NC State beats Carolina in double overtime! Go Pack!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlxkY0wrHpA

USA keeps World Cup Hopes Live with tie with England! 

Help Ukrainian Children:

https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/emergencies/child-refugees-and-migrants/war-ukraine?form=FUNDSWMSUAA&gclid=CjwKCAiA7IGcBhA8EiwAFfUDsQTYUnLvuXK

Thanksgiving

I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, ate plenty of food and are enjoying time with your family and friends. Congrats to my heroes, my Mom and Dad for celebrating their 55th Anniversary tomorrow! 

Hometown Hero Alert:  

Dr. Priya Kishnani wins NC Science Award. 

(See Hometown Hero Section) 

UNC opens more beds for kids as flu, RSV cases surge.  

Raleigh Christmas Parade lacks safety screening. 

No Farmers Market this weekend, resumes next week. 

Town of Cary Council Application

Town of Cary Council Applications are open for Council Member Ya Liu’s Seat.  Deadline is Friday at noon at www.townofcary.org. 

Requirements:  

1. 21 years old. 
2. Live within District D Town Limits. 
3. Willing to serve until 2023 Fall Elections. 
4. Not a current Town of Cary Employee. 
5. Disqualifying Factors: (No Sex offenses, felonies or misdemeanors and pending cases) 

BLASTING AT SOUTHPORT DRIVE : 

Be advised that blasting will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 23, beginning at 10 a.m., at 218 Southport Drive.

Blasting will occur within 150 feet of McCrimmon Parkway. Travelers may need to find alternate routes if roads are closed during blasting operations.

Permits are good for 60 days. Blasting could occur within 60 days from this date. For questions or concerns contact the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department at 919-463-6122. 

THANKS FOR A GREAT TURKEY TROT!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Turkey Trot!  Great to kick this off with Mayor Cawley!   I want to thank Sid Cardoza from Inside Out Sports, Orange Fitness Theory and all the Volunteers!  A great time and 8K!  

Nov 27 - Radio NYRA

Tune in on Sunday at 4 pm for a guest appearance by SBA Southeast Regional Administrator Allen Thomas.  99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Live at www.radionyra.com. 

Dec. 2 Holiday Tree Lighting 6 pm and Indian Creek Trailhead. 

(across from 100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisvile, NC 27560) 

Book your Call with Santa Claus for Dec 7th 6 pm to 8 pm!  

Dec 2nd is Deadline!  

See This Week in Morrisville Section! 

DEC 8th is WINTER WHITE GOODS COLLECTION

The Winter White Goods collection day will be Thursday, December 8. Registration is required and must be received by Monday, December 5, at 5 p.m. at https://bit.ly/MSVWhiteGoods

Items to be collected include washing machines, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, stoves/ovens, and dehumidifiers. Microwaves should be dropped off at the South Wake Landfill, 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex.

Find Small Business Resources at

https://www.sba.gov/

Shop small. Shop local. Shop Morrisville. 

In partnership with the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, we present the 2022 Holiday Gift Guide that is free to download for all community members and visitors: https://bit.ly/2022ShopMorrisvilleGuide

Join me in supporting Small Businesses, who need our help to get their companies back on track in a post covid economy.  

Many small businesses in Morrisville and the Triangle are having tough times. Park West businesses have had many challenges, with Hickory Tavern closing last month.   

Small Businesses are vital to our economic growth in North Carolina.  There are 964,000 Small Businesses in our state, employing over 1.7 million and representing 99% of all businesses in the state. 

American Express cares deeply about communities and believes small businesses are at the core of every neighborhood. That's why — in the midst of the recession in 2010 — they created Small Business Saturday® on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.

NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPIONS 

In an effort to support their local communities, organizations across the country sign up to serve as Neighborhood Champions. These supporters bring their community together with events and activities on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.

They're not alone. In 2011, business associations, nonprofit trade groups, municipalities, and public officials start to unite, forming a Small Business Saturday Coalition to encourage everyone to Shop Small.

If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com. I will be dropping by small businesses on Saturday between 11 am and 1 pm

Priya Kishnani, MD, MBBS, Chen Family Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and chief of the Division of Medical Genetics at the Duke University School of Medicine, received one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors, the North Carolina Award, on November 15 for her contributions to science. 

