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Davie, Surry and Yadkin counties may exit Triad economic structure

The Triad is facing yet another splintering of its economic structure, with a Senate bill spinning Davie, Surry and Yadkin counties out of the Piedmont Triad Partnership.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Sen. Majority Leader Harry Brown, R-Jones, would abolish four of the state’s seven economic development commissions in favor of eight “prosperity zones.” The bill has passed the Senate and its first reading in the House.

Piedmont Triad Partnership represents a mix of urban (Forsyth and Guilford), suburban (Alamance, Davidson, Davie, Randolph, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin) and rural (Caswell, Montgomery and Rockingham) counties.

NC groups rally for immigration reform for undocumented families

YADKINVILLE, N.C. — A group of mothers in Yadkinville spent Mother’s Day rallying for immigration reform for undocumented immigrants.

Mothers from the groups El Cambio and GetEQUAL NC are encouraging Senator Kay Hagan to support federal immigration reform to keep undocumented families together.

Christiana Serrano is a mother of two. She said she constantly cherishes her time with her children because she is an undocumented immigrant.

“It’s important  because I want to be able to work, want to be able to give without being frightened and give my kids a better future,” she said.

In 2012, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported more than 409,000 undocumented immigrants, though more than half had a criminal record.

Serrano said she does not have a driver’s license and fears she will be deported.

“Every time I drive somewhere I’m always praying,” Serrano said.

California limo crash brings back painful memories for Piedmont father

DAVIE COUNTY, N.C.– The deadly, fiery limo crash in California brings back painful memories for a Davie County family.

Ricky Howell lost his three daughters in a limo fire in 2003.

“They were fun-loving girls and they loved their mom and dad,” explained Howell.

Tara, Mysti and Megan were in the limo on their way home from a Fleetwood Mac concert at the Greensboro Coliseum. It was the first night the three of them were able to go out together. A driver rear ended their limo and it caught on fire. All three girls were unable to escape.

Ricky Howell said hearing about the limo crash in California is tough.

“Being girls close to the same age, it’s suppose to be a special time, like our girls and to turn into something like that it’s just hard to imagine. People can’t imagine what it’s like,” he said.

Yadkin County deputies arrest unregistered sex offender

YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. — A man was arrested after authorities said he failed to register as a sex offender with the Yadkin County Sheriff Office.

Robert Dale Ellis, 40, was arrested after Yadkin County deputies said they received information about an unregistered sex offender in the Hamptonville area.

Officials said the suspect’s arrest was part of a joint investigation by officials in Yadkin County and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Deputies said Ellis was registered as a sex offender in Michigan. Under North Carolina law, sex offenders must register where they reside.

Deputies said Ellis was charged with failing to register as a sex offender in North Carolina and with possession of a firearm by felon.

Authorities said the suspect received a $15,000 secured bond and has court planned for Wednesday.

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Statesville woman wins $1 million in Publishers Clearing House

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Glenda Dancy of Statesville was the $1 million winner in Publishers Clearing House “Prize Patrol” on Tuesday.

The company made the announcement through their Facebook page:

Congratulations to today’s $1 Million Winner Glenda Dancy of Statesville, North Carolina!

Yadkin County deputies charge man with identity theft

YADKINVILLE, N.C. — Yadkin County deputies arrested a man accused of identity theft involving a victim living out of state.

Jose Luis Garcia-Rodriguez, 32, of Yadkinville, was arrested and charged with 25 counts each of identity theft and obtaining money by false pretenses, according to deputies.

Deputies said the victim received a letter from the IRS indicating they did not report their earnings in 2011 from working at Lydall in Yadkinville.

The victim said they have never been to North Carolina, nor worked for Lydall.

The Sheriff’s Office said they contacted Lydall’s Human Resources Department and confirmed they had an employee by the name of the victim.

Deputies said they interviewed the suspect and discovered fraudulent documents including a social security card and North Carolina identification card used to gain employment with Lydall under the victim’s name.

Mocksville-based National Guard soldiers returning home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mocksville-based National Guard soldiers are returning home on Wednesday after being deployed in Southwest Asia for nearly a year.

The soldiers spent their time building housing and making improvements to buildings on bases.

Family and friends will welcome them home Wednesday afternoon at the armory in Charlotte. A public homecoming ceremony is planned for the summer.