Local News
Commissioners approve Moore County Land Use Plan
The Moore County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the 2025 Moore County Land Use Plan at their recent meeting on Oct. 21.
“The County’s goal is to preserve its unique character, historical significance, and natural beauty for current and future generations,” reads the plan. “Achieving this will require a balanced approach that includes thoughtful policymaking, active community engagement, and responsible development practices.”
The plan has been a work in progress for years, and much of it was drafted by the Moore County residents who formed the project’s Steering Committee.
“The process began with three listening sessions in January and February of 2024, at each of the three high schools in Moore County: Pinecrest, Union Pines, and North Moore,” recounted Ruth Pedersen, planning director. “At these listening sessions, citizens were invited to speak about what they hoped the future of Moore County would look like.”
The final draft includes 12 chapters, covering demographics, geography, employment, future goals, land use categories, definitions, maps, and the Small Town Model Overlay District.
“The Small Town Model will guide how our growth can be managed to create meaningful and sustainable communities and not just sprawl into our rural countryside,” explained Larry Best, one of the project’s process leaders. “They provide not only a great community for people to live in, raise families, but because they’re mixed-use, people can work there, they can play there, they can shop there.”
Commissioners did reiterate that in the final few weeks, the plan was shaped by Session Law 2024-57, which restricts down zoning and limits the authority of local governments. Although the commissioners attempted to communicate with state legislators to find a solution before approving the Land Use Plan, no solution was found.
As such, some recommendations were removed due to legal constraints.
Throughout the public hearings and listening sessions, residents consistently voiced concerns about preserving rural agricultural land and preventing unchecked sprawl.
Commissioner Nick Picerno stated that Moore County has seen controlled growth, not sprawl, and that most development has occurred in areas with existing infrastructure. He also reported that actual farmland acreage has increased to over 106,000 acres, now representing 25% of the county’s land.
The commissioners each, in turn, thanked all of the committees, staff members, and residents who were involved with the plan and so passionate about the future of the county.
“Our citizens are the ones who spoke, they are the ones who penned it, everyone had a say, and everyone who spoke was listened to,” said Commissioner Chair Kurt Cook prior to voting.” So I do believe this is one of the best things that I’ve seen in my time here and as a citizen of Moore County. So thank you for your commitment. Thank you, every member of the board and the Steering Committee. I can’t thank you enough for your diligence, your hard work, your attention to detail, and your compassion in making this document what it is today. Without the entire input of the county, this would not be a good document.”
After the approval of the last few recommendations from the Planning Board—including the removal of the official definition of “high density” and other terms—a motion was made to approve the plan.
As such, commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the 2025 Moore County Land Use Plan.
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~ Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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