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Today’s Forecast

47º | Morning showers and cloudy | 40% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:46 p.m.
 

Two years later

Health and environmental concerns remain two years after fire at Winston Weaver fertilizer plant
Aerial view of smoke coming from a large gray building.
Winston Weaver Co. disposed of 11,000+ tons of soil, fertilizer, and debris after the fire. | Photo courtesy of US Environmental Protection Agency
The fire at Winston Weaver Company’s fertilizer plant on Jan. 31, 2022 prompted some Winston-Salem residents to evacuate their homes and the city to prepare for what the fire chief called “potentially the largest explosion in US history.” Here’s a look at developments two years since the disaster.

What happened

A passerby called to report a fire at the Winston Weaver Company fertilizer plant at 4440 Cherry St. around 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2022. Officials determined 600 tons of ammonium nitrate on the property were at risk of exploding. The fire burned for four days before the site was deemed safe enough for firefighters. Rain helped put out the flames. Everyone within the one-mile radius who voluntarily evacuated was allowed to return home.

What’s happened since

The cause of the fire was deemed “undetermined.” The city came up with a plan to reimburse residents who were affected, although an accounting found that only one-third of the money was distributed.

Blue sky with clouds over blank land. A pickup truck is on the right side of the frame.

The current view from Cherry Street of the former plant site.

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Photo by WStoday

The state Department of Labor fined Winston Weaver Company a total of $5,600 for two violations. In December 2022, Winston-Salem City Council unanimously approved amending the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to put new restrictions on facilities that manufacture fertilizer, pesticides, chemicals, and explosives.

Neighbors filed a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of gross negligence. Proceedings got underway in Forsyth County Superior Court in July 2023.

Concerns remain

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is monitoring residents within the evacuation zone for long-term health impacts.

State records show that groundwater contamination levels at the property exceed state standards. An earthen berm is in place to prevent runoff from flowing into Monarcas Creek.

Environmental contractors have not found contaminants in wells beyond the Cherry Street site, but told the NC Department of Environmental Quality it is likely that contaminated groundwater has migrated offsite to the west and north. State records show they caution more testing is needed.
 
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Thursday, Feb. 1
  • Black History Month Films | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Old Town Neighborhood Center, 4550 Shattalon Dr., Winston-Salem | Free | Enjoy a collection of films featuring celebrated Black directors — for ages 13 and older.
  • Forsyth Area Critical Thinkers (FACT) Monthly Social | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | The Loop Pizza Grill, 320 S. Stratford Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | Come prepared to interact with people of different backgrounds and enjoy conversation over a meal.
  • Transform Your Dating Life in 3 Days | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | $0-$199 | Get the tools to transform your dating experience.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Wellness

Wellness

A solution to winter skin woes
Presented by a WStoday partner
Cosmetic Concierges holding skincare products in a clinic, along with individual shots of the products on a large table.
Cosmetic Concierges Danielle Lampky and Trish Welch are here to help your hydration journey. | Photos provided by Forsyth Plastic Surgery
Is winter wind wreaking havoc on your skin? Find sanctuary at The VISTA, Forsyth Plastic Surgery’s brand-new dedicated aesthetics center.

The VISTA’s Winter Hydration Station is tailored to the icy months, offering a specialized lineup of clinically-proven hydrators + moisturizers. When you arrive, Cosmetic Concierges Danielle and Trish will help you personalize a skincare combination. They’ll answer questions, recommend rejuvenation combinations, and guide you toward your perfect winter pairing.

From fighting off stubborn winter dryness to smoothing wrinkles, The VISTA has professional-grade products for every skin type and need, including:
  • Medical-grade moisturizers
  • Plump-promoting serums
  • Ceramide creams to rebuild your skin’s moisture barrier
  • Antioxidant-rich oils to restore radiance
While you’re there, you can mix, match, and sample as many hydrators as you need.

Visit their website to schedule a complimentary consultation, or drop by the Maplewood location to browse and learn.
Snag a win for your skin
News Notes
Eat
  • Hungry Palate is celebrating its first birthday with $1 wings, half-price appetizers, and drink specials on Sunday, Feb. 4. The restaurant at 239 W. 4th St. will also have live music featuring Joshua Kendrick from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Drink
  • Your first sip of Roll the Quad IPA will support student athletes. Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing and Wake Forest University’s NIL Collective will unveil the new collaboration at a public celebration on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 12 p.m.
Job
  • Crossnore Communities for Children is accepting applications for a principal to lead its new Crossnore Community Charter School. The person hired for the full-time position will be responsible for building a system of trauma-informed curriculum.
Real Estate
  • Want to live in Old Salem? The bottom floor of the Herbst House at 511 S. Main St. is available for rent. The one-bedroom space is available for $750 a month plus utilities.
Health
  • If you’ve had a recent A1C test indicating a risk of prediabetes, you’re eligible to enroll in the year-long Prevent T2 Diabetes Program. Register to enroll then bring the test to the Forsyth County Department of Public Health on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Sports
  • Winston-Salem State University basketball player Jaylen Alston will be recognized for scoring 1,000 career points. A ceremony will be held inside the Gaines Center on Thursday, Feb. 1 before the Rams take on Johnson C. Smith University. (Winston-Salem Journal)
Cause
  • The We Heal Together Initiative has received a $4 million dollar grant from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The funding, which will be distributed over four years, will go toward bettering the lives of youth who live in East Winston-Salem. (FOX8 WGHP)
Legacy
  • Winston-Salem State University is flying flags at half-staff in honor of former chancellor Dr. Cleon F. Thompson, who died Saturday, Jan. 27 at age 92. The university said he will be remembered for championing academic research, revitalizing the nursing school, and enhancing undergraduate admission requirements.
Outdoors
  • The North Carolina State Parks system welcomed more than 20.1 million visitors in 2023, a 4% increase over 2022. The closest state parks to Winston-Salem are Pilot Mountain State Park (~30 minutes from downtown) and Hanging Rock State Park (~45 minutes from downtown). (ABC 45)
Eat
Community
  • You’re invited to discover Reynolda. The historic estate of R.J. and Katharine Reynolds reopens to the public tomorrow. Explore the remarkable collection of world-renowned American art, and don’t miss the changing art exhibitions in the bedroom galleries. Plan your visit.*
Finance
  • One card, all the perks. Unlimited 1.5% cash back, a sign-up bonus worth hundreds, and 0% intro APR for 15 months (all with no annual fee) almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*
 
Network

🤝 Start practicing your handshake

Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. to host workforce development event series in February
A black and red PART bus is approaching an intersection. Fair Witness is on a brick building to the left and other buildings are in the background.
Representatives from PART will explain the Commute Friendly NC Program during the Lunch and Learn. | Photo courtesy of PART via Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.
Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. is drilling down on workforce development with another series of free events in February.

All events will take place at the chamber’s Innovation Quarter offices at 525 Vine St., Ste. 240. Registration is required.

Removing Barriers: Work Opportunity Tax Credit | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 11 a.m. | Learn from the Piedmont Triad Regional Council about how to make the most of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

Effective Workplace Communication | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 1 p.m. | Develop techniques for swapping ideas, managing conflict, and practicing self-awareness in this interactive workshop.

Lunch and Learn: Employer Transportation Benefits | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 11:30 a.m. | Join representatives from the Piedmont Authority of Regional Transportation to discuss the benefits and services available for transporting employees — lunch will be provided.
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6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Cambridge
From the editor
Winston-Salem doesn’t have a composting program for food scraps, but I’m trying to do it on my own. The NC Cooperative Extension has been a great resource as I’ve worked to learn what (and what not) to do.
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