Ruth Bush has been appointed vice dean for undergraduate medical education at the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine.
“We are very excited to have Dr. Bush assume a leadership position with the medical school,” Hershey Bell, the school’s founding dean, said in a news release about the vascular surgeon who helped launch the University of Houston College of Medicine “Her clinical background, expertise in medical education and academic leadership, coupled with her experience with LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) accreditation, adds valuable knowledge and insight to our excellent leadership team. I look forward to her meeting members of our academic and clinical communities at Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health.” Bush grew up in Winston-Salem and earned her medical degree at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Good news is welcome news, and the good news is the Fayetteville Fire Department has received a more than $2.3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “As we strive to provide the highest quality fire protection to our residents and visitors, this federal funding will save local tax dollars and increase our ability to keep our community and our firefighters safe,” Fire Chief Kevin Dove said in a news release. The grant, according to the release, will allow the department to add 18 firefighter positions in early 2027 to the current 369 fire personnel. The new positions will staff two additional ladder trucks to the five currently in operation.
A railroad crossing supplier is investing $3.5 million in equipment for Fayetteville that will create 20 jobs. “We are excited to welcome Omega Industries to our community,” Robert Van Geons, president and chief executive officer of Fayetteville Economic Development Corporation, said in a news release. “This investment strengthens our manufacturing base, creates new opportunities for our workforce and transforms a vacant building into a productive facility that will support growth for years to come.” The company will be located on South King Street in south Fayetteville.
Carlene Morales has been appointed executive director of the Cumberland County Council on Older Adults. “I’m excited about the opportunity to build on the organization’s strong foundation and continue serving older adults throughout our community,” Morales, 44, told CityView. Morales will guide the Council’s strategic direction while overseeing its core programs, including Meals on Wheels, In‑Home Aide Services, home safety initiatives, dementia support, and caregiver resources. Morales succeeds Lisa Hughes.
A 36-year-old man is dead after Fayetteville police officers responded to a shots fired alert at approximately 3:26 a.m. on October 19 at 6238 Yadkin Road. Upon arrival, police discovered three victims suffering from gunshot wounds, according to the release. It is, by my count, the 24th city homicide of 2026.
The little princesses, ghosts, and goblins likely will be knocking on your doors and ringing doorbells in neighborhoods Saturday night in search of treats for Halloween. Motorists, if I may, are urged to keep a lookout for them and drive with special care.
Willa Bennett was gentle, kind and a beautiful soul. Those who came to know her throughout their lives will tell you so, and I am one of those people. Willa Cashwell Bennett died at age 84 on October 16.
“When the church doors were open, they were going to be there,” Phil Harris Jr. once said about his late father and mother. Although Noel Harris grew up at First Presbyterian Church downtown, Highland Presbyterian was where you found the couple almost every Sunday sitting together and holding hands. They seldom were apart from the day they married on December 19, 1959, until his death on November 17, 2025. Along life’s way, she was a past president of the Junior League of Fayetteville, the Pines Garden Club, the Fayetteville Garden Club, and the Book Club Fayetteville. Noel Vossler Harris died at age 89 on October 23. A service is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Highland Presbyterian Church. Harris will be buried next to her late husband in Cross Creek Cemetery No. 3, with the gurgling tributary nearby. “Our prayer,” son William Harris said, “is that they are now having a joyful reunion, laughing and dancing together.”
“Bill, I’ve enjoyed reading your thoughts and stories since 1982, when I first moved to Fayetteville, and I will continue doing so until one of us passes,” Jim Anderson wrote in an email. “Since becoming part of the Cumberland County population, I have been at odds with city-county governments. Education appears to be on a back burner, always discussed, only acted upon at the eleventh hour, if you will. I just can’t understand why the normal maintenance of schools wasn’t accomplished on a normal schedule. As a successful realtor, I sold many residential homes, and bars, restaurants and income-producing properties in and around Cumberland County. I cannot bring to mind any of those properties I sold that were ever in the condition of some of our schools; it perplexes me greatly.” Me, too, Mr. Anderson.
“Bill, thank you for lifting up Doug Hewett’s service and commitment to Fayetteville in the October 16 column,” Kennon Jackson Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County, wrote in an email about Hewett’s decision to step down as Fayetteville’s city manager. “Eighteen years of service to our city, including a decade as city manager, deserves recognition and appreciation. Public service asks a great deal of people, and I appreciate you giving readers a chance to hear Doug’s gratitude for this community and his hopes for what comes next. His commitment to helping Fayetteville move forward deserves to be part of the story as he prepares to step aside. Thank you for recognizing that commitment and for continuing to tell the stories of the people who help shape our community.” It is a thankless job, Mr. Jackson, but Doug Hewett always was fair in dealing with me. Hewett says December 31 likely will be his final day with the city.
Keri Small, 26, was crowned Miss Fayetteville on October 24 at the 2027 Miss Fayetteville Scholarship Pageant held at Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University campus. Isabella Ramanna, 17, earned the title of Miss Fayetteville Teen. “They will compete for Miss North Carolina 2027 and Miss North Carolina Teen 2027 from June 21-26 in High Point,” Haven Cashwell, a spokesperson for the local pageant, said. Small, according to Cashwell, is a behavioral therapist pursuing her master’s degree in clinical mental health from Liberty University. Her community service initiative is “Arts for Autism: Where Every Ability Becomes a Masterpiece.” Ramanna resides in Angier and is a junior at West Johnston High School in Benson. Her community service platform is “”Heart to Heart: Let’s Make a Difference.”
Just a reminder that daylight saving time ends Sunday. Turn back your clock by an hour and get some extra sleep before heading to church.
Coming Sunday: Remembering Stewart Bell, longtime owner of Bell’s Seed Store.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
