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Community Corner

🌱 Wake Farmland Preservation Program + Boylan Heights Towers Pushback

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 Groundhog Day Raleigh!

So much can happen in 24 hours, and I think by now you're realizing how true that statement can be. Below there is so much information on all the major things that have taken place, or are going to be taking place, that you won't want to be in the dark about, including:

  • Another athlete comes forward in NCSU misconduct lawsuit.
  • The Taproom Olympics
  • Residents are asked to weigh in on budget priorities.

But first, today's weather:

Chilly with periods of rain. High: 42 Low: 40.

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Here are the top five stories in Raleigh today:

  1. Wake County is working to protect farmland in the county through the Farmland Preservation Program. The program is now accepting applications and hopes to combat North Carolina's farmland loss as the state ranks No. 2 in the nation for farmland loss. Wake County predicts that at the current growth rate, all unprotected farmlands will be developed in the next 25-50 years. The program offers two additional conservation options for those who own agricultural land. One option would pay landowners "up to 25%" of gross sales from non-farm products, yet still qualify as a farm. The other option would come with tax benefits. (WUNC)
  2. A second former NC State athlete is coming forward in a federal lawsuit alleging sexual assault. The lawsuit filed accuses Robert Murphy Jr. of improperly touching the athletes in 2016. Former NCSU athlete Benjamin Locke was the first to sue in late August, and according to the lawsuit, the former head coach Kelly Findley raised concerns to a senior athletics official in February 2016. The second athlete, known as John Doe, came forward after learning of Locke's complaint. In a statement on Wednesday, N.C. State declined to comment. (Spectrum News 1)
  3. Residents in the Boylan Heights area attended a meeting at the Pullen Community Center to voice their opinions regarding plans for towers in the neighborhood. Residents showed up to discuss the rezoning request, as developers' attorneys laid out plans for 20-story residential towers. The towers would be right next to the Joel Lane Museum House, the oldest house in the city. Many residents said they are not happy with downtown expanding into the neighborhood, and others discussed concerns around traffic. Nearly every resident in the community raised their hands when asked if they were opposed to the plan, but several of the neighbors stated they are not against development, but they want it to be done responsibly. The plan will be presented to the planning commission on February 28. (WRAL)
  4. A new study conducted by Zillow, shows that it takes four minimum-wage earners to afford the typical rent in a Raleigh apartment. Rent data used in the study was taken from monthly changes in the Zillow Observed Rent index and the 2021 5-Year American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau. The study found typical one-bedroom apartments in Raleigh cost around $1,260 a month, and a typical two-bedroom costs $1,392 monthly. The study found that in order to afford a one bedroom it would take 3.6 individuals with a full-time minimum wage job to afford a one-bedroom rental, and 4 full time earners to afford a two-bedroom. (WRAL)
  5. On Wednesday, there were disruptions in schools across the county as Rolesville High School was placed on a Code Red lockdown, a police presence had to be dispatched to Zebulon Middle School, and students at Cardinal Charter School in Wendell believed there was a gun on campus. The lockdown at Rolesville High School was in response to a student found with a loaded gun on campus. According to the school, a staff member stopped the student outside of the school around 10:45 a.m. and confiscated the weapon, but the school was locked down, searched, and ultimately dismissed early due to the incident. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL) At Zebulon Middle, police were present in response to an Instagram threat that displayed a collection of guns with a message saying, "Zebulon Middle is next." At Cardinal Charter School a student brought a toy gun to school, and students were concerned as they believed it to be real. The school issued a statement reminding parents that it is never appropriate to bring anything resembling a weapon to school. (WRAL)

Today in Raleigh:

Friday in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's Groundhog Day, and although Sir Walter Wally won't be predicting the weather, Snerd the Groundhog will still be checking on her shadow out in Garner.
  • The City of Raleigh is looking for input from citizens on priorities for next year's budget. This survey will be open until February 28, and five residents who fill out the survey will win a $50 gift card.
  • Downtown Raleigh Alliance has updated their grant requirements and award amounts for the Storefront Uplift Grants. Applications can still be submitted until March 1st, here. (Downtown Raleigh Instagram)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— CJ Fullford

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

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