📨 Congratulations Duke❗ | Head-On Crash | Shooting | Grand Canyon Of The East

To My Valued Readers Across Wake County,

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you for subscribing to and being such an important part of the Wake News & Events community. Your support truly means the world to me. In a sea of digital noise, my goal is to make this newsletter a refreshing, meaningful addition to your inbox—one that keeps you informed, connected, and engaged.

I asked for your input, and you delivered! There was an overwhelming response to my question about including weekend yard, garage, and estate sales. I'm excited to share that you'll find the list in this issue, and moving forward, I’ll be publishing these lists every Friday. Enjoy exploring, and feel free to share what treasures you find—I’d love to know! You might even spot me out there, so keep an eye out.

As always, your feedback and suggestions are more than welcome. This newsletter is for you, and I want it to reflect what matters most to you.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m incredibly grateful to have you with me!

See you out there in beautiful Wake!

With warmest regards,
Diane
📧 [email protected]

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🤣-Chuckle - Laughter is good for the soul.

☁️-Weather - Whether we like it or not!

🧑‍💼-On this day in history!

🛣️-Wake County, history and weekend get-a-ways.

📰-News - Stay in the know with local news.

🎙️-Events - #1 largest list of area events.

🆕Grocery and drug store sale ads🆕

🆕Big sales on must have items!🆕

🌶️Watch for “HOT DEALS”🌶️

🏃‍♀️‍➡️Health - Important information on health and wellness

🌶️New Boujee Upscale Resale! Hot Deals!🌶️

🧑‍💼Featured Business - Let’s support our local small businesses.

➡️New Community Survey◀️

NEW!

♦️Wednesday - Events Update Edition♦️

♦️Thursday - Real Estate Edition♦️

♦️Friday - Big Savings & Sales In Wake!♦️

If you love fashion and style, join us at “Get Boujee.” If you love great deals and savings but love looking your best and want to dress in the latest trends with a lot of class thrown in, join us on Facebook at the “Get Boujee Boutique.” Need decorating ideas but don’t want to have to run all over to find those perfect items? Join us on FB at the “Get Boujee Boutique.” Join us at “Get Boujee” where fashion and Great Value Come Together!

Celebrate Your 2025 Graduating Senior!

Get your reservation in now. We only have a few spots left!

📣🎓 Senior Highlights 🎓📣

A Special Feature Section Dedicated To Our Local Graduates

We would love to help you celebrate your graduating senior with a special news release in the Wake Forest News and Events Newsletter. Don’t miss out.

Reserve your senior’s place now.

👉 Get All the information here. 👈

📍 Today’s Chuckle 📍

Why did the Cinderella team bring a suitcase to March Madness?

Because they were ready for a big dance! 💃🏀😂

📍 Today’s North Carolina Trivia📍

​The "Gibraltar of the South" and the Monster Cannon

During the Civil War, Fort Fisher, located near Wilmington, NC, was known as the "Gibraltar of the South" because of its massive defensive structures. It housed some of the largest cannons in the Confederacy, including the Blakely Rifle, a massive British-made cannon. This huge weapon was one of the most powerful artillery pieces at the time and was used to defend the last major Confederate port.

Despite its impressive firepower, Fort Fisher eventually fell to Union forces in January 1865, sealing off the South's last supply line through the sea. Today, visitors can explore the fort's remains and learn about its history!

📍On This Day in History📍

1634 – The first settlers arrive in Maryland, led by Lord Baltimore, establishing the first English Catholic colony in North America.

Linville Gorge

The Grand Canyon of the East

Linville Gorge, located in western North Carolina within the Pisgah National Forest, is one of the deepest and most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East," it stretches about 12 miles long and plunges up to 1,400 feet deep, with the Linville River carving its way through the dramatic landscape. The gorge is part of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, one of the first designated wilderness areas in the country under the 1964 Wilderness Act.

The gorge has long been admired for its wild beauty. The Cherokee, who originally inhabited the area, called the river Ee-see-oh, meaning "river of many cliffs." The name "Linville" comes from John and William Linville, early explorers who were tragically killed by Native Americans in the 1700s. The area later became part of Pisgah National Forest, and in 1951, it was protected as one of the first designated wilderness areas in the East.

Plan Your Visit

🚗 Getting There:

• From Asheville, take I-40 East to Marion, then follow NC-221 North to Linville Falls.

• From Charlotte, take I-85 South to US-321 North, then NC-181 North toward the gorge.

⏳ Best Time to Visit:

• Fall (September–November): Stunning autumn foliage.

• Spring (April–June): Wildflowers bloom, and waterfalls are strongest.

• Summer (July–August): Great for hiking, but it can be hot and humid.

Linville Gorge is an adventure-seeker’s paradise, offering some of the best hiking, camping, and sightseeing in North Carolina. Whether you're after epic views, a tough hike, or a peaceful escape in nature, this canyon delivers an unforgettable experience!

