Up & Coming Weekly

February 23, 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.

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1343128

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 9 of 24

WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 2, 2021 UCW 9 Six homicides in six weeks! Fayetteville Police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Glass tells Up & Coming Weekly that half a dozen murders through Feb. 15 compare to three homicides during the cor- responding period last year. 33 homicides were recorded in 2020 tying a local record. Glass said Police Chief Gina Hawkins stresses crime pre- vention in efforts to drive crime numbers down. "Preventing certain crimes is a daunting, if not impossible task," Glass said. "However, we continue to provide resources, crime prevention programs, technology and manpower trying to reduce crime." Police could not provide infor- mation as to trends of gun violence in the city. Coincidently, gun ownership has exploded since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest that gripped the nation over the summer. Americans purchased more guns in January 2021 than any other month on record, according to the FBI which has tracked gun sales since 1998. American citizens bought more than 4 million firearms last month which is a rise of 60% over last January. ree local home invasions this month Fayetteville Police are probing at least three home invasions over the last three weeks. e most recent incident occurred at a home in Haymount. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Ellington St. at 5:18 a.m. Feb 13. Police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Glass said a man entered the residence through a rear sunroom door. e homeowner spotted the subject in a bedroom where his wife was sleeping. "Startled, the suspect discharged a firearm ... then fled the scene," Glass said. No one was hurt. Detectives are requesting the public's as- sistance in reviewing security camera footage along Ellington Street toward Morganton Road during the night and early morning hours of Feb. 13. Anyone with video evidence is asked to contact police. e FPD reminds residents to lock their doors and windows, set their alarm systems, and remain vigilant to suspicious activ- ity in their neighborhoods. Renaming Fort Bragg A new federal commission charged with renaming military sites named for Confederate leaders has three years to complete its work. e appointees are likely to face significant politi- cal pressure from local officials and members of Congress as they review and propose changes to a host of military locations named for Confeder- ate officers and officials. e most prominent of these are 10 Army installations, including Fort Bragg. Some con- servative lawmakers have worked to block the changes, arguing the move would be confusing and upsetting to communities surrounding the well-known sites. Under the rules laid out by Congress in the fiscal 2021 defense authoriza- tion act, the panel will develop plans to replace the names while "incorporating local sensitivi- ties associated with the naming or renaming of assets." President Joe Biden is on record supporting name changes. e commission must submit its report on recommendations regarding military sites by October 2022. Under the law, the Sec- retary of Defense must implement the commis- sion's plan no later than Jan. 1, 2024. New travel destination On March 5, American Airlines will begin of- fering daily service from Fayetteville to Dallas- Fort Worth International Airport. e new service will complement year-round American service to Charlotte Douglas International Air- port. e flights to Texas will be aboard CRJ-900 regional jets, equipped with nine first class seats and 67 main cabin seats. "We are very excited to offer this new destina- tion and grateful for the continued support of our military and civilian communities in spite of the pandemic," Airport Director Toney Coleman said. Extensive terminal improvements are sure to make flying to and from Fayetteville an even better experience, he added. In January 2020, the airport opened a new Concourse A, featur- ing two new jet bridges, a new rotunda and restaurant area. e second phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation features a new façade to the old ter- minal building, updated baggage and ticketing areas, a new TSA checkpoint and administrative offices. Project planners estimate phase two construction should be completed by December. Vaccine eligibility changes coming soon "In the coming weeks, more individuals from our community will become eligible for the vac- cine," said Cumberland County Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. e County has drive-thru COVID-19 vacci- nation clinics for those in groups one and two. Appointment blocks are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A standby lane opens at 3 p.m., for those in Groups one and two who don't have appointments. Individuals should come prepared to wait. Anyone not able to wait long periods of time should consider requesting an appointment. People who received their first doses at the Crown Expo Center on or before Jan. 26 should request appointments for their second doses or use the standby lane. For appointments, go to co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19vaccine. Call 910- 678-7657 during business hours if you need as- sistance with the form or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointment confirma- tions will be sent via email or phone. Police stress prevention in effort to bring crime rates down by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Up & Coming Weekly - February 23, 2021