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VOLUME 149 ISSUE 27 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Up in the air

Northwood and Seaforth played in a boys’ soccer game last week. Seaforth prevailed 2-1, handing the visiting Chargers their only loss in their first five games. For more local Sports, turn to page B1.

the

BRIEF this week

ICE arrests jumped to nearly 50K in July, highest monthly total of Trump’s term Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested nearly 50,000 people in July. That marks the highest single-month total during the second Trump administration. The numbers come from the UC Berkeley Deportation Data Project. The spike follows a recalibrated immigration enforcement approach after Homeland Security officers shot two protesters in Minneapolis in January. The increase began in June and accelerated in July, with less public exposure than during Trump’s first year. Texas and Florida accounted for nearly 20,000 of the July arrests. The agency has been bolstered by billions of dollars from Congress and has hired 12,000 new deportation officers and agents.

Consumer confidence falls to lowest level in 7 months with gas above $4 per gallon Americans’ confidence in the economy declined this month as the ongoing Iran conflict has kept gas prices elevated at more than $4 per gallon. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index dipped to 89.4 in August from 90.2 in July. That’s the lowest level in seven months but essentially in the same lukewarm range it’s been in since the beginning of the year. In late 2024 and early 2025, the readings were consistently above 100. Respondents’ views of their present situation improved, but their outlook for the near-term future soured.

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County design guidelines in line for updates The new revisions include suggested plant lists for developers By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Commissioners met Aug. 17 with

an agenda filled with multiple public hearing matters. The board first held a hearing for amendments and revisions to the Chatham County Design Guidelines. The Chatham County Appearance Commission — which is composed of professionals such as landscape architects, designers, plant specialists and engineers — was first formed

more than three decades ago and is tasked with reviewing and recommending approvals of projects in the county. Its last update for the Design Guidelines came in 2010, and county staff felt it was time for additional revisions. “As areas get smaller, people become more, things have to change,” said Planner Angela Plummer.

Chatham County Schools ramp up with new superintendent Classes have begun in the district with the start of the new school year Chatham News & Record staff THERE WAS A new approach leading up to the opening of the school year

in Chatham County Schools. And a new superintendent in charge. Kelly Batten’s promotion to superintendent was announced in the spring. He formally assumed the position July 1. Batten had been the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources. He has been

part of the district for 14 years. Batten replaced Anthony Jackson, who left to become president and chief executive officer of the Public School Forum of North Carolina. His departure from Chatham County Schools was announced as a retirement. Jackson had been in his role since July 2021.

Another round of military exercises winds down

North Carolina counties in the territorial range for the Robin Sage training exercises

The territory used for the training has again included Chatham County Chatham News & Record staff THE LATEST Robin Sage training exercises for the U.S. Army’s Special Warfare Center and School are winding down this week. The candidates are based out of Fort Bragg. The exercises have been taking part throughout a chunk of North Carolina and small areas in South Carolina. There are 24 North Carolina counties, including Chatham, that are in the territory that might be in use.

Robin Sage is the final training exercise for students completing the Special Forces qualification course. A previous Robin Sage exercise took place in the spring, ending in early April. “We appreciate the support and consideration the citizens of North Carolina and South Carolina extend to the soldiers participating in the exercise and thank them for their understanding of any inconveniences the training may cause,” the school said in a statement. These exercises are sometimes conducted multiple times in a year. Chatham County has See TRAINING, page A7

The revisions will also include a suggested plants list and an invasive plant list for the development of commercial and industrial properties in the county. “This is a great thing for Chatham County,” said Commissioner Katie Kenlan. “There’s practical ecological and design impacts to having this list. Having this list is going to be part of what keeps this a place-based experience for people in Chatham County.” The board also heard a general use rezoning request for around four acres of property See BOARD, page A7

Classes for the school year began Monday in the district. Batten opted for a different build-up to the school year in terms of staff preparation. There wasn’t in-person gathering for convocation, though Batten sent out a video message at the beginning of last week to welcome staff to the new school year and offer a general overview. Batten called it “an intentional adjustment to our traditional convocation.” Instead, the district’s leadership team will visit each school See SCHOOLS, page A7

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

THURSDAY

8.27.26 #157

Pittsboro opens registration for fall Citizens Academy The five-week PBO-101 course gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at town government

“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 Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Jordan Golson Local News Editor Bob Sutton Chatham Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Ryan Henkel Reporter PJ Ward-Brown Photographer BUSINESS

Maximum number of participants in the fall PBO-101 class

Chatham News & Record staff PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro is accepting applications for the seventh offering of PBO-101, its Citizens Academy, a five-week evening course that walks participants through the inner workings of town government. The program covers current town programs, services and procedures while offering an in-depth look at departments including administration, finance, police, development services, parks and recreation, public works and communications, along with the town’s governing board. The fall session will also include a site visit to the Pittsboro Water Treatment Plant in partnership with TriRiver Water. Senior town staff will lead

each session in the community engagement wing of the Parks and Recreation building at 274 Pittsboro Elementary School Road. Classes will meet Wednesdays from 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4. The TriRiver Water tour is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. A daytime version of the course will be offered next spring. Class size is capped at 20 to allow time for discussion with town staff and hands-on exercises. Participants must be at least 18 on the first day of class, submit a completed registration form and sign a liability waiver.

Seats are first come, first served, but applications are prioritized in the following order: residents and business owners inside the town limits; those in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction; those elsewhere in Chatham County; and all other applicants. To graduate and receive a certificate, participants must attend five of the six classes as well as the graduation ceremony, which will be held during the Nov. 9 Board of Commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center at 1192 U.S. 64 West Business. Participants who miss too many sessions may make them up in a future offering if space is available. Registration closes at 5 p.m. Sept. 21 at pittsboronc.gov. After submitting the form, applicants will receive additional materials by email and will be formally enrolled once those forms are completed and returned to the town.

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

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

Aug. 27 79°West: Chatham Art Guild Reception 5-7 p.m. This event features new artworks by four regional artists working in fine-art painting and ceramics. The exhibition comprises a wide range of artwork created in various media. 79°West Innovation Hub 120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120 Pittsboro

Aug. 27-29 “A Girl Called Tiny”

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

CHATHAM

7:30 p.m.

CRIME LOG Aug. 17 • Brianna Troy Turner, 37, of Siler City, was arrested for simple assault. • Deondre Shamone Degraffenreid, 23, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree trespass. • Omar Dominguez, 27, was arrested for possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession marijuana up to half ounce.

• Ronald Lincoln Goodwin, 49, of Bear Creek, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and felony larceny, and other charges. • Timothy Richard Fox, 20, of Bennett, was arrested for seconddegree kidnapping, disseminating material harmful to a minor and disseminating obscenity in pictures of an individual under 18, and other charges. Aug. 20

• Timmy Dante Person, 46, was arrested for impaired driving.

• Brian Antonio Franco, 29, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender (x12).

Aug. 18 • Rafael Ibarra Ibarra, 35, was arrested for simple worthless check, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and simple assault, and other charges.

• Carrie Anne Mote, 33, of Liberty, was arrested for felony conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretenses and attempted larceny, and other charges.

Aug. 19 • Daniell Jonathan White, 45, of Siler City, was arrested for driving while impaired and failure to maintain lane control. • Danny Dale Scott, 68, of Bear Creek, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and felony larceny, and other charges. • Louis Frazier, 68, of Bear Creek, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and felony larceny, and other charges. • Mustafa Latif Kariem, 48, of Ga., was arrested for larceny motor vehicle parts.

• Danny Dale Scott, 68, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and felony larceny, and other charges. • Harley Davidson Gillenwater, 44, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny, lar remove dest deact compo and shoplifting concealment goods. • Jay Thomas Minnich, 64, of Pittsboro, was arrested for indecent exposure. • Jose Gabriel Mercado Alfaro, 25, of Pittsboro, was arrested for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Louis Frazier, 68, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and felony larceny, and other charges. Aug. 21 • Joshua Eugene Cole, 32, was arrested for felony conspiracy, attempt breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny after breaking and entering, and other charges. • Joshua Luke Brady, 38, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession controlled substance prison jail premises, and other charges. • Shawn Michael Seeley, 48, was arrested for felony conspiracy, breaking and entering and possession of drug paraphernalia, and other charges. • Travis Ellis Coleman, 40, was arrested for breaking or entering. • Wade Hampton Farrish, 73, was arrested for violation of a domestic violence protective order. Aug. 22 • Aleaha Renne Marr, 32, was arrested for driving while impaired. • Keyvan Keshavarz, 40, was arrested for driving while impaired and failure to maintain lane control. • Natalie Marie Howard, 43, was arrested for simple assault.

Blue Box Theatre Company’s new musical, based on Thumbelina, is staged picnic-style on The Plant’s outdoor stage. Bring a chair or blanket; a limited number of blankets can be rented. Rain moves the show indoors as a staged reading. Parking is free. The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

Aug. 28 Bluegrass Experience at Bynum Front Porch 7-8:30 p.m. 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

Aug. 29-30 Come Out and Play Sculpture Show

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements:

community@ chathamnewsrecord.com Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

Central Electric providing grants to local educators to fund innovative projects

Noon until dark

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom?

JimGin Farm 150 Wild Horse Run Pittsboro

Sept. 5-6

Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. Educators in K-12 classrooms with creative ideas for learning projects are encouraged to apply for a grant up to $2,000.

51st Annual Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Steam engines power a working sawmill, cotton gin and “steam cream” ice cream. Antique tractors, clogging, a junior dairy show, barbecue and a kids’ area fill the grounds. Admission is $5; ages 6 and under are free. Leashed pets are allowed. Parking is free.

Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. However, it pays to apply early. All teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline of Aug. 15 will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park 4221 Silk Hope Road Siler City

919-774-4900 800-446-7752

—

128 Wilson Rd SANFORD, NC

The 25th-year outdoor sculpture opening has live music, free food and drink, and no admission fee.

CEMCPower.com

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Nothing changes yet with Supreme Court’s order on elections

Church News FIRST WESLEYAN

New postal service rules require election officials to overhaul procedures with no time to spare

CHURCH YOUTH HOT DOG FUNDRAISER Saturday, Sept. 5 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. $10 – includes two hot dogs, chips, drink and dessert

By Nicholas Riccardi The Associated Press THE SUPREME Court’s decision giving preliminary approval for President Donald Trump’s order restricting mail voting may not lead to a single election procedure changing during the November midterms, but it has already thrown into uncertainty the method that nearly one-third of the country uses to vote. Rather than saying Trump’s order is legal, the high court said Monday it was too early for Democratic-run states to challenge it in June, when they convinced a federal judge in Boston to freeze the order for November’s election. That effectively restarts the legal fight over the order in an incredibly compressed timeline, with initial ballots scheduled to be sent to North Carolina’s overseas and military voters in just over a week, on Sept. 4. A second injunction barring the U.S. Postal Service from making changes to comply with Trump’s directive remains in effect. Still, the administration late Monday filed a motion asking that the second hold be removed and has posted new regulations from the Postal Service that would go into effect if the legal pathway is fully cleared. That new rule requires specific formatting for envelopes containing mail ballots — which may force some jurisdictions to completely revise theirs — and makes states use an electronic system to identify to the Postal Service who is voting by mail. If states don’t comply with the rule, their mail ballots won’t get sent. The prospect of such a potential sweeping overhaul in mere days boggled critics’ minds. In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned that the decision “needlessly injects chaos and uncertainty into the upcoming midterm elections.” David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, agreed, saying the majority “seemed to create complete chaos leading up to the midterm elections” and it’d be “impossible” for states to comply with the new rules at this late date. Some ballots for November election set to go out within days Jesse Salinas, the registrar of Yolo County in California and president of that state’s association of election officers, noted that ballots in his state start going out in 11 days, and his county already printed its envelopes. “You look at the timeline, and it’s a bit chaotic,” Salinas said, noting he doesn’t know precisely which envelope designs comply with the new rules. He dismissed the idea of a last-minute revision in procedures. “The capacity to do that, I just don’t see it,” Salinas said. Tammy Patrick, chief pro-

Location: Dry Dock Parking Lot How your suppozrt makes a difference: Every hot dog purchased contributes to sending off Christmas shoeboxes around the world for children in need. LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO

An election worker sorts vote-by-mail ballots at the MiamiDade County Supervisor of Elections Office for the Florida primary election in Doral, Fla., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

