Good morning, Fayetteville.

On April 12, families and runners will gather at the Jordan Soccer Complex for the We Run For Autism 5K (organized by Stubborn Donkey Running) to promote autism awareness and support the Connect Foundation.

They will run a 3.1-mile route along the Cape Fear River Trail with a festive finish.

Family-friendly Easter egg hunts and events are scheduled in Cumberland County starting Saturday, March 28, with locations in Raeford, Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Fort Bragg offering games, crafts and visits with the Easter Bunny (some events require registration).

Local businesses are bracing for economic changes as Fort Bragg is expected to deploy parts of the 82nd Airborne Division soon, and some owners report shifts in spending and purchasing habits (including increased duffel bag sales) that may affect local leisure spending.

The Fayetteville Chapter of The Links Inc. will host its art exhibition The Curated Collection on Saturday, March 28 at Embassy Suites (4760 Lake Valley Drive), featuring nationally known artists Woodrow Nash and Charly Palmer with a fireside chat and unveiling scheduled in the afternoon.

Fayetteville has no ready sites for Amazon type projects as economic director Robert Van Geons (also known as Robo) told City Council on March 23.

Data center investors have shown interest, but no firm project is planned while the city explores ways to link infrastructure for future developments.

Fort Bragg’s All American gate will close this summer for road and bridge maintenance estimated to take 18 to 24 months, officials said.

Extra lanes will open at other gates after the Red, White & Boom event to ease daily commutes.

Cape Fear Valley Health named Daniel Weatherly as its new CEO during a board meeting at the medical center in Fayetteville.

He replaces Michael Nagowski whose retirement took effect July 1 and will lead one of the region’s largest nonprofit health systems.

Fayetteville Liberty began their inaugural TBL season on March 6 by winning 93-86 over the Raleigh Firebirds at Crown Arena in front of 2,136 fans; the team energized families with its debut and set a community tone for a season running until May 23 (according to owner Robert Edwards Jr.).

UNC basketball is beginning a national search for a new coach after firing Hubert Davis; the replacement must drive a transformation by establishing a clear identity, managing consistent roster building, and investing in program success (a move aimed at restoring elite performance) in Chapel Hill.

Easter Celebration at Sweet Valley Ranch

10 AM – 4 PM — Sweet Valley Ranch — Family-friendly fun — Celebrate Easter with egg hunts, farm animals, and delicious treats.

DC Heat vs Fayetteville Liberty

6-8 p.m. — Crown Coliseum — Ticket prices vary — Catch the excitement of live basketball action at the Crown Complex.

Cumberland County Career Fair

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — North Regional Public Library — Free entry — Discover exciting career opportunities and connect with hiring managers to take the next step in your career journey.

All American Tattoo Convention

12-3 p.m. — Crown Coliseum — Tickets start at $76 — Experience a vibrant celebration of tattoo artistry and culture.

All American Tattoo Convention

12-3 p.m. — Crown Coliseum — VIP ticket options available — Explore the art of tattooing at this premier convention with exclusive packages.