Local News

FAST offers summer bus pass for Fayetteville teens

Teenagers in Fayetteville now have a low-cost way to explore the city this summer, thanks to a new initiative by the Fayetteville Area System of Transit. The Summer Youth Pass, launched in early June, offers unlimited rides on all FAST fixed routes for just $15 and is available to youth ages 13 to 18. The pass is valid through August 31 and aims to provide teens with greater access to transportation for jobs, summer programs, volunteering, recreation, and other community resources. Available for purchase at the FAST Transit Center at 505 Franklin Street, the pass requires proof of age and offers significant savings compared to the regular $1.25 one-way fare.
9By introducing this program, FAST is promoting youth mobility, supporting families, and encouraging more young people to use public transit. The summer months can be a critical time for teens to engage in developmental activities, and transportation can often be a barrier. This affordable option may also relieve parents of the burden of coordinating rides during a season when schedules are less structured. The initiative also raises important questions about long-term engagement with younger riders. Public transportation advocates often cite that early use of transit systems fosters lifelong habits, helping cities reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact. For many teens, this summer pass may be their first consistent interaction with a public transit system. Will this early exposure translate into regular ridership in the years to come?
FAST operates 18 routes across Fayetteville, connecting neighborhoods with key destinations like libraries, recreation centers, medical offices, parks, and shopping areas. Enhancing access to these services aligns with city-wide goals for equity, inclusion, and community development. Though the Summer Youth Pass is new, FAST has historically offered reduced fares for students, seniors, and disabled passengers. This particular program, however, stands out for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. At $15 for unlimited rides, teens who commute even a few times a week will see significant savings.
With ridership trends steadily increasing over the past few years, especially among younger passengers, the Summer Youth Pass could provide valuable data for FAST planners. Observing how many passes are sold, how frequently they are used, and what routes are most popular could influence whether the agency continues or expands youth-focused transit options during the school year or summer months ahead.
Another key consideration is rider safety. As teenagers become more independent travelers, questions naturally arise about how public transportation systems can create an environment that is safe, welcoming, and age-appropriate. Whether through increased security measures, improved lighting at bus stops, or rider education, ensuring teen comfort and protection is likely to be a focus moving forward.
To promote awareness of the pass, FAST has rolled out marketing materials across social media and community venues, including youth centers and schools. The agency also encourages new riders to download the FAST app to plan trips, check routes, and receive real-time updates.
As Fayetteville continues to grow and diversify its population, accessible and affordable public transit remains a key pillar in its development strategy. The Summer Youth Pass offers a glimpse of how transit systems can respond creatively to community needs, particularly for younger residents. More information on routes, passes, and rider tools can be found at www.ridefast.net.

(Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Area System of Transit)

Health & Wellness: Finding hope: A veteran’s journey from combat to healing

Luis has seen the unimaginable. As a veteran with repeated exposure to military combat engagements, he fought on battlefields far from home. But when he returned, the war continued within him. The memories didn’t fade; instead, they haunted him.
Emotional reactions to everyday issues, waking up from nightmares and struggling to find peace became part of his daily life with post-traumatic stress disorder. It wasn’t until his family intervened that Luis began to confront the reality of his condition.
8One day, Luis’ family sat him down, gently but firmly urging him to seek help. They were worried — his aggression, his intense reactions and the emotional outbursts weren’t just affecting him but also those who loved him.
That conversation became the turning point. His wife took him to Cape Fear Valley’s Community Mental Health Center in Fayetteville, a place where many veterans like Luis find the support they desperately need.
Breaking down barriers
When Luis first arrived, he wasn’t ready to accept help and start treatment. Accepting that he needed assistance was the hardest battle of all.
“At the beginning, I did not want to go and looked for any possible excuse not to do so,” he reflected.
In his mind, seeking help felt like admitting weakness, a perception shaped by years of military resilience.
But once he took that first step, Luis began to see a different path. The journey wasn’t about erasing the past but learning to live with it.
“I don’t look at it as recovery,” he said. “Personally, I look at it as just learning to live with something that will haunt me forever and realizing that I can’t change the past. I live day by day; some days are better than others.”
A network of support
Through the support of his primary care provider, his wife and the dedicated team of mental health providers, Luis found his footing. One of the first things he learned was that he wasn’t the only veteran struggling with these issues.
“Especially to my military brothers and sisters: you are not alone,” he shared. “We started this mission together, and we are going to finish it together. No one gets left behind.”
Luis’ treatment plan includes seeing a counselor every two weeks and meeting with a psychiatrist once a month. The consistency helps him stay grounded, along with knowing that help is just a drive or phone call away, which keeps him from spiraling into crisis. His team, whom he considers his extended family, includes Scott MacKenzie, PNP, and Terrence Sproul, LCSW.
“It took a while to open up and reveal some of my deepest secrets. But it has been worth it,” Luis said.
From struggle to strength
Today, Luis approaches life one day at a time. Each morning is a new mission: a chance to battle internally with the same tenacity he once used in combat. He understands that healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about accepting his limitations and learning how to live with them.
His advice to others struggling with PTSD? “Remember that your family and your mental health team are there to help you navigate through the complexity of your issues. You owe it to yourself, your family and your friends to seek help. You can’t change or erase the past, but you can learn how to live with it.”
For Luis and many others like him, Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Mental Health Center, which provides outpatient behavioral healthcare, is more than just a place of treatment, it’s a lifeline. The compassionate, professional team provides veterans with the tools and support to navigate their struggles. Whether through counseling, medication management or simply being there to listen, the center is dedicated to helping patients reclaim their lives.

(Photo: If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD or any mental health issue, the Community Mental Health Center of Cape Fear Valley is here to help. Call (910) 615-3333 to schedule an appointment. Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)

A visit from furry friends: Pet therapy brings joy to seniors

At LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines, recreational therapy is a core part of the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly care model. One of the most popular activities is pet therapy, a powerful form of therapy helping participants relax and connect. This has quickly become a favorite activity with furry visitors bringing joy and lifting spirits.
Each month, the center welcomes a group of friendly dogs and their handlers from Bright and Beautiful, a volunteer program that brings therapy dogs into community spaces. These special guests are always met with big smiles and open arms. Many of our participants say that visits from the dogs are the highlight of their day, and some even wish the dogs could come more often!
Are there real health benefits to pet therapy? According to LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines Recreational Therapist Jessica Gonzalez, yes.
18“Spending time with the therapy dogs helps reduce stress and anxiety, lift spirits, and bring comfort, especially for those who may feel lonely or are missing pets they had in the past. Being around animals can also spark happy memories of beloved pets and past experiences. It’s a gentle reminder of home, love, and the warmth of companionship,” she said.
Pet therapy also fosters community. Participants often gather to interact with the dogs, share stories, or simply enjoy the moment together. These shared experiences naturally build friendships and support mental wellness.
One of the most special parts of the program is the bond that forms between participants and the visiting dogs. The dogs and their volunteer handlers brighten days, bringing laughter and joy.
In addition to pet therapy, LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines offers a wide range of recreational activities designed to support the whole person — body, mind, and spirit. Painting sessions allow for creative expression, while chair exercises encourage gentle movement and mindfulness, and activities like gardening offer participants a hands-on way to connect with nature, build community, and enjoy the outdoors.
From crafting and music to games and special events, each activity is thoughtfully chosen to inspire joy, connection, and active living.
LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines is committed to helping older adults live well, age in place, and stay engaged in the communities they love. Pet Therapy is just one of the many services offered to support that mission. Whether it’s through health care, meals, or transportation, LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines is here to help seniors thrive.
To learn more about how LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines supports seniors and their families, call 910-429-7200 or visit lifestjosephofthepines.org.

(Photo: A therapy dog visits one of the seniors at LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines. Photo courtesy of St. Joseph of the Pines)

FTCC announces transfer agreements with leading universities

Thinking About Transferring? We’re Here to Help!
For many students, the process of transferring to a four-year institution can seem overwhelming. That’s where the Office of University Outreach at Fayetteville Technical Community College comes in. We provide the guidance, support, and resources you need to make your transfer journey as smooth as possible.
Whether you're completing an Associate of Applied Science degree or exploring options for further education, our office maintains articulation agreements designed to help you transition into an advanced degree program efficiently.
19We also offer Guaranteed Acceptance Programs with several partner universities, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a clear path forward. These programs offer direct admittance to participating schools, provided certain criteria are met.
FTCC GAP Program Partners include:
• UNC-Chapel Hill – C-STEP
• NC State University – C-3
• East Carolina University – Pirate Promise
• UNC-Wilmington – Pathways
• North Carolina A&T State University – Aggie Plus
• Methodist University – A to B
Student Success
FTCC student Jeff-Michael Fowe’s journey has taken him from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, to his ancestral home of Cameroon and back stateside to Fayetteville.
While living in Cameroon, Jeff-Michael’s father fell ill and needed emergency care. He was airlifted to a French-run hospital where he received the critical care he needed.
That event sparked Jeff-Michael’s interest in aviation, which he eventually broadened into an education path set on aerospace engineering.
Now, the 19-year-old is Raleigh-bound. He’ll leave FTCC with two associate degrees and begin his journey at N.C. State this fall as a member of the Goodnight Transfer Scholars Program Class of 2028.
The prestigious Goodnight Scholarships, established by N.C. State alumni Jim and Ann Goodnight, provide full-tuition scholarships and comprehensive student development programs designed to develop scholars into leaders within the STEM and STEM-education fields.
Jeff-Michael will pursue a degree in aerospace engineering, an interest he developed following a harrowing childhood incident.
He credits FTCC’s University Outreach coordinator Loutricia Nelson with providing key guidance as he navigated the first stage of his undergraduate journey.
“Ms. Nelson has been a tremendous help to me ever since I met her,” Jeff-Michael said. “When I met her, I was still searching for my pathway. She helped guide me, and she helped me pick my courses to make sure I was on track.”
Jeff-Michael was also a member of FTCC’s on-campus mentoring program, the YES Initiative, and utilized resources provided by his designated Success Coach, Tim Scott.
https://www.faytechcc.edu/blog/ftcc-student-is-nc-state-bound-with-prestigious-goodnight-scholarship/
Are you ready to learn more?
Visit the Outreach office at Horace Sisk Building, Room 610H, 2204 Hull Road, Fayetteville, or call 910-678-8205. Office hours are Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Or, reach out to the University Outreach Coordinator Loutricia J. Nelson at nelsonl@faytechcc.edu

(Photo: Jeff-Michael Fowe is a success story from FTCC. Photo courtesy of FTCC)

