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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AND CYBERSECURITY MONTH EDITION | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
October 4, 2022
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes.
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FEMA Emergency Relief
Biden Declares FEMA Emergency Relief for North Carolina.
Biden pledges $60 million in storm aid to Puerto Rico
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Supreme Court Term Begins
A New Supreme Court Term Begins. Affirmative action, Voting and many other major issues to be addressed.
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Oct 12 - Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy with Wiley Nickel
Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy and Immigration Reform Fundraising reception with Congressional Candidate Wiley Nickel 5:30 – 7:30 pm Cambria Suites Morrisville.
RSVP to sr@steverao.com.
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Fire Safety Day is Saturday, Oct 8th
Fire Safety Day is Saturday, Oct 8th in the Target parking lot located at 3001 Market Center Drive. This free event for the general public features games, activities, food, and door prizes - fun for the whole family!
Cary Diwali is Oct 8th
Cary Diwali is Oct 8th as well at Koka Booth Ampitheater!
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Morrisville 101
Morrisville 101 is for ages 16+ and is Open for Registration. Registration closes on Friday, October 21.
Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/MSV101-2022
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! | |
CELEBRATE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ON TUESDAY, OCT 4th | |
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This year the Town of Morrisville Police Department will celebrate National Night Out on October 4, from 6-9 p.m, at the Western Wake Farmers' Market, 280 Town Hall Drive.
National Night Out is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
- Generate support and participation in crime efforts
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations
- Send the message that your neighborhood is a safe place to live
National Night Out is a great opportunity for citizens, law enforcement and other public safety officials to join forces. Events are planned to promote crime prevention and drug prevention awareness and to strengthen the police-community partnership. We encourage neighborhoods to come together and send the message that we are all working together to prevent crime and keep our neighborhoods safe.
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OCTOBER IS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH | |
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My Cybersecurity Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/624039849225361
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Theme
See Yourself in Cyber
This year’s campaign theme — “See Yourself in Cyber” — demonstrates that while cybersecurity may seem like a complex subject, ultimately, it’s really all about people . This October will focus on the “people” part of cybersecurity, providing information and resources to help educate CISA partners and the public, and ensure all individuals and organizations make smart decisions whether on the job, at home or at school – now and in the future. We encourage each of you to engage in this year’s efforts by creating your own cyber awareness campaigns and sharing this messaging with your peers.
- For individuals and families, we encourage you to See Yourself taking action to stay safe online. That means enabling basic cyber hygiene practices: update your software, think before you click, have good strong passwords or a password keeper, and enable multi-factor authentication (meaning you need "More Than A Password!") on all your sensitive accounts.
- For those considering joining the cyber community, we encourage you to See Yourself joining the cyber workforce. We'll be talking with leaders from across the country about how we can build a cybersecurity workforce that is bigger, more diverse and dedicated to solving the problems that will help keep the American people safe.
- For our partners in industry, we encourage you to See Yourself as part of the solution. That means putting operational collaboration into practice, working together to share information in real-time, and reducing risk and build resilience from the start to protect America's critical infrastructure and the systems that Americans rely on every day.
4 Things You Can Do
Throughout October, CISA and NCA will highlight key action steps that everyone should take:
- Think Before You Click: Recognize and Report Phishing: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware.
- Update Your Software: Don't delay -- If you see a software update notification, act promptly. Better yet, turn on automatic updates.
- Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique, and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords securing them for you!
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.
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TELL ALL STORY MY OWN CYBERSECURITY EXPERIENCE
A few weeks ago, I was in Washington D.C and after a long day checked into my hotel and was looking forward to getting ready for my next day of meetings.
After I opened up the Public Wi Fi, within seconds, a Macafee icon popped up, and sent a notification along with an Audio Message that my Computer had been detected with a Virus. The message stated that if I did not call a 1-800 Number, that my machine would be locked. I ended up shutting it down and after I opened it up again, a pop alert kept popping up, alerting me that numerous viruses were being detected.
When I returned home, I turned my machine in, and staff informed me that it was okay and a fake virus warning. This entire experience was frustrating and very scary, as I was concerned that my data had been compromised.
