Local News

Local travel advisor wins national awards for innovation

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Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Written by Staff Report

When Rocky Dimico started Flights and Fables, a Fayetteville-area travel agency, they had one goal in mind: to help travelers step into the worlds they’d always dreamed about, from the rolling hills of New Zealand’s Lord of the Rings filming locations to the cobblestone streets of Europe’s fairy-tale towns.
That imaginative approach is paying off. At this year’s WORLD25 Lone Star Gala, held on Sept. 18, Dimico was honored with two of the organization’s top awards: the Sales Innovation Award and the Monarch Agency of Excellence Award.
The Sales Innovation Award recognizes a travel entrepreneur with the most creative sales and marketing strategies, from unique campaigns to new ways of reaching niche audiences.
The Monarch Agency of Excellence Award is given to agencies that demonstrate outstanding achievement and support of WorldVia Travel Network’s preferred and strategic partner suppliers, programs, products, events, community, and core values. Out of nearly 3,900 agencies, only 30 received this distinction in 2025.
“Winning both of these awards is an incredible honor,” said Dimico. “I’ve worked hard to build a travel agency that’s not only innovative but also deeply personal. These awards recognize my amazing clients and partners who trust me to bring their travel dreams to life.”
Flights and Fables specializes in fantasy-themed travel, trips inspired by beloved books, films, and legends, as well as curated journeys to Europe, New Zealand, Japan, and river cruise destinations.
Dimico’s passion for creating immersive experiences has set the agency apart nationally while serving clients locally in the Fayetteville and Raleigh areas.
For more information about Flights and Fables, visit www.flightsandfables.com or contact Rocky Dimico at rocky@flightsandfables.com or 984-977-8482.

(Photo courtesy of Flights and Fables’ Facebook page)

Remember My Name Vigil honors victims of domestic violence

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Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner

Every time I hear the words “domestic violence,” I immediately think or say, “Run for your life.”
Every 9 seconds, a woman is assaulted in the United States, and 1 in 3 women have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, with nearly 10 million people subjected to domestic violence each year. Globally, over a quarter of women in relationships have experienced some form of violence from an intimate partner.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The “Remember My Name” Domestic Violence Vigil is Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse in downtown Fayetteville.
“We have been doing this event for as long as I can remember, and Judge Beth Keever started it,” said Deborah Cashwell, victims’ witness coordinator for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and community partner of the Domestic Violence Vigil. “We always have it in October because it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we raise awareness about domestic violence and try to get the community involved.”
The solemn event features keynote speaker Michelle McKenney. She is a veteran, therapist, entrepreneur, speaker and author.
“We are happy that she is sharing her experiences with domestic violence, and I am sure it will be heartfelt,” said Cashwell.
Amy White, from the Cumberland County CARE Center, is the Mistress of Ceremony. Chief District Court Judge Toni King will give the opening remarks. Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman Kirk deViere will deliver remarks. Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams will facilitate the balloon release. “We have released doves in the past, but this year we will release balloons to remember the lives that were lost from domestic violence,” said Cashwell.
The 82nd Airborne Division’s All-American Chorus will perform. Representatives from Fort Bragg will be in attendance. Retired Chief District Court Judge Beth Keever will read the names of the victims who have died during the past year in North Carolina due to domestic violence. LED candles will be lit in remembrance of each victim.
“This year, there are not that many victims who lost their lives to domestic violence compared to last year,” said Cashwell. “Those names will be listed in the program, and we will say their names.”
She added, “We will ring a bell for the victims in Cumberland County when their name is called.”
According to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) website, from Jan. 1, 2025, to Sept.10, 2025, there have been 47 domestic violence murders in North Carolina, which is down from 94 domestic violence murders that took place in 2024. The website tracks deaths that are a result of domestic violence, and the list includes the names of victims killed by their current or former partner, as well as third parties who are killed because of intimate partner death. Intimate partners include same-sex and opposite-sex intimate partners.
Domestic violence not only affects the victims, but it also impacts their families as well. It is very disheartening to have to make funeral arrangements to bury your loved one due to the act of domestic violence. If you are currently in a domestic violence situation, please heed this message. You have got to love yourself enough to leave and/or run for your life. You deserve a life of peace and happiness. You are not alone, and there are resources to assist you. The Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.
The faithful organizers of the Domestic Violence Vigil include The Cumberland County District Court, the CARE Center for Family Violence Program, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Department, Hope Mills Police Department, Army Community Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina and the Phoenix Center.
Information tables will be set up to talk to individuals who have questions and to share resources for domestic violence, such as how to do a safety plan, how to obtain a protection order, how to get out of a domestic violence situation, and more.
“Bringing these resources to let people know what is out there might get somebody thinking and say that they can go to the CARE Center or the shelter,” said Cashwell. “This is their first step of getting out of that domestic violence situation.”
Cashwell added, “There are definitely ways to do it safely because everyone’s situation is different.”
Cashwell’s goal for the event is to garner community support for domestic violence.
“This is more than just a ceremony, this is a call to action for reminding us how deeply domestic violence affects individuals, their families and the community,” said Cashwell. “I would like to see people become more aware of domestic violence, volunteer with some of these community partners, support one another and come up with some solutions.”
Please wear purple to the event. All attendees will receive a goody bag, and there will be a raffle for three gift baskets. The courthouse is located at 117 Dick Street. For more information, call 910-475-3222 or email Sanya Eller, court manager, at Sanya.T.Eller@nccourts.org.

