Tracey Theret

News

Growth increases local schools' needs

By Alex Kowalski and Tracey Theret | April 23

If you build it, they will come. And when they come, you have to build again. The same residents flocking to Chapel Hill and Carrboro to enroll in its top-rated schools create pressure on the district to build more. Environmentally friendly policies, mass transportation, proximity to job hubs and most importantly, the public school systems attract potential residents. “It’s a desirable place to live primarily because of both of the school systems that we have that are not overcrowded and the mind-set that Orange County has,” Orange County Planning Director Craig Benedict said.

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School board continues districting discussion

By Tracey Theret | January 23

The Orange County Board of Education continued debate Tuesday on how to fill the seats of Hillsborough Elementary School in order to help ensure a more economically diverse population. The board heard from parents of students who might be forced to switch schools under a new plan, which caps enrollment from each of the district's school attendance zones at 20 percent. Jeff Michalski is one parent worried about how the changes will affect his family.

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50,000 enjoy kidz museum

By Tracey Theret | January 10

Two-year-old Ivan Krivacka from Hillsborough had his first Kidzu Children's Museum experience Wednesday morning. After an arts and crafts session and pressing different buttons to make Herald - the inflatable dragon - come to life, Ivan played with fire. "I cooking apples!" he exclaimed to his grandmother, Joan Witt. He threw a red plastic fruit into a bucket sitting atop the flickering pseudo-flame of an open stove. "Yes, you are such a good cook," Witt replied with a smile as she helped him turn the handle of the nearby play rotisserie.

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Upcoming forum to address public transportation

By Tracey Theret | November 29

Residents of the Carrboro and Chapel Hill area will have the opportunity to provide feedback on Chapel Hill Transit's services today at a public forum sponsored by the Carrboro Transportation Advisory Board and the Chapel Hill Transportation Board. The forum, which is an annual event, will be held in two sessions from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Chapel Hill Town Hall.

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BOE denies recount request

By Tracey Theret | November 14

After almost one week of uncertainty about who would fill the eighth seat on the Chapel Hill Town Council, newcomer Matt Czajkowski was officially declared the fourth victor in the Nov. 6 election. "I've been congratulated at very different stages," Czajkowski said. "First when I appeared to have won, then when I apparently got above the 1 percent threshold and now that the Board of Elections has decided against a recount."

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Date set in Orange High shooting trial

By Tracey Theret | October 31

HILLSBOROUGH - Orange County Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan set a trial date of May 5, 2008, for the man accused of firing shots at Orange County High School in 2006 after he killed his father. Alvaro Rafael Castillo, an Orange High graduate, made a brief appearance in court Tuesday in a black suit and tie. After Morgan agreed to the date, Castillo smiled and tossed a slight wave over his shoulders to the courtroom before being led out of the back of the building to a sheriff's car.

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Voyce seeks to end injustice

By Tracey Theret | October 25

When mayoral candidate Brian Voyce was asked when he moved to Carrboro, his answer was unique: "I didn't," he replied, "Carrboro moved to me." Though Voyce has lived in The Highlands neighborhood for six years, he's been a Carrboro resident for less than two, and now he's running for mayor. In a controversial decision, the town officially annexed Voyce's neighborhood, along with five others - a population increase of more than 800 people, in January 2006. Regarding the annexation, Voyce said, "The why was because the fiscal mismanagement of the town meant they wanted our money."

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Morton runs as 'average Joe'

By Tracey Theret | October 22

It's been a big year for Chuck Morton. He turned 50, married his girlfriend of 20 years and graduated from Durham Technical Community College. Now he's in the race to become mayor of Carrboro. "I'm kind of a late bloomer," Morton smiled as he petted his little dog, Griffin. Morton decided to run when he saw there was no opposition to incumbent mayor Mark Chilton a week before the filing deadline. "I thought I'd pay the $15 just to provide an alternative for voters so they'll at least consider the issues and make an informed decision in November," Morton said.

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Chilton long involved locally

By Tracey Theret | October 22

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton got an early start with involvement in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community and its governments. As a UNC student, Chilton was sworn in as a Town Council member at age 21, the youngest age residents are eligible to hold office in North Carolina. After a move to Vancouver, British Columbia, Chilton and his wife, Quaker Harmon, returned to the area in 2000 and decided to reside in Carrboro.

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Chatham's growth increases commuters

By Tracey Theret | September 25

The eastern portion of Chatham County is growing, and an increasing percentage of its residents work in Orange County. Both counties' government officials are concerned about the effects the commuters' traffic might cause. "The big issue is how we can get people efficiently and with a minimum of pollution and traffic from the parts of Chatham that have a lot of University employees to the campus," said Barry Jacobs, vice chairman of the Orange County Board of Commissioners.