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/1466756
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2022 UCW 9 Spc. Luis Herrera, 23, of Marion, North Carolina, died April 28, from injuries sustained in a military vehicle accident while conducting routine military training on Fort Bragg. "Our thoughts and prayers, along with the Para- troopers of 'Geronimo' 2nd Battalion, 501st Para- chute Infantry Regiment, are with Spc. Herrera's wife and loved ones as we mourn the loss of Luis," said Capt. Daigoroh Abreu, his company commander. "Big Lou's' presence was a gift to us all, and his radiant smile brought warmth to all who knew him." Spc. Herrera was assigned to Raider Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. "Spc. Herrera was an exceptional paratrooper and an engaged friend to all those who knew him. Luis was a soldier's soldier who always led by example and never missed a chance to leave a positive impact on those around him," said Col. eodore Kleisner, commander of 1st BCT. "Our brigade was made better by the selfless ser- vice of Spc. Herrera. e leaders and paratroopers of 1st Brigade Combat Team are committed to ensuring every resource is available to his family and peers to help them through this difficult time." e 2-501st PIR will host a memorial for Spc. Her- rera in the coming weeks. Spc. Herrera enlisted into the U.S. Army in 2017, as an Infantryman, and served two deployments to Kuwait. His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achieve- ment Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Glob- al War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Rib- bon and the Parachutist Badge. Spc. Herrera is survived by his wife, parents, family and friends. ree additional soldiers were involved in the mili- tary vehicle accident. One soldier was treated at Womack Army Medi- cal Center and released. e other two soldiers were admitted for treatment and observation. e circumstances surrounding the military ve- hicle accident are under investigation. City Council votes on $14 million for side- walks, stormwater projects During a 37-minute Fayetteville City Council meeting on Monday, April 25, seven of the 10-mem- ber council present unanimously agreed to two significant actions totaling more than $14.8 million in City of Fayetteville improvement projects. Only six of the 10 council members were physi- cally present at the City Hall meeting. ose present were Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen, who chaired the meeting. Council members present were Antonio Jones, Larry Wright, Johnny Dawkins, Chris Davis and Yvonne Kinston. Absent were Mayor Mitch Colvin and council members Shakeyla Ingram and D.J. Haire. One council member, Courtney Banks- McLaughlin, joined the meeting remotely. Tucked away in the consent agenda, the City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution accept- ing American Rescue Plan funding from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for $10,550,000. e money is designated for stormwater infra- structure improvement projects. City staff presented the issue to the Fayetteville City Council during an earlier meeting. Stormwater improvement projects are slated for Adams Street, North Street, Ray Avenue, Spruce Street and Sunbury Drive. e North Carolina General Assembly created the fund, administered by the Division of Water Infra- structure, to assist eligible units of local government in paying for water and wastewater infrastructure needs. In accepting the state money, the city of Fayetteville must meet several obligations and requirements. First, the city must submit a bid and design package for the projects by Aug. 1. Additionally, the city must: •apply for and qualify for all necessary permits as soon as possible •have both its bid and design package approved by Dec. 1 •advertise the project, receive bids and have the authority to award contracts by April 3, 2023 •execute all construction projects by May 1, 2023 •submit the last reimbursement for any of the proj ects by December 21, 2026 e state warned that failure to meet or adhere to any requirements could forfeit the money. Also, on Monday night's consent agenda was the adoption of a Capital Project Ordinance to appropri- ate state grant money for pedestrian safety improve- ments. e $4,319,350 will be used for 29,880 linear feet or 5.7 miles of sidewalks. Sidewalk construction includes: •McPherson Church Road from Collinwood to Raeford Road •Yadkin Road from Skibo Road to Fort Bragg limits •Pamalee Drive from Murchison Road to Bragg Boulevard •Brighton Road from Raeford to Belford Road •Old Owen Drive from Raeford Road to Owen Drive •Ann Street from Gorham Alley to Gray Street Proposed projects also include a Person Street round-about at B Street, citywide wheelchair ramps and the plan and design of a sidewalk on Blanton Road from Bragg Boulevard to Pamalee Drive. In other action, the City Council postponed the Fayetteville Airport Administration report to City Council. City staff on March 7 briefed the City Coun- cil on the airport's operations. at report included a peer comparison with Killeen-Fort Hood, Texas, and Albert J. Ellis Airports. At that meeting, Mayor Mitch Colvin asked for ad- ditional peer comparisons with other airports. Rec- ommended peer city airports have demographics equal to or larger than the Fayetteville/Cumberland County area. e additional comparison airports include Charlotte International Airport, Asheville Regional Airport, Piedmont Triad International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Comparisons include 2021 total passenger enplane- ments, parking revenue and rental car revenue, among others. e report states: "As expected," the comparison data shows that Fayetteville lags in making money compared to larger airports. Health Depatment offers free mosquito in- secticide e Cumberland County Department of Public Health is giving away free mosquito insecticide to Cumberland County residents while supplies last. e Mosquito Dunks product is a biological pest control agent that kills mosquito larvae. It is non- toxic to fish, birds, wildlife and pets. Residents can pick up a two-month supply in the Environmental Health section of the third floor of the Health Department, 1235 Ramsey St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. e product is placed in water, where it floats. It will be effective for 30 days in standing water and covers 100 square feet of surface. It can be used in ar- eas where standing water creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes. e active ingredient is bacillus thuringiensis. Printed instructions are available. West Nile virus, La Crosse and Eastern equine encephalitis are the most reported mosquito-borne illnesses that can be acquired in North Carolina. In addition to mosquito dunks, citizens can use other mosquito control methods, including the "tip and toss" method. Tip over any containers that have standing water and replace water in bird baths weekly. Other ways to prevent mosquito bites are: •Keep children's wading pools empty or stored on their side when not in use. •Use insect repellent containing DEET when out doors, which also repels ticks. •Wear long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active or stay indoors during these hours. •Make sure your windows and doors have good screens to keep mosquitoes out. Fort Bragg soldier killed in military vehicle accident by JASON BRADY AND STAFF REPORTS NEWS DIGEST Spc. Luis Herrera