Chatham residents would be forgiven for being confused about the weather trends lately, but boaters on Jordan Lake made the most of a sunny, warm day last Tuesday. It didn’t last long, with rain and colder temps back on the menu this week.
U.S. inflation worsened in January with grocery, gas prices rising
Washington, D.C.
U.S. inflation accelerated last month as the cost of groceries, gas and used cars rose, a trend that will likely underscore the Federal Reserve’s resolve to delay any further interest rate cuts. The consumer price index increased 3% in January from a year ago, Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed, up from 2.9% the previous month. It has increased from a 31/2-year low of 2.4% in September. The figures underscore the stickiness of inflation.
UnitedHealthcare
fined $3.4M by N.C. for claims violations
Raleigh Insurance Commissioner
Mike Causey fined UnitedHealthcare
$3.4 million following a four-year investigation into the company’s claims handling practices involving balance billing. The investigation found instances where UnitedHealthcare failed to follow its procedures to protect members from excess charges by out-of-network providers, particularly for emergency room and anesthesia services. While accepting the settlement, UnitedHealthcare denied violating any regulations. The company must provide a corrective action plan and submit to future compliance examinations. The fine will benefit North Carolina public schools.
Students can now achieve arts and citizenship endorsements starting this year
By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — At its Feb. 10 regular board meeting, the Chatham County Board of Edu-
cation was presented with some updates from the North Carolina State Board of Education related to diploma endorsements and graduation requirements.
The first of the new endorsements from the state board is an arts endorsement which will be available for 2025 graduates.
In order to be eligible, students must complete a minimum of four standard- course-
The judge said race was a “significant factor” in the decisions to seek the death penalty in the first place.
of-study arts courses, must complete 40 hours of arts-related extracurricular activities outside of school hours and they must maintain a 3.0 GPA in each arts course. There will also now be a diploma endorsement for Citizenship Proficiency as well. Interested students may take an assessment up to once a semester that is in the same format as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test, and those who correctly answer at least six of the 10 questions will receive the endorsement.
The ruling dates back to a 2009 death penalty trial in Johnston County
The Associated Press
SMITHFIELD — Racial bias tainted the decision to strike black people from the jury pool and to impose the death penalty in the 2009 trial of a black man in North Carolina, a judge ruled on Friday, part of what he called “glaring”
An Outer Banks wildlife crossing will save people; can it save the last
wild red wolves too?
$2.00 A federal pilot program will build a 2.5-mile underpass for animals
By Allen G. Breed and Christina Larson The Associated Press
ALLIGATOR RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — Hunters were once the greatest human threat to the country’s only unique wolf species. Today, it’s motorists. That fact was brought home last June when red wolf breed-
ing male No. 2444 was struck and killed on U.S. 64 near Manns Harbor,. His death likely meant five pups he’d been providing for died, too.
“We were hoping the mother would return and resume care, but she never did,” Joe Madison, head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s red wolf recovery program, said during a recent visit to the site.
For decades, conservationists have pushed for changes to U.S. 64, a busy two-lane
“There is increasing awareness that reducing traffic collisions is smart for wildlife, smart for people too.”
Stuart Pimm, Duke ecologist
“In previous years, we’ve had diploma seals for a variety of things such as dual-language program, biliteracy seals,
See DIPLOMA, page A7
patterns of bias in a prosecutorial district outside the capital. Hasson Bacote was among a group of 15 death row inmates whose sentences were commuted to life without parole last year by Gov. Roy Cooper in one of his final acts in office. That means the ruling won’t make a legal difference for Bacote. However it could help several other death row inmates in similar circumstances, said Gretchen M. Engel, executive director of the Center
See BIAS, page A3
THURSDAY 2.13.25 #78
It was hoped to open in January, but then more roadway collapsed
The Associated Press
WAYNESVILLE — A section of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina that collapsed during Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding will reopen to traffic by March 1, Gov. Josh Stein announced Monday while visiting the roadway’s shuttered portion and meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The primary road connection between North Carolina and eastern Tennessee was severed in late September as flooding in the Pigeon River gorge washed away over 1 mile of I-40’s eastbound lanes. An effort to reopen a 20-mile stretch to the Tennessee line in early January got held up when more asphalt from eastbound lanes fell in mid-December. The department attributed the December slide to wet weather and freeze-thaw conditions.
Along a portion of the displaced four-lane road, Stein announced a rescheduled date for one lane going in each direction to reopen to traffic at a reduced speed, news outlets reported.
“I am pleased to announce that we will reopen two lanes of
GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO
Damage from Hurricane Helene flooding is seen along eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina state line on Oct. 7 in Cocke County, Tennessee.
I-40 by March 1,” Stein said in a news release that highlighted the efforts of road workers and the state Department of Transportation. “Reopening these lanes will help reconnect North Carolina and Tennessee and allow us to welcome back visitors to bolster the economy.”
Contractors have worked to stabilize what’s left of the road by driving long steel rods into bedrock below the road, filling them with grout and spraying concrete on the cliff face to hold them in place.
Hurricane Helene and its resulting destruction damaged or impacted 5,000 miles of state-maintained roads and damaged 7,000 private roads, bridges and culverts. The state
is anticipated for now to receive about $3.2 billion from the Federal Highway Administration in emergency relief, according to a recent presentation for General Assembly members from state storm recovery officials.
Stein visited the area to meet with Duffy, who also toured the damaged roadway with U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd and Reps. Chuck Edwards and Tim Moore, all Republicans.
In his release, Stein said he expressed to Duffy his appreciation for the U.S. Transportation Department’s efforts and “emphasized that there are billions of dollars of work still to do to get people safely back on the roads. ... It is clear to me that he intends to help.”
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Chatham County:
Anime, Ramen and Sake Watch Party
6-8 p.m.
Join Koshu Sake every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for an Anime, Ramen and Sake Watch Party! Movie selections are announced a few days before each event on their Facebook page. You must be 21 with an ID to consume sake. Part of the Chatham County Craft Beverages & Country Inns Trail.
The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro
Opinionation Trivia at House of Pops
6-8 p.m.
We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
Feb. 4
• Michael Dameon Patterson, 47, of Moncure, was arrested for receiving stolen goods, possession of stolen property, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Brandy Dawn Whitman, 43, of Sanford, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Melissa Leann Perry, 41, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for injury to personal property.
Feb. 6
• Kerry Donnell Wright, 32, of Siler City, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Feb. 9
• Uriel HernandezHernandez, 29, of Siler City, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine.
• Calvin Bernard Bragg, 56, of Hillsborough, was arrested for multiple counts of larceny, shoplifting concealment of goods, and trespassing.
RESIDENTIAL
• 389 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 9.109 acres , 3 bed/2 bath, $525,000
• 557 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 12.802 acres, 3 bed/3 bath, $2,500,000
• 4147 Siler City Snow Camp Road (Siler City), 57.43 acres, 5 separate living spaces, $2,750,000 LAND
• 37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro), 0.996 acres, $100,000
• 170 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000
• 188 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000
RESIDENTIAL
• 5515 Rives Chapel Church Road (Siler City), 2.607acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $295,000
• 1115 Manco Dairy Road (Pittsboro), 14 acres, 3 bed/1 bath, $500,000
• 873 Arrowhead Loop (Pittsboro), 11.06 acres, 3 bed/3.5 bath, $705,000
• 327 Poplar Trail (Siler City), 5.022 acres, $150,000
• 9311 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 4.602 acres, $225,000
• 9231 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 5.630 acres, $250,000
• Tract 1 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 15.123 acres, $227,000
• Tract 2 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.425 acres, $262,000
• 323 Wagon Trace (Pittsboro), 10.255 acres, $325,000
• 639 Hills of the Haw Road (Pittsboro), 5.2470 acres, $450,000
• 83 Karen Calhoun Road (Pittsboro), 4.36 acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $800,000 LAND
• 0 Panama Terrace (Durham), 0.420 acres, $29,000
• 0 Moonrise Meadow Drive (Siler City), 20.66 acres, $160,000
• 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex), 21 acres, $825,000
National Association of Realtors (NAR)
• 0 Chatham Church Road (Moncure), 15.94 acres, $750,000
• 0 Pasture Branch Road (Rose Hill), 29 acres, $1,250,000
• 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama),182.888 acres, $3,240,000
• 0 US 64 W (Siler City), 9.670 acres, $4,500,000
• 0 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 75.4330 acres, $17,000,000 COMMERCIAL IMPROVED
• 140 & 148 East Street (Pittsboro), 1.49 acres, $1,350,000
• 00 Hamlets Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 118.742 acres, $4,250,000 COMMERCIAL UNIMPROVED
• 10681 US Hwy 64 E (Apex), 3.97 acres, $1,000,000
• 1700 Hillsboro Street (Pittsboro), 29.79 acres, $4,500,000
Join House of Hops every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for Opinionation Trivia. This Family Feud-style trivia game is so much fun! Play at 6 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. for two chances to win $15 or $25 House of Hops gift cards. More events at House of Hops; part of Chatham County’s Craft Beverages and Country Inns Trail.
112 Russet Run Suite 110 Pittsboro
14
Lego Club –Best for Ages 2+ 4-5 p.m.
Join us for a weekly free build Lego session in the Holmes Meeting Room. Work alone or in a team. Create from scratch and tell us about your creation! Duplo blocks are available for our youngest builders. Contact Youth Services at 919-545-8085 for more information.
Chatham County Library 197 N.C.-87 Pittsboro
16
Third Sunday Dinner 1:30 p.m.
Celebrity Dairy invites you to dinner on the third Sunday afternoon of each month. Dinner menus change with the seasons but always include Celebrity Dairy Goat cheese. Hosts Brit and Fleming Pfann enjoy sharing their home and everyday farm happenings that sometimes include helping mother goats deliver kids.
Celebrity Dairy 144 Celebrity Dairy Way Siler City
If veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products. For dogs, horses, & cats. At Tractor Supply® & Southern States®.
again takes up abortion issue
The current law remains in place as an effective six-week ban
By Jeffrey Collins The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — With a heartbeat abortion ban solidly in place in South Carolina, lawyers for the state and Planned Parenthood returned to the state’s highest court Wednesday to argue how restrictive the ban should be.
The law is being enforced in South Carolina as a ban on almost all abortions around six weeks after conception, setting that mark as the time cardiac activity starts.
But Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights groups are arguing the 2023 law includes alternative definitions about the timing of a fetal heart forming and a “heartbeat” starting, and the true ban should start around nine or 10 weeks.
Both sides were set to argue for just over an hour at the South Carolina Supreme Court in Columbia. The justices likely will take several months to decide the case. In the meantime, the abortion ban around six weeks likely will remain in place after a lower court upheld it.
The 2023 law says abortions cannot be performed after an ultrasound can detect “cardiac activity, or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart, within the gestational sac.”
South Carolina and several other states place that at six weeks into development. But what follows the “or” in the sentence could require that a heart has formed, and medical experts say that doesn’t happen until around nine weeks.
The legal fight has been brewing since the state Supreme Court reversed itself after overturning a similar ban in 2021.
The Republican-dominated General Assembly then made small changes, and a justice who voted in the majority in the 3-2 decision to overturn the ban reached retirement age and was replaced.
In the decision upholding the new ban, the state Supreme Court itself noted the different definitions, saying resolving them would be a question “for another day.” Since then, more inconsistencies in the law’s language have been brought up. The law refers≈to a fetal heartbeat, but most experts consider a fertilized egg to be an embryo for about 10 weeks after conception before transitioning into a fetus.
Lawyers for the state said the parsing of the language ignores the intent of the Legislature. Both supporters and opponents of the bill called it nearly exclusively a six-week ban during debate in the House and Senate.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and ended a nationwide right to abortion, most Republican-con-
The exterior of the South Carolina Supreme Court building in Columbia, S.C. is shown in January 2023.
trolled states have started enforcing new bans or restrictions while most Democrat-dominated ones have sought to protect abortion access.
Currently, 13 states are enforcing bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, and South Carolina and three others have bans that kick in at or about six weeks into pregnancy — often before women realize they’re pregnant.
