Reporter Ben Rappaport of the Chatham News + Record speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, June 28, for the Chatham County Roundup. He shares details on the latest stories he’s been covering for the paper, including an abortion rights rally, a development panel and recent tragedies for the Northwood High community.
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Pittsboro Native, Former Football Player Tobais Palmer Details His Campaign for Town Commissioner Seat
Tobais Palmer, who grew up in Pittsboro during the 1990s, has seen many changes around town. Now, he is running to be an elected official.

Chatham County Honors Pittsboro Native Drake Powell for 2025 NBA Draft Selection
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners adopted a special resolution Monday evening honoring Pittsboro native Drake Powell on his first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. Powell was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Brooklyn Nets in June. Powell starred at Pittsboro’s Northwood High School […]

Former UNC Star Tyler Zeller Coaching at Northwood High, Mentoring Tar Heel Signee
Tyler Zeller, who graduated from UNC in 2012, has been working with the Northwood High boys' basketball team for three seasons now.

High School Football Round-Up: Week 5
Every week during the season, Chapelboro will post the scores of local high school football games. Here are the scores from Week 5! Results from Week 4 can be found here. Chapel Hill (4-0): Idle Up next: vs. East Chapel Hill Cedar Ridge (1-3): Lost to Person County, 76-8 Up next: vs. Northwood East […]

Northwood High's Drake Powell Commits to UNC Basketball
A local high school star will be suiting up in Carolina blue. Drake Powell, a junior on the Northwood High boys’ basketball team, announced his commitment to play for Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels Thursday night. #OneChatham #GoHeels !!!! ❤️🐏 pic.twitter.com/nRIy9wmbvc — Drake Powell (@powellxdrake) September 8, 2022 Powell is the first member of […]
Lockdown Lifted at Northwood High School
Northwood High School in Chatham County was put on lockdown Monday morning, according to county officials. The school is located in Pittsboro. Authorities were called to the scene just before eight o’clock Monday morning for a report of “a single gunshot fired in a wooded area” near the high school, according to a release. Rumors […]
Chatham County Roundup: Librarian Rita Van Duinen on How She Can Help Small Business Owners (Aug. 26, 2026)
Rita Van Duinen — the branch manager of Pittsboro's Chatham Community Library — joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, August 26.

Town of Pittsboro Alerts Residents to Phishing Scam Targeting Developers
The scam is specifically targeting individuals who have worked with the Town of Pittsboro's Development Services Department.

Sheriff's Office Charges, Seeks Pittsboro Man and Goldston Woman over Debit Card Fraud
A pair of Chatham County residents face fraud charges after stealing a debit card from the mail and making cash withdrawals from its account.

Town of Pittsboro Hires Kevin Lewis as New Planning Director
The Town of Pittsboro has hired Kevin Lewis as its next Planning Director. Lewis, who comes to Pittsboro after managing the planning program with the nearby Town of Knightdale, will begin work Aug. 31. “We are excited to welcome Kevin to the Town of Pittsboro,” Town Manager Jonathan Franklin said in a release Monday morning. […]
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