School board votes on school start times

Durham County School Board voted unanimously to push back start times for most high schools from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. ending the school day at 4 p.m. Most middle schools’ days will run from 7:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. an elementary schools will be tiered, with schools running from 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and 9:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Holt School Road Park recieves Improvements

Holt School Road Park, one of 15 projects nationwide selected to receive a $20,000 grant through the Build Community Campaign, has received improvements by volunteers that includes an overhauled playground and an expansion of the interpretive trail.

Duke University professor earns award

Duke professor Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of African and African-American Studies, will receive the Richard Yarborough award for mentoring, in October in Toronto by the American Studies Association.

Duke University opens "The Bullpen" in downtown

Duke University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship initiative has moved to the second floor of the Imperial Building, a 1916 structure on Morris Street. Officials call it the "Bullpen" and are hoping it becomes a go-to destination where people with an idea or invention can get help in figuring out how to bring it to the marketplace.

Durham's Spoonflower to expand, create new jobs

After a $25 million equity infusion Spoonflower, a custom fabric maker, will expand creating 50 new jobs in Durham.

FTA releases DEIS for Durham light-rail route

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Durham light-rail route. The report includes a summary of the environmental, social and economic impacts of the 17-mile project, as well as those of other proposed transportation alternatives.

Grocers on Wheels works with The Partnership for a Healthier Durham

The Partnership for a Healthy Durham is working with Grocers on Wheels, to launch a service that will deliver food to three housing centers; Forest Hills Heights, J. J. Henderson Housing Center and JFK towers, starting September 3.

Wilson Pavillion re-opens August 27

Wilson Pavilion, the largest of the Nasher's galleries, is scheduled to re-open August 27.

NCWorks Mobile Unit will be in East Durham

Over the next two months, residents of East Durham will be able to utilize the services NCWorks Career Center offers from their own neighborhood with the NCWorks Mobile Unit. 

Durham Distellery to sell product in ABC stores

Durham Distillery will begin selling two lines of gin under the brand Conniption, one an American dry and one a Navy strength. The company will also offer a line of flavored liqueurs under the name Damn Fine.

Durham's real estate market continues to increase in sales, listings and value

Home sales have increased by 12.4 percent according to Triangle MLS. Listings for the county increased 29.8 percent according to Triangle Multiple Listing Services and home values increased from a median of $159,000 to $164,000, about a 3 percent increase according to Zillow.

Northgate Mall adds two kids' spots

Northgate Mall has added two new kids' spots; The Pampered Prince-ss,  a full-service hair salon specializing in children’s hair care and specialty birthday parties for children age 0 to 14 and a new kids' ride named Zoo Rides that features large-scale electric furry animals that kids can ride.

City Council approves a $101,000 consultant contract to explore rental assistance programs

The City Council has approved a $101,000 consultant contract with Enterprise Community Partners to explore affordable housing policy options across the city.

Vegan Flava Cafe to open

Vegan Flava Café is scheduled to open Aug. 29 in the former Blue Note Grill space at 4125 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.

Lisa Sorg will contribute stories to Bull City Rising

Lisa Sorg will begin contributing stories to the Bull City Rising blog.

New 'Que restaurant, Picnic, will open this fall

The Barbecue Man (Wyatt Dickson) the Chef (Ben Adam) and the Farmer (Ryan Butler) will open Picnic, a barbecue restaurant in North Durham later this fall.

Hairizon relocates to Northgate Mall

Hairizon Beauty Bar and Boutique has relocated from their downtown location to Northgate Mall in suite 852.

Dame's Chicken & Waffles opens on Duke's campus

 Dame’s Chicken and Waffles will open a new restaurant called “Dame’s Express” on Central Campus this fall.

Wetrock Farm recieved overwhelming approval

Durham County's board of commissioners  gave its overwhelming approval to build Wetrock Farm,  a 230-acre site along N.C. 501 in north Durham. The property, a 230-acre site along N.C. 501 will have 141 homes alongside 130 acres of preserved forestland  and  will be the region's first housing community with its own organic fruit and vegetable farm.

Notasium will open August 24th

Notasium, the music-based play space, will open Aug. 24 and is located at 3750 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

'Durm' fashion will open store in downtown

'Durm' fashion entrepreneurs Justin Laidlaw and Gabe Eng-Goetz will be subleasing space in the historic Trust Building, located at 212 W. Main St., from American Underground.

Durham shows increase in tourist spending

According to a new study commissioned by Visit North Carolina and conducted by the U.S. Travel Association, Durham saw visitor spending increase to $700 million in 2014 from $657.17 million in 2013.

Rise Buscuits & Donuts will open new shops

Rise will be taking the street-level space at 401A Foster St. that is currently occupied by  DaisyCakes pastry shop. This location will be the first corporate store under the new Rise High LLC partnership between Rise Franchising and Dustin and Susan Gross.

Ginsburg named director of School of Medicine-Pratt School partnership

Geoffrey Ginsburg, MD, PhD, has been named director of MEDx (Medicine and Engineering at Duke).

Daisy Cakes is Closing

Daisy Cakes will close Aug. 21, the owner announced Monday. Rise Biscuit and Donut will be taking over the location.

Historic Trust Building to house DCVB, Windsor Circle, and AU

The Trust Building, Located at 212 W. Main St., beside the 21c Museum Hotel, is under development and will house the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, American Underground and Windsor Circle offices upon completion.

Beyu Caffe is moving

Beyu Caffe will be moving two doors down from its current space and will be located at 341 W. Main St. in January 2016.

Bull City Connector adds Duke stops

Durham’s Bull City Connector will add new routes starting August 15 along Duke’s campuses and will include West Campus and  Duke Hospital.

Police partner with social network Nextdoor

The Durham Police Department have partnered with Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com), a free and private social network for neighborhoods. 

Starbucks, AT&T, and Mattress Firm building to open in November

A three-tenant building housing Starbucks, AT&T and Mattress Firm located at 4010 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd is expected to open in early November.

Washington Duke appoints managers

The Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club has added Emily Garcia and Sarah Casella as guest reception managers.