Community Corner

🌱 How a $12M water project could change Gray’s Creek schools

Coming up on the Fayetteville Patch calendar: Denizens – RSAS

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
Wednesday December 31st Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Fayetteville! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $12M water project could change Gray’s Creek schools
  • How Fayetteville is ringing in the first week of 2026
  • How a mid-day Fayetteville apartment fire turned tragically deadly Monday

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Fort Braggfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 52 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 57, low: 33.
  • Friday: Turning out cloudy, with a high of 57 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fayetteville PWC Starts $12M Water Project to Bring Safe Water to Gray's Creek Schools (1077thebounce.com) — Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission is spending $12 million to run new public water mains to Gray’s Creek Elementary, Alderman Road Elementary, and nearby homes, with work underway now through May 2026. Construction will mostly avoid lane closures by boring under roads, while PWC emphasizes that its upstream water intake and new carbon filters aim to protect residents from PFAS and GenX contamination concerns.
   

Find out what's happening in Fort Braggfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Things To Do in Fayetteville This Weekend: January 2-4 (1077thebounce.com) — Fayetteville residents can kick off the new year with a full slate of local events, from jazz at Mondrell’s Social Lounge to Bubbles & Paint at The Sip Room downtown. The guide also highlights a fly-fishing workshop, Latin dance social, park walk, cooking class, art workshop, and yoga at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, all happening the first week of January.
   

3. Neighbors recall 'kind-hearted' mom killed in Fayetteville apartment fire (abc11.com) — A deadly fire at Kensington Place Apartments off Yadkin Road in Fayetteville killed 35-year-old mother Porsha Quarles and left her 1-year-old daughter in critical condition. Firefighters rescued the pair from a smoke-filled second-floor unit, performed CPR at the scene, and say the cause remains under investigation, though the complex passed inspection earlier this year.
   

4. NC law enforcement under fire: Multiple officers injured in recent wave of violence (wral.com) — Recent weeks have seen several violent encounters involving North Carolina law enforcement, including a case where a Fayetteville woman is accused of charging Cumberland County deputies with a knife and now faces a bond over $100,000. The roundup also details officers shot in Chatham and Franklin counties, a federally charged bank robbery suspect, and other deadly confrontations across the state.
   

5. Laura ((Kohlstedt)) Downing (cityviewnc.com) — Fayetteville is mourning Laura Kohlstedt Downing, a 60-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother remembered for her warmth, style, and generosity. After moving here in 1988, she built a life centered on family, hospitality, and community; her Celebration of Life will be held Jan. 5 at Hay Street United Methodist Church, with visitation beforehand.
   

📸 Around Fayetteville

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 Fayetteville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Fayetteville PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Missing small stocky copper colored yorkie.
    Escaped the yard this morning around 8:30. Last seen on Daughtridge Drive and worly street near gray house on corner. He's older and has seizures and… (Nextdoor Hillendale-Daughtridge Dr)
  • Lost cat!
    If you see him, please call us. His name is coment. He is sweet and loving. He is not an outside cat, but he got very curious and slipped out the… (Nextdoor Holly Chase)
  • CCS’ Fire Academy at. Smith High offers hands-on firefighter training, including real certifications such as EMT and Technical Rescue. Apply for... (X: CumberlandCoSch)
  • Yesterday, Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere presented a proclamation recognizing Kwanzaa to Umoja Group Inc., bringing the community... (X: CCNCGov)
  • Cumberland County Schools posted a job opening for Prime Time Group Leader (Part-Time) in Fayetteville. Apply here.
  • AEG posted a job opening for Ticket Seller | Part-Time | Crown Complex in Fayetteville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fayetteville here.

Ok Fayetteville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Fort Bragg