News Briefs

Chatham Library, CARE host pet ownership workshop

SILER CITY — Chatham County Libraries is partnering with Chatham Animal Rescue & Education (CARE), the Chatham County Animal Shelter and Tysor Veterinary Clinic to present an informative workshop on responsible pet ownership. Representatives from each group will be on hand from 5-6 p.m. April 29 at Wren Memorial Library in Siler City for his free program.

This workshop is best for families with older children and is open to the public. Registration is not required. The event is designed for people who are thinking about adopting pets or already have pets and have questions about proper care.

Topics will include the benefits of spay and neutering; basic vaccines, flea and tick control; fencing vs. tethering; animal neglect and more.

There will be information on CARE’s “Three for Free” spay & neuter program and free dog and cat food samples will be handed out.

Pets are not allowed at this workshop. For more information, contact Susan at Chatham Community Library (919-545-8084).

Siler City seeks applicants for loan program

Town of Siler City leaders have formed a partnership with the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center that includes a $100,000 small business revolving loan fund. The goal of the partnership is to encourage small business and entrepreneurial growth in Siler City.

The Revolving Loan Fund works with individuals who have sound ideas for starting or expanding a small business but may have difficulty obtaining a loan from traditional sources. Here are a few details about the fund:

• Loan amounts range from $500 to $25,000 for small business startup or expansion

• All loans are offered in combination with business planning and technical assistance

• Loans will be reviewed by a local committee and serviced by the Rural Center

• Loan funds may be used to purchase equipment, inventory, or as working capital

• The loan fund does not compete with banks or other lenders, but rather, it is designed to serve as gap funding or complementary financing for small businesses

The loan fund will prioritize and is limited to businesses located within the Town of Siler City corporate limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The fund also encourages applications from low-income, female and minority borrowers. The only way to be sure if you qualify is to apply. Basic requirements are:

• You wish to start or expand a small business

• Your business is located within the Town’s corporate limits or ETJ

• You are 18 years or older

• And, of course, you have to have a sound business idea.

To apply, complete and submit a pre-application (English and Spanish Translation packets attached) to Jon Spoon (Chatham Small Business Center Director at (919) 545-8013 or jspoon@cccc). If you have any questions, please Jon Spoon.

April Household Hazardous Waste event set for
April 27

PITTSBORO — The April edition of the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) event has been scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27 at the Solid Waste & Recycling Main Facility, 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro.

HHW events are a way for residents to dispose of hazardous materials safely. Decals are not required, but residents will need to show their NC Driver License with their current address. HHW is only for households; no hazardous waste from businesses will be accepted.

Items accepted include paints, solvents, stains, bleach, aerosols, cleaners, pesticides, brake fluid, fluorescent light bulbs, propane tanks, etc. For a complete list, please visit the Household Hazardous Waste webpage or contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at 919-542-5516.

The Sheriff’s Office will also be on-site to conduct a medicine take-back as a way for residents to safely dispose of unwanted medications. No needles, sharps, or liquids will be accepted. To celebrate Earth Day, free paper shredding will be available to county residents, and backyard compost bins will be for sale. For more information, visit www.chathamnc.org/recycle.

CORA hosting 5K and fun run at CCCC’s Pittsboro campus

PITTSBORO — Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA), a nonprofit dedicated to providing food to those in need within Chatham County, will host the Hunger 5K and Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. June 15 at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro.

This annual event is expanding to a 5K and is designed to bring individuals and families together to support the fight against hunger and food insecurity in the community. Participants are encouraged to register in advance to receive reduced rates, including a special rate for kids 14 and under, to encourage them to participate in their first 5K. Registration is available online through June 12th at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/corahunger5k/.

The 3.1-mile course runs through downtown Pittsboro and is perfect for first time 5K runners. As always, participants are encouraged to form a team, bringing together friends, family and even their dogs (the course is dog and stroller-friendly) to challenge themselves to complete the course and raise additional funds.

More information about the event, including registering online, can be found at www.corafoodpantry.org. In addition, corporate sponsorships opportunities are available, please contact Rebecca Hankins at 919-491-5896 for more information.