“There isn’t a single state that does their elections in a way that this postal rule lays out.” Tammy Patrick, Elections Center chief program officer gram officer at the Elections Center, an association of 2,500 election officers, warned that it’s impossible for any state to comply with the rule and that no one she talked to has tried. “There isn’t a single state that does their elections in a way that this postal rule lays out,” Patrick said in an interview. “There has been this assumption that this is not going to happen because it could not happen the way it’s laid out because no one does it this way.” Cisco Aguilar, the Democratic secretary of State in Nevada, where every registered voter gets a mail ballot, noted the post office had already misdelivered three dozen mail ballots from his state’s June primary. “They’re going to come in within seven days and build a massive database that has 100% accuracy?” Aguilar said in disbelief. “It is impossible to implement this system in that time frame.” Trump votes by mail, seeks to curb it for others Trump has long sought to make voting by mail largely impossible, though he himself has repeatedly cast his ballots by mail. Trump falsely blamed his 2020 loss on mail voting and spun up baroque conspiracy theories that he’s tried to prove while back in office. Judges blocked him from creating new voting restrictions by executive order last year, and he only issued his latest order after his bill to revamp voting procedures stalled in the Senate amidst Democratic opposition. The Election Assistance Commission found that 29% of voters in 2024 cast their ballots through the mail. Democrats are more likely to use mail voting than Republicans, a reflection of how the process has become polarized since Trump began attacking it in 2020. Still, the president has to date

been unable to make the sweeping changes he’s sought because the Constitution grants control of voting rules to states, and in federal elections, to Congress — not the president. Legal experts stressed that’s why they view it as unlikely Trump’s order will actually be implemented. Not only did the majority in the Supreme Court’s unsigned order note that it hasn’t determined whether the measure is constitutional, but every victory the administration has won so far has only been because it’s argued that it’s premature to talk about its constitutionality. Opponents are already weighing new lawsuits since the final rule was published Friday night. More litigation expected Becker, a former Department of Justice lawyer who co-wrote a book debunking Trump’s 2020 election lies, added that he expects the next round of litigation to keep the order from being implemented in November. Rick Hasen, a UCLA law professor, said after the ruling, “This doesn’t necessarily mean anything in terms of November.” Derek Muller, a Notre Dame law professor, said the Supreme Court still ensured a fraught court battle in the coming days. “It puts courts in a terrible place because whatever happens is super close to the election,” Muller said. “If it permits it, it creates super disruption for the states. If it suspends it, it visibly angers the administration.” Hasen said it’s inconceivable that the regulation will impact voters in November. “Both legal and practical reasons make this practically impossible to enforce,” he said of Trump’s mail voting order. Elections are run by local officials in thousands of scattered offices, many of which don’t even have a full-time employee. Patrick said that those who work in the field have been left reeling. “Election officials just feel like punching bags at this moment because they plan one way of conducting their elections and have contingency plans if a fire breaks out or one location loses power,” Patrick said. “But how do you plan for something that affects one-third, one-half or all of your voters?”

Let’s eat, connect and make a difference! Please contact Ashley: 919·395-0916

HOUSE OF PRAYER FELLOWSHIP CHURCH The House of Prayer Fellowship Church at 549 Horton Road in Goldston warmly invites you to join us for our annual Family and Friends Day on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. Our guest speaker will be Pastor Claudia Greene of Alston Chapel United Church of Christ in Sanford. Dinner will be served afterward. We welcome everyone to come and participate in this special celebration!

LIGHT REVEALS THE EVIL! Bible study: Matthew 4:16-25. Church of Living Water; Pastor: James Mitchell. America and the world have been accepting the evil that’s going on. But it’s past time that America First Patriots start taking action before it’s too late. The Democrat Socialist Party of America must be stopped! These evil politicians must not come into power! We must hold the Senate and the House so President Trump can continue to make America great again! President Trump gave the citizens of America the biggest tax break—no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security. He has stopped Iran from having a nuclear bomb with help from our greatest ally, Israel! God’s Word says He will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. Genesis 12:2-3. The Democrat/Socialist/ Communist Party, with the help of radical Muslims, wants to take over America. The illegals/criminals are taking American citizens’ jobs, housing, insurance, and are responsible for killing and raping our citizens. They want to do away with our law enforcement so they can’t be stopped. Activist judges are working with these criminals. They are trying to stop everything President Trump is doing to make America great again. Some in California are saying it’s okay to steal. The Democrat Socialist Party wants WR WDNH \RXU PRQH\ \RXU ODQG DQG \RXU EHQH¿WV Those in darkness had better wake up before it’s too ODWH -HVXV¶ ¿UVW VHUPRQ WR WKH SHRSOH ZDV WR UHSHQW America, I pray you see the darkness of evil that will destroy America! I pray that all see the light of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Won’t you come and have all your sins forgiven? Jesus is your victory over drugs, alcoholism, gambling, and misery. We PXVW QRW JLYH XS WKH ¿JKW IRU *RG DQG +LV FKLOGUHQ shall be victorious. Keep the faith!

Share with your community! ••• Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@ chathamnewsrecord.com. ••• LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO

Election workers sort vote-by-mail ballots at the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Office for the Florida primary election Aug. 18 in Doral, Florida.

Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Winnie-the-Pooh centennial celebration “Nostalgia” literally means “homesickness” and was originally coined 300 years ago by a Swiss doctor to describe soldiers.

THIS MONTH, we celebrate one hundred years of Winnie-the-Pooh — the “willy nilly silly old bear” — along with Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and the rest of the gang in the Hundred Acre Wood. A.A. Milne based the character Christopher Robin on his son and modeled the setting on the Ashdown Forest outside his home in Sussex, England. Today, Kathryn Aalto is part of the conservation efforts of the same forest. She noted that Milne wrote his stories during a time of social unrest and anxiety. Pooh and company provided a respite from such concerns, and not only for young readers. Marking the centennial of Milne’s publication, Aalto wrote, “We don’t return to Winnie-the-Pooh because we want to be children again. We return because we want to remember what childhood felt like. The seemingly endless possibilities of the outdoors as our imaginations ran wild and free.” Earlier this summer, my daughter and I went to see her friend in a children’s production of Winnie-the-Pooh. Put on by Studio 1 of the Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre, the play was terrific! The plot

centered on a note written by Christopher Robin: “Gon out. Bisy. Backson.” — a misspelling of “Gone out. Busy. Back soon.” Owl, the supposedly wise one, convinced the other animals that a horrible monster called the Backson had kidnapped Christopher Robin. Egged on by the nervous Rabbit, Pooh and his friends dug a hole to capture the Backson, but eventually they all fell in. Christopher Robin returned and helped them. All was well. Every ticket holder was there because one of our loved ones was performing. But I looked around and saw something else besides pride shining in the eyes of the adults — the nostalgia that Aalto identified as the underlying reason we return to these stories. I know I was not the only grownup who had loved Pooh as a child. “Nostalgia” literally means “homesickness” and was originally coined 300 years ago by a Swiss doctor to describe soldiers. But those men had a lot of other stress factors that resulted in their symptoms of depression and anxiety. Modern scientists believe nostalgia can “promote greater social connectedness, self-esteem and levels of optimism”

(Dr. Smitha Bhandari on WebMD). The children’s play evoked all these positive impacts in the smiles on the faces of my fellow audience members and also the tears glistening in their eyes. In the lobby after the show, I overheard some adults talking about Milne’s characters, specifically which traits they most identified with when they were young. One woman said she was enthusiastic like Tigger; another admitted she felt timid like Piglet. Smiling gently, the first person responded, “Perhaps we have a little bit of all of them in us.” I thought to myself, “That was a Pooh-like thing to say!” And I felt warm inside. Happy birthday, Winnie-the-Pooh! May your gentle wisdom shine through the young and rekindle the faith of children at heart. 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 | BOB WACHS

Some things really do go naturally together I say all that to say that there really are some things that go together in our lives or when you have one you almost automatically think of the other.

IN THE MOVIE “Forrest Gump,” the Tom Hanks-played main character says numerous times that he and his lady love Jenny go together “just like peas and carrots.” Now, not everybody likes peas and carrots, I know, so for them they don’t go together, but they do for me. I like peas and carrots, by themselves or in chicken pot pie. I like English peas, what Shirley refers to as “silly little peas,” cooked with new potatoes and some pastry. My mama used to do that when I was a tender lad of 6 or 11 or 14. And Shirley not often enough throws together a carrot dish that she calls “dimes” or “silver dollars” or some other piece of money. All I know is that they’re sliced across like dimes or nickels and the sauce or whatever that stuff the dish is in has lots of sugar. I say all that to say that there really are some things that go together in our lives or when you have one you almost automatically think of the other. I know that varies from person to person depending on who we are and what floats our boat. But one of the good things about them, especially when it comes to chow, is not only how tasty good they are but also, when it comes to something other than chow, how sweet the memories can be. Case in point: I seldom eat a hot dog that’s served in one of those little ruffled paper holders without thinking of my Uncle Frank Durham. He wasn’t a bit of blood kin to me, but his wife was the daughter of the lady in Bynum who reared my daddy and who always referred to Louise as “Sister” and her mother as “Mama.” My brothers and I always referred to the two of

them as “Uncle Frank and Louise.” I’m not really sure exactly why we spoke that way, and I don’t remember how we called her or spoke to her directly. What I do know is we always called him “Uncle Frank.” Anyway, when I was the tender age of 5, I spent a year at the Governor Morehead School in Raleigh, aka “the State School for the Blind.” I had an issue with my eyes, and my folks weren’t really sure how I was going to turn out as far as being able to see very well, so they thought I should get a head start just in case. In time, the folks at the long-gone McPherson Hospital in Durham helped me turn some corners with glasses and contact lenses, but that year going to school in Raleigh had some benefits. One of them occurred every Sunday night when my folks and, most of the time, Uncle Frank (again) and Louise would take me back to my buddies in the dorm on the Raleigh campus off Western Boulevard. In those dark days of early civilization, there was no I-40 or 440 or four-lane this or that. There was just U.S. 64 in its radiant two-lane glory going through Pittsboro and Apex and Cary and on into Raleigh. Along that stretch between Apex and Cary was a restaurant that, I think, went by the name Seaboard Something or Another. That was, I think, because it was beside or across the road from a pond and the old, now long-gone Seaboard Airline Railway train tracks passed by the place. What was the key, however, was that it was where I got my Sunday night staple of two hot dogs all the way and a significant amount of chocolate milk. I think it’s the smell of the hot dogs — and that’s the association of things going

together I spoke of earlier — that makes me remember Uncle Frank. The combination of the chili that soaks into the paper holder always takes about, dare I say it, more than 70-plus years off my life, and I am once again that little guy. There is also another nasal association I have with him of things going together, namely Juicy Fruit chewing gum. Today it’s too sweet for me; rather have Spearmint or something similar. But I used to pound a stick or two of Juicy Fruit between my ivories until the cows came home twice, and every time I smell Juicy Fruit I think of him. The other day on purpose I got a pack of Juicy Fruit just to smell it. Chewed one stick; the rest is on my desk. It may be another five years before a second one is chewed, but the same association will be there, I’m sure. He also used to give me a dime every time we said “Goodbye” too, but I didn’t eat those. Comic books were only 10 cents at the turn of the century then, so that’s where my financial bonanza went. Come to think of it, I think hot dogs were maybe a dime at the time, too, so maybe the dimes are the real association. Anyway, those things — and there are others — are pretty special and really important to me. I hope you’ve got some; if not, find or make some. And if you need help, let me know. A good hot dog is never out of season ... or out of mind. Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

COLUMN | RICH LOWRY

Partners in crime

AI and web tracking guys, have you been observing me, in my house, this whole time?

