Today, Sept. 11

Today, Sept. 11, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Billy Graham Rapid Response Team welcome emergency services personnel and guests for remembrance and prayer at the Billy Graham Library on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Will Graham, son of Franklin Graham, will offer a message of hope. Just as his grandfather, Billy Graham, did at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance at the National Cathedral in the days following the terrorist attacks, Will Graham will call for prayer for first responders, government leaders, our nation, and for a spiritual awakening in our country.

Wilkes County Schools thanks North Carolina Senator Eddie Settle

Wilkes County Schools thanks North Carolina Senator Eddie Settle for his commitment and support of the local school system. Senator Settle presented Wilkes high school principals with funding totaling $40,000 to provide support for high school band programs. Also, Wilkes County Schools thanks the N.C. Department of Transportation crews who have started a project to improve the traffic pattern at Ronda-Clingman Elementary School in Wilkes County. The project involves adding room for additional vehicle storage and improving traffic flow for personal vehicles and school buses alike. The N.C. Board of Transportation voted in June and July to allocate $750,000 for the project.

Wilkes Art Gallery Grassroots Arts Program received $48,421

The North Carolina Arts Council announced 10.9 million dollars in grant awards for fiscal year 2026-27 including for Wilkes, Surry, and Yadkin counties. A total of 340 grants will support nonprofit arts organizations, schools, after-school programs, municipalities, and artists in all 100 counties. Grant amounts range from $2,000-$354,000. The Wilkes Art Gallery Grassroots Arts Program received $48,421. Surry Arts Council received a total of $59,500 plus $14,000 to the Foothills Arts Council in Surry. Yadkin Arts Council received two grants totaling $41,500.

charged a former Wrightsville Beach Police Department officer

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has charged a former Wrightsville Beach Police Department officer with misuse of an Automated License Plate Reader system. A New Hanover County grand jury indicted former officer Tonya Baker on one count of misuse of an Automated License Plate Reader system. She was arrested this week and the SBI's investigation is ongoing. 

North Carolina Aquariums celebrated their official 50th anniversary

This week, the North Carolina Aquariums celebrated their official 50th anniversary. Gov. Josh Stein recognized the milestone with a proclamation honoring the NC Aquariums’ 50 years of contributions to education, conservation, research, tourism, and communities across the state. Established Sept. 9, 1976, as three Marine Resources Centers at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, and Roanoke Island, the NC Aquariums have grown into a statewide system that welcomes more than one million visitors each year. 

the process in Ronda has begun

As of Tuesday night, the process in Ronda has begun. Commissioners of the Town of Ronda met and voted to begin the process of dissolving the town’s charter. The vote by Ronda Commissioners does not immediately dissolve the town but starts a process that will continue with legislators in Raleigh. The town had already received letters from state leaders representing the local area encouraging commissioners to move to dissolve due to financial issues facing the town. According to Interim Mayor Kevin Reece, the earliest that the Town of Ronda would be officially be dissolved is projected to be June of next year. Under North Carolina law, municipalities exist through charters granted by the General Assembly. Dissolving a town requires legislative action and then taxes and municipal services are transferred to the county.

arrested for drugs during a traffic check

One man suspect was arrested for drugs during a traffic check. The Wilkes Sheriff’s Deputies were conducting a license check at the Intersection of Congo Road and Hwy 16. The 29-year-old white male was arrested at the scene and charged with felony possession of cocaine and meth. Deputies confiscated multiple bags of illegal drugs from his vehicle, and he was taken to the Wilkes County Jail.

election year info

This is an election year and North Carolina began sending out absentee ballots on September 4^th. The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is October 20^th.  Voter registration forms must be received to the county board of elections office by 5pm October 9^th. Early Voting is October 15 through October 31. The General Election is Tuesday, November 3 with in-person voting at local precincts from 6:30am to 7:30pm. For more information, you may visit the county board of election website or the state board of election website.

theft of equipment

The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office was called regarding the theft of equipment from a North Wilkesboro residence. The property owner reported that a Stihl leaf blower and a Stihl weed eater were taken from their Boone Trail residence. The stolen property is valued at $1250. No suspects were listed with that report; the investigation is continuing.

Boomer Ferguson Elementary will be collecting shoes

Boomer Ferguson Elementary School, in partnership with Funds2Orgs, invites the local community to clear out their closets and support a good cause. From September 14 through November 13, Boomer Ferguson Elementary will be collecting new, gently used, and worn shoes to raise funds for student educational programs. The total funds raised for Boomer Ferguson Elementary are determined by the overall weight of the shoes collected. The donated footwear will be redistributed through Funds2Orgs.