The latest lawsuit was filed by South Carolina resident Taylor Shelton, who said she had sought medical attention for pain from her intrauterine device and was stunned to find out, just two days after missing her regularly tracked period, that she was pregnant.
She ended up in North Carolina, driving for hours to several appointments to undergo an abortion because doctors in South Carolina were unsure how to define a heartbeat. Shelton couldn’t be completely sure she was within six weeks.
Some Republicans in South Carolina are also pushing for an outright abortion ban, but while legislation was introduced this January when the General Assembly started its two-year session, no hearings have been held.
NINTH ANNUAL GOSPEL SING AT NEW SALEM CHURCH
Sunday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Featuring: • GOSPEL BAND • Gospel Quartet “Redeemed Harmony” • Soloist and Groups
Plan to attend and invite a friend! 5030 Old Graham Rd., Pittsboro 919-542-4832 www.visitnewsalem.com
penalty. However, “Butler did not strike white jurors who expressed similar reservations, in some cases with nearly identical language,” Sermons wrote.
The U.S. Supreme Court made clear in 1986 eliminating potential jurors merely because of their race violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which requires that people in similar circumstances be treated the same. However, jury selection bias claims are often difficult to prove.
The North Carolina Department of Justice, whose lawyers represented the state in Bacote’s case, have already “notified the court that we intend to appeal,” said Nazneen Ahmed, a spokesperson for Attorney General Jeff Jackson, who leads the department.
for Death Penalty Litigation. In addition to the problems that prejudiced Bacote’s trial, Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons Jr. found that racial bias tainted jury selection and sentencing in other Johnston County cases. Sermons found “glaring” bias in the fact that black defendants in capital cases were sentenced to death 100% of the time while similar white defendants received a death sentence only 45% of the time. None of those black inmates in Johnston County have been executed, and North Carolina has not carried out an execution since 2006. The judge said race was a “significant factor” in the decisions to seek the death penalty in the first place and in jury selection, when looking at other cases tried by Assistant District Attorney Gregory Butler as well as other death penalty cases in the same prosecutorial district, which at the time included Harnett and Lee counties.
In Bacote’s case, Butler struck 75% of prospective black jurors and only 23% of prospective non-black jurors. In Butler’s other cases, risk of removal from the jury pool by peremptory challenges was more than 10 times higher for black candidates than for non-black candidates, Sermons wrote. Butler testified that he never struck a juror for a “racial reason.” Sermons found that unconvincing. In Bacote’s case, for example, Butler explained his removal of five black jurors by citing their opposition to the death
Bacote challenged his death sentence under North Carolina’s 2009 Racial Justice Act, which allowed prisoners to receive life without parole if they could show that racial bias was the reason for their death sentence. The law was repealed in 2013, but the state Supreme Court has ruled that it still applies to any prisoner who had a Racial Justice Act case pending at the time of the repeal.
During a two-week hearing last fall, Sermons listened to evidence that included statistical studies of how the death penalty is implemented in North Carolina and Johnston County in particular. In his Friday ruling, the judge said the weight of the evidence did not prove that racial disparities prejudiced death penalty cases statewide.
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
This year’s commercial claimed that Jesus shows true “greatness” not by power over others but through suffering with and helping others in their time of need.
TAYLOR SWIFT’S boyfriend lost the game. However, my 7-year-old daughter was really watching for the commercials.
As usual, there were some outrageous scenes: aliens abducting snack chips, and eyebrows and mustaches flying through the air. There were cameos from various stars, including the grumpy former New England coach who now lives here in Chapel Hill. Once, a cartoon bear even told us to go to the bathroom. Silly bear! That’s what the actual game was for.
Once again, I was intrigued by the He Gets Us ads. These commercials present an interpretation of Jesus’ ministry outside of cultural norms. Last year, the commercials depicted a Latino police officer washing the feet of a young black man, a white woman washing the feet of a teenager outside a “Family Clinic” and a rancher washing the feet of an elderly Indigenous man. The point was that Jesus
crosses social and economic boundaries that generally keep us apart.
This year’s commercial claimed that Jesus shows true “greatness” not by power over others but through suffering with and helping others in their time of need. Various ethnicities and ages of people were pictured in scenes of pain and sorrow, while someone else provided comfort. The idea is Jesus modeled such acts of love, and we serve him whenever we serve “the least of these” — the hungry, hurting, unsheltered or displaced (Matthew 25:31–46). His greatness is not fortune or fame but compassion and service.
Pundits of the left and right of the political spectrum have criticized these commercials, either for their inclusive theology or the ideology of major donors. There are also plenty of sarcastic hot takes online. It’s possible that this message was aimed at the religion known
This Valentine’s Day, as you shop for your Sweet Patootie, male or female, try to include some of all those types of love where appropriate.
THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE on the minds and hearts of many folks for the next few days, other than wondering about how much longer a nasty virus that’s going around will last and will we get more snow this winter, is the upcoming Valentine’s Day and the question of “What do I get my Sweet Patootie for the occasion?”
Years ago, Johnny Cash told us in song that love is “a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring.” That’s probably true; many of us can attest to that since some time or another we’ve fallen into that fiery ring, sometimes more than once.
But love is also a funny thing. Not funny “ha ha,” but funny in how it happens and works ... or doesn’t.
Long ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and my tender young mind was exposed to learning, as a part of my school career, we were required to learn another language other than my mother tongue, English. The choice (meaning only option) of that day was French. That was it; today, of course, I know how much more valuable it would have been to take up Spanish, but we didn’t have that option, and I have yet to go to France.
Since then I have learned that both those languages have some common ancestors and that much of our English-speak comes from those tongues, as do others, known as “romance languages.” And maybe it’s appropriate that that’s the word used to describe the vocabulary we use when speaking of certain things such as love.
But — and it’s a big but — I’ve also come to know that when it comes to certain words and an understanding of what they all mean that sometimes my English words fall short in that area.
Take the word “love,” for instance — not the emotion or action but the word. In English, we have only that one word to convey all kinds of feelings — from I “love” pizza to I “love” my dog to I “love” my family and so on. They all have different meanings, at least they’d better. It could be rough on the home front if the feeling I have for cheeseburgers is the same one I have in mind when speaking of, to or about my better half.
So in that regard, the Greek folks have it over us. Some seminary studies years back and subsequent reading since then have told me that the word we translate “love” when we read The Book often has various meanings. There is, for instance, the Greek word “eros,” which we translate as “love” sometimes. It is the mama of our word “erotic,” and since this is a family publication, I feel it prudent not to go any further with an explanation of what that word means.
I will say it has something to do with how the sparks fly when chemistry is at work between Bubba and Clementine. At this stage, if you’re not familiar with what I mean and need more information, ask your mama. Then there are such words for “love” as “philia,” meaning a kind of “brotherly” love and is found in the name of that city in Pennsylvania where the Phillies and today’s Super Bowl champs Eagles play that’s known as “the city of brotherly love.”
There are other words and uses in other languages, of course, and all those have a place. But there’s also the one we don’t use much in our language and culture except in and around church that may be the most complete
as the National Football League, which has its godlike heroes, wicked villains and cult followers who willingly give their time and money. However, at a time when the current presidential administration is trumpeting its ability to Make America Great Again, it’s difficult not to see these advertisements as a critique of policies lacking compassion, care or concern for the welfare and well-being of vulnerable members of our society, many of whom were depicted in the He Gets Us video. It is worth asking what makes for greatness in terms of what “the least of these” need. Then perhaps more of us could get on the same team.
Andrew Taylor-Troutman’s newest book is “This Is the Day.” He serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, coffee drinker and student of joy.
definition and meaning of the word.
In English, we spell it “agape” and pronounce it “ah-ga-pay” and not “a-gape.” It’s the best way we mortals have to talk about God’s love for humanity, and perhaps our most common use of it has to do with how we treat other folks and whether we keep score in the game of life. That word sort of has the same thing going for it that I encountered one day when the oldest of the two 40-plus-somethings who used to be teenagers who lived at my house one day asked me, out of the clear blue, mind you, this question: “Could I ever do anything that would make you stop loving me?”
After pondering on that for what seemed a couple of hours, I said to her, “Uhhhh ... what have you got in mind?”
The reality was she had nothing in mind; what she was doing was asking me another question, namely, “Is your love for me conditional?” The answer to that, of course, is “no,” and that’s sort of what agape means.
This Valentine’s Day, as you shop for your Sweet Patootie, male or female, try to include some of all those types of love where appropriate. But mostly remember a few things: 1) “love” doesn’t keep score; 2) “love” isn’t love until you give it away; and 3) “love” means if you want good things for yourself, then you’re supposed to want good things for other folks.
And it’s also OK if you want to eat some of the chocolate this year.
Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.
Awe! I’ve been aweless! I want my awe back! Ignoring my own built-in awe prism.
LATELY, I’ve been prone to tumbling into what I characterize as awe-less-ness.
Awe-less-ness? That sounds suspiciously like lawlessness. Please don’t tell me that’s so. Nope, no lawlessness. (Feel better?)
OK, I’m going for it, hook, line and sinker. What is this awe-less-ness thing?
Oh, just my hum-drum, everyday existence, lived in a state of monochrome. Plain old black-and-white. (Yawn.) I want more than monochrome! Technicolor, please, I’ve been missing you! Where are the shooting stars, luminescent colors, life excitedly lived? Where? In unexpected ordinariness. That’s where. In the email I received from an old friend, an email devoid of any punctuation or capitalization. None. My friend’s connectedness to deep wisdom would only be interrupted by our culture’s practicalities, like punctuation and capitalization. (Boo, hiss!) A missing comma here or there, so what? (My sevent -grade English teacher would have had a fit, but we never got along anyway.)
There is no speed-reading through my old friend’s emails. I need to go slowly and let the meaning rise up, just as when reading unfamiliar poetry. Then a light goes on. My own deep light. Technicolor, at last! Yay! The technicolor is so damn ordinary, so right in front of me, that I tend to overlook it. From my friend’s email:
COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON
“We don’t often get to choose the path or method to a lesson. We need to be on the path and hopefully with gratitude and faith, find the awe in the journey.”
Awe! I’ve been awe-less! I want my awe back! Ignoring my own built-in awe prism. (You’ve got an awe prism, too, you know.) Yep, I’ve only been engaging in an everyday quickie peering at life. Waiting, just waiting, for life to bring awe to me.
Nope, nope, nope. “The magic is in our own conjuring.” Taking my time, seeing people, objects, life, passing right in front of me. Like the reading of new poetry, slowly, awaiting my own reactions, feelings and thoughts to bubble up. Paying attention, rather than my usual speeding on to the next thing.
That’s where the chemistry of awe is. It’s not solely what life plants in front of me. It’s the lived me, my history, in a dance (probably a tango) with this external world. There you go! Awe. Easy, accessible, living with greater personal attention to the very life in front of me. Taking a little-bitty extra time to experience what bubbles up … Hey, what do you think of T-shirts? “Got Awe?”
Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.
President Trump’s action is a major step forward to ensure a level playing field for female athletes.
IT WAS A PACKED week back in Washington.
Since Donald Trump took the oath of office on Jan. 20, you’ve seen the president work at a feverish pace to deliver on the promises made to you and start fixing the problems that were created during four years of a failed BidenHarris agenda. Trump has been working not only in the executive branch but also working with me and my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate. Together, we’re sending a clear message: The return to commonsense policies is here.
Just last week, on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Trump signed the “No Men in Women’s Sports” Executive Order, fulfilling his promise to keep biological men out of women and girls’ sports. For years, the Far Left has pushed a woke agenda and gender ideology onto women and girls’ sports, and it’s gone too far. Hardworking female athletes who have trained their whole lives to achieve their dreams have been forced to compete against biological men, often losing out on medals, scholarship funds and spots on teams.
This is unfair, wrong and dangerous.
Trump’s action is a major step forward to ensure a level playing field and equal opportunities for female athletes across our country. It also reaffirms Republicans’ commitment to advancing legislation that restores fairness, safety and integrity in
COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH
women’s sports, like the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which the House passed in January. Under Trump’s leadership, I will continue working alongside my Republican colleagues to codify these protections permanently and ensure biological men do not steal one more trophy from our female athletes. One of the many promises made to you was to advance policies that will make America safe again, and our House Republican majority is delivering.
