Placebook: In Like a Lion

Lion, Zoo parc de Thoiry, France by Flickr user elPadawan

Lion, Zoo parc de Thoiry, France by Flickr user elPadawan

As I sit to write this, we are looking at a March that is coming in more like a lion than a lamb. Yeah, sure, yesterday there was sun and 60 degree weather, but by noon in some accounts and later in others, there could be ice and snow on the ground. But that’s North Carolina weather folks. We’ve always had four seasons and sometimes they all come in the same week.

Meanwhile, this month in Placebook, in addition to bringing you news every weekday from around North Carolina, the nation and the world on governance, transportation, buildings and education, I’ll be exploring a few other ideas. First, what are my perfect places? Places meaning the basics like homes, restaurants, bookstores and anything else that makes up any town or city. Also, my Dad’s 54th birthday would have been this coming Saturday. We’ll be exploring some of his favorite types of places in his honor. Finally, this is Women’s History Month, and the 17th brings us St. Patrick’s Day. Look for content around those celebrations here on the site and on our social networks. And yes, my big surprise is still coming. Be sure to subscribe to this site via email or RSS feed (which is now conveniently on the right), to make sure you don’t get lost in all the confetti. And of course, thanks again for your support! Now after a word from our sponsor, the news for today.

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News from North Carolina

Duke Energy has been sited for breaking state and federal laws in relation to the Dan River spill.

The News & Record front page asks what happens when nonprofit leaders step down.

A Greensboro councilwoman is cited for back taxes.

Parents are pushing for more room at one of Guilford County’s magnet high schools.

An official support group FOR the Greensboro Trader Joes has formed.

The new Greensboro Partnership Vice President for Governmental Affairs was formerly an advisor to the state Health and Human Services Secretary.

North Carolina holds its own Mardi Gras parades in Raleigh and Asheville.

The money bankrolling the school voucher movement in the state. Also, how Asheville and Buncombe County schools have divvied up their tenure and raise allotments according to the new state guidelines.

There’s never an excuse to skip a primary election, but this year’s May primary is really critical for who will serve us in Congress.

How spending cuts around the military could affect all corners of the North Carolina economy and not just the military.

Winston-Salem to hold workshops this week on the redevelopment of the Polo Rd-Cherry Street area.

What has come of the Trinity City Council retreat.

Mecklenburg County may not send its final subsidy payment to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Charlotte City Council is considering who can host outdoor entertainment after 11 P.M.

Highway 12 near Frisco has been repaired and is open again.

Changes to Peace Street and Capital Boulevard in Raleigh may spur development.

This article includes the entire route for Triangle Transit’s rail line, of which the Durham and Orange County portions just received federal approval to begin environmental and engineering studies.

Some students at Durham Technical Community college will be able to live on campus at North Carolina Central University, a reversal of the normal version of these type of agreements.

New businesses opening in Durham and Chapel Hill. Also, Brunswick County is pushing for more national retailers.

A Fayetteville City councilman wants to revive talks of a parks bond for that city. Some of the other things the Fayetteville City council is up to.

News and Lessons from Elsewhere

Addressing both poverty and teaching quality in low-performing schools.

A developing economic inequality as shown by Cuba’s neighborhoods.

How the South African design scene is growing.