Blog – Moore County Edition

Jun

14

2024

Upcoming budget may see reduction in tax rate

CARTHAGE — Moore County residents could see (slightly) lower property tax bills, next year. The Moore County Board of Commissioners received the recommended county budget for the next fiscal year at its May 21 meeting and it includes a proposed $0.01 reduction in the general fund tax rate. “The budget really illuminates the county’s mission, vision and values,” said Moore County Manager Wayne Vest in a presentation to the board. “It walks the talk by ensuring funding for exceptional services, governing conservatively, demonstrating respect and compassion for our citizens and visitors, it is fiscally sound and it prioritizes a safe…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

“One Moment in Time” statue temporarily moved to main entrance

SportsPinehurst, US Open

Payne Stewart’s “One Moment in Time” statue has been temporarily moved from No. 18 to the main entrance of the US Open at Pinehurst. David Sinclair for North State Journal

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

North Moore’s spring sports standouts

SportsMoore County sports

Two dozen North Moore athletes earned all-conference honors for the spring sports season this year. Here’s a look at the Mustangs who took home hardware. Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Spring Sports 2024 All-Conference teams Boys’ tennis: Caleb Cockman—The senior had a 7-5 singles record at the number-two spot for the Mustangs, according to MaxPreps’ statistics. Luke Gibbons—The junior played first singles for North Moore, posting five wins. He was also part of the school’s number-one doubles team, going 8-4. Colton Freeman—The junior earned five wins at 3-singles and also teamed with Gibbons as the top doubles duo for the Mustangs. Boys’ golf:…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Aberdeen woman gets 11 years for fatal crash in Southern Pines

News

CARTHAGE — Margaret Marie Davis of Aberdeen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated felony death by motor vehicle in Moore County Superior Court in April, Moore County District Attorney Michael K. Hardin announced Tuesday. Davis was involved in a fatal traffic collision on Sept. 27, 2021, at approximately 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Ashe Street and Indiana Avenue in Southern Pines. According to the announcement, Davis, operating a Mazda 6 sedan, was traveling at about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone when she ran a stop sign and struck a Jeep Cherokee SUV driven by Jerry Wilson,…

Jun

03

2024

By North State Journal Staff

The O’Neal School — Class of 2024

NewsThe O'Neal School

The O’Neal School — Class of 2024 Commencement will be at 9am on Friday at Owens Auditorium of the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center at Sandhills Community College. Congratulations to all the graduates! Charles Kuzma — Valedictorian Lauren Kuhn — Salutatorian Caroline Acker Jacob Bates Aidan Blackwell Louis Blackwell Noah Blocklinger Savannah Campbell Summer Compton Mia Franco Luke Harper Honor Hicks Lauren Hobbs Brennan Hodges Mary Grace Huntley Reily Johnson Nicholas Joyce Tamiya Judd Boyd Kenny Audrey Kim William Kitchens Sahara Kokott JP Lee Clayton Manning Maxwell Martin Alex Martin Olivia Maxwell Robert Mays Katie McCloskey Quinn Mitchell Richard Mullis Tylar…

Jun

03

2024

By Bob Sutton

$450M Ross Stores warehouse coming to Randleman

NewsNC Department of Commerce

Ross Stores, a Fortune 500 retail chain, is planning to build a regional distribution center in Randleman, state officials announced Tuesday. The warehouse will bring as many as 852 jobs to Randolph County by late in 2026, an investment listed at roughly $450 million. The Randleman site — covering about 330 acres near N.C. 74 in the northwest corner of the city — will be the company's ninth distribution center. The 1.7 million square-foot facility will handle warehousing, fulfillment and packing operations. Ross Stores is a $20 billion company that operates two off-price chains including Ross Dress for Less, the…

Jun

03

2024

By Jordan Golson

DMV unveils new, more secure license designs

NewsNC DMV

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) this week announced the release of new designs for driver's licenses, permits, and identification cards featuring advanced security features designed to prevent fraud. According to a DMV press release, the new credentials are the most secure in the state's history and are claimed to be among the most secure identifying documents worldwide. The new cards are made of polycarbonate and are personalized using laser engraving technology, resulting in a distinctive look, feel, and sound. The cards are stiffer than their predecessors and feature embossed and debossed patterns and lettering on the surface.…

Jun

03

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Two local players head to NCAA baseball tournament

SportsMoore County sports

The NCAA baseball tournament starts this weekend, and a pair of graduates from county high schools will be competing to make the College World Series in Omaha. Ten local players were on a college baseball team at some level this season. Two of them are still standing as the tourney shifts into gear at 16 sites around the nation. RJ Sales, a member of Pinecrest’s class of 2021, will be leading UNC Wilmington into the tournament. Sales, who won conference player of the year while leading the Patriots to the Sandhills Conference championship as a senior, is a redshirt sophomore…

Jun

02

2024

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Wesley Little

Sportsathlete of the week, Pinecrest, Pinecrest High school, Wesley Little

Pinecrest boys’ lacrosse junior Wesley Little is the Athlete of the Week. The three-time conference champions have won 28 straight games in the United 8/All American/Sandhills Conference, including a 10-0 mark in the league this year. Little, the Patriots’ goalkeeper, led the conference in goals-against average and save percentage. He also finished second in the state in save percentage and sixth in goals against average. That earned him all-state and all-region honorable mentions, as well as a spot on the all-conference first team. He was also voted the team’s defensive MVP.

May

24

2024

By A.P. Dillon

Civil rights complaint filed against Moore Public Schools

NewsMoore County Board of Education, Moore County Schools

RALEIGH — Two activist groups have filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights alleging discrimination over Moore County Schools' implementation of North Carolina's new Parents' Bill of Rights (PBR) law. That law was enacted by the General Assembly on August 16, 2023, after both legislative chambers overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 49. After the PBR was enacted, the Moore County Board of Education adopted an amendment to its Comprehensive Health Education Program policy on November 6, 2023. The amendment included a prohibition on “instruction on sexual activity or sexuality” in Kindergarten through…