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DURHAM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

City Council Regular Meetings and Work Sessions are listed below. You can choose to attend in person in City Council Chambers (101 City Hall Plaza) or via the City’s YouTube channel, Twitter account, Facebook page, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV (via the free Boxcast app), Spectrum channel 8, Google Fiber channel 8, Frontier channel 70, or AT&T U-verse channel 99 in Durham.

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  • Monday, October 6, 7–10pm—Regular Meeting

  • Thursday, October 9, 1–4pm—Work Session

  • Monday, October 20, 7–10pm—Regular Meeting

  • Thursday, October 23, 1–4pm—Work Session

  • Monday, November 3, 7–10pm—Regular Meeting

  • Thursday, November 6, 1–4pm—Work Session.

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Click here to find out how to participate/speak at City Council Regular Meetings and Work Sessions.

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If you missed the latest regular meetings/work sessions, watch the replays here:

9/2 Regular Meeting

8/21 Work Session

8/18 Work Session

8/7 Work Session 

DURHAM BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS

The Durham Board of County Commissioners’ hybrid Meetings and Work Sessions are held in person in the Commissioners’ Chambers (Administration Building, 200 E Main St, 2nd floor) and online via Zoom, the County’s website, YouTube channel, or Spectrum channel 8.

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  • Tuesday, October 6, 9am—Work Session

  • Monday, October 13, 7pm—Regular Session

  • Monday, October 27, 7pm—Regular Session

  • Monday, November 3, 9am—Work Session

  • Monday, November 10, 7pm—Regular Session.

DURHAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

3825 S Roxboro Street, Suite 101, 919-560-0700, website

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The 2025 Municipal General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 6:30am–7:30pm. We’ll be voting for the federal, state, and local offices plus state and local bond referendums. If you know that you’ll be out of town or otherwise unavailable to vote on October 7, you’ll be able to participate in Early Voting (Thursday, September 18 through Saturday, October 4). You can also go order an absentee ballot online; click here for the 2025 English Absentee Request Form and click here for the 2025 Spanish Absentee Request Form.

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Here’s the Early Voting schedule:

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  • Monday–Friday 8:30am–6pm; Saturdays (October 18 and 25, 8:30am–1pm; and November 1, 8am–3pm); and Sundays (October 19 and 26, noon–4pm). Call 919-560-0700 for more info.

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Here are the Early Voting locations:

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  • North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd)

  • East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Ln)

  • South Regional Library (4505 S Alston Ave)

  • Durham County Board of Elections (3825 S Roxboro St)

  • North Carolina Central University’s Turner Law Building (640 Nelson St).

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We now have to show a current photo ID in order to vote (those who vote by mail will have to provide a clear photocopy of their ID). Here’s a list of photo IDs that you can use; be sure to have it with you when you go vote; each can be used if unexpired or if the ID expired less than 1 year ago. Voters over age 65 can use an expired ID if it was still good on their 65th birthday: 

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  • North Carolina driver’s license

  • State ID (the non-driver version of photo ID from the DMV, which you can get for free; click here https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/identification/Pages/default.aspx for more info)

  • US passport or US passport card

  • Official college/university ID (North Carolina Central University Student and Employee Cards, Duke University Student Voter ID Card and the DukeCard, Durham Technical Community College Student Card)

  • Official charter-school employee ID

  • State/local government employee ID

  • Driver’s license or non-driver photo ID from another state, Washington DC, or other US territory (only if you registered in North Carolina within 90 days of election day).

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Registered voters can get a photo ID card from the Board of Elections for free! To obtain your free NC Voter Photo ID Card, visit their office during regular business hours. They’ll ask you to fill out a form with your full name, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. Click here for more info.

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If you plan to vote on Election Day in person and aren’t sure where to go, click here to enter your address or precinct number to find out.

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY:  IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE)

You might have already heard that ICE agents have been spotted in the area. Many people who have foreign-born neighbors and friends want to know what to do when encountering ICE agents. Know your rights. Here are some instructions from the National Immigrant Justice Center:

English

Spanish/
español

Haitian Creole/kreyól

French/
français

CWS, through the NC Immigrant Solidarity Fund, provides one-time cash grants to undocumented/mixed-status families facing hardship due to ICE detention, deportation, or other emergencies. See the CWS listing on the WORD page. The NC Pro Bono Resource Center offers free/low-cost legal services for people facing immigration issues (including being detained by ICE); click here for more info. The NS State Refugee Office provides various services to refugees, including help with resettlement and public assistance; click here for more info. Learn how to set up and participate in ICE watches and where to attend workshops/webinars about and Fourth Amendment workplaces (agreeing not to allow unreasonable searches and seizures) from Siembra NC. See the Siembra NC listing on the WORD page.  

