News – Moore County Edition

Nov

29

2023

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…

Nov

21

2023

By Randolph Record

Pinehurst tree lighting set for Dec. 1

NewsPinehurst tree lighting

PINEHURST — The Village of Pinehurst is set to kick-off the Christmas season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting event. This year, the celebration is scheduled for Friday, December 1, at Tufts Memorial Park, located in the heart of downtown Pinehurst. From 5pm to 7:30pm, the park will become a hub of holiday festivities, inviting the community and visitors to enjoy an evening filled with music and the opportunity to meet Santa Claus. The highlight of the evening, the official tree lighting ceremony, is planned for 6:30pm. Complementing the holiday cheer, local vendors will be present, offering a variety of…

Nov

15

2023

By Ryan Henkel, North State Journal

Moore school board reviews calendar, endorses grant application

NewsMoore County Schools

CAMERON – The Moore County Schools Board of Education convened on Monday, Nov. 6, to discuss multiple items, including a review of the 2024-25 school calendar and an endorsement of a grant application for school renovations. The board revisited the previously approved 2024-25 school calendar, which adheres to the state’s traditional calendar law. Board member David Hensley expressed his dissatisfaction with the mandated schedule, stating, “Everyone knows that I’m not a fan of this politically driven school calendar. I’ve advocated for this board to exhibit civil disobedience and do what’s best for the education of our children, not what’s best…

Nov

08

2023

By North State Journal Staff

Taylor, Ficklin claim seats on Pinehurst Village Council

Government, News

PINEHURST — In completed unofficial election results for Pinehurst Village Council, John Taylor and Barb Ficklin prevailed on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Taylor won the most votes with 2,727, nearly 28% in the five-person race. Ficklin's total was 2,412, nearly 25%. Finishing in third and fourth were Claire Berggren and Lydia Boesch. Boesch, an incumbent, was elected in 2019. Cara Mathis finished fifth in the contest.

Nov

08

2023

By North State Journal Staff

Pizzella wins Pinehurst mayoral race

Government, News

PINEHURST — Pinehurst Village Councilmember Patrick Pizzella was elected mayor in completed unofficial results on Tuesday, Nov. 7. With all five precincts in Pinehurst reporting, Pizzella earned 2,477 votes, good for 48% of the total. Councilmember Jeff Morgan finished second in the race, with 1,892 votes, around 37%, and Kevin Drum, a former member of the village council, finishing with 765 votes, around 15% of the total.

Oct

11

2023

By A.P. Dillon

Moore County Principal is first recipient of True Trailblazer Science of Reading Award

NewsTrue Trailblazer Science of Reading Award

RALEIGH — On Oct. 3, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) honored Principal Ashlee Ciccone as the first recipient of the True Trailblazer Science of Reading Award. Ciccone is the principal of Pinehurst Elementary School in Moore County Public Schools. NCDPI’s account on the social media platform X issued a post congratulating Ciccone as being “recognized for her exemplary efforts to guide the school through its shift to SoR [Science of Reading], positively impacting professional & student knowledge & collaboration.” According to the district, Ciccone had begun using LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional…

Oct

04

2023

By Moore County Staff

Moore Regional Hospital among nation’s top hospitals for the third straight year

NewsMoore regional hospital

PINEHURST─ Moore County’s primary healthcare unit has once again been named one of the nation’s 100 top hospitals after an independent quality assessment conducted by a national technology company. According to PINC AI, the technology and services brand of Charlotte-based Premier, Inc., Moore Regional Hospital is the only hospital in North Carolina to achieve this prestigious designation as one of the top 100 hospitals in the country. This marks the third consecutive year and the eighth year overall that Moore Regional has been honored as one of the nation’s premier healthcare institutions. The list was first published in Forbes.  The compilation…

Sep

20

2023

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By Chuck Thompson

Food Truck Rodeo in Carthage a tasty success

Newscarthage, food truck rodeo

CARTHAGE — The Carthage Fire Department recently held a Food Truck Rodeo for the community on Sept. 16, where thousands of people turned out for a taste of almost two dozen food trucks, fun and games for the kids, and socializing with friends and family. “This is an event we put on for the community - not really a fund-raiser for us - just to get everyone to come together, fun for kids and lots of good food,” said Vice-President of the Carthage Firefighters Association Bradley Whitaker. In the half-decade since the event began, about 2,000 people, on average, turn…