Blog – Moore County Edition

Aug

24

2022

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By Associated Press

New space telescope shows Jupiter’s auroras, tiny moons

Featuresjupiter, moons, NASA, telescope

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The world’s newest and biggest space telescope is showing Jupiter as never before, auroras and all. Scientists released the shots Monday of the solar system’s biggest planet. The James Webb Space Telescope took the photos in July, capturing unprecedented views of Jupiter’s northern and southern lights, and swirling polar haze. Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, a storm big enough to swallow Earth, stands out brightly alongside countless smaller storms. One wide-field picture is particularly dramatic, showing the faint rings around the planet, as well as two tiny moons against a glittering background of galaxies. “We’ve never seen…

Aug

24

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Duke legal clinic inserted itself into Moore Schools book controversy

Newsbook controversy, Duke University, legal clinic, Moore Schools

RALEIGH — A June 10 letter reveals that Duke University Law School’s First Amendment Clinic inserted itself into the ongoing fight over alleged obscene books found in Moore County Public Schools. The letter was addressed to Moore County Board of Education Chair Pam Thompson along with the rest of the board members and was signed by Benjamin Rossi and Sarah Ludington of Duke Law’s First Amendment Clinic (DLFAC). In their letter, DLFAC takes aim at two books successfully removed “Life is Funny” by E.R. Frank and “Looking for Alaska” by John Green. DLFAC’s letter claims the “removal and banning of…

Aug

24

2022

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By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Aberdeen Board approves amendment to increase parking allotment for religious institutions

Government, NewsAberdeen Town Board, council meeting, public hearing, town board

ABERDEEN — The Aberdeen Town Board met Monday, where they held two public hearings and discussed the port-a-john services in Ray’s Mill Park. The board held a public hearing for a voluntary annexation request by Collinswood Partners, LLC for 64.859 acres of land located in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction north of NC-211 and east of Collinswood Drive. “The request is for an unaddressed parcel and adjacent right-of-way to be annexed,” said Planning Director Justin Westbrook. “It is considered a satellite annexation and is located within the Town’s Extra Territorial jurisdiction and currently zoned R-20 (residential single family).” The board approved…

Aug

17

2022

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By U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson

HUDSON: You deserve answers

Opinionscolumn, FBI raid, opinion, trump

“Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.” This quote by former President Ronald Reagan reminds us of the dangers of abuse of power, as well as the threat one-party rule can be to the rights and liberties of the American people. Last week, unfortunately, we saw this danger become a reality. Last Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a “raid” on President Donald Trump’s home in Florida, allegedly on the grounds that they were looking for “presidential records or any possibly classified material.” However, the nature of this raid remains dubious at best and, in many…

Aug

17

2022

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By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Decision on Pinehurst South development plan pushed to next meeting by council

Government, Newscouncil meeting, town council, Village of Pinehurst

PINEHURST — The Village of Pinehurst Council met Tuesday, August 9, where they further discussed the Pinehurst South Small Area Plan and approved the reappropriation of funds from FY22 to the current year. After being tabled again at last month’s meeting, the Pinehurst Council continued the discussion of the Pinehurst South small area development plan. “I think the major emphasis right now with Pinehurst South is commercial versus residential and non-residential development and what kind of a community we see there being or not being,” said Mayor John Strickland. “Is the property west of Highway 5 going to be different…

Aug

17

2022

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By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Southern Pines sets Public Hearing for potential abandonment of roads

Government, Newscouncil meeting, government, Southern Pines, town council

SOUTHERN PINES — The Town of Southern Pines Council met Tuesday, August 9, where they approved multiple architectural compliance permits as well as set a public hearing for the potential abandonment of two portions of roads within the Town limits. VG Pines Residential LLC submitted a request for abandonment for a portion of Mechanic Street from West Rhode Island Avenue to the right-of-way for US Highway 1 and the portion of Rhode Island Avenue that extends through the parcel currently owned by VG Pines Residential LLC. However, according to Town Engineer James Michel, the staff could not find evidence that…

Aug

11

2022

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By Randolph Record

HUDSON: Building a better future

Business, OpinionsBiden administration, column, editorial, opinion

“The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to, and the last duty done.” This quote by the theologian George MacDonald reminds us that building a better future for ourselves and our children begins by laying a sturdy foundation for growth, security, and individual freedom in the present. Unfortunately, Democrats in Washington have largely failed to bolster this foundation or, in some cases, have caused it to erode. Today, due to misguided policy decisions by the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats, our nation finds itself in a grim state. And sadly, this condition has come to touch…

Aug

11

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Schools ends contract with Panorama; get refund

Government, NewsEducation, Moore County Public Schools, Panorama, public schools

RALEIGH — Moore County Public Schools has dropped its survey platform contract with Panorama Education, a company that produces “Social and Emotional Learning” data analysis, surveys, and related materials. Moore County School Board member David Hensley posted a graphic on his official Facebook page describing efforts he and board members Robert Levy and Philip Holmes had taken, resulting in an apparent refund of $122,280. In Spring 2021, the Moore County School Board voted 4-3 to sign and fund a three-year contract with Panorama. Hensley, Levy, and Holmes voted against it. Sometime in the months after that vote, the district’s superintendent…

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

10

2022

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By Matt Mercer

Hudson, Clark face off for new 9th District seat

Government, News9th District, Clark, Hudson

RALEIGH — Following a court-ordered redistricting process that will be in effect for 2022 only, the new 9th Congressional District runs from Randolph County down to the Sandhills, taking in all of Chatham, Lee, Hoke, Moore, and Scotland counties as well as parts of Cumberland, Harnett, and Richmond counties. The two candidates advancing from the May 17 primary are Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson and Democratic state Sen. Ben Clark. Hudson, who was first elected to Congress in 2012, found his home in Cabarrus County drawn into a district where fellow Republican Dan Bishop was currently representing much of the…