Wilkes County Commissioners will meet today

Wilkes County Commissioners will meet today in the new Wilkes County Government Building for their first regular meeting in November. A Public hearing will be held at 5pm on the proposed Economic Investment Agreement Project Kingfisher. Also, there will be a special-called meeting of the North Wilkesboro Board of Commissioners today at 4:00 PM at 210 9th Street. The purpose of this Special Meeting is to discuss a potential grant application, discuss an agreement involving the NCDOT, and other business

North Carolina voters approved all three constitutional amendments

In more election results, North Carolina voters approved all three constitutional amendments on the ballot Tuesday. The amendments authorize lawmakers to impose limits on local governments’ power to raise property taxes, cap the state income tax, and require photo ID for all voters — not just those voting in person. Also, more people in North Carolina turned out to vote in the Mid-Term General Election than the last Mid-Term. For 2022, 51 percent or 3.7 million North Carolinians voted in the Mid-term. This week, 53 percent or 4.2 million in the state voted. Wilkes County, however, how 55 percent to vote in the last mid-term and fewer this week with only 52 percent voting in Wilkes.

Operation Green Light campaign

For the fifth consecutive year, the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is participating in the national Operation Green Light campaign and encouraging North Carolinians to change a lightbulb outside their home or business to green during this week leading up to Veterans Day, November 11th. At their last meeting Wilkes County Commissioners passed a Resolution supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans. The Resolution states that Wilkes County appreciates the sacrifices of our United States military personnel and encourages businesses and residents to display green lights in a window from November 4 through November 11.

I am so grateful for all those who took the time to vote--Foxx

Virginia Foxx released the following statement on the current election results in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District--“Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our healthy republic. The voters exercised their American rights and cast their ballots. I am so grateful for all those who took the time to vote in this election.”  Foxx remains 99 votes behind Wilkes County native Chuck Hubbard, but the process is continuing as provisional ballots must be counted and state law may call for a recount.  

Mid Term General Election Results

In the Wilkes County Races for the General Election 2026—The two receiving the most votes for Wilkes County Commissioner are Keith Elmore with 41 percent and H.S. Greene with 38 percent. Chris Shew ran unopposed in the Wilkes County Sheriff’s race. Wilkes County Soil and Water Conservation District top two were Claude Shew Jr with 52 percent of the vote and Brian Lee Parker with 45 percent.

In the Town of Elkin Commissioner Race, Mike Bovender received the majority with 27 percent of the vote over the 4 other candidates in that race.

In the Town of Ronda…for Mayor Chadley Blackburn received 72 percent of the vote. Interestingly enough in the Ronda Commissioner race the write in miscellaneous actually received the majority of the vote at 32 percent followed by Victor Varela with 23 percent, Kevin Reece at 22 percent and Chris Nelson with 20 percent. And the Town of Ronda Commissioner unexpired vote was for Doug Combs with 71 percent.

For the North Carolina Federal and State Races….Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley in the NC Senate race to help the US Senate flip a Republican seat to a Democrat.

In the US House 5 th District that includes Wilkes, incumbent and Republican Virginia Foxx led most of the night but ended 99 votes short with Chuck Hubbard leading. A recount is expected to decide the 5 th District.

In the North Carolina Senate and House races, NC Senator Eddie Settle keeps his seat with 72 percent of the vote. In the NC House District 94, incumbent Blair Eddins win with 73 percent of the vote and in NC House District 90, Dan Kiger wins by a 70 percent margin.

General Election Day

Today is General Election Day. Voters will be asked to show photo ID when they vote. All voters will be allowed to vote with or without ID. Polls are open today from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by the county board of elections no later than 7:30 p.m. today. Voters voting in person are entitled to assistance by an election official, or, if assistance is needed due to disability or illiteracy, by a qualified person of their choice. Voting sites are accessible to all voters.  Curbside voting is available for voters who are not able to enter voting sites without physical assistance because of age or physical disability.

local company is expanding in another state

A local company is expanding in another state. North Wilkesboro-based ECMD Inc., a leading distributor of moldings and specialty building products, recently announced that they are opening a distribution center in Florida. An ECMD press release explained that the new distribution center is expected to serve customers throughout Florida and Southeastern markets. Founded in 1982, ECMD Inc. is one of the nation’s largest providers of specialty building products.

burglary at a store

The Wilkes Sheriff’s Office was called over the weekend to a burglary at a store. Deputies responded to the Run-In on Hwy 16 in Boomer. A box of vapes valued at $600 was stolen. There was $1200 in damages to the glass front door. No suspects were listed with that report. The investigation is ongoing.

TEST their smoke alarms

The American Red Cross North Carolina Region encourages everyone to TEST their smoke alarms. The Red Cross advises: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Test your smoke alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Have a fire escape plan and make sure everyone knows two ways to escape from every room in your home.

sell industrial and manufacturing real estate in Yadkin County

With much debate about allowing data centers into communities, Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Unifi, Inc., agreed in August of this year to sell industrial and manufacturing real estate in Yadkin County, N.C. to Enovum Data Centers Corp. for $60 million in cash. The assets comprise about 120 acres of land and 500,000 square feet of warehouse space at two locations. The sell was completed last week, and Unifi plans to use the proceeds to repay term-loan principal under its existing credit facility of its Yadkin County campus.