WCC Gardens Get Money

Sustainability For Generations to Come has given a generous $1,500 donation to the WCC Garden Endowment. Sustainability For Generations to Come is a Western North Carolina organization formed to support the preservation of open lands and conservation efforts in the mountain region. (SFGC partners are Mark Harrill and Tommy Soffield of Boone, Tim Campbell of Dillsboro, Jeff Murphy of Waynesville, and R.K. Whitehead of Gainesville, Ga.)  “The Gardens at Wilkes Community College are a true asset to the students, faculty and staff of the college as well as the greater Wilkes County community,” said SFCG partner Tommy Soffield. The WCC Gardens, a diversified collection of genera and species of indigenous and ornamental plants--provide learning opportunities for students while creating a pleasant and attractive campus environment for faculty, staff, students and guests.  The gardens are open daily and may be viewed by riding, strolling, or using the walking trails. The WCC Gardens are developed and maintained through contributions to the Wilkes Community College Endowment Corporation.  All contributions are tax deductible. Anyone wishing to make a gift to the WCC Gardens can contact the WCC Office of Development at 336-838-6491 for more information.

CPOWER Constitution Class

CPOWER of Wilkes has planned another class.  the next Institute On The Constitution class beginning on January 28, 2013.  This class is for adults who want to learn about The US Constitution and how it came into being, and the class is also for children from public school or  homeschool.  CPOWER stands for Conservative Patriots of Wilkes Empowering the Republic.  According to their website, their mission is to attract, educate, organize, and mobilize follow citizens to secure public policy consistent with three core values:  Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government, and Free Markets. For more information call 336-838-1119.

NC Soldiers at Inauguration Today

Soldiers and airmen from the North Carolina National Guard are helping today with the presidential inauguration just as they assisted four years ago.  The Guard has sent two explosive ordnance disposal teams as well as a contingent to help with the defense of computer networks.   In all, more than a dozen North Carolina Guard members are taking part in today's event.  North Carolina also has helicopters and additional support personnel on standby should inaugural planners need them to make the trip to Washington, D.C.  One week ago, several Guard members traveled to Washington to discuss preparations for the event, which will take place today on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.  In January of 2009, the North Carolina National Guard sent communications specialists and other personnel to Washington to support the first inaugural ceremony for President Barack Obama.  Also, National Guard personnel from more than two dozen states are working on this year's inaugural event.

NC Sen Hagan For Reauthorizing CCDBG

Last week, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan from NC visited Elm Street Day Care Center in Greensboro to discuss the need for Washington to reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).   Sen Hagan said, “The CCDBG program has helped to make quality early education a reality for children throughout the state, and Elm Street Center is a fantastic model for how we can use federal dollars wisely.”  The CCDBG program, the primary federal grant program supporting childcare for low-income working families, was most recently authorized in 1996. Currently, close to 90,000 children are served through the CCDBG funding in North Carolina.  Each state receives money from CCDBG to help increase low-income families’ access to quality childcare and afterschool programs. 

Sheriff Shew Says They're Cleaning Up Meth Labs

On Wednesday the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, SBI, ATF, North Wilkesboro Police Department, and Ashe County Sheriff's Office got together with a concerted effort to clean up the meth labs in Wilkes.  Wilkes County Sheriff Chris Shew said the Officers found 6 meth labs and made 5 arrests.  The meth labs were located on Shingle Gap Road, Hwy 18 Moravian Falls, CC Hays Road in Purlear, and in North Wilkesboro.  Benjamin Bare age 32, Amanda Miller age 32, Cody Blevins age 21, Bobby Joe Lunsford age 38, and Matthew Lovette age 31 were all arrested and charged with manufacturing of methamphetamine.  Also, Bare was charged with possession, Blevins was charged with maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and Lovette was charged with trafficking meth.  All were taken to the Wilkes County Jail.  According to Sheriff Shew, they have seized a total of 13 meth labs so far this year.

