America’s involvement in the Vietnam War was so gradual that a fixed date for its beginning is impossible to set. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy authorized sending 400 Special Forces troops and 100 other U.S. military advisers to South Vietnam. The same day, he ordered the start of clandestine warfare against North Vietnam to be conducted by South Vietnamese agents under the direction and training of the CIA and U.S. Special Forces. President Dwight Eisenhower had sent about 50 military advisors to help the South Vietnamese army defend against communist incursion. 

During the Buddhist holiday of Tet, Jan. 30, 1968, one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War was launched by forces of the Vietcong and North Vietnamese People’s Army against the South Vietnamese Army, United States Armed Forces and their allies. Over 80,000 Vietcong troops emerged from their tunnels and attacked nearly every major metropolitan center in South Vietnam. 

Army Major Raymond Schrump turned 36 years old the day he arrived in Vietnam, the same day the Tet Offensive launched. Schrump had accepted a job training and coordinating local fighters to work with U.S. soldiers against North Vietnamese forces. Early one morning, when a U.S. light infantry unit was ambushed near Schrump’s base, he took some of his men to retrieve the wounded. He was shot in the right shoulder and was taken prisoner. In the nearly five years that followed, Schrump said he was held at 11 different sites in South Vietnam and Cambodia. 

Captured soldiers faced miserable conditions with inadequate food and a general lack of sanitation. Cruel treatment was common. “I had malaria so many times I lost count,” Schrump said. 

He became emaciated, at one point weighing less than 86 pounds. Though he often contemplated escape, Schrump’s ordeal didn’t end until after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on Jan. 27, 1973. His then-wife Anne traveled with the U.S diplomatic team to Paris. In February, Schrump and other POWs returned to the United States. Schrump came to Fort Bragg, where he had joined the Special Forces in 1962. He was brought off an Air Force plane at Pope Army Air Field on a gurney. 

Schrump kept his life private and retired as a lieutenant colonel in December 1973. He launched a new career as a military contractor first at Fort Bragg and later working for companies in the Persian Gulf. 

Now 87, Schrump also worked as a volunteer at the North Carolina Veterans Park across the parade field from the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. Museum curator Nicole Suarez spent many hours with Schrump, recording his story and seeking his counsel for an exhibit that fills a gallery at the museum and tells the stories of several POWs, including Schrump. 

“It’s uncomfortable” to hear this story, says Suarez, and that’s good. “You want people to feel something. You don’t want to sanitize the experience.” 

As they leave the museum, visitors are reminded that so long as U.S. soldiers are at work in the world, they are at risk of capture and imprisonment and that Special Forces troops are still among the most desirable targets. Schrump has said he hopes those who tour the exhibit learn something, too, about the resiliency of the human spirit. It was his faith, he says, that kept him alive through his captivity. “Faith in God, faith in my country, and faith in my fellow man,” he said. 

Pictured: Major Raymond Schrump

Averasboro Battlefield Commission and The Carolina Legion present the Civil War event “Army on the Move” Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Averasboro Battlefield and Museum. Members of the 26th N.C., 6th N.C., 49th N.C. and the Iron Grey Mess and Reilly’s Battery will take part in numerous demonstrations. There will be battlefield and ravine tours occurring throughout the event as well. 

“The purpose of this event is to give the spectators and visitors a look at how an army moved its forces during the Civil War,” said Benny Pearce, secretary of the Averasboro Battlefield Commission. “It will be a living-history event. In addition to that we will have some exhibits that feature World War II as well.”

The battlefield is significant historically. “The Battle of Averasboro was held on the Cumberland County and Harnett County line on March 15 and 16 in 1865,” said Pearce. “A lot of people don’t know that the actual Civil War battle was held that close to our locations here in Cumberland and Harnett counties.”

Pearce added it was the next to last battle of the Civil War, the last one being in Bentonville, North Carolina. 

“We have many exhibits, and a lot of them were donated to us from people who live in the Cumberland and Harnett county areas,” said Pearce. “A lot of the other ones were donated by interested people that came to visit with us and wanted to share with us the artifacts they maintained in their families for many, many years.

“We try to present a history of showing by artifacts and to tell about the battle using maps at the museum that we have especially prepared for us. We have very knowledgeable volunteers and we are an all volunteer organization with no paid staff members, but we have many knowledgeable tour guides that can share with visitors what the Battle of Averasboro was all about.” 

The Averasboro Battlefield and Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The museum is free and open to the public. Admission for the event is $5 for ages 12 and older and $3 for children under 12. Pets are not allowed. The museum is located at 3300 NC Hwy. 82 in Dunn For more information visit www.averasboro.com or call 910-891-5019.

The Cumberland County Fair is back in Fayetteville, bringing with it a blend of homegrown traditions, interesting exhibits, exciting rides and fun for people of all ages. It will open at the Crown this Friday, Aug. 30. 

The theme of the fair this year is “Moo-vin’ and Groovin’.” The dairy industry is a hot topic, and the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension is using the event as an opportunity to teach people about dairy farms. “Our agricultural display will be focused on dairies,” said Jessica Drake, the extension agent in charge of 4-H Youth Development for Cumberland County. 

“The mission is to highlight all things dairy and maintain an emphasis on the historical importance of agriculture in Cumberland County,” said Daniel Marsh, the director of marketing for the Crown.

One of the highlights of the theme-related activities utilizes virtual reality. “We’re having virtual reality so people can enjoy visiting a farm and learning about it without leaving the fair. This is an opportunity North Carolina State provided to us,” Drake said. “We want to bridge that gap from farm to fork.” 

Additionally, there will be a milking booth, a children’s area and information on the N.C. Dairy Alliance. “The fair is a prime opportunity to be able to get a lot of people educated through a hands-on experience,” Drake explained.

The Cumberland County Fair highlights the importance of agriculture every year. In fact, it’s partnered with the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs. The North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs awarded two scholarships this year for the fair. One went to Ashlyn Johnson of Lincoln Memorial University who will be studying veterinarian medicine and the other went to John Faatz of N.C. State University who is studying livestock management. 

A variety of community organizations will be represented at the fair to explain their services and what they offer throughout the community. Attendees can also count on a variety of vendors inside and outside on the midway. 

Before the fair’s opening, many people swarm in to enter their proudest creations as exhibits for the chance to win ribbons and cash prizes. Participants can enter food items such as fresh produce, canned goods and baked goods. There are floriculture, horticulture, agriculture, arts and crafts, photography, sewed items and livestock categories as well. The winners of “Best of Show” ribbons will move on to compete in the N.C. State Fair in October. All of the items are on display. 

“Youth have the opportunity through the livestock shows to show off what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve worked hard on all year,” Drake said. “It’s very important for youth to have that sense of accomplishment whether they win or they lose. Really, (entering anything in the fair) is a great opportunity for anyone of any age to put their accomplishments on display.” 

Other indoor attractions include a scavenger hunt, the Junior Livestock Show, the antique farm exhibit and a toddler driving school.

This year’s main attraction at the fair will be Johnny Rockett’s Cycle Circus Live, which is the largest FMX Freestyle show of its kind in the world. The show will feature a variety of acts, including FMX, BMX, The Globe of Death, Daredevil Divas, Triple Flipping Motorcycle, The Fire Girls and more. The high-tech pyrotechnics and the daring stunts make this a popular show. 

A whopping 27 rides will be offered by Big Rock Amusements on the midway this year. For people who enjoy the classic rides, there will be the Giant Wheel, a Ferris wheel that is over 80 feet tall, a Fun Slide, a grand carousel and a Tilt-a-Whirl. Visit http://bigrockamusements.com/events/35 to see the full offering of rides. 

Although part of the event falls on Labor Day weekend, the Cumberland County Fair is an exciting tradition worthy of a “stay-cation.” “It’s a staple,” said Marsh. “Many families within Cumberland County and the surrounding area choose to stay home around Labor Day, and this is an opportunity for us to provide them with quality entertainment at a reasonable price. There is no better way to not only end the summer, but to also begin our event season here at the Crown Complex.” 

