Local News

City Council votes on data center, looks to long term investments

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Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Written by Jami McLaughlin

The Fayetteville City Council has centered its activity on a controversial data center moratorium, major recreation investments and updates to the City's long-term infrastructure planning.
On Apr. 13, Fayetteville City Council board members voted narrowly (5-4) to pause work on a proposed data center ordinance. Instead, they directed staff to present options for a temporary moratorium on data center development. This decision came during a debate over a proposed $6.4 billion data center on 50 acres along Dunn Rd. and the current lack of specific zoning regulations for such facilities.
City Manager Douglas Hewett also presented the 2027 Capital Improvement Program, a six-year roadmap featuring nearly $700 million in planned investments for roads, public safety and stormwater drainage.
Parks and recreation projects also include the $13.6 million McArthur Road Sports Field Complex, which will feature 12 baseball fields, a multi-use building with restrooms, concessions, office space, and an open-air pavilion, as well as a maintenance building to support ongoing operations and is designed to become a regional sports destination. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for April 30.
Construction began on April 21 at Tokay Park to replace aging tennis courts with three tennis and 10 pickleball courts.

Cumberland County
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has held two key meetings focusing on potential department mergers, land use moratoriums and significant capital projects.
On Apr. 16, during their regularly scheduled agenda session, the board reviewed a proposal to merge the Health and Social Services departments. This move has faced strong pushback from both departmental boards and one commissioner, who cited a lack of transparency and potential service disruption.
The board has also discussed an ordinance to impose a moratorium on new data center development permits. The pause is intended to allow for updated zoning regulations that address high power and water usage.
On Apr. 20, commissioners discussed progress on several high-profile projects, including the Crown Arena modernization, an unhoused support center and a new aquatic center. Commissioner Henry Tyson requested a public dashboard to better communicate project statuses to residents.
The board also unanimously approved a resolution supporting the FY27 State Legislative Agenda and awarded a contract to LS3P to conduct a feasibility study for the Cumberland County Aquatic Center.

NC Department of Labor Safety Awards
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber will host the NC Department of Labor Safety Awards on Tuesday, May 19 at the Crown Complex.
The program recognizes private firms and public agencies throughout the state that achieve and maintain outstanding safety records and is designed to stimulate interest in accident prevention and to promote safety in the workplace by providing an incentive to employers and employees to maintain a safe and healthful workplace.

The Legacy Project of Leadership Fayetteville Class of 2026
Each Leadership Fayetteville class leaves a lasting impact on our community through a unique legacy project. This year, the Leadership Fayetteville Class of 2026 will be doing Buddy Benches for their graduation project. The Buddy Bench idea was brought to the class with the idea of our youth never feeling alone and has been sponsored by Ben Stout Construction and the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.
The leadership group wants to share that EVERY child deserves a buddy! The concept is if a child is sitting alone on the bench, other children will know to sit with them and become a kind new friend. Buddy benches foster leadership and encourage friendship by providing a safe space for students to connect during recess. Each Buddy Bench will proudly display a commemorative plaque.
The Leadership Fayetteville Class of 2026 Buddy Benches will be installed at the following Cumberland County Schools:
• Sunnyside Elementary School, 3876 Sunnyside School Road, Fayetteville on May 6 at 9:30 a.m.
• Ed V. Baldwin Elementary School, 4441 Legion Road, Hope Mills on May 6 at 1 p.m.
• Bill Hefner Elementary School, 7059 Calamar Drive, Fayetteville on May 11 at 1 p.m.
For more information on Leadership Fayetteville, including how to apply for the Class of 2027, visit www.faybiz.com/leadership-fayetteville.

About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.

Celebration of life to be held for former POW First Sgt. Lawrence “Bud” Roy Wilson, Jr., US Army, Ret.

