Fall Back in Time

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday! Don't forget to turn your clocks back 1 hour before bed on Saturday night. Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, when clocks turn back one hour. The annual "fall back" means an extra hour of sleep and a return to standard time. It also means an earlier sunset, with darkness arriving noticeably sooner in the late afternoon and evening. And despite a push in Washington to end the twice-a-year clock changes, Americans will still need to change their clocks this fall.

Stolen Mail Question

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office was called this week regarding a missing phone sent by a delivery company. When the Moravian Falls resident did not receive the $700 Samsung phone they ordered, they contacted the delivery company that stated the phone was delivered and signed for. However, the company is unable to find any record of a signature of the person who received the phone. The investigation is continuing.

FEMA announced the approval of $86 million in post-disaster funding

FEMA announced the approval of  $86 million in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program across the Southeast for 6 states including North Carolina. Examples of projects reimbursed include: $10.5 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene; $9.8 million to North Carolina Emergency Management for emergency protective measures following Helene; and $6.4 million to Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry for repairs to buildings damaged by Helene.

Wilkes County Schools

Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Dr. Westley Wood recently joined fellow new superintendents from across NC last week for a meeting with the Dept of Instruction in Raleigh. Also last week, Wilkes County Schools hosted 35 App State NC Teaching Fellows and Appalachian Community of Education Scholars. Finally, congratulations to the North Wilkes High School Marching Vikings for their outstanding performance at the 2026 Bands of America East Regional Championship. Facing programs from Oklahoma to New York to Florida—the North Wilkes Marching Band earned a Regional Recognition Award.

Center for Safer Schools

The Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) is accepting school applications for the 2027-2028 SHINE and SEED leadership programs. SHINE (grades 6-8) and SEED (grades 9-12) are yearlong programs that empower students to become leaders and promote school safety. The CFSS seeks one middle school and one high school in both Eastern and Western North Carolina. Schools interested in participating in SHINE and SEED should apply by Friday, April 2. If you have questions, contact the CFSS Student Engagement Manager

break-in and theft -- vehicle and home

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office is investigating a break-in and theft of a vehicle and at a home. According to the report, the passenger side window of the victim’s vehicle was broken out and an air tank was stolen. From the outside of the house, the HVAC unit had been taken apart with pieces stolen from the unit. The meter box was open with breakers and copper wiring missing. Also, a sewer pump was stolen. Stolen property is valued over $6000 and damages estimated at $5000. There is no word on suspects.

financial fraud and theft

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office continues to receive multiple reports each week of financial fraud and theft. A North Wilkesboro resident reported that $500 in Apple cash and $1000 from CashApp was taken from them through fraud. A second North Wilkesboro resident reported that over $300 was stolen from them through credit card fraud. No suspects were listed with either report and the investigations are ongoing.

fire danger is at moderate to high across most of the state

Mulberry-Fairplains Fire and Rescue shared a post from the North Carolina Weather Authority. Due to the extended dry weather and incoming mild days, fire danger is at moderate to high across most of the state through Saturday. Leaves are falling as the seasons change; this dead brush, combined with low relative humidity and dry ground conditions, increases fire danger across most of the state. Some areas remain in significant drought, especially across parts of Central and Eastern North Carolina, so if you must burn, be careful and have water on hand.

reaching out to parents who transitioned to homeschooling

Wilkes County Schools is reaching out to parents who transitioned to homeschooling for the 2026–27 school year to share opportunities for collaboration and support. A formal letter of invitation is being delivered to eligible households, and Wilkes County Schools encourages all interested families to attend our upcoming information session on Monday, November 16, at 6:00 PM at the Stone Center. More information can be found on the Wilkes County Schools’ Facebook page.

North Carolina Zoo announced the birth of Visayan piglets

Earlier this month, the North Carolina Zoo announced the birth of six critically endangered Visayan piglets. Now, the Zoo is asking for the public’s assistance to name one of the two litters. Visayan pigs are one of the rarest pigs in the world and are found in the wild only on two Philippine islands. This is also the first litter to be born in America since 2022. The piglet naming poll for 4 of the 6 piglets opened on Friday, Oct. 23 and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. The winning names will be announced on Monday, Nov. 2.