By George Shaw Wake County continues to be rated “yellow” in the state’s new County stoplight system, which means there is significant but not critical risk of community spread of COVID-19. The rate of growth in the State’s key metrics continues to increase. With the increase in testing before the Thanksgiving holiday, the number of new cases set records at the state level last Thursday and Sunday. Wake County had 1,777 new cases this week and Zip Code 27587 rose to 160.  Nevertheless, our county and zip code have been impacted much less significantly than North Carolina as a whole, which has fared better than around two-thirds of the 50 states. County Stoplight Tracker North Carolina announced an alert system for tracking COVID by county on November 16 because of the steady increase in the number of cases. The system tracks the number of cases, the percent of positive tests as well as metrics for

As you travel around the area, say on Rogers Road between Wake Forest and Rolesville, you will notice that the subdivisions roll by in an uninterrupted stream of houses but then you see a sign saying “Rolesville” or “Wake Forest.” Travel Burlington Mills Road and it is the same. And then there are the subdivisions out east on N.C. 98. The two towns have begun a discussion about their boundaries, with the need highlighted by the intentional Wake Forest annexation this year of about 15 acres in a subdivision. Rolesville Mayor Ronald Currin has been quoted as saying his town will receive an area of about the same size, probably Jones Dairy Elementary School and some adjoining properties. The problem is that there are different maps for the area – Wake County’s urban service area, the current Wake Forest-Rolesville annexation agreement – which do not match up. And sprawling subdivisions

We are very good at giving thanks at our Thanksgiving dinners, but this year, with the pandemic, faltering businesses, anxiety about how to pay the rent or mortgage and put food on that table, the Gazette would like to urge everyone in the Wake Forest community who can to give generously to their neighbors. There are national and local charities and charitable drives, but this year, please make it local dollars for local people. Remember, hunger still stalks through Wake Forest and North Carolina. Facts About Hunger in North Carolina According to NC Assoc. of Feeding America Food Banks (ncfoodbanks.org) ** NC is in the TOP 10 for the highest percentage of HUNGRY citizens. ** 1 in 4 children in NC are “food insecure” or hungry. ** The average food assistance (Food Stamps) is $4.40 per person per day – so a family of 4 gets $123 a week and

Politicians and just ordinary people argue about federal investment in infrastructure, but in Wake Forest in the 1930s it helped families whose breadwinners had lost their jobs and left us with buildings we still use and a safer route for an important street. Early in the decade, the town won a federal grant of $31,000 to improve and expand the water system that was installed in 1925 – and some of those water lines are still in use. Town voters had to approve $38,000 in bonds. Of course at that time there was no reservoir (look to the 1960s for that). The water came from a small impoundment on Smith Creek. And the state was still fine with the sewer system which sent untreated waste into both Richland and Smith creeks – but below the drinking water impoundment. The water treatment plant was on Elm Avenue west of the railroad

Wake Forest is a community that cares. As consistently as sunrise, our citizens contribute their time, talents and resources to help neighbors in need or support worthwhile causes that make a lasting difference. In recognition of this wonderful legacy, the Town of Wake Forest is excited to launch “Wake Forest Cares.” Moving forward, all Town-sponsored programs and events designed to help a neighbor or address a community need will be highlighted as a “Wake Forest Cares” initiative. A few examples include the Wake Forest Police Department’s Turkey Drive and Shop with a Cop, the Town’s Adopt-A-Stream and Adopt-A-Trail initiatives, and Wake Forest Power’s H.O.P.E. program – just to name a few. An equally important part of “Wake Forest Cares” is an annual donation drive to raise funds for select community non-profits. For our inaugural Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive, area residents and businesses are invited to contribute online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-cares to one