George Taylor to be memorialized

The Town of Rolesville and the Wake County Community Remembrance Coalition, in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative, will hold a ceremony unveiling a historical marker dedicated to George Taylor on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at Main Street Park.   Taylor was lynched in 1918, and it is the only documented lynching in Wake County although there are stories about others. Why is George Taylor being memorialized? Because we should remember our past. The Wake County Community Remembrance Coalition recognizes victims of racial terrorism to promote healing and reconciliation in the community. George Taylor was a married Black man living in Rolesville, and Ruby Rogers, a married white woman, lived near the town. She reported being raped by a Black man on Oct. 30. According to The News & Observer and other newspapers at the time, Rogers said she was assaulted by a Black man who came into her

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New Deal brings new life to town

100 years of history by Carol Pelosi People all over the country – and probably here in Wake Forest, too – were cursing Franklin Delano Roosevelt for the sweeping changes his New Deal policies brought. But people were also on their knees, thanking him, for his programs like the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps that gave jobs to men who had begun to lose hope of ever having a paycheck again. For Wake Forest, the New Deal brought an impressive infusion of money. The first project was to improve and expand the water system. The federal government gave the town a grant of $31,000 while the town had to approve $38,000 in bonds. Dr. D.B. Bryan put together a deal that benefited the town more. The town only had to scrape together $2,500 in cash and materials and the federal government and the State of North Carolina

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Board rejects NC 96 to bypass proposal

After a very short meeting and commissioner comments Tuesday evening, August 20, 2024, Mayor Vivian Jones asked the five board members to consider a proposal by an NC Department of Transportation employee which suggested routing the NC 96 truck traffic away from Youngsville’s downtown and sending it down Capital Boulevard and across the NC 98 Bypass. She read the letter she had written to that DOT official, Brian Mayhew. “While I agree with Mayor Flowers that Youngsville’s traffic is a problem, to suggest that it be redirected through Wake Forest is ludicrous. “Such a suggestion is bad enough. But having to learn about it through an online article (the Wake Forest Gazette) constitutes one of the most unprofessional actions I have ever experienced and is certainly not what I would expect from a supposed partner like NCDOT. “I continue to be disappointed and dismayed by NCDOT’s continued posture towards Wake

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Voter registration drive Saturday, Aug. 24

A community-wide voter registration drive will be held this Saturday, August 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Hope House, 334 North Allen Road, Wake Forest. There will be voter registration information, guest speakers, educational resources, youth activities, hot dogs, an artist and giveaways. For more information, email either Tilda Caudle at necccoalition@gmail.com or Joan Footman at jpanlh101@hotmail.com

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‘Dive-Into’ the movie at Holding Park

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host a “Dive-In Movie” Saturday, Aug. 24, at Holding Park Aquatic Center, 133 W. Owen Ave. Kung Fu Panda 4 will be the featured movie projected on a large blow-up screen on the pool deck. Gates open at 8 p.m. and showtime is 8:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person, and preregistration is required at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com (search Dive-in). Space is limited to the first 100 people to register. Attendees are invited to watch the movie in the pool or on the pool deck. Pool deck chairs are limited, so attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and/or chairs. Concessions, including chips, popcorn, popsicles, sodas, and water will be available for purchase at the concession stand. For more information, contact Athletics Specialist Erica Shingleton at 919-435-9457 or eshingleton@wakeforestnc.gov. In the event of rain, Saturday’s Dive-In Movie may be canceled. Updates will be posted on

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‘Spirits’ return to downtown Wake Forest

If you’re looking for a “hauntingly” good time this fall, then don’t miss the Spirits of Wake Forest ghost walk in downtown Wake Forest. Now in its fifth year, Spirits of Wake Forest is presented by Wake Forest Downtown (WFD), Inc., in partnership with Firebox Theatre Company. Downtown Wake Forest’s buildings and sidewalks have seen well over 100 years of history, and they have some spooky stories to tell! Join WFD, Inc. and Firebox Theatre Company’s incredible cast of storytellers to learn about the tragic train wrecks, frightening folklore, and restless spirits that make up just a small piece of downtown’s haunted history. These tours will be offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, from September 26 through October 31, according to the following schedule: Tickets are $20 each and go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at https://bit.ly/SpiritsofWF. Please note: Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable and must be purchased in advance. Tours

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Join the Wake Forest Woman’s Club for informal meet and greet

Meet our WFWC club members, enjoy light refreshments, and ask about volunteer opportunities in the Wake Forest area.   The gathering will be on Thursday, August 29, 5 to 6:30 pm at Page 158 books, 416-B Brooks Street, Wake Forest.  Wake Forest Woman’s Club is a proud member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Honoring the motto of “Unity in Diversity,” we come together as unique individuals dedicated to community improvement by projects with Wake Forest Community Table, Town of Wake Forest, Hope Reins and The Purple Heart Foundation. Our mission is to enhance the lives of others through volunteer service. Drop by to learn more! For more information, email wakeforestwomansclub@gmail.comMeet our WFWC club members, enjoy light refreshments, and ask about volunteer opportunities in the Wake Forest area.   The gathering will be on Thursday, August 29, 5 to 6:30 pm at Page 158 books, 416-B Brooks Street, Wake Forest.  Wake Forest Woman’s

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NCDOT plans new hub in parking lot

The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) intends to construct a new mobility hub (aka Amtrak station) at the site of the old freight rail depot in historic Downtown Wake Forest. This mobility hub is part of the larger, federally supported S-line project, which seeks to refurbish an underutilized rail corridor to directly connect Raleigh, NC to Richmond, VA and beyond. In addition, NCDOT intends to engineer this refurbished corridor to support future high-speed rail and regional commuter rail service. To learn more about mobility hubs, visit www.ncdot.gov/divisions/integrated-mobility/innovation/Pages/s-line-mobility-hubs.aspx. As part of this effort, NCDOT will host several open house and design workshops from August 26-29 to solicit feedback from the public on how this new mobility hub should look and what amenities should be included.  Since this facility will be nestled into Wake Forest’s iconic historic downtown, project planners want to ensure any proposed design and programming fits well into the surrounding

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New van service to replace buses

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Town of Wake Forest will introduce a town-wide microtransit pilot program called “Go Wake Forest.” Microtransit is a ridesharing transit service that operates similarly to Uber and Lyft, connecting riders directly to destinations from their doorstep. Riders will be able to schedule rides through the official Go Wake Forest smartphone app, scheduled for release in late September 2024, and by calling a hotline number which will coincide with the app release. Additional details, including operating schedules and a list of Frequently Asked Questions, will be posted on the Town website prior to launch. During the pilot phase of the new microtransit service, Town officials will work to resolve any issues through rigorous testing and rider feedback. To offset any potential inconveniences, Wake Forest will offer the service to riders at no cost. In addition, the Town will provide an online feedback form, which will allow

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Share your thoughts on PRCR master plan

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department is in the process of updating its five-year Master Plan. Community input is the cornerstone of that process, also known as Play It Forward Wake Forest. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m., community members can share their thoughts and opinions on the draft Master Plan Update during a Planning Board Special “Called” Meeting in the Town Hall Board Chambers, 301 S. Brooks St. The room is located on the second floor of Town Hall. The draft Master Plan Update is available for review and comment at https://engagewakeforest.org/parks-recreation-master-plan-update. Anyone wishing to speak during the Planning Board Special “Called” Meeting must complete and submit the “Planning Board – Sign Up to Speak Form” available at www.wakeforestnc.gov/public-meetings-portal by 3 p.m. on September 4.   The PRCR Master Plan reflects the Town’s vision of a vibrant community and responds to the needs and desires of its residents,

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