Laura Smith

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Officials consider revamping town based on Madison model

By Laura Smith | November 28

Everyone was anxious to put their ideas on the table Monday at a meeting to follow up a September inter-city trip to Madison, Wis., attended by officials from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County. Several of the trip's participants discussed the visit's main points, including Madison's Research Park, environmental issues, town-gown relations and workforce housing - all of which are issues of similar concern in Orange County.

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Charities to get boost from Triangle eateries

By Laura Smith | November 14

Ruffin Slater, general manager at Weaver Street Market, was just getting his start in the Carrboro business scene when Restaurants Sharing V(5) + V(5) Percent Day began 18 years ago. As someone who has seen RSVVP change and grow through the years, he can attest to the program's evolution. "I started working here 18 years ago," Slater said. "We've been involved with the program since it began, and over the years I've seen much more participation and many more restaurants get involved."

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Town, community prep for festivities

By Laura Smith | October 31

For Franklin Street thrill seekers, Halloween means a night of seeing friends and strangers attempt to wow the crowd with unforgettable costumes. For local businesses, it means a night of rowdy customers fighting the crowd for a drink or a bite to eat. In preparation for a busy evening where officials expect 50,000 to 70,000 people on Franklin Street, many bars and restaurants are increasing the number of staff on duty during peak hours. Spanky's Restaurant and Bar manager Aaron Stumb said he expects the crowd to keep his extra staff busy through closing at 2 a.m.

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Town council discusses annual retreat, budget

By Laura Smith | October 26

At Wednesday's Chapel Hill Town Council budget meeting, finance director Kay Johnson joked that the seating was reminiscent of a kindergarten classroom - but this time seats were filled in council member-staff task force member as opposed to boy-girl fashion. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Strom called the meeting to order by shedding light on the fact that both staff and council were present at the table. "This is an experiment," Strom said of the unorthodox presence of town staff at the table. "We're suggesting that everybody's equal in this room."

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Southern Rail eatery on track to open in March

By Laura Smith | October 24

Mike Benson didn't forget where he came from when he left Orange County to begin his career in design. Although Benson has made his home in Washington, D.C. for the past 10 years, he is returning to the place he was born and raised to open Southern Rail, a new Carrboro restaurant with an opening date set for March. The restaurant will be located in the historical Pullman-style railcars on Weaver Street and Benson said the restaurant will give guests the feeling of a 1920s rail station.

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New club to replace Chi Hi

By Laura Smith | October 18

Chapel Hill club hoppers will have new options for places to spend their evenings later this month when the club formerly known as Chi Hi reopens its doors to the public. The new Chapel Hill Entertainment Complex will house both The White Bar & Lounge and Visions dance club. It is tentatively set to reopen as a 10,000-square-foot renovated complex during the last week of October. Chi Hi had its state alcohol permit suspended earlier this year after several instances of violence took place near the club. The spot has played host to multiple clubs in the past few years.

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Judge hopefuls spar on issues

By Laura Smith | October 12

The tables were turned when candidates for Orange-Chatham Superior Court judge were given the opportunity to plead their cases to an audience at the UNC School of Law on Wednesday night. The judicial candidate forum, hosted by Carolina Law Young Democrats, gave each of the four candidates the chance to talk about their assets and answer questions about their positions on issues. Superior Court judges hear felony criminal cases, civil cases with more than $10,000 at stake and misdemeanor and infraction appeals from District Court.

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Local principal to rap for homeless shelter

By Laura Smith | October 10

Principal by day, superhero by night? Not exactly, but rapper Mervin Jenkins - also known as Spectac - is not your average school administrator. Jenkins will be the first of several performers scheduled to visit the Interfaith Council for Social Service Community House on Rosemary Street during the coming months as part of the Visiting Artist Series. He takes the stage at 8 p.m. today.

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Trip gives leaders fresh ideas

By Laura Smith | September 28

A late night walk down a boisterous street might sound like a night on Franklin Street. But this week 96 town, University and community leaders saw a similar scene on State Street in Madison, Wis. Sunday through Tuesday, the group took an intercity visit to Madison to observe the city and to build relationships. The trip included representatives from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County governments, nonprofit organizations, school boards, businesses, social service organizations and the University.

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Orange county celebrates hispanic heritage and history this month

By Laura Smith | September 21

In a place with more than a 5 percent Latino population, some might say that Orange County's declaration of a Hispanic Heritage and History Month is long overdue. The Orange County Board of Commissioners demonstrated its commitment to Latinos on Tuesday when they proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as a time to raise awareness of the Hispanic community. Ben Balderas, executive director of El Centro Latino, accepted a framed resolution on behalf of the county's Latino population. The Carrboro-based nonprofit provides services and support to Latinos in the county.