Watauga County Road Conditions

Last Updated (Tuesday, 06 April 2010 07:44)

 February 11th, 2010

DOT crews worked overnight to attempt to improve the roadway conditions but blizzard conditions have caused most roads across Watauga County and surrounding counties to be dangerous. The main roads are in fair condition but are expected to improve as the sunlight helps to melt the snow.  Although the surface conditions of the roadways are better today than last night there are still some reported white out instances being reported.

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 February 10th, 2010

Primary and secondary roads are mostly covered in snow, drifting snow, and ice.   Icing is predominant on all roads because of the low temperatures.  Visibility from blowing snow is near zero at times.  High profile vehicles are at risk.  Tractor Trailers will be prone to jack knifing.  Please do not travel unless it is an emergency.  If you do travel please use extreme caution.  Please use your headlights while traveling during the daytime hours to increase YOUR visibility.  

For a recorded message that may include more detail, please call 265-7630.  DO NOT CALL 911 FOR ROAD CONDITIONS.

 For Current information, detours, and weather please dial the NCDOT Toll-Free Travel Information Line by dialing "511" and follow the instructions.

Press Release  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 Contact:  Brandon Hafner @ 919.427.1646  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 
New Web Site Protects Consumers Against Theft, Loss

www.thugtrap.com offers free online inventory of valuables

(April 8, 2009 – Raleigh, NC) Property owners have access to a new, free web service that enables online registration of valuables and can assist in the recovery of stolen or lost property or expedite the insurance process.  

Brandon Hafner, president and CEO of Thug Trap Inc., created the web site – www.thugtrap.com - after his business was burglarized in 2007

“When you’re victimized and left to struggle with recounting all of your missing possessions for law enforcement and insurance, you realize how important it is to have thorough records,” said Hafner.  “Thug Trap inventories your items securely online, is easy to use, and can minimize the stress caused by theft or loss.” 

Thug Trap is the only website to offer a patent pending, comprehensive search feature for its property data base, allowing pawnshops, and individuals to find out if the property they are purchasing is stolen, sometimes even before the rightful 
owner knows their belongings are gone. 

Thug Trap also offers a community page that provides up to date information about new crime prevention techniques, and reviews on locks, security methods, and security equipment. Hafner noted that the site is designed to not only serve as a practical resource for inventorying possessions, but also to educate people and to get users to pro-actively think about, and take action in regard to,  property crime prevention. 
 
“Each part of the Thug Trap website and Thug Trap Guardian data base has been carefully constructed to help keep people and their property together,” said Hafner. “FBI statistics show that less than 13 percent of burglaries were solved nationwide in 2007. That means nearly 9 out of ten burglars got away with stealing property. We want to change those statistics and believe Thug Trap can help do just that.”

How it works

Thug Trap works simply, as users need only register at no charge and then enter information such as product model, serial numbers and other details about their property.  There is no limit to the number of items that can be entered.  The site maintains the registry and can be updated at any time by the registrant. If property is stolen, the account holder can flag it on Thug Trap. 

Law enforcement agencies are also able to register with Thug Trap.  Stolen property can be entered into Thug Trap and matched to rightful owners who have registered on Thug Trap. 

The search feature available to site visitors only shows if the property being searched is or is not stolen and does not reveal any of the owner’s information. Each time a search matches property in the Thug Trap Guardian data base, an alert is sent to the owner of the property. 

Not just theft protection measure

Thug Trap can also benefit users if property is damaged or destroyed by acts of nature.  Following such a disaster, the insurance claim can be easier to claim, enabling the property owner to settle a claim faster.  

“We recognize the tremendous need for protecting valuable personal property, especially in this economy,” said Hafner. “People want the peace of mind that their property will be protected and Thug Trap helps offer that added security.”

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About Thug Trap

Thug Trap Guardian is an innovative online resource that enables you to catalog your most important possessions securely.  By maintaining a record safely and securely, you can work with law enforcement to help recover your belongings if stolen or expedite insurance claims in the event of loss or destruction due to a natural disaster.  “Protect your stuff.”  Visit www.thugtrap.com for more information.

 

 

Message from the Sheriff

Welcome to the Watauga County Sheriff's Office website!

We care deeply about your safety and the well being of our citizens, students, and visitors.  Your Sheriff's Office is working hard to protect a safe quality of life.

To help us achieve this goal, we have instilled a "Community Policing Model" in our deputies' patrolling habits.  The heart of this model is to ensure and instill a cooperative spirit between the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and the public.  Much of this philosophy emphasizes crime prevention, the solving of crimes by citizen involvement, education, awareness programs, pro-active patrolling, deputy training and deputy education.

However, as mentioned above, a truly safe county can only be achieved through the cooperation of your fellow neighbors, our deputies, and you.  I therefore ask that you join us in making Watauga County a place where safety and security are top priorities.  By working together, we can make a difference.

Thank you,

Len Hagaman

SCAM ALERT!

Sheriff Len Hagaman has received several reports concerning a scam that identifies itself as the “National Gaming Commission.”

This scam involves an individual calling and advising that the person has won $450,000.00 in prize money. The prize winner is then advised by the caller that they will need to send $700.00 via a money gram to an “offshore” address in order to claim the prize money and receive a “prize packet.”

The caller identifies themselves as a “Claims Officer” and asks for the prize winner’s name, address and telephone number in order to send the prize winner the “prize packet” to claim the prize money. The telephone number associated with this scam is 866-364-1341, Extension 2112. Sheriff Hagaman warns too that non-response to the “National Gaming Commission,” may generate subsequent calls which are high pressure, intimidating, and in some cases threatening, and that victims should simply hang up.

Hagaman said too, “we are taught at an early age to be polite to callers, but this type of intimidation warrants a simple and quick hanging up of the phone.”

Watauga County Sheriff Hagaman also warns that as warm weather approaches, so too, are increases in home improvement scams, particularly relating to paving and driveway sealing scams. Sheriff Hagaman urges everyone to be prudent and cautious when making “deals” with home improvement contractors who show up at their residences unannounced. Legitimate contractors are known through the local building association, chambers of commerce, and local government departments of inspection and development. It is strongly suggested that when in doubt never agree to any home improvement project without first checking the contractor out thoroughly.