Local News

MU Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine receives LCME candidacy designation

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Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Written by Staff Report

The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine has received official candidacy designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, an important benchmark as the school aims to change the future of healthcare in the region.
The LCME, which is the recognized accrediting body for medical education programs leading to MD degrees, informed Methodist University of its decision on Wednesday — moving the proposed School of Medicine from an “applicant” designation to a “candidate” designation. The decision will lead to a site visit from the LCME in the spring of 2025 before it reviews and votes on preliminary accreditation for the School of Medicine as early as the fall of 2025.
A preliminary accreditation would allow the School of Medicine to begin recruiting students as it aims to welcome its first cohort in the summer of 2026 — pending approvals by both the LCME and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
“This is a significant milestone for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine," said Dr. Stanley T. Wearden, president of Methodist University. “By granting this candidate status, the LCME is saying that they believe we are moving towards what is necessary for accreditation. This shows Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health have the necessary resources to begin a medical school in our community.”
The decision comes on the heels of a historic groundbreaking for the School of Medicine in September as construction began on the school’s new $60-plus-million, five-story facility on the western edge of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center campus along Village Drive.
Cape Fear Valley Health is building the 127,500-square-foot, 200-room facility that will feature learning centers, state-of-the-art classrooms, community and multi-purpose rooms, student lounges, a commons area, virtual anatomy laboratory, fully-equipped standardized patient lab, conference rooms, entrance plaza, and a courtyard.
“We’re excited to have reached LCME candidacy," said Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health. "This brings us closer to training future physicians who will serve and improve the health of our community. It reflects our team’s hard work, and we’re looking forward to next steps.”
Once formally accredited, the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine will have a longstanding impact on the community with more than 250 new jobs and graduating physicians each year (initial class of 64 students with an anticipated growth to over 100 students per class in the coming years).
The school will combine the expertise and resources of both institutions to provide students with unparalleled educational and clinical experience while creating opportunities for students to learn in a collaborative and innovative environment, with access to cutting-edge technology in the brand-new facility.
The School of Medicine has a growing list of faculty and staff, who have had a major hand in the LCME process.
“This is a testament to the faculty and staff who’ve been working diligently to prepare all of the necessary materials for this submission, including curriculum, student support services, faculty affairs, financial services, and IT infrastructure," said Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of the School of Medicine. "We were able to achieve this significant milestone because of them.”

(A rendering of the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. Image courtesy of Methodist University)

NCDOT seeks feedback to widen road; Courthouse parking lot closes; Cumberland County joins lights out for migration

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Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Written by Staff Report

NCDOT Seeks Public Feedback to Widen a Fayetteville Road
Public meeting will be Oct. 24
State transportation leaders are inviting the public to review and comment on a proposal to widen the entire two miles of Fisher Road in western Cumberland County.
The open house will take place on Oct. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the gymnasium of John Griffin Middle School. People may drop in at any time to review preliminary design maps, ask engineers questions and submit comments.
The N.C. Department of Transportation is planning to widen the road between Strickland Bridge Road and Bingham Drive to four lanes with a raised median. In anticipation of traffic growth, the project will ease congestion and lessen the risk of crashes. Most of this congested road, which is home to two schools, currently has two lanes.
Proposed project highlights include:
• Construction of a multilane roundabout at Fisher & McKinnon Farm roads to improve traffic flow and safety.
• New sidewalk and multi-use path to accommodate school children, bicyclists and other pedestrians.
As part of this widening proposal, the department plans to construct reduced conflict intersections at several subdivisions that conjoin with Fisher Road. When built, drivers exiting the subdivisions will be redirected into turning right; if they wish to go in the other direction, they may use a dedicated lane a short distance away to safely turn around.
This design, however, will allow drivers on Fisher Road to turn left at some of the side roads that connect to the subdivisions.
Those who cannot attend the meeting can contact the project team via fisherrdwidening-cumberland@publicinput.com or 984-205-6615; enter project code No. 10723. Alternatively, people may go to this NCDOT public in-put site to submit comments and see other information about the proposed project
Comments received by Nov. 8 will be considered toward the final design.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Lauren Putnam at lnputnam1@ncdot.gov or 919-707-6072 to make arrangements.
People who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Courthouse Parking Lot Closing Oct. 23 for Crown Event Center Groundbreaking
County shares parking options for Courthouse patrons
As Cumberland County prepares to break ground on the Crown Event Center project, the County will officially close the parking lot in front of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse effective Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m.
In advance of this closure, County officials encourage the public to take note of alternative parking options available near the Courthouse and in the surrounding area.
The primary parking area for Courthouse visitors will be located behind the First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, accessible via the driveway located in the 200 block of Person Street. This lot is available for both County and Courthouse employees and the public conducting business at the Courthouse on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ADA accessible parking will continue to be available directly behind the Courthouse, and the drop-off lane will remain available for use in front of the Courthouse. Visitors using the Person Street lot can access the Courthouse using the front entrance, although the most direct and accessible entry point will be located behind the Courthouse near the ATM.
The County advises visitors that the County parking lots adjacent to the Historic Courthouse at 130 Gillespie Street, and Veterans Services at 301 E. Russell St., are reserved for employees and visitors of those facilities. Using these lots for Courthouse parking will limit access for those needing to use these services.
The County has also designated the County-owned gravel lots at 334 Person Street and 125 S. Kennedy St. for public use at no cost.
For additional parking options in the downtown area, the City of Fayetteville offers a detailed map on their website www.fayettevillenc.gov/our-city/community/getting-around/downtown-parking.
In November 2022, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners selected the parking lot in front of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse as the site for the new Crown Event Center, which is set to open in Spring 2027. On Sept. 16, the Board approved a contract amendment with the project’s Construction Manager-at-Risk, TA Loving/Metcon, to begin sitework and demolition.
The Board has also approved a contract for design of a new parking deck to be constructed directly behind the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center.
This deck will provide sufficient long-term parking for various County construction projects in the area, making up for any displaced parking and accommodating future growth. The parking deck is expected to be complete in 2026, prior to the Crown Event Center's opening.
For more information on Courthouse parking, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/courthouseparking. For more information on the Crown Event Center project, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/crowneventcenter.

