Merlefest Applications for Vendors, Artisans, and Volunteers

MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 23-26, 2015, will begin soliciting applications on October 15 from vendors and artisans interested in participating in the 2015 festival. MerleFest is accepting applications from vendors and retail merchants for The Shoppes at MerleFest and from demonstrating artisans and crafts persons for the Heritage Crafts tent. Anyone interested in participating in The Shoppes at MerleFest or the Heritage Crafts area should visit www.merlefest.org/vendors/ to review the rules and guidelines for vendors and to download an application. This website offers all information pertinent to vendor participation. MerleFest will accept applications through January 15, 2015. A selection committee reviews all applications and makes the selections. Acceptance letters will be mailed to selected vendors in February 2015.  Also, they are accepting online applications for the volunteer program for the 2015 MerleFest. Volunteer applications will be accepted online at  www.merlefest.org/volunteers.  

NC and Other States Patrolling I-95

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol along with fellow troopers across the country are once again joining forces with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the United States Department of Transportation 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 the 1,920 miles, 181 miles of interstate travels through North Carolina.  The I-95 Columbus Day Drive to Save Lives campaign is a multi-State, multi–jurisdictional highly visible traffic enforcement initiative to create an increased traffic enforcement presence on the Interstate 95 corridor. The goal is to have zero fatalities across the entire corridor during the four day weekend period. Statistics have shown 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 four day weekend periods of Friday through  Monday have traditionally shown to be some of the highest days of each week for fatal crashes along the I-95. For these reasons, the I-95 Columbus Day Drive to Save Lives campaign will begin this Friday, October 10^th through Monday, October 13^th.

Judge Says He Will Overturn NC Same-Sex Marriage Amendment

A federal judge in Greensboro who has been waiting to decide one of North Carolina's three same-sex marriage cases says it appears that he will be forced to overturn our state's same-sex marriage ban. However, it's not going to happen this week. The judge is giving the parties 10 days to submit status reports. The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it would not review rulings overturning marriage bans. Governor Pat McCrory released the following statement: "I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision, which goes against the amendment that North Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved. We will continue to respect the legal process as it proceeds." James Esseks of the American Civil Liberties Union said he believes the court will quickly take up a case if an appeals court upholds state bans.

NC Now Can Consider Expanding Medicaid

North Carolina's Secretary of Health and Human Services says after stabilizing the massive department, officials are "finally able to look at the information" needed to consider expanding Medicaid in the state, which initially decided not to grow the program as part of the federal Affordable Care Act. The secretary said when she started at HHS 20 months ago, the department suffered from "chronic problems" that wouldn't have allowed for Medicaid expansion. After getting the department in order, HHS finally has the data it needs to present options to Gov. Pat McCrory regarding possible Medicaid expansion," Wos said, adding that growing the program would have wide-ranging effects. For example, the secretary questions whether county social services departments would be equipped to handle an extra 300,000 or more people in the system.

North Wilkesboro Receives State Funds

North Wilkesboro will receive state funds for water project. Governor Pat McCrory announced the state has awarded nearly $1 million in grants for 10 projects that will help North Carolina towns and counties restore streams, reduce erosion, study future water supplies and benefit other water resources.  The N.C. Division of Water Resources awarded $966,177 for the Water Resources Development Project Grant Program. Money for the grants was generated by appropriations from the General Assembly.  Governor McCrory said,  "These grants will further our goal of improving the quality of life and our environment for all North Carolinians."  Of those 10 projects who received grant funding, one was here in Wilkes.  North Wilkesboro received a $96,000 grant to construct a stormwater wetland to treat stormwater before it flows into the Yadkin River.  Neighboring areas also will receive funding including:   Surry County Soil and Water Conservation District a $121,000 grant for a restoration project along the Ararat River in Mount Airy; and Lansing a $120,000 grant to construct a 3,000-foot greenway along Big Horse Creek.  The state also awarded $250,000 to the N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation to be distributed to multiple eastern North Carolina counties for the removal of storm debris from streams.

Church Members Helping Those in Need

A movement to use local churches to improve health care is expanding its efforts in Wilkes. FaithHealthNC is currently recruiting volunteers from local congregations to provide comfort and practical help to people grappling with illness. Pastor Nelson Granade of the North Wilkesboro First Baptist Church explains:  AIR   About two dozen local residents are already trained as caregivers. Organizers hope to double that number this fall. Free training will be offered Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon, starting today, October 7^th at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church. Participants will learn about compassionate caregiving, community resources, patient privacy, and the limits and boundaries of the caregiver role. To register or to find out more about FaithHealthNC here in Wilkes, call 838-5197.

Wilkes Arrests Over the Weekend

It was a beautiful weekend in Wilkes with great weather to enjoy and festivals to attend.  However, some simply found the inside of a jail cell this weekend. Of the nearly two dozen arrested in Wilkes over the weekend by the Wilkes Sheriff's Office, 4 were arrested on drug charges, 6 arrested for assault or communicating threats, and 4 were charged with larceny.  Other charges included contributing to the delinquency of a minor, parole violations, and failure to appear.

Stolen Copper

When workers were sent to check on house, they found copper wiring missing.  A house owned by Selene Finance and located on East Main Street is where the theft occurred.  A worker was sent to winterize the house.  He first noticed wiring missing from the hot water heater and then saw that copper wiring was missing from the heat pump.  A lock was also ripped off a door that led to an area under the house.  Damages are listed at 110 dollars.  There are currently no suspects; Wilkesboro Police are investigating.

Wilkes Health Dept Free Workshop Starts Today

The Wilkes County Health Department is offering free Living Healthy workshops to help individuals self-manage their ongoing health conditions. The next series begins today, October 7, and is each Tuesday through November 18 from 1:00pm-3:30pm at First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, located at 510 D Street in North Wilkesboro. This free workshop is offered one time per week for six weeks, and will help participants build skills in managing symptoms and communicating effectively with their doctor. Individuals are encouraged to register if they can attend at least four of the six sessions. Participants will receive free gifts. This workshop is open to any adults with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, COPD, fibromyalgia, depression, asthma or any other chronic conditions.  For more information about the Living Healthy workshop series beginning today, please call the Wilkes County Health Department at 651-7449.

ASU Gets Crop Grant

ASU was one of the grant recipients. Nearly $1.2 million in grant funding will be awarded to nine statewide organizations through the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced.  The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. It is managed by the department and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2014 farm bill. “We’re so pleased to be able to award this funding to nonprofits, universities and government agencies,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.  Selected programs range from developing a craft cider industry using N.C. apples to improving black-truffle production and enhancing promotion of turfgrass sod.  There were 9 grant recipients including Appalachian State University. For more information about the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and to see a list of funded projects, go to www.NCSpecialtyCropGrant.org.