Fireworks, games, live entertainment and more await you at Wake Forest’s 2023 Independence Day Celebration. This community extravaganza is the Town’s most eagerly anticipated summertime event serving up two days’ worth of free fun and excitement for the entire family.
The festivities get underway with the Fireworks Spectacular on Monday, July 3, inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the program begins at 6 p.m.
The Band of Oz, one of the southeast's most popular beach bands, will headline this year’s celebration, followed by an unforgettable 20-minute fireworks display. The fireworks show typically begins around 9:30 p.m.
Click on the map below to view important points of interest during this year's Fireworks Spectacular.
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July 4 Festivities
The Independence Day revelry continues Tuesday, July 4, with the popular Children’s Parade. Area youngsters are invited to hop on their bicycles and be a part of their very own “walking parade.” The lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 10:30 a.m. Click on the Children's Parade map (shown right) to view the parade route.
The Independence Day festivities will conclude at 11 a.m. with Art & More in the Park. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, free arts and crafts activities will take place inside the Community House, including the creation of various patriotic-themed crafts for all ages, cupcake decorating and more. Children’s Parade participants are also invited to enjoy Holding Park, located adjacent to the Community House.
In addition to the arts and crafts projects offered inside the Community House, the Wake Forest Fire Department will be outside grilling and serving free hotdogs, interacting with the children and their families, and providing information on fire prevention and safety.
Parking
Free parking for the July 4 festivities is available at Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave., and to a much lesser extent at the Wake Forest Historical Museum.
A better option is the gravel lot at the intersection of South Avenue and South Main Street graciously made available by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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The Town of Wake Forest is honoring the golden anniversary of its two-day Independence Day Celebration by selling commemorative T-shirts for $16 each plus tax and shipping.
Available in a variety of adult sizes, the navy blue T-shirts prominently display the 50-year anniversary logo on the left chest and on the back.
As a bonus, attendees spotted wearing the commemorative T-shirt during the July 3 Fireworks Spectacular at Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road, will be eligible to receive a Texas Roadhouse coupon.
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The Wake Forest Police Department and Wake Forest Fire Department are partnering to host a Public Safety Camp Monday-Wednesday, June 26-28, at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.
Geared for ages 13-15, the three-day camp will include sessions on basic first aid, CPR, fire extinguisher usage, and firefighter tactics, as well as Police K9 and tactical team demonstrations, a mock crime scene investigation, and discussions about careers in public safety.
The cost of the camp is $35 and includes lunch each day. In addition, all campers will receive a Public Safety Camp T-shirt. A limited number of spots are available.
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On Monday, June 26, at 7 a.m. crews will begin preparing for the construction of the Holding Park Inclusive Playground, 133 W. Owen Ave., by assembling equipment and supplies onsite. The effort will require the closure of 11 parking spaces along West Owen Avenue for the foreseeable future.
Holding Park has been closed since late October 2022. Barricades and signage announcing the closure are posted around the park perimeter. Area residents are urged to obey the signs and avoid the area as construction continues.
Although Holding Park is closed, the Wake Forest Community House, Holding Park basketball courts, and R.H. Forest Field remain open.
Weather permitting, the installation of the new Holding Park Inclusive Playground is expected to be completed by September 2023.
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The Town of Wake Forest is inviting residents who live in Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to apply for two vacancies on the Planning Board. One seat must be filled by a Wake Forest resident, while the other is reserved for someone who lives in the ETJ.
Applications will be accepted through Friday, July 28. 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, Aug. 15. Appointments to the Planning Board will also be announced during this meeting.
The new terms will commence immediately following the August 15 meeting.
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The Town of Wake Forest is initiating a study to identify potential upgrades for Miller Park, 401 Elm Ave. The initiative will also propose greenway improvements and address water quality and erosion issues involving two streams within the two-acre park.
A wooded oasis in the heart of downtown Wake Forest, Miller Park features picnic tables and a half-mile of paved trails that loop throughout the park.
Citizen input is the cornerstone of the Miller Park Upgrades & Stream Restoration Study, so we want to hear from you. Residents and visitors to Miller Park are invited to visit Engage Wake Forest and provide their input via an online survey. Available through Friday, June 30, the survey takes less than five minutes to complete.
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The Town of Wake Forest is accepting applications for its second annual Citizen’s Academy through Friday, July 14.
The Wake Forest Citizen’s Academy is a seven-week course designed to offer participants an educational and interactive experience on the workings of Town government. The curriculum will cover current Wake Forest programs, services, and procedures, and offer an inside look at several Town departments.
Led by Town staff, each weekly session will take place at a different Town facility. The final session will include a graduation ceremony and reception.
The 2023 Citizens Academy will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays from September 7-October 19. A light meal will be provided with each session beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a Wake Forest resident or business owner. Due to the interactive nature of the course, the academy is limited to 25 participants. To graduate, participants must attend at least five of seven sessions.
