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/1400548
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 11-17, 2021 UCW 9 e Cumberland County NCWorks Career Center, formerly known as the Employment Security Com- mission, has moved to a new location from its long- time office on Ray Ave. downtown. e NCWorks Career Center is now located at 490 N. McPherson Church Road. e Career Center provides job search and life skills classes, resume and cover letter prepa- ration, skills assessment, career planning and de- velopment, occupational skills training and literacy skills. e facility operates under the administration of the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments and is governed by a 21-member Workforce Development Board appointed by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. e new location provides a more modern setting for customers and career center employees. For more information, call 910-486-1010 or visit NCWorks.gov. Road repair continues downtown Maiden Lane is a short downtown street that con- nects Green Street to Ray Avenue. e Headquarters Library is the main attraction along Maiden Lane. e roadway has been in a state of disrepair for months. Last January, the Public Works Commis- sion began a project to replace water and sewer lines beneath the pavement. Once the replacement of the lines was completed, the paving of Maiden Lane was delayed while PWC investigated replacing storm drains. But the city decided not to pursue that option because of higher prices than had been anticipated. PWC issued a statement saying it is working with the contractor and the city to complete compaction testing along Maiden Lane which has had a gravel surface for several weeks. e paving of Maiden Lane and resurfacing of Anderson Street is expected soon. Paratrooper's death still being investigated For more than a year, the Army's Criminal Investi- gation Command has been unable to find a con- crete lead in the May 2020 homicide of Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez. Now, CID is offering a $50,000 reward for credible information concerning the death of the 21-year-old Fort Bragg paratrooper, who disappeared while camping with fellow soldiers near Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina. "is is the first one to hit this level in more than 10 years," CID spokesman Jeffrey Castro said of the large sum of money being offered for information. A spe- cialized task force was created to investigate Roman- Martinez's death, comprising CID special agents, FBI personnel and the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. e task force has not recovered a single piece of physical, forensic, or testimonial evidence linking anyone to the death of Roman-Martinez. His severed head washed ashore a week after he went missing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Army CID at 910-396-8777 or the Fort Bragg Military Police Desk at 910-396-1179. FAST hiring drivers, FTCC offers training e Fayetteville Area System of Transit wants to improve the benefits of bus operators who are among the lowest paid city workers. "Most driv- ers are paid $15.52 an hour and up to $18 an hour depending on seniority," said Transit Director Randy Hume in an interview last year. Hume said pay increases are necessary to get people to take bus driving jobs. FAST recently donated a city bus to Fayetteville Technical Community College for the school's new commercial driver's license training program. e city's FY2022 budget includes money to provide scholarships for FTCC students who com- mit to driving for FAST when they complete the aca- demic program. e city will also pay trainees while in class. e bus turnover ceremony was held July 27 at the FAST Transit Center on Franklin Street. e 200-hour class B CDL training program with passen- ger endorsement is expected to begin in September. For information about the program, contact FTCC CDL Driving Instructor Eric Smith at 910-486-3909 or smither@faytechcc.edu. Cape Fear River Trail Part C now open After a year of construction, the barricades have been removed and Part C of the Cape Fear River Trail is open once again. Part C is the lower por- tion of the Cape Fear River Trail that connects Parts A and B. With the addition of Part C, the trail now spans more than seven miles one way. Visitors can access Part C from the parking lot at Jordan Soccer Complex off Treetop Drive or access the trail at Clark Park on Sherman Drive. Part C of the trail includes a boardwalk. e boardwalk crosses CSX Transporta- tion property and is located under the CSX bridge. Later this year, a paved path will connect the Cape Fear River Trail with the Linear Park Trail. Work on Part C began in June 2020. e total estimated cost is $2.47 million. Money from the City's General Fund, the state and federal government will cover costs. Visitors can learn more about the Cape Fear River Trail, including operating hours, bicycle and pet requirements visit www.fcpr.us/parks-trails/trails/ cape-fear-river-trail. Local employment office is now at new location by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. e NCWorks Career Center is now located at 490 N. McPherson Church Road. Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez