Good morning, Wake Forest.

Holding Park Aquatic Center at 133 W.

Owen Ave. is open daily this summer to help residents beat the heat with a six-lane lap pool, water slides, and a children's play area while timed three-hour sessions limit occupancy to 200—each session requires online registration or on-site sign-up with varying fees for residents and visitors. Patrons may also buy a 20-session Punch Pass to use at the facility with pickup at Joyner Park Community Center.

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park attracted many families on June 25 as its 100-acre property offered water activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, a beach for adults, and a floating water park for kids (admission was as low as $15), with owner Dnaiel Cox noting that the park sold out amid the heat wave.

Investigators are reviewing a house fire on Rand Road near the Ten Ten Road intersection that killed a man, two teens, and two cats—neighbors noted that police had been called repeatedly over the years.

On June 25th the Wake County Public School System board voted for the fourth consecutive year to raise breakfast and lunch prices by 25 cents for the next school year—elementary students will pay $5.75 per day while middle and high school students will pay $6.25.

Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, who spent over 30 years at Duke Health, has become the new state health director to use his clinical and administrative skills to address Medicaid challenges—supporting rural hospitals, regulating medical marijuana, and combating opioid overdoses.

He will work with NCDHHS to communicate clear health information and improve care across North Carolina.

Vegan Suede Purse Wood Burning Workshop

11 AM – 1 PM — MK Creative Arts Studio — Refunds available — Unleash your creativity with wood burning on vegan suede and make your very own handbag and makeup bag.

Salsa Saturday With Live Bands

7-10 p.m. — Casa Cubana — Free entry — Enjoy live salsa music while dining at Casa Cubana with a vibrant atmosphere.

Candlelight: Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites

9 p.m. — The Historic Wakefield Barn — Tickets available — Experience a magical evening of neo-soul and hip-hop classics under candlelight.