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.

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.

In 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."

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).

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.

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.’’

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.

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.

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).

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. 

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.

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.

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.

State 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.

Sweet 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/.

Trigger alert: If the bodily functions of Vladimir Putin offend you, stop reading now. Go to the cross-word puzzle.

Today's lesson is ripped from the pages of the British newspaper The Daily Mail. This column is a tale told by an idiot (your humble author), full of sound and fury, signifying nothing — potty humor at its worst.

We are traveling to the Island of Misfit Toys. Beware, this way lies madness. That's right, friends and neighbors, we are entering the bizarre world of safeguarding Putin's Poo.

As you may recall, Vlad Putin has been the dictator of Russia since 2000. He came into office during Bill Clinton's second term and outlasted Bush Jr., Obama, Trump and now Biden. Over time, paranoia can occur in even the best of dictators, not to mention the worst ones.

Many rumors are floating around about Vlad's health. Does he have cancer, Parkinson's Disease, early-stage dementia or boogie-woogie fever? The speculation is endless. Vlad denies ill health. However, his myriad enemies want to know if he is about to croak.

Vlad's health is a closely guarded state secret. In 2001 George W. Bush said about Vlad: "I looked the man in the eye. I was able to get a sense of his soul." Unfortunately, sensing Vlad's soul by looking dreamily into his eyes did not work out so well. Looking elsewhere on Vlad might give a better sense of his soul, or at least his health.

Enter Putin's Poo Patrol to safeguard all the clues that may be secreted deep in Putin's Poo. If the eyes are a window to the soul, Putin lacking a soul negates retina gazing. The Daily Mail's article about Putin's bodyguard unit tasked with collecting the Presidential Poo is instructive.

Vlad wants to keep Western eyes from nosing around to see what is happening in his lower digestive tract. Analyzing his poo is probably more effective in determining his health than Bush's romancing Putin's baby blue eyes.

The Poo Patrol has the delicate task of collecting Putin's bodily waste when he is on foreign trips. They store it in baggies, put it in a special briefcase, and guard it until it is safely back in Mother Russia.

The Daily Mail reported Vlad brings his own private porta-potty, or his bodyguards accompany him to the bathroom with a special pooper scooper to secure Vlad's business from foreign toilets. The story was accompanied by a video of six burly security men who accompanied Vlad in Paris to the toilet along with the mysterious briefcase full of you know what.

All this begs the question of how does one end up being in a unit charged with securing Presidential Poo? Is it an honor to serve on Poo Patrol, or is it punishment? Do the other agents make fun of members of the Poo Patrol? Do members of the Poo Patrol train by walking dogs and picking up doggy doo? Is the Commander of the Poo Patrol known as the Poopy Head? If a member of the Poo Patrol does a really good job carrying Presidential Poo, will he be promoted to carrying the nuclear football instead of the poo briefcase?

What do they do with the Presidential Poo once they get it back to Russia? Is it embalmed and enshrined in Moscow in Lenin's Tomb? Are Russians making Non-Fungible Tokens out of pictures of the poo to sell on the interwebs to support the war against Ukraine? Does Putin have a Presidential library where children can come and admire the Presidential Poo? Can you buy plastic replicas of the poo at the Library's gift shop? Inquiring minds want to know.

Putin's Potty Patrol is not without historical precedent. English King Henry VIII had an individual to fill the lofty office of the Groom of the Stool. The Groom of the Stool's job was assisting the King in evacuating his bowels and taking care of any clean-up tasks that might arise as a result. The Groom would be responsible for ensuring a portable toilet was available to the King as needed, along with fresh towels and water.

Over the years, as a result of this intimate daily contact with the King, the job of Groom of the Stool evolved into the Groom serving as a close advisor to the King.

The Groom lived in the castles and received many perks due to his proximity to the King. The Groom was well paid for what some might consider the Ralph Norton of Royal Jobs. Over the years, the status of the Groom grew in prestige and power. Mr. Google says that King George III had nine different Grooms during his reign, one of whom, John Stuart, became Prime Minister of Great Britain.

