VOLUME 146 ISSUE 39 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Chatham County to launch upgraded job application system Those seeking employment with Chatham County will soon have an easier time thanks to an upgraded job application system going live at the beginning of December. Perhaps the biggest upgrade will allow applicants to create an account and apply for several positions at once without filling out multiple applications. It will also be possible to save incomplete applications for later submission, and job hunters will receive a confirmation when their application is submitted and received. An important note, however, is that anyone with an active application in the system for an “Open Until Filled” job will need to resubmit their application using the new system. Access the new system after December 4 at chathamcountync.gov.
NC passenger train ridership hits new highs NC By Train’s Carolinian and Piedmont services have achieved their highest ever monthly ridership, with 65,980 passengers in October. This surge reflects a growing trend in train travel’s popularity in North Carolina, supporting the Department of Transportation’s vision for a diverse transportation network. The first three quarters of 2023 saw NC By Train carrying 449,898 passengers, a 23% increase over the 2022 record of 366,685. The third quarter alone marked a historic high with 163,623 customers, the best in its 33-year history. A fifth daily round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte was added in July, helping increase carrying capacity.. NCDOT highlights the convenience of NC By Train, with amenities like spacious seats, charging outlets, and free WiFi, plus various discounts for different passenger groups. As event seasons ramp up, they encourage utilizing train travel for a stress-free journey to numerous North Carolina events.
PJ WARD-BROWN | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Fire apparatus and personnel from numerous local communities help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Siler City Fire Department. SCFD Engine 912 leads the procession in Siler City, on November 18, 2023.
Siler City FD celebrates a century of service 100 years of firefighting history and tradition
By Jordan Golson and PJ Ward-Brown Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — The Siler City Fire Department, with a little help from neighboring fire agencies, celebrated its 100th anniversary in style this past weekend, marking a significant milestone in its history of serving the Siler City community and surrounding areas. This event not only commemorated the department’s centennial but also highlighted its evolution and vital role in the community. Chief Scott Murphy, reflecting on the department’s journey, noted the celebration was not just about the achievements of the current team of seven career and 40 volunteer members, but also a tribute to the predecessors who laid the foundation. “We’re not just celebrating
PJ WARD-BROWN | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Commissioner Causey gives Siler City Fire Chief Scott Murphy and Mayor Chip Price a 100 years of service letter during the 100th Anniversary of the Siler City Fire Department in Siler City, NC on November 18. not my guys and what we’ve accomplished,” said Chief Murphy. “We’re trying to celebrate what was accomplished by the
people who came before us, the ones who started this and kept it going into a tradition that now we have to keep it going.”
The Siler City Fire Department is responsible for protecting approximately 12,000 people within a 60 square mile area. Tracing its roots back to 1896, the Town Commissioners of Siler City took the first steps towards organized fire protection by appropriating $20 to buy ladders for use in case of fire, according to the history of the department on its website. Though the formal organization of the Siler City Volunteer Fire Department occurred in October 1926 with Thomas J. Dark as its first Chief, the first organization of local firemen dates to 1923. The department’s history is filled with anecdotes of innovation and community spirit. From pulling hose carts by hand to upgrading to a flatbed truck for transporting hoses, each step marked progress. Their first major vehicle, a flatbed truck secured by V. M. Dorsett, district manager for International Harvester, was a source of pride for the firemen, reflecting the community’s support and the firemen’s dedication. The firehouse, historically located between the First Baptist Church and Smith and Buckner, featured a siren audible for five See FIRE DEPT., page A10
Chatham school system part of pandemic recovery network Chatham News & Record COURTESY IMAGE
A rendering of a UNC Health facility in Chatham Park is featured in image courtesy of UNC Health.
UNC Health will expand services in Chatham Chatham News & Record CHAPEL HILL — UNC Health has acquired a 43-acre site within Chatham Park, the large-scale development project in Pittsboro. The acqui-
sition signifies a substantial expansion of UNC Health’s services in Chatham County, where it already operates several facilities. See UNC HEALTH, page A7
SILER CITY — Some students in North Carolina are still struggling with academic progress due to impacts from interrupted educational programs following government-mandated shutdowns of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chatham County Schools is among the sixteen public school districts selected to be part of the North Carolina Recovery Practitioners Network. This network seeks to assist in developing recovery-focused interventions and evaluation plans as schools continue to deal with the aftermath of the pandemic. CCS was allocated more than $21 million from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund, of which it has expended $18.4 million. These funds have
been directed towards various educational initiatives, including the hiring of new personnel and the enhancement of summer programs. With most of the ESSER funds set to expire by the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the district is at a juncture where it must plan for the future without this federal support. The formation of the N.C. Recovery Practitioners Network coincides with the timeline for the expiration of these See PANDEMIC, page A7
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