This was a long year filled with an ongoing pandemic, political unrest and continued fighting for social justice. This year, the Times-News published several stories localizing major events and sharing community and sports news.
The following stories are among our post popular local news stories of the year in no particular order. Click the hyperlinked title for each story to refresh your memory on the biggest news in Alamance County in 2021.
Reporter Isaac Groves shared the story of how Callie Brauel and Nathan Huening built their tiny home on wheels and in the process launched a tiny home community in southern Alamance County.
Reporter Ahmed Jallow conducted an analysis of school disciplinary data that showed from 2015 to 2019, Black students, particularly Black female students, were significantly more likely than their white counterparts to receive suspensions in the Alamance-Burlington School System. His analysis delved into the racial disparities in student punishments across the school system.
Reporter Dean-Paul Stephens discussed Black Bottom, Burlington's Black business district, and the work of business owner Lawrence Slade to fight the systemic racism in city revitalization efforts. Stephens' narrative also shared perspectives of Black business owners in other parts of Alamance County.
Reporter Elizabeth Pattman analyzed rent prices and income levels across Alamance County, highlighting the disparities between stagnant wages and rising rental costs for county residents. The story shared the struggles local renters face in finding safe, clean and affordable housing.
Rachel Berry, the Times-News' former breaking news reporter, was able to step away from crime briefs to share this story of two Burlington police officers who fell in love. Berry's narrative shined a light on finding love in unexpected places and what was to come for these two local officers.
Another analysis by Ahmed Jallow found that Black and Hispanic drivers are disproportionately targeted for traffic stops. Jallow shared the changes some North Carolina law enforcement agencies are making to address the issue and how it could change the future of policing.
Isaac Groves shared the news of UPS's purchase of 185 acres of land in Mebane to build a distribution center. This highly-read story was one of several about major economic development projects coming to the county.
In a year marked by intense competition in the housing market, Elizabeth Pattman asked local Realtors for their insights. They said they have never seen the housing market this tight.
Rachel Berry informed the community of the Graham Police Department's controversial hiring of a former Greensboro police officer terminated for use of deadly force.
After six years in office, former Burlington Mayor Ian Baltutis was beaten by former council member Jim Butler in the November municipal elections. Nearly 9,000 people read Isaac Groves' recap of the election results.
Elizabeth Pattman is the trending topics reporter for the Times-News in Burlington, covering business, COVID-19 and all things trending. Contact Elizabeth (she/her) at epattman@gannett.com. I'm also available on social media @EPattmanTN on Twitter or @burlingtontimesnews on Instagram.
