Chatham News & Record Vol. 149, Issue 37

VOLUME 149 ISSUE 37 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Street fairly Shoppers browse vendor booths during the Pittsboro Street Fair on Saturday. The Rotary Club of Pittsboro’s annual Halloween-day fair drew dozens of vendors, with proceeds supporting local scholarships, Meals on Wheels and CORA’s Turkey Tuesday.

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BRIEF this week

Greenland approves security deal with Denmark, U.S. following months of Trump pressure Ilulissat, Greenland Greenlandic lawmakers have approved an agreement with Denmark and the United States to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The decision follows months of pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who sought to control the semiautonomous territory of a NATO ally. The trilateral deal allows for more U.S. bases in Greenland while easing tensions over Trump’s calls for the island to become part of the United States. The agreement aims to bolster the U.S. military presence on Greenland but keeps the island under Danish control. Danish lawmakers are set to debate it later this month.

U.S. job postings jumped sharply in September Washington, D.C. U.S. employers ramped up their job postings in September as stronger economic growth may be encouraging more hiring. That is despite a gloomy outlook from Americans over an economy beset by higher prices. U.S. job openings jumped to 7.5 million from a revised 7.19 million in August, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. It is the largest number of openings since May and up from a recent low of 6.9 million in March.

Maynor elected sheriff, Democrats sweep commissioner races Sarah D’Amato won the open District 3 seat on the Chatham school board By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record SHERIFF STEVE MAYNOR won election to the office, Democrats swept all three Chatham County Board of Commission-

Sheriff Democratic incumbent Steve

Maynor was reelected as Chatham County Sheriff, defeating Republican challenger Marcus Globuschutz. Maynor, who has worked for the department for more than two decades, is currently serving as the county’s sheriff, having been appointed to the position following the retirement of longtime sheriff Mike Roberson, who transitioned to the

role of county commissioner this year. Maynor won 72% of the vote to Globuschutz’s 28%. Board of Commissioners, District 3 Former Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson (D) has See ELECTIONS, page A2

Siler City holds variety of public hearings The UDO amendment will reflect changes in North Carolina state law By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — The Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners met Nov. 2 for its regular business meeting.

The board first held a public hearing for a rezoning request for approximately 0.5 acres of property located at 910 East Eleventh St. from residential to highway commercial. The applicant also owns the property directly to the south, which is used as a manufactured homes sales lot. “In the Future Land Use Map, this parcel and area is

identified as Commercial Corridor,” said Community Development Director Tim Garner. “Commercial corridor is where there is a mix of larger scale commercial, retail and service uses.” Following the hearing, the board approved the request. The board also held two public hearings for amendments to the town’s UDO.

Wilson, Karstaedt line West Street with crosses for Chatham veterans “When we rode into town, the streets were lined with crosses. It was so impressive.” Lydia Karstaedt

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ers races and Sarah D’Amato won the open District 3 seat on the Board of Education in Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial results from the N.C. State Board of Elections with all 18 precincts reporting.

A Veterans Day service is set for Nov. 11 in Pittsboro By Bob Wachs For Chatham News & Record MOST ARMED forces veterans will say one thing they want is not to be forgotten for their service, but as the years roll by, that can be a challenge for the living. For instance, there are no known living World War I veterans, the last having died in 2012. But a grassroots effort in

Pittsboro — the Chatham Veterans Memorial volunteer group — is doing all it can in two ways to keep memory alive. One of those ways is an upcoming Memorial Service on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department annex at 369 West St. (U.S. 64 in front of the former Pittsboro High/Northwood High building). In the event of rain, the service will move to the sanctuary of the Pittsboro United Methodist at 71 West St. Those See VETERANS, page A7

The first was to remove references to minimum parking standards as House Bill 162, which was signed into law back in July, eliminated the town’s authority to mandate minimum off-street parking requirements. In addition, the session law also forbids municipalities See SILER CITY, page A2

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

THURSDAY

11.5.26 #167

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ELECTIONS from page A1 won election to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat, which covers the northeast of the county, as well as west Pittsboro. Roberson has been serving as the interim commissioner for District 3 since June, having been appointed to the role after former commissioner David Delaney vacated the position. The longtime Chatham County resident has more than four decades of public service, having worked as a paramedic, firefighter, law enforcement officer and jail administrator, and he served as the county sheriff from 2016 to 2026. Roberson ran unopposed. Board of Commissioners, District 4 Democratic incumbent Katie Kenlan has won reelection to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat, defeating Republican challenger John Crowell. Kenlan received 64% of the vote to Crowell’s 36%. A lifelong Chatham County resident, Kenlan works as the interim director of Mi Escuelita, a Spanish language immersion preschool in Chapel Hill. This will be Kenlan’s second term on the board. District 4 covers the northwest of the county as well as the western portion of Siler City. Board of Commissioners, District 5 Democratic incumbent Franklin Gomez Flores was reelected to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners District 5 seat, defeating Republican challenger Steve Ganley. Gomez Flores earned 63% of the vote to Ganley’s 37%. Currently the vice chair of the board, Gomez Flores has served on the board since 2020 and works as a real estate in-

vestor focusing on affordable housing. District 5 covers the southwest of the county and includes the eastern portion of Siler City and Goldston. Board of Education, District 3 There is a new face on the Chatham County Schools Board of Education this year, with Sarah D’Amato being elected to serve as the District 3 representative. D’Amato won 64% of the vote, with Adele Sommerville winning 25% and Michelle May winning 12%. D’Amato, a registered Democrat, is the program director for Legal Aid of North Carolina. Sommerville, a registered Republican, is the chief human resources officer at The University of North Carolina Press. May is not registered with any party. Current board vice chair Del Turner did not seek reelection for the District 3 seat after serving 16 years on the board. Board of Education, District 4 Incumbent Jane Wilson won reelection to the Chatham County Schools Board of Education after running unopposed for the District 4 seat. Wilson, a lifelong Chatham County resident, has served on the board since 2014. She currently works on state policy and training service providers working with victims of crime. Board of Education, District 5

Leonard did not seek reelection for the District 5 seat. Leonard, a lifelong Chatham County resident who spent his entire professional career working in the district, has served 16 years on the board of education. N.C. District Court judge Democratic incumbent Todd Roper won reelection to Seat 1 on the District Court bench for North Carolina Judicial District 18. He ran unopposed. Roper was first appointed to the position in 2020 by thenGov. Roy Cooper.

CRIME LOG Oct. 26 • Genesis Daniela ZacariasJuarez, 19, of Siler City, was arrested for assault and battery. • Jarmond Tyrond Pittman, 51, was arrested for trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, and other charges. • Joseph Dhru Williams, 18, of Siler City, was arrested for second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Oct. 27 • David Brandon Farrar, 40, was arrested for resisting a public officer, simple possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, and other charges. • Michael Thomas Cox, 37, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Oct. 28 • Phillip Berry Dunn, 66, was arrested for assault by strangulation, assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and other charges. Oct. 29 • Christopher Amos Gadson, 36, was arrested for driving while impaired and an open container violation.

Nov. 5 Siler City History Club 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Democratic incumbent Dana Hackney won reelection to the Clerk of Superior Court after running unopposed.

Siler City Center for Active Living 112 Village Lake Drive Siler City

Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor Current incumbents Richard Hayes and John Glosson won reelection to the Chatham County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. The pair were the only two running for the two available seats.

Democratic incumbents Natalie Murdock and Robert Reives won reelection after running unopposed, Murdock in N.C. Senate District 20 and Reives in N.C. House District 54. With Democrats winning control of the N.C. House, Reives is poised to be the chamber’s next speaker.

Nov. 6-7 Horns & Hooves Rodeo Friday: Gates 5 p.m., Rodeo 8 p.m. Saturday: Gates 4 p.m., Rodeo 7 p.m. Diamond I Productions brings two nights of bull riding and barrel racing, with a live band before each rodeo. Online presale tickets are $20 for ages 6 and up and $25 on event day if available, children 5 and under get in free, and the show goes on rain or shine. Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center 1192 U.S. 64 Business W. Pittsboro

Nov. 7 SILER CITY from page A1 from requiring parking spaces to be larger than 9 feet by 20 feet. The second was to add two alternate positions for the planning board who could serve at meetings when regular members are absent. The two alternate positions would be for the city resident and the ETJ resident seats. While the commissioners approved the first amendment, the second was denied

by a 6-2 vote as the majority of the board felt there wasn’t a strong enough need for alternates. “I think it was clear amongst the steering committee that we were eliminating alternates,” said Mayor Pro Tem Travis Patterson. “We had quite a bit of discussion around that.” “Changing it could look a little wishy-washy,” said Commissioner Michael Feezor. “It was one way and then we changed it and it seemed rea-

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Public hearings held at the Nov. 2 meeting

sonable, and now it’s come up to change it again.” The Siler City Board of Commissioners will next meet Dec. 7.

8th annual Christmas Magic Holiday Shopping Event 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Silk Hope Ruritan Club gathers local vendors selling handmade jewelry, soaps, candles, wreaths, woven baskets, woodcrafts, holiday décor and gourmet foods, with door prizes through the day. Admission is free, and food and drinks are sold on site. Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park 4221 Silk Hope Road Siler City

Students, get your applications in for the 2027 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour! Each year, Central Electric sponsors two rising high school juniors or seniors on the trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C. in connection with the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. While in D.C., you’ll join 1,800 other students from across the country to meet members of Congress, explore American history, and learn about electric cooperatives. The trip will be hosted in June 2027 and the deadline for all applications is Jan. 20. Scan the QR code or visit CEMCPower.com to apply or to find out more information.

• Paula Haithcock, 60, of Siler City, was arrested for simple assault. Nov. 1

CEMCPower.com

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128 Wilson Rd SANFORD, NC

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• Eyner Perez Pablo, 29, was arrested for driving while impaired, reckless driving and drinking beer or wine while driving, and other charges.

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

Clerk of Superior Court

Democratic incumbent Jeff Nieman won reelection as district attorney for N.C. Prosecutorial District 18. Nieman, who ran unopposed, has served in this role since 2023.

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

happening

Jonus Nobles introduces Preservation Siler City Inc., a new nonprofit dedicated to protecting and showcasing the town’s artifacts, architecture and culture, and brings pieces from its collection. Everyone is invited to listen, learn or share at the Chatham County Historical Association’s informal gathering.

District attorney, District 18

N.C. General Assembly

Diana Hales won election to the Chatham County Schools Board of Education as the District 5 representative. A former Chatham County commissioner, Hales also worked as a communications and outreach specialist for the state before retiring. Current board chair Gary

CHATHAM

919-774-4900 800-446-7752

Nov. 10 Veterans Coffee & Chat 10-11 a.m. Veterans gather over morning coffee and doughnuts for conversation, support and stories about why they served. Participants are welcome to walk to the memorial afterward. Goldston Public Library 9235 Pittsboro-Goldston Road Goldston

Nov. 14 60th anniversary Family Fun Day & Open House 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Moncure Fire Department and Moncure Lions Club mark 60 years with free food, live music, bounce houses, children’s activities and a visit from the UNC Air Care helicopter. Visitors can also pick up reflective address signs, get vision screenings, donate blood and get help installing child car seats. Moncure Fire Department Station 8 2389 Old U.S. 1 Highway Moncure

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Proclamations, well-wishes pour in for Siler City’s newest centenarian Family and friends from as far as Arizona joined the Oct. 4 reception at Community Baptist, where town, county and state honors were presented and greetings arrived from Sen. Thom Tillis and President Donald Trump By Bob Wachs For Chatham News & Record IT’S BEEN SAID growing old is a privilege because not everyone gets to do it. So if that’s the case, then Allene Coltrane of Siler City is among the truly blessed. To commemorate her turning 100 in October, family and friends took time out in the busyness of life to mark the occasion with a reception at her home church — Community Baptist — Oct. 4 that included well-wishes from both national and local notables. “She’s had a widespread impact on so many,” said her daughter Valerie Dorsett, “and her devoted loved ones traveled across the community and across the nation from as far as Arizona to share in the day. And they wrapped her in love and devotion. “There was such an outpouring of love from the community,” Dorsett said. “But there was also local, state and national recognition of her pioneering career and patriotism.” Among those honors were

COURTESY

Allene Coltrane proclamations from the Town of Siler City, presented by Mayor Donald Matthews; a Chatham County proclamation, signed by commissioner chairman Amanda Robertson; and an official North Carolina Commemoration Certificate signed by Gov. Josh Stein. Birthday greetings were also sent from Sen. Thom Tillis and his wife, Susan, and from President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Two other recognitions centered around her school years and work career. Chatham County Schools sent a framed Certificate of Attendance from Siler City High School (1933-43) from Superintendent Kelly Batten, recognizing her patriotism for setting aside her formal education to serve in the World War II war effort as a lo-

cal “Rosie the Riveter.” Along with the certificate was a copy of her report card for every year of attendance. In addition, Central Carolina Community College President Lisa Chapman provided a commendation recognizing Coltrane as a member of then-Central Carolina Technical Institute’s first nurse aide graduating class in 1964. The commendation honored her decades of third-shift service at Chatham Hospital as well as years of volunteer work there, along with service as a hospice volunteer until she was 93. The honor also mentioned her service as an example which led to her two daughters becoming registered nurses. The school also provided a photograph of the class and instructor and other gifts. “We wanted a traditional vintage-themed celebration,” Dorsett said. “We played her favorite melodies from the 1940s to ’90s and southern Gospel hymns, and had a 10-decade life timeline playing on a large screen TV. We had a display of her vintage lace doilies, heirloom crystal and milk glass collection. “While her life is a bit quieter now, she still enjoys family and friends. The day ended with a multigenerational family portrait and a toast. We know she felt loved and celebrated by the community she’s served for a century. We’re profoundly grateful for everyone who helped make this milestone a success.”

