News Releases
Orange County, North Carolina
For additional information contact David Hunt, Information Specialist, (919) 245-2126.
Get email notification when a new release is posted.
November / December 2011
- Emergency Services Work Group Vacancies - December 29, 2011
- Rabies Report - December 21, 2011
- Small Business Loan Supports Microbrewery - December 19, 2011
- Emergency Services Work Group Vacancies - December 14, 2011
- Pelissier Elected BOCC Chair - December 6, 2011
- BOCC Volunteer Appointments - December 1, 2011
- Outside Agency Funding - November 23, 2011
- Support Social Services' Toy Chest - November 18, 2011
- Talbert Appointed Assistant County Manager - November 18, 2011
- Hillsborough Bus Route Update - November 10, 2011
- Addressing Ordinance Public Hearing - November 9, 2011
- Homeless Summit on Support Circles - November 2, 2011
Past Orange County News Releases Solid Waste News
BOCC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: December 29, 2011
Contact: Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones (919) 245-2125
Applicants Needed for Orange County Emergency Services Work Group
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting two (2) citizen volunteers for the Orange County Emergency Services Work Group. The work group will provide recommendations on improving emergency medical services including ambulance response time, fire department issues including items impacting home owner insurance ratings and radio communications improvements for medical, fire and law enforcement personnel. Community applicants represent someone who may need to call 9-1-1 at any time during an emergency. (Applicants do not need a background in emergency services.)
This work group will address issues related to improving public safety for the residents of Orange County, such as:
- E911 Communications Center Improvement Plan;
- Discussion with the Board of Commissioners regarding plans to improve the EMS delivery system;
- Review of Fire Department issues relating to fire protection districts, fire insurance districts, and fire tax districts as related to property insurance ratings.
- Review of the VIPER ( Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) original design and implementation and strategies to improve coverage and capacity.
If interested, apply online at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/boards/apply.asp .
For additional information select "Orange County Emergency Services Work Group" under "Boards and Commissions Listing" or call Donna Baker (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones (919) 245-2125.
Deadline for applications is January 13, 2012.
The Board of County Commissioners plans to make appointments for both positions at the January 24, 2012 meeting.
With over 30 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.
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Animal Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: December 21, 2011
Contact: Robert A. Marotto , Orange County Animal Services Director, (919) 968-2287
Orange County Tenth and Eleventh Rabies Occurrence for 2011
ORANGE COUNTY , NC – On Tuesday, December 20, Orange County Animal Services received two positive rabies results from the North Carolina Rabies Laboratory. One was for a skunk that was submitted because it was found dead in the pen of a dog at a residence on NC 57 several miles north of Hillsborough. The other was submitted because two household dogs had a deceased raccoon in their mouths at a Hurdle Mills residence in the vicinity of Hawkins Road and Highway 86.
As a result of the positive test results, Communicable Disease (CD) Nurses from Orange County’s Health Department have contacted the dogs at both households to evaluate their risk of rabies exposure. The concern in these cases is the possibility of secondary exposure since residents were not bitten by and did not handle the rabid animals.
In the case of the skunk, the dog’s owner patted the dog’s head after discovering the skunk. In the case of the rabid raccoon, the resident handled both dogs in order to get them penned after discovering that they both carried the rabid animal in their mouths. As is always the case, a decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in a situation of this kind.
These two cases underscore the critical importance of a current rabies vaccination. As both dogs were currently vaccinated in the case of the raccoon, they only need to receive a booster shot within one hundred and twenty hours (5 days), and they are scheduled for this shot today.
In the skunk case, by contrast, the dog was not currently vaccinated and consequently the owner surrendered the dog for euthanasia. Under North Carolina’s General Statutes, an unvaccinated dog must be destroyed to protect the health of the public unless it can be quarantined for a period of six (6) months. In most instances of this kind, the six (6) month quarantine is cost prohibitive since it is ordinarily conducted at an approved veterinary establishment.
