Local News

A look back at Up & Coming Weekly's 2025 stories

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Aly Hansen

The end of 2025 marks the end of my second full year as editor of Up & Coming Weekly. It has been an interesting year in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We saw a lot of change... and a lot of things stayed the same.
One thing that hasn't changed: if you say Fayetteville has nothing to do, you just aren't looking hard enough. UCW has covered events new to the area in 2025 and events that have been around for a while. We've covered a few of the goings on at Fort Bragg, and celebrated our amazing local colleges and universities as they continue to grow and change.
This year, UCW created one of the largest election guides in Cumberland County, giving candidates the opportunity to talk about their positions. We also celebrated our 28th annual Best of Fayetteville. We created the official guide to the Dogwood Festival, and commemorated Dan Nelson's wonderful artwork associated with the event.
We won awards this year, with Anna White scoring a nod as a Green Eyeshade third place winner in the Lifestyle Reporting category.
Troy Williams was welcomed back as a regular columnist for the paper, and has joined Pitt Dickey's and Margaret Dickson's voices for the community.
Several articles and opinion pieces this year covered the events surrounding the Crown Event Center in downtown. From the ground breaking, the halting of construction, the ultimate closing down of the project, and a lawsuit, this is one story that won't be left behind in 2025. The Crown Coliseum will see a facelift in the coming years, and the location of the Crown Event Center downtown still exists in limbo.
2025 saw the inclusion of Government Watch, a Greater Fayetteville Chamber sponsored column with writer Jami McLaughlin reporting on Cumberland County and City of Fayetteville governmental meetings.
Speaking of the Chamber, UCW celebrated the Chamber's 1,000 member in our April 2 edition. Publisher Bill Bowman wrote in his Publisher's Pen: "You can't keep a good man down. Or a
great organization!"
"This achievement marks a new era of growth and momentum for the Chamber. It continues to grow and is the leading advocate for businesses and organizations in Fayetteville and the surround municipalities," he wrote.
Continuing in the vein of government and politics, Mayor Mitch Colvin announced in June he wouldn't be running for another term in office. We covered the story in our June 18 edition. Nine other candidates ended up filing for the position, each hoping to make their mark on the city. Colvin reversed course, however, throwing his hat back in the ring at, quite literally, the last possible moment. He ended up winning over other primary election winner, Kathy Keefe Jensen for his fifth term in office. ,
The city did see other changes, however. In our May 7 edition, Jamie Bishop talked about the Fayetteville Area System of Transit working on electric buses for the city, making public transportation more environmentally friendly.
Bishop also covered the county's White Flag Shelters in our Dec. 10 edition. Bishop spoke to Garry Crumpler, who oversees emergency management for the county.
"A White Flag night isn't just about cold weather," Crumpler said. "It's about the reality that some people in our county have nowhere else to go, and we refuse to let winter decide their fate."
Habitat for Humanity was showcased several times this year in UCW, another organization within our community that strives to help those who need it the most. In our Nov. 5 edition, Sheila D. Barker wrote about a local veteran who was on the receiving end of that help. Phyllis McCroskey, a longtime volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and a 12 year army veteran was the receipient of the 2025 Veteran's Build.
"The project focuses on much-needed repairs and improvements to Ms. McCroskey's home, including replacing rotted trim boards and fascia, upgrading electrcial fixtures, performing yard work, painting and repairin gher deck," Barker writes.
Veterans were a focal point of our March 12 edition. The article, written by Jamie Bishop, talks about the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Luncheon at VFW Post 670. The luncheon was part of a three day celebration to honor those who served in the Vietnam War. This event marked the 50th anniversary of combat troops withdrawing from Vietnam.
Amelia Smith, VFW Post 670 quartermaster and whose father served in Vietnam, said, "I can remember the bitterness my father sometimes expressed about the treatment that he and others in his community received upon their return from Vietnam. This event is so important to everyone at VFW Post 670 and me. It's about giving our Vietnam veterans the recognition they deserved all along."
