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Community Corner

Air at Code Orange + Downtown Additions + Last Chance Park Input

Check out the latest edition the Raleigh Daily, your source for the scoop on all things Raleigh.

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Hot Enough For Ya Day,

Today I have news about the unusual air condition in North Carolina, updates on the zebra cobra saga, and a time sensitive opportunity to have your say in the future of a Raleigh park. Check out that, fun weekend kickoff events, and some bonus stuff in the notebook below.

Today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 89 Low: 72.

Here are the top stories in Raleigh today:

  1. North Carolina has moved to a Code Orange alert for air quality as smoke from Canadian and western US wildfires makes its way to our coast. Nearly all of North Carolina is under the Code Orange in order to identify the environment outside as unhealthy to sensitive groups or those with existing health condition. Young children, the elderly, and persons with heart or lung disease are encouraged to limit outdoor time, and it is advised to keep all exercising indoors at this time. (abc11, WRAL)
  2. After the venomous zebra cobra incident last month, Wake County officials have been pushing for a ban on non-native venomous snakes and other exotic animal ownership. The capture of the zebra cobra cost the Raleigh Police Department nearly $10,000 in personnel, gas, and supply costs. (WRAL) In spite of Wake County legislators calling for a prohibition on new exotic pet ownership, it is unlikely any statewide policy change will take place as a result of this incident. (WRAL)
  3. The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department is seeking input from residents on the planning and design of the Devereux Meadow Park. The park will be located on the 14-acre site north of downtown Raleigh on the corner of Capital Boulevard and Peace Street. The site currently serves as a maintenance and vehicle service facility for multiple city departments, however a virtual public open house was held in May for the project. Raleigh Parks is seeking input on the current concept plans for the park, and the cut off is today! (CBS17)
  4. If you're headed downtown, starting today you will notice the addition of new passenger pick-up zones. Glenwood Avenue South and Johnson Street have painted black and white passenger loading zones to help cut down on accidents and make the traffic safer for pedestrians. The zones will be in effect from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am Friday through Sunday with a time limit of 10 minutes. The zones may eventually move to be operated on weeknights, but that is undetermined as of yet. (CBS17)
  5. Thursday morning, sometime around 2:00 am, a driver fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a power pole on a residential strip of Glenwood Avenue. The crash caused inbound Glenwood Avenue to be closed for several hours. Thankfully there were no other people or vehicles involved in the wreck, and the driver only sustained minor injuries. No information has been released yet regarding possible charges. (CBS17)

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Today in Raleigh

Raleigh Patch Notebook

  • In honor of Hot Enough For Ya Day, a holiday to make light of the muggy summer heat, check out this list of fun stuff to do indoors. Even more relevant since we're in a Code Orange.
  • The new Chief of Police, Estella Patterson released a brief video message before she takes office on August 1. (WNCT9)
  • The City of Raleigh Museum has opened an enhanced exhibit to celebrate trailblazers who helped break the color barrier in Raleigh city schools. (abc11)
  • NC State has a record number of former, current, and future student athletes competing at the Tokyo Olympics this year. (Patch)
  • Downtown Raleigh Alliance is launching a new grant program to support small businesses in Downtown Raleigh (Instagram)
  • Plan ahead, Raleigh Brewing is hosting a blood drive to help combat the blood shortage on August 17 (Instagram)

Alright friends, I'd say right now we're currently sitting at Zebra Cobra IV - A New Hope. Lets all cross our fingers that the saga doesn't continue with Zebra Cobra V - The Cobra Strikes Back... Yes, I did type out this whole article in anticipation of making that joke. In all seriousness though, whatever happens, rest assured I'll be here to tell you all about it with the Raleigh Patch Daily.

— CJ Fullford

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

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