COURTESY

Four generations gathered at Community Baptist Church to celebrate Allene Coltrane’s 100th birthday. She has two daughters, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Supermarket freezers in several European countries hit by apparent cyberattacks Attackers deliberately raised freezer temperatures to destroy food across multiple European nations The Associated Press STOCKHOLM — Supermarkets in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland and Estonia were hit Monday by problems with freezers and fridges that apparently were caused by cyberattacks, forcing some to dispose of ruined food. The problems follow a case last month in which attackers remotely took control of refrigeration systems in hundreds of supermarkets and independent stores across France, sending temperatures soaring. Gustaf Nilsson, a spokesperson for Sweden’s ICA Group supermarket chain, told the TT news agency that “a limited number” of stores were affected overnight by an incident that affected refrigeration and freezing systems. He declined to give a specific number.

An ICA Kvantum store in Sjöbo, southern Sweden, said its fridges and freezers had been hacked and set to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. In a Facebook post, it said staff were discarding affected products. The Coop chain said that six of its stores in central Sweden had problems with their fridges and freezers, TT reported, though it didn’t immediately have details. The Delhaize chain said that an “IT incident” had affected refrigeration systems in several dozen of its stores, mostly in Belgium but also a few in neighboring Luxembourg. “In the affected stores, the range of fresh and frozen products is temporarily somewhat limited. Our distribution centers are operating normally, and there has been no disruption to deliveries to our stores,” spokesperson Sarah De Meester said. Carrefour said a cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems had affected 15 of its more than 700 stores in Belgium, describing the impact as “extremely limited.”

In Estonia, a refrigeration technology company said attackers had accessed a computer controlling a client’s refrigeration system and raised the temperature to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, public broadcaster ERR reported. Jann Mutso, chief executive of Kitman Coldtech, declined to identify the store but said the attack was addressed within minutes and caused no significant damage. The Selver supermarket chain said one of its outlets was affected. In Ireland, refrigeration systems in 13 SuperValu stores were affected by the “cyber incident,” parent company Musgrave Group said. A spokesperson said chilled and frozen products were removed from sale as a precaution. On Monday afternoon, the company said the incident had been “fully resolved” and “replenishment of chilled and frozen ranges in the affected stores is well under way.” The cyberattacks in France appeared to target old systems.

Church News SILER CITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Siler City Presbyterian Church at 720 West Third St. in Siler City is proud to present for the sixth year “The Season’s Best Carolers” singing all of your favorite Christmas Carols plus some children’s classics! This well-known group is dressed in authentic period costumes and sings a cappella without any musical accompaniment. Anyone who has heard this group sing over the years is always impressed with the beautiful harmonies and melodies produced by “The Season’s Best Carolers.” So come join us at Siler City Presbyterian at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, the first Sunday in December. This wonderful Christmas concert is the perfect way to start the blessed holiday season. All are welcome! Bring your friends! Admission is one can of food for the Chatham Food Pantry. See you at 3 p.m., and Merry Christmas!

FBI blames North Korea for stolen billions from Binance in biggest hack in history Binance promised full reimbursement for customers even as investigators work to trace the stolen funds By Bernard Condon The Associated Press NEW YORK — The theft of billions of dollars from Binance within a matter of minutes, the biggest crypto heist in history, was orchestrated by North Korean hackers, the FBI said Saturday. The bureau said in a statement that last week’s attack was tied to “malicious cyber activity” by an entity known as TraderTraitor, the same actors behind a $1.5 billion Bybit hack last year. The FBI asked crypto exchanges, blockchain analytics companies and others to block transactions linked to various addresses to make sure the money is not laundered to cover up its origins. It also said its probe found that TraderTraitor was converting stolen assets primarily into a cryptocurrency called ethereum. The FBI expects that TraderTraitor will now attempt to convert the assets using DeFi and “instant swap services.” Asked by reporters as he appeared Saturday night during a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Flori-

da, however, President Donald Trump suggested investigators weren’t yet certain that North Korea was involved. “I’m not concerned. We’re learning about it,” Trump said of the case. “We don’t know if it’s North Korea,” while adding that it could yet be determined that it was. Crypto expert Ari Redbord said he expects the hackers will break the stolen assets into pieces and try to launder them through smaller exchanges to evade detection, a process that could unfold over months. “It’s bank robbery, in this case, at the speed of the internet,” said Redbord, chief policy officer at blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs. “However, we can also track and trace those funds in real time in order to build investigations, to disrupt and to seize back funds. “It’s just this cat-and-mouse game.” Last Thursday, $6.3 billion in bitcoin and other digital currency was stolen from Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, in what several crypto experts said bore the hallmarks of a North Korean hack. The company said Saturday that it had enough set aside in the same digital currency that was stolen to cover 90% of the missing assets and promised that customers would be fully reimbursed.

SATAN FATHER OF LIES BIBLE STUDY: JOHN 8:43-47 CHURCH OF LIVING WATER; SERVANT: JAMES MITCHELL. Many in the world may hear God’s Word physically but can’t hear it spiritually because they don’t know the Lord. Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil.” Satan is a murderer and the father of lies. The closer to God one is, the born again hears and tries to live by God’s Word. If we fail, then confess our sin, and our Heavenly Father will forgive us. After the election on November third, we will see how many people have been taken over by demonic spirits. How many preachers and churches today are not preaching or teaching God’s Holy Word? Europe is being taken over by radical Muslims and emigrants brought in by their leaders for their votes. These leftists and Muslims are burning down Christian churches but not touching the mosques. Could Paris become a Muslim city with schools teaching Islam to the children? America First Patriots, we must take a stand against this evil already in America. Obama, Biden, Harris, socialist Democrats, and the NEA, the largest teachers’ union, are supporting radical Islam in our schools. Wake up, parents; we must stop radical Islamic indoctrination. Many universities and professors are promoting radical Islam and hatred of Jewish people. Thank you, Almighty God, for President Trump and our Department of War! Thank God for our ICE, our police, and all our law enforcement! These possessed Democrats want to do away with them so they can take over America. Thank God for Israel, our most loyal ally! I ask America: If Satan the devil was running for Congress to make our laws, would you vote for him or her? Repent, God’s judgment is coming!

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Letter to my future self after the midterm elections Dear Andrew,

Or you can decide to be of some use and address a need right in front of you without editorial comment.

You know the results of the recent election. You know whether the balance of power has shifted or not. You have some understanding of the reasons for the outcome. But though you have this information that is unavailable to me, I still want to remind you of your daily gratitude practice. Along with members of your church, you have committed to giving thanks for something every single day this month. Last Monday, the prompt was to be thankful for a color. You chose orange because that was your favorite color as a little boy. You can choose to be thankful for the loved ones in your life, your home and the food in your fridge. You can choose to be grateful for your community of faith, your calling to ministry and the laughter that feeds your spirit. Thanks be for your health, stiff lower back notwithstanding; actually, have gratitude for the minor aches and pains,

which remind you that your body has a warranty period. You can also be thankful for small things like Almond Joy candy bars and little brown birds. Thanks be for the green lizard that did push-ups while you watched. Thanks be for the dragonflies buzzing like electricity over the neighborhood pond. For the right song at the perfect moment, like Miley Cyrus’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.” For firefighters, nurses, police officers and other public servants and leaders who are calm and efficient in times of crises. Yes, too many politicians seem more concerned with their designer suits, gelled hair and globs of television makeup than with the people they were elected to serve. You can snarl, moan and complain about them. Or you can decide to be of some use and address a need right in front of you without editorial comment. Pick up litter. Donate food to CORA. Be a shoulder to cry on. Remember that your presence is

enough. It’s like your mentor, thanks be for him, used to say, “Don’t just do something. Stand there!” No matter who won the election, I remind you to offer thanks for all children, including yours. Thanks be for the 1-year-old in church last Sunday who received Holy Communion and promptly signaled “more” by tapping the fingers of her two little hands together. Yes, more gratitude! Thanks be for the sarcastic haikus and stunning sunsets, for the wit of the poetry of Anne Carson and for the beautiful pull-up jump shot of Gabby Williams of the WNBA champion Golden State Valkyries. And thanks be for every genuine act of contrition and honest apology, which are the warp and weft of the healing of the soul of any nation. Remember, Andrew, thanks be. 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

Trick-or-treat benefits come in many forms Whatever the reason for all this, I miss the anticipation I once had both as child and adult — at least a biological adult — that came with the event.

HALLOWEEN was a few days ago; I know that. But let me touch on it one more time. Once again this year, no one came by our place to do the trick-or-treat thing. It could be for several reasons, I guess. One, at least it seems to me, is that, by and large, not as many folks do that as they once did. Another likely reason could be that it’s not quite as big a deal in rural parts of the land, such as the place where I hang my hat. Not having street lights makes it hard to get around in the dark. And another is that a growing number of churches and communities and schools are having Halloween parties, “No Fright Night(s)” and “Trunk or Treat” where little folks go by open car trunks and van rear ends to show off their costumes and pick up a piece or two or three of candy. Once we did the latter at the locale where I attended church, and one little Smurfette had trouble figuring out that the pencil she received at one stop was in fact a pencil and not a sucker in disguise. And it could be a growing number of parents and guardians are a bit wary of taking in “treats” from the general public. In recent years, stories have abounded about the number of folks who do criminally insane things like put ant poison in brownies and razor blades in candy bars. The evil ones who do that should be boiled in their own oil … or at the very least be made to listen to Barry Manilow albums day and night. Whatever the reason for all this, I miss the anticipation I once had both as child and adult — at least a biological adult — that came with the event. As a youngster, it wasn’t hard for me to come up with a costume. By virtue of the fact I had stayed often and long at my mama’s table, I was not what you might

call “tiny.” So if I wanted to go out on Halloween every year as the circus big boy, my costume was already halfway there. Coupled with that was the fact I went to the same homes I went to during the day — Allen and Hazel Money, Mal and Ruby White, Glenn and Elsie White, Wallace and Alma Farrell and on down the Hanks Chapel Road. What they didn’t give me on Spook Night was readily available from them anytime I might “drop in” some other time in the daylight hours. And the fact they obviously knew who I was, since I wasn’t all that big on makeup, didn’t hurt the haul. In time as a child, I morphed out of all the Halloween stuff. By the time I got to my late teen years, I was already aware of some scary stuff in real life, things like the local draft board and college exams. However, when the two used-to-be 40-somethings who used to be teenagers who lived at my house were coming along in their younger days, their mother and I picked up the mantle for them. For a while we lived in Apex when it was still its own little town before it became Raleigh South, and we knew the neighborhoods and where to take our little ones. And early on I led them in discovering the sheer delight of sharing their candy with their father. Later when we moved to DC — Deep Chatham — the street lights issue (see above) came into play. But on Halloween one year, when our two were at a function elsewhere, I did it up right. The big black kettle that doubled as a washing machine for my grandmother lived with us. We had a fairly long driveway from the road up to our house. A wide front porch provided the perfect place for rocking chairs and the dining room window that opened onto the porch was a perfect place for me to hide a stereo speaker. As darkness settled, I started a fire

under the pot where it sat on the yard and the dry ice in it gave off just the right amount of white smoke. On the stereo was my album of spooky sound effects and unusual, shall we say, mood music, and in a rocker on the edge of the porch sat a large silent and stuffed dark figure. Me. As the day faded and the night came, a few little folks came by. Shirley was appropriately scared of their outfits and gave them some goodies — and a hug since we knew them and they — and their folks — knew us. As the night wore on, the supply of goblins began to diminish and we were ready to pack it in … until pay dirt showed up. Out on the road at the edge of the driveway, a vehicle stopped. We knew who it was, so there wasn’t going to be any liability with what was about to happen. The young lady in question, almost a teenager, came easing up the driveway, eyeing the smoking pot and listening intently to the sounds coming from the window. About the time she approached the black pot, I stood up from my rocking chair seat and called her name. I’m pretty sure she stopped a couple of hundred yards down the road and later we did return her treat bag, saying we think she accidentally must have dropped it in our yard. And in time, she did get her voice back after it healed from all the hollering and screaming she put it through. That was the last time I expended such effort; it wore me out just getting ready. But the candy … well, it was worth it. Pass the Snickers, please. 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

LARRY ELDER

Thrall, baby, thrall!

Lifted spirits transform our capacity to be in the world.

AT NO APPOINTED TIME, I walk to my deck and begin tossing out handfuls of dried corn. Instantaneously, little furry heads pop up from under the bottom deck railing. Looking off to my left, more troops are on the way. Balancing on branches to cross the creek, climbing my fence, all heading, compass north, toward my deck. I’ve morphed into a squirrel magnet, and love it! Who doesn’t want to be the center of attention? I do wonder, however, if there’s a secret squirrel whistle, alerting their voracious community, “the food sucker’s out on her deck!” I have no idea, but it never ceases to amaze me seeing the full bounty of these little furry bodies, crossing the river Jordan, heading for the smorgasbord, simultaneously. As they chow down and jockey for territory on the deck (often being not in the least bit collegial with each other), I’m captivated. Per 1980s Valley Girl Speak, “Like, totally, wow.” Oh, geez, just when I’m in a complete squirrel-induced thrall, out she comes! My inner critic takes this moment to pop up, well nourished by a culture that speaks to me, emphatically, “You’re not being productive!” (No shortage of inner critics in our Western populace, is there?) Let’s see — productive, productive — I could (after months) get my checkbook up to date, write a not-so-great American novel or fold the laundry that

came out of the dryer two (maybe three or four) days ago. Don’t want to. Nope. Transfixed by the squirrels. Period. Doesn’t a healthy dose of being enthralled count for anything? C’mon! “You got something against feeling enthralled, Ms. Critic? Oh, you do, do you?” Here it comes, Jan! Duck! “You, Jan, are not contributing to a hurting and chaotic world! Forget those tree rodents! Do something for others, for the Earth!” Uh oh, I’m in trouble … Now, wait a minute, just wait a minute, Ms. Critic, I’m in need of nurture too! (We all need caring for, Ms. Critic, probably, even you. It’s a human thing.) “So, Ms. Critic, you got anything against self-care for my overworked and chaotic brain? Huh? Squirrel enchantment can be downright magical in the moment. A sharper focus, less critical and, above all, rest from this crazy world. My rapt-filled moments with the squirrel posse lifts me up. Don’t you like being lifted up, Ms. Critic? Please, do consider. I would imagine that inner critics could also use some lifting up?” So, y’all, experience a dose of thrall-dom. Lifted spirits transform our capacity to be in the world. Sometimes all it takes is looking out your living room window … Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

COLUMN | JARRETT STEPMAN

Democrats put patriotism last; that’s a problem for America The moment they lose power, their pride in America melts down to a shallow puddle.

