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Community Corner

🌱 FEMA Ambulance Aid + Streets at Southpoint Controversy

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Durham.

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch)

Happy National Tempura Day Durham!

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and colder. High: 37 Low: 19.

Here are the top five stories in Durham today:

  1. Durham County is temporarily adding two FEMA ambulances to assist due to call volume and COVID-19 related staffing issues. These additional ambulances will serve the county through February 3. (CBS17)
  2. As the Streets at Southpoint is battling "chaotic violence," it has made a questionable decision to cancel the license of Sir Castle Tees to operate at the mall. The popular specialty store is one of the few Black-owned businesses at the mall and according to owner Michael Phillips, it is doing fantastic. No reasons were given in the termination letter and the management office said that they "were looking to get rid of a few shoe stores, and we're going to get started with you," although the store is not listed as a shoe store. (abc11)
  3. A new COVID-19 testing site opened in Durham on Thursday that does not require appointments or insurance. The testing location will provide a drive-thru, no cost COVID-19 testing and clinic. The PCR tests will provide results in 24-36 hours. (WRAL)
  4. The Durham City Council discussed a proposal to raise the pay for police officers and firefighters Thursday. The Durham Police Department currently has 87 vacancies, an increase over 81 last month. The Fire Department has 34 responder vacancies, and both are facing high turnover and difficulty recruiting. Upon passing, the proposal would raise police officer recruits to $42,593 annually, and firefighter recruits to $40,682.
  5. Both sides have made their case in the litigation challenging North Carolina's new congressional and legislative maps, and now closing arguments are set to take place with a decision expected next week. Regardless of the outcome, appeals are likely to follow. Witnesses in the case included mathematicians, political scientists, and leaders in the House's and Senate's redistricting committees. (Spectrum News 1)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Durham:

  • Boot Camp + Brews at The Glass Jug Beer Lab Brewery (5:30 pm)
  • Trivia & Name That Tune at The Shamrock House (6:30 pm), Harry Potter Trivia at Mystic Farm and Distillery (7:00 pm)
  • "Pen Me In" Open Mic Night at The Poetry Lounge (7:00 pm)
  • Friday Free Tour at Mystic Farm and Distillery (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)
  • Murray's After Dark Salsa Friday at Arthur Murray (8:15 pm - 12:00 am)

From my notebook:

  • It's National Tempura Day and M Tempura of Durham offers an elevated take on tempura.
  • If you're looking for work in Durham, Downtown Durham keeps a job board to help connect employers with those seeking work.
  • Durham County Libraries has launched a new smartphone app to help manage your library account and discover new literature. (DCo Library Facebook)
  • The City of Durham is seeking input by January 12 regarding how the region's future transportation system will comply with emissions goals. (Facebook)

Loving the Durham Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— CJ Fullford

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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