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  • The Cumberland County Board of Education met Tuesday morning to discuss possible virtual instruction for students this week, however, after looking over the numbers of staff and teachers who can work, they decided that school should resume as normal.

    District officials considered one of three options in the meeting. Transition to virtual instruction, make a change to the calendar or move forward with in-person instruction. A survey went out to staff on Monday and Tuesday asking them if they were unable to work due to currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, being diagnosed with COVID-19, quarantine due to close contact, or needing to be home with a child who has been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. Out of 4,959 respondents, 406 said they would not be able to work this week. That is 8 percent. 280 of those respondents were teachers or teacher assistants.

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    Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. recommended moving forward with in-person learning on Jan. 5 through Jan. 7, as planned. However, due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the county and the state, the school district will implement new COVID protocols, including temporarily limiting visitors at school facilities, reducing capacity at athletic events to 50 percent and expanding COVID-19 testing options to students and staff.

    “In light of the COVID-19 metrics in our county and understanding that many of our staff, students, and their families may have been exposed to COVID-19 over the break, we felt obligated to explore all possible options upon our return from winter break,” said Connelly said in a press release. “We also wanted to ensure we had adequate staff to move forward with in-person learning, since some staff may miss work because of COVID protocols.”

    The School Board did not vote or take any action since the recommendation was to move forward with in-person learning as planned. Chairman Greg West closed the meeting shortly after the recommendation was made and no public comment was allowed.

    Holly Autry, a mother of a senior at Cape Fear High School, said she was happy with the decision the school district made.

    "Speaking on my daughter's behalf, she has pretty much all honors classes, and although she is a good student and could get her work done virtually, face-to-face learning and being able to raise her hand and a teacher actually being able to walk to her desk and explain something if she has a question is so much better than sending an email and waiting for lord knows how long to get a response," Autry told Up & Coming Weekly.

    Autry wasn't the only one happy with the decision. Work-from-home mom Susan Brown said that if the school district went virtual, it would have been stressful for her whole family. Her 7-year-old son is autistic and in IEP classes. She says that special education students are some of the most negatively impacted by many of the COVID policies.

    "In honesty, I would have attempted my son to do what they asked but I have two other children and I work from home," Brown said. "It would have been a stressful mess and he would surely lose learning time. I’d have to log him on and off twice during the school day to drop off and pick up my other kids."

    Althea Thompkins, a mother of a kindergartener, said that she was hoping the school district would offer a virtual option, however, the Board of Education did not consider virtual for those who may want to opt-in for it.

    "I became furious because I’m immune-compromised and 30 weeks pregnant. We as a household just got over COVID and I don’t plan to catch it again," Thompkins said. "Also, I am appalled that some parents are saying they would rather their children catch COVID than to prevent it. Just because some parents are healthy and can afford to not be so precautious does not mean others are. I am strongly leaning towards doing homeschooling or virtual for the rest of the year because some of these parents I can not trust."

    Thompkins said that the new protocols the district will implement are a must along with face masks.

    "People who demand continuing to live our lives like there’s not a virus still out, need to realize that there are just as many immune-compromised and vulnerable people and children in this city," Thompkins said.

    Autry on the other hand said she had mixed feelings about the new protocols.

    "Being a frontline healthcare worker in a Primary Care office we see it all from minor symptoms to major concerning symptoms, from Covid vaccinated to non-vaccinated," Autry said. "My honest opinion in athletic games - what is the point in limiting the amount of people allowed to watch the game or match when the athletes playing are constantly coming in contact with each other while sweating and breathing heavy, there’s just no way around it! As for the testing in school I’m definitely against. I can’t speak for everybody else but I’m not letting my daughter get tested at school."

  • The Cumberland County Board of Education is holding a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to consider a delay in in-person learning. Students were initially scheduled to return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 5. However, the school board will soon decide if Jan. 5 through Jan. 7 will be entirely virtual for students and staff.

    If the board decides to vote for virtual learning, principals at each school will share information with families about device pick-up opportunities for those students who did not bring their school-issued laptops and devices home over winter break.

    Teachers and staff have been instructed to work from home on Monday, Jan. 3, and Tuesday, Jan. 4.

    The meeting will be open to the public via live-streaming on their YouTube channel. There will also be capacity-limited seating available to members of the public, who will be required to maintain masking and observe all COVID-19 related protocols. There will be no public comment period during the special meeting.

     

    Editor's Note: If you have a letter to the editor about the decision the board will make on Tuesday, send it to editor@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • Family of YearThe Fort Bragg Family of the Year is a unique title given to just one family every year who exemplifies the spirit of military families.

    This year, the Fort Bragg Army Community Service chose the Vona family to represent Fort Bragg families.

    Capt. Sam Vona, his wife Kristen, and their two daughters, Presley and Kathryn, have been through a lot in 2021. Vona, part of the 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was alerted that he would deploy to Iraq on New Year's Eve. Vona had two hours to get his things ready to go, say goodbye to his family and then head out.

    Then in August, Vona was called again to deploy last-minute to Afghanistan to help with the withdrawal of troops. Despite it being stressful for his family, Capt. Vona said that he was glad to have gone.

    "I'm glad I was a part of it," Capt. Vona said. "With the unit that I have, and the unit that I'm with, I'm happy to be part of history."

    The Vonas have been married for seven years and met while both were serving in the Army. Since they married, they have been stationed together in Germany and Capt. Vona has deployed several times. When their daughter, Kathryn, was born last year, Kristen Vona became a stay-at-home mom.

    Vona Homecoming 56"Overall, it's been a wonderful experience. Things are difficult sometimes for sure, especially on the family," Kristen Vona said. "But I really enjoy being home now with the girls to kind of give them some stability. So, we are enjoying the dynamic that we have now."

    For the past two years, Vona herself has been part of her husband's battalion through her role as the Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader.

    The battalion commander typically selects a family for nomination for Family of the Year; then, the family needs the brigade commander's endorsement. The family nominated then must fill out a packet and interview with senior leaders at Fort Bragg.

