VOLUME 146 ISSUE 52 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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BRIEF this week
Lane closures on US 421 NCDOT contractors will perform lane closures on U.S. 421 starting this week, between Carter Brooks Road and U.S. 64. Crews from Boggs Contracting will alternate between the north and south bound lanes, resurfacing the route one lane at a time. The daily closures, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., will be continuous until the project’s completion in early June, weather permitting.
Guidelines for political signs along roadways NCDOT reminds campaign advocates that there are legal requirements for placing political signs along state-maintained roadsides: Signs can Signs can be placed 30 days prior to early voting, and up to 10 days following the primary election date. The signs must be within 3 feet of the road pavement and should not exceed 42 inches in height. Signs should not obscure driver visibility at any intersection. Those placing signs must obtain permission from property owners of a residence, business or religious institution.
82 rehabilitated sea turtles released Cold-stunned sea turtles rehabilitated by the NC Aquarium were recently released by Coasties at Station Hatteras Inlet and from Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder at Ford Macon. The release of the turtles, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley species, helped make room at the aquarium for 62 other coldstunned patients currently being cared for at aquarium facilities around the state. If you find a stranded sea turtle in North Carolina, call 252-241-7367.
ENA SELLERS | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp speaks about the new granular activated carbon advanced filtration system, with House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D) on the right, at the Pittsboro Water Treatment Facility on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Pittsboro mayor, Leader Reives, AG call for oversight, holding water polluters accountable By Ena Sellers Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO – Dwarfed by one of the state’s first granular activated carbon advanced filtration systems a trio of government officials gathered at the Pittsboro Water Treatment plant to address the town’s ongoing water issues. Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp, NC House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D - Chatham, Randolph) and NC Attorney General Josh Stein (D) spoke to the press on Thursday, Feb. 15 to bring attention to ongoing government actions meant to protect the health of the community and hold accountable those responsible for water pollution.
“The shadow of contamination has loomed large over these waters, and the issues we face with pollutants entering our water supply have not only threatened our environment, but the health and well-being of our community,” said Mayor Shipp, addressing the harmful substances that for years have been discharged into the Haw River. “Our response to these challenges has been multifaceted and unprecedented. We have done rigorous testing to understand the extent of the pollution, engage experts and community members alike to prepare for, respond to, and work to prevent the pollutants from entering our drinking water,” Shipp said, reiterating the town’s resolve in pro-
Early voting underway in Chatham County Chatham News & Record PHOTO COURTESY U.S.C.G CUTTER RICHARD SNYDER
A crewmember prepares to release a small green sea turtle overboard into warm ocean water.
There are 60,949 registered voters in Chatham County, with just over 21,000 registered Democrats, nearly 15,000 registered Republicans and some 25,000 undeclared independents.
PITTSBORO — In-person early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina. Statewide, more than 340 early voting sites are open for early voting ahead of the primary. “In-person early voting is one of the ways voters can cast ballots securely in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work at each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to ensure the ballots of eligible voters are counted.” Over 113,000 votes have already been cast, with 1,500 thus far in Chatham County. There are 60,949 registered voters in Chatham County as of Feb. 17, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections. The county has just over 21,000 registered Democrats, nearly 15,000 registered Republicans and some 25,000 undeclared independents. The county has five early voting sites open through the end of the early voting period, which ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m. Those sites are located at: Goldston Town Hall, 40 Coral Ave. #A in Goldston; CCCC’s Health Science Building at 75 Ballentrae Ct. in Pittsboro; the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center at 1192 US Hwy 64 W. Business in Pittsboro; Holland’s Chapel AME Zion Church at 360 Burgess Rd. In Apex; and the National Guard Armory at 801 Alston Bridge Rd. in Siler City.
tecting access to clean drinking water. Pittsboro spent over $3 million to install the granular activated carbon advanced filtration system, exceeding expectations on removing contaminants. The system treats the water for unregulated contaminants such as 1,4-Dioxane, PFAS, PFOS, and PFOA. “The test results show a 90% plus removal of PFAS compounds,” Shipp said, going to express his gratitude neighboring Sanford, Burlington and Greensboro for working collaboratively to identify sources of pollution and improve the water system. Mayor Shipp was recently appointed to the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee
where he will work on a number of issues of local concern, including PFAS contamination. Leader Reives noted the residential and business growth Chatham is seeing and the challenges that accompany it. “With growth comes challenges, particularly with water and sewer infrastructure,” he said. “Tens of millions of dollars have come into Pittsburgh and surrounding areas for drinking water projects, but there will always be additional need.” The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners this week approved the filing of a lawsuit against Apollo Chemical for violations of the Clean Water Act related to See WATER, page A9
Tri-Share pilot seeks to improve child care affordability By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In a move aimed at addressing the critical issue of affordable and accessible child care, Chatham has been chosen as one of the eligible counties for North Carolina’s new Tri-Share Child Care pilot program. The Tri-Share pilot seeks to create public/private partnerships to improve child care affordability by sharing the burden equally between employers, eligible employees, and the state. Inspired by Michigan, which in 2021 was the first state to launch a Tri-Share program, the pilot was also designed with an eye on employers being able to retain and attract employees as well as being an effort to secure and strengthen childcare businesses in the state. To qualify for Tri-Share, families need to be employed with a participating business and have a household income between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty level,
roughly $58,000 to $93,000 for a family of four. Employers interested in joining the program are encouraged to reach out to Partners for Children & Families or their local Smart Start partnership for further information. A list of Smart Start Local Partnerships can be found by visiting: smartstart.org/ smart-start-in-your-community/ Tri-Share’s funding was part of the 2023 state budget and included $900,000 in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The funds will be equally divided among three regionSee CHILDCARE, page A7
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