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.
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Congressman David Price (NC-04) visited Wake Forest today to tour the Wake Forest Reservoir and learn about current Town initiatives, including the new Affordable Housing Plan and the Wireless Research Center’s proposed Digital Workforce Hub at the Dubois Campus.
The visit included a Go Raleigh bus ride to the reservoir and a staff-guided tour of the site, followed by a tour of the Northeast Community. Congressman Price was joined on the tour by Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones, Commissioners Jim Dyer and Bridget Wall-Lennon, Town Manager Kip Padgett and several Town staff. Also on hand were NC Senator Sarah Crawford and Wake County Commissioners Sig Hutchinson and Shinica Thomas. Wake Forest Commissioners Chad Sary, Liz Simpers, and Adam Wright joined the group for lunch and a question and answer session at Town Hall.
In June, Congressman Price, a senior Member and former Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that his Community Project Request for the Wake Forest Reservoir Project had advanced in the House as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The project was included in the bill which passed the Subcommittee on June 30.
The project would award $2.175 million to the Town of Wake Forest to address safety risks associated with the 1960s-era reservoir dam by decommissioning and dismantling existing infrastructure to mitigate threats to public safety and implement new safety measures to mitigate potential flooding.
The Homeland Security funding bill now moves into the full House of Representatives for consideration.
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You can make a difference in our community by applying for one of the upcoming vacancies on the Town’s advisory boards. The boards were established to give residents input into what happens in the community and to advise the Board of Commissioners (BOC) on matters that affect citizens and their town government.
Applications are being accepted through noon Thursday, Sept. 30, for appointments to the following boards and commissions:
- Board of Adjustment (BOA)
- Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
- Human Relations Council (HRC)
- Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Advisory Board
- Planning Board
- Public Art Commission (PAC)
- Technology Advisory Board (TAB)
- Urban Forestry Board (UFB)
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The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of Labor Day. Police services will not be interrupted, but other Town services, including bus service and solid waste, will be affected. Town offices will re-open Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 8 a.m.
Wake Forest Bus Service, including the Wake Forest-Raleigh Express and the Wake Forest Loop, will not be provided September 6 but will resume its normal schedule September 7.
The collection of trash and recycling for the week of September 6 will operate one day later than normal and extend into Saturday. So, for example, Monday's route will be collected Tuesday and Friday's route will be collected Saturday.
Yard waste collection will be suspended Monday, Sept. 6, but will resume Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 7 a.m. Crews will follow the normal collection schedule beginning with Monday’s route. Collection of the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes will occur throughout the remainder of the week until all have been completed. To ensure that all neighborhoods are serviced properly, Wake Forest residents are urged to leave their normal yard waste at the curb by 7 a.m. Tuesday. Please avoid placing items on or near mailboxes, utility boxes, utility poles or other fixed objects.
Bulk pickups will occur Wednesday, Sept. 8, and may extend into Thursday, Sept. 9. To schedule a bulk pickup, complete the online request form or schedule a pickup by calling 919-435-9570 by 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6.
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The Wake Forest Police Department is requesting the public’s help locating Taylor Olivio, whose photo is shown right.
Taylor, 24, is a white female with blue eyes and blonde hair standing approximately 5’1” tall and weighing 170-175 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and converse sneakers.
Taylor has a dragon tattoo on one wrist and a spider tattoo on the other. She also has a large flower tattoo on her shoulder with the word “Sandro” inside.
Taylor was last seen in the vicinity of Wake Forest’s Shasta Daisy Drive on Tuesday, Aug. 31, between 4:30-5 p.m. driving a silver or gray 2015 Honda Civic with NC license plate number HJC3326. The vehicle has a “Grim Reaper” sticker affixed to the rear passenger window, and a butterfly sticker on the rear driver’s side window. The vehicle also has black and red seat covers and a scratch along the right side of the rear bumper.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Taylor Olivio is urged to call the Wake Forest Police Department at 919-554-6150.
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From Reggae to Motown and Salsa to Jazz, there’s something for all music lovers at this year’s Six Sundays in Fall concert series. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department and ARTS Wake Forest, the performances get underway Sunday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. with “Sensory Expressions.”