    One of the questions the Vona Family was asked was to pick a word that describes their family.

    Their word was "teamwork."

    "One thing I think that we do really well in our marriage is work together for like everything. So, Sam is very involved with our family, and I'm very involved in his unit and what he has going on. I would like to say that we're very interchangeable at home, and I'm really thankful for that," Kristen Vona said. "I just think we work really, really well together. And people have commented on that like friends and like within the military community, people have commented on how much we're on the same page and really work together well."

    Fort Bragg announced the Family of the Year at the annual Tree Lighting on the installation, Dec. 3. Capt. Vona said that he expected to be in the top five families, but not the family of the year.

    "They announced the top five guys going from five, four, three, two. And I was kind of surprised that we weren't in the top five. I figured that's where we would be," Capt. Vona said. "So, I was a little surprised when they announced number two, and I was like, OK, well, I guess we didn't make the top five tough competition out here. And then they announced us, and we were totally shocked."

    They said their five-year-old daughter, Presley, loved the applause they received.

    "They handed her the trophy, and she held it up in the air for a picture," Kristen Vona laughed as she told the story.

    Vona Family

    For the family, the entire experience has been humbling.

    "It was a really big honor. It's been a long time of putting in a lot of hard work towards the unit, not even just the one we're in now, but previous units we've been in, and so it's just really awesome to be recognized for the work we have put in," Kristen Vona said. "We're just super honored to be selected. So, it was very humbling."

  • Elections Voting BoothCumberland County Board of Elections Director Terri Robertson is retiring at the end of December after serving as director since 2001. Robertson, who first joined the department in 1994, has worked through 48 total elections — five being presidential elections.

    “It was only going to be a couple of weeks, but I’m still here,” Robertson said. “I’ve just enjoyed working for Cumberland County Government.”

    The Board of Elections appointed Administrative Coordinator Angie Amaro as the interim director effective Jan. 1, 2022.

    The director position is open and people can apply. The position is posted under the Jobs tab on the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov.

  • Hope Mills logoThe Town of Hope Mills has established a partnership with the YMCA of the Sandhills for an indoor aquatic center in the town. The board of commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 20 in favor of the facility following an address by YMCA CEO Rick Houp.

    The town board also received good news from architect Scott Garner on the development of the John Hodges Public Safety Center. Garner said the facility is about 60% completed. He said construction is on schedule and within the budget. The public safety center will house Hope Mills fire and police departments. It is named for the town’s longtime police chief John Hodges who served as chief for 23 years. He died last year at the age of 84.

    A new police chief will soon step up in Hope Mills. Stephen Dollinger, Chief of the St. Pauls Police Department, will succeed Joel Acciardo. The Hope Mills Police Department has 42 sworn officers, more than twice the size of the agency Dollinger is leaving.

  • FTTCC Topping OutA new 24,000-square-foot building at Fayetteville Technical Community College is closer to being finished. The new state-of-the-art FTCC-Cumberland County Regional Fire and Rescue Training Center will house classrooms, offices and simulation labs which will serve as a state-of-the-art training for local and regional firefighters.

    The North Carolina General Assembly recognized the project’s significance in its most recent session, allocating $20 million over two years for its next phase.

    Besides the classroom and office building, the project’s first phase will include a four-story training tower and a three-story burn building where live burning exercises can be conducted. State and county officials and other dignitaries signed their names to a steel beam, then watched as the beam was hoisted and installed in a building that will anchor the FTCC-Cumberland County Regional Fire & Rescue Training Center.

    The steel beam that was signed as part of a traditional “Topping Out” ceremony earlier this month was the last beam to be installed in this building. Several local and state officials came to sign the beam. Those officials included N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, N.C. Sen. Kirk deViere, N.C. Rep. John Szoka, Cumberland County Commissioners Glenn Adams, Jimmy Keefe and Michael Boose, and N.C. Community College System President Thomas Stith, as well as fire chiefs from several local departments.

    “This center will provide hands-on specialized training in a wide variety of emergency situations,” FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen said. “Firefighters and first responders will be able to do their jobs more effectively and safely and their training will pay dividends to the people they are able to help.”

  • night circusEditor's Note: This article was updated on Dec. 31 to reflect the new face mask guidance of the event.

    "The circus arrives without warning," writes Erin Morgenstern in her New York Times bestselling book, "The Night Circus."

    At dusk, on Dec. 31st, on the lawn of Festival Park, just a stone's throw from downtown Fayetteville, the circus is coming to town. This circus will not be the regular circus with striped tents, clowns or elephants but rather a night circus. With it comes fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers and an assortment of food and spirits — enough entertainment to keep curiosity peaked and crowds amped.

    This New Year's Eve, the Night Circus will be open, but it will open for one night only.

    The saying goes, nothing good happens after 10 p.m. However, in this case, for this one night, Bianca Shoneman, President and CEO of Cool Spring Downtown District, promises this won't be the case. The Cool Spring Downtown District and the City of Fayetteville are throwing a New Year's Eve party to remember.

    Night Circus: A District New Year's Eve Spectacular is set to be a night full of fantastical artists, food and throwback tunes for all the '90s music lovers out there.

    Shoneman says a New Year's Eve event of this magnitude has not happened in more than a decade. This event will include a '90s dance party that starts around 10 p.m. with headliners Coolio, Rob Base, C + C Music Factory and All-4-One.

    "We felt like we could all use some good cheer," Shoneman said. "I think the goal of the city council is to create a new tradition … We were looking to do something different than the standard festival you might see."

    And, according to Shoneman, it takes a lot of money to pull off an event like this — $165,000, to be exact. Part of allocating those funds includes commissioning a long-term asset, an 18-foot star, that will be raised to the sky on New Year's Eve.

    "Since we represent the Can-Do City, instead of dropping something like many communities do, we are going to lift the star because we have an up-and-coming spirit."

    The plan this New Year's Eve is to lift the star 110 feet into the air at the stroke of midnight, and simultaneously, fireworks will ignite, and a sign that reads America's Can-Do City will light up.

