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News Releases

Orange County, North Carolina

 

Media Contact: Carla Banks, Director of Public Affairs, 919.245.2302. 

Click here to receive e-mail notifications when a news release is posted.

 

May 2013

Solid Waste News Releases

Health Department News Releases

 

 

Orange County News Release - Archives

 

 


Animal Services Open House

 

Media Contact

Sarah Fallin, Program Coordinator

Phone: 919.942.7387 ext 224

sfallin@orangecountync.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE COUNTY INVITES PUBLIC TO ANIMAL SERVICES OPEN HOUSE

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 20, 2013)—Orange County Animal Services will be hosting its fourth annual Open House on Saturday, June 1, from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

The event will feature tours of the facility, videos of spay/neuter surgeries, canine demonstrations, free food, scavenger hunts, face painting, a kissing booth, and a host of other activities.  CLAWS, Inc. will feature select birds of prey. A number of other animal organizations will also be on site. 

The Open House sets the backdrop for the official kick-off to Cat Adoption Month, which will run for the entire month of June and feature adoption specials for select cats and kittens.

The Open House will take place at the Animal Services Center located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.  The Center will remain open for regular Saturday hours (including during the Open House) and adoptable animals will be available. 

Those visiting the Center between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and not picking up or dropping off an animal, should plan to park in the Eubanks Road Park & Ride lot, where a shuttle will be available to transport people to and from the facility. 

 

For more information about this and other events, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/animalservices/events.asp or call 919.942.7387. 

 

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Budget Documents 2013-14 Available Online

 

Media Contact

Clarence Grier, CFO

Financial & Administrative Services 

Phone: 919.245.2450

cgrier@orangecountync.gov

                                                

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE COUNTY POSTS 2013-14 BUDGET DOCUMENTS ONLINE

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 20, 2013)—The Orange County Financial and Administrative Services Department has posted the County’s budget document and capital investment plan online for the public to review.

 

The financial documents for fiscal year 2013 – 2014 are available at

http://orangecountync.gov/finance/budget.asp

 

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners will hold two public hearings regarding the County Manager’s Recommended Fiscal Year 2013-14 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Plan.

The first hearing will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at the Department of Social Services, Hillsborough Commons, 113 Mayo Street, in Hillsborough. 

The second hearing will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, in Chapel Hill.

The Commissioners invite residents who wish to speak about the budget or capital investment plan to provide written or oral comments at one of the public hearings. Those who cannot attend the public hearings may submit written comments via e-mail at dbaker@orangecountync.gov or by postal mail:

Orange County Board of County Commissioners

P.O. Box 8181

Hillsborough, NC 27278

Copies of the recommended operating budget and capital investment plan will be available for public inspection beginning on Wednesday, May 22, during regular operating hours in the following locations:

 

  • County Finance and Administrative Services Office, Link Government Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough
  • Office of the Clerk to the Board, Link Government Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough
  • Orange County Main Library, 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
  • Carrboro Branch Library located at McDougle School, 900 Old Fayetteville Road, Chapel Hill
  • Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill

 

For more information, please contact Clarence G. Grier at 919.245.2453 or send an e-mail to cgrier@orangecountync.gov

 

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Library Dig Into Reading Program

 

Media Contact

Jessica Arnold, Teen & Adult Programs

 jarnold@orangecountync.gov

Debbie Shreve, Youth Programs

dshreve@orangecountync.gov

Orange County Main Library

Phone: 919.245.2525

 

Samantha Thorne, Carrboro Programs

sthorne@orangecountync.gov

OCPL Carrboro Branch Library

Phone: 919.969.3006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY INTRODUCES ‘DIG INTO READING’

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 17, 2013)—The Orange County Public Library (OCPL) invites youth, teens and adults to participate in the “Dig Into Reading” summer reading program in Hillsborough and Carrboro. Registration begins on Saturday, June 1 and programs will continue through the end of July.  

With a large selection of books and e-books, as well as performances, programs and prizes, the summer reading program offers something for everyone.   The only requirement to participate is a current Orange County Public Library (OCPL) card, which is free to Orange County residents.

Summer reading is not complete without great prizes and OCPL is offering a variety of prizes this year.  Children can earn bookmarks, stickers and small prizes.  Teens and adults can enter drawings for books, gift certificates and the chance to win one of two Kindle Fire e-reader tablets, donated by the Friends of the Orange County Public Library.

