VOLUME 147 ISSUE 25 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
the
BRIEF this week
Untreated wastewater flows into Robeson Creek Rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby led to untreated wastewater flowing into Robeson Creek. A press release from TriRiver Water disclosed that around 6,000 gallons of untreated water came from a manhole cover on South Small Street, but that the area in and around the creek was raked and limed to help mitigate the release per state requirements. A bill from 1999 requires water companies to issue a press release when more than 1,000 gallons of untreated wastewater reaches surface water.
N.C. to expand eCourts to all 100 counties by 2025 The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts plans to complete the eCourts expansion across all 100 counties and the N.C. Business Court by 2025. Currently serving about half of the state’s population, eCourts has already processed more than 1.3 million electronic filings, saving an estimated 5 million pieces of paper since February 2023. The system provides 24/7 online access to court records, averaging 1.5 million searches monthly.
ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS AND RECORD
Dreams that you dare to dream The field was wet, thanks to Tropical Storm Debby, but there were signs of hope and optimism as Chatham Central opened its football season with the first day of practice last week. We have previews on all four public high schools in the county, starting on B1.
CORA tackling Chatham’s rise in food insecurity
With kids back to school, watch out for buses As 1.5 million North Carolina students return to school, authorities stress the importance of bus safety. More than 14,000 school buses operate daily in the state. In 2022, there were 1,075 school busrelated crashes resulting in 786 injuries and eight fatalities. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey notes that passing a stopped school bus can result in doubled auto insurance premiums. Students should be reminded to wait for the bus to stop completely before standing, while motorists are reminded to stop far enough back from school buses to allow children safe entry and exit.
COURTESY CORA
CORA volunteers show off some of the food available to clients.
12 MONTHS BY THE NUMBERS
27%
Increase in families assisted
The food bank has helped thousands of local families and is up 27% in the last year
1.8 million
By Melinda Burris Chatham News & Record
40%
PITTSBORO — This year, Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA) is celebrating 35 years of serving Chatham County and surrounding communities by providing nutritious food to community members dealing with the challenge of food insecurity. Rebecca Hankins, development and communications director for CORA, shares that the 2023-24 fiscal year has seen the organization face unprecedented demand for its services. Questioned as to what she attributes the growing need for CORA’s services, Hankins points to the rate at which the cost of everyday necessities has increased. “I think that there’s an issue, and I don’t think this is Chatham County-specific — wages haven’t kept up with the in-
Meals provided
Increase in total meals provided
12,995 Individuals served
10% Clients who live outside Chatham County
50% Clients who are older adults or children
crease of prices,” she said.” Hankins is quick to note that “many, many of our folks work.” See CORA, page A7
Pittsboro green-lights development rezoning for Robeson’s Walk
72 The acreage that will be donated to the town for a park
The 200-acre multiuse development is planned to have commercial and residential property as well as a park By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners met Monday to consider several rezonings, among other business. The board approved a rezoning request for just over 200 acres at 516 Industrial Park Dr. from Heavy Industrial to commercial and residential for a new multiuse development. “The purpose of a conditional rezoning is to not just rezone but to assign conditions to the
project according to how it is broken up,” explained Planning Director Randall Cahoon-Tingle. The site plan for the development, nicknamed Robeson’s Walk, states the site is to be divided up with approximately 20 acres for highway business, 110 acres for townhome and single-family residential areas, and just over 70 acres to be donated to the town for a park. “When we first met, we said we wanted about 80 acres for a park,” said Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp. “That wasn’t initially in the concept plan, so we talked about the density and the appropriate places and higher buildings and how this could all work out, so we appreciate that.” The submitted plan says the new commercial and industrial
operations along U.S. 64 “will allow growing community service and employment needs to be met.” Businesses along Lorax Lane have also shown interest in a new residential development near them that would allow residents to walk to those businesses. The second hearing, to rezone a half-acre of property at 44 N.C. Highway 902 from R10 to Highway Business, was See PITTSBORO, page A3
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