🌱 Car Crash At Public Safety Center + Woman Sentenced For Son's Death

Morning, friends! It's me, Danielle Fallon-O'Leary, your host of the Winston-Salem Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm. High: 91 Low: 67.
• Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 87 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories today in Winston-Salem:

1. The Forsyth County Public Safety Center public lobby was closed earlier this week after a driver crashed through the facility's doors. Police arrested Leanthony Sligh, Jr., 24, on multiple charges, including misdemeanor vandalism and misdemeanor breaking and entering. According to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, Sligh drove his car into the building because he was angry with his probation officer. There were no injuries as a result of the crash. (WXII)
2. A Winston-Salem mother and her daughter will serve time in prison after pleading guilty to charges connected to the death of the woman's severely disabled son. Sandra Oliver Hawks, 71, and Crystal Dawn Hawks both pleaded guilty to neglect of a disabled adult inflicting serious injury and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Larry Gray Hawks, 42. Larry Hawks had spina bifida and hadn't seen a healthcare provider in over a decade. At the time of his death on Nov. 4, 2020, he had several large bedsores, and an autopsy indicated that he died from complications of sepsis and blood clots. On Sep. 1, Sandra Hawks and Crystal Hawks were each sentenced to 13 to 25 months in prison. (Greensboro News and Record)
3. The Winston-Salem Fire Department is investigating a house fire that occurred on Monday, Sep. 4. The fire was reported at a home on Kesteven Road around 4:00 a.m. According to fire officials, people inside the home say they heard an explosion in the garage. Everyone inside the house was able to evacuate, and one person received treatment for smoke inhalation. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. (WXII)

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Today and tomorrow in Winston-Salem:

Thursday, September 7

• Sizzlin' Summer Nights At Simon's Community Gardens (6:00 PM)
• Jazz And Laughz At Sedge Garden Recreational Center (7:00 PM)

Friday, September 8

• Province Of Thieves At Fiddlin' Fish Brewing (7:00 PM)
• The Underpants At Hanesbrands Theatre (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The 2023 Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity Caregiver College is coming up on Sep. 25-29 at Senior Services. This educational event will cover topics related to caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. To register, contact Allison Caban-Holt at 336-716-7919. (Senior Services Inc. of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County via Facebook)
• Nature Kids is returning to Salem Lake on Wednesdays throughout October. This program is for children under the age of five to explore the outdoors and participate in crafts and games. To sign up, contact Salem Lake at 336-650-7677. (City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks via Facebook)
• In case you missed it, on Friday, Sep. 8, the city will host a Renaming Ceremony for The Quarry at Grant Park at 11:00 a.m. The new name will honor Timothy A. Grant, the city's first African-American Recreation and Parks Director. (City of Winston-Salem, NC Government via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you around.

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.