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Online registration is available for both Wake Forest residents and non-residents. Team placement and draft information, additional registration details, and league rules are also provided online and at the Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road.
A participant’s eligibility is determined by his or her age on April 30, 2023, and a birth certificate is required for new participants. The in-town registration fee is $60, and the out-of-town fee is $100.
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The Town of Wake Forest (TOWF) app recently transitioned from the BiznessApps to the BuildFire platform. The TOWF app updates automatically on most devices, but in cases that it does not, users can download the new version by scanning the appropriate QR code.
The updated app is similar to the previous version with many of the same features, including streamlined access to information about Friday Night on White and other popular Town events, as well as Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources, Town news and employment opportunities, SeeClickFix, the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, and more.
One prominent change is the appearance of the home screen which features a full color image of the popular "town clock" situated along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest (shown right).
Another is the login requirement for users that wish to continue receiving time-sensitive push notifications. Please note: These push notifications will "pop up" automatically on your phone as long as you "allow" notifications in your settings.
To view/access the push notification archive:
- Open the app and from the home page, click on the three-lines icon in the top right corner to access the second page.
- After accessing the second page, scroll to the bottom and click on "Notifications."
- After accessing the Notifications page, click on "View History."
- Click on each notification to view the full message.
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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, July 10, at 11 a.m.
The 48th Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony will honor Thomas and Mary Perrone, both of whom served in the US Marine Corps.
Members of the Perrone 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 U.S. Marine Corps service flag in recognition of the military branch in which the Perrones served. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout July.
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Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at several downtown restaurants. A variety of food and dessert trucks will also be on site in the Depot Parking Lot, 110 S. White St., and along East Owen Avenue.
The remaining 2023 concerts will feature Stone Age Romeos on August 11, and Crush on September 8.
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The Wake Forest PRCR Department is hosting a free, monthly outdoor movie series through August at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. The third in the series of Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park will present the film “Zootopia” Saturday, July 22, at 8:30 p.m.
Family Movie Nights feature family-friendly film favorites and genres, including comedies, dramas, and thrillers, all projected on a 26-foot inflatable movie screen in the park’s amphitheater.
The season's final film screening will feature Spider Man: No Way Home on Saturday, Aug. 5. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Anyone planning to attend is urged to arrive early as viewing space may be limited.
Family Movie Nights are free and open to the public. Each includes a movie-related pre-show activity for kids beginning at 7:30 p.m. In addition, assorted food vendors will be on site selling snacks and refreshments.
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Sanford Creek Greenway users, particularly bicyclists, are urged to use extreme caution when crossing Marshall Farm Street, while drivers are reminded to slow down when approaching the crosswalk.
For several years Marshall Farm Street dead-ended at the Sanford Creek Greenway. Recently, the contractor developing the Regency at Heritage extended and opened the roadway which now stretches from Heritage Regency Drive to Rogers Road.
Town crews have installed stop signs and temporary flags along the greenway at both entrances to the Marshall Farm Street intersection. Bicycle riders and pedestrians are reminded to follow the traffic signs, just the same as when riding on the road.
Crews also installed temporary digital signage along Marshall Farm to notify drivers approaching the greenway crossing. Later this week, crews will also cut back vegetation at the intersection to improve sight lines. These temporary measures will remain in place for several weeks.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) recently named Officer B. Harris as its 2022 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer of the Year.
A specialized law enforcement program, the CIT is a partnership between 17 Wake County law enforcement agencies, Wake County Human Services, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The initiative is designed to develop a more effective, compassionate, and safer approach to interacting with people suffering from a mental illness or developmental disability crisis.
The CIT provides 40 hours of specialized training to sworn law enforcement officers. The training helps officers identify individuals in a mental health crisis and utilize effective techniques to deescalate crisis situations. As a result, there are fewer incidents of incarceration of persons with mental illness for misdemeanor charges and fewer injuries to both officers and individuals with mental illness.
In Wake County, more than 500 officers have been CIT-certified, and every law enforcement agency may select a CIT Officer of the Year.
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In September, the Board of Commissioners approved a partnership with Wake Forest FUNGO, a summer baseball program featuring college players.
The partnership includes a commitment from the Town and the team to upgrade Flaherty Park Field 2 which will serve as the dedicated home field for FUNGO. Scheduled to take several years, the renovations will include relocated and larger dugouts, expanded seating, a half-wall backstop, and landscaped enclosure and entry way.
Established in 2016, Wake Forest FUNGO has won three division championships over seven seasons.
Upcoming Home Games
This week's home games are Friday-Saturday, June 23-24 (Fuquay-Varina Twins); Sunday, June 25 (High Point Locos); Thursday, June 29 (Carolina Ducks); and Saturday, July 1 (Fuquay-Varina Twins).
