A.P. Dillon – Moore County Edition

Aug

11

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Public Schools built up meal fund balance over pandemic

Government, NewsEducation, meal fund, Moore County Public Schools, public schools

RALEIGH — During a recent Moore County Schools Board of Education work session, the topic of the disposition of the district’s school meals balance was raised. Apparently, the district’s meals fund balance has built up excess funds of $2.8 million as a result of the free meals paid for by the federal government over the last two years of the pandemic. The U.S. government pays $3.49 for qualified free and reduced lunch recipients. Moore County Schools charges around $2.50 for those who don’t qualify for those meals. That means close to $1 for each meal paid for by the federal…

Aug

03

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore Rep. McNeill receives inaugural “Order of the Keeper of the Public Purse”

NewsAllen McNeill, award, Representative

RALEIGH — Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph/Moore) has been honored as the first recipient of the “Order of the Keeper of the Public Purse,” according to a press statement from N.C. State Treasurer Dale Folwell. Folwell, along with the Boards of Trustees of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, passed a resolution honoring McNeill for his work related to the state’s retirement systems. “It’s hard to say in words the contributions that Rep. McNeill has made to the retirements of those that teach, protect, and otherwise serve the people of North Carolina,” said Folwell in a statement. “But for his…

Jun

15

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Former Moore County Public Schools employee charged in Southern Pines shooting

NewsMoore County Public Schools, shooting, Southern Pines

RALEIGH — On June 2, a former Moore County Public Schools employee was arrested by Southern Pines police related to a shooting near the 400 block of West Connecticut Avenue. The victim, a male in his 40s, was not named, but was airlifted to a trauma center According to police reports, 46-year-old Keith Edward Parker was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Law enforcement officials indicated more charges may be added. Records indicate Parker was issued a $50,000 bond, which he posted on same day as his arrest and was…

Feb

11

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Schools launches investigation into sex ed allegations

NewsMoore County Schools, New Century Middle School

RALEIGH — The Moore County public school district has launched an investigation after allegations of explicit remarks made by a New Century Middle School teacher during a course on reproductive health and safety. Radio show host J.D. Zumwalt highlighted the allegations during his Jan. 27 broadcast and prefaced his comments by telling his audience to change the channel because none of what he was about to say should be heard by children. Zumwalt referenced two children who heard the alleged remarks. One was an 11-year-old female student in sixth grade and the other was allegedly a 13-year-old. The 11-year-old came…

Feb

02

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Book controversy heads to school board

Newsbooks, Education, library, schools

Alex Gino on September 15, 2016 in front of the Haus der Berliner Festspiele in Berlin during their participation at the section International Children´s and Young Adult Literature of the 16th International Literature Festival Berlin. (Christoph Rieger | CC BY-SA 4.0) Board members Holmes and Levy both have objections to “George.” RALEIGH — The controversial book “George” remains on the library shelves in two of the district’s schools while a complaint filed over the book heads to the Moore County school board. The book, written by Alex Gino, has been considered controversial for its transgender storyline of a fourth-grade boy…

Oct

14

2021

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By A.P. Dillon

Deplatform the police? Facebook “depublishes” North Carolina town’s police dept. page

NewsDeplatforming, Facebook, Liberty Police Department, Social Media

RALEIGH — The police department in Liberty, North Carolina logged on to its social media account last week to find that Facebook had “depublished” their page. Liberty is located in northeastern Randolph County with a population of just over 2,650 people. Unable to get the news out on their own page, the Liberty Police Department utilized the Town of Liberty’s official Facebook page on Oct. 13 to update citizens of the situation. “If you have been following the rapidly growing Liberty Police Department Facebook page, you may have had trouble finding it lately. Don't worry, it isn't your search prowess…

Aug

11

2021

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By A.P. Dillon

State superintendent won’t compel employee vaccination, will ask for shot status

Government, StateEducation, schools

RALEIGH — N.C. state superintendent Catherine Truitt won’t force employees at the Department of Public Instruction to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot or compel them to provide proof of vaccination. In an Aug. 3 memo to staff obtained by North State Journal, Truitt outlines masking guidelines and employee attestations of vaccination status. The memo asks that all employees, including contractors, file an attestation form. Any individuals not filing the form will be considered unvaccinated and will be required to wear a mask inside the department offices. “Non-compliance or falsifying proof of a vaccine will subject employees to disciplinary action, up to and…

Jul

21

2021

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By A.P. Dillon

County school boards rebel against K-12 mask mandates

Government, News, Politics, StateEducation, K-12, masks, Roy Cooper

RALEIGH — At a meeting on July 12, the Rowan-Salisbury School Board voted to make masks optional for all students, staff and visitors. The measure passed by a 5-2 vote. Chair Kevin Jones, along with members Travis Allen, Susan Cox, Dean Hunter and Brian Hightower voted in favor while Vice-Chair Alisha Byrd-Clark and member Jean Kennedy voted against. “I’m willing to take that opportunity to make an example to the rest of the school boards in the state,” Allen said of the vote to make masks optional. A second motion was passed by the Rowan board in support of the General Assembly’s…

Jul

21

2021

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By A.P. Dillon

As session hits seven-month mark, bills continue to move through legislature

Government, Politics, StateGeneral Assembly, legislation

RALEIGH — Heading into August, state lawmakers have been working to finalize the budget, but in the meantime other bills continue to be sent to Gov. Roy Cooper. As of July 20, there are six bills on his desk awaiting signature. The governor has signed over 60 bills since February of this year, with around 15 of them being signed in July. Cooper has vetoed four bills this year. The four vetoes are Senate Bill 63, In-Person Learning Choice for Families; Senate Bill 43, Protect Religious Meeting Places; House Bill 453, Human Life Nondiscrimination Act/No Eugenics; and Senate Bill 116, the Putting North Carolina Back to Work Act. Cooper holds the state…

Jul

07

2021

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By A.P. Dillon

Cooper sought eviction order approval after bypassing Council of State last year

Politics, StateReal Estate, Roy Cooper

RALEIGH — Faced with an expiring executive order related to restricting evictions, Gov. Roy Cooper sought Council of State concurrence last week. The request from Cooper for concurrence came on the one-year anniversary of the General Assembly passing legislation urging the governor to confer with the Council of State on emergency actions. On June 29, 2020, the legislature passed Senate Bill 105, titled “Clarify Emergency Powers.” Cooper promptly vetoed the measure three days later. As of June 30, Cooper has issued a total of 221 executive orders since taking office. Seventy-six, or almost 35%, of those orders are COVID-19 related.…