She has treated patients and conducted groundbreaking basic and clinical research for close to 30 years. Her innovative contributions translate laboratory science into treatment for people with lysosomal storage disorders, glycogen storage diseases, Down syndrome and other rare inherited diseases. As the lead principal investigator, Kishnani designed and conducted clinical trials that led to the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for Pompe disease. More recently, she was a member of a multi-national team that used an enzyme replacement therapy to treat a fetus for infantile-onset Pompe disease — a first in the world.  

“Dr. Kishnani is a great example of Duke’s strong focus on the intersection of science and medicine, where health professionals and scientists are discoverers who break new ground that impact patients,” said Mary E. Klotman, MD, dean of Duke School of Medicine. “She also represents our commitment to giving back to the communities we serve. I am so pleased to see our state recognizing her many contributions as an outstanding citizen and physician-scientist.” 

The North Carolina Award was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to recognize significant contributions to the state and nation in the fields of fine arts, literature, public service and science.  

“These individuals have enriched North Carolina and our nation through their extraordinary accomplishments,” said Reid Wilson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Each of them has enhanced the lives of North Carolinians through their lasting achievements in the arts, literature, sciences and public service.” 

Since the award’s inception, more than 250 notable men and women have been honored by the state of North Carolina. Past recipients include Selma Burke, William Friday, James Taylor, Etta Baker, Charles Kuralt, Maya Angelou, Lee Smith and Branford Marsalis. 

In 2021 two Duke faculty members, Tim Tyson and Blake Wilson, received the award. Tyson was honored for his literature on issues of culture, religion and race associated with the Civil Rights Movement, while Wilson was cited for his pioneering work in the development of the cochlear implant, which has restored hearing to millions of people around the world. 

Highlights from the November 22, 2022 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:

• Church Street Park Amenity Expansion
• Annexation of Properties Located Along Watkins Road
• Fall Advisory Committee Appointments
• Fund Balance Update
• 2022/2023 Legislative Advocacy Agenda Development
• Capital Investment Program (CIP) Policy

For details visit bit.ly/3VjD0vW

#LiveConnectedLiveWell

Register Your Child to Receive a Call from Santa

Has your little one been naughty or nice? Register to have Santa Claus give them a call. All calls will be made on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. While Santa will leave a message if no one answers, please note that no makeup calls will be made. If you have multiple children who would like a call from Santa, please fill out separate forms for each child. Santa calls are intended for children 10 and under.

Please submit forms by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, to receive a call from Santa!

Morrisville to Host Tree Lighting Ceremony December 2

Join us as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive. Santa Claus and the Town Council will count down the lighting of the tree, followed by more fun and entertainment. Trader Joe’s will also be sharing seasonal beverages. Limited parking will be available in the Town Hall parking lot, and a shuttle will be running from Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 Town Hall Drive. Shuttle service is encouraged.

Menorah Lighting to be Held at Indian Creek Trailhead December 22

The Town of Morrisville will set up a menorah at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, and light it every night of Hannukah (Dec. 18-26). On Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m., Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar will perform a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor menorah. The public is invited to attend.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Offered on November 30

Wake County Public Health is sponsoring free COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the region. On Nov. 30, a vaccine clinic will be offered at the Western Health and Human Services Center (Wake County), 111 James Jackson Ave., Cary, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is required. Vaccines are available to adults and children, free of charge. No identification or insurance is needed. Click here to get details about the vaccines offered or to find other free vaccine clinics.

Morrisville Youth Invited to Enter Stormwater Photo Contest

Calling all amateur high school-age photographers! Help us achieve our goal of increasing public education regarding stormwater, showcase your talents, and win a gift card by entering the 2022 Town of Morrisville Stormwater Photo Contest. This year’s theme is “We are all downstream.” The deadline for entries is Wednesday, Nov. 30. Click here for more information, official rules, and an entry form.

Residents Invited to Complete Survey on Morrisville Parks before November 30

The Town of Morrisville Community Enhancement team wants your input on which parks and amenities are the most important to you. Your feedback may be used to influence maintenance practices at various parks and greenways across Morrisville this winter. We appreciate any time you can provide in answering this survey, which can be found here. The survey will close on Nov. 30.

