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SP teen wins Gold Award for environmental education project

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A Southern Pines teenager was awarded the top honor in the Girl Scouts for a community project.

Julia McLaurin P. earned the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting, by taking meaningful action to address a pressing challenge in her community. Her impactful project focused on advocating for and promoting environmental sustainability.

Julia earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award for her environmental education project focused on protecting local wildlife. Through community sessions and educational signage at Reservoir Park, Julia raised awareness about the dangers of feeding aquatic birds improper diets. She also built and installed birdhouses to support the park’s ecosystem.

“Julia saw a need in her community and chose to be part of the solution,” said Lisa M.K. Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, in a media release. “Her commitment to environmental sustainability reflects a deep sense of responsibility and forward-thinking leadership. By turning her passion into action, she’s not only protecting the planet—she’s inspiring others to do the same. We’re proud to celebrate her remarkable achievement.”

Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs. The 2025 Gold Award Girl Scout class identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, racial justice, mental and physical well-being, and gender inequality in STEM.

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2 arrested in ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms

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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.

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Three facing charges after Aberdeen drug search

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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.

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Two arrested in multi-county ‘Felony Lane Gang’ case targeting cars at gyms

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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.

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