Hillsborough: OCS Masking Policies + Long-Term Transit Plans

While Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging counties and school districts to lift their mask mandates, Orange County leaders are keeping their mandate in place for the time being. The Orange County Board of Education voted Monday to move to optional masking for all students 72 hours after the local mask mandate expires in Orange County.

Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver speaks with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, November 23. She details the latest update from county leaders on continuing the indoor mask mandate through the end of the year. Plus: details on a cancelled Board of Commissioners meeting, the final Last Fridays of the year and several holiday events happening around the community!

The Orange County Schools district will require universal masking for all students, staff and visitors this fall. As unanimously approved by the district’s Board of Education on Monday, the requirement for face coverings will be for both indoors and outdoors at Orange County Schools amid the ongoing spread of COVID-19’s delta variant. The mask policy […]

Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell and shares more about Orange County's incoming indoor mask mandate on Tuesday, August 10. She details why this step is being taken now amid a renewed spread of COVID-19. Plus: the Town of Hillsborough renames a community center after a local leader.

Some Hillsborough residents are petitioning for a town street name to be changed from honoring a state Supreme Court justice with ties to white supremacy. The namesake for Thomas Ruffin Street, which runs through a neighborhood off North Cameron Street, has many ties to the area. Ruffin practiced law in Hillsborough and served as a […]

Members of the clergy from around Orange County gathered with concerned congregants at the steps of the Orange County School office building near downtown Hillsborough during a Board of Education meeting on Monday night. They came here because of concerns over the state of Orange County schools, and whether Board of Education members are adequately […]

Joining in with "No Kings" rallies across the country on Saturday, many Orange and Durham County community members took part in local protests.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, June 10. He discussed the Hillsborough Town Budget, which the board of commissioners passed unanimously. He outlined the tough decisions that had to be made on revenue and delaying projects, particularly given federal budget cuts. He also talked about Last Friday Art Walk being featured on North Carolina Weekend, an upcoming open house at the Rural Orange Fire Department, and more.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, June 3, discussing town news and events. He discussed a recent op-ed he penned urging FEMA to reconsider funding cuts that are hurting communities across North Carolina. He also updated the budget process, with the budget for the next fiscal year expected to be passed at their next meeting. He also discussed the summer rotation of banners through downtown, with pride banners currently up in Hillsborough. He also discussed other upcoming events and more.

Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, May 28, discussing town news and events. After a rare Tuesday Commissioners' meeting due to the Monday Holiday, Mayor Bell discussed a proclamation honoring recently passed former mayor Horace Johnson ahead of his funeral Saturday. He also discussed the board's recent budget work session, including the timeline for the budget's likely passage. He discussed some opportunities to give feedback on the town's parking study, the upcoming Last Friday Art Walk, and more.