As with any confirmed rabies case, this one underscores the importance of effective rabies control to ensure the health of people and their animal companions. Animal Services Director Bob Marotto stresses the importance of pet owner responsibility. "Being sure that your dog or cat is currently vaccinated can be the difference between their life and death when there is a rabies exposure,” Marotto said. “As important as having a current vaccination, knowing to call Animal Services immediately and booster your animal within the 120-hour period required by NC General Statute is also of extreme importance,” Marotto added.
These are the tenth and eleventh positive rabies results for Orange County in 2011. There were a total of eleven (11) positive cases for Orange County in 2010. The number of rabies cases last year (11) and the year before (12) are far fewer than in preceding years. However, rabies is known to cycle through a host or reservoir species over periods of time. In the case of Orange County, data from the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health suggests that this cycling occurs over time periods of several years.
The host species of rabies in our own region is raccoon, which is the dominant reservoir species. When any other animal contracts the virus, it is referred to as the “spillover effect.” The species that are most susceptible to getting rabies from raccoons are skunks, foxes, groundhogs, and dogs and cats.
The other host species of rabies in our own and other areas is the bat. Bats can infect a human without leaving a mark, so anyone finding a bat inside their home or other enclosure where they may have slept should be aware that unknown exposure is possible. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that Orange County residents immediately contact Animal Services. If an incident should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (911).
LOW-COST RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC THIS SATURDAY
The 2012 low-cost rabies vaccination clinics have been scheduled and are listed on the Animal Services website. The first clinic will be Saturday, January 28th from 10 am to 12 pm at the Animal Services Center, located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. Authorized by North Carolina State law, such clinics provide pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations while ensuring that pets have a current vaccination. The schedule for low-cost clinics is available on the Animal Services website ( www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices ).
RABIES RESOURCES
Animal Services now has a video collection of rabies resources from the Global Alliance for Rabies Control available on their website at www.co.orange.nc.us/animalservices/rabies.asp . The videos are broken into short installments and cover the following topics:
§ What is Rabies?
§ What Animals are Most Likely to be Rabid?
§ Rabies Symptoms
§ Rabies Diagnosis
§ Preventing Rabies
§ World Rabies Day
§ Rabies Medical Research
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Economic Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: December 19, 2011
Contact: Dottie Schmitt, Orange County Economic Development, (919) 245-2327
Orange County Small Business Loan Program Provides Funding to Hillsborough Microbrewery
HILLSBOROUGH, NC – Orange County’s Small Business Loan Program recently provided support to West Hillsborough’s newest business, Mystery Brewing Company, an artisanal brewery focused on creating distinctive beer. Their approach to their craft is summarized on the Mystery Brewing website (www.mysterybrewing.com): “Our mission is to create a cornucopia of high-quality, small-batch, rustic ales for the discriminating consumer, to test the boundaries of creativity and style. In short, to make outstanding beer.”
Orange County’s Director of Economic Development, Steve Brantley states that “The County is very pleased to be able to support the growing West Hillsborough Business District. This fine company will be a great new addition to the vibrant culture that helps define this community.” Mystery Brewing is also one of the collaborators behind a new retail venture offering supplies for home brewers. Nash Street Homebrew is also located in West Hillsborough, and will carry home brewing equipment, ingredients and recipes, and serve as a resource for all levels of home brewers.
The Loan Program is a revolving loan fund designed to foster small businesses development and expansion of local companies that may have limited access to conventional financing. This program is open to small businesses located in Orange County with gross revenues of less than $3 million. The program is managed through the County’s Economic Development office and administered by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of local business owners, bankers and staff representing several Orange County departments. For more information on this program contact Dottie Schmitt at Orange County Economic Development, 919-245-2327 (dschmitt@co.orange.nc.us).
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BOCC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: December 14, 2011
Contact: Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones (919) 245-2125
Applicants Needed for Orange County Emergency Services Work Group
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – One major way citizens can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to volunteer to serve on the various County advisory boards and commissions.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting two (2) citizen volunteers for the Orange County Emergency Services Work Group.
This work group will address issues related to improving public safety for the residents of Orange County, such as:
- Review of the VIPER ( Voice Interoperability Plan for Emergency Responders) original design and implementation and strategies to improve coverage and capacity;
- E911 Communications Center Improvement Plan;
- Discussion with the Board of Commissioners regarding plans to improve the EMS delivery system;
- Review of Fire Department issues relating to fire protection districts, fire insurance districts, and fire tax districts as related to property insurance ratings.