I’M BEING FOLLOWED! I’m being followed by … Whoops, getting way ahead of myself. Backtracking: AI (artificial intelligence) and web tracking, I’m coming for you. Well, that’s not exactly true because you have already come for me … and didn’t even ask. AI and web tracking guys, have you been observing me, in my house, this whole time? Perchance listening to very personal conversations on the phone and those with visiting friends? Yes, you, Alexa! Listening to us and then busting into our conversation with commentary. We have no idea what triggered your entrance into our personal business. That’s a tad scary, you know. (“The Twilight Zone” theme cues up in the background.) Ms. Alexa, you’ve also been privy to my various expletive-laden accidental encounters with furniture in my house. (It really, really hurts. C’mon …) Mr. Web Tracking, ahem, now about you. I was googling new toilets for a friend, and suddenly found toilets, of all sorts, popping up in my Facebook feed. Toilets! Enough already. You’ve posted an ad in my digital New York Times, calling attention to the new brand of granola I just ordered, 24 hours ago, from Amazon! (True, it is awfully tasty. I

just don’t like being shadowed all the time.) By the way, Mr. Web Tracking, did you enjoy that quirky new website I discovered yesterday: The Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register? What a hoot! And those pics … I have been so incredibly judgmental of you guys, Ms. AI and Mr. Web Tracking. Conversely, I cannot forget all the beloved beluga whales and orca videos that now populate my Facebook feed, thanks to y’all. I love ’em! Pleading that no great white sharks show up. Ever. I’d have a heart attack. What to do with you, AI and Web Tracking? I feel your tangible presence following me around, uninvited, all the time, taking note of my private life. Don’t care for that at all. Deep, deep breath. I’m going to do nothing. All the options I’ve explored for taming your invasiveness call for more technology skills than I have or more money than I wish to spend. All I ask is that you keep Great Whites out of my digital feeds. For the moment, I’ll live with the rest. Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

COLUMN | BONNER COHEN

No, MIT, ‘Clean Energy’ isn’t the future — nor is it really clean According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by 2030, the nation could have as much as 1 million tons of solar panel waste on its hands.

IS THE WORLD still transitioning to green energy in the era of Donald Trump and in the midst of, yet again, geopolitical unpleasantness in the oil-rich Middle East? While climate activists bewail the Trump administration’s embrace of fossil fuels and its corresponding disdain for solar panels and wind turbines, a new report released by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Energy and Environmental Research says greener days may yet be in our future. The report, “Glass Half-Full: Building a Decarbonized U.S. Power Sector,” sees a green light at the end of Trump’s dark tunnel of dismantling Biden-era climate policies. Focusing exclusively on electricity generation over the next decade, the report uses a mathematical model to compare how much “clean power” will survive the Trump administration’s phase-out of wind and solar subsidies and its scuttling of other green-energy initiatives with what would have been produced under Biden-era climate policies. According to the model, the energy transition is alive and well, with about three-quarters of the “clean electricity capacity” that would have come online under the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act and power plant regulations surviving the Trump onslaught. Yes, onshore wind power will take a hit, and other decarbonization initiatives will be delayed. But the headwinds that the vaunted transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is encountering show no sign of letting up. A recent report from the BlueGreen Alliance, a partnership between labor and environmental organizations, found that the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other Trump energy initiatives have already delayed or canceled 223 wind and solar projects representing at least $82 billion in capital investment and 111,000 green-energy jobs. While a few coastal wind facilities survive, since March, developers have canceled five leases for offshore wind projects in coastal California, New York, Maine, Louisiana and North Carolina valued at more than $3.9 billion. In accordance with agreements developers negotiated with the Trump administration, most of that money will be redirected to oil and gas projects, geothermal development and upgrading the power grid. Furthermore, “deep decarbonization” has been aggressively pursued in Europe, with disastrous results. “From 2015-2025, the first decade of the Paris Agreement on climate change, global energy consumption rose by more than 14%, with sharply contrasting dynamics,” notes Samuel Furfari, professor of energy geopolitics at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. “Europe’s decrease in energy use is no triumph of ecological heroics but rather

the outcome of the assault of the EU Green Deal on competitiveness and its predictable deindustrialization and economic decline.” Citing a recent Energy Institute report showing fossil fuels make up 86% of global primary energy consumption, with wind and solar accounting for just 3%, Furfari, writing in The Center Square, throws cold water on the idea of an energy transition. “The dominance of fossil fuels in the world energy system persists even as wind and solar, expensive and intermittent, expand. The world is undergoing an energy addition, not a transition, as new technologies supplement the growing capacity of legacy sources.” Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy and once a champion of decarbonization, has responded to the recent Middle East energy bottlenecks by reducing its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from that troubled region (while increasing LNG imports from the U.S.), ramping up coal-fired generation and restarting nuclear power plants. Wind and solar power, along with battery storage, are being pushed aside. In addition to failing to meet the soaring global demand for affordable and reliable energy, what is billed as “clean energy” — in the MIT report and elsewhere — isn’t really clean. Wind turbines and solar panels may not produce carbon emissions, but they do create waste — lots of it. Disposal of giant wind turbines in landfills is often the only way to deal with equipment that is no longer serviceable. “Blades are frequently buried in fragments in several landfills throughout the Great Plains, transforming sites in Wyoming, Iowa, and South Dakota into wind turbine graveyards. By 2050, the cumulative decommissioning material from wind turbines could reach 133 million tons,” noted Ariel Cohen in Forbes. Out-of-service solar panels, laden with lead, cadmium and other heavy metals, pose their own environmental problems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by 2030, the nation could have as much as 1 million tons of solar panel waste on its hands. These not-so-clean, weather-dependent energy sources will never be more than bit players in today’s fast-moving, technology-driven industrial revolution. Bonner Russell Cohen is a senior policy analyst with the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT). (Copyright Daily Caller Foundation 2026)

Trump’s fondness for Kim Jong Un sends the wrong signal IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE that Kim Jong Un is really this charming. President Donald Trump touted his fond relationship with the North Korean dictator in a Truth Social post calling for scaling back a long-running annual military exercise with the South Koreans. “Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un,” Trump wrote, “I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea.” According to Trump, the exercises “send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful.” Then he added that South Korea had recently declined to take a role in the Iran war, clearly irking Trump, as he subsequently explained to reporters at the White House. The joint exercises have been a key element of the U.S.-South Korea military alliance for decades. They are meant to ensure that the two countries are prepared in the event of a North Korean assault, and perhaps now have an added importance given the experience North Korea has gained in high-intensity modern warfare by bolstering Russian forces in Ukraine. Much more important than the practical effect of Trump’s fusillade, though, is the signal it sends, yet again, that he is easily disenchanted with longtime allies whose friendship should be considered a strategic boon to the United States. Whether musing about making Canada the 51st state, briefly campaigning to take control of Greenland, imposing tariffs on friend and foe alike, or hammering NATO, Trump has been careless of the goodwill of our allies. They need us more than we need them, which means they are willing to put up with a lot, but sowing dissension unnecessarily is a foolhardy game at a time of growing international threats. South Korea has been a treaty ally since 1953 and is a wealthy, technologically advanced democracy that occupies strategically important ground in Northeast Asia. It is obviously both threatened by and a bulwark against potential North Korean adventurism. Pete Hegseth visited South Korea last year and said, “Our alliance is stronger than ever before, 72 years strong.” He described the inspiring sight of U.S. and South Korean soldiers standing “shoulder to shoulder working together.” South Korea has been committed to increasing its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP. In light of this, Hegseth subsequently averred, “Model allies that step up, like Israel, South Korea, Poland ... will receive our special favor.” Such assurances by administration officials are always subject to change, depending on Trump’s animosities at any given time. It’s certainly true that South Korea owes its existence to us. We fought to preserve its independence at a great cost in blood and treasure during the Korean War, and we have nearly 30,000 troops on the peninsula to deter North Korea from assaulting the South again. Seoul has lent support to recent U.S. military operations, typically in noncombat roles, but it’s understandable that it wouldn’t be enthused about taking part in an Iran war that hasn’t gone as planned and that has no clear endgame. As for the North, it isn’t our friend. It is firmly within the China-Russia axis and has been developing its nuclear and missile arsenal apace. There is no reason to believe that any blandishments from Trump will change its behavior, and Kim has been clear that the U.S. needs to abandon its “obsession” with denuclearization. What we most need from South Korea is for it to be as strong as possible to deter North Korea, and we shouldn’t be lending any credence to its claim that U.S.-South Korean exercises are provocations or sowing doubt about our commitment to allies. Such diplomatic episodes, though, are an inherent part of Trump’s governance. To paraphrase the Roman writer Publilius Syrus: Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them, and Trump distresses them — unnecessarily. Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. (Copyright 2026 by King Features Synd., Inc.)

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

obituaries DOROTHY DIANE GOLDSTON MARTIN AUG. 14, 2025 Ms. Dorothy Diane (Goldston) Martin, 87, of Goldston, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Friday, August 14, 2026, at her residence. Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

RODNEY BRIAN BRADY NOV. 4, 1967 – AUG. 18, 2026 Rodney Brian Brady, of Bear Creek, North Carolina, passed away on August 18, 2026. He was born on November 4, 1967, and was a lifelong resident of Chatham County. Rodney was a member of Fall Creek Baptist Church and a graduate of Chatham Central High School, where he made lasting memories and had record-breaking seasons as a pitcher for the Bears baseball team. His love of sports and the outdoors continued throughout his life. An avid sportsman, Rodney enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also had a deep interest in military history and spent many hours watching the History and Military channels. Each year around Thanksgiving, watching “Thanksgiving” was a tradition he looked forward to. Rodney is survived by his loving wife, Jamie Stumpf Brady; his daughter, Jordan Brady Mains and her husband, Larry; his son, James Aaron Brady and his wife, Brooke; his grandson, Jesse Luke Brady; and his mother, Tina Phillips Brady. He was preceded in death by his father, Jesse “Bub” Brady. Rodney will be remembered for his love of family, his lifelong connection to Chatham County, his passion for the outdoors, and the interests and traditions that brought him joy.

Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs dies in Los Angeles after illness at age 87

By Corey Williams The Associated Press EARLY MOTOWN songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, who helped pen hits including “Money (That’s What I Want)” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” has died following an extended illness at a Los Angeles hospital, her family said Saturday. She was 87. Bradford Hobbs was born in Charleston, Missouri, and later moved to Detroit. She was introduced in the late 1950s to Motown founder Berry Gordy by neighbor and singer Jackie Wilson. She joined Motown as a receptionist in 1958 and like many of the company’s employees took part in the creative process that helped make Motown a music industry powerhouse. She and Gordy co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want).” The song was recorded in 1959 by Barrett Strong and became an early hit. It was covered by The Beatles and also became one of that group’s hits. “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” first was recorded by The Temptations and later became a hit for Marvin Gaye. Bradford Hobbs also wrote songs for Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas and others. “Janie was there with me from the very beginning, be-

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“Janie was there with me from the very beginning, before there was even a Motown, and she will always hold a very special place in my heart and in the Motown family.” Berry Gordy, Motown founder fore there was even a Motown, and she will always hold a very special place in my heart and in the Motown family,” Gordy said in a statement. “Janie was one of a special group I have always thought of as the original Motown family — the unsung heroes who believed in the dream before anyone knew what Motown would become,” Gordy continued. “She was one of the people who helped make Motown what it became.” Bradford Hobbs later became head of writer relations for Jobete, Motown’s publishing company. After leaving Motown, she founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards. The event spanned about 30 years, honoring music icons and awarding scholarships, according to her family. She is survived by her husband, Wardean Hobbs; daughter, Nicole Hobbs; son, Lance Finney; and two grandsons. Funeral services have not been completed.

