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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 📰 News: Warning Potential Parking Meter Scam
• 📰 News: Grandmother’s Holiday Gift Nets $150,000
• 📰 News: Cary Woman Issues Warning After Multiple Cases of Check Fraud
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for Laughs
• 🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary: Make your gift
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.
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Hey Cary,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!
Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting Cary Spotlight. Because of you, this little daily email continues to shine a light on the people, places, and stories that make Cary such a great place to live, work, and explore.
Here’s to another year of local wins, hidden gems, and community moments worth celebrating.
Grateful to have you along for the ride,
Chris Coetzer, PhD
Founder/Publisher
Cary Spotlight
Question: Which sportsman's autobiography is titled "You Cannot Be Serious"?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Quote of the Day
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt
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Warning Potential Parking Meter Scam
City officials in Raleigh are warning the public about a potential scam involving fraudulent QR codes placed on downtown parking meters. These codes may redirect users to malicious websites or prompt them to provide sensitive information under false pretenses.
The city emphasized that QR codes are not a valid form of payment for metered street parking. Instead, drivers should use the meters themselves or the Passport parking app to pay. QR codes are only used in specific situations, such as paying for parking violations or using SkiData tickets in city-owned garages.
Officials have started inspecting meters across downtown to remove any unauthorized codes. Anyone who sees unusual activity or unfamiliar QR codes is encouraged to report it to Raleigh Parking by calling 919-996-3996.
Cary residents who frequently visit downtown Raleigh should be especially cautious and avoid using QR codes for street parking to protect themselves from potential scams.
Several national chains, including Denny’s, IHOP, Sheetz, and Waffle House, will also be open on Christmas Day for those seeking familiar options.
Have you ever used a QR code to pay for parking in Raleigh?
Grandmother’s Holiday Gift Nets $150,000
An Apex family’s annual Christmas tradition led to a major lottery win this holiday season. Gracie Burgess was gifted a $5 Peppermint Payout scratch-off ticket by her grandmother, a customary part of the family’s Christmas celebration. Surrounded by more than 20 relatives, Burgess revealed the ticket’s top prize of $150,000.
The ticket was purchased locally at Han-Dee Hugo’s on Jenks Road in Apex. After taxes, Burgess received a payout of just over $107,600 at the NC Education Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh.
She told lottery officials she plans to save most of the money and use a portion to make repairs to her car. The Peppermint Payout game, which began in November, originally offered three top prizes of $150,000. Only one remains.
How hopeful are you feeling about 2026?
Cary Woman Issues Warning After Multiple Cases of Check Fraud
A Cary resident is warning the community about persistent check fraud that has affected her for more than a year. The issue began with a washed check discovered by her credit union and escalated in recent months with additional missing and altered checks.
In November, she identified six checks that had not been cashed and was able to cancel them. A letter from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, received in late December, confirmed an active investigation into mail theft that may involve her checks, though none of her mail has been recovered so far.
Images of her checks were found on a suspect’s electronic device, according to federal authorities. The investigation is ongoing, and the woman has since closed at least one affected account.
Residents in Cary are urged to monitor their bank statements closely, consider alternative payment methods, and report any suspicious activity related to mailed checks.
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Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.
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🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary.
Buy Cary Spotlight coffee. Every contribution helps us highlight more local restaurants, small businesses, and nonprofits making a difference. Help us keep this resource free.
🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:
• Thursday: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
• Thursday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
• Friday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 9AM-12PM
• Saturday: Yoga 9AM-10AM
• Sunday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A: John McEnroe
The autobiography titled "You Cannot Be Serious!" belongs to legendary American tennis player John McEnroe, named after his famous, fiery outburst at a Wimbledon umpire in 1981, capturing his passionate on-court persona.
Learn more about John McEnroe