Local News

Month of the Military child: support nation’s military kids

Life in the Armed Forces has its challenges, especially for the youngest members of the U.S. military community – the 1.6 million kids whose parents are service members.
Often faced with constant change and uncertainty, from their family’s moves every two to three years, to their service member parent deploying suddenly for months or even years, these realities of military life can take a toll.
18aTo honor these sacrifices, the military community celebrates the Month of the Military Child in April and Purple Up Day on April 15 each year.
Here are some of the programs the USO runs to make the lives of military kids a bit easier every day, as well as ways you can support and honor these young heroes during April and beyond:
• USO centers are not just a home away from home for service members – they serve the same purpose for military spouses and kids. At many of the more than 250 USO locations around the globe, military children can find kid-friendly activities designed to help them make friends with fellow military kids, or bond with their families, including arts and crafts, family game nights, cooking classes and scavenger hunts. No matter what activity they are engaged with, USO programs are designed to give these children a little fun so that they can forget, even if for just a moment, the stress of life as a military child.
• USO’s Reading Program connects military children and their deployed family members. Through the program, service members can walk into a participating USO location where they are deployed, record themselves reading their child’s favorite story and have that recording emailed to their child — and a copy of the book shipped home. Children can, in turn, record themselves reading a book on camera, add that book to their personal collection and send the recording to their deployed family member.
• On Purple Up Day, celebrated April 15, the USO invited everyone to wear purple to show their support for military children, and to honor their strength, resilience and sacrifices.
Throughout the month of April and beyond, you can provide additional support to military kids by volunteering with your local USO or by supporting USO programming. Visit uso.org to learn more.
“Military kids are special—they did not sign up for the adventure they are on but are some of the most resilient people that I know,” said Christopher Plamp, USO chief operating officer and retired U.S. Air Force colonel.
“I watched firsthand as my daughters dealt with the constant change and struggled to keep friends as we moved time and again. The Month of the Military Child is our opportunity to recognize all of them and make them feel special.”

Study game development, digital media at FTCC

“Gamers can feel when developers are passionate about their games. They can smell it like a dog smells fear.” — Scott Rogers, Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design
Have you ever wanted to create your own video games? Would you like to earn a great living in the digital media creation industry? Would you like to work with creative people, just like yourself?
If so, we have great news. There is a place for you in the Simulation Game Development and/or Digital Media Programs at Fayetteville Technical Community College.
These programs focus on hands-on learning of skills by exposing students to real-world applications through community connections, work-based learning opportunities, and internships. By immersing students in these practical experiences, the programs help prepare the next generation of digital artists for successful careers in the ever-evolving high-tech and entertainment industry sectors, equipping them with the skills and connections needed to thrive in a competitive job market.
18bAll FTCC instructors are veterans of the digital media industry who have mastered countless skills including motion graphics, animation, user interface design, and digital artistry. They’ve been there, they’ve done that, and now they are eager to share their knowledge.
High school students can spend two semesters at FTCC earning valuable certificates in both Game Development and Digital Media. Both programs provide students with hands-on experience and valuable skills in these dynamic and growing fields, giving graduates a head start into attractive careers. Best of all, the programs are offered free of charge to high school students in Cumberland County, making it an accessible, affordable and valuable educational resource.
The Game Development and Digital Media Club creates opportunities for members to sharpen their teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities, which are essential for success in the professional world. The Club develops and sells custom 3D prints, which helps raise funds for activities, such as travel and supplies, for competitions and educational events. This entrepreneurial spirit not only provides financial support but also gives students a chance to practice real-world business skills. The Club will soon offer the first summer 3D print camp for children, providing younger students with the opportunity to explore creativity and technology while further strengthening ties to the community. These experiences help members grow both professionally and personally, creating well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of the digital media and game development industries.
Want to learn more? Contact us today. Classes begin soon, and space is limited. Torie Quismundo, the department chair, is located at the Advanced Technology Center Room 220-D, 2300 Hull Rd., Fayetteville. For more information, call 910-678-8331, email at quismunt@faytechcc.edu or visit https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/computer-information-technology-programs/simulation-game-development/. Even more information can be found at https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/computer-information-technology-programs/digital-media-technology/ and https://www.faytechcc.edu/series/game-development-digital-media-club-meeting/

