Chapel Hill Joins Carrboro in Passing Anti-Bias Ordinance
Chapel Hill became the third North Carolina municipality — and third in Orange County — to enact an LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinance Wednesday night.
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New LGBTQ Protections on Agendas
Council Ponders 2 Sites for New Police HQ
A Third Try for a New Services Center
203 Project Advances, Despite Concern
Changes Reduce Pretrial Detention
The Town Begins Re-imagining Public Safety
Carrboro Moves Ahead on Reparations
What a New Parking Deck Will Mean for Chapel Hill
Marijuana: Decriminalize or Legalize?
The resolution before the Orange County Board of Commissioners at its Sept. 15 meeting called for the support of legalizing marijuana. But that wasn’t clear from the title: “A Resolution Supporting the Decriminalization of Marijuana.”
Carrboro Ponders Reparations
The agenda item on Carrboro Town Council’s Sept. 2 meeting called for a discussion on tree distribution disparity in historically Black neighborhoods, perhaps as a way to tiptoe in to the topic of reparations. But the council never got to the trees.
Zoom Replaces the Room for Councils
Twenty-five years ago, market researcher Diane Bloom conducted focus groups on the then-emerging technology of telemedicine. As a community advocate and Chapel Hill resident, she also spent many evenings at Town Hall, waiting for her turn to speak to the town council.
County Prepares for Absentee Ballot Surge
As the November elections approach against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Orange County officials are preparing for an election like no other.
Carrboro Makes Juneteenth Official
Juneteenth is now an official holiday in Carrboro. The Town Council has unanimously approved a resolution making June 19 — colloquially known as Juneteenth — a paid town holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Some Say Police Resolution Falls Short
At the Chapel Hill Town Council’s final meeting of the fiscal year, council members approved a heartfelt resolution to improve racial equity and public safety. Most community members who spoke, however, were underwhelmed.
An Open Letter from the Elected People of Color of Orange County
Over the past few weeks, we have seen our nation torn apart, and we have also seen it come together. We have seen the institutional racism—the racism that People of Color face every day—erupt into the wider consciousness of our nation.
Library Dodges a Funding Cut
The Chapel Hill Public Library dodged a bullet when a budget amendment proposed by Orange County Commissioner Chair Penny Rich to cut $568,139 in county funding to the library failed by a 2-5 vote.
Town Launches Campaign Encouraging Use of Masks
The town of Chapel Hill is urging everyone over 12 years of age to wear masks or face coverings when indoors in a public place and outdoors when at least six feet of physical distancing is difficult to maintain.
Chapel Hill is Lighting Up
The night light might be bright. Duke Energy is expected to complete a month-long project of replacing 2,000 street lights on major streets in Chapel Hill with more environmentally friendly LED lights by the end of May.
Are we really ‘allinthistogether’?
#allinthistogether. Kinda. The hashtag trending on Twitter and Instagram evokes solidarity among the healthy and the sick, the employed and the paycheck-less, in the chaos wrought by COVID-19.
Hanging Tough in Hard Times
COVID-19 has touched us all, in ways big and small. I think first about those who are sick, and those who live in fear of becoming infected. I worry about those who are laid off, furloughed or working fewer hours, and struggling to provide for themselves and their families.
Financial Assistance Available to Renters
Chapel Hill residents in urgent need of rent relief during the coronavirus pandemic may be eligible for a one-time payment of up to $2,000.
Why Filling Out the 2020 Census is Important
Most of us know that the 2020 Census count began in January, since we’re getting reminders what feels like every other day. I will confess: I used to roll my eyes every time I got another flyer in the mail, or saw a commercial on television or online.
The Town Wants Your Opinion
Should the Town of Chapel Hill offer an incentive for property owners to upgrade their own buildings and make them more energy efficient?
Despite Pandemic, Census Counts on Responses
How has the coronavirus pandemic affected the census count in Orange County? It could be helping.
Emergency Operations Seeking Donations
The Orange County Emergency Operations Center is requesting donations of non-perishable food to support the COVID-19 response.
Solid Waste Making Changes
Chapel Hill’s Solid Waste Services is making adjustments to its operations because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Orange County Candidate Winners
Here is the final list of Orange County candidate winners.
Orange County Issues Stay-at-Home Order
Orange County issued a stay-at-home directive to all residents Thursday morning in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The order will take effect Friday at 6 p.m. and will remain in effect until April 30 at 5 p.m.
Town Facilities Closed to the Public
The Town of Chapel Hill has closed town facilities to the public effective to further promote the idea of social distancing in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Local Law Enforcement Responds to COVID-19
To minimize the risk of unnecessarily infecting a person in need of services with COVID-19, local law enforcement personnel will be practicing social distancing.
Orange County Identifies First Cases of COVID-19
Orange County, North Carolina persons have tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The tests, conducted by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, are positive. The people are doing well and are in isolation at home.
Solid Waste Department Operations Schedule During Pandemic
Orange County local government is responding to the spread of the “Coronavirus” or COVID-19 by scaling back operations, urging social distancing and reducing opportunities for social contact.
Chapel Hill’s Mayor Hemminger Outlines Measures to Support the Community
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has a plan in place to provide lunch and a snack for children at sites throughout town on weekdays. Additionally, local non-profits are gearing up to provide groceries and other essentials to local families.
Chapel Hill Takes Steps to Keep Community Safe, Limit COVID-19 Spread
To limit the spread of respiratory viruses and safeguard those most at risk of contracting COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Town of Chapel Hill is postponing, canceling, or modifying events and programs until further notice.
Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library Make Major Gift to Expand Parking
On Wednesday, Chapel Hill Town Council accepted a gift of $185,000 from the Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library.
Large Estes Drive Proposal Comes Under Review
Chapel Hill’s Community Design Commission has reviewed a concept plan for a development that would bring hundreds of residential units plus retail and office space to the corner of Estes Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Orange County Commissioner Candidates Questionnaire
POLITICS Commissioner Candidates Question 1: Orange County has one of the highest tax rates in the state. High tax rates make it difficult for lower-income families to afford to live here and…
Orange County School Board Candidates Questionnaire
POLITICS TLR is publishing the responses of all the candidates who submitted answers to our questionnaires. Orange County School Board Candidates Question 1: What is the one most pressing issue…
Judicial Candidates Questionnaire
POLITICS TLR is publishing the responses of all the candidates who submitted answers to our questionnaires. Judicial Candidates Question 1: In order to render a decision, the Judge must determine…