Read more about OCPL’s summer reading program at

http://www.orangecountync.gov/library/summerreading2013.asp or review the library’s complete calendar of events at http://bit.ly/ocplevents

 

For youth (ages 1 - 11):

The summer reading program kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the Main Library located at 137 W. Margaret Lane in Hillsborough. Local author and Piedmont Laureate John Claude Bemis will lead a conversation with four of the Triangle's most exciting children's book writers: Clay Carmichael, Frances O'Roark Dowell, Kelly Starling Lyons, and Cate Tiernan. The authors will share stories about why they became writers, what books have inspired them and they will share advice for writers.

“Dig Into Reading” youth participants are invited to attend age-appropriate programs and performances on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes story times, LEGO programs, live animal programs, magic shows, a puppet show, a theater performance, and a musical performance!

Children who join the summer reading club can keep a record of the books they read during the summer, and bring their reading record to the library each week to receive prizes. In lieu of receiving prizes, children can also submit “Book Bucks” and choose a book to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House or Orange Congregations in Mission Samaritan Relief program. All children who read to give a book will have their name and “Book Buck” posted on a special scroll in the Orange County Main Library.

 

For teens (ages 12 - 18):

From crafts, to gaming, to movies, there are lots of summer activities for teens to “dig into” at OCPL.

Among the planned programs, teens are invited to get their hands dirty at two Crafts That Rock events. Message stones will be made out of cement on June 19, at 3:00 p.m. and jewelry-making from found rocks will take place on July 24, at 3:00 p.m. 

The ever-popular Teen Game Day returns July 19, at 3:00 p.m., with a Wii, Xbox, 360 Kinect, board games, cards, and more.

And the Teen Book Club will meet at 6:00 p.m. on June 12 and July 10.

For adults (ages 18 and older):

Ever heard of geocaching? It’s a real-world treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates to uncover hidden containers. With 50 geocaches located within three miles of the Main Library, come try this fun activity on June 3, at 6:00 p.m.

Learn how to go from garbage to garden in the Get Started with Composting workshop on June 18, at 6:00 p.m., then join Edible Books, a potluck book talk on June 26, at 6:00 p.m. where people will share dishes inspired by books.

Finally, is history one of your interests? Dig into North Carolina history with a talk on July 29, at 6:00 p.m. about the experiences of women and civilians in North Carolina during the Civil War. 

 

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Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

 

Media Contact

Sheronda Witter

Cooperative Extension Service 

Phone: 919.245.2057

 sheronda_witter@ncsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE COUNTY ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINING

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 17, 2013)—The Orange County 4-H Cooperative Extension Service in collaboration with the Chapel Hill Carrboro YMCA invites residents to participate in the Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training.

The training class will take place on Thursday, May 30, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Food Lab located at 306 Revere Road in Hillsborough.  

Stewards of Children is a free, three-hour training designed to educate adults about how to recognize, prevent and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse, while placing emphasis on child safety.  

The goal of the training is to educate and prepare the community to deal with and prevent child sexual abuse. It is the only nationally available program proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change child-protective behaviors.

This revolutionary program is geared toward responsible adults who care about the welfare of children. It is also appropriate for sports leagues, day care centers, after school programs, children's clubs, church groups, etc. A total of three training hour credits are available. 

To register for this training, please contact Sheronda Witter at 919.245.2057 or send an e-mail to sheronda_witter@ncsu.edu.

For more information about Stewards of Children or Darkness to Light initiatives, please visit www.CHCYMCA.org/D2L

 

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Public Hearings: 2013- 14 Budget

 

Media Contact

Clarence Grier, CFO

Financial & Administrative Services 

Phone: 919.245.2450

cgrier@orangecountync.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE COUNTY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING: 2013-14 BUDGET

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 16, 2013)--The Orange County Board of County Commissioners will hold two public hearings regarding the County Manager's Recommended Fiscal Year 2013- 14 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Plan.

The first hearing will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at the Department of Social Services, Hillsborough Commons, 113 Mayo Street, in Hillsborough. 

The second hearing will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, in Chapel Hill.