Canady’s: Over 40 years of reliability and quality

Fayetteville is rich with thriving businesses that have been around for decades, providing quality services and goods to the community. These businesses are the heartbeat and backbone of the city and the county. Their longevity is a signifier of their excellent service and appreciation by the customers.
Locally owned and operated businesses are an integral part of local economies. Not only do they employ residents, but they often pour back into the community they serve through volunteerism and sponsorships.
Canady’s Termite and Pest Control has been a staple in Cumberland County for over 45 years, providing reliable and quality services. This locally owned and operated business had humble beginnings, started in 1978 by Terry Canady. Mr. Canady had one mission when he started: that he would become one of the biggest and trustworthy pest control businesses in the Sandhills.
“Do right by every customer.”
14A family man with a strong moral foundation, Mr. Canady worked hard to create his vision, now carried on by the next generation of
Canady's, Scott and Matt. What started as one location has now grown to five locations in eastern North Carolina: Fayetteville (flagship), Vass, Ocean Isle, Princeton, and Apex.
The respect of customers is earned, not given, and the Canadys have more than earned the community's respect by ensuring they are knowledgeable and best equipped to handle customer needs.
All employees are highly trained and certified. Each technician is trained to assess each customer's individual needs, such as pets and children in the home, and indoor ventilation, ensuring the safest products are used in the customer's home. Canady’s prides itself in safety, not just for customers but for employees.
They are members of the National Pest Management Association and the North Carolina Pest Management Association. Over the decades, they have become the go-to for many realtors and builders, with membership in the Home Builders Association and the Fayetteville Association of Realtors, and providing Realtor Termite Inspections.
Canady’s was named as Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville 2024’s Best Pest Control Company.
They are ingrained in the community, often being the first recommendation of locals, no doubt due to their consistent quality of work and customer service. Canady’s provides a variety of services, covering a range of pests from the smallest to mice. Services include:
• Ant Control
• Bed Bug Control
• Stinging Insect Control
• Cockroach Control
• Flea Control
• Mosquito Control
• Rodent Control
• Tick Control
• Termite Control
Canady’s offers some of the best warranties in town, offering a 90-day warranty on pest control and a 10-year warranty on termite control. They offer services for commercial and residential properties. In keeping with the mission of Mr. Terry, Canady’s also offers preventative services that help prevent pests from reaching inside the home, offering crawlspace encapsulation.
This service keeps the space dry and free of insects and rodents. Crawlspace encapsulation services are available in Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach.
To learn more about Canady’s Termite and Pest Control, visit the website at https://www.canadyspestcontrolservice.com or give them a call at 910-720-6259.

Vision takes shape: Final beam placed at future School of Medicine

Tuesday, April 15 marked a historic milestone for Methodist University − and for the future of healthcare in Southeastern North Carolina − as leaders from Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health gathered with elected officials, supporters, faculty, staff, doctors, nurses, and other community members to celebrate the topping-off ceremony for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine.
With the ceremonial “final beam” − measuring 27 feet long, 24 inches tall, and weighing 1,500 pounds − covered in signatures, hoisted into place, and a celebratory helicopter flyover drawing eyes skyward, the long-anticipated vision of a medical school in Fayetteville took a very visible step forward.
The moment represents a symbolic turning point in the construction of the $60-million, state-of-the-art facility, which is set to open in 2026 pending accreditation approval from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
7aDesigned to help address the region’s longstanding physician shortage, the school will train the next generation of healthcare professionals with a focus on community-based care and innovation.
“Access to great healthcare is a fundamental human right − you shouldn’t have to travel hours to receive it,” said Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health. “For too long, Southeastern North Carolina has struggled with physician shortages. This partnership with Methodist University was the perfect match. Methodist University couldn’t have done this without us, and we couldn’t have done it without MU. It’s a true community effort.”
As the crowd gathered on-site, the excitement was obvious − a testament to what this building represents not just for Methodist University, but for the thousands of lives it will touch in the decades to come.
“Our mission at Methodist University has always been rooted in service, and we’ve been deeply involved in healthcare education for more than 25 years through programs like Physician Assistant Studies, Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy, and more,” said Dr. Stanley T. Wearden, president of Methodist University. “The School of Medicine is the next logical step − one that raises our visibility and elevates us to a new level as an institution.”
The School of Medicine stands as a bold extension of Methodist University’s mission to serve and lead with purpose. With construction well underway, the facility is designed to include advanced simulation labs, modern classrooms, and collaborative learning spaces. It will reflect the values that define MU: innovation, compassion, and a commitment to service.
“If all goes well with accreditation, we hope to welcome our first class of students in July of 2026,” said Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of the School of Medicine. “The inaugural class is expected to include 64 students, a number determined by the clinical capacity within the Cape Fear Valley Health system to ensure each student receives an ideal clinical education.”
“Our curriculum is specifically designed to prepare students to understand and address the health needs of this region,” said Bell. “That means learning about the illnesses most prevalent here, the barriers to care, and the social issues that impact health outcomes.”
From the very beginning, this project has been about more than just bricks and mortar − it’s about purpose. For more on the School of Medicine, please visit methodist.edu/medicine. For more on Methodist University's Health Sciences programs, please visit methodist.edu/health-sciences.

