the BRIEF this week
Barber arrested at U.S. Capitol during budget protest
Washington, D.C.
The Rev. William Barber, a North Carolina minister and activist, was arrested alongside other faith leaders at a demonstration Monday in the Capitol Rotunda
The prominent minister and former NAACP NC president was protesting against the proposed Republican-led federal budget, which would extend and expand broad tax cuts alongside cuts to social and environmental programs. “If you can’t challenge your adversary with the hope that they change and to know that even if they don’t, at least they will have no excuse that they did not get told what is right. That is a powerful witness,” Barber said in remarks outside the Capitol shortly before his arrest. Barber organized and led Moral Mondays marches in Raleigh a decade ago that spread elsewhere in the state. Protestors engaged in civil disobediance at the rallies, and several — including Barber — were arrested and charged with misdemeanors.
Trump offers U.S. automakers some relief on tariffs
Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to relax some of his 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Tuesday’s action is a significant reversal as the import taxes threatened to hurt domestic manufacturers. Independent analyses have indicated that the tariffs could raise prices, reduce sales and make U.S. production less competitive worldwide.
$2.00
TriRiver invests $30M in water treatment for long-term reliability
Local leaders address community concerns as public water companies merge across counties
By Ena Sellers Chatham News & Record
CHAPEL HILL — In the wake of TriRiver Water’s recent utility merger announcement, the Haw River Assem-
Chatham
bly held a public forum last week at Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill to address public concerns, some stemming from letters consumers received from TriRiver Water.
Emily Sutton, Haw River Assembly executive director and riverkeeper, introduced the speakers and provided an overview of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds are highly persistent both in the en-
vironment and human body and are associated with various types of cancer. Sutton explained that PFAS are extremely difficult to remove from drinking water, highlighting the importance of preventing contamination.
Corey Salisbury, water filtration administrator for the Town of Pittsboro, provided updates on recent improvements to the town’s water quality. He emphasized the
Commissioners
pass resolution honoring free speech
The board affirmed its commitment to defending the First Amendment
By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record
effectiveness of the granular activated carbon filtration system implemented last year.
“We have seen a 90-95% reduction in PFAS numbers,” said Salisbury, explaining that the improvements have brought contaminant levels down to nearly undetectable levels. He also noted that 1,4-dioxane has not been detected in Pittsboro water for over a year.
See WATER, page A3
freedoms of their residents, including the right to speak freely in public forums and governmental proceedings.
PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Commissioners reaffirmed its commitment to the preservation of free speech at its most recent meeting.
At its April 21 meeting, the board passed a resolution honoring the right of free speech.
“The Chatham County Board of Commissioners affirms that public dialogue, including differing viewpoints, plays a vital role in promoting accountability and strengthening civic life,” said Commissioner Amanda Robertson, who read the resolution into the record. “The exercise of free speech is not only a constitutional right, but also a foundational value of American government and society and local governments have a responsibility to protect the rights and
Decision looming on PFAS drinking water limits
“What we are going to have to be is extremely thoughtful in figuring this out.”
Lee Zeldin, EPA administrator
The Trump EPA will soon weigh in on “forever chemicals”
By Michael Phillis The Associated Press
IN PAIN SO bad he couldn’t stand, Chris Meek was rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening ruptured gallbladder. When he emerged from surgery, he learned he had kidney cancer that thankfully hadn’t yet spread. Meek, a social studies teacher in Wilmington, North Carolina, was 47 at the time. But he remained confused for years about why, as someone seemingly not at risk, he had gotten cancer until Emily Donovan, a parent of students at his school,
gave a guest talk about high levels of harmful forever chemicals known as PFAS in North Carolina’s environment. When Donovan mentioned kidney cancer, the possible cause of Meek’s diagnosis finally clicked.
Until then, Meek said, he “had no idea what PFAS was.”
Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency set the first federal drinking water limits for PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, finding they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight.
In a decision with consequences for tens of millions of Americans, the Trump administration is expected to soon say
See PFAS,
“The Chatham County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and celebrate the right to free speech and commits to defending this right as essential to our Constitution, our democratic system, and our community life.”
The resolution appears to be in response to the “Hands Off” rally that was held in Pittsboro earlier this month, which reportedly drew over
See SPEECH, page A7
THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
ENA SELLERS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Some 50 people attended a TriRiver Water public meeting last week at Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill to address community concerns about water quality in Chatham County.
We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
CRIME LOG
April 21
• Willie Douglas Johnson, 63, of Siler City, was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia .
• Nichole Brooklin Quee, 19, of Siler City, was arrested for simple assault.
April 22
• Willie Douglas Johnson, 63, of Siler City, was arrested for trafficking and intent to distribute illegal drugs and using a place for drug activities.
• Palmira Stephens, 37, of Siler City, was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm, obstructing law enforcement and petty theft.
April 24
• Vicente Rangel-Conteras, 50, of Siler City, was arrested for trafficking and intent to distribute illegal drugs.
• Gregorio Ramirez Aparicio, 45, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for identity theft, possessing fake identification documents and obstructing law enforcement.
• Rachel Nichole Grace, 33, of Staley, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
April 25
• Donna Maria Ross, 60, of Pittsboro, was arrested for exploiting a vulnerable adult.
• Wayne Alan Ross, 61, of Pittsboro, was arrested for exploiting a vulnerable adult.
• Tina Lynn Smith, 36, of Pittsboro, was arrested for stealing a motor vehicle.
DOJ backs Summit Church in monthslong rezoning dispute
Federal officials support a claim that commissioners violated land use protections
By Dan Reeves Chatham News & Record
THE U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement in federal court supporting a lawsuit brought by The Summit Church against the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. The case dates back to December 2024, when the Board unanimously denied the church’s request to rezone three pieces of land to build a permanent location for its Chapel Hill campus. The Durham-based multi-congregational organization, which has been worshipping at Chapel Hill High School, claims that the denial was discriminatory and treated them unfairly in comparison to non-religious assemblies.
Summit argued that the county’s decision imposed an unfounded considerable encumbrance on their religious exercise, which is protected by federal law under the Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000.
• 471 Deer Run (Pittsboro), 4.92 acres, 3 bed/ 2 bath, $389,000
• 204 Sugarland Drive (Apex), 0.18 acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $400,000
• 298 E. Salisbury Street (Pittsboro), 0.40 acres, 3bed/2 bath, $600,000
• 9550 Silk Hope Liberty Road (Siler City), 73.740 acres, 3 bed/3bath, $1,450,000
• 557 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 12.802 acres, 3 bed/3 bath, $2,500,000 LAND
• 37 E Cotton Road (Pittsboro), 0.996 acres, $100,000
RESIDENTIAL
• 389 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 9.109 acres, 3 bed/2 bath, $500,000
“The
Civil Rights Division is committed to defending religious liberties as our founders intended and as federal law requires.”
Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general
On March 27, attorneys for Chatham County filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction in the case because rezoning decisions are legislative acts under state law and are matters of separation of powers. Attorneys for the county also refuted claims that the county violated any of The Summit Church’s civil or religious rights in rejecting the church’s rezoning application.
Attorneys for The Summit Church opposed the county’s motion to dismiss, arguing that the county’s decision to deny the church’s rezoning request was discriminatory and violated federal law.
The Justice Department’s
• 170 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000
• 188 Cherokee Drive (Chapel Hill), 1.150 acres, $100,000
• 327 Poplar Trail (Siler City), 5.022 acres, $150,000
• 9311 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 4.602 acres, $225,000
• Tract 1 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 15.123 acres, $227,000
• 9231 NC Highway 87 (Pittsboro), 5.630 acres, $250,000
• Tract 3 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.029 acres, $256,000
• 1115 Manco Dairy Road (Pittsboro), 14 acres, 3 bed/1 bath, $500,000
Civil Rights Division has filed a statement in support of The Summit Church’s claims that the county violated provisions of RLUIPA in its decision. RLUIPA is a federal law that protects the rights of religious groups to exercise their faith free from undue government interference.
“RLUIPA protects the rights of religious groups to exercise their faith free from the precise type of undue government interference exhibited here,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to defending religious liberties as our founders intended and as federal law requires.”
The Summit Church said it was “thankful” for the Department of Justice’s statement of interest in the case and believes that the county’s decision to deny its rezoning request was unjust and in violation of federal law.
The church is appealing to the courts because it believes it has a responsibility to defend its constitutional rights and the rights of all churches, regardless of beliefs, size or methodology.
• Tract 2 Robedo Road (Mount Gilead), 17.425 acres, $262,000
• 323 Wagon Trace (Pittsboro), 10.255 acres, $295,000
• 639 Hills of the Haw Road (Pittsboro), 5.2470 acres, $450,000
• 0 Chatham Church Road (Moncure), 15.94 acres, $750,000
• 1604 Bonlee School Road, Bear Creek, 110.496 acres, $750,000
• 00 US Highway 64 W (Siler City), 7.87 acres, $800,000
• 0 JB Morgan Road (Apex), 21 acres, $825,000
• 1834 Dewitt Smith Road (Pittsboro), 30.49 acres, 3 bed/2.5 bath, $850,000 LAND
• 1701 Mitchells Chapel Road (Pittsboro), 10 acres, $200,000
• 0 Pasture Branch Road (Rose Hill), 29 acres, $1,250,000
• 8636/8710 Johnson Mill Road (Bahama),182.888 acres, $2,800,000
• 0 US 64 W (Siler City), 9.670 acres, $4,500,000
• 0 Olives Chapel Road (Apex), 75.4330 acres, $15,300,000 COMMERCIAL IMPROVED
• 13604 US Hwy 64 W (Siler City), 4.36 acres, $650,000
• 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
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Chatham County:
May
1
Opinionation Trivia at House of Pops
6-8 p.m.
Join House of Hops every Thursday, 6-8 p.m. for Opinionation Trivia. This Family Feudstyle 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
May 1-4
Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival 2025
Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival 2025 is set to bring an uplifting blend of music, arts and community spirit to Pittsboro. This beloved festival, known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse performances, creates an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. Visit shakorihillsgrassroots. org for daily times, map and tickets.
3408 Castle Rock Farm Road Pittsboro
May 3
Chatham Mills Farmers Market
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Growers only farmers market. Join us each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
480 Hillsborough St. Pittsboro
May 5
NC Revelers Orchestra at Forest Hall
6-9 p.m.
Join us Monday, May 5 at 6 p.m. for an evening with the NC Revelers Orchestra — featuring jazz, swing and big band favorites that’ll have you tapping your feet and dancing the night away! Tickets, which are $50 each and include the show and a dinner buffet, can be purchased at app. foresthallatchathammills. com/nc-reveler-orchestra.
480 Hillsboro St. Suite 530 Pittsboro
May 7
Jazz Night at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
6-9 p.m.
Every Wednesday night from 6-9 p.m., The Sycamore at Chatham Mills hosts live Jazz Nights. The series features a rotating list of local musicians. The Sycamore also offers their Lounge Menu in the dining room on Wednesday nights. Reservations are highly recommended.
480 Hillsboro St. Suite 500 Pittsboro
E-A-G-L-E-S!
An injured bald eagle, rescued in early April at Seaforth Beach on Jordan Lake, rests before receiving care. Chatham County Sheriff’s Animal Resource Officer Joshua Thompson secured the bird after wildlife photographer Imraan Hemed spotted and reported it. The eagle, which suffered injuries likely from a territorial dispute with another eagle during nesting season, received treatment at Holly’s Nest and is expected to be released back into the wild soon.
Church News
THE ROBERTS CHAPEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The Roberts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church family, Goldston cordially invites you to our annual Woman’s Day program on Sunday, May 18 at 2:30 pm. Our speaker for the occasion will be Dr. Monica Headen, associate minister from Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, in Moncure. Mount Olive’s choir and congregation will be joining her. We look forward to seeing each of you. Please come worship with us and bring a friend.
SANDY BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH
Children ages pre-school through fifth grade are invited to a community youth program “Kids for the Kingdom” sponsored by Goldston Methodist Church, Meroney Methodist Church and Sandy Branch Baptist Church on May 4 beginning at 3 p.m. This month’s program will be held at Sandy Branch Church, and we are at located at 715 Sandy Branch Church Road in Bear Creek. There will be a Bible story, games, crafts, music, and snacks. We are hoping for a FUN event and would love to have you join us.
Salisbury and Sutton noted that upstream municipalities like Greensboro and Burlington are now required to regularly test and report their wastewater discharge data due to recent litigation, allowing local authorities to take swift action if a potential threat is detected.
Victor Czar, Sanford assistant town manager and former water utilities director, outlined the merger of Pittsboro into the TriRiver Water system, explaining that the consolidation took about a year. He noted similar mergers are underway with Chatham County Water Utility, set for completion on July 1, and with Siler City, which faces delays due to unresolved financial audits.
“Their timetable might be slightly different. They have some financial things they need to get squared away. Their audits were a little bit behind,” said Czar. “We’ve never had that problem, so we’re not accepting that problem. Once they get current, then we’re good to merge with them.”
Despite these changes, Czar reassured that water service for existing users would remain the same, with local plants expected to meet all water quality standards.
The Sanford water plant,
which draws from the Cape Fear River where NC 42 crosses, will expand from 12 to 30 million gallons per day.
