https://indyweek.com/news/education/as-dps-enrollment-drops-one-elementary-school-grapples-with-overcrowding/

The Durham City Council packed a lot into this meeting: big wins from the Mayor’s office, sharp debates over state politics and local taxes, and some very personal stories about what – and who – Durham chooses to preserve.

Highlights from the reel: - The Mayor’s office celebrated bringing in over $1 million in community investments and announced a new Bloomberg Philanthropies grant of up to $750,000 to support accessory dwelling units and other housing work. - The Mayor pushed back hard on alleged myths about homelessness response, walking through housing sprints that have already moved 104 residents (including 50 children) into long‑term homes with a 98% retention rate. - A resolution opposing three statewide constitutional amendments sparked a frank conversation about income and property tax limits, voter ID, and how state rules could constrain Durham’s ability to fund roads, housing, schools, and more. - A resident turned that same tax discussion back on local government, questioning recent commercial property valuations and urging the council to match its progressive rhetoric with action on local tax justice. The Mayor responded by promising a public briefing from the Board of Equalization and urging residents to “vote against” the amendments. - The council approved multiple HUD housing grants, including Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions funds, and underscored ongoing partnerships with the Durham Housing Authority.

One of the most emotional stretches came around the Cranford‑Wannamaker House: - Staff, the design consultant, the homeowner, and Preservation Durham all made the case for turning the former Trinity College faculty house into a local historic landmark – tying it to early Trinity/Duke history, an early married undergraduate couple, and a very distinctive, almost castle‑like design. - Council members used the moment to talk about walkable, beautiful streets; the tradeoff between tax breaks and strict preservation responsibilities; and equity in historic preservation, especially for Black neighborhoods along the Fayetteville Street corridor. - After calls to ensure future funds actually help preserve long‑denied Black historic homes, the council unanimously designated the Cranford‑Wanamaker House and its land as a local historic landmark.

Growth and infrastructure questions also threaded through the night: - A capital investment and jobs incentive deal with AbbVie was unexpectedly postponed to a future meeting. - Neighborhood assessments for street, water, and sewer work on Chalmers Street and Lane Street moved forward with unanimous council approval. - A seemingly simple annexation for a single new home on Olive Branch Road turned into a broader fight about “revenue‑negative” growth, with one resident arguing it would drain money from housing, schools, and emergency services. A council member countered that getting homes off septic and onto city water and sewer was worth a small long‑term loss, and the annexation passed 6–1. (Council Member Nate Baker voted against.)

If you want to see how all of these threads—housing, taxes, preservation, and growth—intersect in one meeting, this reel walks through the moments that mattered and the arguments behind the votes.

Durham City Council meeting highlights

Highlights selected and suggested post edited by Wes Platt at Southpoint Access.

In case anyone is looking for a white, medium sized poodle terrier looking dog, I spotted one weaving into the road around the intersection of Catalina. Around 10:20 am.

Hi folks and welcome to your Monday morning cat drop!

The first girl has my heart. Her name is Gigi and that was the best photo I could get of her because she demanded pets with both hands. Gigi has been at the shelter for over a month and I've really seen her blossom as she has started to feel better. At my most recent shelter visit she climbed into my arms and was totally happy to stay there. If you're looking for a gentle cuddler Gigi is your girl!

The next girl is theadorable is Springbok. She is a super cute tuxie lady, not a kitten (APS estimates 5 years old) but not too old either. She is really friendly and really ready for a home--she has also been at the shelter for a minute at this point. Highly recommend going to meet her!

You all know what to do. Go get one of these sweet cats, or another cat who needs a home #adoptdontshop

* I am a cat lover who wants to see these animals in good homes; I am not employed by APS and am in no way acting as a representative of APS.

We voted on Monday night 10/19/26 at Karsh Alumni Center, and, being “above average voters” per our Voting Report Card from the Voter Participation Center, our traditional voting hats were greatly admired by the poll workers. During our conversation we learned there was another “above average voter”with their own voting hat came by to cast their ballot earlier today. If this rings a bell and you happen to want to vote together whilst wearing out voting hats next time, let us know. 💙

These guys are really just so good! I am nursing two crap cars to end of year and so used tires have become an option…they got me nearly new on both for $60 each max…have also had them patch one on a newer car at house..we are nail magnets!

