Animal Services reminds pet owners about heat and hot car dangers

Orange County Animal Services asks residents to be mindful of pets during hot weather. Temperatures in our area often climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during this time of year. Knowing the dangers for pets is a critical part of responsible pet ownership....

Sheriff Blackwood offers tips for safe Fourth of July celebrations

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office will be closed, Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Reflecting on the holiday, Sheriff Charles Blackwood issued the following statement:

“As an individual, I love the 4^th of July, but as ...

Orange County announces closings for Independence Day; new schedule for recycling collections

Orange County Government will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. All county administrative offices will reopen Tuesday, July 5.

Please note the following highlights, including a new schedule for recycling collections:

• Recycling pic...

Board reauthorizes Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program for FY 23, eases eligibility requirements

The Orange County Board of Commissioners has reauthorized the Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program, a 2021 pilot program that provided grants to homeowners for assistance in paying property taxes.

“I’m pleased to see this is continuin...

Budget restores Sunday hours to Main Library and includes record per-pupil education increase

The Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted the FY 2022-23 budget at its June 21 business meeting. The budget sets the property tax rate at 83.12 cents per $100 assessed valuation, an increase of 1.25 cents.

The property tax increase was needed to cov...

Treatment of Invasive Plant in Eno River Begins Next Week

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in cooperation with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, City of Durham, Durham County, Town of Hillsborough and Orange County will be treating the Eno River for hydrilla beginning next week thro...

Vaccines for Children Ages 6 Months to Under 5 Years Available in Orange County

Children ages 6 months and older can now receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children who are eligible receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is available in Orange County fol...

Animal Services receives Petco Love grant for Working Barn Cat Program

Orange County Animal Services is proud to announce that they have received a grant from Petco Love to sustain their Working Barn Cat Program. This grant will be used to support spay/neuter services for free-roaming cats belonging to Orange County...

Orange County Health Department Releases 2021 State of the County Health Report

The Orange County Health Department has released the 2021 State of the County Health Report (SOTCH). This report is conducted every year in between the Community Health Assessment (CHA), which is released every four years. Results from the 2019 CHA, which...

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant –– Applications Now Open for FY22-23 Funding

The application period for Orange County’s Community Climate Action Grant is now open for FY22-23. The process for soliciting and selecting projects to receive funding is being conducted through a formal grant program. The deadline to apply is A...

Department on Aging accepting nominations for 2022 Direct Care Worker Awards

Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP), will host the eighth annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards.

Nominations will be accepted from June 15 – Sept. 15, 2...

Notice of Public Meeting, 30-Day Public Comment Period and Public Hearing for ADA Paratransit Plan

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires Orange Public Transportation Services (OCTS) provide complementary ADA-accessible paratransit service to eligible persons within three-quarters of a mile of its fixed-route service at concurrent times and...

Orange County names first Chief Equity and Human Rights Officer

Dr. Shameka Fairbanks has been hired as Orange County’s first Chief Equity and Human Rights Officer, county manager Bonnie Hammersley announced. Dr. Fairbanks comes to Orange County from the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commissio...

Orange County to host Welcome to Medicare seminars

The Orange County Department on Aging and the NC Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) has partnered with the Orange County Public Library to host free “Welcome to Medicare” seminars.

The seminar topics will in...

Ceremony apologizes for wrongful convictions of four Freedom Riders in 1947

On the 75^th anniversary of the wrongful arrest of four “freedom riders” in Chapel Hill, Chief District Court Judge Samantha Cabe and District Court Judges Joal Broun, Sherri Murrell and Hathaway Pendergrass took turns reading a statement apologizing for t...