Another veteran was the focus of a March 12 article I wrote. Private First Class Roland Leon Bragg was honored during a ceremony at Fort Liberty turned Bragg on March 7. Fort Bragg has been named "Bragg" since its inception in 1918. The original Bragg, Braxton Bragg, was a North Carolinian Confederate general. In 2023, Fort Bragg was renamed "Fort Libety," in an attempt to remove the honor of an Army post named after a traitor.
Enter PFC Roland Leon Bragg. The post was renamed in his honor, and his family couldn't have been more thrilled. Diane Watts, Roland Bragg’s daughter who was also at the ceremony, said, “They were looking for a man of good character, and they found my dad.”
Another big event happend on post. Army Community Service celebrated 60 years. In our July 16 edition, Jamie Bishop wrote about the festivities surrounding the milestone anniversary. ACS held a backpack giveaway, games, food and family friendly activities to DoD ID cardholders. Here's to 60 more years for the organization, who are dedicated to helping military families.
In our Aug. 13 edition, we celebrated an exciting event: the return of National Airborne Day at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. The event had taken a hiatus for a couple of years, but came back in full force. The Golden Knights held a parachute jumping demonstration, riggers from Fort Bragg showed attendees how to pack parachutes, and fuselages used for jump practice were brought for everyone to check out. The event was a celebration of all things airborne.
The morning started with a different celebration, however. The Liberty Tree, a large live Virginia Oak on the ASOM property, was honored with a historical marker plaque. In 1775, 55 men signed the Liberty Point Resolves and carried this important document, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, to the Liberty Tree. They nailed the Resolves to the tree for all in Fayetteville to see.
In our Aug. 6 edition, we talked about yet another historic event in Fayetteville. On July 25, ground was broken on the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction.
“It will be the first and only museum in North Carolina that focuses on an important part of our history. Important and frankly overlooked at this point in time, and that's Reconstruction. It’s the story of our state putting itself back together after the Civil War,” said Pamela Brewington Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The museum is slated to be open in 2028.
Fayetteville celebrated the return of Lafayette in our Feb. 26 edition. Anna White's article talked about the lasting legacy of the Revolutionary War hero and the imprint he left on the city. The Lafayette Society with the American Friends of Lafayette put on a spectacular three day festival surrounding the historic events of 1825.
Another spectacular event this year happened at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The season opener of 9-5 the Musical brought down the house. UCW sponsored the show and profiled the production in our Sept. 3 edition written by Katie Herring. UCW's next sponsored production will be CFRT's High School Musical, coming in early 2026.
Cumberland Choral Arts graced. our cover this October with their concert Water Works. This inspired show was new artistic director Maj. Curtis Kinzey's first as director. The show featured songs that all had a water focused theme, and inspiration was taken from folk songs, pop songs and spirituals. The article was written by Emily Sussman.
CCA had several features throughout their season, but the Yuletide Feaste was a reader's favorite. Written by Sheila D. Barker for our Nov. 26 edition, this article highlighted one of the ways Fayetteville could ring in the holiday season.
UCW celebrated a different holiday this season: Burns Night. In our Jan. 15 edition, Sheila D. Barker wrote about this Scottish day.
"Burns Night, or Burns' Supper, is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns, a revered Scottish poet born on January 25, 1759. The tradition began on July 21, 1801, when Burns' friends gathered at his cottage in Ayrshire to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his death," Barker writes. The Cape Fear Scottish Clans, in an effort to preserve the history and traditions of the Scots who settled in the area, celebrate Burns Night every January.
The list of amazing articles from this season is lengthy, and I haven't been able to get to all of them. Anna White wrote an article in our Jan. 22 edition about Opioid Research happening at FSU in conjunction with the Department of Public Health; Katie Herring wrote about the Fayetteville Ukulele Club's weekly jams as talked about in a Sept. 17 article. Crissy Neville profiled ZZ Top in our March 5 edition. Adam Taylor brought the Cameo Collective to our attention in our Oct. 8 edition, and has been covering all of the goings on at the historic downtown theatre all year.
It has been a privilege and joy to bring such stories to the community, and we all hope to keep doing just that for many more years to come.
On behalf of the staff at Up & Coming Weekly, Happy New Year! Here's to 2026.

