The National Weather Service is projecting “dangerously cold” temperatures in our area beginning Friday morning and continuing through the weekend. High temperatures on Friday are forecast to be in the low-40s, with temperatures dropping to the 30s and 20s by the afternoon, then into the teens and single digits overnight.
Wake Forest residents are urged to take precautions ahead of and during the cold weather. To avoid water pipes breaking due to the cold air, residents are advised to run at least one faucet in their home or business at a thin stream. This allows water to flow through the pipes and lowers the risk of broken water lines during freezing conditions. Unlike other liquids, water expands when it freezes. When water pipes freeze, the expanding water can break the pipe, and customers can be left with a thoroughly soaked house when the pipes thaw.
During periods of colder weather, the Town of Wake Forest and Raleigh Water typically receive calls from customers reporting broken water pipes. When pipes break between the water meter and the home or within the home, the customer is responsible for repairs. Since Raleigh Water operates and maintains Wake Forest's water system, it is responsible for repairing any damage to pipes between the water main under the street and the meter, or in the main itself, which rarely happens since water runs continuously in the mains. For more information, call Raleigh Water at 919-996-3245.
The Town of Wake Forest offers additional tips during a hard freeze - about 30 degrees (F) or below for more than one hour.
In addition, the Wake Forest Police Department recommends that you check in on neighbors and family members who may be more susceptible to cold weather conditions, such as the elderly or disabled. If you are unable to reach them, WFPD will conduct a welfare check for you. Simply call 919-554-6150 to request the service.
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The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Friday-Tuesday, Dec. 23-27, for the Christmas holiday and Monday, Jan. 2, for New Year’s. In addition, the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Box Office will be closed December 23-January 2.
Trash, recycling, and bulk waste collection schedules will not change during the holidays, nor will the bus service schedules, but yard waste collection will be affected.
During the week of December 19, yard waste will not be collected Friday, Dec. 23. The collection of all routes, including Friday’s route, will occur Monday-Thursday, Dec. 19-22, until all have been completed. To ensure that all neighborhoods are serviced properly, residents are urged to leave their normal yard waste and loose leaves in separate piles behind the curb by 7 a.m. Monday for pickup by Thursday.
During the week of December 26, yard waste collection will be suspended. The break will allow crews to focus on collecting Christmas trees and provide the Fleet Services Division an opportunity to make repairs to the Town’s collection equipment.
During the week of January 2, yard waste will not be collected Monday. The collection of all routes, including Monday’s route, will occur Tuesday-Friday, Jan. 3-6, until all have been completed. To ensure that all neighborhoods are serviced properly, residents are urged to leave their normal yard waste and loose leaves in separate piles behind the curb by 7 a.m. Tuesday.
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Christmas Tree recycling starts January 3
The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging residents to make recycling a holiday tradition by recycling their live Christmas trees.
Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 3, Town crews will collect and recycle live Christmas trees from residential homes during yard waste collection. The trees will be ground into mulch and made available for free to residents upon request.
All Wake Forest residents whose yard waste is collected by the Town may participate in the “Treecycling” program. To recycle your Christmas tree, remove all decorations, tinsel, nails, stands, and bags from the tree and set it behind the curb for collection. Residents are reminded that artificial trees cannot be recycled. For more information, email the Public Works Department.
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The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is celebrating Black History Month in 2023 by again offering residents the chance to recognize local African Americans who have made a difference enhancing and improving the quality of life in their community, family, church, business, organization, or other group.
From now through Saturday, Jan. 21, the HRC will accept nominations for Wake Forest residents to be recognized for their contributions.
Wake Forest residents, former residents, and business and community stakeholders that identify as African American are eligible. Nominees should demonstrate leadership and integrity and be respected by their peers.
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Several local churches and community organizations will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a free, public celebration on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, 237 Friendship Chapel Road.
The evening’s theme will center around one of Dr. King’s messages: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” In the spirit of the event theme, the Wake Forest MLK Committee will offer creative performance, writing, and art competitions for students in Wake Forest and Rolesville-area schools. Complete contest rules and information, along with the online contest entry form, are available on the Town website. The competition winners will be recognized during the January 19 program.
The Wake Forest MLK Committee is accepting monetary donations from the community to help fund the monetary prizes and scholarships awarded to the competition winners. The MLK Committee hopes to raise $10,000 by January 31, 2023. Area residents can support this worthy cause by submitting online donations via PayPal. For more information, email Margo Grant.
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The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently named the Town of Wake Forest as the recipient of the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2022-23 annual budget. This marks the ninth consecutive year Wake Forest has earned the GFOA honor.
The award represents a significant achievement by the Town and reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the budget award, Wake Forest was required to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award.
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The Wake Forest Farmers Market is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating our community about the value of local farms and the importance of local food systems.
During the winter, the Farmers Market typically operates Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon along South Taylor Street behind the Wake Forest Town Hall.