The Commissioners invite residents who wish to speak about the budget or capital investment plan to provide written or oral comments at one of the public hearings. Those who cannot attend the public hearings may submit written comments via e-mail at dbaker@orangecountync.gov or by postal mail:

Orange County Board of County Commissioners

P.O. Box 8181

Hillsborough, NC 27278

Copies of the recommended operating budget and capital investment plan will be available for public inspection beginning on Wednesday, May 22, during regular operating hours in the following locations:

 

  • County Finance and Administrative Services Office, Link Government Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough
  • Office of the Clerk to the Board, Link Government Services Center, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough
  • Orange County Main Library, 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
  • Carrboro Branch Library located at McDougle School, 900 Old Fayetteville Road, Chapel Hill
  • Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill

 

The budget document and capital investment plan will also available online beginning on Wednesday, May 22, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/hottopic.asp

For more information, please contact Clarence G. Grier at 919.245.2453 or send an e-mail to cgrier@orangecountync.gov

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Health Department Strategic Plan

 

Media Contact

Stacy Shelp

Communications Manager 

Orange County Health Department

Phone: 919.245.2462

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECEIVES PERFECT SCORE FOR

STRATEGIC PLAN

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 14, 2013)—The Orange County Health Department is proud to announce its 2013 Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Plan received a perfect score of 100, during this year’s annual review.  

The review is based on more than 90 points of criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and State Division of Public Health. This plan is updated and maintained by the County’s public health preparedness coordinator.

“Receiving this score speaks to the hard work and dedication required to develop the SNS Plan. Achieving this would not be possible without the support and participation of several County departments and inter-government agencies,” said Pat Gentry Orange County’s public health preparedness coordinator.

The process involves a collaborative effort between the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Chapel Hill Police Department, Carrboro Police Department, Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Orange County Emergency Services.  

“Working together we have been successful in building a stronger more prepared community,” said Dr. Colleen Bridger, director of the Orange County Health Department.

For more information about the Strategic National Stockpile Plan, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/stockpile/stockpile.htm

 

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BOCC

 

Media Contact

Donna Baker

Clerk to the Board of Orange County Commissioners

Phone: 919.245.2130

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY BOCC SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 13, 2013)— Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, the Orange County Board of Commissioners provides notice of the following meetings.  A majority of the Orange County Commissioners may attend this event making the event subject to open meetings laws.

 - - - CANCELED - - -

Orange County staff will be providing a parks tour for new BOCC members on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., starting at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill.  A majority of the Orange County Commissioners may attend this event.

Orange County Schools staff will be providing a schools/facilities tour for BOCC members on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  The tour will start at the Orange County Schools Board of Education Office, 200 East King Street in Hillsborough.  A majority of the Orange County Commissioners may attend this event.

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Measles in Orange County

 

Media Contact

Stacy Shelp, Public Information Officer

Phone: 919.245.2462

sshelp@orangecountync.gov

POTENTIAL MEASLES EXPOSURE AT YOUTH BASEBALL GAMES IN HILLSBOROUGH, NC

Orange County, NC (May 9, 2013)—The Orange County Health Department is reporting that people attending two Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association (HYAA) baseball games may have been exposed to measles. 

One game was on Friday, May 3, at 6:00 p.m. at the Cedar Grove Park (Field #2) in Cedar Grove, NC.  The other game was at the Exchange Club Park in Hillsborough, NC on Saturday, May 4, at 4:30 p.m.  

A person attending these games developed symptoms of measles on Sunday, May 5.  This would mean that he/she may have been contagious while at the games on Friday and Saturday.   This person had been fully vaccinated and had no reason not to be in public.  While fully vaccinated persons are considered to be more than 99% protected, persons that are fully vaccinated can develop disease in rare cases.

Measles is a viral illness that is spread through respiratory droplets.  Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that begins on the head and moves down. 

Persons born before 1957 are likely immune due to having had the disease as a child.   Most others are protected due to having received a measles-containing vaccine (MMR).  One dose of MMR has been required for childcare, school and university entry for many years.  Two doses of MMR are recommended and have been required for childcare, school and university entry in North Carolina for anyone entering after July 1, 1994. Most people who have measles recover without complications, but it is especially dangerous for pregnant women, infants and persons with other health conditions that would be complicated by measles.

If you attended the games on May 3 or 4, please be alert for symptoms that could occur anytime between May 10 and May 25.  If you develop symptoms, stay home and CALL your medical provider to be tested. 

If you were born 1957 or later and do not have confirmation of having received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR), it is recommended that you consult your medical provider or local health department to receive the vaccine.  Getting vaccinated now will not provide protection for this specific exposure, but would provide future protection.