Lesson Learned: Do not use Public Wi Fi without a VPN and also, be very careful, of how deceiving these hackers can be!
I truly believe that Cybersecurity is one of the most unreported stories for cities, counties, state agencies , and companies in North Carolina.
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Interested in becoming a Cybersecurity Awareness Month partner? Join the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Campaign!
Are you an individual, organization, business, government agency, nonprofit, association, school, or academic institution, interested in partnering with the Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month partners help promote vital cybersecurity information throughout October and all year long that is important for your organization, leadership and staff combat cyber threats as they continue to grow.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month partners receive a Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022 toolkit which includes the following resources:
- Ways to Create a Campaign
- Partner Toolkit
- Sample social media posts
- Sample email to send to employees
- Sample newsletter article
- Cybersecurity tip sheets
- Cybersecurity talking points
- Cybersecurity 101 presentation
- Cybersecurity Awareness Month presentation template
- Cybersecurity Awareness Month logos and graphics
Interested in becoming a partner?
For more information, and to become a Cybersecurity Awareness Month partner email us at Cyberawareness@cisa.dhs.gov.
We appreciate your support in helping us protect our nation from cyber attacks and to be safe and secure online, at work, and at home.
How You Can Participate
Thank you for your support and commitment to Cybersecurity Awareness Month and helping all everyone stay safe and secure online. Please email the CISA Team with any questions. Please direct media inquiries to CISAMedia@hq.dhs.gov.
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Very Important Morrisville Updates: | |
COFFEE WITH A COP
This week - join the Morrisville Police Department for “Coffee with a Cop” – an opportunity to meet and ask questions from officers in our Town.
Wednesday, October 5 from 9-10:30 a.m.
Fifth Third Bank, 4007 Davis Drive
Thursday, October 6 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Starbucks, 1017 Carrington Mill Blvd.
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TOWN CENTER INPUT PROJECTS
Tomorrow's Town Center Project Public Input Sessions are your opportunity to provide feedback on Town Green amenities, public art, and potential for a welcome area at the Healthy Food Hub. Stop by and check out renderings, project details, and share your feedback with Town staff and developers.
Check out the project page at https://bit.ly/MSVTownCenter
Take a short survey on the Town Center Project at https://bit.ly/MSVTCPSurvey
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ENVIRONMENTAL AND STORMWATER AND STUDENT POSTER CONTEST
The Town of Morrisville’s Environment & Stormwater Committee (MESC) is sponsoring its 17th annual student art poster contest for Morrisville students and/or members of Town youth organizations in grades K-5. Participants are asked to submit original artwork in support of the environment and sustainability. This year’s theme is “Bees, Seeds and Butterflies!” This year’s theme stresses the importance of creating more habitats for our pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, which have been threatened by habit destruction and climate change.
The winning poster will be transformed into a banner and displayed outside Town Hall, along with posters from previous years’ winners. The grand prize winner will also receive a prize package, and winners placing first, second, and third in each grade will receive an award certificate or ribbon and sustainability-related prizes. The grand prize winner and the first-place winner for each grade level will be invited to receive recognition at a Town Council meeting.
Submissions are due at Town Hall by 5 p.m. on Oct. 28
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MORRISVILLE PLACES TOP 5 FOR SANDWICH GENERATION!
The sandwich generation is a group of middle-aged adults who care for both their aging parents and their own children.
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Morrisville ranked 5th Best Place to raise a family! | |
North Carolina Communities in Action Day at White House | |
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Last week, I had the honor of participating in Communities in Action: Building a Better North Carolina at the White House, a new series that featured local elected officials and community leaders working on behalf of their communities to create opportunities and improve people’s everyday lives.
The half-day forum was be held in-person at the White House and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments and impacts in communities across North Carolina. During the forum, we heard from and interacted with a number of Cabinet Officials, including Senior Advisor to President Biden, Keisha Lance Bottoms (former Atlanta Mayor), Secretary Mitch Landrieu, Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator, White House ARP Coordinator, Gene Spurling and our very own, EPA Administrator, Michael Regan.
Attendees enjoyed sharing with the White House the impact the Biden-Harris Administration has had in our community and on the issues that matter most to North Carolinians. We encourage attendees to be prepared to share real-life examples and personal stories of local impact in the day’s sessions.
