SoDu Morning Brief: Durham's Top Principal, Best Grocery Prices, and Today's Events

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☀️ South Durham Weather Forecast – Oct. 16, 2025

Looking for the latest weather update for South Durham, NC? Here's your hyperlocal SoDu forecast:

Today: Expect a beautiful fall day in South Durham with plenty of sunshine and a high near 69°F. Tonight will be clear and cool, with overnight lows around 47°F - perfect hoodie weather for anyone heading to the N.C. State Fair’s opening night or enjoying an evening walk around Woodcroft or Hope Valley.

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

C.C. Spaulding’s Dr. Vanessa Alford Named 2025–26 Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year

C.C. Spaulding Elementary principal Dr. Vanessa Alford has been named 2025–26 Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year, recognized for what district leaders call “a relentless focus on equity and academic excellence.”

Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis said Alford has transformed C.C. Spaulding into “a nurturing, high-performing learning environment” with measurable gains in literacy and math and narrowing of opportunity gaps for historically underserved students.

Alford thanked students, staff, and family. She honored her parents - one of whom completed only eighth grade - saying they instilled a deep respect for education. Pointing to her son in the front row, she added that she pushes herself so he knows “education is always the great leveler.”

Students offered tributes from the stage. “We love you because you first loved us,” a fifth grader said.

Read more in Southpoint Access!

🛒 South Durham Grocery Price Check – Week of Oct. 16, 2025

Where can you find the cheapest groceries in South Durham this week? We priced 17 essential items including eggs, milk, chicken, produce, pantry staples, and toilet paper - at nine major local stores, from Aldi and Walmart to Fresh Market and Publix.

This week’s SoDu Shopping Basket shows a drop in pricing at a few major retailers, steady increases at others, and a persistent trend: your grocery bill can vary by more than $40, depending on where you shop.

🥇 Best Grocery Deals in South Durham This Week

Food Lion tops the list this week with the lowest total basket at $53.25, just ahead of Walmart ($53.65) and Wegmans ($54.96).

📊 Total Grocery Basket Cost by Store – Oct. 16, 2025

📉 Average total across all stores: $66.93

🔎 Highlights & Price Trends

✅ Best Buys This Week

• 🥚 Eggs under $2.40 at Walmart, Food Lion, and Target
• 🐔 Chicken breast stays low at $2.34/lb (Walmart) and $2.39 (Wegmans)
• 🍝 Spaghetti under $1.00 at Walmart, Target, and Food Lion
• 🧀 Cheddar cheese for $1.94–$1.99 at Walmart and Target
• 🍌 Bananas consistent at $0.54–$0.59/lb in most stores

⚠️ Highest Grocery Costs

• 🥩 Ground beef hits $9.97/lb at Publix
• ☕ Coffee soars to $15.99 at Publix (vs. $6.99 at Wegmans)
• 🧻 Toilet paper still $13.99 at Fresh Market
• 🥛 Milk remains at $7.99 at Fresh Market
• 🧂 Sugar is $8.99 at Sprouts, but under $3.20 elsewhere

🛍️ Smart Shopping Tips for SoDu Residents

• 🛒 Stick to Food Lion, Walmart, and Wegmans for the best all-around deals.
• 🥦 Split your shopping:
  • Meat & dairy: Harris Teeter, Wegmans
  • Pantry goods: Target, Food Lion
  • Produce: Aldi, Food Lion, or Walmart
• 💡 Skip premium chains unless you’re seeking specialty or organic items—they’ll cost 40–80% more.

🛒 What’s your go-to grocery strategy? Let your neighbors know! Comment on this newsletter.

Keep checking the shopping basket page on our newsletter site for updates on comparisons.

Durham Public School Lunch Today

Elementary and Middle Schools

• Entree Options: Chicken pot pie with roll or toasted cheese sandwich. (Middle School To-Go: Crispy chicken salad with roll)
• Side Options: Mashed potatoes, green beans, chilled pears.

High Schools

• Entree Options: Chicken chunks with roll or grilled chicken salad with roll.
• Side Options: Cherry tomatoes with dip, green beans, chilled pears.

🎟️ Events in South Durham – Oct. 16

🎠 North Carolina State Fair - Opening Day

All day | N.C. State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
The state’s biggest annual event kicks off! Enjoy fried creations, live music, midway rides, and agricultural showcases as the 2025 N.C. State Fair opens its gates.
👉 Details: NC State Fair website

🥁 Free Japanese Drumming Performance

5 – 6 p.m. | Holton Career & Resource Center, Durham
Experience the thunder and rhythm of Taiko in a family-friendly cultural showcase.

🍎 Durham Association of Educators Meet & Confer

6 – 8 p.m. | Minnie Forte Brown Staff Development Center
Local teachers and advocates gather to discuss priorities for the school year. Open to all DAE members.

🎭 Free Performance of King James

8 – 9:30 p.m. | Motorco Music Hall, Durham
PlayMakers Repertory Company brings a free performance of King James, exploring friendship and basketball fandom through humor and heart.

📅 More local happenings on the SoDu Events Calendar.

Have something to share? Email wes.platt@southpointaccess.news.

🚗 Need a Traffic Update?

Check our Southpoint Access Live Traffic Map for real-time road conditions across Fayetteville Road, NC Highway 55, and I-40.

Avoid delays and plan your route smarter!

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