Blog – Moore County Edition

Jan

25

2022

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By Dee-Ann Durbin, Associated Press

McDonald’s expanding test of McPlant burger in US stores

Businessfood, McDonald's

NEW YORK — McDonald's is expanding sales of its meatless McPlant burger to hundreds of locations. The company said the McPlant — which it co-developed with plant-based protein company Beyond Meat — will be sold at 600 stores in the San Francisco and Dallas areas starting Feb. 14. It's a major expansion for the McPlant, which was introduced last November at eight stores in Texas, Iowa, Louisiana and California. That test run helped the company determine how a plant-based option would alter its kitchen operations. McDonald's said the larger product offering will help it understand customer demand. The Chicago company…

Jan

21

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Robin Sage set to begin Jan 22

Business, Government

Special Forces candidates assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School patrol through a wooded area during the final phase of field training known as Robin Sage in central North Carolina, July 9, 2019. (Ken Kassens/U.S. Army via AP) RALEIGH — Special Forces candidates will participate in a two-week training exercise across 25 North Carolina counties this week, a news release from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School says. The participants are students at Fort Bragg. Robin Sage is the culmination exercise and has been the litmus test for Soldiers striving to…

Jan

21

2022

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By North State Journal Staff

Eddins is new Pinecrest football coach

Sports

SOUTHERN PINES — Nick Eddins, a native of Anson County, was named the new head football coach at Pinecrest High School last week. Eddins was previously the head coach of the Crest High School Chargers in Cleveland County. While at Crest, Eddins compiled a 43-15 record while guiding the Chargers to the state 3A playoffs each of his five years at the helm. He was named Big South 3A coach of the year in 2021 after Crest won the conference championship and advanced to the fourth round of the 3A playoffs.

Jan

20

2022

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By Matt Mercer

Pinehurst outdoor dining ban at odds with businesses

Business, Entertainment, News

PINEHURST – The Village of Pinehurst has enacted a ban on outdoor street dining, running counter to policy goals pushed by the General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Expanded outdoor dining has been a rare area of bipartisan agreement between Republican legislative leaders and the Democratic governor, with outdoor options first executed by via executive order from Cooper and later codified into state law. A memo circulated during the Village of Pinehurst’s Jan. 11 work session following the regularly scheduled council meeting would end the ability of restaurants to serve food and alcohol…

Jan

19

2022

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By North State Journal Staff

Southern Pines considers development proposals, ordinance amendments

Business, Newsdevelopment, Real Estate, Southern Pines

SOUTHERN PINES – The Southern Pines town council meeting had a packed agenda and a packed room last week for the regular town business meeting. Mayor Carol Haney announced before the meeting kicked off that the council would be holding three quasi-judicial hearings as well as two legislative hearings. The quasi-judicial hearings included a multi-family residential development known as Patrick’s Pointe along U.S. Hwy 1 N., the Pinehurst Surgical Center location and a townhome development. After approximately seven hours of testimony at their December meeting on Patrick’s Pointe, the council heard an additional two hours of testimony last Tuesday before…

Jan

12

2022

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By North State Journal Staff

Moore County sees increase in Covid cases

Government, News, PoliticsCOVID

CARTHAGE — Covid cases have risen steadily in Moore County since mid-November. Through Sunday, January 9, the county experienced over 200 new cases per day. As of Monday, over 260 people have died with Covid in the county, according to public health officials. Over 90% of the deaths were in patients 50 years and older. No deaths have occurred in Moore County among residents under the age of 25. Over 91% of the county’s adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine with 89.6% of residents over 65 being fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Jan

12

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Pinehurst will pull double duty again in 2029

Business, News, SportsPGA, Pinehurst, US Open, USGA

RALEIGH — The U.S. Open and Women’s U.S. Open golf championships are both scheduled to return to the Sandhills over the next two years. But that’s not what’s creating the biggest buzz around “The cradle of American golf” these days. Anticipation is already growing for 2029, when the USGA has announced it wil bring its two signature events back to Pinehurst on consecutive weeks. It will mark just the second time ever that the U.S. Open and Women’s Open will be played on the same course back-to-back. The first time, in 2014, was also on Pinehurst’s famed No. 2 course…

Jan

12

2022

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By Matt Mercer

Two Republicans in race to succeed McNeill

News, Politics, StateAllen McNeill, NCGA

ASHEBORO — Republican State Rep. Allen McNeill’s (R-Randolph) announcement that he would not seek re-election in the N.C. House of Representatives in the 2022 election has drawn two candidates to succeed him in the state house seat covering much of Randolph and Moore counties. The 2021 redistricting session changed the boundaries of District 78, shedding some precincts in eastern Randolph County and adding much of western Moore County including the village of Pinehurst. Both candidates who have announced their intention to run are Moore County residents. Neal Jackson, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett, had filed for the seat…

Jan

12

2022

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By North State Journal Staff

School board reinstates mask mandate, bids farewell to superintendent

Government, Newsschools

CARTHAGE — The Moore County School Board voted 3-2 to reinstate a mask mandate for students, teachers, staff and visitors at its regular business meeting Monday. The board also met for a work session Monday ahead of its business meeting with the search for a new superintendent topping that agenda. Superintendent Bob Grimesey announced his intention to retire in October of 2021 with January 31, 2022, as his final day. The board heard an update on the search for a new superintendent from Jim O’Rourke from the N.C. School Boards Association which has been retained by the board to conduct…

Jan

10

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Asheboro fireman dies after long bout with COVID

NewsAsheboro Fire Department, Chris Hoover

ASHEBORO — A 24-year veteran of the Asheboro Fire Department died Saturday after suffering from COVID-19 and associated lung damage. Battalion Chief Chris Hoover, 47, had been at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill since November 24, 2021. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Battalion Chief Chris Hoover after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoover family,” said a statement from the fire department. Following his passing, Hoover was carried home to Randolph County in a procession of emergency and rescue vehicles from Chapel Hill. Local fire departments — including…