“We are adding granulated activated carbon to our treatment process for the entire 30 million gallon a day plant,” said Czar, explaining that this will also target organics that contribute to haloacetic acids, as well as improving taste and odor.
Czar mentioned they opted not to implement costly advanced oxidation and UV treatment for 1,4-dioxane due to the $50 million cost and $1.5 million annual operating
expenses, especially since the compound is rarely detected.
“Anything that we don’t have to treat for, we don’t have to pass laws on. If you keep an eye on it, and it becomes an issue, we made allowances for it,” he explained. “If we need to do it, we can do it. Right this minute, that’s a cost that’s deferred.”
Looking to the future, Czar discussed Sanford’s investment in a major regional water intake and treatment facility at Jordan Lake, being developed with Durham.
“We are investing $30 million for 1 million gallons a day in that plant,” explained Czar.
“That plant will be set up to treat for PFAS and for 1,4-dioxane. They’re going to do a high level of treatment.”
The first phase of the western intake project is expected to become operational in 2031. Existing plants, including the Chatham County facility using the Cary intake, will continue to operate. Czar emphasized creating redundancy between the Pittsboro, Chatham and western intake plants is crucial for long-term water reliability.
Czar cautioned that while planning is underway, full implementation will span years. He mentioned the poten-
tial long-term plan to eventually phase out the Pittsboro water plant to keep rates more affordable.
“We’re going to have enough supply from different places to replace it, and it’ll be a more efficient way to do it with as good or better quality water,” said Czar.
While publicly owned infrastructure is being consolidated under the TriRiver umbrella, Czar clarified that privately owned infrastructure in northeastern Chatham County remains separate as for-profit entities.
“It becomes very complicated, and there’s nothing in our plan right this minute to deal with that,” said Czar.
One major concern raised was how these investments will affect water rates. Czar explained that while rates will increase over time due to capital investments, the merger agreements aim for rate parity. However, achieving this will take time due to the scale of the projects—Pittsboro alone will need over $500 million in improvements.
He also addressed concerns tied to industrial developments including VinFast and Wolfspeed.
“We are in a position now with the mergers that we will be responsible for pretreatment that covers Wolfspeed and VinFast,” he explained, adding that there has been limited engagement with VinFast so far, and Wolfspeed has claimed that its processes do not involve PFAS. Sutton emphasized that true protection comes from preventing contamination at its source, rather than relying solely on downstream monitoring or treatment.
“These cities do not create the 1,4-Dioxane, but they do get paid to receive wastewater from industries who release 1,4-Dioxane into the municipal sewer system. Once it’s released into the sewer system, it goes straight to that wastewater utility,” said Hannah Nelson, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. “Because 1,4-Dioxane, like PFAS, can’t be removed with conventional wastewater or drinking water treatment technology, everything that flows into the wastewater treatment plant flows right out and into the water supply downstream.”
WATER from page A1
ENA SELLERS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Emily Sutton, Haw River Assembly executive director, talks about PFAS during a public meeting held last week to address community concerns.
PHOTOS COURTESY CHATHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
Love the Haw River
Maybe our reasons for loving the Haw are as varied as the ways we show it.
The Haw River Festival is Saturday, May 3, from 4-8 p.m. Though it is located in Saxapahaw, which is outside of our county, Chatham residents are in the Haw River watershed, which covers eight counties. The watershed includes not only the river but also every creek, stream and puddle. We have a vested interest.
Emily Sutton is the Haw Riverkeeper, and she’s wonderful at her job of education and advocacy. Not to mention, she cleans out the river’s “trash traps” with the best of them! Yet I’m reminded of the concept of a priesthood of all believers, meaning that, while clergy have specific roles, every person has a ministry and a calling. Without threatening Emily’s job, everyone who finds beauty and meaning at the Haw is a riverkeeper.
If you venture to the festival this Saturday, you’ll find folks of a kaleidoscope of colors, persuasions and backgrounds. You’ll find children and children at heart, people who are never more carefree than when they talk about why they love the Haw River. Some attribute their love to leisure activities, like fishing or paddling. Others prefer to swim, sunbathe or skip stones. Still others love to hike along the flowing water or hop across the rocks.
I think there’s something intangible, too — something that evokes beauty or delight from everyday life, gracing the ordinary into the extraordinary. I cannot define such magic, but I can point to it, like the heron gliding over the water or the song of the Carolina wren from the banks. The singing sound of rushing water takes me back to my childhood and (to quote James Earl Jones in the movie “Field of Dreams”) memories so thick you have to brush them from your face.
Maybe our reasons for loving the Haw are as varied as the ways we show it. Love in action might look like participating in a river cleanup, attending a town council meeting or writing letters to our elected officials to combat pollution.
On Saturday, May 3, love for the Haw will look like a festival of fun complete with bands, booths, and vendors. Love will link up with fellow advocates. Love will look in the face of a stranger and find a friend. Love will inspire us to keep the Haw clean and safe for future generations.
Love, like the river itself, will run deep.
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.
Serious reminders can come in humorous places
Where did that freedom and civility go? I don’t know, but I think I know when. I think it was when we decided any kind of behavior is okay and don’t try to correct someone because it might offend them.
THROUGHOUT THE SHORT years of my little life, I’ve been hooked on reading.
There are lots of reasons.
Innate personality, for one. We can’t change how we’re created and birthed.
And the fact I’m not especially athletic and wasn’t going to have my 15 minutes of fame throwing a fast ball or returning punts for touchdowns is another. I did get athlete’s foot one time but I don’t think that counts.
Then there’s the way it was at my house while growing up — Mama and Daddy had books and newspapers and magazines everywhere. As a little guy, I had a subscription to “Boy’s Life” and “My Weekly Reader.” There was always a set of encyclopedias around – this being the day before the Internet, of course. And it was just understood that our folks expected their three boys to read, pay attention, and pursue some sort of education beyond high school, not that such a thing makes you any “better” than anyone else, but that it may make you a “better” you.
Simply put, I fell in love with ink and paper very early. That’s why I’m pretty sure I’ll never make it with an electronic book and why much of my working career was spent in print journalism.
I say all that to say there are many, many things to be read. And from many of them, there are both tidbits and large amounts of information to be gathered. Whether those bits are worthy of retention and we use them may be another thing, but at least they’re there. It was with that understanding that some time ago I came across a reminder of today’s society in, of all places, the Sunday paper comics. Let me go ahead and admit that there
are a few I once read: Pearls Before Swine, Funky Winkerbean, Hi & Lois, and Blondie. Let me also confess that few of them today are “funny.” Many have a political agenda, and that’s not a new phenomenon. But I miss the days my dad often spoke of when he lamented that the “funny papers” (his word for the comics) contained, for instance, Mutt and Jeff and, to his mind, now weren’t “funny” anymore. Today, I have my own lamentations for comics no longer with us, most notably “Tumbleweeds” and “Calvin and Hobbes.”
But life goes on, and today I find I’m not against learning something from the comics or being reminded of something already known. This particular reminder came in a Sunday color strip of Hi & Lois.
The father, Hi, was on his way to the airport for a flight and was remembering the flights of his younger days. I could identify with that, although most of mine came as a twenty-something when I was doing communications work for a regional corporation.
In the strip, Hi was remembering comfortable seats with plenty of leg room, really good meals as part of the ticket price, and a host of other perks, now living with the dinosaurs. I’m pretty sure it won’t bother me if I don’t take any more flights, but the last one I remember provided me a seat with all the charm of the back row of a sardine can. The Coke was an extra charge. The attendants were not happy; can’t say I blame them, given their working conditions.
On top of that, the surly inspector at the gate kept my unopened bottle of shampoo as a terrorist threat. And, interestingly enough, on the return flight, a similar bottle came through
unscathed. Go figure; where’s the consistency with air travel safety?
I remember vividly the first flight I made, other than a puddle jumper from Asheville to Raleigh-Durham. It was a Sunday morning in early Spring. I was off to Chicago for a conference. My better half took me to the airport. Walked with me to the gate, she and the first of our two little ones.
I got into my seat; the attendant showed up with a cup of coffee; the conversation was pleasant. As soon as we climbed to 30,000 feet and the seat belt light went off, the captain spoke about the standard things and then issued an invitation that will never ever absolutely ever never again be offered, given society’s rush today into something else.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “it is a positively gorgeous morning with clear skies. If any of you would like to come forward to the cockpit for a look at what we see, please speak to one of the attendants to arrange that.”
I did ... and I did.
It was some sight.
So, where did that freedom and civility go? I don’t know, but I think I know when. I think it was when we decided any kind of behavior is okay and don’t try to correct someone because it might offend them.
All I do know is the comic strip had it right. Be on the lookout for both commonsense and civility as you fly through life. It could make for a much more comfortable and pleasant trip for you and maybe countless others.
Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.
COLUMN | BOB WACHS
In the end, it was
the animal crackers …
“It’s the toilet. It’s leaking sewage into your crawl space.” My internal reaction to this statement likely exceeded a 6+ on a California earthquake scale.
MY EXPIRATION DATE as a homeowner had come nigh. I wanted out! Upgrades to improve salability were a must. At my realtor’s suggestion, I asked his recommended interior house painter for suggestions of skilled and affordable folks to install full-house laminate flooring. Hey, easy-peasy … until after the flooring was installed. A disturbing odor, and I’m being exceedingly kind, began emanating from the master bathroom — a really, really unfortunate odor. Past experience led me to believe some poor critter had somehow made entrance into my crawlspace and expired. Oh, goody, even more bucks out the window as I now needed to contact a wildlife removal technician.
Vernon, the wildlife removal expert, arrived and entered the crawlspace. What can I say? I adore animals. I awaited the news of what kind of critter had met its demise with a strong sense of sadness. Vernon, a taciturn kind of guy, silently came back in the house, entered the impacted bathroom, flushed the toilet, and headed back to the crawlspace. Getting very, very nervous.
Vernon returned.
“It’s the toilet. It’s leaking sewage into your crawl space.” My internal reaction to this statement likely exceeded a 6+ on a California earthquake scale. However, only one minuscule expletive escaped my lips as I maintained a measure of self-restraint. Sewage aside (is that possible?), I graciously thanked and paid Vernon. (My mother taught me well.)
It’s not that I wanted a beloved animal to meet its end in my crawl space. But the unabashed and embarrassing truth? All things considered (primarily, my wallet), my preference would have been for a furry critter to take its leave of this mortal coil in my dry, warm, and upgraded crawlspace. I would have saved a hell of a lot of money. Thus speaks my fallible and honest human heart … Plumbers called. Outcome? The two toilets had been incorrectly reinstalled after the new laminate flooring was laid. Both were leaking sewage … blah, blah, blah. The brand new laminate flooring in both bathrooms
COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH
The cabinet of clowns
Pete
THERE IS THE SECRETARY of defense sharing battle plans with his third wife, a former Fox News producer, on Signal. His top aides have all quit or been fired. The department is leaking like a sieve about its leader.
Disarray, they say.
He was stunningly unqualified for the job in the first instance (joke of the week: the cardinals should choose the next pope from “Fox and Friends”), and Republican senators knew it, but they didn’t dare stand up. And this is what you get.
The military deserves better. What more will it take?
And then there’s the face of Homeland Security, the woman who couldn’t, with a security detail in the restaurant, protect her own handbag. With $3,000 in cash? The internet was alive with rumors about what that was for.
But then, this is the woman who dressed in designer fashion complete with a $50,000 Rolex watch for a photo op with prisoners who were brought to El Salvador in clear defiance of a court order and without due process of law.
And shot her own puppy.
Speaking of photogenic (dare I ask, is that why they were chosen, this particular trio), the attorney general is turning Justice Department lawyers into pretzels as they try to respond to federal judges who have taken them to task for their double-talk. That is why the Supreme Court had to act at 1 a.m. last Saturday. They were stopping a flight that the lawyer in court refused to acknowledge was happening and actively suggested otherwise.
Later, there were pictures of the buses taking immigrants to the airport turning around.
She openly defies the values of the rule of law. Ordered to notify federal agencies that they were not to enforce the president’s jihad against Jenner & Block, one of the law firms that is successfully suing Trump, she added an addendum, attacking an “an unelected” judge who “invaded the policy-making and free speech prerogatives of the executive branch.”
She used similar language in the notice that the judge required her to give in the case
BE IN TOUCH
needed replacing, as did portions of the subflooring.
Do plumbers undertake double duty as therapists? (There’s probably a distinct need for that skill set.) Emblematic of skilled therapists, Nick and Lee, the plumbers, listened as I spent several minutes deep in invective city. They kindly counseled that more of the same was likely warranted. Absolution, by plumbers. So needed.
Considering my pronounced victimhood tendencies, I’ll spare you all the details of the restoration company inspection, the insurance agent chat about my very large deductible, and my exceedingly temperrestrained discussion with the middleman who engaged the ‘expert’ floor installers. (Can this sentence get any longer?) At his cost, the floor installer would return and rectify (please god) the mistakes. And, yes, I turned down the installer’s offer, post-repair, to once again re-install both toilets. (Are you kidding?!)
My spirits and wallet felt deeply depleted on the heels of this mess. Waiting for the next proverbial shoe to drop. That and the nonstop puns from friends about “how much crap I was having to deal with.”
