https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/


  • 23Passing the older generation's stories to the next generation is the goal of the Lumbee Women, who are putting on a production of their stories at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke this month.

    The play tells the story of six women, no one younger than the age of 65, and how they grew up in the close-knit Lumbee tribal community during the time of the Jim Crow South.
    Each woman will tell her own story. Some are humorous, others heartbreaking — most are a mixture of both. Accompanying each tale will be music performed by a group of Lumbee musicians. The music will range from American Indian flute to gospel.

    Darlene Holmes Ransom is one of the founders, producers and one of the women performing in the play. She helped create “lumBEES: Women of the Dark Water” here in Fayetteville. Ransom was inspired by the play,

    “The Dames You Thought You Knew" at Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

    “So after the show was over, we went backstage, and I talked to Bo Thorpe, who was the director," Ransom said. “I said, ‘I want to do this with Lumbee women.’ And she said, ‘You bring me the women, we'll do the show.’”

    The six “Bees” are Roberta Bullard Brown, Dolores Jones, Jinnie Lowery, Dr. Jo Ann Chavis Lowery, Della Maynor and Ransom herself. Ransom told Up & Coming Weekly that over the five years of creating, producing and finalizing the show, the women formed a sisterhood.

    “It was a very long process. A lot of hours. Thousands of hours. If the chairs and the walls and the tables could talk in Bo's home, the stories they would tell. Some of the stories were too raw to be on stage. Some of the ladies shared things they never shared before because every time, it would become a safe place to share your story, to say things and tell things about experiences that happened. Growing up brown in a Black and white world. Because our experiences were so different then, you know, than the norm.”

    The play debuted at CFRT in 2019. It was sold out — something Ransom never expected.

    “I get chills when I think about it. We're still in awe that somebody wants to hear our story," Ransom said. “And so after it was over, I mean, everybody loved it. There were so many demands for us to travel with it. We've been asked to go to theaters all over. Even to travel with it out West.”

    However, as with most things in early 2020, everything shut down due to the pandemic. There were talks and even plans of having the production occur again last year, but then COVID-19 numbers rose, and for the safety of everyone, they canceled it.

    But now, after three years, the Lumbee women will be telling their stories — this time at UNC Pembroke.
    But this upcoming performance won't be the end of this group.

    “So we're doing bumper stickers, we're doing a book, and we want to do a coloring book, and we want this to grow, you know, because we are seasoned. We know that we can't travel across the country and all the venues, but this needs to grow another generation. They have to tell their story,” Ransom said. “So that is our hope to start mentoring the next Lumbee Women of the Dark Water.”

    The production of “lumBEES: Women of the Dark Water" will be held at the Givens Performing Arts Center. The play begins at 7:30 p.m. on July 8 and 9 and at 3 p.m. on July 10. Tickets are $20. For more information about the show or to purchase tickets, go to www.uncp.edu/gpac.

  • 11Walking into Pan from the oppressive Fayetteville heat is a literal breath of fresh air. The interior is small and cool, nearly as cool as the maps and botanical prints that grace just about every wall. Framed prints of far-off places, and few pictures more than two hundred years old, give the charming sandwich shop a little something special.

    The celery green paint and neat green trim connote freshness, while the wooden tables and metal chairs seem effortlessly hip. A mix of high-top tables and family-style seating makes it a convenient lunch spot for downtown professionals or a place to grab a bite with friends.

    A handwritten chalk menu bears exotic sandwich names such as “Waiting on the Train” and “The Lafayette,” while a keen eye might notice some familiar local names such as “The Gilbert” and the “The Dogwood.” It's clear behind each name is a story waiting to be told.

    Open for two weeks at the time of this article, Pan is enjoying the rush that comes with being the new kid on the block.

    “We made five pounds of fresh pesto two days ago, and it's gone!” Brian Graybill, owner of Pan, laughed in disbelief. “That's a lot of basil — it's going very well.”

    Recently featured in the Fayetteville Observer's Forty Under Forty, Graybill, CEO of Graybill Hospitality and owner of local favorite, Napkins, is no stranger to the pace and intensity of the restaurant industry.

    “I'm used to Napkins,” he shared with Up & Coming Weekly. “I'm used to the speed paired with quality. We're very prep-intensive here, so customer service can be quick. But it's been great; we're learning things every day.”

    Graybill, a former air traffic controller with the U.S. military, found his way into the restaurant industry by chance. Making a transition to civilian life, Graybill had a difficult time finding work during the financial crisis of 2008.

    “I needed a job, and no one was hiring, so I got a job at a restaurant,” he explained. “I like being on my feet, I like being creative and I like food.”

    A folksy sort of charm weaves its way through Graybill's words as he speaks, and he gives the impression of a small-town guy with a great work ethic and a knack for people.
    After nine years at Pierro's Italian Bistro, picking up tips and taking notes — cooking for people became not just a way to earn a living but Graybill's personal philosophy.

    “Most people just want to eat and enjoy themselves when you see them at a restaurant. You can make a nice bright spot in everybody's day with food. In all the major events of our lives — there's always food involved. That's what people do," he continued, “they eat.”

    Switching roles from chef to chef/owner, Graybill knew he wanted to get back to an era of fresh ingredients, original recipes and housemade everything.

    “I think restaurants have gotten away from making their own recipes,” Graybill admitted. “When we opened Napkins, I made a commitment to make everything we can in-house. Every ingredient has an intent behind it. We want to make the food you can't get anywhere else.”

    For what the restaurant doesn't or can't make in-house, a serious effort is made to order it locally or within the state.

    “I am NOT a baker," he admitted, chuckling. “God bless them. We get bread from a local lady, Bead & Sugar, by Dali. We also get bread from Nick, a legend over at Superior Bakery.”

    Most of the delicious meats piled on Pan's thick deli sandwiches come from San Giuseppe Salami Co, based in Elon, North Carolina. Graybill loves to support unique small businesses, particularly those local to North Carolina.

    A local himself, graduating from Jack Britt High School, Graybill feels the city is poised for greatness, and his dream is to be a part of the changing cultural landscape of downtown Fayetteville.

    “Gosh, nothing too grandiose,” Graybill answered almost shyly when asked about his overall mission. “‘Fay’ is the next city aching for a food renaissance," he continued. “We've seen it all over North Carolina with Raleigh, Charlotte, and we're kind of there. I want to be a part of the movement — to get back to good chef-driven food. I want to raise the bar on the food scene here in Fayetteville and elevate the food and beverage culture.”

    Pan, whose mascot and symbol is a satyr bearing the same name, is Graybill's way of sharing his love of food with a city and community he appreciates so much.

    “Everybody involved in our restaurant cares about what we're serving,” he said. “Everything is from scratch — It's fresh, light and, as a result, flavorful. We really care, and while everyone says that, we're doing the things that show that we do. We support the local economy by sourcing from people we know by name that we can call up on the phone, and it's awesome to be able to do that. It's amazing to be a part of this community.”

    So much of Graybill's gratitude shows up in his food. The menu is filled with sandwiches named for the people who made the notion of Pan a reality.

