Local News

NC History Center work continues on, anticipated by 2027

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Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Written by Katie Herring

In 2027, Fayetteville will be home to the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction. Construction is underway now for this center of learning that will be pivotal in teaching North Carolinians of all ages about the years before, during, and after the Civil War.
But, don’t call it a museum.
A museum is a collection of artifacts, while this History Center will focus on telling the stories of the people, places and events surrounding the Civil War.
“The mission of the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction is to tell the stories of ALL North Carolinians and create a comprehensive, fact-based portrait of history that spans the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods.” (https://nccivilwarcenter.org/about/about-the-center/)
The History Center will be located at the site of the former Arsenal Park, and will take the place of the Museum of the Cape Fear.
The Arsenal
To get a complete picture of the significance of the location of the NC History Center, we have to go pretty far back in history, to the War of 1812. During that war, the federal government realized that it was ill-equipped to provide weapons and ammunition to protect the entire country. To help remedy that problem, several arsenals were built at strategic locations around the US. Fayetteville’s location on the Cape Fear River and at the crossroads of eight plank roads made it a prime location for one of the arsenals. At its peak, the Fayetteville arsenal produced 500 rifles per month, as well as swords, bayonets, and various forms of artillery, and employed around 2,000 people. In the spring of 1861, the arsenal was seized by the Fayetteville Light Infantry, part of the Confederate army.
On March 11, 1865, Union General Sherman and his troops destroyed the arsenal and all its machinery, in addition to shops, factories, and the Fayetteville Observer, which was a Confederate-leaning publication at the time. The ruins of the Fayetteville Arsenal are still present to this day, as part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.
The History Center
The idea for a new type of museum came from meetings of local officials and volunteers. This board was awarded a $1 million planning grant from the N.C. General Assembly in 2007. That funding was used to hire groups who had experience starting many prestigious museums around the country, to include the Civil Rights Center in Greensboro. After more than 10 years of planning, research and preparation-which included assessment of existing resources, and gathering community-wide feedback, ground was broken on the History Center in April of 2018.
Progress So Far
Work thus far on the History Center consists of moving three Civil War-era houses to the site and refurbishing them. The three buildings are:
• The Arsenal House will serve as a classroom and distance learning studio for K-12 students, utilizing cutting-edge technology.
• The Culbreth House will become the Center for the Study of the Civil War and Reconstruction in North Carolina and will house the offices for the Center’s Foundation.
• The Davis House will be a support building for the other buildings and areas of the surrounding portion of Arsenal Park.
Work Still Ongoing
In May 2024, construction began on the outdoor pavilion area. This portion of the center will serve as an outdoor classroom and will include boardwalks that will allow visitors to come close to the ruins of the original arsenal without damaging them. It will also include sidewalks connecting various parts of the History Center and restrooms. All of these will be ADA compliant.
Future construction also includes a 60,000-square-foot building that will house large-scale exhibits and an auditorium.
Once construction is complete and the center has opened, it will be owned and operated by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which also operates the NC Zoo, three aquariums, two art museums, two science museums, as well as many other natural and cultural resources.
The Timeline and the Pricetag
Current estimates by the construction project management firm show that the History Center will be complete by the first quarter of 2027. The estimated cost is $84.6 million. So far, the state of North Carolina has provided $69.6 million; $14.1 million from the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County; and the remainder has come from private donations. Between $8-$10 million remains to be raised.
Even before all of that is complete, though, the state of North Carolina will benefit from the History Center. Development of virtual educational tools for use in classrooms across the state is already underway, using scholarship from university professors, as well as input from current K-12 teachers. There is also work to include students in the conversations about teaching and learning this part of our history. The goal is that all NC students will be able to learn from the History Center, even if they cannot visit in person.
Stories
The focus of the NC History Center is stories: telling stories from every angle, from every perspective, the stories of what life was like between 1830 and 1900. Story collection is ongoing. If you or someone you know have any North Carolina-related stories from the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction period, you can share them and they could be included in the Center. Go to nccivilwarcenter.org and click on Story Collection. All stories are vetted by History Center staff. Photos, letters, and any other artifacts you might have are welcome as well. Stories that have already been gathered are available to view and read at the History Center website.
More information about the progress of the History Center, including renderings of the main building, photos and maps of the future site, can be found at nccivilwarcenter.org.

