Apex honors Teachers of the Year; semi-finalists named.
APEX, N.C. — At a Feb. 10 meeting, Apex honored the Teachers of the Year for the Apex schools.
The release thanked winners and included the slogan: "great schools are what make Apex the Peak of Good Living, and great teachers make great schools!" Special congratulations to Matin Maani (Friendship Middle) and Amy Crump (Apex High), who were named semi-finalists for Wake County Teacher of the Year.
List of honorees:
- Melissa Barnhart, West Lake Middle School
- Kinya “Kinney” Bloomer, Pleasant Plains Elementary School
- Stephanie Chase, Scotts Ridge Elementary School
- Amy Crump, Apex High School
- Erin Dunbar, Apex Friendship Elementary School
- Tamra Dunstan, West Lake Elementary School
- Teresa Dwiggins, Middle Creek High School
- Kellie Grainer, Apex Elementary School
- Michelle Gregory, Salem Elementary School
- Paige Hutto, Apex Middle School
- Hillary Kitchen, Apex Friendship High School
- Tuyetnga Levesque, Olive Chapel Elementary School
- Jennifer Lomelino, Lufkin Road Middle School
- Terence “Terry” Lynch, White Oak Elementary School
- Matin Maani, Apex Friendship Middle School
- Marisa McKinney, Baucom Elementary School
- Chad Miller, Felton Grove High School
- Sara Roberts, Salem Middle School
- Natalie Sayag, Laurel Park Elementary School
- Jennifer Taylor, Oakview Elementary School
- Lisa Woodard, Middle Creek Elementary School
| Feb 17, 2026 at 6:20 AM | Political |
Wake County issues Ramadan message to community
Wake County Government in Raleigh, North Carolina, posted a message wishing the community a joyful and meaningful Ramadan filled with reflection, compassion and connection and used the hashtags #WakeCounty, #Ramadan and #RamadanMubarak.
| Feb 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM | Gov |
Four Wake County Teachers Win Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award
Apex, N.C. — Wake County Public Schools says four teachers—Jonathan Park, Liz Brooks, Kelly Power and Toccara Smith—have been named the 2025-26 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award winners, with the awards presented this morning by Superintendent Taylor at the teachers’ schools.
| Feb 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM | School |
Wake County EMS slated for service improvements in 2026
Wake County EMS in Raleigh, N.C., plans 2026 service improvements that officials say will deliver the right care to more patients in less time while prioritizing safety for patients, providers and the public.
| Feb 17, 2026 at 5:20 PM | Gov |
Scotts Ridge STEAM Night Draws Families
Scotts Ridge Elementary in Apex, North Carolina, hosted STEAM Night for families and the community, with hands-on activities—from architecture challenges to straw rockets and robotics—that gave attendees a chance to explore STEAM careers.
| Feb 17, 2026 at 10:15 AM | School |
Wake County marks Lunar New Year with library events
Wake County Government in Raleigh invites residents to celebrate the Lunar New Year with library events across the county featuring activities, stories and community celebrations.
| Feb 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Gov |
Wake County Pre-K Offers Free Preschool to Eligible Residents
Wake County Public Schools in Apex, N.C., says eligible residents with a child who will be 4 by Aug. 31 may qualify for free Wake Pre-K preschool services, with four in-person application events—the first on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Early Learning Center, 5008 Memory Road, Raleigh—with online applications available at Wake Pre-K.
| Feb 16, 2026 at 6:20 PM | School |
Eva Perry Library to close at 6 p.m. Feb. 16
The Eva Perry Regional Library in Apex will close at 6 p.m. today, Feb. 16, according to Wake County Government.
| Feb 16, 2026 at 5:55 PM | Gov |
Wake County Sets Feb. 17 Primary Absentee Deadline
The Wake County Board of Elections in Raleigh says the deadline to request an absentee ballot for the 2026 primary is Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.; any registered North Carolina voter may request one by submitting a paper Absentee Ballot Request Form or through the online Absentee Ballot Request Portal, with information at ow.ly/niJe50YgHIY and ReadyToVote.com.
| Feb 16, 2026 at 12:47 PM | Gov |
Wake County to host 21st Keeping the Farm Workshop
Wake County Government in Raleigh, North Carolina, said the 21st annual Keeping the Farm Workshop will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon at the Wake County Commons Building, where farmers and landowners will hear local experts on property tax updates, farm safety, succession planning, wildlife programs and other topics related to the future of Wake County farmland; registration is at wake.gov/KeepingTheFarm.
| Feb 16, 2026 at 11:02 AM | Gov |