Pinehurst native George Little is being remembered as one of the more influential men in Moore County, and where Little’s fingerprints can be found over almost every political, economic and civic entity in the Sandhills. “George Little was one of the most consequential citizens in the history of Moore County,” Patrick Pizzella, mayor for the Village of Pinehurst, tells CityView. “His reach and impact stretched across his entire life and extended all across the state of North Carolina. His wisdom will be missed.” A staunch Republican, Little played a key role in helping late friend Jim Holshouser become state governor in 1972. Little was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in the 2004 Republican primary. A 1960 Southern Pines High School graduate, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later founded his own insurance agency in 1977. “Any board member, volunteer or local politician in this area knows George Little and likely considers him a friend,” Southern Pines Mayor Taylor Clement told me. “I knew of George long before I met him. His reputation as a leader was only overshadowed by his kindness. He left a wake of positive change, and I know his legacy will linger well beyond our memories. There will be a large void in Southern Pines for the loss of George Little.” Little was a member of the Sandhills Community College Board of Directors from 1981, serving as chairperson from 1985 to 2023. George Wesley Little, 82, died Oct. 11 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. A celebration of life was held Thursday at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, with burial at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen.
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Welcome news for health care in the community as the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine received candidacy designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education for the medical school under construction on Village Drive behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. “This is a significant milestone for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine,” Stanley T. Wearden, president of Methodist University, says in a news release. “By granting this candidate status, the LCME is saying that they believe we are moving towards what is necessary for accreditation. This shows Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health have the necessary resources to begin a medical school in our community.” Representatives from the LCME, according to the release, will visit with Dr. Hershey Bell and other university and Cape Fear Valley Health leaders in the spring to consider and vote on preliminary accreditation for the medical school as early as the fall of 2025.
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Not “a good fit,” James Long Jr., 57, tells CityView about his decision to step aside after just nine days on the job as executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, circa 1982, the annual signature event each spring at Festival Plaza Park. Nine days on the job? Hmmm, you have to wonder. Back to hiring mode for the festival’s board of directors, including Andrew Porter, chairperson; Felita Gilliam, vice chairperson; Alice Dodd, secretary; Tara Long, Jackie Tuckey, Randy Scott, Darrell Purcell, Teresa Bailey, Jesse Baker, Kurin Keyes, Isabella Depietro, Russell Hein, Curtis Jordan, Cameron Carlotti, Johanna Brumm, Simone Johnson and Sarahgrace Mitchell, who is a past executive director for the festival. And, for the sake of the festival founded by the late Jimmy Little, late Mayor Bill Hurley and downtown entrepreneur John Malzone, they better get it right this time.
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Finding a parking place is a seek-and-search ordeal for those of us with business at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse, and it’s about to become more difficult as the county is scheduled to break ground at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for the Crown Event Center scheduled to open in 2027. You’ll find parking alternatives, according to a county news release, behind First Presbyterian Church at nearby Person Street. The county says other parking alternatives can be found at gravel lots at 334 Person St. and 125 S. Kennedy St. for public use at no cost. ADA parking still is accessible behind the courthouse and a drop-off lane will be available in front of the courthouse. Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/courthouseparking for more information.
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“Let me remind everyone that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Fayetteville City Council Member Derek Thompson reminded those at Monday’s council meeting at City Hall. “That’s why I’m in the colorful color of pink. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is trying to uplift all those who have suffered from breast cancer. Early detection is critical for a higher rate of success. If you have a genetic mutation or a family history of breast cancer, please spend time to go see your doctor.” Sound advice from the council member. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. And the National Breast Cancer Foundation website says more than 360,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease in 2024.
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Nineteen days left until we know who will be our next president and vice president of the United States.
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Big day Thursday for folks who attended the 54th Annual Gray’s Creek Woman’s Club Buffet and Bazaar at the Gray’s Creek Community Building in Hope Mills. “The chicken and dumplings and deviled eggs are still the best,” George Breece, a longtime politico, says. “And all that was missing on my piece of pecan pie was a big scoop of ice cream.”
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A 34-year-old man was shot to death in the early morning hours of Oct. 11 at the Big Apple Restaurants and Sports Pub on Yadkin Road, according to the Fayetteville Police Department, and a 22-year-old was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound at approximately 5 p.m. later in the day bringing the total to 22 homicides in the city to date. A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the morning shooting.
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The bodies of two men ages 21 and 32 are discovered shot to death around 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 15 on the 3600 block of Yarborough Road near Gray’s Creek, according to a news release from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, bringing the total homicides in the county this year to 10. An arrest warrant, according to the Sheriff’s Office, has been issued for Desmond Moore, 42, wanted for first-degree murder in the homicides. Moore, according to a published report, was shot and killed by law enforcement Wednesday afternoon near Mount Airy. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release late Thursday after that the Surry County Sheriff’s Office announced Desmund Loius Moore died after he shot at law enforcement after a vehicle pursuit in Mount Airy. Further inquiries, the release stated, should be referred to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation.
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More than 2,000 N.C. Department of Transportation employees and contract crews from across the state are hard at work in Hurricane Helene-ravaged western North Carolina, according to a recent news release, where NCDOT has identified more than 5,400 damaged sites and more than 450 damaged bridges. “Damage estimates from what we have been able to assess to this point are up to several billion dollars and we’re not done,” N.C. Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins says in a second news release update. “The damage to our roads and bridges is like nothing we’ve ever seen after any storm, and this will be a long-term recovery operation. But we will be here until Western North Carolina can get back on its feet.” Crews, according to the release, have reopened more than 460 roads. If you are interested in donating your time, money or resources to help with relief efforts, visit ncdps.gov/Helene or call (919) 707-2660.
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“The Kiwanis Club of the Cape Fear’s board of directors approved donating $20,000 to hurricane relief for western North Carolina,” Warren Hahn, a club member, says about assisting those recovering from Hurricane Helene.
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Squirrels are fascinating little creatures as they gather nuts in the late summer and fall, bury their stash, and retrieve the acorns, pecans, hickory nuts and walnuts during the winter. Fascinating little creatures, they are, for sure.
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“I believe that fostering a love of reading and providing access to diverse resources are key to preparing our scholars for success in an ever-evolving world,” Corine Warren, principal at Benjamin Martin Elementary School, says in a news release about being honored as the 2024 North Carolina School Library Media Association Administrator of the Year. “This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of our entire school community and the importance of integrating media and library resources into our scholars’ learning experiences.” Warren was honored on Oct. 3 at the NCSLMA Conference at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
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Sad day for us as we bid farewell to our award-winning correspondent Gary Mangum, 65, who died Saturday evening at his Lumberton home after being diagnosed with an acute bout of cancer. A graduate of Douglas Byrd High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he worked 45 years in journalism as a page designer and reporter at The Fayetteville Observer, the Tribune Star in Terre Haute, Indiana, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tennessee, the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Orlando Sun in Orlando, Florida, the Greenville News in Greenville, South Carolina, and the past two years with CityView Magazine. A celebration of life is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, 809 E. Fifth St., in Lumberton.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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