Early Voting begins today

Election Day is Nov. 3 for the general election and Early Voting begins today. Voter registration ended on Friday. However, with Early Voting starting today, there is same day registration available. The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 20^th, Early voting ends at 3pm on Saturday, October 31. Election Day and the last day to return absentee ballots is 730pm on November 3. For more voter information locally, contact the Wilkes County or Surry County Board of Elections. You may also get information online through the NC Board of Elections.

Today is the Great Southeast ShakeOut Drill

Today is the Great Southeast ShakeOut Drill and emergency officials are encouraging all North Carolinians to drop, cover and hold on.  While earthquakes can be felt across the state, the greatest threat is the North Carolina Mountains, especially along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. History tells us, North Carolina has experienced 23 damaging earthquakes from 1735 to 2026. One of the most significant quakes occurred in 1861 here in Wilkesboro. The most recent events was a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on August 9, 2020, in Sparta, located in Alleghany County.   

Operation Medicine Drop this month

Elkin Police are sponsoring an Operation Medicine Drop this month. 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. You can help your family and community by keeping unused or expired medications out of the wrong hands.  The Operation Medicine Drop is October 24th at Walmart in Elkin 10am until 2pm. Please no liquid medications or needles.

Next week’s Wilkes County Commissioners’ meeting different location

Next week’s Wilkes County Commissioners’ meeting will be in a different location. The Wilkes County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, October 20 at the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department Training Room, at 381 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro. A time of Public Concerns and Commissioners’ comments will begin at 5pm, followed immediately by the regular meeting.

killed his grandmother

On Tuesday, Jeffrey Michael Minton, age 34, of Hiddenite, came to the Alexander County Detention Center and voluntarily informed officers on duty that he had killed his grandmother. Deputies immediately responded to the residence in Hiddenite and discovered the 78-year-old female deceased. Minton was charged with First Degree Murder and is being held at the Alexander County Detention Center under no bond. This case is still under further investigation.

motor vehicle accident off NC Hwy 16

Just after 10 am Tuesday morning Wilbar Fire, Millers Creek Rescue, and Wilkes County EMS were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident off NC Hwy 16. Fire Crews and first responders arrived to find a single vehicle down an 40-foot embankment. A single occupant was extracted from the vehicle. The patient was evaluated and transported to the hospital by Wilkes EMS. The NC Hwy Patrol is investigating the wreck.

the theft of license tags

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of license tags. Reportedly, a license tag was stolen from a Millers Creek resident and one tag stolen from a Purlear resident. Both thefts were discovered Monday. No suspects were listed in these thefts and the investigations are ongoing.

recent Wilkes County Schools’ Board meeting

It was a full house at the recent Wilkes County Schools’ Board meeting. Congratulations were conveyed to Wilkes Beginning Teachers who completed all 3 years of the BT Induction Program in 2025–26! Huge congratulations were extended to Moravian Falls Elementary and Mount Pleasant Elementary as they were recognized nationally for beating statistical expectations in 3rd-grade reading proficiency. Also, two Wilkes schools were recognized state-wide for major reductions in chronic absenteeism from 2022 to 2025--Millers Creek Elementary: Reduced by 10.1% and Central Wilkes Middle School: Reduced by 16.5%!

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period - October 15 - December 7. Call to schedule an appointment with the senior center's SHIIP Counselor to help find the best Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Itʼs time to evaluate your plan and see whatʼs new for 2027. SHIIP, the Seniorsʼ Health Insurance Information Program, offers free, unbiased information about Medicare and can assist with enrollment and subsidy applications that could save you money.

October Cybersecurity Awareness Month in North Carolina

Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed October Cybersecurity Awareness Month in North Carolina to encourage all to prioritize online protection from online threats and scams. According to the FBI, North Carolinians lost more than $431 million to internet crimes in 2025. While the state agencies work to strengthen the state’s defenses, people can take simple steps to safeguard their personal information, recognize scams, and protect themselves. Verify unexpected or unusual messages. Confirm the authenticity of emails, texts, social media requests, or calls. And, only open links and attachments from only trusted sources.