The Peak Weekly

Patriot Day, PFAS and Pecan Pie Lattes

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:09:00 +0000

Disclaimer: The Peak Weekly is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or otherwise associated with the Town of Apex. We have done our best to provide accurate and insightful information but can make mistakes so please always double-check the information yourself for accuracy.

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, September 10, 2026 and this is the 88th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Registration is Open for the 2026 Apex Rotary Christmas Parade!

Just wanted to lead with that because I’m so tired of being hot and if the Christmas Parade registration is open, that’s gotta mean we’re due for some cooling off here soon.

The Apex Rotary Club is calling for anyone interested in participating to signup (last year, all spots were filled by the end of September so if you are interested - sign up soon).

The Annual Apex Rotary Christmas Parade is being held on Saturday December 5, 2025 starting at 5:00pm at the intersection of Ambergate Station and The Peakway, heading down Salem Street, turning on Moore Street, and ending at the Apex Public Works Buildings on Upchurch St.

In addition to in-person attendance, WRAL will be streaming the parade live as well. If you are interested in participating in the parade, here is the registration link.

Additionally, I want to draw your attention to the Patriot Day Ceremony that will take place tomorrow at 9:30am in front of Fire Station 1.

Patriot Day Ceremony is an event organized by the American Legion Post 124, where members of Apex public safety, Town Council, and other community members share words and reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the tragic day. I’m in no position to preach on this topic but I do think it’s important that we continue to talk about September 11 as many of the younger folks in our community weren’t even around yet when that happened. And it’s also important to remember and recognize that there are survivors of the World Trade Center attack all around the Triangle area including some right here in Apex.

With that said, hope to see you there tomorrow morning! It’s a rain or shine event and, FYI, Salem Street from Saunders to Center Street will be closed 9am-11am.

Miscellaneous Info:

🚎 Try Transit Day
Today, from 10am until 5pm, Apex Planning Staff and the Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board members will be at the bus stop in front of the Mason Street Municipal Building to share info about local and regional transit services and plans.

🏒 Hurricanes Hockey Night
Stop by The Depot on September 18 from 5-8pm for street hockey, Canes inflatables and a special visit from Stormy.

🎨 Watercolor Artists of NC
The Halle Cultural Arts Center will be featuring a collection of great watercolor pieces from different North Carolina artists through November 16. There will be a free Opening Reception on September 11 from 6-8pm with live music and refreshments.

🌊 Splashlantis Closure
Splashlantis, which feels like it’s closed more than it’s open, at Pleasant Park remains closed while they work through repairs. The Town hopes to open it again before the end of the season.

🀄️ Mahjong Socials
Enjoy playing Mahjong? The Town is hosting a few upcoming Mahjong Mondays (Oct 5, Nov 9, Nov 23). Just $5. Register here.

🎬️ Drive-in Movie Night
Tickets for these drive-in movie nights usually go fast. So get them while you can - Hocus Pocus will be playing at Pleasant Park on October 16 and tickets just went on sale. Get them here. And How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown on December 18. Tickets are on sale for that event too here.

🏸 Badminton Open Gym
For the first time, Parks & Rec is offering Open Gym Badminton at the John M Brown Community Center. Sunday, September 13 & 27. An Open Gym Pass is required and can be purchased at the front desk.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Today, September 10

🐾 Paws & Rec Kick-Off Event
6pm - 7pm | Apex Community Park

🌲 Triangle Environmental Symposium
Forests from Around the World with Meg Lowman, Chumpi Washikiat, and Godi Gadar Moteke Molanga
6:30pm | The Halle

🎶 Music Bingo w/The Ones Music Bingo
8pm - 11pm | Doherty’s Irish Pub

Friday, September 11

🇺🇸 Patriot Day Ceremony
9:30am | Fire Station 1

🎨 Watercolor Society of NC Gallery Reception
6-8pm | The Halle

🎸 Live Music: The Solution Band
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, September 12

🫶 Think Apex Day
All Day | Multiple Locations

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🧑‍⚕️ 55+ Health & Wellness Fair
9am - 12pm | Apex Senior Center

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🛏️ AHS Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser
10am - 4pm | Apex High School

🛍️ Apex Underground Market
11am - 3pm | Sweetwater Town Center

🎸 Live Music: Maverick Rose
6:30pm - 9pm | Southern Peak Brewery

Sunday, September 13
Classical Concert Series: Thron-Larkin Duo | The Halle

Wednesday, September 16
Morning Movie: Spy Kids | The Halle

Wednesday, September 16
Spider Stories / Historias De Arañas | Hunter Street Park Shelter

Local Business Updates

Pick Two

This is a new segment where you have to pick two of the items below and then do them this week. You have to. Sorry… that’s the rules.

Blackend Shrimp BLT
Try the Burger of the Month at Al’s Burger Shack.

Trivia Night
See how smart you are on Tuesday at The Local.

Beer & Chili
Visit HighCraft this evening from 6-8pm for Beer & Chili Night.

Pecan Pie Latte
Grab the new Pecan Pie Latte or any of the other new drinks on Groovy Duck’s Fall Coffee Menu.

Live Irish Music
Taco Tuesdays are great. But every now and then, a Tuesday evening calls for some good Irish Music, some good food and a good drink at Doherty’s.

Ramyum Zip
Go try the Ramen. or the Chicken Katsu. Or the Bulgogi Cupbab. Or the sushi. Or the fancy drinks. But most definitely try the Sweet Chili Korean Wings!

Coming Soon

These are for your “pick two” in the coming weeks 🙂

NeighborhoodBarre of Apex
On September 18th, the studio bringing low-impact, strength-focused workouts designed for every age and stage of life will be opening at 962 US HWY 64.

Bear Hands
Reopening their (new) doors on September 26th, Bear Hands is back and is making an entire magical weekend out of it. Details here.

Civic News:

🏛️ Town Council Meeting Tonight
Town Council meetings are usually conducted every other Tuesday. This week, the meeting was pushed to Thursday (today).

So instead of a recap, here’s a preview:

Patriot Day Presentation of Colors by APD and AFD
Updates from Council
Adoption of the Meeting Agenda and Consent Agenda
Town Manager’s Report
Town Clerk’s Report
Proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month, National Senior Center Month, Patriot’s Day 2026, Think Apex Day 2026, US Air Force Birthday
Public Forum
Hearing on Annexation Application for 3 acres at Olive Chapel & Linden Grove

→ I’ll post a recap tonight on The Peak Weekly Facebook page, as well as in next week’s email.

🦸‍♀️ Don’t Forget Miss Annie
FYI - I am still all over the school parking issue. I have an updated story coming soon. And to date, I still have not received an answer from any Town representative on why the church parking is legal (all excuses so far have been debunked) nor why Miss Annie is being sued despite the Statute of Limitations expiring AND for being grandfathered in due to nonconformities. She will prevail. Mark my word. The question is - how much does it cost us before that happens?

⚛️ What is Apex doing about Forever Chemicals?
Between 2002 and 2012, the Town of Apex applied treated sewage sludge to farmland at Tingen Road and the Apex Peakway under state permit WQ0001060.

In January 2024, the Town rezoned that same 81.9-acre property for as many as 800 homes and a 15,000-square-foot daycare.

The Town’s 540-page decision record contains no reference to the site’s history, and its development application form contains no question about a property’s prior use.

Fourteen months later, a subsidiary of the homebuilder Lennar tested the soil and groundwater, found PFAS — the class of compounds known as forever chemicals — and terminated its contract. The seller and the intended buyer are now suing each other over $718,000 in escrow.

How did the land get zoned for 800 homes and a daycare if the soil contains PFAS?

That’s the thing: Nobody broke a rule. Nobody did anything wrong.

I spent a week digging through the permits, the meeting minutes, the court case documents, the rezoning application and more. Here’s the story.

Upcoming Meetings:

Today, September 10
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Monday, September 14
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, September 15
Board of Adjustment Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, September 15
Town Council Work Session
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

September 17
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Gardening for the Planet Documentary Screening with Joanne Hershfield

September 18
Hurricanes Hockey Night | The Depot

September 19
Festa Italiana | Hunter Street & Town Hall Campus

September 24
Explore S’more | Apex Nature Park

September 24
Family Fire Safety Workshop | Apex Fire Station 3

September 26
Latino Arts Festival | Town Hall Campus

September 26
Fall in Stars Hallow (handmade market) | The Studio

September 26
Peaktoberfest | Southern Peak Brewery

October 6
Apex Night Out (featuring Touch-a-Truck) | Town Campus

In Case You Missed it:

🌳 Plant the Peak
Help offset all the tree loss from development by applying to the 2026 Plant the Peak program. Offered on a first come, first served basis, the program covers all costs for the purchase and installation of one of 14 different tree types.

🚦 New Stop Light
The Town of Apex, in partnership with Beazer Homes, is moving forward with traffic signal improvements along Old US 1 at Friendship Road and Holland Road to support traffic flow near The Summit development. Signal installation is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026, with an estimated completion date in December/January.

📷️ Public Safety / Flock
Mark your calendars - A public safety committee meeting will take place on September 24 to review the use of Flock Safety license plate readers.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

And, as always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at adam@thepeakweekly.com

See you next Thursday... 😘

To-Go Boxes and Watercolors

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, September 3, 2026 and this is the 87th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Let me show you a picture I took yesterday.

That’s a picture of a parking lot being sued by the Town of Apex…

…That I took from a parking lot which the Town is avidly defending.

The parking story nobody has told.

If you think you’ve heard all of this already… you haven’t.

WRAL and the N&O both ran pieces the past couple of weeks on Miss Annie Mae Scott, the 71-year-old woman on Humie Olive Road the Town of Apex is suing over student parking. And yes, so have I. But it’s almost the same frame every time: her lot, her zoning, the church across the street, the waitlist at the high school.

Apex Friendship High School opened in 2015. Miss Annie started offering parking in the same year.

And, until now, that’s also where every story starts.

But here’s what I’ve discovered:

Every one of us started the story in the wrong year.

The AFHS parking story starts in 2012.

That’s the year when the Apex Town Council approved Apex Friendship High School’s site plan with 251 missing parking spaces.

Apex's UDO said it required 1,100 parking spaces.

It got 849.

The school system's own consultant had already told the Town in writing that roughly 750 to 800 kids at that school would be old enough to drive. The plan gave students 556 spots.

That's 251 cars with nowhere to go. Apex signed off anyway, 4-0.

One council member saw it coming. He said so out loud, twice, and warned exactly where those cars would end up: the neighborhoods.

The Town was promised more parking would get built. Two weeks ago Apex's own Planning Director admitted, in an email to a reporter, that it never was.

And 28 days after that vote, the Town quietly rewrote the rule that let it happen.

I pulled the archived copies.

Here's what changed →

Miscellaneous Info:

🛌 Three-Day Weekend
Happy Labor Day. Town facilities will be closed on Monday and trash/recycling will run one day behind the normal schedule next week.

🏒 Hurricanes Hockey Night
Stop by The Depot on September 18 from 5-8pm for street hockey, Canes inflatables and a special visit from Stormy.

🌊 Splashlantis Temporarily Closed
Splashlantis at Pleasant Park is currently closed for maintenance. A reopening date has not yet been determined.

⚠️ Subject to Disconnection
As of Tuesday, any utility accounts with balances over 90 days past-due are now subject to disconnection at any time.

🚪 Senior Center to Reopen
The Apex Senior Center is expected to reopen Monday. Please take your shoes off when you go inside so you don’t scuff the new floors.

🎨 Watercolor Artists of NC
The Halle Cultural Arts Center will be featuring a collection of great watercolor pieces from different North Carolina artists starting tomorrow, September 4 through November 16. There will be a free Opening Reception on September 11 from 6-8pm with live music and refreshments.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Today, September 3

🥪 B4 Lunch Event: The Planning Department
12pm - 1pm | The Halle

🚶‍♂️ NCRC Social Run/Walk
6pm - 9pm | Bottle Theory

🏃‍♀️ Run Club
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🌿 Triangle Environmental Symposium
From Wasteland to Wonder with Basil Camu
6:30pm | The Halle

Friday, September 4

🎸 Live Music: Jonatas Alves
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, September 5

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🎤 Live Music: Emma G
6:30pm - 9pm | Southern Peak Brewery

Tuesday, 9/8

🎶 Music Bingo!
7pm - 10pm | Bottle Theory

Wednesday, 9/9

🧠 Pub Trivia w/DJ Ray
8pm - 11pm | Doherty’s Irish Pub

Local Business Updates

🤤 Legacy Rolls
Spring Lake-based fast-casual restaurant, Legacy Rolls, is expanding their breakfast, slider and sweets business to Apex. They’ll be opening later this year in the old Yamato building - anticipating a soft opening in late October.

Civic News:

🔎 Apex Answers
The Town Manager announced last week that they would be putting up a new web page, Apex Answers. They describe it as, “Apex Answers is your source for clear, timely explanations about topics the community is asking about most.” I decided to Fact-Check those answers.

🏞️ Pleasant Park Access Study Open House
The Town of Apex is exploring ways to improve vehicle access to Pleasant Park. The Town of Apex is studying the feasibility of up to 5 options for potential vehicular access points to Pleasant Park. Many homeowners in the area are not pleased with the idea of adding additional access points; which may likely result in eminent domain proceedings. I’ll have more on this next week. A public open house will be held at Apex Town Hall this evening from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

🥍 The Field at Hughes Street
Here's the story of a 13-acre housing project that the Town of Apex is working on at the corner of Hughes and Perry Road. Over $6M invested so far with the vast majority of public input pushing back against the project. Many of you may know this field very well as its been home to many recreational sports programs including the Apex Pop Warner football team - who, if you recall made it to Nationals last year. Learn about it and follow along for updates here.

🥡 To-Go Boxes Available
As I continue my investigation into P-Card usage, I want to share with you what goes on before a Town Council meeting. They’re all pretty much the same, just different restaurants. Here’s a random one:

5:15pm - Dinner Served. Vendor: Red, Hot, and Blue. Pulled Pork, Smoked Turkey, Mac-N-Cheese, Green Beans, Banana Budding, Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, Water, and Drinks.

Followed by this note: “To-Go Boxes will be available.”

No big deal though, right? Feed the Council and those who help make the council meetings happen. No problem. But what if I told you that these dinner menus and to-go box invites get sent to almost 100 staff members?

Upcoming Meetings:

Tuesday, September 8
Environmental Advisory Board: Data Centers
5pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, Sept 8
Multimodal Transportation Advisory
4:30 - 6pm | Town Hall

Thursday, Sept 10
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

September 10
Paws & Rec Kick-Off Event | Apex Community Park

September 10
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Forests from Around the World with Meg Lowman, Chumpi Washikiat, and Godi Gadar Moteke Molanga

September 11
Patriot Day Ceremony | Fire Station 1

September 11
Watercolor Society of NC Gallery Reception | The Halle

September 12
Think Apex Day | Multiple Locations

September 12
Apex Underground Market | Sweetwater Town Center

September 12
55+ Health & Wellness Fair | Apex Senior Center

September 12
AHS Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser | Apex High School

September 13
Classical Concert Series: Thron-Larkin Duo | The Halle

September 16
Morning Movie: Spy Kids | The Halle

September 16
Spider Stories / Historias De Arañas | Hunter Street Park Shelter

September 17
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Gardening for the Planet Documentary Screening with Joanne Hershfield

September 18
Hurricanes Hockey Night | The Depot

September 19
Festa Italiana | Hunter Street & Town Hall Campus

September 24
Explore S’more | Apex Nature Park

September 24
Family Fire Safety Workshop | Apex Fire Station 3

September 26
Latino Arts Festival | Town Hall Campus

September 26
Fall in Stars Hallow (handmade market) | The Studio

↑ this market will have a pop-up Luke’s coffee, Rory’s bookshelf, Gilmore Girls trivia, and so much more!

“wow Adam, do you seriously like Gilmore Girls?”

No, I hate it and have seen it more times than I would like to admit. But do you know what else they’ll have? Cookies.

And I like cookies. And I’m also a huge fan of Kishon and her custom cookies.

She’s crazy talented. See for yourself: https://www.sweetinspirationcookies.com/

In Case You Missed it:

🚒 AFD Achieves Prestigious International Accreditation
Congratulations to the Apex Fire Department, who announced that they officially achieved Accredited Agency status through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). This historic milestone marks the first time in the department's history that it has earned international accreditation. With this designation, Apex Fire joins an elite group of fewer than 130 fire departments globally that hold both CFAI accreditation and an Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 rating.

🏀 September Open Gym
Parks & Rec has released their Semptember Open Gym schedule which you can see here.

💡 Think Apex Day Volunteers
Think Apex Day is a day dedicated to giving back to the Apex community by volunteering in ways that positively impact the town and the people who live here. See how to get involved here.]

A Final Note:

If you made it this far and enjoy The Peak Weekly, can you…

…please go follow Mrs. Weekly on Instagram? She is way better on social than I am and she’ll post more cool things and fun stuff about Apex if we can get her some more eyeballs. 🙏 ❤️

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Apex Answers and UDO Questions

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, August 27, 2026 and this is the 86th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

As I write this, it’s just past 11:00pm on Wednesday evening. The NC Courage had a late weekday game so I am jumping into The Peak Weekly quite a bit later than usual.

On the plus side, Courage won 2-0. Ashley Sanchez scored both goals. She leads the league in goals scored and broke the Courage single-season scoring record tonight with 9 games still left to go. 🔥

Also, did you hear that AFHS Boys Soccer is ranked #1 in the nation?

If you have never been to a game (AFHS or Courage), you should! Mrs Weekly went from no care in the world to a dedicated Courage fan with season tickets in about 20 minutes. It’s fun - give it a try!

Anyway, let’s get into it. I’ll be quick and please excuse any typos. It’s already past my bedtime. 😴

This past week I have been knee deep in all things Apex. Lots of research on land use. I’ve also converted all Town Meeting Minutes since 1990 to searchable text to make information easy to find.

This is on top of some other tools I’ve made recently. I created a project tracker for the Hughest Street project. I made a tool that tracks changes to the Apex website or when new pages are added to stay on top of things. I’ve got the FY23, FYT24, FY25 P-Card dashboard (and working on FY-26). I can’t remember what else.

Oh… I have one that measures the tree canopy loss in Apex. Basically it uses the National Agriculture Imagery Program photography (federal aerial imagery flown over North Carolina every two years with an infrared band that makes vegetation measurable.) It can detect living vegetation and compares it to the same time period of previous years and then maps it to current development projects with links to the project. It doesn’t have all the way up until 2026 just because I can’t match exact time of year with when those flyovers were (don’t want to compare winter vs. summer) but it does give more recent information than the last official report that stops at 2010.

It’s pretty conclusive that from 2016-2020 about 1,766 acres of vegetation disappeared inside the Town of Apex and its ETJ areas.

That is 2.8 square miles. It works out to about 441 acres a year - more than an acre every day, for four straight years.

Anyway, I have a bunch of new interesting tools that help bring some additional transparency to the questions that you may have about our Town. I’m putting all of these tools I’ve made together on one website and then I am opening it up to everyone so that when you have questions, you too can quickly find answers… documented answers.

Been working on it for quite a while and I’m excited to say it’s coming soon to www.ApexAnswers.org

Miscellaneous Info:

🏀 September Open Gym
Parks & Rec has released their Semptember Open Gym schedule which you can see here.

🏞️ Pleasant Park Access Study Open House
The Town of Apex is exploring ways to improve vehicle access to Pleasant Park. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), in partnership with the Town of Apex, is studying the feasibility of up to 5 options for potential vehicular access points to Pleasant Park. A public open house will be held at Apex Town Hall on September 3rd from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

⛈️ Be Prepared
September 2026 has been officially proclaimed as Emergency Preparedness Month.

🧠 Be Kind
The week of September 6-12, 2026, was proclaimed National Suicide Prevention Week, emphasizing the 988 lifeline and support for mental well-being.

🏗️ Development Watch:
While the council handled routine annexations this week, major moves are happening behind the scenes for the new NC Children's Hospital, with the town uploading new infrastructure plans and the project officially kicking off its fundraising and construction preparation.

🏢 Center Street Apartments
Another one to keep an eye on are a proposed 4-unit, 4-story apartment complex estimating 132 units and 170 parking spaces on Center Street near downtown. Neighborhood meeting has been completed, traffic study is underway and the next stop will be the Planning Board; date TBD.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Today

🌳 Triangle Environmental Symposium
6:30pm | The Halle
Rooted in Justice - Growing Healthy Communities Panel Discussion featuring The Reverend Jemonde Taylor, Alexandra Valladares, Ryan Emanuel, and Sarah Brim

🏫 Back-to-School Community & Conversation
6pm - 8pm | Wake Tech Cary Campus
(rescheduled to October 29)

Friday, August 28

🎟️ Neon Nights - Silent Disco
6pm - 8pm | The Halle

🍹 End of Summer Party
starts 5pm | JDs Tavern

Saturday, August 29

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎶 Meadow Melody Makers
9:30am - 10:30am | Kelly Road Park

🪕 Rhythm & Reels: Ol’ Joey Scrums
7pm | Nature Park Amphitheatre

🎸 Live Music: 2Dight4
7pm - 10pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Monday, 9/1
Game Night! | Bottle Theory

Tuesday, 9/1
Music Bingo! | Bottle Theory

Live Irish Music | Doherty’s Irish Pub

Wednesday, 9/2
Sip, Stroll and Socialize | Sweetwater Town Center

Wednesday Night Movie | The Halle

Gilmore Girls Trivia | Southern Peak Brewery

Civic News:

📷️ Public Safety / Flock
Mark your calendars - A public safety committee meeting will take place on September 24 to review the use of Flock Safety license plate readers.

💳️ P-Card Update
On Tuesday, the Town Manager said that a dashboard will be made available to the public with all staff P-Card usage by October 1. He didn’t say specifically, but I’m guessing it will only be the data after the oversight issues were fixed. Doesn’t fix the look back but good for transparency moving forward. I spoke about this a couple of weeks ago and shared some data. I plan to do a deeper dive here soon. Working through some data and waiting on some record requests right now. Plus I got a little distracted solving the parking dispute again…

🅿️ School Parking Update
As you know, Miss Annie has been sued by the Town of Apex for her parking lot. I am continuing to investigate this. Thank you to those of you who have reached out asking how to help. I haven’t responded to everyone yet, but I will. For now, though, just keep asking questions! I’ll share some prompts you can use below.

I’ve been in touch with WRAL since this past week’s reporting and have reached out to the Town’s Planning Director who has been very kind to engage with me.

By the way, for the record, I support both Miss Annie and the Church offering parking to students. But I do also support equal treatment and honest answers from elected officials. And I also think that this is bigger than just parking.

I’ll share with you some open-ended questions about Miss Annie’s lot that I am tracking down:

My understanding is that NCGS 1-51 sets a 5-year statute of limitations on filing a lawsuit against a resident for zoning violations. She was notified of the UDO Amendment that the Town alleges she is in violation of in July 2020. She was sued August 2026. That’s 6 years and 1 month. Day late and at least 15k dollars short. Did the Town know about this time limit prior to engaging with and paying an outside law firm? Here’s a great article on it.
Article 10 of the Apex Unified Development Ordinance is called Nonconformities. It says, in part, “Within the provisions established by this Ordinance, there exist uses of land, structures, lots and signs that were lawfully established before this Ordinance was adopted or amended, that now do not conform to the terms and requirements of this Ordinance.” “It is the intent of this Ordinance to permit these nonconformities to continue.” The UDO Amendment cited in the civil suit was implemented July 2020. Therefore she was legally operating prior to that date (can’t be illegally violating a statute that didn’t exist). If I am understanding this correctly, statute of limitations stops the lawsuit and she is grandfathered in and not able to be held liable against this statute thus any fines are void. Did Town Lawyers or the Planning Department discuss any of this?

And some questions that remain about the Church:

The case against miss Annie is about parking on a residential lot. Her zoning is RR (Rural Residential). So is the Church’s. And while Councilmember Mahaffey has stated many times that the zoning is different and then later that the Church is considered “Commercial Use”, Apex’s Planning Director, Dianne Khin, confirmed with me, “The use ‘Church or place of worship’ is a ‘Public and Civic Use.’” When I asked if Mahaffey conferred with the Planning Department prior to sharing incorrect information (as he said he did to WRAL), Khin replied, “I do not know who Mr. Mahaffey spoke with.” The question remains, since they are zoned the same, why is the Church’s parking considered legal but Miss Annie is being sued?
I was given 3 examples by the Planning Director of other churches who offer overflow parking: Apex Baptist allowing public parking visiting downtown, Apex First Baptist allowing TapStation customers to park, and Christian Home Christian Church allowing Apex Mosque visitors to park during Islamic holidays. But the reason that those are all allowed to offer parking is A) the first two are zoned business and B) the third example is providing parking for the accessory use of the church, which is worship. None of those three examples are the same scenario. The question remains, since they are zoned the same and student parking is not an accessory to the use of either property, then why is the Church’s parking considered legal but Miss Annie is being sued?

B4 Lunch Event: The Planning Department takes place on September 3 at The Halle. Might be a good opportunity to get some additional questions answered and to learn more about the great things that this department does for Apex!

And a few questions on Council Comments:

Over the past couple of weeks, Councilmember Mahaffey has been on almost every social platform and multiple TV interviews floating several verifiably inaccurate versions of this whole situation.

For one, he’s made the statement, “The Town Council has not been involved at all in this situation.” He even doubled-down: “The Town Council has taken no votes on this property and has not directed or otherwise been involved in the enforcement action, despite some aggressive misinformation to the contrary".

Literally, the exact opposite is true and easily verifiable. You can actually watch him vote on the property and direct enforcement on YouTube.

Anyone with an internet connection can go to the November 13, 2025 Meeting Minutes or rewatch it on YouTube and see that Council brought the item to the agenda, then Council voted, 5-0 (including Mahaffey) to direct staff to begin enforcement proceedings.

Then he said that the church and Miss Annie were zoned differently (they’re not), then he said the use type for the church is Commercial (it’s not). More of his quotes here.

And then he called the first WRAL report (where they didn’t interview him) misinformation and called my reporting, “nonsense”.

When people asked what exactly is the misinformation and what exactly is nonsense, he suddenly gets shy.

Let me show you something just for the record:

That little blue square… That’s Miss Annie’s home. The one that used to be surrounded by nothing but trees and vegetation.

The red surrounding her home? That’s the Bella Casa neighborhood.

Want to know who lives in Bella Casa and has served on the Bella Casa HOA Board of Directors for over 7 years?

You get one guess.

Upcoming Meetings:

Thursday, August 27
Multimodal Transportation Advisory
4:30 - 6pm | Town Hall

Monday, August 31
Joint Collaboration Meeting
5:30pm | Apex Senior Center

Tuesday, September 1
Peak Plan 2055 Task Force
4:30pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, September 2
Environmental Advisory Board: Data Centers
5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

September 3
B4 Lunch Event: The Planning Department | The Halle

September 3
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
From Wasteland to Wonder with Basil Camu

September 10
Paws & Rec Kick-Off Event | Apex Community Park

September 10
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Forests from Around the World with Meg Lowman, Chumpi Washikiat, and Godi Gadar Moteke Molanga

September 11
Patriot Day Ceremony | Fire Station 1

September 12
Think Apex Day | Multiple Locations

September 12
Apex Underground Market | Sweetwater Town Center

September 12
55+ Health & Wellness Fair | Apex Senior Center

September 12
AHS Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser | Apex High School

September 13
Classical Concert Series: Thron-Larkin Duo | The Halle

September 17
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Gardening for the Planet Documentary Screening with Joanne Hershfield

September 19
Festa Italiana | Hunter Street & Town Hall Campus

September 24
Explore S’more | Apex Nature Park

September 24
Family Fire Safety Workshop | Apex Fire Station 3

September 26
Latino Arts Festival | Town Hall Campus

In Case You Missed it:

🚧 Closures and Renovations
The Apex Senior Center is now closed until September 7th for floor renovations. GoApex Route 1 will continue to provide service to the Apex Senior Center bus stop (#16093) during its temporary closure. The first floor of Town Hall is also currently undergoing renovations to relocate the HR department.

