Fans of Fayetteville native J. Cole wasted no time purchasing tickets to see the two-time Grammy-winning rapper and record producer, who has included a September 23 concert at the 10,880-seat Crown Coliseum as part of his The Fall-Off Tour.
“The 9/23 J. Cole show did in fact sell out,” said Seth Benalt, general manager for the Crown Complex. “The show went on sale this past Friday (September 20) at 11a.m. and all tickets were sold by 1:15 p.m. or so. While the majority of tickets were sold online, we were open here at the Crown ticket office and had a consistent line all morning that stretched to the north staircase and or parking lot at multiple points throughout the morning.”
A 2003 graduate of Terry Sanford High School, Cole never has forgotten his hometown.
Despite pleas not to increase electricity costs, our hometown Fayetteville Public Works Commission will be jacking up rates on customers by 13.45% over the ensuing two years, beginning May 1. “Our priority at PWC is to continue delivering safe, reliable and affordable electric, water and wastewater services to all of our customers,” Tim Bryant, chief executive officer and general manager of the utility, said in a news release. “Before PWC considered any rate increase, staff was intentional about spending and implemented significant cost saving measures across the business. Unfortunately, uncontrollable cost increases are out-pacing cost savings exponentially.” We may not like it, but our city-owned utility said it still provides lower electric rates than other statewide utilities.
Some more information PWC customers should know. The utility is conducting its annual water treatment disinfectant changeover on Sunday, which it says is a requirement by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for all public water systems using chloramines for disinfection. PWC said it will transition from its standard chloramine disinfectant to free chlorine, and customers may notice a slight chlorine smell or experience temporary changes in water taste or appearance. No worries, the utility said, it’s normal and not harmful. PWC said customers who normally pre‑treat their water to remove chloramines—including manufacturers, dialysis providers and aquatic pet owners—should continue pre‑treatment throughout March. PWC said it will return to using chloramines on April 1.
If you haven’t noticed, the steel beams are a reminder that the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction is becoming a reality at Arsenal Park in Haymount. “Yes, it’s nice after 15 or more years of planning to actually see progress,” says Mac Healy, who along with Mary Lynn Bryan, has led the way for the nearly $90 million project to cover seven to eight acres. It will include the Vanstory History Village of restoration, renovation, and adaptive reuse of three Civil War and Reconstruction era homes. Healy said the project should be complete in early 2028. Drive along Hay Street and the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway and see for yourself.
Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of the Methodist University College of Medicine and the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, will be the guest speaker at the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County’s 8th Community Awareness Scorecard Breakfast. The event is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on March 6 at the Highland Presbyterian Church fellowship hall in Haymount. The Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County leadership team said it will also celebrate $1 million in grant awards since it began in 2009.
“The price of eggs is down 60%,” President Donald Trump said Tuesday night in his State of the Union address on Capitol Hill. “And even beef, which was very high, is starting to come down significantly.” Well, he’s right about eggs, but when it comes to beef, Mr. President, you’re not shopping where some of us buy our groceries.
You’ll need more than a buck if you are a Dollar Tree aficionado. You’ll need an extra quarter or two. And some items are $5. Blame it on inflation, but Dollar Tree still is a fun place to shop, and there’s always something to catch your eye.
“Bill, on behalf of the Arts Council board of directors and the staff, I would like to thank you for the recent article you wrote about our leadership transition,” Luis M. Collazo, board chair, wrote in an email about our CityView column of February 18 highlighting the career of Bob Pinson as president and chief executive officer of the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County. “I appreciate your insightful and balanced perspective about the process. Likewise, I deeply appreciate your thoughtful and positive coverage that emphasizes how important the Arts Council is to our community; it significantly supports our mission and demonstrates our impact in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Thanks again, Bill.” Pinson is leaving the nonprofit on June 30 after over five years as its leader, while Kennon Jackson Jr., now chief of staff, will take over as president and CEO.
“Hi Bill, I was enchanted to read your article about the Hotel Prince Charles, where I stayed with my family as a five-year-old after I landed on Ellis Island on July 1, 1950,” Dr. E. Susanne Richert of Newark, Delaware, writes in an email about my November 30, 2025, column remembering the old downtown hotel. “Should be so kind as to send me the street address, so I can walk by.” The hotel today, Dr. Richert, is The Residences at the Prince Charles, for apartment living. It looks about the same, and it’s still at 450 Hay St.
Samantha Autry reminded us Monday of her late grandfather’s love of taking care of his yard, solving the world’s problems with his buddies over coffee and biscuits at Hardee’s, and living life. “He could always put a smile on your face, and make you smile,” she said at Bobby Denham’s gravesite service at Lafayette Memorial Park. “Papa’s best friend was Sam Henrickson (who died at age 82 on December 30.) Sam was waiting on him. Billy Graham once said, ‘The moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our first breath in heaven.’” Bobby Keith Denham was 83 when he died on February 18.
Olive “Ollie” Williams is about to reach a life milestone Sunday with her 100th birthday. “She has deep roots in the Dunn community and has lived through a full century of history, from the Great Depression to the Civil Rights movement to today’s digital age,” Imari Wilson wrote in an email about her great, great aunt. Williams will be guest of honor at a birthday celebration, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Godwin Community Building, 7927 Royal St., in the Godwin community. “Family members are traveling from many states, including New York, to honor her life and legacy.” Yes, indeed, Sunday is a milestone for Olive “Ollie” Williams.
Twenty-seven days since Nancy Guthrie was abducted in the wee morning hours from her Catalina Hills home in Tucson, Arizona. Shameful that the innocent 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Today co-host Savannah Guthrie would be taken and not to be seen or heard from since February 1. Shameful, inexcusable, unconscionable, and criminal.
Coming Sunday: Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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