Christmas in May, and Bees 🐝

👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, May 28, 2026 and this is the 73rd consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Quick update on The Peak Daily app. Still waiting for review in both app stores…

I was really hoping it would be available by last week. But, a couple of denied reviews later, we’re almost there! My guess is that some time this week, the app will be officially available to download and you’ll have all of this in your pocket:

Daily morning briefing, food truck finder, Apex Police blotter, rezoning actions, live traffic feeds, recent local news, high school sports, what’s on tap, GoApex tracker, live ask-anything chat, daily events, instant town alerts and news flashes, development tracker, school alerts, trash/recycling alerts, outage alerts, community message board…. and so much more.

It’s incredible and it is just going to get better. Full disclosure - it will cost you $3.99/month (after a 7-day trial).

But hear me out. It’s the PERFECT early Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one.

Let me put it into perspective:

The Wake Weekly was $4.16 in 1974! Some fifty-years later and The Peak Daily is coming at you for just $3.99! That’s just 13 cents per day to keep you always in-the-know and for me to keep the lights on. (In all fairness, $4.16 might have been their price for the whole year, but hey - they’re $10/mo now so I’m just saying - $3.99/mo is a heck of a deal.)

📲 Want to know before everyone else as soon as it’s available to download? Text “Apple” if you have an iPhone or “Android” if you have an Android to (919) 912-APEX and I’ll ping you first once I get the green light!

Miscellaneous Info:

🎅 Speaking of Christmas…
Because Salem Street construction was delayed earlier this month, it’s likely to still be under construction in December… meaning the Christmas parade will have to find another route. The likely outcome at this time will be a “Stationary Parade”, where floats, bands, vendors and performers would remain in place while residents walked through the event (lots of challenges with finding other areas to do a traditional parade). Council is working with Apex Rotary to determine the best possible alternate solution. All the details here.

🧠 Behavioral Health Community Workshop
Tomorrow, May 29 from 6-8pm, is an evening focused on behavioral health, wellness, and community connection. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with more than 30 behavioral health providers, nonprofit organizations, counselors, and wellness professionals offering resources, information, and support services. Free to all. At the Apex Senior Center. More info here.

🚦 Flashing Lights
Today and tomorrow, construction work is scheduled for the intersection of Salem Street and Chatham. The roadway will remain open, but the traffic signal will be set to four-way flashing red. GoApex bus service may encounter delays during this time.

🥍 Apex Cougars
Congratulations to the Apex Cougars who are 8A east regional champions in girls lacrosse. The undefeated Cougards play Pinecrest on Friday for the state championship.

👩🏻‍💼 Serve on an Advisory Board - 2 Days Left
Serving on a Town Advisory Board is a great way to get involved, collaborate with local leaders, and make a real impact. Current vacancies include Culture and Arts, Environmental, Multimodal Transportation, Parks and Recreation and one youth position on the planning board. Learn more and apply by May 29 here.

🎺 AHS Bands Spring Pops Concert
Tonight, 7pm-9pm, enjoy a free evening of music with the Apex High School Concert Bands at AHS Auditorium.

🏥 The $61M Hospital Deal Made Without You (Part III)
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the very lengthy Part I story and the shorter Part II follow-up. I didn’t plan on a Part III, but… here’s the thing: in a 162-page sworn affidavit, signed by the Town's Economic Development Director on September 19 2025, was filed in the Wake County Superior Court. It confirms - under oath - what Town Council has spent the last month denying. Part III is in the works. Stay tuned.

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, May 29

💿️ Bring Your Own Vinyl Night
5pm - 8pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🎸 80’s Rock After Dark
8pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Saturday, May 30

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

🚘️ Monthly Scenic Rally
9am - 12pm | Harris Teeter (Sweetwater)

🔬 Marbles Science Solvers
2:30pm - 4:30pm | Eva Perry Library

🎤 Karaoke
9pm - 1am | Rudy’s Pub

🏖️ Summer Beach Party
9:30pm - 1am | JD’s Tavern

Sunday, May 31

🏢 First Annual Summer Market
1pm - 5pm | The Ballast on Salem

Wednesday, June 3

💅 Taylor Swift Trivia Night
6:30pm - 8:30pm | Southern Peak Brewery

👠 Wednesday Night Movie
The Devil Wears Prada
7pm - 9pm | The Halle

💡 Pub Trivia w/DJ Ray
8pm - 11pm | Doherty’s Irish Pub

Local Business Updates

😀 Wing Stop Now Open
Wing Stop is now open in Beaver Creek on Wednesday, May 27. Their hours of operation are 10:30am - Midnight, 7 days a week.

