County Manager Shontell Robinson discusses the unprecedented water main break that occurred in late July and thanks the many organizations that assisted with the response.
August 2026 - Vol. 27
Don Martin Retires
Don Martin retired as county commissioner last month and was recognized with a reception on July 27.
He served nearly 12 years on the board, including serving as the board’s chair. During Martin’s time on the board, voters approved both the 2016 school bond and the quarter cent sales tax to increase teacher pay. The county has also added parks and rebuilt libraries. We also built a new courthouse, Kaleideum Science Museum and Cooperative Extension Center along with navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
We thank Don Martin for his service and wish him well in his retirement.
You can see more photos from the retirement reception on Forsyth County's Flikr page.
Back-to-School Resource Fair
A Back-to-School Resource Fair will be held on Saturday, August 8, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Highland Avenue Park with a bookbag giveaway on first-come first-serve basis. Students must be present to receive a bookbag. Free food will be offered while supplies last.
Various community agencies will be present to share information about their programs and resources. It'll also feature different activities as well as music, entertainment and special guest speakers.
This is a joint effort and experience hosted by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Parenting PATH, Insight Human Services, Forsyth County Health and Human Services, and others.
County Manager
In This Issue
County Commissioner Update
With the retirement of Don Martin, the commissioners will be holding a special meeting on Monday, August 10, at 2 p.m. to swear in Chris Parker as an interim county commissioner. During the meeting, they will also elect a new chair and vice chair.
Parker is the chair of the City/County Utilities Commission and serves on the board of trustees for Forsyth Technical Community College. He was selected to fill Martin’s former seat by the Forsyth County Republican Party and will serve in an interim capacity until the winners of November’s election are sworn in. Parker is one of the candidates running for Forsyth County commissioner in District B.
Here are this month’s meetings:
- Monday, August 10 2 p.m. Special Meeting followed by a Briefing
-
Thursday, August 13
2 p.m. Meeting
2 p.m. Meeting - Monday, August 24 2 p.m. Briefing
- Thursday, August 27 6 p.m. Meeting
Commissioners will also attend the NCACC Annual Conference in Durham County from August 19-22.
During briefings, staff brief the commissioners on the items they'll vote on in that week's meeting. During meetings, they vote on various items and hear from residents during their regular public comment session.
All commissioner meetings are held at the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St. Meetings are streamed live in their entirety on Forsyth County YouTube and Facebook, as well as the Forsyth County website (where you can also find meeting agendas) and are also broadcasted live on WSTV13 on Spectrum cable.
Chris Parker, Interim County Commissioner
Black Men Speak
Forsyth Behavioral Health Services will hold “Black Men Speak: Conversations on Suicide, Mental Health & Healing” on August 7 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Forsyth Tech Mazie Woodruff Center, 4905 Lansing Drive.
This year's event will feature two powerful panel discussions: One adult panel and one youth panel, focused on suicide prevention, mental health awareness and community support for black men and boys.
We look forward to coming together once again to engage in meaningful conversations that support healing, hope and wellness in our community.
Community Basketball Game
The 4th Annual Community Basketball Game is Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Hanes Hosiery Community Center, 501 Reynolds Blvd. (Player and vendor check-in begins at 9 a.m.)
Join Us For:
- Competitive Basketball Games
- Community Vendors
- Free Health Screenings
- Family-Friendly Fun
Players & Teams Wanted! Register to play in the community basketball game.
For more information, contact Stanley Howard at 336-703-3366.
Central Library Open Sundays Starting August 9
Forsyth County Central Library, the county's flagship branch in the library system, will open its doors to Sunday operations beginning August 9. The branch will be open from 1-5 p.m.
This expansion brings the Central Library's total operating hours to 64 per week and restores the library to its pre-COVID-19 schedule.
"Most library systems of Forsyth County's size offer Sunday hours," said Library Director Yolanda F. Bolden. "This change will give our community another day to browse our collection, reserve rooms, and take advantage of our free online resources. Sunday hours will also make it possible to host larger events on a day that might be more convenient than a weekday or evening."
Health Fair and Naloxone Training at Community Centers
Forsyth County Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with Winston-Salem Transit Authority and City Parks and Rec, is holding a Health Resource Fair and Naloxone Training this month at Carl Russell Community Center, 3521 Carver School Road.
A Health Resource Fair will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on August 11 with community organizations that offer healthcare, counseling and social service resources.
The Naloxone Training will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on August 18 and will teach participants how to reverse an opioid overdose.
Monthly resources fairs and trainings are held at different recreation centers or the Transportation Center. You can see the full list of Health Resource Fairs and Naloxone Training sessions here.
Don’t Miss the School Vaccine Deadline!
Forsyth County Department of Public Health will host Operation Zero Exclusion to provide back-to-school vaccinations and health assessments to students before this year’s deadline.
For vaccination appointments, call 336-703-3324. For health assessment appointments provided by the School Health Alliance, call 336-703-4273. All appointments will take place at the health department, 799 Highland Ave.
Students must provide proof of immunizations and/or health assessments by their 30th day of enrollment. Don't miss this opportunity to ensure your child's health and compliance for a successful school year!
Forsyth WINS Reduces Violence
Forsyth WINS is reducing gun violence in Winston-Salem. Forsyth Public Health Deputy Director Sherita Sutton and Forsyth WINS Program Manager Curtis Friday discuss the program in this segment from 90.5's Empowering You.
Alcohol Deaths on the Rise
NC experienced more than 5,600 alcohol-related deaths and 68,000 emergency department visits in 2024. Behavioral Health Services Director Michael Duncan recently discussed the issue on 90.5 FM's Empowering You with Greentree's Shannon Rudisill, who talked about her own recovery and Greentree's Refuge program.
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