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(10/15/08 4:00am)
For the first time in 10 years the Chapel Hill Town Council will alter its own makeup.The council will decide tonight on a process for replacing 11-year council member Bill Thorpe" who died Sept. 27.Mayor Kevin Foy has said that the council might choose to appoint a black person to fill the spot.Thorpe was the council's only black member.""I think it's important that we have a strong liaison with the African-American community" and it's been my experience that Bill Thorpe did an excellent job of making sure that we heard from voices in our community that we sometimes don't hear from" Foy said.Thorpe told voters during his 2005 town council campaign that he would represent all Chapel Hill citizens but would make a special effort to communicate with the black community during his tenure.In the last several decades, the council has consistently included at least one black member.Thorpe took his seat at the same time that Edith Wiggins retired. Wiggins, an African-American, was appointed in 1996 to replace another black council member.Wiggins said while the council shouldn't have to meet a quota of minority representation, a black council member could better address the black community's concerns.If you haven't lived the African-American life" the African-American experience there's a limit to your ability to understand she said. I think in a democracy" you look forward to having all segments of a community represented.""But Ruby Sinreich" a Chapel Hill blogger and political observer said residents value qualities other than just diversity in elected officials.And Foy said applicants' ability to represent different groups should carry more weight than race.He said Thorpe an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People had long demonstrated his commitment to under-represented populations when he was elected.Foy said he expects the council to appoint a person who can serve as a liaison to many minority communities" such as the growing Latino population.""I'm not Hispanic" but that doesn't mean I'm not able to help represent the interests of my Hispanic constituents" Foy said. I think a demonstrated ability will be a heavy factor.""Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward said the council has not yet laid out specific qualifications for the office but will look for the most informed applicants.The applications will probably be accepted through Oct. 31" but two-time candidate Will Raymond announced Sunday his intention to apply. The council likely will choose its new member next month.Mark Chilton now Carrboro's mayor left his seat in 1998. Although Ward was among the applicants the council eventually appointed Flicka Bateman for the position.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(10/15/08 4:00am)
Commissioners received a new ranking of potential sites for Orange County's waste transfer station Tuesday night.The new list drawn from criteria that include community concerns such as environmental justice significantly reorders the previous ranking.The new top four sites are located along a mile-long stretch of N.C. 54 near Orange Grove Road.The Eubanks Road site home to the county landfill since 1972 dropped four spots to No. 8. The two previously top-ranked sites which are in one of Hillsborough's economic development zones fell to the fifth and sixth spots on the list. Both lists were generated by a consulting group Olver Inc. which the board hired last November.The previous ranking met intense criticism from the public for only taking technical concerns such as site size and access to major transportation routes into account.And commissioners had also objected" saying Olver strayed from the established plan by delaying consideration of how a site effects the community around it.Commissioners said they plan to cut the list to no more than three sites next week using both the old and updated rankings and gather public input on their selections. They also said they did not want to include Olver in the upcoming public comment period of the siting process.""People will feel like they have not been heard if they have to talk to somebody who talks to us"" Commissioner Moses Carey said.Although the board still plans to make a final decision Nov. 18, commissioners stressed that their priority is making the right choice rather than rushing the process.If the process extends into December, the final siting decision could fall in the hands of the new members of the Board of County Commissioners elected on Nov. 4.It would be nice to have it done before we change boards"" Chairman Barry Jacobs said. But I think it's more important that we do it right.""Once commissioners select a final site" they will follow the normal approval procedures for a new development including a traffic impact analysis and an environmental impact assessment.The siting process was opened in November after commissioners scrapped original plans to locate the transfer station on Eubanks Road.Residents of that neighborhood have advocated removing the Eubanks site from the list of potential locations since then. Carey said he might not be present at the board's critical meeting next week. Nelson said he could be late. Jacobs said he reluctantly" would be at next week's critical meeting.""In the interests of full disclosure" I don't have any conflicts that day" Jacobs said. But I sure wish I wasn't going to be there.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(10/06/08 4:00am)
As the crowd left" a small group in the corner of University Baptist Church on Friday was still singing.""All over Chapel Hill"" I'm going to let it shine.""The hundreds who packed the church Friday knew Chapel Hill Town Council member Bill Thorpe as a neighbor" a family man and a politician.Though crying could be heard throughout the sanctuary" the atmosphere was upbeat at what many called a ""homegoing.""""Good night" Daddy. You did your best with what you had" his son, William Thorpe Jr., said.Good night" Daddy" I'll see you on the other side.""Prominent politicians from throughout North Carolina and Chapel Hill as well as dozens of family members walked by the open casket to pay their last respects to Thorpe.Thorpe" who grew up the third child of seven in Oxford N.C." was laid to rest Friday at the age of 67 after years of service to Chapel Hill and the state.""He didn't know he was poor"" said Dan Leatherberry, who attended Mary Potter High School with Thorpe. He didn't know that he was not supposed to go to college.""Thorpe attended Fayetteville State University and went on to teach in the Duplin County School System and work for the Department of Labor.""His story is really a great American story" Thorpe Jr. said.He was the first in his entire family to go to college as he would often tell me ‘with no money" son.'""The mourners Friday afternoon sat in the same seats where Thorpe and his family had sat almost every Sunday since the 1970s.""He knew there was a connection between the work he was doing outside the church to the work he was doing here" Thorpe Jr. said.The speakers and several preachers recounted decades of stories of Bill Thorpe as a mentor and a politician.Dozens of people stood when asked who had been influenced to achieve greater things by Thorpe.He'd say ‘my good friend.' It really made you feel special but you knew you had to live up to it" said N.C. Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham. He was going to put me out front and he was going to tell me what to do.And that's what he did.""The 11-year town council member died in his home Sept. 27 from heart problems.Leatherberry" who has known Thorpe since 1956" said the first thing he was going to see when he went to heaven was Bill Thorpe.""He's going to say Dan" I've organized heaven into precincts" he said. And I want you to be a block captain."" Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(10/01/08 4:00am)
WEDNES." OCT. 1 4:40 p.m." Last updated 6:15 p.m. -- Police have arrested suspects who robbed at gunpoint at least four people in Durham and Chapel Hill late Tuesday.
