Good morning neighbors,

I started writing this letter from the Forsyth County Central Library last week. One of the first events I covered as a fresh-out-of-college reporter was this library’s grand re-opening. That was almost nine years ago, and it still looks new.

I’ve returned a few times since then while visiting family, but this time, I made the drive to attend NC Local’s community listening event, “It Takes a Village: Helping Winston-Salem’s families and children thrive.” The purpose was to bring journalists and community members – including actual young people – together in the same room to talk to each other about important issues facing the area.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on topics and places for us to host something like this here in Alamance County. You can hit reply to this email with your ideas.

Switching over to news about our libraries: On June 2, the Alamance County Library committee (which includes county commissioner Ed Priola and Graham city councilmember Bonnie Whitaker) held a special meeting to consider whether to label 25 books with “Parental Guidance” stickers.

Under the library’s Content Notice Review Policy, approved last year, library cardholders can submit requests for specific books to be “stickered” if they have certain “content indicators” such as graphic violence, substance use, self-harm or profanity. The request triggers a formal review process by library management who determine whether the book meets the policy’s criteria for a sticker. If the requestor disagrees with the staff’s decision, they can appeal. That’s where the library committee comes in.

At the June 2 meeting, the committee only made it through 15 of the 25 books appealed. Nine of them were approved for labels:

• Why? A Story for Kids Who Have Lost a Parent to Suicide

• Bare Naked Book

• Luna's Red Hat

• The Right Touch

• Changing You

• Is this Normal?

• Lucy Lancaster Has a Secret

• You Ruined It

• We Need to Talk About Vaginas

• Gods & Monsters

The committee will vote on the remaining 10 books at another special meeting on June 30 at 12:30 p.m. at May Memorial Library.

In other county news, commissioners will meet today at 9:30 a.m. for the scheduled budget work session. This is where commissioners will ask questions and propose changes to County Manager Heidi York’s recommended $278.6 million spending plan.

In the meantime, below you’ll find reporting from NC Local’s Will Michaels on Duke Energy’s proposed rate hikes. We also have our local news roundup, community spotlight feature, and a list of local government meetings over the next week.

Talk soon,

THIS WEEK

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WHAT'S SHAPING ALAMANCE

A round up of key local headlines (from our partners and other news organizations) that are defining life in Alamance right now.

• Elon Poll: A proud but deeply uneasy public as America celebrates 250th (Elon University News Bureau)
• Alamance County confirms second rabies case of 2026 after dogs exposed to raccoon (ABS 45 WXLV)
• Census findings: Graham and Mebane fastest growing Alamance County areas between 2023 to 2025 (The Alamance News) *
• NCDHHS Announces $10 Million for EMS Workforce Through NC Rural Health Transformation Program (NCDHHS)
• 10 Things to Do in Alamance County in June (Active Alamance)

Articles with an asterisk (*) are behind a paywall.

LATEST FROM NC LOCAL

Here is the latest statewide reporting from the NC Local team on the big-picture issues that impact us all.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

In this segment, we spotlight one of the neighbors shaping our community's future. This summer, we are highlighting recipients of the Alamance Community Foundation's 2026 Spring Community Grant.

From left to right: Chioma Iloabachie, NP; Michelle Cubas; Janay Powell; Amanda Shore; Deanna Jones, MD; Vonté Hedgebeth; and Trudy Arling. (Courtesy: Janay Powell)

Open Door Clinic of Alamance County

• In a few words, describe your organization and its mission.
  Open Door Clinic of Alamance County is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven safety-net clinic serving uninsured and underserved residents of Alamance County. Our mission is to offer free comprehensive healthcare and support services with dignity, equity, professionalism, and compassion to qualified patients in our community, regardless of ability to pay.