ONLY 6% of Democrats think “patriotism” is important for the country. That was one of the unnerving findings of a recently released Gallup national survey about American values that highlighted the conflict of visions that defines modern politics. Gallup led its report on the survey with the seemingly heartening idea that three-quarters of Americans can “identify at least one value most Americans share,” but that’s grasping at straws a bit, as the summary admits. The list included 12 values, most of which seem so universal they would be shared by pretty much any group of people the world over. The summary writers noted that the findings show that “there is little consensus on which values are widely shared, or which the country needs more of.” On the list of 12 values, Democrats ranked patriotism as the lowest value and “equality” as the highest. Republicans were essentially the reverse, ranking patriotism as the highest value needed for the country and putting equality near the bottom of the list. What’s impressive to me about the absurdly low priority Democrats give to patriotism is that the question pertains to the country. One would think that if patriotism is valued at all, this would be the place for it. But nope. Even some liberals jarred by the rise of the far left found this statistic concerning. “We need to confront the fact that anti-Americanism has become the default stance of the Democratic voter base,” left-leaning commentator Noah Smith wrote on X. Smith not long ago promoted the idea that Democrats were reembracing patriotism at the end of the Biden era, but that was no more than a mirage. To steelman the views of the Democratic base in this poll, one could say that they just don’t think patriotism is important right now. But isn’t that a huge problem too? It’s clear that much of the left’s patriotism, such that it is, stems from their satisfaction in having like-minded people in the White House. The moment they lose power, their pride in America melts down to a shallow puddle. Just as worrisome for our future, another Gallup poll found that Americans not only have very little faith in the government, but they don’t even trust each other. Only 51% of those surveyed trust “the American people as a whole,” the lowest number Gallup has recorded, though only marginally lower than last year.

What’s apparent in the data from the Gallup polls is that there is now a chasm of difference between Americans on core values and which ones are prioritized. The gap is so severe that it calls into question how America moves forward without devolving into two distinct regimes angrily living under one hopelessly divided government. Patriotism was something we could fall back on, even when we disagreed over the extent to which we believed in this idea or that. When you throw in the dramatic increase in religious, ethnic and racial diversity that has occurred over the last half-century it’s easy to see why America and so many other Western countries are powder kegs. People fall into pure tribal identitarianism or ideological solidarity. Trust disintegrates. Cynicism prevails. So we are faced with an enormous challenge. How does one move forward when these sorts of implacable battle lines are drawn? During the Civil War, George Washington’s Mount Vernon was neutral ground, a small recognition of our origin during a catastrophic attempt at national divorce. Today, we may not even have that amount of shared connection as the flag and symbols of our country no longer bind us together. Right now, we must accept this reality for what it is. But we shouldn’t accept that this is inevitably our future. Is the answer to choosing between patriotism and a lack of patriotism meeting in the middle? No. The answer, I believe, is to double down on the values once shared that brought America to its zenith: pride in our past, Americanism in our schools, and an unrepentant devotion to the great nation the Founders built and sent along its way. Many who now live in America find these things contemptible. So be it. Arguing them out of this position will likely be fruitless. All we can do now is provide a compelling alternate vision. Ensure that we paint a picture of a better future for young Americans whose views haven’t hardened. Build institutional strength so that we can transmit these ideas as wide and as deeply as possible. The only way out is through, as they say. Jarrett Stepman is a columnist for The Daily Signal. He is also the author of “The War on History: The Conspiracy to Rewrite America’s Past.” This column was first published by The Daily Signal.

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Trump critic: He’s ‘racist’ because he ‘demeans’ black politicians A CALLER to my show rattled off President Donald Trump’s supposed “racist” sins: Trump called African countries “s--thole” countries; he refused to rent to blacks; he said he did not want blacks counting his money Trump, at his casinos — he wanted Jews to do the counting; and unlike most he demeans black politicians Republicans like Rep. Maxine Waters by calling her “low IQ.” Who who tiptoe does that? Donald John Trump, that’s around black who. Democratic Yes, Trump denounces antagonists some black politicians, for fear of specifically some black Democratic politicians whom being called Trump feels have unfairly racist, drops and viciously attacked him. But Trump, unlike most a colorblind Republicans who tiptoe hammer. around black Democratic antagonists for fear of being called racist, drops a colorblind hammer. Take Waters (D-Calif.), a black member of the House since 1991 and co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. She called Trump “a dangerous, unprincipled, divisive and shameful racist” and “the most deplorable person I’ve ever met in my life.” Just weeks into his first term, Waters pushed for his impeachment. Trump, in return, called her “crazy,” a “very low IQ person” and an “extraordinarily low IQ person.” For years, Waters has trashed Republican presidents with relatively little pushback. She called President George H.W. Bush a “racist” and “a mean-spirited man who has no care or concern about what happens to the African-American community in this country.” The Bushes took it. Trump fires back. As to the 1975 consent decree Trump’s father and Donald entered into with the Department of Justice over allegations the company discriminated against minority applicants for apartments, the family admitted no liability — but agreed to change its practices. Donald was 28. Years later, the Rev. Jesse Jackson praised Trump for saying positive things about Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 candidacy for president and for providing office space on Wall Street for black entrepreneurs. About Trump not wanting blacks counting his money and preferring Jews to do it, Trump denies this and calls the man who made the claim a disgruntled ex-employee who quit after being passed over for a promotion. Should we cancel Muhammad Ali? In a New York Times profile published the day before Ali’s 1971 fight against Joe Frazier, Robert Lipsyte wrote: “The certified public accountant rose to leave, and Ali pointed to him and said, ‘There’s my Jewish brains. Get those Jew brains around you, the best in the world.’” Gossip columnist Liz Crokin said, “As an entertainment journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to cover Trump for over a decade, and in all my years covering him I’ve never heard anything negative about the man until he announced he was running for president.” Do we cancel President Lyndon Johnson, under whose administration the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed and signed? According to a book by respected writer Ron Kessler, Johnson said, “I’ll have them n---ers voting Democratic for two hundred years.” Do we cancel Bill and Hillary Clinton? According to a book written by Dolly Kyle Browning, with whom Bill allegedly had a lengthy affair — and according to an Arkansas state trooper, who provided security for the then Arkansas governor — Bill and Hillary routinely use the N-word and the K-word for Jews. What about President John F. Kennedy, who, according to “The Dark Side of Camelot” by New York Times investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, derisively referred to countries in Central Africa as “boogie republics”? Worse, legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. campaigned vigorously for Kennedy in 1960. At the request of the Kennedy camp, Davis postponed his wedding to a white actress for fear of alienating Southern white voters. Kennedy got elected. Davis got married. But Kennedy still disinvited Davis to the inaugural where he was supposed to perform. To borrow an expression, who does that? Meanwhile, “racist” Trump, in the One Beautiful Bill, dramatically expanded the voucher program that allows parents to opt out of underperforming K-12 public schools. According to the so-called national report card, 85% of black eighth graders are neither reading nor math proficient. Trump is attempting to do something about a problem that Democrats not only ignore but perpetuate given their relationship with teachers unions that adamantly oppose competition. Bottom line, calling Trump “racist” requires selective outrage, double standards and hypocrisy. And when it comes to similar allegations against popular Democratic politicians, it requires a lot of “see no evil.” Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

obituaries

Bruce Allen Poe Aug. 29, 1949 – Oct. 27, 2026 Bruce Allen Poe, U.S. Army Retired First Sergeant, age 77, of Siler City, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Born on August 29, 1949, in Chatham County, North Carolina, Bruce was the son of the late Edgar Allen Poe and Daisy Louise Poe. A proud veteran, devoted family man, and loyal friend, Bruce lived a life defined by service, sacrifice, and unwavering love for those around him. Bruce honorably served his country, over 24 years in the United States Army, retiring with the rank of First Sergeant after a distinguished military career. As a Vietnam War Veteran, he served with pride and dedication, earning numerous medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge, and Master Aircraft Crewman Badge, among many other honors. Throughout his military service, Bruce was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Fort Richardson, Alaska; Fort Eustis, Virginia; Fort Meade, Maryland; and Katterbach, Germany. He was deeply proud of his years in uniform and considered serving his country one of the greatest privileges of his life. After retirement he went to work with Carolina Crane until 2019 he made tons of memories there. A lifelong resident at heart of Siler City, Bruce attended Jordan-Matthews High School and never forgot his roots. Though his military career took him around the world, home and family remained at the center of his life. Those who knew Bruce will remember his strength of character, and his willingness to help anyone in need. A man of his word, Bruce was someone people could depend upon, whether for advice, encouragement, or simply a helping hand. His kindness and generosity touched countless lives. More than any accomplishment or recognition, Bruce treasured the time spent with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, soldier, and friend. The memories he created with

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We offer an on-site crematory with many options of Celebration of Life services, Traditional, and Green Burials. Call us to set www.donaldsonfunerals.com those he loved will be carried 396 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312 | 919-542-3057 | David began his education an appointment to come by and learn more. forward for generations to in Pittsboro, North Carolina, come. The shoes he leaves attending Horton High School behind can never be filled, for through the tenth grade. He he was truly one of a kind. later moved to Manhattan to Bruce had a deep love join his parents and continued for the outdoors and his education in New York City. enjoyed hunting, fishing, He graduated from Haaren High and camping. Some of his School and went on to earn a happiest moments were Bachelor’s degree in Business spent taking his children and from New York University. His grandchildren on hunting commitment to education and and camping adventures, something new, he valued lifelong learning later led him creating memories that will knowledge throughout his life. to Stanford University, where forever be cherished. His He had a deep love for his family he earned a Master of Business granddaughters each shared and took a special interest in Administration. Sept. 10, 2026 a special bond with him. exploring and preserving his Following his studies, Taylor will fondly remember family’s history. Through his David began his professional David Lee Headen, 72, the many spirited UNO interest in genealogy and the career with NAC Reinsurance passed away on September 10, tournaments they played generations who came before Corporation in Greenwich, 2026. together, while Caitlyn will Connecticut. He later continued him, David remained deeply David was born in New York, treasure the countless hours connected to his family’s story his career in the insurance New York, to the late Walter spent watching videos on his and heritage. and financial services Clinton Headen and Rebecca phone by his side. Ashleigh David was preceded in death industry with Group Health Grant Headen. He spent his memories were the stories by his parents, three brothers Incorporated (GHI), which is early childhood in Moncure, and memories he shared with and two sisters. He leaves now EmblemHealth, in New North Carolina, where he was her on car rides as well as to cherish his memory two York City. After a long and lovingly raised by his paternal listening to 60’s music. Bruce sisters and one brother, two accomplished career, David grandparents, the late John also had a special love for sisters-in-law, one brother-inretired and made his home in R. and Olivia Headen. During his dogs, who brought him law, two godchildren, and a Wappingers Falls, New York. those formative years, David much joy and companionship host of loving nieces, nephews, David was an avid reader attended church with his throughout the years. cousins, extended family with a lifelong love of learning. grandparents and accepted Left to cherish his members, and friends. Naturally curious and always Christ at an early age. memory are his beloved interested in discovering wife, Mary LaVern Poe; daughter, April C. Gainey and husband, Bryan W. Gainey; son, Kenneth E. Poe; granddaughters, Ashleigh November 3, 2026, at Bethany another. Kathryn loved her N. Gainey, Taylor D. Gainey, Baptist Church Cemetery 503 Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Caitlyn M. Gainey; Alton King Road, Goldston, NC and her faith was evident in sister, Cynthia Ferguson and 27252 with Pastor Roger Riffe the way she lived her life each husband, Murphy Ferguson; officiating. day. She never met a stranger nephews, Baron Ferguson, Interment will follow and possessed a smile that Nick Ferguson, Ethan immediately in Bethany Baptist could illuminate any room. Her Ferguson, and Brett Justice; Church Cemetery. The family kindness, compassion, caring niece, Crystal Justice; along respectfully requests that spirit, and loving heart touched with many extended family loved ones remember Kathryn countless lives. members, friends, and fellow for the joy she brought into Those who knew her will veterans who will miss him the lives of others, the love fondly remember her infectious dearly. she shared so freely, and the personality, her crazy sense of The family wishes to Christian faith that guided humor, and her unique ability to express their heartfelt her throughout her life. Her make everyone feel welcomed gratitude to the staff of beautiful smile and loving spirit and valued. She found great joy The Laurels of Chatham, Dec. 14, 1968 – Oct. 30, 2026 will be deeply missed and in dancing, singing, painting, Liberty Home Health, and forever remembered. Kathryn’s drawing, and shopping. Compass of Mebane for the Kathryn Renee Bilyeu Cade, passing leaves a void that can Whether spending time with compassionate care shown 57, of Goldston, North Carolina, never be filled, but her love, family and friends or sharing to Bruce during his illness. passed away peacefully at her faith, laughter, and countless a laugh with those around her, Family and friends will home on Friday, October 30, cherished memories will remain Kathryn brought warmth and gather on Sunday, November 2026, surrounded by her loving forever in the hearts of those happiness wherever she went. 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until family and close friends. who knew and loved her. Kathryn was preceded in 4:00 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Born on December 14, 1968, Kathryn held Psalm 34 (KJV) death by Walter Joseph Bilyeu, Funeral Home. in Pinehurst, North Carolina, especially close to her heart, Jr. and Jay Frances Fisher Funeral services will Kathryn was the daughter of finding comfort, strength, and Bilyeu. follow at 4:00 p.m. in the the late Walter Joseph Bilyeu, peace in its words. Left to cherish her memory Smith & Buckner Funeral Jr. and Jay Frances Fisher As we remember her life, we are her beloved husband, Travis Home Chapel. Services will Bilyeu. Kathryn was a 1987 invite you to take a moment to Ray Cade, Jr.; sons, Joseph conclude with the rendering graduate of Pinecrest High read this cherished passage Aaron Cade and wife, Brittany, of full military honors. School in Southern Pines. in her honor. In lieu of flowers, and Travis Mitchell Cade; her Committal services will be Prior to marriage, she Kathryn specifically requested faithful companion, Brutus conducted at 2:00 p.m. on worked as a beautician, a others to donate in her memory Cade; sister, Beverly Bilyeu Key Monday, November 9, 2026, profession that reflected her to the two charities that help so and husband, Tony; two nieces, at Sandhills State Veterans creativity and love for helping many. two nephews, three greatCemetery in Spring Lake, others feel their best. https://deafkidsconnect. nieces, and one great-nephew, North Carolina. Following her marriage, she com/ along with many extended Though his earthly mission wholeheartedly embraced https://preborn.com/ family members and dear is complete, the legacy of her most treasured roles as a Please share a memory or friends. First Sergeant Bruce Allen devoted wife, loving mother, condolence for the family in The family will receive friends Poe lives on through the and dedicated homemaker. Kathryn’s guestbook at www. from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. lives he touched, the family On May 8, 1994, Kathryn smithbucknerfh.com. on Monday, November 2, 2026, he loved, and the example married the love of her life, Smith & Buckner Funeral at Smith & Buckner Funeral of honor, integrity, and Travis Ray Cade, Jr. Together Home, of Siler City, North Home 230 N. 2nd Avenue, Siler service he leaves behind. His they shared 32 wonderful Carolina, is honored to serve City, NC 27344. memory will forever remain a years of marriage built on the family of Kathryn Renee A funeral service will be source of strength, pride, and faith, love, laughter, and Cade. held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, inspiration to all who knew unwavering devotion to one and loved him. Please share a memory or condolence for the family in Bruce’s guestbook at www. smithbucknerfh.com. IN MEMORY Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, of Siler City, North Carolina, is honored to serve the family of Bruce Allen Poe. BOBBY DONALD HILL