If interested, apply online at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/boards/apply.asp .
For additional information select "Orange County Emergency Services Work Group" under "Boards and Commissions Listing" or call Donna Baker (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones (919) 245-2125.
Deadline for applications is January 4, 2012.
With over 30 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.
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BOCC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Contact: Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, 919-245-2130
Bernadette Pelissier Elected Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – On Monday, December 5, 2011, during the annual Board organizational meeting, the Orange County Board of Commissioners elected Bernadette Pelissier as Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the year 2012. Immediately afterwards, Pam Hemminger was elected Vice Chair.
This is Commissioner Pelissier’s second term as Chair of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Hemminger is replacing Commissioner Yuhasz as Vice Chair.
Both the Chair and new Vice Chair have served on the Orange County Board of Commissioners since 2008.
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BOCC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: December 1, 2011
Contact: Donna S. Baker, Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, 919-245-2130
Orange County Announces Appointments to Advisory Boards and Commissions
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – On November 15, 2011 the Orange County Board of Commissioners appointed the following citizen volunteers to County advisory boards and commissions:
Volunteer Name Board Name
Ms. Katherine Doom Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Mrs. Brona Kay Wilbourne Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Mr. Arthur Sprinczeles Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Mr. Eric Roeder Orange County Parks & Recreation Council
Mr. Joel Bulkley Orange County Parks & Recreation Council
Mr. Neal Bench Orange County Parks & Recreation Council
Congratulations! The Board of Commissioners appreciates your willingness to serve your community.
With over 30 different boards and commissions, volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have an opportunity to influence the way of life in Orange County.
For additional volunteer opportunities check online at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/boards or call Donna Baker (919) 245-2130 or Jeanette Jones (919) 245-2125.
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Manager
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: November 23, 2011
Contact: Gwen Harvey, Assistant Orange County Manager, 919-245-2307
Orange County Outside Agency Funding Orientation
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – Each year Orange County invites outside agencies or non-profits to submit applications for general fund appropriations to support the delivery of vital community services which benefit County residents. Orange County Government recognizes and respects the strong network of services provided by non-profit partners. Many of these organizations help secure the social safety net for individuals and families stressed by the current economic environment.
Orange County will host an overview and orientation session on the FY 2012-2013 application process and budget cycle for the executive directors of outside agencies on Thursday, December 1, 2011 starting at 3:30 p.m. The session will take place at the Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. in Carrboro.
Orange County will also provide further information on the "guiding philosophy" for funding outside agencies recently adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.
Applications and instructions are available on the Orange County website http://www.co.orange.nc.us/hsa/ .
Completed applications and supporting materials are to be submitted electronically to Orange County Financial Services no later than Monday, January 30, 2012.
(CORRECTION - Applications due Friday, January 27, 2012.)
For additional information contact Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager, 919-245-2307.
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DSS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Contact: Sharron Hinton, Orange County Department of Social Services, 919-245-2800
Orange County Department of Social Services Seeks Assistance for Annual 'Toy Chest' Event
HILLSBOROUGH, NC – Last December, Erin* braved the cold and joined hundreds of parents and guardians in a long line that snaked around the Orange County Department of Social Services Center. They had lined up — some as early as 5 a.m. — to participate in DSS’s annual Toy Chest event, which gives county parents an opportunity to choose Christmas gifts for their children. To say she was grateful for the opportunity is an understatement.
“I was amazed and humbled by the number of people who walked through the rooms full of gifts,” she wrote in a letter to the department. “As a result of your generosity, my son received several gifts that remain his favorites — including a book that we’ve read together hundreds of times, sometimes more than six times a day.
“I wanted to take the chance to say thank you to everyone who helped give huge smiles to hundreds of Orange County children.”
This year, the department plans to continue giving smiles to thousands of underprivileged county children. But we need your help. The Toy Chest, which is coordinated in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program and local community donors, last year collected more than 6,700 toys for almost 3,200 children. This year, given the current economic climate, the department anticipates an even greater need. Your involvement could mean the difference in one family’s holiday.
