🌱 City Council Approves New Budget + Crash Causes Slowdowns

Good morning, neighbors! It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Winston-Salem Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

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Now, your local weather:

• Friday: A shower and t-storm; warmer. High: 79 Low: 65.
• Saturday: Sunshine, a t-shower; humid. High: 83 Low: 64.

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

1. The City Council has approved the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget proposal that includes $2.1 million more than the budget initially set by City Manager Lee Garrity in May. The additional money will go to a pay increase for Winston-Salem firefighters, a one-time supplemental pay bump for Transit Authority employees, $100,000 in improvements to Historic Bethabara Park, $87,500 for community agencies and $20,000 for the Youth Advisory Council. (WFMY 2)
2. A Highway 52 crash caused traffic slowdowns in Winston-Salem on the morning of Thursday, Jun. 22. The crash occurred in Highway 52's southbound lanes early in the day, around 7:30 a.m. according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. As of Thursday afternoon, authorities have yet to release any information on the cause of the crash or any possible injuries. Delays are expected to continue until further notice. (WXII 12)
3. An armed robbery that occurred around 4:30 a.m. at the South Hawthorne Road Speedway gas station Thursday, Jun. 22 is currently under investigation by police. It is reported two armed people entered the Speedway and demanded money and cigarettes. According to witnesses, the suspects left the scene in a silver sedan with rear-end damage; a vehicle matching the description was later spotted that day by officers who in the process of initiating a traffic stop ultimately entered into a chase with the suspects and took two into custody. (WXII 12)

Today and tomorrow in Winston-Salem:

Friday, June 23

• Youth Sports Camp At The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (7:30 AM)
• Dining with Diabetes At The Brown and Douglas Neighborhood Center (1:30 PM)
• Jeremiah McKinley Band Live At Fiddlin' Fish Brewing Company (7:30 PM)

Saturday, June 24

• Pride Festival At Downtown Arts District (All day)
• Farmer's Market At The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (All day)

From my notebook:

• The Winston-Salem Symphony has announced its new Music Director, Michelle Merrill. You can view a video about Merrill at the link. (Winston-Salem Symphony via Facebook)
• The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are offering a thanks and send-off to all retiring educators in 2023, including a breakfast that was served to honor retirees. (Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools via Facebook)
• Buddy is up for adoption at the Forsyth Humane Society. Buddy loves to go for walks, make friends and play with lots of toys! Plus Buddy is fully crate-trained and housebroken. (Forsyth Humane Society via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.