North State Journal Vol. 8, Issue 51

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 51

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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

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BRIEF this week

In-person early voting begins Thursday Raleigh The in-person early voting period for the 2024 primary election begins on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina.

During the early voting period, voters may cast a ballot at any early voting site in their county. This is different than Election Day, when registered voters must vote at their assigned polling place. Early inperson voting ends at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

Early voting sites and schedules are available online at Early Voting Sites .

“We encourage all eligible individuals to register to vote and make their voices heard in this important election year,” said State Board of Elections executive director Karen Brinson Bell.

STEVE LUCIANO | AP PHOTO

Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII

NSJ STAFF

NCGOP’s Whatley could soon lead RNC Raleigh Former President Donald Trump issued a statement on Monday night calling for North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley to lead the Republican National Committee.

“The RNC must be a good partner in the presidential election. It must do the work we expect from the national party and do it flawlessly,” said Trump in a statement.

Current RNC chair Ronna McDaniel is expected to resign from the post following the Feb. 24 South Carolina Republican primary.

In addition, Lara Trump has agreed to run for the position of co-chair, according to the statement. She is a North Carolina native and the former president’s daughter-in-law.

RNC rules dictate that if McDaniel does resign, a new election among the committee’s 168 members must be held.

NSJ STAFF

AI-generated voices in robocalls can deceive voters. The FCC just made them illegal New York The Federal Communications Commission outlawed robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence, a decision the agency says sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won’t be tolerated.

The unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, a 1991 law restricting junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages.

The announcement comes as New Hampshire authorities are advancing their investigation into AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice to discourage people from voting in the state’s first-in-thenation primary last month.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and Fayetteville native Joshua Williams (2) celebrates after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime of NFL Super Bowl 58 on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. The Chiefs have three players on their roster from North Carolina: Williams, tight end Izaiah Gathings of Statesville and wide receiver Cornell Powell of Greenville.

NCRMA: Grocers ‘disappointed’ at Biden remarks The president blamed retailers for persistent price inflation

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

High school CTE credential attainment hits new high

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

ers and workforce development organizations, saw more than half of its top 10 credentials earned in 2022-23 related to computer software, reflecting the importance of computer science education in various industries.

The credential attainment report also highlighted the projected growth of computer and mathematical occupations by 2030, as indicated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

“NC CTE has strategically aligned credential opportunities with what employers are seeking,” per an NCDPI press release announcing the gains.

“The office provides easy-touse resources for districts, including a Credential Directory that provides all the information CTE directors need to implement each program.”

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt emphasized the value of these credentials in indicating mastery of in-demand

RALEIGH — North Carolina high school students saw a big jump in the number of career and technical education (CTE) credentials earned during the 2022-23 school year.

Over 325,000 CTE credentials were earned by high school students in the state, marking the highest attainment rate in 13 years according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

This significant achievement was highlighted in the 2022-23 Credential Attainment Data Report, which was presented at the State Board of Education meeting on Feb. 7.

The attainment rate for CTE students rose to 41%, up from 28% the previous year, with a notable 44% increase in credentials aligning with the North Carolina Workforce Credentials (NCWF) partners list.

The NCWF list, curated in partnership with employ- See CTE, page A2

PHOTO VIA NCDPI

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt speaks at a Union County Public Schools about CTE achievements within North Carolina’s public schools.

RALEIGH — The N.C. Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Feb. 5 expressing disappointment in remarks made by Biden during a South Carolina campaign event in which he blamed food retailers for increased food prices.

During his remarks in South Carolina, Biden had claimed “inflation was coming down” and listed prices dropping on items like eggs, milk, chicken, and gas before stating there are “still too many corporations ripping people off.”

“Well, it’s going to stop.

Americans, we’re tired of being played for suckers,” Biden said.

“And that’s why we’re going to keep these guys — keep on them and get the prices down.

Folks, the bottom line is our economy has grown more in the last six months than it ever did in any point in Trump’s entire four years in office. “ NCRMA’s President and General Counsel Andy Ellen wrote to Biden on behalf of the 2,500 members of his organization and its grocery division, the Carolinas Food Industry Council.

“Our grocers were recently disappointed by your remarks at South Carolina’s First in the Nation Dinner on Jan. 27, 2024, that American consumers were tired of being “played for suckers” by higher prices on eggs, milk, chicken, gas, and other essential items,” Ellen wrote. “The grocery industry is one of the most competSee NCRMA, page A2

Report: 85% of top colleges have restrictive speech codes.

Where did NC schools land?

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The 2024 Spotlight on Speech Codes report released by Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) shows the number of colleges and universities with harsh student speech codes has increased for the second year in a row, breaking a 15-year downward trend.

“This is not an anomaly: Free speech in higher education is getting worse,” Laura Beltz, director of policy reform at FIRE, said in a press release. “America’s top colleges are increasingly turning to censorship and terrible policies to police their students’ ability to speak freely.”

The latest report categorizes 489 of the United States’ leading colleges and universities into “red light,” “yellow light,” or “green light” institutions, evaluating the extent to which their policies pose a threat to student speech.

According to FIRE, 85% of these schools possess at least one policy with the potential to unjustly limit students’ freedom of expression.

According to the report, 98

colleges (20.0%) earned a “red light” rating, meaning they had at least one policy that clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech.

Another 320 colleges (65.4%) earned a “yellow light” rating, due to policies in place that were vague or restrict relatively narrow categories of speech. Another eight colleges (1.6%) received a “warning” rating.

The smallest portion of the college, 63 (12.9%), earned highest “green light,” rating for having no policies that seriously threaten student speech.

Per the report, in general, private schools maintain more restrictive speech codes than do public schools and were more likely to earn yellow or red light ratings than public schools.

Additionally, the report notes See CODES, page A3

$2.00

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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2.14.24 #424

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CTE from page A1 skills essential for employment without a degree.

“Aligning the K-12 education system with workforce needs has long been a priority for me. This report is fantastic news for the state of North Carolina because it shows the hard work that CTE educators across the state are doing to bridge the skills gap,” Truitt said in an NCDPI press release.

“The process of earning industry-recognized credentials gives students an advantage in a competitive labor market and real-world experience,” said Truitt. “For potential employers, a credential is a sign that a student has both the knowledge and durable skills they need to succeed in the workplace.”

Beyond imparting specific skills, CTE courses contribute to higher graduation rates, with CTE concentrators more likely to graduate on time compared to their peers.

Truitt presented a sneak peek of the report during a Union County Public Schools (UCPS) CTE event held on Feb. 5.

UCPS has consistently ranked among the top three districts in North Carolina for the number of credentials earned over the past three years and the district was commended for its exemplary performance in credential attainment, attributed to partnerships with local employers and initiatives like the Speakers Bureau program, which exposes middle school students to career options and durable skills. Those partnerships facilitated internships for 97 students this semester.

Trey Michael, Senior Director of Career and Technical Education at NCDPI, emphasized collaboration with CTE educators statewide to enhance credential attainment efforts.

“We conduct data dives with districts to help them identify where priority credentials are being left on the table. Then, we provide professional development to directors and teachers to improve their credential attainment in those areas,” Michael said in the press release. “Because of this, more students than ever before are graduating from North Carolina public schools ready to take on in-demand jobs that contribute to a strong and healthy economy in our state.”

THE WORD: THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT This series explores the Ten Commandments through the words and admonishments of Arthur Pink.

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12 This commandment to honor parents is much broader in its scope than appears at first glance. It is not to be restricted to our literal father and mother, but is also applied to all having authority over us.

“We should reverence them whom God has exalted to any authority over us, and should render them honor, obedience, and gratitude,” according to Calvin.

Lest any of our readers — in this socialistic and communistic age, when insubordination and lawlessness is the evil spirit of our day — object to this wider interpretation of the commandment, let us ponder the following considerations.

“Honor” belongs primarily and principally to God. By derivation, it pertains also to those whom He has established above others while bestowing titles and dominion upon them. We ought to revere these just as surely as we do our fathers and mothers. In Scripture the word “honor” has an extensive application, as may be seen from 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 2:17, etc.

Observe the title “father” is given to kings, masters, and ministers of the Gospel.

“God here lays down a universal rule for our conduct, namely, that to everyone whom we know to be placed in authority over us by His appointment, we should render reverence, obedience, gratitude, and all the other services in our power.

Nor does it make any difference whether they are worthy of this honor or not. … He has particularly enjoined reverence to our parents, who have brought us into this life,” said Calvin.

First let us consider the duties of children to their parents. They are to love and reverence them, being fearful of offending due to the respect they bear them. They are to be subject unto them: mark the blessed example which Christ has left. “Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). After David was anointed for the throne, he fulfilled his father’s appointment by tending his sheep.

Though Joseph was so highly exalted in Egypt, he “bowed himself with his face to the ground” before his father. As far as they are able and their parents have need, they are to provide for them in old age (1 Timothy 5:16).

Secondly, let us observe our duties to rulers and magistrates whom God has set over us. These are God’s deputies and viceregents, being invested with authority from Him: “by Me kings reign” (Proverbs 8:15). God has ordained civil authority for the general good of mankind, for were it not for this, men would be savage beasts preying on each another. Rulers are to be honored in our thoughts, regarding them as the official representatives of God upon earth. We are to obey them.

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt (circa 1668) is a painting in the collection of The Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well” (1 Peter 2:13, 14). We are to render “tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7). We are to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).

Finally, we should mention ministers and their people, for between them also is such a relation of superiors and inferiors as brings them under the direction of this fifth commandment. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17). How solemn

is this warning: “But they mocked the messengers of God and despised His words and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy” (2 Chronicles 36 :16).

To this precept is added a promise as motivation to obey: “That your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.” The fifth commandment is the first commandment with promise.

Ephesians 6:2. The promise is regarded typically as the Eternal Life promised by the Gospel, since Canaan was a figure of Heaven.

Arthur W. Pink, born in Nottingham, England, in 1886, pastored churches in Colorado, California, Kentucky, and South Carolina. He moved to Sydney, Australia, and then returned to England in 1934. Pink relocated to Lewis, Scotland, in 1940 and remained there until his death in 1952 at the age of 66.

President Joe Biden speaks at the First in the Nation Celebration held by the South Carolina Democratic Party at the State Fairgrounds, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Columbia, S.C.

AP PHOTO

NCRMA from page A1

itive marketplaces in both the retail sector and in the economy in general.”

Ellen went on to say food retailers of all sizes, including discount stores, “serve their communities throughout the year” and that these organizations are the largest donors to local food banks, serve individuals utilizing SNAP and WIC, as well as being “the first to assist in a time of natural disasters.”

“There are many external factors that have gone into increased food prices including

the impact of avian flu on eggs, the price of aluminum on beverages, the impact of conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza on wheat and oil, higher wages and energy prices, and increased shoplifting just to name a few,” wrote Ellen.

Ellen went on to write that even with those pressures, “the inflation for food-at-home (grocery store or supermarket food purchases) is up just 1.3% from January 2023, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data, January Release, data through Dec. 31, 2023.”

“Your attention to these in-

creased pressures on the grocery market is most appreciated to ensure these critical businesses can continue serving their communities,” Ellen wrote in closing.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data comparing average retail food and energy prices from December 2022 and November 2023 in the South region, which includes North Carolina, shows most prices with small drops among most products.

When it comes to chicken and eggs, both items have only continued to climb in the South region. Chicken breasts rose

3.1% and eggs rose 24.4% - the largest increase by far.

Gas prices came down slightly in the BLS comparison, dropping by 2.1%. Under Biden, U.S. gas prices hit a record average high in Spring 2022 of over $5.00 and according to GasBuddy.com, as of Feb. 7, $3.12 is the national average price and $2.98 the average price in North Carolina.

North State Journal reached out to the NCRMA for additional comment and a spokesperson said there was nothing more to add and said the “letter really covers it all.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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NEVADA CAUCUS AND PRIMARY REPUBLICANS

DEMOCRATS

Donald Trump

Nikki Haley

Joe Biden

Dean Phillips

Former President Delegates received: 63

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Delegates received: 17

President Delegates received: 91

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Delegates received: 0

UPCOMING PRIMARIES

Feb. 24 South Carolina Republican primary Feb. 27 Michigan primary

(Democratic and Republican)

Ron DeSantis Florida Gov. Delegates received: 9

Vivek Ramaswamy Businessman Delegates received: 3

1,215 delegates required to win the GOP nomination

Marianne Williamson Author Delegates received: 0 1,968 delegates required to win the Democratic nomination

Millions more in federal loans for Raleigh’s I-540 outer beltline project

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Millions more in funding are being directed to help complete Raleigh’s final sections of the I-540 outer beltline, per a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

The USDOT’s Build America Bureau has approved a loan of up to $417.2 million for the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) for Phase 2 of the Complete 540 Project in the Raleigh area.

“This important infrastructure project will provide congestion relief by allowing local north-south travelers options to avoid the busiest segments of 540 in southwest Raleigh,” Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said in a statement. “Completing the route will also ensure the community has an additional evacuation route to help during emergencies such as hurricanes on the coast.”

“The Build America Bureau advances investment in transportation infrastructure by lending Federal funds to qualified borrowers; clearing roadblocks for credit worthy projects; and encouraging best practices in project planning, financing, delivery, and operations,” per the

CODES from page A1

that 105 institutions have adopted free speech policy statements, modeled after the “Chicago Statement,” committing to upholding freedom of expression.

North Carolina schools included in the report fared well, with the majority earning green lights.

The green light schools includ-

Mecklenburg County’s multibillion-dollar bond package gets nod from LGC

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

USDOT press release.

Phase 2 extends the Triangle Expressway by 10.8 miles and includes six interchanges, 24 bridges, and 14 culverts, with completion expected in 2028.

The loan, provided through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and other financing, aims to expedite the project and reduce costs.

This is the fourth TIFIA loan for NCTA, bringing their total to $1.3 billion supporting approximately $4 billion in projects.

Last December, the NC Local Government Commission approved over $1.1 million in financing through a USDOT TIFIA loan for the NCTA to complete Phase 2 of the I-540 outer loop in Wake County.

State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who chairs the Local Govern-

ment Commission issued a written statement to North State Journal about the loan.

“We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Improvement Act loan for $417.2 million to help complete construction on Phase 2 of the Complete 540 Project,” said Folwell.

“The TIFIA loan was authorized for up to $550,000 as part of the financing package approved by the Local Government Commission at its December meeting,” Folwell said. “Hats off to the LGC members and Department of State Treasurer staff for their important efforts helping to improve transportation corridors that are instrumental to economic development and job creation in North Carolina.”

ed Appalachian State University, Duke University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, University of North Carolina at Asheville, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Char-

lotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Western Carolina University.

Davidson College, North Carolina A&T State University, Wake Forest University, and Winston-Salem State University all received yellow light ratings.

RALEIGH — At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Local Government Commission unanimously endorsed a $2.5 billion bond package approved by Mecklenburg County voters for school construction within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS).

A 63% majority of Mecklenburg voters voted in favor of the funding in last November’s election.

The LGC’s nod to the funding marks the largest tax-exempt financing ever handled by the commission. The funding will occur through a phased 3-cent property tax increase, slated for implementation in 2025, 2028 and 2029.

CMS is the second-largest school district in North Carolina with 184 schools.

According to the district’s website, the bond package will fund “30 high-priority projects,” including the construction of three new schools to accommodate student enrollment, replacement of 16 schools on-site and two off-site, as well as renovation of other facilities.

Notably, plans include development of a regional athletic complex to add to extracurricular opportunities offered to students.

The LGC also approved the following finance items: Wilson County: Secured $73 million in special obligation bonds for the acquisition, construction and equipping of a multipurpose baseball stadium and entertainment complex, to be utilized by the Carolina Mud-

cats, a Single-A minor league franchise.

Cabarrus County: Received approval for $100 million in revenue bonds to expand the Rocky River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, a crucial infrastructure project aimed at bolstering environmental sustainability.

N.C. Medical Care Commission: Granted authorization for $90 million in conduit revenue bonds to facilitate the construction of a 57-unit independent living apartment building at Cypress Glen, Pitt County, part of United Methodist Retirement Homes.

Town of Davidson: Extended authorization for issuing $6.9 million in bonds over three years to address ongoing project delays and market challenges.

City of Reidsville: Approved a nearly $4.9 million increase in a state revolving loan to enhance wastewater infrastructure, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Inlivian: The Charlotte housing authority received the green light for an additional $2 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the Fairhaven Glen project, aimed at expanding affordable housing options.

Yadkin Valley Sewer Authority: Granted funds for essential repairs to manholes, pipes, and pump stations, necessitated by damage from severe weather events.

Caswell County: Approved a lease agreement for vehicle replacement within the Sheriff’s Department, signaling a commitment to maintaining public safety infrastructure.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Inability to discharge the powers and duties of the presidency

President Biden shouldn’t be allowed to drive a car to the grocery store much less have access to the nuclear codes.

PRESIDENT JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN, JR. should do the honorable thing and resign the presidency of the United States of America on his own volition today ― for his sake, the sake of the country and the security of the world.

Everyone remembers where they were when the Challenger Space Shuttle exploded on Jan. 28, 1986. Everyone who saw Biden’s ill-fated press conference on Feb. 8, 2024 will remember when they saw a president selfimmolate live on-camera.

It was sad and painful to watch. It is clear to everyone in the world now after three years of incoherent speech and behavior President Biden shouldn’t be allowed to drive a car to the grocery store much less have access to the nuclear codes and make decisions as chief executive and Commanderin-Chief of the most powerful nation in the history of the world.

No one wants to willingly give up any office of high importance after working a lifetime to get there. It was only after congressional leaders went to the White House to tell President Richard Nixon he had lost the confidence of the Republican caucus that Nixon performed perhaps his only honorable act during the entire sordid Watergate saga which was to voluntarily resign for the good of the country on Aug. 9, 1974.

America had one other extended period where an incapacitated president stayed in office when he shouldn’t have ― Woodrow Wilson for the last eighteen months of his presidency. Wilson suffered a massive stroke on Oct. 2, 1919 and was bedridden until he left the White House in March 1921. His wife, Edith, controlled access to him the entire time and was understood to be the person signing executive orders and making policy decisions for the incapacitated president.

Edith Wilson was not elected to be president of the United States. Neither was Dr. Jill Biden nor any of the Obama-era holdovers now aides to President Biden. None of them should be allowed to make decisions only an elected president was elected to do.

Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Constitution says: “In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President”.

There have been numerous cases where a sitting president was incapacitated for some length of time when transfer of presidential power was not invoked due to differences of opinion over the president’s perceived length of “incapacitation” and expectation of recovery.

William Henry Harrison died nine days after taking ill one month after being sworn

in as POTUS in 1841. Zachary Taylor died five days after becoming ill in 1850. James Garfield somehow survived eleven weeks after being shot in 1881, meeting only once with his Cabinet. Grover Cleveland had cancer surgery and somehow, just like Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, was able to keep it secret for a period of time.

Eisenhower suffered heart attacks and abdominal surgery but did not transfer power to his vice president because he did not like or respect Nixon very much.

It wasn’t until 1967 that the 25th Amendment was ratified which clearly delineated the process by which power from the president would be peacefully transferred to the sitting vice president. Upon ratification, President Lyndon Johnson, who had been unable to voluntarily transfer power while he underwent surgery to his VP, Hubert Humphrey said: “It was 180 years ago, in the closing days of the Constitutional convention, that the Founding Fathers debated the question of presidential disability. John Dickinson of Delaware asked this question: ‘What is the extent of the term ‘disability’ and who is to be the judge of it?’ No one replied. It is hard to believe that until last week our Constitution provided no clear answer. Now, at last, the 25th Amendment clarifies the crucial clause that provides for succession to the Presidency and for filling a vice presidential vacancy.”

If there ever was a time for Section 3 of the 25th Amendment allowing for a president to do the honorable thing and willingly transfer power to the sitting vice president, it is today. If there ever was a time for the VP and Cabinet to invoke Section 4 of the 25th Amendment and declare the incumbent president as “unable to discharge his duties,” it most certainly is today as well.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Hur report is the worst possible news for Joe Biden

Mr. Biden would present himself to a jury as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

LAST WEEK, special counsel Robert Hur released a report detailing the findings of his investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents during his time as a private citizen.

Hur, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022 — three months after the FBI raided former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home for classified documents — didn’t recommend indictment for Biden even though Hur found Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vicepresidency when he was a private citizen.”

Though that, along with noting he found the evidence “does not establish Mr. Biden’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” would sound like good news for Biden, it is the other reason Hur declined to recommend an indictment that has created a firestorm for the Biden administration.

Hur felt Biden would present a sympathetic portrait to a jury because of his age and memory issues.

There were numerous mentions of Biden’s poor memory in the report.

“We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” Hur wrote.

“In addition, Mr. Biden’s memory was significantly limited, both during his recorded interviews with the ghostwriter in 2017,” when Biden was 74 years old, “and in his interview with our office in 2023,” Hur documented in another part of the report.

This was especially evident, Hur said, in Biden’s answers in October 2023 when the president was questioned by Hur. “In his interview with our office, Mr. Biden’s memory was worse,” Hur pointed out. “He did not remember when he was vice president… did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died.”

The Biden White House’s response to Hur’s findings on Biden’s memory has been to attack him as “politically motivated” since he was an attorney general for the Maryland district during the Trump

administration.

“So the way the president’s demeanor in that report was characterized could not be more wrong on the facts, and clearly politically motivated,” Vice President Kamala Harris declared.

“And so I will say, when it comes to the role and responsibility of a prosecutor in a situation like that, we should expect that there would be a higher level of integrity than what we saw.”

Putting aside the fact that the last person who should be lecturing anyone about lacking integrity is Kamala Harris, it was a pathetic yet telling response considering the American people have seen for themselves over the last three years the issues Biden has remembering things.

In other words, even without the Hur report, voters were well aware of the problems Biden has had with his memory, with clear majorities expressing their concerns in poll after poll.

As CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings observed, politically speaking it might have been better if Biden had been indicted rather than let off the hook for the reasons Hur gave.

“The number one anvil on the head of this campaign is the American people do not believe he has the mental acuity to serve as president today or for four more years,” Jennings said.

“This was politically devastating and [an] indictment would have been far better,” Jennings went on to say.

Jennings was right: Biden would have been better off getting indicted in this case rather than having to try and counter the elephant in the room about his age and mental acuity in the court of public opinion.

The findings from the special counsel, who again was appointed by Biden’s handpicked Attorney General Merrick Garland, would seem to emphatically underscore that the concerns voters already had about Biden’s age and fitness to lead are entirely justified.

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.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

COLUMN

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Toward a demotic Republican Party WHAT HAPPENS WHEN a political party becomes demotic?

Before answering the question, note that the word in question is not demonic, from the Greek word daimon, meaning a deity (remember that the Greek gods were notoriously jealous and greedy), but demotic, from the Greek word demos, meaning the people — the same root as democratic.

My question is prompted by the ongoing transformation of the Republican Party, discussed in occasional bits in these columns over the years, with the definitive version set out in Republican political consultant Patrick Ruffini’s “Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP.” Ruffini argues convincingly that the classic picture of the two political parties’ constituencies — the Republicans as the party of the rich and ancestral Protestants, the Democrats as the party of the great masses and ethnic and racial minorities — is out of date. It described the nation emerging from World War II 80 years ago.

It stopped being true by the 1990s, when Bill Clinton’s Democrats made major gains among white college graduates clustered in the nation’s 50-some million-plus metropolitan areas, which account for about half the nation’s population.

But the other half of the nation, rural and smalltown America, with few college grads, trended Republican. West Virginia, which hadn’t voted for a nonincumbent Republican presidential candidate since 1928, voted for George W. Bush in 2000.

Without it, he wouldn’t have won, and the nation wouldn’t have spent weeks wondering who carried Florida.

This realignment of white college grads (call them gentry liberals) toward Democrats and white noncollege grads (demotics) toward Republicans continued. John Judis and Ruy Teixeira’s 2002 book “The Emerging Democratic Majority” predicted that the first trend, if accompanied by new masses of nonwhite immigrants and continued white working-class support, would produce Democratic victories, which happened in 2008.

But it didn’t last. Teixeira, in his and Judis’ recent book “Where Have All the Democrats Gone?”, argues persuasively that as gentry liberals increased their hold on the party, their policy and lingo preferences have repelled first white and then nonwhite demotic voters. Ruffini, citing New York Times analyst Nate Cohn’s seminal June 2016 article, points out that there are many more demotic voters than recorded in exit polls. Our press, politicians and political scientists are almost all college graduates; most voters aren’t.

Donald Trump won in 2016 by winning over demotic whites who voted for Barack Obama. He nearly won again in 2020 by winning over some demotic nonwhites, many of them new voters.

Current polling suggests he is running better with both groups today.

Ruiffini believes, as I do, that American political attitudes arise more from cultural beliefs than economic interests and that nonwhite demotics, like their white counterparts, resent gentry liberals’ support of open borders, of defunding the police and of referring to those of Latin origin as “Latinx.”

“Cultural divides are what voters vote on even if

politicians don’t talk about them,” Ruffini writes.

“Simply ignoring them while gesticulating wildly in the direction of economic populism isn’t a viable strategy.”

He notes two trends that have changed since Judis and Teixeira’s 2002 book. College enrollments are going down rather than up, thanks to administrative bloat, racial discrimination and tolerance of violent antisemitism. College grads were a growing part of the electorate from the 1940s to the 1990s. They aren’t anymore.

The second thing is that America just isn’t as racist as gentry liberals and self-appointed Black Lives Matter apparatchiks claim. Ruffini travels to middle-class black subdivisions in suburban Atlanta to Asian communities in Orange County to Puerto Ricans moving into Disney World’s backyard and sees people working hard, moving upward, raising families, becoming not alienated rebels but self-identified Americans as the children and grandchildren of Ellis Island immigrants did several generations ago.

What are some of the consequences of the emerging demotic Republican Party? One is that high turnout now probably helps Republicans and hurts Democrats, whose gentry liberals vote no matter what. Another is that Democratic campaigns have a big financial edge now, something forecast when the 2004 Democratic campaign slightly outspent even a Republican incumbent president.

The Electoral College tilt, which worked for Trump in 2016 and 2020, may vanish as he piles up votes in states he’s already carrying and as Democratic margins from nonwhites recede. The Electoral College may favor Democrats again, as it did in 2004 through 2012.

Meanwhile, today’s Republican congressional party is even more fissiparous and disorganized than the demotic Democratic congressional majorities were in the post-World War II years.

Dissenting Democrats then just denied House speakers their votes; Republicans are throwing their speakers out.

The corporate establishment and heads of mainline Protestant churches, though their constituencies may be declining, are now and probably will be inclined to look askance at leaders of a demotic Republican Party, and not just Donald Trump, as their counterparts did 75 years ago at Franklin Roosevelt’s Democrats. Meanwhile, pro-Republican intellectuals are sounding as beleaguered and defensive as liberals such as Arthur Schlesinger Jr. sounded when most Ivy Leaguers voted Republican.

Which side owns the future? Neither one, Ruffini says. The “dueling realignments” of recent decades, amplified during the Trump years, “suggest a kind of self-regulating equilibrium where new divisions result in roughly the same competitive politics.” This is true even or especially when, as in this year, both parties seem bent on nominating candidates with glaring and arguably disqualifying defects.

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

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

The Apple Vision Pro future THIS WEEK, I tried out the Apple Vision Pro. That’s the device you’ve been seeing on the news: the bulky, unwieldy headgear; the bizarre images of people attempting to manipulate the air in front of them; even some people driving while looking like Geordi La Forge from “Star Trek.”

It’s extraordinary.

As a piece of technology, I’ve never seen anything like it. It takes the apps on your phone and places them in the world around you: you can pin them in various rooms in your home. This essentially makes television extraneous; it allows you to post lists of groceries on your refrigerator; it allows you to speak with people in real-time while navigating the real world. The graphics are in the early stages, but they’re just as mind-boggling: one app called Encounter Dinosaurs introduces you into a prehistoric landscape, complete with dinosaurs.

Remember how terrible movie 3D is? This is nothing like that. It’s totally immersive, and reacts to you.

So, what does this mean?

On a raw level, it means that entertainment like movies and gaming will be leagues better than anything now available. You’ll be fighting with a lightsaber like Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars”; you’ll be surfing waves along with Kelly Slater.

You’ll also be in landscapes far from your office or cubicle — you can already seat yourself in the midst of a nature landscape near Mount Hood, complete with soundscapes and full 360-degree view.

But as the technology progresses, it means something far more dangerous: the complete transformation of human relations.

Why? Because right now, everyone knows that you’re engaging in a mixed reality; after all, you look like an idiot wearing around scuba gear in broad daylight. But presumably, the technology will get smaller and less obtrusive. It’s not hard to foresee a future when people will have all the same capabilities and more, but projected into contact-

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lens type technologies.

And when that happens, everything changes.

Imagine walking around, being able to access answers to any question by referring to ChatGPT — without anyone knowing you’re doing so.

Every conversation becomes a supplemented conversation. Every job interview becomes a test of AI rather than a test of the human being. Every date becomes a date between two AI prompts.

Or imagine a shared reality in which everyone wearing the technology sees the filters projected by others — so that normal human appearance disappears, corrected by the technology toward the unobtainable ideal. Imagine an even more dystopian world in which Apple or another major corporation controls what you see and hear by barring certain content or mandating certain language.

The world of supplemented reality can open new vistas. But it can also become jet fuel for human frailty and sin, the same way smartphones have been. Imagine children growing up with such technology, removed from the normal consequences of life, their thinking atrophied

by AI superpower, never having experienced the difficulty and beauty of normal human relationships.

We are opening a can of worms here. And that can of worms can’t be closed. All of which means that even as our society throws away classical virtue, nothing is more necessary than its rapid reinstitution. If we advance technology and give people new capacities while ignoring the natural limitations of human beings, we are likely to meet with the ugly consequences of unknown unknowns.

Ben Shapiro, 39, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author; his latest book is “The Authoritarian Moment: How The Left Weaponized America’s Institutions Against Dissent.”

NEWT GINGRICH

Good news for Trump, bad news for Biden THREE RECENT POLLS signal hope for Republicans and disaster for Democrats.

Democrats enjoyed a moment of optimism when Quinnipiac reported on a Jan. 25-26 survey that President Joe Biden was beating President Donald Trump 50 percent to 44 percent. There was a sudden wave of stories about a Biden comeback.

But enthusiasm collapsed on Feb. 1. CNN reported President Trump was ahead 49 percent to 45 percent. Three days later, NBC released a poll showing President Trump ahead 47 percent to 42 percent.

From President Trump’s standpoint, the news keeps getting better. His next test is the South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary on Feb. 24. A recent Washington Post-Monmouth poll shows him leading Ambassador Nikki Haley 58 percent to 32 percent with less than three weeks to go. Morning Consult has the contest at 68 percent for Trump and 31 percent Haley.

President Biden, however, may be the weakest president in modern times. The national numbers have huge implications for Democrats and Republicans.

According to the NBC poll, 76 percent of Americans believe Biden will not be able to serve effectively as president for four more years. Fiftynine percent strongly feel that way. Since his cognitive abilities seem to be continually slipping, it is hard to imagine these people re-electing him.

Conflicts involving Hamas, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Iran sponsored terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq are only getting worse. A cognitively incompetent Commander in Chief represents a threat to national security. The prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming president may clinch the anti-Biden vote.

The decay in support for President Biden is across the board according to the NBC poll. Biden carried 59 percent support from Latinos in 2020. He is now virtually tied with Trump with the group. Latinos support Trump with 42 percent and Biden with 41 percent. In fact, only 35 percent of Latinos approve of the job President Biden is doing.

The Democrats must be especially worried about Biden’s collapse among younger voters. Among 18to 34-year-olds, Biden and Trump are tied at 42 percent support each. Even among younger voters, ages 18 to 29, Biden is only ahead by 8 points, (46 percent to 38 percent). This was a group he carried by a big margin in 2020. This collapse among younger Americans is occurring despite Biden waiving student loan payments, going all-out on radical climate issues, pandering to the transgender community, and using TikTok. The great danger for the Democrats is not that younger Americans are going to swing decisively to President Trump. It’s that they may simply stay home. If turnout in Madison, Wisc., Ann Arbor, Mich., and other huge universities collapses, then Trump will likely carry those states.

Every Democrat who does not cast a ballot is a lost vote for Senate, House, state legislature, governor, etc. This collapse of enthusiasm can create a tidal wave effect as turnout collapses and the votes simply aren’t there for anyone on the ticket.

One indication of President Biden’s youth vote problem is that 70 percent of young Americans disapprove of his support for Israel against Hamas.

This is compounded by the defection among Muslim-Americans, which could be decisive in Michigan. College students are apparently referring to Biden as “genocide Joe.” That’s a nightmare for the Democratic Party.

Finally, beyond personality challenges, the gap in who can handle issues better is large and consistent: On dealing with the border and immigration, it’s Trump up 35 points.

On handling crime and violence, it’s Trump plus 21 points.

On keeping the economy strong, Trump leads by 20 points.

On keeping America stronger, it’s Trump plus 11 points.

Biden only leads on abortion (by 12 percent) and protecting immigrants (by 17 percent).

On personal characteristics there is a similar mismatch: Trump has a 23-point advantage on who has better physical and mental health.

Trump has a 16-point advantage on who is more competent and effective. (In 2020, Biden had a 9-point advantage on this topic.)

Even on protecting democracy — which Biden has made a major talking point — he only leads Trump by two points (43 percent to 41 percent).

I am reminded of an enormous political shift in 1980. At the time, there was a deep pessimism.

There was a sense that the future would be bleak — or at least mediocre (remember President Jimmy Carter’s so-called “malaise speech”).

Then-candidate Ronald Reagan came with a positive attitude. He would say “America’s best days are ahead” and “you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He ultimately carried more electoral votes against an incumbent president than in any other election in history.

Today, by 73 percent to 27 percent, Americans believe the country is on the wrong track.

In the style of Reagan, Republicans must focus on producing positive, common sense solutions — and communicating that we can fix things. They must replace problems with opportunities and work to make American lives better.

If they can do those things, the stage could be set for an extraordinary American victory. People who never before thought about voting Republican may decide that a positive, optimistic future is more important than politics.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount Legislative committee told public schools can’t sustain technology replacements

Connecting to the future The North Carolina Department of Information Technology named the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University as one of eight state government partners to receive a Digital Equity Grant for broadband expansion and digital inclusion efforts in North Carolina last year. As of 2024, the BAND-NC (Building a New Digital Economy in NC) program encompasses 64 counties in this effort, with the goal of enrolling all 100 counties by the end of the year. This year’s Emerging Issues Forum, which runs this week at NC State, is exploring the theme “Weathering Financial Storms: A Resilient Future For North Carolina Families.” Access to broadband across the state and across all socio-economic groups is considered a key factor in creating and expanding financial resilience and opportunity to match North Carolina’s growth for coming generations.

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

BAND-NC Funding Counties served by funds awarded through BAND-NC

WEST

EAST

PIEDMONT

Salisbury girl featured in Super Bowl ad Rowan County A Salisbury five-year-old landed a regional ad for Bojangles during the Super Bowl.

Savannah McConneughey, who goes by “VanVan” and uses the handle @ therealvanvan, is a young aspiring rapper from Salisbury who has earned a huge following with her dance moves and rapping about the days of the week, the ABCs and 123s. Her videos — especially her song “Play Outside Everyday” — have generated millions of views on Instagram and TikTok. Last year, she performed with some of hip-hop’s greats at the Kennedy Center Honors Tribute for Queen Latifah.

MC Lyte, a rap pioneer, signed VanVan to her label and released her latest single, “Pull Out The Keys.”

WSOC

Asheville City Schools approves Parents’ Bill of Rights Buncombe County Asheville City Schools made a decision regarding Senate Bill 49, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, as the Asheville City Board of Education approved the policies aligning with SB-49 on Monday night.

The language bans kindergarten through fourth-grade teachers from using material related to sexuality and gender identity in schools. After months of debate and public input, many residents told local news outlets they thought the district was likely to follow Chapel Hill-Carborro Schools as the second school district in the state to not adopt the bill of rights.

Last week, many called for the board to not approve the policies, but the board felt that wouldn’t have that much of an effect.

“Refusing to pass these policies as a matter of morale principle would negate the law, nor protect our kids in our view,” Sieburg said at Monday’s meeting. The Campaign for Southern Equality had previously filed complaints to both Buncombe County Schools and state Department of Public Instruction about the bill.

WLOS

Concord joins growing number of NC towns with social districts Cabarrus County The Concord City Council has approved designating a social district in downtown Concord, according to local reports.

The new district will allow patrons of downtown ABC-permitted establishments to drink an alcoholic beverage on sidewalks and public areas of the social district. The motion to adopt an ordinance to create the social district passed unanimously during Thursday night’s council meeting. The district will be operational starting Aug. 1, 2024, with the substantial completion date of the Downtown Streetscape project.

Drinks will only be allowed in the district from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

The city council presented an initial map on Tuesday. Thursday night, city leaders said the only change to the map would be exempting the parking deck on Market Street. This new district will include portions of City Place, Spring Street, Market Street, Union Street, Church Street, and McCachern Boulevard.

NSJ

Sixteen arrested in child exploitation sting Gaston County Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials announced in Gastonia the arrest of several people accused of sexually exploiting or soliciting children, in an effort called “Operation Winter Guardian.” The arrests of 16 people across the state and in Pennsylvania are part of a collaborative effort between 44 law enforcement agencies include the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Gaston County Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. “Protecting the children of our community is my highest priority,” Gaston County Police Chief Stephen Zill said in a press release.

WBTV

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Former deputy charged with assault and sexual battery

Girl found unharmed after kidnapping

Rockingham County A former Rockingham County deputy is facing charges after turning himself in, according to deputies with the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office. On Nov. 30, 2023, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation received a request from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney to investigate Marcus Bullins, who was a deputy with the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office at the time. After the SBI investigation and consultation with the DA, Bullins was charged with four counts of assault on a female and four counts of sexual battery. On Feb. 9, Bullins turned himself in at the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office.

He was given a $12,000 bond.

Davidson County A man has been charged after a 16-yearold girl didn’t come home from school last week. According to the Thomasville Police Department, officers were called about after a girl didn’t come home from school on Feb. 8. While investigating her disappearance, detectives “uncovered information” that made them think that she was with a 53-year-old man who was an acquaintance of the family. Police sent a description of the man’s vehicles to multiple agencies. On Friday, a North Carolina trooper spotted the vehicle in Johnston County and the girl was found with Lawrence Nathaniel Chandler, of Trinity. He was charged with abduction and the girl was reunited with her family, unharmed. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed, according to local reports.

WXII

WGHP

Winston Cup Museum founder not held in contempt Forsyth County On Monday, a judge denied ITG Brand’s motion to hold the founder of the Winston Cup Museum, Will Spencer, in contempt of courts for comments made on social media amid ongoing legal issues. In November, ITG asked a judge to hold Spencer in criminal contempt for sharing a video to the Winston Cup Museum Facebook page in which an interviewer says that ITG has been “bullying” Spencer. ITG Brands said that sharing the video violated a court agreement in which Spencer agreed he would not “make any defamatory or disparaging statements” against ITG Brands on social media, according to the filing. In the ruling on Monday, a judge wrote that “there is insufficient evidence of willfulness to support either an order holding Spencer and The Winston Cup Museum, LLC in civil or criminal contempt.” The Winston Cup era is considered by most racing fans to be the “modern era” of NASCAR. The popularity of the sport grew substantially during this time, defined by racing legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.

NSJ

Worker electrocuted at CocaCola Center

Raleigh police latest to launch camera sharing program Wake County Raleigh police are requesting that residents help them and their communities by say by registering doorbell cameras. Similar to other cities around the state, the department is launching a camera sharing program called CONNECTRALEIGH. Police say one option is for someone to voluntarily register their camera with the department that will be added to a private map so they know where cameras are and how to contact the person who owns them. Registering the camera does not give police access to the camera feed.

They must request video from the owner.

“It just enables us to work a little bit smarter without having to send a whole bunch of officers out there to knock on doors,” Raleigh Police Lieutenant Charles Penny told local outlets. “We can at least get something, hopefully, by seeing who’s registered on the registry.”

Johnston County According to Clayton Police, a man was electrocuted on Thursday at the CocaCola Center in Clayton. On Thursday shortly after 11:15 a.m., police responded to a deceased person call at the CocaCola Center at 969 Shotwell Road.

Clayton Fire and Johnston County EMS also responded to the scene. Officers found the body of Nathan Garrett Vanbeek, 34, of Selma, deceased in a fire suppression riser room located behind a warehouse. Officials said an employee of the distribution center found his body. After further investigation, it was determined that Vanbeek was removing a heater fan from a wall inside the room and appeared to have been electrocuted during the process. Officials said Vanbeek worked for Stoltz Management Company, which conducts property maintenance at the facility. OSHA was notified and responded to the scene.

NSJ

NSJ

City Council requests body cam footage of domestic violence call at official’s home Guilford County According to reports, the Greensboro City Council will be allowed to review body camera video after an incident at a city official’s home. On Monday, a judge approved a request from city council members to see body camera footage of a December domestic disturbance at the Greensboro home of City Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba. Multiple 911 calls were placed from the home between Dec. 28 and 29, including what is described by police as a “physical domestic disturbance” on Dec. 28 and a call involving a request for an escort from the home on Dec. 29.

Local reports confirm that the Council is requesting footage from multiple calls, “all of which are regarding an alleged assault at this address involving Taiwo Jaiyeoba, the Greensboro City Manager, and two of his adult daughters” as well as bodycam footage recorded on Dec. 29 regarding the request of an escort from law enforcement at the properly.

WGHP

Woman crashes into local UPS storefront Wayne County A woman was cited by police after she crashed a car into a store in Goldsboro Saturday afternoon, officers told local outlets. The incident was reported as a car that hit a building just after 2:05 p.m. at Eastgate Shopping Center near Berkeley Mall, according to the Goldsboro Police Department. A woman was driving a car when she ran over the curb and smashed into the front of the UPS Store, police said. Video on social media showed a dark blue car that was a couple of feet inside the store. The video also showed at least two large windows smashed by the car and shattered glass on the ground. The UPS was closed after the crash. Police said as of 6:30 p.m., the store was closed “until the damage can be addressed by the store.” June Fields, 70, of Goldsboro was cited for failure to reduce speed, according to police. No one was injured.

WNCN

RALEIGH — During a Jan. 29 meeting of the House Select Committee on Education Reform, representatives from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) told lawmakers can’t sustain funding for replacement purchases of student devices, mainly laptops.

Laptops for all students were purchased by districts using COVID-19 relief funds, but that money is set to run out in September of this year.

In a presentation given by NCDPI’s Chief Information Officer Dr. Vanessa Wrenn and Digital Learning Initiative Specialist Dr. Ashley McBride, about 75% of districts have said they don’t know how they will be able to replace aging, broken, or missing laptops for students.

“89 of 115 LEAs have reported they do not have identified and/or sufficient resources to sustain their refresh cycles for student devices beyond ESSER funding,” per the NCDPI presentation.

According to NCPDI, there are 1.98 million student devices in districts across the state and 114 out of the state’s 115 districts have one device per student. For charter schools, 162 out of the 215 total number of schools have students with a dedicated device. The vast majority of devices as reported by the districts are Google Chrome books or other Chrome devices.

The annual cost of laptop replacements is estimated at around $200-250 million, or roughly $1 billion every four to five years based on an estimated replacement cost of $525 per device.

The state’s schools have spent $404 million on

computer equipment and $183 million on software and supplies since 2020, per information shared with lawmakers.

Last year, the General Assembly also allocated $31 million for school district technology purposes. NCDPI emphasizes the crucial role technology plays in education and advocates for sustainable funding and continued access to the latest tools, including teaching students about artificial intelligence.

Randolph County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey also presented at the meeting and told lawmakers technology funding is a primary concern and that his district isn’t getting enough money from the state to cover rising expenses.

Gainey said his district has received $415,000 for technology from the state but that money only covers a portion of technologyrelated expenses. He gave an example of $600,000 that is being spent just on software subscriptions.

The Legislative Fiscal Research Division also presented data on public school technology use, including an assessment of supply and demand in the state. The presentation included an expansive list of $108 million through various rounds of federal funds that the General Assembly directed for technology purposes. Of the $108 in total funds, $30 million was allocated for student laptops and another $5 million for staff computers.

Following the student device discussions, Dr. Jeni Corn, NCDPI’s Director of Research and Evaluation, updated lawmakers on learning loss recovery and the new year-over-year look at trends and data for the state’s students.

Cold case could be solved as vehicle pulled from water 42 years later Beaufort County As pieces of a vehicle that matched a 1975 white Camero were lifted out of Jack’s Creek at the bridge on Park Drive in Washington on Friday, three local families were notified that they may finally have closure on a 42-yearold missing persons case. Three men — 32-year-old Michael Norman, 30-yearold William Clifton, and 24-year-old David McMicken — have been missing since 1982, and were said to have been travelling from a local club together in the white Camero that is now believed to have fallen into Jack’s Creek, as human remains were also found at the site.

Police told local outlets, “It’s quite an accomplishment to get this done and help those families get closure,” and said that they will continue to analyze remains found in the vehicle.

WCTI

AP PHOTO

Students use their laptops as a teacher looks on in a classroom.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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& Hear from the candidates in the crowded NC-13 Congressional race 14 Republicans are vying for the Triangle-based seat

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — District 13 is North Carolina’s most crowded Congressional race this year with 14 Republicans on the ballot. Whoever comes out on top will be headed to a matchup with Jeremiah Pierce, the lone Democrat who has filed to replace the current seat holder, first-term Democratic Rep. Wi-

ley Nickel.