    The most popular sandwich on the board is “The Leclair,” named for Patrick Leclair, owner of Leclair's General Store, whose influence helped craft Pan's signature look. The sandwich showcases local greens, smoked chicken, fresh mozzarella, and the restaurant's signature pesto.

    A self-proclaimed "pepper head," Graybill has his favorites narrowed down to two: “The Giuseppe” and “The Icarus.” Both feature the spicy soppressata provided by San Giuseppe Salami Co.
    Though the days are long and there are more basil emergencies than he'd like, Graybill is living the dream.

    “I enjoy the atmosphere and range of people I get to meet,” Graybill said. "You have to love it — somedays you don't, but it's a great place to be.”

    Pan is located at 105 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    For menu, prices, and news, follow Pan at www.facebook.com/panfaync/.

  • 14For those still looking for a summer camp for their kids, try looking to the past.

    The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will be taking campers back to the Victorian Era and teaching them what it was like during that period.
    Leslie Leonard, the curator of education for the museum, tells Up & Coming Weekly that this camp will be educational and fun.

    “So we’re going to be doing games and activities that children would have done 120 years ago. We’re going to learn about what life was like, what art was like, what architecture, food, what children did for work, whether it be chores at home if they were in middle-class or upper-class families or even doing no work if they were in a lower-income family,” Leonard said.

    This museum’s historical artifacts and even parts of the museum itself will be incorporated.
    The camp will focus on life locally and not just, in general, Victorian times. This camp will have a direct focus on Fayetteville and the surrounding area.

    “We just kind of wanted to do a new thing every year and thought that this one would be fun and appropriate. It’s easy to use what we already have on hand since we have the 1897 house decorated as a Victorian-era home. So we’re able to use that as a backdrop for many of our activities,” Leonard said.
    There will be direct learning objectives every day, but Leonard says they just want the kids to have fun while also understanding that we have come a long way over the years.

    “We want kids to be able to understand what life was like 100 years ago and how far we’ve come in that time, whether it be through technology, through society and politics or just our everyday way of living,” Leonard said.

    The museum will be holding its second camp session in July. The camp will start on July 25 and end on July 29. The camp is only half-days, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The camp is for kids ages 9 to 12 years old.

    There is a limit of 15 campers total for the session.

    “We’re doing it a little bit different this year and maxing out the number of campers at 15 where we did 30 before, in the past, because we wanted to make sure that there would be no reason to cancel it this summer,” Leonard said.

    In order to register for the camp, parents must come in person to the museum.

    They must have the proper paperwork and proof of age for the camper and pay the registration fee.
    The registration paperwork can be found at https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/events/summer-history-camp-2022-victorian-carolina-0. The museum has received grant funding to run the camp from the Cumberland Community Foundation. So the fee for the camp is only $30 for the whole week.

    The CCF is a charitable organization that helps donors make life better in our community.

    There are limited spots for the camp, and it is first-come, first-serve. For more registration information, call the museum at 910-500-4243.

  • 21bCarolina Drag Brunch is bringing the sass back to Saturdays. With live music, mimosas and plenty of laughs — it’s brunch, only fabulous.

    Drag Me To Dirtbag-Draft Queens, hosted by Tatianna Matthews, will take place at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom on July 9.

    Two showtimes are available for guests to enjoy the show. The 11 a.m. option includes brunch, while the 1 p.m. show will be a “brews only” event.

    The taproom’s airy interior and light-filled floor-to-ceiling windows provide a perfect stage for lip-synching, posing and eye-popping looks. Guests can expect a little bit of everything and should come fully prepared to be entertained. Tap Room Manager, Michelle Bruening, expressed her delight with the show.

    “Drag Brunch has been here as long as I have, and I’d never seen a drag show before I worked here. I really enjoy the energy everyone brings. Everyone is just so excited to be here. A lot of people come just to have the most fun. It’s such a welcoming environment — everyone is in a great mood.”

    DJ Alan will get the party going as three charismatic queens take the stage. Ticketholders will be treated to the many talents of Amanda LaRouxx, Ebony Addams and Ravion Starr Alexandria St. James.

    The interactive show runs about two hours, and every minute is packed as the ladies work to put on a show.

    “I love the costumes they come out in,” Bruening admitted, “they’re just so glamorous.”

    Carolina Drag Brunch brings queens from all over the state to perform at different venues throughout the Carolinas. According to their mission statement, “our goal for our events are to enjoy the company of fabulous queens and have a good time.”

    Tipping is encouraged as the stunning performers sing and dance their way through the taproom. The crowd should also be prepared for some light heckling from the stage — all in good fun, of course.

    No good brunch is complete with mimosas, and Dirtbag, true to its brand, has more than the standard recipe on offer.

    Mimosa buckets (a whole bottle of champagne), Glittered Sangria and an enticing Dirtbag special called a Brewmosa all make for a truly unique brunching experience.

    True, the family-friendly show offers exciting entertainment options for locals looking for something different, but what’s unsaid speaks louder than any DJ turntable: Dirtbag Ales is a safe space — and within its walls, you are welcome.

    “I think everyone should come,” Breuning told Up & Coming Weekly. “As long as you’re comfortable, you’re invited. We include everyone here.”

    To put action to sentiment, the money raised during Drag Brunch goes right back into serving the LGBTQ community, most notably displaced queer youth. The brunch’s affiliation with organizations like Free Mom Hugs ensures the inclusivity and acceptance experienced during a Drag Brunch are both felt and shared once the show is over.

    Tickets for brunch and a show are $30; show-only tickets are $15. Tickets for children under 16 cost $10 for both options.

    For tickets, visit www.simpletix.com/e/drag-me-to-dirtbag-draft-queens-july-drag-tickets-106806.

  • 25Exercising on the beach comes naturally. Many people jog, walk, walk their dogs, play in the surf, dig holes, build sand art, look for shells, fish and hunt for shells at night.
    I recently visited my cousin, who has a sixth-floor condo in North Myrtle Beach. My 83-year-old cousin spends most of her day walking the beach, looking for shells in the surf, and if you met her, you would see the benefits from walks, jogs, hunting for shells and walks in the water and think she was much younger!

    Morning coffee on the balcony gave me a bird’s eye view of the many ways the beach is enjoyed for exercise and relaxation, which are both therapeutic. A great view of the ocean and people-watching are added benefits! Each morning I took my mat out and did my barre workout. There is something about stepping off the mat and digging those toes in the sand.

    The rewards of beach exercise are subliminal because you do not realize how many muscles you use, and there is beautiful sunshine and sand. Digging holes and making sand art involves all the movement patterns and use of muscle groups.

    Playing in the surf or hunting for shells requires a test of balance and strength with the force of the rolling waves. Walking seems to be effortless, and before you know it, you have walked a long distance and going back turns into a headwind or vice versa.

    There are many benefits to walking and jogging on the beach, and walking in sand is one of them, whether you are barefoot or have shoes on, and it is less stressful than walking on a hard surface. Your calf muscles work harder to push along the surface.

