Views

Troy's Perspective: County & city show optimistic growth

Details

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Written by Troy Williams

Fayetteville and Cumberland County have made notable progress in recent years, which can boost community pride and support. Recognizing these achievements encourages us to aim higher and work together to make our community a destination for quality of life, culture, events, businesses, and belonging. Below is an overview of how this transformation is taking shape.
Construction has begun on the North Carolina History Center, focused on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction. Cumberland County is becoming a destination for visitors interested in these transformative periods, thanks to community support and involvement.
The center will feature interactive exhibits, educational programs, and historical artifacts, making it a valuable resource for the community and visitors alike. Initially, some community members expressed concerns, but through informative outreach and education, their hesitance has turned into strong, enthusiastic support.
Fayetteville is proud to host the Woodpeckers, a minor league baseball team, at Segra Stadium on Hay Street in downtown. Since 2019, Fayetteville has embraced minor league baseball, reviving a long-standing tradition and bringing vibrant entertainment and community spirit. The city's baseball history dates back to the early 1900s, reflecting a deep-rooted love for the sport that continues to unite residents today.
In anticipation of an official grand opening for Fayetteville Cumberland County Parks and Recreation, a new tennis center spanning 6,594 square feet will include 11 tennis courts, with one designated as a championship competition court. The facility will also feature four pickleball courts, locker rooms, a lounge, a learning area, and a pro shop, offering improved recreational opportunities for residents of all ages and skill levels.
Last week, the Fayetteville City Council officially voted to move forward with a major new sports complex. They unanimously approved a $13.6 million construction contract for the McArthur Road Sports Field Complex. The new sports center will include: 12 baseball fields, a multi-use building with restrooms, concessions, office space, an open-air pavilion, a second concession/restroom facility, and more than 500 parking spaces.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has taken an important step by initiating a comprehensive feasibility study for a proposed countywide aquatic center. It's important to note that approval of this study does not guarantee construction will proceed.
However, it represents a significant forward-looking initiative that includes plans for an Olympic-size pool, various types of pools, seating for 2,500 spectators, and additional amenities.
Our community confronts serious issues in crime, education, and economic development; however, we are also presented with abundant opportunities, growth, and optimism for the future.

(Photo: The Courts at Glenville Lake is a new facility with tennis and pickleball courts, a pro shop and a learning area. Photo courtesy of the City of Fayetteville)

NC Schools: The Sad, Hard Truth About Leandro

Details

Tuesday, 14 April 2026

Written by Margaret Dickson

Robb Leandro is disappointed.
Robb was a Hoke County eighth grader when a major lawsuit regarding public education was filed with his name as the lead plaintiff. The original 1994 case challenged North Carolina’s school funding formula on behalf of young Robb and students in 5 low-wealth counties, including Cumberland, Hoke, Vance, Halifax, and Robeson. At issue was—and is—whether North Carolina children are entitled to “a sound, basic education” as described in our state Constitution. Over time, the case has come to involve early childhood education, high quality educators, and accountability issues.
Our North Carolina Supreme Court has just ruled that none of these educational components are required by our Constitution and dismissed the long-running lawsuit despite the reality that other courts have made radically different decisions.
Today, almost 32 years later, Robb Leandro is a Raleigh attorney specializing in health care issues. His epic lawsuit may have met its end, a victim of this century’s toxic politics. The Supreme Court’s death blow was dealt by 4 Republicans intent on privatizing public education. Dissenting were 2 Democrats and 1 Republican who bucked their party to support public education.
The original issue at its most elemental level was—and remains—that North Carolina children who live in wealthier counties, like Wake and Mecklenburg that can afford higher school spending, are likely to receive a more comprehensive public education than children in counties that have fewer resources. The suit asked: Could young Robb, living in low-wealth Hoke County, receive the same quality education as another Robb growing up in Wake County? For decades, various courts ruled that he could not and ordered the state to beef up educational spending. Those decisions have been appealed at every turn, so back to the courts the Leandro case has gone time and time again.
That remains the basic issue, but over the years, the case has also become burdened with partisan political questions involving division of powers among the 3 branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Layered upon all this, the North Carolina General Assembly has begun channeling billions of state tax dollars into private schools with very little accountability and leaving public schools ever more starved for funding. As students follow state dollars to private schools and make other choices, including homeschooling, public school rolls are decreasing, meaning even fewer state dollars coming in. School closures loom in a growing number of communities, including Cumberland County.
Many people think of this situation as a deliberate abandonment of public education. Some would even say it is a war against public schools now well on its way to the half-century mark.
Governor Stein voiced his version of a war cry regarding the court’s decision this way.
“Education opens doors of opportunity for children, but today the Court slammed them in the face of students who deserve the right to a sound, public education. The Supreme Court simply ignored its own established precedent, enabling the General Assembly to deprive another generation of North Carolina students of the educational opportunity promised by our Constitution.”
I wonder whether the 4 North Carolina Supreme Court Justices who slammed that door on North Carolina’s young people wonder what several generations could have accomplished, invented, created had they had access to top notch public schools. If they wonder, do they care? Do they believe quality public education is for only who can afford it or that quality public education floats all boats and enriches community life in North Carolina?
They seem to have answered those questions earlier this month.

