Good morning. On a Wednesday afternoon in early October, a Cumberland County school bus stopped along Winesap Road to pick up children at the end of the school day. Instead, the driver found herself face to face with an adult.
Stephanie Karon Shaw, 31, stepped onto a Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary School bus and refused the driver’s repeated requests to leave. She was arrested the next day and charged with trespassing on a school bus—a Class 1 misdemeanor under North Carolina law.
Shaw’s case is the first arrest this year for trespassing on a school bus, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. In 2023 and 2024, the Sheriff’s Office tracked six arrests each year.
Cumberland County Schools credits the drop in cases to communication with parents and bus driver training. Read more in our lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter, Jason Canady reviews Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s latest production: Little Shop of Horrors. The sinister, quirky comedy has performances running through Nov. 16. Plus, we’re sharing a story from our partners at The Assembly on ongoing efforts by some UNC System faculty to clarify the parameters and definition of “academic freedom” under the North Carolina public university system. As faculty and administrators around the country warn that Trump administration policies threaten the principle of academic freedom, a group of professors wants UNC officials to be more precise about which activities are protected.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Editor-in-Chief
School bus trespassing arrests drop in Cumberland County
While school district officials were unable to provide specific details about each case, they said that when school bus trespassing does occur, it is usually rooted in parent frustration.
More from CityView
Review: Little Shop of Horrors arrives just in time for spooky season
Jason Canady reviews Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s latest offering: a sinister, quirky comedy with performances running through Nov. 16.
UNC System faculty seek to define ‘academic freedom’
As some professors feel their work is being threatened, a faculty group wants UNC officials to be more precise about which activities are protected.
Events
BOO BASH
- Where: Robeson Community College, 5160 Fayetteville Road, Lumberton
- When: 6-8 p.m. today
- What: Load up the car and roll through for a fang-tastic night of fun! Our faculty, staff, and students will be decked out in their most spook-tacular costumes, ready to bring the Halloween spirit to you!
BACKWOODS TERROR RANCH
- Where: Sweet Valley Ranch, 2990 Sunnyside School Road, Fayetteville
- When: 7-11 p.m. today
- What: Backwoods Terror Ranch returns this fall at Sweet Valley Ranch!
TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC BINGO
- Where: 22 Klicks Bar and Grill, 2653 Hope Mills Road, Fayetteville
- When: 8-10 p.m. today
- What: Come hang out with Fayetteville Disc Jockey at 22 Klicks Bar and Grill for music bingo!
Obituaries
Linda Sue Smith
Susie Shelton Smith, 73, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Amanda Kay Rea
Amanda Kay Rea, 46, passed away on Monday, Oct. 20.
Jose Horacio Ontiveros
Jose Horacio Ontiveros, 88, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Until tomorrow!
♟️ The Fayetteville Chess Society invites chess players and fans to a chess blitz tournament in Fayetteville this evening where the games move fast (each player gets only 5 minutes on the chess clock) and cash prizes will be awarded. The event starts at 5 p.m. at Harry Hosier United Methodist Church, 6201 Milford Road. There is a $15 entry fee.
~ Paul Woolverton
