WEB EXCLUSIVE From cancelled travel plans to limits on in-person gatherings, the international coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the wedding industry but that doesn’t mean locals haven’t taken the moment in stride. Check out our July/August issue for a story about how local couples have reimagined their big days.
In the meantime, Wake County’s Register of Deeds office implemented a virtual system for obtaining marriage licenses so members of the public don’t have to visit the vital records offices in person. Wake’s was the first Register of Deeds office in the state to implement a virtual marriage license appointment system.
Read this Q and A with Wake County Register of Deeds Charles Gilliam and Wake County IT specialists Chris Peck and Mark Barthelemy to learn more.
How many marriage licenses has the county issued since March, when the governor shut down most workplaces?
CG: Right now, we’re doing about 19 marriage licenses a day. Last year the average per day was 29, so we’re doing fewer than we were. Our first official day of issuing licenses virtually was March 24.
What technology are you using to conduct marriage license application appointments virtually?
CP: We opted to use Google Duo. The thought process was, a majority of constituents have smartphones but may not necessarily have laptops with cameras of high-speed internet. Google Duo doesn’t require an account and provides several layers of security, including end to end encryption. We implemented cameras for our staff so the customers can see the staff in conversation and provided them with headsets to help them communicate with the customers.
How do the appointments go?
CG: It’s just like the customers are physically in the office. We say we need proof of their of ID and social security numbers, please, and they hold their social security cards, drivers license and passports up to the camera on their mobile device, just like they would bring them to the office. They pay on the call by reading us their credit card number and we punch it into the machine and send them the receipt in the mail with their marriage license.
Are the digital appointments secure?
MB: This offered us a way of capturing and validating the necessary information without actually storing it so it reduces liability in ways that it wouldn’t if we had had them send us a photocopy or digital copy that would then be in our system. So we don’t take anything, we don’t store it, we just have them show it to us in real time for visual confirmation. That is a critical component.
Is the service only for Wake residents or can anyone use it?
CG: You don’t have to live in Wake. Wake residents have priority on scheduling appointments but we do it for people from other counties. A marriage license issued by a North Carolina Register of Deeds is valid anywhere in the state, so you can get a license from Wake and get married in Cherokee County.
Your offices closed to the public under the Governor’s shutdown order and you’re still offering services virtually. Is your staff in the office or working from home?
CG: We’ve had two people in vital records working at home, one is scheduling marriage license appointments for customers full-time. But most of the vital records staff, especially for marriages, is in the office making these calls.
CP: Just the fact that we have staff sending out marriage licenses on certified copy paper, it didn’t make sense to send everyone home with reams of copy paper.
CG: Closing to the public has helped to keep our staff well so they can provide services we need to be able to provide to the public. So we don’t want to take any chances on people getting sick and shutting us down but we don’t have to reopen because we’re not closed. We have a stay open plan, not a reopen plan.
A comprehensive look at coronavirus news and resources in Raleigh for June 11.
WEB EXCLUSIVEWhile COVID-19 may have taken a backseat in the news cycle in recent weeks, the coronavirus is still very much here with us in Raleigh, Wake County and North Carolina, with nearly 39,500 people testing positive for the virus in the state as of today and 780 North Carolinians hospitalized with COVID-19 just yesterday.
All the precautions you took at the outset of the pandemic–practicing social distancing, washing your hands frequently, wearing a face mask–are still important to follow to prevent further infection and spread.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of local news stories related to the coronavirus, as well as resources for the public and businesses, to help you navigate life in the midst of the pandemic and stay informed.
On Wednesday, DHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen announced the state is increasing testing and tracing in at least eight counties in the state, including Wake, after Dr. Deborah Birx from the White House’s Coronavirus Task Force contacted state officials last week to express concerns about COVID-19 spread. The move comes as North Carolina has reported record highs for residents hospitalized with the virus–today for the fourth day in a row–a large increase in cases and shortening doubling rates.
DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen | Photo courtesy of WRAL
On Wednesday, a Wake County judge denied a request from a group of fitness facility owners in the state to reopen against Gov. Cooper’s order for them to remain closed in phase 2. The judge will allow the gym owners to present evidence in a preliminary injunction hearing at a date unset as of now.
After Gov. Cooper vetoed a bill last Friday that would reopen bars at limited capacity in the state, the legislature passed another, similar bill to allow both gyms and bars to open and operate at 50 percent capacity. The bill includes an amendment that would allow the governor to close these and other businesses again if there is a spike in cases with approval from the Council of State, comprised of six Republicans and four Democrats. The governor is expected to veto the bill.
Following multiple stock car races at the Alamance County speedway that drew crowds of more than 2,000 people, the governor has ordered the race track to shut down until June 26. Under Cooper’s phase 2 executive order, outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people.
Donald Trump will not appear in Charlotte in August to make his acceptance speech for the presidential nomination but some convention events will still take place in the Queen City.
COVID-19 Resources for the Public
Drive-thru testing is available in Wendell for at-risk residents of Wake County, starting today through Friday, June 13.
Demonstrations for racial justice are still ongoing. Here is how you can protest safely.
