The following is a list of how organizations and individuals are working to assure people in and near Wake Forest have food on their table or have a place to get a meal. ** Feed the Community Food Distribution has a food distribution every fourth Saturday, and the next one will be on Feb. 28. It is sponsored by the Northeast Community Coalition and Tri-Area Ministry, and the distribution is from10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Spring Street Christian Church, 320 East Spring Street, Wake Forest. You must bring proof you live in Wake County. You can give signed permission for someone else to pick up food for you. If you are unable to get to the church, call Tee Caudle at 919-271-1275 to be registered in advance. ** Wake Forest Baptist Church and the InterFaith Food Shuttle offer a monthly Mobile Market, distributing groceries, including lots of fresh produce,

In February, town crews will begin trimming all street trees and trees growing on Town-owned or controlled property to ensure adequate street, sidewalk and driveway clearance. Scheduled for completion in 2022, the work will be performed by and under the direct supervision of arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. The Town of Wake Forest maintains all trees growing on Town-owned or controlled property, including parks, greenways and Town facilities. The Town also maintains all street trees which are located within the public street right of way or within a street tree easement, measuring eight feet inside private property. The street right-of-way is typically measured from back of sidewalk, to back of sidewalk (or if there are no sidewalks, property line to property line) perpendicular across the street. Trees planted between the curb and sidewalk, or between the curb and property line, are considered within the public right-of-way. Trees

Join us for a fun-filled day in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, Feb. 22, during the Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival presented by Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest and Thomas G. Walters: Allstate Insurance. This family-friendly celebration is scheduled from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. and admission is free. The Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival invites area residents to visit the heart of Wake Forest and experience all our downtown has to offer. The event will offer a variety of fun things to do, including a costume processional, children’s activities, and assorted contests for people of all ages. The Mardi Gras Street Festival will feature music, entertainment, face painting and a costume processional for children and adults. In addition, downtown merchants and several event sponsors will offer exceptional discounts and activities throughout the day. There will also be a variety of food trucks in the Fidelity Bank parking lot, 231 S. White St., plus fun and exciting contests for the young

Jonathan Jacobs, the town’s transportation engineer, provided the following information about some of the town’s street projects. *The state Department of Transportation has again pushed back the date to begin constructing the traffic bridge over the CSX tracks on Rogers Road to early 2021 when it was the fall of 2020. This project was put on hold when the 900+ projects with NCDOT were put on hold last year. They re-opened it fairly quickly, but it caused delays with right-of-way and utility relocations, Jacobs said. *What is the status of the connection of South Franklin Street to the bypass? Town staff is currently reviewing construction drawings for this work to be done by Holding Village. Holding Village’s schedule is to have it completed in the next 18 months. Since its completion is required based on number of occupied homes, this is a critical path for them to continue development in

People of all ages can get free help with filing their federal and state tax returns and electronic filing at the senior centers in Franklinton and Louisburg. And, after the Northern Wake Senior Center opens in February, that free help will be available there. The free help is provided by the AARP Foundation, which was formed over 50 years ago to help anyone seeking professional income tax assistance. Counselors are qualified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and offer this assistance after successfully completing a through written examination and proficiency testing. Individual income tax returns are being prepared at the Franklinton Senior Center, 206 East Mason Street, Franklinton every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the Louisburg Senior Center, 127 Shannon Village Shopping Center, Louisburg, Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Feb 2, through April 15, 2020. If you desire assistance please call