The Raleigh Tribune

NEW YORK — North Carolina wrapped up last season by cutting down the nets during a championship celebration, and the goal all along has been to do it again this year.

Tar Heels beat Rhode Island in NIT semifinals – WRALSportsFan.com.

Popularity: 7%

On March 16, the Raleigh City Council received a report from Reid Wilson, executive director, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, for the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative (UNCWI) on the continued activities to conserve high priority parcels in the Upper Neuse River basin.

The purpose of UNCWI is to protect water quality, limit polluted run-off and sedimentation along key tributaries that run into nine drinking water reservoirs, including Falls Lake, by conserving land. This preventive approach to limiting runoff pollution is more cost effective than cleaning up polluted water. It also maintains wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Since December 2005 the land trusts have completed 42 projects resulting in the protection of 46 miles (243,501 stream feet) of streamside buffer totaling over 4,400 acres.

The City of Raleigh provides the Upper Neuse Clean Water Initiative $1.5 million of funding in the current fiscal year. Raleigh’s investment is leveraged at an 11 to 1 ratio through state and local governments and private donors. The City Council will consider maintaining the level of funding to UNCWI during the budget deliberations.

Mr. Wilson told the City Council the land trusts in the UNCWI are continuing to build on their success and are currently working with partners on 28 projects that would protect an additional 2,000 acres along more than 23 miles of streams in the Upper Neuse River Basin. The UNCWI recently received a three year $1.7 grant from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities.

The funds match City of Raleigh support. The funds will be used to support outreach to landowners, the implementation of sustainable forestry practices and the protection of forests through conservation easements.  The City Council will consider a resolution calling for the North Carolina General Assembly to fund the Clean Water Management Trust in the coming year’s budget.

A 2008 video commentary

Federal tax incentives that had been in place since 2006 for landowners that donate conservation easements expired at the end of 2009. Congress is considering legislation to make the incentives permanent. The bill’s passage will likely result in more conservation easements being donated in the Upper Neuse basin. The City approved a resolution to request the area’s Congressional delegation to support reauthorization of the tax incentives for landowners.

UNCWI consists of local land trusts that are supported by funding from the City of Raleigh and other local and state government entities. These local land trusts have united to address land conservation and water supply protection in the Upper Neuse River Basin. The Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Eno River Association, Tar River Land Conservancy, Triangle Greenways Council, Triangle Land Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Land, facilitated by the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, have developed a comprehensive conservation plan that identifies and ranks the land most critical for water-supply protection.

The Falls Lake watershed is the primary source of drinking water for the City of Raleigh and the six towns that receive water from Raleigh — Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon. The Upper Neuse River Basin also includes eight other drinking water reservoirs in Durham, Granville and Orange counties.

Popularity: 20%

Raleigh, NC in the 1950s

In 1930, Raleigh had a population of 37,379 and covered 7.254 square miles. In this year Curtiss-Wright Flying Field, Raleigh’s first aviation facility, opened and City Hall and Auditorium on East Davie Street was destroyed by fire. The first of six Raleigh banks to close during the Great Depression shut its doors in 1930.

In 1940, Raleigh had a population of 46,879 and covered 7.254 square miles. The General Assembly chartered the Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority and Raleigh installed its first parking meters along Fayetteville Street.  The only Wake County native ever to serve as governor, J Melville Broughton, was elected.

In 1950, Raleigh had a population of 65,679 and covered 10.883 square miles. North Carolina State University completed its iconic Memorial Bell Tower and Reynolds Coliseum, which was the site of scores of historic Atlantic Coast Conference basketball confrontations for the next nearly 50 years. Raleigh shoppers were enjoying the South’s first shopping center, Cameron Village.

In 1960, Raleigh had a population of 93,931 and covered 33.669 square miles. Raleigh was positioned for growth into the last half of the 20^th century with the establishment of the Research Triangle Park. William Campbell was the first African American child to attend a white school in Raleigh. He enrolled at Murphey High School. A new municipal building is opened at the corner of S. McDowell and West Hargett streets.

Crabtree Valley Mall in the 1970s

In 1970, Raleigh had a population of 122,830 and covered 44.929 square miles. North Carolina State University was playing football in sparkling new Carter Finley Stadium and shoppers forgot their weather woes while enjoying Raleigh’s first enclosed mall, North Hills.

Popularity: 11%

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) –

Dexter Strickland hit the go-ahead free throws with 2:34 left and North Carolina held William & Mary scoreless for the final 5 minutes in the Tar Heels’ 80-72 win in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday night. Deon Thompson scored 20 points to lead the Tar Heels (17-16), the reigning national champions who found themselves in the NIT for the first time in seven years after a disappointing season. But they weathered a flurry of 3-pointers from the Tribe to ensure they would finish at least .500. Tyler Zeller added 13 points for the fourth-seeded Tar Heels, who advanced to the second round to face the Jackson State-Mississippi State winner. David Schneider scored 21 points on seven 3-pointers for the fifth-seeded Tribe (22-11), who shot 16 for 43 from behind the arc.

