R-Line successful after first year on the road

After a full year of service, Raleigh transit officials say the free downtown circulator known as the R-Line has slightly exceeded their expectations.

The service celebrated its anniversary Feb. 13, and through the end of January, about 178,000 people have boarded the hybrid-electric buses at an average clip of 521 per day.

Council passes new parking and zoning rules, delays Lightner Center

Tuesday’s Raleigh City Council meeting saw more intense debate over the proposed public safety center downtown with no vote. But councilors did manage to pass new parking regulations, water conservation measures and a text change to bring the city into compliance with a new state law.

Lightner Center, front-yard parking back at city council

The proposed public safety center will be back on the table before council this week. Mayor Charles Meeker has modified his proposal for funding the $140-million Clarence E. Lightner Public Safety Center. Also at council this week: a new set of front-yard parking regulations, a federal wish list and touch-screen computers for the RPD.

N.C. comes out big in federal high-speed rail funding

An almost two decade-old project to expand high-speed rail out of Raleigh got a half-billion-dollar boost from the federal government last month.

As part of an $8 billion infusion of high-speed rail funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, North Carolina will receive $520 million for a number of projects to improve the route running from Raleigh to Charlotte.

RPD asks for help with missing man

The Raleigh Police Department issued a silver alert yesterday looking for a 24-year-old man with cognitive impairments. Family members last saw William Gingerich at 5 p.m. Wednesday near the corner of Wade Avenue and Ridge Road.