Local/County

Chatham Medical Reserve Corps
[Feb. 8, 2006] The Chatham Citizen Corps Council is now a free standing non-profit organization. With its inception, the Council has now been approved for nine VISTA positions to continue building the capacity of the Homeland Security Programs the Council oversees. New VISTAs should start arriving around May, with the VISTA program lasting for three years. By Ann Watson

CARE sponsors low cost spay or neuter
[Feb. 3, 2006] Chatham Animal Rescue and Education is sponsoring a series of affordable low cost spay/neuter events for Chatham residents whose household income is under $40,000 a year. For $20, you can have your pet fixed and receive rabies and distemper vaccines. By Sue Edwards
Also: Chatham Animal Rescue and Education

Sprott Youth Center hosts open house
[Jan. 31, 2006] The Sprott Christian Youth Center, located at 685 Old U.S. 1 in Moncure, is hosting an Open House and Fund-Raiser on Saturday, February 25, 2-5 p.m. Adults and children welcome. By Judy Hogan

Free Income Tax Service
[Jan. 24, 2006] It maybe hard to believe, but income tax time is upon us again. Beginning February 4th, a free income tax preparation service will be available. Designed to assist low to middle income people of all ages, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will provide computerized preparation of your Federal and North Carolina income tax returns. The service will be offered at two Chatham County locations.

Over 10,000 new homes planned for Chatham County
[Jan. 15, 2006] Chatham County is among the top 10 fastest growing counties in North Carolina, from 2000-2004. Chatham County’s population growth from 2000 to 2004 was 11.5 percent, as compared to a state growth rate of 6.14 percent. North Carolina estimates put Chatham’s 2005 population at 56,274, up from the 2004 estimate of 55,000. An analysis of currently approved planned developments shows that over 10,000 new homes are scheduled to be built in the county over the next ten years.

Event celebrates the history and heritage of North Carolina railroads
[Jan. 12, 2006] The North Carolina Railroad Museum (NCRM) invites the public to join us for an evening of railroading, a good dinner, and look at bit into the future. The NCRM will present a program of information to delight any railfan no matter their particular area of interest. Come and see what has been happening with railroads around our state during the past year, and have a look into the future through the eyes of our featured speaker.
Also: North Carolina Railroad Museum

Siler City Marine, new father volunteered for second Iraq tour
[Jan. 3, 2006] It was during his second tour of Iraq when a deployed Marine heard the first sounds coming from his newborn son. Through a satellite telephone, Siler City, N.C., native, Cpl. Enasio Alston, a multi-channel equipment operator and secondary radioman, heard Enasio Jr. for the first time just after his birth on Nov. 1. By Cpl. Ruben D Maestre

Aqua America subsidiary purchases Governors Club wastewater system
[Dec. 8, 2005] Aqua America, Inc. announced that its North Carolina subsidiary acquired the wastewater system serving the Governor's Club residential community on the outskirts of Chapel Hill. The purchase price is approximately $2.2 million.

Local Christmas parades this weekend
[Dec. 2, 2005] The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Christmas parade is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday and last until around noon. The Hillsborough Christmas parade will start at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Pittsboro is sponsoring a Christmas parade starting at 3 p.m.

Siler City is lifting mandatory water restrictions
[Dec. 2, 2005] The mayor of Siler City announced Wednesday that the town is lifting mandatory water restrictions. The town's "Water Shortage Warning" will remain in effect until the level of the reservoir reaches its normal pool elevation.

Will 15-501 EVER be finished?
[Oct. 25, 2005] Construction crews started widening a section of Highway 15-501 from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill in February 2001. Turning the 12.7-mile stretch of two lanes into four lanes from the Highway 64 Bypass in Chatham County all the way to Highway 54 in Chapel Hill was supposed to be completed in 2003, but workers still are not finished with construction. But now the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) pledges that the 15-501 widening project will be completed by the end of the year.

Chatham honors 2005 volunteers
[Oct. 20, 2005] The United Way of Chatham County honored the 2005 Chatham County Outstanding Volunteers. The honorees were Arlene Ash, Chatham Outreach Alliance, Keith Bastow-Cox, Rosie Batcheller, Bertha Bruton, Mary Bullington, Edith Cox, Pauline Eaves, Bob Emery, Gene Galin, Wallace Goldston, Roxane Gwyn, Christian Hackney, Victoria Hackney, Joe Hardister, Bob Hoogstoel, Bill Patchett, Dee Reid, Linda Staley, Nancy Sweet, and Beverly and Jim Wiggins.

Janet Seiz named new Executive Director of ChathamArts
[Oct. 4, 2005] Janet Seiz, an arts historian and community arts advocate with 25 years of experience, is the new Executive Director of ChathamArts, the county arts council. She assumed her duties October 1. By Forrest C. Greenslade
Also: ChathamArts

Deer-motor vehicle crashes set record in 2004
[Oct. 4, 2005] Motor vehicle crashes involving deer remain a serious, growing problem in North Carolina, according to a new University of North Carolina study of data collected statewide during 2004. Chatham County came in seventh with 352 deer accidents. The deer-related crashes in Chatham represented 22.9 percent of the total reported crashes in the county.