Community Corner

🌱 What new data‑center limits could mean for Cumberland and Fayetteville

Make time for Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Fayetteville Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday September 18th Patch AM
Friday September 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

What's up Fayetteville! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What new data‑center limits could mean for Cumberland and Fayetteville
  • How a $10M AI grant could reshape Fayetteville's future.
  • What Fayetteville families should know after a TB case at Seventy‑First

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What day of the year is trucker's day? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Fayetteville Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Fayetteville Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Fayetteville. Advertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 96 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Not as hot; a p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 83, low: 69.
  • Sunday: Humid with clouds and sun, with a high of 86 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. After months of debate, Cumberland County releases draft data center rules (fayobserver.com) — Cumberland County officials have drafted the area's first rules for data centers, proposing big setbacks from homes and schools, noise limits, and utility restrictions that would shape future projects near Fayetteville. After months of protests and tense hearings in both the county and the city, residents will get another chance this fall to weigh in before commissioners vote.
   

2. Fayetteville State University receives $10M from Department of War for AI military research (cbs17.com) — Fayetteville State University has landed a $10 million, five-year federal grant to expand artificial intelligence research tied to military defense, creating new opportunities for local students and faculty. City and county leaders say the award strengthens Fayetteville's growing defense innovation corridor, deepens collaboration with Fort Bragg, and could diversify the region's economy beyond government jobs.
   

3. Tuberculosis case at North Carolina high school; 260+ possibly exposed (myfox8.com) — Health officials have confirmed a tuberculosis case involving someone at Seventy‑First High School in Fayetteville, and more than 260 people may have been exposed. Cumberland County public health nurses and school staff are contacting possible close contacts and recommending TB screening, while sharing key symptoms residents should watch for and a hotline for questions.
   

4. Pilgrim's, Darling Ingredients win 2026 Clean Water Awards (wattagnet.com) — A Darling Ingredients poultry rendering facility in Fayetteville has earned a national Clean Water Award for its wastewater pretreatment and water reuse efforts. The plant processes large volumes of poultry byproducts while recycling treated water for non-food uses, cutting freshwater demand and maintaining strong compliance with city stormwater rules that help protect local resources.
   

📸 Around Fayetteville

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

🗓 Upcoming Events in Fayetteville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • My dog ran out the gate late yesterday evening around 7:30 after the sitter accidentally didn't shut the gate all the way while Chloe was out using the bathroom.
    She was out no more than 5 min. She doesn't like being outside too long. Please if you have seen her contact me. We are near Bingham Dr. My kids miss… (Nextdoor Beaver Creek South)
  • I have dogs that have escaped from our temporary fence since the storm.
    The beagle is ladybug and the black and white lab pit mix . His name is Hank, call me please if you see them 919-753-3812 (Nextdoor Lake Rim North Addition)
  • Aramark posted a job opening for Food Service Worker Lead - Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville. Apply here.
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Shift Leader 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: 10-4, good buddy! (Thank you Jean H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 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