The Pilot Newspaper

01/03/2026

Southern Pines planning staff have initiated looking at its next list of projects designed to implement the town’s guiding document for future growth.

01/02/2026

Growth and development are no strangers to Moore County, requiring infrastructure upgrades to keep pace. But as the landscape is altered, there are often unintended — and wet — consequences.

A lot has changed in the southern part of the county as new neighborhoods and shopping centers have gone in to meet demand. One common factor: Each project required the land to be disturbed.

Growth and development are no strangers to Moore County, requiring infrastructure upgrades to keep pace. But as the landscape is altered, there are often unintended — and wet — consequences.

01/02/2026

A newly proposed subdivision on Holly Grove School Road in West End is set to be heard before the Moore County Board of Commissioners now in February.

The hearing to review existing laws and ordinances in relation to the project was originally scheduled for the Jan. 6 commissioners meeting but will likely be rescheduled after the applicant requested to postpone the hearing until Feb. 3.

County commissioners have the final say on whether the hearing will take place or be pushed out further.

This proposed project, consisting of 68 lots, would be located west of Seven Lakes North subdivision, east of McLendon Hills subdivision and north of N.C. 211 along Holly Grove School Road.

A newly proposed subdivision on Holly Grove School Road in West End is set to be heard before the Moore County Board of Commissioners now in February.

01/02/2026

When Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience returns to Bradshaw Performing Arts Center’s Owens Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 16, it won’t just be another night of Beatles songs. It will be a shared story.

Instead of a fixed setlist, audience members write down their favorite Beatles song and the reason it matters to them. Those cards are collected before the show, and the night unfolds organically shaped by shared stories and spontaneous musical choices.

Tickets are on sale now at TicketMeSandhills.com.

When Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience returns to Bradshaw Performing Arts Center’s Owens Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 16, it won’t just be another night of Beatles songs. It

01/02/2026

Amie Fraley has been a steadfast face with the local Habitat for Humanity for almost 16 years, embodying the nonprofit’s mission and building community with every porchside home dedication.

In January, she will be stepping into a new role with Habitat for Humanity International and handing the reins of the Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills to current Deputy Executive Director Farrah Newman.

Amie Fraley has been a steadfast face with the local Habitat for Humanity for almost 16 years, embodying the nonprofit’s mission and building community with every porchside home dedication.

01/01/2026

One can learn a lot about where they’re going based on where they’ve been. Such is the case with what could be some of the bigger news stories to come in 2026.

During a recent brainstorming session, The Pilot news staff discussed the stories it thinks will be grabbing a lot of headlines in the new year. Unsurprisingly, those stories have their roots in 2025.

While these are reasonable predictions, there remains plenty of room for other news to grab attention as well. But with that in mind, we picked six stories we expect to write a lot about in 2026. In no particular order, they are:

One can learn a lot about where they’re going based on where they’ve been. Such is the case with what could be some of the bigger news stories to come

01/01/2026

The International Hot Rod Association has purchased Rockingham Speedway, the organization announced Wednesday. The iconic motorsports venue was listed on the market last June, less than two months after NASCAR returned to The Rock.

This is a developing story.

On the market since last summer, Rockingham Speedway, known worldwide as The Rock, has a new owner. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced the purchase Thursday.

12/31/2025

Like a smooth cup of tea or coffee, some of the most significant stories of The Pilot’s year took time to brew. Others were more like a Sharpie marker: instant and permanent.

From debates over the location of a new Carthage Elementary School to the damaging floods of Tropical Storm Chantal, The Pilot staff covered a lot of ground this year covering a broad spectrum of news. As 2025 nears its end, the staff, as it does every year, has looked back at its body of work to select the paper’s annual Top 10 stories.

Like a smooth cup of tea or coffee, some of the most significant stories of The Pilot’s year took time to brew. Others were more like a Sharpie marker: instant

12/31/2025

Meet Milo! The Pilot's Pet of the Week is a 2-year-old, 60-pound pit mix. Milo was found by his foster on the flight line at Fort Bragg and never reclaimed. He’s a sweet, goofy boy who loves everyone he meets. Milo is very gentle with kids and kitties, and social with dogs once properly introduced. To adopt Milo, or to inquire further, contact Rogue Rescue at [email protected] or message them on social media.

12/31/2025

First Eve festivities begin this evening at 6 p.m., in downtown Southern Pines with live music, carnival games, face painting and more. The highlight of the evening is the Pine Cone Drop at 8 p.m. This is a family-friendly event that is free and open to the public. Also this evening, the town of Cameron welcomes the community to the Dewberry Drop at 6 p.m., at Cameron Elementary School.

Catch the details on these events and more through the weekend in Sandhills Best Bets.

SCC Holiday Lights Display

12/30/2025

Looking back at the past year, here are some of the top photos snapped by Pilot photographer Ted Fitzgerald.

Pilot staff photographer Ted Fitzgerald has compiled some of his favorite photos from the past year.

12/30/2025

The 70-year-old Cameron man was arrested Monday morning on charges of domestic assault on a female and assault and battery. He was cleared by by medical staff at FirstHealth Moore Regional and then committed to the Moore County Detention Center.

An inmate's death in the Moore County Detention Center is under investigation after the male detained on Monday morning had an ‘apparent cardiac event’ in the jail Monday evening.