So, what have we learned today? Finally, something useful. Don't turn your nose up at dirty jobs. There can be upward mobility in a downward-facing job.

You can start at the bottom and work your way up to being Prime Minister. In Putin's Poo Patrol case, doing an excellent job as a Poo Agent might keep you from being sent to Siberia or having a cup of Polonium Tea.
Always do your best.

The Fourth of July is a time to remember America's great history. It's a time to celebrate her victories, toast her potential and raise a flag for the freedom she offers to millions.
While the country at large takes its observation of Independence Day very seriously — over 84% of Americans celebrate it — there's something special about the Fourth of July at the largest military base in the United States.

Somewhat limited by health code restrictions in 2021, this year's Fourth of July Celebration on Ft. Bragg is back and better than ever.

The celebration begins at 3 p.m. on July 4 at Fort Bragg's Parade Field.
Attendees can look forward to the return of Kiddie Land, open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and "tent city," where guests can rent space for their family and friends to enjoy the festivities in the shade.

Guests will also be treated to a few new additions to this year's celebration.

"The beer garden is a new addition to the field this year," said Jennifer Fayson, Special Events Coordinator for Fort Bragg's Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "We are excited to be able to offer craft beer at this location. It is in a ticketed area and the only location on the field that will have craft beers available."

Access to this area will cost $15 per patron, including a beer flight with additional craft beer available for $6 a can. Day of access ticket purchase is $20 and $8 a can. Also available will be a walk-up site where individual beers will be available for sale at $8 a can.

As an added enticement, guests can now bring their own food, non-alcoholic drinks and ice. Pets, glass bottles and grills are not allowed.

This year's entertainment will feature Nashville recording artist Chris Moreno from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and headliner Walker Hayes starting at 8:30 p.m. Both Moreno and Hayes are thrilled to play for Fort Bragg's troops, according to Sharilyn Wells, a Fort Bragg spokesperson.

While this event is open to the public, non-DoD cardholders are encouraged to grab a 30-day pass at the All American Visitor Center before the event to avoid delays at the gate on the day of.
Four gates will be open for public entry on the day of the event: All American, Longstreet, Chicken and Randolph.
The night will conclude with a fabulous fireworks display at 9:45 p.m., which Wells admits is her favorite part of the celebration.

"I always look forward to the fireworks display on Fort Bragg. This year it will be eighteen minutes long, and I know it will be a continuous stream of glitter in the sky as it always is. It has got to be one of the best shows around."

Wells and Fayson both expressed their joy at bringing high-caliber opportunities to such a deserving group of men and women.

"Fort Bragg strives to bring the best entertainment and events to our service members and their families; the cherry on top is the ability to share in the celebrations and festivities with our surrounding community," Wells said.

To secure a visitor's pass, non-DoD cardholders should report to the All American Visitor Center at 3550 All American Fwy, Fort Bragg.

For information about the event, visit https://bragg.armymwr.com/calendar/event/july-4th-celebration/5446931/23521. For more information regarding the Beer Garden, visit https://bragg.armymwr.com/happenings/craft-beer-garden.

Join the city of Hope Mills as they celebrate the Fourth of July in true patriotic fashion as they host their Independence Day Celebration.

One of the year’s largest events, the small town outside of Fayetteville fully embraces the nostalgia and summer magic that makes Independence Day so great.

The first celebration of its kind since 2019, Hope Mills is excited to finally bring people back together under a banner of red, white and blue on Saturday, July 2. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with a parade, complete with the festive floats, starting at Hope Mills Middle School and ending at Rockfish Elementary.

Hope Mills Municipal Park celebration will begin at 5 p.m. to keep things moving.

The festivities include a wide variety of children’s activities, music and food for everyone in attendance to enjoy.

“We want to capture everybody,” said Assistant Director of Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, Meghan Hawkins Freeman. “I want this event to be a relaxing time for people, and I hope people are excited to come.”

