Wilkes Journal-Patriot

08/28/2026

Country music legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton took time to experience Wilkes County when she performed at Wilkes Community’s College’s MerleFest on April 28, 2001.

08/28/2026

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, started by the country music legend's Dollywood Foundation, resulted in 284,740 age-appropriate books being mailed to families of Wilkes County children up to age 5 since it began here in 2014, said Michelle Sheph…

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, started by the country music legend's Dollywood Foundation, resulted in 284,740 age-appropriate books being mailed to families of Wilkes County children up to age 5 since

08/12/2026

For a speedway deeply rooted in making NASCAR history, the most historic week in 80 years at North Wilkesboro Speedway will take place in May of 2027. The iconic, five-eighths-mile oval will host its first NASCAR tripleheader race weekend May 21-23.

For a speedway deeply rooted in making NASCAR history, the most historic week in 80 years at North Wilkesboro Speedway will take place in May of 2027. The iconic, five-eighths-mile

08/11/2026

David Andrew “Drew” Cheek of Luffman Town Road, Ronda, showed little emotion as he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no parole in the July 2024 death of his wife, Leslie Marie Galloway Cheek, in Wilkes Superio…

David Andrew “Drew” Cheek of Luffman Town Road, Ronda, showed little emotion as he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no parole in the

08/11/2026

Wilkes County’s new tourism director, announced Monday, has extensive experience promoting tourism in rural areas.

07/02/2026

Four youths in the Wilkes 4-H Shooting Sports program finished well individually and as part of four-member teams representing North Carolina in the 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in Grand Island, Neb., on June 23-25.

Four youths in the Wilkes 4-H Shooting Sports program finished well individually and as part of four-member teams representing North Carolina in the 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in

05/30/2026

The West Wilkes softball team repeated as state champions today (Saturday evening), rallying past McMichael, 12-6, in the deciding game three of the 3A finals at the UNC-Greensboro softball stadium.

05/30/2026

In a game full of momentum swings, the final one was the difference in game one of the 3A softball state finals tonight (Friday) at the UNC-Greensboro softball stadium.

05/21/2026

The West Wilkes softball team punched its ticket into the state finals for the second straight season on Wednesday evening, downing Draughn, 4-1 in Valdese, and sweeping the 3A West Region finals.

The West Wilkes softball team punched its ticket into the state finals for the second straight season on Wednesday evening, downing Draughn, 4-1 in Valdese, and sweeping the 3A West

05/03/2026

A ban on outside burning issued by the N.C. Forest Service will be rescinded in Wilkes and another 80 of North Carolina’s 100 counties at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, announced Steve Troxler, N.C. commissioner of agriculture.

A ban on outside burning issued by the N.C. Forest Service will be rescinded in Wilkes and another 80 of North Carolina’s 100 counties at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3,