Up & Coming Weekly

January 05, 2021

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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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 6-12, 2021 UCW 9 Demetri Devon Gurley was the first baby of 2021 born at Cape Fear Valley Medi- cal Center Labor and Delivery. e son of Devon Gurley and Dorothy E. Bennett of Fayetteville, Demetri was born at 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2021. Demetri weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and was 20 inches long. Demetri's grand- parents are David and Nancy Bennett of Cape Coral, Florida, and Joseph and Pa- mela Purnell of Lumberton, NC. Demetri and his family received a gift basket from the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation and commemorative onesies, compliments of Yellow Crayons in down- town Fayetteville. Christmas tree recycling program PWC's annual Grinding of the Greens Christmas Tree recycling program, a Fayetteville holiday tradition since 1994, will continue despite COVID-19. e an- nual program is held to protect and en- hance our environment. Grinding of the Greens encourages Fayetteville residents to recycle their live Christmas trees. Since its beginning, the program has kept thou- sands of pounds of recyclable material out of the landfill. e undertaking is a part- nership between the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Fayetteville-Cumber- land Recreation & Parks Department and Duke Energy to turn live Christmas trees into mulch for the Fayetteville Community Garden. Beginning Jan. 11 city residents should put their trees at the curb for col- lection. Tree stands, lights and ornaments should be removed. Residents who live outside the city or miss the pickup, can drop their trees off at the Fayetteville Com- munity Garden, located at the corner of Van Story and Mann Streets just off Old Wilmington Road any day before Jan. 19. Stable pay raises set for military Even before the new President and Con- gress begin their work on the 2022 military budget, the federal formula for next year's pay raise has already been set. Under the latest employment cost index calculation, which estimates expected growth in pri- vate sector wages, the military pay raise will be set at 2.7 percent in 2022. Service members will see a pay raise of 3 percent this year. e slight dip in wages could be construed as generous given the uncertain economic times facing much of the coun- try after nine months of lockdowns, layoffs and other financial problems related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. e 2.7 percent figure isn't completely locked in. e White House and Congress can still increase that amount or decrease it to save military funding for other priorities. Over the past five years, lawmakers have opted to stick with the federal formula for pay raises and not make any changes. County acquires animal control van Cumberland County Animal Services can now travel throughout the county to encourage pet adoption. e depart- ment has taken delivery of a custom van designed by Summit Bodyworks to serve as a mobile adoption center for pets. e vehicle can house up to 21 dogs or cats for off-site adoption events. Potential adopt- ers can walk through the mobile center to see the animals. In most cases, the pets will be able to go to their new homes the same day. "e overall goal is having more pets adopted," said Animal Services Di- rector Elaine Smith. "We're just thrilled because this is a great way to safely and se- curely transport the animals." e van was funded by a Stanton Foundation grant pro- gram which supports municipal shelters nationwide. e van can also be used to assist during special circumstances, such as disaster evacuations and large animal cruelty cases. Robeson County bridge repair still underway e right lane of a U.S. 74W bridge over the Lumber River near N.C. 130 in Robe- son County has been temporarily closed for maintenance. D.O.T. crews are replac- ing the concrete on the bridge deck. e right lane is expected to reopen by mid- January. "Due to the weather ... we antici- pate it will take us until Jan. 15 to complete these repairs," said bridge maintenance engineer Darren Pittman. Motorists are asked to slow down and use caution in the work zone, and be alert for workers on the bridge. First Baby of 2021 born at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Demetri Devon Gurley was born at 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 1.

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