🌱 2023 Wake County Food Security Plan + Clearing the Rape Kit Backlog

Happy Daffodil Day Raleigh!

Daffodils are my absolute favorite flower and have always been a beacon of light to me that signals spring is coming. I hope that you have something to bring you joy today in the same way daffodils do for me. While you mull it over, catch up on everything that has been going on in the area, including:

• Band Together plans a return to support affordable housing.
• Artful Story Time
• Wolfpack Day of Giving

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a shower. High: 60 Low: 50.

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Here are the top six stories in Raleigh today:

1. On Monday, Wake County leaders approved the 2023 Wake County Food Security Plan. The plan will utilize $7.2 million in federal funds to create community hubs and delivery programs that connect farmers and organizations to underserved areas. Wake County commissioner Matt Calabria says that this plan tackles food economies in ways that haven't been done before, and will create equal access to locally grown food and produce in Wake County. (CBS17, WRAL)
2. Cary Police have identified the victim in a homicide that was discovered while investigating an illegal burn. On Tuesday afternoon, police identified the body as 32-year-old Cecily Anne Walker-Scott of Raleigh. Police also identified the man who suffered critical injuries after a self-inflicted gunshot wound as 35-year-old Ian Delauder of Cary. (abc11)
3. On Sunday an arrest was made in a cold case after a more than thirty-year-old rape kit was tested, linking DNA to a suspect on file. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman is making a point to remind everyone that the delays for rape kit tests are "unacceptable." Kits from all over the state are waiting to be tested after Governor Cooper signed The Survivor Act into law in 2019. There is still a backlog of tests that need to be completed, but since the law took effect 8,924 kits have been tested, leading to 67 cold case arrests. Attorney General Josh Stein has also expressed the need for testing, stating that they have spent $15 million to clear the backlog, and hopes they will be caught up by early 2024. (WRAL)
4. A teacher at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School was charged on Tuesday in relation to sexual misconduct with a student. Almando Kilpatrick Brown is accused of attempting a sex act with a student and taking indecent liberties with that same student. The principal released a statement informing families that the teacher would not be returning to any WCPSS schools following his resignation. Brown is being held on a $50,000 bond and maintains his innocence in the matter. (abc11, FOX8, WRAL)
5. Band Together and the United Way of the Triangle announced that they will return for the 2023 Mighty Giveback benefit concert at Red Hat, with Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit headlining. This year's concert will benefit 20 organizations, including all 11 that were supported last year. Organizers hope that the October 7 concert will raise more than $1 million for the chosen nonprofits that help with affordable housing access. (WRAL)
6. In August, controversy arose over a developer's plan to demolish a mansion in the Hayes Barton area, in order to build 17 luxury townhomes. Now, three families who live on Williamson Drive have filed a lawsuit against the developers and city. The families claim that the city illegally approved missing middle housing policies, and the lawsuit is asking the courts to force the city to do away with missing middle policies. (WRAL)

Today in Raleigh:

• Artful Story Time at NCMA (10:30am-11:00am)
• Moms Meet Up at Southeast Raleigh YMCA (10:30am-11:30am)
• Raleigh Brewing Run Club (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: Edit Beer Co. (7:00pm-9:00pm), Gizmo Brew Works (7:00pm-9:00pm), Taylor Swift @ Chubby's Raleigh (7:00pm), Clouds Brewing (7:30pm-10:30pm)
• Standup Comedy Fundraiser Show at The Raleigh Times (7:30pm)
• Karaoke: Tin Roof (8:00pm-2:00am), Good Times Garner (8:30pm-11:30pm), Mitch's Tavern (9:00pm), Sammy's Tap & Grill (9:00pm-11:45pm)

Thursday in Raleigh:

• Nature Stories at Prairie Ridge Ecostation (10:30am-11:30am)
• Raleigh Brewing Run Club at Raleigh Brewing Arboretum Cary (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: Norse Brewing Co. (6:30pm-8:30pm), Raleigh Brewing Company (7:00pm-9:00pm), Real McCoy's WF (7:00pm-9:00pm), House of Hops (7:30pm-9:30pm), HighCraft Cary (8:30pm)
• Thursday Night Cornhole at Good Times Garner (7:00pm-10:00pm)
• Fancy Nancy: The Musical at Raleigh Little Theatre (7:30pm)
• Karaoke: Barcode Raleigh (8:00pm-11:00pm)
• Wicked Weed Skee-Ball Tournament Series at Boxcar Raleigh (9:00pm-11:00pm)

From my notebook:

• It's Daffodil Day, and the daffodils have been in bloom at Dorothea Dix Park, but the day is actually meant to serve as a symbol for hope in cancer research. If you feel inclined in honor of the day and since Ella's Race just took place you can still donate here.
• NC State is celebrating its Day of Giving today and has compiled a list of ways you can participate. (NCSU.edu)
• If you're looking to visit the Easter bunny, don't feel like you have to wait too long. Triangle on the Cheap has composed a list of all the Easter Egg Hunts and Bunny Visits they could find across the Triangle.

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you tomorrow for another update.

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Patch newsletter? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com