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On the Porch: Cindy Geary and LaHoma Romocki – Pioneering Durham’s Desegregation
This Week:
After three decades of work in global public health, Cindy Waszak Geary (Hillside Class of ’73) turned to creative non-fiction writing, weaving together personal experience with social and cultural histories. Her first book, Going to School in Black and White, co-authored with LaHoma Smith Romocki, describes how they as two teenage girls—one black, one white—each were altered by a court-ordered desegregation plan for Durham, NC in 1970. She recently published a second book, also a memoir, Ancestral Landscapes. A graduate of UNC-CH, she has continued to live in Chapel Hill most of her adult life, and now also spends part of her time in the mountains of western NC, where she has deep ancestral roots. She is the mother of Emily and Max and the grandmother of Daisy.
LaHoma Romocki has held senior leadership global health positions with extensive field experience in sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Romocki has an undergraduate degree from Duke University, both masters and PHD from UNC-CH. She is a Professor and former Chair of the Department of Public Health Education at NCCU. Romocki is working to build the capacity of the next generation of the public health workforce and health care administrators. She has led study abroad programs and advises students interested in pursuing careers in the health. She is a resident of Granville County and is active in many organizations throughout the community.
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Viewpoints: A Letter to Steve Newmark
I don’t believe I am alone in concluding that the Belichick experiment has been an unequivocal failure. In the last year and a half with him as head coach, UNC has suffered one scandal after another, more than every other coaching staff in UNC’s history combined.
Judy Miller’s Not Ready for the Farm: Where Should You Live as You Age?
Where should you live as you age? In this episode, Judy and Jess explore three very different senior living options — from the massive, high-energy world of The Villages in Florida, to the upscale, medically supported lifestyle at The Cedars, to the social, flexible 55+ rental community at Overture.
You’ll meet residents (including a 100-year-old Cedars member), hear honest stories about affordability, lifestyle, health needs, and community, and get an inside look at how people choose where to live as their lives and bodies change. With humor, heart, and real on-the-ground conversations, this episode helps you imagine what aging well might look like for you or someone you love.
Not Ready for the Farm is proudly presented by: The 79°West Innovation Hub, Clarity Legal Group, West Fork Wealth Management, Health Source Chiropractic, Purple Puddle, and HOPE Renovations.
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What’s Open or Closed on Labor Day? Holiday to Impact Local Government Services
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain...
UNC Volleyball Beats JMU, Survives Colorado State Comeback to Earn 2 Home Wins
UNC stayed undefeated in 2026 with a four-set win against James Madison Thursday and a five-set thriller against Colorado State Friday, both in Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels dropped the first set against the Dukes Thursday despite winning the first three points. JMU...
Hillsborough’s Burwell School Adopts New Name to Honor Enslaved Dressmaker
The name is in honor of Elizabeth Hobbes Keckley, a nationally-renowned seamstress and writer who was enslaved at the site.
UNC Field Hockey Throttles Penn for First Win of 2026 Season
UNC led 4-0 at halftime on its way to a 7-0 thrashing of visiting Penn at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday night as part of the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover. The win is Carolina's first of the 2026 season....
CHCCS Shares Application, Timeline for Filling Vacant Board of Education Seat
Chapel Hill-Carrboro residents are now able to submit their pitches to temporarily join the CHCCS Board of Education. Applications are due Sept. 14.
Reacting to UNC Football’s Ongoing Investigation, NBA’s Punishment of Clippers – Stroman On Sports (September 4, 2026)
97.9 The Hill’s Deborah Stroman joins News Director Brighton McConnell on Friday, September 4, for their weekly chat.
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The Evening News: Michael Lombardi Out, Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center, CHCCS School Board
97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear more on the resignation an investigation around former UNC Football General Manager Michael Lombardi. We also hear more on the Orange County Commissioners decision to name the Crisis Care Center after late board member Jamezetta Bedford. We get a recap of the CHCCS Board meeting from Thursday, and more. In sports, UNC Women’s Soccer and Volleyball both get wins, as Field Hockey looks to get on track this weekend, and more.
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