For years, deadly fentanyl has been smuggled across our borders and into our communities in record amounts, killing innocent Americans as a result. Too many lives are on the line, and the House took critical steps to protect them last week by passing the HALT Fentanyl Act with bipartisan support. I was proud to join my colleagues in introducing and voting for this legislation, which will give law enforcement the tools needed to prosecute traffickers and keep this lethal drug off our streets.
It is a new era of strong, America First leadership. As your voice in Congress, I will continue to advance commonsense policies that will protect you, your family and our communities. There is a lot of work to do and little time to do it, but rest assured I am committed to delivering for you.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in Washington, D.C.
It was a crude repeat of the Willie Horton ad of 1988.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP signed an executive order barring transgender girls and women from playing as girls and women at federally funded schools, colleges and universities. Nearly all schools receive federal funds.
A day later, the NCAA, the governing association for college sports in this country, followed suit, barring transgender girls from competing in women’s sports. Only athletes who were assigned as females at birth can compete as women.
“We strongly believe that clear, consistent and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions,” Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA, said in a statement. “To that end, President Trump’s order provides a clear, national standard.”
Testifying before Congress last year, Baker estimated that there were fewer than 10 transgender girls playing women’s sports in all of the colleges and universities in the country.
All this to kick fewer than 10 athletes — of the some 500,000 who play college sports — off their teams.
Why?
The cruelty is obvious. Ten girls are singled out and kicked off. Who knows how many others — but certainly many more — are sent the message that they are not legitimate, are not entitled to be treated fairly, are not welcome.
At an age when young women are particularly vulnerable, the most vulnerable of them all are castigated.
Is this really one of the great moral issues of the day, directly affecting as it does fewer than 10 of the 500,000 student athletes in America?
Is this really one of the biggest challenges facing college sports, the one deserving of the attention of the president in his first two weeks in office?
Of course not. It is a cheap way to score political points. The campaign made that clear.
Probably the most successful advertisement of the campaign was the one run at the end, taking on Kamala Harris for supporting genderaffirming care in federal prisons. Never mind the fact that the policy began and was followed under Trump. It was an opportunity to remind voters that Harris represents “they/them” while Trump represents “you.” It was a crude repeat of the Willie Horton ad of 1988, and its message that George H.W. Bush opponent Mike Dukakis was the candidate of black rapists, while Bush represented you.
The Harris side did not respond to the transgender ad, presumably because they believed, rightly, that not many people would be voting the transgender rights issue. True enough, but they do vote based on whether you’re on their side or not, and Trump’s people cleverly played the transgender issue as a proxy for painting Democrats as the party of woke elites. The equivalent, in its way, of black rapists in 1988. And that worked.
And when something works for Trump — when he finds a scapegoat he can tar to make common cause with people for whom he has nothing but disdain — he doesn’t let it go. It’s as ugly a tactic as you can find.
That’s why he’s kicking transgender people out of the military and off women’s sports teams. It’s not because they pose a threat to anyone. It’s not because they aren’t qualified to do the job. It’s because the very idea of them can be so easily manipulated to attract the loyalty of the insecure among us. At a huge cost.
The NCAA should be ashamed of itself. They know better. There was no need for a national policy. Individual schools should have been free to field their teams. The need was entirely political. And the price will not be limited to the fewer than 10 athletes who are excluded.
Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.
LESS THAN A MONTH into the second Trump administration, we are already seeing action on bold promises to bring clarity, regulatory reform and innovation to the crypto space — cutting burdensome regulations, reversing controversial Biden-era rulemakings and embracing digital assets at the national level. These commitments have resonated with a rapidly growing community eager for change.
On Feb. 4, Congress established a bicameral working group to develop a framework for stablecoin legislation and digital asset market structure.
Even before the inauguration, President Donald Trump made a decisive move by appointing Bo Hines as executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets, reinforcing his administration’s intent to position the United States as the global leader in digital financial innovation.
I’ve had the opportunity to engage with Hines extensively, and many North Carolinians know his name — not just from his congressional campaigns but also from his days as an NC State wide receiver. However, his greatest impact may come in the next six months, where Hines has been tasked to shepherd an emerging industry in dire need of clarity. His appointment, made official by Trump’s executive order “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology” on Jan. 23, marks a sweeping shift in U.S. digital asset policy. The order prioritizes regulatory clarity, ensures fair access to banking services, supports lawful, dollar-backed stablecoins and repeals restrictive Biden-era policies.
While many may recall Hines’ time on the football field, it’s a fitting coincidence that he played in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl in 2014, a nod to Bitcoin’s early influence. Now, 11 years later, Hines will work closely with White House AI and Crypto Czar and Silicon Valley tycoon David Sacks to develop a federal regulatory framework proposal for digital assets and deliver recommendations to Congress. And these efforts must move swiftly. Per the executive order, the team will review existing regulations, recommend necessary modifications within 60 days and deliver a comprehensive policy report to the president within 180 days. A key initiative includes evaluating the creation of a strategic national digital assets stockpile — a move to strengthen the nation’s leadership in crypto. Notably, Trump’s executive order also prohibits the federal government from issuing or promoting Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), ensuring that financial sovereignty and economic liberty remain at the forefront. North Carolina took a leading role in this effort last year, passing the widely bipartisan H.B. 690, overriding Gov. Roy Cooper’s stunning veto and becoming a national model for resisting government- controlled digital currencies.
Hines’ appointment further underscores North Carolina’s dominance in digital asset policy, following the appointment of Paul Atkins as SEC chair, a fellow North Carolinian, and leaders like Patrick McHenry, Ted Budd, Tim Moore and Addison McDowell, who have emerged as national champions for crypto innovation in recent years.
With regulators like Hines and Atkins at the helm, the Trump administration is proving that its commitment to regulatory reform isn’t just rhetoric. This administration will deliver on its promises — not through excessive enforcement, but through clear rules, financial sovereignty and pro-innovation policies that ensure the United States leads in blockchain technology for generations to come. North Carolina has long been at the forefront of digital asset policy, and with Hines helping to shape federal regulation, the state’s leadership in fostering blockchain innovation will only grow stronger.
Dan Spuller is head of industry affairs for the Washington, D.C.-based Blockchain Association.
Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@ nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.
Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com
June 29, 1929 – Feb. 2, 2025
Norman Jackson Brown, 95, of Bennett, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, at UNC Chapel Hill Hospital surrounded by family.
Norman was born in Chatham County on June 29th, 1929, to the late Benjamin F. and Ina B. Brown. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Clint, Howard, Coy, Lynn, Colon, and Buster Brown; and his sisters, Hilda Brewer and Myrtle B. Coble Teague.
Norman worked as a postal carrier for the US Post Office and worked with Chatham News & Record delivering newspapers to all the newspaper stands. He also worked as a life insurance salesman for Durham Life. He
Oct.8th, 1945 – Feb.8th, 2025
Shirley Dorrity Hayes, 79, of Bear Creek, died Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford.
Shirley was born in Randolph County on October 8, 1945, to the late Woodrow Buster Dorrity and Strawdie Poole Dorrity Thompson. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Hobert H. Hayes; her brother, James Dorrity and sisters, Linda Hodgin, Nancy H. Banks, and Emma Green.
Shirley was retired as a cna at the Brian Center in Siler City. She was a member of Pentecostal Victory Temple. Shirley loved going to church anytime the doors were open. For fundraisers the church could always count on her helping in the kitchen. Playing card games or Bingo at church were a highlight of her day. When she wasn’t at church, she loved to spend time with her family whether it was watching
was a member of Pleasant Grove Christian Church where he was involved with the Sunday School class, the church choir, and the men’s fellowship group. He enjoyed spending time with his church family. In his spare time, he enjoyed going camping and he was always taking his nieces and nephews with him. He loved sports, especially basketball and baseball. Norman loved him some chocolate cake and a good cold Pepsi.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 68 years, Mary Lea Langley Brown and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
Funeral services for Norman will be held Friday, February 7th, 2025, at 3 pm, at Pleasant Grove Christian Church. The visitation will be held at the church from 1:30 – 2:45 pm and burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Services will be officiated by Reverend Don Edwards and Reverend Bob Wachs.
Memorial donations can be made in Norman’s name to Pleasant Grove Christian Church, 5946 Pleasant Grove Church Rd., Bennett, NC 27208. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Brown family.
Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com
WWE with Brycen and Matthew, her grandsons or sitting in the sunshine, watching the birds and enjoying the outdoors with her neighbors. Shirley was also always ready to go on a trip it could be shopping or to the beach. Shirley is going to missed by many, although they didn’t call her Shirley; she was known as Nanny to Jessica and Natasha, Maw-Maw to Crystal, and Maw to her former daughter-in-law Melissa.
Shirley is survived by her devoted children, Debbie H. Crigler and husband, Michael, of Siler City, Tabatha Edwards and husband David, of bear Creek, and Jeffrey Lynn Hayes, of Panama City, FL; grandchildren, Crystal, Kyle, Travis, Jeremy, Trista, Jacob, Daylon, Brycen and Matthew; great grandchildren, Kelly Ann, Kiana, Kinley, Rainey, Blaire, and 1 more on the way.
A visitation will be held Monday, February 10, 202, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, and other times at the home of Debbie and Michael Crigler. The funeral service will be Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at The Pentecostal Victory Temple, with Rev. Michael Crigler, Rev. Darrell Haithcox, and David Edwards officiating. The burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Christian Church Cemetery in Bennett, NC. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Hayes family. Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamrecord.com
We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set an appointment to come by and learn more.
FEB. 6, 2025
Kristie Michelle Nunnery Medlin, age 46, of Sanford, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at her home. She was born in Lee County to the late Danny Ray Nunnery, Sr. and Patsy Faye Brand Nunnery. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Danny Ray Nunnery, Jr., Jessica Nunnery and Sammy Nunnery and Grandmother Kathleen Hurley Nunnery. Kristie was the heart and soul of her family – she was the glue that held them all together. Her love for children knew no bounds, and she poured her heart into making their lives brighter and more joyful. Whether it was a warm hug or a word of encouragement she had a unique gift for making everyone around her feel loved and valued. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Kristie is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Brian Medlin; her precious son Trenton Medlin; siblings James Luther “Luke” Nunnery, Jr. (Abbey) and Meghan Hertzog; grandma Jean Burchette; her second mom Kathy Boyer; special aunt Deborah Bullis; special cousin Brandy Freya and many other very special cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members.
WANDA WHITFIELD BORGE
JULY 11, 1961 – FEB. 5, 2025
Wanda Whitfield Borge age 63 of Broadway, passed away on Wednesday (2/5/2025) at her home. She was born on July 11, 1961, daughter of the late James Whitfield and Sarah Margaret Messer. Wanda worked for many years with Form Masters and later at Lee County Department of Social Services. She enjoyed playing bingo and taking walks on the beach. She also enjoyed making mosaics and watching her grandson, Aydan playing basketball. At her request, no services will be held. Surviving is her daughter, Melissa Hass of Hampstead, NC; brother, Chris Whitfield (Denise) of Broadway, NC; grandson, Aydan Riley of Hampstead, NC and nephew, Justin Whitfield (Lexi Amandis) of Broadway, NC.
KELSEY BLARE FAULK
JAN. 22, 1992 – FEB. 4, 2025
Kelsey Blare Faulk, age 33 of Broadway, passed away on Tuesday, (2/4/2025) at First Health Hospice, in Pinehurst. She was born on January 22, 1992, daughter of Donald Faulk and the late Wanda Jones Faulk. She was preceded in death by her mother, her maternal grandparents, Norwood and Jean Jones and her paternal grandparents, Rex and Edna Mac Faulk. Kelsey was a graduate of Lee County High School and spending time with her children and her love for animals was among the many things she enjoyed. Surviving is her father, Donald B. Faulk of Broadway, NC; daughters, Paisley Gardiner and Kinsley Faulk of Lillington, NC; brothers, Stuart Faulk of Carthage, NC, Seth Faulk of Cameron, NC, Spencer Faulk of Broadway, NC and her special friend, Tiffany Hudson of Sanford, NC. of Broadway, NC and her special friend, Tiffany Hudson of Sanford, NC.
KIMBERLY DAWN BURKE
JAN. 2, 1971 – FEB. 4, 2025
Kimberly Dawn Burke, 54, of Siler City, passed away at her parent’s home on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, surrounded by family.
Kim was born in Chatham County on January 2nd, 1971, to Buddy Alvis and Linda Jones Burke. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Harold & Magg Jones and Johnwood Burke & Edna Burke.
Kim was a 1989 graduate of Chatham Central High School. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at Siler City Center, Laurels of Chatham, and Gallway Ridge. She loved going to the beach and to the mountains. Kim loved her family and friends and especially her dog, Sasha. Left to cherish Kim’s memory are her son, Jodeci Markel Martin and his fiancé, Chelsea of Cherryville; her partner, Juan Castro of Siler City; her parents, Buddy Alvis and Linda Jones Burke of Siler City; and her brother, Buddy “Wayne” Burke.
IVEY HOWARD ISENHOUR
FEB.4, 2025
Ivey Howard Isenhour, age 90, of Sanford, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 under the compassionate care of FirstHealth Hospice. He was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina to the late Floyd Michael Isenhour and Myrtle Flossie Downum Isenhour. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Elbert Isenhour and Harold Isenhour. Howard retired after a 40 year career with Public Service Gas Company. After deciding that retirement wasn’t for him, he went to work with Tarheel Distributing and retired again at age 87. His unwavering work ethic and commitment to excellence were evident throughout his careers and his legacy of hard work and integrity will inspire all who knew him. Howard was a lifetime member of Sanford Moose Lodge, Sanford Lions Club and Sanford Area Home Builders Association. He is survived by sons Phillip Michael Isenhour and wife Julma of Philippines, Christopher Lamar Isenhour and wife Susie of Broadway and Mark Anthony Isenhour and wife Annette of Broadway; 5 very special grandchildren and 5 very-very special great-grandchildren.
The Blowing Rock native was named “Most Mischievous Boy” by his high school
By Hillel Italie The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Tom Rob -
bins, the novelist and prankster-philosopher who charmed and addled millions of readers with such screwball adventures as “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” and “Jitterbug Perfume,” has died. He was 92.
Robbins’ death was confirmed by his friend, the publishing executive Craig Popelars, who said the author died Sunday morning.
Pronouncing himself blessed with “crazy wisdom,” Robbins published eight novels and the memoir “Tibetan Peach Pie” and looked fondly upon his world of deadpan absurdity, authorial commentary and zig zag story lines. No one had a wilder imagination, whether giving us a wayward heroine with elongated thumbs in “Cowgirls” or landing the
corpse of Jesus in a makeshift zoo in “Another Roadside Attraction.” And no one told odder jokes on himself: Robbins once described his light, scratchy drawl as sounding “as if it’s been strained through Davy Crockett’s underwear.”
He could fathom almost anything except growing up.
People magazine would label Robbins “the perennial flower child and wild blooming Peter Pan of American letters,” who “dips history’s pigtails in weird ink and splatters his graffiti over the face of modern fiction.”
A native of Blowing Rock, North Carolina who moved to Virginia and was named “Most Mischievous Boy” by his high school, Robbins could match any narrative in his books with one about his life. There was the time he had to see a proctologist and showed up wearing a duck mask. (The doctor and Robbins became friends). He liked to recall the food server in Texas who unbuttoned her top and revealed a faded autograph, his autograph.
Or that odd moment in the 1990s when the FBI sought clues to the Unabomber’s identity by reading Robbins’ novel “Still Life with Woodpecker.” Robbins would allege that two federal agents, both attractive women, were sent to interview him.
“The FBI is not stupid!” he liked to say. “They knew my weakness!”
He also managed to meet a few celebrities, thanks in part to the film adaptation of “Even Cowgirls,” which starred Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves, and to appearances in such movies as “Breakfast of Champions” and “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle.” He wrote of being Debra Winger’s date to the 1991 Academy Awards ceremony and nearly killing himself at an Oscars after-party when — hoping to impress Al Pacino — he swallowed a glass of cologne. He had happier memories of checking into a hotel and being recognized by a young, pretty clerk, who raved about his work and ignored the man standing next to him, Neil Young.
1
7
President Trump made a campaign promise to bring Fogel home
By Vladimir Isachenkov The Associated Press
MOSCOW — The Kremlin said Wednesday that a Russian citizen was freed in the United States in exchange for Moscow’s release of American Marc Fogel but refused to identify him until he arrives in Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the unidentified individual would return to Russia “in the coming days,” and his name would be revealed when he returns home — unlike during pa st prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Washington, when Russians and Americans were released simultaneously and their identities were revealed right away.
“Recently, work has been intensified through the relevant agencies, there have been contacts,” Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. “And these contacts have led to the release of Fogel, as well as one of the citizens of the Russian Federation, who is currently being held in custody in the United States. This citizen of the Russian Federation will also be returned to Russia in the coming days.”
conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demurred when asked to elaborate on the deal that led to Fogel’s release, saying that such contacts “love silence” and deploring that Washington rushed to announce Fogel’s release.
“Our American colleagues have chosen to announce the results, we have a different approach to the agreements reached,” he said. “For efficient diplomacy, we prefer to observe confidentiality agreements.”
Fogel, an American history teacher who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been released and was returned to the U.S. on Tuesday in what the White House described as a diplomatic thaw that could advance negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year prison sentence.
Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, left Russia with Fogel and brought him to the White House, where Trump greeted him. Fogel, who is from Pennsylvania, was expected to be reunited with his family.
Trump declined to say if he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Fogel and didn’t say what the United States provided in exchange for Fogel’s release.
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Asked by reporters if the Russian released as part of the deal could be Alexander Vinnik, Peskov said that the name of the man being freed would be announced upon his return. Vinnik, arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges. was later extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty last year to
so these just offer new opportunities for students,” said assistant superintendent Amanda Moran.
The state board also updated graduation requirements as it pertains to art courses.
Previously, per state law, all districts simply had the option to require an arts education credit for graduation if they wanted to, but the new law states that one credit will be required at some point from grades six through 12.
However, the district really isn’t too worried about this change affecting students.
“We have a robust arts program here in Chatham so unlike some districts, we do have arts programs in all of our middle schools and of course our high schools so the vast majority of our students will be able to meet this requirement in middle school,” Moran said.
The board also approved a nearly $140,000 contract with
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump suggested that Fogel’s release could help anchor a peace deal on Ukraine, saying: “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.”
The Kremlin was more cautious, but it also noted that the deal could help strengthen mutual trust.
EL Education for kindergarten through first grade ELA curriculum materials.
“Districts are required to have consistent and aligned literacy materials across all grades,” Moran said. “We’ve been able to do that so far in grades two through five this past year and had previously done it in grades six through eight. We have certain materials in grades K-1, but we’re now wanting to beef that up so it’s more in alignment with other grades.”
“Whatever we’re doing reading-wise for second and third grade, it’s been phenomenal for them, and I appreciate that,” said board chair Gary Leonard.
The board then approved an approximately $46,000 contract renewal with Anderson, Smith and Wike for audit services for fiscal year 2024 -25. Anderson, Smith and Wike has been working with the board since 2015.
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education will next meet March 10.
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TAKE NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000073-180
ANNE
ANNE L. CAMPBELL, EXECUTOR 635 SHEEP ROCK RD. SNOW CAMP, NC 27349 Run dates: F13,20,27,M6p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000058-180 The
GARY L.
FEBRUARY, 2025. GARY L. MARBRY, EXECUTOR 1550 US 15-501 CHAPEL HILL, NC 27517 Run dates: F13,20,27,M6p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000019-180
The undersigned, ROBERT JAMES CLARK, having qualified on the 27TH Day of JANUARY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ELAINE THAIN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14TH Day of MAY 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025. ROBERT JAMES CLARK, EXECUTOR 104 S DOGWOOD AVE. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: F13,20,27,M6p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001538-180 The undersigned, MICHAEL R. SMITH, having qualified on the 31ST Day of DECEMBER, 2024 as ADMINISTRATOR CTA of the Estate of FRANCES SMITH, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 23RD Day
MICHAEL R. SMITH, ADMINISTRATOR CTA 5291 NC HWY 87N PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: J23,30,F6,13p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM
WILDLIFE from page A1
highway to the popular Outer Banks that runs straight through the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge — one of just two places in the world where red wolves run free.
They may finally be getting their wish.
In late December, the Federal Highway Administration awarded the first grants under a new $125 million Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Unless the grants are somehow undone by President Donald Trump, part of the money will help state agencies and nonprofit groups rebuild a 2.5-mile section of the highway with fencing and a series of culverts, or small underpasses, to allow red wolves — as well as black bears, white-tailed deer and other animals — to pass safely underneath traffic.
“When you build wildlife bridges or underpasses, you reduce human-wildlife conflict,” said Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm, who studies wildlife migrations but is not directly involved in the project.
“There is increasing awareness that reducing traffic collisions is smart for wildlife, smart for people too.”
Other agency grants will support new bridges and underpasses for mule deer in Idaho, pronghorn antelope in New Mexico, and cougars and bears in Oregon, among other projects.
But what’s notable about the U.S. 64 project is that the goal is twofold: reducing dangerous collisions and roadkill — and saving a critically endangered species. There are thought to be fewer than 20 red wolves left in the wild; besides Alligator River, the other remaining habitat is in the nearby Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Madison calculates that No. 2444 represented 7% of the known wild red wolf population. “So, every time you get a mortality, that’s a significant hit,” he said.
Reducing roadkill — and saving a species?
Wildlife crossings have proliferated across the U.S. in the past 20 years with broad nonpartisan support. Most often, the objective is safety. One congressional report estimated that dangerous highway collisions with large animals kill hundreds of people and cost more than $8 billion each year.
Researchers have learned a lot about what works for different species.
“Pronghorn don’t want to go through tunnels or close spaces, so they avoid underpasses and need bridges,” said Arthur Middleton, an ecologist who studies animal migration at the University of California, Berkeley. “Whereas deer will go under or over.”
Gray wolves and coyotes — and, presumably, red wolves — will also use underpasses, or culverts, of 6 or 8 feet in diameter. Fencing is critical to funnel the animals to the structures.
Along U.S. 30 in Wyoming, seven small underpasses and fencing cut mule deer collisions by 81%. In Canada, a series of overpasses and underpasses along the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park reduced collisions with hooved animals by 94%.
But whether wildlife crossings can help prevent extinctions is a harder question to answer.
“Conservation was always a part of the story, but now we’re seeing crossings increasingly pop up that have conservation as a primary rationale,” said Ben Goldfarb, author of the book “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet.”
Some of the most ambitious crossings for conservation have just been built — and it will take time to assess the results.
Outside Los Angeles, a wildlife crossing over 10 lanes of U.S. 101 is expected to open in 2026. The primary aim is to help connect the habitat of mountain lions, which need to cross the freeway to find suitable mates. Inbreeding among mountain lions in the LA region has already led to genetic mutations and decreased fertility.
In Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state, construction of a wildlife bridge spanning BR 101 was finished in 2020, then native seedlings were planted in a soil bed. Once those trees mature, researchers will study if the target species — an endangered monkey called a golden lion tamarin — uses the bridge regularly. Experts say the trees are necessary for creatures like monkeys or sloths to move across the bridge. Species that scamper on the ground, including foxes, anteaters and armadillos, are already crossing.
Hope at the end of the tunnel underpass for red wolves?
While it’s not certain that a wildlife crossing can save the last red wolves, scientists say that doing nothing will almost certainly hasten their demise.
Canis rufus, often called “America’s wolf,” once roamed from central Texas to southern Iowa and as far east as Long Island, New York. After being declared extinct in the wild, red wolves were reintroduced in North Carolina in 1987.
For about 20 years, the population grew steadily to reach around 120 animals. Then their
numbers crashed — with vehicle collisions a primary culprit. One study found that vehicle strikes had killed about 5% of the red wolf population each year between their reintroduction and 2022.
Marcel P. Huijser, a study co-author and a research ecologist at Montana State University’s Western Transportation Institute, warned that the cost of doing nothing, “including losing a wild species, can be far higher than the cost of implementing effective mitigation.”
