North Carolina
Western NC man threatened Sen. Thom Tillis, sentenced to probation
A Cullowhee man was sentenced to three years of probation for threatening to kill Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, in a phone call.
Wyatt Austin Salus, 26, who is listed as an unaffiliated voter according to the N.C. Board of Elections, pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2025 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Asheville to making interstate threats, a felony.
Salus did not respond to a May 12 request for comment by the Citizen Times.
In the phone call made March 17, 2025, Salus called Tillis on his publicly listed Washington D.S. telephone number and left a message saying, “The only place you should feel safe in public if you see me is at a town hall. That’s the only place I want to see you in public. If I see you in public outside of that, buddy, you better start (expletive) running.”
Salus also accused Tillis of selling himself to corporate donors and called him a fascist.
“If I see you on the street, I’m going to run you the (expletive) over with my (expletive) car. You should not feel safe in North Carolina. Don’t you (expletive) show your face in the West. I will kill you if I see you,” Salus added.
Tillis is a second-term U.S. senator representing North Carolina who announced this year that he would not be seeking reelection. He recently came under fire from fellow Republicans for his stances opposing President Donald Trump’s policies, and in March 2025, his office published other death threats that he had received. Tillis also made headlines after he scrutinized former U.S. secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in March 2026.
Kara Fohner is the Citizen Times public safety and breaking news reporter. Reach her at kfohner@usatodayco.com.
A section of E. 4th Street in Washington will close next week for sewer line replacement work.
According to the city, E. 4th Street from Hudnell Street to Aycock Street will be closed to local traffic on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PINE KNOLL SHORES, Carteret County — A longtime Pine Knoll Shores public servant is preparing to begin a new chapter after nearly two decades with the town.
Ryan Thompson announced he will leave his full-time role with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on August 12 after 18 years of service.
Thompson said he first came to Pine Knoll Shores in 2008 and has served the town in several roles, including police officer, chief of police, assistant town manager and most recently interim town manager.
In a message shared by the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department, Thompson said serving the community has been the greatest honor of his professional career.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
He reflected on working alongside first responders through several hurricanes and coastal emergencies over the years, including Irene, Arthur, Matthew, Florence, Dorian, Isaias, Ophelia and Debby.
Thompson also highlighted the community’s response after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina in 2024. He said Pine Knoll Shores helped raise nearly $20,000 to support people impacted by the storm.
Thompson said Pine Knoll Shores has also been a special place for his family. His son served as a part-time firefighter with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Department, and his wife served as the town’s tax collector.
Although he is leaving his full-time role, Thompson said he is not saying goodbye to the town.
He will begin serving as a public safety risk management consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He said the new role will allow him to work with cities and towns across the state to help support public safety and local governments.
Thompson also said he will remain with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department as a part-time police officer.
He said he will also continue helping the town during its transition as Pine Knoll Shores begins the search for its next police chief and works through the town manager transition.
Captain Eric Tellefsen will become interim chief of police after Thompson’s departure.
Thompson said he is confident in the department’s leadership team and thanked the Pine Knoll Shores community for its trust, support and friendship over the past 18 years.
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