Image from @BriannaABaker on Twitter.
Get help with childcare, transportation or paying rent through Wake County’s Network of Care.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance has compiled a list of resources for residents on how to stay safe and how to support downtown businesses.
COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
Under Wake County’s Wake Forward program, the county has allocated $5 million to support small businesses. Small businesses can apply for up to $50,000 in loans.
Raleigh restaurants can apply to expand their spaces for outdoor dining.
Businesses can be trained and certified for safe reopening with Count on Me NC.
WEB EXCLUSIVEDowntown Raleigh may be quiet right now but it’s also bright and colorful.
The Raleigh Murals Project, the Visual Art Exchange and Royale chef Jeffrey Seizer have teamed up to create a platform to elevate awareness around the issues that led to recent protests against racial inequality, injustice and police brutality, using art—and the plywood boards hanging on business storefronts downtown—as a medium.
“The Raleigh Murals Project believes that black lives matter and value[s] protests where voices of unity and justice can be heard,” reads a post on Raleigh Mural Project’s Instagram feed. “We want to amplify black voices in our community…We will do this by lifting the voices of those affected by systemic racism, prioritizing Black artists and artists of color and offering a platform to express those experiences and truths.”
Interested artists can email the Raleigh Murals Project about participating and the public is invited to donate funds or materials for the artists to use. Leftover funds will be donated to NAACP North Carolina.
Look out for new murals popping up all over downtown. Here are several you can visit right now.
Murals at State of Beer by Sorenaand State of Beer staff
Photo by State of Beer
Window mural at Garlandby Julio Sanchez and crew
Photo by Jenn Rice
Use Your Voice by @quercus_raleigh by @spclsigns, South Salisbury Street
WEB EXCLUSIVEGeorge Floyd’s brutal murder by a white police officer in Minneapolis one week ago—on top of countless other incidents of racist violence against Black people in America—triggered protests in cities across the nation.
This weekend, those protests came to Raleigh.
What began as peaceful demonstrations downtown on both Saturday and Sunday evenings devolved into chaos after sundown. Police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators. Looters destroyed storefronts, businesses and city property on Fayetteville, Wilmington and Salisbury streets. Raleighites were left to pick up the pieces, prepare for more unrest and, in the long run, seek out ways to heal deep racial divisions and to try to figure out how to build a more equitable city.
Here, we try to piece together what happened this weekend from the differing perspectives of demonstrators, police, activists, media outlets, business owners and other observers.
Saturday Evening
Several activist groups call for peaceful demonstrations to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmed Arbery and those killed by police officers in Raleigh. Protesters are asked to wear face masks and bring posters and water.
Local activist groups including Raleigh PACT, Young Americans Protest and Carolina Peace Center release a list of demands, including a police review board with subpoena power, restoration of CACs, closing police stations in black communities and policies requiring police officers to intervene when they witness police abuse. They call for the removal of Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown if their demands are not met.
By 6 p.m., following a march into downtown via Capital Boulevard, up to 3,000 demonstrators gather in front of the Wake County Courthouse. They listen to speakers, hold signs, chant and rally peaceably in honor of George Floyd’s memory.
Thread of the Raleigh protest. Starts off strong, lots of people here. Chants of NO JUSTICE NO PEACE. SAY HIS NAME. GEORGE FLYOD. pic.twitter.com/upWN01Urq1
We’re in downtown Raleigh covering the nationwide protest against the killing of #GeorgeFloyd. Families, adults and young people alike are present. Hundreds of peaceful protesters gathered on Fayetteville St. in front of the Wake Co. Courthouse. pic.twitter.com/uaC4e8w4DF
— The News & Observer (@newsobserver) May 30, 2020
Raleigh protest was very peaceful until cops instigated and started throwing tear gas like candy. 99% of those tear gassed were peaceful. police responded to water bottles being thrown with gas bombs
Police didn’t hassle the main group even when we took over the highway, but there’s a smaller group that got some tear gas and rubber bullets because they didn’t outnumber cops 100 to 1 pic.twitter.com/8VvtifbhUc
— Yes, You’re Racist (@YesYoureRacist) May 31, 2020
This is what happened according to Chief Deck-Brown.
Today, May 31, Raleigh Police utilized tear gas to move protestors out of the path of an EMS vehicle on its way to an emergency medical call after they refused to move. The use of tear gas yesterday, May 30, is explained in this video. #RaleighDemandsJustice#raleighriot#Raleighpic.twitter.com/8EqW7Dv6Fx
Many of the demonstrators begin to leave as the sun sets. The situation worsens.
Police in downtown Raleigh deploy tear gas, pepper spray and smoke bombs against a crowd of protesters near South McDowell and West Davie Streets intersection #Raleigh#George Floyd pic.twitter.com/Y8vD8Qe8pg
This is one of the tear gas canisters fired at protesters in Raleigh last night. Manufactured by Combined Tactical Systems, many may know that this is the same company that supplies tear gas to Israel. pic.twitter.com/ldM0aJ2iVf
Looters begin breaking glass windows of downtown storefronts with bricks. The CVS pharmacy at the corner of Hargett and Fayetteville streets is broken into and set ablaze.
