Good morning, Fayetteville.

Fayetteville Rotary Club honored Pamela Story as a Paul Harris Fellow on May 8 for nearly 20 years of service connecting students with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program.

Her work has strengthened leadership opportunities and schools in the community.

Up & Coming Weekly won three awards in the Association of Community Publishers 2026 Best of the Best competition after competing against 715 entries from the US and Canada; winners were announced June 10.

The North Carolina publication earned honors for writing, community service and front page design.

Upcycle Feed Commodities will open its first manufacturing facility in Cumberland County, investing over $6 million in a 55,000 sqft building off Tom Starling Road to create 25 direct jobs.

The FDA-licensed company plans four more sites from Virginia to Texas.

Fort Bragg will host its annual Red, White and Boom Fest on Saturday, June 27 at Main Post Parade Field with live music from Hoobastank, The Fray and Niko Moon + a flag ceremony and fireworks celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

Families will also enjoy kiddie inflatables and a veteran parachute demonstration.

Hope Mills will host its 44th Independence Day Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, June 27 at Hope Mills Municipal Park at 5 p.m., featuring live music (Julia Golden and Spare Change), fireworks, food trucks and family fun.

Parade is set for July 4 (registration closes June 20 at 5 p.m.).

Fayetteville Pride will celebrate diversity at its annual PrideFest on Friday, June 26 with a pop-up party on Ray Avenue (6 to 11 p.m.) at Cool Spring Downtown District and on Saturday, June 27 a full day of drag shows, food and live entertainment at the Crown Expo Center.

Fayetteville and Cumberland County officials are weighing the promise of major investment and local infrastructure upgrades from new data centers — a move that also raises concerns over high energy use, water demand, and large land requirements — as temporary moratoriums remain in effect while Senate Bill 730 is under review.

Cumberland County Schools mourned retired board chair and longtime teacher Judy Musgrave, who died Saturday at 77 following open-heart surgery (her first book release was postponed to June 29).

Family and former students remembered her as a dedicated mentor who inspired generations.

Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine in Fayetteville held its June 11 ribbon-cutting to open a 127,500-sqft facility — marking a key step in healthcare education.

An open house is scheduled for July 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 3518 Village Dr.

Fayetteville locals can plan a weekend getaway with five nearby spots such as Broadway Zoological Park, White Lake, Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages, Raven Rock State Park and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

They offer animal encounters, water sports, hiking and fireworks at White Lake’s Goldston’s Beach.

UNC baseball meets West Virginia today in the College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.

The game starts at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Softball season has ended and fans now can vote for the 910Preps Softball Player of the Year with nominees like Maddy Clark and Jordynn Parnell.

Voting will end (June 24) and the poll will decide the award recipient soon.

Father's Day Round-Up at Sweet Valley Ranch

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Sweet Valley Ranch — General Admission — Celebrate dads with dinosaurs, farm fun, and delicious bites.

Soccer Summer Camp in Fayetteville

8 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Arnette Park — Registration required — A weeklong soccer camp for kids aged 5-17 featuring training by Real Madrid Foundation coaches.

Paint & Belly Dance for the Kitties

6-7 p.m. — Bails For Tails Cat Rescue, NC — $10 donation per canvas — Enjoy painting while belly dancers entertain and support feline rescues.

M.A.D. Studioz presents Mission 3: Planet M.A.D.

11 AM – 2 PM — Crown Coliseum — Tickets starting at $68 — Experience the thrill with Mad Studioz at Fayetteville's Crown Theatre.