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Community Corner

🌱 WCPSS Amended Bullying, Discrimination Policy + RDU Expansion

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 Take a Walk Outdoors Day Raleigh!

I got the opportunity to talk to a family that was planning a move to Raleigh the other day, and I found myself just going on and on about the incredible parks in Raleigh. I have lived in other cities and none of them compare to the variety and fun that our parks offer. Today's the perfect opportunity to visit one of the parks since it's Take a Walk Outdoors Day and the weather is expected to be cooler with sunshine. Before you get out and catch some fresh air, catch up on everything that is happening, including:

  • Business leaders raise concerns over homeless encampment.
  • Jurassic Quest returns to Raleigh.
  • Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with sunshine. High: 55 Low: 31.

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Here are the top six stories today in Raleigh:

  1. A makeshift homeless shelter has been growing on South Saunders Street and is raising concerns for business owners nearby. The homeless crisis is continuing to grow in Wake County, with homelessness up 70% compared to this time last year. Shelters are down 200 beds following the COVID pandemic, and there is a three week waitlist to get in. The tent city off I-40 has been present for years, but business leaders say that the growing presence is concerning to the image of the city. (abc11)
  2. The Wake County Public School System Board unanimously backed an amended bullying and discrimination policy during a meeting on Tuesday night. The new language was introduced at a previous meeting, and added, "a level of engagement or isolation" as a differentiating characteristic, and clarifies that "a student's discomfort with classroom topics, classroom discussion or classroom management is not, by itself, harassment or bullying." Holly Atkins, mother and founder of Hope For Teens, says that the policy still remains too broad, and it's important to specifically address different types of bullying. WCPSS Vice Chair Chris Heagarty supports exploring more ways to address off-campus incidents. (abc11)
  3. Leaders with Emancipate NC sent a letter to city leaders on Tuesday regarding a no-knock police raid at a Raleigh home. Yolanda Irving said that she has been seeking an apology after the raid nearly two years ago, led by fired Raleigh Police detective Omar Abdullah. Last year attorneys for Irving and two other families filed a federal civil right's lawsuit over the no-knock raids. Emancipate NC also has plans to ask for the release of body cam footage from the police raid, after a judge last year denied the initial request. The City of Raleigh issued a statement on Wednesday that said, "the City's longstanding practice is to handle a lawsuit through the courts and not to issue media releases that might influence public opinion or prejudice the judicial process." (CBS17, WRAL)
  4. The Raleigh Police Department charged North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood in relation to a December hit-and-run incident. Wood was charged on December 12 after the December 8 incident near the intersection of Salisbury and Hargett Streets downtown. According to police records, Wood was driving a Toyota sedan and hit a parked 2016 Toyota. According to Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, she is facing a Class 2 misdemeanor for hit-and-run, as well as, leaving the scene, property damage and an infraction for unsafe movement. Wood has served as a state auditor since 2009, and her office conducts audits of state spending and processes. (AP News, FOX8, WITN, WRAL)
  5. RDU is expanding this year after experiencing success in 2022. RDU served 11.8 million passengers in 2022, which represents an increase of 35% over 2021. The increase signals a return to pre-pandemic levels of travel. The traffic for 2022 was only 17% less than the airport's record high of 14.2 million travelers in 2019. Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority says that, "RDU is moving beyond the recovery and toward sustained and reliable growth." (WITN)
  6. Beginning today, Raleigh Water will be closing the southbound right lane of South Wilmington Street from Keeter Center Drive/City Farm Road to Bluff Street. The closure is for a planned sewer improvement project. Closures will begin at 9 a.m. and will last through 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The closure is expected to last for two months. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

Saturday in Raleigh:

  • Jurassic Quest at the Raleigh Convention Center (9:00am-8:00pm)
  • Drag Story Hour at Umami Asian Bistro (11:15am-12:00pm)
  • Beer X Girl Scout Cookie Pairing Flights at Raleigh Brewing Co. (12:00pm)
  • World Tavern Poker at Bottledog Bites & Brews (1:00pm-6:00pm)
  • New Year Happy Hour at Compass Rose Brewery (4:00pm-7:00pm)
  • The ComedyWorx Show at ComedyWorx (6:00pm-7:30pm)
  • Silent Disco at The Raleigh Beer Garden Tent (9:00pm)

From my notebook:

  • It's Take a Walk Outdoors Day and VisitRaleigh has compiled a list of the best trails to hike, bike, and run in Raleigh.
  • Yesterday was Dolly Parton's birthday, and it's worth mentioning since she has had such an impact in the area via Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Sign up to get free books delivered to your young kids.
  • On January 1, the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina joined with Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina to become Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Carolinas.

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— CJ Fullford

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

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