Welcome to our weekly e-newsletter - What's Up in Wake Forest . Here you'll find information about Town programs, services, activities, projects, special events and more! If you haven't already, tell your friends and neighbors to visit our E-Notifier page to learn about our full array of free email offerings.

The Town of Wake is wrapping up a series of #StayStrongWF contests in April by offering local families a platform to celebrate those things for which they are thankful during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

During the week of April 27, Wake Forest families are invited to share photos of people (friends, family, neighbors), places (local church, business, restaurant, park, greenway) and things (tissue, hand sanitizer) they are thankful for through the online form on our website .

Following a two-week suspension of service due to COVID-19, Simple Recycling will resume its collection program in Wake Forest on Monday, April 27. Anyone in need of extra bags should contact Simple Recycling directly at 866-835-5068 or  info@simplerecycling.com .

In April 2019 Simple Recycling and the Town of Wake Forest partnered to offer an initiative that allows Town sanitation customers to recycle clothing, shoes and various accessories. To kick off the program, Town sanitation customers received in the mail an orange and green-colored “Simple Recycling” postcard offering details, along with an orange bag. Customers can fill the orange bag with pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories, then set the bag out next to their recycling cart on their normal collection day. Simple Recycling drivers will pick up the bags and leave replacement bags behind.

Here's some very encouraging news on our Census response efforts. According to the US Census Bureau, nearly 52 percent of households across the nation have responded to the 2020 Census since invitations began arriving in mailboxes in mid-March. In NC, the response rate is slightly less at 48 percent, while Wake County’s rate is better at just over 57 percent. Here's the best part: Wake Forest's self-response rate is nearly 63 percent!

Thanks to everyone who has already responded to the 2020 US Census! For those who haven't, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. It's never been easier to respond on your own - all without having to meet a census taker.

Learn more about the   2020 Census .

A series of storms over the last few weeks brought gusty winds and heavy rains to our community leaving behind downed trees, tree limbs and branches. On Thursday, April 23, the Town of Wake Forest began picking up piles of storm debris , including tree limbs and branches, across town.

To mitigate safety concerns and adhere to social distancing guidelines, Public Works will use equipment operated by a single employee. The equipment is not capable of picking up containers, grass clippings, loose leaves or bags of leaves, so those items will not be collected.

Again, only piles of tree limbs and branches will be collected. Residents should place their limbs and branches behind the curb for pick-up. This process may take several weeks to complete, so the patience and understanding of residents is much appreciated.

Please note: This is not a resumption of our normal yard waste collection service, which is still suspended due to COVID-19 until further notice.
Please...don't...litter!

The Town of Wake Forest often receives reports about trash of all kinds along our roads. It's a shame we're forced to constantly reinforce this message - but please don’t litter! We need everyone to help keep Wake Forest and North Carolina beautiful and safe, and it starts with each of us doing our part.

In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Raleigh Yard Waste Center closed in late March. In response, the Town of Wake Forest suspended yard waste collection until further notice.

Many yard trimmings can be quickly composted at home and re-used as mulch. If you aren't already backyard composting and would like to learn how, visit our website . 

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is promoting community involvement, art and creativity by inviting Wake Forest-area youth ages 4-17 to create the cover of the 2020 Fall/Winter edition of RecConnect .

The PRCR Department publishes RecConnect, twice each year – once in the spring and again in the fall. The program guide offers complete information on parks and recreation-sponsored programs and activities for people of all ages, including youth and adult athletics, cultural programs and classes and special events. The deadline to enter the cover design contest is Friday, May 1.

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin distributing COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments in the next few weeks. IRS – Criminal Investigation and the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina continue to warn North Carolina taxpayers to be alert about possible scams relating to these payments as well as other malicious attempts to defraud people relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For most Americans, the Economic Impact Payment will be distributed automatically and result in a direct deposit into the bank account designated by their 2018 or 2019 federal tax return. For eligible recipients who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payment in this manner as well. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the Economic Impact Payment with no action required by most eligible recipients.

Please note these tips to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Wake Forest safe, and for proving every day that the caring community we know and love is still here and as strong as ever.  #StayStrongWF

The Town of Wake Forest is under a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Town Hall and all other staffed facilities are closed to the public as are playgrounds and picnic shelters. Parks and greenways remain open, but restrooms are closed and water fountains are turned off.

Wake Forest is taking a series of precautionary steps to limit the community spread of COVID-19 and do our best to maintain Town operations. For a complete listing of COVID-19-related alerts, cancellations and closures, visit our website .

Wake County has launched a new dashboard that provides important and current data about how COVID-19 is affecting our community. The dashboard is available at https://covid19.wakegov.com/ .

The dashboard is updated three times per day – at around 8:15 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. It includes the:

• Total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases;
• Average age of those with the virus; and
• A gender breakdown (when provided on testing forms).

Also, if you have COVID-19-related questions, please note the following:

Specific questions about your risk
email  covid19.questions@wakegov.com  or call 919-856-7044.
Someone from Wake County's public health team will return your message within the next business day.

General feedback

Health-related questions
email  covid19.questions@wakegov.com  or call 919-856-7044

Business-related questions
call 919-856-7420

All  Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources' playgrounds, restrooms and athletics fields are closed until further notice. All PRCR-maintained picnic shelters, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts are also closed until further notice. This is in addition to the closure of all facilities and the cancellation of all programs, special events, and facility rentals.
 
All Town parks and greenways remain open to the public, but water fountains are turned off.
 
Parks and greenways users are urged to remember the following:
  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
  • While on trails, warn other users of your presence as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
  • Always observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or depart that space.

Police officials are reminding Wake Forest motorists to park in the direction of traffic flow or risk a $25 fine. Wording in Sec. 30-251 of the Town's Code of Ordinances addresses "Parking in direction of traffic flow."

"Parking shall be established in the direction of traffic flow on all streets within corporate limits of the Town of Wake Forest with passenger side (right) tires to the curb on two-way streets."

In summary, on a two-way road, you must park with the right-hand wheels next to the right-side curb. Otherwise, you are parked illegally.  More>>
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If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-News, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.