For more information about measles, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/measles/

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Cooperative Extension Summer Camp

 

Media Contact

Shelia Beasley

4-H Cooperative Extension Service 

Phone: 919.245.2056

shelia_beasley@ncsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORANGE COUNTY 4-H ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR

SUMMER SIZZLE CAMP

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 9, 2013)—The Orange County 4-H Cooperative Extension Service is accepting registration for its annual five week Summer Sizzle Camp.

The summer camp is available Monday - Friday from 7:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., beginning the week of June 17 - July 19. Parents can register for camp on a weekly basis.

The program offers action-packed activities for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  Each week will feature field trips and hands-on activities in areas, such as Arts & Crafts, Sports, Cooking, and Health & Wellness. The campers will explore science, technology and math, while also participating in bowling, skating, swimming, and much more. 

Participants must be willing to take part in outdoor activities, attend field trips and function in a group setting.

Registration is $100/week for the full day program. No pro-rated fees accepted.  A one-time $50.00 deposit is required to sign-up, regardless of the number of weeks selected.

The deposit will go toward the payment of the participant’s first week of camp. If the participant does not attend on the week registered, the deposit is non-refundable.

The registration fee covers supplies, supervision, entrance/activity fees, accident insurance, transportation to field trips, and camp T-shirts. The program does not include lunch or transportation to and from camp.

For more information or to register, please contact Shelia Beasley at 919.245.2056, send an e-mail to shelia_beasley@ncsu.edu or visit www.orange.ces.ncsu.edu

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran’s status. In addition, the two universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and

local governments cooperating.

Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Sheronda Witter, 4-H Agent, at 919.245.2057 or sheronda_witter@ncsu.edu or fax 919.644.3067, or

in person at the County Extension Office at least 10 days prior to the event.

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Pocket Neighborhoods Presentation

 

Media Contact

Mary Fraser, Aging Transitions Administrator

Department on Aging

Phone: 919.245.4276

mfraser@orangecountync.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY PROMOTES POCKET NEIGHBORHOODS:

SMALL SCALE COMMUNITIES

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 9, 2013)–The Orange County Department on Aging invites the public to attend a presentation about Pocket Neighborhoods. This will be presented by Ross Chapin, an architect and author from the Pacific Northwest.

The presentation will take place on Tuesday, May 14, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Seymour Center, located at 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill.

Pocket Neighborhoods are small clusters of houses or apartments with a shared common area. The scale and attentive layout fosters interaction among neighbors, while preserving personal privacy. These communities connect neighbors in a web of care and support, while promoting a personal sense of belonging and safety, laying the foundation for resilient communities.

Chapin’s Pocket Neighborhoods presentation is geared towards professionals and the general public. He will share stories about communities from around the world, their historic precedents and the key design principles that give them vitality.

Space is limited. To make a reservation, please call the Department on Aging at 919.968.2070.

About Ross Chapin

Ross Chapin, FAIA, an architect, land planner and author from Seattle, WA, has pioneered the Pocket Neighborhood approach for 15 years. He has designed dozens of neighborhood plans for developers across the U.S. and Canada, and has been a development partner for six pocket neighborhoods, several of which have received national housing awards.  His book, Pocket Neighborhoods, was featured in USA Today, AARP Bulletin and Planetizen’s 2012 Top 10 list of urban planning books.

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National Travel & Tourism Week

 

Media Contact

Laurie Paolicelli

Director, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau

Phone: 919.968.2060

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY RECOGNIZES NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 8, 2013)—The Orange County Board of Commissioners presented a Proclamation on Tuesday, May 7, to recognize the week of May 4-12, 2013, as National Travel and Tourism Week in Orange County.

The national theme for this year is “Travel Effect.” In 2011, travel and tourism generated more than $150 million in Orange County as residents and tourists visited restaurants, shops, hotels and recreational venues.

National Travel and Tourism Week was established in 1983 when the U.S. Congress adopted a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May each year.

The week is designated to promote greater public awareness of the powerful economic, social and cultural importance of travel and tourism through local events and celebrations.

“Along with its economic benefits, travel and tourism has the power to improve relationships and to create lasting family memories. The Visitors Bureau encourages everyone to be a tourist in their own backyard and appreciate the wide range of tourism opportunities in Orange County,” said Laurie Paolicelli, director of the Visitors Bureau.

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, a division of Orange County, is located at 501 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.

For more information about the points of interest and tourism opportunities in Orange County, please visit www.orangecountync.gov or call 919.968.2060.

