Local ID Thefts

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office has received several reports over the past year of identity theft and financial fraud. Recently, a Purlear resident reported credit card fraud. According to the report, over $5000 was stolen from the victim’s card. One white-male suspect was given with that repor, and charges are pending further investigation.

Jonesville PD Chase and Drug Arrest

On Friday morning, November 7, the Jonesville Police Department assisted the Highway Patrol with a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 77 that ended in a vehicle crash on Swaim Church Road, with no injuries. During the pursuit, the suspects threw out a bag from their vehicle along I-77. Jonesville K9 officers recovered the bag containing five bricks of cocaine, weighing approximately 5 pounds, with an estimated street value of $500,000.  All evidence was turned over to the DEA for further investigation.

Deer Attack

According to Wilkes EMS, a 70-year-old Wilkes County woman was attacked by a white-tailed deer in her yard in the Mulberry community last week. The victim told Wilkes EMS personnel that the deer attacked when she tried to get the deer to leave her property, so she could take her dog out. Reportedly, the woman was hit by the deer and knocked to the ground. The woman fought off the deer and called 911. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where she was treated and released.

National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 20

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Rural Health will join others to celebrate National Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 20. National Rural Health Day celebrates the "Power of Rural" by recognizing individuals, organizations and communities addressing health care needs of rural residents. North Carolina's rural population is the second largest in America, with one in three people living in rural areas in our state. Some 3.5 million people live in one of the 71 rural counties across North Carolina. 

FEMA and NC

FEMA announced an additional $155 million for 130 North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene and past disaster recovery projects, including: $54 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, $3.3 million to the village of Sugar Mountain, and $1.6 million to the town of Boone for repairs to roads. To date, $957 million has been provided to North Carolina for road repair, debris removal, and infrastructure repair for the 2024 Hurricane Season. Since January 2025, $632 million in Public Assistance reimbursements has been approved for recovery efforts in North Carolina. 

A Year at North Wilkesboro Fire Department

The North Wilkesboro Fire Department used social media to pass along their stats and number of responses for the past year. For Fiscal Year 2025, the North Wilkesboro Fire Department ended with a total of 1,008 calls. Of those 1,008 calls, 307 were responses to reports of fire, and 701 were first responder calls. Overall, the number of calls for 2025 was a decrease of 74 total calls from Fiscal Year 2024.  

Local Tax Fraud

Unfortunately, tax fraud and tax refund fraud is a common occurrence that the IRS addresses in detail on their website. A Wilkes County resident recently contacted the sheriff’s office about an ongoing issue with tax refunds. According to the report, an unknown individual has been attempting to fraudulently claim the victim’s tax returns since 2021. The same problem has happened again this year. There is no word on suspects.

Stolen Tools and Gun

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft from the Purlear Community. The property owner reported that assorted tools, a camper generator, and a 410 shotgun were stolen. The stolen property is valued at $700. No suspects were listed with that report.

Local Police Collecting Can Food

North Wilkesboro Police and Wilkesboro Police say: No neighbor left hungry.  Every year for many years, local citizens have provided a cooked meal for officers at Thanksgiving. This year, local police are requesting that you donate and bring canned food items to the police department instead of cooked items. They are teaming up with Wilkes Youth Life Development and the Change Wagon with a canned food collection drive called "No neighbor left hungry."  This is a friendly competition with North Wilkesboro Police and Wilkesboro Police Departments to see who can collect the most. Please deliver your canned food items to: North Wilkesboro Police Dept or the Wilkesboro Police Dept from now until November 24th. All food items will help local citizens in need for Thanksgiving.

NC and AI

Last week marked a milestone for North Carolina as the state’s AI Leadership Council met for the first time. With 30 public and private sector experts, the meeting laid the groundwork for North Carolina's goal to become the most AI-literate state in the nation. The council will advise and support the Governor and state agencies on developing AI strategies, policies, protections, and training initiatives aimed at advancing AI-driven industries.