Eno River State Park acquires 6.4 acres of land

The Eno River Association acquired 6.4 acres of land that straddles the Durham/Orange county line off Sparger Road to add to Eno River State Park.The nonprofit land trust purchased the property from landowner Curtis Crosby using funds donated to the Association’s Margaret C. Nygard Land Acquisition Fund.

City buys Duke Diet & Fitness Center

Duke University has sold the Duke Diet & Fitness Center on Trinity Avenue to the city, which has plans to convert the property into a retrofit wetland area designed to filter harmful levels of nitrogen and phosphorus flowing from about 485 acres of densely developed property in and around downtown Durham before the runoff reaches Falls Lake.

Triangle Seafood Market fully open

Triangle Seafood Market located at at 905 W. Main St., in Brightleaf Square, completed the market portion of their restaurant and market combo location. Additions include a raw bar offering and a selection of fresh fish and shellfish to cook at home. 

Taxi Taxi begins serving Durham in 2016

Starting in January, Durham residents will be able to book Taxi Taxi, the hybrid concept taxi fleet. Local officials approved the expansion from Raleigh and will begin staging vehicles in Durham, and Chapel Hill in January. Customers will be able to book their rides through Taxi Taxi Mobile, the company’s booking app that operates on both Android and iPhone platforms. Customers preferring a more traditional method can reach a customer service agent 24/7 by calling (919) 333-3333.

Chuck Davis to be honored by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters

Dr. Charles "Chuck" Davis, founder and director of the African American Dance Ensemble and DanceAfrica America, will be awarded the Award of Merit for Achievement in Performing Arts by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters at the 59th annual APAP Awards luncheon in New York January 18, 2016. Awards are chosen based on esteemed artists, visionaries and advocates who have had a significant impact on the industry and communities worldwide. 

Landmark Howerton and Bryan Funeral Home and property to go on the market

The Howerton and Bryan Funeral Home was founded five years after the City of Durham received its charter, and has continued to operate as an independent business from its location at 1005 W. Main St. for the past 141 years. The funeral home will close on New Years Eve, and the building and property will go on the market for sale. 

Durham had record tourism and visitor spending numbers for 2014

The city of Durham has reported record tourism and visitor spending numbers for 2014. In 2014, Durham hosted 9.31 million visitors who spent a total of $830.8 million – an average of about $2.3 million per day. The bulk of the visitors, 92 percent, were domestic. The total spending represents an 8.5 percent increase over 2012’s total. The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau released the figures. The report tracks data every two years.

Researchers at Duke University develop new therapy for Pompe disease

Five years ago, researchers at Duke University developed the first ever treatment for Pompe disease. Recently, Duke University researchers have developed another therapy for Pompe disease that includes a regular regimen of respiratory muscle workouts using small devices. According to a study of patients who took part in Jones' treatment plan, patients inspiratory muscle strength increased 20 percent during a 12-week period, and their expiratory muscles strengthened 16 percent during that time.

Uber & Lyft drivers now approved to service RDU passengers

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport now allows Uber and Lyft drivers to drop off and pick up their fares in pre-arranged services zones of the commercial curb in front of both terminals. Individual drivers are no longer required to register individually with the Airport Authority and will instead, display a 7×7-inch company identification sticker, such as the Uber “U,” on the passenger side of the front windshield.

Duke alum appointed new COO of Apple

Apple recently announced that Jeff Williams will be their new COO. Williams earned his MBA from Duke University.

Durham recognized as one of three counties in NC to exceed national average in weekly wage growth

The latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor show the average worker in North Carolina earned a smaller weekly wage than the national average except three counties;  Durham, Wake, and Mecklenburg, which took home weekly wages higher than the national average.

Carolina Soul record store now open

Carolina Soul, previously an online record retailer, has opened a physical location at 117 E. Main St. The shop is open seven days a week from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. on Sundays. 

2015 was a success for American Underground and our economy

2015 was a successful year for The American Underground Companies. Triangle locations created more than 400 jobs, generated 40 percent more investment capital than a year earlier, and helped drive diversity with 30 percent of its tenants run by women and 22 percent led by minorities. Both figures are far above national averages.

Durham developer buys two South Durham buildings

Durham developer Dilweg has purchased the three-story South Square I and South Square II office buildings at University Drive and Mayfair Street. The buildings total 120,301 square feet and were 47 percent occupied at the time of the sale. Major tenants include Yadkin Bank, aWhere and Shift NC.