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Cooperative Extension Workshop

 

Media Contact

Deborah J. Taylor

Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences

 Phone: 919.245.2055

deborah_taylor@ncsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

ORANGE COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

TO CO-HOST ASSISTIVE DEVICES CLASS

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 6, 2013)—The Orange County Cooperative Extension will be co-hosting a class with the Orange County Extension and Community Association entitled, "Assistive Devices" on Thursday, May 16, at 3:30 p.m.

The class will meet at the Food Lab of the Environment and Agriculture Building, located at 306 Revere Road in Hillsborough. The deadline to register is on Monday, May 13.

The purpose of the class is to showcase a variety of low-tech and low cost gadgets and/or devices that are available to make daily activities (i.e. cooking, cleaning, hobbies, and taking care of personal needs) easier to perform and more manageable.  

Registration is available online at http://go.ncsu.edu/assistivedevices

For more information or to register by phone, please call Karin Cousineau at 919.245.2053.

 

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BOCC

 

Media Contact

Donna Baker

Clerk to the Board of Orange County Commissioners

Phone: 919.245.2130

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY BOCC SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 6, 2013)— Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, the Orange County Board of Commissioners provides notice of the following meeting.  A majority of the Orange County Commissioners may attend this event making the event subject to open meetings laws.

The meeting location has changed for the library strategic planning focus group session for this evening, Monday, May 6, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m.  The session that was to be held in a private residence in Cedar Grove has been relocated to the Environment and Agricultural Center, 306 Revere Road in Hillsborough, in the Cooperative Extension classroom.   

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BOCC

 

Media Contact

Donna Baker

Clerk to the Board of Orange County Commissioners

Phone: 919.245.2130

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY BOCC SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 3, 2013)— Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, the Orange County Board of Commissioners provides notice of the following meeting.  A majority of the Orange County Commissioners may attend this event making the event subject to open meetings laws.

 

A library strategic planning focus group session has been scheduled for Monday, May 6, 2013 starting at 6:00 p.m.  The session will be held in the home of Ms. Hattie Vanhook, 5608 Green Pine Road in Cedar Grove.

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Walnut Grove Convenience Center

Media Contact

Gayle Wilson, Director

Orange County Solid Waste Management

Phone: 919.968.2788

recycling@orangecountync.gov  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

ORANGE COUNTY TO RE-OPEN WALNUT GROVE CHURCH ROAD

SOLID WASTE CONVENIENCE CENTER

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 3, 2013)—The Orange County Solid Waste Management Department is announcing the successful completion of the remodeling, site improvements, new equipment installation, new signage, and final paving at the Solid Waste Convenience Center on Walnut Grove Church Road in Hillsborough. 

The gates will open at 7:00 a.m. on Friday May 10, providing full service to Orange County residents.

                                                                                                

The Walnut Grove Solid Waste Convenience Center includes the following amenities:

 

  • Fully paved surfaces to control dust, mud and runoff
  • Compactors with low loading height for household waste, bulky items, corrugated cardboard, and single stream recycling
  • Dropped-level containers for yard waste, tires, scrap metal, bulky waste, and large appliances for easier disposal
  • Separate routing for County trucks, plus improved entry and exit for added safety
  • Household Hazardous Waste collection for paint, pesticides, chemicals, fluorescent lights, and other toxic items found in the home
  • Food waste collection for composting (the first residential food waste drop-off in NC)
  • Used cooking oil collection, which will be converted into biodiesel
  • Plastic bag and plastic film recycling
  • Clothing and shoes drop-off for charities
  • Lumber Salvage – an annex to the Salvage Shed for sharing solid sawed lumber  

Orange County made these changes to improve efficiency and safety of disposal and collection, while expanding recycling opportunities for County residents.  The overall plan concept adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 2010 includes two larger district Centers and three neighborhood centers.

Improvements to the remaining convenience centers will take place in phases over the next several years.  The Walnut Grove site was chosen because the County owns the property, and it will provide improved recycling and waste collection services for the residents in the northern part of the County.

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Sr. Games Ambassador

 

Media Contact

Myra Austin, Senior Centers Administrator

Department on Aging

Phone: 919.245.2020

maustin@orangecountync.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

ORANGE COUNTY SENIOR GAMES INTRODUCES NEW AMBASSADOR

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 2, 2013)—The Orange County Department on Aging and the Orange County Senior Games introduce Sharon Roggenbuck as the new Senior Games Ambassador.

Roggenbuck ran her first triathlon in 1981, when triathlons were gaining in popularity. She borrowed one of her children’s bicycles and didn’t have a formal swim technique.

