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Morrisville Mask Mandate and National Senior Citizens Day Edition
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From the Council Office of Steve Rao
August 21, 2021
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Wake County Kids return to school on Monday!
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My Back to School Message:
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Hurricane Henri is on track to make landfall in the U.S. Northeast. |
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Hurricane Grace makes landfall in Mexico. |
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National Senior Citizens Day |
What better way to spend a National Senior Citizens Day in Morrisville than attend the Open House and cut the ribbon at our new Senior Center!
Morrisville Senior Center
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NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES |
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US administers 1 million doses of Covid Vaccine in less than 24 hours for first time in 7 weeks.
In NC, Sixty-three percent of adults 18 and older in the state have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 58% of the adult population is fully vaccinated against the virus.
The Biden Administration announced it would begin requiring those facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid to have all of their workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or risk losing federal funding.
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Governor Greg Abbott infected with Covid. |
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President Biden announces that Aug 31 deadline of US Troop withdrawal may be delayed. Prime Minister Ghani flees Afghanistan. Bernie Sanders and Barbara Lee call for US to open up for Afghan refugees.
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The Taliban appeared closer to forming a government in Afghanistan, a week after seizing Kabul.
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Death toll in Haiti Earthquake surpasses 1900. |
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Police arrest man at Capitol with Bomb, threatening Democrats. |
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE MASK MANDATE AT TOWN FACILITIES |
In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases across Wake County, the Town of Morrisville is requiring face coverings in indoor public places, including public transportation facilities and public vehicles as of 7 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 20. Face coverings will be required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
The mandate does not apply to the following individuals:
- Anyone with a diagnosed medical or behavioral condition or disability, including difficulty breathing, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the face covering without assistance;
- Children under age 2;
- Children under age 5 if a parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place and maintain a face covering safely on the child’s face;
- Anyone who is actively eating or drinking;
- Anyone who is seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired in a way that requires the mouth to be visible;
- Anyone who is giving a speech or performance for a broadcast or to an audience where they maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from the audience;
- Anyone who is at home or in a personal vehicle;
- Anyone who is temporarily removing their face covering to secure government, medical, or dental services or for identification purposes;
- Anyone who would be at increased risk as a result of wearing a face covering at work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulations or workplace safety guidelines;
- Anyone who has determined the face covering is impeding the person’s visibility in the operation of equipment or a vehicle.
- Anyone who is swimming;
- Anyone who is being photographed by a professional photographer; or
- Anyone who is alone in an enclosed space, such as a room, office, or vehicle.
Town leaders will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the Wake County Public Health Division and the State of North Carolina. The Town of Morrisville strongly encourages the proactive use of the following simple precautionary measures to remain healthy:
- Practice the three Ws –Wear a face covering; Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact; Wash your hands often.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay away from sick people.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
For the most up-to-date information about the local COVID-19 response, please visit WakeGov.com. You can also email questions to covid19.questions@wakegov.com, or call the COVID-19 information line at 919-856-7044
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My Update Message on Mash Mandate:
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I am looking forward to beginning my Listening Tour across the Town this week to neighborhoods and businesses about my vision for the Town in my next term. This year, I have chosen to have more of a conversation with each of you, sharing the great things happening and addressing the challenges, we all face. The Town should not be divided by neighborhoods! We are one Morrisville! A civil and positive conversation!
Dates and Times will be sent out in my next newsletter. Let's develop our Playbook together to transform the Town into the best place to live, work, and play in the nation!
Providing citizens choices in our Democracy is always a good thing. Looking forward to a positive campaign! If you are interested in joining our volunteer and canvassing team, please shoot us an email to sr@steverao.com! |
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I am proud to have the endorsements of Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchison, Wake County School Board Member Chris Heagarty, NC Senator Wiley Nickel, and Morrisville Council Members Vicki Scroggins Johnson, and Satish Garimella and am looking forward to more over the coming weeks.
I also look forward to getting the support Independents and Republicans as we lead an engaged, and non partisan Town!
Let's keep the Partisan Politics on Jones Street or in Washington D.C.
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Save the Date: Aug 31 Congressional Town Hall with Senator Wiley Nickel! 6- 7:30 pm |
Aug 31 Congressional Town Hall with Senator Wiley Nickel! 6- 7:30 pm at Wake Tech RTP )10908 Chapel Hill Rd,, Morrisville, NC )
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My 4th Term MORRISVILLE PLAYBOOK |
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My Message:
As my friend John Chambers reminded us at our last Start Up Summit, any organization needs a playbook, a set of plays, that can help them get through tough times, invest in their future, and then break away to excellence and top performance in their markets.
As we continue to navigate through a Pandemic, it is time for us to develop our own set of Break Away Plays so we can be the best place in American to live, work and play in.
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PLAY NUMBER ONE: Establishing Morrisville as the Number One Destination for Technology and Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical Companies and Entrepreneurs in the State and Nation.
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PLAY NUMBER TWO: All Things Are Open in Morrisville, The Open Data Strategy.
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PLAY NUMBER THREE: Making the Town of Morrisville the Smartest City in North Carolina.
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PLAY NUMBER SIX: My Thoughts on Zero Slater Road, Investing in Morrisville’s Future
Finally, I also will be developing an entire playbook which focuses on how we can reduce the frequency of multi-family rezonings, to address school capacity and road infrastructure issues.
In addition, we need to accelerate funding for NC 54, continue to have more transit options for our residents (Smart Shuttle is a great start!), and lobby for more commuter and light rail for Morrisville and the Triangle Region.
Send me your ideas for our Playbook! Let’s put some points on the Board!
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Delta Variant Mask Mandates: |
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Town of Morrisville Signs on to Wake County Mask Mandate Order. See Town Mask Section.
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Town of Cary joins Raleigh in Mask Mandate. See www.townofcary.org for details.
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Wake Forest and Fuquay-Varina will not issue Mask Mandates, encourages to wear masks indoors.
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Orange County Mask Mandate in effect and Johnston County and Cumberland County Schools impose Indoor Mandatory Mask Requirements. The Orange County mandate will be in effect for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough buildings and businesses
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City of Goldsboro Mask Mandate goes into effect on Monday, August 21.
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For Rent Assistance HOPE Program website or by contacting the HOPE Call Center at 888-9ASK-HOPE (888-927-5467)
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North Carolina providers have administered 10,043,074 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are trending upward as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus spreads through the state, officials said.
Sixty-three percent of adults 18 and older in the state have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 58% of the adult population is fully vaccinated against the virus.
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Expect waits as lines are getting longer.
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MORRISVILLE CARDINALS CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND IN MORRISVILLE! |
What better sport to watch in the All-America City of Morrisville, than Professional Cricket? Come out this weekend to cheer on our Professional Team, the Morrisville Cardinals!
On Saturday, the Morrisville Cardinals will play Ft. Lauderdale at Church Street Park (5800 Cricket Pitch Way, Morrisville, NC 27560) at 5:30 pm and on Sunday, they will play at 11 am. Thanks to everyone who comes out to watch the Beamers!
Special thanks to Chainyard, all of the sponsors, and of course, Praveen Chakkaraj and all of the owners for bringing Professional Cricket to Morrisville! Thanks to former Mayor Mark Stohlman for all his work getting Banner Sponsors.
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This Week in Morrisville: AUG. 23 - Aug 30 |
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Morrisville Carpenter Road Project |
Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements Project update:
As part of the road improvements project, for four days – Monday, August 30 through Thursday, September 2 – Morrisville Carpenter Road will be closed for both eastbound and westbound traffic at the culvert area between Town Hall Drive and the entrance to Morrisville Square Shopping Center (just east of Misty Groves Circle). The road will be re-opened earlier if the work is completed ahead of schedule. Westbound traffic on Aviation Parkway will be detoured and directed north on Chapel Hill Road (N.C. - 54), west on McCrimmon Parkway, and south on Davis Drive back to Morrisville Carpenter Road. Eastbound traffic on Morrisville Carpenter Road will be directed north on Davis Drive, east on McCrimmon Parkway, and south on Chapel Hill Road (N.C. - 54). Access to all residents and businesses that are off of Morrisville Carpenter Road will be open and accessible. See the detour map link and for additional project details click here.
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MORRISVILLE FITNESS AND AQUATICS MASK REQUIREMENTS |
In alignment with new guidance from the Wake County government issued today, July 30, the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will begin requiring face coverings for all patrons inside the building, regardless of vaccination status, on Monday, August 2.
Though approximately 70 percent of the Wake County population is vaccinated at this time, surges in coronavirus cases stimulated by the Delta variant have led Wake leaders to operate out of an abundance of caution. The health and safety of our members has been and continues to be paramount, and we believe that encouraging face coverings and social distancing is the best way to protect our community at this time.
Face Covering Rules
- Face coverings will now be required in all indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status or social distancing.
- Face coverings need to remain on during indoor exercise, but may be removed during outdoor activities as long as social distancing is possible.
- Face coverings may only be removed indoors when swimming or showering, and should be worn immediately before and after these activities.
- Lifeguards can remove their face coverings, so long as they can maintain social distance from each other and patrons.
Programming
- Fitness classes will be assessed, and some may be moved outside to allow for socially distanced exercise. Please feel free to provide your feedback on the matter as we make these decisions.
- Other indoor activities will continue as normal, but please come prepared to wear a face covering for the duration of your workout.
Memberships
- Punch passes and 1-Month PIF memberships will remain non-refundable, due to the short-term, flexible nature of those options. Questions or concerns about other membership types may be addressed by MAFC supervisors and front desk staff as needed.
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Morrisville Requires Face Coverings Indoors Starting August 20 |
In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases across Wake County, starting Friday, August 20, the Town of Morrisville is requiring face coverings for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public places, including public transportation facilities and public vehicles. The move aligns Morrisville with Wake County’s State of Emergency Declaration and the most recent CDC guidance on the use of face coverings to stop the spread of COVID-19. Town leaders will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the Wake County Public Health Division and the State of North Carolina. For details click here. |
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Teen Morrisville 101 Registration Open |
Registration for Teen Morrisville 101 is now open. Teen Morrisville 101 is an annual citizen's academy for teens interested in local government, specifically in Morrisville. This is a free program for youth in grades 9-12. The program begins October 6 and will be held from 4-6 p.m. once a week for four weeks. Sessions will take place at Morrisville Town Hall, located at 100 Town Hall Drive. While the program is open to all high school students, preference will be given to those who live in Morrisville.
Registration ends on September 24, 2021. For more information and to reserve your spot visit the Teen Morrisville 101 webpage by clicking here. |
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MSV 2021 Bond Referendum – It’s Official! |
Town Council unanimously adopted the formal actions on August 10 required to officially endorse and set the bond categories on the ballot for November 2, 2021, for Public Safety, Parks, Recreation and Amenities, and Streets, Sidewalks, and Connectivity improvements – that will impact our growing community for years to come. Voters will have the power to decide if Morrisville should be authorized to raise funds through the sale of bonds for $37 million in future investments for specific purposes noted above through General Obligation Bonds. This form of financing is the least costly financing option for local governments.
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Next Morrisville’s Pop-Up Dog Park is Sept. 12 |
Morrisville's next "pop-up" dog park is Sunday, Sept 12, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park. Waivers are due Friday for Sunday reservations.
Participating dog owners must register in ActiveNet and fill out a waiver prior to participating.
