Andrew LaGala was elected director of Fayetteville Regional Airport. “I am pleased to have been selected for this important leadership role as airport director of Fayetteville Regional Airport and to contribute to the airport’s continued success and growth,” LaGala said in a press release. “Maintaining an efficient, full-service airport with high-quality airline service is a key element of local economic development efforts, and I see tremendous opportunities for FAY to increase its potential to contribute to these efforts.” LaGala, who has served as director of Lynchburg Regional Airport in Lynchburg, Virginia for the past five years, succeeds Tony Colemanwho retires in 2023. LaGala, a licensed pilot with a bachelor’s degree in aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is scheduled to start Oct. 2.
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The race for the White House is between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald TrumpSome politicians believe that the Republican election platform of Trump and JD Vance has been boosted by the announcement on August 23 that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ended his independent presidential candidacy and endorsed Trump. “Kennedy’s support is the only boost Trump can get after the Democratic convention,” says George Breecea longtime follower of national, state and local politics. “None of the polls matter now, none. There will be polls the week after Labor Day and the crucial polls will be right after the (presidential) debate. Those polls will define the last six weeks of this campaign and will have a real impact on early voting.” The presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. Election Day is Nov. 5, with early voting scheduled for Oct. 17-Nov. 2.
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You can feel the end of summer and autumn in the air, in just 25 days.
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A 34-year-old man who suffered gunshot wounds on August 20 in the 200 block of Early Street in the Tokay neighborhood of north Fayetteville is the 15th…th homicide in the city in 2024, according to Fayetteville police. In 2023, there were 52 homicides in the city.
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According to a press release from Cumberland County Animal Services, we recently read about a rabid raccoon in the 6200 block of Withers Drive in west Fayetteville. A resident’s dog got into a fight and killed the raccoon. Trust me, raccoons are as cute as can be with their “Lone Ranger” masks, but they can also be a nuisance. They like to sniff around houses late into the night, looking for people who leave cat food in front of their houses. You don’t want raccoons in your neighborhood or anywhere near your house. I’ve dealt with raccoons before, and they can be destructive little beasts.
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Shannon Bell is the newly appointed Director of Philanthropy for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. “I am energized to join the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and contribute to its growth and success,” Bell said in a press release. “Returning to Fayetteville to work with such a dedicated team and board as we invest in our community’s greatest jewel in this new season is a blessing.” Bell most recently served as Director of Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Shannon’s enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit are a perfect fit with our vision for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden,” Chris HoffmanCEO of CFBG, says in the press release. “Her experience in administration and rebranding will be critical as we embark on new philanthropic efforts and community engagement.”
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They’re called memory kits, a Cumberland County Public Library news release said, and are part of the library’s resources to support caregivers and people with memory problems. The kits are designed to spark conversations and memories. Not a bad idea for people who may be suffering from early-stage dementia. The kits can be checked out at the library, but you’ll need a library card. Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library or call 910-483-7727.
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“Her Bible was read every day and there were many, many notes on every single page,” Fayetteville City Councilor Lynne Greene says about her deceased mother, Mary Ann Bissettewho died on August 11 at the age of 83.
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“Bill, I was looking for your memorial article about Elizabeth MacRae in the “Back Issues” section, but I don’t see that it was included in a print edition,” Phil Barnard writes in an email about our May 29 column about Elizabeth McCrae, the Fayetteville actress who rose to fame for her portrayal of Lou-Ann Poovie in the 1960s television productions “Gomer Pyle, USMC,” and April Clomley Ken Curtisaka Fetus Hagan, on “Gunsmoke.” “Is it only available in digital format? I wanted to bring a few copies to some people at the Mayberry Days Festival this year.” Yes, Mr. Barnard, only on the CityView website. But I will send you the print copy so you can share it with your fans at Mayberry Days, which runs Sept. 23-29 in Mount Airy. Elizabeth “Betsy” MacRae died on May 27 at the age of 88.
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Police officers, firefighters and EMTs from the city, county and Fort Liberty will be among the honors presented Sept. 10 by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber at the sixth annual Valor Awards ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Manna Church on Cliffdale Road. If you know of an EMT who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, send your nomination to [email protected].
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A portion of Strickland Bridge Road between Stoney Point Road and Century Circle will be closed Sept. 4 for construction of Interstate 295, also known as the Fayetteville Outer Loop, according to a news release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A new alignment of Strickland Bridge Road will be built that spans I-295 and creates a new interchange with on- and off-ramps behind New Century International Middle School.
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Artistic Director Mary Catherine BurkeManaging Director Ellen Wrenn and Marketing Director Ashley Owen certainly know how to promote a musical at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, where they featured a video featuring cast members from the season opener Footloose The Musical dancing on the Morganton Road crosswalk in front of the theatre. Watch it here. The musical is set to open on September 5th and run through September 29th.
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The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, circa 1993, is accepting nominations for its 2nd annual award.and annual Kindness Awards, a press release said. Thirty individuals or groups who have impacted the lives of children from birth to age 5 or their families will be honored for their act of kindness in November. The nomination deadline is Sept. 8. Visit www.ccpfc.org/kindness, ccpfc.org or call 910-867-9700.
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Paul D. Miller will share his perspective on the upcoming election season as a guest speaker on September 14 at First Presbyterian Church on Ann Street as part of the church’s “The Calvin Lectures” series, according to Michael Garrettthe church’s senior pastor. Miller, a professor at Georgetown University School of Foreign Server, Afghanistan war veteran and former White House staffer, will deliver lectures titled “Christian Citizenship: What Role Does the Church Play in Politics and Government?” Miller will give three lectures, with the first beginning at 9:15 a.m., the second at 10:45 a.m. and the third at 1 p.m. He will also deliver the Sunday sermon on Sept. 15. For more information, visit www.firstprez.com or call 910-483-0121.
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Continue: “It would be disappointing, but …” A brother remembers Margaret Stanton
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Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at [email protected] or 910-624-1961.
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