🌱 St. Patrick's Day Traffic Patrols + GoTriangle Resumes Some Service

Happy Pi Day Raleigh!

I hope you didn't miss us too much yesterday. The news was light and my kiddos were still adjusting from the time change, so I decided to take the day off. Rest assured, you didn't miss anything that I won't get you all caught up on. Take a sneak peek of some of what you'll find out:

• Weather changes force farmers to take extra steps.
• There’s an open mic night at Di Fara.
• There’s a new shop for anime lovers.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny, breezy and cool. High: 51 Low: 30.

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

1. Law enforcement agencies in North Carolina will be increasing patrols for the week of St. Patrick's Day. The Booze It & Lose It campaign will run from March 13-19. According to officials, 225 people were killed or seriously injured during the 2022 St. Patrick's Day campaign as a result of impaired driving. Authorities are reminding everyone to call a friend, cab, rideshare or take public transportation if you drink and need a ride home. (Spectrum News 1)
2. GoTriangle was forced to suspend certain express routes due to driver shortages, but it has announced that it will be restoring service to the routes. The Chapel Hill-Raleigh Express (CRX) and Durham-Raleigh Express (DRX) will resume operation beginning on March 26. GoTriangle created an in-house driver training program and raised operator salaries in order to recruit and retain more drivers. GoTriangle will also be rolling out service changes to Routes 305, 310, 400, 405 and 700. (abc11) The Raleigh City Council is still discussing the possibility and feasibility of keeping the bus system in the area fare-free. (CBS17)
3. Farmers in the Triangle have had to take extra steps to protect their crops after a warm February caused crops to grow earlier than normal. The recent wave of snow and freezing temperatures has caused problems as some farms are already beginning to see fruit. Chris Hunt of Hunt's Strawberries in Raleigh believes that he will be able to avoid any losses, as long as the temperatures don't drop below 25 degrees. (abc11)
4. Raleigh police are asking for the public's help locating Jerry Wayne Williams, 59. Williams was last seen on Thursday walking south on King Richard Road. He is believed to be suffering from cognitive impairment and the N.C. Center for Missing Persons issued a missing endangered alert for him on Thursday. (CBS17)
5. Wake County declared a "white flag" status for last night, tonight and Wednesday due to the freeze warning. During "white flag" status, shelters are open to anyone who is homeless or without safe and reliable heating. Information on locations and declared WF shelter nights can be found at St. John's MCC. (WRAL)

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Today in Raleigh:

• Trivia: Flying Saucer (7:00pm & 9:30pm), Seven Saturdays (7:00pm-9:00pm), House of Hops (7:00pm-9:00pm), The Hop Yard (7:00pm-9:00pm), Triangle Beer Co. Cary (7:00pm-9:00pm), Sammy's Tap & Grill (8:00pm-10:00pm)
• Music Bingo: The Bridge DTR (7:00pm-9:00pm), Tin Roof (7:00pm-9:00pm), Compass Rose Brewery (7:00pm-10:00pm), Gizmo Brew Works (7:00pm-9:00pm), The Big Easy Cary (7:00pm-9:00pm), Bull City Ciderworks Cary (7:00pm-9:00pm), Doherty's Cary (8:00pm-10:00pm)
• Karaoke at Fortnight Brewing Cary (7:00pm)
• Open Mic Night at Di Fara Pizza Tavern Cary (7:00pm-9:00pm)

Wednesday in Raleigh:

• Art In Bloom at NCMA (9:30am-4:00pm)
• Moms Meet Up at Southeast Raleigh YMCA (10:30am-11:30am)
• The Jurassic Encounter at Fenton Cary (2:00pm-6:00pm)
• Raleigh Brewing Run Club (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: Back to the Future @ Southern Peak Apex (6:30pm-8:30pm), 2000's Pop Culture @ Chubby's (7:00pm), Edit Beer Co. (7:00pm-9:00pm), Gizmo Brew Works (7:00pm-9:00pm), Clouds Brewing (7:30pm-10:30pm)
• Latin Dance Night at Bull City Ciderworks Cary (9:00pm-11:30pm)

From my notebook:

• It's Pi Day and there's several Pi themed deals throughout the Triangle. Triangle on the Cheap has compiled a list of the pi savings.
• Raleigh's "Animazed" has opened it's doors, featuring a variety of items curated for anime lovers. (abc11)
• Quality Plus Automotive Service, Inc. got the opportunity to rescue a scared kitten that had sought shelter in a woman's car. (CBS17)

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

— CJ Fullford

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