Wilkes and 96 Other NC Counties Saw Increases

There was an increase for almost all including Wilkes. Governor Pat McCrory and the Department of Commerce announced this week that 97 of the state’s 100 counties saw increases in visitor spending in 2014. Data from Visit North Carolina showed that visitor spending neared $5 billion in Mecklenburg, topped $2 billion in Wake and topped $1 billion in Guilford and Dare counties. Rounding out the top ten counties for visitor spending in the state were Buncombe, Forsyth, Durham, New Hanover, Brunswick and Cumberland counties. Domestic visitors spent a record $21.3 billion statewide in 2014, an increase of 5.5 percent from the previous year. State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending topped $1 billion in 2014, and local tax revenues directly resulting from visitor spending totaled more than $636 million. Visitor expenditures directly supported 204,909 jobs and generated more than $4.9 billion in payroll income across North Carolina.  “Tourism is a major force in North Carolina’s economic development,” said Governor McCrory.  For Wilkes County, visitor spending increased 3.8 percent which means that visitor spending in Wilkes increased from 67.48 million to 70.4 million last year.

NC Murder: 1 Caught and 3 Sought

Warrants for murder were issued Tuesday, for four Warren County men involved in a fatal shooting that occurred during the early morning hours on Sunday. The four men were responsible for shooting into two vehicles, just south of Connect 25, on U.S. Route 1 South in Warren County.  One victim, Michael Pressley, 28, of Oxford, was shot and later died.  A second victim was also shot. Montrell Randy Davis, 22, of Warrenton, was arrested Tuesday, in in Warrenton without incident.  Davis was charged with one count of first degree murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, five counts of attempted first degree murder, and two counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle. Warrants for identical charges were issued for Kadeem Jaleel Grooms, 23, of Manson, Darren Antoine Alston, 22, of Warrenton, and Marquis Montelle Davis, 24, of Warrenton.

Break-Ins in Wilkes

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office continues each week to get a list of home break-in reports, even though there are also a list of people arrested each week for break-ins and theft.  A few of the latest reports include a break-in from the State Road Community.  A home office door was forced open; however, nothing was reported stolen.  A Millers Creek resident reported that someone entered their house and stole a TV.  Nothing other than the TV was taken in that break-in.  And finally, a North Wilkesboro victim reported the theft of a firearm.  The Ruger 22 revolver was taken from his residence.  There is a suspect in this theft, and charges are pending.

Wilkes Snake Bite Victim

A man was air-lifted to Baptist Medical Center Wednesday morning with a possible snake bite.  The victim was working on the water system at the Blue Ridge Mountain Club in Ferguson.  It is believed the man was bitten by a copperhead snake while working Wednesday morning.  Wilkes EMS and Ferguson Fire Dept responded to the scene and treated the man until airlifted to Baptist in Winston-Salem.  The Blue Ridge Mountain Club is off Triplett Road at the western end of the county.  According to the NC Cooperative Extension, a Copperhead snake bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. "Copperhead bites are typically not fatal," says Dr. Peter Bromley, N. C. Cooperative Extension Specialist in Zoology. Small animals, like small dogs, may receive a fatal bite from a copperhead. The venom causes local tissue destruction and secondary infection often sets in. If you or your pet are bitten by any snake that you suspect is venomous, get medical attention immediately. Also, North Carolina has the dubious distinction of the most venomous snake bites of any state in the U.S. 

West High "Principal" Event Today

The West Wilkes High School Athletic Facilities Team along with the Academic and Athletic Boosters will be hosting a "Celebration in Honor of Wayne Shepherd" on Thursday, August 13th from 7 til 9pm at the Football Stadium.  Everyone is invited to join the faculty and students as they honor their teacher, coach, principal, and friend.  The event is open to the Blackhawk Community and is free of charge. Mr. Shepherd was passionate about making the school and athletic facilities the best including a long term goal of renovating the field house.  A tent for donations will be set near the field house for the renovations. There will also be an opportunity to meet and greet the incoming principal, Mr. David Johnson and assistant principal Ms. Amanda Pruitt.

PASS Time in Wilkes and Churches Needed

It's that time again and they are asking churches to help.  The 6th Annual Wilkes County - PASS or Prayer Around the School System is scheduled for Saturday, August 22^nd or Sunday, August 23^rd  .  If your church would like to participate and pray for our administration, staff, and students of  Wilkes County Schools, then please call 835-7133 to schedule a day, time and school.  The goal for the Wilkes County PASS is to have at least one church at each school for this special time of prayer. Date and time may be set by church leading the prayer service at each school site. For more information or to sign up, call Amy Samples at 835-7133.  Again, Prayer services will be held at each elementary, middle, and high school on August 22 and/or August 23.  

WCC 1st NC Community College with FFA

Wilkes Community College is the first community college in North Carolina to offer a Collegiate Future Farmers of America (FFA) club. WCC celebrated a successful inaugural year in 2014-2015 and is now actively recruiting new members for the upcoming school year. FFA is an extracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of three components of agricultural education, along with contextual learning and work-based learning. Collegiate FFA enhances the collegiate experience through service and engagement to create talented leaders, enable personal growth and ensure career success. As the first community college in the state to establish a Collegiate FFA club, WCC joins the ranks of North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University and Mount Olive University that offer the only other collegiate chapters in the state.

NC Bird Flu Forum

The impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza could have on the nation’s food supply will be the focus of the 11th annual Commissioner’s Food Safety Forum on August 18 at the State Fairgrounds.  Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will host the event from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Expo Center. It is open to farmers, food businesses, regulators, health professionals and other interested people. Admission is free and includes lunch, but pre-registration is required.  Go to www.ncagr.gov/ncfoodsafetyforum by August 14 to register for the forum. People with questions should call 919-707-3008.

New Vaccines for Kids Going to School

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reminding parents of North Carolina middle school students to be aware of recent changes to immunization requirements, effective July 1. Children not up-to-date on these vaccinations will have 30 days from the start of school to be inoculated before facing suspension.  The updated requirements are:  Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV) - (protects against meningitis) and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (whooping cough) Vaccine (Tdap). "Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death," said Megan Davies, M.D., Acting State Health Director and Chief of DHHS' Division of Public Health's Epidemiology Section.  Parents with questions about their children's vaccinations can contact the Wilkes Health Dept at 651-7450.  WCHD offers vaccinations for infants and children through age 18.

Hit and Run Driver Sought

Wilkesboro Police are looking for a vehicle involved in a hit and run wreck over the weekend on Hwy 421.  A man from Olin, North Carolina, was traveling on Hwy 421 near Addison Avenue.  He was going west in the left-hand turn lane.  He told Police that he noticed a set of headlights coming straight for his vehicle.  He swerved to miss the other vehicle but was unable to avoid a collision.  The other car hit the left rear quarter panel of the victim and kept on going through the intersection.  A witness stated that both a Dodge Charger and a Buick passed through the intersection at the time of the collision at a high rate of speed.  Neither vehicle stopped. The witness tried to follow them but was unable to do so.  A driver's side mirror was located near the area of impact.  There were no injuries, but the hit and run driver is still be sought by Police.