As Americans prepare to celebrate our country’s independence, the Wake Forest Police Department is reminding area residents that the possession or discharge of fireworks that explode, spin, fly, jump in the air or leave the ground in any way are prohibited by North Carolina law. Illegal explosives include but are not limited to firecrackers, ground spinners, Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars. The law is stipulated in North Carolina General Statutes 14-410 and 14-414. Violation of this State Law is a Class 2 Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or 30 days to six months in jail. Residents are also reminded that explosive fireworks, which are sold legally in South Carolina and several other states, are illegal in North Carolina. In North Carolina, fireworks that are available for personal use are those marked as 1.4G. Novelty items, including sparklers, caps for toy pistols, snake and glow worms

The Town of Wake Forest is selling 65-gallon rain barrels for $90 each. Each rain barrel comes with a brass spigot, two overflow valves that can be used to connect additional barrels and a screen to keep out debris and insects. Other rain barrel features include: Instructions for easy installation (minimum assembly required); Constructed with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE); Standard garden hose fittings – require no special hoses; The low-mounted brass faucet drains most of the barrel. It is recommended to install your rain barrel on a level and a raised surface. Lids that can be secured for safety – highly recommended for the safety of children and pets; Concave lids channel rain to the center; Dark green barrel blocks sunlight to prohibit the growth of algae; Overflow ports can direct water to nearby shrubbery areas. Rain barrels are an increasingly popular water conservation technique. They collect runoff from rooftops

The first of three bridge replacements that will seriously impact traffic, the new bridge over Sanford Creek on Forestville Road between Song Sparrow Drive, the entrance to the Thornrose subdivision, and the entrances to Heritage High School, will begin in earnest on Monday, July 6. Work has already begun on the site, mostly relocation of utilities. A message board announcing that the road will be closed will be set up no later than Monday, June 22. The new bridge will have three travel lanes and a sidewalk on the west side (Heritage High side) that will connect to a new sidewalk between Song Sparrow and the bridge. There will also be a pedestrian underpass for the Smith and Sanford Creek Greenway. A future greenway will connect to Smith and Sanford Creek Greenway just west of the new bridge over the road. The future greenway will have its own bridge over

You can make a difference in our community by applying to fill one of the vacancies on the Cemetery Advisory Board, Urban Forestry Board, Public Art Commission and Planning Board. All residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction may apply for one of the openings on the Cemetery, Urban Forest and Public Art boards. Only Wake Forest citizens who reside in the town’s corporate limits are eligible to apply for the Planning Board.  The town’s advisory boards were established to give citizens input into what happens in the community and to advise the board of commissioners on matters that affect citizens and their town government. Completed applications will be accepted until 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, and may be mailed or delivered to Town Clerk Deeda Harris, Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest, NC 27587 or faxed to 919-435-9419. The Board of Commissioners will announce

There are still a few tickets available for Saturday, June 27, when the Malpass Brothers will take to the stage at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts at 7 p.m. Steeped in traditional country music, the Malpass Brothers feature a smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship while performing in the styles of Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and Hank Williams, Sr. As young boys, Christopher and Taylor Malpass embraced the music of their granddad’s phonograph records. Christopher earned his first talent show trophy at age 7, and Taylor was playing mandolin by the time he was 10. Today, the duo promote the work and music of classic country artists they treasure while creating new music and making their own mark in the lineage of a rich American cultural heritage. The Malpass Brothers have toured with the late Don Helms, former steel guitarist for Hank Williams, opened for music legend