📩 Connecting with Elected Officials
The Town has created new ways to connecting with your Apex elected officials. Use new tools like Council Connector, Meeting Request Form, and Event Attendance Form. Just be careful; these are the same types of forms that have exposed the data on the public web recently.

🏘️ Neighborhood Leaders Program
The Neighborhood Leaders Program launched last week and seeks community champions eager to build stronger neighborhoods. Program participants will receive the resources needed to serve as ambassadors to their community, keeping their neighbors updated on happenings around Apex, and representing their neighborhoods on key issues.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Here We Go Again.

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, August 20, 2026 and this is the 85th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

You already know we gotta talk about it. Probably the longest intro to date. But it matters. Hear me out…

I want to show you a photo. This photo was taken on May 20, 2015.

That little red rectangle is where about 50 Apex Friendship High School students have parked every school year since 2015.

Miss Annie, living in an ETJ area of rural Apex for many years, offered up part of her land to help solve a need that existed in 2015 and still exists today: safe, convenient parking for students attending school.

Here’s what Miss Annie’s place looks like now:

Here's what changed in between.

In 2016, two subdivision plats were recorded on the land around her: Parkside at Bella Casa Phase 13A in February, and Phase 13B in May. The townhomes went up in 2016 and 2017. Every single home that touches Miss Annie's property today was built after students started parking on her land.

Now the Town of Apex is suing HER for bothering THEM.

And now Mahaffey is doing his press tour telling you all about why they have to do this with zero evidence, zero proof and zero references besides just “trust me bro” - as usual. And now I’ll explain it in honest terms, with receipts and references, as usual.

About the law she’s accused of breaking

I pulled the Town of Apex Unified Development Ordinance as it existed in March 2015 - all 458 pages of it. The phrase "student parking" does not appear anywhere in the document.

On July 21, 2020, the Town Council added it. Section 4.2.1(I), "Prohibited Uses in Residential Districts," added student parking onto a list that until that night had consisted of slaughterhouses, acid manufacture, and asphalt refining. It passed 5–0.

Now look at the Town's own letter to Miss Annie, dated April 14, 2025, and attached as Exhibit C to the lawsuit. It says:

July 2020. The same month the Town created the rule.

Five years of about fifty cars parked in plain sight across the street from a high school, and the Town's first documented objection arrives the month it wrote the prohibition.

That is not catching someone breaking a rule. That is writing one.

“We literally cannot do that.”

Here’s what Law Enforcement Officer Council Member Terry Mahaffey said last November, explaining why the Town had no choice:

Here is what Apex's own ordinance actually says, in Article 11:

“The Town may use any combination of the following actions and penalties…”

May revoke. May issue a warning. May extend the deadline. May institute an action in court. Penalties may be imposed. The only things the Town shall do are investigate and determine whether a violation was corrected. There is no duty to punish anywhere in the article.

Before this lawsuit could be filed at all, the Town Manager had to personally sign a written authorization. He signed it on July 20, 2026. That was a choice.

The Mayor proposed amending the ordinance to avoid all of this last year. Council said no. That was a choice too.

What Mahaffey said this week

Speaking to CBS 17 on Wednesday, Mahaffey described what Miss Annie would have to do to comply. The property would need to meet commercial parking standards, he said, which "probably means paving the lot," plus curb stops and striping.

Paving.

That matters more than it sounds. Apex's ordinance defines a "parking lot, commercial" as a paved area used for off-street parking for profit. That definition has been in the UDO since at least 2014, unchanged. Miss Annie's lot is grass, dirt and gravel. It has never been paved.

The Mayor Pro Tem just confirmed, on television, that her property does not meet the definition of the thing the Town keeps calling it.

Then he explained why rezoning is difficult: the lot is "adjacent to a row of houses, and typically we don't allow commercial lots adjacent to other properties."

Apex's ordinance says a commercial parking lot "shall not be contiguous to lands in the residential zoning districts."

I pulled the Town's zoning map. Miss Annie's property is not contiguous to a single residential zoning district.

Her lot is Rural Residential. Every parcel that touches it is PUD-CZ (Planned Unit Development), which the Town's own use table files under Planned Development, not Residential. The nearest residential district sits across a street.

She is the residential district. The Town rezoned everything around her.

Mahaffey either has no idea what he is talking about or - more likely - knows exactly what he is talking about but expects none of us to fact check him or know any better.

What it's costing you

The Town is suing Miss Annie for $3,700 in civil penalties, plus $100 for every additional day.

To collect it, Apex hired Poyner Spruill, a Charlotte law firm. I asked Mayor Gilbert what the Town has paid them to pursue this. He told me, “…through June (the most recent invoice) it’s almost $15,000.”

Why on earth would we pay $15k (and much more to come) to collect $4k?

Here’s what Ed Gray said about it:

“If there were only somebody who can help decide…oh yeah, they're called judges. So, if we need to do that, we can always do that.”

Oh sorry Ed I don’t remember you asking the people you represent if that’s how we wanted you to spend our money. But, as you said, this is your last term. You don’t need to pretend to care anymore, do you?

So the lawyer has no issue pushing this to court with your tax dollars and the computer programmer is playing lawyer on TV. And the long-time resident - who is the only person in Apex to offer any sort of solution to the parking shortage (other than the Mayor who got shot down by these guys) is getting attacked by high power attorneys paid by your tax dollars. Got it.

By the way, I also asked Mayor Gilbert whether there had been reported incidents at the property. "I don't recall any reported major issues regarding her property last school year," he said.

The lawsuit itself doesn't identify any either. It alleges "irreparable harm" to the Town and its citizens without describing a single accident, injury, or complaint of injury anywhere in its 75 paragraphs.

Miss Annie's house was built in 1975.

The homes the Town says it's protecting were built in 2016 and 2017.

Anyway, back to your tax dollars being spent to harass Miss Annie. The complaint was filed August 12. Vosburg signed the authorization to sue on July 20.

So nearly $15,000 was spent on this before the Town had even authorized filing, let alone filed. That's not the cost of litigating; it's the cost of getting ready to litigate. The actual case hasn't started billing yet.

You can think whatever you want about the parking. Maybe you think she shouldn't charge, though the school charges $200 and the church across the road charges too. Maybe you think the kids should ride the bus, though the district confirms buses don't serve every neighborhood. Fine. Those are opinions, and you're entitled to them.

None of them are what this is about.

This is about a town that watched something happen for five years, wrote a rule to stop it, told the woman doing it she was already in violation the same month the rule passed, waited another five years, and then spent almost $15,000 of your money (and is prepared to spend much more) on a Charlotte law firm to take her to court over $3,700 - all while a hundred students sit on a waitlist at a school the district says is already full.

Whether you like the parking lot has nothing to do with whether that's how the Town of Apex should treat somebody.

Miscellaneous Info:

🏘️ Neighborhood Leaders
The Neighborhood Leaders Program launches on August 20th and seeks community champions eager to build stronger neighborhoods. Program participants will receive the resources needed to serve as ambassadors to their community, keeping their neighbors updated on happenings around Apex, and representing their neighborhoods on key issues.

📝 Apex Youth Council Applications
The Apex Youth Council is an independent organization run by local middle and high school students to enhance the local community through leadership and service. By becoming a member you will gain experience in planning and participating in Town and community events, as well as developing organizational, social and professional skills. Applications close on Sunday.

💊 Drugs Uncovered: What Parents & Adults Needs to Know
Parents, caregivers & youth advocates - join the conversation this evening from 5:30pm - 8pm at the John Brown Community Center. Drugs Uncovered, presented by the Poe Center in collaboration with the Mayor’s Substance Misuse Task Force. This is a free, adult-only, event to help stay informed and protect our youth.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, August 21

🐝 The Great Southeast Pollinator Census
11am - 3pm | Apex Nature Park

🎟️ On the Steps Concert Series
7:30pm | The Halle

🐻 Wildlife Trivia Night
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Black Dog Bottleshop (Holly)

Saturday, August 22

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🧩 Summer Puzzle Exchange
9am | Apex Police Department

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🦊 Zootopia 2
At dusk | Nature Park Amphitheatre

🎸 2Digh4 LIVE
7pm | TapStation

🎸 Maskell Freeman Band
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Sunday
Burgers, Banjos & Brews | Salem Street Pub

Monday
Game Night | Bottle Theory

Tuesday
Music Bingo | Bottle Theory
Garden Work Day | Simple Gifts Community Garden

Wednesday
Doherty’s Pub Trivia | Doherty’s Irish Pub
Wine-Down Wednesday | Southern Peak Brewery

Next Thursday
Live Music: Jim Morgan | Salem Street Pub

Local Business Updates

✋ Bear Hands Gifts Reopening Soon
They will be reopening on September 26 and making an entire magical weekend out of it!

🤷‍♂️ And while you wait for them to open, here are some other random local businesses to support

Civic News:

🌐 Hughes Street Site
In February 2025 the Town of Apex bought roughly 13 acres of Town-owned land at Hughes Street and Perry Road to build a mixed-income, mixed-tenure community. It is a Town-initiated development: Apex owns the land and is running the planning, rezoning, and developer search itself. To date, two community input sessions have taken place and the land will get officially annexed at next Tuesday’s hearing.

This is an interesting project. So I decided to track it from start to finish. From gathering all public input to monitoring all stages and vendors, to where every dollar is spent - which by the way so far is a $3.2M purchase price and then a $307k planning contract (paid for out of the Affordable Housing Fund). You can learn more about the project and follow along at this dashboard I created.

(It’s a mediocre design right now but I will make it a little nicer and easier to use when I get a little more time to dedicate to it.)

💰️ Speaking of Tracking Spend
Last week, Town Manager Randy Vosburg gave an update on Apex’s P-Card usage “for transparency.” He referenced Cary - our neighbors caught in a big spending scandal - assuring us their spending was “a much bigger number.”

Let’s look at 2024 (our only year with complete P-Card data for both). Cary staff spent $13,151,830 on town-issued credit cards. Apex spent $4,932,535.

He’s right. Cary’s number is bigger. Know what else is bigger? Cary’s population.

2024 population: 179,306 (Cary) and 75,977 (Apex). Per resident, Cary spent $73.35. Apex spent $64.92. We spent just 70 cents less per resident per month than a town in a major spending scandal. That’s just a 13% gap.

In FY25, Apex staff charged an average of $688 per business day to Town cards for food. Total spending dropped 1.8% from the prior year, but food spending spiked 89%.

Policy requires routing charges to a department head by the 5th of the next month. Yet $65,553 cleared without review - 40% skipping that step. And of $171,464 spent on Amazon, 25% had no manager review. That’s $34,918 spent on Amazon by town staff without a second set of eyes.

Remember what actually got Cary in trouble. Not the number of cards. Not how much went to Amazon. The key finding was lack of oversight and documentation.

So across everything in FY25 - Amazon, food, every other vendor - 5,303 charges worth $1,879,473 cleared with no manager sign-off.

I put FY23-FY25 into an online dashboard. If you want to explore it, you can do so here.

Story developing…

🏫 Back to School with WCPSS Superintendent
Curious about what’s ahead for Wake County students this year? Join CommUniversity on August 27th for this month’s session where Wake County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr Robert P. Taylor will discuss the district’s upcoming priorities and answer any questions from families.

Upcoming Meetings:

Thursday, August 20
Environmental Advisory Board Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Monday, August 24
Tree Canopy Subcommittee Meeting
4:30pm | Mason St. Municipal Building

Tuesday, August 25
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

August 27
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Rooted in Justice - Growing Healthy Communities Panel Discussion featuring The Reverend Jemonde Taylor, Alexandra Valladares, Ryan Emanuel, and Sarah Brim

August 27
Back-to-School Community & Conversation | Wake Tech Cary Campus

August 28
🎟️ Neon Nights - Silent Disco | The Halle

August 28
End of Summer Party | JDs Tavern

August 29
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

August 29
Rhythm & Reels: Ol’ Joey Scrums | Nature Park Amphitheatre

September 2
Sip, Stroll and Socialize | Sweetwater Town Center

September 3
B4 Lunch Event: The Planning Department | The Halle

September 3
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
From Wasteland to Wonder with Basil Camu

September 10
Paws & Rec Kick-Off Event | Apex Community Park

September 10
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Forests from Around the World with Meg Lowman, Chumpi Washikiat, and Godi Gadar Moteke Molanga

September 11
Patriot Day Ceremony | Fire Station 1

September 12
Think Apex Day | Multiple Locations

September 12
Apex Underground Market | Sweetwater Town Center

September 12
55+ Health & Wellness Fair | Apex Senior Center

September 12
AHS Band Mattress Sale Fundraiser | Apex High School

September 13
Classical Concert Series: Thron-Larkin Duo | The Halle

September 17
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Gardening for the Planet Documentary Screening with Joanne Hershfield

September 19
Festa Italiana | Hunter Street & Town Hall Campus

September 24
Explore S’more | Apex Nature Park

September 24
Family Fire Safety Workshop | Apex Fire Station 3

September 26
Latino Arts Festival | Town Hall Campus

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Mr. Council & the Town Council

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, August 13, 2026 and this is the 84th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

The Apex Town Council was back in session this week with a 5-hour meeting, a packed room and many resident speakers. So there’s a lot to talk about in that regard.

But before we get into Town Council, I want to take a moment to talk about Mr. Lynn Council - a true Apex hero. Sadly, this past week, the Apex community lost a true beacon of resilience with the passing of Mr. Council at the age of 93. While his passing brings sorrow, his life leaves behind an incredible blueprint for courage, truth-telling, and forgiveness.

Mr. Council's story is a harrowing but essential piece of our local history. In November 1952, when he was just 19 years old, he was falsely accused of robbing a community store. In a brutal attempt to coerce a confession, the former Apex Police Chief and Wake County Sheriff's deputies drove him out to a wooded area and hanged him from a tree. Miraculously, he survived the aborted lynching when he refused to yield to their demands and falsely confess.

For decades, this profound injustice went officially unaddressed. But 67 years later, Mr. Council bravely decided to share his experiences with students at Middle Creek High School, local historians, and the media. That single act of courageous truth-telling catalyzed a historic wave of reconciliation.

In 2019, both the Apex Police Department and the Wake County Sheriff's Office issued formal, public apologies to Mr. Council. The Wake County Sheriff presented him with a silver key to the Sheriff's Office, and both departments took action by removing the portraits and memorial bricks of the 1952 chief and sheriff from their respective walls of honor. Later that year, the town dedicated a permanent memorial bench to Mr. Council outside the Apex Police Department to ensure his story is never forgotten. You can watch a short story about Mr. Council on YouTube here.

I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Council’s family and loved ones. And I encourage all residents to take a moment to visit his bench at the police station to reflect on his story and to honor his legacy.

Miscellaneous Info:

🧠 Family Trivia Night - Tonight
Gather your family and put your knowledge to the test with a variety of exciting trivia questions covering topics like pop culture, history, science, sports and more. Teams will compete in a friendly environment, at the Apex Senior Center this evening at 6pm, for prizes. $10 tickets are still available as of this morning.

🍄 Super Mario Galaxy
Grab the kids, snacks, blankets and visit the Halle on August 19 for this month’s free Wednesday Morning Movie. Doors open at 9:30am for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

🚧 Upcoming Closures and Renovations
The Apex Senior Center will be closed from August 18th to September 7th for floor renovations. The first floor of Town Hall is also undergoing renovations starting August 17th to relocate the HR department.

🏢 Altera Heights
Wood Partners, Atlanta, along with Marcus Partners, Boston, acquired 13.5 acres north of HW64 in Apex for $4.9M according to Wake County deed records. That’s $362,000 per acre, where construction has started on the 280-unit apartment project. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2027.

🧠 Mental Health Task Force Expansion
Showing a growing commitment to community wellness, the council approved an amendment to expand the official membership of the Peak Resilience and Wellbeing Task Force. The group is nearly doubling in size, growing from 18 to 30 members.

👮‍♂️ A Heartwarming Retirement
The council voted to officially declare a police badge and service weapon as surplus property so they could be awarded to retiring Apex Police Officer Alex Cossifos. As a token of appreciation for his service, the town set the purchase price for his badge and weapon at just $1.00. His retirement went into effect on August 1st.

💊 Drugs Uncovered: What Parents & Adults Needs to Know
The Mayor’s Substance Misuse Task Force is partnering with the Poe Center for Health Education to host a “Drugs Uncovered” education session for Apex parents and caregivers to protect the youth of our community. This drug education event will be hosted at the John Brown Community Center on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 beginning at 5:30pm. Learn about current trends in drug use, as well as the associated health risks and consequences which could befall an adolescent user. This event will also provide tools to help adults communicate with these vulnerable community members about the dangers of drug use.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, August 14

🌵 Invasive Plant Removal Workday
5pm - 6:30pm | Kelly Road Park

🧭 Retracing the Lewis and Clark Expedition
7:30pm - 9pm | Bass Lake Park

🎸 Live Music: It’s Those Guys
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, August 15

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🎶 Rhythm & Reels: Emma Rae
7pm | Nature Park Amphitheatre

Local Business Updates

🎸 Mike Gangi Music
Mike Gangi is an NC-based acoustic guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He will be performing this evening from 7pm-10pm at Salem Street Pub. Grab a good burger, cold drink and listen to some great music all in one place!

🐾 Pints & Puppies
Looking to add a furry friend to your family? Southern Peak Brewering is hosting their next adoption mini event with Peak Lab Rescue on Friday from 6:00-7:30pm. Follow this link to get pre-approved, or this one for the full details.

📘 Book Clubs (all on August 18)

August Book Club - The Shampoo Effect - Adventures in Bloom
Summer Book Club - Theo of Golden - UMC
Brewery Book Club - Book Lovers - Southern Peak Brewery

📢 Now Hiring
Joyfully House is hiring a Retail & Customer Experience Associate. I bet you this job would be amazing. The owner is the coolest and I guarantee this would be a fun job. Info to apply here. Salem Street Pub is hiring too - looking for experienced Servers & Hosts. You could work here and then go visit Joyfully House across the street. Or work at Joyfully and go eat at SSP. Apply for both! It’s win/win 🙂

📲 Three More Ways to Stay Connected
We all know The Peak Weekly is the ultimate way to stay informed 😉

But if you’re still thirsty for more, here are some other ways to stay tuned-in to what’s happening around town:

Civic News:

📊 Town Manager Updates

Utility Billing & Disconnects: The town currently has roughly $4.3 million in past-due utility balances, plus an additional $1.2 million structured under 506 active payment plans. The town anticipates beginning utility disconnects in 4 to 6 weeks for roughly 191 customers who have hit the modified $1,000 past-due threshold. Late fees have also been reinstated.

Smart Meters: The town has replaced 26,500 electric meters, representing about 80% completion. The project remains on track to finish this fall.

Capital Projects: The Peakway Southwest Connector project is trending ahead of schedule with a possible fall opening.

💳️ P-Card Usage

The Town Manager's Report: Manager Randy Vosburg addressed recent discussions surrounding town P-Cards. He stated that 124 individuals have town P-Cards, which represents about 16% of the town's workforce. The town's total P-Card spend for fiscal year 2026 was $2.7 million. Vosburg also defended their use by explaining that the town receives a cash-back rebate percentage on P-Card purchases, unlike standard purchase orders.

Public Forum Pushback: A resident, who obtained records on the Town’s P-Card usage, pointed a few things out during public forum related to P-Card purchases. A couple of examples: Randy Vosburg’s single day purchase of over $3200 at Eggs Up Grill and Chic-fil-A. In fact, over $18k of Apex taxpayer money has been spent at Chic-fil-A alone over the past three fiscal years. Also, the Town Manager and Town Clerk swiped their P-Cards at the dry cleaner for a cool $1500. In all fairness, you can’t eat chicky nugs in a wrinkled suit. The Indy Weak will tell you about porta potties purchased for a Town event like it’s some big scandal (how much revenue do you think they made from all the ads in that article?) But will they tell you about other staff and their eBay charges, PayPal charges, etc? Probably not. “Town Clerk swipes P-Card at Yang’s Cleaners” doesn’t drive as many clicks. I will tell you all about it, though. For free and with zero ads. That’s next week.

🚒 The Future of Downtown Fire Station 1

The Plan: Town staff asked Council for funding on Tuesday to pay for an RFQ that they submitted many months ago to determine what to do with Fire Station 1.

Public Forum & Community Pushback: This sparked major public opposition from citizens and former volunteer firefighters. Speakers on Tuesday highlighted the station's deep historical roots dating back to 1939 and its cultural importance to downtown. A petition to save the active station has gathered over 1,300 signatures in just three weeks.

Council’s Vote: Despite the heavy public opposition, the council unanimously (5-0) approved a $170,000 budget amendment for a 9- to 10-month market analysis and feasibility study. This study will explore redeveloping the Fire Station 1 site into a civic or mixed-use space, up to and including a public-private partnership. They claim that public feedback will be a large part of this study, despite already receiving signifiant public feedback already… for free.

📸 Surveillance Tech (ALPRs & Drones)

Public Opposition: A significant portion of the public forum was dedicated to intense pushback against the use of ALPRs (Flock cameras), Axon technology, and police drones.

Public Forum Pushback: Residents cited severe data privacy concerns, the potential for tracking innocent citizens, and recent news stories of officers in nearby towns misusing the technology to stalk ex-spouses.

Next Steps: Flock cameras remain in use, however publish pushback was able to get Constent Item Number 4 pulled from the Agenda. This item was an agreement for a multi-year Axon contract covering the DroneSense program and interview room camera systems. Instead of being rubber-stamped with the rest of the consent agenda, the item was officially deferred to the Public Safety Council Committee for deeper review.

🏫 Wake Tech Western Wake Campus

Approval: The council unanimously approved zoning amendments for the new Wake Tech campus located within the Veridea development.

Design Changes: The amendments exempt the college from Veridea's strict urban-grid street and frontage requirements, allowing for a more traditional, sprawling college campus layout.

Public Forum Pushback: Because the town opted to allow a traditional, sprawling campus layout instead of an urban grid, the argument is that we missed the opportunity for walkability, it will lead to increased traffic, and there is a lack of equity in the approval process, noting that Council were willing to demand sidewalk easements from a small property owner earlier in the meeting, but were eager to bend the rules and grant a massive list of exemptions for a "big shiny" project like Wake Tech.

💰️ Downtown Business Relief

Construction Delays: The Town Manager noted that the Salem Streetscaping project has been delayed. Originally slated for an October completion, the finish line has been pushed to December or January.

Financial Support: Acknowledging the struggle downtown businesses are facing due to the ongoing construction, the council approved $25,000 in seed money. These funds will be used to host entertainment and events (such as movie nights or music) from September through January to draw residents downtown and drive foot traffic to local shops.

Upcoming Meetings:

Thursday, August 13
Town Council Work Session
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

Monday, August 17
Culture and Arts Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, August 18
Board of Adjustment Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, August 18
Town Council Work Session
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

August 20
🎟️ Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Disco | The Halle

August 21
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census | Apex Nature Park

August 21
🎟️ On the Steps Concert Series | The Halle

August 21
Wildlife Trivia Night | Black Dog Bottleshop (Holly)

August 22
Rhythm & Reels: Mario Galaxy | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 27
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Rooted in Justice - Growing Healthy Communities Panel Discussion featuring The Reverend Jemonde Taylor, Alexandra Valladares, Ryan Emanuel, and Sarah Brim

August 27
Back-to-School Community & Conversation | Wake Tech Cary Campus

August 28
🎟️ Neon Nights - Silent Disco | The Halle

August 29
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

August 29
Rhythm & Reels: Ol’ Joey Scrums | Nature Park Amphitheatre

September 3
B4 Lunch Event: The Planning Department | The Halle

September 3
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
From Wasteland to Wonder with Basil Camu

September 10
Paws & Rec Kick-Off Event | Apex Community Park

September 10
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Forests from Around the World with Meg Lowman, Chumpi Washikiat, and Godi Gadar Moteke Molanga

September 11
Patriot Day Ceremony | Fire Station 1

September 12
Think Apex Day | Multiple Locations

September 12
Apex Underground Market | Sweetwater Town Center

September 12
55+ Health & Wellness Fair | Apex Senior Center

September 13
Classical Concert Series: Thron-Larkin Duo | The Halle

September 17
Triangle Environmental Symposium | The Halle
Gardening for the Planet Documentary Screening with Joanne Hershfield

September 24
Explore S’more | Apex Nature Park

September 26
Latino Arts Festival | Town Hall Campus

In Case You Missed it

✨ Peak Perks
You can pick up a free Peak Perks card at any participating business. You’ll earn a punch with every qualifying purchase and can then redeem your punch card for rewards. Details here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

👨‍⚖️ The Gavel is in Business, and Back in Session

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, August 6, 2026 and this is the 83rd weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Thank you for subscribing to The Peak Weekly. It means a lot to me. I owe quite a few of you a response to your recent emails. I’m so sorry. Crazy week. Responding to you soon!

Also real quick, if you do not enjoy this content, I certainly do not want to clutter your inbox. You can unsubscribe here.

And if you’re still here after that… Happy August! I know we’re not in the cooler weather yet but it feels good to turn the calendar. Fall weather isn’t too far away.

It’s been a hot couple of months.

And, I’m coming in a little hot today too.

It’s been a bit of a quiet summer in terms of Town of Apex news. But with the Council’s summer break coming to an end, after a 49-day break in Town Council Meetings, they’ll return this coming Tuesday, August 11.

So what have they been up to these past several weeks?! I don’t really know. But I do know their Mid-Year Campaign Finance Reports for 2026 were due at the end of July and have now all been filed.

Here’s a quick summary of your representatives from Jan 1 - June 30, 2026:

Ed Gray

Cash on hand: $8,600.13
Total Expenditures: $250.09 (P.O. Box fee)
Total Donations Received: $0
Total Donations Given: $0

Shane Reese

Cash on hand: $6,623.69
Operating Expenditures: $464.95 (consulting fee, shipping fee)
Total Donations Received: $0
Total Donations Given: $0

Terry Mahaffey

Cash on hand: $2,245.67
Operating Expenditures: $1,384.76 (Meta, GitHub, Opus Pro, SocialBu, ActBlue)
Total Donations Received: $870.00
Total Donations Given: $0

Sue Mu

Cash on hand: $4,846.81
Operating Expenditures: $550.13 (Meta, ActBlue, Postal Annex)
Total Donations Received: $5,050.00
Total Donations Given: $3,537.80 (Earls for Justice, Haseeb for NC, Winn for North Carolina, Friends of Tyler Swanson, and the NC Democratic Party)

Arno Zegerman

Cash on hand: $116.14
Operating Expenditures: $286.00 (bank fee, website fee)
Total Donations Received: $276.00 (self)
Total Donations Given: $0

Mayor Gilbert

Cash on hand: $908.45
Operating Expenditures: $10 (bank fee)
Total Donations Received: $0
Total Donations Given: $0

What’s the takeaway? Well, it’s not campaign season. So, Arno, Shane, Ed, and Jacques filed basically what you’d expect. Big expenses or donations don’t really happen in the off-season.

Unless you’re Sue.

Sue’s largest donor, about 3 and a half years before she’s up for re-election, randomly sent her a cool $5k on May 22, which she then redistributed the majority of those funds to other non-Apex related political campaigns.

Terry’s expenditures show him as the only sitting council member who basically never stops campaigning. He actually paid more out than he took in and that largely went to Meta, where he often tells people it’s his “personal page” and to GitHub which hosts his surveys where he collects your personal information and stores it on his private server, and SocialBu which is used in part to ingest RSS feeds, rewrite them as if he wrote them, and then auto-post them to his socials.

Another thing Mahaffey did with his time off was register a new business: Material Systems LLC, signed July 8 and filed with the NC Secretary of State on July 20. In that time, Material Systems LLC links to at least 15 products. All of which appear AI-generated.

Some of them are little game websites. Others are random web apps. And some seem to target government entities.

Like this one:

Which lists… “Town of Apex — ✓ Verified”

Yikes. I knew he was creating websites to track you and build data profiles on you (which I’ve warned about), but we’re getting government entities involved now I guess.

To be clear about what state law says: N.C.G.S. § 14-234 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a public officer to derive a direct benefit from a contract with the government he serves. The small-town exception stops at 15,000 residents; Apex is roughly five times that. In other words, the one government legally barred from ever becoming a Material Systems customer while Mahaffey holds his seat is the Town of Apex - the same government his platform displays as its lone "Verified" organization.

This is the same councilman whose survey app exposed resident data, whose records responses I've documented failing for months, whose "news" network I traced back to his own infrastructure that filters out stories and tracks you, who has raised your property taxes all seven years that he’s been in office, whose biggest campaign funder is the development-friendly Realtor PAC, who on multiple occasions has taken credit for stopping the data center - and who has now, over a summer break, built a fifteen-product company whose flagship displays the Town of Apex as its verified customer.

If you still defend this guy, think he’s being transparent with all of these systems that he’s built, or believe him when he (says anything) calls me a liar simply because you are protecting a shared political affiliation, let me remind you that Town Council are non-partisan positions. They do not run on, nor represent, any political party.

We are amongst the highest in destroying trees. We had the highest property tax rate increase in Wake County last year and second to only Cary this year…

And here we are, defending a guy who is advancing his political agenda and creating businesses off the data because he claims to be something he’s not.

And to those who ignore these facts because you don’t want to hear it, to the News & Observer reporters, Indy Week reporters, town staff, other council members, and so on who subscribe to this newsletter, read every issue, and remain silent… maybe today is the day?

Probably not. But hey. So many amazing people, businesses and events going on in this beautiful town. So let’s talk about that.

(Not interested in honest, unbiased, free local reporting? Please unsubscribe here!)

💜 Here’s your week in Apex:

Miscellaneous Info:

📩 Connecting with Elected Officials
The Town has created new ways to connecting with your Apex elected officials. Use new tools like Council Connector, Meeting Request Form, and Event Attendance Form. Just be careful; these are the same types of forms that have exposed the data on the public web recently.

🏘️ Neighborhood Leaders Program
The Neighborhood Leaders Program launches on August 20th and seeks community champions eager to build stronger neighborhoods. Program participants will receive the resources needed to serve as ambassadors to their community, keeping their neighbors updated on happenings around Apex, and representing their neighborhoods on key issues.

⛈️ Stormwater Condition Assessment Dashboard
The first project funded by the Town’s Stormwater Utility Fee is now complete. The Town's assessment of Town-maintained stormwater infrastructure finished recently, and a dashboard is now available with its findings.

🏞️ Crowder County Park Expansion
Momentum is building for one of Wake County’s most popular parks, as the Wake County Board of Commissioners last week approved the schematic design for the Crowder County Park expansion. This decision paves the way for new trails, new facilities and new opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors.

🏫 Back to School Community & Conversation
As families start preparing for back-to-school season, the Town of Apex will be hosting an evening with Wake County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor to discuss updates on the district's priorities, including student achievement & wellness, school safety, and more. This CommUniversity workshop will take place August 27 from 6-8pm at the Wake Tech Cary Campus.

🦘 Australian Defense Company
Silentium Defence develops passive radar systems designed to detect and track objects across land, sea, air and space without emitting detectable signals, allowing operators to monitor activity while reducing the risk of revealing their positions. They have recently established their new HQ in Apex in a 10,000 square foot facility at 2030 Energy Drive.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Saturday, August 8

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🛍️ Mabopane Marketplace
10am - 1pm | Mabopane Foundation
(and Friday 7am-Noon)

🛍️ Apex Underground Market
11am - 3pm | Sweetwater Town Center

🐾 Paws and Sips
2pm - 4pm | South Line Brewing Apex

🪄 Back to Hogwarts Community Day
2pm - 8pm | 4408 Old US 1 Hwy, New Hill

🎸 Live Music: Maverick Rose
6:30pm - 9pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🐺 Rhythm & Reels: The Bad Guys 2
At Dusk | Nature Park Amphitheatre

𓆦 Moth Night at Crowder Park
8pm - 10pm | Crowder County Park

🎸 Live Music: Kerry Long
8pm - 10pm | Southern Peak Taproom/Pizzeria

Sunday, August 9

🧘🏻‍♀️ Free Barre Pop-Up
10:30am | Southern Peak Brewery

🍔 Burgers, Banjos and Brews: The Guilty Pleasures
1pm - 4pm | Salem Street Pub

🚶 Salem Street Hospitality Walk Downtown Apex
12pm - 4pm | Downtown Apex

From the event host, TapStation: “Join us in supporting local small businesses in Downtown Apex on August 9th. Downtown Apex businesses have been incredibly resilient over the past two years with the Saunders parking lot and Salem Street projects. We are all excited for the progress but these businesses could use some support! Join us in showing Salem St businesses some hospitality in our first Hospitality Walk on Sunday, Aug 9th from noon-4pm. Thank you for your support!”

Local Business Updates

🍑 Coming Soon: Neighborhood Barre
Neighborhood Barre is a unique workout that combines the elements of dance conditioning, pilates, and resistance training to sculpt and tone the entire body. It’s suitable for both male and female patrons and can be performed by a wide range of ages. It can be used as either a primary fitness program or as a complement to an existing program. The barre studio will be opening in Apex (Lake Pine Plaza by Harris Teeter) at the end of August/early September. This weekend, they are hosting a pop-up event at Southern Peak Brewery. Event info here. And free registration link here.

🍕 Coming Soon-ish: Brick and Basil
Very little info on this so far, but Brick and Basil (which I believe is a wood-fired pizza restaurant) is coming - TBD - to 1801 Chatham Flats Dr.

🍶 Coming Soon-ish: Firefly Clay and Craft Co.
Little info on this one as well, but - TBD - the pottery studio will be coming to 410 Upchurch St.

Civic News:

🏗️ Hughes Street Site Planning & Design
The Town of Apex is exploring the potential for a mixed-income, mixed-use development on 13 acres of town-owned land on South Hughes Street. This project is intended to help address Apex’s need for affordable housing. The Town is hosting community input sessions on August 15th and August 19th to present project information and collaborate with residents on ideas, priorities, and feedback for future development.

🗑️ Recycling Cart Replacement
Public Works crews will replace around 1,000 carts per month over the next two years. August replacements include: Abbington, Beaver Creek, Bella Casa (original), Greys Landing, Kelly Glen, Kelly Grove, Toad Hollow, Village at Crockett's, Winston, Walden Creek, Walden Townes, Waterford Green.

🚒 Tuesday’s Council Meeting
After a long break, Council will reconvene on Tuesday. It’ll be a big meeting I’m sure, but one thing to watch for is the budget amendment to pay for a downtown site study regarding plans for Fire Station 1.

Is the Town actually going to tear down the historic Apex Fire Station downtown?

Mahaffey says, “there are no plans to demolish it”.

Ok, phew. Thanks for clearing that up, Truth Teller Terry.

Now let’s just grab a quote from the Town of Apex’s official RFQ:

“The current building is intended to be demolished”

Ah. You almost had me.

The Save Apex Fire Station 1 Coalition will be there on Tuesday to voice their concerns about the intended demolition of the historic fire station.

Show up Tuesday to show your support and in the meantime, read more about it here.

Upcoming Meetings:

Friday, August 7
Town Council - Special Closed Session
4pm | Town Hall

Saturday, August 8
Town Council - Special Closed Session
8am | Town Hall

Monday, August 10
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, August 11
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Thursday, August 13
Town Council Work Session
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

August 13
🎟️ Family Trivia Night | Apex Senior Center

August 14
Retracing the Lewis and Clark Expedition | Bass Lake Park

August 15
Rhythm & Reels: Emma Rae | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 20
🎟️ Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Disco | The Halle

August 21
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census | Apex Nature Park

August 21
🎟️ On the Steps Concert Series | The Halle

August 22
Rhythm & Reels: Mario Galaxy | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 27
Triangle Environmental Symposium: Rooted in Justice | The Halle

August 27
Back-to-School Community & Conversation | Wake Tech Cary Campus

August 28
🎟️ Neon Nights - Silent Disco | The Halle

August 29
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

August 29
Rhythm & Reels: Ol’ Joey Scrums | Nature Park Amphitheatre

In Case You Missed it

🏀 Open Gym Schedule
The Town’s Parks & Rec department has published its August 2026 Open Gym Schedule. See it here.

🌳 Triangle Environmental Symposium
The Town of Apex has partnered with Trees for the Triangle to host the Triangle Environmental Symposium at the Halle Cultural Arts Center. The four-part event hosts an exciting lineup of presentations, performances, and discussions. Each event is designed to inspire thoughtful and principled civic debate on the challenges facing our air, land, water, and the effects those challenges have on life here in Apex and on earth. See the lineup and get tickets here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Forty-Two and Twenty-Four (Part II)

Adam Whitaker — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday Friday, July 31, 2026 and this is part 2 of the 82nd weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Thank you for allowing me the 24-hour extension on this week’s newsletter so that I could celebrate my 42nd birthday in Charlotte with Mrs. Weekly.

Without further ado, let’s jump into it.

But first, a question…

Agriculture is North Carolina's leading industry, contributing over $100 billion to the state's economy annually and supporting more than 777,000 jobs statewide, according to NC State University's Agriculture and Agribusiness Report (2024). The industry accounts for roughly one in six jobs statewide and ranks first in the nation in the production of sweet potatoes, tobacco, poultry and eggs.

🌾 But… Are Wake County Farms Starting to Disappear?

As growth continues to boom in Apex and surrounding towns, local farmers are feeling the squeeze. A new Wake County survey reveals that a staggering 89% of local landowners have recently been approached by developers looking to buy their land.

The good news? 75% say they have no plans to sell in the next five years. The public has their back, too - 96% of residents agree that preserving our remaining farmland is critical. These survey results recently helped shape the county's first-ever Farmland Preservation Plan.

I bring this up for two reasons. One, to raise awareness about our farmland and the pressure its putting on our local farmers. And two, to say thank you to Sue, The Peak Weekly’s contributing writer, who has spent the last 18 weeks in a row highlighting the farms and farmers here in Apex.

Today, she wraps up the Farm Series by celebrating the venue that brings so many great farmers and vendors together in Apex each week.

Miscellaneous Info:

🚧 Tobacco Trail to Close for Repairs
Beginning tomorrow, Aug. 1, the trail will be closed in the Apex area from the Wimberly Road parking area to the entrance of the White Oak Creek Greenway. Construction is expected to be complete by Oct. 31.

🏀 Open Gym Schedule
The Town’s Parks & Rec department has published its August 2026 Open Gym Schedule. See it here.

🔎 What’s Living Beneath the Surface of Our Local Streams?
Find out at Creek Critter Discovery with Haw River Assembly on Wednesday, August 26. From 6-7pm at Apex Nature Park, you can take part in a hands-on adventure as you explore the fascinating world of aquatic macroinvertebrates - the tiny creek critters that help scientists measure stream health. Learn how to identify them, discover the habitats they call home and see why clean water matters for both wildlife and our community. Register here.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, July 31

🌵 Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Apex Community Park

🌊 Splash Blash
6pm - 8:30pm | Pleasant Park

Saturday, August 1

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🎶 Rhythm & Reels: Tre. Charles
7pm | Nature Park Amphitheatre

🎸 Live Music: Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs
7pm - 9pm | Bottle Theory

🎤 Live Music: Savanna Bassett
8pm - 10pm | Southern Peak Brewery Taproom (Sweetwater)

Tuesday, August 4

👩‍🌾 Community Garden Work Day
5pm - 7pm | Simple Gifts Community Garden

☘️ Live Irish Music
6pm - 9pm | Doherty’s Irish Pub

🧠 Trivia Night
7pm - 9pm | The Local

🔠 Music Bingo!
7pm - 10pm | Bottle Theory

Wednesday, August 5

📖 Storybook Sumer Reading Series
9am - 10am | Popovers Cafe

🪷 The White Lotus Trivia Night
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🎬️ Wednesday Night Movie
Avatar: Fire and Ash
7pm - 9pm | The Halle

🧠 Pub Trivia w/ DJ Ray
8pm - 11pm | Doherty’s Irish Pub

Local Business Updates

Go take a test drive on the bricks and support your favorite downtown businesses this weekend :)

📚️ 500 Free Books at Alleyway
Tomorrow - Saturday, August 1st - Alleyway Bookstore will be giving away 500 books for free starting at 10am. Help them clear their remaining inventory by stopping in and getting your free book!

✨ Peak Perks
Beginning August 5, you can pick up a free Peak Perks card at any participating business. You’ll earn a punch with every qualifying purchase and can then redeem your punch card for rewards. Details here.

🚶‍♂️ Salem Street Hospitality Walk
Join Tap Station in showing Salem St businesses some hospitality in their first Hospitality Walk on Sunday, Aug 9th from noon-4pm. Thank you for your support!

🍑 Free Barre Pop-Up
Neighborhood Barre, a barre studio opening in Apex (Lake Pine Plaza by Harris Teeter) at the end of August/early September, is hosting a pop-up event at Southern Peak Brewery on August 9th at 10:30am. Event info here. And free registration link here.

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series

🧑‍🌾 The Apex Farmers Market

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Well, here we are at the series finale. For the last seventeen weeks, we’ve featured an Apex farm every week, each one a hardworking land steward and neighbor who toils through the seasons to provide farm-fresh, healthy food for the residents of Apex.

For this final week, we’re featuring the Apex Farmers Market. Located at The Depot in downtown Apex, the Apex Farmers Market is a one-stop shop offering everything you need—meats, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, prepared foods, homemade goods, and more.

The Apex Farmers Market is a not-for-profit market dedicated to being a resource to the town of Apex and surrounding communities. Their mission, from their website, is “to provide educational outreach regarding healthful living and the health and economic benefits of consuming locally grown food and supporting locally produced products, while providing farmers and local producers opportunities to directly market their goods and services.”

Every Saturday morning, you’ll find a vibrant and busy market filled with vendors ready to provide you with a week’s worth of healthy, locally grown food and products, musicians to entertain you while you shop, and activities for kids. Here is a list of all their vendors, and here is their market schedule.

Some of the products you’ll find at the Apex Farmers Market include:

Fresh breads, flowers, candles, plants, hummus, condiments, desserts, health and wellness products, soaps, handmade jewelry, spices, local honey, jams and preserves, skincare products, hand-sewn goods, framed paintings, 3D prints, dog treats, and of course meats, eggs, seafood, and produce from local farms. That is way more fun than the supermarket!

Each week is different, so be sure to check out their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the most up-to-date vendor list for that week’s market.

The Apex Farmers Market is open year-round. During the traditional season, which runs April to October, the hours are 8 a.m. to noon, and during the winter season, which runs November to March, the hours are 9 a.m. to noon.

Some things to consider when visiting the market:

There is plenty of free parking in downtown. You can access the parking map here.
Consider bringing cash, as that’s the preferred payment method, but vendors take cards as well. If you forget to bring cash, there is an ATM across from the market at the Tobacco Exchange.
The market offers SNAP, WIC, and Double Bucks. Stop by the Welcome Tent to pick up tokens, and for more info click here.
Restrooms are available at various downtown businesses.
Dogs are welcome on short leashes, but keep in mind they must be well-behaved and friendly.

The market also features a Community Table, which is available for members of the community and small businesses to use to showcase products or topics, or to hold a fundraiser. You can apply to use the Community Table on the Apex Farmers Market website here.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the Apex Farmers Market, they are always looking for more people. If you’d like to become a vendor, are a musician, or want to volunteer at the market, click here to apply.

As a not-for-profit market providing an incredible service to the town, the Apex Farmers Market can always use help. For information about how to donate or become a market sponsor, click here.

It’s no secret that Adam, the owner of The Peak Weekly, and Mrs. Weekly attend the Apex Farmers Market on Saturdays, getting their coffee across the street at Common Grounds, then making their purchases for the week at the market. So, if you happen to see them at a Saturday morning market, be sure to thank Adam for providing this eighteen-week farm series for the benefit of Apex residents and the hardworking farmers and land stewards that we are incredibly lucky to have around us.

Local farms are a precious resource that we can’t afford to lose. Having large swatches of farmland in our town increases and protects the population of pollinators, protects wildlife, and keeps the lands agricultural instead of being developed for other, possibly not so healthy uses (data centers?). Local farms build community connection, support local businesses, promote crop diversity, strengthen local food security, engage in environmentally responsible farming, preserve farmland, reduce food waste, reduce use of pesticides, and offer educational programs to the community to learn about agriculture.

Learning about each of these farms over the last five months has been such a pleasure, and it has only solidified my belief that local farms are our future. We need to support them consistently. Every week. Every month. They depend on us and we depend on them. Farming is an incredibly hard job, but our job is easy—visit local farms and markets and buy their products. It benefits us as much as it benefits them.

I will end this series by saying one more time what I’ve said for the last seventeen weeks: Get out there and support your local farmers and farmers market!

Civic News:

With no recent meetings or major updates on this front, here are some upcoming things to keep an eye on:

🗓️ August 11 Town Council Meeting
This will be the first time Town Council reconvenes since June 23rd, so no doubt there will be a lot on the agenda. Some things we know for sure that will be discussed:

🗓️ September 1 Town Council Meeting
The Peak Plan 2055 Task Force established by the Apex Town Council provides notice of a Special Meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM. The purpose of this meeting is to provide the Task Force members with an update on the progress of Peak Plan 2055 and to gather input on preliminary recommendations for the Place Type Map (formerly Land Use Map), Transportation Plan, and NC 55 Corridor Plan.

More big updates coming next week. Stated tuned 👀

Upcoming Meetings:

Wednesday, August 5
Environmental Advisory Subcommittee: Data Centers
5pm | Town Hall

Monday, August 10
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, August 11
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

August 8
Rhythm & Reels: The Bad Guys 2 | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 8
Moth Night at Crowder Park | Crowder County Park

August 8
Back to Hogwarts Community Day | 4408 Old US 1 Hwy, New Hill

August 13
🎟️ Family Trivia Night | Apex Senior Center

August 14
Retracing the Lewis and Clark Expedition | Bass Lake Park

August 15
Rhythm & Reels: Emma Rae | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 20
🎟️ Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Disco | The Halle

August 21
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census | Apex Nature Park

August 21
🎟️ On the Steps Concert Series | The Halle

August 22
Rhythm & Reels: Mario Galaxy | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 27
Triangle Environmental Symposium: Rooted in Justice | The Halle

August 27
Back-to-School Community & Conversation | TBD

August 28
🎟️ Neon Nights - Silent Disco | The Halle

August 29
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

August 29
Rhythm & Reels: Ol’ Joey Scrums | Nature Park Amphitheatre

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

🎂 Forty-Two and Twenty-Four (Part I)

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 30, 2026 and this is (part one of the) 82nd weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Yesterday, I turned 42 years old. That’s 367,920 hours!

And this morning’s email is asking you for the grace of just 24 more…

My beautiful and amazing wife, Mrs. Weekly, surprised me with a quick 2-day trip to Charlotte to celebrate.

Obviously Apex is the 🐐 but I do love me some Charlotte. Que Fresa for lunch, STK for dinner, and the ⚽️ MLS All-Star game…

It was a good day. But… here’s the thing. As I write this, it’s 11:35pm on Wednesday evening. This is usually crunch time where I’m putting all the final pieces together for the Thursday morning email.

But this week… I haven’t even started.

I just need 24 more hours 🙏

Things To Do… Today

Part II of The Peak Weekly issue #82 will arrive in your inbox tomorrow, Friday, July 31.

It will have all the regular updates, info, events, and everything you need to know for the week.

But, for now, here’s at least some things going on today:

👢 Boots and Brews Party
starts at 11am | JD’s Tavern

🚶‍♂️ NCRC Social Run/Walk
6pm - 9pm | Bottle Theory

📖 Book Club Discussion: The Shampoo Theory
6pm - 8pm | Bless Your Heart Boutique

🏃‍♂️ Run Club
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

A Final Note:

I am so sorry that this morning’s email is so thin. It’s Mrs. Weekly’s fault.

Follow her new Instagram account @Mrs_Weekly and then comment and tell her how mad you are.

Then, check your inbox tomorrow morning when you wake up. All the good stuff will be there - all the fun stuff going on in Apex for the week, our final part of the Apex Farm Series, and much more!

Thanks for (hopefully) understanding!

See you tomorrow... 😘

🚒 Fire Stations and CSAs

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 23, 2026 and this is the 81st weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

When the Apex Volunteer Fire Department was officially chartered in 1939 by 19 local citizens, they didn't have the budget for a custom-built fire engine. Instead, their very first piece of apparatus was a used dump truck purchased for just $35.

In legendary firefighter fashion, the volunteers promptly removed the dump bed and sold it for $10 - which, according to official department records, was "immediately converted into beer". The volunteers then sat on the empty wooden beer crates in the station while brainstorming how to remodel the old dump truck chassis into a functioning fire engine.

A few years later, they acquired a classic 1939/1940 Ford Hunter pumper truck. Remarkably, that antique fire truck survived the decades, has been meticulously preserved by the department, and still runs to this day!

It remains a beloved symbol of Station #1's heritage and is driven annually through downtown in the Apex Christmas Parade.

The iconic brick building at 210 N. Salem Street wasn't built by municipal contractors; it was constructed by the volunteer firefighters themselves. Starting in 1954, the volunteers poured their own time, sweat, and labor into building the original three-bay brick firehouse, officially dedicating it in July 1956.

After serving as the home of the volunteer squad for nearly half a century, Station #1 officially transitioned into a fully staffed, career municipal operation in 2002 when the volunteer organization consolidated with the Town of Apex.

Fast-forward to today and the fire station is on the brink of being demolished. Down below, in the Civic Updates section, I go into more detail on this. I encourage you to give it a quick read!

Miscellaneous Info:

🐕️ Dog Park Partially Closed
The lower section of the Hunter Street Dog Park is temporarily closed while crews complete drainage repairs. Anticipated reopening by the end of the week, weather and construction permitting. The upper section of the dog park remains open for use.

📈 August Utility Bills
The FY27 utility rate increases went into effect July 1. Reminder that you will notice an increase in some rates and fees related to water, sewer, electric and solid waste collection beginning with August bills.

🚧 Salem Streetscape Phase 2
Phase 2 of the downtown project has kicked off - meaning construction has moved to the other side of Salem Street. Traffic will continue to flow one-way (same southbound direction as Phase I). Northbound traffic can use the posted detour around downtown (NC-55 & Hunter St).

🏘️ $14M Land Deal
Brookfield, in partnership with homebuilder Ashton Woods, acquired 30 acres for $14.5 million, according to Wake County deed records. The Langford Place community will be HWY64 near Sweetwater and will have 63 single-family homes on 51-foot-wide lots. This purchase price comes to $472,962 per acre.

🥁 Mochas, Munchkins and Music
This Tuesday, July 28 from 9:30am - 10:30am at The Mocha Room is a fun-filled morning for munchkins and their grown-ups. There will be coffee for the grown-ups, interactive music activities for the little ones (age appropriate songs and movement for ages 3-7), and fun for everyone.

🛡️ Shield NC Bingo Benefit
This evening, local anti-trafficking nonprofit, Shield NC, is hosting a Bingo Benefit at the Apex Senior Center. The doors will open at 5:30 and the first game will begin promptly at 6:00. Most prizes are worth $50 with many valued over $100! All proceeds go towards helping to end human trafficking in our communities.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, July 24

🌵 Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Apex Community Park

👩‍🌾 Afternoon in the Garden
6pm - 8pm | Apex Nature Park

🦋 Moth Night
8pm - 10pm | Apex Nature Park

🎸 Live Music: Joe’s Cousin
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

🛍️ Mabopane Marketplace
7am - 12pm | Mabopane Foundation

Saturday, July 25

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏍️ Bikes and Coffee
8am - 11am | Fratelli’s Deli

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🥕 Community Garden Work Day
9am - 12pm | Simple Gifts Community Garden

🎶 Meadow Melody Makers
9:30am - 10:30am | Kelly Road Park

🛍️ Mabopane Marketplace
10am - 1pm | Mabopane Foundation

✒️ Pour Decisions: Tattoo Pop-Up
12pm - 5pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🤘 Live Music: 5th Time Around
8pm - 11pm | The Backyard Bar

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series

🥬 Zephyr Family Farm

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

This week, we’re featuring a farm that is no longer in Apex but still serves the town of Apex—Zephyr Family Farm in Roxboro. Founded in 2020 by Amanda and Steven Harrell, Zephyr Family Farm began as a realization that farming was a way for them to combine their dreams of family, work, and community. The farm was originally located in Apex but more space was needed, so they found their forever farm and relocated to Roxboro.

Located on eleven acres and currently housing five large, heated greenhouses, as well as open farmland, Zephyr Family Farm grows forty different types of produce through all four seasons.

Amanda and Steven are committed to being responsible land stewards and community members. No chemicals are used in growing their produce, they buy seeds from small farms and small companies, and they source supplies as locally as possible. They minimize tillage to protect soil health, and they strive to reduce plastic waste in all forms. Zephyr Family Farm is a certified naturally grown farm.

And the great news for Apex residents is that they offer CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) with an Apex pickup location by FigMint Farm (Two Pond Lane in Apex), through Rooted Community Foods.

CSAs are available in early summer, late summer, and fall/winter. They can be purchased for weekly or biweekly pickup. The late summer CSA is still open for purchase, and pickups will start in two weeks. Their fall/winter CSA will run from September through December and is available to purchase on their website now. Winter is their favorite time because they have heirloom tomatoes, grown organically in soil in their heated greenhouses.

And starting with their fall/winter offerings, you’ll have the option to choose your vegetables or let them choose for you. And you can pause your pickup schedule for travel or other reasons. They also offer flowers, which you can add to your CSA pickup through their website.

To learn more about their CSAs, click here, and to purchase a CSA and see all available offerings, click here. And be sure to follow them on Instagram and sign up to receive emails about future CSAs and farm news.

