will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.**

Todd Paris, Staff Writer and Salisbury Attorney

As I walked out of the courthouse Thursday, I was surprised to see three Salisbury Police Officers in front of the George Washington statue. They were holding up signs that said “shine” on them. At first, I thought that maybe were supplementing their meager Fibrant-starved incomes by offering shoeshines, however they had no shoeshine boxes. Then it hit me, they must be selling corn liquor! I ordered a quart, but the officers said they were making a video and to step back off the sidewalk.

Then what to my wondering eyes did appear, but Mayor Alexander and Commissioner Edds strutting down the street in front of a cameraman walking backwards. To paraphrase Greg Edds, “Holy Cow, what kind of people are these?”

I whipped out my video phone but before I could look up again, our Commission Chairman, evidently seeing me, made like a running back and quickly “doglegged right” with amazing speed, straight out of the view of the camera and into the parking spaces in the street.

Undeterred, Salisbury’s favorite “cheerleader” continued on her path right past me belting our some tune with the word “shine” in it. Her summer dress and matching hat and purse were just splendid. While her vocal skills gave no indication she should quit her day job, she bravely belted out the tune and completed her mission. It was almost like watching Streisand herself shooting a scene from “Funny Girl.”

Edds skulked up behind me and said this was for a charity’s kickoff and true to my word to him I won’t make fun of the organization.

I had such a good chuckle that I have decided to give a modest donation to the charity this year. I just hope when the video comes out that they use Karen’s real voice and don’t dub someone else’s in like they did to poor Audrey Hepburn in the movie version of “My Fair Lady.” I think Audrey Hepburn’s singing voice was just as good as Marni Nixon’s who was dubbed in for Audrey in the movie. You be the judge.

RFP Staff

♦ While surrounding streets(Jackson, Church, and Fisher) and the parking lot behind the Rowan Public Library HQ on Fisher Street have their share of muggings, purse-snatchings, and stick-ups, larger challenges seldom confront RPL’s security inside the county’s outstanding library.  Mostly their platter of difficulties can be described as waking up homeless people dozing off by the magazine racks, shushing folks who talk too loud in the 2nd floor computer area, occasionally picking up used syringes from the restroom floors, or dealing with folks arguing with librarians over their borrowing privileges being suspended for failure to return library materials. Nothing sadder than children having their library privileges removed for failure to return DVDs or an illustrated copy of “Mrs. Boo Goo Gets Carjacked in the City of Make Believe”.

The Rowan Public Library HQ at 201 Fisher Street in Salisbury:

On Friday security was allegedly tested to the max at around 8:27 p.m. by Sydney Taylor Brown, 21, of Richard Road in Salisbury when she allegedly became loud and argumentative and was said to damage a computer up on the 2nd floor (an estimated $200 dollars worth of damage). She soon left the library and was later arrested at 217 North Long Street and charged with injury to personal property (misdemeanor) and disorderly conduct (misdemeanor). Under a secured $1,000 bond, Brown remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Sydney Taylor Brown:

Sydney Taylor Brown’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1335604&searchLastName=brown&searchFirstName=sydney&searchMiddleName=t&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Carl T. Rowan Speaks to the Ages:

**This article will be updated when more information arrives.”

********************************************************************************************************************************************

♦ Salisbury appears to have an uptick in motorvehicle arsons since the early spring of this year. Law enforcement sources believe much of it is vandalism, some torchings may result from individuals angry at their car dealers attempting to reclaim their vehicles for non-payment, or someone sees a better payoff from their vehicle insurance than from a scrapyard. In rare instances someone just want to get rid of evidence from a Salisbury “hit n’ run” or other serious crime.

On Thursday at 1:46 a.m. the Salisbury Police received a report from Advantage Vehicles, LLC AKA as Advantage Rent-A-Car on 5501 Josh Birmingham Parkway in Charlotte that two of their vehicles, a Jeep Compass SUV valued at $25,000 and a Honda Odessy Van valued at $8,000, were deliberately set on fire in a parking lot on 711 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Salisbury.

711 MLK, Jr. Avenue in Salisbury:

The two women who rented the vehicles Javiena Means and Kerin Bradshaw, who live on MLK. Jr Avenue, alerted Advantage Vehicles LLC about the double vehicular arson.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff

♦ With the Board of Elections filing period for seats on the Board of Education over on last Friday at noon we have 8 candidates in a very crowded field for early voting and the November 8th election.

