Cary Spotlight | Issue #360

Holiday Express Tickets Sell Out Fast 🎟️ | Federal Grant Boost for Police 🚓 | Local Colleges Rank High 🎓

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Quote of the Day

📰 Holiday Express Tickets Gone in Hours, Families Call for Ticketing Reform

📰 Wake County Police Receive $662,000 in Federal Grants for Safety Upgrades

📰 Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State Shine in WalletHub’s College Rankings

❤️ Thank You for the Flowers!

😋🍴 Savor Cary:

☀️ Cary NC Weather

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

Question: What land animal has the largest eyes?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients. You can read their Business Spotlight | Order Online | Catering Options

Partner with us to reach our local audience in Cary, NC.
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Holiday Express Tickets Gone in Hours, Families Call for Ticketing Reform

Pullen Park’s popular Holiday Express, which draws families to enjoy festive train rides through a holiday-themed park, saw its tickets sell out within hours on Wednesday. However, the online purchasing process was marred by technical difficulties. Many families encountered delays and random queues, with the ticketing system pausing briefly due to checkout errors. Sales resumed around 11:45 a.m., but by 2 p.m., all tickets were gone.

Disappointed parents turned to social media to share their frustrations, with some recounting previous years’ struggles to secure tickets. A few families have never managed to get tickets despite multiple attempts. As the event’s popularity continues to grow, some are suggesting a return to in-person ticket sales to avoid online confusion and disappointment.

This is not the first time the event has faced challenges with its ticketing system. Last year, similar issues forced some attendees to resubmit payments. Families now hope for a smoother experience in the future, with many still looking forward to being part of the Holiday Express tradition one day. Read Full Report.

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Wake County Police Receive $662,000 in Federal Grants for Safety Upgrades

Congresswoman Deborah Ross has announced $662,000 in federal funding for police departments across Wake County, providing targeted support for operational and safety upgrades.

Morrisville Police will receive $120,000 to invest in body and in-car cameras, enhancing transparency and accountability. Apex Police is set to use $182,000 for new crowd control barricades to improve event safety and reduce officer strain during public gatherings. Knightdale Police will allocate $360,000 to replace aging police cruisers, ensuring continued efficiency and reliability in their operations.

Ross reiterated her commitment to advocating for federal funding to support public safety across North Carolina. Police chiefs in the three towns emphasized that the grants would help their departments meet both practical needs and community expectations, promoting safety and efficiency while ensuring officers are well-prepared to serve. Read Full Report 

Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State Shine in WalletHub’s College Rankings

WalletHub’s latest national college rankings brought good news for several North Carolina schools, with three from central North Carolina earning top 100 spots. Duke University led the way at 15th overall, securing its place as the top college in the state. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill followed as the second-highest-ranked institution in the state, placing 41st and standing out as the top public university.

NC State University also achieved national recognition, landing at 81st. Meredith College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary added to the region’s academic presence, placing 314th and 350th, respectively, in the top 500 list.

Statewide, Davidson College claimed the 70th spot, while Queens University of Charlotte, Elon University, North Carolina A&T, and UNC Wilmington also secured positions, showcasing the depth and range of North Carolina’s educational institutions. 

These rankings reaffirm the state's influence in higher education, covering a broad spectrum of public, private, and faith-based learning environments. Read Full Report

Men's College Basketball

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Thank You for the Flowers!

Credit: Enrigo Italian Bistro

Savor Cary: Enrigo Italian Bistro

Enrigo Italian Bistro is one of the restaurants that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s Readers for our Savor Cary Giveaway. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. We will share the results of this reader poll in an upcoming issue. Checkout their website: Enrigo Italian Bistro

Enrigo Italian Bistro

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Enter Our Monthly Drawing – You Pick the Prize!

We’ve got exciting news! Every month, we hold a special drawing, and the winner gets to choose their prize 🎉. Next drawing: 24 Oct 2024.

This month’s options include:

🍽️ A $100 gift card to your favorite local restaurant OR

💙 A $100 donation to a local charity, like DORCAS Ministries, made on your behalf.

You’re automatically entered when you participate in our referral program! Here’s your personal referral link to share with friends and increase your chances:

👉 https://www.caryspotlight.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

The more people you refer, the better your chances of winning—and the best part? You choose the reward that’s right for you!

Thank you for being part of the Cary Spotlight community. We appreciate your support in helping us grow and make an impact!

Take the Quiz

Feeling like your life’s a bit... wobbly? Take this 30-second quiz to see if your health, wealth, and happiness are rolling along smoothly or need a tune-up. It’s fun, fast, and might just make you say, ‘Ah, that’s why!’ Take the quiz now.

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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.

October 17th (Thursday)

October 18th (Friday)

October 19th (Saturday)

October 20th (Sunday)

October 21st (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

The ostrich holds the record for the largest eyes of any land animal, with each eye measuring about two inches (5 cm) in diameter. These large eyes give the ostrich excellent vision, essential for spotting predators from a distance in the open savannahs where it lives. Interestingly, the bird's eyes are larger than its brain, highlighting how crucial vision is to its survival strategy.

For more information about ostriches, you can visit the San Diego Zoo’s page on ostriches.