Sarah Morayati

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Orange County looks at broadband options for rural areas

By Sarah Morayati | April 15

Despite state and federal efforts to expand broadband Internet access, rural Orange County faces several roadblocks. High-speed Internet is still unavailable or unreliable in some areas of the county, which can discourage growth and make it more difficult to run existing businesses. And although the county prepared an application for federal money from the Rural Utilities Service this year, officials could not submit it because the county could not find a broadband company willing to partner with them.

Evan Smith, a senior history major from Greensboro, became the co-owner of The Bead Shop in Carr Mill Mall. DTH/Will Cooper

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Student business owners juggle school, running companies

By Sarah Morayati | March 30

Correction (March 31 1:35 a.m.): Due to a reporting error, this story stated incorrectly named the store that Evan Smith co-owns in a photo caption and several times in the article. It is called The Bead Store. The story has been changed to reflect the correction. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.She’s also a senior history major.

Chapel Hill ran two trolley-style buses in the late 80s and 90s. Courtesy of The Chapel Hill/ orange County Visitors Bureau

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Downtown shuttle proposed as tourist attraction

By Sarah Morayati | February 17

In an attempt to lure tourists away from growing Wake and Durham counties, the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau has proposed a tourist shuttle for downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro.But history suggests it might not be as successful it is hoped to be.

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KlingStubbins chosen to create downtown Chapel Hill plan

By Sarah Morayati | February 12

In choosing a firm to study downtown Chapel Hill, the town looked mere miles down the road — to Raleigh.The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership announced Wednesday that KlingStubbins, a Philadelphia-based architecture and planning firm with an office in Raleigh, was chosen out of eight candidates to develop a master plan for downtown.

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Town to forge new vision for downtown

By Sarah Morayati | February 4

Downtown Chapel Hill, long beset by worries about empty storefronts and slow development, will soon be getting a new vision.The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership and the town of Chapel Hill have recommended hiring a consulting firm to help create a master plan for downtown redevelopment — which will help define how the area grows and changes in the next decade.

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N.C. unemployment level is eighth highest in the nation

By Sarah Morayati | January 31

Bus driver Jeffrey Hinckley was at a computer last week, not behind the wheel.On the screen was a list of job postings dating back to early 2009, which is when he moved to North Carolina from Wisconsin.Despite 10 years of professional driving, he’s still looking for a job.

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Orange County house sales show small sign of recovery

By Sarah Morayati | January 28

Home sales in Orange County were sluggish throughout 2009, but they’re beginning to show signs of recovery.

Gene Pease was one of two new council members sworn in.

News

New mayor, council step in

By Sarah Morayati | December 7

Correction (Dec. 8 11:15 p.m.): Due to a reporting error, this story incorrectly states that none of the 10 Town Council applicants have served before. Applicants Joe Capowski and Lee Pavao are former council members. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.

News

Children’s museum expansion hopes to energize town

By Sarah Morayati | November 10

After years of planning, Kidzu Children’s Museum can finally move forward on a large expansion.The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a lease for the museum to build a new site on the roof of the Wallace Parking Plaza at Rosemary and Henderson streets.

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Fifth Town Council seat debated

By Sarah Morayati | November 8

Four seats on the Chapel Hill Town Council were decided in Tuesday’s election, but there’s one more to fill.Tonight, the council will again discuss a seat vacated when former member Bill Strom resigned in August.