Chatham News & Record Vol. 149, Issue 36

VOLUME 149 ISSUE 36 | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

STAN GILLILAND / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Getting out the vote Citizens take part in early voting — which runs now through Saturday at 3 p.m., ahead of the general election on Tuesday — at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center in Pittsboro on Oct. 21.

the

BRIEF this week

Trump administration attempting to again prosecute former FBI director Comey The Trump administration is attempting to prosecute James Comey for what it calls a decade-old leak of classified information. The former FBI director’s lawyers immediately dismissed the effort as invalid and outside the time limit for when the Justice Department can file a case. The allegations from the Justice Department came in documents unsealed Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors are trying to bring what would be the third criminal case against Comey, a longtime critic and foe of President Donald Trump, since the Republican returned to the White House last year. Comey said, “It would almost be funny if it weren’t such an appalling abuse of the Department of Justice.”

Localized Ukraine ceasefire brokered by Melania Trump starts Kherson, Ukraine Russia and Ukraine have begun a localized ceasefire in a southern Ukrainian city to allow a humanitarian mission. The truce, brokered by U.S. first lady Melania Trump, aims to allow the delivery of aid later this week to the city of Oleshky, where supplies have run dangerously low. Despite the ceasefire, Russia continues missile attacks on other cities. Meanwhile, Finland’s president and Norway’s prime minister spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and later with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described talks with Putin as “frank and substantive.”

Chatham County streamlines special-use permit process The commissioners also approved funding for Paul Braxton Park upgrades By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 19 for

current quasi-judicial process. “We have been meaning to make some updates to this section for a while,” said county planner Hunter Glenn. “We did update it in the UDO, but we have decided that it was time to make some changes in our zoning ordinance as well.” The process will require the board of commissioners to hold

Chapel Hill park to be named in honor of Howard and Lillian Lee Howard Lee was Chapel Hill’s first black mayor By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill will be naming a park in honor of one of its former mayors and his wife.

At the Chapel Hill Town Council’s Oct. 21 meeting, the board approved a resolution naming the future park on Legion Road in honor of Howard and Lillian Lee. “Howard and Lillian Lee’s passion for education, social justice, civil rights and public service have had a profound impact on the Chapel Hill com-

munity and the state of North Carolina,” said council member Paris Miller-Foushee. Howard Lee, 92, was first elected as mayor of Chapel Hill in May 1969 and served in the position for six years. Lee was the first black person in history to be elected mayor in a majority-white, Southern city.

AOC can draw crowds; midterms will test if her politics can win before ’28 “Our problems are less left and right. They’re top and bottom.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)

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its regular business meeting. The board first held two public hearings related to text amendments to county ordinances and regulations. The first hearing was to amend the Chatham County Zoning Ordinance, specifically to change the special use permit process to make it more in line with the

The New York Democrat is betting progressive politics can win in competitive races beyond her base By Joey Cappelletti The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has had little trouble drawing a crowd. In a final campaign swing with progressive candidates across the country, the Democratic congresswoman from New York packed rooms in Michigan’s deeply Republican Upper Peninsula,

where chants of “AOC” broke out. In Ohio and Maine, hundreds of students turned out to catch a glimpse of her as she campaigned alongside Democrats in competitive races in the Nov. 3 midterms. Last Friday night, she was in California’s Central Valley, lending support to a progressive seeking to unseat a House Republican. Ocasio-Cortez has built a national following that few other members of Congress can match. Her tens of millions of social media followers give her a platform far beyond her New See AOC, page A7

an evidentiary hearing for all applications, and instead of recommending the item back to the planning board, the final decision will be made by the commissioners. “To make it easier on applicants and everyone involved, the process follows the same See PERMIT, page A3

After serving as mayor, Lee went on to serve as the state’s secretary of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, chairman of the State Board of Education, a member of the North Carolina Utilities Commission and was a state senator in the North Carolina General Assembly for two separate terms. “I want to say how honored I am that after all these years, there are still people who remember us and remember our contributions to the community of Chapel Hill,” Howard Lee See PARK, page A3

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THURSDAY

10.29.26 #166

Town of Pittsboro seeks volunteers for ABC board The deadline to apply for spots on town panels is fast approaching Chatham News & Record staff

“Join the conversation”

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro is seeking engaged and civic-minded residents to serve as members of the Alcoholic Beverage Control board

and as in-town representatives on the Planning Board. The application deadline for the ABC Board is Nov. 6. The In-Town Planning Board deadline is Nov. 13. These are volunteer positions. Members are appointed to advisory boards based on the applicants’ interest in public affairs, good judgment, knowledge, ability, and strong moral character, according to

information from the board. Positions are filled through appointments made by the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners. The town’s information regarding the boards says that the opportunities empower residents to contribute to the community, participate in local government discussions and help inform decisions that will shape Pittsboro’s future.

Chatham News & Record www.chathamnewsrecord.com

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

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CRIME LOG Oct. 19 Gregory Earl Carter, 48, was arrested for assault on a female, carrying a concealed weapon and communicating threats, and other charges. Oct. 20 Clifford Branston McCauley, 79, of Pittsboro, was arrested for driving while impaired. Jaheem Santonio Campbell, 27, of Pittsboro, was arrested for assault on a female, communicating threats and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and other charges. Samual Chase Whaley, 30, of Hurdle Mills, was arrested for driving while impaired. Timothy Denorris Lee, 59, was arrested for driving while impaired, larceny of a motor vehicle and open container violation. Oct. 21 Brittany Nicole Johnson, 36, of Sanford, was arrested for identity theft, obtaining property by false pretenses and financial card fraud, and other charges. Charles Robert Stokes, 43, of Siler City, was arrested for failure to register change of address – sex offender. Thomas Wesley Flint, 39, was arrested for communicating threats. Oct. 23 Daniel Christopher Jenkins, 34, was arrested for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, felony larceny and attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, and other charges. Gerard Paul Totten, 69, was arrested for assault on a child under 12. Oct. 24 Bruce Scott Arrington, 44, was arrested for violation of a domestic violence protective order. Emily Nicole Hamilton, 27, was arrested for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving and speeding. Francisco Casius Lopez, 22, was arrested for communicating threats. Oct. 25 Austin Chase Hackney, 27, was arrested for driving while impaired, open container, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane control, and other charges.

Trump announces at Georgia campaign rally that Audi will build new factory in state The Macon plant will create 4,500 jobs and begin production in the early 2030s

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

Oct. 30 Halloween Fest 10:30 a.m. to noon; 3:30-5 p.m. Costumes, games, movies, candy and haunted house candy decorating fill two drop-in sessions at the library. The morning session is best for preschoolers, and the afternoon session is geared to school-age children. Wren Memorial Library 500 N. Second Ave. Siler City

Moonlight Movie Series: “Hocus Pocus 2,” Trunk-or-Treat 6-9 p.m. Trunk-or-treating starts when the lot beside Greek Kouzina opens at 6 p.m., and the drive-in screening follows at 7. Tickets are free but required; bring a lawn chair or blanket, and pets are welcome. Food and drinks are sold on site, and outside food and drinks are not allowed.

By Jill Colvin and Josh Boak The Associated Press PERRY, Ga. — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that Audi will build an automobile plant in Georgia as he tries to deliver on his promise to bolster American manufacturing in the final days before the midterm elections. Speaking at a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, where he sought to boost Republican candidates, Trump said Audi — the German luxury brand owned by Volkswagen — would commit $4.2 billion in nearby Macon to begin construction on a plant that will produce 200,000 cars a year. “Think of that 200,000 cars a year. That’s incredible,” Trump said, crediting his aggressive and unpopular tariff policies for the company’s decision to build the plant. The announcement seemed timed to offer a last-minute boost to Republican candidates in the battleground state, including Rep. Mike Collins, who is trying to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Trump has spent October campaigning in reliably Republican states as the party tries to hold onto its majorities in the House and

CHATHAM

MIKE STEWART / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump greets Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG, at a campaign rally at Guardian Centers of Georgia on Saturday in Perry, Georgia.

“This is a long-term investment, because we believe in the American market.” Gernot Döllner, Audi chairman Senate. Trump won Georgia in 2024 after losing it in 2020. Trump was joined on stage by Gernot Döllner, the chairman of the board of management at Audi, who said the plant would be producing “our biggest and most premium SUVs.” “This is a long-term investment, because we believe in the

American market,” he said. Audi said in a news release the plant — its first in Georgia — would create approximately 4,500 jobs and that construction was scheduled to begin in 2027, with production beginning in the early 2030s. Republicans are bracing for losses in the Nov. 3 midterm elections as they contend with an unpopular president and an electorate that is angry over high costs and the ongoing war in Iran. At the rally, Rick Jackson, the GOP candidate for Georgia governor, thanked Trump. “Thank you on behalf of Georgia for putting the biggest economic deal in Georgia history right here today,” he said.

MOSAIC at Chatham Park 367 Freedom Parkway Pittsboro

Oct. 31 Halloween at The Plant Noon to 9 p.m. The year’s final Get Down brings live music from noon to 4 p.m. with Purple Snakes, Hawkfeather, Michael LaShawn, Matthew Greenslade, Ken Fitts and Lisa Pigeon. A night market runs 5-9 p.m., with the Plant Parade at 5:15 p.m., a costume contest at 5:30 p.m., Vinnie’s Garage from 6-9 p.m. and Triangle Broom Squad performances at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

Nov. 1 First Sunday Pittsboro Noon to 4 p.m. Dozens of artisans sell jewelry, art, textiles, woodwork, soaps and more at the family-friendly market, which also brings live music and food trucks. The Pittsboro Business Association holds it on the first Sunday of each month from April through December. Downtown Pop-Up Park 50 W. Salisbury St. Pittsboro

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VOTING SITES IN CHATHAM COUNTY Voters must go to assigned precincts on Election Day Chatham News & Record staff THERE ARE 18 voting locations in Chatham County for Tuesday’s Election Day. Unlike early voting, when eligible voters may cast their ballots at any designated early voting location in the county, voters on Election Day must vote at their assigned precinct. Each of the precincts is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters who are in line at their assigned polling place by 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote. North Carolina voters will be asked to present an acceptable photo ID when voting in person. Acceptable forms of identification include a North Carolina driver’s license, a North Carolina nondriver ID, a U.S. passport, qualifying student or government employee IDs, military or veterans IDs, and certain tribal or government-issued photo IDs. Early voting ends at 3 p.m. Saturday. Those sites are the Agricultural and Conference Center in Pittsboro, the Health Science Building in North Chatham, the Earl B. Fitts Community Center in Siler City, Goldston Town Hall and

Hollands Chapel Church in Apex. Here is a list of Chatham County’s 18 Election Day voting locations Tuesday. • Silk Hope Ruritan Club (Albright) 4221 Silk Hope Road, Siler City • Bonlee Elementary School (Bonlee) 152 Bonlee School Road, Bear Creek • Bynum (Bynum) 28 Charlie Fields Road, Pittsboro • Goldston Town Hall (Goldston) 40A Coral Avenue, Goldston • Moncure Elementary School (Moncure) 600 Moncure School Road, Moncure • Brown’s Chapel Church (Hadley) 355 Chicken Bridge Road, Pittsboro • Harpers Crossroads Community Center (Crossroads) 20079 Highway 902, Bear Creek • Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church (Hickory Mountain) 7019 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Siler City • CCCC Health Science Building (East Chapel) 75 Ballentrae Court, Pittsboro

PERMIT from page A1 • Perry Harrison School (West Chapel) 2655 Hamlet Chapel Road, Pittsboro • Holland Chapel AME Zion Church (Jordan Lake) 360 Burgess Road, Apex • Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (West Pittsboro) 1192 U.S. Highway 64 West Business, Pittsboro • Northwood High School (East Pittsboro) 310 Northwood High School Road, Pittsboro • Earl B. Fitts Community Center (East Siler City) 111 South Third Avenue, Siler City • West Chatham Center for Active Living (West Siler City) 112 Village Lake Road, Siler City • New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (East Williams) 581 New Hope Church Road, .Apex • North Chatham Elementary School (North Williams) 3380Lystra Road, Chapel Hill • The Gathering Place (West Williams) 26 Swim and Croquet, Pittsboro

process as our conditional zoning district process,” Glenn said. “This is a special-use permit process that is in line with state statute and in line with several of our neighboring jurisdictions.” The second hearing was to amend the Chatham County Subdivision Regulations in order to update and clean up language within the document. “The previous hearing was a substantial change to how we do business, a process change,” Glenn said. “These are more so housekeeping changes. They aren’t changing how we do anything.” In terms of action items, the board first approved an interlocal agreement with the Town of Siler City for a $14,500 recreation grant to be used for light replacements and bathroom upgrades at Paul Braxton Park. “This is 2026 Parks and Recreation funds to Siler City that were not spent in the last fiscal year,” said County Manager Bryan Thompson. “The remaining balance is being requested to roll over to the current fiscal year.” Vice Chair Franklin Gomez Flores voiced initial concern with the agreement as he

“This is a special-use permit process that is in line with state statute and in line with several of our neighboring jurisdictions.” Hunter Glenn, county planner felt the funding should more so be utilized for general public use. “My concern pretty much stems on the fact that the use for the park has changed,” Gomez Flores said. “It is now used for a private baseball team, and my concern is not so much the use but the fact that the general public doesn’t use it as it’s gated.” However, the board voted unanimously to approve the funding request but did agree to revisit how recreational funding is being directed. Finally, the board approved a resolution approving a request for a special use permit for the construction of a 199-foot wireless telecommunications tower located at 1879 Andrews Store Road. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will next meet Nov. 2.

