A.P. Dillon – Moore County Edition

May

31

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

336 K-12 schools receive Purple Star recognition

Newsawardees, N.C. Department of Public Instruction, Purple Star

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Public Instruction announced 336 K-12 schools had received a Purple Star Award earlier this month. The Purple Star Award was established in 2019 and goes to schools recognized for demonstrating military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families. This year, 336 K-12 public schools in 17 districts across the state were recognized for the award. Included in the list were nine public charter schools. “These Purple Star Awardees have gone beyond the standard call of duty to ensure their school and classroom environments accommodate military-connected students,” State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said in…

May

17

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Driver permit bill becomes law without governor’s signature

NewsDMV, drivers license, General Assembly, NCGA

RALEIGH — A bill modifying limited provisional licenses became law without Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s signature. This is the fourth bill during the current session of the General Assembly to become law without the governor’s signature. The other bills passing into law without Cooper’s signature include laws on hotel safety issues, rioting and civil disorder penalties, and a law altering the governing structure of schools for the deaf and blind. All three bills have been introduced in the previous legislative session and received vetoes from Cooper. The enacted legislation is Senate Bill 157, Limited Provisional License Modification. The bill passed…

May

03

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Stabbing at Moore County high school leaves female student in stable condition

Newsassault, Moore County Public Schools, Pinecrest High school, school violence, stabbing

RALEIGH — A female student at Pinecrest High School in the Moore County Public Schools district is in stable condition after being stabbed on campus on the morning of April 28. Moore County Public Schools’ initial press statement said that “a serious assault incident occurred at Pinecrest High School prior to the start of the school day.” The statement said multiple agencies responded to the incident, including EMS, and that a suspect was in custody and the victim is being treated. “All students and staff are safe and accounted for. Pinecrest High School was in a modified lockdown for a…

May

03

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Schools reports bomb threat to middle school

Newsbomb threat, Moore County Public Schools, Moore County Schools, New Century Middle School, school violence

PINEHURST — Moore County Public Schools received a bomb threat on one of its middle schools, according to an April 26 press statement by the district. “This afternoon, a bomb threat was reported at New Century Middle School. The school immediately evacuated all students and staff following the procedure for this situation,” the statement said. “Currently, authorities are conducting a full search of the campus. All students and staff remained in their designated safe areas.” The district said it appreciated the support of the Moore County Sheriff’s Department, Carthage Police Department, and Moore County Schools Police. The statement also said…

Apr

21

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Insurance Commissioner disagrees with part of audit of volunteer fire dept. grants

Newsaudit, insurance commissioner, NC Department of Insurance, volunteer fire

RALEIGH — A state audit of volunteer fire department grants issued by the N.C. Department of Insurance has cited problems with the way the grants were distributed. The audit included $56.2 million in grants distributed by the N.C. Department of Insurance (DOI) spanning Jan. 1, 2021, through Oct. 31, 2022. According to the press release by the State Auditor’s office, “As of Nov. 30, 2022, $41.1 million (73%) was disbursed to volunteer fire departments.” Two findings were included in the audit made claims that the grants were made with “limited verification” the departments were eligible to either receive funds or…

Mar

01

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

NC House Speaker ‘grateful’ to officers following traffic incident

Newscar accident, drunk driving, DUI, law enforcement, NC House Speaker, Officer Jason Perdue, Tim Moore

RALEIGH — North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) is grateful to the law enforcement officers who were on hand when the vehicle he was traveling in was rammed by an apparent drunk driver. Moore said he, Rep. David Willis of Union County and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Gurley were returning to Raleigh after a series of events in Wilson. The speaker’s security officer was driving the SUV westbound on U.S. Highway 64 near Knightdale around 9:30 p.m. when it was rammed from behind at least three times, Moore told reporters at the Legislative Building. Moore praised his…

Feb

15

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

State Health Plan releases all documents related to third-party contract change

Government, NewsAetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC, contract change, state health plan

RALEIGH — All documents related to the change from Blue Cross Blue Shield NC to Aetna as the State Health Plan’s third-party administrative services contract (TPA) are now publicly available. Last week, the State Health Plan (SHP) published all of the materials, including requests for proposals (RFP) and the responses, on a specially created transparency page on its website. “We are the most transparent and open agency in state government,” Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a statement. “I cannot be prouder of the work done by the staff of the State Health Plan and the bipartisan State Health Plan Board…

Feb

15

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Schools principal transferred

NewsMoore County Schools, Pinecrest High school, principal, transfer

CARTHAGE — A Moore County Public Schools (MCS) principal has been transferred to another school. According to a press release by MCS, Crain’s Creek Middle School Principal Melonie Jones had requested to be transferred to Pinecrest High School. She will be in the Assistant Principal position at Pinecrest, where she started her education career in the late 90s. “I feel honored and humbled to have been the principal at Crain’s Creek Middle School for the last five years, and I will be forever grateful for the relationships that I have built with the students, staff, parents, and community,” Jones said…

Feb

08

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Education nonprofit unveils top five priorities for 2023

News2023 priorities, Education, nc education, nonprofit

RALEIGH — Education policymakers, members of think tanks, elected officials and other stakeholders gathered for the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s (PSFNC) 2023 Eggs and Issues forum held at N.C. State’s McKimmon Center in Raleigh on Jan. 31. The top five priorities presented by PSFNC included: Ensure fair and competitive compensation for educators Address the root causes of mental health and school safety crises Grow, retain and diversify the teacher pipeline Prepare students for the world they live in Implement, monitor, and evaluate the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan Opening remarks unveiling the priorities were given by PSFNC’s senior director…

Jan

18

2023

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By A.P. Dillon

Second Annual school choice expo announced for Moore County

Newsschool choice, school choice expo

RALEIGH — The Moore County School Choice Expo and Education Summit has announced the date for an upcoming free school options event which will take place during National School Choice Week. The Second Annual Moore County School Choice Expo will be held on Saturday, January 28, from 1-5 pm in the Dempsey Student Center on the campus of Sandhills Community College. The event, which is the second annual offering by the Moore County School Choice Expo, will feature exhibits and informational sessions from public, charter, online, and private schools, as well as home education groups. Additionally, education service and resource…