News – Moore County Edition

Jun

25

2024

School playgrounds and auditoriums to see improvements

PINEHURST — The Moore County Schools Board approved new contracts that will see upgrades and new equipment coming to school playgrounds and auditoriums at its Monday, June 10 meeting. A $650,000 contract with Creative Playscapes will see updates to all elementary school playgrounds, covered by bond premium funding. The schools will be getting fresh layers of engineered wood fiber mulch, and some schools will see completely new equipment while others will see repairs to existing playgrounds. The new equipment is expected to last between 15 to 20 years. A $138,000 contract with Stage and Gymnasium Specialties will cover the replacement…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

U.S. Open at Pinehurst: How will residents be impacted?

NewsPinehurst, US Open

he village of Pinehurst plans to continue with business as usual. Businesses will be open, and residential services, such as trash pick up, will continue on the regular schedule. Some parks and recreation facilities may have limited or no parking. The Village Center will have 3-hour parking restrictions from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and officials say time limits will be strictly enforced. Street parking will also be prohibited on roads close to Pinehurst, including Azalea Road, Campbell Road, Cherokee Road, Chinquapin Road, Community Road, Craig Road, Dalyrmple Road, Dundee Road, Everett Road, Fields Road, Kelly Road, Laurel Road, Magnolia…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Hundreds of students participate in local high school graduations

NewsMoore County Schools

Congrats to all graduates! Pinecrest High School Acevedo, Anahi Rose Alford, Lou Alice Mishell Allbrooks, Donelle Shauntis' Ambrose, Caroline Olivia Andrade Rodriguez, Michelle Archer, Sarah Paulina* Ardinger, Nate James Aria, Luke Thomas Arpin, Locke Thomas Arroyo, Yahaira Yicel Arters, Andrew David Attia, Amerah Mahmoud Augustine, Quinn Delaney Ayars, James Matthew Azad, Lahur Hiwa Badgett, Anna Rose Bailey, Brielle Elizabeth Bailey, Sarah Marie Baker, Nathan Ward Baker, Tay'jon Malik Baldwin, Patricia Tichina Shiann Ballard, Allison Nicole Baptist, Jadin Daniel Barber, Stephen Nash Barnett, Chelsea Marie Bartel, Aaron Elijah Bates, Annabelle Virginia Batten, Connor Skyler Harvey Baxley, Nathan Lyle Beane, Chloe Taylor…

Jun

14

2024

By North State Journal Staff

Randolph Communications awards eight scholarships to local students

NewsMoore County Schools

ASHEBORO — Randolph Communications has awarded scholarships to eight local high school students as part of its annual scholarship program. The scholarships, each valued at $1,000, aim to support the students’ educational pursuits and encourage them to make positive contributions to their communities. The eight recipients were selected based on their exceptional academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to creating positive change in their communities: Jasmine Nichole Moody from Eastern Randolph HS Katherine Grace Oldham from Chatham Central HS Kelsey Deanna Hussey from Chatham Central HS Kristen Ashley Garner from North Moore HS Lauren Rachel Caviness from Chatham Central HS…

Jun

14

2024

By Ryan Henkel

Upcoming budget may see reduction in tax rate

NewsMoore County Board of Commissioners

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

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.…

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…