VOLUME 148 ISSUE 40 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
BOB WACHS FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Moore’s Keep Christian Camp director Tom Lewis prepares for the dedication prayer at its grand opening last Thursday.
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BRIEF this week
Judge dismisses Comey, James indictments, says prosecutor was illegally appointed A federal judge has dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding that prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, who brought the charges at President Donald Trump’s urging, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. The rulings halt a pair of prosecutions that had targeted two of the president’s most high-profile political opponents.
DOJ renews bid to unseal Epstein grand jury materials The Justice Department has renewed its request to unseal Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking grand jury materials after Congress approved the release of investigative materials related to the prosecution of the late financier. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton signed a submission in federal court on Monday asking that the materials be released now that President Donald Trump signed the action requiring release of documents related to Epstein within 30 days. The DOJ said the congressional action was written to indicate an intent to override any contrary provisions of existing law.
Nearby year-round camp continues expanding impact By Bob Wachs For Chatham News & Record JUST A FEW MILES beyond the Chatham-Moore County line sits a 195-acre plot of “dirt, trees and water” that’s becoming far more than a natural beauty spot. It’s the site of Moore’s Keep Christian Camp, a place its man-
Begun in 1986 at the urging of a local pastor as Camp Victory, a summer youth camp in a rented facility, Moore’s Keep’s steady growth is leading to not only children and youth summer camps but also to other activities. Each summer there are three weeklong sessions of both junior and senior camps. Includ-
Commissioners approached on new recreational facilities The board held two public hearings related to the development of new sport areas By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Chatham County could potentially be seeing two new recreational facilities.
The board held two public hearings at its Nov. 17 meeting, with the first being for a proposed amendment to the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance to allow for the use of
recreational facilities in Light Industrial zoning districts. While the request stemmed primarily from a request by the lessees of the old Performance Bike warehouse on Old Lystra Road, who are looking to develop a recreational volleyball facility within one of the vacant suites, the amendment would
Siler City plans to launch downtown Wi-Fi pilot “The main thing is we’re trying to provide a service to people that might not have access.” Mayor Donald Matthews
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agement says is not just about that good-natured way they sometimes describe its natural environment but more about the environment of heart and spirit. “Our vision,” said assistant camp director Cade Fields, “is to create a fun and safe place through the development and operation of a year-round Christian camp.”
The three-month pilot will be primarily funded by the Innovate Chatham nonprofit By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — The town of Siler City is proceeding with a potential pilot program to add public Wi-Fi to its downtown area. At the Siler City Board of Commissioners’ Nov. 17 regular business meeting, the board was presented with the framework for the pilot. The pilot, which was brought forth by Innovate Chatham, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, would run for three months,
be accessible from North and South Chatham Avenue, and be based in the new Welcome Center. Innovate Chatham is also proposing to bear the capital costs of the program, which they project to be around $11,000, with the town then taking over the costs for infrastructure support and operational expenses. Per the nonprofit’s estimates, it would cost the town, at a maximum, around $1,800 for the three-month pilot. “The main thing is we’re trying to provide a service to people that might not have access,” said Mayor Donald Matthews. “That’s the bottom line. See WI-FI, page A3
ed are traditional activities, arts and crafts, water sports at the Olympic-sized pool, kayaking on a nearby creek, go-karts, archery and marksmanship. There’s also a nurse on site, restrooms and showers, meals and a snack canteen. Due to its growth, the camp is See CAMP, page A3
be wide sweeping for all Light Industrial districts. “I’m not a developer but rather a dad and a volunteer and a resident of Chatham County,” said the applicant, Greg Smith. “With this small change, Chatham County has the opportunity to support a local nonprofit’s vision and, more broadly, enable others in similar circumstances to achieve comparable success.” Smith pointed to the growing frequency of upfitted warehouse facilities within other See FACILITIES, page A2