Ryan Henkel – Moore County Edition

Oct

24

2024

Board of Education members accused of accepting improper gratuities

Newsmoore county schools board of education

CARTHAGE – Tensions continue to rise between the members of the Moore County Schools Board of Education with the latest spat being over an ethics violation complaint brought about by board member David Hensley. Hensley, who was censured by the board earlier this year, claimed that members of the board, namely board chair Robert Levy, vice chair Shannon Davis, Stacey Caldwell and Pauline Bruno had accepted improper/illegal gratuities from an organization in which the board had contracted with. “As everyone knows, the US Open was held here in Pinehurst over the summer, a very successful event, and the PGA came…

Oct

08

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Commissioners to hold public hearing on potential racetrack development

NewsMoore County Board of Commissioners

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Education has set a date for a public hearing for a planned development conditional rezoning request for 395.67 acres of property located on Leach Road from RA to Planned Development Conditional Zoning (PD-CZ) for the construction of a luxury racetrack. The board has been hearing opposition to the racetrack for months now from local citizens during the public comment period of their meetings as there are a lot of concerns surrounding noise, traffic and the overall impact on the local way of life and on the current rural/agricultural appeal of the area. The…

Sep

27

2024

By Ryan Henkel

County considers expanded shelter operations

NewsMoore County Board of Commissioners

CARTHAGE — Moore County is continuing to look for ways in which it can help more animals. At its Sept. 17 regular business meeting, the board held a public hearing to hear about a proposed expansion and potential improvements to Moore County Animal Operations. The Sheriff’s Office had initially approached the board about adding a surgical suite and in-house veterinary staff to its animal operations department back in August. “The problem that we have been confronted with over the last year are complaints over our euthanasia rates being too high and our inept ability to run a county animal shelter…

Sep

18

2024

By Ryan Henkel

School district emphasizes commitment to safety in light of recent tragedy

NewsMoore County Board of Education

CARTHAGE – In light of the recent shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia as well as due to an influx of community concerns, the Moore County Schools Board of Education was provided with a high-level overview of the safety and security measures that are in place in the district at their Sept. 10 regular business meeting. “Over the years, we’ve had a distinct focus on building and improving safety and security in Moore County Schools,” said Superintendent Tim Locklair. “That includes the systems, processes and practices, but also the resources and relationships we’ve built in the community to employ…

Sep

12

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Commissioners to assist with out-of-pocket costs for K-3 teachers

NewsMoore County Board of Commissioners

CARTHAGE – Following a surplus of sales tax dollars from last fiscal year, the Moore County Board of Commissioners has found a way to offer a bit more support to local teachers. At the board’s Sept. 5 regular business meeting, the commissioners approved a one-time allocation of $40,000 to Moore County Schools to be distributed to K-3 teachers to assist with out-of-pocket supply costs. “In our elementary level, there’s certainly more print material, more materials that many times teachers take on on their own to make their classrooms very welcoming,” said MCS superintendent Tim Locklair. “We certainly appreciate the commissioners…

Sep

05

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Aberdeen to hold public hearing for system development fee rate updates

NewsAberdeen Town Board

ABERDEEN – The Town of Aberdeen is looking to potentially raise the rates for its system development fees as a public hearing was set for that very purpose at its Aug. 26 regular business meeting. The Aberdeen Town Board set a public hearing for Oct. 28 in order to discuss changes to the town’s system development fees (SDF) rates for new connections to its water and sewer systems. “We thought we could do it a little bit earlier, but we started looking at the true notice and the posting and we thought we’d rather be safe than sorry, so we…

Aug

21

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Commissioners interested in supporting teacher’s “out-of-pocket” costs

NewsMoore County Board of Commissioners

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Commissioners will potentially consider providing a bit of kickback to county teachers following the latest local sales tax report provided to the board. At the board’s Aug. 20 regular business meeting, Board Chairman Nick Picerno urged the board to consider providing supplemental funding to school teachers in order to cover supply costs. “Every year, we hear the story of local teachers having to go into their own pocket to produce supplies and needs – especially in K through three,” Picerno said. Picerno’s initial idea is to send the Moore County Schools Board of…

Aug

14

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Board of Education approves continuation of partnership with Public Impact

NewsMoore County Board of Education

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Schools Board of Education met Monday, Aug. 12. After a lengthy discussion, the board approved the Advanced Teaching Roles Partnership contract with Public Impact for the 2024-25 school year. “We were very excited to share last year that we received the advanced teaching roles grant which is a multi-year grant with the purpose of building systems and structures in place for advanced teaching roles,” said Superintendent Tim Locklair. “These are roles in which our teachers would have the opportunity to stay in the classroom and continue to work and have an impact on a greater…

Jun

25

2024

By Ryan Henkel

School playgrounds and auditoriums to see improvements

NewsMoore County Board of Education

PINEHURST — The Moore County Schools Board approved new contracts that will see upgrades and new equipment coming to school playgrounds and auditoriums at its Monday, June 10 meeting. A $650,000 contract with Creative Playscapes will see updates to all elementary school playgrounds, covered by bond premium funding. The schools will be getting fresh layers of engineered wood fiber mulch, and some schools will see completely new equipment while others will see repairs to existing playgrounds. The new equipment is expected to last between 15 to 20 years. A $138,000 contract with Stage and Gymnasium Specialties will cover the replacement…

Jun

14

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Upcoming budget may see reduction in tax rate

NewsMoore County Board of Commissioners

CARTHAGE — Moore County residents could see (slightly) lower property tax bills, next year. The Moore County Board of Commissioners received the recommended county budget for the next fiscal year at its May 21 meeting and it includes a proposed $0.01 reduction in the general fund tax rate. “The budget really illuminates the county’s mission, vision and values,” said Moore County Manager Wayne Vest in a presentation to the board. “It walks the talk by ensuring funding for exceptional services, governing conservatively, demonstrating respect and compassion for our citizens and visitors, it is fiscally sound and it prioritizes a safe…