Went back to my office to get some water. I work at a progressive newspaper. Someone threw a brick through the window while I was inside. I stepped outside and immediately inhaled tear gas. #Raleigh. pic.twitter.com/gLrE55h5Cg
There are reports of white supremacist groups infiltrating the protest and rioting. White supremacist symbols are found spray painted onto downtown buildings.
Last night a symbol of hate was painted over one showing love. We deplore this symbol, for it is the opposite of what our world needs & what we believe. We stand with peaceful protestors & businesses hurt in our community during last night’s events. pic.twitter.com/O8kiJS37Q3
The sun is up and it shines light on the damage left behind from Sunday’s protests. This is the YMCA on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. @WNCNpic.twitter.com/mOCbxfrW0O
Cleanup @BeasleysChicken the morning after Raleigh, NC. One of many protests that turned violent after police released tear gas & pepper spray into the peaceful demonstration of more than 1000. The stencil on the window says, ‘Don’t Forget Kindness’ #IamGeorgeFloyd#protests2020pic.twitter.com/g55A9RZk42
My restaurant, The London Bridge Pub, was vandalized and looted tonight in Raleigh, NC by what I can only assume was a fringe sect of the peaceful protestors. Just came to say I still support the protest. The root cause of all this upset, is too awful to not continue protests.
Activists organize another peaceful demonstration downtown. Demonstrators gather near the State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion.
A small group of protesters assembled at the State Capital in Raleigh on Sunday. It’s the day after a night of chaos in the Capital city after Saturday protest escalated causing major destruction downtown.@SpecNewsRDUpic.twitter.com/BIv17jZ2gz
— Ted Corcoran (Red T Raccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) May 31, 2020
This is RPD’s explanation for using tear gas.
We utilized tear gas to move protestors out of the path of an EMS vehicle on its way to an emergency medical call after they refused to move. https://t.co/g3h7Bmej7v
— Ted Corcoran (Red T Raccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) June 1, 2020
And more reports of looting and destruction, including at North Hills and Triangle Town Center.
Late Sunday evening, law enforcement officers are shown on video shooting at a downtown business owner.
Monday Morning
With protests showing no sign of abating, Baldwin institutes a citywide curfew beginning at 8 p.m. RPD says the National Guard has been deployed to restore order.
The National Guard is now deployed to provide support as we work to restore order & ensure the safety of residents; protect necessary & critical infrastructure; and help ensure that those who wish to lawfully and peacefully exercise their 1st Amendment right to protest can do so.
Baldwin is criticized for “official incompetence” in an N&Oeditorial for not implementing a curfew sooner.
Chief Deck-Brown is criticized for, among other perceived missteps, not instructing officers to protect property and businesses.
So…Raleigh PD chief basically saying police will not stand in the way of rioters and looters and NcGOV tells small biz owners the protest message is more important than the businesses they worked so hard to build. Really bad look for NC leadership right now. Terrible. #ncpol
RPD is criticized for, among other perceived missteps, reacting overly aggressively towards demonstrators, especially compared to how officers treated demonstrators carrying firearms around downtown last month.
I’ve no issue with rules, but it’s quite clear— in the eyes of @raleighpolice only white supremacists groups that wish to protest WITH ARMS in Raleigh are allowed to do so. #gotithttps://t.co/zuELkw2yf3
Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin requested city staff bring planning proposals for ADUs (backyard cottages) and cottage courts before the council on June 2.
The council voted 7-1 to hire consultant Mickey Fearn, a professor at NC State’s College of Natural Resources, to study ways to engage local communities in place of CACs at a cost of $72,000 from council’s contingency funds.
The council received a report on the city’s COVID-19 response. City staff is working to ensure PPE is available for city workers and implementing wellness checks at downtown facilities and for some employees.
At its evening meeting, the council voted unanimously to allocate $1.8 million in federal CARES Act funds to provide rent, utility and mortgage assistance, and $1 million in federal emergency solutions grants to assist with homelessness and eviction prevention, to low income households.
May 19 Meeting:
Under its Shared Streets for Social Distancing Accommodations initiative, the council voted unanimously to authorize city staff to start identifying streets across town that could close to car traffic to make more space for bicyclists and pedestrians to use. Council also voted to allow staff to look at ways for restaurants and bars to expand seating options for diners as they begin to reopen at limited capacity.
Council voted 7-1 to accept new terms governing a partnership between the City and the Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy, the nonprofit tasked with raising private funds for creating the park. The new Memorandum of Agreement governs appointments to the Conservancy board and term lengths, among other considerations.
The council received a report on the city’s COVID-19 response. The city has aligned its reopening efforts with the state’s three reopening phases and is taking measures to ensure safety of city workers.
The city manager introduced a $1.01 billion proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year. The city will hold a public hearing on the budget, and will consider adding an $80 million affordable housing bond to the November ballot, on June 2. The council appointed 15 members to its newly established Commission on Hispanic and Immigrant Affairs.
