News briefs
Community awareness event to focus on human trafficking
The Chatham Community Library will hold a Community Awareness Event January 11 focused on human trafficking.
Representatives from Shield North Carolina, a Cary-based nonprofit that helps communities and governments fight human trafficking, will present on signs of all forms of trafficking and share data and information to encourage awareness and understanding.
North Carolina has consistently ranked in the top 10 states in the country for having a human trafficking problem. Both children and adults, male and female, are sold for sex or labor for the benefit of another. Trafficking mainly occurs in hotels, homes, truck stops and massage parlors. Because of the intense psychological manipulation that occurs, most victims don’t identify as victims and will not seek help.
This event coincides with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Beginning in 2010, by Presidential Proclamation, each January has been designated National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Following the start of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with the help of non-government organizations, National Human Trafficking Day began and is observed annually on January 11.
Community Awareness Events are a series of facilitated and respectful dialogues on serious and difficult topics. They are designed to educate and inform the community and to promote understanding.
This event is free and open to the public. Funding for this program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library.
For additional information please contact Rita Van Duinen, Branch Manager for the Chatham Community Library, at 919-545-8083 or via email to rita.vanduinen@chathamlibraries.org.
Untreated water discharged in Cape Fear River Basin
Aqua North Carolina reported a discharge of approximately 103,000 gallons into the Cape Fear River Basin on December 17 in Chatham County.
According to a news alert, the discharge occurred near Chapel Ridge Drive into an unnamed tributary of Brook’s Creek because of a lift station electrical failure. Aqua NC, which serves nearly 300,000 North Carolinians in several counties, reportedly discovered the spill at 10:30 a.m. and additional personnel were dispatched to assist at the clean-up site. Mitigation efforts were completed within five hours of notification of the spill.
This is at least the second untreated discharge from Aqua North Carolina within the last two months. In late October, the company confirmed that 7,500 gallons of untreated wastewater was dumped into an unnamed tributary of the Cape Fear River in New Hanover County.
Pittsboro Youth Theater announces 2020 spring productions
In Spring 2020, Pittsboro Youth Theater (PYT) is celebrating its 8th year in operation.
Having performed in every existing space that was marginally appropriate for live theater, PYT opened its own theater and Center For The Arts, Pittsboro in early 2017. Sweet Bee Theater is the only public theater in Chatham County. PYT provides professional-level performance arts training and local entertainment to area residents. As with any team activity, PYT plays demand cast member effort and commitment. Cast members and their families should be prepared to have great fun and be active participants in a successful team.
Local young people can join casts of 5 separate plays in spring 2020:
• Age 7-12: “Pixies, Kings and Magical Things”
• Age 7-12: “Tinker Bell” (by audition only)
• Age 10-14: “A Wrinkle in Time”
• High School: “Baskerville”
• Age 10-18: “Godspell” musical (by audition only)
Play descriptions and schedules are available at pittsboroyouththeater.com.
Joyful Jewel presents ‘Painting With Class’
Joyful Jewel, at 44-A Hillsboro St. in Pittsboro, is presenting an art exhibition of watercolor paintings from the students of Beth Bale. Featured are works by Bonnie Rardin, Cody Thompson, Ann Kyle, Lisa Dark, Margo Hubbard and Becky Starr.
A “meet the artist” reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, with hors d’oeuvres served. The exhibition follows through Jan. 31.
— CN + R staff reports
Free Christmas tree recycling available until January 10
Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling will be offering free Christmas tree recycling through Friday, Jan. 10.
Trees will be accepted at the Main Facility, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Main Facility is located at 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro.
Only real trees can be accepted. All decorations, stands and pots must be removed. After Jan. 10, the facility will accept trees for its normal yard debris charge of $20 per ton, with a $2 minimum.
Artificial trees can be placed in the scrap metal recycling bin at the Collection Centers (with a current decal) and the Main Facility. All decorations and lights must be removed, so no pre-lit trees can be accepted in the scrap metal.
For more information visit www.chathamnc.org/recycle or call the Main Facility at 919-542-5516.