📫Houses Hit By Lightening | I-40 at I-42 Closes for Three Night | NC Aims to Have Nation’s Best Schools📍

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Hello friends!

This week, as we celebrate National Romance Week, let’s remember that romance isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s about the quiet, heartfelt moments that make someone feel truly seen and loved.

Whether it’s your spouse, partner, dear friend, or family member, take a moment to surprise them with a small act of remembrance and kindness. A handwritten note. A favorite treat. A phone call just to say, “You’re important to me.” These are the gifts that linger long after the moment has passed.

Love thrives in the little things, and you never know how much joy your simple gesture might bring to someone’s day.

So let’s sprinkle kindness generously this week—and watch it come back to us in ways we could never expect.

See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane

—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

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📍 Today’s Chuckle 📍

Why did the two lovebirds bring a ladder to their date?
Because they wanted to take their relationship to the next level. ❤️

📍 North Carolina Triva 📍

🥛 Did you know?
From recent travel and wedding sources, the number one most popular spot to propose in North Carolina is the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Cape Hatteras: Where History Meets the Edge of America

Perched on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Cape Hatteras is a place where history, natural beauty, and adventure collide. Known for its striking lighthouse, wild beaches, and storied past, this barrier island destination is a must for anyone seeking both relaxation and discovery.

Cape Hatteras has long been a sentinel of the Atlantic coast. Nicknamed the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” its shifting sandbars and fierce storms have claimed thousands of ships over the centuries. Early explorers, merchant vessels, and even pirate ships—Blackbeard himself prowled these waters—have met their fate offshore.

To protect sailors, the original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was completed in 1803 and later rebuilt in 1870 into the iconic black-and-white spiral we know today. In 1999, the lighthouse was famously moved 2,900 feet inland to save it from the encroaching sea—a feat of engineering that drew worldwide attention.

Cape Hatteras also played a role in World War II, when German U-boats hunted Allied ships along the coast. Today, the area’s history is preserved in local museums and interpreted through ranger-led programs at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

• Climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse – At 198 feet tall, it’s the tallest brick lighthouse in North America. Climb 257 steps for sweeping views of the Atlantic and Pamlico Sound.

• Cape Hatteras National Seashore – Stretching for miles, this pristine coastline offers unspoiled beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and shell hunting.

• Fishing and Watersports – From surf fishing to kiteboarding, the waters around Hatteras are a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The Gulf Stream’s proximity makes it a sportfishing hotspot.

• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum – Located in nearby Hatteras Village, this free museum tells the tales of shipwrecks, pirates, and naval history.

• Nature Trails and Wildlife Watching – Explore maritime forests, salt marshes, and bird sanctuaries teeming with wildlife. You might even spot sea turtles nesting in summer.

• Ferry to Ocracoke Island – A scenic ferry ride takes you to charming Ocracoke, once home to Blackbeard, with quaint shops and laid-back beaches.

Cape Hatteras isn’t just a place—it’s an experience. It’s the feeling of the wind whipping across wide-open beaches, the sight of the sun sinking into the Pamlico Sound, and the taste of fresh-caught seafood at a local dockside café. It’s where history feels alive, and nature still holds the upper hand.

Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover, a photographer, or simply someone looking for peace away from the crowds, Cape Hatteras offers something rare: a place where you can slow down, breathe deep, and connect to both the past and the present.

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Woman Arrested After Gunfire at Raleigh Waffle House

Police arrested a woman early Monday after she allegedly fired a gun inside a Raleigh Waffle House, sending customers running.

Officers say no one was hurt, but the suspect’s actions caused “terror of the public.” She was taken into custody on charges of firing a weapon within city limits and going armed to the terror of the public. Read More

I-40 at I-42 to Closes for Three Nights for 540 Bridge Work

RALEIGH, N.C. — Drivers in Johnston and Wake counties should expect major nighttime detours this week as crews close parts of I-40 at I-42 (formerly N.C. 42) to install bridge girders for the 540 interchange turbine design, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 11 through Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. During those hours, all lanes of I-40 in both directions will be blocked at Exit 312, with traffic diverted along signed detour routes.

The work is part of the ongoing N.C. 540 Triangle Expressway extension, which will eventually connect I-40 in Johnston County to I-87 in Knightdale, forming part of the outer loop around the Triangle. Read More

Tropical Wave Off Africa With High Development Chance

The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave near western Africa with a 70% chance of becoming a tropical storm or depression within seven days.

