Wilkes Christmas Parade Tomorrow

It's tomorrow.  Saturday, it's time for the annual Wilkes County Christmas Parade. With the theme "Magical Musical Christmas," the Wilkes Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 1 at 3pm.  It begins on Main Street in North Wilkesboro and travels through Main Street Wilkesboro, ending at Curtis Bridge Road in Wilkesboro. Parade line-up is on the CDB Loop in North Wilkesboro. Parade check-in is located at the Corner of CBD Loop and Ninth Street.  For more information, contact the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce.

Stolen Weapons

A Roaring River man went to pick up his children from school and returned to find a break-in.  The thief pried open the back door to the house to get inside.  Two guns, a Glock 45 pistol and SKS Rifle, and a duffle bag of ammo were stolen.  The stolen weapons are valued at nearly $1200.  Damages to the house are estimated at $200.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Low Heating Income Heating Help

On Monday, low-income households with a person 60 or older or someone receiving disability benefits and services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services that need help covering the cost of heating their home this winter can apply for assistance.  The assistance is available to eligible households through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program from Dec. 3 through Dec. 31. Beginning Jan. 2, all other low-income households may apply for assistance through March 29 or until funds are exhausted. The federally funded program helps low-income households with a one-time payment directly to their heating vendor.  Last year, the program provided approximately $32 million to help more than 128,000 households pay their heating bills from December 2017 through March 2018.  For more information, contact Wilkes Dept of Social Services.

There's 211 in Wilkes

A reminder that you can get information on agencies locally by dialing 211. Have you ever wondered how to find help or a community service for yourself or someone in need?  There are nearly 20,000 nonprofits in North Carolina.  Finding the one you need can be difficult.  The first step in finding help is knowing who to call.  9-1-1 is for emergencies, 4-1-1 is for directory assistance and 2-1-1 is for finding community health and human service resources.  The Health Foundation and United Way have partnered together to provide this one call service.  In Wilkes, you can now call 2-1-1 any time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to link to vital services in the community.  This service is free and multilingual.

Deadline Extended for Childhood Plan

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has extended the public input period for the draft North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan from Nov. 30 to Dec. 21. This allows more time for feedback from parents, healthcare workers, and others on the draft plan. The NC Early Childhood Action Plan focuses on improving outcomes related to the health, safety and well-being, and developmental and academic readiness, for children from birth to age eight. North Carolinians are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft plan by Dec. 21 by email toECAP@dhhs.nc.gov.

Zero Fatalities on I-40

As the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend concluded on Sunday, November 25, state troopers were out in full force.  According to AAA, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays for travel across the country.  It was estimated that more than 54 million Americans would travel more than 50 miles away from home to be with family and friends.  Aligning with Drive to Save Lives initiative, the NCSHP participated in the Thanksgiving I-40 Challenge along the I-40 corridor. As a result of the campaign, SHP reported zero fatalities across the state with a total of 31 combined collisions.  While other major interstates and US highways were patrolled, the stats attached only reflect the I-40 Challenge statewide. 

Thieves Stripped House

The Wilkes Sheriff's Office is investigating a home break-in and theft where the thieves stripped the house of property.  The homeowner had moved away 2 years but was checking on the property weekly until the past 2 months.  When she came by this week, she discovered the break-in.  Several things were taken including appliances, heater, well pump, pictures...they even stole the door knobs off cabinets and doors.  Other property was stolen from outside the home.  There are possible suspects and charges are pending.

Traffic Stop and Drug Charges

A traffic stop in Wilkesboro led to multiple drug charges.  Wilkesboro Police received a tip regarding possible drug activity.  They found the car of the suspect and activated a traffic stop after watching the vehicle driving erratically.  A K9 alerted that there were drugs in the car.  Police searched and found marijuana, a substance believed to be meth, and several other drug items.  Roger Brown of Purlear was arrested and charged with multiple drug possession charges.

Parenting Classes at Our House

It's been said that babies don't come here with instruction manuals, so if you're wanting some parenting instruction, Our House and the Child Abuse Prevention Team in Wilkesboro are once again offering parenting classes. For December, the deadline to register for classes is November 30th and classes will begin on December 4th. They offer morning (10-12) and evening (5:30-7:30) classes twice each week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). If you know of anyone who could benefit from our Love and Logic parenting classes, please call Our House in Wilkesboro at 336-667-5555.

Short Film on Elkin and Chatham Manufacturing

There is a 20-minute documentary that gathering popularity in Elkin.  The documentary "Elkin: A Town Woven Together by Chatham” chronicles the history and impact that Chatham Manufacturing had on the Town of Elkin.  The short film has had a couple of public showings since its release in September.  For those who would like to see it, the documentary can now be viewed on YouTube.