Following the General Assembly’s 2023 redistricting session, the 13th District’s two most populous counties are Johnston and parts of Wake.

The district then runs southwest through Harnett and Lee counties and up to the Virginia border, grabbing Franklin, Granville, Person and Caswell counties.

The Republicans vying to win the March 5 Primary include Kelly Daughtry, Marcus Dellinger, David Dixon, Brad Knott, Steve A. (Von)

Loor, Josh McConkey, James Phillips, Siddhanth Sharma, Matt Shoemaker, Eric Stevenson, Fred Von Canon, Kenny Xu, Chris Baker, and DeVan Barbour.

Of the 14, only Barbour and Daughtry were part of the Republican field that ran for the seat in 2022. While Bo Hines captured the win with just over 32% of the vote, Barbour came in second with 23% and Daughtry finished third with 17%. Nickel went on to beat Hines by a margin of 3%.

A runoff between the top two

candidates in the race would be held if no one clears 30% of the vote.

North State Journal reached out to the campaigns of all 14 candidates with two questions: What sets them apart from your primary opponents and what their number one top priority will be if they win the seat.

All but two candidates provided answers to our questions.

The responses are in alphabetical order as the candidate or campaign submitted them, however, some have been condensed for brevity.

Chris Baker

Kelly Daughtry

Brad Knott

I’m one of the few who candidates in this primary that lives and has spent a considerable amount of time in the district I would like to represent in Washington, DC. I was born and grew up right off Interstate 95 in a family of you are either most likely to be a truck driver (which I am currently), work for the state of North Carolina (which I have done previously) or serve in the military. It might be the dirt between my fingertips or the grease stains on my pants, but I am an America First candidate who is running for office not for my self-interest but to pay it forward in helping all of the people in my community. ` I have so many [priorities] because I want to make sure the elderly are taken care of along with the people who are serving in our military and who have served by increasing benefits. But one thing I have noticed that would benefit the most people as a whole I would say is my number one priority is infrastructure projects within our community.

I am one of the only candidates that was born and raised in the district, in Johnston County.

I have built my career fighting for families, farmers and small businesses. In other words, I have fought for North Carolinians and I can honestly say, that will continue when I get to Washington. Having worked hand in hand with people in the district, I know first-hand the impact Biden’s disastrous agenda has had on NC. I will be a fighter and a workhorse to bring sanity back to this country. I have no other agenda but that.

My number one priority is tackling inflation.

Gas and grocery prices have gone through the roof under the disastrous policies of President Biden and that needs to change. The federal debt is $34 trillion and counting. Last year the Treasury Department spent almost $660 billion just on the interest of our national debt. We have to cut wasteful spending and gut the bloated bureaucracy. This failed administration is so inept it spent $38 million in COVID payments to dead people. Washington is in shambles and I will fight to restore our conservative values.

We received no responses to our questions from the Dellinger campaign despite multiple contact attempts through various mediums.

I am a prosecutor who has never run for office. I am not a politician. For the better part of the last decade, I worked with local, state and federal law enforcement investigating and prosecuting serious crimes, including drug trafficking, violent crime, financial crimes, and human trafficking, many of which were carried out by criminal gangs, organizations, and cartels. After prosecuting hundreds of cases, I understand how open borders fuel serious crime of every sort in North Carolina and across the country. I understand how to reduce crime.

Laws need to be enforced - and strengthened - to correct the problems we face as a country from illegal immigration. I am prepared to lead that effort.

My top priority will be to fix the problems brought about by illegal immigration. This includes securing the border, finishing the wall, deporting illegal aliens, and enacting significant penalties for illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the United States. Employers must employ only American citizens or legal immigrants. People around the world must learn that the United States will enforce its immigration laws strictly, and if anyone attempts to come here illegally, there will be immediate consequences. If these steps are followed, the illegal immigration problem will be brought under control, and we can begin to solve the many problems it has caused.

David Dixon

Josh McConkey

DeVan Barbour As a lifelong resident of the district, I’ll understand the issues that impact our community on day one. We’ve got to secure the border, cut spending, and reduce inflation, but I also understand how important it will be to eliminate much of the Biden White House’s harmful Ag regulations that are hurting our farm families and putting pressure on our food supply by inflating prices at the grocery store. This is personal for me. It’s where I was born, where we live, where we work, and where our kids go to school. I’m running for Congress to work for, and give back to, the community that has been so good to me and my family for generations. ` The biggest national security threat we face is Biden’s open border policy. We MUST secure our border. I’ll work to do that by ending the catch and release program, reinstitute Remain in Mexico, end the abuse of our asylum policy through fraudulent asylum requests, and we’ll build the wall.

Marcus Dellinger

I am a lifelong North Carolinian who lived in central NC for the past 20+ years. This is not the time to play small ball politics when the very foundations of our Constitutional Republic are under assault from the Neo-Marxist Democrats.

My candidacy is the only one taking on this broader perspective directly and without ambivalence or equivocation. I believe that my integrity, commitment to Conservative values and principles that are shared with the constituents of the 13th Congressional District, and willingness to speak the truth about the jeopardy that we face in today’s America differentiates my informational approach and grassroots campaign from most of the other candidates.

My highest priorities include national security (including border security), the economy, and government accountability.

I think the background will be the first one that sets me apart. I’m the only active military commander in the entire field, I’m an Army combat veteran, and an Air Force reserve commander right now at Andrews Air Force Base; I’m a Colonel. And then as an emergency physician, just the things that I see every day in the emergency department, they kind of hammer home on a lot of the policy failures. That’s what I deal with in the ER every day. And I was also the first of the candidates to actually formally endorse President Trump and ask the rest of the field to just back out and clear the field here.

My number one priority is the border. I’ve been practicing medicine for 20 years, and what I’ve seen from this fentanyl crisis and this opioid epidemic; I have walked in and told probably 100 or more families that their son or daughter had died, because we can’t secure border and stop this flow of drugs. I have cried with so many families. It rips my heart out and I hold very fast to “if you do not secure your border, you do not have national security.” And I deal with it in the ER every day; this opiate crisis; it’s very real to me.

We have to secure that border. So that’s number one for me.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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NC-13 GOP Primary

James Phillips

Eric Stevenson

Steven Von Loor

The Phillips campaign offered lengthy background and personal views but did not answer the questions asked by NSJ despite multiple contact attempts through social media platforms.

Several qualities set me apart from some of my fellow candidates. Being born and raised in NC and actually living in and loving District 13 is one.

You can’t love what you don’t live in. I love my neighbors in District 13. I am the only candidate who has successfully been in war and completed 20+ years now being retired. That is a life of service and commitment to NC and the republic.

Stevenson also cited experience with federal government leadership experience at Fort Bragg, advocacy for transitioning soldiers, service at US Army Forces Command, participation in Army Suicide Fatality review boards, and five years as a Navy recruiter. Additionally, he has early experience observing forced diversity efforts, serves on a school board, works as a substitute teacher, teaches business improvement to community college students, and has been volunteering at a homeless shelter for over 15 years.

When I win the primary my top priority is to continue establishing relationships with committee leadership in Congress so I can be on the Veterans Affairs Committee to end soldier Suicide, as well as the financial committee to be a part of stopping the dangerous spending in Congress currently.

My campaign transcends personal ambition, it’s a resounding call for all citizens grappling in today’s challenging economy. I eschew self-promotion business gains, book sales, and the allure of an inflated social media presence. My focus is unwavering on service, not self. As a blue-collar every day man living the American dream, I embody the hopes, dreams and struggles of the hardworking majority. In an era of influence, I stand unyielding and unbought by the elite as well as the establishment. In an era of influence, I remain beholden only to the people.

My commitment is more than rhetoric, my door will be wide open for We, the people fostering an era of accessible and transparent representation.

I am a champion for the working class, I don’t just talk the talk, I walk the walk. I envision a new dawn advocating for a robust investment on our children’s education emphasizing on skill trades training My top priority goes hand in hand to protect our national security as well as the return of manufacturing jobs increase job creation.

Siddanth Sharma What sets me apart from every candidate is that I actually explain “how” to get the job done, while every other candidate just points out the problem and offers no solution.

I am also the only candidate who is doing the job for free. Any salary will be donated to parks and playgrounds to be built in District 13 and other charitable events.

My number one priority is fighting inflation by lowering taxes which cuts down costs such as gas prices, groceries, etc.

Matt Shoemaker As a proud Veteran and Naval Intelligence Officer, I served this country, and that call to service doesn’t just go away. I was the first to endorse Trump. I’ve been in every county in NC-13 regularly for ten months and have been in the race the longest. I don’t spend my day dialing for dollars; I talk to everyday North Carolinians like myself about what matters most to them this election.

Once elected, I will take bold legislative action to hold China accountable for its crimes against the American people and to lower the costs of living for hard-working Americans. That means imposing sanctions against the CCP, banning CCPowned farmland, reducing inflation, and ending the reckless spending in Washington.

I defended our nation from China, Russia, and other countries wanting to do our nation harm.

When I came home to North Carolina, I realized a sad reality that our greatest foe is here at home, Joe Biden. His disastrous policies have destroyed our state, but help is on the way, and the first step is winning on March 5th.

Fred Von Canon: I’m a successful businessman, not a lawyer or career politician. My life is Christ driven, and so is my campaign. I’m the only candidate who has committed to refuse a salary because I cannot be bought by the swamp, and I’m the only candidate who will take on the Democrats and the RINOs. (When) I win, my top priority will be closing the border and getting a handle on the crisis Joe Biden has created down there. Our borders are open allowing drugs and illegals to pour in. I’ll stand up to anyone who delays fixing that problem – Biden, the Democrats, or the RINOs who refuse to take action. The DC swamp is out of control and, along with Joe Biden, is destroying our country.

The family unit is under attack and the fate of our nation is at risk. Someone must stand in the breech and stop this insanity, which takes a strong backbone and a servant’s heart. I’m willing to do the job, and I’ll do it without taking a salary for the privilege of paying back to our country for allowing me to live the American Dream.

Kenny Xu I’ve fought against Leftist tactics and won. My experience understanding and effectively countering the Left in the Harvard and UNC admissions cases gives me the experience to directly take the fight to them in Congress and take on their bigspending and government dependency agenda.

strophe normal

A7

The comfo How China will payThe for this can 3 bigCOVID-19 questions

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-h hina lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority American WEEK, virus, according to members ied to tell the world there were only “THIS ISofT around globe and in the United will to pay forTHIS this covered up its sprea North State Journal forthe Wednesday, February 14, 2024 areStates, havingChina to adjust what is being called the “new normal.” and state and local governments, America rldwide panic, economic collapse and (Psalm catastrophe one way or another.

3,341 related has Some of these orders extend at least through the endindeaths ofit”this monl ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need the curve in the novel coronavirus outbrea being thrown out of work.

I know In order to put the crisis causedVirginia’s

by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero go into June. millions of Americans tha ne orders ty of at Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask — after all, trends canhas easily ayer least $2.4 trillion in added working from worldwide pandemics can trace their source to theCarolina, Unitedmuted States over costrevers the Here in North Democratic Gov.The Roycrisis Cooper stated durU normal.” questions back tohistory. At least four in the 20th century alone have abided by recommendations and ord Reserve backup liquidity to the about the data, and when things can start getting be glad” th our 231-year be that debt plus trillions more a recent coronavirus press can briefing “we just don’t know yet”asifin t nd of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social di he U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve and dad, the directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977 markets and financial out state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. Since when did They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. und any of these emergency have tonot bethe th “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, would be Perhaps If he it, questions should bewe asked as to Wedoes needdecide to extend WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction in expected hosp Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic.

1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures without immed justification for it.

And the answers should not be vague ones like “ COVID-19 know yet” if the process of returning back to normalcy.

According to theseasons University of Washingto For me, m government There is 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must do this out an abundance Easter of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to askin those Metrics and Evaluation model most oftAs citI ant ways and decisions through and honesty originated Wuhan Province probably from the has to pay for th provide a China at all levels It will need tocompletely be explained in detail to the people ofmaking. this state wh asked as to the And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the Trump administration, the expected need plomacy has obviouslyquestions. not worked Corinthians Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets.

Some believe it came out of a economic and financial m from our are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined message of become a ue ones likecentury “we health, country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 1 orld of 21st hygiene affliction, so biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the ci scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of ca hope that we13,000 will and bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly the numb unist regimes never take blame affliction, wi Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade. Totalitaria are reliable.

— we need to again enjoy sincere of this state who when will demand August byonce nearly 12,000. rse, because that is not whatthey can get back to providing for their families,their God.” That is what food safety and health protocols, American business has nowhat other or express To know date, what I’ve gone along with the state has asked andregret then a they ndetermined answers.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know sporting events, take advantage of every weakness If you are choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely the way I’ve also had governments questions abo housands of cases at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy tothi pushing until they win orLeaders the reflect on concerts, family for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery they find in adversaries ar the data.

State Republican leaders have, too. living in a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatali God’s examp don’t and when reliability concerns. adversaries back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get push asked, there i AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society ked and then with details that give their statements believability. important because That it determines whether nt happens such asThe the Chernobyl this difficult The most direct waywere to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer is, unless an exoge they to disaster corruption. financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those church services the or new standard will be very The Associated Press questions about We should families, be open closed, whether we oughtSome to we pu elieve that event, not the Star Warsall continue confident supposed from COVID-19 offers opportunities for a to do what we can to keep our U.S. tax credits to companies whosimply willknow source at least halfdata of their meltdown in 1986. what they questioning the and asking when we can start getting b and he many more that presumes difficult,’’ said.

Sponsored

by Union and our communities safe. But we still continue more liberalized society wi Sponsored by should also the dissolution of theourselves, Soviet In this sam bit of remediation.

Let’s first examine what production back in the United States.

There is approximately $120 program of Reagan, led d to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people wh Theafter standard for particle polWASHINGTON, — reasonable The don’t. ourinown asked, there to of ask questions about the data, becauseD.C. while stay-at-home ought to lock down further. neighbors he mightisbe the root academic corruption, billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment 1989. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or othersknown sick. lution, more commonly Biden administration is setting title of a recent study, ehernobyl. to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — Concor the num temporary In in China. Chinese direct investmentSince in thewhen U.S. did is about $65 billion bywas set at Perhaps COVID-19 C asgovernment soot, in latelevels 2012 untougher standards for deadly questioning all become aisba “Academic and to theAmericans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 20 starttalking getting backGrievance ThisStudies is all new the number of identified COVID-19 cases eady about the possibility money to bu sacrifices are der Democratic President Barack soot pollution, saying that recomparison.

Senators in Washingto thing?

That is what free citizens living in a free society were suppos Corruption of Scholarship.”

The study was we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at are people shape, and in the denominator are likely wrong.

We debt we owe them as one wayor toform. get So while ducing fine particle matter from Obama and left unchanged by health care NCwho TOWERS Taskforce An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment China of China forgiving $1.2 trw over. toon do,half lastof I checked. done

by Areo, an opinion and analysis the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new tailpipes, smokestacks and other Republican President Donald people have actually died of coronavirus.

S yick. have caused the US. Don’t hold your today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated China to “pay”isfor the dam digital magazine.

By the way, Areo is short discusses statewide My first American concern asmanufacturing we go along inwho all this, of course, family industrial sources could prevent Trump, overrode a scientif-my see” become a bad normal.” number has been overestimated, given tha to happen but ask your elected for Areopagitica,provided a speech delivered by investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billionicthe inrecommendation breath waiting a Chin them$18 catching virus, and I’m for worried Ifor will.

Afte opportunities by a lower y were supposed Not one little bit. thousands of premature deaths tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue of death, particularly among elderly patien untable in tangible financial ways for John Milton in defense of free speech. is representatives to hold Ch suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandem standard in his final days in ofoffshore supplyJames A. a year.

Authors wind Helenand Pluckrose, sources suggest the number is dramaticall decimal dust compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan extra we are now this disaster. been trying to take precautions, because all of this brings Environmental and public fice.

Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah chain e, is my family.

Stacey Matthews manyas people are dying home. d to operate as I’m responsible citizens of undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies in the Ithave is at about timenot they health groups hailed the new EPA scientists way too memories of a painful experience I’estimated d prefer to are rep something drastically wrong ed I will.

After has gone and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Even more importantly, we have no clue ation.

Environmental Protection exposure at current limits causes past. the world like any other But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone hm in academia, especially within certain The North Carolina Taskforce 2009 pandemic, actually havedeaths coronavirus.

Someofscientists Agency rule finalized Wednesthe early of thousands China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields within the humanities. They call for Offshore of this brings up Wind Economic day as a major step in improvAmericans annually heart of identified couldfrom be an order of ma business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases these fields “grievance studies,” where Resources Strategies (NC Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior ing the health of Americans, disease and lung cancer, along refer notscholarship to repeat. is not so much number of people who have had coronavir based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and TOWERS) held its quarterly including future generations. with other health problems. ost everyone hastruth but upon attending to finding replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. The new EPA rule would remeeting in Charlotte on Industry groups warned it could

business & economy A10

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

Biden sets tighter standards for deadly soot pollution from tailpipes, smokestacks A6

Approved Logos

north STA

social grievances.

Grievance February 1 to discuss the scholars lead to the loss of manufacturquire states, counties and tribal bully students, administrators and other AP PHOTO statewide opportunities that ing jobs and even shut down governments to meet a stricter departments into adhering to their offshore wind and its supply power plants or refineries. Busi- Emissions rise from the smokestacks at the Jeffrey Energy air quality standard for fine parworldview. The worldview they promote is Jason ness groups and Republican-led Center coal power plant as the suns sets Sept. 18, 2021, near ticulate matter up to 2.5 microns chain offer North Carolinians. neither scientific nor rigorous. Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS in diameter — far smaller than a “Thereconsist are 27 offshore wind such as states are likely to challenge the Emmett, KS. studies of disciplines rule in court. human hair. The standard would projects currently under sociology, anthropology, gender studies, not force polluters to shut down, development Mainand to critical race EPA Administrator Michael COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer studies, from sexuality Regan said the rule would have technical improvements to meet to meet the revised annual stan- but the EPA and state regulators North Carolina – including studies. $46 billion in net health benefits previous soot standards and can dard by 2032. could use it as the basis for other three off the In 2017 andNorth 2018,Carolina authors Pluckrose, Industry groups and Republiadapt to meet the new standard by 2032, including prevention of rules that target specific sources coast,” said Department Lindsay and N.C. Boghossian started can officials dispute that and say as well.

Soot pollution has deup to 800,000 asthma attacks such as diesel-fueled trucks, reof Commerce Secretary submitting bogus academic papers to and 4,500 premature deaths. clined by 42% since 2000, even a limit of 9 micrograms per cu- fineries and power plants.

Machelle Baker Sanders. academic journals in cultural, queer, He said the rule will especially as the U.S. gross domestic prod- bic meter could sharply increase EPA said it will work with “These projects, andsexuality the race, gender, fat and studies benefit children, older adults and uct has increased by 52%, Regan the number of U.S. counties in states, counties and tribes to acto determine would pass peer supply chain if tothey support them, violation of the soot standard. “THIS those with heart and lung condi- said. count IS forTHE and respond wildDAYinto thetolord has made, seriousness of and thethe virus and the review be accepted for publication. represent potential forneed WITH MOST under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home fallen place.

Companies in those places would “So, we’ve heardSTATES this argutions, as well as people in low-infires, an increasing source of soot I unders Acceptance of dubious research that in it” (Psalm 118:24). y with how people who ask tens of billions ofsimply dollars in orders thanks local or state a majority of Americans to takeinprecautions, but I have difficulty obtaining permits before, buttothe facts are governments, come and minority communities ment pollution, especially the West. editors found sympathetic to their economic investments across that during this challenging tim n thingsjournal can start getting back to are having to adjust to what called the “newindustrial normal.”I know questions about the data, to build or expand that these stan- is being adversely affected by decades of well-established The agency allows states and air intersectional orand postmodern North Carolina tens of leftist vision working from home or losing a job, it may with contempt. dards really will orders increaseextend the plants. industrial pollution. agencies to request Some of these at least through the end of this month. normalexemptions are treated in som of the worldof would prove the problem of thousands family-sustaining be glad” as the Bible tells us todue do. as Howev a societylow simply must accept without The American Forest and Paof lifestay-at-home for so many people, The rule “really does represent quality from air-quality standards Virginia’s orders go into June.

They’re treated thou academic standards. jobs for North Carolinians.” per Association called the new those who are disprowhat the Biden-Harris adminis- especially to “exceptional events,’’ including and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded s us about when it’s safe to begin the Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what the govern Several of the fake research papers N.C. Commerce Assistant rule “unworkable” and said have it wildfires tration is all about, which is un- portionately impacted,’’ he said. and prescribed fires. for, even be and of hopeful alcy. were accepted for publication. a recent coronavirus press briefing that “weBiden’s just don’t know yet”to ifPaul thethankful process returning back Secretary for Clean Energy The Fat derstanding that healthy people promise to Manish Bapna, president and undermines Billings, a senior vice Lenten and pandemic. us, and we have journal the right to ask those Studies published a hoax paper state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The w Economic Development, Since whenhedid equal a healthy economy,’’ told CEO of the Natural Resources increase manufacturing jobs in president at the Americangovernment Lung that argued the term was me, my faith is an important part o home orders are in place all bodybuilding over the Easter seasons If he does decide toenvironextend it,the questions should be asked asFor toAssociation, the questions.

And the longer Jennifer Mundt, gave Taskforce U.S. Defense Council, an reporters Tuesday.

“We do not pushed back on inquestioning andas should be replaced making.

As I celebrated Easter with my fa hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, justification And answers should notaconcerned be vague that ones like “weclaims that country, and the stricter s provide “We are very group, for saidit. the EPAthe was have to sacrifice people to have a mental dustry the rule would members an update on growing with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lo eling isolated and/or anxious about of the modernization projpublic health first by re- many prosperous and booming econo- “putting drive large numbers of counties U.S. offshore wind industry. must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting a message of politicized performance.” One reviewer affliction, so that we may be able to comfo ects in the paper and wood prodng for their families, will demand quiring polluters to cut soot from my.’’ out of compliance and hamper “Offshore wind is a reality in at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this hope that we will U.S. across we alltold breathe.’’

The rule sets maximum levels the economic growth. affliction, with the comfort which we ours the U.S.,” Mundt, noting areair being to remain joblessucts andindustry at home and for an undetermined answers. article andsaid believe it has an important become a once again enjoy will no longer be Ben Jealous, executive direc- manufacturing of 9 micrograms of fine particle He accused the industry of emerging projects in New York God.” vels should be as forthcoming as they contribution to make to the field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds ofsaid thousands of cases Leaders at and the local and forward,’’ Heidi If using pollution per bad cubicthing? meter of air, tor of the Sierra Club, said that able to move “cherry-picked data’’ and Massachusetts.

“With sporting events, you are celebrating the Easter season again, not vague answers, but answer journal.” are reliable. can be with those down from 12 micrograms es- opponents’ “resistance is a stark Brock, the group’s president and misleading maps to make “false answer two projects already “Our Struggle Is Mysending Struggle: Solidarity That is what reflect on this message and be comforted, ents believability. concerts, family To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then with details that give thei claims of economic calamity’’ power to the U.S. energy grid, Reply totablished a decade ago under the reminder that the fight for clean CEO. Feminism as an Intersectional God’s example and comfort allallthose in ne at we can to keep our families, free citizens mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about We should continue The paper lobby was among gatherings, air and a healthier future is far Obama administration. caused by the new rule.

“Despite it’s not a question of ‘if’Feminism,” – it’s Neoliberal was this difficult time.

Through faith and by h fe. But we should and alsoChoice still continue 71 industry groups that warned what polluting from over.’’ State Republican leaders The rule sets an in aira quality industries the data. have, too. ourselves, andare our commu church services living free now a question of ‘how fast’ the a accepted for publication

by Affilia, confident we will emerge out of this pand the White House in a letter that ecause while reasonable stay-at-home The new rule does not impose level that states and counties saying, the sky will not fall and Unfortunately, when certain types ofand questions get asked, there is to ask questions about the feminist for social workers. The industryjournal develops.”

Last week’s many more society wereyears pollution sootsome standard couldtoforce controls on specific in- a lower must achieve in the coming the not Icome to understand anto be insp thisworld samewill spirit, continue y shouldpaper also have anfeatured expiration sometimes a disturbing tendency among people treatInthose measures are consisted in partaofpanel adate. rewritten meeting also to locate new facilities after our own to reduce pollution from power dustries; instead, it lowers the companies end,’’ Billings said. supposed neighbors helping neighbors. d it is not normal.

Not in any way, passage from Mein Kampf.

Two other simply questioning the data and asking when we can start gettingA back This is all new to Amer discussion with North Carolina countries with weaker In Concord, plants, vehicles, industrial sites annual standard for fine particu- in foreign 2023 lung association re- named temporary a shape, high school senior d remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at the papers were published, including companies who are part of to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who or form.

So and wildfires. The rule comes as late matter for overall air quality. air-quality standards, thereby port found that nearly 64 mil- while w “Rape and Queer Performativity to buy a 3-D printer andwe plastic to mfortable withCulture this “new sacrifices areeconomic supply chainso-called including SpanSet, otherwise care if theytoget undermining themselves orBiden’s others sick. money thelive same time shouldn EPA willdon’t use air sampling Democratic President Joe Biden The lion Americans in counties checked. at Urban Parks.” This health care workers out of his own home.

Gulf WindDog Technology andpaper’s subject Sincecounties when did levels becomethat a bad normal.” and environmental over. at all goals. and questioning other areas government seeks reelection, and some Dem- identify experience unhealthy daily was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape Southwire.

Taskforce members EPA’s in new rule couldwere put supposed do not meet the new stanocrats have warned that a tough that spikes in soot pollution andlittle near-bit. thing?

That is what free citizens living a free society Not one paper eventually forced from Boghossian, also met with students States would then have 18 hundreds of U.S. counties out ly 19 million live in counties that soot standard could harm his dard. to do, last I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay Early to prematurely out Charlotte Engineering of compliance andcourse, push many to develop chances in key industrial states months exceedI’m annualStacey limits for soot pol- has also under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah My first concerncompliance as we go along in all this, of is my family.

Matthews themselves.

A Wall Street Journal writer College (CEEC) to build small such as Pennsylvania, Michigan plans for those areas. States that others close to the limit, “which lution. People of color were neardState and Legal Insurrection. had figured out what they were doing. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular contribu working mini wind turbines and do not meet the new standard threatens economic growth,’’ ly four times as likely as white and Wisconsin.

Some papers accepted for publication suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, Administration officials by 2032 could face penalties, al- said Marty Durbin, senior vice people to live in a county with discuss job opportunities in the in academic journals advocated training I’ve been take extra of this brings up failing grades on air president at because the U.S. all Chamber EPAtrying said ittoexpects that precautions, brushed aside those concerns, though multiple growing industry. men like dogs and punishing white male way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. of Commerce.

“Compliance with of U.S. counties will be able saying the industry has used 99% quality, the report said. college students for historical slavery by But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has asking them to sit in silence on the floor in chains during classaerospace and to be expected to Veteran-owned learn from the discomfort. Other papers companymorbid to startobesity as a healthy life celebrated choice and advocated privately production facility treating in Bladen not to leave — a line of reasoning conducted masturbation as a form of County the judge shot down. sexual violence against women. Typically, “Swept up by the rhetoric of academic journal editors send submitted Aviation management ‘all upside,’ or perhaps starry papers out to referees for review. In company, Sovereign eyed

by Musk’s superstar appeal, recommending acceptance for publication, Aerospace, announced that the board never asked the $55.8 many reviewers gave these papers glowing billion question: ‘Was the plan it will invest $4.15 million to praise. even necessary for Tesla to retain manufacture, sell and service Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran Musk and achieve its goals?’” personal aircraft in Elizabeth certain grievance studies concepts through McCormick wrote.

Town, North Carolina.

This first the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often Musk’s fans argue that he The Associated Press U.S.appeared manufacturing they in ourplant presswill over the years. shouldn’t be paid like other bring 33 new jobs to Bladen He found huge increases in the usages CEOs because he isn’t like other ELON MUSK’S brain imCounty.

“Sovereign Aerospace of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” CEOs. He and Tesla are practiplant company Neuralink has is excited to be an integral “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” cally inseparable, so keeping him moved its legal corporate home part theisdevelopment All ofin this being taughtof to college from Delaware to Nevada after as CEO is key to the company’s students, many of whom become primary the Elizabethtown Aerospace a Delaware judge struck down growth. He built the company and secondary teachers who then Industrial Parkschool in Bladen Musk’s $55.8 billion pay package from an idea to the most valuindoctrinate ourCarolina,” young people.

County, North as CEO of Tesla. able automaker in the world, last I doubt whether the coronavirussaid Ken Hadaway, COO of Neuralink, which has its physyear selling more electric vehicaused financial crunch“Our will give college Sovereign Aerospace. ical headquarters in Fremont, cles than any other company. His and university administrators, a partnership and collaboration who areCalifornia, became a Nevada star power gets free publicity, so crossbreed between parrot and jellyfish, with Ameravia, Inc.,athe company on Thursday, accordthe company spends little on adthe guts and backbone to restore academic sole-source importer of ing to state records. Delaware vertising. And he has forced the respectability.

Far too often, they get much Vulcanair aircraft in the United records also list the company’s rest of the auto industry to accelof their political support from campus States, has proven to be the legal home as Nevada. erate plans for electric vehicles grievance people who are members of the cornerstone for expanding the to counter Tesla’s phenomenal faculty and diversity and multicultural The move comes after Musk footprint of air manufacturing wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that growth. administrative offices.

AP PHOTO shareholders of Austin-based McCormick’s ruling came five inThe North Carolina.

We intend best hope lies with boards of Tesla would be asked to consider Elon Musk addresses the European Jewish Association’s years after shareholders filed a to engage the community with trustees, though many serve as yes-men moving the company’s corporate conference, in Krakow, Poland, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. lawsuit accusing Musk and Tesopportunities that exist today for the university president. I think that a registration to Texas. la directors of breaching their within the would aviation good start beindustry. to find 1950s or 1960s duties and arguing that the pay ThroughLook aviation training and catalogs. at the course offerings at “Never incorporate your comMcCormick’s ruling bumped a business and law professor at pany in the state of Delaware,” he package was a product of sham job placement, we can mitigate a time when college graduates knew how Musk out of the top spot on the negotiations with directors who the national of pilots to read, writeshortfall and compute, and make wrote in one post after the court the University of Michigan.

On Jan. 30, Delaware Chan- Forbes list of wealthiest people. were not independent of him. and mechanics and help them today’s curricula.

Another helpfulruling. He later added, “I recomMusk, a co-founder of the primend incorporating in Nevada cellor Kathaleen St. Jude McThe defense countered that transition exiting tool would veterans be to giveand careful consideration vately held Neuralink, is listed Cormick invalidated the pay or Texas if you prefer shareholdthe pay plan was fairly negotiatto eliminating all classes/majors/minors active-duty military into careers as company president in Nevada package that Tesla established ers to decide matters.” ed by a compensation committee containing the wordindustry “studies,” within the aviation forsuch as Legal experts say most corpo- for Musk in 2018, ruling that documents. Messages were left whose members were indepenwomen, Asian, black or queer studies. anyone who is willing to pursue I’d betdreams.” that by restoring the traditional rations set up legal shop in Del- the process was “flawed” and the Saturday seeking comment from dent and had lofty performance their A performanceaware because laws there favor price “unfair.” In her ruling, she Neuralink and Tesla. milestones. academic mission to colleges, based grant of $100,000 fromthey would McCormick determined that called the package “the largest corporations.

“Delaware built Musk wrote on X last month put serious dent into the COVID-19 theaOne North Carolina Fund Tesla’s board lacked indepenpotential compensation opporits preferred state of incorporathat the first human received an budget shortfall. will help Sovereign Aerospace tion business by being friendly tunity ever observed in public dence from Musk. His lawyers implant from Neuralink. The establish its manufacturing to company management, not markets by multiple orders of said the package needed to be billionaire did not provide addiWalter facility.E. Williams is a professor of rich to give Musk an incentive tional details about the patient. economics at George Mason University.shareholders,” said Erik Gordon, magnitude.”

VISUAL VOICES

It’s okay to ask questions about when The we begin to get back to comfort normal and hop

Elon Musk’s Neuralink moves legal home to Nevada after Delaware judge invalidates his Tesla pay deal

y

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

NCDOT CASH REPORT

A11 FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEB 11

Total Cash & Bond Proceeds

Add Receipts

Less Disbursements

Reserved Cash

Unreserved Cash Balance Total

Loan Balance

$2,087,832,815

$91,196,605

$126,272,462

$125,000,000

$6,051,033,792

$0

It’s a mismatch on the economy. Even as inflation wanes, voters still worry about getting by The Associated Press GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Bartender Catey Regis had a pricey misadventure buying a used car recently — an experience that speaks to why voters are worrying about the U.S. economy going into this year’s presidential election.

Over three years at Founders Brewing, the 25-year-old saved enough money pouring IPAs, stouts and porters to pay cash for a 2009 Toyota Corolla. But then the car’s transmission went kaput and she had to take out a costly loan to fix it, and keep her toehold in the middle class.

“To me, it’s a telltale sign about the economy,” Regis explained from a bar stool after her shift. She plans to vote for President Joe Biden over Republican front-runner Donald Trump but, frankly, wishes there was someone else on the ballot.

By the numbers, the U.S. economy looks impressively strong.

Growth surged 2.5% last year.

Inflation has eased. Unemployment is a healthy 3.7%. Biden is telling voters that the numbers point to a brighter future, while Trump says the gains are merely the fumes of his time in office.

But conversations with dozens of voters around Grand Rapids — a city of 200,000 in one of Michigan’s swing counties — show they’re thinking about the economy through their own experiences. And they tell a story about an economy, a country and a world that seems to many to have spun out of control.

Most are sure the U.S. is in a recession. (It’s not.) High grocery prices have them down. For renters, high home prices are putting the American dream out of reach. There is a sense of generational decline and more barriers to genuine financial security.

“The price of everything is going up and even though they are trying to raise the minimum wage, most people are getting paid the same,” said 28-year-old

AP PHOTO

Arick Davis, owner of Last Mile Cafe, poses for a portrait outside of DeVos Place convention center during the annual State of Grand Rapids Business event on Jan. 31, 2024, in Grands Rapids, MI. Cameron Brown, who offered a rushed assessment as he hurried past outside Westwood Mall in suburban Kentwood. He said he’ll vote for Trump because he “runs the country like a business.”

There are multiple signs in economic reports that people’s feelings about the economy have improved as inflation has eased after hitting a four-decade peak in the middle of 2022. People are finding ways to get by, even if few say they’re getting ahead.

However, conversations with voters uncovered doubts about Biden’s ability to fix the nation’s challenges and concerns among some that Trump could make those challenges worse.

There’s a persistent concern about a recession. Some voters worried about the fighting in the Middle East and Ukraine starting a third world war. Others saw the influx of migrants at the U.S. southern border as a threat to national security and a strain on

government finances.

“I feel like there’s a recession and I’m living it,” says Scott Thompson, a 44-year-old Caledonia small business owner who drives for Uber on the side. “The cost of living, groceries, cereal, car insurance, and the equipment for my business is more expensive.”

Thompson, who owns a telecom reseller, plans to vote for Trump in 2024. “I think Trump did a good job — no, he wasn’t very presidential — but he did what he said he was going to do,” Thompson said as he drove a fare to the mall.

Trump cut taxes for corporations and most households at the end of 2017, as well as imposing tariffs on Chinese imports and borrowing trillions of dollars for pandemic aid. The Biden administration kept the tariffs and launched another round of pandemic aid, as well as making substantial investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and

renewable energy.

But Teresa Johnson worries about paying her $1,500 rent.

Housing costs have been rising faster than overall inflation, a problem — compounded by higher mortgage rates — that has led more people to rent as prices have risen in the most desirable neighborhoods.

“The president needs to fix that,” said Johnson, 62, a Black single parent in Kentwood who is a Democrat but open to backing Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who is running against Trump for the Republican nomination.

The Biden administration has also sent conflicting messages in some cases to voters. Domestic oil production is at record highs, helping to keep down gasoline prices. But as part of the effort to combat climate change, Biden is also providing incentives to support the development of renewable energy and phase out fossil fuels.

DEA reverses decision stripping drug distributor of licenses for fueling opioid crisis The Associated Press The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is allowing one of the nation’s largest wholesale drug distributors to stay in business, reversing an earlier order stripping the company of its licenses for its failure to properly monitor the shipment of tens of millions of addictive painkillers blamed for fueling the opioid crisis.

As part of the settlement announced Wednesday, Morris & Dickson Co. agreed to admit wrongdoing, comply with heightened reporting requirements and surrender one of its two certificates of registration with the DEA. The Shreveport, La.-based company, which has around 600 employees and generates about $4 billion a year in revenue, also agreed to forfeit $19 million.

Last May, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram revoked both of Morris & Dickson’s licenses after an investigation by The Associated Press found the nation’s fourth-largest drug distributor kept shipping drugs for nearly four years after a federal judge recommended the harshest penalty for its “cavalier disregard” of rules aimed at preventing opioid abuse.

“Of all the cases I handled as an administrative law judge for the DEA, Morris & Dickson’s violations were the most blatant and egregious,” Judge Charles Dorman told the AP. “In addi-

tion, I saw no real acceptance of responsibility for their violations.”

The yearslong delay in issuing the order shined a light on Washington’s revolving door after the AP reported that Milgram’s handpicked deputy at the DEA, Louis Milione, was previously a consultant for Morris & Dickson, Purdue Pharma and other drugmakers blamed for the opioid epidemic.

Last summer, Milione resigned for the second time from the DEA and returned to Guidepost Solutions, a New York-based private investigative firm that has advised drug makers and distributors, including Morris & Dickson, in the past. Guidepost didn’t immediately respond to an email asking whether Morris & Dickson remains a client.

The DEA last year acknowledged the time it took to issue its final decision was “longer than typical for the agency” but blamed Morris & Dickson in part for holding up the process by seeking delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its lengthy pursuit of a settlement.

Morris & Dickson said Wednesday that it looks forward to future growth now that a case that threatened to put the 182-year-old company out of business had been resolved.

It said the settlement “recognizes our extensive and voluntary efforts to improve and enhance our compliance system over the past five years,” the

AP PHOTO

An automatic system drops pharmaceutical orders on a conveyor belt to be placed into boxes at Morris & Dickson Co., in Shreveport, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. company said in a statement.

“In fact, following our efforts, our state-of-the-art compliance program has been repeatedly acknowledged as impressive and above reproach by outside parties.”

The DEA, in a news release, did not say why it disavowed

its earlier order that Morris & Dickson cease operations. However, it once again faulted the company for turning a blind eye to thousands of unusually large orders for hydrocodone and oxycodone.

“Today, Morris & Dickson takes an important first step by

Charles Kroll, CFO of a Grand Rapids fuel distribution company, stopped to chat after a recent local “state of business” event and said he’s worried about the impact of Biden’s climate policies — he calls it the president’s “war on oil and gas.”

Kroll voted for Trump in 2016, Biden in 2020 and is undecided this time.

Grand Rapids is the seat of Kent County, which backed Trump in 2016 and then flipped to Biden in 2020. About 10% of the county’s population is Black and more than 7% is multiracial, according to the Census Bureau.

Nearly 40% of its population has a college degree. And of its college graduates, more than half are younger than 45 — a population that has become an essential Democratic constituency.

But those voters’ support of Biden is generally rooted in an opposition to Trump, who was impeached twice as president and since leaving office has been criminally indicted on an array of activities including the possession of classified material and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

“I will not vote for someone who could cause so much instability,” said Arick Davis, a 32-year-old part-owner of Last Mile Café in South East Grand Rapids.

But Davis is well aware that consumers are feeling pressure on how much they can spend and the challenge that Blackowned businesses like his have with accessing lines of credit to expand. To the extent that the economy is doing well, there is little confidence that it is necessarily sustainable.

“I can tell people are more aware of how much they are spending — and I feel like people are having a hard time budgeting,” Davis said as he waited for a Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce “State of Business” event to start. He’ll vote for Biden, he says, but unenthusiastically.

admitting wrongdoing and paying for its misconduct, and today’s settlement will ensure that such irresponsible practices will not continue in the future,” said DEA spokesperson Katherine Pfaff.

Neither the DEA or Morris & Dickson immediately responded to a request for comment.

While Morris & Dickson has managed to stay open, several of the pharmacies it supplied have closed, had their licenses revoked by the DEA or have been criminally prosecuted.

Among the more than 12,000 suspicious orders that Judge Dorman said Morris & Dickson should have reported to the DEA were 51 unusually large orders of opioids made by Wilkinson Family Pharmacy in suburban New Orleans.

Wilkinson purchased more than 4.5 million pills of oxycodone and hydrocodone from Morris & Dickson between 2014 and 2017, and federal prosecutors say during that time owner Keith Wilkinson laundered more than $345,000 from illegal sales made with forged prescriptions or written by “pill mill” doctors. In May, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison.

In one month, as many as 42% of all prescriptions filled

by Wilkinson were for painkillers and 38% of those were paid for in cash. The DEA considers a pharmacy’s sales of controlled substances suspicious whenever they surpass 15% or cash transactions exceed 9%.

Yet Morris & Dickson never suspended any shipments to the pharmacy. Over three years, it filed just three suspicious order reports to the DEA – none of which resulted in shipments being suspended.

A12

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

IRS watchdog: Contractors who failed background checks maintained access to sensitive agency systems The Associated Press WASHINGTON — A new IRS inspector general report said the nation’s tax collection agency continued to give 19 contractors access to sensitive systems despite having background reports that were returned as “not favorable.”

Despite having the unfavorable rating returned as recently as July 13, 2023, “These contractors still retained their access to one or more sensitive systems because the IRS did not take action to suspend or disable the contractors from the IRS’s systems, as required,” according to a report issued this week by the Treasury Department’s inspector general for tax administration.

IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel — who took over the agency last April — told The Associated Press that four of the contractors have since been terAP PHOTO minated and the others have resubmitted their paperwork and A sign for the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, on May 4, 2021. received favorable background checks, adding that “there’s in leaks that appeared to be “un- Means Committee, sent a letter no implicit implication of any taxes for the wealthy.

Last week, former IRS con- paralleled in the IRS’s history,” to TIGTA asking for a review of kind,” he said, “that these 19 the leak. Smith’s office did not contractors compromised tax- tractor Charles Edward Little- prosecutors said.

Littlejohn had applied to immediately respond to an Asjohn of Washington, D.C., was payer information in any way.”

An IRS spokesperson said due sentenced to five years in prison work as a contractor to get sociated Press request for comto privacy issues they could not after pleading guilty to leak- Trump’s tax returns and care- ment on the report.

Werfel is set to testify in front provide specific dates for when ing tax information about for- fully figured out how to search the issues were flagged, but said mer President Donald Trump and extract tax data to avoid of the House Ways and Means they were “promptly resolved” and thousands of the country’s triggering suspicions internally, Committee on Feb. 15.

In addition, the inspector wealthiest people to news out- prosecutors said in court docuwhen identified by TIGTA. general report outlined a slew of ments.

The report comes as access to lets.

In February 2023, Rep. Jason insufficiencies in the IRS securiLittlejohn, 38, gave data to sensitive taxpayer information has sparked calls for investiga- The New York Times and Pro- Smith, the Republican chair- ty, stating that it “has repeatedly tions — and calls for reform on Publica between 2018 and 2020 man of the House Ways and reported that a key deficiency in

the IRS’s detection and deterrence processes is not ensuring that all sensitive systems are providing complete, accurate, and usable audit trail logs for monitoring and identifying unauthorized access and for other investigative purposes.”

Since 2002, TIGTA has issued seven reports that detail the IRS’s audit trail deficiencies, with the most recent report being issued in October 2023, the report states.

Werfel said that since the agency has received funding through Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, it has been able to markedly improve the security of sensitive information, including audit trail deficiencies.

“Our data security and environment is dramatically better today than it was in 2017 to 2020 when this unauthorized access occurred,” Werfel said. “And it’s dramatically better today because we now have the resources to make the right investments to strengthen our data security. And we have made dramatic changes.”

The report also states there were certain scenarios in which a terminated contractor could still have access, but Werfel said that “once a contractor no longer works for the IRS, they have no access to our network and therefore no access to sensitive data.”

“The fact remains,” the report says, “for some sensitive systems, the IRS does not have adequate controls to detect or prevent the unauthorized removal of data by users.”

Matt Smircich, of Hamburg, NJ, makes sports bets at the Hard Rock casino in Atlantic City, N.J., Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

AP PHOTO

Super Bowl bets placed online surged this year, verification company says The Associated Press ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Online betting on the Super Bowl surged this year, with many gamblers waiting until right before the kickoff to place their wagers, according to a company that tracks the location of internet gamblers.

Data released Monday from GeoComply shows that the number of verification checks it carried out over the weekend increased by more than 22% from last year.

It processed just over 122 million checks this year in 28 of the 29 states that offer online sports betting, excluding Florida.

The company makes sure gamblers are where they say they are before permitting their online bets to go through, a process known as geolocation that is a foundation of online betting

in the U.S. The data records the number of times the company was called on to verify a customer’s location. It is considered a good indicator for at least a minimum level of sports betting activity, more than 80% of which is done online in the U.S. “The continued transition to the legal market set the stage for a historic first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, and the record-breaking results we saw did not disappoint,” said Anna Sainsbury, CEO and co-founder of Vancouver, Canada-based GeoComply.

