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Community Corner

🌱 Four Fires On Saturday, Sunday + Video Of MLK's Speech At NCSU

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

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy National Valentine Shopping Reminder Day Raleigh!

I hope you all didn't miss your daily news update too much. I took a day off to celebrate my daughter's birthday and focus on family. Rest assured though you didn't miss much and this edition has everything you need to know, including:

  • Get the foot notes version of what's been happening in the North Carolina government.
  • Creatives Monday at Transfer Co.
  • Raising money for the UNC Children's Hospital

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 61 Low: 32.

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Here are the top stories in Raleigh today:

  1. Four fires left dozens of people displaced over the last few days.
    1. On Saturday night around 9:05p.m. a woman was burned in a house fire that displaced three. Officers are investigating the fire that started in the garage at a Shadow Glen Drive home. (CBS17)
    2. One Raleigh man was hospitalized after his home was the scene of a fire around 10:35 p.m.. The fire at a Glenwood Avenue home. The homeowner suffered from burns and soke inhalation, and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (CBS17)
    3. A midnight fire displaced an entire apartment building at the Walden Woods Condominiums. While attempting to put out the blaze, all firefighters had to be evacuated as it was unsafe for anyone to be inside. According to fire officials, the Red Cross was not needed to aid those who were displaced as friends and families stepped in to help. (CBS17, WRAL)
    4. The fourth Raleigh fire took place around 6:12 a.m. on Sunday morning. Eight units at the apartment complex on Prince George Lane sustained significant damage. One firefighter and four others were injured and at least 20 were displaced. (abc11, WRAL)
  2. This week, never before seen video of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at Reynolds Coliseum surfaced. Until now, the primary documentation of the event was a single photo from an AP photographer. The film has no sound, and is 21 seconds long, but shows Dr. King's animated speech. Film Photographer Edgar Wyatt captured the video and it was passed down to his son Marshall Wyatt who preserved the film. The video also captures the Ku Klux Klan protesting King's visit. The visit was nearly forgotten as local newspapers did not send anyone to cover his speech. The KKK used his presence as an excuse to rally, with eight reporters covering their rally. (WRAL)
  3. On Friday night, Raleigh Police responded to three locations within a mile of one another. Raleigh police responded to a shots fired call at the Exxon gas station on Wake Forest Road, that began around 7 p.m. Minutes later, a GoRaleigh bus was surrounded less than a block away on New Hope Church Road. Officers then went to a third location on Hardimont Road and Montreat Court, where a BMW was found slammed into a tree. Police did not say if there was any connection between the three incidents. (WRAL)
  4. The North Carolina government has been incredibly active this week, and here's the round-up of everything that has been going on:
    1. This week, a bill advanced in the North Carolina Senate that will prohibit instruction about sexuality and gender identity in K-4 public school classes. The bill was approved by the Senate education committee on Wednesday, as sponsors say they want parents to have more authority over their children's education. Critics likened the bill to the "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida. Last year, a similar bill passed but did not get a vote in the House. (abc11, AP News, WNCT9, WRAL)
    2. Another bill was filed in the North Carolina House that would outlaw puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and "gender affirming medical treatment for transgender minors, even with parental consent. Similar bills have been filed in other states and are experiencing challenges from the ACLU. The bill has yet to have a hearing, and a similar bill was filed in the Senate but did not get a committee hearing. (WRAL)
    3. On Friday the North Carolina Supreme Court decided to re-hear two high-profile political lawsuits. Both cases involved voter identification laws. Harper v. Hall gained national attention as the court ruled that extreme partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional. The other decision ruled the 2018 voter ID law unconstitutional, due to racial discrimination. The decision to rehear the cases indicates that the new Republican majority will likely undo the previous rulings that were decided by a 5-2 Democrat majority along party lines. (abc11, WRAL) On Thursday, the North Carolina Supreme Court also heard arguments in a case that would determine if people convicted of a felony could vote in the state. (WRAL)
    4. The North Carolina Deep Decarbonization Pathways Analysis was released this week by Governor Roy Cooper. The study was commissioned in January 2022, and it outlines three methods that the state could use to reduce emissions 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, with plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The roadmap to Net Zero includes near-term goals of accelerating grid decarbonization and jumpstarting electrification. The mid-term goals involve widespread decarbonization of buildings, transportation, and electricity generation. The long-term would involve deploying the next phase of solutions, in more challenging areas like industry, agriculture, waste, and off-road transport. (Governor.NC, Spectrum News 1)

Today in Raleigh:

Tuesday in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's National Valentine Shopping Reminder Day and there are so many incredible local gifts you can get your loved one. Shop Local has a running list that you can narrow down to find exactly what you are looking for.
  • PDQ on Falls of Neuse is holding a Spirit Night for Millbrook Magnet High School PTSA from 4:00pm-8:00pm.
  • All proceeds raised from Saturday's Krispy Kreme Challenge went to benefit the UNC Children's Hospital. (abc11)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— CJ Fullford

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

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