Seat 5 representing Salisbury is currently occupied by Chuck Hughes.  We certainly would choose him over Gene Miller who was the former assistant superintendent of operations during the Grissom regime when the  Rowan-Salisbury schools began its rapid decline into the horrific condition its in today.  Miller loved to throw education money at buildings instead of teachers and even attempted to hard sell the “gas lands” without a parking lot at 329 South Main Street.  He became infamous for telling a Tea Party candidates forum that a domed central office at 329 South Main would tell everyone we took education seriously.  Next.  Do folks recall him tossing great textbooks, books, and pictionaries away at the recycling center when there are so many children in dire need of books in their home?

A dark horse in this 5th seat race is Alisha Byrd, the spark behind Gemstones Academy a highly laudable program to spread literacy to youngsters living in Salisbury.  We’ve heard many good things about her and would like to know more about her.  We need more folks actually turned onto education and knowledgeable about its many facets not folks working overtime to waste educational dollars on pricey buildings and construction overages.  We require folks with discernment who will keep a far sharper eye on superintendent Moody and be prepared to jettison her if the school system continues its sharp downward trend.  When the schools are bad it sullies the whole county and especially Salisbury.  Poor education like a lack of safety, high taxes, blight, and high poverty makes people move away and others not come to Rowan and Salisbury.  It stifles economic development and its payoff jobs.

Over in seat 3 Michael Julian, of RRSOS fame, became an overnight sensation when he opposed the closing of higher performing  elementary schools because of some alleged “research” put forward by an alphabet architectural firm.

Many city and county residents are off put by Chairman Wagner’s immature outbursts at BoE meetings.  His lack of oversight over superintendent Moody and Anthony Vann may end his time as the seat 3 board member.

Seat 7 is currently occupied board member Susan Cox  who has done nothing to distinguish herself on the board. Since she joined the board she goes along with just about anything Superintendent Moody puts forward.  Her voting record on the BoE would make an excellent target.  Andrew Poston will be a heavy favorite in this contest due to his strong connection with RRSOS and educating himself about what it takes to be an outstanding BoE member.  A third candidate William “Rob” Robertson claims he will not actively campaign for the seat–he will depend on his reputation.  Folks who get elected to office usually campaign hard and make themselves available to the public at town hall meetings, going door-to-door, going to public forums, and showing up at party meetings.  They take every opportunity to be with the public.  Mr. Robertson may have painted himself into a corner by not campaigning.

We await the election returns of Rowan County on the night of November the 8th!

RFP Staff

♦ Rowan County Sheriff’s Office sources report Messiah Alexander Wooden AKA Massia Alexander Wooden, 25, a felon living on Elm Street in Salisbury, and Eric Lamonte Fair, 28, of Spencer were arrested late Saturday afternoon by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on 7925 Woodleaf Road in Woodleaf for alleged weapons, drugs, and stolen goods offenses.

7925 Woodleaf Road in the Woodleaf, NC:

Messiah Alexander Wooden:

Eric Lamonte Fair:

Wooden was charged with carry concealed gun (misdemeanor), possessing stolen goods (felony), weapons possession by a felon of firearms etc. prohibited (felony), possession of controlled substance schedule II (felony), possession of controlled substance schedule I (felony), possession with intent to manufacture/Sell/distribute controlled substance schedule I (felony), possession with intent to manufacture/Sell/distribute controlled substance schedule II (felony), possession of controlled substance schedule VI (misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor), purchase possession consumption malt beverages/wine (misdemeanor), and possession of a controlled substance on a penal institution premises (felony).

Under a secured $100,000 bond Wooden is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center. His first court date is Monday.

Fair was charged with resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor), weapons possession by a felon of firearms, etc. prohibited (felony), and weapons concealed from officer (misdemeanor)

Under a secured $50,000 bond Fair is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center. His first court appearance is Monday.

Messiah Alexander Wooden’s AKA Massia Alexander Wooden’s Previous record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1103787&searchLastName=wooden&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=2

Eric Lamonte Fair’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0965857&searchLastName=Fair&searchFirstName=eric&searchMiddleName=l&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

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

RFP Staff

♦ According to Rowan County Sheriff Office sources Derryck Laine Kesler, 29, of the 300 block of Mahaffey Drive in was arrested Friday for an alleged knife assault on Terry Lee Kessler, 53, at his home on Mahaffey Drive.  Terry Lee Kessler sustained minor injuries from the alleged attack.

