The Town of Wake Forest is introducing a free education series for residents interested in learning how to reduce their environmental footprint. Offered by Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson, Wake Forest Sustainability 101, is comprised of six classes on topics ranging from composting and recycling to combating litter and creating household food circularity.
The sessions get underway Wednesday, Sept. 27, with “Composting 101.” Geared for homeowners and led by a Wake County Master Gardner, the workshop will offer the basics on composting and explain how to compost in your own backyard.
Future sessions will include Recycle Right (November 15); Understanding Waste (January 31); Earth Day Education (March 20); Communities Combating Litter (May 22); and Creating Household Food Circularity (July 24).
Free and open to the public, each class is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Public Works Operations Center, 234 Friendship Chapel Road, or Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.
Online registration is open to the first 20 people to register for each class. Please note: Registrants may enroll in one or more classes and are not required to sign up for the entire series.
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The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 4, in observance of Labor Day. In addition, curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be suspended, along with Wake Forest Bus Service.
Town offices will re-open Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 8 a.m. Wake Forest Bus Service, including the Wake Forest-Raleigh Express and the Wake Forest Loop, will also resume its normal schedule September 5.
During the week of September 4, trash and recycling will be collected 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. 4, but will resume Tuesday, Sept. 5, 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.
or schedule a pickup by calling 919-435-9570 by 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1.
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Taylor Street entrance to Town Hall temporarily closed
If you're planning a visit to Town Hall over the next few days, then be prepared to use the Brooks Street entrance.
The facility's Taylor Street entrance is temporarily closed while crews perform maintenance on the building exterior.
The Taylor Street entrance is expected to be available by Wednesday, Aug. 30.
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Weather permitting, Wake Forest tree crews will close a portion of the Sanford Creek Greenway in the vicinity of Sanford Creek Avenue and Rose Angel Circle Monday, Aug. 28, from 7:30-10:30 a.m.
The temporary closure is necessary to allow crews to remove a tree damaged during a recent storm.
Signage and barricades will be posted to inform the public of the temporary closure. Greenway users are urged to obey the signs and avoid the area.
For more information, email Urban Forestry Program Manager Luke Devores.
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Traffic Alert – Friendship Chapel Road
Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 29, and continuing through Monday, Sept. 11, GCI Residential, a contractor working at Legacy Heritage, will reduce to one lane with alternating two-way traffic a portion of Friendship Chapel Road between Heritage Lake Road and Gateway Commons Circle daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The periodic lane closures are necessary to allow crews to park and utilize a man lift/aerial lift to perform work on a building.
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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Spend a couple Sunday evenings in September with family and friends at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, while enjoying some foot-tapping, finger-snapping good times during the 2023 Concerts in the Park. “SNAP” will headline the first concert on Sunday, Sept. 3, followed by “The Soul Psychedlique Orchestra” on Sunday, Sept. 10.
Free and open to everyone, both performances are scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Joyner Park amphitheater. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic, leashed pets, a blanket, or lawn chair and enjoy the music. However, alcoholic beverages, smoking, and unleashed pets are prohibited at Joyner Park.
Wake Forest Unplugged
As a bonus, on September 3 from 5-7 p.m., the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board will provide an array of organized games and activities as part of the 12th annual Wake Forest Unplugged. This free, family-friendly event offers area residents a unique opportunity to “disconnect” from their cell phones, computers and other electronic devices and “reconnect” with their community, friends, and family by engaging in healthier, more active pursuits.
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Mark your calendar for the Tree Trail Trek, Saturday, Sept. 23, at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department and the Neuse River Hawks Conservationists (NRHC) are partnering to commemorate the “Year of the Trail” by hosting the event from 8 a.m.-noon.
The event will feature NRHC volunteers stationed at 20 different trees along the trails at Joyner Park sharing information and answering questions about a variety of native trees and their value to wildlife, including Water Hickory, Southern Magnolia, Loblolly Pine, Sassafras, Pecan, Tulip Poplar, and Longleaf Pine.
Designed to encourage physical activity and engage individuals and families in an outdoor adventure that fosters a meaningful connection to Joyner Park’s natural environment, the Tree Trail Trek is free, and no registration is required. Anyone interested in participating should begin at the kiosk adjacent to the entrance to the Joyner Park parking lot and follow the directional signs.
