Staff Report / apexlocal.org

**Wake County Hosts Racial Healing Community Dialogue**

Wake County will be hosting a community event focused on racial healing and dialogue on Saturday, January 18, 2025, as part of the Kellogg Foundation’s National Day of Racial Healing. The event, which is free and open to everyone, aims to foster conversations around justice and equity in the community.

The gathering will take place at the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, located at 99 N. Salisbury Street, and will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with doors opening at 8 a.m. for a continental breakfast.

The event will include a keynote address designed to inspire and motivate attendees, as well as small group breakout sessions for meaningful dialogue. Residents and community stakeholders are invited to join the morning of connection, action, and conversation to advance equity and justice within Wake County.

For more details and to register, visit ymca.fyi/ndrh.

This event supports the nationwide movement toward healing and unity through dialogue.

Source: Wake County Government

Source Type: Gov

Source Location: Raleigh

Garner, NC

https://www.facebook.com/883922170430217/posts/1007177161438050

Free boat rentals return to Lake Crabtree County Park

Wake County says boat rentals are back at Lake Crabtree County Park in Raleigh, offering free kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats from May 15 to Sept. 7 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4 and Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (rentals end at 5 p.m.), with entrants required to show a valid ID and sign a waiver at the Lake Crabtree County Park Boat House.

Wake County Principal Named N.C. Principal of the Year

Dr. Mariah Walker, principal of Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy in Apex, was named the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year and will serve as a statewide ambassador for about 2,700 principals through a two-year advisory with the State Board of Education and a seat on the North Carolina Public School Forum board, with the ceremony held at The Umstead Hotel & Spa earlier this afternoon.

Wake County Offers Free Pre-K for 4-year-olds

Wake County Public Schools said eligible families with a child who will be 4 by Aug. 31 may qualify for free Wake Pre-K, with an in-person application event May 21, online applications available anytime, and a June 12 deadline for Title I preschool eligibility.

Wake County Public School System Named Among Best Music-Education Communities

Wake County Public School System in Apex, North Carolina, has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation.

Kim Leon Helps Wake County Dogs Find Homes

Kim Leon has spent 11 years fostering Wake County dogs after starting as a volunteer walker, helping them decompress, heal and adjust before finding loving homes.

Volunteer Spotlight Honors Kimberly Fields at Walnut Creek Elementary

Apex, N.C. — During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Wake County Public School System officials spotlight Kimberly Fields, a Walnut Creek Elementary parent volunteer who supports kindergarten classrooms, chaperones field trips and helps organize events while also serving on the School Improvement Team, with administrators praising her commitment and impact on students, staff and families.

Wake County officials celebrate families serving as precinct officials

During Volunteer Month, the Wake County Board of Elections highlighted three-generation precinct officials, such as the Griffin family, whose members serve Wake County voters, noting nearly 400 families have relatives in precinct duties and inviting others to become precinct officials.

Wake County Volunteers Honored During National Volunteer Week

Wake County Public Schools in Apex, North Carolina, celebrated National Volunteer Week by honoring more than 50,000 volunteers districtwide, including Judy Ellis of Green Magnet Elementary, whose four-year foster grandparent role helps students feel welcome and supported.

Apex resident volunteers on Raleigh affordable housing project

Terry Mahaffey of Apex says volunteering with Wake County Habitat for Humanity on Raleigh's Old Poole Place development is helping build affordable housing and pave the way for more projects, while noting the group's policy to turn off engines when overnight temperatures exceed 40 degrees to keep downtown Raleigh quieter.

54 Volunteers Help Clean Wake County Roadsides

54 volunteers helped remove litter and beautify Wake County roadsides during the Service Raleigh Cleanup, a collaboration of Wake County Waste and Recycling, NC State University, and Service Raleigh.