PARK from page A1

‘Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers’ brings artistry to Halloween The self-taught engineer has carved hundreds of pumpkins into three-dimensional whimsical artworks By Terry Chea The Associated Press HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — When fall arrives and leaves start changing color, Mike Valladao, a systems engineer at a cybersecurity company, slips into his alter ego, “Farmer Mike,” also known as the “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers.” Farmer Mike has been chiseling whimsical faces and comical creatures into big pumpkins for more than four decades. Wearing his trademark orange overalls and farmer hat, he’s sculpted hundreds of gourds into ghoulish faces, seaside landscapes, witches, dragons and pop culture figures such as Yoda and Charlie Brown. Valladao doesn’t have any formal artistic training, but he’s always looking for inspiration. He gets ideas from looking at art in a museum or just walking down the street. “Sometimes I’ll look at somebody and I’ll think, oh, I like the teeth or I like ears or the way the nostrils flare,” Valladao said. This year, “Farmer Mike” celebrated 40 years of Halloween

artistry at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, which is held in mid-October and is best known for its giant pumpkin weigh-off. At the two-day festival on the coast south of San Francisco, Valladao works on stage so people can watch. His pumpkin carvings have drawn requests from across U.S. Valladao stumbled into his artistic hobby after he began growing big pumpkins at his San Jose home in the mid-1980s. He didn’t know what to do with the massive gourds, so he pulled out a knife and started slicing faces into them. “I’m an engineer by trade, and I tend to look at it as building something the same way I would build a piece of hardware, one layer at a time,” he said. In 1986, festival organizers saw a picture of Valladao’s pumpkins and invited him to showcase his carving skills in Half Moon Bay, where his family opened the town’s first feed and seed store in the 19th century. He grew an 800-pound pumpkin once, but it was a lot of work, so he doesn’t participate in the giant pumpkin contest. His art has since taken him to different parts of the country, including an appearance on

“The Tonight Show.” He has gotten requests to carve pumpkins at venues such as the San Diego Zoo, the California Academy of Sciences and the State Fair of Texas. “It’s about the illusion of depth” He uses Atlantic pumpkins that weigh from 100 to 1,000 pounds. They have thick skins that allow him to cut protruding facial features shallow or deep. “It’s really about the illusion of depth,” Valladao said. “I can make it so that it’s three-dimensional, such that the eyes are inset and the nose sticks out. So it’s a little bit of carving, but it’s just adding a little more magic to it.” Valladao said he doesn’t name his creations because he recognizes the ephemeral nature of his art, which only lasts a few days. “It never really bothers me when a pumpkin starts to age because in some cases they’ll build character,” Valladao said. And there are always more pumpkins to be carved. After 40 years at Half Moon Bay, Valladao doesn’t have any plans to hang up his carving knives. “It’s fun, it’s enjoyable and, quite frankly, it’s a piece of me,” he said.

said. “We didn’t come here intending to stay in Chapel Hill, but we have since been here for over 60 years now.” Lillian Lee, 91, established a school at UNC Hospital and served as a teacher and administrator in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro School System. “I want to thank the mayor, the council and all the people who had something to do with making this happen,” Lillian Lee said. “I am truly honored, and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.” “Your contributions to community-building, affordable housing and the values that make Chapel Hill the special place that has left a lasting mark on everyone in this town,” said May-

“I want to say how honored I am that after all these years, there are still people who remember us and remember our contributions to the community of Chapel Hill.” Howard Lee or Jessica Anderson. “You represent the very best of Chapel Hill, and naming the park in your honor is a fitting way to celebrate your legacy.” The Chapel Hill Town Council will next meet Nov. 18.

CHOOSE PEACE OR WOE! BIBLE STUDY: MATTHEW 23:1-39 CHURCH OF LIVING WATER; SERVANT: JAMES MITCHELL. Jesus, the Son of Almighty God, has tried to warn us. To you blind Socialist/Communist/Democrats who have been taken over by Radical Jihadist Muslims, woe to you! Woe to you, rhino Republicans who stand with these people. Since your brain has been taken over, woe means grief, sorrow, and a wretched state. Woe to you, lying news media, that are standing with this evil! Newsmax is one of the few where you can get the truth about what’s going on. Obama/Socialist Democrats are supporting these radical Muslims who want to take over America. America First Republicans: vote! Open your blind minds; these Jihadists want to do away with our Constitution, our ICE, our Border Patrol, our police, with Sharia law. Islamist Omar, Tlaib, and RWKHUV KDYH LQ¿OWUDWHG RXU &RQJUHVV 2PDU DQG WKH 6RPDOL criminal illegals need to be deported. They hate America, and the Somali gangs are murdering our citizens. Mr. Homan and Mr. Mullins, keep deporting all the illegals/criminals. Obama/Biden started the globalist movement with open borders. Socialists and Communists have sided with Radical Muslims to take over the world. They are burning down France, which brought in all these immigrants. Europe and the Pope should take a closer look at why most of these immigrants are coming. Europe, you’re no friend to America! America and Israel are great allies! Heavenly Father, thank you for your anointing power on President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu! Iran should have been taken out years ago. Finish the job, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu! Don’t forget the Democrat who’s running against Michael Whatley for Senator of N.C. He is the Governor who closed down churches, businesses, and released criminals. Our children are forced to take shots, all based on the big lie. Repent, believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and be born again!

Share with your community! •••

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

Farmer Mike Valladao carves a pumpkin at the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Oct. 12 in Half Moon Bay, California.

Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@ chathamnewsrecord.com.

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

In defense of Halloween But the best of Halloween is a holy practice of hospitality.

IT FEELS WEIRD to defend a holiday of delight and merrymaking, but just today I have read yet another online screed of sanctimony, calling the faithful to avoid the Prince of Darkness in the name of the Prince of Peace. I must respond. I know that, humans being human, we are capable of turning to evil even during activities meant for mirth. But the best of Halloween is a holy practice of hospitality. For one night, our communities are open to outsiders of every race and creed. When else do we so universally welcome the stranger at our door? When else do we not only smile but offer gifts in return for someone’s impromptu arrival? Halloween is intergenerational. I love that children and adults get outside and exercise their creativity in costume-making. I love that no one trick-or-treats online. Dogs hate it when strangers clomp up the steps and — God forbid — ring the doorbell. But kids love Halloween, and Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of heaven, one must become like a child. That does not necessarily mean wearing a “PAW Patrol” costume, but neither did Jesus say to don the robe of a killjoy and snarl. Jesus was often seen in the company of revelers, so-called “sinners” in the prejudiced eyes of the religious. He insisted that the Son of Man would be found dressed as the poor and lowly, the sick and hungry. No one knows the hour of his return. Perhaps among the Marvel superheroes and Disney princesses, there walks the Lord of the Star Fields, disguised, as always, as “the least of these” among us. The Tuesday after Halloween is Election Day. Americans will vote for one side or the other. Some will celebrate the results, while others will lament them. Far

ROBERT F. BUKATY / AP PHOTO

from reflecting the work of the devil, might the spirit of Halloween actually carry us through the coming days? Not that we should cope by bingeing candy but that we extend welcome instead of judgment. Halloween provides a holy reminder that, beneath the everyday costumes we all wear, there beats a human heart and the image of the divine in all of us. 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

Don’t let Halloween show its dark side When it comes to Halloween, I’m of two opinions.

THROUGH THE YEARS, I haven’t exactly set the woods on fire as far as trick-or-treating goes. Part of that, no doubt, revolves around where I grew up — in the country east of Pittsboro — and where I live now — in the country south of Siler City. Given that those parts of the world weren’t then — and still aren’t now — running over with little folks, including me the times I put a pillowcase with holes cut for eyes on my noggin and went to the homes of a few neighbors calling “trick or treat” as I beat on their front door, it’s understandable. Actually, some of the rural parts of those worlds weren’t then and still aren’t now running over with many people of any age. And the reality in my childhood was if no one gave me any treats I didn’t know any tricks, other than to leave. The good news at my house was — and still is — that any leftover candy went into me. Today, so I’m told and occasionally observe, trick-or-treat is specialized as little folks — actually their parents — go all out on elaborate (read “expensive”) costumes. Bigger little folks, including 11-year-olds who could be playing linebacker for the Packers or some even older and larger, go from house to house with cellphones and other electronic gadgets putting out and receiving word on who has the best stuff. And, again so I’m told, some of the “tricks” aren’t really tricks but border on vandalism and, in some cases, go across that line to the hideous. When it comes to Halloween, I’m of two opinions.

One is there’s nothing any cuter than a little lady in a princess dress or a little man in cowboy duds, complete with lasso and horse, or an infant dressed as a bee-bumble. But there’s nothing any sicker or grosser than some of the Hollywood-esque outfits with no heads and dripping blood. And they’re not always limited to any particular age. Many cities, towns, churches and civic clubs are opting to sponsor such things as fall festivals, no-scare fairs, trunk-or-treat or other themed dress-ups like a “Noah’s Ark Party.” High on the list among the reasons for such is safety for children and youth attending. I remember advertisements from local hospitals inviting trick-or-treaters to bring their candy by the X-ray department to make sure there were no razor blades or other foreign or hurtful objects present before chowing down on the morsels. I’m pretty sure nothing like that happens at the alternative entertainment. So if you’re going to be out and about Halloween night, go only to places and people you know, watch out for traffic, don’t take candy from strangers, carry and use a flashlight, avoid dark places, and stay safe so you can be around to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas … and watch out for 11-year-old linebackers. And, if you have any Twix bars left over, call me. I think I can find my pillowcase. Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

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COLUMN

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

STEPHEN MOORE

Red velvet cake on my mind

I felt freed from my strict sugar containment (and torture) system.

HAVE MERCY on me, folks. I’m human. Of course, it took me a while to figure that out. So goes my learning saga (this time around). “You keep what in the house? No!” That would be me 20-plus years ago. How could I eat that much sugar?! Yes, I became a purist. A purist who was determined to do things right, healthwise. “No, no, I wouldn’t have sugarinfused desserts like red velvet cake, German chocolate cake, Hershey bars, Hostess cupcakes (my childhood fave) or chocolate-covered ginger in my house!” I was adamant, as purists can be. My purist path led me on a zigzag journey through 1,000,001 sugar substitutes, trying to keep some decent-tasting oral sweetness in my life. Now, readers, I like you, so there will be no presentation of the l-o-n-g list of all the plant-based or chemically created sweeteners I bounced through over the years. You’re quite welcome. I really do think the universe was teasing me. Just leading me on. I’d find one sugar substitute that I really liked and then read the current cancer-concern studies about it. Let’s be truthful: I was in serial sugar substitute pursuit for years. I was all set, probably three or four times, with a (new) lifelong sugar substitute, only to find out about more cancer-concerning studies. Geez, universe! Even today I think some sugar substitute escapees still reside in a kitchen cabinet, pushed all the way to the back. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed to pull them out, but I am. Next, my body joined this sugar fray. My body seemed to be acting independently of my conscious choice for no sugar. I’d walk into the grocery store and find my body heading in the direction of the pastry

The FDA should grant Americans the right to try new cancer treatments MATTHEW MEAD / AP PHOTO

cabinet. Just a quick gaze, you know, at the lemon meringue-filled pastries. Oh, oh, and those chocolate eclairs. “No, Jan, move on!” Years of experimental sugar substitutes passed. During a visit with my personal care provider, we were discussing my sugar conundrum. First, she lauded me (smart cookie that she is) for working out on my stationary bike twice a day. Then she cleverly slipped the following bit of wisdom into our conversation. “You’re fit. And those sugar goodies you’ve talked about yearning for are not fentanyl, cocaine or heroin. It really is OK to consume some regular sugar.” Finally, she hit me with “You’re human.” That absolutely did it! I felt freed from my strict sugar containment (and torture) system. Free as a bird! I haven’t looked back. If I remember correctly, I may have picked up some chocolate-covered ginger on the way home. Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

COLUMN | JOE GODFREY

Why constituent service and accountability still matter in North Carolina’s 9th District You don’t have to agree with every vote in Washington to appreciate a representative who takes the time to help people back home.

IT IS EASY to get caught up in all the noise coming out of Washington. But when it comes down to it, most people want something much simpler from their elected officials: remember who you work for and deliver results for the people back home. By that measure, Congressman Richard Hudson has been doing important work across our part of North Carolina. Hudson recently voted for legislation that would prohibit members of Congress and their immediate families from buying individual stocks while they serve in office. That is a commonsense standard. Public office should be a public trust — not an opportunity to gain a financial advantage while everyone else works hard and plays by the rules. Accountability in Washington matters, but so does the work that directly affects the district. Hudson has continued to support our military, veterans and their families. With Fort Bragg in our region, those commitments are not abstract. They affect servicemembers, military spouses, veterans and local communities every day. Hudson has worked to bring resources to Fort Bragg, support servicemembers and improve care and benefits for veterans. Those priorities deserve sustained attention from any representative whose district is closely connected to the military. Hudson has helped secure funding for military construction, infrastructure, training facilities and military families at Fort Bragg. This includes investments in childcare facilities, emergency water systems, barracks, backup power and various other quality-of-life projects.

Some of a congressman’s most important work, however, rarely makes the news. When a constituent is stuck waiting on Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the IRS or another federal agency, congressional casework can provide a path forward. Delayed federal tax returns and retirement benefits, passport application issues, immigration problems and financial aid questions are just a few of the issues Hudson’s staff can help with. After months of unanswered calls and confusing paperwork, having someone listen, make an inquiry and help navigate the system can make all the difference for a family. You don’t have to agree with every vote in Washington to appreciate a representative who takes the time to help people back home. When someone is struggling with a delayed benefit, a problem with the VA or another federal agency, getting help can make a real difference. Politics will always come with disagreements. But supporting our veterans, standing with the men and women of Fort Bragg, helping constituents work through problems with federal agencies and holding members of Congress to high ethical standards are things that should matter to everyone. What matters most is that people want to know their representative is listening and working on their behalf. It is what the people of North Carolina’s 9th District deserve, and it’s what Rep. Richard Hudson has worked to provide. Joe Godfrey is chair of the Chatham County Republican Party.

