Depending on how you look at it, Durham schools are either getting better or worse.

Preliminary ABC results show that about 86 percent of Durham schools reported increases in their state test scores, but only 25 percent made Adequate Yearly Progress.

Read the N&O story on the results: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/21/591723/durham-schools-release-preliminary.html

Review each school's  detailed numbers: http://www.dpsnc.net/news/news-releases/preliminary-abcs-show-most-dps-schools-reporting-progress

Four years after City Hall and consulting developers set out to revitalize redevelopment in the twice-failed Rolling Hills subdivision and adjacent Southside neighborhood, the project has a Website of its own and a group of opinion-takers are hitting the streets to see what residents would like to see revitalized.

The Website, "Southside Consensus" (www.southsideconsensus.com) went live Tuesday night; the boots-on-the-ground part starts with an orientation meeting this afternoon for volunteers who are to "walk the streets and listen for community concerns ... look for ways to keep people engaged," said Mayme Webb-Bledsoe, who is in charge of the canvassing effort.

Webb-Bledsoe and her canvassing effort was presented Tuesday to the Rolling Hills/Southside Steering Committee by Sandra Moore, president of Urban Strategies, a community-development affiliate of Rolling Hills redeveloper McCormack Baron Salazar.

“'The steering committee. pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed for Urban … to get folks here in town, working on the ground every day and we now have that team in place,” Moore said.

Webb-Bledsoe is on loan to the Rolling Hills/Southside project from Duke University's community-affairs office, where she is the senior neighborhood coordinator.

Here's a look at today local headlines:

AMERICAN TOBACCO: In today's N&O, David Bracken reports how American Tobacco is converting basement space into office for startups, another boost for the Bull City.  

UP ON THE ROOF: It's a simple idea that could help lower your heat and cooling bills and just maybe put a dent in global warming. Read why a group of students at Hillside New Tech High School recently traveled to MIT.

WHO PAYS FOR NEW SCHOOLS: In Orange County, new homes carry an impact fee to help pay for new schools. It raises housing prices but helps puts the burden of growth on newcomers. Durham County does not have impact fees. In today's My View, neighborhood activist, scientist and mom Melissa Rooney says it's time to restart the conversation.   

A kinda cool//kinda creepy photo from Shen Wei Dance Arts, closing out at the American Dance Festival this week, the 'Oprah Building' makes Jim Wise's latest 'Street Scene' and Durham Arts Council director Sherry DeVries says invest in the arts.

All that plus the latest in the Janet Abaroa murder case, Flo Johnston's weekly faith column, and a look at how a Duke professor is helping Walltown children preserve their neighborhood history.

The Durham Public Schools' preliminary AYP results are out later today; we'll have more on that this afternoon and in tomorrow's N&O.

Thanks for reading,

Mark 

Durham Public Schools officials are expected to release preliminary ABC test results tomorrow morning.

The results will be key in determining which schools will be placed under the district's  Design for Accelerated Progress Structure, which increases accountability for teachers and principals at the lowest-performing schools. Whether they get to keep their jobs depends on how well students do in the classroom and on state tests. Schools would have up to four years to turn things around or risk consequences that include closure.

Under this plan, schools will receive points based on seven categories, which include end of grade and end of course scores and state recognition and expected growth. Their total points will determine their classification: managed, targeted or reaching accelerated progress.

Those test scores will be announced at Lakewood Elementary at 11 a.m.

A Georgia man was arrested this morning and charged with an April homicide.

Brandon J. Kee, 23, of Marietta, Ga., was arrested this morning in Marietta for the April 17 killing of Kareem Fowler of Sedgefield Street. Fowler, 33, was found shot outside a home on the 900 block of Dupree Street just past midnight. He later died at Duke University Hospital.

Fowler was visiting a friend when a vehicle pulled up to the home. Shots were fired after a male exited the vehicle and became involved in an argument, police said.

Marsha Basloe, executive director of Durham's Partnership for Children, will take on the same position with the New York State Early Care & Learning Council.

Basloe has led the partnership since 2003, and within that time, the organization has strengthened its operations and increased community awareness of early childhood education, according to a written statement.

