Chatham News & Record Vol. 149, Issue 26 by North State Journal

VOLUME 149 ISSUE 26 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Swat team Orange quarterback Jackson Moody (1) tries to get off a pass over the outstretched hands of the Northwood defensive line. Northwood hosted the Jack Shaner Football Jamboree, giving fans their first look at the Chargers and other area teams before the season starts Friday.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

the

BRIEF this week

U.S. school vaccination rates inch down yet again, exemptions reach record high U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have declined again, with exemptions reaching a record high. Federal data released Monday shows 4.2% of children are exempted from vaccine requirements, up from 3.6% the previous year. It marks the fourth consecutive year of rising exemption rates, mostly due to nonmedical reasons. Experts blame confusion in vaccination recommendations. The CDC reported a slight drop in measles-mumps-rubella shots, and that vaccination rates for polio and other diseases also are falling. The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991. Some state health officials are urging parents to vaccinate their children as schools can be hot spots for outbreaks.

ABC sues FCC over challenge to broadcast licenses ABC has filed a lawsuit against the FCC, alleging violation of its First Amendment rights. Tuesday’s lawsuit was a sharp escalation of the network’s battle against what it sees as the administration’s efforts to police its content. FCC Chair Brendan Carr has defended his agency’s actions, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest.” The FCC launched a review of eight ABC local broadcast licenses well before they expire. The order came after a joke by ABC host Jimmy Kimmel infuriated President Donald Trump.

$2.00

Pittsboro approves commercial rezoning for Powell Place property The property is a brownfield site that is currently being reviewed by DEQ By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners met Aug. 10 for its regular business meeting.

The board held a public hearing for a general use rezoning request for about six acres of property located off Highway 15-501 to go from heavy industrial to highway commercial. The property, which is cur-

rently vacant and has been for nearly two decades, is considered a brownfield site due to previously having been used as an industrial manufacturing facility. According to the applicant, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is currently reviewing their request for usability.

Due to that being outstanding, the applicants don’t have a concrete plan of what they’re going to be allowed to do with the property, hence the general use rezoning request, but it will be a commercial use with no residential. The property is also intended See REZONING, page A7

Prosectors: ‘No serious dispute’ that Comey’s seashell post could be read as Trump threat The post preceded Comey’s novel release about a far-right social media personality By Eric Tucker The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of former FBI

Director James Comey, saying “there is no serious dispute” that a social media post of seashells he made last year could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors also called into question Comey’s account that he had found the seashells in the numerical arrangement of “86 47” while walking on a beach in North Carolina and suggested that his May 2025 post on Instagram was a thinly veiled attempt to sell copies of a forthcoming novel about a social me-

Georgia man charged with burglarizing NASCAR driver Biffle’s home after plane crash The suspect used social media posts to determine when families were away from home The Associated Press STATESVILLE — A Georgia man burglarized former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle’s home after learning Biffle and his family died in a plane crash, a North Carolina sheriff said Tuesday. Terrell Williams, 44, has been charged with second-degree burglary, safe cracking, money laundering and other felonies, Iredell County Sheriff

Darren Campbell announced at a news conference. Williams was being held without bond in Cobb County, Georgia, on suspicion of another home burglary. Jail records did not list an attorney. Campbell said investigators were led to Williams in July, when Cobb County police arrested him and found items taken from Biffle’s home. Biffle, his wife and his two children, along with three others, died in the Dec. 18 crash, which remains under investigation by the NTSB. Authorities reported a See BIFFLE, page A3

“He used headlines, social media posts ... to find out when people were and were not home, and he executed his plan in that capacity.” Darren Campbell, Iredell County sheriff

dia personality whose words have inspired his fans to attack his foes. The arguments in motions Tuesday represent the government’s most detailed explanation of its indictment and were filed in response to wide-ranging See COMEY, page A3

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

THURSDAY

8.20.26 #156

Appeals court sides with Trump in fight over subpoena of gender-affirming care provider A divided court ruled the administration can align healthcare enforcement with its policy priorities

“Join the conversation” Chatham News & Record www.chathamnewsrecord.com

North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2026 Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson Local News Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Asheebo Rojas Sports Reporter Ryan Henkel Reporter PJ Ward-Brown Photographer BUSINESS David Guy Advertising Manager Chatham News & Record (USPS #101160) is published weekly, 52 weeks a year, by North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street Siler City, NC 27344 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Chatham News & Record PO Box 290 Siler City, NC 27344 CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042 To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232; news@chathamnewsrecord.com

By Sudhin Thanawala The Associated Press PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s goal of ending gender-affirming care is not improper and cannot be the basis for quashing a subpoena issued by the Justice Department against a provider of medical treatment for transgender youth, a divided federal appeals court ruled last Friday. The Justice Department announced last year that it had issued more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics that provide gender-affirming care as part of an effort to investigate healthcare fraud. Federal judges have quashed many of the subpoenas as illegitimate efforts to intimidate providers into ending care. In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the efficacy and long-term risks of the treatments are “uncertain,” and the president has the power to align the Justice Department’s enforcement priorities with his broader policy goals. “Every President has law enforcement priorities, just as every President has signature policies (often, the former are components of the latter),” Judge Carlos Bea wrote. Bea, a nominee of Republican President George W.

“We’re ready to continue defending one of the most fundamental principles of healthcare: every patient’s right to confidential medical care.” Adrien Leavitt, ACLU attorney Bush, was joined in the opinion by Daniel Bress, a Trump nominee. They reversed a ruling that quashed the subpoena against telemedicine provider QueerDoc, sending the case back to the district court to consider other arguments. The subpoena seeks QueerDoc’s personnel files, billing documents, communications with drug manufacturers and records of patients who were prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy, among other information, according to the 9th Circuit decision. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Adrien Leavitt, who represented Washington state-based QueerDoc, said the ACLU would continue fighting the subpoena in district court. QueerDoc has also argued the subpoena is overbroad and burdensome. The Justice Department has said it has reason to believe the company may be misleading people about puberty blockers and hormones. “We’re ready to continue defending one of the most fundamental principles of health-

care: every patient’s right to confidential medical care,” Leavitt said in a statement. He said the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit was the first appeals court to weigh in on the subpoenas. Trump has signed one executive order defining sex as only male or female — and as unchangeable — and another that seeks to end federal funding of gender-affirming care for patients under 19. The latter order also directs the Justice Department to “prioritize investigations” into violations of a drug safety law by “any entity that may be misleading the public about long-term side effects of chemical and surgical mutilation.” Gender-affirming care includes a range of medical and mental health services to support a person’s gender identity, including when it’s different from the sex they were assigned at birth. It encompasses counseling, medications that block puberty and hormone therapy to produce physical changes as well as surgeries to transform chests and genitals, though those are rare for minors. Most major medical groups say access to the treatment is important for those with gender dysphoria and see gender as existing along a spectrum. The 9th Circuit majority called discussion around gender-affirming care “an unsettled scientific debate” and said the Trump administration could also justify its opposition to the treatment on ethical or philosophical grounds.

CHATHAM

happening Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Chatham County:

Aug. 21 Pittsboro’s Bazaar Night Market at The Plant 4-9 p.m. A family-friendly night market with local vendors, live music, food and drinks. The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

Finally Fridays Arts Walk: Ice Cream Eating Contest 5-8 p.m. Local artists and vendors in the social district, with an ice cream-eating contest at 6 p.m. on the SOCO patio. Downtown Pittsboro 39 West St. Pittsboro

Siler City Downtown Music Series: El Mirage 6-9 p.m. A free outdoor concert with kids’ activities, food vendors and late downtown hours. NC Arts Incubator 223 N. Chatham Ave. Siler City

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Annual subscription rate: $104.

Aug. 22 Sanford Farmers Market

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

8:30 a.m. to noon An ideal setting for local food producers to build connections within the community while giving the public a place to sample and purchase food and crafts made by their neighbors. Experience the ultimate in food, fun and fellowship in the Sandhills region.

Get in touch

www

115 Chatham St. Sanford J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

chathamnewsrecord.com

A portrait of President Donald Trump hangs on the Justice Department building in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.

Bluegrass Experience at Bynum Front Porch

CRIME LOG Aug. 10 • Julie Lynn Dillman, 50, of Bear Creek, was arrested for felony breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering. • Kelly Gene Headen, 41, was arrested for high-risk sex offender online conduct and sex offender residence violation. • Timothy Torel Richmond, 54, was arrested for seconddegree forcible rape, seconddegree kidnapping and assault by strangulation, and other charges. Aug. 11 • Auner Avel Benitez, 41, was arrested for trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and felony possession of cocaine, and other charges. • Donald Aerl McIntosh, 59, of Bear Creek, was arrested for obtaining property by false pretenses and misdemeanor larceny. • Grayling Antonio Matthews, 34, was arrested for assault by strangulation, felony stalking and assault on a female, and other charges. • Haley Annice Kennedy, 25, was arrested for allowing a

Aug. 28 7-8:30 p.m.

registration plate not to be displayed, drive allow mv no registration and driving on a revoked license, and other charges. • Jonathan Pavon-Garcia, 33, was arrested for driving while impaired; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and felony possession of a controlled substance, and other charges. • Leonel Recinos Ruis, 48, of Moncure, was arrested for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. • Madilyn Grace McGee, 21, of Bear Creek, was arrested for larceny by an employee. • Sylvain Bizimana, 34, was arrested for driving while impaired, exceeding posted speed and failure to reduce speed, and other charges. Aug. 12 • Harry Christian Kai Rattelman, 30, was arrested for driving while impaired, aggressive driving and fail to report accident, and other charges. • John William Paul, 44, was arrested for hit and run leaving the scene after property damage, driving on a revoked license and failure to maintain

lane control.

Aug. 14

• Jose Viera Lopez, 41, was arrested for felony larceny; giving, lending or borrowing a license plate; and driving on a revoked license.

• Harlay Keith Huff, 40, was arrested for assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and interfering with emergency communications.

• Olivia Lynn Hankins, 28, of Pittsboro, was arrested for speeding. Aug. 13 • Adam Daniel Webster, 40, was arrested for communicating threats. • Damani Zion Allison, 27, was arrested for second-degree trespass, driving on a revoked license and expired or no inspection, and other charges. • John Charles Smith, 52, of Broadway, was arrested for first-degree statutory sex offense and indecent liberties with a child. • Joshua Michael Jones, 18, of Apex, was arrested for communicating threats. • Mark David Horonetz, 54, was arrested for assault inflicting serious injury and sexual battery. • Timothy Earl Fox, 38, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

• Jeffrey Sherman Reives, 56, was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender.

Founded in 1971 by Tommy Edwards, this traditional bluegrass group has earned a loyal following in the Triangle area. Admission is free; donations are encouraged. Bynum General Store 950 Bynum Road Bynum

• Joseph Wiley Beal, 45, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sept. 4

• Timothy Richard Fox, 20, was arrested for statutory rape of a child, assault on a female and indecent liberties with a child, and other charges.

MOSAIC Blast from the Past: The CHAIN

Aug. 15 • Aleaha Renne Marr, 32, was arrested for driving while impaired. • Jahiem Tyrel Bringas, 23, was arrested for hit and run leaving the scene after property damage, driving while impaired and failure to carry a valid driver’s license, and other charges. Aug. 16 • Novella Alice Jennings, 28, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny, shoplifting by concealment of goods and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

7-9 p.m. The lawn opens at 6 p.m. Food and drink will be available. Registration is required. Tommy Edwards Stage 457 Freedom Parkway Pittsboro

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Minnesota attorney general sues Texas governor to compel extradition of ICE agent for trial Christian Castro is facing charges related to a January shooting By Mark Vancleave The Associated Press ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, seeking to compel the extradition of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to stand trial for assault and falsely reporting a crime in the wounding of a man during the agency’s crackdown in Minneapolis. Ellison said he would request a temporary restraining order barring the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office in Texas from releasing ICE agent Christian Castro and requiring Abbott to sign the extradition warrant allowing Minnesota law enforcement agents to take custody of him. Castro was arrested 11 days after Minneapolis prosecutors charged him with assault and falsely reporting a crime in the Jan. 14 nonfatal shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. The criminal complaint alleges that Castro fired a gun at the front door of a home in Minneapolis, striking a victim in the leg before the bullet lodged in a child’s bedroom wall, and then knowingly provided false information to an officer about it. Ellison said at a news conference that unless he’s extradited, Castro faces release from jail next week — 90 days since

ANDREW HARNIK / AP PHOTO

Former FBI Director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in June 2017. COMEY from page A1

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

Tear gas surrounds federal law enforcement officers as they leave a scene after a shooting on Jan. 14 in Minneapolis.

“Christian Castro is not above the law and Greg Abbott isn’t either.” Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General he was detained — under Texas law, and could flee the U.S. from the border town where he’s being held. “Christian Castro has been charged with breaking the law in Minnesota,” Ellison said. “He must face justice in Minnesota. Gov. Abbott should have granted Gov. Walz’s extradition request long ago and is required to do so now.” “Christian Castro is not above the law and Greg Ab-

bott isn’t either,” Ellison added. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the legal action taken Tuesday to compel Castro’s extradition “should be a completely unnecessary lawsuit.” Officials at the jail and local prosecutors in Texas have been “very cooperative,” she said — “it is not supposed to be controversial.” She said that since Castro’s arrest, Texas has extradited three unrelated criminal defendants without incident to Minnesota at the request of state authorities. Gov. Abbott has received communication with us on an ongoing basis, including recently,” Ellison said. “We have to take the position that they are refusing to honor the extradition request.”

Moroccan security forces arrest nearly 300 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta Moroccan authorities also arrested 61 locals accused of helping organize the crossing attempts By Akram Oubachir The Associated Press CASABLANCA, Morocco — Hundreds of migrants trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta by land and sea were arrested by Moroccan security forces, Moroccan state television reported Sunday, as authorities tightened security along the border following calls for a new mass crossing. Moroccan state broadcaster Medi 1 TV said 294 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were arrested Saturday while attempting to enter Ceuta. Authorities also arrested 61 Moroccans accused of facilitat-

ing the migration attempts, the broadcaster reported. The attempted crossings followed a surge in social media posts calling on migrants to make their way to Ceuta, a Spanish city on Morocco’s northern coast. In response, Moroccan and Spanish authorities beefed up security presence and limited movement toward the area. The latest attempt comes two weeks after tens of thousands of would-be migrants, driven by poverty and misinformation, rushed toward Ceuta in one of the deadliest migration crises to hit the region. At least 90 people died on both sides of the border, according to official numbers, while human rights groups reported higher figures. The interior ministry did not respond to AP’s questions about the latest arrests or the number

of security personnel deployed around the border to prevent a new migration push. A senior Moroccan diplomat previously said that more than 20,000 Moroccan security personnel are deployed along the border with Ceuta each day at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. The diplomat was not authorized to be publicly named speaking about the issue and spoke on condition of anonymity. Thousands of migrants from across Africa and beyond travel to Morocco each year, fleeing conflict, poverty and instability and seeking a route into Europe. Many attempt to reach Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish exclave on Morocco’s northern coast, hoping eventually to make their way to mainland Spain and better economic opportunities.

Greg Biffle looks on during driver introductions before the 2022 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

BIFFLE from page A1 break-in at the home on Jan. 8 and have said $30,000 in cash, two Glock handguns, NASCAR memorabilia and gold and silver coins were stolen. Investigators have recovered some of the stolen items, including NASCAR memorabilia, Campbell said. They also found a radio-frequency detector they believe Williams used during the burglary to locate security cameras. He said Williams is also suspected in another North Carolina burglary that occurred when a law enforcement officer was in the hospital. “He used headlines, social media posts, different things to find out when people were and were not home, and he executed his plan in that capacity,” Campbell said. Campbell said investigators have also identified a person

JOHN RAOUX / AP PHOTO

of interest in a separate fraud case following the Biffle family’s death. Investigators have said bank, Venmo and PayPal accounts tied to the Biffles were accessed online using personal information, with phone numbers and email addresses changed to gain control of funds. Money was then al-

legedly transferred to accounts not belonging to the family and used for purchases, according to a search warrant affidavit. At least one fraudulent check tied to Biffle’s business interests was cashed, and other attempts were made to access accounts. The activity occurred across multiple states.

defense efforts to dismiss the case on grounds including that it constitutes a vindictive prosecution and that Comey’s post did not amount to a true threat. Comey’s lawyers contend that investigators in the case misled judges, submitted documents containing false statements, withheld key facts and repeatedly came up empty in their efforts to prove that Comey intended a physical threat or knew that the number 86 could suggest violence. The entry for “86” from Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by The Associated Press, says its meaning is “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” Trump, a Republican, is the 47th. The Justice Department maintains the photo of the seashells, which Comey said he found on the beach, constituted a threat against Trump. Comey deleted the post shortly after he put it up, saying he did not know that anyone interpreted the numbers as a call to violence. His lawyers have said that the slogan has long meant to “get rid of” or “eject” and has been featured on thousands of items sold online and regularly displayed at protests. But the Justice Department sought in its filings to place the post against the backdrop of a spate of assassination plots or attempts against Trump in the months before and after Comey’s post. Prosecutors say that two minutes before the post was made, Comey’s wife texted him a screenshot of a definition of “86” that said “to get rid of or refuse service.” “There is no serious dispute that an objective viewer of Comey’s post could read it to mean ‘Kill President Trump,’” prosecutors wrote. The photo was posted days before Comey was set to release a novel titled “FDR Drive,” in which a prosecutor

“There is no serious dispute that an objective viewer of Comey’s post could read it to mean ‘Kill President Trump.’” U.S. prosecutors pursues a far-right social media personality who has called out his foes by name and inspired violence against them by his fans, the Justice Department said. After the Instagram post provoked an outcry, according to the government’s filings, Comey’s publishing agent observed in a text message to him that he had “gone viral.” Comey responded that that was “not my intention, but I’ll be OK if it sells books.” The agent replied, ”Music to an agent’s ears.” Prosecutors also asserted that there was “reason to doubt” Comey’s account of having come upon the seashells while on a walk, saying they were located 4 miles (6 kilometers) from where Comey was staying. Comey’s lawyers have called the indictment, the second in a year against him, part of a Trump retribution campaign targeting one of the president’s vocal critics. Trump fired Comey as head of the FBI in 2017 as Comey was overseeing an investigation into potential ties between the Republican’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, and Trump since then has called for him and other perceived adversaries to be jailed. But the Justice Department denied allegations of vindictiveness, saying the decision to indict Comey was made by the U.S. attorney in the area and did not derive from a directive from the president or the attorney general.

THE EVIL OF TODAY! Bible study: II Peter 2:1-22. Church of Living Water; Pastor: James Mitchell. Thank God for all the born-again, God-called SUHDFKHUV 7KDQN *RG IRU DOO $PHULFD ¿UVW SDWULRWV Give thanks to our Law Enforcement! Thanks to our ICE Law Enforcement, who are removing some 15 million illegals/criminals that Biden/Democrats brought into America for their votes. Where are our women patriots, standing up to these far-out liberal women who want men to compete in women’s sports? Where are our women/men teachers standing up for our children, as devils try to transgender them? Where are the Democrats who should be standing against these Socialist/Communist taking over the Democrat party? You rhino Republicans voting with these Democrats, God’s judgment is coming! Radical Muslims/Jihadists want to take over America. Just look at how many Socialist/ Communist politicians are already voting in our elections. Those of you who vote for these devils for all the free stuff are delusional! All Socialist countries go broke! You fake/lying news media need to start reporting true facts. The Democrat/Socialist party will take your money when they get into power. Don’t you know that if Harris/Walz had gotten into RI¿FH WKH\ ZRXOG KDYH EURXJKW LQ DQRWKHU PLOOLRQ illegals/criminals? All patriots who care about America, it’s so important to vote this November. Jesus will forgive all who have sinned if you truly repent! God cast the angels who sinned down to Hell. What do you think is going to happen to those who are doing the evil of today?

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

My field of dreams All three children joined me in the grass next to the neighborhood’s retention pond, and no one complained about the heat, humidity or mosquitoes.

LAST SATURDAY, I finally persuaded my three children to watch “Field of Dreams” for our weekly pizza and movie night. I think James Earl Jones and Kevin Costner are brilliant, yet I particularly love the work of Amy Madigan as the feisty Annie. The scene in which she calls the book-banning woman “a Nazi cow” at the PTA meeting is worth the price of streaming. The movie centers on the relationship between fathers and children, and though my kids didn’t love the movie as much as “Spider-Man,” the next evening my basketball-obsessed middle child asked me to “have a catch.” My heart somersaulted in my chest! I dug out my old baseball gloves, which my dad had saved for me after I’d left home for college. All three children joined me in the grass next to the neighborhood’s retention pond, and no one complained about the heat, humidity or mosquitoes. I’ve watched “Field of Dreams” at least a dozen times since I first saw it as

a boy with my family. I realize now that it’s a movie as much about legacies as baseball. Ghosts walk out of the corn, but the living characters are haunted by their regrettable mistakes: angry words, missed opportunities and old wounds. There’s divine intervention in the form of a mysterious voice, but as Annie tells her husband, “Ray, that’s a very nonspecific voice you have out there, and he’s starting to piss me off!” The character’s flesh-and-blood struggle is to redeem his negative past through his positive choices in the moment. “Field of Dreams” is about the risk to love. My kids are still young, although the oldest is on the cusp of that rebellious teenage stage in life. I do not believe in censorship, but I sympathize with the “Nazi cow” and all parents because we understand that there is much beyond our control. It is scary. And yet, rather than trying to ban what our kids read or watch, I think we want to invite them to grow, which includes the element of play.

When we played catch last Saturday evening, an errant throw bounced into the woods, and we all went in search of the baseball. My daughter found a vine of muscadine grapes, so we paused our game to collect the ripe fruit. Then we resumed our catch until another throw ended up in the pond. We were sweaty and itchy by then, so it was just as well that we called it quits. The sun was setting behind the trees as we made our way back to our house, and I reflected on the line that the baseball ghosts pose to Ray, “Is this heaven?” He smiled and replied, “This is Iowa.” This is Chatham County, and I am grateful that, despite my faults and errors as a father, my children choose to spend time with me. I’d play whatever game they’d like. 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.

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Clay Travis’ offer exposed the WNBA’s inclusion delusion

The WNBA exists because women aren’t athletic enough to compete with men.

LEFTIST DOGMA requires adherents to assert that men can become women and should be treated as such. That wouldn’t work out so well for WNBA players. On Monday, conservative talk show host Clay Travis offered to give the Las Vegas Aces $10 million — with a catch. He wants the Aces, the reigning WNBA champions, to play a game against a state champion high school boys’ team of his choosing. The winner of the game would receive the cash. “This will be the most money ever paid to win a single basketball game,” Travis wrote on X. “A modern day battle of the sexes.” That’s a lot of money, including for WNBA players. This year, the salary cap for each WNBA team is $7 million. But it’s unlikely the Aces will take Travis up on his generous offer. They didn’t respond to my request for comment and haven’t said anything publicly about it. The reason is obvious. Elite high school boys’ basketball players are significantly more athletic than top WNBA players. At the recent WNBA All-Star game, Seattle Storm player Dominique Malonga

became the ninth WNBA player to dunk. She wasn’t the ninth woman to dunk in that game. She was the ninth woman to dunk in the 30-year history of the league. In contrast, Cleveland Cavaliers star Evan Mobley dunked nine times in a single game last season. Travis didn’t make this offer to insult women. He made it to expose the rampant hypocrisy among the left generally and the WNBA specifically. In a July profile by ESPN, Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham said she wants to keep men out of women’s sports. “I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham said. Despite the predictable outrage from the left, Cunningham didn’t back down. After the ESPN piece came out, she called her position “common sense.” This incensed many of those involved in the WNBA. On Sunday, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt proclaiming “Trans Kids Belong” when her team played the Fever. Last week, before her team played the Fever, Storm player Stefanie Dolson

wore a shirt that read, “Trans Rights are Human Rights.” At that game, Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton berated two teenage girls who attended with signs supporting Cunningham. Keaton reportedly called them “f---ing insane.” The WNBA did suspend and fine Keaton. In 2022, the WNBA players’ union declared it “will fight for trans youth across the country.” “Sports is about belonging. It’s about inclusivity,” Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self,” which “includes trans women.” The WNBA exists because women aren’t athletic enough to compete with men. This used to be so obvious that it didn’t need to be said. Now many involved with the WNBA claim to support biological men competing in women’s sports. If that happened at scale, female basketball players wouldn’t make the cut. Travis’ proposal cleverly exposes the WNBA’s inclusion delusion. Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Labeled?

We humans seem to flourish when acknowledged, even in infinitesimal ways.

WHEN YOUNGER — oh, so much younger — I created a psychic wall around myself in public spaces. I did not invite interactions with folks around me. I just assumed most people felt the same way about respecting the privacy of others while in public venues. If you intruded on my space while in public, I perfected a glare worthy of freezing water on the spot. An Academy Award-worthy glare, I thought. (Is this something about which to brag?) OK, OK, outing the truth. I was labeled as an introvert early on, very early on. Damn those Myers-Briggs personality tests! Reserved; loves solitude and reflection; worn out by considerable social interaction. It seemed to fit, so I just carried it to the nth degree. I didn’t know any better, and those personality tests were administered by experts (so to speak). I now had a label. From experts. I could tell people, proudly, that I was an introvert. How cool. As I got older, I hit a real quandary. I noticed people around me, including yours truly, liked to be acknowledged and seen by others. Lighting up, in fact. We humans seem to flourish when acknowledged, even

in infinitesimal ways. Like plants in need of water. Noticing how we humans thrived on acknowledgment, I tiptoed into the waters of being more socially present to those around me. Amazing, I did not die! I couldn’t do mindful social presence 24/7 because I would die. I’m a hybrid introvert, or whatever. But, says she taking a deep breath, I got hooked. This introvert got hooked on social presence. Oh gosh, “social presence” sounds so damn academic. I got hooked on being a bearer of teeny-tiny bits of social acknowledgment, thrown around like fairy dust. Watering souls. Only time-limited by my available capacity in those moments. No labels tossed around. Just the fairy dust of acknowledgment. Damn labels! Damn ’em. As a naïve youngster, I latched onto the label of introvert and let it define me for way too long. “Labels are for jars,” not the complexities of being human. Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

Community policing ON JULY 19, my wife and I were eating at Elizabeth’s Pizza in Siler City. There were four Siler City police officers already seated when we went in. They, I assumed, were on their meal break and seemed to be enjoying their meal and the fellowship with each other. Before my wife and I finished our meal, they finished theirs, put on their tactical gear and left the restaurant. When we finished our meal, I asked for a takeout box and our bill. When the waitress came with the box, she said, “I have good news for you.” When I asked what the good news was, she said, “The four police officers have already paid for your meal.” I was pleasantly surprised and am thankful for their thoughtfulness and generosity. They can be certain that the good deed will be passed forward. Further than that, I feel this says something of the type of officers serving the public in the Siler City Police Department. Siler City is very blessed to have people like these in the police department. May God watch over them and protect them as they serve. Jim Pridgen, Siler City

COLUMN | MARK MINNELLA

America has a Man problem: when they leave the workforce, we all pay the price The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects prime-age male labor-force participation to fall from 89.1% in 2023 to 87.4% by 2033.

TOO MANY American men are spending their prime working years outside the workforce, and the cost reaches far beyond lost income. In the mid-1950s, 97.4% of prime-age men, ages 25 to 54, participated in the labor force. In July 2026, that number was 89.2%. Put another way, the share of men in their prime working years outside the labor force has risen from roughly 1 in 38 to more than 1 in 9. I find those numbers troubling because work is more than a paycheck. Work brings structure to a day. It demands discipline and perseverance. It gives a man the opportunity to produce something, solve something, build something and provide for someone other than himself. Work responsibility is one of the ways men develop purpose and become connected to family and community. When large numbers of able-bodied men disconnect from work, the consequences ripple through our society. Too often, detachment from work causes detachment from responsibility, marriage, family formation and community. A Bureau of Labor Statistics study of men ages 30 to 36 found that among those who had not worked in the prior year, 70% had never married and 30.6% lived in a household with a parent. The same study found that 40.9% of nonworkers said health limited their ability to work, recognizing there are legitimate reasons some men cannot work, and compassion demands that we recognize them. That still leaves close to 60% who chose not to work. But compassion should not require us to ignore a larger cultural problem. For too long, our culture has been uncomfortable with many virtues associated with responsible manhood. Strength is too easily confused with aggression. Leadership is treated as domination. Provision

can be dismissed as antiquated. Sacrifice, perseverance and the responsibility to protect and provide are sometimes treated as though they belong to another era. We need to embrace the fact that there is nothing toxic about a man accepting responsibility. For Christians, that responsibility is not merely a cultural tradition. It is rooted in Scripture. Before there was a paycheck, a corporation or even a fallen world, God gave Adam work to do. Genesis 2:15 says God placed him in the garden “to tend and keep it.” Work was part of God’s design before sin entered the world. The Fall made work difficult; it did not make work meaningless. Scripture also makes a distinction our public conversation often misses. Second Thessalonians 3:10 says, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” It does not say cannot work. There is a world of difference between the man who cannot work and the man who will not. First Timothy 5:8 likewise makes providing for one’s household a serious responsibility. That is not a license for arrogance or domination. Biblical manhood is about responsibility, sacrifice, service, stewardship and strength under control. I also will not blame society for every man who chooses not to work. Men have a choice. A culture can lower expectations, but it cannot force a man to accept them. Each man is responsible for whether he accepts responsibility or avoids it. We should be able to hold two truths at once. First, our culture needs to do a better job encouraging responsible manhood, and second, men need to stop waiting for the culture’s permission before acting like … well, a responsible man. There is little reason to assume this problem simply corrects itself. The Bureau of Labor

Statistics projects prime-age male labor-force participation to fall from 89.1% in 2023 to 87.4% by 2033. However, another government program won’t change this trend’s direction. We need fathers teaching sons that responsibility is not a burden to escape but a privilege to carry. We need schools, churches, businesses, coaches and communities willing to tell boys that becoming a man means becoming useful to others. Most importantly, men themselves must decide that regardless of what the culture celebrates, they will work, build, provide, protect, serve and lead with character. The culture may change what it expects from men, but God has not. His expectations of responsibility, stewardship, sacrifice and provision live on. America does not merely need more men on payrolls. It needs more men who understand that their lives are supposed to count for something beyond themselves. The answer to men retreating from responsibility is not to continuously lower the bar until uselessness becomes the norm. Instead, we need to raise it. Call men to work. Call them to provide. Call them to build, protect, serve and lead. America does not need responsible manhood redefined downward. It needs responsible men willing to stand up. Mark Minnella was co-founder of the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants and “More Than Money” and is the author of “The Wall Street Awakening.”

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

Net zero is dead and gone

This goal was pure virtuesignaling, and it never made any practical sense.

IT WAS ONLY a few years ago when the climate change alarms and green energy fad were all the rage at the White House and corporate boardrooms. Former President Joe Biden’s policies were all tilted to ending fossil fuels, and many of America’s biggest corporations embraced the concept of net-zero fossil fuels. This was the movement during the Biden years to eliminate virtually all oil, natural gas and coal production and replace these energy sources with windmills, solar panels and electric vehicles. This goal was pure virtue-signaling, and it never made any practical sense. Roughly 70% of American energy comes from fossil fuels, and only about 10% comes from “green energy.” Studies showed that the initiative would have decimated the U.S. economy: millions of American jobs lost, hundreds of billions of dollars of lost GDP, and much higher energy costs for American businesses and families. It was an “unaffordability” project at a time when Americans are demanding lower, not higher, costs. It was all pain and no gain. Even if the U.S. had reduced its fossil fuel usage, it would have had only a tiny impact on total global emissions because China and India were opening up far more coal plants than America was shutting down. Washington spent hundreds of billions of dollars on taxpayer subsidies to promote wind

and solar, yet it remained as stalled out as the EV plants that are shutting down across the country. Good news: The net-zero movement is dead — or at least on life support. A new study that I coauthored for Unleash Prosperity found that Wall Street’s once-aggressive embrace of net-zero climate policies has been reversed. Six of the largest U.S. banks — JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo — have completely withdrawn from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. What a reversal this is: The net-zero movement once included a powerful coalition of financial institutions representing 140 member banks and $75.5 trillion in assets. There are a few financial institutions — such as Morgan Stanley and State Street — that still embrace some of these radical regulations, but not many. Much of this never made sense given that AI and data center energy needs will double or triple our electric power demands over the next two decades. That will require an all-of-the-above approach to meet those needs and to keep power affordable for our businesses and families. It also made no sense because America has the cleanest coal and 600 years of reserves — more than any other nation. We also have several hundred years of clean and cheap natural gas, which is critical to keeping the

lights on, American factories humming and air conditioning running. Of course, to meet those energy needs, we also need to be using more nuclear power, which produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions. Good news on that front: For the first time in decades, Americans now support nuclear power as well. The radical environmental groups haven’t given up, and they will surely try another comeback. They’re now blaming forest fires on climate change — even though globally there has been no upward trend in recent decades despite the deadly fires in North America this summer. One country that hasn’t backed off the green energy fad is Germany. What a debacle. Once the manufacturing and engineering hub of Europe, the country has deindustrialized without access to cheap fossil fuels. It’s spent nearly half a trillion dollars on “Energiewende” wind turbines while shutting off much of its natural gas usage. Its power costs are now nearly double what the rest of Europe and the U.S. companies pay. Factories are shutting down. The collapse of the net-zero movement here at home is a victory for economic reality, common sense and American energy abundance. Stephen Moore is co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

obituaries

SPONSORED BY DONALDSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set an appointment to come by and learn more.

Butch Huskey, one of last major league players to wear No. 42, dead at 54

Emily A. Kaufman August 7, 2026 Emily A. Kaufman (21) of Siler City, North Carolina went home to the Lord on August 7th of 2026. Emily was born in Randolph County, NC to parents Christopher M. Kaufman and Tanya L. Cooper. Emily spent her early childhood in Mebane, NC and then moved to Siler City, NC where she was raised by her loving father. She attended local schools which included Chatham Middle and Jordan Matthews High School. On January 5, 2024, Emily gave birth to her beautiful son, Noah and her focus in life shifted to being a present and doting mother. Noah became Emily’s entire world and she was committed to loving him and giving him the best life possible. Emily was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Brian Hansen (of Virginia) as well as her paternal Great Grandparents Jack and Shirlee

Hansen (of Libertyville, Illinois). 396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-542-3057 | www.donaldsonfunerals.com Locally, Emily is survived by her father; Christpher Kaufman, Her son; Noah Cruz (2), her brother; Liam Kaufman (6), her aunt; Jennifer Kaufman, Paternal grandmother; Melissa Milholen, Close cousins; Jason, Kylie and Isabelle, along with her partner in life; Jonathan Garcia all of Siler City, NC. Emily is also survived by one paternal uncle in Texas, Jonathan Butch Huskey,” the Mets said in a The Oklahoma native Kaufman and many other statement last Friday. was among the final relatives in Illinois and Florida. Huskey, who was born and Emily was also survived by her players permitted to raised in Anadarko, Oklahoma, mother; Tanya Cooper, Arianna wear Jackie Robinson’s continued to wear No. 42 after and Abigail Perea; sisters retired number Major League Baseball retired whom she adored greatly, and grandmother; Salena Cooper all it in honor of Jackie Robinson in of Asheboro, NC. Emily was also 1997. Players who wore the numsurvived by great grandparents; ber at the time were permitted The Associated Press Sue and Gary Cooper of Siler to continue wearing it until they City, NC along with many other NEW YORK — Butch Hus- stopped playing. aunts, uncles, and cousins. Huskey wore No. 10 during key, who played seven major A GoFundMe is currently league seasons and was one of his rookie season in 1993, No. 44 in place to help assist Emily’s the last players to wear No. 42 in 1998 with the Boston Red father with funeral costs before it was permanently re- Sox and No. 35 with the Coloraand related expenses. If you do Rockies in 2000. Otherwise, tired, has died. He was 54. would like to give, the direct he wore No. 42. The Mets selectThe New York Mets said Huslink is https://gofund.me/ ed Huskey in the seventh round key died because of a blood clot c89a5bd99 of the 1989 amateur draft, and in his lung. Funeral arrangements are “We are saddened to learn he played parts of five seasons in being made and will be posted about the passing of former Met New York. in the near future. The family would like to thank Smith & Buckner Funeral Home for their assistance and compassion during this time. The family also would like to thank everyone who has shown up, called, texted and said prayers during this difficult time and for all of those who have donated and helped in so many ways to make this time just a tiny bit easier, you are all amazing and we appreciate it so much.

IN MEMORY

KAYLEE NICOLE THOMPSON NOV. 20, 2010 – AUG. 8, 2026 Kaylee Nicole Thompson, 15, of Bennett, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at her home. The funeral was held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Beulah Baptist Church with Dr. Neal Jackson and Pastor Terry Warren presiding. Kaylee was born in Orange County on November 20, 2010, to Jeremy and Ashley Saferight Thompson. She attended Beulah Baptist Church. She was a rising sophomore at Chatham Central High School. Kaylee loved spending time with friends and family, especially spoiling her little sister, Kinsley. She had a heart of gold, always putting others first. She had a deep love of animals, especially her cat, Mae and her dogs, Roxie and Harley and any stray that might come her way. Kaylee enjoyed painting and creating artwork. She loved the beach and the lake. Kaylee was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Kay Ward and Harold Saferight. She is survived by her parents, Jeremy and Ashley Thompson, of the home; sisters, Khloe and Kinsley Thompson, of the home; brothers, Karter Thompson, of the home; Chandler Thompson and Mason Thompson; paternal grandparents, Phyllis and Jamie Hobbs, of Graham; great-aunt and great-uncle, Tanna and Doyle Powers, of Bennett and a host of family and friends. The family would like to thank the Bennett community for their prayers and support. A very special and heartfelt thank you to our cousin, Carri Hampton and her husband, Bryant. Their love, prayers and generosity have been invaluable.

In 1997, Huskey set career highs with 24 home runs and 81 RBIs in 142 games for New York. He also played for Seattle and Minnesota. Huskey is the penultimate Met to wear No. 42. Mo Vaughn wore the number from 2002 to 2003. Huskey hit .267 with 86 homers and 336 RBIs in 642 career games. “Just want to acknowledge a solemn day with the passing of Butch Huskey this morning,” said Mets interim manager Andy Green said last Friday. “Just want to send prayers and thoughts to his family. I know all of our Mets family is thinking of him, and the people who love him today.”

Hayden Panettiere, who starred in television series ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville,’ dead at 36 She was open about her battles with depression, anxiety and addiction The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Hayden Panettiere, star of popular television series including “Heroes” and “Nashville,” has died. She was 36. Panettiere’s father, Skip, announced the actor’s death in a statement provided to ABC News on Sunday. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” his statement said. No cause of death was announced, and a publicist for Hayden Panettiere did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press. Panettiere, who would have turned 37 Friday, began her career as a child actor in commercials and soap operas. Her role as a cheerleader with superpowers in “Heroes” propelled her to fame in 2006, with the series revolving around the mantra “Save the cheerleader, save the world.” “I think ‘Heroes’ is really hot because it’s just a really great combination of everything that people love — they love reality, they love sci-fi and things like X-Men where they get to dream of something bigger,” Panettiere told The Associated Press in 2008. “And at the core of it

are these human stories that people can relate to, very rugged. And it’s just grabbed everyone in every age group.” She went on to win three Teen Choice Awards for that role and was a Grammy Award nominee for a children’s spoken word album recorded a few years after the release of the animated movie “A Bug’s Life.” Panettiere later played a brash country upstart opposite Connie Britton on “Nashville,” which aired on ABC for four seasons before being canceled and revived on CMT. She did her own singing in the show, which scored some hits on country charts, spawned U.S. tours and earned Panettiere two supporting actress Golden Globe nominations. Panettiere had 11 songs recorded for “Nashville” appear on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts during the show’s run, including two featuring Britton. Panettiere’s younger brother, Jansen, who was also an actor, died of a heart condition in 2023, at age 28. She had been open about her struggles with alcohol addiction and depression, including after the birth of her daughter with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. In an interview with podcaster Jay Shetty after her memoir came out in May, Panettiere talked about the custody arrangement for her 11-year-old daughter, who lives full-time with Klitschko in Ukraine. News of the 2018 decision prompted headlines about Panettiere giving up custody of her daughter.

“I think there’s been this very common misconception that I just gave up my child,” she said. “That could not be farther from the truth.” Panettiere said Klitschko suggested their daughter live with him full-time when the child was 2 as Panettiere struggled with mental health challenges and addiction. She said she was in a “horrible cycle for years of battling depression and anxiety and alcoholism and substance abuse” while “just trying to find my way back, my way out of the darkness.” She entered rehab in 2015, while filming “Nashville.” “I was the one who put myself in the first treatment center. I was drowning,” she said in a 2023 interview with Women’s Health magazine. On Shetty’s podcast, Panettiere recalled the explosion of her fame when she was cast on “Heroes,” including the first time she was tracked by the paparazzi. When she’d imagined the moment as a younger actress, she’d planned to look chic. Instead, she said, “it was just sheer terror.” Panettiere also appeared in two of the “Scream” movies, starred as the title character in the 2009 film “I Love You Beth Cooper” and played the young daughter of a football coach in “Remember the Titans.” She had spoken positively about her experience filming “Remember the Titans,” saying she felt so similar to the character she played — Sheryl Yoast, the opiniated, football-loving daughter of Will Patton’s Coach Bill Yoast. Hayden Panettiere arrives at the 21st annual Critics’ Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in January 2016 in Santa Monica, California.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamnewsrecord.com

JORDAN STRAUSS / AP PHOTO

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Ex-officer accused of plotting New Orleans attack released after grand jury declines to indict Christopher Gillum was arrested in April with ammunition and a handgun

“It’s very difficult to convince a jury, or to convince a grand jury, that something might have happened.”

By Jack Brook The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — A former law enforcement officer accused of planning to kill Black people in a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival was quietly released from custody over the summer after a grand jury found there was not enough evidence to charge him with a crime. A Louisiana grand jury in June declined to indict Christopher Gillum on a state terrorism charge that could have carried up to a 15-year sentence, court records show. Gillum, who had been held without bond, was released shortly after the grand jury’s decision and is not facing charges in any other jurisdictions, according to his attorney, Dylan Utley. He declined to comment further. Gillum’s release has not previously been reported. The 45-year-old ex-police officer, who is from Chapel Hill, had been arrested in Florida in April with hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a handgun while on his way to Louisiana to commit a mass shooting, according

Katherine Schweit, former FBI executive

OKALOOSA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE VIA AP

Christopher Gillum was arrested April 22 at a hotel in Destin, Florida. to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation had involved the FBI and authorities across Louisiana, North Carolina and Florida. Authorities did not name the event Gillum was allegedly targeting, but his arrest came on the eve of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers annually. Gillum, who is white, had “expressed recent threats to harm ‘Black people,’” according to authorities. His family had reported him missing in North Caroli-

na and said he had a history of self-harm. Lester Duhe, a spokesperson for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, said in a statement that Gillum’s family had taken him “to a treatment facility out of the state” and that he is not facing additional criminal charges. Duhe said there were “several jurisdictional issues” that complicated the case after Gillum was extradited to Louisiana following his arrest. “The threat relayed to a family member actually occurred in North Carolina,” Duhe said. “The defendant never entered

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a jury, or to convince a grand jury, that something might have happened,” Schweit told The Associated Press. Law enforcement authorities in North Carolina, where Louisiana court records list Gillum as residing, told the AP that they were not aware he had been released from custody. “If we’ve got an individual that was accused of such an action, we would want to know if in fact he did return to Alamance County,” said Byron Tucker, a spokesperson for the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office. Nazneen Ahmed, a spokesperson for North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, said their office is not involved and that criminal prosecution authority in the state generally belongs to local district attorneys. The office of the Florida Attorney General did not respond to a request for comment about whether Gillum may face additional criminal charges in its jurisdiction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana also did not return messages seeking comment. In a statement, the FBI New Orleans office said the decision whether to charge Gillum rested with prosecutors. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival declined to comment.

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the State of Louisiana until after his arrest.” Gillum had been planning to travel to the Florida Keys “during the same period he would have been suspected to travel to Louisiana,” Duhe added. Gillum was charged under a Louisiana statute for the crime of “terrorizing,” which requires that “a crime of violence is imminent or in progress or that a circumstance dangerous to human life exists or is about to exist.” Jonathan Guidry, the foreperson for the grand jury, declined to comment on the decision to not indict Gillum. Katherine Schweit, a former Chicago prosecutor and FBI executive who ran the agency’s active shooter program, said that thwarted acts of mass violence do not always lead to indictments, but prosecutors often seek an array of criminal charges when possible. “It’s very difficult to convince

REZONING from page A1 to be utilized as a connected piece of the Powell Place Mixed-Use Planned Development. “When Powell Place was first conceived and developed, there was a lot more commercial that was supposed to be coming down Millbrook Drive and Powell Place Lane,” said Commissioner John Foley. “So I’m glad to see that you’re starting with (commercial).” “I’m glad this is finally moving forward,” said Commissioner John Bonitz. “We certainly need more commercial in the town, and the prospect of reusing this land in a way that is safe is very enticing.” The board also held a public hearing for changes to the FY 2026-27 Development Fee Ordinance to add a per-acre charge for the review of watersheds and a fee for the review of amendments to construction drawing plans. “Those were in the prior year ordinances that were left off when we did the revision to the development fee ordinance,” said Finance Director Heather Meacham. The FY 2026-27 Development Fee Ordinance was previously approved June 8. Following the hearings, the commissioners approved both requests.

“We certainly need more commercial in the town, and the prospect of reusing this land in a way that is safe is very enticing.” John Bonitz, commissioner In addition, the board authorized the town manager to be able to negotiate the purchase of a greenway easement located off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive for the connection of a greenway system. “This piece will connect Robeson Creek Park to MLK and then Chatham Park has agreed, as part of their affordable housing element, to build a greenway from MLK to Small Street, which will then tie into the existing Robeson Creek Greenway that ties into downtown,” said Town Manager Jonathan Franklin. The total cost is not to exceed $25,000. “This is the missing piece of the greenway, really, from downtown on Sanford Road out to the new park,” said Mayor Kyle Shipp. The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet Sept. 14.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

22E000082-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, Rochelle Bryarley, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Brandon Wade Bryarley 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 November 11, 2026 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 13th day of August 2026. Rochelle Bryarley Administrator Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Marcella Lauretta Culberson of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of November, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 29th day of July, 2026. Albert Tracy Culberson 2849 Silk Hope Liberty Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E00074-180 The undersigned, ISAIAH BUTLER, having qualified on the 5TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of LOIS BUTLER aka ANNIE LOIS BUTLER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 13TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 13TH Day of AUGUST 2026. ISAIAH BUTLER, ADMINISTRATOR 601 BILLY FITTS ROAD SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: A13,20,27,S3p

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Notice to Creditors Estate of Truby Weldon Horton File No.: 25E000631-180 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Truby Weldon Horton, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before November 2, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 30th day of July, 2026. Bryan Weldon Horton, Executor, in c/o Jenna Parkolap, Attorney, at Carolina Family Estate Planning, 51 Kilmayne Drive, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27511. Publication Dates: July 30, 2026 August 6, 2026 August 13, 2026 August 20, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000465-180

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of Karl Frederick Ernst of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 19th day of November, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 12th day of August, 2026. Barbara Gray Ernst, Administrator Of the Estate of Karl Frederick Ernst 711 Red Oak Drive Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

The undersigned, Angela Lenetta Horton aka Angela Horton Sheffield, having been appointed as Executor of the Estate of Hazel Newby Horton, aka Hazel Marie Horton, Deceased, late of Guilford County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate to present such claims to the undersigned in care of the undersigned’s Attorney at their address on or before, November 13, 2026 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 above-named Executor. This the 13th day of August, 2026. Angela Lenetta Horton aka Angela Horton Sheffield, Administrator Estate of Hazel Newby Horton, aka Hazel Marie Horton Justin N. Plummer, Esq. Law Offices of Cheryl David 528 College Rd. Greensboro, NC 27410 Phone No.: (336) 547-9999 Fax No.: (336) 547-9477 Run Dates: August 13, August 20, August 27, September 3, 2026

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk NOTICE TO CREDITORS File Number 26E000379-180 Brenda Sites, having qualified as Executor of the estate of Barbara Boone Young, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, hereby wishes to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned at the below listed address on or before the 20th day of November 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the below listed address. This is the 20th day of August, 2026. Brenda Sites c/o Huston Law Firm, PLLC 2501 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 A20, 27, 3 and 10

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of JOHN M. LATIMER, JR., Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on or before the 30th day of October, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 30th day of July, 2026. HARRISON ARMISTEAD LATIMER, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF JOHN M. LATIMER, JR.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 26E000473-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, Jodi N. Wiley, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Loretta A. Neely, 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 November 18, 2026 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 20th day of August 2026. Jodi N. Wiley Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Marguerite Moffitt-Rogers, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, in Estate File No. 26E000325-180, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before November 6, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms or corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 6th day of August, 2026. Beverly M. Solomon, Administrator c/o 403 Blandwood Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401 August 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000036-180 ALL persons having claims against Susan Hill Oliver, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Nov 20 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 20th day of August, 2026. JAIME SUSAN OLIVER, Executor C/O Haas & Associates, P.A. 5100 Oak Park Road, Suite 200 Raleigh, NC 27612 A20, 27, 3 and 10

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA\ CHATHAM COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF\ CHRISTINE C. HORTON\ Estate File No. 26E000261-180 The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Christine C. Horton, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before October 30,2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the day of July 30, 2026. Douglas E Horton\ [Executor of the Estate of Christine C. Horton]\ 200 Caley Wilson Rd\ Apex, NC 27523\ Cell 919-815-0227

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000453-180 The undersigned, TODD PADGETT NORRIS, having qualified on the 28TH Day of JULY 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of FREDDIE HART, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 6TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 6TH Day of AUGUST 2026. TODD PADGETT NORRIS, EXECUTOR 1205 RIVER FOREST RD. PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: A6,13,20,27p

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000431-180 The undersigned, TIMOTHY ALLEN ENGLISH, having qualified on the 20TH Day of JULY 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BETTY ENGLISH, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day of October 2026, 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 30TH Day of July 2026. TIMOTHY ALLEN ENGLISH, EXECUTOR 1703 VINEYARD MIST DRIVE CARY, NC 27519 Run dates: Jy30,A6,13,20c

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY __________________________________________________________ ______________ HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of Marion Turner Hargrove, Jr. of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 28th day of October, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 23rd day of July, 2026. Pamela Lowe Hargrove 3035 Silk Hope Liberty Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Special Proceedings No. 26SP000082-180 Trustee: Philip A. Glass NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Date of Sale: September 1, 2026 Time of Sale: 2:30 p.m. Place of Sale: Chatham County Courthouse Description of Property: See Attached Description Record Owners: Jared T. Richmond and Alexis N. Ruiz Address of Property: 5001 NC Highway 87 N. Pittsboro, NC 27312 Deed of Trust: Book : 2383 Page: 150 Dated: September 28, 2023 Grantors: Jared T. Richmond and Alexis N. Ruiz, a married couple Original Beneficiary: State Employees’

Credit Union CONDITIONS OF SALE: This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases. This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax. It is the intent of the holder of the above Deed of Trust that the execution, delivery and recordation of a Trustee Deed to the holder as high bidder shall not merge with any superior Deeds of Trust held by the holder of the above Deed of Trust, and that the holder of said superior Deed of Trust shall continue to enjoy all rights and remedies set forth in said superior Deed of Trust, including the right to foreclose either by judicial action or under power of sale contained in the superior Deed of Trust. The property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS.” THERE ARE NO

REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES relating to the title or to any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Remote bidding will not be accepted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.25 (a). Credit bids on behalf of the Noteholder will be accepted. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. Residential real property with less than

Notice to Creditors Estate of Richard Locaparra, Sr. ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against Richard Locaparra, Sr, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before 11/20/2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 20th day of August, 2026. Richard Locaparra Jr., Executor 220 Bailey Way Siler City NC 27344 c/o Hopler, Wilms & Hanna, PLLC 2314 S. Miami Blvd. Suite 151 Durham, NC 27703 8/20, 27, 9/3, 10, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000475-180 The undersigned, TERRANCE C. JOHNSTON, having qualified on the 12TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of REBECCA F. BECKER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 20TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 20TH Day of AUGUST 2026. TERRANCE C. JOHNSTON, EXECUTOR 1504 MIRIAM AVE. GARNER, NC 27529 Run dates: A20,27,S3,10p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000468-180 The undersigned, CAROL JOHNSON, having qualified on the 6TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JESSE JAMES MCCRIMMON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 13TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 13TH Day of AUGUST 2026. CAROL JOHNSON, EXECUTOR 1486 MITCHELL CHAPEL RD. PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: A13,20,27,S3p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000449-180 The undersigned, RALPH C. MILLS, having qualified on the 27TH Day of JULY 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JOYCE ANN DAVIS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day of October 2026, 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 30TH Day of July 2026. RALPH C. MILLS, EXECUTOR 7021 CARPENTER FIRE STATION ROAD CARY, NC 27519 Run dates: Jy30,A6,13,20p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000419-180 The undersigned, TRICIA HATHCOCK, having qualified on the 14TH Day of JULY 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of PATRICK HOWELL GARNER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 6TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 6TH Day of AUGUST 2026. TRICIA HATHCOCK, ADMINISTRATOR 687 SHERIFF WATSON RD. SANFORD, NC 27332 Run dates: A6,13,20,27p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000463-180 The undersigned, DARLENE A. BRISTOW, having qualified on the 5TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of RV ANDERS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 13TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 13TH Day of AUGUST 2026. DARLENE A. BRISTOW, EXECUTOR 4711 EDINBOROUGH ROAD GREENSBORO, NC 27406 Run dates: A13,20,27,S3p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000176-180 The undersigned, FRANK BERRY HILL, having qualified on the 1ST Day of JUNE 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JO CARROL ELAINE HILL, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 20TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026, 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 20TH Day of AUGUST 2026. FRANK BERRY HILL, ADMINISTRATOR 3664 OYSTER BLUFF DR. BEAUFORT, SC 29907 Run dates: A20,27,S3,10p

15 rental units, including single-family residential real property: an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Dated: 8/4/2026 ______________________________ Philip A. Glass, Trustee Nodell, Glass & Haskell, L.L.P.

Posted on 8/4/2026 Exhibit A BEING ALL of Lots 4 and 4A, as shown on that certain plat of survey entitled “Recombination Survey for Lucille Degraffenriedt and Norris V. Lee, Hadley and Center Townships, Chatham County, North Carolina.” prepared by Smith and Smith surveyors, and recorded in Plat Slide 2001-149 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Chatham County, North Carolina. This conveyance is made subject to right of way for NC Highway 87. Lot 4A conveyance is not approved as a separate building lot, but is an addition to Lot 4. Deed references: BK 371, PG 207 and BK 870 PG 788. Subject to easements, restrictions and rights of way of record, and utility lines and rights of way in existence over, under or upon the above-described property. Parcel: 0010983 Property Address: 5001 NC Highway 87 N., Pittsboro, NC 27312

A10

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Hidden politics of time: How clocks, calendars, now-contentious time zones came to be How industrialization and politics transformed time from natural cycles into precise systems

“But it only makes sense in a society that’s completely hypnotized by clocks so you think the clock is time.”

By Deepti Hajela The Associated Press NEW YORK — It flies. It heals all wounds. It can be of the essence, and it can be money. We thrill in the best of it, lament the worst. We’re warned not to waste it, since we can’t turn it back — even as we try to make up for when it’s lost. And probably more than anything when it comes to time, most of us try to manage it — in our everyday lives and on a global scale, from the biology of our circadian rhythms to what constitutes a work day. Clocks. Calendars. Pendulums. Hourglasses. Sundials. Time zones. For something that’s been a pretty universal impulse to mark the shift of light and dark, the movement of the stars and the rhythms of the tides, the cycles of summer heat and winter cold, one might assume there’s been a universal way of measuring time. That assumption would be wrong. Take the shifting of the clock twice a year in most of the United States, once forward and then back again, a system that “moves” the time to let people enjoy daylight hours later into the evening. While people love the light, a lot of them loathe having to make the change. So much so that the House of Representatives last month overwhelmingly passed legislation calling for the shift to become permanent year-round. Its prospects for passage in the Senate aren’t high, and when the country tried it in the 1970s it was wildly unpopular and short-lived. But it continues to be brought up, an indication that the way we keep the clock counts. The methods different peoples and communities have used to track their lives haven’t existed in a vacuum. They’ve been impacted by culture, by religion, by economics and technology, by the governing

Michael O’Malley, George Mason University history professor

MICHAEL PROBST / AP PHOTO

People gather on top of the Feldberg mountain to watch the sunset near Frankfurt, Germany, June 21, 2025. principles both within nations and among them. Turns out, like pretty much anything where people are involved, there’s a politics to time. Measurements of time made up but still matter “Every measurement of time is arbitrary,” said Elizabeth Cohen, a political science professor at Boston University who has written about how we chronicle time and how it impacts the way people relate to each other. “Every deadline could have been a fraction of a second or a large increment of time different than it was,” she said. “None of it is natural.” Take calendars. We use them to give a structure to our lives, but the spectrum of what that has looked like is vast through human existence. Some followed the sun, others the moon and others still a combination of both. Maybe all the months were the same length, maybe they weren’t. What we call a seven-day week might have had four, six or some other number of days in other timekeeping systems. Even today, when the main calendar in use globally is what we know as the Gregorian calendar, with its 12 months and leap years, other calendars are still consulted for re-

ligious or cultural purposes in places from Israel to Thailand. And daylight saving time? With its connection to our perceptions of what hours of light become available to us, it reflects “a desire for natural time,” said Michael O’Malley, a history professor at George Mason University. People “are outside longer, so they feel it as a connection to nature,” he said. “But it only makes sense in a society that’s completely hypnotized by clocks so you think the clock is time.” Culture of clock evolving It’s not just about the how. When we think about how culture evolved around time, there’s also the why. For most of human history, there were ties to the rhythms of the natural world: the phases of the moon, the rising and setting of the sun, the ebb and flow of the tides. And in agricultural societies, the importance of when to plant and when to harvest. Tracking the sun’s journey across the sky was a local endeavor. While the idea of a day broken down into 24 equal segments was important to groups like astronomers or seafarers, daily life was broken into “systems that tended

to expand and contract based on the time of year and the location,” said Kevin Birth, an anthropology professor at Queens College. “But since people weren’t really traveling back and forth with any great rapidity back,” he said, “then it really didn’t matter.” Industrialization — in the form of the Industrial Revolution that started in 18th-century England and spread — pushed people to shift notions of time. No longer was it about the sun’s cycle or the turn of the seasons. Industrial production meant schedules — people paying attention to the clock because they were due for specific shifts. “It was one of the goals of industrialization to instill in people this regular, unvarying sense of time,” O’Malley said. Contrast that to a preindustrial farmer, he said. “You could have an ethic of hard work, but that work is not going to be governed by a clock. It’s typically going to be governed by natural cues. The clock establishes this external authority that’s not you.” In the United States by the mid-1800s, another issue arose: time zones. There were more than 40 based around cities, which O’Malley said forced railroad companies to switch dynamically as trains traveled. Worried that other entities would standardize the zones and disrupt their businesses, the companies acted. “The American Railway Association got all the American railroads to agree that on Nov. 18, 1883, they would declare a four-zone

Ben Franklin chose America while son William chose the crown — a microcosm of revolution The son’s loyalty to the crown cost him his freedom, his country and his father

A marble bust and a portrait of Benjamin Franklin is displayed at the Benjamin Franklin House in London on May 11.

By Danica Kirka The Associated Press LONDON — In central London, near where tourists and business travelers board Eurostar trains to Paris, lies the burial place of Benjamin Franklin’s eldest son — a man whose life and family relationships were upended by his stance on the American Revolution. William Franklin was buried at the graveyard of St. Pancras Old Church following his death in 1813, more than three decades after he was forced to leave America because of his service to the country his father fought so hard to win independence from. His burial in the capital of what was then the British Empire is a reminder that the Revolution was as much a civil war as it was the founding act of the United States of America. It is also, historians say, a reminder that the conflict that destroyed friendships and ripped apart families 250 years ago continues today. “Now especially, I think it is important for people to understand that American history is 250 years of everybody disagreeing with each other,” said James Taub, associate curator at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. “The American Revolution is an ongoing event. We are living it, right still to this day,” he said. “And we’re all taking part in it in

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

one way or another.” America’s creation story anything but simple After President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after the band concerts and barbecues and fireworks that marked Independence Day celebrations across the U.S., the country is still faced with the task of forming a more perfect union out of the anger and confrontation that have filled the period since the Republican returned to the White House in January 2025. It is a messy process that started amid the wreckage of the Revolution. Often simplified as the tale of the plucky patriots who banded together to defeat the mighty British Empire, the revolution was more accurately an eight-year war fought by people who once saw themselves as British against the armies of their former sovereign.

As much as one-third of the population remained loyal to King George III, and at times during the war, loyalist Americans were the biggest contingent of troops in the British forces. Enslaved black people fought on both sides of the conflict, as did Indigenous people. People based their allegiances on who they thought was more likely to deliver freedom and justice. That complicated reality played out in the Franklin family. Revolution for colonies, tear in Franklin family’s unity When Ben Franklin flew a kite into a thunderstorm in 1752 to demonstrate that lightning was essentially a massive electrical spark, young William Franklin was by his side. Five years later, father and son traveled to London together after Ben Franklin was sent to

the capital of the British Empire to represent Pennsylvania’s colonial government. As Ben Franklin settled into his home at 36 Craven St., which today serves as a museum of the Founding Father’s life in London, William studied law and married. Both enjoyed London’s culture and nightlife. William Franklin returned to America and became governor of New Jersey in 1763, a post he would hold for the next 13 years. But father and son came into increasing conflict when Ben Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1775. While the elder Franklin backed growing calls for independence as a member of the Continental Congress, William rejected the authority of Congress and continued to represent the king. William Franklin was arrested by the emerging American government’s forces as “an enemy of the country’s liberty” in January 1776 and imprisoned until October 1778, much of the time in solitary confinement. After his release in a prisoner exchange, he became a leader of the loyalist community in the British stronghold of New York City. Following the defeat of British forces, William Franklin sailed for London in 1782. He is believed to have had only one brief meeting with his father between his arrest and Ben Franklin’s death in 1790. Franklin warned son about the risk from royal ties The bitter split came about even though Ben Franklin repeatedly warned his son that if

system in effect in America,” O’Malley said. “And they just announced it.” Time can be cudgel It’s hardly the only occasion where the perception of time has involved national or global concerns. Take the Prime Meridian, the entirely made-up longitude line running from the North Pole to the South Pole, that divides Earth into eastern and western hemispheres and is used as the basis for global timekeeping as well as navigation. It runs through Greenwich, England, and was selected at an international conference in 1884. Was that because Greenwich was the ideal place? No, Birth said — it simply was established during “a period when the British Empire was one of the dominant empires in the world.” Time zones themselves “are about politics,” he said, pointing out that they are not divided in a standard format. Countries decide their own, and in the U.S., the individual states can decide if they observe Daylight Saving or not. A prime example is China, which stretches more than 3,000 miles across Asia. It has one official time zone for the country, instituted when the Communist Party took power in 1949 as a form of national unity. The entire country runs officially on Beijing time, but the reality on the ground when the sun rises in eastern China hours before it rises in western China is people adjust with their own local times for daily life, Birth said. Time can also be a tool used in a society to manage dissent and protest, Cohen said. She pointed to examples like governments instituting curfews or protesters engaging in slowdowns or strikes. “Time has a lot of power,” she said, “and people are battling over it to try and impose themselves on others or remove the yoke that has been imposed on them.”

he did not step down as royal governor, the new government would arrest him, said Daniel Mark Epstein, who chronicled the relationship in his book “The Loyal Son: The War in Ben Franklin’s House.” But William Franklin would not relent. “He was absolutely not gonna budge,” Epstein said. “He was the last governor to leave his office, and he had to be dragged away literally in irons.” Epstein sees the Franklin story as a cautionary tale for the angry citizens of 21st-century America, a country marked by easy access to guns and falling educational standards. By contrast, Colonial America was a highly literate society where 90% of the population could read and people were more likely to argue out their problems than resort to violence. Yet still the Colonies’ differences with Britain descended into war. “Our educational system has failed us here,” Epstein said. “We’re really in a terrible crisis in terms of education. People find it very, very difficult to have rational arguments because they don’t have the language, and yet there’s this crazy availability of weapons.” Taub takes a broader view, seeing echoes of the conflicts that ignited the Revolution in the tensions of today. He said Americans need to understand the complexities of the Revolutionary era so they can see how unique the Declaration of Independence was in 1776 and why so many other countries have since modeled their founding documents on it. “It makes me feel better about us today,” he said. “And I think it will show that we’re just part of 250 years of an ongoing story and 250 years of an ongoing mission that was laid down, a cause that was laid down by people in 1776.”

CHATHAM SPORTS

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Central quarterback Brooks Albright fires a pass at the Jack Shaner Football Jamboree last week.

Football returns for Chatham County schools All four teams will open the season at home Chatham News & Record staff THE HIGH SCHOOL football season opens Friday night with all four county teams kicking things off at home. Seaforth, coming off a 6-6 season in 2025, gets a home opener, facing Chapel Hill at 7 p.m. Friday in a rematch

of last season’s opening game. Chatham Central also hosts its season lid lifter. The Bears will kick off against Graham at 7 p.m. Friday. It’s a rematch of last season’s opener, won 30-26 by the Bears. Graham went on to a winless season, while Chatham Central lost the rest of its contests for a 1-10 mark. Chatham has reason for optimism, returning quarterback Brooks Albright for his third year as starter. Albright battled

injury last season, but he has his health and three senior receivers to go with a pair of transfers from Jordan-Matthews. The Bears also return their leading running back and top tacklers, led by the CNR defensive player of the year for 2025, Gavin Williams. While Jordan-Matthews lost two receivers to a cross-county rival, the Jets have plenty of young playmakers as they open the season at home against Car-

rboro at 7 p.m. Friday. J-M is seeking its first winning season since 2011 after just missing at 5-6 last year. The 15-14 win in last season’s opener was one of the Jets’ two wins by less than a touchdown, so the opener could be crucial toward helping the team break its drought. J-M must replace star running back Jakari Blue and will also have a new quarterback in Lennox Mordecai, who moves over from defense. Carrboro is coming off a 1-9 season, but — unlike Jordan-Matthews — the Jaguars return their starting quarterback. Northwood had a 3-8 campaign last year after back-to-back winning seasons. The Chargers will look to get back to their winning ways, starting with the opener against Harnett Central

15-30 Combined record of the four county schools last football season

at 7 p.m. Friday. The Chargers were blown out by Harnett 55-7 to open last season. The Trojans return their quarterback as well as their leading rusher. So Northwood has a tall task to reverse last year’s result. Northwood will be turning to a new quarterback in Finn Sullivan, a backup last season. He’ll be looking for leading receiver Raje Torres.

Seaforth ready for next step

Northwood’s Sadie Tauber dives for a ball against Seaforth.

The Hawks had a breakthrough in 2025 and want to build on it Chatham News & Record staff THE SEAFORTH Hawks announced their arrival last season. They don’t want to stick around, though — they’d

like to move up to greater heights. After getting a key win over Northwood in their rivalry game, earning a tie for first in the conference and posting the first playoff win in school history, Seaforth had a breakthrough year in 2025. Still, See SEAFORTH, page B3

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Volleyball, boys’ soccer finish first week of new season Chatham News & Record staff BOYS’ SOCCER Northwood opened its 2026 schedule with a 5-1 win at Eastern Alamance. The Chargers will look to build on the fast start with four games over the next week. They open the slate with a road game at rival Seaforth, then host Central Academy, Grace Christian and Graham. Seaforth dropped its first

two games, losing 8-2 at Green Level and dropping the home opener 5-2 against East Chapel Hill. Next up are three home games, against Apex, Northwood and Eastern Alamance. Jordan-Matthews opened the season with a 1-1 tie, deadlocking Lee County on the road. It was the Jets’ first tie in three years. They remain on the road for matches with Central Carolina Academy and Fike before opening the home slate with a rematch against CCA,

followed by Eastern Alamance. Chatham Charter gets its season started this week with road games at Eno River and CCA. VOLLEYBALL Seaforth got off to a fast start to the volleyball season, beating Northwood on the road in straight sets to open the year. The Hawks then swept Apex See FIRST WEEK, page B3

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Duncan Parker (7) turns the corner on a quarterback keeper against Chapel Hill in last season’s opening game. Parker led the Hawks to a breakthrough season but will try to take the team even higher this year.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ally Forbes RUSTY JONES / AP PHOTO

Former NBA All-Star point guard and current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers speaks during his enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Delle Donne, Parker inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame Doc Rivers, Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni were also in the induction class The Associated Press

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth, volleyball Ally Forbes is a senior outside hitter on the Seaforth volleyball team. She is committed to play at Gardner-Webb next season. The Hawks are 2-1 to start the season, and Forbes has been on her game. She has led Seaforth in kills in all three games. She’s also had at least a half-dozen digs and double-digit receptions in every match on the young season. She currently ranks sixth in N.C. Class 5A in hitting percentage. She leads Seaforth in kills and receptions while ranking third in digs and aces.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne both used their Hall of Fame speeches to serve as a love letter to basketball. The sport has given so much to them, culminating with enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Parker carried a ball up to the podium for her speech as part of the 2026 class that also included the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, Chamique Holdsclaw, NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire, longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, NBA coaches Doc Rivers and Mike D’Antoni, and Gonzaga coach Mark Few. “It felt weird to walk on the stage without the reason I’m here today,” Parker said, talking to the ball. “We did a lot together: dunk on UConn at UConn, shimmied over our right shoulder and hit that sick fadeway, had our own signature shoe, first woman to grace the cover of NBA2K. ... We stand on this podium as first-ballot Hall of Famers.” Parker, who won three WNBA titles, two MVPs, a pair of championships at Tennessee and two Olympic gold medals, then broke down while closing her speech, saying that “we were meant to be a love

story that began 27 years ago.” Delle Donne also used her speech as a love letter to the game with all the ups and downs she faced in her career. But she always kept life in perspective, thanks to her older sister Lizzie, who is blind and deaf. “She never played in front of thousands of people, never had a standing ovation, never been interviewed after a big win. Yet I’ve never met anyone stronger,” Delle Donne said, choking up. “Thank you all for keeping me going.” Delle Donne won MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, the second of which came when she led the Washington Mystics to their lone WNBA championship. Delle Donne became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from behind the 3-point line and 90% from the free-throw line. She started off her speech giving a shoutout to actor Larry David, who was in the audience. She told him that she hoped her speech was “pretty, pretty, pretty good,” using David’s signature line. Delle Donne was introduced to him before the ceremony by Rivers. Rivers has won 1,194 regular-season games as an NBA coach, the sixth most in league history. He was emotional while talking about his brother Grady, who inspired him to be a better player. Holdsclaw thanked all of her former teammates and coaches in her acceptance speech. She was best known for helping Tennessee win three

straight titles from 1996-98. Holdsclaw’s 1998 team was Tennessee’s first undefeated season at 39-0, and the Lady Vols also set an NCAA record for the most wins in a season at that time. Holdsclaw went on to have an 11-year WNBA career. She also thanked the 1996 Olympic team, saying she had posters of their players on her wall when she was in high school. That team helped start the Americans’ 30-year Olympic dominance that has seen the U.S. win eight straight gold medals. Few has been Gonzaga’s coach since 1999 and has led the team to the NCAA Tournament every year. He’s won numerous West Coast Conference championships and reached the NCAA title game twice. “What a crazy, surreal moment for me,” Few said. “The town I grew up in had a population of 1,500 people and had one stoplight. To be standing where I am today is absolutely mind boggling.” Crawford officiated more than 2,500 regular-season games in the NBA and nearly 400 more in the postseason — 50 of those in the NBA Finals — during his 39-year career. He said he first dreamed of officiating in the NBA when he was a teenager and did everything he could to make that possible. D’Antoni really came into his own as a player and coach in Italy before he returned to the NBA. He developed a fast-paced style with the Phoenix Suns led by fellow inductee Stoudemire.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

UNC fifth-year guard Trimble committing to Louisville after Colorado eligibility ruling The four-year Tar Heel got another year of eligibility The Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — UNC guard Seth Trimble is transferring to Louisville and taking advantage of the recent preliminary injunction from a Colorado judge giving student athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 a fifth season of eligibility for the upcoming year. ESPN reported last Wednesday that Trimble committed to Louisville, a social media post shared by the Cardinals. Trimble thanked UNC fans in an Instagram post for “the best four years anyone could ask for.” He wrote that he gave his all to represent the Tar Heels every day. “I’ve been considering returning to college the whole summer now, and Carolina was always in the running,” Trimble wrote. “But with a full roster at UNC, and other circumstances, I won’t be able to return home and will be transferring.” Trimble put himself into Tar Heels’ lore with a 3-pointer from right in front of the UNC bench, one that swished cleanly through the net with 0.4 seconds left, to lift the 14th-ranked Tar Heels past the fourth-ranked Blue Devils 71-68 in February. UNC athletic director Steve Newmark said they understand the difficult and complicated situation for everyone involved and called Trimble a true role model for his

SEAFORTH from page B1 while six wins may be the most in Hawks history, the team has its sights set higher than a .500 season. The team returns a solid core of contributors and should be well-positioned to build on last year’s success in 2025. Duncan Parker returns at

FIRST WEEK from page B1 Friendship in the home opener before falling on the road at Cardinal Gibbons in straight sets to end week one with a 2-1 mark. Next up for the Hawks is a road game at Ayden-Grifton, followed by three home games — Northwood, Hoggard and Cedar Ridge.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

UNC seniors Elijah Davis (6) and Seth Trimble (7) pose with teammates on Senior Night in March. four years with the Tar Heels. “The recent court decision in Colorado created an unusual situation for student-athletes who had completed their traditional four years of eligibility,” Newmark said. “The timing of the decision, the ongoing legal process and the circumstances surround-

ing our roster made that increasingly difficult to navigate.” New UNC coach Michael Malone said in a statement that Trimble will always be a Tar Heel even with the guard playing elsewhere for a season. “I have tremendous empathy for Seth because the tim-

ing of the court decision put him and our program in a difficult position as we constructed our roster,” Malone said. “None of that changes how we feel about Seth. He has represented Carolina the right way, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know him and his family.”

“With a full roster at UNC, and other circumstances, I won’t be able to return home and will be transferring.”

quarterback for one more season. Parker threw for 2,604 yards on 57% passing last season, connecting on 29 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. He was also Seaforth’s leading rusher, gaining 600 yards on the ground and scoring seven touchdowns, both for the second year in a row. He’ll have his top target back

in senior receiver Max Hinchman, who averaged more than 70 yards per game and topped 500 yards and five touchdowns for the second year in a row. While the team has to replace leading scorer Nick Gregory, who graduated, along with fellow co-captain Patrick Miller, there are seven Hawks playmakers who caught pass-

es last season returning to the team. On defense, Seaforth suffered losses in the defensive front and secondary but returns its top two tacklers at linebacker in Tyler Truesdale and Nolan Greiner. The Hawks open the season Friday night at home against Chapel Hill in a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Seaforth dropped last season’s opener to the Tigers 27-21, one of its two losses by less than a touchdown. Chapel Hill is also coming off a six-win season but must replace its quarterback and top three receivers. If Seaforth wants to build on its success, the move up would get a jump start with a win on opening night.

Unfortunately, Northwood, Jordan-Matthews and Chatham Central have combined to match Seaforth’s two wins on the season. J-M was swept in straight sets by Lee County and at Chatham Charter, then lost in four sets to Central Carolina. Next up are road tilts at Providence Grove, East Davidson and Chatham Central.

Chatham Central is 1-2, splitting a home and home with Northwood and dropping a 3-0 game to Chatham Charter. They return the home and home with a trip to Chatham Charter this week and also host Eastern Randolph, J-M and North Stokes. Northwood is 1-3. They won at home 3-1 over Chatham Central then lost the road rematch

3-2. In between, they suffered straight-set home losses to Seaforth and Lee County. This week, the Chargers host Carrboro and head to Seaforth. Chatham Charter is 2-2 on the season, sweeping its county rivals J-M and Chatham Central in straight sets while losing twin 3-1 matches in a home and home with Providence Grove.

This week the Knights have three home games, against Central Carolina, Chatham Central and River Mill. Woods Charter is 1-1, opening with a sweep of Discovery and then dropping a five-set match to Research Triangle. This week brings home games against Vance Charter and Eno River, as well as a trip to Southern Wake.

Local Service Directory

Seth Trimble

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Logano holds off Briscoe to win Cup Series race at Richmond The Team Penske driver is getting hot as the season winds down

“Don’t let the boys get hot.”

By Nate Ryan The Associated Press

Joey Logano

RICHMOND, Va. — Joey Logano delivered a warning to his NASCAR rivals after his victory Saturday at Richmond Raceway. “Don’t let the boys get hot,” the driver of Team Penske’s No. 22 Ford said after fending off a late charge by Chase Briscoe to earn his 39th career win by 0.392 seconds. “We’re pretty strong right now. It’s awesome to see the speed in the 22 again.” After falling as low as 20th in the points standings at the season’s halfway mark, the three-time Cup Series champion is surging toward the NASCAR Chase. Two races remain until the title run featuring the top 16 drivers. With two victories in the past four races (after only one win in his previous 56 starts), Logano has jumped to ninth in the points standings

en’t been able to capitalize on the win. We’ve been so close, but it was sweet redemption today.” Logano capitalized on the final strategy call by Wolfe, who pitted his driver just after taking the lead from Briscoe with 39 laps remaining. Logano needed only 15 laps to retake the lead from Christopher Bell, who was trying to stretch his tires to the finish on Richmond’s abrasive surface over the last 57 laps. Briscoe led a race-high 171 of 400 laps. He had a best finish of 11th in nine previous starts at Richmond, one of only three active tracks where he had yet to score a top 10. After qualifying second, he passed pole-sitter Ryan Blaney on the first lap to lead the first lap of his career on the 0.75-mile oval. “This place has been a real struggle to me,” said Briscoe, who clinched a spot in the Chase with

ROBERT SIMMONS / AP PHOTO

Joey Logano enters Victory Lane after winning the Cook Out 400 on Saturday in Richmond, Virginia. and established himself as a championship contender again. It’s no surprise given that it’s the 2026 season. Since 2014, Logano has either won the Cup title or advanced to the championship round in every even-numbered year, and he typically does it with a late-season spree. In his last title run, the 36-year-old won three of the final 10 races.

“We’ve seen it a lot over the years once he gets that confidence,” crew chief Paul Wolfe said. “He’s very good under pressure situations.” Logano scored his third Richmond win but his first in nine years at the track. “Gosh, it was a great car,” he said. “We’ve had a great car here the last five races, and we hav-

his sixth top 10 in the past seven races. “To get close and not get it done is so frustrating. We had a great points night, but just frustrating to say the least to have one slip away like that at the end.” Austin Cindric finished third and credited his teammate Logano with providing the advice that helped him score his best result since an April 2025 win at Talladega Superspeedway. “This is a racetrack that I feel like Joey Logano could finish top five in my rental car,” said Cindric. “It’s a place where I study him so much.” Denny Hamlin took fourth, followed by Chase Elliott, who notched his first top five since winning at Texas Motor Speedway three months ago. In an emotional ceremony, Richmond Raceway dedicated the grandstand seats where Hamlin’s parents sat for years watching NASCAR races long before their son became a 64-time winner in the Cup Series. Hamlin’s father, Dennis, died in a house fire last December. The track’s tribute was among the highlights of a homecoming weekend for Hamlin, who grew up about 20 minutes from the track. “It’s really the time I get to see my brother and sister that still live up here,” said Hamlin, who lives in the Charlotte area. “I’ve got lots of high school friends that have their own campsite here. It will be amazing if they don’t get arrested.”

ROBERT SIMMONS / AP PHOTO

Team Penske driver Joey Logano crosses the finish line to win Saturday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

Allen, Moore show signs of bringing back big-play dimension to Bills offense The former Panthers playmaker is ready to be the go-to guy By John Wawrow The Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — After months of seeking to develop an on-field connection with receiver DJ Moore during the Buffalo Bills spring practices, Josh Allen concluded he might be the one holding up the process. Too often, Allen realized he was doing too much in attempting to impress the newly acquired veteran by aiming or even forcing the ball Moore’s way. So on the first day of training camp, Allen informed Moore about trying a different approach. “I felt myself trying to be perfect when I’m throwing to him,” Allen said. “So I walked to him and said, ‘I’m just going to throw it. I’m just going to pick a spot and let it go. I’m not going to aim it anymore,’” he added. “And I feel once I said that, things kind of clicked for us.” The revelation and the duo’s newfound rapport was no more evident than during a team drill on the fifth day of camp.

