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Community Corner

🌱 Price Gouging Warnings + Hit & Run Suspect + Insurance Fraud

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 Local Quilt Shop Day Durham!

First, today's weather:

Clouds giving way to some sun. High: 36 Low: 18.

Here are the top 4 stories today in Durham:

  1. With the declaration of a state of emergency by Governor Cooper, the state's price gouging law is now in effect. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein's office released that he has won three recent price gouging lawsuits, including one against a Durham convenience store. The price gouging law has also remained in effect due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with the winter storms, consumers will want to be aware of the legality. (CBS17)
  2. Durham police have released photos of the person believed to be responsible for the fatal hit-and-run on Saturday. Police also released a photo of the vehicle which has an updated description of a 2001-2005 black or dark colored Honda Civic. Anyone with information regarding the vehicle or persons identity is asked to contact investigators or Durham Crime Stoppers. (Durham Police Department Facebook)
  3. A Durham man was charged with insurance fraud after lying about the date of an accident. Samuel Stacy Whitlock-Macrae was accused of providing false information on a claim with Progressive Insurance by claiming an accident occurred on September 22, when it actually occurred on September 24, after his policy lapsed. Whitlock-Macrae was arrested by Raleigh police on an unrelated charge and was served with the insurance fraud charge as well. (CBS17)
  4. With the surge in cases related to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the role of contact tracers is changing. Contact tracers have pivoted away from trying to identify where the virus came from and are instead working to provide resources to help get people vaccinated and boosted. The Contract obtained from the North Carolina Health and Human Services reveals the state has paid an estimated $15 million for contact tracing efforts. (abc11)

Today in Durham:

From my notebook:

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— CJ Fullford

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