Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Fayetteville Street shootout led to years in prison

Also, don't miss Pints at the Playground on the Durham Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
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Hello again Durham! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

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Find out what's happening in Durhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Fayetteville Street shootout led to years in prison
  • How ready is Durham County for a holiday surge in animal emergencies?
  • Why this Durham mother refuses to stop fighting for her son

Also on today's calendar: Pints at the Playground and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Durhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 61 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 66, low: 42.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 70 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Durham man sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for shootout outside convenience store (wral.com) — A 22-year-old Durham resident has been sentenced to 6.5 years in federal prison for his role in a 2024 shootout outside the Eagle Food Mart at Fayetteville Street and Linwood Avenue. No one was killed, but homes and a car were struck by stray bullets, and investigators recovered dozens of shell casings from the crowded parking lot.
   

2. Durham County Animal Services prepares for potential surge in calls during holiday season (cbs17.com) — Durham County Animal Services is bracing for a holiday spike in calls, from pet surrenders to welfare checks and animal bites across the city and county. With more than 12,000 calls so far this year and Durham’s growth bringing more pets, the sheriff’s division is improving response times and offering services like rabies shots, microchips, and community events.
   

3. Durham mom has message for son's killer: 'Your days are numbered' (wral.com) — A Durham mother is pleading for answers months after her 22-year-old son, John Edward Riggins, was found shot to death in a car near Courtland Drive and Brighton Road. She’s urging Durham Police and the community to help bring his killer to justice. Investigators say the homicide case remains open, even as the department reports a high overall clearance rate.
   

4. December 22, 2025: Rural Health Symposium Opens Registration, Announces Call for Abstracts (rethinkingclinicaltrials.org) — Duke University School of Nursing is inviting community members to a one-day Rural Health Symposium on April 20, 2026, held on campus in Durham and via livestream. The event will tackle rural health disparities across North Carolina, with panels, posters, and networking. Organizers are also seeking abstracts by February 9, 2026 from those working on innovative rural health solutions.
   

5. 'I'm living my dream': NCCU interim police chief is also a current student (wral.com) — North Carolina Central University has named longtime Durham Police Department veteran Robert Gaddy as its interim police chief, while he simultaneously pursues a master’s in criminology at NCCU. Gaddy, a 1994 NCCU graduate with deep family ties to the university and city, hopes his path from DPD to campus leadership will inspire current students, including his daughter on the women’s basketball team.
   

📸 Around Durham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Durham

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📣 Durham Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This sweet baby was found off Carver Street.
    I am fostering him for APS. His owner was contacted by APS but has yet to respond. The workers there loved him and called him their "Angel Baby"… (Nextdoor Eno River)
  • My kids wanna thank everyone who helped and directed me and even offed me and the family dinner,we look forward to meeting you,those who offered and we thank those who also kept us in prayer thru these times...
    The Parker Family thanks you..God bless and Happy Holliday (Nextdoor 15-501/Mt Moriah)
  • Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Inc. posted a job opening for Part Time 3rd Shift Grocery Stock Clerk in Durham. Apply here.
  • Durham Public Schools posted a job opening for FT Custodian in Durham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Durham here.

Ok Durham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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