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Community Corner

🌱 Raleigh Fire Hires Psychologist + Wake Energy Assistance Program

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Wreaths Across America Day Raleigh!

Grab your Vitamin C because this bug that's going around is no joke. My family and I have all come down with something so this is me, reminding you again to be careful this Christmas. No one wants to spend their holidays struggling to keep things down. Thankfully sick or not you can catch up on everything from the comfort of your jammies, including:

  • Cary's new social district plans
  • A whole lot of ugly Christmas fun
  • A couple hoping that someone has seen a missing wedding ring

But first, today's weather:

Partial sunshine. High: 52 Low: 28.

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Here are the top six stories in Raleigh today:

  1. The Raleigh Fire Department has hired a full-time psychologist to help first responders work through the traumatic experiences they endure. According to a 2021 CDC blog, firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. The Raleigh Fire Department believes to be one of the first in the state to hire a full-time staff psychologist, and they are making the services available for retired Raleigh firefighters as well. (CBS17)
  2. Wake County will be leasing 151 acres of land from Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority to be used as cycling trails. The area is used by bikers, walkers, and runners frequently, but the portion of land is blocked off with "no trespassing" signs. Wake County will pay the airport authority more than $5 million over the next 10 years, and will foot a bill of more than $3 million for infrastructure. There are options in the lease for renewal that could lead to a total of 40 years in the agreement. (WRAL)
  3. The Wake County Justice Center is working through a backlog of trials, with more homicide cases to be tried than ever. Before the pandemic, there would be at least one or two murder trials per month, but now there are about 27 pending cases that are older than two years. COVID shutdowns forced the delay of dozens of murder cases from 2020-2021. As of Thursday, Wake County has had 51 homicides this year. While the Wake County District Attorney's office has been sifting through the backlog of murder trials, homicides have exponentially increased in the same period. (WRAL)
  4. A Raleigh honey company is facing losses of about $10,000 after a bear damaged its beehives. The bear attacked 38 beehives along with the frames inside of them, destroying the honey and bees. Heaven Scent Honey is having to slow down selling honey in stores and markets after it lost all of its fall honey and the hives from the spring honey crop. The company contemplated closing, but many customers have chipped in financially to help keep them going via a GoFundMe. (CBS17)
  5. Wake County's Energy Assistance Program has about $3 million more in funds available to help struggling families pay heat bills. As temperatures continue dropping, and extremely cold Christmas weather is expected to make its way to North Carolina. Felicia Downing, manager of Wake County's energy assistance program says that she is seeing hundreds more families in need of help. So far this month more than 930 families have applied for assistance. The Energy Assistance Program has already promised more than $1 million to families in need, and has more to give to families that meet criteria. (WRAL)
  6. The Town of Cary unanimously approved the opening of its first-ever social district in the Spring of 2023. The social district will encompass the entirety of the new Downtown Cary Park and will extend to neighboring businesses. The social district will take effect on June 1 or Downtown Cary Park's opening day, whichever comes later per the City Bylaws Amendment. (CBS17, Local Today)

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Today in Raleigh:

Sunday in Raleigh:

  • Sunday Funday Yoga at Seven Saturdays Tap Room (11:00am)
  • Oak City Onewheel Christmas Costume Parade in Downtown Raleigh (11:45am)
  • The Avenue Third Sunday Pinball Tournament (1:30pm)
  • Holiday Market at Clouds Brewing Taproom (2:00pm-7:00pm)
  • Open Mic Night at Compass Rose Brewery (3:00pm-6:00pm)
  • Holiday Party, Potluck and Trivia at PourWorks (5:00pm-10:00pm)
  • Downtown Raleigh Menorah Lighting at Duke Energy Center (5:30pm)
  • Pizza & Cocoa with Santa at Good Times Garner (6:00pm-9:00pm)

From my notebook:

  • It's National Wreaths Across America Day and you can find out all the details about what is happening in Raleigh, or how to sponsor a wreath at Wreaths Across America.
  • Raleigh Rolls is planning to expand, and Edit Beer Co. is days away from opening in northeast Raleigh, for that and more read all of WRAL's Foodie News. (WRAL)
  • A Wake Forest Man is hoping for a miracle after losing his wedding ring after 55 years of marriage. The couple was dining at Capital Grille in North Hills when the Sterling Silver ring with no diamonds or jewels slipped off his finger. (WRAL)

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Events:

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right! I'll see you around.

— CJ Fullford

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

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