• What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
  We wish more people understood the full scope of care coordination and support that happens beyond a typical clinic visit. In addition to primary care, we help patients navigate access to medications, specialty referrals, and essential community resources. Much of this work is made possible through dedicated volunteers and strong community partnerships, which allow us to address not just immediate medical needs, but long-term health barriers as well.

• How can the community stay in touch and get involved?
  The community can stay connected with Open Door Clinic through our website and social media, where we share updates, needs, and opportunities to support our work.
  
  Community members are also welcome to contact or visit our office during clinic hours on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and Thursdays from 9:00 AM–8:00 PM. We welcome volunteers, donors, and community partners who are interested in helping expand access to care for uninsured neighbors in Alamance County.
  
  Address: 424 Rudd St., Suite 102, Burlington, NC 27217
  Phone: 336-570-9800
  Website: opendoorclinic.net
  Facebook: facebook.com/opendoorclinicofalamancecounty/

• Any big accomplishments or goals this year?
  This year, we are especially proud to have expanded our services through the launch of new specialty-focused care initiatives, including a women’s clinic designed to improve access to preventive and ongoing healthcare for women in our community. We have also expanded specialty services by adding rheumatology care, helping improve access for patients with chronic autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions who often face significant barriers to specialty treatment. These expansions strengthen our ability to meet patient needs and reduce barriers to care.
  
  

  We are also excited to have partnered with Cone Health Virtual Primary Care to expand access to healthcare services for insured patients ages 8 and older. Held onsite at our clinic every Wednesday from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, this partnership allows patients to receive support from our on-site care team while connecting virtually with a Cone Health primary care provider through a secure in-office tablet. This service helps increase access to annual wellness visits, chronic disease management, treatment for common illnesses, prescriptions, lab work, referrals, and preventive care for more members of our community.
  
  

  Additionally, we are preparing to partner with Yousif Shwetar in the UNC Chapel Hill Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP, MD/PhD) to launch Point of Care Diabetic Retinopathy Screening within the Open Door Endocrinology Clinic, which is held on the second Thursday evening of each month. This initiative will help improve early detection and intervention for diabetic eye disease, further expanding access to specialized preventive care services for our patients.
  
  

  In addition, we have continued to grow and strengthen our core services and care coordination efforts, ensuring patients receive not only primary care but also support accessing medications, specialty referrals, and other essential resources.

  
  

  With continued support from community and state funding, along with the dedication of our volunteers and partners, we have been able to expand our capacity and deepen our impact across Alamance County. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue building services that directly respond to community needs and expand access to compassionate, high-quality care for uninsured and underserved residents.

THINGS TO DO

There's a lot going on in our county right now. This week, we're going to focus on highlighting local government meetings. Check out the Visit Alamance events calendar for events happening June 9 through 15 .

• County Commissioners Special Meeting
  Tuesday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m.
  Alamance County Office Building
  124 W. Elm St., Graham, NC 27253
  On the agenda: Budget work session

• ABSS Board of Education Work Session
  Tuesday, June 9 at 12:30 p.m.
  Alamance-Burlington School System Board Room
  1712 Vaughn Rd., Burlington, NC 27217

• Elon Town Council Meeting

  Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m.

  Elon Town Hall

  104 S. Williamson Ave., Elon, NC 27244
  On the agenda: "FY 27 Annual Budget" "Revisions to the Parking Schedule"

• Graham City Council Meeting
  Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m.
  City Hall
  201 S. Main St., Graham, NC 27253
  On the agenda: "Budget public hearing and possible adoption"

• Green Level Town Council Meeting
  Thursday, June 11 at 6 p.m.
  City Hall
  201 S. Main St., Graham, NC 27253

• County Planning Board Meeting
  Alamance County Office Building
  124 W. Elm St., Graham, NC 27253
  On the agenda: "Land Use Map / Rural Preservation Ordinance discussion"

• County Commissioners Business Meeting 
  Monday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m.
  Alamance County Office Building
  124 W. Elm St., Graham, NC 27253
  Scheduled budget vote

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