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Florence Gilkeson

Stories by Florence

Virtual Computing Helps County Efficiency, Board Learns

Virtual computing is in the future if Moore County wants to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

County Looks at Revenue Options for Budget

Tax collections, fund balance and debt payoff captured the attention of the Moore County Board of Commissioners on the final day of a business retreat.

Moore County Boasts Abundance of Beauty, Character

An outsider looking in, I discovered two versions of Moore County - the version seen by the tourist or casual visitor and the Moore County seen by insiders.

Campaign Ad Sparks Controversy for League

The normally sedate League of Women Voters has found itself embroiled in a political controversy the nonpartisan organization usually shuns.

-30- Saying So Long to 60-Year Career

By Florence Gilkeson

Local Reaction Mixed on Perdue's Decision

Local reaction was mixed Thursday to Gov. Beverly Perdue’s announcement that she won’t seek re-election.

Diverse Economy Is One of County's Big Assets

From creative entrepreneurship to traditional resources, Moore County enjoys an economic diversity envied by surrounding counties.

County Seeks Towns' Help on Funding VIPER System

Moore County faces a $4.5 million bill to install narrow band emergency communications — another unfunded mandate, this time from the Federal Communications Commission.

Pilot Light: Coble to Testify on Pension Reform

Congressman Howard Coble, a longtime critic of the congressional pension system, will have a chance today to tell his colleagues why the program needs to be reformed.

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County Seeks Meeting With Robbins on 'Tweaked' Water Proposal

Of seven potential water sources, Moore County will focus attention first on a resource at home — the town of Robbins.

Pilot Light: Working Lands Plan Sessions Begin Today

Three public-comment sessions on the proposed Working Lands Protection Plan will be held this week at points across the county.

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County Closes Out River Bend Bridge Project

The saga of storm-damaged Autumn Drive came to an end Tuesday when the Moore County Board of Commissioners voted to close out the federal grant project solving the River Bend dilemma.

County to Seek Meeting With Robbins on Water

Moore County will approach the Robbins Town Board of Commissioners for a joint meeting to discuss a “tweaked” water resource option.

County OK's Tourism Funds for Airport

The Moore County Airport will receive its first infusion of tourism funds to cover improvements planned in time for the back-to-back U.S. Open and Women’s Open championships in 2014.

Pilot Light: Madsen Named N.C. Library Trustee of Year

Pete Madsen was recognized Tuesday as the North Carolina Library Trustee of the Year.

County to Hire Firm to Study Long-Term Space Needs

Moore County will hire a firm to study county office space needs for the next 20 to 50 years.

County Approves Tourism Tax Funds for Airport

The Moore County Airport Authority’s first appropriation from county tourism funds was approved Tuesday night on a 3-1 vote by the Board of Commissioners.

Pilot Light: Holshouser to Have Surgery on Broken Ankle

Former Gov. Jim Holshouser will undergo outpatient surgery for a broken ankle at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital early next week, according to a report from his office staff.

County Board Holds Off Appointing Land-Use Plan Panel

Progress is being made toward appointment of a land-use plan steering committee, but the decision won’t be final until a future meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

Blake Appointed to Honorary Post in Senate

Now in his final year in the legislature, Moore County’s state Sen. Harris Blake is taking on new duties.

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County Redraws Residency Districts

When the filing period opens in February, Moore County will have different residency district boundaries from which to draw candidates for county commissioner and school board.

County Delays Action on Court Space Allocation

Recommendations for allocation of space soon to become available in the Courts Facility will be tabled until a future meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

Pilot Light: County Board Approves Residency Policy

County Commissioner Craig Kennedy won a victory Tuesday in his effort to reduce employee residency requirements.

Nothing Will Replace Actual Books

Remember when everyone was saying television would spell the end of major league sports?

Override Vote Possible Justice Act Repeal Veto

Moore County’s legislative delegation heads back to Raleigh today for a special session called to consider overriding Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto of a bill adjusting the Racial Justice Act.

