House Fire in Boomer

According to the report, an unoccupied, wood frame house in Boomer was destroyed by fire last week. Firefighters responded and found the two-story structure fully engulfed by fire. In all, 5 fire departments assisted in extinguishing the house fire for about 4 ½ hours. However, Boomer Fire Dept was dispatched a second time a few hours later due to possible flare-ups.  Again, the house was unoccupied but did still have electricity. The Wilkes Fire Marshal and SBI investigated, but due to the extreme damage, the cause of the fire was ruled undetermined.

Test Your Smoke Alarms

Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test and make sure smoke alarms are working. This year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 6,500 people in the local North Carolina region affected by 2,000 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country. So take time to test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for information, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app. 

Drivers and Seasonal Hazards

From unpredictable weather to increased wildlife activity, AAA urges North Carolina drivers to stay alert for seasonal traffic hazards. Rain and fallen leaves can create slippery roads, Diminished daylight affects visibility during commuting hours, and Deer are most active from October to December due to seasonal migration and mating patterns. Again, AAA reminds drivers to be aware of these hazards.

Municipal Election Day

It's Election Day in the towns of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro today.The  Election Day Municipal polling places opened at 6:30 am and will close at 7:30 pm. Also, 7:30 pm today is the deadline to return absentee ballots in person or postmarked by today. Real time election results can be found after the polls close on the Wilkes Board of Election website.

Felon With Gun

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office was called to assist a probation officer last week. A gun and ammo were found in the home of a convicted felon. The rife and multiple boxes of ammunition were seized, and the 57-year-old white male was taken into custody by deputies.

Samaritan’s Purse Feeding Federal Employees

As of yesterday, Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will be serving lunch at no charge to federal employees who aren’t receiving their paychecks because of the government shutdown. Every day—seven days a week—until the government reopens, lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to federal workers with their valid government ID at area Samaritan Purse locations; including: Samaritan's Purse: 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, and Samaritan’s Purse, 401 Elkin Hwy., North Wilkesboro.

Car Break-In Suspects Caught in Elkin

Last week, Elkin Police responded to reports of multiple vehicle break-ins on Surry Avenue, Cedar Street, and West Main Street. During the investigation, officers discovered that 18 vehicles had been entered and various personal items were stolen. Security footage obtained from residents in the area helped officers identify the juvenile suspects. With the assistance of the Jonesville Police Department and others, the suspects were identified and arrested. The Elkin Police Department thanks the community for their assistance in solving this case.

Wilkes County Schools and Career Development

November is National Career Development Month. At Wilkes County Schools, they are to helping every student explore their interests, build essential skills, and prepare for a bright future. Through career exploration activities, counseling support, and partnerships with local businesses and colleges, Wilkes County helps students connect their learning to real-world opportunities. From elementary career awareness to high school pathway planning, WCS empowers students to discover their passions and plan for success beyond graduation.

Theft by Employee

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office received a report of larceny by employee from a local store. Reportedly, the theft of food took place at a store on Statesville Road. The male suspect was listed with that report and charges are pending further investigation.

Samaritan's Purse Response to Hurricane

Over the weekend, Samaritan's Purse DC-8 cargo plane departed from our Airlift Response Center in Greensboro, North Carolina—loaded with approximately 40,000 pounds of critical relief supplies and dozens of additional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members bound for Jamaica. Once on the ground, Samaritan’s Purse medical team will be treating those in urgent need of care, while other team members distribute thousands of pounds of relief to hurting communities across the island.