Orange County will restrict food, alcohol service at night starting July 10
This afternoon, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners modified its emergency declaration to limit alcohol and food sales at certain times.
ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Orange County BOCC holds listening session on racism, policing
At a specially called July 7 listening session, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners heard community concerns on racial justice from the police station to the classroom.
BOCC passes 2020-2021 budget, hears sheriff's equity report at June 16 meeting
At their June 16 meeting, members of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners passed their fiscal year 2020-2021 budget and heard a special presentation from Sheriff Charles Blackwood on equity measures in policing.
County Commissioners approve funds for inmate re-entry housing at June 9 meeting
The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved a measure to outsource funding to a local nonprofit to facilitate a way for inmates to re-enter society.
Application live for second round of Orange County-sponsored small business funding
The funding, which small businesses can apply for until June 17 at 11:59 p.m., will be entirely distributed via grant, not loan.
Orange County will mandate face coverings for business employees during Phase 2
Orange County added an amendment to its emergency declaration, enforcing guidelines in addition to Governor Roy Cooper’s Phase 2 executive order. Under the amendment, business employees must wear facial coverings and businesses should ask customers to wear facial coverings or masks.
County commissioners and school boards discuss budget effects of coronavirus
Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School boards' budget proposals are likely to change after review from the County Commissioners due to unexpected revenue loss from COVID-19.
Orange County Board of Commissioners discusses next steps for climate projects
The money for these projects, among others, would come from the new Climate Action Tax that the commissioners approved as part of the budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. It is estimated that the additional quarter-cent property tax will generate approximately $469,272 in revenue for the county to use for climate mitigation projects.
North Carolina comes in 36th place nationwide in census responses
North Carolina is currently underperforming in responses to the 2020 Census. The lack of responses comes from complications due to COVID-19, several hard-to-count communities and insufficient internet access, among other things.
Orange County leads North Carolina counties in 2020 census response rate
With a 2020 census rate of 52.7 percent, Orange County is leading North Carolina counties as of Tuesday night. The county created a Complete Count Committee to spread the word about the importance of filling out the census.
Are you tired of quarantining at home? Take a walk on a local greenway
According to Orange County's stay-at-home order, play centers, private and public playgrounds, skate parks and recreation centers will all be closed to the public in an attempt to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Greenways and trails will remain open to the public.
Orange County Commissioners approve program to help small businesses amid pandemic
The Board of Orange County Commissioners met Tuesday to approve a program providing financial support to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four cases of COVID-19 identified in Orange County
Four cases of COVID-19 — also known as coronavirus — have been identified in Orange County according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and a press release from the Orange County Health Department (OCHD) on Friday morning.
Local PACs drive out incumbents on Orange County Board of Commissioners
Chapel Hill Leadership PAC, related to the local interest group known as CHALT, and Save Orange Schools PAC backed newcomers Amy Fowler and Jean Hamilton over incumbents Mark Marcoplos, Mark Dorosin and Penny Rich in the race for Orange County Board of Commissioners. Fowler unseated Marcoplos in the race for the At-Large District and Hamilton received more votes than both Dorosin and Rich in the race for District 1. Because the margin between Dorosin and Rich is so narrow, there is the possibility of a recount to see who will get the second seat on the Board for District 1.
Column: Penny Rich understands student needs
Josh Mayo, a graduate student at the Department of City and Regional Planning, wants you to support Penny Rich for County Commissioner.
State budget impasse continues to burden local schools
CHCCS Board of Education Member Rani Dasi said she was wary that a state budget would even be approved for the next fiscal year. She said while the budget impasse continues, government institutions continue to operate by the previous budget’s stipulations.
To combat food insecurity, Orange County's food council aims to change policy
The 15-member council has seats for each elected body, including representatives from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, Carrboro Town Council and Chapel Hill Town Council. A fifth designated seat goes to a representative from the Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board, whose role is to represent agriculture and farming.
Orange County commissioners adapt to mandate changing elementary class sizes
The SJAC is working with the Orange County Board of Commissioners to discuss possible solutions to reduce elementary and pre-K class sizes.
Save Orange Schools attempts to address aging infrastructure in Orange County Schools
“There are critical issues and needs across the board regarding public education. We just believe that there is a need for advocacy in this area that isn’t being met."
Here’s what you missed at Tuesday's Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting
“To be able to preserve places that have so much of a history and a legacy tied to them, both Schley Grange and the Cedar Grove School, is so important and significant.”
