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Community Corner

🌱 Mayor Reveals Some Anti-Gun Efforts + School Board Talks Masks

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 Media)

Happy National Cocktail Day Durham!

First, today's weather:

Rain and drizzle in the a.m.. High: 67 Low: 45.

Here are the top five stories today in Durham:

  1. Not long after Mayor Elaine O'Neal made it clear that she would not be speaking on gun violence in the city, accusations began. Last month, Black liberation minister Paul Scott accused O'Neal of holding secret meetings with gang members. In response to the accusations O'Neal opened up to INDY Week regarding the retreat hosted prior to being sworn in, and some of the behind the scenes efforts she has been working on. (INDY Week)
  2. A section of S. Miami Boulevard/U.S. Route 70 in Durham was closed down on Wednesday morning due to a serious crash. The crash occurred around 4:30 am and the eastbound lanes were shut down as the N.C. State Highway Patrol conducted an investigation into the crash. Westbound lanes were closed for some time prior to reopening, and the crash occurred due to a driver traveling west crossing the center and hitting an eastbound driver. (CBS17)
  3. Leaders from Durham Public Schools will meet today to determine if the district will continue the indoor masking policy. The Board of Education will meet at 6:30 pm to discuss it, since Durham remains one of the last school districts to keep the mandate in place. DPS did loosen policies on March 16, and Durham County dropped the county-wide mandate on March 7, but the school district was able to make its own determinations. (WRAL)
  4. Durham leaders are facing community pushback after hiring a Colorado-based art design company, Parasoleil to provide an art screen for an East Main Street. The plans are expected to cost $500,000, and the company was chosen out of 97 submissions. Some Durham residents are upset, believing that the funds could have been better spent elsewhere, while others consider Durham to be an art city and are disappointed the work will not be from local creators. (abc11)

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Today in Durham:

From my notebook:

  • It's National Cocktail Day and Alley Twenty Six doesn't just make awesome drinks, they also will host virtual classes to teach you how to make awesome drinks!
  • Durham's Meals on Wheels is celebrating nearly 50 years of service this week, while serving approximately 600 people in Durham County. (INDY Week)
  • The Durham Board of County Commissioners will be holding it's Regular Session meeting in person on Monday, March 28. (DCONC.Gov)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

  • Prismatica Kaleidoscope Experience: A Color-Filled Exhibition of Lights and Reflections at The Streets at SouthPoint (See schedule)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update!

— CJ Fullford

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