Throughout the duration of the fair, there will be promotional nights. The Up & Coming Weeklycoloring sheet contest is Aug. 31. 

With their student IDs, attendees can receive $2 off the cost of admission. 

Sept. 1 is “Ultimate Stay-Cation Student Night.” Students with IDs will receive $4 off admission. 

On Sept. 2, attendees who arrive between 1-5 p.m. pay ten dollars for admission and rides, and those that arrive after five pay $15 for unlimited rides and admission for “Early Bird Pay One Price Night.” 

Sept. 3-5 is “Pay One Price Night.” “Senior Day” takes place Sept. 5 and offers free admission for senior citizens until 5 p.m. and offers unlimited rides with admission.

 “Military and Emergency Services Appreciation Night” takes place Sept. 6. Admission is free with an IDcard. The last day of the fair is “Faith and Family Day.” By mentioning their church or bringing a church bulletin, attendees can receive a $2 discount.

 “It’s important to bring community together. The fair is a fun, low-stress environment where you can all just enjoy each other and learn about the community through different organizations that put booths up,” Drake said. 

The fair opens this Friday at 5 p.m. and continues through Sept. 8. It is appropriate for all ages. Visit http://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/cumberlandcountyfair for more information. 

Here are the preseason coaches and media polls from the Patriot Athletic Conference and the Sandhills Athletic Conference. First-place votes received by each team are listed in parentheses on all polls:

Patriot Athletic Conference

Coaches 

1. Pine Forest (4)

2. South View (2)

3. Terry Sanford (2)

4. Cape Fear 

5. Westover (1)

6. Gray’s Creek

7. Douglas Byrd

8. Overhills

9. E.E. Smith

Media

1. Terry Sanford (3)

2. Pine Forest (2)

3. South View (1)

4. Cape Fear

5. Gray’s Creek

6. Westover, Douglas Byrd

8. E.E. Smith

9. Overhills

Sandhills Athletic Conference

Coaches

1. Richmond Senior (6)

2. Scotland (2)

3. Seventy-First

4. Pinecrest

5. Jack Britt

6. Hoke County, Lumberton

8. Purnell Swett

Media

1. Richmond Senior (6)

2. Scotland (4)

3. Seventy-First

4. Pinecrest

5. Jack Britt

6. Hoke County

7. Purnell Swett

8. Lumberton

As summer events are wrapping up, 4th Friday continues to offer an entertaining and family-friendly experience in downtown Fayetteville. 4th Friday is a tradition that occurs on the fourth Friday of every month and offers entertainment or art (or both). 4th Friday will fall on Aug. 23. The theme will be “Back to Cool Bash.” 

“It’s an end-of-summer bash for the kids going back to school,” Johanna Brum of the Cool Spring Downtown District said. “There will be a food truck, there will be artists. Maxwell Street will be closed, so we’ll extend that out and do bouncy houses and face painting.” 

There will also be artists and dancers. 

 The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County will also host its monthly parking lot party. The Arts Council’s 4th Friday Artist’s Program creates a space for artists to make and show their work and share their passion with others. Artists can visit www.theartscouncil.com/ParkingLotParty to sign up .

 The Arts Council will also offer an activity to keep with the “Back to Cool” theme — a dunk tank.“In the dunk tank, we will have school officials from several different schools to be dunked,” explained Antonio Renteria, the assistant director of operations at the Arts Council. “All proceeds will go to our Artists in Schools program.” 

The juried art exhibit 10:10:10 will also open on 4th Friday. It will include work from ten different artists. The display will be ten linear feet and will have ten self-curated exhibitions. 

There will also be a beer garden. Beer enthusiasts can look forward to “a fairly good mix of domestics, a couple different craft beers.” said Renteria. “There’ll be an IPA and an ale. A variety. There will also be seating for people to eat and local artists on our sidewalks and in our parking lots.” 

For people who are interested in learning more about the history of Fayetteville, The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum has an exhibit every 4th Friday. This month’s exhibit is called “Market House History.” Half of the Market House is a permanent exhibit. The exhibit will be “featuring collectibles and displaying different ways that the Market House has been promoted and displayed over time. It’s always been a symbolic place and has been used as an image on a lot of items,” said Bruce Daws, the museum’s director.

At Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, children can decorate a cloth lunch bag to use at school from 7-9 p.m. Playing at the museum is free for kids every Fourth Friday as well. 

 In His Presence Coffee, Books & More is partnering with Praise NOW 2019 will take place from 4-8 p.m. at Festival Park. It will have Christian music and be worship-centered. 

 Call the Cool Spring Downtown District at 910-223-1089 or visit www.theartscouncil.com to learn more about 4th Friday.

Cape Fear Valley Health and Vidant Health Systems have announced a new partnership aimed at addressing and improving chronic health conditions in rural eastern North Carolina. It’s part of the growing focus on population health. “By working collaboratively, we can address many of the factors that influence health outcomes for the rural populations we serve south and east of the urban areas of the state,” said Michael Nagowski, chief executive officer of Cape Fear Valley Health System. 

“This partnership advances our vision in every way, improving the quality of every life we touch. Both of our organizations understand the unique challenges facing this region,” agreed Todd Hickey, chief clinical network development officer of Vidant Health in Greenville, North Carolina. 

This clinically integrated network of care will allow both health systems to strategically align resources in a way that will deliver better care to some of the most underserved populations in the country. 

Many of the counties in eastern and southeastern North Carolina rank in the bottom half in overall health outcomes, according to a 2019 study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Vidant Health is a 1,708-bed health system that annually serves a region of more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is made up of more than 14,000 team members, nine hospitals, home health, hospice, wellness centers and Vidant Medical Group, a multispecialty physician and provider group with more than 500 providers in more than 100 practice sites in eastern North Carolina. Vidant is affiliated with The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As a major resource for health services and education, Vidant’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. 

Cape Fear Valley Health is a 950-bed health system serving a region of more than 800,000 people in southeastern North Carolina. It is the state’s eighth-largest hospital system and is made up of 7,000 team members and 850 physicians. It includes eight hospitals and more than 60 primary care and specialty clinics. Cape Fear Valley Health offers residencies in emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and general surgery. The partnership between Vidant and Cape Fear Valley will engage their communities in a collaborative, patient-centered approach, including the use of technology, localized care management and streamlined patient experiences to accomplish shared goals.

This joint project is the first step in introducing local physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in 35 counties through a larger collaborative approach that will be a vehicle toward improving engagement, quality and patient outcomes while lowering costs to patients and their families. 

“We are continually assessing ways in which we can adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of health care,” said Hickey. “Our priority is and always will be the communities we serve and we are committed to creating networks of care to keep our family, friends and neighbors healthy.” 

Head coach: Deron Donald

2018 record: 0-11

Top returners: Darrius Johnson, 5-11, 260, Sr., OL; Anthony Glenn, 5-7, 210, Sr., OL; Jordan Woodard, 6-2, 185, Sr., WR/QB; Jeremy Evans, 5-9, 160, Sr., WR; Shawn Kirk, 5-7, 155, Sr., RB; John Humphrey, 6-1, 250, Sr., DL; Ananiah Bell, 6-0, 265, Sr., DL; Trevon Hinton, 5-7, 150, Sr., DB; Brendin Tibbs, 5-8, 190, Sr., LB/DB; Micah Gaston, 5-11, 145, Sr., DB.

