Robert Dickson The days following Barack Obama’s momentous election were exciting ones for our state’s newspapers. Newsstand sales were brisk and several of our large corporate dailies found themselves having to print more copies to fill the demand for commemorative issues.
Author: Staff
Mental health: half is not enough
Chris Fitzsimon Television news cameras came early to Thursday’s meeting of the Mental Health Oversight Committee, a fairly rare occurrence but understandable the day after state officials announced that three staff members of Cherry Hospital had been fired in connection with the death of a patient in April.
Suspension policies fuel high dropout rates
Rochelle Williams North Carolina’s education officials say they will raise high school graduation rates by supporting proven methods for promoting achievement, things like increasing access to pre-kindergarten programs and bringing new, qualified teachers to poor and rural schools. They spend less time talking about how they will re-engage and nurture the millions of young people…
Flora: A late-fall color worth the walk
Local unemployment on the rise
By Margot Carmichael Lester Staff Writer The U.S. Department of Labor released staggering unemployment figures for October (240,000 jobs lost nationally). But buried in the data was even more stunning news: September job loss data was revised up to 284,000 – making September 2008 one of the worst month’s for job losses in history. And,…
Burn a few calories for a cause
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer Carrboro —This Thanksgiving Day, those of us hoping to justify indulging in that extra piece of pie can do so with several hundred runners by our side for the 12th annual Gallop and Gorge 8K. The Gallop and Gorge – the final leg of the Cardinal Track Club’s Le Tour…
Tragedy hits Chapel Hill High again
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer CHAPEL HILL —The Chapel Hill High School community is mourning the loss of yet another student after the tragic death of senior Rodney Torain early Sunday morning. Torain, 18, was killed in an automobile crash on Old Greensboro Highway just before 4 a.m. Sunday. Ashley Bynum, 18, was driving Torain…
An artist’s tradition
by Rich Fowler Staff Writer Chapel Hill —Jinxiu Zhao usually goes by Alice because it’s easier for people to pronounce. A typical day for her is busy, filled with the art she loves. She teaches classes for seniors and children and is always cheerful and upbeat about it. She truly loves her work, and it…
County wants answers on airport authority
Orange County Board of Commissioners chair Barry Jacobs got the OK to send a letter on behalf of the board to UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp asking for more information about a proposed airport authority that would be charged with siting and building a new airport to replace Horace Williams. The board approved sending the letter…
Tense times in Bingham Township
Airport, transfer station draw intense interest, ire by Kirk Ross Staff Writer CHAPEL HILL —For those living in the roughly 73 square miles that make up southwestern Orange County’s Bingham Township, the next few years seem to promise large and unwelcome changes. Though sparsely populated compared to central and southeastern Orange, residents of the township,…
News brief: Merritt sworn in, hotel hearing delayed
The Chapel Hill Town Council started its Nov. 17 public hearing with the swearing in of new council member James Merritt. Merritt will serve the remaining 13 months of Bill Thorpe’s term. Thorpe passed away in September. Merritt acknowledged Thorpe’s service and said that he wanted to continue Thorpe’s commitment to the town. “I give…
Board tightens fire-safety requirements
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve an ordinance amending the town fire code that would create additional requirements for fire extinguishers, sprinkler heads and stovetop fire stops and prohibit pine straw and similar materials within 10 feet of any structure. The changes come on the…
News Brief: County awarded housing grant
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency recently awarded Orange County with $400,000 under the 2008 cycle of the Single-Family Housing Rehabilitation Program. The program provides funds to assist with the rehabilitation of moderately deteriorated homes that are owned and occupied by lower-income households. Typical repairs include roof replacements, door and window replacements and electrical and…
Alternative Christmas Market
United Church of Chapel Hill will be holding its 19th Alternative Christmas Market this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov.23 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The market will feature everything from art to rain barrels to knife sharpening, with a portion of the proceeds going…
News Brief: Property Revaluations
The next Orange County property revaluation will become effective Jan. 1. Property revaluation is the process of recognizing monetary trends between buyers and sellers and reflecting that on similar properties. The last countywide revaluation was effective as of Jan. 1, 2005, and the market value of Orange County properties has since increased. The Orange County…