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The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of conducting a study to evaluate the access and mobility of the South Main Street corridor. The initiative will also recommend ways to improve the safety, comfort, access, and multimodal mobility for everyone that uses the corridor, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Citizen input is the cornerstone of the South Main Street Corridor Study. Residents and businesses are invited to visit Engage Wake Forest and complete their respective online survey. Residents and businesses are also invited to use the online mapping survey to identify issues and opportunities along the South Main Street corridor. The surveys take less than 10 minutes to complete and will be available through Sunday, Sept. 17.
The Town will also host a South Main Street Corridor Open House Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 6-8 p.m. at The Factory, 1839 S. Main St. The session will offer residents, business owners, and stakeholders the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on a range of topics related to the South Main Street Corridor.
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The Town of Wake Forest is committed to being open, transparent, and accessible, also known as "Sunshine" in government.
Over the next several weeks, we’ll “shed some light” on what we call our Radiant Resources - the various ways we offer access to public records and elected officials, share information about public meetings, authorize resources, keep you informed, and more!
Whenever you see the Radiant Resources icon (shown above), then you’ll know this is another way we’re honoring our commitment to transparency.
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The Town of Wake Forest is inviting residents who live in Wake Forest’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to apply for a single vacancy on the Planning Board.
Applications will be accepted through Thursday, Aug. 31. The online advisory board application is available on the Town website. Anyone without computer access is invited to complete the application by using a computer kiosk in the lobby of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Hard copies are available upon request by contacting Deputy Town Clerk Ella Dowtin at 919-435-9436.
Planning Board candidates will be introduced to the Board of Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The appointment to the Planning Board will also be announced during this meeting, and the new term will commence immediately.
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The Human Relations Council (HRC) is soliciting youth and adult nominations for the 14th Annual Good Neighbor of the Year Award. The award recognizes Wake Forest residents who work to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods without seeking recognition for their efforts.
Nominees are sought in two divisions: adult (ages 19 and older) and youth (ages 10-18). To qualify, a nominee must be a Wake Forest resident who has made a significant contribution to the community between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023. Employees of the Town of Wake Forest are not eligible.
Nominations must include the names of both the nominator and the nominee, along with a narrative of 400 words or less describing why the nominee is deserving of the Good Neighbor of the Year Award.
Mayor Vivian Jones will present a commemorative plaque to one youth and one adult winner during this year’s Good Neighbor Day on Saturday, Sept. 16. The event is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.
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The entry fee is $45 per player, plus $10 for each additional event. Tournament proceeds will be used to make improvements to the Flaherty Park Pickleball Courts.
Complete tournament details, including registration information, are available on the Town of Wake Forest website. The registration deadline is Friday, Sept 30. Everyone who registers by 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, will receive a T-shirt. No registrations will be accepted on the day of the tournament.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, email Sandy Brasseale.
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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, such as aerobics, line dancing, ballroom dancing, wood carving, painting, and craft making.
The center also provides several social events each month, as well as educational classes on subjects including computers, ceramics, and clay.
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The free outdoor concert will take place from 6-9 p.m. along South White Street in historic downtown Wake Forest.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at several downtown restaurants.
Food and dessert trucks scheduled to participate include Virgil’s Jamaica, Fishin' Shrimp, The Naked Empanada, Golden K Dog, Stavi's Sandwiches, Mexiarepa Grill, Mama Churros, Kona Ice, Peyton's Place Open Pit BBQ & Fried Chicken, VFW Chuck Wagon, Crumbstruction, Charlie’s Kabob on Wheels, and Lumpy’s Ice Cream. Menus for these food trucks are provided on the Town website.
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Vital Theatre will present two performances of the classic tale The Wizard of Oz Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Showtimes are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Don’t miss this incredible re-telling of an American classic that has been entertaining audiences for ages.
Rediscover the joy of following the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and even munchkin puppetry, as they travel through a re-imagined world of Oz. Suitable for children of all ages, this scaled-down version will last approximately one hour.
Advance tickets are $20 plus tax for adults and $10 plus tax for ages 12 and younger.
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We are thrilled to invite filmmakers from our community and around the world to submit their exceptional works and become a part of our growing festival.
The WFFF welcomes submissions of features, shorts, and all forms of film production including fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and more.
We look for interesting new voices and works that show passion and creativity. The goal of the WFFF is to bring together filmmakers, filmthusiasts, and people who enjoy a good story to our two-day festival. We invite you to be a part of the 2024 Wake Forest Film Festival by submitting your film. For more information and to submit your film, visit our website.
