Local News

FTCC expands nursing program to meet community need

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Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Written by Dr. Sharon Gallagher

In response to a growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, Fayetteville Technical Community College is expanding its Associate Degree Nursing program, increasing enrollment from 280 to 400 full-time students. This expansion comes at a critical time: North Carolina is projected to face a 23% shortage of registered nurses by 2036 — the fourth-largest RN shortage in the nation.
For Cumberland County and surrounding areas, the looming shortage could lead to longer hospital wait times, heavier workloads for current staff, and challenges in maintaining high-quality care.
Without enough nurses, timely access to healthcare services is at risk, highlighting the urgent need to invest in nursing education and support local healthcare workers. FTCC’s expanded ADN program is a key step toward filling these gaps by preparing more highly qualified nurses to enter the healthcare workforce.
In September 2024, FTCC opened a new Nursing Education Annex, adding 6,000 square feet of space to support increased enrollment. The annex complements the Nursing Education and Simulation Center—a state-of-the-art facility with seven classrooms, two computer labs, eleven simulation labs, and two debriefing rooms.
Together, the labs, classrooms, study rooms, communal areas, and faculty offices create a welcoming, supportive environment for both students and instructors.
Beyond physical space expansion, FTCC provides comprehensive support services to help recruit and retain nursing students. Faculty and the engaging staff in the Student Learning Center offer regular tutoring to strengthen subject knowledge and lab skills.
Workshops on test-taking, time management, and study skills further strengthen academic success. Nursing students are encouraged to participate in clubs and organizations such as the Student Nurses’ Association, Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society and the Practical Nursing Club, which build peer relationships and promote health education and community engagement.
With some of the lowest tuition rates in the region, FTCC helps students access financial aid, scholarships, and work-study opportunities—allowing many to graduate with little or no personal cost. As the region faces a growing healthcare staffing shortage, FTCC stands at the forefront—preparing the next generation of nurses with the education, experience, and support to serve their communities.
Are you ready to learn more?
Contact FTCC Today by visiting the office at the Nursing Education Annex, Rm. 101, 2340 Hull Rd. Call 910-678-0183 or email the Department Secretary, Mrs. Michelle Asendorf, at asendorm@faytechcc.edu.

Mott asks: Can people like us go home again?

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Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Written by D.G. Martin

Here’s a trivia question: Name a novel by a North Carolina writer about a fictional author who traveled abroad and struggled with returning to the complexities of American culture?
If you know your North Carolina literary history, your knee-jerk reaction might be “You Can’t Go Home Again” by Thomas Wolfe. Published in 1940 after Wolfe’s death, the plot follows an author who wrote an acclaimed book, traveled to Paris, London, and New York, and struggles with being able to return to his hometown.
If you are up to date with more current North Carolina authors, you know that these themes are explored afresh by our most recent National Book Award winner, Jason Mott. Mott grew up and still lives in Columbus County, is a double graduate of UNC-Wilmington, and is a professor there. He’s a North Carolinian through and through. In his new novel, “People Like Us,” the question of whether you can return home again is alive, well, and all too pertinent.
If you have not read any of Mott’s novels, you have a treat ahead of you. Mott bends genres and leans into his background and expertise as a poet to create visceral, vivid scenes that make his books hard to put down.
I’m drawn to realistic fiction and generally like to keep both my feet on solid ground. I shy away from anything with too much shape-shifting or supernatural elements.
Mott’s debut novel, “The Returned,” published in 2011, featured the reappearance in fully-human form of people who died years ago. I’ll admit, I was skeptical. But his ability to persuade literalists like me to suspend disbelief opened the door to my enjoying his provocative stories, laced with intoxicating magical realism.
In his 2018 novel “The Crossing,” he blurred the lines of reality in a dystopian story of teenage twins coping in a world battered by deadly disease and war. And then, in 2021, he captured the National Book Award with “Hell of a Book” using surreal elements, “audacity and invention” to wow the panel of judges judges.
And now, fresh off the presses, “People Like Us,” while not exactly a sequel to “Hell of a Book,” pulls some of the same characters into yet another blending of the mundane and the otherworldly. Mott’s toolbox of magical realism, time travel, and hallucinatory passages allows his characters—and his readers—to process difficult issues.
Stretching from familiar North Carolina all the way up to the cold reaches of Minnesota and even farther, across the Atlantic to Europe, Mott uses interlocking storylines of two main narrators who are alike in some ways but shaped by their own unique struggles.
Mott situates us on ground we recognize—post-pandemic America, full of both sunshine and lurking, dark shadows. He doesn’t flinch from the hard stuff—gun violence, divorce, suicide, racism—laying them out with an honesty that startles.
He treats these weighty themes not just with the gravity they demand, but with a surprising mix of wit, irony, and even tenderness. Mott pulls it off with grace, vivid detail, and, at times, something close to poetry.
For anyone who has wondered if they belong in their family, in their school, in their hometown, or in their country, Mott offers a reminder that’s both bracing and comforting: those doubts are not yours alone. You’re not as alone—or as different—as you might think.
No matter your view on the Second Amendment, no matter your race, no matter if you are a Southerner or someone from the Midwest, you’ll see yourself in these characters. They are grieving, struggling with questions of identity and belonging, and searching to find their place, whether that means a spot on the map, a moment in history, or a role within their own family. In “People Like Us,” Mott makes it clear: there are, indeed, people like you.
Mott picks up where Wolfe and other North Carolina writers have left off, wrestling with the question of whether we can or can’t go home again. Percolating amidst the rollicking exploration of this question lies something even darker: a quiet alarm about the direction our country—our home—is taking. One character even suggests that “hell, for the right price, leaving America just might be the new American Dream.”
You might find yourself nodding in agreement.