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 Sunday night for their second consecutive NFL title.

States require a gambler to be physically located within their borders in order to make online bets. Geolocation technology

uses a combination of cellphone data, software, hardware and databases to determine where a phone or laptop trying to make a bet is actually located at a given moment.

While it is true that customers can log in and have their location verified without actually placing a bet, many gamblers also make more than one bet after a single login.

Throughout Super Bowl weekend, GeoComply saw a total of 8.5 million active accounts, up 15% from last year’s Super Bowl.

During the two weeks leading up to the big game, the company saw more than 1.77 million new users sign up for legal online betting accounts.

Since the start of the 20232024 NFL season, customers have added more than 13.7 million new accounts, a 28% in-

crease from last season.

And as usual, many people waited until the last moment to place bets. The company said that minutes before kick-off, it saw a massive spike in traffic totaling nearly 15,000 transactions per second. This was the highest level ever recorded on GeoComply’s systems, nearly doubling last year’s peak.

The game going into to overtime for only the second time hit many sports books hard, having offered steep odds that it wouldn’t happen. And many bets were on the Chiefs to win, even though the 49ers entered the game as slight favorites.

Sportsbooks suffered a multimillion-dollar loss on the game going to overtime, a popular bet that paid about 9-to-1, said Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading for Caesars Sportsbook. He said Caesars lost seven

figures alone on the overtime bet, with the average wager on it being $16.

Caesars did better on player props, many of which did not come to fruition. That includes bets on whether prominent players such as Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk would score a touchdown, which none of them did.

“It was a bad Super Bowl for the sportsbook,” said Tristan Davis, a senior trader at BetMGM. “Many bettors had the Chiefs winning and overs on popular player props,” referring to bets on individual player statistical performances.

FanDuel, the official odds provider for The Associated Press, said it took 14 million bets totaling $307 million, both of which set records. Those bets came from 2.5 million FanDuel customers.

DraftKings would not release figures Monday about its performance during the Super Bowl.

Several sportsbooks also issued odds for next year’s Super Bowl winner, with the 49ers slightly ahead of the Chiefs.

Hornets’ rebuild underway, B3

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Parker Friedrichsen and Wake Forest are feeling the pressure of needing a Quad I win to bolster the Demon Deacons’ NCAA Tournament resume. Wake was unable to get that win Monday, losing 77-69 at Duke.

Wake Forest needs to take final step to make NCAA Tournament COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UNC 7th, Duke 8th in new men’s poll New York UNC fell four spots to No. 7 in The Associated Press men’s basketball poll released Monday. The Tar Heels (19-5, 11-2 ACC) lost 80-76 at home against Clemson last Tuesday before rebounding to win 75-72 at Miami four days later. Duke (19-5, 10-3 ACC) stayed at No. 9, following up its loss to UNC two Saturdays ago with home wins over Notre Dame and Boston College last week. The Blue Devils also won Monday against Wake Forest in Durham.

UConn remained No. 1, with Purdue, Houston, Marquette and Arizona rounding out the top five.

Indiana State is ranked 23rd, reaching the Top 25 for the first time since Larry Bird played for the Sycamores in 1979.

UNC Wilmington (18-6, 9-3 CAA) received one 25th-place vote in this week’s poll.

NC State drops to 6th in women’s poll after loss to VT New York NC State dropped from No. 3 to No. 6 in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll released Monday. The Wolfpack (21-3, 9-3 ACC) lost for the second time this season to Virginia Tech last Thursday, ending their five-game winning streak. NC State had beaten Louisville three days earlier for its fifth win against a ranked opponent.

UNC (15-9, 7-5 ACC) and Duke (16-7, 8-4 ACC) each received four votes, 29th most in this week’s poll. The Blue Devils have won three in a row, including beating the Tar Heels — who have lost four straight — at home on Sunday.

The Deacons have jumped 100 spots in the rankings but still need a signature win

By Shawn Krest North State Journal WAKE FOREST has come so far, but there is one big step still left to take.

In December, when the NCAA released its first set of NET ratings — the metric the selection committee uses to evaluate tournament hopefuls — the Deacons were on the outside, looking in.

Actually, Wake had a long

way to go to even get to “looking in” status. The Deacs were 4-3 at the time, and two of the three losses were Quad III games, at Georgia and in overtime against LSU. (Top opponents get a Quad I rating in NET, while the lowest quality opponents are Quad IV.) That ranked Wake Forest a dismal No. 133 in NET. It appeared that the Demon Deacons’ NCAA tournament drought, dating back to 2017, would be extended another year.

Wake probably should have made the Big Dance in 202122, when the Deacs turned in a 25-10 record in coach Steve Forbes’ first season. The team was docked for a poor noncon-

ference schedule and a perceived down year for the ACC, which kept them from racking up enough Quad I wins to impress the committee. Twenty of the Deacs’ games were against Quad III and IV teams that season, and Wake finished just 1-4 against Quad I. Lesson learned: Forbes upgraded the schedule last year, but Wake wasn’t able to win enough games against tougher opposition, going 1-9 against Quad I and, with a 19-14 overall mark, wasn’t a serious bubble contender when tournament time came around.

A few weeks into this season, it appeared that Forbes would

be back at the drawing board this offseason, trying to find the right mix of impressive but winnable games to give the Deacons a chance to go deep into March.

Now, however, as March is two weeks away, it seems possible that Forbes has already found that mix. While an NCAA-friendly schedule has been a tough equation to balance, Forbes has done a much better job solving the chemistry problems that come with the transfer portal. He brought in the ACC Player of the Year, Alondes Williams, in his first class two years ago. Last year, See WAKE FOREST, page B3

Peppers voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame The N.C. native and UNC two-sport standout will be the first Panthers draft pick enshrined

By Shawn Krest North State Journal FORMER CAROLINA Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers was selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will be inducted in Canton, Ohio, in August as part of the Class of 2024.

Peppers, who was born in Wilson and played football and basketball for UNC, will be the first player drafted by the Panthers to join the Hall. Carolina and Houston were the only NFL teams not to produce a drafted Hall of Famer. Receiver Andre Johnson, drafted by the Texans, was also selected as part of the 2024 class.

The rest of the Hall of Fame class includes Colts pass rusher Dwight Freeney, 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis and Bears return man Devin Hester, all selected from the list of modern era finalists. In the senior category, Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar and Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael were named to the class Peppers grew up in Bailey and starred for Southern Nash High School. Despite never playing

MIKE MCCARN | AP PHOTO

North Carolina native and former UNC two-sport standout Julius Peppers was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He will be the first player drafted by the Panthers to be inducted. football before joining the team, Peppers starred at running back and defensive line. He also was an all-conference basketball player and state champion in track and field. He went on to be a two-sport athlete while at UNC from 1998 to 2001, winning the Bednarik and Lombardi awards and becoming one of the few defensive players to finish in the top 10 in Heisman voting.

He is still second on the

school’s career sacks list and also made the Final Four on the basketball court.

He was drafted second overall by the Panthers in 2002 and won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was a three-time AllPro and five-time Pro Bowler in his eight years with the Panthers to start his career. After leaving Carolina and spending seven years with the Bears and Packers, he returned to the Panthers

for his final two NFL seasons.

He was selected to the hall in his first year of eligibility.

“It’s a surreal moment,” he said after learning of his honor.

“It’s kind of still unbelievable.”

While Peppers is the first home-grown Panthers Hall of Famer, he will be the fifth former member of the franchise to be enshrined in Canton.

Reggie White was the first former Panther to join the hall.

He played the final year of his 17-season pro football career with Carolina and was enshrined in 2006.

Bill Polian, who was the first general manager in team history, following his tenure with the Buffalo Bills, joined the hall in 2015.

Defensive end Kevin Greene played the final two seasons of his 15-year NFL career with the Panthers. He was inducted in 2016. White (No. 2 with 198), Greene (No. 3 with 160) and Peppers (No. 4 with 159.5) give the Panthers claim to three of the top four NFL leaders in career sacks.

Linebacker Sam Mills played three years with the Panthers, and his battle with cancer inspired the team’s “Keep pounding” motto. He was enshrined in 2022.

Several candidates with ties to See PEPPERS, page B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B2 WEDNESDAY

2.14.24

TRENDING

Chip Kelly: The UCLA coach stepped down to become Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator.

Kelly, who got a three-year contract with the Buckeyes, resigned after six seasons leading the Bruins. Ohio State coach Ryan Day played quarterback in college for Kelly when he was offensive coordinator at New Hampshire.

Kelly had a 35-34 record in six years at UCLA, which is moving to the Big Ten next season.

Corey Kluber: The two-time Cy Young Award winner for Cleveland who pitched a no-hitter for the Yankees in 2021 announced his retirement after 13 major league seasons.

The 37-year-old right-hander was 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA in nine starts and six relief appearances for Boston last year.

Kluber was 116-77 with a 3.44 ERA in his career. He won Cy Young awards with Cleveland in 2014 and ’17.

Sahnya Jah: The South Carolina freshman was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the women’s basketball team. The 6-foot Jah has appeared in 16 games this season, averaging three points and two rebounds.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wouldn’t give more details of Jah’s suspension.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hendersonville native Robert Livingston was named defensive coordinator under Deion Sanders at Colorado. Livingston spent 12 seasons with the Bengals, including the last nine as an assistant coach. After playing collegiately at William & Mary, he was an assistant at Furman in 2010 and Vanderbilt in 2011.

NELL REDMOND | AP PHOTO

“The players believe in him and so do we.”

Charlotte AD Mike Hill announcing that the school was removing the interim tag from coach Aaron Fearne.

MIKE MCCARN | AP PHOTO

“This is a dream come true.”

Former Panthers running back DeShaun Foster on being named head coach at UCLA, his alma mater.

KAREEM ELGAZZAR | THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER VIA AP

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

RUNNING

MATT FREED | AP PHOTO

EILEEN T. MESLAR | AP PHOTO

Bill O’Brien was named the new head coach at Boston College. The Boston native opted to return to his hometown for a top job instead of taking the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State he accepted just last month. O’Brien was the New England Patriots offensive coordinator last season.

Marathon world record-holder Kelvin Kiptum was killed along with his coach in a car crash Sunday in Kenya.

Kiptum, 24, set the world record last year at the Chicago Marathon, which was ratified just last week. Kiptum, who was Kenyan, and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana were killed in the crash at around 11 p.m.

NBA

PRIME NUMBER

156 Games played by UNC forward Armando Bacot with the Tar Heels, setting a school record for the most by a men’s basketball player.

Leaky Black, who played from 2018-23, previously held the mark.

ERIC THAYER | AP PHOTO

The Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant, honoring the late superstar with a 19-foot bronze likeness outside their downtown arena.

The 4,000-pound statue depicts Bryant in his white No. 8 jersey with his right index finger raised as he walked off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B3

Hornets start over again with trades; Kupchak to advisory role Terry Rozier, PJ Washington and Gordon Hayward were all dealt; Charlotte begins its search for a new president and general manager

By Jesse Deal North State Journal CHARLOTTE — With only 10 wins in 50 games as the NBA trade deadline approached on Feb. 8, the Charlotte Hornets decided to start a new chapter.

The team sent PJ Washington and Gordon Hayward out of the Queen City for draft picks and five newcomers, including a homecoming for Charlotte natives Seth Curry and Grant Williams.

The Hornets traded longtime point guard Terry Rozier in January but were far from finished with their roster remodeling, also dealing an inconsistent power forward in Washington and the oft-injured Hayward.

The team acquired Curry, Williams and a 2027 first-round pick from Dallas in exchange for Washington, a 2024 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.

Charlotte then received Davis Bertans, Tre Mann, Vasilije Micic and second-round picks in 2024 and 2025 from Oklahoma City in exchange for Hayward.

To make room for the new additions, the Hornets waived three guards — former first-rounder James Bouknight along with Frank Ntilikina and Ish Smith.

NELL REDMOND | AP PHOTO

With LaMelo Ball out with an injury, Tre Mann, left, has served as the Hornets’ starting point guard since coming over from the Thunder in a trade.

Kyle Lowry, acquired in the Rozier trade, was also waived a few days later.

In two games with its new roster, Charlotte won consecutive games for the first time since before Thanksgiving, defeating Memphis and Indiana in backto-back home games.

Mann has averaged 10 points and eight assists as the starting point guard, while Williams,

Curry, Micic and Bertans have combined to score all 89 points of the Hornets’ bench points during those two games.

Aside from Williams, none of the new players’ contracts have major financial ramifications beyond 2025, signifying that the franchise has not tied itself to the same costly contracts that have plagued its progress in past years.

“We’re more experienced and

we’re much deeper, which, to be honest, is a big thing,” coach Steve Clifford said after the Hornets’ 111-102 win over the Pacers on Monday. “We have a lot of skill and a lot of IQ.” It turns out that adding skilled bench shooters who can space the floor and clear out room for Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller is exactly what the team needed without injured starters LaMelo Ball

and Mark Williams.

Bridges has hit his stride as of late. He is averaging 21.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and set career highs for points in back-to-back games earlier in the month when he scored 41 points against the Lakers and followed that with 45 points two days later against the Raptors.

“I’d love to be here,” Bridges said after his career-best scoring game Feb. 7 against Toronto when asked if he saw a future in Charlotte once he becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. “I got drafted here and they stuck with me through my lowest time, so I for sure want to be here.”

After guiding the team through the trade deadline, president and general manager Mitch Kupchak announced Monday that he will step down from his current positions and transition into an advisory role once the team finds his successor.

“After signing my extension two years ago, the plan has always been for me to move to an advisory role after this season when my contract ends in June,” Kupchak said in a team press release. “Now feels like the appropriate time to begin the search for the next leader of our basketball operations.”

With Kupchak remaining in his day-to-day role until his successor is on board, new team owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin are expected to hire a new top basketball executive before the regular season ends.

“Mitch’s success as an NBA executive speaks for itself and we thank Mitch for all his work during his six years leading our basketball operations,” Schnall and Plotkin said in a statement.

“His professionalism, integrity and commitment have been a major benefit to our franchise.”

Meet the Panthers’ assistant coaches New coach Dave Canales still has more spots to fill, but his staff is taking shape

By Shawn Krest North State Journal CAROLINA PANTHERS head coach Dave Canales has begun to fill out his staff. Here’s a look at which holes have been filled and what each assistant coach brings to the Panthers: Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik Who is he: Most recently, Idzik was receivers coach in Tampa Bay, where Canales was offensive coordinator. He also worked with Canales in Seattle. Idzik was born in Durham and was a walk-on at Wake Forest. He’s a third-generation football man.

His grandfather was a college coach, and his father is a former GM of the Jets.

What he brings: A consistent message. Unlike last year, when new coach Frank Reich and new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown had never worked together, Canales and Idzik should have a shorthand when it comes to communication and scheming. That should benefit quarterback Bryce Young who has heard enough different voices through his helmet speaker in his short NFL career.

Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero Who is he: A promising defensive mind and two-time head coaching candidate for the Panthers, Evero served as defensive

WAKE FOREST from page B1

another transfer, Tyree Appleby, won the AP’s ACC Player of the Year. This season, Forbes’ top scorer (Hunter Sallis) and rebounder (Efton Reid), both came via the portal, and the veteran newcomers apparently needed a slightly longer runway before things started to jell on and off the court.

Since the first set of NET rankings, Wake has steadily moved up, jumping 100 spots in two months to position itself firmly on the bubble. A ninegame winning streak starting in late November helped right

coordinator for Carolina last year. The team was able to retain him. Before Carolina, he was defensive coordinator for the Broncos and has also worked for the 49ers, Rams and Packers.

What he brings: Continuity. Evero’s defense was one of the few bright spots of last year’s team, and holding onto him was a big victory for the new head coach.

The rest of the defensive staff Who are they: Keeping Evero means keeping his assistants.

Returning to the Panthers in the same roles are linebacker coach Peter Hansen, OLB coach Tem Luakbu, DL coach Todd Wash, secondary/corner coach Jonathan Cooley, safeties coach Bert Watts, assistant DB coach DeAngelo Hall and senior assistant Dom Capers.

What they bring: Few changes on one entire side of the ball. That will allow Canales to let them do what they do and focus on improving the offense.

“I know the scheme (from) going against it,” Canales said.

“I’m really excited to learn more about the ins and outs as far as how the calls come in, the adjustments and all of that. I just know it was really difficult on me for years, whether it was in Seattle going against the Rams in that family or this year just going against EJ (Evero) twice.”

for the Texans and has been a special teams assistant with the Niners, Raiders, Browns and Seahawks, where he worked with Canales for two years. His father is longtime assistant Carl “Tater” Smith, who is one of the game’s great characters and a respected quarterbacks coach.

What he brings: Experience.

He learned at the foot of his father, and they served together on the Seahawks’ staff. He’s also built his own resume over the last decade and a half.

Assistant head coach/ run game coordinator Harold Goodwin Who is he: He held the same role with the Bucs for the last five years, where he worked with Canales. He also spent five years as offensive coordinator for the Cardinals and has coached offensive line for the Steelers and Colts.

What he brings: Like most coaches who got their start with the linemen, Goodwin brings energy. He’s known for his loud, aggressive coaching style. He also served as an adviser and sounding board for Canales in Tampa Bay and will likely fill a similar role for the first-time head coach.

Running backs coach Bernie Parmalee

Who is he: A veteran special teams coach with 15 years of NFL experience. He was coordinator

Who is he: A former NFL running back for nine years with the Dolphins and Jets. He’s coached special teams, tight ends and running backs in the NFL and was most recently the Jaguars running backs coach.

What he brings: A blue-col-

the Deacs’ ship. Meanwhile, Georgia and LSU have helped Wake look good, winning often enough to improve those early-season Wake losses to Quad II, which is far less damaging to a bubble team than a Quad III loss.

A three-game stretch over the last week had Wake dreaming of March. Wake posted an impressive 29-point win over Syracuse then won on the road by 29 at Georgia Tech. Next, Wake topped NC State in a battle of bubble hopefuls.

All three of those wins count as Quad III’s however, which is part of the problem still facing

the Deacons. Wake is a perfect 11-0 against Quad III and IV, but beating up on teams you should beat isn’t a ticket to dance.

This week, Wake found itself in the low 30s in the NET rankings, and ESPN has the Deacs on the “first four out” list. To make the last step and land in the tournament, Wake Forest needs a high-profile win or two.

It hasn’t happened so far.

Wake is currently 0-4 against Quad I, coming close on occasion. Wake lost to Utah by seven in November. The Deacs lost at UNC, then fell at Pitt by five. And, on this Monday, Wake again came within single digits

Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

Retaining defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero as defensive coordinator was a priority for new Panthers coach Dave Canales. lar approach. Undrafted, he worked for UPS and a bowling alley while waiting for a chance in the NFL. He’s continued to have that outlook as a coach, taking over whatever area needs someone, giving him a wide base of experience in a short time.

Wide receivers coach Rob Moore Who is he: An NFL wide receiver for a decade, Moore also has 11 years coaching receivers in the NFL, most recently with the Titans but also with the Raiders and Bills.

What he brings: He’s shown an ability to develop high draft picks, such as Sammy Watkins, Amari Cooper and Corey Davis, perhaps giving a hint as to where Carolina will look in the draft.

He’s also helped revive veteran pickups, such as Michael Crabtree.

heard this before: He arrives from Tampa where he served in a similar role. He’s been with the Bucs for five years and also coached with the Cardinals and Colts.

What he brings: He’s used to working closely with Goodwin, and their chemistry should help with a line that was often the weak link on the Panthers’ offense.

Quarterbacks coach Will Harriger

Who is he: OK, stop us if you’ve

Who is he: Most recently, he was quality coach and offensive assistant with the Cowboys.

He’s also worked with USC, the Falcons and, of course, the Seahawks, alongside Canales. He spent time in Jacksonville, working with Trevor Lawrence, and he worked with Bryce Young while employed by a quarterback consulting firm when Young was in high school.

What he brings: Familiarity with the head coach and quarterback along with a track record of success that includes another No. 1 overall pick in Lawrence.

of a Quad I win, losing to Duke at Cameron Indoor.

The game was tied seven seconds before halftime, but Wake couldn’t hit enough shots or stop Duke often enough to pull out the win.

“For us to win an elite level road game like that you can’t give up 48 points in the second half,” Forbes said.

He also pointed out that Wake missed 12 of 23 layup attempts.

“I mean, we got to finish those, right?” he said. “We missed a lot of shots at the rim. … You’ve got to play through contact.

You can’t go into looking to get fouled. That’s not a good num-

ber, you know, especially as many times as we got there.”

The good news for Wake is that there are still plenty of opportunities for the Deacs’ number to come up. Wake plays at Virginia on Saturday then has a rematch against Duke at home a week later. Early March holds a trip to Virginia Tech and a home finale against Clemson. Each of those games is currently a Quad I contest, and a home rematch with Pitt is a Quad II. Wake is in position to make a run. They have a resume and ample opportunity to improve it.

Now it’s time to take that one extra step.

Offensive line coach Joe Gilbert

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Mahomes leads Chiefs to third title, earns third Super Bowl MVP Kansas City beat the 49ers in overtime

By Dave Skretta The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — The San Francisco 49ers gave Patrick Mahomes two opportunities to drive for the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl.

They should have known — who doesn’t at this point? — that it was one too many.

After leading the Chiefs downfield late in regulation only to settle for a tying field goal with 3 seconds left to force overtime, Mahomes capitalized on his second chance. The Chiefs’ sturdy defense held the 49ers to a field goal of their own, and with the ball back in his hands, Mahomes marched the defending champions downfield for a touchdown drive to remember.

He scrambled for a pair of first downs, including one on fourthand-1 with the game on the line, and was 8-for-8 passing on the drive. The last of the throws may have been the easiest, a 3-yard toss to Mecole Hardman to finish off the heart-stopping 25-22 victory and give one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history his third Super Bowl ring.

“This is awesome,” Mahomes said simply. “Legendary.”

It was a fitting way to put it for a 28-year-old quarterback quickly reaching legendary status.

Mahomes is only the sixth quarterback to win three Super Bowls — and was selected MVP for all three — and the youngest to do it. Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw are within reach with four apiece. And given how quickly Mahomes has been stacking up those shiny Lombardi Trophies in Kansas City, it’s hard to believe Tom Brady’s record of seven is untouchable.

Mahomes is also closing on

ASHLEY LANDIS | AP PHOTO

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Kansas City won Super Bowl 58, beating the 49ers 25-22 Sunday in Las Vegas.

Brady’s record of five Super Bowl MVPs; Montana is the only other player with three.

“I think Tom said it best: Once you win that championship, you have those parades and you get those dreams, you’re not the champion anymore. You have to come back to that with the same mentality,” Mahomes said. “And I learned from guys like that that have been the greatest of all time.”

The Chiefs are the first repeat Super Bowl champions since Brady and the Patriots in 2003 and ’04, and their third title

“I don’t think Pat knows how to lose.”

Rashee Rice, Chiefs wide receiver in four trips over the past five years puts them in rarified air.

Only four teams have won three championships in a five-year span.

Asked whether the Chiefs have achieved dynasty status, Ma-

homes replied: “It’s the start of one.”

“He comes to work every day humble. He comes to work every day wanting to be great,” said the Chiefs’ Andy Reid, who became the fifth coach with at least three Super Bowl wins. “An absolute pleasure to coach.”

In truth, Mahomes struggled for much of the game Sunday, especially because the 49ers refused to bring the blitz, which the two-time league MVP tears apart with ease. But he started to heat up in the fourth quarter when he drove Kansas City for a field goal

to tie it at 16 with 5:46 left, then when he drove for another field goal that sent the game to overtime.

Impressive stuff from a quarterback who had surprisingly struggled in the clutch this season. Mahomes was just 18 of 47 for 167 yards with no touchdowns and an interception with a chance to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter or overtime.

“I don’t think Pat knows how to lose,” Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice said.

As if anyone should have any reason not to believe in Mahomes by now.

“We’ve got the best quarterback in the league,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce added.

Mahomes finished the Super Bowl with 333 yards passing and two TDs, and he extended his franchise record for yards rushing in the playoffs with 66 more.

The head-scratching interception he threw into heavy coverage early in the game was forgotten by the time he hit Hardman in the end zone, sending red and yellow confetti raining down inside Allegiant Stadium.

Also forgotten were all the losses and lousy games Kansas City had this season.

The Chiefs were largely juggernauts during their previous Super Bowl runs, romping through the playoffs with ease — even if they had to come from behind in the finale to beat the 49ers in 2020 and the Eagles last year.

But they struggled mightily this season, losing five of eight games during one stretch and dropping to the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.

They had to beat Miami in the fourth-coldest game in NFL history in the wild-card round.

Then they hit the road to beat second-seeded Buffalo and No. 1 seed Baltimore before knocking off another No. 1 seed in the 49ers on Sunday.

“I hope people remember not only the greatness we have on the field, but the way we’ve done it,” Mahomes said. “I feel like we enjoy it every single day. We have fun. We play hard. It’s not always pretty, but we fight to the very end.

“I know there’s some fatigue sometimes with one team winning,” he said, “but we just try to enjoy it. We try to enjoy it.”

Cup Series starts season with new champion, driver and track changes Ryan Blaney won Team Penske its second straight title

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NASCAR Cup Series launches its new season with rivals attempting to dethrone Team Penske.

Ryan Blaney is the reigning Cup champion after a late-season surge helped him follow Penske teammate Joey Logano with back-to-back championships for Roger Penske. Blaney’s title was somewhat surprising largely because Ford teams struggled last year with just eight wins in 36 races.

But Blaney held off Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and William Byron, as well as Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing, to win his first career championship.

Blaney is NASCAR’s dream champion, a blue-collar driver from a family of racers rooted in the mill country of northeastern Ohio. He seems soft-spoken but showed he’s got the internal fire to be a champion, and he delivered down the stretch last year.

He was beaten by good buddy Chase Elliott in the fan-voted most popular driver contest, but

PEPPERS from page B1

North Carolina missed out on the class of 2024 and will have to wait at least another year to join the football immortals. Torry Holt, a Gibsonville native who starred at Eastern Guilford High and NC State, was a finalist for the fifth straight year but didn’t make the cut. The longtime Rams receiving

Blaney is the one guy many believe — if marketed correctly — is stock car racing’s next star.

Ford, meanwhile, introduced a remodeled Mustang for Cup competition this season. Ford will use the Dark Horse model as it attempts to pick up its performance with top teams Penske, Stewart-Haas Racing and RFK Racing.

Toyota, meanwhile, has been looking to add more teams to its stable and does so this year with Legacy Motor Club, the team co-owned by Jimmie Johnson.

The move keeps Toyota development drivers Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek with the automaker, as well as nine races for Hall of Famer Johnson, who starts his season with the Daytona 500.

Toyota always expects all four of its Gibbs entries to make the playoffs, and 23XI saw both Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace make the playoff field last season.

Like Ford, Toyota also rolled out a new design for its Camry and the XSE will race in 2024.

Hendrick Motorsports will celebrate its 40th year in NASCAR hoping for a comeback year from Chase Elliott.

Elliott missed seven races last year — six with injury after a snowboarding accident and one for a suspension — and it led to

the worst season of his career.

He was winless and missed the playoffs for the first time. Elliott has vowed to be better and back among the title contenders come November.

Kevin Harvick is the latest veteran to retire and made his debut as NASCAR on Fox’s new full-time analyst with the exhibition Clash. He has been replaced at Stewart-Haas Racing by Josh Berry, a journeyman who finally gets his shot with a Cup team and joins Noah Gragson as SHR newcomers.

Shane van Gisbergen, winner of the street race in Chicago in his Cup Series debut last season, has

now moved from Australia and embarks on a multi-series season that begins with ARCA and Xfinity races this week in Daytona.

Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar are both moving from the Truck Series to Cup with Spire Motorsports, Smith under a development deal with Trackhouse Racing.

RFK Racing has introduced a program that will allow the team to field a third Cup entry at select races. First up? David Ragan will attempt to make the Daytona 500 this week.

Changes to who’s driving on the track are coupled with changes to the tracks that will host rac-

es. North Wilkesboro returned to the schedule for the All-Star Race last year, and the series’ first street race was held in downtown Chicago.

This year, NASCAR takes the Cup Series to Iowa Speedway for the first time. Atlanta Motor Speedway and the road course at Watkins Glen in upstate New York were added to the playoffs.

Bristol Motor Speedway is removing the dirt for its spring race and Indianapolis Motor Speedway is returning NASCAR to its historic oval. The season ends once again at Phoenix Raceway, where the Cup champion will be crowned on Nov. 10.

standout was in his 10th year of eligibility.

Holt and Reggie Wayne have each been finalists each year since 2020 without breaking through.

Holt had more touchdowns than Johnson, who was selected ahead of him this year. With no surefire Hall of Fame wide receivers becoming eligible next year — Demaryius Thomas is the top player

about to join the ballot — Holt may be ready to break through in the 2025 class.

Jared Allen, a defensive end who played the final year of his long NFL career on the Panthers’ Super Bowl team of 2015, also missed the hall. He was in his fourth year of eligibility and has been a finalist all four years. He has seen Bryant Young, Richard

Seymour, DeMarcus Ware, Freeney and Peppers selected ahead of him. There are no other holdover finalists at his position, although Terrell Suggs becomes eligible next year.

If Allen makes the cut next year, he could be joined by two teammates on the 2015 Panthers.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly and center Ryan Kalil will both be eli-

gible for the first time.

In the coaches and contributors category, which did not select a member for induction this year, longtime NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer was a candidate but eliminated when the hall selected finalists for voting.

Schottenheimer retired to Lake Norman and died in Charlotte in 2021.

COLIN E. BRALEY | AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney (12) and Joey Logano (22) have won back-to-back Cup Series titles for Team Penske.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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King Charles III attends church for first time since revealing he has cancer The Associated Press LONDON — King Charles III cheerfully waved to well-wishers on Sunday as he left church services near his country estate in eastern England, making his first public appearance since his cancer diagnosis was announced last week.

Wearing a tan overcoat against the February chill and carrying a rolled-up umbrella, Charles was joined by Queen Camilla at St. Mary Magdalene Church, just a few hundred yards from Sandringham House where the king is recuperating after his first treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

The 20,000-acre Sandringham estate, some 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of London, is a favorite refuge of the king’s and offers a place of shelter where he can isolate from the risk of infection.

The appearance came a day after Charles expressed thanks for the messages of support he has received from the public. In a statement issued late Saturday, the monarch said that such thoughts are “the greatest comfort and encouragement.”

“It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own di-

agnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organizations which support cancer patients and their families across the U.K. and wider world,” he said in a statement, signed Charles R. “My lifelong admiration for their tireless care and dedication is all the greater as a result of my own personal experience.”

Buckingham Palace announced the king’s diagnosis on Monday, less than three weeks after he was treated for an enlarged prostate. While palace officials didn’t disclose the type of cancer, they said it wasn’t prostate cancer.

On Sunday, a crowd of about 100 gathered outside the gates of the estate to show their support for the king. Charles and Camilla greeted a priest as they walked into the Anglican AP PHOTO church, and waved to the crowd as they left.

Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after attending a Sunday church service at St. Mary Magdalene is a me- St Mary Magdalene Church, in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. dieval stone church that was restored in the 19th century. ProCharles has visited the estate Dimbleby. In later years he has Nearby Sandringham House, tected as a historic building, the church includes memorials to the private home of the past regularly since he was a child, retreated to the estate on the the royal family stretching from six British monarchs, sits amid when he would run through north coast of Norfolk to enPrincess Alice in 1879 to King parkland, gardens and working the halls playing tag and hide- joy hunting and nature walks George VI, Charles’ grandfa- farms. It has been owned by the and-seek with his mother, ac- through the windswept councording to biographer Jonathan tryside. royal family since 1862. ther, in 1952.

Greta Gerwig, Ryan Gosling and Oscar nominees both famous and nameless gather for annual luncheon The Associated Press BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The casts of “ Barbie “ and “ Oppenheimer “ gathered Monday at the annual Academy Award nominees luncheon alongside dozens of less famous and firsttime Oscar hopefuls for handshakes, hugs, a huge group picture and instructions on nailing an acceptance speech.

The event at the Beverly Hilton is a warm, feel-good affair where nominees in categories like best animated short get to rub shoulders and share tables with acting nominees like Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, whose snubs for best director and best actress, respectively, for “Barbie” caused a major stir, both showed up for the nominations they did get, and were all smiles.

Gerwig, nominated for adapted screenplay, was surrounded by selfie-seekers as soon as she entered the banquet hall while Robbie, up for best picture as a “Barbie” producer, beamed nearby as she hugged and chatted with a woman who got one of the best actress spots, Sandra Hüller of “Anatomy of a Fall.”

The centerpiece of the event is a class photo of the entire group of nominees. Nearly all of them usually attend, both as part of the Oscars experience and as part of their unspoken campaigns for votes.

Gerwig and Robbie got some of the loudest cheers of the afternoon when their names were called during the class picture roll call that feels like a school commencement and is perhaps the day’s most egalitarian tradition. The names are read and nominees called up to risers in an order that seems to make no accounting for fame.

In one typical trio, Carey Mulligan, best actress nominee for “Maestro,” was summoned to the risers between David Hemingson, who was nominated for writing his first film, “The Holdovers,” and James Price, nominated for production design on “Poor Things.”

Martin Scorsese, 81, nominated this year for best director on “Killers of the Flower Moon,” may have gotten the loudest ovation of the day when he was

AP PHOTO

Margot Robbie arrives at the 96th Academy Awards Oscar nominees luncheon on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. called up. He sat between the favorites in the actress category, Da’Vine Joy Randolph of “The Holdovers” and Lily Gladstone from his film. Both towered over the shorter Scorsese. “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan reached across Gladstone to shake his hand as he sat down.

Gerwig got a happy greeting from “Barbie” best supporting actor nominee Ryan Gosling, who kissed each of her cheeks.

The luncheon dress code is daytime casual. For Gosling that meant a lilac suit with matching shirt, for Robbie a light pink beaded business suit with a bared midriff. Colman Domingo brought in a bit of evening with a tailed black jacket, black shirt with a plunging neckline and white slacks.

The first attempts at the pho-

to didn’t go well. When they finally got a few that worked, Robert Downey Jr., supporting actor nominee for “Oppenheimer,” who had been shouting joke instructions to the group of several hundred, leapt up, pumped a fist and shouted “yeah!” then turned and began applauding his fellow nominees.

Most major nominees including Cillian Murphy, a favorite for best actor for “Oppenheimer,” and Bradley Cooper, one of his category competitors, spent the hours before and after lunch making the rounds of media outlets whose reporters are set up in cabanas around the Beverly Hilton pool.

Cooper was headed toward the pool when he ran into Messi, the dog with a key role in “Anatomy of a Fall.” Cooper knelt down and gave the border collie

a long, thorough petting.

The nominees sat for a vegetarian meal of king oyster mushrooms and wild mushroom risotto while Academy President Janet Yang gave her annual remarks.

She used last year’s luncheon to address what she called the Academy’s “inadequate” response to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the previous year’s ceremony.

Her remarks this year had a much lighter tone, and dealt with more mundane matters more akin to a freshman orientation, like the timing of the Oscars ceremony.

“In case any of you have been in a nominations haze, we are starting an hour earlier this year,” she said.

When she saw surprise around the room she said, “Ooh,

some people didn’t know! I’m glad I reminded you!”

She drew groans when she added that the Oscars come on the first day of daylight saving time.

She also delivered the president’s annual instructions on victory speeches, mostly urging winners to be brief and stick to the 45-second limit but also “speak from the heart,” “feel the moment” and “add a bit of humor.”

She then played a montage of past speeches that met the ideals, with clips from Jamie Lee Curtis, Brad Pitt and Ke Huy Quan.

It ended with the academy’s Platonic ideal of a speech played in its entirety: Javier Bardem’s 2008 acceptance of best supporting actor for “No Country for Old Men.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B6

Beyoncé drops new songs ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ and ‘16 Carriages.’

New music ‘Act II’ will arrive in March The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé is back with two new country tracks — “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.”

After a Verizon commercial starring Beyoncé aired during the Super Bowl ended with the superstar saying “They ready, drop the new music,” the question became — was she serious?

Later, a cryptic Instagram video with country iconography appeared on her page, teasing “act ii” on March 29. (Beyoncé’s 2022 album “Renaissance” is frequently referred to as “Act I: Renaissance.”)

At the end of the clip, a plucky acoustic guitar riff plays, and Bey’s unmistakable voice kicks in. She sings, “This ain’t Texas / Ain’t no hold ‘em / So lay your cards down down down,” in a Southern twang.

It appears on her official web-

site as well. Under the “music” tab, two titles were listed — “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” which later appeared as full songs on Tidal, YouTube and Spotify. The first is an uptempo country and western stomp. She sings in the earworm bridge: “And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you / Come pour some liquor on me honey, too / It’s a real-life boogie, and a real life hoedown / Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now.”

The second, “16 Carriages” is a soulful slow-burn with ascendent organs and steel guitar, Beyoncé singing an ode to hard work and legacy. “I miss my kids / Overworked and overwhelmed,” she sings in the pre-chorus. “Still workin’ on my life, you know / Only God knows, only God knows.” A quick examination of the credits shows she may be working closely with Tony! Toni! Toné! ‘s

Raphael Saadiq.

In a mostly fictional Verizon commercial that aired moments before the Instagram announcement, Beyoncé tried several tactics to try to break the internet.

With former “Veep” star Tony Hale playing an adviser, she opens a “Lemonade” stand, releases a saxophone album called “Let’s Get Saxy,” does her own version of the “Barbie” movie called “BarBey,” sells a cyborg version of herself, runs for “Beyoncé of the United States,” and blasts off in a rocket to become the first woman in space.

After Hale tells her none of that worked, she says on the space ship intercom, “OK, Bey ready: drop the new music.”

Beyoncé was also shown soon on the telecast soon after at Allegiant Stadium watching the Super Bowl with husband Jay-Z.

AP PHOTO

Beyonce performs at a Get Out the Vote concert for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2016.

Tiger Woods starts a new year with a new look now that his Nike deal has ended The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods is starting a new year with a new look.

Just not a different color.

Woods makes his 2024 debut this week in the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, a signature event on the PGA Tour for which he is the tournament host. The first order of business is unveiling what he referred to in December as the next “chapter.”

Woods and Nike ended 27 years together at the end of last year. He wore the swoosh on his shirt for the final time at the PNC Championship that he played with his son, Charlie, who was wearing clothes from a different apparel company.

Woods had a news conference scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m. PST outside the gates of Riviera to discuss what he will be wearing in the limited tournaments he plays.

All signs point to TaylorMade. Woods already plays their golf clubs, and TaylorMade Lifestyle Ventures has filed four trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “Sunday Red” or “SDR.” Woods announced on Jan. 8 that his relationship with Nike, which produced so many big

AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods follows his ball at the fourth tee during the last round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas, on Dec. 7, 2019.

tiger each season with words in Thai that say, “Love from Mom.” Key to that is getting to Sunday. Woods played all four rounds of the unofficial Hero World Challenge in December, his first competition in nearly eight months while he recovered from ankle surgery after the Masters.

Woods made the cut in the rain-delayed Masters but withdrew on Sunday morning before completing the third round because of his injuries. He also made the cut at the Genesis Invitational last year, tying for 45th.

As a signature event, the Genesis Invitational carries a $20 million purse, with $4 million to the winner. Unlike the other signature events, because it’s a player-hosted tournament, the Genesis Invitational will have a 36-hole cut to the top 50 and ties, and any player within 10 shots of the lead.

Whatever the new look, it won’t be visible as it once was.

Woods already was coming off four back surgeries, the last one to fuse his lower spine, when he had a car crash in Los Angeles in the days after the 2021 Genesis Invitational.

He didn’t play the rest of the year. But amid concerns he might never play again, Woods recovered to play in the 2022 Masters and made it to Sunday.

He has never missed the cut at Augusta National as a pro.

Woods had his right ankle fused after last year’s Masters and felt optimistic about 2024.

He has set a goal of playing once a month through the major season. That starts at Riviera.

moments on the golf course and in commercials, had officially ended. His agent at Excel Sports Management, Mark Steinberg, said he expected “an exciting announcement” at Riviera.

Woods has been teasing the announcement on social media recently. He posted a closeup

of his face a week ago Monday that said, “The vision remains the same.” On Friday, he posted a darkened picture of him wearing a red shirt that said, “A new day rises.”

Woods was not at Riviera ahead of the announcement.

Various promotional posters

for the tournament and with the Tiger Woods Learning Center show him with the swoosh.

Woods has worn some variation of red on Sunday his entire career because his Thai-born mother, Kultida, told him it was his power color. She also gives him a new head cover of a

sales, at 12:00 PM on February 19, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain property situated in the City of Concord, in the County of Cabarrus and state of North Carolina and being described in a deed dated 03/29/2001 and recorded 03/29/2001 in Book 3168, Page 27 among the land records of the county and state set forth above and referenced as follows: Lying and being in Number Eleven (11) Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, on the east side of Tilley Road, bounded on the north

by Frank Wishart Neal, on the east by Willie Blackwelder Walters, and the south by Walter O. Wentz, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an iron in Tilley Road, a corner of Neal, and runs thence with the line of Neal S. 82-04-00 E. 387.08 feet to an existing iron, thence continuing with the line of Neal and Walters, S. 52-02-52 E. (Passing an iron at 60.07 feet) for a total distance of 99.81 feet to an existing iron, thence with the line of Walters, S. 42.51.11 E. 54.97 feet to an existing, a rear corner of Wentz; thence with the line of Wentz, S. 20-09-34 W. (Passing an iron at 15.00 feet) for a total distance of 296.37 feet to a bolt in the centerline of Tilley Road, thence with the centerline of Tilley Road, N. 43-5618 W. 20.33 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of Tilley Road as it curves

at a radius of 1637.02 feet for an arc distance of 227.92 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of said road, N. 36-40-36 W. 66.31 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of said road as it curves at a radius of 654.81 feet for an arc distance of 260.43 feet to a point, thence continuing with the centerline of said road, N. 58-36-21 W. 7.71 feet to a point; thence N. 8-37-00 E. 10.70 feet to the point of beginning, containing 2.040 acres, more or less, as surveyed and platted by James T. West, R.L.S. dated March 27, 2001. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2395 Tilley Road, Concord, North Carolina.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either

the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-

Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cabarrus County courthouse at 12:00PM on February 19, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Daniel Souza Mata and Fernando L. Da Silva Rodrigues, dated August 18, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $154,400.00, and recorded in Book 6202 at Page 167 of the Cabarrus County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 5 8 1 1 Gettysburg Dr Northwest, Concord, NC 28027 Tax Parcel ID: 56000076110000 Present Record Owners: Daniel

Souza Mata and Fernando L. Da Silva Rodrigues The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Daniel Souza Mata and Fernando L. Da Silva Rodrigues.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit

of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your

lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is January 12, 2024. _____________________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 286 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Beverly C. Gray and Robert H. Cannon (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Beverly C. Gray and Robert H. Cannon) to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), dated December 15, 2008, and recorded in Book No. 08533, at Page 0337 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on November 21, 2018, in Book No. 13275, at Page 0022, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cabarrus 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 in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 23sp519 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DANIEL SOUZA MATA AND FERNANDO L. DA SILVA RODRIGUES DATED AUGUST 18, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6202 AT PAGE 167 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3463 - 8978

09-112911

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B7

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

NEW HANOVER

NEW HANOVER

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 2023 E 001795

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Claudette L. Eley, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of April, 2024, (which is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 22nd day of January, 2024.

Angela Eley-McCalister P.O. BOX 1275 Raeford, North Carolina, 28376 ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE of Claudette L. Eley, Deceased

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 24E88 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Major Elwood Anderson, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 642 Mosswood Lane, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311, on or before April 24, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 24th day of January, 2024.

Darlene Elizabeth Frisby Executor of the Estate of Major Elwood Anderson, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 1/24/24, 1/31/24, 2/7/24 and 2/14/24

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER

THE UNDERSIGNED, Robin Woodworth, having qualified on the 17th day of July 2023, as Administrator of the Estate of Bruce Edward Woodworth (2023-E-1002), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 6th day of May, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, VIRGINIA STANLEY EBERT, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of JOYCE PARKER LORD, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said VIRGINIA STANLEY EBERT, at the address set out below, on or before May 20, 2024, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same.

All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 9th day of February, 2024.

This 31st day of January 2024.

Robin Woodworth Administrator ESTATE OF BRUCE EDWARD WOODWORTH David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: January 31, 2024, February 7, 2024, February 14, 2024, February 21, 2024

ESTATE OF HARRY JAMES SHERRILL, SR. CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 51 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Harry James Sherrill, Sr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Rodney Wayne Sherrill, Co-Executor, at 2220 Winterlochen Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28305 and/or Harry James Sherrill, Jr., Co-Executor, at 4208 Colton Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28303, on or before the 9th day of May, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Co-Executors named above.

This the 5th day of February, 2024.

Rodney Wayne Sherrill Harry James Sherrill, Jr. Co- Executors of the Estate of Harry James Sherrill, Sr. Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28, 2024

NOTICE OF CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURTOFJUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 23–1262 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: HATTIE ELIZABETH HIGGINS HAYES NOTICE OF CREDITORS The undersigned having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of HATTIE ELIZABETH HIGGINS HAYES, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all person, firms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 247 Eastwood Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301 on or before May 14, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This is the 14th day of February, 2024.