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Nancy Kassebaum Baker, former US senator from Kansas, dead at 94 Her moderate Republican politics won support from voters of all political stripes By John Hanna The Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. — Nancy Kassebaum Baker, a Kansas governor’s daughter who became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate without following a spouse into office, has died. She was 94. Kassebaum Baker died Friday of natural causes, according to her son, Bill Kassebaum. “She loved Kansas. She loved people from Kansas and representing Kansas for 18 years in the U.S. Senate,” he told The Associated Press. “She was an independent-minded Republican who was willing to stand up for what she thought was right, even if that meant going against the party.” She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978 and served three terms. Her modest demeanor endeared her to voters of all political stripes, though she shared the moderate, progressive Republican politics of her father, Gov. Alf Landon, the unsuccessful 1936 GOP nominee for president. Even after leaving the Senate early in 1997, she continued taking on public service roles. She married former Sen. Howard Baker, a Tennessee Republican, in 1996. He died in 2014. Kassebaum Baker remained an icon for Kansans generally. She could work with Senate colleagues of all political philosophies, and a 1996 health insurance law bore her name, along with that of liberal Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy. Centrist politician from America’s heartland Her election to the Senate brought her immediate national attention. When she announced her retirement, she was among eight women senators and the only one to chair a Senate committee, the Labor and Human Resources panel. She was also in a dwindling bloc of moderate-to-liberal Republicans, having supported for example a ban on assault weapons championed by President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. Yet she never polarized Kansas conservatives as other GOP moderates did. She connected with voters because she never seemed caught up in the trappings of power, and when she retired, she acknowledged, “I’d rather cuddle up and do needlepoint all day.” She was born July 29, 1932, as her father, an oilman from Independence, was running for the first of his two terms as governor. She earned a political science degree from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in diplomatic history from the University of Michigan in the mid-1950s. She was a radio-station executive, spent a year in the 1970s on the staff of Kansas Sen. James Pearson and served on the school board in the Wichita suburb of Maize. She had four children with her first husband, Phil Kassebaum, including Bill, who served a term in the Kansas House. The marriage ended in divorce in 1979. Moderate who sought sensible solutions When Kassebaum Baker decided to run for the U.S. Senate, she figured that “a woman with a background different from a man might be appealing” to people growing weary of politics. Pundits at the time estimated a Senate race would require the then-huge-for-Kansas

CHARLES W. HARRITY / AP PHOTO

Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan.) reflects on her first year as the junior senator from Kansas in her Washington, D.C., office in December 1979. sum of $1 million. In the first quarter of 1978, she spent less than $12,000 on her campaign and saw herself “at the bottom of the totem pole.” However, nine candidates crowded the primary field, including three state senators and a prominent Wichita businessman. Kassebaum Baker won the GOP nomination with less than 31% of the vote. Running as Nancy Landon Kassebaum, she won almost 54% of the vote that November against former two-term Democratic congressman Bill Roy. Her moderate politics quickly came to the fore when only months later she refused to endorse an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced budget. “We should be wary of the seemingly simple solution,” she said. Her father, who would die at age 100 in 1987, still cast a long political shadow during her first years in office. Though he’d overwhelmingly lost the 1936 presidential race to Democratic incumbent Franklin Roosevelt, he later became an elder statesman for the party. A lecture series named for him at Kansas State University attracted presidents and foreign leaders. Kassebaum Baker became even more popular in her time. She won reelection in 1984 with 76% of the vote and in 1990 with 74% of the vote. But she frustrated conservative activists despite her popularity. She said her vote in favor of the assault weapons ban inspired the angriest mail of her career. Public servant to end She’d contemplated not seeking a third term, but Republican leaders had prevailed upon her to run one more time. In 1996, when she decided not to seek reelection, she said she would return to a ranch and 90-year-old farmhouse in Kansas’ scenic Flint Hills and babysit her grandchildren — she had seven, as well as two great-grandchildren. When there briefly was talk of naming a new highway in Topeka after her, she said, “Oh, goodness. Absolutely not — no.” She and Baker kept their romance low-key, and specula-

“She was an independentminded Republican who was willing to stand up for what she thought was right, even if that meant going against the party.” Bill Kassebaum, son

tion about a possible marriage didn’t emerge until mid-1996, in a Washington Post story. They married that December. It was the first time a man and a woman who had both served in the Senate had wed. Baker was elected to three terms and served from 1967 to 1985 before becoming President Ronald Reagan’s chief of staff. His first wife, Joy, had died in 1993 after a long battle with cancer. After the marriage, public service still beckoned, including as a member of a bipartisan commission on campaign finance reform under Clinton and on a British commission in Africa in 2004-05. President George W. Bush named her husband ambassador to Japan in 2001, and she went with him for the four-year posting. Baker said she became an important figure in the Asian nation. Before she left for Tokyo, she told a reporter she saw her stint in Japan as an adventure but added, “All I can say is, I will miss the Kansas prairie.” Not a fan of Trump Later in life, Kassebaum Baker broke with the Republican Party as it became more conservative, endorsing Democratic candidates for Kansas governor and U.S. senator, including Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly both times — even though Kelly’s 2022 GOP opponent, then state-Attorney General Derek Schmidt, had worked on her Senate staff. She also declared in 2021 that President Donald Trump should be impeached after Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol hoping to stop congressional certification of Trump’s defeat in 2020 by Democrat Joe Biden. “This just has gone too far,” she told Kansas City’s KMBC.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Bessent says new US sanctions aim to block all potential sources of revenue for Iran Iran’s rial hit record lows as U.S. sanctions and blockade deepen economic crisis By Farnoush Amiri, Christopher Rugaber and Aamer Madhani The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a new round of sanctions aimed at Iran on Monday and warned every country that does business with the Islamic Republic to sever those financial ties or face retaliation from the United States. The new warnings to further cut off Iran from the rest of the world economy were issued after President Donald Trump pledged last week to unleash an “economic D-Day” against Tehran as the administration struggles to find an off-ramp after nearly six months of war. “We are level-setting with every country to tell them our expectations. We know who they are. They know who they are,” Bessent told a news conference. “So when the hammer of U.S. Treasury actions falls upon them, they will have no one to blame but themselves.” Washington has promised the new sanctions would put

even more pressure on an Iranian economy already battered by previous sanctions and a U.S. naval blockade. But the announcement Monday provided little detail and did not name which countries could face secondary sanctions. China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are Iran’s largest trade partners. Bessent said Trump has been “making phone calls to world leaders with specific requests to cease their interactions” with Iran and has already seen results. The UAE announced last week that it was suspending all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice after a reported missile attack on the Gulf country. “I am confident the president, as you all know, is quite persuasive,” Bessent said, adding that the UAE decision was “not a coincidence.” Shortly before the announcement, Iranian parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said the U.S. is not in an economic position to further restrict Tehran’s relations with other countries. “Iran’s trading partners, both in the media and through messages sent to us, have made it clear that they don’t take these statements into account anywhere,” Qalibaf, who has

been Iran’s lead negotiator over the past six months, posted on X. Iranian currency falls to record low Hours before Bessent’s announcement, Iran’s currency hit a record low. The rial dropped to 2.02 million to the U.S. dollar as trading opened on currency markets. Iran’s official Central Bank rate stood at around 1.5 million rial to the dollar, but the market rate is what most Iranians pay. The currency had already been under pressure before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, as Iran faced double-digit inflation and negative growth. The rial has repeatedly hit new lows as nearly six months of war have taken an even greater toll. Iranians find daily staples increasingly unaffordable. Since the war began, rice is up some 60% and beef prices are more than 150% higher. The International Monetary Fund forecasts that gross domestic product will contract more than 5%. Still, economic pressure has not yet translated into political pressure. Iran retains a key strategic advantage: Its attacks and threats on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have brought

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traffic in the vital waterway to a near halt, damaging the world economy and heaping pressure on Trump ahead of congressional elections. The war, as a result, has devolved into a fight over who controls the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil transited before the conflict. Iran is now refusing to fully reopen it unless it can charge ships. Iran and Oman, which is on the opposite side of the strait, are reportedly in the final stages of agreeing on a plan for joint management of the waterway. Pakistani delegation visits Iran Pakistan, which played a key role in brokering a 60day ceasefire in June, sent a high-level delegation to Iran on Monday to encourage the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations, two senior officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media on the record. The military confirmed only Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit, saying it was aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region. Trump spoke with Munir ahead of the army chief’s visit to Iran, according to a person

“We know who they are. They know who they are. So when the hammer of U.S. Treasury actions falls upon them, they will have no one to blame but themselves.” Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury secretary familiar with the discussion. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to confirm a private conversation. Reuters, citing Pakistani sources, first reported the call. Munir met Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni in Tehran, according to the two senior officials. Munir was accompanied by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other officials. Munir was expected to remain in Iran overnight and meet the Iranian president and other senior officials before returning to Pakistan. His previous visit to Tehran in May helped pave the way for a memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran in June. In downtown Tehran, 73-year-old Sadegh Mahmoudi did not hold out hope for a resolution. He joined a line of about a dozen people to purchase U.S. dollars with his remaining savings to hedge against further declines. “There is no hope for a deal and peace,” he said.

BOARD from page A1 located at 82 Bonlee Bennett Road requesting to go from neighborhood business to residential. The property was originally zoned NB a few years back as the applicant had planned to convert an existing home into a mixed-use space with retail and residential, however, that business plan is no longer feasible. The final hearing was for a special use permit request for the construction of a new 200-foot telecommunications tower located at 1879 Andrews Store Road. The tower will be utilized by Verizon to improve its network, although the tower will have space for up to three additional connections. Following the hearings, the board sent all three items to the planning board for review. The planning board will next meet Sept. 1. The board also approved a general use rezoning request for around 300 acres of property located off of Christian Chapel Church Road to go from residential to heavy industrial. Finally, the board voted to table a request for a special use permit for around four acres of property locat-

“As areas get smaller, people become more, things have to change.” Angela Plummer, planner ed at 1656 Campbell Road that was intended to allow a contractor’s storage yard and staging area to be developed due to concerns surrounding potential noise at the site. “The information that has been provided is helpful, but it is a little bit in a vacuum just not knowing what this might actually look like or sound like in operation and what could potential improvements look like and sound like,” said Commissioner Karen Howard. “Unfortunately, we can’t do anything about the existing industrial facility that is there,” said Board Chair Amanda Robertson. “We can’t do anything about the sound that is already out there, but I feel good that (the owner) is doing something to try and spread out and hopefully lessen the noise.” The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will next meet Sept. 21.

SCHOOLS from page A1 for a faculty meeting during the first quarter of the school year. Batten said it’s important to build on the foundation that has been set and the goals that have been established. “This is an important transition year for our district,” Batten said. “We’re celebrating the progress of our current strategic plan while working together to shape our next five-year vision.”

TRAINING from page A1 been among the areas listed in the past. The Robin Sage exercises put candidates in simulated armed conflict, represented by a fictional country. Upon successful completion, the students will receive their first Special Forces assignments.

“This is an important transition year for our district.” Kelly Batten, school superintendent Batten was groomed as a school administrator in Wake County Public School System and later was the principal at Carrboro High School.

The exercises have been coordinated with public safety officials. Training areas and vehicles in the exercises have clear labels. Residents in participating areas might have heard blank gunfire and/or have seen flares. The school said controls have been put in place to prevent any risks to people and property in these areas.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

TAKE 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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000465-180 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 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 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 4tp

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY THIS ACTION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE POWER AND AUTHORITY contained within that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Cynthia M. Anderson and Richard L. Anderson dated May 4, 2001 and recorded on May 4, 2001 in Book 868 at Page 445 in the Office of Register of Deeds of Chatham County, North Carolina. As a result of a default in the obligations contained within the Promissory Note and Deed of Trust and the failure to carry out and perform the stipulation and agreements contained therein, the holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust made demand to have the default cured, which was not met. Therefore, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale that parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA Special Proceedings No. 26SP000082-180 CHATHAM COUNTY 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

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

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

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000488-180 The undersigned, TAMMY F. WESTER, having qualified on the 21ST Day of AUGUST 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of HARRY KIRBY FAGG, 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 27TH 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 27TH Day of AUGUST 2026. TAMMY F. WESTER, ADMINISTRATOR 196 DEWITT SMITH ROAD PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: A27,S3,10,17p

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

The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of William James Erkes, 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 Munson Law Firm PLLC, P.O. Box 1811 Pittsboro, NC 27312, on or before the 27th 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. This 27th day of August, 2026. GARY WILLIAM ERKES, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF William James Erkes

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the ClerkFile Number 26E000379180 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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Sandra Sexton 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 27th day of November, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 18th day of August, 2026. Yvonne Sexton Goldston, Executor Of the Estate of Sandra Sexton 1102 N. Hampton Street Siler City, North Carolina 27344 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000172-180 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carol A. Reingold, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before November 27, 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 27th day of August, 2026 John Nightingale c/o Jillian E. Brevorka, Esq. Hodgson Russ LLP 7 Corporate Center Court Suite B Greensboro, NC 27408

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.

and being in the City of Pittsboro, County of Chatham, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described in the heretofore referenced Deed of trust. Said sale will be a public auction to the highest bidder for cash, at the usual place of sale at the Chatham County Courthouse, Pittsboro, North Carolina, on September 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM Address of Property: 533 East Alston Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Tax Parcel ID: 0073259 Present Record Owners: Cynthia Martin Anderson aka Cynthia M. Anderson and Richard Lewis Anderson aka Richard L. Anderson The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at

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

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000474-180 ALL persons having claims against Peter Randall Naylor, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Nov 27 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 27th day of August, 2026. c/o Daniel B. Finch, Attorney, Peter Randall Naylor, II, Administrator CTA C/O Pinna, Johnston & Burwell, P.A. 2601 Oberlin Rd, Ste 100 Raleigh, NC 27608 A27, 3, 10 and 17

NOTICE North Carolina Chatham County The Estate of Clarke Sentelle Yarbrough 25 E000221-180 Notice to Creditors The undersigned, having qualified on the 23rd day of April 2025, as Executrix of the Estate of Clarke Sentelle Yarbrough, deceased, having last resided in and died of Chatham County, North Carolina, do hereby give this notice to all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned Executrix on before the 27th day of August 2026, being greater than three months from the date of first publication of this notice. Failure to present a claim(s) to the undersigned Executrix on or before the 27th day of November 2026 at 405 Deming Road, Chapel Hill, NC. 27514 will result in this notice being pleaded in bar of their recovery against the Estate. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 27th day of August, 2026 Terri Yarbrough Lorant, Executrix of the Estate of Clarke Yarbrough 405 Deming Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000476-180 The undersigned, SHARLENE HAWKINS, having qualified on the 30TH Day of JUNE 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of BOBBY JEAN HAWKINS, 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 27TH 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 27TH Day of AUGUST 2026. SHARLENE HAWKINS, ADMINISTRATOR 437 GUM SPRINGS CHURCH RD. MONCURE, NC 27559 Run dates: A27,S3,10,17p

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#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#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

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#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 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#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

the time of the sale. The successful bidder will be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and costs for recording the Trustee’s Deed. The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments and other encumbrances. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids, as by law required. The sale will not confirm until there have been ten (10) consecutive days with no upset bids having been filed.

bid deposit. In either event, the purchaser will have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Trustee.

