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Community Corner

🌱 Sheriff Candidates Attend Voter Forum + Human Trafficking Training

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 Wonderful Weirdos Day Raleigh!

I hope you're prepared for a bountiful news roundup as I've gathered all the top stories from Raleigh for you in one convenient place. Today features:

  • Why the 9th Annual Sola Hot Mini 5K has a different feel this year
  • Official and Unofficial Hopscotch festivities.
  • A super sweet twist on ghost kitchens that just opened in Raleigh

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 85 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

  1. Wake County Sheriff's candidates Willie Rowe and Donnie Harrison got the opportunity to speak with voters in a candidates forum hosted by Enlace Latino and El Centro Hispano. A big topic was 287(g) that has local agencies enforce federal immigration law. Both candidates spoke to having no intent to reinstate 287(g). Both candidates also spoke about school safety and restoring morale and public trust following the internal and external concerns raised regarding the death of Deputy Ned Byrd. (CBS17, abc11 YouTube)
  2. On Thursday, the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission hosted its annual training and events in Raleigh. The Thursday training was the first time the commission came back together since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NCHTC commissioner Marc Nichols, the training is its way of slowing down the issue and hopefully putting a stop to it. The Raleigh event allowed teams and organizations collaborate efforts to combat the "invisible crime." (WNCT9)
  3. Raleigh tourism officials are preparing for a busy fall season as festivals have helped bring overall Raleigh visitation to near pre-pandemic levels. The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau said that festivals have been carrying the area, with the latest data for hotel occupancy rates showing 69% in July, up around 23% from a year ago. Bluegrass and La Fiesta de Pueblo are taking place in September and the North Carolina State Fair will draw thousands in October. (abc11)
  4. Wake County EMS has said it has been routinely understaffed and has been forced to reserve ambulances for higher priority calls. On Wednesday, August 31, Candice Phillips attempted to have an ambulance sent out, but was denied one. Phillips' partner Heather Edgington said that she dialed 911 four times within 35 minutes. Eventually a neighbor offered to take them to receive care. Wake EMS confirmed that on that Wednesday they were operating on "low system resources" and held 12 lower priority calls. Assistant Chief Brian Brooks said that lower priority calls commonly get held, sometimes for hours, but a stroke with symptoms should never be held. Edgington said that he will not be calling 911, as Phillips could have lost her life in a situation where minutes are critical. (WRAL)
  5. Around this time last year, I was writing about how Sola Coffee owners were holding their 8th Annual Sola Hot Mini 5K as a return to an in-person event after the pandemic. This year, the coffee shop is hosting its 9th Annual event, but this year it's far more bittersweet, as it marks the first 5K since Jeanne Luther passed away from her battle with ALS. Jeanne and her husband John have raised over $300,000 for ALS research. This year John hopes to raise the most money yet with a goal of $200,000 in Jeanne's memory. (abc11)

Today in Raleigh:

Saturday in Raleigh:

Bonus: 36 things to do this weekend (RaleighMag), 12 things to do with kids (WRAL), and weekend best bets (WRAL)

From my notebook:

  • It's Wonderful Weirdos Day and I maintain that being normal is overrated. The City of Raleigh actually put together a Weird Raleigh Walking Tour that has since passed, but you can still enjoy via PDF and audio descriptions.
  • Hops for Hope returns on Saturday, and if you're interested check out one family's story of how Children's Flight of Hope helped their daughter. (Spectrum News 1)
  • Have you heard of ghost kitchens? It's a concept that has excited me, but also made me a little crazy because I feel like you can only enjoy it via food delivery services. Well a really awesome take on the idea has opened in Raleigh serving up coffee and tasty sweets. I went to Little Blue Bakehouse and got something from 3/5 of their awesome bakers, and I knew I had to share with you all!

You're all caught up for today. 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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