Wilkes Unemployment Drops Slightly

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 26 of North Carolina’s counties in August, decreased in 25 including Wilkes, and remained unchanged in 49.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.7 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.4 percent. When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased all 100 counties.  In Wilkes, the current unemployment rate of 4.4 is down from the former month at 4.5 and down from 4.9 one year ago. The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, October 20, 2017 when the state unemployment rate for September 2017 will be released. 

Guns and Jewelry Stolen

Nearly $1700 in property was stolen from a home in Purlear.  The property owner told Sheriff's Investigators that jewelry and guns were taken in the break-in.  Some gold jewelry, a .22 pistol, two shotguns, 4 rifles, and a knife were all taken.  There is a possible suspect in this theft and charges are pending further investigation.

Opioid Abuse and Celebrate Recovery

Project Lazarus that works locally to reduce Opioid Abuse and Overdose Deaths is taking part in an event tomorrow.  Celebrate Recovery during Jimi-Jon Jam on the deck in downtown North Wilkesboro.  There will be music, food, an auction, and information on addiction recovery services locally.  The event is from 4 til 10 pm on Saturday.

Register Now for Wilkes Fire College

Registration is now open for the 34th Annual Northwest Fire & Rescue College scheduled to take place on November 3-5, 2017, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. The three-day training for emergency personnel is sponsored by the Wilkes Firefighter’s Association, the Wilkes Rescue Squad and Wilkes Community College. The Northwest Fire & Rescue College is a weekend school held the first weekend in November. This school offers multiple classes to meet the needs and demands of the entire emergency services community. This year’s school will offer 37 courses. For a complete list of courses with days, times, instructors, credit hours, prerequisites and required equipment, visit www.wilkescc.edu/wdce/fire-service/northwest-fire-rescue-college/; a registration form is also available online. 

Paramedic Competition in NC

The 27th annual North Carolina Paramedic Competition will take place Sunday at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center, pitting the 2016 state champs from Surry County Emergency Services against five teams that clinched the right to challenge them during regional championships this summer.  The regional champions are teams from Forsyth, Mecklenburg, Randolph, Rowan and Stokes counties. The competition provides a training opportunity not only for the competitors but for the hundreds of paramedics, emergency medical technicians and medical directors who are closely observing each team's analysis and reaction to the scenario.

Samaritan's Purse Hurricane Relief

Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham traveled to the hurricane-wrecked island of Barbuda on Monday, Sept. 25 to encourage residents, church leaders, and the disaster assistance response team. Hurricane Irma rendered the island uninhabitable—no one is living there for the first time in the past 300 years. Residents and relief workers are only able to travel back and forth between Antigua and Barbuda—a 20-minute flight—during the daylight hours. Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers are commuting to the island to help with clean up. A group of Liberty University students is hard at work this week. In addition to Barbuda and Antigua, Samaritan’s Purse is working across several more islands of the Caribbean to help suffering people in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Their first distribution on Puerto Rico took place Sept. 27. Samaritan's Purse has also established multiples bases in Florida and Texas.

Thousands of Dollars in Property Stolen

Over $6000 in property was stolen in a recent break-in.  The Wilkes Sheriff's Office was called to investigate a break-in and theft of a building behind a residence on Beauty Street in Elkin.  The building was forcibly entered.  Stolen property included:  floor jack, wire welder, saws, drills, shop vac, hand tools, generator, air compressor, push mower, cutting torch, heater, nailers, sanders, pressure washer, fishing equipment, and ladder.  Again stolen property was valued over $6000.  The theft occurred while the property owner was away from home.  That investigation is continuing.

Wilkes Hall of Fame Applications Being Taken Now

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame Foundation is currently accepting new nominations for the 2018 Hall of Fame Class.  Anyone may submit a nomination application.  Application forms may be completed online by visiting:  www.wilkescountyhalloffame.org or a hard copy may be picked by at the Wilkes County Schools Board of Education to be considered for the 2018 class is January 31, 2018.  The Hall of Fame was established in 2013 in an effort to identify, honor, and promote the excellence of Wilkes' citizens who exemplify greatness in achievement and service.  The mission is to inspire current and future generations in our communities.

Wilkes Forum on Opioid Abuse This Week

There will be a Wilkes County Leadership Forum on Opioid Abuse on Friday with local officials and special speakers.  The Forum is to help those fighting abuse locally to better understand Opioid overdose and addition and the impact on our community.  There will also be small focus groups set up to discuss the best ways to tackle the problem in Wilkes.  According to Fred Brazen of Project Lazarus....Wilkes County is better but still has prescription drug addiction issues.  AIR  For information on Project Lazarus or to get help for drug addiction, call 336-667-8100.

Wilkes Health: Prepare for Flu Season

As National Preparedness Month comes to an end, Wilkes County Health Dept reminds everyone to be prepared for the flu season.  One out of five Americans suffer from the flu every year.  219 flu related deaths occurred in North Carolina in the past flu season. Flu vaccines can reduce your chances of getting the flu, make your illness milder if you get sick, are important for those with medical conditions, and protect pregnant women and children.  It takes about 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to be effective.  So get your flu vaccine soon.  Also, cold and flu viruses can live up to 24 hours on hard surfaces, so clean surfaces and hands with warm soap and water often.  For more information on preparing for flu season, call the Wilkes Health Dept.