🌱 Proposed Budget Increases For Pre-K + Man Arrested On Drug Charges

Hello, friends. It's Saturday in Durham and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town. Because community news matters!

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 83 Low: 63.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High: 79 Low: 61.

Here are the top three stories in Durham today:

1. The proposed Durham County budget would increase funding for pre-kindergarten education by funding more slots for enrollment and classrooms for 4-year-olds. The 17 percent increase in pre-K funding would come from the proposed 3-cent property tax increase. Whitted School Principal Patricia Townsend supports pre-K education for its impact on children's academic, social, and emotional well-being. The proposed county budget would also increase pay for county and school employees. (WRAL)
2. Durham County Sheriff Deputies arrested a man during a traffic stop after finding a handgun and several types of drugs. Tristan Alexander Wright, a 21-year-old from Durham, faces multiple charges including possession of heroin, felony possession of marijuana, and carrying a concealed gun. He is currently being held in the Durham County Detention Center and was given a $2,500 secured bond. (CBS 17)
3. An English teacher at Hillside High School has been named the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year for Durham Public Schools! Jahara Davis is known for her innovation in the classroom and her ability to build positive student-teacher relationships. She enjoys watching her students grow from their freshmen to senior year and beyond. (CBS 17)

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Today and tomorrow in Durham:

Saturday, May 13

• Bored Teachers Comedy Tour At The Carolina Theatre (7:00 PM)

Sunday, May 14

• Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch Sundays At Alley Twenty Six (12:00 PM)
• Family Friendly Workshop At AR Workshop (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Durham has announced its first-ever "Art on the Fridge Fest." This event is set to take place on May 29 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The festival will focus on self-exploration through art with activities such as skating, inflatable obstacle courses, and more. (City of Durham, NC Government via Facebook)
• Durham Parks and Recreation is gearing up for the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival happening on Jun. 3 at Rock Quarry Park. This event will feature drum circles, traditional foods, and arts and crafts that celebrate the African diaspora. (Durham Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• If you need to make last-minute plans for Mother's Day, Discover Durham shared a list of local brunch spots you can check out. See all the options here. (Discover Durham via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with your next 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.