Tri-Area Ministry serving 9,000+ people

Wake County is a wealthy county, home to millionaires and thousands of families living in houses ranging in value from $900,000 to $200,000. And there are whole families living in their cars. Wake Forest is wealthy also, even though there are no millionaire palaces. And it is generous, donating to the Tri-Area Ministry Food Bank with volunteers, money and food. There is a growing number of families needing the 100 pounds of food a month Tri-Area Ministry provides, an increase just recently from 1,800 to 1,925 families needing food. That is up from 1,500 families in 2023 to 1,925 now. There is probably no one answer as to why the need has grown. Perhaps it is because Tri-Area’s food assistance is serving an ever-growing area out to and beyond Rolesville, north into Franklin County. The worrying aspect is that the need continues to grow. The wonderful fact is that Tri-Area

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A social district resurfaces Tuesday night

A possible social district – or even two – were back on the agenda for Tuesday night’s work session for the Wake Forest Town Board after being rejected two years ago. Jennifer Herbert, the downtown development director, led the board through what the district would entail. It is an area where a person could carry an alcoholic beverage in a special plastic cup from one bar to another on a public street. She noted that such a district is recommended in the downtown plan by the firm of Houseal Lavigne that was explained later in the evening by Nik Davis. The district(s) plan covers everything from the design of the sticker for the plastic cups, the signs for the businesses participating in the district and the responsibility for collecting the trash. A downtown survey found that businesses would benefit from the social district. There are 14 businesses in downtown with

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Where were the old funeral homes?

100 years of history by Carol Pelosi             (This was written in 2004, so some landmarks then are long gone.) Unraveling local history can lead to some interesting yarns, but you also end up with some knots and short ends.           A couple local historians – they have lived here most of their lives and remember what happened – have helped trace some of the town’s funeral home history. A couple more have promised help in the near future.           We are still trying to dig into a hint that the house at the corner of Elm Avenue and South Main Street, now the Bright Funeral Home, was once a fraternity house.           What we have learned is that earlier funeral homes were right in the center of town.           Durward Matheny remembers that his father, Carl, operated a funeral home at the corner of South White and Wait Avenue

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Calls from ‘police officers’ are a scam

The Wake Forest Police Department is again urging residents to guard against becoming the victim of fraud following several recently reported phone scams involving Venmo and Apple Pay by callers impersonating Wake Forest Police officers. Several residents have reported receiving calls from someone posing as a Wake Forest Police officer who claims they owe money for missing a court date. In a common scenario, the caller, who may use the names of actual WFPD officers, says a warrant has been issued for their arrest, or soon will be, but they can pay a fine now via Apple Pay, Venmo, or some other form of electronic payment and avoid being arrested.  Many times, it’s hard to tell what’s a scam and what isn’t – but this is a scam. Neither the WFPD nor any other government agency make such calls, nor would they ever ask anyone to make a payment via

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Chick-fil-A stores host food drive for Tri-Area

The Wake Forest Chick-fil-A stores are once again hosting a food drive to benefit Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry. Anyone donating 5 cans of food will receive a gift card for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich. Over the years this has been one of our most successful food drives.  The drive will be held on Thursday, 11/7 from 11 a.m. til 6 p.m. at both the Retail Drive and Rogers Road stores.  We need volunteers at both locations to accept the donations, scheduled in 2-hour shifts.  No experience necessary!   What you’ll do is accept donations from the cars in the drive-thru and give the donors their free sandwich card.  Can you help us out for a couple of hours next Thursday?  Please visit our Sign-up Genius to pick a slot.  ###

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Pictures with Santa offered Nov. 16, Dec. 7

Pictures with Santa will be offered in downtown Wake Forest during the following community events this holiday season: *** Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-off on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 12:30-4 p.m. at The Makery, 317 E. Roosevelt Ave., courtesy of Birkner Insurance. *** Downtown Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Makery. A limited number of slots are available on each occasion, so guests planning to have a photo taken with Santa Claus must register in advance at https://bit.ly/WFSantaPics beginning Friday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. Please note: Pictures with Santa will not be offered as part of the Lighting of Wake Forest. Designed to reduce wait times, each reservation will indicate the time guests should arrive at the line-up to have their photo taken with St. Nick. Pictures taken during the WF Cares Holiday Kick-off can be viewed and downloaded from the Town website after

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Two officers complete CIT training

The Wake Forest Police Department is pleased to announce that Officers Becker and Fiandaca recently completed Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. A specialized law enforcement program, the CIT is a partnership between 17 Wake County law enforcement agencies, Wake County Human Services, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The initiative is designed to develop a more effective, compassionate, and safer approach to interacting with people suffering from a mental illness or developmental disability crisis. The CIT provides 40 hours of specialized training to sworn law enforcement officers. The training helps officers identify individuals in a mental health crisis and utilize effective techniques to deescalate crisis situations. As a result, there are fewer incidents of incarceration of persons with mental illness for misdemeanor charges, and fewer injuries to both officers and individuals with mental illness. Of the more than 500 certified CIT officers in Wake County, WFPD has 69 of

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Help plan new park near Ailey Young House

 The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of developing a conceptual site plan for a new park in the Northeast Community anchored by the Ailey Young House, 400 N. White St. Community input is the cornerstone of the effort to produce a concept plan that respects the unique history of the site, celebrates the rich history of the Northeast Community, and provides park space for the community. On October 24, Wake Forest hosted a public meeting (drop-in style open house) at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., and invited attendees to share their thoughts and opinions on park priorities, opportunities, and challenges.  Now the Town is asking residents to complete a short survey about the project. Available at https://engagewakeforest.org/ailey-young-house-heritage-site-northeast-gateway-park, the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is open to everyone, including those who attended the October 24 open house. The survey will be open until

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Algae closes WF Reservoir boat access area

The Town of Wake Forest has closed the boat access area at the Wake Forest Reservoir due to the presence of blue/green algae bloom. Caused by the lack of rain in our area over the past several weeks, these blooms may produce toxins that can make people and pets sick. Visitors to the reservoir are urged to avoid contact with the water and any areas of algae concentration, even on shore.   During the closure, reservoir visitors cannot:  If you, your child, or your dog comes in contact with the water or an algae bloom, rinse off immediately.  Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog has been around an algae bloom and shows symptoms such as vomiting, staggering, drooling, or convulsions. These symptoms present themselves soon after exposure. Dogs have been known to eat the scum that washes ashore and/or lick scum out of their fur. Algae blooms may last for

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November activities at Wake Forest Library

Happy reading! Please join us in November for some wonderful activities at the Wake Forest Library.  Remember, we have a calendar full of free virtual events: bit.ly/virtualWCPL Fall in Love with Words: Open Mic Night! Wednesday, Nov 6 @ 6:30 pm Calling all local writers! Share your creativity – you will have up to five minutes to showcase your work. Social Media for Non-Profits presented by Wake Tech Small Business Center Wednesday, Nov 13 @ 6:30 pm Learn the best ways to promote your non-profit or religious institution through social media. Sign up bit.ly/wakebiz Tuesday Night Teen Takeover! for grades 6-12 Tuesday, November 19 @ 6:30 pm Gather with other teens and learn how to use skill toys to have fun and develop focus. Wake Forest Library Stitchers 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 12:00 to 3:00 pm Bring your latest project and connect with fellow makers who share your passion for all things handmade. All stitchers

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