    By walking at a slower pace, the uneven variation in the sand requires more effort and about three times more energy than walking on a hard surface. Jogging also requires more energy, and the movement pattern is less stressful on your joints because the sand acts as a cushion.

    Jogging on the beach can build your strength while stabilizing your muscles and coordination. It takes more effort to stabilize your core on uneven surfaces. Your body begins to develop a natural and very efficient running form while adjusting to the instability. Running on sand has a long history of training benefits for sports. Top runners have made the beach a part of training for race preparations.
    Going into the surf to swim, board or hunt for shells is a good core and balanced workout. Looking for shells in the lapping waves improves your balance and core strength as you brace to stand up or stoop down to find that perfect shell or shark’s tooth.

    There are guidelines for walking or jogging on the beach, especially if you do it frequently. Injuries can occur because of the increased demand on your soles, hamstrings and calves. Walking in the sand with bare feet is fine for shorter distances, but longer distances should be undertaken with proper walking shoes to avoid shin splints.

    The slope of the beach can provide a challenge for stabilizing muscles, leading to pain or soreness. If you run or frequently walk, change the direction that you are going and go at either high or low tide.
    The sun can cause you to underestimate the impact of the temperature and sun rays on your skin. Walking with a water bottle and wearing sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are always advisable.
    Live, love life and enjoy the beach!

  • 13Toys are part of our culture reflecting the values and trends in society. The temporary exhibit “Let’s Play! A Time Warp to Toys of the Past” at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex chronicles the development of toys and play as they accompanied the emergence of modern childhood.

    Toys can tell an interesting story about how kids grew up in America. Megan Maxwell, the exhibit curator, says that the exhibit will show that despite differences in economic background, race, ethnicity and culture — things all children have in common are toys and play.

    “The concept for this exhibit began with just a small group of toys that I found in the Museum collections room,” Maxwell said. “We thought it would be fun to do a toy exhibit for the summer since so many families visit the Museum during summer break. While there are toys representing many decades, I think kids of the ‘60s, 70s and 80s will be the most excited to see what we have on display. Toys are a universal language, and this exhibit will appeal to people of all ages and all walks of life.”

    Maxwell says the key to play is imagination.

    Highlights of the exhibit include rare tin lithograph mechanical toys, original Kenner Star Wars figures and handmade Black dolls that reflect the journey of Black Americans from enslavement through reconstruction and beyond.

    Many of the toys in the exhibit were donated by several local individuals.
    One of the stories told in the exhibit tells of Cassandra McMillion. There is a picture of 3-year-old McMillion holding her favorite toy, Sally. The picture was taken sometime around 1945. Sally was a sawdust/bisque porcelain doll. McMillion’s story is displayed next to the Handmade Black Dolls section of the exhibit.

    The exhibit is also interactive for kids and adults who are “kids at heart.” Visitors can play along as they travel through the exhibit by giving the color wheel a spin and moving to the matching game circles on the floor.

    Visitors can pose in a life-size Barbie box or stand in front of the Star Wars galaxy backdrop for a fun photo souvenir.

    The exhibit is currently open at the Museum and will run through Sept. 4. This exhibit was funded by the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation. The museum is run under the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. They work with a vision to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in the state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina.

    In creating the exhibit, the North Carolina Museum of History staff assisted our local museum with technical and design assistance.

    The Museum of the Cape Fear is located on the corner of Bradford and Arsenal Avenues in Fayetteville.
    Admission to the Museum and the exhibit is free. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. through 5 p.m.

  • 24Summertime for young people should offer fun, friendship and great memories, and what can be more fun than a cool, refreshing swim? Sadly, every summer brings the news that someone in our community, usually a young person, has drowned. Why is this the case, and what do we need to know before heading to the water?

    According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death worldwide, largely affecting children and teenagers. Males are especially at risk, with twice the mortality rate of females.

    The male brain certainly bears examining. Young males, in particular, are more likely to take risks, such as swimming alone or in secluded waters not authorized for recreational activity. Males of all ages succumb to predictable notions of invincibility and bravado.

    The point here is not to assign blame to drowning victims or their families but rather to spark a discussion. It is not they who are tragically tone-deaf. It is society at large for not giving drowning the urgency it demands.
    Adults, this is where you come in. First of all, we need to know what drowning looks like. Contrary to the popular notion of someone flailing madly in the water, experts agree it usually happens in silence. It can occur quickly, in as little as a minute.

    A swimmer with his mouth open, gasping for air, his head bobbing in and out of the water, needs immediate help. Hair blocking the eyes or forehead and trying to swim in a specific direction but with no progress are other danger signs.

    Safety experts agree on a few key suggestions: don't go swimming alone, learn CPR, avoid alcohol before swimming and boating, add fences, alarms and cameras to home swimming pools and swim only in designated waters (secluded spots pose such risks as rocks, debris, currents and extreme depths not always anticipated). Most importantly, encourage swimming lessons. The YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs and municipal pools are the best places to start.

    In a nutshell, supervise. Supervise the inexperienced swimmers, and supervise the experienced. In addition to adult supervision, encourage young swimmers to look out for each other.
    Fifty years ago this month, I lost a dear family member to drowning. Surviving family members tend to torture themselves, wondering what they could have done differently. We endlessly ponder how far our best efforts go before fate takes over, but, as mere humans, our best efforts are all we have.

    News reports alone can't convey the loss felt by families and communities touched by drowning. Individual stories are, in fact, chapters in a national tragedy, but we as a society reflexively write them all off as an unfortunate offshoot of an otherwise carefree season.

    My wish is that young people enjoy their summers and let go, if only temporarily, of care and worry while still looking out for themselves and each other. Our job as adults is to foster the perfect balance between having fun and exercising caution. Youth is fleeting enough; let us hold onto its energy and innocence for as long as we can.

     

  • 21aIn the heart of Harnett County, just about forty-five minutes from "everywhere," fields of gold, yellow, orange and red await those looking to shoot some beautiful photos amongst the sunflowers on Cathis Farm.

    The second annual Sunflower Days at Cathis Farm is a fun summer outing for the entire family, open Saturday and Sunday from July 9 to July 24.
    Sunflower Days bring the vibrancy of summer, and ticket holders have access to two acres of land dotted with over twenty varieties of sunflowers.
    Though most people are more than familiar with the lemon-yellow flower with a chocolate brown center, co-owner Stephanie Freas, loves to see people discover just how versatile the ubiquitous blooms can be.

    "Some of these sunflowers are around 10-feet-tall and bigger than your head. There are fluffy ones and some that come in purple, orange and red. Sunflowers come in such wide varieties; it's a lot of fun to go through and discover all these flowers you just weren't expecting."

    With a pivot toward events and seasonal activities in 2018, Cathis Farms teamed up with Freas, who brought her haunted attractions to the business. Their partnership proved a fertile environment for ideas, and the seed for Sunflower Days was planted.

    When we first started this event, we noticed there weren't a lot of sunflowers around," Freas said. "We wanted to create a fun experience; it's really nice out here, and people are looking for outdoor activities to do.