Top newcomers: Tyree Johnson, 6-0, 175, Jr., DB; Jabre Humphrey, 6-1, 170, Jr., WR; Genuwine Clark, 6-0, 285, Jr., OL; Tyreeke Allen, 5-9, 170, Jr., DB; Keyon Bryant, 5-11, 200, Jr., LB; Keyon Allen, 6-1, 215, Jr., LB; Dashawn McCullough, 5-11, 160, So., QB; Daniel Dawson, 5-8, 155, So., WR/RB; Khamari Crumpler, 5-8, 155, So., RB; Jeremiah Dawson, 5-7, 165, Sr., OLB.

Team strengths:“We have several returners that got plenty game experience last year. I believe this year we should be able to handle the Friday night lights better. Experience has always been the greatest teacher.’’

Team concerns: “Anytime you have a young quarterback you have to be prepared to coach them through growing pains. I know that Dashawn McCullough is very capable of leading our football team and our coaches and team will support him.’’

Pictured from top to bottom: Brenden Tibbs, Jordan Woodard

Coach:Ernest King

2018 record: 4-7

Top returners:Keyshown Lindsey, 6-1, 210, Sr., RB; Taurienne Freeman, 6-2, 220, Sr., MLB; Zavion Whitehead, 6-2, 185, Sr., WR; Devon Marshall, 6-0, 175, Sr., WR; Gabe Henry, 5-8, 160, Jr., WR; Brandon Henry, 5-9, 175, Sr., DB.

Top newcomers: Remington Workman, 6-0, 200, So., OLB; Isiah Barber, 6-1, 250, Sr., DL; Kamaree Boyens, 6-1, 170, Sr., DB.

Team strengths:“Our strengths are our number of kids we have returning with playing experience. Our kids have had more 21 days to learn the system before the season starts.”

Team concerns: “One of the concerns is the experience of the young players’ success in key positions. Another concern is the depth at each position.’’

Pictured from top to bottom: Keyshown Lindsey, Taurienne Freeman

One of the jobs of the North Carolina Department of Transportation is to monitor subrecipients of federal funding that fall under their watch for compliance with the Americans with Disabilites Act.

That’s why sometime last year the town of Hope Mills, as a municipality that receives federal money through DOT, got a letter from DOT checking in on the status of the town’s compliance.

Don Sisko, who heads the public works department for Hope Mills, indicated the town is taking an aggressive approach to making sure the process to assure facilities under town control are either already accessible or will be made that way as soon as possible.

Sisko noted the town only has control over upgrading town-managed facilities and property. Private businesses and other town entities not under government control don’t fall under the direct oversight of the town or Sisko’s department. 

To help make sure nothing falls through the cracks, the town has secured the services of the engineering firm of Stewart, Inc. “They have begun their field survey so they can do a self-assessment,’’ Sisko said. “It has to do with streets and sidewalks, facilities and programs.’’

Sisko said he’s already learned some things about ADA compliance that the casual observer likely wouldn’t even think of. A great example is the official town website. Under ADA regulations, it must be made accessible to people who having hearing or vision problems that makes normal interaction with a website difficult. 

That’s why it’s good to have a company like Stewart helping with the evaluation. “They are subject matter experts on this,’’ Sisko said. “The ADA law is itself is written in legalese. It’s good to have a good subject matter expert on your side to make sure you get done what needs to be done.’’

Toward the end of getting things done, the town has hired a specialist to help oversee the ADA compliance issue. Bruce Clark is the ADA coordinator for the town and has been in that position for about a month. “He’s ramrodding this part of the project,’’ Sisko said. 

In addition to the work that is being done by Stewart, the town will be soliciting public input through a variety of outlets . Sisko said it would be similar to the responses the town sought when the comprehensive recreation plan was being developed. “There are going to be public meetings advertised and surveys put out so we can actually get public input on it,’’ he said. “That will all be collated to help us develop a priority listing.’’

Sisko added that Chancer McLaughlin, administrator of development and planning for the town, will coordinate the public input effort.

The work to complete making the town ADA compliant won’t be completed in a short time. “We are realistically trying to get our plan set up to do everything within about 10 years,’’ Sisko said.

He added that the Board of Commissioners is on board and has money budgeted once the areas of need have been identified. They already began last year with upgrading the computer program for the town website. “This year we are starting to look at some of the physical things as well,’’ Sisko said. “We are waiting until we get the report back from Stewart.’’

But there is some work ongoing. The mill house that is being converted into a museum will require a wall to be removed so the bathroom can be modified to make it ADA compliant.

Work was recently completed on the new bulkhead at Hope Mills Lake, which included the installment of a ramp leading to the kayak launch and swim areas.

“That’s the last project we had on the books that we’ve completed,’’ Sisko said of the ramp at the bulkhead. “We are looking at pressing forward and going back to past practices and making the corrections on those, bringing that to compliance.’’

Sisko noted that anyone with concerns about ADA compliance in the town should contact Clark. His phone number is 910-429-3387, and his email is bclark@townofhopemills.com.

“We’ll do our outright best to make sure whatever is brought to our attention either gets corrected or is programmed for correction,’’ Sisko said. 

Clark said the town already developed a public awareness notice that can be seen at all facilities open to the public as well as on the town’s website and all of its social media sites.

“It’s basically a position statement on where we stand in providing compliancy with ADA in our facilities and our programs,’’ Clark said.

“The 1,000-yard view of this program, of what we’re trying to get established here, is equal access, basically, equal access for everybody to our programs, to our facilities.’’

Fall football preview: Seventy-First

Coach: Duran McLaurin

2018 record: 11-4

Top returners: Kore’ Prentice-Coles, 5-9, 170, Sr., WR/DB; Jermaine Johnson, 5-9, 170, Sr., WR/DB; Ezra Brown, 5-10, 165, Sr., DB; Jamarious Simmons, 5-10, 175, Sr., QB/DB; Russell Hewitt, 5-10, 275, Sr., DL/OL; Isaac Jackson, 5-10, 285, Sr., DL/OL; Jashawn Owens, 5-11, 230, Sr., LB/TE; Twan Anderson, 6-1, 195, So., DL/TE; Tylon Shropshire, 5-10, 285, So., DL; Anthony Osbourne, 5-8, 180, Sr., RB; Jalen Moore, 6-2, 185, Sr., DB.

Top newcomers: Jamari Stallion, 5-9, 165, So., WR; Trevon Bolden, 6-2, 175, Jr., WR; Jaelon Macdonald, 5-9, 263, Jr., OL; Julius Riley, 5-9, 155, So., WR; Donovan Wright, 5-11, 170, Jr., RB; Christopher Ferguson, 5-7, 135, Jr., DB; Marquis Smith, 5-9, 263, Jr., FB; Jaysiah Leach, 6-0, 280, Jr., OL.

Team strengths: “The team will be extremely physical. The team is returning productive players."

 Pictured: Kore’ Prentice-Coles, Ezra Brown

A North Carolina Department of Transportation highway improvement program in Fayetteville will likely affect local traffic for years to come. Planning and development are underway on a project to replace the center turn lane along Raeford Road with a median. The undertaking will involve more than 6 miles of Raeford Road between Old Raeford Road in West Fayetteville and Robeson Street in the Highland Village area. The nearly $150 million project will result in a roadway resembling Ramsey Street, which was reconstructed several years ago. DOT will reconstruct the road into what’s known as a superstreet design by replacing the two-way center turn lane with a raised concrete median or landscaped area. The superstreet design will result in the elimination of numerous cross streets, which will require motorists to turn right and make U-turns at signalized intersections. 

DOT says the construction will be divided into three segments, beginning at the western end where Raeford Road intersects with Old Raeford Road. The section will include the area eastward to Bunce Road. The second segment of the plan will be from Bunce Road to the combined intersection of Glensford Drive and Hope Mills Road. The final segment will take the project through the in-town commercial district to Robeson Street. 

Each segment will be funded separately as construction contracts are awarded. DOT said the road’s reconstruction will improve traffic flow and pedestrian access. The N.C. Board of Transportation is scheduled to fund the first segment in February with construction to begin in the spring of 2020.

