🌱 Unincorporated Area Fire Partnership + How To See Rare Green Comet

Good Morning Raleigh, it's International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Today is a great day to really reflect and contemplate what is happening in the world. I've always been told you need to learn your history or you are doomed to repeat it. Today you can truly learn a lot about history in Raleigh, and I'm excited about what's at the top of the notebook section for today. Below, you can find out all about that, and more including:

• Cary plans for sports complex
• The 4th Annual "Celebrating Culture" Art Exhibition
• Raleigh park rennovations

---

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 50 Low: 28.

---

Business owners and marketers in Raleigh: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

---

Here are the top six stories in Raleigh today:

1. As families and neighbors still grapple with the deaths of George and Diana Rizk, other residents in unincorporated areas of Wake County are raising concerns regarding their safety in the event of a home fire. The house fire on Monday night that killed the Rizks was on Castlebrook Drive, an unincorporated area of Wake County. In July 2002, Wake County and the City of Raleigh came to an agreement to protect unincorporated areas of the county by dispatching multiple fire stations from the city and county. Unfortunately, the nearest fire hydrant in the neighborhood was 400 feet from the Rizk home, something other rural neighbors hope will be addressed after the tragedy that took two lives. (WRAL)
2. Landen Christopher Glass appeared in court yesterday, facing numerous charges related to the Raleigh Christmas Parade accident that killed 11-year-old Hailey Brooks. Glass was in court for less than five minutes as the charges were read and his next court date was set for March 29. Last year, District Attorney Lorrin Freeman laid out the misdemeanor death by a motor vehicle charge, that requires a person's intent to have committed an underlying traffic offense that leads to another's death. Glass is facing a punishment of 150 days in custody, as well as two charges that carry 120-day penalties and a possibility to lose his license for one year plus fines. (abc11, WRAL)
3. The Town of Cary will be moving forward with plans for a new $193 million sports complex near South Hills Mall. Davis Kane + Populous has been hired to design the complex that is still in the concept design phase. This phase of development will likely last one year and include public engagement, with final design planning and permitting expected to take around two years, and construction to add another two years. The Town of Cary hopes that the facility will provide a space for sporting events to help boost Cary as a sports tourism destination. (WNCT9)
4. A rare comet came into visibility in Raleigh yesterday. The comet has not been visible for the past 50,000 years, but through early February, it will able to be seen by the naked eye. Comet C/2002 E3 ZTF was discovered last March and is highly unique as it has a green hue. The comet will also be close to Earth as it passes through the Raleigh sky, being only around 27 million miles from Earth on February 2. For the best view, a pair of binoculars just before dawn will make it easy to spot. (CBS17)
5. A Thursday afternoon crash closed down all but one lane on I-440 East. The crash happened around 12 p.m. and traffic was being diverted onto Glenwood Avenue. One person was killed in a crash that flipped a white car onto its roof. Raleigh police also asked drivers to seek alternate routes and avoid the area altogether. (abc11, WRAL)
6. The Triangle Area Chinese American Society's Chinese Lunar New Year Festival is being held tomorrow, and they will be beefing up security following the recent mass shootings in California. The festival that is being held at Dorton Arena originally had a couple of security guards ordered, but the group has hired more guards, and added metal detectors at the entrance to prevent any tragedy. This is the first time TACAS is holding an in-person celebration since the pandemic, and organizers want to ensure the festival is enjoyable for everyone. (abc11)

---

Today in Raleigh:

• 4th Annual "Celebrating Culture" Art Exhibition at Triangle Cultural Art Gallery (10:00am-5:00pm)
• Cupcake Decorating & Wine Tasting at Joy Worthy Co. (6:30pm-8:00pm)
• Belly Dancing Night at Sophie's Grill & Bar (7:30pm-10:00pm)
• Comedy Night at Nicklepoint Brewing (8:00pm)
• 90's Costume Party at Prince Hall Masonic Lodge (9:00pm-12:00am)
• Agua y Fuego 80's Glow Party at Carmen's Cuban Cafe (10:00pm-2:00am)

Saturday in Raleigh:

• TACAS Chinese New Year Festival at Dorton Arena (10:00am-5:00pm)
• Astronomy Days at The Museum of Natural Sciences (10:00am-5:00pm)
• 22nd Annual African American Cultural Celebration at the North Carolina Museum of History (10:30am-4:30pm)
• Lobster Boil Festival at the Raleigh Beer Garden (12:00pm-4:00pm)
• 8 Ball Scotch Doubles Charity Tournament at High House Billiards Cary (12:00pm-2:00am)
• Funniest Person in the Triangle Free Improv Comedy at Lune Spark Apex (7:30pm-8:30pm)
• Be Our Guest: Disney DJ Night at The Ritz Raleigh (9:00pm)

From my notebook:

• It's International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and a few years back, a locally produced and directed film called 'Wo Ahin soll Ich Geh'n?' (Where Can I Go) that follows Wake County holocaust survivors. You can rent it online and learn all about the survivors around us.
• This week is National School Choice Week and Raleigh Charter School students held an awareness raising rally yesterday. (Spectrum News 1)
• NC Quick Pass is launching their new website and from February 17 through February 24, the website will be unavailable as they transition to a new system. (CBS17)
• Spring Park Playground will undergo a renovation in the Summer of 2023. (City of Raleigh)

---

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— CJ Fullford

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