By Clayton Henkel, NC Policy Watch North Carolina obstetricians and gynecologists are raising concerns over the burden tighter restrictions on abortion could have on women as well as the medical profession. Dr. Jonas Swartz is an assistant professor in Duke University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a researcher in reproductive health equity issues. “Abortion is an incredibly safe and effective procedure as it’s practiced across the United States today. It’s essential health care and gives people the right to autonomy over their own bodies,” Swartz explained during a Tuesday conference call with reporters. “When I think about the loss of that right, the loss of access to that safe and effective care, it worries me for my patients, and it worries me for my kids.” Swartz said when the courts or lawmakers take away the right to safe and legal abortion, it doesn’t take away abortion. It just means people

May is Preservation Month, and the Historic Preservation Program is partnering with the Wake Forest Historical Museum to celebrate by offering two free webinars later this month. Both will feature graduate student projects focused on the history of the Northeast Community and the Ailey Young House:   Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. – Christopher Robey, Master of Landscape Architecture candidate at the University of Georgia, will share his research around Simmons Row and Heritage Strategies for Interpreting the site adjacent to the Ailey Young House along North White Street. Wednesday, May 25; 6:30 p.m. – Sherry Boyette, Master of Arts in Anthropology candidate at NC State University, will discuss her archaeological research about Porch Living: The Material Culture of the Ailey Young House. The public is invited to attend these Zoom webinars online or by phone. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required at http://bit.ly/WFPreservationMonth. After registering, you

Wake Forest Police have arrested a Raleigh man for stealing a downed traffic signal thanks to the vigilance of several residents who reported witnessing the crime. Just after 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, officers responded to a reported larceny in progress at the intersection of Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass and US 1/Capital Boulevard. Several witnesses called the Police Department to report that a suspect was attempting to steal a traffic signal that had been damaged during a recent vehicle crash and was on the ground beside the roadway. The witnesses provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle, along with the license plate number. One person even took a picture of the suspect committing the larceny, which they provided to officers investigating the crime. A short time later, law enforcement was able to locate the suspect, Kohle Edward Seanor, at his residence, 13001 Bellford Court, Raleigh,

The Taste of Music Festival will take place on Saturday, June 11, at 237 Friendship Chapel Road on the field adjacent to Friendship Chapel Baptist Church. This event will boast a day of great music and family entertainment, food, and retail items from vendors. There will be performances from Eugene Taylor Drum Prophet, Jazz Xpressions featuring Lydia Salett Dudley, Violinist Eric Taylor, Grammy-nominated gospel artist Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires, and a DJ for line dancing or just sitting back enjoying the tunes and strolling down memory lane. The Taste of Music Festival is a family-friendly event serving the town of Wake Forest and surrounding towns and cities of Wake and Durham counties. This festival is presented by BG Premier Entertainment, LLC, a small business committed to helping local artists and musicians thrive. BG Premier Entertainment allows local musicians and artists to perform in venues unavailable to them and earn an income

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host a free, monthly outdoor movie series from May through August at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. The first in the series of Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park will feature the film “Trolls World Tour” on Saturday, May 21, at 8:30 p.m. Each Family Movie Night will also include a movie-related pre-show activity for kids beginning at 7:15 p.m. The theme for the May 21 activity will be “Rock the Mic.” Children 12 and under are invited to bring an empty cardboard toilet paper roll and make a glitter microphone, so they can rock out with the Trolls. Also, be on the lookout for a special appearance from one of the Trolls. Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park will feature a variety of family-friendly film favorites and genres, including comedies, dramas, and thrillers, all projected on a