sodu week in review

SoDu Week in Review: Tenants' Rights Victory, Early Voting Onward, HVE PTA Commitment

Durham City Council passed new ordinance aimed at landlords with dangerous rentals, South Regional Library seems most popular early voting spot, and Southpoint Access commits revenue share to Hope Valley Elementary.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
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SoDu So What? The Week's Top Stories

Landlords on Notice After Durham Council Passes Ordinance

Durham City Council on Monday passed a new tenants' rights ordinance that originated with students at Riverside High School and found a champion in Council Member Chelsea Cook.

The ordinance creates a clear list of "imminently dangerous" conditions.

🔗 Read the full story in Southpoint Access!

Southpoint Access: Supporting Hope Valley Elementary PTA

South Durham neighbors: help fund local news and local classrooms.

From now through Dec. 31, 2025, Southpoint Access will share a portion of every revenue stream with the Hope Valley Elementary PTA (HVE PTA):

  • 20% of subscriptions (after standard processing fees)
  • 10% of donations (after fees)
  • 10% of sponsorships (net of documented hard costs)

🔗 Read the full story in Southpoint Access!

Durham 2025 Early Voting: ~3,800 Ballots Cast; South Regional Library Leads

As of Oct. 23, 3,789 Durham voters have cast early ballots in the 2025 municipal election, according to the Durham County Board of Elections early-voting dashboard. With about a week remaining in the in-person early voting period, turnout skews female (≈60%), Democratic or unaffiliated, and age 41+.

Where Voters Are Showing Up

Five early voting sites are open across the county. Here’s the site-by-site turnout so far:

  • South Regional Library: 1,152
  • Durham County Board of Elections (S. Roxboro St.): 843
  • North Regional Library: 766
  • East Regional Library: 562
  • NCCU – Turner Law Building: 466

South Regional Library currently leads all locations, with the DCBOE site and North Regional Library following.

🔗 Read the full story in Southpoint Access!

From Boot Camp to Bioreactors: Julie & Bill Christiansen on MS, Biogen at RTP, and South Durham Updates

South Durham’s neighborhood news guy sat down with Julie and Bill Christiansen - both former Marines now working at Biogen’s Research Triangle Park site - to talk about living with multiple sclerosis (MS), career pivots, and what it’s like to help make the very medication Julie takes. Their interview lands during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October) and also marks a pair of 30-year milestones: their marriage and Biogen’s presence at RTP.

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Check out our new (free!) SoDu Compass Family Resource Guide for information about South Durham schools, pediatricians, youth activities, and more!

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Avoid delays and plan your route smarter!

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