(09/30/08 4:00am)
Members of the community had the opportunity to give their input on the future plans for University Square on Tuesday.The University announced in June that the UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation would be purchasing University Square and Granville Towers. Dick Mann vice chancellor for finance and administration at UNC said that Granville Towers which can accommodate more than 1300 people will most likely remain as student housing to accommodate the University's growing number of students.But beyond that no plans have been made.Mann came Tuesday to Coffee with the Downtown Partnership to receive questions" comments and suggestions about how to use the property.""It's an opportunity to influence our thinking"" Mann said. What is it we're looking for?""What would be the biggest enhancement for downtown?""The purchase" which has been under consideration for about a year and a half will cost the UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation which manages the University's endowment and other nonpublic funds $45.75 million.The foundation plans to close on the property in June 2009.Some community members offered their opinions about developing the property. Suggestions included a multilevel parking deck and faculty housing.Others suggested potential businesses such as a craft gallery a bookstore and a movie theater.Joseph Polcaro of Joseph's Hairstyling on North Columbia Street" said there should be a grocery store downtown.""Is everyone going on a diet?"" Polcaro asked. ""We've got all these students here and they have to go all over the place to get their food.""Some thought that it would benefit the town to intersperse chains among independently owned stores.""Those stores are what has made Chapel Hill so desirable"" said Missy Julian, owner of Julian's on Franklin Street. But chains would bring in a lot of people.""Residents said they were concerned that bringing in new businesses might mean getting rid of others.Earleen Burch" senior administrative assistant for the University's Center for Developmental Studies said her office" dentist and eye doctor are all in University Square. ""I would hope that we would be able to keep those services there.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/30/08 4:00am)
Served as reminder of town historyEmily Stephenson Assistant City EditorWhen Bill Thorpe and Laurin Easthom joined the Chapel Hill Town Council in 2005 a tour of town facilities brought them to the top of a fire truck's ladder.Easthom then new to the council was terrified to ride in the truck's bucket" but Thorpe encouraged her to hop in.""He drew me in and said" ‘This will be fine"'"" she said. ""The thing took Bill Thorpe into the air almost 100 feet. He was just so calm about it; he put his whole trust in that fireman.""Thorpe died Saturday at his home after suffering heart problems. Council members said a calm" guiding presence was indicative of Thorpe's mentoring style on the council where he served in the 1970s and 1980s before running again almost two decades later.Council member Mark Kleinschmidt said Thorpe called him almost every week.Easthom too said she would meet Thorpe to talk politics and town policy over lunch.And in an attempt to expand the council's mentorship to students Thorpe proposed an internship program for 10 undergraduates" approved in 2006.""That also shows a part of what Bill was interested in" which was giving people opportunities" Mayor Kevin Foy said.Council members said Thorpe's personal and leadership experiences gave him a unique outlook on town issues.Born in segregated Oxford, he moved to Chapel Hill in 1970. He worked for the N.C. Department of Labor and maintained a link to workers at UNC and the town after leaving.As a council member, Thorpe focused on initiatives on behalf of town employees and pushed for more affordable housing.He understood that we needed to create places for people"" Kleinschmidt said.As the only African-American on the council, Foy said Thorpe shared what it was like to be part of Chapel Hill's black community in the past and today.But he said Thorpe told council members, who are elected at-large, to consider all residents their constituents.Bill would always make clear that everybody on the council represents all the citizens"" Foy said.He was known to pontificate on what he called the council-manager form of government"" and to remind town staff and council members alike of their roles in the system.And his ability to take a step back from the nitty-gritty of politics gave him a reputation for a wry sense of humor.""He could laugh about politics and just not take things too seriously when they didn't need to be taken seriously" Easthom said. He could rise above the fray and just say" ‘This is how it is.' And it was funny.""Town leader"67 fought for civil rightsMax Rose City EditorBill Thorpe spoke for more than just himself on the Chapel Hill Town Council.Thorpe never hesitant to say what was on his mind" used his 11 years on the council to fight for those who have no voice. He was 67 when he died at his home Saturday. ""What kept him going each year was day by day being a representative for the town"" his wife Jean Thorpe said.When Bill Thorpe walked into a room, he greeted everyone with a smile and a firm handshake.One of the first things he would always say was"" ‘What's your name?'"" said Fred Battle"" the former head of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. ""He loved being a politician.""But Thorpe never hesitated to tell council members when he thought they were wrong"" friends and public officials said.""One thing about Bill Thorpe" he spoke his mind and people knew when he would come out on an issue that it's coming from the heart" said Eugene Farrar, current head of the local NAACP.Thorpe was instrumental in Chapel Hill becoming in 1984 one of the first municipalities in the country to officially recognize the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. as a holiday.And 20 years later he asked then-Mayor Pro Tem Edith Wiggins to present a resolution to rename Airport Road after King, whom Thorpe idolized as a civil rights hero.Thorpe, who was not an elected official at the time, spoke personally with every member of the council in advocating for the change, Mayor Kevin Foy said.He was not only the initiator but the leading proponent throughout the process"" Foy said. That has had repercussion throughout the community over the last few years