In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 86^o and Sunny. Spring is Here!

📰Tonya’s Cookies and Bake Shop Celebrated National Pecan Day

📰Chapel Hill Residents Gain Free Gateway to Ancestry.com at Local Library

🛣️Opening Today: E. Rosemary Street to Welcome Drivers Again

📰Durham's Main Library Evacuated After Bomb Threat During LGBTQ+ Event

📰Pittsboro Sets National Standard with Advanced PFAS Removal in Drinking Water

📢 We Want to Spotlight Local Businesses! Want Your Business to Be in Focus? Apply Here! Want to nominate a business? Email us at [email protected]

📅 Federal and State Taxes Are Due Today!

😂😂🤪Just for Fun: Tax Day Humor

🗓️Upcoming Events (Updated)

Tonya’s Cookies and Bake Shop Celebrated National Pecan Day

Yesterday, April 14, 2024, on National Pecan Day, Tonya's Cookies and Bake Shop in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, joined in the Pecan Day festivities by giving out two complimentary Pecan Crisp cookies per visitor, while supplies lasted. This local bakery, located at 400 S Elliott Road, was bustling from 9 a.m. until cookies ran out at 3 p.m.

Tonya, a local baker with deep roots in Southern cuisine, continued the culinary legacy of her grandmother, Mildred Council, the famed founder of Mama Dip’s Kitchen. Her creation, the Pecan Crisp cookie, not only captures the essence of her grandmother’s pecan pies but has also gained acclaim, landing on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2021.

In an homage to her family’s traditions, Tonya developed these cookies through persistent experimentation in the kitchen of her grandmother's restaurant. It was a heartfelt moment of validation when her grandmother, a stern critic in the culinary world, praised the cookies, marking a milestone in Tonya's baking career.

For those who missed the celebration, we encourage the community to stop by the bakery this week for a belated National Pecan Day treat, ensuring everyone gets a taste of her celebrated Pecan Crisps.

Chapel Hill Residents Gain Free Gateway to Ancestry.com at Local Library

The Chapel Hill Public Library in North Carolina is enhancing its services by offering free access to Ancestry.com, enabling community members to explore extensive historical records and trace their family histories. Molly Luby, the community history coordinator at the library, emphasized the significance of this initiative, particularly for those who have struggled to access such records. The library's new offering includes over 7,000 databases featuring census, immigration, and military records, among others. This service is particularly aimed at documenting and highlighting the often overlooked or marginalized histories within the Chapel Hill community. To use the Ancestry.com access, visitors need to be connected to the library’s Wi-Fi, ensuring that more people can explore their roots and build a deeper connection with their heritage.

Traffic Relief: E. Rosemary Street Reopening After Extended Closure

The long-awaited reopening of E. Rosemary Street is finally upon us. The busy stretch between N. Columbia Street and Henderson Street is scheduled to open to traffic starting Monday, April 15. While the road will be accessible, construction will continue on the nearby parking deck, which is expected to open later in the year.

The local authorities appreciate the community's patience during the closure. This necessary measure facilitated the safe and swift installation of large concrete deck sections by the construction team.

Durham's Main Library Evacuated After Bomb Threat During LGBTQ+ Event

On Saturday morning, the Durham County Main Library was evacuated and closed due to a bomb threat, as reported by local police. The threat was initially received shortly before 10:35 a.m., leading Durham police to respond to the site located on the 300 block of N. Roxboro Street. Authorities, including Durham police and the County Sheriff’s Office's bomb dog unit, conducted a thorough search of the building. By 2:30 p.m., officials confirmed that no explosives were found on the premises.

The situation escalated when a threatening email was sent to WBTV, a CBS affiliate in Charlotte, mentioning Maya Christina Gonzalez, a 60-year-old queer Chicana artist and author from San Francisco, featured at the library's scheduled "Rainbow Story Time" event. This led to the cancellation of the event amid security concerns.

The event was organized by Rainbow Collective for Change, a non-profit dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ families with young children in North Carolina's Triangle area through various events, including the library reading program. Following the incident, the organization expressed their concern on Facebook, stating they were unaware the bomb threat was directly linked to the Rainbow Story Time until they read a news report. They confirmed the threat shortly thereafter.

Rainbow Collective for Change reiterated their commitment to providing safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ children and families, despite this being their first encounter with such a serious threat. They emphasized their determination not to let hate prevail and to continue advocating for inclusive community spaces.

The library announced it would remain closed for the rest of the day and resume normal operations on Monday. The investigation into the bomb threat is ongoing, with police yet to release further details.

Pittsboro Sets National Standard with Advanced PFAS Removal in Drinking Water

Pittsboro, North Carolina, has taken significant steps in addressing the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its drinking water, setting a high bar for environmental and public health standards. The town has actively engaged in the national effort to remove these persistent and harmful chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," from drinking water supplies. By employing advanced Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration technology, Pittsboro has effectively reduced PFAS levels to non-detectable levels, ensuring the safety of its drinking water.

The initiative demonstrates Pittsboro’s commitment to proactive and efficient solutions in water treatment. This approach is championed by the town’s leadership, including Mayor Kyle Shipp and Town Manager Jonathan Franklin, who support ongoing pilot studies to explore even more efficient water treatment technologies. This leadership and commitment to innovation not only safeguard Pittsboro’s residents but also position the town as a model for other communities in managing water quality and protecting public health.

Tax Day Humor

Orange County residents will have multiple opportunities to safely dispose of unused or expired medications at several drive-thru events scheduled for this April. On April 18th, from 1 to 4 pm, the Passmore Center in Hillsborough will host one such event, providing a convenient way for locals to rid their homes of unnecessary medications. Following this, on April 27th, there will be two additional opportunities: Wegman’s Grocery Store in Chapel Hill will offer this service from 10 am to 2 pm, and the Walmart in Hillsborough will host a morning session from 9 am to 12 pm.

For those unable to attend these events, Orange County provides a year-round solution through several permanent drop boxes located throughout the area. Residents can find the nearest drop box location by visiting the Orange County website at www.orangecountync.gov/dropboxes. These initiatives are part of the county's commitment to public health and safety by ensuring medications are disposed of in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

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