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  • Chatham County Deputy Injured During Arrest; Suspect Faces Felony Charges

  • 💸 Historic Launch: Sports Gambling Goes Live in North Carolina

  • 🏀UNC-Chapel Hill Dominates ACC Awards with Historic Dual Player and Coach of the Year Honors 

• Event Highlight: Anything Goes at Carrboro High School This Weekend

• 🗓️Chapel Hill Local Event Listings

• 💫Just for Fun: Tuesday Trivia: ACC Championship Edition

Chatham County Deputy Injured During Arrest; Suspect Faces Felony Charges

In Goldston, North Carolina, a routine operation by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office took an unexpected turn when a deputy was injured during an arrest on Sunday. The incident occurred as three deputies endeavored to serve Brandon Thomas Hill, 30, with four orders for arrest due to failures to appear in court. The confrontation unfolded on Coral Avenue, leading to a skirmish where Hill resisted arrest. During the altercation, a female deputy suffered a minor head injury caused by Hill's elbow and also received a cut on her hand. Despite the injuries, they were deemed non-serious, and a full recovery for the deputy was anticipated.

Brandon Thomas Hill was subsequently apprehended by another deputy. For the original charges, he received a $10,000 secured bond. Hill's legal troubles compounded as he was charged with felony assault, which resulted in physical injury to a law enforcement officer, and a misdemeanor for resisting a public officer. His court dates are set for March 18 and March 26.

Sheriff Mike Roberson emphasized the department's dedication to the safety of both deputies and the community. He strongly condemned the assault on the officer, underscoring that there is no justification for such acts against law enforcement personnel. The sheriff's office vows to take rigorous legal measures against those who endanger their officers, ensuring accountability for assaults on law enforcement.

Historic Launch: Sports Gambling Goes Live in North Carolina

Monday marked the beginning of a new era in North Carolina as sports gambling became legal, bringing excitement and new opportunities for fans throughout the state. Enthusiasts are now able to place bets from the comfort of their homes or at social gatherings, enhancing their sports viewing experience. Mikie Lumbrazo, a local fan, expressed excitement about the convenience and added fun this brings, especially with the Carolina Hurricanes' promising season.

The Carolina Hurricanes, in collaboration with Fanatics, celebrated this significant milestone by hosting a launch party at Backyard Bistro. Earlier this year, the team acquired the property, sparking speculation about its potential future as a sportsbook location. Initially, the focus was on promoting mobile and digital betting platforms, with promotional materials and the Fanatics app being readily available at the event venue. Plans are also underway to incorporate betting activations within PNC Arena.

The legalization followed Governor Cooper's signing of HB347 into law last June, a move that the state's lottery commission has supported by diligently establishing regulations. Currently, eight operators have been authorized to offer sports gambling services in the state, each providing various incentives to attract new users.

The timing of the sports gambling launch is particularly strategic, coinciding with the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament and preceding the NCAA basketball tournaments, events known for attracting significant betting activity. Analysts predict that North Carolina's sportsbooks could generate substantial tax revenue in their first year, thanks to the state's widespread sports fan base and the timing of the launch.

Amid the excitement, Governor Cooper placed the inaugural bet on the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup, pledging any winnings to the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation to support children's charities. This gesture underscores the positive impact sports betting is expected to have on North Carolina's economy and sports culture, making it the 38th state to legalize sports gambling and the 30th to allow mobile betting.

However, the excitement of winning big comes with the responsibility of declaring earnings for tax purposes, as explained by financial expert Tom Presley. Bettors must report their winnings, and any losses can only be deducted against winnings, depending on one's tax situation.

Furthermore, the state has implemented rules and regulations to ensure responsible gambling, including age restrictions and programs to help prevent addiction. These measures reflect a comprehensive approach to integrating sports betting into the state's fabric while promoting safety and responsibility.

UNC-Chapel Hill Dominates ACC Awards with Historic Dual Player and Coach of the Year Honors

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has honored North Carolina's RJ Davis as the Player of the Year and Hubert Davis as the Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season, marking a significant achievement for both the player and the coaching staff. This is the first the program has had both honors in the same year. RJ Davis, a senior guard from White Plains, N.Y., secured a commanding majority of votes, 68 out of 75, for the ACC Player of the Year, making him the 15th Tar Heel to receive this prestigious honor and the first since Justin Jackson in 2016-17. His exceptional performance throughout the season also earned him a spot on the first-team All-ACC, alongside teammates Armando Bacot (second team) and Harrison Ingram (third team). Bacot also received recognition for his defensive prowess by making it to the All-Defensive team, while Elliot Cadeau was named to the All-Freshman team.

RJ Davis leads the ACC in scoring with an average of 21.1 points per game, including a career-high 42 points against Miami, setting a record at the Smith Center. His sharpshooting skills are evident with a 41.6% success rate from the three-point range and an 88.6% accuracy from the free throw line. Davis's leadership on the court has been instrumental in achieving a remarkable season for the Tar Heels.

Under the guidance of Hubert Davis, in his third season as head coach, the Tar Heels have secured a 25-6 record and clinched the ACC regular-season championship, their first since 2018-19 and the first outright title since 2016-17. Hubert Davis's strategic prowess has led the Tar Heels to success on the road, in key matchups, and throughout the ACC play, earning him the Coach of the Year accolade and joining the ranks of other distinguished Tar Heel coaches.

This season has also been notable for other Tar Heels, with Bacot, Ingram, and Cadeau receiving significant accolades for their performances, contributing to the team's dominance in scoring, rebounding, and defensive metrics across the ACC. The collective success underscores North Carolina's comprehensive strength and depth, highlighting a historic season where player and coach of the year honors were won in tandem, a feat last achieved by the Tar Heels in the 1997-98 season.

Reminder: Supporting Our Community: Quarterly Free Food Distributions at Homestead Park

Grow to Life is excited to announce a partnership with the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department to offer FREE food distributions at Homestead Park. Join us on Tuesday, March 12th for our inaugural event. Mark your calendars, as we will return quarterly on the 2nd Tuesday of March, June, September, and December. We look forward to seeing you there!

Carrboro High School Jag Theatre Gearing up to Sail Off: Anything Goes

⬇️Here is what’s going on in the Chapel Hill local area⬇️