Nettie Hayes Miller Executor of the Estate of Hattie Elizabeth Higgins Hayes, Deceased 2/14/24, 2/21/24, 2/28/24, 3/6/24

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS

BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION Having qualified as Ancillary Administratrix of the estate of Kwanishia Nelson, DOD: 04/13/2023 deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them duly verified, to the undersigned at 1901 Lingo Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 on or before the 25th day of April 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in par of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

In the Superior Court Before the Clerk New Hanover County File Number: 23-E-349 Maxine C. Hargrove, Petitioner, vs. Tamica E. Taylor, individually and as Executrix of the Estate of Cleveland Lamont Hargrove, Bryant L. Hargrove, Elena Ward, Brandon Suggs, and Wilbert Hargrove, Respondents.

To Elena Ward and Wilbert Hargrove:

This is the 24th of January 2024, La’Shonta Sketers, Ancillary Administratrix, File # 23E 1408 1901 Lingo Street, Wilmington, NC 28403

TAKE NOTICE that an estate proceeding seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is for an elective share from the Estate of Cleveland Lamont Hargrove.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Pursuant to N.C.G.S § 30-3.1, Petitioner seeks and is entitled to fifteen percent of the Total Net Assets as defined

by N.C.G.S § 30-3.2(4) from the Estate of Cleveland Lamont Hargrove.

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

VIRGINIA STANLEY EBERT Executor of the Estate of JOYCE PARKER LORD c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

THE UNDERSIGNED, Robin Walters Woodworth, having qualified on the 26th day of June 2023, as Administrator of the Estate of Logan Edward Woodworth (2023-E924), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 6th day of May, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

You are required to file a written response by March 18, 2024 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought and any order entered by the Court shall be binding as if you were personally before the Court.

This, the 7th day of February, 2024.

Baker Law Firm H. Mitchell Baker, III Charlotte Noel Fox Attorneys for Petitioner 701 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28401 Attorneys for Petitioner

This 31st day of January 2024.

Robin Woodworth Administrator ESTATE OF LOGAN EDWARD WOODWORTH David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: January 31, 2024, February 7, 2024, February 14, 2024, February 21, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS Having qualified as Personal Representative of the Estate of Jesse MacLean Moss, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned, on or before Friday, April 26, 2024, (which date is at least three (3) months from the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

This the 24th day of January, 2024.

Medrith Moss Nuttle 284 Hunter Lane Zebulon, NC 27597 Please publish 01/24, 01/31, 02/7, 02/14

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY ESTATE FILE NO. 24E94 THE UNDERSIGNED, Marsha Rhyne, having qualified on the 2nd day of February 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Clara B. Motsinger, deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at Marsha Rhyne, 4644 Mockingbird Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28409 on or before the 10th day of May, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 24 E 175 NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Matter of the Estate of H. Winfield Smith, Jr., Deceased.

TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of H. Winfield Smith, Jr., deceased, this is to notify all creditors of said Estate to file their claims against the same on or before May 7, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of same. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make payment of such indebtedness at once. All claims against said Estate are to be filed with, and all debts owed to said Estate are to be paid to, the undersigned: Jayne Underwood Smith, Executrix of the Estate of H. Winfield Smith, Jr., 4634 Parmele Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429.

This the 7th day of February, 2024.

JAYNE UNDERWOOD SMITH Executrix of the Estate of H. Winfield Smith, Jr., Deceased ATTORNEY FOR THE ESTATE: Lonnie B. Williams, Jr. Attorney | Estate & Business Law 2325 Tattersalls Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 Telephone (910) 619-0248

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, MICHAEL A. TROJA, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of FELICE B. BAIN AKA FELICE WHYTE BAIN, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said MICHAEL A. TROJA, at the address set out below, on or before May 20, 2024, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same.

All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 9th day of February, 2024.

MICHAEL A. TROJA Executor of the Estate of FELICE B. BAIN AKA FELICE WHYTE BAIN c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE TO CREDITORS State of North Carolina Vicky Hiller In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division 23E 1525 Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Vicky Hiller, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Vicky Hiller to present them to the undersigned on or before the 15 day of May, 2024 or same will be pleased in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This is the 14th day of February, 2024 Sean Hiller 4314 Reed Ct, Wilmington, NC 28405 Administrator of the Estate of Vicky Hiller

WAKE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of DARRELL E. BARTLEY, late of Wake County, North Carolina (23E006030-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of May 2024 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 14th day of February 2024.

Berl Bartley Executor of the Estate of Darrell E. Bartley c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 02/14, 02/21, 02/28, 03/06/2024)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Administrators of the Estate of BRADLEY DAVID SLOAN, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E000134-910), the undersigned do hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of May 2024 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 14th day of February 2024.

This 7th day of February 2024.

Marsha Rhyne Executor ESTATE OF CLARA B. MOTSINGER Marsha Rhyne 4644 Mockingbird Lane Wilmington, North Carolina 28409 Publish: February 7, 2024, February 14, 2024, February 21, 2024 February 28, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NEW HANOVER

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER BEFORE THE CLERK 23-E-3 IN RE ESTATE OF PENNY KAREN CRIBB: NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned attorney, on behalf of DANNY RAE CRIBB, the Personal Representative of the Estate of PENNY KAREN CRIBB, deceased, of New Hanover County, NC, hereby notifies all persons having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned at 4320 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403, on or before the 7th day of May, 2024, or this Notice shall be pleaded in bar of any recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 7th day of February, 2024.

CHAS. M. LINEBERRY, JR. THE LINEBERRY LAW FIRM, PC N.C. State Bar No. 13018 4320 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 Telephone: (910) 798-0600 Email: dukelineberry@gmail.com Attorney for the Personal Representative

Timothy Sloan Michelle Jernigan Co-Administrators of the Estate of Bradley David Sloan c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 02/14, 02/21, 02/28, 03/06/2024)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of CLAYTON L. CRANDALL, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E000105-910), the undersigned do hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of May 2024 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 14th day of February 2024.

Ethan Jack Crandall Administrator of the Estate of Clayton L. Crandall c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 02/14, 02/21, 02/28, 03/06/2024)

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B8 TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 497 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James F. Allmon and Louise F. Allmon (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James F. Allmon and Louise F. Allmon) to Chicago Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated January 13, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 12320, at Page 0177 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on December 6, 2022, in Book No. 16301, at Page 0345, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cabarrus 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

CUMBERLAND 23 SP 1253 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Mary L. Anderson to CT Mortgage Information Svcs, Trustee(s), which was dated April 12, 2005 and recorded on April 22, 2005 in Book 6857 at Page 45, Cumberland 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

will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 19, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and Being in Number Eight (8) Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina on the North side of a 40.0 foot unnamed street that runs from the Cold Springs-Mt. Pleasant Road to County Road Number 2637 (Kindley Mill Road), which unnamed street is now known as Fowler Road, adjoining the property of Ben Black, Jr. and G. A. Carpenter and being more fully described as follows: Old Description BEGINNING at an iron stake on the West side of County Road Number 2637 (Kindley Mill Road) and runs thence with the West side of said Road South 13-24 West 81.1 feet to a point in the intersection of said Road and County Road Number 2659; thence with the North side of County Road Number 2659, South 82-00 West 192.6 feet to an iron stake, front corner of Ben Burleson Black, Jr,; thence with the Black line North 08-00 West 194.3 feet to an iron stake in the Carpenter lines; thence with the Carpenter line South 68-45 feet East 243.2 feet to the point of BEGINNING, as surveyed and platted

by Walter L. Furr, Jr., September 4, 1968. Together

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 February 28, 2024 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 51, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS SUMMERHILL, SECTION 3, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF SAME DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 32, PAGE 61, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 150 Summer Hill Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303.

A Certified Check ONLY (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price,

23 SP 1142 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Being all of Lot 80, Village at Rockfish, Phase One, Section Three, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 139, Page 164, Cumberland County Registry.

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Brian Stephen Miller to Philip R. Mahoney, Trustee(s), which was dated October 11, 2019 and recorded on October 14, 2019 in Book 10607 at Page 100, Cumberland 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 February 28, 2024 at 01:30 PM, and will

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 23SP1233 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARGARET LAMPROS DATED SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 RECORDED IN BOOK 7036 AT PAGE 688 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE

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

Said property is commonly known as 2144 Mannington Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

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.

debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 1:30 PM on February 21, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Margaret Lampros, dated September 26, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $51,038.00, and recorded in Book 7036 at Page 688 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record.

Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured

Address of property: 6 7 6 4 Willowbrook Dr., Apt. 3, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Tax Parcel ID: 9498-52-8316-106

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 1131

estate situated in Hope Mills in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in or near the City of Hope Mills, Rockfish Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by James Cotterell, Jr. and Mary M. Cotterell (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): James Cotterell, Jr. and Mary M. Cotterell, Heirs of James Cotterell, Jr.: James John Cotterell, III; Heirs of James John Cotterell, III: Andrea Cotterell, James John Cotterell, IV) to Attorney Raymond Burke, Trustee(s), dated June 30, 2007, and recorded in Book No. 7643, at Page 165 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland 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 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 19, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 1054 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Patricia K. Landreth (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Patricia K. Landreth) to Jennifer Grant, Trustee(s), dated August 6, 2013, and recorded in Book No. 09264, at Page 0212 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland 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 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 26, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North

The record owner(s) of the property, according

Being all of Lots 36 and 37, Block “Q”, in a subdivision known as colonial Heights, Addition One, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 17, Page 60, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5760 Franklin Street, Hope Mills, North Carolina.

Being the same property with James Cotterell, Jr. and wife Mary Margaret Cotterell, acquired

by Deed from NSB Investment Company, Inc. recorded December 8, 2003 in Book 6366, Page 184 in Cumberland County, North Carolina records.

I.D.#: 0413-97-9035 & 0413-97-9061 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 12, Block C, as shown on a plat entitled “Huntington Park”, as recorded in Book of Plats 30, Page 2, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3307 Granville Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Parcel ID Number: 0417-69-8593 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor

with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2762 Fowler Road, Concord, North Carolina.

For informational purposes only, being known 2762 Fowler Road, Concord, NC 28025 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any

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 Mary L. Anderson.

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 Brian Stephen Miller, Freetrader.

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,

to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Margaret Lampros.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified

such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 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.

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.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 9911 - 76517

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.: 23-02717-FC01

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,

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 [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.

purchaser will have no further remedy.

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.: 23-28938-FC01

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

funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is 8th day of January, 2024.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Posted: By:

__________________ __________________

Ingle Case Number: 20822-31167

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of

certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days,

after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental

agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 10364 - 43373

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 14415 - 63870

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B9

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 1216 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Jeffrey K. Stillwagon and Debra L. Stillwagon (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Jeffrey K. Stillwagon and Debra L. Stillwagon) to Charter Title, LLC, Trustee(s), dated June 19, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 10116, at Page 0028 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland 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 in Fayetteville, Cumberland

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 1271 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Nicholas Dembs and Tessie Dembs (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Nicholas Dembs and Tessie Dembs) to K. Douglas Barfield, Trustee(s), dated February 4, 2004, and recorded in Book No. 6421, at Page 005 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Cumberland 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 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 26, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 22 CVS 4314 NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, v.

UNKNOWN HEIRS OF ANNIE M. BOZEMAN; et al.

Defendants.

TO: Annette Brown a/k/a Annette Ray and spouse of,

DAVIDSON 23 SP 248 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, DAVIDSON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Richard W. Vogler and Rebecca S. Vogler to Heather Lovier, Trustee(s), which was dated July 23, 2022 and recorded on July 28, 2022 in Book DE 2559 at Page 1122, Davidson 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 February 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated

DURHAM IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DURHAM COUNTY 23sp1092 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ANTON JOSEPH LAZZARO DATED FEBRUARY 10, 2020 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8869 AT PAGE 532 IN THE DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DURHAM COUNTY 22sp445 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARTIN E. ROCK DATED JULY 2, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5693 AT PAGE 38 IN THE DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Durham County courthouse at 11:00AM on February 29,

IREDELL IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IREDELL COUNTY 23sp476 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY MARSHA BROWN DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1803 AT PAGE 2120 IN THE IREDELL COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt,

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 19, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 15, Block “P”, in a subdivision known as Cottonade, Section V, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 29, Page, 19, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 616 Galloway Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10

days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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

its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the

effective date of the termination.

if any Jean Smith and spouse of, if any Deborah Vanvalkend a/k/a Deborah Vanvalkenburg and spouse of, if any Rose Brooks and spouse of, if any Richard Philbrook and spouse of, if any Anthony Melvin and spouse of, if any Debra Wilson and spouse of, if any Randy Melvin and spouse of, if any Carl Bennett and spouse of, if any Steven Melvin and spouse of, if any Alfred Melvin and spouse of, if any Ralph West and spouse of, if any Jeffrey Mason and spouse of, if any Brenda Lee Wrench a/k/a Brenda Lee Mason Robert Inglett Jr and spouse of, if any Becky Walker a/k/a Rebecca Waller and spouse of, if any Edna Greenlaw

Robert Sessoms and spouse of, if any

By: __ Claire Collins Dickerhoff State Bar Number: 44306 Post Office Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302 Telephone: (910) 864-6888 Facsimile: (910) 864-6848 Claire.dickerhoff@hutchenslawfirm.com Attorney for Plaintiff

IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection.

in Davidson County, North Carolina, to wit:

STAKE IN THE FRONT LINE OF LOT 29, A NEW CORNER; THENCE NORTHWARDLY WITH THE FRONT LINE OF LOT 29, A NEW CORNER; THENCE NORTHWARDLY WITH THE FRONT LINE OF LOT 19, 50 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, AND BEING ONE-HALF OF LOT 19 ADJOINING LOT 18 OF THE ABOVE REFERRED TO SUBDIVISION.

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 Rebecca S. Vogler.

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

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 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.

Parcel ID: 0409-52-0942 Property Address: 616 Fayetteville, NC 28303

Galloway

Drive,

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars

Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Unit 14 of Odom Place Townhomes, according to plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 66, Page 18, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Including the Unit located thereon; said unit being located at 973 Odom Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either

Land situated in the City of Lexington in the County of Davidson in the State of NC THE LAND HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO IS SITUATED IN THE CITY OF LEXINGTON, COUNTY OF DAVIDSON, STATE OF NC, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: TRACT 1: BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT 18 AS SHOWN ON THE MAP OF MONTICELLO, SECTION 2, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 16, PAGE 143 IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, REFERENCE TO WHICH IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. TRACT 2: BEGINNING AT A STAKE ON THE WELCOME-ARCADIA ROAD, CORNER TO LOTS 18 AND 19 OF SECTION 2 OF MONTICELLO, RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 16, PAGE 143, IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA; THENCE WITH THE DIVISION LINE OF SAID LOTS 18 AND 19, NORTH 70 DEGREES, 36 MINUTES EAST 270.15 FEET TO A STAKE, THE REAR CORNER OF SAID LOT; THENCE WITH THE REAR LINE OF LOT 19, SOUTH 03 DEGREES 53 MINUTES WEST 30 FEET TO A STAKE, A NEW CORNER; THENCE WESTWARDLY WITH A NEW LINE TO A

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: The Plaintiff in the above entitled action has filed with the Clerk of Superior Court’s office of Cumberland County, North Carolina, a civil action concerning one parcel of real property located at 3638 Golfview Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than March 18, 2024 (40 days from date of first publication) and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This the ___ day of ________________, 2024.

Said property is commonly known as 4150 Welcome Arcadia Rd, Lexington, NC 27295.

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

Dates of Publication: February 7, 2024, February 14, 2024 and February 21, 2024

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 11962 - 51590

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 13426 - 58876

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.

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.: 23-07931-FC01

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.

to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Durham County courthouse at 10:00AM on February 28, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Durham County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Anton Joseph Lazzaro, dated February 10, 2020 to secure the original principal amount of $241,830.00, and recorded in Book 8869 at Page 532 of the Durham County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 1 0 7 3 Flagler St, Durham, NC 27713 Tax Parcel ID: 0728-46-4534 Present Record Owners: Anton Joseph Lazzaro The record owner(s) of the property, according

to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Anton Joseph Lazzaro.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is February 8, 2024.

_________ ________________ ____________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Durham County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Martin E. Rock, dated July 2, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $100,000.00, and recorded in Book 5693 at Page 38 of the Durham County Public Registry.

The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 5 8 3 4 Shamrock Rd, Durham, NC 27713 Tax Parcel ID: 178438 Present Record Owners: Martin E. Rock The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Martin E. Rock.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer

and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE

AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is January 19, 2024. _________ ________________ ____________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee

LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Iredell County courthouse at 10:00AM on February 27, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Iredell County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Marsha Brown, dated November 20, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $50,000.00, and recorded in Book 1803 at Page 2120 of the Iredell County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 318 Rankin Hill Rd, Troutman, NC 28166 Tax Parcel ID: 4649-75-0868 Present Record Owners: Marsha Brown The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Marsha Brown.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period,

all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is February 7, 2024. _________ ________________ ____________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee

LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

23-117517

22-113428

23-117502

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B10 TAKE NOTICE

IREDELL NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 375 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by John S. Hurt and Kitiara M. Hurt (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): John S. Hurt and Kitiara M. Hurt) to Philip R. Mahoney, Trustee(s), dated October 31, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 2521, at Page 1989 in Iredell County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Iredell 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 in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 22, 2024 and will sell to the

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 18SP000090-500 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY REBECCA HORTON DATED OCTOBER 19, 2016 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4850 AT PAGE 719 AND CORRECTED BY AFFIDAVIT RECORDED NOVEMBER 10, 2020 IN BOOK 5751, PAGE 912 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP001645-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Adam R. Ramirez and Shaylene Locklear Ramirez (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Adam R. Ramirez and Shaylene Locklear Ramirez) to Jerry Baker, Trustee(s), dated April 27, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 02887, at Page 0388 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston 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 in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on February 20, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wendell in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP001632-500 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Sheila A. Parker and David Parker (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Sheila A. Parker and David Parker) to Theodore G. Wise, Trustee(s), dated November 1, 2016, and recorded in Book No. 4935, at Page 672 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Johnston 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 in Smithfield, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on February 20, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Four Oaks in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at a pk nail in the center of SR #1162 (60’ r/w), said point being further identified as being a common corner with Lot #2 of the

NEW HANOVER NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 453 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by South Dogwood Partners, LLC (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): South Dogwood Partners, LLC) to Harry Marsh Law, Trustee(s), dated December 30, 2020, and recorded in Book No. RB 6396, at Page 846 in New Hanover County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds New Hanover 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 in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on February 27, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Wilmington in the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the Northern line of Princess Place Drive (30 feet from the centerline) with the Eastern line of Henry Street (22 feet off the monument line), running thence from said beginning with the Eastern line of Henry Street North one (01) degree thirty-five (35) minutes East six-hundred forty-six and fourteen one-hundredths (646.14) feet to an

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION NEW HANOVER COUNTY 22sp359 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY LARRY G. COWAN AND JACQUELYN M. COWAN DATED NOVEMBER 16, 2001 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 3118 AT PAGE 673 AND MODIFIED

BY AGREEMENT RECORDED NOVEMBER 12, 2013 IN BOOK 5781, PAGE 2825 IN THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt,

highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Harmony in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at point in the centerline of Kimmon Road, SR# 1835, the Southwest corner of Colon Galliher as described in Deed Book 611, Page 242, Iredell County Registry; thence along Galliher’s Southern property line, South 85 deg. 12 min. 00 sec. East 311.70 feet to an iron rod stake in the line of Billy Holmes as described in Deed Book 697, Page 789, Iredell County Registry; thence along Holmes’ line the following calls and distances: South 18 deg. 13 min. 00 sec. West 140.00 feet to an iron rod stake and North 85 deg. 12 min. 00 sec. West 311.70 feet to a point in the centerline of SR# 1835; thence along the centerline of SR# 1835, North 18 deg. 13 min. 00 sec. East 140 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, containing 1 (one) acre, more or less, as shown on a survey prepared by Grier Surveying, dated September 1, 1998, and entitled “Survey for Kitiara M. Hurt.” Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 315 Kimmon Road, Harmony, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Johnston County courthouse at 11:00AM on February 29, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Rebecca Horton, dated October 19, 2016 to secure the original principal amount of $113,898.00, and recorded in Book 4850 at Page 719 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 118 W Silver Belle Dr, Zebulon, NC 27597 Tax Parcel ID: 11M01003J Present Record Owners: Rebecca

particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the intersection of the Northeastern boundary of NCSR 1716 and the Western property boundary of the property now or formerly of James O’Neal, said point being located South 57 degrees 58 minutes 27 seconds West 716.78 feet from the intersection of the ‘center line of NCSR 1716 and NCSR 1740 and North 18 degrees 10 minutes 12 seconds East 31.50 feet from the center line of NCSR 1716; thence in a Westerly direction along said boundary North 53 degrees 30 minutes 02 seconds 356.64 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence in a Northerly direction North 06 degrees 38 minutes 55 seconds East 311.49 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence in an Easterly direction South 53 degrees 40 minutes 47 seconds East 421.74 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence South 18 degrees 10 minutes 12 seconds West 285.99 feet to a point in the Northeastern boundary of NCSR 1716, the point and place of BEGINNING, containing 2.42 acres more or less, and being all in accordance with that certain property survey entitled “House Location For Devin Dwight Beasley” drawn by Williams-Pearce & Assoc., P.A., R.L.S., and dated June 23, 1993. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4015 Lake Wendell Road, Wendell, North Carolina.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided

that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Horton The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Rebecca Horton.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the

highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective

date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is January 2, 2024. _________ ________________ ____________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is December 20, 2023. _________ ________________ ____________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold

Lealand Allen Property; thence running as the line of Lealand Allen North 68 deg. 13 min 53 sec. West 326.85 ft. to an existing iron stake in the run of fort branch; thence running as the run of fort branch the following courses North 8 deg. 31 min. 57 sec. East 70.93 ft. to an existing iron stake; thence running North 58 deg. 00 min. 10 sec. East 167.67 ft. to an existing iron stake; running North 24 deg. 55 min. 00 sec.

East 144.60 ft. to an existing iron stake; thence running north 42 deg. 59 min. 00 sec. East 71.16 ft. to an existing iron stake; thence running North 77 deg. 47 min. 00 sec. East 80 ft. to an existing iron stake; thence running 51 deg. 00 min. 00 sec. East 115.26 ft. to an existing iron stake; thence running North 76 deg. 16 min.

00 sec. East 56.12 ft. to an existing iron stake thence running South 56 deg. 50 min. 00 sec.

East 108.20 ft. to a pk nail located in the center line of SR 1162 (60’ r/w); said point being further identified as being located in the line of Mable L. Hill; thence running as the center line of SR 1162 (60’ r/w) the following courses and distances: South 39 deg. 09 min. 55 sec. West 98.63 ft. to a pk nail; thence running South 31 deg. 35 min. 44 sec. West 100.02 ft to a pk nail; thence running South 28 deg. 30 min. 19 sec. West 99.99 ft. to a pk nail; thence running South 25 deg. 05 min. 20 sec. West 99.99 ft. to a pk nail; thence running South 21 deg. 46 min. 07 sec. West 179.73 ft. to a pk nail; being the point and place of beginning and contains 3.28 acres, more or less, said property being further designated as Lot #1 of

the John R. Lee property as referenced in Plat Bk. 35, Pg. 189 according to a survey entitled, “Property of David Earl Parker and wife, Shelia A. Parker” prepared by W. Stanton Massengill, RLS, dated July 29,1992 and revised 12-21-92.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3608 Hockaday Road, Four Oaks, North Carolina.

iron pipe, thence continuing with said Eastern line North seven (07) degrees forty-six (46) minutes East eighty-seven and thirty-nine one-hundredths (87.39) feet to an iron pipe, said pipe being the South Western corner of Tract “B” as shown on the Owen Hall division map, thence with Southern line of said Tract “B” North eighty- two (82) degrees twentyfive (25) minutes East sixty-nine and sixteen one-hundredths (69.16) feet to a concrete monument, said monument being the Southeastern corner of said Tract “B”, running thence with the Western line of Tract “A” of the aforementioned Hall division South one (01) degree forty-four (44) minutes East twenty-five and sixty- eight one-hundredths (25.68) feet to an iron pipe marking the Southwestern corner of said Tract “A”, thence with the Southern line of said Tract South sixty-eight (68) degrees seven (07) minutes East nine and seventy onehundredths (9.70) feet to a stone marked “K of G), thence with the Gideon Heights line South one (01) degree seven (07) minutes East two hundred eleven and twelve one-hundredths (211.12) feet to an iron pipe, thence South thirty-seven (37) degrees twenty-eight (28) minutes East one-hundred fifty-three and ninety-two one-hundredths (153.92) feet to an iron pipe in the Western line of Maids Avenue (formerly Oak Street), thence with said Western line South three (03) degrees zero (00) minutes West two-hundred ninety-four and sixteen onehundredths (294.16) feet to an iron pipe, said pipe being the Northeastern corner of the Piney Grove AME Church lot, thence with the Northern line of said lot North eighty (80) degrees fiftyone (51) minutes West seventy-eight and forty-eight one-hundredths (78.48) feet to an iron pipe marking the Northwestern comer of said Church lot, thence with the Western line of said Lot South one (01) degree zero (00) minutes West one-hundred five and sixty one-hundredths (105.60) feet to a point in the

Northern line of Princess Place Drive, thence with said Northern line North eighty-seven (87) degrees thirty-nine (39) minutes West fortyfour and eighty one-hundredths (44.80) feet to point, said point being the Southeastern corner of the Wilmington Masonic Lodge tract, thence with the Eastern line of said tract North one (01) degree thirty-five (35) minutes East eightyfour (84.00) feet to the Northeastern corner of said tract, thence with the Northern line of said tract North eighty-eight (88) degrees twenty-nine (29) minutes West forty (40.00) feet to the Northwestern corner of said tract, thence with the Western line of said Tract South one (01) degree thirty-five (35) minutes West eighty-three and fifty one-hundredths (83.50) feet to the Southwestern corner of said Lodge tract, said corner being in the Northern line of Princess Place Drive, thence with the Northern line of Princess Place Drive North eighty-seven (87) degrees twenty (20) minutes West twentyseven and zero one-hundredths (27.00) feet to the point of beginning, containing 2.34 acres more or loss. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 406, 410, 414, 418, 426, 430 A, 430 B, 434 A, 434 B, 438 A & 438 B Henry Street, 407 A, 407 B, 407 C, 407 D, 415 A, 415 B, 415 C & 415 D Maides Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the

excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the New Hanover County courthouse at 11:00AM on February 21, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Larry G. Cowan and Jacquelyn M. Cowan, dated November 16, 2001 to secure the original principal amount of $118,229.00, and recorded in Book 3118 at Page 673 of the New Hanover County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 344 Hooker Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 Tax Parcel ID: R05610-003-006-001 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Jacqueline M. Cowan

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Jacqueline M. Cowan.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the

highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due

More commonly known as: 3608 HOCKADAY RD, FOUR OAKS, NC 27524 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or

Property Address: 406, 410, 414, 418, 426, 430 A & B, 434 A & B, 438 A & B Henry St., 407 A, B, C, D, and 415 A, B, C, D Maides Ave., Wilmington, NC 28405 PID: R04909-010-027-000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 15861 - 72442

17-096349

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 17083 - 80406

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16865 - 79115

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 13636 - 59787

22-113482

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

B11

TAKE NOTICE

RANDOLPH 23 SP 201 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Deiondre L Isley to John B Third, Trustee(s), which was dated June 17, 2019 and recorded on June 17, 2019 in Book 2654 at Page 292, Randolph 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

20 SP 82 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Michael A. Soots and Anita G. Soots to Clint Bonkowski, Trustee(s), which was dated September 30, 2017 and recorded on October 4, 2017 in Book 2566 at Page 780, Randolph 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 February 20, 2024 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 339 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Brooke Rae Gordon (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Brooke Rae Gordon, Heirs of Brooke Rae Gordon: Kash Owen Upchurch) to John B. Third, Trustee(s), dated December 29, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 2734, at Page 1093 in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Randolph 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 in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location

UNION AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 401 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Robert John Swierski and May Swierski (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Robert John Swierski and May Swierski) to Harry Marsh Law, PLLC, Trustee(s), dated February 13, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 07584, at Page 0469 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned

23 SP 0596 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, UNION COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Catherine Brooke Preslar and Jacob Wayne Efird-Eudy to John B Third, Trustee(s), which was dated June 22, 2018 and recorded on June 22, 2018 in Book 7181 at Page 769, Union 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 February 27, 2024 at 12:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Union County, North Carolina, to wit:

WAKE 23SP003554-910 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Bomani G Lee a/k/a Bomani Lee and Janet Hutchinson to Trste, Inc, Trustee(s), which was dated November 13, 2007 and recorded on December 3, 2007 in Book 12859 at Page 2457, Wake 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 23SP001955-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY SABINO ESCORZA DATED APRIL 10, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11909 AT PAGE 2543 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on February 27, 2024, the following described real

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 February 20, 2024 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit: ASHEBORO COUNTY,

TOWNSHIP, NORTH

RANDOLPH CAROLINA:

BEING ALL of Lot No. 13 of the Arthur Ross Subdivision as shown by plat recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 67, in the office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 627 Home Avenue, Asheboro, NC 27203.

wit: BEGINNING AT A COMPUTED POINT BEING IN THE CENTER LINE OF MAMIE MAY ROAD (NCSR 2136); THENCE SOUTH 82 DEGREES 30 MINUTES 25 SECONDS EAST 30.41 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON ROD, SAID IRON ROD BEING THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF RICHARD L. FRAZIER (DEED BOOK 1878, PAGE 833); THENCE RUNNING ALONG THE SOUTHERN LINE OF FRAZIER SOUTH 82 DEGREES 30 MINUTES 25 SECONDS EAST 486.88 FEET TO AN EXISTING STONE, SAID STONE BEING IN THE SOUTHERN LINE OF FRAZIER AND THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF TODD & DEBORAH ALLEN (DEED BOOK 1831, PAGE 3929); THENCE ALONG THE WESTERN LINE OF ALLEN SOUTH 4 DEGREES 55 MINUTES 17 SECONDS WEST 154.70 FEET TO AN EXISTING AXLE, SAID AXLE BEING THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF JOSEPH F. CAPPS, JR., ET AL (DEED BOOK 1861, PAGE 1023); THENCE RUNNING ALONG THE NORTHERN LINE OF CAPPS NORTH 82 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 57 SECONDS WEST 511.51 FEET TO A COMPUTED POINT IN THE CENTERLINE OF THE RIGHT-OFWAY OF MAMIE MAY ROAD; THENCE RUNNING ALONG THE CENTERLINE OF MAMIE MAY ROAD NORTH 2 DEGREES 46 MINUTES 59 SECONDS EAST 155.00 FEET TO A COMPUTED POINT, SAID COMPUTED POINT BEING THE POINT

designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on February 20, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Trinity in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All of Lot 40, Phase 5, Eagle Creek Subdivision as shown on the plat recorded in Plat Book 67 at Page 7 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 6461 Eagle Landing Drive, Trinity, North Carolina.

(PIN 6795 56 5538) Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant

Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on February 29, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Matthews in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Tract 46, containing 2.28 acres, as shown on revised plat showing Lots 46 and 48, PROVIDENCE WOODS SOUTH PHASE II, recorded in Plat Cabinet B, File No. 232A in the Union County, North Carolina Public Registry, which plat is incorporated herein as part of this description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2225 Greenbrook Parkway, Matthews, North Carolina.

Property Address: 2225 Greenbrook Pkwy.

Matthews, NC 28104-7792 Parcel ID: 06-120-081 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Beginning at an old iron on the east line of Allen Mill Road, common corner with the southwest corner of the Ross and Geraldine Puckett Property (Book 286, Page 549), and running thence from the beginning point and with the southern line of Puckett’s Property, S. 88-34-32 E. 193.94 feet to an old iron on the Douglas B. and Doris T. High property (Book 290, Page 62), common corner with the Southeast corner of the Puckett property; thence with High’s line, S. 05-28-12 W. 74.88 feet to an old iron on High’s line, common corner with the northeast corner of the Betty T. Riggins property (Book 213, Page 751); thence with Riggins North Line , N. 88-40-02 W. 189.41 feet to an old iron on the east line of Allen Mill Drive, common corner with the northwest corner of the Riggins property; thence with the east line of Allen Mill Drive, common corner with the northwest corner of the Riggins property; thence with east lien of Allen Mill Drive, N. 02-00-00 E. 74.98 feet to the point of BEGINNING, and containing 0.33 acre (14, 343. 57 square feet) according to a map of a boundary and physical survey dated December 21, 1992 by James S. Brower, NCRLS. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or

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 February 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY OF WAKE, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA: LOT 28, BLOCK F OF THE GABLES AT TOWN HALL COMMONS PHASE 1, AS SHOWN ON A MAP THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 2002, PAGE 1370, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY BEING AND INTENDING TO DESCRIBE THE SAME PREMISES CONVEYED IN A DEED RECORDED 09/18/2002, IN BOOK 9605, PAGE 729.

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

Said property is commonly known as 307 Founders Walk Dr, Morrisville, NC 27560.

estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Sabino Escorza, dated April 10, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $100,750.00, and recorded in Book 11909 at Page 2543 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified by other instruments appearing in the public record.

Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 1 0 1 Bainbridge Cir, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: 1710860760 / 98410 Present Record Owners: T h e Heirs of Sabino Escorza The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Sabino Escorza.

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and

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

AND PLACE OF BEGINNING. THIS PROPERTY CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 1.82 ACRES, AND IS SHOWN ON THE SURVEY PREPARED BY DUNCAN-KENNEDY LAND SURVEYING, PLLC, DATED AUGUST 22, 2007, BEARING JOB NO. S-05707.

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

Said property is commonly known as 1716 Mamie May Rd, Franklinville, NC 27248.

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

is/are DEIONDRE L. ISLEY, AN UNMARRIED MAN. 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 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.

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.

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.: 23-11472-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the

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 Michael A. Soots and wife, Anita G. Soots.

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 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.

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.

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.: 20-03118-FC01

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the

to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed.

Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale,

terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or 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, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed.

Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars

($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

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 its sole discretion, if it believes 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.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.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 foreclosure sale,

terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

prior conveyances of record.

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Catherine Brooke Preslar and husband, Jacob Wayne Efird-Eudy.

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.

Said property is commonly known as 1001 Allen Dr, Marshville, NC 28103.

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

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 BOMANI G. LEE.

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 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.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 16734 - 78262

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 7199 - 27395

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.: 23-27761-FC01

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

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 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.

An Order for possession of the property may be

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

conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted.

This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely

manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is January 9, 2024. _________ ____________________________ Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP

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.

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.: 23-30628-FC01

10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By: 23-115713

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Primary Election candidates highlighted, page 2

COURTESY PHOTOS

Both Republican candidates for the open District 67 seat use family-focused photos on their campaign websites. On the left, Oakboro’s Cody Huneycutt with his wife Ashley. On the right, Albemarle’s Brandon King with his wife Carla.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NC Voter ID trial rescheduled for May A federal lawsuit filed years ago challenging North Carolina’s new photo voter identification mandate is set to go to trial in the spring. The U.S. District Court in WinstonSalem announced on Monday that Judge Loretta Biggs will convene the nonjury trial starting May 6.

The 2018 law was implemented for the first time last fall and remains in place for the March 5 primary elections. But a ruling from Biggs is possible in the spring or summer that could threaten its use this coming November in the general election. The voter ID law has been wrapped up in state and federal litigation for years.

Cooper sets 2040 goals for wetlands, forests and new trees NC Gov. Roy Cooper says a series of environmental directives and goals he initiated to protect and restore forests and wetlands in the state will help counter climate change and aid the economy.

Cooper signed an executive order on Monday that sets statewide acreage targets for governments and private landprotection groups by 2040. The governor also wants 1 million new trees planted in urban areas by then.

The order also tells state agencies to use plants and seeds in landscaping projects that are native to the Southeast, with a preference for North Carolina plants.

PHOTO COURTESY FWS

The Pine Barrens tree frog is the state frog of North Carolina.

GOP hopefuls face off in House District 67 primary debate

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal TROY — Two Stanly County residents competing in the Republican primary for the NC House District 67 seat, squared off last week in a candidate debate forum in Troy.

Albemarle resident Brandon King and Oakboro resident Cody Huneycutt are running to compete for retiring Rep. Wayne Sasser’s seat representing Stanly and Montgomery county in the General Assembly. The candidates fielded questions from a moderator on Feb. 6, inside the Montgomery County administrative building.

With the district leaning strongly Republican, the winner of the Republican primary is favored to defeat Democratic nominee Daniel Quick in the Nov. 5 general election.

King, a sitting Stanly County

Commissioner and the current owner of Albemarle Outdoor Supply, selected the Education and Agricultural Committees as his top picks when asked on which committees he would prefer to sit if he were elected.

“As public education goes, school choice has been a great thing that legislature has passed but Montgomery and Stanly County both fail in the area of having a choice,” King said. “We depend heavily on the public school system, and that’s where we’re failing as a state and as a public education system.”

Huneycutt, who has worked as a policy advisor to Rep. Sasser for the past four years, preferred the Finance and Appropriations Committees.

“I’m blessed to have nine years of working experience in the NC House of Representatives already,” said Huneycutt, who was endorsed by Sasser in

his retirement announcement last year.

“Six years of that experience was on the Finance Committee, working on cutting taxes on personal income tax, corporate income tax, franchise tax, and unemployment insurance tax,” Huneycutt went on, promising to return more tax dollars to his constituents.

A question on combating the effects of the opioid epidemic showed some of the philosophical differences between the candidates, with Huneycutt leaning on his experiences under Sasser for his pitch to GOP primary voters.

“The thing that I’d like to see changed or be a little more aggressive in is faith-based rehab facilities,” King said. “Somebody didn’t get strung out on drugs overnight, and we’re not going to get them off them in 28 days.

Giving them more drugs is not

always the answer. We have to provide them a way of life and an opportunity to learn a new lifestyle to get them off the pattern on their own. That’s going to take time, and most of your faith-based facilities are going to be 12-to-24 month programs.”

While an initial opioid settlement case already provided funding to the state, another opioid settlement package is coming through Raleigh that will result in more money for facilities.

“I have worked with both faith-based and non-faithbased groups over the last three years and I will continue to do so,” Huneycutt said. “I will also advocate for our law enforcement to allow them to be able to catch and prosecute drug dealers because that is what’s hurtSee DEBATE, page 2

Albemarle appoints Rhodes interim city manager

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — With Albemarle City Manager Michael Ferris set to retire at the end of February, the city named current-Assistant City Manager Darren Rhodes interim manager as the search process continues for a permanent replacement.

“Serving the city of Albemarle has been an honor,” Rhodes said in a city press release. “I look forward to continuing to work with our elected leaders and city staff to support the positive work we’re doing to serve our community.”

Rhodes was hired as assistant city manager under Ferris in Sept. 2022, joining the City of Albemarle’s staff with nearly 30 years of experience in state and local government.

Rhodes previously worked as development specialist for the City of Mount Airy, town manager of Walnut Cove, and chief planner for the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

He worked for eight years as manager of the North Caroli-

na Rural Planning Program, a statewide program that provides strategic economic development planning, technical support and training to local governments in rural areas.

As the program’s manager, Rhodes assisted in helping communities respond to economic growth opportunities aimed at improving the quality of life, community capacity and preservation of rural character.

“The selection of Darren Rhodes as interim city manager allows us to have a stable environment while the city moves forward with essential services and critical projects,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael said in the city’s announcement. “Mr. Rhodes has proven to be a leader who is willing to work with everyone. We’re fortunate to have Mr. Rhodes skill, experience, and familiarity with our operations.”

Less than three months after joining Albemarle, Rhodes received the Old North State Award in recognition of his service to the state.

Presented by Governor Roy

Cooper, the award recognizes “dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina” to state workers who have served for at least 20 years.

Kenny Flowers, assistant secretary for the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, praised Rhodes’ leadership in a press release for the 2022 Old North State Award.

“Darren was an exceptional leader for the planning staff that works with the NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center at the North Carolina Department of Commerce,” Flowers said. “In recent years, Darren was instrumental in positioning the Rural Planning team to coordinate a COVID recovery effort called Community Economic Resiliency and Recovery Initiative and the newest effort called Community Outdoor Recreation Economy program.”

As interim city manager, Rhodes will be tasked with overseeing Albemarle’s electric system, water and wastewa-

Rhodes was hired as assistant city manager under Ferris in Sept.

2022, joining the City of Albemarle’s staff with nearly 30 years of experience in state and local government. ter system, landfill facility, public housing department, parks and recreation department, police department, fire department and other city departments and services.

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• Nikki Haley

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TUESDAY

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INSTRUCTION (DEM)

• Kenon Crumble NC ATTORNEY GENERAL (DEM) • Satana Deberry

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• Tim Dunn

• A. J. Daoud

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• Charles Dingee

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• David Dunlap

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NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE

• Chase Oliver

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JUSTICE SEAT 06 (DEM)

• Michael Rectenwald

• Allison Riggs

• Joshua Smith

NC COMMISSIONER OF

• Mike ter Maat

AGRICULTURE (REP)

• Lora Christine Cubbage

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NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE

• Charles Ballay

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NC GOVERNOR (REP) • Dale R. Folwell

CRIME LOG x Joshua Williams Papin, age 35, was arrested on charges of Driving While Impaired, Reckless Driving to Endanger, Driving While License Revoked for Impaired Driving, and Speeding on February 11, 2024. x Derek Richard Dimisa, age 38, was arrested on charges of Driving While Impaired, Open Container After Consumption of Alcohol 1st Offense, and Reckless Driving with Wanton Disregard on February 11, 2024. x Larry Ravonne Kimrey, age 75, was arrested on charges of Communicating Threats on February 11, 2024.

NC COMMISSIONER OF

• Hunter Murphy

INSURANCE (DEM)

• Bill Graham

• Natasha Marcus

NC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Mark Robinson

• David Wheeler

DISTRICT 67 (REP) • Cody Huneycutt

NC GOVERNOR (DEM) • Gary Foxx

NC COMMISSIONER OF

• Brandon King

INSURANCE (REP)

• Michael R. Morgan

• Andrew Marcus

STANLY COUNTY BOARD OF

• Josh Stein

• C. Robert Brawley

COMMISSIONERS AT-LARGE

• Marcus W. Williams

• Mike Causey

(REP)

• Chrelle Booker

• Scott Efird NC COMMISSIONER OF LABOR

NC GOVERNOR (LIB)

• Levi Greene

(REP)

• Mike Ross

• Luke Farley

STANLY COUNTY BOARD OF

• Shannon W. Bray

• Jon Hardister

COMMISSIONERS DISTRICT 5

• Chuck Stanley

(REP)

NC LT GOVERNOR (REP)

• Travis J. Wilson

• Rivera Douthit • Jeffrey Elmore

• Billy Dean Mills • Peter Asciutto

NC SECRETARY OF STATE (REP)

x Jarrod Allen Orr, age 46, was arrested on charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on February 10, 2024.

• Marlenis Hernandez Novoa

• Jesse Thomas

STANLY COUNTY BOARD OF

• Allen Mashburn

• Christine E. Villaverde

EDUCATION AT-LARGE

• Jim O’Neill

• Chad Brown

x Anthony Ray Smith, age 29, was arrested on charges of FirstDegree Kidnapping, Attempted First Degree Murder, Assault by Strangulation, Assault Serious Bodily Injury, and Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence on February 10, 2024.

• Ernest T. Reeves

NC SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC

• Hal Weatherman

INSTRUCTION (REP)

• Sam Page

• Rufus S. Lefler III • Meghan Almond

• Seth Woodall

• Michele Morrow

• Deanna Ballard

• Catherine Truitt

• Peter Boykin

STANLY COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS (REP) • Misty Enoch • Jennifer (Jennie) Helms • George T. Burris

x Austin Lee C Myers, age 27, was arrested on charges of Driving While License Revoked Not Impaired on February 9, 2024.

DEBATE from page 1

x Howard Franklin Howell, age 60, was arrested on charges of Resisting Public Officer, False Report to Police Station, and Misuse Of 911 System on February 9, 2024. x Matthew Lee Taylor, age 35, was arrested on charges of Defraud Drug/Alcohol Test 1st, Simple Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, and Possess Drug Paraphernalia on February 9, 2024. x Matthew Lee Taylor, age 35, was arrested on charges of Warrant Service for Other Agency on February 9, 2024. x Calvin Dwayne Richardson, age 31, was arrested on charges of Simple Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Possess Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Firearm by Felon on February 8, 2024. x Stephanie Nicole Preslar, age 38, was arrested on charges of Detainer on February 8, 2024. x Christopher Darrell Edwards, age 34, was arrested on charges of Felony Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance and Possession of Controlled Substance Prison/Jail on February 7, 2024.

PAID FOR BY ASCIUTTO FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

ing our community the most.”

Moving to abortion, with the moderator noting the state’s 12-week abortion ban that went into effect on July 1, 2023, both candidates spoke in favor of a stricter “heartbeat bill” that would make abortion illegal as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

Huneycutt stated that he would support a heartbeat bill, but also supported “taking small bites of the apple until we accomplish the ultimate goal of a heartbeat bill” due to concerns that a more aggressive six-week bill could hurt Republican majorities in the state’s General Assembly, risking “turning us into the state of California on the abortion issue within two years.”

King said his personal faith wouldn’t allow him to budge on his support of the bill regardless of the political consequences in Raleigh, seemingly questioning his potential future colleagues commitment to the pro-life cause.

“If the Republicans can’t get on board with that, then maybe they’re not real Republicans and it’s time to start acting like it,” King said.

