Want to Vote in November? Register Today!

The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday stayed a federal appeals court order that would have enjoined parts of North Carolina’s new voting law regarding same-day registration and out-of-precinct voting. The vote was 7-2, with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting.  The hard deadline to register is Friday...today.  Also, Election Day voters must cast ballots at their assigned polling location.  Attorneys for the state requested a stay on last Friday after a split-panel in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered changes to election procedures just weeks before the beginning of early voting. "Please encourage those in your community to register by Friday and to vote in the proper precinct on Election Day," said Executive Director Kim Westbrook Strach of the State Board of Elections. “We hope voters will make use of the record-setting number of early voting sites, beginning October 23,” the Director explained.  Again, the last day to register to vote is today.  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. today. Registration forms are available at the Wilkes County Board of Elections office, at the Public Library on 10^th Street in North Wilkesboro, and online at www.wilkescounty.net  under the elections tab.  As for other important voting dates to remember:  Early Voting begins October 23, the last day to submit an absentee ballot request is October 28th, and Early Voting ends November 1.  The General Election is November 4th.   And one final note, the Wilkes County Board of Elections meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 has been cancelled.

Drive to Save Lives on I-95

It starts today.  Will you be traveling I-95? The North Carolina State Highway Patrol along with troopers across the country are joining forces with Police and the US DOT in the I-95 Columbus Day Drive to Save Lives campaign.  The focus will be on 1,920 miles of the I-95 corridor which stretches from Maine to Florida.  Of that, 181 miles of interstate travels through North Carolina.  The I-95 Columbus Day Drive to Save Lives campaign is a multi-State, multi–jurisdictional traffic enforcement initiative for increased traffic enforcement on Interstate 95. The goal is to have zero fatalities across the entire corridor during the four day weekend. Statistics show that during the fall season, October has consistently been the highest month for fatal crashes on Interstate 95 and the second highest month all year for fatalities involving a big trucks or buses.  The I-95 Columbus Day Drive to Save Lives campaign will begin today Friday, October 10^th through Monday, October 13^th.

NC Health Has Prepared for Possible Ebola in the State

Secretary Aldona Wos said that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Division of Public Health has been working closely with its public health partners since July to prepare for the possibility of an Ebola patient in North Carolina.  Over the past few months, extensive guidance has been sent to health care providers and procedures have been put in place to routinely screen and evaluate patients. Public health officials are actively monitoring for cases using a variety of methods, including surveillance of ER visits and collaborating with hospital-based Public Health Epidemiologists.  DHHS' State Laboratory also has successfully established the capability to rapidly detect Ebola infection using procedures and materials provided by the CDC and United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.  Additionally, public health officials and the DHHS have provided assistance to local EMS agencies with triage and treatment protocols for any potential Ebola patients. Ebola is only contagious after the onset of symptoms.  The incubation period before symptoms may appear is 2-21 days, with 8-10 days being the most common.  Ebola is spread through unprotected contact with blood or body fluids from someone who is infected. Anyone who becomes ill within 21 days after traveling to an affected area in West Africa should contact a healthcare provider right away and limit their contact with others until they have been evaluated.

Teen Pregnancy Rates in Wilkes and NC Drop

Teen pregnancies in Wilkes and in all of North Carolina dropped over the past year. North Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate fell 11% last year, hitting a record low for a 6^th consecutive year, according to new data provided by the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics and released by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina (APPCNC). Statewide, 11,178 girls ages 15-19 experienced a pregnancy in 2013. In other words, only 3.5% of 15-19-year-old girls in North Carolina experienced a pregnancy last year.  Other highlights from the newly released data include: Reduced pregnancies among girls of all racial and ethnic backgrounds--white, black, and Hispanic teen pregnancies dropped; The teen birth rate dropped by 11% and the teen abortion rate dropped by 13%; and 75% of counties saw teen pregnancy decrease in 2013.  North Carolina’s teen pregnancy rate is 67% lower than when it peaked in 1990.  In Wilkes County, the 2013 pregnancy rate was 38.1 per 1,000 15-19 year old girls, or 75 total pregnancies. This shows an improvement over the past two years; in 2012, the teen pregnancy rate was 48.8. In 2011, the teen pregnancy rate was 53.9. We have seen a decrease of 9.5% in pregnancies of 15-19 year old girls from 2011. Plus, Wilkes County has seen a 21.3% decline in teen pregnancies from 2012-2013. Our county ranked 44 out of 100 counties, moving up from spot 30 last year. A higher rank indicates a lower teen pregnancy rate. Local successes are due in part to partnerships with the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina and their assistance with the implementation of the WISE (Working to Institutionalize Sex Education) curriculum, programs such as Wise Guys and Smart Girls by Communities In Schools, changes to the local Board of Education policy and changes in curriculum taught in schools.      