My lovely next-door neighbors opened their doors to me for several nights, considering my seriously afflicted bathrooms. Granted, we keep very different hours in our lives. They’re late-night TV-watching folks, and I’m Ms. “need to be in bed by 9 PM.” But, hell, it wasn’t Motel 6, and food was included. My wallet was safe from further exploitation. Our late-night, super-charged, animal cracker binge, while watching the Dallas Cowboys, was unexpected. But personal healing often arrives in unanticipated forms, doesn’t it? Binging on animal crackers, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys (and I don’t even like football), way, way beyond my bedtime, was the balm my parched soul didn’t know it needed. The little girl who lives within me was, once again, a happy camper. Welcome back!
Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.
COLUMN NEWT GINGRICH
California just isn’t working
FOUR MONTHS
AGO, the Palisades fire destroyed more than 6,800 homes in Los Angeles. Three months later, only four permits had been issued to rebuild the community. Clearly, California just isn’t working.
The radical environmentalism, wokeism, and unionized bureaucratic micromanagement that Sacramento has imposed on the whole state is distorting reality and grinding things to a halt.
Communist China has built more than 29,000 miles of highspeed rail.
I talked with Environment Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin about the fire and recovery. He was surprised at the tiny number of permit approvals. Under his aggressive, dynamic leadership, the EPA already cleared the burned-out neighborhoods for federal permits. Of course, as he noted, the federal permits require city and county permission. This permitting logjam is happening even with a supposed one-stop local permit office and other efforts to cut through the red tape. But this is only the latest part of the story. Years before the fire, two new reservoirs were approved to ensure there would be enough water for firefighting. They were never built. Some fire hydrants simply did not work. Further, emergency vehicles were trapped in government parking lots because they needed oil changes. They could not be used to fight the fires because the bureaucracy’s firm rules about routine maintenance overruled common sense and public safety.
And fire is a real danger in the whole state. I spoke with Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi and Fire Chief Niko King on my Newt’s World podcast. They shared their strategy for fire prevention. Laguna Beach brought in 400 goats to eat underbrush. It was a low-cost solution to clear out the vegetation that leads to hot uncontrollable fires.
The California government is trying to eliminate their goat fire prevention because the goats might eat endangered plants. (You have to wonder: What do state bureaucrats think fire does to endangered plants?) The powers in Sacramento want Laguna Beach to switch to human vegetation removal, which is four times more expensive. Meanwhile, a couple hundred goats might have saved the Palisades.
of Perkins Coie, the first firm to challenge Trump. “The Executive Branch’s position is that Executive Order 14230 is permissible, and that the Court’s order was erroneous. The government reserves the right to take all necessary and legal actions in response to the ‘dishonest and dangerous’ conduct of Perkins Coie LLP, as set forth in Executive Order 14230.” The judge in that case compared Bondi’s addendum to “a temper tantrum” by administration officials, “worthy of a 3-year-old,” not the Justice Department. Bondi, appearing on Fox News, has accused these “liberal judges” of “trying to protect terrorists over American citizens.” These so-called liberal judges include multiple appointees of Republican presidents, beginning with President Ronald Reagan.
Pete Hegseth will be the first to go. He claims the president is standing behind him. The president says he is standing behind him. Why?
As for Homeland Security, the president is losing support even on immigration, which has always been his strong suit. Arresting judges for allowing parties appearing in court to avoid a confrontation with ICE is the latest example of the sort of overreaching that is turning the roundup Trump promised into the cluster calamity it was destined to be.
The country doesn’t agree with the attorney general. She is sacrificing her department’s integrity and reputation on the altar of Trump. She has shown not one ounce of independence from a president who has done more to violate the Constitution in his first hundred days than any of his predecessors did in their terms (Richard Nixon included).
Trump just talked about Joe Biden weaponizing the Justice Department. Of course, he didn’t; if he had, Trump would have been convicted of federal crimes and would not be president. But Trump has done it, entirely, in just 100 days.
The fish rots from the head. The Cabinet of telegenic clowns is a painful reflection of the man at the center of it.
Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.
But the tragedy of the Palisades fire is just one example of how California is falling apart. The combination of weird values, ossified bureaucracy, and state legislators devoted to principles and ideas that simply don’t work are slowly destroying the state.
On a totally different front, California had more than $20 billion stolen from its COVID-19 related unemployment compensation funds. Much of the theft came from California state prisoners using the state prison’s computer system. They used identity theft and partners outside the prison to defraud taxpayers. Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert joined me on Newt’s World to discuss the fraud. The story is unbelievable. When we spoke in February 2021, the estimate was only $11.5 billion had been stolen. It has since doubled and no one really knows the upper limit. This astonishing incompetence drives up taxes on businesses to replenish the unemployment funds that have been drained by crooks. It’s a vicious cycle.
One final example of California not working is the proposed high-speed train from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It was originally proposed in 2008 for $33 billion. It was supposed to be completed by 2020. Now, a small portion has been built between small towns. The projected cost has ballooned to $128 billion — and at the current rate it will not be completed in this century. It will never reach San Francisco or Los Angeles but instead stop at small towns about 25 miles outside the cities.
While California has been squandering money on costly failures, the Japanese have had more than 60 years-experience with high-speed trains. Communist China has built more than 29,000 miles of high-speed rail.
California simply doesn’t work anymore. Since California is our largest state, this collapse of competence and common sense is a national problem. The state represents 14 percent of the national economy. We need a serious commitment to get back to a commonsense, problem-solving California that works again. It should be a national priority.
Newt Gingrich was Republican speaker of the U.S. House.
Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or mailed to 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.
Hegseth will be the first to go.
obituaries
Gilbert Wayne Ellis
Sept. 13, 1968 –Apr. 22, 2025
Gilbert Wayne Ellis age 56 of Staley, NC passed away on Tuesday April 22, 2025 in Pittsboro, NC. Memorial Services, 12:00 pm, Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Joy Baptist Church. Officiating, Pastor Rodney Staley. Wayne was born September 13, 1968 in Chatham County, NC and was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Johnson Ellis, Son, Justin Wayne Ellis, Daughter, Betty Sue Ellis, his paternal grandparents, John Ellis and Edna Johnson,
David Lee Hayes
June 11, 1957 –April 27, 2025
David Lee Hayes, 67, of Ramseur, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025 at High Point Medical Center.
David was a lifelong resident of Randolph County, born June 11, 1957. He was a hard worker and was the manager of Pilgrim’s Pride for nearly 40 years. David
IN MEMORY
Maternal grandparents, Luchien Marvin Maness and Mary Lillian Dunn, sisters, Sherry Ellis Myers, Donna Ellis Ferguson, brother-in-law, George Kenneth Myers, and Stepfather Billy Junior Frye. Surviving relatives include his Mother Betty Ellis Frye of Pittsboro, Girlfriend Mandy Boone of Staley NC, Brother Steven Ellis and his girlfriend Brandi Buffkin, of Ramseur, NC, stepdaughter Shannon Haymore and numerous Nieces and nephews. Wayne was employed as a Roofer for years until his health declined. Wayne, loved hunting and fishing, taking his Boat out on the lakes, riding his motorcycle, and going to White Lake. He spent numerous weekends there and loved playing cards with family and friends. Condolences may be made online at www. loflinfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the family.
loved helping everyone that he could and was an amazing man, as well as a loving father and grandfather. Mr. Hayes was preceded in death by this parents, James Clifford Hayes and Dena Belle Brown Hayes, as well as his brothers, Cecil, Larry, Fletcher, and Robert Hayes.
Survivors: daughter, Jessica Hayes Garner and husband John of Liberty, son, William Hayes and wife Nicole of Fayetteville, sisters, Esther Jacobs of Dunn and Beverly Owens of Ramseur, five grandchildren, one greatgrandchild.
Visitation, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Thursday, Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.
Condolences may be made online at www. loflinfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.
JUDY ANN HICKMAN
NOV. 4, 2025 – APRIL 21, 2025
Judy Ann Hickman, 76, of High Falls, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025 at Pinehurst Health and Rehab. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at High Falls U.M.C. with Pastor Craig Asbill and Pastor Beth Johnson presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary.
Judy was born in Moore County, on November 4, 1948 to Calhoun and Mildred Upchurch Hickman. She worked as a payroll clerk for Perdue. She also owned and operated High Falls Country Store and Grill. She enjoyed gardening, reading, listening to music, going to the beach and dancing, especially shagging. She loved spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Delana Hickman and her step-father, Franklin James Friesen, who raised her.
She is survived by her daughters, Shondra Davie Beck (Nathan), of High Falls and Julie Davie Flinchum (Tim), of Seagrove; grandchildren, Katelyn Maness (Corey), Shania Beck Myrick (Nathan), Mark Thomas Garner II and Braxton Beck (Lauren); great-grandchildren, Alaina Maness, Carter Maness and Lawson Myrick and a host of family and friends.
Stan Love, brother of Beach Boys’ Mike Love and father of Heat’s Kevin Love, dies at 76
The Associated Press
MIAMI — Former NBA player Stan Love, the brother of Beach Boys singer Mike Love and the father of Miami Heat player Kevin Love, has died. He was 76.
Kevin Love announced his father’s death in an Instagram post Sunday night. No cause was given, but he referenced longstanding health issues in the post.
“Dad, you fought for a long time,” Kevin posted. “The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate — I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero.”
He went on to write, “Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.”
Stan Love was a 6-foot-9 forward who starred at Morningside High School in Inglewood, California, and at Oregon before he was selected ninth overall by Baltimore in the 1971 NBA draft.
“Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.”
Kevin Love
He averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 226 games in four seasons with the Bullets and the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played 12 games for San Antonio in the American Basketball Association.
Mike Love posted, “My big younger brother, you called me the superstar, but to me you are the superstar!! You always had my back! I am blessed to be your brother. I will cherish our lives spent together, whether spoofing on each other or reliving memories. I know you’re on the big court now, pounding down 3’s; don’t foul out, bro.”
Stan Love introduced Kevin to basketball after the fam-
ily moved from California to Oregon in the 1980s. He often attended UCLA games along with Mike Love when Kevin starred for the Bruins as a freshman in 2007-08.
“He’d always tell me stories about Wes Unseld, Connie Hawkins, Jerry West,” the younger Love told The Associated Press in 2008. “I wanted to be the greatest basketball player of all time, like every little kid wanted to be.”
The elder Love focused his hard-nosed development efforts on Kevin, his middle child and second son. Some days, Kevin would be outside in the rain at their Lake Oswego, Oregon, home shooting jumper after jumper.
“My hands would be all dirty, I’d come in and make the floor all muddy,” Love told AP. “Once he saw I was a self-starter, then he kind of backed off.”
Besides Kevin, the elder Love is survived by wife Karen, son Collin and daughter Emily.
Kevin Love has been away from Heat because of personal reasons and will not play in Game 4 against Cleveland on Monday night.
RUSTY KENNEDY / AP PHOTO
Stan Love (34) of the Los Angeles Lakers gets Steve Mix’s arm out of the way as he gets off a jump shot against the 76ers in 1975 in Philadelphia.
Teachers, get your applications in for a Bright Ideas education grant!
Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom? Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year.
The final deadline for all grant applications is Sept. 15, but don’t wait to apply. Applications submitted prior to the early-bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!
Monday, May 5 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:30 a.m. - Total Body Conditioning Exercise
10 a.m. - Geri-Fit
11 a.m. - Pine Cone Flower Wreath Making with Wynne Noon - Reading Out Loud with Gaines
1 p.m. - Mahjong; Table Tennis
3 p.m. - Caregiver Support Group
3:30 p.m. - Virtual Meditation (via Zoom) Siler City Center for Active Living
9 a.m. - Strong & Fit
10 a.m. - Cornhole
10:30 a.m. - Science with Alan
2 p.m. - Strength & Tone
3 p.m. - Soap Making with Alan Tuesday, May 6 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:30 a.m. - QiGong
9 a.m. - 3G’s Men’s Group
10 a.m. - Woodcarvers; Cardio Drumming
11 a.m. - May Birthday Bingo with Mr. Ed
12:30 p.m. - Crafting with Lacee
1 p.m. - Rummikub
2 p.m. - Zumba Gold
3 p.m. - Healthy Lifestyles with Alan Siler City Center for Active Living
8 a.m. - Quilting and Sewing Time
9 a.m. - Cardio Drumming
10 a.m. - Chair Exercises
1 p.m. - Rook, Phase 10 & Rummikub Wednesday, May 7 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:30 a.m. - Cardio & Lower Body Exercise
10 a.m. - Chair Yoga with Liz; Music Jam
10:30 a.m. - Coffee & Games with Chatham County Sheriff’s Office
11 a.m. - The Chosen with discussion
1 p.m. - Leaving Your Legacy with Jessica Bryan
2 p.m. - Chess Siler City Center for Active Living
9 a.m. - Strong & Fit
10 a.m. - Bible Study
10:30 a.m. - May Birthday Party & Bingo
1 p.m. - Crafts Thursday, May 8 Pittsboro Center for Active Living
8:30 a.m. - QiGong
10 a.m.
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1,000 attendees to protest Trump administration policies.
“We’re only doing our small bit,” said board chair Karen Howard. “We know we’re all doing it together and the fact that so many people came out and protested peacefully, but powerfully, to me is all the indication we need to know that what we’re doing is right.”
The board held a public hearing for a rezoning request for approximately 19 acres of property located at 680 Pea Ridge Rd. from Residential (R-1) to General Use Regional Business (GU-RB).
“Over the last four years or so, this area has increasingly become more non-residential, especially with the megasite and some of the other industrial properties,” said Angela Plummer.
The property is also a watershed protected area as well as a river quarter special area, so only 36% of the area can be built upon.
However, there is currently no site plan for the property.
“The property owner at this point doesn’t have any immediate plans to do anything with it, but as things take shape in the area, they want to be ready to accept a user at some point,” said former county commissioner Mike Dasher, now a principal with OMB Group and
representing the applicant. The matter was referred back to the planning board for final approval.
The board also held a public hearing on amending the effective date of the adopted Unified Development Ordinance from July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025.
“The legislature has been busy in a number of ways and basically, when we adopted the UDO in November, the effective date was set to be July 1, 2025,” said assistant planning director Chance Mullis. “We haven’t been able to do that implementation due to SB382 which prevents us from doing that because they removed the down-zoning authorities of local governments. Therefore, we don’t want that UDO to become effective by default without us doing the implementation because that would not be the best scenario.”
“The UDO was a lot of work and I still do have a lot of hope for it, but it has been devastating seeing what’s happening in the legislature and the amount of extra work it has generated from a project that we were almost ready to see come to completion,” said Vice Chair Katie Kenlan. The matter was referred back to the planning board for final approval.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will next meet May 5. SPEECH from page
deadline is Monday at Noon.
CLASSIFIED ADS
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POWELL SPRINGS APTS.
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MH for Rent – Very Nice 2006
3BR/2BA D-W on 1-acre private lot in Sanford on Minter School Rd. $1,200/mo. + $1,200 dep. No pets. Open house on Saturday, May 3 and May 10 from 11 to 3. For questions, call (972) 754-7105. 2tp
AUCTIONS
RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS
- Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, benefits, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-6633556, rickyellingtonauctions@ yahoo.com. Jy6,tfnc
FOR SALE
Dining Room Set w/China Cabinet, several Curio Cabinets, Treadmill, Sofa and 2 end tables, 2 upright freezers, dishes, Bedroom Suite, 2 Recliners, etc. 919-799-8243.
SERVICES
RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc
JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803.
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LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc
If veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, use Happy Jack products to treat itch allergies, yeast infections, & cat flea infestation. Southern States Coop. 742- 2128
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEAPart B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Chatham Charter School proposes for Federal funding for the 2025-2026 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and make comments concerning the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the days of May 16 through May 21, 2025, in the office of Julie Franklin, located at 2200 Hamp Stone Rd, Siler City, NC 27344. The school phone number is (919) 742-4550.
Notice to Creditors
Having qualified as EXECUTOR of the estate of the late Horst Albert Dewitz, formerly of 72 Chatham Business Drive, Pittsboro NC 27312, Chatham County, North Carolina, Annette Bucci, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the attorney of the undersigned at OMEGA ELDER LAW, PO Box 820, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 and the EXECUTOR at 241 High Ridge Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312 on or before the 1st day of August, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This is the 2nd day of April, 2025. Omega Elder Law, for Annette Bucci, EXECUTOR of the Estate of Horst Albert Dewitz, aka Horst A. Dewitz Janna M. Wallace, Attorney at Law Omega Elder Law PO Box 820 Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 23CvD000193-180 COUNTY OF CHATHAM Plaintiff, NOTICE OF SERVICE OF vs. PROCESS BY PUBLICATION The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of DONALD DEE LOWE, et al Defendants.
TO: The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of DONALD DEE LOWE and spouse, if any, which may include KASSIDY DAWN LOWE and spouse, if any, and any other person or entity claiming thereunder A pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on April 24th, 2025.
The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plaintiff seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property.
You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the first publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after April 24th, 2025, or by June 3, 2025, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought.
This the 14th day of April, 2025.
ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES
Mark D. Bardill/Mark B. Bardill
Attorney for Plaintiff NC Bar #12852/56782 310 W. Jones St. P. O. Box 25 Trenton, North Carolina 28585 Telephone: (252) 448-4541
Publication dates: April 24, 2025 May 1, 2025 May 8, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
25E000118-180 NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
The undersigned, Susan Elizabeth Moushon, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carl Eugene Moushon, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of July 31, 2025, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 2nd day of May, 2025. Susan Elizabeth Moushon Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
All persons having claims against Laurice Ferris, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to present them to Gwendolyn H Waddell-Schultz, Personal Representative of the Estate of Laurice Ferris, at NextGen Estate Solutions, 500 Westover Dr. #35317, Sanford, NC 27330 or before July 17, 2025. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Personal Representative, and the devisees of Laurice Ferris. Those indebted to Laurice Ferris are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate. Gwendolyn Waddel-Schults, Personal Representative Patricia Lewis, Co-Personal Representative C/O Brittany N. Porter, Attorney NextGen Estate Solutions 500 Westover Dr. #35317 Sanford, NC 27330
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE # 24 SP 1058-180
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY notice of PUBLIC sale In Re: Estate of Douglas H. Foxx W. WOODS DOSTER, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF DOUGLAS H. FOXX, Petitioner, vs. THOMAS C. FOXX, Respondent.
Pursuant to the Order for Possession, Custody, Control, and Sale of Real Property filed on June 4, 2024, in the above captioned proceeding, NOTICE is hereby given that the subject property described below will be put up for public sale on May 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.; the sale will be held at the Chatham County Courthouse in the designated area for sale.
The subject property is commonly referred to as 1036 Brower Road, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, Parcel #0061125, and more particularly described as follows: BEING ALL of Lot 6A, containing 0.905 acres, more or less, as shown on a map entitled, “Property of Ruth Fox,” prepared by Smith & Smith Surveyors, dated September 22, 1983, recorded at Map Book 36, Page 75, Chatham County Registry. Chatham County Parcel 00661125 Address: 1036 Brower Road
A cash deposit from the highest bidder equal to ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bid is required at the time of public sale. Said bid shall be reported to the Court and will remain open for the requisite upset bid period as required by law. The Court reserves the right to approve and reject all bids. THE PROPERTY IS SOLD AS-IS, WHERE-IS, WITH ALL FAULTS. This the _____ day of ________________, 2025.
J. Grant Brown, Attorney for Administrator Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned Commissioner certifies that he has this day served upon the below listed persons, a copy of the Notice of Sale for 1036 Brower Road, Siler City, NC 27344 by depositing a copy in a postpaid wrapper in the United States Postal Office, properly addressed to each part as follows: Thomas C. Foxx 7029 Cedar Park Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19138 This the _____ day of ________________, 2025.
J. Grant Brown, Attorney for Commissioner Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330
NOTICE
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Willow Oak Montessori School proposes for Federal funding for the 2025-2026 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and make comments concerning the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the days of May 19 through May 23, 2025. To review the Project and supply comments please email Amy Turner at aturner@willowoakmontessori.org or call (919)-240-7787 located at 1476 Andrews Store Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Public Notice
The proposed annual budget of Vaya Health LME/
MCO for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 will be presented to the Board of Directors in a public meeting of the Finance Committee at 3:00 p.m., and the full Board at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The budget will be available for public review beginning May 22, 2025 at http://vayahealth.com/. The Board will hold a public hearing on the budget at 4:30 p.m. on June 26, 2025. Any persons wanting to offer public comment about the proposed budget may do so during the Public Comment portion of the June 26 meeting. Board meeting agendas with connection information are posted at https://www. vayahealth.com/get-to-know-us/board-of-directors/.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of RACHEL
JESSUP JOHNSON, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned James Keith Johnson hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present them to him at 308 Elbert Johnson Road, Siler City, NC 27344 on or before the 17th day of July, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All of those indebted to the said estate are hereby re- quested to make prompt payment to the undersigned. This the 17th day of April, 2025. James Keith Johnson Executor of the Estate of RACHEL JESSUP JOHNSON 308 Elbert Johnson Road Siler City, NC 27344 Please publish the above Notice April 17 and 24, and May 1 and 8, 2025.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000203-180 The undersigned, LUKE SMITH AND LISA SMITH having qualified on the 14TH Day of APRIL, 2025 as CO-EXECUTORS of the Estate of RANDY LEE SMITH, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 24TH Day of JULY 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 the 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025. LUKE SMITH, CO-EXECUTOR 1853 POPE HILL CT KERNERSVILLE, NC 27284 LISA SMITH, CO-EXECUTOR 11274 US HWY 220 STONEVILLE, NC 27048 Run dates: A24,M1,8,15p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000205-180
The undersigned, WILLIAM ARTHUR BURGESS
having qualified on the 15TH Day of APRIL, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of VIRGINA L. BURGESS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 24TH Day of JULY 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 the 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.
WILLIAM ARTHUR BURGESS, EXECUTOR 7949 NC HWY 902 PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: A24,M1,8,15p
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION
CHATHAM COUNTY FILE NO. 10CvD000059-180 COUNTY OF CHATHAM Plaintiff, NOTICE OF SERVICE OF vs. PROCESS BY PUBLICATION The HEIRS, ASSIGNS and DEVISEES of PEGGY
LOU «ARMA» JOHNSON MCSWAIN, et al Defendants. TO: The HEIRS, ASSIGNS and DEVISEES of PEGGY
LOU “ARMA” JOHNSON MCSWAIN and spouse, if any, which may include The HEIRS, ASSIGNS and DEVISEES of JAMES ARTHUR MCSWAIN and spouse if any, and JANUS P. MCSWAIN, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder A pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on April 24, 2025.
The nature of the relief being sought is as follows:
Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plaintiff seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property.
You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the first publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after April 24, 2025, or by June 3, 2025, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought.
This the 14th day of April, 2025.
ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES
Mark D. Bardill/Mark B. Bardill
Attorney for Plaintiff NC Bar #12852/56782
310 W. Jones St. P. O. Box 25
Trenton, North Carolina 28585
Telephone: (252) 448-4541
Publication dates:
April 24, 2025
May 1, 2025 May 8, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
TOWN OF PITTSBORO
The Town of Pittsboro’s budget for FY 2025-2026 has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and a copy is available for public inspection in the office of the Town Clerk, Town of Pittsboro Town Hall, 287 East Street, Suite 221, Pittsboro, NC. The Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on the budget at 6:00pm, May 12, 2025, at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, located at US Highway 64 West Business, Pittsboro, NC.
Chatham News & Record:
ADVERTISE TWICE – ON 5/1 and 5/8/2025
PLEASE SEND (1) THE ORIGINAL PUBLICATION AFFIDAVIT TO THE TOWN CLERK AT PO BOX 759, PITTSBORO, NC 27312 AND (2) THE DIGITAL CERTIFICATION OF ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AT HMEACHAM@ PITTSBORONC.GOV.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
25E000148-180
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
The undersigned, Stephen P. Schnetzler, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of William P. Schnetzler, deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of July 31, 2025, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 2nd day of May, 2025.
Stephen P. Schnetzler Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000186-180
The undersigned, KEITH FREDERICK ALEXANDER, having qualified on the 4TH Day of APRIL, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of KATHLEEN ANN ALEXANDER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 17TH Day of JULY 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 the 17TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.
KEITH FREDERICK ALEXANDER, EXECUTOR 111 LANTERN RIDGE LANE CARY, NC 27519 Run dates: A17,24,M1,8p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000195-180 The undersigned, ETHAN DUNLAP SMITH having qualified on the 14TH Day of APRIL, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of HELEN JANE DUNLAP, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 24TH Day of JULY 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 the 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.
ETHAN DUNLAP SMITH, EXECUTOR 156 WINDSOR CIRCLE CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516 Run dates: A24,M1,8,15p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA
CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000002-180
The undersigned, NICHOLAS B. STARR, having qualified on the 3RD Day of JANUARY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of FREDDY LLOYD STARR, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 10TH Day of JULY 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 the 10TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025.
NICHOLAS B. STARR, ADMINISTRATOR 2122 ED CLAPP RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: A10,17,24,M1p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against James P. Ward, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before August 3, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 1st day of May, 2025. Peter J. Ward, Executor 225 Britten Pass Alpharetta, GA 30009
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Martha Ashley Orr qualified before the Chatham County Clerk of Court on April 9th, 2025 as The Executor of The Estate of Tamla Crisp Orr, 568 Lydia Perry Road, Sanford, NC 27330. This is to notify all persons, firms and corporations, as required by NCGS 28A-14-1, having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the attorney designated below on or before the 22nd Day of July, 2025 or this notice will be pled in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payments to the undersigned. Payments and claims should be presented to M. Andrew Lucas, P.O. Box 1045, Sanford, NC 27331-1045 Please Publish:
NOTICE
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of DIANNE GAINES DAVIS,
day of July, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All of those indebted to the said estate are hereby requested to make prompt payment to the undersigned. This the 10th day of April, 2025. Matthew G. Davis Executor of the Estate of DIANNE GAINES DAVIS P. O. Box 233 Goldston, NC 27252 Please publish the above Notice April 10, 17, and 24, and May 1, 2025.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000169-180 The undersigned, RICK BARKER, having qualified on the 27TH Day of MARCH 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of FRANCES V. BARKER, 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 10TH Day of JULY 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 10TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025. RICK BARKER, EXECUTOR 24103 MERCERS CROSSING CT. ALDIE, VA 20105 Run dates: A10,17,24,M1p
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY
FILE#25E000218-180
The undersigned, ROBERT YOX, having qualified on the 21ST Day of APRIL, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ANN L. YOX, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 24TH
PFAS from page A1
whether it intends to stand by those strict standards and defend the limits against a water utility industry challenge in federal court.
