🌱 Seamless St. Patrick's Day Parade + Push For Transitional Housing

Happy Daylight Savings Time Start Raleigh!

Today we sprang forward, which means we lost sleep. How are you coping? I think that today I'm absolutely going to have to take the kiddos out of the house to help deal with the adjustment for them. Now that we have sprung forward, spring into everything you need to know about Raleigh, including:

• Bus Rapid Transit plans and progression
• Raleigh Creatives meetup
• NCSU peer-to-peer mental health help

But first, today's weather:

Rain and drizzle. High: 43 Low: 40.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

1. The Wake County School Board is moving to the next stage in their search for a new superintendent. Current Superintendent Catty Moore will have her last day on July 1. The Board decided to move back the deadline for applications, as they intend to take their time and find the right person to fill the role. The board says that in the past ten years, they have had two superintendents, and they hope that the stability of the district will attract candidates. (abc11)
2. The 39th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade took place on Saturday in downtown Raleigh, with updated safety requirements. Hundreds came out to celebrate along Fayetteville Street, with marching bands, trolley pubs and festively dressed people and animals. Raleigh police said that the parade took place with no major problems. (WRAL)
3. Millions of dollars are headed to the area for the Bus Rapid Transit system. Residents are excited for the system that will connect various cities and ease traffic congestion. Although the system is referred to as a bus system, it is likened more to a light rail system without tracks. The system will connect to existing routes, but the transit will have its own roadway and traffic signals. The first corridor between New Bern and New Hope roads is preparing to begin construction. The federal government is providing nearly $78 million for a second corridor between Raleigh and Garner. The entire system will take at least 12 years to complete branching into the north, west and southern suburbs. (CBS17)
4. Advocates in Raleigh are pushing for more transitional housing options for those who have experienced and escaped human trafficking in the area. Pastor Christopher Jones and Ship of Zion said that along South Wilmington Street many human trafficking victims and perpetrators are present. The group has helped get seven women off the streets who were involved with human trafficking or prostitution, but it has struggled to find transitional housing to provide a safe space to adjust. According to data trackers, there have been 71 reports of human trafficking in Raleigh since 2018. (WRAL)
5. The Wake County Animal Center is holding an adoption special for St. Patrick's Day. The shelter announced earlier this week that it urgently needs pets to be adopted, as it is running out of space. Since the announcement, at least 21 cats and 30 dogs were adopted in five days. The center still has 75 dogs and eight cats to be adopted. It hopes the discounted adoption fees will help pets find forever homes. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

• Cars & Coffee at Full Bloom Coffee Roasters Garner (8:00am-12:00pm)
• Downtown Cary Food & Flea: March Market (12:00pm-4:00pm)
• Raleigh Area Creatives Meetup at Side Quest (1:00pm)
• Monthly Pinball Tournament at The Neighborhood Cary (1:00pm-4:00pm)
• Beats & Brunch at Umami Asian Bistro (2:00pm-7:00pm)
• Open Mic Night at Compass Rose Brewery (3:00pm-6:00pm)
• Let The Madness Begin! Tin Roof Tournament Bracket Challenge (4:00pm)
• 2nd Annual Oscars Watch Party at The Green Monkey (6:00pm-11:00pm)

Monday in Raleigh:

• Game On! at Moore Square (10:00am-6:00pm)
• Mom's Meet Up at Little Doodles (3:30pm-5:00pm)
• 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)
• Feel Good Mondays on Millbrook (8:00pm)

From my notebook:

• Today is the start of Daylight Savings Time and nearly 50% of North Carolinians would love to see daylight saving time year round. (abc11)
• Raleigh's Fair Housing Community Conference is scheduled for April 28, but you can sign up to attend now. (RaleighNC.gov)
• NC State has created a network of student mental health ambassadors to help with student mental health on a peer-to-peer level. (NCSU.edu)

That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— CJ Fullford

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