Re-Imagining Community Task Force hosts racial equity, public safety listening sessions

The task force, originally established on June 24, 2020 by the Chapel Hill Town Council, has been hosting a series of listening sessions for local citizens and communities impacted by policing to express their experiences with security and equality in the town.  

Longtime Carrboro Police Department officer Chris Atack becomes new police chief

Atack, who was appointed by Carrboro's Town Manager David Andrews, said his knowledge of the police department and the community made becoming police chief the next logical step. 

N.C. Senate Bill 100 poses a threat for cities looking to reduce police funding

The bill, also known as the Police Funding Protection Act, states any North Carolina city that reduces funds for law enforcement agencies by more than one percent of the city's annual budget will receive an equivalent reduction in state funding. 

Students rush Franklin Street for the second time following UNC win against Duke

Following UNC men's basketball defeat of Duke, fans rushed Franklin Street for the second time this year. Last month, officers took over 35 minutes to clear the intersection.  This crowd, which was substantially smaller, dispersed from the intersection for the resumption of traffic within five minutes. The crowd later regrouped for another brief period.

Town and University look to avoid Franklin Street rush after Saturday's UNC-Duke game

In an email, Victoria Hudson, the Orange County Director of Environmental Health, said she was unaware of any community spread impacts from the February rush — however, she wrote, this is not an excuse to lose vigilance. “Community transmission and vaccination trends are moving in the right direction,” Hudson wrote. “The recent Executive Order eased some restrictions on businesses. We have to stay vigilant to eliminate any actions that could lead to negative impacts at this time.”

‘Avoided a disaster’: Efland residents reflect on Buc-ee’s station, future development

Community organizers in Efland rallied an opposition strong enough to fend off Texas gas giant Buc-ee’s. But what voices were left unheard in the discussion, and what is the future of development in western Orange County?

Column: J Blakeson’s 'I Care a Lot' is a messy but watchable crime comedy

“I Care a Lot” is an entertaining dark comedy, but feels shallow and overstuffed enough to keep the experience from being truly satisfying. (5/10)

Legacy of Chapel Hill’s first Black detective remains, 50 years after his death

Theodore Roosevelt Cole Jr. was killed in 1969 on the day of his promotional ceremony to become Chapel Hill’s first Black detective.        

One person arrested after shots fired at Chapel Hill apartment complex

Email reveals how police prepared for Franklin St. rush after Town refuses to comment

Many students have expressed frustration with how the Chapel Hill Police Department handled the Feb. 6 Franklin Street rush, where approximately 1,000 people gathered, many without masks, after the UNC men's basketball team's win over Duke. 

GoFundMe for carjacked Chapel Hill Insomnia driver reaches nearly $50,000

Robert Perry, a delivery driver for Insomnia Cookies, was shot and robbed in December. A co-worker of Perry started the GoFundMe hoping that it would raise enough money to help Perry pay his bills while he recovers and is unable to work.

Family of 19-year-old missing Chapel Hill native Sydney West offers $10,000 reward

West went missing in California in late September. She was attending the University of California-Berkeley for her freshman year.

‘Where Y’all Going’: Instagram account exposes pandemic partying

A popular Instagram account is exposing UNC student partying through posts of photos and videos. Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said he is aware of the videos and is working with local and campus authorities. 

Chapel Hill man swindles elderly locals of $3 million in five-year home improvement scheme

Jorge Alberto Garcia was accused of offering home improvement services under the names “J&J Home Improvement” and “JH Home Improvements, Inc.” to elderly and often mentally impaired individuals.