Good morning. Year after year, Cumberland County ranks among the worst in North Carolina for health outcomes. The county had one of the highest overdose death rates in the state in 2023. Last year, it had the highest preterm birth rate.
But a program out of the UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health hopes to address those challenges with the Cumberland County Public Health Partnership Hub.
Cumberland County was one of four counties selected to participate in UNC’s Public Health Partnership Hub. A collaboration between UNC and local health departments, the hubs try to tackle communities’ most pressing health issues, from the opioid crisis to food insecurity, writes Morgan Casey. Find out more in our lead story today.
Welcome to CityView Today. A district court judge was set to decide whether to dismiss a lawsuit against the City of Fayetteville and Fayetteville Police Department by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) this week, but the hearing was canceled. PETA sued the city and FPD back in October for refusing to release public records relating to an incident over the summer in which a Fayetteville police officer was recorded punching his K-9 in the face. We break down the timeline of the case and legal dispute below. Plus, in case you missed it, Cumberland County is pausing construction of the $145 million Crown Event Center for up to 30 days while an outside lawyer reviews the project.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Interim Editor-in-Chief
A UNC public health hub hopes to develop solutions to Cumberland County’s most pressing problems
Cumberland County was selected as a location for UNC’s Public Health Partnership Hubs. It’s collaboration between the Gillings School of Global Public Health and local health departments that hopes to address some of the county’s top issues.
More from CityView
PETA sues city in public records dispute over K-9 incident
Hearing over dismissal motion was set for this week, but canceled due to scheduling conflict.
ICYMI: County suspends construction of $145M Crown Event Center for legal review
Outside attorney’s assessment of downtown performing arts center and meeting space to take 30 days.
Events
YOGA IN THE GARDEN
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 6-7 p.m. today
- What: Practice this calm eastern exercise taught by instructor, Ashley Clayton. All levels welcome!
TECH TIME AT WEST REGIONAL LIBRARY
- Where: West Regional Branch Library, 7469 Century Circle, Fayetteville
- When: 3:30-5 p.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.
FAMILY ART NIGHT: MARVELOUS MYTHICAL CREATURES
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 6-7:30 p.m. today
- What: Create a unique and colorful unicorn, dragon, or phoenix using modeling clay, a plastic skeleton base, and decorative additions.
Obituaries
Kenneth A. Byrd Sr.
Kenneth A. Byrd, Sr., 73, passed away on Monday, March 3.
Diana Mortensen Beasley
Diana Mortensen Beasley, 58, of Raeford, passed away on Saturday, March 1.
Doris Jeanne Cooper
Doris Jeanne Cooper, 82, of Lumberton, passed away on Sunday, March 2.
Until tomorrow!
🧐 An education committee in the North Carolina House of Representatives advanced a bill on Tuesday that would examine if the top five biggest school districts in the state are, in fact, too big. In addition to Cumberland County Schools, the districts include Wake County Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Guilford County Schools and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
~ Maydha