Click here to visit the Town’s webpage for additional information, future dates, rules, requirements, and forms. |
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Next Week in Morrisville Update |
Starting in October, the Town is moving to a new email service provider used to send Next Week in Morrisville. Depending upon your email’s client settings and security filters, you may have to add the new email client to your safe senders list. The new client will also allow you to update your communications preferences and individual profile. Next Week in Morrisville is sent from information@townofmorrisville.org. If you have any issues receiving the e-newsletter in October, contact the Town’s public information officer by email. |
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Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market |
The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food, goods, and live music from small and local businesses from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday!
Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local! |
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Wake County Towns Add Mask Mandates |
Mask mandates go back into effect in five Wake County towns starting at 7 a.m.
Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville and Zebulon -- as well as all unincorporated areas of the county -- will require everybody, regardless of vaccine status, to wear masks in indoor public places.
Raleigh and Cary restarted their masks mandates days ago.
Farther south in Fayetteville, a new mask mandate will go into effect at 5 p.m. today.
These mask mandates are coming back as the state reports troubling COVID-19 metrics.
For the first time since February, the state reported more than 7,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day. Plus, 3,083 people are now in the hospital being treated for the virus.
UNC Health said it is currently treating 400 COVID-19 patients--a number that's up from about 50 in late June.
More than 14,000 people have died from the virus since the pandemic started more than a year ago.
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WAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS CHANGES COVID 19 SAFETY PRACTICES |
WCPSS announced it is making updates to its COVID-19 safety practices. The changes take effect Aug. 16:
- For everyone over the age of 4, face coverings are required indoors in schools, all district buildings and on school-provided transportation, including school buses, activity buses, and vendor transportation. For Pre-K students, face coverings are strongly recommended for ages 3-4 and required for age 5. Face coverings are optional outdoors.
- If your student experiences an illness that does not include COVID-19 symptoms, it's now easier for them to return to school quicker. For these illnesses, we're returning to pre-pandemic health practices: Students can return to school when they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours.
- Safety practices for eating on campus are being strengthened. Most schools will group students when moving from the classroom to the lunch room and use assigned seating during meals. This practice of grouping students will help reduce the number of students required to quarantine if a student in their class becomes infected. This also allows students to talk with others in their group during meal times. Face coverings will be required except for the time when students are specifically eating.
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Wake County Schools Mandate Indoor Masks |
Wake County Public School System has voted to make masks a requirement indoors at all schools this year. So far in our region, 10 school districts have voted to mandate mask wearing: Wake County Public School System, Durham Public Schools, Cumberland County Schools, Wilson County School District, Hoke County Schools, Lee County Schools, Nash County Public Schools, Granville County Schools, Orange County School District and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.
On the other hand, Clinton City Schools, Harnett County Schools, Johnston County Schools, Sampson County Schools, and Wayne County Public Schools have voted to keep masks optional for fully vaccinated students and staff.
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CAPE FEAR VACCINE CLINICS |
Cape Fear Valley Health's COVID-19 vaccine clinics is offering third-dose shots for immunocompromised individuals. Booster doses for non-immunocompromised individuals who have gone at least 8 months since their second dose will be available starting Sept. 20.
People must self-attest that they are immunocompromised. These additional third-dose shots are only for people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Immunocompromised patients must be at least 28 days post their second dose to receive their third dose. When available after Sept. 20, non-immunocompromised patients must be at least 8 months post their second dose to receive a new booster.
Walk-ins are welcome at Cape Fear Valley Health's clinics but appointments are preferred for first or third doses.
Vaccine Clinic Locations and Hours:
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Health Pavilion North ExpressCare in North Fayetteville, 6387 Ramsey St.:
- Pfizer first and third doses: Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Pfizer second doses: May walk in (no appointment required) Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Second dose vaccinations should return to the same location as their first vaccine.
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Express Care in Elizabethtown:
- Closed for COVID-19 vaccinations, but still open for Express care visits. Please use Bladen Hospital Main Lobby vaccine clinic.
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Reopened: Bladen Hospital Main Lobby in Elizabethtown, 107 E. Dunham St.:
- Walk-ins are welcome until clinic capacity is reached.
- Pfizer first, second and third doses: Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Hoke Pharmacy in Raeford, 300 Medical Pavilion Drive, Suite 100:
- Pfizer first and third doses: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Second doses: May walk in (no appointment required) Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Center Pharmacy in downtown Fayetteville, 101 Robeson St., Suite 107
- Pfizer first and third doses: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Second doses: May walk in (no appointment required) Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Thanks for attending the NC Veteran Business Association ReConnect Golf Tournament! |
The 2021 Business Reconnect portion of the event included a Business Showcase Hall with vendor tables, guest speakers, and an opportunity to make new business connections meet resource providers and other veteran entrepreneurs. |
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NC Veteran Business Association ReConnect Golf Tournament Fireside Chat with Mark Haupt:
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Emory University Alumni Association Event at Durham Bulls Park |
I ran into Morrisville residents Chris and Ashley Barry at the Emory University alumni event at the Durham Bulls game tonight. Nice to catch up with you, Chris. Thank you for everything you do in health care as a PA and for your advice and guidance on the importance of Vaccinations and Masks to help the Town deal with this Pandemic! |
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Wet Down Ceremony for Ladder 22! |
It was a pleasure to attend the Wet Down Ceremony at Fire Station 2, where we retired Ladder 2, and brought the Pearce Ascendant Ladder 22 into Service! A great day for Chief Criddle, the Fire Department and the Town of Morrisville!
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Morrisville Cardinals with Commissioner Hutchison |
Great to be at the Morrisville Cardinals Game with Commissioner Hutchison! |
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Aug 22 Radio Nyra Interview with Linda Frenette |
Aug 22 Radio Nyra Interview with Linda Frenette, Morrisville Chamber! 99.9 FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM.
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Aug 22 PBS Carolina at 4 pm. |
Aug 21 Political Commentary on PBS Carolina Black Issues Forum at 4 pm. Channel 4.
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Aug 31 6- 7:30 pm - with Senator Wiley Nickel at Wake Tech RTP |
Aug 31 Congressional Town Hall with Senator Wiley Nickel! 6- 7:30 pm at Wake Tech RTP )10908 Chapel Hill Rd,, Morrisville, NC )
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Start Up Summit - Sept. 22 |
Save the Date Start Up Summit! Sept. 22
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Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.
OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.
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NC Covid Dashboard:
Vaccinations: 10,192,044 Total Doses Administered.
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- For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.
- Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.
- For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.
- 1,516,310 applied for UI Benefits, 996,757 Paid Benefits, $12.4 Billion Payments Issues.
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Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/.
The Biden administration urged states with high jobless rates to use federal money to extend pandemic unemployment benefits, which are set to expire next month.
North Carolina reports 7,020 new COVID-19 cases, but the daily percent positive rate actually went down.
Daily positive cases have not reached 7,000 since Feb. 1. Yesterday's metrics reported 5,256 new cases. This same day last year, North Carolina reported 1,218 new cases.
However, despite the jump in cases, the rate of positive cases actually dropped from 13.2% to 12.3%--meaning the state saw a jump in the total number of tests completed.
The number of people hospitalized with the virus jumped from 2,930 yesterday to 3,083 today. That's the most since Jan. 28.
There were also 53 more people who died from the virus.
CASES:
6,631 Newly reported Cases
+ N.C. = 1,144,894 Cases (Deaths = 14,059)
+ 3147 Hospitalized
+ 11.9% Positive Rate
+ Wake County = 95,433 Cases (Deaths = 755)
+ US = 37.7 million cases / 628,000 deaths
+ India = 32.4 million cases / 434,000 Deaths.
+ Worldwide = 211 million cases / 4.42 million deaths
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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