New to the Neighborhood

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Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Written by Staff Report

Each month, we highlight the new restaurants and venues that have opened.

WAWA
3613 Raeford Rd.
Open 24 Hours
910-321-8010
https://www.wawa.com/
Wawa, a beloved convenience store and gas station chain along the North Coast, rivals competitors like 7-11 and Sheetz. Operating around the clock, this one-stop shop has become an essential part of local communities.

UMI
5548 Yadkin Rd.
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Sun. Noon to 11 p.m.
910-491-0414
https://www.uminc28303.com/
Craving sushi, hibachi, or comforting ramen? Umi, formerly Pocky Cafe, offers a delicious menu featuring fresh sushi rolls, flavorful ramen bowls, and savory teriyaki dishes. Dine in or enjoy the convenience of delivery and takeout.

CEDAR CREEK MARKET LLC
1304 CEDAR CREEK RD
Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
770-905-5652
https://cedarcreekfarmersmarket.com/
Cedar Creek Market, a family-run farm and market, celebrated its grand opening on August 7th. Offering a wide selection of fresh, locally-sourced products, the market features its own pastured meats alongside produce, jams, jellies, honey, and other goods from other local farms.

CHAPTER HOUSE BOOKS
225 FRANKLIN ST.
Tues.-Fri. Noon to 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
910-263-8765
https://www.chapterhousenc.com/
Chapter House Books sells new, used and vintage books in all genres. They have also partnered with Libro for you to buy audiobooks directly from their store with over 500,000 titles in the catalog.

Keep an eye out for…..

Jersey Mike’s at Dirtbag Plaza
5533 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills
Back in September 2024, Dirtbag Ales announced they would be developing the land across the street from them with a plaza.
The first business for the plaza has been announced. Jersey Mike's, owned by Daniel and Jamie Terracciano, will be a 1,800-square-foot sandwich shop. They are hoping to have the store open by the end of September. Keep a look out for a grand opening announcement.

BOUNTY FARMHOUSE KITCHEN & TAP
4150 SYCAMORE DAIRY ROAD
The former Mash House location is getting a fresh start with Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen & Tap, a farm-to-table restaurant celebrating North Carolina's rich agricultural heritage. Bounty will feature seasonal menus and whole-animal butchery, showcasing the best of local ingredients.
The bar will offer a curated selection of craft cocktails, North Carolina beers, and locally sourced wines and spirits. Look for Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen & Tap to open in Fall 2025.

SUN SUPERMARKET
404 SANTA FE DR
910-868-9954
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100032041940811
Sun Supermarket has announced that it will be expanding to a new and bigger location, with over 30,000 square feet at the new location.
The new store will offer a new meat department, a health and wellness section, more household goods, more snacks and more grab-to-go food options. The location will be on Santa Fe near the Amazon Warehouse. Follow their Facebook page above for further updates.

Up & Coming Weekly Dining Guide: Spring Lake

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Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Written by Staff Report

This month, we are highlighting some of the great places to dine in Spring Lake.

LA VISTA ITALIAN
RESTAURANT
1107 N Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
910-229-3588
https://www.lavistaitaliannc.com/
Experience authentic Italian at La Vista Italian Restaurant, a cozy and casual spot with a welcoming atmosphere. Boasting a 4.5-star rating, La Vista is renowned for its delicious, traditional dishes. Embark on a culinary "Tour of Italy" or savor their generously-sized pepperoni and sausage pizza. Don't miss out on other favorites, such as the limoncello cake and flavorful garlic knots. Open for lunch and dinner, La Vista offers a wide selection of Italian staples, from pizzas, calzones, and strombolis to pasta perfection, including fettuccine alfredo, spinach ravioli, and lasagna. Wings and subs are also available for those seeking something different.

