VOLUME 147 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
HEATHER KHALIFA / AP PHOTO
Happy New Year! Confetti rains down on New York City’s Times Square as revelers usher in 2025.
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BRIEF this week
Driver ‘hell-bent on carnage’ kills at least 10, injures dozens on New Year’s Day New Orleans A driver in a pickup truck who officials said was “hell-bent on carnage” sped through a crowd of pedestrians in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district, killing at least 10 and injuring dozens more. The New Year’s Day attack occurred around 3:15 a.m. along Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties, and with even larger crowds in town ahead of the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game scheduled for later Wednesday. At a news conference, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell described the killings as a “terrorist attack,” and the city’s police chief said the act was clearly intentional.
Dan LaMontagne receives state honor before retirement Pittsboro Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne has received the Old North State Award from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office, recognizing his 24 years of public service. LaMontagne, who retired Dec. 27, was honored at the Dec. 16 commissioners meeting in Pittsboro. Since joining the county in 2010, he has risen from solid waste director to county manager, helping secure major economic development projects including VinFast and Wolfspeed. The award recognizes individuals with 20 or more years of service to North Carolina who demonstrate “dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence.”
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Commissioners approve revisions to Capital Improvement Program The program lays out the plans and funding for major capital projects over the next seven years By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — At its Dec. 16 regular business meeting, the
Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted its seven-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-32. The CIP is updated every year as part of the ongoing budget process and is notably not a budget, but rather a plan for the funding of major capital projects that cost north of $100,000.
The CIP is just another piece of the Plan Chatham long-range comprehensive plan and essentially lays out the significant future construction projects of the county, although it can be updated and changed every year. This year, the board added two new budgeted items to the CIP: the full replacement of the roof at Siler City Elementa-
ry and the reconstruction of the dam at Northeast District Park in order to address current issues with spillway blockages and tree root intrusion. These two projects combine for approximately $5 million in additional costs. In addition, the board made See PROJECTS, page A10
Greensboro cop killed, local man charged with murder Officer Michael Horan was killed two days before Christmas By Dan Reeves Chatham News & Record GREENSBORO — Fallen police officer Michael Horan
has returned to Greensboro. An enormous procession of law enforcement escorted a hearse carrying his body down I-40 from the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh to a local funeral home. Tarell Isaac McMillian, 34, has been charged with first-degree murder for the
shooting death of Horan. Police said McMillian also faces multiple charges related to the high‑speed chase that led to his arrest in Duplin County, about 150 miles southeast of Greensboro. Police said they were not seeking anyone else in See OFFICER, page A3
911 dispatcher, planner “They embody the share Chatham County true spirit of Chatham employee of year honors County The staffers were recognized for emergency communications and planning roles
Chatham News & Record staff PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Commissioners named Adam Gaines and Chance Mullis as the county’s 2024 Employees of the Year for their exceptional service and leadership. Gaines, who serves as Assistant Director of Emergency Communications, started with the county in 2009 as a 911 dispatcher. He worked his way up
to Quality Assurance Coordinator in 2017 before assuming his current role in 2022. Known as the go-to person during crises, Gaines handles everything from hurricanes to technical emergencies. “Adam was nominated for his unwavering dedication, leadership, and compassion,” said Karen Howard, Chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. “He consistently answers the call — day or night.” Mullis joined the county as a Planner I in 2018 and now serves as Assistant Planning Director, managing key initiatives See EMPLOYEES, page A3
with their hard work, commitment, and passion to serve the people of our community.” Chatham County HR Director Courtney Jones
CITY OF GREENSBORO VIA AP
Deceased Greensboro police officer Michael Horan is pictured in a photo distributed by the City.