“We’ve had Republican control and there is no reason why we shouldn’t already have this heartbeat bill. It’s very frustrating for some of them to sit up there and call themselves Republicans and not support it.”

In-person early voting period for the 2024 primary election begins Thursday Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. and ends on March 2 at 3 p.m.

Learn more about the candidates at brandonking4nc.com and cody4nc.com.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

3

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

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

The left and chaos

The Left hates the opposite of chaos: order.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to understand what is happening to America — and to the rest of the West — without understanding the most dynamic ideology of the last hundred years: leftism.

We need to begin with the understanding that leftism (or “progressivism”) and liberalism are not only not the same ideologies, they are in fact opposed to each other on virtually every major issue.

Leftism and liberalism have only two things in common: One is belief in big government, which, given that individual and societal liberty decline as the state grows, is a significant similarity.

The other Left-liberal commonality is antipathy to the Right. This is even more important than commitment to big government because it explains why liberals vote for the Left despite the fact that liberals differ with far more left-wing positions than with conservative positions.

Unlike the Left, most liberals love their country. Unlike the Left, most liberals do not believe that there are more than two sexes/ genders; that prepubescent boys and girls who claim they are members of the other sex should be given hormone blockers; that girls under 21 should be allowed to have their breasts surgically removed; or that men who say they are women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. So, too, liberals do not believe that capitalism is evil, that America is systemically racist, that all whites are racist, that Israel is the villain in the Middle East and Zionism is racist.

So, then, given that those leftist positions are as destructive as they are absurd, how are we to explain leftism?

Early on, I recognized that the Left opposes liberty — the clearest example being that wherever the Left gains power, whether at a university or in society as a whole, it suppresses free speech — and that it destroys everything it touches. But while I (and many others) have always understood that the Left (again, not liberalism) has always, everywhere, been a force for evil, I needed to understand why.

How can people believe that men give birth; that a country to which more than 4 million black people have emigrated and which twice elected a black president is systemically racist; that the freest country in the Middle East, one in which millions of Arabs live as equal citizens, is the villain, while its barbaric enemies are worthy of support?

Here are some answers: Throughout their history, Americans have had three great providers of meaning: family, religion and patriotism. Leftists lack the latter two (indeed, they seek to get rid of them), and increasing numbers of them lack the first. Since human beings cannot live without meaning — it is as great a need as food, and even greater than sex — they seek meaning elsewhere. So they create new meanings through creating secular religions: socialism, communism, feminism, environmentalism, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), “anti-racism,” anti-Zionism, LGBTQIA+ pride, and trans activism, among others.

All these are united by one overarching aim: destroying the institutions of Western civilization (e.g., religion, art, music, the nuclear family, moral norms, schools and universities, free speech, capitalism, even medicine).

Those of us who appreciate Western civilization and wish to preserve it (while, of course, correcting its flaws) cannot understand why anyone would want to destroy it. That is a major reason it is so difficult for non-leftists to understand the Left.

What opened my eyes are the Left’s beliefs that men can become women and women can become men; men give birth; there are more than two genders/sexes; men who say they are women should be placed in women’s prisons, women’s colleges and women’s shelters; men who say they are women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports; and children should be taken to drag queen shows.

All these positions represent... chaos.

The Left’s trans-positions are the most obvious areas of Left-induced chaos, but there are many others. These include the Left’s contempt for the ideal of the nuclear family (i.e., a married mother and father and children); its support for defunding police; its raising the dollar value of stolen goods that qualifies as a felony, which can only incentivize theft; and its support for progressive district attorneys.

Fighting crime represents order; crime represents chaos.

And why does leftism seek chaos? Because the Left hates the opposite of chaos: order.

And order ultimately represents a religious view of life. Order represents divine order. The proof is that no religious people say, “Men give birth.” Not all secular people believe men give birth, there are more than two sexes, men can compete in women’s sports, children should be exposed to drag queen shows, or children should be given hormone blockers if they claim to be a member of the other sex. But only secular people believe those things. Virtually no one who believes in the Bible and the God of the Bible believes them. We believe in a Godcreated social order.

Chaos is the normal state of the world. The second verse of the Bible states that the world was in a chaotic state. God then made order.

Which is why the Left is undoing it.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Why Biden is threatening to veto aid to Israel

No Israeli prime minister would act any differently in Gaza.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN promised to veto any stand-alone aid bill for Israel. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and most House Democrats voted against one. The administration maintains that Israel’s security is so “sacred,” it must be tied to a doomed legislative package containing entirely unrelated issues that deal with border security and Ukrainian aid.

Which, of course, makes absolutely zero sense.

Does anyone believe that the president would veto a stand-alone bill for Ukrainian aid? Or what about a stand-alone bill for “humanitarian” aid to Palestinians? Color me skeptical. Now, a standalone border security bill? That he’d definitely veto. Priorities, you see.

In the years before former President Barack Obama, a vote to help a longtime ally against a proxy terror army that — not incidentally — murdered 30-plus American citizens would have been a no-brainer. Today, a Democrat who takes an unrepentantly pro-Israel position puts himself in a precarious position. Biden is free to play games with Israeli aid because there will be no political repercussions. Most Democrats don’t really care anymore. And those who do are in the pro-Hamas wing — whether openly or functionally.

“Forget No Labels. Biden’s Third-Party Peril is on the Left,” warns Politico. Numerous polls, writes Jonathan Martin, find that young leftists are angry about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Not the mass rape and murder of civilians, mind you, but Israel’s efforts to root out the attackers.

Many of these people are socialist ideologues, many are identitarian dimwits, and others are just antisemites. Some, like members of “the Squad,” are all of the above. Whatever the case, they are always “angry” at Israel. These are the people who were demanding “ceasefires” before Israel had

even begun retaliating for Oct 7.

Still, the situation remains something of a balancing act for Biden. There are still enough Jewish Democrats and independents who feel a historic kinship with Israel. Enough that the president doesn’t attack Israel unequivocally.

Like Obama before him, Biden uses Benjamin Netanyahu as a strawman, framing the prime minister as some kind of warmongering fascist.

Here’s a little-known reality: Right or Left, Netanyahu or someone else, no Israeli prime minister would act any differently in Gaza. Israeli voters rightly demand it. Just as it would have been impossible to lead the United States after 9/11 on a plank that gave al-Qaeda a pass, it would be impossible to hold power in Israel and allow Hamas to continue to operate next door.

In any event, Biden acts like a statesman in public but simultaneously leaks angry quotes about Netanyahu to placate the growing antiIsrael Left. Recently, for example, we learned that Biden supposedly called Israel’s prime minister a “bad f—-ing guy.” (Notice that Democrats have tougher words for Israelis than they ever do for mullahs who murder Americans.)

This leak reminded me of the time in 2014 when Obama’s stenographer Jeffrey Goldberg “reported” that White House officials referred to Netanyahu as “chickens--t.” Now I don’t mean to demean people like Ben Rhodes, who survived a creative writing MFA program at New York University, but Netanyahu did serve in the Israel Defense Forces, saw combat and led a special force unit that specialized in freeing hijacked planes. Netanyahu was shot in one of these operations. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s less of a coward than anonymous White House officials. Certainly, he is a better “guy” than the gaggle of Rob Malley types the president

surrounds himself with.

A few weeks ago, good guy Biden was accusing Israel of engaging in “indiscriminate bombing,” which he knows is a lie. “Like everyone in the administration and any Democrat with a pulse,” Politico explains, Biden is “deeply suspicious of Benjamin Netanyahu.” The president’s “deepseated fear,” we learn, is that Netanyahu “is eager to drag the U.S. into a wider war in the Middle East.”

This is the favorite blood libel of radical Democrats and far-right influencers. They must be quite excited to hear that the president is no longer “hypnotized” by Israel’s evil, as Rep. Ilhan Omar might say.

That said, the United States has no obligation to assist any nation — not even a longtime ally that shares our objectives and values. I suspect Democrats are probably a couple of presidential cycles away from turning entirely against Israel.

Still, it is peculiar that the same people who are purportedly terrified of being dragged into a Middle East war by Israel have no deep-seated fears about the perils of funding a war against a nuclear power in Europe. On the contrary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who runs a country far more authoritarian (not to mention corrupt) than Netanyahu’s Israel, is treated as the sainted defender of democracy by Washington and the media.

It’s almost as if the arguments being used by Democrats to distance themselves from Israel don’t really make any sense.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

4 SIDELINE REPORT

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

SPORTS

NFL

Jackson wins second MVP award Las Vegas Lamar Jackson was a nearunanimous choice for his second AP NFL Most Valuable Player award announced last Thursday night. Christian McCaffrey ran away with the AP Offensive Player of the Year award, while Myles Garrett beat out T.J. Watt for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. C.J. Stroud won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide.

Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was AP Comeback Player of the Year.

HOCKEY

Bail extended in case of hockey player’s death Sheffield, England South Yorkshire police say a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson has had his bail extended. Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England in October.

Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the host Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League. The 29-year-old American died in hospital. Johnson appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020.

A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November and then bailed.

MLB

Former Mets GM suspended through World Series New York Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he and other team employees fabricated injuries to create open roster spots. No Mets medical or athletic training personnel were mentioned in the announcement by Major League Baseball.

Manfred said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purposes of securing multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”

OLYMPICS

100-plus protest 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina Milan More than 100 people turned up to protest over the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics despite the inclement weather. Around 150 people gathered in the pouring rain on Saturday outside the construction site for the Olympic Village in Milan. Many held banners and placards against what organizers of the protest called “the most unsustainable Games ever.” One sign was in the shape of the Olympic logo of five rings, with the words “concreting,” “gentrification,” “greenwashing,” “privatization” and “eviction” written in the circles. The march was organized by the Comitato Insostenibili Olimpiadi (Unsustainable Olympics Committee) against the rising costs and environmental damage.

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium. He was 21.

Furman football player dies 2 days after collapsing during workout Defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield was a threeyear letterman with the Paladins

By Josh Dubrow The Associated Press GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium.

Furman President Elizabeth Davis said in a letter to the university community that the 21-year-old Stanfield died while “surrounded by his family and his Furman family.”

Davis said Stanfield had collapsed at a Wednesday morning workout and was taken to a hospital and placed on life support. No other details were released.

“We are heartbroken beyond measure with Bryce’s sudden

passing and ask that everyone, first and foremost, lift up his parents, Fred and Teri Stanfield and their family, in prayer on this day and in the days ahead,” Furman coach Clay Hendrix said in a statement.

Stanfield was conferred his bachelor’s degree in health sciences, magna cum laude, by Davis in a Friday morning ceremony while surrounded by family members, teammates and coaches.

Stanfield came from Acworth, Georgia, and was a three-year letterman for Furman. Davis said Stanfield had aspirations of attending dental school after graduation.

He played all 13 games for Furman last fall and had 13 tackles and 2½ sacks while helping the Paladins go 10-3 and win a Southern Conference championship.

“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player, and

friend,” Hendrix said. “He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community. In every sense, he was the best representative we could have.”

Stanfield was a two-time Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll selection. He served in Furman’s Heler Service Corps Men of Distinction, visited patients at Greenville Children’s Hospital and read to children at local schools.

“Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student,” Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics Jason Donnelly said in a statement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from our entire community. Bryce will be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever.”

“Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student.”

Jason Donnelly, Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics

Ohtani tries to blend in with Dodgers The 29-year-old signed a $700 million contract as a free agent this offseason The Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani walked through his new spring training clubhouse wearing a simple white T-shirt with the word “BOSS” across the front in big, dark capital letters.

The two-time Most Valuable Player might not be in charge of these Los Angeles Dodgers, but there’s little doubt who commands the most attention.

The 29-year-old Ohtani gave his first interview at Camelback Ranch as a member of the Dodgers on a chilly Friday morning, surrounded by more than 50 reporters who asked questions of baseball’s first and only $700 million man.

It’s these kinds of scenes that make it hard for Ohtani to be just one of the guys.

But he’s trying.

“I’m on a brand new team, so I’m going to act like a rookie,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Try to get along with all

the guys and teammates.”

The Dodgers had their first official workout of spring training on Friday, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Several hitters were also taking batting practice, though stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman haven’t yet arrived at camp. The Dodgers are the first of the 30 teams to start spring training ahead of their opener against San Diego on March 20 at Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani’s two-way superstardom is on hold for the 2024 season while he recovers from elbow surgery that will keep him off the mound. But he’ll still be able to hit — and he does that quite well. The three-time AllStar hit .304 with 44 homers last season despite missing most of the final month of the season.

Now that he doesn’t have to worry about pitching, those numbers could take another jump.

“I feel like there’s not just one level, but several levels ahead offensive-wise,” Ohtani said. “It just depends on what kind of lineup I’m in.”

All signs point to the Dodgers

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CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTO

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, right, listens to a question as he speaks to media Friday on the first day of spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix. having a stellar offensive lineup.

Los Angeles could start a lineup that includes fellow All-Stars like Betts, Freeman, Max Muncy and Will Smith. Ohtani said he’s ready to contribute.

“My swing — effort level-wise — is almost 100%,” Ohtani said.

“My next step is facing live arms, some velocity.”

Manager Dave Roberts said he’s talked to Ohtani a few times already in Arizona, but is trying

to give him space as he adapts to new surroundings.

“Everything he does is intentional, which is pretty amazing, but not surprising,” Roberts said. “I think right now, you see a lot of teammates trying to watch how he operates, learn what makes him tick, but it takes time.

“But I’ve still got to pinch myself to see him in a Dodger uniform.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Pfeiffer athletics announces renovations to N.E. Lefko Field The Falcons’ soccer and lacrosse programs are switching to turf

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal MISENHEIMER — In a recent announcement from Pfeiffer University, its athletic department revealed that it is making major renovations to N.E. Lefko Field, home of the Falcons’ soccer and lacrosse programs.

The natural grass surface at Lefko Field in Misenheimer is being replaced with an artificial turf field created by the Shaw Sports Surfaces and Advanced Sports Group.

Designed to quicken field preparation time and drainage while allowing for safer competition following rainy weather, the new Shaw Sports Turf Legion 2.0 playing surface also frees up available usage for other local organizations by negating the fear of damage to a grass surface.

The project is expected to be completed between late February and early March.

“We are extremely excited to team with Advanced Sports Group to make Lefko Field a better place for our student-athletes to train and to compete for

championships,” Pfeiffer athletics director Zac Chilton said in a Feb. 8 press release from the university.

Advanced Sports Group has previously worked with Furman University, Fort Valley State University, the University of Tampa, Florida International University, Georgia Southern University, the Liberty Bowl Stadium, Kennesaw State University, Saint Leo University, and Virginia Tech.

With a dedication ceremony and public recognition of donors set to align with Homecoming festivities on October 19, 2024, lead donors — qualified as gifts of $1,000 or more received

by June 30, 2024 — will be honored with signage at the field area.

Gifts to support the field renovation project can be made by contacting 704-463-3034 or by using the designation ‘Lefko Field Upgrade’ on Pfeiffer’s GiveCampus fundraising website.

“Our student-athletes will have one of the premier surfaces on which to compete once this project is completed. There will be no finer place to play in our area,” said Jeff Childress, Pfeiffer’s vice president for athletics and external operations.

“We are thankful to the donors who are making this transfor-

mation possible.”

Complying with NCAA regulation dimensions, the new turf surface will provide the Pfeiffer soccer teams a 120-by75 yard pitch, while the men’s lacrosse field will be 110-by-60 yards and the women’s lacrosse team will be 120-by-65 yards.

Set between the softball and baseball fields, Lefko Field is home to the 2015 Men’s Soccer NCAA Champions and is named after former Pfeiffer soccer coach Nicholas E. Lefko, who led the Falcons between 1959 and 1974.

Lefko was enshrined as a charter member of the Pfeiffer Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

With four Pfeiffer teams preparing for their 2024 season, they will soon be making the adjustment from grass to turf on their home field.

The Falcons’ men’s soccer team is coming off a 7-6-3 (33-1 USA South) season while the women’s team is hoping to bounce back from a 2-14-2 (0-8-1 USA South) record last year.

Winners of the 2023 USA South Tournament Championship, Pfeiffer’s men’s lacrosse team had a 17-2 (7-1 USA South) record in 2023 as the women’s team finished with a 5-13 (4-5 USA South) record.

5

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Joshawa Huneycutt

Va. Democrats deal setback to relocation of Capitals, Wizards Ted Leonis, the owner of the NHL and NBA teams, wants to move both out of D.C. The Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. — Top Democrats in the Virginia Senate have dealt a blow to legislation to help pave the way for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals to relocate to northern Virginia, refusing to docket the bill for a hearing and expressing serious reservations Monday about the financing of the proposed deal.

Sen. L. Louise Lucas, who holds great sway in the General Assembly as chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, first said over the weekend on social media that legislation underpinning the deal negotiated by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin was “not ready for prime time” and would not receive a hearing in her committee. The decision effectively killed the Senate version of the legislation because of a procedural deadline this week, though another bill is making progress in the House of Delegates, which is also controlled by Democrats.

Lucas, who took questions from reporters Monday morning along with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, said

CREDIT SOUTH STANLY HIGH SCHOOL FACEBOOK

South Stanly, indoor track

CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTO

Ted Leonsis, left, owner of Washington’s Wizards and Capitals, shakes hands with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin as they announce plans for a new sports stadium for the teams Dec. 13 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Youngkin had made a series of mistakes in trying to advance the proposal through a General Assembly now in full Democratic control after November’s elections.

Among them, she said, was a weekend speech at Washington and Lee University in which Youngkin took a broad swipe at Democrats collectively, saying the party does “not believe in — nor do they want — a strong America.”

Lucas and Surovell also said legislators were not brought into the conversation about the deal to move the teams across the Potomac to Alexandria early enough. They questioned

why it was put up for a vote before a legislative economic development commission that reviews proposed incentives just before outgoing lawmakers cycled off that panel.

Surovell said his caucus has concerns about whether the governor is truly willing to consider their priorities, including legislation to establish recreational cannabis sales and further increase the minimum wage, in negotiations over the legislation. Lucas is also seeking toll relief for the Hampton Roads region.

Asked if the deal was “dead,” Lucas responded bluntly: “As far as I’m concerned, it is.”

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Joshawa Huneycutt is a senior for the South Stanly indoor track team.

South Stanly’s boys’ team finished ninth in the NCHSAA’s 1A/2A indoor track state championships, and Huneycutt was a key reason why.

He placed third in the boy’s 1600 meters, with a time of 4:33.16. He also added a pair of fourth-place finishes, taking fourth in the boys’ 1000 meters, at 2:45.30, and fourth in the boys’ 3200 meters at 9:57.47.

He was also part of South Stanly’s 4x400 meter relay, which finished ninth. Eli Thompson, Hayden Jernigan and Tristen Patterson were the other relay runners.

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

6

US cattle herd hit generational low as beef prices continue to rise North State Journal RALEIGH — The U.S. cattle supply is at its lowest level since 1951. That low supply will likely drive beef prices to record highs. The supply shortage is being driven by many factors, including droughts, inflation and a burgeoning wave of regulation and activism directed at curbing beef consumption and production. Amidst this backdrop, the future of beef within diets and its role in the agricultural sector is being highlighted by farmers, consumer groups and policymakers.

A December memo released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends reducing the amount of beef in diets, increasing non-meat alternatives, and suggests “rebalancing” meat production and consumption.

The recommendations from the U.N. are tied to the organization’s climate change agenda.

The FAO memo, advocating for a paradigm shift in livestock management to better align with both nutritional needs and environmental sustainability, outlines a strategy to “Change the livestock population to match not only nutritional needs but also environmental opportunities and constraints.”

According to the FAO, “the livestock sector is composed of a large variety of animals associated with a wide range of GHG (greenhouse gas) footprints and nutritional potential. Under current practices, shifting from large ruminant to small ruminant animals for meat products, and from ruminant to monogastric animals, in particular chicken, will reduce the GHG impacts of animal-food based products.” Ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, have a unique digestive system that allows them to ferment plant-based food in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, a process that produces methane, a greenhouse gas.

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE), called the U.N. recommendations “nothing short of a disaster for your

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North Carolina’s top counties for cattle, by head, are Iredell, Randolph and Chatham.

NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A Carolina style burger from Chatham County. health and food security worldwide,” in a December 11, 2023, press release announcing a proposed resolution supporting the U.S. cattle industry. Flood’s resolution expresses the concerns of many within the agricultur-

al community about the potential repercussions of such policies on local economies and food security.

“Meat is one of the most efficient ways to deliver protein, and here in the Beef State, cattle

are a critical part of the Golden Triangle that’s supplying clean ethanol fuel around the world,” said Flood. “The resolution I’m introducing today makes it clear that the United States opposes any attempt to reduce or eliminate meat production. Doing so would shatter the world’s food security and end an age-old way of life for millions of farm and ranch families across the globe.”

Despite higher prices, domestic consumer demand for beef remains strong, but is expected to fall in 2024. According to Kansas State University’s Meat

Demand Monitor, consumer willingness to pay increased for all retail products other than plant-based patties.

Beef sold for an average of five dollars per pound last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Farm Bureau says declining production may lead to record beef prices as consumer demand stays relatively strong but supply withers.

Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), a co-sponsor of Flood’s resolution, criticized the underpinnings of the FAO’s motivations, implying a potential conflict of interest shaped by China’s influence.

“It’s laughable that a U.N. agency spearheaded by a top CCP official is calling on Americans to eat less meat in the name of climate change when China is the world’s worst polluter,” said Hinson, referencing Qu Dongyu, Deputy-General of FAO, who is from China. “This is a thinly veiled attempt by China to undermine U.S. agriculture as well as the Iowa farmers who produce high quality meat. The impact of the CCP infiltrating the U.N. is clear: they can strongly call for Americans to stop eating meat, but can’t strongly condemn Hamas for their human rights atrocities in Israel. I’m proud to lead the charge to condemn this nonsense from the U.N. alongside Representative Flood, stand up for U.S. agriculture, and set the record straight.”

In the context of these global discussions and political responses, the internal challenges faced by the U.S. cattle industry, especially concerning cattle supply and replacement inventories, remain pressing. Replacement inventories are essential for introducing new genetics and ensuring the long-term productivity of the herd. Despite a slight projected increase in overall cattle supply in North Carolina, the industry is bracing for significant declines in both beef cow and milk cow replacements, indicative of broader trends affecting the national cattle population.

North Carolina’s top counties for cattle, by head, are Iredell (42,500), Randolph (39,500) and Chatham (31,000). Wilkes, Surry, Cleveland, Sampson, Rowan, Duplin and Union counties are also in the top ten for cattle. Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California and Oklahoma are the leading cattle-producing states in the U.S.

‘Drastic’ homeowners’ insurance rate hike denied

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Rate Bureau’s proposed statewide rate hike of 42.2% for homeowners insurance was rejected by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Feb. 6.

“I haven’t seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase on North Carolina consumers,” Causey said in a statement. “The Department of Insurance has received more than 24,000 emailed comments on this proposal, with hundreds more policyholders commenting by mail. Consumers deserve a more thorough review of this proposal. I intend to make sure they get that review.”

This is the second time a large

price hike has been submitted by the N.C. Rate Bureau (NCRB. The organization sought a 24.5% increase in Nov. 2021 but settled for 7.9% after negotiations with Causey.

Had it been approved, the new rate would have gone into effect on Aug. 1. The NCRB is a “non-profit, unincorporated rating bureau” that was created by the General Assembly in 1977.

The NCRB will make its case at a hearing on Oct. 7, while Causey’s N.C. Department of Insurance (NCDOI) will present its objections. A final decision must be made within 45 days.

In the notice for the hearing, NCDOI cites a deficiency in data presented by the NCRB and “contends that, if the Bureau’s fil-

41.3% The proposed increase in homeowners’ insurance rates in Stanly County. ing were accepted as is, it would unlawfully prejudice and burden the consumers of the state.”

As previously reported by North State Journal, the rate table provided by Causey’s office showed increases across the state ranging from a low of 4.3% in Haywood, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania Counties to a

whopping 99.4% increase in the beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. The average increase across the 29 areas would be 39.1%, with the highest and lowest rates removed, the average increase drops to 33.9%, per the table.

In January, most of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Greg Murphy (NC03), sent a letter to Causey urging him to reject the proposal, citing rising home prices, inflation, and the hike adding to consumer financial burdens.

Republicans Chuck Edwards, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, and David Rouzer, and Democrats Don Davis, Valerie Foushee, Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel co-

signed the letter.

“I’m very glad to see NC Insurance Commissioner Causey has rejected the Rate Bureau’s proposed homeowners’ insurance hike,” said Murphy in a post on X. “Thank you to the bipartisan coalition that joined the letter I led in urging this bold action to protect homeowners across the state.”

“I’m glad to see that Commissioner Causey listened to me and my fellow colleagues’ calls to reject plans to raise homeowner insurance rates for North Carolinians,” Rep. Hudson (NC-09) said in a press release following Causey’s rejection of the hike. “This is a big win for hardworking families in the Sandhills and across our state.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

obituaries obituaries

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye Daniel “Danny” April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023 A. Knighton

Dwight Farmer

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Asquith Lincoln Leahong Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83,

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Norwood June away 24, 1966 Januarydied 29,Sunday 1935 - morning, February of Oakboro, passed Saturday, January 15, 2023 at2024 Forrest Oakes.

Daniel "Danny" A. 5, January 14, 2023 at her home.

Dwight wasLincoln born January 24, Knighton, 57, ofApril Concord, NC Asquith Leahong, Barbara was born 17, 1936 1939 in Stanly County to the late passed away to at the hislate home.

89, a resident of Oakboro, in North Carolina Robert Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Born June 24, Eva 1966 in North Carolina passed away on Lee Taylor and the late Belle Farmer.

He was a 1957 graduate Lincolnton, NC Danny was February 5, 2024.

Watts Taylor. of Norwood High School and was thewas sonalso of the late Roland Asquith went affectionately She preceded in death a United States Army Veteran.

Knighton and living Betty by Lincoln. He was born to the by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr He was a member of Cedar Grove Woolly Knighton of Lincolnton. late Ernest and Evie Leahong Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee United Methodist Church where he HeJr. was skilledKenneth carpenter and had onserved January 29, 1935, in St. Taylor, anda George as church treasurer and ran a sawmill for many years. choir Mary, Jamaica, Westhis Indies.

Taylor. member. He began career Danny lovedchildren, the Lord and He would tell you his first Survivors include with the Stanly County Sheriff’ s attended regularly.

He Department love was Doreen.

Debbie (Mike)church Williams of moving toDuring the Norwood enjoyedTeresa his dogs, their courtship,and Lincoln and Albemarle, (Tom)Sundrop, Curry Police Department retiring as gospel music, Doreen loved tothe dance of Oakboro, Douglaswatching (Tammy)movies Chief of Police with Townwell of hard work.

Danny always Norwood into theafter night.

They formed a Dryeand of Oakboro; grandchildren, many years of service.

Melissa Albemarle, took(Don) prideParrish in his of work and unique friendship and a true Dwight was an avid gardener, Samantha (Destiny) of were ensured all his Smith projects partnership. married bird watcher andThey Carolina fan.

Oakboro, done Bradley right. Smith of Oakboro, soon after dating a short He is survived by hisfor wife Hilda Jonathan Stover Peachland, Danny is of survived by and time and were inseparable Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Jessie Lylesville; sisterhisStover sisterofMelony Barbee Doreen wasofthe love of Farmer Jr. (Mary) McLeansville, in-law, Beatrice many (Wayne) ofGoodman; Concord, brother Lincoln’s life, but soon he NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer nieces andKnighton nephews; and her beloved Rick (Kymo) of would haveofmany other loves; Lowe (David) Norwood; one cats,Lincolnton, Bo and Garfield.

NC, nephews, he Geraldine had manyDennis grandchildren sister of Troy; two Barbara a member of Godfrey, grandchildren, Hunterwas Barbee, Travis and had a special Dwightrelationship Britten “Dee” Oakboro Baptist Church for over and his dogs, Dipstick, Rascal, Farmer with III each andone.

Whitley Rose Hui 60 years. worked over 30 years Lowe.Lincoln is survived by Mia, She Kitty. at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just He was preceded by his beloved wifein ofdeath 57 years, two years of retirement, she began hisDoreen. son Alex,He brothers, and is alsoTommy survived managing the Oakboro Senior Jimmy, Nancy, Cornelia by hissisters, brother Wilbert, Center and did that for 18 years Annabell, Glennie Mae,Sonia, and Betty. children Hopeton, until this past week. Barbara was Memorials may be made to Cedar Barrington, Venice, Andrew, known for her good cooking and Grove United Methodist Church, Christina, 22 grandchildren, always taking care of others. She also Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam 13 great grandchildren. He loved going on day long shopping Smith 36071 Rockyby River is predeceased his Springs mother trips - she could out walk and out Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Evie, father Ernest, brothers shop people half her age. She kept Albert, David Lenny, and his her mind and body active through son Winston. gardening, word searches, and He may not have known various other hobbies. when his last day would be, but what he did know, and is undisputed, is that he loved Doreen and wanted everyone that he loved to make sure she would be fine when he could no longer do his job.

James Roseboro

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

Lynn Whitley

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of December 9, 1948 - February Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, 7, 2024 January 10, 2023 at Anson Health Rebecca Lynn Furr Whitley, and Rehab.

75, Albemarle, passed Mr.ofRoseboro was born on away, Wednesday morning, February June 23, 1967 to the late Robert 7, Delena 2024. Shipp Roseboro. He and Lynn from was born graduated SouthDecember Stanly 9, 1948 inand Stanly High School was County employedtoby the late Gilford “BC” Furr and Triangle Brick.

He enjoyed watching Marion football andElizabeth basketball,”Libby” especially the LutherTarHeels Furr. She Carolina andgraduated Miami. from KingstoCollege andhe was In addition his parents is a member of Grace preceded in death by hisBaptist brothers Church. and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Lynn lovedVerna her family.

She Dorothy Brown, Roseboro, enjoyedIngram, celebrating birthdays Henrietta and Harold and holidays with them. She Roseboro.

He is survived by his sisters: made each birthday for the Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards grandchildren special by ofadding Albemarle, Marywords Roseboro special and ofpictures Washington DC, and Marion to each of their cards.

Morrison of Albemarle; In addition to herbrothers: parents, Thomas D.preceded Roseboro of she was inCharlotte, death Robert Roseboro (Patricia) by her husband, Hugh of David Norwood, Whitley.and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years,by Michelle She is survived her sons, McLendon the home; special Jason E. of Whitley(Linda) and nieces: Montague, Knya all ChrisNybrea D. Whitley(Chastidy) Little, and Laquanza Crump; special of Albemarle; grandchildren, nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Taylor Morris(Corey), Austin Roseboro, MarcusWhitley( Lilly; and Whitley,and Morgan God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and Jacob Garey) and Kendal special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Whitley; great grandchildren, Ben McLendon.

Zane, Zander and Langston; brother, Eric Furr(Cindy)

Connie Ray Cheek

January 30, 1943 - February 6, 2024 Connie "Ray" Cheek, 81, of Albemarle passed away Tuesday February 6, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

Ray was born January 30, 1943, in Anderson County, South Carolina to the late Waymon and Edna Cheek.

Ray is Lovingly survived by his wife, Faye Cheek of 61 Years.

He is also survived a daughter; Yvonne Howard (Reece) of Albemarle and sons; Michael Cheek of Albemarle, William Cheek of Albemarle and Richard Cheek of Albemarle.

Ray is also survived by grandchildren; Jennifer Whitley (Seth) and Timothy Howard (Kristin), greatgrandchildren; Noah, Judah, and Lucas, sisters; Janice Grant and Judy Smith.

Ray was predeceased by brothers; Lloyd Cheek and Sam Cheek, sisters; Joyce Vickery and Jeanette Manley.

Ray was the Manager of the infamous Sky City in Albemarle. He later became a magistrate and a reserve Police Officer with the City of Albemarle.

Darrick Baldwin January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, Edna Barbee 2023 Gibson

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, September 12, 1934 — February entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 7, 2024 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina.

Barbee Gibson, 89, BornEdna January 7, 1973, in Stanly passedNorth awayCarolina, on Wednesday, County, Darrick was February 7, 2024. the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. born in Baldwin.

Albemarle and Edna the latewas Phyllis Blue on September 12,always 1934, kept to Darrick enjoyed life, Matthew Annie Barbee. things lively and enjoyed making In others smile. is she no is addition toHis herpresence parents, longer in our midst, memory pre-deceased by but herhis husband, will live son, in ourJeffrey hearts.Gibson J.C.forever Gibson, He siblings: was educated in the Stanly and Estelle Doyon, August 30, 1944 - February 10, County public schools andSides, attended Pauline Mills, Alleen J.D. 2024 Albemarle Senior High School, (Buck) Barbee, Grace Hatley Linda Thompson Howell, Albemarle. and Jessie Lowder.

79, of Monroe died Saturday He was great conversationalist She isasurvived by her son, afternoon, February 10, 2024. and loved meeting people. Darrick Tony and grandchildren, Jarrod Linda was born August 30, never stranger always and met wifeaEmily ofand Belmont, 1944 in Stanly County to the showed love and compassion for his NC and Andrea Gibson and late Raymond and Juanita fellowman.

He also loved his dog, fiancée John Finley of Mount Maner Thompson. She married Rocky. the late M.C. Howell, Jr. on May Holly, NC, as well as great He is survived byJacob his father, grandchildren, Gibson, 19, 1961.

Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal Violet Gibson and Willow She was a devoted wife, (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Finley. Her remaining siblings mother, and Gammy who is Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; are Jimmy and wife Pearl survived by four children: Tripp brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Barbee and Annie (Boots) and Howell, Missy Howell, Melanie Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a husband Edd Lambert.

Howell, and Monica Howell host of other relatives and friends. A Edna is also survived by her McGinniss (Jim) all of Monroe, limb has fallen from our family tree. niece, Rita Wood who sprovided three grandchildren: Megan, We will not grieve Darrick’ death; additional care and Braxton and Luke McGinniss, we will celebrate his life.support We give throughoutfor her fewshared years and one sister, Rickie Trull thanksgiving thelast many as well as her niece, Brenda (Jimmy) of Albemarle. memories.

Callicutt.

Linda Howell

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

John B. Kluttz March 23, 1935 - January 9, Kathleen Whitley 2023 Hahn John grew up in the Millingport

7

Doris Jones AnaColeman Lidia Sosa

7

October 11, 1944 - January 10, March 31, 1932 — February 7, 2023 2024 community he drove a school Septemberwhere 13, 1928 — FebruAna Sosa passed away DorisLidia Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, bus and worked at the local gas ary 10, 2024 on Wednesday, February 7, on went home into God’ s presence station during his High School years.

Kathleen Whitley Hahn, age 2024 at the ageaofsudden 91, inillness the and January 10 after He graduated from Millingport 95, of Oakboro, passed away on city of Harrisburg, NC.in ICU. a valiant week-long fight High in 1954 and entered Saturday, February 10, into 2024, Ana Sosaon was born 11, on DorisLidia was born October serviceawith the USofAirforce while resident Trinity March 31, 1932 in Sabana de 1944, in the mountains of Marion, immediately afterward. Upon Place in Albemarle. la Mar, Dominican Republic.

NC while her father was away return thewas service, he and his Mrs.from Hahn born Her father was Francisco Sosa fighting in the US Navy during high school sweetheart Julie were September 13, 1928, in Stanly and herWar mother was Consuelo World II. Raymond Jones was married in 1956.

He graduated from County to the late Benjamin so proud to return after the war and NashvilleWhitley Auto Diesel later in Severino.

Lindsay andCollege the late meet his had little four girl! Doris grew up in Lidia children, 1959 and began his career as a diesel Lessie Smith Whitley. She Durham, NC and graduated from one of whom died on April mechanic at Mitchellin Distributing was also preceded death Durham High School.

She furthered 20, 2023, Dorka Concepcion Company, moving his growing by her beloved husband of 76 her studies at Watts Hospitalby Sosa, and she is survived family to Charlotte years, Heath Lee where Hahn,they wholived School of Nursing in Durham and three: Paulina Concepcion until their retirement. passed away in 2022; and graduatedGenry as a Registered Nurse in Wingate, Concepcion When John purchased his first seven siblings, Glenn Whitley, 1966.

Sosa and Raquel Concepcion Model A Ford at the age of 17, he Marshall Lee Whitley, Harold Doris Dr. Ted Sosa.

Shemarried is also Rev. survived by said that he took the car to the Whitley, Lloyd Whitley, Rosa Coleman in 1966 and had two 9 grandchildren: Geryolph, community mechanic when he had daughters and Laura.

Farmer, Cropsy Burgess andtold Hersy, LouAmy Jeremy (LJ), Doris a small problem.The mechanic raised Amy and Laura in North Doris Mabry.

Alejandro (Alex), Michael, him that if he was going to keep the Augusta,Angerica, SC. is survived by to her Pauline, Rachelle, car,She he needed to learn work on Doris was anand incredible daughter, JudyJohn’ Tucker, andfor Geanna (Gigi) threeneonatal greatit. This is when s passion intensive care nurse for most of her husband, Roger; son, Lionel grandchildren: Kaylin, Lauren Model A Fords began and how he career, and this was her passion.

Hahn, and wife, Tamra; spent his happiest days with his best and Mael. She is also survived The Augusta Chronicle did a feature son, David wife,for the by friends fromHahn, aroundand the globe brothers, sisters, nieces, and on her in 1985. She was a clinical Karen; grandchildren, Terry rest of his6 life! nephews. nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia Tucker MarkasTucker At age(Marley), 50, after years a Detroit at University Hospital NICU and (Monica), LeslieheWade (Chris), Diesel Mechanic and Julie worked there for 20 years. During Andrea Lowder decided to take the(Brandy), plunge and this time, Doris mentored young Dillon Hahn (Samantha) and open a full Model A Restoration nurses and assisted in saving the Kara Hatley (Tim); 17 greatShop. They thrived at their shop in lives of so many babies. She also grandchildren, Courtney, Cornelius, NC until their retirement worked for Pediatrician Dr. William Taryn Trevor Tucker, in 1998and when they moved back to A. Wilkes in Augusta for several Cameron Bowers, Caroline Cabarrus County.

John once again years prior to her NICU career. Doris set upKaitlyn, shop in his back yard garage Lee, Ashelyn and retired from the mother/baby area at where he attracted loyal group of Madelyn Tucker, aSamuel, Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 friends who visited almost daily.

Jordan, Lola and Channing years of nursing.

While on the and farmKadence in Gold Hill, Wade, Axel Doris was a gentle and sweet John also began a lifelong love with Lowder, Waylon and Ruby spirit and loved her Lord. She never Alis Chalmers tractors after he Hahn and Ashton Hatley. met a stranger, and she always left restored his Dad’s tractor and began you feeling uplifted after talking amassing his collection of tractors with her.

She would often claim that as well. she had “adopted” friends into her John restored many cars of immediate family, and honestly, she his own and had the crowning never made a distinction between achievement of winning the most the two. Positivity radiated from her prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her top points. He was also presented February — February lifetime she12, was1945 an active member with the Ken Brady Service Award 7, 2024 of First Baptist Church of Durham, the highest award given to members First Baptist Augusta, Sarah LouChurch Kloss of Brooks at the national level.

Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church peacefully went to her heavenly This is what John’s Model A in Augusta, and Palestine United home on February 7, 2024.

Community had to say upon Methodist Church in Albemarle.

Sarah graduated from learning of his death: She especially loved helping at Jacksonville High School He was an active member of church with olderRock, adults, youth, and outside of Little Wesley Chapel Methodist Church children. in 1963 and began a where he loved serving as greeter on Arkansas She was especially talented life of love and companionship Sunday mornings. He also belonged at sewing from a young age and when she married Robert to the United Methodist Men. made gifts for friends, Christmas "Bob" Eugene Brooks on July John is survived by his wife ornaments, Costumes, 13, 1963. It Halloween was during this Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years doll clothes, pageant prom time that the coupledresses, welcomed ofSeptember the home. He is also survived 15, 1960 — Februdresses, coats, tote bags, their son, Robert Toddscarves, Brooks, by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) ary 6, 2024 outfits Amy and Laura, into theforworld on May 29,and 1964. of Oakboro, NC; twoSkidmore, daughters, Teresa Annette Christening gowns forrelocating each of her Later, in 1971, after Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and 63, of Mint Hill, passed away grandchildren. to Lafayette, Indiana, Sarah Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, preceded in death by three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz andDoris Bob was expanded their family surrounded by her family. her father Arthur Raymond Jones, Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC by adopting 13-month old Mrs. Skidmore was born on her mother Mary Ellen Cameron John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) Jennifer Paige Javins.

Jones, and her sister Maryanne September 15, 1960, in William Adel, of Asheville, NC and Seth Sarah is survived by her Jones Brantley.

Georgia to the late Earnest McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; husband, Bob Brooks, son Todd Survivors include her two Guy and Dorothy Iona Charlotte, Ivester. five great-grandchildren, Brooks, daughter-in-law Susan precious daughters: Amy Cameron In addition to her parents, Meredith, Grant, Victoria andshe Brooks, sister Mary Kloss Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal was also preceded in deathinby Ronan.

John is also preceded Floyd, nineofgrandchildren, Chernault) Albemarle, NC, and her brother, Wayne Ivester. death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and and four greatColeman grandchildren.

Laura Lindahl Oliverio Teresa enjoyed Mary Wyatt Claytonspending Kluttz; a large She was preceded in death byOhio; (husband David) of Cincinnati, time outdoors on and and loving groupgoing of brothers her daughter, Jennifer Paige seven grandchildren: Cameron camping trips, riding in the sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Javins, grandson JoshuaJae Aaron David Oliverio, Stephanie Dejak, side-by-side or four wheeler, Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Brooks, father Sidney JamesJohn Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman and laughing around the fire.

Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Kloss, Regina Gordon Dejak, mother Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Survivors include sons, Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Kloss, and brothers Charles Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Brian and Ryan FowlerSkidmore Kluttz.

Lee Klossand and Bobby James Oliverio; numerous in-laws, Skidmore; husband, Jeff Kloss. nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved Tucker; stepdaughter, Jessica ones.

(TJ) Blalock; granddaughters, Rylee and Jordyn; and many friends that she considered family!

Sarah Lou Kloss Brooks

Teresa Annette Skidmore

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

8

STATE & NATION Donald Trump wins Nevada’s Republican caucuses after being the only major candidate to participate

By Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper and Gabe Stern The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Former President Donald Trump won Nevada’s Republican presidential caucuses Thursday after he was the only major candidate to compete, winning his third straight state as he tries to secure his party’s nomination.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, his last major rival still in the race, skipped the caucuses even though they are the only contest in Nevada that counts toward the GOP nomination. Haley cited what she considered an unfair process favoring Trump and instead ran in Nevada’s symbolic state-run presidential primary last Tuesday, when she finished behind the “none of these candidates” option.

Trump will win most, if not all, of the state’s 26 delegates. He needs to accrue 1,215 delegates to formally clinch the party’s nomination and could reach that number in March.

From Nevada, the GOP contest pivots to the South Carolina primary in Haley’s home state on Feb. 24. Trump remains popular in the deeply conservative state but Haley, who won two elections as South Carolina’s governor, is hoping her local roots give her an edge. Trump is eyeing a massive delegate haul during the March

MARK J. TERRILL | AP PHOTO

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night rally in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 5 Super Tuesday contests, which would move him closer to becoming the GOP’s presumptive nominee.

Trump, delivering a brief victory speech in Las Vegas, basked in reports of long lines in the Western state and told his supporters he was eager to declare victory in the upcoming South Carolina primary.

“We’re leading everybody,” he said. “Is there any way we can call the election for next Tuesday? That’s all I want.”

Though Trump has been the frontrunner, Nevada’s caucuses were seen as especially skewed in his favor due to the intense grassroots support caucuses require candidates to harness around a state in order to win. Nevada’s

state party gave him a greater edge last year when it barred candidates from running both in the primary and caucuses and also restricted the role of super PACs like the groups that were key to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign before he dropped out.

Caucuses typically require voters to show up for an in-person meeting at a certain day or time,

while elections can offer more flexibility to participate, with polls open for most of the day on Election Day along with absentee or early voting. Nevada Republicans said they wanted certain rules in place like a requirement that participants show a government-issued ID. Trump’s supporters waited in long lines Thursday. At one caucus site at a Reno-area elementary school, a line of nearly 1,000 people stretched around the corner and down the street 20 minutes after the caucuses opened.

Voters in line, some of whom were wearing Trump hats and shirts, said they came out to back the former president in a contest that would give him a third straight win in the Republican presidential race.

“I think it’s about backing Trump up and giving him the support that he needs. And to let people know that we’re supporting him,” said Heather Kirkwood, 47.

Trump still faces unprecedented jeopardy for a major candidate. A federal appeals panel ruled last week that Trump can face trial on charges over his conduct following the 2020 election, rejecting his claims that he is immune from prosecution. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in a case trying to keep Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. The justices sounded broadly skeptical of the effort.

Republicans have a plan to take the Senate.

A hard-right Montana lawmaker could crash the party

By Matthew Brown The Associated Press HELENA, Mont. — Montana Republicans gathered in a hotel ballroom this weekend aiming to unite ahead of the 2024 election and defeat three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Yet before the party even got underway it was crashed by conservative U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, who jumped into the race in defiance of GOP leaders.

Rosendale’s move laid bare deep fissures within the Montana GOP at a time when Republicans can ill afford it. Toppling Tester is a key part of their strategy to take control of the narrowly divided Senate in the November election by targeting vulnerable Democratic seats in Montana, Ohio and West Virginia.

Outside observers and even some Republicans say an intraparty skirmish leading up to Montana’s June primary could undermine those hopes.