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Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or mailed to 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com. Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

EVERY FEW MONTHS, a 19-year-old woman from South Carolina boards a plane to London. She isn’t going sightseeing. She’s going to get her next dose of a cancer treatment that was invented in the United States, developed by an What American company and makes this credited by her doctors with clearing a brain tumor which predicament other surgeons had refused doubly foolish to touch. She was diagnosed with and inhumane glioblastoma at 16. It is the is that many most common and most lethal brain cancer, the of these disease that killed John experimental McCain and Beau Biden. treatments Her tumor came back so aggressively after her first were surgery that doctors stopped developed in operating. This was a death sentence. America. But one surgeon at the University of California, Los Angeles, agreed to perform the invasive surgery. Afterward she began a personalized immunotherapy made from her own tumor tissue and her own immune cells. Today her scans are clear, and she’s in college. Her family has health insurance, but they must pay for every flight and every dose out of pocket, with help from money raised from strangers online through GoFundMe. Why London? Because in Britain, a licensed physician can prescribe a promising treatment that for no rational reason has not been approved even on a limited and trial basis in the U.S. Today there are dozens of promising drugs and therapies for multiple forms of horrific and crippling diseases: cancer, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and diabetes, to name a few. Patients are literally dying waiting for the chance to use these treatments on an experimental basis. At the very bare minimum, they give suffering patients hope. But not in America. So much for “my body, my choice.” But why not let the patient, not Food and Drug Administration regulators, decide the most important decision of her life — how to stay alive. This is a cruel way for America to make health treatment decisions. I have no idea whether this particular cancer treatment really works, but in the case of a deadly disease, why not let patients try whatever alternative treatments they want? Isn’t it sad that in the land of the free, individuals have fewer treatment choices than most other nations in the world? By taking an experimental drug or treatment, these disease sufferers are being thrown a potential lifeline while also advancing the medical discovery process by acting as test cases. This is doing future patients a favor. President Donald Trump has signed “right to try” laws, but the FDA remains an impediment. The waiting times to get approved are long, which means the tumors in millions of patients get larger. The risk-averse FDA seems wedded to its old way of doing business, with interminable testing in clinical trials while patients die waiting. There are three steps the FDA and the White House can take to help expand right-to-try and avoid often-fatal bureaucratic delays. First, for rare diseases, adopt a test of “plausible success.” If there is compelling evidence that a treatment could work, let patients try it. Second, expand “compassionate use.” A physician treating a patient with a terminal diagnosis should be able to prescribe a promising investigational therapy with the patient’s informed consent. The doctor would notify the FDA rather than ask its permission and drown in paperwork. Third, if a drug or treatment is approved in a developed nation, allow patients in the U.S. to use it with a different designation than “FDA approved.” This leaves the decision of whether to try the drug up to the patient, not the bureaucrat. Sometimes in medicine, the best and often most unexpected results come from the trial-and-error process. It’s a sad and cruel development that Europeans and South Americans can gain access to the latest breakthroughs in medicines while Americans can’t. Rich families can afford the costs of flying across the world to receive these treatments, but middle-class and poor families often can’t. What makes this predicament doubly foolish and inhumane is that many of these experimental treatments were developed in America. The Trump administration has an opportunity to show that “Make America Healthy Again” means letting American patients use American breakthroughs at home. The pathway has been announced. The president has already shown he cares about patients like this young woman. Now the FDA and Department of Health and Human Services have to deliver. No American should have to buy a plane ticket to London to get an American cure. Stephen Moore is co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

obituaries

Shelby Gilliam Isley Nov. 6, 1937 – Oct. 19, 2026 Shelby Gilliam Isley, 88, of Siler City, North Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill. Born on November 6, 1937, in Alleghany County, North Carolina, Shelby was the daughter of the late Richard Gilliam and Loy Presnell Gilliam. She was a devoted woman of God whose life was a daily testimony of faith, love, and service. Her unwavering commitment to Christ was evident in the way she lived, always placing God, her family, and the needs of others before her own. Shelby found great joy in life’s simple blessings. She loved sitting in the mornings, watching the birds gather at her feeders while spending cherished time in prayer and reading her daily devotional. Those quiet moments with the Lord were among the most meaningful parts of her day. An avid reader for many years, she possessed a lifelong love of learning and reflection. Her faith inspired her service to others. Through Gideon Outreach, she faithfully ministered to inmates, sharing the Gospel and offering words of hope and encouragement. She also volunteered at the diaper bank through her church, demonstrating Christ’s love through acts of

Frances “Louise” Atkinson Aug. 26, 1942 – Oct. 21, 2026 Frances “Louise” Atkinson, 84, of Pittsboro, passed away on October 21, 2026. Born to the late Mildred Sauls and Tom Andrews, in Alamance County on August 26, 1942, , Louise lived a life of unwavering faith, quiet strength, and extraordinary love. Her big, beautiful blue eyes and soft, familiar voice were part of her warmth, but her light came from the way she loved. Louise made time for people. She prayed for them, spoke honestly, and stood beside them through their hardest days. Her family came first, and she gave of herself generously so they would have what they needed and know how deeply they were loved. Louise shared 55 years of marriage with her beloved Archie. Together, they endured heartbreaking loss and serious illness without losing the tenderness between them. Even after decades together, she still sat in his lap, they still exchanged kisses, and they cared for one another with deep affection and respect. She met life with determination. After leaving school in the eighth grade,

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James Tallent. shape them into accomplished was a loving wife, mother, Margaret will be remembered men in business and, more grandmother, and greatfor her unwavering faith in Jesus importantly, men of character. grandmother whose greatest Christ, her love for Scripture, her She later met the love of her life, happiness came from sharing strength as a mother, her loyalty Floyd Hough, and they shared life’s moments with her as a friend, and her caring heart. more than 35 wonderful years of children, grandchildren, and Her legacy lives on through the marriage. great-grandchildren. family she loved and the many Margaret worked for more In addition to her parents, people whose lives she touched. than 50 years at Kellwood Shelby was preceded in death The family will receive friends Hosiery in Siler City, remaining by a son-in-law, Mitch Gurley; from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. on with the company through and a grandson, Micah Gurley. Sunday, November 1, 2026. at its later years as Glendale She is survived by her The Journey Church, 17475 US Hosiery. She was known for her beloved husband of 66 years, Highway 64, Siler City, NC 27344. compassion, generosity, and Joel M. Isley of Bonlee, North A celebration of life will follow readiness to help anyone in Carolina; two daughters, at 3:00 p.m., with Pastor Jerry need. Her phone often rang with Cindy I. Gurley of Siler City, Sept. 12, 1937 – Oct. 14, 2026 calls from family, friends, and Foley officiating. North Carolina, and Jan I. Burial will follow at Oakwood neighbors who knew they could Palmer and husband Shawn of Margaret Johnson Hough, 89, Cemetery in Siler City. count on her for encouragement, Franklinville, North Carolina; of Siler City, died peacefully on Friends are also welcome wise advice, and a listening ear. two granddaughters, Mallory G. Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at to visit with the family at the She rarely met a stranger and Edwards and husband William Cambridge Hills in Pittsboro. home of Craig and Kendra was a cherished friend to many. of Greensboro, North Carolina, Born September 12, 1937, to Brower in Silk Hope on Saturday She was preceded in death and Tori Palmer of Franklinville, Eulas and Lillie Johnson, she grew by her parents, Eulas and Lillie and Sunday, October 31 and North Carolina; two grandsons, up in Siler City alongside her nine November 1. Johnson; her husband, Floyd Jake Gurley of Siler City, North brothers and sisters. Her life was In lieu of flowers, please Hough; her brothers, Herman Carolina, and Trevor Palmer rooted in faith, family, hard work, consider a donation to Johnson, Rexford Johnson, and wife Hannah of Colorado and a generous heart. A lifelong International Alliance for Herbert Johnson, Roland Springs, Colorado; five greatmember of Siler City Pentecostal Mercy (IAMERCY), this mission Johnson, and Paul Johnson; grandchildren, Shelby, Chloe, Holiness Church, now The organization led by mom’s and her sisters, Ruby Abee, Henry, Everyn, and Lokryn; and Journey Church, Margaret found nephew, at https://www.iamercy. Magdalene Gaines, and June one brother, Lane Gilliam of comfort, strength, and joy in org. Carol Easter. Thomasville, North Carolina. reading God’s Word. Margaret The family is deeply grateful She is survived by her The family will receive friends was a devoted Christian who to the staff of Cambridge Hills for sons, William “Bill” Brower on Friday, October 23, 2026, loved sharing the message of the kindness, compassion, and and his wife, Catherine, of from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 Jesus Christ with others. Her faith Dawsonville, Georgia, and Craig care they provided throughout p.m. at Sandy Branch Baptist remained steadfast throughout Margaret’s final years. Brower and his wife, Kendra, Church. her life. Even during the advanced of Silk Hope, North Carolina; Please share a memory, or Graveside services will stages of dementia, she never condolence for the family in her stepdaughters, Mary H. follow at 1:00 p.m. at Historic lost her love for her Savior or her Margaret’s guestbook at www. Buchanan and her husband, Providence Church Cemetery desire to speak of Him. smithbucknerfh.com. Gary, and Colleen H. Avery with Rev. Jimmy Brown For many years, Margaret Smith & Buckner Funeral and her husband, Don, all of officiating. raised her two sons as a single Home, of Siler City, North Morganton, North Carolina; her In lieu of flowers, memorial mother, providing for them Carolina, is honored to serve grandchildren, Allen, Carolyn, contributions may be made with remarkable strength, the family of Margaret Johnson Kayla (Elliott), Zack, and to The Gideons International, determination, and unconditional Hough. Forrest (Morgan); her greatP.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Shelby’s legacy of faith, love, service, and family devotion will continue to live on in the hearts IN MEMORY of all who were blessed to know her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Please share a memory, or JESSIE “MARIE” NEAL PHILLIPS BARBER condolence for the family in Shelby’s guestbook below. APRIL 30, 1933 – OCT. 17, 2026 Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, of Siler City, North Jessie “Marie” Neal Phillips Barber, 93, of Bear Creek, passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Carolina, is honored to serve Peak Resources/Pinelake in Carthage. the family of Shelby Gilliam The graveside service will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at High Falls Wesleyan Church Isley. with Chaplain Rae Ferrarini presiding. JoyceBrady Chapel will be open from 1:00-5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 for friends to sign the register. Marie was born in Moore County on April 30, 1933 to Willis and Jessie Neal. She was a member of Fair Promise UMC. She retired from Kellwood where she was a pairing inspector. Marie liked to travel and especially enjoyed her trip to Europe. She also enjoyed reading, cooking and working in her flower garden. Louise later earned her GED. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Charlie Penn Phillips and Roy Lee She worked in the mills before Barber and her sisters, Lois Oldham, Ann Thomas, Bea Beal and Bobbie Phillips. taking an office position at The Marie is survived by her daughter, Rebecca P. Gaines (Buck), of Bear Creek; son, Richard Wayne Phillips Laurels of Chatham, where (Marsha), of Goldston; step-daughter, Sandra Hunnings (Larry), of New Bern; grandchildren, Julianna, she learned to use a computer Jason, Rachel and Kelly; great-grandchildren, Grant, Reese, Lane, Noah and Caleb and a host of family and and mastered two operating friends. systems. She was willing to work hard, begin again, and keep learning. Her faith was woven into JAMES LOUIS “SONNY” MASHBURN everyday life. She loved God, JAN. 29, 1933 – OCT. 24, 2026 cherished old hymns, and often quoted Psalm 23. She James Louis “Sonny” Mashburn, of Sanford, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026, leaving behind enjoyed singing on the front a lifetime of cherished memories, unforgettable stories and a family who loved him dearly. Born on January porch swing, playing cards, and 29, 1933 in Carbonton, NC. sharing laughter with family Sonny was the son of the late Arch Green Mashburn and Lizzie Mae Mashburn. He attended Goldston and friends. Her grandchildren High School, where he met Doris Virginia Burke, who would become his lifelong sweetheart. Their love story and great-grandchildren would span more than seven decades, and together they shared 73 years of marriage, building a life filled brought out her playful side and with family, laughter and countless memories. knew the joy of her undivided Sonny was a hardworking man who spent 27 years employed at Pomona Pipe in Gulf. During those years, attention. As Mama, Grandma, he discovered numerous fossils and prehistoric bones, including dinosaur bones. Some of his finds became Mammie, and Nana, she gave part of collections in North Carolina museums and even the Smithsonian Institution, leaving behind a generations a place to belong. fascinating and lasting part of his legacy. “I just want to be a good Above all, Sonny’s greatest legacy was the family he and Doris built together. Through 73 years of person,” she often said. marriage, they shared life’s joys and challenges, creating a lifetime of memories and a family whose love will Those who knew Louise saw carry his memory forward. that goodness in the way she Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Arch Green and Lizzie Mae Mashburn; his sister, Dorothy lived, in her sacrifices, her Mashburn Oldham; his beloved son, Larry Dean Mashburn and his grandson, Sonny Renn Mashburn. He compassion, and the faithful is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 73 years, Doris Virginia Burke Mashburn his children, James care she gave without seeking Kenneth Mashburn, Steven Keith Mashburn, Richard Dale Mashburn (Cathy) and Wendy Virginia Mashburn recognition. Cox (Dennis); 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren along with extended Louise was preceded in family members and lifelong friends. death by her husband, Archie; Though Sonny’s earthly journey has ended, the stories he told, the laughter he shared, the discoveries her son, Ray Atkinson, and her he made and the love he gave will remain forever in the hearts of hearts of those who knew him. And daughter, Donna Howard. She is somewhere among the memories, there will always be one more Sonny story to tell. survived by her daughter, Janet The public graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at Carbonton Bryant, and husband Jerry; her Community Church, where he was a member, with Pastor Mike Seawell presiding. granddaughter, Amber Howard, There will be no public viewing, but friends may come by Joyce-Brady Chapel on Tuesday, October 27, whom she and Archie raised as 2026 from 1:00-5:00 to sign the register. their own; her grandchildren, Darrell Bryant and wife, Christi, and Justin Bryant and CLARA JEAN SMITH HUSSEY wife, Jessica; and her greatgrandchildren, Abbey Moize, MARCH 31, 1939 – OCT. 21, 2026 Peyton Bryant, Drew Bryant, Waylon Bryant, Linley Bryant, Clara Jean Smith Hussey, 87, of Robbins, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at Peak Harper Worrell, Piper Louise Resources/Pinelake in Carthage. Czesak, and Tatum “Tate” The graveside service will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Needham’s Grove Baptist Church Czesak, . with Pastor Scott Kidd presiding. The world feels darker Friends may sign the register on Thursday afternoon from 1:00-5:00 pm. Per request of the family, no without her. But her light public viewing will be held. remains in the faith she shared, Clara Jean was born in Chatham County on March 31, 1939, to John and Wilma Kidd Smith. She was a the kindness she taught, and member of Needham’s Grove Baptist Church and a homemaker. In her younger years, she worked in the the generations who will always cafeteria at North Moore High School and at Southern Supreme. She loved kids and enjoyed babysitting know they were loved by her. them. Clara Jean liked quilting and puzzles. She was a very good cook and enjoyed cooking for her family. Donaldson Funeral Home & She loved her children and grandchildren and cherished each moment with them. Crematory is honored to serve In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter “Jabo” Hussey; son, the Atkinson Family. Tommy Edward Hussey; sisters, Betty Ann Murray and Julia Frances Maness and brothers, Clarence Lee (Bill) Smith, Jimmy Joe Smith and Ronnie Evans Smith. Clara Jean is survived by her daughter, Deborah Hinson (Al); daughter-in-law, Donna Hussey; grandchildren, Jeremiah Hussey (Heather), Johnny “Boomer” Hussey (Stacey), Daniel Phillips (Erika), Mark Phillips (Brittany) and Jessica Davis (Steven); thirteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Ruth Powers and Carol Lucille Hicks; brother, Johnny Albert Smith; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

