🌱 Cary Hostage Situation + NCSU Student Mental Health Task Force

Happy National Dog Biscuit Day Raleigh!

My son has gotten into the habit of saying "Awwwh biscuits," thanks to a certain cartoon Aussie dad, and I can't help but appreciate it a little bit more today. Get today off right and you won't need to say "awwwh biscuits" when asked about what's going on. Here's a sneak peek of some good conversation starters:

• Funding for the Wake County Legal Support Center
• A make-a-friend mixer
• NC Civil Rights Trail marker applications

But first, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 83 Low: 59.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

1. A hostage situation unfolded on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning in Cary. The incident took place at the Windsor Apartments on Macedonia Lake Drive. The ordeal began when Cary Police arrived to the scene to perform a wellness check at the request of family members. An 11-year-old boy was also present at the scene and the barricade was then treated as a hostage situation. The boy suffered a gunshot wound, but around 9:30 a.m., officers were able to secure the child through negotiations. (abc11, WRAL)
2. N.C. State University commissioned a Student Mental Health Task Force to take a deeper look into mental health issues at the university. The task force stated that the problems are not unique to NCSU, as the National College Health Assessment shows that half of all university students experience psychological distress, with more than a quarter presenting a high suicide screening score. The task force made several recommendations, including integrating campus-level diversity, equity, inclusion and mental health planning and continuing to engage the campus community in the conversation surrounding student mental health. The task force also said that while the university has offered Wellness Days, some faculty do not respect the intention of the day. (abc11, CBS17)
3. In a Tuesday work session, the Wake County Board of Commissioners delegated $50,000 to support the Wake County Legal Support Center. The support center is located inside the Wake County Courthouse and provides free resources for those representing themselves in court. The center does not provide legal advice or representation, but can give guidance to help with the paperwork and process. (CBS17)
4. Law enforcement officials are warning that state and local law enforcement are prepared to hold individuals accountable for threats on schools. Although most of the threats have been found to be false, schools across the Triangle have been forced to go into lockdowns and dismiss early due to the threats. Making a false threat is a Class H felony and Wake County district attorney says that for adult charges, they will be pursuing restitution. For students who have actually had firearms on campus, officials are pursuing charges on adults failing to secure their firearms. The Wake County Public School System is also looking at ways to strengthen laws regarding the matter. (abc11)
5. On person was hospitalized after a stabbing in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday. The incident took place around 4 p.m. at East Hargett and South Wilmington Streets. A suspect, Joseph Michael Landis, is in custody and being held under a $50,000 secured bond at the Wake County Jail. (CBS17)
6. Interstate 40 East was closed for hours on Tuesday night after a wrong way crash. The incident took place around 10:40 p.m. when a Honda Accord driver was traveling westbound in eastbound lanes. The driver crashed into an Acura TL that was traveling eastbound, and both drivers were taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. (CBS17, WRAL)

Today in Raleigh:

• Make a Friend Mixer with Joy Worthy Co. (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: Norse Brewing WF (6:30pm-8:30pm), Local 919 (7:00pm-8:30pm), Bull City Cary (7:00pm-9:00pm), Real McCoy's WF (7:00pm-9:00pm), HighCraft Cary (7:30pm), House of Hops (7:30pm-9:30pm)
• Thursday Night Cornhole at Good Times Garner (7:00pm-10:00pm)
• New Belgium Skee-Ball Tournament Series at Boxcar (9:00pm-11:00pm)
• Latin Thursday Dance Party at Umami (9:00pm-11:30pm)

Friday in Raleigh:

• Adult Night: Social in the Shire at The Museum of Natural Sciences (7:00pm-10:00pm)
• Friday Night Shop Party at Black Friday Market (8:00pm-12:00am)
• Comedy Night at Nicklepoint Brewing Co. (8:00pm)
• Mardi Gras Masquerade at Fortnight Brewing WF (8:00pm)
• Rih Rih Red Drag Show: A Celebration of Rihanna at Ruby Deluxe (9:00pm)

From my notebook:

• It's National Dog Biscuit Day and Zookies Cookies is one of the most notable Raleigh based dog biscuit, after being featured on Shark Tank.
• "Carolina Small Business Development Fund is rolling out another round of applications for their small business grant and technical assistance program.” (Downtown Raleigh Alliance Instagram)
• The NC African American Heritage Commission is still taking applications for the NC Civil Rights Trail. So far 25/50 markers have been approved highlighting people and places that played a role in the civil rights movement in North Carolina. (abc11)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Patch newsletter? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com