Holly Springs, NC, Aug. 17, 2026 — A divided rezoning on Avent Ferry Road, more than $2 million in contracts and spending, and a major replacement of the town’s financial software highlight items on the agenda (agenda packet) for tomorow night’s Town Council meeting at Town Hall (directions). The agenda also includes two proclamations, the Fire Department’s first formal annual report and a vote to fill a Planning Board vacancy.

Avent Ferry rezoning reaches council after 3-3 vote

A proposed development at 2420 Avent Ferry Road (map) comes to council without a recommendation from the Planning Board after an unusual 3-3 vote last month.

The applicant is seeking to rezone 32.3 acres from Rural Residential to a mix of Suburban Residential and Neighborhood Mixed-Use. Rezoning case 25-REZ-08 (document) would allow 53 single-family homes and a commercial building of between 5,000 and 16,000 square feet.

Prior HSU Coverage - Rezoning Proposal for 2420 Avent Ferry Road in Holly Springs Outlines Vision for Residential Community with Commercial Space (July 31, 2025)

The Planning Board considered the case on July 28th with three members absent. A motion to recommend denial failed 3-3, leaving the board without enough votes to recommend either approval or denial.

Josh Prizer and Craig Kessler voted for denial, citing the location and safety concerns related to the commercial portion of the project. Van Crandall also voted for denial because of access concerns but later indicated he wished he had voted the other way. The board did not revote. Kathy Stamper, Joanna Holder and Rick Madoni voted against the motion to deny.

Town staff recommends approval, finding the proposal reasonable and in the public interest. Wake County Public Schools has also indicated that existing schools have sufficient capacity for the development.

Council held a public hearing on the rezoning July 21st and will now make the final decision.

More than $2 million on the Consent Agenda

Eight items are on Tuesday’s Consent Agenda, where routine or previously reviewed business is generally approved in a single vote unless a council member asks to pull an item for separate discussion. The financial actions included in the consent items total more than $2 million.

The largest is a roughly $1.4 million rehabilitation of the North Main Athletic Complex parking lot. Portions of the lot, which was built in 2015, have shown accelerated deterioration since 2022.

Fred Smith Company submitted the lowest of five bids opened on July 22nd and is in line for a $1.08 million construction contract, with another $162,000 set aside for contingency. Bolton & Menk would receive about $158,000 for construction administration and inspection, with an additional $24,000 contingency. Work is expected to run from September through November.

Council will also consider spending about $287,000 on a Caterpillar 320 Hydraulic Excavator from Gregory Poole Equipment Company. The new excavator would replace a 1996 machine that has nearly doubled its recommended 15-year service life and now needs engine repairs.

Another $155,000 would go toward renovating the kitchen at Fire Station 2, including cabinets, countertops, flooring, and electrical and plumbing work. The town originally budgeted $50,000 for the project in fiscal year 2025. Savings from five completed town projects would cover the balance, meaning no additional operating-budget money is needed.

Other consent items include an approximately $102,000 annual increase in the town’s landscape maintenance contract with Greenscape to cover new medians on Holly Springs Road and at the Operations Campus. Council will also consider reallocating $48,000 in unused centrifuge rental money at the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

Holly Springs plans replacement of 20-year-old financial system

The town could also begin replacing the roughly 20-year-old software it uses for financial management and utility billing.

Council will consider a five-year agreement with Oracle that includes about $457,000 in one-time implementation costs and $140,000 in annual cloud subscription fees. That puts the five-year cost at about $1.2 million, assuming the annual subscription price remains unchanged.

The Oracle system would replace the town’s New World platform. Tyler Technologies, which owns New World, is no longer developing the system.

Implementation is expected to start in late fall and take about 18 months. Financial management would move to the new system first, followed by utility billing.

Three seek vacant Planning Board seat

Council will also consider three applicants to replace Planning Board member Tanner Davis, who resigned.

The vacancy is for an extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, seat, meaning council will recommend a candidate to the Wake County Board of Commissioners, which makes the appointment. ETJs are areas outside municipal limits where a town has certain planning and development authority.

The applicants are Michael Anderson, an Enrolled Agent and owner of a local tax firm; Kristi Melby, a real estate agent; and Hannah Peptis, a nurse practitioner. The term runs through Feb. 28th, 2029.

Peptis disclosed a potential conflict involving a development proposal near her property and said she would recuse herself from that matter if appointed.

Fire Department to present first annual report

Tuesday’s meeting will begin with proclamations recognizing September as Firefighter Appreciation Month and Emergency Preparedness Month. The firefighter proclamation recognizes the Holly Springs Fire Department’s 85 members.

The emergency preparedness proclamation points to an active year for severe weather. Wake County has already recorded six Flash Flood Warnings, 42 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, two Tornado Watches, two Winter Storm Warnings, one Extreme Heat Warning, and 12 Heat Advisories in 2026, along with one Flash Flood Watch.

Fire Chief LeRoy Smith will follow the proclamations with the department’s first formal Annual Fire Rescue Department Report, covering July 1st, 2025, through June 30th, 2026.

The Holly Springs Town Council meets tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 128 S. Main Street in Holly Springs. Residents are encouraged to submit comments to the council in person or in written form. Details on the process can be found on the town’s Public Comment page at https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/2242/Submit-a-Public-Comment

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Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, August 14, 2026

Marquee Events

Friday, August 14

PJ Morton – The Saturday Night | Sunday Morning Tour
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
Six-time GRAMMY winner PJ Morton brings his Saturday Night | Sunday Morning Tour to Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center.
8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)

Retracing the Lewis & Clark Expedition with Dr. Roland Kays
Bass Lake Park Conference Room, 900 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC
National Geographic Explorer Dr. Roland Kays presents a first-hand account of his wildlife re-survey along the Lewis & Clark route, hosted by South Wake Conservationists; registration required.
7:30–9:00 PM

Saturday, August 15

Riffs & Rescues
Mason Jar Lager Co., 341 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
A full-day, all-ages music festival at Mason Jar Lager Co. featuring live local bands, karaoke and DJ, bingo, a scavenger hunt, and adoptable pets, held as a fundraiser for Lending Paws a Hand, Inc.
1:00–10:00 PM

Emma Rae Concert – Rhythm & Reels
Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, NC
Free outdoor concert at Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre featuring Emma Rae as part of the Rhythm & Reels summer series.
7:00–9:00 PM

Sunday, August 16

Art of Cool Presents The Frequency Series – Jonathan Butler & Najee with Aaron McCoy
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Art of Cool presents The Frequency Series featuring smooth jazz artists Jonathan Butler and Najee, with Aaron McCoy, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.
6:30 PM (Doors 5:00 PM)

Upcoming Dates

August 20

Tarot Card Readings and Bubbles with Abby
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
5:00–7:30 PM

August 31 – September 6

Veolia Pickleball National Championships
Cary Tennis Center, 2727 Louis Stephens Dr, Cary, NC
Various times

Sports

Sunday, August 16

NC Courage vs. Houston Dash (Women’s Soccer) Sports
First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Drive, Cary, NC
7:00 PM

Holly Springs

Friday, August 14

Thousand Ways
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, August 15

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Richard Boston
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Tone Merchants and Switch Craft
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Frank Longino (piano) & Angela Bingham (voice)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00 PM

Sayer McShane
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Sunday, August 16

Pop-Up Shopping: Fuqu’n Vinyl
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
1:00–4:00 PM

Corks and Chords: Open Guitar Playing
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
2:00–4:00 PM

Apex

Friday, August 14

BeckyAnn Music
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

It’s Those Guys
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Mysti Mayhem
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

The Amateurs — Reggae Night
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, August 15

Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

SuperFun Saturday (Family-Friendly)
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Savanna Bassett
Bottle Theory, 3675 Green Level W Rd, Suite 101, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

CRUSH
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Replay
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

45 RPM
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

The Cheeze Factor
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Fuquay-Varina

Friday, August 14

Jim Morgan
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 505 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Stolen Goods
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Chris Hooper Duo
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Southgate 40
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 PM

King Pappy
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, August 15

Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Jam Biscuit
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
4:00 PM

Sunday, August 16

Richard Boston
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 505 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
3:00–6:00 PM

Want your event included in Out and About? Send details to news@hollyspringsupdate.com

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, August 6, 2026

Marquee Events

Friday, August 7

Tim McGraw – Pawn Shop Guitar Tour 2026
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC
Country artist Tim McGraw performs at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek as part of his Pawn Shop Guitar Tour 2026.
7:00 PM

Saturday, August 8

First Responders Day at New Hope Valley Railway
New Hope Valley Railway, 3900 Bonsal Rd, New Hill, NC
A family-friendly event featuring a Touch-A-Truck experience with emergency vehicles, visits with local first responders, and train rides at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
10:00 AM–1:30 PM

“The Bad Guys 2” Movie – Rhythm & Reels
Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, NC
Free outdoor movie night at Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre as part of the Rhythm & Reels summer series, with the film beginning at dusk.
7:30–9:30 PM

Stephen Wilson Jr. – Gary the Torch Tour with The Lone Bellow
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
Country artist Stephen Wilson Jr. brings his Gary the Torch Tour to Red Hat Amphitheater with special guest The Lone Bellow.
7:00 PM (Doors 5:30 PM)

Moth Night
Crowder County Park, 4709 Ten-Ten Rd, Apex, NC
A free, family-friendly event led by South Wake Conservationists using sheets and UV lights to attract and observe a variety of moth species after dark.
8:00–10:00 PM

Sunday, August 9

Salem Street Hospitality Walk
Downtown Apex, 106 W Chatham St, Apex, NC
A community event supporting Salem Street small businesses in Downtown Apex with a walk highlighting local shops and eateries.
Noon–4:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

August 29

Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
7:00 PM

Sports

Friday, August 7

Delta Heating & Cooling 165 – NASCAR Regional Season
Wake County Speedway, 2109 Simpkins Rd, Raleigh, NC
7:00–11:00 PM

Holly Springs

Friday, August 7

Drew Johnson
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Richard Boston
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, August 8

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Keith Ganz (guitar) & Paul Creel (bass)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

The Backroads
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Ryan Mullaney
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Apex

Friday, August 7

K Bomb & The Kool Whips
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Harvey Dalton Arnold Duo with Tim Carey
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, August 8

Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Joe (Align Again) – Farewell & Thank You, Fundraiser
South Line Brewing, 2141 E Williams St, Apex, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Maverick Rose
Southern Peak Brewery, 950 Windy Rd, Apex, NC
6:30–9:00 PM

Kerry Long
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

Southern Misfits
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Sunday, August 9

Helena Redman
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
3:00 PM

Fuquay-Varina

Friday, August 7

Maskell Freeman
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Lydia St. George Band
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Jack Spades Duo
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Latin Night with DJ Ones
Mason Jar Lager Co., 341 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Open Jam
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
6:00–10:00 PM

Longleaf Soul
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30 PM

Saturday, August 8

Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Richard Boston
Wingin’ It Bar & Grille, 1625 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Want your event included in Out and About? Send details to news@hollyspringsupdate.com

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, July 24, 2026

MARQUEE EVENTS

Friday, July 31

Splash Bash
Pleasant Park, 3400 Pleasant Plains Rd, Apex, NC
A free family-friendly evening event celebrating the end of PRCR Month, featuring extended splash pad hours, lawn games, and food trucks at Pleasant Park.
6:00–8:30 PM

Comedy Hypnosis Show: Claudia Rickard
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
A comedy hypnosis show fundraiser benefiting Children’s Flight of Hope, with $10 donation-based tickets.
7:00–10:00 PM

July 31 – August 1

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
A two-day festival featuring all-you-care-to-taste beer and bourbon sampling, barbecue vendors, live rock, blues, and bluegrass music, and family-friendly games.
Various times

Saturday, August 1

Tre.Charles Concert [Rhythm & Reels]
Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Rd, Apex, NC
A free outdoor concert and movie night featuring Alternative/Indie Soul artist Tre.Charles as part of the Rhythm & Reels summer series.
7:00–9:00 PM

The Market at NCMA
North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC
A monthly local artist market held on the first Saturday of the month, featuring artist vendors alongside the museum’s galleries and park.
11:00 AM–4:00 PM

Car Wash for Holly Springs High School Golden Hawks Regiment
ACME Pizza, 204 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs, NC
A car wash fundraiser benefiting the Holly Springs High School Golden Hawks Regiment marching band, with donations accepted.
10:00 AM–2:00 PM

McLean Farms Watermelon Festival
McLean Farms, 5410 River Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
A free annual watermelon festival featuring live music, line dancing, a watermelon eating contest, a costume contest, a kids’ play area, and local vendors.
10:00 AM–3:00 PM

UPCOMING DATES

August 4, 2026

Deep Purple with Kansas and Jefferson Starship
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
6:00 PM

February 26–28, 2027

Bluey’s Big Play
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC
A touring live theatrical production based on the animated series Bluey, featuring puppeteers performing as the show’s characters.
Various showtimes

SPORTS

Friday, July 31

Orlando Pride at NC Courage (Women’s Soccer)
First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Drive, Cary, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, August 1

Salamanders vs. Martinsville Mustangs Sports
North Main Athletic Complex, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC
6:30 PM

Sunday, August 2

Salamanders vs. South Wake Shakes
North Main Athletic Complex, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC
5:05 PM

HOLLY SPRINGS

Friday, July 31

Chris Gentri and Joel Pruner
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Scarecrow Band
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, August 1

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Angela Bingham, voice & Frank Longino, piano
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Deep 6
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00 PM

The Stolen Goods
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Kam and Co.
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

APEX

Friday, July 31

The Roguez
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Graham’s Number
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

DJ SunnyXarray
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, August 1

Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

SuperFun Saturday
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Story Charlemagne
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Snapback (Country Music Night)
TapStation, 320 S Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

David Buchanan
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
7:00 PM

Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs
Bottle Theory, 3675 Green Level W Rd, Suite 101, Apex, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Savanna Bassett
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

Eduardo and the Paco Band
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Vintage Groove
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

FUQUAY-VARINA

Friday, July 31

2Digh4
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
6:30–9:30 PM

Still Kickin Band
McWally’s, 1475 N Judd Pkwy NE, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Sam Trebling
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 505 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Riff Raff
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM

Saturday, August 1

Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

MikeMickXer
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
4:00–7:00 PM

Sayer McShane
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

DEADS
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Joe Hero
Mason Jar Lager Co., 341 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, Jul. 27, 2026 — The Holly Springs Salamanders control their own postseason fate entering the final week of the Coastal Plain League regular season. Holding the East Division’s final playoff spot, the Salamanders enter the week’s final two league games with their postseason fate in their own hands.

At 23-20, the Salamanders sit fourth in the East Division, just ahead of the Peninsula Pilots (22-20) and Tri-City Chili Peppers (22-19). With only two league games remaining, there’s virtually no margin for error as three teams battle for the division’s final postseason spot.

Buy tickets

https://salamandersbaseball.com/tickets/

Both remaining league games will be played at North Main Athletic Complex Stadium, giving Holly Springs fans a chance to watch the postseason race unfold in person. The Salamanders host the Zebulon Devil Dogz at 6:30 p.m. Thursday before welcoming the Martinsville Mustangs for another 6:30 p.m. first pitch Saturday. The club closes its home schedule Sunday at 5:05 p.m. with an exhibition game against the Southwest Shakes.

Holly Springs will also take the field with several of the Coastal Plain League’s statistical leaders. Ethan Belk ranks fourth in the league with a .368 batting average, while Brady Lester sits 14th at .336. Levi Ham has also been a steady contributor throughout the season, batting .316 to rank just outside the league’s top 25 qualifying hitters.

The Salamanders have also been led by a pair of pitchers ranked among the league’s best. Alex Gaeto owns the Coastal Plain League’s third-lowest ERA among qualified pitchers at 3.29 over 38.1 innings, while Cameron Brown ranks 12th with a 7.25 ERA across 36 innings.

The standings underscore just how tight the race has become. Morehead City and Wilmington have separated themselves at the top of the East Division, but Holly Springs, Peninsula and Tri-City remain locked in a battle for the final berth. Every remaining league game has the potential to reshape the standings.

That gives Holly Springs residents an opportunity they haven’t had in quite some time: meaningful late-season baseball at North Main Athletic Complex Stadium with the season on the line. If the Salamanders can take care of business Thursday and Saturday night, they’ll be well positioned to extend their summer and continue their run into August.

Buy tickets

https://salamandersbaseball.com/tickets/

Holly Springs, NC, July 26, 2026 — Automated license plate readers have become a routine investigative tool for Holly Springs police, but last Tuesday’s town council discussion revealed the town doesn’t control every camera operating within its borders.

During a presentation requested by Town Manager Randy Harrington, Police Chief Paul Liquorie explained how the department uses automated license plate readers, commonly known as ALPRs, the safeguards that govern access to the data, and where the town’s authority over the technology ends. The council took no action other than receiving the briefing.

Liquorie described ALPRs as high-speed cameras that use optical character recognition to capture license plate numbers, along with the time and location where a vehicle was observed. That information is stored in a searchable database. He also distinguished the technology from Flock Safety, whose name has become closely associated with license plate readers nationwide. Holly Springs instead contracts with Vigilant Solutions, a Motorola subsidiary, a decision Liquorie said the department made deliberately.

The department uses the system in two ways. Officers and dispatchers receive real-time alerts when a vehicle associated with a stolen vehicle report, wanted person, or an AMBER or Silver Alert passes one of the cameras. Detectives can also search historical records during an active investigation, but only after entering a valid case number.

To illustrate its value, Liquorie highlighted several recent cases. Officers recovered a stolen vehicle that led to an arrest involving drugs, an illegal firearm, and stolen credit cards. He also described missing person investigations involving elderly residents and people experiencing mental health crises, along with a Bass Lake vehicle break-in solved after another agency queried the shared ALPR network using a captured license plate.

Liquorie stressed that the system is not an unrestricted database. Alerts provide only a license plate number, camera location and visible vehicle characteristics, such as the make, model or distinguishing damage. They do not identify the registered owner, display a driver’s license photograph or provide other personal information.

Access is also tightly controlled. Every database search requires a case number tied to an active investigation, and every query creates an audit trail identifying the officer who conducted it. State law requires ALPR records to be deleted after 90 days, and Liquorie said misuse of the system can result in disciplinary action, including termination, as well as criminal prosecution.

The town attorney addressed several legal questions raised by council members. ALPR records are classified as law enforcement criminal intelligence information and are not subject to North Carolina public records laws, the attorney said. The attorney also emphasized that simply seeing a vehicle at a particular location does not establish probable cause or reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop. Officers must have an independent legal basis before taking enforcement action.

The evening’s most significant exchange came when council members turned from how Holly Springs uses the technology to who else can.

Liquorie confirmed that local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies may access Holly Springs’ ALPR data through memoranda of understanding. Those same agencies may also install their own license plate reader cameras inside Holly Springs, including on state-maintained roads, without obtaining approval from the town.

One council member asked whether a state agency could place a camera on a state road running through Holly Springs “without our approval or without us even knowing that they’ve put the camera there.”

“Absolutely,” Liquorie replied. “That’s right.”

Liquorie also confirmed the department maintains separate memoranda of understanding with federal law enforcement agencies for data sharing. He said he could not immediately say whether those agreements include expiration dates and would follow up with the council.

That discussion reflects a broader legal debate that remains unresolved. Courts have generally concluded that a single ALPR scan is no different than an officer observing a license plate in plain view on a public roadway and therefore does not constitute a Fourth Amendment search. Less settled is whether searching months of historical ALPR data raises different constitutional questions because it can reveal patterns of a person’s movements.

The issue traces in part to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 decision in Carpenter v. United States, which held that historical cell phone location records are protected by the Fourth Amendment because they can paint a detailed picture of a person’s daily life. Courts have generally distinguished ALPR data from cell phone tracking, but judges, including members of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which includes North Carolina, have suggested that prolonged or aggregated surveillance could eventually receive similar constitutional scrutiny. Congress has not enacted nationwide standards governing ALPR use.

Liquorie closed the presentation by noting that Holly Springs leases its cameras and subscribes to the supporting database rather than purchasing the equipment outright. That arrangement, he said, allows the town to change vendors if it becomes dissatisfied with Vigilant’s policies or data practices.

For Holly Springs, the town controls the cameras it owns and the policies governing their use. Monday night’s discussion made clear that it does not control every license plate reader operating within its borders, a distinction rooted not in local policy but in the separate legal authority granted to other law enforcement agencies.

Holly Springs, NC, July 25, 2026 — The Holly Springs Town Council voted 3-1 last Tuesday night to approve a rezoning (related documents) that would allow up to 450 apartments near Sunset Lake Commons, ending a process that has stretched roughly five years. Despite the approval, the development cannot move forward until the town resolves a long-standing sewer capacity shortfall affecting the area.

The rezoning changes 30.6 acres at 4950 Optimist Farm Rd. from Neighborhood Mixed-Use to Mixed-Use Residential Conditional Zoning District, allowing up to 15 dwelling units per acre. Although the Planning Board unanimously recommended approval last month, the proposal remained contentious as residents argued they still lacked answers about tree preservation, wetlands, parking demand and traffic.

The council’s debate reflected that uncertainty. A motion to deny the rezoning failed after receiving no second, and a subsequent motion to approve passed 3-1. Before the vote, one council member questioned what the town gained by approving the rezoning now rather than waiting until infrastructure was available. The town attorney responded there was “very little benefit to the town,” but also “no detriment,” because the existing development agreement already prevents construction until sewer capacity is available.

That sewer limitation shaped nearly every aspect of the discussion. Town documents state that two existing pump stations require upgrades and that a new Eastern Regional Pump Station must be constructed before the site—and much of the Northeast Gateway area—can be served. The ordinance’s prepared denial findings specifically cite the missing sewer infrastructure, while the development agreement acknowledges the town “would not ordinarily grant zoning approval” under current conditions and prohibits building permits until adequate capacity exists. During a neighborhood meeting in February 2024, the developer likewise acknowledged the sewer issue had “been an ongoing discussion for years.”

Residents argued that several other questions remain unresolved despite the lengthy review process. One Arbor Creek Drive resident said she was surprised to learn how close the development would be to her grandson’s backyard because she did not receive direct notification of the hearing. She estimated the project would require roughly 1,200 parking spaces and urged the council not to view the decision as a foregone conclusion.

Another resident argued the property’s current zoning already allows 244 units by right and that the rezoning effectively adds roughly 214 more units. She also questioned why no tree survey or preservation plan had been presented for a heavily wooded property and said wetlands appeared to run through the proposed road extension. A third resident echoed concerns about wetlands and wildlife habitat while saying nearby intersections are already under strain from NC-540 traffic.

The approved project includes several public improvements alongside the apartment community. The developer has committed to extending Lassiter Road through the property at an estimated cost of $5 million without town funding, constructing a greenway connection and providing a 25-foot landscaped buffer adjacent to existing homes. Building heights will be limited to 35 feet near that buffer and between 60 and 65 feet elsewhere. A Traffic Impact Analysis estimates the project will generate approximately 2,900 vehicle trips per day while limiting the share affecting any single movement through the Sunset Lake and Optimist Farm intersection.

The development agreement also defers frontage improvements along Optimist Farm Road and Sunset Lake Road that would normally accompany a project of this size. Instead, those improvements would be constructed with a future commercial development planned for a commonly owned parcel at the intersection once sewer capacity is available.

For now, however, the practical outcome is unchanged. The rezoning has been approved, but no construction can begin until the town resolves the sewer capacity problem that dominated Monday night’s debate.

Want your event included in Out and About? Send details to news@hollyspringsupdate.com

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, July 24, 2026

Marquee Events

Saturday, July 25

Blue Notes & Bright Nights – ChamberSoul with Shana Tucker & Christian Tamburr
Ashe Music Hall, 104 Avent Ferry Rd, Holly Springs, NC
A jazz concert series performance from Arts Holly Springs’ Icons of Jazz Series, featuring vocalist Shana Tucker and pianist Christian Tamburr performing jazz standards and original works.
6:00–8:00 PM

Holly Springs 150th Anniversary Salamanders Game
North Main Athletic Complex, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC
A special 150th-anniversary-themed Holly Springs Salamanders baseball game featuring between-inning activities, contests, and Town booths on the concourse.
6:30 PM

Stuff the Truck School Supply Drive
Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
The Fuquay-Varina Police Department’s annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive, collecting school supply donations for local students at the Fuquay-Varina Growers Market.
8:00 AM–Noon

The Giver – Applause! Cary Youth Theatre
Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave, Cary, NC
A Cary Youth Theatre production of “The Giver,” following a young boy chosen to inherit a community’s suppressed memories of pain and joy.
7:30–9:00 PM

Summer Intensive – Carolina Ballet
Fletcher Opera Theater, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
A performance by Carolina Ballet’s Summer Intensive students showcasing the artistry and growth they developed through their summer training.
7:00 PM

** Upcoming Dates

Monday, July 28

Bob Dylan with Lucinda Williams and Jimmie Vaughn & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
6:30 PM

Tuesday, July 29

O.A.R. – Three Decades Tour with Gavin DeGraw & Lisa Loeb
Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC
6:00 PM

July 31 – August 1

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
A two-day festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre featuring beer and bourbon tastings, barbeque vendors, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Sports

Sunday, July 26
Greenville Yard Gnomes vs. Holly Springs Salamanders Sports
North Main Athletic Complex, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC

Holly Springs

Friday, July 24

Richard Boston
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Saturday, July 25

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Undercover Band
Carolina Brewing Company, 140 Thomas Mill Rd, Holly Springs, NC
5:00–8:00 PM

Baron Tymas, Guitar Duo
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Mary Selvidge
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Suite 103, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

The Phoebes
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Chris Gentri
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Dead City Radio
Black Dog Bottle Shop, 140 W Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Apex

Friday, July 24

Octave Overdrive
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Joe’s Cousin
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, July 25

Apex Farmers Market
Apex Farmers Market, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Ian McMahan
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
6:30–9:00 PM

Roam Like Ghosts
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Becky Ann
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC
8:00–10:00 PM

5th Time Around
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Wagstaff Road
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:30 PM

Skull Jams
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Sunday, July 26

Janis & The Crew
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
3:00 PM

Fuquay-Varina

Friday, July 24

Skull Jams
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

2Digh4
Mason Jar Lager Co., 341 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Radio Gnomes
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM

Saturday, July 25

Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Christmas in July
The Mill, 146 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Mixtape
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Ray Martin Music
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

2Digh4
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Southern Rant
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
9:00 PM–Midnight

Sunday, July 26

Becky Ann
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, July 16, 2026 — Residents in Holly Springs, Apex and Fuquay-Varina who step outside shortly after sunset Friday could catch one of the summer’s most striking astronomical sights as a thin crescent Moon appears alongside Venus in the western sky. The pairing, known as a conjunction, will be visible between 9 and 9:30 p.m. EDT, about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset.

To find it, look low toward the western horizon. Venus, often called the “Evening Star” despite being a planet, will be the brightest object in that part of the sky, while the slender crescent Moon will appear about 6 degrees to its left. No special equipment is needed to enjoy the display, although a pair of binoculars can reveal additional detail and allow both objects to be viewed together in a single field of view.

Skywatchers should also look for earthshine, the faint glow illuminating the Moon’s dark side. The phenomenon occurs when sunlight reflects off Earth and softly lights the portion of the Moon not directly illuminated by the Sun, making it most noticeable during thin crescent phases shortly after sunset or before sunrise.

A conjunction occurs when two celestial objects appear close together in the sky from Earth’s perspective. The objects are not actually close to one another in space; they simply line up along our line of sight as the Moon and planets travel across similar paths in the sky. Moon-planet conjunctions are relatively common because the Moon completes an orbit around Earth about every 27 days, passing each of the visible planets roughly once a month, although each conjunction looks slightly different depending on the objects’ positions and viewing conditions.

For the best view, head to a location with an unobstructed western horizon and clear skies. Begin looking between 9 and 9:30 p.m., find brilliant Venus first, then locate the thin crescent Moon just to its left. The celestial pairing will remain visible for only a short time before both objects sink below the horizon later in the evening.

Want your event included in Out and About? Send details to news@hollyspringsupdate.com

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, July 16, 2026

Marquee Events

Friday, July 17

Summer at the Springs Featuring Dark Echoes: Pink Floyd Experience
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
The Summer at the Springs concert series continues with Dark Echoes: Pink Floyd Experience, featuring a free outdoor concert, food trucks, and locally brewed beer and wine available for purchase.
6:00–9:00 PM

Saturday, July 18

Shrimp & Crab Boil
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Enjoy a seasonal shrimp and crab boil featuring seafood by the pound with potatoes, corn, smoked sausage, cornbread pudding, and traditional fixings while supplies last.
1:00 PM until sold out

Oaklyn Springs Brewery 8th Anniversary Celebration
Oaklyn Springs Brewery, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Celebrate Oaklyn Springs Brewery’s eighth anniversary with exclusive anniversary beers, live music throughout the day, food trucks, local vendors, raffles, and anniversary merchandise.
Noon–9:30 PM

Sunday, July 19

Behind the Habitats at Bass Lake
Bass Lake Park, 900 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Bass Lake Park opens its wildlife education areas for a behind-the-scenes experience featuring animal encounters, hands-on activities, special guests, and opportunities to learn about the park’s resident reptiles and other wildlife.
10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Town Ice Cream Social
Fuquay Mineral Spring Park, 105 W Spring St, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with free ice cream, family activities, and community fun at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park.
4:00–6:00 PM

Monday, July 20

Tori Amos – In Times of Dragons Tour
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St, Durham, NC 27701
Tori Amos brings her In Times of Dragons Tour to DPAC with special guest Bartees Strange.
7:30 PM

*** Multiple Dates

Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19

Dinosaur Adventure
North Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
This family-friendly indoor attraction features life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, fossil digs, dinosaur rides, bounce houses, live entertainment, and hands-on prehistoric activities.

Tuesday, July 14 – Sunday, July 19

The Notebook
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St, Durham, NC 27701
The Broadway musical based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel tells the enduring love story of Allie and Noah through music by Ingrid Michaelson.
Thu July 16 – 7:30 PM · Fri July 17 – 7:30 PM · Sat July 18 – 2:00 & 7:30 PM · Sun July 19 – 1:00 PM

Sports

Friday, July 17

Holly Springs Salamanders vs. Asheboro ZooKeepers
North Main Athletic Complex Stadium, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC
6:30 PM

Holly Springs

Friday, July 17

Joel Pruner
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Saturday, July 18

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Angela Bingham, Voice & Frank Longino, Piano
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Panorama Band
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Watch Party – England vs. France (FIFA World Cup Third-Place Match)
Golf Hour, 131 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
5:00 PM

Tom Neuhauser
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Richard Boston
Golf Hour, 131 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Sunday, July 19

Corks and Chords
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
2:00–4:00 PM

Watch Party – Spain vs. Argentina (FIFA World Cup Final)
Golf Hour, 131 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
3:00 PM

Monday, July 20

Summer White Party
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Celebrate summer with a themed evening featuring white wines and guests dressed in white.
6:00–7:30 PM

Apex

Thursday, July 16

Sayer McShane

The Local Apex, 2237 Old US Highway 1, Apex, NC 27502

7:00 PM

Friday, July 17

Pickleball Palooza
Apex Nature Park, 2500 Evans Rd, Apex, NC 27502
Celebrate National Park and Recreation Month with a free pickleball social featuring open play, music, food trucks, and activities for players of all skill levels.
4:00–8:00 PM

Carson Mac Band
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Vibe After Nine
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
8:00–11:00 PM

Saturday, July 18

Apex Farmers Market
The Depot, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

SuperFun Saturday
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
Free drop-in arts and crafts activities for children ages 4–12, with parents or guardians invited to participate alongside their children.
10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Dueling Pianos
TapStation, 320 S Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
7:00 PM

Maverick Rose
Southern Peak Brewery, 950 Windy Rd, Suite 100, Holly Springs, NC 27540
6:30–9:00 PM

Center Street Band
Oaklyn Springs Brewery, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
7:30–10:30 PM

Purebred Mutts
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Forest Rising
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Suite 107, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM

Octave Overdrive
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539
8:00–11:00 PM

Fuquay-Varina

Friday, July 17

Open Jam Night
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
6:00–10:00 PM

Richard Boston
Wingin’ It Taphouse & Grille, 1625 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Strange Invitation
McWally’s, 1471 N Judd Pkwy NE, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

The Watchmen
Aviator Ready Room, 209 Technology Ln, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Undercover
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM

Saturday, July 18

Growers Market of Fuquay-Varina
FV Chamber of Commerce, 121 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

80’s Unleashed
Aviator Brewing Company Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Stone Age Romeos
The Mason Jar Lager Co., 341 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM

Riot Wagon
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Tommy Thunderfoot
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Bad PR
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
9:00 PM–Midnight

Sunday, July 19

Will Woltz
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

Holly Springs, NC, July 14, 2026 — Holly Springs’ recently released 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (document) shows two PFAS compounds in the town’s water supply at levels above new federal drinking water standards, putting a spotlight on contaminants that have become a growing concern across the Cape Fear River basin. Testing found PFOA at an average of 5.3 parts per trillion and PFOS at 8.7 parts per trillion, compared with a new federal maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion for each compound.

The findings do not mean Holly Springs’ water suddenly became unsafe or that a new contaminant entered the system. PFAS have been present in the Cape Fear River basin for decades, and what has changed is the federal standard against which those levels are now being measured. For Holly Springs residents, the key question is what happens next: the treatment solution has been selected, more than $7 million in funding has been secured, and the project is now in the design phase.

What the Rest of the Water Report Shows

PFAS stand out in the 2025 report because the town’s water otherwise met federal requirements across the other measured parameters. Lead was non-detectable in 90th-percentile tap samples, a result that has held across multiple testing cycles, while copper measured 0.03 parts per million, about 2 percent of the federal Action Level.

Testing for bacteria, turbidity, disinfection byproducts and other regulated contaminants also showed the water in compliance with applicable standards. The town also completed a Lead-Free service line inventory that found public and private service lines in the system are made from non-lead materials.

Taken as a whole, the report shows a water system meeting existing federal requirements while facing a specific challenge created by newly established PFAS standards.

What Are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a large family of synthetic chemicals that have been used in manufacturing and consumer products since the 1940s. They have been used in products including nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpeting, water-repellent clothing, food packaging and firefighting foam.

The same chemical properties that make PFAS useful also make them difficult to break down, allowing them to persist in the environment for long periods and earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” PFAS contamination is not new to the Cape Fear River basin, where upstream industrial discharges have contributed measurable levels of these chemicals for decades.

What changed in 2024 was the federal regulatory framework, when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the first enforceable national drinking water limits for several PFAS compounds. Holly Springs purchases finished water from Harnett Regional Water, which draws from the Cape Fear River near Lillington, meaning the PFAS levels reported by Holly Springs reflect that source water and treatment system.

A Treatment Solution Is in the Works

Harnett Regional Water has completed a pilot program evaluating treatment technologies designed to reduce PFAS, comparing both effectiveness and cost. The selected solution is Granular Activated Carbon, or GAC, filtration, a widely used technology for removing PFAS from drinking water, and the project is now in the design phase.

Funding has also been secured. Holly Springs applied for and was awarded $7.021 million in Emerging Contaminant funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and North Carolina’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, with the money designated for construction of GAC filtration at Harnett Regional Water’s Sanford Water Filtration Facility.

The compliance target is 2031, reflecting a proposed EPA extension from the original 2029 deadline to give water systems additional time to design, permit and construct treatment infrastructure. The 2025 monitoring also satisfies a separate federal requirement for water systems to complete initial PFAS testing by 2027.

Why Nearby Communities May Have Lower Levels

PFAS levels can vary significantly among neighboring communities because those communities do not necessarily draw their drinking water from the same source. Apex and Cary draw water from Jordan Lake rather than the Cape Fear River, and their 2025 reports show PFOA at approximately 1.3 parts per trillion and PFOS at non-detectable levels, below the new federal limits.

Their shared treatment plant has also used powdered activated carbon since 2018, a process that can reduce PFAS in finished water. The difference is largely tied to source water and treatment: Jordan Lake carries a lower PFAS load than the portion of the Cape Fear River used by Harnett Regional Water.

Fuquay-Varina, which also receives water from Harnett Regional Water, has a similar PFAS profile to Holly Springs for the same reason. The planned GAC filtration system is intended to address PFAS at the treatment plant before the finished water reaches customers, regardless of what enters the river upstream.

What Should Holly Springs Residents Do?

For most residents, the report does not call for immediate action. PFAS exposure can come from multiple sources, including consumer products, food packaging and other environmental pathways, with drinking water representing one potential source of overall exposure.

Residents who want to reduce PFAS levels in their drinking water while the new treatment system is being developed can consider certain home filtration systems. Reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 can reduce certain PFAS compounds when properly installed, maintained and replaced according to manufacturer instructions. Boiling water does not remove PFAS and should not be used as a method for reducing exposure.

The Bottom Line

Holly Springs’ 2025 water quality report identifies a real issue: PFOA and PFOS were detected at levels above the new federal drinking water limits. Those contaminants are present in water supplied through Harnett Regional Water and will require additional treatment infrastructure to bring levels below the new standards.

The response, however, is already underway. The treatment technology has been selected, the pilot testing has been completed, more than $7 million in funding has been awarded, and the filtration project has moved into design.

For Holly Springs residents, the annual report is therefore more than a table of test results. It documents a PFAS challenge tied to the region’s source water and shows that a funded treatment project is moving forward to address it.

Holly Springs, NC, July 14, 2026 — North Carolina’s new state budget gives public school teachers raises ranging from 5.5% to more than 17% at the experience levels examined, substantially exceeding the 3% increase Wake County Public Schools used when building its 2026-27 budget.

For teachers, the largest increase goes to those just entering the classroom. A first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree will earn $4,800 a month, up from $4,100 during the 2025-26 school year, a $700 monthly increase, or 17.1%. The percentage increase declines with experience, reaching 5.5% for teachers with 15 or more years of service.

The new state schedule, effective July 1st, 2026, also creates a local budget question for Wake County, which fully funded a school system spending plan built around a salary assumption that no longer matches the raises enacted by the state.

Teacher Raises Vary Sharply by Experience

A teacher with five years in the classroom will see a monthly state base pay increase from $4,475 to $4,950, a 10.6% raise. At 10 years, pay increases from $4,935 to $5,314, a 7.7% increase.

Teachers with 15 to 24 years of experience will move from $5,388 to $5,682 a month, a 5.5% increase. Those with 25 or more years will also receive a 5.5% increase, with monthly pay rising from $5,595 to $5,900.

The result is a salary schedule weighted heavily toward the beginning of the teaching career ladder. Beginning teachers receive the largest percentage increase, while the size of the raise declines as years of experience accumulate.

Assistant principals will move to a new state salary structure tied to the teacher salary scale plus 19%, replacing the previous degree-based pay bands. Principals, superintendents, and central office staff receive a flat 3% state increase, resulting in significantly different pay outcomes depending on an employee’s position and, for teachers, years of experience.

Wake County Budgeted for a Different Outcome

When WCPSS developed its 2026-27 budget, the final state salary decisions were not yet known. The district therefore assumed a 3% state-legislated salary increase for all employees and estimated that assumption would require $42.56 million for employees paid through the State Public School Fund and Local Current Expense Fund.

Of that amount, WCPSS expected $34.72 million to come from the state and budgeted $7.84 million in local funding. The district separately requested a $25.3 million increase in local funding from Wake County for Fiscal Year 2027, which the Wake County Board of Commissioners fully funded without adjustments when it approved the county budget on June 1st.

That timing matters. Wake County fully funded the school system’s request, but it was built before the final state salary schedule was known and based on a 3% salary assumption that no longer matches the raises enacted for teachers.

The larger teacher raises do not necessarily mean Wake County must locally fund the full difference between the 3% assumption and the final state salary schedule. The state is responsible for funding the salary schedules it establishes for state-funded school positions, so much of the additional cost should be covered by state funding.

The local effect is more complicated because WCPSS also employs people with local funds, and its budget includes local salary and benefit costs tied to employee compensation. The district will now need to apply the final state legislation to its actual mix of state-funded and locally funded employees and determine how the new salary schedules change the $7.84 million in local costs it budgeted under the original assumption.

If the new schedules create additional local costs, WCPSS could potentially absorb them through existing budget flexibility, fund balance, or other spending adjustments. If the difference cannot be absorbed, additional county funding could become another option. WCPSS has not yet indicated whether any of those steps will be necessary, and a revised fiscal analysis will be needed to determine the actual local impact.

Wake County’s local compensation plan adds another layer. WCPSS budgeted a 1% increase to its locally funded salary supplement tables for certified staff and assistant principals, at an additional cost of approximately $1.91 million. Because the increase applies to the supplement tables, it does not mean eligible employees receive another 1% of their total salary on top of the state raise.

The district also budgeted $2.36 million to continue locally funded master’s and advanced-degree pay for newly hired teachers and other certified personnel who are not eligible for state-funded advanced-degree pay. That is not a general salary increase but represents another locally funded component of employee compensation.

North Carolina Still Trails the Nation

The raises come as North Carolina continues to rank among the lowest-paying states for teachers. According to the National Education Association’s Rankings of the States 2025 and Estimates of School Statistics 2026, North Carolina’s average teacher salary was $60,323 during the 2024-25 school year, tying the state for 43rd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The national average that year was $74,495, meaning the average North Carolina teacher earned about $14,000 less than the national average. North Carolina’s average salary also remained closer to some of the nation’s lowest-paying states than to several of its neighbors, with Mississippi averaging $54,975, Florida $56,663 and Louisiana $56,785.

Neighboring states have continued to increase teacher pay. Georgia teachers averaged $71,524 in 2024-25, an increase of 1.73% from the previous year; Virginia’s average reached $69,254, up 4.41%; and South Carolina climbed 5.41% to $64,050.

Even after North Carolina’s new salary schedule takes effect, the state’s average is likely to remain below all three neighboring states because the largest increases are concentrated among beginning teachers rather than spread evenly across the full workforce.

The national target is also continuing to move. The NEA estimates that the average U.S. teacher salary will rise from $74,495 in 2024-25 to $76,552 in 2025-26, an increase of 2.76%, while overall instructional staff salaries are projected to increase 2.72% to $78,702.

Those increases have not been enough to keep pace with inflation over the past decade. The national average teacher salary increased 28.2% in current dollars between 2016-17 and 2025-26, climbing from $59,722 to an estimated $76,552, but adjusted for inflation, that represents a 4.6% decline in purchasing power.

North Carolina also spends less per student. The state spent $13,640 per student in current expenditures during the 2024-25 school year, compared with a national average of $17,840, while its student-teacher ratio of 15.2 was nearly identical to the national average of 15.1.

Together, those figures show that North Carolina’s lower per-student spending is not simply the result of having fewer teachers per student. The state spends less per student while also paying its average teacher substantially less than the national average.

A New Calculation for Wake County

For beginning teachers, the new state salary schedule represents a substantial increase. A $700 monthly increase in state base pay could make North Carolina more competitive for educators at the beginning of their careers, even as the percentage increase falls considerably for veteran teachers.

For Wake County, the immediate question is no longer whether commissioners fully funded the school system’s budget request; they did. The question is how the district’s actual local salary costs change now that the state enacted a teacher pay plan substantially different from the 3% assumption used to build that budget.

WCPSS will now need to reconcile the new state salary schedules with the funding already approved for the 2026-27 school year. Until that calculation is complete, the magnitude of any additional local costs and whether the district can absorb them within its existing budget remain unclear.

Want your event included in Out and About? Send details to news@hollyspringsupdate.com

Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Sports
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina

Holly Springs, NC, July 9, 2026

Marquee Events

Friday, July 10

Susan Parrish: An Artist Retrospective
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
Opening reception for a retrospective celebrating four decades of work by North Carolina artist Susan Parrish, with live music and refreshments.
6:00–8:00 PM

Blackberry Smoke with Special Guest Jason Newsted
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC
Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke brings its Be Right Here tour to DPAC with special guest Jason Newsted.
8:00 PM

NE-YO and Akon – Nights Like This Tour
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC
Grammy Award-winning R&B stars NE-YO and Akon headline the Nights Like This Tour in Raleigh.
8:00 PM

Saturday, July 11

Gladys Knight
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
Seven-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight performs live.
8:00 PM

An Evening with Wilco
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 William V Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC
Grammy Award-winning rock band Wilco performs two full sets during a special one-night engagement.
8:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

Saturday, July 18
USA vs. Spain – World Rugby Nations Cup Upcoming
WakeMed Soccer Park, 201 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC
The USA Men’s National Team faces Spain as the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup concludes in Cary.
5:00 PM

Sports

Saturday, July 11

Holly Springs Salamanders vs. Morehead City Marlins
North Main Athletic Complex Stadium, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC
6:30 PM

Sunday, July 12

Holly Springs Salamanders vs. Peninsula Pilots
North Main Athletic Complex Stadium, 101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs, NC
5:05 PM

Holly Springs

Friday, July 10

Kenny Shore
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

Joe Hero
Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum Dr, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Saturday, July 11

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Blueberry Day features blueberry-themed vendors and seasonal offerings celebrating North Carolina blueberries.
8:00 AM–Noon

Steve Vee
Homegrown Pizza, 4928 Linksland Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
6:00–8:00 PM

The Ridge Band Trio
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Angela Bingham, Voice & Frank Longino, Piano
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Garland Mason
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM

— Advertisement —

Golf Hour | 131 Oakview Commons Drive | Holly Springs, NC

France vs. Morocco | Today: 4:00 PM
Spain vs. Belgium | Friday: 3:00 PM

Apex

Friday, July 10

Morgan Creek Bluegrass
Bottle Theory, 3675 Green Level W Rd, Suite 101, Apex, NC 27523
6:00–8:00 PM

Fast Lane
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
7:00 PM

Sayer McShane and Kristin Sayer
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539
8:00 PM

Covered In Jam
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Saturday, July 11

Apex Farmers Market
The Depot, 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Summer Fun Dance Marquee
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
Families are invited to enjoy an evening of dancing, games, snacks, and parent-child activities featuring family-friendly music.
5:00–7:00 PM

Neon Nights Band
The Local, 2237 Old US Hwy 1, Apex, NC 27502
7:00–10:00 PM

Rockzilla
TapStation, 320 S Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Maskell Freeman Band
Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
8:00 PM

LaurenNicole Band
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM

Tone Merchants
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC 27539
8:00–11:00 PM

Eric Tubbs
Southern Peak Brewery, 1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 130, Apex, NC 27523
8:00–10:00 PM

Sunday, July 12

Two4One
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
2:00–5:00 PM

Seven Paths Band
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
3:00–6:00 PM

Fuquay-Varina

Friday, July 10

MikeMickXer Duo
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
7:00–10:00 PM

Jack Spades
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Wagstaff Road
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Michael Blakey
Aviator Ready Room, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Janis & The Crew
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM

Saturday, July 11

Growers Market of Fuquay-Varina
105 W Vance St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00 AM–Noon

Josh Rhyne & The Silvertones
Aviator Brewing Company Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
6:00–9:00 PM

Paige King Johnson
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 2912 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
7:00 PM

Jared Place
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Local Heroes
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

Wagstaff Road Band
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM

The Cheeze Factor
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
9:00 PM–Midnight

Sunday, July 12

The Monika James Band
Rusted Palm Tiki Bar, 7304 S NC 55 Hwy, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
2:00 PM

Savanna Bassett
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
2:00–5:00 PM

The Sunday Sessions
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
5:00–8:00 PM

Raleigh, NC, Jul. 6, 2026 — Wake County voters will decide this November whether to authorize nearly $830 million in borrowing for public school construction and expansion of Wake Technical Community College, a proposal that would increase property taxes if approved.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to place two general obligation bond referendums on the Nov. 3rd ballot: a $680 million bond for the Wake County Public School System and a $149.1 million bond for Wake Tech. Commissioners approved both measures following separate public hearings, during which no members of the public spoke, and the county clerk reported that no written comments had been submitted on either proposal.

If voters approve the measures, they would represent one of the county’s largest recent investments in education infrastructure, funding new schools, campus expansions, renovations and other long-term capital improvements across Wake County.

County officials estimate the combined bond packages would increase the property tax rate by approximately one-half cent per $100 of assessed value beginning in fiscal year 2028. That works out to about $5 annually for every $100,000 of assessed value, or roughly $22.50 per year for a home valued at $450,000.

The school bond would fund construction of three new elementary schools — Marshburn Road, Poole Road and Little Creek — while also paying for renovations and additions at eight existing schools, including Athens Drive High School, Cary High School and East Wake High School. The proposal also includes funding for technology upgrades, security improvements, land acquisition, and other districtwide capital needs.

Wake Tech’s portion of the referendum would support renovations across its campuses, construction of a fire and rescue training facility, expanded skilled-trades and automotive instructional space, dental hygiene program improvements, a new academic building, a parking deck and additional infrastructure and safety upgrades.

Although the referendum asks voters to approve $829.1 million in borrowing, the total cost over the life of the debt will be higher once interest is included. According to estimates filed with the bond orders by the county’s Chief Financial Officer, the school bond is expected to cost approximately $1.04 billion over its full term, including an estimated $363.4 million in interest. The Wake Tech bond is projected to cost about $228.8 million, including approximately $79.7 million in interest. Those estimates are based on the highest interest rates the county has paid on similar debt during the past 20 years.

Every Wake County property owner would pay the additional property taxes if voters approve the referendum, while students, educators, and staff across both school systems would benefit from the planned facility improvements over the coming years.

State law also limits how public officials may discuss the referendum. Wake County commissioners, county employees, Wake County Public Schools, and Wake Tech officials may provide factual information and encourage residents to vote, but they cannot use public resources to advocate for the passage of the bonds. Private organizations, including business groups and advocacy organizations, are free to campaign either for or against the measures.

Raleigh, NC, Jul. 7, 2026 — Wake County’s jail population has already climbed beyond the figures presented to county commissioners, and District Attorney Lorrin Freeman says the county now has the lowest prosecutor-to-caseload ratio in North Carolina. Together, she said, those trends are placing increasing pressure on a criminal justice system that continues to process more than 100,000 criminal cases each year while defendants spend more time in custody awaiting resolution.

Freeman shared the update (document) on Monday during a meeting of the Wake County Board of Commissioners’ Public Safety Committee. She said 1,780 people were being held in the Wake County Detention Center as of the meeting, already exceeding the 1,697 year-to-date average shown in presentation materials prepared for commissioners.

The increase continues a trend that has been building for years. According to data presented during the meeting, Wake County’s average daily jail population has grown from 821 inmates in 2000 to a year-to-date average of 1,697 this year, an increase of 107%. At the same time, the average length of stay has risen from 19.8 days in 2001 to 36.4 days so far this year, meaning people are remaining in custody significantly longer than they did two decades ago.

Freeman said the growing jail population is occurring as the District Attorney’s Office struggles with a prosecutor shortage unmatched anywhere else in the state. A workload study conducted with the National Center for State Courts concluded that Wake County needs 69.7 assistant district attorneys to handle its current caseload. The office currently has 44 prosecutors, leaving a shortfall of nearly 26.

“We are now the lowest end in the state in terms of prosecutors to caseload,” Freeman told commissioners.

Freeman said the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, citing the statewide workload study she chaired in 2022, asked the General Assembly this year to prioritize funding for new prosecutors in districts with the greatest need. Wake County did not receive additional positions.

Instead, legislation enacted under Iryna’s Law (Session Law 2025-93) funded 10 new assistant district attorney positions and 5 legal assistants for Mecklenburg County while increasing the district’s authorized staffing levels. Freeman cited the law as an example of the gap between Wake County’s documented staffing needs and the resources ultimately provided by the state.

She also said Iryna’s Law has contributed to longer jail stays. Ratified by the General Assembly in September 2025 and signed by Gov. Josh Stein the following month, the law created a new category of “violent offense” and established a rebuttable presumption against pretrial release for defendants charged with those offenses. Most of its pretrial release provisions took effect Dec. 1, 2025. In many cases, judges must now order those defendants held unless the presumption against release is successfully challenged.

Despite the staffing shortage, Freeman said the District Attorney’s Office continues to manage one of North Carolina’s busiest criminal dockets. The office handles more than 100,000 criminal filings annually, with roughly 10% involving felony charges. As of Monday’s meeting, approximately 105,000 cases had been filed while about 110,000 had been resolved. The average criminal case is completed in just over six months, although homicide prosecutions typically take about two years.

Freeman credited Wake County’s implementation of electronic case filing in 2023 with helping the court system recover from pandemic-era backlogs. Wake was one of four pilot counties selected for the statewide rollout. She also highlighted several pretrial reforms implemented in recent years, including expanded pretrial support services, a magistrate first-appearance tool, and defense counsel during first appearances. Wake County was later selected as a national learning site for pretrial justice reform.

Wake County has also provided additional support to the District Attorney’s Office by funding two legal assistant positions in last year’s county budget. Those positions were assigned to the domestic violence felony unit and the Special Victims Unit, which handles child sexual abuse and related cases. Freeman thanked commissioners for that investment but said additional state or county resources will likely be necessary if Wake County is to close the staffing gap identified by the workload study.

For Wake County residents, the issues extend well beyond staffing levels. As jail populations continue to grow and prosecutors manage increasingly heavy caseloads, the pressure affects how quickly criminal cases move through the courts, how long defendants remain in custody before trial and how efficiently the county’s justice system can respond to both victims and the accused. Freeman said she wanted commissioners to understand those challenges as they consider future public safety priorities and funding decisions.