that have ultimately been good for Chapel Hill to have.""The change initiated a town-wide conversation about race and institutional racism" Foy said.Thorpe was a political force in Chapel Hill as long-time president of the Hank Anderson Breakfast Club and as a consultant for many local candidates. Candidates crave the club's endorsement and brag when they receive it.In the 1970s he was part of a committee that rewrote the town charter" Foy said.He took a medical leave of absence from the council earlier this month and did not return.""Who's going to really be" I guess" a watchdog of the community for the people?"" said Battle" who has known Thorpe since 1970.Thorpe attended University Baptist Church on South Columbia Street almost every week while he was in good health Jean Thorpe said.University Baptist will hold Friday a public viewing session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and services at 1 p.m. Mitchell Simpson the pastor at University Baptist" said Thorpe's faith was given voice in the larger community.""Clearly this is a guy who had influence but did not try to wield it in a tacky way" and I think that says a great deal about him" said Simpson, who Thorpe called Doc."" ""With a guy like Bill"" all you have to do is stand up and tell the truth about him.""Thorpe is survived by Jean" a retired educator and his two children William41 and Beverly 43.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/29/08 4:00am)
Due to a reporting error Monday's pg. 1 story" ""Bill Thorpe" long-serving Town Council member" dies"" misspells Thorpe's wife's name. Her name is Jean. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.Bill Thorpe" long-time Chapel Hill Town Council member and fighter for civil rights died in his home Saturday night from heart problems. Thorpe was the voice for the least fortunate during his total of 11 years on the council and almost 4o years living in Chapel Hill.He was known for his ability with people and for his love for politics. He would work the council chamber or any other room" greeting everyone with a smile and asking names and hometowns.""He had a big talent and ability to where he would never meet a stranger"" said Fred Battle, the former president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, who has known Thorpe since 1970. And he was one who would look to help everybody.""Thorpe fought for renaming Airport Road after his idol Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 2005 and in 1984 was instrumental in Chapel Hill becoming one of the first Southern municipalities to officially recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day.""He really kept our feet to the fire as far as remembering what out values were"" council member Mark Kleinschmidt said. He always understood that issues that we worked on involved the lives of people.""Thorpe is survived by his wife Jean" a retired educator and two children.Dailytarheel.com will post related stories during the day.
(09/29/08 4:00am)
By Banning or shutting down alcohol sales early on Halloween would cost thousands of dollars and probably wouldn't keep away the crowds" local bar owners told town staff Friday.The about three dozen bar owners who met with the Chapel Hill staff at the Chapel Hill Public Library voiced almost unanimous opposition to proposals to curb alcohol sales in hopes of limiting the size of this year's festivities.""To take a Friday away from all of us is going to be crippling"" said Rutland Tyler, an owner of Linda's Bar and Grill. We all employ people that will make rent on that day.""The group discussed a number of town proposals intended to shrink crowds on Halloween.Officials hope stopping alcohol sales before midnight or implementing a ban might keep crowds away.Other possible changes include stopping buses from park-and-ride lots and setting and advertising an ending time for the festivities.Police Chief Brian Curran told the group Friday that last year's roughly 80""000-person crowd was dangerous and fueled by alcohol.""Even if they're in a pretty good mood" it's a pretty volatile situation for us" he said, adding that he thinks it pure luck that events haven't turned violent. We haven't had a mass casualty incident yet.""Curran said police worry that the event could become like Apple Chill" cancelled in 2006 after three people were shot. But at Halloween even someone setting off firecrackers near the crowd could cause a stampede he said. Some bar owners said they would risk losing sales for the sake of safety and many said they support limiting the event's size.But most representatives said the people frequenting bars on Halloween don't cause problems.Tyler said he has kicked out only one person for unruly behavior during the past four Halloweens.Others said students drinking in dorms and fraternity houses" and out-of-towners with their own alcohol are rowdier than locals.Some bars have already made plans for Halloween night. East End Martini Bar will host a law-school party. Local 506 booked a band from the United Kingdom.And some said that they feel singled out and that banning alcohol seems like a knee-jerk reaction.""It seems to me that we've got a pressure-keg situation"" said Scott Maitland, owner of Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery. The way you release that is with a pressure-release valve"" not with an ax.""No decisions have been made yet about alcohol sales" but Town Manager Roger Stancil who will make the decision promised to finalize plans by Oct. 15.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/29/08 4:00am)