Source: AP

Popularity: 13%

Homeless veterans have an opportunity to receive services and referrals at the 2010 Capital Area Stand Down to be held March 25 at the Wake County South Wilmington Street Center, 1420 South Wilmington Street.

Beginning at 7:30 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. a variety of services will be offered including healthcare, social services, VA benefits, housing and employment opportunities and referrals and vouchers for other services.  Breakfast and lunch will be offered.

The 2010 Capital Area Veterans Stand Down is sponsored by the City of Raleigh, Wake County Human Services, Wake County Community Services, North Carolina Employment Security Commission, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, United States Department of Labor, Healing Place of Wake County, and the Raleigh Veterans Center.

Popularity: 8%

Public art

The City of Raleigh is seeking qualifications from artists to provide site-specific public art for the new Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center. This recreational swimming facility will be a regional destination located within the 167-acre Buffaloe Road Athletic Park that also has athletic fields and hiking trails, wetlands, and, in the near future, connection to a greenway along the Neuse River.

Designed by Szostak Design of Chapel Hill, the aquatic center will include a leisure pool with a giant water slide, a zero-depth entry and other pool features as well as a concession area, locker rooms, and support spaces. The Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center is funded by an $88.6 million bond referendum approved by Raleigh voters in 2007.

Public art at selected City of Raleigh sites is authorized by the Half Percent for Art Ordinance established by the City Council in 2009 and implemented by the City’s Public Art and Design Board and the City’s Arts Commission. The Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center has been selected for public art based on its impact on a broad regional audience and its unique accessibility in a suburban watershed.

Under goals established by the Public Art and Design Board, the public art at the Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center will encourage visitors to reflect on the natural beauty of Buffaloe Road Athletic Park, recognize the creative spirit of the architecture, and engage visitors and enhance experiences of the park and swimming facility.  Themes that public art at the aquatic center might address include, but are not limited to: water in its different forms, water stewardship and conservation, water and healthy lifestyles, and the intersection at the facility of people of very different ages and abilities.

The selection process will have two rounds. In the first round, an Artist Selection Panel appointed by the Public Art and Design Board will evaluate qualifications of artists based on five criteria: artistic merit, place making experience, experience in collaborative public art processes, project management experience, and technical expertise.  The Artist Selection Panel will identify up to three finalists to invite to Raleigh for interviews, the second round of the selection process. The finalists will receive a stipend of $500 to cover all travel and related expenses associated with the interview.

The project budget is $70,000 inclusive of all expenses.  Qualifications must be submitted via CaFE (http://www.callforentry.org/) by 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, April 9.  There is no fee to submit qualifications.

For more information contact Jerry Bolas, public art coordinator for the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, at 831-2414 or email gerald.bolas@ci.raleigh.nc.us.  For application guidelines and relevant plans, visit the Arts Commission at www.raleighnc.gov/arts (under the category “Picture,” select Public Art.)

Established in 1977 as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the Raleigh City Council, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina.  Serving as the leading force to champion the arts with Raleigh citizens and their representatives, the Arts Commission’s myriad activities foster, support, and promote the arts in the Capital City

Popularity: 66%

Google fiber network

Recently, Google announced plans to launch an experimental, ultra-high speed broadband network in a small number of communities across the country. Google is asking municipalities to help determine those best suited to build this high fiber network.

What the City of Raleigh Is Doing

The City of Raleigh is working to prepare the information requested by Google, and to make the case why Raleigh is a great place for Google’s new network. Some of the multitude of reasons why Google should choose Raleigh includes:

· Raleigh is a very well-educated, progressive city that would allow Google to see how consumers would use ultra-high speed Internet access;

· Raleigh is the 2010 #1 most Wired City according to Forbes Magazine, proving that demand and consumption of broadband is already here and a new network would be heavily used; and,

· Raleigh consistently ranks among the highest echelon of small cities for our growth, economic health, educational systems, higher education community, and overall quality of life.

What you can do

The City needs its resident to help tell this story. Google is not asking just municipalities to respond. They want to hear from residents. If you are interested in seeing Google’s new network come to Raleigh, here is how you can help:

1. Become a fan of the City’s Facebook page, “Bring Google’s Network to Raleigh” and post a message of support by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=bring+googles+network+to+raleigh&init=quick#!/pages/Raleigh-NC/Bring-Googles-Network-to-Raleigh/344875100177?ref=search&sid=606372796.1486343955..1, and,

2. Nominate Raleigh directly to Google (http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options) and filling out a short survey about your current broadband experience and how ultra-high speed Internet access would improve your life. The deadline to respond is March 26. To read more about Google’s project, visit: http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/overview.

