Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How could a new Durham Freeway design help reconnect Hayti?

Happening soon: Nitro Circus Live on the Durham Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday August 21st Patch AM
Friday August 21st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey there, Durham! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How could a new Durham Freeway design help reconnect Hayti?
  • What's actually in Durham's new five-part plan to curb gun violence?
  • Durham community reflects on the life and legacy of Sheremy Dillard

Also on today's calendar: XOXOK Live Music and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A heavy t-storm; not as hot, with a high of 84 and low of 72 degrees.
  • Saturday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 85, low: 68.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny, a t-storm; warm, with a high of 91 and low of 64 degrees. 🌶 Hot!

📰 News we're reading

1. Can Durham repair a historic wrong? New Durham Freeway plans spark hope in Hayti (abc11.com) — Durham leaders are weighing three major redesign options for the Durham Freeway, including a costly land-bridge "cap" that could reconnect historic Hayti to downtown. Longtime residents who saw homes and businesses destroyed by NC 147 hope the Reimagine Durham Freeway Vision Plan can repair some of that harm, though funding and state coordination remain big questions.
   

2. 'Something has to be done': Durham unveils recommendations to curb gun violence after three-day summit (cbs17.com) — Durham city and county leaders have rolled out five major strategies to cut shootings and homicides, aiming for a 10% yearly reduction and planning a large funding request next year. After months of listening sessions and a three-day "Summit on Saving Lives," recommendations include focused support for high‑risk residents, revamped street outreach, neighborhood partnerships, expanded behavioral health services, and a youth summit.
   

3. From Hayti roots to Hillside mentor: Durham remembers Sheremy Dillard (abc11.com) — Durham is mourning Sheremy Dillard, a lifelong resident whose family roots run deep in the historic Hayti community and along Fayetteville Street. Remembered as a former Hillside High basketball player, coach, and mentor, she influenced generations of young athletes and carried forward the legacy of the well-known Dillard family; funeral arrangements are still being finalized.
   

4. Wake and Durham county visitor numbers and spending hit records in 2025 (cbs17.com) — Durham County set a record with 13.4 million visitors in 2025, who spent $1.17 billion and helped support more than 7,700 local tourism jobs. Alongside strong growth in neighboring Wake County and statewide, that visitor spending generated tens of millions in tax revenue and helps reduce the tax burden on North Carolina households, including those in Durham.
   

5. NC school rooftops could generate enough solar power for 150,000 homes, report finds (wral.com) — A new report finds North Carolina school rooftops could host enough solar panels to power about 150,000 homes, including an estimated 24 megawatts on Durham County schools alone. Researchers say rooftop solar could cut emissions and help schools manage rising power costs, but current state rules and financing barriers still make many projects hard to launch.
   

📸 Around Durham

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Durham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Durham Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Friday August 21
  • 7th and 8th Open House
    Margaret B. Pollard Middle Chapel Hill, NC 27516
    5:30 pm
    • Saturday August 22
  • Silent Saturday Meditation Retreat
    Recreation & Parks - 101 Cosgrove Ave. suite 142 Chapel Hill NC 27514
    10:00 am
    • Monday August 24
  • Chalk the Walk
    Willow Oak Montessori Chapel Hill, NC 27517
    9:00 am
  • Leadership Lunch Grades 3, 6, 8
    Willow Oak Montessori Chapel Hill, NC 27517
    11:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Durham PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello!
    I found a female husky dog that has no collar. She is full and nails are trimmed, so she is a pet! Found roaming on E Geer street around Landon farms… (Nextdoor Landon Farms)
  • 🚨MISSING CAT 🚨
    My cat slipped out of the back door @ 800 Finsbury Street (Republic Flats) building 7 sometime Tuesday evening and cannot be found. Her name is Fish… (Nextdoor Republic Flats)
  • Mentor Technical Group posted a job opening for Facilities Group Leader in Durham. Apply here.
  • Allegiance Industries, Inc. posted a job opening for 1st Shift General Cleaner in Durham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Durham here.

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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Durham