🌱State of the State Recap + Kane Realty Withdraws North Hills Request

Happy National Retro Video Game Day Raleigh!

I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that all the video games I grew up on are "retro" now. People used to say things like that to me when I was young and I just chuckled that they were just old, and look where I am now. Enough about the cruel embrace of karma, here's a quick look ahead at what you can catch up on in Raleigh:

• IBMA Bluegrass Live! announces some of its lineup.
• There’s a free comedy show to catch tonight.
• Vipers star in Reptile & Amphibian Day.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cooler. High: 59 Low: 36.

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Here are the top stories today in Raleigh:

1. Governor Cooper delivered his final State of the State address on Monday night, followed by Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson's GOP reply. The speech lasted around 40 minutes as Cooper discussed the state's economy, Medicaid expansion, the youth mental health crisis and more. He emphasized that of his major focuses revolved around education, jobs, and childcare. In the GOP response, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson discussed education, the economy, and providing more support to law enforcement. Both speeches gave some praise to the other party for the work they have achieved. (abc11, Carolina Journal, Iredell Free News, WYFF4, WRAL: Cooper's Speech Text, WXII)
2. Kane Realty notified the city that it would be withdrawing the rezoning request for the 11 acres of land within North Hills. Kane Realty initially was pursuing the rezoning efforts in order to build towers up to 37 stories. Kane's attorney notified the city via email on Monday. Should Kane Realty wish to pursue the matter again, it must wait two years to re-submit the zoning request and begin the process all over again. (WRAL)
3. Leaders with Wake County Schools gave an update regarding the bus driver shortage yesterday. New figures show 285 driver vacancies, meaning more than 32% of positions are unfilled. The school system pays between $17 and $20 hourly, but some districts nearby have approved $20 base rates for drivers. The district has paid for advertisements on social media to try to get more applicants. (WRAL) The School Board is also searching for a new superintendent as well as filling other vacancies. (abc11)
4. The initial lineup has been announced for the International Bluegrass Music Assciation's IBMA Bluegrass Live! event. Tickets for the two-day festival go on sale on March 14 for the festival scheduled for September 29-30. The initial lineup includes The Del McCoury Band, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys featuring Bobby Osborne, Kruger Brothers play Doc Watson, Jake Blount, Kaia Kater & Tray Wellington and AJ Lee & Blue Summit, with more to be announced later. (WRAL)
5. Two fatal crashes took place in the area between Monday and Tuesday. On Monday evening, a motorcycle crash on Holly Springs Road in Cary was fatal to the motorcyclist. The crash took place when a pickup truck driver failed to yield right of way and hit the motorcyclist while trying to turn into his driveway. Gabrielle Hamed died as a result of the accident and the pickup truck driver was charged with felony death by motor vehicle, failure to yield right of way, possession of an open container of alcohol and possession of a concealed handgun. (WRAL) Raleigh police are investigating a crash that killed one person on Tuesday. The incident took place just before 4:25 a.m. on Tuesday on Atlantic Avenue. Three vehicles were involved in the crash and one adult and one juvenile were taken to the hospital. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

• Raleigh Brewing Run Club (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: 90's @ Chubby's Raleigh (7:00pm), Edit Beer Co. (7:00pm-9:00pm), Clouds Brewing (7:30pm-10:30pm)
• Music Bingo: Bull City Ciderworks Cary (7:00pm)
• Free Comedy Show at Compass Rose Brewery (8:00pm-10:00pm)
• Karaoke: Tin Roof (8:00pm-2:00am), Good Times Garner (8:30pm-11:30pm), Sammy's Tap & Grill (9:00pm-11:45pm)

Thursday in Raleigh:

• Bingo at Wake Service Rentals (5:30pm-10:00pm)
• Music Bingo: Mookie's Cary (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: Norse Brewing Co WF (6:30pm-8:30pm), Real McCoy's WF (7:00pm-9:00pm), House of Hops (7:30pm-9:30pm), High Craft Cary (7:30pm)
• Comedy at The Hop Yard (7:00pm-10:00pm)
• Wicked Weed Skee-Ball Tournament Series at Boxcar Raleigh (8:00pm)
• Karaoke at Barcode Raleigh (8:00pm-11:00pm)
• Latin Dance Party at Umami Bistro (9:00pm-11:30pm)

From my notebook:

• It's National Retro Video Game Day and if you're looking to add to your collection, Raleigh Retro Gamers has you covered. If you're looking for a night of retro immersion, then now is your time to hit up Boxcar Bar + Arcade!
• This year's Reptile & Amphibian Day at the Museum of Natural Sciences will focus on the viper. The event will be held on Saturday, March 11 from 10am-5pm. (WRAL)
• "It's finally patio season and lucky for us, more outdoor seating options are popping up around Downtown Raleigh in the form of streeteries." (Downtown Raleigh Instagram)
• Raleigh Parks will host a job fair on March 9 at Marsh Creek Park for anyone 15+ looking for a part-time job. (City of Raleigh Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— CJ Fullford

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