Updated December 25, 2020 8:22 p.m. EST
By Lora Lavigne, WRAL multimedia journalist
A struggling Durham grandmother reached out to WRAL to shed light on the challenges of getting help from the Hope Program earlier this week.
Within days of her story airing, Samantha Wynn says she has received an overwhelming amount of support.
Wynn said her life practically changed overnight. She lost her job due to the coronavirus pandemic while having to raise two grandchildren.
While struggling to pay rent, she called several local programs seeking help but received no luck – until now.
“Even though I didn’t see brighter days, I continued on praying, said Wynn.
Updated December 21, 2020 9:05 p.m. EST
By Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter
Durham, N.C. State and federal regulations barring evictions during the coronavirus pandemic both end in 10 days, leaving tens of thousands of North Carolina families at risk of being homeless in the new year.
The pandemic relief package Congress is negotiating would extend the national moratorium through January and provide $25 billion in emergency rental relief, if it s approved.
Samantha Wynn is doing all she can to make ends meet while raising two grandchildren. She lost her job in the the food service industry early on in the pandemic and is now nine months behind on her rent.
Updated December 16, 2020 7:44 p.m. EST
By Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter
Durham, N.C. Known for staying open through hurricanes to serve good food fast, overnight business at Waffle House has been very slow since North Carolina imposed a nightly curfew last week to curb the spread of coronavirus.
People are allowed to get food during the 10 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew, but Fred Anton, senior vice president of restaurant operations for Waffle House, said he s already seen a drop in business during what usually are some of the 24-hour chain s busiest hours. This couldn’t come at a worse time, said Anton, who oversees all Waffle House restaurants in the Carolinas, noting that the holiday season also means big business for the chain.
Updated December 15, 2020 7:53 p.m. EST
By Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter
Durham, N.C. A Navy veteran was first in line Tuesday to receive a coronavirus vaccination at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Durham.
Oliver Vick was among 25 veterans in the Durham VA Healthcare System s long-term care facility who volunteered to receive their first dose of the vaccine. Vick said he considers it a duty to help defeat the virus, and he was glad to once again serve his country. We have been held captive for too long by this virus, he said. This is just our way of fighting back. It’s going to make a big difference for everybody.”
Updated December 11, 2020 9:15 a.m. EST
By Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter
Holly Springs, N.C. Kathryn Dunn never thought that she would be teaching preschoolers online. If you told me one year ago that I would be directing an online, at-home preschool, I would have laughed at you, the Holly Springs mother said.
Now, she is doing just that, providing services to over 65 families in six states.
In the spring, Dunn opened The Nurtured Nest, a parent education program earlier this year, offering help with breastfeeding, childbirth, picky eating, meal planning and more.
After the pandemic, she added Little Wings Academy, offering virtual lessons to children and resources to their parents who want to know how to to teach their kids when they are not online.