Pilings Placed for New Bonner Bridge

Governor Pat McCrory applauded a major milestone in replacing the Bonner Bridge on N.C. 12 crossing Oregon Inlet yesterday as the first piling was installed into Oregon Inlet that will form part of the foundation of the new bridge. “As we lay the foundation of the new Bonner Bridge, we are one step closer to providing a much needed lifeline between the Outer Banks and mainland North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory. The first pilings will be installed in the middle of the bridge where the navigation span will be and are being installed on a slight angle to provide greater stability to support the new bridge. Road, bridge, and other transportation improvement projects like this one are underway across the state as part of Governor McCrory’s 25-Year Transportation Vision. This project, including the demolition of the existing bridge, is scheduled to be complete in September 2019. Much of the work is in open water in Oregon Inlet and NCDOT cautions boaters to keep clear.

Grab and Go Caught on Video

Instead of being a good Samaritan and turning over the bag to store management, they stole it.  A woman who lives in Ferguson was shopping at Walmart over the weekend when she accidently left her pocketbook in the shopping cart and left the area.  She returned a short time later but the pocketbook was gone.  Surveillance video showed an unknown white female walks over, gets the purse, and puts it in the trunk of her car.  The victim's cell phone was being tracked to determine the location of the thief.  Police do have pictures of the thief and her vehicle and are working to identify the woman.  The victim was advised to cancel all credit and bank cards and her cell phone service.  Stolen property is valued at $800. Charges are pending.

Overmountain Victory Trail in Wilkes

Last week at the County Commissioners meeting, a report was given on a National Park here in Wilkes.  The Wilkes County Planning Department has been working with the National Park Service to develop a Foundation Document for the Overmountain Victory Trail, which runs through Wilkes County.  The National Park was officially recognized and chartered by the US Congress in 1980.  Mr. John Slaughter was at the Commissioners' meeting to present a video of the historically significant trail and to update the Board on continuing efforts to develop the linear national park.  Slaughter said that Thomas Jefferson was quoted as saying that the Kings Mtn battle was the turning point in the Revolutionary War.  They are currently asking land owners along the Overmountain Victory Trail for access to develop the trail, and they hope to soon have the trail section between Elkin and W Kerr Scott under construction.  Commissioners were asked to inform Wilkes residents of the significance have history in their own backyard.

Stamp Out Hunger Saturday

The 24th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger^® Food Drive is this Saturday, May 14. The 24th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger^® Food Drive is the nation’s largest one-day, providing letter carriers, other postal employees and thousands of volunteers across the nation the opportunity to meld their forces together to conduct the drive in their local communities.  Food donations help several Wilkes based organizations such as BROC, Samaritan's Kitchen, and Ebenezer Christian Children's Home. So drop of non-perishable food donations at area Post Offices or in your mailbox on Saturday.  

Register to Vote by Friday

Voter registration closes this Friday, May 13, 2016 for the June 7^th Primary Election. Residents who wish to register in Wilkes County for the first time, or voters who wish to change their name, address or party affiliation must do so before 5:00 p.m. on May 13, 2016. Although, NC had a March Primary, due to legal issues, our state is having a second Primary on June 7th for Congressional Representatives and State Supreme Court. A very low turnout is expected for this second primary, so the Wilkes County and State board of election offices are encouraging all residents to come out and vote. All voter registration forms must be received by the Wilkes County Board of Elections by 5:00 pm Friday, May 13, 2016 or be postmarked May 13, 2016 to be applicable for the June 7^th Primary Election. New registrants who miss the May 13, 2016 deadline may register and vote at a one stop voting site. 

WEF Tournament a Gets Thousands for Schools

The Wilkes Education Foundation’s (WEF) 26^th Annual Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament was held Thursday, May 5, 2016, and generated in excess of $20,000 toward mini-grants and scholarships awarded to Wilkes County Schools’ students and teachers.  Since 1990, the Hugh Martin Memorial Golf Tournament has provided $400,000 in awards to Wilkes County Schools in the form of mini-grants to teachers for special projects that are not funded through the state or county. WEF has provided additional scholarships and mini-grants and has awarded over $428,000 to Wilkes County students since its beginning.  The tournament was established in memory of Hugh Martin who died in April 1990. Hugh was an avid golfer and had been a teacher at Mulberry Elementary and Wilkes Central before becoming a state and federal probation officer. The Wilkes Education Foundation is a private, non-profit, IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt endowment corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in education in the Wilkes County Schools. For information about making a donation to the WEF, contact Jody Hamby, 309 9th St, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. For more information, see www.wilkeseducationfoundation.org.

NC vs US DOJ over HB2

Governor Pat McCrory has filed a declaratory judgment action asking the federal courts to clarify federal law. This action is a result of the Obama administration’s interpretation of federal law.  “The Obama administration is bypassing Congress by attempting to rewrite the law and set restroom policies for public and private employers across the country, not just North Carolina. This is now a national issue that applies to every state and it needs to be resolved at the federal level,” said Governor McCrory. “They are now telling every government agency and every company that employs more than 15 people that men should be allowed to use a women’s locker room, restroom or shower facility.”  In his filing, Governor McCrory cited the fact that he has directed state agencies to make a reasonable accommodation of a single occupancy restroom. The state also allows private companies to set their own policies for bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities. On May 4, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to Governor McCrory that alleged violations of federal law. On Friday, the McCrory administration requested additional time to respond. However, DOJ officials refused to grant that request unless the state agreed to unrealistic terms. “I’m taking this initiative to ensure that North Carolina continues to receive federal funding until the courts resolve this issue,” said Governor McCrory.

Wilkes ID Theft Victim

Identity or ID Theft is an ever-growing problem, and ID Thieves are creative about how to obtain your personal information including hacking company computer systems.  A man is a recent victim of ID Theft through hacking.  The Boomer resident called the Wilkes Sheriff's Office to report that he purchased a product online.  The company then contacted the Wilkes resident to inform him that their company computers had been hacked and some of his personal information was stolen.  The Sheriff's Office advised the man to change any credit card numbers used to make the purchase.

Wanted Man Arrested in Wilkes

Wilkesboro Police received a call from that there was a man wanted on drug charges seen in the area.  Police found the man at the Food Lion on Westwood Lane.  They questioned the man who initially gave them false information on his name and date of birth; however, Police were able to positively identified the man as Rodney Carlton of Lenoir.  Carlton had outstanding warrants for trafficking cocaine and other trafficking offenses.  Carlton was arrested on the open warrants and taken to the Wilkes County Jail where his bond was set at $31,000.  A court date in Caldwell County is set for June.

Voter Registration for June Primary Ends Friday

Voter registration closes this Friday, May 13, 2016 for the June 7^th Primary Election. Residents who wish to register in Wilkes County for the first time, or voters who wish to change their name, address or party affiliation must do so before 5:00 p.m. on May 13, 2016. Registration forms are available at the Wilkes County Board of Elections office, located in the County Office Building, third floor, Room 315 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Mail in registration forms are also available at the Public Library on 10^th Street in North Wilkesboro. Registration forms are available at the Public Assistance Agencies and the Employment Security Commission office. A person may also register at the Department of Motor Vehicles if renewing a license. All voter registration forms must be received by the Wilkes County Board of Elections by 5:00 pm Friday, May 13, 2016 or be postmarked May 13, 2016 to be applicable for the June 7^th Primary Election. New registrants who miss the May 13, 2016 deadline may register and vote at a one stop voting site. Registrants will need to provide proof of residence and will also need to meet the North Carolina’s voter identification requirements.