Shortly after the earthquake felt this afternoon along the East Coast, Raleigh-Wake County emergency officials put out a statement saying there is "no immediate danger" in Raleigh and that people should only use 911 to report emergencies.
Among the reasons NOT to call 911: To request information on road conditions, report power outages, inquire about school or business closings, ask for driving directions or get help in finding other phone numbers.
Since debuting last month, the bicycle lanes on Hillsborough Street have quickly become a hot topic among Raleigh cyclists -- with some riders expressing frustration over the tight squeeze with cars and others calling for patience as traffic adjusts to the new form of travel.
The city is asking for feedback on the bike lanes, which run from Gardner Street to Enterprise Street, spanning the newly renovated section of Hillsborough Street around N.C. State University. Public comments can be shared until Oct. 7.
As the city moves toward a makeover on New Bern Avenue, neighbors have identified priorities for the upgrades they'd most like to see.
Transportation ranked as the top concern for 33.7 percent of residents, according to an online survey on the city's website that attracted 385 responses.
The city is exploring long-term transit options for the corridor, a busy link between downtown and WakeMed. The two types of technology under consideration are streetcars and bus rapid transit. A streetcar system would not extend far outside of the Beltline. However, BRT service could continue eastward to Knightdale and beyond.
Raleigh physician Randall Williams will hold a pair of campaign events this month to formally open his bid for Raleigh mayor.
Williams plans a campaign kickoff Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Broughton High School. On Aug. 30, he'll host his first fundraiser at the home of Joe and Sarah Knott, with co-sponsorships for the evening gathering starting at $500 per couple.
The city has backed away from plans to build a nature center on the eastern side of Lake Johnson amid concerns over disrupting the lake’s natural setting.
City Council members said they would explore other sites for the center, intended to provide a resting spot for hikers and classroom space for school groups to learn about the environment.
The decision comes after opposition from the Friends of Lake Johnson, an advocacy group formed to protect the lake and surrounding park from development.
In her campaign's first policy proposal, mayoral hopeful Nancy McFarlane called for the creation of a small business office at City Hall to serve as an initial point of contact for aspiring entreprenuers. She also proposed a nine-member commmission to advise the city on ways to help small businesses.
That was the easy part.
More than a month later, McFarlane is still tussling with City Manager Russell Allen over whether the ideas should be implemented at a time when the city is strapped for money and manpower.
Now that he's filed paperwork to become an official candidate, Raleigh mayoral hopeful Randall Williams is ready to break out the ice cream for his first public campaign event.
Williams will speak to supporters Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Broughton High School about why he wants to succeed the outgoing Charles Meeker, who will leave office this year at the end of his fifth term.
For Williams, the choice of venue isn't surprising. The physician and father of three has served as president of the Broughton Capital Foundation and Caps Club. He also co-founded the school's athletics hall of fame.
We posted this morning about the possible closure of the Five Points Post Office.
Neighbor Terry Henderson, who has lived six blocks away in the Hayes-Barton neighborhood for 24 years, isn't concerned. "It's an awkward little post office," Henderson says, with little parking and inconvenient hours -- they're closed weekends and from noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays, right when most people have some free time to head to the post office on a lunch break.
"I'm not sentimental about closing a post office," Henderson said. "It's just a business."
And a business that could stand to up its game, Henderson feels.
"Ordinarily, a business is about selling a needed service for a good price with good customer service," Henderson said. "I find that the post office tends to raise prices, cut service and have fairly surly and officious customer service."
He uses the Five Points location maybe half a dozen times a month. If the location closes, he'll just head to the more convenient location at Kroger on Six Forks Road instead, Henderson said.
Read more customer reactions in the N&O tomorrow.
If you'd like to give your opinion, email me at chelsea.kellner@newsobserver.com with your contact info by 4 p.m., or give me a call at 919-829-4802.
City Councilwoman Nancy McFarlane arrived at the elections office promptly at noon, accompanied by a dozen or so supporters and campaign aides wearing T-shirts and buttons.
In May, McFarlane was the first candidate to announce her intent to run for Raleigh mayor. On Monday, she became the first to make it official.