GUACAHOLIC MEXICAN GRILL & BAR
231 Skyland Shopping Center, Spring Lake
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
910-779-0879
https://www.guacaholicgrill.com/
This vibrant hotspot is renowned for its delicious food, festive atmosphere, and unique decor that transports you straight to Mexico. Savor customer favorites like the Guacaholic Fajitas, Sizzling Enchiladas, and Texas Fajitas. Vegetarian options and a children's menu ensure everyone finds something to enjoy. The bar is a major attraction, boasting an impressive selection of margaritas. Cool off with the incredibly tasty Grinch Margarita or share the towering Guac Tower Margarita with friends.

SAWADDEE THAI & CHINESE RESTAURANT
1006 N. Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
910-436-5757
https://tinyurl.com/57pzkn72
Savor authentic Thai cuisine at Sawaddee Thai & Chinese Restaurant, a beloved local gem boasting a 4.6-star rating. This casual, family-run establishment is renowned for its generous portions and flavorful dishes, including classics like Pad Thai, Panang Chicken, Red Curry, and Pineapple Fried Rice. Vegetarian options are also available. Complete your meal with a taste of their homemade desserts—the Thai Taro Custard and Fried Bananas with Honey are not to be missed.

LEGACY ROLLS
1161 N Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake
Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
919-448-5241
Legacy Rolls offers a casual and cozy dining experience centered around a unique comfort food concept. Founded by a father and son team, this restaurant features slider creations served on their signature sweet rolls – a treasured family recipe passed down through generations. Beyond their famous sliders, Legacy Rolls also offers breakfast items and a variety of tempting sides. Popular slider choices include cheeseburger, fried chicken, pork belly, and catfish. Breakfast sandwiches are also available. But the real star of the show is the sweet roll itself. Don't miss the chance to try the blueberry sweet roll – a true highlight of the menu.

CEDAR POINT RESTAURANT
997 N Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake
Wed.-Sun 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
910-497-9127
Cedar Point Restaurant is a beloved daytime diner, celebrated for its friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere and classic American comfort food. Start your day with a hearty breakfast featuring fluffy omelets, stacks of pancakes, or traditional breakfast plates served with your choice of home fries or grits. For lunch, indulge in comforting classics like juicy burgers, flavorful chicken Philly sandwiches, and other satisfying dishes. The perfectly cooked jalapeño pepper jack burger and the savory chicken Philly come highly recommended. And don't forget to save room for dessert. The peanut butter pie is a must-try.

PEKING WOK
630 Lillington Hwy #128,
Spring Lake
Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sun. Noon to 10 p.m.
910-497-8884
Peking Wok serves up authentic Chinese cuisine in a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere that caters to both dine-in guests and takeout customers. The restaurant's extensive menu features beloved classics that keep diners coming back, including their perfectly crispy General Tso's chicken glazed in sweet-spicy sauce, tender lo mein noodles tossed with fresh vegetables, and crispy crab rangoon filled with creamy crab and cream cheese.

ABBY'S EMPANADAS
8018 Elliot Bridge Rd., Spring Lake
Mon. -Sat. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
910-835-4004
https://abbysempanadas.com/
Abby's Empanadas is a family-owned restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, with the motto "bake you happy!" Their authentic, artisan-baked empanadas are made fresh daily with premium ingredients. Both savory and sweet options are available. Savor classic fillings like chicken, cheesy beef, or spicy chipotle chicken. Start your day—any time of day—with their breakfast empanada featuring bacon, egg, and cheese. For a sweet treat, indulge in our guava and cheese, rich dulce de leche, or seasonal caramel apple empanadas.

BROOKLYN PIZZERIA
1125 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake
Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
910-436-5666
https://brooklynpizzeriaspringlake.com/
Brooklyn Pizzeria offers a laid-back dining experience specializing in authentic New York-style pizza, featuring perfectly crispy thin crusts and generously-sized slices that satisfy any appetite. Beyond their signature pies, this welcoming establishment serves up a delectable array of traditional Italian favorites, including homemade baked lasagna layered with rich cheese and hearty meat sauce, and tender ravioli filled with savory ingredients. Customers can also enjoy fresh submarine sandwiches, crisp garden salads, and crowd-pleasing sides such as freshly baked garlic knots and flavorful chicken wings tossed in various sauces.

NAVARIAH'S KITCHEN
1114 N. Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake
Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to
7:30 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
910-229-2701
Navariah's Kitchen delights diners with its vibrant Caribbean-soul food offerings, bringing authentic island flavors to every plate. The restaurant's signature dishes showcase traditional Caribbean cooking at its finest, from tender, slow-cooked oxtails in rich gravy to perfectly seasoned curry chicken. Other must-try specialties include their smoky jerk chicken, hearty brown stew chicken, and aromatic curry goat. Complete your meal with their irresistible sides - creamy mac and cheese, fragrant rice and peas, and sweet, caramelized fried plantains.