Fuquay-Varina, NC, Jul. 6, 2026 — All 20 Fuquay-Varina food-service establishments inspected during the month earned Grade A ratings, with scores ranging from 94 at Aviator Brewing Tap House to a perfect 100 at Connections Cafe, where inspectors documented no violations.

The most common issue cited involved the accumulation of dust, grease, or food residue on nonfood-contact surfaces, including shelving, cooler gaskets, vents, and equipment exteriors. Inspectors also identified several temperature-control issues during the cooling of foods such as chicken, beef, and sausage, as well as isolated cases of missing Certified Food Protection Manager credentials, low sanitizer concentrations, and improperly air-dried or stacked clean dishware.

No uncorrected critical food-safety violations were identified. In nearly every case where a priority item was cited, inspectors documented that it was corrected during the inspection (CDI), preventing any ongoing food-safety concern.

Note: Inspector’s observations and corrective actions taken are available below the summary report. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments

Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2662 GRADING)

(a) The grading of food establishments is based on a system of scoring. A food establishment that earns a score of at least:

(1) 90 percent shall receive a grade A;

(2) 80 percent and less than 90 percent shall receive a grade B;

(3) 70 percent and less than 80 percent shall receive a grade C.

Permits shall be immediately revoked in accordance with G.S. 130A-23(d) for food establishments receiving a score of less than 70 percent.

Summary Report for June 2026

Annas Pizzeria | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Aviator Brewing Tap House | Grade: A | Score: 94
Aviator Pizzeria Beer Shop | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
Bagels 1 | Grade: A | Score: 99
Bojangles | Grade: A | Score: 99
Calyx Living of Fuquay Dining | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Connections Cafe | Grade: A | Score: 100
Culver's of Fuquay Varina | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
Jersey Mike's #3021 | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
Jimmy John's #3665 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Johnny's Pizza | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Kumo Sushi Hibachi | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
La Taqueria | Grade: A | Score: 96
McDonald's #28653 | Grade: A | Score: 99
Nil's Cafe Mediterranean Cuisine | Grade: A | Score: 97
Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q Fuquay-Varina | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
Tacos Mexico | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
Terrabella of Fuquay Varina Dining | Grade: A | Score: 98
Willow Creek Exxon | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Windsor Point Restaurant | Grade: A | Score: 99

Observations and Corrective Actions

ANNAS PIZZERIA | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
138 S Main St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/30/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-501.114 Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, pH, Concentration and Hardness; Priority; Dish machine not sanitizing, and chlorine solution at 0ppm. Bucket of solution half full, but when pressing prime knobs no solution is dispensed. Rinse and detergent dispenses when primed. Chlorine sanitizing solutions in mechanical Warewashing machines shall be at correct concentration according to manufactures use. Chlorine shall be 50-200ppm. Sanitizer at three compartment sink at 200-300ppm quaternary solution being used until repairman can service dish machine. Manager called company during inspection.

22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Sausages in flip top cooler stacked over fill line of container and above 41F. TCS (Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety) foods shall be held cold at 41F or below. Extra sausage transferred into another container and placed in the bottom of the flip top cooler. All other temperatures throughout facility at 41F or below.

AVIATOR BREWING TAP HOUSE | Grade: A | Score: 94
600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 6-301.12 Hand drying provision; Priority Foundation; Handsink near door and three compartment sink does not have paper towel or paper towel dispenser. Each handwash sink shall be provided with paper towels or an air drying device. Provide paper towels for this handsink. Napkins added to sink during inspection.

16 4-501.114(A; Dish machine with three chemicals attached and data plate states minimum chlorine ppm should be 50ppm. Dish machine ran during inspection and checked solution at 0-10ppm. A chlorine solution shall be at 50-200ppm. Bucket of sanitizer solution empty. Bucket changed during inspection and solution primed. Three compartment sink also set up during inspection to ensure facility has sanitizer ready-to use if dish machine is not sanitizing.

22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Container of ranch sitting on top of flip top cooler from when employee portioned out ranch into cups and moved to walk-in cooler but left large container. Employee stated ranch was taken out about an hour prior to portion. Ranch moved to nearby reach-in freezer to rapid cool. Educated to keep items cold at 41F or below.

33 3-501.15 Cooling Methods; Priority Foundation; Grilled chicken in large container with lid in bottom of make line cooler at 107F. Employee stated chicken was cooked almost 2 hours prior, educated about rapid cooling methods to ensure foods cool from 135F to 70F in 2 hours and from 70F to 41F in 4 hours. Chicken container moved to reach-in cooler during inspection. Cooling shall be accomplished using one or more of the following methods; placing the food into thin shallow portions, in rapid cooling equipment such as walk-in cooler or freezer. Chicken moved during inspection and cooled to 80-90F in 10 minutes.

38 6-501.111; One large bug on floor near fryer oil container. Keep the premises free of insects, rodents, and other pests. Increase pest control frequency.

48 4-501.14 Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency; Core; Three compartment sink, prep sinks and outside of dish machine soiled with residue buildup and debris. Warewashing machines, the compartments of sinks, drainboards and other receptacles used for washing and rinsing equipment and food shall be cleaned every 24 hours, and at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of equipment. Clean these areas more frequently.

49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils; Core; Deep cleaning needed throughout facility. Gaskets on equipment throughout soiled with black residue buildup. Bottoms of coolers, sides of equipment greasy, shelving throughout inside and prep tables soiled with food debris and greasy residue. Walk-in cooler vents and shelving covered with dust buildup. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Clean these areas more frequently.

55 6-501.12; Core; Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions; Floors under equipment and dish machine need to be cleaned. Floors cleaner than previous inspection. Physical facilities, floors walls and ceilings shall be kept clean. No points deducted today.

AVIATOR PIZZERIA BEER SHOP | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 6-301.12; Priority Foundation; Paper towel dispenser at handsink near dough mixer and prep area not dispensing paper towels. Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with disposable towels, or approved hand drying device. Employee added paper towels during inspection.

38 6-501.111 Controlling Pests; Drawer cooler that is not being used at grill station had several bugs crawl out when drawer opened. One bug on floor in back of facility. The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents and other pests. Increase frequency of pest control company.

41 3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitations; Core; One wet wiping cloth on prep table. Wet wiping cloths used for cleaning equipment surfaces shall be held in between uses in sanitizer bucket at correct concentration. Wiping cloth moved during inspection.

48 4-501.14 Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency; Core; Three compartment sink and dish machine area soiled with residue buildup. Warewashing machines, the compartments of sinks, basins, drainboards and other receptacles used for washing and rinsing equipment and food shall be cleaned at least every 24 hours and at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination. Clean these areas more frequently.

49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Sides of equipment, reach-in freezer bottom, and shelving throughout walk-in cooler, soiled with food debris and residue buildup. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Clean these areas more frequently.

BAGELS 1 | Grade: A | Score: 99
100 Dickens Rd, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/16/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 5-205.11 (A) Sanitizer bucket in handwash sink. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use Pf. Moved at time of inspection.

BOJANGLES | Grade: A | Score: 99
1400 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/24/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

41 3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation; One sanitizer bucket with 0-10ppm chlorine solution. Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be held between uses in sanitizer at correct concentration. Bleach solution shall be 50-200ppm. Buckets changed during inspection.

49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Clean food debris on wire shelves in left walk in cooler, especially raw chicken cooler. Ice scoop holder with buildup along the inside of the container. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Clean these areas more frequently. Ice scoop holder cleaned at three compartment sink during inspection.

CALYX LIVING OF FUQUAY DINING | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
1121 E Academy St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/01/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-602.11 Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils - Frequency; Core; Ice machine in memory care serving kitchen soiled with pink residue buildup along inside of bin. Ice shield on main kitchen ice machine has minimal pink residue buildup. Enclosed components of equipment such as ice bins, beverage dispensing nozzles and ice machines shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent buildup of soils and residues. Clean these ice machines more frequently.

55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C); Core; Drain under three compartment sink soiled with food debris and residue buildup. Standing water along the floor in the dish room. Physical facilities, floors walls and ceilings, shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep clean. Recommend deep cleaning the drain in this area and the floors. All other drains and floors throughout the facility are clean. No points deducted today.

CONNECTIONS CAFE | Grade: A | Score: 100
8000 Purfoy Rd, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

No violations observed, keep up the good work!

CULVER’S OF FUQUAY VARINA | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
1860 Cinema Dr, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

44 4-901.11; Core; Observed clean inverted metal food containers stacked wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them. Dishes moved and rearranged during inspection.

JERSEY MIKE’S #3021 | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
701 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/25/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-601.11 (A) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils; Priority Foundation; Several stacks of metal containers on shelf above three compartment sink with sticker and sticker residue left on the containers. Containers stacked on shelf, allowing sticker and residue on the inside, food contact surface, of the stacked container. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. Items moved to three compartment sink during inspection.

33 3-501.15 Cooling Methods; Two large deep containers of chicken salad and tuna salad in walk-in cooler on lower shelf with lids at 57F. Employee made items today, with ingredients from walk-in cooler. EC recommends using shallow thin portions, and placing on the top shelf where air vents blow air. Foods shall be cooled within time and temperature parameters (135F to 70F in 2 hours, 70F to 41F in 4 hours) using approved cooling methods. Cooling methods include thin, shallow portions, in rapid cooling equipment like reach-in freezer or walk-in cooler, loosely covered or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination. Items still in 4 hour cooling time, and moved during inspection. Cooling sticker provided during inspection. No points deducted this inspection.

39 3-305.11 Food Storage-Preventing Contamination from the Premises; Bag of sugar on the floor behind prep table. Cooked bacon in hot holding unit directly next to front handsink without splash guard or barrier. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing in a clean, dry location where it is not exposed to splash, or other contamination and at least 6 inches above the floor. Items moved during inspection.

47 4-501.11; Core; Bread unit dripping water on floor. Lower door of glass cooler not sealing properly leaving large gap. Walk-in cooler door peeling from main door, this could cause issues with keeping cold or allow pests. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Repair these items.

48 4-501.14; Prep sinks and three compartment sinks soiled with debris and residue buildup. Warewashing machines and the compartments/drainboards of sinks used for washing and rinsing equipment, utensils, raw food, etc. shall be cleaned before use, throughout the day to prevent recontamination of equipment and utensils, and at least every 24 hours if used. Clean all sinks before next use.

49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Cleaning needed of wire shelves and vents in walk in cooler, sides and handles of equipment soiled with residue buildup. Outside of sugar and cornmeal containers soiled with food splatter. Paper wrap holder soiled with food crumbs. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Clean these areas more frequently.

54 5-501.113 Covering Receptacles; Core; Dumpster door open at beginning of inspection. Keep dumpster, outside waste containers covered with tight-fitting lids or doors. Dumpster is very close to back door, recommend moving dumpster further away from building to prevent pests.

55 6-501.12; Core; Floors and walls need cleaning throughout facility, and floors under soda dispenser are soiled. Facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. 6-501.11 Some tiling coming up in areas. Rusty ceiling vents in kitchen area. Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair.

JIMMY JOHN’S #3665 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
724 N Judd Pky, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A); Core; There was no Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) onsite during the inspection. There must always be a CFPM onsite whenever there is food/equipment prep or handling. The CFPM should be certified through an ANSI-certified course and exam. See ANSI website for a list of approved courses and exams. Recommend having multiple people certified to ensure there is always a CFPM available. Reviewed upcoming classes with manager.

44 4-903.11 (A), (B), and (D) Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles Storing; Core; A couple of clear containers stacked wet nested on clean dish rack. Cleaned equipment shall be stored in a manner to allow for air drying. Dishes moved during inspection.

49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils; Core; Walk-in cooler floor, vents and some shelving with dust and food debris buildup. Gasket on walk-in freezer soiled with black residue. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food debris and other residues. Clean these areas more frequently. Employee began cleaning walk-in cooler shelving during inspection.

JOHNNY’S PIZZA | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
722 N Judd Pkwy NE, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

6 2-401.11 (A); Several employee drinks including coffees without closed lids on prep tables and counters throughout facility. Except when drinking from a closed beverage container, employees shall eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and other items needing protection can not result. Employee drinks moved to lower shelf with other employee items.

28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Unlabeled sprayer of sanitizer stored on prep table bottom facing TPHC pizzas. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material and stored in a place to prevent contamination. Labeled at time of inspection and moved to other chemical storage area.

44 4-901.11; Core; Observed multiple clean inverted food containers stacked wet on shelves. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them. Dishes rearranged during inspection.

49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Vents need cleaning in walk in cooler and shelves at 3 compartment sink area need cleaning. Nonfood contact services shall be kept clean and free of dust, dirt, food debris and other residues. Clean these areas more frequently

KUMO SUSHI HIBACHI | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
2916 N Main St, Suite 112, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

41 3-304.14; Core; Sanitizer concentration too low in sanitizer bucket in front service area, measured at 0ppm bleach sanitizer. Cloths in-use for wiping counters and other equipment surfaces shall be held between uses in a chemical sanitizer solution at the required concentration (bleach solution shall be 50-200ppm). CDI- Sanitizer remade during inspection.

48 4-501.14;Core; Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency; Prep sinks and dish machine area soiled with food residue. Warewashing equipment, the compartments of sinks, drainboards and other areas shall be clean at least every 24 hours and at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of equipment. Clean these areas more frequently.

49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Thourough Cleaning needed of equipment interiors and exteriors, grill, fryer, dry goods containers (flour etc.) and cooler gaskets. Shelving in coolers, shelving in front sushi area and prep tables and storage areas with food debris. Non-food contact services shall be kept free of a buildup of food residue, dust dirt, and other debris. Clean these areas more frequently.

55 6-501.12; Core; Cleaning of floors and walls needed. Walls in back of facility near three compartment sink and dish machine heavily soiled. Drains and floors under equipment have food debris and residue buildup. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

LA TAQUERIA | Grade: A | Score: 96
973 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/25/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A); Core; No person in charge with food protection manager certification was present during inspection. At least one supervisor/manager shall be a certified food protection manager by passing a test (such as ServSafe) that is part of an ANSI accredited program. This certified person shall be on-site at all times during operation. Upcoming classes reviewed with manager during inspection.

37 3-302.12 Food Storage Containers Identified with Common Name of Food; Core; Beef and chicken seasoning in shakers on cook line without labeling. Large container of bullion powder without label. Food ingredients removed from original packaging shall be marked with the common name to identify. Containers marked during inspection.

39 3-305.11; Core; Recently washed cilantro bunches hanging on splash guard of vegetable prep sink next to back handsink. Large bag of onions on shelf below this handsink. Large bag of carrots on the floor in this area under the handsink. Store food in a clean, dry location, not exposed to contamination. These food items may be contaminated if an employee washing hands at this handsink. Recommend moving these items to protect from contamination. Reviewed back space and suggested another shelf to store these items away from the handsink and off the floor. Carrots moved off the floor during inspection. Full points taken for repeat violation.

MCDONALD’S #28653 | Grade: A | Score: 99
1409 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/22/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Some cleaning of interior coolers/freezers and drink coolers near drive thru needed. Non-food contact surfaces shall be kept free of a buildup o dust, dirt, food debris and other residues. Clean these areas more frequently.

56 6-202.11; Core; No cover on ceiling light near back where dry storage and single-service items are located. Light bulbs shall be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, linens; or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles. Replace this light cover.

NIL’S CAFE MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE | Grade: A | Score: 97
513 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/18/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

15 3-302.11; Raw eggs stored over ready to eat chicken salad and cooked beef in walk-in cooler. In all coolers, raw foods shall be stored below ready-to eat items to protect from cross contamination. Eggs moved to another shelf below ready-to-eat items.

20 3-501.14 Cooling; Priority; Shredded beef in large deep metal container at 53F in the middle with yesterday date marking. Employee stated beef was cooked night previous. TCS (Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety) foods shall be cooled from 135F to 70F in 2 hours and from 70F to 41F in 4 hours. Food was 53F from over 6 hours prior. Beef voluntarily discarded during inspection. Cooling methods and time reviewed during inspection and cooling sticker provided.

33 3-501.15 Cooling Methods; Shredded beef in large deep metal container with lid on cooked night previous at 54F. Foods shall be cooled by using one or more of the following methods; placing in shallow pans in thin portions, using rapid cooling equipment such as freezer, loosely covered or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination, adding ice, stirring in ice bath and using ice wand or other effective methods. Beef voluntarily discarded during inspection. Couscous cooked and being cooled during inspection and split into two smaller thin containers and placed into walk-in cooler, prior to inspection. EC recommended to move to walk-in freezer and leave uncovered, set timer for 20 minutes and stir food and check and return every 20 minutes until closer to 41F and can then be moved into walk-in cooler. EC recommended to place all cooled food into shallow thin portions and use top shelf of freezer to rapid cool.

SMITHFIELD’S CHICKEN ‘N BAR-B-Q FUQUAY-VARINA | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
1440 E Boad St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/26/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

20 3-501.14 Cooling; Pulled chicken in large deep container from night previous at 42-45F. Cooked TCS(Time/Temperature Controlled for Safety) foods shall be cooled from 135F to 70F in 2 hours and from 70F to 41F within 4 hours or less. Chicken was pulled night previous and placed into walk-in cooler. Chicken voluntarily discarded during inspection.

22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Coleslaw and potato salad in make line cooler above 41F. Manager stated items were pulled from walk-in cooler and placed into new containers for serving, and into the reach-in cooler. Door for reach-in frequently opened during visit. Educated to not keep items on counter after transferring into another container and keep extra backups in the walk-in cooler, and not the reach-in cooler that is frequently opened. Items moved from reach-in to the walk-in cooler and front items swapped for product from walk-in cooler. All other cold holding items at 41F or below.