The PRCR Department is pleased to partner with ARTS Wake Forest to offer this autumn version of "Six Sundays in Spring." Featuring free, live, outdoor entertainment – rain or shine - Six Sundays in Fall will feature a variety of local and regional performers in the spacious E. Carroll Joyner Park Amphitheater, 701 Harris Road.
In addition to Sensory Expressions, other acts scheduled to perform include The Magnificent’s Band on September 12; Orchesta K’che on September 19; Revolution Beatles Tribute Band on September 26; Tea Cup Gin on October 3; and Chatham Rabbit on October 10.
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What do you get when you spend an entire afternoon free from electronic devices that often seem to control us instead of the other way around? The answer: Wake Forest Unplugged...Get Connected.
Sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board, "Wake Forest Unplugged...Get Connected" is an opportunity for residents to "disconnect" from cell phones, PDAs, and computers, and "re-connect" with their community, friends, and family.
As part of the event, the PRCR Advisory Board will host a variety of self-directed games and activities from 4-6 p.m. in the vicinity of the Walker Garden.
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During this time of COVID-19, we understand that, like millions of others in the nation, you may be having trouble making housing and utility payments. We hope we can help you with our latest program.
The House Wake! COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program focuses specifically on eviction prevention and utility assistance. This program provides financial assistance to tenants, landlords and utility companies to cover rent and utility shortfalls resulting from a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to COVID-19. Qualifying households must have income that does not exceed 80% area median income with priority given to households with incomes below 50% AMI. If you are interested in applying for the House Wake! COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program, click here to access the application.
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Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, and many across North Carolina will be traveling for their final vacation of the season.
To help ease travel over the holiday weekend, NCDOT is suspending most construction projects along interstates and U.S. routes starting today and running through Sept. 7th.
Drivers should be aware they may still encounter closed or narrowed lanes and lane shifts where the type of work doesn’t allow for normal traffic patterns. In addition, work zone speed limits will still be enforced, even if crews are not working.
For up-to-date information on road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov.
Booze It and Lose It Campaign In Full Force Over Labor Day Weekend
As motorists hit the road this busy Labor Day weekend, law enforcement officers from Murphy to Manteo will be stepping up enforcement through patrols and checkpoints to keep impaired drivers off the roads.
The statewide “Booze It & Lose It” Labor Day campaign, sponsored by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, runs through Sept. 12 and involves all law enforcement agencies, including local police, sheriff’s offices and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Last year, participating agencies cited nearly 1,400 DWI offenders in North Carolina. Motorists caught driving while impaired face the possibility of jail time, lost driving privileges and hefty fines.
NCDOT encourages people to celebrate responsibly and safely. Never drink and drive. If you drink, find another ride using a rideshare app, such as Uber or Lyft, or call a taxi, ride with a friend, or take the bus
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Popular party band Crush will headline the long awaited, highly anticipated return of Friday Night on White on Friday, Sept. 10. The free outdoor concert will take place from 6-9 p.m. along South White Street in historic downtown Wake Forest.
PLEASE NOTE: Prior to the start of the concert, the Town of Wake Forest will host a brief 9/11 20th Anniversary commemoration and salute our community's first responders.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at several downtown restaurants. Plus, the following food and dessert trucks will be on site: Bo's Kitchen, Charlie's on Wheels, Cousins Maine Lobster, Crumbstruction, Goodberry's Frozen Custard, Hale Yeah Kitchen, Kona Ice, Lawrence & Perry Barbeque, Lumpy's Ice Cream, Southern Fried Lumpia Co., Stavi's Sandwiches, The Naked Empanada, the VFW Chuck Wagon, and Virgil's Jamaica.
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The Town of Wake Forest will host a Northeast Community Plan Open House on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. outdoors on the grounds of the DuBois Campus, 518 N. Taylor St. The event will give residents, business owners and stakeholders the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on the proposed update to the Northeast Community Plan.
The session will have an informal, open house-style format, so there will not be a formal presentation. Attendees may arrive any time between 4:30-6:30 p.m. to view displays about the plan, ask questions and share comments.
A boxed meal will be provided by The Forks.
Due to COVID-19, attendees may wish to wear a mask. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors where masks will be required.
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The Wake Forest Fire Department is partnering with The Freedom Flag Foundation to host a 9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 8:30 a.m. The occasion will take place at Fire Station #1, 420 Elm Ave.
