County Manager Shontell Robinson explains how the biannual resident survey helps improve county services and encourages recipients to complete it.
March 2026 - Vol. 18
Forsyth County commissioners held a Winter Work Session last month focusing on the county's budget and finances.
The 2026 Primary Election is Here
Primary Election Day is March 3. In Forsyth County, 22,750 residents have already cast their ballots during Early Voting.
If you vote on Election Day, you’ll need to vote at your assigned polling place, and polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. - 730 p.m. Any voter in line at their assigned polling place at 7:30 p.m. will be able to vote. You can visit the Forsyth County Board of Elections webpage to look up your polling location and sample ballot, along with election results after the polls close.
Childcare assistance now available
Forsyth Social Services is now able to serve eligible children through its childcare subsidy program.
Families who are currently employed, enrolled in school, experiencing a crisis or who have children with developmental delays are encouraged to apply. The childcare voucher program helps eligible families access quality childcare services, supporting parents and guardians as they work or further their education while ensuring children receive safe and nurturing care.
How to Apply
- In Person: Pick up an application at 741 N. Highland Ave. in Winston-Salem
- Phone: Call 336-703-3800
- Email: Request an application by emailing fcchildcare@forsyth.cc
For additional information about the childcare assistance program and for assistance locating a childcare provider, please visit: NCDHHS - How Does Child Care Financial Assistance in North Carolina Work?
County Manager
In This Issue
County Commissioner Update
Forsyth County Commissioners held their Winter Work Session last month reviewing the county's finances and budget-related issues. You can watch the meeting in its entirety on the county’s website.
The Winter Work Session, along with a series of budget workshops that begin this month, help commissioners and staff prepare for the complex task of crafting a budget for next fiscal year, which commissioners will approve in June.
Here’s this month’s full county commissioners meeting schedule:
- Monday, March 2 Briefing at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, March 5 Meeting at 6 p.m.
-
Monday, March 16
Budget Workshop at 9 a.m.
Briefing at 2 p.m. -
Thursday, March 19
Bimonthly Morning Discussion Session at 10 a.m.
Meeting at 2 p.m. - Monday, March 30 Briefing at 2 p.m.
Forsyth County Commissioners’ Winter Work Session.
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.
Meetings and briefings 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 and are also broadcasted live on WSTV13 on Spectrum cable.
Health Fair and Naloxone Training at downtown bus station
Forsyth County Health and Human Services (HHS) is holding a Health Resource Fair and Naloxone Training at Clark Campbell Transportation Center, 100 W 5th St.
The Health Resource Fair will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 10 with community organizations that offer healthcare, counseling and social service resources.
The Naloxone Training will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on March 17 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 Transportation Center. You can see the full list of Health Resource Fairs and Naloxone Training sessions here.
Check Your Blood Pressure at Library Branches
There are self-monitoring blood pressure stations at eight Forsyth County Public Library branches.
The stations have chairs that library visitors can sit in while using the blood pressure monitor. Each station has information on how to use the device and what the results mean, along with pencils and paper to record the results. The entire process takes less than a minute.
The blood pressure monitors are a collaboration between the Forsyth County Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association of the Triad. It began last summer with blood pressure stations at Forsyth County Central Library and Carver School Road Branch Library. The initiative has expanded to six more library branches:
- Clemmons Branch Library
- Lewisville Branch Library
- Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center
- Paddison Memorial Branch Library
- Reynolda Manor Branch Library
- Rural Hall/Stanleyville Branch Library
The information provided by the Forsyth County Public Library and the American Heart Association is not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions regarding medical condition, diagnosis or treatment.
Librarian Priscilla Spencer tests the self-monitoring blood pressure station at Reynolda Branch Library.
You can find the library branch closest to you by visiting the Forsyth County Public Library’s website.
Social Services Available at Public Library Branches
Eligibility Specialist Sheri McDowell at Paddison Memorial Branch Library.
Forsyth County Social Services is available at select library branches one day a week to help residents apply for benefits like food and nutrition, Medicaid and energy assistance. They can also answer benefit related questions.
Paddison Memorial Branch Library
Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Walkertown Branch Library
Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Rural Hall/Stanleyville Branch Library
Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Beginning March 4)
Clemmons Branch Library
Thursdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Lewisville Branch Library
Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Plans are underway to also have Social Services staff at the Forsyth County Central Library.
Reservations Open for Indoor Parks Facilities
All indoor facilities at county parks are now open for reservation. These facilities include Woodland Hall at Triad Park along with the Red Barn and Walnut Hall at Tanglewood Park.
Mt. Pleasant Church at Tanglewood Park is also open again for reservations after being closed for two years for the construction of the nearby Clubhouse. The church is an indoor ceremony facility with capacity for up to 85 people. Pricing for the church is $200 for a weekday (Mon-Thu) and $275 for a weekend event (Fri-Sun).
These facilities are perfect for indoor events like weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, and more. For more information, or to check availability, call 336-703-6480 or visit the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation website.
Airport Control Tower to Close for Renovations
Jim Shaw ACE Academy students visit the Smith Reynolds Airport Control Tower in 2019.
Smith Reynolds Airport will temporarily close its air traffic control tower beginning March 9 for a planned 63-day renovation project aimed at modernizing and improving the facility.
During this period, the airport will remain open, and pilots will be notified of operational changes through the Federal Aviation Administration's NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions). Because the FAA equipment room must be shut down during construction, the airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) will be unavailable for the duration of the project. However, pilots may check conditions each day for visual and other approaches such as RNAV (Area Navigation) and GPS.
Smith Reynolds Airport was selected as one of only 20 airports in 15 states to receive funding from the highly competitive Bipartisan Infrastructure Law FAA Contract Tower Program.
The airport’s award of $2 million is the largest amount granted to any airport on the list, reflecting the FAA’s recognition of the project’s importance and the facility’s regional significance. This investment will support critical upgrades including a new HVAC system, roof replacement, tower window improvements, and additional renovations designed to enhance safety, efficiency and long-term functionality.
The tower project was not included in the County’s $12 million Terminal Renovation Project, completed in August 2025, making this federal support especially impactful.
Forsyth County Connections
The county produces a monthly show hosted by noted local television personality Jim Longworth. The show can be seen on our YouTube and Vimeo pages and airs on WXLV ABC45 on the second Sunday of the month at noon. This month's show includes segments on the childhood subsides, Social Services outreach in select libraries, measles preparedness, firefighter recruiting, and the value of libraries.
Measles Training
Public Health and Emergency Management hosted a Measles tabletop exercise recently.
2026 Forsyth County Survey
The 2026 Forsyth County Community Survey has been mailed to a random sample of residents. If you recieve it, please fill it out and return it. This survey helps county commissioners and staff improve the services we provide for the community.
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