A man who was attacked at the Coffee House in Millers Creek has refused to cooperate with the investigation, leading deputies to abandon it. The fight early Sunday morning was witnessed by a number of people. The two men had been in the restaurant already when Jeffrey Hayes arrived, and met him at the door. The fight spilled out into the parking lot, and witnesses said Hayes was hit with a set of what appeared to be brass knuckles. He had multiple severe cuts to his scalp, according to the crime report. In spite of being able to identify the attackers through security video at the Coffee House, deputies’ efforts to complete the investigation were stymied by Hayes’ refusal to cooperate.

Sheriff’s deputies have questioned a suspect in a burglary from a Millers Creek home, but so far have not been able to find evidence tying him to the crime. Deputies were called yesterday evening to the home of Jacqueline Pizarro and Barbara Riddle on Mertie Road, after Pizarro came home to find several items missing from the house. They included such items as an HP laptop, a desktop computer, several other electronic items, multiple items of jewelry, and a few other items — one of them that may have a special meaning to one of the victims and the suspect. Total value of the items is over 13-thousand dollars. The person Pizarro believes was responsible used to work for her and had been seen driving by the house on Monday in a beige pickup with a black stripe down the side. He knew where the jewelry was kept, and she says he is knowledgeable concerning antiques. Deputies questioned him later, but he denied having been by the house or having any role in the crime. So far, no evidence to the contrary has been reported.

Time is running out for thousands of North Carolina sixth-graders who have yet to get immunization shots as required by the state. With only a few exceptions, the children will be banned form class on Thursday and won’t be allowed to return until they can prove they have had the shots. According to North Carolina law, children who are entering the sixth grade in public school on or after Aug. 1, 2008 or who are 12 years of age on or after Aug. 1, 2008, must have a Tdap booster shot if five or more years have passed since their last dose of the vaccine. The Tdap booster shot is the newest shot required by the state. It protects children against three serious and potentially deadly diseases: tetanus, diptheria and pertussis, which is commonly known as whooping cough.