Bernard, Trask Reappointed to New Five-Year Terms at Duke

Two senior Duke administrators Pamela Bernard, vice president and general counsel, and Tallman Trask III, executive vice president,  have been reappointed to new five-year terms.

iNVICTUS Office Center to Open

 The iNVICTUS office center located at 601 Fayetteville St. suite 300, will have their grand opening, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday June 30th. 

Sanchez named principal at Spring Valley

Sarah Sanchez, the assistant principal at Lucas Middle School, has been appointed principal of Spring Valley Elementary. 

Owners of Pulcinella's Italian Restaurant in Durham expanding to Chapel Hill

The owners of Pulcinella's Italian Restaurant in Durham are expanding to Chapel with

Magone Italian Grill & Pizza and will open in the Timberlyne Shopping Center at 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd. in the space formerly occupied by Pizza Vito. The new restaurant will open in July or August, according to its Facebook page.

New food truck also re-entry program for ex-cons

2econd Helpings food truck will employ only those Durhamites returning to the community after serving time in prison. Employees will make around $12 an hour, the certified Durham living wage.

Music-based playspace coming together in Durham

Notasium, a music-based play space, is scheduled to open in Durham off of Chapel Hill Boulevard in July. Notasium, won full funding in a Kickstarter online fundraiser earlier this year and also has secured additional funding from local investors.

Duke has a new muscular dystrophy clinic

 Duke Medicine's new clinic for muscular dystrophy patients recently opened  at Lenox Baker Children's Hospital on Erwin Road.

Avalara opens in Durham

Avalara a company who provides cloud-based solutions for businesses, opened Thursday at 512 S. Mangum St. in the Diamond View I building at the American Tobacco Campus.

A Durham Startup Called First Delivers Realtors the Best Leads

 The Durham startup company First, created by Mike Schneider and Jess Martin , delivers Realtors around the nation bunches of solid leads by sending targeted emails to people.

Duke Diet and Fitness Center names new program director

The Duke Diet and Fitness Center has named Will Yancy, MD, MHS, associate professor of medicine (General Internal Medicine), the new program director beginning July 1.

Cree to consolidate Durham factories

Cree, a Durham-based LED manufacturer will consolidate its two Durham LED factories one in segment restructuring.

Google Fiber construction begins

Construction on Google Fiber has begun in the Triangle, including Durham. Google will notify residents via doorhangers if it is installing cables on their street.

New Bottle Shop Opens on Fuller St.

Ramblers, a new bottle shop and tasting bar, has opened at 115 Fuller St.

Duke University names Director of B.N. Duke Scholarship Program

Duke University has named Michael Gustafson the faculty director of the B.N. Duke Scholarship program,

Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church to build parking lot

Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church plans to purchase several properties at 714, 715 and 716 Iredell St. to build a parking lot for the church.

The Duke Eye Center to open new building June 29

The Duke Eye Center will open a new, four-story clinical pavilion on Monday, June 29, that will add 116,000 square feet of clinical and administrative space to serve eye patients and others.

Summer lane closures announced around Duke University

From June 29 to Sept. 4, all pedestrian traffic will be moved to the south side of Towerview Road. About 400 feet of sidewalk on the north side of the road from Union Drive to the edge of the construction area will be closed on July. The eastbound lane of Towerview will be closed from Union-Towerview intersection about 400 feet northwest on Towerview. Temporary traffic signals will be installed to help maintain traffic flow.

Wexford Science + Technology to Redevelop former Chesterfield Factory

Wexford Science + Technology plans to redevelop the former Chesterfield factory into a life sciences office space that would include a glass atrium in the center of the building and construction of a new parking deck.

NCCU to add women's golf program

North Carolina Central University is dropping its women’s bowling program and adding women’s golf for the 2016-17 season,

Homewood Suites Hotel Sold

Homewood Suites by Hilton Durham-Chapel Hill, a 96-room hotel located at 3600 Mt. Moriah Road, has been sold for an undisclosed amount to Huntersville-based Narsi Properties from PHG-AREP II Durham MT Moriah LLC.

