River Park Arch installation underway

The Hillsborough Arts Council (HAC) and the Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) along with representatives from the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County are excited to announce the installation of River Park Arch beginning Tuesday, March 15, in River Park in Downtown Hillsborough. The public is invited to River Park over the next several weeks to watch the installation and meet the artist, including during Last Fridays ArtWalk on Friday, March 25.

The project was initiated when an approximately 250 year-old, venerable Southern Red Oak on Calvin Street in West Hillsborough fell during Hurricane Florence in September, 2018. Identified as one of Hillsborough’s “Treasure Trees,” the project partners responded to a call from the community to repurpose the wood.

For more information, please visit https://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/tree.

Architectural rendering of library design

New public center to offer opportunities for education, arts and connection
Carrboro, Orange County approve library, cultural center

Separate votes by the Carrboro Town Council and the Orange County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, gave final approval to a new Orange County Southern Branch library and cultural center for Carrboro.

The $41.1 million joint project will be located at 203 S. Greensboro Street, an existing Carrboro municipal parking lot near the center of the town.

The library will serve residents in or near southern Orange County. The facility will also provide a permanent home for the Orange County Skills Development Center; Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department; WCOM Radio, the Virtual Justice Center; and performance/multipurpose uses.

The vote follows a long-term collaboration between Carrboro and Orange County, engagement with residents, boards and commissions, and design and planning work.

Click here for more information.

Animal Services needs home for available dogs

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) needs to find homes for available dogs at the shelter. Recently, the number of dog adoptions at OCAS has decreased. The staff at OCAS report an increase in the length of stay for dogs at the shelter and the number of dogs is increasing. The Animal Services facility has many wonderful dogs available for adoption and some available as part of their medical foster program.
“It is a little unusual for us to see a reduction in dog adoptions for an extended period of time,” said Orange County Animal Services Director, Dr. Sandra Strong. “The longer animals stay in our shelter, the more likely that they experience stress and anxiety. We do everything we can to provide enrichment and keep them comfortable, but dogs really need to be with families that can help them establish routines in a loving home environment. The home environment is where dogs can be social, thrive and settle into happy lives.”
You do not need to be an Orange County resident to adopt a pet from OCAS. Adoptions fees for dogs include: health screening, standard vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, heartworm testing (for dogs seven months and older) and heartworm preventative, spay or neuter surgery, microchip, and broad-spectrum deworming.
If anyone is interested in viewing available pets or adopting a dog, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/287/Available-Pets or visit the shelter to select your new best friend. You may also call the OCAS adoption desk at 919-942-7387, menu option 3, for more information.

Federal Mask Mandate for public transportation
extended through April 18

The federal mask mandate for public transportation has been extended through April 18. Orange County Transportation Services will continue to require masks on transportation conveyances and at transportation facilities including our administrative offices and maintenance facilities.

Local governments and Chapel Hill Chamber partner for long-term economic recovery survey

Orange County local government, in collaboration with The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, the Towns and our related economic allies, are committed to our community’s long-term economic recovery caused by COVID’s financial and other challenges. Please complete this important, short survey on local business conditions and business needs here in Orange County.

Your survey response will help shape how local governments, economic development professionals, and Chambers of Commerce continue to adapt efforts to support local businesses and the local economy.

The survey takes about six minutes to complete, and we ask each respondent to complete just one of the surveys, even if you receive the invitation from multiple partners. All responses are anonymous.

Creek Week wraps up Saturday with work events

Show your love for Orange County’s waterways during the first-ever Orange County Creek Week, set for March 12-19. The inaugural event is part of the Clean Water and Education Partnership’s (CWEP) second annual Regional Creek Week. This year’s theme is “Water Connects Us.” The initiative will engage the public on the importance of clean and healthy waterways.

A variety of virtual and in-person events will educate residents about the importance of taking care of Orange County’s waterways. Throughout the week, participants will have a chance to join trash clean-ups, community science activities, a virtual 5k and more. Events will be held across the county.

Click here for information on events.

Established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism, and sexism in her own life. The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents. Join us for this special virtual presentation on March 22.

State, County offer financial assistance for housing payments

The NC Homeowner Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

The fund was established through the 2021 American Rescue Plan to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements and foreclosures for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. It offers assistance of up to $40,000 for qualified homeowners as long as funding is available.

For qualified homeowners, the fund offers:

Housing payment assistance for primary residence in North Carolina (for example, single-family home, townhome, condo or mobile home).
Assistance for mortgage reinstatement to catch up on late payments (first or second mortgages) or other housing-related costs due to a period of forbearance, delinquency or default.
Assistance covering other housing-related costs such as homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowner’s association dues/fees or delinquent property taxes to prevent foreclosure.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

Help is also available for renters. Orange County Housing Department manages the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program, which has provided over $8.5 million in housing assistance to more than 2,000 Orange County residents since March 2020. This program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Visit the Orange County website for more details on this program.

Upcoming activities at the Orange County Senior Centers

CBD - What it is, should you consider it?

Join Elliot Galdy for a brief history of cannabis and focus on the benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids for age related issues, i.e. arthritis, pain, insomnia and anxiety.

Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill (Hybrid: in-person & virtual options)

Date: Wednesday, March 30

Time: 1 pm - 2 pm

Fee: FREE

Register by: Monday, March 28, call (919) 968- 2070

Bluestem Conservation Burial Ground: An Introduction?
Why conservation burial, and why Bluestem in particular? Bluestem, a conservation cemetery designed as: a nature preserve and place of reverence, with a trail network, quiet areas for reflection, open space for contemplation, and designated areas within its restored landscape for natural burial. Join us to learn more. .

Date: Tuesday. April 12 4-5:30 p.m.

Fee: FREE Virtual Event

Register: www.orangecountync.gov/Bluestem

FAQs: www.orangecountync.gov/BluestemFAQ

Conversation Project Workshop PART I:
In small conversation groups, patterned after the Conversation Project, Project EngAGE End of Life Choices SRT members will coach participants how to engage their loved ones in end of life care conversations. Attendees will receive the Conversation Starter Kit from The Conversation Project and a free copy of The Five Wishes Booklet.

Passmore Center

Date: Tuesday, April 26 4-6 p.m.

Fee: FREE

Max in-person attendance: 12.
Register by: Friday, April 22 at 919-968-2070

www.orangecountync.gov