Popularity: 7%

Andrew Young and wife Cheri Young

Pittsboro, N.C. — A judge said Tuesday that he was considering jail time for a former aide to two-time Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards because of questions about a videotape purported to show Edwards engaged in extramarital sex. Apparently, the judge believes former Edward’s aid, Andrew Young is withholding extra copies of the tape …. See the rest of the story

Popularity: 11%

Saturday, March 6th, 9:00 p.m. (et)

In a game that often times decides the ACC title, the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils will close out their regular seasons against one another yet again.

Update: Final: Duke 82 UNC 50

Coach Mike Krzyzewski wasn’t sure if any of his teams had ever done it before, but he seemed happy that they did.

After humiliating rival North Carolina with an 82-50 stomping Saturday night, Duke’s players cut down the nets at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Fourth-ranked Duke (26-5, 13-3 ACC) had captured a share of the ACC regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed for this week’s ACC Tournament.

Popularity: 16%

Duke advances to the finals of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament at for the third consecutive year, edging Georgia Tech 67-55 on Saturday at Greensboro Coliseum.

See the rest of the story

Popularity: 5%

GREENSBORO — With every putback, every shot as the shot clock expires, every loose ball collected diving on the floor, N.C. State is building the persona of a dangerous basketball team.

Just ask third-seeded Virginia, a team the sixth-seeded Wolfpack knocked off 66-59 in the quarterfinal round of the ACC Women’s Tournament on Friday night at Greensboro Coliseum.

See the rest of the story the N&O.

Popularity: 8%

Artist rendering of proposed C.E. Lightner Safety Center

The Raleigh City Council today remained deadlocked on the planned Clarence E.  Lightner Public Safety Center. Council members voted 4-4 on a proposal to fund the project. The proposal failed as at least five votes are needed for approval.

Voting in favor of the project were Mayor Charles Meeker and Council Members Mary-Ann Baldwin, Nancy McFarlane and James West. Voting against were Council Members Thomas Crowder, Bonner Gaylord, John Odom and Russ Stephenson.

As proposed, the Clarence E. Lightner Public Safety Center would be a state-of-the-art facility of 16 stories and approximately 302,000 square feet on the corner of Hargett and McDowell streets. Sitting on what is currently the site of the City of Raleigh Police Department headquarters, the public safety center would consolidate the City’s public safety operations and other local government offices and functions in one location. The public safety center would be named in honor of the late Clarence E. Lightner, who served as mayor of Raleigh from 1973-75.

Popularity: 15%

GREENSBORO – Duke leads Maryland 37-32 at half-time at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The top-seeded Blue Devils came from 11-points down to take the lead in their quarterfinal game at the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Updated 5 March 2010; 9:30 p.m.

Blue Devils hold off the Terps in a game that came down to the wire in a 66-64 victory.

The Blue Devils rallied from 11 point deficit in the first half, moved ahead by a free throw from guard Bridgette Mitchel, a steal by center Krystal Thomas, and a layup by forward Joy cheek.

From there, the Blue Devils stood their ground defensively over the final 1:15, according to the N&O.

Popularity: 8%

The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously to oppose commercial development in the Falls Lake watershed. Council members took the action at its March 2 meeting in response to a proposal being considered by the Wake County Board of Commissioners that would include converting a lumber yard within the watershed into a shopping center.

The City of Raleigh strongly believes that commercial development in the Falls Lake watershed would impede efforts to protect the lake’s water quality. Falls Lake is the area’s primary source for drinking water.

The N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has released its draft rules for addressing high nutrient levels in Falls Lake. Associate City Attorney Dan McLawhorn told the City Council the proposal “strongly reflects” consensus principles endorsed by the City of Raleigh and other municipalities in the region for protecting and restoring the lake’s water quality. The primary difference in the two documents centers on requirements imposed on new roads developed by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

High nutrient levels have been recorded in the Falls Lake reservoir. These nutrients could lead to more frequent algae blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake, possibly resulting in extensive fish kills. The North Carolina General Assembly has directed the state Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to develop and implement a nutrient management strategy for the Falls Lake reservoir. The implementing rules are to take effect by Jan. 15, 2011. The EMC will be holding hearings on DWQ’s draft rules to get input from the public, including municipalities.

Popularity: 14%

Heels defeat Miami

Before every Senior Night game, North Carolina coach Roy Williams looks to each underclassman and reminds them of the guys they must win for. But Tuesday at the Smith Center, seniors Marcus Ginyard and Deon Thompson seemed determined to win it for themselves.

Update:

“But today,” Williams said Tuesday night after his team beat Miami 69-62, “the old guys took care of themselves.”

Playing as if they wanted to extend their college careers – and now they just might – seniors Marcus Ginyard (first career double-double) and Deon Thompson (14 points, despite a sore back) led the Tar Heels to the 2,000th win in program history, kept Williams undefeated (22-0) on senior night and gave UNC its first two-game winning streak since December.

Popularity: 9%