Kristen Johnson

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | Kristen Johnson

Smithfield leaders announced the passing of a beloved town council member who served the eastern part of the community. Marlon Lee, 51, who represented Smithfield's District 1, died suddenly on Sunday afternoon, according to town officials. First elected to the town council in 2103, Lee also served as the head coach of the girl's varsity basketball team at Clayton High School. According to the JoCo Report, Lee graduated from St. Augustine's University in Raleigh in 1999.

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | Kristen Johnson

Participants enjoy the bridges at Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park during a preview day Saturday, May 24, 2025. The park will officially opens June 6, with a three-day grand opening. [email protected] For the past two years, every Monday, Marenda Rose has taken her three children to a different park in the Raleigh area, giving them a chance to play and explore new spaces.

2 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | Kristen Johnson

As the City of Durham grows to over 317,400 residents, there is a new emphasis on increasing funding in several key areas that impact daily life. On Monday night, Durham City Manager Bo Ferguson previewed his $772 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 at the city council meeting, his first presentation after taking over the position in January.

2 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | Kristen Johnson

As downtown Durham has become a vibrant hub of new businesses and residents, homelessness has remained a stark contrast in the background. One local group wants to combat this issue by moving into an even more visible part of the downtown landscape. Urban Ministries of Durham, the county's largest public shelter, wants to move its headquarters at 410 Liberty St. around the block to East Main Street.

3 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | Kristen Johnson

A search is underway for a man accused of killing his mother in her home on Red Mill Road on Thursday afternoon. Alexander Glenn Jr., 38, is the primary suspect in the death of 64-year-old Stephanie Donita McCoy, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release late Friday afternoon. Deputies were called to the northern Durham County home about a disturbance twice Thursday. Glenn left the home during their first visit, and they found McCoy dead on the second visit, according to the Sheriff's Office..