The state said Raeford Road is one of Fayetteville’s most congested and dangerous routes. According to the Raeford Road Corridor Study’s final report in 2010, about 78% of the crashes occurred between intersections, a statistic that highlighted DOT’s safety concern of the numerous cross street and driveway openings along the route. The Raeford Road corridor has a higher-than-average crash rate because motorists must cross several lanes of traffic to turn left. There will be 11 directional crossover intersections. Crossovers allow traffic on Raeford Road to turn left while preventing side-street traffic from going straight across or making a left turn at the same location. 

Other improvements to Raeford Road include adding a third travel lane westbound between Graham Road and Old Raeford Road and adding a third travel lane eastbound between Graham Road and Bunce Road. Sidewalks will be built on both sides of the road. As part of the project, the road’s T-intersection with Skibo Road, where traffic often backs up, will be redesigned. A new southbound exit ramp will be built from the All-American Freeway for motorists wanting to go west onto Raeford Road. The freeway’s existing southbound off-ramp will continue to be used to head east onto Raeford Road. 

For more information, this undertaking is listed as Project U-4405 in the N.C. DOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program.

Planning and development are underway on a project to replace the center turn lane along Raeford Road with a median. 

Love him or loathe him, Americans know a great deal about Donald Trump. We know about his three marriages to foreign-born and/or women who model. We know about his five children with three different mothers, and we know about his nonexistent wellness routine involving a penchant for fast food. 

We know much less about the personal lives and habits of most of the contenders for the Democratic nomination, all of whom want to oust Trump. At last Google, 24 Democrats — not all of them household names by any means — have announced the candidacies. Most of us know next to nothing about most of them — other than political positions, and probably not much of those. 

In addition, for only the second time in United States history, there is a chance that the presidential spouse might actually be a first gentleman, not a first lady. Here are three men staring at that possibility. 

The Huffington Postsays Bruce Mann is the husband Elizabeth Warren refers to as “sweetie.” The presidential hopeful couple live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with Bailey, their golden retriever, when they are not on the campaign trail. Married for nearly 39 years, they met at a law conference in Florida and married in 1980, after Warren proposed to Mann in a college classroom. Like his wife, Mann’s career has been as a law professor, though she got tenure at Harvard before he did. Huff Post speculates that Mann, who favors front-zip sweaters, would wear traditional suits by American designers for inaugural events.

Kamala Harris also married a fellow lawyer, Douglas Emhoff, a partner in a Los Angeles-Washington firm and a transplanted New Yorker. The two met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend. Shortly thereafter, Emhoff dropped to his knee and proposed. Harris said yes, and they celebrate their fifth anniversary this month. Harris calls Emhoff her best friend and sous chef, because they enjoy cooking together. Emhoff is Jewish, and Huff Post speculates that his holiday theme for the White House would involve multi-cultural celebrations.

Jonathan Gillibrand, whose presidential-hopeful wife, Kristen, took his name when they married in 2001, is a British national and business consultant. The couple met on a blind date. When he proposed using a snowball as a prop to hold the engagement ring, the bride-to-be almost threw the snowball at a squirrel before she realized she should open it. The couple has two sons. Huff Post speculates that he would want pints of Guinness served at the White House Christmas Party.

Huff Post forgot a fourth potential first gentleman, Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Pete Buttigieg. At 29, he is by far the youngest of the first gentleman hopefuls. At the moment, he is on leave from his job as a Montessori teacher in South Bend, Indiana, helping his husband campaign for president. The couple met four years ago and married in June of 2018, making them potentially the first same-sex couple to live in the White House. Chasten Buttigieg has been quoted as saying his priorities as first gentleman would be improving public education, access to arts education, and mental health.

Moving along, other aspects of the campaign trail are getting attention as well. 

The Huff Post also wanted to know how candidates in the crowded field are taking care of themselves — physically, mentally and spiritually. 

Cory Booker says that in the mornings he exercises, meditates and reads something not given to him by his staff.

Kamala Harris says she goes to spin cycle classes and cooks for herself, adding this. “You have to work out. … It has nothing to do with your weight. It’s about your mind.”

Kirsten Gillibrand works out in the early mornings in women-owned studios and also attends Christian worship services.

And, former Vice President Joe Biden? According to his staff, Biden stops regularly on the campaign trail for a scoop or two of ice cream, which they view as a form of self-care.

Perhaps that is why Biden remains the Democratic frontrunner.

Development plans are underway on a proposed project to widen 25 miles of I-95 to eight lanes between Exit 56 in Cumberland County and I-40, Exit 81, in Johnston County, including all of Harnett County. Proposed work includes rebuilding at least six interchanges with new overpasses, loops and ramps. Additionally, service roads will be realigned or shifted to meet modern design standards. The portion of I-95 being proposed for this project has the highest traffic volumes in the state, reaching nearly 60,000 vehicles a day, according to a 2016 survey. The proposal should ease congestion and accommodate future growth in traffic along the north-south interstate. I-95 is also scheduled for widening to eight lanes in Robeson County and lower Cumberland County between mile marker 22 in Lumberton to mile marker 40. Construction of this segment isn’t scheduled to begin until 2028.

Hospital executive named to national agency

Dr. Roxie Wells has been elected to the American Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees. The term is for three years beginning Jan. 1, 2020. Wells is president of Cape Fear Valley Hoke Healthcare, where she manages Hoke Hospital and its associated outpatient clinics. She also serves as an associate chief medical officer for the health system. The Fayetteville State University graduate received her medical degree from East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine in Greenville. She Joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2010 as a family practice physician at Stedman Medical Care. Wells’ work led to partnerships with Bladen County Health Department and EMS, as well as increased access to primary care services in the primarily rural county. 

State Trooper recovering from serious injuries

On the morning of July 22, Trooper Chris Wooten was seriously injured as a result of a collision in Charlotte. Wooten was pursuing a motorist on his motorcycle when he was struck by a truck. He has been hospitalized receiving around-the-clock care because of the serious nature of his injuries. He was recently transferred from Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte to Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta where his treatment process continues. 

“The overwhelming amount of support offered by our law enforcement partners, medical staff, other first responders and the public is unmatched and truly expresses the appreciation for Chris’ law enforcement service,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. 

For those wishing to provide financial assistance to the Wooten family, an account under Christopher and Sharon Wooten Special Account has been established at the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union.

Register of Deeds office honored

The Cumberland County Register of Deeds office received an International Association of Government Officials Innovator Award at the association’s annual conference held in Houston, Texas, in July. The Register of Deeds received the honor in recognition of technology upgrades to better serve customers. The upgrades include electronic recordings, online vital records, instant recording of real estate records, three marriage license kiosks and the ability to submit the date for a marriage license online. 

“It is an honor for our office to be recognized by an organization that has members in most states across the United States as well as a number of foreign countries,” Register of Deeds Lee Warren said. 

In addition to technology upgrades, the selection committee also considered the Register of Deeds annual Book Bag Drive for homeless children in Cumberland County Schools. The book bag drive has benefited an estimated 650 homeless school children. The Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross also received funds to help families who have experienced disasters. 

Hurricane season is upon us 

Hurricane season is here, and Cape Fear Valley Health System has a jump on preparations, thanks to a new emergency water pump system. Costing nearly $380,000, the system went online in late July. It is located on Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s campus and includes two new water wells and three large storage tanks. The upgrades were paid for by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Program. 

“We’re really excited about the new system,” said James Bullard, Cape Fear Valley Health’s emergency management coordinator, “especially since all the water will be potable.”

Cape Fear Valley sought to upgrade its backup water system in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The storm knocked out water pressure to the medical center’s main campus for nearly a week, crippling services to patients. Bottled water was brought in by the truckloads for patients and visitors. The new system pulls water from new wells behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center at a rate of more than 200 gallons per minute. The water is stored in three large 8,000-gallon storage tanks where it is filtered and treated. 