In North Carolina, Fish and Wildlife biologists have tried other measures to prevent crashes — like flashing road signs and reflective collars — without much success.
Following No. 2444’s death, conservation groups like the Wildlands Network and the Center for Biological Diversity pushed for another solution.
In September, the North Carolina Department of Transportation submitted a grant application for the Red Wolf Essential Survival Crossings Under Evacuation Route — or RESCUER — project.
Plans for the U.S. 64 wildlife crossing call for a series of underpass structures — several of them big enough for wolves and
other large mammals to pass through — and the accompanying fencing. The exact number and size of the underpasses has yet to be determined, said Travis W. Wilson, eastern habitat conservation coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
The estimated total cost for the project is about $31.5 million, including $4 million in private donations raised by conservation groups and an anonymous donor’s matching grant.
“This is one of the most important wildlife connectivity projects in the country,” said Beth Pratt, founder of the nonprofit The Wildlife Crossing Fund, which raised funds for the project. “Critically endangered red wolves will disappear if we do nothing.”
The Associated Press’s Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP’s climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The boys were swept by Southeast Alamance in the season series
By Asheebo Rojas
Chatham News & Record
Girls: Southeast Alamance 55, Seaforth 53
PITTSBORO — Seaforth’s 52-game regular season conference win streak no longer stands after a down-to -the-w ire battle with Southeast Alamance ended in a 55-53 home loss on senior night Friday.
The Hawks also suffered their first home loss since falling to Chapel Hill on Feb. 2, 2023. The Stallions split the regular season series with Seaforth after losing the first meeting 51-48 in January.
Seaforth had no answer for sophomore guard Natalie Lopez and junior forward Clara LaChapelle who led the Stallions with 19 and 18 points respectively.
LaChapelle provided a consistent offensive presence in the paint, starting the game with seven first quarter points and ending the night with nine fourth quarter points to lead the closing act. Her final basket on an assist from junior guard Shaniya Paylor (season-high 11 assists) gave the Stallions a 5552 lead with under a minute to go.
Before that, Lopez knocked down five threes including a
5
3-pointers from Southeast Alamance’s Natalie Lopez
huge late-fourth quarter triple that put Southeast Alamance ahead 53-46 with just two minutes remaining in the game. After what could’ve been the dagger from Lopez, Seaforth cut the lead down to one with triples from senior guard Peyton Collins and junior guard Mia Moore, who has missed most of the season due to injury. Playing its best offensive basketball of the night in crunch time, Seaforth’s fate ultimately came down to the free-throw line.
Down three points, senior guard Gabby White got fouled with 19 seconds remaining and split the free throws to make it a two-point game. Southeast Alamance junior Ciara Payton followed that with two missed free throws on her own, setting up another chance at the line for Seaforth sophomore Annika Johansson after she got fouled while shooting on the next possession. With four seconds remaining on the clock, Johansson missed both. Southeast Alamance secured the rebound and the win. Southeast Alamance junior
Inysia McIver also got a good share of open looks, scoring 10 of her 14 points in the third quarter.
Southeast Alamance shot at a 56% clip from the field as a team, but as well as they were playing offensively, Seaforth kept the game close with its own big shots.
The Hawks never trailed by more than seven points in the game despite only shooting at a 33% clip.
White didn’t have the best shooting night, going 0 for 5 from beyond the arc and missing shots from close range, but she was able to fight for offensive rebounds and crucial second-chance points that helped her reach a team-high 17 points.
Trailing 24-20 at halftime, White sparked a momentum swing immediately out of the break by following two of her own missed shots and banking in a contested layup. After the Hawks forced a turnover on the ensuing Southeast Alamance possession, White found Collins open in the corner for 3, giving Seaforth a 25-24 lead. White made another mid-range shot minutes later to extend Seaforth’s advantage to three.
The Hawks’ rally from down 19-0 fell short
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
GREENSBORO — No. 1 Seaforth’s trip back to the NCHSAA
2A dual team wrestling state title at Novant Health Fieldhouse smelled like redemption before the final match of a fierce battle with No.3 R-S Central Saturday. But in the end, the Hawks were given an unsatisfying taste of déjà vu.
Down 19-0 after the first four matches, Seaforth stormed back and took the lead over the Hilltoppers twice, but an 8-7 decision win by R-S Central’s Cayden Laws over Chance Cody in the 138-pound finale set the Hawks’ rally short in a 34-32 defeat.
Seaforth lost in the dual team state championship for the second straight year after falling to Trinity in 2024.
“You put together a state championship team, and how
“You put together a state championship team, and how things did go the way they did in some matches, it’s heartbreaking.”
Ryan Armstrong
things did go the way they did in some matches, it’s heartbreaking,” Seaforth coach Ryan Armstrong said. “It’s disappointing.” The dual started with the 144-pound match in which R-S Central’s Cameron Crawford pinned a stubborn Benjamin Johnson in a three-round bout. Seaforth avoided pins in the next two matches, taking losses by major decision and by decision, but things started to look worrisome after R-S Central’s Caleb Cox got into his moves quickly and pinned Alex
Southeast Alamance turned things back in their favor rather quickly, though, continuing to find looks inside and building a 50-43 lead late in the fourth quarter. However, timely shots See
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Seaforth’s future college athletes signed on National Signing Day
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — Seaforth
High School celebrated 10 seniors signing to their respective college athletic programs Tuesday. The lineup of talented athletes included state champions across different sports and multiple Division I signings.
Here’s a rundown of Seaforth’s latest college signees.
Gabby White (Virginia)
White will continue her basketball career at Virginia. The
6
State championships for runner Jack Anstrom
5-foot-10 guard committed to the Cavaliers in July and officially signed with the program on a financial aid agreement in November. White put together a stellar career in four seasons at Seaforth, becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer and a key contributor to the building of an elite girls’ basketball program in Seaforth’s short histo -
See
College baseball and softball seasons have begun for former Chatham athletes
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
CHATHAM COUNTY’S collegiate winter sports athletes are reaching the final stretches of their regular seasons, while the county’s former diamond sports standouts are joining the party. Here’s an update on some of the county’s athletes at the next level.
Drake Powell (UNC, Northwood)
Powell is coming on as one of the Tar Heels’ most reliable 3-point shooters, shooting a team-best 38.7% from beyond the arc amongst players with at least 10 attempted 3-pointers. He hit two huge 3s and had a season-high three steals in the win over Pitt Saturday.
Jarin Stevenson (Alabama, Seaforth)
Stevenson put together some solid performances in Alabama’s six-game win streak from Jan. 18 to Saturday. In a 103-87 win over Vanderbilt on Jan. 21, Stevenson had one of his best games of the season with 10 points and seven rebounds on a 67% shooting clip.
Max Frazier (Central Connecticut, Northwood)
Frazier is continuing a gritty sophomore season off the bench, averaging 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game as of Sunday. He recorded a season-high five blocks in a win
STREAK from page B1
kept Seaforth alive once again as junior Katie Leonard, who scored 15 points on five made 3s, hit a triple to spark the run continued by Collins and Moore on ensuing possessions.
Things began to look scary for Seaforth just moments later when Collins went down with an apparent lower body injury from an opponent running into her. Collins had to be helped off the court and didn’t return.
Seaforth’s loss loosened its grip on first place in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference as it fell to 12-1 in conference play. Second-place Southeast Alamance, which improved to 11-1 in the conference, now has a chance to create a tie for the top spot should both teams win out to end the regular season.
Boys: Southeast Alamance 60, Seaforth 46
Southeast Alamance outscored Seaforth 16-5 in the third quarter to beat Seaforth 60-46 Friday and sweep the season series over the Hawks.
The Stallions went 5 for 8 from the field in the third quarter and made five free throws while the Hawks went 1 for 9 in the same period.
Seaforth, which was without second-leading scorer Nate Emerson, was in control during the first quarter and most of the second quarter, forcing Southeast Alamance into tough shots with its 2-3 zone. The Hawks led by as much as seven points in the second quarter thanks to offensive contributions from senior Noah Lewis, junior Patrick Miller, senior Christian Conrad and junior Declan Lindquist. However, Southeast Alamance senior Khaleb Satterfield knocked down three triples and junior Nate Yellock made one of his two 3s in the final three minutes of the first half to help the Stallions take a 22-19 lead at halftime.
Southeast Alamance never looked back from that point, leading by as much as 19 in the fourth quarter. With the loss, Seaforth fell to 10-11 overall and 7-6 (fourth place) in Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference play. Southeast Alamance improved to 16-5 overall and 10-3 (third place) in the conference.
over LIU on Jan. 30, but he also suffered an injury that same night which kept him out of the next two games. Frazier is second on the team in blocks with 19.
Aaron Ross (Chowan, Northwood)
Ross has provided major contributions to Chowan winning four of its last five games as of Sunday. The senior guard scored double digits in all five of those games, including a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double (season highs in points and rebounds) in a road win over Erskine on Feb. 1.
Meah Brooks (Greensboro College, Chatham Charter) Brooks has worked her way
back into Greensboro’s starting lineup, and she’s been posting some efficient stat lines as of late. Although the Pride is on a seven-game losing streak, Brooks hasn’t shot less than 50% from the floor in the last four games as of Sunday. She scored 14 points in a loss to N.C. Wesleyan on Feb. 1, and she followed that with 13 points and six rebounds against Methodist Friday.
Olivia Porter (Marquette, Northwood)
Porter has struggled in the scoring column recently, making just three field goals in Marquette’s last three games prior to Sunday. She’s been a solid facilitator, though, dishing out six assists in a win over Xavier on Jan. 29 and in a loss to Villanova on Feb. 2. Porter leads the team with 75 assists.
McKenna Snively (Christopher Newport, Northwood/North Raleigh Christian Academy)
Snively has had a solid last few weeks coming off the bench and helping red hot Christopher Newport reach No. 5 in the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll. In a win over Mary Washington on Jan. 25, Snively scored a season-high 14 points, making two 3s and going 6 for 6 from the free-throw line. She cooled down with just one made field goal in the following two games, putting her average at 5.1 points per outing
Hannah Ajayi (Guilford, Seaforth)
Ajayi is getting back into the groove of things after missing some time earlier in the winter. She had one of her best games of her freshman season in a win over Lynchburg on Feb. 1 in which she scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in 10 minutes.
Skylar Adams (Shaw, Northwood)
Adams returned from injury halfway through January, and she has made four starts in Shaw’s last eight games. She set a new career high with 16 points in a loss to Winston-Salem State on Jan. 22, making two 3s and shooting 8 for 8 from the free-throw line. Adams has been effective with getting to the line this season, shooting the fifth-most free throws on the team and making them at the second-best clip (78.7%) amongst Bears with at least 10 free-throw attempts.
Former Chatham Central pitcher Anthony Lopossay
made his first college appearance for Cleveland Community College in a 9-6 win over USC Lancaster on Feb. 5. Lopossay pitched one inning and recorded one strikeout and gave up a hit and a run.
Aidan Allred (Chatham Charter) and Ian McMillan (Jordan-Matthews) began their college careers at Brunswick Community College on Saturday. Allred recorded a double in his first collegiate atbat during a win over East Carolina Club.
Sam Murchison (Jordan-Matthews) will start his fifth year at UNC Greensboro. UNCG will open the season at home against Creighton Friday.
Logan Gunter (Jordan-Matthews) is making an immediate impact during her freshman year at Furman. As the leadoff hitter in Furman’s season-opening loss to South Carolina State, Gunter reached first base on a dropped fly. She’s recorded one put out and six assists in the field in her first two games.
Jaylee Williams (Chatham Centra) has started her sophomore year as an outfielder at App State, recording a stolen base in a loss Saturday to Auburn.
Hailie Edmondson (Chatham Charter), a pitcher and outfielder, will begin her sophomore year at Wake Tech. The Eagles open their season against Caldwell Sunday.
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ry. Prior to the end of her senior year, White has racked up three all-conference selections (three-time conference player of the year) and an all-state selection for the 2023-24 season. She’s led Seaforth to two regional final appearances including a state title appearance in 2023.
