“As a coach, I am only as good as my players,” the 75-year-old retired coach says about the thousands of student-athletes he coached on the baseball diamond. “My former players will always have a place in my heart.”
Bill Kirby Jr.
Bill Kirby Jr. is a veteran journalist who spent 49 years as a newspaper editor, reporter and columnist covering Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the Cape Fear Region for The Fayetteville Observer. He most recently has written for CityView Magazine.
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Column: Gov. Stein selects ‘Military Friendly’ FTCC to unveil Blue Star Families and National Governors Association initiative
Gov. Josh Stein probably could not have selected a more appropriate venue Wednesday than Fayetteville Technical Community College to sign a proclamation declaring North Carolina as a Do Your Part state.
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Column: A dreamer’s wish come true with a poignant exclamation point along the winding downtown linear trail
“Few people leave such a tangible, lasting impact on their community,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said Monday before Cross Creek Linear Trail was renamed Harry F. Shaw Linear Trail in honor of the Fayetteville native who died in 2018.
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Column: Looks like ‘que sera, sera’ as Hope Mills petition efforts stall to place 4-year staggered term on November ballot
“Democracy works when people go to the polls and vote,” former Hope Mills commissioner says in an email to the Cumberland County legislative delegation in Raleigh, which has been adopted by a vote of three town commissioners
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Column: Bennett named chief executive officer and president of Cool Spring Downtown District
Ashanti Bennett is the new chief executive officer and president of the Cool Spring Downtown District, after serving in an interim capacity.
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Column: County building inspectors honored for volunteer efforts in aftermath of Hurricane Helene
“While we did what we were called to do, it still seems like so little compared to the challenges some still face today,” Kim Cannizzaro of Cumberland County Inspections says about the deadly September hurricane.
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Column: A Fayetteville mayoral race like none ever seen before
“The 2025 mayors’ race will be the ‘thrill-a in the ville-a’ for this election cycle,” says George Breece, a longtime community politico.
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Column: Once upon a time, kids from ‘the hill’ remember late honorary ‘Mayor of Massey Hill’
Bill Kirby Jr.’s notes from the week.
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Column: Spring Lake Commissioners Lackman and Palacios say the town is moving in the right direction
“I appreciate the trust and confidence the people of Spring Lake put in me,” says Spring Lake Commissioner Marvin Lackman, who joins Raul Palacios in stepping away from helping govern the town.
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Column: Assistant manager takes her leave after 20-plus years in county government
“Sally’s legacy is one of unwavering commitment to transparency, community engagement and excellence in public service,” Kirk deViere, chair of the Cumberland Board of County Commissioners, says about Sally Shutt, who served as assistant county manager since 2017.