Margaret Johnson Hough

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

AOC from page A1 York district, and her nickname, AOC, has become one of the most recognizable in American politics. Now, as she contemplates a next move, including a possible run for the White House or the Senate, she is also offering a largely untested proposition: That her brand of progressive politics can appeal beyond the Democratic base and help the party win those competitive elections. “We have written a check on the left, saying if you champion these policies that have popular support, we can win,” Ocasio-Cortez told a recent fundraiser. “Now it is time to cash in. Now it is time to go out and show what we are capable of.” At 37, she is the natural heir to the political movement fostered by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont that has had striking appeal for young voters. It also offers a stark contrast to the roles that the superrich like Elon Musk are trying to play in influencing elections. “You have to be the right person at the right place at the right time,” said Doug Sosnik, who was a senior adviser to Democratic President Bill Clinton. “The year that Jimmy Carter ran and got elected president is the only year I think he could have run and gotten elected.” Progressive brand at stake in Maine, Michigan Senate races In a historic concert hall in Portland, Maine, filled with college students, retirees and

Thomas Richard Cooney Jr. Sept. 19, 1970 – Sept. 29, 2026 Thomas Richard Cooney Jr., age 56, departed this world for the next on Monday, September 29, 2026 at his home in Southern Pines, NC. Tom was born to Thomas R Cooney Sr. and Norma J Moody Cooney on Sept 19, 1970, in Siler City, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek, NC and Sandhills Community College, earning a degree in Turf Management. Tom spent the majority of his adult life working on golf courses in the Pinehurst and Southern Pines area and was happiest while outdoors. He had a passion for baseball and in his early years was an accomplished pitcher. He later developed a love for golf. Above all else, Tom was a dedicated son. He was Norma Jean’s biggest fan and she was his. For most of his life, Tom was a musician, playing guitar, drums, bass guitar and singing in and around Greensboro, and later, Southern Pines. He

others, Ocasio-Cortez looked to Senate nominee Troy Jackson and acknowledged the political calculation of his appearance alongside her. “There are a lot of consultants out here in Washington that would tell him, ‘Do not sit on a stage next to her,’” she said. Minutes later, Ocasio-Cortez received rousing applause after an emphatic response to a question about putting “America first or Israel first.” She argued that the United States should question how it can afford wars rather than programs such as Medicare for All. “Going back to her previous comment, why wouldn’t I want to sit alongside someone who just talked like that?” Jackson asked. Maine, where Jackson is trying to defeat five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins, will be pivotal in determining which party controls the Senate. So will Michigan, where Ocasio-Cortez recently appeared with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in the Upper Peninsula. In Iron Mountain, a town near the Wisconsin line in a county that President Donald Trump won by more than 30 percentage points, Ocasio-Cortez made the case for the progressive movement. “Our problems are less left and right,” she said. “They’re top and bottom.” Isabella Pruter, a junior at the University of Michigan, said Ocasio-Cortez has a certain star power among younger voters. “I remember in 2020 and hearing about her name and thinking she was so cool,” Pruter said. “She really clicks with

loved 80’s & 90’s rock and loved screaming out the lyrics whether he was performing, spectating or riding in his truck. When COVID shut down all the music venues, Tom converted his car shelter into a mini concert venue he affectionately called The Amphishelter, where area musicians came to gather and continue to perform. He was like that. Tom’s true love was his dog Gracie, who brought him a sense of healing that only the love of a dog can do. She was his girl. In the wake of his departure, Tom leaves a lasting void in the hearts of a large circle of friends and loving family. And Gracie. But rest assured, beautiful grass will grow in those empty places, and we will carry him with us…. Tom is survived by his mother, Norma J Moody-Faulk, step mother LaRae Cooney, brother Mathew Cooney, niece Madison Coston, aunt Patricia Butt (Bob), aunt Nancy Lindley (Darryle), uncle Dan Cooney (Barbara) and step siblings Austin Nance and Chet Faulk. He is predeceased by his father, Thomas R Cooney Sr., sister Mary E Maynard, grandparents Thomas and Virginia Moody, grandparents Gene and Agnes Smith and uncle Michael Cooney A service was held Saturday, Oct 3rd at 1PM at Hampton Inn, 200 Columbus Dr Aberdeen, NC 28315 In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Chatham Central PTA, Attn: Heather Brooks 14950 Bear Creek, NC 27207, memo line: Tom Cooney/baseball Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

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

anyone who’s younger, especially for college students.” At the New York fundraiser for El-Sayed this month, Ocasio-Cortez made clear how much she believes is at stake in Michigan. “If Abdul can win in Michigan, anybody can win anywhere,” she said. But not everyone agrees that enthusiasm for progressive candidates will translate into victories in competitive states. Former Rep. Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican who retired from Congress after voting to impeach Trump in 2021, said winning swing states requires appealing beyond a party’s base to independent voters. “There’s a place in the party for her, but I don’t think it’s a majority,” said Upton, who served with Ocasio-Cortez. “She’ll win New York and California, but not in other states they’d need to get to 270” electoral votes to win the White House. Heading west to help House candidates The next stretch of Ocasio-Cortez’s swing took her west to gauge her appeal in closely contested House districts and spend time in a state important to a potential 2028 presidential run. In California’s Central Valley last Friday night, she rallied with Randy Villegas, a young progressive who defeated a rival backed by Democratic Party leaders in the primary. The race against Republican Rep. David Valadao is one of the most competitive in the country. The district is near-

ly 75% Hispanic, though Democrats have long struggled to turn out working-class Latino voters there. On Saturday, she campaigned in Nevada, the second state on the 2028 political calendar and one that would be crucial to her path to the nomination. Nevada, where working-class Latinos are a major force in Democratic politics, has been friendly to her brand of progressivism and overwhelmingly backed Sanders in the 2020 caucuses. She came to support Rep. Steven Horsford, a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, near Las Vegas’ historic westside neighborhood, the cultural and historical heart of the city’s black community. Presidential run would require more than theory of case Even if the progressive candidates Ocasio-Cortez is backing succeed on Election Day, a presidential run would present a different challenge. South Carolina is first on the Democrats’ new early primary calendar, and black voters make up a significant share of the state’s Democratic electorate. Sanders lost the state by wide margins in 2016 and 2020. Jaime Harrison, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee and a South Carolina native, said Sanders’ struggles in the state were not because of his progressive politics but because he did not put in the time needed to connect with voters.

To win South Carolina, Harrison said, “you better go to churches, you better go to union halls, you got to go to HBCUs” — historically black colleges and universities. “She has the talent,” Harrison said. “The question is, will you utilize that talent and focus it to do what is necessary to win on the biggest stage?” At a rally in Columbus, Mississippi, that featured former Vice President Kamala Harris and Senate candidate Scott Colom, some voters waiting in line expressed interest in an Ocasio-Cortez presidential run, though they were not ready to commit their support. Paula Small, a 58-year-old Democrat from Columbus, said she likes Ocasio-Cortez’s ideas but would need to learn more about her background. “We are ready for a change. We are tired of the same politics,” Small said, adding that she believes it’s time for younger people with fresh ideas to get involved in politics. Sosnik, the former Clinton adviser who considers himself more moderate than Ocasio-Cortez, called her an “unbelievable political talent” and described her as having at her fingertips “the zeitgeist of our times.” But he questioned whether her appeal could extend beyond the Democratic primary electorate. “I think she would be an extremely powerful force in the Democratic primary,” Sosnik said. “I’m skeptical that a majority of people in America would vote for her for president.”

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A8

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

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FOR RENT POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-5336319 for more information, TDD #1-800-7352962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

AUCTIONS RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, benefits, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-663-3556. Jy6,tfnc

SERVICES ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for onebedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, onsite laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-2583594. N9,tfnc

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NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Special Proceedings No. 25SP000151-180 Substitute Trustee: Philip A. Glass RE-NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Date of Sale: November 9, 2026 Time of Sale: 1:00 p.m. Place of Sale: Chatham County Courthouse Description of Property: See Attached Description Record Owners: Scott Carl Kleist Address of Property: 134 Woodside Trail Chapel Hill, NC 27517 CONDITIONS OF SALE: Deed of Trust: Book 2319 Page: 0974 Dated: August 8, 2022 Grantors: Scott Carl Kleist, an unmarried person Original Beneficiary: State Employees’ Credit Union This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases. This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax. It is the intent of the holder of the above Deed of Trust that the execution, delivery and recordation of a Trustee Deed to the holder as high bidder shall not merge with any superior Deeds of Trust held by the holder of the above Deed of Trust, and that the holder of said superior Deed of Trust shall continue to enjoy all rights and remedies set forth in said superior Deed of Trust, including the right to foreclose either by judicial action or under power of sale contained in the superior Deed of Trust. The property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS.” THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES relating to the title or to any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Remote bidding will not be accepted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.25 (a). Credit bids on behalf of the Noteholder will be accepted. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. Residential real property with less than 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: 9/14/26 Posted on 9/14/26 Philip A. Glass, Substitute Trustee Nodell, Glass & Haskell, L.L.P. Exhibit A ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PARCEL OF LAND OR CONDOMINIUM UNIT SITUATED IN THE CITY OF CHAPEL HILL, CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 4, CHATHAM ONE SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT AND SURVEY THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 31, PAGE 48, CHATHAM COUNTY REGISTRY. THIS BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO SCOTT CARL KLEIST, DATED 07/29/2021 AND RECORDED ON 07/29/2021 IN BOOK 2234, PAGE 252, IN THE CHATHAM COUNTY RECORDERS OFFICE. 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. PIN: 978600575613 Property Address: 134 Woodside Trail, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 O29 and 5

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A9

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

TAKE NOTICE

Notice of Public Hearings Town of Siler City The following items will be considered by the Siler City Board of Commissioners as legislative hearings. The hearings will be conducted during the Board of Commissioner’s meeting on Monday, November 2, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the court room located in the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave. Legislative Public Hearings CASE R26-0801 – A request by applicant, Earnest Suits, to rezone approximately 0.45 acres from Residential 10 (R-10) to Highway Commercial (H-C). The parcel is located at 910 E Eleventh Street and is identified as Parcel 16683 in the Chatham County Tax Records. CASE TA26-001 – An ordinance amending the Siler City Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 4 -Procedures, Chapter 6 - Development Standards Applicable to All Uses and Chapter 7- Land Uses and Use Specific Development Standards to remove minimum parking requirements in compliance with North Carolina Session Law 2026-39 (House Bill 162). CASE TA26-002 – An ordinance amending the Siler City Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 2 Administration) to add alternate members to the Siler City Planning Board. The proposed item is available for review by contacting Tim Garner at tgarner@silercity.gov or 919-726-8628. All persons interested in the outcome of this item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item. Interested parties may also submit written comments. Written comments can be submitted by email to tgarner@silercity.gov. Individuals desiring to speak may sign up by registering their name and information on the sign-up sheet, located outside the entry doors to the court room. The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings. This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Briana Martinez at 919-726-8620, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or bmartinez@ silercity.gov for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Briana Martinez al bmartinez@silercity.gov o 919-726-8625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Notice is hereby given that Public Hearings for consideration of two annexation petitions and two subsequent rezonings will be held by the Town of Goldston Board of Commissioners on Monday November 9, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. at Goldston Town Hall located at 40 Coral Ave A, Goldston, NC 27252. Interested parties may address the Board at this meeting. The following items will be considered: ANNEXATION PETITION – ANX-26-01 Applicant: Michael Blakely Owner: Bobby Branch; Land Preservation Group, LLC Parcel(s): 0075440; 0009646 Address: 3360 S Main Street ANNEXATION PETITION – ANX-26-02 Applicant: Michael Blakely Owner: Bobby Branch; Land Preservation Group, LLC Parcel(s): 0060964; 0063897 Address: 3425 S Main Street REZONING REQUEST – RZ-26-01 Applicant: Michael Blakely Owner: Bobby Branch; Land Preservation Group, LLC Parcel(s): 0075440; 0009646 Address: 3360 S Main Street Request: IH – Heavy Industrial REZONING REQUEST – RZ-26-02 Applicant: Michael Blakely Owner: Bobby Branch; Land Preservation Group, LLC Parcel(s): 0060964; 0063897 Address: 3425 S Main Street Request: IH – Heavy Industrial

CREDITOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 28th day of September 2026, as Administrator of Sabastian Barron deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of January 2027 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 29th day of September 2026. W. Woods Doster Administrator of the Estate of Sabastian Barron 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Attorneys: Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: October 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th of 2026

CREDITOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 16th day of July 2026, as Administrator of the Estate of Frances Elizabeth Gilmore, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of January, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 9th day of October 2026. W. Woods Doster, Administrator of the Estate of Frances Elizabeth Gilmore 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Attorneys: Law Offices of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: October 15,22,29th and November 5, 2026.

NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Pursuant to G.S. 115C-518 and 160A-269, the Chatham County Board of Education hereby gives notice that it has received an offer to purchase the property located off J. S. Waters School Road, south of US 421, Goldston, North Carolina. The property consists of one parcel totaling approximately 0.729 acres of land. The property is being sold “AS IS” with no representation from the Chatham County Schools regarding the acreage or condition of the property. Please contact Dr. Bradford Walston, Interim Chief Safety, Security, and Operations Officer for Chatham County Schools, at (919) 542-3626 for additional information regarding the property. The offer to purchase is in the amount of $4,374.00. The offer includes the purchaser paying for the preparation of the deed and any closing costs. Notice is hereby given that prior to November 8, 2026, any person may raise the bid by not less than ten percent (10%) of the first one thousand dollars ($100) and five percent (5%) of the remainder ($168.70). Therefore, the lowest acceptable upset bid is $4,642.70. The individual submitting the upset bid will need to agree to pay for the cost for the preparation of the deed and any closing costs. When a bid is raised, the bidder shall deposit five percent of the total increased bid in cash or certified funds with the Chatham County Schools. The Chatham County Schools shall readvertise the offer at the increased bid. This procedure shall be repeated until no further qualifying upset bids are received, at which time the Board may accept the offer and sell the property to the highest bidder. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all offers at any time. This the 29th day of October 2026.

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000563-180 The undersigned, WILLIAM W. BROOKS, having qualified on the 8TH Day of OCTOBER 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of FRANK G. BROOKS, III, 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 15TH Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 15TH Day of OCTOBER 2026. WILLIAM W. BROOKS, ADMINISTRATOR 512 W. ELK STREET SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: O15,22,29,N5p

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000534-180 The undersigned HEATHER CULBERSON, having qualified on the 22ND Day of SEPTEMBER 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BOYD LEE CULBERSON, 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 8TH Day OF JANUARY 2027, 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 8TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. HEATHER CULBERSON, EXECUTOR 675 VANDER OLDHAM ROAD BEAR CREEK, NC 27207 Run dates: O8,15,22,29P

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000562-180 The undersigned, PHILLIP R. ELKINS, having qualified on the 7TH Day of OCTOBER 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MATTIE PHILLIPS ELKINS, 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 15TH Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 15TH Day of OCTOBER 2026. PHILLIP R. ELKINS, EXECUTOR 119 SABAL COURT SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 Run dates: O15,22,29,N5p

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000437-180 The undersigned JOANN ELAINE FARRAR, having qualified on the 4TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of DIONE O’BRIAN FARRAR, 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 8TH Day OF JANUARY 2027, 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 8TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. JOANN ELAINE FARRAR, EXECUTOR 114A JOHN HENRY DRIVE SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: O8,15,22,29P

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY __________________________________________ ______________________________ HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Bruce Landon Clark 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 7th day of January, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 30th day of September, 2026. Tony Landon Clark, Executor of the Estate of Bruce Landon Clark 4085 Piney Grove Church Road 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 NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY __________________________________________ ______________________________ HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Jerry Lea Kidd 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 15th day of January, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 7th day of October, 2026. Darin Kidd, Executor of the Estate of Jerry Lea Kidd 7234 Side Church Road Seagrove, North Carolina 27341 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Mary Elizabeth Daniel, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC, 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on or before the 22nd day of January 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 22nd day of October, 2026. CARL ANDREW FISHER, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF MARY ELIZABETH DANIEL

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000485-180 ALL persons having claims against Earl David Austin, Sr., deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jan 15 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 15th day of October, 2026. NICOLE AUSTIN, Administrator C/O Mackintosh Law, PLLC c/o Mackintosh Law, 1201 Aversboro Road, Suite C Garner, North Carolina 27529 O15, 22, 29 and 5

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 26E000364-180 ALL persons having claims against Emma Kathleen Baker, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jan 22 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 22nd day of October, 2026. Ivy Baker, Administrator C/O Bowen Law Firm, PC 590 New Waverly Place, Suite 120 Cary, NC 27518 O22, 29, 5 and 12

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000554-180 The undersigned, JULIE SCHIBLER, having qualified on the 5TH Day of OCTOBER 2026 as ADMINISTRATRIX of the Estate of MIGNON RODGERS DEBERRY, 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 15TH Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 15TH Day of OCTOBER 2026. JULIE SCHIBLER, ADMINISTRATRIX 9 CALDWELL PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: O15,22,29,N5p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000400-180 The undersigned, THOMAS EARLE FRAZIER, having qualified on the 19TH Day of OCTOBER 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of PHILIP JASON FRAZIER, 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 22ND Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 22ND Day of OCTOBER 2026. THOMAS EARLE FRAZIER, ADMINISTRATOR 2208 ED CLAPP RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: O22,29,N5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000564-180 The undersigned, KELVIN N. CRUMP, having qualified on the 14TH Day of OCTOBER 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROBENA CRUMP 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 22ND Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 22ND Day of OCTOBER 2026. KELVIN N. CRUMP, EXECUTOR PO BOX 254 MONCURE, NC 27559 Run dates: O22,29,N5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000205-180 The undersigned, ASHLEY L. SMITH, having qualified on the 27TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of SHARON HEARNE GRIFFIN, 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 22ND Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 22ND Day of OCTOBER 2026. ASHLEY L. SMITH, EXECUTOR 66 ARTHUR L. HEARNE ROAD PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: O22,29,N5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000477-180 The undersigned, GEORGE M. KNIGHT, having qualified on the 13TH Day of AUGUST 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of THELMA ALBERTA COUCH KNIGHT, 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 22ND Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 22ND Day of OCTOBER 2026. GEORGE M. KNIGHT, ADMINISTRATOR PO BOX 1202 PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: O22,29,N5,12p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Limited Personal Representative for the purpose of providing notice to creditors without administration of the estate of Rene Rasmussen, 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 January 15, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This October 15, 2026. Sofia Collins, Limited Personal Representative Estate of Rene Rasmussen

NOTICE RESOLUTION OF THE CHATHAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS To Count Early Voting Ballots at 2:00 p.m. on Election Day Be it hereby resolved, that in accordance with N.C.G.S 163-182.2(a1) and (a4) (SL 2026-60), the Chatham County Board of Elections will begin counting Early Voting ballots for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board of Elections Conference Room beside the Chatham County Board of Elections office, 964 East St. Suite 101, Pittsboro, NC 27312. SL 2026-60 requires early votes to be counted at a meeting of the county board of elections held between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on Election Day. The results of the Early Voting ballot count will not be announced before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Any elector of the county may attend this meeting and observe the count. Approved this 13tth day of October, 2026 Theron VanDusen, Chair Erika Lindemann, Secretary Frank Dunphy, II, Member Laura Heise, Member Bob Tyson, Member

RESOLUTION OF THE CHATHAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS To Count Absentee Ballots at 2:00 p.m. on Election Day and To Count Curable and UOCAVA Absentee Ballots Between Election Day and Canvass Be it hereby resolved, that in accordance with N.C.G.S 163-234(2), the Chatham County Board of Elections will begin counting absentee by-mail ballots for the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Board of Elections Conference Room beside the Chatham County Board of Elections office, 964 East St. Suite 101, Pittsboro, NC 27312. The results of the absentee ballot count will not be announced before 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Be it further resolved that, in accordance with N.C.G.S. 163-234(11) and N.C.G.S. 163-234(12), there will be a meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. for the counting of any cured absentee by-mail ballots pursuant to N.C.G.S 163-230.1(e1) and Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for the counting of any eligible absentee by-mail ballots received pursuant to N.C.G.S. 163-231(b)(2) and N.C.G.S. 163-258.12. The results of this absentee ballot count will be included with canvass. Any elector of the county may attend these meetings and observe the counts. Approved this 15tth day of September, 2026 Theron VanDusen, Chairperson Erika Lindemann, Secretary Frank Dunphy, II, Member Laura Heise, Member Bob Tyson, Member

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 13th day of October, 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Paul Craven Ward, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned Executor on or before the 22nd day of January, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This the 22nd day of October, 2026. The Estate of Paul Craven Ward Sandra W. Coletta, Executor 107 Nelson Street Siler City, NC 27244 Attorney for the Estate: William H. Flowe, Jr. P.O. Box 1315 Liberty, NC 27298 Phone: (336) 622-2278

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000541-180 The undersigned, SCOTT HUNTER, having qualified on the 25TH Day of SEPTEMBER 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JACQUELINE MARIE HUNTER, 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 15TH Day of JANUARY 2027, 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 15TH Day of OCTOBER 2026. SCOTT HUNTER, EXECUTOR 195 FUTRELL RIDGE COURT CHAPEL HILL, NC 27517 Run dates: O15,22,29,N5p

26E000579-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, Chad Olson, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Richard Olson, 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 January 27, 2027 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 29th day of October 2026. Chad Olson Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

How daylight saving time changes affect you, what you can do about it Health experts argue that standard time year-round better supports human sleep and biology

shorter days and less sunlight, often struggle. Many people easily adjust to the clock switch, like how they recover from jet lag after traveling. But a time change can add pressure on shift workers whose schedules already are out of sync with the sun or those regularly sleep-deprived for other reasons. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

By Lauran Neergaard The Associated Press

CHARLIE RIEDEL / AP PHOTO

A woman plays with her dog at sunset in November 2021 at a park in Kansas City, Missouri. Here’s what to know about the twice-yearly ritual.

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How body reacts to light The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24-hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we’re more alert. The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hard-to-wake teens. Morning light is key to synchronizing that internal clock. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening — whether from later time outdoors during daylight saving time or from artificial light like computer screens — delays that surge

Percent of Americans in favor of daylight saving time

and with human biology, what’s called the circadian rhythm. Brighter mornings and less light at night are key to keeping that rhythm on track, making it easier to wake up on time and stick with healthy sleep patterns. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Hawaii and most of Arizona don’t change and stay on standard time.

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AN EXTRA HOUR of sleep is on the way for most Americans, though the “fall back” to standard time will bring darker afternoons too. One tip: Try to get outside for some morning sun — it’ll help your body clock reset faster. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will last until March 14, when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time. There’s a lot of grumbling about the twice-a-year time changes. An AP-NORC poll last year found that only 12% of American adults were in favor of it, while almost half opposed it. Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., took up the issue yet again over the summer. People often find the spring switch harder, losing that hour of sleep we allegedly recover in the fall. But many people also mourn fall’s end of daylight saving time, when days already are getting shorter and moving the clocks can mean less daylight after school or work for exercise or outdoor fun. The poll found that, if forced to choose, most Americans would prefer to keep that extra hour of daylight in the evening. But health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have long urged adopting standard time year-round. That’s because it aligns more with the sun, which rises later in the winter,

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and the cycle gets out of sync. And that circadian clock affects more than sleep, also influencing things like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and metabolism. How do time changes affect sleep? Even an hour’s change on the clock can throw off sleep schedules because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same. Right after the spring change, darker mornings and lighter evenings make it harder to fall asleep on time. Those first few days have been linked to increases in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks. During the fall and winter, some people with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the

In both fall and spring, changing bedtimes by as little as 15 minutes a night in the days before the change can help ease into it. But sunshine in the morning is critical to helping reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows. Will U.S. ever get rid of time change? Every year, there’s talk about ending the time change. The nation even tried it in the 1970s, but it lasted less than a year after a public outcry. The latest attempt came in July, when the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent. President Donald Trump backs the idea and is pressuring reluctant senators to support it, even posting the cellphone number of Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, an opponent, on social media.

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CHATHAM SPORTS

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth quarterback Duncan Parker makes a throw during his big outing against Oxford Webb during last Friday night’s romp.

Seaforth, Chatham Central capture football crowns The teams can become outright league champions with victories this week Chatham News & Record staff SEAFORTH’S and Chatham Central’s football teams accomplished it in different fashions during home games Friday night, but both teams wrapped up conference titles. Seaforth smashed visiting Oxford Webb 66-20 in the Big Seven Conference. Chatham Central continued

its best season in school history by overcoming South Stokes 20-19 in the Greater Triad Conference. Here’s a look at those games. Seaforth 66, Oxford Webb 20: At Pittsboro, Duncan Parker threw for seven touchdowns and Jude O’Neill rushed for 262 yards in the Hawks’ seventh consecutive victory. Parker was 16 for 28 in the air for 417 yards, so nearly half of his completions resulted in points. Seaforth (8-1 overall, 4-0 Big Seven Conference) has secured

Chargers rally for fifth victory of season Northwood never led until late in the game in the Four Rivers Conference Chatham News & Record staff PITTSBORO — Northwood scored the final 10 points, including Campbell Parks’ 26-yard field goal with 1:26 remaining, to claim a 38-35 home

victory last Friday night in an outcome that’s bound to determine second place in Four Rivers Conference football. That was the first lead of the game for Northwood (5-4 overall, 3-1 Four Rivers Conference). “Probably one of the bigger wins in my three years,” Northwood coach Dalton Brown said. “Our kids just not giving up. Our guys kept fighting and playing.”

at least a share of the league title going into Friday night’s game at last-place Carrboro. O’Neill scored two receiving touchdowns and another on the ground. Noah Fuller and Max Hinchman also made two touchdown receptions apiece. Caleb Kessler had the other touchdown catch. Seaforth led 42-8 at halftime. Alijah Kinton scored two touchdowns for Oxford Webb (4-5, 2-2), which remained in title contention until Friday’s result.

