Early voting is underway at the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., and 14 other locations throughout Wake County ahead of the November 8 General Election.

Early voting will continue daily through Saturday, Nov. 5, according to the following schedule:
 
Weekdays, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sundays, 1-6 p.m.

According to Wake County, lines are historically shortest on the first days of Early Voting. The busiest times are around lunchtime on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays, and the last three days of the Early Voting period.

The Wake Forest Fire Department (WFFD) is celebrating Veterans Day and honoring local veterans by selling custom “Wake Forest Fire Supports our Veterans & Troops” T-shirts with camouflage lettering for $25 each. Available in a variety of youth and adult sizes, the T-shirts may be ordered and purchased online via PayPal. All proceeds will be donated to VFW Post 8466.

Anyone who orders one or more T-shirts may pick up their order at Wake Forest Fire Station 4, 1505 Jenkins Road, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or request to have it shipped to their address.

The PRCR Department will accept new and/or clean, gently used coats and jackets throughout October as part of its inaugural Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive.

Coats of all shapes and sizes are welcome, but coats in youth sizes are especially needed.

Coats and jackets may be dropped off at one of the following PRCR facilities (during normal operating hours):

  • Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St.
  • Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St.
  • Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road

All donated coats will be distributed to children and teens in need of a winter jacket on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center.
 
Wake Forest is among the latest towns in North Carolina to explore the possibility of creating a downtown social district.
 
In September 2021, Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 890 which allows North Carolina cities and counties to create their own “social districts” - designated areas people can take alcohol to go and drink it while walking down the street. Whereas state law normally prohibits the consumption of alcohol on public streets and sidewalks, in a social district, people are allowed to buy an adult beverage and drink it while moving about.

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host the 2022 Halloween Boo Bash Friday, Oct. 28, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. 
 
The Halloween Boo Bash is a free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger. This year's festivities will include a variety of ghostly games and activities, and free pumpkin giveaways - while supplies last. Costumes are optional, but best costumes may be featured on the Town website and social media pages.
 
Halloween is (always) October 31
On a related note, the Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries concerning when families should go trick-or-treating. Since Halloween is always October 31, that’s the day the Town encourages families to go door-to-door in costumes for candy and fun – regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. The Wake Forest Police Department also recommends that little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treat between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.

On Monday, Oct. 24, Town crews will shut off the water fountains at all Wake Forest parks, including Flaherty Dog Park, 1226 N. White St. Crews disable the water fountains during the winter months to prevent water freezing in pipes and for general maintenance.

The restrooms at all Wake Forest parks will remain open.

You can make a difference in our community by applying to fill the remaining vacancy on the Board of Adjustment. The online application is available through Friday, Nov. 4.

Candidates for the BOA will be introduced to the Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The appointment to the BOA will also be announced during this meeting.

The selected applicant will volunteer for a three-year term.

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 19, as part of its 16th Annual Turkey Drive. Area residents can support this worthy cause by submitting online donations via PayPal.

Cash and checks written to the Wake Forest Police Department are also accepted. Anyone wishing to contribute cash or check to this year’s Turkey Drive should contact Officer K. Abshire.
 
The PRCR Department is inviting local families to participate in the third annual Family Gobblequest on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.
 
The event is $5 per child, and space is limited to the first 25 families to register via RecDesk (search “gobble”). 

The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Wake Forest Woman's Club will present their biennial Historic Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 1-7 p.m. – rain or shine.

Offered only in even-numbered years, the Historic Home Tour is a self-guided tour featuring several Wake Forest properties decorated for the holidays and open for viewing. This year’s event will also offer wonderful Christmas music and more.

Tickets are $25 each (plus taxes and fees) and available online and at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.

The Northern Wake Senior Center will host a special Veterans Day Celebration for residents ages 55 and older on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. The event is free, including lunch, but seating is limited. Registration is required by calling 919-554-4111.

Designed to honor local military veterans, the Veterans Day Celebration will feature vendors and guest speakers addressing a variety of topics, including PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), affordable housing options for veterans, and more.

On November 8, Wake Forest voters will have the chance to vote on four bond referendum questions totaling $75 million. The referenda will ask voters whether they approve of the Town’s use of general obligation bond financing to pay for the following initiatives: 1) $24.4 million for parks and recreation; 2) $23.7 million for roadway and transportation; 3) $14.35 for greenway improvements; and 4) $12.5 for a public parking facility in downtown.
 
Responding to FAQs
Over the next several weeks, we will continue sharing important information about the 2022 Bond Referendum. The Town of Wake Forest cannot advocate for a vote one way or the other on the referendum questions. Instead, all we can do is present the facts for voters to consider as they determine how they will vote.
 
One way we will present the facts is by providing answers to a series of Frequently Asked Questions. This week’s question is:

Given the condition of the economy, is now the right time to vote on these particular bond initiatives?

The Board of Commissioners has determined that these investments are needed to move Wake Forest into the future.

Given the town's sound financial management and AAA bond rating, Wake Forest can borrow money at lower interest rates and issuance costs, thus saving Wake Forest taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the repayment period.

The town will have seven years (can be extended to 10) to issue/sell the bonds and 20 years to pay back the bonds after the funds are borrowed.

Help us ring in the holiday season and launch our annual Holiday Donation Drive during the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-off on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 1-5 p.m. in downtown Wake Forest! 

