Local/County

Tractor-trailer carrying chickens overturned near Siler City
[May 10, 2005] A tractor-trailer carrying chickens overturned near Siler City Tuesday morning scattering crates and chickens across the road. A wreck Tuesday morning scattered chicken crates and chickens along the roadside near U.S. 421 and Elmer Moore Road.

National Guard helicopter crashes in Chatham
[May 6, 2005] The two-seat AH-64 Apache helicopter was on a routine training mission when it failed to return to RDU, said Sgt. Brian Christiansen, spokesman for the North Carolina National Guard. The National Guard lost communications with the plane about 8 p.m. The AH-64A Apache attack helicopter went down near Buckhorn Dam on the Cape Fear River on the Chatham-Lee county line with its two-man crew at about 8:30 p.m.

Chatham Outstanding Volunteer awards call for nominations
[May 3, 2005] Do you know any volunteer champions? Help us put their superstar volunteer services in the spotlight! It's time to nominate your special team players for local and statewide honors as part of the 2005 Chatham County and NC Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service Program. Nominations Due May 10, 2005

Man dies in Chatham County accident
[May 3, 2005] Authorities are investigating a deadly overnight accident in Chatham County. Officers said a car traveling north on U.S. 421 near Elmer Moore Road crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a southbound tractor-trailer. According to police, David Way, 31, of Fayetteville, was killed instantly.

Medicaid and local taxes
[May 2, 2005] North Carolina counties are required to contribute to the cost of Medicaid, adding to the local tax burden. Here's how much Triangle counties expect to spend this year and the estimated effect on the county property tax rate (per $100 of assessed value).

Tiger cubs heading to new home
[May 2, 2005] Two tiger cubs found near the Gaston and Cleveland county line in January will arrive Tuesday at their new home in Pittsboro, a 55-acre preserve operated by the nonprofit Carnivore Preservation Trust.

Randolph Telephone to interrupt service in Bennett area
[Apr. 12, 2005] Beginning at 10:00pm on Tuesday, April 12th, Randolph Telephone Company will be interrupting telephone service to customers in the Bennett area. This interruption is to perform routine maintenance on the phone system. Service will be restored by 7:00am on Wednesday morning, April 13th.

Ministry launches academy in Siler City for teens with challenges
[Mar. 29, 2005] A ministry of Hico Baptist Church in Graham has started a year-round boarding school in Siler City for teens ages 12 to 18 who are homeless, pregnant or at risk of getting into trouble. Opened in November, Grace Haven Academy aims to raise $250,000 to renovate an existing building and add new buildings at a 50-acre site just outside town on Crestmont Drive that formerly housed a Christian summer camp, says Tony Honeycutt, the school's founder and director.
Also: Grace Haven Academy
Also: Philanthropy Journal

Funkiest find at river clean-up will reap reward
[Mar. 12, 2005] Bynum - It's a way to wrap your hands around a blue rubber chicken. Or maybe peruse a German grammar book from the 1900s. Birth certificates? They're around, too. Today's Haw River Clean-Up-A-Thon isn't just about tidying up Chatham County's waterways. It's about the freaky finds. There's even a "weird trash award" for the oddest object unearthed.

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.