🌱 Wake County Schools Modify Pay + Raleigh's First Skate Park

Happy National Puppy Day Raleigh!

Today definitely has snuggly vibes, and I'm all about snuggling up with a sweet cuddly puppy. Raleigh has a whole lot happening that will make you want to get cozy while you catch up on everything, including:

• NCSU Researches a tool to break down blood clots
• Fancy Nancy: The Musical
• The Dreamsicle Festival Brew

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 80 Low: 58.

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Here are the top five stories in Raleigh today:

1. Wake County Public Schools voted on Tuesday to change the salary structure for Wake County teachers with master's degrees and bus drivers with perfect attendance. The county will reinstate advanced degree page for employees after the general assembly ended state-funded masters pay. The school board will also provide a $200 monthly bonus for school bus staff who maintain perfect attendance, in the hopes that they will not need to cancel routes. (abc11, CBS17, WUNC)
2. On Wednesday, Raleigh broke ground on its first-ever skate park. Adrian Mangano is a junior at Enloe High School, and got the ball rolling on the park. Adrian and his father traveled across the country visiting skate parks and realized a need in Raleigh. He worked to get the city and Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin on board and now the city has broken ground on his dream. The project is considered a low barrier to entry, as the skaters will not be required to pay for entry. Organizers hope that the park that sits off Capital Boulevard on Dortch Street will open sometime in the summer. (CBS17, Spectrum News 1)
3. Researchers at N.C. State University are working on a new tool to help break down blood clots in the brain. The tool is called a vortex ultrasound catheter and uses ultrasound waves that have the potential to break down clots earlier. The researchers participating in the project are excited for the potential to save lives in the future. The project has been underway for more than a year, but has not made it to clinical trials yet. (Spectrum News 1)
4. Passengers in Raleigh were stranded for more than 12 hours at a Greyhound bus station. Greyhound has had complaints across the East Coast and Midwest. According to an anonymous employee, the lack of drivers has been a major problem for them over the last two weeks. According to passengers, they were given very little information about when they would reach their destinations. (WRAL)
5. On Tuesday, North Carolina State announced that it would discontinue the varsity co-ed rifle program at the end of this academic year. Athletic director Boo Corrigan said that officials reached the difficult decision regarding the program that has been offered since 1958. The school no longer believes that it can provide a Division I experience for student-athletes but will continue to honor scholarships for students currently impacted. (abc11)

Today in Raleigh:

• Nature Stories at Prairie Ridge Ecostation (10:30am-11:30am)
• Raleigh Brewing Run Club at Raleigh Brewing Arboretum Cary (6:30pm-8:30pm)
• Trivia: Norse Brewing Co. (6:30pm-8:30pm), Raleigh Brewing Company (7:00pm-9:00pm), Real McCoy's WF (7:00pm-9:00pm), House of Hops (7:30pm-9:30pm), HighCraft Cary (8:30pm)
• Thursday Night Cornhole at Good Times Garner (7:00pm-10:00pm)
• Fancy Nancy: The Musical at Raleigh Little Theatre (7:30pm)
• Karaoke: Barcode Raleigh (8:00pm-11:00pm)
• Wicked Weed Skee-Ball Tournament Series at Boxcar Raleigh (9:00pm-11:00pm)

Friday in Raleigh:

• 2023 StarQuest Regional at the NC State Fairgrounds (1:00pm-10:00pm)
• 5th Annual Scotch Doubles 8 Ball Classic (7:00pm)
• Music Bingo at Triangle Beer Co. (7:00pm-9:00pm)
• Straight Jokes No Chaser Comedy Show at PNC Arena (8:00pm)
• Colors Dance Party at Chatham St Historic Manor Cary (8:00pm-1:00am)

From my notebook:

• It's National Puppy Day and Raleigh is hosting a celebration at Moore Square Park. Enjoy pet vendors and other fun for pups.
• R&D Brewing of Raleigh has announced the launch of a limited-edition beer that was created for the Dreamville Festival. The Dreamsicle Festival Brew is a "refreshing cream ale" with notes of vanilla and mango. (abc11, CBS17)
• Wake Tech is hosting an open house at two of their campuses on April 1. (WakeTech)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— CJ Fullford

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