Chatham News & Record - August 3, 2023

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 23 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2023

CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM

C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Governor Roy Cooper and members of VinFast break ground during the VinFast Groundbreaking Ceremony in Moncure.

VinFast breaks ground on automotive manufacturing facility in Chatham County Factory to bring in thousands of local jobs

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal MONCURE — VinFast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, broke ground on their proposed billion dollar facility in Chatham County Friday, July 28.

In an event attended by VinFast executives, the Vietnam Ambassador to the United States, Gov. Roy Cooper as well as various government officials, VinFast laid out their future plans and goals regarding the factory located in the Triangle Innovation Point megasite.

“Just over a year ago, Vinfast announced the plan to build our first North American manufacturing facility and today we are here to start the construction of the first EV factory in North Carolina which will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles,” said VinFast

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A large group of media and guest listen to Gov. Roy Cooper during the VinFast Groundbreaking Ceremony in Moncure.

Global CEO Le Thi Thu Thuy.

The plant, which will be the first ever automobile factory in the state of North Carolina, aims to create thousands of jobs and is just the latest example of the economic and business boom the

state has been experiencing.

“I’m so happy to be here because I’m thinking about the great paying jobs that are going to be created right here in North Carolina,” Cooper said. “They’re going to put money in the pock-

ets of working families and that’s a great thing.”

“Vinfast is leading an army of clean-energy companies coming to our state. It has helped us to set records for job growth and economic expansion over the last few years. When you talk to CEOs of automakers and truck makers, the private sector is moving away from gas and diesel and into the EV market at breakneck speed. The competition is fierce, so it’s important that we’ve been able to pull together to harness the economic windfall that is coming from that, to make sure that money goes into the pockets of North Carolinians.”

The process has been an allhands-on-deck approach that has encompassed support from the federal government to the state all the way down to local authorities.

“This was a true bipartisan effort,” Cooper said. “We’re grateful to have everyone here working on this. Our entire team from transportation to environ-

ment to commerce to our community colleges, we have all been working on this.”

“We are well on the way to being the greatest state in this country and the most progressive state in the south in showing what you can do when you have great vision, not just taking what comes, but knowing what we need to look like,” said Chatham County Rep. Robert Reives II. “We didn’t just take anything that came. We wanted to make sure that the people of Chatham County and all of our surrounding counties had an opportunity for good jobs. Jobs that their children will have.”

VinFast, which is a member of the VinGroup conglomerate, was established in 2017 and currently boasts a selection of electric cars, luxury cars, scooters, motorcycles and fully electric SUVs and according to Madam Thuy, recently had its business combination cleared by the US Securities and Exchange Commission See VINFAST, page A6

‘This is another milestone’: Pittsboro drinking water tests show The Hispanic Liaison hosts improvement in 1,4-Dioxane levels a celebration to welcome the community into its “Although this release event was significantly new office space less impactful than

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

From 105 E. Second St. to 404 N. Holly Ave, the non-profit’s support and community follows in joy

By Valeria Cloës Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — An hour before the grand opening celebration for The Hispanic Liaison, hoards of people flooded the new space at 404 N. Holly Ave., decorated with vibrant announcements for Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, artwork and a life-size “mojiganga” sculpture.

English and Spanish conversations floated through the air as employees guided com-

munity members through the conference rooms, offices and event spaces.

“This is another milestone,” Deputy Director Hannia Benitez said. “It’s really nice to have a place to call our own home.”

Employees dressed in yellow and dark blue Hispanic Liaison shirts invited guests to enjoy refreshments and tamales in the backyard of the building, waiting for the speeches to start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 27.

Executive Director Ilana Dubester addressed the crowd of around 70 guests who sat and stood to hear her and others speak.

See LIAISON, page A2

PITTSBORO — The latest testing results following a release of 1,4 dioxane in the Pittsboro drinking water system, indicates the situation is continuing to improve.

Test results in which samples were taken on Friday, July 28 were as follows: Raw 2.62 ug/L (-0.08 ug/L) Finished 2.29 ug/L (-1.19 ug/L) Standpipe Tank 3.50 ug/L (-.09 ug/L) Million Gallon Tank 4.09 ug/L (-0.93 ug/L) Horton Tank 4.93 ug/L (-0.31 ug/L)

The continued decrease in the concentration of 1,4-Dioxane in

the raw, finished, and tank water samples indicates that the slug, or concentrated area, of 1,4 dioxane in the Haw River has either already passed or is in the process of passing through the town and has become increasingly heavily diluted.

Additional samples were taken over the weekend and on Monday, July 31 to verify the downward trend in concentrations. Those results are expected by Thursday afternoon.

The town is also flushing the water distribution system over the next week.

Defined as an emerging compounds along with PFAS, studies have been conducted over the past five years to determine the presence of these compounds in various water supply reservoirs across the state. Local, state and federal efforts have been underway to develop an overall management strategy to reduce the compounds’ See WATER, page A12

previous releases, we understand that this news may cause some anxiety or concern.”

Pittsboro town officials

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

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Church News

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North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2023 North State Media LLC Neal Robbins, Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com 336-283-6305 NEWSROOM Matt Mercer, Editor in Chief matt@northstatejournal.com Griffin Daughtry, Local News Editor griffin@northstatejournal.com Lauren Rose, Design Editor lauren@northstatejournal.com Cory Lavalette, Statewide Sports Editor cory@northstatejournal.com Jeremy Vernon, Chatham Sports Editor jeremy@chathamnr.com

TUESDAY

AUG 8

Annual Homecoming/Revival will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023. The guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Brodwyn Roberts of Holland Chapel. Sunday School will begin at 10 am and worship service at 11am. Lunch will be served following the worship service. No afternoon service is scheduled.

Usher Board 93rd Anniversary Holland Chapel Usher Board will celebrate their 93rd Anniversary Sunday, August 6th during morning service at 10am. Other area church boards are welcome to join us or send a representative.

Mays Chapel Baptist Homecoming set for Sept. 17 Mays Chapel Baptist Church has changed the annual Homecoming from the first Sunday in August to the third Sunday in September. This year Homecoming at Mays Chapel Baptist Church will be held on September 17 at 11 a.m. followed by a potluck lunch. Everyone is invited.

Back to School Bash Hickory Mountain Baptist Church will host a Back to School Bash on Aug. 13 from 4-7pm. Come out for one last hurrah. There will be games, food, and free school supplies. 1094 Mt Vernon Hcry Mt Rd, Siler City.

Hickory Mountain Baptist Homecoming set for Aug. 20 Hickory Mountain Baptist Church will host its annual homecoming on August 20, 2023, at 11am followed by lunch on the grounds. Guest speaker is Rev. Steve Clark.

ADVERTISING Jason Justice jjustice@chathamnr.com Advertising Inquiries advertising@chathamnr.com

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COMMUNITY

Guide COMMUNITY NEWS Dark accepted into DAR Meredith Marie Dark was recently accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolution Theodosia Burr Chapter, Myrtle Beach, SC. All members document and trace their lineal descent to a Patriot of the American Revolution. Meredith is the daughter of Morton Mead Dark, Jr., and their proven ancestor is Joseph Darke. Meredith is a graduate of Wofford College and Emory University.

CALENDAR Library Offers Classes Chatham Community Library is offering free in-person classes in August. Class descriptions and a registration link can be found at www.chathamcountync.gov/ ComputerClasses. Call 919545-8086 or email reference@ chathamlibraries.org for more information.

Internet Basics, Part 1: August 7, Monday, 3:00 pm. Learn how to use a web browser, follow links, use a search engine, print from a website, and more. This class is designed for beginners!

Internet Basics, Part 2: August 21, Monday, 3:00 pm. Build on the concepts learned in Part 1. Work with browser tabs, bookmark favorite websites, view and delete browsing history, download files, find driving directions, and more. Participants should have prior basic internet experience.

OFFICE Karen Pyrtle karen@chathamnr.com Doris Beck doris@chathamnr.com

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening

Florence Turner billing@chathamnr.com

School of the Arts for Boys Academy (SABA)

The Chatham News & Record (USPS #101-160) is published weekly, 52 weeks a year, by North State Media LLC, 303 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, N.C. 27344.

Date/Time: August 8 | 11:30a 12:30p

N.C. POSTMASTER

The Chatham Chamber of Commerces invites you to celebrate this event with us. Ribbon Cutting will occur at 11:30am followed by an open house.

Location: 69 Robyns Nest Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Send address changes to The Chatham News & Record, PO Box 290, Siler City, N.C. 27344 CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042 To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232; email: news@ chathamnr.com

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VALERIA CLOËS | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

The Hispanic Liaison Executive Director Ilana Dubester and Board of Director President and past program participant Eleazer Reyna Ocampo hug before cutting the ribbon at the entrance of the non-profit’s new home.

LIAISON from page 1

Dubester started her speech by recognizing how far the non-profit has come: from having to close its doors in 2015, reopening its doors in 2016, opening a satellite office in Sanford, growing from a team of two to 13, and having a successful youth program.

She also thanked many people and organizations who helped the organization move to the new location from 105 E. Second St., including but not limited to past and present staff, Triangle Community Foundation, NicholsonPham Law and O’Mara Landscaping & Lawn Care.

The new Hispanic Liaison space, which they moved to during the beginning of June, is more spacious with a lobby area, conference room, two bathrooms, offices and shared spaces for clients, and parents and youth from the Orgullo Latinx Pride program.

During the celebration’s

speech, Dubester passed along the microphone to another important figure: Selina Lopez.

She is the program director of the Orgullo Latinx Pride program, which helps high school students graduate high school and work towards attending college.

The program boasts 75 participants across Jordan-Matthews and Seaforth High Schools.

“They truly are the heart of my program and the big why of why I’m still here,” Lopez said.

Anthony Santiago Hernandez, rising senior at Jordan-Matthews High School spoke on the effects the program has had on his family and himself. His brother Carlos went through the program and attended UNC Chapel Hill.

“I learned to advocate for myself,” Anthony said. “I learned to be confident and I learned to love myself.”

While he was hesitant about joining the program at first, he said it had a significant impact

on him, becoming less shy and aspiring to go to UNC-CH, just like his brother.

Moreover, Anthony’s mother Celsa Hernandez Jimenez also spoke at the celebration. She said she learned many things through both of her sons’ participation in the program and gave thanks to The Hispanic Liaison.

“Now, Anthony wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps to go to college,” she said. “Before that [joinging the program], attending university was not in his [Anthony] plans. For that and many other reasons, I want to thank you [the non-profit].”

At the end of the ceremony, Dubester invited the attendees to the front of the building to cut the ribbon, joined by Board of Director President and past program participant Eleazer Reyna Ocampo.

And just like guests familiar with the volunteers and workers received a warm hug upon arrival, they left with more hugs, food and Latin music on their way home.

Do you have a birthday, wedding, engagement or other milestone to celebrate?

Contact: advertising@chathamnr.com

This is North Carolina’s first all-boys tuition-free charter school, based in Chatham County, and will begin operation at its newly purchased learning center in downtown Pittsboro. SABA’s first year begins on August 14 with boys in grades 3-to-6. School of the Arts for Boys Academy (SABA) is a school that empowers and “BUILDs” culturally and linguistically diverse boys to be strong, creative, academic scholars, critical thinkers, and community leaders through a culturally responsive arts-based education.

Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening/ Expansion Edge Salon & Wellness Date/Time: August 11 | 11am - 1pm Location: 58 Chapelton Court, Suite 120, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 The Chatham Chamber of Commerces invites you to celebrate this event with us. Ribbon Cutting will occur at 11am followed by an open house.

This expanded space is connected to Edge Aveda Men and offers a wide range of services. The menu offerings include women’s (and men’s) cut/ color, facials, dermaplaning, waxing services, lash/brow services, hydrafacials, pedicures/manicures, as well as monthly memberships for the Infrared Sauna and Massage Chair/Aromatherapy/Sound Therapy room.

Weaving demonstration at Chatham Historical Museum Sue Szary of Twin Birch Products in Siler City will demonstrate weaving from noon- 4 pm on First Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Chatham Historical Museum. The museum is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There is no admission fee. The museum is located in the historic Chatham County Courthouse in the Circle, 9 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro. We follow state/local mask and distancing guidelines. More info at chathamhistory.org.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

Chapel Hill native launches free college planning mobile app

By Griffin Daughtry North State Journal DURHAM — You never know when or where a good idea will grab ahold of you. For Henry Woodbridge, his good idea — a mobile app that could make affordable college planning accessible to all students regardless of their socioeconomic background — came to him in the middle of the woods.

Woodbridge can recall the exact moment the idea for the Undecided app blossomed in his mind. He was thru-hiking southbound on the North Carolina portion of the Appalachian Trail when he caught a glimpse of the illuminated Fontana Dam through the trees, and everything fell into place.

“I remember that being a really special moment and thinking to myself that I couldn’t go back to society after hiking the AT and hitting an office job that I didn’t feel passionate about,” said Woodbridge, founder and CEO of Undecided. “In that moment, I decided I wanted to take this next chapter in my life to do something valuable for soci-

ety, and I thought that making a mobile app to help students better plan for college was the best way.”

Before striking out on the Appalachian Trail, the Chapel Hill native worked as a customer success manager and product consultant for an education technology company. In these roles, Woodbridge worked directly with the admissions department of several prominent universities, learning firsthand how schools recruit and market to potential students. He also became increasingly aware of what is driving the current student loan crisis.

“A large part of what makes up the student loan bubble and the inflating cost of education is that these universities are businesses that are trying to get as many people to come there and pay as possible, especially the lower nonelite institutions,” explained Woodbridge. “This becomes a problem when students take out loans, go to a school that isn’t a good fit for them and then drop out, which about 40% do.

Now they don’t have a degree, they still have loans, and it’s even

FILE PHOTO

Henry Woodbridge harder to pay them back.”

The best way for students to avoid taking on risky debt, Woodbridge realized, was ensuring that high school students have the necessary guidance when deciding to apply for college and picking the right school.

Unfortunately, there is only one guidance counselor for every 500 public school students, and private college consultants charge at least $200 an hour. Some consulting packages even cost more than $3,000.

Woodbridge’s understanding

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of the importance of college fit is also founded on his personal experience, having based his decision to attend Guilford College as a young adult solely on something a professor said. Though the small liberal arts college ended up being the perfect school for him, he later struggled after transferring to UNC Chapel Hill, where the class sizes were larger and he had less access to his professors.

But now, thanks to Woodbridge, his team of software engineers, and a $10,000 MICRO grant from the NC IDEA Foundation, students from all walks of life have access to free college admissions planning, something Woodbridge wishes he had when he was applying to college.

Though still in its beta-testing phase, the Undecided app offers college-bound students several features, including guided college plans, which allow them to navigate the admissions process with ease; a college list manager that finds schools and categorizes them based on the user’s likelihood of acceptance; guided journaling prompts to help students internalize their goals and reasons for pursuing a college education; and an advanced AI chatbot named Deci that enables students to ask questions and receive immediate responses.

In mid-July, the Undecided team also launched a freemium subscription model for students

Price leaves CCCC for state system position Chatham News & Record SANFORD — Dr. Phillip Price departed his leadership role at Central Carolina Community College to become Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of the N.C. Community College System. He began in his new role on July 24.

Price, a Certified Public Accountant, served at CCCC since 2013. He has most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer and previously held the role of vice president of administrative services.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunities I have been provided over the past ten years. I have had the opportunity to be a part of seeing the college go through numerous changes that will have a lasting impact on the communities we serve,” Price said in a statement announcing the move. “I look forward to the challenges of my new role and the opportunities they will pro-

vide.”

CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman said that while it was great for the North Carolina Community College System, it is a tremendous loss to Central Carolina.

“Phillip has been an exceptional leader at CCCC since he arrived and his efforts have helped us continue to improve and expand our services to our three counties while also ensuring that we maintain sound financial resources,” Chapman said. “He is a visionary leader who is respected across the System and I know that respect will only continue to grow as he steps up to serve and guide all 58 of our colleges as well as his team at the system office.”

Julian Philpott, chair of the CCCC Board of Trustees, noted: “Central Carolina Community College and its service area will greatly miss Dr. Phillip Price, but we congratulate him on his new position as Vice President and Chief Finance Officer of

Dr. Phillip Price

FILE PHOTO

the North Carolina Community College System. The North Carolina Community College System is getting a highly qualified,

hard-working, and outstanding individual who will be a tremendous asset to all of our state’s community colleges in our Com-

and parents interested in paying to chat with a real certified admissions adviser, which just happens to be Woodbridge himself.

Undecided’s optional fee is only $8.99 a month.

“Getting my certification to be a college admissions adviser and working with students is what’s kept my spirits high while building this app over the last year,” Woodbridge said. “At first, it was shocking how many basic questions we received, everything from ‘How do I apply to college?’ to ‘How do I find scholarships?’ It’s a great reminder of why we are building this app, and it keeps our team focused on our mission.”

In the future, Woodbridge plans to expand the app and offer guided personality and intelligence-type quizzes that will help students determine potential college majors. Undecided will also offer portals for direct parental access. But for right now, Woodbridge’s focus is on helping his users and actively fundraising, which he is doing with the help of several angel investors.

“Applying to colleges and doing the financial planning necessary to go is a real undertaking,” Woodbridge added. “Right now, the standards are so low for college planning that we can do some good almost no matter what, especially for public high school students who aren’t getting the attention they need.”

munity College System Office.”

Dr. Jeff Cox, the N.C. Community College System president, said when beginning the search that various stakeholders were asked who they thought was the very best candidate to fill this important NCCCS role.

“One name kept coming up — Dr. Phillip Price. With his strong background in financial management and leadership at the local college level and his great reputation across the state, he is going to be a tremendous asset for our team,” Cox said.

Price came to CCCC from Beaufort County Community College, where he served in leadership from 2005 through 2012.

Prior to his service at Beaufort, Dr. Price worked in the state auditor’s office.

“Dr. Price served CCCC in an exemplary manner,” Philpott added. “Although we will miss having him as an integral part of our CCCC family on a daily basis, we are glad that he will be providing our entire Community College System the same outstanding expertise and dedicated service as he provided CCCC for many years. We wish him the best in his new position.”

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

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OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Accountability on the issues impacting you Every state, including North Carolina, is suffering from the impacts of Biden’s open border policies.

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN famously said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.”

President Joe Biden’s open border policies have fueled a historic surge in illegal immigration and the flames of our ongoing border crisis.

Since Biden took office, there have been over 5.6 million illegal crossings encountered at our Southern border, and while approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants have escaped apprehension that we know of. According to Customs and Border Protection, 144,500 illegal immigrants were encountered at the Southern border in June alone—a 186% increase from the number of June encounters during the last administration.

To date in FY23, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 22,000 pounds of fentanyl, surpassing the total amount seized in all of FY22. Fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, and is killing 300 Americans every single day—including over 3,000 North Carolinians in 2022. An amount small enough to fit inside the ear of Lincoln on a penny can be lethal.

For anyone who cares about the safety of our young people, it’s heartbreaking and frustrating to witness this rapid decline in border security.

Every state, including North Carolina, is suffering from the impacts of Biden’s open border policies. That’s why last week, I confronted Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra following the recent announcement that a facility for unaccompanied minors will begin operating in Greensboro within the next few weeks.

In 2021, while testifying before the Energy and Commerce Committee, Secretary Becerra told me there were no plans to open such a facility in North Carolina. He knew that very day he had people doing a site visit at American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro. After Secretary Becerra blatantly misled me and several members of our delegation, the people of North Carolina deserve to know the truth. We have received nothing but delayed and vague responses.

You deserve real answers and real solutions. Housing illegal immigrants in schools across the nation will not solve our border crisis. When House Republicans made our “Commitment to America,” we promised to secure the border and protect innocent Americans from the consequences of President Biden’s radical agenda. Real solutions like H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, and the recently passed Schools Not Shelters Act, will deliver on our promise to secure the border—something Washington Democrats refuse to do.

As the Sandhills’ Congressman and representative of the largest military base in the country, I am also committed to our resilient energy grid. Physical attacks on our nation’s power grid, like the one we experienced in Moore County, increased by 71% in 2022.

Earlier this month, I joined a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing to further examine emerging threats to our electrical grid. This hearing built on what we learned at the field hearing I hosted in Moore County last month. We heard from expert witnesses about tangible solutions to strengthen our grid and prevent future attacks on the infrastructure you depend on.

One threat to our grid is the lack of a viable supply chain for grid components. Biden’s Department of Energy is about to make matters worse through proposed rules that will make it harder to find transformers. Their new rules will increase the time to procure new transformers from months to years.

To combat these proposed standards, I introduced Protecting America’s Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act to delay these new bureaucratic regulations for energy distribution transformers.

I was able to include this in the FY2024 Department of Energy authorization bill. This will not totally solve the supply chain problem, but it will prevent Washington bureaucrats from making it worse.

Our government exists to serve and protect you. From securing our borders to protecting your way of life, I am committed to building a safer future for you and your family that promotes long term economic prosperity, public safety, and freedom.

EDITORIAL | BOB WACHS

Getting accustomed to what we’re accustomed to requires attention Big cities have many things rural areas don’t have – too much concrete, smog and smoke, humongous traffic jams, many people in a hurry and some of them not so nice.

NOT SO TERRIBLY LONG AGO, I traveled to and in more big cities in a brief period of time than ever before – Atlanta, Virginia Beach and two of Alabama’s finest – Montgomery and Birmingham two times.

And as my dearly departed father-in-law used to say on more than one occasion after he’d been only to Asheboro or maybe Greensboro, “I’d rather be home on my road.”

I know what he meant.

Granted, those metropolitan areas have some advantages. If, for instance, you run out of milk at 2:00 in the morning and you’re not afraid to venture out of your house or apartment or condo or wherever you live you can find an all-night grocery open somewhere.

Not so in Bonlee, Bynum or Bennett.

And if you’re interested in creative art, maybe graffiti even, you can find it on walls and railroad cars and bridge foundations near train stations, which I saw in three of the above mentioned cities.

I’m all about creativity and much of that artwork is outstanding, although I usually don’t understand what the artist was trying to say. But I can’t help but wonder how much better served society would be if that energy and creativity were channeled into positive areas and uses.

Big cities have many things rural areas don’t have – too much concrete, smog and smoke, humongous traffic jams, many people in a hurry and some of them not so nice. In one of those forays into congested civilization if our little party had not been following a native we’d still be lost. If you don’t know what lane you want to be in two miles before you get there, may as well hang it up and send out a search party.

On more than one occasion, while passing through those cities,

I made a comment to some of the natives that went something like this: “How do you get around in all this?”

The response, more or less, from them all was something like, “When you grow up around it and watch it change it’s not so hard.”

That’s obviously true, not requiring a master’s degree in electrical this or that to understand. I think, however, that’s true not only in navigating big places but also in most, if not all, walks and areas of life. It’s often what we grow up around that shapes our lives.

My mama, the one who told me to sit up straight and pay attention and hold up my shoulders and play pretty and countless other “Mom-ism’s,” all designed to foster my good fortune in life, used to tell me the story about the guy who had a fresh horse apple, also lovingly known as a meadow muffin, on the bill of his ball cap.

He noticed it for awhile, as did countless other folks who pointed out to him the obvious: “Hey, did you know you’ve got some stuff on your cap?” Still the fellow kept wearing his cap with the deposit on the bill. Why? Because he liked the cap.

Eventually the smell of the substance on the bill of the cap went away, he reasoned, and he continued wearing the cap. But actually what happened was he simply got accustomed – got “used to,” mama said – his hat’s decoration and didn’t notice it anymore. Simply put, it didn’t bother him.

“What does that prove?” Mama would ask me.

“That he should look in the mirror at his cap,” I offered.

“Nope,” she said. “It means we can get used to just about anything.

So be careful what you do and with whom you do it.’’

Today, I must confess I haven’t always followed that advice but I understand it and think it still plays. I’m pretty sure there are some caps in my life I need to dust off and clean up. You?

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

COLUMN | STACEY MATTHEWS

COLUMN

The renewed debate on age, term limits AS A GENERAL RULE, I’m not a fan of term limits for elected officials outside of the president because, in my opinion, the voters should decide whether they’ve had enough of their representatives.

Age limits, on the other hand, are something I might be able to get behind considering some recent events that were scary enough to make people revisit the issue.

Last Wednesday, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), 81, was holding a press conference when, as he was speaking, he froze for several seconds and looked dazed and unwell. He was led away by colleagues for a short time but then returned later to finish the presser.

No explanation was given outside of a joke about being “sandbagged.” But considering McConnell reportedly suffered three falls earlier this year, including one that required hospitalization — and is also said to use a wheelchair from time to time, it definitely sparked concern on Capitol Hill.

In another concerning moment, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who is 90, had to be prompted numerous times by another Democratic senator and one of her aides to say “aye” last week during a roll call vote on a defense appropriations bill after Feinstein launched into a speech about why she was prepared to vote for it.

Rumors have swirled for over a year now about the state of Feinstein’s cognitive and physical health after a bad bout of shingles she had in the spring and several alarming incidents including interviews where she appeared out of sorts. There have also been situations where Feinstein seemed to not remember on what she just voted or what her office had said on her behalf.

Questions have been raised going back to the days of his 2020 presidential campaign about Joe Biden’s mental and physical health, questions that have only escalated since he took office and voters have gotten to see firsthand why our octogenarian president is kept on a tight leash by his handlers.

There are a lot of people over 70 years of age serving in Congress. As far as I know, most of them are doing just fine, thank goodness. But the ones who aren’t don’t seem to want to let go of the reins, as evidenced by Feinstein’s insistence that she will serve out her term until the end of 2024, McConnell not showing any signs that he’s ready to retire, and Biden insisting he’s well enough to serve another four years, though he’d be 86 at the end of his second term if he did so.