Please note the upcoming operating schedule:
Saturday, Dec. 24 - Closed
Thursday, Dec. 29 - Special Mid-Week Evening Market, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 31 - Closed
Saturday, Jan. 7 - 10 a.m.-noon
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Comedian Jen Kober will bring her original blend of stand-up comedy, storytelling, and improvised rock-n-roll humor to the Renaissance Centre stage on Friday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m.
The 2017 Winner of NPR's Snap Judgement Comedic Performance of the Year for her “Girl Scout Cookie Caper” which went viral upon its release, Kober also received the 2018 Comedic Performance of the Year for “Nana Vs. OJ.”
In 2019 she appeared on Netflix for RuPaul's sitcom “AJ & The Queen” and “Dead to Me.” Kober had audiences rolling in the aisles on HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones,” played a no-nonsense detective in “The Purge” on USA Network and was a wacky science teacher in “Diary of A Future President” on Disney+. She has also had a hilarious guest starring role on the CBS sitcom “How We Roll” and appeared on the HBO hit series “Hacks.”
General admission tickets are $20 plus tax. Please note: This performance contains adult language and content.
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What could be more romantic than treating your Valentine to a Jazz brunch featuring Shana Tucker.
Cellist and singer-songwriter, Tucker invites you in with her voice and captures your heart with her unique ChamberSoul style. She’s opened for heavy-hitters like the Indigo Girls and Blind Boys of Alabama and played several years in Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil. Brunch is catered by Cannon Catering.
Reserved seats are $60 plus tax (includes brunch). View the full menu on our website.
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The 2022 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive is underway. As part of this year’s effort, area residents and businesses can contribute online to one or more of the following initiatives:
Helping Others by Providing Electricity (HOPE)
Northern Community Food Security Team
Shop with a Cop
Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation
Wake Forest PRCR Scholarship Program
These programs are addressing specific needs in our community, including hunger, home lighting and heating, youth health and fitness, and providing joy and hope during the holiday season and beyond. The Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive is an opportunity to demonstrate the community’s support for these important efforts.
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The popular Letters for Santa mailbox is available in Jones Plaza at the intersection of South White Street and East Jones Avenue.
Children of all ages are invited to bring their letters to Santa’s Mailbox anytime through Friday, Dec. 23, for immediate delivery to the North Pole. No postage is required.
A “Letter from Santa” which parents can download and personalize is available on the Town website.
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The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of developing a Public Transit Plan, and we need your input.
Wake Forest residents, business owners, and stakeholders are invited to complete the online survey. Available through Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, the survey takes about three minutes to complete.
Community input will be used to help inform how the Town addresses public transit needs.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is urging every resident to “be a good neighbor” by reporting suspicious activity this holiday season and throughout the year.
Police officials say crimes are often prevented when citizens report suspected illegal activity. That’s especially true when it comes to combatting “porch pirates.” With only a few weeks until Christmas, deliveries are already arriving on doorsteps. The WFPD is enlisting the public’s help to ensure the rightful owners receive those packages.
As the popularity of online shopping and home delivery continues to increase, so does the threat posed by porch pirates. Police say these offenders may not intend to target a particular home but may walk or drive by an area and see an easy target where something of perceived value can be taken quickly without notice. In other instances, these criminals follow delivery drivers around and wait until a package or packages are dropped off. Once the courier is out of sight, the packages are stolen.
Police encourage residents to stay alert and report all crime and suspicious activity. If you see a package being stolen from a neighbor’s home, call police and report a “crime in progress.” In addition, if you see someone acting suspicious or a vehicle that might be casing the neighborhood, call police immediately with an accurate description of the suspect(s) and/or vehicle as well as exactly what they were doing. Being a good neighbor is always the best defense against crime.
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On Thursday, Jan. 12, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the Women's Business Alliance will present the Wake Forest Area Chamber's first ever women's leadership summit!
Join us at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for a powerhouse afternoon spent with keynote speakers Sloane Heffernan and Page Fehling. Our speakers will lead us in a conversation on how to tell your story in an effective way. Whether it be your personal story, your professional story or a story you want to create, you will walk away inspired on how to take that next step.
Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-members and include:
- Lunch, provided by the Lemon Tree.
- Signature mocktails
- Photo opportunities
- A free gift to take home
- And plenty of networking!
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Transportation Planning 101
The Town of Wake Forest Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) addresses regional traffic issues from the surrounding areas as well as alternative transportation methods, such as buses, greenways, and trains.
Check out the video above on our Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) to learn more about how transportation projects are selected and funded. For more information, visit our Transportation Planning web page.
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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 and hope to have it delivered and installed in early 2023. Until then, Channel 10 broadcasts will continue to be limited to live meetings.
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The following monthly meeting schedule is now in effect:
Board of Commissioners Work Session
First Tuesday/month - 6 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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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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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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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