Following the go-ahead field goal, Brown said Northwood opted for an onside kick because of troubles with kickoff coverage earlier in the game. It worked out for the Chargers because they recovered the ball and then ran out the clock. “A vote of confidence that we can hang with guys that were supposed to win,” Brown said. “It’s always good to beat somebody that you respect.” Northwood’s Raje Torres rushed for two touchdowns and made a touchdown catch, and Aiden Girard ran for 161 yards on 24 carries. Finn Sullivan threw for two touchdowns and 177 yards. Parks also made a touchdown reception. Torres’ second touchdown See CHARGERS, page B3

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s Vince Karpf intercepts a pass against Southwestern Randolph as teammates Zahiem Young, far left, and Rowan Fisher look on during Friday night’s game.

Chatham Central 20, South Stokes 19: At Bear Creek, it’s the first conference title in program history for the unbeaten Bears. This one took quite a bit. Quarterback Brooks Albright ran 10 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:10 left. South Stokes had taken a 19-14 lead with 7:59 remaining after converting off a Chatham Central turnover. Albright was 10 for 15 for 136 yards with two touchdown throws and two interceptions in the air. Albright also compiled a team-high 48 rushing yards on seven attempts. Gavin Williams made five catches for 84 yards. The first two touchdowns for the Bears came on Albright’s passes. He connected for an 18-yard play to Carson Jack-

Friday’s games • Seaforth at Carrboro • Chatham Central at South Davidson • Jordan-Matthews at Eastern Randolph • Northwood at West Carteret

son in the first half and tossed a 10-yard pass to Brett Phillips in the third quarter. Phillips was 2 for 2 on extra-point kicks. The Bears failed on a two-point conversion play following the final touchdown. Chatham Central can clinch the outright title by winning at third-place South Davidson on Friday night.

PREP VOLLEYBALL

Woods Charter, Seaforth contend for spots in state finals The volleyball state playoffs are reaching their conclusion Chatham News & Record staff SEAFORTH VOLLEYBALL team rolled into the Class 5A East Region final, hoping to reach the state title match. The Hawks, the No. 1-seeded team in the East Region, won three matches last week. That set up another clash with Big Seven Conference rival Cedar Ridge, the No. 2 seed. The teams split two regular-season meetings. That match was slated for Tuesday night, with the winner advancing to the state final either Friday or Saturday at Campbell University in Buies Creek. Seaforth claimed a second-round victory against No. 16 seed South Granville by 25-6, 25-19, 25-19. Both teams are Big Seven Conference members. Ally Forbes had 17 kills and Abigail Valgus provided 21 assists for Seaforth. The Hawks then had a tussle against fellow Big Seven Conference member Orange, winning 25-18, 25-10, 18-25, 2325, 15-5 against the No. 8 seed.

Forbes had 23 kills and 14 service points, Sarah Beth Smith collected 18 kills, and Valgus posted 37 assists. Seaforth defeated Orange (15-11) four times this season — twice by sweeps and twice in five sets. It was smoother for Seaforth in Saturday’s fourth-round match in a 25-18, 25-14, 25-14 triumph against fourth-seeded Roxboro Person (21-8), which was the champion of the Mid-Carolina Conference. Forbes delivered 14 kills, and Isabelle Valgus tallied 12 service points to go with Abigail Valgus’ 30 assists. Tuesday’s West Region final consisted of top-seeded West Henderson and second-seeded Hickory. CLASS 1A Woods Charter, the top seed in the East Region, won three times last week to reach the regional final following a firstround bye. The Wolves won 25-13, 13-25, 25-4, 25-17 against No. 17 seed Oxford Prep. That was followed by a 25-14, 25-23, 25-12 knockout of ninth-seeded Cape Hatteras. See FINALS, page B3

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Mariah Rone (19) and another Northwood defender make a stop in a victory against Uwharrie Charter Academy.

Jude O’Neill GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

New year, new sport: Girls’ flag football thriving in North Carolina The playoffs to crown the first state champions start this week By Jeremiah Artacho For Chatham News & Record

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth, football Jude O’Neill is a junior running back, receiver and defensive back on the Seaforth football team. The Hawks moved to 8-1, unbeaten in the Big Seven 4A/5A Conference, with a win over J.F. Webb O’Neill carried the ball nine times in the game, gaining 262 yards and scoring once. He also caught four passes for 91 yards and two more touchdowns. For the season, O’Neill is second on the team in rushing and touchdowns, and first in interceptions and forced fumbles on defense.

WHEN IT COMES to the sport of football, you may think about a few things: youth football, boys’ middle school and high school teams, the NCAA, the NFL and men in general. One thing you may not think about: girls playing their own brand of football. This year, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced in May that girls’ flag football would officially become a sanctioned sport. The sport has been around since 2022 in North Carolina, but for the first time, schools are competing for a state championship. Scores of athletic programs are participating. A big helping hand was offered by the Carolina Panthers along with The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation. The two committed more than $2.5 million to help provide resources for high schools across the Carolinas. “I don’t believe we’ve spent any money out of our athletic budget and athletic accounts to start flag football,” Cameron Vernon, athletic director of Northwood High School in Pittsboro, said. “It’s all been through those grants and donations, so I’m very appreciative of the Carolina Panthers and the Tepper Foundation.” Girls’ flag football is on an upward trend. The growth is there, and it seems like it will be that way moving forward.

“The national statistics state that this is one of, if not the, fastest-growing sport in the country,” Vernon said. With the playoff brackets set to be announced after press time and play starting on Halloween, the first NCHSAA girls’ flag football champions are on the verge of being crowned. Some schools have already found plenty of success. Just ask Bobby Edmonds, the head coach of top-ranked Ashley High School in Wilmington, which boasts an undefeated record of 14-0 overall and 10-0 in conference play, defeating the likes of West Brunswick, Laney, Hoggard, Jacksonville’s Northside High School, North Brunswick and New Hanover. The Screaming Eagles are led by sophomore quarterback Caroline Smist. According to MaxPreps, Smist has thrown for 42 touchdowns while getting picked off 11 times. The underclassman completed more than 65% of her passes, with the longest completion going for 54 yards. “She was actually a freshman on the boys’ football team at Ashley last year,” Edmonds said of Smist. “She’s been involved in football her whole life.” In Chatham County, there’s head coach Fred Whitaker and his daughter, junior Noelle Whitaker — a father-daughter duo who helped Northwood High School to a 15-1 overall record, including a 4-0 conference record, heading into the regular season’s final week. Its only loss of the season came against Apex, 35-12 on Sept. 12.

Noelle, the youngest of Fred’s five children — the other four being Nia, Natalia, Nadia and his son, Frederico Jr. — had an eye-catching season. According to MaxPreps, Noelle has six rushing touchdowns on 22 carries and 70 receptions for 674 receiving yards with 10 receiving touchdowns. Fred’s four daughters helped fuel his coaching style for the girls he guides on the football field. “My girls taught me how to really coach girls,” Fred said, “because every day is a learning lesson with girls.” Through last weekend, the Chargers were listed No. 3 in the 1A-6A division and No. 19 in the state. For someone who’s played basketball for a while prior to flag football, Noelle already has grown to appreciate the new sport. “I love it,” Noelle said. “I love it more than basketball now.” The addition of girls’ flag football has impacted schools across North Carolina as it provides a new sport for those who are already athletes and those who have yet to play a sport and want to try something new. The playoffs begin with doubleheaders Saturday, with the state championship set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 14. “I think 10 years from now, we’re going to look back and realize how important of a decision the North Carolina High School Athletic Association made for this sport (and) for these girls, and it’s going to really kind of explode,” Vernon said.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

Tie keeps Chargers, Jets in close race The two Four Rivers Conference teams have battled atop the standings Chatham News & Record staff

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth boys’ soccer carries a six-game win streak into the season’s stretch run.

FINALS from page B1 Then in the fourth round, Woods Charter eliminated fifth-seeded East Columbus 25-12, 25-13, 25-7. That set up Tuesday night’s regional final against third-seeded Falls Lake.

NORTHWOOD STAYED undefeated in Four Rivers Conference boys’ soccer going into the final week of the regular season. It took a tie with second-place Jordan-Matthews last week for the Chargers to remain atop the standings. The teams played to a 1-1 draw. Northwood scored in the first half, and visiting Jordan-Matthews countered with a second-half goal. In the previous meeting at the end of September, Northwood pulled out a 2-1 overtime victory. That’s the last time the Jets lost a game. Northwood capped the week by winning 3-0 at North Moore.

Jordan-Matthews went on to defeat defending champion Southwestern Randolph 3-2. State pairings come out later this week, with first-round games Monday and second-round games next Thursday. • Woods Charter wrapped up the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference title with a pair of victories last week. The Wolves won 9-0 at River Mill and then topped visiting Central Carolina Academy 3-0. • Chatham Charter picked up its third victory of the season by winning 3-2 at Clover Garden in a Central Tar Heel 1A Conference game last week on three goals from Breylan Harris. Colten Pena provided two assists. • Seaforth brought a six-game winning streak into the final week of the regular season. The Hawks won three times last week, including consecutive Big Seven Conference victories against visiting Oxford Webb by 5-2 and at South Granville by 6-2. Seaforth also won 3-2 at Voyager Academy.

• Chatham Charter, holding the No. 6 seed in the West Region, had a first-round bye before a second-round loss. No. 11 seed Thomas Jefferson Classical won with a three-set sweep. The Knights finished with a 16-9 record.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s Raje Torres pulls away from Southwestern Randolph’s Kaiden Mabe. CHARGERS from page B1

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Team co-captain Cecilia Brignati gets to the ball during Woods Charter’s playoff win over East Columbus.

run and Parks’ extra-point kick allowed the Chargers to pull even at 35-35. Southwestern Randolph (6-3, 1-2), which scored on the opening kickoff, held leads of 14-0, 21-7 and then 28-21 at halftime.

Willie Boynton made a key late-game interception for the Chargers. Vince Karpf had an earlier pick-off. “We got key stops in key situations,” Brown said. Nathan Garner scored four touchdowns for Southwestern Randolph, with

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three in the first half and another late in the third quarter, as the Cougars went up 35-28. Northwood completed its conference schedule in second place unless first-place Eastern Randolph falls to Jordan-Matthews this week.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

MLB

76ers’ Brown says no beef with former Celtics teammate Tatum

Misiorowski sets World Series velocity record on first pitch

The forward was traded to Philadelphia in the offseason

SIDELINE REPORT

Milwaukee Jacob Misiorowski broke the record for fastest World Series pitch with the very first offering of this year’s Fall Classic, a 103.5-mph fastball from the Milwaukee Brewers’ fireballer. The former Carolina Mudcat allowed one run and four hits over five innings with three strikeouts, leaving with a 2-1 lead. Misiorowski’s first pitch, taken for a ball, was listed at 103.4 mph on the stadium video boards but clocked at 103.5 by Statcast. Aroldis Chapman of the Chicago Cubs had set the mark for a Series pitcher at 103.2 mph in 2016.

NBA

Knicks try to clear up ring “misinformation,” say employees will get them in 4-6 weeks The New York Knicks sought to clear up “misinformation” regarding the awarding of their championship rings. They say 275 employees will get them in about a month. The team conceded that using an email regarding the rings to warn employees about cybersecurity was a mistake after an email about rings forced employees who opened it to require training to avoid phishing schemes.

GOLF

LIV Golf paid $15M to retain executives before filing for bankruptcy LIV Golf paid $15.6 million to retain seven executives in the three months before filing for bankruptcy. That includes $6.375 million to CEO Scott O’Neil. The payments are revealed in documents filed in Bankruptcy Court. LIV filed for Chapter 11 after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund ended its financial support. BC Partners Credit has pledged up to $300 million to back LIV 2.0. Key players like Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia have separated from LIV agreements. LIV also faces lawsuits for unpaid services.

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Jaylen Brown says there’s “no beef” between himself and former Boston Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum even as their squabbles have dragged into the season. Now with the Philadelphia 76ers after an offseason trade, Brown didn’t quite seem ready to call a truce with Tatum. “There’s no beef,” Brown said after the 76ers beat Milwaukee 127-116 on Saturday night. “There might be a little lamb chops and some gravy. He should stay ready at all times.” Tatum started the postgame back and forth after the Celtics beat the Knicks a night earlier. Brown posted a social media response that took issue with Tatum saying in a video on his YouTube channel that he was “just as much caught off guard as the rest of the world” by Brown’s trade to Philadelphia. Brown responded on his Instagram account with a baseball cap emoji. “Cap” is slang for something that is not true. Asked if he had any response, Tatum sighed before expressing his frustrations with the entire situation for several minutes. “I don’t have any animosity or beef or ill will towards him,” Tatum said. “I think the toughest part is since he’s not on the Celtics anymore, the narrative or the conversations haven’t been enough about what we accomplished — all the games we won, winning a championship, how we’ve grown togeth-

Baylor fired football coach Dave Aranda after more than six seasons and promoted defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman as interim coach. Aranda’s dismissal came a day after Baylor lost to Kansas 25-24 to fall to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12. The Jayhawks earned their first win over Baylor since 2007. Aranda took over the Baylor program in 2020 and led the Bears to the Big 12 championship and a Sugar Bowl victory in 2021. But he has had just one winning season since and finishes at Baylor with a 40-40 record.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Villanova set to exit Philadelphia’s famed Big 5 college basketball series after season Villanova will leave Philadelphia’s Big 5 at the end of the 2026-2027 season, and the series will continue with five teams starting next season in a round-robin format. The Big 5 Classic tripleheader also will end after this season’s Dec. 5 event at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Founding members Penn, La Salle, Temple and Saint Joseph’s will remain as will Drexel, which was added ahead of the 2023 season. The Big 5 officially formed in 1954, and the schools started round-robin play for “City Series” bragging rights in 1955.