Some have suggested in part that because age limits wouldn’t always be fair considering that many senior members in the House and Senate remain sharp as a tack that perhaps mental competency tests are in order.

GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, a former U.N. Ambassador under then-President Donald Trump, has proposed just that for elected officials over 75 years of age, making it one of the cornerstones of her campaign — along with term limits.

“In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire,” Haley stated in February at the start of her campaign. “We’ll have term limits for Congress and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.”

“America is not past its prime, it’s just that our politicians are past theirs,” Haley also said in a call for a “new generation” of leaders in Washington, D.C. While I’m on the fence about age limits and mental competency tests, I can’t deny that the idea of a middle ground on the issue interests me. After all, at a certain point, it’s time to admit when your constituents would be better served by someone who is well enough mentally and physically to be able to handle the daily responsibilities of a sitting member of Congress.

North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection

COLUMN | JAN HUTTON

About that knee replacement…

HEY, “This Being Human Thing” friends, I’m heading for knee replacement surgery at the end of this week. “Oh, yay!” and “oh, damn” accompany me on this journey, hopefully weighted toward the “oh, yay.” I’ll likely be off Substack for a couple of weeks while my new knee and I get acquainted, and/or may send along some older posts. However, if you still find yourself wistful for twice-weekly doses of heart and humor, here’s a

straightforward solution. Access “This Being Human Thing” archive posts, dating all the way back to March, 2022. Enjoy and see you in a few…

Peace, y’all.

Jan Hutton is a retired hospice/hospital social worker who believes in living life with heart and humor. She has happily lived in Chatham for 20 years.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

The proximal origin of a scientific fraud “WE DO NOT BELIEVE that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.” That’s the key sentence in an article published in Nature Medicine on March 17, 2020, titled “The Proximal Origin of SARSCoV-2.”

It’s also a prime example of eminently credentialed and government-subsidized scientists saying the exact opposite of what they believed, in an attempt — successful at the time, but now, three years later, exposed — to deceive the public.

The article appeared, as the date indicates, just as the spread of COVID was becoming apparent. It also appeared after Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said in January 2020 that the virus could have leaked from “China’s only biosafety level-four super laboratory that works with the world’s most deadly pathogens” in Wuhan.

Cotton was careful to say that a lab leak was not proven and that the virus could also have been transmitted through an animal, and he dismissed the possibility of an intentional leak.

A lab leak origin was quickly dismissed as a “fringe theory” by The Washington Post and a “conspiracy theory” by The New York Times. Those characterizations were attributed to government and government-financed scientists — the same bunch who would shortly produce the “Proximal Origin” paper.

The pushback against the lab leak theory has now been revealed as a fraud, thanks to the work of journalist Matt Taibbi, academic Roger Pielke Jr. and the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The real conspiracy had roots in a February 2020 conference call led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the time, and Dr. Francis Collins, his boss as head of the National Institutes of Health, and including the four scientists who would co-author the “Proximal Origin” paper.

In February, as the House subcommittee documents reveal, all four were expressing thoughts directly contrary to what they put their names to in March.

-”I really can’t think of a plausible natural scenario,” wrote Dr. Robert Garry. “In the lab it would be easy.”

-”The only thing here that strikes me as unusual,” wrote Dr. Andrew Rambaut, “is the furin cleavage site,” something much more likely to be produced by a lab than by natural transmission.

-Dr. Edward Holmes wrote he was “60-40 lab.”

The main work over the last couple of weeks, wrote Dr. Kristian Andersen, “has been focused on t(r)ying to disprove any type of lab theory, but we are at a crossroad where the scientific evidence isn’t conclusive enough to say we have high confidence in any of the

A5

three main theories.”

Not exactly “We do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible,” eh?

Why the change? As one conference call participant put it, “further debate about” a lab leak would “do unnecessary harm to science in general and science in China in particular.”

Unstated, but known to every one of the scientists, was that Collins and Fauci had approved cooperation with the Wuhan lab and controlled millions in research dollars coveted by every scientist.

Their intentions were not in doubt. On April 16, Collins told Fauci he hoped “Proximal Origin” would put down “the very destructive conspiracy” of the lab leak theory, and on April 17 Fauci recommended it to reporters as the product of a “group of highly qualified evolutionary virologists,” without mentioning his own role.

That same month, Andersen in emails admitted that a lab leak was possible and bragged about misleading New York Times reporter Donald G. McNeil Jr. I found the cynicism revealed in these emails shocking, even though I have written critically, in July 2021 and March 2023, about government scientists’ attempts to discredit the lab leak theory. I note that statistics guru Nate Silver, not a member of any rightwing conspiracy, is now similarly appalled.

“I’m deeply disappointed by the scientists’ conduct here and how unmoored they were from any attempt at truth-seeking,” he wrote last week. “The COVID origins story has also been a journalistic fiasco,” he added, opining that “journalists are more prone toward being manipulated by bad apples in academia and science than they were ten or twenty years ago.”

Evidence for that predilection comes from New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg, who last week tweeted that a House Republican hearing “raised thorny questions about free speech in a democratic society: Is misinformation protected by the First Amendment? When is it appropriate for the federal government to seek to tamp down the spread of falsehoods?”

Leave aside the deliciously Orwellian flavor of her verb “tamp down” and her astonishing ignorance of First Amendment law, and reflect on how “Proximal Origin” suggests that the government and government-financed credentialed experts are often better at generating misinformation and falsehoods than at detecting them.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of The Almanac of American Politics.

ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

National Cousins Day MY ONLY BROTHER lives in New Jersey. Due to the distance and time constraints, I manage to see him just a couple of times a year. It’s challenging to account for our schedules, including the needs of work and our young children.

My three kids have met their cousin a couple of times at my parents’ home in Raleigh. This July, we planned a trip to our ancestors’ family farm in eastern Pennsylvania. We drove up, and my brother came down with his son on Monday, July 24, which just so happened to be National Cousins Day. Gentle reader, I can’t make this stuff up!

The word cousin is derived from Latin and means “mother’s sister’s child.” In English, the term came to include your uncle’s kids as well as your sibling’s. The prefix co- means “with” or “joining together” in many words: coalition, coalesce, coincide, coordinate.

A few generations ago, it was easier for cousins to join together regularly, for many families lived in close proximity. Granted, the passage of time has brought advantages — I’m not protesting indoor plumbing!

But as Americans have become more transitory, many of us have lost that sense of connection that comes with being rooted to a place. Families, like mine, struggle to gather across distances.

So, National Cousins Day is a great idea.

Don’t worry if July 24 passed without your knowledge. Give your cousin a call. Schedule time with your cousin that works for you.

And your plans don’t have to be grand.

There is magic in simplicity.

On land that has gathered my family since the early 19th century, young cousins spent the afternoon of July 24 in the creek that runs through the property. At 3 1/2 years, my nephew is a self-styled crawdad hunter. My older children agreeably yielded to their little cousin’s expertise and gladly splashed through the shallow water, overturning rocks at his direction. They also built bridges and dams. On the bank, they climbed the larger rocks and found heartshaped patches of moss. To my knowledge, they caught only mosquito bites but still came running back to the house with wide grins.

That evening, I built a fire in the outdoor stone circle in the yard. We roasted marshmallows. (More than a few were torched!) We made s’mores with Hershey’s chocolate — we were in Pennsylvania, after all. While I can’t confirm my nephew’s crawdad-hunting skills (or this animal’s residence in the mountains of eastern Pennsylvania), I witnessed his sticky fingers extended toward his relatives as he exclaimed, “All these people love me!”

What s’more could anyone ask for on National Cousins Day or, for that matter, any day of the year?

BE IN TOUCH

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

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

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Update on splash pad closure: no timeline for reopening Chatham News & Record

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

State Representative Robert Rieves speaks during the VinFast Groundbreaking Ceremony in Moncure.

VINFAST from page 1

brining, it one step closer to its listing on the stock market.

“With the factory that we are building here today, VinFast wants to strongly contribute to the goal of establishing robust, clean energy supply chains throughout the US,” Thuy said.

“We have been hard at work to cultivate an ecosystem of suppliers in North Carolina that will complement our facility and create cutting edge industrial processes here.”

Along with the manufacturing of EVs, Gov. Cooper expressed his desire and goal to expand the network of electric charging stations across the state as well.

“In North Carolina, we are moving fast on infrastructure,” Cooper said. “We have a coordinated effort competing for every single federal dollar. One of the main things we’re trying to do is to make sure we have charging stations all over the state to make sure we are ready for this EV revolution and that will be part of the infrastructure effort that we are putting forward.

“We want to make a real public effort here. Already, we’re getting $100 million from the federal government with the plan that we’re working on with our transportation plan. We’re also applying for significantly more federal dollars that we think can help us do this. What we want to do is to coordinate with the private sector here to make sure there are charging stations in as many places as possible to con-

tinue to encourage the purchase of EVs and make sure everybody is comfortable having one. We know how important and how critical this is to the EV market making sure there are chargers everywhere.”

VinFast has also made great efforts to weave themselves into the fabric of the local community, with VinFast’s CEO of U.S. Manufacturing Van Anh Nguyen becoming a resident of the state of North Carolina and a collaboration with Central Carolina Community College to develop a world-class training program at its new state-of-the-art facility to help train the future workforce.

“This partnership will open the door for the people of Chatham County and beyond to receive free training and start their careers at Vinfast manufacturing EVs that will improve our environment and revolutionize the automotive industry,” Thuy said.

In addition to those, VinFast announced that they plan to donate three acres of land to the Mary Oaks Baptist Church, which is currently located on the site, and the company will work to identify resources needed to potentially relocate the church if necessary.

“I believe that you all share with me the hope that in the near future, Vinfast EVs produced in North Carolina, will be rolling out on roads across the United States and playing their part in keeping the U.S. clean and livable,” said Vietnam Ambassador to the U.S. Nguyen Quoc Dzung.

Western Chatham Senior Center & Siler City Lions Club

BLOOD DRIVE

Wed., August 16th

1:00 PM to 6:00 PM Holly Brooks Room

112 Village Lake Rd., Siler City It’s time to join us again and give the Gift of Life. Easily schedule your appointment on www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Siler Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for scheduling assistance.

Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11am–5pm and Saturday 10am–4pm, Closed Sun.

PITTSBORO — The splash pad located at Knight Farm Community Park is still down, town officials confirmed to the Chatham News & Record on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

“The town understands how much this space means to our community, especially during the hot summer months, and we share your disappointment,” officials said on the town’s social media pages.

Town Manager Jonathan Franklin said at the most recent town commissioners’ meeting the primary issue is the splash pad pumps are not staying primed.

“We believe air is getting into the supply lines,” he said.

In an update, public information officer Colby Sawyer told the News & Record, “The splash pad is still down. We have a crew coming in today to do further analysis and try to find the issue.”

Sawyer said that Tuesday was the first day a crew was able to come survey the splash pad and determine how to fix the problem.

“We apologize for the closure, but we want to make sure that the system is operating properly, in the interest of the safety of our users and visitors,” Sawyer added.

Pittsboro Parks and Recreation said the community would be updated as the issues are resolved to allow the splash pad to reopen.

Town of Siler City will hold community forum for Commissioner District 4 on Aug. 24 Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — The Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners recently adopted a Strategic Plan. One of the strategic priorities is to enhance community engagement. The Town of Siler City is inviting the public to at-

tend an informal community forum to discuss community topics. The community forum for Town of Siler City Commissioner District 4 will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2023, at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (1101 W. Raleigh St.). Since this is a public meeting, a quo-

rum of the Board of Commissioners may be present, but no town business will be conducted.

Please feel free to share this invite. If you have any questions, please contact Community Development Director Jack Meadows at 919-726-8627 or jmeadows@silercity.org.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

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re: Chatham Literacy receives Small Employer of the Year Award from North Carolina Rehabilitation Association

By Valeria Cloës Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — Chatham Literacy, an organization dedicated to helping the Hispanic population of Chatham County with barriers they may face, including literacy skills, received an Employee of the Year award for under 200 employees on Monday, July 24.

Deanna Jones, member of North Carolina Rehabilitation Association (NCRA), nominated the non-profit for the award through NCRA — Jones’ nomination was among 200 others.

She said even though the organization is made up of a small team of seven employees, they make a big impact on the community despite more limited resources than other counties.

“You guys are an incredible team,” Jones said. “Every time I’ve been here I’ve felt that you guys have a real partnership with one another.”

Background on the award One of the ways the non-profit has made a big impact is through their former bilingual receptionist assistant Kimberly Hernandez, now going into her second year at UNC Greensboro (UNCG).

On Sept. 8, 2021, then-29year-old Hernandez earned her first internship at Chatham Literacy thanks to some help from Jones.

