Hillside Band Director to Step Down After 15 Years

Hillside High School band director Xavier Cason will step down at the end of the school year to spend more time with family. The N.C. Central University graduate and former Marching Sound Machine director, has led the Marching Hornets for 15 years and helped the program win hundreds of awards including last year's state championship.

DPS Teacher Wins Durham Am Golf Tournament with Record-Setting Round

Hillsborough Central Elementary School physical education teacher John Gaddy won the Durham Amateur golf tournament at Hillandale Golf Course by two strokes. Gaddy’s eight-under-par final round of 63 is believed to be the best single round in tournament history, which began in 1974.

West Elm to Open Location in The Streets at Southpoint

West Elm, a retailer of upscale furniture and home decoration items, will open at The Streets at Southpoint in late summer. The store will be located in the outdoor section of the mall near Ann Taylor Loft.

Bull City Running Club Team Wins 5th Annual Doughman

The Bull City Running Club team won the fifth annual Doughman, Durham's mini-triathlon/eating competition, in a little over one hour and 10 minutes. The competitive race raised more than $25,000 for Durham non-profit SEEDS.

Carmon Named Morehead Elementary School Principal

Warnele Renee Carmon has been named as Morehead Elementary School's new principal; Carmon is currently principal of Glenn Elementary School and previously served as a teacher at Hope Valley and Eno Valley elementary schools.

Durham Author Mena Webb Dies at 97

Author Mena Webb, who moved to Durham in 1915 at six weeks old, has died at the age of 97. She is best known for “The Way We Were: Remembering Durham” and “Jule Carr: General Without an Army.”

Catchafire Launches in Durham

Catchafire, the nation’s largest online pro bono service organization, has launched in Durham. Rachel Chong, founder and CEO of Catchafire, holds a Masters of Public Policy from Duke University.

Children's Consignment Boutique to Open at 1000 W Main

bien-aimé, an upscale children’s consignment boutique is slated to open next door to Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel at 1000 W. Main St near the end of June. 

Durham Police Honored in Washington, DC

Durham police investigators Charles Sole and Kristy Roberts and Forensic Services Supervisor Alison Hutchens are being honored at the 17th Annual Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for their efforts in tracking down the suspects in the 2011 murders of 28-year-old Antoinetta Yvonne McKoy and 5-year-old Jadon Higganbothan.

Wissel Joins Duke as Assistant Wrestling Coach

Benjamin Wissel will join Duke University's wrestling program as assistant coach beginning in July. Wissel is a four-time NCAA qualifier, a two-time All-American for Purdue University and previously served as the Boiler Elite Wrestling Club Head Coach and as a volunteer assistant for the Boilermakers.

CREE's CFO Steps Down

The chief financial officer of Durham LED lighting company Cree has resigned. Mike McDevitt will serve as Cree's interim CFO while the company launches a nationwide search to fill the vacated role.

NCCU Athletics Director Named to NCAA Research Committee

The NCAA Division I Administrative Cabinet has appointed NC Central University Director of Athletics Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree to the NCAA Research Committee. The NCAA Research Committee consists of athletics administrators and faculty who collaborate with NCAA research department staff to produce high-quality research on issues related to college athletics. Wicker-McCree has served NC Central University for 18 years with the last four years as Director of Athletics.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens Celebrates Completion of Major Enhancements

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens is celebrating the completion of several major enhancements including the newly named Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden, the Rose Arbor and the new Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden.

Longtime Durham Bulls Manager Inducted into Hall of Fame

Longtime Durham Bulls manager, Bill Evers (1998-2005), was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame; the Bulls also retired the jersey No. 20 that Evers wore when he won a team-record 613 games and two International League Governor’s Cup trophies.

Three NCCU Grads Selected as NC Schweitzer Fellows

Three N.C. Central University graduate students have been selected as North Carolina Schweitzer Fellows for 2012-13: Iyanna Henry, Tiarra Green and Courtney Williams. They are among 250 Schweitzer Fellows across the country engaged in conceptualizing and delivering health-care and social services in underserved communities.

