Wilkes News

Ashe County’s new jail open, 8 years after NC judge told officials to improve facility

The new Ashe County law enforcement center and jail has passed its final inspection, eight years after a North Carolina judge told the county it had to improve its jail.

Estate Yard Sale

Estate items of Brunice and Zora Ward. Sale begins on Friday, March 12th at 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 13th from 7:00 a.m. - 2:090 p.m. Furniture, glassware, dishes, cookware, bedding, lamps, pictures, tools, applicances, and many other items to numerous to mention.

Shoplifting Nets Local Man More Trouble

Trying to get out of Wal-mart with a digital camera he hadn't paid for landed a Wilkes man in more trouble than he anticipated. Wilkesboro police arrested Larry Don Brown of North Wilkesboro on Tuesday evening after loss prevention personnel at Wal-Mar...

Dobson hears suggestions for budget

At an informational session this weekend, Dobson town commissioners heard from Ron Niland, owner of All-American Associates of Mount Airy Inc.

Judge Puckett to run unopposed

Judge Angela Puckett is running for re-election as District Court 17-B judge for her second term, and she is running unopposed in this year's election.

Daylight Saving Time Starts EARLY Sunday

Its time to spring ahead! Yes, its that time again. What? You say "too soon". No, its been changed...by the government. Daylight saving time starts this coming Sunday at 2 a.m. no matter what time zone you're in. It was moved a couple of years ag...

Tools Stolen, Later Recovered from Logging Site

A trailer owned by a local logging company was cut into from the top, according to sheriff's deputies, and several hundred dollars of property was taken. When employees of Jerry Huffman Sawmill and Logging arrived at work at the job site on Sheets Gap ...

County looking for Parks director

With the recent departure of former Ashe County Parks Director Joe Boccardy, county officials are preparing to advertise the vacant position and said that the ideal candidate would possess administrative skills to complement a background in recreation.

History professor studies how Appalachian culture became a part of U.S. foreign policy

BOONE—For a brief time in the 1960s and ’70s, exhibits about the Appalachia region were sent to Finland and Latin America with subtle messages about the U.S. government’s expectations of foreign leaders. Dr. Michael Krenn, a professor of history at Appalachian State University, has written a chapter about American public policy and Appalachia in the recently [...]

CNN Security Analyst Peter Bergen speaks March 23 at Appalachian; NPR correspondent Anne Garrels’ talk canceled

BOONE—A talk by NPR senior foreign correspondent Anne Garrels scheduled for March 23 at Appalachian State University has been canceled. Garrels has been called away on an assignment. Speaking on campus in her place is CNN security analyst Peter Bergen. His talk begins at 8 p.m. in Farthing Auditorium. Admission is free. Bergen’s talk is titled “Obama’s [...]

Black Banjo Gathering Reunion held March 24-27 at Appalachian

BOONE—The Black Banjo Gathering Reunion will be held at Appalachian State University, March 24-27. The event will include concerts, workshops, films, jams, panel discussions, dancing and lectures. Appalachian first hosted the Black Banjo Gathering in 2005. The event was attended by Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons and Justin Robinson who went on to form the highly successful [...]

Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Appalachian March 26-27

BOONE – The films “Finding Farley” and “Africa Revolutions Tour” are among films that will be shown March 26-27 during the Banff Mountain Film Festival at Appalachian State University. The film festival – hosted by Outdoor Programs – will be held in Farthing Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and $9 for [...]

ACT service-learning program celebrates its 10th anniversary

BOONE – Appalachian and the Community Together’s (ACT) service-learning program will celebrate its 10th anniversary at a luncheon on Friday, April 9. Outstanding students, alumni, community partners, or faculty members who have been involved in the growth and development of the ACT program can be nominated for awards to be presented at the luncheon. To nominate [...]

Stone Mountain, Gated Community, Walking Trails And More, Wilkes County NC

GREAT FAMILY HOME IN GATED SUBDIVISION. NICE VIEW OFF OF THE DECK. ROOF AND HEAT PUMP WAS REPLACED IN 2004 PER OWNER.

UNC Helps Establish the First National Public Health Agenda for Osteoarthritis

Betty Isaacs of Boone, N.C., knows all about the chronic pain of osteoarthritis and the impact it has on her life.

Two city bridges to be replaced

Two projects in Iredell County were among the $166 million in contracts awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for highway and rail projects across the state.

