Wilkesboro Home Break-In

A house in Wilkesboro was forcibly entered and several things stolen.  The property owner told Sheriff's Officials that she found the door to her house pried open.  Stolen property valued at $3700 included clothing, flat screen TV, window air conditioning unit, and a mirror.  There is a possible suspect in this break-in.  Charges are pending further investigation by the Sheriff's Office.

Millers Creek Garage Break-In

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called this week to a break-in and theft in Millers Creek.  The victim reported that the garage at their residence was entered and several things taken.  The stolen property included a pressure washer, chop saw, 4-barrel carburetor, and hand tools.  Stolen property is valued at $650.  No suspects were listed with that report.

Unemployment Rates Down

Unemployment rates decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in April.  Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.1 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent.  Wilkes unemployment rate dropped from 4.2 in March to 3.6 in April.  The Wilkes rate is almost the same as last year at this same time which was 3.5. The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 2019 when the state unemployment rate for May 2019 will be released.

WCC Completing Instruction for Online

Nine WCC instructors completed a semester of professional development entitled CORE (Collaborative Online Reflection Experience) during spring 2019.  Once instructors complete CORE, they are eligible to participate in an online instructor certification. Online instructor certification means that WCC instructors have met quality online course standards.  WCC instructors, who teach online, first participate in a semester of professional development entitled CORE (Collaborative Online Reflection Experience). Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties.

Sunday: Pray for the President

The American Family Association (AFA) is joining with Rev Franklin Graham and many other Christian Leaders across the country in asking everyone to set aside a time this Sunday, June 2, as a special day of prayer for the President, Donald J. Trump.  Many believe that in the history of our country, no president has been attacked as he has. We believe the only hope for President, and this nation, is God.  Graham and others are asking that we pray for God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President.

Wilkes Central High Gets Funding

Carolina Farm Credit recently recognized the recipients of the 2018-2019 Corporate Mission Fund grants at a luncheon. The Carolina Farm Credit Corporate Mission Fund awarded $148,100 in grants and scholarships to 27 local non-profit organizations and 12 college students in 2018. The 27 organizations that received funding in late 2018 included:  Wilkes Central High School Agriculture Program (Wilkes County) – Grant funds will be used to begin a small animal program at the school. This will allow students to build fencing and housing for the program animals.

Thousands of Dollars in Property Stolen

At least $5000 in property was stolen from a break-in at a Hays residence.  The break-in and theft was discovered Tuesday afternoon.  The victim reported a security camera system, lawn mower, speaker, two CB radios, and a post driver were stolen.  No suspects were given with that report.  The Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Voter ID Seminar in Wilkes Today

It's today for all voters in Wilkes. The Wilkes County Board of Elections will hold an educational seminar about voter photo identification requirements at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Wilkes County Agriculture Center, 416 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro. Beginning in 2020, voters will be required to provide photo identification before they vote. This includes both in-person and by-mail voting, with some exceptions. In November 2018, North Carolina voters approved an amendment to the N.C. Constitution to require voters to present photo ID at the polls. The seminar in Wilkes is tomorrow, Thursday, May 30, at 2pm and 6pm at the Wilkes County Ag Center  and the seminar is free and open to the public.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

After being called the second time to a domestic disturbance, a Wilkesboro man was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.  The report states a father and son were involved in an altercation and no one was arrested the first time Police arrived.  The second time, the son had been cut with a knife while his father was attacking him.  The son fought back and was able to escape their apartment and have someone call 911.  Police found blood all over the apartment, found the knife used in the attack, and arrested the father.  All injuries were non-life-threatening.

Stolen Gun

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called this week regarding the theft of a gun.  The victim lives in North Wilkesboro.  She was working in an outbuilding and left the door unlocked while she was away for a short time.  Later when she returned to the building, her 380 pistol was missing.  No other property was reported stolen. The gun is valued at $200.  There are a couple of suspects in the theft; the investigation is continuing.