CSAs are a great way to eat more vegetables (fiber!) and discover new vegetables. For example, in their early summer CSA this year, they offered a Dutch heirloom bean called dragon tongue, which are bigger than standard green beans and are yellow with purple stripes. You can eat them raw or cooked. They are delicious!

I think we can all agree that it’s more important than ever to buy from small, local farms and give our support to the hardworking, responsible land stewards that we’re so lucky to have all around us. Our support ensures their continued growth and success and provides us with healthy, farm-fresh produce. That’s a win-win.

Civic News:

🚒 Another Decision That Already Happened Without You: The $13.8 Million Mirage

The Town says the future of the downtown fire station is still an open conversation. The paper trail says the conversation ended in February 2024 — and the $2 million savings pitch that sold it has become a $13.8 million bill.

If you follow the Town of Apex's official statements, the future of historic Fire Station 1 on North Salem Street is still being decided. "No decisions have been made about the property's use," the Town posted this week, promising public meetings where residents can shape what comes next.

The Town's own records tell a different story. The decision that matters - permanently ending active emergency operations downtown - was made at the Town Council's February 2024 retreat. Everything since has been execution.

"We Agreed"

On February 16, 2024, at the Council's annual retreat, new Fire Chief Tim Herman pitched relocating Station 1's engine to Station 3 on Hunter Street, citing narrow streets, illegal parking, and downtown event congestion. Ten days later, Councilmember Mahaffey posted a candid retreat report on social media.

Mahaffey didn't describe a discussion in progress. He wrote: "We agreed."

He laid out the whole plan that day: move the engine to a bigger Station 3, tear down and redevelop the downtown site, and put a hands-on fire safety museum on the ground floor. "The station 3 renovations would happen first."

That's exactly what happened.

The Paper Trail

Feb 2025: Design teams visit Station 3 to plan for absorbing Station 1's crew.
Mar 2025: Mahaffey posts a site layout labeled "FIRE STATION 3 + FIRE STATION 1 ENTRANCE."
Aug 2025: Staff hold a pre-application site plan meeting to push the expansion through commercial review.
Sep 2025: Mahaffey posts floor plans; construction set for December 2026.
Jan 2026: Council minutes reveal the Town had to re-issue its redevelopment RFQ because applicants thought a fire station was still planned for Salem Street. Chief Herman confirmed the language was revised to make clear it isn't. The RFQ states the building "is intended to be demolished."
May 2026: In a budget post, Mahaffey writes that the Station 3 expansion will house "crew from Fire Station 1 when Fire Station 1 closes" - ten weeks before the Town's statement stressing that no decisions have been made (you get that the Town makes decisions, pretends like they care what you think, and then Terry bends over backwards constantly to manipulate you, right?)
Jun 2026: Mahaffey confirms on Facebook that the Station 3 estimate "has grown to about $13.8 million."

The Shrinking Promise

Here's the part that should bother you even if you don't care about the building: watch what happens to the fire department's place downtown each time the plan changes.

2019: By Mahaffey's own account, when Council weighed renovating, rebuilding, or relocating Station 1, they listened to public feedback and chose to rebuild an active fire station on the site.

2024: The retreat plan dropped the active station. But it still promised a Fire Administration building with a hands-on fire safety museum on the ground floor. The fire department would still live on Salem Street.

2026: The current redevelopment request drops the Fire Administration building too. It asks private developers for a market study, says the site "will not house an active fire station," and requires only "a fire presence of some kind." The examples it lists include a museum - but also just "public art" or "the building design."

Each version keeps less. In seven years, the promise went from a working fire station, to a fire office with a museum, to possibly a mural.

That's what makes the "Save Apex Fire Station 1" group's request worth understanding clearly. They want a working station with a museum inside it. They're not asking for something new or radical. They're asking for roughly what the Town itself described at the start — before it quietly traded that promise down, twice.

The $2 Million Savings That Became a $13.8 Million Bill

The financial case at that 2024 retreat fit on one slide.

As presented, it would cost $5-6M to rebuild Station 1 but just $2-3M to remodel Station 3.

Council took the deal.

Here's where that slide stands today:

The Station 3 remodel - the $2–3 million line item - now costs $13.8 million. That single line item exceeds the entire $11–13 million plan Council rejected as too expensive. The $1 million storage line became a $1.4 million warehouse. And the $6–7 million Fire Admin building became a $16 million Phase 2 ($1.6M in design plus $14.36M in construction) — a building that, in fairness, now also houses Police and IT space, but one whose fire-driven schedule exists because of this plan.

The Town's own January 2026 funding slide explains how the number doubled: the increase "includes sitework for the whole project," the cost per square foot "increased" after the advance planning phase, and "additional needs [were] discovered during advanced planning for the existing structure."

Read those again. The $2–3 million figure that justified abandoning downtown was produced before any advance planning existed - it was never a real number. And the existing Station 3 building, the very thing that was supposed to make renovation the cheap option, turned up surprise costs once engineers actually looked at it - the same failure mode that pushed Council away from renovating Station 1 back in 2019.

The Next $14 Million

There's more coming. Fire Administration has to leave its current building by July 2030 because of the NC 55 road widening. To solve that, the Town designed a "Hunter Street Public Safety Campus" combining Station 3, Fire Administration, Police, and IT.

In January, Town Manager Randy Vosburg told Council the second phase needed $14.36 million that was "not in the financial model." It didn't stay that way for long: by May, Mahaffey's own budget posts described about $14.57 million in the FY2026–2027 capital plan for the Fire Administration Building. In four months, the unfunded warning became programmed money. A plan sold at $9–11 million all-in now totals roughly $30 million.

August 11 - and a Timing Question

The "Save Apex Fire Station 1" group, led by former volunteer firefighter Roy Moore, plans to fill Town Hall on August 11. On the agenda that night: a budget amendment to pay for the downtown site study.

Which raises a question. Council adopted the annual budget on July 1 - about six weeks before this vote. The redevelopment request has been public since January, with a consulting firm supposed to be picked back in April. If the Town knew for months that this study was coming, why wasn't the money in the budget it just passed? What did the study end up costing, and when was the firm actually chosen?

Either way, residents at that meeting won't just be defending a building. They'll be standing in front of a Council that turned a $2 million promise into a $13.8 million bill, drew up the blueprints a year ago, and told the public the choice was still theirs.

You can follow the Save Apex Fire Station 1 Coalition on Facebook here. And/Or sign their petition here.

I’ll try to remain hopeful but the RFQ is already out there stating that it’s going to be demolished, plans are actively in motion to do that, Mahaffey is already controlling the narrative, and your tax rate and utility rates have already been increased. The whole “we want your opinion” thing is seemingly just another song and dance by perhaps the least transparent town council and town manager that Apex has ever seen.

Upcoming Meetings:

Wednesday, August 5
Environmental Advisory Subcommittee: Data Centers
5pm | Town Hall

Monday, August 10
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, August 11
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

July 31
Splash Blash | Pleasant Park

August 1
Rhythm & Reels: Tre. Charles | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 5
Wednesday Night Movie | The Halle

August 8
Rhythm & Reels: The Bad Guys 2 | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 13
🎟️ Family Trivia Night | Apex Senior Center

August 15
Rhythm & Reels: Emma Rae | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 20
🎟️ Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Disco | The Halle

August 21
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census | Apex Nature Park

August 21
🎟️ On the Steps Concert Series | The Halle

August 22
Rhythm & Reels: Mario Galaxy | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 27
Triangle Environmental Symposium: Rooted in Justice | The Halle

August 27
Back-to-School Community & Conversation | TBD

August 28
🎟️ Neon Nights - Silent Disco | The Halle

August 29
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

August 29
Rhythm & Reels: Ol’ Joey Scrums | Nature Park Amphitheatre

In Case You Missed it:

🍂 Fall Program Registration
Fall Program registration is now open for residents. Fall Program Guide | Fall Senior Program Guide | Registration Link

🚧 Apex Senior Center - Temporary Closure
The Apex Senior Center will be temporarily closed August 18–September 7, 2026 for a facility-wide flooring renovation project and is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, September 8. During this time, the building will be closed to the public, and all programs, classes, events, and rentals at the Senior Center will be cancelled.

🚧 Tobacco Trail to Close for Repairs
Beginning Aug. 1, the trail will be closed in the Apex area from the Wimberly Road parking area to the entrance of the White Oak Creek Greenway. Construction is expected to be complete by Oct. 31.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

🌳 🪑 Jean, Trees, A New Chair, and 80 Emails

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 16, 2026 and this is the 80th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

When I first started this newsletter in January 2025, I thought I’d maybe do a few issues and that would be it. That’s how most of my side projects go. The ADHD runs strong in me and I usually get distracted quickly towards the next shiny object.

But here we are, 80 weeks later. Still focused! I’m proud of myself lol. And also extremely grateful to all of you who support The Peak Weekly and extremely humbled by all of the people who have gone out and explored new places and activities all because of this newsletter. It’s very cool.

And, I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who have donated your hard-earned money to The Peak Weekly via the Buy Me A Coffee link.

I also want to be transparent. I have bought a few coffees with those donations. And, it has helped mitigate some of the fees that go into running this newsletter (web hosting, Beehiiv subscription, etc).

But in addition to that, I have been able to support/sponsor the Apex Farmer’s Market, the Apex Juneteenth Festival, and most recently, Trees for the Triangle.

I show you this just so you know I’m not pulling your leg, but also to thank you for making it possible for me to support these great organizations. This isn’t a “me” donation. This is an “us” donation.

I also show it to draw some attention to Trees for the Triangle and their 2026 Triangle Environmental Symposium.

A countywide assessment conducted in 2023 showed that Apex sustained significant losses in its tree canopy from 2010-2020 (15%) and this organization is working hard to fix that.

🌳 The Triangle Environmental Symposium is a four-part speaker series featuring lively musical performances, engaging speakers, and community conversations on environmental stewardship. The event dates are August 27, September 3, September 10, and September 17.

You can learn about the speakers and details for each of the dates here.

🔗 Links to purchase tickets are listed next to each of the dates. Tickets start at just $5. Or, you can sponsor the Symposium.

OR, you can buy me a coffee and I’ll continue to pay it forward when I’m able to :)

Miscellaneous Info:

🍂 Fall Program Registration
Fall Program registration begins 9am Monday morning for residents. Fall Program Guide | Fall Senior Program Guide | Registration Link

🛡️ Numbers 4 Hope Bingo Benefit
One week from today, local anti-trafficking nonprofit, Shield NC, is hosting a Bingo Benefit at the Apex Senior Center. The doors will open at 5:30 and the first game will begin promptly at 6:00. Most prizes are worth $50 with many valued over $100! All proceeds go towards helping to end human trafficking in our communities.

🚧 Apex Senior Center - Temporary Closure
I’ll remind you again in a month when it’s closer, but heads up in advance: the Apex Senior Center will be temporarily closed August 18–September 7, 2026 for a facility-wide flooring renovation project and is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, September 8. During this time, the building will be closed to the public, and all programs, classes, events, and rentals at the Senior Center will be cancelled.

💼 Need a New Job?
Town of Apex currently has 19 positions open including Fire Training Coordinator, Engineering Plan Reviewer, Billing & Collections Specialist, Utility Maintenance Supervisor, Police Officer, Street Maintenance Work and more. View current openings here (I’m thinking about putting my hat in the ring for the Town Attorney position 😜)

🚧 Tabacco Trail to Close for Repairs
A portion of the American Tobacco Trail will close next month while crews repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Beginning Aug. 1, the trail will be closed in the Apex area from the Wimberly Road parking area to the entrance of the White Oak Creek Greenway. Construction is expected to be complete by Oct. 31.

🐶 The Animal Shelter is FULL
In just the first 9 days of July, the Wake County Animal Center had taken in 226 animals. That’s 25 PER DAY. As of last week (most current data I have), the shelter, along with their generous fosters, were up to 653 animals in their care. Adoption fees are reduced right now, so it’s a great time to adopt if you’ve ever considered it. View the adoption gallery. If you’re not in the position to adopt, and have pets, getting them spayed or neutered would be a great idea.

🎟️ Get Your Tickets

There are several ticketed events upcoming. Here’s your chance to beat the rush:

Family Trivia Night
6-8pm | Apex Senior Center
August 13 | Tickets are $10 here

Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Disco
6pm | Halle Cultural Arts
August 20 | Tickets are $44 here

Laila Biali ft. Christian Tamburr
7:30pm | Halle Cultural Arts
August 21 | Tickets are $40 here

Neon Nights - Silent Disco
6-8pm | Halle Cultural Arts
August 28 | Tickets are $10 here

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, July 17

🤾‍♀️ Pickleball Palooza
4pm - 8pm | Apex Nature Park

🏎️ Ladies Night with LIVE Music
7pm - 9pm | Apex Racing Lab

Saturday, July 18

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

👩‍🌾 Garden Work Day
9am - 12pm | Simple Gifts Community Garden

🛝 Kidstowne Playground Project Open House
9am - 1pm | Kelly Road Park

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🎸 Live Music: Center Street Band
7pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

🎸 Live Music: Vibe after Nine
8pm | Peak of the Vine

Sunday, July 19

☕️ Momcology in-Person Coffee Break
10:30am - 12pm | Turkish Coffee Lady

🪕 Burgers, Banjos & Brews: George & Joe
1pm - 4pm | Salem Street Pub

🪴 Apex Plant/Seed Swap
2pm - 3pm | The Peak Church

Local Business Updates

☕️ 🎵 Mochas, Munchkins & Music
Coming up on July 28 from 9:30am - 10:30am at The Mocha Room, sponsored by Amie’s Academy, is a fun-filled morning for munchkins and their grown-ups. There will be coffee for the grown-ups, interactive music activities for the little ones (age appropriate songs and movement for ages 3-7), and fun for everyone.

Event details here. And link to register here. (Fill out the form on Amie’s Academy and put “munchkins” and the number of kids attending in the comment box)

🪣 The Rusty Bucket Retirement Celebration

The Rusty Bucket is taking steps to close the shop with a Retirement Closing Sale. All inventory* at The Rusty Bucket is 30% off. (*1803 Candles not included in sale pricing).

Open at Neighborboy Farm Fridays and Saturdays 11am-3pm. 1008 Davis Drive Apex.

🦆 Downtown Apex
A couple of quick reminders. Alleyway Bookstore will be closed for good on August 15. You have one month left! Joyfully House is now open at 118 N Salem. And your new favorite bakery is now open at 101 N Salem.

Mrs. Weekly and I stopped in and grabbed some coffee and muffins. 10/10. Like I said last week, easy parking and easy to get around too!

Note: I’m working on wrapping up a new interactive tool to explore new places and activities around town, as shared by the community. Tune in next week for that!

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series

🎃 Jean’s Neighborhood Market

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Jean’s Neighborhood Market, a locally owned and operated family business in Apex, NC, is a must-visit spot if you’ve never been and a great all-around neighborhood market.

What started in 1980 as Jean's Berry Patch, a seasonal pick-your-own strawberry patch, has grown into a year-round marketplace offering fresh local produce, homemade breads and ice cream, jams, jellies, honey, North Carolina–themed products, unique gift items, and so much more.

Jean’s is known for their strawberry season, when they offer fresh and locally grown strawberries. Also on the property is Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch, named after their granddaughters. While strawberry season has come to an end for this year, make sure to pay them a visit this fall for fresh pumpkins and other fall-themed products. Christmas season is another great time to visit the market to shop for holiday decorations and more. You never know what you’ll find—maybe a choir singing and Miss Jean herself serving up hot chocolate and mini donuts! Follow the market on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on their many offerings and special occasion events.

You’ll also find lots of food products at Jean’s Neighborhood Market, including locally prepared frozen meals from Ladyfingers, take-and-bake pizzas from Salvio’s, local meat from Boop Nose Farms and others, local honey from West Orange Farms, homemade popsicles from Raleigh, and lots of fresh local produce. They also have jams, jellies, pickled vegetables, honey, and lots of other jarred products, as well as pantry items and snacks.

If you’re looking for a unique gift, Jean’s is the perfect place to visit. Browse through bath and body products, jigsaw puzzles, nostalgic candy and toys, apparel, coffee, coffee mugs, candles, decorative pillows, jewelry, North Carolina–themed products, products for every holiday, and so much more.

Some of the brands they carry include Inis Energy of the Sea scents, Bridgewater Candles, Drinks on Me, Evergreen, Piedmont Pennies, Geometry, Old School, Mudpie, Old Whaling Co., Scout, Waxing Poetic, and more.

There is so much to see at Jean’s Neighborhood Market, so stop by soon and shop local!

Jean’s Neighborhood Market
38 Lewter Shop Road
Apex, NC 27523

(919) 362-5800
https://www.jeansberrypatch.com

Civic News:

🪑 Chair of the NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition
If you scrolled past the announcement that Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert has been elected Chair of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition (NCMMC) this past week thinking it was just another standard, ceremonial political update, let’s stop you right there. This is a massive deal for our town.

What is it: The NCMMC is a nonpartisan, mayor-driven organization representing the state's large and mid-sized cities. The Coalition represents 33 of the largest, most economically powerful municipalities in North Carolina (including heavyweights like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington) to advocate for key issues at the state level.

Why Apex cares: As we continue to navigate our explosive growth, we aren't just reacting to state-level infrastructure, transit, and funding decisions anymore. We now have a direct seat at the head of the table. When the Coalition goes to lobby Raleigh and Washington, D.C., for major community-strengthening resources, the guy holding the megaphone is representing the Peak of Good Living.

The Mayor’s statement: Mayor Gilbert’s statement, in part, reads: “My focus has always been, and will continue to be, ensuring that every community member has the opportunity to thrive. It is also a tremendous honor to represent the Town of Apex on the state level. I carry our community with great pride, and I look forward to working alongside municipal leaders from across North Carolina to help build an even stronger future for our state. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I am grateful for the trust placed in me, and I remain committed to serving with humility, collaboration, and purpose.”

Mayor Gilbert’s Full Statement | Town of Apex Press Release

The Peak Weekly’s statement: To get a room full of 33 politicians - representing wildly different regions, political parties, and local agendas - to unanimously agree on one leader? That is a massive, flashing-neon sign of confidence in our mayor's leadership. When my wife and I decided to move to the Triangle-area from Indiana, we ultimately chose Apex largely because of the Mayor. And five-ish years later, we are just as impressed and continue to be grateful for all that he does. And if you didn’t know, on top of being Apex’s Mayor, and the Chair of NCMMC, Mayor Gilbert serves as a Commissioner on the North Carolina Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and as Chair of the Apex Town Council’s Public Safety Committee. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy's 220th Session. And, if you’re lucky, you can catch him some evenings training for the Apex half marathon, running down Apex Peakway shirtless 😅

Upcoming Meetings:

Friday, July 17
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board
3pm - 5pm | Mason Street Municipal Building

Saturday, July 18
Ask Me Anything w/Town Manager Vosburg
11am - 1pm | Eva Perry Library

Tuesday, July 21
Board of Adjustment Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

July 23
Numbers 4 Hope Bingo Benefit | Apex Senior Center

July 24
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

July 24
Moth Night | Apex Nature Park

July 25
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

July 28
Mochas, Munchkins and Music | The Mocha Room

July 31
Splash Blash | Pleasant Park

August 1
Rhythm & Reels: Tre. Charles | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 8
Rhythm & Reels: The Bad Guys 2 | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 13
Family Trivia Night | Apex Senior Center

August 15
Rhythm & Reels: Emma Rae | Nature Park Amphitheatre

In Case You Missed it:

🖼️ An Artist Retrospective
This historic retrospective celebrates Susan Parrish’s restless creativity, material ingenuity, and deep engagement with the environment and human experience, revealing a singular voice in North Carolina’s contemporary art scene. The how runs through August 30 at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.

🏞️ Passport to the Parks
Now through August 17, get outside and explore Apex with the free Passport to the Parks adventure! Pick up a passport booklet at the John M. Brown Community Center or print one via the link, then visit all eight featured parks to solve clues and riddles along the way. Bring your completed answers back to JMBCC to collect a sticker for each park. Once you've collected all eight stickers, you'll earn an exclusive Apex Explorers patch and a commemorative Apex parks map print (while supplies last).

🚀 Launch Apex Applications
Are you interested in free business training, mentorship, and networking? LaunchAPEX may be the program for you! Applications close once 50 applicants are received, or on July 17. Apply here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

🫏 Donkey Kong, A Duck, $73 and Receipts

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 9, 2026 and this is the 79th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Happy 45th birthday to Donkey Kong. 🎂 On July 9, 1981, Nintendo officially released the arcade game featuring the gorilla.

But why name a gorilla… donkey?

When Shigeru Miyamoto was naming the character, he used a Japanese-to-English dictionary to find a word that meant "stubborn and goofy." The dictionary gave him the word "Donkey." He paired it with "Kong" (which was Japanese slang for any big gorilla).

But as it turns out, actual donkeys aren't stubborn at all — they're incredibly smart, cautious, and possess flawless 25-year memories.

🫏 A donkey can remember a specific pasture, a specific trail, and other animals or humans they met just once for up to 25 years.

Which means if a literal donkey lived here in the Peak of Good Living, it would perfectly remember the year 2001 — the exact year Apex was growing so fast we had to pack up and move into our current Town Hall campus at 73 Hunter Street.

When the town built that campus, they intentionally gave it the address 73 Hunter Street as a permanent historical Easter egg to honor 1873, the year Apex was officially incorporated.

Speaking of the number 73, North Carolina has a weird monopoly on it. Interstate 73 (I-73) is supposed to eventually run all the way from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, up to Michigan. However, because other states have delayed construction indefinitely, North Carolina is currently the only state in the country where I-73 actually exists, is completed, and is signed. It runs right through the heart of the Piedmont (Greensboro/Asheboro). If you are driving on I-73, you are guaranteed to be in NC.

So what’s my point?

Downtown Apex is undergoing major construction. It’s caused a big time slow in foot traffic (aka revenue) to those downtown businesses.

In honor of my ability to take today’s date, tie it to a gorilla, and weave it all the way through a donkey and a highway named I-73… I challenge you to go downtown this weekend and spend $73 🦍

If you can. Or $7.30. The number of times I have seen people say something to the effect of, “I haven’t been downtown since construction started” is crazy to me. You think traffic is going to be bad? It’s not. Think it’s going to be hard to find a parking spot? It’s easier than ever.

Alleyway Bookstore is about to be gone. Groovy Duck Bakery is opening it’s doors for the first time today. We have iconic spots like Anna’s Pizzeria and La Rancherita. We have fun shops like North Left, Stylish Living, Adventures in Bloom, Artfully Apex… You can find awesome stuff at The Studio and Antiques on Main. There’s Mrs. Weekly’s wardrobe provider, Rose & Lee.

You can get the best haircut in Apex from Hue or Lauren at the Huenique Barbershop. Live music and good drinks at Salem Street Pub, Oaklyn Springs, or Peak of the Vine. You can grab Frasketta Pizza and then a good drink at Highcraft.

There’s the new-ish Lichen or Knot and the brand new Joyfully House. There’s great coffee and treats at Foxtail, Popovers Cafe, and Common Grounds..

And I’m not even gonna tell you about the Provincial because IYKYK.

I know I’m going to kick myself tomorrow for leaving someone out. Oh… Hunky Dory! And Perky Lady 👀

Downtown Apex can feel kind of small until you really start to list it out. And I know there’s some construction and a block of one-way traffic. But take it from me - someone who is introverted, avoids congestion, and hates traffic - it’s a non issue. I’ll see you downtown Apex this weekend!

Miscellaneous Info:

🖼️ An Artist Retrospective
This historic retrospective celebrates Susan Parrish’s restless creativity, material ingenuity, and deep engagement with the environment and human experience, revealing a singular voice in North Carolina’s contemporary art scene. Show runs July 10 - August 30 at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.

💃 Summer Fun Dance
Kick off the season with a brand-new event that’s all about sunshine, smiles, and sweet moves! The Summer Fun Dance at The Halle Cultural Arts Center is where kids and parents can groove together to a mix of family-friendly tunes — from nostalgic throwbacks to today’s hottest hits. Find info and get tickets here.

💦 Water Conservation Ordinance
Our year-round water conservation ordinance remains in effect. Odd addresses may water Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday, and even addresses may water Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday. Avoid automated irrigation on Mondays. Hand-watering is allowed any day of the week!

🛡️ Numbers 4 Hope Bingo Benefit
On July 23rd, local anti-trafficking nonprofit, Shield NC, is hosting a Bingo Benefit at the Apex Senior Center. The doors will open at 5:30 and the first game will begin promptly at 6:00. Most prizes are worth $50 with many valued over $100! All proceeds go towards helping to end human trafficking in our communities.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Thursday, July 9

🧒 Toddler Storytime
9:30am | Eva Perry Regional Library

👨‍👩‍👦 Family Storytime
10:30am | Eva Perry Regional Library

🏃‍♂️ NCRC Bottle Theory Weekly Social Run/Walk
6pm | Bottle Theory

🏃‍♀️ Southern Peak Brewery Run Club
6:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

Friday, July 10

🚬 Micallef Jeremy at Salem Street Cigars
5pm | Salem Street Cigars (formerly Apex Cigar Lounge)

🖼️ Opening Reception: Artist Retrospective (Susan Parrish)
6pm-8pm | The Halle

🐶 Pints + Puppies: Monthly Adoption Option!
6pm - 7:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🎸 Live Music: Fast Lane
7pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

🎸 Live Music: Covered in Jam
8pm | Backyard Bar

Saturday, July 11

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🛍️ Apex Underground Market
11am - 3pm | Sweetwater Town Center

🎬️ Summer Movie Matinee: Dirty Dancing
2:30pm | Eva Perry Regional Library

💃 Summer Fun Dance
5pm - 7pm | The Halle

🎤 Live Music: Maskell Freeman Band
8pm | Peak of the Vine

💾 90’s Night
8pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Tuesday, July 14

☘️ Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - Noon | Kelly Road Park

🐮 Chick-fil-A Peakway Kids Night
4pm - 8pm | Chick-fil-A (Highest Street)

👩‍🌾 Simple Gifts Community Garden Work Day
5pm - 7pm | 3109 Tingen Rd

Wednesday, July 15

🎬️ Wednesday Morning Movie
10am - 12pm | The Halle

Local Business Updates

🎂 Groovy Duck Bakery (NOW OPEN)
Groovy Duck Bakery opens today in downtown Apex! The new bakery will feature chunky cookies, cupcakes, muffins, scones, pretzels, bars, a variety of bread loaves, decorated shortbread cookies, and custom cakes — all baked fresh daily.

📍 Groovy Duck Bakery Apex
101 N. Salem St

🗓️ Thursday, July 9
🕗 Doors open at 8:00 AM
✂️ Ribbon Cutting at 11:00 AM

🦆 FREE Groovy Duck for the first 100 guests
☕ FREE drip coffee for all first responders

🪣 The Rusty Bucket Retirement Celebration

Over the next two months, The Rusty Bucket will be taking steps to close the shop at Neighbor Boy Farms with a Retirement Closing Sale.

Starting this weekend (July 10-11), all inventory* at Neighbor Boy Farm
will be 30% off. (*1803 Candles NOT INCLUDED IN SALE PRICING).

Pam is awesome and an Apex legend. Read her retirement note here and then go spend some of that $73 here to help her clear out the inventory!

