County Commissioners Meeting Is Tuesday

The Wilkes County Commissioners will meet for their second regular meeting of the month on Tuesday, January 21. The public may sign up in advance of the meeting to speak during public concerns which is held at 5pm prior to the meeting. On the agenda Tuesday evening:  budget amendments, Wilkes Recovery Court, Wilkes DSS report, child fatality annual report, and policy regarding fire tax increase requests by fire departments. The public is invited to attend the County Commissioner meetings held in the County Office Building.

Wilkes County Native and State Senator Gets Appointments

Wilkes County native and State Senator Eddie Settle has received his committee appointments. This month as the North Carolina Legislature met to begin work, Settle, the Republican Senator of the NC State 36th District including:  Surry, Yadkin, Wilkes and Alexander counties, was appointed to co-chair the Commerce and Insurance Committee. Settle was also appointed to serve on other committees, including:  Appropriations on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, Transportation, State and Local Government, Health Care and Agriculture, Energy, and Environment.

Stolen Motorcycle Found

A thief stole a motorcycle from a North Wilkesboro residence last week, but he didn’t get far as the vehicle ran out of gas. According to the report, a man was seen by multiple witnesses going behind a house to steal a motorcycle, riding down the street on the bike, and then seen on foot.  The owner stated that the bike didn’t have much gas in it. The motorcycle was later discovered off the side of the road and covered with a tarp. Deputies tried to find a possible suspect but no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing.

NC Black History Walking Toors

The State Capitol will bring back a walking tour series centered on protest and civil rights in downtown Raleigh to commemorate Black History Month. The "We've Always Been Out There" tour will be a short (0.5 mile) walk. Tours will be offered each Friday in February at 11 a.m. The tours are held mostly outdoors, weather permitting. The tours are free, but participants should register in advance. Tours begin on the east grounds of the State Capitol. To reserve a spot, register online through an Eventbrite link. 

NC Inmate Escapes and Returns

A minimum-custody prison inmate assigned to Carteret Correctional Center is now facing felony charges.  The 44-year-old black male walked away from a work release last week. However, he did return on his own two days later. He has criminal record dating back to 2004, including a past sex offense that requires him to register as a sex offender.  He was scheduled for release in December 2025, but he is now facing felony escape charges and was moved Central Prison in Raleigh.

Hospital Visitor Restrictions

Due to a sustained increase in respiratory viruses in our communities, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is implementing temporary visitor restrictions. Beginning this week: Children 12 and under should not visit the hospital and Visitors will be asked to wear masks when in areas where direct patient care is provided and in emergency department waiting areas.  While Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s skilled nursing facilities will not have any age-related visitation restrictions, visitors at these sites are asked to wear masks. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist thanks everyone for helping make health care environments safer for all.  

Theft from Business

Wilkesboro Police were called this week when it was discovered that $1500 in property was stolen from a local manufactured housing business off Hwy 421 in Wilkesboro. According to that report, someone took 3 nail guns and a Champion 3500 generator from the business. The theft was reported this week. There is no word on suspects in this theft.

Wreck and Overturned Vehicle

One vehicle overturned in a wreck this week on Hwy 421 at Hwy 16. Reportedly one vehicle had lights and siren activated as they were en route to a 911 medical call. The second vehicle said they thought the truck was with construction crews and was attempting to go around. The two trucks collided and one truck overturned off the shoulder of the roadway. One driver was treated by Wilkes EMS but not transported to the hospital.

Special Presentation at Wilkes Museum

The Wilkes Heritage Museum announced a special program by Research Specialist Jason Duncan entitled “Freshets, Floods, and Other Tales of the Yadkin River” on Tuesday, January 28th at 10:30am. This hour-long program will take a closer look at the eventful history of the Yadkin River over the last 250 years. Jason’s presentation will provide an in-depth look at the importance of the Yadkin River to Native Americans and early settlers. The cost for this program is covered in admission to the Wilkes Heritage Museum.

Red Cross and NC Volunteers

The American Red Cross of North Carolina has now deployed 11 disaster-trained volunteers to help with the wildfires in California. Several of these volunteers have agreed to make themselves available for interviews if it fits with their work schedule while on the ground in CA. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.