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: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1333558
10 UCW JANUARY 27-FEBRUARY 2, 2021 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM TO THE EDITOR NEWS Newly-sworn-in Chief Jus- tice Paul Newby is wasting little time in getting North Carolina's court system back up and running. In an order that went into effect ursday, Jan. 14, Newby handed au- thority to local court systems to decide about reopening. "at is a constitutional re- quirement," Newby, a Repub- lican, said at his Jan. 6 virtual swearing in ceremony. "Cer- tainly open courts available for all citizens is not a luxury, it's a mandate." e order replaces an ex- pired directive last issued Dec. 14 by former Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat. at order shuttered many parts of the court system due to rising COVID-19 cases. e new order gives local jurisdic- tions leeway in deciding when and how to reopen, based on their own judgments on health risks. It also asks Gov. Roy Cooper to prioritize court staff in the state's vaccination schedule. "Today's order allows local courthouse leadership, who assess the threat of COVID-19 every day, to tailor preventa- tive measures to meet their specific local challenges," Newby said in a news release announcing the order. "But they are not alone in this fight. I have requested that the Governor prioritize our court personnel in the COVID-19 vaccination schedule so we can fulfill our constitutional 'open courts' mandate to provide equal justice to all in a timely manner." e order extends other COVID-related restrictions — such as a requirement that face masks be worn and allow- ing for virtual court hearings — while permitting others to expire, including a ban jury trials and discouragement of in-person meetings. We have a constitutional guarantee that the courts shall be open and that 'justice shall be administered without favor, denial, or delay,'" Andrew Heath, the new director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, told Carolina Jour- nal. "Our state courts are es- sential and perform a variety of functions that secure the rights of all North Carolinians. "e dangers posed by CO- VID-19 remain serious," Heath added. "Local courthouse leadership assess the threat of COVID-19 every day, so this order empowers them to tailor preventative measures to meet their specific local challenges." Newby's victory in the No- vember election over Beasley was certified after a hand recount gave him a victory margin of 401 votes out of nearly 5.4 million cast. Before the 2020 election, Democrats maintained a 6-1 majority on the state's highest court. But Republicans made a clean sweep of three races on the ballot, eroding the Democrats' majority to a 4-3 advantage. DAVID BASS, Carolina Journal News Service. COMMENTS? editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. COVID vaccine experience at Cape Fear Valley Hospital Let's give credit where credit is due Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We all too often hear uncomplimentary things about Cape Fear Valley Medical Center but going there this morning for the COVID vaccine was a pleasant and seamless experience. We had pre-registered online, and our appointment time was brack- eted between 7 and 10 a.m. We arrived at the hospital's Rehab Center at 6:15 a.m. and got a convenient parking place. We were about 30th in line, pro- cessed, received the vaccine, and were on our way home at 7:45 a.m. Everyone we came in contact with was extremely professional, friendly and pro- vided us service with a smile. It was an excellent experience. Steve Smith Fayetteville Exchange Club Chief Justice Newby allows courts to reopen across state by DAVID BASS *Oer valid only while supplies last. Limit one per household. Must be first time purchase. Minimum spend amount applies. Financing subject to third party credit approval. Some financing options cannot be combined with other oers and may require minimum monthly payments. All oers subject to change prior to purchase. See AmericanStandardShowers.com for other restrictions and for licensing, warranty, and company information. CSLB B982796; Suolk NY: 55431H;NYC:HIC 2022748-DCA. Safety Tubs Co. LLC does not sell in Nassau NY, Westchester NY, Putnam NY, Rockland NY. ENJOYING A NEW SHOWER IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK NEW SHOWER DESIGN FREE IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION-CALL TODAY 150 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE newshowerdeal.com/up | 877-545-2439