Local News
Firefighter Carol Dowd posthumously awarded Order of Long Leaf Pine
The Southern Pines Fire Department posthumously honored firefighter Carol Dowd with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award on May 14 at Fire Station No. 82.
North Carolina’s highest honor celebrates individuals’ outstanding service and achievements benefiting the state and their communities. Its creation in 1964 led to over 21,000 people receiving the award. To be nominated, individuals must have a minimum of 30 years of service to the state.
The fire department nominated Dowd months ago and may update their protocol to nominate service members as soon as they are eligible.
Joining the department as a volunteer in 1976, Dowd was the first female firefighter to serve in Moore County. She passed away in March at the age of 69.
“Carol worked for the best interest of the fire department and was the first to greet and train newcomers,” Southern Pines Fire Chief Mike Cameron said at the ceremony.
Cameron read several of Dowd’s colleagues’ recommendations for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award and shared their most outstanding comments: “Decades as a pillar of strength…caring for the sick…unwavering support, embodies the full spirit of the fire department…inspiring leadership…commendable service.”
Assistant Chief Martin Dowd said his wife was a dedicated and inspirational leader, a steadfast member of the fire department, and a devoted person.
The couple attended high school together, and Martin said he didn’t know Carol then, but she said she knew him. They met again in 1978 when he joined the fire department.
Carol has one son, Bryon Smith, who is a retired North Carolina Highway patrolman.
Feature Photo: Martin Dowd accepts the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award on behalf of his late wife, Carol Dowd, at a ceremony at the Southern Pines Fire Station No. 82 on May 14.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Stephanie is also an English instructor at Central Carolina Community College. She is the author of When the Yellow Slugs Sing, Sky’s River Stone, GUTTERSNIPE: Shakespearean English Stage Play with Translation, Amagi, Amagi Study Guide, and EZ Essay Study Guide for Holocaust: A History.
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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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