David Lee Headen

Kathryn Renee Bilyeu Cade

OCT. 26, 2026 Bobby Donald Hill, “Papa Bob”, 96, passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the Durham VA Hospital. Bob was a native of Highfalls, NC. He was a faithful, longtime member of Highfalls Christian Church (formerly Highfalls Friends Meeting) where he served as Monthly Meeting Clerk, Sunday School Superintendent, elder, Sunday School teacher, and in many other capacities as needed by his church family. Bob was a United States Army Veteran. He served as Corporal during the Korean War, earning two Bronze Stars, a National Defense Service Medal, and a United Nations Service Medal. He enjoyed time with his family, gardening, woodworking, playing Rook, and traveling with friends and family (especially with his best friends, Vernon and Betty Lou Purvis). He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Blanch Hill; sisters, Helen Stutts, Nora Monroe, Bessie Jordan; brothers, Webster Hill, Sammy Hill; and grandson, Marty Loflin. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Virginia Upchurch Hill; daughters, Becky Loflin and husband, Ennis; Pam King and husband, Pete; grandchildren, Jody Maness (Tonya), Matt Loflin (Aprille), Jacob Maness (Leslie), Jessica Phillips (Clay); and 11 great grandchildren: McKinley, Sophie, Gracie, Kaylee, Maxwell, Merritt, Worthington, Emma, Molly, Jack, and Sam. His body will lie in repose from 1:00-5:00 on Saturday, October 31 at Joyce-Brady Chapel in Bennett. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 1st, 1:30-2:45 at Highfalls Christian Church. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. The family will welcome visitors at the home of Bob & Virginia Hill. Special thanks to the administration and staff of the Durham VA hospital for their dedication and extraordinary care of Papa Bob in his final days.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

Approval of cheap version of HIV-prevention shot lenacapavir raises hopes in low-income countries Twice-yearly injections offer the same protection as daily pills with greater convenience

By Laura Ungar The Associated Press THE U.S. FOOD and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of the world’s only twice-a-year shot to prevent HIV — a big step toward making the drug available inexpensively and more quickly in 120 low- and middle-income countries. The announcement was made Monday morning by the manufacturer and organizations that helped to speed up development of the medication, called lenacapavir. The drug is expected to cost $40 a year per person in the countries where it will be available, the same price as daily preventive pills available now. But the shots are much more convenient than the pills because they’re needed much less frequently, and they nearly eliminated new infections in two groundbreaking studies of people at high risk. People don’t always take their daily dose of medication, “and if you do not take it, you cannot get protected against HIV,” said Carmen Pérez Casas, HIV

lead for the grant-making organization Unitaid, a global health agency. “With lenacapavir, we are much more hopeful.” Ultimately, advocates said, the medication should help drive down cases of HIV and AIDS — and deaths. According to the World Health Organization, 41 million people worldwide were living with HIV, and 570,000 died from HIV-related causes last year. With an affordable, high-quality generic medication now available, “we could help to scale this to the 20 million people around the world who need PrEP,” prescription medicine taken by people at risk of HIV before being exposed to the virus, said Carolyn Amole, who leads the HIV program for the Clinton Health Access Initiative, a global health organization. “And if we scale to those levels,” she added, “we can actually begin to bring an end to the HIV epidemic.” Generic lenacapavir can’t be sold in the U.S. because a brand-name version, Yeztugo, made by Gilead Sciences and approved last year, is still protected by a patent. The U.S. list price for that version, meaning the cost before insurance, is $28,218 a year. Gilead officials say that’s similar to some other types of PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. The new generic was ap-

“Now, we have the tools.” Carmen Pérez Casas, HIV lead for Unitaid

HAJARAH NALWADDA / AP PHOTO

A nurse prepares a syringe before injecting a patient with the new HIV prevention drug lenacapavir at the ART clinic at Mbarara City Council Health Center IV in western Uganda on Aug. 21. proved by the FDA under a longstanding practice designed to ensure the quality of HIV-related drugs provided to other countries by the U.S. government. Approval of a drug by the U.S. FDA can speed regulatory approval in many other countries. The approval is considered “tentative,” the FDA’s standard designation for generics while the originator remains under patent.

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Until now, Gilead has been the sole supplier of lenacapavir, and demand has outstripped supply in low- and middle-income countries. Last year, Gilead established royalty-free licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers to enable production. Those voluntary licenses cover a specific set of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. “We share the sense of urgency around expanding access to lenacapavir for HIV prevention,” a Gilead spokesperson said in a statement. “We believe we have enabled the fastest and most sustainable path to expanding access for communities most affected by HIV.” The generic was developed by India-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories under an agreement brokered by Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and Wits RHI, a health research institute in Africa. The partners sought to accelerate development and make the drug available at an affordable price. Common side effects with lenacapavir include injection

VETERANS from page A1 attending should bring a lawn chair for the outdoor service if they are unable to stand for approximately one hour. The program will feature music, remarks and recognition of veterans in attendance along with the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of the national anthem and “Taps.” The other way is the display of crosses — and this year, two Stars of David for Jewish veterans — that will soon line both sides of West Street coming into town. Last year was the first year for the display, with 83 crosses sold and displayed. “This year,” said Frances Wilson, who helped organize the effort, “with what we sold last year and this year, we’ll have 180 crosses and two Stars of David.” It was a chance event in the first place that led to the display. That event, which led to the local crosses for both living and deceased veterans, happened two years ago about this time when two friends, Wilson and Lydia Karstaedt, traveled to Live Oak, Florida, to visit Wilson’s brothers. “When we rode into town,” Karstaedt said, “the streets were lined with crosses. It was so impressive. We stopped and talked with some local folks and said to each other, ‘Why can’t we do this in Pittsboro?’ “From there, when we got home, we started talking about it and it just snowballed.” Wilson remembers that her friend’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Lydia said we just had to do this,” she said. “So we began talking and got in touch with VFW commander C.P. Short and DAV commander Mike Jackson, and they helped a lot.” The crosses, with each veteran’s name and branch of

site reactions, headache and nausea. People also must be tested for HIV prior to starting the drug and with each injection; drug-resistant HIV has been identified when used by people with an undiagnosed HIV infection. “For any kind of PrEP … you need to have HIV testing in advance,” said Saiqa Mullick, director of implementation science with Wits RHI. “For many of the low- and middle-income countries, that is a rapid test.” Generic lenacapavir should start to become available in some places within weeks, those helping with the effort said, although it could take a bit longer in countries that require the drug to go through their own approval processes before people can start taking it. Generic versions made by the other manufacturers have yet to be approved by FDA. “The work is not done. Now we need the funding to actually buy it for everyone who needs it, and then we need to do the hard work of getting it to the millions of people who need it and want it,” Amole said. “But this is a great milestone.” Casas said she’s optimistic that scientific advances — along with political will and funding — can help the world curb HIV. “Now,” she said, “we have the tools.”

service, sell for a one-time cost of $100. They are made of PVC material and will last indefinitely. Once the crosses are taken down, they are placed in secure storage for display next year or the purchaser may take them home. Any proceeds from the sale of the crosses becomes a fundraiser for the local DAV and VFW posts. A significant amount of work and effort went into displaying the crosses. “We got in touch with the Florida folks and learned what to do,” Wilson said. “Then we got in touch with a California company — My Nativity — and they were kind and helpful and gave us a good discount so we could do this. I ordered one as a sample to show, and a total of 83 crosses were purchased. Then we had to put them together and put them up.” Chatham Veterans Memorial has a website and a Facebook page. Information on the group and their effort — along with an order form for the crosses — can be found there. Sales for the 2027 display will begin Jan. 1. The memorials are there in commemoration of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, a day to remember veterans, both deceased and living, who wore the uniform of the nation’s armed forces whether in war time or peace. Veterans Day is one of three military national holidays celebrating armed forces. It honors those who served and took off the uniform; Armed Forces Day honors those who still wear the uniform; and Memorial Day honors those who never got to take off the uniform. Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I and celebrating the signing of that treaty on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, hence the timing of the local service.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

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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

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 FIRST-CLASS MAIL 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 O

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A9

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

TAKE NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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:

CHATHAM COUNTY FY28 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN BUDGET HEARING NOTICE The Chatham County Capital Improvements Budget for FY20282034 has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and is available for public inspection on the Chatham County website or in the office of the Clerk to the Board, located at 12 East Street in Pittsboro. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 20282034 Capital Improvements Budget on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 6:00pm at the Agriculture and Conference Center located at 1192 US Hwy 64 West in Pittsboro. The public is invited to attend the hearing to express their viewpoints. To speak sign up on the county website or submit written comments to Clerk to the Board Jenifer Johnson at PO Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or jenifer.johnson@ chathamcountync.gov.