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series

🫐 Pack House Farm & Farrells Creek Farm

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

This week we’re featuring two local Apex farms that offer blueberry and blackberry picking — Pack House Farm and Farrells Creek Farm.

Pack House Farm, located at 1896 Marthas Chapel Road in Apex, is owned by Beth and Kevin Farrell, and Farrells Creek Farm, located at 1970 Marthas Chapel Road in Apex, is owned by Karen Reed.

Blueberry and blackberry picking is happening now at both farms (but be sure to check their Instagram accounts or call the numbers listed above for the most up-to-date info). Pack House Farm’s hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday. Farrells Creek Farm’s hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Whether this is your first time blueberry and blackberry picking or you’re a repeat customer, here are some tips to make sure your visit is a success.

Wear closed-toe shoes and don’t forget the sunscreen, hats, and bug spray! Picking is best in the morning.

Kids are encouraged, but please do not bring pets to the farm for food safety purposes.

Water and frozen treats will be available for purchase. Picking berries is hot work!

The season doesn’t last long, so get out there and pick some blueberries and blackberries at Farrells Creek Farm and Pack House Farm while you have the chance!

Pack House Farm
1896 Marthas Chapel Rd
Apex, NC 27523
919-210-6574
info@packhousefarm.com
https://packhousefarm.com
Instagram: @packhousefarm

Farrells Creek Farm
1970 Marthas Chapel Rd
Apex, NC 27523
919-592-4981
Instagram: @farrellscreekfarm

Civic News:

⚠️ Data Exposure Update
In an effort to keep you updated on the data exposure caused by the Town of Apex which exposed over 31,000 records - most of which included resident names, emails, phone numbers, home addresses, and messages they sent to the Town of Apex…

This week I heard back from the State’s top Privacy Officer within the Office of Privacy and Data Protection within the NCDIT.

She confirmed that she spoke with the Town’s IT Director and confirmed both the existence of the data exposure and confirmed that the Town did act to mitigate the exposure and the 31,000+ records of resident data is no longer exposed.

So for those who played into Mahaffey’s narrative that I make these things up and my reporting is always false… I am still batting a thousand and still always come with receipts. So here’s another one:

This story isn’t over yet. Waiting on a few things from the State and then I’ll follow up with more soon. But for now, rest easy knowing that your data is a little safer today. That’s two data exposures that I’ve discovered and got fixed in less than six months! Just a word of advice if you ever discover a Town of Apex data breach, since I’m basically an expert now… be prepared to be shunned, ignored and treated like you are the one who did something wrong by the entire Town Council, Town Manager, Town Attorney and others.

Upcoming Meetings:

Monday, July 13
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

July 17
Pickleball Palooza | Apex Nature Park

July 18
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

July 18
Open House for Kidstowne Playground Project Renovation

July 23
Numbers 4 Hope Bingo Benefit | Apex Senior Center

July 24
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

July 24
Moth Night | Apex Nature Park

July 31
Splash Blash | Pleasant Park

In Case You Missed it:

🏞️ National Parks and Recreation Month
Every July, the Town of Apex celebrates National Parks & Rec Month. Celebrations kick off with today’s Learning Lunch and continue throughout the month with events like Pickleball Palooza, Rhythm & Reels, Splash Bash and more. All events will, of course, be included in the newsletter throughout the month but you can also see details here.

🍂 Fall Program Registration
Quick reminder that the Fall Program Guides are online now. Registration begins the morning of July 20. Fall Program Guide | Fall Senior Program Guide

🆕 JoyFully House (Now Open)
Now open at 118 N Salem St, JoyFully House is described as a joyful gathering space for Turkish coffee, curated finds, meaningful moments, and inspiring experiences in the heart of Downtown Apex. Go check them out in person and follow them on Instagram here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

#2 and A JoyFully Groovy July

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 2, 2026 and this is the 78th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Congratulations to the US Men’s National Team for advancing to the Round of 16, despite that atrocious red card. ⚽️

I remember last year - exactly one year ago today, in fact, when they beat Guatemala in the Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal while the US Women’s Team, on the same day, put on a clinic against Canada, beating them 3-0.

That was a fun day. Fun trivia fact too!

I love “This Day in History” trivia almost as much as I love soccer.

Like… here’s one that’s not soccer related: On this day, July 2, in 1776 the Continental Congress voted to approve the Lee Resolution, legally severing ties with Great Britain. John Adams was so thrilled he wrote to his wife predicting that July 2nd would be celebrated by succeeding generations as "the great anniversary festival" with parades, and bonfires.

But he was wrong about two things. One… bonfires in July. That’s insane. And two… it took two days to actually certify the vote. So it wasn’t until two days later, July 4, when Congress literally approved the text of the Declaration of Independence.

Look at some of the other interesting July 2 events in history:

1937 - Amelia Earhart Vanishes
1947 - Suspicious debris is found near Roswell, NM
1962 - The very first Walmart Opens in Rogers, AR
1964 - The Civil Rights Act is signed into law
1988 - Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
2024 - Town of Apex discovers cybersecurity incident

That last one isn’t as fun. But, happy…. 2-year cybersecurity incident-aversary I guess 🤷‍♂️

Let me keep riffing on the number 2 because I’m on a roll…

Since that July 2 cybersecurity incident, which the Town says affected about 22,000 residents, I have personally discovered 2 additional data exposures. Of those 2 additional exposures, the Town has fixed all 2 of them. The Town has simultaneously denied all 2 of them.

But we’ll get to that in a couple of seconds.

First, we’ll dive into the fun stuff. But if you’re interested in an update about this data exposure, I’ve included it towards the end of the email under the civic updates section.

🇺🇸 Happy two-50th. Be safe!

Miscellaneous Info:

🇺🇸 Friday Holiday
Town offices will be closed tomorrow. Trash/Recycling routes are not affected. Any yard waste pickups scheduled for Friday will be delayed to next week. The Halle Cultural Arts Center will be closed Friday and Saturday.

🥂 Happy New (Fiscal) Year
Yesterday, July 1, was the official start of the new 2026-2027 Fiscal Year. This means that:

The new adopted budget and CIP plan is now in place
Increased utility rates are now in effect
Your increased property tax rate is now in effect
Standard billing procedures (late fees, disconnections) have resumed
New guidelines for yard waste pickup have begun
Parks & Rec room and shelter primetime rental fee increases begin

🍂 Fall Program Registration
Quick reminder that the Fall Program Guides are online now. Registration begins the morning of July 20. Fall Program Guide | Fall Senior Program Guide

🎆 Independence Day Celebration

Here is everything you need to know to kick off your Fourth of July celebrations this weekend. The events will take place tomorrow, Friday, July 3 at Hunter Street Park. Here’s your schedule of events:

4:00pm - Parade of Wheels participants will begin lining up on Hunter Street

4:30pm - The Parade of Wheels begins. Apex Fire Department will host their Splashdown immediately following the parade.

5pm - Food trucks and inflatables fun

8:45pm - Drone light show begins

9:30pm - Fireworks show begins

Other things to know:

Timing of all events is estimated and may change based on weather conditions
A sensory-friendly space will be in the Salem Room in the Senior Center
Beginning at Noon, Hunter Street Park will be closed, Mason Street from Hunter Street to Old Mill Village Drive will be closed, Ambergate Station and Hunter Street from Salem Street to Mason Street will be closed.
Beginning at 4pm, North Salem Street from Hunter Street to Apex Peakway will be closed. All closures to re-open by 10:30pm.
Beginning after 4:30pm, spectators can set up chairs at the Hunter Street Park soccer field and in the viewing area along N Salem St.
New this year: around 200 parking spaces will be available along Apex Peakway, and a new designated viewing area will be on Salem Street between North Street and Abbey Oak Lane.
Here’s the downtown parking map
GoApex will be on a detour from Noon to 10pm. Route details here

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Thursday, July 2

💡 Learning Lunch: A Peak into the Past
12pm - 1pm | Apex Senior Center

🏃 Southern Peak Brewery Run Club
6:30 PM | Southern Peak Brewery

🎬️ Teen - Movie Night!
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Eva Perry Regional Library

Friday, July 3

👱‍♀️ Ladies Night
All Day | Apex Racing Lab

🎆 Fireworks Frenzy + Parade of Wheels
4:30pm - 10pm | Hunter Street Park

🎶 Live Music w/Chris Bennett’s Acoustic Swing Trio
6pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, July 4

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

Sunday, July 5

🏎️ Watch Party: Silverstone
9:45am - Noon | Apex Racing Lab

Local Business Updates

🫐 SoBoL Apex (Today Only)
Congratulations to SoBoL in Sweetwater who is celebrating their 1-year anniversary today. Stop in between Noon and 3PM, Thursday July 2, for a $5 Classic Bowl.

⌛ Groovy Duck Bakery (Next Week)
A week from today - Thursday, July 9 - Groovy Duck Bakery will be open for business in downtown Apex! The new bakery will feature chunky cookies, cupcakes, muffins, scones, pretzels, bars, a variety of bread loaves, decorated shortbread cookies, and custom cakes — all baked fresh daily.

They’ll be celebrating with a big cake that they’ll cut and serve as samples to all of the guests, and the first 100 visitors will get a Groovy Duck rubber duck! Plus, free drip coffee to all first responders during the opening week.

🚚 Frasketta Pizza Romana (Back Open)
After being closed for a few weeks due to a family bereavement, Frasketta is now back open. Go support the food truck and grab some amazing pizza!

🤝 LiveSwitch (Hiring)
The owners and primary occupants of the Highline building downtown Apex, LiveSwitch, plan to hire 100 people in the Triangle for business development representative positions. The company, which provides real-time video communication technology and an AI-powered platform for businesses, will consider individuals with a criminal history, a reflection of LiveSwitch founder’s nonprofit organization, Inmates to Entrepreneurs.

👩‍🌾 Simple Gifts Community Garden (Summer Schedule)
The garden is coming into all its glory as summer approaches. Warm weather crops are starting to come in and we'll be working in the cooler hours as much as possible. Tuesdays 6-8pm, Thursdays 9-11am, Saturdays 8am - Noon. Your whole family can join for just $20 and you can take home a little harvest any day you work. The majority of the harvest goes to local food banks. Summer is a great time to learn how your food is grown and teach your kids the power of service. For more information, simplegiftsgarden.org

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 14/17)

🍯 Blue Truck Honey

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

This week we’re spotlighting Blue Truck Honey, a small family farm producing raw artisanal honey in Apex. Blue Truck Honey is owned and operated by Scott Stilwell and Christine Culler.

Scott is a former mechanical engineer who transitioned into a full-time beekeeper one year ago after keeping bees for seven years. He currently manages 150 beehives and has seven bee yards throughout Chatham County, hosted on local farms and private landowners’ properties, mostly near Jordan Lake and the Haw River.

Blue Truck Honey’s raw, unprocessed artisanal honey is gently filtered to remove beeswax but is never heated, mixed, or microfiltered. The bees visit approximately two million flowers to make one pound of honey. It’s important to Scott to preserve the integrity of their effort, and that makes the honey he produces pure and high-quality.

Blue Truck Honey makes two types of honey:

Jordan Lake honey: This is raw wildflower honey that highlights the diversity of the Apex, NC, area. It includes tulip poplar, blackberries, holly, mimosa, locust, and privet.

Mountain honey: In June and July, Scott takes trailers of bees on an adventure to the western North Carolina mountains near Hot Springs to produce basswood honey that is lighter in color and has a subtle citrus flavor.

You can purchase Blue Truck Honey at the Downtown Apex Farmers Market once a month, the Cary Night Market, Stylish Living and The Studio in downtown Apex, VEG ER for Pets, Jordan Lake Farms, and soon at Peak City Farms Urban Market.

For more information, you can email Scott at bluetruckhoney@gmail.com. Follow Blue Truck Honey on Instagram and Facebook to find out when they’ll be at the markets.

You can also check out their website at www.bluetruckhoney.com, where online sales will be added soon.

Civic News:

⚠️ Data Exposure Update
Town Council is now on summer break so we’ll be light on the civic updates for a couple of weeks. Instead, I’ll take the opportunity to update you on the data exposure.

Two years ago today — July 2, 2024 — the Town of Apex discovered a ransomware attack on its network. To its credit, the Town moved fast: it took systems offline, brought in privacy professionals and federal law enforcement, and notified residents within a day that their information may have been exposed. That was the standard the Town set for itself.

Last week, I documented a different kind of exposure - and this one was the Town's own doing. Seven Town systems were publishing residents' personal contact information - names, emails, phone numbers, and addresses - to the open internet, retrievable by anyone, with no password. More than 31,000 records were exposed. Town employees and contractors were in there too.

I found it without collecting anyone's personal data, preserved timestamped evidence, notified the Town privately first, and reported it to NCDIT and NC Emergency Management. The systems exposing the data were quietly fixed and closed, and the Town didn’t even have the decency to respond to me.

They did respond to some of you who reached out, though. And here’s how they described it:

The Town is describing 31,106 lines of resident contact and home address data as "test entries" 🙄 and non-sensitive form details.

They must think you are stupid to even mention test entries on 31,106 lines of data.

After explaining how they fixed the exposure that they down-played, they followed it up with this:

Why would you need to notify them about test data and non-sensitive form details?

Allow me to elaborate on why it’s a problem that the Town of Apex provides various contact forms on their website which often require you to input your full name, email address, phone number, and home address alongside your comments… and then publishes all of that on the open internet.

Imagine you filled out a form with your name, email, phone, and home address and left a comment like "I need bulk waste pickup next week." And then imagine a bad actor, who can see this wide open on the internet, picks up the phone and calls you and says, "Hey this is Tom with Town of Apex. Got your bulk trash pickup request. That's going to be $100; what's your credit card number?"

For a Town who has warned its residents multiple times about telephone phishing scams, to call an exposure of your information like this, that was completely their own doing, “non-sensitive” is wildly concerning, don’t you agree?

Just for the sake of a visual:

This is an example of one of the exposed tables (I have of course redacted the sensitive information). Behind that tall black rectangle are home addresses of Apex residents. Scrolling left & right on that table would reveal the full name, email, phone number, and comments. That data, in this table, was also visible in that right hand sidebar. And see the pencil icon the arrow is pointing to? That’s the edit button.

This is just a website. Open to anyone in the world. See the “Sign in” link in the top right? I’m not signed in, there was no password, no API needed (though it was accessible there too). 31,106 total rows of Apex resident info spanning years just like this.

And remember the first data exposure I reported?

The Town Attorney and Terry Mahaffey both said that my reporting was false and that the data in the exposure was “Public Record” anyway, therefore it cannot be a data exposure.

Back it up, Terry. I did a public record request for the information. Here’s what they sent me:

WEIRD. The information I said that Mahaffey leaked which he called me a liar, lied about me being a political actor, said an investigation cleared him, and then changed the website to fix the exposure was… REDACTED when I requested it?

But I thought it was public record anyway and I’m such a liar?

If you can’t understand that they hid information, which they said didn’t need to be hidden while launching a public attack on me that several of you reading this ran with to attack me, lead by the Town Attorney and Terry Mahaffey, then I don’t know what else to tell you. Just unsubscribe from this newsletter, please, because you don’t care about the truth or this town like I do.

Are we seeing a pattern? Are we understanding why the Town Attorney resigned? Is the newsletter guy with a deep collection of evidence for everything he has ever said crazy? Or is it the politician with the news website that filters out stories, who owns the network of websites which track you and your behaviors across every single one of them, whose biggest donor is the pro-development Realtor PAC, who has raised your taxes every single year that he’s been on Council… is maybe the dishonest one???

Terry Mahaffey is the biggest threat to the Town of Apex. The second biggest threat is those who protect him.

Concerned About Your Information? Here's Where to Raise It.

I can’t do this by myself. If you've contacted the Town of Apex through one of its online systems and you're concerned your personal information may have been among the data exposed, you can raise it as a data-protection concern with the North Carolina Department of Justice. (NC’s Department of Information Technology directs consumer privacy and data-protection concerns to the N.C. DOJ, which oversees how personal information is safeguarded and receives government data-breach reports.

You can file your questions and concerns here:

N.C. Department of Justice — Online Form (choose ‘other’)
Phone: 1-877-566-7226
Email: consumer@ncdoj.gov

Questions a resident might reasonably want answered:

Was my personal information exposed, and how long was it accessible before it was caught?
What exactly caused this, and has the Town completed a formal root-cause analysis?
Beyond names and contact details, did the Town review the free-text description and comment fields for other personal information residents may have entered — and what did that review find?
What steps were taken to secure the data once the exposure was found, and what is the plan to prevent it from happening again?
Will the Town notify everyone whose information was involved?

A note: communications you send to a state or federal agency may become public record, so share only what you're comfortable putting on the record. These offices may also refer a concern to whichever agency is the best fit — a normal part of how they route things.

And one last request: If you are one of those people who is subscribed to this newsletter, reads every issue, loves the free information, but turns around and calls me names and bullies me on Facebook for reporting honest stories that don’t make your favorite politician look so great (their fault, not mine by the way), please unsubscribe. I did not create this newsletter nor put in the time and money and sweat for you. You can find all of the information that fits your narrative about how super transparent and wonderful the Town is over on Terry’s Truth Social Network.

But if you want to continue to hear the unbiased truth - good or bad - I appreciate you and I hope you’ll stick around. ❤️

Upcoming Meetings:

Monday, July 6
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board
Subcommittee Meeting on Infrastructure
4pm - 5pm | Mason Street Municipal Building

Wednesday, July 8
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board
Regular Meeting
4:45pm - 6:45pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

July 10
Art Reception - Susan Parrish | The Halle

July 11
Summer Fun Dance | The Halle

July 14
Invasive Plant Removal Workday | Kelley Road Park

July 15
Wednesday Morning Movie | The Halle

July 17
Pickleball Palooza | Apex Nature Park

July 18
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

July 18
Open House for Kidstowne Playground Project Renovation

July 24
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

July 24
Moth Night | Apex Nature Park

July 31
Splash Blash | Pleasant Park

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Burgers, Flowers & 31,106 Exposed

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, June 25, 2026 and this is the 77th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

I want to start today's issue with a thank-you to Apex's Town Manager. (Stay with me...)

An Open Letter to Town Manager Randy Vosburg

Dear Randy,

I want to acknowledge you, the Town Attorney, the Town Clerk, and the IT Director — and extend each of you a personal thank-you.

This past Saturday, I discovered that the Town of Apex was exposing 31,106 resident records. Many included residents' full names, emails, phone numbers, home addresses, and the messages they'd sent the Town through its own website — all accessible to anyone on earth with an internet connection. When I reported it to the four of you that day, corrective action was taken swiftly.

That's the thank-you, and I mean it.

Now the questions — and I hope you don't mind that I'm asking them here (you haven’t replied to the last six emails I’ve sent you so I assume something is wrong with my computer):

1. Why did none of you respond to my email? I reported an exposure that included my own personal information (alongside thousands of other residents) and asked you to confirm receipt within three business days. Those days came and went; not one of you acknowledged it, confirmed it, or said a word. I only know you fixed it because I checked myself.

2. The last time I reported an exposure of resident data, the response wasn't a thank-you either. Instead, your self-appointed spokesperson, council member Mahaffey corrected the issue and then said the Town had spent $15,000 on an investigation that found no breach occurred, and pointed to me as the reason for that cost. The invoice I later obtained tells a different story: $3,738 paid to a law firm to help the Town craft its response to me and protect themselves instead of the residents who were affected. The Town has also confirmed to me in writing that it conducted no investigation that would support publicly characterizing me as a "political actor," a second lie to cover what actually happened. My question is simple: if staff or council respond to this much larger exposure the same way they did last time, will you sit silent again and allow it to happen again?

3. Why — in both notifications — did you not take me up on my offer to share everything I'd found? I told you I had an integrity-hashed evidence record documenting the exposure, and I offered you the endpoints, schema, and reproduction steps. You didn't respond to that offer this time, just as last time. So: are you certain you've closed every gap? Can you tell residents, right now, that there isn't a single remaining exposure — that there isn’t still one remaining exposure which I know about that you have left open because you value trying to keep this quiet over making sure that the people you work for are secure? I challenge you to issue a statement by 5pm today that you, while ignoring my help and evidence which would quickly protect the exposed residents, have closed all of the gaps that are putting them at risk.

4. In June 2025, the Town told residents: "every system… was wiped clean, and the entire network was rebuilt from the ground up," and that it had "significantly increased security assessments and monitoring." Several of these exposed systems predate that rebuild and stayed open straight through it. How did the monitoring miss this? Did it miss others? I'm still happy to help.

5. The Town and its police department regularly post scam alerts warning residents that their contact information is being used against them — like this one and like this one and like this one and like this one. Did anyone consider the irony of publishing residents' phone numbers, names, emails, and home addresses on the open web while warning those same residents about phone and invoice scams?

6. The Town is set to resume utility billing collections, fees, and disconnections in the coming days — on the premise that its systems are secure and back to normal. After what I discovered and brought to your attention this weekend showing that the Town unknowingly left resident data exposed AND EDITABLE by anyone in the world, does that timeline still hold?

7. Is there a communication plan? Do you intend to tell residents that when they filled out a Town web form — a missed yard-waste pickup, a damaged trash can, a pothole, a water or electric issue — the information they submitted was published, unrestricted, on the open internet?

8. How do you plan to handle the fact that the largest system was editable? It was configured to allow records to be created and updated, and the public map viewer presented an editable form to a user signed in to nothing — no account, no authentication, no credential. Were any records altered or deleted? And have you reported this incident to the state, through the NC Joint Cybersecurity Task Force, as a local government is expected to?

To the Apex Town Council

Where do we go from here?

I have personally discovered exposures of resident data twice. Both times, the data was real enough to fix quietly — and both times, myself and the residents exposed received no acknowledgement. When I've reached out to Council after being threatened following Mahaffey’s defamatory statements, I've received no response. When I filed an ethics complaint, I received no response.

If even one of you were willing to stand up and ask these questions alongside me — for the residents, not for the staff — we could fix the transparency problem instead of managing it. Honestly, this newsletter could get back to being all fun all the time if there weren't some new avoidable mess every time I turn around.

To the Residents of Apex

You deserve to know how your data may have been exposed. Here's the scale, across seven Town systems:

Citizen Service Requests (11 categories) — 20,481 records
Bulk Box Collection — 6,790 records
Stormwater Concerns — 417 records
Traffic Contact Form — 165 records
Electrical Contractor Request — 215 records
Facility Services (town employees) — 3,004 records
Neighborhood Registry — 34 records

Most affected records link a named individual to a complete contact set — full name, email, phone number, and street address — plus the free-text messages residents typed into the forms. All of it was reachable through both the systems' data endpoints and Esri's standard public map viewer, with no sign-in required.

Whatever you submit to the Town through a web form, understand where it can end up. When in doubt, pick up the phone instead: (919) 249-3311.

If you are curious if your name, email, phone number, home address and any comments submitted to the Town have been exposed in this, I would recommend calling that number or emailing Manager Vosburg directly randy.vosburg@apexnc.org - or Town Council directly allcouncil@apexnc.org

They all ignore me, but maybe they’ll respond to you.

I’ll keep standing up for the best interest of Apex residents. And part of that means continuing to share all of the amazing, fun and exciting things happening in our wonderful Town. So here we go…

Miscellaneous Info:

🍨 Free Scoop of Ice Cream
Today - from 10am until 6pm - drop off a case of water or sports drinks and get a free cup of ice cream! The free ice cream scoop is waiting on you at the Veteran-owned, The Mocha Room, at 2145 Ten-Ten Rd. Donations support active-duty US Armed Forces members.

🏞️ Parks Planning 101
Join the Apex Parks & Greenways planning staff for a hands-on session starting with a Parks and Greenways Planning 101 overview, followed by an observation tour of a nearby park and an interactive group activity where participants will work together to design a park with greenway connections! Today, Apex Senior Center from 6-8pm.

🗓️ Wednesday Changes
Utility billing operations will resume on Wednesday, July 1, which means late fees and disconnections due to non-payment. Also on July 1, changes to yard waste collection go into affect. Contractors and landscapers must take away the yard waste they generate, yard waste amounts more than 2 cubic yards are now subject to a fee, and tree limbs must be less than 6 feet long and less than 6 inches wide.

🏗️ Apex Peakway SW Connector Update
The final asphalt layer will go down in July with pavement markings, stoplights and the punchlist in August. The loop road has a tentative opening in September and mid-fall is the project completion estimate.

🚧 Downtown Salem Street Update
By the end of this week, all sidewalk pavers on the one side of downtown should be done. Then they have a little bit more work to do there before switching over to the other side in mid/late July. Traffic will remain one-way, southbound just like it is now, but will just swap to the other lane.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Thursday, June 25

🏃‍♂️ NCRC Bottle Theory Weekly Social Run/Walk
6pm | Bottle Theory

🎤 Live Music: Jim Morgan Music
7pm - 10pm | Salem Street Pub

Friday, June 26

🎸 Joe Hero Foo Fighters Tribute Band Live at TapStaion
6pm | TapStation

🎸 Undercover at Peak of the Vine
7pm | Peak of the Vine

🎸 Vintage Groove @ The Exchange in Apex
8pm | The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge

Saturday, June 27

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏍️ Bikes and Coffee Apex
8am | Fratelli's Delicatessen

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🛶 Clean Jordan Lake Cleanup
9am - 12pm | Seaforth Boat Ramp

🌻 Afternoon in the Garden
3pm-5pm | Apex Nature Park

🎸 Live Music - Sayer McShane
8pm | Peak of the Vine

Sunday, June 28

Classical Concert Series
3pm | The Halle

Tuesday, June 30

🌵 Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Apex Community Park

🍺 $5 Pint Night at Southern Peak Brewery
3pm - 10pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🧱 Learning with Legos
4:30pm - 5:15pm | Eva Perry Regional Library

🥕 Community Garden Work Day
5pm - 7pm | Simple Gifts Community Garden

Local Business Updates

It Was A Great Idea
Last week, I shared an idea that I had. I wasn’t sure it was a great idea or not, but based on the responses - it sounds like it is!

Thank you to all of you who shared your “itinerary”. I’m working on the free discover Apex website right now, in partnership with… a surprise, and hope to have something out by next week.

If you want to share some of your favorite or usual routines in Apex (downtown, or otherwise), you can still do so here. (as detailed as possible! Not just ‘I like Salem Street Pub’ but more like: We go to Salem Street Pub on Fridays for their $8.50 margaritas and then we go to this place and that place…)

Speaking of Salem Street Pub

Salem Street Pub is known for their burgers, local brews and fruity moonshine.

I’m sure you’ve eaten here before. If not, then I challenge you to try them out this week! And if you have frequented the pub, I challenge you to come back this week to enjoy one of these weekly specials:

Wine Wednesday: $8 glasses & ½ off bottles
Live Music Thursday: A rotating schedule of awesome local bands
Margarita Friday: $8.50 Margaritas
Signature Saturday: $1 off signature cocktails
Bluegrass Sunday: Burgers, Banjos & Brews

For the uniformed first responders - stop in on the first Wednesday of each month for 50% off.

