Fayetteville Mayor Ed Johnson gave his State of the City address on Thursday night, noting milestones in 2016 and goals for 2017. Johnson said the “increasingly diverse city” must press forward to attract new business, reduce crime and support education.

The city hired five police officers last year, making the department fully staffed for the first time since 2006; a new police chief will be announced soon. Plans for this year include a new city website and more social media engagement, as well as a new comprehensive plan, downtown master plan and incentive programs for companies that can provide more local jobs.

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Austin Walters died from an overdose in 2021 after taking a Xanax pill laced with fentanyl, his father said. A new law named after Austin and aimed at preventing deaths from fentanyl has resulted in its first convictions in Georgia, prosecutors said. (Family photo)

Credit: Family photo