Welcome to CityView Today! One of the fun things about being a journalist is getting behind-the-scenes looks at places not open to the public. That happened on Friday as the county braced again for the possibility of a winter storm and opened the doors—and one massive security gate—of the Cumberland County Emergency Services Center.
It’s an unassuming brick building inside an office park tucked behind Harris Teeter on Raeford Road. Amanda Scheck, the county’s emergency management coordinator, held a press conference about the impending storm. Then she took reporters inside to see the command center.
The room reminded me of a school classroom thanks to its size, tables, and seats, but it’s way more high-tech. It’s stocked with scores of screens and phones. On Friday afternoon, the room was empty. But it was an interesting glimpse inside the place where various city, county, and state agencies manage a coordinated response to weather, natural disasters, and other large-scale emergencies.
Though the snow is over, and the arctic blast that came with it is slowly giving way to warmer temperatures, the storm’s impact is still being felt. Cumberland County Schools are closed again today, while county offices, City Hall, courts, and warming shelters open at noon. Your trash will be collected as quickly as possible.
In today’s newsletter: Mention data centers and people get anxious. It happened in Fayetteville during a public forum and residents voiced their concerns. Also, the military can’t build child care facilities fast enough for parents in North Carolina. And, ICE is detaining some Native Americans, though one North Carolina lawmaker was quick to brush it off.
Thanks for reading,
Matt Hennie
Editor-in-Chief
Military Families Still Face Child Care Shortages Despite Expansion Plans
Military and state leaders gathered at Fayetteville Technical Community College to confront an issue many families said continues to disrupt careers, education, and military readiness: access to reliable, affordable childcare.
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Events
TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC BINGO
- Where: 22 Klicks Bar and Grill, 2653 Hope Mills Road, Fayetteville
- When: 7–9 p.m. today
- What: Come hang out with Fayetteville Disc Jockey at 22 Klicks Bar and Grill for music bingo!
TECH TIME AT EAST REGIONAL LIBRARY
- Where: East Regional Branch Library, 4809 Clinton Road, Fayetteville
- When: 10–11:30 a.m. Wednesday
- 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.
GLASS & GRA: STAINED GLASS WORKSHOP
- Where: Paddy’s Irish Public House, 2606 Raeford Road, Suite B, Fayetteville
- When: 6:30–8:30 p.m. today
- What: Grá, the Irish (Gaeilge) word for love, inspires Glass & Grá—a delightful Valentine’s-themed stained glass workshop celebrating romance and creativity!
Obituaries
Polly Tonet O’Quinn
Polly Tonet O’Quinn, 90, passed away on Friday, January 30.
Hilda Gray Bullard Kennedy
Hilda Gray Bullard Kennedy, 94, passed away on Thursday, January 29.
Brenda Scott
Brenda Scott, 55, passed away on Wednesday, January 28.
Until tomorrow!
🎨 The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County invites you to the grand opening celebration of Fayetteville’s newest arts venue, ArtsXL, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. ArtsXL has a performance space—with a balcony!—and collaborative areas for artists and cultural organizations. 🎻 The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is based there, and the 🎭 Sweet Tea Shakespeare theater company recently performed Sense & Sensibility there.
~ Paul Woolverton
