Bill Kirby Jr.

Fayetteville

Columnist at Fayetteville Observer

Senior Columnist at CityView Magazine

Columnist at The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.

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Articles

A proud high school graduate remembers those who helped him along his way

13 hours ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

Not the end for these 3,636 seniors receiving their Cumberland County Schools’ diplomas from 17 high schools in commencement ceremonies in these weeks at the Crown Coliseum. This is just their beginning. “The best is yet to come,” outgoing Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. wants every graduate to know. Among the class of 2025 graduates is Mustafa Alasri, 17, who turned his tassel Wednesday along with 442 classmates from Jack Britt High School.
Reducing violent crime, recruiting officers priorities for new Fayetteville police chief

2 days ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

Roberto E. Bryan Jr. says he is aware of the challenges ahead when he takes over as the 26th Fayetteville police chief on July 7. “There is much to do and I’m eager to begin.” Bryan, 56, said on May 30 at City Hall.
Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires

4 days ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

You may not know this, but your kitchen is the most vulnerable place for a home fire. If you spend your share of time cooking daily meals or baking, a word to the wise is to be a responsible cook. Fire can damage your home, and fire can be deadly. Take it from Capt. Stephen Shakeshaft with the Fayetteville Fire Department. He’s been a city firefighter for 20 years, and Shakeshaft knows a thing or two about kitchen fires.
City’s youth curfew is about responsible parenting and protecting our teenagers

1 week ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

Mayor Mitch Colvin and the Fayetteville City Council had been round and round Tuesday debating the pros and cons of a Youth Protection Safety Ordinance, which has polarized this city dating back to 2021. Call it a fancy curfew name for young people aged 16 and under, because that’s just what the ordinance is, with some reasonable caveats such as sporting and school events, religious activities and personal emergencies, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the city.
City manager to reveal Fayetteville police chief today at City Hall

1 week ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

Fayetteville City Manager Doug Hewett is poised to introduce us today to the city’s 26th police chief since 1832. Our next top cop will succeed Kem Braden, who retired March 31 after 25 months as chief and a distinguished 29-year career with the Fayetteville Police Department. A press conference is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at City Hall. ***Whatever is happening with the $145 million Crown Event Center downtown, scheduled for construction in front of the Judge E.
Boy and father recount Florida Keys shark attack in Fayetteville

1 week ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

What was just a family vacation outing on Aug. 13, 2022, in the Florida Keys is a day Jameson Reeder says his family never will forget. And surely a day his 13-year-old son never will forget. It was a picture-perfect day. “The water was calm and clear,” Reeder, 45, was telling this story on May 21 to an audience captivated by his every word in the fellowship hall of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. “We were at the Looe Key Reef, about nine miles offshore of the Florida Keys.
‘End of an era’ at Fayetteville Woman’s Care as the good doctor takes his leave

2 weeks ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

For Dr. Myron Strickland, nothing has been more fulfilling in his medical career than seeing the face of a mother for the first time holding her newborn. There’s a euphoria, he says, for mother and father alike. “The joy and happiness of holding her child, with her tears and smiles,” Strickland, 68, said Thursday as he reflected on a medical career that has seen him deliver nearly 9,000 babies over 41 years.
FTCC celebrates almost 2,500 graduates at Crown Coliseum

2 weeks ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

Mark Sorrells was a proud Fayetteville Technical Community College president on May 17 during two commencements, where the achievements of nearly 2,500 graduates were celebrated at the Crown Coliseum. “Your commitment, perseverance, dedication and hard work have brought you to this milestone,” Sorrells said in a news release. “You started this journey with a goal, and today, you stand as proof of that commitment and drive to succeed. Your accomplishments are not just personal triumphs.
Retired Fayetteville businessman honored with Distinguished Citizen Award

2 weeks ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

Perhaps there was no better venue for Charlie Harrell to be honored than here at the Tony Rand Student Center on the Fayetteville Technical Community College campus. And perhaps no one better than Billy Wellons Jr. to tell us what Harrell has meant to this community, and to this college.
When the game was on the line, Larry Miller was there for his beloved Tar Heels

3 weeks ago | cityviewnc.com | Bill Kirby Jr.

There’s a teardrop falling this day from jersey No. 44 high above the rafters overlooking the Dean E. Smith Center basketball court. It’s long been retired there as a reminder that Larry Miller once passed the Tar Heels’ way.