UNCHealth to build hospital on SEBTS land

UNCHealth plans to build the UNC Health Rex Wake Forest Hospital on 51 acres it is purchasing from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, land behind the Wake Forest Crossing Shopping Center. There is access by Agora Drive. The hospital is expected to cost about $462.13 million when it is built and will be an acute care hospital with up to 50 beds and two operating rooms. Alan M. Wolf, the director for news and media relations at UNC Health Rex, said UNCHealth Rex has a letter of intent to purchase the 51 acres, part of 146 acres lying between the seminary and the shopping center, which is also on land formerly owned by the seminary. As for when we will see the hospital, Wolf wrote in an email: “On Aug. 15, we submitted a proposal with the state’s Certificate of Need office, part of the N.C. Department of Health and Human

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Jim Crow shaped neighborhoods

100 years of history by Carol Pelosi In 1937, there were two facts of life: the Depression and Jim Crow. Neither was particular to Wake Forest, but both shaped lives and neighborhoods. In most, not all but most, areas of Wake Forest, the streets were paved and some even had sidewalks. Most had street lights. Most families had installed electricity, lights and appliances along with indoor plumbing.   None of that was true in the northeast part of town, the black, Negro, African-American section. Streets were dirt and remained so up through the 1980s. There were no street lights, only a very few water lines and no sewer lines. Without water lines, there could be no fire hydrants. Fire was a daily risk in wood homes where wood stoves provided the only heat and means of cooking. Because segregation kept people from knowing each other, few white people knew the black

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Grease in leaky sewer line leads to algae in pond

First the water turned red and stinky. It was a red algae bloom, and Director of Communications Bill Crabtree was sending out advisories last week for anyone visiting E. Carroll Joyner Park to avoid the pond and keep dogs away because they could become very ill drinking the water. On Monday Crabtree announced Raleigh Water had located a leaky sewer line that was causing the color and odor – all because of a build-up of household grease in the line. “Mitigation efforts in and around the Joyner Park Pond are expected to continue for the next several days,” the advisory said. The pond and the adjacent trail remain closed. Signage and fencing have been posted to inform the public of the pond’s closure. Joyner Park visitors are urged to obey the signs and avoid the area. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. For more information, contact Stormwater

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Note in the Pocket needs money and help

The editor knows that many Wake Forest residents support Note in the Pocket. Hurricane Debbie damaged its transformer and it needs help right now.Dallas Bonavita wrote this week:It is with a heavy heart that I share some recent struggles we are facing at Note in the Pocket. This could not have happened at a worse time with children beginning a new school year.Hurricane Debby caused a leak in the roof at our Wake location on Thursday, August 8th, resulting in a damaged transformer. We have been without consistent power since. Today, Monday, August 26, is the 16th day we have been unable to consistently process clothing donations and build wardrobes for our children headed back to school.August is the beginning of Note in the Pocket’s heaviest clothing request time. Last August we received 1557 clothing requests and numbers will remain high through the end of the year. We have suffered the

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Local candidates debate Sept. 11

Many eyes are focused on the big national and state races, but the Nov. 5 ballot will also have a host of state and county races. The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce will fill that gap early in September with a candidate debate. The Government Affairs Committee chaired by Brian Pate has set the debate for Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, and admission is free. It is sponsored by UNC Health. The races covered and their candidates are: This debate offers a unique chance to hear directly from the candidates vying to represent our community. As a chamber dedicated to fostering connections between business and local government, we’re excited to facilitate this important dialogue. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UNC Health for their generous sponsorship of this event. Their support enables us to bring this crucial forum to our community, underscoring

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Kimray resigns chamber interim presidency

The Gazette has learned that Joe Kimray, who stepped in as interim president of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, has resigned that position and no one has been named to succeed him. Kimray replaced Liz Simpers after she was removed from the office in May. Kimray is a longtime chamber member and owner of B&W Hardware on White Street. He said he was resigning to spend more time on his business and his family. Erica Pittman, the chair of the chamber’s board of directors, thanked Kimray in a statement and said the group’s focus now would be finding someone to replace Kimray who might be able to take the job as president permanently. ###

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‘Wake Forest Unplugged’ is Sunday

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Advisory Board will host the 14th Annual “Wake Forest Unplugged…Get Connected” this Sunday, Sept. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.  Wake Forest Unplugged invites area residents to disconnect from their smart phones, computers, and other electronic devices and reconnect with their community, friends, and family by engaging in healthier, more active pursuits. From 5 to 7 p.m., the PRCR Advisory Board will host a variety of organized games and activities, including sack and relay races, corn hole, and miniature golf, in the vicinity of the Walker Garden. For more information about Wake Forest Unplugged, visit https://bit.ly/WFUnplugged. The electronics-free afternoon will culminate from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a free concert in the Joyner Park Amphitheater featuring Throwback Collaboration Band performing your favorite old-School funky music. With the rich melodies they create, you’d think they’re a group

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Rules for candidates signs

The 2024 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 17, and continues through Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., and 21 other locations throughout Wake County.The Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries from residents and candidates concerning rules for political signs. Although temporary political signs advertising candidates or issues are permitted, a combination of state law and municipal code regulates how political signs may be displayed within Wake Forest. To ensure these conditions are met, adherence is required to the following regulations establishing the duration, size, placement, and illumination of political signs:Duration Private Property – can be installed now with prior permission of the owner.State Roads – can be installed no earlier than 30 days before the October 17th in-person early voting date (September 17).Political signs must be removed by Friday, November 15, 2024 – within 10 days after the election.  Placement Cannot obscure motorist visibility. Cannot be installed

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‘Spirits’ return to downtown Wake Forest

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.com.

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Woman’s Club invites you to 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.com.

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