🗞️ Forsyth County to host multiple Memorial Day events across the Triad

🗞️ Black bear spotted in Kernersville neighborhoods, wildlife officials offer safety tips

🗞️ A Second Chance: Local Shelters Slash Adoption Fees to Find Homes for Pets

🗞️ NC Bill Would Curb Local Control Over Data Center Construction

Memorial Day is coming up on Monday, and there are several ways for people in Forsyth County and the broader Triad area to honor the nation's veterans and fallen service members.

A ceremony at the Carolina Field of Honor in Kernersville will take place on Monday at 11 a.m.

Before that, starting at 6:30 a.m., there's a "Murph" workout at the same location. This CrossFit session is named after Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy, and it includes adaptive options so everyone can participate. The workout ends at 8 a.m. The main ceremony will feature a presentation of colors and a 21-gun salute from Marines with Site Support Greensboro.

Kris Rystrom Emmert, a Gold Star Wife and award-winning author, will give remarks. There will also be a wreath-laying ceremony.

On Saturday, Madhouse Harley-Davidson in Winston-Salem is hosting a Bike Blessing and Memorial Wall Service. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and doughnuts.

A Memorial Wall Ride with the local HOG Chapter begins at 11 a.m., followed by the Memorial Wall Service at 1 p.m.

In Lewisville, the 10th Annual Military Appreciation Concert will be held on Monday at 6 p.m. at Shallowford Square. The event starts with the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance led by American Legion Post 255.

The Embers and Craig Woolard will perform. Also in Lewisville, Old Nick's Pub is holding its annual Memorial Day Cookout on Monday, starting at 4 p.m. A dart tournament will follow at 6:45 p.m.²

Black bears are making their way through Kernersville neighborhoods, and wildlife officials want residents to know what to do when they spot one. A bear was recently seen wandering through backyards and along streets in the area.

While sightings can be startling, experts say the animals are usually just passing through in search of food. These travels happen most often in late spring and early summer.

That's when young male bears leave their mothers to find new territory. They follow creeks, greenways, and wooded corridors right into town.

Wildlife officers say the best thing people can do is leave the bear alone. If you see one, give it plenty of space and don't try to chase or corner it.

The bear will likely move on its own within a few hours. But there's one thing that can make a bear stick around: easy access to food.

Bird feeders, pet food left outside, unsecured trash cans, and greasy grills all attract bears. Once they find a reliable food source, they may keep coming back.

That's why officials urge everyone to remove or secure anything that might draw a bear into the yard. Take down bird feeders for a few days after a sighting.

Store trash cans in a garage or shed until pickup day. Clean grills thoroughly after each use.

So far, no aggressive encounters have been reported in Kernersville. But as development pushes into bear habitat, these visits will likely become more common.

A little awareness and a few simple changes can keep both people and bears safe. If you do see a bear in your neighborhood, you can report it to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

They track sightings to monitor bear activity across the state.³

Burlington Animal Services and the Forsyth County Animal Shelter have launched a joint adoption special to reduce overcrowding and find homes for more cats and dogs. The promotion features reduced fees, with some pets available for a small donation. The shelters hope this community effort will encourage local families to adopt and make a lasting difference.⁴

A new bill in the North Carolina legislature could change how quickly data centers pop up in your neighborhood. Right now, local governments have a lot of say in where these massive facilities can be built.

But House Bill 1234 would take much of that control away. Supporters say the change is needed to attract big tech companies and their jobs.

They argue that data centers bring economic growth without putting much strain on local services. But many residents and local leaders aren't so sure.

In places like rural Granville County, people are worried about what these centers mean for their quiet communities. A data center can cover dozens of acres, use huge amounts of electricity, and run loud cooling fans all night long.

Some folks have already seen their property values drop because of noise complaints. County commissioners in several areas have spoken out against the bill.

They say it strips away their ability to negotiate with companies for things like noise buffers or tax agreements. One commissioner called it a power grab that ignores the people who actually live with these facilities.

Environmental groups are also raising alarms. Data centers guzzle water for cooling and put a heavy load on the power grid.

In a state that's already dealing with climate pressures, critics say this bill could make things worse. But the bill's backers insist these concerns are overblown.

They point to job creation and new tax revenue as clear benefits. For now, the bill is moving through committee, and both sides are gearing up for a fight.

For folks in neighborhoods near proposed data center sites, this is more than a policy debate. It's about whether they'll have a say in what gets built next door.

And with the legislative session heating up, that answer could come sooner than later⁵.

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