Up & Coming Weekly

February 04, 2020

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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8 UCW FEBRUARY 5-11, 2020 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM A business development gathering begun as an annual event four years ago by Fayetteville's Public Works Commission succeeded beyond expectations this year. "Of the 500 or so attendees, 300 were rep- resentatives of local businesses," said PWC spokes- woman Carolyn Justice-Hinson. ey took advantage of the opportunity to learn about the estimated $1 billion local governments and major companies have budgeted that they would like to spend locally. e Building Business Rally, held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel Jan. 30, made area business owners aware that Fayetteville and Cumberland County organizations depend on local companies to provide relevant and necessary goods and services. "Local engagement is what govern- ment agencies emphasize," when making purchases large and small, Justice-Hinson added. "Learning about correct sources in the commu- nity was of great value," said Anthony Day of WMK Tiles. A website is available for business owners for fol- low up: Faybids.com. Early voting Early voting for the March 3 primary election ends Feb. 29 at all seven locations in Cumberland County. ey are the Board of Elections office, Cliffdale Recreation Center, North Regional Branch Library, Hope Mills Recreation Center, East Regional Branch Library, J.D. Pone Recreation Center and Smith Recreation Center. Voters will not be required to show photo identification for the March 3, primary election. A federal court blocked North Carolina's voter photo ID requirement from taking effect. e injunction will remain in place until further or- ders of the court. e March primary is for various federal, state and local offices including president, governor, North Carolina House districts 43, 44 and 45, judicial district 12 and two Cumberland County Board of Commissioners seats. Citizens who wish to vote must report to their home precinct. Polls for all precincts will open at 6:30 a.m. March 3 and close at 7:30 p.m. Call 910-678-7733 or go to co.cumberland. nc.us/election-board for more information. Home buying assistance for police officers e city of Fayetteville has received a $50,000 check from First Horizon Bank for the Good Neigh- bor Homebuyer Loan Program. is program, to be administered by the city's Economic and Com- munity Development Department, is designed to offer city police officers a depreciating loan of up to $20,000 for a down payment and closing costs. e homes must be in Fayetteville's revitalization cor- ridors of Murchison Road or B Street. "is provides our officers with a great opportuni- ty to receive assistance with a home purchase within the city," said Police Chief Gina Hawkins. "I am very thankful for First Horizon Bank's graciousness in providing the money ... for this effort," Mayor Mitch Colvin added, "We encourage other businesses and organizations to consider such ben- eficial partnerships." Fayetteville has been fire-fatality free for more than a year For the first time in 10 years, there were no fire-re- lated deaths in the city of Fayetteville in 2019. Across North Carolina last year, there were 117 fire-related deaths. e Fayetteville Fire Department responded to more than 29,000 calls for service in 2019. Four hundred sixteen calls were structure fires. e re- duction in fire fatalities has been attributed primar- ily to the rapid response of the fire department and the dedication of residents who have smoke alarms and early detection devices in their homes. "e importance of an early indication of fire in a dwelling is immeasurable," said Fire Chief Mike Hill. e Fayetteville Fire Department will install smoke alarms free of charge. e Fayetteville Fire Department is rated class 1 by the Insurance Service Office, which is the best possible rating. A class 1 rating describes how well a fire department protects the community. Insurance companies also use the score to help set insurance rates. South America airborne exercise Approximately 75 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division and 40 personnel from U.S. Army South wrapped up an airborne assault exercise Jan. 29. During the field maneuver, U.S. and Colom- bian paratroopers performed an airborne training insertion from C-130 Hercules aircraft, followed by tactical exercises designed to simulate the securing of an airfield. U.S. and Colombian personnel worked together to build interoperability and strategic and tactical expertise. "We are honored to train with Colombia — a close friend of the U.S. and Global Partner to NATO," said U.S. Navy Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, which routinely conducts mul- tinational exercises throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen partnerships. Tiny homes for homeless veterans Super Bowl-bound Kansas City Chiefs quarter- back Patrick Mahomes, 24, spends much of his spare time volunteering with a Kansas City-based organization that supports homeless veterans. One of the project's initiatives is a community of 49 tiny homes built to get down-on-their-luck veterans off the streets. Fayetteville City Council recently heard a presentation from a Greensboro-based firm that builds tiny homes, some of which are set aside for homeless vets. "It's awesome, just to be a part of this … and help out some veterans of our country," Mahomes said. "It's something that's truly special." Along with these 240- to 350-square-foot homes, occupants are provided with utilities and food. Mahomes' volunteer work is separate from his personal charity. His foundation focuses on aiding underprivileged children by supporting 15 differ- ent local youth charities. With less than a week until Super Bowl Sunday, Kansas City is ready to cheer on Mahomes as he leads his team into its final game of the season. Building Business Rally a success by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.

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