Randolph Record – Moore County Edition

Mar

20

2024

HUDSON: The state of our union is in crisis

Opinionsrep. richard hudson, state of the union

Under President Biden’s failed leadership, the State of the Union is in crisis. He can try to convince the American people his policies are working, but after his address last week, one thing is clear — they’re not buying it. Over the past three years, Americans have experienced one crisis after another. From the catastrophic open border, skyrocketing prices fueled by inflation, to surging violent crime, to weakness on the world stage, President Biden has made our country less prosperous and less safe. Since President Biden took office, folks in our region and across America are paying more for everything.…

Feb

21

2024

By Randolph Record

Early voting underway in Moore County

Businessearly voting

In-person early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina. Statewide, more than 340 early voting sites are open for early voting ahead of the primary. “In-person early voting is one of the ways voters can cast ballots securely in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work at each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to ensure the ballots of eligible voters are counted.” There are 75,487 registered voters in Moore County as of…

Feb

21

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Moore school board approves new high school classes

Newsboard of education

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Schools Board of Education met Monday, Feb. 12, beginning with a number of updates to the high school course catalog for the 2024-25 school year. New classes include AP Drawing and AP 3D Art and Design at Pinecrest High School and Union Pines High School, and “The Bible as History” as a new social studies elective. American History I and II are being replaced with American History, and “American History: Founding Principles, Civics and Economics” will be replaced with “Founding Principles of the United State of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy.” The prerequisite requirements…

Feb

07

2024

By Randolph Record

Union Pines wrestling keeps knocking at the door

Sportsunion pines wrestling

For the third straight season, the Union Pines Vikings earned a spot in the state championship match. For the third straight year, however, the season came to a bittersweet end as the Vikings watched another team celebrate a state title Union Pines took runner up in the NCHSAA 3A Dual-team championships, falling to Eastern Guilford, 36-21. It was the first state title for Eastern Guilford wrestling, and it left the Vikings still seeking to break through with a state title. The Union Pines wrestlers also finished second in the state in 2022 and 2021, losing to Fred T. Foard both…

Feb

07

2024

By Randolph Record

Mountaire Farms taking applications for $2,500 college scholarships

Newsscholarship

Children and grandchildren of Mountaire Farms employees are eligible for $2,500 college scholarships from Mountaire Cares, the charitable operations at Mountaire Farms. The children or grandchildren of employees at Mountaire’s poultry and grain suppliers are also eligible. “We love this program because it’s rewarding to be able to help our own families,” said Clark “JR” LaPearl, director of Mountaire Cares. “Whether that’s our employees or our grower partners and grain producers, at Mountaire, we’re one big family.” Applicants must be enrolled as a full time college student with a minimum of twelve credits per semester for the school year, and…

Jan

31

2024

By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Aberdeen Board denies manufactured home zoning variance, approves off-duty PD pay increase

NewsAberdeen Town Board

ABERDEEN – The Town of Aberdeen Board met Monday, Jan. 22, starting with an approval of an increase in the off-duty police hourly rate from $45 to $70 starting in February. “A lot of officers are not wanting to work off duty because of pay,” said police chief Brian Chavis. “I called around to surrounding agencies. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office non-holiday rate is $50 an hour, their holiday rate is $70 an hour. Southern Pines Police Department is $55 for non-holidays and they’re in the process of increasing that. Pinehurst Police Department off-duty ranged from $45 to $60 an…

Jan

18

2024

By Randolph Record

New leader in boys power rankings as Union Pines falls

SportsMoore County sports

Boys’ basketball The Pinecrest boys snapped a two-game losing streak with a 62-58 win over Lee County. The win earned the Patriots their first conference win of the season and was enough to move Pinecrest past a slumping Union Pines in the Moore County rankings. Jaden Saunders had 15 points and Elijah Melton 13. Azir Gillespie had four steals. Pinecrest is now 7-4, 1-2 in the Sandhills. The Union Pines boys lost their second straight game and fourth in the last five outings. Richmond blew the Vikings out on their home floor, 75-47. Jaylen Kyle got a double-double for Union…

Dec

27

2023

By Randolph Record

North Carolina State Parks to Host First Day Hikes

Featureshikes, mountains

On January 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks. State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. "After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks," Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring family and friends for outdoor adventures,…

Dec

27

2023

By Ryan Henkel

Pinehurst council discusses roads and committees

GovernmentPinehurst Council

PINEHURST – The Village of Pinehurst Council met Tuesday, Dec. 12. It was the first regular business meeting for newly elected mayor Pat Pizzella and council members John Taylor and Barb Ficklin. In regards to the still vacant council seat, Village Manager Jeff Sanborn reported that the Village had received 12 applications for people interested in filling the seat. “We will have a discussion on how we can move that along and hopefully by the next time we meet, we’ll have a fifth councilmember,” Pizzella said. “I’m optimistic.” In addition, Sanborn reported that there were four applicants for two vacancies…

Dec

20

2023

By Randolph Record

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jaylen Kyle

Sportsathlete of the week

Jaylen Kyle is a junior guard for the Union Pines basketball team. The Vikings won their conference opener last week at Lee County, beating the Yellow Jackets 79-71. Kyle was the game’s leading scorer, hitting 10 of 13 shots from the field for 23 points. He added a team-high 9 rebounds, 5 of them on the offensive boards. He also led Union Pines with 6 steals and threw in a blocked shot and a pair of assists. For the season, Kyle leads the Vikings in shooting percentage, is second in scoring and third in blocks and steals. ‌