| Wake County has reopened the recreational swimming areas at Beaverdam and Sandling beaches at Falls Lake. These beaches were closed Friday, June 14, 2013, due to elevated levels of E. coli and enterococci bacteria, respectively, but were reopened Monday, June 17, 2013, after bacteria levels tested within Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for two consecutive days.
The County routinely tests recreational lakes for bacteria and when levels exceed EPA standards, the area is closed to "primary contact recreation," which includes swimming or any activity where a person's head may go underwater. The County samples these lakes weekly during the summer.
For the latest information on temporary closures and reopenings of beaches and lakes in the County due to elevated bacteria levels, people are asked to visit the Wake County Recreational Waters website.
People are also reminded to always wash their hands with soap and water, and thoroughly shower after swimming, tubing or skiing in area lakes to reduce chances of contracting a recreational water illness.
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| The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved the County's fiscal year 2014 (FY 2014) budget during its regularly scheduled meeting today, Monday, June 17, 2013.
The $982,800,000 budget holds the property tax rate at 53.4 cents for the fifth year in a row, and focuses on priorities and addressing the greatest needs.
"The 2014 budget continues Wake County's practice of allocating to the highest priority areas: public safety, education, and human services and public health," said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chairman Joe Bryan. "The budget also funds development-related services, which have shown recent growth, such as the Register of Deeds, building inspections and the Revenue Department. We are extremely pleased that we are able to meet these needs without a property tax increase."
The total Wake County FY 2014 budget is $44.3 million, or about 4.7 percent, more than the FY 2013 adopted budget. The budget includes:
| Education |
$343.7 million |
$9.2 million |
| Public Safety |
$115.5 million |
$9.1 million |
| Human Services and Public Health |
$190 million |
$0.4 million |
| Debt and Capital |
$232.4 million |
$17.4 million |
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| Wake County Human Services, in partnership with Safe Kids Wake County, will demonstrate the dangers of leaving a child in a hot car on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the front parking lot of the Wake County Public Health Center, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh. Bobby Murray Chevrolet will be providing the vehicles for the demonstration.
Parents and caregivers will be roasting s'mores in a car to demonstrate the level of heat that can occur in a closed vehicle. All in attendance will be asked to sign pledges stating that they will never leave a child alone in a car, and if they do see a child left alone in a car, they will immediately call 911.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, there were eight fatalities nationwide in May 2013, making it the deadliest May on record for unattended children in vehicles. Since 1998, more than 500 children across the U.S. have died from heat stroke while left unattended in hot cars.
This event is part of the "Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car" national campaign to address the risks and dangers posed by children being left in cars. Safe Kids Wake County is made up of area organizations, businesses and individuals interested in child safety. They plan and implement strategies to reduce preventable injuries and death to children in Wake County.
In the event of inclement weather, call 919-250-3989 to confirm whether the demonstration is canceled.
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| Wake County has reopened the recreational swimming area at Sandling Beach. The beach was closed Friday, June 14, 2013, due to elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, but was reopened today, June 17, 2013, after bacteria levels tested within Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for two consecutive days.
The County routinely tests recreational lakes for bacteria and when levels exceed EPA standards, the area is closed to "primary contact recreation," which includes swimming or any activity where a person's head may go underwater. The county samples these lakes weekly during the summer.
For the latest information on temporary closures and reopenings of beaches and lakes in the County due to elevated bacteria levels, people are asked to visit the Wake County Recreational Waters website. People are also reminded to always wash their hands with soap and water, and thoroughly shower after swimming, tubing or skiing in area lakes to reduce chances of contracting a recreational water illness.
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| Wake County has reopened the recreational swimming area at Sandling Beach. The beach was closed Friday, June 14, 2013, due to elevated levels of enterococci bacteria, but was reopened today, June 17, 2013, after bacteria levels tested within Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for two consecutive days.
Beaver Dam Beach, also closed on Friday, remains closed due to elevated levels of bacteria, based on EPA standards.
The County routinely tests recreational lakes for bacteria, and when bacteria levels of enterococci and E. coli exceed EPA standards, the area is closed to "primary contact recreation," which is swimming or any activity where your head may go underwater. The County samples the lakes weekly during the summer.
