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/1357003
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MARCH 31-APRIL 6, 2021 UCW 9 Military veterans, their spouses and caregiv- ers will be able to receive coronavirus vaccines through the Department of Veterans Affairs once doses are made available, under legislation final- ized by Congress. Veterans Affairs leaders sup- ported the move, saying they did not want to turn away any veteran from receiving the shot if they were available. But under current rules, depart- ment medical centers were permitted to admin- ister vaccines only to veterans already eligible for VA health care services, and for certain caregiv- ers registered in VA support programs. at totals just under 7 million individuals. Under the new bill, that number is expected to jump to more than 20 million. It will make vaccines available "to all veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers ... and Department of Veterans Affairs recipients to the extent that such vaccines are available." Arrest made in one of four recent home invasions Fayetteville Police have charged a suspect in connection with a rape that occurred on March 5 along Briar Circle. off Owen Drive. Brandon Jar- rell Hodges, 20, of Fayetteville has been charged with two counts of 2nd degree rape, 3 counts of 2nd degree sex offense, 1st degree burglary, and breaking and entering with the intent to terror- ize. Hodges is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $650,000 secured bond. Police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Glass said Hodges allegedly broke into a home off Briar Circle in the Briarwood Apartment complex and sexually assaulted the female resident. A similar incident occurred in the Briarwood complex in January of this year. In that incident the suspect attempted to sexually assault the victim but fled the area when the victim was able to fight the as- sailant off. Additionally, the FPD is investigating a sexual assault that occurred in November 2020 on Southern Ave., and a home invasion commit- ted on Hyde Place in February of this year. Detec- tives are trying to determine if these incidents were related. e FPD reminds residents to be vigilant and ensure that windows and doors are kept locked. Food service for those affected by COVID-19 Alliance Health, Hope4NC, Noonday Kitchen and Mercy Chefs will host a food giveaway to address food insecurity in Cumberland County on April 13 from 8 a.m. until noon at the John D. Fuller Recreation Center, 6627 Old Bunce Road in Fayetteville. is event is open to all Alliance members as well as the community. Community members who are picking up one or two boxes can just show up at the event. Community part- ners who are seeking bulk packaging are asked to pre-register at http://bit.ly/foodboxpickup. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is part- nering with national, regional and local food dis- tributors who have been impacted by COVID-19. is partnership purchases fresh produce, dairy and meat products from American producers. Distributors package these products into family- sized boxes, then transport them to food banks, community and faith-based organizations, and other non-profits serving Americans in need. Fayetteville Beautiful event scheduled for April 17 Public registration for the Fayetteville Beau- tiful community cleanup event begins soon. Fayetteville residents and non-residents can participate. e event is scheduled for Satur- day, April 17. is year there are some changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Partici- pants and event organizers should wear masks and practice social distancing. On the day of the event participants are asked to drive into the marked entrance at Hay St. and Hurley Way to receive trash bags, fliers and water. Event orga- nizers and participants should wear masks dur- ing the supply pick up and community cleanup event. Interested people can register online at www.fayettevillebeautiful.com. Scroll down to the active map, select a cleanup location, and click "Register." Group representatives should include the number of volunteers that will participate. Weather and energy forecasting helps control utility costs e Public Works Commission's Energy Fore- cast helps indicate how weather impacts utility bills and shows customers ways to control the cost of energy. e Energy Forecast predicts the local weather for the next seven days and estimates one's energy cost for the same period using local weather forecasts and PWC elec- tricity rates. Costs are estimated for a default residence, but PWC says that by using the "My Home" tab you can tailor Energy Forecast to your home by indicating the size, number of people living there, type of heating and cooling system, your thermostat settings, etc. You can also make adjustments to thermostat settings in Energy Forecast to see how it affects your energy costs. Actual results may vary. For details go to www. faypwc.com/energy-forecast. All veterans are eligible for VA COVID-19 vaccinations by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS DIGEST JEFF THOMPSON, Reporter. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Brandon Jarrell Hodges