Allen goes deep to Moore With time in the pocket, Allen glanced to his left in seeing Moore running at full speed and gaining a sliver of separation against three of Buffalo’s best defenders. Without hesitation, Allen heaved a spiral that Moore brought in over his shoulder with two outstretched hands and without breaking stride before tumbling to the turf for a would-be 60-yard touchdown. Allen called it “one of the better or more impressive catches and throws that I’ve made.” His only regret was that it didn’t happen during an actual game. Moore chalked it up to reflecting a new level of trust with Allen. “My confidence is high, regardless,” Moore said. “Now I just know he’s going to let it rip, and I just got to be there at a certain spot.” With one crowd-buzzing moment, the play represented why the Bills acquired Moore in trading a second-round pick to Chicago in March. And it also signaled what may well be the return of the big-play dimension Buffalo’s offense has lacked in the two seasons since Stefon Diggs’ departure. However much the Bills bought into the so-called “everybody

eats” spread-the-ball approach to the passing game minus Diggs, Moore’s addition places him at the head of the table. Departure from “everybody eats” approach First-year head coach Joe Brady avoided the suggestion of Moore representing a philosophical departure from the group of receivers he oversaw over the past two seasons as Buffalo’s coordinator. And yet, Brady acknowledged Moore bringing a new dimension to the offense. “There’s a reason we wanted him,” Brady said in detailing Moore’s speed, route-running technique and leadership. “Look, it’s training camp, right? We haven’t played a damn game yet. But you can feel him out there on the football field.” Though older by NFL receiver standards, the 29-year-old Moore has an accomplished resume entering his ninth season. He’s topped 1,100 yards receiving four times, including a career-best 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. Moore spent his first five seasons in Carolina and is reunited with Brady, who was the Panthers offensive coordinator from 2020-21.

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore walks off the field after practice at training camp. “Being here in Buffalo is definitely a new start,” Moore said. “I don’t really worry about expectations. I just go out there and be me each and every day and try to get better and better.” Age doesn’t appear to have slowed Moore, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard noticed. “He’s bigger than you think he is. He’s stronger. He’s more explosive than you think,” Leonhard said. “You see it live and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s why he’s so hard to tackle,’ or, ‘That’s why he’s always creating separation.’” Bills lacked proven deep threat A lack of separation and having a bona fide deep threat led to a sag in Buffalo passing attack. Though productive, the Bills leaned more on completing short passes and relying on receivers to break tackles. From 2020 to 2023, the Bills ranked no worse than seventh in the NFL with an average completion of 6.5 yards or

“Now I just know he’s going to let it rip, and I just got to be there at a certain spot.” D.J. Moore on Josh Allen longer beyond the line of scrimmage. Over the past three years, the Bills have ranked in the bottom half of the league with a sub-6-yard average. Allen’s numbers dropped, too. After averaging 4,385 yards passing from 2020-’24, he’s down to 3,700 over the past two years. It’s no wonder why Allen placed an emphasis on trying to impress Moore from the beginning, and realizing he doesn’t have to be perfect with each attempt. How imperfect, Allen was asked. “Pretty imperfect,” he answered. “(Moore) can erase a lot of mistakes.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

6 college coaches under most pressure entering 2026 season UNC’s Bill Belichick is one of three ACC coaches on the list

$270M

By Maura Carey The Associated Press PATIENCE FOR poor performance is a rarity in college football, and that’s only become more clear in recent years. Eight Power Four coaches were jobless by November in 2025, and 15 Bowl Subdivision coaches were fired throughout the season, totaling a record $270 million in buyout packages. As the 2026 season arrives, here are six coaches entering the fall under the most pressure for instant results. Mike Norvell Florida State

Florida State peaked too early last season with a 31-17 Week 1 upset of Alabama and two blowouts against East Texas A&M and Kent State, cruising to a 3-0 start. And then things got shaky for the Seminoles, winning just two of their final nine games. Coach Mike Norvell is just above .500 in his six years at FSU (38-34). Thirteen of those wins came during the Noles’ playoff run in 2023. Since then, FSU has landed in the win column just seven times and finished bottom five in the ACC in back-to-back years — leaving Norvell in the win-now bucket. Bill Belichick

UNC

Bill Belichick arrived at UNC as a first-time college

Total amount of buyouts for the 15 FBS coaches fired last year

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

UNC head coach Bill Belichick coaches from the sidelines against Duke. coach who had won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, but the hyped hiring fell flat in Year 1. The Tar Heels had 70 new players while ending up with more double-digit losses (five) than total wins (four) and missing a bowl for the first time since 2018, and there were multiple helpings of unwanted off-field headlines too. Belichick enters this year with 60 new players in another roster overhaul. The Tar Heels are picked to finish 15th in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference and have a tougher schedule in Year 2, including home games against Notre Dame and preseason ACC favorite Miami. Another off-field issue hit before camp: General manager Michael Lombardi is on

leave as the subject of a school investigation. Belichick originally signed a five-year, $50 million contract paying him $10 million in base and supplemental pay each year, though only the first three years were guaranteed. That means the school would owe the 74-year-old Belichick roughly one year’s pay if it decided to move on after the season. Shane Beamer

South Carolina

Shane Beamer’s fifth year at South Carolina didn’t quite go to plan, with the Gamecocks finishing 4-8 and 15th (1-7) in the SEC. South Carolina’s stint in the AP Top 25 was short-lived, entering the season at No. 13 in the preseason poll and falling out of the rankings entirely after a Week 3 loss to Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks lost six of their final eight games. Luke Fickell

Wisconsin

It’s no secret Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell is back on the hot seat — he acknowledged it himself at Big Ten media days. A 4-8 record in 2025 was Wisconsin’s second straight losing season for the first time since

the early 1990s. The Badgers reached lows they hadn’t seen since the ’70s last season with shutout losses against Iowa and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks. Fickell hasn’t been able to replicate the level of success he had in Cincinnati yet, posting a 17-21 record. Bill O’Brien

Boston College

After leading Boston College to a 7-6 record and Pinstripe Bowl appearance his first season, the Eagles regressed in 2025, finishing with a 2-10 record and ahead of only Syracuse in the ACC. Boston College’s two wins came in the first and last weeks of the season against Fordham and Syracuse, sandwiching 10 straight losses. The sharp decline after an encouraging first season has left little margin for error heading into Year 3. Mike Locksley Maryland

Maryland’s Mike Locksley remains squarely on the hot seat after nearly identical seasons in 2024 and 2025, finishing 4-8 overall and 1-8 in Big Ten play. In eight seasons, Locksley is 37-49 for the Terps, and the best years in the stretch were back-to-back 8-5 seasons in 2022 and again in 2023, when Maryland won its third bowl game in as many years. Locksley said the tough days are behind the program, looking forward to ramping up this season with what he described as one of the most talented rosters during his time at Maryland.

Top transfers in college football include plenty of guys who followed coaches A look at the top players in new locations in 2026 By Steve Megargee The Associated Press SOME OF THIS season’s top college football transfers simply followed their coaches from one school to another. For instance, former North Texas coach Eric Morris took over Oklahoma State and now has 21 of his former Mean Green players. That list includes Drew Mestemaker, who threw for a Bowl Subdivision-leading 4,379 yards a year ago. “I knew the whole time, Coach Morris was going to be a huge factor,” Mestemaker told reporters regarding the choice of his new school. “Wherever he went, that was probably going to be where I was going.” Mestemaker’s process wasn’t unusual. John Henry Daley, who recorded 11½ sacks at Utah last season, accompanied coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan. New Penn State coach Matt Campbell’s roster features about two dozen of his former Iowa State players, including quarterback Rocco Becht. “At the end of the day, I think my main decision was just to come in to play for Matt Campbell my final year, just because I had built relationships with a bunch of the guys here already,” Becht said. “I didn’t want to ruin any of those. A great coaching staff was brought here, and I wanted to be a part of that at a great university.” Becht arrives at Penn State after throwing for 9,274 yards and 64 touchdowns with 27 interceptions at Iowa State as a three-year starter. It’s no surprise that so many transfers are making this type of choice. They only need to look at Indiana’s remarkable turnaround for evidence this can work. Curt Cignetti brought 13

of his former James Madison players with him after taking over at Indiana. They helped set the tone for Indiana’s extraordinary turnaround that included earning a College Football Playoff berth in 2024 and winning a national title last season. These transfers believe familiarity with their longtime coaches will help them in their new situations. “You know what you get with Coach Whittingham,” Daley said. “You know that you get discipline. You know that you get hard work. We expect to win games. That’s something that I love. He’s got a very old-school mindset in that. We’re going to come in, we’re going to attack every single day, and we’re going to be tough. It’s not always going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it. That’s something I love that you don’t find everywhere. And that’s something I wanted to be a part of.” Here’s a rundown of some other transfers who should make a major impact this season (former schools listed below). Texas WR Cam Coleman Auburn

Coleman was the nation’s No. 3 overall prospect in his high school class. He caught 93 passes for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Auburn. Coleman gained attention on social media, making a phenomenal catch in practice. Indiana QB Josh Hoover

TCU

Hoover takes over for Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national title before becoming the first overall pick in the draft. Hoover, a three-year starter at TCU, has thrown for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns with 33 interceptions. Hoover will be throwing to former

SIDELINE REPORT MLB

Báez becomes first player to homer in first 3 at-bats in majors Chicago Joshua Báez became the first player to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats in the major leagues, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The 23-year-old left fielder, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, hit the first pitch he saw into the Wrigley Field bleachers and then homered in his next two at-bats. He also drove in five runs.

BOXING

Puerto Rican boxer Colón dies 11 years after sustaining brain damage in ring Puerto Rican fighter Prichard Colón died at 33, 11 years after he sustained brain damage in his only loss. Colón suffered a brain bleed in a light-middleweight fight against Terrel Williams in Fairfax, Virginia, in October 2015. Colón underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, and the WBC said he sustained “irreversible neurological damage” because of what the governing body described as “severe, illegal blows to the back of the head.” He never fought again and was later pictured in a wheelchair.

NBA

Judge sides with MSG against Oakley, says former Knick couldn’t prove assault at game New York A judge sided with Madison Square Garden in its lengthy legal battle with Charles Oakley, saying the former New York Knicks All-Star had not proven he was assaulted when he was removed from a game he attended in 2017. Oakley was handcuffed and arrested after an altercation with security while sitting near owner James Dolan. Oakley initially brought a number of claims against MSG that were dismissed in February 2020. Only Oakley’s assault-and-battery claim remained.

NCAA BASEBALL

Bertman, LSU’s 5-time national title-winning baseball coach, dead at 88

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah speaks following a team practice session. Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh and will be handing the ball off to ex-Boston College running back Turbo Richard. LSU QB Sam Leavitt Arizona State

Leavitt helped Arizona State earn a playoff berth in 2024 before a foot injury limited him to seven games last season. Leavitt, who began his career at Michigan State, has completed 61.4% of his career passes for 4,652 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also has rushed for 816 yards and 10 touchdowns. Leavitt will be working behind a line that includes Jordan Seaton, a former five-star recruit who started 22 games at left tackle for Colorado the last two seasons. Miami QB Darian Mensah

in 2024. Mensah has been productive at each of his stops and has completed 66.5% of his career passes. He threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions at Duke after accumulating 2,723 yards passing with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions at Tulane. Oregon S Koi Perich

Stanley “Skip” Bertman, who turned LSU’s baseball program into a powerhouse that won five national championships between 1991 and 2000, died at age 88. The College Baseball Hall of Famer’s legacy includes Alex Box Stadium, which opened in 2009 and holds about 11,000 spectators. The field at the stadium is named for Bertman, as is the College Baseball Foundation’s annual award for the nation’s top coach. Bertman retired from coaching in 2001 with a record of 870-330-3 in 18 seasons.

Minnesota

UFC

Perich was first-team all-Big Ten in 2024 and second-team last season. He had 82 tackles for Minnesota a year ago and also contributed on offense and special teams. In 2024, Perich became the first Bowl Subdivision freshman since 1976 to intercept five passes while also collecting over 100 punt return yards and 100 kick return yards.

Makhachev sets UFC record for consecutive wins in welterweight title defense

BYU LB Cade Uluave

Duke

Cal

After leading Duke to an Atlantic Coast Conference title, Mensah entered the portal and joined a conference rival that played for the national championship last season. This is Mensah’s third school in as many years, as he played for Tulane

Uluave comes to BYU after compiling 100 tackles — 12 for loss at Cal last season. He was first-team all-ACC. Uluave totaled 237 tackles — 21½ for loss — to go along with six sacks and three interceptions in three seasons at Cal.

Philadelphia Islam Makhachev sets a UFC record with his 17th straight victory, defeating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 330. Makhachev, who hasn’t lost since 2015, won the welterweight crown in 2025 and successfully defended it for the first time. Mackenzie Dern also defended her 115-pound title with a unanimous decision over Gillian Robertson. Edson Barboza retired after a loss to Esteban Ribovics, ending a career that began in 2009. UFC returned to Philadelphia for the first time since 2019.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

entertainment this week in history American Civil War ends, Salad Bowl strike begins, Paris liberated

1932: Amelia Earhart embarked on a 19-hour flight from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, making her the first woman to fly solo, nonstop, from coast to coast. 1992: Hurricane Andrew smashed into Florida; the storm resulted in 65 deaths and caused more than $26 billion in damage across Florida, Louisiana and the Bahamas.

The Associated Press AUG. 20 1858: Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was first published in the “Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society.” 1862: The New York Tribune published an open letter by editor Horace Greeley calling on President Abraham Lincoln to take more aggressive measures to free enslaved people and end the South’s rebellion. 1866: President Andrew Johnson declared the official end of the Civil War. AUG. 21 1831: Nat Turner launched a violent slave rebellion in Virginia, resulting in the deaths of at least 55 white people; scores of black people were killed in retribution after the rebellion, and Turner was later executed. 1858: The first of seven debates took place between Illinois senatorial contenders Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. 1911: Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. (It was recovered two years later in Italy.) AUG. 22 1791: The Haitian Revolution began as enslaved people of Saint-Domingue rose up against French colonizers. 1851: The schooner America outraced more than a dozen British vessels off the English coast to win a trophy that

AUG. 25 OSWALD W. BRIERLY / NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, GREENWICH VIA WIKIPEDIA

On Aug. 22, 1851, the schooner America defeated more than a dozen British vessels in a race off the English coast. came to be known as the America’s Cup. 1910: Japan annexed Korea, which remained under Japanese control until the end of World War II. AUG. 23 1305: Scottish rebel leader Sir William Wallace was executed by the English for treason. 1775: Britain’s King George III proclaimed the American colonies to be in a state of “open and avowed rebellion.” 1970: The Salad Bowl strike began, organized by farm labor leader Cesar Chavez; between 5,000 and 10,000 laborers walked off the job, leading to the largest farmworker strike in U.S. history. AUG. 24 1814: During the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to the still-under-construction Capitol and the White House, as well as other public buildings.