“The Partnership staff is skilled and unique, and I know that as we transition to a new phase for the organization, there will continue to be the same high quality efforts to support the Durham community," Basloe said in the statement. "I will work closely with staff and board on this transition phase in the next couple of months.”

Angelica Oberleithner, the partnership's assistant director, will temporarily take over Basloe's position while the group searches for a new leader.

Police are looking for Brandon Eugene Thompson (right) in connection with a shooting early Sunday outside Destinee’s Bar and Grill at 2627 Hillsborough Road.

Thompson, 28, of Riddle Road in Hillsborough is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and discharging a firearm within the city limits. Thompson is known to also frequent Creedmoor, Durham and Alamance County.

The shooting was reported at 12:02 a.m. after the victim, a 32-year-old Durham man, left the club. The suspect and victim had a fist fight in the street before several shots were fired.The victim was taken to Duke University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Salmon at 560-4582, ext. 29238 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.
 

Correspondent Flo Johnston reports Bethany United Methodist, an inner-city congregation, has launched a capital campaign to buy 2.5 acres next to its 2809 Guess Road location.

The property includes the 8,000 square foot former Guess Road Veterinary Clinic. The church plans to convert the building into additional worship and fellowship space. The price of the property is $775,000, says the Rev. Jimmie Weaver.

The church had been talking about moving to a new location, but a search committee could not find a suitable site. When the property became available, the church decided to expand its present campus and continue its ministry from the inner-city.

“The decision is need-driven,” Weaver says. “We need additional space and more access to the present church property. This will allow us to begin new ministries and to expand some ministries with a larger kitchen and fellowship space. Hospitality and food ministry is a large part of this church’s DNA.”

Read more about this story and other news in the faith community Wednesday in The Durham News.

A Durham County Health Department investigation has traced a salmonella outbreak at Bullock’s Bar-B-Que Restaurant to a commercially prepared egg white food product.

"Analysis of the data supports the assumption that the outbreak was probably not introduced through improper food handling practices by Bullock’s staff or through faulty or contaminated equipment," county officials say in a news release today. "The likely source of the bacteria was identified to be from a commercially manufactured egg white food product, used to make meringue, which was delivered to the establishment."
 
Salmonella enteritidis, which can cause fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea beginning 12 to 72 hours after consuming a contaminated food or beverage, is commonly associated with eggs or food items containing eggs.  The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most persons recover without antibiotic treatment.  However, the diarrhea associated with the illness can be severe, and the elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems may develop a more severe illness requiring hospitalization.

The investigation focused on foods prepared in Bullock’s restaurant between April 20 and April 24.  There were 65 patrons meeting the case definition of gastrointestinal illness after consuming food prepared at Bullock’s during that time. 
 

If someone was able to adjust the angle of the opposing team’s last-second shot so his team could win the 2010 NCAA basketball championship, it just might be my 6’10” gritty, lovable, passionate 25-year-old son, “Big Dave.”... A few folks suspect that during David’s first year in heaven that could be what happened.

– Suzanne Turner

At age 24, David Turner of Durham was diagnosed with Stage IV lymphoma, a cancer involving cells of the immune system.

Having no health insurance, Turner needed $500,000 for a bone marrow transplant. Friends and family rallied, but the cancer outgrew fund-raising efforts. David decided to build on the money already raised to provide a transplant for someone else in the same situation. The David Turner Lymphoma Foundation was born.

Now, through an education initiative of the foundation, Big Dave’s Big Gift wants to help our readers lead a healthier lifestyle. Through the 2010 Fitness Challenge, 104 Durham-Chapel Hill residents will receive three months of free expert health and fitness advice from the professional trainers at Move It Be Fit.

Three people will receive a free VIP package of three months of  individualized fitness assessments, personal training and meal planning. Another 101 people will receive a free Bootcamp package of group classes, fitness and nutrition tips, and unlimited e-mail support. Along the way we will be writing about the challenge.

To enter, go to www.DurhamFitnessChallenge.com and tell why you want to join the 2010 Fitness Challenge. The entry deadline is noon Aug. 6.