The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Bruce Champney Johnson, 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 5th day of February, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 5th day of November, 2026. JOSHUA SAMUEL JOHNSON, ADMINISTRATOR ESTATE OF BRUCE CHAMPNEY JOHNSON

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

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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, November 16, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro, North Carolina at 1192 US Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department office. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www. chathamcountync.gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Comment. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below. Legislative Request: A legislative public hearing requested for Merry Oaks Ventures, LLC to rezone Parcels 5530 and 5618, located at 283 & 0 Old Christian Chapel Church Rd., from R-1 Residential and Ind-H Industrial Heavy to Conditional District Regional Business (CD-RB) for the uses of Event Center Limited and Circuses, carnivals, exhibition shows, sideshows, races, trade shows, flea markets, banquets, conventions, religious events, arts & craft shows, stage shows, athletic events, and other similar events, including temporary living quarters such as mobile homes and recreational vehicles provided that the stay of such temporary living quarters shall be limited to a period of not more than five days longer than the duration of the event and nor more than 30 total days in any 12 month period for any one separate event, Cape Fear Township. Testimony is required to be given under oath during the evidentiary hearing for the following item: Quasi-Judicial Request: A quasi-judicial public hearing requested for Apex Nurseries, Inc., for a special use permit revision on Parcel 64272, located at 2271 Hollands Chapel Rd., New Hope Township, being approximately 11.54 acres, for a site plan modification to add an additional parking area at the northeast corner and utilize an existing building for use by the already approved landscaping and grading business. Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions. Notice to people with special needs: If you have audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204, or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312. Please run in your paper: November 5th and 12th, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Nancy L. Brewer, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Munson Law Firm PLLC, P.O. Box 1811 Pittsboro, NC 27312, on or before the 5th day of February, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This 5th day of November, 2026. CHARLES E.H. BREWER, EXECUTOR ESTATE OF NANCY L. BREWER

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

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 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 NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY ________________________________ ________________________________ ________ HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Judith Laramie Andrews of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of February, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 29th day of October, 2026. Jesse Andrews, Executor of the Estate of Judith Laramie Andrews 692 Pete Thomas Road Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312 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 Administrator of the Estate of Jack Gregory Henson, II, of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of February, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 29th day of October, 2026. Jack Gregory Henson, Administrator of the Estate of Jack Gregory Henson, II. 296 Howard Gilliland 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 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 FILE#26E000572-180 The undersigned, MISTY POWERS MURRAY, having qualified on the 21ST Day of OCTOBER 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of DAVID THOMAS POWERS, 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 5TH Day of FEBRUARY 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 5TH Day of NOVEMBER 2026. MISTY POWERS MURRAY, ADMINISTRATOR 6762 JIMMY COX RD. BENNETT, NC 27208 Run dates: N5,12,19,26p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 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

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

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#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 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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 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

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 TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM ROXIE BURNETTE EDWARDS qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of Warren Bernard Edwards deceased. This is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate present them to the undersigned on or before February 5, 2027 or be barred from recovery. This 5th November 2026. Roxie Burnette Edwards 1451 Bynum Road Pittsboro, NC 27312 November 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 16CvD000756-180 COUNTY OF CHATHAM Plaintiff, vs. The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of COLON FRANKLIN MANESS, et al Defendants. NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION TO: The HEIRS, ASSIGNS, and DEVISEES of COLON FRANKLIN MANESS and spouse, if any, which may include IDA E. WHISENHUNT and spouse, if any, JOHN D. SPIVEY and spouse, if any, CHARLENE C. MANESS and spouse, if any, and RYAN WYATT and spouse, if any, or any other person or entity claiming thereunder A pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication began on November 5, 2026. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on tax parcel(s) more completely described in the Complaint, to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes (assessments). Plaintiff seeks to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you may have in said property. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after the date of the first publication of notice stated above, exclusive of such date, being forty (40) days after November 5, 2026, or by December 15, 2026, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service of process by publication will apply to the Court for relief sought. This the 29th day of October, 2026. ZACCHAEUS LEGAL SERVICES By: ____________ Mark D. Bardill/Mark B. Bardill Attorney for Plaintiff NC Bar #12852/56782 310 W. Jones St. P. O. Box 25 Trenton, North Carolina 28585 Telephone: (252) 448-4541 Publication dates: November 5, 2026 November 12, 2026 November 19, 2026

CHATHAM COUNTY PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing in accordance with NCGS 106.61 on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Agriculture and Conference Center, located at 1192 US Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro, NC to consider repealing the Chatham County Voluntary Agriculture District Ordinance and replacing with the Chatham County Farmland Preservation Ordinance. The public is invited to attend the hearing to express their viewpoints. Those wishing to speak may sign up on the county website or submit written comments to the Town Clerk Jenifer Johnson at PO Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or jenifer. johnson@chathamcountync.gov.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS TOWN OF SILER CITY CDBG-NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM The Town of Siler City is soliciting sealed bids from qualified licensed contractors to perform housing reconstruction, demolition, and rehabilitation activities for residential properties. This project is funded through the Town’s 2024 Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) Program. Federal Funding Disclosure: This project is being funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program passthrough NC Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division (REDD). All federal CDBG requirements will apply to the contract. Licensing Requirements: All contractors must be properly licensed to perform the work described in the bid package. Any contractor submitting a bid for a project totaling $40,000 or more must possess a valid North Carolina General Contractor’s License in accordance with N.C.G.S. § 87-1. The bidder’s name, address, and license number must be plainly marked on the outside of the sealed envelope. Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: A mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Joseph Moody Buckner District Courtroom, 311 N. Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344. Complete bid packages, project specifications, and HUD compliance documents will be distributed at this meeting. Attendance by prospective bidders is strictly required for bids to be considered responsive and eligible for award. Bid Submission Deadline: Sealed bids must be received by the Town no later than Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately following the deadline at the Joseph Moody Buckner District Courtroom, 311 N. Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344. Federal Compliance & Outreach: Bidders must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The successful contractor must adhere to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment Opportunity), Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968 (economic opportunities for low-income residents), the Copeland “Anti-Kickback” Act, and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the Town of Siler City explicitly encourages the participation of Small, Minority, Women-owned, Section 3, and North Carolina Small Business Enterprise (NCSBE) firms. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities, and to accept the bid deemed to be in the best interest of the Town.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

Finding right words brings writing to life Curiosity begins with language By Erika Hoffman For Chatham News & Record WHEN WE PULLED open the door of an Italian restaurant a bellhop in Chicago recommended, I glanced at its name etched into the massive glass pane next to the door. Under the words was an illustration of a circle that seemed faded or splotchy on the bottom half. Curious, it was. Curious was I. “Il Culaccino,” with a small “il” and larger letters for the following noun, was the eatery’s name. I know no Italian, so it’s not something I’d readily be capable of deciphering. I figured “il” meant “the.” Yet, because I speak French, I know “cul” means “bottom,” like in “cul-de-sac,” and “cul” connotes something circular. Nonetheless, I had no clue. When the owner sat us, I asked the translation of “culaccino.” “The mark left on a table by a wine glass,” he said.

How interesting! I mentally noted how a single word can spark curiosity in someone unfamiliar with it. A solitary foreign word can describe something which would require several English words to define. I recalled Mark Twain’s advice about using the exact word when writing: “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” I also thought how seeing a unique word makes the viewer of it curious, and this curiosity evokes action. The written word should create emotion in a reader, be it sad, happy or afraid, and these evoked emotions compel a reader to continue reading. So does awakening a reader’s curiosity. In a TV ad for Viking cruise line, the founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, advises folk to “Be curious and then go.” It’s effective. He states being kind, honest and hard-working are important traits, but so is curiosity. An inquisitive explorer can travel figuratively. You learn from your armchair if you read.

“Be curious and then go.” Torstein Hagen, Viking Cruise Line chairman People like to discover new things from literature, whether they be facts about a foreign place, a historical period or an unfamiliar modus vivendi. They also like new vocabulary! Sometimes, a foreign title will entice a browser as much as the book cover; think “Pachinko”! Don’t avoid including foreign phrases or charming terms of concepts or things. They spice up your composition. Therefore, the next time you set your characters dining on amuse-bouche, displaying schadenfreude while they discuss their kin’s misfortunes or when they react gob smacked about what they witnessed when Johnny Depp took the stand, ponder how you can employ a fantastic beast of a word to gussy up the scene. When those two doppelgangers of your

ERIC RISBERG / AP PHOTO

The Italian word “culaccino” describes the ring a glass leaves behind, illustrating how the right word can bring an ordinary detail to life. imagination arise from the table en plein air, have one character note the culaccino left behind from her wine glass. She’ll exclaim, “What a muck I’ve made!” Now your readers will know these are two British chicks

without your resorting to any exposition at all! Sometimes, Twain’s “mot juste” hails from across the pond or across a border, and it will add a flavorful dimension to your piece and make your reader curious to consume more.

Virginia, DC sue over Trump’s arch, adding to legal challenges as government wants work to begin Officials warn construction will disrupt traffic and emergency services for three years

By Gary Fields The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch are mounting, with the District of Columbia and Virginia suing in federal court Saturday as the administration says construction could begin as early as next week. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan proceeded to consolidate that lawsuit with the original one she is overseeing and ordered a joint briefing schedule for the lawsuits. All the plaintiffs are calling for a halt to potential work on a monument that would rise 250 feet on a patch of grass off the bridge that spans the Potomac River, connecting the city with Arlington National Cemetery. That would make the arch 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty is from its base to the top of the torch. Chutkan is already considering issuing an order to halt the project until the original lawsuit against the Trump administration by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian is resolved. She held a hearing last Friday but did not immediately act, though she said she would move expeditiously. In the latest filing, two attorneys general, Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., and Jay Jones of Virginia, argue that “as soon as Defendants break ground on this project, they will inflict irreparable harm on both the District and Virginia. The Arch site sits at the center of a major traffic artery between the District and Virginia, in the monumental core of the capital, on an island that straddles the Potomac River. During the three-year period of construction, the Arch project will inevitably snarl traffic between the jurisdictions, produce pollution and stormwater runoff in the Potomac, interfere with emergency services, and pose numerous other challenges.” As the original plaintiffs have, they also are seeking a temporary restraining order that would slow the administration’s plans to move ahead imminently with construction. “The Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but throughout the world,” said White House spokesman Davis Ingle in an email. “It will serve as a gateway to Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a vi-

JEN GOLBECK / AP PHOTO

A mockup of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch stands at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 27 in Washington, D.C. sual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250 year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today.” The lawsuit raises concerns about how the traffic interruption would impact emergency responses in a region where joint operations are the norm, including the January 2025 midair collision between a military helicopter and airliner that killed 67. Administration wants to get started on construction Speaking to reporters during a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last Saturday night, Trump said the arch “is very important militarily for Washington, D.C., and our country. It’s also going to be the most beautiful arc ever built.” “It will be one of Washington’s most beautiful things. It’s also very important militarily. Maybe more importantly, but I don’t think so,” Trump added. “But it is very important militarily, and I think we’re doing very well.” He said “whether it’s Virginia, Maryland or Washington — it doesn’t matter. It’s something the region needs mili-

tarily, and I think aesthetically also.” Trump’s administration, in a recent court filing, said it had plans to seek final approval of the project, a Trump favorite, at Thursday’s meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission and possibly begin construction the same day, despite the then-two active lawsuits pending. Last Friday, the government submitted a 106-page plan for the arch that envisions a massive structure more than 12 stories high that includes a huge bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings and carrying a torch with an eternal flame. The structure would include an observation deck with views to the east and west, an “occupied roof” and two mezzanines. Inside the arch are rooms for program space, offices, a staff lounge, circular staircases, multiple elevators and a “fire command center.” The project proposes significant traffic changes in the area, including rerouting traffic on nearby roads. Administration officials have said the arch also will have a national security function. Chutkan asked what the urgency was and how the government would be harmed “apart from the executive’s desire to

“The Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but throughout the world.” Davis Ingle, White House spokesman bedazzle the city” if she issues a preliminary injunction while the lawsuit plays out. Administration lawyer Robert Stander said the arch was “absolutely a high priority project” and were Chutkan to step in, that would impede the work of the government. Golf course, Kennedy Center projects also have wound up in court The lawsuits are among several that have been filed against the government as Trump seeks to remake the nation’s capital at breakneck speed, prompting judges and plaintiffs to balk. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said last Friday she would open a “formal inquiry”

to investigate if federal attorneys violated ethical boundaries, including making misrepresentations to the court, during a legal dispute about the East Potomac Golf Link project. Trump wants the public course overhauled so it could host professional tournaments. There is a hearing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper on a motion from Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board, seeking the release of communications between the center’s management and administration officials. The government has refused so far, citing executive privilege. Trump is the board chair. Beatty alleged in a separate filing last Friday that the government withheld information from trustees, including an analysis from the construction manager, that would have shown that a closure was not necessary. She is challenging a government request that Cooper dissolve an injunction he put in place to stop plans to shutter the performing arts venue for two years for renovation. That injunction also called for the removal of Trump’s name, which had been placed on the center in December.

CHATHAM SPORTS PREP TENNIS

COURTESY PHOTO

Members of Seaforth’s girls’ tennis team gathered for photos after securing the program’s first team state championship Saturday in Burlington.

Hawks travel distance, capture girls’ tennis state championship Seaforth spent plenty of time away from home in the successful postseason By Bob Sutton Chatham News & Record BURLINGTON — The road to the first team state championship for a Chatham County school in tennis was well worth it for Seaforth’s girls’ team. It culminated with a dom-

inating performance in the Class 5A state final Saturday morning. “Lots of emotions,” Seaforth coach Dana Cantrell said. “I was feeling really good about it because everyone was playing really well.” The Hawks defeated West Henderson 5-1 for the championship at Burlington Tennis Center. The clincher came from Seaforth’s top player, Macken-

zie Wray. She defeated Madi Burleson 3-6, 6-4 (10-8) in No. 1 singles. Wray was named the Most Valuable Player of the finals. Teammate Charlotte Bowman was designated as the sportsmanship award winner from Seaforth. While doubles weren’t contested because the Hawks had clinched the title, there were enough challenging moments to maintain the suspense.

PREP VOLLEYBALL

Hawks end in runner-up spot Another strong season for Seaforth’s volleyball team concluded in a state final Chatham News & Record staff BUIES CREEK — Seaforth’s volleyball team was a state runner-up for the third year in a row after the latest championship match. The Hawks extended Hickory to five sets before falling in the Class 5A title match Friday

at Gore Arena on the Campbell University campus. “Just really disappointed that it didn’t turn out today the way we all wanted it,” Seaforth coach Scott Green said. “But so thankful I had the opportunity (to coach this team).” Hickory prevailed 25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 24-26, 15-12 as the Red Tornadoes repeated as state champions. A year ago, Hickory topped Seaforth in four sets in the state final in Winston-Salem.

The Hawks put together another strong season to earn another shot. “We clicked very well as a team,” Seaforth senior Abigail Valgus said. The three consecutive regional titles are an indicator of Seaforth’s consistency. Taking that next step was the objective. Despite dropping the first two sets, the Hawks were determined to turn it around. “They have a lot of fight and they have a lot of desire to win,” Green said. “We’ve been doing it all year. We’ve come back again and again and again.” Ally Forbes racked up 30 kills and Sarah Beth Smith notched 16 kills for Seaforth (24-5). Abigail Valgus delivered See VOLLEYBALL, page B2

Seaforth’s Sarah Beth Smith (4) goes high at the net during the state final against Hickory on Friday in Buies Creek.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Both teams were first-time state finalists. “I felt like so many of the matches could have gone either way,” Cantrell said. “We were up on a lot of courts for a long time. It was three tight matches. We really didn’t know how it was going to turn out in the last 10 minutes.” But the Hawks came through in big ways after Harper Lawrie fell 6-2, 6-3 to West Henderson’s Ella Lahue at No. 6.

