🌱 Five Men Arrested in Motorcyclist Death + Downtown Raleigh Rally

Happy I Am a Mentor Day Raleigh!

Thank goodness it's the weekend! I feel like January has already been jam packed with so much going on. I hope your 2023 has had a good start. I'm sill working on making time for myself, but at the very least I'm being intentional about the time I do get. How are your resolutions going? Let me know right after you catch up on everything, including:

• Amazon layoffs are unlikely to impact Raleigh.
• The Three Kings Day Parade
• Foster family information session

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with sunshine. High: 54 Low: 33.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

1. On Thursday, five men were arrested in connection to the death of a motorcyclist on New Year's Day. Jonas Padilla died at the hospital from injuries consistent with gunshot wounds after being thrown from his motorcycle in a residential Raleigh area. The five men accused in Padilla's death are being charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy robbery with a dangerous weapon. Raleigh Chief of Police Estella Patterson said that the department was able to "apprehend and remove five dangerous criminals from the streets of our city," thanks to investigators and assistance of law enforcement partners. (abc11, CBS17, WBTW, WRAL)
2. Advocates rallied in downtown Raleigh on Friday to mark the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol. The rally took place at noon and was one of many events nationwide "pushing for accountability." The event also called for voting protections, reproductive rights, climate protections, gun safety reform, and access to affordable higher education. (WRAL)
3. Amazon announced that the company is planning to lay off about 18,000 workers. The company says that the layoffs are mostly targeting workers in its People, Experience and Technology Organization, and all of its retail business. An Amazon representative declined to say whether employees specifically in North Carolina could lose their jobs, but they did say the layoffs should not affect warehouses like the ones in the Raleigh area. (abc11)
4. Raleigh police responded to a shooting in a Raleigh neighborhood at around 11:30 p.m.. The Raleigh Police Department was seen going door-to-door on Harmony Court in the Nottingham Woods Neighborhood. Officers said that the 16-year-old victim was found with serious injury and was transported to the hospital. Police are looking for two suspects. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL)
5. Raleigh Police are looking for an armed man that they say robbed a Dunkin' Donuts in Raleigh. The Raleigh Police Department say that the location on Falls of Neuse Road was robbed around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Police say that the man demanded money while waving a gun. No injuries were reported. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

• Mutts & Marshmallows Fun Run at WakeMed Soccer Park (8:00am)
• Oak City Brewing Co. 7th Anniversary Party & Bonfire in Knightdale (12:00pm-8:00pm)
• Diamante's 19th Annual Three Kings' Day Parade in Downtown Cary (12:30pm-2:30pm)
• Capital City Culture Club at ComedyWorx (8:00pm)
• Glitter Hour Amateur Drag & Queer Stage Show at Ruby Deluxe (8:00pm-11:00pm)

Sunday in Raleigh:

• Drag Brunch at Heyday Brewing (11:00am-2:00pm) & Ruby Deluxe (1:00pm-4:00pm)
• Raleigh Raga Revival at Artspace (11:15am-2:15pm)
• The Neighborhood Monthly Pinball Showdown Cary (1:00pm-4:00pm)
• Sunday Afternoon Salsa, Latin, & Hustle Dancing at Raleigh Elks Lodge (2:00pm-6:00pm)
• Open Mic Night at Compass Rose Brewery (3:00pm-6:00pm)

From my notebook:

• It's I Am a Mentor Day and if you're looking to serve as a mentor to someone in the Raleigh area, Evolve Wake County has plenty of opportunities to serve in that capacity.
• Giorgio Pizza Bar has announced they will be opening a location at North Hills on January 10. (WRAL)
• Wake County is working to recruit foster families and is hosting an information session on February 14. (WakeGov)
• The Greater Triangle Commuter Rail feasibility study is now available for review and comment. (GoTriangle Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll see you around.
— CJ Fullford
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com

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