🌱 St. Patrick's Parade Precautions + Sheriff Asks SBI To Investigate

Good Morning Raleigh! Today happens to be the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup Day!

Are you a snake person? Personally, I respect their existence, but I still don't want them existing around me. I always say, it's something you should know about though. Below I have rounded up several things you should know about, including:

• Illegal street racing in Wake County
• The Geek & Grub Market
• WRAL's Foodie News

But first, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning. High: 57 Low: 38.

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Here are the top five stories in Raleigh today:

1. The city of Raleigh will be enforcing new rules and regulations for the St. Patrick's Day Parade today. This event is the first major parade in Raleigh since the death of 11-year-old Hailey Brooks at the Christmas parade. The new rules no longer allow any drivers under the age of 21 years of age and must comply with new safety requirements. Minors in the parade will also require “adequate” adult supervision and passengers in parade vehicles will be limited. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Lane and Wilmington Streets. (CBS17, WRAL)
2. A concerning trend reached its peak during the pandemic, but is still impacting Wake County today. A small portion of the population has been engaging in street racing, with 53 charges in Wake County from 2021-2022. The Triangle has a very large car culture, but many of the enthusiasts are denouncing the illegal races, and encouraging racers to visit recreational race tracks. On Tuesday a mother and her 5-year-old daughter were hospitalized due to a street race that took place around 4:30 a.m. in which the driver died. (WRAL)
3. The Wake County Sheriff's Office has asked the State Bureau of Investigations to look into the death of Jasmine Price, who died after being released from custody. Price was arrested and charged with felony child neglect on March 1. On Saturday, Price had a medical emergency and was transported to WakeMed after receiving treatment from the sheriff's medical staff. She was released after her bond was adjusted, but died at the hospital. Although she was not in custody at the time of her death, the sheriff is asking the SBI to look into her death, to ensure transparency. (CBS17)
4. Advocates have been lobbying lawmakers at the State Capitol, pushing lawmakers to prioritize free universal school meals. Currently, 39,208 students in Wake County receive free and reduced lunch. Joshua Chitalo with Mt. Caramel HELPS Inc. says that "It's a costly program," but emphasized the consequence is bad health, students dropping out, and increased stress on parents. (abc11)
5. Raleigh is set to host the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) 70th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference beginning on March 23. The conference is expected to generate more than $4.6 million for Raleigh through direct economic impact. Members of the conference will also be participating in a community service project, "Creating a Home Away From Home," that will give donated supplies to long-term care facilities and personal care homes in the Triangle. (Spectacular Mag)

Today 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)

Sunday 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)

From my notebook:

• The World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup is held on the second weekend of March in Texas, but it's fitting since today is Reptile & Amphibian Day in Raleigh! Both events seek to educate people on snakes.
• Interested in the restaurant scene in Raleigh? Check out WRAL's Foodie News.
• Raleigh's newest beer garden welcomes families and pups. The official grand opening of the Tap Yard Raleigh will take place on March 25. (WRAL)

That's it for today. 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