Guests can look forward to about 20 food trucks offering a carousel of cuisine for purchase and beer provided by Dirtbag Ales.

Imagine Circus will provide stilt walkers and face painting for the family-friendly event. Zoo Life will have an array of exotic animals in tow, including a baby kangaroo, alpacas, and a kinkajou, just to name a few.

Party band 80s Unleashed will rock the house well into the night, and fireworks provided by Pyro Shows East Coast will end the show in a fiery finale around 9 p.m.
Freeman is especially happy to see the return of such festivities in the town of Hope Mills.

“This is the first Independence Day celebration we’ve had since July 2019, and we want people to come out and spend time with their families and neighbors. There won’t be any vendors — it’s just a time to come hang out, eat dinner, listen to music and watch fireworks,” she said.

The rain or shine event won’t be rescheduled, but in the case of inclement weather, people can enjoy the fireworks display at a different event. The Parks and Recreation Department encourages those who come to bring their chairs and blankets, but no outside alcohol is allowed.

Mostly, Freeman hopes people bring a sense of pride and respect for the holiday and what it’s all about.

“Right now, with everything going on, it’s nice to see people coming together and really standing behind the flag. I feel like we’ve lost that recently. It’s so important to honor those who serve, and we want to provide a safe outlet for people to enjoy themselves, be thankful, spend time with their families and be proud to be an American.”

This event is free and open to the public. The parade begins at Hope Mills Middle School, at 4975 Cameron Rd. in Hope Mills. Hope Mills Municipal Park is located at 5766 Rockfish Rd.
For more information, visit the town’s webpage at https://townofhopemills.com/349/Independence-Day-Celebration

Independence Day, better known as the 4th of July, is almost here, and many of us will be flying our own American flag. It is such a powerful image that there is even a day dedicated to honoring it – Flag Day.

Technically, Flag Day commemorates the June 14, 1777, adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress. (Parenthetically, June 14 also celebrates the birthday of the United States Army, as the continental army was formally established on that day two years earlier). While not a full-fledged federal holiday, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring June 14 as Flag Day, and in 1949 an Act of Congress designated it as National Flag Day.

Still, why all the fuss over a piece of cloth hoisted on a pole?

Flags have long been symbols of nations or other groups and political entities. Among a flag’s many purposes is to stir patriotic feelings among a nation’s citizenry and to mark the representation of that country to other nations.

The etymology of the word “flag” is a bit uncertain, but it likely derives from Middle English, from the Old Norse Flaka, meaning to flutter or flap about. While an apt description of what a flag does in the wind, it is not particularly edifying.

In contrast, the Hebrew word for flag – Degel – has a more elevated meaning (pardon the pun). Degel is related to words meaning prominent, distinguished, praised or to profess. So, a flag is that which is prominently displayed to distinguish a nation (or group) so as to praise and profess loyalty to it.

Some Biblical scholars suggest that the word Degel came from related languages, where it originally referred to a military colony “overseen” by a watch tower. As Hebrew developed, the idea of watching over was extended to the flag flying from the tower. For the ancient Hebrews, Degel came to mean a banner symbolizing God’s watching over them, which by encompassing them, designated them as a constituted group.

While few of us know any of the five verses other than the first, it is striking that Francis Scott Key’s 1814 poem, “The Defence [sic] of Fort McHenry” – later renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner” – concludes with the words,
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
“And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Whether or not God extends a special providence to the United States of America, over the centuries, this land has certainly been a blessing to many people fleeing persecution and struggles, but not to all.
When we as Americans face our national flag, and lift our hands to our hearts or in salute, let us be thankful for our blessings and pray that God extends watchful care over us, our families and all our citizenry; bringing understanding, peace and abiding success to everyone within our borders.

As Irving Berlin, a famous immigrant from my faith, once prayerfully wrote, “God Bless America.”

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival presents Fayetteville After Five Summer Concert Series featuring Rivermist and The TCB Band Friday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at downtown’s Festival Park.

