Today’s Forecast

74° | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:36 a.m. | Sunset: 6:32 p.m.

Get your rake ready

When city crews will collect your leaves

Once you’re done playing in leaf piles, move them to the curb. | Photo by WStoday

The tell-tale signs of fall are probably all over your yard. Leaf collection begins in the city of Winston-Salem on Monday, Oct. 30. After wet weather, broken equipment, and staffing shortages caused frustration for residents last year, city leaders designed a collection plan to make sure crews are ready.

The city has 24 trucks dedicated to leaf collection this year, compared to 17 during the 2022-2023 collection season. There will also be 12 automated trucks in service, which will make it possible to collect leaves in two city quadrants at the same time. Trucks will make three passes through each of the city’s quadrants during leaf collection season — which is expected to run through January.

When you’ll see trucks

Leaf collection is only provided to single-family homes. Quadrants one and two will see trucks in their neighborhoods first this year. Residents can find their quadrant and estimated collection date the following ways:

Enter your address on the city’s website
Call or text CityLink and request the information
Download the Winston-Salem Collects app for Apple or Android devices
Check weekly updates posted to the city’s website

WStoday: fall leave collection — Spotting a leaf-collection truck in some neighborhoods took months last year.
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Photo by WStoday

Raking responsibly

Don’t bag your leaves — they should remain in piles on the edge of your yard, not in the street. Some other reminders when raking or blowing leaves for pickup:

Keep sticks, rocks, and other debris out of the pile
Do not park vehicles on, in front of, or near leaves
Do not put leaves on a tarp or over a storm drain

Other ways to get rid of leaves

Burning leaves is not allowed in city limits, but you can rely on weekly collections of your yard waste cart. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities also operates two permanent yard waste disposal facilities that are open year-round, but you will need to pay a fee to use them.

Events

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Murder Mystery Date Night | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Canvas Cake Studio, 300 Jonestown Rd., Winston-Salem | $65-$77 | Solve a murder mystery during this unique cake decorating class — bring a partner to make it more fun.
2023 Celebration of Employee Ownership | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 4-6 p.m. | Footnote Coffee & Cocktails, 634 W. 4th St. Ste. 120, Winston-Salem | $0-$56 | Celebrate and connect with individuals at employee-owned companies in North Carolina.

Thursday, Oct. 26

Secrest Artists Series: Dublin Guitar Quartet | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Brendle Recital Hall, Scales Fine Arts Center, 1775 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem | $5-$18 | Hear the Dublin Guitar Quartet perform contemporary music — along with arrangements by composers like Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt and György Ligeti.
Theatre Alliance’s 7th Annual Rocky Horror Show | Thursday, Oct. 26-Monday, Oct. 30 | 7:30-10:45 p.m. | Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance, 650 W. 6th St., Winston-Salem | $19-$21 | The homage to the classic sci-fi film combines horror and comedy with a rock ‘n’ roll score — rated R due to adult situations and strong language.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

Feel at home this holiday season in Greenville, SC

A crowd of ice skaters at an outdoor rink in Greenville, SC.

Enjoy seasonal activities in a new city that still feels like home. | Photo provided by VisitGreenville SC

Experience magical moments in Greenville, SC this season with affordable accommodations and festive fun without the crowds.

Choose from favorites, like:

Rooftop igloos and outdoor ice skating
Seeing dazzling lights (even Santa’s elves flock to Main Street to see this)
Live performances + free, family-friendly events
And more holly jolly happenings to spread seasonal cheer

Thinking about spending the season in Greenville? Request a free Visitor’s Guide.

Book a seasonal stay

News Notes

Announced

Forsyth County Manager Dudley Watts plans to retire at the end of June 2024 after 17 years in the position. Forsyth County residents will get a say in what they want to see in the next manager later this year during public listening sessions. Dates have not been set yet.

Weather

Could the first freeze of the season happen soon in Winston-Salem? Based on 30-year averages, Winston-Salem typically sees its first day of temperatures of 32 degrees or colder on Nov. 3. The average first freeze date in Forsyth County is Oct. 30. (FOX8 WGHP)

Festival

Forsyth County’s third annual Fun Fest is happening Saturday, Oct. 28 after rain forced organizers to cancel the event in September. The free community outreach event will offer food, games, raffles, music, vaccinations, and serve as a job fair. Make plans to attend from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health and Human Services building on Highland Avenue.

Shop

Get a headstart on your holiday shopping. Make plans to browse local stores downtown during the Shop the Block event Thursday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 5. Participating retailers will offer discounts and deals on merchandise during regular business hours.

Seasonal

Roar will host its holiday market every Saturday between Nov. 25 and Dec. 23 at its location on North Liberty Street downtown. Artisans who are interested in being vendors at the weekly indoor event can apply until Friday, Nov. 3.

Edu

The state’s Charter School Review Board has approved the application for a new charter school in Winston-Salem. Crossnore Community Charter is expected to open in August 2025 in the Edwards Building on the campus of Crossnore Communities for Children on Reynolda Road. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Talk

The Forsyth County Central Library will host a free screening of the documentary “The Right to Read” on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. Experts from the NC Department of Public Instruction, the NC Childhood Foundation, and local nonprofit Read Write Spell will discuss children’s literacy education after the film. (WFDD)

Correction

We got our roads crossed about the new Forsyth County courthouse — it’s open at 175 N. Chestnut St. in downtown Winston-Salem and has new features to serve citizens and government employees.

Asked

Where do you trick-or-treat?

Best neighborhoods for trick-or-treating in Winston-Salem

Are you brave enough to walk up to this house in Ardmore in the dark? | Photo by WStoday

Costumed children will be hitting the streets in less than a week. We want to know the sweet spots for scoring candy on Halloween. There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing where to trick-or-treat:

Which neighborhoods are safe for walking?
Will decorations give visitors a good scare?
Are homes handing out full-size goodies?
Are neighbors up late and ready to answer the door?

Does this sound like where you live or the neighborhood you return to year after year? Tell us where it’s best for families to go door-to-door. We’ll share the answers so you know where the hocus pocus is happening on fright night.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

I bought Halloween candy too early this year and have been constantly tempted to sneak a few pieces — especially the KitKats. I’m going to have to hide the bowl from myself so I have enough for trick-or-treaters next week.

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