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Community Corner

🌱 Patrol's Political Termination + Firefighters Advocate for Pay

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Reel Film Day Raleigh!

First, today's weather:

Clouds yielding to sun. High: 69 Low: 60.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

  1. Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker fired political opponent Cedric Herring's son, less than 48 hours after he announced his own resignation and campaign. Baker says that the termination was to "protect the interests of this office," as patrol officer Keenan Herring voiced support for his father. Per law, the sheriff can hire and fire at his discretion, however the abrupt firing happened amidst a severe staffing shortage, "caused by resignations and lack of retention." (abc11)
  2. The Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association is fighting for higher pay. A post on social media notes that the starting hourly wage is $13.42 for firefighters, and the association said that there are currently 94 Raleigh firefighters making less than $15 an hour. President of the Association Andy Davis calls the situation frustrating and insulting, especially as the department held more than 120 vacancies in mid-December. (abc11)
  3. On Thursday, the State Board of Education approved the latest round of proposals for the state's $3.6 billion American Rescue Plan funds for K-12 education. Of the funds, $36 million will go to a Summer Career Accelerator program, $36 million to before and after school math programs for 4th-8th grade students, $7.3 million to investigate students who disappeared from school during the pandemic, $5 million for turnaround efforts, $2.5 for middle school reading programs, and $400,000 for career and technical education in hospitality. (WRAL)
  4. U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder approved an agreement that will help tens of thousands of North Carolinians regain driving privileges. The settlement was signed and disclosed on Thursday as an end to a 2018 lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of North Carolina's practice of revoking licenses of people for the inability to pay. The DMV estimates there are 57,000 people with revoked licenses with failure to pay as the only obstacle to reinstatement. (WSOC-TV)
  5. North Raleigh Church of Christ hosted a collection event to send supplies for people in Ukraine. Dozens of volunteers and donors showed up to provide clothes, toiletries, medical supplies, and more to be flown and delivered to Ukraine. (CBS17) Experts at NC State also held a roundtable discussion on Friday to address the crisis in Ukraine. The event was live-streamed as participants discussed the causes and consequences of Russia's invasion into Ukraine. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

  • Sip and Shimmy Interactive Belly Dancing Class at Ezra Center (11:00am-2:00pm)
  • Raleigh Brewing Co. 9th Anniversary Party (12:00pm-8:00pm)
  • LEGO Workshop at My Literacy Center LLC (Limited Available Tickets 1:00pm-3:00pm)
  • GOUGE Presents the Redneck Rumble at Clouds Brewing (3:00pm-6:00pm)
  • Mardi Gras Party at Brüeprint Brewing Company (4:00pm)
  • Karaoke Night at PourWorks (9:00pm-12:00am)

From my notebook:

  • It's Reel Film Day and while you may be hard pressed to find classic film reels in Raleigh, we do have an awesome celebration of film. The Raleigh Film and Art Festival is currently accepting films and volunteer applications for the 2022 celebration.
  • Big Boss Brewing Co. is hosting a Cause for Paws adoption event today from 2:00pm-5:00pm.
  • Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek is hosting a job fair today from 9:00am-12:00pm.
  • The Rotary Club of North Raleigh is hosting a community blood drive with The Blood Connection today from 11:00am-4:00pm.

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Events:

  • Divorce & the Home: Spring Housing Market – Vesta's Charlotte, NC Hub (March 8)
  • Prismatica Kaleidoscope Experience: A Color-Filled Exhibition Of Lights And Reflections (March 20)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I'll see you around.

— CJ Fullford

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