Note: This is the first in a series of dispatches from the campaign trail. The Raleigh Report will chronicle candidate appearances on a regular basis. The election is Oct. 11.
Speaking to a conservative audience of Wake County Republican Women on Thursday, mayoral candidate Billie Redmond embraced the GOP mantras of less regulation and limited spending – but said Raleigh must invest in transportation, parks and technology to stay competitive with peer cities.
At a time of economic uncertainty, Raleigh's next leader should have a business background, Redmond told 60 people at a monthly luncheon.
“It’s time for us to take Raleigh back,” she said.
Also in the race are City Councilwoman Nancy McFarlane and Raleigh physician Randall Williams. The winner will succeed Mayor Charles Meeker, who will not seek a record sixth consecutive term. Filing opens Monday and runs through Aug. 12.
Making her first run for elected office, Redmond called it a “terrific advantage” that she has no political experience. She said her work in other U.S. markets illuminates a challenge facing Raleigh, which ranks near the top of many livable cities lists.
“The other cities want what we have,” she said. “They’re trying to take our companies away."
Redmond, a registered Republican, vowed to reduce wait times and regulatory hurdles for businesses navigating City Hall. Faced with debt obligations in coming years, the city may not be able to keep spending at the same rates in areas such as the arts, she said.
City Council members pulled $1.45 million from economic reserves to close a revenue shortfall in this year’s budget. They also agreed to continue supporting the arts at $4.50 per resident, after pleas from arts advocates who spoke against a proposed cut.
“The arts are an important part of our community,” Redmond said. “But we need to focus on the task at hand. We cannot afford all the things we want.”
McFarlane represents North Raleigh as District A representative. Elected in 2007, McFarlane has generally supported Meeker’s progressive agenda, centered on downtown revitalization, parks and greenway expansion and environmental protection.
McFarlane, who will run as an independent, also highlights her business background as founder of MedPro Rx, a pharmacy that provides infusion medications and services to clients with chronic illnesses.
Williams, the newest entrant, said Monday he is putting together a campaign plan and will host a formal kickoff in the next week. A self-described fiscal conservative, Williams said his goal is to keep taxes low and create a “favorable” climate for businesses.
In several of her answers to audience questions Thursday, Redmond strayed from Republican Party boilerplate – without going too far.
She applauded the city’s commitment to greenways, parks and open space, but said environmental policies are too burdensome. Raleigh is doing “a more regulated job than it might need to,” she said.
Redmond labeled herself as “one of the compromise people” on the future of the Dorothea Dix Hospital property. Many, including Mayor Charles Meeker, are pushing for the creation of a park at the site, which encompasses more than 300 acres just southwest of downtown.
But some in the legislature have advocated selling the rolling land around Dix Hill for real estate development, and putting proceeds into the Mental Health Trust Fund.
Redmond said she favors “thoughtful, considerate” development around the edges to generate revenue for a park on the interior. “I love the idea of the park,” Redmond said. “My next thought goes to, how do you pay for it?”
Redmond did not take a firm position on the city’s transit future. She called light rail a “very difficult economic model” that tends to lose money, and said Raleigh does not have highly populated urban centers needed to support trains.
But in the same answer, Redmond said she’s interested in exploring a federal match for a proposed downtown rail and transit hub, saying it could be a good deal for the city.
Transit officials say the old Dillon Supply steel fabrication building could be renovated for an initial cost of $20 million, though future expansion needs would push the price tag higher. The city's portion would be $3 million, with state and federal sources picking up the rest.
On the personal side, Redmond, who is 4-foot-11, told how she asked her husband to build her a special box to see above the podium. Redmond said she is putting together a prayer committee that will mobilize in the next few days.
“I’ve been told that I’m too nice to run for public office – I don’t have thick enough skin,” Redmond said. “But let me tell you, there are few businesswomen around who are as feisty as I am.”
Redmond and McFarlane are vying to become Raleigh’s second woman mayor. Isabella Cannon held the job from 1977 to 1979 after unseating incumbent Jyles Coggins in her first run for office.
Known as the “little old lady in tennis shoes,” Cannon is remembered as an advocate for her University Park neighborhood, where a park is named in her honor.