Register to Vote by Friday....Just to Be Sure

All the dates were set and there was no confusion until a court decision last week that reinstates same-day registration and voting.  “We are concerned that changes so close to the election may contribute to voter confusion,” said Executive Director Kim Westbrook Strach of the State Board of Elections.  The State Election Director explained that more than 4 million voter guides have gone to the public with information contrary to the court's decision.   An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is expected soon.  Here in Wilkes, voters have already been informed of dates concerning voting and registration which is still posted on the Wilkes County website. Important dates preceding the November 4 General Election include:  Voter registration closes this Friday, October 10, 2014, so to be sure, register to vote by Friday of this week. 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. Friday. Registration forms are available at the Wilkes County Board of Elections office, at the Public Library on 10^th Street in North Wilkesboro, and online at www.wilkescounty.net under the elections tab.  Also Early Voting begins October 23, the last day to submit an absentee ballot request is October 28th, and Early Voting ends November 1.  Again the General Election is set for November 4th. 

Making the Grade in Wilkes and NC

It gives new meaning to making the grade, and it begins with the 2015-2016 School Year.  Wilkes and all counties in North Carolina are changing their grading system to onemore consistent with other school systems and colleges.  The State Board of Education has voted unanimously to move all North Carolina high schools to a 10-point grading scale.  Here in Wilkes and most other counties in the state use a 7-point scale with an A being 100-93.  With a 10-point grading scale, an A is 100 to 90.  This switch from a 7-point to a 10-point grading scale will be a mandatory change for all North Carolina high schools beginning with the start of the 2015-16 school year.  However, students currently in high school can remain on a seven-point scale through graduation to maintain consistency.  Many state and local education officials support changing to a 10-point grading scale as a way to be more consistent with college applications, as the 10-point scale is more commonly used in colleges.  Dr. Marty Hemric, Wilkes school superintendent was quoted as saying that he also supports switching to a 10-point grading scale so North Carolina high schools can line up with most school systems across the country.  

Make A Difference Day Set in Wilkes

Approximately 263 people gathered last year to make a difference in Wilkes.  This week, County Commissioners approved a Proclamation for this year's Make a Difference Day.  On October 25, it will mark the 17th annual event of volunteers gathering to work on various service projects around the county from raking leaves to signing cards for our men and women in the military to building wheelchair ramps and other needed jobs.  At Tuesday's County Commissioners' Meeting, the Commissioners discussed how over the past 17 years of having Make a Difference Day that thousands of dollars in service projects had been completed by volunteers.  Again, Make a Difference Day is October 25th.    

Sen Hagan on China Commission

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (NC) announced that she has been appointed to the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). The commission was created in 2000 to monitor China’s respect for human rights and the development of the rule of law in China, including compliance with the World Trade Organization. The commission consists of nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials. In a press release, Sen Hagan said that she has fought for strong enforcement of trade rules to protect North Carolina’s manufacturing jobs and crack down on unfair Chinese trade practices. From 2001 to 2010, North Carolina lost nearly 108,000 jobs due to unfair trade with China.  

More Confirmed EV-D68 Virus Cases in NC

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services this week confirmed the presence of three additional cases of Enterovirus D68, or EV-D68, in North Carolina, totaling nine since September 22, 2014.  The three that tested positive for EV-D68 were children ages 10 and under with respiratory illnesses. One additional case that meets the criteria established by CDC for limb weakness was detected in the eastern part of the state. The patient tested positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus but additional testing is being conducted to determine the presence of Enterovirus D68.  "The confirmed cases were located in different parts of the state, so it is important for everyone, including parents and schools, to take necessary actions to prevent the spread of EV-D68 and other respiratory viruses...," said Dr. Zack Moore, a pediatrician and epidemiologist with the Division of Public Health.  Enteroviruses are transmitted through close contact with an infected person, or by touching objects or surfaces that are contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes. Health officials recommend:  Washing hands vigorously and often with soap and water for 20 seconds, Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, Avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick, and Frequently disinfect touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

Wilkes County Commissioners Met Yesterday

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners met yesterday morning for their regular meeting.  Two items on the agenda involved a discussion about reduced funding from the state.  Both the WTA or Wilkes Transportation Authority and the Aging Services of Wilkes were talking with the Commissioners about grant funding from the state that had been reduced over the past year.  The WTA believed that they could make up the different through other revenue sources.  The Meals on Wheels and other programs through Aging Services were affected and the BROC Director asked for a budget revision from the county due to state allocation reductions.  The budget revision was approved.  County Commissioners received a report concerning the planning being completed on the Courthouse Drive Extension Project.  The goal is to start work on the new road by December 1 with a completion date set for April 1, 2014. Commissioners approved for bids to be received for that project.  Also, Wilkes Airport personnel were on hand to talk about bringing the airport up to code with new LED lights and signage.  They have received state grant money and a county match already included in the budget for the project.  Commissioners approved that Precision Approach be awarded the bid for the work at the Airport.