MONDAY SEPT. 29 1:22 p.m. -- Bill Thorpe known as the voice for the little man in Chapel Hill died in his home Saturday. He was 67 years old.He was known for his ability with people and for his love for politics. He would work the Chapel Hill Town Council chamber or any other room" greeting everyone with a smile and a firm handshake.""He had a big talent and ability to where he would never meet a stranger"" said Fred Battle, the former president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. And he was one who would look to help everybody.""Thorpe took a leave of absence earlier this month and died from problems related to a long-standing heart problem.In his 11 years on the Chapel Hill Town Council and almost 40 years living in town"" Thorpe pushed to provide more affordable housing and was an ever-present reminder of the town's history and where it is trying to go.""He understood that we needed to create places for people" Council Member Mark Kleinschmidt said.Thorpe was instrumental in Chapel Hill becoming one of the first Southern municipalities in 1984 to officially recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day.And twenty years later he went to Mayor Pro Tempore Edith Wiggins with a resolution to rename Airport Road after his idol Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.It was controversial because Airport Road was a major thoroughfare in Chapel Hill and it had a lot of history in terms of its name" Wiggins said.He returned to the council shortly afterwards and advocated successfully for a program to give college students an opportunity to do internships with the town.Thorpe was born and grew up in Oxford, N.C., Battle said. He moved to Chapel Hill in 1970 and was elected to the town council for the first time nine years later.Thorpe's years on the council were seperated by almost two decades.He was a political force in Chapel Hill as president of the Hank Anderson Breakfast Club and as a consultant for many local candidates.Politicians craved the club's endorsement and bragged when they received it.Eugene Farrar, current head of the local NAACP and the chaplain for the breakfast club, cited Thorpe's blunt way of speaking as a way that he bridged racial lines and represented the whole community.One thing about Bill Thorpe" he spoke his mind and people knew when he would come out on an issue that it's coming from the heart" Farrar said.After his return to the council in 2005, Thorpe offered a historical perspective to the board members and the public.He would call Kleinschmidt almost every week to talk and made a habit of getting to know the people behind the policies and decisions the council made.He really kept our feet to the fire as far as remembering what out values were"" Kleinschmidt said. He always understood that issues that we worked on involved the lives of people.""Thorpe is survived by his wife Jean" a retired educator and two children.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/24/08 4:00am)
Demolition crews have begun working inside but owner Riddle Commercial Properties is staying tight-lipped about the future tenant at the corner of Franklin and Columbia streets.The commercial space at 108 E. Franklin St. housed a Gap clothing store until 2004 and the Carolina Theatre until 2005 but has been empty since.Chris Rhodes an executive assistant with Riddle Commercial Properties" said Tuesday that the company has signed a lease with a new tenant.The unnamed tenant will use the spaces previously occupied by both the Gap and the Carolina Theatre.She said demolition crews now are at work inside the building.""We've signed a lease" and we're going to start working here real soon" Rhodes said, adding that Riddle Properties has agreed not to release the tenant's name.We don't want to jump the gun or anything. We just recently got the lease back.""Pat Evans" chairwoman of the Friends of Downtown" said the corner — where Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery occupies the third floor — makes a good location for a variety of businesses because the commercial space is large and at a busy intersection.""That corner is a very advantageous site"" she said.Riddle Properties also has kept town officials in the dark about the identity of its future tenant.The town does not require this information for a demolition permit, but officials said it will become necessary in later development stages.Dwight Bassett, a town economic development officer and interim executive director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, said that in spite of flying rumors, no town officials really know who signed a lease with Riddle Properties to use the space.At this point" they don't have to divulge what they're doing" he said. But Riddle will have to name its new tenant when the company finishes its current demolition work and submits plans to Chapel Hill's fire marshal to rebuild inside 108 E. Franklin St.Rhodes said she doesn't know how long the demolition process will take and can't say when the space's new tenant will come forward.Capt. Doug Kelly, assistant fire marshal, said he has tried without much luck to find out who plans to lease the space.I have no clue what's going on in there"" Kelly said. We haven't seen or heard anything yet.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/17/08 4:00am)
A man who claimed to have been abducted in August by three of the suspects in the kidnapping and shooting death of a Chapel Hill man is now the sixth suspect.Matt Johnson is charged in the shooting death of 20-year-old Joshua McCabe Bailey District Attorney Jim Woodall said Tuesday.Johnson told police last week that he was abducted beaten choked and threatened on Aug. 17 by Brian Gregory Minton28 Jack Johnson II19 and Jacob Alexander Maxwell18 — all suspects in Bailey's death.A judge denied bond Tuesday for Matt Johnson Jack Johnson II Maxwell Minton Brandon Hamilton Greene26 and Ryan Ladar Davis Lee20 who have been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the case.A confidential informant told investigators that the defendants dug a shallow hole before shooting Bailey in the head with a nine millimeter pistol in a wooded area by Twisted Oak Drive in Orange County according to search warrants.The suspects allegedly moved Bailey's body to Chatham County" where investigators found him dead Friday.""They moved his body from a location in Orange County to a location down in Chatham County"" Woodall told the court Tuesday.Steve Bailey, the victim's father, last saw his son in the afternoon of July 21 on Weaver Street in Carrboro.Woodall said all six of the men charged with murder and kidnapping seem to know each other, and he believes Bailey knew most of them as well.It seems that everyone does know everyone else"" Woodall said. Most of them have known each other for some time. The victim knew most of them.""He said sheriffs did not release Matt Johnson's name Monday with the other five because police had to travel to Wilmington to arrest him.The men will be held without bond until an Oct. 6 court date.District Court Judge Beverly Scarlett told the court Tuesday that all six men charged with first-degree murder could" if convicted face life imprisonment or the death penalty.Three others — including Gregory Lee Minton41 and Mishele Slade Minton37 Brian Minton's parents — are charged with being accessories after the fact.Gregory Minton