Wake County

Putting A Stop To Gerrymandering

Shawn Wen and Frank Stasio — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:00:10 +0000

In 2010, when Republicans won control of the state House and Senate, they radically redrew voting districts in favor of their own party. In previous elections, Democrats have done the same. Now, there's a bipartisan effort in the state House of Representatives to reform the redistricting process.

Meals On Wheels Feel The Pinch Of The Sequester

Leoneda Inge — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:22:27 +0000

The automatic budget cuts or sequester handed down from Washington are starting to affect North Carolina organizations that serve seniors. Meals on Wheels of Wake County says they got the news last week. Sequestration means they will lose funding that equates to 12,000 meals a year. Alan Winstead, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Wake County, says he’s confident they will find alternative funding to continue serving hot lunches to 1,300 seniors a day, but the budget cuts have other implications.

Wake Mayors Seek Repeal Of 540 Route Ban

Will Michaels — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:25:00 +0000

A group of Wake County mayors is asking the legislature to repeal a law that bans a possible route for the rest of highway 540. The panel voted Wednesday to put the so-called "Red Route" back on the table after federal regulators said they would cut funding for the project if the state does not allow the DOT to study all possible routes. That proposal has been unpopular among the planning board. It would take 540 through Garner rather than around the south side of the town. Most mayors say they voted to repeal the Red Route ban in order to get the funds back.

Spike Seen In Domestic Violence Killings In Wake County

Isaac-Davy Aronson — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:05:00 +0000

Advocates are speaking out about a spike in domestic violence-related homicides in Wake County. There have been five alleged such killings in the last four months - one more than in all of last year. Organizers of a silent march in downtown Raleigh yesterday say about 75 people turned out to honor Agata Vellotti. Police say she was killed by her estranged husband 2 weeks ago. Another march will be held for Kathleen Bertrand, allegedly shot by her ex-husband at a Raleigh shopping center on Monday.

Efforts To Protect Watershed Get Complicated

Gurnal Scott — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Wake County Commissioners' efforts to reduce the amount of pollution in Falls Lake and Jordan Lake got a little complicated this week.

Gurnal Scott: Both lakes are considered polluted because of excessive nutrients washed in by stormwater runoff. They are primary sources of Wake County’s drinking water. Commissioners approved new rules requiring developers to use more retention ponds to prevent further pollution. But this week, state lawmakers delayed action on clean water rules. Commissioner Tony Gurley was surprised by that.

New Policy To Control Feral Cats In Wake County

Asma Khalid — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 10:10:00 +0000

In the past, Wake County euthanized all unwanted cats. But not anymore. The county is adopting a new approach to control its feral cat population.

Asma Khalid: Feral cats are unsocialized. They can't live indoors. This new policy allows private animal groups the right to trap, neuter, vaccinate and then return these alley cats to the outdoors. The Wake Audobon Society opposes the plan. It fears more outdoor cats will mean fewer birds. But, Pam Miller says that's not true.

Public Transit In Triangle At Crossroads

Dave DeWitt — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:15:00 +0000

Public transportation has long been a contentious topic in the Triangle. As cities like Charlotte have expanded bus service and built a light-rail system, cities like Raleigh and Durham have failed to keep up.

But now, a plan to increase busses and begin the long process of connecting the cities in the Triangle by rail is just a few steps from being implemented. Those last few steps are proving to be the hardest.

Wake County, UNC Explore Mental Health Care Partnership

Gurnal Scott — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Wake County residents who need mental health care could become UNC Health Care patients later this year.

Avoiding Confusion At The Poll

Dave DeWitt — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:55:00 +0000

Voters will go to the polls tomorrow with a lot of decisions to make. Local and statewide nominees will be determined, as will a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages and civil unions. Local elections boards have seen a unique set of circumstances in preparing for election day.

CMS Schools Searching For New Leader

Dave DeWitt — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:20:00 +0000

The second-largest school district in North Carolina is close to choosing a new leader. The search for a new superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools enters a public phase this week.