(Photo: A rendering of the possible North Carolina History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction on Arsenal Ave. in Fayetteville. Graphic courtesy of NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction's Facebook page)

USACAPOC(A) changes command; City opens cooling centers; Crown Event Center moves into construction document phase

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Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Written by Staff Report

Change of Command, Change of Responsibility brings new Leadership to USACAPOC(A)
Maj. Gen. Isaac Johnson, Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), will relinquish command to Brig. Gen. Andrée G. Carter, on Saturday, July 13 at 9 a.m. at the Main Post Parade Field, Fort Liberty. Concurrently, outgoing Command Chief Warrant Officer, CW5 Michael A. Rich will change responsibility with CW4, John Harris III.
The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) is a two-star headquarters providing Army and Joint Forces commanders 76 percent of the Department of Defense civil affairs forces and 63 percent of DoD psychological operations forces.
Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, and Information Operations Soldiers combine regional and trans-regional expertise, political-military awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills to conduct and support civil-military operations for conventional and special operations forces.
USACAPOC (A) Soldiers are integrated in current global U.S. operations including Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, European, Pacific and Central/South American regions. USACAPOC (A) provides airborne oversight for USARC and is the only strategic CA structure in DoD while supporting the Army and Joint Force with strategic, operational, and tactical level civil affairs operations, psychological operations, and information operations capabilities.
USACAPOC (A) provides a cost-effective solution and enables the supported commander expanded freedom of maneuver in both Combined Arms Maneuver and Wide Area Security missions across the range of Military Operations. USACAPOC (A) CA, PSYOP, and IO forces support Army formations in conventional operations, Irregular Warfare, Theater Security Cooperation, and Stability Operations in support of Geographic Combatant Command requirements. USACAPOC(A) is made up of 96 Army Reserve units across 29 states.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Pope Field Training Annex, Building 372, 504 Virgin Street, Fort Liberty.

County opened cooling stations over weekend
All eight Cumberland County Public Library branch locations serve as cooling stations for residents who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat, with additional County facilities available.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh forecasted the following heat indexes from the past weekend:
• Saturday, June 22, Heat Index 102 degrees
• Sunday, June 23, Heat Index 102 degrees
• Monday, June 24 Heat Index 104 degrees
Residents who need reprieve from the heat may visit any of the following County locations during regular business hours:
• Library locations are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, along with Cliffdale, North Regional and Hope Mills branches, are also open Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. To find your nearest library location, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.
The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Masks or face coverings are required for individuals experiencing symptoms related to a respiratory illness (COVID-19, RSV, flu).
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, located at 1225 Ramsey St., will open the auxiliary lobby as a cooling station. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All public lobbies will be available to citizens. Masks or face coverings are required for individuals experiencing symptoms related to a respiratory illness (COVID-19, RSV, flu).
While these locations are always available to the public during operating hours, County officials wish to make the public aware of their availability as cooling stations when conditions warrant.
Extreme heat and humidity significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working outdoors. Cumberland County Emergency Services reminds residents to take precautions during the hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, avoid strenuous work, check on relatives and neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
Cumberland County Emergency Services is monitoring the heat conditions and is coordinating the opening of County facilities as cooling stations. Stay informed by visiting the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov or County social media pages at facebook.com/CumberlandNC, facebook.com/CumberlandCountyNC911 and twitter.com/CumberlandNC.

