Local News
Hudson calls on officials to save historic High Falls Dam
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson called on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to stop the proposed removal of the High Falls Dam in Moore County. In a letter sent Oct. 23 to USFWS Director Brian Nesvik, Hudson warned that dismantling the historic structure would devastate one of the most ecologically unique sections of the Deep River and ignore the will of the local community.
“The High Falls Dam has played a vital role in the Moore County community for hundreds of years, and its impending removal poses a significant threat to countless local species of fish and wildlife,” said Hudson in a press release. “Removal of the dam would unleash years of accumulated sediment downstream, suffocating spawning grounds and permanently destroying what remains of their limited habitat.”
Hudson also emphasized that the reservoir supports a “rich community of migratory and semi-aquatic species — including Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Hooded Merganser, River Otter, and American Beaver — all of which rely on the High Falls impoundment for food, nesting, and denning.”
He warned that “by removing the dam, we would be replacing a stable, thriving habitat with an unpredictable, degraded ecosystem where these species cannot survive.”
Hudson’s letter further notes that the plan is “heavily backed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, which has a long track record of ignoring science and the negative impact dam removals have on local species of fish and wildlife.”
He continued, “They are an outside organization with no ties to the local area, and in a short period of time will begin deconstruction on the dam despite universal condemnation from the local community. To put it simply, this plan comes at the direct expense of local fish and wildlife, public safety, water security, and the expressed will of the local community.”
“For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to prevent the current dam removal,” Hudson concluded. “Protecting the High Falls ecosystem means protecting one of the last remaining refuges for multiple endangered species in the Cape Fear River Basin.”
More than 2,200 residents have signed a petition opposing the dam’s removal. Hudson wrote that “local leaders from both parties have unanimously voiced their opposition to the plan, and the community is united in its desire to preserve this historic structure.”
The Moore County Board of Commissioners voted on July 15 to oppose the proposed removal of the High Falls Dam.
Regarding the removal of the dam, which the commissioners have been fighting since 2023, the board voted unanimously to send a letter to Hudson formally opposing the proposed removal of the dam.
During that meeting, commissioners outlined several major concerns with the project, which was under conditional approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The board’s letter cited three primary objections: the Deep River’s potential as a future water source for Moore County, current plans for the High Falls Fire Department to use water from the impoundment area to fill trucks, and removal of the impoundment area may adversely impact well-water availability of residents and property owners along the river.
During a 2023 presentation by Unique Places to Save, American Rivers, and Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), citizens of Northern Moore County expressed concerns about the possible removal of the dam.
During the presentation, Peter Raabe of American Rivers presented why Deep River would be more beneficial without the dam and the reasons behind removing it. Raabe discussed the dirt building behind the dam, fish species, vegetation, and the liability for the landowner. The Deep River is the home of the Cape Fear minnow and the elktoe mussel. He also discussed the condition of the dam that was initially built in the late 1800s, and it was modified in the 1920s to generate hydroelectricity for Hydrodyne Industries.
“The dam owner has a liability,” said Raabe. “They have to address that liability, and so there’s a question of how do you do that. Do you do that by fencing off the property, keeping everybody out, making it completely private, and not allowing any access to the river? Or you remove the liability and create an asset for the community by creating a space that people want to go and people want to congregate right on the river. And one that is part of day-to-day life.”
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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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