“We are in the middle of our Fayetteville After Five Summer Concert Series that goes from June to August on the second Friday of the month,” said Sarahgrace Snipes, executive director of The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. “The purpose of the event is for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival to stay involved in the community, and many people think that we only do the Spring Festival, but we like to be in the community annually and year-round.”

Rivermist is a local hometown band comprised of Greg Adair, manager, drummer and vocalist; Tony Harrison, bass player; Cliff Bender, guitarist; Allen Pier, songwriter, keyboards and lead vocalist; and Rick Starling, percussion, vocals and keyboards.

“We have been really busy lately, and we have a couple of songs on the chart right now,” said Adair. “One of the songs, “Pucker Up,” is number one on one of the big charts, and we are actually up for a Cammy Award this year which is what the Carolina Beach Association calls their awards.”

He added, “We are not even a beach band, but we are getting a lot more gigs, and there is more money around it when you have songs on the charts.”

The band has a 100-song catalog that they play that features staple songs from a variety of bands.

“We are excited about Fayetteville After Five, and we appreciate their faith in us by giving a local band the opportunity to perform,” said Adair. “We are going to do everything that we can to pulverize that place, and we are going to give it to them one after another for a great show.”

The TCB Band, which stands for Throwback Collaboration Band, is a local 70s and 80s Soul R & B Band. The members are Richard Bradford, drummer; Michael Counts, bass guitar player, vocals and lead musician on stage; Vanessia Holland, female lead singer; Duce Thomas, guitarist and background singer; and A. D. Thomas, lead singer and guitarist.

“We play a lot of old-school Motown songs and some classic rock,” said Thomas, lead singer and guitarist of the TCB Band.

“We have been working alongside the Rivermist Band with Greg Adair, and we are grateful to them for the opportunities they have given us,” said Thomas. “We have recently signed up to become a part of the North Carolina Festival Association, and we would like to lend our services to every city in North Carolina that has festivals.”

Future plans for the band entail working on an upcoming album slated to be released in January 2023.

“At the Fayetteville After Five concert, listeners should expect an exciting and fun family show that involves a lot of dance music, a lot of hype, and we love to have audience participation,” said Thomas.

“Our performance is very entertaining and full of fun.”

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.thedogwoodfestival.com or call 910-323-1934.

Summer has officially started, and the Fayetteville Pie Company wants to ensure everyone is making the most of it.

Their event calendar is undoubtedly full for this month, with exciting new events involving plenty of delicious pie.

The first big event will be an Apple Pie Baking Contest on July 16. People can bake two apple pies and bring them in to be judged by other bakers, community members and people who love food.
The new co-owners of Fayetteville Pie Company, Kerry and Jennifer Washburn, were inspired to hold their pie contest after judging for the MacPherson House Pecan Pie contest.

“We were judges in their contest last November, and we were just thinking of events that we wanted to start offering with our space, and I had the thought that apple pie is really popular,” Jennifer told Up & Coming Weekly. “So we reached out to Katy [Stevick] with MacPherson House and started comparing notes and figuring out how we can kind of start working together, and we may work together.”

But the fun doesn’t stop with baking the pies.

People can buy tickets to taste and even judge the pies too. Each $30 tasting ticket includes two three-inch savory cutie pies, a beverage of choice, and the opportunity to taste ten apple pies.

“The judges are going to vote and reward prizes for the best traditional and the best nontraditional [pies]. And then we’re going to do our best overall, which is going to be a combination of the judges’ votes, plus all the people that buy tickets to come to the event will have a chance to vote on their favorite pie, and that’ll determine the grand prize winner,” Kerry said.

The grand prize winner will receive a two-hour private party rental with a pie bar for 20 guests.

To enter the baking portion of the pie contest, email pies@fayettevillepiecompany.com with your name, phone number and the name of your apple pie. Only 10 people will be allowed to enter the contest.

Apple pies must be dropped off by 2 p.m. on July 16. Judging will start at 3 p.m. and end at 5 p.m.

