Heading banner with log background that says 2026 Pine Needler and CPRC pinecone logo

CPRC News & Updates

May 15, 2026

Welcome to "The Pine Needler," your go-to source for all things happening in the Central Pines Region! We're here to keep you in the loop with our bi-monthly updates on upcoming events and regional news. Stay connected with us as we bring you the latest happenings and stories that will surely make your day pine-tastic!

Check out our special Public Service Recognition issue!

In This Edition:

  • Budget Breakdown Series: Ombudsman Services
  • Public Service Special Recognition
  • May is Older Americans Month
  • Virtual Grant Workshop
  • Heat Safety Week

Popular Links & Resources

In Every Edition:

  • Popular Links & Resources
  • Career Opportunities
  • Upcoming Events

Budget Breakdown Series - Discretionary Funding & Organizational Capacity: Building for What's Next

This is the second of three supplemental pieces to my Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Central Pines Regional Council Recommended Budget Message. These supplemental posts allow a deeper dive into three of the most pressing issues facing the organization over the next several years. Each piece will end with recommendations to the Board on how to address the issue over the coming year(s). 

- Lee Worsley, CPRC Executive Director

Demand for Long-Term Care Ombudsmen services in the Central Pines region continues to grow, while federal and state funding has failed to keep pace. Since 2013, the number of licensed long-term care beds in our region has increased by nearly 900, yet current state and federal funding supports only three of the five Ombudsman positions on the Central Pines staff - well below nationally recognized staffing standards. County governments in the Central Pines region have voluntarily filled this gap for more than a decade, but this approach is not sustainable. 

To address this issue, a strategy within CPRC's new Strategic Plan is to prioritize aging program funding consideration through regular strategic discussions with county leaders, intensify state and federal advocacy for increased Ombudsman funding, and evaluate limited interim options - including regional funding strategies - while reinforcing that this gap is ultimately a state and federal responsibility. 

Daryl Hedgspeth

City of Durham Impact Team Manager - Environment & Street Services

Tim Gainer

City of Raleigh Operations Supervisor, Yard Waste Center

Josh Womack

Village of Pinehurst Fire Captain

Carlos Lyons

City of Durham Senior Operations Manager, Collections Environmental & Street Services

Durham County Sheriff's Office Emergency Communications

Durham County

Loryn Clark

Town of Chapel Hill Deputy Town Manager

Tania Dautlick

Executive Director of Keep Durham Beautiful & City of Durham Employee

Melissa Bielby

Village of Pinehurst Library & Archives Supervisor

Central Pines Regional Council & Triangle West TPO Staff Recognition

Melissa Lowell

Chatham County Street Outreach Coordinator

"Melissa does incredibly challenging work with the unhoused community in Chatham County, often both physically and emotionally. I’m constantly blown away by the impact that she makes on people’s lives and the sheer amount of empathy she has."

-Nominated by Erin Young, CPRC Accounting Technician

Andres Otero

Planner I

"Andres’s work brings him into contact with a wide range of stakeholders, from students and educators to businesses, community partners, and decision-makers. What stands out most is his thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach. Whenever he encounters a challenge, he takes the time to think it through and comes prepared with clear, practical ideas to move things forward. That kind of initiative and clarity make him an invaluable team member.


Equally important is the energy he brings to work. He connects easily with others, and in his everyday interactions, whether within his team, across the organization, or with external colleagues, he helps create a more fun, positive, and friendly environment. People naturally enjoy working with him and being around him."

-Nominated by Shuchi Gupta, CPRC Principal Planner

David Miller

TPO Transportation Planner

"What makes David awesome is his consistent engagement and support. As a representative of one of our funders on the TDM grant, he goes beyond expectations by staying actively involved -asking thoughtful, timely questions and showing a clear interest in the work.


What stands out most to me is David's reliability and willingness to support the grant team, even in situations that are unusual or don’t have a clear precedent. This has been especially evident in a couple of recent situations. One can count on him to be thoughtful, responsive, and collaborative. That level of dependability, combined with his positive approach, makes him a valued partner and someone I truly enjoy working with."

-Nominated by Shuchi Gupta, CPRC Principal Planner


"David always goes above and beyond when given a task. Our members enjoy working with him, and he excels at organization and project management."

-Nominated by Colleen McGue, Triangle West TPO Planning Manager

May is Older Americans Month!

Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults.

The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages taking an active role in managing your own health, advocating for yourself, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence. 

Join us in highlighting the importance of evidence-based approaches, self-management, and community partnerships that empower individuals to lead their healthiest lives.

Virtual Grant Workshop

Join us for Central Pines Regional Council’s Virtual Grant Workshop on Friday, May 29th from 1:00–2:30 PM for an interactive session designed to help local governments strengthen their grant strategy. This free workshop will provide an overview of CPRC’s Grant Assistance Program, tips for identifying and evaluating grant opportunities, and strategies for using regional collaboration and cross-sector partnerships to build more competitive applications. Attendees will also hear about upcoming funding opportunities and ways to maximize available support for their communities. Register for the event below!

Heat Safety Week

Promotional graphic for 2026 Heat Safety Week, hosted by NIHHIS from May 18-22, detailing daily themes like Heat-related Illness, Safety Tips, checking on others, outdoor safety, and staying safe in the sun. Includes the hashtag #HeatSafety and the NIHHIS logo.

Career Opportunities

CPRC Openings

Work Local in the Central Pines Region

There are so many amazing career opportunities to serve your community and work for local government in the Central Pines Region. Check out the most recent job postings here!

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Event

When & Where

Details

UNC SOG Water & Wastewater Round Table: Exploring Regional Partnerships from Joint Purchasing to Shared Staff & Beyond

Thursday, May 21

9:00 am

Virtual


Learn more and register HERE

CPRC Board of Delegates Meeting

Wednesday, May 27

6:00 - 8:00 pm

CPRC Office | Durham

2026 Board of Delegates Meeting Schedule

Virtual Grant Workshop

Friday, May 29

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Virtual

Register HERE

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube