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Today’s South Durham Weather Forecast (Oct. 15, 2025)

Expect a sunny fall day in South Durham, with a high near 76°F and light north winds around 6 to 9 mph - perfect weather for lunch outdoors or a walk through around C.M. Herndon Park.

Tonight will be clear and cool, dipping to around 52°F. Winds will stay calm, turning light north after midnight.

Updated daily by Southpoint Access, your source for South Durham news and local weather.

SoDu Tech Watch: Why South Durham Parents Should Pay Attention to OpenAI’s Sora

Sora is OpenAI’s new app that turns text into photorealistic, sound-synced video and lets users insert real people into clips via a Cameos feature.

It launched invite-only on iOS on Sept. 30, 2025, in the U.S. and Canada. Families of Robin Williams and other deceased figures have publicly condemned Sora clips that “revive” their likenesses, highlighting how easily reputations can be manipulated.

OpenAI says Sora videos carry synthetic labels, filters, and policy restrictions - yet watchdogs and reporters have already flagged moderation gaps and misuse.

Get the full rundown in Southpoint Access!

🎾 Swing, Serve & Support: Harper’s Home Pickleball & Tennis Mixer

A fun day on the courts will help families in need this Sunday, Oct. 19, when Harper’s Home hosts its Pickleball & Tennis Mixer Fundraiser at the Duke Faculty Club (10 Faculty Club Dr.) from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

The event blends friendly play and community connection to support families with children undergoing treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital. Harper’s Home provides a “home away from home” for these families - a place of comfort during difficult medical journeys.

Read more in Southpoint Access!

🛑 South Durham Crime Update: Vehicle Burglaries Spike Again

Vehicle break-ins once again topped police reports across South Durham for the week of Oct. 5–11, with more than a dozen motor vehicle burglaries logged in apartment complexes, hotels, and office parks.

Clusters appeared on Miami Boulevard, NC Highway 55, and Fayetteville Road, echoing patterns seen in previous weeks. Miami Boulevard alone saw at least six vehicle burglaries, most at hotels and multi-family residences, while NC Highway 55 and Highway 54 East each recorded multiple break-ins at hotels and restaurants.

Beyond car crimes, police also reported three commercial burglaries on Fayetteville Road, targeting stores and the Streets at Southpoint area.

Violent crimes included two aggravated assaults (on Crescent Drive and NC Highway 55), and several simple assaults across residential and commercial settings.

Fraud and forgery reports remained steady, with cases connected to ATMs, online activity, and retail locations on Carpenter Fletcher Road, Fayetteville Road, and Woodcroft Parkway.

📍 Street-by-Street Summary (Oct. 5–11, 2025)

📊 Takeaway

• 🚗 Vehicle crimes surged, especially around Miami Boulevard hotels, apartments, and office parks.
• 🔴 Violent incidents included aggravated assaults on Crescent Drive and NC Highway 55.
• 🏬 Commercial burglaries hit Southpoint and nearby retail corridors, continuing a trend of property crimes near Fayetteville Road.
• 💳 Fraud and forgery stretched from in-person ATM scams to online activity, showing both physical and digital risks.

Southpoint Access monitors weekly crime patterns to help neighbors stay informed about trends across South Durham.

🐾 Happenings at Hope Valley Elementary School

🧥 Winter Clothes Drive - Oct. 14–17

Hope Valley Elementary’s annual Winter Clothes Drive is happening this week! The school is collecting new and gently used coats, pants, gloves, and hats for students and families in need.

You can drop off items at the end of the car line in the clothing cart or inside the front office.

Last year’s drive collected more than 200 coats - let’s help them match that generosity again this year!

🌱 Garden Days - Oct. 18 & 19 (8 a.m.–12 p.m.)

Volunteers are invited to help beautify the school grounds during this weekend’s Garden Days. Projects include weeding and prepping the vegetable gardens for fall crops, picking up trash, and planting trees.
☔ Rain dates: October 25–26.

🍅 Spirit Night at Tomato Jake’s + PTA Meeting - Oct. 21

Join the Hope Valley community for Spirit Night at Tomato Jake’s (8202 Renaissance Pkwy.) on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

🍕 Tomato Jake’s will donate 20% of proceeds from 4–9 p.m. to the school. (Tell the clerk your order supports Hope Valley Elementary School to make sure it counts!)
👋 Principal Whitaker and Vice Principal Davis will host a meet-and-greet from 5 to 6 p.m.

Then log on for the PTA General Meeting on Zoom at 8 p.m. - same night, same spirit!

🚶 Walk, Bike, Roll to School - Oct. 28

Families are encouraged to join the fun on Walk, Bike, Roll to School Day!
Meet either at Colonial Townhomes (2920 Chapel Hill Rd.) or Epworth United Methodist Church (3002 Hope Valley Rd.), then travel together as a community to school.
🚲 Departure: 7:10 a.m. sharp - so arrive early!

🏆 Triangle Rivalry Challenge: Support South Durham News!

UNC 🩵 or Duke 💙 - no matter your colors, everyone wins when you support local journalism.

Join the Triangle Rivalry Challenge and help Southpoint Access raise $4,000 by year’s end to fund neighborhood reporting that keeps South Durham informed.

🍽️ Durham Public School Lunch Today

🍎 Elementary & Middle Schools

• Entree Options: Meatball sub or hummus and flatbread.
• Side Options: Baby carrots with dip, steamed broccoli, fresh fruit.

🎓 High Schools

• Entree Options: Asian rice bowl or deli turkey sub.
• Side Options: Glazed carrots, steamed broccoli, fresh fruit.

🗓️ What’s Happening in Durham – Wednesday, Oct. 15

Looking for something to do or stay involved in your community today? Here are four events happening around Durham this Wednesday — from board meetings at City Hall to social gatherings at your local libraries.

🀄 Mahjong! at South Regional Library

🕑 2–4 p.m. | Durham County Library – South Regional Branch
Drop in for an afternoon of strategy and fun with fellow Mahjong enthusiasts. All experience levels welcome.

🎨 Durham Cultural Advisory Board Meeting

🕒 3–4:30 p.m. | Durham City Hall
The Durham Cultural Advisory Board meets to discuss local arts initiatives, funding recommendations, and cultural programming across the city. Public attendance is encouraged.

🏘️ City of Durham Housing Appeals Board

🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m. | 807 E. Main St.
The Housing Appeals Board reviews housing code cases and appeals. Residents can attend to stay informed about neighborhood housing enforcement and community standards.

🧶 Evening Social Stitchers

🕕 6–7:30 p.m. | Durham County Library – Southwest Regional Branch
Join fellow crafters for a relaxing evening of knitting, crochet, and conversation. Bring your current project or start something new!

Get more ideas for activities from the Southpoint Access events calendar.

💬 WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

What issues around your neighborhood in South Durham should get more attention? Reply to this newsletter and let me know. Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news.

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