(Photo: The final beam in the School of Medicine building at the Cape Fear Valley Health campus is placed during a "topping off" ceremony, April 15. Photo courtesy of Methodist University)

County seeking new estimate for downtown Event Center

The costs for building Cumberland County’s downtown Crown Event Center could exceed the $145 million budgeted for the project, so the county’s Board of Commissioners is seeking a new construction estimate, Commissioners Chair Kirk deViere announced on Monday.
And the county has hired the DavisKane architecture firm of Raleigh, deViere said, to see what it would cost to rehabilitate and modernize the old Crown Arena and Crown Theatre on U.S. 301 — the facilities that the 3,000-seat Event Center performing arts and meeting facility is supposed to replace.
DeViere announced these plans after the commissioners met in a behind-closed-doors session for about 3 hours and 25 minutes. This followed previous closed-to-the-public meetings last week for discussion on the Event Center. The commissioners’ vote to exclude the public from their Monday deliberations was 6-1, with Commissioner Glenn Adams voting against going into secret session.
7bIn early March, construction of the Event Center was paused 30 days so that lawyer J. Scott Flowers of Fayetteville could investigate a $1.9 million architect’s fee from the EwingCole firm. After receiving what deViere said was a 1,000-plus page report on the fee, the commissioners voted April 7 to lift the pause on the project.
County Attorney Rick Moorefield told CityView by email last week that the 1,000-page Flowers report is considered to be an attorney work product and is not a public record, meaning members of the general public won’t be allowed to read it or get a copy. “When the legal matter it was prepared for is resolved, it will become available,” Moorefield said.
Site preparation for the Event Center, on Gillespie Street on a parking lot in front of the County Courthouse, began in October.
The next phase is the construction of the building, deViere said. Before the county starts that phase, it is seeking updates on the cost and how long it will take to complete. Plans had been to finish the Event Center in April 2027.
DeViere estimated information on new costs and new completion dates will come back in 30 to 60 days.
Further, deViere said, the commissioners received an update on the financing plan to pay for the Event Center.
“As you can imagine, with what’s happening across the nation right now and what’s happening with the construction costs, we wanted to have a better understanding with a couple scenarios of what are — what the financing package would sustain,” he said. “And we got some good feedback on that as well.
“So we wanted to clearly understand, if the Crown Event Center is built downtown, that the financing model that was put in place previously sustains any expected increase in cost, and we were satisfied with that.”
With that and a new estimate for the next phase of construction, “that will give us a total updated cost,” he said.
The 4,500-to-5,000 seat Crown Arena and the 2,400-seat Crown Theatre opened in the late 1960s. They used to be known as the Cumberland County Memorial Arena and Auditorium. The county began considering around 2015 whether to rehabilitate or update the facilities when it settled an Americans With Disabilities Act lawsuit from a Fayetteville woman who used a wheelchair. The woman sued in 2014 because she had difficulty getting around and using the properties in her wheelchair.
DeViere said there has not been an assessment of upgrading the Arena and Theatre since 2015. So now the county hired DavisKane to look into that.
Does this mean the commissioners are considering canceling the Event Center and instead will modernize the Crown Arena and Crown Theatre?
“We are asking for an updated cost to modernize and renovate the theater and the arena. Nothing more, nothing less,” deViere said. “When you look at all the information that’s been provided over three years — from community input, to parking studies, to all these things — the one piece of data point that wasn’t there except from 2015, was an updated renovation and modernization for that.”
Members of the public and press have asked about renovating the old facilities, he said, “and we feel that it’s a responsible action by the board to have that number [of the estimated cost].”

Subcategories

Latest Articles

  • Three ways our state governs differently
  • A look back: The world according to 1968
  • Salvation Army abruptly closes Fayetteville homeless shelter
  • County seeking new estimate for downtown Event Center
  • Vision takes shape: Final beam placed at future School of Medicine
  • Gilbert Theater summer camp registration now open
Up & Coming Weekly Calendar
  

Login/Subscribe