With local theaters and performing arts groups rolling out their season schedules, there are plenty of top-notch performances from which to choose.

Fayetteville Dinner Theatre

The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre, Gates Four Golf and Country Club and Sweet Tea Shakespeare present “HamLIT,” Sept. 27-28. Imagine, if you will, the writers, director and actors of Shakespeare’s beloved “Hamlet” know the story they want to tell, but they get lost at a fraternity party on their way to the show. Each performance includes a full-service cash bar and wine tasting, duel entrée dinner with two sides. For more information, call 910-391-3859.

Cape Fear Regional Theatre

This season, Cape Fear Regional Theatre offers another great lineup, starting with “Mamma Mia!” The play tells the story of young Sophie, who, seeking to find her father, invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding. It runs Sept. 12- Oct. 9.

“No Child” is next in the lineup with a look into the way teachers change lives and build community. Anyone who has taught, attended or has loved ones who attend public school will love it. “No Child” runs Oct. 31-Nov. 17.

Shrek the ogre and his sassy sidekick Donkey take the stage Jan.23-Feb. 16 as the pair set out to rescue an unconventional princess. A show for kids and adults alike, if you liked the movie, CFRT promises you will love the musical. “Shrek” runs Jan. 23-Feb. 16.

“Murder for Two,” is not only a mystery. It’s a barrel of laughs. With one actor playing the investigator and the other playing all 13 suspects — and both playing the piano — this musical comedy/whodunit will have you dying of laughter. It’s onstage March 5-22.

Next up, April 9-26, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” goes straight for your heartstrings. Mrs. Shear’s dog is dead and 15-year-old Christopher is determined to find out what happened. 

The season closes with “Jelly’s Last Jam,” May 14-31. Join jazz pioneer Jelly Morton as he gets a second chance at life. The audience will follow Jelly from the steamy back alleys of New Orleans to the brightly lit stages of New York as he makes good for past mistakes. 

Learn more about CFRT at cfrt.org.

Gilbert Theater

The Gilbert Theater is a semi-professional community-minded theater company and conservatory with a mission to “ … produce creative, innovative plays and events to stir audiences and students of its conservatory to explore and contemplate the human condition through the talents of local and guest artists.”

The 2019-20 season opens with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” which runs Sept. 20-Oct. 6. 

“It’s a Wonderful Life” has become a holiday tradition at the Gilbert, and this year does not disappoint. It opens Nov. 22 and runs through Dec. 15. 

“Ruins,” a comedy/drama by Montgomery Sutton, is up next onstage from Jan. 24-Feb. 9. 

Get ready for some of the classics with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — Abridged” March 20-April 5.

The season closes with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

Find out more about Gilbert Theater at gilberttheater.com.

Givens Performing Arts Center

Givens Performing Arts Center in Pembroke has a reputation as a top-notch venue for entertainment. Season ticket holders are invited to upgrade their ticket status and join the Act 1 Diner’s Club. The Diner’s Club includes dinner before specific performances, for just $35. The dinners are served in the Chancellor’s Dining room in the James B. Chavis Center. Learn more about Act 1 at https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/act-1-diners-club.

With five Grammy Awards and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, The Blind Boys of Alabama have been in the music business for more than 70 years. From traditional gospel music to spiritual works by songwriters like Eric Clapton, Prince and Tom Waits, the group has appeared on recordings with many artists, including Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Susan Tedeschi, Ben Harper, Patty Griffin and more. They will be onstage at GPAC Sept. 12.

Josh Knott’s and Lea return to the stage with new acts for “Extreme Illusions and Escapes,” Sept. 20. The pair have won the 2016 Merlin Award and the 2016 Fair Award for achieving the highest level in their craft on both national and international stages. Inspired by Las Vegas-style shows, this performance is fast-paced and includes a variety of stunts — and plenty of audience participation.

Oct. 11 brings “Queen Nation” to Givens. The 90-minute production of Queen’s greatest hits offers tribute to one of rock’s iconic bands. 

“Cirque Mei”from the People’s Republic of China showcases traditional and contemporary Chinese circus acts. The performance showcases 40 elite circus artists and acrobats, who will perform many of the most popular Chinese circus routines including Hoops Diving, Lion Dance, Collective Bicycle Skills, Flying Meteors, Foot Juggling with Umbrellas, Female Contortion and Ladder Balancing Act. The “Cirque Mei”performance is set for Oct. 27.

“Noises Off!” is a comedy by Michael Flynn that has received rave reviews. It’s opening night of the play “Nothing On,” and things couldn’t be worse. Full of glorious surprises and delicious comedy — and the audience gets to see the pandemonium unfold backstage. “Noises Off!” is scheduled for Nov. 14-15.”

Nov. 22, don’t miss the Holiday Extravaganza, which celebrates the holidays with the talented students and faculty of UNCP students and faculty. Enjoy all your holiday favorites performed by choirs, ensembles and more. And don’t miss “Tuba Christmas,” a preshow miniconcert.

Nov. 24, celebrate the holidays with “The Nutcracker,” presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, complete with beautiful costumes and sets and incredibly talented dancers for the Christmas season. 

“Bandstand” a Tony Award-winning Broadway Musical comes to GPAC Jan. 29. Bringing foot-tapping music and heart-stopping dancing, the story unfolds in 1945 just as soldiers return from World War II. 

The New York Times describes the show as “both a peppy celebration of can-do spirit and a more somber exploration of what American servicemen experienced when they marched home from World War II. It’s a great argument for why theater can sometimes tell a story more boldly and more viscerally.” 

GPAC hosts the Siberian State Symphony Orchestra Feb. 18. Founded in 1977, the orchestra quickly won a reputation as one of the best orchestras from Russia. The orchestra plays with the finest Russian soloists and plays the great Russian classics.

Winning a 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, “The Color Purple” is a classic story about love and triumph in the American South in the early 1900s. It will be onstage at GPAC March 2. The music includes jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues. 

The GPAC season closes April 28 with “An American in Paris.” Bringing romance and adventure to the stage, this production tells the story of life in postwar Paris as World War II veteran chooses to make a name for himself as a painter in Paris. Then he meets Lise, a young Parisian woman who complicates his life greatly. 

Find out more about GPAC and all it has to offer at https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/professional-artist-series.   

Sweet Tea Shakespeare

Fayetteville’s favorite roaming theater troupe has a busy season ahead.

“HamLIT” brings comedy and hijinx to the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Oct. 4 and runs until Nov. 1. The show plays at Dirtbag Ales in Hope Mills Oct. 10 before moving on to venues in Sanford, Fuquay-Varina and Benson. Come ready to laugh.

STS celebrates the holidays with “Behold,” a Christmas concert featuring familiar gospel tunes. The show focuses on Mary’s story. It’s a stirring and heartfelt show, sure to put you in the holiday spirit. It runs Dec. 4-14.

Jan. 2-15 STS tells a tale of ambition and evil, featuring a king, witches, murder plots and more as “Macbeth” comes to Fayetteville before heading to Raleigh Jan. 23-26.

Lovers, mischievous fairies and well-intentioned actors come together in the comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It plays April 23-26 at Fayetteville State University and April 30-May 3 at the Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.

Inspired by Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” “Knight’s Tale” runs June 4-21 at the 1897 Poe House. 

Find out more about the Sweet Tea Shakespeare season at http://www.sweetteashakespeare.com.

The U.S. Department of Justice wants to clear the way for the federal government to resume capital punishment. Some experts view it as a potential sign of things to come. There are currently four military death row inmates held at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Two of the inmates were convicted of crimes in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in the 1980s: Ronald R. Gray and Timothy Hennis.

Gray, a former Army cook, was convicted in 1988 of four murders and several rapes in Fayetteville and at Fort Bragg. He appears to be the closest of the four to being put to death. Gray was initially given an execution date in 2008 after then-President George W. Bush approved it. But a stay was granted less than a week afterward. That stay of execution was lifted in 2016; he doesn’t face an immediate execution date. 

