Wilkes County, NC

08/27/2026

Meet Shirley B. Randleman: A Lifetime Public Servant to the County of Wilkes

Shirley Blackburn Randleman’s story is, above all, a story of love, service, and dedication to Wilkes County and the people who call it home.

A lifelong member of the Wilkes County community, Shirley attended Wilkes County public schools and continued her education at Wilkes Community College; NC School of Government; the University of West Virginia, Morgantown, WV; the States and Nation Policy Summit; and the James B. Hunt Education Institute.

After living in Germany, she returned home and began her career as a Deputy Clerk of Superior Court in 1971. In 1994, she was elected Clerk of Superior Court, a position she held until 2005 when she retired the position. During that time, she helped guide Wilkes County through the design and construction of its new courthouse. Also overseeing the careful relocation of nearly 100 years of court and land records. Not quite ready to retire, she was elected to the North Carolina House of representatives until 2013 and then elected to the North Carolina Senate. Serving in both legislative positions, she chaired the Justice and Public Safety Appropriations and Oversight Committees, as well as the Judiciary Committee. She served on the Appropriations Base Budget, Rules and Operations of the Senate, Select Committee on Judicial Reform and Redistricting, Transportation, and several non-standing committees.

Shirley’s commitment to Wilkes County has always reached far beyond her professional responsibilities. She has devoted countless hours to causes that strengthen families and communities, including mental health and substance-use services, domestic violence prevention, workforce development, hunger relief, prison ministry board of directors, and programs supporting children and young people. She has volunteered with organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank, AARP Tax-Aide, and has served on numerous local and regional boards. She currently serves on the VAYA Health Board of Directors and Regional Advisory Board, Wilkes County Community Opioid Prevention and Education (COPE), Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), Wilkes County Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, Child Fatality Task Force, Board of Health, and the High-Country Council of Government.

Her desire to serve carried her to the North Carolina General Assembly, where she worked to bring significant resources home, including funding for a new North Carolina National Guard facility serving Wilkes County and Northwest North Carolina, as well as a $30 million, 30-year, 0% interest loan for Wilkes County.

After retirement from the Senate in 2019, Shirley continued serving as Vice-Chair of the North Carolina State Ethics Commission until 2022. In 2024, she was elected to the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners and became the first woman to serve as chair in Wilkes County history. She also served as the Church Clerk at Wilkesboro Baptist Church from 2022 until 2026. In May 2026, she was inducted into the Wilkes County Hall of Fame. She has been recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for NC Department of Corrections, North Wilkesboro; Legislator of the Year; NC Sheriff’s Association; Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award; NC State Bureau of Investigation; presented the Key to the City of Wilkesboro; NC Human Trafficking Commission; VAYA Health – Shirley B. Randleman Facility Based Crisis Center.

Her many recognitions reflect a lifetime of meaningful service, but Shirley’s greatest motivation has never been an award or title. It has been the people she has helped and served.

Shirley often says that she was born with a servant’s heart and believes that caring for those you serve is the key to being an effective public servant.

For Shirley Randleman, serving Wilkes County isn’t simply something she has done. It is who she is. Her love for Wilkes County and its people continues to inspire her to give, serve, and make this county a better place for everyone.

08/18/2026

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in the Commissioners' Meeting Room located at the County Office Building, 110 North Street, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697. For more information, please visit www.wilkescounty.net

08/13/2026

More Than a Garage: The People Behind Wilkes County’s Fleet

The Wilkes County Garage is more than your typical automobile service facility. Behind its doors is a hardworking team dedicated to keeping Wilkes County moving, supporting emergency services, and finding innovative ways to save taxpayer dollars.

The garage has come a long way since its early days at Lincoln Heights, where it shared two bays with the Wilkes County Schools Automotive Program. As Wilkes County grew and its needs changed, the garage moved into its current facility in 2002, where it has continued serving the county since. Today, this team works behind the scenes to maintain the county’s fleet of vehicles and keep essential services operating safely and efficiently. The team completely dismantles new vehicles and rebuilds them to meet the specific needs of the county departments.

