Government – Moore County Edition

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

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.

Feb

18

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Picerno gets nod to replace Gregory on Board of Commissioners

Government, News

CARTHAGE — A former county commissioner will be rejoining the board of commissioners following a vote tonight by the executive committee of the Moore County Republican Party. Nick Picerno, who served on the board from 2008 to 2016, was nominated to fill the vacancy created when Louis Gregory resigned earlier this month. Picerno had previously announced his intent to run for the state House but announced his desire to rejoin the board of commissioners following Gregory's retirement announcement. In pivoting to the commissioner's seat, Picerno cited ongoing litigation over the state’s new district lines as one reason he was not…

Feb

17

2022

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By Moore County Staff

North Moore senior wins Morehead scholarship

Government, NewsEducation, North Moore, school, UNC Chapel Hill

ROBBINS —A North Moore senior has received a prestigious scholarship to attend UNC Chapel Hill. Molly Smith has been awarded the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a four-year merit scholarship. The Morehead-Cain funds a full four-year scholarship covering tuition, books, room and board, a “Discovery Fund” for student-led projects, a spending stipend, and four fully-funded summer experiences known as the Morehead-Cain's Summer Enrichment Program. The program selects students based on the criteria of leadership, scholarship, character and physical vigor.

Feb

17

2022

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By Moore County Staff

COVID cases decline after January spike

Government, News

CARTHAGE — After seeing nearly 450 cases in a single day in late January, positive cases are down dramatically in Moore County. The daily average of cases for the seven days ending Feb 13 was 50, showing a more than 50% drop in cases from the prior week and a 79% drop in cases from one month ago. Forty-five people were hospitalized last week with COVID, which represented a 53% decrease in hospitalizations versus the prior week. Over 95% of the county’s adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine and 90.5% of the citizens over 65…

Feb

17

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Montgomery Co. teacher suspended after gun found in classroom

Government, NewsEducation, firearms, schools

TROY — A high school teacher was suspended without pay after a search of his classroom found a loaded gun, knives and ammunition. Jason Hensley, 47, was suspended by Montgomery County Schools. A search of Hensley's desk at Montgomery Central High School turned up a loaded .380-caliber handgun. An additional investigation of the classroom turned up concealed knives and ammunition. Hensley, who is a health-science teacher, is a part-time police officer with the town of Mount Gilead. While he may have been in violation of school system policy, there was nothing illegal about having the gun in the classroom.

Feb

11

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Picerno drops House bid, submits name for vacant Moore commission seat

Government, NewsNick Picerno

PINEHURST — Former Moore County Commissioner Nick Picerno said in an email to supporters he was submitting his name to the Moore County Republican Executive Committee to fill the vacant term of Louis Gregory, who recently announced his intent to resign in February. In life, things change, that’s a given. In the past couple of weeks since announcing my intention to run for NC House District 78, several events have taken place that significantly effect that decision," said Picerno. He cited the ongoing litigation over the state's new district lines, saying that the court battle has caused chaos and confusion…

Feb

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Moore County Schools creates book review committee

Government, News

CARTHAGE — Following a challenge to a controversial book with a transgender story-line, the Moore County Schools has appointed a Community Media and Technology Advisory Committee to review the inclusion of the book “George” in two school libraries. The book remains on the shelves at Union Pines High School and McDeeds Creek Elementary School after building-level committees at both schools recommended the book stay in the libraries. The committee — which will be comprised of teachers, administrators, parents and students — will make a recommendation to the Board of Education. By statute, the local board of education has sole authority…

Feb

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Gregory changes retirement date

Government, News

PINEHURST — After announcing his retirement from the Moore County Board of Commissioners with an effective date of March 1, Louis Gregory has changed his retirement date to Feb 16. The County GOP Executive Committee will select Gregory’s replacement at a Feb. 18 meeting. Gregory’s change will lengthen the amount of time the appointee will serve. The appointee will serve through December 1. A special election will be held allowing voters to select the person who will complete the final two years of Gregory’s term.

Feb

09

2022

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By Moore County Staff

Pinehurst to review proposed street dining ban in March

Government, NewsPinehurst

PINEHURST — The Village of Pinehurst’s proposed outdoor street dining ban will be subject to review some time in March. The ban, which is slated to take effect on April 1, would prevent restaurants from using adjacent property for outdoor seating. Expanded outdoor dining has been a rare area of bipartisan agreement between Republican legislative leaders and the Democratic governor, with outdoor options first executed via executive order from Roy Cooper and later codified into state law. A discussion during the Village Council’s Jan. 11 work session outlined three options for outdoor street dining. Jeff Batton, Assistant Village Manager of…