According to Jones’ nomination letter to NCRA — a chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association, which “advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities while also promoting high quality, ethical, and collaborative practice across the

VALERIA CLOËS | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Bottom row left to right, Program Coordinator Joselyn Villaseñor, Executive Director Vicki Newell and Kimberly Hernandez pose in the lobby of Chatham Literacy. Back row from left to right, Program Coordinator Leslie Ocampo, Administrative Assistant Oscar Manzanarez, Program Coordinator Loyda Estrada, Bookkeeper Denise Lynch and member of North Carolina Rehabilitation Association Deanna Jones attended the celebratory event on Monday, July 24. rehabilitation profession,” according to its website — Jones had reached out to Newell about Hernandez to help her work at Chatham Literacy.

Through her internships, Hernandez said working at the non-profit helped her flourish as an individual and was a blessing to her, according to Hernandez’s guest column published last year in the Chatham News & Record.

“I am now more confident and outgoing,” she said thanks to her internship at Chatham Literacy.

Chatham Literacy’s impact The celebratory event to present the award to Newell was like a family get-together, consisting of food and drink, and catching up about Hernandez’s experience during her first year at UNCG, which she applied to during her internship.

Hernandez, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, said she has had to be an advocate for herself on campus for ADA accommodations, writing a letter to UNCG administration to have her voice heard and rights respected.

Through her work at the organization, both Newell and Jones said Hernandez blossomed during her time as a two-time intern.

“You’re like a sweet little plant in this little pot, and you wanted to bust out of that thing for years,” Jones said. “But everywhere you turned, there was something holding you back, whether it was documents or it was opportunities.”

Continuing the analogy, Jones said she’s bursted out of the little pot, transplanted and has grown roots and shoots everywhere.

Newell also said that Hernandez is a special person.

“I think that you’re [Hernandez] a huge part of this [the award] and the teamwork,” Newell said. “You are definitely instrumental in that team.”

Jones also gave kudos to the Siler City Vocational Rehabilitation Program, specifically Blake Reynolds.

Hernandez said she didn’t realize what her voice was before her tenure at Chatham Literacy.

“I started speaking for myself,” she said. “And I started speaking up at UNCG.”

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

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obituaries IN MEMORY

Linda J. Barnard

Linda J. Barnard died peacefully on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at the Arbor in Pittsboro, NC. She was born in Granville County, NC on October 10, 1938. She graduated from Meredith College with a BA in English/ Education then received a Masters Degree in Education at the University of North Carolina. She spent her 35 year career teaching English and Humanities at Chapel Hill High School. She also supervised the high school newspaper for many years.

Some of her students went on to careers in journalism and writing.

Linda married Robert J. Barnard in November of 1963.

Throughout their marriage they spent their summers traveling throughout Europe and visiting their many friends in the UK and the Netherlands. Their love of the arts culminated in donating funds to UNC for the creation of two gallery spaces in the Friday Center for exhibiting Robert’s work and the work of other artists.

Linda leaves behind her sister Sue Luger of Columbia, Missouri and her niece Anna Leigh Schmitt of Louisville, KY as well as two nephews, Howard Barnard of Charwelton, England and Tom Barnard of Gloucestershire, England.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Banks Methodist Church, where Linda will be buried alongside her husband Robert.

Donations are to be directed to Andrea Bullock, PO Box 1276, Creedmoor, NC 2752 A celebration of Linda’s life will be held at 3000 Galloway Ridge, Pittsboro, North Carolina, Sunday August 20 at 3PM. Online condolences may be shared at CremationSocietyNC.com

TRAVIS HORTON

KIRBY JERRY PARKER

We are heartbroken to announce the death of our father, Stanley Curtis Horton. He passed away peacefully at the age of 72 in the care of the Veterans’ Affairs hospital after a summer spent with his two sons and mother.

Stanley was born and raised in “the middle-of-nowhere Chatham county” and grew up working on a tobacco farm. He joined the Air Force after high school and served for several years before switching branches to the Navy. He was active military for a total of 14 years. He married Tracy (Tillman) Horton in 1977 with whom he raised two sons. For the last two decades of his life, he continued his service in caring for his mother.

Stanley played guitar his whole life, enjoyed golfing while he was in good health, and got a kick out of the card table later in life. He had a very active sense of humor; in the hospital near the end of his life he would often come out of a procedure wearing a red clown nose just to get a laugh out of the hospital staff. “These folks really need the joy,” he would say.

He is survived by his mother Gertrude Horton and his two sons, Travis and Justin Horton.

Kirby Jerry Parker, 77, of Bennett, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at UNC Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

He has won his courageous battle with cancer and is resting in the arms of Jesus. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at Bennett Baptist Church, with Rev. Jason Whitehurst, Rev. Tim Strider and Glenn Williamson presiding. Burial, with military rites, will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall after the service. The viewing room at Joyce-Brady Chapel will be open on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 1:00 pm-5:00 for friends to sign the register.

Kirby was born in Johnston County on July 23, 1946 to Brody and Medie Ellen Knowles Parker. He was a graduate of Meadow High School. He served in the U.S. Army as a tank commander and retired from Georgia-Pacific in Asheboro, NC after 39 years of service as master mechanic. Kirby was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, papaw and brother. His granddaughters were his pride and joy. He was their biggest fan and never missed a ballgame. He loved fixing things in his shop, with his dog, Lucky, by his side. He could build anything from grills, to lawnmowers and go carts. Kirby took pride in his work, enjoyed fishing, working in his yard and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of Bennett Baptist Church where he served on several committees. Kirby had a servant’s heart and was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need within his community. Kirby loved his family and supported all of their hopes and dreams.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Williford; brothers, Wendell “Peanut” Parker and Sam Parker.

Kirby is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dianne Parker, of the home; daughter, Kim Williamson (Glenn), of Bennett; granddaughters, Kayla Williamson, of Sanford and Avery Williamson (Alec Brafford), of Bennett; sisters, Magdalene Gillespie, of Raleigh and Brenda Goldston, of Fuquay Varina; twin brother, Erby Parker (Rosa), of Sanford; brothers, Dan Parker, of Sanford and Donnie Parker (Sue), of Sanford; faithful dog and best friend, Lucky; several nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

Flowers are accepted or donations can be made to Bennett Baptist Church, Handyman Ministry, P.O. Box 213, Bennett, NC 27208.

LAYULA GOLDSTON Layula Goldston, 92, of Siler City, died Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at her home. The funeral will be held at 2pm on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Wesley Chapel Christian Fellowship Church in Siler City.

Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at 1pm prior to the funeral.

THOMAS EARL STEWART Mr. Thomas Earl Stewart, 63, of Lanham, MD, formerly of Moncure, NC, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The funeral will be held at 1pm on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Liberty Chapel Church in Moncure. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

JANE NORRIS GRIMES Jane Norris Grimes, 89, formerly of Siler City, North Carolina, passed away July 21st,2023 in Richmond, Virginia.

She was born December 26th, 1933, in Troy, North Carolina to Anderson and Sadie Dennis. She attended Troy Elementary and Troy High School, where she was a majorette in the marching band.

In 1950 she married Joe King Norris, also of Troy. They were married until his passing in 1993. She was married to Jerry Grimes, of Siler City, from 1994 until his passing in 2014.

She was employed in the telephone industry, beginning as a switchboard operator, and retiring as an instructor.

As an active member of the Siler City Presbyterian Church from 1961 until suffering a stroke in 2018, she sang in the choir and frequently served as organist and pianist.

She is survived by her son, Joe Dennis Norris, and daughter in law Jaki Norris, of Richmond, Virginia; three grandchildren, Joey, Kirby, and Carrie Norris, and two great grandchildren, Sadie and Declan Norris, all of Chesterfield, Virginia; two sisters, Nancy Helsabeck and Virginia Elder, of Thomasville, and one brother, Carson Dennis, of Pinehurst.

A private graveside service will be held on August 3rd at Southside cemetery in Troy, followed by a memorial service at Siler City Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM. Pugh Troy Funeral Home is serving the family of Jane Grimes.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

EUGENIA C. MITCHELL Eugenia C. Mitchell was born in Randolph County, NC to the late Marleta and Leonard Cheek on May, 23, 1934. She departed this life on July 25, 2023 at UNC Rex Hospital.

Eugenia attended Randolph High School in Liberty, NC. She was baptized at an early age, Eugenia married the late Charles Mitchell and to this union, four children were born. She retired from manufacturing and textile plants. After retirement she became a homemaker where she enjoyed spending time with her family and caring for her grandchildren. She was an active member at Unity Powerhouse until her death. She loved cross word puzzles, watching games shows, and reading her bible. We look forward to the holidays because she was the best cook.

Eugenia Mitchell was preceded in death by her son Steve L. Mitchell, her late husband Charles Mitchell, and her parents. She is survived by four daughters, Clara Siler of Siler City, NC, Louise Mitchell of Siler City, NC Cyd Anderson of Charlotte, NC and Cheryl Green of Siler City, NC and a son Charles Irving Mitchell of Baltimore, Maryland. Six sisters, Inez, Brenda, Betty, Barbara, Sarah and Marie. Thirteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. She leaves behind many cherished and fond memories with family and friends.

Russell Funeral Home of Siler City, NC is serving the family.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

A9

TAKE NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

23 E 38 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of ELIZABETH ALPERIN MAXWELL-GARNER, of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before October 16, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment.

Leisa Smith, Executrix Gregory S. Connor, Attorney 5511 Capital Center Drive, Ste. 180 Raleigh, NC 27606 Jy13,Jy20,Jy27,Au3,4tc

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 2023 E 000393 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations holding claims against PATRICIA ANN REID deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 18, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 13th day of July, 2023.

Hugh A Reid, Administrator 324 W Smith Road Pittsboro, NC 27312 Jy20,Jy27,Au3,Au10,4tp

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified on the 18th day of July, 2023, as Executor and Administrator CTA of the Estate of Ruth Paine Edgerton a/k/a Ruth Benson Paine, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, do hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of October, 2023, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 27th day of July, 2023.

Christopher P.C. Paine, Executor and Kathleen S. Dickinson, Administrator CTA of the Estate of Ruth Paine Edgerton a/k/a Ruth Benson Paine Post Office Box 57579 Durham, North Carolina 27717 Gwendolyn C. Brooks Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 Jy27,Au3,Au10,Au17,4tc

north carolina chatham county All persons having claims against Sherman King Poultney, Sherman K. Poultney, of Chatham County, North Carolina, who died on the 2nd day of February, 2023, are notified to present them to JoAnn Overton and Christopher Sherman Poultney, Co-Executors of the Estate of Sherman King Poultney, in c/o Dean P. Broz, Attorney for the Estate, at Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P. A., 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203, Exchange West at Meadowmont, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 on or before October 27, 2023. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Co-Executors, and the devisees of Sherman King Poultney.

Those indebted to Sherman King Poultney are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate.

This the 27th day of July, 2023.

Dean P. Broz, Atty for the Estate Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P.A. 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203 Exchange West at Meadowmont Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 Jy27,Au3,Au10,Au17,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, having qualified on the 3rd day of July 2023, as Executrix of the Estate of Dennis Alan Nagy deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of October, 2023, 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 13th day of July 2023 Dori Maria Nagy, Executrix Estate of Dennis Alan Nagy Gwendolyn C. Brooks, Esquire Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 Jy13,Jy20,Jy27,Au3,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Edwin Earl Elmore, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations, having claims against the said estate to present them to the undersigned at 1153 Huffman Mill Road, Burlington, NC 27215 on or before the 13th day of October, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations, indebted to the said estate will please make immediate settlement.

This the 10th day of July, 2023.

Vera T. Harris, Executrix J. Ray Deal, Attorney Deal Law, PLLC 1153 Huffman Mill Road Burlington, NC 27215 Jy13,Jy20,Jy27,Au3,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS north carolina chatham county All persons having claims against Alvin Douglas Huff of Chatham County, North Carolina, who died on the 20th day of March, 2023, are notified to present them to Judy C. Lucas, Administrator CTA of the Estate of Alvin Douglas Huff in c/o Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P. A., Attorneys for the Estate, 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203, Exchange West at Meadowmont, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 on or before October 18, 2023. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Administrator CTA, and the devisees of Alvin Douglas Huff. Those indebted to Alvin Douglas Huff are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate.

Higgins, Frankstone, Graves & Morris, P.A. 1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 203 Exchange West at Meadowmont Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8834 Jy20,Jy27,Au3,Au10,4tc

Notice to Creditors NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 23-E-355 The undersigned, having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of MICHAEL DEAN WRIGHT late of Chatham County, NC do hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at the address below on or before the 18th day of October, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 13th day of July, 2023.

Beatrice Geraldine Wright, Executrix of the Estate of Michael Dean Wright, c/o The Law Office of Anne Page Watson, PLLC 3400 Croasdaile Drive, Suite 205 Durham, NC 27705 Jy20,Jy27,Au3,Au10,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF JUDITH PERCIVAL BLOOMER NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Judith Percival Bloomer, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are notified to exhibit them to Barbara Ann Rosenberg as Executor of the decedent’s estate on or before October 22, 2023, c/o Gregory HermanGiddens, Attorney at Law, 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above named Executor.

This the 20th day of July, 2023.

