The Wake Forest Fire Department began its year-long centennial celebration at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 4, with a special flag-raising ceremony in Centennial Plaza in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall. The ceremony was highlighted by the unveiling and installation of the department’s new centennial flag by the members of the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard. There were also brief remarks by Mayor Vivian Jones and Fire Chief Ron Early. After the ceremony came the eats, with everyone invited to a hot dog Lunch and open house from noon to 2 p.m. at Fire Station #1 at 420 Elm Avenue. Fire department personnel served hot dogs, chips and drinks and hosted free tours of the fire station. The fire department also showcased an array of photos, documents, equipment and other memorabilia that illustrate the service and commitment of Wake Forest firefighters since 1921. For the past year, the

Tuesday night the Wake Forest Town Board did not discuss two agenda items – a reimbursement agreement between the town and Endeavor Charter School and a contract with Freese and Nichols to analyze the existing stormwater infrastructure and develop a maintenance program and a utility fee – because there were no presentations for them, Town Clerk Deeda Harris said. The board did discuss the rezoning options for three properties on South Allen Road: a beauty salon, the former hospital now owned by Church Initiative, and the former Wake Forest Rest Home, now vacant. Thirty-five neighbors had signed a petition asking they be rezoned from neighborhood mixed use. “The consensus of the board was to move forward with the rezoning to GR5, move through the legislative process as quickly as possible and for staff to continue conversations with the property owners to determine if there is another rezoning that could be

On Aug. 6, back in 2003 This is the first in what is hoped is a regular feature about Wake Forest in 2003 when the Wake Forest Gazette began publication. *Heritage High School did not make the cut when the Wake County Commissioners and the Wake County Board of Education agreed on the latest building and renovation plan with a $450-million bond referendum set for Oct. 7. Three new elementary schools are scheduled for the northeastern part of Wake County as well as renovations, but there will only be $3.6 million for site development in the pot for Heritage High School. The cost to build the school will be about $40 million. *A new CVS on Roosevelt Avenue seemed a certainty. James Holding was negotiating with CVS to lease his half acre at the corner of Roosevelt and North White Street where his father, Harvey Holding owned two side-by-side Esso

By George Shaw Summary The unemployment rate in Wake County increased from 3.7% in April to 4.2% as the total labor force remained largely unchanged and unemployment increased.  A broader measure of unemployment which includes part time and discouraged workers, remains about 8%. Job categories paying above average have almost completely recovered from the economic dislocations of the last year.  However, the lowest paying category (Leisure & Hospitality) remains more than 18% below the expected number of jobs.  Our area is one of 13 high growth hubs nationally.  Wake County is among the top third in most indicators of employment recovery for the hubs.  This applies to both the last three months as well as the last year. The portion of the population below the poverty level or who are working poor is likely to remain elevated with continuation of a relatively slow recovery in employment in lower wage categories.

Updated August 4, 2021 and partly based on the Wake Forest Planning Department’s June monthly report of plans under review. Proposed residential and commercial projects Villas at Wake Forest Crossing was being planned for 62 affordable apartments for seniors on a combined 4.88 acres made up of properties currently owned by Sarah Bridges and Donna Pace on a section of Wake Union Church Road just north of Jenkins Road. The land was rezoned for conditional residential mixed use in April 2018. Despite Wake County planning to contribute $666,000 to the project, it has apparently been scrapped. Traditions Grande Care Facility on Gilcrest Farm Road between Del Webb at Traditions and Hawthorne at Traditions is one of the two residential care facilities in planning stages in Wake Forest. Traditions Grande Care Facility will have 119 beds. The second is planned for the Clara Webb property just south of Lidl and across