No. 2 singles player Ella Kreinar defeated Khoe LaBruno 6-4, 6-0, and No. 4 player Ellie Kristiansen topped Momo Hudson 6-2, 6-4. There were extended matches on other courts, but Seaforth had answers. Tatum Dell defeated Hanna Price 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 at No. 3 and Bowman outlasted Amani Moraga Pizarro 6-1, 7-6 (7-5) at No. 5. So the state final capped quite a journey for the Hawks, who were regional finalists last year. Cantrell put together a rugged schedule that pushed the Hawks, but it also dimmed their seeding by the time the brackets came out for the state playoffs. See TENNIS, page B3

2 county teams receive byes; Northwood set for home game The football state playoffs begin this week Chatham News & Record staff CHATHAM CENTRAL received a No. 1 regional seed and Seaforth also secured a first-round bye for the state playoffs in football. The first round is set for Friday night, with second-round games coming Nov. 6. Chatham Central enters the postseason in the Class 1A West Region with a 10-0 record. The Bears will meet either eighth-seeded College Prep and Leadership Academy (3-7) in a rematch of a Greater Triad Conference game or ninth-seeded Bonnie Cone Leadership (1-9). • In Class 5A East Region, Seaforth (9-1) is the No. 5 seed. The Hawks will face either No. 12 seed South Granville (6-4) or No. 21 seed South Brunswick (5-5) in the second round. South Granville and Seaforth are Big Seven Conference members. • In Class 3A East Region, No. 15 seed Northwood (5-5) will have a home game against No. 18 seed Kinston (5-5). The winner travels to second-seeded Whiteville (9-0). • In Class 4A East Region, Jordan-Matthews (4-6) holds the No. 20 seed, meaning a first-round trip to No. 13 seed Ledford (4-6). The winner will go to fourth-seeded West Craven (8-2).

10-0 Chatham Central’s record heading into the state playoffs.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Mackenzie Wray

Chatham Central, Seaforth seal outright league titles Area teams used a slew of passing touchdowns in their regular-season finales Chatham News & Record staff BROOKS ALBRIGHT threw for four touchdowns and ran for another as Chatham Central’s football team completed an undefeated regular season by winning 42-28 at South Davidson on Friday night in Denton. The Bears (10-0 overall, 6-0 Greater Triad Conference) continued the most successful season in program history. Albright racked up 231 yards on 13-for-19 passing. He led the rushing attack with 55 yards on eight carries. Two of his touchdown throws went to Gavin Williams, who collected 136 yards on six receptions. Nolan Mitchell and Carson Jackson had the other touchdown catches. Tyler Congrove returned an interception 85 yards for the Bears’ final touchdown.

Chatham Central was up 28-14 at halftime. George Nilson had a receiving and rushing touchdown for South Davidson (6-4, 3-3), which tied for third place in the conference. Seaforth 33, Carrboro 8: At Carrboro, Duncan Parker threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the visiting Hawks completed an unbeaten run through Big Seven Conference play. Seaforth (9-1, 5-0) averaged 47.6 points per game in conference play. The Hawks were without coach Tolbert Matthews last week as he was out of the area because of a personal situation, with assistant coaches Bryan Pekich and Travis Scales filling in. Max Hinchman caught two touchdown passes and ended up with 161 receiving yards on eight catches. Noah Fuller made the other touchdown reception. Parker was 17 for 24 for 253 yards with an interception. His touchdown run covered 17 yards. The Hawks led 27-6 at halftime.

Carrboro (1-9, 0-5) finished last in the conference. Eastern Randolph 59, Jordan-Matthews 6: At Ramseur, the host Wildcats wrapped up another undefeated season in league play, winning the Four Rivers Conference finale. The Wildcats (7-3, 4-0) have won 28 consecutive conference games. Jordan-Matthews (4-6, 1-3), which suffered its third loss in a row, was held to six points for the third time this season. West Carteret 16, Northwood 13: At Morehead City, the visiting Chargers made a fourth-quarter comeback before giving up a late touchdown. West Carteret (4-6) led 10-0 at halftime and held that margin going to the fourth quarter. Finn Sullivan threw touchdown passes to Campbell Parks and Nick Armstrong in the fourth quarter as Northwood (55) went ahead. West Carteret regained the lead on Malikah Yancey’s touchdown run. Sullivan finished 13 for 33 for 228 yards and an interception.

VOLLEYBALL from page B1

COURTESY NCHSAA

Seaforth, girls’ tennis Mackenzie Wray is a junior on the Seaforth girls’ tennis team. The Hawks won the NCHSAA class 5A dual team state championships. Wray was named MVP of the state tournament after beating West Henderson’s Madi Burleson in the championships by third-set tiebreaker, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8). The first set was the only set Wray lost in Seaforth’s run to the dual team title. She didn’t allow a point in a 6-0, 6-0 win over St. Pauls in the opening round, then topped Fike 6-4, 6-4. She beat Western Alamance 6-2, 6-1, Orange 7-6, 6-3 and Croatan in the state semifinals 6-1, 6-3. Wray also won the conference title and lost in the state 5A individual championships in the semifinals.

46 assists and 18 digs, and Isabelle Valgus made 36 digs plus five service aces. Forbes and Abigail Valgus were the lone seniors on the Seaforth roster. Hickory’s Emmi Gambill, who supplied 31 kills, was named the Most Valuable Player of the finals. Teammate Jillings Piper had 26 assists and 21 kills. Forbes was Seaforth’s sportsmanship award recipient for the Hawks. Hickory (38-2) also needed five sets to dispatch West Henderson in the West Region final. Last week in the East Region final, the Hawks captured a showdown with visiting Cedar Ridge. Seaforth, the No. 1 seed in the East, won 25-22, 25-20, 25-10, with Forbes pounding 19 kills, and Smith and Arden Kelly both cranking out 13 service points. “We just had so much energy, last home (match) for me and Ally, and we really wanted that,” Abigail Valgus said. The teams had split two Big

Seaforth’s Abigail Valgus, right, sets the ball for teammate Arden Kelly during the title match vs. Hickory.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seven Conference regular-season matches. Cedar Ridge (23-4) was seeded No. 2 in the East. CLASS 1A Woods Charter, the top seed in the East Region, fell 25-22,

25-20, 25-11 to third-seeded Falls Lake in last week’s regional final at home. Woods Charter finished the season with a 22-3 record. Falls Lake (25-5) defeated Robbinsville 25-12, 25-11, 25-20 in the championship Saturday at Buies Creek.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

PREP SOCCER

Northwood carries league title into states Seaforth is riding a winning streak entering the postseason Chatham News & Record staff NORTHWOOD’S BOYS’ soccer team won a conference championship last week and now is in the state playoffs this week. Every team from Chatham County in the playoffs was lined up for at least one home game. The first two rounds were slated for this week, with opening-round games Monday and second-round games Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the pairings and recent results.

CLASS 5A Fifth-seeded Seaforth (15-6-1) was set for a second-round game against either No. 12 seed Rockingham County or No. 21 seed West Carteret. Seaforth enters the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. The Hawks’ 10-2 record in the Big Seven Conference was good for second place. Last week, Seaforth won 3-2 at Orange and 2-0 at regular-season champion Carrboro. Andreas Trinado and Olivier Pruiliere scored in the Carrboro game, with goalkeeper Bryton Samuel making five saves. Against Orange, Pruiliere,

Jacob Wanderski and Justin Fernandez had the Seaforth goals. CLASS 4A Fourth-seeded Jordan-Matthews (12-4-4), following a first-round bye, meets No. 13 seed East Duplin or No. 20 seed Red Springs in the East Region’s second round. Jordan-Matthews ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak, capturing home victories by 9-0 against Uwharrie Charter Academy and 2-1 against Eastern Randolph in last week’s Four Rivers Conference to finish in second place with an 8-1-1 record.

CLASS 3A Northwood’s No. 8 seed in the East Region gave the Chargers a first-round bye into a home matchup Thursday night against No. 9 seed Midway or No. 24 seed Ayden-Grifton. Northwood (16-4-4) won the Four Rivers Conference with an 8-0-2 league mark. Last week, the Chargers won 4-1 at defending conference and state champion Southwestern Randolph. They then clinched the title by defeating visiting Uwharrie Charter Academy 2-0 on goals from Caleb Stevenson and Adrian Fedoriw. Against Southwestern Randolph, Ryan Frankena posted

From YouTuber to NASCAR driver, McFarland set to run full 2027 ARCA season The Associated Press WELCOME — Social media influencer Cleetus McFarland — whose real name is Garrett Mitchell — will race full time in the ARCA stock car series next year for Richard Childress Racing. McFarland will race the No. 33 Chevrolet in RCR’s return to ARCA and be paired with crew chief Robert Strmiska. “Ever since I got behind the wheel with RCR, I’ve wanted more,” McFarland said. “The

goal has always been to become the best race car driver I can be, and running the full ARCA Menards Series schedule gives me that opportunity. Richard Childress and everyone at RCR believes in me, and having the support of a legendary team gives me a ton of confidence to focus on learning everything I can about stock car racing. I’m ready to get after it every week.” McFarland has more than 4.8 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, and the racing enthusiast soon parlayed

his popularity into a blossoming racing career. He made two starts this season in NASCAR’s second-tier developmental series and three more in the Truck Series. McFarland has one top-five finish in four ARCA races this season. He made his Truck Series debut in February at Daytona. NASCAR in 2018 acquired the ARCA series, a launching pad for drivers looking to reach stock car racing’s top level. McFarland will now compete in 2027 for the ARCA championship. He made four ARCA

starts in 2025, beginning with the season opener at Daytona. He crashed 17 laps into that one — and made headlines for saying he felt like “the best racer there ever was” for some of his driving moves. “Cleetus has an undeniable passion for racing and a work ethic that has impressed everyone at our organization,” said RCR president Mike Verlander. “Cleetus is a perfect fit for RCR. He’s earned this opportunity, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish over the course of a full season.” Garrett Mitchell, better known as “Cleetus McFarland,” left, speaks to crew in the garage area during a NASCAR Truck Series practice at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 12.

three goals and Nolan Mathews had the other goal. CLASS 1A Woods Charter (15-3-1) received the No. 2 seed in the East Region, meaning another meeting with Central Tar Heel 1A Conference member River Mill (2-15-2), which is seeded No. 15 and also had a first-round bye. The Knights take an eight-game winning streak into the state playoffs, including last week’s 1-0 escape at Chatham Charter courtesy of Grant Richardson’s goal. Woods Charter went 14-0 in league play. Chatham Charter (3-14, 3-11) isn’t in the state playoffs.

TENNIS from page B1 Seaforth was the No. 10 seed in the East Region. After defeating No. 23 seed Saint Pauls, the Hawks had to hit the road. They won at No. 7 seed Wilson Fike and No. 2 seed Western Alamance by 6-0 scores before defeating No. 6 seed Orange 6-3 in a rematch of Big Seven Conference competition. Then came last week’s trek to top-seeded Croatan for the regional final for a 6-0 victory. “The other teams have been higher seeds,” Cantrell said. “We play a very difficult schedule intentionally, but it hurts in seeding. We got a terrible draw.” Meanwhile, West Henderson was the No. 2 seed in the West Region, leaving home only to defeat top-seeded Hickory 5-3 in the regional final. All the travel paid off for the Hawks. Some of them also spent time competing in the individual state tournament, with Wray and Kreinar in singles and Dell/ Kristiansen in doubles. Seaforth is a member of the Big Seven Conference, which proved to be stout in girls’ tennis this fall. League member Carrboro won the Class 4A title by defeating Lake Norman Charter 5-2 on Friday.

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B4 SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Ravens’ Jackson needs surgery for thumb injury, could miss rest of season Buffalo Lamar Jackson needs surgery for a thumb injury he suffered on Baltimore’s first offensive snap against Buffalo, and the injury could be season-ending, Ravens coach Jesse Minter announced after the Ravens’ 36-10 loss to Buffalo. Jackson missed three games with an ankle injury before he was hurt on a pass attempt. The two-time MVP was unable to finish his follow-through, and his right hand struck Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau’s arm. Jackson immediately headed off the field and pointed to his thumb.

WNBA

Williams leads Valkyries to WNBA title in second season with Game 7 win San Francisco Gabby Williams scored her team’s final 11 points of the third quarter and dazzled through the fourth on the way to 30 points, and the Golden State Valkyries captured a championship in just their second season by beating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a sensational first WNBA Finals Game 7. Jordin Canada scored 18 points, Allisha Gray 16 and Angel Reese eight points and 12 rebounds for the Dream, denied another championship in the franchise’s fourth try.

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Mercedes driver Antonelli becomes youngest champion in F1 history at age 20 Mexico City Twenty-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest champion in the history of Formula 1 with four races left in the season. Antonelli is also the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. He took an unassailable lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton after the Mexico City Grand Prix. Antonelli finished third in the race, won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Sebastian Vettel was the previous youngest champion at age 23 in 2010.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ohio State falls out of top 10, UCLA cracks top 5, New Mexico earns first AP ranking Ohio State is out of the top 10 of the AP Top 25 for the first time in five years, UCLA is in the top five for the first time in 25 years and New Mexico earned its first ranking in program history. The Buckeyes plummeted from No. 2 to No. 11 following their 3018 loss at USC. Miami is No. 1 for the third straight week after escaping UNC. Georgia moved up a spot to No. 2 and was followed by Utah, Notre Dame and UCLA. Wake Forest remains 14th.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

Women’s college basketball full of early marquee games, including NCAA finals rematch UNC and Duke will compete in high-profile events

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, left, and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma argue after an NCAA Tournament Final Four game last season.

