Kirk deViere may never have been better in his political career than delivering his ambitious State of the County address on Tuesday in front of an estimated 100 people at the historic Cumberland County Courthouse.
“The mission has never been clearer,” the 56-year-old chair of the Board of Commissioners concluded. “The water we fight for, the schools we fund, the neighbors we take care of, the military we stand beside, the future we build for every child, a community that shows up, builds, serves, and never quits. That is Cumberland County. One mission, one community forward together.” A former state senator (2019-2023) and Fayetteville City Council member (2015-2017), deViere didn’t miss a beat or an issue in his captivating and optimistic vision for what this county can be in the days and years to come.
A Data Center Community Teach-in & Town Hall is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at the Bordeaux Community Library, 3711 Village Drive. “After our organization attended the January 29 Data Center Information Session hosted by the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, it was clear to us that many residents in attendance were understandably frustrated by the lack of communication from the city and county, and by the presentation itself, which was given by a former Duke Energy executive and data center consultant,” Fayetteville Freedom for All founder Lisette Rodriguez said in a news release. “Many people, including myself, did not feel the information was provided in a neutral way by a neutral party. So, in response, over the past few weeks our FFFA members have been researching and putting together information to fill in the gaps that were left out and to provide a space for residents to share their concerns.”
The organization wants a one-year moratorium on the matter, and some of us agree. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a meeting for 6:30 p.m. Monday to hear from residents about data centers in the community.
While St. Patrick’s Day has passed, the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) “Booze It & Lose It” campaign remains in effect through Sunday. “This should be a time to safely celebrate with friends and family, but never at the cost of someone’s life,” GHSP Director Mark Ezzell said in a news release. “Our message is simple: if you plan to drink, then plan accordingly for a sober ride home. Otherwise, you could face serious consequences.” During the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day campaign, according to the release, law enforcement agencies across the state issued 738 DWI citations. In other words, be smart. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t partake of substances that can impair your ability when operating a motor vehicle.
An 18-year-old Spring Lake man, Harryson Anderson, died from a fatal gunshot wound after Fayetteville police responded to reports of a shooting at 1:27 a.m. on March 15 on Graystone Road in north Fayetteville, according to a news release. A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. It is, according to the Fayetteville Police Department, the city’s 10th homicide of 2026.
You’ll find some azaleas in bloom and others with buds, and that can only mean the spring season finally is here.
For all of us who have had enough of this cold winter, now we can start complaining about the spring pollen.
Sometimes it’s not what we say or do, but how we go about saying it and doing it.
“Your column on Down syndrome was very good,” Tom English Jr. of Greensboro writes in an email about my March 18 story about Amy Navejas’ work as executive director of the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance. “It was a great focus on an issue that needed attention. Nicely done.” English is the retired managing editor of The Fayetteville Times.
“Thank you for the time, effort and energy you spent writing the March 4 CityView column on the Realtor’s Cup,” writes Jimmy Townsend, the longtime owner of Townsend Real Estate and recipient of the 2026 Realtor’s Cup at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber Annual Awards gala held February 26 at the Cape Fear Valley Health Center for Medical Education and Neuroscience Institute. “There are no words to put my gratitude on paper. I was especially touched by the statements from my boys. It brought me to tears. Bill, your love for our community is evident by the many wonderful stories you have written across the years.” Jimmy Townsend likes to remind everyone that, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” I say in a world where you can be anything, be more like Jimmy Townsend.
“Bill, thank you so much for your column about our Women’s Giving Circle’s mission and accomplishments,” Elaine Bryant Hayes writes in an email about our CityView coverage of the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County’s 8th Community Awareness Scorecard Breakfast on March 6 at Highland Presbyterian Church. At the event, the nonprofit celebrated $1 million in community grants in support of women and children. “We love the publicity that we got from your column, and really think that we will get new members from some of the ladies that read your article. I’ll let you know if that happens.” Please do.
When a four-time Emmy award-winning actress comes to our community to perform in Driving Miss Daisy at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, it’s a big deal. And Kim Zimmer is here for the theatre’s 17-performance production, which runs through April 4 at 1707 Owen Drive. She’s also starred with Kathleen Turner and the late William Hurt in the 1971 film, Body Heat, and as a suspicious lawyer on a 1995 episode of Seinfeld. She earned Emmys in 1985, 1987, 1990, and 2006 for her portrayal of Reva Shayne on Guiding Light, the television soap opera. Now Zimmer is portraying wealthy widow Daisy Werthan, and it’s a big deal having Kim Zimmer in our community.
The Cape Fear Valley Diagnostic Center has relocated to 3186 Village Drive, Suite 202, while construction is underway for a new medical office building on the Cape Fear Medical Center campus. “The new location will offer the same services and compassionate care as the previous diagnostic center,” Stephanie Dove, perioperative medicine nurse practitioner with the presurgical navigation at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, said in a news release. “This transitional period will help us meet our commitment to providing exceptional healthcare to our community as we continue to evolve to meet our community’s healthcare needs.” To schedule an appointment or for more information, call the Cape Fear Valley Diagnostic Center at 910-615-4619.
Coming Sunday: Remembering a man’s vision and heart for downtown. 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.