Durham VA Medical Center Names New Director

The Durham VA Medical Center has named DeAnne Seekins its new director. Seekins most recently served as the director of the Hampton VA Medical Center. Seekins succeeds former director Ralph Gigliotti in overseeing the delivery of health care to more than 56,000 veterans living in eastern North Carolina and supervising 2,200 employees.

Duke Football Legend Turns 100 Years Old

Duke football legend Clarence "Ace" Parker - the oldest living member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame - has turned 100-years-old. Parker lettered three seasons (1934-35-36) in football under Hall of Fame head coach Wallace Wade. As a quarterback, Parker set school records for rushing yards in a season (884 in 1935) and career (1,856), total points in a career (134) and touchdowns scored in a career (21).  He also holds the school record for longest kickoff return with an 105-yard effort versus North Carolina in 1936. Parker also played basketball and baseball at Duke and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

RTP Foundation Names New Business Development VP

The Research Triangle Park Foundation of North Carolina has named Martin Ailstock its new vice president of business development. Ailstock will lead business development, marketing, real estate, and partnership efforts, and work on relationships with local universities. Ailstock worked in economic development at Clemson and was most recently economic development director of a Clemson University campus and technology park.

Kyrie Irving Named NBA Rookie of the Year

Former Duke point guard Kyrie Irving was voted NBA Rookie of the Year earning 117 of a possible 120 first-place votes from a national NBA media panel. Irving played his first professional season with the Cleveland Cavaliers averaging 18.5 points, 5.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Durham Bodybuilder Named Mr. North Carolina

Durham bodybuilder Bo Allen was awarded top honors from the North Carolina National Physique Committee at the 2012 state championship. At 45 years old, Allen is the oldest man ever to win the Mr. North Carolina title.

Duke's Broadhead Appointed to New Five-Year Term

The Duke University Board of Trustees President Richard H. Brodhead have been appointed to a new five-year term by the Board of Trustees. Broadhead came to Duke in 2004 from Yale University; he is Duke's ninth president.

Duke Graduates 3,719 and NC Central Graduates 577

A total of 3,719 undergraduates, graduate and postdoctoral candidates were awarded degrees from Duke University and another 577 graduated from North Carolina Central University on Sunday.

Duke Football Great Inducted into NC Sports Hall of Fame

Duke football great Wray Carlton (1956-1958) has been inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame. While playing football at Duke, Wray earned all-ACC honors and helped the Blue Devils to the 1958 Orange Bowl. He went on to play eight seasons for the Buffalo Bills, leading the American Football League in rushing one season, playing in two Pro Bowls and helping the Bills win AFL championships.

Kathy Griffith to Headline 2012 NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

A performance by comedian and author Kathy Griffin will be the headlining event of the 10 day long North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Griffith will perform at the Durham Performing Arts Center on August 10.

Nasher Museum Awarded $75K Art Works Grant

The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University has been awarded a $75,000 Aret Works grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Nasher will work with local public elementary school teachers and their students on an art-infused language arts curriculum.

Durhamite to Serve as Duke's 2012 Student Government President

Durham local Alex Swain will assume the role of Duke University's 2012 Student Government President. A graduate of Jordan High School, Swain is the first Durham resident to become student government president in recent memory and only the third African-American to fill the role.

Duke Medicine to Anchor Croasdaile Commons Shopping Center

Duke Medicine will anchor what was formerly Loehmann’s Plaza which is being redeveloped into a shopping center, Croasdaile Commons. Duke Medicine will occupy about 67,000 square feet of space.

CenterFest Returns After 2011 Hiatus

After taking a one-year hiatus, CenterFest will return to Durham on Sept. 15 and 16. The location of the event has yet to be announced.

Bob Ashley Returns to Role as Herald-Sun Editor

Bob Ashley will return to his role as the editor of The Herald-Sun after after serving a year as executive director of Preservation Durham. Outgoing editor Nancy Wykle who is leaving for a job as Department of Social Services volunteer programs director at the Volunteer Center of Durham. Ashley has a 42-year career in newpapers serving the last six of those as editor of the The Herald-Sun.

Durham Rabbi Named USA Team Rabbi for 2013 Maccabiah Games

Beth El Synagogue rabbi Daniel Greyber has been named USA team rabbi for the 2013 World Maccabiah Games in Israel. Greyber competed in the 1993 World Maccabiah Games as the USA swim team captain and won gold and bronze medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke.

