by Jane Porter | Sep 24, 2020 | Buzz, September 2020
The Raleigh Police Department spent more than a $1 million during nine days of protests in the city’s downtown, following the death of George Floyd that sparked demonstrations for racial justice and riots in some cities nationwide. An after-action report that Raleigh police chief Cassandra Deck-Brown presented to the city council last month itemized the cost, resources, arrests and damage to the city’s public and private property. The report also found that, while training using tear gas has occurred over the years, RPD has only deployed tear gas a few times, including this year. The other two events where officers deployed tear gas were during the riots of 1968 following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and during the 1974 NCAA basketball championship victory by NC State over UCLA.
51
Arrests
153
Burglaries reported
71
Instances of damage to property
6
Reports of arson
$1.46 million
Cost of RPD response
252
Tear gas deployments
40,622
Police hours
by Jane Porter | Sep 22, 2020 | Buzz, September 2020, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE Gov. Roy Cooper and NC DHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced today that a new, free app designed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Carolina is available for the state’s residents to download to their Apple and Google mobile devices.
SlowCOVIDNC uses Bluetooth technology to let users know if they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 so they can act quickly to protect others, Cohen explained during a press conference. If someone tests positive for the virus, they get a unique, randomly generated pin to submit into the app. A voluntary, anonymous reporting system notifies other phones using the app that were in close contact with one another that they may have been exposed in the last 14 days.
“That allows users to quickly act to protect themselves and their loved ones and their communities,” Cohen said. “If you need to isolate or quarantine, the app can connect you with guidance, on checking symptoms and getting support.”
Cohen emphasized that the app does not collect, use or share any personal information, use GPS or know the user’s location.
“It uses an anonymous string of characters that change every 10 to 20 minutes to represent your phone,” Cohen said. “They never link to you identity or location, only to the date and time.”
Gov. Cooper said key COVID metrics in the state have stabilized to the degree that, on October 2, he expects to take another step in reopening if the progress holds. Large event venues (ones that hold 10,000 people or more) could reopen at 7 percent capacity and Cooper says he is sharing the news now so that these venues can begin preparing.
“We will continue analyzing our data and indicators as we determine how to move forward safely in other areas that may be included in the new order on October 2,” Cooper said. “In it we hope to ease some other restrictions while keeping in place safety protocols like masks and social distancing.”
The state will also launch a rent, utility and mortgage relief initiative to assist small businesses that lost revenue this year using $40 million in federal CARES Act funding.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, powering our local communities and giving back in so many ways,” Cooper said. “They deserve our support and this new initiative can help them weather this tough time.”
by Jane Porter | Sep 17, 2020 | Buzz, September 2020, Uncategorized, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE At a press conference today, Gov. Roy Cooper announced North Carolina school districts may allow all elementary school students to return for in-class learning, with required face coverings and daily symptom screening, at full capacity starting October 5.
The announcement comes as key metrics for the COVID-19 virus have stabilized across the state and officials have been able to determine that spread of the virus has slowed. Schools for older students, including all middle schools and high schools, must continue to operate under a combination of in person and virtual learning models, known as Option B, or an all virtual learning model (Option C).
Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen emphasized that getting students back in classrooms–especially the state’s youngest students who benefit most from in person instruction– has been the state’s highest priority in coordinating its response to the pandemic.
Since school started about a month ago, Cohen said, the state has seen 10 school clusters across the state involving 16 students and 46 staff members. In the last two weeks, case numbers for school age children have declined, especially among elementary aged children.
“There don’t appear to be differences in community spread of the virus in districts where they’re operating in a hybrid in person model versus an all-remote learning model,” Cohen said. “We also have the benefit of evolving science which is currently showing that younger children are less likely to become infected, less likely to have symptoms, experience severe disease and less likely to spread the virus to others.”
COVID metrics, including the number of people presenting at emergency departments with COVID-like symptoms, the number of confirmed cases of the virus, the number of hospitalizations and the percent of positive tests, have also been declining. In the last few days, the state has recorded percent positive test rates of at or close to 5 percent, the state’s daily goal.
Cooper acknowledged that opening all elementary schools for in person learning (known as Option A) “may not be right for all school districts and families,” and said it’s important that virtual learning remain an option for all students.
