Blog – Moore County Edition

Jun

03

2024

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…

May

24

2024

By Ena Sellers

Moore volunteer fire depts. receive more than $14K in grants

NewsMoore County, volunteer fire

The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2024 Volunteer Fire Department Fund, also known as Fire Grant, on May 15. Two departments in Moore County received more than $14,000 between them. Eastwood Fire was awarded $11,200 and Westmoore Fire received $3,068. The money will go towards new equipment and must be paired with matching funds. "Fire and rescue organizations protect our communities large and small across North Carolina, but sometimes their budgets don't grow with their responsibilities," stated Brian Taylor, State Fire Marshal in the announcement. "Our emergency service personnel should be supported with…

May

24

2024

By PJ Ward-Brown

US 421 to become I-685 from Greensboro to Sanford

NewsNC Department of Transportation, NC Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins, Senator Richard Burr, Senator Tom Tillis

LIBERTY — State and local leaders gathered Monday in Randolph County to celebrate the designation of U.S. Highway 421 as the future Interstate 685. The event, held next to the under-construction Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant, featured the unveiling of new Future I-685 signs that will be going up along the route from Greensboro to Sanford. "Today's unveiling of the Future Interstate 685 sign is a true testament to the collaboration and teamwork that is fueling our economic momentum here in the Carolina Core," said Loren Hill, Carolina Core Regional Economic Development Director, at the event. I-685 will eventually run from…

May

24

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Board of Education approves removal of some fees

NewsMoore County Board of Education

The Moore County Schools Board of Education approved changes to the student fee schedule in its May 13 meeting. The changes remove middle and high school “other semester courses” and “math” fees, as well as enacting a decrease in the daycare tuition for 2024-25. Board member David Hensley wanted to remove graduation and science fees as well: “You tax what you don’t want and you reinforce what you do want and we want our students to graduate and we want our students to take math classes,” Hensley said. “But we punish them with a tax. We can say, ‘Oh, it’s…

May

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Athlete of the Week: Janie Spicer

Sportsathlete of the week, Janie Spicer, Moore County sports, Union Pines

Janie Spicer is a senior for the Union Pines’ girls’ lacrosse team. The Vikings won their first-ever state title and wrapped up an undefeated season. Spicer led the way winning NCHSAA Most Valuable Player honors after scoring three goals, with four assists, in the championship game. She also took the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award. For the season, Spicer led Union Pines in shots on goal and was second in goals and assists. She also led the squad in ground balls and was second in turnovers forced. ‌

May

24

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Union Pines takes state girls’ lacrosse title

SportsMoore County sports, Union Pines

Spring sports wrapped up with a first-ever school title for Union Pines girls’ lacrosse. Here’s a look at the playoff roundup. Girls’ lacrosse Union Pines won the first girls’ lacrosse state title in school history, finishing off a perfect 18-0 season. The Vikings had their biggest scare of the season in the state semifinals, trailing Croatan at the half before rallying for a 14-13 win. Ellie Powell had six goals and Janie Spicer five in the comeback victory. Union Pines then blew out Bishop McGuinness, 20-6, to win the 1A/2A/3A title. Powell had another six goals and Spicer three. The…

May

19

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Union Pines student killed in crash

NewsMoore County Schools

A student from Union Pines High School was killed in a car crash, Moore County Schools announced in a press release Tuesday afternoon. “During this extremely difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends and the Union Pines High School community,” the release read. “Understanding the impact of this tragedy on our students and staff, we are actively providing necessary resources and support. Counselors and other support personnel are available to all students and staff, offering a safe space for those who may need assistance.” The school district did not share any additional information on the…

May

18

2024

By Cory Lavalette

Athlete of the Week: Bohdi Robertson

Sportsathlete of the week, Bohdi Robertson, Pinecrest, Pinecrest High school

Pinecrest baseball’s Bohdi Robertson is our Athlete of the Week. Robertson is a sophomore for the Pinecrest baseball team. Robertson got the ball for the Patriots’ playoff opener, against Green Hope, and threw a complete game shutout for the 5-0 win. Robertson struck out eight in the 92-pitch gem and allowed just two hits and a walk. For the year, Robertson is 9-1 in 12 games and has 67 strikeouts in 46 innings while allowing less than a baserunner an inning and sporting an 0.90 ERA.