CCCC offers BLET training based in Pittsboro
The Central Carolina Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program is designed to give students essential skills required for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county, or municipal governments, or with private enterprise.
A BLET class will begin March 16 on the CCCC Chatham Main Campus in Pittsboro. The class will meet Monday through Thursday from 6 to 11 p.m.
To register or for further information, contact Robert Powell at 919-777-7770 or by email at rpowe254@cccc.edu. Deadline for paperwork is Feb. 17.
The basic requirements are: U.S. Citizen; at least 10th grade reading level; at least 20 years old; high school graduate; N.C. driver’s license.
CCCC will host free college tuition open house in Chatham County
PITTSBORO — Central Carolina Community College will host a free college tuition open house for high school students and their parents at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the CCCC Chatham Main Campus, 764 West St., Pittsboro.
Information will be available on the Central Carolina Promise program, which offers free tuition to qualifying 2020 public, private, and homeschool high school graduates in Chatham County. To learn more about the Promise eligibility requirements and to see an enrollment checklist, visit www.cccc.edu/promise/.
Also, information will be available on the Career & College Promise program. CCP enables high school students to enroll, tuition-free, in college credit courses that also apply toward their high school diploma. By the time they graduate from high school, they have a jump-start on their career or college education. Learn more about the CCCC CCP program at www.cccc.edu/high-school/ccp/.
The open house includes a look at selected CCCC academic programs, as well as information on admissions and financial aid.
To learn more about high school opportunities at Central Carolina Community College, visit the website www.cccc.edu/highschool/.
Chatham County Schools seeking budget input
PITTSBORO — Chatham County Schools (CCS) has launched a survey seeking community input for its budget process. CCS has reached out to the community for that kind of feedback every year since 2012.
“We welcome stakeholder input as we build the budget for the upcoming school year. This survey has become an annual part of our budget development process for that reason,” CCS Chief Financial Officer Tony Messer said.
The survey is another tangible way the school district works in cooperation with the community.
“Last year we didn’t see as much community input as we had in prior years, but we are hoping to hear from as many stakeholders as possible this year,” Messer said.
The survey launched Feb. 4 and is available through Feb. 29. It can be accessed at bit.ly/ccsbudget20-21.
Kids’ books festival headed to Fearrington in March
McIntyre’s Books in Fearrington Village is hosting the WhilrliKids Book Festival early next month.
The event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, will feature storytimes, readings, book signings, panel discussions with authors and illustrators, crafts and more throughout Fearrington Village at the Barn, the Garden Terrace and the book store.
The keynote speaker, scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Barn, is Kelly Yang, the author of “Front Desk,” which won the 2018 Asian Pacific American Award for Literature and the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal.
Kids of all ages are invited, but the event is best suited for children ages three and up. For more information, visit fearrington.com/event/whirlikids-03-07-20/ or call McIntyre’s Books at 919-542-3030.
Registration open for Chatham Habitat’s Women Build
Registration for Chatham Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build, set for April 30-May 2, is open. Participants can reserve their spots at womenbuild.chathamhabitat.volunteerhub.com. For additional information, or to inquire about sponsorships, contact Rachel Horowitz at 919-542-0794 or rachelh@chathamhabitat.org.
CORA’s hosting Miles for Meals Hunger 5K in March
PITTSBORO – CORA is hosting the Miles for Meals 5K run and 1 Mile Fun Walk starting at 8 a.m. on March 29 at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro. This new event will bring individuals and families together to raise awareness about the severity of childhood hunger in Chatham County and raise money to help alleviate the problem.
Speed walk, casually stroll, jog or take a chip-timed run. 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.
Participants are encouraged to register in advance to receive reduced rates, including a special rate for kids 14 and under, to encourage them to be active and to participate in their first 5K. Registration is available online through March 24 at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/milesformeals/.
All proceeds will support CORA’s SNACK! program. SNACK! (Summer Nutritional Assistance for Chatham Kids) distributes food to more than 1,500 kids who depend on federal school meals during the school year, but who have little or no replacement for this nutrition in the summer. SNACK provides participants with enough nutritious food to ensure that they have 3 meals per day plus snacks for each day that school is not in session during the summer. It costs CORA $150 to feed each child in the SNACK program.
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.
NC Sierra Club endorses incumbents Dasher, Howard for county commissioner
The Orange/Chatham Sierra Club announced its decision to endorse Chatham County Commissioner Mike Dasher in the March 3 primary election.
The club cited Dasher’s work on the adoption of the Chatham County Comprehensive Plan as well as his participation in the Chatham-Orange Task Force and Climate Advisory Committee.
“Clearly in his first term, Mike Dasher has been doing exactly what his constituents elected him to do and deserves a second term,” the group said in a press release.
Dasher represents District 2, which covers Pittsboro and much of eastern Chatham County. He faces Katelin Hancock in the Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican Jimmy Pharr in November.
The Club also endorsed Karen Howard, who currently represents District 1. She faces no primary challenge but will square off with Republican Jay Stobbs this fall.
“She supports energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in the County,” the club said. “She has fulfilled her promises to work to protect the environment in the county and we enthusiastically endorse her for another term.”