PFAS in drinking water created a crisis for many communities
In North Carolina, runoff from a Chemours plant contaminated the Cape Fear River, creating a crisis for cities like Wilmington that use it for drinking water. Amid public outcry, Wilmington effectively eliminated it from tap water.
Other U.S. communities — often near military bases or industrial sites — did the same when test results were frightening and public pressure, local leadership or state law forced PFAS-laden wells offline or prompted installation of expensive filtering systems, according to Mark White, drinking water global practice leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith.
The EPA said the PFAS found in North Carolina, often called GenX chemicals, can be toxic to the kidney. While other types of PFAS may raise kidney cancer risk, little research has focused on the link between kidney cancer and GenX, according to Sue Fenton, director of the Center for Human Health and the Environment at North Carolina State University. Chemours said evidence doesn’t support arguments that GenX at low levels is a health threat. The company has sharply reduced PFAS discharges.
So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the recently set EPA limits, but most aren’t above by much. Forcing this group to reduce PFAS more than doubles the rule’s health benefits but roughly triples its costs, the EPA has said.
The Biden administration’s rule set standards for two common types of PFAS at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected. Standards for several other PFAS chemicals were set, too, and utilities must meet those levels by 2029.
PFAS have had wide uses over the decades
Manufactured by companies like Chemours and 3M, PFAS were incredibly useful
in many applications — among them, helping clothes to withstand rain and ensuring that firefighting foam snuffed out flames. But the chemicals also accumulate in the body. As science advanced in recent years, evidence of harm at far lower levels became clearer.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has championed fossil fuels and the rollback of major clean air and water rules. His history with PFAS is more nuanced; during his time as a New York congressman, he supported legislation to regulate forever chemicals in drinking water.
“It’s an issue that touches people in a very tangible way across the political spectrum, including in Lee Zel-
din’s former district,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
Zeldin has offered clues about what the EPA could do. The agency estimated the rule would cost about $1.5 billion annually and Zeldin said recently that communities struggling to afford a fix for PFAS that are just above the standard might be handled differently than wealthy places with lots of it.
“What we are going to have to be is extremely thoughtful in figuring this out,” he said.
On Monday, the EPA said it will establish an agency lead for PFAS, develop wastewater lim-
its for PFAS manufacturers and investigate sources that pose an immediate danger to drinking water, among other actions.
EPA decision looms on whether to let the rule stay as it is
Soon, the EPA must tell a federal appeals court in Washington whether the rule should stand or be rewritten, although weakening it could be complicated because the Safe Drinking Water Act prevents new rules from being looser than previous ones. The agency could, however, encourage exemptions and deadline extensions, according to Erik Olson, an attorney with the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council supporting the current standards in the court case.
Consider Avondale, Arizona, outside of Phoenix, which produces PFAS results modestly above the limits. Officials have done detailed testing and are planning to enhance water treatment. All told, lowering PFAS may cost Avondale more than $120 million, according to Kirk Beaty, the city’s public utility director.
That’s money a city like Avondale “just doesn’t have sitting in a back room somewhere,” Beaty said, adding he’ll defer to federal experts to dictate what’s acceptable.
“We’re hoping we’re a little further ahead of everybody else. If the regulation changes, well
you know, we may let off the gas a little bit, we may not,” he said, adding that it is hard to justify spending extra money to do more than what’s required when the cost falls on residents.
If the government decides higher amounts of PFAS are acceptable, that could confuse people, especially in areas where the public is already concerned.
“If we enter into a gray area over what’s healthy and what’s not healthy, then utilities are at risk of being caught up in a debate for which they have no real responsibility nor expertise to decide on,” said Karine Rougé, CEO for municipal water at Veolia North America, a water operations company.
Industry group says the rule goes too far and is too costly
The American Water Works Association, an industry group, filed the court challenge to the new rule. It agrees that certain PFAS should be regulated but argues the EPA’s standards go too far, underestimate costs and are “neither feasible nor cost-effective.” There are serious consequences for residents’ water bills, it says.
The burden of complying will fall heavily on small utilities that can least afford it. Many water providers already struggle to maintain their existing infrastructure, some experts say. On top of everything else, they face new requirements to replace lead pipes. The AWWA wants the EPA to extend the PFAS and lead deadlines by two years. There is money available to help. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $9 billion for chemicals like PFAS and utilities have won multibillion-dollar settlements against PFAS polluters that help as well.
Meek, who successfully recovered after surgery from cancer and is now 59, is planning to sue over his illness. He once didn’t second-guess using tap water. Now he reaches for bottled water.
Donovan, who introduced Meek to PFAS and helped start Clean Cape Fear, says if the government’s standards are weakened, it’ll relieve pressure on utilities to effectively treat the water.
Previously, “our local utilities could tell us publicly that the water met or exceeded all state and federal guidelines because there weren’t any,” she said.
BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO
Water is processed through carbon filters inside large reservoirs designed to remove forever chemicals, known as PFAS.
BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO
Chris Meek, who survived cancer he suspects was caused PFAS in drinking water, stands in front of the Cape Fear River in Wilmington on Monday.
CHATHAM SPORTS
Seaforth boys’ lacrosse win big over crosstown rivals
“We always feel like the second half is ours.”
Joe Hubbard
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
PITTSBORO — The Seaforth boys’ lacrosse team had four players score multiple goals and never trailed in a 13-3 win over Northwood on April 24.
Junior attack Ivan Grimes recorded a team-high five points as he scored two goals and dished out a team-high three assists. Senior attack Cameron Exley, sophomore attack Oscar Ditter and senior midfielder Edwin Ledbetter also contributed two goals each.
“We were just finding the open guy on the crease, moving the ball fast, keeping the defense guessing, and we just had to take quality shots,” Grimes said.
Senior midfielder Layne Armstrong did much of the dirty work, scooping up a teamhigh eight groundballs and winning 11 out of 18 faceoffs.
Up 6-2 at halftime, Seaforth pulled away from the Chargers in the second half thanks to some strategy adjustments.
“I think the biggest adjustment was the halftime flow,” Seaforth coach Joe Hubbard said. “What we do at halftime, we tweaked that a little bit in
this game, and I think that really helped with keeping guys moving at halftime. Keep the blood flowing. Keep their sticks working.”
Said Hubbard, “Other than that, we switched a little bit of our strategy. A little more pressure on our rides, tweaked the clear a little bit, made sure we were finding the open guys. But ultimately, it just came down to the heart. We always feel like the second half is ours.”
After goals from Grimes and Exley gave Seaforth a 2-0 lead just two minutes into the game, Northwood hung around thanks to a stellar goalkeeping performance from junior James Flanagan. Seaforth threw 35 shots on goal to Northwood’s 18, but Flanagan, who recorded 17 saves, was a huge reason why the Hawks didn’t pull away in the first two quarters.
Junior Jackson Glinski notched Northwood’s first goal of the game, making it a 2-1 deficit with seven minutes left in the first quarter. But, that was the closest the Chargers would be for the rest of the night.
Ditter scored the last two goals of the quarter to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead. From there, it seemed as if the Hawks had a crucial response to each Northwood score.
After junior Grayson Cox brought the Chargers within two with a score in the second quarter, Exley responded with a goal less than a minute later.
Then, Northwood junior Braeden Spacek brought his team back within three with a goal early in third quarter, but just over a minute later, Ledbetter nullified the Chargers’ progress with a score of his own — the first of seven straight goals to end the night.
“It started since freshman year, just having the biggest rivalry with this school and the chippiness and stuff,” Exley said. “It just sparks a little bit under us, I think, when they score then we want to step back up and win.”
Seaforth also got scores from freshman Tyler Watkins, senior Connor Yalch, junior Jack Petrusa, senior Jackson Powell and junior Raiden Flowers.
The Hawks, sitting at 12-3 and 11-1 in Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference play (second place) as of Sunday, are still in the race with first-place Orange for a share of the
See LACROSSE, page B3
CHATHAM COUNTY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW
Seaforth softball will make its first playoff appearance
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
DIAMOND FIELDS around the county are ready for the postseason.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association baseball and softball playoffs will begin with the first round on May 6. This week, conference tournament champions will be crowned ahead of the final seedings of each bracket.
In both the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A and Central Tar Heel 1A conferences, there will be two automatic state playoff berths reserved for the regular season conference champion and the conference tournament champion or the regular season conference runner up. The remaining nonautomatic qualifying teams will be determined by the ratings percentage index, or RPI, standings.
RPI considers the winning percentage of a team, its opponents and its opponent’s oppo -
nents when determining how a team will be seeded.
The NCHSAA will seed 32 eastern and 32 western teams in each state bracket. Based on conference and RPI standings as of Sunday, here’s a playoff outlook for the county teams projected to make the state tournament.
BASEBALL
Seaforth (2A East, automatic bid)
Conference/conference record/finish: Mid-Carolina 1A/2A, 11-1, first place RPI: 0.565895
Projected seed: 8
After earning a 7-seed and making the third round in its first playoff appearance in 2024, Seaforth should get the opportunity to host the first two rounds again. The Hawks, now
page B2
Woods Charter girls’ soccer falls to undefeated Franklin Academy
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
CHAPEL HILL — Franklin Academy senior Olivia Olarte scored four goals to lead the undefeated Patriots over Woods Charter 7-1 in a nonconference girls’ soccer matchup on April 23.
After giving Franklin Academy a 1-0 lead at halftime with her first goal, Olarte spearheaded a nearly 20-minute long scoring outburst in the second half, notching three of the Patriots’ next four scores for a 5-0 lead.
“We weren’t seeing the ball,” Woods Charter coach Graeme Stewart said. “We weren’t anticipating. We weren’t pressing like we had been. We were giving them way too much space, and if you give talented players like
“Now we know what it looks like. We know what good looks like.”
Graeme Stewart
them space, they’re going to hurt you.”
Senior Lydia Rogers split Olarte’s run of scores with a goal of her own, and junior Kayla Rice gave the Patriots a 6-0 advantage with less than 20 minutes to play. As the Patriots’ offense slowed down in the game’s final minutes, junior Audrey Probasco put the finishing touches on the win by knocking in her teammate’s free kick. For Woods Charter, the first half told a much different story. After giving up an early goal,
See SOCCER, page B3
The Wolves had no answer for Olivia Olarte
The Hawks sweep Northwood for the second straight season
PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Chatham Charter infielder Westin Phillips flies over a South Stokes runner during a game earlier this season. Phillips and the Knights are now preparing for the postseason.
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Seaforth’s Ivan Grimes (right) makes a move against Northwood on his way to a five-point night.
UNC’s Powell declares for NBA Draft
The former Northwood star announced his decision last week
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
FORMER NORTHWOOD
basketball star Drake Powell declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, per an announcement on social media.
Powell, a 6-foot-6 guard and forward, made 27 starts in his freshman year at UNC. He averaged 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting the 3 at a solid 36.4% clip.
“I was born and bred a Tar Heel, and to have the opportunity to put on that uniform, run through that tunnel and compete for the university that I love is a feeling that is unmatched and I’ll never take that for granted,” Powell said in a statement. “However, competing at the highest level has always been the ultimate goal.”
Powell showcased his elite defensive abilities throughout the season, finishing third on the team and the highest amongst guards in blocks (25) and fourth on the team in steals (26).
Although he didn’t have
SIDELINE REPORT
NASCAR
Legge claims she’s receiving death threats after Xfinity crash at Rockingham
Rockingham
NASCAR driver Katherine Legge said she has been receiving “hate mail” and “death threats” after a crash last weekend at Rockingham. Legge was off the pace when she was hit by William Sawalich and collected Kasey Kahne. Legge said “the inappropriate social media comments I’ve received aren’t just disturbing, they are unacceptable.” The 44-year-old Legge has started four Indianapolis 500s and been a regular in several series around the world. But she is a relative novice when it comes to stock cars. She crashed in her Cup Series debut at Phoenix earlier this season.
MLB Arizona’s Suárez becomes 19th player in MLB history with 4 home runs in game
Phoenix Arizona Diamondbacks
third baseman Eugenio Suárez homered in his first four at-bats against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, becoming the 19th player in MLB history to hit four homers in a game and first since 2017. The 33-year-old third baseman hit a solo shot in the second, a two-run homer in the fourth, and two more solo drives in the sixth and ninth. Suárez has 10 homers this season.
NWSL
NWSL submits request for lower-tier women’s league to develop players
The National Women’s Soccer League has asked U.S. Soccer to sanction a lower division women’s professional soccer league that could launch as early as next year. The six-team league would sit on the second tier of the U.S. soccer pyramid, below the NWSL and the USL Women’s Super League, and would serve to develop young players.
“Competing at the highest level has always been the ultimate goal.”
Drake Powell
a spectacular offensive year, Powell flashed his abilities as a slasher, using his athleticism to get to the rim and finish strong in transition. He poured in a few double-digit scoring performances, including a season-high 18 points (7 for 9 from the field, 4 for 6 from 3) in a loss to Michigan State.
The draft will take place on June 25-26 in Brooklyn, New York. The deadline to withdraw and maintain college eligibility is June 15.
Should he follow through and make a roster for the 2025-26 season, Powell will be the first player who graduated from a Chatham County high school to play in the NBA.
Prior to his lone season at UNC, Powell built himself into a five-star prospect at Northwood. He averaged 17.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists as a senior and earned the title of a McDonald’s All-American.
NCAA SPORTS
Judge delays $2.8B NCAA settlement to address roster limit concerns
San Francisco
The judge overseeing the sprawling $2.8 billion antitrust lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA and the nation’s five largest conferences has delayed final approval of the plan until it is modified to address concerns about roster limits.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken signaled she is ready to approve the rest of the settlement but wants both sides to come up with a way to not harm current athletes who will lose their spots on teams. The settlement calls for scholarship limits to be replaced by roster limits.
Some attorneys argued that Wilken’s order could throw college sports into chaos.
NCAA SPORTS
Former Baylor official placed nearly 3,000 impermissible fantasy bets, 113 involving the school Waco, Texas
A former Baylor athletic official has received a show- cause penalty from the NCAA after he placed nearly 3,000 impermissible daily fantasy bets on professional and college games over a five-year period. Those included 113 involving Baylor teams and student-athletes.
Sam Hancock, Baylor’s former director of resource development, allegedly placed 2,950 impermissible bets totaling $45,979 on three different sports betting platforms from July 2019 through September 2024. He acknowledged that he engaged in sports betting before his employment at Baylor and continued to do so after being hired, despite knowing it violated NCAA rules.
back-to-back conference champions, could make an even deeper run this year with more experience and their impressive balance of hitting and pitching.
Northwood (2A East)
Conference/conference record/finish: Mid-Carolina 1A/2A, 7-5, third place
RPI: 0.496087
Projected seed: 28
Last year, Northwood earned a 25 seed and fell just short of upsetting No. 8 Bunn in extra innings. The Chargers brought much of that experience back this season and could be a tough out once again, especially with sophomore Finn Sullivan on the mound. However, the Chargers haven’t been as consistent as they’d hope for with their level of play, and they’ll need their best stuff to make it out of the first few rounds.
Chatham Charter (1A East, automatic bid)
Conference/conference record/finish: Central Tar Heel 1A, 8-0, first place
RPI: 0.531407
Projected seed: 6
Chatham Charter is coming off another dominant conference season and could earn a 6 seed for the second year in a row. The Knights, who have yet to make it past the third round, will likely get to host the first two rounds and look to surpass last year’s upset loss to No. 22 Southside. As a team that didn’t score much in its nonconference matchups this season, Chatham Charter will have to find a way to generate runs to get over its playoff hump.
Chatham Central (1A East)
Conference/conference record/finish: Mid-Carolina
1A/2A, 5-7, tied fourth place
(tied first in 1A split)
RPI: 0.425080
Projected seed: 31
Chatham Central will likely be one of the lowest seeds in the 1A bracket should it earn a berth. The Bears have had an up and down season as they’ve shown they can compete with good teams, but they’ve also taken some big losses (nine losses by at least five runs). Chatham Central will also have to generate runs to have a chance at an upset. The Bears are 7-1 when they score at least five runs.
SOFTBALL
Seaforth (2A East, automatic bid)
Conference/conference record/finish: Mid-Carolina
1A/2A, 11-3, second place
(first in 2A split)
RPI: 0.530038
Projected seed: 8
feated when they reach double digit runs, and they will need more big offensive performances to win in the playoffs.
Chatham Central (1A East, automatic bid)
Conference/conference record/finish: Mid-Carolina 1A/2A, 14-0, first place
Seaforth will make its first playoff appearance in program history after turning a 6-14 campaign from last year into a program-record 11 wins in 2025. The Hawks will likely get to host their first playoff game, and they should feel confident considering the season they had. Seaforth competed with and beat good teams in Jordan-Matthews and North Moore, riding the marriage of an explosive offense and stellar pitching from Emma Grace Hill. Should those two things continue to work together, Seaforth could win some games in the state tournament.
Jordan-Matthews (2A East)
Conference/conference record/finish: Mid-Carolina
1A/2A, 9-5, third place
RPI: 0.509389
Projected seed: 20
Jordan-Matthews will be a tough out, even if they must go on the road as the 20 seed. Although the Jets are younger than last year, they still have a lot of playoff experience. Looking at its results from this season, Jordan-Matthews is hard to beat when its players are on at the plate. The Jets are unde-
RPI: 0.585835
Projected seed: 6
After being the team to beat in conference play, Chatham Central is now one of the teams to beat in the 1A East bracket. The Bears didn’t only dominate in the conference — they went 3-2 in nonconference games with their only two losses all season coming from Uwharrie Charter. Chatham Central will likely get to host its first two rounds as it tries to best last year’s second-round loss.
Chatham Charter (1A East)
Conference/conference record/finish: Central Tar Heel 1A, 6-3, second place RPI: 0.488382
Projected seed: 21
Chatham Charter didn’t finish on top of the Central Tar Heel 1A conference for the first time since 2022, likely earning themselves a much lower seed than last season. The Knights will likely have to travel for their first-round matchup. They’ll have to play their best offensive games to win in the playoffs as the Knights are 1-6 when scoring 5 or less runs.
JEFF DEAN / AP PHOTO
Drake Powell has his eyes on the NBA.
PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Chatham Central’s Maddie Kaczmarczyk gets ready to throw a pitch in a game against Seaforth last week.
Local high school teams across the two sports are projected to make the playoffs
Gatcomb to become new Woods Charter athletic director
The new athletic director will begin on July 1
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
WOODS CHARTER School will have a new athletic director after the end of this school year. Jordan Gatcomb, the athletic director at Voyager Academy in Durham, will take over for Dena Floyd in June, the school told the Chatham News & Record. She will officially begin on July 1.
Gatcomb has served as Voyager Academy’s athletic director since 2021. Prior to Voyager Academy, she led the creation of the women’s varsity rugby team and club cheerleading at Guilford College. She’s also worked in athletics at The North Carolina School of Science and Math (athletic coordinator and physical activity office manager), Wellesley College and Wheelock College (athletics department intern). Before working in athletics, Gatcomb played softball at the University of Southern Maine, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and
the Wolves held Franklin Academy scoreless for about 20 minutes while also creating scoring opportunities for themselves.
“In the first half, we were doing all of those things that we’d worked on, and we were creating chances,” Stewart said. “We had three or four in the first half.” Said Stewart, “For our young team, I thought the first half we showed a lot of composure, maturity and solidity.”
Stewart’s message at the half was to get the next goal and even the score, but he said his team didn’t come out with the same focus.
“We were still on the bench, and boom, goal,” Stewart said. “So then, the game changes.”
Woods Charter eventually regained its footing late in the second half despite being down my multiple scores. With about 10 minutes left to play, freshman Eve Terrell knocked in the Wolves’ only score of the night, avoiding being shut out for the fourth time this season.
“What I’m really proud of is after that rocky period, we got our composure back,” Stewart
media studies. She earned a Master of Education degree in the administration of higher education from Suffolk University.
After 11 years, Floyd’s last day at Woods Charter will be June 11. She will start as the sports information director at Ravenscroft School on July 1. Floyd started as Woods Charter’s athletic director in 2014. She has overseen many
Woods Charter freshman Eve Terrell scored the team’s only goal in a loss to Franklin Academy.
said. “Towards the end, we were getting corners, and we had good position, and we got the goal out of it. They’re not giving up many goals to anybody to be honest.”
Despite this being the Wolves’ largest loss of the season, maintaining composure and simply competing in the game was an important feat for them.
Following last season’s loss
11
Years of Dena Floyd as Woods Charter’s athletic director
athletic successes in her tenure, including multiple state championship appearances in girls’ soccer, the first playoff appearance for boys’ basketball and the creation of the school’s swim team spearheaded by state champion Daisy Collins. In 2018, Floyd earned the North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association Athletic Director/Administrator of the Year Award.
Gatcomb will lead Woods Charter into a new athletic conference this fall. With the North Carolina High School Athletic Association going to eight classifications next season, Woods Charter will join familiar opponents in Ascend Leadership, Chatham Charter, Clover Garden School, River Mill Academy, Southern Wake Academy and Central Carolina Academy in the new Central Tar Heel 1A conference.
in the 1A state championship game, Woods Charter lost 11 players. This year, the 18-player squad is made up of 12 freshmen and zero seniors.
Playing against Franklin Academy, the No. 1 team in the 2A East RPI standings (15-0 as of Sunday), provided the pups a taste of championship-level soccer which also serves as preparation for the upcoming playoffs.
Woods Charter has still been a force this season, remaining undefeated in Central Tar Heel 1A conference play as of Sunday (only three goals allowed to conference opponents) and climbing to fourth in the 1A East RPI standings.
The Wolves, even if inexperienced, still have a good enough team to make a deep playoff run.
“Whatever we do in the East, we’re not going to see a team like that,” Stewart said. “Now we know what it looks like. We know what good looks like. And that — because we competed so well, and like I said, I’m really proud of the way we competed for most of the game — it breeds belief. So, I’m not focusing on the score.”
Emily Scheidt
Chatham Charter, girls’ soccer
Chatham Charter’s Emily Scheidt earns athlete of the week honors for last week.
Scheidt had two big games for the Knights last week. She scored a team and season-high six goals and notched three assists in the Knights’ 11-5 win over Central Carolina Academy on April 21. She also scored the only goal needed to beat Triangle Math and Science 1-0 on April 23.
The freshman has made an immediate impact in her first varsity season, leading the team in goals (19). She’s recorded five games as of Sunday with multiple scores.
LACROSSE from page B1
conference title. After playing Western Alamance Tuesday, Orange will have two conference games remaining: Northwood (fifth place) and Cedar Ridge (sixth place). Following games against Williams and nonconference opponent Union Pines earlier this week, Seaforth will have three conference games left: Williams (fourth place), Eastern Alamance (seventh place) and Western Alamance (eighth place).
Should both teams finish with the same record, Seaforth will grab a share of the conference title for the first time in program histo-
ry after finishing second in 2024. Following the win over Northwood, Exley mentioned some things that have made the difference in the two seasons.
“I think we have more team chemistry this year with having a few good freshmen come in and just being able to get all together” Exley said. “More honestly, more depth in the midfield to help us. Last year we didn’t have that much depth, but this year we have more, so we can rotate through more and not be as gassed sometimes. We have a lot more action in the midfield, putting up a lot more points than we did last season. I think that’s one of the main things.”
JORDAN GATCOMB / LINKEDIN
Jordan Gatcomb will take over as the new athletic director at Woods Charter.
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Cindric delivers Penske first win of Cup Series season
The victory at Talladega snapped a 30-race losing streak for him
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Austin Cindric gave Team Penske its first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season by holding off a huge pack of challengers over the closing lap in a rare drama-free day at Talladega Superspeedway.
Well, there was a tiny bit of drama: Penske teammate Joey
Logano was livid following the end of Sunday’s second stage when Cindric didn’t push him, allowing Toyota driver Bubba Wallace to win the stage.
“Way to go Austin,” seethed Logano, who used multiple expletives in his anger over his Penske radio. “You just gave it to him. Gave a Toyota a stage win. Nice job. Way to go ... put that in the book.”
It didn’t matter to Cindric as he celebrated the third win of his Cup Series career and snapped a 30-race losing streak. The victory makes him the first Penske driver locked into the playoffs.
“Rock on, guys,” Cindric said over his radio. “Rock and roll. Let’s go!”
Cindric was followed by Ryan Preece as Ford drivers went 1-2. Kyle Larson and William Byron finished third and fourth for Hendrick Motorsports, but the two Chevrolet drivers pushed Cindric and Preece from the second row rather than pull out of line on the final lap and make a third lane in an attempt to win.
It was Larson’s best career finish at Talladega, where drafting and pack racing is required and neither suits his style. He said he wanted to make a move to try to take the win from Cindric, but there was never any room.
“I wanted to take it, but I felt like the gap was too big,” Larson said. “I was just stuck inside and just doing everything I could to advance our lane and maybe open it up to where I then could get to the outside. But we were all just pushing so equally that
“About time one of us wins these things.”
Teammate Joey Logano
it kept the lanes jammed up.” Logano was fifth and followed by Noah Gragson for two more Ford cars, while Hendrick driver Chase Elliott was seventh — two spots ahead of teammate Alex Bowman, with Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports sandwiched in between at eighth. Wallace at 10th was the highest-finishing Toyota driver. Cindric led five times but for only seven of the 188 laps in an unusually calm race for chaotic Talladega. The track last fall recorded the largest crash in the Cup Series history when 28 cars were collected in a demolition derby with four laps remaining.
On Sunday, there were only four cautions — two for stage
breaks — totaling 22 laps. It was the fourth consecutive Talladega race with only four cautions, the two for stage breaks and the two for natural cautions.
But Sunday featured season highs in lead changes (67) among different drivers (23).
Only five cars failed to finish from the 40-car field, and a whopping 30 drivers finished on the lead lap.
Cindric marked the 10th consecutive different winner at Talladega, extending the track record of no repeat winners. And, by the time it was over, Logano seemed to have calmed down.
“About time one of us wins these things,” Logano said of the Penske trio. “When you think about the amount of laps led by Team Penske and Ford in general, just haven’t been able to close. To see a couple of Fords on the front row duking it out, I wish one of them was me, in a selfish way. But it’s good to see those guys running up there and being able to click one off.”
ly called, and then the officials opted for a five-minute major on Meier, which allowed for a video review. After the review, the referees determined there was no penalty on the play.
The Carolina goalie was injured in the second period after a collision with Timo Meier
By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
NEWARK, N.J. — The Hurricanes have faced some adversity despite being in control of their first round series against the New Jersey Devils since their few minutes of the opening game.
But not even a Game 3 double-overtime loss felt like as dire a situation as goaltender Frederik Andersen being flat on his back in the net in Sunday’s Game 4 after a second period collision with Devils forward Timo Meier.
“It was a tough moment for us,” said stablemate Pyotr Kochetkov, who came on in relief when Andersen went to the locker room, knocked out of the game with the Hurricanes leading by two goals just before the midway point of regulation. It got tougher when Meier’s spinning shot from the side boards skittered past Kochetkov, cutting Carolina’s lead to one just over three minutes after Andersen was helped off the ice.
“When he scored, it’s my goal,” Kochetkov said, taking
the blame for allowing New Jersey to get within a goal. “I try to just focus for the next shot. … I needed to feel the puck, and after I had a couple shots, the game (came to) me.”
He also had the help of Andrei Svechnikov.
Svechnikov finished with the second postseason hat trick in franchise history and Kochetkov shut the door the rest of the way, stopping the other 14 shots he faced, as the Hurricanes won 5-2 at Prudential Center to take a 3-1 series lead and push the Devils to the brink of elimination.
“It was kind of a hard season for me, but right now, in playoff time, it’s kind of my time,” said Svechnikov, who also scored the other hat trick, in the COVID season qualifying round against the Rangers, in 2020. “I love this time of the year. I love playing a physical game and just trying to do everything that’s going to help my team win the games.”
The real challenge, however, was still ahead for the visiting Hurricanes.
Nico Hischier got New Jersey on the scoreboard just over two minutes later, then Meier, engaged with Svechnikov, crashed into Andersen shortly thereafter, knocking the Carolina goalie from the game.
No penalty was initial-
“There’s clearly contact, and you’re not really supposed to go in there,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of the contact by Meier, who has been stymied by Andersen throughout the series. “And maybe even if we had a little bump, it’s still — he’s a big guy, he could stop. But it wasn’t egregious, I get it.”
To their credit, the Hurricanes resisted seeking retribution on Meier and instead tried to reestablish their game.
“We know in a game you’re leading … that we don’t need any fights or anything, any more penalties,” Svechnikov said.
“And we just tried to stay focused and try to play our game.” Svechnikov then finished off his hat trick, scoring into an empty net to seal Game 4 and send the Hurricanes back to Raleigh with a chance to close out the series on Tuesday.
“Your best players have to be your best players. … He was around it,” Brind’Amour said of Svechnikov.
Carolina may need to do it without Andersen, whose history of injuries has always served as a looming dark cloud over his successes.
“He wasn’t good enough to continue,” Brind’Amour said. “So that’s not a good sign. But I don’t have any other information, so we’ll know more, I guess, tomorrow when he gets evaluated.”
SETH WENIG / AP PHOTO
Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov celebrates his third goal in Carolina’s 5-2 Game 4 win Sunday in Newark, New Jersey.
BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO
NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Cindric (2) beats driver Ryan Preece (60) to the finish line during Sunday’s race at Talladega.
Seaforth baseball claims back-to-back conference titles
By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record
Baseball
Seaforth claimed their second straight Mid-Carolina 1A/2A regular season conference title with a 3-1 win over Southeast Alamance on April 24.
With both teams scoreless through the first three innings, Seaforth took the lead in the top of the fourth when sophomore Duncan Parker singled to right field and knocked in sophomores Jack Simpson and Easton Sykes, who were on third and second base respectively.
Senior Daniel White gave the Hawks an extra cushion in the top of the sixth when he batted sophomore Anthony Landano home for a 3-0 lead.
Junior pitcher Jaedyn Rader, who earned the win on the mound, gave up zero earned runs in six innings.
Chatham Charter clinched its third straight Central Tar Heel 1A conference title with back-to-back wins over Clover Garden School last week. After an 8-1 win on April 22, junior Tyner Williams led the way with a 2-for-3, two RBI batting performance, and senior Zach Cartrette threw eight strikeouts in a 7-1 win on April 24.
Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (final) (overall, conference): 1. Seaforth (15-7, 11-1); 2. Southeast Alamance (16-6, 10-2); 3. Northwood (11-8, 7-5); T4. Chatham Central (6-14, 5-7); T4. North Moore (8-9, 5-7); 6. Bartlett Yancey (5-13, 3-8); 7. Jordan-Matthews (0-18, 0-12)
Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (final): 1. Chatham Charter (12-7, 8-0); T2. River Mill (9-6, 5-3); T2. Clover Garden School (8-11, 5-3); T4. Triangle Math & Science (3-9, 1-7); T4. Southern Wake Academy (1-8, 1-7)
Softball
Seaforth locked up a second-place finish in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference with a 9-4 win over Jordan-Matthews on April 22. Cami Brinkley led the Hawks’ offense with a 4 for 4, one RBI performance.
With a 9-0 win over North Moore on April 24, Chatham Central finished the regular season with an undefeated conference record for the first time since 2019. The Bears ended the
@JAEDYNRADER2317 / INSTAGRAM
Seaforth’s Jaedyn Rader, shown here in an earlier game, had six shutout innings to earn a win last week.
regular season on a seven-game win streak.
Chatham Charter ended its regular season with an 11-0 win over Northwood on April 25. Allie McLeod won the game on the mound with eight strikeouts (53 strikes out of 70 pitches) in six innings. The Knights finished second in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference.
Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (final): 1. Chatham Central (14-0); 2. Seaforth (11-3); T3. Jordan-Matthews; T3. North Moore (146, 9-5); 5. Southeast Alamance (9-10, 7-7); 6. Northwood (4-10, 4-15); T7. Bartlett Yancey (1-13, 1-13); T7. Graham (3-15, 1-13) Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (final): 1. Clover Garden School (10-6, 7-2); 2. Chatham Charter (10-7, 6-3); 3. River Mill (9-6, 5-4); 4. Ascend Leadership (0-10, 0-9) Girls’ soccer
Seaforth extended its win streak to nine last week with three straight shutout wins over Cummings (10-0), Northwood (3-0) and Southern Lee (5-0). Freshman Amara Darden stepped up in a huge way, combining for four goals against Cummings and Northwood.
Chatham Charter snapped its three-game losing streak with two wins over Central Carolina Academy (11-5) and Triangle Math and Science (1-0). Freshman Emily Scheidt scored a team-high six goals and junior Kaylee Root scored five goals in the win over Central Carolina Academy.
Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Seaforth (12-2-1, 9-0); 2. Southeast Alamance (8-5-2, 7-2); 3. Northwood (97, 8-3); 4. North Moore (102, 5-2); 5. Bartlett Yancey (5-9, 4-5); 6. Jordan-Matthews (512, 3-8); 7. Graham (2-9, 1-8); 8. Cummings (0-11, 0-9)
Central Tar Heel 1A conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Woods Charter (8-4-1, 7-0); 2. Southern Wake Academy (73, 7-1); 3. River Mill (7-6-1, 5-3); 4. Clover Garden School (6-8, 4-3); 5. Chatham Charter (59, 3-5); T6. Triangle Math and Science (0-13, 0-7); T6. Ascend Leadership (1-8, 0-7)
Boys’ lacrosse
Seaforth attacks Cameron Exley and Ivan Grimes combined for 11 goals in Seaforth’s 18-10 win over Southern Alamance on April 22. Northwood had four play-
ers (Grayson Cox, Robert Tripp, Eli Minges and Jackson Glinski) score three goals in its 15-1 rout over Western Alamance on April 21.
Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Orange (15-3, 121); 2. Seaforth (12-3, 11-1); T3. Southern Alamance (14-4, 8-4); T3. Williams (10-7, 8-4); T5. Northwood (7-9, 7-7); T5. Cedar Ridge (7-7, 6-6); 7. Eastern Alamance (5-11, 3-10); 8. Western Alamance (1-13, 1-11); 9. Southeast Alamance (3-15, 1-13)
Girls’ lacrosse
DC/Northern Lakes Athletic/Central/Mid-Carolina conference standings (as of Sunday): 1. Chapel Hill (171, 10-0); 2. East Chapel Hill (142, 7-1); 3. Seaforth (6-6, 5-4); 4. Jordan (3-6, 2-3); 5. Carrboro (5-8, 3-5); 6. Northwood (2-7, 0-5); 7. Riverside-Durham (016, 0-9)
Boys’ tennis
Chatham Charter’s Thomas Bjork won the Central Tar Heel 1A conference singles tournament, becoming the first boys’ tennis player in school history to win a conference title.
Seaforth’s Joaquin Hernan-
dez Gonzalez won the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference singles tournament, and the Seaforth duo of Matthew Bowser and Henry McFall took first in the doubles tournament.
All first-place finishers will advance to their respective regionals from May 2-3. Here are the other regional qualifiers:
1A East (Herman Park): Zane Morgan (Chatham Charter, singles); Adam Reece and Miguel Kirkman (Chatham Charter, doubles); Andrew Bednar and Jase Nicks (Chatham Charter, doubles)
2A Mideast (Flaherty Park): Lukas Olson (Seaforth, singles); I’Jon Sinclair (Northwood, singles); Francisco Ibarra (Jordan-Matthews, singles); Gavin Maley and Brennan Luster (Seaforth, doubles); Ronan Bradshaw and Isaac Giligan (Northwood, doubles); Marchus Enochs and Michael Beck (Northwood, doubles)
Track and field
Seaforth senior Jack Anstrom ran a personal-best of 4 minutes, 6.96 seconds to win the 1,600-meter run at the Cary AC Elite Sprint and Distance meet Friday.
Chatham Central freshman Tyler Congrove set a new personal record of 10.94 seconds to win the 100-meter dash at the North Moore meet on April 23. Team scores from the North Moore meet: Girls: Jordan-Matthews (81.5); 2. Seaforth (65.5); T3. North Moore (37); T3. Chatham Central (37)
Boys: Jordan-Matthews (102); 2. Seaforth (65): 3. Chatham Central (27); 4. North Moore (20)
Jordan-Matthews High School will host co-ed volleyball sessions for youth aged 9-18 (third-12th grade) starting May 1. There will be eight sessions directed by Jordan-Matthews volleyball coach Johnny Alston consisting of fundamental skill development, drills and friendly competition. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 1-22 (except May 14 and 19, and dates are subject to change). Grades 3-6 will have sessions from 5-6 p.m. while grades 7-12 will play from 6:15-7:15 p.m. The cost will be $55 per participant. Participants can register by contacting Alston at jlalston@ms.com.
Spielberg, De Niro praise Coppola for earning AFI Life Achievement Award
The auteur directed many iconic films including “The Godfather”
By Krysta Fauria
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Steven
Spielberg proclaimed, “The Godfather” the “greatest American film ever made,” Robert De Niro teasingly bemoaned being cast in the sequel and not the original, and Harrison Ford fought back tears reflecting on his role in the 1974 film, “The Conversation.”
At the center of it all was Francis Ford Coppola, who on Saturday received the AFI Life Achievement Award at a ceremony at Dolby Theatre that brought together legendary stars from a seemingly bygone era of cinema,
A founding AFI trustee, Coppola’s recognition from the organization was a kind of full circle moment for the “Apocalypse Now” director.
“When I was a kid, there was the Oscars and that was it. Now they’re going to have an award show for the best award show,” the 86-year-old said on the red carpet ahead of the show. “But this is a little different because it’s a personal recognition of the people that you’ve known all your life and your colleagues over many years, so it’s like a homecoming in a way.”
“You, sir, are peerless. You have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film.”
Steven Spielberg
“You, sir, are peerless. You have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film,” Spielberg said.
Coppola sat between Spielberg and George Lucas, as actors and fellow filmmakers like Spike Lee, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino and Morgan Freeman took turns gushing over the Oscar winner.
“Dreamer of dreams on a dime, teller of tales that cost and lost millions. But tonight, (expletive) the bankers and the bank,” Freeman said to laughs and cheers.
Lucas, Coppola’s longtime friend and colleague, presented him with the award. The pair have known each other for decades and cofounded their own production company, American Zoetrope, in 1969.
“You rounded up a bunch of young film students, gathered us together. We moved to San Francisco, hoping to beat the system. And we did. Like the filmmakers from the dawn of the art form, we had no rules. We wrote them, and you were holding the pen,” Lucas said.