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press WOMEN’S COLLEGE basketball never fails to disappoint, with marquee matchups way before March Madness begins. The most anticipated early-season game is a Nov. 24 rematch between preseason No. 1 South Carolina and second-ranked UConn from their Final Four matchup last season. Many people remember UConn coach Geno Auriemma’s meltdown in the handshake line when he yelled at South Carolina’s Dawn Staley. The two seem to have patched things up publicly after that incident. There’s no doubt that the rematch at Mohegan Sun two days before Thanksgiving will have a lot of eyes on the pregame and postgame handshakes. Here’s a look at some of the other best nonconference games taking place in November and December. No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 20 Maryland and No. 12 UNC against No. 21 Oklahoma, Nov. 2 The four ranked teams will play a doubleheader in Paris a day after Villanova and No. 13 Notre Dame tip off the season in a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader in Rome. It’s the fourth consecutive year that a women’s game will be played in Paris and the second time that the Gamecocks will be involved.

RICK SCUTERI / AP PHOTO

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UConn’s winning streak against Duke

No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 Southern California, Nov. 15 JuJu Watkins makes her return to the national stage when the Trojans head across country to face the Gamecocks in Greenville, South Carolina. Watkins, who won the AP Player of the Year as a sophomore after tearing her ACL in the NCAA Tournament, is raring to go after sitting out last year while recovering from the injury.

No. 2 UConn vs. No. 4 Duke at Boston, Nov. 28 The two teams will face off after Thanksgiving in Boston, where Duke coach Kara Lawson spent a season as an assistant for the NBA’s Celtics before getting the Blue Devils job. UConn has won the last 11 meetings between the schools, although the teams haven’t played since the 2023-24 season. No. 13 Notre Dame at No. 8 Vanderbilt, Dec. 3 The annual ACC/SEC challenge will have a huge matchup with Hannah Hidalgo and the Fighting Irish visiting Mikayla Blakes and the Commodores. It’s a rematch of last season’s Sweet 16 matchup that the Irish won 67-64. Hidalgo had a huge game,

with 31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 steals and seven assists in that win. Players Era Tournament, Las Vegas, Dec. 19-20 South Carolina, Southern California, Duke, Texas, UCLA and Notre Dame will get together in Las Vegas for the second annual Players Era tournament. The first night will showcase a national championship rematch between UCLA and South Carolina. Duke plays Texas, and Notre Dame takes on USC. That will feature two of the top players in the country, with Watkins and Hidalgo leading their teams. The second night has Texas playing UCLA in a Final Four rematch, with Notre Dame-South Carolina and Duke-USC the other two games.

With Miami leading the way, ACC could get 2 teams into CFB playoffs Wake Forest is in position to crash the CFP party By Kyle Hightower The Associated Press THE COLLEGE football season is past the halfway point, and the ACC is in the mix to do something it has done only once during the College Football Playoff era. The ACC has been represented in the CFP championship game five times, with Clemson winning the title to cap the 2016 and 2018 seasons. But only once — in 2024 — has the conference been represented in the same year by multiple teams in the tournament field. What is shaping up to be a wild second half of the 2026 season could change that in what will be the third year of the CFP’s 12-team field. Associated Press Top 25 No. 1 Miami (8-0) — which lost to Indiana in last year’s CFP championship game — is in the driver’s seat to be an ACC representative this season. The five highest-ranked conference champions — from the Power Four and one from the Group of Six — all qualify for the CFP field. The other seven spots will be filled by the next-highest-ranked teams. One of those at-large teams will be Notre Dame if the Fighting Irish, with their ACC-heavy schedule, are among the top 12 in the CFP’s final rankings. Miami is currently 6-0 in conference play. No. 14 Wake Forest enters this week 7-1 (5-1 ACC) with its lone blemish being a 33-20 loss to Miami back on Sept. 18. It’s brought a lot of attention to the potential — and talent — on the Wake Forest roster. So much so that Wake Forest second-year coach Jake

JUSTINE WILLARD / AP PHOTO

Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert looks on during a game last month. Dickert acknowledged that his team might be the “most scouted roster in the country.” It also presents an added variable to their playoff chase, which is why he addressed those potential distractions with his team when they returned from last week’s bye. “It’s all about what you prioritize,” Dickert said this week. “An opportunity like the one this team has going forward doesn’t come around every day. ... Our focus needs to be on that.” SMU-Wake Forest matchup has huge stakes A lot could be decided as early as Nov. 14 when the SMU Mustangs host the Demon Deacons in Dallas. SMU is 2-0 all-time at home against Wake Forest. But the teams haven’t met in Texas since 1972.

It’s shaping up to be a tight one. Wake Forest’s defense entered the week allowing the third-fewest points in the ACC. They also feature two of the best quarterbacks in the league in Wake Forest’s Gio Lopez and SMU’s Kevin Jennings. How ACC got multiple teams into 2024 CFP field While winning the ACC championship game is the guaranteed way to get into the playoff field, the 2024 season proved that a two-loss ACC team could still make it in. SMU finished 11-2 during that season and was an at-large selection in the CFP field after losing to Clemson (10-3) in the conference title game. Wake Forest also is in an advantageous position if you use

the AP poll as guide. Based on the AP rankings, the Demon Deacons are currently the third team that would be left out of the CFP top 12. That leaves plenty of time and opportunity for Wake to move into playoff position if it keeps winning. Notre Dame’s ACC-heavy schedule could be factor While Notre Dame isn’t an ACC team, following this Saturday’s Halloween matchup with Navy, the Fighting Irish will finish their schedule against Miami, Boston College, SMU and Syracuse. It means that Nov. 21 matchup with the Mustangs could go a long way in determining how many ACC teams will be in position to make the playoff field when the selection day poll is announced on Dec. 6.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

Larson closes in on Cup Series championship Hendrick teammate William Byron won at Martinsville By Nate Ryan The Associated Press MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Kyle Larson is on the verge of his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship, but he was more relieved than happy after salvaging a nearly disastrous Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. “It was a difficult race,” he said. “It was just a bummer day. It all could have been a lot worse.” It nearly was worse for his closest Chase rivals, who missed some prime opportunities to cut into Larson’s points lead heading into Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. By rallying from a backfiring strategy for a ninth-place finish at Martinsville, Larson lost only six points off his massive lead in the standings. He leads by

67 points over Christopher Bell (who finished 10th) and needs only nine points at Homestead, which is among his best tracks (with two wins in the past four races) to capture the title. Bell and Denny Hamlin, who is 70 points behind after a sixth at Martinsville, are the only other drivers still in title contention through nine races in the Chase, the 10-race championship run that concludes the season. “I think we know,” Bell said with a smile when asked about his title outlook. While Larson had to fight for a top-10 finish Sunday, his Hendrick Motorsports teammates were cruising at the 0.526-mile track. William Byron won for the first time since a year ago at Martinsville, and Chase Elliott made it a sweep of the top two spots for Hendrick, the winningest team in Martinsville history with 32 victories. Ty Gibbs finished third. “It’s always a really unique and important opportunity when you drive for Hendrick

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

William Byron celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville. Motorsports to come here and try to do well,” said Byron, who led 362 of 500 laps for his 17th career victory and fourth at Martinsville. Larson started best among the Hendrick drivers in third, but his No. 5 Chevrolet plummeted early because of faulty tactics. While most of the field pitted for fresh tires after 75 laps, Larson’s team gambled by keeping him on track in hopes of an early yellow flag. But the stage stayed green until the caution that ended the first stage on the 130th lap with Larson in 23rd place and a lap down. “We were just on the wrong

side of the strategy,” he said. But so was Hamlin, who started on the pole and led 40 laps but ended the first stage in 17th after electing to stay on track instead of pitting. He then was involved in an incident with Bell, who spun from contact with Joey Logano after a speeding penalty in the pits. “Just really came down to us running the no-stop strategy,” said Hamlin, who scored no points in the first two stages. “We just lost our track position. Once we lost our track position, it’s hard to drive back to the front. Nobody else did. The first stage was the killer for us.”

Hamlin gained three points on Larson but dropped behind Bell in the standings and essentially conceded his shot at the championship. “This weekend, it was about everything to gain, nothing to lose. We just didn’t gain enough to make it realistic.” Though he failed to become the first to clinch a Chase championship before the season finale, Larson will be a heavy favorite to deliver a record 16th championship for Hendrick — and a third Cup Series title in his career — ranking third in team history behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (four titles) and Jimmie Johnson (seven). By scoring points during the first two stages at Homestead, Larson could lock up the title well before the checkered flag, which seems his plan. “We’d love to get a couple good first stages, then pound it in the third stage,” Larson said. Up next The NASCAR Cup Series will conclude its season at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time in seven years. The 1.5-mile oval in South Florida was the season finale from 2002-19 before Phoenix Raceway became the championship track for the past seven seasons. Larson won the most recent Cup race at Homestead on March 23, 2025.

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson (5) steers through Turn 3 during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville.

Packers’ Watson goes to hospital with chest injury in second quarter; returns to game A collision with Panthers cornerback Will Lee injured both players By Steve Megargee The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson hurt his chest bad enough to get sent to the hospital. Hours later, he was back on the field — broken rib and all — helping his team finish off a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers. It was the type of stunning transformation seen more often in professional wrestling than in actual nonscripted sports. “I used to watch WWE as a kid,” Watson said after the game. “I felt like I was watching ‘WWE Smackdown vs. Raw’ or something, seeing the cameras on me when I was coming out of the ambulance. That was a little crazy.” Watson’s teammates offered stunned reactions after the game as they tried in vain to remember any other instances of a player returning to a game after getting sent to the hospital. “That’s some crazy (stuff), right there,” safety Javon Bullard said.

JEFFREY PHELPS / AP PHOTO

Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson (9) drops the ball against the Carolina Panthers. Watson’s injury occurred in the second quarter as he made a 53-yard catch, with Carolina Panthers cornerback Will Lee also getting hurt on the play while making a diving stop. Lee was carted into the locker room with a hamstring injury and didn’t return to the game. “I couldn’t breathe on the field,” Watson said. “I got the

wind knocked out of me. I got back to the sideline, and I was kind of spitting up some blood or something like that. So the doctor said I had to go get a CT (scan).” Watson said the CT scan showed no signs of internal bleeding, but he did break a rib on the play. Watson said he probably spent between 45 min-

utes and an hour at the hospital before getting transported back to Lambeau Field. He put some padding on the broken rib and got himself ready to play again. “I think it shows resiliency, I think it shows toughness, and I think it just shows the love that he has for this team,” safety Xavier McKinney said.

Watson already had six catches for 100 yards at the time of his injury as he continued his breakthrough season. He has 42 catches for 708 yards — both career highs — through the Packers’ first eight games. No wonder Watson got a huge ovation when he sprinted out of the tunnel and back on the field in the third quarter. His teammates also gave him a hero’s welcome. “I was getting dap-ups like I was getting resurrected or something,” Watson said. “It was crazy. Guys were definitely shocked.” Watson’s return helped the Packers thwart Carolina’s comeback attempt, as he finished with eight catches for 113 yards. After Carolina cut a 27-10 deficit to 27-19, Watson had a seven-yard reception on a third-and-2 play with about 21⁄2 minutes left to help the Packers essentially seal the victory. He never thought about remaining out of the game once the CT scan came back clean. After all the time Watson has missed with a variety of injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament, he wants to make the most of every opportunity. “This means everything to me, to be out there on the football field,” he said.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

entertainment this week in history Abraham Lincoln wins presidency, white supremacists stage coup in Wilmington, WWI armistice signed The Associated Press NOV. 5 1605: The “Gunpowder Plot” failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament. 1872: Suffragist Susan B. Anthony defied the law by casting a vote in the presidential election; she was later arrested and charged with “knowingly voting without having a lawful right to vote.” 2006: Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Iraqi High Tribunal to death by hanging. NOV. 6 1860: Former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party was elected president of the United States. 1861: James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, was born. 1947: “Meet the Press” made its debut on NBC; the host was the show’s co-creator, Martha Rountree, and it would become the longest-running television program in the United States. NOV. 7 1917: Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution took place as forces led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin overthrew the provisional government of Alexander Kerensky. 1940: Washington state’s original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” collapsed into Puget Sound during a windstorm just

four months after opening to traffic. 1991: Basketball star Magic Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and was retiring. NOV. 8 1942: The Allies launched Operation Torch in World War II as U.S. and British forces landed in French North Africa. 1960: John F. Kennedy won the U.S. presidential election over Vice President Richard M. Nixon. 2016: Republican Donald Trump was elected America’s 45th president, defeating Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in an astonishing victory for the celebrity businessman and political novice. NOV. 9 1938: Nazis looted and burned synagogues as well as thousands of Jewish-owned stores and houses in Germany and Austria in a pogrom that became known as “Kristallnacht.” 1965: The great Northeast blackout began with a series of power failures lasting up to 131⁄2 hours, leaving 30 million people in seven states and part of Canada without electricity. 1989: Communist East Germany threw open its borders, allowing citizens to travel freely to the West for the first time in decades — a landmark event often referred to as the fall of the Berlin Wall. NOV. 10 1898: A mob of up to 2,000 white supremacists killed dozens of African Americans in Wilmington, burned black-owned businesses and forced the mayor, police chief and aldermen to resign at gunpoint before installing their own mayor and city council

CRAIG FUJII / AP PHOTO

Magic Johnson reveals his HIV diagnosis during a news conference in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, 1991. in what became known as the “Wilmington Coup.” 1969: The children’s educational program “Sesame Street” made its debut on National Educational Television (now PBS). 1975: The Great Lakes freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in a severe storm in Lake Superior, claiming the lives of all 29 crewmembers. NOV. 11 1620: Forty-one Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower signed the Mayflower Compact, creating a local government calling for a “civil body politick.” 1918: Fighting in World War I ended as the Allies and Germany signed an armistice aboard a railroad car in the Forest of Compiègne in northern France. 1926: The U.S. Bureau of Public Roads launched the nation’s first federal highway system, marking the official start of famed Route 66, which first stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles but later spanned the entire country.