    People love sunflowers, and it's an opportunity to create great photos — it's just a fun summer event."
    Single-day admission tickets grant access to the sunflower fields for as long as the visitor cares to stay. Each person gets a sunflower on the house, but they're also free to pick their own. To complete the pastoral aesthetic, they can even collect them in lovely galvanized buckets.

    With a keen eye toward social media trends, Cathis knows its audience and offers Sunflower Days first and foremost as a prime destination for photographers and selfie-lovers alike. Friday, July 15 and 22, guests can access the farm in the evening to capture the beautiful sunset and some gorgeous late afternoon light.

    "This is a big photography event," Freas explained. "We're sprinkling photo-ops all around the farm. There are a lot of antique bicycles, tractors and benches, just mixed in with the flowers. It's perfect for maternity shoots or engagement photos. Most people run around and take these cool selfies because it's such a great background."

    Though not a totally kid-oriented event, Freas assured Up & Coming Weekly there will be plenty to do and see. The Cathis Farm concession stand will be open during Sunflower Days, and there is a hot dog cart featuring meat from the farm's own animals.

    Guests can also pop in and take a look at the little market on-site stocked with local and regional goodies.

    "It's a nice getaway to the country," Freas said thoughtfully. "We try to do things a little bit different here — something fun enough to bring the whole family. We try to provide a wide variety of things to do throughout the year."

    Tickets are $15 for ages 11 and up and $10 for ages 3 to 10. To purchase tickets, visit https://cathisfarm.ticketspice.com/sunflower-days-2022.
    Cathis Farm is located at 544 Falcon Road in Lillington.

     

  • fayetteville nc logo Two men who have been champions of downtown Fayetteville were honored as visionaries at a luncheon Wednesday at Segra Stadium.
    Menno Pennink and the late Harry Shaw received the 2022 CityView Downtown Visionaries awards in recognition of their longtime commitment to revitalizing and improving the downtown district.

    The awards are sponsored by CityView Magazine.

    Pennink, a retired neurosurgeon, recruited 17 businessmen in 1992 to purchase and renovate the Prince Charles Hotel. Over the years, he has restored numerous other buildings downtown, including the Pemberton building, McKeithan lawyers building and Point News.
    Perhaps his most well-known project is the $15 million residential and commercial building known as 300 Hay.
    Shaw worked for more than 12 years to develop Cross Creek Linear Park not far from his childhood home on Hawley Lane.

    The 2.7-mile park begins at Festival Park and runs through historic sections of downtown. Shaw, who died in May 2018, lived to see the 2017 ribbon-cutting to mark Linear Park’s completion.
    Pennink and his wife, Suzanne, accepted his award. Shaw’s daughters, Faison Covington and Sally Schmitz, accepted the award on his behalf.

    "It is always exciting to celebrate our downtown and the economic opportunities around the corner, but even more rewarding when we take a moment to recognize the visionary leaders that helped make it happen," said Tony Chavonne, publisher of CityView Magazine.

    As part of Wednesday’s luncheon, a video tribute to Pennink and Shaw, narrated by city historian Bruce Daws, was played.
    The ceremony also featured representatives of several downtown and Haymount projects that are now underway.
    Mary Kate Burke, artistic director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre, described plans for a $16 million renovation and expansion of the building. The theater opened in 1962.

    Mac Healy, co-chair of the N.C. Civil War and Reconstruction History Center Foundation, discussed progress on the $80 million building that will be off Arsenal Avenue and become part of the state-supported Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.
    Assistant Cumberland County Manager Brian Haney spoke about plans for a new special-events center, including efforts to solicit public input about where it should be located.

    Bianca Shoneman, president and chief executive officer of Cool Spring Downtown District, delivered the State of the District report on business and economic activity downtown.

  • pexels max vakhtbovych 7393980 An owner of apartment communities in 19 states has purchased two more in Fayetteville with plans to make $7 million in improvements to the properties.
    Morgan Properties, regarded as one of the nation’s top three multifamily housing companies, has acquired Westlake at Morganton and The Preserve at Grande Oaks, which have a total of 642 units, according to a news release.

    The apartment communities were purchased from Morganton Management and Development of Fayetteville. The purchase price was not disclosed, said a representative of Morgan Properties on Thursday.

    The deal means Morgan Properties now owns five local apartment communities with a total of 1,530 units. The company purchased the Village at Cliffdale, Chason Ridge and Morganton Place in November 2021.

    “As relatively long-term holders with apartment communities in 19 states, we routinely seek to strengthen the geographic diversity of our overall apartment portfolio,” said Greg Curci, executive vice president of operations for Morgan Properties, said by email. “Likewise, when attainable, we prefer to have a mix of asset classes within a given market to provide rental options at various price points. Our recent acquisitions in the Fayetteville market satisfy both of those objectives by providing us with three 1990s-built assets and two assets developed in 2007 in the stable and enduring Fayetteville market.”

    The acquisition brings the company’s total portfolio to more than 93,000 units across the nation, the news release said.
    Morgan Properties cited Fayetteville’s access to Interstate 95, the presence of Fort Bragg and its proximity to the three largest cities in North Carolina as reasons why Fayetteville is attractive for economic development.

    “We look forward to growing our presence in this attractive market and continuing to build our experience in Class A multifamily across the country,” said Jason Morgan, president of Morgan Properties, in the news release.

    Westlake at Morganton and The Preserve at Grande Oaks are pet-friendly communities with amenities that include a pool; fitness center with an on-site trainer; business center; entertainment lounge; and movie room.

    The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments offer updated kitchens and bathrooms, in-unit laundry rooms, new appliances, walk-in closets and patios, the news release said.

    Westlake at Morganton has direct access to parking garages.

    Morgan Properties plans to invest $7 million for interior upgrades and smart-home technology at the apartments, the release said. Other amenities planned include a new clubhouse, dog parks, patios for grilling and a bike-share program.

  • pexels Crime tape A man has been arrested in South Carolina and charged in the May 13 shooting death of a Fayetteville teenager on Yadkin Road, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Lamon Isaiah Townsend, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder, the department said in a release. His address was not immediately available. Townsend was arrested Wednesday, June 29, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, by members of the U.S.Marshals Service Task Force.

    Townsend is in jail in South Carolina pending extradition to Fayetteville.

    Townsend is charged in the death of a 17-year-old who was shot along the 5700 block of Yadkin Road. The Police Department has not released the teenager’s name, citing his age.

    Officers responded to a reported shooting in the parking lot on the 5700 block of Yadkin Road around 7:40 p.m. They found the male teen, who had been shot multiple times. He was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center but died as a result of his injuries, police said.

  • downloadIn a partnership touted as the first of its kind, Fayetteville’s economic development agency is teaming with the Army Reserve Command to help reservists and their spouses find civilian jobs.

    The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp. signed the agreement with the Army Reserve Command’s Private Public Partnership Office on June 16, according to EDC officials.

    “We’re the first economic development organization to have this kind of partnership. I’m sure we will not be the last,” EDC President and CEO Robert Van Geons said Thursday.