If for any reason the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property, or if the sale is set aside, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the bid deposit. Furthermore, if the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the 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 ten (10 days, but no more than

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 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

Additional notice required for Residential Real Property with Less Than Fifteen (15) Rental Units: 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.

90 day, 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. Posted: Witness: Assistant/Deputy clerk of Superior Court s/Franklin L. Greene Albertelli Law Partners North Carolina, P.A. Franklin L. Greene, ESQ., NC Bar # 37896 205 Regency Executive Park Drive Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28217 Tel: 704-970-0391 fgreene@alaw.net 26SP000083-180/23-012653

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 27, 2026

Preservationists working to extend life of rare Revolutionary War ‘witness tree’ The same cables meant to save the tree are now slowly killing it

stave off its death over the decades, it is being choked by the chains and cables meant to support it. Preservationists are working to save this unique, living reminder of an oft-overshadowed chapter in U.S. history.

By Allen G. Breed The Associated Press EUTAW SPRINGS, S.C. — Standing beneath the spreading branches of a massive live oak, historian Garrison Marcoux tries to imagine what this scarred, struggling tree saw 245 years ago. Did one of the British soldiers encamped at this South Carolina crossroad near the end of the Revolutionary War sit in the oak’s shade to recuperate from the series of attacks in American Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene’s “war of posts?” Did he or his comrades take cover behind its then slender trunk and fire at the onrushing Continental Army? Perhaps a soldier took his last breath beneath its canopy, watering its roots with his blood. “I’m a spiritual person,” Marcoux, with the South Carolina Battlefield Preservation Trust, said as workers clamber among the limbs above. “To say that a place that experienced a lot of violence and intense emotion and things like that doesn’t hold some kind of energy is probably not likely. I think that energy exists where something like this happened.” This is a “witness tree.” And it now faces its own fight for survival. After multiple attempts to

What the oak witnessed during the Revolutionary War Arborists estimate that the tree was about 50 years old on Sept. 8, 1781, when British and Colonial forces clashed during the Battle of Eutaw Springs — considered by historians to be the last open field engagement of the American Revolution. “It’s very rare to have a witness tree, especially from the Revolutionary War,” Marcoux said on a recent sultry morning as gnats and mosquitoes buzzed around his head. “To have the tree that witnessed this battle and still standing is short of a miracle.” Among the officers were famous names like Lt. Col. Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee and Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, better known as the “Swamp Fox.” About 2,500 Americans attacked the roughly 2,000 British and Loyalist troops camped around a fortified brick house. Greene, who had a horse shot out from under him during the battle, called Eutaw Springs “by far, the hottest action I ever saw, and the most bloody for the numbers engaged.” Lt. Col. Alexander Stewart, the British field commander that day, later wrote to Gen.

ALLEN G. BREED / AP PHOTO

The sun rises behind a Revolutionary War “witness tree” at the Battle of Eutaw Springs, South Carolina. Charles Lord Cornwallis, “I assure you the Action was bloody and obstinate.” There were 1,461 killed, wounded, captured or missing. Both sides would claim victory. “That tree probably took a few lead balls itself,” said arborist Aron Landsaw. The combatants would move on. The oak remained — and faced several more battles of its own. The supports to help the tree are now choking it Hung with swaying Spanish moss, its branches festooned with bright-green resurrection fern, the tree reaches 45 feet into the sky, its canopy spreading about 130 feet. Its trunk is 72 inches in diameter at breast height. The twin springs that gave the Revolutionary War battle its name are no more, inundated by the 1940s project that flooded the Santee River basin for hydroelectric power and flood control. Development in the 1960s swallowed up much of what the lake project spared. The tree survived it all.

Then, about 50 years ago, lightning struck the oak’s crotch, splitting the tree nearly in two. Workers lashed the broad branches together with steel cables and chains. But the mechanisms that saved the oak are now slowly killing it. As the tree grew, the metal bands cut into the trunk and branches, in some places disappearing beneath a scar-like covering of bark. “The chains and cables are actually choking it out,” said Landsaw. “It can’t pull nutrients up from the soil.” Preservationists hope to reverse that. A supersonic air tool and a kelp mixture offer a lifeline South Carolina 250 and the American Battlefield Trust joined forces to hire New York state-based SavATree for the project as the U.S. marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Crews recently used a supersonic air tool to decompact the ground around the tree’s roots, then injected a kelp mixture to

add nutrients to the soil. The day of Marcoux’s visit, SavATree workers hammered little blunt lightning rods into the main branches, connecting them with shiny copper cables that converge on a longer copper rod pounded deep into the ground about 10 feet from the trunk. “If lightning does hit it, it’ll run down the copper cables and dissipate into the ground,” said Landsaw, a consulting arborist with SavATree. Next, workers will install new cables, bolted into the five main branches, to stabilize the tree before removing the old supports. “There’s going to be a center hub in the middle that connects all these cables and allows the tree to sway with the wind and move around when it needs to,” Landsaw explained. Landsaw said this is the most significant project he’s ever worked on. While he can’t promise the tree will live another three centuries, Landsaw is confident it will be around to inspire new generations of Americans. “We’re focusing on another 100 years at least,” he said. “Hopefully longer.”

Dedicated to a Thriving Pittsboro With new roads, greenways, and multi-use paths, Chatham Park continues to create more ways to connect throughout the community. • The northern segment of Chatham Parkway is now open

from 64 Bypass to Grant Drive, creating an important new connection through Chatham Park.

• The new extension includes bike lanes and sidewalks while

ȃǉȢɥȈȶǼ ȈȴɥɨɁʤǉ ɽɨƃǹˎƺ ːɁʥ ǹɁɨ ɰƃǹǉɨӗ ȴɁɨǉ ƺɁȶʤǉȶȈǉȶɽ ɽɨƃʤǉȢ for Pittsboro residents.

• These improvements strengthen connections between

Chatham Park and surrounding areas, making it easier to

reach local businesses, services, and community destinations.

• Chatham Park’s long-term plan includes more than 30

miles of greenways, trails and multi-use paths, building a connected network throughout the community.

• Chatham Park’s current network includes more than 5 completed miles of connected greenways, trails, and multi-use paths, helping support an active lifestyle. • Continued investment in transportation and trail

infrastructure helps Pittsboro accommodate future growth while expanding mobility options for the community.

V I S I T C H AT H A M P A R K . C O M T O L E A R N M O R E !

CHATHAM SPORTS PREP FOOTBALL

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth huddles up after taking an early lead on Chapel Hill in the season opener. The Hawks went on to a shutout win.

Hawks, Jets roll in first games Friday’s Week 2 schedule • Chatham Central at Jordan-Matthews • Northwood at Asheboro • Seaforth at Southeast Alamance

Seaforth’s quarterback had a big night in the school’s first victory in a football opener Chatham News & Record staff SEAFORTH’S Duncan Parker threw for six touchdowns and ran for another as the Hawks blew out visiting Chapel Hill

48-0 in last Thursday night’s season opener. It marks the first time in the Seaforth program’s five-year-old history that the team won a season opener. Half of the touchdown receptions went to tight end Mason Pooley. Max Hinchman, Noah Fuller and Connor Daley also caught scoring passes. The Hawks, who led 41-0

Seaforth parts ways with head basketball coach John Berry is accused of using an ineligible player in offseason activities

Bears eager to begin football season, eye improvement The Chatham Central team had an unexpected opening when other teams in the state began playing last week

Chatham News & Record staff SEAFORTH FIRED reigning Big 7 boys’ basketball conference coach of the year John Berry last week, reportedly due to his use of an ineligible player during offseason team activities. In his second year with Seaforth, Berry led the Hawks to an 18-7 record, the best in the history of the program. Seaforth also swept the regular season and conference tournament titles for the first time in school history. In a post to the “Coach Berry” blog, a writer identifying himself as the coach posted a long explanation of the situation, titled, “My perspective: Accountability, adversity and the end of my time at Seaforth.” He wrote, “During the summer, I allowed a student who was not yet officially enrolled at Seaforth to participate in two basketball activities, including a pickup basketball game. At the time, I believed the circumstances surrounding the summer activity and the student’s anticipated status made his participation permissible.” The author went on to say, “I did not knowingly or intentionally attempt to circumvent a rule, gain a competitive advantage, or do anything that I believed would jeopardize our basketball program. Once the

at halftime, avenged a 2025 loss. The game was one of several in the area moved up one night because of concerns regarding last Friday’s weather forecast. Harnett Central 49, Northwood 7: At Pittsboro, all the scoring came in the first half in what became a home loss for the Chargers. Northwood’s points came on Finn Sullivan’s 52-yard pass to

By Bob Sutton Chatham News & Record

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Then coach John Berry celebrates Seaforth’s win over South Granville in February. issue was brought to my attention, I cooperated with the administration, explained what happened, acknowledged my role, and accepted responsibility for my role in it. “I would have accepted meaningful corrective action. I would have learned from it and moved forward. Instead,

my tenure as head coach ended. … I can say, ‘Coach Berry should have handled that differently.’ And I can also say, ‘I do not believe Coach Berry should have lost his position because of it.’ That is where I stand today.” Seaforth is in the process of searching for a new boys’ coach.

Willie Boynton. It was one of two completed passes for the Chargers in the game. Harnett Central’s Koby Howard threw for six touchdowns and 273 yards, with five different players making scoring receptions. Ro’shawn Towson rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown. Jordan-Matthews 36, Carrboro 22: At Siler City, the host Jets won their season opener for the third year in a row. This was more comfortable than last year’s 15-14 decision at Carrboro or in overtime in 2024 at South Davidson.

