Editorial: North Carolina proposal would replace political management with professional local government
September 12, 2026
The Moore County Chamber in partnership with Sandhills Community College, Moore County Schools and Moore County Economic Development will be hosting our Annual Talent Symposium on Friday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m. in the Owens Auditorium at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Registration and networking starts at 8 a.m. The symposium,[Read More…]
Private and home school students in the Moore County community are invited to attend an information session on Tuesday, Sept. 29 or Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Foundation Hall, Room 1003A at Sandhills Community College, 33985 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Students and families should attend if they[Read More…]
Eyewitness Mark Schutzman’s prose on 9/11 bears witness to what most Americans saw on TV that day.
Schutzman did not know his name, but recalls the man in the suit, writing, “He wants to be with those he loves.”
Basic Law Enforcement Training Assistant Director Tammy Kirkman is this year’s recipient of Central Carolina Community College’s Excellence in Advising Award. Kirkman lives in Goldston, in Chatham County, and works at CCCC’s Emergency Services Training Center in Sanford. She is known for the individualized guidance and diligent mentorship she provides[Read More…]
Reggie Watson, Democratic candidate for Harnett County Sheriff, is offering voters a clear alternative built on nearly five decades of military, law-enforcement and public-service experience.
This editorial includes each school’s performance score for Moore, Lee and Harnett.
Does a school’s ZIP code or poverty level guarantee its test scores? The latest state data says no.
Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields is notifying residents of a confirmed case of rabies involving a raccoon in the Pinehurst area of Moore County. On August 31, 2026, a Moore County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Deputy responded to a residence on Magnolia Avenue at the request of the Pinehurst Police[Read More…]
All 14 graded schools show improvement as district posts widespread academic gains! Lee County Schools is celebrating one of the most significant academic milestones in district history following the release of the 2025-2026 North Carolina School Performance Grades: no district schools are designated as low-performing. The achievement represents a remarkable[Read More…]
Speak Up Moore will present “Polls, Politics and Perceptions: An Expert Provides Insight into the Minds of NC Voters” on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sandhills Community College, Foundation Hall, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst.
What do you think Lee County’s animal shelter needs most: more staffing, spay and neuter program before adoptions or something else?
Three amendments will appear on North Carolina’s November 2026 ballot, potentially affecting taxpayers and elections. How will you vote?
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is proud to recognize Delphine “Dorothy” Nicholson, a housekeeper at Moore Regional Hospital (MRH) in Pinehurst, as the most recent winner of FirstHealth’s BEE Award.
Community members are invited to lace up their shoes for the Sandhills Community College Sandhills 5K and Fun Run to be held on Saturday, Sep. 26 at 9 a.m. in Pinehurst. The race will start on campus and run through the scenic Southern Pines Reservoir Park Trail. Fur friends are[Read More…]
A new 70/30 classroom model in Moore County Schools will shift students from screens to hands-on learning, emphasizing traditional skills and reserving tech for value-added lessons.
Has technology interfered with developing critical thinking skills?
Teachers are invited to share their input on classroom learning prior to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s release of its new school performance reports in the first week of Sept.
Submit your statement to editor@sandhills.news by 3 p.m. Aug. 30.
A $600 million Sanford investment, PFAS concerns, Flock cameras as legal tools, data centers, the $500k Davis Center grant vote on nonexistent funds and Lee County animal shelter changes resulting in 10 dead animals are among the local stories shaping conversations across the Sandhills in the last two weeks. Governor[Read More…]
Mark calendars now for early voting in Lee County, NC.
Local animal rescuer Lori St. James voiced concerns about recent shelter communication changes and reached out to Lee County Commissioner Chairperson Samantha Martin. St. James is the founder of It Takes a Village. St. James, Martin, and Commissioner Cameron Sharpe will meet online on Wed. evening to discuss resolutions to[Read More…]
Chris Thompson offers 8-week drum workshop- just in time for Christmas!
The Pinehurst Fire Department has earned reaccreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), continuing its place among a select group of fire and emergency service agencies worldwide recognized for their commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public safety.
Can Buzzline become a sustainable public transportation system, or will taxpayers eventually have to keep it running?
Sanford knew in 2025 that Buzzline would eventually need a way to pay for itself. Now, with more than 22,000 riders since its November 2025 launch, the city is asking taxpayers to weigh in on the next round of funding.
Lee County schools are improving. But is the community planning for the students that continued growth will bring?
The Moore County Chamber in partnership with Sandhills Community College, Moore County Schools and Moore County Economic Development will be hosting our Annual Talent Symposium on Friday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m. in the Owens Auditorium at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Registration and networking starts at 8 a.m. The symposium,[Read More…]
Taco Tuesday at A Toda Madre on May 26 in Sanford at 715 E. Main Street was a tastebud extravaganza. For the first time, Mexican pork sausage, chorizo, centered a taco with freshly chopped herbs and vegetables on my lunch plate. It’s on repeat. The tender chicken taco held chili[Read More…]
The City of Sanford proclaimed April 9 as Local News Day at its April 7 meeting. The city recognized local news as the most trusted news source. To share in this recognition, the public is invited to a News Cafe on April 9 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the[Read More…]
Are politics in the way of effectively managing cities and counties? There is an alternative. Consider the professional government system that requires legislative support, as described in this editorial.
The Moore County Chamber in partnership with Sandhills Community College, Moore County Schools and Moore County Economic Development will be hosting our Annual Talent Symposium on Friday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m. in the Owens Auditorium at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Registration and networking starts at 8 a.m. The symposium,[Read More…]
Private and home school students in the Moore County community are invited to attend an information session on Tuesday, Sept. 29 or Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Foundation Hall, Room 1003A at Sandhills Community College, 33985 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Students and families should attend if they[Read More…]
Can Buzzline become a sustainable public transportation system, or will taxpayers eventually have to keep it running?
Sanford knew in 2025 that Buzzline would eventually need a way to pay for itself. Now, with more than 22,000 riders since its November 2025 launch, the city is asking taxpayers to weigh in on the next round of funding.











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