Vandalism suspected in outage that left thousands without power in Moore County
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local ... rylink=cpyVandals are suspected to have intentionally damaged electrical substations in Moore County on Saturday night, shutting off power to 45,000 customers and prompting law enforcement officers to accompany crews sent to make repairs. Jeff Brooks, a spokesman for Duke Energy, said the power went off after 8 p.m. When crews responded, they found “multiple equipment failures” at several substations and what appeared to be intentional damage, Brooks said. The Moore County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, according to Brooks.
PROTEST OVER DRAG SHOW Earlier in the day, protesters had gathered outside the Sunrise Theater in downtown Southern Pines, upset about a drag queen show planned for the small venue Saturday night. On her Facebook page, Emily Grace Rainey posted an invitation to the protest. After the lights went out out, Rainey, who became known in Moore County during the pandemic for her opposition to mask mandates, posted on Facebook that, “The power is out in Moore County and I know why.”