The global business services provider eClerx has cut the ribbon in celebration of its Fayetteville delivery center at 235 N. McPherson Church Rd. Local elected officials and business leaders toured the center on the second floor of the building, which houses Hamrick’s Department Store. 

The company has more than 9,000 employees worldwide, but the eClerx location in Cumberland County is the company’s only delivery center in the United States. The company expects to create 150 new jobs. eClerx says it offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. 

Headquartered in Mumbai, India, the firm provides business operations service to over 50 Fortune 500 companies around the world. Its clients include financial service, cable and telecom, retail, entertainment, manufacturing and technology firms. 

At the ribbon-cutting celebration in Fayetteville, eClerx presented donations to representatives from Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina and Americares to assist with relief efforts associated with Hurricane Florence. 

Trump approval slipping among service members 

President Donald Trump’s approval rating among active-duty military personnel has slipped over the last two years. That leaves today’s troops evenly split over the commander in chief’s job performance, according to the results of a new Military Times poll of active-duty service members. 

About 44 percent of troops had a favorable view of Trump’s presidency, the poll showed, compared to 43 percent who disapproved. 

The poll was conducted in September and October and indicates a decline in military members’ support of Trump since he was elected in fall 2016. A similar Military Times poll from 2016 showed that 46 percent of troops approved of Trump compared to 37 percent who disapproved. During that same period, the number of neutral respondents has dwindled from almost 17 percent to about 13 percent. 

   Peter Feaver was an adviser to former President George W. Bush and is now a political science professor at Duke University. “In this case, we’re seeing military members shifting along with the public but still staying a little more pro-Trump than the rest of the country,” he told the Military Times. 

   The new survey results also show that enlisted men show Trump the most overwhelming support. Military women, meanwhile, have a much harsher view of Trump’s time in office. Officers still have a lower opinion of his presidency than enlisted soldiers. 

Watch out for deer 

   Fall weather corresponds with a higher than usual number of car accidents involving deer. Animals darting onto roadways increases the risk of vehicle damage and personal injuries. Deer are more present on the roadways throughout the fall and early winter due to the hunting and mating seasons. Unfortunately, they also tend to travel more at times when it is harder to see them, including dawn and dusk. 

   The North Carolina Department of Transportation said there were 18,540 animal-vehicle collisions in the state in 2017, which was 629 more than the year before. The total number of animal collisions over the past three years was near 54,500. 

   The DOT’s latest study on animal collisions shows those crashes killed 14 people, seriously injured 69 others and resulted in 3,265 injuries. For the 15th year in a row, Wake County had the largest number of animal-related accidents. Cumberland County ranked 46 in the state last year. 

   The DOT has some helpful tips for motorists to decrease their risk of being in a deer-vehicle crash: Drive slowly in areas posted with deer crossing signs. Reduce speed in heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening. If your vehicle does strike a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. Get your car off the road if possible and call 911. 

Flu vaccines available 

   The Cumberland County Health Department is offering flu vaccinations to children and adults at the immunization clinic at 1235 Ramsey St. Uninsured children six months to 18 years old may receive the vaccinations free of charge. For adults, the fee depends on the type of flu vaccine received. 

   The Health Department’s Immunization Clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every second and fourth Tuesday until 7 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. Walk-ins are welcome except for Friday afternoon service, which is limited and available by appointment only. 

   For more information, call 910-433-3633 or 910- 433-3657. 

Donated veterinary supplies benefit local dogs and cats 

   Cumberland County Animal Control has received 10,000 doses of dog vaccines and 6,300 doses of cat vaccines from GreaterGood.org, in partnership with Elanco Animal Health. The organizations donated the vaccines to areas affected by Hurricane Florence. Animal Control Director Elaine Smith said the combined 16,300 vaccines were more than the animal shelter could use, so Cumberland County shared them with a dozen other counties as well as local rescue groups and animal welfare organizations. 

   “Vaccinating dogs and cats on intake at the shelter is considered to be the standard of good care and can be a considerable expense for shelters,” said Smith. 

   Animal Control has also been awarded a $14,000 grant from the Banfield Foundation to purchase veterinary medical equipment, which will allow minor surgery to be performed on animals at the shelter. The equipment will allow Dr. April Kelly, who recently joined the department as staff veterinarian, to provide a more advanced level of medical care for animals at the shelter.