For law enforcement vehicles, that means installing GPS systems, wiring for sirens, safety equipment, communications equipment, and much more. Ambulances and other vehicles require their own specialized additions and modifications as well. Every detail matters because these vehicles may be responding to emergencies where reliability and safety are critical.

Garage employees are on call after hours and are prepared to go out and assist when something happens that requires their expertise. The garage has an extensive system for tracking the county’s vehicles, including their parts, maintenance needs, and service history. Even when a county vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident, the team knows about it and is ready to respond and aid. Their willingness to answer the call, even outside normal working hours, is another example of the dedication in keeping county operations moving.

Depending on the county’s needs, the garage may assemble and prepare approximately 5 to 19 vehicles each year for service. Their expertise does not stop there; An old vehicle can be transformed into a wrecker, fuel truck, or another specialized vehicle, giving it a new purpose while saving the county the expense of purchasing something new.

The garage recycles used oil by draining it from the cans with an oil crusher and pumping it into a tank that flows into an oil-based heating system to help heat the facility during the winter. The team has transitioned to using synthetic oil throughout, helping reduce costs and maintenance demands by extending the intervals between oil changes.

During winter, these employees step outside their normal duties to help keep the county operating. They assist with clearing snow from the county parking lots, sidewalks and entrances to all the facilities and making sure generators at county buildings are fueled and ready to operate when needed. Their responsibilities extend wherever they are needed to help keep essential county services running. What makes the Wilkes County Garage special isn't simply the vehicles they maintain or the equipment they operate. It is the people behind the work.

These dedicated men and women take on each day with the understanding that the vehicles they service are more than machines. They are used by county employees, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and other essential personnel, and, ultimately, they serve the citizens of Wilkes County.

Their work may often happen behind the scenes, but its impact can be seen throughout the county every day. Through hard work, creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to safety, the Wilkes County Garage helps keep Wilkes County moving. Whether during regular working hours, in the middle of a winter storm, or after hours when an unexpected problem arises, these employees answer the call and do what it takes to keep the county running.

08/10/2026

Wilkes County is beginning a new series aimed at highlighting Wilkes County Commissioners and Staff. The series will begin with Wilkes County Board of Commissioner Chairman Hardin Kennedy.

Chairman Kennedy is a proud lifelong resident of Wilkes County who has dedicated his life to education, agriculture, and public service. He graduated from North Wilkes High School, then moved on to earn his Associate’s Degree in Diesel and Automotive Systems, along with certifications in beef systems, from Wilkes Community College. He later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Professional Career and Technical Education from Eastern New Mexico University.

For more than 30 years, Chairman Kennedy has been married to his wife, Becky Kennedy. Together they have raised twin children and are proud grandparents to one grandchild. Born and raised in Traphill, North Carolina, he continues to call Traphill home today, where his deep roots and commitment to the community remain strong.

Throughout his career, Chairman Kennedy has made a lasting impact on countless students and families. His early employment was working at the Wilkes County Garage, retiring in 2003. He then went to Wilkes Community College and retired as a respected instructor in Automotive and Diesel Mechanics in 2022. His passion for education helped shape Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Wilkes Community College, he also played a key role in founding SkillsUSA, creating opportunities for students to develop valuable workforce skills.

Even in retirement, Chairman Kennedy stays busy maintaining his family's farm, where he raises beef cattle and sheep. He is also an active member of his church, Little Elkin located in Pleasant Hill near the Ronda Community and participates in agricultural research focused on helping local farmers improve and strengthen the future of agriculture.

He enjoys working on automobiles and diesel equipment and is always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors with their vehicles. His love for mechanics, teaching, and serving others has defined much of his life's work. Chairman Kennedy’s dedication to education extends well beyond the classroom. As a decorated educator, he served two terms on the Wilkes County Board of Education, where he worked to improve educational opportunities for local students and prepare the next generation for successful careers. His decision to run for County Commissioner was driven by a simple belief: every citizen deserves a voice in how their tax dollars are spent. Chairman Kennedy believes in making thoughtful, common-sense decisions that reflect the values of Wilkes County while preparing for its future. His vision is to build a County that offers stability and opportunity for today's families and for generations to come.

