Dedicating state highway bridges in memory of N.C. State Highway Patrol troopers who died in the line of duty has long been a goal of Col. Freddy Johnson, the Stoney Point native who is commander of the patrol. “We felt that it was very important to get everyone recognized for the sacrifice that they made,” Johnson said in a news release. “To the families, it’s like it happened yesterday, and to see the heartfelt thanks from them has made this project so worthwhile.” The N.C. Department of Transportation, according to the release, will soon complete the last seven of 23 remaining unnamed bridges for the 70 fallen troopers in NCSHP history.
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City police responded to a ShotSpotter alert along the 2500 block of Caledonia Circle near Murchison Road at approximately 10:57 p.m. on Sept. 11, where a man and woman were discovered with gunshot wounds, according to a news release. Both victims were transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where the 36-year-old woman died. She is, according to the FPD, the 33rd city homicide of 2025. A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
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Early voting is underway for the Fayetteville City Council and mayoral races through Oct. 4 at the Cumberland County Board of Elections, located in the E. Newton Smith Center at 227 Fountainhead Lane downtown. You may vote Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Early voting on Oct. 4 is from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Fayetteville primary election is Oct. 7. No matter if you vote early or Oct. 7 or on Nov. 4 Election Day, give thought to who you are voting for and what candidates stand for in pursuit of a better city.
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Quancidine Hinson-Gribble says she is hosting and moderating a Mayoral Candidate Forum, which is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pate Room of the Cumberland County Headquarters and Public Information Center downtown. “The Mayoral Candidate Forums will allow the candidates ample time to discuss with their constituents what their goals are for improving the city of Fayetteville,” Hinson-Gribble says in an email. A second mayoral candidate forum is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the library. Hinson-Gribble was an unsuccessful mayoral candidate in 2023 and 2017.
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Livi Rose, Heather Setzler, Jodi Bluestein, Sabrina Brush and Robert Newman are only in town through Sept. 28 as the lead performers at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre production of 9 to 5: The Musical! at the old Holiday Inn Bordeaux, 1707 Owen Drive. Pure talent from the acting to the singing, and you may not want to miss them as they reprise the 1980 film starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and the late Dabney Coleman. And Livi Rose is the perfect Dolly Parton, aka Doralee Rhodes. 9 to 5: The Musical! will lift you up and bring smile after smile to your face.
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If you are interested in some Greek cuisine, Lia Hasapis sends along an email about the 35th Annual Fayetteville Greek Festival, which is scheduled Saturday and Sunday at the Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church located at 614 Oakridge Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds support the church, according to Hasapis, and local charities.
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“We are in need of training wheels, kickstands and a variety of colors of spray paint (high gloss paint and primer combo) to touch up some of the scrapes on the bikes that were already donated,” Bernadette Bogertey-Harvey, executive director of The Healthy Child & Adolescent Network, writes in an email about a fundraiser scheduled from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at 786 Blue St. in Fayetteville. Cost is $20 or donation of a new or used bicycle or bicycle parts. Call (910) 745-8008 for more information.
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So long summer, as the autumnal equinox arrives Monday with our first official day of fall. It’s the time of year when we marvel at the colorful hues of yellow, orange and red dotting the landscape. For church homecomings and bazaars with the fried chicken, potato salad, cakes and pies, and renewing old acquaintances. Our days and nights are cooler. You can see it in the trees. You can smell it in the air. Autumn is a glorious time of the year.
Coming Sunday: “Grit, humanity and a sense that prosperity lay on the other side of struggle.” Remembering Robert Redford
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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