County anticipates breaking ground on new Crown Event Center in September
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Crown Event Center Committee gave its approval to allow the project to move into the Construction Document development phase with an anticipated groundbreaking for the new Crown Event Center planned for September 2024.
The approval followed the presentation of updated pricing for the project from the Construction Manager at Risk TA Loving/Metcon. The CMaR conducted pricing on the 100% Design Development documents completed by project architect EwingCole, which were presented to the Committee on May 20 along with updated renderings of the Crown Event Center’s exterior and interior spaces.
Matt DeSilver, Area Manager with MBP Carolinas, which serves as the County’s Owners Representative for the project, shared that the 100% Design Development cost estimate for construction came in just above the Board’s approved construction budget of $117,864,211 at $122,173,918. However, he noted that this estimate includes built-in design escalation costs through the midpoint of construction as well as design contingency.
He said the Project Delivery Team conducted value engineering to bring the estimated construction cost down below the approved budget to $117,194,895. Items that were removed from the estimate as part of the value engineering process included an operable partition in the multipurpose room, interior window blinds, reduction of LED exterior signage and upper-level audience divider curtains in the main event hall. DeSilver said these items will still be priced so they can be included in the project in the event costs ultimately come in lower than the approved budget.
Committee members voted unanimously to approve the 100% design development cost estimate and to authorize the Project Delivery Team to move into construction document development.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners previously approved a total project budget of nearly $145 million in February. DeSilver said the project is still on schedule to break ground in September 2024 with anticipated completion in early 2027. He said next steps for the project will include the development of construction documents and preparation of the early site package.
CMaR hosted an outreach event for subcontractors, suppliers and vendors interested in participating in the Crown Event Center project June 20.
The Crown Event Center Committee is comprised of Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, who chairs the Committee, Board Chairman Glenn Adams and Commissioner Jeannette Council, along with Cumberland County Civic Center Commission Chairman McBryde Grannis, who serves in an ex officio capacity. The Project Delivery Team is made up of County staff, and staff from the County’s owner’s representative MBP Carolinas, project architect EwingCole, construction manager at Risk TA Loving/Metcon and Crown Complex Manager OakViewGroup.
For more information on the Crown Event Center project, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/crowneventcenter.

(Photo Information-Top Photo: Fort Liberty Sign.  File photo.  Bottom Photo: Graphic courtesy of Crown Event Center)

Prepare for hurricane season

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Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Written by Staff Report

Hurricanes pose significant challenges. Such challenges are considerably less difficult when business owners and families prepare for hurricane season in advance.
A proactive approach to hurricane season can minimize the effects of these powerful storms, which can cause potentially costly property damage. Such preparation also reduces the likelihood that individuals will be involved in accidents and/or suffer injuries.
Hurricane season is here, so now is a great time for business owners and families to prepare for the months ahead.
Evacuation plan
Coastal regions tend to bear the brunt of damage caused by hurricanes, so anyone working and living in such areas should have a well-developed evacuation plan in place as hurricane season begins.
Lifelong residents of coastal regions most often affected by hurricanes, which in the United States includes Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, and Louisiana as well as other areas along the Atlantic coast, no doubt have evacuation plans in place already.
However, it's a good idea to go over such plans with employees and family members at the start of each new hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, while the Eastern Pacific season begins roughly two weeks earlier and ends at the same time.
Make a list of accessible hotels and shelters where you can go should you need to evacuate, and make sure everyone has a hard copy of that list.
Keeping the list on a smartphone notes app can be helpful, but hard copies are vital, as access to mobile networks or even electricity to keep phones charged is not guaranteed during hurricanes. Detailed information about routes to take to get to safety and a prearranged place to meet if evacuated is also vital.
Supplies
The Insurance Information Institute notes that, when hurricanes are in the forecast and warnings are issued, it's not uncommon for residents of areas in the eye of the storm to rush to stores to purchase supplies. A proactive approach to hurricane preparation can help people avoid that mad rush. The III recommends people stock up on certain supplies in advance of hurricane season. Such supplies include:
• Extra batteries
• Candles or lamps with fuel
• Matches, which should be kept in a part of the home that's likely to remain accessible and dry
• Materials and tools for emergency home repairs, such as heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, a hammer, and other tools
• Prescription drugs
• A three-day supply of drinking water
• Food that you don t have to refrigerate or cook
• First aid supplies
• A portable NOAA weather radio
• A wrench and other basic tools
• A flashlight
Property
It's also wise for business owners and homeowners in coastal areas to take an annual inventory of their belongings in advance of hurricane season.
The III notes that such an inventory, which should include a list of possessions and their respective values, can speed up the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes and prove helpful if business owners or homeowners apply for disaster aid.
Hurricane season is coming. That means now is the time to prepare businesses and homes for the challenges that hurricanes can leave in their wake.