The department is seeking organizations that will collect toys, donate money or volunteer at the Toy Chest event, which will run from Dec. 17-20 at the Orange County Department of Social Services Center in Hillsborough. DSS representatives will make arrangements to drop off and pick up any donation boxes.
Monetary donations using credit or debit cards can be made on the Toys for Tots Web site, http://hillsborough-nc.toysfortots.org, and individuals who want to drop off a gift can find Toys for Tots box locations on the site as well. You can also submit a check or cash donation to the DSS Center, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC, 27378. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please call Rebekah Clairmont or Sharron Hinton at (919) 245-2800.
We hope that you can help us provide families, as Erin wrote, “far more magic than we would otherwise have been able to.”
(* name changed for client privacy)
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Manager
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Contact: Frank Clifton, Orange County Manager, 919-245-2300
Talbert Appointed Assistant Orange County Manager
HILLSBOROUGH, NC – Orange County Manager Frank Clifton announced the promotion of Michael S. Talbert to Assistant County Manager, effective Monday, November 21, 2011.
Talbert has served as Interim Assistant Orange County Manager since May 5 of this year when the previous Assistant County Manager, Willie Best, was out on medical leave and has since retired. Talbert served in a dual capacity as he continued his role as Deputy Financial Services Director, a position he has held since September 20, 2010. Talbert started with Orange County in December, 2009 in a temporary position with Financial Services.
Talbert will assist the County Manager in directing departments and programs in Orange County Government. Immediate focus for Talbert will be to provide guidance during the transition of Solid Waste landfill services and infrastructure upgrades in the Emergency Services Department. Talbert will also provide leadership and guidance to a variety of County departments that provide either direct citizen service or internal support to departments.
Talbert has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Economics from Elon College, as well as specialized training including the Public Executive Leadership Academy from the University of North Carolina School of Government.
Before joining Orange County’s leadership team, Talbert served as County Manager of Polk County and Finance Director of Catawba County.
“Michael’s professional knowledge and experiences elsewhere in North Carolina county governments provide Orange County with a great resource,” Clifton stated. There should be no bumps in the road as Talbert removes interim from his title. “Michael has been a valuable asset to the County especially during the last six months working double duty,” Clifton added.
Talbert is excited about the new position. “I look forward to new challenges and working together with local elected officials with the County, towns and schools and with the Orange County management team to make a positive impact on the quality of life for the people of Orange County.”
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Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: November 10, 2011
Contact: Al Terry, Orange County Transportation, 919-245-2002
Margaret Hauth, Town of Hillsborough Planning Director, 919-732-1270 Ext. 86
(This is a joint release from Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough.)
Hillsborough's In-Town Bus Route to Roll Out New Schedule
HILLSBOROUGH, NC – Hillsborough’s free bus service is getting a tune-up.
Starting Nov. 14, the in-town bus will operate on a new schedule with additional stops and a re-ordering of the stops to make the service more rider-friendly. The tweaks are based on ridership suggestions collected since the route began in June.
The bus service, provided by the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County, will continue running Monday-Friday but will start one hour later at 8 a.m. and end one hour earlier at 5 p.m.
Runs will start at 8, 9, 10 and 11 a.m. with a break in service from noon to 1 p.m. The original route had a two-hour break from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Afternoon runs will start at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
New stops will include Food Lion off South Churton Street; Coachwood Apartments off Oakdale Drive; and the business district at South Nash and Calvin streets, where businesses like Hillsborough BBQ Company and The Depot at Hillsborough Station are located.
The circulator route serves various residential areas around town, as well as the library; Orange County Courthouse; Social Services Center; the Shops at Daniel Boone area; UNC Family Practice; Durham Tech; the Hampton Pointe and Maxway shopping centers; and the Meadowlands business park.
It connects to Triangle Transit’s 420 bus route to Chapel Hill at Durham Tech’s Orange County campus, where a park-and-ride lot exists.
