The Chatham News + Record

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office blocked traffic and kept a careful eye as the campers and leaders of Thursday’s event as they travelled down U.S. 64. Stormy weather and traffic conditions were top concerns.

To the Editor: New York, Houston, Chicago, even Chapel Hill: what do they have in common? The answer: a bike lane. Bikes help reduce carbon footprint, are cheap, and rarely cost anything for … more

5/13/21

Volunteers unload the truck’s 1,248 boxes in the parking lot of First Missionary Baptist Church on Dec. 18. Each box held $50 worth of food.

Global waste offers food for thought

Every year, almost 20% of the world’s food is wasted. That’s what the United Nations concluded in its 2021 Food Waste Index Report, released in March. “(T)he true scale of food waste and … more

5/12/21

Thankful for the help from the people at Lowe’s

To the Editor: On April 23, my husband and I went to Lowe’s in Pittsboro. We were shopping for lights. A young woman, Pam, came to help us. Suddenly, my husband crumpled. Pam grabbed him … more

5/12/21

The politics of Mother’s Day

I have continued to reflect upon the speech that Sen. Tim Scott, R–S.C., gave after President Joseph Biden’s address to Congress. In light of Mother’s Day last Sunday, it’s fitting to note … more

BY ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN, Columnist | 5/12/21

Don’t ever be afraid to ask the hard questions

Life is full of questions — of all degrees. Some are profound, such as “Why do bad things happen to good people?” That’s not a new one; it’s been going on since the invention of people. … more

BY BOB WACHS, Columnist | 5/12/21

Along with many other colleges in the state, Central Carolina Community College is facing enrollment declines this fall. Their Chatham campus, pictured here, is a little quieter than the main campus in Lee County.

Community colleges: a key to our recovery

To the Editor: As North Carolina faces an economic crisis amidst a pandemic, our community colleges will be key to recovery efforts. North Carolina will undoubtedly turn to its 58 community … more

5/12/21

Can you pass this North Carolina history test?

Here is a test for you. Look at our state flag. There are a couple of dates. One of them is May 20, 1775. Why is it there? A few years ago I wrote a column about Charlotte lawyer Scott … more

BY D.G. Martin, Guest Columnist | 5/12/21

Disruption as default

On the frequent mornings I’m up and out on the back porch before sunrise, I’m treated to the melodic warbling of a songbird who lives in the woods behind our house. The preciseness of the onset … more

BY BILL HORNER III, Publisher | 5/12/21

There is no teacher-pay penalty

Are nurse anesthetists overpaid by 74%? Are telemarketers underpaid by 25%? If you accept the standard statistical model used to defend huge and sweeping pay raises for public schoolteachers, then … more

BY JOHN HOOD, Guest Columnist | 5/12/21

Customers are pining for wood. In Siler City, Carolina Wood Enterprises is filling the need.

In a normal year, Van Culberson would be ramping up production at his saw mill after a mostly fallow winter. Instead, Siler City’s Carolina Wood Enterprises has operated at full bore for the better … more

BY D. LARS DOLDER, News + Record Staff | 5/5/21

Will N.C. get real on climate change?

When I think about climate change, I think about my brother-in-law Tillman. Tillman spent his career with Big Oil. He traveled the world finding places to drill, baby, drill. He’s now … more

BY Gary Pearce, Guest Columnist | 5/5/21

Students work on individual assignments during a class at Northwood High School, which is currently operating under Plan A along with the district's other schools. Under that plan, 6-feet of social distance is not required, but masking is.

Teacher appreciation is important the other 51 weeks of the year, too

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, which means lots of discounts, gifts and goodies for teachers around the country and in Chatham. After a year filled with COVID-19 challenges, this week brings … more

BY HANNAH MCCLELLAN, News + Record Staff | 5/5/21

Serious reminders can come in humorous places

Throughout the short years of my little life, I’ve been hooked on reading. There are lots of reasons. Innate personality, for one. We can’t change how we’re created and birthed. And … more

BY BOB WACHS, Columnist | 5/5/21 | 1 comment

Dennis Streets, executive director of the Chatham Council on Aging, was the first to roll up his sleeve for a shot at Monday's mass vaccination event.

North Carolina’s vaccine goal is welcomed, but how long might it take to reach it?

On April 21, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a clear goal for North Carolina — get two-thirds of the adult population vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Should North Carolina hit … more

BY Randy Brechbiel, Guest Columnist | 5/5/21

Hubert West, shown here at Margaret B. Pollard Middle School, was the first Black head coach at UNC-Chapel Hill. Now a teaching assistant, West led UNC's track and field program from 1982-2011...Alternate (use this for photo not on front: Hubert West has been named Chatham County Schools Instructional Assistant of the Year three times. He was a nine-time all-conference track standout at UNC-Chapel Hill in the 1970s.

Hubert West’s story an important part of our history

To the Editor: Regarding the April 21 News + Record article (“CCS’ Hubert West reflects on Legacy as UNC’s first Black head coach”) by Hannah McClellan: As a journalist myself and a … more

5/5/21

Most protestors wore medical masks or face coverings during Monday’s event. At different times, some participants either held up or wore the Mexican flag.

The personal is political

Sen. Tim Scott, R–S.C., has an impressive legislative track record. The only Black Republican in the Senate has crafted new laws to spur investment in low-income communities and change federal … more

5/5/21

Pictured here on the first day of early voting, Chatham residents line up with six feet of distance between them to cast their ballots.

In North Carolina, we need to protect everyone’s freedom to vote

Voting is the right by which all our other rights are protected, to paraphrase Thomas Paine. Equal access to the ballot box is the bedrock foundation of our democracy and vital to the health of our … more

BY Bob Phillips, Guest Columnist | 5/5/21

A group of Briar Chapel residents under the moniker “StopChathamNorth” have asked to be part of the N.C. Utilities Commission’s deliberations in allowing Old North State Water Company and Chatham North, both entities owned by Michael Myers, to take on wastewater from Fearrington Village.

Chatham County needs a sustainable strategy for wastewater management

To the Editor: I am writing on behalf of StopChathamNorth, an advocacy group representing concerned residents of the Briar Chapel community. We have been following your series of articles … more

Liz Rolison | 4/28/21

CN+R photographer Simon Barbre captured this butterfly in spring splendor near his home in Staley.

Since last Earth Day, climate impacts have only hit harder

The amount of heat-trapping emissions humans have spewed into our atmosphere since last Earth Day was 10% less than a typical year, a cause for celebration if not for one salient fact: the reduction … more

BY MINTA PHILLIPS & MARK REYNOLDS, Guest Columnists | 4/28/21

Letter to the editor: Rep. Reives on school flexibility

To the Editor: The past year has been difficult for us all. As a father, I know personally how much effort it takes to balance work and life; with students having to work remotely, like many of us … more

Rep. Robert Reives II | 4/28/21