49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils; Core; Thorough cleaning needed throughout facility. Sides of equipment, make line equipment, shelves under prep areas and shelving and floors in reach-in coolers and walk-in cooler with greasy residue and food debris. Cookers in back of facility with food debris along the legs and outsides of equipment. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Clean these areas more frequently.

55 6-501.11; Core; Multiple cabinets have missing laminate and bad hinges. Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. 6-501.12; Core; Cleaning needed on walls and floors throughout facility, walls and floors with greasy residue and food buildup. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

TACOS MEXICO | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
1430 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A) PIC shall demonstrate knowledge by being a certified food protection manager. Upcoming ServSafe classes reviewed with employee during inspection, not limited to Sevsafe other ANSI approved certifications can be obtained. Food protection manager must show certification and be onsite when food is being prepared and sold.

10 6-301.12 Hand drying provision; Priority Foundation; Handsink in kitchen next to three compartment sink did not dispense paper towels. Each handwash sink shall be provided with paper towels or an approved air drying device. The soap dispenser at this handsink did not dispense soap. Pump of dish soap located on shelf next to sink used as soap during inspection. Each handsink shall be provided with soap. Napkins added to top of dispenser during inspection, and roll of paper towels provided from front bar area. Ensure soap is readily available from soap dispenser.

15 3-302.11(A)(1) Separation, Packaging & Segregation, Raw animal food and Ready to Eat - Priority; Food shall be protected from cross contamination (except when frozen in original commercial packaging) by separating raw animal foods from ready-to-eat foods during storage and preparation. Plate of portioned raw chicken and raw beef stored on top of ready-to eat foods in make line cooler. Raw foods must be below ready-to-eat. The make line contained salsa and cut bell peppers on the side with the raw foods. Raw foods moved to bottom of make line during inspection.

22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Large tall container of heavy cream stored on top part of make line cooler at 44F. TCS (Time/Temperature Controlled for safety) foods shall be held cold at 41F or below. Heavy cream is kept at bottom of cooler, but brought to top during busy times when used more frequently. Educated to keep this large container in bottom, where it can maintain 41F or below. Food product above fill lines and double container will not maintain at 41F or below. Heavy cream discarded during inspection.

TERRABELLA OF FUQUAY VARINA DINING | Grade: A | Score: 98
6516 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

23 3-501.17(B) Ready-to-eat TCS food, date marking; Priority Foundation; Deli ham stored in container with date marking 5/27. Deli meat comes in from Sysco pre-sliced and date marking is added when received, and when opened. Ham did not have opened date. Ensure employees are adding another date that stated when opened to ensure foods are not held more than 7 days. Date added during inspection.

(B) Except as specified in (E-G), commercially prepared READY-TO-EAT TCS FOODs shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened in a facility and if the FOOD is held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date by which the FOOD shall be used or discarded, not to exceed 7 days and: Pf

(1) The day the original container is opened in the facility shall be counted as Day 1; Pf and

(2) The date marked by the facility may not exceed a manufacturer’s use-by date if it is based on FOOD safety. Pf

49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils; Core; Hot holding cabinet soiled with food debris and residue buildup. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Clean the hot box cabinet more frequently. Much improved on previous nonfood-contact surfaces. Manager stated they will coordinate a day to prepare sandwiches and salads for lunch and a pasta for dinner to use the steam well unit and not the hot holding cabinet to allow for a whole day to clean and air dry cabinet.

55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions; Core; Dust buildup on ceiling vents in the kitchen. Physical facilities, floors walls and ceilings, shall be kept clean. Clean these areas more frequently. Much improvement on walls and floor cleaning from previous inspection.

WILLOW CREEK EXXON | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
1133 Old Honeycutt Rd, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/10/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A); Core;No person in charge with food protection manager certification was present during inspection. At least one supervisor/manager shall be a certified food protection manager by passing a test (such as ServSafe) that is part of an ANSI accredited program. This certified person shall be on-site at all times during operation. Information about upcoming classes sent to managers.

22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Sliced tomatoes in make line cooler stacked over fill line. Tomatoes in unit under fill line at 41F and below, but items above line at 43-44F. Educated about not stacking over fill lines to maintain temperature. TCS (Time/Temperature controlled for safety) foods shall be held cold at 41F or below. Tomatoes over fill line moved into a separate container and placed in the bottom of the cooler during inspection.

47 4-101.11 (A) - (E ) Several small Rubbermaid containers stored on shelf above three compartment sink with red staining. Food contact surfaces shall be (A) Safe P, (B) Durable, Corrosion-Resistant, (C ) sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated washing (D) Smooth and easily cleanable, and (E) Resistant to damage. Replace small containers with NSF restaurant containers able to withstand repeated washing. Large container from previous inspection has been replaced. No repeat points deducted.

WINDSOR POINT RESTAURANT | Grade: A | Score: 99
1221 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment; Core; Side of steamer removed for repair but has not been repaired. Walk-in freezer down, and outside unit being used while freezer repaired. Fan cover on walk-in cooler is melted. Equipment shall be in good repair. Repair these items.

49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils; Core; Minor dust buildup along vent in walk-in cooler, and a few shelves in this cooler. Hot holding cabinet shelving and gasket soiled with food debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of a buildup of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Keep working on cleaning these areas.

55 6-501.11 Repairing - Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures - Methods (C) Several tiles along floor and wall corner near dry storage room are damaged. Repair so surface is easily cleanable.

Holly Springs, NC, Jul. 6, 2026 — Holly Springs residents will need to begin limiting lawn irrigation starting today as the Town joins Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Cary, and Raleigh in implementing mandatory outdoor watering restrictions in response to ongoing drought conditions.

Effective July 6th, the Town has activated a Stage 1 Water Shortage Alert in accordance with guidance from Harnett County, Holly Springs’ water provider. Under the Town’s Water Shortage Response Plan (document), Stage 1 restrictions are automatically implemented when Harnett County declares the same alert.

Stage 1 is the first mandatory level of the Town’s four-stage drought response system. While it primarily limits lawn irrigation to designated days and times, additional stages would impose progressively stricter conservation measures if drought conditions worsen.

Watering Schedule

Residents using the Town’s potable water system for lawn irrigation must follow this schedule:

• Even-numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.

• Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 6 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.

• No irrigation is permitted on Fridays.

Schools, golf courses, and plant nurseries may continue irrigating as needed but are expected to keep non-essential watering to a minimum.

Hand watering with hoses or containers, drip hoses, and alternative water sources remains unrestricted. Homes irrigating with reclaimed water are also exempt from the Stage 1 restrictions.

Residents establishing new sod, seed, landscape beds, or trees may apply for a temporary 30-day Water Conservation Landscape Establishment Exception (click here).

Restrictions Increase at Each Stage

If drought conditions continue to worsen, the Town’s Water Shortage Response Plan calls for increasingly stringent conservation measures.

A Stage 2 Water Shortage Warning would reduce lawn irrigation to two days per week, with even-numbered addresses limited to Wednesdays and Saturdays and odd-numbered addresses limited to Thursdays and Sundays. It would also restrict activities such as washing vehicles outside commercial car washes, pressure washing, filling new pools, and certain other non-essential water uses. Industrial, manufacturing, and commercial customers would be expected to reduce water consumption where feasible.

During a Stage 3 Water Shortage Emergency, the use of automated sprinkler systems would be prohibited. Outdoor watering would be limited to hand-held hoses with spring-loaded nozzles, containers, or drip irrigation. Restaurants would serve water only upon request, and commercial and industrial users would be asked to make even greater reductions in water use.

If conditions reached a Stage 4 Water Shortage Crisis, treated water would be reserved primarily for essential uses such as drinking, sanitation, and public safety. Vehicle washing and other nonessential public or commercial water uses would be prohibited, and the Town could implement additional emergency measures, if necessary, to protect the public water supply.

Residents Encouraged to Conserve

Town officials are encouraging residents to begin conserving water now by:

• Checking for household leaks.

• Running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.

• Shortening showers by just two minutes, which can save up to 5 gallons of water per person each day.

• Turning off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.

Residents can also monitor household water use and detect potential leaks through the Town’s water tracking portal.

The Town said residents will be notified if additional Water Shortage Alerts become necessary, and any future restrictions will be implemented in accordance with Holly Springs’ Water Shortage Response Plan.

Apex, NC, Jul. 6, 2026 — Wake County sanitation inspectors visited 33 Apex restaurants and food service establishments in June, and every business received a Grade A rating.

Inspection scores ranged from a high of 100 at several locations, including Five Guys, Costco Wholesale Food Court, and Bojangles, to a low of 92 at Lime and Lemon Indian Grill. Most establishments scored between 94 and 99.

The most common issues involved cleaning and maintenance rather than immediate food safety concerns. Inspectors frequently cited soiled non-food-contact surfaces, improperly stored wiping cloths or sanitizer solutions, wet-stacked clean equipment, food held outside required temperature ranges, and cooling methods that did not meet state standards.

When inspectors identified priority food safety violations, such as improper cold holding, cooling procedures, cross-contamination risks, or date-marking issues, those problems were corrected before the inspection was completed. Corrections included discarding food, moving products to proper storage, or reheating food to safe temperatures.

No establishment left its inspection with an uncorrected critical violation that posed an immediate risk to the public.

Note: Inspector’s observations and corrective actions taken are available below the summary report. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments

Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2662 GRADING)

(a) The grading of food establishments is based on a system of scoring. A food establishment that earns a score of at least:

(1) 90 percent shall receive a grade A;

(2) 80 percent and less than 90 percent shall receive a grade B;

(3) 70 percent and less than 80 percent shall receive a grade C.

Permits shall be immediately revoked in accordance with G.S. 130A-23(d) for food establishments receiving a score of less than 70 percent.

Summary Report for June 2026

Al's Burgers | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
Basil N Spice | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
Bojangles | Grade: A | Score: 100|
Chipotle #2822 | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
Costco Wholesale #1206 Food Court | Grade: A | Score: 100
Dallas Famous Chicken N' Biscuits | Grade: A | Score: 99
Daniel's Restaurant | Grade: A | Score: 97
Dell/EMC2 | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
First Watch #6037 | Grade: A | Score: 98
Five Guys #1797 | Grade: A | Score: 100
J S New York Pizza | Grade: A | Score: 97
Johnny's Pizza | Grade: A | Score: 94
Kentucky Fried Chicken G135995 | Grade: A | Score: 96
Lime and Lemon Indian Grill | Grade: A | Score: 92
Longhorn Steakhouse #277 | Grade: A | Score: 95
McAlister's Deli #100958 | Grade: A | Score: 98
McDonald's #17721 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Mezcalito of Apex | Grade: A | Score: 93
Mezeh Grill | Grade: A | Score: 94
New China Chef | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Peak City Diner | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Ramyun Zip | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Ruckus Pizza, Pasta Spirits Apex | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
Sabatino's Italiano | Grade: A | Score: 97
Schlotzsky's | Grade: A | Score: 97
Shubham | Grade: A | Score: 94
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Raleigh Apex | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
Taco Bell | Grade: A | Score: 98
Taki Sushi | Grade: A | Score: 93
Tap Station | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
The Dugout Tavern and Grill | Grade: A | Score: 96
Waffle House #1302 | Grade: A | Score: 98
Wing Stop #3243 | Grade: A | Score: 99.5

Observations and Corrective Actions

AL’S BURGERS | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
2832 TEACHEY PL, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/10/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 5-205.11 (B); Priority Foundation; Wiping cloths were stored in the basin of the cookline area handwashing sink. A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing. CDI- cloths removed. Full points may be taken for repeat violations. 6-301.11; Priority Foundation; No soap was available at the cookline area handwashing sink. Each handwashing sink shall have soap available. CDI- soap was replaced.
21 3-501.16 (A)(1); Priority; Onions and mushrooms stored above the grill were observed between 116 and 120F. TCS foods shall be held at 135°F or above. CDI- products voluntarily discarded and replaced. Store these ingredients on the grill top or in approved hot holding equipment to keep sufficiently hot.
23 3-501.18; Priority; Observed cooked burger patties in the grill cooler drawer with a prep date of 6/3. Ready-to-eat, TCS foods shall be discarded after 7 days in refrigeration. The day of preparation or opening from a commercial package shall count as day

1. CDI- burgers voluntarily discarded. All other date marking observed compliant. No points taken.
   38 6-501.11; Core; Observed several flies in the cooking and prep area. The premises shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests by utilizing approved methods of pest control. Consider using fly trapping devices and place in appropriate areas or installing an air curtain near back door if problem persists.

BASIL N SPICE | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
8753 HOLLY SPRINGS RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/05/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

15 3-302.11(A)(1) Packaged & Unpackaged Food Separation, Packaging & Segregation; Priority; Raw salmon stored on cutting board on same table with cutting board of cooked chicken. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by storing raw
foods from ready-to eat foods during storage and preparation. Salmon moved to walk-in cooler during inspection.
16 4-602.11 Equipment Food-Contact Surfaces and Utensils - Frequency; Core; Front ice machine with minor black residue buildup along inside bin. Enclosed components of equipment such as ice machines, beverage dispensing nozzles and ice bins shall be
cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent buildup of soils and residues. Clean the ice machine more frequently.
21 3-501.16 (A)(1) Time-Temperatures Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding; Priority; Curry sitting on stove top at 80F. Reheated noodles stored on prep counter top at 112F. Foods shall be held hot at 135F or above (or kept cold at 41F or below). Curry is removed from the large containers in the walk-in cooler and portioned into smaller containers and used during lunch service, a new container is used for dinner. Facility is only open from 11-2:30 and 4:30-9:30. Educated about reheating when
removed from cold holding and maintaining at 135F or higher. Noodles are reheated from walk-in cooler in microwave and kept on counter until an order, then noodles are put into the dish with other foods and heated per order. Educated to keep noodles
held hot at 135F or maintain cold in cooler until order, and reheat during cooking. Curry heated on stove top to 196F during inspection.
33 3-501.15 Cooling Methods (Pf)-Observed a container fried tofu cooling in the make line cooler unit. Fried tofu was temping at 90F. These make line/flip top coolers do not have the capacity to cool food items. Discussed breaking down food items into
shallow containers and blast cooling noted items in the reach in freezer or walk in cooler prior to placing TCS items in the work top cooler. Tofu moved to sheet tray into walk-in cooler to cool. Cooling sticker provided during inspection.
39 3-305.11 - Container of curry placed on the floor of walk-in cooler. Employee placed empty container on floor and dumped cooked chicken from smaller container into larger, then large container that was on the floor was moved to prep table top. Bottom of the container touched the floor then touched the cook line table. Store food in a clean, dry location, not exposed to contamination. Keep at least 6 inches above the floor. This is repeat from the last inspection, but no items found stored on the
floor. Educated employees not to place food on the floor and containers on the floor, and not to allow container to touch a dirty surface and the place on a clean prep surface. Containers moved and surfaces cleaned during inspection.
48 4-501.14 Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency; Core; Clean drainboard of dish machine soiled with sticky residue buildup. Warewashing machines, the compartments of sinks, sink basins, drainboards and other areas used for washing and
rinsing equipment and utensils shall be kept clean to protect from recontamination. Employee began cleaning the drainboard during inspection.

BOJANGLES | Grade: A | Score: 100
1209 LAURA VILLAGE RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/25/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

No comment addendum was attached to this report; no observations or violations were noted.

CHIPOTLE #2822 | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
1081 PINE PLAZA DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

8 2-301.14 When to Wash (P)
Food service employees observed wiping the counter tops on the serving/make line and returning to food prep without washing hands. During FOOD preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross contamination when changing tasks ,and after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. EHS redirected food service employees
to remove soiled gloves, wash their hands, and put on clean gloves before they could serve another customer. EHS educated PIC and food employees on when to wash hands during food prep/service.CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)NO
POINTS TAKENEDUCATION GIVEN
41 3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitations (C)
The chemical sanitizing solution was visibly soiled with floating food debris. Maintain sanitizer containers for in-use cloths free of visible debris and soil. The PIC remade and tested the chemical sanitizing solution. CDIREPEAT VIOLATION***
43 3-304.12 In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C) Butcher knife used to diced cooked meats was stored on soiled cutting board while visibly soiled with dried on food debris. During pauses in FOOD preparation or dispensing, FOOD preparation and dispensing UTENSILS shall be stored: on a clean, sanitized surface or in a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135F. EHS educated PIC on in- use utensil stored and cleaning. PIC had food employee replace soiled butcher knife with clean a knife and clean the worktop surface of excessive food debris build up.CDI
49 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)
The following are soiled and shall be cleaned: worktop top counters and drainboard of prep sink. Non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Clean the items listed.REPEAT
VIOLATION
55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) Floors throughout kitchen are soiled including but not limited to high traffic areas, underneath equipment, and corners. Wall at hand washing sinks and grill area are soiled with food residue buildup and splatter. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Clean these areas more frequently.***REPEAT VIOLATION

COSTCO WHOLESALE #1206 FOOD COURT | Grade: A | Score: 100
1021 PINE PLAZA DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

No comment addendum was attached to this report; no observations or violations were noted.

DALLAS FAMOUS CHICKEN N’ BISCUITS | Grade: A | Score: 99
1101 E. WILLIAMS STREET, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/09/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

41 3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitations (C) Wet wiping clothes in-use for cleaning were stored in soiled sanitizing solution. Maintain sanitizer containers for in-use cloths free of visible debris and soil. PIC had employee mix and test a clean batch of sanitizing solution.
55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) Walls contain an oily splatter throughout kitchen area. Floors, walls, ceilings including the attachments such as soap, towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vent covers shall be clean. Increase cleaning frequency.