Mati Energy invests in a manufacturing facility

Mati Energy has invested $750,000 in a 30,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Mati expects to be producing the drink in the facility by mid-February.

NC Idea awards Durham startup grant

NC Idea awarded six N.C. startups grants for the Fall 2015 cycle. Of those six, Brim, created in Durham, is the world’s first productivity network, connecting people in remote locations to collaborate on files, hold online video conferences and webinars, manage tasks, share and organize data. 

Vert & Vogue launches two product collaborations with Raleigh Denim Workshop

Vert & Vogue has launched two product collaborations with Raleigh Denim Workshop. First, The Durham, is a women’s high rise skinny jean made of raw Cone Mills denim, second, the Bull City Jones Organic, is a men’s jean that is “made from the first crop of certified organic cotton denim in North Carolina. Only 26 pairs of The Durham and 35 pairs of Bull City Jones will be available for purchase.

New tarot themed bar Arcana opens

Arcana, a new bar with a tarot card theme, has opened and is located at 331 W Main Street. The entrance is in the back next to Beyu Cafe. Hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday, 5pm-12am, and you must be 21 or older to enter. 

Stops changed for GoDurham's Route 11

The GoDurham Route 11 will not serve Green Street inbound or outbound until further notice. Instead,  Route 11 will continue down Markham Avenue and on to the Duke University Hospital campus via Douglas Avenue then continue to Hillsborough Road via South LaSalle Street and end at Sparger Road before turning around.

DBAP to install new netting system for improved safety

The Durham Bulls announced plans to install a new netting system that will extend the length of each dugout down the first- and third-base lines. Previously, the nets protected fans sitting directly behind home plate but did not extend to the dugouts.

Google confirms locations in the Triangle

Google has confirmed the Google Fiber team is moving into two new offices in Raleigh and Durham.The buildings are at 309 E. Chapel Hill St. in Durham and 518 N. West St. in Raleigh.

Durham's property values increase after property reappraisals

Results from the state's  property reappraisals have been released and Durham's residential property values increased, on average 11.9 percent, commercial property values increased 27.1 percent and industrial property values increased 10.4 percent.

Sarah Foster's mashed potatoes recipe featured in Oprah's magazine

Sarah Foster, the owner of Foster's Market, was featured in the Oprah magazine for her mashed potatoes recipe. Also mentioned her new book, Foster's Market Favorites, covers 150 classics including the mashed potatoes recipe.

NCCU permanently fills the position of police chief and director of public safety.

Odetta Johnson has been chosen by NCCU to fill the police chief and director of public safety position after a national search. The new chief is a retired reservist in the U.S. Army with 24 years of service and has experience in field Operations, Economic Crimes, Organized Crimes, Forensics, Youth & Family Crime, Internal Affairs, Disciplinary Review Office and held the position of major and chief of staff at the Richmond, Virginia police department.

Incubator for entrepreneurial veterans launches at RTP

Bunker Labs, launched Tuesday at Research Triangle Park’s The Frontier. Bunker Labs has locations across the country to help existing veteran-owned technology startups grow, plans to capitalize on being in a state where nearly 10 percent of the population is comprised of veterans. 

Animated signs approved for Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Approval for two animated signs to occupy the entrance to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park,was granted by the City’s Board of Adjustment earlier this week. The two 139-square-foot signs will change images six times an hour — or about once every 10 minutes. And only 25 percent of the sign at any one time will be animated.The signs would also not be able to advertise anything not related to the Durham Bulls or the DBAP.

Durham couple creates candy that is good and good for you

Dr. Jenny, Dr. Sindhura Citineni, who owns the Dr. Gary Hill dentist office, and husband Tommy Thekkekandam created Tom and Jenny’s Vanilla and Chocolate Caramels. The candy is safe for the mouth and body so it does not cause cavities and actually fights mouth bacteria up to 50 to 70 percent.  The main ingredient is xylitol, an all-natural sugar derived from Birchwood trees.

Moogefest announces lineup

Moogefest has announced the lineup for the 2016 festival. More than 100 musical acts will play the festival, which is devoted to music, art and technology, on May 19-22 at 17 walkable venues throughout the downtown Durham. Venues include intimate galleries to theatres and will include a free outdoor stage, with music, workshops and participatory, all-ages programming.

County Commissioners help raise pay for school employees

Durham County Commissioners decided to fund $1.1 million towards the 2.2 million school district leaders are seeking for employee raises.The county asked for $2.2 million to give 3 percent pay raises for classified employees which would include low-paid employees who aren't teachers. 