Hennis, a former master sergeant, was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of a Fayetteville woman and two of her children in 1985. Kathryn Eastburn, 5-year-old Kara and 3-year-old Erin were found dead in May 1985 at their Summerhill Road home off Yadkin Road. A third child, then 22-month-old Jana, was found alive. Hennis was tried three times and was initially convicted in Cumberland County Superior Court and sentenced to death. He won an appeal and was found not guilty during a new trial in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1989. Hennis resumed his Army career and retired in 2004 as a master sergeant. The Army brought him out of retirement two years later when DNA evidence not available earlier linked him to the murders. He was court-martialed at Fort Bragg in 2010 and a military judge sentenced Hennis to death. 

“Attorney General [William] Barr’s announcement does not affect the individual status of any of the four death row inmates,” a Department of the Army official said. 

But the new Trump administration policy clears the legal path to resume using lethal injection for federal death row inmates. The eagerness of Trump’s DOJ to change the status quo could bode badly for Gray, Hennis and the other two inmates held at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth. 

“If I were on death row, I would consider this a very bad sign, but not a sign that anything is happening immediately,” said Eugene Fidell, a Yale Law School lecturer on military justice. “There is going to be litigation over this.” 

The military hasn’t executed anyone since 1961, though capital punishment remains a legal penalty under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. In the 1970s, capital punishment was invalidated by the Supreme Court only to be reinstated later by the high court. In 1983, the Armed Forces Court of Appeals also ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. But it was reinstated by executive order by President Ronald Reagan the following year. 

Retired Lt. Col. Jeffrey Addicott, a former Army judge advocate, said he hopes the DOJ guidance signals a change. “Hopefully it is a harbinger of things to come,” he said. “Obviously the military appeal system is broken, and hopefully, the DOJ’s decision will energize a revamping of the military’s appeal process so that the victims can have justice.”

Pictured from top to bottom: Ronald Gray, Timothy Hennis

The quest for power is probably acceptable where the aim is to better conditions for people or in some situation where correction is needed. However, when having power becomes the end in itself, reason gets thrown to the wind. Those seeking power focus so totally on gaining it that any capacity for applying reason or productive thought is alienated or put out of sight. The responses of many politicians, most media and some citizens, to the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, point to the truth in that statement.

As I start writing this column on Aug. 6, 22 innocent people have recently died as a result of the El Paso shooting and nine in Dayton. Many others were injured in these incidents. The responses by politicians, most media and a substantial portion of the American citizenry were predictable. There has been a rushed return to calls for gun control, addressing racism and eliminating white supremacy. 

We have done this dance time and again across more years than I care to remember. The one new twist is that Democrats and their cohorts now look for ways to blame every mass shooting on President Donald Trump.

I am sitting at my desk writing while listening to Joe Biden, former vice president and now a candidate for president, speaking in his role as a candidate. He went on for several minutes excoriating Trump, while in my estimation, saying nothing about how we might successfully address the plague of mass shootings. There is reporting that he has proposed an assault weapons buy-back program. Biden is not alone in this unproductive response to the scourge of mass shootings in America. Even more disturbing is that nobody in the political class, or sadly, hardly anybody else in this country, has the guts to seriously address the multitude of devastating problems that plague us as a nation.

There is a major component of our inability to solve the seemingly overwhelming problems that challenge the continued existence of our nation. We have become a nation almost devoid of connection to God. Like it or not, despite their failings and shortcomings, the founders of this nation were people of faith and started a country based on the principles of scripture and the values and the beliefs consistent with the example of Jesus and the call of God. America has just about completed the 180-degree turn from being guided in our actions by those God-given principles.

In my estimation, the destructive results of this turning show up in two primary ways. The first is that a person who is angry, filled with hate, or even mentally deranged, has no positive set of values or beliefs that constrain evil, sinful behavior. Consequently, people like these most recent shooters, whatever their unhealthy state of mind, do their choosing in a belief framework that determines a mass shooting to be acceptable. 

The second result is that when we seek to address destructive events such as a mass shooting, it is done absent of any self-examination in light of God’s principles for individual and societal living. That is, no attention is given to where we have strayed from the ways of God and how that straying might contribute to our current dreadful state of being. Further, apart from a few people praying in the safety of their homes and churches, there is no seeking of God’s direction as we deal with the crushing conditions that we face. 

I contend that if we were looking to God, we would recognize how far, as a nation, we have turned from God and his principles. We have become a nation where almost any behavior is accepted. In such a circumstance, nobody should be surprised that some would conclude that mass shootings are justified and acceptable. That is what is possible in a society that so completely turns from God.

Lacking any honest self-assessment and seeking of God’s direction, we get exactly what we are getting; politicians and others responding in ways that serve their self-interest. It s the same old solutions, with the addition of the “blame Trump” piece. It would take real guts to employ an approach that might get to the heart of the matter and produce real solutions. The obstacle is, if you get to real solutions, the mass shootings issue will go away for the 2020 presidential election. The same is the case with border security, infrastructure, reducing national deficits and debt, and so on. Democrats do not want to fix any of these issues because it would give Trump a win.

If you doubt the truth of that preceding paragraph, consider this: Democrats and their supporters have been screaming that Trump should work to unify the country. Among other actions, they said he should call out white supremacists, promote racial healing and decry hatred. In a speech this week, he did all of that. After the speech, The New York Times ran an article headlined, “Trump Urges Unity vs. Racism.” An article by Mike Brest titled, “New York Times changes headline on Trump shooting response after presidential candidates slam them” reported as follows: “Following the outcry of condemnation, The Times then changed the headline to ‘Assailing Hate but Not Guns.’ The photo that went along with the story was also changed. The new photo is captioned, “A vigil at Horizon High School in El Paso for Javier Amir Rodriguez, a 15-year-old student who was fatally shot at a local Walmart.”

The Brest article includes statements from Democratic presidential candidates Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Bill de Blasio. They were joined by some media persons and general public members in complaining about the headline. The problem is that they do not want the president to pursue unity. His doing so would adversely impact their 2020 strategy of portraying Trump as a destructive force in America.

The point here is that we are inhabitants of a nation that was built on Judeo-Christian principles. The nation has deserted those principles. Looking to God for direction is under successful attack. In this atmosphere, people seek, by any means necessary, to gain and hold power. Because this quest for power is selfish, reason is alienated, nearly non-existent.

This alienation of reason shows through in how mass shootings are addressed. Consider the El Paso shooting. I have not been able to get access to the manifesto written by the shooter. Here is what Christina Maxouris writes in an article titled, “The El Paso shooting suspect wrote a ‘manifesto,’ police say. It was filled with anti-immigrant and racist language.”

“The writing is filled with white supremacist language and racist hatred aimed at immigrants and Latinos, and the author says he opposes ‘race mixing’ and encourages immigrants to return to their home countries.

“Some of the language of the manifesto reflects ideas from President Trump, Fox News and the modern Republican party. For example, the document warns of a ‘Hispanic invasion’ and says Democrats are using ‘open borders’ and ‘free healthcare for illegals’ to attract new voters.

“The writer cites a fear that an influential Hispanic population in Texas would make the state a ‘Democratic stronghold.’ But he says ‘the Republican Party is also terrible’ because the GOP is, in his mind, pro-corporation, which could lead to more immigration.

“The author says he’s held these beliefs for years, before Donald Trump became President.” 

In this “selfish quest for power” atmosphere, the points in that summary that resonate with millions of law-abiding Americans are disregarded, and this mass murderer is labeled racist, white supremacist and hate-filled. His chosen response to all that he viewed as unacceptable in America was horrible, and he should not have done what he did. However, reason calls us to honestly examine why this man did what he did. That includes growing up in a nation that has: nearly completed total desertion of God; implemented a moral code where almost any conduct is acceptable; moved to limit, and even threaten, the speech of those who challenge liberal orthodoxy; substantially started toward, where politically advantageous, disregarding the law in allowing people to illegally enter America and live here unimpeded while receiving health care, financial assistance and so forth. 