    “I can’t think of a more fitting partnership,” Van Geons said in a news release. “This will enable us to continue to build, bridge and create an ongoing collaborative conversation here. I think we can do incredible things together, positively impacting the lives of our reservists and their families.”

    The EDC said the agreement will help soldiers and their families overcome barriers to getting a job or having access to education in ways that support mission-readiness goals and build community connections.

    The Private Public Partnership Office of the Army Reserve Command works to ensure that reserve soldiers succeed in civilian careers, the release stated.
    Van Geons said the partnership “shows how we're trying to position Fayetteville and Cumberland County to be innovative leaders in areas like this and in new technology (and) creative ways we can do more together in collaboration."

    “It is about retaining talent,” Van Geons said Thursday. “And so a survey we've done involving those who are engaged with our military -- full-time service or reservist or even folks in the (National) Guard – (shows) their future employment ultimately impacts where they eventually reside. The military makes investments in training and skills development, and we want to keep those skilled folks who serve our country here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    "Conversely, those skills and talent help us retain quality employers,” he added. “It's a win-win for everybody involved."

    Rob Patton, executive vice president of the Economic Development Corp., said that even though the partnership is a first, it is certain to lead to future partnerships with other economic development organizations.
    Patton is a retired Army colonel.

    “This is a big day for all of us,” he said in the news release. “We're very honored to be a part of this, but also, I'm humbled to know that we are the first EDO to be an official partner with the Army Reserve."

    More than 87% of reservists integrate military service with civilian careers, providing the Army with professional skills, education and expertise acquired in the private sector, the release said. But many reservists are either unemployed or underemployed.

    Many hiring programs are geared toward veterans who are leaving the military.
    But in this case, the reservists who are currently serving also need civilian jobs, the release said.

    “Some of the unsung heroes in the United States are the reservists," Patton said in the release. “That is an extremely tough job -- balancing family life, personal life, work life and then that other thing called the Army."

  • pexels Crime tape The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred May 21 in Stedman.

    Rose Zolman, 28, was found in the middle of Sandy Creek Road near Page Road, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol initially looked into the case, and the Sheriff’s Office has assumed control of the investigation, the agency said in a release.

    Zolman was killed during the early hours of May 21. No other information was immediately available.

    The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about Zolman’s death to contact detective Senior Sgt. C. Zwan at 910-677-5503 or Fayetteville / Cumberland County CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • pexels rovenimagescom 949592 As people gather over the next few days to celebrate the July 4th holiday, firefighters and law enforcement officers are reminding the public to make safety a priority.

    “We hope that everyone is able to safely enjoy the July Fourth holiday by spending time with family and friends,” Fayetteville police Lt. Lori Holloway said in a release. “Be careful with fireworks and firearms, look out for your neighbor, be aware of your surroundings and consider celebrating with others at one of the local professional shows.”

    The assistant Fayetteville fire chief agreed that professional community fireworks shows are the best option.

    “Our area has only seen a small amount of rainfall this summer and conditions continue to remain dry,” said T.J. McLamb, who also is the city fire marshal.

    Igniting explosives in dry conditions can have dangerous consequences. Flames can spark unexpectedly and spread, the city said in a release.

    On July 4, 2021, the majority of fires in Fayetteville occurred after 10 p.m., many of the fires were in dumpsters, outside trash cans or rubbish, the release said.

    According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, nearly 13,000 emergency room-treated injuries are associated with fireworks annually, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

    The Sheriff’s Office offered these safety tips:
    Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
    Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
    Make sure the person lighting the fireworks always wears eye protection.
    Light fireworks one at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
    Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
    Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
    Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
    Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

    According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina residents averaged 197 emergency department visits per year for firework-related injuries between 2017-2021, the city said in its release.

    A person can be charged with up to a Class 2 misdemeanor for a violation of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 14, Article 54 concerning pyrotechnics.

    Sheriff Ennis Wright also urged residents to use caution when swimming at the beach or a pool. He also urged motorists to be alert when traveling on the busy holiday weekend.

    Pet safety

    Cumberland County Animal Services also reminds residents to keep their pets safe on July 4th.

    Meredith Garringer, a veterinarian with Animal Services, said residents may want to keep their pets indoors the night of July 4 when fireworks may frighten them.

    “Being in the Fort Bragg area, a lot of our pets are acclimated to loud noises,” Garringer said in a release. “However, with fireworks, you’re also going to see flashes in the sky. To us, it may be neat, but to them, it’s very scary.”

    Garringer said that when animals are outside, they should have shade and cool water to help prevent heat stroke. If a pet is showing signs of distress, the owner should immediately call a veterinarian, the release said.

    Animal Services will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Regular hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m.– 5 p.m. and Saturday 1-5 p.m.

  • FPD logo A woman who appeared to be "in crisis'' was killed Friday night in an officer-involved shooting on Colgate Drive, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Officers were dispatched just after 9:40 p.m. to a residence on the 2300 block of Colgate Drive in reference to an attempted break-in, Assistant Chief James Nolette said during a news conference early Saturday.

    Officers were told that four men tried to break into the residence. Officers made contact with the occupants, a mother, a daughter, a grandmother and a grandfather, Nolette said.

    No evidence of a break-in could be determined, he said.
    While talking with the mother, Nolette said, there were some inconsistencies with her story. She also appeared “as if she were in crisis,’’ he said.

    “And then suddenly, she produced a firearm,’’ Nolette said, adding that she began to threaten to harm herself.

    Nolette said two officers spent about an hour talking with the woman, trying to get her to put down the gun and discussing getting her help.
    The woman agreed to get assistance through Cape Fear Valley, and police had EMS ready to respond, Nolette said.
    The woman continued to have the handgun, he said.
    Several times during the talks, the grandmother and the woman’s child were around her, in front of her and “are in harm’s way,’’ Nolette said.

    “After about an hour of de-escalating, the officers attempted to secure the weapon and gain control of the handgun,’’ Nolette said. “At that point, the struggle went to the ground and tragically, officers discharged their firearm. The female is deceased at this time.’’

    The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been contacted to investigate the officer-involved shooting, the department said.
    The officer will be placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard procedure, the department said in a release.
    The Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an internal investigation to ensure departmental policies and procedures were followed during the incident, the release said.

    The names of the woman and the officers are currently being withheld.
    There is body camera footage, which will be turned over to the SBI, Nolette said.
    The department “reviewed it preliminary just to get an idea of the true facts that occurred there and not just perception,’’ Nolette said.

    “This is a tragic situation,’’ he said.

    “For almost an hour, the officers pled with this young lady, tried to get this young lady to put this weapon down. Tried to get the help that she wanted,’’ Nolette said. “... But it just escalated very quickly.’’

  • FPD logo A section of McArthur Road was closed to traffic briefly after a head-on collision about noon Tuesday, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
    The drivers of two vehicles were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, a news release said.
    Officers were sent to the 500 block of McArthur Road at 12:03 p.m. Tuesday. McArthur Road was closed temporarily in both directions from Rosehill Road to Francam Drive while officers investigated the crash, according to the release.

  • fayetteville nc logo Candidates for mayor and Fayetteville City Council will answer questions from the public and members of the media at an election forum Thursday morning, June 30.