County Commissioners Approve New Boundaries for Districts

Residency districts for the county commissioners and five of the eight members of the school board were officially changed by the Moore County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Gas Prices to Take Big Jump as State Tax Goes Up, Subsidy Expires

The state tax on gasoline will climb 3.9 cents a gallon starting today. In addition, the cost of ethanol will increase by 4.5 cents a gallon, not in a tax hike but in the expiration of a federal subsidy.

Pilot Light: Redistricting on County Board's Agenda Tuesday

The Moore County Board of Commissioners will continue a discussion of redistricting at the first meeting in the new year.

Coble Undecided on Seeking Re-Election Next Year

News reporters wondering about Congressman Howard Coble’s future plans came away from a news conference Wednesday with no easy answers.

Pilot Light: State Agency Classifies Moore as 'Least Distressed' County

Moore County is once again assigned to Tier 3 by the N.C. Department of Commerce, placing it among the 20 “least distressed” counties in the state.

Pilot Light: Coble Finally Home From Hospital

Congressman Howard Coble was scheduled for discharge from the hospital Tuesday and was planning to meet with news media today to discuss his hospitalization.

Huge Water Bill Surprises Pinehurst Couple

Santa Claus delivered a $102,348.36 utility bill to the household of Jerome and Siriporn Phelps. The couple would have preferred coal.

Pilot Light: Coble Transferred to Greensboro Hospital

Congressman Howard Coble is back home in the 6th District, but still in the hospital.

Guilford County May Join Sandhills Center

Sandhills Center is being wooed by a towering neighbor — Guilford County.

Override Of Veto Possible

The suspense ended last week when Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed the N.C. General Assembly’s bill repealing the Racial Justice Act of 2009.

Pilot Light: Coble Could Be Released From Hospital Sunday

Sixth District Congress-man Howard Coble may be released from the hospital Sunday.

Pilot Light: Coble Hospitalized With Respiratory Ailment

ongressman Howard Coble was admitted to a Washington, D.C., hospital Tuesday afternoon with a respiratory illness.

Hard-Won History When Women Finally Got a Vote

It was the 19th Amendment, you knuckleheads.

Coble Hospitalized for Respiratory Ailment

Congressman Howard Coble was admitted to a Washington, D.C., hospital Tuesday afternoon with a respiratory illness.

Young Eagles Day Hailed a Success

With Young Eagles soaring the skies last weekend came a public relations bonanza for the Moore County Airport.

Board Apologizes for Criticism on Working Lands Plan

A rare public apology was extended to the planning staff at a Dec. 6 meeting of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

Caddell Brings Experience as Board Chairman

Larry Caddell comes to the chairmanship of the Moore County Board of Commissioners with years of experience presiding over public bodies.

County Delays Decision on Redistricting

Faced with six options for redistricting, the Moore County Board of Commissioners has once again tabled a decision until January.

Pilot Light: County Earns Financial Reporting Award

For the 23rd consecutive year, Moore County's financial services department has been singled out for the Certificate of Achieve-ment for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

County Opposes U.S. 1 Bypass Through Horse Country

The Moore County Board of Commissioners added its weight to the anti-U.S. 1 bypass movement Monday by adopting a strongly worded resolution.

Pilot Light: Holshouser Recovering From Neck Surgery

Former Gov. Jim Holshouser is in the rehabilitation unit at Bowman-Gray Hospital in Winston-Salem and is recovering nicely from neck vertebra surgery.

Commissioners Elect Caddell New Chairman

Larry Caddell has succeeded Nick Picerno as chairman of the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

County Opposes U.S. 1 Bypass Through Horse Country

Opponents of a possible U.S. 1 bypass through Southern Pines Horse Country crowded into the historic courthouse in Carthage Monday to express their views during a public hearing called by the Moore County Board of Commissioners.

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Youngsters Take to the Skies Above Moore

Young Eagles weren’t piloting the aircraft, but hundreds of prospective young pilots were circling the skies above Moore County Saturday — with licensed pilots at the controls.

County Moves on Village Lift Station

With approval of $1 million in a state loan in hand, Moore County can move ahead to replace a crucial lift station in Pinehurst.

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