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/442382
16 UCW JANUARY 7-13, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM CUMBERLAND co.cumberland.nc.us The Cumberland County Department of Public Health's Environmental Health Division recently received grants worth $12,000, which will help enhance the department's job of inspecting food and lodging establishments in the county. Environmental Health received two grants – a $10,000 grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and a $2,000 grant from the National Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) – to help standardize training through staff development and mentorship programs. The $10,000 grant will cover Environmental Health's participation in the FDA's Voluntary Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards Mentorship Program from December 2014 through August 2015. The county's Environmental Health Division is one of 25 sites nationwide selected to collaborate and partner directly with NACCHO through support from the FDA. The $2,000 grant covered the cost of the county's Environmental Health staff to attend the Southeast Region Annual Food Safety Seminar, held in Savannah, Ga., in December. The seminar provided training to help the staff conduct an assessment of the Health Department's current status relative to the FDA Program Standards. "The FDA Voluntary Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards will help standardize all departments so all inspections are conducted the same way in every county," said Environmental Health Director Daniel Ortiz. Citizens can access sanitation ratings for restaurants in Cumberland County online at co.cumberland.nc.us/health/ environmental/sanitation_ratings.aspx. Grants Will Boost Food Inspector Training Property Tax Listing Deadline Feb. 2 The Cumberland County Tax Administration Office reminds citizens that the deadline for the 2015 annual property tax listing period is Feb. 2. Listing forms must be updated, signed and returned and must be postmarked no later than Feb. 2 to avoid the 10 percent late listing fee. All persons who own or control business, personal property, farm/ agri-business and any personal property subject to taxation are required to list with Tax Administration. Tax listing forms can be obtained at the Tax Administration Office in Room 530 of the Courthouse, 117 Dick St., or online at co.cumberland.nc.us/ tax/aspx. Completed forms can be mailed to Tax Administration Assessment/Audit Division, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, NC 28302. For more information, call 910-678-7507 or go online. Ortiz Applications are being accepted for the Spring 2015 session of Cumberland County Citizens' Academy. The academy will run March 17 - April 28 for seven consecutive Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m. at various county government locations. Participants must be residents of Cumberland County. Class size is limited, and academy slots are filled on a first-come, first- serve basis. Citizens' Academy helps participants gain a better understanding of the role of county government. Applications are available online at co.cumberland.nc.us/ public_info/citizens_academy.aspx. For more information, call 437-1921 or email sshutt@co.cumberland.nc.us. Apply For Spring 2015 Citizens' Academy presents the 2nd Annual Bearded Beauties Pageant Saturday, January 24th 8:00-11:00 pm at All proceeds will be donated to the KidsPeace Children's Fund to benefit children in foster care