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Community Corner

🌱 Raleigh Vision Zero Grant + Recording Oral History At Dix Park

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 Doggy Date Night Raleigh!

It's also First Friday! What a great day to take your pup on a date stroll through downtown. I love the serendipity when things happen to take place on the same day and work together well. There's so much more to take note of before you get going and start your day, so read about everything to know below, including:

  • Back the Blue NC creates a scholarship in honor of Ned Byrd
  • First Friday events happening
  • Dogtopia is collecting donations to sponsor service dogs for veterans.

But first, today's weather:

Chilly; a morning shower. High: 44 Low: 21.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

  1. Raleigh is one of several cities in North Carolina that will be receiving a grant from the USDOT to help with its commitment to Vision Zero. Over the summer, Raleigh's transportation department officially adopted Vision Zero, an initiative that hopes to bring roadway fatalities to zero. The city of Raleigh received $800,000 to help implement changes that will move the city closer to the goal of Vision Zero. The city's transportation department is set to present an overview of Vision Zero plans at the February 14 city council work session. (CBS17)
  2. As Black History Month begins, the effort to record the oral history of the area is ongoing. The project is years in the making, as the Dix Park Conservancy is working to uncover the stories of the park land. Before Dix Park was created, the land was home to Dorothea Dix Hospital, the state's first mental health facility. Before that, the land was the Spring Hill Plantation, and included 5,000 acres of farmland that was worked by enslaved people. The conservancy's Legacy Committee is working to compile oral history of the park's eras in time, and edit the taped interviews to be available as educational tools for generations. (abc11)
  3. On Wednesday, Back the Blue NC presented the Wake County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit with a check for $1,400 in honor of fallen deputy Ned Byrd. The nonprofit also announced a new scholarship, The Ned Byrd B.L.E.T Scholarship Fund. Back the Blue NC is a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping children and families of officers killed in the line of duty. The donation was initially raised to be given to Byrd's family, but the family asked that the money go to helping others instead. Back the Blue NC says they will partner with Wake Tech Community College to put one student through basic law enforcement training each year. (CBS17)
  4. Local mothers have gotten together to bring free hugs and snacks to students at N.C. State. The group, "Free Moms" provides mental health support to students every Thursday. The group began three years ago, and has grown to include dads, siblings, and pets as well. This academic year has been incredibly challenging for students, as four died by suicide last semester, and one student was found dead last month in his dorm room. (Spectrum News 1)
  5. Wake Tech's RTP campus is partnering with two major companies to help students learn about careers in the field of information technology. The programs are considered degree plus, as they are designed for students who have experience and degrees but want to "upscale into new or different job areas." Momentum, a tech-training firm, and Red Hat are partnering with the school to help teach additional skills necessary for modern employers. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

Friday in Raleigh:

Bonus: Weekend Best Bets (WRAL)

From my notebook:

  • It's Doggy Date Night and if you're looking for somewhere special to go and speak your pups love language, Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list to the dog-friendliest spots in downtown. I myself have always appreciated that Raleigh Beer Garden has a pup menu.
  • More than 8,000 "trailglazers" have signed up to participate in this year's Krispy Kreme Challenge on Saturday. (WRAL)
  • Dogtopia of North Raleigh is holding their Foundation Friday event. $5 for two strips of turkey bacon served during lunch and proceeds will go toward sponsoring service dog in-training for a veteran. (7:00am-7:00pm)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update!

— CJ Fullford

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

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