Jack Anstrom (NC State)
Anstrom, one of Chatham County’s most decorated athletes, signed to NC State for cross-country. The six-time state champion committed to the Wolfpack in September months before winning his third straight cross-country title and becoming the fifth three-time cross-country champion in NCHSAA history. Anstrom also won state championships for track and field, taking home the crown for the 2024 1A/2A indoor 3,200-meter run and the 2024 2A outdoor 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. He’s earned four cross-country conference runner of the year honors.
Will Cuicchi (Charlotte)
Cuicchi, another standout Seaforth runner, will continue his track and field career at Charlotte. Cuicchi has won three state championships prior to the conclusion of the 2024-25 sports year, including the 2023 and 2024 1A/2A indoor 1,000-meter runs and the 2024 2A outdoor 800-meter run. He finished fifth in the latest 2A cross country state championship race.
Kaitlyn Zanga (UNC)
Zanga signed to UNC to further her outstanding fencing career. As of Sunday, Zenga, a member of the Apex Fencing Academy, has achieved 17 gold-medal finishes with an all-time record of 492-219.
Emma O’Rourke (Gardner-Webb)
O’Rourke signed to Gardner-Webb’s women’s soccer program. As a midfielder and a defender, O’Rourke recorded 17 goals and 205 steals in her first two varsity seasons. She was a crucial piece to the Hawks’ state
championship run in 2024 as she helped Seaforth’s defense give up zero goals in the playoffs.
Layne Armstrong (Mount Union)
Armstrong signed to continue his wrestling career at Mount Union. Wrestling at 126 pounds in 2024, Armstrong claimed his first individual state title in last year’s 2A tournament, and his victory also sealed Seaforth’s claim to the individual team state title. The win made the wrestling team the first ever team sport state champion in school history. This season, Armstrong is ranked the No. 1 132-pound wrestler in the NCHSAA’s 2A classification, according to Rank Wrestlers. He has won three consecutive individual conference titles.
Evan Hepburn (Bucknell)
Hepburn signed to Bucknell’s swimming program. The standout swimmer won the 1A/2A boys’ 100-meter breaststroke state championship Saturday, finishing the race with a time of 56.17 seconds (quali-
fied for All-American consideration). Hepburn has earned all-conference honors three times.
Benjamin Lajoie (Ithaca)
Lajoie will continue his swimming career at Ithaca College. He is a three-time all-conference swimmer, and he helped two relay teams to second place in the state championship meet over the weekend.
Cameron Exley (Mary Washington)
Exley signed to Mary Washington for lacrosse. At the attack and midfielder positions, Exley has recorded 134 goals, 44 assists and 225 shots on goal prior to his senior season this spring.
Kendall Anderson (Geneva) Anderson signed to Geneva College to continue her volleyball career. She recorded 145 kills, 155 aces and 165 digs in her career. She was a crucial senior leader for the Hawks during their 2024 season that ended in the state final.
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
Swimming
Seaforth’s boys finished third with a score of 169 in the NCHSAA 1A/2A swimming state championship meet at Triangle Aquatic Center on Saturday. The Hawks’ girls finished 10th with a score of 74. Northwood’s girls finished 14th with a score of 56. Woods Charter’s boys and girls both landed at 19th. Chatham Central’s boys finished 22nd.
Woods Charter sophomore Daisy Collins won state titles for the girls’ 200 free (made the All-American standard with a time of 1 minute, 47.92 seconds) and the 500 free with another All-American-worthy time of 4:45.36.
Seaforth junior Sydney Burleigh won the girls’ 100 fly state title with a time of 56.97 seconds, and Seaforth senior Evan Hepburn won the boys’ 100-yard breaststroke title with a time of 56.17, which earned All-American consideration.
Northwood senior Abigail Emrich second-place time of 1:50.13 in the girls’ 200 free earned All-American consideration, the first of her times to reach that standard. Here are the county’s other top finishers from the state meet:
Boys: 200-yard medley relay and 400 free relay (Jackson Vaughn, Evan Hepburn, Benjamin Lajoie, Colton Roberts, Seaforth, second place in both events); 200 free (Colton Roberts, Seaforth, third place); 100 free (Evan Hepburn, Seaforth, second place); 500 free (Colton Roberts, Seaforth, third place)
Girls: 200-yard individual medley (Sydney Burleigh, Seaforth, third place); 100 back (Abigail Emrich, Northwood, second place)
Boys’ basketball
Four Bears scored in double digits in Chatham Central’s 63- 68 win over Cummings on Feb. 4. Senior Brennen Oldham led the way with 18 points, senior Reid Albright poured in 15, senior Luke Gaines scored 14 and junior Jeremiah Young contributed 12.
Oldham scored a career-high 31 points along with 13 rebounds to lift Chatham Central over South Davidson 82- 47 on Feb. 5. In the 60-32 win over Falls Lake the next night, Oldham put up 25 points, nine re-
Points for Brennen Oldham in Chatham Central’s win over South Davidson
bounds, five assists and two blocks.
Seaforth junior Declan Lindquist scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Hawks to a 71-40 win over North Moore on Feb. 4.
Northwood extended its winning streak to 10 games with an 84-28 rout over Graham on Feb. 4 and a 52-35 win over Cummings on Feb. 6. Woods Charter bounced back from an 81-35 loss to Southern Wake Academy with wins over Ascend Leadership (57-15) and Triangle Math and Science (44-35) on Feb. 4 and Feb. 7, respectively.
After beating Clover Garden School 50-39 on Feb. 4, Chatham Charter also fell to Southern Wake Academy 72-36, snapping its five-game win streak.
Week of Feb. 3 Power Rankings: 1. Northwood; 2. Chatham Central; 3. Seaforth; 4. Chatham Charter; 5. Woods Charter; 6. Jordan-Matthews Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday) (overall, conference): 1. Northwood (21-2, 15-0); 2. Chatham Central (18-2, 11-2); 3. Southeast Alamance (16-5, 10-3); 4. Seaforth (10-11, 7-6); 5. Jordan-Matthews (8-11, 6-7); 6. Cummings (6-14, 5-8); 7. Bartlett Yancey (5-12, 3-11); 8. North Moore (5-14, 2-11); 9. Graham (2-17, 1-12)
Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday) (overall, conference): 1. Southern Wake Academy (21- 4, 11- 0); 2. Woods Charter (126, 8-2); 3. Chatham Charter (16 -9, 7-3); 4. Clover Garden School (8-11, 4-5); 5. Triangle Math and Science (4-16, 3-6); 6. Ascend Leadership (4-14, 1-9); 7. River Mill (2-22, 1-10)
Girls’ basketball
Northwood defeated Graham 59-23 with the help of 14 points from senior forward Sydney Ballard, 13 points from junior forward Shaylah Glover and 11 points from her twin sister, Mikaylah Glover. The Chargers also beat
Cummings 60 -12 on Feb. 6.
Woods Charter also had multiple scorers in double digits in a 51-30 win over Southern Wake Academy with junior guard Wesley Oliver scoring a team-high 16 points, freshman Valentina Podolyanskaya scoring 15 and junior Anna Robards scoring 12. The Wolves went on to win 42-32 over Ascend Leadership on Feb. 4 before losing to Triangle Math and Science 35-20 Friday.
Senior forward Karaleigh Dodson recorded her fifth straight double-double last week, putting up 15 points and 12 rebounds in Chatham Central’s 50-21 win over Cummings on Feb. 4 and 23 points and 17 rebounds in a 61-37 win over South Davidson the next night. The Bears lost to Falls Lake 58-26 on Feb. 6.
Chatham Charter bounced back from a 32-24 loss to Clover Garden School on Feb. 4 with a 36-29 win over Southern Wake Academy Friday.
Week of Feb. 3 Power Rankings: 1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; 3. Chatham Central; 4. Chatham Charter; 5. Woods Charter; 6. Jordan-Matthews Mid-Carolina1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Seaforth (19-2, 12-1); 2. Southeast Alamance (18-2, 111); 3. Northwood (14-6, 9-4); 4. Chatham Central (12-7, 7-5); 5. Cummings (5-11, 5-8); 6. Jordan-Matthews (4-16, 4-8); 7. Graham (5-13, 3-9); 8. North Moore (4-12, 2-10); 9. Bartlett Yancey (0-11, 0-7) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Triangle Math and Science (11-8, 7-1); 2. Chatham Charter (11-14, 8-2); 3. Clover Garden School (14-5, 7-2); 4. Woods Charter (10-6, 5-4); 5. Southern Wake Academy (6-10, 4-7); 6. River Mill (3-21, 2-9); 7. Ascend Leadership (3-17, 1-9)
Wrestling
After a dominant first two rounds, Seaforth’s Keira Rosenmarkle had to forfeit the rest of the regional due to an injury.
Jordan-Matthews’ Alexandria Zumano (120) advanced to the second round after defeating Carrboro’s Avery Lackland by decision. After a second-round exit, Zumano once again wrestled Chatham Central’s Amani Carter and pinned her before being pinned herself in the following consolation round.
Woods Charter swimmer Daisy Collins wins athlete of the week honors for the week of Feb. 3.
In the NCHSAA 1A/2A swimming state championship meet Saturday, Collins won state titles for the girls’ 200 free with a time of 1 minute, 47.92 seconds and the 500 free with a time of 4:45.36. Both of her times shattered the 1A/2A meet records and met the All-American standard. She was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Swimmer.
Collins won the 1A/2A state title for the 500 free last year as well. Over the summer, Collins swam for Team USA in the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming Junior World Championships in Alghero, Italy, helping USA reach a first-place finish at the event.
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NFL
Longtime NFL player, coach Jauron dies at 74
Chicago Longtime NFL player and coach Dick Jauron, who led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs and was voted AP coach of the year in 2001, died at 74. The Bears confirmed his death, which came one day before the Super Bowl. Jauron briefly served as an Eagles assistant to current Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Jauron was a twosport standout at Yale before spending eight years as a defensive back in the NFL.
Along with taking the Bears to the playoffs, he spent four seasons as the coach of the Bills. He retired from coaching in 2012.
PGA
Woods to play at Torrey Pines, first PGA event since July
San Diego Tiger Woods committed to playing the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, returning to one of his favorite venues for his first PGA Tour start since the British Open last July. Woods will be playing 18 holes in competition for the first time since he had a microdiscectomy in September to alleviate pain down his legs, his sixth surgery on his lower back. He will also be playing just over a week after the loss of his mother, Kultida Woods, who died last Tuesday at age 80.
MLB Ohtani’s ex-interpreter sentenced to nearly 5 years in sports betting case
Santa Ana, Calif.
The former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. Ippei Mizuhara pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud. He was accused of stealing nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account to cover his gambling bets and debts.
Prosecutors said Mizuhara never bet on baseball, and Ohtani was an unknowing victim of the scheme. The case stemmed from a broader probe of illegal sports bookmaking organizations in Southern California.
Sanders brings in Hall of Famer Faulk to coach running backs at Colorado
Denver Deion Sanders added another Pro Football Hall of Famer to his staff at Colorado by bringing in Marshall Faulk to oversee the running backs. Faulk becomes the third member of the Buffaloes’ coaching ranks to boast a gold jacket, joining Warren Sapp and, of course, Sanders. Sapp is the senior quality control analyst for the defense. Faulk will try to revamp a Colorado running game that’s been one of the worst in the nation the last two seasons. Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes are coming off a 9-4 season in which they earned a spot in the Alamo Bowl.
Los
and the New York Mets were the big offseason spenders
By Ronald Blum The Associated Press
SPRING TRAINING workouts started Sunday with the Dodgers trying to become the first repeat champion since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000.
Coming off their second title in five seasons, the Dodgers added Roki Sasaki, the prized 23-year-old right-hander from Japan, and left-hander Blake Snell to a pitching staff expecting two-way star Shohei Ohtani to return to the mound in April or May after recovering from elbow surgery.
“Kudos to them. They’re doing everything right,” said Toronto pitcher Max Scherzer, who pitched for the Dodgers briefly in 2021. “They have a well-oiled machine.”
Los Angeles opens the season in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs with a two-game series starting March 18. The
Cubs are the first team to start practice, on Sunday in Mesa, Arizona, and all clubs will be on the field by Thursday.
Hooray for Hollywood
Los Angeles committed $452 million to eight players during the offseason. The Dodgers kept utilityman Tommy Edman with a $74 million, five-year contract, outfielder Teoscar Hernández with a $66 million, three-year deal and right-hander Blake Treinen for $22 million over two years.