Mishele Minton and the third accessory suspect Chris Manley23" all were assigned $1 million bonds Tuesday and will appear in court Oct. 6.The three are accused of helping move and conceal Bailey's body.Mishele Minton is accused of taking suspects to buy materials later used in disposing of Bailey's body.Manley and Gregory Minton allegedly helped the suspects move Bailey's body to Chatham County.""The defendant assisted his son and others in actively trying to conceal the body"" Woodall said.Woodall said accessory to murder after the fact is a Class C felony and carries a penalty of up to 261 months in prison.Police issued an alert in late August for the missing Bailey, saying that he was believed to be suffering from dementia and that he may have been driving a 1993 Ford Explorer.The N.C. Medical Examiner's Office identified the body Saturday using dental records, according to a press release from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.Woodall said he could not comment further on the facts of the case because he only recently found out about the situation.He also said that despite the large number of defendants and their use of nicknames — among them Beef"" and ""Blackjack"" — there is no indication at this point that the incident was gang-related.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/17/08 4:00am)
Due to an editing error the headline in this story should not have said when Joshua Bailey was killed. The time of his death is not known. Due to a reporting error thestory also incorrectly states Brian Gregory Minton's age. He is 18. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the errors.A man who claimed to have been abducted in August by three of the suspects in the kidnapping and shooting death of a Chapel Hill man is now the sixth suspect.Matt Johnson is charged in the shooting death of 20-year-old Joshua McCabe Bailey District Attorney Jim Woodall said Tuesday.Johnson told police last week that he was abducted beaten choked and threatened on Aug. 17 by Brian Gregory Minton28 Jack Johnson II19 and Jacob Alexander Maxwell18 — all suspects in Bailey's death.A judge denied bond Tuesday for Matt Johnson Jack Johnson II Maxwell Minton Brandon Hamilton Greene26 and Ryan Ladar Davis Lee20 who have been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the case.A confidential informant told investigators that the defendants dug a shallow hole before shooting Bailey in the head with a nine millimeter pistol in a wooded area by Twisted Oak Drive in Orange County according to search warrants.The suspects allegedly moved Bailey's body to Chatham County" where investigators found him dead Friday.""They moved his body from a location in Orange County to a location down in Chatham County"" Woodall told the court Tuesday.Steve Bailey, the victim's father, last saw his son in the afternoon of July 21 on Weaver Street in Carrboro.Woodall said all six of the men charged with murder and kidnapping seem to know each other, and he believes Bailey knew most of them as well.It seems that everyone does know everyone else"" Woodall said. Most of them have known each other for some time. The victim knew most of them.""He said sheriffs did not release Matt Johnson's name Monday with the other five because police had to travel to Wilmington to arrest him.The men will be held without bond until an Oct. 6 court date.District Court Judge Beverly Scarlett told the court Tuesday that all six men charged with first-degree murder could" if convicted face life imprisonment or the death penalty.Three others — including Gregory Lee Minton41 and Mishele Slade Minton37 Brian Minton's parents — are charged with being accessories after the fact.Gregory Minton Mishele Minton and the third accessory suspect Chris Manley23" all were assigned $1 million bonds Tuesday and will appear in court Oct. 6.The three are accused of helping move and conceal Bailey's body.Mishele Minton is accused of taking suspects to buy materials later used in disposing of Bailey's body.Manley and Gregory Minton allegedly helped the suspects move Bailey's body to Chatham County.""The defendant assisted his son and others in actively trying to conceal the body"" Woodall said.Woodall said accessory to murder after the fact is a Class C felony and carries a penalty of up to 261 months in prison.Police issued an alert in late August for the missing Bailey, saying that he was believed to be suffering from dementia and that he may have been driving a 1993 Ford Explorer.The N.C. Medical Examiner's Office identified the body Saturday using dental records, according to a press release from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.Woodall said he could not comment further on the facts of the case because he only recently found out about the situation.He also said that despite the large number of defendants and their use of nicknames — among them Beef"" and ""Blackjack"" — there is no indication at this point that the incident was gang-related.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/10/08 4:00am)
The Orange County Board of Commissioners neither disbanded nor reinstated a Hillsborough-based all-volunteer rescue unit suspended in June for unprofessional actions.Instead" the board opted to keep the Orange County Rescue Squad inactive until officials determine the squad's future role in the emergency services system.""I think all of us understand that there is a perception in this community that Orange Rescue is a necessary unit" the board's Vice Chairwoman Valerie Foushee said. We could spend the next year talking about who's right and who's wrong" and nobody's getting any training.""Col. Frank Montes de Oca" director of Orange County Emergency Services shut down the Hillsborough unit on June 27. He cited 46 allegations of unsafe and unprofessional practices reported by emergency services staff local fire departments and citizens.Accusations include claims that the squad was unprepared to respond to calls dispatched vehicles in violation of county protocol and at one point turned the emergency vehicle parking bay into a wrestling ring and used breathing tanks to squirt each other with air.Montes de Oca also told the board that the extrication and rescue services provided by Orange Rescue also are provided by local fire departments so he finds the Hillsborough rescue unit redundant.Rescue Squad Chief Brian Matthews said he received no warning that the unit was in danger of shutting down before June 27 and that his