Cary Spotlight | Issue #487

Cary Man Charged with Murder, Cary Readers Share Cautious Approach to Winter Driving, Nurtured By Nature Growers

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Curtis!

📰 Cary Man Charged with Murder After Girlfriend Found Dead

📰 Wake County Students Get Another Snow Day as Roads Remain Hazardous

📰 Cary Readers Share Cautious Approach to Winter Driving

🧭 Discover Cary: Nurtured By Nature Growers

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

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

Question: Who was the first African American female neurosurgeon in the U.S.?

(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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Cary Man Charged with Murder After Girlfriend Found Dead

A Cary man is facing a murder charge following the discovery of his girlfriend’s body inside her residence at a storage facility on Wednesday afternoon.

Cary police responded to a call at CubeSmart Storage on Trinity Road just before 12:30 p.m., where they found 41-year-old Rebecca Rene Carter, the manager of the facility, deceased inside her private apartment connected to the leasing office. Officers encountered 40-year-old Travis Wynton Huff, Carter’s boyfriend, at the scene. Authorities say Huff made incriminating statements and was taken in for questioning before being formally charged with murder.

The circumstances surrounding Carter’s death remain under investigation, and authorities have not released further details. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cary Police Department at 919-469-4012.

Wake County Students Get Another Snow Day as Roads Remain Hazardous

Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) will remain closed on Friday, February 21, marking the third consecutive day of weather-related disruptions across the region. The decision comes after the latest winter storm brought 2.3 inches of snow to the Triangle, making this the snowiest winter in six years.

Although the storm itself has moved out of the area, below-freezing temperatures have kept snow and ice on many roadways, particularly in residential neighborhoods and side streets. As a result, officials determined that reopening schools would pose a safety risk for students, staff, and bus transportation.

Cary remains impacted by icy conditions, with road crews continuing their efforts to clear main roads while neighborhood streets remain slick. The Town of Cary has advised residents to use caution when traveling, especially during the morning hours when temperatures are at their lowest.

Students will not be required to participate in remote learning, and all after-school activities, including sports and extracurriculars, have been canceled. Families are encouraged to check school district websites and Wake County social media pages for updates regarding school operations next week.

​You can access the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) through their official website and social media platforms:​

These platforms provide updates on school operations, events, and other important information.

Cary Spotlight Readers Share Cautious Approach to Winter Driving

A Cary Spotlight reader poll shows that most residents prefer to avoid winter driving, with nearly 49% driving only when necessary and many choosing to stay off the roads entirely. Concerns over black ice and road safety highlight the need for caution, even for experienced drivers.

Credit: Cary Spotlight Reader Poll data (Issue # 486, 20 Feb. 2025)

Winter weather has once again tested Cary drivers, and a recent Cary Spotlight reader poll reveals that most residents prefer to avoid driving in snow and ice whenever possible.

The largest share of respondents (48.98%) described themselves as cautious, willing to drive only if absolutely necessary. The second most common response came from those who completely avoid driving in winter weather, citing concerns over black ice and inexperienced drivers.

A smaller group reported confidence in their ability to drive in winter conditions, likely due to prior experience in colder climates. However, many noted that black ice in North Carolina is more unpredictable than what they had encountered elsewhere.

Readers with experience driving in Minnesota, New York, and Chicago mentioned that while they are accustomed to harsh winter conditions, the hidden danger of ice in this region makes travel particularly hazardous.

With winter weather still affecting local roads, these responses emphasize the importance of preparation, monitoring conditions, and knowing when to stay off the roads. As one reader wisely put it, "Black ice is not visible, so that’s what causes most accidents. Be safe and stay warm."

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Nurtured By Nature Growers

Summary

In this episode of Cary Spotlight Connect, Dr. Chris Coetzer interviews Karen DiDonato, owner of Nurtured by Nature Growers, about her expertise in local fruit trees and sustainable gardening practices in Cary, North Carolina.

Karen shares insights on the importance of selecting the right fruit trees for the region, the benefits of dwarf varieties, and the crucial role of mason bees in pollination. She also provides practical tips for novice gardeners and discusses how to connect with her for more information and resources.

Keywords: Cary Spotlight, Nurtured by Nature Growers, local fruit trees, gardening tips, dwarf trees, mason bees, Cary Farmers Market, sustainable gardening, North Carolina gardening, fruit production, community gardening

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Nurtured by Nature Growers specializes in local fruit trees.

  • Dwarf fruit trees are ideal for suburban gardening.

  • Mason bees are highly efficient pollinators and do not sting.

  • Selecting the right fruit trees is crucial for success in gardening.

  • Dwarf trees can produce fruit within two years of planting.

  • Fig trees and blueberries can produce fruit in the first year.

  • Mason bees are solitary and do not defend a hive.

  • Dwarf trees can be planted closer together for better yield.

  • Educating the community about gardening is a key focus.

  • Connecting with local growers can enhance gardening success.

What to do next:

Ready to grow your own fruit and support local pollinators? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, Nurtured by Nature Growers is here to help you succeed. Visit them at the Cary Downtown Farmers Market or Holly Springs Farmers Market to find the perfect fruit tree for your yard. Need guidance on selecting the right tree or setting up a bee-friendly garden?

Karen is happy to assist—free of charge! Begin your journey to a thriving, sustainable backyard by visiting Nurtured by Nature Growers today.


Connect with Karen & Nurtured by Nature Growers:
🌐 Website: nurturedbynaturegrowers.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: @nbngrowers

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to Cary Spotlight Connect for more inspiring local stories!

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how aware you are of Nurtured by Nature Growers, a local business specializing in fruit trees and pollinator-friendly gardening in Cary:

How Familiar Are You with Nurtured by Nature Growers?"

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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 21st (Friday)

February 22nd (Saturday)

February 23rd (Sunday)

February 24th (Monday)

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

Dr. Alexa Canady made history in 1981 as the first African American female neurosurgeon in the United States. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, she excelled in her field and became a leading pediatric neurosurgeon. Canady specialized in treating life-threatening brain conditions in children and served as the chief of neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Michigan. Her groundbreaking work and dedication to medicine have paved the way for future generations of women and minorities in neurosurgery.

For more information, visit: National Institutes of Health - Alexa Canady.