More than 500 Methodist University graduates earned doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees on May 3 in the spring commencement held at the Crown Coliseum. “You don’t have to change the whole world,” keynote speaker Scott Hamilton, president and chief executive officer of the Golden LEAF Foundation, told the graduates. “But you can absolutely change someone’s world.” Hamilton received a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree, according to a news release, for his “vision, leadership and devotion to the well-being of his fellow citizens.” Rebekah Haigler received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award, which recognizes a student whose life exemplifies service to others. Jakob Fick received the Lucius Stacy Weaver Award, which is presented annually by the university faculty. Fick is a triple major in mathematics, engineering and computer science. “We want you to have rewarding careers, but we want more,” Stanley Wearden, the university president, told graduates. “Go out into the world and make it better. We’re counting on you.”
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Another fatal shooting in the city, this one at 10:22 a.m. on May 4 in the 600 block of Barton’s Landing Place, where a 36-year-old male was discovered suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. It’s the 23rd city homicide of 2025. There were 27 city homicides in 2024.
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“I want everybody to understand that if nothing changes, nothing changes,” Derrick Thompson, who represents District 6 in the city, said at Monday’s Fayetteville City Council special meeting to address city crime. “If nothing changes things, that means that you’re acceptable with the homicides that we’ve had in the first quarter of this year.” And, the councilman said, that is not acceptable. “I cannot tolerate that,” Thompson said. That, without question, is the kind of councilman this city needs.
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Retired Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Mary Ann Tally has been honored with the Mary Ann Tally Award for Excellence in Advocacy by the N.C. Association of Public Defenders at its annual spring conference held this week at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. “She was honored to receive it, and it will be annually given out to recipients in the future,” said her son, Lockett Tally, a Fayetteville lawyer. Mrs. Tally served as a public defender in Cumberland County for 19 years and worked at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation in Durham. She was a Superior Court judge for 11 years. “She worked tirelessly on behalf of indigent clients,” Lockett Tally says, “and fought to uphold the Constitution over her storied career.” A deserving honor for sure.
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This is National Nurses Week, and there is no more noble calling than the call of a caring, dedicated and compassionate nurse.
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Cape Fear Regional Theatre says it will open its 2025-2026 season with “9 to 5 the Musical,” and that’s a good way to open a season.
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A soft and gentle rain on the roof is calming and will put you to sleep. It’s better than counting sheep.
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Word on the street has it that parking is something of an issue for employees and folks who are trying to do business at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
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Homes For Our Troops, a national nonprofit, is inviting folks to participate in a volunteer day Saturday to landscape a home for retired Special Forces soldier Jacob Green in Moore County. The home, according to a news release, has more than 40 adaptations for the former Sgt. 1st Class Green, who sustained severe damage in Afghanistan. His right leg was amputated in 2015. Volunteers will be landscaping the home with sod, planting trees and flowers in anticipation of Green soon moving into the home. Those wishing to volunteer should meet at First Baptist Church, 7373 N.C. Hwy. 211, West End, 27376. Check-in is set for 9:30 a.m. Volunteers are asked to bring gardening gloves and will receive an HFOT T-shirt and lunch. Currently, there are 80 HFOT home-build projects for injured military in various stages of completion nationwide. Visit hfotusa.org/green to learn more about SFC Green.
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A Celebration of Life is scheduled at noon Saturday for Maj. Tandra Adams, the longtime chief jailer for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, at Manna Church, 5117 Cliffdale Road. “Chief Jailer Maj. Tandra Adams was a vital link in our Sheriff’s Office team,” Sheriff Ennis Wright said. “Although our chain is now missing a link, we will find strength in coming together to fill the gaps. She will be greatly missed.” Interment, according to the CCSO, will be at Rockfish Memorial Park, 4017 Gillespie St. A visitation is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today (Friday) at the church. Mrs. Adams began working in the Cumberland County Detention Center in 2002 and was promoted to chief jailer in 2016. Mrs. Adams, according to the CCSO, played a key role in launching the county’s community backpack giveaway program. Mrs. Adams is survived by her husband, two sons, a daughter and 10 grandchildren. Tandra Denise Adams died at age 53 on May 2.
Coming Sunday: “We cannot see her, but she is with us still.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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