

Vice President Kamala Harris says she wants to be the 47th U.S. president for all, and no matter their party affiliation. Former President Donald Trump wants to “Make America Great Again” in another bid for the White House. He survived a July 13 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and potentially another on Sept. 15 while playing golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. She’s endured Trump’s ugly name-calling since earning the nomination on Aug. 5 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He’s been like the perennial presidential candidate since leaving 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on Jan. 20, 2021. We’ve heard about everything from abortion rights, border immigrants, health care, foreign policy, the economy, and in some instances, everything else under the politicking sun from Trump. The 78-year-old Trump says she’s the worst vice president in history. The 60-year-old Harris says he never again should be allowed anywhere near the Resolute desk or Oval Office. Election Day is Nov. 5, and you — and only you — will have the final say.
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Donald Trump describes his recent presidential campaign rally Sunday at Madison Square Garden as a “lovefest,” but there was nothing loving or festive about standup comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s disparaging comments about Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean” or his vulgar depiction of Latinos engaging in sexual intercourse. While Trump says in published reports he is unfamiliar with the comedian or what would be said, Hinchcliffe’s humor was out of bounds and crossed the line of common decency — period.
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Billionaire owner Jeff Bezos of The Washington Post, according to published reports, is taking plenty of heat for a last-minute call for the newspaper’s decision not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in the presidential election. Truth is the only endorsement that matters is the candidate you check (or circle) on your ballot.
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“We are very fortunate that private donors provided the FSAFA with a total of $15,000 to cover the expenses of lodging, meals, entertainment and transportation for those trips/visits not covered by the city,” Kris Johnson says about the recent Fayetteville-Saint-Avold Friendship Alliance educational exchange program that brought nine teachers and three students to Fayetteville from Oct. 18-30. Johnson is president of the alliance.
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“On behalf of all my colleagues, I would like to thank you all for your hospitality and generosity,” Sandra Doringer told Mayor Mitch Colvin and city council members Monday night at City Hall as Doringer and the Saint-Avold contingent prepared Wednesday to head back to France.
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“We’ve been so proud to be affiliated with all the good citizens here in Harnett County and to help to enhance the healthcare that’s being provided here,” Mike Nagowski, chief executive officer for Cape Fear Valley Health, says in a news release about the new Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center in Lillington. “This facility is a symbol of Cape Fear Valley and Harnett Health’s commitment to healthcare in this community. It’s the latest project in a long list of expansions and continued improvements.” The 17,000-square-foot facility will offer the full spectrum of cancer care, according to the release, including radiation oncology services.
“This is a very special and much-awaited moment for me and the staff here at the cancer center,” Dr. Madhuri Vithala, chief medical oncologist, said at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting with more than 100 attending. “Going through chemotherapy is a very hard and difficult time for patients and their families. For them to be able to receive care in a state-of-the-art facility that’s close to home is very comforting and immensely benefits not only our patients but also their family. Our community in Harnett County has a huge need for a facility like this … Many of our patients need chemotherapy and radiation at the same time. Right now, patients travel to Fayetteville for radiation treatment. These patients are very ill and have a lot of difficulty to travel. We are now very excited that our patients have access to radiation treatment right here at home.”

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A 37-year-old man discovered by city police suffering from gunshot wounds at 10:12 p.m. on Oct. 26 at the 2000 block Cowan Street in the Massey Hill community is the 20th homicide victim of 2024 in the city, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. The victim was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died.
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“Bill, thank you for the wonderful article on Gary,” Mike Mangum writes in an email about The Kirby File’s Oct. 22 column on his older brother, Gary Mangum, who spent 45 years in journalism, including stints at The Fayetteville Observer in the 1980s and the past two-and-a-half as a correspondent with CityView. “It is nice to know how well he was thought of in his professional community. He was lucky to get his start in Fayetteville with you and the other sports writers at The Fayetteville Observer/Times. You had put together an awesome team of reporters when Gary began his career in the early 1980s. The article was informative and had some nice personal touches in it. I know many will miss him.” Gary Mangum was a talented sportswriter and page designer with the local newspaper and later an award-winning writer with CityView Today and CityView Magazine, and he will be missed. Gary Edward Mangum died at age 65 on Oct. 12 at his Lumberton home.
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“Mr. Kirby, just wanted to share my condolences for the loss of Gary and pass on some kudos on the beautiful article on him,” former CityView reporter Lexi Solomon writes in an email about our late CityView correspondent. “He was a lovely man and a talented writer. My parents and I enjoyed chatting with him at last year’s NCPAs [2023 North Carolina Press Association awards dinner], before I ever even knew I’d join CityView. I think my dad, a retired journalist and newspaper publisher, saw the old-school talent in Gary and respected that. It was an honor to briefly work alongside him.”
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The Cumberland County Veterans Day Parade with a theme of “Native Americans Who Served” is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday along Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville.
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Remember to turn back your clocks at 2 a.m. Sunday by one hour as Daylight Saving Time takes a respite for the winter before returning on March 9, 2025.
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Puffs is the latest production of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, with performances running through Nov. 17. Keep in mind the plays will be at the old Bordeaux Inn and Convention Center at 1707 Owen Drive as construction remodeling is underway at the theater on Haymount Hill.
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You may wish to get a head start on your Christmas shopping as the 57th Holly Day Fair is back for a four-day run from Nov. 7-10 at the Crown Complex, according to the Junior League of Fayetteville website. A Super Shopper is scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon on Nov. 7. Cost is $15. Or you may opt for the Sip and Shop from 9 a.m.-noon. Cost is $30. General admission for noon-8 p.m. shoppers is $10. General admission on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. is $10, and you may take part in Ladies Night Out from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. for $50. General admission on Nov. 9 is $10 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. General admission on Nov. 10 is $10 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cookies and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus are from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. for $20. Send email inquiries to info@jlfay.org or call 910-323-5509 to learn more about the fair.
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Home fires can be fatal, and Cumberland County Emergency Services wants residents of this community to be aware. To help prevent increased risks and improve safety throughout the county, CCES says in a news release it is offering free smoke and carbon monoxide alarm installation and home risk assessments at no charge, thanks to funding from ABC 11’s Operation Save a Life program. The free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were made possible by funding through ABC 11’s Operation Save a Life program. To learn more about Operation Save a Life, visit abc11.com/post/2024-operation-save-life/15417285/. To request a smoke alarm or home risk assessment, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/emergencyservices/fire-marshal.
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One more time: turn back the clock and get that extra hour of sleep.
Coming Sunday: Extending the school superintendent’s contract revisited
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
We’re in our third year of CityView Today, and so many of you have been with us from day one in our efforts to bring the news of the city, county, community and Cape Fear region each day. We’re here with a purpose — to deliver the news that matters to you.