In addition to Sasaki ($6.5 million signing bonus) and Snell ($182 million for five years), the Dodgers added reliever Tanner Scott ($72 million for four years), outfielder Michael Conforto` ($17 million for one season) and second baseman Hyeseong Kim ($12.5 million for three years).
Tyler Glasnow is projected for the rotation after finishing last season on the injured list. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is expected to re-sign and return after he recovers
from knee and toe operations.
“The Dodgers are a really well-run, successful organization,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Everything that they do and have done is consistent with our rules. ... I recognize, however, and my emails certainly reflect that there are fans in other markets who are concerned about their team’s ability to compete. And we always have to be concerned when our fans are concerned about something. But pinning it on the Dodgers, I’m not in that camp.”
Mets also paying top dollar
In search of the team’s first World Series title since 1986, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen gave a record $765 million, 15-year contract to outfielder Juan Soto, luring him from the rival Yankees, part of a $925 million splurge on eight free agents.
“If you want something that’s amazing, it’s going to be uncomfortable. It’s never going to be comfortable,” Cohen said. “And so I always stretch a little
bit because I know that’s what it takes to get it done.”
Following an NL Championship Series loss to the Dodgers, the Mets also added righthanders Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes and Griffin Canning along with left-hander A.J. Minter, and re-signed first baseman Peter Alonso, lefthander Sean Manaea, righthander Ryne Stanek and outfielder Jesse Winker. They acquired outfielder Jose Siri in a trade with Tampa Bay. Searching for ruby slippers Tampa Bay and the Athletics will be preparing for vagabond seasons in minor league ballparks. After 57 years in Oakland, the A’s will play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for at least three seasons before moving to a planned ballpark in Las Vegas. The Rays will play at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the spring training home of the Yankees, for 2025 because of damage at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg caused by Hurricane Milton.
NCAA committee to consider coaches’ proposal to combat ‘unethical behavior’ of fake injuries
Players would have to sit out longer if the rule is passed
By Eric Olson The Associated Press
A PROPOSED rule change intended to discourage players from faking injuries that prompt unwarranted timeouts will be considered when the NCAA Football Rules Committee meets this month.
Feigning injuries, sometimes at the coach’s instruction, has become a tactic defenses use to slow down tempo offenses or as a way for an offense to avoid a delay of game penalty or get an extra timeout.
The American Football Coaches Association submitted a proposal that would require a player who goes down on the field and receives medical attention to sit out the rest of that possession. Currently, the player must go out for one play before reentering.
“The American Football Coaches Association is acutely concerned about this,” AFCA executive director Craig Bohl said. “It goes against the grain of the betterment of our game and the ethics. We crafted this, we floated this, and it’s been received well. I’m sure there’ll be some pushback. Our point is give us something better if you don’t like it.”
BUTCH
NCAA supervisor of officials Steve Shaw speaks during the Southeastern Conference Media Days in 2019, when he was the conference’s officiating supervisor.
The proposal has carveouts. A coach can use a charged timeout to get the player back on the field during the current possession. A player injured by a hit that results in a penalty would be exempt. Also, the one player on offense and one on defense with a green dot on his helmet, indicating he’s allowed to receive radio communication from the sideline, can reenter after one play.
Injuries perceived to be feigned became such a hot topic in the Southeastern Conference last season that commissioner Greg Sankey put out a November memo admonishing teams.
“As plainly as it can be stated: Stop any and all activity related to faking injuries to
create time-outs,” he wrote. The NCAA Football Rules Committee will meet the last week of February in Indianapolis, and the issue will be front and center. If the AFCA’s proposal passes and is approved in the spring by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel, it would go into effect next season.
NCAA supervisor of officials Steve Shaw said Division I conference officiating coordinators gave their support during their annual meeting in Irving, Texas, last week. Shaw showed the coordinators a video montage of players feigning injuries, sometimes laughably so. Shaw said anyone who doesn’t think fake injuries are a problem would change their
opinion after watching the video.
“Eventually, you’re like, ‘This is awful. This is pitiful,’ “said Shaw, who doesn’t have plans to make the video public.
One of the clips shows a player with what appears to be a cramp.
“The trainer walks him out, and the guy has this huge grin on his face,” Shaw said. “The trainer makes him lay down and he does the typical stretching his leg out. The trainer is grinning at him, and (the player) pops right back up and he’s up in the coaches’ grouping to go back into the game.”
Bohl said the biggest offenders are rotational players, like defensive linemen and running backs.
“They look over to the sideline and the coach is pointing down, and they fall down and another guy goes in,” Bohl said. “By having that player have to sit out a whole possession, a coach, the ones skirting the rules are going to look and say, ‘Do I really want to disadvantage my team by losing a rotational player?’”
Bohl said the AFCA proposal might not be perfect, but it should decrease the number of egregious instances of players faking injuries.
“The AFCA cannot stand by and look at the unethical behavior of what we’re doing in this aspect of our game,” he said.
Thieves linked to South American gangs are behind the sophisticated heists
By John Seewer and Dave Collins
The Associated Press
FOR MONTHS, daring bands of thieves linked to South American gangs have been making off with piles of jewelry and cash from the homes of the biggest superstars in sports, targeting the likes of the NFL’s Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Sophisticated pillagers have deployed drones and signal jamming devices, sometimes posing as delivery drivers or maintenance workers, to gain access to gated neighborhoods and thwart home security systems, according to warnings issued by the NFL and NBA.
But in recent weeks, investigators across the U.S. have made a handful of arrests connected to at least one of the high-profile heists and discovered stolen sports memorabilia, jewelry and art stuffed into storage units in New Jersey.
A group of Chilean men stopped in January while driving in Ohio were charged with stealing nearly $300,000 worth of designer luggage, watches and jewelry from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s house. Photos showed one suspect wearing a sparkly necklace with Burrow’s jersey number that he had worn during interviews.
“These individuals seem to be the alleged tip of the iceberg,” said Kenneth Parker, the U.S. Attorney in southern Ohio, who believes the men are working with South American theft rings that for years have been ransacking opulent homes from coast to coast.
Some luxury watches and jewelry stolen from homes across the country — not just those belonging to athletes — ended up being sold at a pawnshop in Manhattan’s Diamond District and stashed away in nearby storage units.
Investigators say interna-
tional crime rings have looted high-end houses for years, but now they’re going after some of the biggest names in the NFL, NBA and NHL.
Thieves broke into the homes of Kansas City Chiefs teammates Mahomes and Kelce within days of each other in October around the time they played New Orleans and Kelce’s superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift watched the game from the stands.
Jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen from NBA All-Star Luka Doncic’s home in Dallas in December. Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin reported a home invasion in January that happened while his team was playing at home.
Law enforcement officials warned sports leagues last fall that thieves had been striking on game days when they knew the players would not be home, often smashing through rear windows.
Some of the groups scoped out their targets by posing as home delivery drivers or joggers in secluded neighborhoods.
Burrow’s home in Ohio, which sits on a gated street tucked along a wooded area, was broken into while he was in Dallas for a “Monday Night Football” game in December.
The men charged in the invasion were found weeks later traveling with a Husky glass-breaking tool that one of them bought at Home Depot.
Players have been advised to not only beef up their home security but also avoid posting their whereabouts on social media.
The theft rings are focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches and luxury bags, according to an NBA warning based on information from the FBI.
The two men indicted this week in New York City were accused of buying stolen watches, jewelry and other expensive items from a variety of burglary crews and reselling them at their pawnshop in Manhattan since 2020.
Hinchman in the first round of the 165-pound match. That loss put the Hawks down 19-0, their largest deficit of the afternoon.
“Everybody’s got to contribute, and we just can’t get pinned,” Armstrong said. “We didn’t get pinned; we win. That’s the focus in the room for the last three weeks is you can’t get pinned, you can’t get pinned, you can’t get pinned.”
In dire need of a positive response, Judge Lloyd made sure the early losses didn’t compound into something the Hawks couldn’t rise from.
Lloyd followed Hinchman’s loss with his own swift pin over R-S Central’s Henry Hamrick in the first round of the 175-pound bout. It didn’t come without a cost, though, as his celebration with the team and fans after resulted in a loss of a point from the team score for misconduct.
Nevertheless, it sparked a fire under the Hawks.
“As far as the crowd perspective, it changed tremendously,” Armstrong said. “As far as the team point, he was hit with the misconduct, and we lost the team point. There’s one way to celebrate. He was excited. We were excited. It pulled the crowd back in.”
Seaforth’s Harrison Compton kept the momentum going with a win by major decision over Jacob Hudgins in the 190-pound match, bringing the team score to 19-9. Even in a 16-7 victory, his win wasn’t easy as Compton overcame a knee to his jaw and what he felt was missed points by the referees on a late second period takedown that was ruled out of play.
“I was able to just come back from that and use that to fuel my anger,” Compton said. “And then as the match progressed, it kind of just exponentially went in my favor. He started to gas out, and I crushed his morality.”
Seaforth went on to win four of its next five matches, including a decision from Ethan Kuball (215), a major decision from Luke Ayers (106) and a major decision from Jordan Miller (113). Following Miller’s win, a first-round pin by Gabe Rogers (120) over R-S Central’s Aiden Gallegos gave Seaforth its first lead of the dual 26-25.
“We were going insane,” Compton said. “We were jumping. We were screaming. We were so happy because we were like we have a chance, and we can do this.”
R-S Central’s Sam Gosnell reclaimed the lead for the
Hilltoppers after pinning Ian Winger in the second round of the 126-pound match, putting more pressure on Seaforth’s Layne Armstrong (132) who was set to follow.
Armstrong racked up points on Alex Lopez, building as much as a 12-2 lead. He also came back from being shaken up by a dangerous move from Lopez and pinned him in the third round, giving Seaforth just enough points to take a 32-31 lead going into the final match.
Cody wrestled well in the first two minutes of the decisive match, building a 6-1 lead over Laws by the end of the first period. For the majority of the second period, Cody, who was stuck in the bottom position, rolled around the mat avoiding a pin. As Cody held a four-point lead going into the final period, Laws inched three points closer with a takedown, and he took an 8-7 lead with another takedown with a little over a minute left to wrestle.
After being pulled out of bounds following the takedown, Cody went to the bottom and couldn’t get out of Laws’ grip until a stalling call with 20 seconds remaining gave him another chance to escape. Cody was able to climb up from the bottom position to his two feet
with Laws’ arms still wrapped around him, but Laws was able to pull Cody onto his back and deny him the escape at the final second.
Cody and his teammates were devastated after the loss.
“We just told him, hey, he’s one of the best kids in the state right now, and his mat IQ is there and that he needed to focus on where he was at,” Armstrong said about his message to Cody. “Right now, he thinks he let his teammates down, but he didn’t. There’s 14 kids on this team. Matter of fact, 23. And, it takes us all, and that’s what makes wrestling special to me.”
For Armstrong and his team, the season doesn’t end at duals, though and the hopes for championship hardware isn’t over. Last year, Seaforth ended up winning the individual team title after losing the dual state championship.
Seaforth will wrestle in the 2A Mideast regional Friday and Saturday at Morehead High School for bids to the individual state championships at First Horizon Coliseum from Feb. 20-22.
“We got seven of the best kids in the state,” Armstrong said. “May not get it done here, but we’re going to get it done in Greensboro.”
Colin MacKnight is commemorating the 275th anniversary of the famed composer’s death
By Andrew DeMillo
The Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. It was hushed inside a 140-year-old cathedral on the outskirts of Little Rock’s downtown as about five dozen people sat in the pews during a recent lunch break in January.
The nave filled with the sounds of the Gothic church’s pipe organ, and a screen showed a man performing the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Those gathered weren’t there for church but for the third concert in a series Colin MacKnight is performing over the next year to commemorate the 275th anniversary of Bach’s death.
MacKnight, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s music director, is performing all of Bach’s organ works throughout 2025 — one lunch break at a time. The ambitious plan entails performing 18 hours of music in half-hour increments nearly every Wednesday.
