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Community Corner

🌱 State of the City Recap + Darryl Howard VS The City + YCWA Revamp

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 April 20 Durham!

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 65 Low: 43.

Here are the top five stories today in Durham:

  1. Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal gave the State of the City address on Monday, in which she focused on crime and affordable housing. O'Neal said that combatting violence is a big goal, but so are things like affordable housing and redeveloping neighborhoods like Hayti. (CBS17) On Monday afternoon, Durham County Health Director Rodney Jenkins also gave pandemic updates as signs that the region may soon face another surge loom. (INDY Week)
  2. A Durham man won a $6 million lawsuit after being wrongfully convicted on two murder charges, however the Durham City Council has decided against paying him. Darryl Anthony Howard was exonerated in 2016, and received a pardon from Governor Roy Cooper in 2021 after serving 21 years. Not only does the city not intend to pay the $6 million, but it also expects Howard to pay legal fees of city employees who were dismissed from the case. (FoxNews, WRAL)
  3. The Harriet Tubman YWCA has historic significance in Durham, and soon it will have future significance as well. Durham community members and elected officials met on Monday to accept the $1 million community project funding towards renovating the facility into affordable housing. The economic development investment grant was administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as a reward for community initiative. (abc11)
  4. A 19-year-old man has died following an April 12 road rage shooting in Durham. Jose Cabrera died at Durham hospital after he and a teenager crashed on Alston Avenue following a shooting. Police say the two were shot by someone on a scooter passing them who fled the scene. (CBS17) The woman who was shot and killed on the same night, in what is believed to be an unrelated incident, has been identified as Karla Yadira Jaramillo Noyola. (CBS17)
  5. A Florida federal judge voided a national mask mandate for planes and trains on Monday. Following the decision, RDU airport tweeted that TSA would no longer require visitors, travelers, or employees to wear a mask at the airport. Airlines still maintain the ability to require or not require the use of masks, but many airlines have been pushing for the mandate drop for months. (CBS17)

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Today in Durham:

From my notebook:

  • So normally I wouldn't be so inclined to highlight 4/20, but as discussion regarding legalization in North Carolina continues, one study has found that a majority of voters are in support of legalization. Now is the time to make your stance known by writing to your congressperson.
  • The Rotary E Club of District 7710 is seeking volunteers to help with the Fostering Love Duffle Bags Stuffing Saturday at Goodwill Industries Durham from 9:00am-12:00pm.
  • You can watch the Durham City Council from April 18 on the City of Durham's YouTube, Facebook & Twitter accounts. (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— CJ Fullford

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