Here is a look at today's local headlines:

In today's N&O and at www.thedurhamnews.com, Virginia Bridges reports the county denies claims made by former DSS director Gerri Robinson that she was fired becaise of racial discrimination. (See story here) The county's attorneys argue that elected and appointed officials can't be sued because of their governmental immunity. But Bridges also reports that the county is paying for an attorney to represent Commissioner Joe Bowser, whom Robinson has also sued in his capacity as a private individual. No word on what that's going to cost.

In The Durham News:

BENNETT PLACE TURNS 50: Jim Wise, a historian in his own right, previews this weekend's big celebration at Bennett Place, the Durham homestead that was the scene of the largest surrender of Confederate troops to end the Civil War.

FAIRIES, DRAGONS AND KNIGHTS, OH MY! Kestrel Heights English teacher Jeff Kass told me Renaissance fairs weren't fantastical enough for him. So he created his own. See my photos from the Festival Legends here.   

DUKE LAB TO MOVE INTO WEST VILLAGE: Correspondent Monica Chen reports on the latest puzzle piece falling into place in West Village. Construction on the Research Lab began in February.

Robert Wallace remembers the dogs in his life, Lamon Lilly praises the Bull City's Phonte Coleman, and Durham police have arrested a suspect in a homicide "cold case" that happened almost 12 years ago.  By the way, you can support the police and their work on behalf of the Special Olympics by eating at the Chik-Fil-A restaurants this Friday.  See photos from the Olympics on today's front page, too!

Thanks for reading,

Mark   

Here is a look at today's local headlines. Please see The News & Observer and newsobserver.com for complete coverage of President Obama's visit to Chapel Hill. (The CHN goes to press Monday nights, too early to get that Tuesday story in today's edition.)

COUNCIL PANS HOUSING: "Icky," "a nightmare" and "lousy timing." The Chapel Hill Town Council had strong words for a planned hotel an student housing at MLK and Estes Drive Monday night. Katekyn Ferral has our report.

CHAIR TO SIT OUT VOTE: The Chapel Hill town attorney explains today why a citizen advisory board member can vote on a project even if she has already expresssed opposition to it. So why is Planning Board Chair Del Snow planning to recuse herself from her board's next vote on Charterwood?

FAIRIES, AND DRAGONS AND KNIGHTS, OH MY!: Durham school teacher Jeff Kass didn't find the Renaissance fairs "fantastical enough," he told me Saturday. So he's started one himself. Read about the Festival of Legends.

Bair Pollock says Carolina Flats has some pluses, too. Margaret Gifford and Jackie Helvey have proof squirrels like pizza.  And parents in the CHCCS are still upset with plans to end Chinese dual language instruction and make Frank Porter Graham a Spanish magnet school.

Thanks for writing, and if you're planning an endorsement letter, please keep it to 200 words and get it in by noon Monday to give it the best chance of getting in the paper. The CHN reaches 38,000 homes Wednesdays and Sundays from Fearington Village to Hillsborough.

Thanks for reading,

Mark   

This one nearly flew under the radar. Jeff Kass (that's NOT him), the organizer of this past weekend's Festival of Legends at Storybook Farm (seriously) hopes to make the fantasy festival an annual event with a permanent home within three years. Look for our story coming Wednesday in The Chapel Hill News and The Durham News (Jeff lives in Durham).  And see more pictures under the N&O local photo galleries here.