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) grabs a rebound next to then-teammate Jayson Tatum (0) in a March game. er. It’s turned into this drama type of thing.” Brown said he had no plans to talk to Tatum ahead of Boston’s first visit to Philadelphia this season on Nov. 10. “We’ve both got so much stuff in front of us,” Brown said. Brown added: “Jayson comes from a wonderful family. We accomplished some great things. He’s a hell of a basketball player. He’s got a great PR team.” Both players have spoken glowingly at times about how they grew and thrived together during their nine years together as teammates. But it’s morphed into something else since the Celtics chose Tatum as the player they want to build around

“It’s turned into this drama type of thing.” Jayson Tatum after trading Brown in what amounted to a move to cut one of the two players with $300 million contracts from the payroll. Brown celebrated his 30th birthday Saturday with 27 points that included a late 3-pointer on a pass from Joel Embiid that gave the All-Star center a triple-double. Embiid had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and went 12 of 14 from the free-throw line. “I’m still getting used to the guys; where my spots are,”

Brown said. “As I get more and more comfortable, I’ll be able to make more plays for myself and others.” Philadelphia is 3-0, with its first two wins over the NBA champion Knicks and Eastern Conference finalist Cleveland Cavaliers. Brown was serenaded with an off-key version of “Happy Birthday” by rookie Labaron Philon Jr. earlier in the day at shootaround. Sixers fans broke into their rendition of the song in the first half with Brown at the free-throw line. There just might be more on the menu than birthday cake. “No beef,” Brown said. “It should never, ever be that. It’s just basketball. We’re both blessed. It might be a little lamb chop. We’re all right.”

Brown, who posted more wins than any LSU basketball coach, dead at 90 The legend coached Shaquille O’Neal in college with the Tigers

NCAA FOOTBALL

Baylor fires Aranda after Kansas loss, names Klanderman interim coach

MARK STOCKWELL / AP PHOTO

By Brett Martel The Associated Press DALE BROWN, who coached some of the most successful basketball teams in LSU history, as well as one of the Tigers’ most famous players in Shaquille O’Neal, has died. He was 90. Brown, whose death Friday was announced by LSU, was just over a week away from what would have been his 91st birthday. On Wednesday, Brown was announced as the 2027 recipient of the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award. “We have lost the most loving and most loved man any of us has ever known,” Brown’s family said in a statement. “Dale Brown always put others first. He always led with the heart. He was always a great humanitarian before anything else. Dale long ago fell in love with Louisiana. And the people of Louisiana loved him right back. We are forever grateful for that.” Brown was named AP Coach of the Year in 1981, was a four-time SEC Coach of the Year and has the most wins of a coach in program history. The panache with which his teams played and the rate at which they won packed LSU’s dome-shaped Pete Maravich Assembly Center with crowds so wild that the stadium took on the nickname, “Deaf Dome.” The highlights of his 25 years as LSU’s coach included two trips to the NCAA Final Four with his 1981 and 1986 teams. He coached O’Neal for three seasons, from the 1989-90 campaign until the charismatic,

7-foot-1 superstar entered the 1992 NBA Draft and was selected first overall by Orlando. LSU earned bids to the NCAA Tournament during all three of O’Neal’s seasons, the first with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, then known as Chris Jackson, also an All-American, but did not advance past the second round. The final years of Brown’s career were marred by an NCAA investigation over alleged recruiting tactics that now are permitted. During the 1996-97 season, the NCAA concluded that a booster had paid one of Brown’s former players, Lester Earl, about $5,000 while he played for the Tigers. Brown retired in 1997 and LSU was placed on probation in 1998. Still, Brown remained popular in Louisiana, where his enthusiastic, gregarious and expressive manner had long captivated fans. Many LSU fans also appeared to subscribe to a storyline — espoused in no small part by Brown — that he was unfairly singled out and persecuted by the NCAA. Brown later was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and LSU’s home basketball court was named for him in 2022 (and also subsequently for late women’s coach Sue Gunter in 2024). When Brown’s name was unveiled on the court during a halftime ceremony, Brown credited his former players and assistant coaches, many of whom were in attendance that night. “The best potential of me is we,” Brown said. “This is an example.” The late former Temple coach John Chaney called Brown “one of the true statesmen of college basketball,” according to a profile of Brown on LSU’s website.

COLIN E. BRALEY / AP PHOTO

Former LSU player Shaquille O’Neal, left, and former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown talk about their careers during a news conference before a National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction in 2014. That same profile also quoted Hall of Fame UCLA coach John Wooden saying he will “always remember Dale for his enthusiasm.” “There are those who say he is a put-on — they just can’t believe that he can be what he professes,” Wooden said then. “But I never questioned that. He amazed me because there is a lot more depth to the man. He was much more than a basketball coach.” Brown was a native of Minot, North Dakota, and was a three-sport varsity athlete in basketball, football and track at Minot State. After college, he spent a little more than half a decade as a high school coach in North Dakota and California before taking college assistant posts at Utah State in 1966 and Washington State in 1971. When he was hired by LSU in 1972, few Tigers fans had previously heard of him. His name recognition and popu-

“The best potential of me is we.” Dale Brown larity began surging after LSU knocked off then-third-ranked Memphis State in the home opener of Brown’s first season. Brown went on to coach an LSU squad forecast to finish last in the SEC to a 9-9 league record, resulting in his first SEC Coach of the Year honor. Brown went on to post a career 448-301 record at LSU. Following his retirement, Brown became a motivational speaker, a basketball analyst for television broadcasts and started the charitable Dale Brown Foundation, which aims to promote educational opportunities for students who have physical disabilities or come from families who’ve struggled financially.

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Duke, UConn, Arizona highlight MSG college basketball schedule featuring 14 NCAA champs The World’s Most Famous Arena will host five games in three days near Christmas

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Schools currently ranked in the Top 10 that will play at MSG this season

By Mike Fitzpatrick The Associated Press NEW YORK — Duke, Arizona and Arkansas are among 14 men’s college basketball teams scheduled to play at Madison Square Garden this season that have won an NCAA championship. Plus the UConn women, with 12 national titles all to themselves. Visits by Virginia, Houston, Kansas and Kentucky also highlight a regular-season slate featuring 11 men’s programs in the preseason AP Top 25. Five schools ranked in the top 10, and seven in the top 13, will tip off inside “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” No. 2 Duke, No. 4 UConn and, of course, No. 13 St. John’s are set to make multiple appearances well before the Big East Tournament and NCAA Tour-

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

New York’s Madison Square Garden will host 14 national champion men’s basketball teams in a busy college schedule, including two appearances by Duke. nament come to MSG in March. It all begins Nov. 8 when St. John’s hosts Iona — where Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino revived his career before jumping to the Red Storm. A week later, the Johnnies welcome an old Big East rival in Syracuse — with

new coach Gerry McNamara. Hall of Fame coach John Calipari brings No. 12 Arkansas to The Garden to face Indiana on Nov. 17, then big man Motiejus Krivas and No. 5 Arizona arrive Dec. 5 to take on St. John’s. Three days after that, the annual Jimmy V Classic to support

cancer research and awareness opens with Duke against Georgia followed by No. 10 Houston versus No. 20 Alabama. The weekend before Christmas offers five games in three days, starting with a Saturday tripleheader. No. 17 Kansas plays Ohio State, and No. 23 Kentucky takes on UNC in the CBS Sports Classic beginning at noon on Dec. 19. Clear out the building, restock concessions and open the gates again a few hours later as a new crowd arrives to watch St. John’s in its Big East opener against DePaul at 8:30 p.m. The next afternoon, coach Dan Hurley and UConn, paced by senior guard Silas De-

mary Jr., meet No. 9 Virginia in the SentinelOne Showdown. And on Dec. 21, Duke returns to the Big Apple for a rematch with No. 19 Texas Tech — their third MSG date since 2018. Last December, JT Toppin and the Red Raiders rallied from 17 points down in the second half to stun the third-ranked Blue Devils, 82-81. St. John’s, coming off its first Sweet 16 trip in 27 years, is scheduled to play 13 regular-season home games at The Garden — its most since the 1950-51 season. The others are ticketed for Carnesecca Arena on campus in Queens. In addition, the Johnnies will play all their conference home games at MSG for the first time. After back-to-back sweeps of the Big East regular-season and tournament titles the past two years, their next New York City showdown with rival UConn is Jan. 29 on a Friday night. The women’s teams will head into Manhattan too when Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma and the second-ranked Huskies visit St. John’s at The Garden on Jan. 24.

Larson extends Chase points lead with first Cup win at Talladega after last-lap scramble The defending champion is close to clinching a second straight title The Associated Press TALLADEGA, Ala. — Kyle Larson threw his left hand off the wheel in disgust with a half-lap remaining at Talladega Superspeedway, watching helplessly as his No. 5 Chevrolet plummeted from the lead. “I screwed up,” he said. “I felt like, ‘Man, another one I just gave away.’ And I probably never am going to have an opportunity to win a speedway race that easily with so many allies around me. And so I was just mad.” About 30 seconds later, he was jubilant after picking the perfect time to make some perfect moves for his first victory at the 2.66-mile oval that has been among his worst tracks in the NASCAR Cup Series. “All of a sudden, everything just opened up,” he said. “An unbelievable way to get my first speedway win. It all just worked out.” Desperate for a rebound after his worst finish of the Chase, the defending series champion expanded his points lead by a wide margin with a breathtaking ral-

ly from 11th to first through the last two corners of the final lap. Larson took the white flag in the lead but lost 10 spots in the first two turns after being unable to handle several bumps by the No. 33 Chevy of Austin Hill, who was trying to push him to the win. “Just crazy to get the win after falling back as far as we did,” said Larson, who benefited from a drafting push by the No. 1 Chevy of Ross Chastain (who took fourth). “I went left, and everybody was just staying high.” In a three-wide finish, Larson took the checkered flag by a few feet over Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, who spent much of the race pushing Larson to the front. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished 0.066 seconds behind in third place. “It’s good that Kyle won,” Byron said. “We worked really well together all day. If I couldn’t win, I wanted him to win.” Larson’s faith in a title repeat was also restored. With his third victory in the past seven races, he moved 73 points ahead of Denny Hamlin in the Chase standings with two races remaining. There are 76 maximum points available for a race win, so it’s possible that Larson could

BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson (5) passes Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47) for the win in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega. clinch his third championship with a win Nov. 1 at Martinsville Speedway. After leading by only five points entering the race, Larson gleefully blurted out a vulgarity when he saw the postrace standings that had Hamlin virtually conceding defeat. “They’ve done a lot of things right, and a lot of things have really gone right, and we’ve not done that,” Hamlin said. “And so we’ve got a big old gap, and I think as long as (Larson) can

keep his four tires on it the next two weeks, then he’ll be a champion again.” Prior to his 35th career victory, Larson had a series-worst average finish of 30.6 at Talladega, Daytona and Atlanta, and he hadn’t won on any of the tracks in 58 prior starts (the longest superspeedway drought among active drivers). But he led 21 laps and engineered two impressive comebacks, the first starting with 15 laps remaining after he dropped

from the lead to 21st in four laps. He had made his way back to second with six laps remaining when a 15-car crash erupted. The race went into overtime after a 13-minute cleanup for a pileup that included Chase driver Joey Logano’s Ford landing on its roof. While Larson made nearly all the right moves in the finicky draft where a split-second mistake can cause a large pileup, other title contenders made some costly errors over the course of 500 miles. A 12-car crash on the 132nd lap collected five Chase drivers, effectively ending the championship hopes for Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick. “Just a bumper car-type thing,” said Blaney, who lost control of his No. 12 Ford on a bump from Bubba Wallace after swinging into the top lane. “Ended up crashing and took a lot of others. Maybe it wasn’t the best move by me. I have to think about it more. “This one hurts. We needed to have a good day.” Christopher Bell, who entered just five points behind Larson, crashed after spinning while entering the pits on Lap 56. He finished 35th and dropped to third in the standings, 74 points behind Larson.

BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO

Joey Logano (22) flips after wrecking with Chase Briscoe (19) and involving multiple drivers in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega.

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entertainment this week in history Muhammad Ali defeats George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle,” Truman defeats Dewey, KKK and neo-Nazis kill five in Greensboro massacre The Associated Press OCT. 29 1618: Sir Walter Raleigh, the English courtier, military adventurer and poet, was executed in London for allegedly conspiring against King James I. 1787: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni” had its world premiere in Prague. 1940: Blindfolded Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson drew the first number, 158, from a glass bowl in the lottery for America’s first peacetime military draft. OCT. 30 1938: Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of “The War of the Worlds” aired on CBS, alarming some listeners with its fictional account of a Martian invasion. 1961: The Soviet Union detonated the “Tsar Bomba,” a 50-megaton hydrogen bomb that remains the most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested. 1974: Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire, reclaiming the world heavyweight boxing title. OCT. 31 1913: The Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental automobile highway in the United States, was dedicated, connecting New York City and San Francisco. 1941: Construction of Mount Rushmore National Memorial

in South Dakota was completed, 14 years after work began on the monument. 2015: A bomb destroyed a Russian passenger jet shortly after takeoff from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, killing all 224 people aboard. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility. NOV. 1 1512: Pope Julius II inaugurated Michelangelo’s masterfully painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, which depicted biblical accounts including the creation of the world, the fall of man and the story of Noah. 1859: The Cape Lookout Lighthouse was lit for the first time. 1938: In a two-horse match, Seabiscuit defeated the favored Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was dubbed the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. NOV. 2 1948: In one of the most unexpected results in U.S. presidential election history, Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman defeated the heavily favored Republican governor of New York, Thomas E. Dewey. 1984: Velma Barfield, from Cumberland County, became the first woman in the nation executed by lethal injection. 2016: Ending a championship drought that had lasted since 1908, the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, defeating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in extra innings in the deciding seventh game. NOV. 3 1957: The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, carrying the first animal into orbit — a dog named Laika.