    The star was constructed by local sign makers, Blashfield Sign Company. Owner, Matt Blashfield, noted that the star is an odd one-of-a-kind item, very precise in design and construction and at times, production was arduous.

    The star itself took 45 days and $45,000 to construct and is exactly 18-feet tall from each point on the star.

    "It was a challenge with all the material and shipping delays the world is experiencing … We did this thing together. It was the epitome of teamwork," Blashfield said.

    The City officials hope this event will foster a sense of community and ignite a new annual tradition for Cumberland County.

    Tammy Thurman, Senior Community and Local Government Manager for Piedmont Natural Gas, a sponsor of the event, explained that in contrast, community members are used to traveling and watching other cities and states celebrate the new year; the community can now celebrate it in their own city.

    This addition to Fayetteville's livability is just the sort of thing Shoneman said she and others who work for the city aim to achieve.

    "People are starting to believe in the life, work, play, shop here … this notion of creating a great place to live that we've been working on for years. The city is creating a more livable community," Shoneman said.

    They have also planned a smaller; no fireworks included, star lift around 9 p.m. for those families with little ones they want to tuck safely into bed before midnight.

    This portion of the night will incorporate music from local DJs, including Fayetteville's only female turntablist, DJ Miracle. At 10 p.m., the other musicians will take over, and the music will change. Shoneman and others are hoping the event will be well-attended. If it is, she says they are looking to use the Night Circus in years to come.

    "At this point, we hope the theme sticks. It's such a good theme. I hope it's well-received," she said.

    The event will include carnival games, LED jugglers, fire breathers, magicians, aerialists, a Ferris Wheel and a carousel. There will be 11 food providers, and three beer tents and champagne bottles will be available for purchase. Food trucks and wine and beer vendors will take both cards and cash.

    Night Circus will start at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 and run until 12:30 a.m. January 1, 2022. The event is free to all. Mechanical rides and carnival games will also be available for a fee. Attendees can find parking in service lots around downtown Fayetteville for $5.

    There will also be a free shuttle running from Fort Bragg to the event from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. For additional information on the event call 910-223-1089.

    Face masks will be required upon entry to the event. 22,000 face masks will be available to attendees who do not bring their own. The face masks were donated to the event by an anonymous donor and the Cape Fear Valley Regional Hospital. Non-vaccinated attendees are encouraged to take a COVID test within 24 hours of the event. Vaccinated attendees are encouraged to provide proof of vaccination.

     
  • BLBC NYEBright Light Brewing Company will be saying farewell to 2021 with a retro 1970s inspired New Year's Eve party.

    Tickets for the '70s New Year's Eve event are limited; only 75 are available, and they are going fast. The cost is $45 for individual tickets and $80 for couples.

    The ticket includes a commemorative glass, a full catered meal, the first drink, a champagne toast and the chance to dance under the disco ball.

    Because of COVID-19, BLBC did not have a New Years' Eve party last year. BLBC welcomed 2020 in with a roaring '20s theme.

    Trisha Grieve, a bartender who attended the party, said, "There were tons of fancy outfits, poker games, shining jewelry – everyone went all out. Like this year, the Belmont catered the food."

    This year the dress code is cocktail attire but with a retro '70's twist. Guests can break out bell-bottoms, go-go boots, halter tops and mini dresses, and a DJ will be providing funky music all night.

    Grieve has worked at BLBC for just under four and a half years. She describes the brewery as a relaxed environment and a good local spot to visit, even if you're just passing through.

    Grieve explained that it is family-friendly, and the people who come here often will just become your family.

    She was most excited about having a DJ for the event.

    "I am looking forward to the DJ We had one on Halloween, and people just danced for hours. I love the live music, but it's nice to switch it up," Grieve said

    The music isn't the only thing she is looking forward to, "I am also looking forward to the disco ball because who doesn't love a good disco ball?"

    The Belmont House is catering the event and will offer a menu of chicken, green beans, black-eyed peas and mashed potatoes, and a vegetarian option and a small dessert.

    BLBC will have 15 beers on offer and guest ciders and wine, along with a complimentary champagne toast.

    "It's also great to see individuals buy tickets who have come to our previous New Years' parties buy tickets, something special about making friends and continuing a fun tradition; it's also wonderful to have newcomers just looking for something to enjoy," Grieve said.

    BLBC is a startup nano-brewery in downtown Fayetteville in craft beer and wine.

    Located at 444 West Russell St., Suite 102, BLBC remodeled a gym turning it into a taproom in November of 2016.

    They opened the doors to the brewery on April 21, 2017.

    The company had grown so much by 2019 they decided to open a brewhouse two blocks away. They began brewing on a three-barrel, and now they are at a ten-barrel.

    BLBC hosts private parties, mug club member events, Hail and Farewells at their brewhouse. The party will take place on December 31 at 7 p.m., and folks can boogie on down all night until 1 a.m.

  • Javeeno Jeno Antonio ResimoThe Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder of a 38-year-old woman that has led to one arrest, but still no answers.

    On Friday, Dec. 17, detectives located a body in the Grays Creek Area after receiving a tip.

    The remains of Jessi Marie Lindsley were found on Butler Nursery Road near Blossom Road.

    The next day detectives arrested Javeeno Jeno Antonio Resimo, 18, of Hope Mills. He was charged with being an accessory to murder and is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond.

    No one has been accused of the homicide itself. Resimo will appear in court again on January 6, 2022.

    Lindsley was reported missing in early November. According to a GoFundMe page, she had four sons and one grandchild.

    The fundraiser for her sons has raised $585 at the time of publication.

    Anyone with information to the murder is asked to call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 910-323-1500, 911, or Crimestoppers at (910-483-8477.

  • Pitt DickeyHi there, calendar fans. Once again, it's the most wonderful time of the year, the blur between Christmas and New Year's Day. Time for the annual column wishing a happy 100th birthday to the year that reaches the century mark. Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, 1922 will be celebrating its 100th birthday during all of 2022. 1922 was a year chock full o' nuts and surprises, some of which still resonate today. For example, Betty White, America's sweetheart, was born on January 17, 1922. She hits the big triple digits in 2022.

