Local News

New tennis, pickleball courts to come to Fay

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Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

After a period of delays and contractor issues, the Mazarick Park Tennis Center is finally seeing progress. The City of Fayetteville has confirmed that construction is back on track, bringing renewed energy and anticipation to the project. Steel framing is currently being installed on-site, and groundwork is actively being prepared for the tennis and pickleball courts.
This revitalization effort is expected to transform Mazarick Park into a hub of activity and community engagement, offering state-of-the-art facilities for both recreational and competitive play.
The new Mazarick Park Tennis Center will feature an impressive array of facilities designed to cater to both tennis and pickleball enthusiasts. The center will include 15 tennis courts, with one designated as a championship court, and four pickleball courts. Additional amenities will include locker rooms, a player lounge, learning areas, and a pro shop.
These facilities are designed to support a wide range of programs for youth and adults, from competitive tournaments to recreational play, making it a versatile and inclusive space for the community.
The Mazarick Park Tennis Center project is being funded by a combination of the voter-approved Parks and Recreation bond and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. This community-driven funding approach underscores the importance of public support and investment in local recreational facilities.
The combined funding sources have been pivotal in overcoming previous financial hurdles and ensuring that the project moves forward to completion.
After legal and contractual complications with the original builder, the City of Fayetteville awarded a new contract to M&E Contracting in early 2025 to complete the project. M&E Contracting, a locally owned company based in Fayetteville, has a long history in commercial construction across the region.
Their recent involvement in city projects such as the Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center and other municipal facility upgrades demonstrate their capability and commitment to delivering quality public infrastructure.
According to the latest updates, the Mazarick Park Tennis Center is now projected to be completed by late summer or early fall of 2025. Officials are optimistic that the state-of-the-art complex will be a major asset to Fayetteville, offering top-tier recreational and instructional opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels.
The new facilities are expected to enhance the quality of life in the community, promote physical activity, and foster a sense of community through sports and recreation.

Enjoy nature's bounty at You-Pick-It Farms

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Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

One of the most enjoyable parts of spring and summer is the wealth of fresh fruits, vegetables, and colorful flowers that these seasons offer. Picture yourself on a sunny day at a pick-your-own farm, collecting the finest produce nature has to offer. We've compiled a list of top locations where you can relish this activity.

Strawberries
• Gross Farms, located at 1606 Pickett Road in Sanford, has a strawberry patch that is ready for the picking from April until late May or early June (depending on the weather). You can visit the farm to pick your own strawberries Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about Gross Farms, visit their website at https://www.grossfarms.com/.

• Strawberries are ready for picking at White Hill Farms. Located at 5020 South Plank Rd in Cameron, White Hills Farms is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can follow their Facebook page for updates at https://tinyurl.com/bc32rvyh or call them at 910-783-8552.

• Another great option for pick-your-own strawberries is Bunce Brothers Farm. Established in 1961, this family-owned farm is located at 6267 Blake Rd, Stedman. To learn more about picking strawberries at the Bunce Brothers Farm, call 910-483-5007.

• Grab your buckets and head to Gillis Family Farm. Open Fridays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Gillis Family Farm is located at 2899 Gillis Hill Rd. For more information, call 910-867-2350.

• Spivey Farms & Produce, located at 285 McCormick Rd, Sanford, has you-pick-it strawberries from mid-April to the end of May. They are open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about their farm, call 919-499-0807.

• Powers Strawberries & Farm Market, located at 906 Baker Church Rd, Lumberton, has you-pick-it strawberries Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Berryppl, or you can call them at 910-738-9404.

• Jack Pait Strawberry Farm is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for strawberry picking. They are located at 1561 Old Allenton Rd, Lumberton. For more information on their farm, you can call them at 910-734-7420.

• McNeill Strawberries has a you-pick-it strawberry patch that opens at 9 a.m. Located at 1822 Chicken Foot Rd, Hope Mills, you can learn more about their strawberry patch by calling 910-425-7355.

• Get ready for the 4.5-acre strawberry farm at Gary Thomas Farms. Operating from April to June and open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on their farm, visit their website at https://www.garythomasfarms.com/.

Blueberries
• Carter Blueberry Farm will be open for you-pick-it blueberries in late June-early July. Located at 4120 Clinton Road, you can follow them for updates on their website at https://www.carterblueberries.com/.

• Established in 1986, Stedman Blueberry Farm is located at 5991 Sidney Bullard Dr, Stedman. To learn more about when their season will open, you can reach them at 910-531-3110.

• The Little Blueberry Patch will be open from late June until the middle of August. Monday and Thursday 7 a.m. to noon, and then will reopen in the evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays they are open 7 a.m. to noon, and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 5227 Matt Hair Rd, you can confirm opening day by calling them at 901-322-5038.

• Plump, pesticide-free blueberries are waiting to be picked at Blueberries of Cameron. Buckets for picking are provided, and berries are sold by the pound. Located at 1171 US Hwy 1 Business, Cameron, you can contact them for days and hours of operation by calling 910-366-3310

• Blueberry Hill U-Pick has both blueberries and blackberries for you to pick. Located at 3250 White Hill Rd, Sanford, the farm is open from May to late July. Operating Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. They even let you pick and pay when they aren't open. Supplies are on site, and you can scan a QR code to pay online. For more information, visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blueberryhillupick.

Blackberries
• Locklear Blackberry Farm, located at 5134 McDuffie Crossing Rd, Lumberton, offers thornless blackberries starting in early June and continuing into early July. Operating hours are Sunday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Confirm their opening date by calling them at 910-738-6959.

