Coke Whitworth

News

Investigation Renews CP&L Conflict

By Coke Whitworth | April 25

PITTSBORO -- An internal investigation by a federal agency has local activists optimistic in their struggle against the expansion of a nearby nuclear facility.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of the Inspector General is investigating the decision by NRC staff that allowed Carolina Power & Light Co. to expand nuclear waste storage potential at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant.

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Town Takes Builder to Court

By Coke Whitworth | April 12

Chapel Hill officials are taking legal steps against a Fayetteville company, an action the town hopes will force the builder to install proper lighting at its downtown property.The town filed a lawsuit against Riddle Commercial Properties Inc. and its owner, Joseph P. Riddle III, to have the builder finish installing three streetlights at the corner of Franklin Street and South Columbia Street.The town began to levy a $25-a-day fine against the builder on Nov. 23, 1999, for the alleged violation of a zoning agreement.

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Area Seeks Edwards' NRC Clout

By Coke Whitworth | April 2

Local officials said they are hoping for the support of Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., in one more push for a hearing regarding the expansion of a local nuclear waste storage facility.Eight Triangle officials, including four representing the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area, faxed a letter to Edwards on Thursday requesting a meeting to discuss a plan of action.

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Residents Air Concerns About Local Spending

By Coke Whitworth | March 26

A Saturday meeting meant to discuss the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education's recent request for $70 million to combat school overcrowding instead became a time for residents to question the way local officials spend public funds.Fifteen members of the advocacy group TaxWatch and town officials intended Saturday's TaxWatch Forum to focus on the school board's recent emergency-funding request.

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Rent Ideas Ready for Council

By Coke Whitworth | March 8

Residents and town officials decided against a proposal that would have made affordable housing in Chapel Hill even more scarce by further limiting the number of unrelated people living under one roof.The Rental Licensing Task Force held its fifth and final meeting Tuesday night at the Chapel Hill Public Library to fine-tune the Rental Licensing Program proposal that the group will present to the Chapel Hill Town Council later this month.The licensing program is a complaint-driven system that task force members say will be used to help enforce the existing Chapel Hill Housing Code.Tow

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County Officials Oppose Ruling On CP&L Plant

By Coke Whitworth | March 5

Orange County officials said they are not sure if they will continue a two-year battle against the expansion of a local nuclear power plant after a major setback Thursday.Last week's ruling gave Carolina Power & Light Co. the go-ahead to increase its waste storage potential at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant and denies any further hearings regarding the expansion.The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, a branch of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ruled that CP&L now can utilize two more waste storage pools at Shearon Harris, located in Wake County.

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Tar Heel Fan Seeks Support for Vandalism Victim

By Coke Whitworth | February 7

As authorities work to identify those responsible for vandalizing two cars during Thursday's postgame celebration, an Orange County Tar Heel supporter is taking it upon himself to raise funds for one of the victims.After North Carolina's 85-83 victory over Duke, revelers flooded Franklin Street to celebrate.

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Center Helps Build Community

By Coke Whitworth | February 5

A local community center has been providing a hand up to a neighborhood that some residents fear is in danger of losing its identity.The William M.