Emily Powell, the fire and safety educator for the Chapel Hill Fire Department, drops by to speak with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Thursday, October 28. She shares plans for the town’s emergency services on Halloween night, which include not immediately closing down Franklin Street for any wandering community members.
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Chapel Hill Encourages No Halloween Gatherings on Franklin, Offers 'Safer' Alternatives
In non-pandemic years, there has been a longstanding tradition in Chapel Hill to dress up in costume and traverse East Franklin Street Halloween night. This year, however, the Town of Chapel Hill announced it will not preemptively block off the the busy downtown street. Town representatives cited financial costs and the desire to keep Franklin […]

'We Are Not Going to Be Closing Down the Streets': Halloween in Orange County to Look Different
Halloween weekend has arrived and local Orange County officials are encouraging community members to avoid typical holiday traditions due to the coronavirus pandemic. With mass gathering limits in place and statewide COVID-19 cases on the rise, elected leaders are letting people know Halloween will be celebrated and regulated differently from a local government perspective. The […]
Halloween Night Safety Tips for Orange County Residents
Halloween night is expected to be busy in Orange County. Many local agencies and town government departments encourage county residents and visitors to stay safe when out and about. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has tips to keep both trick-or-treaters and bicyclists safe from drivers. For pedestrians, the DOT suggests enhancing your visibility by […]
Homegrown Halloween Crowd Continues Decreasing in Size
Approximately 15,000 costumed celebrators took to Franklin Street for Chapel Hill’s Homegrown Halloween on Tuesday night. That number is continuing a trend of the event decreasing in size since peaking with an estimated crowd of 80,000 revelers in 2007. Concerted efforts by town staff have increased police presence and shortened the amount of time costume-clad […]

Chapel Hill's He's Not Here Among The Athletic's 'Top 10 College Bars' for 2025
A downtown Chapel Hill staple long known for its appeal to both UNC students, Tar Heel fans and visitors recently landed on a national list. The college football staff for The Athletic — a sports journalism magazine under the New York Times’ umbrella — named the 112 1/2 West Franklin Street bar He’s Not Here […]

Honduran, Latin American Food Truck Prepares to Open W. Franklin Street Restaurant on Sep. 5
Chapel Hill is about to feature a new addition to its restaurant lineup: The Latin Effect, which is expanding from its food truck operations.

Chapel Hill Police: Body of Deceased Male Discovered Inside Siena Hotel; Franklin Street Reopened
A block of E. Franklin Street is shut down as authorities communicate with an individual who's barricaded themselves inside the Siena Hotel.

A New Bar, 'Extension' of Al's Burger Shack, Is Now Open in Downtown Chapel Hill
Al's Burger Shack at 516 West Franklin Street added another business to its operations, with the official opening of Puddin's Beer Shack.

Chapel Hill Police Investigating Armed Carjacking on East Franklin Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking which took place at The Siena Hotel early Saturday morning. Police say they responded to initial reports of the carjacking at around 2:25 a.m. Investigators reportedly determined three men stole a vehicle outside the hotel, located at 1505 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, […]

Tech Company Announces New Corporate Headquarters on West Franklin Street
IotaComm, Inc., a wireless communications and data services company, will be relocating its corporate headquarters to the top floor of the office space at 200 West Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. “We’re thrilled IotaComm is calling Chapel Hill home,” said David Putnam, the town’s economic development director. “Once again, Chapel Hill stands out among […]
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