Hillsborough

Serving the students and the University community since 1893.

Volunteers Lorie Clark and Letitia Davison distributed masks at Carolina Spring Senior Apartments in Carrboro. Photo courtesy of Catherine Lazorko.

Here's where to find free masks across Orange County

By Lilly Clark

Orange County has mandated facial coverings in any public space where a social distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained until at least Aug. 31. Residents in need can receive free masks at several distribution sites throughout the county.

Cedar Ridge Class of 2020 graduates stand in front of Cedar Ridge High School on Friday, May 15, 2020. In lieu of an in-person graduation, the school has proposed a "drive-thru" graduation ceremony, a solution that many students are opposed to. Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Loyd and photographer Shili Quade

Orange County high school seniors petition against drive-thru graduation

Chapel HIll Police vehicles standby at the Chapel Hill Police Department on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. The Chapel Hill Police Department has increased their patrols in and around UNC's Campus in response to the sexual assault in the Shortbread Lofts parking deck.

Here’s how local law enforcement agencies are enforcing the stay-at-home order

Police increase patrols around town but haven't seen an uptick in break-ins

The town of Hillsborough was laid out by William Churton in 1754. At the time it was called Orange. The town took its current name in 1766 after William Hill, who was the secretary of state for the colonies under King George III.

The town has a number of historical attractions. It was the home of one of the signers of the Declarations of Independence, William Hooper, and his house still stands today. The town is also home to the Orange County Historical Museum.

Hillsborough is a major site for government in Orange County. It is the home of the courthouse, the district attorney’s office, the county board of elections, the board of commissioners and the board of education.

The Daily Tar Heel tags stories to make it easier for you to find our more about topics you care about. Consider it a Wikipedia for all things UNC.

The Town of Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver gave her first-ever State of the Town Address live through the Town’s Facebook page on Monday, March 23, 2020 at 7 p.m due to Covid-19. Photo courtesy of Town of Hillsborough staff member Cheryl Sadgrove.

Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver gives virtual "State of the Town" address

By Kayleigh Carpenter

Instead of addressing a room full of people, Mayor Jenn Weaver gave her first State of the Town Address to an empty board meeting room.

OWASA workers test a fire hydrant near the Friday Center during the water shortage.

Here's why you may have noticed a strong chlorine taste in your water recently

By Audrey Selley

During March, OWASA will use chlorine to disinfect drinking water instead of a combination of chlorine and ammonia, called chloramines. North Carolina requires water systems that use chloramines to remove ammonia one month of every year to ensure a high level of disinfection in water systems.

The Orange County Historic Courthouse pictured on Jan. 29, 2020. North Carolina Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin's portrait inside the courthouse was removed after research revealed he owned and traded slaves in addition to authoring State v. Mann, which gave enslavers nearly limitless control over their slaves.

Former N.C. chief justice's portrait removed from courthouse over slave trader past

By Amena Saad

The portrait of former N.C. Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin was removed from Orange County Courthouse after it was found he was an enslaver, a slave trader and the author of State v. Mann.

Mark Dorosin from the Orange County Board of Commissioners speaks at the Assembly of Governors at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2019.

Co-storing fire and EMS tools is making Orange County safer, Orange County EMS said

By Elizabeth Egan

Orange County Emergency Services provided updates on their efforts to keep residents safe, including their efficiency in transporting patients and their partnership with fire stations across the county.

The Orange Country School Board Chair Will Atherton opens a meeting on Monday August 26, 2019.

Five takeaways from last week's Orange County School Board meeting

By Crystal Yu and Taylor Heeden

Many important topics were discussed at the last Orange County School Board meeting.

Chapel Hill Police sit stationed Franklin Street Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.

Ongoing homicide investigation in Orange County for death of 62-year-old man

By Diane Adame

A homicide is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

(From left) Ted Shaw, Mark Dorosin and Stephanie Perry-Terry speak at a panel.The Orange County Human Rights Commission held a panel on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019 at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough.

Human Relations Commission panel sparks conversation about free speech

By Amena Saad

The discussion featured three panelists: legal expert and UNC Law School professor Ted Shaw, BOCC Commissioner Mark Dorosin, and activist-entrepreneur Stephanie Perry-Terry, and was facilitated by Allison Mahaley, vice chair of Hillsborough's Human Relations Commission.

The Eno River Mill will soon be renting out spaces for art.

Eno River Mill to become multi-use arts facility

By Jackson Davis

The Orange County Board of Commissioners agreed to implement phase 1 of the Eno River Mills Arts Project to offer affordable art space to the community.

Hillsborough Comissioner Jenn Weaver sits with her daughter Rosa Lu, 8, at the foot of the Riverwalk.

Hillsborough seeks commissioner to replace mayoral candidate Jenn Weaver

By Taylor Heeden

Hillsborough commissioner Jenn Weaver is running unopposed for mayor, so the Board of Commissioners is seeking candidates to apply for her seat by Nov. 8.

First Baptist Church held a meet and greet for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough candidates on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019.

'I want you to remember to vote': Local candidates gather at First Baptist Church forum

By Niharika Vattikonda

Orange County electoral candidates congregated at the First Baptist Church to not only discuss their stance on political and social issues, but to build relationships with the people they hope to lead.

“I voted today” stickers are displayed at the polling center at the Center for Dramatic Art in Chapel Hill.

Candidates for Hillsborough Board of Commissioners discuss their plans for the Town

By Mark Morrison

We asked candidates for the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners to tell us their views on several Hillsborough issues. This is what they had to say.

The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough is presenting Outlandish Hillsborough, a town-wide celebration exploring Hillsborough’s own unique Scottish heritage, from Oct. 11-13, 2019. Photo courtesy of Annie Newton.

Alliance for Historic Hillsborough hosts festival to celebrate Scottish heritage

By Anna Batty

Outlandish Hillsborough will feature a variety of events all weekend long to celebrate not only Hillsborough's Scottish heritage, but also North Carolina's colonial history.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County just finished building the first of a 24-unit apartment complex for seniors. Photo courtesy Kaitlyn Kopala.

Affordable housing project for senior citizens coming to Hillsborough

By Hannah Correll

Habitat for Humanity is building an affordable living community exclusively for the elderly in Orange County.

Durham residents Makayla Perry (8) and Beth Revueltas (36) wade in Eno River along Fanny's Ford Trails in Hillsborough on Monday, Sept. 30, 2019.

Due to a lack of rainfall, Hillsborough is asking its residents to conserve water

By Amirsaman Zahabioun

The lack of rainfall has reduced the amount of water that can be withdrawn from the Eno River, which is an imperative source of water for Hillsborough when it is purified and piped to the town's properties.

Chapel Hill citizen Kim Piracci delivers a passionate call for climate action on behalf of the town council, regardless of financial concerns, at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25th, 2019.

Here's what you need to know about the new collaborative Orange County Climate Council

By Brittany McGee

Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Carrboro joined together with local organizations to fight climate change, resulting in the formation of the Orange County Climate Council.

Orange County Board of Education addresses August KKK rally in Hillsborough