Hello Durham! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Durham Launches 'Keep It Durham-Owned' initiative to preserve businesses in the Bull City (abc11.com) — Durham city leaders have launched the yearlong "Keep It Durham‑Owned" initiative to help local business owners create succession plans and transition to employee ownership instead of closing or selling away. With thousands of aging owners in Durham County and beloved shops already disappearing, the program offers free, confidential guidance so employees can keep jobs, ownership, and wealth rooted in the community.
2. Durham County Commissioners back violence reduction strategy recommendations (abc11.com) — Durham County commissioners have unanimously endorsed a slate of violence‑reduction strategies, signaling new momentum behind prevention, intervention, and community engagement efforts to curb gun crime in the city. The vote follows a recent fatal shooting and comes as Durham police report overall violent crime is up 4% this year, even as homicides have declined, keeping safety squarely in focus for local families.
3. Quilting Exhibition and Fall Fundraiser with West End Community Foundation - Triangle on the Cheap (triangleonthecheap.com) — Durham residents can explore the "Threads Across the Diaspora" quilting exhibition at the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park from September 24 to October 4, 2026. The West End Community Foundation will also host a free Fall Fundraiser there on October 2, featuring food, stories, a silent auction, and a chance to support community work while viewing quilts from Liberia and local artists.
4. Durham mother calls on community to 'slow down' after 9-year-old died in crash (cbs17.com) — A Durham mother is urging drivers to slow down in neighborhoods after her 9‑year‑old son, Keegan Brooks, was killed in a bicycle crash at Knightwood Drive and Bengel Drive. As his Oak Grove Elementary community grieves, the family is asking residents to honor Keegan with small acts of kindness and extra caution behind the wheel, while police continue investigating with no charges filed yet.
5. A new Raleigh water reservoir could cost over $300M. An NC State professor has a cheaper idea. (heraldsun.com) — Falls Lake in Durham, Raleigh's main water source, recently sat several feet below normal as both cities endured significant rainfall deficits, raising questions about how the region will handle future droughts. Raleigh officials are weighing an expensive new Little River reservoir against a cheaper proposal to raise Falls Lake's level and expand existing reservoirs. Any long-term decision could affect Durham's shared water supply and drought planning.
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Ok Durham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
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