North Carolina's 3,400-mile rail system generates more than $20 billion annual statewide economic input and supports 88,000 jobs. The state houses more than 100 rail industry businesses, and the state receives about 45 million tons of rail freight.
Over 20 million people visited N.C. state parks in 2023, the Year of the Trail, when the state invested in and encouraged the use of local trails. With this 4 percent increase in visitors comes concerns for the impact on wildlife.
Brian Dunagin, fire captain for the Chapel Hill Fire Department, was recently honored as the 2023 Firefighter of the Year.
“I was more kid-gloves about talking about it, with men especially," Tricia Mesigian, owner of the Orange County Social Club and co-host of the event said of menstrual product accessibility. "Now I just don't care. People need this stuff. The evolution of just being able to talk freely about this is something that people need.”
The Town of Chapel Hill received a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award for the construction of Tanyard Branch Trace, an affordable housing complex on Jay Street. The project will provide 48 rental units for residents with incomes up to 60 percent of the area's median income.
The festival included road safety activities, booths and games to celebrate the Vision Zero project and the Town receiving a $50,000 grant for improving pedestrian safety.
Court-imposed fees in North Carolina have increased by 400 percent over the past 20 years, according to the North Carolina Justice Center. These fees can burden those who are unable to pay the increased cost with large amounts of debt. North Carolina House Bill 636, which was introduced by N.C. House Democrats on April 17, could reduce these fees and the punishments given to those who can’t pay.
Individuals who face situations like this are on a benefit cliff — when a small increase in earnings results in a steep decrease in welfare benefits. Families or individuals may become ineligible for benefits they previously received, such as housing choice vouchers or childcare subsidies, when their income passes a certain threshold.
The Chapel Hill Police Department is holding a Community Police Academy to teach community members about the department's role in the Town and the purpose of its divisions and units. The Community Police Academy will feature six free Tuesday sessions from April 11 to May 16 and a final session on May 20.
Kidzu Children’s Museum will celebrate its 17th birthday with a party on Sunday, March 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. After several years of not being able to celebrate, Kidzu's birthday party will showcase new birthday themes and special guests will facilitate multi-lingual storytimes.