East Durham resident launches baking business out of her home

Ali Rudel launched East Durham Pie Company out of her house a few months ago. The company offers a variety of pies, from maple sweet potato to honey bourbon pecan, and focuses on about four flavors per season.The business delivers directly to consumers, and also offers mini pies that are sold in Cocoa Cinnamon and Respite Café. On Monday, downtown ice cream shop The Parlour will take Rudel’s pies and incorporate them into ice cream flavors for a “flight night,” where customers can try all the varieties with a $12 ticket.

Luxury apartment community planned for Pavilion East complex

Ram Realty Services recently purchased the Pavilion East complex for $41M which included the land for a 263- unit luxury apartment community, the 700-space parking deck and the four-story office, retail and condominium building at 2608 Erwin Road . Plans to break ground  on the new luxury apartment community are expected to begin in spring 2016 with the first units open in summer 2017.

Moogefest presents workshops and a festival preview

Moogefest will present Dial-Tones Saturday December 5, at The Shed, 807 E. Main St. in Golden Belt. Featured activities include interactive synthesizer building workshops by day, followed by an ambient drone performance at night, Dial-Tones offers a preview of the Moogfest 2016 festival, to be held May 19-22, 2016, in venues in downtown Durham. 

DPS urges parents to sign up for winter weather text alerts

Parents can sign up for winter weather alerts that will include school closures, after school activities and other instances parents would need to be aware of due to winter weather. To sign up for the district’s text message and email alerts, got to: Alerts sign up page.

Holiday run will cause partial closures to Northern Durham roads

A holiday-themed half marathon, Race 13.1, will take place Dec. 12 and will force the partial closure of several roads in the northern part of the city from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

City offers small business technology seminar

The City of Durham Equal Opportunity and Equity Assurance Department will offer a free Use of Technology to Enhance Small Business Management Seminar Thursday, December 17, 2015, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the  City Hall Council Chambers located at 101 City Hall Plaza, 1st Floor. Registration is required. 

  



 

Hope Valley Point sells for $2M

A real estate investment firm founded by energy trader and startup investor Tom Hahn has bought a collection of commercial condos in the Hope Valley Pointe retail complex in south Durham for $1.9 million.The tenant mix at Hope Valley Pointe at the intersection of N.C. 751 and N.C. 54 in south Durham includes the popular City Beverage restaurant and bar, Wine and Design, and Growler Girlz.

Beer Durham now open seven days a week with new hours

Beer Durham, a specialized craft beer store, is now open seven days a week and changed their hours to Monday - Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturdays 10am-8pm and Sundays Noon to 7pm. They are located at 404 Hunt St.

 

 

Premier Research to expand Durham operations adding 260 new jobs

Contract research organization Premier Research is expanding its Durham operation with 260 new jobs over the next five years. The new positions will span operations, such as project managers and clinical monitors, and hold an average salary of $73,296. Premier, headquartered in Philadelphia, currently employs 62 people in Durham and has 1,000 employees worldwide.

County Solid Waste Convenience Sites temporarily close December 4

Durham County’s General Services Department will temporarily close all four Durham County Solid Waste Convenience Sites Thursday from 10:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. for departmental training.

Topps to release baseball cards of Bull Durham characters

Topps has announced that limited edition signed cards for Kevin Costner with the actual photo of Costner in his Durham Bulls uniform will appear in 2016 Topps Archives Baseball.

Deputy Chief Larry Smilth to serve as interim police chief

City Manager Tom Bonfield announced  Police Department Deputy Chief Larry Smith will serve as interim police chief following the retirement of Chief Jose Lopez who is stepping down December 31, 2015.

Heavenly Smoke food truck opens shop at Northgate Mall

Heavenly Smoke food truck is opening a shop Tuesday Dec. 1 in Northgate Mall.  The truck has had a regular presence at Durham's Farmers Market and  features smoked beef brisket, pork and turkey. 

Windsor Circle to hold open house

Windsor Circle is one of the first new tenants moving to the recently revitalized historic Trust Building located at 212 West Main Street.  They will hold an open house on Tuesday December 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event is open to the public, and will be held in their new space. Reservations are accepted in advance.The other future tenants will be The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Underground.

United Way to expand health program

United Way of the Greater Triangle will expand their Durham program, Premium Help,  to include Orange County. The program assists low-income families and individuals whose annual income is between 100 percent and 175 percent of the federal poverty level or between $24,250 and $42,437 for a family of four.