News – Moore County Edition

Dec

20

2023

Carthage Elementary 3rd-grade teacher honored

News2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Teacher of the Year, Sandhills Region

CARTHAGE — Jennifer Blake, a third-grade teacher at Carthage Elementary School, has been named the 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Teacher of the Year for the Sandhills Region The announcement, a surprise event in her classroom, celebrated Ms. Blake's outstanding contributions to education and her dedication to making a positive impact on her students' lives. “One must love teaching enough to survive it. You have to get excited when those little 'light bulb' moments happen,” Blake said. “You have to be reflective and willing, not only to make changes but also to embrace mistakes when they happen.” Inspired by influential teachers…

Dec

13

2023

By Jordan Golson

Moore courts tackle backlog with ‘DWI Week’

NewsDWI week, Moore courts

CARTHAGE — Local courts face significant backlogs in pending cases, so district attorneys are getting creative. For the third year in a row, Moore County District Attorney Mike Hardin worked with the District Court to tackle 73 DWI cases that had been pending for more than a year. The special weeklong court session, running from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 2023, saw two courtrooms running full-tilt to bring 38 cases to a conclusion, with DA Hardin's team racking up an 89 percent conviction rate. The session, focusing on cases from November 2022 and earlier, was part of a broader effort…

Dec

13

2023

By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

School board focuses on strategic planning and community engagement

Newsmoore county schools board of education

CARTHAGE – The Moore County Schools Board of Education met Monday, Dec. 4. To start the meeting, Robert Levy was reelected as board chair and Shannon Davis was reelected as vice chair. “I want to thank the board for having faith in me for another year,” Levy said. “When you look at these accomplishments of the past couple of years, these are really fantastic. I believe we have the premier school system in the state of North Carolina.” Noting the new strategic plan the board developed over the past three years, he continued: “When we look at Moore County Schools,…

Dec

06

2023

By Jordan Golson

Sandhills student wins $100K Dr. Pepper Tuition Toss

Newsdr. pepper tuition toss

Thanks to some nifty passing, Andrew Jimenez, president of the Student Government Association at Sandhills Community College, earned a $100,000 scholarship from the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway at the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium. The soda maker holds a competition of football accuracy during halftime of the major conference title games each year. The $100,000 winner is chosen based on who can more accurately chuck footballs through a hole in the side of an enormous can of Dr. Pepper. “It was so awesome winning the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway this weekend,” said Jimenez in a statement shared…

Dec

06

2023

By U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson

HUDSON: One year later

Newsattack, substation

One year ago, on the evening of Dec. 3, 2022, our community was intentionally attacked. Our home, along with 45,000 of our neighbors, went without power for days. In the middle of a winter cold spell, I was concerned about people who were unable to heat their homes. I worried about residents with health issues who rely on electricity to power their medical devices. Schools were shut down during end of year evaluations. Small businesses were forced to close in the midst of holiday shopping. And yet through it all, our community came together. While the days following the attack…

Dec

06

2023

By A.P. Dillon

Governor makes judicial appointments impacting Hoke, Moore, and Robeson Counties

Newsjudicial appointments

RALEIGH — On Dec. 1, Governor Roy Cooper announced his appointment of Judge Regina M. Joe to Superior Court District 19D which serves Hoke and Moore Counties, and attorney Krystle Melvin to District Court in District 16B, which serves Robeson County. “These appointees bring to the bench years of legal experience in the public and private sectors and have served North Carolina and their communities well,” Cooper said in a press release. “I appreciate their continued commitment to serving the people of our state.” Judge Joe has been a District Court Judge since 2007 and in the past was a…

Dec

06

2023

By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Aberdeen board approves new library designs

NewsAberdeen Town Board

ABERDEEN – The Aberdeen Town Board met Monday, Nov. 27.‌ The board was first presented with some information from the monthly financial report. “There were some really strong returns, especially with the sales tax side of things,” said Town Manager Paul Sabiston. “We’ve had some really strong sales tax returns the last couple of years and that has continued. We are a good bit ahead of schedule and that’s a good sign because that does provide us with additional revenues each year. “Every year, we try to hit the number based on the prior year’s numbers, but really it’s growing…

Nov

29

2023

By North State Journal Staff

Moore farms report shows dynamics of county agriculture

News

The latest USDA Agricultural Census report, examining the agricultural landscape in Moore County for the year 2017, reveals significant changes since 2012, shedding light on the local farming community's resilience and adaptation. The report offers a detailed look into various aspects of agriculture in the county, provides valuable insights into the slow-moving agricultural market in Moore County. The Moore County report indicates a slight increase in the number of farms, now totaling 733, and an increase in the average farm size to 122 acres. This development is noteworthy, especially considering the reduction in farm numbers and land in some neighboring…

Nov

29

2023

By Associated Press

University of North Carolina shooting suspect found unfit for trial, sent to mental health facility

NewsUNC shooting

RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate student charged with fatally shooting his faculty adviser has been found unfit for trial after two mental evaluations, a judge ruled Monday. Tailei Qi, 34, is accused of killing associate professor Zijie Yan in a science building at the state's flagship public university on Aug. 28. He is being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder and misdemeanor possession of a firearm on educational property. Orange County Superior Court Judge Alyson Grine said Monday that two separate mental evaluations found Qi likely suffers from untreated schizophrenia. "Qi demonstrated…

Nov

21

2023

By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Pinehurst council appoints historic preservation chair, approves ADU

NewsVillage of Pinehurst Council

PINEHURST – The Village of Pinehurst Council's meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, addressed a variety of property and budgetary matters. The session began with the appointment of Richard Vincent as chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission. Village Manager Jeff Sanborn said, “With John Taylor’s election to Council, we have a need to replace him as the chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission. Richard Vincent has a vast amount of experience on our HPC and he is endorsed by John Taylor and we think he is the person best suited to fill that position from the candidates that are available.” The…