VOLUME 147 ISSUE 13 | THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024
inside
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels performed at the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show in Havelock earlier this month. The Air Force’s F-22 Demonstration Team and countless others also appeared. For more from the show, turn to page A10.
PHOTO COURTESY ANNETTE ROBERSON
the
BRIEF this week
Malfunctioning traffic lights to become all-way stops NCDOT is updating the state’s traffic signals so they will flash red in every direction following an equipment failure or something else that disrupts normal operation. Currently, a malfunctioning signal flashes yellow on the main corridor and red on smaller roads. As drivers approach an intersection that is malfunctioning, the red flashing light should be treated as a stop sign. NCDOT has more than 9,000 signalized intersections across the state, including those operated by municipal agreements in several cities. The department will phase in this change over the next year as part of the preventative maintenance it already conducts on traffic signals.
NCWRC warns: Don’t feed the bears! The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding North Carolinians that the state’s bear population continues to grow and, with human-bear interactions increasing, to make sure to never feed or approach bears and to make sure bird feeders and garbage are secure. Perhaps more important is advice to never handle, attempt to catch or feed bear cubs — even if they appear to be alone. Mother bears will frequently temporarily leave their cubs in a safe place but remain nearby and could defend their cubs or, worse, abandon them after interactions with humans. “Mother bears have emerged from their den with their cubs, 1-year-old bears are leaving their family group and roaming to find a new home, and, with breeding season just around the corner, male bears are starting to travel extensively searching for mates,” said Colleen Olfenbuttel, NCWRC’s game mammals and surveys supervisor and bear expert. “Also, bears are hungry after hibernation, so they are all roaming around looking for food.” For more on black bears, visit bearwise.org
PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Bridge out The Rocky River Bridge is temporarily closed for several weeks so NCDOT crews can conduct a safety inspection. Detours are posted. The agency says bridges must be inspected at least every two years according to national standards, and that bridge maintenance crews will have updates after confirming the status and structural integrity of the 104-year-old bridge.
US 421 to become I-685 from Greensboro to Sanford Upgrading the highway to interstate standards will take years By Jordan Golson and PJ Ward-Brown Chatham News & Record LIBERTY — State and local leaders gathered Monday in Randolph County to celebrate
the designation of U.S. Highway 421 as the future Interstate 685. The event, held next to the under-construction Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant, featured the unveiling of new Future I-685 signs that will be going up along the route from Greensboro to Sanford. “Today’s unveiling of the Future Interstate 685 sign is a true testament to the collaboration
Chatham volunteer fire departments receive nearly $23K in grants The Fire Grant helps local departments with funding to purchase equipment By Ena Sellers Chatham News & Record THE NORTH CAROLINA Office of State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2024 Volunteer Fire Department Fund, also known as Fire Grant, on May 15. Two departments in Cha-
tham County received almost $23,000 between them. Bennett Fire was awarded $10,586 and Bonlee Fire received $12,318. The money will go towards new equipment and must be paired with matching funds. “Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don’t grow with their responsibilities,” stated BriSee GRANT, page A7
and teamwork that is fueling our economic momentum here in the Carolina Core,” said Loren Hill, Carolina Core Regional Economic Development Director, at the event. I-685 will eventually run from Interstate 85 to Interstate 95, improving connectivity and commerce across the region. According to N.C. Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins,
upgrading US-421 to interstate standards will take place in phases over many years, coordinating with local governments. Two new interchanges are already under construction near the Toyota plant site and will open in the coming months. The future interstate is expected to be a major draw for new businesses to locate in the area. “One of the main things (businesses) look for is the transportation network,” said Hopkins. “They all want to be adjacent to or near an interstate.” Designating US-421 as a fuSee HIGHWAY, page A3
Chatham schools local budget to rise by 12% It will need $52.5 million in contributions from the county By Robert Owens For Chatham News & Record THE CHATHAM SCHOOLS Board of Education approved a $52.5 million budget request from Chatham County at its May 13 meeting, an increase of about $5.9 million, to help cover rising costs. “Before you tonight is a budget totaling $52.5 million from the local side, which is about a 12.65% increase over the
current year,” said Chatham Schools CFO Tony Messer. “Our budget priorities are maintaining local salary supplement that’s competitive in the area. Focus on current and anticipatSee SCHOOLS, page A7
$2.00