While the fate of relocating E.E. Smith High School to Stryker Golf Course by Fort Liberty is in the hands of the Cumberland Board of County Commissioners, alumni, parents, students and community members will have another opportunity to weigh in at a town hall meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on April 23 at the school on Seabrook Road. “This Town Hall meeting represents a pivotal opportunity to engage the community and uphold transparency within the decision-making process,” Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr. says in a news release. “We firmly believe that fostering open communication and collaboration will be imperative to the success of this project.” Should be a lively conversation, and every county commissioner should be there to hear the pros and cons of this controversial issue.
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Mayor Mitch Colvin was telling host Jeff Goldberg of WFNC 640 a.m. radio recently that homicides in the city are three to date “which is great, compared to 12 or 13 last year,” and the mayor said it right.
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James Hartman, owner of Secret Garden Bees in Linden, is the North Carolina Small Farmer of the Year along with Patrick Brown, owner of Brown Family Farms in Warren County. “I’m actually excited to share this award this year because I am 100% convinced that there’s enough success to go around for everybody and everybody can be a winner,” Hartman says in a news release from Lisa Childers, director of the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension. “This is indicative of that.” Hartman is a military veteran who runs a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business producing premium raw honey at his beekeeping operation. Hartman has partnered with the Soldiers to Agriculture program through the county extension.
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You can join with community leaders to learn about results of an Arts and Economic Prosperity survey at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at Skyview on Hay downtown. “Open dialogue and collaboration with local leadership is invaluable for improving the quality of life for citizens of Fayetteville and Cumberland County,” Bob Pinson, president and chief executive officer of the Arts Council, says in a news release. “We’re excited to have our local leaders together in one room to express the significant impact that the arts and cultural sector has made on our local economy.” The study, according to the release, will detail how nonprofit arts and culture industry is impacting economic and social effects in the county.
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Look for a “who’s who” of Cumberland County ladies as Cape Fear Valley Health stages its Fourth Annual City View Ladies Night Out scheduled from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Carolina Barn, 7765 McCormick Bridge Rd., in Spring Lake. You’ll see some of the community’s notable women dressed to the nine’s and having quite the good time mingling and enjoying each other’s company. For more information, call (910) 423-6500
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You can be a part of the Cumberland Clean Litter-Pick-up scheduled from 8 a.m.-noon on April 20, according to a news release from Cumberland County Solid Waste. Volunteers can meet prior to the clean-up at Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave., where you’ll receive trash bag, gloves, hand sanitizer and water, and a T-shirt. You can register in advance by sending an email to tmiddleton@cumberlandcountync.gov or by visiting cumberlandcountync.gov/cumberlandclean
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Drainage improvements are underway on a portion of Honeycutt Road southeast of Spring Lake, according to a news release from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation. Motorists, the NCDOT says, should use Interstate 295 between the Murchison Road and McArthur Road exits. The closure, NCDOT says, should last through May.
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When the Cross Creek-Briarwood Garden Club unveils the Gold Star Memorial scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 3 at Freedom Memorial Park, club member Sybil West says it will be the fifth Gold Star Memorial in the state and the fifth in the state to have the Gold Star Memorial and the Blue Star Highway Marker. The Blue Star plaque was dedicated March 3, 1956, along U.S. 301 North, moved in 1977 to the old Fayetteville Fire Station downtown on Person Street and relocated on March 22, 2005, to the park adjacent to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.
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Westminster Presbyterian Church members are excited about the 40th Annual Springfest scheduled from 7 a.m. to noon on May 4 at 2505 Village Drive “Huge rummage sale that goes to support children in the community,” says Rob Patton, a church member. “Westminster receives no money from this event.” You’ll find everything from toys, household items, furniture, books, electronics and even Christmas decorations.
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Brothers Alden and Jackson Stillman will be back competing in the Stock and Super Stock divisions of the 2nd Annual Cape Fear Soap Box Derby scheduled for May 19 at the Crown Expo parking lot. “ Both got to compete in the International All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio,” says Warren Hahn of the sponsoring Kiwanis Club of the Cape Fear. “Their mother, Alina Stillman, accompanied them during the race week and coached them both during the race.” Alden Stillman won the Super Stock division in local competition last year, while Jackson Stillman won the Stock division. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. followed by competitions.
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Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
Next: Gary Wilson remembered
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