Elkin - Tricounty News & Info

29/04/2021

Anticipation is building for the placement of a Gold Star Memorial Monument in Elkin, the first of its kind in Northwestern NC and Southwest Virginia.

29/03/2021

Elkin middle and high school students will return to full-time in-person classes April 12, in a decision made by district school board members Monday. Full time is defined as attending school four…

24/03/2021

Check out the summary of legal changes from 2020 on our website: https://www.co.surry.nc.us/2020%20Changes%20Summary.pdf

31/01/2021

14/01/2021

Elkin High School will be remote only tomorrow.

Elkin Elementary and Elkin Middle Schools will be on regular schedule.

13/01/2021

COVID-19 has hit everyone hard, but some of veterans are experiencing unique hardships.

Wilkes VFW post 1142 is holding a fundraiser to help support those who protected us. Please read more here:

https://thewilkesrecord.com/camping-for-a-cause-defending-our-defenders-p1790-149.htm?fbclid=IwAR1d8H9B8qNzayrzCz3hudKcXWjNqNW2aIvIqZ91fQeJHkCmWUPkkcBE7Z0

13/01/2021

08/01/2021

We’re so glad that even in the age of remote learning our kids still get snow days!

27/12/2020

Just a reminder, 5 days of no-cost COVID-19 testing begins tomorrow at the Presbyterian church on Elkin.

Were you with family or friends that do not live with you over the holidays? You may need to be tested for COVID-19.

The next FREE COVID-19 testing event in Surry County will be held at Elkin Presbyterian Church starting on Sunday, December 27th.

17/12/2020

05/12/2020

Free testing events in and near Elkin.

The next FREE COVID-19 testing event in Surry County will start this Sunday, December 6th, at 1:00pm at the First United Methodist Church in Pilot Mountain.

See below for more details on dates and times.

05/12/2020

04 December 2020 — From a general practice doctor here in Elkin:

You may think it's a cold... but hospitals here in NC are almost full. Our hospital [Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital] had [only] 4 beds available this morning - 2 ICU and 2 general medical. And 6 OB. We have used OB rooms for non-infected (as in no infection, not just no Covid) for post surgical or sterile med patients in recent weeks. We wait days or simply cannot transfer patients to WFMC or Forsyth. Pls wear a mask and socially distance. It's not about you... it's about your neighbor.

22/11/2020

You are invited to our new bridge dedication and ribbon cutting on November 29th at 3:00. The New Hurt Bridge beside Brookfall Dairy Road!

Please join us as we dedicate the new bridge beside Brookfall Dairy Road in honor and memory of Harold Worth Hurt and his wife Kay Cheek Hurt who lived in the farm house just west of the bridge. Thanks to Sarah Byrd for her suggestion of naming the bridge in their honor.

In Sarah’s words, “Harold was very musically talented, playing several instruments and singing tenor in the Rhythm Aires Quartet and Yadkin Valley Quarter. I would describe Harold as a gentle giant.”

“Kay was a lifelong teacher. She is well known for her great love of children and her gentle spirit. She was a lifelong promoter of literacy among Elkin’s children.”

The dedication and ribbon cutting will take place at 3:00. Due to limited parking at the bridge, it is suggested that you park at Isaac’s Trailhead and walk to the bridge.

Another option is to park at Byrd’s Branch Campground and walk to the bridge. The bridge is located .2 mile behind the old Walmart on Brookfall Dairy Road. Hot cider will be served following the dedication.

Please wear a mask and social distance from others. We hope to see you there!

20/11/2020

Press Release / 19 Nov 2020 / Wilkesboro, NC:

Wilkesboro Mayor Mike Inscore, North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson and Eddie Settle, chairman of the Wilkes County commissioners, jointly released a statement Thursday afternoon urging Wilkes residents to take COVID-19-related precautions included in Gov. Roy Cooper executive orders.

The three local leaders said these include wearing masks in public when social distancing isn’t possible, engaging in social distancing around people other than immediate household members, washing hands frequently and complying with crowd limits. Social distancing is staying about six feet away from another person.

Settle also said he has no plans for action forcing compliance with these precautions.

North Wilkesboro Town Manager Wilson Hooper released a statement Thursday identified as being on behalf of North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro in response to Wilkes being included among “red” counties in a new COVID-19 County Alert System announced Wednesday. Under the system, red counties are those with “critical community spread” (the worst of three levels) of COVID-19.

The categorization is based on factors that include new COVID-19 cases the prior two weeks in each county, which for Wilkes is nearly 400. Only four counties had more then. The percent of positive tests in Wilkes since the pandemic started is 10.5%, with only seven counties having a higher percentage.

The statement Hooper released said, “North Carolina municipalities have the legal ability to impose additional restrictions beyond the governor's executive order with some limited exceptions. Municipalities are authorized to enforce the provisions of the governor's executive order in accordance with North Carolina criminal law. The towns have not elected to implement additional measures at this time, but reserve the right to do so if trends do not improve.”

It continued, “Notwithstanding the severe public health danger that a prolonged pandemic poses, the economic and community impact will be crippling for years to come. As long as the current conditions exist, businesses will not be able to fully reopen, schools will be at risk for closure, large gatherings will remain prohibited, and the rhythms of day-to-day life will continue to be interrupted. Focused action by all residents is required now to s***f out community spread and bring the virus back under control.”

Wilkes Health Director Rachel Willard stated Thursday, “In an effort to slow the spread, I am urging everyone over the next four weeks to truly limit interactions to those within your immediate household. While the holidays are upon us, I insist that people try to keep it virtual and only go out for essential trips or work.”

Willard continued, “While I discourage gathering with others, I understand sometimes it is necessary. If you have to gather with others, I ask that you take the following steps to ensure the health and safety for you and our community: keep it small, keep it outdoors, keep mask on at all times, and go get tested ahead of time. Testing is widely available throughout the county. Please call Wilkes Health at 336-651-7449 or your local provider to schedule a test.”

The statement Hooper released on behalf of the two towns concluded that COVID-19 metrics indicate Wilkes has entered a dangerous new phase of the pandemic.

“Hospitalizations and deaths, indicators that usually lag behind new cases, will increase in the coming weeks. Case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths will all continue to increase unimpeded unless residents change their behaviors.

“The three Ws (wearing a face covering, waiting six feet apart, washing hands frequently) are critical but insufficient on their own. Residents must also avoid gathering with anyone outside their immediate household, isolate if experiencing symptoms, and stay home as much as possible. Residents who have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms must get tested so that health authorities can swiftly identify others whom they might have exposed, and advise them on how to isolate safely and break the chain of transmission.”

Settle also said he asks people to use precautions if they are sick and remain at home if they have a fever.