    The forum is sponsored by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Crown Coliseum.
    Those who attend must enter through the West VIP entrance of the building.

    All the candidates except one have confirmed that they will participate, according to chamber officials.
    The election for city offices is July 26. Early voting begins July 7.

    “The candidates will have a chance to express themselves and give their vision of the city,” said George Breece, a member of the chamber’s Government Relations Committee. He is also director emeritus of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

    “We just think it’s important that citizens in Fayetteville have an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates,” Breece said.

    The candidates for city office are:

    • Mayor: Mitch Colvin and Freddie Delacruz.
    • City Council District 1: Kathy Keefe Jensen and Alex Rodriguez.
    • City Council District 2: Shakeyla Ingram and Tyrone A. Williams.
    • City Council District 3: Mario Benavente and Antonio B. Jones.
    • City Council District 4: Thomas C. Greene and D.J. Haire.
    • City Council District 5: Johnny Dawkins and Frederick G. LaChance III.
    • City Council District 6: Peter Pappas and Derrick Thompson.
    • City Council District 7: Brenda McNair and Larry O. Wright Sr.
    • City Council District 8: Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and Michael Pinkston.
    • City Council District 9: Deno Hondros and Yvonne Y. Kinston.

    The forum will be recorded and available for home viewing on the chamber’s website.
    Gary Rogers, a member of the chamber’s board of directors, will serve as moderator.
    Journalists with CityView TODAY, Up and Coming Weekly and The Fayetteville Observer will ask the questions.

    Breece said Tuesday that all candidates have confirmed their participation except Deno Hondros, who Breece said will be in Florida for a family wedding.
    Breece says he expects the candidates to discuss “their vision for the city of Fayetteville and how they can individually make a difference. You have incumbents, and you have challengers. I imagine the challengers will talk about why they feel they would better represent a district than the incumbent.

    “There are some real interesting races here,” Breece added.

  • FPD logo The Fayetteville Police Department is investigating a sexual assault and stabbing that happened early Tuesday near Santa Fe Drive.

    The department responded to a reported sexual assault around 4:27 a.m. at the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Coalition Boulevard. The preliminary investigation revealed that a woman had been stabbed multiple times and sexually assaulted, police said in a release. The woman was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

    Detectives obtained images from an area business surveillance system of a person of interest as well as the vehicle the person was operating, the release said.

    Just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, police said they had located the person and interviewed him. No other information was immediately available.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective J. Lewis at 910-703-9503 or Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • fayetteville nc logo Annexation requests for three properties have been approved, including an 83-acre parcel south of Dunn Road that would be developed as an industrial site.

    The Fayetteville City Council approved the annexations at its monthly meeting Monday night, June 27.
    The request for the proposed industrial site was presented by Brandy Zachery, a civil engineer. The parcel is south of Dunn Road and east of Plymouth Street.

    A request to rezone the property would change it from Cumberland County rural residential and Residential 10 to heavy industrial under the city’s zoning code.
    The property belongs to heirs of Marie H. Whisman and Aom II LLC, a real estate brokerage with offices in Eastover.

    Jennifer Baptiste, a senior planner with the city, said the land is vacant.

    “The reason for annexation is for a proposed industrial site,” Baptiste said.

    The council approved the request on a unanimous vote.
    Two other annexation requests were approved by the council.
    Tumbleweed Holdings LLC, which was represented by Bobby Branch, owns 5.3 acres near Shawcroft Road at Kimsey Lane.

    The King’s Grant community is nearby.
    The request was to change the zoning from Cumberland County Planned Neighborhood Development to Single-Family Residential 15.
    The zoning commission and planning staff approved the initial rezoning, City Planner Craig Harmon told the council.

    “The neighborhood has come together,” Councilwoman Kathy Jensen said. “We’ve got them at the table, and they’re one of the builders. They can help us out.”
    The council had discussed right-of-way concerns about the project at an earlier meeting.
    Branch said he had been unaware of access concerns at the site but that he will work with potential partners to open the right of way.

    “We want to be good neighbors,” Branch told the council. “We’re going to help with King’s Grant on access. … There will be more access built into Farmers Road.”
    Tumbleweed Holdings has no plans to build homes on the land or otherwise develop the property, he said. The swampy 5.3 acres will be used for stormwater control, he said.

    “We determined that that infrastructure there is not suitable for development,” said Michael Blakely of Vacuum Design Services, who spoke on behalf of the project. “This will be part of a larger project that we are proposing — 140 lots by right.”

    The land will be used as a utility corridor and for devices used to reduce pollution in stormwater runoff, which protects area waterways, Blakely said.

    The council also approved a request from Gregory Whitley of MacRae, Perry, MacRae & Whitley LLP to annex eight parcels on behalf of a six-member ownership group. The 16.47 acres would be rezoned from rural residential and Residential 10 under county zoning to limited commercial conditional in the city’s zoning code.

    The properties are on King and Rockfish roads.
    Rick Myskey, who spoke in support of the annexation, said there are concerns about crime in that area and he was asking for more police presence.
    He said the council should review security in the area.

    “We’re right next to a school,” Myskey said.

    Michael Futch covers Fayetteville and education for CityView TODAY. He can be reached at mfutch@cityviewnc.com. 

  • fayetteville nc logo Bond packages totaling $97 million could add 3.5 to 4 cents to the city property tax rate in coming fiscal years.

    The Fayetteville City Council on Monday, June 27, authorized public hearings on Aug. 8 on three separate bond packages that total $97 million. They would be put before voters on the November general-election ballot.

    On Monday evening, the City Council voted unanimously to advance the bond packages that would authorize $60 million for public safety improvements; $25 million for street, sidewalk and connectivity projects; and another $12 million for housing projects.

    Jay Toland, assistant city manager and chief financial officer for the city, presented the bond packages to the City Council.

    “As the mayor said, we’ll need to set the public hearings for the bond orders," Toland said.
    While the higher tax rate would not take effect in the coming fiscal year, it would come later.

    “We are looking between a 3.5 cents to 4 cents tax rate increase to support the $97 million, if it all passes,” said Toland. “Each one of these awards you all just adopted will be a separate question for or against on the Nov. 8 ballot. And so, assuming all those pass, we would look to raising … (taxes) to 3.5 to 4 cents.”

    Interest rates would be a factor, he said.

    Councilman D.J. Haire said he wanted to make sure the bond packages are presented to residents so they “will well know what’s involved in the proposed tax rate.”

    “When does that begin?” he asked. “How do we move forward with it? Have you come up with a plan yet that’s been created for how we market to the citizens?”

    Toland said it will be important that community partners help promote the plans.
    City Manager Doug Hewett has said that the coming months will prove significant for the city’s progress as several key projects will be completed.
    Those include moving forward on the proposed $97 million in bond packages, he said.

  • spring lake logo The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen on Monday night, June 27, voted to table an endorsement of the fiscal 2022-23 budget ordinance passed by the Local Government Commission on June 22.