Senate Republican leaders — including Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee — are backing a former U.S.

Navy SEAL over Rosendale, who is viewed as too divisive to appeal to the state’s large contingent of independent voters.

Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018.

“I’ve won two elections since then,” Rosendale, 63, told reporters after filing paperwork to formally enter the race. “And the most important thing is that my name I.D. and my trust factor is elevated dramatically. People know who I am.”

A large group of conservative state lawmakers showed up for Rosendale’s filing and boisterously cheered him on, underscoring his grassroots support in the state.

A few hours later and several blocks away, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte took the stage in a Helena hotel ballroom to pump up former SEAL and political newcomer Tim Sheehy as the party’s best chance to beat Tester. Behind the Republican governor was a poster with the state GOP slogan, “We’re better, together!”

As Gianforte’s speech con-

Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018.

cluded a buzz ran through the crowd: Former President Donald Trump had just endorsed Sheehy in a social media post. “He probably heard my speech,” Gianforte quipped as an aide told him of the endorsement.

Rosendale, who Trump backed in 2018 and again in 2020, responded to the setback by reaffirming his fealty to the former president. “I love President Trump,” he said when asked about the endorsement.

Rosendale was among eight conservative lawmakers who ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. He suggested during the event in Helena that

he hopes to do the same to Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who Rosendale derided as part of a “uni-party” of Republican and Democrat leaders controlling legislation in Congress.

Sheehy, 38, founded an aerial firefighting company in Belgrade, Montana. He said in an interview that he decided to enter politics following the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

His lack of political experience is a plus, he said, because it means he hasn’t “been contaminated by years in politics.”

“Americans in Montana specifically are really tired of the same people in Washington going back and forth over and over,” he said.

“I bring a fresh perspective. I’ve been a small business owner, a job creator for over 400 jobs.”

State Rep. George Nikolakakos argued that nominating Rosendale would play into the Democrats’ hands.

“Rosendale had his chance in ‘18 and lost,” said Nikolakakos, a Republican representing a swing district in Great Falls. “I would say that the people who are going to choose Rosendale and the peo-

ple who want Rosendale to be the nominee are the Democrats.”

Tester, 67, is a farmer and former state lawmaker who was first elected to the Senate in 2006 in an upset victory over a three-term Republican incumbent. The moderate lawmaker won his next two contests also by narrow margins, including a 3.5-percentage-point victory over Rosendale.

Montana has politically veered sharply right since Tester first took office, leaving him increasingly vulnerable with each election cycle.

Trump beat Biden by 16 percentage points in Montana four years ago and Tester is now the only Democrat holding statewide office there — an abrupt flip from last decade when Republicans faced a similar situation.

The candidates and outside political groups already have spent more than $18 million on advertising in the Senate campaign’s early months. That will quickly ramp up between now and the November election with an additional $95 million in advertising reserved, according to AdImpact, a firm that tracks political advertising.

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Dennis Hamilton, principal of Providence Grove High School in Climax, welcomes guests to the launch of the school’s new Jobs for North Carolina’s Graduates program on Feb. 12, 2024, made possible by a $500,000 gift from Toyota North Carolina. The Jobs for North Carolina’s Graduates program works directly with employers to expose students to careers in their community and across the state. Turn to Page 8 for more.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NC Voter ID trial rescheduled for May

Rep. Hudson meets with farmers, discusses ag and rural issues

By Matt Mercer Randolph Record

son told North State Journal.

“I’ve always been committed to helping them fight off federal regulation, survive and be successful. The main part of that is building relationships with the farmers.”

Hudson, a Republican, told the group he has represented at least 23 different counties in various iterations across his six terms in Congress, and wants to know who he represents on a personal level and understanding the issues they care about.

His newly-redrawn North Carolina 9th Congressional district includes parts of Chatham, Guilford and Cumberland counties, plus the entirety of Alamance, Randolph, Moore

A federal lawsuit filed years ago challenging North Carolina’s new photo voter identification mandate is set to go to trial in the spring.

The U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem announced on Monday that Judge Loretta Biggs will convene the nonjury trial starting May 6.

The 2018 law was implemented for the first time last fall and remains in place for the March 5 primary elections. But a ruling from Biggs is possible in the spring or summer that could threaten its use this coming November in the general election. The voter ID law has been wrapped up in state and federal litigation for years.

SILER CITY — Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined farmers and agricultural interests for a discussion on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Bestfood Cafeteria in Siler City.

In between bites of fried chicken and refills of sweet tea, Hudson talked about the importance of the agriculture industry in North Carolina.

“Our farmers are backbone of our communities and in addition to providing us with the most abundant, cheapest food in the world, the food and fiber we need to survive as a country comes from our farmers,” Hud-

Cooper sets 2040 goals for wetlands, forests and new trees

Foundation offers $1M towards ag center training

NC Gov. Roy Cooper says a series of environmental directives and goals he initiated to protect and restore forests and wetlands in the state will help counter climate change and aid the economy.

Cooper signed an executive order on Monday that sets statewide acreage targets for governments and private land-protection groups by 2040. The governor also wants 1 million new trees planted in urban areas by then.

The order also tells state agencies to use plants and seeds in landscaping projects that are native to the Southeast, with a preference for North Carolina plants.

PHOTO COURTESY FWS

The Pine Barrens tree frog is the state frog of North Carolina.

Golden LEAF Foundation promises grant for equipment

geted toward equipment that will enable widespread agricultural training. For instance, there will be equipment that will enable extensive training for dealing with livestock, but

By Bob Sutton it goes far beyond that.

Randolph Record “This will make us able to ASHEBORO – The con- expand our education for Ranstruction project for the new dolph County and surrounding areas,” Sherin said. agricultural center Sherin said farmin Randolph Couners will have access ty is in its infancy, to equipment that but some key fund- Farming will assist in educaing has been secured remains an tion regarding orto assist in the proessential chids, pastures, tillgraming. age and crops. With The Golden LEAF part of North the equipment from Foundation anCarolina’s the funding, demonnounced a $1 million strations in numergrant for equipment economy and ous categories will to support training is a major be feasible. for farmers at the agIt’s not just farmricultural center in employment ers who’ll benefit, Randolph County. opportunity Sherin said. Part of “It’s part of the the agricultural cenfunding we’re seek- for many ter’s offerings will ining for this project,” North clude the ability for said Kenneth Sherin, Carolinians. county residents to director of the Ranrent equipment that dolph County Extension. “We were going to be they can use on a short-term seeking money through grants. basis.

“Like for the home gardenThe timing on this was a little earlier than we had anticipat- er,” he said. “It may be equiped, but it’s going to be good to ment that you use only once a have.”

Sherin said the grant is tar- See GOLDEN LEAF, page 12

and Hoke counties.

Some of those issues are long-running, such as regulations that can change from one presidential administration to the next. Hudson has been in Congress across three: the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. He has endorsed 45th President Donald Trump to return to the White House this year.

Speaking about one of the issues, the controversial waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations would again change the definition of “navigable waters” and require farmers to for nearly any activity that occurs within a WOTUS requires a permit, which can take years

to obtain and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the American Farm Bureau (AFB). The group says a simple misjudgment by a farmer in determining whether a low spot is or isn’t WOTUS could trigger huge civil fines and even criminal punishment.

In addition, the AFB says that the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have attempted to expand the definition of WOTUS to regulate land features that only occasionally get wet or become wet only in response to precipitation.

Hudson said that he opposes that kind of federal overreach.

See HUDSON, page 12

Asheboro cuts youth sports fees for low-income students

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council met Thursday, Feb. 8, approving a new youth athletics scholarship program that will cut registration fees for youth sports by 50 percent: “60% of boys and 65% of girls in the United States do not participate in youth sports of any kind,” said assistant recreation services director Jody Maness.

“Now that is alarming in and of itself, but if you look a little deeper into those numbers, you will find that in homes where the median income is roughly $100,000 a year, that number is pretty consistent. Roughly 39% of those children participate in youth sports in some way. If you look in the other direction, that of $25,000 median income homes, only a quarter of those children play any sports in some form or fashion.”

To qualify for the new program, a child has to be 18 years old or younger, reside in Asheboro and must be eligible for Medicaid and currently receiv-

ing those benefits. It will not apply to registration fees of $15 or less.

“In our student population in the city school system, there’s enough children that qualify for free or reduced lunch that the whole system can choose to have free or reduced lunch,” said city manager John Ogburn. “So we’re kind of building off that. We’ve seen it with what happened with youth football. When the cost was substantially reduced, we had so many more people out there.

We think we can drive back up baseball and basketball with that kind of approach too.”

In other matters, an expansion to the Zoo City Social District was approved, with one See ASHEBORO, page 12

$2.00

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

2 WEDNESDAY

2.14.24

Randolph County early voting starts Early voting launches for primary

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Bob Sutton, Randolph Editor Scott Pelkey, Breaking News Jesse Deal, Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 RANDOLPHRECORD.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

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

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

Voters will be asked for a valid photo identification when voting.

ASHEBORO – Early voting for the March primary begins this week in Randolph County.

The early voting window runs Feb. 15 through March 2.

There are national, statewide and local contests on the primary ballot.

In Randolph County, there are three Republicans on the primary ballot for the board of commissioners in District 5.

They are incumbent Maxton

McDowell of Asheboro along with Chris McLeod of Denton and Lester Rivenbark of Asheboro. Jane Ledwell-Gant was the lone Democrat to file for the District 5 seat, so she advances to the November ballot.

Voters will be asked for a valid photo identification when voting. As an alternative, voters without an ID can still vote and then bring

a valid photo ID to the county board of elections by 5 p.m. on the ninth day after the designated election day.

Early voting locations in Randolph County are: Randolph County Board of Elections in Asheboro Braxton Craven School in Trinity Randleman Civic Center

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is looking for community input regarding changes to a number of trails around the state, including Deep River Nature Trail in Randleman.

The Great Trails State Implementation Report identifies priority pedestrian and bicycle natural surface and paved greenway trails for expansion or improvement.

Among the considerations for trail improvements were areas with low vehicle ownership, lower income and proximity to other trails and public lands.

Proposed changes to Randleman’s 1-mile Deep Riv-

“We’re excited to hear feedback from the public about what they’d like to see in trail projects in their community,” NCDOT’s Brennon Fuqoa er Nature Trail include extending the trail at both ends to a total of 6.6 miles along the Deep River, including a scenic natural surface trail loop in a Deep River oxbow near Randleman Lake.

The majority of the proposed trail would consist of

Randolph County voters can cast ballots at any of those four locations through March 2. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 17; 1 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 18; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 2. There’s no early voting Feb. 24-25.

The primary election day is March 5, when voters can only vote at their assigned precinct.

crushed stone pathway with portions of natural surface trail. Public input will be essential in identifying wants and concerns related to the new developments.

“We’re excited to hear feedback from the public about what they’d like to see in trail projects in their community,” said Brennon Fuqoa of the Integrated Mobility Division of NCDOT in a press release.

“With the steps identified in the report and public input, we look forward to continued work with our partners to further improve North Carolina as the Great Trails State.”

Residents are encouraged to submit feedback through a survey at publicinput.com/ greattrailsnc

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x Adam Lee Presnell, 39, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on a felony warrant for failing to report new address as a sex offender.

Presnell received a $5,000 secure bond. x Charlene Faye Marton, 58, of Randleman, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of driving while impaired and driving with a revoked license. He was issued a $25,000 secure bond. x Joel Glenn Woods, 42, of Sophia was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of passion of 5 or more counterfeit instruments, forgery of instrument, and forgery of endorsement. A secure bond of $1,000 was set.

February 3 x Rolanda Wynette Austin, 57, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of simple assault, resisting a public officer, and disorderly conduct.

She was issued a $1,000 secure bond. x Brandon Lee Wlech, 39, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of injury to personal property and two counts of resisting a public officer. He was also cited for operating a vehicle without insurance or driver’s license and for a fictitious or altered registration card/tag as well as served with three outstanding warrants. Bond was set at $7,000.

x Kay Sluss Hill, 53, homeless, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of intoxicated and disruptive and an open container violation. Due to not having any pending charges in Randolph County no bond was issued.

February 4 x James Matthew Jenkins, 42, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for felony child abuse/ inflicting serious bodily injury. He was issued a $25,000 secured bond. x Maximo Pacheco, 53, of Asheboro was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of felony burning building under construction, felony burning person property, setting fire to woods/land/fields, injury to real property, injury to trees/ cops/lands, and burning without a watchman. Bond was set at $10,000.

February 5 x Katie Jo Moser, 35, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on a felony warrant for larceny of a motor vehicle and felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. The magistrate issued a written promise to appear. x David Stephen Richard Pastva, 28, from Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of assault and battery, resisting a public officer, and assault on a government official or employee.

He was issued a secure bond of $10,000.

Guide The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

Franklinville United Methodist Church

NCDOT seeks input on Deep River Nature Trail changes

By Robert Owens for Randolph Record

Randolph

Feb. 16 Friday Night Bluegrass Presents “River Ridge” 7 p.m.

Returning for the second year, Friday Night Bluegrass welcomes River Ridge. Tickets are $10.00, buy online at SunsetTheatre.org or at the door one hour before showtime. For more information, please call the Cultural & Recreation Services office at (336) 626-1240.

Feb. 17 Free Health and Dental Screenings Event 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

First Baptist Church with North Carolina Baptists on Mission will be offering free health and dental screenings to individuals across the community who may be uninsured or underinsured. The one-day event will take at First Baptist Church in Asheboro, 133 N. Church Street. In addition to screenings, FBC Asheboro will also be providing both breakfast and lunch, allowing usage of the church’s shower facilities, providing care bags, and praying for and with attendees.

February 6 x Stuart Alfred Hampton, 57, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office as a fugitive with warrants for felony failure to register as a sex offender and failure to appear out of West Virginia. He issued a $250,000 secured bond. x Nicolas Jaimes Vilches, 29, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for the charges of felony trafficking in heroin, felony possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II-controlled substance, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/ place for controlled substance, misdemeanor possess marijuana up to ½ oz, misdemeanor possess drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor possess marijuana paraphernalia. He was issued a $25,000 secured bond.

February 7 x Jaquan Jeremiah Cassidy, 21, of Asheboro was arrested by the Asheboro police department on charges of felony damage to property with explosives, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and first-degree arson. Bond was denied.

February 8 x Daniel James Albright, 24, of Siler City, was arrested by the Asheboro police department on charges of breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen goods/property, and injury to personal property. He was given a $2,500 secure bond.

Liberty Showcase Theater Present ‘Mark Lowry’ 7 p.m.

Singer, songwriter, author, and humorist Mark Lowry is best known for penning the lyric to the Christmas classic “Mary Did You Know?” and singing baritone for the GRAMMY© Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band for many years. Tickets from $35 - $75. More info at thelibertyshowcase.com Erroll Garner Tribute by The Anthony Wonsey Jazz Trio | 7 p.m.

In celebration of Black History Month, Sunset Theatre will pay tribute to pianist and composer Erroll Garner (1921-1977).

Admission for this event is completely free. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. For more information, please call the Cultural & Recreation Services office at (336) 626-1240 ext. 1

Feb. 19 Presidents Day (Federal Holiday) Presidents’ Day, also known as Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of Feb. in honor all those who served as presidents of the United States.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

3

OPINION

de

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

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

The left and chaos

The Left hates the opposite of chaos: order.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to understand what is happening to America — and to the rest of the West — without understanding the most dynamic ideology of the last hundred years: leftism.

We need to begin with the understanding that leftism (or “progressivism”) and liberalism are not only not the same ideologies, they are in fact opposed to each other on virtually every major issue.

Leftism and liberalism have only two things in common: One is belief in big government, which, given that individual and societal liberty decline as the state grows, is a significant similarity.

The other Left-liberal commonality is antipathy to the Right. This is even more important than commitment to big government because it explains why liberals vote for the Left despite the fact that liberals differ with far more left-wing positions than with conservative positions.

Unlike the Left, most liberals love their country. Unlike the Left, most liberals do not believe that there are more than two sexes/ genders; that prepubescent boys and girls who claim they are members of the other sex should be given hormone blockers; that girls under 21 should be allowed to have their breasts surgically removed; or that men who say they are women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. So, too, liberals do not believe that capitalism is evil, that America is systemically racist, that all whites are racist, that Israel is the villain in the Middle East and Zionism is racist.

So, then, given that those leftist positions are as destructive as they are absurd, how are we to explain leftism?

Early on, I recognized that the Left opposes liberty — the clearest example being that wherever the Left gains power, whether at a university or in society as a whole, it suppresses free speech — and that it destroys everything it touches. But while I (and many others) have always understood that the Left (again, not liberalism) has always, everywhere, been a force for evil, I needed to understand why.

How can people believe that men give birth; that a country to which more than 4 million black people have emigrated and which twice elected a black president is systemically racist; that the freest country in the Middle East, one in which millions of Arabs live as equal citizens, is the villain, while its barbaric enemies are worthy of support?

Here are some answers: Throughout their history, Americans have had three great providers of meaning: family, religion and patriotism. Leftists lack the latter two (indeed, they seek to get rid of them), and increasing numbers of them lack the first. Since human beings cannot live without meaning — it is as great a need as food, and even greater than sex — they seek meaning elsewhere. So they create new meanings through creating secular religions: socialism, communism, feminism, environmentalism, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), “anti-racism,” anti-Zionism, LGBTQIA+ pride, and trans activism, among others.

All these are united by one overarching aim: destroying the institutions of Western civilization (e.g., religion, art, music, the nuclear family, moral norms, schools and universities, free speech, capitalism, even medicine).

Those of us who appreciate Western civilization and wish to preserve it (while, of course, correcting its flaws) cannot understand why anyone would want to destroy it. That is a major reason it is so difficult for non-leftists to understand the Left.

What opened my eyes are the Left’s beliefs that men can become women and women can become men; men give birth; there are more than two genders/sexes; men who say they are women should be placed in women’s prisons, women’s colleges and women’s shelters; men who say they are women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports; and children should be taken to drag queen shows.

All these positions represent... chaos.

The Left’s trans-positions are the most obvious areas of Left-induced chaos, but there are many others. These include the Left’s contempt for the ideal of the nuclear family (i.e., a married mother and father and children); its support for defunding police; its raising the dollar value of stolen goods that qualifies as a felony, which can only incentivize theft; and its support for progressive district attorneys.

Fighting crime represents order; crime represents chaos.

And why does leftism seek chaos? Because the Left hates the opposite of chaos: order.

And order ultimately represents a religious view of life. Order represents divine order. The proof is that no religious people say, “Men give birth.” Not all secular people believe men give birth, there are more than two sexes, men can compete in women’s sports, children should be exposed to drag queen shows, or children should be given hormone blockers if they claim to be a member of the other sex. But only secular people believe those things. Virtually no one who believes in the Bible and the God of the Bible believes them. We believe in a Godcreated social order.

Chaos is the normal state of the world. The second verse of the Bible states that the world was in a chaotic state. God then made order.

Which is why the Left is undoing it.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Why Biden is threatening to veto aid to Israel

No Israeli prime minister would act any differently in Gaza.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN promised to veto any stand-alone aid bill for Israel. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and most House Democrats voted against one. The administration maintains that Israel’s security is so “sacred,” it must be tied to a doomed legislative package containing entirely unrelated issues that deal with border security and Ukrainian aid.

Which, of course, makes absolutely zero sense.

Does anyone believe that the president would veto a stand-alone bill for Ukrainian aid? Or what about a stand-alone bill for “humanitarian” aid to Palestinians? Color me skeptical. Now, a standalone border security bill? That he’d definitely veto. Priorities, you see.

In the years before former President Barack Obama, a vote to help a longtime ally against a proxy terror army that — not incidentally — murdered 30-plus American citizens would have been a no-brainer. Today, a Democrat who takes an unrepentantly pro-Israel position puts himself in a precarious position. Biden is free to play games with Israeli aid because there will be no political repercussions. Most Democrats don’t really care anymore. And those who do are in the pro-Hamas wing — whether openly or functionally.

“Forget No Labels. Biden’s Third-Party Peril is on the Left,” warns Politico. Numerous polls, writes Jonathan Martin, find that young leftists are angry about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Not the mass rape and murder of civilians, mind you, but Israel’s efforts to root out the attackers.

Many of these people are socialist ideologues, many are identitarian dimwits, and others are just antisemites. Some, like members of “the Squad,” are all of the above. Whatever the case, they are always “angry” at Israel. These are the people who were demanding “ceasefires” before Israel had

even begun retaliating for Oct 7.

Still, the situation remains something of a balancing act for Biden. There are still enough Jewish Democrats and independents who feel a historic kinship with Israel. Enough that the president doesn’t attack Israel unequivocally.

Like Obama before him, Biden uses Benjamin Netanyahu as a strawman, framing the prime minister as some kind of warmongering fascist.

Here’s a little-known reality: Right or Left, Netanyahu or someone else, no Israeli prime minister would act any differently in Gaza. Israeli voters rightly demand it. Just as it would have been impossible to lead the United States after 9/11 on a plank that gave al-Qaeda a pass, it would be impossible to hold power in Israel and allow Hamas to continue to operate next door.

In any event, Biden acts like a statesman in public but simultaneously leaks angry quotes about Netanyahu to placate the growing antiIsrael Left. Recently, for example, we learned that Biden supposedly called Israel’s prime minister a “bad f—-ing guy.” (Notice that Democrats have tougher words for Israelis than they ever do for mullahs who murder Americans.)

This leak reminded me of the time in 2014 when Obama’s stenographer Jeffrey Goldberg “reported” that White House officials referred to Netanyahu as “chickens--t.” Now I don’t mean to demean people like Ben Rhodes, who survived a creative writing MFA program at New York University, but Netanyahu did serve in the Israel Defense Forces, saw combat and led a special force unit that specialized in freeing hijacked planes. Netanyahu was shot in one of these operations. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s less of a coward than anonymous White House officials. Certainly, he is a better “guy” than the gaggle of Rob Malley types the president

surrounds himself with.

A few weeks ago, good guy Biden was accusing Israel of engaging in “indiscriminate bombing,” which he knows is a lie. “Like everyone in the administration and any Democrat with a pulse,” Politico explains, Biden is “deeply suspicious of Benjamin Netanyahu.” The president’s “deepseated fear,” we learn, is that Netanyahu “is eager to drag the U.S. into a wider war in the Middle East.”

This is the favorite blood libel of radical Democrats and far-right influencers. They must be quite excited to hear that the president is no longer “hypnotized” by Israel’s evil, as Rep. Ilhan Omar might say.

That said, the United States has no obligation to assist any nation — not even a longtime ally that shares our objectives and values. I suspect Democrats are probably a couple of presidential cycles away from turning entirely against Israel.

Still, it is peculiar that the same people who are purportedly terrified of being dragged into a Middle East war by Israel have no deep-seated fears about the perils of funding a war against a nuclear power in Europe. On the contrary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who runs a country far more authoritarian (not to mention corrupt) than Netanyahu’s Israel, is treated as the sainted defender of democracy by Washington and the media.

It’s almost as if the arguments being used by Democrats to distance themselves from Israel don’t really make any sense.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

4

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SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Jackson wins second MVP award Las Vegas Lamar Jackson was a nearunanimous choice for his second AP NFL Most Valuable Player award announced last Thursday night. Christian McCaffrey ran away with the AP Offensive Player of the Year award, while Myles Garrett beat out T.J. Watt for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. C.J. Stroud won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide. Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

The Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was AP Comeback Player of the Year.

HOCKEY

Bail extended in case of hockey player’s death Sheffield, England South Yorkshire police say a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson has had his bail extended. Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England in October.

Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the host Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The 29-year-old American died in hospital. Johnson appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020. A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November and then bailed.

MLB

Former Mets GM suspended through World Series New York Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he and other team employees fabricated injuries to create open roster spots. No Mets medical or athletic training personnel were mentioned in the announcement by Major League Baseball.

Manfred said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purposes of securing multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”

OLYMPICS

100-plus protest 2026 Olympics in MilanCortina Milan More than 100 people turned up to protest over the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics despite the inclement weather.

Around 150 people gathered in the pouring rain on Saturday outside the construction site for the Olympic Village in Milan. Many held banners and placards against what organizers of the protest called “the most unsustainable Games ever.” One sign was in the shape of the Olympic logo of five rings, with the words “concreting,” “gentrification,” “greenwashing,” “privatization” and “eviction” written in the circles. The march was organized by the Comitato Insostenibili Olimpiadi (Unsustainable Olympics Committee) against the rising costs and environmental damage.

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium. He was 21.

Furman football player dies 2 days after collapsing during workout Defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield was a threeyear letterman with the Paladins

By Josh Dubrow The Associated Press GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium.

Furman President Elizabeth Davis said in a letter to the university community that the 21-year-old Stanfield died while “surrounded by his family and his Furman family.”

Davis said Stanfield had collapsed at a Wednesday morning workout and was taken to a hospital and placed on life

support. No other details were released.

“We are heartbroken beyond measure with Bryce’s sudden passing and ask that everyone, first and foremost, lift up his parents, Fred and Teri Stanfield and their family, in prayer on this day and in the days ahead,” Furman coach Clay Hendrix said in a statement.

Stanfield was conferred his bachelor’s degree in health sciences, magna cum laude, by Davis in a Friday morning ceremony while surrounded by family members, teammates and coaches.

Stanfield came from Acworth, Georgia, and was a three-year letterman for Furman. Davis said Stanfield had aspirations of attending dental school after graduation.

He played all 13 games for Furman last fall and had 13

“Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student.”

Jason Donnelly, Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics tackles and 2½ sacks while helping the Paladins go 10-3 and win a Southern Conference championship.

“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player, and friend,” Hendrix said. “He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and

was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community. In every sense, he was the best representative we could have.”

Stanfield was a two-time Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll selection. He served in Furman’s Heler Service Corps Men of Distinction, visited patients at Greenville Children’s Hospital and read to children at local schools.

“Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student,” Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics Jason Donnelly said in a statement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from our entire community. Bryce will be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever.”

Ohtani tries to blend in with Dodgers The 29-year-old signed a $700 million contract as a free agent this offseason The Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani walked through his new spring training clubhouse wearing a simple white T-shirt with the word “BOSS” across the front in big, dark capital letters.

The two-time Most Valuable Player might not be in charge of these Los Angeles Dodgers, but there’s little doubt who commands the most attention.

The 29-year-old Ohtani gave his first interview at Camelback Ranch as a member of the Dodgers on a chilly Friday morning, surrounded by more than 50 reporters who asked questions of baseball’s first and only $700 million man.

It’s these kinds of scenes that make it hard for Ohtani to be just one of the guys.

But he’s trying.

“I’m on a brand new team, so I’m going to act like a rookie,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Try to get along with all the guys and teammates.”

The Dodgers had their first official workout of spring training on Friday, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Several hitters were also taking batting practice, though stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie

Freeman haven’t yet arrived at camp. The Dodgers are the first of the 30 teams to start spring training ahead of their opener against San Diego on March 20 at Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani’s two-way superstardom is on hold for the 2024 season while he recovers from elbow surgery that will keep him off the mound. But he’ll still be able to hit — and he does that quite well. The three-time AllStar hit .304 with 44 homers last season despite missing most of the final month of the season.

Now that he doesn’t have to worry about pitching, those numbers could take another jump.

“I feel like there’s not just one level, but several levels ahead offensive-wise,” Ohtani said. “It just depends on what kind of lineup I’m in.”

All signs point to the Dodgers having a stellar offensive lineup. Los Angeles could start a lineup that includes fellow AllStars like Betts, Freeman, Max Muncy and Will Smith. Ohtani said he’s ready to contribute.

“My swing — effort level-wise — is almost 100%,” Ohtani said.

“My next step is facing live arms, some velocity.”

Manager Dave Roberts said he’s talked to Ohtani a few times already in Arizona, but is trying to give him space as he adapts to new surroundings.

“Everything he does is inten-

tional, which is pretty amazing, but not surprising,” Roberts said. “I think right now, you see a lot of teammates trying to watch how he operates,

learn what makes him tick, but it takes time.

“But I’ve still got to pinch myself to see him in a Dodger uniform.”

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

PREP BOYS

Randleman, Eastern Randolph, Asheboro cap big weeks Randolph Record RANDLEMAN’S boys’ basketball team clinched the Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season championship with a couple of convincing victories last week.

Heading into this week with an 18-4 overall record and 11-0 mark in PAC play, the Tigers could sew up a perfect league mark by winning Tuesday night’s finale against visiting Trinity.

Randleman’s 69-50 victory against host Uwharrie Charter Academy came with 18 points apiece from Tyshaun Goldston and Greg Price.

The Tigers finished the week with an 84-58 romp at Providence Grove with Jireh Price racking up 21 points, Greg Price scoring 19 and Connor Cassidy with 14 points and seven rebounds. ** Eastern Randolph cranked out three victories last week, including twice in PAC play.

The Wildcats began with a 90-70 clobbering of visiting Southwestern Randolph as Nicah Taylor had 22 points and Timothy Brower and Julian Brooks both posted 20 points.

Marcus Robertson (25 points) and Nathan Ellis (21) countered for the Cougars.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Eastern Randolph’s Julian Brooks goes up for a shot against Southwestern Randolph’s Nathan Ellis last week in Ramseur.

On Friday, Eastern Randolph stopped UCA 61-40 with Taylor’s 17 points the top mark.

Braedon Lamb had 18 points for UCA. In between PAC games, the Wildcats claimed a 92-90 non-conference victory against visiting Grace Christian. ** Trinity’s Dominic Payne had another huge game with 36 points in the Bulldogs’ 7951 victory against visiting Prov-

idence Grove. That was Trinity’s lone game of the week. ** On Friday, Southwestern Randolph hammered visiting Wheatmore 51-24 as Josh Adkins had 13 points. ** In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, Asheboro won twice in dominating fashion last week, but it won’t repeat as regular-season league champion.

The Blue Comets can’t catch Central Davidson, but they can finish alone in second place depending on this week’s results.

Asheboro entered the last week of the regular season with an 18-3 overall record, so a 20win regular season is possible.

The Blue Comets drubbed host Ledford 93-47 as Jerquarius Stanback dumped in 30 points and Camden Walker rang up 19 points to lead five players with double-figure totals.

Then came Friday night’s 8527 squashing of visiting Montgomery Central, with Stanback’s 25 points and Walker’s 21 points the top totals.

Next week, Asheboro will be the host school for the Mid-Piedmont Conference Tournament semifinals and finals. The boys’ and girls’ semifinals are slated for Wednesday and Thursday, with the finals Friday (Feb. 23).

PREP GIRLS

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PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Trinity’s Levi Dennis wraps up Seaforth’s Maddock Cody during the dual team state final earlier this month. This week, Dennis is in the individual state tournament.

Trinity, wrestling Dennis is wrapping up another stellar season for the Bulldogs.

He won four matches last week to win the Class 2-A Midwest Regional at 132 pounds. He recorded two pins and a technical fall before defeating East Surry’s Michael Fischer 6-2 in the final.

Dennis, a senior, holds a 49-1 record this season.

Last February, he placed fifth in the state at 126. He received All-Piedmont Athletic Conference recognition the past two years.

Tigers wrap up another PAC crown PREP ROUNDUP Randolph Record TWO MORE victories allowed Randleman’s girls’ basketball team to clinch a sixth consecutive Piedmont Athletic Conference championship.

The Tigers took down host Uwharrie Charter Academy 6446 with Bella Byman tallying 21 points and Audra Petty registering 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Those offset 16 points from UCA’s Nevaeh Staples.

Next, Byman had 19 points and Gracie Beane compiled 17 points when the Tigers defeated host Providence Grove 62-45 on Friday night to clinch the outright regular-season league title.

This week, Randleman went into Tuesday night’s home game against last-place Trinity with a chance to complete a third straight unbeaten mark in PAC regular-season play. ** Southwestern Randolph had two more convincing victories to lock up second place in the PAC. The Cougars rolled past host Eastern Randolph 59-23 with Caressa King and Jordin George both scoring 17 points.

Southwestern Randolph fol-

Asheboro’s Everhart excels in state meet PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Abbie Gudino, left, and Randleman’s Audry Petty reach for a rebound during last week’s PAC game in Asheboro. UCA’s Nevaeh Staples, far left, and Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson, center, and Bella Byman look on. lowed that by topping visiting Wheatmore 61-42. ** Providence Grove had a victory early last week by cruising to a 63-23 decision at Trinity. ** UCA finished the week by defeating visiting Eastern Randolph 68-46 with Staples scoring 20 points and Chloe Painter posting 14 points.

That came two nights after

Eastern Randolph snapped a four-game skid by winning 5227 in a non-league game at Graham as Kenly Whitaker had 14 points. ** In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, Asheboro picked up its first league victory by winning 50-42 at Ledford as Kimry Comer provided 17 points and Laneane Scherer had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

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Randolph Record

3,200 run (10:49.42)

WINSTON-SALEM – Lance Everhart of Asheboro placed third in three events in the Class 3-A indoor track and field state championships Saturday at JDL Fast Track.

Everhart cleared 6 feet, 4 inches in the high jump, posted a mark of 13-6 in the pole vault and leaped 22-3 in the long jump.

Kai Matthews of Asheboro was fifth in the long jump (21-6).

On the girls’ side, Jalaya Showers had the 11th-best time in the 55 dash at 7.33 seconds.

In Class 1-A/2-A, Randleman’s Trisan Chriscoe was sixth in the 55 hurdles (8.42) and teammate Amari Ferdna placed seventh in the triple jump (41-7½). Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore was 11th in the

Swimming At Cary, Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Megan Becker claimed third place in two events in the Class 1-A/2-A state meet at Triangle Aquatic Center.

Becker, a transfer from Asheboro, had a time of 1 minute, 53.66 seconds in the 200yard freestyle and a clocking of 52.59 seconds in the 100 freestyle.

Also, Wheatmore’s Sydney Hall finished 12th in the 100 butterfly in 1:04.17.

In Class 3-A, Asheboro’s Maci Columbia had a pair of 10th-place finishes. Those came in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.78) and 500 freestyle (5:24.70).

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

6

Trinity, UCA lead charge into states after strong regionals Randolph Record TRINITY AND Uwharrie Charter Academy will be well-represented in the wrestling state tournament after both schools produced four regional champions.

Add in Randleman’s Braxton Walker among wrestlers from Randolph County winning regionals and holding high seeds for the states.

Numerous other wrestlers from the county qualified as well and could be contenders for place finishes. Wrestlers in the top four in regionals advance to states.

Trinity and UCA claimed team regional titles. Both teams were state dual team champions.

The three-day state tournament begins Thursday at the Greensboro Coliseum, except for Class 1-A that starts Friday.

Championship bouts are slated to begin late Saturday afternoon.

Here’s a look at the regionals: CLASS 2-A In the Midwest Regional at Mt. Pleasant, Trinity’s champions were Spencer May (120 pounds), Levi Dennis (132), Jaden Allred (138) and Gavin Hardister (215).

May pinned his first three opponents in less than a minute before flattening Forbush’s Drake Parker 2:32 of the final.

Dennis ended his first three matches early with two points and a technical fall before stopping Michael Fischer of East Surry by 6-2 in the final.

Allred edged Wheatmore’s Trey Swaney 4-2 in the final after securing three first-period pins.

Hardister had two pins and a major decision before a 10-4 decision against Bandys’ Matthew Cranfill for the title.

Four Bulldogs were regional runners-up.

At 113, Trinity’s Edgar Vasquez posted three victories before suffering a 10-0 finals loss to Mt. Pleasant’s Seth Almond.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Left, UCA’s Alek Millikan handles Avery County’s Barrett Potter before a pin in the Class 1-A dual team final earlier this month.

Right, Trinity’s Bear Schaefer works on top against Seaforth’s William Bass during a key match in the Class 2-A dual team final.

Trinity 126-pounder Brayden Hall was a runner-up after notching a pair of pins, but ending up on the wrong end of a third-period pin recorded by Mt. Pleasant’s Josh Hammac in the title bout.

Bear Schaefer (144) of Trinity reached the final, but was topped 6-0 by David McEachern of Mt. Pleasant.

Baron Justice (150) took second place, falling 2-1 to East Gaston’s Brandon Wyatt in the final.

Other state qualifiers for the Bulldogs were Aiden Burkholder (third at 106), Lawson Coltrane (third at 165), Joseph Trahan (third at heavyweight) and Xavier Horton (fourth at 190). Coltrane was 5-1, with three pins, a technical fall and a shutout decision.

Wheatmore had runners-up with Swaney (138) and Dominic Hittepole (175) and thirdplace finishers Zack Starkweather (150).

Swaney won twice before the loss to Allred. Hittepole recorded three pins, including two in the first period, to reach the title bout, where he was a second-period pin victim to Bandys’ Ian Moore. Starkweather had a 4-1 regional record.

Wheatmore’s Nolan Ham-

monds (132), Noah Browning (190) and Johnathan Kelly (215) all went 3-2 but didn’t place. ** In the Mideast Regional at Eden, Walker captured the title at 190 pounds, using two pins to reach the final.

There, he defeated Seaforth’s Harrison Compton 3-1 to win the regional.

Kolby Garner of Randleman was the 138 runner-up. Eden Morehead’s Nathan Howard pinned Gardner with 26 seconds left of the title bout.

In third place for Randleman were Alex Raymundo (106) and Jesus Garcia (144). Raymundo and Garcia each posted three straight pins in the consolation bracket.

At 215, Southwestern Randolph’s Jose Flores, a reigning state champion, was the regional runner-up. He was pinned by Seaforth’s Ethan Kuball in the second period of the title match.

Earlier, Flores recorded two first-period pins.

Erick Lopez Rabadan of the Cougars was the 165 runner-up, losing 14-3 in the final to host Eden Morehead’s Brock Blizzard.

Southwestern Randolph’s Michael Jaimes (138) claimed third

place. Teammate Janaskel Perez Mortera (113) placed fourth.

CLASS 1-A UCA, competing in the East Regional at South Davidson, had seven wrestlers reach title matches.

Undefeated Lorenzo Alston notched four pins, including in 1:43 of the 150 title bout against Rosewood’s Fabian Sabillon.

Carson Robinson added to UCA’s title haul at 157, using two pins and a decision before a 15-4 domination of Thomasville’s Eriberto Torres in the final.

UCA’s Alek Millikan went 4-0 at 165, capped by a 16-5 thrashing of South Stokes’ Cohen Jennings.

Jaden Maness had three pins for UCA before defeating Pamlico County’s Tyler Stevens 10-5 for first placed at 215.

UCA’s Ethan Hines was the 106 runner-up with a 5-2 loss to North East Carolina Prep School’s Holton Quincy. Jack McArthur placed second at 132 after Lejeune’s James Campos posted a second-period pin in the final. Jair Ulloa of UCA was second at 138 with an injury default

Beard captures Caraway exhibition event Randolph Record

Coy Beard enjoys a nice start to racing in 2024.

COURTESY PHOTO

SOPHIA – Coy Beard was the Late Models winner in Caraway Speedway’s “winter heat” to open the year of racing at the stock-car track Feb. 3.

The “winter heat” serves as an appetizer as sort of an exhibition card for the season to come.

Beard claimed the 75-lap event from the pole position. Austin Somero placed second, followed

by Carter Russo, Tristan McKee and Annabeth Crum. Heath Causey was the second-best qualifier,

but dropped out of the race early with car troubles.

In Pro Late Models, Aiden King ended up the winner after Max Reeves ran first for a long stretch. Carson Ware was the runner-up.

The 602 Modifieds race was won by Kevin Orlando, with Billy Gregg the runner-up followed

by Dean Lowder, Mitchell Wright and Slate Myers.

For Street Stocks, Jeff Sparks topped the field in the 40-lap event, followed by Mike Cooper, Stephen Sharpe, Larry Isenhow-

in the final after managing two pins and a decision.

Third place for UCA went to Caleb Saldana (113) and Caden Bond (175) and Devonte Harrison (heavyweight). Brennan Worrell of the Eagles was fourth at 120.

Eastern Randolph’s Joshua Watson (fourth at 106), David Lambright (fourth at 126) and Maddox Carson (fourth at 215).

CLASS 3-A Asheboro’s lone state qualifier is 132-pounder Oscar Zelaya. He was fourth in the Midwest Regional at North Davidson.

Girls’ tournament There’s also the first fully sanctioned North Carolina High School Athletic Association championships for girls’ wrestling. That state tournament also will take place this week at the coliseum.

Trinity’s Bliss Joyce was the runner-up at 132 in the Midwest Regional earlier in the month at Kannapolis Brown. She fell in the regional final by 9-7 in overtime to East Davidson’s Danielle Dennis.

er and Joey Staley.

The Challengers race also was 40 laps, with Brody Duggins the winner in front of Landon Huffman. The next three were Matthew Smith, Enoch McNiel and Michael O’Brien.

In UCARs, reigning track champion Daniel Hughes passed Tommy Raino and went on to win the 20-lap race. They were followed by Tito Clapp, Mason Vance and Allen Gauldin.

The Bootleggers victory went to John Morton, while John Turner was the runner-up, followed by Wade Turner, Jaclyn Morton and Kaleb Brown.

The season kicks into gear next month with a season-opening weekend March 9-10.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

7

obituaries

Darryl Allen "Butch" Hendrix

July 26, 1948 — February 2, 2024 Darryl Allen "Butch" Hendrix, age 75 of Asheboro passed away on Friday February 2, 2024 at his home.

Darryl was born in Randolph County, North Carolina on July 26, 1948 to Darrel and Carolyn Carlton Hendrix Newby and was a graduate of Asheboro High School. Darryl worked as a sales manager for United Brass Works until his retirement. In addition to his parents, Darryl was preceded in death by one half brother and two stepbrothers.Darryl was a simple man and good people person who loved to talk. He was an excellent artist that could draw anything.

Darryl loved fishing at the coast, hunting arrowheads and helping excavate at Town Creek Indian Mound. He loved Louis L’amour books and Clint Eastwood movies. Traveling was his passion. Darryl had a knack for finding four leaf clovers and shark’s teeth while at the coast. The loves of his life were his pets Lexie and Seguin.Darryl is survived by his son, Barkley Hendrix of Asheboro; brother, Ronald Hendrix of Charlotte; stepbrother, Raeford Newby (Neva) of Sophia; half-brother, Tony Hendrix of Florida.

Rev. Nellie Mae Bescher

December 24, 1930 — February 2, 2024 Nellie Mae Bescher, born 12/24/1930, passed away 2/2/24 in her favorite purple robe. She is survived by her nephew Michael Bescher of Missouri, her cousin Wilma Hadley of Greensboro and several other cousins.By all accounts, Nellie was a sparkler.

She was an engaging, loving and generous person who led a colorful life. Beginning at the age of 16 her music led her to play piano and sing with a gospel group. That experience lead to 27 years playing gospel music on Sunday afternoons on WGWR radio station and traveling across the southeast.

During this time she developed her professional career at Acme McCrary; becoming one of the first female executives in the county. Family was very important to her; she spent many happy hours visiting with them. In addition, she took on the responsibility of raising three nephews and provided them with a good start in this life. She retired from Acme McCrary after more than 40 years to become an ordained minister. Her mission was to go where she was called as churches transitioned from one minister to another. She also spent time visiting with the elderly population at local facilities. Nellie was never far from her piano and music.

After her second “retirement” she sang and directed choirs as she was called to do so. It was also during this time that her creativity was expressed through creating draperies and other accessories for the home in conjunction with three talented local interior designers. At her base, she was a strong woman guided by her deeply held Christian beliefs and values.

Evelyn "Dolly" Robbins Hames

November 27, 1930 — February 3, 2024 Evelyn “Dolly” Robbins Hames age 93, formerly of The Cross Road Retirement Community in Asheboro, North Carolina died peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Brookdale Assisting Living of Asheboro.She was born November 27, 1930 in Asheboro, North Carolina, to the late Furmer Lee Robbins and the late Isley Jane Beane Robbins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Carvus Hames, Jr.; one brother, Gus David Robbins; and two sisters, Mary Charlesanna Robbins Park and Armeta Ann Robbins Wright Thompkins; two nephews, David Lee Robbins and Jack B.“Buddy” Wright, Jr.; and many longtime special friends.

She was lovingly called “Mama Hames” by the many children she kept over the years, and retired from Stones Shoes.

She is survived by her three children, Linda Gail Hames Carter and husband William David Carter of Asheboro; Terry Lee Hames and wife Phyllis Coggins Hames of Clayton and Michael Craig Hames and wife Kristin Maynor Hames of Asheboro; four grandchildren, Amy Lynn Carter Draughn and husband Lee Draughn, Brandon Carvus Hames and wife Heather Hicks Hames, Ashley “Amberly” Elizabeth Hames Jayde and husband Justin Wilcox, and Michaela Nicole Hames; five great grandchildren, Jacob Lee Draughn, Emma Lynn Draughn, Calvin Carvus Hames, Lexi Rose Hames and an infant boy Wilcox; and several nieces and nephews.

Cynthia Muscato

January 3, 1950 — February 5, 2024 Cynthia Jane Mason Muscato, age 74, passed away Monday, February 5, 2024.

Mrs. Muscato grew up in Springfield, OH, later moving to Sarasota, FL and then moved to Denton, NC to be with her family. She was formerly employed with Bell South, GTE and Verizon. Mrs. Muscato loved her family, particularly her great grandchildren.

She enjoyed senior bingo, traveling and going on cruises.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Robert Muscato, Jr.Mrs. Muscato is survived by her daughter, Christy Atwell and husband Michael of Denton; son, Richard Miller of PA; grandchildren, George Stewart of Ruskin, FL, Rebekah Stewart of Denton, Abigal Muscato of Palmetto, FL; great grandchildren, Braxton Stewart, Cora Stewart, Casen Stewart, Forrest Murbach, Phoenix Murbach; brother, Michael Mason and wife Sandy of St. Petersburg, FL; sister, Gayle Bailey of Springfield, OH.

