Chatham County

Local Label Keeps With Indie Tradition

Passions don't always pay the bills, as James Rhodes knows all too well. The 24-year-old founder of Moment Before Impact, the latest addition to Chapel Hill's roster of rock labels, hasn't quit his day job yet.But if there were doubts about the health of the indie spirit in Chapel Hill, Rhodes and his "Rock Mafia" prove them wrong.Rhodes, who graduated from Virginia Tech with a mathematics degree, moved to Chapel Hill only two years ago.

USSA Issue Re-emerges In Election

Although a referendum in support of the University's representation in the United States Students Association failed last year, the issue has resurfaced among this year's student body president candidates.The USSA is the largest and oldest organization in the country that lobbies the national government for financial aid and minority rights for students.

Retired Teachers May Return

Teacher shortages have plagued North Carolina school districts and prompted concern from Orange County school officials, though the area has yet to feel the effects of the crunch.The Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Orange County school systems will utilize their ability to rehire retired teachers in the case of such a shortage. The threat of shortages prompted the N.C.

Pool Requests Extend Beyond Town Budget

The Chapel Hill Town Council members are diving into a project that doesn't yet hold water for the area.Residents voiced their desire for a community pool at Monday's public forum, but an architect hired by the town said a facility that meets their requests could cost more than $8 million, which is $6 million over budget.Town leaders responded by agreeing to solicit financial support from other local governments.At the forum, residents made pleas for the specific form that the Homestead Park Aquatic/Community Center would take.The two most popular requests were for the creation of

BOG Uncertain On System School Tuition Increases

More than a month before the Board of Governors votes on more tuition increase proposals, board members have split opinions on the issue.Several schools, including UNC-Greensboro and UNC-Pembroke, have petitioned the board for tuition increases -- some to fund faculty salary increases and student financial aid.BOG member John Sanders said the proposals are beginning to come in, but the board will not begin to review them until next month.

Old-Fashioned UNC Hopes to Beat Duke Down Low

Kris Lang would go out to the hoop at his Gastonia home as a youngster and pretend that he was Christian Laettner.Laettner, a standout at power forward for Duke from 1988-91, excelled thanks to a free-wheeling offense that allowed players to break down defenders with one-on-one moves.North Carolina played a different style during Lang's youth. The Tar Heels ran set offenses and did most of their damage in the halfcourt. Not much fun to emulate.

Colorful, Convenient . and Collapsible

When most people see her, they do a double take.While the sound of whirling wheels against concrete is not an unfamiliar one around campus, the sight of freshman Jamiyla Bolton gliding around the second floor of Morrison Residence Hall on a scintillating silver scooter prompts many students to stop and stare.

Possible Plan for Fields Causes Student Concern

Some students have recently raised concerns that Ehringhaus Fields could be used as a staging site for a major construction project.The Ramshead Parking Lot is scheduled to undergo construction this spring, creating a multi-level parking deck.But University planners say it is too soon to be concerned because no one is sure where the project's staging site will be located.According to proposed plans, the parking deck is to include a Harris Teeter Express grocery store, a recreation center, a bookstore, a police substation and a late-night study facility.

Sangam Unites South Asian Students to Defeat Stereotypes

I invite you to take a journey of inquiry with me in examining a particular minority group here at UNC. Exactly which group I am talking about I will reveal in a bit, but just stick with me on this for the time being.First, let's talk about the notion of a group. Some 40,000 years ago, our wonderful hunter-gatherer ancestors found it far more beneficial to group together than to exist alone. "Two minds are better than one," as the cliche goes.

Commission Proposes Tobacco Quota Buyout

In a preliminary report issued Friday, a presidential tobacco-policy commission recommended that President Bush and Congress explore the possibility of buying out tobacco quotas.

UNC System Won't Feel Fund Freeze

In one of his first policy initiatives as governor, Mike Easley announced a plan last week to deal with the most daunting problem facing his administration -- a $500 million state budget deficit.The N.C. constitution states that each fiscal year must end with a balanced budget.

Relaxed Forte Glides to Success

Joseph Forte is racing toward stardom.Only, he's in no hurry to get there. That much has become apparent to followers of North Carolina the past two seasons, and it will be evident when the Tar Heels play Duke on Thursday at 9 p.m. in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Nine of the 10 players on the floor will compete at regular speed, moving around the court with frantic intensity and strained facial expressions. The other player will navigate the court at Forte pace, with relaxed and fluid forms of motion reserved for UNC's No. 40.

Candidates Cater to Potential New Voters

Anticipating a growing pool of likely voters because of online voting, candidates in this year's student elections are working to expand their campaigns and platforms in order to appeal to a broader audience.The candidates in this year's student elections feel that a higher voter turnout will force campaigns to solicit support from more than just major student organizations."In the past, if you hit the right groups, you'd probably win," said Carolina Athletic Association president candidate Reid Chaney.

Dilbert 01/31/01

Scare Tactics Cloud Biotech Crops' Benefits

Just imagine: Using biotechnology, scientists can produce crops that will grow in drought conditions and therefore help alleviate the world's food shortages. Labs are developing plants that contain essential vitamins to prevent childhood blindness in underdeveloped countries.Yet a minority is trying to scare consumers into boycotting these fruits of our technology."The fear comes from overexaggerating the risks and eliminating the benefits from the discussion," said Ralph Dewey, a molecular biologist at N.C.

Bush's Faith-Based Plan Draws Local Objections

President Bush's newly proposed faith-based initiative is raising questions among some local organizations.The proposal, announced on Monday, calls for the establishment of a White House office to distribute federal funds to charities and religious groups during the next 10 years.But the proposal has left some local leaders with serious reservations regarding the separation of church and state.The aim of the program is to let such groups compete for taxpayer money to provide services such as after-school programs, prison ministries and drug treatment.Bush stated in a press release

Freshmen Can Now Get the Scoop Online

A Web site aimed at aiding freshmen in the transition to Chapel Hill culture and University life was launched Monday by the Freshman Focus Council.Freshman Central provides first-year students with academic tips, dates for campus events, transportation information, links to other Web sites, entertainment news and more.Freshmen Matt Tepper and Rebekah Burford were co-chairmen of the FFC's development of the Web site, which served as the group's first major project.

Students Benefit From Wireless Access

The latest wave of technology is cresting on UNC's campus and students already are reaping the benefits with no strings attached -- literally.Wireless technology is now placing students, faculty and staff at the forefront of the technological revolution, providing high-speed Internet access in classrooms, labs and even coffee shops on Franklin Street."I am pleased and proud that we are taking this position nationally. I'm convinced what we're doing is at the vanguard of higher education," said Chancellor James Moeser.

Police Roundup 1/30/01

UniversitySunday, Jan. 28University police responded at 5 p.m. to a larceny at the Kenan Field House.A student went jogging that afternoon and left his keys on the ground unattended. When he returned, his keys were missing.University police responded to a report of a larceny of two wallets at 2:37 p.m.A student at Ehringhaus Residence Hall reported that during the Dec. 15 campus blackout, someone broke into her room and took her wallet.The person also stole her roommate's wallet.The student said her credit card had been used Jan.

SBP Candidates Fire Off 1st Shots

A Monday night forum provided nearly 100 students the chance to hear nine candidates for student body president present their campaign platforms and voice their opinions on several heated topics such as the appropriation of student activities funds and UNC's involvement with the United States Students' Association.But this was the first time students saw the candidates publicly confronting one another since campaign season kicked off Tuesday. The debate, held in Bingham Hall, was sponsored by the College Republicans and the Young Democrats.