Good morning, Fayetteville.

Friends of Civil Affairs will host a live 5K on Sept.

26 at Cape Fear Botanical Garden to raise funds for educational scholarships for military spouses and children. Participants can join at 8 a.m. and register or donate (registration increases after Sept. 25).

Homeowners can explore the North Carolina Home Expo at Crown Complex Expo Center (1960 Coliseum Dr.) from Sept.

25-27, where local and national vendors will offer estimates, product comparisons, and special discounts for improvement projects. This free event provides a centralized opportunity to gather ideas and guidance for renovations.

Up & Coming Weekly will celebrate its 31st anniversary in January and continues a nearly three-decade tradition of honoring local excellence with its annual Best of Fayetteville reader survey.

An awards party was held Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Crown Coliseum Complex — recognizing standout local businesses and community members.

Artist Village Community Theatre is launching its season with the play 'Witches?

In Salem?' at Thomas Campbell Oakman Chapel in Hope Mills from Oct. 23 — 25. The dark comedy uses satire to retell the Salem Witch Trials while offering a fresh, humorous look at history.

Fort Bragg’s annual Oktoberfest takes place on Saturday, Sept.

26 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Iron Mike Conference Center and offers German food, drink, live music and contests; visitors without a Department of Defense ID must obtain a pass (from the All American Visitor Control Center).

J. Cole will perform tonight at Crown Coliseum in a sold out hometown show, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Officials urge concertgoers to arrive early & carpool because heavy traffic and enhanced security may delay entry; the FAYNC Dreamers Ville Pop-Up runs downtown until 5 p.m. Sept. 21-23.

Johnathaun Lee, a Cumberland County School Board candidate, urged local voters to unite behind clear education goals after improvements in proficiency and attendance rates.

His letter, published Tuesday, Sept. 22, calls for policies that focus on measurable results for students.

School board members proposed changes to the district's choice program that will shift Spanish immersion from E.E.

Miller to W.H. Owen, end Cumberland Road Elementary's Montessori, and add new academies in health sciences, technology and hospitality starting next school year - a plan costing about $1.08M to support student pathways.

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva filed a PFAS settlement on Sept.

9 that offers US$455 million over 15 years — with about US$380 million for 11 local governments including US$161.5 million for Cumberland County — while Chemours maintains its cleanup duties at Fayetteville Works.

FBFCU will host its first Health & Wealth: Thrive event from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept.

24 near the Skibo branch. Health care providers and financial experts will offer screenings, CPR demos, and money-saving tips to help residents during Healthy Aging Month.

Sweet Valley Ranch will host Harvest Fest 2026 every Saturday in October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2990 Sunnyside School Road, where families can enjoy farm activities including rides, scavenger hunts, and a new production (Shivers and the Legend of the Harvest Crow) in a themed area.