News – Moore County Edition

Jun

14

2024

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…

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…