Landscape Renovations Completed at Luther Green Building at Shiloh Park

Landscaping renovations have been performed on the Luther Green building at Shiloh Park, 922 Church St. An overgrown landscaping bed had surrounded the building, including invasive nandina plants and large Ligustrum bushes that required extensive pruning, and one crape myrtle that had become unhealthy. Renovations began in late October of 2022 and finished on Nov. 17. The bushes and tree were removed, top soil was added, and new plants were installed, including an emperor Japanese maple, knockout roses, a Cherokee chief dogwood, and more.

Morrisville Senior Center Hosting Christmas Lunch and Gift Exchange December 13

The Morrisville Senior Center (MSC), 4117 Davis Drive, is hosting a catered Christmas luncheon and white elephant gift exchange on Dec. 13, from noon-3 p.m. The organization Performance Edge will provide entertainment, and Christmas music will be playing. The cost is $9 for residents and $11 for non-residents. Participants are asked to bring a funny or impractical gift in the spirit of the white elephant exchange. The value of gifts is limited at $10. Click here to register for the luncheon by Dec. 6.

Applications Now Being Accepted for Community Police Academy

Residents are invited to apply for the Community Police Academy, an eight-week program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Morrisville Police Department. It is intended to increase transparency and enhance understanding between the community and the police. The academy will be held on Tuesday nights from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28. Meetings will be held at the Fire Station No. 1 training room from 6-8 p.m. Participants must be age 21 or older and must live or work in the Town of Morrisville. Background checks will be done on all applicants. Click here for more details and to apply by Dec. 16.

Public Invited to Provide Feedback on Proposed Wake Rapid Bus Transit Extensions

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking comments on the Wake BRT: Rapid Bus Extensions Study draft results and recommendations. Public engagement is an essential part of this study, which will evaluate and recommend rapid bus routing for extensions to both of the planned Western and Southern Corridors. The planned Western Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary, and the proposed extension includes the area between Cary and the Research Triangle Park.

CAMPO is requesting comments on the study’s draft results and the recommended alignment for the Western Corridor extension. Members of the public are invited to visit the study website to view a handout summarizing the draft results and recommendations at WakeBRTExtensionsStudy.com. Comments can be provided by email at WakeBRTExtensions@publicinput.com or by phone at (855) 925-2801, using code 7804. The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 16.

Biden Extends Student Loan Freeze Despite Lawsuits 

The White House has put student loan repayments on hold again, saying that the delay will let courts rule on the Democrats' plan to forgive some debt.

The pause on repayments had been due to expire in December for the first time since the Covid pandemic began.

It is now being extended until 30 June 2023 - the eighth time that the US education department has delayed requiring student loans to be repaid.

President Joe Biden said his student loan forgiveness plan is 100% "legal".

UNC HOSPITALS ADDING MORE BEDS TO RESPONDSTO RISE IN FLU AND RSV CASES 

An influx of flu and Respiratory Syncytial virus, or RSV, cases in children is causing UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill to open up more beds.

A release from UNC Health on Thursday said the main hospital building recently created a “Pediatric Surge Unit” on its sixth floor in order to provide more care space for children suffering from the common respiratory illnesses. Six more beds became available thanks to the unit on Wednesday, with the aim of providing some relief to UNC Children’s Hospital, which is at capacity from flu and RSV cases to young patients.

Across both North Carolina and the United States, the flu and RSV has surged more than normal during the early winter months — especially among children. According to the state Department of Health and Human Services’ latest weekly report, more than 9,000 North Carolinians have returned positive flu tests since October 8, with 23 total flu-related deaths reported as well. One of those deaths was a pediatric patient. Meanwhile, the state department reports more than 800 new RSV cases in North Carolina last week, with more than 1,000 tallied in the first week of November.

Locally, UNC Health reported 430 total flu cases and 185 total RSV cases at the Chapel Hill hospital campus last week.

“The Pediatric ICU in Chapel Hill remains very busy, and is often full,” said Alan Wolf, the director of news for the UNC Health system. “Our UNC Children’s clinical team continues to work tirelessly to make sure kids who need critical care can get it.”

Wolf said this is the first time such an expansion has been necessary for pediatric cases. While the Pediatric Surge Unit opened at six beds this week, UNC Hospitals may add more as necessary. Current projections of this surge in flu and RSV cases lead the hospital to estimate that expansion unit to be on operation around six weeks, according to Wolf.