Local News
Embrace the bond: FirstHealth celebrates Kangaroo Care Awareness Day
Putting the focus on bonding between parents and their children, FirstHealth’s Clarke NICU at Moore Regional Hospital celebrated Kangaroo Care Awareness Day on May 15.
The international recognition day highlights the power of skin-to-skin contact and its ability to connect parents with their babies, especially the tiniest infants who need to spend extra time in the NICU before heading home. Kangaroo Care can help maintain a baby’s body temperature, regulate heart and breathing rates, help with weight gain and promote frequent breastfeeding.
Holly Eatmon, DNP, RNC-NIC, clinical educator for FirstHealth pediatrics and the NICU, said the staff at Moore Regional puts special focus on skin-to-skin contact as they partner with parents during a baby’s stay in the NICU.
“We know that Kangaroo Care calms tiny bodies and strengthens the bond they build with their parents,” Eatmon said in a press release. “This year’s theme, ‘In my arms, you thrive,’ is a powerful reminder to parents and our staff about the importance of skin-to-skin contact.”
Feature photo: Twin Grayson, born May 1, 2025, at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Courtesy photo.
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Contributed article.
The Moore County Sheriff’s Office added a new K-9 to its staff.
Anna is assigned to Deputy Donovan Williams and is specially trained in narcotics detection and tracking, allowing her to assist in drug enforcement and locating missing persons or fleeing suspects.
On Facebook, Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields said Anna’s addition to the team was made possible entirely through funds from drug seizures and that no taxpayer dollars were used to purchase or train her and the handler.
“It’s a good day when we can take money from local drug dealers and use it to put drug dealers out of business,” Fields said on Facebook. “This new K-9 is just another tool in our fight to keep Moore County safe.”
Just as Anna is helping to keep Moore County safe, a K-9 from the Southern Pines Police Department recently retired. Southern Pines Police K-9 Ivy retired on May 20 after nearly nine years of service.
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Contributed article and photo.
Emergency crews responded to a fire that was intentionally set at the Southern Pines Downtown Park’s restroom on Sunday evening after a bystander reported heavy smoke coming from the building. The call came in shortly after 9:30 p.m. and resulted in a quick response from local first responders.
According to officials, firefighters arrived to find thick black smoke pouring from behind the door of the men’s restroom on S. Ashe Street. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames and successfully contained the damage to the interior of the restroom.
The town said it will set up a temporary portable toilet while the bathroom is being repaired. The women’s restroom is open.
If you have any information that might help determine who set this, please contact the Southern Pines Police Department at 910-692-2732.
Feature photo via Town of Southern Pines.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Publisher B.J. Goodridge.
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