Duke neuroscientist wins $4 million grant to study Parkinson’s disease

Duke University neuroscientist and biomedical engineer Warren Grill has been awarded a $4 million grant from the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award to study deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Catotti says she won’t run again for Durham council

City Councilwoman Diane Catotti said Wednesday that she will not seek re-election this fall.She follows her colleague Eugene Brown, who announced June 5 that he is leaving the council, also after three terms. Their announcements leave two vacancies among three at-large council seats to be filled in this fall’s election, along with the mayor’s chair.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/durham-news/article25448842.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/durham-news/article25448842.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/durham-news/article25448842.html#storylink=cpy

Gregoria's Cuban Steak House closing to reopen as Mesa Latin Kitchen

On July 3, Gregoria’s Cuban Steakhouse located on Hillsborough Road, will close for renovations and reopen July 17th as Mesa Latin Kitchen. Fares Hanna, who owned and operated Gregoria’s Kitchen and Gregoria’s Cuban Steakhouse and has partnered with James Beard award-winning Chef Douglas Rodriguez in this new venture.

NCCU and N.C. State create dual degree program

N.C. Central University and N.C. State University signed a Memorandum of Understanding Monday that creates a joint, dual-degree program in physics and engineering. The “Three + Two Physic-Engineering Dual Degree Program” will allow students to enroll in NCCU to study physics for three years and then transfer to N.C. State for two years to study electrical engineering en route to degrees in both disciplines in five years.

Durham Food Truck Inducted Into Hall of Fame

Two Durham based food trucks returned home with honors after competing against 50 other food trucks in the 2nd Annual NC State Food Truck Championship. Soom Soom Pita Pockets won Sandwich Truck State Champion while Will & Pop's  came home with the unique honor of being inducted in the Hall of Fame.

Scrap Exchange launches new preschool program

The Scrap Exchange in Durham has a new program for preschoolers, Preschool Artplay. The program runs monthly and is designed for kids ages 2 to 6 and their parents. The program is offered on June 24 and July 22 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the cost is $15 per participant.

Durham Wins National Awards for Technology Use

The City of Durham has brought home five awards for its technology use.The Public Technology Institute (PTI) has recognized the City’s Technology Solutions Department for its use of technology to improve service delivery through its 2015 PTI Technology Solutions Awards.

Durham Launches New Open Data Portal

The City of Durham and Durham County governments have launched a new open data portal, Open Data. Users are able to explore, visualize, and download city and county data as well as data sets from state and federal sources. The catalog is organized into 10 categories including transportation, social services, government administration and finance, economic development, education, health, public safety, sports and leisure, civic planning and environment.

Durham Awarded EPA Rain Catcher Award

City of Durham Public Works Department was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency with the regional 2015 EPA Rain Catcher Award in the Municipal Category. The EPA Region 4 Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the implementation of stormwater green infrastructure practices.

Duke East Campus dorms to get air conditioning

Duke University is installing air-conditioning in all dormitories on East Campus as the next step in its plan to install central air-conditioning for all freshmen residence halls.

Duke University Names former Rhodes Scholar Faculty Director

Alex Hartemink, a professor of computer science, statistical science and biology, has been appointed faculty director of the Duke University Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows, beginning July 1.

Entrepreneur launches co-working space/daycare space

Nido, a new combination co-working and daycare space has opened on 902 Broad St and is owned by Tiffany Frye.

Northern Durham Apartment Community Purchased for $13.5M

Chicago-based real estate investment firm 29th Street Capital has bought Seven Oaks, a 272-unit townhouse-style apartment community in north Durham, paying $13.5 million for the property.

The Durham Hotel sets July opening date

The Durham Hotel, located at 315 E. Chapel Hill St., will open in July. The Durham has 53 hotel rooms, a  new restaurant concept and rooftop bar from chef Andrea Reusing, and meeting spaces. The Durham plans to take room reservations beginning July 10.

School board member declines to seek reelection in 2016

Leigh Bordley has confirmed, after serving on the school board since 2008, she will not seek reelection in 2016. Three of the seven seats of the board will be up for election in the 2016 school board election.

Construction Projects Begin on Duke Campus

Construction has begun on Duke's campus along the West Campus Quad. Duke is planning a  multi-year project that focuses on landscape and includes upgraded irrigation, drainage, walkways and plantings. Construction will only take place during the summer months and is expected to take three years to complete.

