Fraley remembered at memorial service

CHAPEL HILL -- Hundreds of people filed into Chapel Hill Bible Church on Saturday afternoon to say goodbye to Atlas Shaquille Minor Fraley, who was described by those who knew him as modest, funny, warm and friendly.

"Thank you for opening your heart to those who needed a shoulder to lean on," said a crying Shanya Campbell while reading a poem in tribute to the Chapel Hill High School football player.

Fraley, 17, called 911 from his Chapel Hill home Aug. 12 after a football scrimmage, complaining of dehydration and full-body cramps. Orange County paramedics spent 22 minutes at Fraley's home.

Fraley was dead when his parents got home. County officials are reviewing how the case was handled.

Fraley's basketball and football coaches always monitored him because of his asthma, said Tremaine Powell, one of his basketball coaches. On the court, Fraley was a step behind most of his opponents, but he played and wore No. 1 on his jersey because he was always the best in practice and in the classroom, he said.

Issac Marsh, Chapel Hill's football coach, said one of Fraley's greatest attributes was his attitude. Fraley was the team's scorekeeper, quasi-assistant coach, backup offensive guard and defensive lineman. He also was manager for the varsity basketball team and taught younger children how to shoot at basketball camps.

"He had a lot of positive energy that made people feel comfortable," Marsh said.

Fraley was buried at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery.

-- Stanley Chambers, 956-2426; Stanley.chambers@nando.com

County examines jail overcrowding

HILLSBOROUGH -- A state inspector found the Orange County jail overcrowded again last month, housing 174 inmates, or 45 over capacity.

The finding put the jail out of compliance with state regulations. Inspector Chris Wood ordered Sheriff Lindy Pendergrass to take corrective action.

"This has been in increasing problem," Wood wrote.

The state inspects the jail twice a year and routinely finds the 129-bed facility above capacity. On Tuesday night, the Orange County Board of Commissioners was scheduled to ask the sheriff why.

"We strongly support the sheriff, but if we have persistent problems we have to look at this," Chairman Barry Jacobs said.

In a 2007 interview, the sheriff defended the practice, saying the jail had a contract to house 75 federal inmates and could safely hold up to 200 inmates.

In 1994 Sheriff iPendergrass signed a 15-year deal with the federal government. In exchange for the county's housing the federal prisoners, the federal government agreed to provide $2 million for jail renovations and expansion and pay a daily fee per prisoner.

The contract generates about $2 million a year for the county.

-- Mark Schultz, 932-2003; mark.schultz@nando.com

Disability council lists problem spots

CHAPEL HILL -- On Estes Drive near Franklin Street, there's a large pipe jutting through the sidewalk. If you're in a wheelchair, that presents a major obstacle.

But it's hazardous even if you have the use of your legs. You might trip, or it might send you into the street to go around it.

That's the point the Orange County Disability Awareness Council is trying to make by sending the town a laundry list of "environmental barriers."

"This isn't just for disabled people. It's for everybody," said Timothy Miles, executive director of the council.

Among other concerns outlined in an e-mail message sent to town officials in late July:

• Many bus stops aren't well lit or have no light at all.
• Business signs and tables and chairs on the sidewalk make it hard for disabled people to get around.
• A chirping crosswalk signal sounds too much like a bird and can confuse the visually impaired.

Town Manager Roger Stancil said he will send the complaints to the appropriate staff for an action plan.

-- Matt Dees, 956-2433; matt.dees@nando.com