Crossing signals on dead-end street ‘data error’               The $113,000 worth of crossing signals and gates where Friendship Chapel Road crosses the CSX railroad tracks was “a data error,” Drew Thomas, the crossing safety engineering manager in the state Department of Transportation, said this week.               The signals and gates were installed as part of the Safe Roads for Safe Schools program to improve safety at railroad crossings around the state with a significant amount of school traffic. Julia Hegele, a spokesman for DOT, told a News & Observer reporter in March that eight Wake County school buses carrying 250 children pass through the Friendship Chapel Road crossing every day.               Friendship Chapel Road is a dead end. The one house left has been abandoned. A landscape contracting firm operating from the old Holding Farm buildings, Friendship Chapel Baptist Church and the Town of Wake Forest Public Works Center are

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council is pleased to announce that Jay Jay Wilson and Sandy Matthews are Wake Forest’s 2023 Youth and Adult Good Neighbors of the Year. The honorees were announced during today’s Good Neighbor Day celebration at E. Carroll Joyner Park. Each was presented with a commemorative plaque. In her nomination narrative, Margaret Watkins acknowledged Wilson’s efforts to raise awareness about PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal) and PANS (Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). “Many kids are misdiagnosed if ever correctly diagnosed at all,” wrote Watkins. “He has raised money by selling T-shirts. All proceeds are donated to the PANDAS nonprofit advocacy group.” Watkins also highlighted Wilson’s impact on Wake Forest and beyond. “Jay Jay is one of the advocates who persuaded the mayor (that) Wake Forest needed an all-inclusive playground. Jay Jay has a TikTok account where he shares his medical endeavors searching for a

Through the decades Wake Forest residents have helped the town make decisions about programs and plans as well as helping themselves learn more about how town government works by volunteering to serve on a town board. The boards were established to give residents input into what happens in the community and advise the Board of Commissioners (BOC) on matters that affect citizens and their town government. Applications are being accepted through Friday, Oct. 6, for appointments to the following boards and commissions:  Area high school students (grades 11-12) are also invited to apply to serve as representatives on every board, except the Planning Board. The online advisory board application is available on the Town website at http://bit.ly/TOWFAdvBoardApplication. Anyone without access to a computer is invited to complete the application by using a computer kiosk in the lobby of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Hard copies are available upon request by contacting

The Northern Community Food Security Team is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a monthly mobile grocery store on the second Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave. Offering fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale, the Ripe for Revival Mobile Market will make its inaugural debut Thursday, Sept. 14. Ripe for Revival utilizes its network of farmer and food industry relationships to narrow the gap between farm excess and food access. The company purchases “retired” city or school buses, renovates them to include refrigerators and freezers, and transforms them into Mobile Markets that can drive into communities impacted by food insecurity. The brainchild of Will Kornegay, Ripe for Revival’s pay-what-you-can Mobile Markets aim to make fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget. When shopping,

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. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., in partnership with Firebox Theatre Company, these tours will be offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, from September 28 through October 28, according to the following schedule: Tickets are $15 each and go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 5, at noon at https://bit.ly/SpiritsofWF. Please note: Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable and must be purchased in advance. Tours will take place rain or shine. Tours are recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome at their parents’ discretion. Any attendees under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. 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

The Wake Forest Police Department is encouraging area residents, businesses, neighborhood groups, and homeowners’ associations to show their support for police-community crime prevention partnerships by participating in Wake Forest’s National Night Out on Monday, Oct. 2. The event will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road. NNO promises something for everyone, including a DJ, games, food, special prize drawings, and fire, police, and EMS vehicle displays, along with a variety of booths highlighting crime prevention and safety. Wake Forest Police officers will be on hand distributing information on topics such as vehicle security, home security, and personal safety. The police department will also offer a K-9 demonstration, D.A.R.E. presentation, and information on Neighborhood Watch, Special Olympics, and more. Although NNO is offered nationally on the first Tuesday in August, the Wake Forest Police Department schedules its event

Normalize AI is a unique event aimed at equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for their advantage. The event will feature a keynote speech by the renowned Stefan Youngblood, followed by a panel discussion with four successful business owners who are already utilizing AI. The event is scheduled for October 5th, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Renaissance Center in Wake Forest. Attendees will not only enjoy a delicious breakfast, but will also have the opportunity to engage in insightful conversations with experts in the field. AI is transforming the way we do business, and this event will provide you with the necessary information to stay ahead of the curve. Don’t miss out on this cutting-edge event. Register now to secure your spot! Tickets are $55 for chamber members, $70 for nonmembers. To reserve your seat, call or email Julie Kruse-John at the chamber. ###

The Public Art Commission is promoting the October 7 Community Celebration of the Arts and raising awareness about Wake Forest’s amazing array of public art by hosting a “Public Art Selfie Contest.” Through Thursday, Oct. 5, Wake Forest residents and families are invited to take selfies in front of works of public art, then share their photos through the online form on the Town website at https://bit.ly/WFCelebrationoftheArts. Each week, we’ll post on the Town of Wake Forest Facebook page the pictures we’ve received that week and upload them to our online photo gallery. The submitted photos will also be included in a photo slideshow unveiled during the Community Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, Oct. 7. Everyone who enters the contest will be entered in a prize drawing for “Downtown Dollars” during the event.  Please note: You do not have to be present to win. To learn more about Wake Forest’s

The Town of Wake Forest and Wake Forest Power (WFP) are joining more than 2,000 not-for-profit utilities in celebrating Public Power Week October 1-7. As part of this annual week-long celebration, the Town and Wake Forest Power will offer the following free events and activities: Public Power Week Trivia ContestFrom now through Wednesday, Oct. 4, WFP residential customers can enter to win free electricity in October by visiting http://bit.ly/WFPublicPowerWeek and participating in the Public Power Week Trivia Contest. Everyone who answers all the questions correctly will be entered in the drawing for free electricity. Three winners will be announced during the afternoon Energy Expo on Thursday, Oct. 5. Savings for Seniors BingoWake Forest-area seniors are invited to enjoy a special morning of bingo on Monday, Oct. 2, from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Ground Floor Meeting Room of the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Highlighting a variety of energy-savings ideas,