Wilkes & NC Drop-Out Rates Down/ Graduations Up

The good news is the drop-out rate in Wilkes and across the state is down and the other good news is the graduation rate is up.  Last school year, 3.01 percent of high school students dropped out of school, according to the 2011-12 Consolidated Data Report presented to State Board of Education members this week. This rate represents a .42 percentage point decrease from the previous year’s rate of 3.43 percent and another record low.  In combination with that, North Carolina high schools reported a record-high 80.4 percent four-year cohort graduation rate for the class of 2012.  Locally, Wilkes County Schools' dropout rate went from 5.49 percent in 2008-09 to 2.46 percent in 2011-12, a decrease of 3.03 percentage points. Individual high school dropout rates and dropout totals in 2011-12 included Wilkes Central High, 3.40 percent with 30 dropouts; East Wilkes High, 3.16 percent with 18 dropouts; West Wilkes High, 2.24 percent with 16 dropouts; North Wilkes High, 1.40 percent with 10 dropouts; and Wilkes Early College High School, .58 of a percent with only one dropout.  Wilkes County Schools also had an all-time high 86.62 percent graduation rate for 2012.  The full report can be seen at www.ncpublicschools.org.

Get the Shot

This year’s flu season is in full swing with 41 states now reporting widespread illness.  Unfortunately, not enough children are getting the flu shot even though health officials recommend that all children 6 months and older get the vaccine.  According to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, less than 45 percent of children were vaccinated against the flu during a five-year study period.  As of the end of December, NC had reported 14 flu related deaths in the state.  Diane Bauguess, a nurse with Wilkes County Health Dept, says it's not too late.  If you haven't already, get the flu shot.  Shots are available for free at the health dept for children and adults.  And what should we do in terms of prevention?  AIR  And Diane says if you think you have the flu, call your doctor. For information on flu shots, prevention, and treatment--call the Wilkes Health Dept at 651-7450

NC Hwy Patrol's Advice for Bad Weather Travel

The weather in North Carolina is unpredictable and this time of year you never know when to expect black ice, snow, icy roads or a mixture of road conditions. The Highway Patrol has a few simple steps:  Avoid travel unless necessary when winter weather is in your area, Decrease speed, and Wear your seatbelt.  In bad weather--Leave early; expect delays, Increase distance between vehicles, clear all windows on your vehicle prior to travel, turn on headlights, Use caution on bridges and overpasses, and Avoid using cruise control – cruise can cause the vehicle's wheels to continue turning on a slippery surface when speed needs to be decreased.  Also, Be sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas, Charge your cell phone prior to departure, Take a blanket, and Notify a family member or a friend of your travel plans.  Finally in case of a car wreck:  Be patient – weather also limits Highway capabilities and increases their response time;  and Attempt to move your vehicle out of the roadway if you are involved in a minor, non-injury traffic collision; especially if you are in a dangerous area such as a curve or a blind hill.  To check the status of road conditions, motorists are asked to go to the Department of Transportation’s website at http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/. To NOT call 911 or the Highway Patrol for road conditions.

Sen Burr and the President's Gun Control Measures

Following the President signing 23 Executive Orders on Wednesday, Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina released his statement on the President's Call for More Restrictive Gun Control Measures.  Sen Burr said:  I will fight any effort to further infringe on the Second Amendment rights of American citizens, whether it is legislation or executive action by the President. I am open to having a conversation about ways in which our nation can address mental health issues and reduce violence, but I will not stand by while the President and others try to restrict the rights of law-abiding American citizens.  Information on Sen Burr can be found on his website:   www.burr.senate.gov

Friday Morning Closings

Wilkes Community College----2 Hour Delay

Millers Creek Christian School---CLOSED

Tyson Foods, Wilkesboro Fresh Plant and the Wilkesboro Food Service plant will be on an 2 hour delay Friday January 18, 2013-----1^st shift only.

Wilkes ADAP- CLOSED

Medical Associates of Wilkes- opening at 10am

Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic- opening at 10am--staff report at 9:30