🌱 Lifeguard Training Program + Increased Patrols Following Break-Ins

Happy National Preschooler's Day Raleigh!

Are you enjoying the weather whiplash? If you're new to the area, get used to it. It's going to be up and down until we reach three straight months of humid horror. In spite of all that, there is still nowhere else I'd rather be. Catch up on everything happening in Raleigh, including:

• Police search for double-shooting suspect.
• The Women's Empowerment Expo
• A Raleigh restaurant is the "best locally-owned restaurant in NC.”

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a little rain; cooler. High: 55 Low: 40.

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Here are the top six stories today in Raleigh:

1. Raleigh police searched for an individual who shot two men outside of Biscuitville on Wake Forest Road on Thursday morning. Raleigh Police responded to the shooting around 6 a.m. and closed the intersection off with crime scene tape. Two men were taken to a hospital, one with serious injuries and the other with non-life-threatening injuries. A Biscuitville spokesperson said that no employees or customers were involved in the incident, but they closed the restaurant and are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate. The suspect is believed to be at-large, but police do not believe there is any danger to the public at this time. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL)
2. On Tuesday, the Raleigh City Council officially agreed to change the traffic pattern in downtown to prohibit drivers turning at red lights. The city will begin to hang new "No Turn on Red" signs on all affected intersections. The sign work is expected to be completed as soon as the end of April and police will begin enforcing the policy. (WRAL)
3. The City of Raleigh has unveiled a new free lifeguard training program in hopes of growing lifeguard applicants for the upcoming summer and beyond. The City of Raleigh Aquatic Director Aaron Weaver said that applicants had to be turned away as they weren't quite ready and the new program gives them the ability to continue and practice. The basic training will be held weekly at Pullen Aquatic Center and will help prepare people for the certification course. (CBS17)
4. The Wake County Sheriff's Office is going to increase patrols at trails and parks after a string of break-ins. A string of robberies have taken place over the last week across the county. The sheriff’s office is also reminding people to lock their doors and leave valuables at home. At least one of the recent victims followed all precautions, but was still victim to a break-in, lending to the increase in patrols. (WRAL)
5. Students from Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies got the opportunity to participate in one of the first tours of the North Carolina Freedom Park. The 10th-grade students are creating an app that highlights Black history in downtown Raleigh, which will include the new park. The park has been 17 years in the making and is expected to open this summer. (CBS17, WRAL)
6. Two Wake County students placed first and second in the Carolina Panthers Regional Spelling Bee and will proceed to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The regional spelling bee hosted the top student spellers from grades 3-8 across 58 school districts in North and South Carolina. The two students from Wake County were among 6 students who qualified for national bee. (FOX8)

Today in Raleigh:

• The Hiking Club at Durant Nature Park (11:00am-1:00pm, Register Here)
• Women's Empowerment Expo at PNC Arena (4:30pm)
• Entrepreneurs & Poets Open Mic Event at The Nest Raleigh (6:00pm-10:00pm)
• Music Bingo at Triangle Beer Co. (7:00pm-9:00pm)
• Bar Trivia at Barcode Raleigh (7:00pm-10:00pm)
• Don't Tell Comedy Show on Capital Blvd in Raleigh (7:30pm)
• Clean Comedy Series with Rik Roberts at Holly Springs Cultural Center (7:30pm)
• The Body Party Presents Oh My Prom! at Ruby Deluxe (8:00pm)

Saturday in Raleigh:

• The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown (10:00am) With new safety rules in place.
• Reptile & Amphibian Day 2023 at NC Museum of Natural Sciences (10:00am-5:00pm)
• Geek & Grub Market Fantasy Edition at Fred Fletcher Park (12:00pm-4:00pm)
• Art-n-Soul Market at Waverly Place Cary (12:00pm-4:00pm)
• Parade After Party at Nicklepoint Brewing (2:00pm-5:00pm)
• Oak City Tonight 2:00pm at Ruby Deluxe & 8:00pm at ComedyWorx
• St. Patrick's Brewery Tour at Raleigh Brewing Co. (3:00pm-4:00pm)
• Music Bingo at Barcode Raleigh (7:00pm-9:00pm)

From my notebook:

• Its National Preschooler's Day, and truthfully, I'm featuring this day because I feel like not enough people in Raleigh know about all of the preschool services offered through Wake County.
• North Carolina's Repair Café will be at the Herb C Young Community Center in Cary tomorrow from 1:00pm-5:00pm.
• Southern Living Magazine named The Angus Barn as the best locally-owned restaurant in North Carolina. (abc11, CBS17)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— CJ Fullford

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