There will be a total of five judges. Those judges will include the chefs from Fayetteville Pie Company and representatives from MacPherson House, Sweet Tea Shakespeare and Coffee Roasters.

Bakers entering the contest will receive a complimentary tasting ticket and be able to taste their competitor’s pie and even vote for their favorite.
Those who buy a tasting ticket will arrive at 5 p.m. and will be able to taste the pies until 7 p.m. They then can vote for their favorite pie. Tickets are available at https://bit.ly/3xJOWNc.
The next big event at the pie shop will be a pop-up market that will be entirely Christmas-themed. Christmas and holiday pies will be available for sale, while the upstairs portion of the restaurant will hold several vendors.

“Eight vendors selling anywhere from tea to glass, jewelry, all sorts of things that you might want to check out,” Jennifer said. “Celebrating the halfway mark until Christmas.”
The vendors will be Nature’s Cup, Scentsy, Nellement, KnotEM Macrame, Maven Haven Creations, StephAllyn Designs, Crochet items and Dual Designs.

This free event will be held on July 23, kick-off at 11 a.m. and end when the restaurant closes at 3 p.m.
The last event closing out the month will be a Wine and Pie Pairing. The Washburns were inspired to create this event after working with Bright Light Brewing Company for a Beer and Pie pairing event this past December.

Event-goers will get to pair three wines with two savory and one sweet cutie pie.
After the tasting, participants can receive a glass of their favorite wine from the pairing. Outside the tasting and pairing, a photography gallery from Michael Hine and live music by saxophone player Dominic Hunter have been organized to entertain.

This event will take place on July 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 at https://bit.ly/3bbnhxd. If the event does well, Jennifer Washburn says they may continue the pairing events.

“We may do different drinks like Beer and Pie or Coffee and Pie in the future.”

These special events are just a start for the Fayetteville Pie Company. The Washburns hope to continue ticketed and special events throughout the year.

“We’re trying to get to where we have events going on pretty much every week is what we’re building up to, whether it be music or trivia or we do music bingo once a month,” Kerry said.

“We’re going to start having live music with brunch every Sunday. So we’re working to get artists lined up for that. And that all could become a normal thing where with our Sunday brunches, we have live music.”
The Fayetteville Pie Company will announce any new and upcoming events on their Facebook page and website, www.fayettevillepiecompany.com.

A referendum on changing Fayetteville City Council representation from nine districts to five districts is headed for the general election ballot in November.

Two former mayors, two former mayors pro tem and two past city councilmen have been working for more than a year to reduce district representation on the elected body that governs the city.
They needed 5,000 signatures from registered voters who live in the city to change the structure of the nine-district council to five districts, with four at-large members, and they got the signatures and more.

“The city of Fayetteville was notified that there were enough signatures for it to be placed on the ballot,” Angie Amaro, interim director of the Cumberland County Board of Elections, said Tuesday. “The item will be placed on the agenda for the City Council's last meeting in June.”

There’s some irony here.

Current council members like the idea of representing their community neighborhoods. They like knowing their constituents. And it’s less expensive running for a district seat than campaigning for an at-large seat.

No matter, it is a state statute that the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative be placed on the November ballot as the initiative has met all petition requirements for a referendum.

“Having served as a district representative and at-large, I can see the benefit of having at-large representation,” says Bobby Hurst, a spokesman for the initiative that includes former four-term Mayor Tony Chavonne, the publisher of CityView TODAY; former two-term Mayor Nat Robertson, former Mayors pro tem Jim Arp and Wesley Meredith, and past council members Ted Mohn and Wade Fowler.

The current council has 10 members, eight of whom are African American, including Mayor Mitch Colvin.

“This isn’t racial,” Hurst says. “It’s about good government.”
Vote Yes Fayetteville is proposing a mayor, four at-large council representatives and five district representatives that initiative leaders say will give all residents more representation on the City Council.

“Local governments across this country are moving to a mix of district and at-large representation,” Hurst says.