Barbara Ann Rosenberg, Executor c/o Gregory Herman-Giddens, Atty.

TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517 Jy20,Jy27,Au3,Au10,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 2023 E 000391 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations holding claims against RUBY MAE MCSWAIN, RUBY MCSWAIN, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 18, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 20th day of July, 2023.

Helen Glover, Administrator 7189 Silk Hope Liberty Road Siler City, NC 27344 Ju20,Ju27,Au3,Au10,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned having qualified on the 5th day of July, 2023, as the Co-Executors of the Estate of Bertram Oliver Fraser-Reid, deceased, of CHATHAM County, North Carolina, File No. 21-E-44, do hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before October 18, 2023, or this notice shall be pleaded in bar of recovery of such claims. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 16th day of July, 2023.

Andrea Fraser-Reid and Terrik Fraser-Reid, Co-Executors c/o Ethan C. Timmins, Attorney NC Bar No. 53086 Patrick Law, PLLC 3805 University Drive, Suite A Durham, NC 27707 Ju20,Ju27,Au3,Au10,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 23 E 376 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations holding claims against JOSEPH P. ROSSI, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 18, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 20th day of July, 2023.

Mark J. Rossi, Executor 781 Beaver Dam Rd Chapel Hill, NC 27517 Ju20,Ju27,Au3,Au10,4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 18 E 409 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations holding claims against JOE BEN KLEINERT, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 27, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 25th day of July, 2023.

Donna B. Kleinert, Executrix 6388 Hurta Lane Bryan, Tx 77808 Ju27,Au3,Au10,Au17,4tp

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE A public hearing will be held by the Goldston Town Board on Monday, August 7th, 2023, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Goldston Town Hall located at 40 Coral Avenue, Goldston, NC 27252.

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 request to speak by contacting the town clerk Annie Kay King Gaines at akkgaines@ americansouthgc.com or Hunter Glenn at hunter.glenn@chathamcountync.gov.

The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board.

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below: 1. Michael Blakley, on behalf of Tumbleweed Holdings, LLC, has requested an amendment to the Town of Goldston Zoning Map to zone as CD-IH- Conditional District Heavy Industrial 628.04 acres located at 970 Murchison Rd (Parcels 63303,66852,9896,67003, and 62603).

2. Michael Blakley, on behalf of Tumbleweed Holdings, LLC, has requested an amendment to the Town of Goldston Watershed Map to add 628.04 acres located at 970 Murchison Rd (Parcels 63303,66852,9896,67003, and 62603) to the Town of Goldston Watershed.

3. Harvey Harman, on behalf of Chatham County Habitat for Humanity, has requested an amendment to the Town of Goldston Watershed Map to add 3.16 acres located on Pinecrest Drive (Parcels 9426,9550, and 71799) to the Town of Goldston Watershed.

4. Harvey Harman, on behalf of Chatham County Habitat for Humanity, has requested an amendment to the Town’s zoning map to zone as R-15 Residential 3.16 acres located on Pinecrest Drive (Parcels 9426, 9550, and 71799).

5. Tracy Ayotte, on behalf of Ricky Beal and High Point Precast Products, has requested an amendment to the Town of Goldston Watershed Map to add 17.826 acres located at 870 and 819 Walter Lambert Rd (Parcels 9617 and 10087)) to the Town of Goldston Watershed.

6. Tracy Ayotte, on behalf of Ricky Beal and High Point Precast Products, has requested an amendment to the Town’s zoning map to zone as IH- Heavy Industrial a 17.826 -acre tract located at 870and 819 Walter Lamber Rd (Parcels 9617 and 10087).

7. A legislative public hearing request by the Goldston Town Board to consider amendments to the Goldston Unified Development Ordinance; specifically, chapters 2.3,2.4,2.8,2.10,2.13, and 8.3.

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 an 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 Hunter Glenn with the Chatham County Planning Department 919- 542-8284 or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312.

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS 23-E-278 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY The undersigned, Maria J. Schofield, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of James A. Schofield 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 October 27, 2023, 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 27th day of July, 2023.

Maria J. Schofield, Executor c/o Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post Office Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312 Jy27,Au3,Au10,Au17,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of LARRY WAYNE BINKLEY, deceased, late of CHATHAM County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at: 1968 Harold Andrews Road, Siler City, NC 27344, on or before the 26TH day of OCTOBER, 2023 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 21st day of July, 2023.

SUSAN MEECE, Personal Representative of the Estate of LARRY WAYNE BINKLEY Frank C. Thigpen Thigpen and Jenkins, L.L.P. Attorney for Estate Post Office Box 792 Robbins, NC 27325 Jy27,Au3,Au10,Au17,4tc

Notice of Hearings Town of Siler City The following item will be considered by the Siler City Town Council on Monday, August 7, 2023. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Siler City Court Room of the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave. Legislative Hearings R23-0602 – Rezoning of five tracts from OfficeInstitutional/Conditional O-I-C to Neighborhood Business (B-1-C), parcels totaling 10.812 acres ±, addressed as unaddressed Village Lake Road (parcel number 80718), 100 Village Lake Road (parcel number 80719), unaddressed Siler Business Drive (parcel number 80720), unaddressed Village Lake Road (parcel number 80721), and unaddressed Siler Business Drive (parcel number 80724), and being the properties of Rudra SilerCity, LLC., represented

by Courtney McQueen of Qunity Engineering, Inc. R23-0701 – Rezoning of eight (8) tracts from Agricultural-Residential (A-R) and Residential 6 (R-6) to Residential 3/Conditional (R-3-C), parcels totaling 89.678 acres ±, addressed as two (2) unaddressed parcels Love Creek Church Road (parcel numbers 68842, 14180), 411 Love Creek Church Road (parcel number 14413), and five unaddressed parcels Woody Lane (parcel numbers 14421, 14423, 14425, 14233, and 14359), and being the properties of Genie Coble; Grady Ray and Genie Coble; Carol Reeves and Deborah Tilson, and Boyd Lee Lambert, Jr. The proposed item is available for review by contacting Jennifer C. Baptiste at jbaptiste@ silercity.org or 919-726-8626. All persons interested in the outcome of the item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item.

These are separate hearings: Interested parties may submit evidence and written comments.

Written comments or evidence on these applications can be submitted by email to jbaptiste@silercity.org. Individuals desiring to speak must sign up by calling 919-726-8626 before 12:00 p.m. on or before the scheduled public hearing date.

The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Tammy Thomas at 919-726-8625, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or tthomas@silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Tammy Thomas al tthomas@silercity.org o 919-726-8625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

A10 TAKE NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Legislative Hearings

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY 2023 E 000361 ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations holding claims against CLORINDA ANDREWS, deceased, of Chatham County, NC are notified to exhibit same to the undersigned on or before October 27, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This 25th day of July, 2023.

Margaret L. Andrews, Executor P.O. Box 972 Liberty, NC 27298 Ju27,Au3,Au10,Au17,4tp

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of WILLIAM KENDRICK SCHWAB III, late 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 2nd day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 3rd day of August, 2023.

Thomas Joseph Littleford, Administrator of The Estate of William Kendrick Schwab III 42 Sedgewood Drive, Pittsboro, NC 27312 BAGWELL HOLT SMITH P.A. ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 CLOISTER COURT, STW 200 CHAPEL HILL, NC 27514 Au3,Au10,Au17,Au24,4tc

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Patricia Antoinette Brown, late 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 3rd day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 3rd day of August, 2023.

Derek Louis Brown Executor of the Estate of Patricia Antoinette Brown 1516 Consett Court Raleigh, NC 27613 Au3,Au10,Au17,Au24,4tc

R23-0801. Rezoning of a tract from AgriculturalResidential (A-R) to Office Institutional (O-I), parcel being 7.503 acres ±, addressed as unaddressed W. Third Street (parcel number 13136), and being the property of Tim’s Farm & Forestry II, LLC., represented by Mark Ashness of CE Group.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC On Monday, August 14, 2023 at 7:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold the following public hearing in person at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West: A legislative public hearing on a voluntary, noncontiguous annexation petition (A-2023-01) from Chatham Park Commerce Center, LLC. The applicant is requesting to annex 16.659 acres at Eubanks Road and Hwy 64 Business East (Parcel ID 61066).

The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube. com/@townofpittsboronc/streams. Members of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing.

Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on August 14, 2023 with written comments or to sign up to speak at the hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (919) 542-4621 ext. 1104, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

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NOTICE OF HEARINGS TOWN OF SILER CITY The following item will be considered by the Siler City Planning Commission on Monday, August 14, 2023. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Siler City Court Room of the Siler City Town Hall at 311 N. 2nd Ave.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Monday, August 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, Hall C, 1192 US Highway 64 West Business, the Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive public comment, both written and oral, on the following proposed amendment to the Town of Pittsboro Town Charter: Ordinance Amending the Town Charter of Town of Pittsboro to Change the Mayor’s Term of Office from Two-Year to Four-Year Term Written comments, which will be included with the record of the public hearing, may be submitted to the Town Clerk, P.O. Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312, or by e-mail to: cbailey@ pittsboronc.gov and shall be received by 4 p.m. on Monday August 14, 2023. Comments must include your name and address and should be limited to three minutes.

Pursuant to N.C.G.S §160A-102, the Board of Commissioners may act on this item at its September 11, 2023, meeting, with such action to include approval, disapproval, or tabling the item for further consideration.

Posted this 25th day of July 2023.

Carrie L. Bailey Town Clerk Town of Pittsboro, North Carolina Jy27,Au3,2tc

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY DISTRICT COURT FILE NO.: 23-CVD-000565 Mirian Yamileth Reyes Gonzales v. Luis Alberto Barahona To: Luis Alberto Barahona Take Notice that a Complaint has been filed against you in the Civil Action described above, in the General Court of Justice, District Court Division, by the plaintiff herein, the nature of which is as follows: The Complaint seeks an Order of Permanent Custody of your minor Child, Luis Alberto Reyes Gonzales. You are required to file an Answer including any defenses to this pleading within forty (40) days from the date of first publication of this Notice with the Clerk of Court of Chatham County. If you fail to do so, you may not receive further notices, and the plaintiff will seek the relief sought herein.

Publication begins This is the 26th day of July 2023.

Yesenia L. Polanco-Galdamez, Attorney for Plaintiff 411 Andrews Road, Suite 130 Durham, NC 27705 (919) 294-8032 Published August 3, 2023, August 10, 2023, and August 17, 2023.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Executrix of the Estate of THOMAS CECIL CRAVEN, late 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 3rd day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 3rd day of August, 2023.

Shoshi Craven aka Shoshe Craven, Executrix of The Estate of Thomas Cecil Craven 686 Adolph Taylor Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Au3,Au10,Au17,Au24,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Joanna Elliott Pearce, late 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 3rd day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 3rd day of August, 2023.

Barry S Johnson Sr. Executor of the Estate of Joanna Elliott Pearce 3515 Silk Hope Lindly Mill Road Snow Camp, NC 27349 Au3,Au10,Au17,Au24,4tc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY HAVING QUALIFIED as Co-Executrix of the Estate of Willie C. Freeman, late 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 3rd day of November, 2023, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 3rd day of August, 2023.

Tina Freeman Gaines Co-Executrix of the Estate of Willie C. Freeman 1478 Delphus Stinson Road Goldston, NC 27252 Rachel Ann Freeman Ray Co-Executrix of the Estate of Willie C. Freeman 344 Barker Road Bear Creek, NC 27207 Au3,Au10,Au17,Au24,4tc

R23-0802. Conditional Rezoning amendment of two parcels currently zoned as AgriculturalResidential (A-R) to Highway Commercial/ Conditional (H-C-C), parcels totaling 9.779 acres ±, addressed as two (2) unaddressed parcels Piney Grove Church Road (parcel numbers 82177 and 13640), and being the properties of Dennis B and Susan E Hearn, represented by Casey Hearn.

The proposed item is available for review by contacting Jennifer C. Baptiste at jbaptiste@ silercity.org or 919-726-8626. All persons interested in the outcome of the item are invited to attend the legislative hearing and present comments, testimony, and exhibits on the above referenced item.

These are separate hearings: Interested parties may submit evidence and written comments.

Written comments or evidence on these applications can be submitted by email to jbaptiste@silercity.org. Individuals desiring to speak must sign up by calling 919-726-8626 before 12:00 p.m. on or before the scheduled public hearing date.

The Town of Siler City will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided other accommodations, such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the deaf, providing taped cassettes of materials for the blind, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings.

This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Jenifer Johnson at 919-726-8624, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344, or jjohnson@silercity.org for accommodations for this request. Esta información está disponible en español o en cualquier otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Jenifer Johnson al jjohnson@silercity.org o 919-726-8625 o en 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 de alojamiento para esta solicitud.

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CREDITOR’S NOTICE Having qualified on the 24th of July 2023, as Administrator of the Estate of Cora Lee Womble, 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 3rd day of November 2023, 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 27th day of July 2023 W. Woods Doster, Administrator of the Estate of Cora Lee Womble 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Attorneys: Law Offices of W. Woods Doster, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: August 3rd, 10th ,17th and 24th 2023.