“As the school year has started, I know many parents are facing difficult choices and nearly impossible balancing acts with work, other obligations and dealing with their children being home,” Cooper said. “Parenting is hard enough without a pandemic.”
He noted that teachers, principals and school support staff are doing “more than ever.”
“The more people wear masks and act responsibly, the more we slow the spread of this virus and the more children we can get safely in our schools.”
by Jane Porter | Sep 15, 2020 | Do, September 2020, Uncategorized, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE If you’re like us, you’re loving today’s cooler air; the first day of fall is only one week away, and soon, the leaves will be changing to their golden hues. If you can’t wait for the leaves, there are already some aesthetic changes around Raleigh for you to take in. Here are just a few new public art installations to visit soon.
Vote 2020 at Centro
It’s election season as you’re no doubt aware. With 49 days to go until Election Day, in North Carolina, registered voters can already request, fill out and submit their ballots by mail. Early voting starts October 15, one month from today, and Election Day, of course, comes November 3 this year. It’s still a work in progress but we’re sure this mural at Centro will be a great reminder to us to do our civic duty.
Berkeley the Squirrel at Nash Square
In a collaboration with the City of Raleigh and its parks and urban forestry departments, Raleigh Arts commissioned artist Corey Lancaster to carve the 120 year-old willow oak, taken down in Nash Square Park last summer due to age and disease, into this fun and Raleigh-esque installation.
Endless Summer at North Hills
Not quite ready for summer’s end? Stop by North Hills where artist Britt Flood (@b.l.flood) has transformed the shopping center’s signature fountain into an eternal sunset.
Georgia Tardy’s Mural at Whiskey Kitchen
Whiskey Kitchen loves a mural and it’s the perfect time of year to spend a few hours over drinks with friends on the downtown bar and restaurant’s patio, the home of artist Georgia Tardy’s (@georgiatardyart) new piece. We can’t wait to see the final result!
New Murals at Trophy Brewing
Artist William Paul Thomas (@willartforfood) and his portrait of civil rights heroine Ella Baker urge you to seize your power and vote this election cycle as part of the March for Our Lives #OurPower national campaign. In addition to the painted mural, an installation of envelopes packed with voting information drive that message home on the back of the brewery’s building on Morgan Street.
New murals right next to these commemorate the late civil rights icon and longtime congressman, Rep. John Lewis, as well highlight the looming threat of climate change to North Carolina’s coastline and celebrate NC pride.
by Jane Porter | Sep 10, 2020 | Buzz, September 2020, Web Exclusive
WEB EXCLUSIVE Tomorrow, in the midst of one crisis embroiling the country, we remember those we lost to another: Americans will memorialize the 19th anniversary of 9/11 in ways we’ve never experienced before due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For Activate Good, the nonprofit community that recruits and connects individuals, groups and companies through its website to volunteer opportunities with community partners all around the Triangle, 9/11 traditionally marks an annual day of service. This year, the nonprofit will continue its tradition of honoring those lost through service in a new format: “a restorative month of service bringing Triangle residents together to participate in safe in-person or remote volunteer opportunities, virtual learning sessions about local community issues and a virtual 9/11 evening commemoration,” according to its website.
Triangle residents can get involved in Activate Good’s Month of Unity in three ways.
Volunteer
There are still in-person volunteer opportunities available all over the Triangle this month, and there are ways to volunteer safely with social distancing. Or, you can volunteer remotely from home. Click here to get started.
Participate in the Virtual Learning Series
Throughout September, Activate Good is hosting several virtual events in the United We Help Month of Service Learning Series. Join others in the community virtually to learn from local experts about issues ranging from health and education to employment, housing and homelessness. Today at 5 p.m., Activate Good hosts a virtual workshop on Hunger and Food Insecurity in the Triangle. Register here. To see the full schedule, click here.
Join the 9/11 Virtual Commemoration
Featuring music from the Jason Adamo Band, a segment with David Paine, founder of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (9/11 Day), and a keynote from the Governor and First Lady of North Carolina, Roy and Kristin Cooper. Watch the virtual commemoration on WRAL.com, the WRAL news app or via Activate Good’s Facebook Watch Party page.