“We need more than just one person, the mayor, looking at the big picture on decision-making. Fayetteville needs elected officials with long-term vision for a better Fayetteville without being obligated to just a few groups in their small district.”

Securing the 5,007 signatures, according to Hurst, was a 12-month effort.

“Hundreds of Fayetteville residents have been working to secure the necessary signatures to give the people the opportunity to vote for the structure of their City Council,” he says. “During that time, we received donations from over 350 individuals demonstrating broad support for this initiative.”
Hurst says he submitted the 5,007 signatures to the Board of Elections on March 18, and the board certified the signatures 2 and a half months later.

“Each voter that signs the petition has to be checked in our system to see if they are registered and eligible to sign” as a city resident, Amaro says. “Staff began working on the petition in early and late April, and the petition was completed and spot-checked shortly after the May (primary) election. The City of Fayetteville was notified that there were enough signatures for it to be placed on the ballot.”

“It is up to City Council now to pass a resolution putting the question on the ballot,” says Linda Devore, a member of the elections board.
Should city residents approve the measure in a referendum, Hurst says, new districts will have to be mapped.

“Feedback that I received from many people were the benefits of voting for six rather than just two people to represent them,” Hurst says.

“This provides citizens more representation resulting in more accountability and transparency in our city government. My opinion is that a council member that has worked hard for their constituents for a better Fayetteville should not have a problem with campaigning in a larger district or at-large.”

Pros and cons

The Vote Yes Fayetteville referendum is headed for the November ballot.
Some are for it, including Freddie de la Cruz, who is running to unseat Mitch Colvin for the mayor’s gavel in the July 26 city election.

“I actually was a team captain knocking doors gaining close to 80 signatures,” de la Cruz says. “To me, it is a no-brainer — six versus two representations.”
Some are against the initiative, including the mayor.

“I am not supportive of the current Vote Yes proposal,” Colvin says.

“I have served as both a district representative and mayor, and I believe the district representative model provides focus on the specific issues of the district’s residents. It’s impractical to believe we obtain higher-quality education by increasing the size of the classroom. This is the same concept of the Vote Yes. Increasing the size of districts dilutes representation, in my opinion.”

Epilogue

But the bottom line in the Vote Yes Fayetteville referendum will be you – the registered city voter.
It’s your choice come November.
It’s your vote.
With six votes — one for mayor, four for at-large council members and a district council member, too – you’ll have more elected city leaders to vote for and to hold accountable on issues in the city.

Editor's Note: for additional information on the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative, visit https://www.voteyesfayetteville.com/.

Two Fayetteville-born musicians are in the finals of the “NO COVER” music competition with their band, Night Spins.

Josh Brocki and Manq Minniefee are Fayetteville natives. They play music together and have attended live shows together around town.

“We grew up in Fayetteville, and our parents were both in the theater together. So we’re just kind of forced to be around each other. And it wasn’t until high school we formed a band. We kind of developed a friendship to play music ever since,” Brocki told Up & Coming Weekly. “As a teenager, every weekend, seeing metal bands and punk bands and that was a really big influence on my part, just when it comes to live music. Being able to be there at such a young age with all these wild bands playing their hearts out.”

Brocki went to college and met drummer Jesse Starr who knew bassist Andrew “Ace” Jernigan.

They all moved to New York and created their band.

“They’re from Texas. We’re from North Carolina. So southern guys in the city,” Brocki said.

When the pandemic started in 2020, and the band was stuck inside, not performing, Brocki said they decided to apply for the "NO COVER" competition.

"NO COVER" is a reality competition show on YouTube that pits “the world’s top unsigned artists against each other that actually write, record and play their own original music.” Celebrity judges and coaches vote for each band based on songwriting, performance, presentation and the “it” factor.

Some of the judges this season include Gavin Rossdale, Alice Cooper, Lzzy Hale, Bishop Briggs and Tosin Abasi.

