|
New middle
school back on track for 2009
By John Hunter
A new $27
million public middle school to be built in the Briar Chapel
community north of Pittsboro is back on track for construction to
begin this year.
In late
2008, Chatham County commissioners said construction of the new
school would be delayed because of the current unstable economic
climate, but county officials now say they anticipate they will be
able to borrow the approximately $27 million construction cost for
the school in March.
After reevaluating the
county’s anticipated level of capital funding and dedicated
revenues, county finance officer Vicki McConnell said Monday the
county can proceed with building the middle school.
more- See Thursday,
January 8,
2009
edition
Meetings
planned on revaluation
Chatham
County property owners can learn more about the 2009 revaluation of
county property through five presentations offered by the Tax
Office. Notices of new valuations of real estate property will be
mailed out to property owners in early February.
"The sessions will help
people better understand the revaluation of real estate property,
which is understandably a confusing process. In difficult economic
times, it is especially important that the Tax Office do its best to
provide residents with accurate information on revaluation and give
them chances to have their questions answered," said Tax
Administrator Tina Stone.
more- See Thursday,
January 8,
2009
edition
New tool will
help police end pursuits
By
Bill Willcox
Siler City
police have a new tool to stop anyone who is trying to elude them.
They are
stop sticks, which are tire deflation devices that, when pulled
across the road, will stop any vehicle that passes over them.
The Siler
City Police Department is finishing up training this week on how to
use the devices.
Encased in a
nylon sleeve to avoid injury, the sticks come in three-foot
sections, explained Maj. Bill Harman of the Siler City Police.
Officers lay
three sections end to end to make a nine-foot length. Spikes encased
in the triangular sleeves will puncture the tires on any vehicle
that passes over them.
The police
have 12 sets of the stop sticks.
Approximately 120,000 law enforcement vehicles in all 50 states use
the device, which has ended about 13,000 high speed chases. They are
manufactured by StopTech, Ltd.
Training is required to use
the devices because they are sometimes tricky to pull off the road
in a high-speed chase situation.
more- See Thursday,
January 8,
2009
edition
|
Authorities
probe cause of blaze that damaged Siler City residence
By Milburn Gibbs
Siler City
firefighters weathered cold and rain conditions to battle a blaze
that began on the second story of a home at the Siler City Country
Club Friday morning.
The cause of
the fire at the 31 Pinewood Drive home of Michael Crutchfield
remained under investigation this week, according to Siler City Fire
Department officials
The
residence was partly burned in the blaze, which officials say
apparently started on the second floor of the dwelling.
According to
Siler City Fire Chief Scott Murphy, the fire began at approximately
9:40 a.m. on Friday, January 2, beginning in an upstairs bedroom.
The
responding firemen were on the scene until 6 p.m. Friday night.
"There was
heat, smoke and water damage, primarily to the second floor," Murphy
said.
"Many
personal belongings were saved," he noted.
No one was
inside the residence when the fire erupted, Murphy said. No injuries
were reported.
On Monday,
there was no dollar figure for the damage yet.
"The fireman from Siler
City, Staley and Bonlee and First Health responded and were able to
salvage a large amount of contents," Murphy said.
more- See Thursday,
January 8,
2009
edition
County
advises of water change
By
Bill Willcox
From Jan. 15
to Feb. 15, Chatham County will temporarily stop adding ammonia to
its water treatment disinfection process, which will affect water
supplied to the northeast and southeast parts of the county.
County
officials say the water will still be safe for everyday use,
including drinking and cooking, but some special customers are
advised to take precautions.
"Kidney
dialysis patients and those who keep fish in ponds or tanks filled
with county water should take special precautions during this
one-month period," said Roy Lowder, director of Chatham County
Utilities. "These residents should treat county water to remove
chlorine during this time or use alternative water sources."
Also,
customers who pre-treat county water using their own processes, such
as filters or softeners, should be aware of the temporary change and
consult the manufacturer of their equipment for recommendations,
Lowder added.
"Typical
customers will only notice a slight reduction in the odor and taste
of chlorine during this period," Lowder said.
more- See Thursday,
January 8,
2009
edition
|
