VOLUME 148 ISSUE 49 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2026
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Two dozen monks are walking from Texas to Washington, D.C., including past Jordan Lake last week.
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Walking through the storm: BRIEF this week Buddhist monks’ journey of peace Judge orders ICE chief to appear in court or risk contempt over denial of due process The chief federal judge in Minnesota says the Trump administration has failed to comply with orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants. As a result, the judge ordered the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt. In an order dated Monday, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, must appear personally in court. Schiltz took the administration to task over its handling of bond hearings for immigrants it has detained.
Activists say Iran’s crackdown has killed at least 6,159 people Activists say at least 6,159 people have been killed in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests, and many more are still feared dead. The new figures on Tuesday came from a U.S.based NGO, which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran. The Iranian government has put the death toll at a far lower 3,117 — including 2,427 civilians and security forces, and the rest labelled “terrorists.”
The Theravada monks’ Walk for Peace brought their message through Raleigh By Shawn Krest Chatham News & Record HEADS DOWN, they walk, keeping a brisk pace. A winter storm bears down on them, and many have hoods
a nod to the weather. A few had been barefoot for much of the walk. Their journey will take them through eight states, 2,300 miles and 110 days, from Texas to D.C. They eat one meal a day, food donated to them. It’s called the Walk for Peace, but their mission doesn’t sound politically charged. “We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,”
Commissioners to investigate ways to better address data centers The commissioners stated their intention to place a moratorium on data centers next month By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Chatham County is considering placing a moratorium on the development
of data processing and crypto mining centers. At the Chatham County Board of Commissioners Jan. 20 meeting, board chair Amanda Robertson brought the discussion forth as it was not initially part of the board’s agenda. “I personally feel it is very necessary,” Robertson said. Concerns surrounding data centers have continued to grow
over the years, mostly pertaining to their potential environmental impact, a key issue for the current board. Currently, data processing centers are permitted byright in heavy industrial zones within the county, provided that it connects to public water and wastewater utilities, although there is a special-use permit process for allowing those
Chapel Hill approves land use-related text amendments “My goal in implementing any LUMO changes is to realize our complete community vision for Chapel Hill.” Amy Ryan, council member
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drawn in the 28-degree weather. Two dozen monks left the Theravada Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, in late October and started walking. Most of us have celebrated Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. We’ve done holiday shopping and watched more than half of the NFL season and playoffs. They’ve been walking. Some of them wear sandals,
The amendments relate to the town’s development processes and underlying development standards By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill Town Council has approved a series of amendments related to the town’s development processes. At its Jan. 21 meeting, the council unanimously approved the omnibus text amendments related to the Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO),
which had been under discussion for multiple months. “The package contains a series of amendments to the town’s development processes, which dictate how we make landuse decisions, and a series of amendments addressing the underlying development standards, that dictate what new developments in town would look like,” said Long-Range Planning Manager Tas Lagoo. “The amendments are all items that were discussed at our last work session,” said council member Amy Ryan. See LAND, page A3
a written statement from the temple explains. “The Walk for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.” By late morning, they’ve already traveled from Apex to Raleigh. They turn from Tryon See MONKS, page A7
“I personally feel it is very necessary.” Board Chair Amanada Robertson on a potential moratorium on the development of data processing centers that do not connect to both. There are no data centers currently located within the county. “Several years ago, we amended the table of uses for the Chatham County zoning ordinance See CENTERS, page A2