"Our goal is to eliminate the potential for people to come into contact with excessive levels of bacteria, as that could result in creating illness conditions for individuals," said Wake County Environmental Services Watershed Manager Kathryn Hobby. "We will continue to collect water samples on a daily basis for the closed areas and reopen the lake for swimming as soon as the bacteria levels fall within the EPA-established standards.
"After we observe two consecutive days of water samples meeting the standards, the area will be reopened for recreation."
Acceptable levels of enterococci should not exceed 61 colony forming units per 100 milliliters (cfu/100 ml); 159.7 cfu/100 ml were found at Sandling Beach. Acceptable levels of E. coli should not exceed 235 cfu/100 ml; 410.6 cfu/100 ml were found at Beaver Dam.
The lake is not closed to fishing, and other swimming areas at Falls Lake will remain open. County staff suggests that visitors call their recreational lake facilities to find out if they are open to swimming or visit the Wake County Recreational Waters website.
People are also reminded to always wash their hands with soap and water, and thoroughly shower after swimming, tubing or skiing in area lakes to reduce chances of contracting a waterborne illness.
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| Vulnerable residents unable to cool their homes during extreme heat may qualify for Wake County's Cool for Wake program. Cool for Wake, which runs through Friday, September 6, 2013, provides free fans to households where seniors or children under 12 are living without air conditioning.
A limited number of air conditioners is available to seniors and children who have a documented medical history of chronic illness affecting their respiratory system.
"We encourage community members to support Cool for Wake by donating new or good-condition fans or making monetary contributions to help Wake County residents in need," said Denise Kissel, Cool for Wake program coordinator. "A donation to Cool for Wake can have a positive impact for an individual whose health can deteriorate quickly during times of high heat and humidity."
Cool for Wake also accepts donations of new window-unit air conditioners. All donations should be directed to the Community Resources office on the first floor of the Wake County Human Services Center at 220 Swinburne St., Raleigh. Monetary donations are tax deductible.
In 2012, Wake County helped more than 200 households without air conditioning and raised more than $6,000. Cool for Wake began in 1991 to complement Wake County's Warmth for Wake program, which provides energy assistance to qualified individuals during winter months.
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| Wake County invites the public to a free event celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the American Tobacco Trail by promoting healthy lifestyles, physical fitness and local foods. “On the Trail to Health” will take place along the American Tobacco Trail, Saturday, June 15, 2013, 1 to 4 p.m. Participants should meet at White Oak Parking Area, 1305 White Oak Church Road, Apex.
County Park staff and exhibitors will lead participants in a number of activities including:
Local organizations and businesses will be on hand to offer additional activities and information including the N.C. Horse Council, i9 Sports, Western Wake Farmers’ Market, Karen Tiede Hooping, One Heart Yoga, TGA of West Wake County, 2Cups GreenTea Hawaii, GetGoingNC and ParkGeek. The Local Yogurt food truck will also be on site with frozen yogurt for sale.
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| The Wake County Justice Center, 300 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, will open ahead of schedule and about $30 million under budget this summer. The building will serve as a prominent place for residents to participate in the judicial system, access public records and engage in local government activities. Services in the Justice Center will open in phases between Wednesday, June 12, 2013, and Monday, July 1, 2013.
As of Wednesday, June 12, 2013, the Justice Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each person entering the Justice Center will be required to go through security screening. Weapons and items such as mace, scissors and knives are prohibited in the Justice Center.
The Register of Deeds and Revenue Department were the first County services to relocate and opened in the Justice Center on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Regular sessions of all traffic and Criminal Court proceedings will begin on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
The County government, courts and court services listed below are moving to the Justice Center. Services that are not listed will remain in their current location.
County Services |
Begin Service
in the Justice Center |
Location |
| Budget and Management Services |
Friday, June 28 |
4th Floor |
| Commissioners' Meeting Room |
Monday, July 1 |
2nd Floor |
| County Attorney |
Monday, July 1 |
4th Floor |
| County Commissioners |
Monday, June 24 |
4th Floor |
| County Manager |
Monday, June 24 |
4th Floor |
| Finance (and Bids) |
Monday, July 1 |
2nd Floor |
| Marriage and Vital Records |
Wednesday, June 12 |
1st Floor |
| Public Affairs Office |
Wednesday, June 26 |
4th Floor |
| Register of Deeds |
Wednesday, June 12 |
1st Floor |
| Revenue |
Wednesday, June 12 |
3rd Floor |
|
|
|
Courts and Court Services |
Begin Service
in the Justice Center |
Location |
| Clerk of Court – Cashier |
Monday, June 17 |
2nd Floor |
| Clerk of Court – Criminal District |
Monday, June 17 |
1st Floor |
| Clerk of Superior Court Administration |
Monday, June 17 |
2nd Floor |
| District Attorney |
Wednesday, July 19 |
8th Floor |
| Jury Assembly |
Tuesday, July 2 |
3rd Floor |
| Probation and Parole |
Tuesday, July 2 |
3rd Floor |
| Public Defender |
Monday, June 17 |
5th Floor |
| Southlight |
Tuesday, July 2 |
2nd Floor |
| Traffic Tickets |
Tuesday, July 2 |
1st Floor |
A Grand Opening, which will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours, is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2013, at 11 a.m. A public preview and county services expo will be held Saturday, June 29, 2013, from noon to 3 p.m. The public is invited to both events. View further details here.
A video about the Justice Center, from groundbreaking to completion, is now available on the Wake County YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/WakeGOV. |
| The Wake County Board of Elections (BOE) recently adopted two resolutions establishing new polling places. The new polling sites will officially open for the fall 2013 elections on Tuesday, October 8, and Tuesday, November 5.
Citizens are encouraged to vote at the precinct assigned to them by the BOE. All registered voters affected by the polling place changes will receive a new voter registration card through the mail.
People who receive a voter registration card that is addressed to a previous owner or tenant are asked to write on the unopened envelope that the person no longer resides at the address and give it to a postal carrier.
For other voting information, contact the BOE at 919-856-6240 or visit wakegov.com/elections. |
| The Wake County Buckle Up Program, in partnership with the Wake County District Attorney's Office, Safe Kids North Carolina, NC Governors Highway Safety Program and local law enforcement agencies across Wake County, launched the Wake County Child Passenger Safety Diversion Project in May.
The new Diversion Project allows motorists, who are issued citations for not having young passengers in child restraints, to have their citations dismissed if they visit a participating agency to learn how to properly use their restraints.
"Many drivers fail to comply with the law by choosing not to use child restraints altogether or by using their seats improperly, which may lead to lifelong consequences of injury or even death," said Suzanne LeDoyen, Wake County Buckle Up coordinator.
In order to comply, the person who received the ticket must bring their child, correct child restraint, valid ID and their ticket to one of the following locations for validation.
| Agency |
Location |
Hours |
Contact |
| Apex Fire Department Station 3 |
736 Hunter St., Apex |
Wednesdays, 1–4 p.m. |
919-362-4001 |
| Cary Police Department Fire Station 2 |
875 SE Maynard Road, Cary |
Wednesdays,
11 a.m–1 p.m. |
919-469-4012 |
| El Pueblo Inc.* |
700 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 101, Raleigh |
Mondays through Thursdays |
Call for an appointment
919-835-1525 |
| Fuquay-Varina Fire Department Station 1 |
301 S. Fuquay Ave., Fuquay-Varina |
Tuesdays, 4–7 p.m. |
919-552-0422 |
| Holly Springs Police Department Fire Station 2 |
1140 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Springs |
Thursdays, 1–4 p.m. |
919-552-7110 |
| Knightdale Public Safety |
976 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale |
Wednesdays, 4–7 p.m. |
919-217-2271 |
| Morrisville Fire Department Station 1 |
200 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville |
Mondays, 4–7 p.m. |
919-463-6120 |
| Morrisville Fire Department Station 2 |
10632 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville |
Mondays, 4–7 p.m. |
919-463-6140 |
| Morrisville Fire Department Station 3 |
6900 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Morrisville |
Mondays, 4–7 p.m. |
919-436-6940 |
| Wake County Human Services |
10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh |
First Wednesday of each month, 2–5 p.m. |
919-250-3989 |
| Zebulon Fire Department |
113 E. Vance St., Zebulon |
Wednesdays, 1–4 p.m. |
919-269-6487 |
North Carolina Law requires all passengers in a vehicle to buckle up. Children are required to use a car seat until they are at least 8 years old or 80 pounds (whichever comes first), and the vehicle seat belt must fit properly on its own.
For more information, call Wake County Buckle Up Coordinator Suzanne LeDoyen at 919-250-3989. |
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