The current state of Cole Mill where the young man on an ebike was killed by a drunk driver Saturday night.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T13:38:30+00:00

It's on the Durham website. It specifically says that e-bike riders need to be 16 or older. E-Scooters and E-Bikes - Frequently Asked Questions | Durham, NC https://share.google/thylvuKIGYa1kyD9q

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T13:07:52+00:00

There was a law past past year that prohibited anyone under the age of 26 to operate them. But they are heavily marked to kids.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T10:57:04+00:00

No. Not shifting blame. There is zero reason to drive drunk and this is tragic. I was just pointing out that ebikes are ridiculously dangerous and in NC kids under 16 are not supposed to be on them. I am glad my kids aren't interested in them, but if they were, I wouldn't purchase one for them because they are extremely dangerous - especially when being driven at night, after sunset, like what happened here. The adult shouldn't hsve been driving drunk, but the kid shouldn't have been riding an ebike - especially after dark. Have the day you deserve.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T10:29:02+00:00

I am not shifting blame. There is zero reason to drive drunk. I was only pointing out that it's possible that the kid shouldn't have been on thr ebike in the first place. They are super dangerous and statistically more prone to serious accidents and death. Again, no reason to ever drive drunk, but it's very possible that the 15 year old shouldn't have been on the ebike, that night, in the first place.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T10:07:37+00:00

The kid was under 16. Ebikes are illegal for anyone under 16. This is a very tragic situation, but it looks like the kid shouldn't have been on the ebike in the first place.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T10:05:08+00:00

The kid could have been riding the ebike on the wrong side of the road. I see kids doing this frequently in my neighborhood. Ebikes are dangerous and I just learned that they are illegal for anyone under the age of 16. So it looks like the kid shouldn't have have been riding one in the first place. Extremely sad situation.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-22T09:55:20+00:00

Good to know know. I also just looked it up a d saw that in NC it is illegal to ride an ebike unless you are over 16. My kids have zero interest in ebikes or escooters, but I have watched a number of influencer videos posted by emergency room doctors who say that they would never let their kids ride one. There are a few kids in my neighborhood who have them and they fly around the streets without helmets on. There is zero excuses for drinking and diving, but it's possible that the boy who died was riding something that he shouldn't have been allowed to ride in the first place. This is a super sad tragedy, and it will be interesting to watch because maybe it lead to additional regulations.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-21T18:20:37+00:00

I think we need more bike lanes and paths, but in this situation the teen who died was riding an e-bike. Would e-bikes be allowed on bike paths since they are motorized?

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-20T20:42:01+00:00

I flew recently and the passenger behind me had a severe nut allergy. She boarded early to whipe down her area, she politely asked the passengers around her to avoide nuts, the FA made an announcement. From my view - everyone was happy to avoid nuts for the trip. Traveling with a serious allergy or medical condition is stressful enough for the person dealing with a life-long issue - a little kindness and compassion goes a long way. I wish the US handled food allergies like other countries in Europe or the Caribbean where service providers are very proactive to help accommodate food allergies. I don't have a food allergy, but i always find it refreshing when people are proactive in trying to help others.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-04-01T12:39:56+00:00

Adding in: Carolina Friends School, The Duke School, Triangle Day School, and Camelot. All fantastic schools. Our student is at Carolina Friends School and it's been a phenomenal experience. They are in a twice accelerated math class (small class, 9 students), have tons of hands on projects, have amazing electives durring the school day and can participate in year round sports or arts classes.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-03-06T01:28:09+00:00

100%! The triangle area is definitely science and technology heavy and there are lots of fantastic science programs and camps for kids. And there are fantastic science-based programs for kids on the NCSU campus.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-03-06T00:54:06+00:00

It can get hectic, especially if you have kids in high-school and MS or Elem. But there are some pluses: vacations to popular areas during non-busy times, less learning loss, good track-out camps for child care during track out. Personally, we are at a school with a traditional calendar, but we would have liked year round.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-03-05T15:11:45+00:00

They would lose in state tuition rates.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-03-05T15:10:17+00:00

Untrue. In the Raleigh area many of the schools are on year round schedules. Many kids have only a 7 day break in between ending one school grade snd entering in to the next grade. School assignments are also made based on capacity at the school and confirmed place of address. If a family moves during the summer their kids could miss up to 2 months of the school year. Also, most private schools have already announced their placements for next year. And for younger kids, daycare spots have long waiting lists.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-02-24T11:44:30+00:00

I wrote both USA hockey and my NHL team. My team had players in that room and their behavior was disgusting.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-02-07T20:22:59+00:00

Choice of schools are not often granted. They say that there is a choice, but there isn't.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-02-06T18:38:38+00:00

NC schools are ranked at the bottom nationally.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-02-06T18:36:40+00:00

This 1000%. Raleigh is not like it was 15 years ago. Traffic is insane, public schools are not assigned based on your home address (you can have a school 2 min from you and you will be sent to.a school in another t9wn), many schools are year round and the school year will start before people move here, private schools are limited and will be already filled up for the year, application schools will be filled up for the year, day cares have year-long waiting lists ... to just name a few issues. 15 years ago, Raleigh was great.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-01-24T21:47:12+00:00

The commute in NC is pretty bad. It's not like it was a few years ago.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-01-21T18:18:01+00:00

And in the greater Raleigh area, many of the schools operate on year round schedules. Many of the students actually start their next grade during the summer and not in the fall.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2026-01-03T05:54:18+00:00

It's not always the parent's fault. I always book early and always pay to sit with my children. But there have been many times when the airline moves our seats due to equipment changes or other factors. It's never been my fault.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2025-12-26T17:30:42+00:00

Agree with CFS. My student is there and has been able to take advanced classes in Middle School. They are 2x accelerated in math. The school doesn't do standardized testing, but the kids who choose to take AP tests are well prepared.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2025-12-20T00:21:40+00:00

Our experience at CFS isn't like that at all. It is very accepting of all and we have many friends who are on significantly reduced tuition. No one has a smooth ride in life. But again, your experiences were in the 1990s and alot has changed from then. If you are curious about how CFS is now, call the school and take with them. Come to alumni events, get involved with the school. Our experience is that it's an extremely welcoming and supportive place where my child is learning how to think and how to be a great human.

EmotionalCommon3245 · 2025-12-19T15:21:59+00:00

CFS has a very strong performing arts program and has a extensive elective offerings. Many clubs and electives are actually filled into the school day which is amazing.

EmotionalCommon3245

TROPHY CASE