Tickets
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Holding Park Aquatic Center (HPAC), 133 W. Owen Ave., is open the season. Daily admission fees for Wake Forest residents are $1 for children ages 2 and under; $4 for children ages 3-13; and $5 for patrons ages 13-59; and $4 for ages 60 and over. Daily admission fees for non-Wake Forest residents are $2 for children ages 2 and under; $6 for children ages 3-13; and $7 for patrons ages 13-59; and $6 for ages 60 and over.
A maximum of 200 patrons are allowed inside the facility during each session. To help ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, patrons are encouraged to register and pay online in advance. Pre-registration opens 14 days in advance. Walk-ins and on-site registration are also allowed if space is available.
New this year, RecCard holders can purchase a Pool Punch Pass worth 20 daily swim sessions at HPAC. The Pool Punch Pass is available to Wake Forest residents for $60 and non-Wake Forest residents for $100.
Please note: HPAC staff track your visits by scanning your Rec Card. After purchasing your Pool Punch Pass, please be sure to bring your Rec Card with you each time you visit the HPAC because you will be required to scan it before entering the facility. For complete details, email Athletics & Aquatics Manager Edward Austin.
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The Wake Forest Fire Department is asking for the community’s help renovating and restoring a Smoke Trailer used to teach children important lessons about the dangers of fires, how to prevent them, and ways to escape a burning home.
Donations of money, labor, and materials are needed to renovate and upfit the trailer, so it functions as a mobile classroom.
Once the renovations are completed, the Smoke Trailer will be used at schools, camps, and community events to teach kids what to do if a fire breaks out at home. The unit will be specially equipped with appliances, smoke machines, and heaters that can create conditions mimicking the signs of danger.
“Fire education and prevention are cornerstones of our operations,” said Firefighter Glenn Ebron. “We’re excited to partner with our community to renovate the Smoke Trailer and make our mobile classroom a reality.”
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The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre opened in November 2013 by encouraging visitors to “Imagine the Possibilities.” Later this year, the Renaissance Centre (RC) will commemorate 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 gets underway with The Malpass Brothers concert on July 22 and continues with two Murder Mystery Dinners on August 12, Vital Theatre's Wizard of Oz on September 16, the Celebration of the Arts on October 7, Marcus Anderson in concert on November 18, 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 go on sale to the public Wednesday, June 28, at 10 a.m., but our Friends of the Centre can purchase their tickets now.
In the meantime, everyone who has ever attended an event or participated in an activity at the RC is invited to help celebrate its 10-year anniversary and commemorate its impact on our community by visiting the RC website and using the online form to share favorite memories and photos from their RC experience(s).
Photos and comments will be compiled and shared on the RC website and social media. Everyone who submits at least one photo and recounts a favorite experience will be eligible to win tickets to events in the “Realizing the Possibilities” Celebration Series.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is partnering with Hyundai Motor Group to offer a limited number of free steering wheel locks to qualifying Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners. The initiative is designed to combat the increase in motor vehicle thefts, resulting from a social media trend showing how to start Hyundai and Kia vehicles without a key.
Officials say there has been a nationwide increase in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts particularly those built before November 1, 2021, without an engine immobilizer. The affected vehicles are Hyundai’s and Kia’s that require a steel key to be started.
Donated to WFPD by Hyundai Motor Group, the steering wheel locks are free and available on a first come, first serve basis to Wake Forest residents who have vehicle models meeting the criteria.
To receive a free steering wheel lock, vehicle owners will be required to schedule an appointment and provide registration to verify ownership of a Hyndai or Kia. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 919-554-6150 or email Officer Richard May.
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Taylor Street Park Sprayground is now open for the 2023 season. Free and open to the public, the sprayground will operate according to the following schedule through Friday, June 9:
- Sundays, 1-8 p.m.
- Monday-Friday, 4-8 p.m.
- Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Please Note: The sprayground will be open Memorial Day (Monday, May 29) from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The facility will offer extended hours beginning Saturday, June 10. To view the 2023 operating schedule, visit our website.
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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 will explore the domestic violence, sexual assault, and other family-related issues Simonton encounters daily 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 plans to interview a different guest during each week’s 30-minute podcast, including experts in public safety, law enforcement, and criminal justice issues. She also plans to devote one episode each month to answering questions submitted by area residents. Questions and topics for future episodes may be submitted online.
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Car break-ins happen all year long but tend to increase as the weather warms up. As a result, the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is encouraging residents to practice the 9 PM Routine.
Originating in Pasco County, Florida, in 2017, the 9 PM Routine is a national campaign that encourages residents to create a nighttime routine consisting of basic safety measures, including locking your doors, closing your garage, making sure no items are left visible in your car, and turning on your porch lights.
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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.
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 2023 Spring & Summer 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 March through August 2023.
Program registration is underway online and in-person at JPCC, FPCC, and AMC during normal business hours. Online registration closes two business days before the start of a program.
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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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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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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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