Michael Futch

General assignment newspaper reporter

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Ryan Dewain Chavis pled guilty to being accessory after fact to first-degree murder in Cumberland County Superior Court on Thursday in plea deal and gets roughly six years to 8 years, 3 months in prison. Chavis was involved in March 3, 1998, death of Charles Anthony Fuentes.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Kimberly Hardy unofficially has won the Democratic primary, scoring an upset over incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd, and former county commissioner Diane Wheatley beat Clarence W. Goins Jr. for the GOP nomination. Hardy and Wheatley will square off in the November general election.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

The winners of Republican and Democrat primaries for N.C. House District 43 should be determined when the last 4 of 28 precincts report results. So far, Diane Wheatley is leading GOP primary race, and Kimberly Hardy looks to have comfortable lead over incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Another update warranted in primaries for N.C. House District 43. With 24 of 28 precincts reported, Kimberly Hardy continues to impress with possible upset of Democrat incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd, 4,618 to 3,928. On GOP side, Diane Wheatley leads Clarence Goins Jr., 2,919 to 2,286

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Update on the N.C. House of Representatives District 43 primaries: With 17 of the 28 precincts reported, Kimberly Hardy is leading incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd in the Democrat voting, 3,734 to 3,310. On the GOP side, Diane Wheatley holds 2,180 to 1,934 lead over Clarence Goins Jr.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

In the Republican primary in the N.C. House of Representatives District 43 race, Diane Wheatley leads early with 923 votes over Clarence Goins Jr.'s 690. The winner goes on to face the Democrat primary winner between incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd and newcomer Kimberly Hardy.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Based on early results, incumbent Rep. Elmer Floyd may have a tough assignment tonight to win re-election in the N.C. House of Representatives District 43 race against newcomer Kimberly Hardy. Floyd has 1,674 votes to Hardy's 1,667. Yes, it's way too early at this stage, but ...

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

It's official: CBL Properties, the owners and managers of Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, has announced that it has signed a lease with Dave & Buster's. The entertainment and restaurant complex will be incorporated into redevelopment plans for the former Sears building.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

The former Hilltop House in the Haymount area of Fayetteville will be reopening on April 17 as ... an indoor golf facility. Food will be served, but it no longer will be Southern cuisine with a French twist. The Fayetteville Under Par Golf Club will serve largely pub food.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

In other state House races of local interest, incumbent Democrats Elmer Floyd of Fayetteville and Marvin Lucas of Spring Lake were leading Districts 43 and 42, respectively. John Szoka, a Republican from Fayetteville, was on top in the District 45 race.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

With 19 of the 25 precincts in, incumbent Democrat Billy Richardson is leading Republican Linda Devore with 57.3 percent of the votes in the race for N.C. House District 44. Devore, a former chairwoman of the Cumberland County Republican Party, had compiled 42.6 percent.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

@ChadMohn21 @fayobserver Chad: Are you willing to speak to a reporter? Please call Michel Futch at 486-3529.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Spring Lake Alderman James O'Garra, who made allegation, says he doesn't know at this time if he will appeal decision. "It's getting expensive," he said after hearing in Raleigh.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Bipartisan State Board of Elections & Ethics on Thursday upheld previous
Elections panel ruling in favor of state Sen. Ben Clark. Allegation made that Clark no longer lives in Senate District 21.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

While many restaurants were closed with power out, the mobile R Burger had a long line waiting to order in front of Select Bank & Trust off Raeford Road. "I feel certain that's part of the reason today," said Betty Abbott.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

"They finished whatever they were eating. The people with cards couldn't pay for their food. I said have a good day."
Jimmy Diamantopoulos, co-owner of Spinners restaurant on Raeford Road, on the city's power outage.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Vivian Mendez was sitting in traffic at intersection of Raeford Road and Purdue Drive. "The guys have been doing good job," she said from her car, referring to officers directing traffic. "I've been out about 15 minutes. It's all like this."

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

"Wonder why they turned off all the lights off around here?" wisecracked a Budweiser beer distributer as he pushed two-wheel cart in parking lot off Raeford Road.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Parking lot at Chick-fil-A largely empty after 11. Blackstone Smokehouse closed after power went out at about 11:03. People standing in front of businesses, looking at stopped traffic on Raeford Road.

[Michael Futch @FO_Futch]

Police in uniforms and what appears to be off - duty officers directing traffic at lights along Robeson Street, Raeford Road with power out in city.