🌱 No Turn On Red in Downtown + Plans For Vacant DMV Headquarters

Happy Returned The Borrowed Books Week Raleigh!

The best thing about returning borrowed books is you can check out more! The best thing about the Raleigh Patch, is there's no need to borrow it, when you share with friends they can all subscribe to get their own copy of fresh updates in their inbox every morning. Alright, shameless plug over, now go ahead and get caught up on everything, including:

• There’s a rise in demand for abortion care in NC.
• Women's Day network and shop event
• Chances to see local live music in March

But first, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 68 Low: 40.

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Here are the top five stories in Raleigh today:

1. The City of Raleigh has been taking steps to increase traffic safety in downtown. The next change they will be implementing following the Downtown Raleigh Pedestrian Safety Study will be “No Turns on Red” signs at every signaled intersection. The city has already adjusted timing on downtown signals to give pedestrians more time to cross, but officials hope the no turn rule will be a key piece to make a difference in downtown. The city is also looking into raised crosswalks to make pedestrians more visible. (CBS17)
2. The former DMV headquarters has been vacant for years and residents have been wondering what the future holds for the building. The city of Raleigh is discussing the possibility of turning the building into a mixed-use development with housing. The city has issued a draft concept to buy the land, that is valued around $13 million, from the state. Governor Roy Cooper's spokesperson issued a statement asking the state to carefully consider the proposals, and says that the city has, "promising ideas for the state." (WRAL)
3. An article was published by the New York Times on Saturday found North Carolina has seen a 37% increase in abortions performed between April and August of 2022. North Carolina abortion providers are struggling to keep up with the increased demand following the overturn of Roe V. Wade. Planned Parenthood estimates that more than a third of abortion patients in North Carolina are from out of state. (WRAL)
4. A group of Ukrainian doctors spent a week in the Triangle learning how to take care of military personnel. The doctors came to the area as part of the Open World Program, in hopes they can develop relationships between emerging international leaders and U.S. equivalents. Dr. Tetiana Vaschuk is a surgeon who runs a hospital in Western Ukraine, and she hopes they can learn and establish meaningful changes back home. (abc11, CBS17)
5. Raleigh police seized various guns and illegal drugs during a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation last weekend. According to the Raleigh Police Department, the stop occurred on Saturday, February 25. Police released photos on Thursday of some of the items that were seized. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

• HeyDay Drag Brunch Anniversary at HeyDay Brewing (11:00am)
• Pop-Up Art at The Museum of Art (12:00pm-3:00pm)
• International Women's Day Network & Shop at Sheraton Downtown Raleigh (1:00pm-5:30pm)
• Open Mic Night at Compass Rose Brewery (3:00pm-6:00pm)
• Music Bingo at Edit Beer Co. (4:00pm) & Mac's Tavern (7:00pm-9:00pm)
• Sunday Night Swing Dancing at Raleigh Elks Lodge (6:00pm-10:30pm)
• Neptunes Comedy March (6:30pm-9:00pm)

Monday in Raleigh:

• Game On! at Moore Square (10:00am-6:00pm)
• Mom's Meet Up at Little Doodles (3:30pm-5:00pm)
• Open Kickball Play at Knights of Columbus Fields (6:00pm)
• Trivia at West Street Dog (6:30pm-8:30pm) & Nancy's Pizzeria (7:00pm-9:00pm)
• Music Bingo Family Night at Good Times Garner (7:30pm-9:30pm)

From my notebook:

• It's Return the Borrowed Books Week and if you've been holding out on returning your Wake County library rentals, now is the perfect time. Go swap it out for something new and fresh!
• If you're looking for local concerts, Clture has put together a list of some of March's musical events.
• One of the largest events in the Southeast for African American women, the Women's Empowerment Expo, is returning to Raleigh on Friday. (Spectrum News 1)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Sunday off right! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— CJ Fullford

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