Neighborhood news guy Wes Platt discusses the recent election results in Durham, highlighting changes in city council leadership and the implications for the community. He also covers the grants awarded to local schools by the Durham Public Schools Foundation, emphasizing the importance of community support for education. Additionally, he addresses public safety concerns, sharing insights from the latest crime report, and highlights upcoming community events.

He stresses the significance of local news and encourages community involvement to foster a well-informed citizenry.

Takeaways:

• The recent election resulted in significant changes in Durham's city council.
• Durham Public Schools received grants to support various wellness initiatives.
• Community engagement is crucial for the success of local schools.
• Public safety remains a concern with rising crime rates in certain areas.
• Local events, such as volunteer recognition, strengthen community ties.
• Vulcan Elements' partnership with the Department of Defense could boost local jobs.
• Hillside High School's drama season showcases student talent and creativity.
• Supporting local news is essential for community awareness and involvement.
• Diversity in local news representation is important for accurate storytelling.
• Community support can enhance educational resources and opportunities for students.

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Idrissa A. Smith takes us to Nerra in Durham, NC, a "seafood-forward" restaurant with North Carolina roots. With a seasonal menu sourced by Tarheel State farmers, fishers, and foragers, does this evolution of the former Krill location have what it takes to be proclaimed "Dris Eats the Streets Certified?"

Wes Platt recaps Durham early voting (3,800 ballots; last day Nov. 1), who’s on the 2025 municipal ballot, a $30K boost for Piedmont Wildlife Center, Jordan High’s visit from Rep. Valerie Foushee, a year-end Hope Valley Elementary PTA pledge, and more - plus Halloween plans and a community survey with a Bull City Solera gift card drawing.

Early voting snapshot (through Oct. 23):

• ~3,800 ballots cast with about a week left.

• South Regional Library leads turnout; Wes voted at the DCBOE site on S. Roxboro St.

• Goal: Can we top 11,256 early votes from the primary?

• Reminder: Last day to vote early is Nov. 1; Election Day Nov. 4.

Who’s on the Durham 2025 municipal ballot:

• Mayor: Leonardo Williams (incumbent) vs. Anjanee Bell

• Ward 1: DeDreana Freeman (incumbent) vs. Matt Kopac

• Ward 2: Mark-Anthony Middleton (incumbent) vs. Shanetta Burris

• Ward 3: Chelsea Cook (incumbent) vs. Diana Medoff

Community impact:

• Piedmont Wildlife Center set a $10,000 goal; supporters ultimately gave $30,000 after a recent appeal. If you pitched in - thank you.

• Jordan High School: Visit from Rep. Valerie Foushee to discuss how Congress works.

• State notes: Commentary on the NC budget impasse and redistricting debates.

Giving pledge (now–Dec. 31):

• 20% of subscriptions and 10% of donations/sponsorships go to the Hope Valley Elementary PTA. Supporting local news also supports local kids.

From the livestream:

• Guest replay: Julie & Bill Christiansen (both former Marines) from Biogen (RTP) - on MS, biotech, and community.

• Personal note: Pickup hoops with John Michael - minor injuries, recovering.

• Halloween prompt: Share the best decorated neighborhoods in South Durham.

• Community survey: Take 2 minutes; enter to win a Bull City Solera & Tap Room gift card.

Support ultra-local news: ⁠https://soduwelikelocal.news⁠

Tips & story ideas: ⁠wes.platt@southpointaccess.news⁠

Community Links:

• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠the Southpoint Access subreddit⁠!

Former Marines Julie and Bill Christiansen join Wes to talk about living with multiple sclerosis and working at Biogen’s RTP site - where Julie now helps make the very medication she takes. We also hit October’s Disability Awareness Month, Biogen’s 30 years in RTP, their 30-year marriage, and fresh South Durham updates.

Join Wes Platt for South Durham Office Hours with Julie and Bill Christiansen (Biogen, RTP) - both former Marines. Julie shares her MS story, from symptoms that began in boot camp to working near the bioreactors that produce her medication. We talk about National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October), how Biogen’s 30 years in RTP connects to life-changing treatments, and what long-term caregiving and marriage look like after 30 years together.

Neighborhood notes this episode:
• SoDu Shopping Basket: what’s trending in local prices & finds
• Kinya Ramen opening next week near Southpoint
• Family Resource Guide: where to find kid/parent support in South Durham
• Giving pledge: a percentage of all revenue (subscriptions, donations, sponsorships) goes to the Hope Valley Elementary PTA through Dec. 31

Support ultra-local news: https://soduwelikelocal.news
Tips & story ideas: wes.platt@southpointaccess.news

Community Links:

• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠

• Join ⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠
• Join the Southpoint Access subreddit!

Wes Platt – South Durham’s neighborhood news guy – streams office hours with the editor. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SoDu Crew subscribers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ are invited to participate in the livestream chat to interact, offer comments, share concerns, and talk about what’s happening in their neighborhoods around Southpoint.

Visiting for this episode: Bill Granger, adjutant for American Legion Post 416. Buy tickets for the Sept. 28 Eastern-style barbecue chicken dinner at this link! Dine-in or carryout between 12 and 2 p.m. Dinners are $12 each. Order in advance by Sept. 22.

Show ultra-local news matters to you. Become a subscriber at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soduwelikelocal.news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy?

• Send email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wes.platt@southpointaccess.news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Southpoint Access subreddit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
• Connect ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠

In his second Dris Eats the Streets video for ⁠Southpoint Access⁠, Idrissa A. Smith checks out Del Taco in South Durham on Highway 55 - across the street from Taco Bell.

Follow him on ⁠Instagram⁠. ⁠Contribute to our neighborhood news summer fundraiser⁠!

Got ideas for restaurants he should check out in and around Durham? Send email to ⁠wes.platt@southpointaccess.news⁠!

Wes Platt – South Durham’s neighborhood news guy – streams office hours with the editor. ⁠⁠⁠⁠SoDu Crew subscribers⁠⁠⁠⁠ are invited to participate in the livestream chat to interact, offer comments, share concerns, and talk about what’s happening in their neighborhoods around Southpoint.

Visiting for this episode: Author and game narrative designer Richard Dansky, who launches his book - The Video Game Writer's Guide to Surviving an Industry That Hates You - at Yonder in Hillsborough at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27. Also, Matt Kopac, a Durham Planning Commission member who's now in the running for Ward 1 of the City Council. The primary is Oct. 7, 2025.

Contribute to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our fundraising drive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Show ultra-local news matters to you. Become a subscriber at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soduwelikelocal.news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy?

• Send email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wes.platt@southpointaccess.news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Southpoint Access subreddit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
• Connect ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram!⁠⁠

Wes Platt – South Durham’s neighborhood news guy – streams office hours with the editor. ⁠⁠⁠SoDu Crew subscribers⁠⁠⁠ are invited to participate in the livestream chat to interact, offer comments, share concerns, and talk about what’s happening in their neighborhoods around Southpoint.

Visiting for this episode: Dr. Jennifer Stone of Stone Circle Speech Therapy, who's hosting a free screening event at Piney Wood Park on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contribute to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our fundraising drive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Show ultra-local news matters to you. Become a subscriber at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://soduwelikelocal.news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy?

• Send email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wes.platt@southpointaccess.news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Southpoint Access subreddit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
• Connect ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram!⁠