The Skoolie Xpress: A Journey of creativity, faith

A former police officer and military veteran who loves crafting has created a colorful oasis for others to join in the fun. Stacy Anderson’s “Skoolie Xpress” is a remodeled school bus, packed with crafting supplies, decorated with Bible verses and rainbow colors, and complemented by Anderson’s expansive arts and crafts expertise.
As a child, she learned needlepoint and cross stitching from her grandmother and painting and coloring from her mother. But when she joined the U.S. Army, she took a break from the creative outlets she loved. Especially while deployed, she didn’t have access to supplies, and pursuing higher education kept her too busy.
15Eventually, Anderson transitioned from the Army to the police force, a change that gave her more time to pursue the hobbies she loved. During that time, she became a consultant with Creative Memories, and even found that creative outlets helped her and others cope with job stress. She and several female officers would go to crafting events together, events that Stacy said, “took your mind off of what police officers call the normal day, which can be anything, every day is different.”
Nearing the end of a 22-year career in the police force in the early 2000s, Anderson found her home overflowing with craft supplies.
“I just kept dibbling and dabbling in the arts. I just couldn't get enough, I enjoyed it so much,” she shared. She had two full art studios in the house and the rest was spilling into her garage.
“I just started looking around and praying, saying ‘alright Lord, what do you have for me next?’” she shared.
She and her husband discussed moving to the D.C. area so she could be closer to the arts scene there, but decided against it due to the cost of living. Instead, she decided to pursue a storefront.
“I said, ‘I want people to be able to come in and finish their projects.’ You know, if they were stuck on a scrapbook, just bring it on in and we’ll sit down and figure it out.”
They started looking at storefronts around Fayetteville, but the COVID-19 pandemic quickly waylaid their plans. Anderson prayed, asking, “What’s the next step?”
The amount of mobile services surfacing during the pandemic caught her attention. She started researching and dreaming.
“The Lord speaks to me in dreams a lot,” she said. “So I just kept seeing this mobile operation of a mobile art studio.”
Through research, she found others with similar ideas, but on a small scale - mobile art buses that accommodated 2-3 people.
“I wanted something bigger than that, something to service 10-12 people, and that’s when I said, ‘What about a school bus?’”
The next step was getting her husband on board.
“Everything went so smooth,” she explained. “That’s how I knew it was from God.” She told her husband she wanted to go look at some school buses in a nearby county.
“He was like, ‘Okay, let’s go!’ and I was like, ‘Oh, wow!”
The trip was a success. With one look, her husband knew immediately which bus was for her. “He said, ‘this is the one, Stacy,’ and I said, ‘What?’ and he said, ‘I want you to get this one.’”
Anderson said the clarity shocked her, but it was an answered prayer.
From there, renovations began. Electric, plumbing, woodwork, barn doors, a bathroom install, benches, cubby holes - her husband, a retired helicopter mechanic with no experience as a handyman, did it all, calling in professionals only at the end to double-check things like plumbing and electric.
“It was just amazing,” said Anderson.
The process took four years from start to finish.
Now, Anderson’s weeks are fuller than she ever imagined. After a 3-day long grand-opening at the Dogwood Festival, she thought that one or two events a week would fit her retirement lifestyle, but the community thought differently.
“It's actually turned into three or four events a week,” she explained, “so it’s really picking up.”
Her events include a range of environments, from bringing crafting experiences to recreation centers and events like the Family Fun Day with the Kiwanis Club, to festivals, to hosting private events.
One thing is the same everywhere she goes. Adults and children who enter the bus are thrilled, sharing responses like, “Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen anything like this, especially here in Fayetteville!” according to Anderson. She chose the eye-catching rainbow theme as a reminder of “God’s covenant,” making sure the colors are front and center.
While crafting, she loves finding opportunities to share about her faith. At faith-based children’s programs, when children become discouraged by their mistakes, she reminds them that mistakes are just proof that they’re trying.
“I say, ‘you know, there was only one perfect human being that I’ve ever known in the whole wide world, who could that be?’ and they’re like ‘Oh, that’s Jesus.’”
Anderson’s goal is making arts and crafts accessible for all, and does her best to fit Skoolie Xpress experiences into each client’s budget.
“We can make it happen,” she said of individuals who want to book the Skoolie Xpress, but might feel cost is a deterrent.
Reach Stacy Anderson via her website at SkoolieXpress.com

(Photo courtesy of Stacy Anderson)

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Latest Articles

  • AI will aid transit, not transform it
  • Welcome to summer: Is it hot enough for you?
  • Troy's Perspective: Fayetteville's Mayoral race
  • Health & Wellness: Finding hope: A veteran’s journey from combat to healing
  • FAST offers summer bus pass for Fayetteville teens
  • United Way of CC launches Literacy Council
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