Publix coming to Wake Forest – maybe

There will be a Publix grocery store in Wake Forest – and it will be just across Forestville Road from an entrance to the Heritage Station shopping center and the first of the three Harris-Teeter grocery stores in the Wake Forest area. Senior Planner Charlie Yokley said today, Aug. 20, that he had been told he could release the name of the grocery store if anyone asked. A spokesman for Publix refused to confirm that a store is planned in Wake Forest but also did not deny or rule out the possibility and sent the following message: While we continue to seek new store locations in North Carolina, we do not have a store confirmed at this location. As an aside, we require that we have a signed lease before announcing a new location as we don’t discuss potential sites.” Later on Wednesday a spokesman for the developer sent an

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Wellington Trailer Park to become subdivision

The town’s only trailer park, Wellington, on Wait Avenue, a quiet place with spacious wooded lots, may soon pass into history if property owner George Mackie Jr.’s plan for a subdivision called Quail Crossing is approved by the town in future months. The application for Quail Crossing and a second subdivision on Wait, Lakestone, have just been received in the Wake Forest Planning Department and are undergoing their initial review. Mackie owns land on both sides of Wait; to the north is his Mackie Park, an industrial park, and to the south are about 116 acres stretching down to Jones Dairy Road, land that includes the trailer park on the north side. Wednesday Senior Planner Charlie Yokley said the subdivision would only be south of Wait Avenue with two entrances on Wait, just like the trailer park. A call to Mackie was not returned before press time. The plan calls

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Rewrite for the $90,000 grant

Tuesday night the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners had to rewrite the conditions for a $90,000 grant to defense contractor 3Phoenix the board had approved in June. Then the grant was to assist in the construction of 3Phoenix’s third building on Capcom Avenue and was approved just a few weeks before the dedication of the company’s second building. This week, after a public hearing about the grant in which there were no speakers, Mayor Vivian Jones said the company had decided it could not commit to that third building but would commit to hiring 70 employees in the next three years, employees who will probably be paid about $100,000 a year, well above the local average salary. The town commissioners voted unanimously to approve a motion to pass the new agreement to 3Phoenix for its signature. Commissioner Zachary Donahue was traveling and absent. The grant is an enticement to 3Phoenix

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Just 300 feet shy and waiting

Oops! Where’s the application? RST Fiber from Shelby remains committed to installing and providing high-speed broadband internet with a fiber cable network in Wake Forest, but it appears their application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to cross the Neuse River – a distance of 300 feet or so with permission already granted to use Duke Energy poles – is missing. The application may be in the Corps’ Wilmington office or maybe not. The crossing will be made, when approved, near the newly completed bridge below the dam on Old Falls of Neuse Road. The rest of the initial infrastructure is complete, and Tuesday night the Wake Forest commissioners agreed to a utility easement to allow RST to install “a mobile electronics enclosure building” on a lot at the corner of East Jones Avenue and South Taylor Street next to the Wake Forest Police Department’s metal storage building. Meanwhile,

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Three bond issues on fall ballot

On Nov. 4, on the same day we vote for a new United States senator and representatives along with state and county officials and judges, Wake Forest voters will have a separate ballot asking them to vote on three bond issues for street and sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation construction, and greenway construction and expansion. The total of the three separate bond questions is $25.1 million broken down to $6.3 million for street and sidewalks, $14.2 million for parks and recreation, and $4.6 million for the greenway improvements. Asked to rate which is more important by Wake Forest Weekly Associate Editor David Leone during the Monday morning media briefing for the bond issues, Town Manager Mark Williams said, “They are all important. They all have a part to play in the quality of life” in Wake Forest. If the voters approve the bonds, he said, the money will allow the

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Town’s law suits keep lawyers busy

The Town of Wake Forest is involved in at least three current law suits, the largest being the case they have filed in Wake Superior Court by Heaton Construction of Roanoke Rapids claiming it is owed more money with a countersuit filed by the town asking for reimbursement and other considerations for the repairs necessitated by the defective work by Heaton’s subcontractors. Heaton was the contractor for the new Wake Forest Town Hall which was completed in 2010, six months after the last revised completion date. The town has paid $494,139 to a firm which repaired the windows, roof and foundation where an engineering firm had found the defective areas. Currently there is a court date of October 27 set for Wake Superior Court though it may be delayed. Efforts at mediation have failed. The Wake Forest Town Board heard an update from town attorney Eric Vernon on Tuesday about

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Brief Bits

Carl B. Pearce, who graduated from Wake Forest High School in 1955, sent along a note saying he and his fellow students will hold their 59th reunion this coming weekend, Friday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m. at The Forks Restaurant. Be sure to tell the Gazette next year when you celebrate your 60th, a diamond anniversary for weddings.

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Kiwanis collecting back to school supplies

Beginning this coming weekend, the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club will orchestrate a back-to-school supply drive to benefit children in the area’s elementary schools. The club is partnering with Walmart, Staples, Rex Health Care and Chick Fil-A; members of the Key Clubs in area high schools will assist. They are looking forward to a record response. Kiwanis members will be at the Wake Forest Walmart and Staples Stores on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24. You can shop at the stores and drop off your donations as you leave. Play bingo? Go to the Monday Night Bingo Wake Forest Kiwanis sponsors in the Mill Room at The Factory – it begins at 7 p.m. – bring a donation and receive extra bingo sheets. You can drop off donations at two convenient locations. Wake Forest Federal Savings & Loan will take the donations every day through Friday, Aug. 29, and Rex

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Downtown is filled with artists

Tour of Artists will be held Sept. 6 and 7 Among this year’s studios/galleries on the Tour are the NC General Stores, Artists’ Loft & Gallery, The Storyteller’s Bookstore, and The Cotton Company. Within the four venues, 21 artists will be exhibiting and in attendance. Most will be demonstrating techniques in their chosen medium. NC General Stores (150 South White Street) Nathan Forrest: By using a variety of media including acrylics, oils and watercolors Nathan hopes to preserve North Carolina history by creating modern day scenes as well as scenes from the past, historic places and interesting NC people. Richard Hedgecock: Using a variety of media, including oils, acrylics and watercolors, Hedgecock captures the inner essence of every subject. His paintings include tranquil landscapes and historic places, insightful portraits of wonderful people and vivid portrayals of God’s creatures. Anthony Hicks: Anthony loves to paint classic cars and hot rods and

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Can you tire of tomatoes?

It does not appear you can really tire of tomatoes. Eating them at breakfast may be problematic for some, but remember the British insist on a grilled tomato or tomato slice with their full English meal. However you eat them, you will find plenty of tomatoes at the Wake Forest Farmers Market this Saturday, Aug. 23, from 8 a.m. to noon. You can find the market and its vendors in the parking lot behind CVS with entrances on North White Street and Roosevelt Avenue, this using the drive-in for CVS. There are a lot of other vegetables on hand too – corn, carrots, peppers, potatoes, beans, peas, squash – along with herbs. Try some mini-greens, pick up some garlic, eggs and honey. Melina’s Italian Kitchen can provide pastas and sauces for several meals. You should try the different styles of cheddar cheese from Cultured Cow Creamery, which is just over

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