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.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1275677
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 5-11, 2020 UCW 9 A gubernatorial executive order that prohibited util- ity companies from charging late fees or disconnect- ing service for people who have not paid their bills expired at the end of July. Fayetteville's Public Works Commission will automatically enroll customers with unpaid balances in six-month payment plans, starting with their August bills. Nearly 20 percent of PWC's customers have past due balances. PWC estimates that it is carrying approximately $10 million of unpaid accounts. Gov. Cooper has emphasized that custom- ers' bills are not being forgiven under his executive orders. "COVID-19 has impacted the Fayetteville area in ways we never imagined, and we appreciate those customers who have remained current or made partial payments over the past few months," said PWC CEO David Trego. Customers can visit Faypwc.com for more informa- tion about managing past due balances and how six- month payment plans are being applied. For specific account information, customers can log in to the PWC online account manager at faypwc.com or contact customer service at 910-483-1382. 82nd Airborne Commanding General speaks out Fort Bragg paratrooper Spc. Enrique Roman-Mar- tinez, 21, disappeared May 22 while camping with friends at Cape Lookout National Seashore along the North Carolina Coast. His friends reported him missing the next day. During Memorial Day week- end, a body washed ashore on Shackleford Banks Island. An investigation revealed it was the remains of Roman-Martinez. "I've personally spoken with his family to assure them that we will not stop in our pursuit to bring those responsible to justice, said Maj. Gen. Christo- pher Donahue, 82nd Airborne Division command- ing officer. "We are doing everything we can to support his family and find justice for Enrique." e U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is probing the soldier's death as a homicide and is offering a $25,000 reward to individuals with infor- mation leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Roman-Martinez, of Chino, California, was a human resource specialist in the 82nd Air- borne Division's Headquarters Company, 37th Bri- gade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Cumberland County election workers needed e Cumberland County Board of Elections is in urgent need of poll workers for the Nov. 3 general elec- tion and the early voting period in October. e Board of Elections will follow state guidelines to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters. So- cial distancing measures and routine cleanings will be put in place and poll workers will be provided appro- priate personal protective equipment. Poll workers' duties include staffing polling places during early vot- ing and on Election Day, setting up and closing voting enclosures, checking in voters, issuing ballots and assisting voters upon request. Interested individuals must be U.S. citizens, registered voters in Cumberland County and available to attend required training. Poll workers are compensated for attending training and for working during early voting and on Election Day. Interested registered voters can complete the online application by going to electionready.net. Financial help is available to some city residents e city of Fayetteville is assisting low- and mod- erate-income citizens with their rent, utilities and mortgage payments in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Qualified residents are eligible to receive up to $2,000 toward rent, utilities or mortgage pay- ments. Call 2-1-1 and ask for COVID rental, mortgage or utility assistance, or visit https://www.nc211.org. e city of Fayetteville's Economic and Community Development Department is charged with creating programs using CARES Act funds to help citizens during the pandemic. Applicants must provide past due notices from landlords or utility providers. is is a one-time assistance program, and applicants must live in Fayetteville. is relief effort was made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Information about local relief efforts is avail- able at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/ economic-community-development. Arts Council grants total more than half a million dollars Eighteen local nonprofit organizations are re- cipients of Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County grants, totaling $571,500, for 2020-2021. ree large nonprofit agencies in Cumberland County, Cape Fear Regional eatre, Fayetteville Symphony Or- chestra and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden received substantial financial awards. Cape Fear Regional eatre — $225,000; Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra — $121,500; Cape Fear Botanical Garden — $90,000. "As we all navigate through this pandemic, it's imperative that we lessen the economic fallout many organizations and nonprofits are currently experienc- ing," said Bob Pinson, interim president of the Arts Council. "Now more than ever, the Arts Council will continue to support the arts community through our various granting programs as we adapt to our new environment." Grant funding is received from the city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the Cumberland County Occupancy Tax. State funds are provided through a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council. Additional funds are provided through the support of individual donors. It's time to pay past-due utility bills by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez