Good morning, Wake Forest.

Taylor Street Park Sprayground at 416 N.

Taylor St. will open for the season on Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. free to the public. It will operate with set hours on Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., be open on Memorial Day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offer extended hours beginning June 16.

Today marks the annual Raj Mehta Day of Good as Pooja Mehta honors her late brother by inviting community members to perform acts of kindness in his memory.

The event, which commemorates his birthday, partners with Wake County nonprofits to support these efforts.

Spotted lantern flies and their egg masses were found in North Carolina as part of detections in 17 states—officials advised residents to check for and remove eggs found on trees, rocks, vehicles, and lawn furniture—since the insects damage many types of plants and crops.

NC taxpayers impacted by wildfires, hurricanes or floods will have an automatic extension from the IRS to file their 2024 returns by May 1 without needing extra paperwork—official guidance also notes that affected individuals may lower their tax bills by claiming casualty losses if appropriate.

Mikkel Patterson from the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department earned the Certified Park and Recreation Professional credential from the National Recreation and Park Association—he passed a 150-question test and became the seventh team member to receive the certification.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday that the NC RISE program for defendants with mental illness is now a permanent part of the county court system following a successful pilot.

The program reduced referrals to Broughton Hospital by 60% and restored capacity for 82% of participants—helping cases move through the justice process faster.

Today at the Wake County Detention Center, officials are set to launch the NC RISE program to offer mental health treatment to inmates deemed unfit to stand trial.

The program will use targeted treatment at one-fifth the cost of hospital care—cutting wait times in other counties from 140 days to 50 days—and officials plan to expand it if successful.

The Monologue Bombs Live Performance

7:30 PM – 1:30 AM — The Wake Forest Listening Room — Ticket prices vary — Experience dynamic solo performances by acclaimed singer-songwriter Scott David Phillips blending lo-fi indie, folk rock, and emotional lyricism.

Author Event with Marie Bostwick

12-2 p.m. — Page 158 Books — Free entry — Celebrate the release of Marie Bostwick's novel and join a literary discussion about sisterhood and self-discovery.

An Evening with Alma Russ

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Wake Forest Listening Room — Check for ticket prices — Experience stirring melodies with Alma Russ' unique blend of country, folk, and Appalachian music.