AP PHOTO

American troops cheer after hearing the news that the Armistice had been signed, ending World War I, on Nov. 11, 1918.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

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Swift, Lovett, more inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Crickets drummer J.I. Allison was honored posthumously By Kristin M. Hall The Associated Press

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Taylor Swift signed her first publishing deal in Nashville at the age of 14. About 22 years and 14 Grammys later, she joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame along with Lyle Lovett, Shawn Camp, Lee Thomas Miller, Bruce Channel and J.I. Allison. Swift added another honor to her trophy wall with her hall of fame induction and was celebrated at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala Oct. 26 in a ballroom full of artists, writers and country music elite. “I knew from the time I wrote my first song that even if it couldn’t be my career, it would be my passion,” Swift said. Swift recalled her mom would regularly pick her up from high school and drop her off at a publishing house on

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

Taylor Swift speaks as she is inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Oct. 26 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville’s Music Row, where she poured out her emotions to one of her first co-writers, Liz Rose. She later would meet Nathan Chapman, who produced her self-titled debut album in 2006, released 20 years ago this month. Swift said her ability to “genre hop” was because she

had learned the fundamentals of songwriting in Nashville. Brad Paisley, one of the first major artists to take her on tour after her debut album, introduced her as “the voice of a generation.” He joked that Swift “went to Brad Paisley High School” as a 17-year-old traveling the country while on tour with him. Swift later recounted that Paisley took a prank too far in 2007 when he filled her bus with thousands of crickets. “For months I couldn’t sleep. Just chirp, chirp, chirp,” she said. Lainey Wilson performed a bluegrass version of “Love Story” from Swift’s second album, “Fearless” with a fiddle and stand-up bass. Swift wasn’t the only big star to be celebrated, as George Strait, the lauded “King of Country Music,” was given the Career Maker Award from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Strait, a Country Music Hall of Famer, is known for picking great songs from other songwriters and sending them to the top of country charts for five decades.

“They made my career,” Strait said. “I didn’t make theirs.” “I am humbled just to be in the room with these amazing Hall of Fame songwriters and amazing recording artists,” Lovett said. “It is such a privilege to be able to go through your life and do what you want to do.” Allison, who died in 2022, was a member of Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets and co-wrote hits like “That’ll Be The Day” and “Peggy Sue.” Camp, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, fiddle and more, co-wrote songs like “Two Pina Coladas” for Garth Brooks and “How Long Gone” by Brooks & Dunn, as well as hits for Blake Shelton and George Strait. Channel co-wrote “Hey! Baby!” a song that would become part of the movie “Dirty Dancing” but also a country hit for Anne Murray and many others. Miller cowrote award-winning songs like “You’re Gonna Miss This,” performed by Trace Adkins and “In Color,” performed by Jamey Johnson.

Jay-Z picks himself to headline Super Bowl halftime show The event takes place Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium By Jonathan Landrum Jr. The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — The man who has helped produce the Super Bowl halftime show is stepping into the spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the show himself. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced last week that Jay-Z will be the featured performer for the halftime festivities Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he had one request when the league first reached an agreement with Roc Nation: that Jay-Z take the stage himself “whenever the moment felt right to him.” “From ‘Reasonable Doubt’ to standing on the Super Bowl halftime stage, this has been a journey,” Jay-Z said in a statement. “Thirty years of music, work, and culture on the world’s biggest stage. This run continues to be a dream come true.” After days of speculation,

Jay-Z is set to return to the stadium where he closed his celebration of the 30th anniversary of “Reasonable Doubt,” the mogul’s 1996 debut album. The concerts included three sold-out shows at Yankee Stadium and sold-out performances in London and Paris ahead of a stop at SoFi Stadium over the weekend. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL since 2019 to advise on and help produce the league’s entertainment presentations, including the Super Bowl halftime show. At the time, Jay-Z said he had told Goodell, “If this is about me performing at the Super Bowl, then we can just end this conversation now.” Seven years later, Jay-Z is ready to perform after all. Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, has won 25 Grammy Awards and received 89 nominations, the second-most in history behind his wife, Beyoncé — who has performed at two Super Bowls. His catalog also includes the albums “The Blueprint” and “The Black Album,” and hit songs such as “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” “99 Prob-

solutions

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO

Jay-Z gestures from the sidelines before Super Bowl 59 on Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. The rapper is scheduled to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl 61 on Feb. 14, 2027. lems” and “Empire State of Mind,” his collaboration with Alicia Keys. Last year, “Reasonable Doubt” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. His recent concerts brought out a rotating cast of guests. At SoFi Stadium, his daughter Blue Ivy played piano on “The Story of O.J.” and “Dead Presidents,” while Scarface, John Legend and DJ Khaled joined him on opening night. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Too $hort ap-

peared during Saturday’s finale. Earlier in the run, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem and Nas were among the guests at Yankee Stadium. Jay-Z has built a career as an executive and entrepreneur. The Brooklyn rapper co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and founded Roc Nation in 2008, building it into an entertainment company that works with artists and athletes. Jay-Z became the first rapper inducted into the Songwriters

Hall of Fame in 2017 and joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. He is also a four-time Emmy winner. Roc Nation will executive produce the halftime show, with Hamish Hamilton directing. The halftime show has collected Emmys in recent years. Bad Bunny’s performance in February won a record seven, including best variety special (live), while Kendrick Lamar’s show last year won for music direction.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

famous birthdays this week Sally Field turns 80, Kazuo Ishiguro hits 72, Leonardo DiCaprio is 52 The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week. NOV. 5 Singer Art Garfunkel is 85. Singer Bryan Adams is 67. Actor Tilda Swinton is 66. Actor Sam Rockwell is 58. Musician Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) is 55. Olympic gold medal marathoner Eliud Kipchoge is 42. Retired NFL player Jason Kelce is 39. NOV. 6 Actor Sally Field is 80. Author Michael Cunningham is 74. TV host Catherine Crier is 72. Author Colson Whitehead is 57. Actor Ethan Hawke is 56. Actor Emma Stone is 38. Olympic swimming gold medalist Bobby Finke is 27.

RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION VIA AP

R&B singer SZA celebrates 37 on Sunday.

NOV. 7 Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is 83. Retired Army general and former CIA Director David Petraeus is 74. DJ-producer David Guetta is 59. Actor Yunjin Kim is 53. Actor-comedian Adam DeVine is 43. Pop singer Lorde is 30. Actor Amybeth McNulty is 25. NOV. 8 Singer Bonnie Raitt is 77. Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro is 72. Filmmaker Richard Curtis is 70. Chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay is 60. Actor Tara Reid is 51. Baseball player Giancarlo Stanton is 37. R&B singer SZA is 37. NOV. 9 Film director Bille August is 78. Actor-bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno is 75. TV writer-director-producer Ryan Murphy is 61. Rapper Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa) is 60. Golfer David Duval is 55. Singer-TV personality Nick Lachey is 53. Actor-TV personality Vanessa Lachey is 46. NOV. 10 Country singer Donna Fargo is 81. Film director Ro-

SCOTT A GARFITT / INVISION VIA AP PHOTO

Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro hits 72 on Sunday. land Emmerich is 71. Author Neil Gaiman is 66. Long jump world record holder Mike Powell is 63. Actor Ellen Pompeo is 57. Actor Taron Egerton is 37. Olympic gold medal pole vaulter Armand Duplantis is 27. NOV. 11 Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega is 81. Actor Demi Moore is 64. TV personality Carson Kressley is 57. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is 52. Musician Jon Batiste is 40. Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is 40. Retired American figure skater Adam Rippon is 37. Actor Tye Sheridan is 30.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, November 5, 2026

the stream

COURTESY SILVER SCREAMERS

Senior citizens recruited to make an amateur horror short appear in the documentary “Silver Screamers,” which debuts Friday on BloodStream.

Kings of Leon, ‘The Greatest,’ ‘Possible Love,’ ‘Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ remake A scripted series on Muhammad Ali is now streaming on Prime Video The Associated Press A SERIES ABOUT Muhammad Ali and a new album from Kings of Leon are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: a remake of the beloved Zelda game “Ocarina of Time,” the award-winning film “Possible Love” and a documentary about the making of “Marie Antoinette.” MOVIES TO STREAM There are quite a few movies coming to streaming services this week, but perhaps the highest profile is “Possible Love,” from South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong (“Burning”), which is making its Netflix debut Friday. The film, which won the grand jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, revolves around two couples in South Korea, one wealthy, one not, who are brought together by a documentary. Also coming to Netflix, on Saturday, is the absurdist comedy “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” in which a Midwestern bride-to-be (Zoey Deutch) embarks on a journey to Los Angeles to sleep with Jon Hamm. Any fan of Sofia Coppola or the filmmaking process will find much to admire in “Making Marie Antoinette,” a behind-the-scenes documentary that’s streaming on Mubi on Saturday. Andrew Garfield plays a farmer who leads a peasants’ revolt in medieval England in Paul Greengrass’ “The Uprising,” streaming on Peacock on Friday. In his review for The Associated Press, Mark Kennedy wrote that it “mixes fact and fiction in such an anachronistic, uncomfortable way that it undercuts the movie-maker’s initial populist scream and ceases to hold its historical power.” Finally, for some true independent charm, there’s the documentary “Silver Screamers” about a group of senior citizens recruited to make an amateur

NETFLIX VIA AP

From left, Sul Kyung-gu as Ho-seok, Jeon Do-yeon as Mi-ok, Cho Yeo-jeong as Ye-ji, and Zo In-sung as Sang-woo in a scene from “Possible Love.”

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP

Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon performs during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. “O My Beloved” is out Friday. short horror film. It’ll make its debut on the horror streamer BloodStream on Friday. MUSIC TO STREAM Kings of Leon have unplugged. After frontman Caleb Followill broke his foot playing with his kids and picked up an acoustic guitar in recovery, he had a change of heart. The four or five electric-leaning songs that he and the band had been exploring for their latest album, “O My Beloved” out Friday, were

discarded. In quickly came a clutch of new stripped-down tunes, more melancholic than bombastic, about gratitude and family. “The songs just took on a different meaning, and so all the songs that we had been working on, they no longer were as attractive to me,” Followill told the AP about their pivot. “I feel like just the whole temperature changed around us. And we realized that we’re going to make something a little more significant.” British rapper Skepta, one

of the most globally recognized names in grime music, will release “The Fork and Knife” on Friday — his first solo full-length album in seven years. The record is one for those who exist between two cultures: In the case of Skepta, it explores what it means to be British and the son of Nigerian immigrants through garage, house, jungle, electronic and, of course, grime music. British singer-songwriter Rex Orange County returns Friday with his sixth studio album, “Dream Fatigue.” It’s full of his sincere, dreamy pop, and this time, he’s joined by an all-star list of collaborators, including Daniel Caesar, Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, Dev Hynes, Mustafa and Jockstrap’s Taylor Skye. SERIES TO STREAM “The Greatest” is the first authorized scripted series about Ali. Jaalen Best plays the boxing legend, with Dana Gourrier, Amin Joseph, Kai Parham and Michael Ealy among the cast. Michael B. Jordan and Jay-Z are among the show’s executive producers. A hit Korean webtoon with nearly 3 billion views becomes a new Disney+ and Hulu series called “The Remarried Empress.” Shin Min-a stars as Empress Navier, whose husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju

Ji-hoon), brings home a runaway concubine to make her his new wife. Navier agrees to the divorce if she gets approval to remarry as well. Season 2 of Netflix’s British spy thriller “Black Doves” returns Thursday and picks up about a year after the events of Season 1. Keira Knightley’s Helen Webb is the wife of Britain’s new prime minister — and also a spy for an organization called Black Doves. When her handler vanishes, she is determined to find her, with Ben Whishaw’s Sam Young, a tortured assassin, at her side. Eviction, dead-end jobs and worsening mental health pile up for three friends (Leo Reich, Emily Fairn and Olive Gray) in Paramount+’s “It Gets Worse.” Reich created the series, and Andrew Scott and Lena Dunham guest star. All episodes land Friday. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” is unquestionably a classic, so if you’ve never played it, you’re in for a treat. If you enjoyed the original back in 1998, Nintendo would like to welcome you back with enhanced controls, overhauled graphics, full voice acting and expanded cutscenes. The Switch 2 Joy-Con lets you wield some weapons with motion controls, and you can activate the ocarina’s magical melodies by humming into the device. Many Zeldaphiles regard this time-shifting epic, in which hero Link goes from a wee lad to a grown-up hunk as he defends Hyrule from the evil Ganondorf, as the franchise’s best. The remake arrives Thursday. “Zero Parades for Dead Spies” is British studio ZA/ UM’s follow-up to the 2019 cult classic “Disco Elysium.” Like its predecessor, it’s a text-heavy role-playing adventure in which your conversational choices — and occasional dice rolls — are more important than gunplay or fisticuffs. The protagonist is an agent who gets involved in a battle among political parties vying for power in a bizarre city. Expect plenty of intrigue seen through a sarcastic lens as you take on bankers, “techno-fascists” and even “a man with a box for a heart.” Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S players can join in Tuesday; PC players who have been on the case since May are getting an enhanced director’s cut.