1916: President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, establishing the National Park Service as an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior to maintain the country’s natural and historic wonders and “leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” 1944: Paris was liberated by Allied forces after four years of Nazi occupation during World War II. 1948: In the House Un-American Activities Committee’s first televised congressional hearing, Alger Hiss denied charges by Whittaker Chambers that Hiss was a communist involved in espionage. AUG. 26 1939: The first televised Major League Baseball games were broadcast on experimental station W2XBS: a doubleheader between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. 1944: French Gen. Charles de Gaulle braved the threat of German snipers as he led a victory march in Paris, which had just been liberated by the Allies from Nazi occupation. 1958: Alaskans went to the polls to overwhelmingly vote in favor of statehood.

PETER J. CARROLL / AP PHOTO

On Aug. 26, 1944, thousands packed Paris to celebrate the city’s liberation from Nazi occupation as Gen. Charles de Gaulle led a victory parade.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

‘Comes in Waves,’ new Simon album, chronicles journey of love, loss For fans of the artist herself and pop torch singers

“Comes In Waves” by Carly Simon is the artist’s first studio album since 2009.

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

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ON HER FIRST album with original songs in nearly 20 years, Carly Simon is still working on some old demons and still determined to outlast them. “Maybe I never loved you / But anyway, I thought I did / I married you, we had a kid,” she sings in a ballad you could imagine Simon addressing to her ex-husband, James Taylor. “And maybe you never loved me / Although God knows you said you did.” Simon announced last month that she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease while recording “Comes in Waves” and that she also had surgery to remove a cancerous skin growth. But this album feels less like an ending than a continuation of themes and events that have inspired and defined her from early in her career — yearning, discontent, desire, uncertainty, her marriage to Taylor and the loss of her father, the publisher Rich-

IRIS RECORDS VIA AP

ard Simon, who died when Carly was in her teens. “Howl” is the album’s lead track, first single and table setter — a midtempo rocker addressed to a heartbroken friend (or to herself?) whom Simon urges to “Get it out of your system / Bang your fists and beat your brow.” The other songs unfold as if to dramatize the album’s title, as Simon’s mood shifts from defiance to regret to melancholy to resolve and a willingness to try

again, a cycle cushioned (to a fault) by the literal-minded production and arrangements of David Spencer, Frank Filipetti and son Ben Taylor, among others. “Comes in Waves” includes a remaster of Simon’s decades-old political song “Share the End,” and elsewhere echoes moments from her previous records. “Maybe I Never Loved You,” inspired by the late playwright Tim Mayer, feels like Simon’s version of “I Get Along Without

You Very Well (Except Sometimes),” the Hoagy Carmichael standard she covered on her 1981 “Torch” album. “The Father-Daughter Dance” suggests the pain of a ballad about her father from the early 1970s, “Embrace Me, You Child.” Simon also teases courtship (“Peaches”); celebrates parenthood (“Mother of Pearl,” a tribute to daughter and “child of divorce” Sally Taylor); and savors life’s “wild ride” (“Love the Way I Do”). The catchiest song is by a departed friend, the late Judy Belushi, widow of comedian John Belushi: “Four in the Morning” has a close-up, tiptoeing pace fitting for lyrics about an unhappy wife who slips away from her snoring husband. Simon, who turned 83 this year, doesn’t hit all the notes of her best known records, but she has lost none of her gifts for taking hold of a melody and putting her whole self into the words. Her musical journey has always been personal, and longtime Simon fans are the most likely to enjoy catching up with her. Others may feel like they had to be there.

Garfield finds wonder in everyday life in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ Author Enid Blyton’s children’s books inspired the film By Lizzie Knight The Associated Press

CJ RIVERA / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Nicolas Brown, from left, director Ben Gregor, Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield attend “The Magic Faraway Tree” special screening at Regal Union Square in New York.

solutions

ANDREW GARFIELD wants audiences to look up from their phones and remember that there is still plenty of magic in the world around them. That idea drew the two-time Oscar nominee to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” a family adventure about Tim, a stay-at-home father whose family is forced to reconsider life after his wife, Polly, quits her job. They move to the countryside, where their children discover the magical Faraway Tree and its ever-changing worlds, sending the family into a series of fantastical adventures. The film, based on Enid Blyton’s children’s books, arrives in U.S. theaters Friday. For Garfield, the story’s themes of nature, imagination and community feel especially timely as technology increasingly shapes everyday life. “I think people are craving connection and community and a kind of reconnection to the earth and to each other,” he said.

“I really just adore his sense of whimsy and heartfulness and magic and joy. I felt very, very passionate about it.” Andrew Garfield Garfield said he became passionate about the project after reading Simon Farnaby’s screenplay. “I really just adore his sense of whimsy and heartfulness and magic and joy,” he said. “I felt very, very passionate about it.” Tim’s journey reflects the film’s larger ideas about finding wonder outside the routine and distractions of modern life. For Garfield, that sense of wonder extends beyond fantasy. “I think it’s all around us,” he said. “There are so many things to be in awe of on this planet.” The film, he said, is ultimately about recognizing that “there’s magic in the ordinary” as well as in the extraordinary. Garfield, whose credits include playing Spider-Man, says he is drawn to roles with an element of play, community and the natural world. He focuses on

“anything that keeps me awake to the remembering of the connection that we have to each other, the connection we have to nature, how we are all interconnected,” he said. Garfield grew up reading Enid Blyton’s “The Famous Five” with his brother but did not read “The Faraway Tree” series as a child. His mother introduced him to another beloved literary adventurer: Bilbo Baggins, the hero of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” “Any underdog story, really, those are the ones that get me,” Garfield said. Another childhood escape was the video store. Garfield remembers being fascinated by the rows of VHS tapes and the possibilities behind their covers. The habit has survived in a new form in adulthood: spending an evening browsing streaming services without picking anything, enjoying the feeling of looking “into the windows of all these imaginary worlds.” That may help explain why Garfield welcomes the resurgence of VHS and other analog technology among younger audiences. “I dig that,” he said. “The regression to analog is looking good to me.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

famous birthdays this week Newton native Tori Amos turns 63, Tom Ridge turns 81, Branford Marsalis is 66 The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week. AUG. 20 Boxing promoter Don King is 95. Former U.S. senator and diplomat George Mitchell is 93. Rock singer Robert Plant is 78. Country singer Rudy Gatlin is 74. Singer-songwriter John Hiatt is 74. Actor-director Peter Horton is 73. Actor Joan Allen is 70. NBC anchor Al Roker is 72.

MARK HUMPHREY / AP PHOTO

Musician and singer Tori Amos turns 63 Saturday.

AUG. 21 Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton is 87. Singer Jackie DeShannon is 85. Film director Peter Weir is 82. Football Hall of Famer Willie Lanier is 81. Actor Loretta Devine is 77. Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin is 72. Actor Kim Cattrall is 70. AUG. 22 Author Annie Proulx is 91. Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski is 87. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells is 85. Writer-producer David Chase is 81. Rock singer Roland Orzabal (Tears For Fears) is 65. Singer Tori Amos is 63.

CHARLES SYKES / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Boxing promoter Don King turns 95 Thursday.

AUG. 23

AUG. 25

Actor Vera Miles is 97. Actor Barbara Eden is 95. Ballerina Patricia McBride is 84. Singer-songwriter Linda Thompson is 79. Author and motivational speaker Rudy Ruettiger is 78. Actor Shelley Long is 77. Actor-singer Rick Springfield is 77.

Actor Tom Skerritt is 93. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Wright is 91. Film director John Badham is 87. Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers is 80. Rock musician Gene Simmons (Kiss) is 77. Rock singer Rob Halford (Judas Priest) is 75. Musician Elvis Costello is 72. Film director Tim Burton is 68.

AUG. 24 Composer-musician Mason Williams is 88. R&B singer Marshall Thompson (The Chi-Lites) is 84. WWE co-founder Vince McMahon is 81. Author Paulo Coelho is 79. Actor Anne Archer is 79. Actor Steve Guttenberg is 68. Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. is 66.

AUG. 26 Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is 81. R&B singer Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson) is 80. Broadcast journalist Bill Whitaker is 75. Puzzle creator/editor Will Shortz is 74. Jazz musician Branford Marsalis is 66. Actor Macaulay Culkin is 46.

B10

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 20, 2026

the stream

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Weezer performs during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. The band will release its 20th studio album Friday.

‘Outer Banks,’ Anthony Hopkins’ classical album, Anne Hathaway’s 1st 2026 movie Weezer drops “The Gold Album” on Friday

zel Eyes.” It’s a follow-up to 2023’s “Gloria” — which features the sexy and sacrilegious “Unholy” collaboration with Kim Petras, the track that gave Smith their most recent Grammy win. This time around, Smith offers warm love songs. It’s a welcome change of pace from their previous heartbreak material.

The Associated Press THE FINAL season of “Outer Banks” and a new album from Anthony Hopkins (yes, Sir Anthony Hopkins) are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Weezer’s 20th album, the survival horror game “The Sinking City 2” and “Mother Mary,” which kicked off Anne Hathaway’s incredibly prolific year in theaters.

SERIES TO STREAM

MOVIES TO STREAM Hathaway’s epic year at the movies (which is still going at full throttle with “The End of Oak Street” and the upcoming “Verity”) didn’t start with “The Devil Wears Prada 2” or “The Odyssey” but with “Mother Mary,” David Lowery’s experimental film about a pop star (Hathaway) and her estranged designer (Michaela Coel). In his review for the AP, Film Writer Jake Coyle called it “a fitfully spellbinding chamber drama that grows more operatic with every stitch,” adding, “Hathaway makes not just a believable pop star but an indelible portrait of an artist’s ego in extremes.” But, Coyle wrote, “the movie belongs to Coel … ‘Mother Mary’ is the story of an exorcism, and she’s the exorcist.” It debuts on HBO Max on Friday. Coel also stars in one of the year’s best two-handers, “The Christophers,” which arrives on Hulu on Saturday. Written by Ed Solomon and directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film is a kind of heist movie in disguise, in which a pair of wannabe heirs (James Corden and Jessica Gunning) hire a restoration specialist and sometimes forger (Coel) to covertly finish a series of paintings by their famous father Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen). In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that it was “a meditation on art, legacy, creativity and the

VICTORIA WILL / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Michaela Coel, pictured in April in New York, stars in “The Christophers.” oh-so-touchy subject of who has the right to critique,” with sharp performances from all. And finally, it’s a Zahn family affair in “She Dances,” starring Steve Zahn and his daughter Audrey as a father and daughter reconnecting after tragedy on the way to a dance competition. It’s also a “Reality Bites” reunion with Ethan Hawke. Directed by Rick Gomez, the film received warm reviews out of the Tribeca Film Festival and is set to debut on Peacock on Friday. MUSIC TO STREAM Academy Award winner Hopkins will release his debut album, “Life Is a Dream,” Friday via Decca Records. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra and recorded at London’s Alexandra Palace in April, the album is a 12-track collection of classical compositions crafted over six decades. “My first love, or vocation really, is music,” the 88-year-old actor told the AP earlier this month. The generational talent picked up piano at 4 and wrote his first

The first two episodes of Season 2 of “Average Joe” are streaming now on Paramount+. The action-comedy stars Deon Cole as a plumber in Pittsburgh whose life becomes complicated — and dangerous — when he learns that his dad, who recently died, owes $10 million and a car to the Russian mob. Joe can’t catch a break in the new season either. Now in Cape Town, Joe once again finds himself over his head. “Outer Banks” kicks off its fifth and final season Thursday on Netflix. The show follows a group of friends from working-class families in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They call themselves “Pogues,” a nod to the pogy, a small baitfish at the bottom of the food chain with strong survival instincts. We begin the season with the Pogues grieving the death of one of their own. They set out on both a treasure hunt and a quest for revenge. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

SCOTT A. GARFITT / INVISION / AP PHOTO

From left, Isaura Barbe-Brown, Anne Hathaway, director David Lowery, Michaela Coel and Atheena Frizzell pose for photographers upon arrival at a London screening of the film “Mother Mary” on April 23. piece, a waltz, in 1960. He was 22 at the time. “Life Is a Dream” reflects his life and childhood in Wales — possessing what he describes as a “melancholy and sadness” but, ultimately, beauty. Power pop-punk band Weezer will release their landmark 20th album on Friday. It’s self-titled, but no doubt fans will refer to it as “the Gold Al-

bum,” continuing in their tradition of color-identified records. The single “We Might as Well Be Strangers” is a standout, featuring the idiosyncratic vocals of Karly Hartzman, lead singer of the indie rock group Wednesday. Also on Friday: English singer-songwriter Sam Smith will release their fifth album, “Ha-

It has taken longer than expected for “The Sinking City 2” to make it out of development. Then again, it comes from Ukraine’s Frogwares studio, and it isn’t easy to get a game out the door with a war going on. The new survival horror game is based on H.P. Lovecraft’s fiction, so be prepared to fight plenty of scaly, squishy, many-tentacled monsters as you explore a flooded Massachusetts town in the 1920s. Frogwares found a cult audience with 2019’s “The Sinking City” after building a reputation for more cerebral challenges with its Sherlock Holmes games. If you like your horror cosmic, the portal is open on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.