CLASSIFIED ADS

REAL ESTATE

AUTO FOR SALE

AUCTIONS

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com - 919-3626999 Jy2,tfnc

FOR SALE - 2011 Lexus ES 350, 919-742-4561, Jy27, tfnc

AUCTIONEER SCOTT L. HARRIS at JHA. One Call...We sell it all!!! Real estate, personal property, estate settlement, farms & land, business liquidation. JHA has been conducting auctions in the state of NC since 1989. Fully licensed Real Estate and Auction Firm. NCAL #8420 Firm #8086 www.JerryHarrisAuction.com, 919-498-4077, Jy6,tfnc

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE Office, Professional space for lease, now available, in downtown Pittsboro. Call 919612-0596 for details.” Jn15,tfnc RENTALS, APARTMENTS POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919533-6319 for more information, TDD #1800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible, A2,tfnc ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry.

Section 8 accepted. No security deposit.

Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

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RV FOR SALE RV for sale, Damen Daybreak 2000, 75,000 miles, runs great, good tires, good air conditioner, good generator. $10,000, Financing available, 919-828-4247. Jn8,tfncx

FOR SALE YARD SALE Yard Sale - Friday, Aug.4th, 6pm-8pm and Sat.Aug.5th, 7am-1pm - 355 Seth Teague Rd, Siler City-no outlet rd-Furniture, clothes, lot’s of toys, shoes, misc.items. Aug.3,1tp.

HUGE INDOOR SALE - Friday, Aug.4th 9am-until, Sat., Aug 5th - 9am-until - Lots of pictures, linens, lamps, towels, bicycles, DVD’s, CD’s, glassware, kitchen items, microwaves, clothes dryers, caps, hats, and pocketbooks. All shorts & flip flops 1/2 price (Vendors 52 & 1463). Come See Us!!

Several Vendors! 17720 US Hwy.64 West, Siler City.

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

SERVICES RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies.

Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery also available. Au26,tfnc AUTO BROKERS RECYCLERS - Cash paid for Junk/Wrecked vehicles. Call 919-545-0194.

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CASH PAID FOR JUNK CARS AND PICKUPS Call Clifton Maness - 336-581-3423.

Aug.3,10,17,24.4tp JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803. A2,tfnc LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-2583594. N9,tfnc

HELP WANTED PFOOD SERVICES STAFF, Pittsboro Christian Village is accepting applications for Server, Pantry Cook, and Cook. Apply in person 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, at 1825 East St. in Pittsboro. Jy14,tfnc

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

A11

FORECLOSURES 22 SP 56 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed

by Dennis B. Gilmore to William R. Echols, Trustee(s), which was dated September 30, 2011 and recorded on October 3, 2011 in Book 1584 at Page 1110, Chatham County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on August 17, 2023 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Chatham County, North Carolina, to wit: TRACT ONE BEGINNING at an iron stake on South side of Mrs. Lillie C. Markham Drive in an old road in Robert Phillips line and running thence with Lillie C. Markham line South 89 degrees East with said Markham line 200 feet to iron stake, said

Markham corner; thence with said Markham line North 2 degrees 30 minutes West 200 feet to iron stake in Billy Joe Phillips line; thence with his line North 89 degrees West 200 feet to iron stake center line old road his corner; thence with Robert Phillips line, South 2 degrees, 30 minutes East 200 feet to the beginning station, and containing ninety one hundredths (0.91) of an acre, according to survey made October, 1968, by R. H. Hancock, Surveyor.

TRACT TWO ADJOINING the lands of Billy Joe Phillips, Tony Tucker and Myrtle Potts and BEGINNING at a point on the east side of SR 1006, same being Billy Joe Phillips corner; and running South 80 degrees East 229 feet to an iron stake in Tony Tucker’s line; thence with Tucker’s line South 2 degrees East 200 feet to an iron stake in the Northern line of Markham’s drive; thence North 89 degrees West crossing to the South side of Markham’s drive 234 feet to an iron stake in the East side of SR 1006; thence with the eastern line of said road North 1 degree 30 minutes East 220 feet to the BEGINNING containing 1.11 acres, more or less.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 8853 Siler City Glendon Rd, Bear Creek, NC 27207.

A certified check only (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price,

or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Dennis B. Gilmore.

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 the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date

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Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 22-05365-FC01

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If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no 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 [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. 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.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

A12 FORECLOSURES NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY 23 SP 56 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed

by Patricia Watts and Jesse Watts, in the original amount of $337,500.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for First National Bank of Layton, dated March 30, 2012 and recorded on April 18, 2012 in Book 01615, Page 1182, Chatham County Registry.

Default having been made under the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Chatham County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Chatham County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on August 15, 2023, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: The land described herein is situated in the

WATER from page 1

levels within water supplies.

Since November 2017, the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NC DWR) has collected 1,4-Dioxane samples at 148 surface water locations throughout 12 of the 17 river basins in NC. Most sampling has occurred in the Cape Fear, Neuse, and Yadkin-Pee Dee River basins.

On Monday, July 24, routine testing results first indicated the presence of 1,4-dioxane. At this time, the amount of 1,4-dioxane in the finished water was 11.9 µg/l, well below the EPA Health Advisory Level (HAL) of 35 µg/l.

The test results for raw water entering the plant did not detect the

State of North Carolina, County of Chatham, and is described as follows: Being all of Lots 132 and 133 of Homewood Acres No. Five Addition, as per plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 16, Page 11, Chatham County Registry, to which reference is made for a more perfect description.

Parcel Number(s): 0015741 Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 1018 Lake Drive, Siler City, NC 27344. Tax ID: 0015741 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, trans-

presence of 1,4-dioxane, so additional testing was performed to determine if the town had gotten incorrect results.

Out of an abundance of caution and to investigate whether any upstream utilities had any 1,4-dioxane discharges, Town staff immediately contacted the City of Greensboro, who provided test results showing that there had been no discharge from their wastewater treatment plant.

Staff from Pittsboro, Greensboro, and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) then contacted the City of Burlington, which sent samples taken last week from two wastewater treatment plants to a testing lab on Tuesday, July 25.

fer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Stephen R. Watts, Debra Ann Watts and Angela Marie Watts.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §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.

al agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Substitute Trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no 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 (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rent-

By: __ David W. Neill, Bar #23396 Brian L. Campbell, Bar #27739 McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC Attorney for Anchor Trustee Services, LLC 3550 Engineering Drive, Suite 260 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 404-474-7149 (phone) 404-745-8121 (fax) dneill@mtglaw.com bcampbell@mtglaw.com

On Wednesday, July 26, Pittsboro and Burlington received their results: based on all available evidence, a significant quantity of 1,4 dioxane had been released into the Burlington wastewater treatment system and discharged into the Haw River before routine testing would have indicated its presence.

The City of Burlington’s results at the South Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) were: 7/17/23 - 160 µg/l 7/18/23 - 86.9 µg/l 7/19/23 - 57.8 µg/l The Town of Pittsboro’s results (samples taken on Monday, July

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee

24) were: Finished water - 4.00 µg/l Standpipe - 5.85 µg/l Million Gallon Tank - µg/l Horton Tank - 1.75 µg/l Pittsboro officials said when a release of this type occurs, most of the substance flows downstream together.

Test samples taken in Pittsboro on Wednesday, July 26, indicate that the concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the Town’s finished water is down to 3.57 µg/l. The nature of these events, coupled with the decreasing concentrations seen in Pittsboro’s water, indicate that the “slug” of 1,4-dioxane has likely already passed the Town’s water

intake, meaning that concentrations will continue to decrease.

“Although this release event was significantly less impactful than previous releases, we understand that this news may cause some anxiety or concern,” town officials posted on the Pittsboro government website.

“As we move forward, the utility merger with the City of Sanford is essential for the health and future of the town, as the merger will allow the regional system to use multiple independent sources of water for treatment and distribution,” a statement read.

Additional updates will be provided by Pittsboro officials until a non-detectable level of 1,4-dioxane is reached.

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On track with Jordan Golson, B6

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Seaforth and Jordan-Matthews football teams participated in a 7-on-7 scrimmage with Carrboro High on Thursday, July 27.

Breaking down Chatham teams’ 2023 schedules

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record MONDAY MARKED the first day of practice for high school fall sports, and there are just two weeks left until most county teams will see their first regular season action.

It’s an exciting time for football fans across the area, as the four Chatham teams — Chatham Central, Jordan-Matthews, Northwood and Seaforth — are set to compete in the same conference for the first time ever. The schools will be joined by North Moore, South-

east Alamance, Bartlett Yancey, Graham and Cummings in the nine-member Mid-Carolina Conference.

The Bears, Jets, Chargers and Hawks are all set to play their first games on Aug. 18, but how do the rest of their schedules play out? Here’s a closer look at what you can expect each county team to face this fall.

Chatham Central The Bears were the lone county team to make the state playoffs last fall, but it wasn’t much consolation after 2-9

during the regular season. This year, Chatham Central is led by a new coach in Derrin Little, who previously worked on the coaching staff at Greensboro College.

Central’s season starts Aug. 18 on the road at North Stokes.

This is one of two non-conference games the Bears will play in 2023, along with their road game at South Davidson in Week 2. Little’s team opens Mid-Carolina Conference play Sept. 1 on the road at Southeast Alamance, which is competing as a team for the first time this fall.

Central’s first home game comes Sept. 8 against its first county opponent of the season, Jordan-Matthews. The Bears have won the last three meetings between the two teams, including a 19-6 win over the Jets last season.

After hosting Bartlett Yancey on Sept. 15, Chatham Central will hit the road for two of its next three games against Seaforth (Sept. 22) and Cummings (Oct. 6), with a home matchup against Graham sandwiched in between on Sept. 29.

The Bears will have their bye the week of Oct. 13 before

returning to the field Oct. 20 for their home game against Northwood. Central then closes out the regular season Oct. 28 against North Moore.

Central’s opponents this fall had a combined record of 43-57 in 2022.

Jordan-Matthews The only winless team in the county last season at 0-11, Jordan-Matthews is set to enter its third season under head coach Ryan Johnson in 2023.

See SCHEDULES, page B4

Northwood rising junior Ritchey commits to UNC The three-star defensive end/tight end help scholarship offers from over 20 Division-I programs, including one from Georgia, Michigan, Colorado, Notre Dame and Oregon.

The Chatham Central football team had an overall record of 12-59 in seven seasons with former head coach Sherman Howze.

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Local high school football prospect Gus Ritchey shocked everyone Tuesday afternoon as he announced his decision to commit to the University of North Carolina.

Ritchey, a rising junior at Northwood, appeared on the Inside Carolina Noon Dish Podcast on Tuesday and made his decision public there.

The three-star defensive end/tight end held scholarship offers from over 20 Division-I programs, including ones from Georgia, Michigan, Colorado, Notre Dame and Oregon. Ritchey’s first offer came back in January 2022 from the University of Washington, and by the end of that month he had already racked up five more offers.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Ritchey is ranked as the No. 30 athlete and the No. 363 player nationally in the Class of 2025.

He is the Tar Heels’ second commit from the class, joining East Forsyth quarterback Bryce Baxter.

Playing as a sophomore this past fall, Ritchey totaled 61 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and two forced fumbles at defensive end while catching 32 passes for 490 yards and five touchdowns at tight end. The Chargers finished the year with a 4-6 record, but with Ritchey leading the way and a new coach in charge in Mitch Johnson, Northwood looks ready to make a leap starting in 2023.

It’s unclear what position Ritchey will play once arrives at UNC, but he could make an impact at either defensive end or tight end.

See RITCHEY, page B5

SIMON BARBRE | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Central hires Derrin Little as head coach Little spent the 2022 season as an assistant at Person High

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record BEAR CREEK — When Chatham Central High athletic director Tommy Peele offered Derrin Little the job of head football coach last month, he wanted to make sure one thing was clear.

“You have a baby,” Peele said.

“You can nurture it and grow it the way you want to.”

The prospect of raising a

“baby” might have scared some people. But this was all part of the appeal for Little. Central isn’t a new program, but it is in need of a fresh start. The Bears haven’t finished a season above .500 this millennium, and they went 12-59 over seven seasons with previous head coach Sherman Howze.

Now that he’s accepted the position, Little is ready to put in the work to change the culture, even if the Bears might have to crawl before they can walk.

“I think that’s the biggest thing I can emphasize with

the kids, is focusing on the now,” Little said. “I told them, I wasn’t even born the last time Chatham Central had at least a .500 season. We’re not going to be focused on anything that happened back then, because none of us can control it. We’re going to focus on the day-byday and will build this thing as the day goes on.”

Little’s parents have lived in Chatham County for a while, though he grew up in Cumberland County and attended Gray’s Creek High School, where he graduated in 2015 before continuing to play at Greensboro College.

