Methodist University President Stanley Wearden has reached out to students about the tragic death of Clinton Bonnell, the 50-year-old retired Special Forces sergeant, who was enrolled in classes at the university’s physician’s assistant studies program. “I have no words to heal your broken hearts,” Wearden wrote. “All I can offer is my care and sympathy. We will do all we can to minister to your needs during this time of heavy grief. Please offer grace and care to one another, and let your faculty and staff know whenever you need help or support. Please keep Clint’s family, friends, classmates in your thoughts, respect their privacy, be mindful of comments on social media and continue to take care of yourselves and all fellow Monarchs. We will share details about service arrangements, per wishes of the family, as they become available.”
Bonnell first was reported missing on Jan. 28, a day after he was scheduled for classes at the university. His torso, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, was discovered on Feb. 25 in a pond about three miles from Bonnell’s Butler Nursery Road home in Gray’s Creek. Bonnell’s wife, Shana Cloud, has been charged by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office with Bonnell’s murder and concealment of his death.
***
A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the shooting death of a 27-year-old woman Tuesday along the 2800 block of Gillespie Street downtown, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. It is, according to the FPD, the 16th city homicide in 2025.
***
“In April 2022, we applauded her for all she had done — the effort, the perspiration, the cajoling, and dare I say, the manipulating she deployed to launch the Fayetteville Little Theatre, now the Cape Fear Regional Theatre over 60 years ago,” Clay Thorp says in a news release about the groundbreaking Monday for expansion and renovation of the theatre founded by his late mother, Bo Thorp, in 1962 on Haymount Hill. “Since then, there have been countless occasions for local talents to find their gifts, children to perform, to have a community, a family, to find their own special place to be themselves.” Olga Lucia Bernardin “Bo” Thorp died at age 89 on Oct. 14, 2022.
***
Motorists along Raeford Road will need to check their patience in these spring and summer days ahead as road construction is scheduled for improved driving safety along two miles of the heavily traveled roadway east of Bunce Road and Buckhead Creek, east of Brighton Road, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The $48 million project includes replacement of concrete curbs, gutter and drainage structures, relocating water and sewer lines from out of the road, construction of sidewalks on both sides of the road and widening some of the highway and its intersections. At least four of the six lanes during the daytime, according to the NCDOT, will be open during construction, but motorists may encounter more lane closures overnight. Slow down, drive safely and be patient.
***
If you still are in sticker shock about reevaluation notices of home and business property from the Cumberland County Tax Administration, according to a news release from County Tax Administrator Joe Utley, you can submit a formal appeal until May 28 to the Board of Equalization and Review. You’ll need to provide documentation of why you disagree with your reevaluation. Submit your appeal in person to the Tax Administration Office, Room 543 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick St.; by mail addressed to Cumberland County Board of Equalization and Review, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, N.C. 28302; or in secure drop boxes located at the courthouse parking lot off Cool Spring Street or outside the Tax Administration Customer Service on the fifth floor of the courthouse. For more information, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/tax; send email inquiries to taxrealestate@cumberlandcountync.gov; or call (910) 678-7507.
***
“In follow up about the fire station, I have heard from more than one source who have heard from other ‘more involved individuals’ that the whole project will need to be leveled,” Lou Brooks writes in an email about the delayed construction of the $9.44 million state-of-the-art station No. 4 at 4210 Bragg Blvd. “What a tragic and ridiculous waste of our tax dollars if that happens. Additionally, we personally are in limbo with the ongoing dust up in territories between the Spring Lake, Cumberland and Harnett County fire departments. What is up with our fire services these days? All of this does not add to everyone’s feeling of safety in our cities and counties. Crossing one’s fingers is not a great strategy.” About all we’ve heard from the city, Mrs. Brooks, is that the fire station will be built, but there is no timeline for when. Your guess, Mrs. Brooks, would be as good as mine.