One of Chairman Hardin Kennedy's guiding principles is, "Every success in life began because someone provided an opportunity, and we chose to capitalize on it." He believes every person in Wilkes County deserves the same opportunity to succeed and that every citizen should be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Among his proudest accomplishments is helping strengthen the educational programs at Wilkes Community College, which continue to prepare a skilled workforce and attract new businesses and economic opportunities to Wilkes County.

As a County Commissioner, Chairman Kennedy remains committed to putting taxpayers first, providing outstanding public service, governing with integrity and common sense, and ensuring every resident is treated equally. His lifelong commitment to education, agriculture, and community service reflects his unwavering dedication to building a stronger, more prosperous Wilkes County.

08/05/2026

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners Meeting video for August 4, 2026, is now available. Please click below to view it.

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08/04/2026

The Wilkes County Inspections Department issues a range of permits. Our inspectors conduct on-site inspections throughout renovation and construction to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.

Permits may be obtained from our inspectors Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, or anytime through the online portal available at www.wilkescounty.net

Please contact our Inspections department if we can assist you further.

08/03/2026

The Wilkes County Board of Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in the Commissioners' Meeting Room located at the County Office Building, 110 North Street, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697. For more information, please visit www.wilkescounty.net

08/03/2026

We had such a wonderful time at the Learning Our Community event hosted by the Wilkes County Library! 🌞📚🚜

Adam B. read a book about how landfill disposal helps keep our planet clean and free of debris, providing an environmentally responsible place for waste. The kids loved learning how our County Landfill operates!

The kids had an absolute blast digging for hidden treasures in our dumpster-turned-sandbox! Similar to how heavy equipment such as excavators and dozers maneuver soil at the landfill every day. All of the children who attended brought so much excitement and energy, and it was a joy watching them learn, explore, and have fun with the Wilkes County Landfill staff.

A very special THANK YOU goes out to Amber Combs, Jess Quick, and Taylory Hazan, along with all the amazing staff at the Wilkes County Library. Your support, creativity, and partnership helped make this event a great success. We also want to extend a huge Thank You to Luke Mathis and Mathis Paving for generously providing the sand for our dumpster turned sandbox!

A big shout out to our hardworking landfill staff: Adam B., Eric J., Gary H., Andrew J., and Allen H. Your dedication and teamwork pulled everything together, and we appreciate all that you do!

Thank you again to everyone who helped and everyone who attended. We loved educating children about our landfill and how we help keep Wilkes clean! We can’t wait for next time! 💚🌎

07/24/2026

🛠️ Need Urgent Home Repairs? Financial Assistance is Available!

The High Country Council of Governments (HCCOG) is offering up to $15,000 in home repair assistance for eligible homeowners in Alleghany, Ashe, and Wilkes Counties through the Urgent Repair Program!

This program helps low-income homeowners address safety hazards or make necessary accessibility modifications to prevent displacement.

Who is eligible?
* Must own and occupy the home.
* Household income must be at or below 50% of the state median income.
* Must meet at least one qualification: Elderly (62+), disabled/handicapped, veteran, single parent, large family (5+ members), or a child under 6 with lead hazards in the home.

🗓️ Application Window: July 24, 2026 – September 25, 2026

Note: Assistance is limited to around 20 households, so apply early!

For more information, including the application, please visit our website or see the link below:

The High Country Council of Governments (HCCOG) is now accepting applications for assistance for urgent home repairs of up to $15,000 in Alleghany,&nb

07/23/2026

📢 **Learning Our Community Event!** 🚛📚

Join the Wilkes County Public Library and Wilkes County Landfill for a fun, interactive day for the little ones!

* 🗓 Date: July 28th
* ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
* 📍 Location: Wilkes County Library

What to expect:
* Wilkes County Landfill employees reading books to the kids
* A special set up featuring a sand pit filled with toys and hidden prizes to dig up!

Bring the kids out for a great afternoon of reading and play! 🎉