Reason says stopping unacceptable behavior requires being honest about why it happens. Our problem is that in a nation almost devoid of connection to God, the selfish quest for power is alienating reason.

 The founders of this nation were people of faith and started a country based on the principles of scripture and the values and the beliefs consistent with the example of Jesus and the call of God. 

Below is an editorial that appeared in The Fayetteville Observer on Saturday, Aug. 17. It was written by Troy Williams a local resident, journalist, legal analyst, WIDU radio personality and member of The Fayetteville Observer’s Community Advisory Board. It is being reprinted with the permission of Lorry Williams, executive editor of The Fayetteville Observer. It is an excellent piece of journalism that exposes and articulates many of the suspicions and serious concerns Fayetteville citizens have about the governing attitudes radiating from city hall and the mayor’s office specifically.Many people, including myself, feel the mayor and many of his closest constituents have intentionally used false claims, accusations and threats of racism to intimidate and gain political favor and advantage or as a vehicle to distract the public attention away from failed corrupt political activities or basic incompetencies. Transparency and the media are not friends to this kind of regime. Expect journalists like Troy Williams and Karl Merritt and community newspapers like Up & Coming Weekly to come under attack in an effort to eliminate the public’s access to local media providing facts, information and the truth. This is what newspapers do. And, what the First Amendment is all about. Besides, this weekly community newspaper is on record as being the city of Fayetteville’s biggest advocate for over 23 years. It’s highly inconceivable and practically impossible that Up & Coming Weekly’s journalistic mission and mandate of advocating for the citizens of Fayetteville/Cumberland County by providing fair, transparent and honest community coverage would actually change overnight just because of political or racial reasons. This is not who we are. Enjoy.

— Bill Bowman

   Up & Coming Weekly Publisher

Fayetteville’s City Council approved a rezoning request earlier this week.

The rezoning for the North Carolina Civil War and Reconstruction History Center will move the multimillion-dollar project a step closer to becoming a reality in Cumberland County. While the council is moving forward, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin is doubling down in his efforts to thwart the project. According to a WNCN news story, the mayor’s stated objections are racial tensions and funding.

A couple of months ago, Colvin sent me a text. He said, “Brother, do you have a candid interest in resolving the conflict about the civil war, or is it just a topic of interest right now? This is a genuine question. If so, when will you start to employ bridge-building efforts? I am available on Friday if you are serious about it.”

Colvin was referring to appearing on my radio morning talk show as a guest, and I agreed to have him on air with me Friday, June 7.

The interview did not go well, and I’ll admit to the part I played. I felt Colvin strayed away from his original stated objective of bridge-building. He decided to dig in deeper with his opposition to the project, and it turned into a cantankerous dialog with us taking shots at each other. During the back-and-forth, Colvin declared that he had received numerous emails from citizens in opposition to the project.

After the interview, I became more interested in these alleged emails, and I decided to make a public records request to see them. The following Monday, my official request for access to the emails was in the hands of the city’s corporate communications officer, the city manager, city attorney and the mayor. My request for emails related to the project specifically targeted Colvin’s official city email and his private account, as well. Within a few days, the corporate communications officer had honored my request and much to my surprise, the numerous alleged emails turned out to be one email. I was disappointed because the mayor’s statements to the listeners on my radio show were misleading. At a minimum, what he said was disingenuous.

Is there some significant racial opposition from African-Americans for this project? I don’t think so. Is there an intentional effort by some to make this racially divisive? I’m convinced there is. One former minority Fayetteville city employee, an attorney, referred to the center as a KKK project on a social media page. These kinds of comments are inflammatory and meant to divide our community. Colvin says he will work to get public hearings scheduled to talk about the center. An African-American elected official said that an attempt was also made earlier this year to get key members of the African-American community to conduct a public hearing. The hearing would not have been sanctioned by the city. The proposed meeting failed because of lack of interest. It remains to be seen how successful Colvin will be trying to accomplish the same thing through City Hall.

The mayor’s two main reasons for opposition to the center are supposedly racial tensions and funding. Let’s deal with the funding question first. Fayetteville’s contribution to this project is an investment. The annual projected return is going to be a plus for Fayetteville and Cumberland County. You don’t have to be an economic genius to figure this out. It’s basic math. How can you deny the positives of $20 million a year coming to our community? Colvin continued with WNCN news, “You wouldn’t want to have a $20 million economic positive impact with a community that’s in an uproar or divided, so you have to weigh what’s the interest of the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.” I’m still looking for all the uproar and divided things within our community. The only instances of such that I’ve seen thus far are coming from the mayor’s office. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist. Maybe it does, but share the evidence with the rest of the community, and it needs to be more than one email. Don’t treat this center like your downtown business with silent partners who don’t want to be identified. If there is significant opposition for this project, no matter where it’s coming from, there ought to be transparency, and the whole community ought to know.

I have to credit the mayor though; he’s a real Democrat. His comment, “Over the last two years our country has really moved in a different direction with race relations, so I just want to make sure that we are thoughtful in the process,” is a swipe at President Trump. I’m not going to debate the merits of his comments. I am taking issue with his assertions that we need to put our lives on hold because of what’s happening on Capitol Hill. The so-called racial tension is all the more reason why we need this center. The truth needs to be told, Mr. Mayor, ask your preacher. The scripture says, “The truth shall make you free.”

Summer is all but gone. Yes, the heat is still hanging on, but soon we'll cross the Labor Day bridge and the pumpkin spice everything will be just ahead on the left.

These past few scorching months I've thought a lot about contentment and realized I have developed an innate ability to look at someone else’s life and notice exactly what their problems are. I even know how to fix most of them. I think or say things like, “Well, if only they would …" and whatever follows provides the perfect hindsight they need to never have gotten themselves in the fix in the first place. I say this tongue-in-cheek, of course. 

But seriously, I've come to realize many of us have a similar problem: envy. We observe someone else's life and we begin to count their blessings. Maybe it's the cars they have in their driveway, the home they live in, the job they have, or how beautiful their kids are, and we think "Well, yeah …They only have that because they _______________.” And then we secretly resent them for it.

If you're a Bible reader, you can find a ton of advice about the dangers of envy within its pages. Envy will kill friendships, destroy families and lure you into a pit of debt you may never climb out of. It leads to bitterness, causes stress and will keep you from experiencing the joy of living the life you've been given. There's a simple phrase that can be applied here: “If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, then water your own lawn.” 

As routines get back to normal following the go-go-go of summer, I urge you to consider this — count your blessings. Not compare your blessings. Take a serious inventory of all the good in your life. If you woke up this morning, that's one. If you woke with a bed beneath you and a roof over your head, you've already outdone many in this world. How about the clothes you put on after the warm shower? See how this works? It's a matter of counting even the smallest for what it really is — a blessing. And therein lies the path to genuine contentment.

Whether you ascribe to the Christian faith or not, you can nab some really good advice from a talk Jesus gave — like a really early Ted Talk — which some refer to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” He drew some comparisons and correlations between envy and anxiety, talked about helping one another and the needy and even had some really practical advice on everything from anger to dealing with the bullies of the world. Check it out for yourself in the book of Matthew, chapters five and six.

Make gratefulness a thing in your life and in the lives you influence. Thank God relentlessly. Thank people, too, more than you think you should. Realize what you have, and thank God again. The payoff comes when a true sense of gratitude turns what we have into enough. 

Students who use the library do better. That's a bold statement, but one I believe the Paul H. Thompson Library on the Fayetteville campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College can back up. 

While going about our daily work as librarians, students often come by to let us know they got an “A” on their research paper and offer thanks for our help. Recently, a nursing student came by after graduating to express her thanks. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of library staff,” she said. 