Grapes
• Auman Vineyards at 1300 71st School Road grows muscadine and scuppernong grapes. To learn more about their time and dates for grape picking, call them at 910-867-9690.

Watermelon
• Mark the calendar for July 1 to Aug. 1 for pick-your-own watermelon at Bullard Farms. Located at 2280 Stedman Cedar Creek Rd, Stedman, be sure to call ahead for operating hours at 910-303-3795.

CFVH celebrates spring 2025 nursing program graduates

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Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Written by Staff Report

Cape Fear Valley Health recognized the achievements of its spring 2025 Nursing Assistant I and Nursing Assistant II program graduates during a special ceremony held Wednesday, April 30 at the Cape Fear Valley Center for Medical Education and Neuroscience Institute.
A total of 21 graduates received their certificates, including four from the NA I program and 17 from the NA II program, each completing a 15-week curriculum focused on building clinical expertise and advancing healthcare careers.
Offered at no cost to Cape Fear Valley employees, the Nursing Assistant programs reflect the system’s strong commitment to workforce development and delivering excellence in patient care. As some of the region’s most competitive training opportunities, they prepare participants to thrive in today’s demanding healthcare environment.
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is one of just two hospital-based sites in North Carolina approved to offer a certified NA I program, a testament to its leadership in clinical education. Graduates leave the program with enhanced clinical skills, greater earning potential, and a clear pathway toward a nursing degree.
Since the start of the program, 172 NA II’s and 46 NA I’s students have graduated.
“We are incredibly proud of these graduates,” Ruhama Bond, Education Coordinator at Cape Fear Valley Health System, said. “Whether they choose to continue their journey toward becoming a nurse or apply their enhanced skills in their current roles, their dedication and passion for patient care are truly inspiring.”
While many participants are current nursing assistants seeking to advance, the programs also welcome employees from diverse roles across the health system, each united by a commitment to professional growth and service.
Current employees can learn more about Cape Fear Valley’s Nursing Assistant programs by contacting Ruhama Bond, rbond@capefearvalley.com. To learn how to join Cape Fear Valley Health’s team and start the NA I program, contact Jordan Redmon, jredmon@capefearvalley.com.

Government Watch: Cumberland County, City of Fayetteville updates

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Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Written by Jami McLaughlin

City of Fayetteville

On May 5, the Fayetteville City Council voted 8-2 in favor of establishing an 11 p.m. youth curfew for children 16 and under. The pilot program would last for one year. City council members Mario Benavente and Deno Hondros voted against the proposed curfew during the special session following the regularly scheduled work session.
The vote was in response to recent shooting incidents; however, Benavente stated that a curfew would not have prevented any of the incidents. The council also increased Crime Stopper awards for crime tips that lead to arrests from $2000 to $5000, restricted bags and masks from City-sponsored special events and directed the police chief to research crime-fighting tools needed.
The City of Fayetteville also received an update for the Market House Repurposing Project and approved an LED lighting addition, which would illuminate the Market House with different colors for designated events. The City is repairing the historic Market House in downtown Fayetteville by replacing deteriorated woodwork, including the louvers, windows, trim and wooden columns and repainting the clock tower.
If budget allows, staff also recommended two interactive information kiosks that can display videos of the history of the Market House or other desired content would be installed. According to City officials, the two-story brick Market House, built in 1832, is a National Historic Landmark and one of North Carolina’s most photographed civic buildings.

Cumberland County
On May 5, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners appointed residents to several boards and commissions, including the ABC Board, Civic Center Commission, Cape Fear Valley of Trustees, Equalization and Review Board, Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation and the Tourism Development Authority.
The nomination and appointment process changed to a twice-a-year format in January, allowing commissioners to review applications and make nominations in a more streamlined fashion.
The board also approved an amendment to the Sales Tax Distribution Interlocal Agreement which reduces the allocation to the county of any increase in the sales tax revenue from 2025 over the amount distributed in 2022 from 100% to 50% allowing municipalities within the county to retain 50% of any revenue made beyond their 2022 tax collection. The county moved from a per capita tax distribution model to an ad valorem tax model, which moves from collecting taxes from population to property value.
In the original agreement between the county and the municipalities, the cities and towns were required to return 100% of sales tax revenue to the county; however, new terms allowed the towns to save those funds.
On May 8, at their regularly scheduled agenda session, the board discussed solutions to the closing of the Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope Emergency Shelter due to a lack of funding. A 90-day sheltering solution estimated at $400,000, with an additional $264,735 requested from the ARP General Fund Assigned balance, for operating the Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center for two months and utilizing hotel stays for three months, will be addressed at the May 19 meeting, according to county officials.
The board also received an update on competitive grant activity in Cumberland County, which totaled $52.96 million. From March 25 to April 22, the county sought $9.08 million in new funding, and $2.72 million has been awarded to projects focusing on key areas such as Completing Access to Broadband, bicycle safety helmets for protecting kids, lifesaving measures for shelter animals and hazardous materials training on how to handle electrical vehicle response.

In other Cumberland County news
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners will host a series of in-person gatherings where residents can ask questions and learn more about County priorities.
“This is all about building stronger connections with our community,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “We want to hear from our residents, and we want them to know they’re part of the conversation when it comes to shaping the future of Cumberland County.”
The dates and locations are as follows: May 12 at Town of Wade Town Hall, May 21 at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Center, May 27 at the West Regional Library, Cafe West and May 29 at the Town of Spring Lake Town Hall in the Grady Howard Conference Room. All meetings will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success, and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.

 (Photo by LTreadwell - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140683381)