While playing at Greensboro College, Little started his coaching experience as a volunteer with the Northern Guilford football team. After he See LITTLE, page B5

B2

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

Expectations are high once again for Chatham girls’ tennis teams season in 2022.

The top returning singles player for Seaforth will be risBEAR CREEK — Last fall ing senior Evelyn Atkins, who saw multiple Chatham girls’ went 7-4 overall at the No. 1 tennis teams post strong sea- spot last season. Also coming sons, but how many could do back are rising senior Lauren Keeley (7-1 singles) and rising so in 2023?

The Mid-Carolina Confer- juniors Bailey Shadoan (8-4 ence should feature intense singles) and Lillian McFall competition throughout the (9-2 singles).

In doubles play, the top reyear, as Chatham Central, Seaforth and Jordan-Matthews all turning pair is Keeley and rising junior Makenzy finished .500 or betLehew, who were 8-1 ter. between the No. 1 and The Bears made No. 2 doubles spots it all the way to the “[Olivia last fall. state tournament fiand Ellie] Northwood has nals last fall before losing to Mount Airy, were strong also joined the fray in the Mid-Caroliwhile Seaforth earned leaders.” na Conference after the top spot in the 2A spending the past seveast region before falleral years competing ing to Triangle Math Heather at the 3A level. The & Science in the first Brooks Chargers finished the round of the playoffs.

2022 season with a On the individual record of 4-9, though level, Chatham Central seniors Olivia Brooks and they were 4-5 in league play.

Northwood was 1-1 against Ellie Phillips won the 1A doubles state championship, ral- county teams last fall, defeatlying from a first-set deficit to ing Jordan-Matthews but falldefeat Bishop McGuinness’ Is- ing to Seaforth.

The Jets will have almost abella Ross and Nina Holton.

It was the second straight sea- an entirely new look in 2023, son the pair played in the 1A as five of their top six players last fall were seniors — Maggie finals.

Back in June, Bears’ head Thornton, Jocelyn Sanchez, coach Heather Brooks tried to Sarai Ibarra-Rivera, Jolitzy put into words how difficult it Fernandez, Nora Funez-Lopez.

The only players returning will be to replace the duo. “(Olivia and Ellie) were for Jordan-Matthews with varstrong leaders,” she said. “They sity experience are rising sehad played the top two posi- niors Jillian Bogart and Clara tions for two years, so all the Rojas — who had a combined underclassmen looked up to singles record of 8-12 last fall them. They’re going to be hard — and rising junior Abbey Coshoes to fill in terms of leader- peland.

Chatham Charter also postship. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were asked to come hit ed a record over .500 last seawith some of (our current play- son, finishing the year with ers) at practice to help them a mark of 11-7 after falling to Chatham Central in the 1A out during the preseason.”

Central’s top returning play- playoffs. The Knights graduaters in 2023 are rising seniors ed a handful of players over the Rachel Albright (12-4 singles), offseason, but they bring back Lauren Caviness (15-2), Hal- their top singles player in rislie Webster (9-4) and Emma ing senior Elphie Spillman (9Townsend (6-5). Rising junior 8), as well as rising senior SaCarlee Callahan (1-0) is also mantha Scott (11-4) and rising sophomore Mak Allen (7-0). expected to step up this fall.

Chatham Charter has had At Seaforth, the Hawks will bring back their entire roster a winning season in three of of players after competing in the past four years under head just their second-ever varsity coach Kelly Eldridge.

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record

$23

week.

787 points away from reaching 2,000 for his career (1,213 points so far).

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

B3

CHATHAM COUNTY SPORTS

Here are some more of our photographs showcasing Chatham County sports during the 2022-23 school year. Throughout the summer, we’ll share more shots our photographers captured over three seasons of high-level competition.

PEYTON SICKLES | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

SIMON BARBRE | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

JAMES KIEFER | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

SIMON BARBRE | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

JAMES KIEFER | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

B4

Chatham boys’ soccer teams set for another successful season 4 of the 5 local programs made the playoffs in 2022

By Jeremy Vernon Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — The start of boys’ soccer season in Chatham County is less than two weeks away.

Last fall, four schools — Jordan-Matthews, Seaforth, Northwood and Woods Charter — made their respective state tournaments, with the Jets and Wolves each winning at least one playoff game.

The top team in the county last fall was Jordan-Matthews, which finished the year with a record of 18-5-1 after a loss to Manteo in the third round of the 2A tournament. This offseason was a period of transition for the Jets, who graduated eight seniors. They start the 2023 season Aug. 15 at home against Burlington Williams.

Among the players no longer with J-M in 2023 are Zander Ocampo — who was named all-state last fall after totaling 38 goals in 24 games — as well as starting keeper Ricardo Rocha, midfielder Paul Lujan and forward Juan Hernandez Soto.

SCHEDULES from page 1

The Jets open up this year with a home game against South Davidson on Aug. 18.

Jordan-Matthews is 5-0 alltime against the Wildcats, but they have not played them since a 35-14 victory way back on Halloween night, 2008.

J-M’s second and final non-conference game comes on the road at Carrboro on Aug. 25. The Jets will play away from home again the next week as they play their first conference opponent, Cummings. Last fall, the Jets were demolished by the Cavaliers to the tune of 64-0.

Week 4 (Sept. 8) sees the Jets face off against rival Chatham Central in their third straight road game.

The Jets will then play their next three games at home in Siler City, against opponents Northwood (Sept. 15), North Moore (Sept. 22) and Southeast Alamance (Sept. 29).

Johnson’s team has its bye the week of Oct. 6 before playing Bartlett Yancey on Oct. 13. The Jets then close out the regular season with a home game against Seaforth on Oct. 20 and a road game against Graham on Oct. 27.

Things should turn out better for the Jets in 2023 than they did in 2022, when they scored 51 total points across their 11 games. According to Johnson, Jordan-Matthews now has enough players to field a JV team, and the added depth should only help the team going forward.

Jordan-Matthews has not made the state playoffs since the 2013 season, a drought of 10 years.

Northwood The Chatham team with the best record in 2022 was Northwood, which went 4-6 during the regular season but missed out on the 3A playoffs. Now, the Chargers are looking to establish themselves in a new conference filled with local rivals.

This will be Northwood’s first season under new head coach Mitch Johnson. His first game in charge will come Aug. 18 as the Chargers host Riverside-Durham, which went 6-5 overall in 2022. Northwood has not played the Pirates since defeating them, 27-7, back during the 2012 season.

The Chargers host another non-conference opponent, Union Pines, in Week 2 (Aug. 25) before hitting the road for their first league game of the season at North Moore (Sept. 1). Northwood has never played North Moore despite the two schools residing less than 40 miles apart.

Northwood plays its first home conference game Sept.

NIKKI WITT | CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Jordan-Matthews has finished with a record of .500 or better in each of the past 12 seasons under head coach Paul Cuadros.

The top returning players for the Jets this fall are rising junior Francisco Ibarra, rising seniors Giancarlo Aguila, Anthony Rodriguez, Jonathan Campos and Jason De Paz Rodriguez.

The Jets have finished .500 or better in 12 straight seasons under head coach Paul Cuadros.

Among the teams hoping to

8 against Southeast Alamance before playing Jordan-Matthews on the road on Sept. 15. The Chargers are 11-6 against the Jets since the 2004 season and won last year’s matchup between the two teams by a score of 52-0.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, Northwood will host Bartlett Yancey. Then on Sept.

29, the team will travel to play Seaforth on the road.

The Chargers and Hawks played for the first time ever last season, with Northwood edging out a 12-7 win at home.

Northwood is the only Chatham County team that plays each of the first 11 weeks of the season. The Chargers are on the road at Graham on Oct. 6 before returning to Pittsboro Oct. 13 for a matchup with Cummings. The final game of the regular season sees Northwood travel to play Chatham Central on Oct. 20.

The Chargers and Bears have not played each other since 2008, when Northwood was victorious by a score of 63-7.

challenge J-M for a conference title this fall will be Northwood and Seaforth. The Chargers are making their debut in the Mid-Carolina Conference this season after coming down from the 3A level. In 2022, they went 8-12-2 overall and lost in the first round of their state tournament to Swansboro.

Northwood had three players make all-conference in 2022 — rising seniors Rui Aguiar, Ken Vazquez Alonzo and Patrick Baquero — and all three are expected back this fall. The three combined for 45 goals and 22 assists last season.

The Chargers open their 2023 campaign Aug. 14 on the road at Carrboro. Their first conference game of the year will come Sept.

5 against Jordan-Matthews.

Seaforth, meanwhile, went 8-9 overall last fall and 6-4 against conference opponents.

This came just one year after the Hawks went 2-13 in their first season as a team.

The Hawks are expected to return their entire roster this fall, including last year’s Mid-Carolina Conference goalkeeper and co-defender of the year, respectively, in rising junior Jack Haste and rising senior Hunter Blake.

Seaforth’s top returning scorers from last year are rising seniors Walker Magrinat and Cris Cervantes, who both had five goals to their credit last fall.

Seaforth opens the 2023 season Aug. 14 at home against Southern Alamance, which went 7-11-3 overall last fall.

Competing in the Central 1A Conference this fall will be both

Woods Charter and Chatham Charter. The Wolves finished last season with a record of 8-121 and lost in the second round of the playoffs to top-seeded Rose-wood.

Woods Charter had four play-ers make all-conference last sea-son, and two of them — rising seniors Eli Hutter-DeMarco and Motasem Mamoun — are set to return to the team in 2023. Hutter-DeMarco was named the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference Player of the Year last fall, while Mamoun tied for the team lead with 14 goals.

The Wolves’ first game of the 2023 season is Aug. 17 on the road at Leadership Academy.

The team’s home-opener comes the following Monday against Uwharrie Charter.

Chatham Charter was the lone county team not to make the playoffs last season. The Knights finished the year with a record of 3-14-1 and a conference record of 2-6.

The good news for Chatham Charter is that it returns most of its roster from last fall, including top scorer Ryan Jones (12 goals). The Knights begin their 2023 campaign Aug. 16 at home against Central Carolina Academy.

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Seaforth The Seaforth football team is entering its second ever season in 2023, and hopes are high that the Hawks can improve on their 2-8 record in 2022.

Head coach Terrance Gary’s team opens this season with a home game against Purnell Swett on Aug. 18. The Hawks and Rams also met in Week 1 of the 2022 season, with Purnell Swett coming out victorious by a score of 32-0.

Seaforth hits the road for its final non-conference game against Southern Lee on Aug. 25 before taking a bye in Week 3, the earliest of any Chatham County team. The Hawks return to the field Sept. 8 for their first conference game against Graham.

After a Sept. 15 game against Cummings, Seaforth plays two Chatham teams in back-to-back weeks in Chatham Central (Sept. 22) and Northwood (Sept. 29). The Hawks defeated the Bears last fall but narrowly lost a game on the road at Northwood.

Seaforth opens the month of October with a road game against North Moore (Oct. 6). The Hawks will play two of their final three games at home, including matchups with Southeast Alamance (Oct. 13) and Bartlett Yancey (Oct. 27).

The Hawks’ only road game during that final stretch of the season comes Oct. 20 against Jordan-Matthews. Seaforth won its game against the Jets last fall by a score of 20-0.

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 3, 2023

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Should you worry about the US women’s national team?

Jeremy Vernon, Chatham News & Record Sports Editor

IS IT TIME TO START PANICKING YET? If you watched the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup group stage game against Portugal on Tuesday morning, you’re probably already way past that.

The United States, which has won the past two World Cups, narrowly escaped their group with five points — three for a win over Vietnam and one each for ties against the Netherlands and Portugal — but the outcome was almost entirely different. In its final group game Tuesday, the U.S. was almost upended by a goal in stoppage time.

If the Portugal shot had gone in the net, instead of careening off the post and wide, the United States would likely have been eliminated from the World Cup. For the country with the most Women’s World Cup titles in history, not advancing past the first stage of the tournament would have been an unmitigated disaster.

So what has gone wrong so far?

It’s hard to point to one thing as the silver bullet, but part of the issue has to do with personnel and the substitution strategies by manager Vlatko Andonovski. In the team’s 1-1 draw against the Dutch in its second game of the tournament, Andonovski only made one of the maximum five allowed substitutions.

His choice to bring on Rose Lavelle at halftime of that game was a good choice, as she had the assist on the eventual game-tying goal via a corner, but to not test the Netherlands’ back line with some fresher players up top was a puzzling decision in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Instead of turning to a quick forward like Alyssa Thompson or Lynn Wliiliams, Andonovski stayed put with his 4-3-3 formation that saw Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman on the wings with Alex

RITCHEY from page 1

The Tar Heels have a history of

LITTLE from page 1

graduated, his head coach kept him around on staff to help out with recruiting and coaching quarterbacks.

Little stayed in Greensboro until after the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021 spring season, he joined Carver High in Winston-Salem. He then served as an assistant at Jireh Prep for a year before joining Person High as an offensive assistant last fall.

Returning closer to home was one of the many appeals of the Bears’ head coaching position.

Little’s mom and several of his

Morgan up top.