Success stories like these let us know that we are having a positive impact on student success and making a difference within the Fayetteville community. 

The faculty engage with the library by arranging library orientations that familiarize students with library resources, how to access resources on and off campus and how to use those resources to complete assignments. Our faculty members tell us that students attending library orientations are showing marked improvement in the quality of student research and writing, class engagement and willingness to request additional help at the library. 

A report released by the State Library of North Carolina titled "Community College Libraries & Librarians and Student Success" provided a direct link between library use and students completing all first year courses successfully, learning basic skills needed to be employed, learning English and reading skills needed to succeed in college and preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university. 

The library’s ability to help students succeed relies primarily on its willingness to adapt to meet the needs of students on campus and distance learners. The Paul H. Thompson Library underwent a physical renovation, and library staff have received valuable feedback from students about how they enjoy using the new space. Students can move tables around for large groups, use the charging stations for their laptops and phones and connect them to interactive computers or spend some time alone in a welcoming and comfortable space to escape for a while by enjoying a good book. In the fall 2019 semester, the library will introduce a 3D printer to enhance student creativity and learning. 

Whether a student is across town or across the world, distance learners have access to library staff at the Paul H. Thompson Library to assist with reference questions during business hours, in person or by calling 910-678-8247 or emailing library@faytechcc.edu. When the library is closed, students can contact a librarian by using the online “Ask-a-Librarian ChatNow” button located on the library homepage at https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/academic-support/library/. The library web page provides students with access to thousands of e-books, electronic journals and online tutorials that demonstrate how to use library resources. 

Three locations support FTCC students with library services and dedicated library staff: the Paul H. Thompson Library at the Fayetteville campus; the Spring Lake Campus Branch Library (910-497-3650); and the John L. Throckmorton Library at Fort Bragg (910-396-2665). We look forward to serving you and invite you to learn more about FTCC at www.faytechcc.edu. 

The Paul H. Thompson Library underwent a physical renovation, and library staff have received valuable feedback from students about how they enjoy using the new space.

Coach:William Sochovka

2018 record:10-3

Top returners:D.J. Jones, 5-10, 195, Sr., RB; Ahmad Simon, 5-5, 155, Sr., WR; Jamal McLean, 6-1, 195, Jr., WR; Levonte McLean, 6-0, 175, Sr., DB; Blake Paul, 6-0, 155, Jr., WR; Brendon Paul, 5-11, Sr., DB; Ethan Ward, 5-10, 200, Sr., RB/LB; Bernard Flerlage, 6-0, 230, Sr., LB; Seth Smith, 5-11, 280, Sr., OL; Blake Marshburn, 6-0, 270, Sr., OL.

Promising newcomers: Jaden Jones, 5-10, 200, Jr., QB; Jemel Hill, 6-2, 200, Sr., DL; Xavier Johnson, 240, Jr., DE; Zack Huys, 215, Sr., OL/DL; Chris Green, 6-2, 180, Sr., DE; Tre Carter, 5-10, 175, Jr., LB; Josh Bell, 5-8, 220, Sr., OL; Patrick Maitland, 5-8, 165, Sr., WR; Josh Johnson, 6-0, 210, Sr., LB; Isaiah Epps, 6-0, 240, Sr., DE.

Team strengths:“Most of our returning starters are on the offensive side of the ball. Our strength this year will be our running game with our talent core of backs running behind our senior-heavy offensive line.’’

Team concerns: “Rebuilding our defense that has only four starters from last year’s team, and being able to play at the same level and higher than we did last year.’’

Pictured from top to bottom: Levonte McLean, Seth Smith

Coach:Brian Randolph

2018 record:5-7

Top returners:Kevin Sentell, 6-2, 190, Sr., QB; Justin Miliman, 6-3, 320, Sr, T; Anthony Fiffie, 6-0, 170, Sr., WR; Shawn Healey, 5-9, 220, Sr., C; Mason Walker, 5-10, 170, Sr., RB; Tyquan Patterson, 5-8, 160, Sr., CB; Karnell Leavell, 6-1, 325, Sr., G; Josh Townsend, 5-9, 150, Sr., CB; Justin Broadhurst, 6-2, 205, Jr., DE; Marquise Walker, 6-0, 160, Jr., DB.

Top newcomers:Jacob Copeland, 5-11, 195, Jr., RB; Maurice Wickware, 5-3, 130, Jr., WR; Corey Hutcherson, 6-2, 190, Jr., TE; JaQuan Johnson, 6-3, 340, Jr., T; Isaiah Mercado, 5-11, 170, Jr., LB; Jaden Scott, 6-5, 210, Sr., DE; Ronald Logan, 5-10, 165, Jr., DB; Athanlio Liscano, 5-11, 150, Jr., DB; Jaylan Hackett, 6-0, 160, Jr., LB; Jeremiah Ray, 5-8, 224, Sr., DE.

Team strengths: “This offseason, our guys have embraced the culture at Jack Britt through their teamwork, discipline and commitment to the program. Iron sharpens iron. We believe that our schedule will bring out the best in us.’’

 Team concerns:“This upcoming season we have several important roles that need to be filled on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Who will answer the call for service is the question yet to be answered.’’

Pictured from top to bottom: Justin Broadhurst, Mason Walker

The city of Fayetteville’s hometown utility has received the American Public Power Association’s E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award. The award honors the Public Works Commission and other APPA member systems that have enhanced the prestige of public power utilities through sustained achievement and customer service. It’s considered the most prestigious award given by the public power association. 

“It was a great honor to accept the award for PWC,” said PWC Chairman Darsweil Rogers at the national conference in Austin, Texas. “Anytime our public power peers acknowledge the hard work of the staff, it reaffirms what the commissioners already know, which is that we have a talented and dedicated group of employees serving our community.” 

PWC’s achievements noted in the award included a system-wide conversion to advanced electric meters and the conversion to LED streetlights. It installed four free electric vehicle charging stations. Time-of-use electric rates, a new customer web portal providing customers direct access to utility usage data, advanced customer payment options, and incentive programs were PWC customer-focused initiatives that were also recognized by the APPA. PWC has also begun the installation of North Carolina’s first public solar power farm. 

Community support and involvement also contributed to PWC’s recognition, including PWC’s partnering with Fayetteville Technical Community College to establish a local lineworker program and being recognized 13 times by the local United Way. 

“While the award is given by APPA, because of its focus on customer service it is a reflection on PWC as a total organization providing electric, water, wastewater service as Fayetteville’s Hometown Utility,” said PWC CEO/General Manager David Trego. This is the second time PWC has been recognized with the APPA’s top award.

During the APPA national conference, PWC also received the Energy Innovator Award. The award recognizes utility programs that have demonstrated advances in the development of creative, energy-efficient techniques or technologies, providing better service to electricity customers or projects that increase the efficiency of utility operations or resource efficiency. PWC has developed an innovative way to locate electrical faults in its electricity distribution system. “This method is about reliable electric service because it enables us to identify locations where electrical faults occur when it is not possible to see where the problem exists.” said Rick Anderson, PWC electric system engineering manager. 

This has allowed the utility to limit outage durations, reduce callouts and enhance the quality of life for its community. Improved reliability has resulted in savings on labor costs, vehicle maintenance, fuel, vegetation management and electrical component maintenance. In addition to benefiting PWC operations, the method will be available to other utilities while potentially benefiting public power customers throughout the nation. PWC has earned the Energy Innovator Award three times since 2010. 

Recent events are reminders that hurricane season has begun. Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 are reminders that inland North Carolina is susceptible to storm damage. PWC offers online plans to help you and your family stay safe in the event of a hurricane or another emergency. At Fayetteville PWC, an emergency plan of operations is in place and can be implemented on a moment’s notice. For information, go to the Storm Central page at FayPWC.com.