Publisher's Pen: How the City of Fayetteville Failed the Dogwood Festival—and Why It Matters

Details

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Written by Bill Bowman

For 44 years, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival stood as one of our community’s most cherished traditions—an event that brought families together, showcased local talent, and projected Fayetteville’s best self to the region. Its decline did not happen overnight, nor did it happen during the years when the festival was thriving under strong leadership. If one traces the roots of its unraveling, many point to a pivotal moment more than a decade ago—one that set the stage for the festival’s long, painful slide.
A Turning Point: Politics Enters the Picture
According to accounts shared publicly over the years, the festival’s troubles began when then–mayor pro tem, Mitch Colvin, criticized Executive Director Carrie King and the Dogwood Festival Committee for what he described as insufficient racial and ethnic diversity in the festival’s entertainment lineup. Some in the community interpreted these comments as politically strategic, coming at a time when he was positioning himself for a mayoral run.
The festival, however, had long been recognized for its broad appeal and balanced programming. To many residents, the accusation that it was “too white-oriented” did not reflect the reality they experienced. Yet the pressure that followed was unmistakable. City leaders issued an ultimatum: diversify the festival or risk losing more than $100,000 in municipal support.
That moment marked the beginning of a shift—one that many longtime supporters now view as the first crack in the foundation.
The Golden Era: 2006–2018
Before that turning point, the Dogwood Festival was not merely successful—it was exceptional. Under Carrie King’s leadership from 2006 to 2018, the festival reached heights unmatched by any other event in the region.
Between 2006 and 2016, King and a dedicated committee of volunteers transformed the Dogwood Festival into the Gold Standard of Southeastern festivals. In 2008 alone, the International Festivals and Events Association honored the festival with five major awards, including Best Website, Best Press/Media Kit, Best Sponsor Solicitation Package, Best Ad Series, and Best Radio Promotion.
Up & Coming Weekly was proud to play a leading role during that period as a major media sponsor.
A decade of consistent excellence culminated in 2018 when the Southeast Festivals and Events Association named the Dogwood Festival the “Best Event in the Southeast.” That recognition required top performance across all categories—state, regional, and international. Diversity was one of those categories. The festival passed every test.
Fayetteville had a showcase event. A point of pride. A regional draw. A symbol of what this community could accomplish when united.
A Narrative Takes Hold—and Damage Follows
Despite its statewide accolades, the festival became entangled in a narrative emerging from City Hall that painted it as racially imbalanced. That label, many believed unfounded, cast a negative shadow over the popular event and the community. What followed was a series of missteps, leadership gaps, and decisions that weakened the festival’s structure and reputation.
Leadership Miscalculations and Missed Due Diligence
After King’s departure, the organization struggled to regain its footing. A series of executive director hires reflected a lack of due diligence and a misunderstanding of Fayetteville’s unique community landscape:
• 2018: Malia Allen — A history of failed local businesses and no proven event-planning track record.
• Sarahgrace Mitchell — Young, inexperienced, and entering an already fragile situation in a unique and unfamiliar community.
• Jim Long Jr. — Another appointment made without adequate vetting.
• Kaylynn Suarez — Energetic and creative, but facing a damaged brand, rising costs, and misleading and insufficient mentorship.
Suarez has publicly warned that the festival may not survive without increased city support. Rising production costs, many dictated by the city itself, have pushed the organization to the brink. Festival Park rental fees, police and security costs, waste management, and cleanup expenses have all increased substantially.
City Support Withers as Other Events Take Priority
The city’s financial commitment to the Dogwood Festival has dwindled dramatically. In 2025, the City of Fayetteville allocated $275,000 for community celebrations under the “Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate” initiative. The Dogwood Festival, Fayetteville’s oldest and once most celebrated event, was not included.
Instead, funding went to other events such as Juneteenth, New Year’s Eve, and the Fourth of July—all produced by the Cool Spring Downtown District, which notably did not include the Dogwood Festival among its priorities. The message was unmistakable: the Colvin and the city no longer viewed the Dogwood Festival as essential to Fayetteville’s cultural identity.
The Dogwood Festival was once Fayetteville’s “everyone’s festival”—a unifying event that transcended politics, demographics, and divisions. If the community now prefers multiple niche events over one shared tradition, then perhaps it is time to be honest about that. But the community deserves transparency, not excuses.
Many longtime residents remember when leaders such as Wilson Lacy, Tom Bacote, W.T. Brown, and Floyd Shorter championed the greater good. Their legacy stands in stark contrast to the fractured landscape we see today.
The Hard Truth: Without City Support, Nothing Else Will Hold
Suarez argues that vendors and community support remain strong. Others disagree. But one reality is undeniable: if the City of Fayetteville does not value the festival, neither will sponsors, media partners, or the public.
And if the festival truly draws more than 250,000 visitors and generates up to $20 million in economic impact, it raises a fair question: why would the city, Cool Spring Downtown District and the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau not want to capitalize on that?
Fayetteville should value and protect this 44-year-old tradition. But doing so requires two things:
1. A city willing to invest in what once made Fayetteville shine.
2. A Dogwood Festival organization with strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, and a clear vision.
An operating budget that has dropped by more than $100,000 is not a sign of a healthy event. It is a warning. The Dogwood Festival can be restored—but only if the city and the organization commit to rebuilding it with honesty, competence, and respect for the community it once served so well.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

