A limited number of tickets are still available for all three performances of North Wake Theatre’s Plaid Tidings – A Holiday Edition Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 10-11, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. The “Forever Plaid” boys are back for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances on Saturday, Dec. 10, and a 3 p.m. show on Sunday, Dec. 11.

Please note: The Renaissance Centre has installed risers to provide stadium-style seating for these performances.

For this Christmas special, the legendary Plaids return to Earth to spread yuletide joy by performing a selection of all-time holiday favorites. “Plaid Tidings” offers the best of Forever Plaid, tied up in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow on top! This truly "heaven-sent" holiday treat will lift audiences' spirits and fill them with nostalgia for a bygone era of classic music sung in perfect harmony. 

Tickets 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.

DigitalBridge, a partner of the Town of Wake Forest, will host a Career Training Block Party this Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Dubois Campus, 536 N. Franklin St. The free event will include on-site digital career trainings, job opportunities information, small business vendors, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, and more.

DigitalBridge is a social venture with a mission to accelerate America’s diverse digital talent and create economic opportunity. Rooted in digital equity, DigitalBridge offers career coaching, digital training, access to affordable devices, and jobs matching. Open to all skill levels, DigitalBridge trains people looking to start a digital career, advance in a current career, or who simply want to learn digital skills for everyday life.

For the 32nd straight year, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Town of Wake Forest for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. This year’s award is for the period ended June 30, 2021.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 21,000 government finance professionals. Its Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the Town and its management.

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.
 
Provided below are announcements about projects that will impact Wake Forest motorists over the next several days. Please use the information to help plan your route and move safely through the affected areas.
 
Monday-Friday, Dec. 12-16
Secure Traffic Control, a contractor working on behalf of Ting Fiber, will reduce to one lane with alternating two-way traffic the portion of West Oak Avenue from North Main Street to North Wingate Street Monday-Friday, Dec. 12-16, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The temporary lane closures are necessary to allow crews to install underground cable.
 
Signage and flaggers will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work area. Delays are expected, so drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and take an alternate route. For more information, email Carlos Linares


Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 14-17
ITS, a contractor working on behalf of Ting Fiber, will reduce to one lane with alternating two-way traffic portions of Rock Spring Road from West Juniper Avenue to Stadium Drive Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 14-17, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. The temporary lane closures are necessary to allow crews to install underground cable.
 
Signage and flaggers will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work area. Delays are expected, so drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and take an alternate route. For more information, email Jon Jolin.

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.

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is accepting donations from area residents and businesses for the 24th Annual Shop with a Cop. To contribute online via PayPal, visit the Town website. Checks and cash may also be mailed or delivered to the Wake Forest Police Department, 225 S. Taylor St.

This year’s Shop with a Cop holiday shopping spree will be Wednesday, Dec. 14. On that day approximately 25 area children will visit the WFPD where they will be paired with their police officer “partners.” The kids and their partners will then be transported by bus to the Wake Forest Walmart, where each child will be given $175 to spend on a winter coat and other items of their choice. Please note: Parents are encouraged not to accompany their children. Following the shopping spree, the children and their partners will be treated to a pizza party.

Shop with a Cop was created to help less fortunate boys and girls in the Wake Forest area experience a joyous Christmas. Since its inception in 1999, the program has helped nearly 600 local children.

The Town of Wake Forest is asking residents for their continued patience as crews work overtime to collect large amounts of leaves and other yard waste throughout our community. Crews are running two weeks behind schedule due to the large volume of leaves and because two of the Town’s three vacuum trucks remain out of service. As a result, several Wake Forest neighborhoods have not been serviced in several weeks.

The vacuum equipment performs two primary functions: vacuuming and mulching. As leaves pass through the fan or impeller, they are ground into mulch. When items other than leaves, such as rocks, bricks, bottles, and tree limbs, attempt to pass through, the fan or motor can be damaged. The vacuum trucks were damaged during vacuuming operations by sticks, rocks, and other debris mixed in with leaves.

Again, crews are working overtime and staff from other divisions have been reassigned to assist in the collection effort.

Residents can bag their leaves for collection but must use compostable paper yard waste bags (paper only, no plastic). Residents may also utilize reusable containers weighing no more than 50 pounds for yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, small limbs, and brush) collection.

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.

The Flaherty Park Pickleball Courts, 1226 N. White St., are closed for the first of three phases of renovations through Monday, Dec. 19. Weather permitting, the courts will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
 
Temporary closures will also be required later this month and during the first part of 2023 for the second and third phases of work.

Phase one will include grading and concrete work to help ensure a smooth surface and positive water drainage. Future phases will feature the installation of new bleachers and fencing, along with a shade structure, paddle rack, and memorial bench.
 
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. 

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. 

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

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.

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! 
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.

They're back! If you regret missing your chance to order a custom “Wake Forest Fire Supports our Veterans & Troops” T-shirt with camouflage lettering, then you're in luck.

The Wake Forest Fire Department (WFFD) is once again selling these popular T-shirts for $25 each - while supplies last. Available in a variety of youth and adult sizes, the T-shirts may be ordered and purchased online via PayPal.

All proceeds from T-shirt sales will be donated to VFW Post 8466.
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.

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.