PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Health will have a vacancy in October 2021 that must be filled by a dentist who lives in the county. Applicants must have a current North Carolina dentistry license, but they do not have to be actively practicing. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13.
The Board of Health is the policymaking, rulemaking and deliberative body for the Chatham County Public Health Department. The Board of Health’s responsibility is to protect and promote the health of the community and is a great way to make a difference.
The Board of Commissioners will make the appointment for a three-year term, and the person would be eligible for two more terms.
Board of Health meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m., with dinner provided and reimbursement for mileage.
The application to serve can be completed online: https://chathamnc.seamlessdocs.com/f/CommitteeForm. Applicants also may contact Lindsay Ray at 919-545-8302 or lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov to get an email version or printed copy. Those with questions about serving on the Board of Health may call 919-545-8391.
CHAPEL HILL — A local road is going to be resurfaced over the next couple weeks as part of a contract recently awarded by the N.C. Dept. of Transportation.
Contract crews began work today on a project to mill and resurface, improve pavement markings and add bike lanes along Culbreth Road from U.S. 15-501 to Smith Level Road in Chapel Hill.
The work will take place under lane closures from 9 a.m. to sunset Monday through Saturday and is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 13, weather permitting.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should be mindful of crews working in the area and expect delays when traveling through the work zone.
— CN+R staff reports
Chatham County seeks applicants for a vacancy on the Agriculture Advisory Board. The advisory board especially needs a member from the Southwest quadrant of the county, but anyone in the county may apply.
The Agriculture Advisory Board advises the Board of Commissioners on agricultural issues and related land use issues. The board also reviews applications for farm properties to be designated as a Voluntary Agriculture District to make sure they meet state requirements.
The open seat’s term will expire June 30, 2023, but the person appointed would be eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term.
The board typically meets eight to ten times a year at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro. More information about the Agriculture Advisory Board may be found on the county website.
To complete an online application specifically for service for the Agriculture Advisory Board, applicants may visit https://chathamnc.seamlessdocs.com/f/AgBoardApplication. They can also contact Lindsay Ray at 919-545-8302 or lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov to obtain a printed or emailed copy.
— CN+R staff reports
PITTSBORO — Chatham County would get about $2.99 million, or $166K/year over an 18-year period, as a part of the landmark $26 billion national opioid settlement — pending approval of a 315-page settlement agreement by the Chatham Board of Commissioners. Should the Memorandum of Agreement be approved as it is today, the state would get about $750 million from the total. Of that, 80% would go to local governments.
Chatham County officials told the News + Record that of that amount, Chatham County would get 0.4498% over an 18-year period. That is about $2.99M or $166,000 per year on average over the 18-year period.
Chatham County’s legal counsel is still reviewing the settlement agreement and will advise the Board of Commissioners on next steps.
MILLSBORO, Delaware — Mountaire Farms, the nation’s fourth largest chicken producer, recently awarded 27 students with $2,500 scholarships to help them pay for college.
Children and grandchildren of employees, growers, and grain suppliers are all eligible for the scholarships, which were announced recently. Winners received a certificate and a scholarship.
“We are proud of this program because it embraces everything that we care about – our employees, our growers, our grain producers and their families,” said Phillip Plylar, President of Mountaire Farms. “And these students have all demonstrated a commitment to their education, and to their communities, which we believe should be celebrated.”
2021 Scholarship Recipients in North Carolina include:
• Marlene Gomez, a graduate of Jordan Matthews High School who now attends North Carolina State University. Her mother, Rosa Lopez, is a Human Resources Representative for Mountaire in Siler City.
• Hailey Howell, a graduate of Grace Christian School who now attends Sandhills Community College. Her mother, Lori Howell, is an Occupational Health Manager in Siler City.
Mountaire Farms is an agricultural food processing company providing work for almost 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Mountaire Farms is a privately owned, Christ-centered company with a commitment to the communities in which our employees work and live. For more information, visit www.mountaire.com.
