🌱 Ukrainians Gather in Raleigh + City Faces Possible Budget Gap

Happy Letter to an Elder Day Raleigh!

I hope you get the opportunity to take a load off today. There's a lot to enjoy in our city and some really awesome events you won't want to miss. Read up on everything you will want to know below, including:

• A rugby tournament for wheelchair bound veterans
• Flannels and Frost at Moore Square
• Traffic pattern changes to be aware of

But first, today's weather:

Warmer with variable clouds. High: 65 Low: 51.

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Here are the top six stories today in Raleigh:

1. The Ukrainian Association of North Carolina held a vigil on the steps of the State Capitol to mark a year since the war in Ukraine began. More than a hundred people were present to remember those who have fought and died. Many Ukrainians are in Raleigh as part of the US government's Uniting for Ukraine program that provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens to come and stay temporarily for two years. (abc11, abc11, CBS17, WRAL) The City of Raleigh illuminated downtown buildings this weekend in support of Ukraine. (City of Raleigh Facebook)
2. According to Raleigh's budget director Sadia Sattar, the city may not have enough money to cover all expenses next fiscal year. The city's expenses are projected to increase by about 3% with revenue only projected to increase by 1%. If projections prove true, there could be a "budget gap" anywhere between half a million and $6.4 million. A majority of money spent by the city is for employee pay and benefits, with other expenses coming from operational necessities. Sattar does not expect the gap to be too consequential as the overall budget is more than $1 billion, but the gap could limit the ability to raise salaries and maintain benefits. (INDY Week)
3. One individual was stabbed on a GoRaleigh bus on Saturday afternoon. Police confirmed that they responded to a stabbing on South Wilmington Street just after 1 p.m. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police are working to identify the suspect who fled the scene and are looking for the suspect with the help of the K-9 unit. (CBS17, WRAL)
4. The Wake County Sheriff's office is investigating another NC State student death. The student, identified as 21-year-old Patrick Thomas Sullivan, was found at an off-campus private residence on Wednesday. According to NC State representatives, the student's death appeared to be accidental, but the official cause of death will not be released until the Medical Examiner's report is released. This death marks the ninth student death of the year involving NCSU students. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL, WRAL)
5. More than 100 veterans will be competing in the Fifth Annual Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at the Raleigh Convention Center this weekend. The Paralyzed Veterans of America hosts the event, where sixteen teams compete across 48 games to win the “Code of Honor Cup.” Organizers hope the event will give others the chance to watch and learn something new. The tournament runs through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CBS17, CBS17)
6. Three people were charged in Raleigh in connection to street racing. Police said that the three individuals were involved in a pre-arranged race in which the drivers reached 80 mph in a 45 mph area. The drivers were charged with reckless driving to endanger charges as well. According to Beckley Vaughan with the Wake County Sheriff's specialized traffic unit, there has been an uptick in reckless driving on major highways in recent years, and it is a big safety concern. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

• Carolinas Music Collectors Show at Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh/Crabtree Valley (10:00am-4:00pm)
• Jazz Brunch with Sam Fribush Organ Trio at Transfer Co. Ballroom (11:00am-3:00pm)
• Flannels & Frost at Moore Square (12:00pm-4:00pm)
• "Daddy's Home" Art Talk at CAM Raleigh (1:00pm)
• Monthly Pinball Tournament at Roshambo (1:00pm-4:30pm)
• Diva Royale Drag Queen Show at Gold Lounge (1:30pm)
• Comedy Night at Fortnight Brewing (8:00pm)

Monday in Raleigh:

• Game On! at Moore Square (10:00am-6:00pm)
• Open Kickball Play at Knights of Columbus Fields (6:00pm)
• Comic Book Club at Norse Brewing Company WF (6:00pm-7:30pm)
• Trivia at West Street Dog (6:30pm-8:30pm) & Nancy's Pizzeria (7:00pm-9:00pm)
• PineCone Bluegrass Jam at Transfer Co. (7:00pm-9:00pm)
• Cornhole at Good Times Arcade & Tavern Garner (7:00pm-10:00pm)

From my notebook:

• It's Letter to an Elder Day and if you aren't sure who to write to, The Center for Volunteer Caregiving can help get your letters to the right place with Operation Senior Smiles.
• According to NCDOT, work on Blue Ridge Road and Hillsborough Street will begin, causing 'significant traffic pattern shifts.' (CBS17)
• The Juniper Level Botanical Garden opens to the public for select weekends, and shows off rare global plants. (CBS17)

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

— CJ Fullford

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