VOLUME 147 ISSUE 19 | THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
inside The 2024 NHL Draft took place inside Sphere, Sin City’s biggest new attraction, and we were on site to see the Hurricanes select 10 players. Turn to NSJ Sports for everything from Las Vegas plus full coverage of the opening of NHL free agency.
CORY LAVALETTE / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
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BRIEF this week
Northwood sophomore Reece Adams (12, left) looks on while West Cabarrus players try to avoid losing the ball out of bounds. The Chargers won the game 60-47 at the NC Live Team Camp, continuing to a perfect 4-0 record at the event.
Carrboro man drowns at Jordan Lake A 52-year-old died while swimming at Jordan Lake Tuesday evening, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. Eduardo Martinez, of Carrboro, was swimming with family near the intersection of Martha’s Chapel Road and Farrington Road when he began struggling in the water. A call was made to 911 dispatchers at 8:47 p.m., but first responders were unable to get to him in time. “Swimming in designated areas of Jordan Lake and following safety guidelines can prevent such heartbreaking incidents,” said Chatham Sheriff Mike Roberson in a statement. “Please be mindful of the dangers and take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all.” Agencies responding to the scene included the Sheriff’s Office, the North Chatham Fire Department, FirstHealth Emergency Medical Services, Chatham County Emergency Management and the Medical Examiner.
NCDMV fees rise, new card surcharges NC residents face higher costs for DMV services, beginning this month, as the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) rolls out fee increases and introduces surcharges when paying with a card. The card surcharge, enabled by a new provision in the state budget, will see fees added to all NCDMV in-person (1.22%), online (1.85%) and kiosk transactions (2%) when paying with a credit or debit card starting July 1. Simultaneously, the NCDMV implemented its state-mandated quadrennial fee adjustments. Approximately 90 license and registration-related fees will increase by 19.18%, a number based on inflation over the past four years: • Regular driver’s license: $1 per year increase ($5 more for a five-year license) • Learner’s permit and provisional license: $4 increase • Duplicate license: $2.75 increase • Passenger vehicle registration: Rises from $38.75 to $46.25
For more sports, turn to page B1.
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Approved Chatham budget includes 4 cent property tax increase The water use rate will rise by 15%, while the chairman of the board of commissioners will see an extra $4,000 in salary By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved its 2024-25 budget at its meeting on June 17. The $194 million budget in-
cludes a $0.04 increase in the property tax rate, bringing it to $0.725 per $100 in valuation. The budget also has two major tax and fee increases. The water use rate and administrative fee will increase by 15%, and two fire districts will
Siler City to sell Carter Bank building The building was deemed too expensive to adapt for town needs By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — The board of commissioners is putting the former Carter Bank & Trust building up for sale. The board made the decision to sell the building, located at 101 E. Raleigh Street, at its June 17 meeting. It was purchased in March of 2023, for $100,000, with plans to utilize it as office space for administrative offices, but
a report earlier this year revealed that it would cost around $600,000 to adapt the building for the town’s needs. In response, the town is changing plans and is reacting to apparent interest in outside parties purchasing the building from the town. “There’s some outside interest that’s been gaining a little momentum,” said Mayor Donald Matthews. “So, this is probably one of our better options.” In other business, the board approved a change to the overtime/compensatory time pay provisions to offer employees See SILER CITY, page A3
raise their tax rates: the Hope district is increasing its rate by $0.015 to a total of $0.0975 per $100 valuation, and the Northview district is increasing its rate by $0.004 to a total of $0.09 per $100 valuation. There is $66.5 million allocated to Chatham County Schools, including a $2,000 supplement increase for all certified staff and about $23.5 million for the Sheriff’s Office. Additional highlights include
a 4% salary increase for county staff, the implementation of a property tax relief program for low-income homeowners and funding for six additional sheriff’s office deputies. It also includes a $4,000 salary increase for the chair of the County Board of Commissioners, on top of a 4% increase in salary for all the commissioners in line with the rest of See BUDGET, page A2
Biden proposes excessive heat rule for workplaces Employers would have to establish rest breaks, provide shade and water, and heat acclimatization By Suman Naishadham The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden on Tuesday proposed a new rule to address excessive heat in the workplace, warning — as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories — that high temperatures are the country’s leading weather-related killer. If finalized, the measure would protect an estimated 36
million U.S. workers from injuries related to heat exposure on the job — establishing the first major federal safety standard of its kind. Those affected by excessive heat in the workplace include farmworkers, delivery and construction workers, landscapers and indoor See OSHA, page A3
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