NOBLE MEATS & EATERY
2469 Lillington Hwy #1847, Spring Lake
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
910-436-6022
Noble Meats & Eatery offers a unique dining experience, combining a custom butcher shop with a barbecue restaurant. Enjoy a friendly atmosphere, generous portions, and flavorful barbecue favorites like brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends. The menu also features a variety of sandwiches and lunch plates. Beyond the delicious barbecue, you can visit the butcher shop and select from a wide array of fresh cuts of meat and homemade sausages.

DAB'S SOUL FOOD CAFE
412 N. Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake
Mon. 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tues. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thurs. & Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
910-436-0110
Dab's Soul Food Cafe is renowned for its authentic Southern soul food. While the menu changes daily, offering a delightful variety, you can always count on classics like crispy fried chicken, tender smothered pork chops, savory turkey wings, and homestyle meatloaf. These mainstays are complemented by a rotating selection of delectable sides, including creamy mac and cheese, sweet candied yams, and flavorful collard greens.

LOS PRIMOS
316 Lillington Hwy, Spring Lake
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
910-436-0306
Los Primos is a beloved Mexican restaurant specializing in authentic Mexican cuisine. Their menu features classic dishes like handmade tacos, burritos stuffed with fresh ingredients, and traditional tamales wrapped in corn husks. The restaurant has earned a reputation for its flavorful house specialties, including richly sauced enchiladas, tender steak tacos, savory birria tacos, and hearty Mole de Olla soup.

K-FOOD SEOUL
600 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. Noon to 8 p.m.
910-263-8200
K-Food Seoul, a popular Korean restaurant boasting a 4.5-star rating, is praised for its authentic and flavorful dishes. The menu features Korean classics, including CupBop, a layered rice bowl customizable with various toppings such as Beef & Mandu, Pork & Chicken, or Pork & Beef Bulgogi. Beyond CupBop, K-Food Seoul offers enticing entrees like marinated grilled beef ribs and hearty stews like Kimchi Jjigae. You can also savor other Korean favorites, including crispy fried chicken, flavorful dumplings, and comforting beef rib soup.

NAK WON KOREAN
RESTAURANT
138 N. Main St., Spring Lake
Wed. & Thurs. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
910-497-8858
Nak Won Korean Restaurant is a family-run eatery celebrated for its authentic Korean cuisine and generous portions. Savor classic dishes like Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork Bulgogi, and Bibimbap. Guest favorites also include Kimbap (seaweed rice rolls), crispy Goon Yaki Mandu (fried beef dumplings), Tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes), and sweet Korean rice donuts filled with creamy custard. Vegetarian options are also available.

ARMORED TACOS & GRILL
RESTAURANT
110 S. Bragg Blvd. #28390, Spring Lake
Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
910-920-1060
https://www.armoredtacosandgrill.com
Savor the authentic flavors of Mexico at Armored Tacos & Grill, a casual and cozy restaurant where every dish is made fresh to order. They specialize in both traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, offering a menu packed with vibrant flavors and generous portions. Sink your teeth into their signature tacos, filled with your choice of savory carne asada, al pastor, chorizo, carnitas, or barbacoa. Be sure to explore the hefty burritos, sizzling fajitas, cheesy quesadillas, crispy chimichangas, and their famous "bomber fries," piled high with your favorite toppings and meats.

THAI-ESAN RESTAURANT
803 N. Main St., Spring Lake
Wed.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
910-497-3795
https://www.thaiesanrestaurant.com/
Savor the authentic flavors of Northeast Thailand at Thai-Esan Restaurant, a family-owned gem known for its exquisite Esan cuisine. Chef and owner Pennapa Hinnant personally crafts each dish, ensuring an unforgettable culinary experience true to her heritage. Explore popular favorites like Pad Thai, rich Red and Panang Curries, savory Beef Bulgogi, and the fiery delight of Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao).

OSAKA JAPANESE EXPRESS
624 Lillington Hwy Unit 200, Spring Lake
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
910-835-5711
https://www.osakaspringlake.com/
Osaka Japanese Express offers a casual dining experience, specializing in delicious hibachi and teriyaki dishes for both takeout and dine-in. Their menu features a wide selection of Japanese favorites, from classic hibachi and teriyaki entrees to flavorful fried rice and ramen bowls. For sushi lovers, they also offer a dedicated sushi bar.

CHOPSSTIXS THAI & ASIAN CUISINE
414 N. Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake
Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
910-436-2728
Savor the Flavors of Asia at Chopstixs Thai & Asian Cuisine. This casual and welcoming restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring both classic Thai favorites and popular Asian dishes. From the rich aromas of Pad Thai and a variety of curries to satisfying Chinese dinner combos like General Tso's Chicken and Mongolian Beef, there's something for everyone. Enjoy a relaxing dine-in experience, grab a quick and tasty takeout meal, or have the flavors of Asia delivered right to your door.