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

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

 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

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

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

Currently the Town of Wake Forest assesses developers two impact fees, one for parks and recreation which has just been updated and increased and one for fire station construction. Now the commissioners and town officials will have to determine if they want to have developers help pay for the new roads and streets that future growth and development will bring. The consulting firm Benesch has just concluded a Multimodal Transportation Impact Fee Study including the possible fees developers could pay for single-family and multi-family development as well as commercial and industrial growth. The report suggests a transportation fee of $4,431 per house for single-family developments and $6,748 for multifamily units and fees ranging from $4,431 to $14,085 for commercial and industrial developments. Benesch’s draft report is available for review and comment at https://engagewakeforest.org/multi-modal-transportation-impact-fee. The Benesch staff will provide a full briefing to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at