Open to the public, the ceremony will include the raising of the Freedom Flag, a display of steel from the World Trade Center, and a moment of silence to remember those killed on 9/11.
The Freedom Flag Foundation is a non-profit organization formed to establish the Freedom Flag as a national symbol of remembrance for September 11, 2001, and to support educational efforts of teaching future generations about the tragic events and many lives lost on that date. It all started with a drawing on a napkin by a local Richmond, VA business owner in November 2001 and now is a national movement to educate our kids and to Never Forget. For more information, email Fire Capt. Ben Davis.
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The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will close Holding Park Aquatic Center (HPAC) for the season at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.
Until then, the HPAC will operate according to the following schedule:
- Weekdays, 5-8 p.m.
- Saturdays, 9 a.m.-Noon; 1-4 p.m.; 5-8 p.m.
- Sundays, 1-4 p.m.; 5-8 p.m.
- Labor Day, 9 a.m.-Noon; 1-4 p.m.; 5-8 p.m.
Located at 133 W. Owen Ave., HPAC features a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, two water slides with plunge pool and children’s pool with water play. Open during the summer months, the facility offers swimming to the public, as well as swim lessons.
Open swim times are scheduled in three-hour blocks, with one hour in-between to allow staff to clean and sanitize the facility, including deck chairs, door handles, hand rails and other high-touch areas.
A maximum of 160 patrons are allowed inside the facility during each session. Patrons must register and pay online for each session in advance. No walk-ins are allowed.
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- September 1-7 - Wake Forest residents only
- September 8-21 - Wake Forest residents & non-Wake Forest residents
- September 22-30 - Late Registration
Anyone without computer access is invited to register by using the computer kiosks in the lobby of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
The fee is $60 for residents who live within the Wake Forest corporate limits and $100 for anyone who lives outside the town’s corporate limits.
New participants will be required to provide a birth certificate. A participant’s eligibility is determined by his or her age on Dec. 31, 2021.
Team practices will begin in late October, and games will be played from December through February.
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If you’re looking for a “hauntingly” good time this fall season, then don’t miss the Spirits of Wake Forest ghost walk in downtown Wake Forest. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown (WFD), Inc., in conjunction with Forest Moon Theater (FMT), these tours will be offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. from September 30 through October 30.
Downtown Wake Forest’s buildings and sidewalks have seen well over 100 years of history, and they have some spooky stories to tell! Join WFD, Inc. and Forest Moon Theater's incredible cast of storytellers to learn about the tragic train wrecks, murderous mamas and restless spirits that make up just a small piece of downtown’s haunted history.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 10 and under. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 8, and must be purchased in advance. Please note: Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable, and tours will take place rain or shine. Tours are recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome at their parents’ discretion. Any attendees under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Spirits of Wake Forest is planned and hosted by a volunteer committee, and all proceeds from ticket sales will serve as donations to further the mission of WFD, Inc. and Forest Moon Theater.
Lasting approximately one hour and 15 minutes, each ghost tour will take place in Historic Downtown Wake Forest’s business district, primarily along South White Street. Tour groups will meet outside Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and the ghost walks will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Tours are within the business district only and will not include private residences. For more information, email Program Assistant Lynnette Beadle.
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All five Wake County COVID testing sites, including the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., now operate 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
There is no cost, no ID required and no appointment necessary. All sites use self-administered PCR tests which are painless and require people to swab just inside their nose. Results should come back within 12-24 hours.
Accessing the Northern Regional Center
To ensure an orderly traffic flow, Town officials encourage anyone planning to visit the testing site at the Northern Regional Center to approach the facility from the Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass.
Motorists should then turn onto South Franklin Street and then onto Yellow Poplar. From there, turn right onto South White Street and right along East Holding Avenue before turning right into the NRC lot.
Drivers are advised to plan ahead, remain patient and follow the direction of traffic control and all signage.
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Provided below are announcements about projects that will impact Wake Forest motorists over the next several weeks. Please use the information to help plan your route and move safely through the affected areas.
Through Mid-September
From now through mid-September, Moffat Pipe, Inc., a contractor working to widen a section of Burlington Mills Road in the vicinity of Endeavor Charter School, will reduce to one lane with alternating two-way traffic the portion of Burlington Mills Road from Urial Drive to just beyond 1 World Way daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Signage and flaggers will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work area. Delays are expected, so motorists may wish to avoid the area and take an alternate route.