“I realized if I am going to continue to do this, I better get a bike of my own and learn how to swim,” said Roggenbuck. She competes in 10 - 14 triathlons a season, successfully completing three Ironman triathlons, which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike race and 26.2 mile run.

Roggenbuck has participated in the Orange County Senior Games, qualifying for the state competitions, and advancing to the National Senior Games three times. 

“There is a lot of camaraderie. It’s more about people getting together and doing stuff. It’s not really that competitive. They have so many different events that there is an opportunity for everyone,” said Roggenbuck.

The Orange County Senior Games is sponsored by the Orange County Department on Aging, and the Parks and Recreation Departments of the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill.

The Department on Aging offers year-round health and wellness classes and aging transition programs at the senior centers in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. 

For more information about the Aging programs and services available in Orange County, please call 919.968.2070 in Chapel Hill or 919.245.2015 in Hillsborough.

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Older Americans Month

 

Media Contact

Myra Austin, Senior Centers Administrator

Department on Aging

Phone: 919.245.2020

maustin@orangecountync.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

ORANGE COUNTY RECOGNIZES OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

 

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 2, 2013)–The Orange County Department on Aging invites the public to its annual juried art show this month at the Seymour Center. The exhibit will be on display through Wednesday, May 29.

May marks Older Americans Month and the Senior Games/SilverArts competitions highlight the many talents and contributions made by the elders in our community.

One of the featured artists this year is 79-year-old Orange County native Hattie Vanhook, who won second place in the Heritage Arts basket-weaving category. She has participated in this competition for the past 10 years. In addition to baskets, Hattie has made dresses for children in third world countries. 

The Department on Aging strives to provide older adults with the necessary tools to aid in self-expression and self-reliance.  “SilverArts addresses both of these goals by allowing the seniors to display their art and take pride in creating their own brand, which distinguishes him or her from the competition,” said Myra Austin, administrator of Orange County senior centers. 

The Senior Games, SilverArts exhibit and host of classes and events offered by the Department on Aging allow older adults to identify their weaknesses and expand upon their strengths, which ultimately results in an increase in self-confidence and efficacy. The goal is to decrease the level of dependence seniors have on others. 

For more information about the Aging programs and services available in Orange County, please call 919.968.2070 in Chapel Hill or 919.245.2015 in Hillsborough.

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County to Host ReUSe Rodeo

Media Contact

Muriel Williman; Education and Outreach Coordinator

Orange County Solid Waste Management

Phone: 919.968.2788

muriel@orangecountync.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

           ORANGE COUNTY TO HOST FIRST EVER OFF CAMPUS REUSE RODEO

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (May 1, 2013)—The Orange County Solid Waste Management Department is inviting the public to its ReUse Rodeo Student Move-out week!

The event will take place from Tuesday, May 7- Friday, May 10, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Hargrave’s Center Mitchell Lane parking lot in Chapel Hill. This marks the first off-campus Reuse Rodeo to be held during Student Move-out week.

 

“Student move-out is a notorious period of wastefulness where some residents just dump and run. Before you ride out of town, we hope you will look through your belongings and choose to donate, instead of contributing to the landfill! The goal is to reduce move-out waste and help support reuse in our community,” said Muriel Williman, event coordinator.

Whether you are moving out or cleaning up, take advantage of this special collection! Local non-profits will be on hand to accept materials that you don’t need, but perhaps someone else in our community could use. 

The following items are requested to be in GOOD CONDITION:

PTA Thrift Store

  • Clean clothing, belts, bags, and shoes
  • Furniture and shelving
  • Working housewares - toasters, coffee pots, dish sets, microwaves, lamps, area rugs, sheets, etc.

 

Back-to-school at the Hargrave’s Community Center

  • Blank notebooks
  • Unused paper of all colors and types
  • Lightly used book bags
  • Binders
  • Pens,  pencils, erasers, glue sticks and other unused school supplies

 

The Inter-Faith Council

  • Unopened food
  • Unopened personal care products
  • Clean, reusable cloth bags

 

Compass Center for Women and Families

  • Cell phones (with chargers if possible)

 

Job Training Programs

  • Working computers and accessories

If an item is not on this list, do not bring it to the Rodeo!  Non-profits reserve the right to turn away items that are not in good and working condition. 

The event is sponsored by the Orange County Solid Waste Management Department in cooperation with the above referenced non-profits, the Town of Chapel Hill, and the Hargraves Community Center.

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