This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 First Draft Map + Esports Arena & Truck + Greenway Plans

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Raleigh.

Christina Fullford's profile picture
Christina Fullford, Neighbor
|
(Patch Media)

Happy Random Act of Kindness Day Raleigh!

First, today's weather:

Breezy, warm. High: 74 Low: 63.

Attention, top law firms! We're now offering sponsorship opportunities for local firms interested in building lasting connections with clients in Raleigh. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

  1. On Tuesday night, House lawmakers released a "first draft" for the General Assembly's new district map plan. HB 980 has significant changes from the rejected map, splitting Guilford and Wake Counties into only two districts. The new maps are still subject to change, but the preliminary proposal could likely see a Republican advantage of 9-5 as opposed to the estimated 10/11 seat win in the maps that were struck down. (WFMY, WRAL)
  2. NC State University has received $16 million from the state government to build an esport facility and esport truck on campus. The funding is part of the greater effort to cultivate a large esports presence in North Carolina. $12 million will go towards building the largest esports arena in the US, and $4 million will go toward a 'mobile arena,' to bring competition and activities anywhere in the state. (Technician)
  3. Animal Control officers in Raleigh found a white-nosed coati roaming off of New Bern Avenue on Tuesday. Raleigh police identified the animal as an exotic pet, and took it to an exotic vet in Raleigh. Since being found, a woman came forward and said that "Ryuk" belongs to her and she will be picking up the coati from the veterinary hospital that took care of her pet overnight. (WRAL)
  4. The City of Raleigh has big plans for the Capital Area Greenway that will make safety improvements and more than double trail miles. The 400-page greenway plan will add more lights along paths and dark underpasses, increasing volunteer and paid staff, and more consistent reporting of crime to RPD. The plans will also add more than 160 new miles of trail systems that will run from Wake Forest to RDU to Garner. (CBS17)
  5. Wake County Public Libraries have had an informal, and somewhat ambiguous collections and book challenge policy since 2005. Senior collections manager Theresa Lynch and Wake County's deputy library director Ann Burlingame have began developing a new "collection purpose policy" to be used for the "selection of materials, request to purchase, and requests for reconsideration." With high-profile challenges to a handful of books in the last year, librarians are pushing for a more transparent policy that will allow more input from librarians and patrons. (INDY Week)

From our sponsor:

Hey Raleigh, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's Random Acts of Kindness Day and RAL Today put together an awesome list last year to give you some ideas on making an impact.
  • LinkRaleigh is hosting an in person networking event today at City Club Raleigh from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
  • Michell Whitley of Raleigh is working on his Mitchell's Mayors project, to meet every mayor in the state of North Carolina. (WAVY)
  • Today is Downtown Raleigh Alliance's first Downtown Rundown of 2022. (DRA Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 21)
  • Taxes in Retirement Webinar (February 22)
  • Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
  • Prismatica Kaleidoscope Experience: A Color-Filled Exhibition Of Lights And Reflections (March 20)
  • Add your event

Loving the Raleigh Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— CJ Fullford

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Raleigh