By John Hood Chapel Hill, NC – Now that fall term has begun for most colleges and universities, we’re about to witness one of the most predictable phenomena in modern American politics: for every raucous or violent campus protest that…
Beware of phone scammers impersonating Chatham County Sheriff’s deputies
Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the community to a series of scam calls involving individuals impersonating Sheriff’s Office deputies. In recent days, several residents have reported receiving calls from someone claiming to be a deputy…
One on One: Small towns and farms — Our people estuaries
By D.G. Martin Chapel Hill, NC – “That couldn’t happen if you moved every three years.” Reynolds Price, the late novelist and Duke professor, was talking to a group at a Southern Writers Conference in Chapel Hill about memories. Our…
OREd presents latest Chatham County student population projections at August school board meeting
Pittsboro, NC – At the August 12 Chatham County School Board meeting, representatives from the Operations Research and Education Laboratory (OREd) provided an interim update on the county’s projected student population growth. The presentation highlighted significant factors influencing the county’s…
Defacing the courthouse: A message of hate in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC – On Saturday night, August 24, the Triangle Stop Cop City held a rally at the Peace and Justice Plaza in Chapel Hill. The Cop City organization includes a wide array of activists, some of whom engage…
3 Guys from Pittsboro talk with Robert Reives about balancing growth with community values
By Gene Galin Siler City, NC – On a Tuesday afternoon, a conversation between Robert Reives, the minority leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and three guys from Pittsboro having lunch sheds light on the values of family,…
Mary Nettles shares her memories of growing up in a segregated Chatham County
By Gene Galin Pittsboro, NC – In a heartfelt conversation with me back in June, Mary Nettles, a longtime resident of Chatham County, offers a vivid recollection of her childhood during the 1960s—a time marked by segregation and racial divides.…
Sheriff’s office targets minors’ access to tobacco products
Pittsboro, NC – On August 14, 2024, the Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation targeting the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors, underscoring the agency’s commitment to protecting the health of young people as they prepare to return to Chatham…
Pittsboro puts a ribbon on Hoops Pizza’s grand opening
By Gene Galin Pittsboro, NC – What once was an old car dealership service bay has now transformed into Hoops Pizza, bringing with it the promise of fresh, locally-inspired pizza and a welcoming community space. The grand opening on Thursday…
Duke’s QB battle ends with Maalik Murphy named starter
Durham, NC – Duke head coach Manny Diaz announced on Monday redshirt sophomore Maalik Murphy as the Blue Devils’ starting quarterback to open the 2024 season. Duke quarterback Malik Murphy (Source: Duke SID) “First and foremost, all of our quarterbacks…
A primer on religious expression in North Carolina public schools
By David N. Bass Raleigh, NC – With traditional calendar school districts getting underway in late August across North Carolina, many parents might be wondering about what is and isn’t permissible for religious expression in public school classrooms. photo by…
Chatham County Board of Commissioners to meet on August 19
Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Board of Commissioners (BOC) will meet on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Chatham County Historic Courthouse located at 9 Hillsboro Street, Second Floor Courtroom in Pittsboro. The work session will begin at 2…
A new era for real estate: Understanding the changes to commission payments effective August 17
By Gene Galin Pittsboro, NC – On August 17th, 2024, a landmark settlement from a federal lawsuit reshaped the real estate industry, fundamentally altering how commissions are handled in property transactions. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has agreed to…
CrossFit Challenge success story: Emphasizing healthy habits for sustained results
By Gene Galin Pittsboro, NC – This is a wrap-up of my journey through an six-week CrossFit challenge, shedding pounds, gaining strength, and learning valuable lessons about health, wellness, and perseverance. I sat down with Tim Pedersen, owner of CrossFit…
NAR settlement impact: What real estate buyers and sellers need to know
By Gene Galin Pittsboro, NC – As sweeping changes to real estate sales rules take effect, the industry faces a wave of uncertainty and adaptation. I sat down to have a conversation with Eric Andrews, a local Chatham County real…
Small modular nuclear reactors could be North Carolina’s affordable path to a carbon-free future
By Peter Cotell Raleigh, NC – For years, finding a way to produce energy that is low in carbon-dioxide emissions and environmentally friendly, while also remaining affordable and efficient, has been one of the greatest challenges in the energy sector.…