Four teachers named finalists

DURHAM -- The Durham public school system has named four finalists for its 2010 teacher-of-the-year competition. They were selected from a field of 53 educators, one for each of the district's schools.

The finalists are JeVar Bransome, eighth-grade science teacher, Shepard Middle School; Emily Greenstreet, biology teacher, Northern High School; Rebecca Myers, eighth-grade science teacher, Rogers-Herr Middle School; and Takesha Trapp, fifth-grade teacher, Pearsontown Elementary School.

The award committee will observe the finalists in their classrooms in April. The winner for the district will be announced at a May 5 banquet.

Durham woman wins $300,766

RALEIGH -- Some home improvements could be in store for Catherine Ascott of Durham thanks to the $300,766 she won after matching all five balls in the January 2 "Carolina Cash 5" drawing.

Ascott had put the ticket in a jacket pocket and only this week saw it and thought to check her numbers. She was in disbelief when she saw she had the winning top prize ticket.

Ascott told lottery officials that a new kitchen has been on her wish list and now her winnings will help make it a reality.

Ascott, who received $204,521 after state and federal withholdings, purchased her ticket at the Food Lion on Hope Valley Road in Durham.

Partnership sets April 15 dinner

DURHAM -- Durham's Partnership for Children will celebrate its 15th anniversary Dinner & Awards Presentation, "Creating Possibilities for Our Young Children's Future," from 6-8:30 p.m. April 15 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club at Duke University.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.dpfc.net/eventregistration.

For more information, visit www.dpfc.net or call (919) 403-6960, ext 221.

Tickets to be sold at DPAC

DURHAM -- Organizers of Tuesday's 12th State of Durham's Economy Breakfast will sell presentation-only tickets at $25 each at the Durham Performing Arts Center lobby, 123 Vivian St., from 7:30-8 a.m. the day of the event.

The tickets do not include breakfast.

The 7-9:30 a.m. event is sponsored by the city Office of Economic and Workforce Development in collaboration with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Durham, Inc., Durham County Government, Durham Convention Visitors Bureau and Duke Energy

The program is the city's premiere annual event focused upon economic and workforce development. Issues such as employment, tax-base growth, high-growth industry activity, retail sales, commercial real estate markets and wages will be discussed.

Commissioners meetings slated

DURHAM -- The Durham Board of County Commissioners will seek input from residents on the 2010-11 fiscal budget with Conversations with Commissioners meetings on Tuesday at 7 p.m., at the Holton Career and Resource Center, 401 N. Driver Ave., and 7 p.m. March 30 at Jordan High School.

For more information, call Michelle Parker-Evans at (919) 560-0025 or e-mail mparker-evans@durhamcountync.gov.

Creek Week begins today

DURHAM -- Area residents interested in discovering and supporting local streams, creeks and lakes can participate in Durham's second annual Creek Week festivities today.

Volunteers will take part in a Beaver Marsh Preserve Cleanup from 9 a.m.-noon today. The marsh is located near Club Boulevard and I-85.

To participate, gather at 9 a.m. behind the Big Lots store at 2000 Avondale Drive.

Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655. E-mail items of interest to our readers to news@heraldsun.com.