One of the tires they sold me started leaking recently and so I stopped in to suss it out and he fixed a plug that was in when o bought used….no charge, no wait, no problem…honest and fair guys that are hopefully doing well…they work constantly and professionally and with the freindliest service imaginable..a google review is fine..but looking for any way possible to praise and support. Just good people doing a really great job! 🙏🙏

We moved my grandma to Durham last month and she’s looking for a massage therapist. She had a stroke 15 years ago, can still walk but her left side has hypertonicity (stiffness), and may need some assistance getting on and off massage table. Any recs?

I ride on the multiuse trails all over Woodcroft, and noticed the mirror outside the tunnel on the south side has gone missing since the recent repaving. Anyone know to whom I should address this issue? I like to know if I’m going to meet someone when I come out of the tunnel. I sound my bell, but folks walk with noise-canceling headphones so often don’t hear it. Seeing them would help.

FWIW, I’m not a kid flying out of the tunnel at full speed, but sometimes folks need a second to corral a pup whose leash they may have let out a bit, and me seeing that ahead of time is nice.

Hello everyone,

My family and I just moved here from Wisconsin with our two year old golden retriever Bruce.

What are the best dog parks in the area and maybe ones to stay away from?

Thank you!

Welcome to a comprehensive guide of weekly events in Durham – from live music to intimate performances, serene river paddles to art exhibits, dance parties, food tours and more. Start here to plan your perfect week.

For a full list of events: https://durh.am/3R3cXgg 

Have an event coming up? Click here to submit your events to our calendar.

Even More Ways to Find Events in Durham

Discover Durham has an app! Now, you can access our event calendar, updated daily, plus curated itineraries, challenges and a handy map to help you find even more things to do, places to eat and drink and more, all from your phone.

For like a year, when I was on my way to work on Friday mornings I would pass by through the Hope Valley Rd and MLK Blvd intersection. Every Friday morning like clockwork, there were always protesters on every corner waving flags and waving at drivers. They would be there rain or shine, hot or cold. They were incredibly consistent.
But I noticed that approximately a month ago they stopped showing up. Does anyone know what happened to them? You would figure now is the time to really be out there.

I live across the street from it in those new apartments, so I stare at this thing every day and I still can’t figure it out.

It’s 20 stories tall in the middle of nowhere. The directory out front lists maybe three businesses, and most nights hardly any lights are on. The restaurant on the top floor finally closed recently, and from what I’ve heard the building has changed hands a bunch of times over the years. Who keeps buying it, and why?

Weirdest part: there is a rumor going around that someone may have fallen off of it a few months back. I work from home and saw nothing so am wondering if this is just a hoax or if it happened on the other side, along Tower Blvd rather than Petty road by the apartments

Does anyone know the story here, either about the building or about this event? Did anyone used to work there, eat at the restaurant, or happen to be around a few months back when something (unclear what) may have happened?

Anyone else elementary school choosing to center their school spirit weeks around being Drug Free? I am absolutely horrified to have opened my school newsletter to find this. Are we not to assume elementary school aged children at already Drug free? I assume they are not even aware of what a drug is at this young age of their life. Why are adults introducing the concept of drugs to our children? I would have expected it to be middle/high school aged peers who introduced drugs to the kids not the adults. This is completely unsettling. If the weeks theme is actually about making healthy choices- why are there zero healthy choices being offered other than go Drug free??

Hey everyone!

I am needing to get an AGSU jacket tailored and the patches sewn on. I really would rather not have to drive all the way to Fayetteville twice to get this done. Does anyone know of a tailor in the area that has experience with military uniforms?

need to print b&w standard letter size... library costs .10/side. I need to print hundreds of pages... is anywhere cheaper?

We stripped the carpet off of the stairs in our split level home (12 stairs total, not counting the landing) and found them a little beyond our DIY skills to spruce up. Do y'all have any recommendations for a good licensed contractor to refinish, re-caulk, and possibly install new molding for our stairs? Most places with the highest reviews advertise pretty big projects. No major structural work here, just looking for a face-lift from the bare pine boards.

Appreciate any recommendations, especially for contractors with a website or a Facebook page showing examples of their finished work! Thank you!!

I am trying to help my partner avoid a buy here pay here to get a new car. Her mother destroyed her credit growing up but she has worked to get it up some, so it is in the 500s. Where can we get a decent car loan in Durham? I was thinking the Self Help, but any other suggestions are welcome.

Anyone know why it was knocked down? My assumption was they're just rebuilding but I had a friend ask me yesterday. Thanks

About a mile before the Eno exit going west. Another near Club on 85 going East