Cary Spotlight | Issue #474

Wake County Animal Center Shuts Down, Public Notice for Unclaimed Property, The Double Life of Dr. Kristen Wynns

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Kathy!

🧭 Psychology by Day, Comedy by Night: The Double Life of Dr. Kristen Wynns

📰 Wake County Animal Center Shuts Down to Contain Strep Zoo Infection

📰 I-40 Reopens After Major Afternoon Crash Near Cary

📰 Unclaimed Property in Cary Moves to Auction and Donation

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

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

Question: Who invented elevator doors that could automatically open and close?

(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.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

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Editor’s Note: What I am jamming while putting together today’s issue. Enjoy!

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Psychology by Day, Comedy by Night: The Double Life of Dr. Kristen Wynns

Summary

In this episode of Cary Spotlight Connect, Dr. Chris Coetzer sits down with Dr. Kristen Wynns, a clinical psychologist and the founder of Wynns Family Psychology, a private practice specializing in kids, teens, and families across North Carolina.

Dr. Wynns shares her journey in mental health, the importance of early intervention, and how her passion for comedy became an unexpected but valuable tool in her profession.

Keywords: Cary Spotlight, Dr. Kirsten Wynns, youth mental health, therapy, comedy, mental health awareness, signs of distress, public figures, humor in therapy, mental health resources, Robin Williams, Patch Adams

Takeaways:

✅ Why Wynns Family Psychology Stands Out

  • Specializes in kids, teens, and families.

  • Prioritizes high-quality care over insurance restrictions.

✅ Signs Your Child May Need Help

  • Anxiety: trouble sleeping, stress, appetite changes.

  • Depression: social withdrawal, low energy, no interest in activities.

  • School struggles: focus issues, behavioral concerns.

✅ COVID & Celebrities Helped Normalize Mental Health

  • More people seek therapy without stigma.

  • Athletes like Simone Biles made mental health conversations mainstream.

✅ Psychology Meets Comedy

  • Improv and stand-up helped Dr. Wynns manage stress.

  • Hosts Ladies Last Lounge to empower women in comedy.

  • Offers humor workshops for mental well-being.

✅ Therapy & Testing: A Gift for Kids

  • Mental health checkups are just as important as dental or medical visits.

  • Early intervention provides clarity and solutions for parents.

Credit: Wynns Family Psychology

What to do next: Stay Connected with Dr. Kristen Wynns

📌 Mental Health & Parenting Resources

📌 Comedy & Humor Coaching

🎤 🎟️ Upcoming Show – Ladies Last Lounge at Goodnights Comedy Club!
Join Dr. Kristen Wynns for a night of laughter featuring top female comedians!
📅 Date: February 13th, 2024
📍 Venue: Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh, NC
🔗 Get Your Tickets Here: Goodnights Comedy Show – Feb 13

🔔 Subscribe to Cary Spotlight for More Local Insights!
Stay connected with the Cary Spotlight newsletter for community updates, local business spotlights, and expert interviews like this one.

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how aware you are of Wynns Family Psychology, a private practice specializing in mental health services for kids, teens, and families in North Carolina:

How Familiar Are You with Wynns Family Psychology?

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Wake County Animal Center Shuts Down to Contain Strep Zoo Infection

The Wake County Animal Center has suspended public access following the deaths of three dogs from a bacterial infection known as Strep zoo. The shelter is halting adoptions and surrenders while efforts are underway to prevent further spread.

Strep zoo, or Streptococcus equi, is a bacterium typically associated with horses and cattle. It can infect dogs through environmental exposure, such as contact with contaminated surfaces. While some dogs may carry the bacteria without symptoms, severe cases can escalate quickly, particularly in crowded shelters. Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, breathing difficulties, and sudden deterioration.

Approximately 40 dogs at the shelter are believed to have been exposed, though not all have shown symptoms. While rare, Strep zoo is zoonotic, meaning transmission to humans is possible, though human-to-human spread is not a known concern.

During the closure, Wake County is offering phone support for individuals needing assistance with rehoming pets or reuniting lost animals with their owners. The shelter has not announced a reopening date but continues to monitor the situation closely. Read Full Report

I-40 Reopens After Major Afternoon Crash Near Cary

A serious crash involving multiple vehicles brought traffic on westbound I-40 near Harrison Avenue to a halt Friday afternoon, leading to significant congestion in and around Cary. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the Reedy Creek Overpass, causing backups that extended to Chapel Hill Road in Raleigh.

Among the vehicles involved, one car came to rest in a ditch. Authorities have not yet provided details on potential injuries.

Emergency crews worked quickly to clear the wreckage, allowing three lanes to reopen by 4 p.m., with the final lane restored by 4:35 p.m. While traffic resumed normal flow, drivers were advised to remain alert and consider alternate routes to avoid residual congestion.  Read Full Story

Just curious…

A serious crash on I-40 near Cary caused major backups recently, reminding us all how unpredictable traffic can be. When you’re caught in a long delay, how do you usually respond?

How do you handle unexpected traffic jams

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Unclaimed Property in Cary Moves to Auction and Donation

The deadline for Cary residents to claim unclaimed property held by the Cary Police Department has now passed, marking the next phase in the town’s disposal process. As of February 1, 2025, any remaining items—including bicycles, tools, electronics, jewelry, and firearms—will either be auctioned, donated to charity, or disposed of in accordance with state law.

Under North Carolina regulations, unclaimed property is held for a specific period before being made available for public sale or donation. Firearms, including models from brands such as Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Glock, and Remington, will follow a separate disposal process. Meanwhile, bicycles left unclaimed after February 1 will be donated to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For Cary residents, this means the final opportunity to retrieve lost or seized property has now closed. Those still interested in acquiring items can watch for details about the upcoming online auction, conducted by an independent auction company.

For additional inquiries, residents can contact the Cary Police Department’s Evidence Section at (919) 319-4516.

Before today, were you aware of Cary’s unclaimed property deadlines?

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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.

February 8th (Saturday)

February 9th (Sunday)

February 10th (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Question 👇👇👇

Alexander Miles, an African-American inventor, revolutionized building accessibility by patenting an improved elevator design in 1867. His invention included automated doors that closed safely and securely, reducing the risk of accidents associated with manual elevator doors. Miles' innovation significantly influenced the development of modern elevators, making them safer and more reliable.

For more information, you can read about Alexander Miles here.