Web Run

Chatham megastore plans fret neighbors
[Aug. 10, 2005] Local officials are requesting further investigation into the possible construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in northern Chatham County, saying that large-scale development there could exceed growth estimates outlined in the area's long range transportation plan. A meeting this morning of a regional transportation planning group will address concerns put forth by the Chapel Hill and Carrboro town boards that traffic generated by employees of the proposed shopping center might not be in compliance with air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Potter molds new path
[Aug. 7, 2005] Cooper-Mays has owned Cooper Mays Pottery and Gallery for 25 years, in a rustic wooden house on top of a steep embankment on the side of U.S. 15-501 between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. Over the years the highway has expanded, the front yard has shrunk; at times the DOT has even removed the driveway to make way for construction. But the shop has remained, selling Cooper-Mays' uniquely decorated glazed ceramic dinnerware, as well as jewelry, paintings, and decorative glass objects by various other artisans. Now, Cooper-Mays is selling off everything: the shop, the studio, her kiln, her 83-acre cattle ranch in Snow Camp, her 40 head of cattle, and moving south. Costa Rica will be the next adventure for the 58-year-old potter, who plans to retire to the Central American country's Pacific coast, just as soon as she unloads her life here. By WEB RUN - N&O

Straw house insulated, efficient
[Aug. 6, 2005] Pittsboro, NC - A process nine years in the making, the walls of Murray and Jean Parker's 1,000-square-foot studio home just outside Pittsboro are finally up. Last month, 18 continuing education students participated in a workshop which taught them how to make walls with straw bales, and which brought the Parkers one step closer to being able to live in their new home. Murray Parker has dreamed of having a straw home for a while now. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Latino group marks 10 years
[Aug. 5, 2005] Siler City, NC - First United Methodist Church has probably seen its share of barbecues and pancake suppers. But on a Friday night last month, the fellowship hall was fragrant with the aroma of cilantro, cumin and frying beans, as the Hispanic Liaison celebrated its 10th anniversary with a Mexican banquet. The Hispanic Liaison -- known as El V'nculo Hispano in Spanish -- is a Siler City nonprofit group serving Chatham County's growing Latino population with a Spanish-language radio show, workshops on housing rights and micro-loans, and other programs. By WEB RUN - N&O

Horse's ex-owner given fine, probation
[Aug. 3, 2005] Pittsboro, NC - The spotted saddle horse known as Rosa now shares a paddock with Harley, a stubborn, compact wild mustang with a big, calcified rear knee from a neglected injury. Rosa has fattened up nicely in the nearly three months since arriving, almost starved, at the Finish Line Foundation's horse sanctuary in Chatham County. She now weighs a healthy 1,150 pounds, about 2 1/2 times the 450 pounds she weighed when Chatham County animal control found the 10-year-old mare. By WEB RUN - N&O

Proposed vet clinic draws howls of protest
[Aug. 3, 2005] A rezoning request filed for a proposed luxury animal hospital and boarding facility in Chatham County near the Orange County line is causing concern among neighbors and other local veterinarians. Sandy Pond Enterprises LLC has asked that a parcel on the northeast corner of U.S. 15-501 and Vickers Road be rezoned from RA-40, allowing for residential and agricultural use, to CU-B1, a conditional-use business district that in this case would allow a veterinary clinic with dog runs and a dog-boarding facility. Documents include a proposal for a "luxury, modern, full-service veterinary facility" that would provide an animal hospital and kennel as well as services such as obedience training, grooming, massage, acupuncture, water playtime and aromatherapy. Phase A of Dogwood Animal Hospital and Pet Resort, primarily the hospital and boarding space for up to 30 animals, would occupy almost 6,000 square feet. Phase B, including additional boarding capacity, would add another 4,000 square feet at a later date. By WEB RUN - Chapel Hill News

Why I won't shop at Wal-Mart
[Aug. 3, 2005] In a July 20 My View column (“Why I’ll welcome Wal-Mart”), Lola Spritzer wrote that Wal-Mart should be welcomed at the intersection of Smith Level Road and U.S. 15-501, should rumors come true, because it’s a drag for residents west of Chapel Hill to drive 30 minutes to Southpoint mall or New Hope Commons for “basic necessities other than food and drugs.” Everyone has the right to shop at Wal-Mart, but complaining about driving 30 minutes for basic necessities other than food and drugs is like a resident of Old Fort complaining about the 30-minute drive up the mountain to a favorite Asheville shop. It is illogical and selfish. If living near favorite places and saving gasoline are important, move. If moving is impossible, make fewer trips. Plan better or simply go without. By WEB RUN - Chapel Hill News

Chatham still won't give funds to JOCCA
[Aug. 2, 2005] The Chatham County commissioners stood by their decision to withhold funding from the local nonprofit Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action organization Monday, despite an impassioned plea from the group. Commissioner Carl Outz said the organization, which opened its doors in 1967, was simply not responsible enough to entrust with county money. JOCCA had asked the county for $33,638 to help defray administrative costs. Chatham County has given more than $20,000 to the nonprofit each year for the last three years. The group is a cooperative effort between Chatham and Orange counties that serves low-income residents by providing job training and placement, heating and air-conditioning replacement and repair, and other assistance. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Wal-Mart foes face long odds
[Jul. 31, 2005] Clearly the opponents of a possible new Wal-Mart store at Starpoint know a “non-denial denial” when they hear one.
Wal-Mart’s spokesmen have said that “at this time” they know of “no immediate plans” by the corporate titan to drop a SuperCenter into northern Chatham County. Oh. OK, then. Never mind. By WEB RUN - Chapel Hill News

Chatham bus routes won't be published
[Jul. 30, 2005] Pittsboro, NC - Once upon a time, the most dangerous thing kids faced on the school bus was the occasional spitball or a sore backside from a particularly bumpy stretch of country road. But in Chatham County, school officials now are wary of a far more nefarious disruption in bus service: terrorism. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Anti-Wal-mart group focuses on funds
[Jul. 30, 2005] Pittsboro, NC - At the first official meeting of Chatham First, the grassroots group committed to stopping Wal-Mart from putting a supercenter on a site near the Orange-Chatham border, members of the new organization collected $500. But Mark Barroso, the organizer of the anti-Wal-Mart coalition, said Friday the group could need a lot more money -- up to 50 times that amount -- to mount a successful campaign against the giant retailer. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Job seekers return as market improves
[Jul. 29, 2005] Durham, NC - Some of the numbers may be ugly, but there are good things going on in Durham's job market. In Durham, there were 877 more people with jobs in June than in May. Likewise, Orange County had 452 more residents employed in June. Chatham County also saw job growth in June with 204 more residents with jobs than in May. Person County added 126 more jobs in June.

New YMCA a good fit
[Jul. 29, 2005] Pittsboro, NC - The phone rang off the hook this week at the new Chatham YMCA Express. Callers wanted to know when it would open, where it was located and, most of all, whether there was a pool out back. And while swimmers looking for a cool dip may be disappointed -- no pool, not yet -- Pittsboro fitness fans and their families will have a new place to work up a sweat when the new YMCA opens at 964 East St., Suite 100 in Pittsboro Monday. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun

Wal-Mart: No plans for North Chatham site
[Jul. 27, 2005] Pittsboro, NC - They've got a name, a place to meet, guest speakers and an agenda. All that's missing for Chatham First, a local group dedicated to preventing the development of a Wal-Mart Supercenter along the Chatham/Orange County line, is proof that the giant retailer is actually coming there. By WEB RUN - Herald-Sun