JENNIFER FAIR

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Planners show campus design

By JENNIFER FAIR | September 21

Expected to have five buildings, greenways and ample parking, local architectural firm Corley Redfoot Zack Inc. has developed a rough plan for Durham Technical Community College's new satellite campus in Hillsborough. But the Orange County Board of Commissioners wants to make sure that vision will be environmentally friendly and energy efficient. "These buildings have to follow our principles," said Commissioner Alice Gordon. The satellite campus, to be located off N.C. 86, is expected to be open in August 2007.

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Social Services pitches ideas to assist children in need

By JENNIFER FAIR | September 14

Since the recent closing of the Sheaffer House, Orange County youths in need of emergency shelter have had to seek help outside of the county. But, at the Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, the Department of Social Services explained how they hope to provide the help children need closer to home. "We all agreed we want Orange County children to stay in Orange County," said Nancy Coston, director of social services. "Obviously when you have children who need things, you can't just say we don't have a program."

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Lottery could place sales tax bill on hold

By JENNIFER FAIR | August 31

Orange County’s leaders are making sure they have enough money to fund school construction, but whether that money should come from the state lottery or a new local sales tax is still up for debate. The Orange County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Monday night asking the county’s state legislators to add the county to a bill that could potentially increase sales tax by one-half cent The revenue generated by the additional tax would go to community colleges and public schools.

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Hunting district to be debated

By JENNIFER FAIR | April 28

Orange County residents who enjoy the thrill of the hunt might soon have a chance to pursue their hobby in a new location. At tonight’s board meeting, the Orange Water and Sewage Authority will discuss allowing limited hunting on a “mitigation tract” it bought in the early 1980s to make up for lost wildlife habitat. The 500-acre site lies on the northern part of the Cane Creek watershed, to the west of Buckhorn Road, in the western part of the county.

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Nonprofits rely on volunteers

By JENNIFER FAIR | April 22

Volunteers serve a variety of duties in local nonprofits. Several local community leaders say their organizations could not exist without them. And, as part of National Volunteer Week, those volunteers are receiving recognition for their services. “Volunteers are the American Red Cross,” said Rosetta Wash, executive director of the Orange County chapter of the organization.

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Transit employees will continue fight

By JENNIFER FAIR | April 21

Three Chapel Hill Transit workers are preparing to take the next steps in their racial discrimination claims against the town of Chapel Hill. Mechanics Clint Thorpe, Tim Brown and Lee Harris are set to meet with lawyer Al McSurely today to discuss changes made within their department since Town Manager Cal Horton presented his recommendations for improving the workplace environment.

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Apple Chill gears up for another year's festivities

By JENNIFER FAIR | April 15

Cloggers, motorcycles and free condoms will fill Franklin Street on Sunday and transform downtown for the 34th Apple Chill street festival. The festival will take over the area of Franklin Street between Henderson and Mallette streets from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sonya Reddick Shaw, programming and marketing supervisor for the town Parks and Recreation Department said she expects 40,000 to 50,000 people to attend.

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Permanent residents sought

By JENNIFER FAIR | April 14

Town officials and retailers have tried for decades to pump new life into the downtown area. For an equally long time, those with a stake in the area’s success have suggested that increasing the number of permanent residents would help provide that boost. Unspoken in that idea is another one bubbling below the surface: Getting rid of rental units downtown will also decrease the number of students who live there. But it might not be an insidious idea. Local leaders say downtown just needs people who will be around — especially during summer.

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New businesses to appear downtown

By JENNIFER FAIR | April 11

Prominent holes in downtown storefronts soon will be plugged by shops looking to find a permanent role in the area’s business district. Three eateries and a furniture store all plan to open their doors for business by the close of spring. Qdoba Mexican Grill should open its new location at the corner of Franklin and Columbia streets by the end of this month, operating partner Joe Numberger said. The restaurant’s opening has been delayed several times because it must meet requirements laid out by town inspectors, Numberger said.

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Month targets sexual violence

By JENNIFER FAIR | March 31

On the heels of a recent downtown rape, local advocates hope to use the next month to raise awareness of sexual violence. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the Orange County Rape Crisis Center has several events planned to bring attention to the problem. Chapel Hill Police Department domestic violence and sexual assault specialist Sabrina Garcia said 41 cases of sexual assault have been reported this year. That number includes incidents ranging from sexual assault and rape to indecent exposure and secretly peeping, she said.