CHATHAM CENTRAL had to wait an extra week before launching its football season. For fourth-year coach Derrin Little, he’s trying to turn that into a positive. The Bears open the season at Jordan-Matthews on Friday night. Chatham Central’s would-be opener was nixed when Graham announced a couple of weeks ago that it wouldn’t field a varsity team this year. Little called that a combination of gifts and curses. “As big of a game as it is with Jordan-Matthews, you never want to come out and have to find out so many things in the first game, and it’s a big game,” Little said. “But we’re going into the big game 100% healthy.” Chatham Central is coming off a one-win season in 2025 — and that 30-26 victory came against Graham, which went on to be winless. The Bears carry a 10-game losing streak into this season. But Little said there are numerous upsides as the

“As most prepared as we have been. A lot of key players are upperclassmen.” Derrin Little, Chatham Central coach Bears head into the new season. There are 33 players on board, a nice uptick from recent years when the roster numbers were listed in the mid-20s. Seven of the players are seniors. Junior Brooks Albright will be in his third season as the starting quarterback. But unlike past years, he won’t have a starting assignment on the defensive side as well. Junior linebacker Gavin Williams, who posted 126 tackles with 9½ sacks last year, will anchor the defense. He played his first full season in 2025 after an elbow injury cut short his freshman season. Williams is also a receiver. Senior tight end/defensive end Wilson Hinshaw gives the Bears experience as well. Bryson Alston, a senior running back/linebacker, is also entering his third season as a starter. Senior running back Hance Ramirez and safety Sayvion Burnette See BEARS, page B3

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Mason Pooley

PREP ROUNDUP

Knights, Wolves pick up wins in league volleyball openers The Seaforth soccer team picked up a pair of victories Chatham News & Record staff CHATHAM CHARTER and Woods Charter won their Central Tar Heel 1A Conference volleyball openers last week. The Knights topped visiting Central Carolina Academy 25-21, 25-23, 21-25, 25-13. Chatham Charter then won 25-17, 26-28, 25-13, 25-19 against visiting Chatham Central. To begin last week, Providence Grove held off visiting Chatham Charter 25-20, 26-28, 25-23, 25-19. • Woods Charter defeated visiting Vance Charter in four sets and before its conference opener resulted in a sweep of host The Hawbridge School. Later, the Wolves swept Eno River Academy. • Abigail Valgus posted 11 kills as Seaforth defeated visiting Northwood 25-10, 25-3, 25-11 in what was a busy week for the Hawks. Cardinal Gibbons swept

A day earlier, Seaforth prevailed for a 3-1 victory vs. visiting Apex. • Northwood and Central Academy of Technology tied 2-2. • Jordan-Matthews blitzed host Central Carolina Academy 10-1. Jordan-Matthews absorbed a 7-2 loss to Wilson Fike. • Chatham Central suffered a 9-0 loss at Eno River Academy.

visiting Seaforth 25-11, 25-15, 25-19. The Hawks responded to win 25-14, 25-20, 25-18 at Ayden-Grifton. Seaforth dropped a 22-25, 26-24, 25-16, 25-22 decision to Wilmington Hoggard. • Chloe Brewer racked up 16 service points and 17 digs as Chatham Central withstood visiting Northwood to win in five sets. Addison Goldston added 21 digs and 10 kills for the Bears. Carrboro handled Northwood in three sets. • Jordan-Matthews lost a home match in four sets to Central Carolina Academy. The Jets then fell in three sets at East Davidson. • Eastern Randolph defeated visiting Chatham Central 28-26, 12-25, 25-21, 25-22. The Patriots swept Jordan-Matthews 25-8, 25-2, 25-14 as Whitaker had 18 kills and Cailyn York supplied 25 assists.

Addison Vickrey of Chatham Charter won the girls’ race in a home meet vs. Providence Grove. She finished the 3.1 miles in 25 minutes, 42 seconds for a one-second advantage on teammate Emily Scheidt. The winner of the boys’ race was Chatham Charter’s Torris Price in 17:41 for a winning margin of almost seven minutes.

Boys’ soccer

Girls’ tennis

Seaforth secured a 2-1 home victory against Northwood.

Chatham Charter topped Providence Grove 9-0.

Cross-country

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth, wide receiver/tight end Mason Pooley is a junior wide receiver and tight end for Seaforth’s football team. He has also played baseball for the Hawks. Pooley was the top target in Seaforth’s season-opening win over Chapel Hill. He caught five passes for 112 yards, with a long catch of 45 yards. He also scored three touchdowns in the 48-0 victory. An all-conference and all-county player last season, he’s already well on his way to topping his sophomore stat line of 17 catches, 377 yards and five scores for the year.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth (red) and Northwood battle in front of the goal during the Hawks’ 2-1 win last week.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

SEC desperate to end 3-year championship drought; will Alabama, Georgia, LSU or Texas come through? The league has plenty of star power heading into the season By Mark Long The Associated Press BLAME ALABAMA and Georgia. Point fingers at Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas too. The Southeastern Conference, once the most dominant league in the land, lost its stranglehold on college football over the last three years. The organization that boasts a combined 19 national championships since 1990 hasn’t even made the title game since Georgia won it all in back-to-back years to close out the 2021-22 seasons. It’s a drought the league desperately would like to end this season. But the path back to the top could be harder with the addition of a ninth conference game. Sure, it provides teams with an extra chance to prove they belong in the 12-team College Football Playoff. It’s also another potential loss on postseason resumes. “It creates, without question, the most demanding sets of football schedules in all of college football,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said last month. “No one has created the kind of weekly competition that exists in the Southeastern Conference. It’s competition that our fans will experience every week because we believe we’re the best conference in college football.” The last three CFPs would say otherwise, especially when recalling no-shows by Alabama

BEARS from page B1 have key playing time in their backgrounds. “As most prepared as we have been,” Little said. “A lot of key players are upperclassmen.” There’s also another twist for the in-county matchup with Jordan-Matthews. Two now-former Jets, juniors Nolan Mitchell and Matthew Victorino, will be suiting up for Chatham Central. Little said his players had a good reaction when learning they wouldn’t line up against Graham in Week 1. “They understand there are things, not just in football but in life, that you can’t control,” Little said. “Our guys want to play. Now we’re learning how to compete and they want to compete.” Last year, the Bears lost

JOHN RAOUX / AP PHOTO

Texas quarterback Arch Manning looks for a receiver during the Citrus Bowl. last year (against Indiana) and Tennessee (against Ohio State) the year before. The Big Ten has won three straight national titles. The SEC is a combined 5-8 in the last three playoffs, with two of those victories coming against other league opponents. SEC coaches were initially divided on a nine-game league slate but eventually agreed under the guise that the CFP would expand to 16 or 24 teams. It stayed at 12, and now league coaches are stuck with more daunting schedules and the same access to the lu-

Consecutive losses for Chatham Central last season after the Bears won their 2025 season opener over Graham

three games by eight or fewer points, so Little said there were signs that the team was on the verge of demonstrating more progress. In speaking with an administrator at the school, Little was reminded that it was clear there might be growing pains when he took the position.

“No one has created the kind of weekly competition that exists in the Southeastern Conference.” Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner crative postseason tournament. “Like anything in this world, if you want to be really good at something, you got to take risk,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “There’s calculat-

“It was a baby, and you have to grow it,” Little said. “We were close … and now get ready to go earn it.” Little said he opted to not seek a replacement game for Graham. If it was played during the team’s open date on the first Friday in October, that would have required the Bears have games on 10 consecutive weeks. Plus, in Class 1A, all teams are basically guaranteed to make the state playoffs, so Little said that 10th game will come. The unexpected opening on Chatham Central’s schedule gave Little a chance for in-person scouting of Jordan-Matthews’ 36-22 home victory against Carrboro last week. Jordan-Matthews has defeated the Bears in each of the past three seasons.

ed risks involved in life that you have to take. … Is the juice worth the squeeze or not?” The league will have a better idea in four months. Ultimately, though, SEC success will be decided in the CFP. After all, the league went 54-8 against nonconference opponents in the regular season last year — including winning records against the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big 12 and the Big Ten — but ended up again watching the title game from afar. Simply put, the SEC has been good but not great in re-

cent years. Is the league lagging behind? Not even close. But the transfer portal and the ability to compensate players through revenue sharing as well as name, image and likeness deals have clearly minimized advantages the league enjoyed for decades. “I think it’s great for the sport,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I think having everybody competitive, more guys can be invited to the party and get to the party, mainly through the portal in a lot of ways. … It’s not a one-team dominant program. It’s really everybody.” The SEC has plenty of star power, which provides hope of ending the Big Ten’s reign. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and South Carolina stars LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart are just a few of the guys who could make a difference. Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, Texas receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, Georgia defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV, and Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins also are ones to watch. This is the first season since 2015 that no SEC team received a first-place vote in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. It’s an indication of how much parity there is in the league. Nonetheless, Georgia (plus280) and Texas (plus-300) are the betting favorites to win the SEC. Alabama (plus-850) and LSU (plus-850) are next, followed by Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss at plus-1000.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Central junior lineman Antonio Gonzalez surveys the field during the preseason Jack Shaner Jamboree.

Local Service Directory

B4 SIDELINE REPORT TRACK & FIELD

Simpson reveals rare heart condition caused collapse; will not return to running Boulder, Colo. World champion runner Jenny Simpson revealed it was a rare heart condition that threw her into cardiac arrest at a race in June and that she will not return to running. The 39-year-old Simpson was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which caused her heart to stop. Simpson was pacing a group of mile runners at an event in Raleigh when she collapsed. She underwent CPR at the track and an automated external defibrillator was also used before taking her to the hospital.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Jury says New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player Tuscaloosa, Ala. An Alabama jury found The New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting he was at the scene of a fatal shooting. Jurors awarded $9.25 million in damages. Kai Spears, who played for the University of Alabama men’s team, sued the Times in 2023 after it published a report that falsely indicated he was a passenger in a car involved in the shooting.

MLB

Diamondbacks star Marte moves to 10-day injured list after mysterious absence Phoenix Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte will be transferred to the 10-day injured list from the restricted list, three days after he failed to show up for a game in Boston. General manager Mike Hazen confirmed Marte will return once he’s healthy. The three-time All-Star traveled back to Phoenix for tests on his left knee last Tuesday. Manager Torey Lovullo said he has struggled to get information from the veteran slugger throughout the process.

NFL

Cowboys, Saints fined $500K apiece after brawl-filled joint practice Los Angeles The Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints were fined $500,000 apiece by the NFL after their brawl-filled joint practice. The league announced the fines after requesting video of the tumultuous workout at the Cowboys’ training camp base in Oxnard, California. Players on both teams threw punches and helmets during several skirmishes throughout the joint practice, which was conducted in uncommonly hot, humid weather. A lowlight of the brouhaha was Saints tight end, and son of pro wrestler Scott Steiner, Brock Rechsteiner’s suplex of Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Busch shares emotional last moments with late brother Kurt Busch did an interview with “Today” about Kyle’s death The Associated Press NEW YORK — NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch wiped tears from his eyes in recalling the final day he spent at his younger brother’s hospital bedside in his first public comments about Kyle Busch’s death. “I was at the hospital. I was there all day, hoping, praying, hoping for a turnaround,” Busch said in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show last Friday. “I said, ‘I got you man. Come on, I got you. I got you. Come on, be strong,’” an emotional Busch added, before a brief pause. “It just wasn’t fair.” The interview marked Busch’s first comments since Kyle Busch died May 21 after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming complications. Busch’s death at the age of 41 devastated the racing community and one of NASCAR’s most accomplished families. The brothers were born in Las Vegas. Kyle Busch won Cup Series championships in 2015 and 2019 for Joe Gibbs Racing, and he holds the record in winning 234 combined races across NASCAR’s top three national series. His older brother was a Cup champion in 2004 and inducted this year into the Hall of Fame. In the interview, Busch out-

PHELAN M. EBENHACK / AP PHOTO

Kurt Busch, front, gets a hug from his brother, Kyle Busch, after announcing his retirement before a NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona in 2023. lined how his brother became increasingly ill while practicing in a simulator May 20. Asked by his crew chief whether he was OK, Busch responded no, and he was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Kyle Busch initially believed he was dealing with a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen, New York, on May 10. He continued competing, including winning a Truck Series race at Dover, Delaware, less than a week before he died. Kurt Busch said their father, Tom Busch, chose not to be at the hospital in order to “remember him the way

he wanted to remember him.” “There is no book, there is no outline on what we’re supposed to do right now,” Kurt Busch said, before recalling the on-track chemistry he had with his brother. “Him and I were carbon copies of each other. We could speak on track without saying a word,” he said. “I miss the words we never spoke to each other, and the vibe that we had on track.” Busch said he’s now mentoring his nephew, Kyle’s 11-year-old son Brexton, who has taken up racing.

“He’s a prodigy,” Busch said. “He can be a big star in the world of motorsports. He’s 11, but he’s already racing like an 18-year-old.” As for his brother’s legacy, Busch said the achievements speak for themselves. “It’s already there. Winningest driver in NASCAR history in all the series,” Busch said. “The tenacity that he had. It was every day, 24-7, to help people in the latter part of his career, to be a great father like he was,” he added. “It will all shine as time puts different things in spotlights.”

