Methodist University Provost Suzanne Blum Malley took particular delight as one of the welcoming speakers for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s “State of the Community” luncheon held Aug. 29 at the Crown Expo Center. “It’s fitting that Methodist University is one of the presenting sponsors, because so many of you as community, business and military leaders are an integral component of success at MU,” Malley, according to a news release, told the audience of more than 500 community leaders. “We have big goals for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. We want to transform health care and dramatically improve health outcomes, not just for Fayetteville, but across all of southeast North Carolina. There are so many exciting things happening at Methodist University and we always look forward to discussing ways to partner with the community.” The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine anticipates its first class of students in 2026.
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A sitting member of the Cumberland Board of County Commissioners will join with five other challengers to include a former state senator at a Fayetteville NAACP Candidate Forum scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the downtown Cumberland County Library on Maiden Lane. Candidates scheduled to participate for the District 2 seats, according to a news release, are Toni Stewart, current vice chairperson of the county board of commissioners and a Democrat; former state Sen. Kirk deViere, a Democrat; Carla Icaza, a Democrat; Henry Tyson, a Republican; Peter Pappas, a Republican; and Pavan Patel, a Republican. They are seeking three seats on the board in the Nov. 5 election.
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Two Georgia high school students and two teachers are dead, according to published national news reports, after a 14-year-old student with an AR-style rifle opened fire Wednesday at the Winder community school outside of Atlanta, also leaving eight other students and a teacher wounded. What, may all of us wonder, has this world come to, and what is a kid doing with an AR-style rifle?
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With this autumn-like weather, it’s about time to break out the sweaters in the cedar chest.
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Mama always said, “It’s a long road that never turns,” but sooner or later, the road indeed will turn, and Mama always was wise with foresight.
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You have an opportunity to weigh in on design and other ideas regarding the Homeless Support Center at a meeting of the Cumberland Board of County Commissioners scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 400 Campbell Ave. “The Cumberland County Homeless Support Center will change the way we offer services to the homeless population,” Heather Skeens, assistant county manager, says in a news release. “This initiative aims to offer essential services through comprehensive and thoughtful assistance based on individual needs.”
Commissioners broke ground on Feb. 19 for the center to be built at 344 Hawley Lane, adjacent to the Fayetteville Technical Community College Education Center. The plan, according to the county, is for the center to operate 24-7.
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Longtime J.L. “Johnnie” Dawkins Stadium at Terry Sanford High School takes its final bow as the football arena, dating back to the late 1940s, is scheduled Friday night to become Armstrong Stadium. The stadium is replete with the gift of a Jumbotron scoreboard, thanks to the family of George and Carolyn Armstrong. George Armstrong distinguished himself as a Bulldogs quarterback in the early 1960s. The ceremony is scheduled prior to tonight’s 7 p.m. game against Cape Fear High School.
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“The Chamber is honored to honor our first responders,” Chief Executive Officer Nat Robertson says about the Sixth Annual Valor Awards scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 10 at Manna Church on Cliffdale Road. “We as a community are proud to recognize these local heroes who have gone above and beyond their daily duties to serve Fayetteville, Cumberland County and our residents.”
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“The Blue Star has been removed and shipped to Ohio to be refurbished,” Sybil West with the Cross Creek-Briarwood Garden Club says about the Blue Star Memorial Highway maker that has its place by the Gold Star Memorial marker at Freedom Memorial Park across from the Airborne & Special Forces Operation Museum. The Blue Star Memorial was placed by the garden club at the park on March 22, 2005. The Gold Star Memorial marker was dedicated May 3 of this year. “It’s due back in October. Then, both will look new,” and in time for the club’s Blue Star Memorial Veterans Day ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the park.
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“Mr. Kirby, last week there was an article about young soldiers and food insecurity” in the Fort Liberty area, Col. (Ret.) Carl Broadhurst of Bel Aire, Kan., writes in an email about a story by our reporting partner The Assembly and published last week to CityView’s website. “I retired as a colonel in 1993 and thought I was out of contact with young soldiers and their problems. I contacted some retired senior NCOs (noncommissioned officers) and asked for their opinion on the article. The nicest comment I received was: ‘Hogwash.’ The more detailed comments addressed booze, tattoos, cell phones, premium TV services, etc. The retired NCOs were unanimous that today’s soldiers are paid adequately. The problem is they are spending pay and benefits on booze, tattoos, cell phones and premium TV services before food.” The story, “Feeding An Army,” took me aback, too, colonel. Seems to me that if a man or woman in military uniform takes an oath to defend his or her country, food insecurity should never be an issue.
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“Everybody cut loose,” because “Footloose The Musical” is underway at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre with performances scheduled daily through Sept. 29. It’s a stage full of singing and dancing directed by Suzanne Agins, choreographed by Lisa Bauford and under the musical direction of James Clark Jr.
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Fayetteville Technical Community College is one of 10 statewide community colleges that will benefit from a $1 million grant for the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a news release from the N.C. Department of Transportation. “We’re grateful to our federal partners for their continued support of North Carolina’s push for a clean energy economy,” N.C. Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins says in the release. “This grant not only improves access to convenient and reliable EV charging stations so more people will feel comfortable owning an electric vehicle. It also takes an important step to ensure our workforce has the education, knowledge and skills needed to sustain the clean energy transition.” The $1 million grant will pay to install 20 Level 2 EV charging stations at FTCC and Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, where the schools can add clean vehicle training courses to teach students about building and repairing electric vehicles, and installing, maintaining and operating EV chargers. For more on the status of EVs in Cumberland County, read CityView reporter Evey Weisblat’s story here.
Next: “We are here because of you”
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.
