Local Fire

Four fire departments and the North Carolina Forest Service responded to a woods fire in Wilkes County on Sunday afternoon. According to the Forest Service, crews were called the 3200 Block of Shingle Gap Road just before 3pm. The fire was originally a trash fire that then triggered a woods fire. The fire was quickly contained. Firefighters were on the scene for about an hour. No injuries were reported.

Thief Was Seen on Video

The thief was caught on video. According to a report filed with the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office a spare tire and a Interstate Marine battery were taken from a construction site at the old Pleasant Hill Day Care located on Austin Traphill Road in Elkin. The victim advised he had the spare tire and the battery of the back of his dump trailer. There are cameras at the construction site that showed a white Dodge pickup and a white male standing next to the dump trailer just after midnight Thursday. Charges are pending further investigation.

Local Business Owners Honored

Two local business owners were honored recently. Mike White and Gary Huffman of North Wilkesboro-based HuffBo LLC were presented the Bojangles’ Star Performer Award. HuffBo has several Bojangles restaurants, such as North Wilkesboro, Jonesville, and Yadkinville. The Star Performer Awards “honor franchisees whose operational excellence and dedication to the guest experience have set an industry benchmark.” Both White and Huffman are also strong supporters of local high school athletics, including here on 3WC. The late Jack Fulk of Wilkes County co-founded Bojangles back in 1977.

Local School Honored

Millers Creek Christian School was selected by the American Legion Department as the statewide high school winner of the “Patriotic School of the Year” in North Carolina.  Commander Fred Dellinger of American Legion Post 31 in North Wilkesboro nominated the local school for this honor. Millers Creek Christian High School students set aside the months of August to November for projects related to veterans. Last week, Commander Dellinger presented Millers Creek Christian Principal Laura Sturgill with a Patriotic School of the Year plaque.

NC Energy Assistance

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications from older adults 60 and older or people with disabilities receiving services through the NCDHHS Division of Aging on Dec. 2, 2024. The federally funded program helps low-income households with a one-time payment sent directly to their heating vendor to offset the high cost of warming their homes during the cold weather months. For more information, contact Wilkes DSS.

Drug Arrests in Forsyth

Nearby Forsyth County Officials had a meth drug bust and two people are facing charges. According to officials with the Forsyth County Drug Task Force, detectives conducted a traffic stop and searched a home in Clemmons. As a result of their investigation, 15 pounds of methamphetamine, 4 pounds of cocaine, fentanyl, four guns, $2,000 in cash, and a car were seized. Both suspects were arrested on multiple drug trafficking and possession charges.

North Wilkesboro Christmas Cheer Project

The 2024 North Wilkesboro Christmas Cheer Project is underway. North Wilkesboro has sponsored this for families within the Town for many years. Names of elderly and needy families living in the North Wilkesboro city limits are collected in the Clerk’s Office by referrals and reviewed to determine eligibility. Contributions are received from businesses and private citizens.  320 Christmas Cheer boxes are assembled by North Wilkesboro Town staff and delivered December 23^rd and December 24^th. Recipients must be at home to receive a food box.

Expired Tag and Drugs

A traffic stop for an expired registration led to an arrest and the seizure of drugs. According to North Wilkesboro Police Chief Brad Mathis, a patrol officer stopped a 2005 Dodge Ram pickup on NC 18 North due to an expired registration. The driver, Thomas Ray Bowlin of North Wilkesboro, gave consent for his truck to be searched. The officer found nearly a pound of methamphetamine, a handgun, and drug paraphernalia. Bowlin was arrested and charged with multiple drug charges including trafficking meth and possession with intent to sell and deliver.

Red Cross Donations

Reynolds American Inc., and two of its subsidiaries' foundations, announced a combined donation of $1,000,000 to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief inspired by Hurricane Helene. This contribution underscores a steadfast commitment from Reynolds American Inc., the Reynolds American Foundation and the American Snuff Company Charitable Trust, to positively impact communities. Almost two months after Hurricane Helene, Red Cross disaster workers are still in Western North Carolina, working with partners to provide critical supplies like laundry and shower trailers, generators, cooking stoves, and ready to eat meals.

NC Storm Relief Fund

Since Governor Cooper activated it following the storm, North Carolina’s Disaster Relief Fund has received donations from people in all 50 states as well as other countries including Canada, Great Britain and Taiwan. Schoolchildren and churches have taken up collections to donate. Corporations and foundations have also stepped up to give. Several large dollar donors chose to remain anonymous. Top donors include: one million dollars from both Lennar Homes Foundation and from BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation.