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Community Corner

🌱 Judge Approves Body Cam Release + What's Happening in City Council

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

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

Happy Bagel and Lox Day Raleigh!

It's time for your daily dose of everything Raleigh. Stay caught up that way you can be the friend who is always aware of what's happening. It's nice to never be left out of the loop, but if it gets tiresome keeping all your friends up-to-date, you know where to send them. Check out all the most interesting things below, including:

  • Raleigh ranks as #1 most affordable state capital
  • A skeeball tournament
  • A free healthy eating and body positivity support group

But first, today's weather:

Variable cloudiness. High: 72 Low: 60.

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Here are the top six stories in Raleigh today:

  1. On Tuesday afternoon, a judge ordered that the video footage from the incident that led to the death of Darryl Williams can be released. Wake County Superior Court Judge Graham Shirley did not give a specific timeline for when the footage will be released, as Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson asked that the video first be released to family members before the public. Judge Shirley also approved the RPD obscuring graphic images in the footage as well as bystander's faces. On Tuesday, the Raleigh City Council also voted to create a committee to look into community concerns following the incident. Emancipate NC and Raleigh Demands Justice presented a list of demands, including: the end of proactive policing, dismantling the police advisory committee and creating a HEARTS team that sends unarmed trained professionals to respond in crisis situations. (abc11, CBS17, CBS17)
  2. The Raleigh City Council also voted to allocate around $2 million to help with housing in the area. The project is a partnership between the city and the nonprofit CASA. The city previously approved $8.5 million for the project, but approved more money to lower a high-interest-rate bank loan that will be used for the project. Part of the approved funding will construct two new apartment complexes, near WakeMed and Sunnybrook Road. The council also approved lease of city-owned land to develop an adorable apartment complex and is making progress with the Raleigh Home Revitalization Program. (CBS17) The council also approved $525,000 to be split between two nonprofits that will help find temporary housing for those on the verge of losing their housing. (WRAL)
  3. On Wednesday, the Wake County Sheriff's Office announced that it has filed a juvenile petition against a suspect in threats made against Zebulon Middle School last week. In the statement, the sheriff's office emphasized that it will be taking all threats of violence at schools very seriously. The announcement came as two more schools went into lockdown. Brentwood Elementary entered a code red lockdown at 11:16 a.m. but found no credible threats and lifted it just before 1 p.m. Southeast Raleigh High School also experienced a lockdown for just under a half-hour. Students reported a threat that was posted on social media, and a student with a weapon. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL)
  4. In a new study from WalletHub, Raleigh was ranked the most affordable state capital in the United States. In a general ranking of the Best State Capitals for Safety & More, Raleigh was number two, losing to Austin, TX. The rankings took into consideration affordability, economic well-being, quality of education and health and quality of life. Raleigh was ranked fourth in cities with the least premature death rate, fifth for percentage of adults with a bachelor's degree and fifth for crime rate. Categories that hurt Raleigh were Housing Affordability and K-12 School System Quality. (CBS17)
  5. The Dix Edge Area Study has been in the works for the past three years, but is currently stalled in committee. The study proposes amendments to Raleigh's Comprehensive Plan, and is meant to serve as a foundation for development plans around Dix Park. During last month's city council meeting, members voted 7-1 to send the plan back to the Growth and Natural Resources Committee for more discussion. Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin was the standout vote, saying that she believed the plan should be discussed with the council as a whole. The committee will take a deeper dive into the study and determine when the plan will move forward, or return to the whole city council for discussion and debate. Although he voted in favor of sending the study to committee, Councilman Jonathan Melton said he had concerns over the delay it would create. (INDY Week)
  6. On Tuesday the City of Raleigh announced that TikTok and WeChat will be blocked on all city-owned computers and cell phones. The city is following suit after Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order last month that banned the app on state-owned devices. Raleigh's ban will begin on February 14 and impacts city-issued workstations, city-issued mobile devices, and other devices that use the city's internal internet connection. (abc11, CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

Friday in Raleigh:

  • Hiking Club at Durant Nature Park (11:00am-1:00pm)
  • Ties & Tiaras Valentine's Ball at Little Doodles (6:00pm-8:00pm)
  • Diva Royale Drag Queen Show at Gold Lounge (7:00pm)
  • Do Portugal International Circus (7:30pm)
  • Friday Night Shop Party at Black Friday Market (8:00pm-12:00am)
  • Anti-Valentines Day Dance Party at Fortnight Brewing Co. Cary (8:00pm-12:00am)

From my notebook:

  • It's National Bagel and Lox Day and Benchwarmers Bagels not only has some of the best bagels around, but they also cure their own salmon in house!
  • Gather: A Free Healthy Eating and Body Positivity Support Group is taking place tomorrow at Novis Health from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Join like-minded people to discuss challenges you are facing in a safe space that is open to all.
  • North Carolina State University is raising awareness ahead of Valentine's Day, emphasizing that "Stalking is not romantic." (CBS17, NCSU)
  • The Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade is on for this year, but according to the committee who hosts the event annually, the future is uncertain. (Spectrum New 1)
  • Chick-fil-A at White Oak in Garner is holding a Spirit Night to benefit West View Elementary. Mention you are there for the spirit night and 20% of proceeds will go to the school from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for another update.

— CJ Fullford

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

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