The Rev. Grady McKeithan lived his life with a passion. He embraced every day. “He was an interesting man, born in Cumberland County with many contacts to our city,” Diane McKeithan Alabaster says about her “Uncle Grady.”
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.
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: The School of Hope looks to serve 160 more autistic students
Some people you never forget. Some moments, too. “I will never forget you, Jarred,” Amy Sparks said that sunny April 24, 2012, afternoon as her VanStory Hills Elementary third-grade …
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: County EMS honored and other notes
Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Healthcare: Cumberland County Emergency Medical Services recently received the Gold Plus for 2022 Mission Lifeline award from the American Heart Association, and …
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: Most City Council candidates ignore Vote Yes Fayetteville questionnaire
Apparently, some City Council members are ducking when it comes to the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative to change the elected municipal government body from nine districts to five district …
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: A ‘humbling’ moment for a county paramedic
Jack Thompson is a certified paramedic, and he still can see the middle-aged woman at the recent Heartfelt Banquet standing there with her family. He felt the emotion of that evening at Manna …
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: Early voting for mayor, City Council seats is underway
Outside, you found Fayetteville City Council incumbents and candidates hovered under a tent in sweltering heat and hoping to secure votes for the upcoming municipal election. Yvonne Kinston, …
Posted inElections, News
Fayetteville businessman challenging incumbent says police chief must go
Courtney Banks-McLaughlin, a member of the Fayetteville City Council who represents District 8, is being challenged by businessman Michael Pinkston in the July 26 election.
Posted inElections, News
Councilman seeking 11th term; challenger calls for term limits
As one of the longest-serving members of the Fayetteville City Council, D.J. Haire credits his 10 terms representing District 4 to his willingness to listen not only to his constituents but to all city residents.
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: City elections are nearing, and your vote is your voice
Mayor Mitch Colvin, his challenger Freddie Delacruz and all of our Fayetteville City Council members and all but one of their opponents were up early for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber …
Posted inThe Kirby File
Column: Late philanthropist leaves $1.5M to no-kill animal shelter
David Bryan had a heart for animals, particularly homeless dogs and cats in this community. No was not in his vocabulary. Not when it came to innocent …