    In January 1922, Fred Banting celebrated the first successful use of insulin for diabetes. One hundred years later, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi have over 90% of the insulin market. They have been jacking up the price ever since. Old Fred would turn over in his grave if he knew what had happened to his invention. January 1922 wasn't all bad news as the first patent for Eskimo Pie was issued.

    In February, James Joyce published "Ulysses," a literary masterpiece, that no one reads. Zillions more people have eaten Eskimo Pies than have read "Ulysses." Fun fact, in 2021, Eskimo Pie changed its name to Edy's Pie in a fit of wokeness. It tastes the same, but the name has changed to protect the sensitive. March brought the silent horror film "Nosferatu" to the silver screen, spawning a gusher of vampire movies that continues to this day. April brought the Tea Pot Dome scandal to the administration of President Warren G. Harding, possibly leading to the phrase "a tempest in a teapot." May saw the beginning of construction at Yankee Stadium, which became the home of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, culminating in George Steinbrenner hiring George Costanza as Assistant to the Traveling Secretary of the Yankees. World events took most of the summer of 1922 off, resuming with some exciting happenings in November when the Ottoman Empire was defeated, ending over 600 years of rule by a kingdom based on footstools. In November, Howard Carter and his archeologists discovered the tomb of King Tut, which had lain undisturbed for more than 3000 years. Desecration of Tut's tomb led to the unleashing of the Curse of King Tut, causing many of the Carter party to die mysteriously shortly after waking the dead. These deaths spawned numerous horror movies involving mummies and Boris Karloff. Steve Martin performed a musical tribute to Tut, singing and dancing his way into your heart doing the "King Tut Strut." Ponder some of Mr. Martin's elegant lines eulogizing King Tut:

    Buried with a donkey
    He's my favorite honkey
    Born in Arizona
    Moved to Babylonia
    Dancing' by the Nile
    The ladies love his style
    Rockin' for a mile
    He ate a crocodile.

    Archeology doesn't get any funkier than this. Thanks, Steve, for keeping King Tut real.

    1922 brought several famous people into the world. It also brought more non-famous into creation; the non-famous ones are too numerous to name, but rest assured they were out there. America's most famous bald detective Telly Savalas came into the world in January. Audrey Meadows, who became famous as Ralph Kramden's wife Alice on "The Honeymooners," arrived in February. Ralph's constant threats to knock Alice to the moon jangle in light of today's standards, but in the 1950s, everybody laughed. March was a big month for famous babies: William Gaines, who became the publisher of Mad Magazine and spiritual father of Alfred E. Newman of What Me Worry fame, first drew breath in March. Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, arrived in March. Jack Kerouac, the author of "On the Road" and proto-type beatnik, showed up in March. Another March baby was Russ Meyer, who produced classic adult movies like "Faster Pussy Cat! Kill, Kill," "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," "Mudhoney," "MotorPsycho," "Amazon Women on the Moon" and "The Immoral Mr. Teas." They don't write titles like that anymore. April brought us Doris Day, on-screen girlfriend of Rock Hudson. Other April babies included Gale Storm, Barbara Hale, Perry Mason's paralegal, and Jack Klugman, the sloppy half of "The Odd Couple." May produced Nancy Walker, AKA Jane Hathaway, on "The Beverly Hillbillies." Judy Garland from the "Wizard of Oz" appeared in June.

    George McGovern appeared in July just in time to cause Richard Nixon to order the Watergate burglary. Yvonne DeCarlo, who played Mrs. Herman Munster, was a September baby. Charles Schultz of "Peanuts" fame emerged in November.

    Saving the best for last, Redd Foxx of "Sanford and Son" came along in December. When things would go wrong, Redd would fake having a heart attack, clutch his chest, look heavenward, and announce: "Elizabeth, I'm coming to join you. It's the big one!"

    So, there you have it. 1922 was a swell year. It has a lot of candles on its birthday cake.

    If you consume an adult beverage on New Year's Eve, kindly raise a glass to 1922.

  • Fayetteville New SignsThe Fayetteville City Council adopted new designs for the City flag and seal that align with the Can Do Carolina regional brand. The flag and seal are the latest changes in a phased approach to follow the Can Do brand. Recent new City Hall signage and new Fayetteville Area System of Transit buses have undergone a new look as well.

    "The new look of the City and branding partners provide a collective vision for driving Fayetteville’s identity into the future," the city's press release stated.

  • Botanical CampsCape Fear Botanical Garden is located just two miles from downtown Fayetteville and opened its doors in 1989. Situated between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers educational opportunities for kids and adults, including day camps for kids. Camps are not just a summer happening. Three winter camps are being offered this January.

    The Cape Fear Botanical Garden describes them as follows:

    Trail Blazers
    Trail Blazers takes place on January 3rd, 2022, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This day camp is for children ages 8-12. Children will enjoy a treasure hunt and utilize their Trail Blazing skills. These skills include using a compass and reading a map. The children will also hike the River Trail.

    Oddball Animals
    There are all kinds of children with all sorts of interests. Oddball Animals is designed to expose children ages 5-10 years old to a range of wild and wonderful critters. This winter day camp takes place on January 4th, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some of the oddball animals include salamanders, millipedes and more. In addition to meeting live animals and looking for animals in the garden, participants will create their own wacky creatures.

    Tooth and Claw
    Ever wonder about how the largest predators hunt and where they live? On January 17th, 2022, this winter break camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. explores this and more. Created for kids ages 8-12, children learn to tell a predator by its teeth. Campers will explore adaptations of predatory birds and will make bear and wolf track molds to take home with them.

    Barbara Goldentyer has worked at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden for two and a half years. She's the environmental education manager.

    "The Day Camps are fun because we have so many engaging activities like science experiments, live animals and outdoor games," said Goldentyer.
    Camps are currently closing registration at 15 campers for each camp, and there are always at least two staff members supervising the camps.

    "I would encourage kids to come to a day camp to find out how fun science can be and to explore amazing unique activities," Goldentyer said. "We add new camp themes and activities all the time, so there's always something new and something for every kid's interests. We also have almost 80 acres out in the garden to explore, so campers get to walk through a bamboo tunnel, plant things in the vegetable garden, feed the fish and look for animal tracks."

    The cost for winter camps is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Themed snacks are provided, but campers need to bring a lunch. Preregistration is required for these events.

    Camps fill quickly, so sign up at your earliest convenience on the Cape Fear Botanical Garden website calendar at this link: www.capefearbg.org/event/. For Additional information call 910-486-0221.

  • Gina HawkinsAn ethics complaint against Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins has been filed and is currently being heard by the Ethics Commission.

    Up & Coming Weekly requested the ethics complaint at the beginning of December. The City indicated that the records were not yet publicly available. Raleigh Attorney Mikael Gross, who filed the complaint against Hawkins, forwarded Up & Coming Weekly a copy of the complaint.

    Gross initially filed 14 allegations against Hawkins. However, the commission will be looking at eight of those allegations. Hawkins responded to the commission regarding these eight allegations via email in October. That email was also sent to Up & Coming Weekly by Gross.

    Charge 1: Hawkins allegedly used city property for personal use while also terminating employees for doing the same. An example cited in the complaint states Hawkins has used her police car as a personal car since her employment with the city.
    Response: Hawkins told the commission that this was false.

    Charge 2: Hawkins allegedly benefited from contracts issued through the City of Fayetteville by having her dog trained by the K-9 trainers hired by the Fayetteville Police Department. According to allegations, the misuse of the contract resulted in Hawkins' gain at taxpayers' expense.
    Response: Hawkins stated that this accusation has previously been anonymously submitted to the City of Fayetteville Internal Audit Department and investigated. She said she would explain more to the commission in a closed session as it involves employees of FPD. She did not disclose in the email the results of the previous investigation.

    Charge 3: Hawkins allegedly allowed a K-9 trainer to place choke collars on Fayetteville canine officers and place them on the ground like dogs to "teach them what it feels like to be a dog on a leash and collar."
    Response: Hawkins told the commission that this was false, and she did not know this happened.

    Charge 4: Hawkins allegedly hired a K-9 trainer as an officer with the police department. However, the handler has had problems with Training and Standards and cannot attend Basic Law Enforcement Training, meaning that by working as an officer while not fully trained, they could violate several laws.
    Response: Hawkins told the commission that she never hired him as an officer, and he has never submitted any documentation to become an officer with the City of Fayetteville.
    "My knowledge and expectations of the trainer riding with K-9 police officers to assist with Field Training is a part of real-world training just like officers have Field Training Officers with them after they get out of the academy," Hawkins said. "If there were any stops being made in the City, it was by the City of Fayetteville Police Officers. I would never condone anyone who is not certified to conduct illegal stops."

    Charge 5: Hawkins allegedly misused departmental resources by having on-duty officers divert from their patrol duties to help her locate her dog, which escaped from her residence on October 18, 2020. The allegation states that this call was removed from the system.
    Response: Hawkins wrote the commission a lengthy response saying that this is false. She states she never requested assistance or asked for officers to respond. Explaining the only calls made were to the communications supervisor alerting them where she would be. Hawkins says that she asked the communications manager to investigate it when this allegation popped up.
    "The investigation revealed the supervisor had entered the call to be dispatched, the dispatcher sent the call out to an officer and had a phone conversation about looking for my dog," Hawkins explained. "The dispatcher had made some unprofessional statement[s] during the conversations. The supervisor submitted a statement regarding her actions and what I requested that day, and the dispatcher submitted a statement regarding her action."
    Hawkins said in her statement to the commission, "Once again, I never requested for an officer to respond to assist me with finding my dog, BUT if a citizen would call 911 asking for our assistance, I would expect us to respond, because I know we prioritize calls and if we are available to assist the public and there are no calls pending, then I would expect us to respond and help as we have done on many occasions. This was a Sunday around 10:00 a.m. when calls for service are extremely low."

    Charge 6: Hawkins allegedly hired an active gang member and was alerted to the employee's gang history by the gang unit division at FPD. However, the individual was still hired, and the entire gang unit allegedly was placed under investigation at the direction of Hawkins.
    Response: Hawkins told the commission that this did not happen, and the internal investigation is still open and cannot be publicly discussed.

    Charge 7: Hawkins allegedly initiated investigations into employees, managed the investigations and then did not allow herself to be questioned or have an independent party investigate.
    Response: Hawkins told the commission that she is responsible for ensuring all investigations of employees are thorough and all facts and statements are included in an investigation. Hawkins explained that employees who received discipline have been afforded rights within the policy and have been through all appeals, including the final appeals to the city manager.

    Charge 8: Hawkins allegedly reached out to the Fayetteville Police Benevolent Fund to have an employee removed from the board before the initiation of an internal investigation. Fayetteville Police Benevolent Fund never removed the employee from the board, but the allegation explains that this shows she is willing to intimidate staff.
    Response: Hawkins told the commission that this is false.

    Gross has also filed a lawsuit against Hawkins for a previous employee. That lawsuit is currently being adjudicated in court.

    When Up & Coming Weekly reached out to Hawkins, her lawyer released the following statement:

    "The so-called 'Ethics Complaint' is meritless and is knowingly compiled of false allegations. Chief Hawkins is limited, for now, in her public response to those allegations as some pertain to FPD personnel/privacy matters. I am sure the so-called 'Petitioner' is aware of that fact as he released Chief Hawkins' responses to the media, knowing the legal position she is in as Chief. At this juncture, we are befuddled that a hearing would actually take place based upon the complete dearth of any evidence to support the allegations. We look forward to vigorously and aggressively addressing this 'Ethics Complaint' at the appropriate time."