DANIEL’S RESTAURANT | Grade: A | Score: 97
1430 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; A spray bottle of concentrated bleach disinfectant and a bottle of degreaser were observed without a label and a very faint label. Clearly label working containers of poisonous or toxic materials with the common name of the
material when taken from bulk supplies. CDI- labels added or reapplied. All other chemicals had legible labels. Full points not taken.
33 3-501.15; Priority Foundation; A deep tub of house-made ranch dressing was cooling from recent prep in the walk-in cooler. Tub had a lid on it. Cooling shall be accomplished by using rapid cooling equipment or ice baths, using shallow portions and pans and leaving foods uncovered/vented if stored in an area that is protected from overhead contamination. CDI - ranch dressing was placed in a large ice bath to rapidly chill.
43 3-304.12 (A)(B); Core; A metal bowl was being used to scoop cooked pasta and left in the pasta. A metal ramekin was used in a container of sugar. In-use utensils in TCS food, must be stored with handles above the food and top of the food container. Store
in-use utensils used on non-TCS food with their handles above the top of the food within containers that can be closed, such as bins of dry ingredients. CDI- bowl and ramekin removed. Use appropriate dispensing utensils with handles. Full point may be
taken for repeat violations.
45 4-903.11(A) and (C); Core; A few single-use, to-go containers stored with the food-contact surface exposed in the kitchen and expo area. Store single-service articles inverted to prevent contamination until use, or in original protective packaging. CDIitems inverted. No point taken
47 4-501.11; Core; Shelving in the interior walk-in coolers is rusting and paint is chipping. Metal shelving in warewashing area is rusting. This affects cleanability and flakes of paint or rust may contaminate food. Door to reach-in unit at cookline is damaged on the interior. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Replace shelving in the near future and repair or replace reach-in door. NSF rated plastic shelving may be used in areas where moisture is persistent such as walk-in coolers and warewashing areas. Full point not taken
55 6-501.11; Core; Wall near hot water heater is damaged. Floors, walls, ceilings and physical facilities shall be kept in good repair. Repair this area. Others items have been repaired since previous inspection. Full point not taken.

DELL/EMC2 | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
5800 TECHNOLOGY DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/24/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

43 3-304.12 In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C) Found scoop handle touching product in container of TCS food (Time, temp control for safety). Store in product with handles up and extending out of foods.

FIRST WATCH #6037 | Grade: A | Score: 98
1280 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Several metal containers stored as clean were soiled with dried food residue and debris. The
meat slicer had food residue on it from previous use. Food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI

• Items moved to be thoroughly cleaned, slicer was also cleaned.
  33 3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Cut tomato slices stacked together and cooling in a deep, sealed container in the walk-in cooler were not cooling fast enough. No temperature change observed after 30 mins (46- 47F). Cooling shall be accomplished by placing food in shallow pans, in thinner portions and leaving vented or uncovered. Use ice baths when needed for hot foods. CDI- cut tomato was placed in a shallow pan for cooling and left uncovered.
  39 3-305.11; Core; Sugar packets and individual packets of jam were stored directly under the towel dispenser near service area handwashing sink. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location; where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI- manager removed these items which are not normally in this location. No point taken.
  44 4-903.11 (A), (B), and (D); Several stacks of clean plates were stored on a shelf with the food-contact surface exposed. Store clean equipment covered or inverted. Plates may be covered with clean linen if they cannot be inverted. No point taken.

FIVE GUYS #1797 | Grade: A | Score: 100
1075 PINE PLAZA BLVD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/09/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) The flat top grill leaks grease from the corners on to the side surfaces and floor. Maintain equipment in good repair. PIC states a work order has been placed and approved for a replacement grill.

J S NEW YORK PIZZA | Grade: A | Score: 97
804 PERRY RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C)
No certified food protection manager was on site during inspection. The PIC/owner’s servsafe expired in 2023. The person in charge shall be a certified food protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test
that is part of an accredited program.REPEAT VIOLATION
10 6-301.14 Handwashing Signage (C) Hand washing sinks were not equipped with hand washing signs. A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their
hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visible to food employees. PIC was advised to keep hand washing signs posted after cleaning fixtures.
39 3-307.11 Miscellaneous Sources of Contamination (C) Pan of olives stored directly on top of chopped lettuce without a barrier. Food shall be protected from contamination. Pan of olives was removed from the lettuce pan. Pan of lettuce replaced with a pan of uncontaminated lettuce.

JOHNNY’S PIZZA | Grade: A | Score: 94
8759 HOLLY SPRINGS RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/05/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C) There was not a certified food protection manager on site during inspection. Must have a certified food protection manager on site at all hours of operation. Reviewed upcoming classes with manager onsite.
8 2-301.14 When to wash; Priority; Employee went outside and came back into the back door and proceeded to go to the pizza station without hand washing. Hands shall be washed when switching tasks from raw to read-to eat, before donning gloves, and
after engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands. Employee washed hands after EC requested.
9 3-301.11; Priority; Employee observed handling a ready to eat sandwich at prep line with bare hands upon arrival for inspection. Food employees may not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as
gloves, deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, etc. Corrected During Inspection - PIC addressed this issue with manager and employee. Employees proceeded to don gloves when working with ready to eat foods.
33 3-501.15 Cooling Methods; Priority Foundation; Fried eggplant stacked in large metal container in walk-in cooler at 60-80F. Upon questioning employees cooked eggplant almost 2 hours prior to moving into the walk-in cooler. Food is fried and placed onto deli paper and arranged in layers. Top of eggplant cooler than middle of container. Educated about proper cooling methods and placing into thin portions on sheet tray and using rapid cooling equipment such as reach-in freezer. Asked about procedure and eggplant is fried in batches and placed into container in layers. EC recomended to only go about 2-3 layers high and place eggplant in freezer while cooking next batch. Foods shall be cooled from 135F to 70 in two hours and from 70F to 41F in 4 hours by using appropriate cooling methods such as rapid cooling equipment, thin shallow portions, in cooler loosely covered or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination, or adding ice as an ingredient, or other approved methods. Employees educated and eggplant split into three shallow pans and placed into freezer during inspection. Cooling sticker provided during inspection.
41 3-304.14(B) Three buckets of bleach sanitizer with various level of sanitizer. One bucket at 10ppm and the other two at 50- 200ppm. Hold in-use wiping cloths in properly concentrated sanitizer between uses. Educated about filling three compartment sink with solution and filling buckets from sink to be consistent. Bleach solution shall be 50-200ppm. Three compartment sink emptied and set up during inspection and one bucket replaced.
47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Rusty wire shelving in walk in cooler. Replace. Equipment shall be kept in good repair.

KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN G135995 | Grade: A | Score: 96
1403 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

21 3-501.16(A)(1); Priority; A few pieces of fried chicken were holding under 135F in the hot holding cabinet. TCS foods shall be held hot at 135F or above. CDI- chicken was voluntarily discarded. All other hot holding observed compliant. Full points may be taken for repeat violations. Note: torn gaskets on hot holding unit may be contributing to temperature control issues.
44 4-903.11 (A), (B), and (D); Core; A few food storage containers were stacked wet on the clean equipment shelf. After cleaning and sanitizing, dishes and equipment shall be placed in a self-draining position that allows air drying. CDI- containers separated
for drying. No point taken
47 4-501.11; Core; Gasket on hot holding cabinet behind service counter is in poor repair and sagging. Maintain equipment in good repair.
48 4-501.18; Core; Wash basin of three compartment sink was observed soiled upon arrival. Maintain wash, rinse, and sanitize solutions clean. CDI- cleaning solution was replaced.
49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Walk-in cooler fan covers have black residue accumulation. All hot holding equipment has food residue and grease accumulation, especially on interiors around shelving/gaskets/racks. The nonfood-contact surfaces of
equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris. Increase cleaning frequency.
55 6-501.12; Core; Black microbial growth is present along FRP wall and caulking behind prep sink. Caulking may need to be replaced if no longer cleanable. Physical facilities shall be maintained clean. Clean this area. Overall, floors, walls and ceilings in facility are clean. Full point may be taken for repeat violations.

LIME AND LEMON INDIAN GRILL | Grade: A | Score: 92
2025 CREEKSIDE LANDING DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/15/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

6 2-401.11 (A); Core; Observed an employee eating in the warewashing area on the drainboard upon arrival. Except when drinking from a closed beverage container, employees shall eat, drink, or use any form of tobacco only in designated areas where the contamination of exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and other items needing protection can not result. CDI- employee and food were relocated to a designated area.
20 3-501.14(A); Priority; Rice and several containers of butter sauce were observed cooling since last night. Butter sauce contains cooked plant food like onion and tomato which renders it TCS. Products measured 55 - 60F. Quickly cool cooked TCS foods within 2 hours from 135F to 70F; and within a total of 6 hours from 135F to 41F. CDI- rice/sauce voluntarily discarded. Full points taken for repeat violation.
22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B); Priority; Several TCS foods on the cookline in reach-in/fliptop units measured above 41F (see temp chart). Fried cauliflower and paneer cheese were placed above other containers in the fliptop portion of cookline unit where proper refrigeration is not possible. Other foods had been left out intermittently for cooking when orders were received and then placed back in refrigeration shortly before inspection. Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or below unless active preparation is occurring. For bulk containers of TCS food, remove food directly from refrigeration and do not leave entire containers on counter to avoid temperature abuse throughout the day. CDI- fried cauliflower and cheese were moved to reach-in portion and other foods were left in refrigeration to cool down.
33 3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Butter sauce and rice did not cool quickly enough due to ineffective cooling methods (leaving foods in large containers with lids). Veggie soup in a deep container was cooling in the walk-in. Quickly cool foods using
methods such as open/vented shallow pans, large ice baths and active stirring or rapid cooling equipment such as blast chiller or freezer. Cold air must flow around product to remove the heat and product should be in shallow portions. Ensure foods are
placed into refrigeration to cool once below 135F. CDI- cooling education provided. Rice and sauce were voluntarily discarded. Veggie soup was placed into smaller containers to complete cooling and left uncovered.
39 3-305.11; Core; A bag of onions was observed on the floor near floor moisture in the prep area. Stagnant water was observed on the bottom of the reach-in cooler on the cookline. Store food in a clean, dry location, not exposed to splash, dust or other
contamination. Keep at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI - onions removed from the floor. Stagnant water was wiped up from reach-in cooler. Full point taken for repeat violation.
43 3-304.12 (B)(C)(F); Core; Knives were stored between fliptop coolers at the cookline. A metal bowl was left inside batter and a spoon was laying inside a container of sugar. A rice scoop was observed in stagnant water at room temperature. Store in-use
utensils on a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment. The utensils and storage surface must be cleaned and sanitized every 4 hours. In-use utensils for food that is not TCS must be stored with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed. If utensils are stored in water, the water shall be maintained hot at 135F or above. CDI- knives removed, spoon and bowl removed and water drained from utensil container.
47 4-101.11 (A) - (E ); Core; A carboard box is being used to store chopped portions of raw beef in the walk-in freezer. Food-contact surfaces shall be safe, durable, corrosion-resistant, sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated washing, smooth
and easily cleanable, and resistant to damage. Discontinue use of cardboard for food storage. No point taken.
49 4-601.11 (B) and (C); Core; Metal shelf above warewashing area is soiled with brown residue accumulation. The nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of dust, dirt, food residue and other debris accumulation. Clean this shelving. All other
surfaces observed clean. No point taken.
54 5-501.16 (A); Core; Excess cardboard observed littering the area around recycling bin. Bin was full. Provide receptacles of sufficient capacity to hold refuse, recyclables, and returnables that accumulate. Facility may need an extra receptacle if waste
and recyclables are accumulating too fast. 5-501.115; Core; Refuse area has lots of debris and cardboard accumulating on the ground. Keep refuse areas and enclosures
clean. Clean this area.

LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE #277 | Grade: A | Score: 95
1411 BEAVER CREEK COMMONS DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/02/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

22 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Macaroni and Cheese cups holding above 41F on counter at cookline pass. Refer to temperature chart above. TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods shall maintain 41F or below unless active preparation is occurring. PIC indicated these are used during dinner service within a few hours. Discussed possibility of placing these items on TPHC. Provided TPHC form. CDI- cups placed back in refrigeration until use. No points taken
41 3-304.14 (E); Core; Sanitizer bucket observed above clean plates and single-service trays at expo counter. Store sanitizer containers used for wet wiping cloths off the floor and to prevent contamination of food, equipment, single-service articles and
utensils. CDI- bucket moved.
44 4-903.11 (A), (B), and (D); Core; Multiple metal pans were stacked wet on the clean equipment shelf. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment shall be stored in a self-draining position that allows air drying. Arrange equipment on shelving to air dry
properly and store equipment to optimize shelving space. Full point taken for repeat violations.
45 4-903.11(A)(C); Core; Single-service trays were stored on a dirty shelf above the cookline pass. Store single-use/single-service articles in a clean, dry location; where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI- trays moved.
47 4-501.12; Core; Cutting boards observed heavily scratched and damaged. Resurface or replace cutting surfaces that can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Small plastic pieces may also contaminate food.
48 4-501.14; Core; The top of the warewashing machine has some residue and debris. Steam vent directly attached to machine is heavily soiled on the inside. This machine shall be cleaned at least every 24 hours if used. Increase cleaning frequency. Full
point taken for repeat violation.
49 4-601.11(B) and (C); Core; Sides of equipment at the cookline have greasy residue accumulation, especially sides of grill/fryers and front sides of reach-in coolers. Interior of some makeline equipmen needs cleaning. The nonfood-contact surfaces of
equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues, dust, dirt, and other debris. Full point taken for repeat violation.
55 6-501.12; Core; Floor under and behind cookline equipment is soiled with old food and debris. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Increase cleaning frequency. Full point may be taken for repeat violations.
56 6-501.14; Core; AC vents directly above cookline have visible dust accumulation. Clean ventilation systems, change the filters and clean the intake and exhaust air ducts so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt or other materials.

MCALISTER’S DELI #100958 | Grade: A | Score: 98
1061 PINE PLAZA DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/17/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

49 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)
The following items are soiled and shall be cleaned: all exterior and interior surfaces of food prep equipment, including but not limited to: top, side panels, under door handles, gaskets, and front exterior and interior of doors. Non food contact surfaces of
equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil residues. PIC advised to clean and increase cleaning frequency of these items.REPEAT VIOLATION
55 6-201.15 Floor Covering, Mats and Duckboards 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Floors were excessively soiled with food debris. Walls at steam table area have food splatter stains. Floors, walls, ceilings including the attachments such as soap, towel dispensers; light fixtures; and heat/ac vent covers shall be clean. Increase
cleaning frequency.REPEAT VIOLATION

MCDONALD’S #17721 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
900 US 64 HWY W, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

48 4-501.19 Manual Warewashing Equipment, Wash Solution Temperature (Pf)
Wash solution for manual dish washing was maintained at 104F. During manual warewashing, maintain the wash solution at a minimum of 110F or as otherwise allowed by the detergent manufacturer label. PIC emptied and remade dish water to
115F.CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)
4-302.13 Temperature Measuring Devices, Manual Warewashing (Pf)
Three compartment sink was not equipped with a temperature measuring device for manual warewashing. In manual warewashing, a temperature measuring deice shall be provided and readily accessible for frequently measuring the washing and
sanitizing temperatures. CDI
51 5-205.15 (B) Leak pipe etc. not imminent threat
Three compartment sink faucet set up leaks along rubber gaskets and hoses. Plumbing shall be maintained in good repair. Repair faucet set up.
Additional Comments
NOTE: EHS educated PIC and staff on manual warewashing solution temperature, temperature measuring device requirements, and ensuring all cleaned dish ware housed in the sanitizer basin are able to be submerged for at least one minute achieve sanitization.

MEZCALITO OF APEX | Grade: A | Score: 93
3675 GREEN LEVEL WEST RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/16/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

15 3-302.11; Priority; Raw, unpackaged pork was stored above cooling salsa in the walk-in freezer. Raw, whole shell eggs were stored above peppers in the dry storage area. PIC indicated eggs were for employee use. Food shall be arranged according to
final cook temperature and stored to prevent cross contamination with ready-to-eat foods. CDI - eggs removed from dry storage area and pork moved to lower shelf in freezer. 3-304.15(A); Priority; Observed an employee performing multiple tasks with the same single-use gloves on. Employee went to the warewashing area, touched a drainboard, moved a trash can and then handled packs of raw beef without changing gloves. Discard single-use gloves after a task is complete, any time they are damaged or become soiled/contaminated or when interruptions in the operation occur. CDI- cross contamination and glove use education provided. Gloves were changed and
hands washed. Full points taken for repeat violation.
16 4-601.11(A); Priority Foundation; A veggie slicer stored under the prep counter was observed soiled with tomato residue. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI- veggie slicer removed for cleaning. All
other food-contact surfaces observed clean. No points taken today.
22 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Wings and chicken taquitos were observed holding above 41F in fliptop cooler on the cookline. Refer to temperature chart above. TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods shall be held at 41F or below in
refrigeration. CDI - wings and taquitos were placed in the walk-in cooler to cool down. Use lids on TCS products held on the cookline to help maintain temperature and ensure foods are not filled above the rim of containers.
25 3-603.11 (B)(1); Priority Foundation; Consumer advisory is missing the disclosure statement which describes raw animal foods being served raw or undercooked (ceviche with raw shrimp). Consumer advisory disclosures that are asterisked to a footnote shall state: * Items are served raw or undercooked, or contain (or may contain) raw or undercooked ingredients. Add this language to menus and text photo
verification once complete. No point taken today.
33 3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Recently prepared salsa was observed cooling in a large, sealed tub inside the walk-in freezer. Quickly cool TCS foods by using rapid cooling equipment and vented/uncovered shallow pans or ice baths. Cold air must flow
around product to remove the heat. CDI- salsa was separated into two smaller containers for cooling and left partially covered. Cooling education provided.
35 3-501.13 (A)-(D); Priority Foundation; Observed packs of raw beef thawing in standing water in the meat prep sink. Water measured 80F. TCS food shall be thawed under refrigeration at 41F or less OR completely submerged under running water with
a water temperature of 70F or less. Note: thawed portions of a raw animal food requiring cooking shall not be above 41F for more than 4 hours. This includes thawing time and the time needed for preparation for cooking, or the time it takes to cool back to 41F. CDI - packages of beef were removed from the prep sink to continue thawing in the walk-in cooler.
43 3-304.12 (A); Core; A skimmer utensil was stored inside a bin of pico. In-use utensils in TCS food must be stored with handles above the food and top of the food container. CDI- utensil removed. All other utensils stored appropriately. No point taken
45 4-903.11(A) and (C); Core; Several stacks of single-use, aluminum to-go containers were stored with the food-contact surface exposed on shelving above the cookline. Store single-use articles inverted or in packaging until use to prevent contamination. CDI - items inverted.
47 4-501.11; Core; Torn gaskets observed on grill cooler drawers. Some handles on grill cooler drawers are badly damaged. Equipment shall be kept in good repair so that it is easily cleanable. Replace/repair torn gaskets and drawers.
56 6-403.11 (A); Core; An open employee beverage was stored directly above fruit in the dry storage area. Employee eggs were stored above facility food. Areas designated for employees to eat and drink shall be located so that food, equipment, linens and
single-service articles are protected from contamination. CDI- employee drink and eggs were relocated. 6-304.11; Core; Excessive heat noted near grill station. Ensure ventilation system is functioning as intended. Mechanical ventilation of sufficient capacity shall be provided to keep rooms free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, odors, smoke, and fumes.
Additional Comments
Change menus to reflect correct consumer advisory language by 6/26 and text photo to 919-500-6269. Please reach out with any questions.