PITTSBORO —The Chatham Park community in Pittsboro continues to offer a variety of diverse housing options to create a dynamic and appealing lifestyle for residents. To quickly meet rising demands, Preston Development Company — developers of this technology-centric community located outside of Raleigh, North Carolina - recently announced plans for a new phase that will feature homes targeted towards 55+ active adult living. This initiative is one more example of the exciting growth taking place in Chatham Park and the town of Pittsboro.
David Weekley Homes was chosen to build their successful Encore product for this new phase which will serve as the first 55+ active-adult neighborhood in Chatham Park. Decorated models are expected to be complete by mid-2022. The Encore product has already seen sold-out success in surrounding areas, making Chatham Park the only community currently in Chatham County with considerations for the 55+ demographic. In addition to the new homes being built in Chatham Park, David Weekley is also building the Encore product in Wendell Falls and has recently sold out in Briar Chapel.
This section of homes will be comprised of 345 homesites within the larger community and feature three product lines: Classic, Tradition and Villas. These three series will provide its residents with the livability, price points and space needs for aging in place comfortably and actively. Villas, a new addition to the Encore lineup, will boast paired homes.
“The concept of a small neighborhood of adult homes inside a larger, age-diverse neighborhood resonates with our buyers who want to live in a vibrant community,” says David Weekley’s Raleigh Division President Ryan Wells. “We enjoy the partnership with Preston Development Company and are honored to be a part of Chatham Park’s builder team. Chatham Park is an immersive, experience- rich community that combines quaint charm with modern convenience, as well as nature. It is a well-planned and dynamic neighborhood that will highlight the quality and lifestyle design of our David Weekley Homes.”
This first adult resident only section within Chatham Park is scheduled to include a variety of private amenities including walking/cycling trails, a swimming pool and clubhouse, a yoga lawn, putting green, tennis and pickleball courts, grills, and firepits. Encore residents will also benefit from the close proximity to Mosaic, a 44-acre live-work-play-learn mixed-use development located within Chatham Park along Highway 15-501. Scheduled to open Fall 2021, Mosaic will provide opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment as well as space for businesses and health care facilities.
“David Weekley’s Encore homes have proven to be very successful in the Triangle area due to their demographic considerations and intentional design. The Encore community will be a wonderful and much needed addition to our current offerings as well as a valuable asset to the town of Pittsboro for those seeking an active adult lifestyle” said Executive Vice President Vanessa Jenkins of Preston Development.
— CN+R staff reports
Chatham County seeks applicants to a vacancy for its Environmental Review Advisory Committee (ERAC), which advises the Board of Commissioners on environmental policy and related county ordinances and serves on the Chatham County Watershed Review Board. The Board of Commissioners especially seeks applicants with environmental expertise or interests.
The vacancy is for Commissioner District 3 for a partial term ending June 30, 2023, but the person appointed would be eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term. Anyone interested in the position should apply regardless of where they live in the county.
A map of commissioner districts and an online application form can be found at www.chathamnc.org/CommitteeAppointments. Applicants who would like an email or printed copy of the form, may call Lindsay Ray at 919-545-8302 or email her at lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov.
The ERAC typically meets six or more times a year on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Pittsboro area. To find out more about the ERAC, visit the county website.
PITTSBORO — Chatham County is seeking individuals to apply for two upcoming vacancies on key advisory committees. Service on committees is a great way for interested residents to have a voice on issues of interest and make a difference in the community. Individuals must be a resident of Chatham County to serve on advisory committees. The deadline to submit applications to serve in these vacant positions is 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 20.
— CN+R staff reports
PITTSBORO — Chatham Community Library will host a virtual screening of the documentary “Sisters Rising” (2020), beginning Thursday, August 12 and continuing through Thursday, August 19, 2021. Sisters Rising is the story of six Native American women fighting to restore personal and tribal sovereignty in the face of ongoing sexual violence against Indigenous women in the United States. This program is free and open to the public.
According to the filmmakers, Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than all other American women. One in three Native women reports having been raped during her lifetime, and 86% of the offenses are committed by non-Native men. The film also demonstrates that perpetrators exploit gaps in tribal jurisdictional authority and target Native women as “safe victims.”
The film follows six women who refuse to let patterns of violence continue in the shadows: a tribal cop in the midst of the North Dakota oil boom, an attorney fighting to overturn restrictions on tribal sovereignty, a teacher of Indigenous women’s self-defense, grassroots advocates working to influence legislative change, and the author of the first anti-sex trafficking code to be introduced to a reservation’s tribal court. Their stories shine a light on righting injustice on both an individual and systemic level.
Film highlights and awards include Honorable Mention Big Sky Award, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival; Best Film Award, Women’s Voices Now Film Festival; and Best Documentary Feature, American Indian Film Festival.
Access to the virtual screening will be available beginning August 12, by visiting https://www.wmm.com/virtual-screening-room/sisters-rising-watch-page-chatham-community-library. A password is required at the time of viewing. Those who are interested may contact social.library@chathamlibraries.org to request the password or for additional information.
ATLANTIC BEACH — Last week, sheriffs from across North Carolina gathered in Atlantic Beach to fellowship, collaborate and share ideas at the 99th Annual North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) Business Conference in Atlantic Beach.
Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson was elected 3rd vice president of the organization during the conference. The position is considered a high honor and carries significant responsibilities; Roberson’s elevation to this position serves to emphasize the trust and respect he has earned in the eyes of his peers, according to a statement from his office.
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” Roberson of his new role. “I appreciate the guidance of my fellow sheriffs and the faith they have placed in me and my leadership abilities. I have learned some valuable lessons from this talented group, and feel encouraged by their continued support.”
Roberson said the NCSA Business Conference presents sheriffs with a unique opportunity to learn from experts, develop professional friendships and mentorships and build bridges across jurisdictional lines.
“The conference energizes leaders by providing an opportunity for all North Carolina sheriffs to join together in one place to discuss common issues and best practices, review important updates to state law or required training, brainstorm solutions to specific challenges, and show support for one another,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to enhance our level of service and improve safety within our communities.”
Those who attend the conference are intended to return home with fresh inspiration and ideas for improvement within their organizations. Roberson said he was excited for the year ahead and looks forward to implementing some innovative approaches in Chatham County as a result of the session.
“As a leader, it’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to tackle new challenges when given the chance,” he said. “Doing so helps renew focus and sharpen our vision for the future… and as long as we work together, I believe the future of Chatham County and the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is brighter and more promising than ever before.”
RALEIGH – The N.C. Education Lottery raised $936 million to support education programs in North Carolina in fiscal year 2021.
The record earnings for education result from record lottery ticket sales of $3.8 billion, up 26 percent from the year before. Earnings for education jumped by $206.6 million, or 28 percent. On average, the lottery generated $2.5 million a day for education in fiscal year 2021, according to unaudited year-end results.
Mark Michalko, executive director of the lottery, attributed the results to unique circumstances in the state’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic combined with exceptional performance of popular lottery games enjoyed by North Carolinians.
Michalko said consumers turned to lottery games during the times in the year when they had few other options for entertainment. He said lottery players found lots of ways to have fun, including with a new game called Fast Play, that provides both an instant prize and a progressive jackpot, major life-changing jackpots in Powerball and Mega Millions games, and an array of new scratch-off tickets.
“Just like other sales and marketing brands, we faced multiple challenges during these unusual times,” Michalko said. “We succeeded thanks to the loyalty of lottery players, the support of our retailers all across our state, and a tremendous effort by the lottery staff to find ways to safely complete our mission in raising money for education.”
Michalko said hitting those sales and profit records again this year will be a challenge as other competing entertainment options begin to reopen across the state, but that the lottery will stay focused on driving continued growth and success in its efforts to raise funds for education.
The additional dollars support education programs in all 100 counties of the state, as determined each year by legislators in the state budget. The money raised helped build and repair schools, make college more affordable through scholarships and grants based on financial need, support school systems with the costs of school workers and transportation, and support NC Pre-K, a free academic prekindergarten program for at-risk 4-year-olds.
North Carolinians won the most money ever in prizes, with the lottery paying out more than $2.4 billion. Retailers across the state also earned $262 million in commissions from lottery ticket sales, $52.5 million more than the year before. With more than 7,000 retail locations, the commissions play an important role in the state’s retail economy.
At the end of the fiscal year, the lottery’s total contribution since inception in March 2006 exceeded $8.2 billion.