(Top Photo: Crowds gather near Festival Park for the Dogwood Festival. The festival has been a long standing, beloved tradition in the Fayetteville community. Photos courtesy of the Dogwood Festival)

A journey to space: Artemis by any other name

Details

Tuesday, 14 April 2026

Written by Pitt Dickey

Celestial Events Desk: It is beyond debate that the greatest movie made in 1959 was the Three Stooges interstellar l epic Have Rocket Will Travel. The Stooges were working as janitors at a space port and accidentally launched themselves into space. Mankind has always reached for the stars. The Stooges were no exception. I bring this up because in early April, NASA launched the Artemis II crew to circle the Moon with a crew of four intrepid astronauts. This is one more astronaut than even the Three Stooges. The Artemis II mission is to ride an Orion rocket around the moon and back.
When you weren’t marveling how Dook managed to blow a 19-point lead to lose to Connecticut on a buzzer-beater half-court shot, did you ever wonder where the colorful names for Space Missions came from? If so, today is your lucky day. Return to the wild and wacky world of Greek Mythology to learn who Artemis was. For extra credit, discover how Orion fits into the naming of this space mission.
Artemis, as Frank Sinatra described Luck, was a lady. Her mom, Leto, and her Baby Daddy, Zeus, were free spirits, unhindered by the holy bonds of matrimony.
Zeus, at the time of Artemis’ conception, was married to Hera. As might be expected, Hera was not amused by this situation. Leto produced not only Artemis but her twin brother Apollo, who went on to own a very famous nightclub in Harlem.
To escape Hera, Leto took her two children into the hinterlands of Asia Minor, where she stopped in Lycia to drink some water and bathe her kids. The local villagers were inhospitable. They stirred up the pond’s mud, making the water undrinkable and yucky for bathing.
Leto was so torqued off at the villagers that she turned them into frogs. She later had trouble with a giant named Tityos, who took a hankering for Leto. He made some unwelcome moves on her. The twins peppered Tityos with arrows, which cooled his ardor considerably. Leto did some magic, stretching Tityos’ body over nine acres, leaving him like a thin mint for vultures who ate his liver and heart every day.
Artemis was a Goddess with responsibilities and a short temper– She was a protector of young children (She apparently was out to lunch during the Epstein extravaganza). She was a huntress who frequently bathed naked in the woods. This led to an awkward situation where Actaeon, who was out innocently hunting in the forest accidently saw Artemis in her birthday suit. Artemis was not amused and turned Actaeon into a deer. Her transformation of Actaeon into Bambi’s father was so convincing that his own hunting dogs did not recognize him. His dogs turned on him, chewing Actaeon into bite-sized pieces of venison. Myths, being old, tend to have many versions of the same story.
In another telling, King Agamemnon shot and killed one of Artemis’ sacred deer. Artemis demanded Agamemnon’s daughter, Iphigenia, be sacrificed to pay for the killing of her sacred deer. This story was later made into a disturbing movie called The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which is still available for your viewing pleasure on HBO Max. Watch at your own risk.
After several other misadventures in which lots of Greeks were killed by Artemis and her brother Apollo, Artemis hooked up with a hunting buddy named Orion. Orion was a loudmouth, constantly bragging about his hunting skills. He boasted that he was going to kill every animal on Earth. The Earth Goddess, Gaia, was not amused.
In one version, Gaia sent a gigantic scorpion to kill Orion. Artemis saved Orion by tossing him up into the skies where he became a constellation. Orion became famous for wearing a belt instead of suspenders. In another version, Orion tried to make unwanted whoopee with Artemis’s friend Opis. Artemis was having none of that. She killed him and tossed his dead body into the sky, where he also became a constellation. Yet another version has Artemis falling in love with Orion. Her brother Apollo tries and fails to talk her out of marrying Orion. He tricks Artemis into an archery contest in which he challenges her to shoot at a tiny speck way out in the ocean.
Unfortunately, the speck was Orion swimming. Artemis hits him with her arrow, causing Orion to expire. His body floats back to the beach. Artemis, consumed by grief, tosses him up into the skies where he becomes a constellation.
Now you know how the Artemis crew and the spaceship got their names. Bonus points for learning about the Three Stooges in Have Rocket Will Travel.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)