Coppola was mostly stoic
throughout the ceremony as Hollywood sang his praises — until he accepted the award at the end of the night.
“Now I understand here, this place that created me, my home, isn’t really a place at all, but you — friends, colleagues, teachers, playmates, family, neighbors, all the beautiful faces are welcoming me back,” he said. “I am and will always be nothing more than one of you.”
Coppola was the 50th recipient of the award first handed out to John Ford in 1973.
Coppola last year released his long-in development “Megalopolis,” a Roman epic set in a modern New York. The film drew mixed reviews from critics and flopped with audiences.
“For a year in our culture when the importance of the arts is minimized, and our industry is seemingly out in the open that the only metric to judge a film’s success is by how much money it makes, I hang on to individuals like Francis for inspiration, who live through their convictions,” said Adam Driver, who starred in the film.
CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO
Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, right, accepts the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award from presenters George Lucas, left, and Steven Spielberg on Saturday.
this week in history
Napoleon dies in exile, Eiffel Towers opens, Shepard goes into space, Mandela wins presidency,
MAY 1
1931: The Empire State Building was dedicated in New York City; it would be the world’s tallest building for four decades.
1960: The Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 reconnaissance plane over Sverdlovsk and captured its pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
1963: Jim Whittaker became the first American to summit Mount Everest.
1971: The national passenger rail service Amtrak went into operation.
2011: President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden.
MAY 2
1927: The U.S. Supreme Court, in Buck v. Bell, upheld 8-1 a Virginia law allowing the forced sterilization of people in order to promote the “health of the patient and the welfare of society.”
1972: A fire at the Sunshine silver mine in Kellogg, Idaho, claimed the lives of 91 miners who succumbed to
carbon monoxide poisoning.
1994: Nelson Mandela claimed victory in the wake of South Africa’s first democratic elections
MAY 3
1802: Washington, D.C., was incorporated as a city.
1937: Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, “Gone with the Wind.”
1979: The Conservative Party ousted the incumbent Labour government in British parliamentary elections.
MAY 4
1904: The United States took over construction of the Panama Canal from France.
1942: The Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircraft, began in the Pacific during World War II.
2006: A federal judge sentenced Zacarias Moussaoui to life in prison for his role in the 9/11 attacks, telling the convicted terrorist, “You will die with a whimper.”
MAY 5
1821: Napoleon Bonaparte, 51, died in exile on the island of St. Helena.
MAZHAR ALI KHAN / AP PHOTO
Former President Barack Obama announces that Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in a raid in Pakistan on May 1, 2011, ending a nearly decade-long search.
MAY 6
1882: President Chester Alan Arthur signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese laborers from immigrating to the U.S. for 10 years. (The act would remain in effect until 1943.)
1889: The Eiffel Tower opened to the public as part of the Paris World’s Fair.
1937: The hydrogen-filled German airship Hindenburg caught fire and crashed while attempting to dock at Lakehurst, New Jersey; 35 of the 97 people on board and one crew member on the ground were killed.
MAY 7
1915: A German U-boat torpedoed and sank the British liner RMS Lusitania off the southern coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, out of the nearly 2,000 on board.
1961: Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. became America’s first space traveler.
1994: Singapore caned American teenager Michael Fay for vandalism, a day after the sentence was reduced from six lashes to four.
1973: Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby, the first of his Triple Crown victories, in a time of 1:59.4, a record that still stands.
1945: Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, ending its role in World War II.
1954: The 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam ended with Vietnamese insurgents overrunning French forces; it would be the last major battle of the First Indochina War.
Willie Nelson ageless on ‘Oh What A Beautiful World’
The legend’s 154th album is devoted to songwriter
Rodney Crowell
By Steven Wine
The Associated Press
IT’S FUN TO HEAR Willie Nelson sing such words as “ninja,” “fishmonger” and “absinthe,” which are among the many pleasures found in the songbook of influential country songwriter Rodney Crowell.
“Oh What A Beautiful World” is Nelson’s latest album devoted to the songs of a specific songwriter, and in Crowell, he’s interpreting a kindred spirit. While Crowell has a slightly different lyric vocabulary, both are Texans with a deep love of Hank Williams.
The pairing — great songs and a great singer — works beautifully.
He has long sounded ageless, but more than ever, Nelson sings like a sage. His reedy tenor can be a little whispery, but he displays surprising vocal range. His relaxed, conversational delivery is filled with warmth and wisdom. He’ll start a phrase late, end it early and make it seem perfect. When he reminisces about childhood on “Banks of the Old Bandera” — originally recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker — Nelson sounds just like he did in 1976, the year the song was written. Other material ranges from
“Shame on the Moon,” a 1982 pop hit for Bob Seger, to Crowell’s overlooked gem “She’s Back in Town.”
Also included are tunes that have been recorded by Tim McGraw (“Open Season On My Heart”) and Keith Urban (“Making Memories of Us”) and a folksy ballad co-written with Guy Clark (“Stuff That Works”).
Longtime Nelson collaborator Buddy Cannon produced the record, and the backing musicians provide graceful, tasteful support. Nelson’s beloved guitar Trigger plays a significant role, including on a careening, don’t-try-this-at-home solo on the title cut, a duet with Crowell.
Also among the highlights is “The Fly Boy & The Kid,” a prayerlike shuffle with playful lyrics that Nelson leans into. He’s equally frisky doing roadhouse blues on “She’s Back in Town,” while elsewhere the mood tends toward contemplative. “The days go by like flying bricks,” Nelson sings on the handsome ballad “Open Season On My Heart.”
More than any other song in the set, “Still Learning How to Fly” seems as if it was written for Nelson. Nearing the end of the album — Nelson’s 154th, according to Texas Monthly’s herculean ranking of his prolific discography — he sings:
“I’ve got a past that I won’t soon forget / And you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He sounds as if he means it.
solutions
SONY VIA AP
“Oh What A Beautiful World” is Willie Nelson’s 154th album.
*Must
famous birthdays this week
Judy Collins is 86, Frankie Valli turns 91, Donatella Versace hits 70, MTV’s Kurt Loder celebrates 80 THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.
MAY 1
Singer Judy Collins is 86. Filmmaker John Woo is 79. Musician Ray Parker Jr. is 71. Singer-actor Tim McGraw is 58. Filmmaker Wes Anderson is 56.
MAY 2
Singer Engelbert Humperdinck is 89. Fashion designer Donatella Versace is 70. Actor-wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is 53. Former soccer player David Beckham is 50.
MAY 3
Singer Frankie Valli is 91. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) is 82. Singer Christopher Cross is 74. Actor Amy Ryan is 57. Country musician Eric Church is 48. Golfer Brooks Koepka is 35.
MAY 4
Singer Peggy Santiglia of The Angels is 81. Actor Richard Jenkins (“The Shape of Water”) is 78. Singer Oleta Adams is 72. Country singer Randy Travis is 66.
MAY 5
Actor Michael Murphy is 87. Comedian-actor Michael Palin (Monty Python) is 82. Actor John Rhys-Davies (“Lord of the Rings,”) is 81. Former MTV News correspondent Kurt Loder is 80.
MAY 6
Singer Bob Seger is 80. Host Tom Bergeron (“Dancing with the Stars,” new “Hollywood Squares”) is 70. Actor George Clooney is 64.
MAY 7
Singer Thelma Houston is 79. Drummer Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead is 79. Director Amy Heckerling (“Clueless,” “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”) is 72.
ELAINE THOMPSON / AP PHOTO
Singer Judy Collins, pictured in 2017, celebrates her 86th birthday on Thursday.
VIANNEY LE CAER / INVISION /
PHOTO Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson turns 53 on Friday.
GAGE SKIDMORE VIA WIKIPEDIA Singer Thelma Houston celebrates her 79th birthday on Wednesday.
ANDY KROPA / INVISION / AP PHOTO Actor George Clooney will be 64 on Tuesday.
Tina Fey, Steve Carell in ‘Four Seasons’, ‘Yes, Chef!’ with Martha Stewart, José Andrés
Country duo Maddie & Tae drop “Love and Light”
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick going to Italy for a wedding and some mafia intrigue in the movie “Another Simple Favor” and Tina Fey and Steve Carell reuniting for the Netflix series “The Four Seasons” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time: Season 2 of “The Walking Dead: Dead City” lumbers into view, RaMell Ross’ shattering movie “Nickel Boys” and country music duo Maddie & Tae return with another album full of good-time anthems.
MOVIES TO STREAM
Murder, betrayal and martinis are on the menu for “Another Simple Favor,” which brings Lively and Kendrick’s characters to Italy for a wedding, and some mafia intrigue. Paul Feig returned to the director’s chair for the film, which got largely favorable reviews out of the South by Southwest Film Festival. “Another Simple Favor” premieres on Prime Video on Thursday.
Also coming to Prime Video is one of the best movies of 2024, Ross’ shattering “Nickel Boys,” which is now streaming.
The adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel employs a first-person point of view to tell the story of two boys at a brutal reform school in the Jim Crow South. In my review, I wrote that it was “formally and emotionally eye-opening,” a memory piece and “a reconciling of unspeakable traumas and human resilience.” It was Oscar nominated for best picture and best adapted screenplay.
There’s another gem streaming on MUBI on Friday, but this is likely one most haven’t heard of. The independent film “La Cocina” flew under the radar with a modest release, but it’s worth a watch for anyone who loves innovative cinema. Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, “La Cocina” is an artistic behind-the-scenes look at a kitchen staff during the lunch rush at a busy Times Square restaurant. The tension is ramped up due to missing money and interpersonal drama between an undocumented chef (Raúl Briones) and the waitress he loves (Rooney Mara).
MUSIC TO STREAM
In a recent viral interview, the innovative Swedish rapper
Yung Lean declared “the party is over.” In the music video for “Forever Yung,” the lead single from his forthcoming record, he takes that spirit quite literally and holds a funeral for himself. It’s a sinisterly cheerful affair, bolstered by the song’s lo-fi production and reverbed vocals. His latest album, “Jonatan” — taken from his real name Jonatan Leandoer Håstad — arrives Friday via World Affairs. Country music duo Maddie & Tae return with another album full of good-time anthems titled “Love & Light,” their latest for Mercury Nashville/ UMG. “Drunk Girls in Bathrooms” might be the most romantic song written about a glorious five-minute friendship;
“Kissing Cowboys” sounds like a raucous good time in a crowded dive bar. It is the soundtrack to a summertime road trip with girlfriends.
Isaiah Falls, a fresh voice in R&B, will release the A-side to his debut album, “LVRS PARADISE” on Friday. The rising talent brings Southern Florida bounce to his smooth vocal performances.
TELEVISION TO STREAM
Fey and Carell — who teamed up in 2010 for “Date Night” — are reuniting again for the upcoming Netflix series “The Four Seasons.” Based on the 1981 movie of the same name, “The Four Seasons” is a come-
dy-drama about three couples who take four yearly vacations together, one for each season. Fey and Carell are joined by Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani and Kerri Kenney-Silver. Fey co-created “The Four Seasons” with her “30 Rock” collaborators Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield. It starts Thursday.
Season 2 of “The Walking Dead: Dead City” lumbers into view Sunday on AMC. One of six “Walking Dead” spin-offs produced so far, “Dead City” reunites the show’s unlikely duo — Negan, played by Jeffery Dean Morgan, and Maggie, played by Lauren Cohan. They are trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long since isolated from the mainland. New faces joining the cast include Kim Coates (“Sons of Anarchy”) as the menacing Bruegel, Keir Gilchrist (“Atypical”) as Benjamin Pierce, and Dascha Polanco (“Orange Is the New Black”) as Major Lucia Narvaez.
Apple TV+ hits the kitchen with “Carême,” a French historical drama that’s being called “The Bear” crossed with “The Bourne Identity.” It tells the story of Marie-Antonin Carême, often called the father of French cuisine, as he climbs to the height of culinary stardom in Napoleon’s Europe. It’s not just a food show — our hero must also navigate the volatile world of shifting political alliances, royal secrets and revolution-fueled suspicions.
“The party is over.” Yung Lean
NBC is also heading to the kitchen with “Yes, Chef!,” a new cooking competition that pairs Martha Stewart and José Andrés. The show pits 12 professional chefs, and Stewart and Andrés will judge their cooking skills and ability to work together as they complete in a series of high-stakes culinary challenges. The top chef will take home a $250,000 grand prize. “Yes, Chef!” is streaming on Peacock.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
Skin Deep isn’t the sort of title you’d expect from California’s Blendo Games, a one -man studio that has blessed us with gonzo cult hits like Quadrilateral Cowboy and Thirty Flights of Loving. But designer Brendon Chung’s signature weirdness is all over the story, in which insurance agent Nina Pasadena has to rescue a bunch of frozen cats from space pirates. The bad guys are well-armed, but Nina isn’t, so she’ll have to use whatever’s at hand — broken glass, banana peels, boxes of ragweed — to take them down before she can hurl them out the airlock. It’s like “Die Hard” on a space station with a healthy dose of
and it’s available on
This image shows Steve Carell, Kerri Kenney, Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani and Will Forte in a scene from the Netflix series “The Four Seasons.”