People & Profiles

2026 Influential Women of Western Wake – Kat Hamlil

By Dathan Kazsuk | I started this journey five years ago as a solo cleaner while attending nursing school and supporting my family.

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2026 Influential Women of Western Wake – Sheri Hagerty

By Dathan Kazsuk | From thoughtful updates and intentional staging to strategic pricing and elevated marketing, I approach every property as a product that deserves care and precision.

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2026 Influential Women of Western Wake – Amanda Steinert Francfort

By Dathan Kazsuk | Every turnkey project we get our hands into is a blank slate where structure, emotion (sometimes a lot of it), and imagination connect.

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2026 Influential Women of Western Wake – Lauren Burns

By Dathan Kazsuk | I find energy and inspiration in growth. Over the years, learning to adapt and embrace change has taught me to see possibility everywhere.

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2026 Influential Women of Western Wake – Jenn Birch

By Dathan Kazsuk | My inspiration comes from the Birch Therapy team of clinicians and staff. I genuinely look forward to work each day.

Family & Education Features Food Health & Wellness Nonprofit People & Profiles

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Dec 2025

National Alliance on Mental Illness partners with Wake County schools

Story by Sarah Merritt Ryan | The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wake County has teamed up with the Wake County Public School System to begin piloting…

8 minRead time

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Nov 2025

Features Local Sightseeing Nonprofit People & Profiles

Apex Family’s Holiday Display Draws Visitors to Unique Tribute

| By Kurt Dusterberg| Eric and Mandy Rogers started out like lots of other couples with holiday spirit. “We both grew up loving Christmas,” Mandy says. “The first year we…

6 minRead time

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Local Business People & Profiles

A New Chapter for Cary: The Pagemore Hotel Announced at Fenton

By Kyle Marie McMahon Yesterday, at a vibrant brand reveal event at Fenton, residents and local leaders got their first official look at the future of Cary hospitality. Mainsail Lodging…

3 minRead time

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Features People & Profiles Sports & Fitness

Former Apex, UNC catcher Tim Federowicz nearing return to majors as a manager

| By Kurt Dusterberg | For 13 seasons, he climbed the professional baseball ladder, often shuttling back and forth between Class AAA—the highest level of the minor leagues—and the major…

10 minRead time

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Features People & Profiles Sports & Fitness

Rod Brind’Amour: Reaching Milestones, Making Memories

| By Kurt Dusterberg | Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour spends most of his days living in the moment. For the past 37 years, his life has revolved around the…

18 minRead time

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People & Profiles Travel

Elevated Journeys: Raleigh Women Find Healing in Himalayas

| By Usha Sankar | In late April, 28 mostly amateur hikers—including 14 women—embarked on the trek of a lifetime to Everest Base Camp (EBC) under the banner of…

8 minRead time

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Food People & Profiles

Where Coffee Meets Culture: The Turkish Coffee Lady

| By Jennifer Primrose | | It was a warm Friday afternoon when I stopped by the Turkish Coffee Lady in Apex for my interview. Inside the small café,…

9 minRead time

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Food People & Profiles

The Heart Behind the Dumplings: Chef Chun of Brewery Bhavana

A quiet force in the kitchen, Chef Chun blends culture, creativity, and care in every dish. BY KYLE MARIE MCMAHON | PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHEF CHUN At Brewery Bhavana, the dumplings are…

4 minRead time

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Food People & Profiles

Pitmaster Christopher Prieto’s Secret Ingredient for a Great Barbecue—Plus a Recipe!

The award-winning pitmaster behind Prime BBQ shares practical grilling tips—and his deeper philosophy on why hospitality matters most By Kyle Marie McMahon With summer in full swing and grills across North Carolina…

10 minRead time

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People & Profiles Sports & Fitness

Ultimate Energy: The Carolina Flyers and Their 11-Year-Old Hype Man

As the Flyers charge toward the playoffs, 11-year-old hype man Emerson Pauley brings crowd energy, kid-friendly fun, and a dash of star power to the sidelines. By Kyle Marie McMahon…

5 minRead time

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Features People & Profiles Visual Arts

Cary artist Shalimar Waffa brings color, music and joy to her canvases

Artist at Work BY DOLLY R. SICKLES | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON A registered nurse by training, Shalimar Waffa was on track to become a nurse anesthetist when she became pregnant with…

8 minRead time

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Jun 2025

Music People & Profiles

Cary Middle Schooler to Perform at Carnegie Hall

By Judith Cookis Rubens Mills Park Middle School vocalist Krishika Tirupathi will take the stage at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall June 27, 2025, joining some of the world’s…

4 minRead time

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Jun 2025

People & Profiles Pets Talk of the Triangle

How to Help Stray and Feral Cats in Your Community

By Anita B. Stone. Photos by Joni Stone. Feral cats and cat colonies are an ongoing issue in communities across the country—one I’ve experienced personally. Years ago, I discovered three…

6 minRead time

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May 2025

People & Profiles

Botanist Bean Turns High-Quality Espresso Mobile

Photos courtesy of the Botanist Bean. By Kyle Marie McMahon Madison Overbey had long dreamed of owning an espresso cart, so when her partner’s love of coffee grew, they decided…