Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton expressed his dismay at a new eight-foot-tall, barbed-wire fence that runs along the perimeter of Estes Park Apartments, erected by the complex’s management and blocking a frequently used path for walkers and bikers between northern Chapel Hill and downtown Carrboro. Chilton’s dissatisfaction with the obstacle mirrors the feelings of others in…
Category: News
Council concerned over second graffiti incident
by Catherine Rierson Staff Writer According to Chapel Hill Town public information officer Catherine Lazorko, Town Manager Roger Stancil has promised potential criminal charges and employee termination as repercussions for the perpetrator of a second unsolved case of racist graffiti. Lazorko was unaware of any new developments in the ongoing investigation promised by the town…
Civil rights education program
The Orange County Human Rights and Relations Office is accepting applications for the Community Civil Rights Educator Program. The program is designed to empower community leaders and help residents understand their rights and responsibilities. Five to 10 people will be selected to participate in the program that will start in the fall. After completing the…
News Brief: New county attorney
County Manager Laura Blackmon announced on Wednesday that Annette Moore will serve as the new staff attorney for Orange County. As staff attorney, Moore will provide in-house legal services for county departments, reporting directly to the county manager.
News Brief: UNC raises $300 million
UNC raised $300 million in fiscal year 2008, the highest total ever for the school in one year and the fifth-straight record-setting year for fundraising. Commitments in 2008 also helped the university create 36 endowed professorships as well as a total of 93 undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships.
Protest over Abbey Court towing
Mayor Mark Chilton told Abbey Court residents protesting at the Town Commons on Saturday morning that he supported their position on the apartment complex’s new towing policy. Chilton spoke to residents, many of whom are Latino, in Spanish. “As the mayor of Carrboro, I support the residents,†he said. Chilton said he plans to call…
Carrboro Branch Library cuts under review
Update: On Friday, the county reinstated the library’s hours. See statement at the bottom of this story. by Susan Dickson Staff Writer Following public outcry regarding a recent slash in hours of operation at the Carrboro Branch Library, county officials say some of those hours could be restored. In late June, Orange County library officials…
Eno land protection close to major milestone
by Susan Dickson Staff Writer For more than 40 years, the Eno River Association has been working to protect the land that surrounds the Eno River, and within a year, the association could reach a long-sought goal: complete the missing links in the Eno River State Park. The Eno River Association has been working to…
Campaign finance bill approved
by Kirk Ross Staff Writer The General Assembly authorized the Town of Carrboro to set a limit on campaign contributions for town races this week. The new legislation allows the town to change its election ordinances to limit contributions from individuals to $250.
Mission on Weaver St.
by Catherine Rierson Staff Writer If you’ve been on Weaver Street at all in the past four months, you’ve probably seen a sign that reads, “The Episcopal Church of the Advocate.†Curious as to what that is? The Episcopal Church of the Advocate is a mission church and an extension of the Episcopal/Anglican tradition, but…
Chapel Hill council gets expanded powers
by Rich Fowler Staff Writer Chapel Hill officials say they’re pleased to see that a slate of local measures they sought have now cleared the General Assembly. Legislators recently passed new laws that give the town the power to raise vehicle fees, regulate the demolition of historic buildings and better deal with parks and recreation…
Converter thefts plague park and ride lots
by Catherine Rierson Staff Writer More than two dozen commuters have returned to area park and ride lots to discover that their vehicles no longer had a catalytic converter. According to UNC police spokesperson Randy Young, in the last week of June, 13 catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles at the Friday Center park and…
Tents of Hope
The United Church of Chapel Hill will host Tim Nonn, national coordinator of Tents of Hope, an advocacy movement for the people of Darfur. Nonn will give a sermon, themed “We are All Connected,†on July 27 at 8:45 and 11 a.m. The United Church of Chapel Hill has a Tent of Hope on its…
News Brief: Green sneaks
Although it’s probably not without pinched noses, even the kids at UNC’s Carolina Kids Camp are going green—they’re recycling used athletic shoes. The camp theme, “Carolina Goes Green,†is teaching children ages 6-12 about recycling and other environmentally-sound practices. As part of the green theme, the children are collecting used athletic shoes to donate to…
News Brief: County library head retires
Orange County Library director Brenda Stephens has announced she will retire from her position on Nov. 1. Stephens began her library career in Orange County more than 30 years ago, driving the bookmobile. She has served as library director since 1993, when the library system moved under Orange County government. In addition, Stephens has served…