Community Corner
🌱 Community 'Missing Middle' Discussions + RFD Chaplaincy Program
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Raleigh.
Happy Public Radio Broadcasting Day Raleigh!
Yesterday I had someone from out of town come and chat with me about their visit to Raleigh, and I realized that Raleigh isn't a "week long city." There is simply too much to experience from Raleigh to enjoy it in one week. She asked what she had to experience and I swear I started rattling off a month's worth of things from places to eat that I love to playgrounds she just had to experience to understand. It really made me appreciate the fact that I get to live in this beautiful city, and made me eager to get out and go somewhere this weekend. Before you start making your weekend plans, catch up on everything, including:
- Brushfire caused by e-cigarette battery
- WRAL's Weekend Best Bets
- Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Award nominations open
But first, today's weather:
Cooler with clouds and sun. High: 54 Low: 35.
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Here are the top six stories in Raleigh today:
- Raleigh leaders held the first of six meetings in which they will discuss the "Missing Middle housing." City leaders approved zoning changes over the past few years that allows for more dense development, and city planning staff hope the meetings will help community members better understand their vision for growth. City staff will hold "Missing Middle" community meetings in different areas every week until mid-February. (CBS17)
- The Raleigh Fire Department is working to build a program that will provide comfort for firefighters as well as fire and accident victims. Rev. Jeffrey Neal responded to emergency calls as a firefighter with RFD for 25 years, before his mental health suffered. Now, he is working with the Raleigh Fire Department to establish a chaplaincy program. The main focus of the program is to be present for people in times of need, and it comes as the department is shifting to focus on mental health. The department is also working on its first peer-support team. (CBS17)
- One man was killed in a hit-and-run on Interstate 440 near Poole Road early on Thursday morning. Police identified the victim as Craig Mekeithen Jr., and say he was walking on the shoulder near the center median when a car hit him and fled the scene. Mekeithen died from his injuries, and police are still investigating the crash. I-440 was completely shut down between Poole Road and the 440 split until 6 a.m.. (CBS17, WRAL)
- North Carolina State University Police announced the arrest of a man who was accused of sexual battery near campus on Wednesday. William Patrick Lanine was arrested in connection to the incident that took place on Logan Court. According to University Police, after 8 a.m. someone approached a female student, made an inappropriate comment, and inappropriately touched her. (CBS17, CBS17, WRAL)
- A brush fire was ignited along I-40 in Cary, after a vape pen battery was thrown out a car window. The North Carolina Department of Transportation officials said that one of their maintenance crews saw and reported the fire. Cary fire Battalion Chief Joey Smith said a male driver noticed his vape pen battery had started smoking as it was charging, and he threw it out the window. Due to a mixture of heavy winds and lots of pine straw, the brush fire caused property damage spanning about 300-400 feet from the interstate. The driver returned to and stayed at the scene. (CBS17)
- During Wednesday's news conference, Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson mentioned that motor-vehicle thefts jumped 12% from this time last year. The most recent car theft happened at a busy Raleigh gas station where Tank Steiner stopped to fill his gas tank. Steiner left the car running while he went inside to get a drink, and while he was inside of the store, someone got in his vehicle and took off with it. Steiner called 911 and filed a police report, but he also took to Nextdoor to warn others. (abc11)
Today in Raleigh:
- Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo at the NC State Fairgrounds (9:00am-7:00pm)
- Let's Go Camping for Early Childhood at Prairie Ridge (10:30am-11:30am)
- Traffic Light Party at The Platinum (8:00pm)
- Comedy Night with Azeem at The Cary Theatre (8:00pm)
- Karaoke at the Brickhouse of Raleigh (9:00pm-1:00am)
Saturday in Raleigh:
- Bagel Run at Fleet Feet Raleigh (8:00am)
- Geek & Grub Market at Fred Fletcher Park (11:00am-3:00pm)
- Live Defiantly Party at Bull City Ciderworks Cary (12:00pm-10:00pm)
- The ComedyWorx competitive improv comedy show at ComedyWorx (6:00pm-7:30pm)
- Skywatching at White Deer Park Garner with Raleigh Astronomy Club (6:00pm-8:00pm)
Bonus: Weekend Best Bets (WRAL)
From my notebook:
- It's Public Radio Broadcasting Day and if you're new to the area or haven't dabbled in the world of public radio, our NPR station is 91.5 WUNC, and you can hear local stories and local voices alongside national information you'll want to know.
- According to the Better Business Bureau, the most frequent scams of 2022 were online purchasing scams, with employment scams at number 2 on the list. (CBS17)
- Time is running out to experience the Sonic Runway and all other Illuminate installations, this Saturday, January 14 will be your last opportunity to see them. (Downtown Raleigh Alliance Instagram)
- If you have a City of Raleigh Parks volunteer that you want to recognize, nominate them for a Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Award! (City of Raleigh Facebook)
- GoTriangle will operate a Sunday-level service for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 16. (GoTriangle Facebook)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new update.
— CJ Fullford
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com