Fatal Wreck Thursday

According to the NC Hwy Patrol, there was a fatal collision Thursday about 8:30 a.m. on NC 16 near the Wilkes/Alexander county line. The report states that an Acura and a Dodge collided which caused the driver of the Acura to lose control. That vehicle went off the right side of the road, down an embankment, and hit a tree. The 55-year-old female driver, Rose Cotrich, died at the scene. The driver of the Dodge was not injured. Troopers do not believe impairment was a factor in the crash. The investigation is still underway and charges could be filed later.

Wilkes DSS Monthly Report

Wilkes County Department of Social Services gave their monthly report at the County Commissioners meeting this week. Currently, there are 173 children in foster care locally which is down from 200 in foster care one year ago.  Of the 173 in foster care, 40 are placed within the county, 52 outside the county, and 70 with relative or kinship placements. There are 16 foster homes in Wilkes. If you would like to find out about becoming a foster parent in Wilkes, contact the Wilkes DSS for information and MAPP training.

Wilkes Outdoor Economy

With the decision this week by County Commissioners to not fund the Roaring River Park Project, The Health Foundation of Wilkes provided 3WC News with information about the Wilkes County Outdoor Economy. Outdoor recreation generates 16.2 billion dollars in North Carolina and accounts for over 145,000 jobs in our state. According to a 2023 Wilkes County Outdoor Recreation Survey, the total economic output for outdoor recreation visitor spending is 102.9 million dollars and supports 1100 full-time jobs. The Health Foundation formed the Outdoor Economy Workgroup, conducted surveys and meetings with Wilkes residents, and developed The Outdoor Economy Action Plan, which is a 15-year-plan approved by local towns and the county governments.

Financial Fraud

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office is investigating the embezzlement and/or theft of money from a 76-year-old Wilkesboro resident. The victim reports that while paying for their rent other money was stolen from her bank account. The money was taken without her permission. Two suspects were listed and charges are pending further investigation.

Local Police Complete Certifications

Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro police departments used social media to congratulate their officers. In Wilkesboro, Officer Dalton Hall was presented with his North Carolina Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate, awarded by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission. In North Wilkesboro Officer Bryan Baity also received his North Carolina Intermediate Law Enforcement Training Certificate, awarded by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission.  Congratulations to both officers and thank you for your service to the local communities.

Haw River State Park

Zachary Lunn has been promoted to be the new park superintendent at Haw River State Park in Rockingham and Guilford counties, North Carolina State Parks announced. N.C. State Parks is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Park superintendents manage operations and administration at a park and have wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services.

Not Pursuing Roaring River Park

Wilkes County Commissioners met this week. A Public Hearing was held for the Roaring River Park. Only one person, Heather Murphy, Director of the Wilkes Health Foundation, spoke concerning continuing and completing the park beside the Yadkin River off Hwy 268 in Roaring River. Murphy spoke of the benefits to children, to health, to the economy, and the quality of life provided by outdoor spaces such as the proposed park in Roaring River. During the meeting, it was noted that $775,000 in grant funds were received for the park; however, the proposed cost was 1.75 million dollars. Commissioners commented on added costs from the park being near a railroad track, the park being in a flood plain, the recent property re-evaluation, a decrease in sales tax income, and budget cuts as the reasons for withdrawing from receiving grant funds and not continuing with the Roaring River Park project.

Sheriff Running for Re-Election

Locally, candidates continue to register for next year’s election. Most recently, the current Wilkes Sheriff, Chris Shew, announced that he would be seeking reelection in 2026. At least one other candidate has formally announced they will run for the office of sheriff. David Carson, who served as chief deputy under Shew, announced earlier this year that he would run. Two others have also indicated they may register as sheriff candidates in 2026.

Record Month of Calls

Millers Creek Fire Department reported a record month at Station 24 last month. In the last week of August, the Millers Creek department responded to 21 calls. In all, Millers Creek Fire Dept responded to 96 calls in August including: 4 Structure Fires, 1 Vehicle Fire, 2 Trash Fires, 47 Medical Calls, 14 Motor Vehicle Crashes, 1 Land Search, 1 Fuel Spill requiring Hazmat, 5 Power Downed Lines, 1 Assist with  the State Hwy Patrol, 5 Trees Down, 14 Fire Alarms, and 1 Carbon Monoxide Alarm.

Mutual Training with Local Fire Departments

Last week, members of Ronda Fire participated in an automatic aid training with Roaring River VFD and Broadway Fire Department at an acquired structure in Roaring River. LP Corp donated a house to train in prior to a training burn there in late September. Members of all three departments paired up together and trained on evolutions involving Hose Advancement, Vent Enter Search as well as a Mayday situation involving a down firefighter.