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Couple save woman from assailant at Silver Creek Restaurant

Wylie and Bethany Wilson were hailed as heroes in August when Â鶹´«Ã½ police said the Wilsons saved a woman from being attacked in the bathroom at Silver Creek Restaurant.

When the couple heard a woman screaming, they jumped into action, breaking down the door and pulling a man off her, Wylie Wilson said in August.

Â鶹´«Ã½ Public Safety Chief Jason Whisnant praised the Wilsons’ actions at the November meeting of the Â鶹´«Ã½ City Council. The Wilsons were given a Meritorious Service Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service.

“We’re just glad that we was at the right place at the right time. … The more people that stand up and do what’s right, the less likely the evil’s willing to progress,� Wylie Wilson said.

Burke County native tours with Oak Ridge Boys

When the Oak Ridge Boys made a tour stop in Â鶹´«Ã½ in April, it was like coming home for Connelly Springs native Ben James.

James, 28, was named a tenor for the country group near the end of 2023, performing with the group on its Farewell Tour at CoMMA Performing Arts Center in Â鶹´«Ã½ on April 5.

Formerly with Dailey & Vincent, James replaced longtime Oak Ridge Boys tenor Joe Bonsall in the touring lineup.

In March, he reminisced on singing John Anderson's "Just a Swingin'" in a talent show as a student at Ray Childers Elementary.

"Playing at the CoMMA was a dream come true," James said. "In my line of work a top dream for everyone is to go back home and play to the people who have supported you for a long time. It felt good to sing to all of my family that have supported me since birth to chase this dream. It was good to see all of my friends as well. It was also really cool to see my chorus teacher there as well. She always pushed me to try to go for it! I hope it’s the first of many."

James grew up singing in church in Connelly Springs. He is a graduate of East Burke High School and Appalachian State University, according to his bio on the group’s website. 

The Oak Ridge Boys are on their farewell tour, with the last tour date set for June 14. 

"I’m not sure what is next," James said. "I just know that when one door has closed God always opens another so I’ll just trust that!"

Bonsall announced in January 2024 that he was retiring from the group. In the statement making the announcement, he also urged people to support James. Bonsall died in early July from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 

Kathy Bailey led Burke hospital through exponential growth

After almost five decades in health care, Kathy Bailey retired this year as the CEO of UNC Health Blue Ridge in Â鶹´«Ã½.

In her tenure at the hospital, Bailey oversaw additions to both Valdese and Â鶹´«Ã½ campuses, the construction of the Marion Medical Complex, Blue Ridge Radiology and the new cancer center on the hospital’s Valdese campus. Just before she left the hospital, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Â鶹´«Ã½ campus’ new patient tower.

Reflecting on her career in August, Bailey said she was proud of the strides the Â鶹´«Ã½ hospital had made to better patient care. But she was most proud of the hospital’s culture shift, she said.

“Shortly after I became CEO, I started saying, ‘We are friends and neighbors taking care of friends and neighbors,� Bailey said shortly before her retirement. “That’s just kind of become our unofficial motto, but I hear the teammates say it, so it means something to them … that tells you that that’s a culture that people can really sink their teeth into and get ahold of and be proud to be a part of.�

Beth Heile helps outdoor recreation expand 

Beth Heile had a busy 2024 as executive director of Burke River Trail Association helping several local governments fund and plan for parks and trails. 

Heile helped the town of Hildebran raise money for a new park on South Center Street, which broke ground in July.

The town has received state grants and is also raising $300,000 to pay for the park. 

Heile also started work to connect the Burke River Trail from the Valdese Greenway and land north of Draughn High School to downtown Drexel.

In addition, Burke River Trail Association was awarded $70,000 in a grant to help with the Old Glory Mill project in Rhodhiss. The grant will provide financials, building layout, trail location and more for the site, Heile said in June.

Heile also helped the town of Glen Alpine explore turning a 1.3-acre parcel into a park at the intersection of Bridge and Linville streets. Heile said earlier this year the lot is along the proposed route of the Fonta Flora State Trail and the regional Burke River Trail. Officials are hoping the park could become a catalyst for downtown revitalization in Glen Alpine.