The in-town service is provided through a three-year grant from the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. DOT waived the local match requirement of 20 percent for the first year. For the remaining years, Hillsborough will provide the local match of about $22,000, while the county will operate the service at no additional cost to the town. The service is expected to cost about $110,000 annually, not including the cost of the bus.
Throughout the grant period, ridership will be evaluated by the town and county to determine whether and how to continue the service. If continued service is desired, other funding sources will be investigated.
The bus’s route and schedule are posted on the home page and Parking and Transportation page of Hillsborough’s Web site. The information also can be found on the Transportation pages of Orange County’s Web site, www.co.orange.nc.us/transportation.
Brochures with the route and schedule are available at Town Hall, 101 E. Orange St.; the Town Hall Annex, 137 N. Churton St.; and the Hillsborough police substation, 501 Rainey Ave.
Citizens also can view a video about the new route on Hillsborough’s government access channel, Channel 18, as well as the town and county’s transportation web pages. Posters on the route are in areas served by the bus.
For more information, contact Orange Public Transportation at 919-245-2008. Direct feedback to Transportation Manager Al Terry at 919-245-2002 or aterry@co.orange.nc.us.
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BOCC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: November 9, 2011
Contact: Steve Averett, Orange County GIS Director, 919-245-2501
Orange County to Hold Public Hearing on Addressing Ordinance
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – Orange County maintains nearly 23,000 addresses and 2,000 unique streets in its jurisdiction.
On November 15, 2011 the Orange County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive input on the proposed address and road naming ordinance. The meeting at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The proposed addressing and road naming ordinance will provide Orange County the authority to correct issues and ensure efficient delivery of emergency services.
Nearly 10% of the addressable structures in Orange County do not display addresses correctly, addresses are out of sequence, or are addressed to the wrong road. The biggest impact will be to private unnamed drives that have three or more addressable structures. Less than 100 private drives will need to be named and the associated structures re-addressed.
If adopted, the ordinance will go into effect after twelve months. During that year, County staff will be conducting an educational campaign for property owners on the ordinance requirements.
This effort is being led by the Orange County Information Technologies’ GIS division. The department is responsible for assigning addresses and road names into the 9-1-1 address database used by Orange County Emergency Services.
To read the proposed ordinance, go to the main Orange County website, www.co.orange.nc.us and look under “What’s New.”
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Homelessness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: November 2, 2011
Contact: Jamie Rohe, Orange County Homeless Program Coordinator, 919-245-2496
Support Circles for the Homeless Summit
ORANGE COUNTY, NC – The public is invited to attend the Summit on Support Circles for our Homeless to be held Friday, November 18, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The summit, hosted by Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness, will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael Street in Chapel Hill. Register for the summit, which includes lunch, by November 11th, 2011 by contacting Tish Galu, 919-225-2986, galump@centurylink.net or Jane Hathaway, 919-612-2759, janehnc@nc.rr.com.
Support Circles for the homeless are teams of 8-10 volunteers that partner with individuals and/or families who are experiencing - or are at risk of - homelessness and who are transitioning out of homelessness into permanent housing. A Support Circle can be a congregation or several congregations from a faith community, a group of work colleagues or a group of friends and family.
Support Circle teams provide their partners with practical support such as taking them grocery shopping or to appointments, helping work out budgets, tutoring for GED classes or other assistance their partners may need. They also provide financial support for costs associated with moving into housing such as security deposits, furnishings, etc. Most importantly, team members meet regularly with their partners to share information, build relationships and function as a support system.
Wake County has had successful Support Circles for eight years and they will help train teams in Orange County. “Having community members become support networks provides another effective tool for helping change the lives of homeless individuals and families,” says Tish Galu, Executive Team Member of the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness.
“We are very appreciative of our Support Circle and we love them for their kindness and understanding. The best outcome of the Support Circle is that it provides the tools needed for me to eventually be able to provide for my family independently,” a quote from a Hurricane Katrina victim who was partnered with a Support Circle in Wake County.
“Support Circles represent social action at its best - community members assisting individuals in transitioning out of homelessness in a holistic and supportive manner,” says Bernadette Pelissier, Chair of the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness and of the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Come to the Summit on Support Circles for Our Homeless to learn how it all works - you can make the difference!
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