🗞️ Forsyth sheriff warns of fake county letters asking residents to mail payments to Florida

🗞️ Kernersville Christmas Stocking gets a boost as family interviews are set for Oct. 9-10

🗞️ Oak Ridge Heritage Day brings cannon fire, cloggers and a petting zoo on Saturday

🗞️ Fountain of Life Preschool's fall consignment sale runs through Saturday

🌦️ Morning rain, then clearing | High: 63°F | Low: 48°F

One more damp morning. Rain and drizzle should hang on until late morning, with a few sprinkles possible until about 2 p.m. before the clouds start to break. Skies turn mostly clear tonight, and it gets noticeably cooler with a low near 48, so grab a jacket if you're heading out to Music at Twilight.

If an official-looking letter shows up in your mailbox asking you to send money to Forsyth County, take a closer look before you reach for your checkbook.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office says residents have been reporting letters in the mail asking them to pay for something they don't actually need to pay for. After checking with the Forsyth County Records Office, officials confirmed the letter is not an official county document.

The sheriff's office pointed out a couple of red flags. The return address is not in Winston-Salem, and the payments are supposed to be mailed to Tampa, Florida. Officials say Forsyth County will never ask residents to send a payment to another city or state.

Anyone who gets an unexpected letter, email, text or phone call asking for money is urged to stop and verify it first. Contact the agency directly using a phone number or website you already know is official, not the contact information printed in the letter. "When in doubt, check it out," the sheriff's office said, adding that a quick phone call can keep someone from losing money. The office is also asking residents to share the warning with friends and family, especially older neighbors who may be targeted.

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The Kernersville Foundation has made a contribution to the Kernersville Christmas Stocking, the all-volunteer group that has helped local families at the holidays since 1988. The Stocking typically serves 100 to 150 Kernersville families each year with gift cards, depending on how much the community gives.

"We are an all-volunteer organization; every dollar goes to the recipients," said Tina Swisher, the group's 2026 chair.

Family interviews are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10. Applicants must apply in person, live in the 27284 ZIP code and bring proof of financial need. Donations can be mailed to Kernersville Christmas Stocking, c/o Kernersville Moravian Church, 504 S. Main St., Kernersville. Main Street United Methodist Church will also host its free community benefit concert for the Stocking on Friday, Nov. 20.

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Just up the road, the town of Oak Ridge is hosting its annual Heritage Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, a celebration of the community's history that dates back to the 1700s.

Cannons will be fired at 10 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There will be blacksmithing and outdoor cooking demonstrations, an old fire truck, farm tools and moonshine stills on display, and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution in period dress. Kids can visit a farm animal petting zoo and play traditional games. Robert Tilley and his band and the Old Dominion Cloggers perform from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the Chuck Dale Smith Band plays from 1 to 3 p.m. Vendors and food trucks will be on hand all day.

For details, visit the Town of Oak Ridge website or call Town Hall at (336) 644-7009.

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Parents looking to stock up for fall can shop Fountain of Life Preschool's fall consignment sale, which runs Thursday, Sept. 24, through Saturday, Sept. 26, at the church at 323 Hopkins Road. The sale opens Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m.

The sale is the preschool's biggest fundraiser of the year, and past sales have paid for many items for the school. For hours on Friday and Saturday or other questions, call 336-993-4447, ext. 103, or email [email protected].

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