Randleman will serve on the board with the merger of VAYA

Wilkes County Commissioner Shirley Randleman will continue to serve on the board with the merger of VAYA Health with Partners. Vaya Health is the local management entity/managed care organization (LME/MCO) responsible for management and oversight of public behavioral health systems in 32 counties. On October 1, the state approved the merger of Vaya with Partners Health to create the new Vaya Partners. Commissioner Randleman will serve on the Governing Board for Vaya Partners and the Wilkes DSS Director will serve as the representative for Wilkes County on the Vaya Partners CCAB.

Town of Ronda has gone through a state audit

The Town of Ronda has gone through a state audit which revealed overspending of nearly $21,000 per month over a two-year period, according to State Auditor Dave Boliek. Ronda also used money from grants and investment accounts for general spending to cover the shortfall in deposits. State Auditor Boliek also flagged $4,000 in questionable credit card transactions to cellphone companies, Venmo transactions, and hotel websites. The Town of Ronda has officially approved to begin dissolution of the town charter, and the Local Government Commission has taken over its finances.

RiverStreet Communications filed for Chapter 11 protection

RiverStreet Communications, a Wilkesboro, NC-based provider of telecommunications and broadband services, filed for Chapter 11 protection on Oct. 21 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The company attributes financial issues to the breakdown of a grant-funded fiber expansion. In 2023, it committed to a $480 million build-out to 182,000 locations across Virginia and North Carolina. Then, higher materials and labor costs, rising interest rates, and the closure of capital markets to rural telecommunications providers left an unfunded capital need of $153 million. So, after 75 years, RiverStreet (formerly Wilkes Telephone) has filed for bankruptcy with plans to sell the company pending court approval.

FEMA is awarding $101 million to North Carolina

FEMA is awarding $101 million to North Carolina, funding 52 projects that will accelerate disaster recovery. The state will receive $100 million through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which provides federal reimbursement to communities for debris removal, emergency protective measures eliminate disaster impacts, and to repair or rebuild damaged critical infrastructure. Public Assistance grants announced include: $49.4 million to North Carolina Emergency Management and $10.8 million to North Carolina Department of Transportation.

State Archives of North Carolina -- American Revolution in the Cherokee homeland

The State Archives of North Carolina will host a virtual program Nov. 4 exploring the complex history of the American Revolution in the Cherokee homeland and the challenges of commemorating the conflict in western North Carolina. The speakers will discuss the history of the Revolution in Cherokee ancestral lands, where the conflict brought violence and destruction amid a much longer struggle to protect Cherokee land and communities. Participation is free but advance registration is required

North Carolina Center for Safer Schools Grant for SRO's in Wilkes

The Wilkes County School System has been awarded the 2026 North Carolina Center for Safer Schools Grant of $480,000, with a required 25 percent match of $120,000. The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office proposed the grant funding be used for the salaries of 10 middle school and elementary school resource officers. The required match funding will be met by existing salary expenditures by personnel already in place at the Wilkes Sheriff’s Office. No additional local funding is needed. Currently, there are 19 SRO’s for the 22 Wilkes County Schools.

Operation Medicine Drop tomorrow

Elkin Police are sponsoring an Operation Medicine Drop tomorrow. Medications are the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths among children. Operations Medicine Drop has disposed of 280 million prescriptions and over the counter pills since 2010. The Operation Medicine Drop is October 24th at Walmart in Elkin 10am until 2pm. Also, North Wilkesboro Police Dept is teaming up with North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge for a medicine drop off. On Saturday, October 24th, bring your unused/expired medications to the Elks Lodge on Cherry Street in North Wilkesboro for proper disposal. Law enforcement officers will collect your old medications from 10am to 1pm. Drive up and look for the designated collection area.

supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans

Wilkes County Commissioners passed a Resolution this week supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans. The Resolution states that Wilkes County appreciates the sacrifices of our United States military personnel and believes specific recognition should be granted. In observance of Operation Green Light, Wilkes County encourages businesses and residents to display green lights in a window from November 4 through November 11.

Over 1,101,322 North Carolinians have cast a ballot

Through Wednesday, the seventh day of early voting, 1,101,322 North Carolinians have cast a ballot. That is 14.0% of registered voters, compared with 10.8% at the same point in the 2022 midterm. On Wednesday, 174,833 people voted. Turnout so far is higher than at the same point in 2022 in 91 of the state’s 100 counties. Of those voting early, 43 percent are registered Democrats, 23 percent are Republicans, and 34 percent are unaffiliated. Early Voting continues through Saturday, October 31.

ALE is the only agency in North Carolina selected

The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) has been selected as an International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Television Feature Agency for 2026, providing the agency the opportunity to showcase its mission and work on an international stage. ALE is the only agency in North Carolina selected for 2026. The film highlights not only ALE’s mission, but also the strong partnerships the division has built with law enforcement agencies throughout the state.