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Community Corner

🌱Samuel Briggs Pleads for Answers + Annual ‘Christmas for Kids’ Event

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Hanukkah Raleigh!

I feel like we're right on the precipice of about to start counting down to the new year and I'm so not ready for it. So you can catch me over the next week trying to bake all the cookies, and soak up the holiday spirit, once we're all well again of course. Before you get inspired and brush up on holiday cookie recipes, catch up on everything, including:

  • Enloe Magnet High School catches an anti-Semitic commenter.
  • A Holiday Party, Potluck and Trivia
  • Where to go to pawn off your holiday wrapping for a good cause

But first, today's weather:

Sunny. High: 47 Low: 23.

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Here are the top five stories in Raleigh today:

  1. The father of 12-year old Samantha Briggs who was killed in a hit-and run on Hillsborough Street is pleading for answers. On Friday afternoon, Raleigh Police announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Police have been trying to track down a white 2006-2008 Hyundai hybrid in connection to the incident. Samuel Briggs is begging for anyone to help find the person responsible. (WRAL)
  2. Arrest bookings show that in less than a 24 hour period on Friday, at least five people were arrested in Wake County for allegedly driving while impaired. This week, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a study finding that impaired driving is one of the leading causes of fatal crashes. Local law enforcement agencies are cracking down as part of the Statewide Booze It & Lose It campaign, and updated training has helped the crack down efforts. Training for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol has been revised to help personnel detect more types of impairment. (abc11, CBS17)
  3. Enloe Magnet High School and the Wake County Public School System are apologizing to families after anti-Semitic comments were made over the school's intercom system on Thursday. The school identified the person, identified as a student, responsible and say that "appropriate, disciplinary action is being taken." Students say that the intercom system was hacked, as it is possible to call into the intercom system using a code. (abc11, WRAL)
  4. There are nearly $2 million in state funds available to help programs working with at-risk youth in Wake County, according to an announcement on Thursday. Wake Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Chair Sharif Deveaux says that community programs do the actual work of helping kids stay out of the juvenile delinquency system, and the funding is vitally important. According to Deveaux, "There's increase in the number of youth who have mental health, or behavioral health diagnoses, but aren't receiving services." (abc11)
  5. On Saturday, the 12th annual "Christmas for Kids" event was held at the Target in North Hills. The holiday tradition gave more than 170 local foster children $150 to spend on whatever they chose. The tradition returned for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Organizers behind the event talked about how the tradition started in memory of one organizer's brother, Scott was killed in a car accident in 1991. Now the family carries on his legacy thanks to donations from the community. (WRAL)

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Today 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)

Monday in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's Hanukkah and Triangle on the Cheap has rounded up a variety of Hanukkah celebrations that you can enjoy with family through the whole celebration.
  • Wake County Register of Deeds will be Observing the Christmas and New Year's Holidays with office closings on Dec. 23, Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Jan. 2. (Wakegov.com)
  • If you hate wrapping as much as I do, Apex Cigar Lounge and It Takes A Village Rescue are hosting a Wrapping for Rescues event. Bring your gifts to be wrapped and enjoy a cigar in exchange for a donation that goes to a local animal rescue. (12:00pm-4:00pm)

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Events:

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— CJ Fullford

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

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