“I’ve wanted to (do this) for a really long time because it’s, I think, the most thorough way of immersing myself in the brilliance of Johann Sebastian Bach,” MacKnight said one morning as he rehearsed in the empty cathedral the day before a concert.
“I’ve wanted to (do this) for a really long time because it’s, I think, the most thorough way of immersing myself in the brilliance of Johann Sebastian Bach.”
Colin MacKnight
MacKnight, who is from Bethesda, Maryland, has been music director at Trinity for three years. He said the first time he remembers hearing Bach was at a relative’s funeral when he was about 12 years old.
“Something about hearing it that time just really mesmerized me, and that was the beginning of my love of Bach,” he said.
The 31-year-old’s hands move easily between the four keyboards of the organ console, flanked by knobs controlling different sounds that are assembled into various combinations.
“If you don’t know what you’re looking at, it’s a little overwhelming, like an airplane console,” he said. MacKnight’s concerts — which are free and open to the public — are also mini-lessons for those who come, with a glossary of terms like concerto and fugue included in
the program. In between pieces, MacKnight gives audience members some background on Bach and his organ works.
“These pieces are in the unfortunate category of being much, much harder than they sound,” he says.
The free concerts so far have drawn a mix of church members, classical music aficionados and newcomers who say they want a quiet break from the daily bustle.
“I like the complexity of the music and the power of the organ, which stirs me internally,” said Barry Coplin, a member of the church who has attended two of MacKnight’s concerts.
Ben Wiley is a classical music fan who was attending his third of MacKnight’s shows and said he appreciates being able to hear Bach’s works in half-hour increments.
“It’s a good way to be able to get it done in short bursts, to be able to absorb it better and come back to get the next batch,” he said.
The Rev. Thomas Alexander, a priest at Trinity, said the concerts allow the public to enjoy MacKnight’s talents, come together and learn more about Bach in a way they normally wouldn’t be able to.
“It’s like reading someone’s complete collection of novels. You get to really get to know someone in a comprehensive way,” Alexander said.
Dresden demolished, seven gunned down in “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre,” “Cinderella” premiered
The Associated Press
FEB. 13
1945: Allied forces in World War II began a three-day bombing raid on Dresden, Germany, killing as many as 25,000 people and triggering a firestorm that swept through the city center.
1935: A jury found Bruno Richard Hauptmann guilty of first-degree murder in the kidnap-slaying of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr.
1996: The rock musical “Rent,” by Jonathan Larson, premiered off-Broadway.
2016: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died at age 79.
FEB. 14
1779: English explorer James Cook was killed on the island of Hawai’i during a melee following Cook’s attempt to kidnap Hawaiian monarch Kalaniʻōpuʻu.
1929: The “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of
Al Capone’s gang were gunned down.
1984: Six-year-old Stormie Jones became the world’s first heart-liver transplant recipient.
FEB. 15
1898: The battleship USS Maine mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor, killing more than 260 crew members and bringing the United States closer to war with Spain.
1879: President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a law allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
1933: President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt escaped an assassination attempt in Miami that mortally wounded Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak.
1950: Walt Disney’s animated film “Cinderella” premiered in Boston.
FEB. 16
1959: Fidel Castro became premier of Cuba a month and a half after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista.
1862: The Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee ended as some 12,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered.
Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s victory earned him the moniker “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died on Feb. 13, 2016. He was 79.
1923: The burial chamber of King Tutankhamen’s recently unearthed tomb was unsealed in Egypt by English archaeologist Howard Carter.
FEB. 17
1801: The U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr became vice president.
1815: The United States and Britain exchanged the instruments of ratification for the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.
1863: The International Red Cross was founded in Geneva.
1864: During the Civil War, the Union ship USS Housatonic was rammed and sunk in Charleston Harbor, South
The gig in Birmingham, England, is being billed as the “greatest” heavy metal show ever
By Pan Pylas
The Associated Press
LONDON — Ozzy Osbourne will reunite with all of the original members of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years, in a gig that will be his last and being billed as the “greatest” heavy metal show ever, promoters said.
The band, one of the most influential of all heavy metal bands, will headline “The Back to the Beginning” show July 5 at Villa Park, home of the Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, England.
“It’s my time to go back to the beginning … time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Osbourne said in a statement. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever.”
Osbourne, who was the band’s front man during its peak period in the 1970s and who was widely known as the “Prince of Darkness,” will deliver his own short set be -
fore Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, join him for the first time in two decades.
The all-day event will also feature a host of major met-
al bands including Metallica, Slayer and Alice In Chains, with more names to be announced shortly.
“This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever,” music
director Tom Morello said.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and he paused touring in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery. He
Carolina, by the Confederate hand-cranked submarine HL Hunley in the first naval attack of its kind; the Hunley also sank.
FEB. 18
1564: Michelangelo died in Rome.
1885: Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the U.S. for the first time (after being published in Britain and Canada).
1983: Thirteen people were shot to death at a gambling club in Seattle’s Chinatown in what became known as the Wah Mee Massacre. (Two men were convicted of the killings and were sentenced to life in prison; a third was found guilty of robbery and assault.)
2001: Veteran FBI agent Robert Philip Hanssen was charged with spying for Russia.
FEB. 19
1473: Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Torun, Poland.
1807: Former Vice President Aaron Burr, accused of treason, was arrested in the Mississippi Territory, in present-day Alabama.
1945: Operation Detachment began during World War II as some 30,000 U.S. Marines began landing on Iwo Jima.
“How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever.”
Ozzy Osbourne
has struggled with health issues since 2003 following a near-fatal quad bike crash, injuries that were aggravated in 2019 when he fell at home. Sabbath’s story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971’s “Master of Reality” and “Vol. 4” a year later. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide.
Osbourne’s fame expanded into the mainstream in the early 2000s, when he joined his wife Sharon Osbourne, and two of their children in the hugely successful MTV reality TV show “The Osbournes.”
All profits from the July 5 show will go to charities including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, which is supported by Aston Villa. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 14.
Yoko Ono is 92, Maceo Parker turns 82, Michael Jordon hits 62, Dr. Dre is 60, Vanna White turns 69
The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week: FEB. 13
Basketball Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski is 78. Musician Peter Gabriel is 75. Musician Peter Hook is 69. Singer-writer Henry Rollins is 64.
FEB. 14
Businessman-politician Michael Bloomberg is 83. Saxophonist Maceo Parker is 82. Journalist Carl Bernstein is 81. Magician Teller (Penn and Teller) is 77.
FEB. 15
Jazz musician Henry Threadgill is 81. Composer John Adams is 78. Cartoonist Art Spiegelman is 77. Actor Jane Seymour is 74. “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening is 71.
FEB. 16
Actor LeVar Burton is 68. Actor-rapper Ice-T is 67. International Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe is 66. Rock musician Andy Taylor is 64. Actor Mahershala Ali is 51. FEB. 17
Actor Rene Russo is 71. Actor Richard Karn is 70. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 63. Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is 62. Movie director Michael Bay is 61.
FEB. 18
Vocalist Yoko Ono is 92. Actor John Travolta is 71. Game show hostess Vanna White (“Wheel of Fortune”) is 68. Rapper Dr. Dre is 60. Actor Molly Ringwald is 57.
FEB. 19
Actor Jeff Daniels is 70. Singer Seal is 62. Drummer Jon Fishman of Phish is 60. Actor Benicio Del Toro is 58.
‘Yellowjackets’ season three features Oscar winner Hilary Swank
The Associated Press
RENÉE ZELLWEGER returning to one of her most indelible roles in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” and Questlove offering the definitive documentary on funk crossover star Sly Stone are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty return with the album “Plus One,” ice skaters of color and their coaches are the focus of a new docuseries called “Harlem Ice” and the first two episodes drop of season three of Showtime’s horror series “Yellowjackets.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
Zellweger returns to one of her most indelible roles in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” If you’ve lost track, the film, streaming Thursday on Peacock, is the fourth “Bridget Jones” movie and first since 2016’s “Bridget Jones’ Baby.” In “Mad About a Boy,” based on Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel, Jones, a widow now in her 50s, is drawn toward two romantic possibilities: a teacher played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and a 29-year-old played by Leo Woodall.
Questlove, the Roots drummer and ubiquitous performer, has turned into a must-watch documentarian. In “Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius),” Questlove follows his Oscar-winning “Summer of Soul” and the recent “Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music” with the definitive documentary on Sly Stone, the funk crossover bandleader of Sly and the Family Stone. The film, stuffed with archival footage and contemporary interviews, and spanning the meteoric rise and tragic fall of Stone, streams Thursday on Hulu.
Scott Derrickson’s “The Gorge” stars Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy as a pair of operatives assigned to guard towers on opposing sides of a gorge, within which a mysterious evil lurks. The film, which debuts Friday, Feb. 14 on Apple TV+, co-stars Sigourney Weaver.
MUSIC TO STREAM
It wasn’t that long ago that Alessia Cara’s full-hearted pop was unavoidable; it earned her the coveted best new artist Grammy in 2018 and “Scars to Your Beautiful” endures as
a 2010s classic. But much has changed in that time, and the Canadian singer-songwriter has lived a lot of life since. Her forthcoming fourth studio album, “Love & Hyperbole,” out on Valentine’s Day, is an expression of that growth. “Dead Man” traces the end of a relationship; “(Isn’t It) Obvious” features a guitar solo from John Mayer. Giants of country music with the pipes to back it up, husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty return with a new album, “Plus One.” Like the bulk of their discography, this is a collection meant to inspire love and connection in its listeners (of course amplified by the Valentine’s Day release date) with soulful, twang-y songs about family and faith.
In 1992, Eric Clapton recorded an hour-long performance at Bray Studios in Windsor, England, titled “Eric Clapton Unplugged,” one of the best-selling live albums of all time. (And of course it is — no one is immune to the charms of an acoustic “Tears in Heaven.”) Paramount+ subscribers can now experience the magic once more — now in the form of an extend-
ed, remixed and remastered 90-minute edition titled “Eric Clapton Unplugged… Over 30 Years Later.” It features new interview footage captured before the performance.
SHOWS TO STREAM
“Muslim Matchmaker” is a new Hulu docuseries that follows two matchmakers dedicated to helping Muslim American singles find love while also keeping in line with their religious values. Viewers will see these professional cupids navigate their clients’ expectations in a world of dating apps and ghosting. The series is created by the same person who brought “Indian Matchmaking” to Netflix.
It may still be cold outside, but it’s summertime on Bravo with season 9 of “Summer House.” The reality series stars a group of Manhattanites who share a house on the weekends in the Hamptons. Whereas last season followed the tumultuous engagement of cast members Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke, the new episodes were filmed about a year later — af-
ter their breakup. The two may have moved on, but it doesn’t take a Magic 8 Ball to assume they’ll still have issues. We’ll also see Hubbard pregnant with her first child. “Summer House” is streaming on Bravo and streams on Peacock.
Ice skaters of color and their coaches are the focus of a new docuseries called “Harlem Ice.” Viewers will follow the young skaters experience triumphs and challenges as they train and compete in a sport that is traditionally white. “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts is an executive producer alongside Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. All five episodes are on Disney+. The first two episodes of season three of Showtime’s horror series “Yellowjackets” drop Friday on Paramount+. When a plane carrying a girls’ high school soccer team crashes in the middle of nowhere, its survivors are in a fight to survive. It’s inspired by William Golding’s 1954 classic, “Lord of the Flies.” “Yellowjackets” unfolds in two timelines: one at the time of the crash and one two decades later when the girls are adult women. Its stars in-
clude Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci and Lauren Ambrose. Oscar winner Hilary Swank joins season three in a recurring role.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
The world today seems utterly chaotic, so what better time to experiment with starting the whole thing over from scratch? That’s always been the appeal of Firaxis Games’ long-running Civilization series, and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII adds some intriguing new twists to the formula. First, each session is divided into three eras — Antiquity, Exploration and Modern — and each era ends with an empire-shattering crisis. You can bounce around between different cultures — say, starting in ancient China and winding up in the U.S.A. And you have a fresh batch of leaders, from Confucius to Machiavelli to Harriet Tubman, to lean on for advice and inspiration. As usual, you get to decide whether to be peaceful and diplomatic or run around blowing your neighbors to smithereens. The world is yours on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S/One, Switch or PC.