VOLUME 147 ISSUE 12 | THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
INSIDE Cade Elmore fires a pitch during the first playoff game in Seaforth baseball history. For full coverage of the Hawks’ inaugural win, turn to page B1.
PJ BROWN-WARD / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
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BRIEF this week
CORA and DoorDash partner to deliver meals to kids Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA) Food Pantry, which provides meals and snacks — or CoraPacks — to Chatham County children facing food insecurity, has delivered more than 70,000 meals in partnership with DoorDash’s Project DASH to help ensure kids can access nutritious food without the social stigma associated with similar backpack programs. Working closely with Chatham County Schools and using DoorDash tech and delivery drivers, CORA Food Pantry provides monthly deliveries of nutritious food staples to 160 Chatham County children struggling with food insecurity. The packs include three meals and two snacks worth of food for each of the 116 days students aren’t in school, including weekends and holiday breaks.
UNC, Duke commencements see minor protest disruptions At UNC Chapel Hill, proPalestinian demonstrators splattered red paint on the steps of a building hours ahead of the school’s commencement ceremony and chanted on campus while students wearing light blue graduation gowns posed for photos. At Duke’s commencement, a small number of students walked out when the commencement speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who is Jewish, began speaking. Around the country, a number of other graduation ceremonies were disturbed by small protests, though most went off without a hitch.
NC officials dropped from ‘eCourts’ lawsuit alleging unlawful arrests Several state and local court officials have been removed from a federal lawsuit filed by people who allege the operation of North Carolina’s new electronic courts records system contributed to their unlawful arrest or extended jail detainment. Individual plaintiffs voluntarily ended civil claims against them this week. The Wake and Mecklenburg sheriffs and the company hired to develop the “eCourts” system remain defendants. The Administrative Office of the Courts began rolling out eCourts in February 2023, and it now covers 27 counties. The plaintiffs allege software errors and human errors have led to multiple arrests on the same warrants and extra time in jail.
PHOTO BY JOSH LAVALLEE / NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES
Home of the brave The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors before Game 3 of the NHL playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers at PNC Arena in Raleigh on May 9. From left to right, School Resource Officer Jason Kane, SSgt. Chris Marcum, SSgt. Tristan Lobe and Deputy Jessie Taub.
Music meets magic in Shakori Hills Welcoming vibes, diverse music and sustainable practices abound at Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival By Dan Reeves For Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Walking into Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, held this past weekend, the typical parking and entry head-
aches of events like these quickly disappear. The kind, welcoming staff and volunteers embodying the festival’s peaceful vibe invite each visitor to become part of a larger community. Stepping into Shakori Hills, a mystical and warming communal spirit is palpable. Children’s laughter, tribal drumming and the calming aroma of burning campfires fill the air. Artisans line the paths throughout the grounds, selling
homespun clothing, jewelry and visually stunning art. Enjoying a burrito from one of the many food vendors with his wife and two kids, first-timer Brian Mayor told me, “I’m here for all of it.” Anchored by a stellar lineup of artists spanning various genres, the festival had something for everyone. From folk and bluegrass to world music, jazz and Americana, the musical offerings were as diverse as the attendees. Headliners included Watch-
house (formerly Mandolin Orange), the Sam Grisman Project (led by the son of bluegrass legend David Grisman), Jupiter & Okwess, and Donna the Buffalo, promising a varied and unforgettable musical experience, with many of the nearly 7,000 attendees camping on the spacious, wooded grounds. While music is the main attraction, patrons also enjoy healSee SHAKORI, page A10
Siler City woman injured Pittsboro board in Randolph County crash considers 2025 budget A wreck near Eastern Randolph High saw one driver airlifted to the hospital Chatham News & Record Staff A SILER CITY woman was airlifted to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill from a crash near Eastern Randolph High School the afternoon of May 8. Asjiah Salome Rivera, 21, suffered serious injuries, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The incident occurred on U.S. 64 at Lee Layne Road in Randolph County. Rivera was traveling west on U.S. 64 in a 2010 Honda and failed to stop for the red light, according to the NC
Highway Patrol report. Her car collided with a 2007 Kenworth tractor trailer driven by Corey Lewis of Kernersville. Lewis was traveling north on Lee Lyne Road, crossing U.S. 64. Lewis, 38, was uninjured in the crash, the report said. The truck he was operating was from Gas Town, Inc., of Oak Ridge. After the wreck, the truck blocked the westbound lanes on U.S. 64, which remained closed for about two hours. The helicopter for the airlift landed on the high school’s grounds. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department, Franklinville Fire Department and other agencies responded to the crash.
The town’s property tax rate would hold at $0.44 By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record THE TOWN of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners met Monday to consider the budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. “The budget reflects the town board and staff’s commitment to providing high quality and low cost services that provide safe and secure neighborhoods that are fundamental to the quality of life and economic vitality that we seek,” said town manager Jonathan Franklin, who presented the proposal, put together by town staff, to the board. The proposed budget comes
in at $11,093,912, at an unchanged tax rate of $0.44. The budget includes a proposed municipal vehicle tax of $30 per vehicle annually, a $0.94 per month increase in solid waste rates to $11.28 annually, a 5.3% cost-of-living increase and a 2% merit bonus for town employees. It also includes funding for an additionSee PITTSBORO, page A2
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