Local News
Moore Teacher Write-Ups: Julie Wriston
Julie Wriston wants to keep things comfortable. In her 27th year of teaching, Julie teaches third grade at Southern Pines Elementary. Originally from Ohio, she came to the school in 2020. A graduate of Marshall University – where she majored in elementary education – Julie also has a master’s in special education.
Located in Huntington, W.Va., Marshall University was founded in 1837.
Before coming to Southern Pines, Julie taught middle school in Scotland County. A dedication to creating the right environment continues to drive her.
“I love making my classroom a place students want to be,” Julie, who enjoys reading, said.
Working at Southern Pines is another source of motivation.
“I love working there,” she said. “We’re all there leaning on each other. We support each other really well.”
Considering the time she’s spent teaching, it’s easy to think being a teacher was always a goal. That’s not exactly how it played out.
“I’ve always loved kids,” Julie said. “But I thought I wanted to go into broadcast journalism.”
Her goals were pretty specific when it came to broadcasting.
“I always wanted to have my own TV show,” Julie admitted.
Although she’s not on a network, Julie has been before a wide range of audiences since she began teaching. In fact, the crowd has changed quite a bit subsequent to her start in the field.
“I’ve taught just about every grade from K-6 at some time,” she said. “I taught second grade for 10 years.”
Whatever the grade, Julie takes a sense of pride when progress is shown.
“When a student finally gets it – it’s just very rewarding,” she said.
Getting to that point, though, isn’t easy. Changes in the dynamics of contemporary homes make a tough task even more challenging.
“In the last 10 years, there doesn’t seem to be as much emphasis on education at home,” Julie said. “You often have two parents working. We’re fighting an uphill battle.”
Given her level of commitment, it’s a battle she’s more than willing to wage.
“I get to work at 6:20. I don’t get home until 5 p.m.,” Julie informed. “I like to get my work done at work.”
Once away from school, there are particular activities that help her unwind.
“I love to travel,” Julie said. “I don’t golf, but I like to go on the golf course with my husband. I ride along.”
As far as traveling, one of her favorite spots is the beach. Over the summer, she got there along with other priority destinations.
“We traveled, visited with family, went to the beach,” Julie said. “I have a daughter who lives in Virginia Beach. I have another daughter who lives in Ohio.”
If you have a teacher you would like to nominate to be showcased in this series, please email [email protected].
Feature photo: Julie Wriston. Contributed photo.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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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.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
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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