CITY OF DURHAM

Click on the calendar to see all of the City of Durham committee, subcommittee, commission, board, and other meetings for the month of October.

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DURHAM COUNTY

Click on the calendar to see all of the Durham County committee, commission, advisory council, and other meetings for the month of October.

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HOUSING HELPLINE
Phone Icon

Legal Aid NC, in partnership with the NC HOPE program, has set up a new statewide Housing Helpline. Call 877-201-6426 to get help with:

 

  • evictions

  • landlord refusing rental assistance (like NC HOPE, etc)

  • repairs and maintenance

  • mobile home evictions

  • other landlord-tenant issues

  • public and subsidized-housing lease terminations

  • housing vouchers (including Section 8).

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This service is available Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30am–4pm.

STRAIGHT TALK SUPPORT GROUP

The Straight Talk Support Group is for families of someone who has been recently sentenced, incarcerated, or on parole or probation. Talk about challenges and triumphs with those who share similar journeys and experiences with no judgment. Anyone with an interest in criminal justice, including college students, is also welcome. Click here to visit the website and view all of the programs (and volunteer opportunities); click here to attend via Zoom; call 984-219-1001 for more info or if you have any questions:

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  • Tuesday, October 14, 7pm

  • Tuesday, October 28, 7pm.

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By the way, Straight Talk runs a Transitional House (1101 N Mangum St) for men reentering society after being released from prison. They offer not only a place to stay, but they also provide learning opportunities, classes, workshops, and connections to treatment for mental health and substance abuse.

DURHAM PAC MEETINGS

602 E Main St, emergency 911, nonemergency 919-560-4600, Crimestoppers 919-560-1300, website:

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The PAC (Partners Against Crime) meetings, where you can share information on what’s happening in your community, learn about City and County programs, services, and events, have continued online during the pandemic with virtual meetings on Zoom. (Click here and type in your address if you’re not sure which police district you live in.)


Here’s the PAC meeting schedule:
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  • PAC 1—in person only; 3rd Saturday (October 18), 10am; Holton Career & Resource Center (401 N Driver St, in the 2nd-floor auditorium)

  • PAC 2—in person and online; 2nd Monday (October 13), 6pm; Edison Johnson Recreation Center (500 Murray Ave); click here to attend via Zoom 

  • PAC 3—in person and online; 2nd Saturday (October 11), 10am; Lyon Park Recreation Center (1309 Halley St); click here to attend via Zoom

  • PAC 4—in person and online; 2nd Saturday (October 11), 10am; IR Holmes Sr/Campus Hills Recreation Center (2000 S Alston Ave); click here to attend via Zoom

  • PAC 5—in person and online; 2nd Saturday (October 11), 10am; IR Holmes Sr/Campus Hills Recreation Center (2000 S Alston Ave); click here to attend via Zoom.

 

You can send a request via email to subscribe to your local PAC’s listserv; write for more info and to have your questions answered:

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‘SAFE TO CALL’ CAMPAIGN

North Carolina has Good Samaritan laws that protect people who call 911 to save a life even if they themselves are in possession of unlawful substances. Just about seven people in North Carolina die from drug overdoses/alcohol poisoning every day, and the State wants to reduce those numbers. Through the “Safe to Call” campaign, the State wants people to know that they shouldn’t hesitate to call 911 if they’re with someone who’s in danger of ODing. Often they don’t call because they don’t want to be arrested. Anyone (even minors) shouldn’t worry about being taken into custody as long as they’re acting in good faith to save a life and cooperate with law enforcement by giving their names. Click here for more info.

LEGAL AID OF NORTH CAROLINA

Here are some free, online seminars covering various legal topics:

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  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Social Security Disability Listen & Learn on Thursday, October 2, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn about Social Security Disability benefits. Click here for more info and to register 

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  • ​​Legal Aid NC will host an online Fair Housing Listen & Learn on Thursday, October 9, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn about Fair Housing Rights in North Carolina. Click here for more info and to register

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  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Child Custody Listen & Learn on Tuesday, October 14, 2:30–4pm. Learn all about child visitation rules and agreements. Click here for more info and to register

  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Simple Divorce Listen & Learn on Thursday, October 16, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn how to deal with property division, spousal support, alimony, and child custody. Click here for more info and to register 

