Sarah Willets
Indy Week
Durham, NC, United States
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Past articles by Sarah:
Gas Leak Explosion Causes One Death, At Least 15 Injuries Near Downtown Durham
The explosion happened at Kaffeinate coffee shop on North Duke Street, causing the building to collapse. → Read More
Is the NCGA’s “Sanctuary Sheriffs” Bill About Public Safety, or Just Politics?
Taken on its own merits, experts say, the bill is a legal mess. Perhaps its real purpose was to make Governor Cooper veto it. → Read More
Does the Durham Police Department Really Need 72 More Cops?
“Seeing a cop rolling up and down the street isn’t nice for everyone.” → Read More
Wendy Jacobs Calls Duke’s Light Rail Decision “Devastating,” Praises Durham’s “Grit, Determination, and Resilience” in State of the County Address
Her remarks focused on preparing children for a successful life, building affordable housing, and counteracting historic racial inequities. → Read More
Duke to Pay $112.5M Over Allegations of Falsified Research
The university allegedly submitted “falsified or fabricated data or research” in grant applications and reports between 2006 and 2018. → Read More
Who Needs a Caterer? Park Some Food Trucks Outside of Your Wedding.
Fair warning: It won’t be as easy as you think. → Read More
Durham’s Plan to Increase Density Pits Neighborhoods Against the Greater Good
“Single-family zoning is a cause of racial disparities, wealth disparities.” → Read More
House Republicans File Bill Requiring Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE
House Bill 370 would require detention facilities to honor detainer requests from ICE, which multiple federal courts have found unconstitutional. → Read More
Durham Board Punts on Proposal to Increase Density as Part of Affordable Housing Effort
After residents voiced concerns about traffic and preserving the character of their single-family neighborhoods, the Durham Planning Commission delayed a vote on the Expanded Housing Choices initiative. → Read More
What You Need to Know About the Largest Proposed Housing Bond Referendum in North Carolina History
Durham Mayor Steve Schewel wants $95 million to keep downtown from turning into an expensive enclave for rich white people, he announced last week. → Read More
In Durham State of the City Address, Schewel Proposes a $95 Million Affordable Housing Bond
“How are we going to make the city we love a city for all?” → Read More
Durham City Council Member Dis-Invited from Black History Month Program Amid Protests
Vernetta Alston, who is openly gay and an alum of the Immaculata Catholic School, was supposed to speak during a program on influential African-American women. → Read More
What's Happening with Duke and Light Rail?
Transit and housing groups in Durham are calling on the university to support the project. Here's what we know about where those negotiations stand. → Read More
What Will Happen to the 36,500 Durham Residents Who Rely on Federal Food Assistance if There’s Another Shutdown?
Durham County Social Services is making preparations—whether that shutdown comes on February 15 or at some point in the future. → Read More
Report Finds “Serious Deficiencies” In UNC’s Handling of the Night Silent Sam Was Toppled
The after-action report says officers missed "red flags" that protesters would attempt to pull down the Confederate monument. → Read More
Neighbors Challenge Legality of Rezoning for Durham Light Rail Maintenance Facility
The City Council rezoned the property in December. Residents who live across the street say that vote exceeded the city's authority and violated its own rules. → Read More
North Carolina Just Made It Easier to Change Gender Markers on Licenses and State IDs
A new Sex Designation Form replaces a former requirement for a surgeon’s letter. → Read More
In Durham, African Americans Are Getting Fewer Mortgages Than Whites, Perpetuating the Wealth Gap
“Consumers of color and low-wealth families still lack access to the mortgage market.” → Read More
Lieutenant Governor and HB 2 Fanboy Dan Forest Exploring Bid for Governor, Would Like to Talk to You About Civility
Hard pass. → Read More
Durham City Council Approves Contract With Company Accused of Harassment, Discrimination
City staff and officials were apparently unaware of lawsuits and court cases involving the security company Allied Universal before voting Thursday. → Read More