VOLUME 148 ISSUE 45 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
DAMON HAIMOFF / AMERICA250 VIA AP
The red, white and blue New Year’s Eve ball is meant to honor the U.S.’s 250th year.
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Times Square features patriotic ball BRIEF this week drop for New Year, America250 kickoff Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge” Washington, D.C. The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.
Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela. But the U.S. has offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from. “I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said. “Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.”
2026 is the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence By Susan Haigh The Associated Press AFTER THE CRYSTAL ball dropped on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it rose again,
mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. “I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said America250 Chair Rosie Rios, who oversees the bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial anniversary. “It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspiration-
al celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.” Rios and her group worked with the Times Square Alliance business district and One Times Square, the building from where the ball is dropped, to make the changes to this year’s ceremonies. They’re also planning a second ball drop event See BALL, page A7
Volunteering with children can build character, create lasting family memories Giving back can be rewarding for kids By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press NEW YORK — When Cami Teacoach’s son turned 3, she set out to find volunteer opportuni-
ties they could do together. He made Valentine cards for senior citizens. They hiked and picked up trash. He helped harvest produce at community gardens and made seed balls out of mud, throwing them into the forest to promote wildflower growth. Teacoach had reached out to many organizations looking
for volunteer projects that she could do with her young child, but most places said no, so she came up with her own. “Everyone was like, ‘A 3-year-old can’t do that,’” Teacoach said. “And I was like, ‘No, I swear, he really can if you would just give him a chance.’” Volunteering with children
More thrifting, fewer returns: Early trends that defined shopping this holiday season “I think [fewer returns is] very indicative of consumers and how conscientiously they’ve purchased.” Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, Adobe Digital Insights
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sparkling in red, white and blue to usher in 2026 and kick off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, offered an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and small, planned nationwide to
Buyers spent more time on research and building lists By Anne D’Innocenzio The Associated Press NEW YORK — The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right. Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, ac-
cording to data released this week by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse. But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices in part due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage. And they’re sticking more See TRENDS, page A2
can instill confidence in youngsters, teach social and problem-solving skills and provide unique ways for families to bond. During the holiday season, many people seek such opportunities, looking for ways to give back. See VOLUNTEER, page A3