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Leadership Wake Forest is one of the oldest sustained community leadership programs in the area. Together with an expansive network of distinguished alumni, Leadership Wake Forest continues a proud tradition of connecting and inspiring leaders to strengthen not only our town but our region as well.
Leadership Wake Forest is the Wake Forest Chamber and Wake Forest Chamber Foundation's signature nine-month program. Through service projects, discussions, and community tours, members explore critical community issues, examine themselves as leaders, and build relationships of trust and mutual understanding.
Whether you are new to Wake Forest and the Triangle or have lived here all your life, Leadership Wake Forest will connect you with our region in dynamic ways you cannot even imagine. Experience the rich history and vibrant culture of our town and discover the organizations, institutions, resources, venues, and projects that shape our future. Get introduced and connected like never before to the area's key leaders while learning about business, government, education, quality of life, our regional partners, and the arts and culture of our community. Most of all, get ready to be inspired to become more civically engaged.
Leadership Wake Forest provides a unique opportunity to:
- Explore the history and current issues.
- Discover and experience the culture of our region.
- Connect with prominent business and civic leaders.
- Engage in the community and make a positive impact.
Approximately 50 established leaders are selected to participate each year.
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The Town of Wake Forest (TOWF) offers a free smartphone app that provides direct access to useful information about Wake Forest and encourages two-way communication between the Town and its residents.
Since the app's introduction in 2012, thousands of Android and iPhone users have downloaded the app allowing them instant access to important information about Town programs, services and events.
Among its many functions, the TOWF app allows iPhone and Android users to:
- Utilize “SeeClickFix” for prompt action on street maintenance, lights, potholes and graffiti, using the app to send a photo and exact location of the problem;
- Receive breaking news messages;
- Access information about Town-sponsored events and events at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre;
- View Town job openings;
- Utilize the “Waste Wizard;”
- Access contact information for every Town department.
Android and iPhone users can access and install the correct version of the TOWF app by scanning the appropriate QR code below.
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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 PRCR Department will celebrate three years of hosting Battle in the Forest online esports gaming tournaments with a special tournament on Saturday, Aug. 26, featuring "Street Fighter 6.”
Open to players ages 13 and older, the online tournament is free to play on the PS5 platform only and will be live streamed on Twitch.tv. Registration is open through Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Participants will compete in a one-on-one, single-day, double-elimination tournament to be run in conjunction with "Bull City Gaming." Matches will be best of three the championship match being best of five.
In the event more than 32 people register, the tournament will expand to two days with the qualifying rounds taking place on August 26 and the top eight participants battling it out in the finals on Sunday, Aug. 27.
As an added incentive, the first 30 people to register will have their name entered into a special prize drawing. Only tournament participants are eligible to win.
The tournament’s first place winner will choose between the HORI PS5 Street Fighter Edition Fight Stick or a Qanba Drone 2 Fight Stick. The fight stick not selected by the first-place winner will be presented to the incentive drawing winner.
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Good Neighbor Day (GND) returns to E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Saturday, Sept. 16, from 1-4 p.m. Hosted by the Human Relations Council (HRC), GND is an annual celebration that assembles Wake Forest residents from all walks of life for a day of free food, fun, and family entertainment. By bringing together a mix of cultures, music, ages and ethnicities, the event celebrates diversity and promotes goodwill among all Wake Forest citizens.
Volunteers are critical to the success of the event and needed at various times between noon and 5 p.m. Volunteer duties will be general in nature and may include setting up, cleaning up, answering questions, and assisting attendees.
Local civic groups and community organizations are especially encouraged to participate, along with local students interested in earning community service hours. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, email Human Resources Director Angela McCray.
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The Town of Wake Forest and several local veterans’ organizations will continue their monthly flag-raising ceremonies in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza Monday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m.
The 50th Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony will honor James Busam who served our nation in the US Navy.
Friends and family have been invited to participate in the ceremony, which will include patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying and the ceremonial flag-raising. After raising the American flag, the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard will raise the US Navy service flag. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout September.
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The Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries from residents and candidates concerning rules for political signs. Although temporary political signs advertising candidates or issues are permitted, a combination of state law and municipal code regulates how political signs may be displayed within Wake Forest. To ensure these conditions are met, adherence is required to the following regulations establishing the duration, size, placement, and illumination of political signs:
Duration
- Private Property – can be installed now with prior permission of the owner.
- State Roads – can be installed no earlier than 30 days before the November 7 election (Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023).
- Political signs must be removed by Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 - within 10 days after the election.
