LIZ STANLEY

News

Public gets crack at budget

By LIZ STANLEY | April 26

County schools leaders have a laundry list of budgetary needs for next fiscal year, although most of those priorities would only work to maintain the status quo. Community members had their chance to influence the ongoing assessment of those needs Monday night. At a public hearing, about 20 people came before the Board of Education to voice their support for and concerns about the requests. After many drafts, the figures now total about $3.2 million, a figure Superintendent Shirley Carraway described as a “big” amount.

News

Catholic school funds run dry

By LIZ STANLEY | April 20

The countdown to summer is on, but at Saint Mary Catholic School, students are cherishing their few remaining days at the school. At the end of this school year, the school will close because of financial difficulties caused by low enrollment. “It breaks my heart,” said Principal Joanna Burley. “The potential for a Catholic school in this area was strong, but finances just couldn’t make it work.”

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Groups try to snuff area smoking

By LIZ STANLEY | April 12

The Orange County Health Department wants residents to breathe a little easier. Along with the Orange County Asthma Coalition and Tobacco Reality Unfiltered, a youth-led tobacco prevention group, the department is working all week to launch the county’s first ever AAH — Air Awareness for Health —Tour. The tour encourages residents to patronize smoke-free restaurants featured on its dining guide, available online at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/health/smoke-free.htm.

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Easter sees a Holy Spirit

By LIZ STANLEY | March 28

Hundreds of local residents caught a festive Easter spirit this weekend even if the weather didn’t follow suit. Both the University Baptist Church and the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill hosted public events to celebrate Good Friday and Easter. Hoping to deviate from the traditional approach to the holiday, a group of parishioners at the church organized a garden walk Friday to commemorate Jesus’ final days. “We wanted to turn an ordinary day into a holy day for people,” said church member Elizabeth Blalock.

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Researcher targets use of alcohol

By LIZ STANLEY | March 22

The next time students are at a party, local citizens hope, recent initiatives aimed at curbing underage substance abuse will make them think twice before drinking or doing drugs. Scott Swartzwelder, a Duke University addiction researcher, aided in that dialogue Monday when he addressed drug and alcohol abuse as part of a series sponsored by the Chapel Hill High School Drug/Alcohol Awareness Task Force.

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County schools form plans for greater visibility

By LIZ STANLEY | February 23

In the midst of preparing for a new middle school and reassigning students, two concerns have lurked in the back of the minds of Orange County Board of Education members — their visibility and communication with the community. Now board members are taking the first steps toward bridging the gap by pledging to make themselves more accessible at public meetings and posting more information to their Web site.

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County to reform high schools

By LIZ STANLEY | January 26

The Orange County Board of Education hopes its approval of a high-school reform timeline will help schools move one step closer to making the grade in the future. Taking part in a statewide effort to improve high schools, the school board unanimously passed a timeline Monday night that will first establish a task force to make reform recommendations in June.

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Local cafes stir up success

By LIZ STANLEY | January 18

Something interesting must be brewing in the mind of Scott Conary. The co-owner of Caff

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TTA, town snag $23M transit grant

By LIZ STANLEY | November 30

Transportation in the Triangle will receive a face lift in the next few years thanks to a $23 million grant from the federal government to be used specifically for area transportation improvements. Last week, Rep. David Price, D-N.C., helped secure more than $30 million in funding for state transportation initiatives. Of the $23 million, the Triangle Transit Authority was allotted $21 million, while the remaining funds were given to Chapel Hill Transit.

News

Town to discuss leaf blowers

By LIZ STANLEY | November 23

The streets of Chapel Hill could be a little quieter this winter now that the Chapel Hill Town Council has approved a public forum to allow residents to suggest limits on gas-powered leaf blowers within city limits. Council member Cam Hill presented a petition to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers at the council's Sept. 27 meeting. He cited air quality, noise pollution and airborne dust and debris, as well as his own personal dislike for the blowers, as reasons to consider such a ban.