Morgan, who turned 34 last month, was solid in build-up play, but she lacked the pace to truly test the Dutch defenders. That proved an issue again Tuesday morning as the United States struggled to find chances to score in the draw against Portugal.

Morgan deserves credit for what she has meant to the United States in the past. This is her fourth World Cup. But it might be time to turn things over to a more dynamic player up top. While Andonovski did sub Morgan out for Thompson in Tuesday’s game, he didn’t do so until the last few minutes of stoppage time.

The U.S. has also been outplayed in the midfield for a majority of the tournament. While players like Lavelle and Lindsey Horan have had their moments, the team’s ability to control possession and win back the ball in the middle of the field has been a far cry from past performances.

There’s also something to be said about the mindset of the team. After Tuesday’s tie, it was jarring to watch the players celebrate with fans, dance and smile like they had won the game 3-0 instead of narrowly avoiding an embarrassing defeat.

If the U.S. can’t shake off the cobwebs, it will have a hard time dealing with its next opponent — which is expected to be Sweden — in the Round of 16. The teams have met six times previously in the World Cup, the most meetings between any two teams in tournament history, and there is a long and storied rivalry between the two.

Sweden is ranked third in the FIFA Women’s International Rankings and dominated its group stage opponents. If the U.S. doesn’t figure out an answer, I won’t be surprised if their matchup with the Swedish is their final game of the tournament.

churning out solid pass-rushers like Julius Peppers and Robert Quinn, but they have also had

big names at tight end before — namely Eric Ebron.

Northwood kicks off its 2023

season at home Aug. 18 against Riverside-Durham, which had a 6-5 record in 2022. This will

be the first meeting between the two teams since a 27-7 Chargers’ win back on Sept. 14, 2012.

aunts attended Central. He also applied for the same Northwood job a few years ago.

“It was honestly pretty tough to leave where I was and what we were doing there building up that program,” Little said. “But I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to come back home.”

A former quarterback/receiver, Little said he wants to run a no-huddle offense with a base formation similar to Coastal Carolina’s — full of pistol and option looks. The Bears will be a run-first team, but they will also blend in passing looks.

Little said Central’s passing plays will be run out of an air

raid scheme, which features four or more receivers on the field at once. At the end of the day, the plan is to wear out the other team.

“We move fast but we want to be able to operate kind of slowly,” he said. “I don’t necessarily like to huddle. I feel like if we can keep the same group of 11 defenders on the field, we should be able to tire them out and spread the field side to side as well as gash them right up the middle.”

Little will have a few offensive weapons at his disposal in 2023.

The Bears’ leading returning player on that side of the ball is

rising senior Devonte Johnson, who ran for 465 yards and six touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 220 yards and another score last fall. The team also brings back rising senior River Warren, who ran for 396 yards from the quarterback position in 2022.

Last fall, Central was the only Chatham County team to make the state playoffs, but it did so after going 2-9 during the regular season. The Bears eventually lost to Rosewood, 44-6, in the first round of the 1A tournament.

Chatham Central started practice Monday and will play

its first game of 2023 on Aug. 18 on the road at North Stokes.

Little said the plan is to improve every week, though the results might not always show up on the scoreboard.

While it could take a while, Little is excited to watch as his team starts to take those baby steps.

“We’re focusing on our every day details, and if we can do that, the wins will come down the line,” he said. “But I’m also in a community that knows the past and the history of the program. They know how it has been. They’re not going to overlook the small victories, either.”

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 2, 2023

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2024 Dark Horse Mustang at Ford Performance Center and Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC on July 26, 2023.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Riding this Dark Horse into the sunset

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

PHOTO COURTESY FORD

I REACHED 106 mph on the steep banking of turn two at Charlotte Motor Speedway before my bravery gave out.

I’ve driven on numerous race tracks and taken more than a few driving schools, but knowing your limits is the trick to being a successful gentleman driver. It was at 106 that the bumpy pavement around this famous NASCAR oval made itself much more readily apparent.

I have no doubt that the Dark Horse is more than capable of pressing into the pavement and using all of its considerable aero and performance hardware to achieve far higher speeds in the hands of a jockey more capable — or more foolish — than I. According to the onboard telemetry that Ford engineers had installed in my Grabber Blue Mustang Dark Horse, I touched 127 mph on the back straight before achieving an astonishing 1.58G under braking into a tight hairpin, dropping my speed down to the mid– 30s. Affectionately nicknamed the “Roval,” the half-road course half-oval at Charlotte is a deceptively simple course in the way that many of the best tracks are.

A handful of tight turns combined with some sweeping lefts and rights gave journalists an ideal layout to discover just how good this new Mustang Dark Horse really was. In my review of the standard Mustang last week, I said that the 315 horsepower EcoBoost engine was the one to get, and that folks looking for more should skip the GT and jump straight to the Dark Horse — a heavily upgraded, pavement-gobbling sports car that is one of the best deals around.

With a 5-liter V8 putting out 500 HP, the Dark Horse sees upgrades to nearly every performance part over the standard GT. The 6-speed manual is an intoxicatingly smooth TREMEC unit with a titanium shift knob and a 3.73 TORSEN Limited-slip rear diff, improved engine oil, transmission, and differential coolers, bigger wheels, better tires, additional bracing, a big wing, all manner of extra aero, and a special, numbered Dark Horse plaque on the dashboard.

But reading specs only tells half the story. The Dark Horse dances the line between sports car and muscle car. The joke about Mustang owners being unable to turn successfully — brought on by legions of Mustang-driving morons crashing as they try to show off leaving Cars and Coffee events — won’t apply here. The Dark Horse simply makes too much grip, and the electronic assists are too good.

I had a long talk with several Ford Performance engineers at the rooftop bar of our hotel where they explained the delicate intermix of sensors and assists that work in harmony to keep

the Mustang where it’s supposed to be.

Switching into Sport or Track mode, for example, frees up the traction control to let the rear wheels spin more freely, and allows far more yaw before the stability control provides a gentle guard rail preventing a glorious power slide from abruptly turning into an out-of-control spin into a literal guard rail.

The amount of electronics and support in the Dark Horse is astonishing and will allow even novice drivers to get the most out of their new sports car on an autocross course. As skills are gained, changing drive modes — or even turning traction control off entirely — can free up a more experienced wheelman to get the most out of the car.

The Dark Horse is balanced and predictable, and the rev-match-equipped manual should be mentioned again here. It’s one of the finest gearboxes I’ve used and is worth calling out as a musthave option, especially since the Dark Horse is let down a touch by its automatic option, a single-clutch ten-speed gearbox, an off-the-shelf unit that is begging to be replaced by a dual-clutch 7- or 8-speed that would deliver faster lap times. As it is, the manual and automatic Dark Horse are roughly equivalent, though interestingly, the engineers note that the two transmissions gain and lose time in different places on the racetrack. Most modern sports cars are seeing faster lap times from dual-clutch automatics over manuals.

Much of the rest of the Dark Horse experience is identical to that of the regular Mustang, including the two large digital screens with Epic’s Unreal Engine powering some of the graphics, improved visibility, and a less bunkered feel versus the old Mustang, and terrific new tri-bar headlights that include a unique walk-up welcome sequence that should surprise and delight Dark Horse owners.

Starting close to $60,000, the Dark Horse is very competitive with the rest of the sports car segment (it was hinted that the Porsche Cayman was the benchmark), but buyers would do well to check option boxes for the Appearance and Track Packs, as well as the optional Recaro seats, bringing the total price close to $70,000. If you’re looking at this car, it’s worth the extra spend.

Though each Mustang Dark Horse is individually numbered, Ford says production will only be limited by demand. With the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro already canceled, to be replaced, perhaps, by all-electric offspring, the Mustang stands alone as the final gas-powered snarling muscle car at the auto show.

I hope this isn’t the last gas-powered sports car Ford builds. But if it is, what a wonderful way to go out. Now, please excuse me while I take another lap around the Roval before the EVs take over.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 2, 2023

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 2, 2023

pen & paper pursuits

Solution for the puzzle in last week’s edition.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 2, 2023

s

SOLUTIONS

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Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 2, 2023

McGlohon’s story to be revisited at library event Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Many Asheboro residents are aware that former fire chief John McGlohon, who was an aerial reconnaissance photographer in World War II, snapped images of the atomic bomb blast at Hiroshima during World War II. What they may not know is that as McGlohon began to tell his story, doubters arose — and because his images were clas-

sified “top secret” until 1995, proving it was problematic.

McGlohon’s friend and oral historian Ken Samuelson will share the photographer’s unique story, as well as detail his own research of archives, museums and service members’ memories to substantiate it. The talk is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the Asheboro Public Library.

A large crowd is expected to attend this session based on in-

terest when McGlohon spoke on the subject during an August 2016 presentation. An overflow crowd was on hand for that event.

Although only the three B-29 bombers assigned to the Hiroshima mission — including the “Enola Gay,” which dropped the bomb — were supposed to be in the area, a misunderstood order put McGlohon’s reconnaissance aircraft nearby. McGlohon captured images of the explosion

and its aftermath.

After the war, McGlohon returned home and operated a photography business. In 1955, he joined the Asheboro Fire Department and served as Chief from 1961 to 1985. After retirement, he served on the city council from 1987 to 2005 as mayor pro-tem.

Samuelson, from Moline, Ill., graduated from George Washington University and served in the U.S. Navy as a supply offi-

cer. He later worked in financial management.

He has a long and deep interest in the Second World War and has conducted oral histories with veterans for the North Carolina Museum of History, The National World War II Museum and the University of Florida Oral History Collection. He has published numerous articles on veterans he has interviewed.

His oral history work led him to McGlohon.

ACME NEWS – FILE PHOTO

Here’s the late John McGlohon speaking at the Asheboro Public Library in August 2016 about his experience photographing the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II.

Local areas want say in casino debate

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — Proposals to add casino gambling in North Carolina are met with anticipation from state leaders and trepidation from some in the expected landing spots of the projects.

Throughout the summer, details of state-sanctioned casino projects trickled out through various news reports, coalescing around a draft bill that would place casino projects in Anson, Nash and Rockingham counties.

A fourth project would also be authorized pending federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe around Robeson County.

A study authorized by Greater Carolina, a free-market policy organization, with Spectrum Gaming Group found ample data backing the casino projects as economic boons for the state.

In one statistic, the study found that gross gaming revenue could reach $1.3 billion with casino gaming in the three counties.

One of the core arguments in addition to the economic windfall of the projects is the threat to current revenues from ongoing casino construction in Virginia.

In 2020, four Virginia cities placed referendums on the ballot in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth. A fifth, in Richmond, could be on the ballot in 2024.

The Greater Carolina study found that the projects specifically in Nash and Rockingham counties would restrict “leakage” of gaming revenues to the Virginia locations.

“Based on the locations of the Virginia casinos and the total casino gaming potential in the areas within 90 minutes of the casinos, Spectrum estimates a potential leakage to Virginia of $259 million in gross gaming revenue af-

ter the permanent Virginia casinos are open,” the study says in its analysis.

That has state leaders concerned, including Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden).

On July 13, Berger said proposals adding casino gaming were “Better than 50-50.”

In an Associated Press interview, Berger said he estimated nearly 80% of vehicles in the Danville casino parking lot had North Carolina license plates based on a trip he made himself to investigate.

“The gaming is already taking place in North Carolina, and gaming is taking place on the border of North Carolina that is pulling money out of North Carolina,” Berger said to the AP, adding that a new additional revenue stream “has multiple benefits.”

Yet in Berger’s home county and elsewhere, residents are either opposed to the projects or want to decide for themselves whether to move them forward.

A Rockingham County rezoning request in the western side of the county along Highway 220/73 with ties to a Maryland sports and entertainment company has some residents rallying to oppose the project.

A Change.org petition has more than 2,200 signatures and a meeting about how to coordinate opposition was held on Aug. 1 at a local Baptist church in the area.

Much of the concern from residents about the Rockingham County project has focused on potential impacts on a local camp adjacent to the property for disabled children.

Camp Carefree, which hosts programs for kids ages 6 to 16 with chronic illnesses and disabilities, would see its surroundings altered significantly.

The rezoning request was denied by Rockingham County

Planning Board members but is expected to come to the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners later this month.

In Nash County, the board of commissioners met in a special session on July 28 to pass a resolution calling for a referendum on the matter.

Board Chairman Robbie Davis said he is not for the casino

personally but said the trend has been to leave highly controversial matters to the will of the people, according to a report from the Rocky Mount Telegram.

The study from Greater Carolina also included a statewide poll conducted in January. In that poll, a majority of voters across the political spectrum were largely indifferent about

gaming policies.

In a summary along with the full poll results, the findings found that voters “generally favor or are neutral on expanding gaming” and “gaming expansion is not a deciding issue for voters.”

Both Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) said “they have agreed to a tax package and resolved other key differences” and are negotiating other aspects of the budget this week. That is presumed to include final language and tax provisions relating to the casino projects.

Chatham News & Record for Thursday, August 2, 2023

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