To reflect on the year, Chapelboro.com is re-publishing some of the top stories that impacted and defined our community’s experience in 2023. These stories and topics affected Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the rest of our region.

2023 marked a big year for 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com! Not only did your hometown radio station and daily local news source move to a brand-new location, but it also once again earned the honor of being Station of The Year and celebrated a milestone anniversary!

Broadcasting in Chapel Hill since 1953, 97.9 The Hill celebrated 70 years of service in 2023 with a full-on street party on Franklin, turning Midway into a concert venue and craft market in the process!

With still more to celebrate at 97.9 The Hill, for the third year in a row, the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (NCAB) named 97.9 The Hill WCHL its Non-Metro Station of the Year and the winner of its statewide Community Involvement Award!

Finally, ending 2023 on a landmark occasion, 97.9 The Hill WCHL moved back to Franklin Street! More than two decades ago, the station’s home was on East Franklin Street, and since 2016 the station’s offices were at University Place. But as of November 2023, WCHL has returned to the street where it all began 70 years ago at a new location: 1525 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill!

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