Neighborhood news guy for Southpoint Access!
durham public schools
Year-round and traditional schools are back in full swing, and DPS cafeterias are serving up another week of hot, healthy, and free meals for every student. From nachos and barbecue chicken to Friday pizza favorites, here’s what’s cooking across Durham schools Oct. 20–24.
sodu week in review
Waterline replacements near American Tobacco ramp up Oct. 18–31 with lane shifts and flaggers; Baker & Taylor’s shutdown slows Durham County Library new-book arrivals. Plus: Harper’s Home pickleball/tennis mixer (Sun., Oct. 19, 3–5:30 p.m.) and DPS honors Dr. Vanessa Alford.
american tobacco campus
Headed to ATC or DBAP? Plan extra time Oct. 18–31. Northbound Blackwell closes mid-week, with shifts on Willard, Pettigrew, and Chapel Hill; posted detours in place.
Health Inspection Reports
Cafeteria inspections recap with top and lowest scores, Durham County Library warns of slower new arrivals, and breast cancer awareness and survivor event at The Streets at Southpoint on Sunday, Oct. 19.
durham county library
Patrons should expect fewer new arrivals and longer wait times as the library shifts to alternate vendors following the collapse of its main supplier.
durham county health department
Review August–September 2025 health inspection scores for Durham school lunchrooms. Lyons Farm scored 100; Parkwood posted 95.5 due to no hot water.
Kitchen Table
From honoring a beloved Durham principal to uncovering the cheapest place to buy groceries in SoDu, today’s newsletter is packed with local impact.
durham public schools
The veteran educator’s open-door approach and data-informed coaching are raising outcomes and pride across the school community.
Locally Aware
From OpenAI’s new Sora app raising safety concerns for parents to Hope Valley Elementary’s coat drive, a Harper’s Home fundraiser, and the latest crime trends - here’s what neighbors need to know in South Durham.
nonprofits
Join neighbors and local players this Sunday at the Duke Faculty Club for a fun, family-friendly Pickleball & Tennis Mixer benefiting Harper’s Home - a Durham nonprofit supporting families of children receiving treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital.
![[VIDEO] Nerdspresso Phase II Episode 16: Optipus!](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2025/10/nerd16optipus.png)
Nerdspresso
Join Nerdspresso hosts Jeff Stanford and South Durham’s own Wes Platt for Phase II of this caffeinated celebration of all things geek. In Episode 16, the duo dives into Alien: Earth - did it hug your face, burst your chest, or deserve an airlock exit?
Development
The commission will hear the downtown plan, a 15-townhome request on Page Road, an RTP-wide rezoning and first-round tune-ups to the comprehensive plan.