$53M renovation planned for Cree production facility

Two permits for renovations to Durham's Cree campus, located at 4300 Silicon Drive, were recently filed with the city.Cree is planning a two part renovation in which MHA Works is listed as the architect. The project will focus on updating electrical, mechanical, and plumbing with the expected total cost listed as $53M.

Durham Students' Art to Decorate US Capitol

Jordan High School student Rachel Geoffrion and Durham School of the Arts senior, Zeke Seamans, both won a nationwide competition of student artwork to have their pieces displayed in  in the U.S. Capitol building for one year. Both  received two round trip tickets to Washington, D.C., for a recognition ceremony.

Duke Dedicates New Hudson Building at the Eye Center

On June 11, 2015 The new Hudson Building at Duke Eye Center was named in honor of William Hudson, CEO of Durham-based LC Industries and chairman of the Duke Eye Center Advisory Board. The building will open to patients on June 29.

Former Duke coach Gail Goestenkors inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Goestenkors, now an assistant coach with the WNBA's Indiana Fever,was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday night in Knoxville, Tenn. Goestenkors coached at Duke from 1992-2007 and won 396 games at Duke, taking the Blue Devils to four Final Fours and two national title games.

Duke’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative to move by early August

The Power House building in the Innovation District will be the new home to Duke's I&E Initiative. Duke now has more than 2,700 employees downtown and occupies more than one
million square feet of space in downtown Durham

New Buildings Go Up in RTP

Liberty Property Trust, a Pennsylvania real estate investment trust, has broken ground on two speculative industrial and flex buildings at Liberty Ridge near Research Triangle Park. The buildings include a 58,500-square-foot building at 1951 T.W. Alexander Dr. and a 126,000-square-foot building at 1953 T.W. Alexander Dr.. Both buildings are expected to be completed in December and both will be LEED-certified.

Food Hub to open in June

Reinvestment Partners, an advocacy and community development nonprofit will open Bull City Cool in June, a building that will house two tenants in a 4,200-square-foot building at 902 N. Mangum St. The two tenants will be Bella Bean Organics, a business that buys local food and products and makes home deliveries, and Farmer Foodshare, a nonprofit that helps get fresh food from local farmers to local agencies that serve “food-insecure” individuals.

RDU Plans for Runway Replacement in 2020

A 10-year NC transportation improvement plan would include a $100 million runway reconstruction at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, scheduled for 2020.

Duke Performances Announces 2015-16 Season

Duke Performances has announced the lineup for its 2015-16 season, which will include more than 60 acts between September 10, 2015 and April 15, 2016.

Frontier Airlines begins nonstop RDU to Denver service

Frontier Airlines has begun offering nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Denver International Airport.

Erwin Rd. and Emergency Dr. to get traffic light

A new traffic light and pedestrian crosswalk are being installed at the intersection of Erwin Road and Emergency Drive to promote the safety of pedestrians.

Duke Lemur Center welcomes two baby lemurs

The Duke Lemur Center recently welcomed the addition of two baby ring-tailed lemurs who are both named Princess Julian.

Cupcake Remake Set to Expand

Cupcake remake, a company that sells mason jars filled with layers of cake and icing, is set to expand through a partnership with Ninth Street Bakery, who will sell the cups.

American Meltdown to Open Location in Southpoint Mall

American Meltdown, a popular Durham food truck serving gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches will open a counter service location in the food court at the Streets of Southpoint in the Fall.

Bull City Craft to Move

Bull City Craft is moving out of Rockwood Shopping Center on University Drive by the end of June. An online fundraising campaign to support its move to a bigger home, through Kickstarter.com, will  expand the store's most popular programs. New location TBD.

North Carolina is partnering with a Durham investment group

State Treasurer Janet Cowell announced Wednesday that the state has inked a new “strategic partnership” with Durham-based Piedmont Investment Advisors.
Piedmont will assist North Carolina Retirement Systems’ staff with training and technical skills.

NCCU trustees appointed

Locally, system leaders gave second terms to N.C. Central University trustees Chairman George Hamilton and Vice Chairman John Barbee were appointed to a second term. They will be joined by  new appointees Darrell Allison and Michael Johnson. Who will serve a four year term.

