Blog – Moore County Edition

Mar

16

2022

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By A.P. Dillon

Moore County School Board keeps controversial “George” on the shelves

Government, NewsGeorge, library, Moore Schools

RALEIGH — On March 14, the Moore County Public Schools Board held its regular monthly meeting which included discussion on the state’s Pre-K through fifth grade reading initiative and a vote on whether to keep the controversial book “George” in the county’s public school libraries. The board revisited the recommendations made by the District Media and Technology Committee to keep the controversial book “George” in two of the district’s school libraries: McDeeds Creek Elementary and Union Pines High School. The book has been heavily criticized by parents for its sexual content and transgender storyline. The book, written by Alex Gino,…

Mar

16

2022

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By Ryan Henkel

Debates on short-term rentals continue in Pinehurst

Government, NewsAirBNB, Pinehurst

Board to transfer funds for fire engine repair PINEHURST –– The Village of Pinehurst Council met Tuesday with the ongoing debate on short-term rentals continuing to dominate the discussion. At the last meeting, the council proposed a series of goals for future policies to address concerns residents had with short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Village staff are still working on drafting the policies to be put forth before the council for a vote, but they should be ready by the next meeting. “We will be presenting policy options that we think strike an appropriate balance between property owners’ rights and…

Mar

16

2022

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By Ryan Henkel

Southern Pines to double prior goals for street resurfacing project

NewsSouthern Pines

Council takes first step toward amending municipal election structure SOUTHERN PINES – The Town of Southern Pines Council met Thursday to vote on the allocation of lands into the corporate limits of the town, as well as to vote on various items on its regular business agenda. To kick off the meeting, the council announced a change to their normal proceedings. Starting at the next meeting, the council will hear public comments at the start of the session so that citizens won’t have to wait through the entire meeting to speak. “Starting in April, public comments will be at the…

Mar

16

2022

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By Ryan Henkel

Beyond book controversy, school board takes other actions

Government, Newsschools

Calendars for upcoming school years set CARTHAGE – The Moore County Board of Education met Monday to address community concerns over the book “George” and to vote on calendar changes and funding. The debate over “George” has been an ongoing national topic that has found itself in Moore County. The county has ultimately decided to keep the book in the schools that it was already in by a final vote of 4-3. The book was in two county school libraries – Union Pines High School and McDeeds Creek Elementary – and had found itself in those libraries’ collections from bulk…

Mar

14

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Mustangs start season with strong batting

Sports

North Moore’s Ethan Dunlap hits an RBI single against Eastern Randolph in Ramseur on March 4. (PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL) RAMSEUR — The North Moore Mustangs topped the Eastern Randolph Wildcats 11-8 and swept the two-game series on March 4. North Moore, who started the season 3-0, opened a two-game series at Jordan-Matthews Tuesday and hosts the Jets Friday. Through three games, the Mustangs had scored 43 runs and held opponents to 12. Pinecrest, who carried a 4-1 record in this week, hosted Richmond Tuesday and plays at Cary on Wednesday and returns home Friday to host Richmond. Union Pines…

Mar

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

School board moves on masks, book decision looms

Government, News

District committee recommended keeping the book “George” in school libraries CARTHAGE — After hearing from interim superintendent Tim Locklear on the status of COVID-19, the Moore County school board voted to make changes to the system’s COVID protocols. The county’s staff recommended the school system allow students to return faster from isolation in line with state guidance. Instead of a mandatory 10-day isolation, students and staff could return from isolation after 6 days if certain criteria were met. The board continued the policy of not requiring masks and expanded that policy to school buses after federal changes allowed the change.…

Mar

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

2022 primary election ballots are set

Government, News, Politics

PINEHURST — Candidate filing for Moore County in the 2022 elections ended on Friday, March 4. Republicans will continue to hold countywide offices, as no Democrats filed for full-term county commission seats, clerk of court, register of deeds, sheriff, or two N.C. House seats. In addition, two district court seats did not have a Democrat file for office, and one seat did not see a Republican file. In the N.C. House, the seat being vacated by the retirement of Allen McNeill has three candidates running: Neal Jackson, David Ashley, and Cory Bortree. A primary will also take place between current…

Mar

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

County GOP hosts full convention

News, Politics

PINEHURST — The Moore County Republican Party hosted its annual convention Saturday at the Pinehurst Village Hall. Moore County resident and prominent conservative attorney Cleta Mitchell was the keynote speaker. Mitchell, who is part of the Conservative Partnership Institute and the Election Integrity Network, spoke about election reforms and election integrity activities that are being implemented at local, state and national levels. Over 200 attendees were present for the convention, which included precinct meetings. Tom Beddow is the county chairman for the 2021-22 election cycle.

Mar

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Senior Games registration is open

Entertainment, News, Sports

SOUTHERN PINES — Registration for the 39th Annual Senior Games in the Pines is underway through March 25. The games are sponsored by the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center along with the Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Pinehurst and county recreation departments and are an official preliminary competition for the North Carolina Senior Games. Competitions begin March 31 and run through May 12. The competition includes bowling, swimming, golf, tennis, badminton, pickleball, running among other individual and team events. The games also include performing, literary and visual arts. The state finals will be held in September and October.

Mar

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Former County Commissioner Gregory has died

GovernmentLouis Gregory

PINEHURST — Louis Gregory, who recently retired from the Moore County Board of Commissioners after serving six years on the board, died Saturday. First elected to the board in 2016, Gregory won re-election in 2020 in District 2, which includes Pinehurst, Seven Lakes and Taylortown. Gregory survived by his wife of 58 years, Ann Deese Gregory; daughter, Tammy McGugan and her husband Steven; son, Michael Gregory and his wife Elizabeth, and three grandchildren. A funeral service for Gregory will be held March 11 at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church.