By Sara Pequeno The News & Observer The final words of the North Carolina Constitution are not about the beauty of the state, or the liberty of its people. Instead, it reads: “. . . marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” Despite the fact that a federal judge overturned the same-sex marriage ban in 2014 and the Supreme Court legalized it nationwide in 2015, a homophobic clause approved in 2012 has yet to be repealed. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson recently reminded queer North Carolinians that some state politicians still don’t plan on supporting LGBTQ residents any time soon. A June video recently surfaced in which he said “there’s no reason anybody, anywhere in America should be telling children about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth.” He has doubled and tripled down on his comments

The Wake Forest Fire Department is seeking dedicated volunteers to join its family of firefighters. The WFFD is a combination department which means both career staff and volunteers are needed to operate. Although volunteers do not earn a salary, they are an integral part of the department’s community protection efforts and may receive a stipend per shift depending on their qualifications. As a result, serious, dedicated men and women are needed. Responsibilities of volunteer firefighters include fighting fires, providing medical aid, assisting at emergency scenes, participating in training, and providing administrative support. Both certified and non-certified candidates are eligible, and there are no residency requirements, but volunteers must be willing to commit a minimum of 24 hours of duty crew each month. For more information, or to complete a volunteer application, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/fire/fire-department-jobs. #  

Updated October 13, 2021 and partly based on the Wake Forest Planning Department’s September monthly report of plans under review as well as the town manager’s report. Plans under review at the Wake Forest Planning Department During September E. Carroll Joyner submitted the plan for the development of the former Wake Forest Country Club to the Wake Forest Planning Department. The plan calls for 249 single-family lots and 137 townhouse lots. The plan is not yet on the active development map in the planning department so many details are not yet available. No date has been set for the public hearing before the planning board and town board. Also there were the additions of three infrastructure improvements connected with the Kinsley subdivision on both sides of North Main Street. Those improvements are the widening of North Main, off-site water line extension and the extension of the Richland Creek sewer to

The Town of Wake Forest is partnering with Aging Care Matters and the Northern Wake Senior Center to host a free webinar on Adult Day Care Programs & Services for Seniors on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. The webinar will feature a presentation by Advanced Professional Aging Life Care Manager Carla Payne who will highlight adult day care options in our area and assistance programs available to local caregivers. The session will also include a 30-minute question-and-answer period moderated by Wake Forest Commissioner Adam Wright. “I am often asked about adult day care and the availability of community resources,” said Wright. “This webinar is intended to make sure that residents who are caring for adults and need assistance know what help is available to them.” Community members are asked to register in advance at https://bit.ly/WFAdultDayCareWebinar. When registering, you will also have the opportunity to submit questions in advance. After registering, you will receive a

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is accepting film submissions for the Third Annual Wake Forest Film Festival through Wednesday, Oct. 13. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/WakeForestFilmFestival. Entitled “A Light in the Forest,” the Wake Forest Film Festival will spotlight passionate, creative and thought-provoking movies by some of today’s most promising and accomplished local, state, national and international filmmakers. In accordance with the festival theme, all submitted films should have a plot that “reveals” or “sheds light” on a particular topic or issue. Intended for both the general public and film professionals, the film festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their films in a unique location to a discerning audience. Scheduled for Friday-Saturday, March 4-5, 2022, at the Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., the two-day film showcase will engage audiences with films of all lengths and genres, including short and feature, documentary, horror, animation and student (high school