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  • Folks from Legal Aid NC’s Disaster Relief Project will host an online Wills and Advance Directives Education Presentation on Monday, October 20, 1–2:30pm. Click here for more info and to register 

  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Tenant Rights Listen & Learn on Tuesday, October 21, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn about your rights and obligations as a residential tenant, how to contact Legal Aid for help, emergency rent assistance, and what to expect from the court process. Click here for more info and to register 

  • Legal Aid NC will host an online SNAP 101 Listen & Learn on Thursday, October 23, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn how to maximize your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits so that you won’t grow hungry. Click here for more info and to register

  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Medicaid Rights and Eligibility Listen & Learn on Friday, October 24, noon–2pm. Learn what it takes to qualify for this federal and state government program that provides health coverage for low-income Americans. Click here for more info and to register 

  • Folks from Legal Aid NC’s Disaster Relief Project will host an online Wills and Advance Directives Education Presentation on Saturday, October 25, noon–1:30pm. Click here for more info and to register 

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  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Wills and Powers of Attorney Listen & Learn on Tuesday, October 28, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn about the most common end-of-life planning documents. Click here for more info and to register 

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  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Criminal Record Expungement Listen & Learn on Tuesday, November 4, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn how to legally remove previous offenses from your record so you can improve your chances of finding a job and seizing new opportunities. Click here for more info and to register. 

  • Legal Aid NC will host an online Social Security Disability Listen & Learn on Thursday, November 6, 2:30–4:30pm. Learn about Social Security Disability benefits. Click here for more info and to register. ​​​​​​​

 

MORE FROM LEGAL AID NC

Breaking news: NC Medicaid has expanded, offering healthcare coverage to people ages 19 to 64 years with higher incomes. If you didn’t qualify before, you should try again. Click here for more info.

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Legal Aid NC announces the NC Homeowner Assistance Fund for those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage payments and other expenses (such as homeowner Insurance, flood-insurance premiums, homeowners association (HOA) fees, unpaid property taxes, and/or utility payments), can apply for help by calling the Helpline at 866-219-5262 or by visiting the website at nchaf.gov.

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Legal Aid NC offers free help to low-income residents in all 100 counties in North Carolina. Here are some of their programs:

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  • Legal Aid Helpline—help with civil (noncriminal) legal problems; call 866-219-5262 weekdays 8:30am–4:30pm and 5:30–8:30pm on Mondays and Thursdays; or apply online.

  • Senior Legal Helpline—help for those age 60+; call 877-579-7562 weekdays 9–11am and 1–3pm; or apply online.

  • NC Navigator Helpline—get help enrolling in affordable health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov); call 855-733-3711 weekdays 9am–5pm; or apply online.

  • Fair Housing Helpline—get help dealing with housing discrimination; call 855-797-3247 weekdays 9am–5pm; or apply online.

  • Battered Immigrant Helpline—immigrants who are victims of domestic violence can get help; call 866-204-7612 on Tuesdays 3:30–7:30pm and Thursdays 9am–1pm; or apply online.

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POLICE REPORT

Click on the badge to read the Durham Police Department’s 2024 Fourth Quarter Report covering the period from October 1 through December 31.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT FORMS

You can also single out an officer who went out of his or her way to be helpful/come to your aid. Click on the badge below for instructions and to fill out the Durham Police Department Commendation Form.

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You can make a formal complaint online by filling out the blanks of this form and sending it in. Click on the badge below for instructions and to fill out the Durham Police Department Citizen’s Complaint Form.

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NC SAVAN

Crime victims and survivors often feel like they’re sitting on pins and needles while waiting to hear about upcoming trials and to get news on the status of perpetrators. NC SAVAN (North Carolina Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification) is set up to keep them informed. A 24-hour, toll-free telephone number, 877-627-2826, is available for learning about an offender’s status and about victim-assistance resources. You can also call that number to register for the automated victim notification service. Once you’re registered, you can choose whether to get updates via automated telephone messages or emails; you can also download an app for your smart phone. Notifications can be delivered in English or Spanish, or you can have them translated into one of more than 100 available languages.

Click here to register for NC SAVAN or to search for offender information.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

The Durham Skywriter is Durham, North Carolina’s online community paper; in publication since 2002.

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See the header above for information about my deejay service (as DJ Piddipat).

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Coming soon! Information about Piddipat Crafts—hopefully, I’ll be making toys/games/walking sticks again real soon!

© 2025 patricia A murray. All rights reserved. durhamskywriter@yahoo.com. 919-270-8431.

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