Cumberland County Joins Lights Out for Bird Migration
Each spring and fall, millions of migrating birds pass through North Carolina, primarily during the night. To help ensure their safe journey, Cumberland County is proud to announce its participation in the Lights Out initiative to protect these vital migratory birds.
Beginning Oct. 17, and through Nov. 30, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., all non-essential lighting in County facilities will be turned off nightly. Bright lights can disorient nocturnal migrants, leading to dangerous collisions with buildings.
With migratory bird populations declining, reducing light pollution is a crucial step in mitigating these risks.
In addition to safeguarding wildlife, this initiative will also lower energy costs and align with the County’s sustainability goals, supporting our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to join Cumberland County in this effort by turning off non-essential outdoor lights during the migration period. Here are some simple recommendations:
• Close blinds and curtains and ensure office spaces are darkened before leaving for the day.
• Turn off exterior lights, especially those that are upward-facing, and interior lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
For more information on the Lights Out initiative, bird migration forecasts, and the latest research, please visit the BirdCast website at birdcast.info.

Samel’s Beauty Lounge: Fayetteville’s first holistic salon

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Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Written by Amber Little

Self-care used to be an afterthought, a peaceful moment in the Starbucks line, an extra 5 minutes of idling in the car after pulling in the driveway, but luckily that has been changing. Now, self-care is a planned spa day, a trip to the salt cave or a trip to the salon. Gone are the days of feeling rushed through activities that should be relaxing and a break from the routine. Samel’s Beauty Lounge is Fayetteville’s newest and first holistic salon specializing in curly hair. Centrally located at 314 Hay Street, Samel’s is a full-service salon, offering hair and nail services including haircuts, coloring, hair extensions, pedicures, and manicures. The salon also offers specialized scalp disorder services for those who suffer from psoriasis, hair loss, eczema and more.
Owner Samel has spent her entire life in the industry. Her father was a barber and business owner. Her salon journey started during COVID with the opening of her salon, Vibras Suites above Antonella’s Italian Restaurant. The opening of her namesake beauty lounge is the culmination of her hard work and passion for those who suffer from scalp disorders.
“I specialize in curly hair and scalp disorders. I am a certified Trichologist who treats scalp abnormalities. I love rebuilding and restructuring the hair from the inside out. While customizing each service to my clients, from color to hair extensions,” Samel said.
Samel’s Beauty Lounge is truly a unique experience from the moment you walk through the door. As the first holistic salon, the salon takes a whole-body approach to beauty services. Samel explained, “Samel’s Beauty Lounge is here to open up the doors to a new world. Wellness is our signature. As pioneers when it comes to treating the scalp and its abnormalities, we also take pride in being the only holistic salon in the area. By treating each guest that comes into our establishment like the whole that we are, by only using clean and non-toxic products. We take pride in providing excellent services that will add value to you as a person from the moment you come in. Our services are rooted in love, and integrity, by pointing the guest towards the direction of living intentionally and understanding the purpose of what we do. We educate the guest on services provided and the why behind them…At Samel’s Beauty Lounge, we want the community to experience something that they might have never experienced before. Our services are tailored to each guest's needs. Even though we expanded from the suite to a storefront space, Samel’s Beauty Lounge is devoted to offering that 1 on 1 attention that each guest deserves. It is more than just a hair or nail appointment. It is an experience and worth it to try it for yourself to understand the concept of it.”
Samel couldn’t do it alone. She has a staff of highly talented and amazing individuals, who are ready to serve the community.
“We count on five amazing employees at the moment who provide excellent services, from our front desk to each specialist/ service provider,” Samel said. From a small suite over a restaurant to a storefront space downtown, Samel’s Beauty Lounge is a dream come true, a dream that Samel not only owes to herself but some magnificent individuals.
To book an appointment visit https://squ.re/483IkeD or call 910-491-1264.

