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- Cary Spotlight | Issue #204
Cary Spotlight | Issue #204
Celebrating a Mother’s Day Miracle, Miss Wake County USA Eligible for Miss Universe, and Cary School Lockdowns

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…
💭Spotlight Hook Trivia
☀️ Cary NC Weather
😀 Quote of the Day
📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)
📰 Mother’s Day Miracle: Son’s Kidney Donation Brings Health and Hope
📰 Age No Barrier for Miss Wake County USA as Miss Universe Lifts Age Limit
📰 Car Chase Near Cary Leads to School Lockdowns
🚨The Cary Police Department Crime Data
🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses
Partner with us to reach our local audience in Cary, NC.
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Quote of the Day. Brought to you by Cary's daily newsletter.
Email is faster than word of mouth. Cary Spotlight: The Daily Email Newsletter of Cary, NC keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.


Mother’s Day Miracle: Son’s Kidney Donation Brings Health and Hope
This Mother's Day was particularly meaningful for Justin Starks and his mother, Sheri, of Raleigh, as they celebrate health and togetherness. Sheri had struggled with kidney disease for years, and her condition deteriorated to the point where her kidneys ceased functioning. Faced with limited treatment options, her son Justin decided to donate one of his kidneys to her.
Under the care of Dr. Gayle Vranic, director of the living donor kidney transplant program at Duke, Justin underwent rigorous testing to ensure compatibility. Advances in transplant procedures, such as improved donor-recipient matching and paired exchange options, facilitated the successful surgery. Now, a year post-transplant, both mother and son are healthier than ever.
Their story underscores the critical need for living kidney donations, with over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for transplants and thousands dying annually due to shortages. Duke's program offers comprehensive support for potential donors, who can donate even without a specific recipient. Read full story
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Age No Barrier for Miss Wake County USA as Miss Universe Lifts Age Limit
The Miss Universe organization has lifted its age limit for contestants, allowing women over 28 to participate for the first time. Erika Rawes, a 41-year-old mother of two from Holly Springs, has seized this opportunity, winning the title of Miss Wake County USA. Despite being new to the pageant scene, Erika's journey to the stage is both inspiring and unconventional.
She has celebrated a remarkable weight loss of over 100 pounds alongside her husband, a Purple Heart army veteran. Sharing her transformation on TikTok, Erika has amassed over 22,300 followers. Her story extends beyond physical change; diagnosed with autism, she aims to raise awareness about the potential of individuals with similar conditions.
Erika will compete in the Miss North Carolina USA pageant in Charleston on June 14 and 15. Her participation sends a powerful message: with dedication and effort, anyone, regardless of age or circumstances, can aspire to compete in pageants. Read Full Story
Car Chase Near Cary Leads to School Lockdowns
On Monday afternoon, a car chase involving a stolen vehicle resulted in brief lockdowns at Alston Ridge Elementary and Alston Ridge Middle School in Wake County near northwest Cary.
Deputies attempted to stop the stolen car near Pony Club Circle around 2:30 p.m., but the driver fled, leading to a pursuit that ended near Green Level Church Road and Pickett Branch Road.
The occupants of the vehicle abandoned it and ran away, prompting the schools to initiate a code yellow lockdown as a precaution. The lockdown was lifted at 3:40 p.m., and student dismissal occurred normally. Authorities have urged local residents to stay vigilant and report any unusual activity.
Read Full Story

Credit: Cary NC Police Dept. (13 May 2024)
The Cary Police Department Crime Data
The Cary Police Department emphasizes accuracy in its crime data reporting, despite challenges inherent in the process. Daily updates and adherence to privacy laws are central to their approach, though the dynamic nature of crime data means information can change over time.
The crime data presented by the Cary Police Department spans the last decade, plus the current year, reflecting a commitment to transparency over an extended period. View Cary NC Police Incidents
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Upcoming Local Events
Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.
May 14th (Tuesday)
Wake County Club Baseball 4PM-6PM
Adult League Softball 6PM-10PM
NCFC vs. Loudoun United FC 7PM-9PM
Art Cart 10AM-2PM
Yoga 6PM-7PM
May 15th (Wednesday)
Wake County Club Baseball 4PM-6PM
Adult League Softball 6PM-10PM
Impressions of Taiwan 7PM-8:30PM
T'ai-Chi: Downtown Cary Park 9AM-10AM
May 16th(Thursday)
Wake County Club Baseball 4PM-6PM
Adult League Softball 6PM-10PM
Live at Lunch: Peter Lamb and Mark Wells of Peter Lamb and the Wolves 11:30AM-1:30PM
Art Cart 2PM-6PM
Zumba 6PM-7PM
Folded Paper Book & Calligraphy 6PM-7PM
May 17th (Friday)
Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
Cary Town Band Presents "In The News!" 7:30PM-9PM
NC Courage vs. Utah Royals FC 8PM-10PM
May 18th (Saturday)
Top Gun Baseball 8AM-10PM
Triangle Youth Music - Spring String Concert 3PM-4:30PM
CaryLive! Featuring the Flowmingos 7:30PM-9:30PM
Cary Farmers Market 8AM-NOON
Yoga 9AM-10AM
May 19th (Sunday)
Top Gun Baseball 8AM-10PM
Agility Dog Training 2PM-3PM
Paws and Pals: French Bulldogs 3PM-4PM
May 20th (Monday)
Planning and Zoning Board 4PM-6PM
Drop-in Puzzling and Puzzle Swap Meet 10AM-5PM
Downtown Cary Events Calendar (if you want to peek ahead) 😀
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
Frances E. Allen Link to Bio
Frances E. Allen was a pioneering computer scientist who became the first woman to receive the Turing Award in 2006. She was recognized for her fundamental contributions to the theory and practice of optimizing compiler techniques. Her work has had a significant impact on the field of computer science, leading to advancements in the performance of computer programs and systems.
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