County Manager Shontell Robinson discusses the budget process and ways residents can learn more and provide feedback.
April 2026 - Vol. 19
Volunteers did small scale stream bank repair at Johnson Creek in Tanglewood Park on the final day of Creek Week on March 29 as part of a workshop led by Cooperative Extension Agent Rebecca Craps and Soil and Water Conservationist Madeline Loman.
County Manager to Hold Community Updates
Join us to hear directly from County Manager Shontell Robinson about what’s happening in our community. Learn how the budget process works, see how your tax dollars are being invested, and get information on available tax relief programs and key resources. Come ask questions, share feedback, and be part of the conversation.
All sessions will be held at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 31 – Rural Hall/Stanleyville Branch Library
- Wednesday, April 8 – Paddison Memorial Branch Library
- Friday, April 10 – Virtual Session
- Monday, April 13 – Lewisville Branch Library
- Thursday, April 16 – Forsyth County Central Library
Baby Ready Boot Camp
Are you expecting a baby soon? Forsyth County Public Health is holding a Baby Ready Bootcamp to increase the knowledge and confidence of new parents before their little one arrives.
Two classes will be offered on Saturday, April 18, at Forsyth County Department of Public Health, 799 Highland Ave. in Winston-Salem. Both will last 1.5 hours and parents can choose to attend one of both. Both classes are free and families who attend can receive baby essentials while supplies last.
Childbirth Education - Take control of your birth! This class helps you feel prepared and confident for labor. For pregnant moms in their 3rd trimester and their support person(s).
Baby Safety - Topics covered include Safe Sleep practices and Car Seat Safety. For pregnant moms in their 3rd Trimester or parents with a child up to 3 months and their support person(s).
Schedule for Baby Ready Bootcamp
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Room 1: Childbirth Education
Room 2: Baby Safety
11:30 a.m. - 12 Noon
Break and Light Refreshments
12 Noon- 1:30 p.m.
Room 1: Childbirth Education
Room 2: Baby Safety
For more information, contact Jasmine Harris at 336-703-3260
County Manager
In This Issue
County Commissioner Update
Forsyth County commissioners are continuing to prepare for budget season in their meetings, including a Budget Workshop held March 16 and a retreat that was held at Tanglewood Clubhouse.
Another Budget Workshop will be held this month and then the county manager will present a proposed budget to the commissioners in May, which they’ll deliberate on in a series of budget meetings before approving the final budget in June.
Here’s this month’s full county commissioners meeting schedule:
- Thursday, April 2 6 p.m. Meeting
- Monday, April 6 9 a.m. Budget Workshop
- Monday, April 13 2 p.m. Briefing
- Thursday, April 16 2 p.m. Meeting
During briefings, staff brief the commissioners on the items they'll vote on in that week's meeting. During meetings, they vote on various items and hear from residents during their regular public comment session.
All commissioner meetings are held at the Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut St. Meetings are streamed live in their entirety on Forsyth County YouTube and Facebook, as well as the Forsyth County website (where you can also find meeting agendas) and are also broadcasted live on WSTV13 on Spectrum cable.
Conversation with NY Times Bestseller Virginia Evans
Photo by Austin Joffe
New York Times #1 bestselling author and Winston-Salem’s own Virginia Evans will discuss her debut novel, The Correspondent, on Tuesday, April 21, from 6–7 p.m. in the Central Library Auditorium.
Space will be limited and registration is required.
Bookmarks will be selling signed copies of The Correspondent on-site, and the author will sign/personalize copies of The Correspondent and be available for photographs after the event.
Register to attend Conversation with NY Times Bestseller Virginia Evans
Health Fair and Naloxone Training at Sedge Garden Community Center
Forsyth County Health and Human Services (HHS) is holding a Health Resource Fair and Naloxone Training this month at Sedge Garden Community Center, 401 Robbins Road.
The Health Resource Fair will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on April 14 with community organizations that offer healthcare, counseling and social service resources.
The Naloxone Training will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on April 21 and will teach participants how to reverse an opioid overdose.
These events are a collaboration between Forsyth County HHS, City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks, and the Winston-Salem Transit Authority.
Monthly resources fairs and trainings are held at different recreation centers or the Transportation Center. You can see the full list of Health Resource Fairs and Naloxone Training sessions here.
Weathering the Storm
On Monday, March 16, phones buzzed around the county warning residents to take shelter for a tornado warning. Even county commissioners (and staff) had to interrupt a Budget Workshop and head down to the basement of the Government Center for the warning.
Thankfully, the county wasn’t hit by a tornado, but Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management was ready all the same, gathering representatives from local first responder agencies in the Forsyth County Public Safety Center to coordinate response efforts.
Even if the worst-case scenario doesn’t happen, severe weather can still cause widespread emergencies like traffic accidents, power outages, downed trees and power lines, and localized flooding. In cases like that, being able to prepare and coordinate between the agencies is invaluable and is a standard practice anytime a disaster hits (or is expected to hit) our area.
Protecting Against West Nile Virus
Hear from Ryan Harrison, a Vector Control Specialist with Forsyth Public Health, about how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home.
Mosquitoes can carry diseases like the West Nile Virus and infect humans they bite. To help control the mosquito population, residents should pay attention to standing water on their property that mosquitoes can breed in. Residents should dump out any standing water around their home every seven days and after rain. If the water cannot be dumped, it should be treated with a larvicide to kill any mosquito larvae.
For more information, visit our Mosquito Control webpage.
Wear Jeans on April 29 for Sexual Assault Awareness
Everyone is encouraged to wear jeans on Wednesday, April 29, for Denim Day to support survivors of sexual assault and raise awareness of sexual violence.
Denim Day is part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which takes place in April. The day came about after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans, with justices reasoning the victim must have helped her attacker take off her pants, which implied consent. The next day, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity with the victim.
Businesses and organizations are encouraged to let their employees wear jeans on Denim Day or another day in April.
Locally, survivors of sexual assault can seek help from the Forsyth County Bridges to Hope Family Justice Center, which serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child maltreatment, elder abuse and human trafficking.
Forsyth County Bridges to Hope is located at 725 Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem. It’s open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and can be reached at (336) 776-3255.
Forsyth County employees on WSNC 90.5FM
For the last three years, we have partnered with WSNC 90.5FM radio to share news about county government on their Sunday public affairs show, Empowering You. The program, hosted by station manager Brian Anthony airs on the fourth Sunday at noon. Recently, we had guests discussing staying safe during the spring and summer, a new pet microchip reader coming to our parks, the value of public health and our More Than a Job NC program that helps food and nutrition benefit recipients get education and training to increase their earning potential. Here are links to the interviews.
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