requests for documentation of the accusations against the squad were never answered.Montes de Oca blamed the lack of written evidence of the accusations on leadership problems that occurred prior to his April appointment to the director position.The commissioners decided despite a lack of proof of unsafe and unprofessional practices" to rely on county staff advice and uphold the suspension for now.""You have to start off as a commissioner respecting the staff"" board Chairman Barry Jacobs said.The commissioners asked emergency services officials to present at next week's meeting tentative plans and a timeline for incorporating Orange Rescue back into the county system.Jacobs also asked officials to present at next week's meeting a proposal for studying systemwide effectiveness and practices of the individual rescue units.The board commissioned a similar study in 2006, but board members didn't think the resulting report answered their questions.I would like" as part of this process for somebody to come back to us with a timetable for a study" Jacobs said.We'll just throw out the last two months as having been a false start.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/10/08 4:00am)
Local officials hope that having more people monitoring the area will keep residents safer.Chapel Hill" Carrboro and Hillsborough have formed a Community Safety Partnership in an effort to deter criminal activity and identify potential public hazards.""We are joining to enlist employees to become additional eyes and ears to help watch our community" Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy said at a press conference Tuesday.Chapel Hill Police Chief Brian Curran said officials began making plans for this project about one year ago after recognizing that there was an increase in the amount of property crime during the day.The police can't be everywhere at once" Curran said.The partnership will involve several hundred employees from departments in each town as well as the Orange Water and Sewer Authority who will be trained to look for suspicious activity and report to the police.OWASA alone has about 135 employees, and all will be given the opportunity to receive the training.We expect that well more than a majority will"" OWASA spokesman Greg Feller said in an e-mail.Other participants will include employees from the public works, transportation and parks and recreation departments of the three towns.Providing safety in the community doesn't stop at municipal lines"" Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens said.But Chapel Hill resident Don Gasket thinks that people already naturally look out for suspicious crime, but the existence of the program will help with paranoia."" ""It's good intent" but some people might consider it to be a little too much" he said.Officials said the project will use existing resources and will not require any additional funds. Employees will receive no extra pay.The public workers will be trained to notify law enforcement via radio or cell phone if they see anything that is suspicious or potentially hazardous. Training is expected to be complete by late September.Workers will be instructed to look out for crimes in progress, vehicle accidents, overcrowded buildings and people entering or leaving buildings after hours.Basically anything that seems out of place"" Curran said.The employees will also be told only to report activities, and to not intervene in them.Vehicles of the trained employees will be labeled with an insignia so that people in need of help will know who they can approach.Chapel Hill residents such as Liz Medefesser think that the area is already safe to live in but that the project can make it better.Community outreach is important because the police and fire departments can't see everything that's happening all the time"" she said. That's the best eyes you can have.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/08/08 4:00am)
By June Kurt Davies had almost forgotten he was in the running for a spot to compete on Jeopardy!.After qualifying for the game show in an online exam in September 2006 the Carrboro resident flew to Los Angeles in January 2007 to audition.But after a year and a half without word Davies29" assumed he hadn't qualified for the show.Then he got the call.An episode featuring Davies will air tonight at 7 p.m. on ABC.""All my friends are coming over" and we're going to drink if I win and drink if I lose he said.Davies had just returned to UNC to work toward a degree in anthropology after an eight-year hiatus from school when he was invited to compete on Jeopardy!.His preferred cram method in the month before the show was taped in July: bar trivia nights.In Chapel Hill and Carrboro you can do a pub quiz just about every night" Davies said. I went to a lot of trivia nights.""His friend Brooke Baker became his coach"" making flashcards and religiously taping every episode of the show — Davies doesn't have a television.""I love trivia" but I don't have the kind of head for trivia that Kurt does" Baker said. There's a lot of stuff that he was learning that I actually wanted to know.""Jeopardy! veteran Will Schultz" a UNC junior who competed in College Jeopardy! in 2007" also said he made stacks of flashcards on topics ranging from famous college alumni to birthstones.""Not one of the things I studied for came up"" Schultz said. I learned a few things about birthstones at least.""Schultz lost in the second round.Davies won't give away any details of what happened during his two days on-set" other than to say that he didn't interact much with Jeopardy!'s host" Alex Trebek.""The first time we saw him was when they were taping and they said" ‘Here's your host Alex Trebek"'"" he said.And Davies has told only about six people whether he won and how much money he earned.His mother doesn't even know" he said.Davies and a group of friends plan to watch the show tonight at the Orange County Social Club in Carrboro" and he says he doesn't want to give anything away beforehand.He said that he tells his friends to watch his first round ""as a challenger."" ""I'm purposefully vague. All that says is you were on at least once" Davies said.He will only say that he competed in the first of 10 rounds taped while he was in Los Angeles and that he did not win all 10 rounds.Davies and one other competitor challenged the returning champion in the first round.(The champion) was in the lead going into Final Jeopardy!" he said. I won't say if she won.""