    The Ethics Commission has five members — lawyer, Tracey Henderson, CPA, Dale Knowles, lawyer, Dymond Spain, Dr. Stephen Rochman and Thomas Donnelly Jr.

    The next commission meeting will be in January, but no set date has been released at this time.

  • Murchison ChoiceThe city of Fayetteville’s Economic & Community Development Department administers the federal government’s Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Grant. The Department primarily focuses on small business assistance, affordable housing development, and strategic real estate development.

    In December of 2020, the City of Fayetteville, in partnership with the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority, was awarded a HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant for the Murchison Road neighborhood. The City and FMHA are working with residents and a variety of community stakeholders including nonprofits, faith-based organizations and businesses to create a transformation plan. City councilman D.J. Haire grew up in the neighborhood.

    “I always felt that Murchison Road was playing catch up to some of the major corridors that we have within the city," Haire said. "We can do all the work we're doing but if we're not supporting and enhancing the communities that surround the corridor...then we're really not doing the full job.”

    The plan is centered on replacing FMHA’s Murchison Townhouses, which include 60 units of public housing.

    The development is over 50 years old with many buildings in poor condition. The Murchison Road corridor has several physical structures that do not meet local building code standards. Businesses along Murchison Road have also suffered in recent decades as the neighborhood has declined. The planning process kicked off in early 2021 and will be completed in late 2022.

  • Pay MoreThis conversation happens during most elections in North Carolina since members of the General Assembly run every two years. Perhaps the 170 elected legislators who fund North Carolina’s governmental operations, enact laws that require us to take some actions and not to take others, and — increasingly, steer public policy — should get a raise.

    North Carolinians have long prided ourselves on our “citizen legislature,” a body to which most anyone at least 25 years old could, at least theoretically, get themselves elected. This belief stems from the days when the General Assembly met in odd-numbered years in what was called the “long session” and in which most of the body’s work was done, and a “short session” in the even-numbered years which mostly cleaned up work from the prior session. Legislating was, again, at least theoretically, a part-time job.

    If that were ever true, it certainly is not now.

    The General Assembly meets almost year-round at the direction — some would say whim — of legislative leadership. Such a schedule makes it difficult, if not impossible, for members to hold down regular jobs and wreaks havoc on their personal lives. And, for this, they are paid $13,952 annually, one of the lowest legislative salaries in the nation and which has not been raised since 1995. Think for a moment how you and your family would be doing if your pay had not budged in nearly three decades. And your reimbursement for daily food and lodging in an expensive city, like Raleigh, is a miserly $104 per day when the General Assembly is in session. Legislators have been known to sleep in their offices and cars and camp out at the state fairgrounds. As Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper puts it, the situation “selects for certain kinds of people, and those are people with money and flexibility.”

    The result of this unaddressed situation is that even though we like to think of our legislature as a citizen legislature, it is a myth.

    Ordinary folks cannot afford to run for these positions, much less serve in them. That means that the North Carolina General Assembly is composed of independently wealthy individuals who are not dependent on a regular paycheck. Individuals who have spouses who support them or employers willing to work with their erratic legislative schedules, not always for all the right reasons. Only a handful of current sitting legislators have regular jobs, children in public schools and shared family responsibilities.
    In short, they are not average North Carolinians.

    The reason for this ongoing craziness is that legislators do not want to be on record voting to give themselves a raise. They have nightmares about the mailers and TV ads political opponents would run against them in the next election if they did so. This means the General Assembly continues to skew older, wealthier and less representative.

    The U.S. Congress took care of this issue for its members years ago by initiating cost of living raises linked to thousands of other high-ranking federal positions. These raises do not have to be voted on, although they can be stopped if Congress chooses, which it has done occasionally. This means that people of relatively ordinary means can and do serve in our U.S. Congress.

    Until the North Carolina General Assembly discovers its collective courage and addresses its salary issue in some form — an actual raise, a raise tied to a cost of living index, or a commission to set its salary perhaps, North Carolinians will continue to get the representation we pay for, or in this instance, do not pay for.

    With luck and a healthy dose of legislative fortitude, this could happen in 2022.

  • fitnessDuring the winter months in NC, exercising outdoors can bring a roller coaster of temperatures from one day to the next. Sunny and sixty can quickly turn into cold and forty in twenty-four hours. Colder months can bring an invigorating workout for those that like to hike, walk, run or enjoy winter activities such as skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding. Even though the temperature may drop, it does not mean that you must bring your workouts indoors. The falling temperatures in the thirties and forties or less should not stop your outdoor activities. There are benefits from winter exercise that are different than the summer. In colder weather, you sweat less, spend less energy, and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, which is beneficial for a more efficient workout.

    It can also be a mood booster and help replenish vitamin D levels in the skin. Wintry weather can also help max out that caloric burn. When your body is working hard to stay warm, your metabolism is kicked up into burning more calories. However, frigid air can irritate the lungs and is more difficult for those that have asthma. Cold air entering the airways can induce asthma flare-ups. Breathing in through the nose rather than the mouth warms the air before it reaches your lungs. Consult with your physician if you have health questions. Winter activities can be beneficial for almost everyone, and with a bit of planning, outdoor workouts can be refreshing and invigorating. The approach to winter activities is a little different than summer in the way we should dress and warm up.

    A warmup is essential for your muscles and tissues to avoid strains and injuries. Your warmup should begin indoors, including arm circles, arm swings, stepping in place and lunges.

    Think what it would be like for your muscles if you jumped into freezing water and how your body would react.

    While not quite as extreme as jumping out into the cold for an activity, your body needs blood flow for joints and muscles. Dressing for the cold is essential for body warmth, windburn or frostbite. Dressing in layers is the best way to begin and end your activity, which allows you to remove and put back on clothing as needed. Your first layer should be a synthetic material avoiding cotton that absorbs sweat and makes you colder. The next layer should be a breathable, wind-resistant, water-resistant outer layer. Your hands and feet are vulnerable to the cold and the quickest areas for frostbite.

    Wear insulated gloves and glove liners in case you remove your gloves.

    Wool socks and caps are essential to prevent the loss of body heat, and dark glasses help with wind and glare. Wear sunscreen and use lip balm to avoid chapping.

    Our area does not usually see extreme drops in temperatures, but hypothermia can occur if your body begins to lose too much heat. Lengthy exposures without adequate clothing can result in your body losing heat faster than it can be produced. It is most likely at colder temperatures but can occur at cool temperatures above 40 degrees if a person becomes chilled from the rain. Shivering can be the first sign of hypothermia.

    Getting warm slowly, changing any wet clothes and drinking warm liquids are essential to warm the body. Enjoy the winter and treat yourself to hot cider or hot chocolate after that outdoor activity! Live, love life and stay hydrated. Baby, its cold outside.

  • Theatre FrontAfter nine months of renovation, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre is good to go. Demolition started in March, and everything is to be complete just in time for the "The Wizard of Oz" show in January.

    "We had our first indoor performance in 21 months on Dec. 4," Ashley Owen, marketing director at CFRT, said. "Our last performance inside our theater was March 15, 2020."

    The theatre's 285 seats are now wider with more legroom, but that is not all that has improved.

    "Renovation highlights include brand new seats that are wider, rows that are deeper, a brand-new sound system designed by TONY-Award winning Sound Designer Rob Kaplowitz," said Owen. "There also is a new fresh-air intake HVAC, upgraded energy-efficient lighting, new flooring, new paint and upgraded ADA accessibility. Pretty much, if you can name it, it's new."

    Marc de la Concha, the education director at CFRT, has been at the theatre for two and half years.

    "CFRT is special because of the relationship we have with our community," de la Concha said. "Whether here as audience members, class participants or volunteers, the theater is always full of people who share their love and passion for the arts."

    "People come back to the theater because our productions are the perfect blend of local and out-of-town talent. Each production that we present is an entirely new experience in terms of content, diversity and talent," de la Concha said.

    Owen agrees, "CFRT is special in so many ways. We are a professional theater that is deeply rooted in its community, and you can feel that when you walk in the front doors. It has a magical essence to it that sticks with you the entire time you're there."

    The productions at CFRT are home-grown, providing the community with unique and quality events.

    "People should come to the CFRT because the performances you see on our stage are created here and feature people who live and work in this community," Owen said.

    The theater offers unique quality shows for value and honors military and educators.

    "Depending on the show and the night you come, tickets range from $15-$32. $32 is our top ticket price.

    We have military discounts for every performance and host military appreciation nights where tickets are 25% off for service members. We also host educator appreciation nights where educators receive 25% off ticket prices," Owen said.

    Productions are not the only thing that CFRT offers the community. There are multiple classes for various ages, summer and single-day camps for children and special educational programs for military children.

    "In addition to our productions, we offer a wide range of educational opportunities for all ages," de la Concha explained.

    The CFRT has a range of programs scheduled for 2022. Based on the classic film everyone knows and loves, the 60th Anniversary Season at CFRT will kick off with "The Wizard of Oz" featuring a cast with both new and familiar faces and amazing special effects, including flying characters and pyrotechnics.

    The "Wizard of Oz" runs from January 20, 2022, to February 1, 2022. CFRT will follow that up with "Welcome to Arroyo's" (March 10 - 27, 2022),"Clue" (April 7 - 24, 2022), and "The Color Purple" (May 5 - 29, 2022.)

  • Kia AnthonySpring Lake's new mayor believes a new board of aldermen wants to see changes in government operations.

    "We need to rebuild trust in our government in the midst of a financial crisis," said Mayor Kia Anthony. The mayor and board took their oaths of office in a ceremony on Dec. 13.

    State Sen. Kirk deViere administered the oath to Anthony, an entrepreneur and director of a nonprofit group.

    She is an Army veteran and a native of Michigan but has been a Spring Lake resident for 17 years.

    On Oct. 5, North Carolina's Local Government Commission took control of Spring Lake's finances, citing years of mismanagement.

    A $1.8 million budget deficit resulted from maladministration, misappropriation of funds and budgeting issues. Anthony told Up & Coming Weekly that only one incumbent member of the board of aldermen was re-elected because of the financial situation. Anthony believes Sona Cooper was re-elected because she brought attention to concerns that the firm that conducted the town's annual financial audits had not noticed the monetary issues.

    Anthony beat two board members who challenged her and succeeded Larry Dobbins, who did not seek reelection.

    The mayor said she would devote much of her time to the part-time post.

    "I'm no stranger to a long day's work," she said.

    The new board of aldermen, in addition to Cooper, includes Robyn Chadwick, Marvin Lackman, Raul Palacious and Adrian Thompson. Chadwick was named Mayor Pro Tem.

    Questions about Spring Lake's finances first surfaced in 2015 when a resident told officials that employees and leaders had misused town-issued credit cards.

    A year later, the state auditor's office suspected problems with nearly $579,000 with town expenditures and found apparent faulty record-keeping from 2010 through 2015.

    State Treasurer Dale Folwell's office said besides the deficit, the town has outstanding debt of at least $6.7 million. He said this is by far the largest takeover in state history.

    The LGC monitors the financial well-being of more than 1,100 local government units in North Carolina.
    It had its eye on Spring Lake for a while. According to the LGC, Spring Lake permitted the expenditure of funds not in the town's General Fund budget and allowed the General Fund to fall into a deficit.

    The town's accounting system is also not compliant with state standards.

    State law says local governments and public authorities are required to have their accounts audited as soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year.

    Reports are due on Oct. 31 each year, with a grace period extension to Dec. 1. Spring Lake's audits have been at least two months late for the past five years, and the 2018 audit was 16 months late.

    Spring Lake is adjacent to Fort Bragg and is home to about 12,000 people.

  • nativityThe true meaning of Christmas. It's a phrase we often tuck into a meaningful sentence after spending too much, going too much or simply having too much on our schedule during December.

    Beyond the phrase, the true meaning of Christmas is something I want to embrace. But in all honesty, I'm not sure there's not a singular meaning that can be attached to the notion ­— or celebration — of Christmas. For those of us in the Christian faith, the celebration centers around the birth of Jesus Christ. The story itself is full of miracles and surprising answers to hard questions.

    So what is the true meaning of Christmas? For the shepherds, it meant being included. Their rough, smelly work on the outskirts of society relegated them to spending more time with each other or alone with their sheep than any time hanging out in nearby establishments. But it was these outsiders to whom the news of the Messiah's birth was first announced. Can you imagine their fear and astonishment when they were visited by an angel who told them they'd find the long-awaited savior — a baby — just down the hill in Bethlehem? If one angel wasn't enough, an entire sky full of angels singing and praising God soon joined in! Some of the lowest class of society were fully included and became messengers of the greatest thing ever to have happened.

    And Joseph. The Christmas story for him is one of obedience and loyalty. He was engaged to the young Mary, who told him she was pregnant. The cultural repercussions of the entire scenario were potentially grounds for Mary's execution. Not wanting to disgrace Mary, he planned to divorce her in private. But in a dream, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him to trust Mary. The angel also told Joseph that the child should be called Jesus.

    And Mary. Think about it. She was a young, unknown girl from a small town often ridiculed. How could she have imagined what the Lord had in store for her? You can't blame her for having questions, yet she only asked one. "How?" Not "Why?" Or "When?" Just "How?"

    With the answer the angel provided, she stepped forward. She believed. She obeyed. She must have been so frightened! There was so very much at stake. Her upcoming marriage. Her reputation. Her family and its reputation. And even her life. Yet she said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

    Do you wonder if she ever regretted that response? Did she ever think, "What have I gotten myself into?" Perhaps she wished the angel had stayed just long enough to tell her mother, too. He had told her not to fear. Can you imagine how often she had to remind herself of that?

    What's the real meaning of Christmas for you? Is it the awe and joy of being included? The doubt and wonder of social implications? Or is it perhaps, like Mary, a humble heart willing to believe His promises and follow God's plan?

  • UNCShould the University of North Carolina System headquarters be moved from Chapel Hill to Raleigh where it could be conveniently closer to other state educational agencies and the state legislature that has ultimate control over it?

    In its recently adopted budget bill, the legislature provided for this move. Nobody argues with its power to direct such a move. But there is a widespread difference of opinion about the wisdom of this action.

    I will share some of these different views and then tell you my own thoughts.

    Respected columnist and longtime observer of North Carolina government and culture, Tom Campbell, writes that the move would be a good development. Despite disagreeing with the senate majority leader, Phil Berger, about many educational issues, Campbell thinks a university move to Raleigh would be positive.

    Even though Campbell supports the move to Raleigh, he criticizes legislators for meddling in university life, writing that “their hackles have really been raised by our state supported universities, which they contend doesn’t offer enough conservative philosophy to balance liberal teachings.”

    But after his harsh criticism of the legislature, Campbell writes “there is one initiative in which they are on the right track. Prompted by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, arguably the most powerful politician in the state, lawmakers have long wanted to move the General Administration of the UNC System out of what they consider the liberal bastion of Chapel Hill. But Berger’s reason for including $11 million for the move in the current state budget makes sense. Berger is convinced the leadership of the universities should be housed in the same building with K-12 public schools and our community colleges in order to promote closer communication and cooperation, something long discussed but never accomplished.”

    On the other hand, Art Padilla, author of “Portraits in Leadership: Six Extraordinary University Presidents,” and former UNC System associate vice president of academic affairs, recently wrote, “The move appears to be about politics and control and not about vaguely described synergies.”

    Padilla remembers the late university President William Friday’s “philosophy about institutional freedom and independence.”

    “As Mr. Friday was wont to say, the university was of the political process, but it was not in politics. In part, it is why we insisted that individual campuses not pressure the legislature on their own.”

    Padilla recognizes that “Some may think the university should be treated like another state agency.”
    But he uses Friday’s words to challenge that view. “No society can survive without an institution at its heart dealing with values, teaching the importance of history and revealing the relationship between man and nature.

    It’s there, in the beating, human heart of the university where you get sustenance for the soul, where you find out what’s making your heart sing, where you are motivated to go against the odds to do something.”

    For almost ten years in the 1980s and 90s I worked as the UNC System’s lobbyist, driving the 25 miles from Chapel Hill to Raleigh almost every day.

    That distance served the university and the people of the state. It discouraged legislators from probing directly into the day-to-day details of university or campus life and viewing it as a state education agency rather than a real university.

    Along the way, I had to respond to numerous complaints and inquiries about the political views expressed by some faculty members and activities of university-affiliated projects. But even the harshest critics usually understood that the vigorous and free conflict of ideas is part and parcel of a strong university where the preparation of a thinking citizenry goes hand in hand with the creation of new ideas and new solutions to society’s problems. I hope the legislature will do itself a favor: save money, protect the university system and keep the system’s headquarters away from Raleigh.

  • police car newWhen people have concerns or complaints about potential police misconduct, those concerns need to be heard, investigated and resolved.

    The Fayetteville City Council has selected the citizens who will serve on the new Community Police Advisory Board. It was established in August of last year, but members were just named at a special council meeting on Dec. 13.

    The objective is to promote an atmosphere of trust between Fayetteville residents and the city police department. The CPAB will review and recommend ways to improve police department policies and practices.

    The panel has the authority to examine public records, but it does not have subpoena power.
    Chief of Police Gina Hawkins has said she welcomes the development knowing the Fayetteville Police Department. is a top-shelf organization. City council appointed ten members, one of whom will be a non-voting alternate. Three of the new members were selected by name. The others were picked randomly from those who had applied.

    Those selected for three-year terms are Lionel Cartwright, Jim Bove and Julie Aul. Two-year term members include Jacqueline Clay, Pablo Arroyo and Sidney King. Debra Slaughter, Tony Haire and Gregory Perkins were selected for one-year terms. Juana Magnum will serve as the alternate.

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