***
You have an opportunity to help Fayetteville be a more clean and less littered city by volunteering for Saturday’s spring Fayetteville Beautiful cleanup effort, which is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants, according to a news release, are encouraged to organize volunteer groups within their workplace, church, neighborhood, family or school composed of people interested in removing roadside litter. Supply pickup for residents participating will be available from 8 a.m. to noon at 324 Mason St. Visit FayettevilleBeautiful.com to register, send email inquiries to JessicaHowell@FayettevilleNC.gov or call (910) 433-1391 for more information.
***
“This is a chance for everybody in the community to get together, go over to Methodist University and we have our service lines/departments out there to provide resources, health screenings… and it’s free,” Ashley Lee, community engagement and development coordinator with the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, says in a news release about the foundation’s annual Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo, which is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the university’s Duggins Soccer Stadium. “We’re so thankful to Methodist University for letting us set up there. They are a great partner, and we all have such a great time for these great causes. Donations from this event go straight to health services that directly impact the lives of patients in our community.” The event features a 4K and one-mile walk, food trucks, a kids’ area, music, giveaways, sponsor tables and information tables dedicated to healthy living. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and the 4K and one-mile walk at 10 a.m. The event raises donations for Cape Fear Valley Health Friends of Cancer Center, Children’s Services, the Community Alternatives Program, the Cumberland County Medication Access Program and Heart Care. Visit the event webpage for more information.
***
You may be interested to know the Fayetteville City Council has unanimously given City Attorney Lachelle H. Pulliam authorization to join other municipalities across the nation in filing suit to protect interests regarding PFAS, aka polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination, at the city-owned Fayetteville Regional Airport. Potential claims revolve over allegations, according to a news release, that aqueous film-forming foam harmed property at the airport. AFFF, the release says, is used to extinguish Class B fires involving flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and jet fuel. The council’s decision allows the city to share in legal costs and participate in any potential settlement negotiations. The city, according to the release, is being represented by the local Hutchens Law Firm and Baron & Budd in Dallas, Texas.
***
“Bill, Kalli (wife) had a doctor’s appointment in Pinehurst or we would have attended the Kiwanis meeting,” Drew Ziegler writes in an email about my April 4 visit to the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville’s weekly luncheon at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. “We would love to have heard your presentation. Sorry we missed you.” Your fellow Kiwanians, Mr. Ziegler, were most cordial and welcoming, and there was discussion of the next steps for the $145 million Crown Event Center downtown, just where folks will park once the $25 million remodeling of the Cape Fear Region Theatre is complete and just what in the heck happened to construction of the $9.44 million Fayetteville Fire Station No. 4 on Bragg Boulevard. An excellent club of Kiwanians, who give generously to our community and have been that way for decades. They care about this community, and they care about the lives of young people in this community. Oh, and if you and your wife are wondering, yes, your fellow Kiwanian John Malzone behaved himself and had a “deliriously happy” good time.
***
Sad to learn about the passing of Matt Smith, who for so many years once chaired the Fayetteville Rotary Christmas Parade. He was a good man with a heart for others, and he loved seeing the joy on youngsters’ faces at the holiday parade along downtown’s Hay Street. Matthew Moody Smith Jr. died at age 86 on April 7. A celebration of his life is scheduled Saturday at noon at Highland Presbyterian Church.
***
“Bill, as you’ll recall, Gil was a big deal at Hoke for a number of reasons — basketball, sure, but also as a racial pioneer and community hero,” former Winston-Salem sports reporter Tucker Mitchell writes in an email about Gil McGregor, who broke the color barrier as a basketball standout at Hoke County High School in the mid-1960s. He earned an athletic scholarship to Wake Forest University, played briefly in the NBA and later became a sports analyst for the Charlotte Hornets and the ACC Raycom Sports network. Now legally blind, McGregor, 75, is scheduled to return to his home county Saturday, where he will be signing his published memoir, The Blind Truth, from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Parker-Ray House at the Raeford-Hoke Museum downtown. Tucker is co-author of the book along with McGregor, who now resides in Charlotte.
Coming Sunday: Beg your pardon, Mr. President, for interrupting your game.
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.
