Good morning, Fayetteville.

The Cumberland County Board of Education’s Finance Committee voted Thursday to apply for a state grant that would give $60M to build a new E.E.

Smith High School—the plan follows a vote last October to build a replacement for the old campus. The grant application is due Friday and the full board will confirm the decision on Oct. 14.

Theodore Melkoumov, a 30-year-old owner of Silver Knight PCs and IT expert, is running for District 1 on Fayetteville City Council.

He says his strong technology background will help him fix problems like homelessness and rising rent costs—he plans to work with others to bring better services to our city.

A new doctor's office opened on the fourth floor of the Community Mental Health Clinic at 711 Executive Place in Fayetteville to boost primary care access for over 1,000 residents with severe behavioral health disorders — the first co-located office in the region — as part of a new care model. County commissioners provided a one-time $750,000 allocation from the behavioral health fund — funding the startup — while Cape Fear Valley Health is hiring a primary care physician and nurse to staff the office.

North Carolina lawmakers passed a law meant to expand COVID vaccine access but it ended up making it harder when state officials replaced key ACIP members—pharmacists then had to turn away many without a prescription.

Investigators say the change caused confusion and delays in getting vaccines.

Cumberland County officials have made free Narcan available today at the health department—1235 Ramsey St, the detention center, and the recovery resource center to help lower opioid overdose deaths.

The county also offers free naloxone training for residents and community leaders to learn how to use the lifesaving nasal spray.

UNC football coach Bill Belichick said on Sept.

29 that the team has shown progress but still must fix several small errors to play better. The Tar Heels will face Clemson on October 4 at noon at Kenan Stadium—Belichick stressed that each detail matters for their improvement.

During September, Fayetteville high school teams — including Cape Fear volleyball, Fayetteville Academy soccer, Gray’s Creek soccer and volleyball, and Seventy-First football — posted strong performances as they prepared for upcoming tournaments.

Voting for team of the month will close on Oct 7 at 8 a.m.

Nurse John Live

7-8:30 p.m. — Crown Theatre - The Crown Center — Tickets from $78 — Experience the unforgettable performance by Nurse John in Fayetteville.

Crowder & Passion Music Concert

7:00 – 8:30 PM — Crown Complex — Ticket prices vary — Experience an uplifting evening with popular worship leaders and music from Passion City Church.

The Pink Walk: Walk It Out for Breast Cancer

8 AM – 1 PM — The Gathering Place — Vendor spots available — Celebrate breast cancer awareness with a day of walking, community, and empowerment.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville

10 AM – 12 PM — Segra Stadium — Donations encouraged — Participate in the movement to combat Alzheimer’s with hope and action.