Joint alcohol operation
Thursday, September 6, the Chapel Hill Police Department, Carrboro Police Department and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency conducted a joint alcohol enforcement campaign. Officers visited bars, restaurants and retail stores in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Two establishments — Monterrey Mexican Restaurant in Chapel Hill and Han Dee Hugos 70 in Carrboro — were cited for selling alcoholic beverages to underage customers. Thirty-six people were cited, with a total of 51 charges.
This operation was part of the Chapel Hill Police Department’s ongoing effort to address underage drinking and other alcohol-related violations.
Animals test positive for rabies
A bat and two raccoons found in Orange County tested positive for rabies this week at the State Laboratory of Public Health.
The bat was discovered inside a home near Estes Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. There was no known contact with the animal, though a resident may have been bitten while sleeping.
Both raccoons were found near Harmony Church Road and Mill Creek Road in Efland. One was found after four dogs attacked it, and the dogs had not been vaccinated against rabies and were destroyed in accordance with state statute.
The other raccoon was found dead near the home of an Efland resident. The resident had two dogs, and could not rule out the possibility of contact between the dogs and the raccoon. Although the dogs were current on their rabies vaccinations, they had to receive rabies booster shots, which is required within 72 hours of suspected rabies exposure.
Both raccoons and bats are hosts to rabies. Public health officials believe the state is on the upside of a raccoon rabies cycle. If any possible exposure to a raccoon or bat is suspected, contact Animal Control at 245-2075 or call 911.
Operations Center dedicated
The Town of Chapel Hill dedicated its new Town Operations Center on Monday. The facility cost $52 million and is the new base for the town’s Public Works Department, Chapel Hill Transit and more than 300 employees.
Rep. David Price attended the dedication of the 96-acre site. In addition to public art works, four buildings and 19 new buses, the Operations Center has sustainability features including solar panels, rainwater catchment, a pond and permeable pavement.
Artist Larry Kirkland created works called “Around Town†and “In Our Hands†for the site.