DECEMBER 5, 2022 UPDATE
We’d like to lead in to this evening’s update with a heartfelt THANK YOU to the individuals, business, and organizations within Moore County and beyond who are stepping up in big ways to help our local community. From feeding our Town staff, to donating food and needed items we can share with the community, to simply reaching out and saying, “how can I help,” we hear you words of support, feel your heartfelt gestures and are incredible appreciative. We are evaluating every offer we receive and determining the best way to implement these resources ourselves or redirect them to other local organizations better equipped to assist.
Duke Energy continues to make progress on replacing equipment at our substations. We remain optimistic that power will be restored by or on Thursday, December 8.
The Town is focusing staff resources on essential fire, rescue, police, and utility services, while using other employees for community support in the best ways we can. We have temporarily suspended traditional Parks & Recreation programs and activities as well as Library services. The following Town buildings will remain closed on Tuesday, December 6: administration; Campbell House; community development; E.S. Douglass Community Center; finance and utility billing; recreation center; and park restrooms.
The Southern Pines Public Library will be open from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday, December 6. We will not be functioning as a library, but rather invite the community to come for a warm building with lights, WiFi, and to charge phones or use electrical devices. We will have board games available for an escape from reality and some snacks and warm drinks.
The Haney Community Room and lobby of the Southern Pines Police Station at 450 W. Pennsylvania Ave. remains open indefinitely 24/7 to the public in order to charge electrical devices, use WiFi, and get out of the cold.
Moore County’s emergency shelter remains open at the Moore County Sportsplex in Carthage and will remain open indefinitely. It is located at 155 Hillcrest Park Lane, off of N.C. 22, near the intersection with U.S. 15-501.
Southern Pines trash, recycling, and yard debris are being collected on schedule.
All Parks & Recreation programs are canceled for Tuesday, December 6. Staff will follow up with registrants regarding credits and/or refunds, as needed.
The Town Council agenda meeting on Wednesday, December 7 has been canceled and will not be rescheduled. The next meeting of the Town Council will be on Tuesday, December 13 at 6pm at the E.S. Douglass Community Center.
The public input meeting for the Whitehall master plan for Thursday, December 8 has been canceled. This meeting will be rescheduled and the Town will release details when they are available.
The Southern Pines Water and Sewer system continues to operate on generator power with no interruption in service.
Our staff in the planning department is processing applications and working with the community to make accommodations on submittal deadlines, as advertising schedules allow. Please contact the Planning Department at 910-692-4003 with questions.
The community has generously been contacting us with offers of assistance. We sincerely appreciate those and will continue to share specific needs.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. It is our goal to fully restore all of our services as immediately as possible, so we will continue monitoring the situation and making decisions day by day.
Please stay safe and warm, Southern Pines! If you need emergency assistance, please call 911 for police, fire, or EMS or 910-692-1627 for our water and sewer department.
Your Town of Southern Pines Staff