Duke Appoints Paula D. McClain as Dean of Graduation School

Duke University has named Paula D. McClain, professor of political science and former chair of Duke University's Academic Council, its dean of the university's Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education. McClain has been a member of the Duke political science faculty since 2000 and also holds an appointment in the Sanford School of Public Policy.

Duke Recieves $10M Gift to Recruit, Retain Engineering Faculty

Duke alumnus Jeffrey Vinik and his wife, Penny, have gifted Duke University $10 million. The Vinik Faculty Challenge Fund, a dollar-for-dollar matching fund, will be used to hire and retain professors who focus on finding solutions to complex society challenges in engineering and related areas in energy, global health, brain sciences and the environment.

Durham Companies Named to Council for Entrepreneurial Development's Watch List

Durham-based companies Argyle Social, Automated Insights Inc., EvoApp, PharPoint Research Inc., Relevance Inc., and Zift Solutions Inc were named to the Council for Entrepreneurial Development's 25 North Carolina Companies to Watch list. The list recognizes growth-oriented companies in their second stage of development that demonstrate high performance in their markets, show innovative products or have other unique qualities.

Quintiles HQ Honored with Building Award

Quintiles Plaza has been honored with the Outstanding Building of the Year (TOBY) Award from the Building Owners & Managers Association - in the corporate facility category.

Durham Marriott City Center Presented with TripAdvisor Award

TripAdvisor presented the Durham Marriott City Center hotel with its TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for maintaining an average rating of four or higher out of a possible five, based on TripAdvisor traveler reviews.

Durham Regional Appoints Griffith as Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Barbara Griffith has been appointed chief medical officer of Durham Regional Hospital. Griffith served as president of Durham Regional’s medical staff from 2009-2010; she is also president and a staff physician for Durham Emergency Physicians.

Bell and Howell Honored for Newest Innovations

Bell and Howell received an honorable mention award for Technology of the Year at the 2012 Xplor Conference and Vendor Forum for two of its newest innovations: Navigator, a user interface that uses voice commands and notifications, and the Harmonix software, which is used with Bell and Howell inserters to synchronize interactions among the operator, machine and mail pieces.

Durham Academy Senior Named 2012 Presidential Scholar

Durham Academy senior Indira Puri has been named as one of North Carolina’s two 2012 U.S. Presidential Scholars. One female and one and male from each state is selected for the award, The award recognizes high school seniors - one male, one female from each state - for their accomplishments in academics or the arts. The awards are presented in Washington, D.C.

Hillside High School Teacher Honored fro 25 Years of Service

Wendell Tabb will be honored for his 25 years of service in the Hillside High School drama department on May 19. Tabb has previously been honored with Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award, the N.C. Regional Theatre Conference Excellence in Directing Award and as The Triangle Tribune's 2011 Father of the Year.

Logan Named Hillside High School Principal

Durham Public Schools has named William Logan principal of Hillside High School principal. Logan has served as the school’s interim principal since early February. Prior to that had, he spent five years as principal of Hillside New Tech High School, a small STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)-focused school on the Hillside campus.

DPS Names Teacher of the Year Finalists

Durham Public Schools named four finalists for the 10 Teacher of the Year award:

- Alaina Burr, English as a Second Language teacher at Riverside High School.

- Carrie Jacobsohn, sixth-grade social studies teacher at Carrington Middle School.

- Karen Lodata, fifth-grade teacher at Holt Elementary School.

- Yolanda Reilly, physical education/health teacher at Shepard Middle School.

Healthy Food Truck 'Big City Sandwiches' Hits the Street

The Big City Sandwiches food truck has hit the streets of Durham with their healthy sandwiches that feature fresh local produce, homemade condiments, artisan breads and cold cuts from Applegate Farms that are free of hormones, antibiotics and nitrates.

The Cookery to Add Event Space

The Cookery will add a 2,500-square-foot event space in their current location for private dinners, receptions, workshops and pop-up restaurants. Opening is slated for late summer 2012.

MaMa Duke's, New Food Truck Now Open for Business

Mama Duke's food truck, specializing in Mediterranean food with a Southern influence, has joined the ranks of Durham's growing mobile food community.