For me the highlights of the day was hearing from Mayors, Community Leaders and others from across our state on how they are investing their share of ARP Dollars to make a difference in their communities. It was also an honor to meet Second Gentleman of the United States, Doug Emhoff.
I was able to share how the Town of Morrisville is investing our ARP dollars, focusing on our Small Business Recovery Program, and also investments we are making in Smart Cities and was able to share my perspectives with DC press and other new stations.
In my next newsletter, I will be sharing more insights from this event and am also working on some stories for the press on this event. I will also be sharing more insight
A special thanks to the White House staff for hosting this event and I look forward to continuing to work with North Carolina leaders to put our ARP Dollars to work to grow jobs, and opportunities for all North Carolinians.
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My Voter Registration Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/636532341171564
In North Carolina, you have until Oct. 14th to register to Vote! Early Voting begins on Oct 20 and you can register and vote at the same time! Please visit North Carolina State Board of Elections or Wake County Board of Elections for early voting and poll site information. (https://www.ncsbe.gov/ and https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/board-elections)
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In Person Voter Registration is Oct 14:
North Carolina offers online voter registration to existing customers of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. You can register by mail to vote in North Carolina by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Registration deadlines
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with Sen. Jay Chaudhuri and Leeya Chaudhuri on India Legacy Night!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Wonderful Interview on Radio Nyra with Leslie Haney from Town of Morrisville on International Festival!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/980128513381807/?t=15
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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The Steve Rao App is Here: |
Download the Steve Rao App!
Steverao app can be downloaded at Apple App store by searching for "Steverao" app in Apple store and Google Play store.
Other Way to download the app is by below scan for Apple store scan code and Google Play store link.
Below are two links to download app from Apple App store and Google Playstore.
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Google Play Store Scan code Link | |
This Week in Morrisville: October 3rd - 7th | |
Fortune Names Morrisville One of Top 5 Places for Families to Live in the Country
The Town of Morrisville took the No. 5 spot on the inaugural Top 25 Best Places to Live for Families ranking, announced Sept. 28 by Fortune Well, a living and wellness subsidiary of Fortune.com. The list highlights areas of the United States where multigenerational families are most likely to have access to critical resources, community support, and financial well-being. Click here for more information and the full list.
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Residents Invited to Provide Feedback on Town Center Project October 4 & 6
Three Town Center public input sessions have been scheduled for October, including two in-person sessions at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive, and one virtual session. The public input sessions will provide an opportunity for residents to give feedback on Town Green amenities, public art, and potential for a welcome area at the Healthy Food Hub. RSVP for the following sessions:
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Cedar Fork Community Center Hiring Before and After-School Counselors
The Cedar Fork Community Center is looking for counselors for its before and after-school programming. Before-school counselors work Monday through Friday from 6:50 to 9 a.m. and make $13 per hour. After-school counselors work Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and make $11 per hour. After-school counselors must also be available to work on school early release days. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/morrisvillenc.
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Registration Now Open for Morrisville 101
Registration is now open for Morrisville 101 – our free, interactive citizens academy held for the residents of Morrisville.
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at community services
- Make connections with other civic-minded residents
- Gain knowledge and personal contacts to help you become an effective leader in the community
- Get an understanding of the big picture that’s needed to run for elected office in Morrisville
Morrisville 101 is for ages 16 and older. Registration closes on Friday, Oct. 21. Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/MSV101-2022.
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Morrisville Senior Center to Start Closing on Saturdays
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 3, the Morrisville Senior Center will be closed on Saturdays except for special events or scheduled program hours.
Please contact the Senior Center at 919-463-7140 or seniorcenter@townofmorrisville.org if you have any questions.
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Puttin around Town to be at Morrisville Community Park in September
The Puttin Around Town program puts a temporary disc golf basket in a different Morrisville park each month to encourage area park users to get out and enjoy the Town’s green spaces while participating in healthy activity. The basket will be in Morrisville Community Park through Sept. 30.
In October, the basket will be in Northwest Park.
In November, it will be at Cedar Fork Community Center.