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Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Written by Sheila Barker

March 23, 1929 – April 6, 2026 First Sergeant Wilson, a resilient patriot, devoted father, and honored veteran, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, at the age of 97. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan, in March of 1929, he lived a life defined by extraordinary service, sacrifice, and an unbreakable spirit.
A man of early conviction, he became a Merchant Seaman in 1944, serving two seasons for the Army Transportation Corps during the waning years of World War II. In January of 1947, he officially enlisted in the Army Air Corps, beginning a distinguished military career that would span two decades.
In August of 1950, he deployed to South Korea, assigned to the 3rd Battalion Aid Station, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. It was there, on May 18, 1951, that then-Sergeant Wilson was captured by the Chinese Army. For two harrowing years, he was classified as "Missing in Action."
From May of 1951 until September 5, 1953, he was held as a "Prisoner of War" before finally gaining his freedom during "Operation Big Switch." His endurance during this time remained a testament to his character for the rest of his life. Following his return, he continued his dedicated service until his retirement on November 1, 1967, holding the distinguished rank of First Sergeant.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fifty-six years, Bertha Louise Anderson. Their long and devoted marriage was the foundation of a proud military family. Together, they raised two sons who followed in their father’s footsteps, both retiring from the United States Army.
An avid fisherman and a tireless advocate, First Sergeant Wilson dedicated his retirement to raising awareness for his fellow POWs and the Americans who remain MIA. He was a pillar of the veteran community, maintaining active memberships in the Department of North Carolina American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Fayetteville Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 670, American Legion Post 32, Disabled American Veterans, and Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 1.
He is survived by his two sons, Larry Wilson and his wife Eunji, and Richard Wilson and his wife Lucinda Sue.
He leaves behind a lasting legacy through his four grandchildren: Jonathan Wilson (Lori Sheers) of Leadville, CO; Mr. and Mrs. Lance & Kristi Wilson of Shawnee, OK; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Sherry Wilson of Cuba, MO; and Jennifer Wilson of Shawnee, OK; as well as nine great-grandchildren.
A service with full military honors will be held at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, May 1. First Sergeant Wilson will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Louise, reunited at last.
In his memory, may we never forget those who served, those who were captured, and those who have yet to come home.
The family will have a Celebration of Life on Thursday, April 30, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at VFW 670, 3928 Doc Bennett Road, and the funeral will be on Friday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rolling Thunder North Carolina Chapter 1, P.O. Box 65325, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

(Photo: First Sgt. Lawrence "Bud" Roy Wilson at 22, right before he was captured. Photo courtesy of Ann Provencher)

FTCC launches students into in-demand career field

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Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Written by Darius Wilkins

Robots don't fix themselves. Automated production lines need skilled hands, sharp minds, and people who understand the intersection of mechanics, electronics, and technology. Fayetteville Technical Community College is producing exactly that kind of professional, and North Carolina's top employers are taking notice.
Through its Industrial Systems Technology and Mechatronics Engineering Technology programs, FTCC is answering an urgent statewide call from manufacturers, semiconductor companies, automotive facilities, and automation-driven industries that are desperately competing for qualified workers. The skills gap is real, the jobs are waiting, and FTCC has the training to bridge the two.
North Carolina's manufacturing and industrial sectors have undergone a dramatic transformation. The rapid integration of robotics, automation, and digital control systems has created an entirely new class of "multi-craft professionals". Workers who can bridge mechanics, electronics, and computer systems all at once. Employers across the state, from automotive giants to cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturers, are in a full-scale race to fill critical maintenance and technical roles, and they simply cannot find enough qualified candidates. This isn't a trend. It's a crisis of talent, and it represents your opportunity for credentials that open doors.
FTCC offers multiple pathways into this high-growth field, giving students the flexibility to launch their career at their own pace:
• Associate in Applied Science - Industrial Systems Technology
• Associate in Applied Science - Mechatronics Engineering Technology
• Basic Mechanical Maintenance Certificate
• Electrical PLC Applications Certificate
• Mechanical Maintenance Certificate
Whether you're seeking a quick credential to get on the floor fast or a full associate degree to climb the career ladder, FTCC has a program designed for your goals that provides real training, real skills, and opportunities for real jobs.
Forget passive classroom learning. FTCC students get their hands dirty from day one. Industrial Systems Technology students gain experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, electricity, welding, mechanical maintenance, and print reading, all while performing real-world diagnostics and assembly on training devices that replicate actual industrial systems. Mechatronics students combine electrical and mechanical knowledge with robotics, lean manufacturing, and design experience while developing the exact skill set that automation-driven industries demand most. This is training you can feel, see, and take straight to the job site.
And the payoff is a salary reflective of your time and commitment to the trade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that industrial machinery mechanics earn a median annual wage of $61,420, with top earners reaching $85,970 per year. Mechatronics and electromechanical technicians earn approximately $32 per hour, translating to roughly $65,000 annually in a career field that generates approximately 1,300 job openings every year nationwide. Graduates from FTCC's Industrial Systems Technology program can expect starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to $60,000, a figure that grows with experience, certification, and specialization.
Crucially, these careers are largely insulated from outsourcing and economic volatility. Automation maintenance and design demand on-site, hands-on expertise that cannot be shipped overseas.
Even as overall job growth projections remain steady, the BLS projects approximately 1,300 annual openings for mechatronics and electromechanical technicians each year, driven significantly by the need to replace a retiring workforce and fill newly created roles in expanding industries. For industrial machinery mechanics, the national median wage of $61,420 far outpaces the median wage for all occupations of $49,500. The demand is not coming; it is already here.
Nearly all of FTCC's technical graduates either secure employment in their field shortly after graduation or even before they walk across the stage, or continue their education at four-year institutions.
FTCC's commitment to affordable, accessible, and career-focused education has made it a cornerstone of North Carolina's workforce development strategy. These programs don't just teach you a trade; they position you as an irreplaceable professional in the industries powering tomorrow's economy.
Don't wait for opportunity to find you. Contact FTCC today for more information about the Industrial Systems Technology and Mechatronics Engineering Technology programs, including certificates in Basic Mechanical Maintenance, Electrical PLC Applications, and Mechanical Maintenance. Industrial Systems & Mechatronics Engineering Department Chair Darius Wilkins can be reached at wilkinsd@faytechcc.edu or 910-678-1064.
Apply today at www.faytechcc.ed.

