Morning Winston-Salem! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. After rejecting one data center, Forsyth County confronts a harder question: What can it regulate? (wschronicle.com) — Forsyth County leaders are weighing how much control they still have over where large data centers can locate, even as several already operate within Winston-Salem's zoning jurisdiction and share the city's water and power infrastructure. With state law limiting down-zoning and data centers allowed by right in many districts, commissioners are exploring what they can still regulate about noise, utilities, and incentives before more big facilities arrive.
2. Police seek missing 55-year-old man last seen with long dreadlocks, often wore white do-rag (abc45.com) — Winston-Salem police are urgently asking for help finding 55-year-old Marcus Nathan Simpson, whose distinctive long dreadlocks and silver Porsche Boxster were last linked to the Winston Lake Park area in late August. Officers and partner agencies have searched woods, greenways, neighborhoods, and the lake itself with drones, sonar, and divers, but he remains missing, and investigators are asking anyone with information to contact city police or Crimestoppers immediately.
3. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools district names new leaders (wxii12.com) — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has appointed Dr. Kristina Mason as interim Chief of Schools and promoted Chad Williams to Executive Director of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management. Both leaders, with deep local experience, will step into their new district-wide roles later this month, shaping how principals are supported and how safety is managed across Winston-Salem schools.
4. Winston-Salem to consider extending Youth Protection Ordinance through next year (abc45.com) — Winston-Salem officials are weighing whether to extend the Youth Protection Ordinance, which keeps unsupervised minors 17 and under off public streets from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., through October 2027. Police cite drops in late-night youth encounters and crime, while some council members question impacts on young people's rights as the proposal heads to the full City Council.
5. How the Riding for Focus Program is Transforming Student Well-Being (railstotrails.org) — Students at Flat Rock Middle School in Winston-Salem are using the Riding for Focus cycling program to explore the Salem Lake Trail and build confidence, resilience, and healthier habits. Teacher Shawn Byrd organized multi-day rides where every participating student completed a seven-mile loop, many visiting Salem Lake for the first time and discovering local trails just a short drive from school.
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Ok Winston-Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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