A sheriff's badge. This is a gold-colored, six-pointed star. It says "Sheriff" and "Cumberland County," and also says "Ennis Wright" and has a "1" toward the bottom. In the center is a seal of Cumberland County, North Carolina.
A logo portraying the badge of Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright. Credit: Cumberland County Sheriff Office

Good morning. Cumberland County may soon expand the hiring bonuses program at the Sheriff’s Office to help the agency fill 173 vacancies. The county commissioners are scheduled to vote tonight whether to appropriate $350,000 from which Sheriff Ennis Wright could pay the bonuses to new hires. Read more in our lead story.

Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter: Soldiers are 10 times more likely to use nicotine pouches than an average American adult, according to a new study on Fort Liberty soldiers. However, a researcher believes the results are generalizable to civilians. Also, learn more about the work of the Cumberland County Board of Education and its members at a special event scheduled Jan. 30 to observe School Board Appreciation Month.

Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Interim Editor-in-Chief

A screenshot of the website of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, showing that the agency is offering $2,500 in hiring bonuses. Screenshot made Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Credit: Screenshot by CityView

County may fund hiring bonuses to help sheriff fill vacancies

Depleted ranks: 96 vacancies of 162 positions at the jail, plus short another 77 sworn law officers. Continue reading.

A graphic with the words "Local journalism needs you" and "Donate." Behind the words is an image of a city landscape and in the lefthand bottom corner is a graphic with the words "CityView News Fund."
Credit: Graphic by Annette Winter

More from CityView

A clear plastic container filled with nicotine pouches sits on a wooden table
Credit: L.V. Olavi Rantala / Flickr

Soldier use of nicotine pouches ‘raising alarm’ for product’s rising popularity

Recent study found soldiers are 10 times more likely to use nicotine pouches like Zyn, and the study’s project lead says the results are generalizable to civilians.

The Board of Education of Cumberland County meets at a building, where a sign outside says "Cumberland County Schools Central Services," which is outside the two-story brick building.
Credit: Tony Wooten / CityView

Here’s how to ‘meet and greet’ Cumberland County Board of Education

RSVP for meet-and-greet event required by Jan. 24.

Events

Sponsored by Greater Life of Fayetteville
A GATHERING OF DREAMS: THE VISION BOARD SOIRÉE

  • Where: Ferguson-Easley Elementary School, 1857 Seabrook Road, Fayetteville
  • When: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23
  • What: Got dreams? Got visions? Need a strategy? Gather your family for a captivating Vision Board Party! Craft your aspirations, pen your plans, and manifest them clearly then set forth to bring them to life! Dance party starts at 5:30 p.m., vision board party starts at 6 p.m. Free event. Register by email hello@glofnc.org.

CHRONICLES OF YARNIA

  • Where: Main Library, 455 McKinney Parkway, Lillington
  • When: 10-11 a.m. today
  • What: Join our informal hangout for crocheters, knitters, and more!

HOUSE PLANTS 101 SEMINAR

  • Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
  • When: Noon today
  • What: Join us for “Feed your Mind: House Plants 101,” a fun and informative session designed to help you get started with house plants.

Find more events here.

Obituaries

Phyllis Jean Dixon

Phyllis Jean Dixon, 72, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, Jan. 17.

Marie Melvin Morang

Marie Melvin Morang, 76, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Jimmy Stoney McKnight

Jimmy Stoney McKnight, 83, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Find complete listings here.

Until tomorrow!

📚 Cumberland County Public Library and the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library are hosting Judith Turner-Yamamoto this Sunday, Jan. 26 for an author visit and book signing at Headquarters Library on 300 Maiden Lane. The free event is from 3 to 5 p.m. According to a library press release, through Turner-Yamamoto’s work, “attendees are invited to take a profound journey, transforming personal memories into emotionally-charged stories, while using North Carolina’s Piedmont as the backdrop.”

~ Maydha

Maydha Devarajan is the former editor-in-chief of CityView. She was previously a reporter for Facing South and for the Chatham News & Record.