Synopsis
Every week, 97.9 The Hill WCHLs Aaron Keck chats with the mayors of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, plus the chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. From breaking news to hot-button issues, they cover all the big news, trends, events and developments in one of the most exciting, most progressive, most desirable, and fastest-growing communities in America.
Episodes
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Carrboro: Unified Development Ordinance, West End Poetry, Trash Collection
17/10/2025 Duration: 13minCarrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, October 17, discussing town news and events. She talked about the recent work session for the town council, which included discussion of the Unified Development Ordinance rewrite, and more. She also previewed this weekend's West End Poetry Festival in Carrboro, a delay in trash collection, and more. The post Carrboro: Unified Development Ordinance, West End Poetry, Trash Collection appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Chapel Hill: Trails Reopen, Festifall Markets, Early Voting
16/10/2025 Duration: 10minChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 16, discussing town news and events. She talked about the town finding a way to open some of the greenways damaged by this summer's flooding, while the repairs are ongoing. She also previewed some upcoming events in the community, including the town's Festifall Markets, the beginning of the early voting period for our municipal elections, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Trails Reopen, Festifall Markets, Early Voting appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Orange County: Early Voting, Fire Department Update, Land Use 2050
15/10/2025 Duration: 10minChair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 15, discussing county news and events. She talked about the start of early voting in Orange County, which gets underway tomorrow. She also shared updates from the county's fire departments from last night's board of commissioners meeting, as well as an update on the Land Use 2050 plan, and more. The post Orange County: Early Voting, Fire Department Update, Land Use 2050 appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Hillsborough: License Plate Readers, Land Use 2050, New Police Chief Ceremony
14/10/2025 Duration: 10minHillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 14, discussing town news and events. He talked about the county's Land Use 2050 Plan, and how there are some areas that may be at issue for Hillsborough. He also talked about the town getting a new license plate reader system and the pushback from some community members on that. He talked about the ceremony for new Police Chief Jason Winn, and more. The post Hillsborough: License Plate Readers, Land Use 2050, New Police Chief Ceremony appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Chapel Hill: Affordable Housing Report, 9 Story Development, Rosemary St. Closure
10/10/2025 Duration: 08minChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 9, discussing town news and events. She discussed Wednesday night's town council meeting, which saw an affordable housing report, a vote on a nine-story development on MLK, an upcoming closure to Rosemary Street, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Affordable Housing Report, 9 Story Development, Rosemary St. Closure appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Orange County: Broadband Task Force, New Subdivision, Closed Session First
08/10/2025 Duration: 08minChair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 10, discussing county news and events. She reviewed a discussion of he Broadband Task Force from the most recent board of commissioners meeting. She also talked about a vote on a new subdivision off 54. She discussed a new format for commissioners meetings in which they meet early for closed session, and more. The post Orange County: Broadband Task Force, New Subdivision, Closed Session First appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Hillsborough: Flood Update, Business Update, Upcoming Events
07/10/2025 Duration: 07minHillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 7, discussing town news and events. He gave an update on flood recovery in Hillsborough, with most of the parks space around town reopened, replacement vehicles ordered, and private residents recovering as well. He also discussed local businesses around Hillsborough, including some recent openings. He also talked about upcoming community news and events and more. The post Hillsborough: Flood Update, Business Update, Upcoming Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Chapel Hill: Football Gamedays, New Police Station, North Carolina Starter’s Launch
02/10/2025 Duration: 11minChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 2, discussing town news and events. She talked about football gameday impacts on downtown businesses, including an upcoming study with the university, the Chamber, and the visitor's bureau to measure that impact. She discussed the Chapel Hill Police getting their new headquarters up and running. The talked about a recent trip to Raleigh with some of the economic development for the North Carolina Starter's Launch, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Football Gamedays, New Police Station, North Carolina Starter’s Launch appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Orange County: Federal Shutdown, Joint School Board Meeting, Board Priorities
01/10/2025 Duration: 09minChair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 1, discussing county news and events. She talked about the recent shutdown of the federal government and how that might affect Orange County going forward. She also discussed a recent meeting the commissioners had with both of the county's school boards. She discussed highlights from the agenda for next week's meeting, talked about the board's priorities for the rest of the year, and more. The post Orange County: Federal Shutdown, Joint School Board Meeting, Board Priorities appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Hillsborough: Gold Park and River Walk Reopen, Parking Study
30/09/2025 Duration: 08minHillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 30, discussing town news and events. He discussed major takeaways from a recent parking study the town commissioned from a consultant. He also discussed the recent reopening of Gold Park and sections of River Walk that had been closed since Tropical Depression Chantal back in July. He also previewed upcoming town events and more. The post Hillsborough: Gold Park and River Walk Reopen, Parking Study appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Carrboro: Day in Court vs. Duke Energy, Carrboro Music Fest, All-America City
