Up & Coming Weekly

April 30, 2019

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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10 UCW MAY 1-7, 2019 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM e board of directors of the Fayetteville Sym- phony Orchestra has announced Christine Kast- ner's departure as president/CEO of the orchestra, effective in June. Kastner has accepted the position of executive director of the North Carolina Master Chorale in Raleigh. e announcement appeared in a news release issued by symphony board chair Joy Miller. "Chris has played a critical role in the develop- ment and success of the orchestra since assuming the position in November 2011," Miller said. Under Kastner's leadership, the FSO increased the number of concerts performed and expanded its youth outreach with the addition of the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, youth summer camps and an after-school Suzuki violin program. Miller added that the symphony has made significant progress in its endowment, providing a source of long-term sustainability for the FSO. Crime Stoppers solves major drug cases Fayetteville's Crime Stoppers tip line has recently contributed to the arrest of six people in three separate instances. Fayetteville Police received anonymous tips about suspicious residences. e most recent case came to light April 23. Police received a Crime Stoppers tip about a residence on Rodwell Road. Officers were able to obtain a search warrant for the house and seized 5,188 dosage units of LSD, 8.9 grams of heroin, 2.6 grams of fentanyl, 12 grams of MDMA and $1,185 in cash. Anthony Michael Maerten, 31, and Cindy Vanes- sa Caballero, 20, both of the Rodwell Road address, were charged with numerous felony drug counts and given $530,000 secured bonds. Similar investigations resulted from Crime Stoppers tips on Lawrence Avenue and Suzanne Street. Leonard Davis, 40, of Lawrence Avenue, was charged with trafficking and manufactur- ing cocaine, conspiracy, and felony maintenance of a dwelling for narcotic use. He posted bond. Michelle Whitaker, 42, was charged with identical crimes and, also posted bond. In the other case reported by city police, officers got a lead about a home on Suzanne Street. Inves- tigators found an AK-47 style assault rifle, nearly 1 pound of marijuana and various items of drug paraphernalia. Sergio F. Weeks, 32, and Alysha J. Smith, 25, face numerous drug charges. Weeks was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and endangering the life of a child. Police discovered his rifle under the bed of a 2-year-old. Both posted bond and were released from jail pending trial. "e anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards from the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers Program," Police Sgt. Shawn Stre- pay said. Community branding survey e city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and nine partner organizations have banded together to create the Fayetteville Cumberland Collaborative Branding Committee and are distributing a survey to gather residents' input for a community brand- ing project. is research is part of an undertaking to create an updated image of the area's strengths, assets, diversity, vision and potential. Community members are encouraged to take the 15-minute anonymous survey at www.brandingfcnc.com. e FCCBC commissioned North Star Destina- tion Strategies to help create a new brand. North Star has an extensive background in developing cooperative brands for both governments and organizations, having worked with more than 250 communities in 44 states. "Understanding the diverse perspectives of our respondents will help North Star bring the real story of this community to the surface," said Will Ketchum, president of North Star. North Star will use its research to develop a brand that showcases what makes the community unique with the potential to attract new residents, businesses and tourists. Social Security telephone scam Fayetteville Police are warning the public about a telephone scam targeting local citizens. Fraud Detectives have received reports that a subject is calling unsuspecting victims claiming they have outstanding warrants for arrest. e scammer declares he is calling from the Social Security Administration and that the citizen must pay a fine immediately or be subject to arrest. e suspect then requests personal information and payments. Police say the caller may sound professional and courteous while waiting for the recipient to release information. e caller may also suggest that the citizen purchase prepaid credit cards or gift cards. City police remind residents that legitimate busi- nesses and government agencies do not threaten arrests or make demands for information and money. Authorities say to never provide any infor- mation to unsolicited callers. Local governments honored e city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville's Public Works Commission were among 28 North Carolina governments to earn recognition in the 12th annual North Carolina City and County Excellence in Communications Awards. e local organizations won a combined 11 awards, to include recognition for the city and county's collaborative efforts in the Hurricane Flor- ence Joint Information Center and PWC's Carolyn Justice-Hinson winning the Chris Coulson Com- municator of the Year Award. e program was held April 11 at the NC3C's Spring Conference in Durham. "It is my honor to congratulate all the winners of the NC3C Excel- lence in Communications contest this year, said President Dana Kaminske. "e work that city and county government communicators do is impres- sive and is worth recognizing." Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra bids farewell to CEO by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Christine Kastner Photo credit: Gerry Dincher

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