Local/County

Abandoned tiger cubs have new names
[Mar. 8, 2005] Two tiger cubs that were found wandering wandering at the Cleveland-Gaston County line in January now have new names. The Carnivore Preservation Trust in Pittsboro held a contest online to name the seven-month-old tigers. More than 300 names were submitted.

Tax office makes reappraisal presentation to Fearrington residents
[Mar. 7, 2005] On Tuesday, March 5, 2005, at the regular monthly meeting of the FHA Board of Directors, Kimberly Horton, the Chatham County Tax Administrator, discussed the proposed 2005 property revaluations with the Board and residents attending the meeting.

Last chance to vote on names for tiger cubs
[Mar. 3, 2005] There's only four days left to cast a vote to name the two tiger cubs found wandering in central North Carolina in January. The 7-month old cubs are expected to arrive at their new home at the Carnivore Preservatin Trust in Pittsboro in late March. The CPT received nearly 300 nominations to name the male and female cub. The top five female names were Ariel, Asia, Athena, Kaela and Valentine. The top five male names were Kumal, Maverick, Neko, Rajah, and Thor.
Also: Carnivore Preservatin Trust

Nominees sought for Unsung Heroes award
[Mar. 1, 2005] Winston-Salem -- The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation is seeking nominations for its 20th annual Nancy Susan Reynolds Awards that recognize unsung heroes who are making an impact in North Carolina communities. Each award is accompanied by a $25,000 grant -- $5,000 to the winner and $20,000 that the winner designates for charitable organizations of his choice. The deadline for nominations is June 1.
Also: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Driver killed in fiery tanker truck wreck
[Feb. 22, 2005] Siler City, N.C. -- The driver of a tanker truck was killed Tuesday morning after his rig collided with a van and burst into flames on U.S. 421 in Chatham County. The state Department of Transportation said all four lanes of the highway are shut down. Delays are anticipated through late this afternoon.

Sanford man dies from tree accident injuries
[Feb. 11, 2005] Siler City - A Lee County man died after a tree fell on him at a Siler City home. Stephen Harold Smith, 35, of 1116 Cedar Lane, was crushed by a falling tree Feb. 3 while working for Tree Masters, a Chatham County-based tree removal service. Employees were removing two trees from the property at the time of the accident.

Carnivore Preservation Trust seeks aid for tiger cubs
[Feb. 5, 2005] The Carnivore Preservation Trust has launched a campaign to support the rescue of two tiger cubs found wandering on a road bordering Cleveland and Gaston counties earlier this month. The approximately 6-month-old cubs are temporarily in quarantine at the N.C. Zoo. When they complete quarantine within the next 30 to 60 days, they will move to their permanent home at CPT.
Also: Carnivore Preservation Trust
Also: N.C. Zoo

Governors Club home heavily damaged by fire
[Jan. 31, 2005] A large house in the Governor's Club development near Chapel Hill caught fire Monday morning. Fire did significant damage to a home at 72007 Wilkinson Road in the Governors Club development in northern Chatham County. Fire crews from the North Chatham Fire Department were called to the fire around 9:30 a.m., and crews from the Chapel Hill and Carrboro departments also were dispatched.

Preservation of key heritage sites marks 2004
[Jan. 26, 2005] Several key natural areas in North Carolina received protection in 2004, thanks to the combined efforts of three state conservation trust funds, non-profit organizations and the new Ecosystem Enhancement Program. As a result, water quality and habitat for endangered and threatened species will be permanently protected, impact of growth around military bases will be reduced and more recreational opportunities will be available to the public.

Tax hike drives gas prices higher
[Jan. 25, 2005] North Carolina gas prices have jumped 11 cents in the past few weeks. Much of the increase is due to a surge in oil prices, but part of the reason can be traced to the halls of the Legislative Building in Raleigh. As we rang in the new year, the state's gas tax went up 2 cents, bringing to total state tax to 26.6 cents per gallon

Horton plans basketball fundraiser
[Jan. 24, 2005] The PTSA of Horton Middle School will sponsor basketball games between student teams and teams comprised of parents and staff members on February 18. Games between the Horton girls’ and boys’ teams and the adults will be held in the school gymnasium from 6:30-9:00 p.m. By Laurie Heise

Pittsboro's Relay for Life fundraising goes online
[Jan. 20, 2005] Pittsboro is taking their fundraising for the annual Relay for Life Event to an exciting new level. They have recently teamed up with Kintera Software and the American Cancer Society to offer their teams and participants a tool to use for online donations. “It’s a known fact that over 109 million Americans are online now. That’s a staggering figure that Pittsboro’s Relay for Life just couldn’t afford to ignore!” said Melanie Foster, Pittsboro Relay for Life Online Chairperson. By Suzanne P. Clark

Snow surprises central North Carolina
[Jan. 16, 2005] Winter weather surprised some Chatham County residents Sunday morning as a system dropped snow and sleet across an area of central North Carolina. A low pressure system that developed off the Florida coast was responsible for the unexpected snow, which was mixed with sleet and rain. Areas that saw the snow were mainly east of Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Durham and Oxford.

RDU airport offers tips for uneventful holiday travel
[Dec. 19, 2004] Morrisville, NC - Approximately 15 percent more passengers are expected to pass through Raleigh-Durham International Airport during the year-end holiday travel period, which lasts from today through Jan. 3. Calendar year-to-date statistics reflect a nearly 9 percent increase in travel compared to 2003, airport officials said. The busiest days of the travel period are predicted to be Thursday and Friday, just before Christmas.