Recalling the black fire department

100 years of history – First published in 2003-2004 He was not one of the original firemen in Station No. 2 – it was formed in 1942 when he was 12 – but Matthew Williams at 73 is one of the few surviving members of the town’s black fire department. He was looking at a picture the editor had found and brought along where he was second from the left. The others are Chief Edward Alston, George Massenburg and Robert Alston, and they were standing in front of the truck the white department bought in 1948 and gave to the black department in 1953. Frank R. Keith, the grandfather of Jimmy Keith, now the fulltime chief of the Wake Forest Fire Department, organized what was known as the colored volunteer fire department. (Readers should go to the website for the Wake Forest Fire Department to see the Keiths who were

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Local candidates to 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 next week 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. Pate has not announced which candidates are invited to the debate. 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

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Flag-Raising will honor Anthony Attina

The Town of Wake Forest and several local veterans’ organizations will continue their monthly flag-raising ceremonies in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza on Monday, Sept. 9, at 11 a.m. The 57th Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony will honor Anthony Attina who served our nation in the US Air Force. Family members and friends of the Attina family will participate in the ceremony, which will include patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying, and the ceremonial flag-raising.  During the service, the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard will raise the American flag and the US Air Force service flag in recognition of the military branch in which Attina served. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout September. Photographs and other remembrances of Attina will also be displayed in Centennial Plaza during the ceremony, then in the Town Hall lobby through the end of the month. Presented by the Town of Wake Forest and several local veterans’ organizations to honor the sacrifices

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Apply now for town boards and commissions

You can make a difference in our community by applying for an upcoming vacancy on a Town advisory 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 Monday, Sept. 30, for appointments to the following boards and commissions:  Area high school students (grades 9-12) are also invited to apply to serve as representatives on every board, except the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. Beginning September 1, the online advisory board application will be 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 Deputy Town Clerk Ella Dowtin at 919-435-9436 or edowtin@wakeforestnc.gov.  

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Town updating its special events process

Special events are a key contributor to Wake Forest’s exceptional quality of life. In addition to numerous Town-organized annual events, such as Friday Night on White, Fireworks Spectacular, Good Neighbor Day, and Halloween Boo Bash, Wake Forest residents also enjoy many “Community Events.” These are Town-permitted special events in a public area (Festival Street/East Owen Avenue, South White Street, etc.) that a business, church, community group, or other organization plans, manages, pays for, and executes after applying for and receiving a Special Event Permit. Examples of “Community Events” include Meet in the Street (Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce), Cars & Carnivores (Wake Forest Rotary Club), and the Lighting of Wake Forest (Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.) – just to name a few. As part of the Town’s process for permitting Community Events, Wake Forest staff must approve the event location and may require the involvement of Police, Public Works, and/or

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‘Go Wake Forest’ web page outlines new van service replacing buses

Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Town of Wake Forest will introduce a town-wide microtransit pilot program called “Go Wake Forest.” Microtransit is a ridesharing service that operates similarly to Uber and Lyft, connecting riders directly to destinations from their doorstep. In anticipation of the October 1 launch, the Town has launched a Go Wake Forest web page that provides comprehensive information about the new microtransit service.  Available at www.wakeforestnc.gov/transportation/go-wake-forest, the site includes a section of Frequently Asked Questions (and answers), along with a link to the online service district map. Prior to the launch of Go Wake Forest, the page will provide detailed instructions on how to use the service. All residents and visitors within the Town of Wake Forest’s jurisdiction will be eligible to use the on-demand transit service.  During the pilot phase of the microtransit service, Town officials will work to resolve any issues through rigorous testing and rider

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UDO Update Open House Sept. 4 and 5

The Town of Wake Forest will host UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) Comprehensive Update Open House sessions at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 5, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Both drop-in sessions will give community members the opportunity to review the completed UDO draft, learn more about potential changes to zoning districts and development standards, and provide feedback. Both sessions will have an informal, open house-style format, along with the same content, so community members may drop in anytime to view displays, ask questions, and share comments. No formal presentation will be given.   Feedback will be incorporated into a final draft that will be presented to the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners for approval. Community input is the cornerstone of the UDO Comprehensive Update. Following the update and adoption of several comprehensive plans, including the 2022 Wake Forest Community

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Good Neighbor Day to be at Joyner Sept. 21

The Wake Forest Optimist Club presents the fourth annual Kars for Kids Charity Car Show. The charity car show will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Market of Wake Forest shopping center located at Business 98 and Capital Boulevard. This is a fun family friendly event and admission is free to spectators. Cars displayed and judged must pay a $20 registration fee. Antique, Pony, Trucks, Muscle, Rods, and Custom Cars & Trucks will be on display. Everything from mild to wild – vintage to modern. The Grand Sponsor of Kars for Kids is Ted Wilder Agency State Farm Insurance.Mr. Wilder is also an avid antique car enthusiast and collector. Gold sponsors are Zapolski Real Estate Property Management Company, Johnson Hyundai of Wake Forest, Charlie’s Kabobs, Wake Forest Dental Arts, Sam’s Xpress Car Wash, Carolina Comfort Air, McCorkle Sign & Awning, ReMax

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Kars for Kids charity car show Sept. 21

The Wake Forest Optimist Club presents the fourth annual Kars for Kids Charity Car Show. The charity car show will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Market of Wake Forest shopping center located at Business 98 and Capital Boulevard. This is a fun family friendly event and admission is free to spectators. Cars displayed and judged must pay a $20 registration fee. Antique, Pony, Trucks, Muscle, Rods, and Custom Cars & Trucks will be on display. Everything from mild to wild – vintage to modern. The Grand Sponsor of Kars for Kids is Ted Wilder Agency State Farm Insurance.Mr. Wilder is also an avid antique car enthusiast and collector. Gold sponsors are Zapolski Real Estate Property Management Company, Johnson Hyundai of Wake Forest, Charlie’s Kabobs, Wake Forest Dental Arts, Sam’s Xpress Car Wash, Carolina Comfort Air, McCorkle Sign & Awning, ReMax

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‘Spirits’ return to downtown Wake Forest

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. Now in its fifth year, Spirits of Wake Forest is presented by Wake Forest Downtown (WFD), Inc., in partnership with Firebox Theatre Company. 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 storytellers to learn about the tragic train wrecks, frightening folklore, and restless spirits that make up just a small piece of downtown’s haunted history. These tours will be offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, from September 26 through October 31, according to the following schedule: Tickets are $20 each and go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. at https://bit.ly/SpiritsofWF. Please note: Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable and must be purchased in advance. Tours

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