(09/04/08 4:00am)
Unlike some nearby county agencies Orange County does not always send an ambulance in response to 911 calls.
(09/03/08 4:00am)
The local branch of the American Red Cross is preparing for the possible arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna this weekend.With less damage from Hurricane Gustav than expected in the Gulf Coast the Orange County chapter has turned its eyes to Hanna" which was a tropical storm as of 8 p.m. Tuesday but is expected to strengthen. ""We need to be able to respond to Hanna locally while still being able to assist the relief operation for Gustav"" said Tim Bothe, director of disaster services for the Orange County chapter. It's a dual role.""Hanna is predicted to hit South Carolina late Friday or early Saturday" according to the National Hurricane Center forecast. The center then forecasts the storm as going through the middle of North Carolina.The Orange County Red Cross chapter has a stock of all items including food and blankets that would be required for any damage or floods. It is also prepared to set up shelters in Chapel Hill Carrboro and Hillsborough if necessary" Bothe said.""We are constantly eyeing the track of Hanna to see when and where it is going to hit to help us prepare locally and throughout the state of North Carolina"" he said.The national Red Cross launched massive efforts last week to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Gustav, which struck west of New Orleans on Monday morning. Thousands of staff and volunteers from across the country were called to help, and supplies were sent to the Gulf Coast. With estimated costs of more than $12 million, it was the largest relief mobilization effort since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.Scott Madry, chairman of the disaster services committee for the chapter, said the damage done by Gustav was less than the American Red Cross had prepared for.But that's the way it has to be"" he said. We prepared for massive response and fortunately it was much less.""Madry said that" because of the possibility of Hanna hitting" none of North Carolina's resources were sent to the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Gustav.""We still have all of that here and standing by for whatever Hanna may bring us"" he said.The organization has assigned about 25 people to specific jobs if they are needed. There are also more than 80 disaster volunteers, but Madry said they are always looking for more.The organization is considering holding a new volunteer orientation program over the weekend to give people at least the minimum amount of training necessary, Madry said.If there is a forecast for damaging weather, trailers full of supplies will be stationed outside of schools or community centers so that a shelter can be opened up within 30 minutes if necessary, he said.This could be a very serious situation"" Madry said. It is not the kind of thing you want to start preparing for at the last minute.""Local relief effortTo volunteer"" contact the Orange County Red Cross at 942-4862 or fill out an application online at www.ocncredcross.org.Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(09/02/08 4:00am)
It was the morning after the 2005 Halloween celebration, and the mayor of Madison, Wisc., said it couldn't continue like before.For four consecutive years, nights of looting ended with pepper spray. There was just utter bedlam"" said Mike Hanson, a Madison police officer. Town officials decided at a 5 a.m. debriefing that something was going to change.They charged admission to get onto State Street, the Franklin Street of the University of Wisconsin, and set up stages for bands and space for food vendors.And in the next two years crime decreased, Hanson said.The changes in Madison have greatly altered the event and received mixed reviews from the UW students who drive it.But if Chapel Hill authorities are looking for ways to make Halloween safer, they will likely turn to Madison and other cities for an idea of what to do.One of the big pieces here is just putting a little bit of structure around an event that historically has been impromptu and unplanned"" said Joel Plant, a mayor's aide who helped to plan and implement the change.Plant said he talked to Laurie Paolicelli, executive director of the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau, a few months ago about what Madison had done to calm Halloween festivities. Paolicelli could not be reached for comment Friday.Chapel Hill town officials have considered charging for admission, implementing a curfew, and closing bars early in order to decrease the number of people on Franklin Street for Halloween this year.Town staff met Aug. 26 but did not decide on a plan.The charge of $5 in advance and $7 at the gate in Madison has altered the character of the event, UW senior Elizabeth Yoder said.They completely changed what it was all about"" Yoder said. It seems like they ruined the tradition.""The city of Madison has reduced police costs by more than $100"000 since 2005 although there was a slight increase for 2006.And Plant said the number of visitors has not decreased significantly. He said about 35000 people bought tickets in 2007.In recent years Greenville N.C." blocked off the streets for the Halloween celebration in an effort to control crowds.""We leave it up to our law enforcement people to determine what needs to be done"" Mayor Pat Dunn said.In Athens, Ohio, police increased the presence of undercover alcohol enforcement while increasing education for Halloween festivities at Ohio University.They saw a decrease in underage alcohol arrests despite the increased presence, Ohio Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lindsay Komlanc said.Halloween events in Madison, which take place on a Friday and Saturday near Oct. 31, saw virtually no property damage or serious injuries in both 2006 and 2007.There is an expectation of behavior" and people have been following it" Plant said.Halloween crowd brings business" riskContact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/27/08 5:00am)
