At 10:30 a.m. on April 26th, police cited Christal Wunder of Supply for shoplifting at the Dollar Tree in Shallotte.

It appears a shopper took video of some of the shakedown.  Police say the employee was apparently trying to stop the woman from taking about $3 worth of goods from The Dollar Tree and at one point, she screams, "He's grabbing my breast!  Ouch!" 

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Police say they did not cite the worker.

Spencer Inions says his friend took the video, though it's uploaded on his personal YouTube account.  "I think the employee maybe overreacted and he'll probably get reprimanded, but I don't think the woman was in pain or that he hurt her," said Inions.  "I think she got caught committing a crime and was panicking when she realized she was gonna get in trouble."

No comment from Dollar Tree.

There are friends, and then there are the people you choose to love like family.  Taka Yokoyama is one of those people to my husband and to me.

Taka and I first met when we were in Springfield.  We were the only two Asian kids working in a medium market...he was the new photographer... and I was the veteran reporter.  I mean, I had at least two months on him.

He also befriended my boyfriend, Jim (who's now my husband.)  Jim had just traveled to Japan to shoot and produce a documentary with the New England Sports Network.  Taka and Jim ended up becoming roommates and inseparable friends.  They (along with our friend Dave) became the Three Musketeers. 

Taka and I left Springfield around the same time in 2010.  We shared a going away party.  After nearly 8 years of covering Southwest Missouri, we told ourselves it was time to "graduate".

And boy, has Taka graduated.

Taka is a national Murrow winner, a multi-Emmy winner, and an incredible storyteller.  He's worked at the most enviable stations in Springfield, Kansas City and Boston.  And, now he's headed to WFAA in Dallas!  Another awesome shop!  

He took the time to visit us on his way down to the Big D... I know it was out of the way for him, but I am so grateful he made the trip.  

Most people who know Taka are very proud of him.  He is living the American dream and doing it so much better than many American-born folks!  He moved here from Japan to study journalism, and ever since, he's been making an impact with his insightful eye.  He was in our wedding, he's been with us through good and not-so-good times... and I learned this weekend, my husband even helped Taka get his Green Card!  

As I type this, Taka is hitting the road and hoping to make it to Mississippi or Alabama tonight... he's got about 16 hours or so left on his trip.  I hope the South takes care of him on this journey!

Taka, we're very proud and happy for you, and we know that you're going to love Dallas.  You will love your much-deserved opportunity, and we expect you to do amazing work!  xoxo

Just a few free things, thanks to Delly from Delly's Deals.  You must print these coupons out and get them by Tuesday night!

FREE Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste (HT Leland). Only $.49 at all other HT stores. On sale for $1.99 plus use this printable coupon for $.75/1

FREE Earthbound Farms Organic Baby Carrots (HT Leland). Only $.50 at all other HT stores. On sale for $2.00 plus use this printable coupon for $.75/1

FREE Delmonte Fruit Naturals Mango Cup. On sale for $1.00 plus use this printable coupon for $.50/1

FREE Fleischmann's Homemade Bread Kit (HT Leland). Only $1.00 at all other HT stores. On sale for $2.50 plus use this printable coupon for $.75/1

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I know we don't have "real" children, but this is what I think a real-life family picture looks like.  No one's looking at the camera.  The baby wants dad's attention, and the oldest's got her own thing going on.  Only mom seems to realize there's a camera even on... and she's not even looking at the right camera.

This picture was taken a while back from Boone.  We had never been there before but were happy to accept an invitation with some friends.  We really enjoyed the Hebron Rock Colony, though it was challenging for our dogs.  

We went to a couple of fun restaurants-- Our Daily Bread and Murphy's.  If you go to Murphy's, make sure you get the cheese fries.  They're really wedges that come on a boat of ranch dressing... I had one bite but it was pretty pub-delicious.

I was honored to emcee the free screening of the documentary Bully at Thalian Hall.  It was hosted by the station, Screen Gems Studios and the Wilmington Police Department.  School officials were also on hand to help answer questions.

First of all, bullying goes beyond schools.  Police believe they see bullying in gang culture.  They say if they curb bullying, they could curb violence.  

The audience LOVED the doc.  You could hear people react to some of the stuff that was going on in the documentary, and a lot of parents and kids stayed around to listen to school leaders.

You can now watch "Bully" on Redbox and Netflix.

We also worked with New Hanover County school leaders and the Wilmington Police Department to do a LIVE Google Plus hangout to discuss what's really happening in our schools.  We edited it down so that you can watch it here:

Everyone, this is Stacey and Donovan.  Stacey teaches Zumba all across Wilmington and she is often a featured guest in our nightly Google Plus hangouts.  Stacey is also going to start personal training... (I hear she's tough!) 

Stacey came by today to pick up some tickets for the documentary Bully.  We'll be showing a screening on April 18th at 7 p.m. at Thalian Hall.  Hope you guys can make it!

Isn't Donovan a cutie?!  

We love having visitors - don't forget you can pop over, just let me know when you'd like to swing by.  We can usually arrange it.  The kiddos love it.

It always amazes me how people will drive clear across town to save 50-cents on a tank of gas, use coupons at Victoria's Secret, or bring a flyer into a restaurant for a BOGO meal... yet, they won't even consider taking in a coupon to a grocery store that could actually feed their families.

Nowadays, you can get coupons on the internet for things like milk, cheese, produce... even beer!  And, you don't have to be a "crazy hoarder" either.  

Truth be told, there is a learning curve... and I've shared some tips with other local couponers in the latest Wilma Magazine.  Check it out!

We had such a fun time on this shoot.  We spent a morning in my bedroom as I clipped coupons... and we hit up Harris Teeter!  Thanks so much to all of my favorite couponers who made the trip.  And special thanks to Vicky Janowski, Nina Cournoyer, and Jeff Janowski... the experience was awesome!