Free and open to the public, our Holiday Kick-off will offer a slew of activities the entire family can enjoy, including award-winning ice carvers, roaming street performers, community performances, a children's craft activity, and more! 

You will also have the chance to learn more about several Wake Forest Cares initiatives and how they are making a positive difference in our community. 
 
From November 21-December 4, the PRCR Department will host a Virtual Bass Fishing Tournament for ages 13 and older and a Virtual Youth Fishing Tournament for ages 12 and under (non-competitive). Local anglers can visit any public fishery in Wake or Franklin County to try and catch the biggest fish. Participants in the Youth Fishing Tournament may catch any species of fish, while anglers in the Bass Fishing Tournament will be limited to bass only.
 
Online registration for both tournaments is available through Thursday, Nov. 3  (search “fishing”). The cost to participate is $10 for the bass tournament and $5 for the youth tourney.

Mark your calendars for a cinematic tour de force! The Fourth Annual Wake Forest Film Festival is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, March 3-4, 2023, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Tickets are $20 and go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The Renaissance Centre is seeking volunteers to judge submitted films. Selected judges will be given a link to view the films, then asked to provide feedback and scores. To learn more, email Renaissance Centre Director Debbie Dunn.

The Town of Wake Forest and the Local Government Federal Credit Union will co-sponsor a drive-thru paper shredding event on Monday, Nov. 14, from noon-4 p.m. – or until the two paper shredding trucks are full. Free and open to the public, the shred event will take place rain or shine in the parking lot of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

You're invited to enjoy the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn while also learning about native trees during a series of Fall Foliage Tours in early November at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.

Urban Forestry Coordinator Luke Devores will offer the free, one-hour tours “rain or shine” on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12, at noon and 2 p.m. 
 
Tickets are on sale for North Wake Theatre’s Plaid Tidings – A Holiday Edition (December 10-11) and One Christmas Night in Memphis (December 16-17) at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

Tickets for these performances may be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card. Advance tickets may also be purchased with cash, check, or credit card at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St.

These shows are expected to sell out, so anyone interested in attending is encouraged to purchase their tickets now.
 
Disclaimer: We know it's only October! If you prefer not to think about the holidays until after Halloween, please proceed to the next article. If - on the other hand - you like to plan ahead, please continue reading.
 
Wake Forest offers a variety of yuletide events in November and December guaranteed to deliver a hearty helping of holiday spirit for your entire family. From the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff and the Lighting of Wake Forest to the Plaid Tidings and One Christmas Night in Memphis, the holiday season is jam-packed with fun-filled happenings guaranteed to put you in a festive mood.
 
You can stay current on all our holiday events by visiting and bookmarking the Christmas in Wake Forest portal on the Town website. It provides easy access to event dates, times, locations, and more, so “tis the season” to mark your calendars, so you don’t miss a thing.
WFTV 10 is off the air - except during live meeting broadcasts

WFTV 10 is off the air (except during live meeting broadcasts) due to malfunctioning equipment that controls scheduled video playback.

We have ordered a replacement but continue to experience delays due to supply chain issues.

Until the new equipment is delivered and installed, Channel 10 broadcasts will continue to be limited to live meetings.

In the meantime, residents are urged to visit our Public Meetings Portal to watch replays of Town meetings.
 
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 (as needed) - 7:30 p.m.

Planning Board Meeting
Second Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.

Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Third Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.

The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

The UDO combines into a single document the Town's zoning, subdivision, land use, grading, storm water management, and historic preservation regulations. It outlines the requirements for all development activity.

The UDO was first adopted in 2013, along with the Manual of Specifications, Standards and Design (MSSD). With the update and adoption of several comprehensive plans, including the 2022 Community Plan and 2021 Northeast Community Plan, as well as several other comprehensive plans that are underway, the UDO and MSSD must be updated to implement the policies and recommendations of the plans.

In addition to reflecting the goals and actions of the comprehensive plans, the UDO needs to maintain compliance with state, federal and case law, which are constantly evolving. Finally, the update will exam best practices and trending topics.

The update process will involve multiple steps and take approximately two years. The updated UDO and MSSD will set the development rules for Wake Forest.

In 2021 the Town of Wake Forest launched a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors.

#RecycleRightWF introduced and emphasized 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.

Thanks to the cooperation and efforts of our residents, we have recorded a significant decrease in recycling contamination over the past year. Great job!

For nearly 20 years the Town of Wake Forest has been introducing ways for residents to stay up to date on its programs, services, and events. Those offerings range from our website, email notifications via E-Notifier, and various social media platforms to our text/phone notification system and Town app.

Despite our best efforts, there are still some who complain about not knowing what is happening in our community. That's why we thought it might be useful for Talbot the Town Crier to again offer his "olde school" overview of all the ways you can stay informed.

The Town of Wake Forest is inviting individuals, families, churches and civic clubs to join the “Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean” campaign by picking up trash in their neighborhoods and along local streets and roadways. The initiative allows volunteers to pick up litter on a one-time or ongoing basis. Participants may also choose the area they wish to clean or request direction to high need areas around town.

To aid the effort, volunteers may reserve litter kits at no charge by completing the online reservation form. Each litter kit includes reflective vests, gloves, buckets, grabbers, trash bags, data collection sheets, hand sanitizer and litter education materials. A special thanks to B&W Hardware for donating the litter kits.
 
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
Stay In Touch
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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.