🌱 City Council Member Under Investigation + HEART Program Expanding

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Clouds and sun; not as warm. High: 73 Low: 56.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy with a shower. High: 74 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories in Durham today:

1. Durham City Council member Monique Hosley-Hyman is under investigation by the FBI and the State Bureau of Investigation for allegedly exchanging support for a developer's project with a campaign contribution. The investigations, initiated after the accusations were made public in March, could result in criminal charges. Despite objections from the mayor and Hosley-Hyman, City Council recently approved the annexation of a property linked to the developer's project. (Spectrum News)
2. Durham's HEART program, which dispatches specialists to certain 911 calls instead of police, is set to expand citywide. The program, designed to reduce potentially risky encounters and provide mental health support, has received national acclaim since its launch. The proposed expansion, included in the city's budget, would significantly increase the HEART staff, extend operating hours, and triple the number of calls the program can handle. (Yahoo News)
3. An arrest was made in Durham County after being involved in a chase and crash, according to the Durham County Sheriff's Office. After the crash, the driver fled on foot but was apprehended shortly after. The subsequent search of his vehicle led to the discovery of a firearm and cocaine. The suspect, identified as Laron Malik McCrae, is facing multiple charges, including fleeing arrest and drug possession. (CBS 17)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Durham:

Thursday, May 18

• Vinyl Night With DJ Deckades At Gizmo Brew Works (6:00 PM)

Friday, May 19

• Storytime And Tot Shabbat At Levin JCC Patio (9:30 PM)
• We The Roses Music And Art Festival At 306 E Hargett Street, Raleigh (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• James Alan Galloway, a 35-year-old man, died after losing control of his car on Wednesday morning in Durham. The incident occurred on W. Woodcroft Parkway when Galloway, traveling east, veered off the road and collided with a tree. The Durham Police Department pronounced him dead at the scene. (CBS 17)
• Two North Carolina cities have been named as some of the best places for millennials to live in the United States by Commercial Cafe. The Durham-Chapel metro area has ranked among the top places for those 20 to 40 to call home. (The News And Observer)
• Did you know the city of Durham has an app that will send you weekly reminders for trash and recycling pick-ups? The Durham Rollout app will also let you know if the pickup schedule changes due to holidays or weather. (City of Durham NC Government via Instagram)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Danielle Fallon-O'Leary

About me: Danielle Fallon-O’Leary is a content manager with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.