Trying to Find the Road Between the Potholes

Drive an inch, find a pothole -- at least that's how it seems after one of the worst-ever winters for roads in our area. Potholes -- caused by water running into cracks in pavement, freezing and shifting the pavement, and traffic rolling over the shift...

Trying to Find the Road Between the Potholes

Hatch Act Impact on Local Races Cheked Before Deputies Filed

The Hatch Act, which prohibits those in federally-funded positions from running for partisan political office, is briefly making an appearance in local elections in Wilkes. A Hatch Act complaint alleges that a candidate for sheriff and one for county c...

Governor Perdue Packs the House - Crowd Welcomes Governor to Watauga County

Gov. Bev Perdue, pictured at center and inset, took time away from the standing room-only crowd that came to hear her speak at the Watauga County Administration Building on Monday, March 8, to meet with fellow Democrats, Sen.

Utility Bills “Astounding”

The Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission in North is seeing lots more people needing help because they're seeing very high utility bills. BROC Director Dare Stromer said bills have doubled and tripled. She said quote -- It's terrible and is making matte...

Time capsule buried at courthouse

What will future generations of Ashe County citizens remember about the High Country in 100 years? That question was discussed during Monday afternoona s time capsule presentation that was held to celebrate the illustrious history of both Ashe County and the 100th anniversary of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and 4-H. The time capsule ...

Appalachian Dance Ensemble Spring Concert to be held March 24 – 27

BOONE – Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents the Appalachian Dance Ensemble’s annual Spring Concert March 24 – 27 at Valborg Theatre. All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $6. Seating is general admission. The box office is open weekdays from 2-5 p.m. and one hour prior to show time. [...]

Hardin Park Elementary Participates In Read Across America

Students in Maria Nash's first-grade class at Hardin Park strike a pose after listening to stories read by Shannon Isaacs, Boone's Adopt-A-Street coordinator, and Marsha Story, recycling coordinator for Boone.

Duffie Charged in Weekend Burglaries

Sheriffs deputies say a Wilkesboro man is responsible for at least three burglaries in the Brushy Mountain community this weekend. As we reported yesterday, 42-year old Joe Henry McDuffie was pulled over on unrelated charges Monday, after deputies saw ...

Cal Thomas backs Keadle in national column

Iredell County Commissioner and U.S. House of Representatives candidate Scott Keadle picked up a pretty weighty endorsement on Tuesday.

As noon struck on Friday, Feb. 26, five contenders locked spots in either the primary or general elections for state offices.

Deputies Investigating Burglary Spree

Wilkes Sheriff Deputies are still working to determine the extent of an apparent series of burglaries from homes in the Moravian Falls area in the past few days.

Wilkes man arrested in ‘09 shooting

Authorities said they were suspicious last May when a Wilkes County man claimed that he had shot someone in self-defense during a home invasion.

Foxx: Implement Needed Health Care Reforms One at a Time

Democrats in Washington continue their halting efforts to pass the massive takeover of health care, so far to little success. Fifth District Congresswoman Virginia Foxx says the reforms needed in health care are simple, and could be dealt with one-at-a...

Arrest Made in 2009 Shooting Death

Wilkes authorities have arrested a man suspected of killing another man who he said had been shot in self defense. Not that test results are back from the state lab, authorities arrested Bryan Jeffery Bare this week for the first-degree murder of Randa...

NC gov visits Franklin Graham, Samaritana s Purse

Gov. Beverly Perdue visited Franklin Graham's relief organization during a trip to the North Carolina mountains to see what Samaritan's Purse is doing around the world.

Doggie Easter Egg Hunt

There will be a Doggie Easter Egg Hunt at Fisher River Park in Dobson on Sunday, March 21st from 2:00 until 5:00 pm.

Man Charged With Stealing Newspaper Racks

Deputies who searched the home of a Surry County man suspected of stealing newspaper racks discovered eight Mount Airy News and two Winston-Salem Journal racks in his bedroom, Surry County Sheriff Graham Atkinson said.

Boone Woman Faces Attempted Murder Charges

A Boone woman faces attempted murder charges for shooting an eleven year old boy. Police say Pattie Hatcher Campbell was arrested during the investgation in Cabarrus County. Sheriff's officials there say Campbell went to the home of a family she knew...