Plans for a five-story mixed-use building in downtown Carrboro came one step closer to reaching fruition Tuesday night. The Board of Aldermen unanimously passed the conditional use permit for the Roberson Square building.From here the project will move on to the construction phase" which will not require the board's input.The board made three changes to town staff's recommended conditional use permit Tuesday.One change the Board made was to specify that only retail- and office-use be allowed in the commercial section. Originally restaurants were included in the permit.""We're not really discussing the option of having all three at this point"" Mayor Mark Chilton said. Seven parking spaces and a landscaping area were added along Carr Street but only after the board discussed the decision at length.Buddy Kelly, a Carrboro resident who lives on Carr Street, spoke against adding the parking spots.It's not very wide now" Kelly said. I'd rather not see parking spaces there because I have two kids" and I can see them darting between cars.""Chilton said he understood Kelly's concerns but also addressed the need for more parking.""I'm concerned about the impact parking will have on the people that live on Carr Street"" Chilton said. But I'm also concerned about the impact of not having parking for businesses.""In addition to the seven parking spaces on Carr Street" the development will have 65 underground parking spots" eight spaces on Roberson Street and seven underground motorcycle spaces. Several bicycle racks will also be added around the building.The board also amended the permit to not require that a new name for the project be chosen.The original conditional use permit said the project would have to change its name because of existing locations with Roberson in their names. Town Manager Steve Stewart said the rationale is that it's easier for police and firefighters to find people in an emergency if every place has its own unique name.""It's more of a public safety issue"" Stewart said. Their preference is that there not be two places with similar names.""But the aldermen decided that they would not force the applicant" Darcon of NC Inc." to change the project's name.""It seems to be a bigger deal to the applicant to keep the name than it is to us to change the name"" Alderman Jacquie Gist said.The aldermen also approved two temporary street closings for the Tar Heel 10 Miler and the Kidney Kare 5K walk.Gist expressed concern about the recent number of downtown races.Are we getting a reputation as a place to do this?"" Gist asked. ""Because we're getting more and more of these requests"" and we can't have a race every Saturday.""Town staff said they will compile a report that looks at the costs of such events to the town. ""We don't want to seem unfriendly" but it's like having a parade every weekend" Gist said. And it is at some cost to the town and inconvenience to residents.""Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/26/08 5:00am)
In the Craig-Gomains public housing community, Evangelee Shuler uses dial-up Internet for bills and taxes.Her daughter, Jekyah Owens-Shuler, 7, does homework online.With the Internet" you can do just about anything" Shuler said.Craig-Gomains is one of four public housing communities where the Town of Chapel Hill will install wireless spots in an attempt to connect lower-income residents, particularly students, to the Internet. It is part of a pilot program which already has placed six spots downtown.It's good for those who can't afford it"" Shuler said.Pam Hemminger, chairwoman of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, brought the idea to the town in January because schools are giving more online work to students.It's hard for the students that don't have that at home" Hemminger said. They need guidance" and they also need the ability to explore and be comfortable on the Internet.""Pastors Israel and Dorcas Saunders don't have Internet access in their Craig Street duplex. When they need to send an e-mail" they must go to a local church or library.Dorcas Saunders said many students living in Craig-Gomains public housing go to Davis Library on UNC's campus for access and must return late at night.Wireless Internet access in the community will let students study at home" she said.""Parents can go to work and know that their children are at home doing their homework" Dorcas Saunders said. It gives the parents I guess" just a peace of mind.""There are about 300 students from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools living in the 12 public housing communities" according to a memo from town Information Technology Director Bob Avery.But some Craig-Gomains residents already have wireless access.Kimberly Perez who lives directly across from the proposed wireless site on Craig Street" said a broadband connection works well for her children and her.""I don't need (the town's wireless) because I have a wireless connection"" she said.For the pilot program, the town will put only one wireless antenna in each of the four neighborhoods, which will cover part of the housing communities.The town will look at the program's effectiveness to see whether to expand it further.It's more than just putting up a wireless signal and saying we're done"" Avery said.The town is following in the footsteps of Greene County, in rural western North Carolina, which has put into place hot spots that provide wireless access for all students.Greene County Schools Superintendent Steve Mazingo said that in four years the service has helped to increase the number of students who go on to college to 84 percent, up from about 20 percent.It's kind of leveled the playing field for all of our students"" he said. It's basically changing the way we do school.""Contact the City Editorat citydesk@unc.edu.