Mateo's Matt Kelly chef and restauranteur to open Italian Trattoria

Mateo restaurateurs  Matt Kelly and Josh Decarolis plan to open an Italian Trattoria named
Mothers and Sons, which is set to open downtown this fall at 107 W. Chapel Hill St. The restaurant will be adjacent to Mateo.

Venezuelan restaurant opens

EpaChamo Venezuelan Arepas Bar & Grill has opened at 730 Ninth St. in Durham located in the former Mitch’s Bar & Grille space .

Duke health systems former leader recognized with award

Victor Dzau, M.D.,former Duke health system leader, has been recognized by Project HOPE with the Global Health Partner Award for his work with global health education and humanitarian assistance.

Part of Miami Blvd. to be closed for six weeks

Miami Boulevard between NC 98 and US 70 will be closed fro six weeks as part of the East End Connector project - which will link Highway 70 to Highway 147 in Durham.The detour will re-route drivers using N.C. 98 and U.S. 70. Local traffic can travel along Miami Boulevard on either side of the railroad crossing in that area.

Durham's RTP COO to retire at the end of 2015

Elizabeth Rooks, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Research Triangle Foundation, will retire after twenty-five years with the organization.

Durham's Page Rd. DoubleTree hotel sells $33M

Durham DoubleTree on  Page Rd. was recently sold to Southwest Value Partners of San Diego for $33M.

Durham Central Park names new director

Durham Central Park has hired longtime Durham Farmers’ Market manager Erin Kauffman as its new executive director.

Durham's Parion inks deal that could exceed $1 billion

Durham drug developer Parion Sciences reached a licensing deal with Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals, for a possible cystic fibrosis treatment. Licensing could bring the company upwards of $1 billion.

Durham Marriott hotel sells for $16M

The Durham Courtyard Marriott at  1815 Front Street, a recently renovated 146-room select-service hotel in Durham has been sold to Lightstone REIT for $16 million.

Six female-led companies tapped for startup program in Durham

Soar Triangle, a Durham entrepreneurship initiative trying to even the score between female and male entrepreneurs, has selected its second class of female-led companies.

Duke MRI Technology Reveals Deep Brain Pathways in Unprecedented Detail

Scientists at Duke Medicine have produced a 3-D map of the human brain stem at an unprecedented level of detail using MRI technology. Researchers unveiled an ultra high-resolution brain stem model that could better guide brain surgeons treating conditions such as tremors and Parkinson’s disease.

Duke Starts Camping Equipment Rental Program

Duke University faculty, staff and students are now able to rent camping and hiking equipment through a service called The Outpost, a service managed by Outdoor Adventures, a program under Duke Recreation and Physical Education,

Duke University to Offer Free Online Energy and Environment Course

Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment will soon offer a free, team-taught online course on the oil and gas industry and electric power industry through Coursera.

Company Expands Durham Warehouse Space

Armstrong Relocation, a long-distance moving company, has renewed and expanded its leased warehouse space by 33 percent at Imperial Center in Durham for a total 65,245 square feet in two buildings.

Durham's Rogers-Herr Middle School gets new principal

Durham Public Schools has announced Kecia Rogers as the new principal of Rogers-Herr Middle School.

Durham Tech receives $20,000 grant

Durham Technical Community College has received a $20,000 grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation to expand one of its campuses and the Nursing Assistant program.

Parking Fees Coming to Downtown

The City of Durham will plan to add paid street parking to accommodate the demand for downtown parking.

Piedmont announces Gregory Gettles as Executive Chef

Piedmont has announced that it has welcomed a new Executive Chef Gregory Gettles.

Developer to tear down, rebuild bigger downtown Durham warehouse

A vacant, brick warehouse on Seminary Avenue in downtown Durham has been sold to a New York private equity group with plans to tear down the building and redevelop the site with a new three-story building.

Durham Developers Secure $36M in Financing

East West Partners of Chapel Hill have secured the debt and equity financing to move forward with the construction phase of a modern apartment building on Rigsbee Ave.

Durham Nonprofits Merging

Genesis Home, founded in 1989, and the InterFaith Hospitality Network (IHN), founded in 1993, are merging into a single as-yet-unnamed nonprofit by the end of this year to improve services to the homeless.

Durham's Quintiles Expands

Durham's Quintiles has expanded, opening an office in Shanghai, China.