Merlefest Co-Sponsoring the NC Bluegrass Pavilion

MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 24-27, 2014, along with the Mast Farm Inn, a Historic Hotels of America® located in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, are proud to announce that they will present the The North Carolina Bluegrass Pavilion, Music from The Mountains to The Coast, at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass 2013.  The North Carolina Bluegrass Pavilion will offer a variety of workshops, videos and music during the week of World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina, September 22-28, 2013. The pavilion’s focus will be to highlight North Carolina-based musicians and events. The pavilion will encourage visitors to sit and gather information first-hand during special appearances by artists and event producers from across North Carolina. The pavilion will be located at the Raleigh Convention Center exhibit hall area. For more information visit www.themastfarminn.com/world-of-bluegrass andwww.merlefest.org.

Diet for Women to Relieve Stress

Economic uncertainties, especially worries over the family budget, are pushing women's lives and stress levels to new extremes.  Many women and their physicians have discovered that certain foods and nutritional supplements can be very effective for elevating stress while producing fewer, if any, side effects.  Some of the stress busting tips for women include:   Increase omega-3 dietary intake, Increase protein; decrease carbohydrates in the diet, Consume fruits and vegetables, and consider adding magnesium, B-Complex, and calcium supplements.  For more on ways to decrease stress through diet, contact your doctor or the Wilkes Health Dept.

Farmers Needs to Complete The Census Soon

With the window to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture officially closing on May 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging Wilkes County farmers and producers not to miss this opportunity to be counted and help determine the future of farming in America. USDA has already received more than 2 million completed Census forms. The Census of Agriculture, conducted only once every five years, is the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation. The information is used by agribusinesses, town planners, local governments, and policy makers, as well as farmers, ranchers, growers and others to shape farm programs, boost rural services and grow the future of farming. Wilkes County farmers and producers can also return their forms by mail or online by visiting a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov. Federal law requires a response from everyone who receives the Census form and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential. For more information about the Census, including helpful tips on completing your Census form, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-888-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828). For more information on USDA Farm Service Agency Programs, contact the Wilkes County Farm Service Agency office at 207 W Main Street, Room 108, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or 336-838-3622 ext. 2.   

Hit and Left on the Side of the Road

According to the 36-year-old man, someone hit him in the head and left him on the side of the road.  Wilkes Sheriff's Deputies were called to investigate an assault with a deadly weapon.  The victim said that he was walking along Welcome Home Church Road when he heard someone say, "Hey, Man."  Then as he was turning around to see who spoke to him, he was hit in the head.  He woke up bleeding on the side of the road.  The man went to a nearby house for help.  He was taken to WRMC and treated for his injuries.  The man is not sure who hit him or what they used to hit him; however, there is a possible suspect and charges are pending.

Stolen Tools in a Couple of Locations

Several tools were stolen in a couple of Wilkes break-ins and thefts.  First, a Thurmond property owner reported that someone forcibly entered their residence and took several things including two electric saws, chains and hooks, a tow bar, 30 fence posts, a boom pole, and an anvil.  Then in Roaring River, someone entered a shed and took two shovels, a hoe, and several hand garden tools.  There is no word on suspects with either report and the investigations are continuing.   

Economic Impact of the Greenway Locally

The 11th Annual Turtle River Regatta was held Saturday in North Wilkesboro.  Proceeds go to help the Yadkin River Greenway.   The Yadkin River Greenway Council's mission is to enhance the quality of life by ensuring the creation of a riverside greenway that connects the major institutions and neighborhoods of our community.  RG Absher explains the Greenway has a positive economic impact, too.  AIR   The next expansion of the Greenway is to connect Smoot Park and Cub Creek Park.  For more information on the Yadkin River Greenway call 336-651-8967.  

Broadway Water Association Meeting and Voting

The Broadway Water Association will have their annual meeting tonight at 7pm at the Association Office.  Two directors will be elected at tonight's meeting, and members will have a chance to vote on installing new radio meters.  Voting will begin and 6:30 and continue until 7:30.  All Broadway Water Association members are urged to attend tonight's meeting.

Wilkes Students in National Competition

The high school experience for some Wilkes students went beyond the classroom.  Four young ladies from West Wilkes High School competed recently at the National Personal Finance Challenge Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. The students are Ashley Bryan, Kristan Dotson, Adrianna Rowland and Megan Wyatt. They won the title North Carolina State Personal Finance Challenge Champions back in April. Twenty states were represented in the national competition with the winning honors going to Tennessee. The National Finance Challenge is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance by competing with other students across the nation in a three-round competition. The journey for the 4 ladies from West High began in George Visnic’s Civics and Economics class when two teams decided to enter the Personal Finance Challenge.  The two teams from West High were in the top 8 high school teams who earned the right to advance to the state championship in April. The team of Martin Absher, Amber Blackburn, Justin Eggers and Dustin Gragg finished 5th.  Mr. Visnic and the students would like to thank sponsors Wells Fargo Bank, the North Carolina Council for Economic Education, and the West Wilkes High School family for this opportunity.

Dog-Napping

 A Thurmond woman has reported an early morning dog-napping.  The woman let her black and brown Yorkie outside about 2am.  A white minivan was in the neighbor's driveway.  Someone inside the van grabbed the little dog, and they left the area.  There are suspects in this case and charges are pending further investigation.

IRS Upcoming Furloughed Days

The Internal Revenue Service has announced additional details about the closures planned for May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22 and Aug. 30, 2013.  Due to the current budget situation, including the sequester, all IRS operations will be closed on those days. This means that all IRS offices, including all toll-free hotlines, the Taxpayer Advocate Service and the agency’s nearly 400 taxpayer assistance centers nationwide, will be closed on those days. IRS employees will be furloughed without pay. No tax returns will be processed and no compliance-related activities will take place.  The IRS noted that taxpayers should continue to file their returns and pay any taxes due as usual.  Because none of the furlough days are considered federal holidays, the shutdown will have no impact on any tax-filing deadlines. The IRS will be unable to accept or acknowledge receipt of electronically-filed returns on any day the agency is shut down.  Similarly, tax-payment deadlines are also unaffected. Further details on the impact of the shutdown on IRS procedures will be available on IRS.gov.  At a later date, the IRS may possibly announce one or two additional furlough days if necessary.