News Briefs

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N.C. Zoo re-opens

ASHEBORO — After being closed since March, the North Carolina Zoo reopened on Monday.

New procedures were put in place to protect staff and visitors, including a capacity of 2,000 people. There’s now a pre-ticketing system, where zoo visitors will have to purchase their tickets and reserve their space ahead of time. Visitors will not be able to walk up and purchase tickets to the zoo.

Guests will only be allowed to enter and exit the zoo the through the North America section, and they will be encouraged to walk one-way through the zoo. Open-air trams will operate at half capacity and service will be limited. Strollers, wheelchairs and electric convenience rentals are still available and will be sanitized between uses. There is limited availability, and they are rented on a first-come, first-served basis.

Food stands will be to-go only. Guests can eat outdoors at the park but will be spaced six feet apart. Staff will clean and disinfect restrooms and frequently-touched surfaces multiple times throughout the day, and additional hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the park.

Upcoming virtual library events

The Chatham Community Library will host a virtual event from 1-2 p.m on Thursday, June 18, with local resident and author Donna Miller reading from her book, “Mad Random: Claiming Life Out of Chaos.”

Miller will address themes raised in her book about living outside of acceptance and comfort while weaving together the concepts of isolation in parenting, and in taking on difficult care giving roles together with the “new normal” of continuing isolation. To register for this event and to receive the online meeting ID, please email Rita Van Duinen at rita.vanduinen@chathamlibraries.org.

The library will also host its virtual open mic from 3-4:30 p.m on Thursday, June 25. The program starts at 3 p.m. with a series of nine 10-minute open-mic slots. Register to perform or attend here: https://tinyurl.com/CCL-OpenMic. Once registered you will receive a confirmation email with virtual meeting instructions and ID number.

Siler City Rotary Club awards scholarships

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Siler City Rotary Club from holding its annual spring fundraising event from which the club funds college scholarships to local high students. But the club was been able to award five scholarships ($1,000/graduate), totaling $5,000 to graduating seniors from Jordan-Matthews, Chatham Central and Chatham Charter.

Selection criteria included academic achievement, demonstrated financial need and extra-curricular experience. Students were asked to describe how they exhibited leadership through work ethic, attitude and community services, as well as note how they were involved in making a difference in our local community. This year’s recipients:

Jordan-Matthews

• Camden Fuquay

Chatham Central

• Riley Lagenor

• Addie Fields

• Elizabeth Phillips

Chatham Charter

• Rachel Brookshire

Rotary’s six areas of focus include promoting peace; fighting disease (Polio Eradication); supporting education; ensuring clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene; saving mothers and children; and growing local economies.

For more information please see https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary.

Wake Forest Law offers pro bono assistance

WINSTON-SALEM — Wake Forest University School of Law students, working under the supervision of faculty members, will offer guidance and consultation to North Carolina residents who have questions about unemployment insurance and federal supplements. There is no charge for the service. To sumbit a request or question to the team visit: https://forms.law.wfu.edu/view.php?id=27892.

Sidewalk repairs to begin in Siler City

SILER CITY — Sidewalk replacement began on N. Chatham Avenue in downtown Siler City on Monday. The stretch of sidewalk to be replaced is on the north side of the street, beginning at Budd Tire on E. Third Street to the intersection with E. Second Street.

The sidewalk replacement is part of a larger two-year program to replace the the sidewalks in downtown Siler City in order to “greatly improve the look and surface of the sidewalk downtown,” according to Siler City Public Works Director Chris McCorquodale, who is managing the project.

To facilitate the sidewalk replacement, the driving lane closest to the sidewalk will be closed to ensure the safety of the crew performing the work. The work is expected to last three to five business days.

McCorquodale informed local businesses last week about the project, apologizing “for any inconvenience this may cause,” noting the work is “for the betterment of the downtown area.”

Those with questions can contact McCorquodale at 919-742-4732.