26/09/2025 Duration: 12minCarrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee Spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, September 26. She discussed Thursday's court proceedings, in which Duke Energy is attempting to have the case Carrboro brought against them dismissed. She also previewed a busy weekend coming up in Carrboro, featuring the Carrboro Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday, as well as the celebration of Carrboro's designation as an All-America City on Sunday. The post Carrboro: Day in Court vs. Duke Energy, Carrboro Music Fest, All-America City appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Chapel Hill: Development Project Updates, Local Zoning for UNC Projects in Jeopardy
25/09/2025 Duration: 11minChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 26, discussing town news and events. She gave updates on three development projects from the town council meeting on Wednesday, including a large housing development on Weaver Dairy Road. She also discussed a move in the state legislature to limit local authority over construction projects for UNC. She also talked about upcoming events in the community and more. The post Chapel Hill: Development Project Updates, Local Zoning for UNC Projects in Jeopardy appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Orange County: Orange County Roadshow, Joint School Board Meeting, Supporting Arts
24/09/2025 Duration: 10minChair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 24, discussing county news and events. She talked about the Orange County Roadshow hoping to inform residents of all of the services and opportunities provided by the county. She also previewed an upcoming meeting with the two school boards, and how they hope a format change to that meeting will foster more discussion. She also spoke of the continued importance of supporting the arts, and more. The post Orange County: Orange County Roadshow, Joint School Board Meeting, Supporting Arts appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Hillsborough: Police Chief Named, Commissioners Work Session, Transportation Update
23/09/2025 Duration: 10minHillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 24, discussing town news and events. He discussed the town manager's naming of Jeff Winn as the permanent police chief after serving in the role on an interim basis for the last several months. He also discussed the most recent board of commissioners meeting, which saw a couple of updates on transportation projects and goals for the town. He also talked about the town's leaf collection practices, upcoming events, and more. The post Hillsborough: Police Chief Named, Commissioners Work Session, Transportation Update appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Carrboro: Tropical Storm Recovery, Budget Impacts, Upcoming Town Events
19/09/2025 Duration: 14minCarrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, September 19, discussing town news and events. She talked about this week's Carroboro Town Council meeting, which saw various updates from town staff on the aftermath of Tropical Depression Chantal. She gave updates from the fire department, public works, and how the storm will impact the budget. She also previewed a busy end of the month for town events with both the Carrboro Music Festival and the celebration for All-America City coming soon. The post Carrboro: Tropical Storm Recovery, Budget Impacts, Upcoming Town Events appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Chapel Hill: Leaf Policy, Glen Lennox Development, Parks & Rec Master Plan
18/09/2025 Duration: 09minChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 18, discussing town news and events. She discussed the town's recent change to leaf collection policy, and feedback coming from the community on that topic. She also discussed a proposed grocery store at Glen Lennox, and how that may not come before council under the development agreement with Grubb Properties. She talked about upcoming opportunities to give the town feedback on the parks master plan, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Leaf Policy, Glen Lennox Development, Parks & Rec Master Plan appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Orange County: Rural Broadband Vote and a Life Saving Action at Stanback Middle School
17/09/2025 Duration: 12minChair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 17, discussing county news and events. She talked about the commissioners decision to amend their rural broadband agreement with Lumos. She also described a life saving action by staff at Stanback Middle School after a student went into cardiac arrest. She discussed the future Orange County Crisis Diversion Center, and more. The post Orange County: Rural Broadband Vote and a Life Saving Action at Stanback Middle School appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Hillsborough: Spirit of Hillsborough Award, Hog Day, Drug Arrest
16/09/2025 Duration: 08minHillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 16, discussing town news and events. He revisited receiving the first Spirit of Hillsborough Award for his role in helping save a person from an overdose. He discussed the award's purpose and when the next one might be awarded. He also recapped Hog Day from the previous weekend, talked about a drug arrest Hillsborough Police made after a month long investigation, and more. The post Hillsborough: Spirit of Hillsborough Award, Hog Day, Drug Arrest appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Carrboro: Remembering Hilliard Caldwell, Council Meetings Resume, CARE Team in Carrboro
12/09/2025 Duration: 14minCarrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Friday, September 12, discussing town news and events. She discussed the passing of local Civil Rights leader and former Carrboro Alderman Hilliard Caldwell, who died last week at the age of 88. She discussed his legacy and importance in the community. She also discussed the expansion of the CARE (Crisis Assistance, Response, & Engagement) Team to Carrboro, and what that means for the community going forward. She previewed next week's town council meeting, and more. The post Carrboro: Remembering Hilliard Caldwell, Council Meetings Resume, CARE Team in Carrboro appeared first on Chapelboro.com.
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Chapel Hill: Town Council Update, Chantal Updates, Honoring First Responders
11/09/2025 Duration: 11minChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 11, discussing town news and events. She gave updates on the major items from this week's town council meeting, including a mixed use development project on MLK Blvd, updates on the affordable housing plan and Chantal recovery. She discussed a change to the way the town will be collecting leaves from residents this fall, some upcoming closures to Parks and Rec facilities, and more. The post Chapel Hill: Town Council Update, Chantal Updates, Honoring First Responders appeared first on Chapelboro.com.