—CN+R Staff Reports

‘Better Angels’ workshop aims to bridge red-blue gap

PITTSBORO — Community members interested in a conversation about political issues with the purpose of understanding and learning are invited to the Better Angels Red-Blue Workshop in Pittsboro from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18 at the Chatham Habitat for Humanity, 467 West Street, Pittsboro.

Sponsored by the Better Angels of the Triangle, the event will bring together seven Republican-leaning citizens and seven Democrat-leaning citizens for an invitation-only workshop.

There are slots open for people on both sides, as well as those who would like to be quiet observers. The goals of Red-Blue Workshops are to understand the experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the divide, find areas of agreement while having areas of respectful disagreement and identify and commit to next steps.

Joan Garnett, Dana Robinson and Steve Warshaw will moderate the discussion. Interested participants should contact Jack Denniston at jldenniston3@gmail.com. For more information, visit the group’s website at better-angels.org/what-we-do.

CCCC, WGU begin partnership

SANFORD — Central Carolina Community College has begun a partnership with another university to ease transfers.

CCCC and WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of the national online nonprofit Western Governors University, agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding designed to ease the transition for CCCC graduates to pursue bachelor’s degrees, receive tuition discounts and have access to scholarship funds at WGU. Additionally, all articulated associates degrees at CCCC will transfer to WGU.

“Dr. Dallas Herring, who is known as the ‘Father of North Carolina’s Community College System,’ established the principal of ‘taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go,’” said Lisa Chapman, president of CCCC. “We embrace that philosophy at CCCC and this partnership with WGU NC supports additional opportunities for our graduates to go as far as they can. We are pleased to join WGU NC in continuing to serve our community and our students in providing more affordable, seamless baccalaureate pathways.”

WGU NC Chancellor Catherine Truitt said the university was “very excited” to partner with CCCC, which has campuses in Sanford, Dunn and Pittsboro. WGU offers degrees in, among other programs, business, information technology, education and healthcare. Nearly 3,000 North Carolinians are currently enrolled at the school.

CCCC Foundation Golf Classic coming to Chatham

PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Golf Classic will hold its sixth edition this year on May 8 to benefit students at Central Carolina Community College.

The tournament, scheduled for Chapel Ridge Gold Course, is a four-person Captain’s Choice Flighted event and is slated to kick-off at 9 a.m., with lunch served from 1-2 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to top teams in each flight, as well as the winners of the longest drive, closest-to-pin, and putting contest.

Foursome package includes green fees, cart rental, entry to putting contest, prizes, refreshments, and lunch. Sponsorships are available at various levels: a $200 Silver Sponsor includes sponsorship recognition; a $600 Gold Sponsor includes sponsorship recognition and one foursome; and a $1,000 Platinum Sponsor includes sponsorship recognition and two foursomes.

The Chatham County Golf Classic registration form can be downloaded from the Foundation’s website, www.cccc.edu/foundation/events/golf-classics/. Registration is also available by contacting Dr. Emily Hare at 919-718-7230 or by email at ehare@cccc.edu, or by calling Jonathan Hockaday at 919-718-7231 or by email at jhockaday@cccc.edu.

NCDOT planning renovation work on N.C. 49 in Asheboro

ASHEBORO – The N.C. Department of Transportation announced recently that work will likely get underway this week on parts of N.C. Highway 49 west of Asheboro.

NCDOT has contracted Sharpe Brothers of Greensboro to resurface 10 miles of the heavily-traveled route, between Maurine Drive and New Hope Road. The work is expected to be complete by the end of June.

Traffic will not be detoured, but drivers should expect the following lane closures along N.C. 49:

• Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. along the four-lane divided section between New Hope Road and Waynick Meadow Road/Brantley Gordon Road; and

• Weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. along the two-lane undivided section between Waynick Meadow Road/Brantley Gordon Road and Maurine Drive.

Drivers should slow down and use caution throughout the work zone and anticipate delays traveling through the area.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.