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Community Corner

Job Creation + Road Closure + Charlie Debnam, Unexpected Fatality

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Chocolate Chip Cookie Day)

Today there is so much to talk about! I rounded up news of a new vaccine incentive, an exciting offering from a local organization, and another company looking to make Wake County its home. That plus events and a notebook that practically ran out of pages is below.

Today's weather, 8/4: Light rain in the morning. High: 77 Low: 69.

Here are the top stories today in Raleigh:

  1. North Carolina has started offering $100 cash card incentives to individuals that go and get their first vaccination shot. The Summer Card program is a step up from the $25 cash cards the state previously gave out, and it will continue to give $25 incentive cards to people who take others to their vaccination appointment. The cards are being offered at select locations while supplies last. (CBS17)
  2. Charlie Debnam was a drum major who spent some of his free time volunteering in Raleigh. On Saturday Debnam was volunteering for Helping Hand Mission, when a small errand left him in the middle of a shootout. Debnam was a tragic unintended fatality of the gunfire, and police are looking for the people responsible. His family as well as his non-biological family at Helping Hand are all mourning the loss and a GoFundMe has been set up to help his family with expenses. (Fox8)
  3. After reducing services in the midst of the pandemic, Meals on Wheels has finally restarted its hot meal home delivery service in Wake County. Residents are thrilled to be able to receive a hot meal, and for many, it is their first hot meal in a long time. Residents of surrounding areas will continue to receive frozen meals, but the organization is thrilled to make the transition in the areas that they can. (abc11)
  4. Wake Research in Raleigh is testing out the efficacy of the third dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The research lab participated in the initial Pfizer Trials, and will be using the same people who originally participated to get a better analysis of the impact of the third dose. So far, a very small study has shown that antibody levels jumped significantly after a third dose, but this trial will give more practical data, showing a real-world scenario. (CBS17)
  5. Amgen Inc. is opening a new biologics manufacturing operation in Holly Springs. The company will be investing $550 million into Wake County, and creating 355 jobs. Amgen is a company founded in California that helps patients suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. The average salary for positions with Amgen will range based on position, but are expected to reach $119,510 overall. (NC Commerce)

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Today in Raleigh

Raleigh Patch Notebook

  • For National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, head over to Captain Cookie and the Milkman. It's at Transfer Co. Food Hall so you can have your dinner and then celebrate cookies!
  • LiethCars.Com is hosting a blood drive and giving out free lunch + a t-shirt + a $20 gift card! (11:00 am-4:00 pm)
  • A portion of New Bern Avenue will be closed today and tomorrow in order for city crews to perform a sewer service repair. Two eastbound lanes will be closed from Donald Ross Drive and Sunnybrook Road between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. (CBS17)
  • Shout out to NC State University all the way from Tokyo Olympic Stadium! (Instagram)
  • Raleigh will be reducing outdoor pool hours starting Aug. 16 (WRAL)
  • If you love coffee, check out the Technician's feature on an awesome local coffee shop in Raleigh, Larry's Coffee.

Pfew, I'm so glad this is typed and not verbal or else I would definitely have lost my voice. Some days Raleigh feels like a peaceful southern town, and then days like today remind us what an exciting metropolis we live in. There is so much happening and I'm so glad that I get to be here, sharing it all with you.

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? Email me at raleigh@patch.com.

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