Tricia Thompson

News

Panel discusses Orange County sustainability

By Tricia Thompson | April 18

Local environmental experts said Thursday that Orange County, Carrboro and Chapel Hill are not very sustainable. Panelists at WCHL 1360's annual community forum discussed sustainability and environmental issues ranging from water and energy conservation to the local economy. Chris Moran, executive director of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, said that Orange County has the fifth-largest divide between "haves" and "have nots" in the nation and that this proves it's not sustainable.

News

Panel discusses Chapel Hill crime

By Tricia Thompson | April 18

Discussion at WCHL 1360's "Crime and Public Safety: A Tough Job Gets Tougher" forum did not begin with talks of criminals or public safety but with memories of former Student Body President Eve Carson. "I knew from her reputation the tremendous amount of impact she had on the community in a short amount of time," Carrboro police Capt. Joel Booker said. "How does this type of thing happen in a Chapel Hill community?" Booker's question began the conversation during the third session of WCHL's annual townwide forum, which focused mainly on the misperceptions people have about Chapel Hill.

News

Water rules scaled back

By Tricia Thompson | April 11

With 403 days of water stored and a decrease in customer consumption, Chapel Hill and Carrboro moved from Stage 3 to Stage 1 water restrictions Thursday. The Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors made the decision with reservoirs almost 70 percent full and with enough water to make it to New Year's Eve even if it doesn't rain. Residents can now return to washing cars and watering lawns while paying lower surcharges after reducing their water use to historically low levels.

News

Judges have leeway in setting bond rates

By Tricia Thompson | March 27

Durham courts have raised bond rates, making it harder for those arrested in the county to get out of jail while they await sentencing. The bond guidelines were changed just before Lawrence Alvin Lovette was charged in connection with the murders of UNC Student Body President Eve Carson and Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato. The 17-year-old faces a $3 million bail in Durham for the Mahato case and was held without bail in Orange County for the charges related to Carson's murder.

News

SAT prep comes in many forms; some disadvantage students

By Tricia Thompson | February 29

High school students will trade in sleeping late for bubble sheets and No. 2 pencils Saturday morning as the SAT is given nationwide. Some students have been preparing all school year for the test, taking classes, buying study books and hiring tutors. Tutoring Director for the Princeton Review of the Triangle and Triad, Alison Heckel, said the majority of this preparation is the pressure for students to get into their college of choice.

News

Cemetery preservation efforts growing

By Tricia Thompson | February 22

When Chapel Hill resident Rebecca Clark took her friend Rosa McMaster Praylo to visit the grave site of Praylo's father, she didn't expect that the marker would be in the wrong place. Praylo's father was laid to rest in the corner of the segregated section. When led to a different grave, the two realized that the mishap was caused by poor preservation of the cemetery, especially the two black sections.

News

Local students opt out of Army aptitude test

By Tricia Thompson | February 22

To Bob Harrison, public affairs officer for the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion in Raleigh, the most important part of his job is giving people the opportunities they need to achieve life goals. But last week more than 50 Cedar Ridge High School juniors passed up the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, an Army test that pinpoints mathematical, reading and mechanical skills. "It helps individuals know strengths and weaknesses at that moment," Harrison said. "Schools and guidance counselors can use data in helping plot their students' futures."

News

OWASA still considering further water restrictions

By Tricia Thompson | February 15

Officials from the Orange Water And Sewer Authority will wait to decide on Stage Three water restrictions until its Feb. 28 meeting. At the Thursday meeting of the OWASA Board of Directors, planning director Ed Holland proposed implementing Stage Three water shortage restrictions if water levels are still below 45 percent at the next meeting. Even after this week's rains, water levels are, as of Thursday, only at 40 percent of their full capacity.

News

Range of volunteers needed

By Tricia Thompson | January 30

While a sophomore at UNC, Nicholas Minter decided to volunteer at the Orange County Literacy Council on a recommendation from a professor. But after three years at the literacy council, the alumnus said he discovered things about himself and the community that he thinks no classroom could teach. Making the trek early mornings and weekends to the literacy council's office on Franklin Street, Minter said the occasional frustration was made up for with the new life perspective he discovered.

News

Arc aids developmentally disabled

By Tricia Thompson | January 28

To some, cleaning tables, swiping cards and interacting with customers is just another tedious day at work. However, it is a step toward independence and a sense of accomplishment to the people the Arc of Orange County serves. The Arc of Orange County works with local developmentally disabled residents to help incorporate their skills into the community. The nonprofit is increasing the resources available to these residents with the newly formed Employment Support Services.