In a time of crisis, we can count on our community first responders, and more than 50 law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency management folks from Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Fort Bragg will be honored at the 8th Annual Valor Public Safety Awards, which is hosted by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. The event is scheduled for 7 a.m. on Wednesday at Manna Church, 5117 Cliffdale Road.
“Our first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and others often run toward danger while the rest of us are running away,” Nat Robertson, chief executive officer and president of the chamber, said Wednesday. “The Valor Awards allow us to shine a light on those who demonstrate exceptional bravery and service, while reminding our entire community that behind every badge, uniform and emergency call is a person willing to put the safety and well-being of others before their own. It is our privilege as a Chamber to honor these heroes and ensure their contributions are recognized and never taken for granted.”
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or by calling 910-483-8133.
The Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority and the city are celebrating being awarded a $25.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that will help transform the Murchison Road corridor. “This (FY2025 Choice Neighborhoods) award will be a game-changer for the Murchison Road corridor and the families who call it home,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said Thursday in a news release. “For years, our residents have shared their vision for a stronger, safer, more connected neighborhood—today, that vision starts becoming reality. I want to thank Congressman [David] Rouzer, our Murchison Choice team and every resident who showed up to shape this plan, understanding that this work is about more than what we see today—it’s about what we’re building for the next generation.”
Some good news from Andrew Barksdale with the N.C. Department of Transportation about the long-awaited stoplight and other safety measures for motorists at Northview Drive, Dundee Road, and Morganton Road near the Van Story Hills neighborhood. “They are trying to expedite plans to get the mast metal poles manufactured or find some other ones in storage that would also work,” Barksdale said Monday about NCDOT District 6 folks who are hoping to push the project forward. “We want to do the new signal and Dundee about the same time.” The original plan was to close Dundee Street with a cul-de-sac before installing the stoplight.
Speeding motorists throughout Cumberland County are a problem, and a danger on the roadways. “Speeding continues to be one of the leading factors in serious and fatal crashes, which is why enforcement and education efforts like the ‘No Need for Speed’ campaign are so important,” Sheriff Johnathan Morgan said in a news release about a partnership with the Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Fort Bragg, and Stedman police departments and the N.C. State Highway Patrol. The operation on August 27 resulted in 176 speeding citations. Among speeding citations issued, according to the release, were 57 by FPD, 44 by the sheriff’s office, 40 on Fort Bragg, and 35 by state troopers.
“By working together with our local law enforcement partners and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, we are sending a clear message,” Morgan said. “There is no destination worth risking your life or the lives of others to reach a few minutes sooner. We hope this campaign encourages drivers to slow down, make responsible decisions behind the wheel and help us reduce preventable crashes and fatalities on our roadways.”
Scott Dorney is retiring on October 1 after founding and leading the North Carolina Military Business Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College since December 1, 2004, and Dorney leaves behind quite a legacy.
“Scott’s vision, leadership and unwavering dedication have transformed the economic landscape of North Carolina,” Mark Sorrells, the college president, said in a news release. “As the founder of the NCMBC, he built an organization that has become a nationally recognized model for leveraging military and federal opportunities to grow economic opportunities through jobs and investment throughout our state. His commitment to North Carolina, its military installations and its business community forms a lasting legacy that will continue to greatly benefit our state.”
Fayetteville native Martin Hendrix III, who brings extensive military, logistics, manufacturing, and organizational leadership experience. will succeed Dorney. “I am confident that Jimmy Hendrix,” Dorney said, “is the right leader to guide the NCMBC into its next chapter and continue advancing opportunities for our state.”
The best things in life are free, like colorful azaleas in spring bloom, an autumn morning, the chirping of birds, playful squirrels in your yard, a gentle rain on the roof, and a beach sunset among them. Everything else is expensive, like automobiles, vehicle fuel, groceries, rising electric bills, and health insurance among them.
“Bill, thank you for your wonderful tribute to Dolly Parton,” Drew Ziegler wrote in an email about my September 1 column on how the late entertainer’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has played such a significant role in the lives of children ages 1-15 worldwide, including Cumberland County. “Describing the impact her Imagination Library has had locally was the perfect touch. Well done.”
Fayetteville Technical Community College has long partnered with United Way of Cumberland County in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and the school is offering an opportunity for anyone to stop by its Paul H. Thompson Library, where you can take a photo selfie with a life-size cutout of the late country music entertainer. Parton died at age 80 on August 25.“Dolly showed us what’s possible when we invest in children, and our community is committed to carrying that vision forward, one child, one book and one partnership at a time,” Scott Embry, chief executive officer of our local United Way, said in a news release. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed on Labor Day. The opportunity for selfies is available until September 18. “We hope you will stop by to celebrate reading, literacy, libraries,” the release said, “… and Dolly.”
“We can’t thank you enough for all the encouraging words you gave about Dylan after his interview, and your kind words regarding our parenting was humbly received and appreciated,” Julie and Bill Nigh of San Diego wrote about my August 2 column on Dylan Nigh, their 29-year-old retired Fort Bragg soldier son turned author of two books, and with plans to write more. “By God’s grace, we have four sons who help make this world a better place, and we can say the same about you. Thank you also for coming to support him at his farewell at the bookstore. It truly warmed our hearts. May God bless you in all you do.” Hank Parfitt, who owns the downtown bookstore—Center City Gallery & Books—with his wife, Diane, told me Dylan was a gifted writer, and Hank Parfitt was right. When you are my age, Mr. and Mrs. Nigh, you have an eye for promising young people coming along, and the parents who rear them. Diane Parfitt writes a monthly books column for CityView.
With Jennifer Newman and David Eldridge leading the cast, Bright Star kicks off the 2026-2027 season for Cape Fear Regional Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on September 12 at 1707 Owen Drive. Inspired by a true North Carolina story, Newman portrays literary editor Alice Murphy, who meets Billy Cane, a young soldier just home from World War II. The musical is a story of mystery, romance, redemption, heart, hope, and the power of second chances. Tickets are available online for the performances that run through September 27 or you may wish to take an early peek with preview performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on September 10-11. One more thing. CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke said every audience will love the blue grass score with the live fiddle and banjo. This is a production you’ll not want to miss.
Coming Sunday: Remembering Howard Baum.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