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Through the end of September, Fred Smith Company, a contractor working on the Holding Village subdivision, will initiate lane reductions and other restrictions at various times along portions of South Main Street/US 1A, Friendship Chapel Road, South Franklin Street and Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass. An overview of the roadwork is provided below:
South Main Street/US 1A from Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass to The Lodge at Wake Forest
The contractor will install an additional westbound left turn lane onto Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass and a receiving lane along South Main/US 1A.
Friendship Chapel Road/South Main Street/US 1A
Crews will install an additional turn lane at the intersection of Friendship Chapel Road and South Main.
Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass/South Franklin Street
Crews will extend South Franklin Street and convert the intersection to a Reduced Conflict Intersection, also known as a superstreet.
Signage and cones will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work areas. Delays are expected, so motorists may wish to avoid these areas if possible and take an alternate route.
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Loose trash in trucks creates litter along Wake Forest roadways.
Help keep Wake Forest roadways clean by securing any trash in your truck bed. When you throw trash in the back of your truck, it inevitably blows out and becomes litter on the roadside. In fact, half of all litter is blown, not thrown! Roadside litter costs millions of dollars to remove, decreases property values and has a negative impact on tourism.
The NC Department of Public Safety reports that an even bigger problem is unsecured loads in the back of trucks. At high speeds, even large items can fly out and hurt or startle other drivers causing accidents. Put trash into built-in containers. Use tarps, cargo nets and tie-downs to secure any loads. #KeepWFclean
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The following monthly meeting schedule is now in effect:
Board of Commissioners Work Session
First Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
Joint Public Hearings
First Tuesday/month - 7:30 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting
Second Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Third Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
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View Town meetings live & on demand
Planning Board and Board of Commissioners meetings can be viewed both live and on demand by visiting our Public Meetings Portal. Meetings are available in streaming video for one year after their original air date and featured in a convenient scroll-down menu.
These meetings are also shown live on Wake Forest TV 10 - the Town of Wake Forest’s government access channel - then re-broadcast daily for two weeks at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Although WFTV 10 is available only to Wake Forest residents and businesses that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service, WFTV 10 is also provided online in real-time streaming video.
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Our Town is Wake Forest's free bi-monthly newsletter. Published every other month, Our Town is mailed to every home in the 27587 zip code and residents of Wakefield. If you live in one of these areas, you may have already received the latest edition in your mailbox. The cover of the current issue is shown.
PLEASE NOTE: The November/December 2021 edition of Our Town will mark the end of a 12-year run for the official Town newsletter. Beginning in 2022, Our Town will no longer be produced or published in any format. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about Wake Forest programs, services and events in a variety of ways, including email and Facebook. To view a complete listing of all the ways you can stay informed about what's happening in and around Wake Forest, visit us online.
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The Town of Wake Forest has launched a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors. Over the next year, #RecycleRightWF will introduce and emphasize a series of easy-to-understand messages aimed at simplifying the recycling process and improving the quality of materials residents place in their rollout recycling carts.
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The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging residents to stay informed about trash, recycling and yard waste collection by signing up for the “Waste Wizard.” The Waste Wizard is a free interactive tool that allows users to sign up for personalized trash and recycling collection reminders, download collection schedules and access online service request forms for bulk waste pickup, brush pickup and missed collections.
But that’s not all. The Waste Wizard also allows users to type in key words related to disposable household materials and receive valuable disposal tips. From aluminum cans and phone books to popcorn bags and plastic beverage bottles, the search tool helps residents determine which items can be recycled and which ones should be thrown away.
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The Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., offers adults age 55 and older a full schedule of recreational activities. Programming at the center is provided by Resources for Seniors, Inc. The organization serves senior and disabled adults in Wake County by providing home and community-based services and information, thereby allowing them to maximize their choices for independence, comfort, safety, security and well-being.
Check out Jennie's Weekly Jots, the senior center's weekly newsletter, for information on current programming and initiatives.
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You have received this e-mail because you are subscribed to E-News – part of the Town of Wake Forest’s e-mail subscription service. E-News keeps you up-to-date on Town of Wake Forest news, information, events and services. If you believe you have been subscribed in error, or would like to cancel your subscription to The Week Ahead, you may unsubscribe below.
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.
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