    Board members said there were several reasons for their decision, including not having enough time to review the final budget before they were asked for the endorsement, saying there were numerical errors within the budget and saying they needed questions answered before they could fully endorse the spending plan.

    Interim Town Manager Joe Durham said the information had been given out previously and the budget was approved after the public hearing was held at the last board meeting on June 12.

    “The Local Government Commission has already adopted the town’s budget, and they are requesting that you endorse the town budget as submitted,” Durham said.

    Durham summarized that the budget did not contain staff furloughs and added a 3% cost-of-living increase for town employees. He also said the budget shows a decrease in the Spring Lake property tax rate from 70 cents per $100 valuation to 65 cents due to the town entering into the county recreation tax district. The additional 5 cents will be reflected in the recreation tax, which will negate the property tax decrease for residents.

    Alderman Raul Palacios asked why the board needed to endorse the budget when it has already been adopted.

    “The LGC having assumed management authority for the town’s financial affairs. The public hearing was held a few weeks ago and the town staff has been intimately involved in the creation, so they are asking for your endorsement and support,” Durham said.

    Palacios identified some line items that he said he could not get to add up, including property tax collection at 98% instead of the 88% of the projections he was calculating.

    “This budget has already been adopted by the LGC and this board has no control over what this budget says, but I cannot endorse a budget when the numbers are wrong,” Palacios said.

    Alderwoman Sona Cooper said she needed more time to look at the budget. The board received the final budget ordinance Monday morning, and board members said they did not have enough time to review it before being asked to endorse it Monday night.

    “My issue is we received the budget this morning and we haven’t had time to review it,” Cooper said.

    The board voted to table the budget for a future meeting.

    Durham also presented the monthly financial report from May, which showed the general fund in better shape than it has been in recent years.

    “We are moving in the right direction showing good budget discipline, and the financial statements reflect that today. This is very good news, but we are still operating in the negative, in the red,” said Durham, adding there is still a need to restore the general fund and the upcoming audit will help give the town a clearer picture of its finances.

    Audit Committee report

    Palacios also updated the board on the Audit Committee meeting held June 9.

    The update included the charges filed against former finance director/accounting technician Gay Tucker. Tucker, who was arrested on June 10, is accused of embezzling more than $500,000 from the town. Palacios said a proof of loss insurance claim has been filed on behalf of the town.

    Palacios also updated the board on several other issues the committee outlined to address the findings cited in the March audit released by the State Auditor’s Office. He said:

    Segregation of duties has been implemented, including for check signers.
    Bank reconciliations are up to date, and the Local Government Commission continues to update the board with monthly financial reports.
    The town is working on a policy handbook with a completion date of Jan. 1.
    The committee is working on an ethics policy for board members and staff.
    The town will work to replace contracted staff. The new budget provides for a 50/50 split of contracted staff and town employees.
    The search for a permanent town manager will begin in July.
    All credit cards are now being held by the town manager. The credit cards are only disbursed when proper documentation is submitted.
    The $9,900 owed as a result of the overpaying of a monthly cell phone stipend has been recovered, and cell phone allowances are no longer provided. This resulted in a $33,000 savings.
    Closed session meeting minutes have been completed and will be on a July agenda for approval.

    The Audit Committee was formed after the Local Government Commission was critical of the town’s response to issues raised in the audit. The commission said the town’s response to the audit report lacked sufficient detail, did not include target dates for completing items, and did not indicate who would be responsible for corrective actions, among other issues. Mayor Kia Anthony, Palacios and Cooper serve as the members of the Audit Committee.

    In other action, the board voted to approve a special-use permit to allow nonprofit activities, a farmer’s market and historic exhibits at the Sandhills Family Heritage Association site at 230 Chapel Hill Road.

    The board approved requested conditions in the motion, including gravel parking alongside the paved ADA parking spaces, natural tree line buffering in lieu of fencing, vendors to only be from Harnett and Cumberland counties and the open-air farmer’s market, which opened in 2007, to operate only on Saturdays and Sundays during daylight hours.

    The chairwoman of the association’s board, Janet Brower, secretary Debra Clyde and treasurer Priscilla Burton spoke in favor of the project during a public hearing. There was no opposition.

    “The next step is to approve the development plan, which will provide more detail than this special-use permit plan,” said David Moon, deputy director of Cumberland County Planning and Inspections.

    The Sandhills Family Heritage Association plans to renovate the existing building with the $250,000 allotment from the General Assembly in the last budget.

    Mayor Pro Tem Robyn Chadwick, Alderwoman Adrian Thompson and Cooper were all complimentary of the renovation, saying they had grown up in Spring Lake attending events and family reunions there.

    Moment of silence

    For the second meeting in a row, Anthony called for a moment of silence instead of an invocation.

    The board voted in May to reject a prayer policy, which would have allowed the mayor to call for a moment of silence, in favor of continuing to pray during the invocation. The board also agreed to invite guests to pray as a way to connect with local pastors and churches.

    At a special meeting on June 21, Alderman Marvin Lackman asked that the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance be said when Anthony skipped that part of the agenda. Anthony called for a moment of silence although Lackman stated Thompson was willing to give the invocation. The board voted to have the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance at that meeting before going into executive session under the general statute for personnel.

    Local lawyer Michael Porter joined the board in that executive session.

  • sessoms The Fayetteville City Council unanimously approved funding Monday night to go toward a housing trust fund that will address the lack of affordable housing in the city.

    The funding includes grants valued at $1 million from the state and more than $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which provides funding for affordable housing, based on need, to municipalities across the country.

    The council also approved nearly $3.4 million in funding toward the trust fund from the American Rescue Plan Act, federal legislation that provides funding to local governments to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The city is using more than $270,000 in local funds to match federal dollars.
    Fayetteville’s economic and community development director, Chris Cauley, said the purpose of the housing trust fund, using various sources of funding that are tracked and reported, is to identify revenue streams and to allocate those dollars, under the direction of council policy, to address affordable housing.

    “It all goes towards the same efforts, it all goes towards the dedicated revenue sources, and then the policies and procedures behind it,” he said.

    Those policies consist of, according to county documents, allowing both nonprofit and for-profit entities to apply for the dollars within the trust fund for the purpose of building affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.
    Policies under the trust fund will also focus on the creation of “middle housing,” a concept that Cauley defined as residential units in size between single-family homes and multifamily apartment complexes, such as duplexes and quadplexes.

    “We’d be looking to find some things that are mixed income, that are different housing types that help build and grow our communities, but do so while providing for affordable housing,” Cauley said.
    Applications for programs under the trust fund will open in July.

    The city will also provide workshops for nonprofits that are interested in becoming housing developers, Cauley said.

    ‘It’s not enough’

    Even with the funding approved by the council, Cauley said the city has a long way to go toward fully meeting the needs of low-income renters in Fayetteville.
    According to a recent study by city staff, between 2010 and 2018, a 21% increase occurred in the number of renter households that earn below the median household income in Fayetteville.

    Of those low-income households, 75% are cost burdened, meaning they spend 30% or more on their income toward housing costs, such as rent and utilities.
    According to Apartment List, a company that tracks rental rates and lists apartments for lease nationwide, the average monthly rent for an apartment in Cumberland County increased from $964 in May 2019 to more than $1,300 last month.