January 26, 1932 — February 5, 2024 Alice Beatrice Henry Snell, age 92 of Asheboro, passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024 at Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing Home.Alice was born in Limavady, Northern Ireland on January 26, 1932 to William and Mary Neely Henry. Alice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She loved to travel and has been to all fifty states, as well as multiple countries. Alice was a cub scout leader and very active in multiple churches she attended over the years. She was President of the Homemakers Extension club in Delaware and helped organize and run the Compassionate Friends Organization in Asheboro.

In addition to her parents, Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Snell; son, Thomas Snell; and 8 siblings. Alice is survived by her children, Helen Schieve of Winchester, VA, William “Bill” Snell of Greensboro, and Don Snell of Fuquay Varina; grandchildren, Ian Schieve, Keegan Schieve, Fiona Schieve, Sarah Snell, and Kayla Snell; and her sister, Eileen Lowry of Northern Ireland.

George Mullins Byrum

July 4, 1929 — February 6, 2024 George Mullins Byrum, age 94, of Asheboro passed away on February 6, 2024 at his home. George was born at home in Randolph County on July 4, 1929 to Rev. William James and Christine Marshall Byrum. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, James Byrum, and sisters, Barbara Russell and Nancy Gann.

George married Hazel Lois Trotter on December 18, 1954, and was exceptionally proud of their two daughters.

Known by many as the “Bee Man,” he was a founding member of the Randolph County Beekeepers Association where he remained active for 50 years, some of those as president. He had an incredible work ethic, growing a vegetable garden each year, and chopping his own firewood well into his 90’s. George was a lifelong learner who enjoyed reading, poetry and history. He was an engaging grandfather who had a special bond with each of his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Hazel Lois Trotter Byrum; daughters, Crystal Byrum Teague and husband Mark of Asheboro and Ellen Byrum and husband Curt O’Briant of Asheboro; grandchildren, Dylan Teague of High Point, Lennon Teague and wife Bethany of Asheboro, Kristen Brantley and husband Daniel of Asheboro, and Georgia Morgan of New York City; great grandchildren, MacKenzie Teague and Jonah Teague.

Betty Jane Jurgensen Moscoso

Joseph Guy "Josh" Miller

September 14, 1972 — February 3, 2024 Joseph Guy “Josh” Miller, age 51, of Greensboro passed away on February 3, 2024 at his home.Josh was born in Asheboro on September 14, 1972 and was a graduate of Westchester Academy. Josh’s home away from his North Carolina home was Scotland.

He was a graduate of Saint Andrews University in Saint Andrews, Scotland. He was very proud of his Scottish Ancestry and felt drawn to the people, the culture, and the land of Scotland. He enjoyed traveling and spent time in Europe, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States. He thought that Miami was one of the best cities in the world due to the beautiful beaches, music, food, and culture. Josh loved the outdoors and geology and was an expert fly fisherman.

Josh will be missed by all who knew him and his loving and compassionate spirit.

His parents, George and Lib Miller; his sister, Allison Sholar and nephew Guy and his wife Heather and their son Archer; his brother, Russ Miller and nieces Tanner and Tyler; and aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.He also leaves behind his loving wife Yvonne Miller, proud to be his wife and grateful to have met in him her soulmate and the best man she has ever known.

Alice Henry Snell

Eddie Howard McNeill

September 26, 1949 — February 8, 2024 Eddie Howard McNeill, age 74 of Asheboro, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the Randolph Hospice House, Asheboro. Eddie was born on September 26, 1949, in Randolph County to Edgar and Wilma Presnell McNeill.

Eddie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Through the years he enjoyed spending time at Caraway Speedway where he drove the #19 car and was a regular at classic car shows all over the area. In addition to his parents, Eddie is preceded in death by his wife, Henrietta Wright McNeill and his faithful canine companion, EJ.Eddie is survived by his companion, Jean Yates; sons, Chad McNeill (Donna) of Charlotte, Zach McNeill (Lisa) of Asheboro; five grandchildren; his brother, Ricky McNeill (Sandy) of Asheboro; and his nephew, Jake McNeill (Anna).

July 27, 1932 — February 6, 2024 Betty Jane Jurgensen Moscoso, age 91, of Asheboro passed away on February 6, 2024 at her home.Mrs. Moscoso was born in Wilmington, NC on July 27, 1932 to Christian and Lola Johnson Jurgensen.

Betty retired, after 42 years, from Guilford County Schools where she was a teacher, principal, and counselor.

She was the former Director of the American School in Ecuador. Betty was strong in her faith and was a member of the Lutheran Church of Our Father in Greensboro, where she loved to sing in the choir. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Pedro Moscoso. Betty never met a stranger.She is survived by her children, Becky M. Williamson of Greensboro, Christian P. Moscoso of Ophelia, VA, and Stephanie M. Ward of Sophia; grandchildren, Erin W. Meade and husband Chuck, Dane Williamson, Matthew Moscoso, Garrett Ward, and Morgan Ward; great grandchildren, Kinsley, Rilyn, and Zoey; brother, Sonny Jurgensen and wife Margo of Naples, FL; and her faithful canine companions, Rex and Rocky.

Denise Gayle Fisher

January 20, 1953 - February 6, 2024 Denise Gayle Hunter Fisher, affectionately known as Neesie, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2024, at the age of 71. Born on January 20, 1953, in Guilford County, she was the beloved daughter of the late David R. Hunter and Elsie Dennis Hunter.

Neesie was preceded in death by her loving parents, David and Elsie, her brother Ronald B. Hunter, nephew Jon Hunter, and niece Tammy Hunter. Their memories will forever be treasured by those who loved them. Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Joey Gray and his wife Robin, and Michael Gray and his wife Jenny. Neesie was a proud grandmother to her granddaughters, Emily, Elizabeth, and Alexis. She also leaves behind her brother, David Hunter, and his wife Kay, as well as her sister Debbie McNamara and her husband Bruce. Neesie will be fondly remembered by her nieces Jennifer Hunter and Amanda Hunter Downs and nephews Damien McNamara, Evan McNamara, Ronnie Hunter and David Hunter.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

8

US cattle herd hit generational low as beef prices continue to rise All Cattle and Calves Inventory

North State Journal RALEIGH — The U.S. cattle supply is at its lowest level since 1951. That low supply will likely drive beef prices to record highs.

The supply shortage is being driven by many factors, including droughts, inflation and a burgeoning wave of regulation and activism directed at curbing beef consumption and production.

Amidst this backdrop, the future of beef within diets and its role in the agricultural sector is being highlighted by farmers, consumer groups and policymakers.

A December memo released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends reducing the amount of beef in diets, increasing non-meat alternatives, and suggests “rebalancing” meat production and consumption. The recommendations from the U.N. are tied to the organization’s climate change agenda.

The FAO memo, advocating for a paradigm shift in livestock management to better align with both nutritional needs and environmental sustainability, outlines a strategy to “Change the livestock population to match not only nutritional needs but also environmental opportunities and constraints.”

According to the FAO, “the livestock sector is composed of a large variety of animals associated with a wide range of GHG (greenhouse gas) footprints and nutritional potential. Under current practices, shifting from large ruminant to small ruminant animals for meat products, and from ruminant to monogastric animals, in particular chicken, will reduce the GHG impacts of animal-food based products.” Ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, have a unique digestive system that allows them to ferment plant-based food in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, a process that produces methane, a greenhouse gas.

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE), called the U.N. recommendations “nothing short of a disaster for your health and food security worldwide,” in a December 11, 2023, press release announcing a proposed resolution supporting the U.S. cattle industry. Flood’s resolution expresses the concerns of many within the agricultural community about the potential repercussions of such policies on local economies

United States: January 1 (in millions)

100

99.7M 95

90 2024

87.2M 1998

2003

2008

2013

2018

2023 USDA

U.S. Cattle inventory

NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A Carolina style burger from Chatham County. and food security.

“Meat is one of the most efficient ways to deliver protein, and here in the Beef State, cattle are a critical part of the Golden Triangle that’s supplying clean ethanol fuel around the world,” said

Flood. “The resolution I’m introducing today makes it clear that the United States opposes any attempt to reduce or eliminate meat production. Doing so would shatter the world’s food security and end an age-old way of life for mil-

lions of farm and ranch families across the globe.”

Despite higher prices, domestic consumer demand for beef remains strong, but is expected to fall in 2024. According to Kansas State University’s Meat Demand

North Carolina’s top counties for cattle, by head, are Iredell, Randolph and Chatham.

Monitor, consumer willingness to pay increased for all retail products other than plant-based patties.

Beef sold for an average of five dollars per pound last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Farm Bureau says declining production may lead to record beef prices as consumer demand stays relatively strong but supply withers.

Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), a co-sponsor of Flood’s resolution, criticized the underpinnings of the FAO’s motivations, implying a potential conflict of interest shaped by China’s influence.

“It’s laughable that a U.N. agency spearheaded by a top CCP official is calling on Americans to eat less meat in the name of climate change when China is the world’s worst polluter,” said Hinson, referencing Qu Dongyu, Deputy-General of FAO, who is from China. “This is a thinly veiled attempt by China to undermine U.S. agriculture as well as the Iowa farmers who produce high quality meat. The impact of the CCP infiltrating the U.N. is clear: they can strongly call for Americans to stop eating meat, but can’t strongly condemn Hamas for their human rights atrocities in Israel. I’m proud to lead the charge to condemn this nonsense from the U.N. alongside Representative Flood, stand up for U.S. agriculture, and set the record straight.”

In the context of these global discussions and political responses, the internal challenges faced by the U.S. cattle industry, especially concerning cattle supply and replacement inventories, remain pressing. Replacement inventories are essential for introducing new genetics and ensuring the long-term productivity of the herd. Despite a slight projected increase in overall cattle supply in North Carolina, the industry is bracing for significant declines in both beef cow and milk cow replacements, indicative of broader trends affecting the national cattle population.

North Carolina’s top counties for cattle, by head, are Iredell (42,500), Randolph (39,500) and Chatham (31,000). Wilkes, Surry, Cleveland, Sampson, Rowan, Duplin and Union counties are also in the top ten for cattle. Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California and Oklahoma are the leading cattle-producing states in the U.S.

Providence Grove receives $500k from Toyota for jobs program Randolph Record CLIMAX — Communities In Schools “Jobs For North Carolina’s Graduates” (JNCG) program will open a new site at Providence Grove High School in Randolph County after receiving $500,000 from Toyota North Carolina. It’s the second JNCG site in Randolph County, which was also funded by the carmaker.

“We’re thrilled to launch a second Jobs for North Carolina’s Graduates program right

here in Randolph County thanks to Toyota North Carolina’s generous support of CIS,” said Paula Owens, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Randolph County in a statement.

“As a sister site to the program opened last year at Asheboro High School, JNCG at Providence Grove will help even more of our area’s young people graduate with a plan for the future and build a solid path toward continuing education, certification and training to drive a prosperous economy.”

The JNCG program connects employers with students to show careers in their community and across the state. Students in the program work to master 31 crucial competencies like interview skills, workplace communications, teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution and problem solving.

JNCG has demonstrably improved outcomes for high school students who experience barriers to success, including data showing that 98% of JNCG students graduated high school and

90% were employed, in school or enlisted in military service after graduation.

“It is important to provide the resources, time and knowledge to help build stronger pathways to equitable education, and we’re grateful for our partners that share the same passion, said Mike Clark, general manager of quality at Toyota North Carolina.

State Sen. Amy Galey (R) joined CIS and representatives from Toyota at the announcement.

The JNCG program connects employers with students to show careers in their community and across the state.

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Asheboro City School board members cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Asheboro High School Welcome Center in Bear Creek on February 7, 2024.

Welcome!

Asheboro City School board members cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Asheboro High School Welcome Center in Bear Creek on February 7, 2024.

The Welcome Center will serve as a community hub for learning, collaboration, and innovation. Located within the newly renovated Global Innovation Center, the Welcome Center will provide a wide range of information and resources including school supplies, computer access, and material about community resources useful for families.

The Welcome Center has two rooms for community use: the Welcome Center room and the Comet Community Corner room to be used for classes and educational sessions for families. Both of these rooms are designed for group meetings and workshops. The purpose of the Welcome Center is to assist families in finding resources relevant to their child’s education and family needs.

‘Drastic’ homeowners’ insurance rate hike denied

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Rate Bureau’s proposed statewide rate hike of 42.2% for homeowners insurance was rejected by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Feb. 6.

“I haven’t seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase on North Carolina consumers,” Causey said in a statement. “The Department of Insurance has received more than 24,000 emailed comments on this proposal, with hundreds more policyholders commenting by mail. Consumers deserve a more thorough review of this proposal. I intend to make sure they get that review.”

This is the second time a large price hike has been submitted by the N.C. Rate Bureau (NCRB. The organization sought a 24.5% increase in Nov. 2021 but settled for 7.9% after negotiations with Causey.

Had it been approved, the new rate would have gone into effect on Aug. 1. The NCRB is a “non-profit, unincorporated rating bureau” that was created by the General Assembly in 1977.

The NCRB will make its case at a hearing on Oct. 7, while Cau-

age increase drops to 33.9%, per the table.

In January, most of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03), sent a letter to Causey urging him to reject the proposThe proposed increase in al, citing rising home prices, inhomeowners’ insurance rates in flation, and the hike adding to Randolph County. consumer financial burdens.

Republicans Chuck Edwards, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudsey’s N.C. Department of Insur- son, and David Rouzer, and ance (NCDOI) will present its Democrats Don Davis, Valerie objections. A final decision must Foushee, Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel co-signed the letter. be made within 45 days.

“I’m very glad to see NC InsurIn the notice for the hearing, NCDOI cites a deficiency in ance Commissioner Causey has data presented by the NCRB and rejected the Rate Bureau’s pro“contends that, if the Bureau’s fil- posed homeowners’ insurance ing were accepted as is, it would hike,” said Murphy in a post on unlawfully prejudice and burden X. “Thank you to the bipartisan coalition that joined the letter I the consumers of the state.”

As previously reported by led in urging this bold action to North State Journal, the rate protect homeowners across the table provided by Causey’s of- state.”

“I’m glad to see that Commisfice showed increases across the state ranging from a low of 4.3% sioner Causey listened to me and in Haywood, Madison, Swain, my fellow colleagues’ calls to reand Transylvania Counties to a ject plans to raise homeowner inwhopping 99.4% increase in the surance rates for North Carolinbeach areas in Brunswick, Cart- ians,” Rep. Hudson (NC-09) said eret, New Hanover, Onslow, and in a press release following CauPender counties. The average in- sey’s rejection of the hike. “This is crease across the 29 areas would a big win for hardworking fambe 39.1%, with the highest and ilies in the Sandhills and across lowest rates removed, the aver- our state.”

25.1%

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

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Chiefs fans are hoping for a Taylor Swift appearance at victory parade. But her schedule is tight

By Heather Hollingsworth The Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Stacey Stauch has one question on her mind as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to celebrate their third Super Bowl title in five seasons with a parade.

“We’re all wondering: Will Taylor show up?” the paralegal said during a trip to the Chiefs-bedecked Union Station, where Wednesday’s parade will end. Joining Stauch was her 11-year-old daughter, Rilynn, and two of Rilynn’s friends.

As commentators carefully compared rushing totals during the Chiefs’ overtime win over 49ers, Rilynn was doing her own calculations.

How many times did the CBS broadcast cut to Taylor Swift as her boyfriend Travis Kelce made several key plays?

Rilynn, who counted 13 shots of Swift, dreams of catching a glimpse of the pop superstar and Kelce during

the parade festivities, which coincide with Valentine’s Day. And she just might have talked her mom into taking her.

“I think everyone will go crazy,” said Rilynn, who wore a “Karma is My Tight End” T-shirt. That’s a reference to Swift changing a lyric in her song “Karma” from “Karma is the guy on the screen” to “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs” during a concert in Buenos Aires. She also owns a “Go Taylor’s Boyfriend” T-shirt.

Swift has not commented on her plans. But it would be a tight scheduling feat. She has to be in Melbourne, Australia, which is 17 hours ahead of Kansas City, by 6 p.m. Friday for the first of three scheduled concerts on her Eras Tour.

And the flight itself takes about 17 hours.

School cancellation announcements began just minutes after the Chiefs became the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to defend their title.

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“LET’S HAVE A PARADE WEDNESDAY!!!”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas posted on X after the nail-biter ended, the post coming not long after he commented, “Take them heart pills.”

Unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s — and the possibility, remote though it might be, of a Swift appearance — are expected to boost attendance. Businesses along the parade path are turning the day into a viewing party for their workers.

Crews already are blocking off streets at Union Station, where the 2-mile route will conclude with speeches.

By midday Monday, the stage where the team will deliver its speeches was partially constructed, a giant Chiefs’ flag waving outside.

The victory parade will start at 11 a.m. and last about 90 minutes. But if past years are a guide, getting a prime spot will be no easy feat. Fans often sleep overnight or arrive before sunrise.

ASHLEY LANDIS | AP PHOTO

Taylor Swift reacts during the first half of Super Bowl 58.

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Travis Kelce brings home the hardware, holds up ‘end of the bargain’ with Taylor Swift

By W.G. Ramirez The Associated Press

Solution for the puzzle in last week’s edition.

LAS VEGAS — Travis Kelce brought home the hardware he promised to girlfriend Taylor Swift.

One play after Kelce’s reception put the Chiefs on the 3-yard line, Patrick Mahomes found Mecole Hardman alone in the end zone for the winning TD, in the process helping Kelce keep his promise while sending Swift and everyone in her suite into a celebratory frenzy.

“Never a doubt in my mind,” Kelce said. “We’ve got the best quarterback in the league, we’ve got the best offensive line in the league, and we’ve got the most determination out of any team in the NFL and you saw all that tonight.

“I guess at this point I take it for granted, but I know we’re in every single game I’ve ever played in, no matter what the score is or no matter how much time is left, that guy’s got magic in his right arm.”

One night after Swift earned her fourth career Grammy for album of the year last week, Kelce said he told her he’d “have to hold up my end of the bargain and bring home some hardware, too.”

Swift flew halfway around the world to watch her boyfriend, who also said during the Super Bowl week’s opening night on Monday, “I want this one more than I’ve ever wanted a Super Bowl before in my life.”

After the game, Kelce said it’s on to the next feat.

“Never a doubt in my mind.”

Travis, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend

FRANK FRANKLIN II | AP PHOTO

Taylor Swift celebrates with Ashley Avignone, Ice Spice and Blake Lively during the second half of Super Bowl 58.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Taylor Swift kisses Travis Kelce on the field after his Chiefs beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl

By Dave Skretta The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — With the run she’s having, how could Taylor Swift be on anything other than the winning side?

She embraced her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the couple locked lips on the field at Allegiant Stadium after his Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in the Super Bowl.

Moments earlier, Swift smiled with her eyes looking misty from tears as she stood next to Kelce’s mother while he held aloft the Lombardi Trophy, shouting “Chiefs nation!” and bellowing a chorus of “Viva Las Vegas.”

Minutes before that, she was smothered by celebrity suite mates, who at various points included Blake Lively, Ice Spice and Lana Del Rey, when the Chiefs scored the winning touchdown in overtime, set up by a key reception by Kelce for a first down.

It was the second straight Super Bowl win for the Chiefs, but the first since Swift became fanin-chief. She and Kelce began dating shortly before the season started.

It completes an epic stretch for Swift, who won album of the year a week earlier for a record fourth time at the Grammys, where she also announced a new album dropping in April before jetting off to Japan for a series of stadium shows.

Soon after flying halfway around the world to get to the game, she strolled through security to enter the stadium along with Lively, Ice Spice and her mom, Andrea Swift. She cuddled with Lively during Post Malone’s performance of “America the Beautiful” and won what appeared to be a beer chugging contest, slamming her cup down to an appreciative roar from the fans.

She was spotted talking to Kelce’s brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

HUDSON from page 1 “We all want clean air and clean water. Nobody wants it more than the farmer who loves their land. In many cases it’s multi-generational. They want to pass it on to their kids,” Hudson told NSJ. Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the EPA to revise parts of the newest rules, although agriculture interests say it still places undue burdens on farmers.

Another issue Hudson addressed regarding farmland came from the issue of Chinese companies buying farmland and land next to U.S. military bases.

The N.C. House of Representatives took action on that issue last year, passing a bill that would prohibit China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries and state-controlled entities from purchasing agricultural land or land within a 15-mile radius of a military base, military

GOLDEN LEAF from page 1 year. This will allow for that.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

Jenny Tinklepaugh of the Golden LEAF Foundation said the grants stem from the foundation’s Community-Based

ASHEBORO from page 1 dissenting vote by council member Eddie Burks.

The expansion will include moving the boundary east to include the Hoover Hatchet House by encompassing the west side of South Fayetteville Street from

Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after Super Bowl 58.

BRYNN ANDERSON | AP PHOTO

rowhead Stadium. Kelce then invited her to watch him perform at the home of the Chiefs, and she surprisingly showed up for their Week 2 game against Chicago.

Swift soon became a regular at games, both home and away, frequently sitting with Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Swift occasionally brought along friends, including Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

“Having Taylor as a new Chiefs fan is very unique,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said during Super Bowl week. “I don’t ever do an interview without someone asking me about it. I think a lot of players and coaches on the team are in the same boat. The most important thing is we’re happy for the two of them that they have found each other and have such a special relationship.”

There was plenty of star power besides Swift for the NFL’s

marquee night. Usher’s halftime show included guest performers Alicia Keys, Ludacris and Lil Jon. Reba McEntire sang the national anthem. Beyoncé, who was also at the game, appeared in a commercial and dropped a pair of new songs in the second half.

Few were under a brighter spotlight than Swift, though.

Her dash from Tokyo, where she promised fans that “we’re all gonna go on a great adventure,” had Swifties around the world watching online flight trackers, while her boyfriend seemed to get as many questions about his relationship as the game during the run-up to kickoff.

Asked to explain the intense interest, Kelce replied: “I think the values we stand for and just who we are as people — we love to shine light on others, shine light on the people that help and support us, and on top of that, I think we both just love life.”

in one of the private boxes that reportedly cost more than $1 million. Del Rey joined the celeb-packed suite in time to catch Usher’s halftime show.

Swift flew on a private plane across nine time zones and the international date line from the last of four shows at the Tokyo Dome to arrive about two hours before kickoff. The time change allowed her to land in Los Angeles and make the final hop to Las Vegas.

Kelce and Swift won’t have a whole lot of time together to celebrate. She is due back across the Pacific later this week. The international leg of her Eras Tour resumes Friday night in Australia with the first of three shows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“This week is truly the best kind of chaos,” she posted Wednesday on Instagram.

The 14-time Grammy winner walked into the Super Bowl

wearing a black outfit with a red jacket slung over her shoulder, apparently getting the memo from Kelce and many of the Chiefs. He wore a shimmering black suit, quarterback Patrick Mahomes wore a sharp black suit of his own, and even Chiefs coach Andy Reid wore a black blazer as the Chiefs leaned into the role of the villains.

“Anti-Hero” also happens to be the lead single from Swift’s Grammy-winning album, “Midnights.”

“She’s unbelievable. She’s rewriting the history books herself,” Kelce said a day after the Grammys. “I told her I’ll have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home with hardware, too.”

Swift began dating Kelce after he said on his “New Heights” podcast that he had tried and failed to give her a friendship bracelet during her performance at Ar-

installation, or military airport.

“It concerns me particularly when they’re buying, not just buying farmland, but buying farmland next to military installations, next to key national security points of interest. I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” said Hudson. And, and I think it is a national security problem for us.

I think in many cases when national security’s threatened we ought to take the land back.”

Another agricultural issue Hudson and those attending discussed was the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program and Proposition 12 in California, which imposes regulations on the raising of livestock.

“To me it’s an interstate commerce issue where you can’t have each state setting up different rules of the road for commerce,” said Hudson. “I’m very opposed to Proposition 12. I believe it’ll snowball, if they succeed there, they’ll expand it to poultry and other livestock. When regula-

tions go beyond what’s necessary and start making it hard for folks to be able to produce it, that’s one you’ve got to push back.”

In closing, Hudson addressed the Farm Bill as one of the main pieces of legislation he thinks could pass in an election year.

The Farm Bill, which is supposed to be enacted every five years, is still operating under the 2018 legislation.

“It’s a bipartisan piece of legislation I think you can get a lot of support from both sides of the aisle. That’s something I’m pushing for. We obviously have to get our spending bills done for the current fiscal year and we’ve got to get the ones done before this summer for next fiscal year.

We’ve got a lot of work in front of us and it’s gonna be very difficult,” Hudson said. “I’m hopeful that there are a number of big things we can get done and don’t have to just extend until next year after the election.”

Grants Initiative. Funds are limited to projects that address job creation and economic investment, agriculture, and workforce preparedness, she said.

County managers in an 11-county Triad zone submitted project recommendations.

Golden LEAF Foundation staff members reviewed applications and made site visits.

For Randolph County, information from Ticklepaugh said that the project will be “providing equipment to support training for farmers and to lease to farmers to use. The center will

provide technical assistance, training, and resources on best practices in agriculture, including crop cultivation, livestock management, and sustainable farming techniques.”

Some counties have Golden LEAF Foundation grants approved for multiple projects, while the Randolph County grant is solely for the agricultural center.

The grant allotment for Randolph County was in the middle among counties in the Triad zone. Alamance, Davie, Guilford and Rockingham coun-

ties have been designated larger funding, while Caswell, Davidson, Forsyth, Surry and Yadkin counties will receive less. Stokes County wasn’t listed for a grant.

Farming remains an essential part of North Carolina’s economy and is a major employment opportunity for many North Carolinians.

“I am glad to see Golden LEAF choosing to invest in improving Randolph County through this grant,” Rep. Robert Reives said. “I know that the Asheboro community has been excited to see this Agricultural

Center to fruition over the past few years, and this investment will ensure that farmers are able to get the most possible benefit out of it once the center opens its doors.”

Reives represents all of Chatham County and parts of Randolph County.

Construction for the agricultural center in Randolph County is in the early stages, with roadways and buildings among the priorities. An opening in January 2025 has been anticipated.

“We’re not quite ready for the equipment,” Sherin said.

Worth Street, which is also included right up to the courthouse, to Academy Street while also extending west on Sunset Avenue to include Hamilton’s Steakhouse.

The second reading will be voted on at the March 7 meeting with an effective date of

March 14.

A rezoning request was considered for 1.84 acres of property located at 1419 and 1425 Old Liberty Road to allow the construction of several single and multi-family residences on the property. While the zoning requires each lot be 75 feet wide,

the proposed site plan has widths of 74.18, 74.53 and 74.13 feet so it’s not much of a variance. The request was approved.

The city’s 2022-23 end-ofyear audit report came back clean, and the council approved the appointment of Pamela Vuncannon to a new five-year term

on the Planning Board and sent a request to the Randolph County Board of Commissioners for the reappointment of Thomas Rush to the Planning Board as a representative from the city’s extraterritorial planning jurisdiction.

The Asheboro City Council will next meet March 7.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) talks during a lunch event at Bestfood Cafeteria with farmers from Chatham County and the surrounding area in Siler City on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 51 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | HOKE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM | SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

HOKE COUNTY THE HOKE COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

HAL NUNN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Shovel ready Hoke County School leaders pose with ceremonial shovels to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Hoke High School. L to R, Board Chair Catherine Blue, board members Ruben Castellon and Angela Southerland, Hoke Schools Superintendent Kenneth Spells and Vice Chair Rosa McAllister-McCrae.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NC Voter ID trial rescheduled for May A federal lawsuit filed years ago challenging North Carolina’s new photo voter identification mandate is set to go to trial in the spring. The U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem announced on Monday that Judge Loretta Biggs will convene the nonjury trial starting May 6.

The 2018 law was implemented for the first time last fall and remains in place for the March 5 primary elections. But a ruling from Biggs is possible in the spring or summer that could threaten its use this coming November in the general election. The voter ID law has been wrapped up in state and federal litigation for years.

Cooper sets 2040 goals for wetlands, forests and new trees NC Gov. Roy Cooper says a series of environmental directives and goals he initiated to protect and restore forests and wetlands in the state will help counter climate change and aid the economy.

Cooper signed an executive order on Monday that sets statewide acreage targets for governments and private land-protection groups by 2040. The governor also wants 1 million new trees planted in urban areas by then.

The order also tells state agencies to use plants and seeds in landscaping projects that are native to the Southeast, with a preference for North Carolina plants.

Rep. Hudson meets with farmers, discusses ag and rural issues

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) talks during a lunch event at Bestfood Cafeteria with farmers from Chatham County and the surrounding area in Siler City on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

SILER CITY — Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined farmers and agricultural interests for a discussion on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Bestfood Cafeteria in Siler City.

In between bites of fried chicken and refills of sweet tea, Hudson talked about the importance of the agriculture industry in North Carolina.

“Our farmers are backbone of our communities and in addition to providing us with the most abundant, cheapest food in the world, the food and fiber we need to survive as a country comes from our farmers,” Hudson told North State Journal. “I’ve always been committed to helping them fight off federal regulation, survive and be successful. The main part of that is building relationships with the farmers.”

Hudson, a Republican, told the group he has represented at least 23 different counties in various it-

erations across his six terms in Congress, and wants to know who he represents on a personal level and understanding the issues they care about.

His newly-redrawn North Carolina 9th Congressional district includes parts of Chatham, Guilford and Cumberland counties, plus the entirety of Alamance, Randolph, Moore and Hoke counties.

Some of those issues are long-running, such as regulations that can change from one presidential administration to the next.

Hudson has been in Congress across three: the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. He has endorsed 45th President Donald Trump to return to the White House this year.

Speaking about one of the issues, the controversial waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations would again change the definition of “navigable waters” and reSee HUDSON, page 2

Tri-Share pilot seeks to improve child care affordability

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In a move aimed at addressing the critical issue of affordable and accessible child care, Hoke has been chosen as one of the eligible counties for North Carolina’s new Tri-Share Child Care pilot program.

The Tri-Share pilot seeks to create public/private partnerships to improve child care affordability by sharing the burden equally between employers, eligible employees, and the state.

Inspired by Michigan, which in 2021 was the first state to launch a Tri-Share program, the pilot was also designed with an eye on employers being able to retain and attract employees as well as being an effort to secure and strengthen childcare busi-

nesses in the state.

To qualify for Tri-Share, families need to be employed with a participating business and have a household income between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty level, roughly $58,000 to $93,000 for a family of four.

Employers interested in joining the program are encouraged to reach out to Partners for Children & Families or their local Smart Start partnership for further information. A list of Smart Start Local Partnerships can be found by visiting: smartstart. org/smart-start-in-your-community/ Tri-Share’s funding was part of the 2023 state budget and included $900,000 in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The funds will be equally divided

among three regional hubs. The budget funding mirrored unpassed bills filed in both chambers for the pilot program.

Partners for Children & Families, Inc., a longstanding charitable organization based in Moore County and serving as its Smart Start agency, will oversee the administration of the Tri-Share program in Moore County and six adjacent counties: Chatham, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, and Scotland.

Amy Cubbage, President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, highlighted why Partners for Children & Families was chosen.

“Partners for Children & Families was selected to lead a TriShare region because of their See CHILDCARE, page 2

To qualify, families need to be employed with a participating business and have a household income between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty level, roughly $58,000 to $93,000 for a family of four.

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CRIME LOG x Octavius Malik Monrow, 18, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on Feb 6, 2024, on charges of communicating threats and two probation violations. Total bond was set at $17,000.

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HUDSON from page 1

quire farmers to for nearly any activity that occurs within a WOTUS requires a permit, which can take years to obtain and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the American Farm Bureau (AFB).

The group says a simple misjudgment by a farmer in determining whether a low spot is or isn’t WOTUS could trigger huge civil fines and even criminal punishment.

In addition, the AFB says that the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have attempted to expand the definition of WOTUS to regulate land features that only occasionally get wet or become wet only in response to precipitation.

Hudson said that he opposes that kind of federal overreach.

“We all want clean air and clean water. Nobody wants it more than the farmer who loves

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their land. In many cases it’s multi-generational. They want to pass it on to their kids,” Hudson told NSJ. Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the EPA to revise parts of the newest rules, although agriculture interests say it still places undue burdens on farmers.

Another issue Hudson addressed regarding farmland came from the issue of Chinese companies buying farmland and land next to U.S. military bases.

The N.C. House of Representatives took action on that issue last year, passing a bill that would prohibit China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries and state-controlled entities from purchasing agricultural land or land within a 15-mile radius of a military base, military installation, or military airport.

“It concerns me particularly when they’re buying, not just

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x Nathan Leon Jackson, 65, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on Feb 12, 2024, on charges of disclosing private images and a probation violation. Total bond was set at $5,000. x Duane Liam Adolphus Williams, 36, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on Feb 12, 2024, on charges of driving with a revoked license and possession of firearm by a felon. He was also served a warrant for failure to appear. Total bond was set at $20,000.

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buying farmland, but buying farmland next to military installations, next to key national security points of interest. I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” said Hudson. And, and I think it is a national security problem for us.

I think in many cases when national security’s threatened we ought to take the land back.”

Another agricultural issue Hudson and those attending discussed was the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program and Proposition 12 in California, which imposes regulations on the raising of livestock.

“To me it’s an interstate commerce issue where you can’t have each state setting up different rules of the road for commerce,” said Hudson. “I’m very opposed to Proposition 12. I believe it’ll snowball, if they succeed there, they’ll expand it to poultry and other livestock. When regulations go beyond what’s necessary

A weekly podcast getting to the facts across the state, around the world and at home HERE in Raeford, Hoke County, NC.

x Christina Danielle Walder, 33, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on Feb 7, 2024, on charges of larceny and possession of stolen goods. She was also served two warrants for failure to appear. Total bond was set at $40,000. x Shon Jonathan Topper, 30, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on Feb 8, 2024, on charges of felony possession of a schedule-I controlled substance. He was also served two warrants for failure to appear. Bond was set at $15,392.00.

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and start making it hard for folks to be able to produce it, that’s one you’ve got to push back.”

In closing, Hudson addressed the Farm Bill as one of the main pieces of legislation he thinks could pass in an election year.

The Farm Bill, which is supposed to be enacted every five years, is still operating under the 2018 legislation.

“It’s a bipartisan piece of legislation I think you can get a lot of support from both sides of the aisle. That’s something I’m pushing for. We obviously have to get our spending bills done for the current fiscal year and we’ve got to get the ones done before this summer for next fiscal year.

We’ve got a lot of work in front of us and it’s gonna be very difficult,” Hudson said. “I’m hopeful that there are a number of big things we can get done and don’t have to just extend until next year after the election.”

CHILDCARE from page 1

strong community ties, particularly regarding workforce relations; leadership within early care and education, and relationships with other Smart Start local partnerships,” Cubbage said.

“We look forward to working even more closely with the employers and child care providers in Moore County, but also with the Smart Start partnerships in each of these adjacent counties,” said Stuart Mills, Executive Director of Partners for Children & Families.

“This is an opportunity for all of us, but particularly for the children of these seven counties.”

The hope is the pilot can set a precedent for proactive measures aimed at addressing childcare affordability and accessibility, serving as a model for other regions across North Carolina. By fostering collaboration between public and private entities, Tri-Share heralds a promising future where quality child care is within reach for all working families.

Hosted by:

Ruben Castellon, Hal Nunn and Chris Holland Available on most Platforms Join Our Facebook Page: The Roundtable Talk Podcast

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: hokecommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

3

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

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

The left and chaos

The Left hates the opposite of chaos: order.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to understand what is happening to America — and to the rest of the West — without understanding the most dynamic ideology of the last hundred years: leftism.

We need to begin with the understanding that leftism (or “progressivism”) and liberalism are not only not the same ideologies, they are in fact opposed to each other on virtually every major issue.

Leftism and liberalism have only two things in common: One is belief in big government, which, given that individual and societal liberty decline as the state grows, is a significant similarity.

The other Left-liberal commonality is antipathy to the Right. This is even more important than commitment to big government because it explains why liberals vote for the Left despite the fact that liberals differ with far more left-wing positions than with conservative positions.

Unlike the Left, most liberals love their country. Unlike the Left, most liberals do not believe that there are more than two sexes/ genders; that prepubescent boys and girls who claim they are members of the other sex should be given hormone blockers; that girls under 21 should be allowed to have their breasts surgically removed; or that men who say they are women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. So, too, liberals do not believe that capitalism is evil, that America is systemically racist, that all whites are racist, that Israel is the villain in the Middle East and Zionism is racist.

So, then, given that those leftist positions are as destructive as they are absurd, how are we to explain leftism?

Early on, I recognized that the Left opposes liberty — the clearest example being that wherever the Left gains power, whether at a university or in society as a whole, it suppresses free speech — and that it destroys everything it touches. But while I (and many others) have always understood that the Left (again, not liberalism) has always, everywhere, been a force for evil, I needed to understand why.

How can people believe that men give birth; that a country to which more than 4 million black people have emigrated and which twice elected a black president is systemically racist; that the freest country in the Middle East, one in which millions of Arabs live as equal citizens, is the villain, while its barbaric enemies are worthy of support?

Here are some answers: Throughout their history, Americans have had three great providers of meaning: family, religion and patriotism. Leftists lack the latter two (indeed, they seek to get rid of them), and increasing numbers of them lack the first. Since human beings cannot live without meaning — it is as great a need as food, and even greater than sex — they seek meaning elsewhere. So they create new meanings through creating secular religions: socialism, communism, feminism, environmentalism, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), “anti-racism,” anti-Zionism, LGBTQIA+ pride, and trans activism, among others.

All these are united by one overarching aim: destroying the institutions of Western civilization (e.g., religion, art, music, the nuclear family, moral norms, schools and universities, free speech, capitalism, even medicine).

Those of us who appreciate Western civilization and wish to preserve it (while, of course, correcting its flaws) cannot understand why anyone would want to destroy it. That is a major reason it is so difficult for non-leftists to understand the Left.

What opened my eyes are the Left’s beliefs that men can become women and women can become men; men give birth; there are more than two genders/sexes; men who say they are women should be placed in women’s prisons, women’s colleges and women’s shelters; men who say they are women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports; and children should be taken to drag queen shows.

All these positions represent... chaos.

The Left’s trans-positions are the most obvious areas of Left-induced chaos, but there are many others. These include the Left’s contempt for the ideal of the nuclear family (i.e., a married mother and father and children); its support for defunding police; its raising the dollar value of stolen goods that qualifies as a felony, which can only incentivize theft; and its support for progressive district attorneys.

Fighting crime represents order; crime represents chaos.

And why does leftism seek chaos? Because the Left hates the opposite of chaos: order.

And order ultimately represents a religious view of life. Order represents divine order. The proof is that no religious people say, “Men give birth.” Not all secular people believe men give birth, there are more than two sexes, men can compete in women’s sports, children should be exposed to drag queen shows, or children should be given hormone blockers if they claim to be a member of the other sex. But only secular people believe those things. Virtually no one who believes in the Bible and the God of the Bible believes them. We believe in a Godcreated social order.

Chaos is the normal state of the world. The second verse of the Bible states that the world was in a chaotic state. God then made order.

Which is why the Left is undoing it.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Why Biden is threatening to veto aid to Israel

No Israeli prime minister would act any differently in Gaza.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN promised to veto any stand-alone aid bill for Israel. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and most House Democrats voted against one. The administration maintains that Israel’s security is so “sacred,” it must be tied to a doomed legislative package containing entirely unrelated issues that deal with border security and Ukrainian aid.

Which, of course, makes absolutely zero sense.

Does anyone believe that the president would veto a stand-alone bill for Ukrainian aid? Or what about a stand-alone bill for “humanitarian” aid to Palestinians? Color me skeptical. Now, a standalone border security bill? That he’d definitely veto. Priorities, you see.

In the years before former President Barack Obama, a vote to help a longtime ally against a proxy terror army that — not incidentally — murdered 30-plus American citizens would have been a no-brainer. Today, a Democrat who takes an unrepentantly pro-Israel position puts himself in a precarious position. Biden is free to play games with Israeli aid because there will be no political repercussions. Most Democrats don’t really care anymore. And those who do are in the pro-Hamas wing — whether openly or functionally.

“Forget No Labels. Biden’s Third-Party Peril is on the Left,” warns Politico. Numerous polls, writes Jonathan Martin, find that young leftists are angry about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Not the mass rape and murder of civilians, mind you, but Israel’s efforts to root out the attackers.

Many of these people are socialist ideologues, many are identitarian dimwits, and others are just antisemites. Some, like members of “the Squad,” are all of the above. Whatever the case, they are always “angry” at Israel. These are the people who were demanding “ceasefires” before Israel had

even begun retaliating for Oct 7.

Still, the situation remains something of a balancing act for Biden. There are still enough Jewish Democrats and independents who feel a historic kinship with Israel. Enough that the president doesn’t attack Israel unequivocally.

Like Obama before him, Biden uses Benjamin Netanyahu as a strawman, framing the prime minister as some kind of warmongering fascist.

Here’s a little-known reality: Right or Left, Netanyahu or someone else, no Israeli prime minister would act any differently in Gaza. Israeli voters rightly demand it. Just as it would have been impossible to lead the United States after 9/11 on a plank that gave al-Qaeda a pass, it would be impossible to hold power in Israel and allow Hamas to continue to operate next door.

In any event, Biden acts like a statesman in public but simultaneously leaks angry quotes about Netanyahu to placate the growing antiIsrael Left. Recently, for example, we learned that Biden supposedly called Israel’s prime minister a “bad f—-ing guy.” (Notice that Democrats have tougher words for Israelis than they ever do for mullahs who murder Americans.)

This leak reminded me of the time in 2014 when Obama’s stenographer Jeffrey Goldberg “reported” that White House officials referred to Netanyahu as “chickens--t.” Now I don’t mean to demean people like Ben Rhodes, who survived a creative writing MFA program at New York University, but Netanyahu did serve in the Israel Defense Forces, saw combat and led a special force unit that specialized in freeing hijacked planes. Netanyahu was shot in one of these operations. So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s less of a coward than anonymous White House officials. Certainly, he is a better “guy” than the gaggle of Rob Malley types the president

surrounds himself with.

A few weeks ago, good guy Biden was accusing Israel of engaging in “indiscriminate bombing,” which he knows is a lie. “Like everyone in the administration and any Democrat with a pulse,” Politico explains, Biden is “deeply suspicious of Benjamin Netanyahu.” The president’s “deepseated fear,” we learn, is that Netanyahu “is eager to drag the U.S. into a wider war in the Middle East.”

This is the favorite blood libel of radical Democrats and far-right influencers. They must be quite excited to hear that the president is no longer “hypnotized” by Israel’s evil, as Rep. Ilhan Omar might say.

That said, the United States has no obligation to assist any nation — not even a longtime ally that shares our objectives and values. I suspect Democrats are probably a couple of presidential cycles away from turning entirely against Israel.

Still, it is peculiar that the same people who are purportedly terrified of being dragged into a Middle East war by Israel have no deep-seated fears about the perils of funding a war against a nuclear power in Europe. On the contrary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who runs a country far more authoritarian (not to mention corrupt) than Netanyahu’s Israel, is treated as the sainted defender of democracy by Washington and the media.

It’s almost as if the arguments being used by Democrats to distance themselves from Israel don’t really make any sense.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

4 SIDELINE REPORT

SPORTS

NFL

Jackson wins second MVP award Las Vegas Lamar Jackson was a nearunanimous choice for his second AP NFL Most Valuable Player award announced last Thursday night. Christian McCaffrey ran away with the AP Offensive Player of the Year award, while Myles Garrett beat out T.J. Watt for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. C.J. Stroud won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide.

Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was AP Comeback Player of the Year.

HOCKEY

Bail extended in case of hockey player’s death Sheffield, England South Yorkshire police say a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson has had his bail extended. Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England in October.

Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the host Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The 29-year-old American died in hospital. Johnson appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020. A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November and then bailed.

MLB

Former Mets GM suspended through World Series New York Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he and other team employees fabricated injuries to create open roster spots. No Mets medical or athletic training personnel were mentioned in the announcement by Major League Baseball.

Manfred said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purposes of securing multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium. He was 21.

Furman football player dies 2 days after collapsing during workout Defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield was a threeyear letterman with the Paladins

By Josh Dubrow The Associated Press GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium.

Furman President Elizabeth Davis said in a letter to the university community that the 21-year-old Stanfield died while “surrounded by his family and his Furman family.”

Davis said Stanfield had collapsed at a Wednesday morning workout and was taken to a hospital and placed on life support. No other details were released.

“We are heartbroken beyond measure with Bryce’s sudden

passing and ask that everyone, first and foremost, lift up his parents, Fred and Teri Stanfield and their family, in prayer on this day and in the days ahead,” Furman coach Clay Hendrix said in a statement.

Stanfield was conferred his bachelor’s degree in health sciences, magna cum laude, by Davis in a Friday morning ceremony while surrounded by family members, teammates and coaches.

Stanfield came from Acworth, Georgia, and was a three-year letterman for Furman. Davis said Stanfield had aspirations of attending dental school after graduation.

He played all 13 games for Furman last fall and had 13 tackles and 2½ sacks while helping the Paladins go 10-3 and win a Southern Conference championship.

“Bryce was an outstanding young man and an equally fine student, football player, and

friend,” Hendrix said. “He was so much a part of who we are as a program and school, and was pivotal in our success on the football field and through giving of his time in outreach to our community. In every sense, he was the best representative we could have.”

