Two bats found in Chapel Hill tested positive for rabies recently at the State Laboratory of Public Health. The first bat was submitted after residents in the vicinity of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Weaver Dairy Road saw their cat with its paw on a bat in their driveway. The second bat was submitted…
Category: News
Cutbacks planned for solid waste centers
By Rich Fowler Staff Writer Orange County commissioners want to look at the daily use at each of the county’s solid waste convenience centers before deciding which days or hours to cut. At a budget work session Tuesday night commissioner Barry Jacobs said he was wary of shutting down the centers on Sunday, saying that…
Carrboro library cuts on the table
County budget proposal drops tax rate to 85.8 cents By Kirk Ross Staff Writer The Orange County Board of Commissioners debated proposed cuts in services Tuesday night, including the permanent closure of the Carrboro Branch Library at McDougle Middle School. The discussion came after a presentation by County Manager Laura Blackmon of a proposed $177,589,039…
Grads to walk Sunday
The 2008-2009 academic year officially comes to a close this weekend as thousands of students and family members gather for Carolina graduation ceremonies and festivities. Commencement is at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Kenan Stadium, and this year the ceremony will be streamed live on the university’s website.
Debt concerns could delay, alter projects
By Kirk Ross and Susan Dickson Staff Writers Shifting budget numbers at the state and local level could result in a delay in construction of a new elementary school in the Northside neighborhood. After the latest round of financing, Orange County is close to its self-imposed debt ceiling that keeps debt service at or below…
Chatham liquor law approved
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer Chatham County voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum that would allow mixed-drink sales in the county, a move that supporters say will boost the local economy. Unofficial results show that 5,073, or 65 percent, of those who went to the polls voted “yes,†while 2,710, or 35 percent, voted “no.â€
Carrboro greenways planning takes shape
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer Transportation around Carrboro could become a little more environmentally friendly within the next few years as greenways along Morgan and Bolin creeks begin to take shape. Barring unforeseen delays conceptual plans of greenways along both creeks could be finished by the end of this year, according to town transportation planner…
Aldermen approve Home Program funding
By Susan Dickson Staff Writer The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve plans for the town’s Home Program funds. Home Program funds are allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with 25 percent matched by Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Orange County. The program was established to provide…
Students file complaint against campus police
A UNC student group has filed a formal complaint with the UNC Department of Public Safety. The group, the UNC Protesters Defense Committee, claims DPS “has failed to serve and protect the university community†and has “created a chilling effect that suppresses student activism and free expression on campus†by “attacking, intimidating and arresting protesters, 
Fertilizer workshop
Staff from the Orange County office of the Cooperative Extension Service will lead a workshop on fertilizer application on May 13 at 7 p.m. at Carrboro Town Hall. Staff will focus on residential and commercial landscapes, including lawn and turf, landscaped areas and pasture. The town is considering an amendment that would require residents applying…
Mock crash today
The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department will conduct a mock car crash at Carrboro High School today (Thursday). The crash will provide students with a real-life experience of a car crash resulting from drinking and driving. Several crash victims will be transported to the hospital, while others will be taken to the morgue. In addition, one student…
Chapel Hill budget offers cautious look ahead
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer No furloughs and no layoffs are in the works for next year, but Chapel Hill employees can expect to see no pay increases either, under a new $49,759,000 budget proposed by Town Manager Roger Stancil. The Chapel Hill Town Council got its first look at the budget, which spends about…
State workers riled over cuts
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer State workers plan to rally at the Legislature Tuesday to try to convince legislators that recent pay cuts and health insurance hikes are hurting their ranks. UNC Employee Forum chair Tommy Griffin said he’s heard a steady stream of feedback after Gov. Beverley Perdue’s actions Tuesday exacerbated what was already…
Carrboro legislation advances
By Kirk Ross Staff Writer The legislative agenda for the town of Carrboro wasn’t complicated when it was handed off to the local delegation, but once in Raleigh that changed. A request to amend the town’s charter to allow the town to pass ordinances to outlaw discrimination in housing was bogged down in a House…
OWASA proposes rate increase
The OWASA board of directors has proposed a 9.75 percent rate increase for monthly water and sewer charges. The proposed rate increase would raise a monthly bill from $68.24 to $74.92 for a typical individually metered residence using 5,000 gallons a month. If the increase is approved, it would take effect Oct. 1. The proposed…