Top News
Padgett keeps tax rate the same
Tuesday night, May 6, 2025 during the town commissioners work session, Town Manager Kip Padgett went to the podium and unveiled his proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. His proposal is to maintain the same tax rate on property as this year – 0.42 cents – with the town’s population growth allowing a larger budget, $139,299,630. The public hearing about the proposed budget will be held Tuesday, May 20, during the regular town commissioner meeting in town hall. The proposed budget includes no change in the property tax rate ($0.42 per $100 of assessed property valuation), downtown municipal service district tax ($0.14 per $100 assessed property valuation) or vehicle fee which remains at $30. The Stormwater Utility fee structure will also remain unchanged. The proposed budget calls for a $1/month increase in the residential solid waste fee ($24/month), and a 3 percent increase in Wake Forest Power’s residential energy charge (approximately $3/month for the average customer) scheduled to take effect September 1, 2025. The presented budget also proposes 18 new full-time positions, including five Stormwater Utility crew members and five employees at the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging for which the Town will assume operational and programming responsibilities on July 1, 2025. The public is invited to view a digital copy of the proposed budget online at https://bit.ly/TOWFBudget until Tuesday, May 20. On that
Featured News
Sleeping Booty takes the stage Friday
Local favorite Sleeping Booty will headline the May 9 Friday Night on White (FNOW). The free outdoor concert is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest. For complete information about FNOW, visit http://bit.ly/FridayNightonWhite. Food & Refreshments 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. Food and dessert trucks scheduled to participate on May 9 include VFW Chuck Wagon, Virgil’s Jamaica, The Flat Drum, Chirba Chirba Dumpling, Tacos Las Gringas, Lawrence & Perry BBQ, Golden K Dog, Mama Churros, Empanadas RD, Lumpy’s Ice Cream, Jam Ice Cream, Charlie’s Kabob Grill on Wheels, Soulbachi,
Senior Center gets a new name
The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to announce that the Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., is now the Wake Forest Center for Active Aging (WFCAA). The renaming marks an exciting new chapter in the facility’s history and aligns with its mission to promote a positive view of aging while also highlighting its array of active adult programs and initiatives. The name change was suggested by center staff who noted the term “senior” sometimes carries a negative connotation that denotes ageism and frailty. When asked to recommend an appropriate new name, Director Jennie Griggs and her team suggested that “active aging” be included in the name to reflect the energy and vibrancy of the facility and its members. Thus, the name Wake
Cars and Carnivores to return
The third Annual Cars and Carnivores Street Festival presented by The Rotary Club of Wake Forest returns to historic downtown Wake Forest, N.C., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. The street festival will be set up on Brooks Street and E. Owen Avenue and is free for the public to visit the classic/modern car show and nationally sanctioned steak cookoff raising funds to pay off past-due medical bills for local cancer patients. “We’re moving the event from March to June 7 this year and anticipating better weather,” said Shipman Northcutt, Wake Forest Rotary club president. “By becoming a sponsor or vendor, entering the car show and Steak Cookoff, or attending our free street festival, you’re helping alleviate cancer medical debt for families in our community.” The Steak
Opinion: New law may outlaw raw milk
My name is Will Arterburn. My wife and I run a small dairy farm here in Wake Forest. We have three kids and one on the way. Wral covered senate bill 639 earlier this week that you may have seen. My family and I will be greatly affected by this bill if it passes unamended. Section 106 removes our protection to provide raw milk to customers via herd shares, severing 80% of our farm income and destroying our livelihood. Our farm will not be the only one affected by this bill. Farming is more than just a job for us and our customers it’s a lifestyle. Our customers have purchased shares in our herd and come out of their way each week to see their