Hurricanes, who have never won ACC title, picked as league’s headliner in ‘26 The league is in a transition year as the schedule starts to expand By Aaron Beard The Associated Press MARIO CRISTOBAL got Miami back inside the top 10 by Year 3 and within a victory of a national championship in his fourth. Yet the Hurricanes are still chasing a first Atlantic Coast Conference championship after more than two decades in the league. His team is picked to accomplish that goal this year, which would put it right back in the mix for the College Football Playoff, too. “We’ve had steady progress over the last four years,” Cristobal said. “It’s been due to the commitment and the level of just care of these players and their coaches.” The seventh-ranked Hurricanes are the headliner, with Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah as the preseason player of the year and Miami claiming a third of the spots on the preseason all-conference team. That list includes Mark Fletcher Jr. (1,192 yards, 12 TDs) as last year’s top league rusher and versatile big-play receiving threat Malachi Toney. Miami joined the league ahead of the 2004 season but has reached the ACC championship game just once (2017). No. 19 SMU is the top challenger, with the Mustangs launching a Heisman Trophy push for veteran starting quarterback Kevin Jennings — who led them to the ACC title game and a CFP bid in 2024. No. 24 Louisville is next up after adding Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz at quarterback to an offense featuring running back Isaac Brown, the ACC rookie of the year in 2024 who played nine games last year due to injury. The league is transitioning to a nine-game football schedule to align with fellow power conferences. But the odd number of teams means there will be variables, with 12 teams playing nine games and five — Boston College, Clemson, Flor-

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal speaks following a team practice. ida State, Georgia Tech and UNC — staying at eight. This will be a bridge year toward having 16 of 17 teams regularly playing nine games by 2027. The schedule concludes with the ACC title game Dec. 5 in Charlotte. Clemson, Florida State try to return to elite status Clemson and Florida State have gone from ranking among the nation’s elite to also-ran status. It’s unclear whether either can change that trajectory. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers won two national titles and eight ACC crowns between 2015-24 but slid to 7-6 last year for their worst record since 2010. Clemson was unranked in the preseason AP Top 25 for the first time since 2011. “This year, ain’t none of y’all going to pick us,” Swinney told reporters in July. Clemson is picked to finish fourth in the ACC, while FSU is picked 11th. ACC finalists Duke, Virginia picked in league’s middle third Duke beat Virginia in last

year’s title game for its first outright ACC championship since 1962. Those finalists are picked in the ACC’s middle third. Mensah’s transfer was the biggest hit for the Blue Devils, who also lost their top three receivers while having uncertainty as to who will fill leading defensive roles. “I think people just went back to labeling us as the same old Duke just because of the people that walked out this door,” 1,100-yard rusher Nate Sheppard said. “But you have dudes walk out the door every year.” The Cavaliers are coming off a breakthrough 11-win season under Tony Elliott after managing just 11 wins in his first three seasons combined. The Cavs are picked to finish sixth, the Blue Devils 10th. Notre Dame gets high-profile tests in ACC scheduling deal Notre Dame again has six games against ACC teams through its scheduling partnership with the league, with the football independent being a member of all other league sports. One stands out:

“This year, ain’t none of y’all going to pick us.” Dabo Swinney, Clemson coach

a home game against Miami. The Hurricanes visit Nov. 7 in a rematch of last year’s opener; Miami won that game to ultimately claim a CFP bid instead of Notre Dame. Georgia Tech, Clemson make 1st cross-country ACC trips Clemson and Georgia Tech are making their first cross-country trips since the league expanded to add California, Stanford and SMU for a coast-to-coast footprint for the 2024 season. The Tigers are playing at California on Sept. 25, while the Yellow Jackets visit Stanford a day later. Miami, NC State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest are the other teams to touch all four U.S. continental time zones for a league game this year.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Blaney wins second consecutive Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway The Team Penske driver overcame a big mistake by his pit crew The Associated Press LOUDON, N.H. — Ryan Blaney and his team wound up making the most of a major mistake at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Team Penske star just needed a moment to vent on his team radio about a pit crew blunder before charging from 17th to first for his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “Whenever I say those things after something bad happens, it’s my relief valve,” Blaney said about scolding his team with an expletive. “I have to get it out in the open, or I’ll be stewing over it a while. That’s how I have to get over things. I wish I wasn’t that way, but I’d rather it be that way than have it be in the back of my mind the rest of the race, not thinking of the main goal. It takes me five or 10 seconds to move on.” After shaking it off, Blaney recovered to lead the final 74 laps on the 1.058-mile oval, fending off runner-up Bubba Wallace by 0.586 seconds. Josh Berry, who is trying to find a ride for the 2027 season, finished a season-best third, the fourth consecutive top 10 for the Wood Brothers Racing driver. The top five was round-

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney spins the wheels of his car after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Loudon, New Hampshire. ed out by Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson. Ryan Preece finished ninth and kept his Chase hopes alive by gaining 19 points on Shane van Gisbergen, who finished 20th and remains in the 16th and final spot for the 10-race title run. It’s the 20th career victory and third this season for Blaney, who led a race-high 115 of 301 laps. He had cruised to a big lead when a lug nut fell off the left-front tire of his No. 12 Ford during a pit stop under caution with 111 laps remaining. The 2023 Cup Series champion picked his way through traffic and was back up to seventh when the yellow flag flew

on the 226th lap for a three-car crash. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made an aggressive strategy call for two right-side tires, and Blaney gained six spots in the pits to retake first place. Hassler said the error “maybe was a little bit of a blessing in disguise” because Blaney emerged several spots ahead of the contenders who took four tires. Of the top 12 finishers, Blaney was the only driver who took two tires on his last stop. His crew struggled often on stops earlier this season, losing 128 spots in the pits, but has been better with three top-five finishes in the past six races. “It’s really competitive on pit

“It takes me five or 10 seconds to move on.” Ryan Blaney on the problem on pit row road, and if you’re going to have any speed, you’re going to have these sort of miscues,” Hassler said. “With the speed we’ve had, our goal has certainly been to eliminate those, even if we give up a little bit of speed to do that. But it’s still going to happen to each of the best teams. We’re fortunate that we’re fast enough and up front enough that people

take notice when that’s going to happen.” NASCAR started the race on wet-weather tires after a midafternoon rain shower, but the track dried quickly, and drivers switched back to slick tires after 40 laps. Points leader Denny Hamlin also rebounded from a pit stop miscue that dropped the Joe Gibbs Racing driver outside the top 15 with less than 100 laps remaining. Hamlin rallied for a seventh place that clinched the top seed for the Chase. “We were just pedestrian today,” Hamlin said. “We just didn’t quite have it, but ultimately a decent crawl back.”

States pour taxpayer dollars into college sports as athlete pay, soaring costs squeeze budgets UNC, NC State are now getting a share of gambling revenue By David A. Lieb The Associated Press WIN OR LOSE, the UNC Tar Heels already will be in elite company when they kick off the college football season against Texas Christian University in a game played in Dublin. They will be among a small but growing number of athletic programs receiving taxpayer funding from their home states. With universities competing to pay athletes millions of dollars, some states now are propping up their strained sports budgets in ways not previously seen. The state dollars aren’t going directly to star athletes. But by funding facilities and administrative costs normally borne by the schools, states are freeing universities to use their own dollars for other purposes. The athletics program at UNC Chapel Hill, for the first time, is receiving $3 million earmarked from state sports betting taxes. Wisconsin lawmakers approved $15 million for athletic costs at the University of Wisconsin. And Connecticut and Louisiana also are using tax dollars to support college athletics. Even more states have considered it. Sports business analysts see an emerging trend. “Once one state provides that kind of assistance, schools in competing states can argue that they are being placed at a competitive disadvantage, which could create additional pressure on legislatures to respond,” said Daniel McIntosh, faculty director of the sports business program at Arizona State University. NCAA rules long barred college athletes from getting paid by schools and boosters. But under pressure from lawsuits and states, the NCAA cleared the way in 2021 for athletes to receive money from private entities for the use of their name, image or likeness (NIL). Then a legal settlement last year allowed higher education institutions to directly pay athletes a total of about $20.5 million annually — on top of any scholarships and other NIL deals they receive.

JASON JACKSON FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

UNC cheerleaders lead the team onto the field for a home game last season.

“Having a bad football team would not be beneficial to our state. So we decided as a state we’d help out.” Wisconsin state Rep. Alex Dallman That cap rose to $21.3 million for this school year and is set to rise again the following year. Many mid-level programs cannot afford that much. But almost all NCAA Division I athletic programs are trying to generate more money to pay athletes in a bid to remain competitive with their peers. At the same time, schools have been incurring greater costs for facilities, coaches’ salaries and travel amid conference realignments that discarded

old geographic-based rivalries. Over the past four years, athletic operating expenses at public Division I institutions shot up by nearly a third — notably outpacing revenue and running up deficits, according to an Associated Press analysis using the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database. Federal legislation could drive athletic costs even higher The Protect College Sports Act, pending in the U.S. Senate, has been promoted as a way to put guardrails on college sports spending. But it could potentially allow even greater spending by schools. The latest version would allow institutions to pay up to an additional $27.5 million annually to retain players on their rosters, pushing the overall athlete payment cap close to $50 million. The higher ceiling

could reduce the demand for third-party NIL deals. States routing money to schools in creative ways When North Carolina launched online sports wagering in 2024, it earmarked part of the tax revenue for athletic departments at 13 public universities. But the two largest institutions — UNC and NC State — were excluded. That changed in July under a new state budget that raises the sports betting tax. Those two schools now are projected to receive $3 million each this year and $5.8 million next year. In the meantime, Louisiana also hiked its sports wagering tax and earmarked about $2.2 million to each of its 11 public universities in conferences with Division I football programs. Seeking to drum up athletic revenue, Connecticut lawmakers authorized the University of

Connecticut to issue vouchers for state tax credits equal to half the amount of donations, sponsorships and licensing endorsements. The program generated $1.7 million in its first four months, according to a university report. New Jersey’s new budget allots $5 million for “events attraction and marketing” at Rutgers’ flagship campus. Lawmaker: Bad football team bad for state The Wisconsin budget provides $14.6 million for athletic facility debt payments at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and $200,000 each for the Milwaukee and Green Bay campuses. “Having a bad football team, having uncompetitive college sports in general, would not be beneficial to our state, both culturally or economically,” state Rep. Alex Dallman said. “So we decided as a state we’d help out.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

entertainment this week in history “Mary Poppins” premieres, Hurricane Katrina devastates, Nazis invade Poland The Associated Press AUG. 27 1883: The island volcano Krakatoa erupted with a series of cataclysmic explosions. The explosions (which could be heard 3,000 miles away) and resulting tsunamis in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait claimed some 36,000 lives in Java and Sumatra. 1894: Congress passed the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act. 1964: The film “Mary Poppins” had its world premiere in Los Angeles. AUG. 28 1862: The Second Battle of Bull Run began in Prince William County, Virginia, during the Civil War; the Union army retreated two days later after suffering 14,000 casualties. 1898: Pharmacist Caleb Bradham of New Bern changed the name of the carbonated beverage he’d created five years earlier from “Brad’s Drink” to “Pepsi-Cola.” 1963: During the March on Washington, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech before an estimated 250,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial. AUG. 29 1814: During the War of 1812, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces, which occupied the city until Sept. 3. 1862: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing began op-

erations at the United States Treasury. 2005: Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in southeast Louisiana, devastating New Orleans. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damage. AUG. 30 1916: On his fourth attempt, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton rescued all 22 remaining crew members stranded for more than four months on Elephant Island in Antarctica after the sinking of their ship, the Endurance. 1941: During World War II, German forces approaching Leningrad cut off the remaining rail line out of the city. 1945: U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters. AUG. 31 1881: The first U.S. tennis championships (for men only) began in Newport, Rhode Island. 1886: An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of up to 7.3 devastated Charleston, South Carolina, killing at least 60 people. 1997: Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed after the car she was riding in crashed in Paris; her partner Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul (who was found to have been intoxicated at the time of the accident) also died. SEPT. 1 1715: Following a reign of 72 years, King Louis XIV of France died four days before his 77th birthday; he was succeeded by his 5-year-old

AP PHOTO

British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton led the rescue of all 22 crew members stranded on Elephant Island in Antarctica on Aug. 30, 1916, months after the Endurance sank. great-grandson, Louis XV. 1939: Nazi Germany invaded Poland, an event regarded as the start of World War II. 1972: American Bobby Fischer won the international chess crown in Reykjavik, Iceland, as Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union resigned before the resumption of their 21st and final game. 1985: A U.S.-French expedition located the wreckage of the Titanic on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean roughly 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. SEPT. 2 1666: The Great Fire of London began, which would destroy more than 13,000 homes and hundreds of structures, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, over the ensuing three days. 1789: The United States Treasury Department was established. 1864: During the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces occupied Atlanta.

