The Line | Cary, Apex, and Morrisville News

Cary Releases 2016 Police Records Related to Drug Surveillance Operation That Name Former Town Manager Former Cary town manager Sean Stegall was named in Cary police department records released after a public records request.

NEW: Former Cary town manager Sean Stegall was named in Cary police department records from 2016 that the town released in response to a public records request following Stegall’s December resignation over questions about his spending.

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The Line | Cary, Apex, and Western Wake N.C. News Local news, politics coverage, and in-depth reporting from Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and Western Wake County, North Carolina.

The Line’s future also includes more reporting, more in-person and virtual events, and more social media storytelling at @thelinewake on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and TikTok.

🌐 Connect with us at westernwakenc.com.

🗓 Events, guides, and things to do, because this is how we connect to each other and enjoy quality of life in Western Wake County.

🌱 Growth, and how everyday residents can give meaningful input on how our communities meet the rising challenge of increasing population and what comes with it.

☕ Local businesses, from major employers shaping growth in our communities to small independent spots creating the cultural fabric of our towns with coffee shops, restaurants, and third places.

What can you expect from The Line?

🏢 Town government coverage that doesn’t end after a big breaking news event, but continues to show and explain what’s happening in the places we call home.

Going forward, The Line will be in your inbox Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

📆 Monday newsletters will help you plan ahead.
🔎 Wednesday newsletters will be a deeper dive into our local reporting.
🥳 Friday newsletters will share what you need to know heading into the weekend.

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Welcome to The Line, fully launched.

Our website is live! You can now find us online at westernwakenc.com.

Cary Audit Points to Problems With Former Town Manager, But Town’s Financial Position is Sound Town council members received assurance Thursday that an audit of financial statements indicate the town’s financial condition is solid.

Despite concerns over spending that led to the resignation of Cary’s former town manager, town council members received assurance at their regular meeting that an audit of financial statements from the last year indicate the town’s financial condition is solid. www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...

Morrisville Begins to Build a Downtown This year, Morrisville residents will see the Town Center move from plans to reality as it rises out of the ground.

Unlike other Western Wake towns, Morrisville doesn’t have a downtown or central gathering destination. The Morrisville Town Center will change that.

The first phase is expected to open in 2027. www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...

Coming to Western Wake in 2026: Affordable Housing Gets Collaborative and Creative Affordable housing is a complex issue to address in the years to come. Here are three efforts to watch this year.

Projections by Wake County show construction is not keeping pace with growth—projections for 10 years down the road show a need for 18,000-23,000 new homes annually, and at varying price points. The annual average of new homes approved in the county is 12,700.

www.theassemblync.com/news/busines...

NeighborUp CEO: In 2026, Community Members Ask 'How Can I Help?' We asked community leaders a simple question: What would you like to see the community embrace to make Western Wake County a better place?

Read more about André's resolution here: www.theassemblync.com/news/busines...

To kick off 2026, The Line asked a few leaders in Cary, Apex, and Morrisville to share their community-wide resolutions. Next up to share a resolution is André Anthony, the CEO of NeighborUp. Here's what André had to say:

Apex Councilmember Sue Mu: Prioritize Community Mental Health Apex Town Councilmember Sue Mu answers: What would you like to see the community embrace to make Western Wake County a better place?

Read more about Sue Mu's resolution: www.theassemblync.com/news/apex-co...

To kick off 2026, The Line asked a few leaders in Cary, Apex, and Morrisville to share their community-wide resolutions. Our next subject is Sue Mu, Apex Town Councilmember. Here's what Sue had to say:

Downtown Cary Glows With Temporary Public Art Installations GLOW temporary public art pieces from Academy Street Artwork Projects can be found while strolling in Downtown Cary.

Six of seven light and technology art installations are now brightening cold Downtown Cary nights.

www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...

The Line Launch Party Be among the first to hear the future of local news in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, and Western Wake County!

Join us at The Matthews House in Downtown Cary on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, where we’ll shape The Line’s future together. Sign up at the link in our bio. www.eventbrite.com/e/the-line-l...

Be among the first to hear about the future of local news in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, and Western Wake County! But act fast, as space is limited.

Morrisville Chamber VP: Show Up for Each Other in 2026 The Line asked local leaders: What would you like to see the community embrace in 2026? The first answer is from Wendy Peele in Morrisville.

Read the full resolution here: www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...

To kick off 2026, The Line asked a few leaders in Cary, Apex, and Morrisville to share their community-wide resolutions. Our first subject is Wendy Peele, vice president of the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce. Here's what Wendy had to say:

Another Member of Cary’s Senior Management Team Departs Town Government Dan Ault, an assistant town manager and chief innovation officer who has worked for the town since 2016, resigned from his role on January 8.

Dan Ault, an assistant town manager and chief innovation officer who had worked for the town since 2016, resigned from his role on January 8.

The Refreshery Brings Juice and Market to Downtown Cary With a large community table, bar seating, its proximity to Downtown Cary Park, The Refreshery adds something new to the town’s center.

With a large community table, bar seating, its proximity to Downtown Cary Park and next-door neighbor, the new Mega fitness studio, The Refreshery adds a new gathering space, and healthier drink and food options, to the town’s center.
www.theassemblync.com/news/busines...

Cary Mayor Reflects on Town Manager’s Resignation: 'I Thought He Was My Friend. How Did I Not See That?' Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht discusses the former town manager’s tenure, finding consensus to move forward, and regaining the public’s trust.

In a one-on-one interview with the INDY, Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht discussed the former town manager’s tenure, finding consensus on the council about how to move forward, and regaining the public’s trust.

What Sean Stegall’s Book Says About His Leadership—And What It Cost the Town of Cary What The Top of The Arc says about the former Cary town manager, Sean Stegall, and detailing the town budget to promote it.

The book charts former Town Manager Sean Stegall’s accomplishments and his approach to municipal government leadership. Post-resignation, some passages don’t really hold up.

www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...

Chatham Estates Residents Must Relocate. A Town of Cary Program Will Help. What's next for Chatham Estates mobile home park residents after receiving notice to vacate? The Town of Cary and a local nonprofit will help.

Through a partnership between the Town of Cary and the nonprofit NeighborUp, which provides relief services to residents experiencing housing instability, town officials expect to be able to assist Chatham Estates residents as they seek new housing. www.theassemblync.com/news/chatham...

Downtown Apex Project Will Transform Salem Street Salem Streetscape project will add landscaping and more pedestrian-friendly features. Construction starts in February.

This year, the segment of Salem Street from West Chatham to Saunders streets will transform with new streetscaping and a new gathering space. It’s part of a master plan for Downtown Apex adopted in December 2019.

www.theassemblync.com/news/downtow...

We’re hosting a gathering at The Matthews House in Downtown Cary on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, where we’ll shape The Line’s future together.
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-line-l...

Join us to celebrate the launch of The Line, a new source of local journalism in Western Wake County that connects you with civic info, cultural updates, events, and conversations about the place we call home.

Michele Morrow, a Cary resident and 2024 Republican nominee for North Carolina’s superintendent of public instruction, is running for U.S. Senate. Learn more here: www.theassemblync.com/news/politic...

New Year's Eve 2025: 7 ideas in Cary and Apex It's nearly 2026, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate in Cary and Apex, from family-friendly New Year’s Eve activities to big bashes.

It’s nearly 2026, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate in Cary and Apex, from family-friendly New Year’s Eve activities to big bashes.

www.theassemblync.com/news/culture...