In case you missed it, here is some of what made headlines in yesterday's Durham News.

POLICE COMPLAINT: A group of protesters says a Durham police officer beat a woman during an arrest. The woman won't talk about it, and Police Chief Jose Lopez says her supporters, led by community activist and former political candidate Victoria Peterson, are hampering his department's investigation. Read Jim Wise's story here.

TRAFFIC TIE-UP: The NC 54 corridor can be a bear at rush hour. Tonight the Durham City Council will weigh a development that proposes to put 365 apartments  near the intersection with Barbee Road. Jim has that story, too, here.

HOW TO HELP LINCOLN: Find out how to help the residents facing the shutdown of Lincoln Apartments. Housing for New Hope is coordinating aid, from cash to mattresses. Get the details in this story and in the infobox in the column just to the right of the story here.

Jim is all over the Sunday paper. For a moving essay on what makes a house a home for the holidays, or anytime, read his My View essay. Find out who's giving the commencement address at Duke, who's tromping in the waters of Ellerbe Creek (and why) and why size does matter ... when it comes to syringes and the fight against AIDS.

And thanks for reading,

Mark

Here's a look at today's local headlines:

First in today's N&O read how Housing for New Hope is offering to matc $5,000 in private donations to help relocate people being forced out of Lincoln Apartments. Jeanne Smialek has the story.

EYES ON THE PRIZE: In Today's DN, Jim Wise has more on that $5 million prize Bloomberg Philnathropies is offering th ecity with the best innovative idea for solving some of today's thorniest urban challenges. Read the story here. 

THE $20 FIX: Read how a new program is helping save cats and dogs in Durham County. Jamie Kennedy Jones reports the county has joined a state remibursement program that provides low cost sterilization for the pets of low-income county residents. Read the story here.

WOODARD'S SEAT: Read who's already lining up for consideration to finish City Councilman Mike Woodard's term now that he's been elected to the state Senate. Jim Wise has the story.  

Bob Wilson says hopes in East Duham are riding high on hot dogs. Tracie Fellers says she is Durham grit, at least on her good days. And lots more. Tell us what's on your mind at editor@newsobserver.com

And thanks for reading,

Mark

By Virginia Bridges

Three residents facing eviction from Lincoln Apartments asked the Durham County commissioners this week to help save the apartment community and investigate its management.

The approximately 100 residents of the 150-unit low-income housing complex learned Sept. 28 that “unfavorable financial conditions” had led Southern Real Estate Management and Consultants Inc., the management company, and the Lincoln Apartments’ board to “cease operations” as of Oct. 31.

“We have paid rent every month, and we would like to know where is the money and why haven’t the promises on our lease agreements been kept,” said Bernadette Toomer, one of three speakers asking commissioners for help Monday night.

Commissioners Chairman Michael Page said he other county representatives met with city officials to discuss the issue Monday morning. “We are interested and we are trying to do all that we can to help you in this crisis that you are in,” Page said.

Deputy City Manager Keith Chadwell thought the parties had agreed to put off closing the financially strapped low-income complex for 60 to 90 days, after he and Neighborhood Improvement Services Director Constance Stancil met with them last month. In a memo, Chadwell said the Lincoln Hospital Foundation agreed to “some technical assistance” from the city to “dig further into the issues that caused them to make the eviction decision.”

But a few days later he said the situation had changed.

Howard Williams, president of Southern Real Estate, the apartments’ manager, said the complex faced an imminent water shutoff because it could not pay a water bill. Few residents are current on their rent payments, and rent is the apartments’ only source of income, he said.