Find Your Flourish at CFVH Women’s Health Fair

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Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Written by Anna White

Ladies, are you looking for a low-key, one-stop shop for your health questions? Cape Fear Valley Health has you covered. Their upcoming Flourish: Women’s Health & Wellness Fair is free and geared toward women of all ages. They want to help you take charge of your health and well-being by providing free health screenings, educational resources, interactive experiences, and wellness services from Cape Fear Valley Health experts, all in a supportive environment. Complete with food trucks, the event is sure to keep you energized and inspired.
“When women flourish, communities thrive,” says the Facebook event page. Shelby Vermilyea, Marketing Coordinator with Cape Fear Valley Health, says the event was inspired by a growing need for women in the community to have greater access to health education and preventative resources. “Flourish was created to give women a fun, approachable way to learn more about their health while connecting directly with experts who can guide and support them,” she explained.
Known in the region as one of the largest health systems, Cape Fear Valley Health provides a wide range of services, according to Vermilyea.
“Primary care, specialty clinics, advanced surgery, women’s and children’s care, and leading-edge treatment centers,” she listed, adding, “Our mission is to improve the health and wellness of every patient we serve.” They provide that care with a focus on excellence and compassion, often proactively bringing health resources and education to the community, instead of waiting for the community to come to them.
Past events, some of which are recurring, have included Arthritis Support Groups, Spinal Cord Injury Support Groups, Life After Stroke Support Team, Art Therapy for Cancer Patients, and Umoja Festival.
Their first-ever Flourish: Women’s Health & Wellness Fair will be held at the stunning Cape Fear Botanical Garden, a rejuvenating and calm environment for women to explore important questions about their well-being. Come prepared with any and every health query.
Whatever your need, Flourish will have resources. Vermilyea says the afternoon “will feature a wide variety of educational booths covering topics such as stroke awareness, sleep health, trauma education, OB/GYN care, senior health services, cancer prevention, high-risk breast cancer, bariatrics, rehabilitation, plastic surgery, skin health, NICU support, and more.”
Their recruitment team will also be present to share information on healthcare careers, hiring opportunities, and scholarships.
For free health screenings, attendees can visit the “Ask a Doctor” booth, a supportive space staffed by residents where attendees can ask personal questions about their health. Attendees can also participate in free cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, body mass index measurements, and blood typing.
Vermilyea invites women of all ages and their families to enjoy the event, taking advantage of the chance to connect with healthcare professionals in a welcoming environment.
“Flourish: Women’s Health & Wellness Fair will be an evening filled with education, community, and fun,” she explained. “Your health is one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself. We encourage every woman to join us.”

The Cape Fear Valley Health Women's Health Fair will take place on Tuesday, October 14, starting at 4 p.m. at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

CCF awards $1 million grant to MU Medical School

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Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Written by Morgan Casey, CityView Today

Another community organization is backing the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine because of the positive impact it’s expected to have on Cumberland County and the broader Southeast region.
The Cumberland Community Foundation announced a $1 million grant to the medical school at its annual Founders & Friends event.
It’s the largest grant ever awarded from the foundation’s unrestricted endowment fund, and will go towards the school’s $120 million in startup costs and scholarships for students.
“We are pleased to announce support that will improve the quality of life in southeastern North Carolina and increase our access to quality healthcare in the future,” Ricky Lopes, chair of the foundation’s board of directors, said in his remarks.
The grant comes a little over a month after the Duke Endowment gave $1.5 million to the medical school. Not including the foundation’s grant, the medical school has raised approximately $23 million in cash and commitments, Brad Johnson, director of marketing and communications for Methodist University, told CityView. That brings the school close to the $30 million fundraising goal announced at its topping off ceremony in April.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the foundation for awarding this to us,” Dr. Hershey Bell, founding dean of Methodist University’s College of Medicine, told CityView. “This is truly a medical school for the county, for the region, for the city of Fayetteville, and for the community foundation to recognize that and support it means the world to us.”
First announced in 2023, the medical school is a partnership between Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health, North Carolina’s eighth-largest health system. The school expects to welcome its first class of 64 students in July 2026 and has already hired over 50 full-time employees to educate them, Bell said. Seventy employees will be on staff by the time students arrive, and another 30 — for a final total of 100 — will come on board by 2028.
The school is currently pending accreditation from the Liaison Commission on Medical Education, the accrediting organization for medical schools providing MD degrees. However, Bell said he expects a congratulatory call from the liaison about three weeks from now.
Bell, Lopes and leaders from Cape Fear Valley Health and Methodist University have touted how the future medical school will improve health outcomes and Cumberland County’s economy. Both Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, and Stanley Wearden, president of Methodist University, spoke about how the school will help address the region’s “doctor desert” at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s State of the Community event in August.
Southeastern North Carolina has a shortage of several types of medical care, including mental health, primary and maternity care, according to a 2025 report from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the nonprofit
March of Dimes.
“This is really what this school is about: Producing physicians for our region for the future,” Bell said.
Physicians are already coming to Cape Fear Valley Health because of the medical school, Bell said, and Methodist University is seeing an influx in professors applying to work at the school. In total, the medical school expects to create over 800 jobs in the community, Lopes told the over 100 Founders & Friends event attendees.
Bell expects more employers to come to the county as a result of the medical school.
“When businesses look to open in communities like ours, they look at two things really,” Bell said. “Is there good education for my employees’ children and is there good health care for my employees and their families?”
The potential impact a successful medical school would have on Cumberland County is why Lopes encouraged those in attendance to consider donating.
“Many of you have already supported this transformational resource for our community,” Lopes said. “And we hope others will do the same.”

UCW Editor’s Note: This article has been edited due to space constraints. To read the article in full, visit https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/methodist-university-cape-fear-valley-health-school-of-medicine-medical-school-receives-1-million-dollar-grant-from-cumbnerland-community-foundation/