City

CHCCS works to mitigate student transportation issues amid bus driver shortage

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district is facing a shortage of bus drivers, resulting in a transportation crisis that affects students on a daily basis. André Stewart, the district’s chief operations officer, said that every day, there are 15 school bus routes that are not covered due to the lack of drivers

NC ranks last in child care cost in new report, state struggles with funding

A recent report published by WalletHub, placed North Carolina 39th overall in family-friendliness. The average cost of child care per year in North Carolina is $9,255 for infants and $7,592 for a 4-year-old.

'Helping them get a foothold': Organizations fight for gender inclusion in construction

Nora El-Khouri Spencer, now the CEO of Hope Renovations in Carrboro, came to realize that construction and contracting was not presented as an option for women and she wanted to try to help fill the gap.

How UNC Police and CHPD function in independent jurisdictions

Crimes that occur on UNC's campus and in the rest of Chapel Hill fall under different policing jurisdictions. But, sometimes the lines between UNC Police and the Chapel Hill Police Department become blurred, possibly confusing both students are residents.

Cortland Gilliam, Chapel Hill's new poet laureate, hopes to give back and uplift

Chapel Hill's new poet laureate Cortland Gilliam recently began in his position, and he hopes to amplify suppressed voices and educate young members of the community. Gilliam's objectives as poet laureate include highlighting the voices of marginalized people and honoring the local community that has supported him through his time as a graduate student and doctoral candidate at UNC.

Chapel Hill restaurants thrive, increase success during Triangle Restaurant Week

Triangle Restaurant Week is open to all restaurants in the area, as long as they meet the event requirements. In the past, Butler said over 100 restaurants have participated and generated $1.6 million in extra revenue. The requirements include offering special three-course menu options and fixed pricing. 

N.C. doctor files lawsuit against state, challenges restrictions on medicated abortions

Chapel Hill OB-GYN Dr. Amy Bryant filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the Middle District of North Carolina last Wednesday that could impact abortion access across the country. Bryant's complaint challenges North Carolina's restrictions on the abortion medication mifepristone, the first of a two-pill regimen that terminates pregnancy within 10 weeks of gestation. She argues that North Carolina's restrictions on mifepristone contest regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Medication abortion is safe and effective – there’s no medical reason for politicians to interfere or restrict access to it, or for states to force doctors to comply with mandates not supported by medicine or science," Bryant said in a press release. 

Chapel Hill and Carrboro preschools report small levels of lead in water

As the local community watches as UNC grapples with detectable lead levels in the drinking water of over 125 buildings, some questions have been raised about the safety of other educational institutions. Data from Clean Water for Carolina Kids shows that some preschools in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area are also seeing perceptible levels.

Town of Chapel Hill receives $2 million to improve downtown streetscape

The Town of Chapel Hill recently received $2 million in Community Project Funding to be put toward downtown streetscape improvements. Funds will be used to replace traffic light poles as well as potential projects like curb cutting. 

TOPO Distillery to close Feb. 15 after more than 10 years in business

The distillery produced a wide variety of liquors, including vodka, gin, unaged whisky and wheat whiskey. Visitors were offered a tour of the distillery on Friday and Saturday nights, where they could try samples of liquors and learn about the distillation process and various spirits.

Registration for Carrboro summer camps opens; Chapel Hill sign-ups to begin in March

Chapel Hill and Carrboro have released their summer camp program schedule for the 2023 season. Residents and non-residents are eligible to sign up for the camps focused on topics like drama, fishing and ultimate frisbee.

Understanding CHALT: What it is, and why some town residents find it controversial

The Chapel Hill Alliance for a Livable Town says it advocates for policy to address issues in the community, especially those surrounding sustainable development. But some community members argue the organization's actions are more harmful than they are helpful.

Estes Drive Connectivity Project enters next stage, one-way traffic extended

The Estes Drive Connectivity Project is entering its next phase of construction, converting more of Estes Drive to one-way traffic. Contractors will shut down part of the road and begin work this week. Transportation Planning Manager for Chapel Hill Bergen Watterson said the closures will last until the end of the project, which is projected for fall 2023. 

'Incredibly safe': Chapel Hill Transit works to ensure passenger safety on buses

After a recent report of sexual assault on a Chapel Hill Transit bus, leaders are working to ensure passenger safety – both on buses and at bus stops.  Director Brian Litchfield said Chapel Hill Transit is “incredibly safe” because of well-trained staff, supervisors and a crisis team equipped to deescalate situations.

N.C. General Assembly continues their long session after swearing in new members

The North Carolina General Assembly continued their long session on Wednesday – their first legislative session after new members were sworn in on Jan. 11. A total of 26 bills were filed in the N.C. House of Representatives on Wednesday and Thursday. Between Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 34 bills were filed in the Senate.

Orange County awarded grant to advance technical education in middle schools

Orange County Schools received $32,265 for modernization in career and technical (CTE) education programs in its middle schools. 

Chapel Hill Town Council talks housing, zoning and transit expansion

Northside neighborhood feels pressures of increased student presence, housing costs

Northside, which is historically the largest Black community in Chapel Hill, has seen a decrease in homeownership for years and an increasing demand for student rentals.  Along with an increase of new residents moving into the neighborhood, new apartment additions to West Rosemary St. are bringing UNC campus life closer to Northside. “It’s not because of the house, it’s because of the land," resident Loy Long Jr. said. He said he can't imagine his family selling their home. 

Affordable housing explained: A look at public developments in Chapel Hill

The Town of Chapel Hill owns and operates a number of affordable housing units within Chapel Hill and Carrboro, including single up to multiplex residences. Though the Town owns over 300 properties, the area currently faces a deficit of over 5,000 affordable units. 

NC ranks last in national school funding effort, report says

North Carolina ranks 50th in school funding effort and 48th in overall funding level, according to an annual report by the Education Law Center. Parents and administrators cited a lack of instructional staff and inadequate supplies as areas affected by low funding.