On Friday, January 17, 2025 at the start of the town board’s day-long annual retreat, the commissioners agreed to finance and build a free-standing theater somewhere near the Renaissance Centre where they were meeting. The chosen model is estimated to cost between $43 and $53 million in addition to any costs for the one- to two-acre lot, which was not a consideration. The building will feature a 10,000 square foot flat-floor multi-purpose space with a 600-seat capacity, telescoping risers – think the seating in school gymnasiums but fancier – a full stage and wing space. There will also be large lobby, a catering kitchen and a variety of meeting and storage spaces on two sides of the building. There was no plan for parking space. The positive aspects of a separate facility are a fairly conservative capital outlay. Mayor Vivian Jones said, “There are millions of dollars out there,” including

The Northern Wake Senior Center will transition to become a part of the Wake Forest town government on July 1, 2025. Assistant Town Manager Candace Davis outlined how that would happen as part of the presentations during the town board retreat at the Renaissance Centre Friday. In 2023, Resources for Senior, a county-wide group providing the programming for senior centers in Wake County, approached Wake Forest’s town government, saying it would soon become unable to provide the programming and urged the town to take over the center, making it a part of town government. Town government leaders had already seen the need for a second senior center here. Wake Forest’s town government and its residents have long supported the senior center, and that support strengthened in 2022 after the center opened after a major renovation only to be damaged by a lightning strike. And it was really Wake Forest older

(This article is written from memory because I lost my notes about the town board meeting last night, perhaps because I was preparing for the UNC basketball game later. The ending, another loss, made me unhappy about watching.) Despite pleas from the owner of Freddie’s bar, which is not included in the six-month trial for Wake Forest’s social district, the trial area was approved last night. It is essentially along South White and South Brooks Street. The town commissioners accordingly amended the town ordinance about consumption of alcohol to include the social district. A new grant for the proposed train station was announced by Brad West, long range planning manager. The commissioners also approved the 2025-2030 Capital Improvements Plan. There was a good-by to Wake Forest Police Chief Jeff Leonard Tuesday evening, January 21, 2025, with the presentation of a plaque for his 31 years of service and later a

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 community members have reported receiving calls from someone posing as a Wake Forest Police officer who claims they owe money for missing a jury summons. 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

The Wake Forest Police Department is seeking young men and women interested in joining the Junior Cadets. Dedicated to preparing young adults for careers and leadership in public safety, the program began accepting applications on Thursday, Jan. 2. The application period will remain open until all seats are filled. To qualify as a Police Junior Cadet, a person must have completed the eighth grade, be between the ages of 14-20, and have an interest in the field of law enforcement. To view the complete list of membership requirements, visit https://bit.ly/WFPDJuniorCadets. Junior Cadets participate in meetings, training sessions, ride-alongs with experienced police officers (cadets 18 and older), and other activities as part of the learning process. Training consists of basic first aid, department radio procedures, handcuffing, accident investigation, finger printing, crime scene analysis, rank structure, leadership, and more.  Members receive a standard uniform that must be worn to all meetings and special events.

Several local churches and community organizations will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a free, public celebration on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, 237 Friendship Chapel Road. The evening’s theme will center around one of Dr. King’s messages: “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.” In the spirit of the event theme, the Wake Forest MLK Committee will offer creative performance, writing, and art competitions for students in Wake Forest and Rolesville-area schools. Complete contest rules and information, along with the online contest entry form, are available at http://bit.ly/WFMLKCelebration. The competition winners will be recognized during the January 18 program. The Wake Forest MLK Committee is accepting monetary donations from the community to help fund the monetary prizes and scholarships awarded to the competition winners. The MLK Committee hopes to raise $10,000 by January 31.

You’re invited to join Mayor Vivian Jones for the 2025 State of the Town Address & Dinner on Monday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. Presented by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the event will take place at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. During her remarks, Mayor Jones will reflect on the successes and challenges of the Wake Forest community over the past year. She will also outline the goals the Town will strive towards in 2025. Advance tickets are $15 per person and include a catered meal and dinner music by local performing artist Ronald Williams. Tickets can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card at https://bit.ly/WFStateofTown. Tickets may also be purchased at the Renaissance Centre Box Office with cash, check, or credit card. A limited number of tickets are available, so the event is expected to sell out. Dress for

Forest Fest returns to downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. (WFD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to champion the economic health, growth, and vitality of downtown Wake Forest, Forest Fest is a family friendly event celebrating nature and outdoors in the heart of Wake Forest. WFD is now accepting applications from vendors and nonprofit organizations that wish to participate in this year’s Forest Fest. The online application is available at visit https://bit.ly/WFForestFest. Application and payment are due no later than Sunday, Feb. 9.  PLEASE NOTE: Food trucks have already been secured for this event, and no additional food vendors are needed. As interest in Forest Fest continues to grow, WFD is committed to securing vendors and nonprofits whose missions and efforts align with the purpose and spirit of the event. As a result, participating vendors and nonprofit organizations

The Town of Wake Forest is making it easier for community members to properly dispose of their tattered or worn American flags thanks to the efforts of a local Boy Scout. Andrew Horner, 14, and the scouts of Troop 500 recently constructed a flag retirement drop box (see attached photo) as part of Horner’s Eagle Scout Service Project. Made of wooden and aluminum panels, the red, white, and blue colored drop box is in the visitor parking lot of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., next to the utility payment drop box. A Wake Forest High School student, Horner says the flag drop-off box is an appropriate and respectful way to dispose of worn, tattered, or unserviceable American flags. “I decided on this project after seeing someone throw away a worn American flag,” said Horner. “I realized that many people don’t know the proper way to retire a flag, so I

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., is inviting artists of all ages to submit up to three works of art for its March exhibition entitled: “Land That I Love – A Tribute to Western NC.” Artists are encouraged to consider the title of the exhibition as inspiration for their submission. Designed to give visual artists an opportunity to display and sell their work in a gallery setting, the March exhibit will include 120 linear feet of hanging space and a medium-sized display cabinet to showcase 3D works. To learn more and/or apply, visit www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events/2025-art-exhibits. The submission deadline is Monday, Feb. 10. Selected works of art will be displayed in the Renaissance Centre Arts Annex from Thursday, March 6, through Friday, April 4. The Renaissance Centre will honor the artists and their works during a special reception on Friday, March 14, from 6-8 p.m. in the Renaissance Centre Arts