Blog – Moore County Edition

Feb

14

2024

‘Drastic’ homeowners’ insurance rate hike denied

Newshomeowners insurance

RALEIGH — The N.C. Rate Bureau’s proposed statewide rate hike of 42.2% for homeowners insurance was rejected by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Feb. 6. “I haven’t seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase on North Carolina consumers,” Causey said in a statement. “The Department of Insurance has received more than 24,000 emailed comments on this proposal, with hundreds more policyholders commenting by mail. Consumers deserve a more thorough review of this proposal. I intend to make sure they get that review.” This is the second time a large price hike has been submitted by the…

Feb

14

2024

By Lauren Rose

Rep. Hudson meets with farmers, discusses ag and rural issues

Newsagriculture, rep. richard hudson

‌SILER CITY — Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined farmers and agricultural interests for a discussion on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Bestfood Cafeteria in Siler City. In between bites of fried chicken and refills of sweet tea, Hudson talked about the importance of the agriculture industry in North Carolina. “Our farmers are backbone of our communities and in addition to providing us with the most abundant, cheapest food in the world, the food and fiber we need to survive as a country comes from our farmers,” Hudson told North State Journal. “I’ve always been committed to helping them fight off federal…

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 Lauren Rose

Pinehurst approves rezoning and annexations for residential developments

NewsVillage of Pinehurst Council

PINEHURST – The Village of Pinehurst Council met Tuesday, Jan. 23, addressing a rezoning request, annexation petition and other business. First up was a request to rezone 32.14 acres of property, off Chicken Plant Road, from medium density residential zoning (R-30-CZ) to a low density residential and light agricultural district (R-210). “[The property] is vacant with one home now currently under construction that has been permitted,” said planning director Alex Cameron. “The development proposal would eventually be for two other residential homes along with the one that is under construction now with lots that are 10+ acres in size each.”…

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

31

2024

By North State Journal Staff

MCS bans four books, restricts several more in contentious hearing

Newsbook ban, Moore County Schools

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Schools Board of Education considered recommendations from the District Media and Technology Advisory Committees reviews in regards to nine books that were challenged, at the Jan. 16 board meeting. The challenged books were: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson Looking for Alaska by John Green Crank by Ellen Hopkins City of Heavenly Fire: The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare The board agreed with committee recommendations on three books, which will…

Jan

31

2024

By Matt Mercer

First lady Jill Biden visits Forsyth Tech, unveils $30m investment

Newsfirst lady, jill biden

WINSTON-SALEM — First lady Jill Biden made a pair of stops in North Carolina on Friday, Jan. 26, speaking at Forsyth Tech in the morning and then appearing at a fundraising event in Raleigh that afternoon. The visit came just eight days after President Joe Biden made his own visit to the state, and the third in the past four weeks for the administration after Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Charlotte. At the campus of Forsyth Tech, Biden was joined by Gov. Roy Cooper and Winston-Salem mayor Allen Joines to celebrate $30 million in grants provided to two entities…

Jan

31

2024

By North State Journal Staff

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: BROCK SULLIVAN

Sportsathlete of the week

Brock Sullivan is a junior for the Union Pines wrestling team. Sullivan rose to the top spot in the state 3A rankings at 175 pounds, and won the championships in the Sandhills Conference meet, as well as the PJ Smith Memorial, Bob Mauldin Classic, Union Pines Round Robin, Tiger Holiday Classic, Cold Turkey Invitational and Viking Invitational. As the postseason opens, he appears ready to add to his impressive accomplishments. Union Pines, the top seed in the 3A East region, swept through the first two rounds of the state Dual-Team playoffs, beating No. 16 South Johnston, 51-24, and No. 8…

Jan

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Calissa Clendenin

Sportsathlete of the week

Calissa Clendenin is a junior center/forward for the North Moore girls’ basketball team. The Mustangs dropped both games this week, against Chatham Central and Northwood. Clendenin did her part to keep North Moore in the game, however. Against Chatham Central, she hit 5-of-7 shots, including a pair of three-pointers in three attempts, for a team-high 12 points. She also led the way on the Mustangs with 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. For the season, Clendenin leads North Moore in rebounding, shooting, assists and blocks and is second in scoring.