Here’s A Fun “Itinerary” for You to Follow Tonight:

Stop into North Left Mercantile around 6:30 to check out their handmade in-house small-batch apothecary line
Walk a few steps down to Artfully Apex and treat yourself to a fun gift
By 7, show up to Salem Street Pub for some good food and stay for some great live music
After a while, head down to FRESH Local Ice Cream for a treat (they’re open ‘til 10!)
Home by 10pm for USA vs Turkey World Cup ⚽️

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 13/17)

💐 Jordan Lake Farms

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Jordan Lake Farms is a family-owned Christmas tree farm, flower farm, event pavilion, and farm stay located at 2170 Marthas Chapel Road in Apex. Owners Diana and Byron bought the farm in 1994 and have been creating holiday magic and providing lots of other offerings to visitors ever since.

FLOWER FARM
If you love having a beautiful vase of fresh flowers in the house, you’re going to love the flower farm at Jordan Lake Farms. They have over 3,000 square feet of gorgeous and varied flowers for you to choose from. You can buy premade bouquets, cut your own flowers weekly with their U-Pick flower bundle, or join their flower CSA program to fill your home with a constant supply of fresh, locally grown flowers. CSAs are offered in spring, summer, and late summer/fall. U-Pick bundles are offered June through September. For more information and to order, click here.

The Flower Farm is open on Thursday and Saturday mornings from 8:30am–12:30pm. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the gift shop, which has a great selection of seasonal and locally crafted items, and a focus on American-made products.

Flower Farm flowers are also available via their online store and locally at Jean’s Neighborhood Market, Cloer Family Vineyards, and North Left Mercantile.

You can also find them at the Apex Farmers Market on the following dates this year:

June 27
July 4 and 18
August 1, 15, and 29
September 5 and 19
October 3 and 17

CHRISTMAS SEASON
If you’re looking for a truly magical seasonal experience, Jordan Lake Farms is the place to be. Their Christmas season officially opens on November 21 and offers tons of holiday fun. Walk through rows of lush, fragrant trees to choose the perfect pick for your holiday. They offer a selection of Virginia pine, cypress, cedar, Carolina sapphire, Frasier fir, and white pine. You can also purchase a ball and burlap spruce tree that can be planted outside after Christmas.

Once you find the perfect tree, you leave the cutting down, trimming, and prepping the tree for travel to the staff while you go explore everything else the farm has to offer. Stop by the concession stand for mini donuts, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate, take a hayride around the farm, explore the kids’ playground, and stop by the gift shop where you’ll find holiday decorations, gifts, and locally made items.

Jordan Lake Farms at Christmastime offers the perfect backdrop for photo sessions. You can bring your own photographer or choose from their list of available photographers to create the perfect holiday photos at the farm. For more information on how to book a session, click here.

EVENTS
Jordan Lake Farms also has an event space on the property—the Hideaway Pavilion and Courtyard—a perfect gathering spot for both daytime and evening events. The Pavilion is a 2,500 square foot facility that includes a full kitchen, grill, two restrooms, patio lounge furniture, and a sound system with Bluetooth connections, wi-fi, and microphone. The Courtyard is a 4,000 square foot outdoor area with both paver and turf surfaces, and it includes four outdoor seating arrangements with umbrellas and a firepit area. There is also a kids play area, and a bounce house can be added for an additional fee.

To get more information or book your next event, reach out by email to jordanlakechristmastree@gmail.com.

FARM STAY
Do you need a break from the day-to-day grind but don’t want all the hassle of traveling? A farm stay at the bunkhouse at Jordan Lake Farms might be just what you need. The bunkhouse is a beautiful 320 square foot tiny house full of character. Remodeled from salvaged materials on the farm, it features a full kitchen, bathroom, roomy bedroom, and living room. Relax on the porch or roast marshmallows by the firepit. You can take a stroll through the Christmas trees, by the pond, and in the spring and summer, through their U-pick flower patch. It’s also a great lodging option for friends or family when they fly in for a visit. For more details and to book a stay, check out their listing on Airbnb.

WORKSHOPS & MARKETS
The farm also offers seasonal markets and lots of workshops that are very hands-on and offer fun, relaxing, and creative learning experiences. Workshops are 2–3 hours in length and supplies are included.

To stay up to date on upcoming markets and workshops, as well as everything else going on at the farm, be sure to subscribe to their newsletter and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. And add their holiday opening date (Nov. 21) to your calendar. Local farms are essential to the community, so go buy some fresh flowers today!

Civic News:

✌️ Town Attorney’s Last Day
The Town’s Attorney is quitting, effective August 1, 2026. The current Deputy Town Attorney, Brian Meyer, will serve as the interim Town Attorney until the new permanent Town Attorney is appointed.

🖥️ New Public Records Software
The Town Clerk’s office has engaged with JustFOIA, a dedicated public records management platform designed to enhance operational efficiency regarding public record requests. The contract goes into effect on July 1.

🚦 Horton Park PUD Amendment
With the Ten Ten Road widening project currently delayed by NCDOT, the approved Horton Park amendments on Tuesday include a future traffic signal at Jessie Drive and Ten Ten Road, along with additional transportation improvements to help address traffic concerns in the area.

⛱️ Summer Break
Town Council is now on break. The next council meeting will take place August 11.

Upcoming Meetings:

Tuesday, June 39
Special Meeting: Environmental Advisory Board Tree Canopy Subcommittee
4pm - 5pm | Mason Street Municipal Building

Wednesday, July 1
Environmental Advisory Board Subcommittee Meeting - RE: Data Centers
5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

July 2
Learning Lunch: Peak into the Past | Senior Center

July 3
Fireworks Frenzy | Hunter Street Park

July 10
Art Reception - Susan Parrish | The Halle

July 11
Summer Fun Dance | The Halle

July 17
Pickleball Palooza | Apex Nature Park

July 31
Splash Blash | Pleasant Park

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

As always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at adam@thepeakweekly.com

See you next Thursday... 😘

Budget Review & The Peak Bloomly

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, June 18, 2026 and this is the 76th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Big weekend ahead! Tomorrow is Juneteenth with the celebration to follow on Saturday (details below). And then we wrap up the weekend with Father’s Day.

This coming week will be buzzing too. June 22 - June 28 is recognized by the Town of Apex as Pollinator Week 2026. And next Saturday, (June 27) from 3-5pm will be the official Pollinator Week special event: Afternoon in the Garden.

During the event, grab some refreshments, speak with local vendors, pick up native seeds for your garden, and learn how you can help pollinators in your own back yard.

You can also see the Native Pollinator Garden at Apex Nature Park any time. Take a stroll through the garden and learn more about pollinators, the important role they play in the ecosystem, and how YOU can support them!

If you follow me on Instagram, you might be sick of me talking about it - but the Town of Apex, an official Bee City USA member, hosts its own Pollinator Habitat Certification Program to teach, encourage, support and recognize the efforts of those in our Town who are creating or improving pollinator habits.

People like… me!

I turned part of my back yard into a pollinator habitat with over 20 different native flowers, which is now blooming like crazy, and has earned official status from the Town.

You can learn more about all things Pollinators in the Peak here.

Miscellaneous Info:

🥏 Disc Golf Course Closure
The disc golf course at Apex Nature Park will be closed this Saturday, June 20 for a tournament (8am-5pm).

🚧 Athletic Field Closures
Apex Community Park Fields 1, 2 & 3 are closed to prepare for the upcoming fall season. Jaycee Cricket Fields will close on July 1. Both are expected to reopen by August 8.

🍁 Fall Program Registrations
Get ahead of the game and mark your calendars. Many programs fill up very quickly. Fall 2026 parks/rec programs open up for registration at 9am on July 20.

🗓️ July 1 Changes
When you hear the quarterly Harris Plant siren test on July 1, that will serve as a reminder that standard utility billing operations have resumed, which means late fees and disconnections due to non-payment. Also on July 1, changes to yard waste collection go into affect. Contractors and landscapers must take away the yard waste they generate, yard waste amounts more than 2 cubic feet are now subject to a fee, and tree limbs must be less than 6 feet long and less than 6 inches wide.

🏗️ Apex Peakway SW Connector Update
Recently, crews completed significant work on the bridge as well as a nearby retaining wall and portions of water line construction. Work continues on the bridge and in the surrounding area, including further utility construction, widening S Salem St, building a barrier rail, and more. The project remains on track to finish this year.

🖼️ Public Art Survey
Town of Apex is working on a Public Art Plan for the next 10 years. Share your thoughts by taking this short survey between now and July 10.

🏳️‍🌈 Speaking of Art
The Apex Pride Art Exhibit remains on display at The Halle Cultural Arts Center Gallery through June 28.

🔒️ Town Facilities Closed Friday
All Town office facilities will be closed on Friday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday. Trash/recycling pickup will not be affected.

🛂 Local Spot Passport
the Local Spot Passport returns this Friday, June 19. Grab a passport and start checking off spots for a chance to win prizes.

🐶 🐈️ World Adoption Cup 2026
USA plays Australia at 3pm tomorrow, but even more important - the Wake County Animal Center’s Adoption Cup campaign comes to an end tomorrow. Team Dog vs. Team Cat are competing to see which side can score the most adoptions. Help your team win by adopting today or tomorrow while adoption fees are discounted ($25 - dogs, $5 - cats). View the Gallery

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Today, June 18

🥪 Learning Lunch - Pollinator Month
12pm - 1pm | Apex Senior Center

🚶‍♂️ NCRC Bottle Theory Weekly Social Run/Walk
6pm | Bottle Theory

Friday, June 19

🎹 The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge presents Lounge Doctors
8pm | The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge

Saturday, June 20

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏀 3v3 Hoops Tournament
8:30am - 1pm | John Brown Community Center

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🗑️ Roadside Litter Cleanup
9-11am | The Optimist Club Farm

👩‍🌾 She FARMS Apex 2026
9am - 2pm | Cloer Family Vineyards

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🇲🇱 Juneteenth in the Peak
1pm - 8pm | Town Hall Campus

🎤 Mike Edwards & His Only Friends
6pm - 9pm | South Line Apex

🎸 Free Concert by American Garage Band
6pm - 8:30pm | Apex Nature Park and Amphitheatre

🤠 Live Music: Kat Taylor
6:30pm - 9pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🤣 a Good Time presents Stand-up Comedy Night at Bottle Theory Apex
8pm | Bottle Theory

Local Business Updates

An Idea to Discover More of Apex
With no big opening/closing news this week, I wanted to take the opportunity to piggy back off of the Mayor’s recent conversations and outreach to downtown property owners, by sharing an idea.

Earlier this week, I took my neighbor to The Local (formerly Vicious Fishes) where we had a couple of drinks and enjoyed dinner from the Portable Portugy food truck.

This man has lived in the Triangle his entire life and has lived in Apex for something like 11 years. Prior to Tuesday, he had never eaten from a food truck - ever. And had also never been to VF/Local which is like 6 minutes away.

It just made me think that sometimes we live in our little bubble and routines which means we might be missing out on some really cool places.

And I think - I’m hoping anyway - that by sharing our own bubbles and routines, we can help each other both explore new places while also increasing some foot traffic downtown during construction, as well as all over Apex.

Share Your Itinerary
I set up a short survey here. It’s 2 questions: what is your first name and what is your itinerary?

I don’t usually ask for your name in surveys but this can’t be completely anonymous. They need to be Adam’s Taco Tuesday and Katie’s Downtown Saturday.

Here are some examples: (Almost) every Saturday morning we go to Common Grounds to get a coffee, pop into Apex Outfitters, then to the Farmer’s Market. For lunch during the week, we like to go to La Rancherita, then go take a look around Antiques on Salem before heading upstairs to see what new vinyl records Hunky Dory got in. On Friday/Saturday evenings we like to head over to Oaklyn Springs where we’ll bring Frasketta’s Pizza in with us which is just a short walk through the parking lot.

I’m pretty boring - you probably have more exciting routines. But imagine trying to think about what to do on Wednesday for lunch or date night on Friday or a family day on Sunday and scrolling through some of the favorites of other residents to try new things and support Apex business owners.

If I get enough survey responses, I’ll put together a quick website to share all of them (free, no ads, not in the app). Good idea or no? I guess we’ll find out! Share Your “Itinerary” Here

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 12/17)

🍇 Cloer Family Vineyard

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

By now you must know how awesome Apex is, with all its amazing farmers and farms. So it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that Apex also has a winery/vineyard!

Cloer Family Vineyards, a full-service winery/vineyard and event space, is located at 8624 Castleberry Road. What started as a hobby shared with friends and family turned into a passion for winemaking, and Cloer Family Vineyards opened to the public in 2010.

Some of their wines are made from grapes that are grown and harvested on site. The entire operation, from planting the grapes to bottling the wines, is done on the property. They offer wine flights for sampling, and their full bottles are available for purchase.

Fun fact: Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex is the only family-owned and operated winery/vineyard in the Raleigh area!

The vineyard has five acres of grapevines to explore, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and family-friendly activities, including visiting their sheep and horses. On Saturdays throughout the year, they offer seasonal specialty drinks like wine spritzers, wine slushies, and sangria.

You can bring your own food or order their Build-Your-Own Charcuterie Basket filled with North Carolina favorites and sit inside or outside, with an option to take along a blanket if you’d prefer a picnic-style experience. For more information about visiting the vineyard, click here.

Cloer Family Vineyard is also an event venue offering many different packages and customizations. The natural beauty of their setting is a perfect backdrop for bridal showers, graduation parties, birthday parties, networking events, retirement parties, and more. They can accommodate 30 to 75 guests, and events can be held during the day or evening hours. Customizations include adding wine flights, catered lunch and dinner options, and Wine & Design activities.

They also offer vineyard picnics for smaller gatherings. For more information on their event venue, click here.

But that’s not all! They are always hosting fun one-day events, like cookie-making classes and paint nights and much more. To find out more information or sign up for a class, check out their website and follow them on Instagram to be in the loop. Some upcoming events include:

She Farms Tour 2026
Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes view of how a vineyard operates.

Stained Glass Workshop
June 20, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Create a gorgeous stained glass design, all materials included.

Modern Calligraphy, Greeting Card Lettering & Blinging for Beginners
July 14, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Learn the basics of modern calligraphy with a pointed dip pen and ink, all materials included.

Cloer Family Vineyards is open year-round, Fridays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the exception of July 3–4 and December 25–26, 2026).

Be sure to check out their website for the latest offerings, and follow them on Instagram @cloerfamilyvineyards and Facebook so you don’t miss the fun!

Civic News:

🚉 Recent Work Session - Downtown Train Disruptions
The Town of Apex has been actively working with regional partners to address community concerns (idling engines, track vibrations, and traffic delays) around CSX’s downtown train switching operations. As it turns out, completely relocating the rail line isn't feasible due to strict railroad crew shift limits, so the town is looking to speed things up instead. By upgrading 18.55 miles of the Durham Spur track from a crawling 10 mph to a brisker 25 mph, trains will be able to clear downtown significantly faster, drastically reducing idling and blocked crossings. The total estimated cost for these track and infrastructure upgrades is $18.1 million, and Apex is aggressively exploring federal and state grant opportunities to pick up the tab.

🏞️ Crowder Park Expansion
The Wake County Board of Commissioners Monday approved the schematic design for the Crowder County Park expansion. This decision paves the way for new trails, new facilities and new opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors. Construction is projected to start in early 2027, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. See the Master Plan here. (Note: the park is in Apex, but is a Wake County park and a Wake County project).

🔎 Seven years on the Apex Town Council. Seven tax increases.

On June 9, the council had two budgets in front of them: one that raised your property taxes and one that didn't - and the no-tax version actually funded more police.

They voted 5-0 for the tax hike, then spent the next week insisting it was "literally" just for new police officers. It wasn't. The majority of the increase goes to capital projects; police hiring is less than half of what's left. The same council member who called public safety "the most important thing" then cut a fire-safety position to free up money. And the tax rate he swore was "no tax increase last year"? It wasn’t.

I pulled every figure from the Town's own budget documents, audited financials, and on-the-record proceedings. Then I checked it against what your elected officials actually said. The full breakdown - including what this year's budget really costs the average household, and why the 37.35¢ rate is now locked through June 2027 - is here.

→ Read the full investigation

Upcoming Meetings:

Today, June 17
Multimodal Transportation Advisory
4pm - 5:30pm | Town Hall

Today, June 17
Environmental Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, June 23
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, June 24
Parks & Rec Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

June 25
CommUniversity: Parks Planning | Town Hall Campus

June 27
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

June 27
Clean Jordan Lake Cleanup | Seaforth Boat Ramp

June 28
Classical Concert Series | The Halle

June 30
Invasive Plant Removal Workday | Apex Community Park

July 2
Learning Lunch: Peak into the Past | Senior Center

July 4
Fireworks Frenzy | Hunter Street Park

July 10
Art Reception - Susan Parrish | The Halle

July 11
Summer Fun Dance | The Halle

July 17
Pickleball Palooza | Apex Nature Park

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Who Even Owns Downtown?

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, June 11, 2026 and this is the 75th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Seventy-five whole issues of The Peak Weekly are now in the books.

To celebrate, I want to share some reasons why 75 is a great number.

First, 1975. The year segregation ended in Apex. Prior to ‘75, Apex High School was on Moore Street (now Apex Elementary). It was established in 1922 and only catered to white students. Black students had to attend Apex Consolidated High.

But in 1975, the new Apex High opened up on Laura Duncan road and allowed all students to attend, officially marking the end of segregation in Apex.

Also in 1975 - the slogan, “The Peak of Good Living” was officially adopted following a public community contest. The slogan was a clever nod to the town's quality of life and its history as the highest point on the Chatham Railroad.

See what I mean? 75 is a pretty great number in Apex!

Speaking of the Chatham Railroad, here’s a train roaring through Apex in July 1960 en route to Hamlet, NC. Which train is that, you ask? That’s SAL train #75 of course!

Miscellaneous Info:

🚀 Launch Apex
The Town is looking to partner with current small business owners (brick and mortar or home businesses) who would benefit from the combination of business and financial resources and training that LaunchAPEX provides. Entrepreneurs with great new business ideas will also be considered. Apply here.

🏞️ Choose Your Own Adventure
Wake County is encouraging residents to explore and experience its parks, preserves and programs in a new way with its Choose Your Own Adventure Challenge. This activity, part of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space 50th anniversary celebration, rewards participants for achieving different goals. Visit 5 participating parks and win a prize!

🔌 What Powers Apex?
The Apex Chamber will be hosting its Peak Summit Series: Part 1 on Wednesday, June 24 from 11am-1pm. Join for a lunch-and-learn exploring the topics of energy & infrastructure, centered around the overall question: What Powers Apex? Featuring presentations from industry experts from Duke Energy and Enbridge, as well as a Q&A about the Salem Streetscape Project with Councimember Shane Reese. Free for Chamber members, $15 for non-members. Register here.

👩‍🌾 She Farms Apex
The She Farms Apex Farm Tour invites you to step onto working farms, where you'll connect with nature, meet some friendly animals, and discover the heart of sustainable farming. Perfect for families, foodies, or anyone curious about where produce and other commodities come from. It takes place Saturday, June 20th from 9am-2pm. Information and tickets here.

🌀 Hurricanes at Sweetwater
Watch Game 5 on the lawn at Sweetwater tonight. Event starts at 7pm. Bring your own chair - no offsite alcohol - no coolers.

📱 The Peak Daily
Did you now that The Peak Daily is the #1 rated app that gives daily updates about Apex, NC in the world? It’s been available in the app stores for a week now and over this past week, we made several bug fixes, some major UI updates and even added a few more tools. You can download it here.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Today, June 11

🐝 Gardening for Wildlife / Pollinator Garden Maintenance
5:30pm - 7:30pm | Apex Nature Park Pollinator Garden

🏃‍♀️ NCRC Bottle Theory Weekly Social Run/Walk
6:00 PM | Bottle Theory

🎸 Jake Hughes/Jim Morgan Dual Show
6pm - 9pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

🏒 Lawn Chair Party / Hurricanes Viewing
7pm | Sweetwater Lawn

Friday, June 12

🛍️ Mabopane Marketplace
7am - 12pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W

🎸 YMNB at Backyard Bar
8pm - 11pm | The Backyard Bar NC

Saturday, June 13

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🌿 Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Kelly Road Park

🐢 Hoppy Herp Hike
10am - 12pm | American Tobacco Trail

👕 Mabopane Marketplace
10am - 1pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W

🛍️ Apex Underground Market
11:00 AM | Sweetwater Town Center

🧢 Summer Movie Matinee: Field of Dreams
2:30pm - 5pm | Eva Perry Library

🎸 Live Music: Sam Trebing
8pm - 10pm | Southern Peak Taproom (Sweetwater)

🔀 "Freakier Friday" Movie [Rhythm & Reels]
At Dusk | Nature Park Amphitheatre

Local Business Updates

🦆 Groovy Duck is Hiring
Groovy Duck Bakery is now hiring bakers, cake decorators, and cashier/baristas. No opening date yet, but this means it’s getting close!

🍪 Burney’s Sweets and More
Opening soon in Sweetwater. No official date yet but their final inspections are taking place this week. Will be at 2701 Lawnview Ln, Suite 110.

📚️ Alleyway Bookstore is Closing
As you have probably heard already, Alleyway Bookstore announced this week that they will be closing their doors at the end of their lease in a few months after learning that their rent would increase by 64%.

There have been a lot of discussions about this online since that announcement. Is this corporate greed? Market correction? What can we do about it? Who will replace them that can afford the rent?

While I don’t have all of those answers, it did lead me to a starting point:

Who even owns downtown Apex?

There are 85 tenants in 32 buildings, owned by 27 individuals or private companies.
One single entrepreneur has a total of 14 tenants and holds 26% of downtown’s assessed value.
The company which owns the Alleyway Bookstore building (that includes 3 other businesses), purchased the building in 1989 for $76,000. Its current Wake County assessed value is $2,128,262.
36% of the building owners are registered to an address outside of Apex.
The average building sale price by decade:

Want to know more about every downtown building and its ownership/tenants?

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 11/17)

👩‍🌾 Hidwell Family Farm

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Hidwell Family Farm, located at 7621 Blaney Franks Rd in Apex, has been a part of the community since 1988. It was founded by Ann Ogilvie and began as a place where local children and families could take part in farm camps, 4-H programs, field trips, and farm tours.

Once Ann’s children were grown, they built their own houses on the property and raised their families on the farm, too. And now, thirty-eight years later, Ann’s grandchildren are running the Hidwell Family Farm and preserving the farm experiences she created.

Hidwell is home to lots of furry animals! They have alpacas, sheep, bunnies, quail, turkeys, chickens, peacocks, and more! Be sure to follow them on Instagram for the latest information on new baby bunnies and sheep and other animal news.

Their farm tours, birthday parties, and other special events are offered throughout the year. For children’s birthday parties, the event space includes a new 40-foot by 20-foot pavilion, a corn crib, spool horse swing set, sandbox, and picnic tables. And guests get to pet and feed the all the animals. To book a birthday party or another event, or to find out more information, check out Hidwell Family Farm’s website.

For farm tours, you can email them at hidwellfamilyfarms@gmail.com or fill out the form on their website.

Hidwell also offers farm-fresh eggs from their chickens and quail, and fresh peaches from their peach trees, which are not sprayed with any chemicals. June is peach month, which means you can stop by to pick your own peaches or buy a pre-picked basket anytime during the entire month.

For more information about farm tours, special events, birthday party bookings, or peach-picking, visit the farm’s website and be sure to follow them on Instagram at @hidwellfamilyfarm for the latest farm news.

Civic News:

💰️ FY27 Budget Approved - What it Means for You

On Tuesday, council passed the revised, recommended budget. The budget totals $264,079,150 for all Town operations, capital improvements, and debt service requirements. This is a 6.55% increase over the last fiscal year’s budget.

The newly adopted Apex property tax rate is set at 37.35 cents ($0.3735) per $100 of assessed value. This includes the final 1.75-cent town increase.
But don’t forget - Wake County also tacked on a 2-cent increase. Combined, Apex homeowners are looking at a total property tax hike of 3.75 cents per $100 valuation.
For a $400,000 home: an extra $150 per year. For a $600,000 home (Apex average): an extra $225 per year.
In addition to that increase, your electric rate base charge is up $1.75; energy usage charge ticks up by 6.25% (additional $10.26/month for the average resident).
Yard waste collection fee jumps from $7.83 to $10.88 (additional $3.05/month - a 39% hike for grass and limb disposal)
Water & sewer base charge increases ($0.26 water / $0.49 sewer) and consumption rate rises 4% (approximately $1.50-$3/mo increase).

The Bottom Line: When you pile the town and county property tax hikes on top of the average $15 monthly utility bump, a typical Apex household will need to budget roughly $30-$35 more per month to cover the cost of living in Apex. New rates go into effect on July 1.

The Mayor’s Proposal:

Mayor Gilbert presented a path to a 0% increase in property taxes, which, frankly, looks to have pretty significant support from the community.

His proposal was to defer a few non-urgent projects. For example - the hockey rink addition, Kidstown Playground (to pursue a public/private sponsorship to save money), and a couple of downtown projects (with the current state of construction and delays, might be smart to do anyway). He’s not against those projects - he’s instead saying let’s not raise taxes and revisit them next year. It also recommended cutting some things from the General Fund until next year, like the Town Facilities Generator Study, and Smart Cities.

The result of the Mayor’s proposal would have been:

Zero Infrastructure Cuts
One additional Police Corporal
Six additional police officers
Four additional vehicle replacements
0% property tax increase

The Town Council rejected the Mayor’s proposal and unanimously approved (5-0) a budget with infrastructure cuts, less police officers and a 1.75-cent per $100 valuation on top of the utility and yard waste collection fees.

What disappointed me, probably more than the unnecessary tax hike, was watching Mahaffey read his prepared statement.

This was a public hearing. With public comment. With a new option presented. How do you have a speech prepared before hearing these things?

I’ll tell you how. When every single move is extremely coordinated. When everything is planned. When you don’t care about what people are saying. When you’re more focused on running a system to build a database of people in Apex. When you treat individuals like data points rather than people. When you spend more time building algorithms to control what people see and post 20 times a day on Facebook to pretend like that’s transparency. When you don’t comment on Flock to protect your image while throwing your colleagues under the bus. When you’re more focused on covering for the Town Manager’s illegal $61M commitment of taxpayer money rather than holding him accountable.

That’s how you prepare a speech.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 75 times… Terry Mahaffey is hands down the biggest threat to the Town of Apex. And I have nothing to gain from that. Absolutely nothing - other than hoping you’ll start to see it and we can start making better decisions for the people of Apex.

Just saying.

You can see the Mayor’s denied proposal and his statement here.

And you can see your increased rates reflected on your August utility bill and your next property tax bill.

📹️ Flock Program Overview & Update

The other notable discussion on Tuesday was around the police departments use of automated license plate readers. Chief Johansen took some time to walk through a status update. It was a very lengthy presentation (about 1 hour, 6 minutes). If you want to watch it in full, you can do so here. If you do watch that, I would also recommend watching this response to the presentation during public forum (about 9 minutes).

This short of it is - the ALPR technology has helped solve crimes and remove criminals from our streets. APD takes its use of this software and our privacy very seriously. Good things have resulted from the Flock implementation, no doubt. It is, indeed, a crime solving tool that benefits the Apex Police Department and our community.

But, as expressed by some council members and others in the community, the concern isn’t APD. The concern isn’t cost or tools in general that assist with crime solving and crime prevention. The concern is specifically about Flock - a company riddled with controversy, privacy issues and history of data sharing with federal agencies such as ICE. Many municipalities around the country have been terminating their contracts with Flock for these reasons.

The contract with Flock will renew unless canceled by December. The Chief is now looking into other vendors. The meeting ended with a unanimous (5-0) vote to refer further policy development and updates to the Public Safety Committee.

Upcoming Meetings:

Saturday, June 13
Ask Me Anything with Manager Vosburg
1pm - 3pm | Mama Bird’s Ice Cream

Monday, June 15
Culture and Arts Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, June 16
Board of Adjustments
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, June 16
Town Council Work Session
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

June 18
Learning Lunch - Pollinators | Apex Senior Center

June 24
Peak Summit Series: Part 1 | SpringHill Suites

June 20
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

June 20
Juneteenth in the Peak | Town Hall Campus

June 20
She FARMS Apex 2026 | Cloer Family Vineyards

June 25
CommUniversity: Parks Planning | Town Hall Campus

June 27
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

June 27
Clean Jordan Lake Cleanup | Seaforth Boat Ramp

June 28
Classical Concert Series | The Halle

June 30
Invasive Plant Removal Workday | Apex Community Park

July 2
Learning Lunch: Peak into the Past | Senior Center

July 4
Fireworks Frenzy | Hunter Street Park

July 10
Art Reception - Susan Parrish | The Halle

July 11
Summer Fun Dance | The Halle

July 17
Pickleball Palooza | Apex Nature Park

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘

(919) 912-APEX

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, June 4, 2026 and this is the 74th consecutive 100% free, not a single ad, weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

It finally happened. The Peak Daily app has arrived.

Allow me to introduce you to…

The first and only 1-star rated daily update app with endless tools to keep you connected in Apex, North Carolina:

Get it here:

or text (919) 912-APEX with either “Apple” or “Android” and it’ll send you a link.

Miscellaneous Info:

🌳 Parks Planning 101
Join the Apex Parks & Greenways planning staff on Thursday, June 25th from 6-8 pm at the Apex Senior Center for a hands-on session starting with a “Parks and Greenways Planning 101” overview, followed by an observation tour of a nearby park and an interactive group activity where participants will work together to design a park with greenway connections!

🚰 Annual Water Quality Report
Apex’s Annual Water Quality Report is now available online and features information about our drinking water and other water-related topics

🚦Water Line Upgrades
Overnight closures will be necessary to install a new water line at the intersection of West Chatham Street and North Salem Street intersection. This work is tentatively scheduled for June 14th through 19th, with full intersection closures in place overnight from 9 pm to 5 am.

🌈 Pride Month Activities
Stop by Hunter Street Park on Thursday, June 4th from 6 to 8 pm for an evening of contemplation, exploration, and fun with crafts, sweet treats, and a story walk. Artwork panels will be on display in the park throughout June. Then, take in the Pride Art Exhibit at The Halle Cultural Arts Center to see a collection of art that celebrates individuality, community, and pride. Artwork is on display now through June 28th.

🗿 Downtown Sculpture Walk
There are 11 new sculptures from Hunter Street Park throughout downtown Apex. Now through June 16th, score each sculpture as you walk – the winner score receives the People’s Choice Award! View the Map

♻️ Replacement Carts
The Town is replacing all 65-gallon recycling carts with 95-gallon carts. Public Works crews will replace around 1,000 carts per month over the next two years. You’ll see signs in your neighborhood when you’re on the list, but you can also watch this page which has neighborhoods updated thru November.

🎆 Fireworks Frenzy
Due to the Salem Streetscape construction project, the Olde Fashioned Fourth of July event is cancelled for 2026. However, two of this event's most cherished features (the Parade of Wheels and Apex Fire Department Splash Down) will be moved to the Fireworks Frenzy event. This event will take place July 3 from 4:30pm - 10pm at Hunter Street Park and will include the Parade of Wheels, drone light show, food trucks, kid zone and… fireworks! Schedule of events here.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Today, June 4

🥪 B4 Lunch Series
12pm - 1pm | The Halle

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Stories
6pm - 8pm | Hunter Street Park

🐕‍🦺 Pints + Puppies: Monthly Adoption Option
6pm - 7:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

💡 Trivia Night!
7pm - 10pm | Bottle Theory

🦉 Forests for the Flight
Managing Habitat Across the Woodcock Life Cycle
7pm - 8:30pm | Bass Lake Conference Room & Online

🏒 Hurricane Watch Party
8pm | Southern Peak Brewery

Friday, June 5

🎶 Replay - Again and Again
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, June 6

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🤟 Deaf Coffee & ASL Chat
1pm - 4pm | Panera

🎤 Sweet Dream Concert [Rhythm & Reels]
7pm - 9pm | Nature Park Amphitheatre

🎸 DEEP 6 Pearl Jam Tribute Band
7pm | TapStation

🥁 Jam Biscuit Band
7pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Sunday, June 7

🪴 Apex Plant/Seed Swap
2pm - 3pm | Peak Church Parking Lot

🎼 An American Tribute
Chancel Choir & Grace Notes Handbell Choir
3pm | Apex UMC

Local Business Updates

🧇 In the Morning, I’m Making Waffles
A waffle cafe is coming to downtown. Opening date is TBD but Apex Waffle Society will be open from 9am to 9pm at 301 N Salem Street.

🥃 ABC License
Based on a zoning certificate filed last month, it looks like Highcraft downtown will soon be offering cocktails in addition to their beer and wine.

🍛 Replacing Rosati
The Rosati Pizza on Hunter Street, which has been closed now for a little while, is being replaced by Avaani, an Indian restaurant that will be open 8:30am - 9:30pm daily. Date TBD.

🔥 Subscriber Recommendation: Ignite Fitness
Taking me up on my request to share businesses that you’re excited about (or one that you own), a loyal reader has written in to share:

Check them out here →

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 10/17)

👩‍🌾 She Farms Apex Farm Tour

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Did you know that Apex has several thriving women-run farms that provide products and services to the community? Once a year, they open their doors to let us see how they do what they do, and you don’t want to miss it! It’s time for the She Farms Apex 2026 Farm Tour!

Ready to swap the city buzz for crisp fresh air, abundant fields, and the simple joy of farm life? Join us for the She Farms Apex Farm Tour — a wonderful day spent on working farms right here in Apex, North Carolina.

Step onto the land and connect with the women farmers who are the heart and backbone of these thriving operations. You’ll also meet inspiring guests including master gardeners, local producers, county extension agents, children’s book authors and other women owned companies. Wander through vibrant fields of juicy berries, colorful flowers, grapes, and fragrant Christmas trees. Listen to heartfelt stories about daily life on the farm, innovative sustainable practices, and the deep rewards of working in harmony with nature.

Along the way, say hello to friendly farm animals, snap plenty of photos, and experience agriculture up close. Take home a true taste of the farm with fresh berries, flowers, wine, and other local goodies available to purchase.

Whether you’re bringing the whole family, love great food, or are simply curious about where your food comes from, this tour offers a fun, educational, and unforgettable adventure. Get your boots a little dirty and leave with a renewed appreciation for farm-fresh living!

The women at the participating farms are in the process of establishing an annual scholarship to support the next generation of women in agriculture, supported in part by the She Farms Apex farm tour.

Details

Date: Saturday June 20, 2026
Time: 9am-2pm
Location: See Participating Farms list below
Cost: $15/ticket, Kids under 12 years old are Free (register here)
What's Included: Access to all participating farms and Tour Day coupon booklet for each farm
T-shirt Purchase: We have a new logo this year that looks great on our T-shirts. T-shirts are $20

Good to Know

Wear comfy shoes and weather-appropriate clothes (we’re outdoors rain or shine!). All our tours require walking.
Each location is a working farm with limited handicapped accessibility and a likelihood of muddy terrain.
NO DOGS please. Some of our farms have working animals and others require no pets for food safety consideration. We appreciate your cooperation.
Bring a camera or your phone. There is so much beauty to capture.
Bathroom facilities are limited.

Participating Farms

Marthas Chapel Road Area

Farrells Creek Farm (1970 Marthas Chapel Road)
Friendship Stables (2090 Marthas Chapel Road)
Jordan Lake Christmas Tree Farm (2170 Marthas Chapel Road)
Pack House Farm (1896 Marthas Chapel Road)
Sun Star Farm School (2092 Marthas Chapel Road)

Castleberry Lake Area

Jean’s Neighborhood Market (38 Lewter Shop Road)
Cloer Family Vineyards (8624 Castleberry Road)

Civic News:

🌱 Grass Clipping Collection Update
A month from now, “Yard Waste Collection” will redefine “Small Limbs” to less than 6’ long and less than 6” diameter (previously 8’ and 8”) along with some other UDO definitions and implementation of fees for violations of the yard waste rules. You can see those changes here. This passed council vote 3-1 (Reese dissenting).

The second part of the presentation was a recommendation to officially end grass collection on 1/1/27 and to move to containerization Spring 2028. That part of the presentation was put on hold for additional negotiations and will return at some point in the future. For now, grass collection changes have not been made official.

💰️ Town Budget Public Hearing
A public hearing on the Town’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget is being held during the June 9th Town Council meeting. The proposed tax rate is $0.3735 per $100 of assessed value (a +1.75 cent increase from last year). In other words, assuming the Council votes to approve the budget, this means that for every $100 of your home's value, you will be paying an extra 1.75 cents more than you did last year.

Wake County has also approved a separate 2-cent property tax increase for the fiscal year. Combined, this 3.75 cents per $100 value would be an increase of $187.50 per year (on top of the amount you paid last year) for a home valued at $500,000.

You can review the full draft budget here. If you have feedback but cannot attend next Tuesday’s hearing/meeting, you can email annual.budget@apexnc.org.

🗳️ Even-Year Elections
Apex is considering moving from odd-year mayoral and city council elections to even-year ones and last week passed a resolution to explore the “feasibility” of switching to even-year elections. By switching to even years, Apex would end up spending less by sharing election expenses with Wake County.

Upcoming Meetings:

Monday, June 8
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, June 9
Regular Town Council Meeting
5:30pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

June 13
"Freakier Friday" Movie [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 17
Wednesday Morning Movie | The Halle

June 18
Learning Lunch - Pollinators | Apex Senior Center

June 20
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

June 20
Juneteenth in the Peak | Town Hall Campus

June 25
CommUniversity: Parks Planning | Town Hall Campus

June 27
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

June 28
Classical Concert Series | The Halle

July 4
Fireworks Frenzy | Hunter Street Park

July 11
Summer Fun Dance | The Halle

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Christmas in May, and Bees 🐝

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, May 28, 2026 and this is the 73rd consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Quick update on The Peak Daily app. Still waiting for review in both app stores…

I was really hoping it would be available by last week. But, a couple of denied reviews later, we’re almost there! My guess is that some time this week, the app will be officially available to download and you’ll have all of this in your pocket:

Daily morning briefing, food truck finder, Apex Police blotter, rezoning actions, live traffic feeds, recent local news, high school sports, what’s on tap, GoApex tracker, live ask-anything chat, daily events, instant town alerts and news flashes, development tracker, school alerts, trash/recycling alerts, outage alerts, community message board…. and so much more.

It’s incredible and it is just going to get better. Full disclosure - it will cost you $3.99/month (after a 7-day trial).

But hear me out. It’s the PERFECT early Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one.

Let me put it into perspective:

The Wake Weekly was $4.16 in 1974! Some fifty-years later and The Peak Daily is coming at you for just $3.99! That’s just 13 cents per day to keep you always in-the-know and for me to keep the lights on. (In all fairness, $4.16 might have been their price for the whole year, but hey - they’re $10/mo now so I’m just saying - $3.99/mo is a heck of a deal.)

📲 Want to know before everyone else as soon as it’s available to download? Text “Apple” if you have an iPhone or “Android” if you have an Android to (919) 912-APEX and I’ll ping you first once I get the green light!

Miscellaneous Info:

🎅 Speaking of Christmas…
Because Salem Street construction was delayed earlier this month, it’s likely to still be under construction in December… meaning the Christmas parade will have to find another route. The likely outcome at this time will be a “Stationary Parade”, where floats, bands, vendors and performers would remain in place while residents walked through the event (lots of challenges with finding other areas to do a traditional parade). Council is working with Apex Rotary to determine the best possible alternate solution. All the details here.

🧠 Behavioral Health Community Workshop
Tomorrow, May 29 from 6-8pm, is an evening focused on behavioral health, wellness, and community connection. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with more than 30 behavioral health providers, nonprofit organizations, counselors, and wellness professionals offering resources, information, and support services. Free to all. At the Apex Senior Center. More info here.

🚦 Flashing Lights
Today and tomorrow, construction work is scheduled for the intersection of Salem Street and Chatham. The roadway will remain open, but the traffic signal will be set to four-way flashing red. GoApex bus service may encounter delays during this time.

🥍 Apex Cougars
Congratulations to the Apex Cougars who are 8A east regional champions in girls lacrosse. The undefeated Cougards play Pinecrest on Friday for the state championship.

👩🏻‍💼 Serve on an Advisory Board - 2 Days Left
Serving on a Town Advisory Board is a great way to get involved, collaborate with local leaders, and make a real impact. Current vacancies include Culture and Arts, Environmental, Multimodal Transportation, Parks and Recreation and one youth position on the planning board. Learn more and apply by May 29 here.

🎺 AHS Bands Spring Pops Concert
Tonight, 7pm-9pm, enjoy a free evening of music with the Apex High School Concert Bands at AHS Auditorium.

🏥 The $61M Hospital Deal Made Without You (Part III)
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the very lengthy Part I story and the shorter Part II follow-up. I didn’t plan on a Part III, but… here’s the thing: in a 162-page sworn affidavit, signed by the Town's Economic Development Director on September 19 2025, was filed in the Wake County Superior Court. It confirms - under oath - what Town Council has spent the last month denying. Part III is in the works. Stay tuned.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, May 29

💿️ Bring Your Own Vinyl Night
5pm - 8pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🎸 80’s Rock After Dark
8pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Saturday, May 30

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🚘️ Monthly Scenic Rally
9am - 12pm | Harris Teeter (Sweetwater)

🔬 Marbles Science Solvers
2:30pm - 4:30pm | Eva Perry Library

🎤 Karaoke
9pm - 1am | Rudy’s Pub

🏖️ Summer Beach Party
9:30pm - 1am | JD’s Tavern

Sunday, May 31

🏢 First Annual Summer Market
1pm - 5pm | The Ballast on Salem

Wednesday, June 3

💅 Taylor Swift Trivia Night
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

👠 Wednesday Night Movie
The Devil Wears Prada
7pm - 9pm | The Halle

💡 Pub Trivia w/DJ Ray
8pm - 11pm | Doherty’s Irish Pub

Local Business Updates

😀 Wing Stop Now Open
Wing Stop is now open in Beaver Creek on Wednesday, May 27. Their hours of operation are 10:30am - Midnight, 7 days a week.

🛍️ Support Downtown Businesses!
Construction on Salem Street has been tough on many of the downtown businesses. We’re barely 2 months into the project, we’ve already added 60 additional days to the expected completion date and these businesses have some ~200 more days to go with the construction. The traffic, the parking, the sidewalk walking… it’s really not all that bad. Get downtown this week and shop!

Also, if you are a business owner downtown, can you email me (adam@thepeakweekly.com)? I have an idea!

📯 Amie’s Academy
Meet Amie, a former band director with over 10 years of experience offering individualized piano and brass lessons right here in Apex!

Located in Kelly West, Amie’s Academy welcomes all ages and skill levels, tailoring lessons to each student's unique interests - from classical to video game music. She also specializes in helping rising 6th graders jump-start their band instruments and preparing local students for the rigors of marching band.

Best of all, Amie offers your first introductory lesson for FREE to ensure it’s a great fit. Visit www.amiesacademy.com to fill out the contact form and get scheduled today!

(Note: have a business you want to promote? These aren’t sponsored. They’re free. We support awesome Apex business owners in Apex just like Amie so reach out if you want to share! adam@thepeakweekly.com)

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 9/14)

🐝 Old Apex Bee Company

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Old Apex Bee Company, tucked away on 30 acres of land in Apex, is a honey business with strong family roots and a commitment to sustainability and community care. Founded by beekeeper Julia Kopacz, the farm has grown from a single nucleus colony of bees into a thriving operation with more than 20 colonies, handcrafted products, and a mission that reaches far beyond the hive.

Julia’s connection to the land runs deep. She grew up in the same house where she lives today, on what was once her parents’ hog and cattle farm. What began as an unexpected hobby eventually became a passion and a way to preserve both family tradition and the farm itself. Ironically, Julia wasn’t initially interested in beekeeping, even after her mother gifted her a beekeeping course. But after spending time observing the bees and learning about the inner workings of the hive, she was hooked.

Today, Old Apex Bee Company is a North Carolina Certified Honey Producer, meaning the farm follows strict quality standards to ensure customers get pure, high-quality honey straight from nature. Their honey is unfiltered and unrefined, keeping all the natural flavors and nutrients intact. Julia also creates a variety of handmade products in her certified kitchen and “honey house,” including lip balms, lotions, night creams, and specialty gift baskets—all naturally and sustainably sourced.

Running a bee farm is a lot of work. Depending on the season, Julia has 10 to 20 active colonies so there’s always something to be done, such as splitting colonies, installing new hygienics, conducting inspections, and monitoring mite counts. Careful record keeping helps her stay organized and maintain healthy colonies year-round.

Every year, Julia attends the three-day North Carolina State Beekeepers Association conference, where researchers, master beekeepers, and experts share the latest knowledge and techniques. She’s also involved with the Chatham County Beekeepers Association and has taken on leadership and volunteer roles within both organizations over the years, helping support and educate fellow beekeepers across the state.

The farm produces roughly 400 pounds of raw materials each year, which Julia transforms into jarred honey and handcrafted skincare products. You can find her products at the Apex Farmers Market and local food alliance events throughout the year. Customers in Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs can also take advantage of free local hand delivery.

Old Apex Bee Company is also dedicated to giving back. Julia proudly partners with CORA Food Pantry to help fight food insecurity in the community. Ten percent of all sales—along with 100% of customer tips—are donated directly to the pantry in support of its mission to build a community without hunger.

This may be the first time you’re hearing about Old Apex Bee Farm, or you may already have a jar of Julia’s honey in your kitchen cabinet (like I do!). To purchase her honey and other products, you can email her through her website at www.oldapex.com and you can also find her at the Apex Farmers Market weekly from October through December.

Civic News:

💰️ Annual Budget Public Hearing
Tonight’s Town Council meeting will not discuss budget. But the next one, on June 9, will have a public hearing on the FY 26-27 budget and will allow for public comment. During last week’s budget work session, Council gave staff direction to prepare the FY27 budget around a 1.75-cent property tax increase as the new baseline. See what will be presented for vote, and what is now different from the original draft budget, here.

Tonight’s Council Meeting

During this evening’s Town Council meeting (usually Tuesdays, but moved to Thursday because of the holiday), there are a couple of items that I want to bring to your attention that may be worth keeping an eye on:

📊 Financial Audit Presentation
During the Town Manager’s Report portion of the meeting, the financial audit will be presented. This is our town’s 4th year in a row submitting our financial audit well past the deadline.

🍃 Yard Waste / Grass Collection
The Apex Public Words Director will make a motion to adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services, Article V. - Yard Waste Collection section of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Apex.

If Council approves the motion (which is likely since they provided staff with the direction to create it), this means that:

July 1, 2026: Curbside yard waste collection will no longer include the collection of contractor-generated yard waste and lowers the threshold for “small limbs” to less than 6’ in length and 6” in diameter. Limited scheduled pickups, for a fee, will be available.

October 19, 2026: Curbside yard waste collection will transition from a weekly service to a bi-weekly service. This was approved to move forward by council unanimously in the last work session.

January 1, 2027: The formal elimination of grass clippings from the Town’s collection services. Loose leaves and small shubbery will still be collected.

Sometime, 2028: Not in this official motion and with no specific date yet, but yard waste will move to Containerization (you’ll have another trash bin for yard waste) sometime in 2028. This was approve unanimously by council in the last work session.

Note: Mayor Gilbert has asked for the Yard Waste Collection item to be pulled from the agenda “to allow more time to continue working toward long-term solutions, especially regarding grass clipping collection.” At this time, it does appear to still be on the agenda.

⌛️ Public Records Request
Just to keep the tracker going, I have some other stories upcoming but timing is TBD since I am still waiting on 3 very straight-forward public record requests to be fulfilled. Those three requests combine for 259 days of no response (not counting the 37 days I’ve been waiting on the Town Clerk, Allen Coleman, to respond to my questions on an email thread that he himself initiated…

Upcoming Meetings:

Today, May 28
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Monday, June 1
Joint Collaboration Meeting
5:30pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

June 4
B4 Lunch Series | The Halle

June 4
Pride Stories | Hunter Street Park

June 4
Lunch Series - Organizational Excellence | The Halle

June 6
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

June 6
Sweet Dream Concert [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 13
"Freakier Friday" Movie [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 17
Wednesday Morning Movie | The Halle

June 18
Learning Lunch - Pollinators | Apex Senior Center

June 20
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

June 20
Juneteenth in the Peak | Town Hall Campus

June 25
CommUniversity: Parks Planning | Town Hall Campus

June 27
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

In Case You Missed it

🚛 Landfill Study
Wake County has officially launched the "Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study" to plan for the future of waste management as the existing South Wake Landfill nears the end of its operational life. A new project website and a three-month public survey have been introduced to gather community feedback on environmental, financial, and operational priorities.

❤️‍🩹 55+ Health & Wellness Fair - Vendor Apps
The event takes place September 12 but applications for vendors is open now. Apply by July 17 for advanced consideration.

🛝 KidsTowne Playground Survey
Share your feedback on the upcoming renovations of the playground at Kelly Rd Park by taking this survey.

🌎️ Environmental Priorities Survey
The Environmental Advisory Board wants to learn about your environmental priorities and get your ideas on how we should preserve our natural environment. Take that survey here.

🛣️ Hughes Street Site Planning & Design Survey
A 13-acre site at the corner of S Hughes Street and Perry Road is being developed through a Town-led initiative. That survey is here.

🥾 Natural Heritage Interactive Trail
Apex's newest interactive trail is located at Apex Nature Park. Starting at the Pollinator Garden near the Seymour Athletic Fields, visitors can engage with nature and Apex’s history as they walk through the trail. Ten interactive signs have been placed along the trail showcasing environmental features, Town initiatives, and Apex history through a self-guided experience that brings the landscape to life.

🏈 Youth Fall Sports Registration
Fall youth sports registration opens this Monday, May 18th at 9am for Apex residents! Non-resident registration will open on June 1st. Find the Program Guide here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Memorial Day & 10lbs of Ice

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, May 21, 2026 and this is the 72nd consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

I want to start by saying Happy Memorial Day. I’m grateful to live in a community that never forgets and continues to honor those who gave everything.

The Apex American Legion Post 124 will be hosting the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday in front of Fire Station 1 downtown at 9:30am. The road will be closed from 9am-11am and GoApex Route 1 will operate on a detour.

Lots of other great events this week in Apex and I have also updated the “A Look Ahead” section at the bottom of this email with some things to look forward to in June so make sure to give that a look and add some things to your calendar.

Lastly before we jump into all the good stuff, The Peak Daily is officially sitting in the Apple and Google app stores pending a final review.

It should be live any day now. What is it exactly? Well… it’s everything you need to know about Apex in your pocket. A morning daily brief, events, real-time alerts (you choose what you want to see), tons of interactive maps… there are 32 different tools and growing. You just kind of have to see it to believe it :)

Note: The app is not free. It’s the first thing I’ve ever done since starting this newsletter that isn’t free. BUT… it’s only $3.99/mo and you get to try it out free for 7 days to see if it’s worth it. With all the different tools and costs to maintain the fees associated with it, I just have no option but to attach a small cost to it, but I kept it as low as possible.

I’ll post on my Instagram as soon as it gets approved. Try it out. Subscribe. Or don’t! No pressure. Either way, The Peak Weekly isn’t going anywhere.

Here’s a one-pager that shows off several of the features of the app.

Miscellaneous Info:

🚛 Three Day Weekend
Town facilities will be closed on Monday, May 25th. Trash and recycling will be delayed by one day for all routes next week.

🦺 Volunteer Opportunities
The Town of Apex keeps a running list of open volunteer opportunities. You can view them and sign up here.

🌊 Splashlantis Opening Day
The splash pad will open on weekends (Saturdays/Sundays) starting on this Saturday, May 23. On Monday, June 15, it will be open daily through Labor Day.

🎶 🎬️ Rhythm & Reels
The 2026 lineup is here starting with the Sweet Dream concert on June 6 followed by the Freakier Friday movie on June 13, and then more fun concerts and movies through the end of August. All concerts start at 7pm; all movies begin at Dusk. The Rhythm & Reels free concert and movie series takes place at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre.

👩‍🌾 Simple Gifts Work Day
Join Simple Gifts Community Garden for a work day this Tuesday, May 26 from 5pm-7pm. It’s only $20/year for your whole family to join. Most of the produce the community gardens goes to local food banks, but you also get to take home some produce any day that you work. Right now - potatoes, onions, kale, carrots, cabbage, broccoli and more. Raspberries and strawberries in the coming weeks. Regular workdays are Tuesdays 5-7pm and Saturdays 9am-Noon. Learn more here.

👩🏻‍💼 Serve on an Advisory Board
Serving on a Town Advisory Board is a great way to get involved, collaborate with local leaders, and make a real impact. Current vacancies include Culture and Arts, Environmental, Multimodal Transportation, Parks and Recreation and one youth position on the planning board. Learn more and apply by May 29 here.

👷 Hughes Street Site Planning
A 13-acre site at the corner of S Hughes St and Perry Road, acquired by the Town in February 2025, is being developed through a Town-led initiative for a mixed-income, mixed-use development to create long-term affordable housing. Learn more and share your feedback by June 1.

🪧 New Signage Coming
The Town of Apex Wayfinding Bid was approved by council at the end of April and will begin fabrication in June followed by installation through December.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Today, May 21

🎏 Mahjong Social
5pm - 8pm | Apex Senior Center

🧠 Caring for Your Mental Health
6-8pm | Halle Cultural Arts Center

Saturday, May 23

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎸 Live Music: Joe Hero
7pm - 10pm | TapStation

🎤 Center Street Band
7:30pm - 10:30pm | Oaklyn Springs Taproom

🌴 Reggae Night w/The Amateurs
8pm | The Backyard Bar

Sunday, May 24

🌿 Invasive Plant Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Kelly Road Park

🏎️ Indy 500 & Canadian Grand Prix Watch Party
11am - 6pm | Apex Racing Lab

🍣 Sushi & Sumo
11:30am - 1:30pm | Apex Community Park

🎤 Peak City Band
3pm - 6pm | Bottle Theory

Monday, May 25

🎖️ Memorial Day Ceremony
9:30am | Apex Fire Station 1

Wednesday, May 20

🎬️ Wednesday Morning Movie
9:30am | The Halle

🔡 Music Bingo
7:30pm - 9:30pm | Rudy’s Pub

Local Business Updates

🥤 Cook Out
Now open regular hours from 10:30am to Midnight daily.

🐔 Wing Stop
Opens next Wednesday. Same hours as Cook Out.

🧊 The Local
Heading to Jordan Lake or just planning to be out in the heat this Memorial Day weekend? Stop by The Local and grab a big bag of ice on your way!

🍓 Southern Peak Brewery
Their annual release of the Strawberry One Mile Round will take place on Saturday, May 23rd at Noon. Stop in and enjoy a tasty pint of the German Pale Wheat Ale with local Honey and Strawberries from BuckWheat Farms right here in Apex NC. On draft for a limited time.

🍷 Wine & Design
Learn the art of fine silver clay jewelry making using real .999 pure silver in this one-of-a-kind Tolkien-inspired workshop! Next Thursday at 6pm, you’ll plan your design, work the clay, torch it, and buff it to a brilliant shine, walking away with a stunning real silver piece made by your own hands! $120 per ticket

💃 Curate Studio + Events
Whether you’re looking for a fun beginning of the week or midday reset or a way to start your Friday morning strong, these energizing Zumba classes are open to all levels and designed to get you moving, smiling, and feeling great. In-person and virtual classes.

🔨 Adventures in Bloom
Partnering with the North Carolina Museum of History, Adventures in Bloom is kicking off the Plott Hound Book Club with a hands-on metal stammping bookmark workshop and book swap. $30 per ticket

🛍️ Uptown Cheapskate
This is the perfect time to stock up on fresh styles, trending brands, shoes, accessories, and all your favorite finds for less. Shop Buy 3, Get 1 Free on all full-price items at Uptown Cheapskate from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25.

🖌️ Mad Splatter
Turn your furry friend into a work of art! During the Paint Your Pet event, Mad Splatter will guide you in creating a custom pet portrait you’ll cherish forever. Wednesday, May 27. $10 per ticket.

🛻 Crossroads Ford of Apex
Need some Memorial Day plans? 10am-1pm Crossroads Ford will have 94.7 WQDR on site live, Carolina Boxer Rescue, heart of Carolina Mustang Club’s Cruise-in, face painting by In Your Face and Wicket Links Food Truck.

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 8)

🐴 Sun Star Family Farm

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Sun Star Farm is a nature-based school and camp program located on a beautiful 12-acre parcel at 2092 Marthas Chapel Rd. in Apex. Inspired by the Waldorf philosophy of education, Sun Star Farm offers toddler, preschool, transitional kindergarten, homeschool enrichment, and summer camp programs that honor the magic, wonder, and simplicity of childhood.

Founded and directed by Heidi Watkins, a mother of three and an educator who believes in the magic and wonder of childhood and keeping it simple, the Sun Star Farm School focuses on child-led play, meaningful work, creativity, and connection to nature. The daily and weekly curriculum includes storytelling, bread-baking, songs, seasonal celebrations, imaginative play, and caring for animals. The farm environment features forest trails, swings, and sand play, as well as an indoor cozy playroom with natural toys and silks. Each day the children visit with the farm’s horses, sheep, miniature llamas and donkeys, pig, goats, chickens, bunnies, and more.

They offer the following programs.

Toddlers on the Farm

Designed for children ages 24–36 months, the Toddlers on the Farm program offers a nurturing and predictable rhythm that includes indoor and outdoor play, nature walks, animal care, wholesome snacks, puppet stories, songs, and restful quiet time. Families may choose either a four-day or five-day schedule.

Preschool Program

The Preschool Program serves children ages 3–5 and provides a warm, play-based environment where young children can grow socially, emotionally, creatively, and physically. Each day begins outdoors whenever possible and includes animal care, gardening, storytelling, practical activities, imaginative play, and seasonal crafts and celebrations.

Transitional Kindergarten

Sun Star Farm’s Transitional Kindergarten (T-K) program is thoughtfully designed for children who would benefit from an extra year before entering a traditional kindergarten setting. The program helps children build confidence, independence, emotional resilience, creativity, and the practical and social skills needed to thrive in the academic years ahead.

Folk School Homeschool Program

The Folk School is a Waldorf-inspired homeschool enrichment program for first and second graders that offers a rich and developmentally appropriate curriculum in a small-group setting led by experienced teachers. The program supports creative thinking, hands-on learning, and meaningful connection.

Summer Camps

Summer at Sun Star Farm is filled with adventure, creativity, and outdoor exploration. Campers ages 3–12 enjoy gardening, hiking, creek exploration, animal care, crafting, songs, games, and plenty of imaginative play and one-on-one farm animal time.

The farm also partners with Tinkering School NC to offer Forest Tinkering Camp for ages 9–12, where children use real tools to build projects, create abstract art, and engage in hands-on problem-solving and innovation in a natural outdoor setting.

Sun Star Farm additionally offers Counselor-in-Training opportunities for teens ages 13–15, as well as summer employment opportunities for camp counselors.

Families interested in visiting the farm may schedule a tour by contacting the school directly.

Contact Information

Sun Star Farm School Website
2092 Marthas Chapel Rd
Apex, NC 27523

Director: Heidi Watkins
Phone: (919) 699-4429
Email: heidi@sunstarfarmpreschool.com

Instagram: @sunstarfarmnc
Facebook: Sun Star Farm School Facebook

Civic News:

🔌 Billing Updates
In July 2024, the town suspended late fees and disconnections following the cybersecurity incident. Beginning July 2026, the town will return to standard procedures, including implementing a 1% late fee on past due balances and disconnection for accounts with balances over $500 that are greater than 90 days past due. More info and access to resources and payment plans here.

💰️ Budget Update
The original budget proposed by Town Manager Vosburg included a 3.5 cent tax rate increase. That has since been adjusted down to 3.0 cents. During the last budget work session, staff was instructed to prepare three additional versions of the budget: one with a 2 cent tax rate increase, one with 1.75 cents and one with 0 increase. Today, Council is expected to select one of these four options. The work session takes place at noon today. The Budget Public Hearing, where it would get officially adopted, is scheduled for June 9.

🎦 DeFlock Apex
An Apex resident has been digging into the contract between the Town of Apex and Flock Safety. Not just the contract - but many documents obtained through public records. The findings: Apex flock data is connected to hundreds of in-state and out-of-state agencies - including, at times, federal agencies. A very thorough analysis of findings through public records can be seen here: deflockapex.org

🔎 Public Records Requests
Speaking of public records... The Town’s handling of such records have been a topic of conversation in recent weeks. I’ve talked about it a lot myself as I have gone through the process many times while working on various stories.

Here’s my weekly editorial rant: It’s an absolute mess. From being denied based on incorrect statutes, to being denied again with the bold claim that private contracts override state law, to finding out that public record destruction logs don’t even exist in almost every single department, to being stonewalled and ignored and lied to… I don’t know what it is yet, but I know something needs to be done.

By the way - those unsupported denials and incorrect statutes that are cited to withhold public records from the public go down in the books as a “completed” public record request.

Anyway, quick check-in on my outstanding, very simple, very straight-forward public records requests:

That’s 4+ months of ongoing waiting on a simple export of public record data that he has ignored while ironically giving a statement about delayed public record requests.

Serious question… he calls my fact-based, highly sourced reporting fake news, he created a news website which claims to be the source of truth (social) that has a backend algorithm to filter out news he doesn’t want you to see, he posts on social media constantly to flood the zone, he is covering for the Town Manager who committed $61M in tax payer money without a public hearing instead of holding him accountable, his biggest donor is the Realtor PAC (pro development), he gives quotes to reporters about taking public records requests seriously while refusing mine and ignoring others for months on end and we celebrate him for being transparent?

If you go back to the early days of The Peak Weekly, you’ll see that I celebrated that too. I was a fan. But if you can look past the claimed political affiliation and the relentless posting of words that are rarely backed up by his actual actions, you’ll see it too.

Just saying this because I care about Apex. I have zero political aspirations. I have nothing to gain. In fact, I’m just setting myself up for more hate mail. But it’s important. If he had an R next to his name, are you ok with all of this? I’m not.

Upcoming Meetings:

Today, May 20
Environmental Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

Today, May 20
Town Council Budget Work Session
12pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, May 27
Parks & Rec Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

Thursday, May 28
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

May 29
Behavioral Health Community Workshop | Apex Senior Center

May 30
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

May 30
Eco Kids: Nature's Secret Superpowers | Bass Lake Park

May 31
Summer Market | The Ballast on Salem

June 3
Wednesday Night Movie | The Halle

June 4
Pride Stories | Hunter Street Park

June 4
Lunch Series - Organizational Excellence | The Halle

June 6
Sweet Dream Concert [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 13
"Freakier Friday" Movie [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 18
Learning Lunch - Pollinators | Apex Senior Center

June 20
Juneteenth in the Peak | Town Hall Campus

June 27
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

A Look Ahead:

▶️ Want to See What Veridea Will Look Like?
Fly over Viridea to see where each part of the project will come to life - from construction to visual animated renderings. Click the image below to watch (2m 48s)

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week's edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Apex App & Flying Over Veridea

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, May 14, 2026 and this is the 71st consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Twenty-eight years ago today, the series finale of Seinfeld aired. Fun fact about me: I have never seen that show in my life.

Another fun fact about me: I have been working tirelessly for months on something new. It’s called… The Peak Daily.

I’ve teased this before, but it’s getting close to launch day. Very close…

Rendering of the Park View & What’s on Tap View

I don’t have an exact date of when it will be available for download in the App Store. I’m wrapping up testing right now and then will submit it in a few days. Could be a few days or another week or two after that once it gets approved.

Here’s what will be in it day 1:

Events and things to do each day
Important alerts via Town News Flash
A searchable map of all Apex businesses with special deals and events
A searchable map of all parks and their amenities
Interactive map of active development projects and latest development filings
Commute planning and live street cameras
High school sports scores and schedules
GoApex Transit Map
Daily map of food trucks
Daily list of what’s on tap at local breweries
Push notifications when it’s trash day
Push notifications of any utility outages
A flight radar of what’s overhead
Town Council meeting recaps
Searchable restaurant health inspections
School calendars and events
An ask-me-anything chat where you type your Apex related questions and get instant answers
Customizable push notifications
And much more to come

I will let you know as soon as it’s available. And if you have any other feature ideas, let me know!

Miscellaneous Info:

🎶 Apex Amplified Concert - Tonight
An evening of live music, food, and community fun at tonight at Apex Amplified! Enjoy a high-energy performance from The Castaways while grabbing a bite from local food trucks and other refreshments.

This free event will take place in the Apex Town Hall Parking Lot and kicks off with parking lot access opening at 5:30 pm, followed by live music from 7:00–8:30 pm. Bring your chair, sit back, and enjoy the show in a relaxed outdoor setting.

🔌 Utility Disconnections to Resume
Beginning July, late fees and disconnections for past-due accounts will resume. If you are behind on your utility bill and need help catching up, you can apply for a payment plan here.

🚧 Salem Street Update
Contractors are back on site after a disruption in the project. The original estimated complete was for October. The updated time frame anticipates completion in December.

📸 Pittsboro Terminates Flock Contract
With Apex’s Flock Cameras becoming a more frequent discussion item around town, just noting that our neighbors in Pittsboro have terminated their contract.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Thursday, May 14

🧇 Waffle Bar
9am | Rose & Lee

🚔️ Learning Lunch: National Police Week
12pm - 1pm | Senior Center

📣 Apex Amplified Concert
5:30pm - 8:30pm | Town Hall Campus

Friday, May 15

🎶 Spring Concert Series
5pm - 8pm | Market Square at Sweetwater

🎭️ “Suite Surrender” Spring Play
7:30pm - 9pm | The Halle

Saturday, May 16

🛍️ Community Yard Sale
7am - 1pm | Salem Village Neighborhood

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏍️ Bikes & Coffee
8am - 11am | Fratelli’s Deli

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🚶‍♂️ March 1000 Men’s Mental Health Walk
10am | Town Hall Campus

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🐶 Coffee with the Pups
11am - 1pm | Notes Coffee House

🪞Desi Shopping Event
12pm - 7pm | Ample Storage

🎹 Dueling Pianos
7pm | TapStation

🎸 Live Music: Two4One
7pm - 10pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

🎭️ “Suite Surrender” Spring Play
7:30pm - 9pm | The Halle

Sunday, May 17

🍓 Berry Good Cook-Off
2pm | Peakway Taps

Tuesday, May 19

📖 May Book Club: The Correspondent
6:30pm - 8pm | Adventures in Bloom

Wednesday, May 20

🎬️ Wednesday Morning Movie
9:30am | The Halle

🔡 Music Bingo
7:30pm - 9:30pm | Rudy’s Pub

Friday-Sunday is the big Got to Be NC Festival at the Fairgrounds. There will be a big carnival with rides, live music, tons of vendors and good food and a lot of things to do! More about the festival here.

Local Business Updates

😀 Wing Stop in 13 Days
Wing Stop will be opening in Beaver Creek on Wednesday, May 27. Their hours of operation will be 10:30am - Midnight, 7 days a week.

📋️ Sanitation Scores - Highest & Lowest
So far in the month of May, the highest scoring restaurant in Apex was Firehouse Subs with a 97.50 rating. The lowest was Bawarchi Grill Spirits with 87.5. The restaurant was in violation of 14 standards including mustard oil being used to marinate chicken and the oil is “a body oil for external use only”.

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 7)

🐴 The Mother Ranch

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

The Mother Ranch, owned by Julia MacMonagle, is located on Friendship Road in Apex. It’s a small, unique, woman-owned farm and creative sanctuary focused on healing, creativity, and connection—with animals, nature, and self. Julia blends art, mindfulness, and animal presence into experiences that are gentle, reflective, and intentionally small-scale.

Services offered at The Mother Ranch include:

Women’s Circles: in person, combining meditation, art-making, and meaningful conversations
Art classes and creative workshops: one monthly live online freebie art class and an online Monday evening women’s art group. All classes are watercolor, mixed media, and intuitive art. Custom groups are welcome either online or in-person!
Equine-partnered coaching by appointment, no riding; gentle, guided experiences with ponies and mini donkeys focused on self-awareness and growth
Neurofeedback sessions (by appointment)
Reiki sessions (by appointment)
Seasonal special events, such as meditations at the ranch, creative immersions, yoga classes, and sound baths

Animal interactions are quiet and respectful—participants may spend time with ponies, mini donkeys, and goats, as part of guided experiences rather than petting-zoo-style visits.

The Mother Ranch offers products for sale as well, including original artwork, prints and small art offerings, and occasional digital classes (announced via newsletter).

The best way to stay informed about current news and new offerings is to subscribe to The Mother Ranch newsletter, which publishes every Saturday morning, here: https://www.themotherranch.com/subscribe.

The Mother Ranch is also open to collaborations! If you’re looking for a small, intimate farm setting for your gatherings, reach out at julia@themotherranch.com.

Julia is also active on Nextdoor under Julia MacMonagle and on Facebook under Julia Johnson MacMonagle. Many offerings are seasonal or offered in small batches, so advance registration is encouraged.

The Mother Ranch is open year-round, but drop-in visits are not allowed due to the confidentiality of Julia’s work. All experiences are offered by appointment or registration for events, and the property address is shared privately upon appointment or registration for events.

The Mother Ranch contact info:
Website: https://www.themotherranch.com
Email: julia@themotherranch.com
Telephone: 720-635-7015

If you’re looking for a peaceful and supportive setting to make meaningful connections with both animals and people, The Mother Ranch is that place.

Civic News:

🙋 Ask Randy Vosburg Anything
This Saturday, Town Manager Vosburg will be at the Apex Farmer’s Market hosting a “Ask Me Anything” meet-up from 9am-11am.

If you want to ask a question but aren’t sure what - here are some prompts:

What is your favorite color?
Why did you sign an NDA with a private company, hide their identity, and agree to destroy public records upon their request?
Why do no public record destruction logs exist in the following departments: Town Manager’s Office, Town Attorney’s Office, Information Technology, Electric Utilities, Finance, Budget and Performance Management, Economic Development, Human Resources, Planning, Parks & Recreation
With several data centers getting approved in Stafford County, VA while you were the County Administrator, why did you feel it was appropriate to lead an internal movement to modify the Town’s UDO with data center regulations, while in discussions for many months with a pending data center applicant?
Why did you commit tax payer money to NC Children’s Hospital months prior to any public discussion, public forum, or council vote in public?
Why is the public records process such a disaster? For example, the Peak Weekly guy has several requests out with one very simple request as old as 114 days with no response.
How is the budget about to be approved but the audited financials are many months overdue?
Why, with all of these questions outstanding, is the Town putting so much effort into Miss Annie providing parking to students, and now demanding $1000 from her?

Those are just some questions I have been trying to get answered. But of course, feel free to ask your own!

🤝 North Carolina Budget Deal
The State of North Carolina, the only state to yet pass a budget, is one step closer to finally doing so as House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger. announced an agreed framework on Tuesday. The framework includes about $208M for the development of the NC Children’s Hospital in Apex. Note: this would be a big deal for the hospital, but it has not yet been finalized.

💰️ Town of Apex Budget & Financials
The Town of Apex is getting closer on finalizing its FY26-27 budget. However, the Town’s Audited Financials, which need to be completed in order to pass a budget, have yet to be completed. This marks the 4th year in a row that the Town of Apex is late on its audit.

Monday, May 18
Culture and Arts Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, May 19
Town Council Work Session
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

Thursday, May 21
Town Council Budget Work Session
12pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, May 13
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board
4:45pm - 6:45pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

May 21
CommUniversity: Caring for Your Mental Health | The Halle

May 23
Splashlantis Opening Day | Pleasant Park

May 24 (rescheduled)
Sushi & Sumo | Apex Community Park

May 26
Memorial Day Ceremony | Downtown Service Memorial

May 30
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

June 4
Lunch Series - Organizational Excellence | The Halle

In Case You Missed it

🏗️ Apex Development Report
Want to know the latest on population growth, density, pending annexations, current residential projects, commercial developments, and rezoning cases? There’s no better place than the Apex Development Report, updated April 30.

🚛 Landfill Study
Wake County has officially launched the "Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study" to plan for the future of waste management as the existing South Wake Landfill nears the end of its operational life. A new project website and a three-month public survey have been introduced to gather community feedback on environmental, financial, and operational priorities.

❤️‍🩹 55+ Health & Wellness Fair - Vendor Apps
The event takes place September 12 but applications for vendors is open now. Apply by July 17 for advanced consideration.

🛝 KidsTowne Playground Survey
Share your feedback on the upcoming renovations of the playground at Kelly Rd Park by taking this survey.

🛣️ Hughes Street Site Planning & Design Survey
A 13-acre site at the corner of S Hughes Street and Perry Road is being developed through a Town-led initiative. That survey is here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘

Hydroponics, Mom & Part II

Adam Whitaker — Thu, 07 May 2026 10:09:00 +0000

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👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, May 7, 2026 and this is the 70th consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday - to all the great moms out there, you’re appreciated. Happy Mother’s Day!

Just a quick message on the lengthy article that I published last week, $61 Million, a Children's Hospital, and a Deal Made Without You.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read it. I had no intention of creating a Part II. But, as with pretty much anything I say that’s remotely critical of town operations, a certain council member has continued his assault on my credibility with his “misinformation” narrative. And since no one else from the Town has stepped up to address the substantive questions, a Part II is in order.

The Part II follow-up can be read here.

Please note: this story is told through direct quotes, general statutes and public records - all easily verifiable. The original article invited anyone who recognized anything factually inaccurate about my reporting to reach out to me so that I could correct it. In the seven days since that was published, I have received zero correction requests from any council member, staff member, or legal representative.

Have an amazing week!

Miscellaneous Info:

🌊 Splashlantis Opening Day
Splashlantis splash pad at Pleasant Park will reopen for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23rd! Operating hours are 10 am – 6pm.

🍣 Sushi & Sumo
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Town is hosting Sushi & Sumo today from 6pm - 8pm at Apex Community Park. Raijin Sumo, a North Carolina based non-profit and recreational sports club that teaches and trains in the art of Japanese Sumo Wrestling, will perform live sumo demonstrations and share the history behind the sport. Tombachi Food Truck will be on site serving hibachi and sushi.

❤️‍🩹 55+ Health & Wellness Fair - Vendor Apps
The event takes place September 12 but applications for vendors is open now. Apply by July 17 for advanced consideration.

👔 What Being Mayor Actually Means
Earlier this week, The Line published a Q&A with Mayor Gilbert which you can read here.

📸 Flock Camera Video Explainer
The topic of 10 Flock cameras placed around Apex (potentially more by private entities), has been a hot topic lately. Indy Week published a good explainer on Flock Cameras, as well as some specific information related to Apex. Worth nothing: the April 14 Town Council Meeting Agenda listed “Automated License Plate Reader Program Update” as a special presentation, but it was then removed from the agenda and has not yet re-appeared.

🏄‍♂️ Worth Watching: Shore Surf
A surf park has been in talks with Veridea. Some initial research shows that the water consumption tied to these surf parks is in the ballpark of 1 million gallons to initially fill the wave pool, plus 100,000 gallons per day for evaporation replacement. Looking forward to hearing more about this in open session should the project continue to move forward.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, May 8

☕️ Mother’s Day in Stars Hollow
5pm | Mad Splatter

🎭️ “Suite Surrender” Spring Play
7:30pm | The Halle

🎤 Live Music: Something Special
8pm | The Exchange Lounge

Saturday, May 9

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🎭️ “Suite Surrender” Spring Play
7:30pm | The Halle

🎸 Live Music: Maskell Freeman Band
8pm | Peak of the Vine

🎤 Rudy’s Karaoke
9pm | Rudy’s Pub & Grill

Sunday, May 10

🎭️ “Suite Surrender” Spring Play
3pm | The Halle

Local Business Updates

Not a ton of new information this week. So, here are some reminders of recent activity:

💿️ Hunky Dory Now Open
Hunky Dory buys and sells records. Now open downtown above the antique store Thursday to Sunday, 12-8pm. @hunkydoryapex

🥃 Aqua Vitae Now Open
The liquid luxury bar in Sweetwater is opening soon. Their website countdown timer suggests they will be open next Wednesday. They will be open daily 5pm until midnight.

☕️ Foxtail Sweetwater
The second location of Foxtail Coffee is now open in Sweetwater. They are open daily from 6:30am until 7pm at 1451 Richardson Road in Suite 126.

🍺 The Local
Formerly Vicious Fishes, The Local is now open. Lunch and dinner food truck every day along with coffee, smoothies, soda, dirty sodas, beer, wine, selzer and more.

👱‍♀️ Blo Bar Dry Bar
Blo Bar believes that blow outs have the power to uplift you and enhance your day. But beautiful hair is just the beginning: they also offer makeup and other luxurious services, too. Now open, located between Mr Dumpling and Doherty’s Irish Pub.

🥐 Popovers Cafe
Fresh baked popovers, signature Turkish tea and French press coffee are now being served at Popovers Cafe in downtown Apex. Located in the old Villa19 location at 219 N Salem Street, Suite 103 - pop in and see them!

🫐 A Health Conscious Eatery
Taking the place of Tandoori Trail, which is now closed, this summer Grain & Berry, a health-focused cafe, will open at 2017 Creekside Landing in Beaver Creek. Grain & Berry’s menu includes flatbreads, toasts, salads, acai bowls and smoothies with a focus on high protein, lean meat and other nutritious supplements like turmeric and ginger shots.

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 6)

🥬 Peak City Farms

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Peak City Farms, located at 1933 Olive Chapel Road in Apex, is a family-owned urban hydroponic farm dedicated to supplying fresh, organic produce to the local community. Everything is grown right on-site in their giant state-of-the-art greenhouse using sustainable methods that work in harmony with nature.

They grow a wide range of produce, including different types of lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, bell peppers, jalapeños, red potatoes, blueberries, green beans, and pumpkins. They also offer farm-fresh eggs and homemade scones in many flavors, including cranberry white chocolate, key lime,
cookies and cream, chocolate chip, and more.

A highlight of the farm is their microgreens. Microgreens are nutrient dense, flavorful, and packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Some of their favorite ones to grow are broccoli, radish, pea, and sunflower.

The microgreens are grown hydroponically in trays with water, clay pebbles, and carefully balanced nutrients under calibrated grow lights that deliver the optimal light spectrum for crisp, vibrant sprouts. Microgreens are a great way to add a fresh, flavorful, healthy boost to just about any meal. Peak City Farms even offers bulk orders for local restaurants and shops.

If flowers are more your thing, Peak City Farm has plenty to choose from, including hibiscus, lantana, zinnias, marigolds, hydrangeas, and more. They also sell perennial plants with a focus on native species. Though the nursery is closed for this season, it will be restocked in the fall.

They’ll soon be opening their “Peak City Farms Urban Market,” located on Holly Springs Road, every Wednesday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Peak City Farms” at Olive Chapel Road is open Saturdays 9a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also find them at the Apex Farmers Market every other Saturday.

They’ll be there this coming Mother’s Day weekend (May 9), and on May 23, and June 6. So make sure to stop by either Peak City Farms shop to get fresh, organic produce, flowers, eggs, scones, microgreens, and more!

Open every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Peak City Farms
1933 Olive Chapel Rd
Apex NC 27502
919-561-0368

ed.careyjr@peakcityfarms.com
Instagram @peakcityfarms

Apex Farmers Market:
Every other Saturday April through October

Civic News:

🥪 Upcoming B4 Series
The Brown Bags to Building Bridges (B4) Series is a quarterly lunchtime discussion featuring various Town representatives. The next one is June 4th and will feature the Town of Apex’s Department of Organizational Excellence. More details here.

🛝 KidsTowne Playground Survey
Share your feedback on the upcoming renovations of the playground at Kelly Rd Park by taking this survey.

🛣️ Hughes Street Site Planning & Design Survey
A 13-acre site at the corner of S Hughes Street and Perry Road is being developed through a Town-led initiative. That survey is here.

Friday, May 8
Town Council Budget Work Session
12pm - 5pm | Town Hall

Monday, May 11
Planning Board Meeting
3:30pm - 5pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, May 12
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, May 13
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board
4:45pm - 6:45pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

Thursday, May 14
Learning Lunch: National Police Week | Senior Center

Thursday, May 14
Apex Amplified Concert | Town Hall Campus

Saturday, May 16
March 1000 | Town Hall Campus

May 15, 16 & 17
“Suite Surrender” Spring Play | The Halle

May 21
CommUniversity: Caring for Your Mental Health | The Halle

May 26
Memorial Day Ceremony | Downtown Service Memorial

In Case You Missed it

📷️ Fujifilm Hall
A major new anchor is coming to the Veridea area following Wake Technical Community College's recent application for a significant expansion of its Conlon Western Wake Campus. The project, situated on 34.16 acres north of Technology Drive and east of NC Highway 55, features a prominent five-story building named "Fujifilm Hall". Spanning approximately 114,000 square feet, this "Major Site Plan" represents a high-density institutional addition to the southern corridor, likely aimed at supporting the region's growing biotechnology and manufacturing workforce.

🚛 Landfill Study
Wake County has officially launched the "Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study" to plan for the future of waste management as the existing South Wake Landfill nears the end of its operational life. A new project website and a three-month public survey have been introduced to gather community feedback on environmental, financial, and operational priorities.

🏠️ Property Tax Relief
Low-income seniors, veterans or those with a permanent disability may be eligible for programs to assist with property taxes. The application for the Property Tax Relief Programs closes June 1, 2026.

🏣 Post Card Project
The Postcard Project is North Left’s year-round love letter to Apex and the people who make this town feel like home. Each season, they design and curate locally inspired postcards that anyone can pick up for free, fill out, and send to someone who needs a little encouragement. No rules. No purchase required.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

See you next Thursday... 😘