Web Run

Chatham County hopes park will ease competition for athletic fields
[Jan. 29, 2005] The county hopes a 25-acre park with a multipurpose field in southwestern Chatham will ease the competition for athletic fields after it opens in late June. But with such strong demand for athletic fields, that's unlikely, said Tracy Burnett, director of the county's Parks and Recreation department. The county currently owns just one park, a mere 6 acres in Bynum -- just enough space for a baseball field and a wooden picnic table. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Plenty of good seats available at Lee games
[Jan. 28, 2005] The atmosphere at Tuesday's Jordan-Matthews and Chatham Central games was incredible. There wasn't a parking place to be found and students lined the court in a makeshift row to accommodate the hundreds of fans gathered to see two sub-.500 1-A teams battle. On one side, a blue-clad group known as "Lowman's Lunatics" cheered at each Jets shot while "Bill's Ballaz" jeered across the gym, an apparent reference to both side's coaches - J-M's P.J. Lowman and the Bears' Bill Slaughter. By WEB RUN - Sanford Herald

Some new CCCC courses will start in fall term
[Jan. 28, 2005] Sanford - Central Carolina Community College continues to respond to the evolving educational needs of its three-county service area, according to John Slade, college vice president for instruction. One of the ways it does the job is by developing new educational courses and programs to serve the residents, businesses, industries and service sectors in Lee, Harnett and Chatham counties. By WEB RUN - Sanford Herald

More restaurants saying 'no' to smoking
[Jan. 28, 2005] Not in my restaurant. The words are becoming increasingly familiar in Chatham County eating establishments. A wave of area restaurants have made the transition to smoke-free environments, pleasing those who say they are bothered by second-hand smoke and frustrating some who think this move reduces the right to smoke. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Voluntary Ag districts sought in Moore County
[Jan. 28, 2005] Moore County residents interested in retaining the county’s agricultural heritage have asked the Board of Commissioners to allow the establishment of voluntary agricultural districts. VADs have been in effect in neighboring Chatham County since 2001. Chatham is one of 39 North Carolina counties that have adopted this voluntary program. By WEB RUN - The Pilot

Jets clip county rival Bears
[Jan. 27, 2005] Siler City - The only thing hotter than the referee's whistles in Siler City on Tuesday were Jordan-Matthews' shooters from the free-throw line. That combination spelled doom for the Chatham Central Bears. Jordan-Matthews shot 70 percent from the line, including a blazing 17-for-21 first-half performance, to sink county rivals Chatham Central 54-47 Tuesday and gain a leg up in the Yadkin Valley Conference with just two weeks remaining in the regular season. By WEB RUN - Sanford Herald

Ready to roll
[Jan. 27, 2005] When the General Assembly opened Wednesday for its two-year session, the spotlight was squarely on who would lead the North Carolina House. Rep. John Sauls, R-Lee, and Sen. Bob Atwater, D-Chatham, said while that may be important, they're just looking forward to working with each other to best serve Sanford and the surrounding area. Sauls, who narrowly won re-election to his post with a win over former Rep. Leslie Cox, said he's looking forward to working with Atwater, a first-termer who was elected to represent Chatham, Lee and portions of Durham counties in an that was formed from redistricting. By WEB RUN - Sanford Herald

Move to save land gathers steam
[Jan. 26, 2005] DURHAM - People pledged thousands Tuesday night to preserve about 42 acres in Duke Forest along the Durham-Orange county line. The property is a "linchpin" in the New Hope Creek Corridor Master Plan, which aims to establish a 15-mile walking path from Duke Forest to Jordan Lake. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Chatham Planning Board OKs 2,400-home project
[Jan. 25, 2005] The Chatham County Planning Board decided Monday night that Briar Chapel finally fits all the rules -- meaning the 2,400-home development next faces its most important jury. After three hours of discussion, the board voted 7-2 to recommend that the County Commissioners approve the development when they meet to discuss Briar Chapel next month and when the commissioners vote -- for a second time -- on the development. About three years ago, the commissioners rejected Briar Chapel after county residents protested against the development's size and how it would affect the area. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Briar Chapel tops agenda for meeting
[Jan. 24, 2005] The Chatham County Planning Board won't have the final say on the future of the massive, mixed-use Briar Chapel development. But its advice to the county commissioners could weigh heavily on the ultimate decision -- depending on how the planning board performs tonight. At 7 p.m. Feb 15, the commissioners will meet in the Superior Courthouse in Pittsboro for their first discussion of current plans for the development, the biggest ever planned for Chatham County. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Notre Dame provost hired to lead WFU
[Jan. 22, 2005] Winston-Salem - Wake Forest University appointed a new president Friday -- Nathan O. Hatch, a University of Notre Dame administrator, professor and scholar of American religious history. A native of Columbia, S.C., Hatch said his move is a homecoming of sorts. His grandfather grew up on a farm in Pittsboro, where generations of his family are buried in the cemetery of the historic Hanks Chapel Christian Church. By WEB RUN - N&O

Study finds CCCC a sound investment
[Jan. 21, 2005] Sanford - A recent study found that Central Carolina Community College is making a positive economic impact in its service area of Chatham, Harnett and Lee Counties. The report, "The Socioeconomic Benefits Generated by Central Carolina Community College," was compiled by CCbenefits Inc. It details how CCCC stimulates the local economy, leverages taxpayer dollars, generates a return on government investment and increases individuals' earning potential. By WEB RUN - Sanford Herald

Sanford considers sewer for Goldston
[Jan. 19, 2005] Sanford - City council members agreed Tuesday to consider a proposal selling sewer service to a proposed industry in the Chatham County town of Goldston. City council members spent several minutes debating a request to sell sewer service in Chatham County, ultimately voting 5 to 2 to approve the matter for further consideration. The sewer extension is proposed to serve a possible expansion of Lee County industry American Millwork & Molding, a company now doing business on Broadway Road in Sanford. By WEB RUN - Sanford Herald

Chatham OKs Booth Mountain development
[Jan. 19, 2005] County Commissioners approved a 180-lot community planned for northern Chatham County Tuesday night, though the county's two newest commissioners argued Booth Mountain would harm the county's prime water source. By a 3-2 vote, commissioners approved a conditional-use permit for the 294-acre subdivision that will be sandwiched between Lystra and Jack Bennett roads on the eastern edge of U.S. 15-501. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun