By Kirk Ross Columnist Sickus World over, if there is any consistent symptom of a sick society, it’s the infant mortality rate. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what state health director Dr. Leah Devlin said when she announced a rise in the numbers a couple years back: “But this is about much more…
Author: Staff
Letters to the Editor: June 28
Weaver Street Market’s move to Hillsborough Our economy is, by design, dynamic. There is no such thing as stasis for a business; it is either growing or shrinking. Shrink too much and you are gone; likewise, grow too fast. Weaver Street Market exists because of the vision and acumen of Ruffin Slater. It is because…
If you don’t bleed, you haven’t been picking blackberries
By Rebekah L. Cowell I know I’m a Carolina gal when I’ve braved mosquitoes, spiders, snakes and large spiky thorns to reach the much-coveted gems – blackberries. The brilliance of an onyx stone winks at me from behind green leaves, its beacon message, “pick-me,†belying the nest of thorns that awaits my fingers as I…
New report highlights North Carolina’s failed health care policies
By Adam Searing Hidden away in the depths of the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh, a small part of the large-scale societal debate over health care transpired recently. It took place under harsh fluorescent lights in a cramped, windowless meeting room filled well past the fire code limits, almost entirely by professional lobbyists and legislators….
Why do we elect so many state officials?
By Wayne Goodwin Back in the 1700s, fear of king-picked chief executives and their great powers helped sow strong sentiments against strong state executives. Those seeds sprouted into many revisions of our state constitution, guaranteeing a weak governor and a state government with decentralized executive authority. As our state grew, responsibility for important policy areas…
Board studies middle school redistricting
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education last week considered proposed middle school redistricting that could move more than 200 students to different middle schools. School officials are redistricting in order to prevent “orphan†segments – small segments of students who are assigned to different middle schools than the rest of…
“Segregated†schools hinder reading skills
 UNC News Services Children in families with low incomes who attend schools where the minority population exceeds 75 percent of the student enrollment under-perform in reading, even after accounting for the quality of the literacy instruction, literary experiences at home, gender, race and other variables, according to a new study. The majority of black and…
McCarthy fails physical, Chapel Hill looking again
Tom McCarthy, Chapel Hill’s newly appointed police chief, will not be able to take over the duties of the job due to health issues, town officials announced late Wednesday. “As you know, I have worked hard to keep myself in shape and be ready for this great opportunity. I am very disappointed that I was…
News briefs: 6/28/07
Moratorium approved The Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-1 to approve a four-month moratorium on residential development in the Joint Planning Transition Area portion of the Carrboro Northern Study Area. In February, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen approved a six-month moratorium in the Northern Study Area, to begin April 26. However, because 2,800…
Plant rescue
The Town of Chapel Hill is sponsoring a plant rescue from July 2–8 at Southern Community Park on Highway 15-501. Clearing of the Southern Community Park site is scheduled to begin on July 9. The public is invited to rescue any plants currently growing within the clearing limits at the park site. Anyone interested in…
Obituary – Candice Elisha Taylor
Candice Elisha Taylor, 29, passed away at her residence in Indianapolis, IN on June 16, 2007. A funeral service was conducted at 4:00 pm Friday, June 22, 2007 at Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, NC. Surviving are husband, Leonard Taylor of the home; daughter, Bria Anita Linger of Chapel Hill, NC; son, Jalen Taylor…
Obituary – Delacy Cornelius Corbett
Delacy Cornelius Corbett Crisp, age 52, born January 6, 1955 in Orange County to the late Claude and Massey Poole Corbett, died in her home on June 22, 2007. The funeral was conducted Tuesday at 2:00 pm in Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church. Burial was in Church cemetery. She was employed by UNC Hospital in Environmental…
Obituary – Dietrich von Haugwitz
Dietrich von Haugwitz, 79, of Durham died on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at his home after a short bout with stomach cancer. Mr. Haugwitz retired from Duke University in 1992 as a Health Systems Engineer who wrote computer software for the medical center. He was active as a board member for the NC Network for…
Community Calendar – 6/28/07
Seniors/Wellness Program ORANGE COUNTY SENIORSTRIDERS – a University Mall-walking program designed for all levels of walkers. 8:00am exercise warm-up, breakfast at Bear Rock, and health talk by local health experts on a variety of topics. Orange County residents age 55 and older. Free. 3rd Wed of every month. 968-2073. Groups MEDITATION – Practices of Tibetan…
Arts Calendar: 6/28/07
Art & Museums POTTERY BY COURTNEY TOMCHIK – Jun 1-30. NC Crafts Gallery. 942-4048, www.nccraftsgallery.com PAINTINGS BY AMY RICHARDS – Through Jun 30. Carrboro Town Hall. 942-8541, www.nccraftsgallery.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC BOGART – Through Jun 30. Open Eye Cafe, 968-9410, www.openeyecafe.com