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The Public Art Commission is inviting residents to help shape the future of public art in Wake Forest by completing a brief online survey. Residents can complete the survey by visiting Engage Wake Forest and clicking on “Wake Forest Public Art.”
Designed to gauge community interest in public art, assess preferred types of art, and more, the questionnaire takes less than five minutes to complete.
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The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre opened in November 2013 by encouraging visitors to “Imagine the Possibilities.” Now, the Renaissance Centre (RC) is commemorating its 10-year anniversary with a series of concerts, performances, and special events designed to highlight its impact as “the place” our community gathers to celebrate and enjoy the arts.
Our Realizing the Possibilities Celebration Series is underway and continues with Vital Theatre's Wizard of Oz on September 16, the Celebration of the Arts on October 7, Marcus Anderson in concert on November 18 (Sold Out), and four performances of the Celtic Angels December 15-17.
The series then extends into 2024 with Mesmerizing Magic featuring Jason Hudy on January 27, Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart on February 24, the Wake Forest Film Festival March 1-2, and two concerts featuring The Drifters on April 13.
Tickets for all these concerts, shows, and performances are on sale now and going fast.
Don't Be Scammed
While these events are opportunities to experience and enjoy top quality artists and performances, they also present openings for scammers to sell fake and/or higher-priced tickets. That’s why the Renaissance Centre (RC) is encouraging patrons to be diligent and exercise safe ticket-buying practices by always buying tickets from the source. To be certain that online tickets for RC shows are valid and that the price paid is the face-value price, purchases should always be made through the RC website.
The RC utilizes Etix as its exclusive online ticket seller. It is not affiliated with and does not cooperate with any resellers and cannot confirm the validity or stand behind tickets purchased from broker/resale sites.
Finally, anyone who purchases tickets, then wishes to sell them (for whatever reason) should contact the Renaissance Centre Box Office at 919-435-9458. The RC maintains a waitlist of people interested in purchasing tickets should they become available.
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Registration continues through August for Adult Co-Rec Fall Kickball.
The entry fee is $225 per team, and the league is limited to participants ages 18 and older.
League games will be played primarily on weeknights and Sunday afternoons from mid-September through late October.
Anyone interested in participating who does not have a team can sign up as a free agent, then assigned to a team in need of players.
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Whoever said "nothing in life is free" didn't know about the Wake Forest Loop (WFL).
If you’re not familiar with the WFL, here are the top three reasons you should give it a try:
- It’s free
- It serves Wake Forest and part of Wakefield every day but Sunday
- It offers major stops in downtown Wake Forest, the Northern Regional Center, Heritage, Wakefield Commons, and Wake Forest Crossing.
Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE? For more information about Wake Forest Bus Service, visit our website.
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Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) Victim Advocate Carly Simonton is hosting a weekly podcast on Next Door Radio Fridays at 10:15 a.m.
Victims Vibe – Tales of Trials & Triumphs explores the domestic violence, sexual assault, and other family-related issues Simonton encounters in support of victims and witnesses in her role as Victim Advocate. Her podcast is intended to give the community greater insight into the issues and challenges facing victims and witnesses of crime, as well as the resources available to them.
Simonton interviews a different guest during each week’s 30-minute podcast, including experts in public safety, law enforcement, and criminal justice issues. She also devotes time to answering questions submitted by area residents. Questions and topics for future episodes may be submitted online.
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WFTV 10 is the Town of Wake Forest's government access channel serving the residents of Wake Forest. Produced by the Town's Communications Department, WFTV 10 is available to residents and businesses that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service. For those who don't subscribe to Spectrum Cable, WFTV 10 is also provided in real-time streaming video and as a function of the Town App.
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WFTV 10 Schedule
Board of Commissioners work sessions are broadcast live on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Regular meetings are broadcast live on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., then re-broadcast daily throughout the remainder of the month at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Planning Board meetings are broadcast live on the second Tuesday of each month, then re-broadcast daily the following week at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
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The September 2023-February 2024 edition of RecConnect is now available. Hard copies of the PRCR Program Guide are available at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.; Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.; Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road; Flaherty Park Community Center (FPCC), 1226 N. White St.; and Alston-Massenburg Center (AMC), 416 N. Taylor St.
Check out RecConnect for complete details on recreational programs, events, and activities for all age groups, including preschool, youth, and adult, scheduled from September 2023 through February 2024.
Program registration began August 1 for Wake Forest residents and starts August 8 for non-Wake Forest residents.
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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.
From April-September, the Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon along South Taylor Street behind the Wake Forest Town Hall.
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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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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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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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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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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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