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Community Corner

🌱 Masking Updates + Quarry Permit Rejection + Water Disinfection

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 Chocolate Mint Day Raleigh!

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 57 Low: 25.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

  1. Wake County and the City of Raleigh will be doing away with indoor mask mandates as of Feb. 25. (abc11) On Thursday, Governor Roy Cooper expressed that with the decline in Omicron cases, vaccination rates and boosters, local officials and schools are encouraged to end mask mandates. (WXII12) The N.C. General Assembly approved the bill that would give parents control over masking in schools, and it is now headed to Governor Cooper for Consideration. (WECT)
  2. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has denied a mining permit for a quarry next to Umstead State Park in Raleigh. The denial cited "significantly adverse effects from noise, visual, and truck traffic impacts" that would interfere with the park's purpose. The proposed quarry has been a controversial topic since 2019, with opponents fighting the legality of the lease in court and pressuring state officials to reject the mining permit. Wake Stone can still contest the denial. (INDY Week)
  3. The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility that provides drinking water to a wide area, will be changing its disinfection process that will begin Feb. 25 through April 13. The facility will be switching from a combination of chlorine and ammonia for disinfection to a chlorine only process. The Town of Cary says that the water will remain safe to drink during the process, but people who use city water for chlorine-sensitive equipment should be aware that there may be chlorine in the water. (CBS17)
  4. Emergency crews responded to an accident on Kingwood Drive that left three construction workers injured on Thursday. Firefighters stated that they believed winds blew down a wall that fell on the workers. The workers were taken to WakeMed. (abc11)
  5. On Thursday, The Public School Forum of North Carolina held it's annual Eggs & Issues breakfast. Several panelists argued for Leandro funding that lists several ideas to recruit and retain teachers while connecting students with learning opportunities. Panelists also talked about teacher burnout, the political climate, and struggles of teaching in a pandemic. (WRAL) Parents in North Carolina who have children that are not yet school aged are also becoming increasingly overwhelmed with childcare costs now exceeding many university costs. (abc11)

Today in Raleigh:

  • Bazaar for Black History Month at Transfer Co. (12:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
  • Kuumba Community Drum Circle at NCMA (2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)
  • Flannels & Frost Winter Games at Moore Square Historic District (2:00 pm)
  • Comedy Night at The Cary Theater (8:00 pm)
  • SWIM Presents: Spoken Words in Motion at The Portal (9:00 pm)

From my notebook:

  • It's National Chocolate Mint Day and Gather Goods Co. has a locally crafter Peppermint Bark that is sure to get you in the spirit.
  • If you're still looking for N95 masks, CBS17 has a list of places you can find them.
  • A local teen is the first male to fly in an elite stunt at Raleigh's Cheer Extreme. (CBS17)
  • The INDY Week Best of the Triangle 2022 nominations ballot is open now thru March 6!

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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)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— CJ Fullford

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