(Photo courtesy of Samel's Beauty Lounge)

History at Heritage Square: The Mysterious Poisoning of Alexander C. Simpson

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Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Oval Ballroom, originally part of the historic Halliday-Williams House in Fayetteville, was the scene of a tragic and mysterious event in 1849. On that fateful evening, Alexander C. Simpson was served a dessert of syllabub and coffee by his wife, Ann K. Simpson, in the presence of two witnesses. The room, now a freestanding structure with octagonal architecture and elegant plaster cornices, would soon be etched into the annals of local history for a far more sinister reason.
Shortly after consuming the dessert, Alexander fell gravely ill. Medical examinations later revealed that he had been poisoned with arsenic. This shocking revelation sent ripples through the community, forever linking the elegant Oval Ballroom to a tale of deceit and death.
Who Was Ann K. Simpson?
Ann K. Simpson was a woman whose life would become engulfed in controversy and notoriety when she became the first woman tried for murder in Cumberland County. Little is known about her early years, but she gained infamy after being accused of murdering her husband, Alexander C. Simpson.
Described by some as charming and by others as calculating, Ann's character became a focal point of intense scrutiny.
After Alexander's death, Ann was thrust into the spotlight, facing allegations that would later extend beyond North Carolina. Her life took a dark turn when she was accused of murdering her third husband while living in Minnesota. During that trial, the mysterious death of her second husband was also brought into question, painting a grim picture of a woman with a potentially deadly pattern.
Ann K. Simpson's trial for the murder of her husband Alexander was a sensational affair that captivated Cumberland County. The courtroom was packed with spectators eager to witness the proceedings, as the case had all the elements of a dramatic story: love, betrayal, and death.
Despite the damning evidence of arsenic poisoning, Ann was acquitted of the charges. The trial left the community divided, with some believing in her innocence and others convinced of her guilt. The acquittal did little to quell the rumors and suspicions that swirled around her, leaving a lingering sense of unease in the air.
The case of Alexander C. Simpson's poisoning was fraught with conflicting evidence and rampant speculation.
The key piece of evidence was the presence of arsenic in Alexander's system, but how it got there and who was responsible remained hotly debated. Ann's defense argued that there was no direct proof linking her to the poison, while the prosecution painted a picture of a calculated murder.
Witnesses provided varying accounts of the events leading up to Alexander's death, further complicating the narrative. Some speculated that Ann had long planned the murder, while others suggested that she was being framed. The lack of definitive evidence left the mystery unresolved, inviting endless theories and conjecture.
The aftermath of the Simpson case left an indelible mark on the community of Fayetteville. Ann K. Simpson's acquittal did little to restore her reputation, and she eventually moved to Minnesota.
Her subsequent conviction and execution for the murder of her third husband cast a shadow over her earlier acquittal, leading many to reassess their opinions of her involvement in Alexander's death.
The Oval Ballroom, a symbol of elegance and refinement, became a macabre landmark, forever associated with the chilling tale of arsenic poisoning.
The story of Alexander C. Simpson's untimely death continues to intrigue and haunt those who delve into the annals of local history, serving as a grim reminder of the darker side of human nature.

(Photo: The Oval Ballroom, a freestanding round structure at Heritage Square, is the site of the alleged poisoning of Alexander C. Simpson by his wife, Ann K. Simpson. Ann was convicted of killing her third husband in Minnesota, drawing the death of Alexander into question. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)