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/1451418
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 16 - 22, 2022 UCW 9 e Cumberland County Board of Education voted Tuesday night to make masks optional for both students and staff. Cumberland County ap- proved the decision with a 5 to 4 vote. "Going mask optional doesn't take away the right of someone who wears a mask, they can double mask, the N95s are abundant now when they haven't been before," Chair Greg West said. "I think mask optional is a prudent first step to allow those who want a choice and waited for 22 months to have a choice." Board Member Donna Vann said that after two-and-a-half years in a pandemic, everyone has their own personal responsibility to protect themselves. "at's going to be the choice of each individual," Vann said. However, other board members reiterated that masking is a group responsibility. "e mask is a public health tool. It's for you caring about me or me caring about you, to pro- tect you," Board Member Carrie Sutton said in opposition. Board Members Sutton, Deanna Jones, Judy Musgrave and Charles McKellar all voted against making the masks optional. Students will still be required to wear a face mask or face covering on school buses as it is re- quired by federal law. Students on the Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University campuses will continue to follow the guidelines of FTCC and FSU. However, the Cumberland County mask man- date is still in place by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. Masks are required indoors across Cumberland County, including all municipalities — Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Wade, Eastover, Falcon, Godwin, Linden and Stedman. During the Cumberland County Commission- er's Agenda meeting last week, County Attorney Rick Moorefield told the board that the indoor mask mandate applies to Cumberland County Schools. "Once the school system's order becomes effec- tive, there will be a violation of the public health director's order," Moorefield said. e next action between the school board and the county could be in court. For the latest on this story, go to UpAndComingWeekly.com. 3,000 more Fort Bragg troops to deploy e secretary of defense has ordered an addi- tional 3,000 soldiers from Fort Bragg to deploy to Poland, according to a senior defense official. President Joe Biden directed to send the remaining 3,000 soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Fort Bragg to Poland. e senior defense official said the soldiers will join the 1,700 troops already set for Poland to as- sist NATO allies. "All told, these 5,000 additional personnel comprise a highly mobile and flexible force, capable of multiple missions," the official said to major news outlets. "ey are being deployed to reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential ag- gression against NATO's eastern flank, train with host-nation forces and contribute to a wide range of contingencies. ey will report to Gen. Tod Wolters, Commander, U.S. European Command." National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan an- nounced on Friday that the risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has risen. He said that they believe Russian President Vladimir Putin could order an invasion of Ukraine at any time, even before the end of the Beijing Olympics. Fort Bragg troops started to deploy to Europe on Feb. 3. According to U.S. officials, these are not permanent moves for the troops. New overnight homeless shelter to open e City of Fayetteville and Manna Church will officially open Manna Dream Center shelter off Person Street to serve as an overnight shelter for men who need food, laundry, hair and shower services. e shelter can serve up to 20 people a night. Women are able to use the facility during the morning hours for shower and laundry services. Men, who do not stay overnight, can use the shelter during afternoon hours for shower and laundry services. Lunch is available to anyone in need of a meal Monday through Friday. "We would like to thank Pastor Fletcher and Manna Church for the great partnership and service to the community. e reopening of this space at Person Street is timely as families face the challenges of the pandemic and cold temper- atures," Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said in a press release. "Additional beds, appliance renova- tions and daily meals will help us fight poverty and hunger throughout the City. is will make a difference." is site previously operated as the HOPE Cen- ter and closed after the pandemic began. Manna Church will now provide staff and other services for operations to continue. "Manna Church and the Manna Dream Center are pleased to add this second site and sig- nificantly increase how we serve our City and Cumberland County," Manna Dream Center Director Ed Robillard said. "We are excited about partnering with the City and other organizations to equip people to change their world." e shelter, which is located at 913 Person St., will have intake hours for people who need to stay overnight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cumberland County Deputy fired after fir- ing several gunshots into car e Cumberland County Sheriff 's Office has fired a deputy following an officer-involved shooting earlier in February. On Feb. 8, 40-year-old Deputy Luis Hernandez responded to a call in reference to a suspicious vehicle parked in a cul-de-sac on Mercedes Drive with no headlights on around 10:45 p.m. According to the Sheriff 's Office, while Hernan- dez approached the car, he observed three people inside. Hernandez asked the occupants to show him their hands, and they complied, putting their hands out the windows. Hernandez, according to the Sheriff 's Office, directed a front seat passen- ger to exit the car, and he did. e vehicle imme- diately fled the scene, and Hernandez fired seven shots at the moving vehicle. No injuries were reported. e Cumberland County Sheriff 's Office, the Office of Professional Standards, investigated Hernandez's response to the call. Following that internal personnel investigation, Hernandez's employment was terminated on Feb. 11. Another investigation has begun into whether the former deputy engaged in criminal conduct in firing his weapon as a part of his response to the incident. at investigation is ongoing. Hernandez was hired by the Cumberland County Sheriff 's Office on March 18, 2019. Cumberland County Schools vote to make masks optional by HANNAH LEE NEWS DIGEST HANNAH LEE, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.