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Morrisville Police Department to Host National Night Out October 4
This year the Town of Morrisville Police Department will celebrate National Night Out on Oct. 4, from 6-9 p.m., at the Western Wake Farmers' Market, 280 Town Hall Drive. Residents can meet with members of the Morrisville Police Department, view safety displays, get information about Town services, and enjoy fun games and inflatables. Food trucks will also be on hand to sell food and drinks.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations, and send the message that your neighborhood is a safe place to live.
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Residents Invited to Have Coffee with a Cop Oct. 6
The Morrisville Police Department invites the public to have coffee with a cop on Oct. 6, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Starbucks at 1017 Carrington Mill Blvd. Show up, order a coffee, and enjoy getting to know local police officers. Participants can ask questions about local police services, or they can just enjoy friendly conversation to build relationships with local officers. No registration is required.
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Fall Bulk Item Pick-Up Week to be October 3-7
The Town’s 2022 fall bulk item pick-up will take place the week of Oct. 3-7. During this week, residents receiving residential curbside solid waste services from GFL may leave a total of five acceptable bulk items curbside on their regular trash or recycling curbside pick-up day. All bulk items presented for pick-up must be curbside and ready for pick-up no later than 7 a.m. Registration is not required for this special collection. Please visit the Public Works Department Page for additional information on acceptable and unacceptable items.
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Morrisville Fire Safety Day October 8
Joins the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department for Fire Safety Day Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the parking lot of the Target at 3001 Market Center Drive. The event is being held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, which is usually held the first week in October. Participants can learn about fire safety and enjoy a variety of fun activities, including the chance to look inside emergency vehicles like a fire truck, police car, ambulance, and helicopter. Sparky the Fire Dog will meet with participants, and there will be games, food, and door prizes. Learn more about this free event here.
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Morrisville Businesses Invited to Participate in Trick or Treat the Trail Event
The Town of Morrisville has six open tables for this year’s Trick or Treat the Trail, a family friendly event for children to walk the Hatcher Creek Greenway and collect Halloween candy and treats. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business – and your creative side – to the Morrisville community.
There is no charge for businesses to participate, and the six slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Requirements:
- You must bring your own table or tent
- You must bring minimum of 2,000 pieces of candy to hand out to children
- You must be creative and decorate your table for Halloween
Businesses will be assigned a volunteer to help set up, pass out candy and materials, and break down your area. Interested? Email lgough@townofmorrisville.org for more information.
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Certification Training Available for Community Emergency Response Team | |
Get CERTified, Morrisville! Protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Certification is two steps:
- Online Training: Now through Oct. 15 (12 hours of classes at your own pace and at your convenience)
- In-Person, Hands-on Skills Training: Oct. 22-23
Learn more and register here.
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Sustainability Program Shares Positive Developments for Solar Energy | The Town of Morrisville is committed to sustainable development and practices, and the Sustainability program is pleased to share the news that homeowners may soon have more options for installing their own solar panels. Last month, the N.C. State Supreme Court ruled in favor of homeowners involved in a dispute with their Homeowners’ Association about their ability to install solar panels on their roofs. The ruling may open the way for other homeowners to install their own solar panels. Additionally, Duke Energy is expected to offer another round of solar rebates in January 2023. Check here for updates. | |
Information Session on Solar Group Buying Program to be held on Oct. 18 | Solarize the Triangle will offer an information session for homeowners and faith-based organizations on its group buying program for solar energy on Oct. 18, from 7-8 p.m. The free, virtual event will help homeowners and faith-based groups learn how they can take advantage of incentives for solar energy, what the benefits of solar energy are, and how they can enroll for a free energy assessment. Click here to register for the virtual session. | |
Morrisville Joins Solarize the Triangle, Making Discounts on Solar Power Available for Residents | The Town of Morrisville has joined 10 other local communities in the Solarize the Triangle partnership, which will make discounts available on solar energy installations through a group buying program and the use of a federal tax credit. The more local residents and businesses that participate in the program, the greater the savings will be. Visit solarizemorrisville.org to learn more about the program or to sign up for a free energy evaluation. | |
Street Repairs to be Made ahead of Street Resurfacing Project Oct. 3-7
The Town of Morrisville has contracted with Fred Smith Company and WithersRavenel for this year's Street Resurfacing Project. In preparation for resurfacing, from October 3-7, contractors will be making repairs to certain sidewalks or curbing on the following streets: Bigbee Trail, La Jolla Lane, Leafycreek Drive, Hatchet Creek Court, Southport Drive, Nova Drive, Green Drive, and Clements Drive. Minimal traffic disruption is anticipated during this phase of the work, with occasional lane closures. Further notifications will be provided for additional work related to this project.
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NCDOT Accepting Public Input on 10-Year Transportation Plan
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be accepting public input on its 2024-33 transportation plan through Oct. 28. Comments can be submitted online or by visiting a local NCDOT office in person. The local NCDOT office for Morrisville residents is located at 2612 N. Duke St., Durham, 27704. Comments are being accepted on large-scale project priorities, such as interstate improvements, public transportation, and cycling or pedestrian travel lanes. Comments are not being accepted for maintenance-related projects, such as patching roads or repairing potholes. Click here to provide input or to get more information.
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Morrisville Carpenter Road Project |
Traffic to Shift for Phase III of Morrisville Carpenter Road Project
Work on the Morrisville Carpenter Road (MCR) expansion is continuing. Starting on Sept. 9, the traffic pattern will shift for Phase III of the work. Traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed MCR lanes between NC 54 and Old Savannah Drive. The following streets will become permanent right-in, right-out only: Bergman Drive, Kudrow Lane, Misty Groves Circle, Morrisville Square Way, Church Street, and Page Street. The MCR entrance to Town Hall and First Baptist Church will also become right-in, right-out only permanently.
For more information on the Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements Project, and for regular updates, please visit the project page.
Project update for the week of Sept. 5:
- The contractor will not be working on Monday, Sept. 5, due to the Labor Day holiday.
- The contractor will be paving and striping closed sections of Morrisville Carpenter Road (from Church Street to the Thornebury entrance) and Town Hall Drive (from Morrisville Carpenter Road to the Indian Creek trailhead entrance) on Tuesday, Sept. 6. There should be no lane closures.
- From Wednesday, Sept. 7 to Friday, Sept. 9, the contractor will be paving and striping Morrisville Carpenter Road and Town Hall Drive in preparation to switch traffic to the Phase 3 traffic pattern on Friday, Sept. 9.
- Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations starting at 9 a.m. from Sept. 7-9. On these days, flagging operations may extend beyond 4 p.m. in order to let the contractor complete the work.
- Significant traffic backups can be expected on Morrisville Carpenter Road and on Town Hall Drive from Sept. 7-9. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes (Morrisville Parkway or McCrimmon Parkway; from Davis Drive to NC-54) on these three days.
- Walkers and cyclists are reminded to stay out of the blockaded area and to remain on appropriate paths. This is an active construction zone and is not safe for walkers or cyclists.
Phase III work on the Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements Project has started, and traffic will be shifted. Drivers are advised that:
- Paving and pavement-marking work in preparation for the traffic shift will take place Sept. 7-9. The traffic shift is expected to take effect Friday, Sept. 9.
- From Sept. 7-9, the contractor will start the lane closure work at 9 a.m. There is a chance that the lane closures may go beyond 4 p.m. as needed, in order to get the work completed for that day.
- Drivers can expect significant traffic backups on Morrisville Carpenter Road over these three days. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes where possible, such as Morrisville Parkway or McCrimmon Parkway, between Davis Drive and Chapel Hill Road.
- The work may be pushed to a future date if there is significant rain on these days. The contractor currently has a rain date of Sept. 12 for the work.
- The Town of Morrisville will provide daily updates of this work from Sept. 7-9.
- Message boards on Morrisville Carpenter Road at Davis Drive, Morrisville Carpenter Road at Page Street, and Church Street at Jeremiah Street will also be updated on these days.
The Town of Morrisville and the Morrisville Police Department advise pedestrians not to walk on either side of Morrisville Carpenter Road between Town Hall Drive and Misty Groves Circle. This section of the road is an active construction zone area and does not have a sidewalk and is not safe for pedestrians. Please observe the posted sidewalk closed signs.
For Morrisville Carpenter Road Project updates Visit https://bit.ly/mcrcp1
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Blasting Permit Issued for Cary Location across from Towerview Court | The Cary Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a blasting permit for the locations neighboring the Town of Morrisville across from 280 Towerview Ct. Blasting began on Aug. 10 and will continue for approximately 60 days. For questions, please contact the Town of Morrisville’s Fire Administration Office at (919) 463-6219. | |
Students Encouraged to Submit Artwork for Annual Environment and Stormwater Contest
The Town of Morrisville’s Environment & Stormwater Committee (MESC) is sponsoring its 17th annual student art poster contest for Morrisville students and/or members of Town youth organizations in grades K-5. Participants are asked to submit original artwork in support of the environment and sustainability. This year’s theme is “Bees, Seeds and Butterflies!” This year’s theme stresses the importance of creating more habitats for our pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies, which have been threatened by habit destruction and climate change.
Submissions are due at Town Hall by 5 p.m. on Oct. 28. Please click here for more information, official rules, and a fillable entry form.
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Esports Gaming Set-Up and Play Sessions Open for Registration
Do you want to play your favorite game on a PC? Esports gaming set-up and play times are available for participants ages 12 to 17 at the Esports arena at the Wake Tech RTP Campus, 10908 Chapel Hill Road, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4 to 9 p.m. Over the course of four sessions, participants will learn how to set up an account (will need access to a personal email), and then will learn about playing modes, controls, and beginner strategies. Registration and additional details are available through ActiveNet for Overwatch and Rocket League.
We want to hear from you regarding Esports programming in the Town of Morrisville, including leagues, tournaments, games, game consoles, and more.
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Morrisville Community Park Phase III Construction Updates | |
The Morrisville Community Park Phase III construction is taking shape.
The construction crew will be completing installation of stone for the trails next week, with plans to pour asphalt after that. Additionally, work will continue on installing the concrete approaches for the bridges and boardwalk, and the crew will work on installing the stone for the picnic shelter pad prior to the shelter equipment arriving. Work will also finish on polishing the tennis court retaining wall prior to the stone base installation for the tennis court surfacing.
Click here to read more on MCP Phase III.
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of the only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Parks & Grounds Maintenance Divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center | |
Beginning the week of April 11, the MAFC program pool will be unavailable for public use on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open rec swim and water aerobics participants will be accommodated in lanes 5 and 6 of the lap pool. Additionally, the Friday morning water aerobics class has been cancelled.
Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Aquatics Specialist (30 hours/week)
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here.
The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
Free Lending Library Installed at Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center
The Town of Morrisville has a new lending library! The Dedicated to Our Community North Carolina (DOC NC) volunteer group created and installed a wooden lending library at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center over this past weekend. The DOC NC team has pledged to build, paint and install several little libraries on different locations within Morrisville. Stop by the new library and pick up a book on your way to getting your exercise in!
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.
Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!
The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
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MAFC Smart Shuttle Node Now Available |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle node at the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center is now open and available for rides.
With the new MAFC node, the service will connect residents with 15 locations in Morrisville. An additional node is located at the Regional Transit Center near RTP. A Morrisville Smart Shuttle rider can arrange their pick-up and drop-off from their computer or smartphone. Learn more and download the app here.
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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. (summer hours) every Saturday.
Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local!
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The Town of Morrisville has a new Little Free Library!
Last weekend, Dedicated to Our Community of North Carolina installed a hand-built and painted lending library at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center. They have pledged to build, paint, and install several more libraries around Town. We'll keep you posted on all their locations.
Thank you to DOC NC for continuing to make Morrisville a great place to live, work, and play!
Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center, 1301 Morrisville Parkway
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
This week I continued by Small Business Listening Tour with visits to a few Small Businesses. Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Royal Cheesecake Factory: |
Royal Cheesecake Factory:
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GLOBAL AND NATIONAL UPDATES: | |
THE LATEST NEWS AND WEEK AHEAD | |
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International
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right president, outperformed the polls with 43 percent of the vote and will face Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (who received 48 percent) in a runoff.
An independent commission in Indonesia will investigate the deaths of at least 125 people after the police fired tear gas at a soccer match.
Before word of Vladimir Putin’s illegal land grab could reach residents of Lyman, Ukrainian soldiers held the city again.
Politics
A new Supreme Court term begins today. The justices are poised to continue their rightward push on issues including affirmative action and gay rights.
On Jan. 6, 2021, 139 House Republicans rejected election results. They braced for a backlash. Instead, they have redefined the party.
“We were tricked.” A woman with a counterintelligence background recruited asylum seekers for last month’s flights to Martha’s Vineyard, investigators say.
North Korea launched a missile over Japan, prompting the government to tell residents in two regions to seek shelter. It landed in the Pacific Ocean.
Other Big Stories
As floodwaters rose in Florida because of Hurricane Ian, a woman saved her two disabled brothers.
Marin County, Calif., was long a center of vaccine skepticism, but it has embraced Covid vaccines.
Svante Paabo, a Swedish geneticist, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for sequencing Neanderthals’ genomes.
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President Biden Declares FEMA Declaration for North Carolina
President Joe Biden has approved an Emergency Declaration for North Carolina which will free up funds for hurricane relief.
FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to North Carolina to supplement the state, tribal, and local response efforts to Hurricane Ian.
The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts related to Ian for all 100 North Carolina counties and the lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
FEMA can provide, at it’s discretion, equipment and resources needed to alleviate the impacts of Ian.
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Wake County Schools Looking to Change Start Times
The Wake County Public School System is taking another step exploring later high school start times and end times and earlier elementary school start times and end times.
The district will host town halls and focus groups later this fall and will soon send out a survey soliciting feedback. No changes would be made until the 2024-25 school year, at the earliest.
The switch is grounded in research on natural sleep rhythms and potential academic implications. But the likely wide-reaching impact has kept the school system from moving quickly toward making a change.
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NC Delegation Divided on Electoral Reform Act
The House on Wednesday passed a set of electoral reforms aimed at shoring up ambiguities and archaic language in the presidential certification process, some of which former President Donald Trump and his allies tried to exploit in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The Presidential Election Reform Act was introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., both of whom sit on the Democratic-led House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Their legislation passed in the House 229-203, with nine Republicans voting with all Democrats in favor. Most of the nine had also voted for Trump's impeachment in the wake of the Capitol attack.
The 38-page bill would make a number of changes to the law that governs how Electoral College votes are submitted by states and then counted by Congress, known as the Electoral Count Act. Notably, the legislation would make it more difficult for members of Congress to muck up the certification process with objections that aren't based on legitimate concerns, and would clarify that the vice president's role in counting electoral votes is strictly ministerial.
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NC DELEGATION VOTES ON ELECTORAL COLLEGE REFORM ACT
- Alma Adams Yes
- Dan Bishop No
- Ted Budd No
- GK Butterfield Yes
- Madison Cawthorn No
- Virginia Foxx No
- Richard Hudson No
- Kathy Manning Yes
- Patrick McHenry No
- Greg Murphy No
- David Price Yes
- Deborah Ross Yes
- David Rouzer No
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FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER SAYS NC SUPREME COURT CASE ALARMING
Last week at a Democratic Party fundraiser, Eric Holder stated that a North Carolina lawsuit at the US Supreme Court could undermine democracy as we know it by allowing state legislators to override popular opinion in elections for Congress and possibly even the Presidency.
The Supreme Court on has agreed to hear a case that could dramatically change how federal elections are conducted. At issue is a legal theory that would give state legislatures unfettered authority to set the rules for federal elections, free of supervision by state courts and state constitutions.
The theory, known as the "independent state legislature theory," stems from the election clause in Article I of the Constitution. It says, "The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof."
Proponents of the theory argue that that clause gives state legislatures power to regulate federal elections uninhibited by state courts or state constitutions. If a majority of the Supreme Court agrees, that would hamstring state courts, removing judicial oversight of state elections.
"Taken to its extreme, the independent state legislature doctrine could be an earthquake in American election law and fundamentally alter the balance of power within states and provide a pathway to subvert election results," says professor Richard Hasen, an expert on election law from the University of California, Irvine.