MEZEH GRILL | Grade: A | Score: 94
1286 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/24/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A); Core; No Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on site. Must have a CFPM on site during all hours of operation. The Serv Safe Food Protection Manager certification or another ANSI-accredited program will meet this requirement. Note: Food Handler certificate does not meet this requirement.
16 4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Numerous metal containers stored as clean had sticker residue or whole date stickers on the outside and were stacked together. The food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. CDI - pans moved for thorough cleaning. Utilize a different date marking sticker method if current stickers are leaving too much residue and prove hard to clean.
20 3-501.14; Priority: Beef cooling since last night was observed between 44 and 46F in the walk-in cooler. Lentils cooling 2 hours were observed between 78 and 105F. TCS foods shall be cooled within 2 hours from 135F to 70F and within a total of 6 hours
from 135F to 41F or less. CDI- beef and lentils voluntarily discarded.
21 3-501.16(A)(1); Priority; Multiple TCS foods observed holding less than 135F (see temp chart). Hot TCS foods shall maintain 135F or above for safety. Steam tables should be sufficiently hot to hold food at correct temperature, ensuring pans are settled into the steam table and enough water is present to hold proper temperature. Use lids to help maintain heat if necessary. CDIfoods were placed on stovetop for rapid reheating to 165F.
22 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Hummus, cut tomato and cut lettuce were observed above 41F in fliptop cooler and on the serving line. Maintain TCS foods in cold holding at 41F or less. Hummus and cut tomato that were older than 4 hours were
voluntarily discarded. Lettuce was sent to cool in the reach-in. Tops of food may become too warm if fliptop is kept open for long periods. Use lids to help maintain refrigeration temp if necessary. Cut lettuce was stacked too high above refrigerated serving line unit to maintain temp. Do not overstock foods in open top refrigeration units. All other cold holding observed compliant. No points taken today.
33 3-501.15; Priority Foundation; Beef and lentils were observed cooling in closed containers with lids and stacked together in the walk-in cooler. Use methods such as open/vented shallow pans, smaller portions, ice baths and active stirring and/or rapid
cooling equipment. Cold air must flow around product to remove the heat. CDI- beef and lentils voluntarily discarded.
44 4-903.11(A), (B) and (D); Core; Cleaned and sanitized containers were stacked wet. Cleaned equipment and utensils shall be stored in a self-draining position that allows air drying. Air dry prior to stacking. No point taken today.

NEW CHINA CHEF | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
1769 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/10/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

15 3-304.15 (A); Priority; Observed an employee washing their hands with a single-use glove on one hand. If used, single-use gloves shall be used for only one task such as working with ready-to-eat food or with raw animal food, used for no other purpose, and discarded when damaged or soiled, or when interruptions occur in the operation. CDI- employee was stopped, glove was removed and discarded and hands were rewashed. Educational moment with employee.
55 6-501.11/6-501.12; Core; Caulking adjacent to the wall and along back of handwashing sink in cookline area is soiled and black. Physical facilities shall be maintained clean and in good repair. Replace caulking if it is no longer cleanable. No point taken.

PEAK CITY DINER | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
802 PERRY RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 6-301.12 Hand Drying Provision
Paper towel dispenser at food prep hand sink was equipped with paper towels. Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with: (A) Individual, disposable towels. Employee equipped hand sink with paper
towels.CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION(CDI)
22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B) Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Hot and Cold Holding Salad mix (44F) and sliced tomatoes (43F) were cold holding above 41F. Time/temperature for safety food shall be maintained at 41F or below. PIC voluntarily discarded the salad mix and sliced tomatoes.CDI
47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Upright three door reach in cooler is not working. Maintain equipment in good repair. PIC states that a work order was sent requesting repair.

RAMYUN ZIP | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
772 W WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/11/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

23 3-501.17 Ready-To-Eat Time / Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking (Pf) Food in the reach in cooler was not date marked. READY-TO-EAT, TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD prepared and held in a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the FOOD shall be consumed on the PREMISES, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 41F or less for a maximum of 7 days. CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)
38 6-501.111 Controlling Pests (Pf)
Flies observed throughout restaurant. The PREMISES shall be maintained free of insects, rodents, and other pests. EHS discussed fly control measures with owner.

RUCKUS PIZZA, PASTA SPIRITS APEX | Grade: A | Score: 96.5
1055 PINE PLAZA DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/26/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-601.11 (A) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (Pf) Several plastic pans stacked together on the clean equipment shelf had residue on them. The food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be clean to sight and touch. Pans removed for cleaning. CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)
23 3-501.18 Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition
Several large pans of chicken wings stored in the walk in cooler were date marked for 6/18 and 6/19. A)A FOOD specified in par. 3 501.17(A) or (B) shall be discarded if it:
(3) Is appropriately marked with a date or day that exceeds a temperature and time combination as specified in par. 3-501.17(A). The PIC voluntarily had an employee discarded the expired pans of chicken. CDI
41 3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitations (C)
Several soiled dry wiping clothes were stored on the floors and counter tops. (D) Dry wiping cloths and the sanitizing solutions in which wet wiping cloths are held between uses shall be free of FOOD debris and visible soil. PIC removed the soiled dry wiping clothes and placed them in the soiled linen. CDI

SABATINO’S ITALIANO | Grade: A | Score: 97
1001 DAVIS DRIVE, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/24/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-602.11 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils - Frequency
The ice dispenser of the beverage machine is soiled with a brown organic build up. (4) In EQUIPMENT such as ice bins enclosed components of EQUIPMENT such as ice makers EQUIPMENT: Absent manufacturer specifications, at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or mold. PIC had employee clean and sanitize the ice dispenser. CORRECT DURING INPSECTION (CDI).
45 4-903.11 (A) and (C) Equipment, Utensils, Linens and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles - Storing (C) Single-use/service items stored with the food contact surface exposed to environmental contamniation. Store single-use and single-service articles in a clean, dry location; where they are not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. PIC inverted the stacks of single-use/service items.CDI REPEAT VIOLATION
51 5-205.15 (B) Leak pipe etc. not imminent threat The three compartment sink and the prep sink beside the microwave have leaking faucets. Maintain a plumbing system in good repair. PIC advised to repair.

SCHLOTZSKY’S | Grade: A | Score: 97
906 US 64 HWY W, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/26/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-602.11 Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils - Frequency
Ice machine contains black organic build up on interior surfaces. Interior compartments of ice bins shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil or microbial residue. PIC melted remaining ice and cleaned is machine. CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)
49 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C) The following items are soiled and shall be cleaned: dusty surfaces of domestic fans, XLT sandwich oven assessable surfaces
contain built up food debris, grimy and dusty shelves above the sandwich station, and the corners, back panel, and crevices under the prep unit lids. Non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil
residues. REPEAT VIOLATION
55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C)
Floors throughout kitchen and under equipment are soiled with food debris in food prep and make line areas. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Increase cleaning frequency.

SHUBHAM | Grade: A | Score: 94
6102 OLD JENKS, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/24/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 5-205.11 Using a Handwashing Sink - Operation and Maintenance (Pf) 6-301.12 Hand Drying Provision (Pf) Hand washing sinks in the kitchen contained storage such as dishes, utensils, and small sized equipment and were not equipped with a hand drying device. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing. Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with individual, disposable towels. The PIC removed the storage from the hand washing sinks and placed paper towels at each sink.CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)
16 4-601.11 (A) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (Pf) The food prep sinks are soiled with food debris and contain soiled dish/cookware storage. EQUIPMENT FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES and UTENSILS shall be clean to sight and touch. The PIC had kitchen staff clean and sanitize the food prep sinks.CDI
23 3-501.18 Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, disposition
Rice stored in the reach in cooler was dated for 5/3/26. No other date lables were observed on the container. A FOOD specified in par. 3 501.17(A) or (B) shall be discarded if it exceeds the temperature and time combination specified in par. 3-501.17(A). PIC voluntarily discarded the container or rice.*CDI
39 3-305.11 Food Storage - Preventing Contamination from the Premises (C)
Several containers of food were stored on the floor of the walk in cooler. FOOD shall be protected from contamination by storing the FOOD: at least 6 inches above the floor. The PIC is advised to store all food products at least 6 inches above the floor.
44 4-903.11(A)(B) and (D) Equipment, Utensils, Linens, and Single-Service and Single-Use Articles-Storing Several plastic pans were stored wet stacked. (B) Clean EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS shall be stored as specified under (A) of this section and shall be stored: in a self-draining position that allows air drying. The PIC moved the pans to the dish washing area to be cleaned, sanitized, and air dried.CDI
49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C) The exterior surfaces of equipment and refrigeration are soiled with food debris and grime build up. Keep non food contact surfaces of equipment clean to avoid build up of dust, food residue or debris. Non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Increase cleaning frequency.

SPRINGHILL SUITES BY MARRIOTT RALEIGH APEX | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
1100 MARCO DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/01/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

8 2-301.15; Priority Foundation; Employee observed rinsing hands in the three compartment sink. PIC entered kitchen and did not first wash hands. Food employees shall clean their hands in a handwashing sink and may not clean their hands in a sink used for dishwashing. CDI- Employees instructed to wash hands in hand sink. Employees washed hands.
10 6-301.12; Priority Foundation; Handsink in kitchen did not have paper towels. Each handwashing sink shall be provided with paper towels or hand drying device. CDI- PIC replaced batteries for paper towel holder.
12 3-202.11; Priority; Greek yogurt and regular yogurt from US Foods truck was above 41F. Refrigerated, TCS foods shall be at a temperature of 41F or below when received. CDI- The yogurts and other refrigerated foods were rejected by the PIC. EHS is who
initiatied the delivery temperature check, reminder to the PIC to check all the delivery temperatures to prevent accepting product above 41F.
23 3-501.18; Priority; Hummus with use by date of 5/24/2026 was kept in reach in cooler. Discard the food requiring date labels once time/temperature window has expired, if it is not been labeled, or if the label is incorrect. CDI- PIC voluntarily discarded.
24 3-501.19 (A) (1); Priority Foundation; TPHC procedures were not provided at today’s inspection for items on the breakfast bar that are maintained from 630am-930am and then discarded. PIC was verbally able to explain time procedure. Additionally, times
were not recorded for any of the foods on the breakfast bar but verbally were put out around 630am. Written procedures for Time as a Public Health Control shall be prepared in advance, maintained in the establishment, and made available for the Health Department upon request. Written TPHC procedures must specify methods of compliance. Food shall be marked to indicate the time that is 4 hours past the point in time when the food is removed from temperature control. CDI- EHS provided another copy of TPHC form and explained ways you can mark the product i.e. stickers, written time log, etc. EHS encouraged PIC to contact food safety auditor to consult about time vs temp, if corportate already has procedures. EHS will verify compliance by 6/11/26.
40 2-402.11; Core; Food employee working with beard in kitchen. Use head coverings, beard guards and clothing to restrain body hair from contacting exposed food, equipment, and utensils.
47 4-501.11; Core; Replace the torn gasket on the yogurt/milk cooler. Repair the broken legs on the reach in cooler in side storage room or remove. Maintain equipment in good repair.

TACO BELL | Grade: A | Score: 98
1205 LAURA VILLAGE RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/25/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C) The follow surfaces are soiled and shall be cleaned: clam shell grill, clam shell holder on make line, make line counters, and exterior surfaces of make line equipment. Keep non food contact surfaces of equipment clean to avoid build up of dust, food residue or debris.4-602.13 Non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Increase cleaning frequency.REPEAT VIOLATION
55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C)
Floors along cookline, under equipment, and inside the walk in cooler and walk freezer are soiled with food debris and build up. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. Review cleaning frequency and adjust as
necessary.REPEAT VIOLATION

TAKI SUSHI | Grade: A | Score: 93
2701 LAWNVIEW LN, SUITE 103, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 5-205.11 (B); Priority Foundation; A pack of tuna was observed thawing under running water in the handwash sink at sushi prep area upon arrival. A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing. CDI- tuna was removed from sink and placed inside cooler. 6-301.11; Priority Foundation; No soap was available at sushi prep handwashing sink. Each handwashing sink or group of 2
adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. CDI- soap replaced.
15 3-302.11(A)(1); Priority; Raw, whole shell eggs were stored above vegetables in the walk-in cooler. Quail eggs were stored above root vegetable in the reach-in cooler. Protect food from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during
storage, preparation, holding, and display from ready-to-eat foods and washed/unwashed fruits and vegetables. CDI- eggs relocated in both locations. 3-302.11(A)(4); Core; Large ice cube tray was observed in the sushi freezer uncovered. Store food in packages, covered containers, or wrappings (unless cooling) to protect from contamination. PIC placed plastic wrap over ice cube tray.
22 3-501.16 (A) (2) and (B); Priority; A container of tofu that was previously in an ice bath was observed at 60F. Ice had melted and water was no longer cold enough in container to keep proper temperature. Salmon and tuna on a plate were stored above the refrigerated compartment of the sushi fliptop cooler and measured 43 - 45F. Hold TCS foods in refrigeration at 41F or below. CDI- fish was moved to reach-in portion of cooler and tofu was placed in freezer to flash cool.
23 3-501.18; Priority; A container of cooked potato from 6/22 was observed in the reach-in cooler. Ready-To-Eat Time / Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food shall be kept no longer than 7 days in refrigeration. The day of preparation shall count as day 1. CDI- potato voluntarily discarded. All other date marking observed compliant. No points taken today.
28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Spray bottles of degreaser were observed without labels. Clearly and individually label working containers of poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies. CDI- labels added. Full points may be taken for repeat violations.
39 3-305.11; Core; Bags of onions were stored under the pipe leading to the hot water heater. A pack of tuna was observed in the handwashing sink basin upon arrival. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing the food in a clean, dry location;
where it is not exposed to splash, dust, or other contamination; and at least 6 inches above the floor. CDI- onions moved to a better location. Fish was removed from handwashing sink. Do not place food in a handwashing sink.
41 3-304.14 (E); Core; Wiping cloth bucket stored above dry ingredients like sugar and sauce bottles. Containers of sanitizing solutions in which wet wiping cloths are held between uses shall be stored off the floor and used in a manner that prevents
contamination of food, equipment, utensils, and single-service articles. CDI- bucket relocated. No point taken today.
42 3-302.15; Core; A cucumber was cut through its plastic packaging and avocados about to be cut on the makeline still had produce stickers on the skin. Wash fruits and vegetables prior to use and remove any stickers or wrappings. CDI- discussed
proper washing of fruits and vegetables with PIC. Avocado was sent to be washed and stickers removed. Full point will be taken on next inspection for repeat violations.
48 4-302.14; Priority Foundation; No testing kit was available to test Quat sanitizer in three compartment sink. Provide a test kit that accurately measures sanitizer concentrations. CDI- provided some Quat testing paper and PIC placed an order with AutoChlor.
51 5-205.15; Core; Handwashing sink faucet at the cookline is leaking at the base when turned on. Maintain a plumbing system in good repair. Reapir faucet.

TAP STATION | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
320 S SALEM ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

36 4-204.112 Temperature Measuring Devices - Functionality (C)
The cold holding units throughout the kitchen were not equipped with a temperature measuring device. (A) In cold holding units, a thermometer sensor shall be located in the warmest part of a cold hold unit. PIC was advised.
41 3-304.14 Wiping Cloths, Use Limitation Soiled dry and wet wiping clothes were stored on counter tops. (D) Dry wiping cloths and the sanitizing solutions in which wet
wiping cloths are held between uses shall be free of FOOD debris and visible soil. Soiled dry clothes were placed with the soiled laundry and wet wiping cloth was placed in a bucket of chemical sanitizing solution. CDI
47 4-501.12 Cutting Surfaces (C) Cutting boards are deeply scratch and discolored. Resurface or replace cutting surfaces that can no longer be effectively cleaned
and sanitized. PIC advised. CDIREPEAT VIOLATION***
49 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C)
Exterior surfaces of cooking and cooling equipment were observed soiled with grease or food residue. Non food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Increase cleaning frequency. REPEAT
VIOLATION

THE DUGOUT TAVERN AND GRILL | Grade: A | Score: 96
1413 KELLY RD, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/11/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

21 3-501.16 (A) (1); Garlic in oil and grilled onion was observed under 135F at grill station (see temp chart). TCS foods shall be held hot at 135F or above. CDI- products voluntarily discarded. Educated PIC on garlic in oil’s TCS nature. Use grill top or hot
holding unit to hold hot foods. No points taken today.
22 3-501.16 (A)(2) and (B); Priority; Numerous TCS foods holding above 41F in cookline fliptop and two small prep units. Refer to temperature chart. TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods shall be kept at 41F or below in refrigeration. Ambient
refrigeration temperatures observed between 43 and 49F. CDI- foods from previous day were voluntarily discarded. Foods from this morning were sent to the walk-in freezer to blast chill. Technician to arrive and evaluate/repair affected equipment. Use pans of ice as a temporary measure and monitor food temperatures carefully. Verification required. Facility can operate temporarily with remaining refrigeration units and ice.
28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; A spray bottle of degreaser was observed without a label. Label all working containers of poisonous or toxic materials taken from bulk supplies with the common name of the material. CDI- label added. Full points will
be taken for repeat violations on next inspection.
35 3-501.13(E); Core; ROP salmon was observed thawed and still sealed in its packaging. Reduced oxygen packaged fish that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment prior to its thawing under refrigeration or immediately upon completion of its thawing under running water. CDI- PIC instructed employee to cut packs of salmon open. Educational moment on ROP fish thawing.
47 4-501.11 (C); Core; Can opener blade appears dull and jagged. Cutting or piercing parts of can openers shall be kept sharp to minimize the creation of metal fragments that can contaminate food when the container is opened. Replace can opener blade.
Additional Comments
Have fliptop makeline and two small prep coolers repaired to hold 41F or below ambient air within 3 days. A verification visit will be made no later than Monday, 6/15.