More Editor’s Choice in “North Carolina Reading.”🛣️

• ^{_{Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide}}🦅

• ^{_{History Lover's Guide to North Carolina}}📗

• ^{_{North Carolina Bucket List Guide}}🪣

• ^{_{Grow Great Vegetables in North Carolina}}🍅

• ^{_{Hiking North Carolina}}🥾

• ^{_{North Carolina Waterfalls}}💦

Men's Basketball Victory

The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team cruised to an impressive 89-66 win over the Baylor Bears, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Tyrese Proctor led the charge, setting a new career high with 25 points in the dominant performance.

Women's Basketball Advances:

The Duke women's basketball team also reached the Sweet 16, defeating the Oregon Ducks 59-53. Junior Ashlon Jackson played a key role, scoring 20 points, including five crucial three-pointers, to lead her team to victory.

Apex Residents Still Facing Issues After July 2024 Cyberattack Disrupts Utility Billing System

Residents of Apex, North Carolina, are still grappling with the aftermath of a cyberattack that occurred in July 2024, severely impacting the town’s utility billing system. The attack led to multiple disruptions, with many residents receiving duplicate billing statements, resulting in confusion and frustration.

In the wake of the cyberattack, the town has been working diligently to resolve the issues. External cybersecurity experts have been brought in to assist with troubleshooting the system and ensuring that any remaining vulnerabilities are addressed. While progress has been made, some residents continue to experience billing inaccuracies and delays in receiving accurate statements.

The town has reassured residents that efforts are ongoing to restore normalcy and prevent future disruptions. In the meantime, affected residents are being encouraged to reach out to the utility billing office for assistance in correcting any errors. The town is committed to ensuring transparency and restoring the trust of its community as it works to resolve these challenges.

As Apex moves forward, officials remain focused on strengthening the security of its systems to better protect against future cyber threats and minimize any further disruptions to vital services.

Fatal Domestic Incident:

On March 22, authorities discovered the bodies of a couple in a home on Chaney Drive, near Cornwallis Road in Johnston County, close to Garner. The victims were found with gunshot wounds, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Hospital Expansion Plans:

Novant Health has proposed the construction of a new hospital in Knightdale as part of a larger initiative by several health care systems, including UNC Health and Duke Health, to expand their services in the rapidly growing areas of Wake County.

Forest Fest

Wake Forest is preparing for Forest Fest on Saturday, April 26, in downtown Wake Forest. Organized by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. in collaboration with the Town of Wake Forest and local community partners, this event will celebrate Arbor Day with tree seedling giveaways, live music, food vendors, and fun activities for all ages.

Traffic Advisory

Through mid-April, concrete work will narrow Retail Drive to one lane, with intermittent two-way traffic between Durham Road/NC 98 and Dr. Calvin Jones Highway. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes during this time.

Raleigh Police Response on N. Rogers Lane

Raleigh police were dispatched to a call about a man with a gun on N. Rogers Lane. The suspect, Javier Torres, fled on foot when officers arrived, resulting in a brief chase. This incident underscores ongoing efforts to tackle public safety concerns in the area.

Head-On Crash

A wrong-way driver caused a head-on crash on Interstate 40 near Gorman Street early this morning, resulting in two fatalities. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. and led to temporary lane closures. All lanes have since reopened.

Help our local food banks support those who are in need!

Local Drop-Off Locations For Non-Parishables.

PORCH Wake Forest: Fighting Hunger

Strengthening Community

In the heart of Wake Forest, North Carolina, a grassroots hunger relief organization is making a significant impact in the fight against food insecurity. PORCH Wake Forest, part of the broader PORCH Communities network, is dedicated to ensuring that local families have access to nutritious food. Through community-driven efforts, PORCH Wake Forest has become a vital lifeline for those in need.

PORCH Wake Forest operates with a simple yet powerful model: neighbors helping neighbors. The organization collects and distributes non-perishable food items to local food pantries and directly to families in need. By mobilizing volunteers and engaging the community, PORCH Wake Forest provides a sustainable solution to food insecurity in the area.

The organization relies on a network of volunteers who coordinate food drives, collect donations, and distribute supplies. The process typically follows three key steps:

• Monthly Food Collections – Residents leave non-perishable food donations on their porches, which volunteers collect and bring to a central location.

• Sorting and Distribution – The donations are sorted and prepared for distribution to local food pantries and partner organizations.

• Direct Assistance – Many donations go directly to families in need, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.

This low-cost, high-impact model ensures that food reaches those who need it most while fostering a strong sense of community involvement.

Food insecurity is a growing concern in Wake Forest and across North Carolina. Rising costs of living, economic instability, and unforeseen emergencies leave many families struggling to put food on the table. Organizations like PORCH Wake Forest play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by providing reliable food support to vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and low-income families.

PORCH Wake Forest thrives on community participation. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate Food – Non-perishable items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, and peanut butter are always in demand.

• Volunteer – Help collect, sort, and distribute food donations.

• Host a Collection Drive – Engage your neighborhood, workplace, or school in organizing a food drive.

• Make a Financial Contribution – Monetary donations help fund food purchases and operational costs.

PORCH Wake Forest is more than a food distribution organization—it’s a movement of people committed to making a difference. By leveraging the power of local giving, the organization continues to grow, ensuring that no family in Wake Forest goes hungry.

To learn more, donate, or volunteer, visit PORCH Wake Forest’s website or follow them on social media. Together, we can build a stronger, more food-secure community.

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