Michelle Williams has been on the job as the new president and chief executive officer, since January 1, of DistiNCtly Fayetteville, formerly known as the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “I am honored to step into this role and develop the strategic vision for Cumberland County,” Williams said in a news release. “This community has played a meaningful role in my career, and I’m excited to bring my passion and care to build on the momentum already underway, and welcome visitors to experience everything that Fayetteville has to offer.” Williams joins DistiNCtly Fayetteville from the Newport Hospitality Group, a hotel management company specializing in select and full-service hotels based in Williamsburg, V.A., where she was regional director of sales. Williams knows Fayetteville and Cumberland County. She has served on the Greater Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Fayetteville Area Government Affairs Council, the Tourism and Development Authority, the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and multiple hospitality and business advisory boards. “Michelle’s career reflects a rare combination of strategic vision, operational expertise and a deep understanding of Fayetteville’s hospitality landscape,” said Nat Robertson, president and chief executive officer for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. “Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to elevate Fayetteville as a distinctive destination for leisure travel, sports tourism, meetings, and events.” Williams, who replaces Devin Heath, is a past president of the Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association and was recognized as an Ambassador of the Year by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.
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“Every child deserves to arrive at school and return home safely,” Cumberland County Sheriff Jonathan Morgan says in a news release about Operation Safe Passage, a recent collaboration between the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the N.C. State Highway Patrol, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Hope Mills Police Department, the Spring Lake Police Department, and the Stedman Police Department, focusing on keeping schoolchildren safe in school zones. The initiative, according to the CCSO, resulted in 192 citations, which included motorists passing stopped school buses, speeding, and other traffic violations putting students at risk. One motorist, according to a published report, was cited for driving 89 mph. “Please slow down,” Morgan said, “stay alert and obey school zone laws.”
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An altercation at 3:54 a.m. on January 11 at a Circle K convenience business on the 8000 block of Cliffdale Road in west Fayetteville led to the fatal stabbing death of a 23-year-old man, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. A 32-year-old woman and business employee, who had previous interactions with the victim at the business, according to the FPD, has been charged with first-degree murder in what is the third city homicide of 2026.
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Double down on the blankets, because multiple weather forecasts are telling us Old Man Winter is on his way with temperatures dipping into the low 20s over the ensuing five to seven days.
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“I just read your article about Jane Warfel,” Cathy Dillard Schaffer writes in an email about my January 14 column on Jane Rosser Warfel, 102, who grew up on Cedar Creek Road. “She’s an absolutely sweet, kind, and amazing woman. I was thrilled to see you had a chance to interview her and share her story. Thank you for writing about this wonderful lady.” Indeed, Mrs. Schaffer, Mrs. Warfel is an amazing and delightful lady.
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“Very nice writing, Bill,” Steve Kenney of Portland, O.R., writes in an email about my January 11 column on retired Professional Golf Association Tour and Fayetteville native Chip Beck, 69, who is scheduled for induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame on May 1 in Greensboro. “Weaves fact and comment so well.”
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“Bill, I enjoyed your column on Chip Beck and his induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame,” Phil Barnard writes in an email about my January 11 column on the golfer who learned the game under the late Tony Evans at Highland Country Club. “It reminded me of the one time I happened to meet him, when we were both much younger. It was around 1983. I was 18 and attending Fayetteville Technical Institute at the time and working nights and weekends in sales of the audio department at Tart’s TV, Furniture & Appliance on Bragg Boulevard. One day, I was waiting on a young man who was interested in purchasing a home stereo system. After demonstrating several systems, he made his decision on what he preferred. As I was writing up the bill of sale, my manager called me over to speak privately. He asked me if I knew who I was waiting on. I said that he had introduced himself as ‘Chip.’ My manager said, ‘That’s Chip Beck, the professional golfer.’ Not being into golf at the time, the name meant nothing to me. My manager was insistent on giving him a huge discount, which in turn, would have cut into my sales commission. I said, ‘He hasn’t even mentioned wanting a discount.’ I honestly can’t recall if my manager marked down the prices or not. But what I do remember is Chip Beck was an extremely nice young man and did not use his status to either impress or get any type of price discount. I will always remember him for that and became a fan of his from that day forward. Congratulations, Mr. Beck.”
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Kudos to Amber Autry, a first-year teacher at Cape Fear High School, where she has been selected, according to Cumberland County Schools, as one of 27 finalists in the state for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Burroughs Wellcome Fund Beginning Teacher of the Year award. Keep in mind, before we became businessmen, businesswomen, doctors, nurses, lawyers, educators, or whatever our career paths, there were schoolteachers. The award honors exceptional early-career educators across the state, who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and a strong commitment to student success.
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Hoke Hospital received 2025 national recognition for excellence in patient safety and quality from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization known for its evaluation of hospital safety and care standards. “This recognition reflects the dedication and teamwork demonstrated across our organization every day,” Sonja McLendon, president of Hoke Healthcare for Cape Fear Valley Health, said in a news release. “Our physicians, nurses, and staff consistently put patient safety and quality first. Being recognized at the national level reinforces the trust our community places in us.” The recognition marks the fifth time, according to the release, the hospital has achieved top hospital acknowledgement.
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Charlisa Y. Davis of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Martin Luther King executive board is offering a deeper explanation of why the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, which was scheduled for Saturday in downtown Fayetteville, has been postponed. “Guided by our shared commitment to justice, compassion and collective responsibility, and in keeping with the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the parade committee affirms that public safety must never be secondary to public celebration,’ Davis writes in an email. “In my initial correspondence with you, I mentioned ‘safety concerns’ as one of the reasons that the committee considered to postpone the parade. Immediately, persons directed their attention to law enforcement suggesting that there may be some clandestine issues with the city. Therefore, allow me to ensure the community that our relationship with the city and with the city’s law enforcement is well and they will continue to support the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. When I mentioned ‘safety issues,’ I am referencing a parade protocol checklist. There are items that the committee should have completed. For example(s): date, time, and route approved; permits obtained; liability waivers and insurance secured; parade entry applications approved; entry categories defined; line up order established and documented; volunteer recruitment completed; training conducted; identification badges or shirts issued; water and rest provisions arranged; line-up verified; drop off and pick up locations for participants; parking availability for spectators; audio equipment functioning properly; and time keeping initiated. These are just a few items on a list of many. I do hope this correspondence provides some insight into the decision to postpone the parade. In spirit, decisions regarding parade re-scheduling shall be made with prayerful consideration, moral responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all.” Or, if you will, here’s another way of explaining the reason for why there’s no Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Saturday; the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Committee dropped the ball big time in what clearly is a breach in planning, organization, and leadership on the part of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Committee.
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Coming Sunday: “His teaching stayed with us long after we left the ballfield.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
We’re nearing our fourth year of CityView Today, and so many of you have been with us from day one in our efforts to bring the news of the city, county, community, and Cape Fear region each day. We’re here with a purpose—to deliver the news that matters to you.