COURTESY WIKIPEDIA

The Great Fire of London began Sept. 2, 1666, ultimately destroying more than 13,000 homes and hundreds of buildings, including St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

MUSIC REVIEW

Weezer’s ‘Gold Album,’ bands 20th, delivers faithful, nasal power pop For fans of: Barenaked Ladies and other heady, smart-aleck bands By Ron Harris The Associated Press

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ATLANTA — Weezer, kings of nasal power pop, will release their 20th studio album Friday. It is also known as “Weezer (Gold Album),” continuing a tradition of self-titled, color-identified records. And rest assured, it delivers the band’s signature energy for the faithful. That said, no boundaries are pushed here. But really, does Weezer need to push boundaries? It should be acceptable by now — 30-plus years removed from the destroyed sweaters of 1994’s “Blue Album” — that the talented foursome, with lead vocalist Rivers Cuomo at the helm, does what it does best: clock in and jam. Opener “Say Yes” is an easy earworm, where Cuomo questions his place and his worth. It’s a thinly veiled reflection that can’t help but be read in refer-

CLAUDIA ROSEL / AP PHOTO

Weezer’s frontman Rivers Cuomo performs during the Corona Capital music festival in Mexico City, on Nov. 16, 2025. ence to the Weezer career journey: “Somebody here’s gonna slip me a happy pill / Make me feel dumb if I just can’t seem to feel the thrill.” Cuomo and the boys have made it, and their “Gold Album” is good. Sure, there are filler tracks like “C.E.O.” and “Nowhere,” which went exactly there with its redundant hook

and shallow premise. But even those missteps are overpowered by stellar efforts, such as “We Might as Well Be Strangers” featuring the alt-country indie rock band Wednesday. Something has been lost, and Cuomo sings believably about it in the lament: “Happy birthday / Thanks for the Valium.” There’s a pattern to the Wee-

China investigates comedian after he altered revolutionary song lyric onstage Artists have to navigate an environment where “red lines” are unclear By Fu Ting The Associated Press ONE OF China’s best-known comedians is under investigation, and several of his shows have been canceled after he changed the lyrics of a revolutionary song during a performance. Guo Degang, the country’s most prominent performer of traditional xiangsheng, a form of Chinese comedic dialogue, is under investigation by local authorities in the city of Wuhan in central China, local media reported. Guo’s show last Friday in the northwestern city of Xi’an was canceled due to “venue issues,” a statement on ticketing platform Damai released by his promotion company showed. The company offered refunds for tickets as well as travel and hotel expenses. The exhibition center hosting the performance in Xi’an, which also cited “venue issues” last Wednesday, said the show had been “postponed,” without giving a new date. Local media reports said several of Guo’s shows scheduled

ACHMAD IBRAHIM / AP PHOTO

A woman pushes a cart past a Deyunshe theater, part of the comedy group founded by Guo Degang, in Beijing on Saturday. in August across cities were canceled. The investigation highlights China’s stricter controls and censorship of the entertainment and arts industries. Guo was reported to Wuhan’s

solutions

culture and tourism authorities after he changed a lyric from “it is quiet along Weishan Lake” to “it is quiet in the Forbidden City” while performing at a show in the city last month, according to local media reports

and videos shown on social media platforms. The Forbidden City, once home to China’s emperors for hundreds of years, is now a museum that attracts more than 10 million visitors each year.

zer song matrix. Something awkward is said, Cuomo sings his way toward the predicament, and the band breaks through it all with a furtive blast of memorable hooks and trusty chord progressions. “We Might as Well be Strangers,” is a solid song and a perfect example, with its examination of a relationship giving way to nicely soaring guitar work. It’s one of the top tracks. Weezer has always had one foot in the room of stardom and the other waiting outside, laughing about how they’ve been accepted. They’ve long taken wry shots at the fame machine (think 2014’s “Eulogy for a Rock Band,” or this album’s “The LA Sound”) while basking in the oddity that a band of their ilk was ever allowed in to begin with. On their “Gold Album,” fans of Weezer will appreciate their consistency and longevity. That’s because Weezer is in a retrospective mode now: Still joking. Still rocking. Still touring. Their self-described meta songs about aging will probably age just fine.

“It is quiet in the Forbidden City.” Guo Degang

Neither Guo nor his show promotor immediately responded to the AP’s emails seeking for comment on Saturday. Guo’s performance had been approved in advance by local authorities in Wuhan, but the lyric change had not, which may have violated regulations governing commercial performances according to The Paper, a Shanghai-based news outlet. The lyrics are from “Playing My Beloved Pipa,” a song from Railway Guerrilla, a well-known 1950s film about Communist-led guerrillas fighting Japanese forces during World War II. Pipa is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, similar to a lute. It is a popular song among the public. It was once played at CCTV Spring Festival gala in 1998 and was also selected in 2019 by the Chinese Communist Party’s Publicity Department as one of 100 songs recommended to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Guo is widely considered as the one who brought xiangsheng closer to the younger generation in China. The traditional art form was more regional and more popular among the older audience.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

famous birthdays this week Rebecca De Mornay is 67, Sen. Thom Tillis celebrates 66, Violinist Itzhak Perlman is 81 The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week. AUG. 27 Author William Least Heat-Moon is 87. Actor Tuesday Weld is 83. Actor G.W. Bailey is 82. Rock musician Alex Lifeson (Rush) is 73. Fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford is 65.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP PHOTO

Singer Van Morrison turns 81 on Monday.

AUG. 28 Actor Ken Jenkins (“Scrubs”) is 86. Former MLB manager and player Lou Piniella is 83. Former MLB pitcher Ron Guidry is 76. Actor Jennifer Coolidge is 65. Country singer Shania Twain is 61. AUG. 29 Actor Elliott Gould is 88. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin is 88. Olympic gold medal sprinter Wyomia Tyus is 81. Olympic gold medal long jumper Bob Beamon is 80. Actor Rebecca De Mornay is 67. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is 59.

AP PHOTO

Jimmy Connors turns 74 on Wednesday.

AUG. 30 Investor and philanthropist Warren Buffet is 96. Actor Elizabeth Ashley is 87. Actor John Kani is 84. Cartoonist Robert Crumb is 83. Olympic gold medal skier Jean-Claude Killy is 83. Comedian Lewis Black is 78. Basketball Hall of Famer Robert Parish is 73. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is 66. Actor Cameron Diaz is 54 AUG. 31 World Golf Hall of Famer Isao Aoki is 84. Violinist Itzhak Perlman is 81. Singer Van Morrison is 81. Rock musician Rudolf Schenker (The Scorpions) is 78. Actor Richard Gere is 77. Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson is 77. Attorney and author Marcia Clark is 73. SEPT. 1 Attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz is 88. Comedi-

PHIL MCCARTEN / INVISION FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY

Actor and comedian Lily Tomlin turns 87 on Tuesday. an-actor Lily Tomlin is 87. Singer Barry Gibb is 80. Talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw is 76. Singer Gloria Estefan is 69. TV host-author Padma Lakshmi is 56. Actor Ricardo Antonio Chavira is 55. SEPT. 2 Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is 78. Basketball Hall of Famer Nate Archibald is 78. Actor Mark Harmon is 75. Tennis Hall of Famer Jimmy Connors is 74.

B10

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 27, 2026

the stream

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP PHOTO

Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes performs during the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2026. The band’s new album, “I Must Be Dreaming,” drops Friday.

Alabama Shakes, ‘The Whisper Man,’ ‘Leanne,’ ‘Star Wars Zero Company’ Beastie Boy Mike D and son drop “Thank You” on Friday The Associated Press “THE WHISPER MAN” film adaptation and a new album from the Alabama Shakes 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: a new tactical “Star Wars” game, the Netflix adaptation of “The Whisper Man” and Season 2 of the comedy series “Leanne.”

MUSIC TO STREAM A lot can happen in a decade. And here’s a great example: Alabama Shakes, the beloved Southern rock band that introduced the world to its electrifying frontwoman Brittany Howard (in addition to many other accomplishments) will release its third album Friday. “I Must Be Dreaming” is the now-trio’s first in 11 years and their first since they parted ways with drummer Steve Johnson, who had a child abuse charge that was dismissed against him in 2021). The new record is 10 tracks of psychedelic soul — ambitious instrumentation from the best in the biz — and just what the doctor ordered.

SERIES TO STREAM Season 2 of “Leanne,” the comedy starring comedian Leanne Morgan, premieres Thursday on Netflix. Morgan plays a woman starting over after splitting from her husband of three decades. She co-created the series with Chuck Lorre, known for hits like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.” VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

MOVIES TO STREAM Based on Alex North’s bestselling novel, “The Whisper Man” (Netflix, Friday) stars Adam Scott as a widowed crime writer whose 8-year-old son is abducted. He looks to his estranged father, a retired detective (Robert De Niro) for help, leading to a new connection to a decades-old serial killer case. “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” pays tender tribute to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. Sasha Waters’ documentary is streaming now as part of “American Masters” on PBS and the PBS App. Along with profiling the life of Oliver, who died in 2019, the film features poetry recitations by Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Buscemi and others.

day / Someone who loves you should speak up / And tell you to mind your own teacup before breaking mine.”

NETFLIX VIA AP

The comedy series “Leanne,” left, and the film “The Whisper Man” are both streaming on Netflix this week.

“Someone who loves you should speak up / And tell you to mind your own teacup before breaking mine.” J Mascis, Dinosaur Jr. Mike D 5D, the project by Beastie Boy Mike D joined by his sons Skyler and Davis Diamond, as well as Eddie Ruscha, Will Graefe and Milo Ruscha, will release “Thank You” on Friday. The 13-track album rejects easy genre categorization. There are elements of Mike D’s old school hip-hop but also The Beastie Boys’ punk rock spirit and even elements of acid rock (“True Colors.”) Expect the unexpected. Fans of jangly indie rock are likely already familiar with Velocity Girl, prescient performers born from the late-’80s and early-’90s new pop underground music scene largely headquartered in Washington, D.C. A new collection, courtesy of the indie label Slumberland Re-

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP PHOTO

J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. performs during the Bourbon & Beyond music festival in 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. The band’s new album, “There Near,” is out now. cords, dives deep into the band’s earliest years (before they signed to Sub Pop Records, previously home to Nirvana.) “1989 – 1992” is the all-too appropriate name of the album, out Friday — 12 tracks of fuzzy, hooky, addictively ramshackle guitar pop. The hugely influential American indie rock band Dinosaur

Jr. returns with “There Near,” four decades on since the release of its debut album. Those in the know will find J Mascis’ guitar as unmistakable as ever. Those who are not: It’s never too late to dive in. Or to get the opening verse of “Blowin’ Up” lodged in your brain: “You’re about as dumb as they come / And telling stupid stories every

“Star Wars Zero Company” seems like an easy pitch: Take a team-based tactical game and drop it into Lucasfilm’s popular franchise. Ideally, you’d want to hire some of the people who worked on tactical gems like “XCOM” and “Marvel’s Midnight Suns” — and that’s exactly what Electronic Arts has done with the new studio Bit Reactor. This chapter takes place during the Clone Wars, and your mission is to stop “an emerging threat that will consume the galaxy.” You can recruit all sorts of soldiers, scoundrels, droids and maybe even a Jedi for your scrappy squad. The force is strong Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC. The Plague Tale series from France’s Asobo Studio recreates one of the bleakest periods in history, the Black Death that consumed much of Europe in the 14th century. “Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy” introduces a new protagonist: a “fierce young plunderer” named Sophia who travels to Minotaur Island in search of an ancient myth. While the previous games were stealth-focused, Sophia is more aggressive and ready to fight her pursuers rather than just running away. Who knows if the hordes of plague-carrying rats will return? Find out Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC. “Grand Theft Auto VI” is still three months away, but the buzz is so loud that even an announcement of a preview makes the news. So if you’re dying to know what publisher Rockstar Games has been up to since “GTAV” came out 13 years ago, you’ll want to tune into Netflix at 3 p.m. Thursday for “Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look.” If you don’t get Netflix, you’ll have to wait six hours for the footage to show up on YouTube and Rockstar’s website. The suspense is almost criminal.