The experience on the show started off rocky for Night Spins. They were kicked off during episode one but were brought back by the judges in episode eight as a wildcard. During the semi-finals, many of the judges complimented the band for their musicality, stage performance and their songs.

Abasi told the band during episode eight that there was not much to criticize for the band and was surprised that they weren’t bigger. Alice Cooper told them that they should stick with their sound and keep going.

“I normally would say listen to your producer, but in your case, I would say produce yourselves because nobody’s going to understand what you’re doing except you,” Cooper said.

Brocki told Up & Coming Weekly that it was amazing to get that feedback.

Night Spins’ Spotify account has grown since being on the show. Brocki said they went from 7,000 listeners to 17,000 fans on the one platform alone. They are now planning a tour in the Northeast for this summer. As tour dates get added, Brocki says they will come back and play in Fayetteville in the fall.

The grand prize for "NO COVER" includes a six-figure recording contract with Sumerian Records, representation from United Talent Agency and Shelter Music Group, performance slots at a Danny Wimmer Presents

Music Festival, a $10,000 shopping spree from Guitar Center and brand-new gear from Gibson USA, Mesa Engineering, Ernie Ball, Liquid Death and Discmakers.

The final episode premieres on June 29 at 9 p.m. on Sumerian Records’ YouTube page.

Dinosaurs are back and at it again at Sweet Valley Ranch this summer. With over 40 different animatronics, a fossil dig, a fossil museum and 350 animals at the ranch, this Fayetteville summer attraction has been attracting visitors from all over the country.

ShaDonna “Mo” McPhaul, director of public relations, branding and marketing for Surgeon & Associates, Inc., says the interest in Dinosaur World is vast.

“You would be surprised that most of the people who visited were not even from Fayetteville. They came from out of town to visit Dinosaur World,” McPhaul said.

Sweet Valley Ranch launched Dinosaur World last summer, which was a major success for the ranch.
Last year, the attraction had 25 animatronics. The dinosaur trail this year is filled with far more, with over 40 moving dinosaurs and creatures.

“It was a huge response, and I considered making it bigger just from last year. It’s going to get bigger and bigger because what I think is happening is the world has a new infatuation with dinosaurs,” McPhaul said, citing movies like Jurassic World: Dominion and Apple TV Plus’s new show, Prehistoric Planet.

But Dinosaur World is not just dinosaurs this year. Ice Age Animals will be appearing alongside all the prehistoric creatures: mammoths, dodo birds and even our early ancestors - the cavemen.

“I hope people come with their families and just enjoy the peace and the serenity of being on the farm. And of course, I hope they get to experience all of the attractions,” McPhaul said.

The Sweet Valley Ranch Gives Back Program will also continue during Dinosaur World. The program aims to help charities that help people locally.
Six different charities will rotate weekends manning one of the concession trucks.

They will receive a portion of the proceeds, and Sweet Valley Ranch will match up to $1,000 from Fred Surgeon and his wife.

Participating charities include Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, First In Families Cumberland Chapter, Let’s Talk, Cumberland County School Nutrition Association, Vision Resource Center and Health And Nutritional Development Empowered Thru Education (HAND-EE).

By the end of the year, they hope to have given back $50,000.

“I want people to know that they can come out in groups, field trips, birthday parties, family reunions,” McPhaul said.

“We want groups to come out and enjoy the farm.”

The farm itself is home to 350 animals. That includes horses, pigs, cows, rabbits, peacocks and a camel. Over 30% of the animals homed at Sweet Valley Ranch are rescues.

Regular admission tickets will give attendees access to the Dinosaur World Trail, Ice Age, Reptile House, Fossil Museum, exotic bird aviary, fossil dig and a self-guided farm tour. Adult tickets (ages 12 and up) are $30.

Children’s tickets are $20. Children 3 and under get in for free.
Tickets can be bought in-person or online at www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/tickets.
There are add-ons people can pay for, including a guided farm tour, go-kart nature trail rides, catch and release fishing, and ATVs.
Dinosaur World will be at Sweet Valley Ranch until August 21.