Notable events in colonial America in 1776

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Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Written by Staff Report

The year the United States came to be was an interesting time to be alive, particularly for those living in colonial America. The American Revolutionary War began in 1776, and much of the year was marked by events stemming from that conflict. Below are some of the more notable events to take place during a year that has come to symbolize so much to generations of Americans.
• Thomas Paine publishes his 47-page pamphlet Common Sense in Philadelphia on January 10. Initially published anonymously, the pamphlet is considered a watershed moment in American history, as Paine's easily digestible writing style appealed to the masses, helping promote his arguments that encouraged common people to fight for an egalitarian government.
• The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge takes place near Wilmington, North Carolina on February 27. The battle is sparked when loyalists, after storming across a bridge over Moore's Creek, attack a group of men they believe to be rebels. Though the engagement was brief, two loyalist leaders were killed, another was captured and the force was scattered. The failed attempt later complicated efforts to recruit loyalists in the area to fight.
• The Fifth Virginia Convention is held in Williamsburg between May 6 and July 5. The meeting of the Patriot legislature of Virginia ultimately leads to the declaration of Virginia as an independent state and the production of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which asserts the state's right to reform or abolish any form of government it deems inadequate.
• Thomas Hickey becomes an early casualty of the burgeoning conflict between the colonies and England when the Irish-born soldier is the first to be executed by the Continental Army for "mutiny, sedition, and treachery" on June 28 in New York City. Hickey had been part of a protective detail for General George Washington but was briefly jailed for passing counterfeit money. During that brief incarceration, Hickey told a fellow prisoner he was part of a conspiracy, and reports ultimately indicated he might have been part of a plot to assassinate General Washington, which proved enough to warrant his execution.
• An uptick incidents of violence between Native Americans and settlers in Kentucky was a ripple effect of the American Revolutionary War, and that increase in aggression was behind the capture of Jemima Boone and the Callaway girls on July 14. Days later Daniel Boone led a successful attempt to rescue his daughter and Elizabeth and Frances Callaway, who were the children of Colonel Richard Callaway, one of the first white settlers in Kentucky. A fictionalized version of the incident was included in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Last of the Mohicans.
• The Great Fire of New York destroys as much as 25 percent of all buildings in New York City as it burns through areas in lower Manhattan on September 20 and 21. The fire broke out shortly after British forces began occupying the city. While each side accused the other of arson in the aftermath of the fire, historians dispute such assertions, noting the fire likely started with burning rooftop debris before windy conditions spread the conflagration to surrounding buildings.