    “What Fayetteville has done in the past 2 1/2 years has been very clear that (the City Council) recognized that housing availability, housing quality and housing price is a challenge in our community,” Cauley said, referring to local funding toward affordable housing. “But even with all of that, it’s not enough.”

    High rents occur at a time of high inflation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index on all consumer items rose by 8.6%, the highest inflation rate recorded in decades.

    The poverty rate in Fayetteville, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is nearly 20%.

    “It’s hard for kids to achieve academically and think about that next step and job skills training and going to college, if appropriate, or trade school or whatever, if you’re moving from house to house every year because your family’s getting evicted,” Cauley said.

    “Housing is where it starts. This is an economic problem in most advanced economies at this point. We’ve got significant affordability problems, and Fayetteville’s a very, very significant challenge.”

    Other approved funding

    The City Council also approved $1.8 million in grant funding from HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program. About half of that will go toward housing, but the other portion will go to other forms of community development.
    Council members also approved a HUD grant worth more than $757,000 that will help people living with AIDS and HIV find and maintain stable housing.
    To further address housing, the City Council decided in May to put a $12 million housing bond up for a referendum for November’s election.

  • 9aState Department of Environmental Quality plans remote public hearing for residents as federal guidelines for safe drinking water change due to new research.
    New federal standards for the safe amount of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, present in drinking water put an additional 1,700 wells in southern Cumberland County over the limits of a new health advisory, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

    The area surrounds a plant operated by the chemical company Chemours, which produces GenX, a trade name for one PFAS. PFAS make up a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in various consumer products since the 1950s, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

    The new health advisory, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week, lowers the safety threshold for GenX found in drinking water from 140 parts per trillion, an interim standard established in 2016, to a final advisory of 10 ppt.

    Two other PFAS, Perflourooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, and Perflourooctanoic acid, or PFOA, have been lowered from 70 ppt to interim amounts of 0.004 ppt and 0.02 ppt, respectively. These interim amounts will stay in place until the EPA establishes a national drinking water regulation.

    GenX is considered to be a replacement for PFOA, according to the EPA. Another PFAS, PFBS, has a final health advisory of 2,000 ppt in drinking water. PFBS is considered a replacement for PFOS.
    In March, Cumberland County filed a lawsuit against Chemours and its predecessor company DuPont, alleging that they “secretly pumped millions of pounds of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances” with a “blatant disregard” for residents in the county.

    In an emailed statement from April to Carolina Public Press, Chemours said the company was disappointed by Cumberland’s decision to file a lawsuit.

    “Our discussions with the county have included offering different alternative water systems to qualifying county properties,” the company said.

    “We are also working collaboratively with the county and (the Fayetteville Public Works Commission) water to connect impacted Cumberland County residents to public water where feasible.”

    On Chemours’ website, the company says GenX is safe, claiming that the substance is “rapidly eliminated from the body” if incidental exposure were to occur.

    At Monday’s Cumberland County Board of Commissioners meeting, when county officials presented information on the new EPA health advisory, board Chairman Glenn Adams said the county needs to address drinking water in not just the area around the Chemours plant but in all of Cumberland County.

    “This is just deplorable,” he said. “This is going to hit every municipality all over the state of North Carolina. … Don’t think that ‘Oh, that’s just those folks down there.’”

    Last week, The News & Observer reported that unfinished drinking water in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill is also over the new EPA health advisory.

    New state orders on Chemours

    In light of the new EPA health advisory, DEQ sent a letter to Chemours, requiring the company to revise its plans, in line with the new threshold, of providing new drinking water, or new filtration, to affected residents.

    This update to the state’s order makes the additional 1,700 well users eligible for new drinking water or new filtration.
    Cumberland officials at the commissioners meeting on Monday said people who live near the plant can call Chemours at 910-678-1101 to have their water sampled. Residents can attend a remote public hearing, hosted by DEQ, on a draft permit for Chemours at 6 p.m. Thursday. The draft permit would substantially reduce the PFAS entering the Cape Fear River via contaminated groundwater, according to DEQ.

  • 22Sweet Tea Shakespeare will be closing its summer season with the thrilling play "Pericles." The story tells how a young prince finds his way in the ancient Mediterranean. Pericles faces off against an evil, adulterous king, fights off the best of the best to win the love of his life and wrecks every ship he sets foot on.

    "It is like a high seas adventure story, episodic through the whole thing. So instead of one long adventure, it's five little vignettes," Guest Director Marshall Garrett told Up & Coming Weekly.

    Garrett is not new to Sweet Tea Shakespeare. He previously directed "The Devil's Charter" for the troupe in 2020. Garrett mirrors the mindset of Sweet Tea when it comes to performing Shakespeare.

    "We spend a good deal of time at the beginning of the process, making sure that everybody is on the same page," Garrett said. "How to approach Shakespeare as a performance text and how that's different than, say, a classroom, making sure, we all know the words, and we all know not just like the exciting Shakespearean ambiguities, but also what the play means to us right now. And we've just finished that phase with 'Pericles.'"

    The production has moved past the script's subtext and is currently being staged.

    "This next phase is actually creating the theatrical events, using a script. Also, all of the actors are singers and musicians, and they put on the kind of concert that envelops the production," Garret said.

    While this may be the last production for the season, new faces are joining the performance.

    "We do have some old favorites coming into the show, but we also have a lot of fresh blood," Garrett said. "So the vibe will be a bit of a variation on the theme as far as the general Sweet Tea experience."
    The show will run for two weeks at 325 Arch St. in downtown Fayetteville starting on July 13 through July 24. Performances will be held Thursday through Sunday. Each show will feature a live music preshow starting at 6:45 p.m. The play will begin at 7:30 p.m.

    Parking is available in the garage across the street, and patrons should expect sloped and uneven terrain in the yard.

    As with every Sweet Tea Shakespeare event, food and signature drinks will be available for purchase.

    Following its two-week run, "Pericles" will perform alongside two other productions from this year's season from Sweet Tea Shakespeare.

    "Much Ado About Nothing," "Party at Jay's," and "Pericles" will run in two weekends, where audiences can, in the span of just a few days, see all performances.

    "Much Ado About Nothing" will run on July 28, July 31 and Aug. 5. "Party at Jay's" will run on July 29 and Aug. 6. "Pericles" will run on July 30, Aug. 4, and Aug. 7.

    Ticket prices range from $10 to $22. A live stream ticket can also be purchased for $10 and will be available only for Saturday night performances. Tickets can be bought at www.sweetteashakespeare.com/tickets/.

Latest Articles

  • Gallery 208: Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins
  • Kindah Temple No. 62 hosts annual Spring Ceremonial
  • FTCC Foundation invests in students’ futures
  • Unique Easter traditions from around the globe
  • Flawless Touch Detailing celebrates new location
  • CFRT: The Play That Goes Wrong...Again
Up & Coming Weekly Calendar
  

Advertise Your Event:

 

Login/Subscribe