The theory comes to the court in a case from North Carolina where the state supreme court threw out the state legislature's drawing of new congressional district lines. The court found that the reapportionment was such an extreme partisan gerrymander that it violated the state constitution. And in reaching its decision, the court noted that the state constitution and the state legislature itself had authorized judicial review of congressional redistricting plans.
The Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and other GOP legislators appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, contending that only the legislature could alter redistricting plans, not the state supreme court.
The independent state legislature theory was first invoked by three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices in the celebrated Bush v. Gore case that handed the 2000 election victory to George W. Bush. In that case, the three cited it to support the selection of a Republican slate of presidential electors.
In the North Carolina case, the Republican-dominated state legislature is invoking it to draw maps favorable to the GOP.
In its most extreme form, the independent state legislature theory was invoked — unsuccessfully — by Trump advocates in an effort to sidestep the legitimate outcome of the 2020 election. In Arizona, for instance, some Trump supporters used the theory in calling for the decertification of the state's electors. Among those seeking decertification was Virginia Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas.
Thomas is one of four conservatives on the current court who have indicated their support for the independent state legislature theory. The others are Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh worked on the legal team supporting then-Texas Gov. Bush in the aftermath of the 2000 election. Bush v. Gore, a decision often referred to as a ticket "for this train only," was never cited in any subsequent Supreme Court decision. Until 2020, when Kavanaugh, by then a Supreme Court justice, cited it in a Wisconsin election case dealing with rules for absentee ballots at the height of the pandemic.
In a previous iteration of the North Carolina case last March, Kavanaugh said the court should at some point "carefully consider" the independent state legislature issue, "as it is almost almost certain to keep arising" until it is definitely resolved. Justices Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch took things a step further, declaring, "there must be some limit on the authority of state courts to countermand actions taken by state legislatures when they are prescribing rules for the conduct of federal elections."
Just where the court will end up on this issue is not yet clear. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court's five most conservative justices in 2019, said one of the checks on partisan gerrymandering is that state courts can continue to oversee congressional redistricting plans.
In another relevant case, the court in 2015 upheld the right of Arizona voters to try to make the redistricting process less partisan by creating an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional district lines.
"The animating principle of our constitution is that the people themselves are the originating source of all the powers of government," wrote Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for the majority. "Nothing in [the election clause] instructs, nor has this court ever held" that in the name of regulating "the time place and manner of elections" a legislature may enact laws "in defiance of provisions of the state's constitution."
That idea is supported by new scholarship that suggests that the public understanding of the term "legislature" at the founding was not what it is today. At the founding, the accepted meaning of the word "legislature" was a body created and constrained by state constitutions, according to an article to be published in The Supreme Court Review. The authors are Vikram Amar, dean of the University of Illinois law school, and his brother, Yale law professor Akhil Amar.
You can be sure that theirs will not be the last word.
This case, Moore v. Harper, will likely be argued this fall after the midterm elections
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the Show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview | |
Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with Sen. Jay Chaudhuri and Leeya Chaudhuri on India Legacy Night!
Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Wonderful Interview on Radio Nyra with Leslie Haney from Town of Morrisville on International Festival!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/980128513381807/?t=15
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TAHTS HEALTHFAIR
Registration for TAHTS HEALTHFAIR began Sept 1.
Fair is Oct. 22 at HSNC from 9 am to 1 pm!
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Oct. 8th, 10 am- 2 pm - Fire Safety Day
Oct. 8th Fire Safety Day 10 am- 2 pm
Target Parking Lot in Park West.
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Oct 8th - Diwali
Oct 8th Hum Sub Diwali!
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Oct 11 - The 2022 State of the County
The 2022 State of the County
Painting a Picture of Our Future
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m.
Light food and drink provided
North Carolina Museum of Art
West Building
2110 Blue Ridge Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27607
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Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy Fundraising reception
Oct 12th Celebrating the Jobs of the New Economy Fundraising reception with Congressional Candidate Wiley Nickel 5:30 – 7:30 pm Cambria Suites Morrisville. RSVP to sr@steverao.com.
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Oct 13 NC Vet Biz Annual Golf Tournament
NC Vet Biz Annual Golf Tournament 2022 Oct 13, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM EDT at Heritage Golf Course, 1250 Heritage Club Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
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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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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