Animal Services joins Clear the Shelters "Adopt and Donate" campaign

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 2022 Clear the Shelters™ pet adoption and donation campaign. This is the eighth consecutive year that NBC and Telemundo owned stations are partnering with affiliate stations and animal shelters and rescues to promote pet adoption and help raise funds to support animal welfare. Since its inception in 2015, Clear The Shelters has helped more than 700,000 pets find new homes.

This year's Clear The Shelters will run for the entire month of August 2022, and adoption fees will be reduced at OCAS during that time. For more information about available pets and reduced adoption fees during Clear The Shelters, visit www.orangecountync.gov/287/Available-Pets or call 919-942-7387, option 3.

OCAS also encourages donations by asking that everyone check out the opportunities listed at www.orangecountync.gov/364/Donations. Donations always make a difference, but they are especially helpful during these challenging times. OCAS depends upon monetary and material donations to continue to care for the thousands of animals that come to the shelter each year.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters and rescues, along with details on local events and activities, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language website DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Follow the effort on social media using #ClearTheShelters and #DesocuparLosAlbergues.?For more information about OCAS, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/animalservices.

Featuring work by Eno Mill Studio Artist Audrey Pinto with guest artists Mar Hester and Christine Hager-Braun

Opening Reception Friday, August 5 | 6-9 p.m.

Live music with King Pappy
Open artist studios with the Eno Arts Mill Studio Artists
Blue Window Mediterranean Food Truck
Vegan Ice Cream Man
Beer from Red Oak Brewery, Ponysaurus Brewing, and Hi-Wire Brewing Durham
Kids’ activities with the Collage Stop and Art Therapy Institute
The exhibit will be on view at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery through the end of August. The public is invited to visit the exhibit Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m.

Applications open for Longtime Homeowners Assistance property tax relief program

Applications are now being taken for the Longtime Homeowners Assistance (LHA) program for 2022. In 2021, the LHA was a pilot program created by the Board of Commissioners that provided grants to homeowners for assistance in paying property taxes. The goal of the LHA is to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes.

The board approved several changes for 2022 to boost participation, including reducing the requirement to have owned and lived in the home from 10 years to five years. The changes formalized policies for heir’s properties and those owned by Family Trusts to provide assistance based on the income of the persons who live in the household and not all the heirs or members of the trust.

DROPOFF: Paper Applications and drop-off boxes are available at Orange County Housing offices

Hillsborough- Whitted Building, 300 W Tryon St
Chapel Hill, Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd

GET HELP: Contact the Housing Helpline for assistance in completing LHA applications

919-245-2655
housinghelp@orangecountync.gov

Once staff receive application materials, they will be back in touch about any other needed materials and/or the status of the application.

One change for 2022 is that all LHA grants will be made after the December 1, 2022 application deadline. If the demand for assistance is more than available funds, the Housing Department will use a prioritization for assistance based on applicant's age, length of time owning and living in the home, and the homeowner’s tax burden (percentage of annual income needed to pay property tax bill).

Orange County Government is hiring!

To learn more about the job opportunities available please click the graphic to visit our Employment page If you would like to speak to someone contact the Human Resources Recruitment Manager at (919) 245-2557 or ddavenport@orangecountync.gov

Registration open for fall basketball, soccer, flag football

Orange County Recreation is now accepting registration for fall youth athletic leagues. Programs offered include:

Youth Flag Football offers youth ages 5 to 11 the opportunity to learn football fundamentals in a fun and fast-paced but non-contact environment. Practices are one hour per week on a weekday evening (varies by team and division) and games are on Saturdays. More information at www.orangecountync.gov/529/Flag-Football. Register by Aug. 12.

Youth Soccer is a developmental league for boys and girls ages 4 to 14 years old. Practices and games are one hour per night on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Soccer.com Center. More information at www.orangecountync.gov/546/Youth-Soccer-League---Fall. Register by Aug. 19.

Youth Basketball in the Fall is a teen league for players ages 13-15-years-old. Teams will meet twice per week on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. More information at www.orangecountync.gov/2934/Youth-Basketball-League---Fall-13-15-Div. Register by Aug. 12.

Online registration available at www.orangecountync.gov/activityregistraion. In person registration at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center, Suite 140, 1020 US 70 West, Hillsborough during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Orange County Recreation at 919.245.2660.

All youth recreation leagues rely on volunteer coaches to teach good sportsmanship and sport fundamentals, as well as organize practices, prepare for games and communicate effectively with players, parents and Recreation Division staff. If this sounds like you, and you would like to give back and support youth sports in our community, contact Kevin Bradsher at kbradsher@orangecountync.gov or 919.246.2672.

Public health officials and community leaders share their reasons why they got a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a new video titled, “Get Boosted, Orange County!” Participants include Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils, Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart, Hillsborough Mayor Jennifer Weaver, Orange County Board of County Commissioners Chair Renée Price, and Vice Chair of the Board of Health Keith Bagby.

Department on Aging to host discussion on end of life choices

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE End of Life Choices Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend the viewing and panel discussion of, Alternate Endings, on August 9.

Join us for the profoundly intimate and illuminating documentary, Alternate Endings, that explores what it means to be near death and captures the healing power of honoring, giving thanks, and staying true to our loved ones wishes. An in depth Q&A will immediately follow the screening with our distinguished panel of experts.

Guest speakers:

Ed Tiryakian, Founder and Executive Director, Dying Right North Carolina
Sara Williams, Founder and President, Shrouding Sisters
Anne Weston, Founder and President, Green Burial Project

The event will take place on Tue, Aug 9, from 6 – 8 pm. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Please register by Fri, Aug 5 with the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070. Maximum in-person attendance:

Statewide Emergency Declaration to expire Aug. 15

Governor Roy Cooper has decided to allow the state's coronavirus-related Declaration of Emergency to expire on Aug. 15.

The original declaration went into effect March 10, 2020, to coordinate the State's response and protective actions to address the coronavirus. The declaration was last amended in July, when it was modified to facilitate the transport of baby formula and related products due to a nationwide shortage.

Orange County’s local state of emergency declaration expired May 1.

While there are no longer any COVID-related restrictions in effect in Orange County, Health Director Quintana Stewart encourages residents to mask indoors during community levels of high transmission, wash your hands often, give each other a little space and, most importantly, be sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. Everyone six months and older is now able to get a vaccine, and boosters are able for everyone 5 years and older. Adults 50 and older are eligible to receive a second booster.

The health department offers both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and boosters. To make an appointment, please visit https://takemyshot.nc.gov or call (919) 913-8088 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Spanish and other languages spoken.

Applicants Needed For Volunteer Boards And Commissions

One way residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to serve on a volunteer board or commission. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for the following boards and commissions:

Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
Advisory Board on Aging
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Agricultural Preservation Board
Animal Services Advisory Board
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Board of Equalization and Review
Commission for the Environment
Historic Preservation Commission
Human Relations Commission
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Orange County Housing Authority Board
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Orange Unified Transportation Board

If interested in serving on any of these boards, view requirements and apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for authentically diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.

www.orangecountync.gov