Good morning. Fayetteville’s push to modernize its streets just got a major assist with nearly $7 million in Powell Bill funding from the state. The funds are part of a broader infrastructure investment strategy the city has been advancing over the past few years.
Distributed by the N.C. Department of Transportation, the money will allow Fayetteville to resurface and repair city-maintained streets. It may also be used to widen streets and build or maintain bridges, sidewalks, and bike paths—critical needs for a city working to improve walkability and expand safe, accessible transportation options.
Of the over 500 municipalities in North Carolina receiving Powell Bill funds, Fayetteville’s allocation is the third largest, trailing behind only Charlotte and Durham. More in our lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. This fall, Cumberland County Schools’ Raqi Barnett was named the 2025 North Carolina Theatre Arts Educator of the Year. The theater arts teacher at E.E. Smith High School is the first Black educator to receive the statewide award, which recognizes her creativity, leadership, and impact on students. Check out our Q&A with Barnett about her educational career and the students who continue to inspire her. Plus, the final segment of Interstate 295—known as the Fayetteville Outer Loop—is scheduled to open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony next Tuesday. And federal border patrol agents descended on Charlotte earlier this week. As operations expanded to Raleigh, our network partners at the INDY Week were fanned out across the Triangle to capture scenes on the ground; we’re sharing a link to their reporting below for more on the immigration crackdown in North Carolina.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Editor-in-Chief
Fayetteville’s Infrastructure Overhaul Gets a Boost from State
North Carolina awarded $185.6 million in Powell Bill funds to cities, with Fayetteville receiving one of the largest allocations to support local road upgrades.
More from CityView
E.E. Smith Teacher Named 2025 North Carolina Theatre Arts Educator of the Year
Since Raqi Barnett started working at E.E. Smith High School in 2014, she’s become known for creating a close-knit, family-oriented environment for her students.
Final Segment of the I-295 Fayetteville Outer Loop to Open on Tuesday
Ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for final stretch of the 39-mile highway.
Day 1 of Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions in Wake County
From the INDY Week: More than a dozen people were detained by federal immigration agents across the Triangle earlier this week. Meanwhile, hundreds gathered to protest, organize, and volunteer.
Events
TECH TIME AT CLIFFDALE LIBRARY
- Where: Cliffdale Public Library, 6882 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville
- When: 9-10:30 a.m. today
- What: Whether you need help setting up an email account, learning how to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or anything in between, we’re here to help you with your computer, tablet or smartphone questions. No appointment necessary.
BEND AND BREW
- Where: Rick Herrema Foundation, 5572 Shenandoah Drive, Fayetteville
- When: 9:30-10:30 a.m. today
- What: Bend your body, sip your coffee, and let your worries flow away.
SIP AND PAINT: CONEFLOWER BOARD
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 6-8 p.m. today
- What: Join us for a relaxing paint-and-sip night, where creativity blossoms! You’ll be guided through step-by-step instruction, while painting your very own nature inspired masterpiece.
Obituaries
Mary Rogers Beard
Mary Rogers Beard, 80, passed away on Saturday, November 15.
Martha Priscilla Jordan
Martha Priscilla Jordan, 76, passed away on Sunday, November 16.
Raymunda Cristostoma
Raymunda Mauricio-Cristostoma passed away on Friday, November 14.
Until tomorrow!
🎶 Mathew Knowles, founder of Music World Entertainment and the father of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, will be making a virtual appearance this Friday at Way2Real Community Center in Fayetteville. The event, which starts at 5:30 p.m., promises a conversation with Knowles about “the DNA of achievers.” Seats can be reserved by texting 919-235-8451.
~ Maydha