Moving west at 15–20 mph, the system shows signs of organizing over the eastern Atlantic. Residents in the Caribbean and Southeast U.S. should stay alert as it progresses. Read More

NC Aims to Have Nation’s Best Public Schools by 2030

North Carolina has unveiled a bold five-year plan to make its public schools the best in the U.S. by 2030. The “Achieving Educational Excellence” initiative targets key goals like raising the high school graduation rate to 92%, increasing average ACT scores to 20, and boosting Advanced Placement participation and success.

The plan was shaped through extensive community input and collaboration with educators, universities, and local leaders. It will be officially presented on August 20, 2025, at Neuse River Middle School, featuring student performances and education leaders.

For full details, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website.

Teen Witnesses Lightning-Related Fire in Apex

On Thursday evening, August 7, a 15-year-old Apex resident reported seeing a large lightning strike that was quickly followed by a fire at a neighbor’s home on Oakwood Drive. The Apex Fire Department responded promptly to the scene. While the exact cause is still under investigation, the timing strongly suggests the fire was related to the lightning strike. Read More

Lightning Suspected in Holly Springs House Fire

On Thursday afternoon, August 7, firefighters responded to a house fire on Sunset Oaks Drive in Holly Springs. The blaze, believed to have been caused by a lightning strike, caused significant damage to the roof and attic. Thankfully, no one was injured. This fire occurred just hours after a similar lightning-related incident in nearby Wake Forest.

Minnesota Pizza Shop Owner Turns Dumpster Divers into Dinner Guests

In the small city of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, compassion is on the menu at Pizza Man, a family-run restaurant owned by Chris Kolstad. Earlier this summer, Kolstad noticed something that broke his heart—people rummaging through the dumpster behind his shop in search of discarded food.

Instead of turning them away, Kolstad decided to turn the situation into an opportunity for kindness. He posted a message on social media letting the community know that if anyone was hungry, they could simply come to Pizza Man and ask—no questions, no judgment. Kolstad pledged to give away any extra pizzas, mistaken orders, or unclaimed meals to anyone in need, rather than letting them go to waste.

The post struck a chord far beyond Columbia Heights. In just days, it went viral and inspired an outpouring of generosity. Donations from locals and strangers alike began to pour in, totaling more than $3,000. Kolstad split the funds evenly—half going toward free meals for individuals and families in need, and half donated to area food banks.

But he didn’t stop there. Using some of the contributions, Kolstad and volunteers began delivering pizzas directly to homeless encampments around the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area, bringing warm food and a human connection to people often overlooked.

For Kolstad, the mission is simple: “If I can feed someone who’s hungry, I’m going to do it. Everyone deserves a meal and a little kindness.”

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

55 Plus - The New Silver Standard

What are the best strategies to prevent heart disease?

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Check out our online calendar for more events and local activities!📌

What’s Happening August 11th

Morning / Midday

Kids “Eras Inspired” Art Camp – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Creekside Landing Drive, Apex, NC
🎨 Creative art camp for kids, part of a week-long themed series.

Open Studio at Pinot’s Palette – 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Pinot’s Palette – Brier Creek, 10410 Moncreiffe Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27617
🖌️ Drop-in paint session; all materials provided. ($35 per guest)

Evening
Yoga in the Park – 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Harvey Hill, Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh, NC
🧘 Free outdoor yoga class for all levels; registration recommended.

Raleigh Brewing – Smut Book Club – 6:30 PM start
📍 Raleigh Brewing, 3709 Neil St, Raleigh, NC
📚 Social book club with drinks; August theme TBD.

Music Bingo – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Oaklyn Springs Taproom, 209 N. Salem St, Apex, NC
🎶 Music-themed bingo night with prizes and $5 margaritas.

Cosmic Chuckles – Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic – ~7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 328 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC
🎤 Local comics test new material; free admission.

Monet Inspired Lilies – Paint & Sip – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Pinot’s Palette – Brier Creek, 10410 Moncreiffe Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27617
🎨 Guided painting with wine/beer available. ($32 per guest)

Shag Athlete (Live Music) – 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Slim’s Downtown, 227 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC
🎸 Local indie-rock performance in an intimate venue.

Be sure to click below to review our “Events Calendar” with over 100 events happening today and this week!

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If your business event, or restaurant, is not on the list and you would like to be added, contact us at [email protected]