🛍️ Support Downtown Businesses!
Construction on Salem Street has been tough on many of the downtown businesses. We’re barely 2 months into the project, we’ve already added 60 additional days to the expected completion date and these businesses have some ~200 more days to go with the construction. The traffic, the parking, the sidewalk walking… it’s really not all that bad. Get downtown this week and shop!

Also, if you are a business owner downtown, can you email me ([email protected])? I have an idea!

📯 Amie’s Academy
Meet Amie, a former band director with over 10 years of experience offering individualized piano and brass lessons right here in Apex!

Located in Kelly West, Amie’s Academy welcomes all ages and skill levels, tailoring lessons to each student's unique interests - from classical to video game music. She also specializes in helping rising 6th graders jump-start their band instruments and preparing local students for the rigors of marching band.

Best of all, Amie offers your first introductory lesson for FREE to ensure it’s a great fit. Visit www.amiesacademy.com to fill out the contact form and get scheduled today!

(Note: have a business you want to promote? These aren’t sponsored. They’re free. We support awesome Apex business owners in Apex just like Amie so reach out if you want to share! [email protected])

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series (Part 9/14)

🐝 Old Apex Bee Company

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Old Apex Bee Company, tucked away on 30 acres of land in Apex, is a honey business with strong family roots and a commitment to sustainability and community care. Founded by beekeeper Julia Kopacz, the farm has grown from a single nucleus colony of bees into a thriving operation with more than 20 colonies, handcrafted products, and a mission that reaches far beyond the hive.

Julia’s connection to the land runs deep. She grew up in the same house where she lives today, on what was once her parents’ hog and cattle farm. What began as an unexpected hobby eventually became a passion and a way to preserve both family tradition and the farm itself. Ironically, Julia wasn’t initially interested in beekeeping, even after her mother gifted her a beekeeping course. But after spending time observing the bees and learning about the inner workings of the hive, she was hooked.

Today, Old Apex Bee Company is a North Carolina Certified Honey Producer, meaning the farm follows strict quality standards to ensure customers get pure, high-quality honey straight from nature. Their honey is unfiltered and unrefined, keeping all the natural flavors and nutrients intact. Julia also creates a variety of handmade products in her certified kitchen and “honey house,” including lip balms, lotions, night creams, and specialty gift baskets—all naturally and sustainably sourced.

Running a bee farm is a lot of work. Depending on the season, Julia has 10 to 20 active colonies so there’s always something to be done, such as splitting colonies, installing new hygienics, conducting inspections, and monitoring mite counts. Careful record keeping helps her stay organized and maintain healthy colonies year-round.

Every year, Julia attends the three-day North Carolina State Beekeepers Association conference, where researchers, master beekeepers, and experts share the latest knowledge and techniques. She’s also involved with the Chatham County Beekeepers Association and has taken on leadership and volunteer roles within both organizations over the years, helping support and educate fellow beekeepers across the state.

The farm produces roughly 400 pounds of raw materials each year, which Julia transforms into jarred honey and handcrafted skincare products. You can find her products at the Apex Farmers Market and local food alliance events throughout the year. Customers in Apex, Cary, and Holly Springs can also take advantage of free local hand delivery.

Old Apex Bee Company is also dedicated to giving back. Julia proudly partners with CORA Food Pantry to help fight food insecurity in the community. Ten percent of all sales—along with 100% of customer tips—are donated directly to the pantry in support of its mission to build a community without hunger.

This may be the first time you’re hearing about Old Apex Bee Farm, or you may already have a jar of Julia’s honey in your kitchen cabinet (like I do!). To purchase her honey and other products, you can email her through her website at www.oldapex.com and you can also find her at the Apex Farmers Market weekly from October through December.

Civic News:

💰️ Annual Budget Public Hearing
Tonight’s Town Council meeting will not discuss budget. But the next one, on June 9, will have a public hearing on the FY 26-27 budget and will allow for public comment. During last week’s budget work session, Council gave staff direction to prepare the FY27 budget around a 1.75-cent property tax increase as the new baseline. See what will be presented for vote, and what is now different from the original draft budget, here.

Tonight’s Council Meeting

During this evening’s Town Council meeting (usually Tuesdays, but moved to Thursday because of the holiday), there are a couple of items that I want to bring to your attention that may be worth keeping an eye on:

📊 Financial Audit Presentation
During the Town Manager’s Report portion of the meeting, the financial audit will be presented. This is our town’s 4th year in a row submitting our financial audit well past the deadline.

🍃 Yard Waste / Grass Collection
The Apex Public Words Director will make a motion to adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services, Article V. - Yard Waste Collection section of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Apex.

If Council approves the motion (which is likely since they provided staff with the direction to create it), this means that:

July 1, 2026: Curbside yard waste collection will no longer include the collection of contractor-generated yard waste and lowers the threshold for “small limbs” to less than 6’ in length and 6” in diameter. Limited scheduled pickups, for a fee, will be available.

October 19, 2026: Curbside yard waste collection will transition from a weekly service to a bi-weekly service. This was approved to move forward by council unanimously in the last work session.

January 1, 2027: The formal elimination of grass clippings from the Town’s collection services. Loose leaves and small shubbery will still be collected.

Sometime, 2028: Not in this official motion and with no specific date yet, but yard waste will move to Containerization (you’ll have another trash bin for yard waste) sometime in 2028. This was approve unanimously by council in the last work session.

Note: Mayor Gilbert has asked for the Yard Waste Collection item to be pulled from the agenda “to allow more time to continue working toward long-term solutions, especially regarding grass clipping collection.” At this time, it does appear to still be on the agenda.

⌛️ Public Records Request
Just to keep the tracker going, I have some other stories upcoming but timing is TBD since I am still waiting on 3 very straight-forward public record requests to be fulfilled. Those three requests combine for 259 days of no response (not counting the 37 days I’ve been waiting on the Town Clerk, Allen Coleman, to respond to my questions on an email thread that he himself initiated…

Upcoming Meetings:

Today, May 28
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Monday, June 1
Joint Collaboration Meeting
5:30pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

June 4
B4 Lunch Series | The Halle

June 4
Pride Stories | Hunter Street Park

June 4
Lunch Series - Organizational Excellence | The Halle

June 6
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

June 6
Sweet Dream Concert [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 13
"Freakier Friday" Movie [Rhythm & Reels] | Nature Park Amphitheatre

June 17
Wednesday Morning Movie | The Halle

June 18
Learning Lunch - Pollinators | Apex Senior Center

June 20
SuperFun Saturday | The Halle

June 20
Juneteenth in the Peak | Town Hall Campus

June 25
CommUniversity: Parks Planning | Town Hall Campus

June 27
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

In Case You Missed it

🚛 Landfill Study
Wake County has officially launched the "Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study" to plan for the future of waste management as the existing South Wake Landfill nears the end of its operational life. A new project website and a three-month public survey have been introduced to gather community feedback on environmental, financial, and operational priorities.

❤️‍🩹 55+ Health & Wellness Fair - Vendor Apps
The event takes place September 12 but applications for vendors is open now. Apply by July 17 for advanced consideration.

🛝 KidsTowne Playground Survey
Share your feedback on the upcoming renovations of the playground at Kelly Rd Park by taking this survey.

🌎️ Environmental Priorities Survey
The Environmental Advisory Board wants to learn about your environmental priorities and get your ideas on how we should preserve our natural environment. Take that survey here.

🛣️ Hughes Street Site Planning & Design Survey
A 13-acre site at the corner of S Hughes Street and Perry Road is being developed through a Town-led initiative. That survey is here.

🥾 Natural Heritage Interactive Trail
Apex's newest interactive trail is located at Apex Nature Park. Starting at the Pollinator Garden near the Seymour Athletic Fields, visitors can engage with nature and Apex’s history as they walk through the trail. Ten interactive signs have been placed along the trail showcasing environmental features, Town initiatives, and Apex history through a self-guided experience that brings the landscape to life.

🏈 Youth Fall Sports Registration
Fall youth sports registration opens this Monday, May 18th at 9am for Apex residents! Non-resident registration will open on June 1st. Find the Program Guide here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

As always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at [email protected]

See you next Thursday... 😘