WALTER DURKIN / AP PHOTO

Radio and stage actor Orson Welles shocked the U.S. with his “War of the Worlds” broadcast at the CBS building in New York City on Oct. 30, 1938. 1979: Five Communist Workers Party members were killed in a clash with heavily armed Ku Klux Klansmen and neo-Nazis during an anti-Klan protest in Greensboro in what became known as the Greensboro massacre. 1992: Democrat Bill Clinton was elected the 42nd president of the United States, defeating Republican President George H.W. Bush. NOV. 4 1922: The entrance to King Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. 1979: The Iran hostage crisis began as militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants; 52 of the hostages were held for 444 days and were released on Jan. 20, 1981. 2008: Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois was elected the first black president of the United States, defeating Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS / AP PHOTO

President-elect Barack Obama, from left, and his wife, Michelle, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, take the stage after Obama delivered his victory speech at the election night party at Grant Park in Chicago, Nov. 4, 2008.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, October 29, 2026

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Dunham to bring back ‘Girls’ for 5-episode run 10 years after finale The announcement makes no mention of Adam Driver returning By Andrew Dalton The Associated Press

*Must set up Auto Draft for 2nd Month. Offer valid through February 28, 2026.

LOS ANGELES — “Girls,” the show that was the voice of its generation — or at least a voice of a generation — is coming back. HBO announced that creator and star Lena Dunham and nearly all of the core cast will return for a limited five-episode run a decade after its finale. Dunham, now 40, will again play her aspiring writer and sort-of alter-ego Hannah, along with Allison Williams as Marnie, Jemima Kirke as Jessa, Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna and Andrew Rannells as Elijah. Hannah’s love interest, played by Adam Driver, is not yet on the cast list. Judd Apatow will return as executive producer. The show will begin production in 2027, 10 years after the finale of the series that ran for six seasons from 2012-17 and was nominated for 19 Emmys, winning two.

“We always said we would only return to GIRLS if there was a specific story we were burning to tell,” Dunham said in a statement. “I’ve missed these characters, but for a long time I couldn’t quite picture them in the present day. Then, right around my fortieth birthday, they started talking to me in the shower. And, as you may remember, once this fivesome starts talking it’s pretty hard to get them to stop.” The revival is among the first production announcements made by HBO since its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery was taken over by Skydance-owned Paramount. The show was both a touchstone and a lightning rod for its depiction of a group of millennial young women in New York, with its vocal haters often louder than its many devotees. Affection for it has seen a major surge in the decade since, especially among younger viewers, who see it as aspirational as well as endlessly quotable and meme-able. In one of its most repeated lines, Hannah, while asking her parents to keep supporting her,

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Lena Dunham attends the premiere of “I Wish You All the Best” at IPIC Theater in 2025 in New York. The “Girls” star and creator will return as Hannah Horvath in the hit HBO series in 2027. tells them, “I think that I may be the voice of my generation. Or at least a voice of a generation.” Dunham has kept making film and television, directing the 2022 movie “Catherine Called Birdy” and co-creating the TV series “Camping” and “Too Much,” but none of it has had nearly the cultural impact of “Girls.” Her screen appearances have been most-

New Beatles attraction coming to Liverpool as interest in Fab Four surges The museum will open in 2028 where the band originated

The Beatles, from left, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, arrive in Liverpool, England, in 1964, for the premiere of their movie “A Hard Day’s Night.”

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press LONDON — The birthplace of The Beatles is about to get even more of the Fab Four. Plans were announced last Tuesday for a new visitor attraction that backers say will give Liverpool a tourist draw about its famous sons to rival Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood. Apple Corps Ltd., the company that oversees The Beatles’ business interests, said an expanded version of The Beatles Story Museum is coming to the center of Liverpool in 2028. It’s scheduled to open soon after the release of Sam Mendes’ quartet of feature films about John, Paul, George and Ringo, which are expected to unleash a new wave of global interest in the band that transformed rock ’n’ roll. The plan will see Apple Corps take over The Beatles Story and move it from its current home in Liverpool’s docklands to the former St. John’s Market, a 100,000-square-foot site across

AP PHOTO

from the city’s main Lime Street train station. Apple Corps said the new venue will use “immersive technology, original artifacts and spectacular reconstructed sets” to take visitors from the band members’ childhoods in postwar Liverpool through their hardscrabble years in the bars of Hamburg, Germany, to the explosion of

solutions

“Beatlemania” and global fame. Sets and props from Mendes’ movies will create versions of Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where the band got its start; the famous Abbey Road studios in London; and Shea Stadium, the site of their legendary 1965 performance. “Just like Graceland or Dollywood, it’s fitting that The Beatles will have a world class desti-

nation for fans to visit in the center of the city where the story started,” Apple Corps chief executive Tom Greene said. The two surviving Beatles welcomed the development. Paul McCartney said the band’s success “couldn’t have happened without Liverpool and I can’t wait for people to be able to step into our story and share the experience.” Ringo Starr said,

ly limited to small guest roles. Williams has had several memorable movie roles, especially in horror films including “Get Out” and two “M3GAN” movies. But while the show was all about the lives of young women, the biggest star it spawned was Driver, who went on to star in a “Star Wars” trilogy and has been nominated for two Oscars.

“Liverpool was, and still is, music city.” Ringo Starr

“Liverpool was, and still is, music city.” The announcement is the latest chapter in a Beatles boom, 56 years after the band’s breakup. Apple Corps has already announced that a new fan experience will open in late 2027 in the band’s former London headquarters at 3 Savile Row, whose rooftop was the site of The Beatles’ last public performance in 1969. Mendes is directing a quartet of biopics starring Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Paul Mescal as McCartney and Barry Keoghan as Starr. All are due for release in April 2028. Mike Jones, a Beatles expert at the University of Liverpool, said the “double boost” of the films and attractions will bring in many more Beatles fans. “I’m not sure that the city’s quite prepared for it,” he said, calling it both a risk and an opportunity. “What we have to resist is the Disneyfication of Liverpool, the Disneyfication of the Beatles.” “There’s a rich story to be told about the relationship between Liverpool and the Beatles, a very rich story,” he said. “And I’m not sure that story’s been told.”

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famous birthdays this week Ellen Johnson Sirleaf hits 88, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is 53, Laura Bush celebrates 80

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week. OCT. 29 Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is 88. Actor Richard Dreyfuss is 79. Actor Kate Jackson is 78. Actor Dan Castellaneta (“The Simpsons”) is 69. Actor Winona Ryder is 55.

CAROLYN KASTER / AP PHOTO

Former Apple CEO Tim Cook will be 66 on Sunday.

OCT. 30 Author Robert Caro is 91. Football Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil is 90. Rock singer Grace Slick is 87. Songwriter Eddie Holland is 87. R&B singer Otis Williams (The Temptations) is 85. Actor Henry Winkler is 81. Actor Kevin Pollak is 69. Business executive Ivanka Trump is 45. OCT. 31 Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 95. Actor Stephen Rea is 80. Retired football coach Nick Saban is 75. Film director Peter Jackson is 65. Rock musician Johnny Marr is 63. Rapper and guitarist Adam Horovitz (Beastie Boys) is 60. Rapper Vanilla Ice is 59. NOV. 1

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

Former presidential adviser Ivanka Trump hits 45 on Friday. NOV. 3

Music producer David Foster is 77. Former Apple CEO Tim Cook is 66. Rock singer Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 64. Actor-TV host Jenny McCarthy is 54. Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is 53. Actor Penn Badgley is 40. Actor Anthony Ramos is 35.

Economist and Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen is 93. Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour is 77. Actor Dolph Lundgren is 69. Olympic gold medal figure skater Evgeni Plushenko is 44. Actor Antonia Thomas (“The Good Doctor”) is 40. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is 39.

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Tennis Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall is 92. Political commentator Pat Buchanan is 88. Singer-songwriter k.d. lang is 65. Actor David Schwimmer is 60. Rapper Nelly is 52. TV personality Karamo Brown (“Queer Eye”) is 46. NFL quarterback Jordan Love is 28.

Former first lady Laura Bush is 80. Author Charles Frazier is 76. Actor Ralph Macchio is 65. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 57. Jazz musician Gregory Porter is 55. Football Hall of Famer Devin Hester is 44. NBA All-Star player Tyrese Maxey is 26.

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UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP

Illumination’s “Minions & Monsters” is now streaming on Peacock.

‘Minions & Monsters,’ Matthew Perry, Daddy Yankee, ‘The Gilded Age’ Docuseries “The One About Matthew Perry” is now streaming on Netflix

“There’s a lot of life on this record.”

The Associated Press A DOCUSERIES about Matthew Perry and the latest “Minions” movie 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: Daddy Yankee’s new album, the fourth season of “The Gilded Age” and the video game “Phantom Blade Zero.” MOVIES TO STREAM “Minions & Monsters” (Peacock) is the third “Minions” movie and the seventh in the overall “Despicable Me” franchise. But the film, directed by Pierre Coffin, the voice of the Minions, is one of the yellow guys’ most charming. In the 1920s-set film, the Minions come to Hollywood as silent movie stars who embark on making a monster movie. In his review, AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote: “The movie has playful references to old screen gods … but the kids in the audience won’t get them and their parents are just too tired.” In “Hanging by a Wire” (Paramount+), director Mohammed Ali Naqvi chronicles a 2023 rescue in Pakistan. Eight people (two adults and six teenage boys) were suspended in a cable car over a chasm after a wire broke. With archival foot-

Dustin Lynch SERIES TO STREAM

COURTESY S-GAME

The video game “Phantom Blade Zero” is out Thursday on PlayStation 5 and PC. age and firsthand accounts, the film chronicles the drama from every angle, on the ground and above. MUSIC TO STREAM Back in 2022, the reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee announced his retirement. It was short-lived. Songs — written and released after revealing he had converted to Christianity — followed. And on Friday, he will release a new album, “La Postal,” a 15-track concept album where each track is a love letter to, well, love: romantic love, familial love, self-love and so on. The first taste arrived in the form of “BOTZ (Kiss Me Again),” high-energy, mainstream-friendly romantic reggaeton from the man who knows it best. The Canadian rock band Nickelback will release their

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11th studio album, “Everything Under the Sun,” also on Friday. Expect their familiar recipe of glossy hooks, post-grunge rock riffs and gravelly vocals, from energetic opener “Rattle The Cage” to power ballads like “Make Me Love You.” There are also a few surprises: Guest appearances range from Sammy Hagar to actor Ryan Reynolds. Country star Dustin Lynch will release his seventh studio album, “Clean Slate,” also on Friday. Across 12 tracks, Lynch sharpens his tools; these are radio-ready stompers in the making. “There’s a lot of life on this record,” Lynch said in a press release. “Falling for somebody, missing somebody, looking back at things you might do differently now, going out and having a damn good time, and figuring out what matters when everything else gets quiet.”

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Title: Chatham News & Record 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: 10/15/2026 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months / No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date a. Total Number of Copies: 1301 / 1174 b. Paid Circulation: (1) Mailed Outside County Paid

Parker Posey hosts “The Mob,” a Hulu competition series from the team behind “The Traitors.” Twelve celebrities — including Aida Turturro, Bruno Tonioli, Debi Mazar and Joe Gorga — live in an Italian villa and complete tasks drawn from mob movies, all for a shot at up to $250,000. The group picks one member as the don, who decides who gets paid and who goes home. A three-part Netflix docuseries, “The One About Matthew Perry,” revisits the life of the late “Friends” star, best known as Chandler Bing. Emmy-winning director Mary Robertson draws on interviews with Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, along with friends and collaborators, plus photos and videos not seen before. In “Nocturne,” on Apple TV, Liev Schreiber plays a former soldier and homicide detective who leaves Philadelphia for a small Pennsylvania town only to see a serial killer, played by Stephen Graham, target his community and family. Zazie Beetz co-stars as an FBI agent. The 10-episode series, adapted from Lars Kepler’s novels “Lazarus” and “The Sandman,” premieres Friday with two episodes. Michael C. Hall returns as Dexter Morgan when “Dexter:

Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 86 / 78 (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 329 / 297 (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: 581 / 500 (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0 / 0 c. Total Paid Distribution: 996 / 875 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside County Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 / 0 (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0 / 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 0 / 0 (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: 20 / 20 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 20 / 20

Resurrection” begins its second season Friday on Paramount+. This time he’s up against two killers in New York, one with a long history and one new, and he’s also dealing with middle age. Dan Stevens and Brian Cox join the cast, and Uma Thurman returns. Julian Fellowes’ period drama “The Gilded Age” returns for a fourth season Sunday on HBO Max. Carrie Coon’s Bertha Russell deals with the fallout of her social rise, while Christine Baranski’s Agnes van Rhijn looks for a way back to the top. Jim Gaffigan appears as President Grover Cleveland. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY “Phantom Blade Zero” aims to create an entirely new genre: “Kungfupunk.” Beijing-based developer S-Game describes it as a mix of martial arts, steampunk machinery, the occult and “elements that do not fit a single category.” It’s the tale of an elite assassin named Soul who’s framed for his master’s murder and has just 66 days to live. Can he survive long enough to unravel the conspiracy? If not, at least he can wreak vengeance with a wicked assortment of swords and a few less pointy secondary weapons. Start carving your path Thursday on PlayStation 5 or PC. Dalton’s Dinos is one of those weird roadside attractions that make cross-country drives so fun. Sure, it looks like it’s been abandoned, but you’ll soon discover there are “Terrible Lizards” underground. In this debut release from North Carolina’s WDR Studios, you have no weapons to fight the monstrous beasts. Instead, you’ll need all the running, jumping and climbing skills you can muster to explore a sprawling subterranean environment and escape with all your limbs intact. Dig in Thursday, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.

f. Total Distribution: 1016 / 895 g. Copies not Distributed: 250 / 250 h. Total: 1266 / 1145 i. Percent Paid: 98.03 / 97.77 16: Total circulation does not include electronic copies. I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid above a nominal price. 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). Trip Hoffend, Publisher 10/23/2026