WAFFLE HOUSE #1302 | Grade: A | Score: 98
1417 E WILLIAMS ST, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/10/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C)
Torn refrigeration gaskets and rusting shelves refrigeration and dry storage metal shelves. Equipment shall be maintained in good repair. PIC advised.REPEAT VIOLATION
48 4-501.116 Warewashing Equipment, Determining Chemical Sanitizer Concentration (Pf) Chemical sanitizing solution did register when tested. Concentration of the SANITIZING solution shall be accurately determined
by using a test kit or other device. Food employee remade and tested the chemical sanitizing solution to the required
concentration.CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION (CDI)
49 4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C) The interior and exterior surfaces of equipment, especially refrigeration gaskets, are soiled. Non food contact surfaces of
equipment shall be cleaned frequently to preclude accumulation of soil residues.REPEAT VIOLATION
55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) Floors under all cook/prep equipment are soiled with food debris and refuse. Physical facilities shall be maintained clean. Clean this area more frequently. REPEAT VIOLATION

WING STOP #3243 | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
1071 BEAVER CREEK COMMONS DR, APEX
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

41 3-304.14 (E); Core; Sanitizer bucket observed on top of fryer cooler and above drawers of raw chicken. Store sanitizer containers used for wet wiping cloths off the floor and to prevent contamination of food, equipment, single-service articles and utensils. Bucket was relocated. No point taken
49 4-601.11(C); Core; Ice and food debris build-up observed on bottom of reach-in freezer. The nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept clean to avoid accumulation of dust, food residue, dirt or debris. Clean the freezer
Additional Comments
No hot holding. Raw chicken wings are the only raw animal food delivered or handled in facility

Holly Springs, NC, Jul. 4, 2026 — During June, 26 food establishments in Holly Springs underwent health inspections, and all received an A grade. Scores ranged from 95.5 to 100, with most falling between 97 and 99.5.

The most common violations involved non-food-contact surface cleanliness (rusting or soiled wire shelving in walk-in coolers), improper air-drying of cleaned equipment, unlabeled chemical containers, and personal items (phones, food) stored near prep areas. A few establishments were cited for lapses in certified food protection manager coverage.

No critical violations involving food temperature, contamination, or unsafe food handling were identified. The full listings below detail each establishment’s score, violations, and corrective actions.

Note: Inspector’s observations and corrective actions taken are available below the summary report. Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments

Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2662 GRADING)

(a) The grading of food establishments is based on a system of scoring. A food establishment that earns a score of at least:

(1) 90 percent shall receive a grade A;

(2) 80 percent and less than 90 percent shall receive a grade B;

(3) 70 percent and less than 80 percent shall receive a grade C.

Permits shall be immediately revoked in accordance with G.S. 130A-23(d) for food establishments receiving a score of less than 70 percent.

Summary Report for June 2026

Acme Pizza Co | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
AMC Holly Springs 9 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Aye! Toro | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
The Butchers Market | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
China Best | Grade: A | Score: 98
China Uno | Grade: A | Score: 97
Chili’s Grill Bar #1566 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Firehouse Subs #1052 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
First Watch #6036 | Grade: A | Score: 99
Hibachi Japan | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Holiday Inn Express Holly Springs | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Holiday Inn Express Holly Springs (Breakfast) | Grade: A | Score: 100
Homegrown Pizza | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Kobe Hibachi Sushi | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Manhattan Pizza | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Michelangelos | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
My Way Tavern | Grade: A | Score: 97
Oakview Public House | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
Olive Garden #4441 | Grade: A | Score: 98
Panda Garden | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
Panera Bread #6039 | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
Papa’s Subs Pizza | Grade: A | Score: 97
Texas Roadhouse #594 | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
Thai Thai Cuisine | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
UNC Health Rex Holly Springs Hospital | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
Vieni Ristobar | Grade: A | Score: 97

Observations and Corrective Actions

ACME PIZZA CO | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
204 VILLAGE WALK DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/01/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 6-301.12 No paper towels at handwash sink in back. Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks shall be provided with disposable towels, a heated-air hand drying device, or a hand drying device that employs an air-knife system that delivers hi velocity air at room temperature. Replaced at time of inspeciton.
41 3-304.14(B) Wiping clothes in sanitizer bucket not filled high enough. Moist wiping cloths shall be stored and submerged in approved clean sanitizer between uses. Alternately, establishment may use spray on sanitizer and single use towels. Cooks may keep a dry towel for use as a hot mitt, but this towel shall not be used for wiping or sanitizing and shall remain clean at all times.
47 4-501.11 Reach in cooler on left end by wall is pooling water. Equipment shall be kept in good repair.
55 6-501.12 Cleaning needed walk in cooler floor under shelves, food/liquid spill. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. No points taken.

AMC HOLLY SPRINGS 9 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
320 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/15/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

48 4-501.14 Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency (C) FRP backsplash at dishwasher has black residue build-up on left side.
49 4-602.13; Core; Some minor cleaning of wire shelving in walk in cooler and wire shelving on back wall. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.
55 6-501.11 Repairing - Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures - Methods (C) FRP cracked on wall behind dishwash machine on right side. No points taken.

AYE! TORO | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
303 MATTHEWS DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/09/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

56 6-403.11 / 6-305.11 Employee food on wares shelf, phone on shelf over prep area. Keep personal items away from food, equipment and prep areas.

THE BUTCHERS MARKET | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
4200 LASSITER RD, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/09/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Drying rack by 3 compartment sink is rusty.

CHINA BEST | Grade: A | Score: 98
632 HOLLY SPRINGS RD, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/26/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-101.19 Nonfood-Contact Surfaces (C) Wood used in walk in cooler and freezer. Surfaces must be non-absorbent and easily cleanable.
49 4-602.13; Core; Wire shelving in walk in cooler have soil build-up. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

CHINA UNO | Grade: A | Score: 97
308 VILLAGE WALK DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Spray bottle of degreaser not properly labeled. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Labeled at time of inspection. No points taken.
39 3-305.11 Conatiners of chicken floor in walk in cooler. Food shall be protected from contamination by storing at least 15 cm (6 inches) above the floor.
47 4-501.11 Rusting shelves in walk in cooler. Equipment shall be kept in good repair.

CHILI’S GRILL BAR #1566 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
111 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 5-205.11 Several wash cloths in handwash sink. A handwashing sink may not be used for purposes other than handwashing and shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Pf Removed at time of inspection.
44 4-903.11(A), (B) and (D); Core; Wet stacking of plastic containers at dish area drying rack. Equipment and utensils, shall be stored in a self-draining position that allows air drying.

FIREHOUSE SUBS #1052 | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
413 VILLAGE WALK DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/01/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-501.11 Reach in freezer evaporator is starting to freeze up, right side fins. Defrost or repair as needed. Maintain equipment in good repair.
55 6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions (C) Clean food debris on wall at trash can area near french fry unit. Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep clean.
56 6-403.11; Core; Uncovered employee drink stored on middle shelf in glass cooler. Employees’ beverages shall be stored covered, below and away from food, food preparation surfaces, and clean food equipment/utensils.

FIRST WATCH #6036 | Grade: A | Score: 99
304 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

48 4-501.14 Some black residue build-up on backsplash at dishwash area. Warewashing area shall be cleaned to prevent contamination of equipment and utensils. No points taken.
49 4-601.11 Some food debris in reach in cooler bottoms. Non-food contact services shall be clean to sight and touch.

HIBACHI JAPAN | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
7216 GB ALFORD HWY, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/04/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

43 3-304.12 Observed bowl with no handle in make line used as a scoop. Use only a utensil/scoop with a handle and store in product with handles up and extending out of foods.
47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Walk in cooler shelves rusting. Replace (do not paint as this will not be NSF approved).

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOLLY SPRINGS | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
150 COLLINS CROSSING RD, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/22/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

17 15A NCAC 18A .1824 (b) Cleaning needed of chutes of ice machines in hallways. Pink slime. Equipment and utensils shall be kept clean and in good repair.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOLLY SPRINGS (BREAKFAST) | Grade: A | Score: 100
150 COLLINS CROSSING RD, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/22/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

No comment addendum was attached to this report; no observations or violations were noted.

HOMEGROWN PIZZA | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
4928 LINKSLAND DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/26/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

44 4-901.11 Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required (C) Plastic food containers stacked wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them.
47 4-501.11; Core; Rusting shelving over 3 compartment sink. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Replace.
56 6-202.11 Fluorescent lights with no cover in dishwash area or walk in cooler. (Note: one ceiling unit converted to LED.) Light bulbs shall be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food; clean equipment, utensils, linens; or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles. 6-501.14 Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C) Vents in ceiling over reach in freezer blocked by dust/flour.

KOBE HIBACHI SUSHI | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
515 N MAIN ST, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/24/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 Serve Safe expired. No person in charge with food protection manager certification was present during inspection. At least one supervisor/manager shall be a certified food protection manager by passing a test (such as ServSafe) that is part of an ANSI accredited program. This certified person shall be on-site at all times during operation.
43 3-304.12 Observed cernamic bowl used as scoop in cooked rice. Use only a utensil/scoop with a handle and store in product with handles up and extending out of foods.
47 4-501.11; Core; Torn gasket on tall reach in cooler. Equipment shall be maintained in good repair. Replace. No points taken.
48 4-501.14 Dishwasher interior and dishwasher dishracks have heavy build up hard water/soil. Warewashing machines shall be cleaned to prevent recontamination of equipment and utensils.

MANHATTAN PIZZA | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
305 MATTHEWS DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/02/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

35 3-501.13; Core; Toppings such as ham thawing on counter. TCS foods shall be thawed under refrigeration of 41F or less, or completely submerged under running water.
56 6-305.11 Cell phone on prep table. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions.

MICHELANGELOS | Grade: A | Score: 95.5
7280 GB ALFORD HWY, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/10/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

2 2-102.12 (A) No person in charge with food protection manager certification was present during inspection. At least one supervisor/manager shall be a certified food protection manager by passing a test (such as ServSafe) that is part of an ANSI accredited program. This certified person shall be on-site at all times during operation.
28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Several chemical spray bottle were not labeled. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the material. Labeled at time of inspection.
39 3-307.11 Sheet pan of dough being stored on top of trash can. Food shall be protected from miscellaneous sources of contamination.
47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Reach in freezer appears to have evaporator frozen. Items are still frozen, move to another location and repair as necessary. Wire shelves on wall are very rusty- replace.
49 4-601.11 (B) Cleaning needed of wire shelves in walk in cooler and general interior/exterior of equipment. Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

MY WAY TAVERN | Grade: A | Score: 97
301 W CENTER ST, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

10 5-205.11(A) handwash sink to right of 3 comp. sink full of wiping cloths and scrubbers. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use. Pf
47 4-501.11 Good Repair and Proper Adjustment - Equipment (C) Rusty shelving in kitchen. Equipment shall be kept in good repair.
49 4-602.13; Core; Wire shelving in walk in cooler needs cleaning. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.

OAKVIEW PUBLIC HOUSE | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
131 OAKVIEW COMMONS DR, SUITE 101, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/25/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

44 4-901.11 Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required (C) Observed multiple plastic containers stacked wet. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them.

OLIVE GARDEN #4441 | Grade: A | Score: 98
107 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/25/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

44 4-903.11 Multiple clean inverted metal pans stacked wet on shelf. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Completely air dry these items before stacking them.
45 4-903.11(A) and (C) Open case of single serve containers on floor in storage area. Equipment, utensils, linens and single service items shall be stored at least 6 inches above floor. No points taken.
49 4-602.13 Food debris on shelving above soup station. Non-food contact services shall be clean to sight and touch.

PANDA GARDEN | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
5249 SUNSET LAKE RD, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/22/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-502.11(A) Rusty wire shelving in walk in cooler. Equipment shall be kept in good repair. Replace.
49 4-601.11 (B) and (C) Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood Contact Surfaces, and Utensils (C) Some cleaning needed on dry storage shelves. Non-food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch. Walk in cooler shelves much better.

PANERA BREAD #6039 | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
231 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/30/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

47 4-501.11 Drying rack is rusting. Maintain equipment in good repair.

PAPA’S SUBS PIZZA | Grade: A | Score: 97
511 N MAIN ST, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/30/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

28 7-102.11; Priority Foundation; Spray bottle of glass cleaner not properly labeled. Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic materials shall be clearly and individually identified with the common name of the mate Labeled at time of inspection.
49 4-601.11 Wire shelving in walk in cooler has heavy food build-up. Non-food contact services shall be clean to sight and touch.

TEXAS ROADHOUSE #594 | Grade: A | Score: 97.5
201 GRAND HILL PL, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/08/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

44 4-903.11 Clean wares stacked while still wet. Equipment shall be stored in a self draining position that allows for air drying.
49 4-602.13 Cleaning needed interior/exterior of equipment. Nonfood contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation.
56 6-501.110 Phone charger on wire shelf in meat cutting room. Place below food and on a surface such as a plate or other disposable or cleanable item.

THAI THAI CUISINE | Grade: A | Score: 98.5
108 OSTERVILLE DR, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/29/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

45 4-903.11(A) and (C); Core; Case of bowls/lids stored on floor in back room. Single use items shall be stored at least 6 inches off of floor.
49 4-602.13; Cleaning needed of walk in cooler wire shleving. Non-food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.

UNC HEALTH REX HOLLY SPRINGS HOSPITAL | Grade: A | Score: 99.5
850 S MAIN ST, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/18/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

48 4-501.14 Cleaning needed of backsplash at dishwash for black residue

VIENI RISTOBAR | Grade: A | Score: 97
242 S MAIN ST, 112, HOLLY SPRINGS
Inspection Date: 06/18/2026

Observations and Corrective Actions

16 4-501.114 Chlorine sanitizer concentration in dishwasher was less than 50 ppm. The approved concentration shall be 50-200 ppm. Chlorine container replaced.
49 4-601.11 Wire shelving in walk in cooler and other areas has food-debris buildup. Non-food contact services shall be clean to sight and touch.
56 6-501.110 Cell phone on shelf above make line by grill. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee clothing and other possessions. No points taken. 6-501.14 Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition (C) Clean vents in ceiling over cook area.

Cary, NC, Jul. 4, 2026 — Wake County’s typical home price dipped slightly in May, down $5,000 to $465,000, even as more homes sold than the month before (3,247 vs. 3,193) — a sign of a steady, active market rather than a slowdown. Borrowing activity cooled a bit, too, with property-secured loans down from April but roughly level with a year ago.

Cary held up well against that backdrop: 193 homes sold in May with a median price of $595,000, about $130,000 above the county median, and an average price of $675,409 pulled up by several sales over $1.5 million. Prices ranged from $500 (a family property transfer, not a market sale) up to $2,275,000, underscoring that Cary’s high end stayed strong even as countywide prices eased.

Data Source: Wake County Register of Deeds, May 2026.

Top 10 Cary Sales: May 2026

Note: Where available, links to Zillow listings for each property are provided.

1. 403 Carolyn Ct | $2,275,000
   Date Sold: 5/19/2026
   Year Built: 2025
   Square Feet: 4,191
   Acreage: 0.41

2. 4021 Piney Gap Dr | $2,100,000
   Date Sold: 5/11/2026
   Year Built: 2014
   Square Feet: 8,335
   Acreage: 0.39

3. 802 Warren Ave | $2,034,500
   Date Sold: 5/22/2026
   Year Built: 2026
   Square Feet: 0
   Acreage: 0.37

4. 516 Windboard St | $1,661,500
   Date Sold: 5/21/2026
   Year Built: 2026
   Square Feet: 0
   Acreage: 0.28

5. 163 E Park St | $1,650,000
   Date Sold: 5/15/2026
   Year Built: 2022
   Square Feet: 2,884
   Acreage: 0.03

6. 302 Versailles Dr | $1,600,000
   Date Sold: 5/15/2026
   Year Built: 1991
   Square Feet: 6,237
   Acreage: 0.57

7. 202 Lantern Ridge Ln | $1,570,000
   Date Sold: 5/7/2026
   Year Built: 2005
   Square Feet: 5,663
   Acreage: 0.45

8. 105 Glade Park Rd | $1,537,000
   Date Sold: 5/20/2026
   Year Built: 1998
   Square Feet: 5,483
   Acreage: 0.48

9. 1028 Kensley Haven Ct | $1,485,000
   Date Sold: 5/1/2026
   Year Built: 2016
   Square Feet: 5,362
   Acreage: 0.31

10. 105 Jessfield Pl | $1,365,000
    Date Sold: 5/6/2026
    Year Built: 2008
    Square Feet: 3,793
    Acreage: 0.47