No pain, no problems: Arthroscopic surgery restores shoulder worn down by life

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Lia Tremblaya

At 74, Joyce Bryant has a lot to be proud of: a loving family, a happy retirement from a long career and a very independent spirit.
“Some people might say I’m too independent,” she said. “I try to do things on my own. Very rarely would I ask anyone for help, and I’ve got to be really down to where I just can’t do it alone.”
Before her retirement, Bryant was working at the front desk of a Fort Bragg medical clinic. She prided herself on being a team player.
“I liked being someone who got things done,” she said. “I would pitch in and do whatever anyone needed help with.”
But in 2017, Bryant’s can-do attitude was challenged by a nagging pain in her right shoulder. Over time, it went from a dull ache when lifting to a noticeable sting when reaching, to a distracting pain even at rest. She couldn't ignore it anymore.
“I just got to a point where I said, you know what, I’m going to make an appointment with Dr. Barnes,” Bryant said. “I knew we  needed to do something.”
Christopher Barnes, MD, is an orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at Fayetteville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. He specializes in shoulder surgery, including the repair of joint injuries that may stem from athletic
exertion—or merely from the wear and tear of life.
Dr. Barnes had helped Bryant with her knee issues in the past, so she knew whom to trust for her shoulder problem. He suspected a rotator cuff tear, which was confirmed by MRI.
“He said he recommended surgery,” Bryant said. “And I was like, OK, let’s go.”
Bryant was scheduled for an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place and help it move. It may be injured suddenly or gradually damaged by a lifetime of wear and tear. An arthroscopic surgery uses a small camera, inserted through a tiny incision, to help the surgeon see and repair the damage with minimal pain and scarring for the patient.
“He explained the procedure to me, how it would go and how long it would probably take,” Bryant said. “He didn’t rush me, and he answered all my questions. I appreciated that a lot.”
Bryant was in particularly good hands with Dr. Barnes, who was the first to offer arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at Cape Fear Valley when he arrived in 2003. He has performed more than 5,000 shoulder arthroscopies since then.
Though she was no stranger to surgery, Bryant said she was still nervous when the big day came.
“And I told them,” she said. “I said it a lot, because when I get scared or nervous, I talk a lot. But they helped me to feel better. They answered all my questions until I felt like I could do it.”
The next thing she knew, Bryant was waking up with a repaired shoulder and no complications. She went home to recover, with  lots of help from loved ones—three generations of them, from her husband to her grandchildren.
“I had excellent support at home with my family,” she said. “Especially my husband, Bernard. I call him my Uber because he’s always taking me somewhere.”
The next stop for Bryant and her Uber was a crucial step in full recovery: physical therapy. By helping to restore strength and range of motion in the joint, physical therapy is nearly as important to rotator cuff repair as the surgery itself.
“Physical therapy ain’t never easy,” Bryant said, laughing. “But they were so patient with me. They said, ‘Just try. That’s all we ask, is that you try.’”
To her relief, physical therapy did get easier as her shoulder healed. Soon, with no pain in her right shoulder, she was becoming more aware of a growing ache in her left shoulder. When Dr. Barnes recommended the same surgery on that side, Bryant didn’t hesitate. 
“I had the other shoulder done later that same year,” she said. “And they’re perfect. I have no pain, no problems. I can get around and do what I want to do.”

(Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)

CCF sees record 2025 GivingTuesday donations

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Anna White

Dedicated to enhancing the quality and spirit of community life in Cumberland County, the Cumberland Community Foundation’s annual GivingTuesday campaign has benefited local nonprofits since 2020. This year, the campaign saw record growth, with $4.1 million raised compared to $2.88 million in 2024.
“We were really happy with it,” Maddie Kellogg, Cumberland Community Foundation donor services manager, said. “Giving grew in all categories of gifts.”
The campaign begins when participating nonprofits undergo rigorous coaching to prepare for GivingTuesday. They receive communication training and an extensive nonprofit toolkit. Kellogg says the toolkit contains “anything and everything they need to be successful.” The training empowers them to garner awareness among their supporters for giving
opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Cumberland Community Foundation raises $500,000 in matching funds and publishes a Giving Guide in collaboration with CityView. The Giving Guide introduces all participating nonprofits, giving community members a chance to learn about local nonprofits and determine which they want to support.
When GivingTuesday rolls around, the Cumberland Community Foundation receives donations on behalf of the nonprofits, presenting them with a single check at the end of the giving window and saving them the administrative overwhelm of processing end of year donations.
This year, The Cumberland Community Foundation saw 40 percent growth in total dollars donated, according to a press release. Additional growth included the following:
• The number of donors increased from 1,457 in 2024 to 1,766 in 2025.
• Distributions from donor-advised funds held at the Cumberland Community Foundation grew from $388,161.07 in 2024 to $852,392.22 in 2025.
• The number of six-figure gifts increased, mainly in stock and distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts to satisfy the donor’s Required Minimum Distribution.
• The average gift size increased from $1,611.43 in 2024 to $2,027.78 in 2025. Kellogg said that gift sizes ranged from $10 to $230,000.
“People of all abilities to give gave during the GivingTuesday campaign,” she shared. She says the dramatic differences in gift sizes indicates that, “when we give together, we can improve our impact.”
Kellogg pointed to the generosity of community members and the hard work of nonprofits as factors in this year’s growth. “Our community is very generous, we’ve seen it now for 5 years,” she gushed. Additionally, she said the “nonprofits love this time of year because they love working together and building each other up and seeing all the other nonprofits succeed.”
The coaching and mentorship the Cumberland Community Foundation offers gives nonprofits a solid foundation for publicizing their participation in GivingTuesday, in turn resulting in growth and awareness.
“The nonprofits I think felt confident in their fundraising because of the trainings provided through the community foundation,” Kellogg explained. “Our nonprofits are just getting better and better every year about telling their stories and sharing their missions. They are given the tools for success, and they put them to good use.”
With 100% of the donations going to participating nonprofits, the impact is clear. Kellogg says they’re just doing what they’re good at—training nonprofits and processing gifts.
“We are known for our gift processing that is accurate and sound stewardship.” Moving forward, they hope to continue the same impact. “Our nonprofits are doing fabulous work,” she shared. “I think that the goal for us is to raise more support for them, and that’s what we did.”

(Photo: The employees of the Cumberland County Foundation pose for a photo on Dec. 11. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Foundation's Facebook page)

CFVH named Maternity Care Access Hospital; Fayetteville to invest in sidewalks; Hoke hospital earns Leapfrog designation

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Staff Report

Cape Fear Valley Health Named U.S. News & World Report 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospital 

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Cape Fear Valley Health as a 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospital.
This designation recognizes hospitals that provide essential maternity services to underserved communities. It is part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings, created to help expectant parents make informed decisions about where to receive safe, reliable maternity care.
Now in its third year, the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation honors hospitals serving communities that could become maternity care deserts if these essential services were no longer available. U.S. News evaluated approximately 900 hospitals nationwide for the 2026 ratings, and only 147 hospitals, or 16 percent of those evaluated, earned the Maternity Care Access Hospital designation. Hospitals were assessed using detailed data submitted through the annual U.S. News Maternity Services Survey.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from U.S. News & World Report,” said Mike Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Fear Valley Health. “Maternity care is one of the most meaningful services we provide to families in our region. This designation reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff who work every day to ensure mothers and babies receive safe, compassionate and high-quality care close to home.”
“The Maternity Care Access Hospital designation is a crucial acknowledgement of hospitals that deliver high-quality maternity care in underserved areas,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These 147 hospitals are essential. They meet U.S. News’ strict quality measures for safety and outcomes while simultaneously ensuring that geographical isolation does not prevent families from receiving the care they need.”
The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective quality measures, including C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates and birthing-friendly practices, among other indicators.

City continues to work toward connectivity, enhancing safety 

The city of Fayetteville now has a total of 316 miles of sidewalks citywide with the most recent 5.65 miles being finished this year. In 2026, the City plans to continue expanding connectivity with an investment of $6 million for an additional 9.33 miles of sidewalks, funded by City Capital Funds, the 2022 voter-approved GO Bond and other grants.
Investment in connectivity continues as Fayetteville grows with a focus on pedestrian safety and accessibility through the partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Additionally, as part of the City's ongoing commitment to creating a more walkable city and connecting neighborhoods, five crosswalks were installed at Langdon Street, Seabrook Road, Adams Street, Blue Street, Plymouth Street Clinton Road and Black and Decker Road to provide safe crossing in high-traffic areas.
The City and NCDOT partnered closely to enhance pedestrian infrastructure at state-maintained intersections by installing and improving 10 pedestrian signals and crosswalks. These included five signals on Bragg Boulevard, three signals on Skibo Road, and two signals on Yadkin Road.While the City makes strides to expand its pedestrian network by improving mobility and connectivity through investments, residents are always encouraged to practice best pedestrian safety practices. 
Residents can visit FayettevilleNC.gov/Walking-Safe to learn about the City’s pedestrian plan and projects.

Hoke Hospital Earns 2025 Leapfrog's Top Hospital Designation

Hoke Hospital has earned national recognition for excellence in patient safety and quality, receiving a 2025 Leapfrog Top General Hospital designation from The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit organization known for its rigorous evaluation of hospital safety and care standards. This recognition marks the second time the hospital has achieved Top Hospital status.
The designation places Hoke Hospital among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized for outstanding performance in patient safety and quality. Of nearly 2,400 hospitals evaluated, only 151 earned Top Hospital honors in 2025.
The honor builds on the hospital's strong safety performance. Last month, Hoke Hospital, part of the Cape Fear Valley Health system, received an "A" rating in Leapfrog's Hospital Safety Grade for the fifth consecutive time, a requirement for Top Hospital eligibility.
"This recognition reflects the dedication and teamwork demonstrated across our organization every day," said Sonja McLendon, president of Hoke Healthcare. "Our physicians, nurses and staff consistently put patient safety and quality first. Being recognized at the national level reinforces the trust our community places in us."
Leapfrog's Top Hospital selections are based on results from its annual hospital survey, which evaluates performance across key areas such as infection prevention, maternity care, surgical safety, error prevention, ethical billing practices and informed consent.
Hoke Hospital's performance is supported by ongoing safety initiatives, including enhanced infection prevention efforts, technology-based safety measures and continued staff education focused on patient safety.
In July, the hospital was also recognized as a High Performing Hospital for Pneumonia by U.S. News & World Report.
A complete list of 2025 Leapfrog Top Hospitals is available at http://www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals 

About Hoke Hospital 

Hoke Hospital is part of Cape Fear Valley Health and serves residents of Hoke County and surrounding communities, providing high-quality, compassionate inpatient and outpatient care close to home.