Exploring Cumberland County's Senior Centers: Tokay and Spring Lake

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Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Written by Lisa Stevens

The Tokay Senior Fitness Center, located at 328 Hamilton Street, Fayetteville, is the premier destination for seniors looking to take control of their health and wellness. Unlike other senior centers, the Tokay Center focuses on providing top-notch fitness and health resources.
Tana Coleman is the Supervisor at the center and shares health benefits offered to seniors. “Our center is unique and different from the other three senior centers in the FCPR system. Everything that we do is health/fitness related. We have free weights and offer a variety of fitness classes. With six treadmills and ellipticals, five bikes, and a full line of Nautilus strength training machines - our seniors have easy access to everything they need to get fit and stay healthy. In addition, we have certified CPR technicians and nutrition and health education classes.”
The center offers equipment and classes tailored specifically for the 55+ crowd. So, no matter your fitness level or health goals, the Tokay Senior Fitness Center has something to offer. To manage your diabetes, improve your heart health, or shed a few unwanted pounds, this center is the perfect place to start. But don't just take their word for it - come in, set up an equipment orientation, and experience the difference for yourself.
At the center, you'll find an array of offerings tailored to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. Their Yoga classes twice a week will help improve mood, muscle tone, and posture. Get your groove on in the energetic Zumba sessions. "Bingo with a twist" exercise class is a guaranteed good time, complete with the chance to win prizes.
If you love table tennis, bring a friend on the 1st Monday of each month. Tables, paddles, and balls await you! The fun continues with kettlebells, chair aerobics, line dancing, and stretch classes. The options are endless. And it doesn't stop there. The center regularly hosts special events, so check their website or join the email list to stay in the loop.
The center truly cares about health. There are nurses on site to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels and weigh-ins free of charge. Check their website for additional information and special events at https://www.fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/tokay-senior-fitness-center or call 910-433-1547.

Spring Lake Recreation and Senior Center, located at 245 Ruth Street, Spring Lake, offers a variety of programs for children, adults, and seniors.
If you are an active senior, the center boasts a diverse lineup of recreational pursuits. From the ever-popular bingo and pokeno games to the soothing art of crocheting, there's something to pique everyone's interest.
Kristine Schara, the Supervisor at the center, shares how she started her career at the center, “After years of working in an office environment, I relocated and lived in close proximity to the center. Drawn to the quarter-mile outdoor walking trail nearby, I often saw seniors utilizing this space. Through countless enlightening conversations, I gained a deeper understanding of the struggles they face - feelings of isolation, technological disconnection, a need for socialization, and local resources. During one of these encounters, a senior mentioned an open position at the community center, encouraging me to consider a career change. Heeding their advice, I embarked on a new journey. One that has since become my forever job. Working within the walls of this vibrant community hub has allowed me to witness the transformative power of connection, empowerment, and belonging.”
For those who love crafts, the center has a sewing room, and for those who are passionate about crocheting, attendees can join a group to share their work and expertise - it may lead to teaching others interested in picking up the craft.
The monthly potlucks and Fellowship Fridays provide opportunities for residents to connect, share a meal, and forge new friendships. Also, the center organizes group outings to the Omni Theatre, where members can enjoy discounted movie tickets and the camaraderie of their peers.
Moreover, the center's offerings extend beyond just leisure activities. It also serves as a hub for important health screenings and information, with regular diabetes testing and dementia assessments available by appointment. This commitment to the well-being of its members is a testament to the center's dedication to the community.
The community center is a beacon of hope, providing a safe and inclusive space for individuals of all ages to come together, learn, grow, and support one another. It is a testament to the power of community.
Check their website for times and dates for all activities and special events at https://www.fcpr.us/facilities/spring-lake-recreation-center or call 910-433-1547.

(Photo: A senior works out on one of the many machines available to seniors at the Tokay Senior Fitness Center. Photo courtesy of Tokay Senior Fitness Center.)