300 block of Mahaffey Drive in Rowan County:

Derryck Laine Kessler was arrested later by Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Gold Knob Road and charged with assault with a deadly weapon (misdemeanor) and assault with a deadly weapon (misdemeanor). Under no bond, he remains in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Derryck Laine Kesler:

Derryck Laine Kessler’s Previous Record

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0834925&searchLastName=kesler&searchFirstName=derryck&searchMiddleName=l&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

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

RFP Staff

♦ Salisbury Police sources reported that Monday at around 6:39 a.m. that an alleged altercation broke out at the Speedway gas station (formerly Wilco Express) at 500 East Innes between Curtis David White 47, of the streets of Salisbury, and Shaun Michael Elliot, 37, an acquaintance living on the 800 block of Bringle Ferry Road in Salisbury.  The fight escalated to the point where White allegedly pulled a box cutter on Elliot and began to assault him with it.  The fight ended quickly with Elliot suffering severe lacerations.  White left the area on foot, but was soon picked up by the Salisbury Police in the 300 block of North Shaver Street.

The area around the Speedway Gas Station and the Waffle House has long been known as one of Salisbury’s Bermuda Triangles of violent crime. Fights outside the former Wilco Express and now called the Speedway are fairly common occurrences where people buying coffee or gassing up are often treated to apocalyptic toughman fights between combatants armed with broken bottles, knives, brass knuckles, box cutters, baseball bats, and even large scissors. An unconfirmed story is that a video segment of “Bum Fights” was once filmed behind the old Wilco-Hess station. Perhaps a documentarian will one day show up in Salisbury and digitally capture some the epic wars taking place between here and the Waffle House lot. The heart and soul of Salisbury will at last be revealed.

White was charged with assault with a deadly weapon (felony). Under a secured $10,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Curtis David White:

The Starship of the Industrial Box Cutter Fleet:

Curtis David White’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0433374&searchLastName=white&searchFirstName=curtis&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

**This article will be updated as more information shows up.”

Steve Mensing, Editor

♦ Yesterday sometime after 11 a.m. Monday I received phone calls from several friends in Salisbury telling me Ryan’s, the budget friendly “all you can eat” buffet on 730 Jake Alexander Boulevard South and now the former meeting place for the Rowan Republican Breakfast Club, failed to open.  A sign inside Ryan’s front door window read: “To our valued guests, this location is now closed.  Thank you for your business and we hope to serve you at an other location very soon.”  Probably not–the parent company Ovations Brands out of Hollywood, Texas has been closing its buffet restaurants all over the United States since March: Ryan’s, Hometown Buffet, Fire Mountain, and Old Country Buffet.  Allegedly the buffet chain, with a bucket full of names, is still reeling from an $11 million dollar judgement in federal court for a man who got salmonella food poisoning from an Old Country Buffet in Cheyenne, Wyoming back in 2010.  Restaurant food preparers take heed.

We learned that a number of Ryan’s staff showed up yesterday and told disappointed customers that Ryan’s blindsided its employees and customers by failing to inform them ahead of time of the closure.  Sometimes corporations behave badly with their employees–a fact of life. (Municipalities sometimes do the same).  What we dislike seeing is when companies fail to pay out their last paychecks or don’t fork over owed vacation pay.  We hope that doesn’t occur.

I enjoyed Ryan’s buffet.  You could find plenty of healthy veggies and fruits and other tasty low cost fare.  I have many good memories of the Rowan Republican Men’s Breakfast (now the Rowan Republican Breakfast Club) that met in Ryan’s the first Saturday morning of each month.  I did a stint as its president.  The restaurant employees were ever helpful and quick to provide service.

Sorry to learn Ryan’s closed.

RFP Staff

♦ Salisbury Police sources reported that Jaylon Armon Wimbley, 17,  of the 400 block of Best Street in Salisbury, was held up at gunpoint in a parking lot at the 100 block of East 11th Street and North Main Street on Sunday at 10:20 p.m.  Facing a handgun, Wimbley gave up $20 to the robbers who knew the victim.  During the robbery Wimbley reportedly suffered severe lacerations.

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

♦ According to Salisbury Police sources Heather Kristin Byrd, 24, of North Ellis Street in Salisbury, was the victim of a strong arm robbery in the Burger King Parking lot at 824 E. Innes Street on Sunday around 5:45 p.m.  A man allegedly solicited her for money then attempted to strong arm Byrd.  Uninjured, Byrd reportedly had nothing to give the bandit.  He left the area.

The Burger King at 824 East Innes in Salisbury:

Citizens having any knowledge about this crime are urged to call the Salisbury Police at 704-638-5333. If you fear retribution, want to remain anonymous and possibly collect an award of up to $1,000, information can be submitted 24/7 via the web: http://tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org/ or by calling the Salisbury-Rowan Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

RFP Staff

♦ Want to Outfit a Buffet? Salisbury’s Ryan’s Buffet Equipment and Furniture Being Auctioned Off on August 25th:

http://online.auctionnation.com/auction/1974

RFP Staff

♦ After two years of West End residents complaining at City Hall led SNAG meetings about the number of wild animals in the infamous Vanderford “Spite Hole” (a stormwater runoff surrounded by a virtual weed jungle at Vanderford, West Bank, and Horah Streets in the West End) and with no response from the city of Salisbury, Councilman Kenny Hardin reached out recently to County Commissioner Craig Pierce and Animal Control Director Clai Martin.

The Vanderford “Spite Hole”:

Commissioner Pierce accompanied Councilman Hardin over to the City owned stormwater runoff, known as the Vanderford “Spite Hole”, at the corner of West Bank and Vanderford Streets to observe. After seeing the wild animals firsthand and the damage they’ve created to the community’s personal property, Commissioner Pierce called County Animal Control Services Director Clai Martin on the spot and he and his crew came out early the next day to set humane traps.

Over the past week they’ve set traps daily and caught four large raccoons and a 40 pound groundhog (pictured below). For the next 30 days, the County is committed to setting traps and relocating the sewer rats, snakes, groundhogs, and raccoons that overran the area and terrorized residents for years. Below are previous articles appearing in the Rowan Free Press about the infamous Vanderford “Spite Hole” Salisbury’s natural varmit preserve.

“Brutus” the 40 pound groundhog:

“A Photo Safari: Meltdown of Salisbury City Services Creates Green Hell”:

A Photo Safari: Meltdown of Salisbury City Services Creates Green Hell

“Understaffed City Halts Cleanup of the Vanderford “Spite Hole”. Neighbors Livid after 10 Years of City Neglect”:

Understaffed City Halts Cleanup of Vanderford “Spite Hole”. Neighbors Livid After 10 Years of City Neglect

“Rack” the Raccoon:

Brutus:

RFP Staff

♦ According to Rowan County Sheriff’s Office sources Sheriff’s deputies arrested a trio of Salisbury and Rowan County area men around 4 p.m. yesterday after an undercover heroin purchase went sour. Allegedly Andre Rodrico Clodfelter, 22, Winslow Cherry, 25, and Justin Drew Peterson, 35, took off in gray Toyota going 60 miles-per-hour through Lowe’s shopping center before the car bounced down an embankment for 75 feet in front of the Super 8 Motel on Bendix Drive and came to a rest before the trio allegedly took off running.  Not for long.  Their cards came up jokers as deputies ran them down and handcuffed them.  Time to cool their heels at the Detention Center.

Super 8 Motel on Bendix Drive:

None of the trio sustained injuries from their alleged flight down the embankment.

Andre Rodrico Clodfelter:

Winslow Cherry:

Justin Drew Peterson:

Clodfelter was charged with trafficking heroin or opium (felony), conspire to sell/deliver heroin (felony), and flee to elude (felony). Under a secured $250,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Cherry was charged with resist/delay/obstruct a public officer (misdemeanor) and conspire to sell/deliver heroin (felony). Under a secured $50,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County detention Center.

Peterson is charged with conspire to sell/deliver heroin (felony) and trafficking heroin or opium (felony). Under a secured $200,000 bond, he is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Andre Rodrico Clodfelter’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1348254&searchLastName=clodfelter&searchFirstName=andre&searchMiddleName=r&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Winslow Cherry’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1107864&searchLastName=cherry&searchFirstName=winslow&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Justin Drew Peterson’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=1236059&searchLastName=Peterson&searchFirstName=Justin&searchMiddleName=d&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

RFP Staff

♦ Rowan County Sheriff Office sources report that Renee Hale Stowe, 42, a plastic surgeon’s assistant in Concord living at 230 Middlebrook Drive in Rockwell and her friend Denise Kay Furgeson, 48, a felon living on Lower Stone Church Road in Rockwell were arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing prescription pads and forging prescriptions to illegally obtain and sell painkiller opioids.  The alleged scheme was ongoing since 2010.  Rowan County Sheriff’s Office investigators began their investigation about a month ago after being informed that fraudulent prescriptions were being passed in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties.

Investigators quickly determined that opioid prescriptions were allegedly placed in the names of a number of individuals including Furgeson, Stowe, and several of Stowe’s family.  Prescription pads were allegedly stolen without the knowledge of the physician or staff, then forged using Stowe’s name as the alleged provider.

During the course of the investigation Stowe was terminated from her employment when the physician’s office became aware of the scheme.  It’s alleged both Stowe and Furgeson used the pain killer opioids.

Prescriptions were allegedly written for the opioid painkillers Percocet, Lortab, and Norco.  All of these painkillers are highly addictive.

Renee Hale Stowe:

Denise Kay Furgeson:

Denise Kay Furgeson’s Previous Record:

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/opi/viewoffender.do?method=view&offenderID=0587438&searchLastName=furgeson&searchFirstName=denise&searchMiddleName=k&listurl=pagelistoffendersearchresults&listpage=1

Stowe was charged with 6 counts of obtain a controlled substance by fraud/forgery (felony), 6 counts of trafficking in heroin/opium (felony), and conspire to traffic in opium (felony). Under a secured $100,000 bond, she is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Furgeson is charged with 6 counts of obtain a controlled substance by fraud/forgery (felony), 6 counts of trafficking in heroin/opium (felony), and conspire to traffic in opium (felony). Under a secured $250,000 bond, she is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

Public Announcement

Rowan County Republican Open House!

Join us on Saturday August 27th at our County Headquarters 628 N Main Street Salisbury between the hours of 12pm and 2pm to learn how you can make a difference in this year’s election. This is a great opportunity for any Republican who has ever wondered how they might get involved in the Party or how the Republican Party works. We will have Party and Elected Officials on hand to answer questions, provide materials and complimentary refreshments.

For Registered Republican voters only.  If you haven’t registered yet–please do.

Steve Mensing, Editor

♦ For over a week we heard from sources in city hall that Kent Winrich was on the doorstep of becoming another casualty in Fibrant’s massive debacle as the City of Salisbury continued its freefall into the municipal broadband’s deepening financial sinkhole.  Winrich’s salary increasingly became expendable as Fibrant kept hemorrhaging multiple millions per year in losses and city services became the object of ridicule.  Yesterday Winrich became the 3rd Fibrant head to “resign” since Fibrant’s rollout in 2010.  He joins Michael Crowell and Mike Jury as ex-Fibrant honchos.

Kent Winrich:

Say what you will about Mr. Winrich he was always a gentleman even in the face of insurmountable adversity.  We wish him luck in either retirement or latching on elsewhere with a more reputable work environment.  With Fibrant’s abject failure to date, facing a deep pocketed array of broadband private giants like AT&T Gigaverse,  Spectrum (formerly TWC), AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, and DISH, and their hopes for expansion crushed by the Federal 6th District Court of Appeals, Winrich had to acknowledge Spectrum’s reputation for eating even the big boys alive let alone an unrequired and overpriced municipal fiasco.

Mr. Winrich is of the ages.  According to a press release he is replaced by Evans Ballard who worked 14 years in City Hall’s Finance Department.  He’s helped prepare budgets and contributed to analyzing departmental performance.

Evans Ballard:

According to a press release the City Manager Lane Bailey handed Ballard the task of making Fibrant financially viable.  The deck is so heavily weighted against that ever happening.  There are simply not enough people in Salisbury with enough spendable income to make it happen. And more working class people are moving away. 6 years of being a milstone around the city’s neck is far too much evidence.  Time for Salisbury to pull the plug and to perhaps scratch at starting a decade long comeback from Fibrant’s horrific damage.

FIBRANT:

FIBRANT