Stanfield was a two-time Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll selection. He served in Furman’s Heler Service Corps Men of Distinction, visited patients at Greenville Children’s Hospital and read to children at local schools.

“Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student,” Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics Jason Donnelly said in a statement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from our entire community. Bryce will be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever.”

“Bryce was a beautiful soul, a loving son, loyal friend, tremendous teammate and great student.”

Jason Donnelly, Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

East Hoke wrestling goes back to back Eagles win second straight conference wrestling title North State Journal THE KANSAS CITY Chiefs weren’t the only team celebrating back-to-back titles. The East Hoke Middle School Eagles also defended their crown this month.

East Hoke won the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference wrestling championship, which was held at Richmond Senior High School on Feb. 3. It was the second straight year that the Eagles have taken the wrestling crown, the first time the school’s grapplers have taken back-to-back championships.

State champion in track Hoke sophomore William Leak earned a state title in long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 10.0 inches. He also finished fourth in the triple jump.

Girls’ basketball earns split The Hoke County girls’ basketball team split a pair of home conference games last week, beating Southern Lee, 57-18, then falling to Union Pines, 4436.

Ashanti Little led the way in the senior night loss, with 10 points, after scoring 9 in the win over Southern Lee. The Lady Bucks will end the regular season Tuesday night vs Pinecrest. Their record is 4-17 overall and 2-9 in conference play. The Lady Bucks are in sixth place in the Southeast-

ern Conference.

Boys’ basketball also splits It took overtime for Hoke County to come out on top with a 54-49 senior night win over Union Pines. Jaylen Sturdivant led the way for the Bucks with 15 points. Braydon McCoy poured in 14 points with four 3-pointers and a bucket late.

Hoke will travel to Pinecrest Tuesday Night to wrap up the regular season. The boys are 14-8 overall and 6-5 in conference play in third place in the Southeastern Conference.

Earlier in the week, Hoke fell at home to Southern Lee, 6153. Sturdivant has 12 points in the loss, while sophomore Darius Breeden hit all three of his three-point attempts on his way to a game-high 15 points.

5

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Braydon McCoy

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Hoke County, boys’ basketball

COURTESY PHOTO

The East Hoke Middle School Eagles pose for a team photo after winning the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference wrestling title.

Braydon McCoy is a senior for the Hoke County boys’ basketball team.

In the final two home games of his high school career, McCoy went out with a bang.

In a game against Southern Lee, he hit both three-pointers he attempted for 6 points.

In an overtime senior night win over Union Pines, he knocked down another four shots from three-point range, adding a late basket to help clinch the victory, as he finished with 14 points.

Ohtani tries to blend in with Dodgers The 29-year-old signed a $700 million contract as a free agent this offseason The Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani walked through his new spring training clubhouse wearing a simple white T-shirt with the word “BOSS” across the front in big, dark capital letters.

The two-time Most Valuable Player might not be in charge of these Los Angeles Dodgers, but there’s little doubt who commands the most attention.

The 29-year-old Ohtani gave his first interview at Camelback Ranch as a member of the Dodgers on a chilly Friday morning, surrounded by more than 50 reporters who asked questions of baseball’s first and

only $700 million man.

It’s these kinds of scenes that make it hard for Ohtani to be just one of the guys.

But he’s trying.

“I’m on a brand new team, so I’m going to act like a rookie,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Try to get along with all the guys and teammates.”

The Dodgers had their first official workout of spring training on Friday, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Several hitters were also taking batting practice, though stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman haven’t yet arrived at camp. The Dodgers are the first of the 30 teams to start spring training ahead of their opener against San Diego on March 20 at Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani’s two-way superstardom is on hold for the 2024 sea-

CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTO

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, right, listens to a question as he speaks to media Friday on the first day of spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix. son while he recovers from elbow surgery that will keep him off the mound. But he’ll still be able to hit — and he does that quite well. The three-time AllStar hit .304 with 44 hom-

ers last season despite missing most of the final month of the season.

Now that he doesn’t have to worry about pitching, those numbers could take another

jump.

“I feel like there’s not just one level, but several levels ahead offensive-wise,” Ohtani said. “It just depends on what kind of lineup I’m in.”

All signs point to the Dodgers having a stellar offensive lineup.

Los Angeles could start a lineup that includes fellow All-Stars like Betts, Freeman, Max Muncy and Will Smith. Ohtani said he’s ready to contribute.

“My swing — effort level-wise — is almost 100%,” Ohtani said. “My next step is facing live arms, some velocity.”

Manager Dave Roberts said he’s talked to Ohtani a few times already in Arizona, but is trying to give him space as he adapts to new surroundings.

“Everything he does is intentional, which is pretty amazing, but not surprising,” Roberts said. “I think right now, you see a lot of teammates trying to watch how he operates, learn what makes him tick, but it takes time.

“But I’ve still got to pinch myself to see him in a Dodger uniform.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

6

US cattle herd hit generational low as beef prices continue to rise All Cattle and Calves Inventory

North State Journal RALEIGH — The U.S. cattle supply is at its lowest level since 1951. That low supply will likely drive beef prices to record highs.

The supply shortage is being driven by many factors, including droughts, inflation and a burgeoning wave of regulation and activism directed at curbing beef consumption and production.

Amidst this backdrop, the future of beef within diets and its role in the agricultural sector is being highlighted by farmers, consumer groups and policymakers.

A December memo released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends reducing the amount of beef in diets, increasing non-meat alternatives, and suggests “rebalancing” meat production and consumption. The recommendations from the U.N. are tied to the organization’s climate change agenda.

The FAO memo, advocating for a paradigm shift in livestock management to better align with both nutritional needs and environmental sustainability, outlines a strategy to “Change the livestock population to match not only nutritional needs but also environmental opportunities and constraints.”

According to the FAO, “the livestock sector is composed of a large variety of animals associated with a wide range of GHG (greenhouse gas) footprints and nutritional potential. Under current practices, shifting from large ruminant to small ruminant animals for meat products, and from ruminant to monogastric animals, in particular chicken, will reduce the GHG impacts of animal-food based products.” Ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, have a unique digestive system that allows them to ferment plant-based food in a specialized stomach prior to digestion, a process that produces methane, a greenhouse gas.

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE), called the U.N. recom-

United States: January 1 (in millions)

100

99.7M 95

90 2024

87.2M 1998

2003

2008

2013

2018

2023 USDA

U.S. Cattle inventory

NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A Carolina style burger from Chatham County. mendations “nothing short of a disaster for your health and food security worldwide,” in a December 11, 2023, press release an-

nouncing a proposed resolution supporting the U.S. cattle industry. Flood’s resolution expresses the concerns of many within the

agricultural community about the potential repercussions of such policies on local economies and food security.

“Meat is one of the most efficient ways to deliver protein, and here in the Beef State, cattle are a critical part of the Golden Triangle that’s supplying clean ethanol fuel around the world,” said Flood. “The resolution I’m introducing today makes it clear that the United States opposes any attempt to reduce or eliminate meat production. Doing so would shatter the world’s food security and end an age-old way of life for millions of farm and ranch families across the globe.”

Despite higher prices, domestic consumer demand for beef remains strong, but is expected to fall in 2024. According to Kansas State University’s Meat Demand

Monitor, consumer willingness to pay increased for all retail products other than plant-based patties.

Beef sold for an average of five dollars per pound last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Farm Bureau says declining production may lead to record beef prices as consumer demand stays relatively strong but supply withers.

Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA), a co-sponsor of Flood’s resolution, criticized the underpinnings of the FAO’s motivations, implying a potential conflict of interest shaped by China’s influence.

“It’s laughable that a U.N. agency spearheaded by a top CCP official is calling on Americans to eat less meat in the name of climate change when China is the world’s worst polluter,” said Hinson, referencing Qu Dongyu, Deputy-General of FAO, who is from China.

“This is a thinly veiled attempt by China to undermine U.S. agriculture as well as the Iowa farmers who produce high quality meat.

The impact of the CCP infiltrating the U.N. is clear: they can strongly call for Americans to stop eating meat, but can’t strongly condemn Hamas for their human rights atrocities in Israel. I’m proud to lead the charge to condemn this nonsense from the U.N. alongside Representative Flood, stand up for U.S. agriculture, and set the record straight.”

In the context of these global discussions and political responses, the internal challenges faced by the U.S. cattle industry, especially concerning cattle supply and replacement inventories, remain pressing. Replacement inventories are essential for introducing new genetics and ensuring the long-term productivity of the herd. Despite a slight projected increase in overall cattle supply in North Carolina, the industry is bracing for significant declines in both beef cow and milk cow replacements, indicative of broader trends affecting the national cattle population.

North Carolina’s top counties for cattle, by head, are Iredell (42,500), Randolph (39,500) and Chatham (31,000). Wilkes, Surry, Cleveland, Sampson, Rowan, Duplin and Union counties are also in the top ten for cattle.

Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California and Oklahoma are the leading cattle-producing states in the U.S.

‘Drastic’ homeowners’ insurance rate hike denied

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Rate Bureau’s proposed statewide rate hike of 42.2% for homeowners insurance was rejected by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Feb. 6.

“I haven’t seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase on North Carolina consumers,” Causey said in a statement. “The Department of Insurance has received more than 24,000 emailed comments on this proposal, with hundreds more policyholders commenting by mail. Consumers deserve a more thorough review of this proposal. I intend to make sure they get that review.”

This is the second time a large

price hike has been submitted by the N.C. Rate Bureau (NCRB. The organization sought a 24.5% increase in Nov. 2021 but settled for 7.9% after negotiations with Causey.

Had it been approved, the new rate would have gone into effect on Aug. 1. The NCRB is a “non-profit, unincorporated rating bureau” that was created by the General Assembly in 1977.

The NCRB will make its case at a hearing on Oct. 7, while Causey’s N.C. Department of Insurance (NCDOI) will present its objections. A final decision must be made within 45 days.

In the notice for the hearing, NCDOI cites a deficiency in data presented by the NCRB and “contends that, if the Bureau’s filing

39.9% The proposed increase in homeowners’ insurance rates in Hoke County.

were accepted as is, it would unlawfully prejudice and burden the consumers of the state.”

As previously reported by North State Journal, the rate table provided by Causey’s office showed increases across the state ranging from a low of 4.3% in Haywood, Madison, Swain,

and Transylvania Counties to a whopping 99.4% increase in the beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. The average increase across the 29 areas would be 39.1%, with the highest and lowest rates removed, the average increase drops to 33.9%, per the table.

In January, most of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Greg Murphy (NC03), sent a letter to Causey urging him to reject the proposal, citing rising home prices, inflation, and the hike adding to consumer financial burdens.

Republicans Chuck Edwards, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, and David Rouzer, and Democrats Don Davis, Valerie Foushee,

Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel cosigned the letter.

“I’m very glad to see NC Insurance Commissioner Causey has rejected the Rate Bureau’s proposed homeowners’ insurance hike,” said Murphy in a post on X. “Thank you to the bipartisan coalition that joined the letter I led in urging this bold action to protect homeowners across the state.”

“I’m glad to see that Commissioner Causey listened to me and my fellow colleagues’ calls to reject plans to raise homeowner insurance rates for North Carolinians,” Rep. Hudson (NC-09) said in a press release following Causey’s rejection of the hike. “This is a big win for hardworking families in the Sandhills and across our state.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

obituaries

Lonnie Stubbs Brock, Jr.

January 30, 1935 - January 30, 2024 Lonnie S. Brock, Jr. (L.S.), 89, passed away on January 30, 2024. He is predeceased by his wife, Janice Catoe Brock (d.

1986) and companion, Glenda Clippard Lester (d. 2019).

L.S. was born on January 30, 1935, in Raeford, NC, to Lonnie and Grissella Brock.

He grew up in Raeford and after graduating from high school attended NC State University and earned a B.S. in Textile Engineering. Shortly after college he enlisted in the US Navy where he served for approximately three years.

L.S. is survived by his son, Lonnie S. Brock, III (Cynthia) of Tampa, FL, daughters, Carolyn Leigh Dempsey (Mike) of Southport, NC, and Deborah Lynn Brock of Creedmoor, NC; sisters, Mary Averette of Raeford, NC, Jean Alford (Murray) of Holden Beach, NC, and Edith Averette of Raeford, NC; grandchildren Stephen Brock (Brittany) of Odessa, FL, David Brock (Elizabeth) of Winter Springs, FL, Ryan Dempsey of Raleigh, NC, James Brock of Tampa, FL, and Matthew Dempsey of Charlotte, NC; great grandchildren Cameron and Andi Brock of Odessa, FL, and Josiah and Lincoln Brock of Winter Springs, FL.

Barbara Jean (McDougald) Short

November 1, 1947 - February 5, 2024 Barbara McDougald Short of Supply, NC formerly of Red Springs, NC passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024 at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center, Bolivia, NC at the age of 76. Mrs. Short was born in Robeson County on November 1, 1947 to the late Daniel Archie McDougald, II and Mearl Walters McDougald.

She was preceded in death by a son, Gary Lee Short, Jr., a sister, Carol McDougald Love Pounds and a brother, Daniel A. McDougald, III. She leaves behind a loving husband of 58 years, Gary Lee Short, Sr. of the home; a sister, Brenda Reed and husband David of Supply, and several nephews.

Bergouhi Knarian McNutt

June 14, 1929 - February 7, 2024 Bergouhi Knarian McNutt passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 07, 2024, at the age of 94.

She was born in Chicago Illinois on June 14, 1929, to the late Parsek and Zvart Knarian.

When she was thirteen, her family moved to a farm in Bloomingdale, Michigan. She lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan until she was 80 before moving to Kentucky to live with her daughter, Colleen. In 2023, she moved with Colleen to North Carolina.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Vahakn Knarian, Vahram Knarian, and Vahee Knarian; her beloved dog Toby; and cat Sicia.

Bergouhi loved her children and family.

She is survived by her children Jerry McNutt, Jr. (Susan), Marcia Gillette (Charles), Marie Kimble, and Colleen Baker; sister Margaret Baber; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; four great-greatgrandchildren; and numerous extended relatives.

George Weldon Bishop

Kennith Lee Davis

August 24, 1942 - February 4, 2024 Mr. Kennith Lee Davis, of Raeford, NC passed at home on February 04, 2024, in the presence of his devoted wife. He is survived by his loving wife, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of other close friends and relatives in North Carolina and West Virginia.

December 17, 1939 - February 8, 2024 Mr. George Weldon Bishop, of Dundarrach, NC went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 08, 2024, at the age of 84.

Weldon was born in Spartanburg, SC on December 17, 1939, to the late Willie and Cleo Bishop.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Tommy Bishop; brother, Garvin Bishop; and sisters Audrey Page, and Mary Murray.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jenny; daughter, Kathy Choy (Tim); grandchildren, Jennifer Phillips (Eric Maitland) and Michael Bishop; brother, Randall Bishop; sisters, Nancy Moormann, Laura Stone, and Juline Walters; and two great-grandsons, Eric and Evan Maitland.

Donald M Jones

August 18, 1944 - February 4, 2024 Mr. Donald M. Jones son of the late Herman and Melvina Jones, departed this earthly life on February 4, 2024.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife, Gaby Jones; children: Donald M. Jones Jr., April Francine Jones, Shannon Jones (Elita), Venisia Baker (Stephen), Jovon Moss; sisters: Sondra Faye Griffith, Elizabeth Anne Keith; brother, Herman Jones Jr. grandchildren: Brian Scott Jr., Shyann Baker, Sydney Jones, Sage Jones, Jayden Jones along with a host of other family and friends. Donald will be greatly missed.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@ northstatejournal.com

7

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

8

STATE & NATION Donald Trump wins Nevada’s Republican caucuses after being the only major candidate to participate

By Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper and Gabe Stern The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Former President Donald Trump won Nevada’s Republican presidential caucuses Thursday after he was the only major candidate to compete, winning his third straight state as he tries to secure his party’s nomination.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, his last major rival still in the race, skipped the caucuses even though they are the only contest in Nevada that counts toward the GOP nomination. Haley cited what she considered an unfair process favoring Trump and instead ran in Nevada’s symbolic state-run presidential primary last Tuesday, when she finished behind the “none of these candidates” option.

Trump will win most, if not all, of the state’s 26 delegates. He needs to accrue 1,215 delegates to formally clinch the party’s nomination and could reach that number in March.

From Nevada, the GOP contest pivots to the South Carolina primary in Haley’s home state on Feb. 24. Trump remains popular in the deeply conservative state but Haley, who won two elections as South Carolina’s governor, is hoping her local roots give her an edge. Trump is eyeing a massive delegate haul during the March

MARK J. TERRILL | AP PHOTO

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night rally in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 5 Super Tuesday contests, which would move him closer to becoming the GOP’s presumptive nominee.

Trump, delivering a brief victory speech in Las Vegas, basked in reports of long lines in the Western state and told his supporters he was eager to declare victory in the upcoming South Carolina primary.

“We’re leading everybody,” he said. “Is there any way we can call the election for next Tuesday? That’s all I want.”

Though Trump has been the frontrunner, Nevada’s caucuses were seen as especially skewed in his favor due to the intense grassroots support caucuses require candidates to harness around a state in order to win. Nevada’s

state party gave him a greater edge last year when it barred candidates from running both in the primary and caucuses and also restricted the role of super PACs like the groups that were key to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign before he dropped out.

Caucuses typically require voters to show up for an in-person meeting at a certain day or time,

while elections can offer more flexibility to participate, with polls open for most of the day on Election Day along with absentee or early voting. Nevada Republicans said they wanted certain rules in place like a requirement that participants show a government-issued ID. Trump’s supporters waited in long lines Thursday. At one caucus site at a Reno-area elementary school, a line of nearly 1,000 people stretched around the corner and down the street 20 minutes after the caucuses opened.

Voters in line, some of whom were wearing Trump hats and shirts, said they came out to back the former president in a contest that would give him a third straight win in the Republican presidential race.

“I think it’s about backing Trump up and giving him the support that he needs. And to let people know that we’re supporting him,” said Heather Kirkwood, 47.

Trump still faces unprecedented jeopardy for a major candidate. A federal appeals panel ruled last week that Trump can face trial on charges over his conduct following the 2020 election, rejecting his claims that he is immune from prosecution. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in a case trying to keep Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. The justices sounded broadly skeptical of the effort.

Republicans have a plan to take the Senate.

A hard-right Montana lawmaker could crash the party

By Matthew Brown The Associated Press HELENA, Mont. — Montana Republicans gathered in a hotel ballroom this weekend aiming to unite ahead of the 2024 election and defeat three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Yet before the party even got underway it was crashed by conservative U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, who jumped into the race in defiance of GOP leaders.

Rosendale’s move laid bare deep fissures within the Montana GOP at a time when Republicans can ill afford it. Toppling Tester is a key part of their strategy to take control of the narrowly divided Senate in the November election by targeting vulnerable Democratic seats in Montana, Ohio and West Virginia.

Outside observers and even some Republicans say an intraparty skirmish leading up to Montana’s June primary could undermine those hopes.

Senate Republican leaders — including Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee — are backing a former U.S.

Navy SEAL over Rosendale, who is viewed as too divisive to appeal to the state’s large contingent of independent voters.

Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018.

“I’ve won two elections since then,” Rosendale, 63, told reporters after filing paperwork to formally enter the race. “And the most important thing is that my name I.D. and my trust factor is elevated dramatically. People know who I am.”

A large group of conservative state lawmakers showed up for Rosendale’s filing and boisterously cheered him on, underscoring his grassroots support in the state.

A few hours later and several blocks away, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte took the stage in a Helena hotel ballroom to pump up former SEAL and political newcomer Tim Sheehy as the party’s best chance to beat Tester. Behind the Republican governor was a poster with the state GOP slogan, “We’re better, together!”

As Gianforte’s speech con-

Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018.

cluded a buzz ran through the crowd: Former President Donald Trump had just endorsed Sheehy in a social media post. “He probably heard my speech,” Gianforte quipped as an aide told him of the endorsement.

Rosendale, who Trump backed in 2018 and again in 2020, responded to the setback by reaffirming his fealty to the former president. “I love President Trump,” he said when asked about the endorsement.

Rosendale was among eight conservative lawmakers who ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. He suggested during the event in Helena that

he hopes to do the same to Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who Rosendale derided as part of a “uni-party” of Republican and Democrat leaders controlling legislation in Congress.

Sheehy, 38, founded an aerial firefighting company in Belgrade, Montana. He said in an interview that he decided to enter politics following the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

His lack of political experience is a plus, he said, because it means he hasn’t “been contaminated by years in politics.”

“Americans in Montana specifically are really tired of the same people in Washington going back and forth over and over,” he said.

“I bring a fresh perspective. I’ve been a small business owner, a job creator for over 400 jobs.”

State Rep. George Nikolakakos argued that nominating Rosendale would play into the Democrats’ hands.

“Rosendale had his chance in ‘18 and lost,” said Nikolakakos, a Republican representing a swing district in Great Falls. “I would say that the people who are going to choose Rosendale and the peo-

ple who want Rosendale to be the nominee are the Democrats.”

Tester, 67, is a farmer and former state lawmaker who was first elected to the Senate in 2006 in an upset victory over a three-term Republican incumbent. The moderate lawmaker won his next two contests also by narrow margins, including a 3.5-percentage-point victory over Rosendale.

Montana has politically veered sharply right since Tester first took office, leaving him increasingly vulnerable with each election cycle.

Trump beat Biden by 16 percentage points in Montana four years ago and Tester is now the only Democrat holding statewide office there — an abrupt flip from last decade when Republicans faced a similar situation.

The candidates and outside political groups already have spent more than $18 million on advertising in the Senate campaign’s early months. That will quickly ramp up between now and the November election with an additional $95 million in advertising reserved, according to AdImpact, a firm that tracks political advertising.

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THE FORSYTH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

COURTESY PHOTO

An FNB branch in Pittsburgh, PA, where its corporate headquarters are located. FNB merged with Yadkin Bank in North Carolina in 2017.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NC Voter ID trial rescheduled for May A federal lawsuit filed years ago challenging North Carolina’s new photo voter identification mandate is set to go to trial in the spring.

The U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem announced on Monday that Judge Loretta Biggs will convene the nonjury trial starting May 6.

The 2018 law was implemented for the first time last fall and remains in place for the March 5 primary elections. But a ruling from Biggs is possible in the spring or summer that could threaten its use this coming November in the general election. The voter ID law has been wrapped up in state and federal litigation for years.

Cooper sets 2040 goals for wetlands, forests and new trees NC Gov. Roy Cooper says a series of environmental directives and goals he initiated to protect and restore forests and wetlands in the state will help counter climate change and aid the economy.

Cooper signed an executive order on Monday that sets statewide acreage targets for governments and private landprotection groups by 2040.

The governor also wants 1 million new trees planted in urban areas by then.

The order also tells state agencies to use plants and seeds in landscaping projects that are native to the Southeast, with a preference for North Carolina plants.

PHOTO COURTESY FWS

The Pine Barrens tree frog is the state frog of NC.

FNB resolves redlining allegations with $13.5M settlement Winston-Salem councilors surprised by the agreement

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald WINSTON-SALEM – Minority residents in Winston-Salem may find it easier to get a mortgage soon, thanks to a legal settlement with First National Bank (FNB) over allegations of illegal conduct at Yadkin Bank, which FNB acquired in 2017.

The settlement was a major topic of discussion at the Feb. 5 Winston-Salem City Council meeting.

The agreement between the US DoJ, NC Attorney General Josh Stein, and First Nation-

al Bank resolves accusations of “racially discriminatory redlining” against Black and Latino citizens when providing home mortgage loans in the Charlotte and Winston-Salem areas.

The complaint alleged that the bank’s mortgage lending was focused disproportionately on white areas of Charlotte and Winston-Salem, according to a press release announcing the settlement, claiming that “other lenders generated applications in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods at twoand-a-half times the rate of FNB in Charlotte and four times the rate of FNB in Winston-Salem.”

In addition, “FNB’s branches in both cities were also overwhelmingly located in predominantly white neighborhoods,

with the bank closing its sole branch in a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood in Winston-Salem in 2021.”

The $13.5 million settlement will put $11.75 million towards easing the process of getting home mortgage loans for communities of color by originating loans, assisting in down payments and closing costs and helping pay mortgage insurance premiums; $750,000 towards advertising its services to communities of color, providing consumer financial education and a review of its fair lending and community credit needs; and $1 million on community partnerships to provide credit and financial services in the area, according to the NC Justice Department’s website.

Addresses accusations of “racially discriminatory redlining” against Black and Latino citizens when providing home mortgage loans.

In addition, FNB will open two new branches, one in Charlotte and one in Winston-Salem, that employ staff focused on lending to communities of color.

“When banks discriminate, it means hardworking people can’t buy a house, start a business, or invest in their futures,” said AtSee SETTLEMENT, page 2

‘Drastic’ homeowners’ insurance rate hike denied

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Rate Bureau’s proposed statewide rate hike of 42.2% for homeowners insurance was rejected by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Feb. 6.

“I haven’t seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase on North Carolina consumers,” Causey said in a statement. “The Department of Insurance has received more than 24,000 emailed comments on this proposal, with hundreds more policyholders commenting by mail. Consumers deserve a more thorough review of this proposal. I intend to make sure they get that review.”

This is the second time a large price hike has been submitted by the N.C. Rate Bureau (NCRB. The organization sought a 24.5% increase in Nov. 2021 but settled for 7.9% after negotiations with Causey.

Had it been approved, the

new rate would have gone into effect on Aug. 1. The NCRB is a “non-profit, unincorporated rating bureau” that was created by the General Assembly in 1977.

The NCRB will make its case at a hearing on Oct. 7, while Causey’s N.C. Department of Insurance (NCDOI) will present its objections. A final decision must be made within 45 days.

In the notice for the hearing, NCDOI cites a deficiency in data presented by the NCRB and “contends that, if the Bureau’s filing were accepted as is, it would unlawfully prejudice and burden the consumers of the state.”

As previously reported by North State Journal, the rate table provided by Causey’s office showed increases across the state ranging from a low of 4.3% in Haywood, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania Counties to a whopping 99.4% increase in the beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. The average increase across the 29 areas would

36.6% The proposed increase in homeowners’ insurance rates in Forsyth County. be 39.1%, with the highest and lowest rates removed, the average increase drops to 33.9%, per the table.

In January, most of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03), sent a letter to Causey urging him to reject the proposal, citing rising home prices, inflation, and the hike adding to consumer financial burdens.

Republicans Chuck Edwards, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, and David Rouzer, and Democrats Don Davis, Valerie Foushee, Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel co-signed the letter.

“I’m very glad to see NC Insur-

ance Commissioner Causey has rejected the Rate Bureau’s proposed homeowners’ insurance hike,” said Murphy in a post on X. “Thank you to the bipartisan coalition that joined the letter I led in urging this bold action to protect homeowners across the state.”

“I’m glad to see that Commissioner Causey listened to me and my fellow colleagues’ calls to reject plans to raise homeowner insurance rates for North Carolinians,” Rep. Hudson (NC-09) said in a press release following Causey’s rejection of the hike.

“This is a big win for hardworking families in the Sandhills and across our state.”

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COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

A false and unfair confusion

Twin City Herald Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Ryan Henkel, Reporter Jesse Deal, Reporter P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

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FRIDAY

The special counsel in Biden’s case took it upon himself to refer to Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

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ONE OF THEM CONFUSED Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi -- both are, after all, women, whose first initial begins with an “N.” One of them confused the president of Mexico with the president of Egypt, while the other confused the leaders of Hungary and Turkey. What does it prove?

Basically, nothing. Certainly nothing about who should be the next president of the United States, although today’s headlines might suggest otherwise. Both candidates are, chronologically speaking, old — 77 and 81, respectively. In this respect, if none other, they have more in common than they do that differentiates them. To quote Haley, and certainly not Pelosi, “The first party to retire its 80-year-old candidate is going to be the one who wins this election.” And if neither party does, as seems more than likely, we should settle for the one whose memory doesn’t lead to a 91-count indictment, as Trump’s does.

This week, the Republicans are making hay out of the fact that the special counsel investigating Biden’s handling of classified documents chose not to indict him for criminal wrongdoing, unlike the collection of special counsels investigating Trump has done. That is a difference that should very much matter, although the tone of the stories suggests a false and unfair equivalence between a faulty memory and probable cause to believe in criminal wrongdoing. And that’s not only from journalists recounting the flubs but also from members of the Democratic chattering class.

The special counsel in Biden’s case, for reasons having very little to do with Biden’s guilt or innocence, took it upon himself to refer to Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” This was a Trump-appointed lawyer, not a medically-

trained doctor, being fact-checked by the news accounts according to the president’s performance at a hastily called news conference. What is this supposed to prove?

According to whom?

What about the jobs numbers? What about the cooling of inflation or the avoidance of a recession? Shouldn’t the performance of the economy have more to do with the election than the performance arc of the president in a news conference? Is this what we are going to keep track of between now and November — who looks better, who seems younger or who does better in keeping their presidents straight?

And then there are the various conspiracy theories generating more controversy than the candidates themselves. Has Taylor Swift eclipsed both Trump and Biden? Has the silly season taken over attention from the Supreme Court? Coverage of the election seems to be lurching from the ridiculous to the absurd.

If it didn’t matter so much, it might be funny. As it is, it is terrifying. Donald Trump literally makes jokes about ruling as a dictator, at least in his first days in office, which is as inappropriate as a special counsel branding the president as an old man with a bad memory. Biden is supposedly reminded of when his son died, as if he could not remember, which is just not so.

“Damning and defining” is how Trump strategist Chris LaCivita characterized the special counsel’s description of Biden to The New York Times, a description that Democrat James Carville echoed as “confirming an existing suspicion.” The two are not the same, nor should they be fairly compared, unless age is blindly equated with incompetence, as the Republicans are blindly seeking to do.

Twin City Herald

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Streamlining of NC teacher license discipline in the works

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

RALEIGH — Changes for rules related to professional conduct of educators are on the horizon following the January meeting of the State Board of Education.

An overview of policy updates and proposed temporary rules dealing with education employee misconduct and licensure were presented to the board by Assistant General Counsel Ryan Collins.

“The State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction are committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of students in North Carolina public schools,” Collins said in an emailed statement to North State Journal. “While the vast majority of professional educators are excellent teachers and role models committed to the success of our students, the recent changes to criminal laws enacted by the General Assembly are intended to deter those

SETTLEMENT from page 1 torney General Josh Stein in a press release. “I want every person who calls North Carolina home to have a fair shot, and I’m pleased that this settlement will create better borrowing opportunities for all North Carolinians.”

As of the Feb. 5 meeting, however, Winston-Salem officials didn’t have details of exactly how the city would be impacted.

few bad actors who might otherwise seek to take advantage of the students in their care and to ensure administrators in the public school system promptly notify the SBE and DPI of allegations of misconduct.”

“The proposed changes to the SBE administrative rules will give the SBE and the Superintendent of Public Instruction the necessary tools to quickly and effectively respond to a broad array of alleged misconduct by teachers and administrators, and to ensure that our schools are served by passionate, effective, and trustworthy educators,” said Collins.

The board was updated on the increased criminal penalties in SL-2023-128 related to taking indecent liberties with a student or sexual activity with a student as well as an increased penalty on school personnel failing to report certain misconduct by educators to the board and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

The new legislation allows

the board the authority to adopt temporary rules regarding disciplinary action against teacher licenses and to amend the Standards of Professional Conduct.

Additionally, it was restated to the board that all public school units and not just districts as a whole are required to report specific misconduct to the board within 5 days and report all other types tied to disciplinary action within 30 days.

The General Counsel noted that the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC) had already favorably reviewed the recommended proposed rules last December.

Other proposed changes to license discipline policies include: Replacing the existing rules related to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a professional educator license with new policies and rules that would allow greater flexibility in acting on a license in question. Changes will include making sure a licensee knows they might face dis-

ciplinary action involving their license if they violate the Standards of Professional Conduct.

The board would be able to deny a license application or impose disciplinary sanctions “instead of just suspending or revoking a license,” as well as being able to “summarily suspend” a license when necessary.

Better definition of “solicitation” or “encouragement” of a romantic, physical, or sexual relationship with a student.

Clarification that educators can’t take gifts as a “quid pro quo.”

Reinforces the board’s obligation to report certain disciplinary sanctions and voluntary surrender of a license to the teacher license clearinghouse, NASDTEC. New rules would codify giving an educator notice of a revocation with 10 days to challenge it and set up a process for license reinstatement requests or reconsideration of a license application denial. A reinstatement or reconsideration request would have a minimum 12 month waiting period.

The proposed temporary rule changes are undergoing a public comment period through Feb. 9. Adoption of the rules would happen at the board’s meeting on March 7 and go into effect by April 8.

“Some of us got calls from the press this afternoon about the $13.5 million that the Justice Department and Attorney General Stein and Federal District Judge Harrison has gotten to be divided between Charlotte and Winston-Salem,” said Mayor Pro Tem Denise Adams during the meeting. “I didn’t know anything about it and I asked the council, the mayor and they didn’t know anything about it.

When we did the opioid settlement, we were pretty well edu-

cated and versed. They asked me who from the city was working with the Justice Department and I told them I didn’t know.”

Adams directed City Manager William Pate, who said he hadn’t heard from the state either, to learn more about the settlement.

In other business, the council recognized the city’s 2023 retirees, honoring them with the passing of a resolution. In total, 60 employees were recognized for a collective total of 1,315

years of service to the city.

“We thank the retirees who are with us tonight and those who are watching and those who will watch this on tape at some point,” said Mayor Allen Joines. “We greatly appreciate the work that you have done for the citizens of Winston-Salem.

Over a thousand years of service to our citizens. So we thank you for your service and may you have an enjoyable retirement.”

The Winston-Salem City Council will next meet Feb. 19.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

SIDELINE REPORT

3

SPORTS

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the better part of th ing to earn acceptan stitutions,” Ural said don’t know what we’r now.”

The outbreak has for millions of stud taking virtual tou while also dealing about tuition payme

NFL

Jackson wins second MVP award Las Vegas Lamar Jackson was a nearunanimous choice for his second AP NFL Most Valuable Player award announced last Thursday night. Christian McCaffrey ran away with the AP Offensive Player of the Year award, while Myles Garrett beat out T.J. Watt for the AP Defensive Player of the Year award. C.J. Stroud won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in a landslide.

Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. won the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The Browns quarterback Joe Flacco was AP Comeback Player of the Year.

HOCKEY

Bail extended in case of hockey player’s death Sheffield, England South Yorkshire police say a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of American ice hockey player Adam Johnson has had his bail extended.

Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England in October. Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers against the host Sheffield Steelers in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The 29-year-old American died in hospital. Johnson appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019 and 2020. A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November and then bailed.

Furman football player dies 2 days after collapsing during workout Defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield was a three-year letterman with the Paladins

Stanfield came from Acworth, Georgia, and was a three-year letterman for Furman. Davis said Stanfield had aspirations of attending dental school after graduation.

He played all 13 games for Furman last fall and had 13 tackles and 2½

By Josh Dubrow sacks while helping the Paladins go The Associated Press 10-3 and win a Southern Conference GREENVILLE, S.C. — Furman de- championship.

“Bryce was an outstandfensive tackle Bryce Staning young man and an equalfield died Friday, two days ly fine student, football playafter collapsing during a er, and friend,” Hendrix said. workout at the school’s foot“Bryce was “He was so much a part of ball stadium. who we are as a program Furman President Eliz- a beautiful and school, and was pivotabeth Davis said in a letter soul, a al in our success on the footto the university communiball field and through giving ty that the 21-year-old Stan- loving son, of his time in outreach to our field died while “surrounded loyal friend, community. In every sense, by his family and his Furman he was the best representafamily.” Davis said Stanfield tremendous tive we could have.” had collapsed at a Wednes- teammate Stanfield was a two-time day morning workout and Southern Conference Acawas taken to a hospital and and great demic Honor Roll selection. placed on life support. No student.”

He served in Furman’s Helother details were released. er Service Corps Men of Dis“We are heartbroken betinction, visited patients at yond measure with Bryce’s Jason Donnelly, Greenville Children’s Hospisudden passing and ask that Furman vice tal and read to children at loeveryone, first and foremost, president cal schools. lift up his parents, Fred and “Bryce was a beautiTeri Stanfield and their fam- for ful soul, a loving son, loyily, in prayer on this day and intercollegiate al friend, tremendous teamin the days ahead,” Furman athletics mate and great student,” coach Clay Hendrix said in a Furman vice president for statement.

Stanfield was conferred his bach- intercollegiate athletics Jason Donnelelor’s degree in health sciences, mag- ly said in a statement. “We are grateful na cum laude, by Davis in a Friday for the outpouring of love and prayers morning ceremony while surrounded from our entire community. Bryce will by family members, teammates and be dearly missed but will be remembered in our hearts forever.” coaches.

MLB

Former Mets GM suspended through World Series New York Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he and other team employees fabricated injuries to create open roster spots. No Mets medical or athletic training personnel were mentioned in the announcement by Major League Baseball.

Manfred said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purposes of securing multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”

OLYMPICS

100-plus protest 2026 Olympics in MilanCortina Milan More than 100 people turned up to protest over the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics despite the inclement weather. Around 150 people gathered in the pouring rain on Saturday outside the construction site for the Olympic Village in Milan. Many held banners and placards against what organizers of the protest called “the most unsustainable Games ever.” One sign was in the shape of the Olympic logo of five rings, with the words “concreting,” “gentrification,” “greenwashing,” “privatization” and “eviction” written in the circles. The march was organized by the Comitato Insostenibili Olimpiadi (Unsustainable Olympics Committee) against the rising costs and environmental damage.

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

Furman defensive tackle Bryce Stanfield died Friday, two days after collapsing during a workout at the school’s football stadium. He was 21.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ethan Frondoza

WEST FORSYTH HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM FACEBOOK PAGE

West Forsyth swimming

Ethan Frondoza is a junior on the West Forsyth swim team.

The Titans boys’ swim team finished in a tie for 30th at the NCHSAA 4A state championships, while the girls’ team finished in a tie for 27th.

Frondoza was the lone West Forsyth boys’ swimmer to make the trip to states and was the top finisher for either team, coming in sixth in the boys’ 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.13 seconds, .09 seconds faster than his prelim time.

He also finished 13th in the boys’ 100-yard backstroke, with a time of 51.59 seconds, a .34 second improvement over his prelim time.

Ohtani tries to blend in with Dodgers The 29-year-old signed a $700 million contract as a free agent this offseason The Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani walked through his new spring training clubhouse wearing a simple white T-shirt with the word “BOSS” across the front in big, dark capital letters.

The two-time Most Valuable Player might not be in charge of these Los Angeles Dodgers, but there’s little doubt who commands the most attention.

The 29-year-old Ohtani gave his first interview at Camelback Ranch as a member of the Dodgers on a chilly Friday morning, surrounded by more than 50 reporters who asked questions of baseball’s first and only $700 million man.

It’s these kinds of scenes that make it hard for Ohtani to be just one of the guys.

But he’s trying.

“I’m on a brand new team, so I’m going to act like a rookie,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Try to get along with all

the guys and teammates.”

The Dodgers had their first official workout of spring training on Friday, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Several hitters were also taking batting practice, though stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman haven’t yet arrived at camp. The Dodgers are the first of the 30 teams to start spring training ahead of their opener against San Diego on March 20 at Seoul, South Korea.

Ohtani’s two-way superstardom is on hold for the 2024 season while he recovers from elbow surgery that will keep him off the mound. But he’ll still be able to hit — and he does that quite well. The three-time AllStar hit .304 with 44 homers last season despite missing most of the final month of the season.

Now that he doesn’t have to worry about pitching, those numbers could take another jump.

“I feel like there’s not just one level, but several levels ahead offensive-wise,” Ohtani said. “It just depends on what kind of lineup I’m in.”

All signs point to the Dodgers

CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTO

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, right, listens to a question as he speaks to media Friday on the first day of spring training baseball workouts in Phoenix. having a stellar offensive lineup.

Los Angeles could start a lineup that includes fellow All-Stars like Betts, Freeman, Max Muncy and Will Smith. Ohtani said he’s ready to contribute.

“My swing — effort level-wise — is almost 100%,” Ohtani said.

“My next step is facing live arms, some velocity.”

Manager Dave Roberts said he’s talked to Ohtani a few times already in Arizona, but is trying

to give him space as he adapts to new surroundings.

“Everything he does is intentional, which is pretty amazing, but not surprising,” Roberts said. “I think right now, you see a lot of teammates trying to watch how he operates, learn what makes him tick, but it takes time.

“But I’ve still got to pinch myself to see him in a Dodger uniform.”

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

4

STATE & NATION Donald Trump wins Nevada’s Republican caucuses after being the only major candidate to participate

By Michelle L. Price, Jonathan J. Cooper and Gabe Stern The Associated Press LAS VEGAS — Former President Donald Trump won Nevada’s Republican presidential caucuses Thursday after he was the only major candidate to compete, winning his third straight state as he tries to secure his party’s nomination.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, his last major rival still in the race, skipped the caucuses even though they are the only contest in Nevada that counts toward the GOP nomination. Haley cited what she considered an unfair process favoring Trump and instead ran in Nevada’s symbolic state-run presidential primary last Tuesday, when she finished behind the “none of these candidates” option.

Trump will win most, if not all, of the state’s 26 delegates. He needs to accrue 1,215 delegates to formally clinch the party’s nomination and could reach that number in March.

From Nevada, the GOP contest pivots to the South Carolina primary in Haley’s home state on Feb. 24. Trump remains popular in the deeply conservative state but Haley, who won two elections as South Carolina’s governor, is hoping her local roots give her an edge. Trump is eyeing a massive delegate haul during the March

MARK J. TERRILL | AP PHOTO

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night rally in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 5 Super Tuesday contests, which would move him closer to becoming the GOP’s presumptive nominee.

Trump, delivering a brief victory speech in Las Vegas, basked in reports of long lines in the Western state and told his supporters he was eager to declare victory in the upcoming South Carolina primary.

“We’re leading everybody,” he said. “Is there any way we can call the election for next Tuesday? That’s all I want.”

Though Trump has been the frontrunner, Nevada’s caucuses were seen as especially skewed in his favor due to the intense grassroots support caucuses require candidates to harness around a state in order to win. Nevada’s

state party gave him a greater edge last year when it barred candidates from running both in the primary and caucuses and also restricted the role of super PACs like the groups that were key to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign before he dropped out.

Caucuses typically require voters to show up for an in-person meeting at a certain day or time,

while elections can offer more flexibility to participate, with polls open for most of the day on Election Day along with absentee or early voting. Nevada Republicans said they wanted certain rules in place like a requirement that participants show a government-issued ID. Trump’s supporters waited in long lines Thursday. At one caucus site at a Reno-area elementary school, a line of nearly 1,000 people stretched around the corner and down the street 20 minutes after the caucuses opened.

Voters in line, some of whom were wearing Trump hats and shirts, said they came out to back the former president in a contest that would give him a third straight win in the Republican presidential race.

“I think it’s about backing Trump up and giving him the support that he needs. And to let people know that we’re supporting him,” said Heather Kirkwood, 47.

Trump still faces unprecedented jeopardy for a major candidate. A federal appeals panel ruled last week that Trump can face trial on charges over his conduct following the 2020 election, rejecting his claims that he is immune from prosecution. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments in a case trying to keep Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot. The justices sounded broadly skeptical of the effort.

Republicans have a plan to take the Senate.

A hard-right Montana lawmaker could crash the party

By Matthew Brown The Associated Press HELENA, Mont. — Montana Republicans gathered in a hotel ballroom this weekend aiming to unite ahead of the 2024 election and defeat three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Yet before the party even got underway it was crashed by conservative U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, who jumped into the race in defiance of GOP leaders.

Rosendale’s move laid bare deep fissures within the Montana GOP at a time when Republicans can ill afford it. Toppling Tester is a key part of their strategy to take control of the narrowly divided Senate in the November election by targeting vulnerable Democratic seats in Montana, Ohio and West Virginia.

Outside observers and even some Republicans say an intraparty skirmish leading up to Montana’s June primary could undermine those hopes.

Senate Republican leaders — including Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee — are backing a former U.S.

Navy SEAL over Rosendale, who is viewed as too divisive to appeal to the state’s large contingent of independent voters.

Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018.

“I’ve won two elections since then,” Rosendale, 63, told reporters after filing paperwork to formally enter the race. “And the most important thing is that my name I.D. and my trust factor is elevated dramatically. People know who I am.”

A large group of conservative state lawmakers showed up for Rosendale’s filing and boisterously cheered him on, underscoring his grassroots support in the state.

A few hours later and several blocks away, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte took the stage in a Helena hotel ballroom to pump up former SEAL and political newcomer Tim Sheehy as the party’s best chance to beat Tester. Behind the Republican governor was a poster with the state GOP slogan, “We’re better, together!”

As Gianforte’s speech con-

Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018.

cluded a buzz ran through the crowd: Former President Donald Trump had just endorsed Sheehy in a social media post. “He probably heard my speech,” Gianforte quipped as an aide told him of the endorsement.

Rosendale, who Trump backed in 2018 and again in 2020, responded to the setback by reaffirming his fealty to the former president. “I love President Trump,” he said when asked about the endorsement.

Rosendale was among eight conservative lawmakers who ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. He suggested during the event in Helena that

he hopes to do the same to Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who Rosendale derided as part of a “uni-party” of Republican and Democrat leaders controlling legislation in Congress.

Sheehy, 38, founded an aerial firefighting company in Belgrade, Montana. He said in an interview that he decided to enter politics following the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

His lack of political experience is a plus, he said, because it means he hasn’t “been contaminated by years in politics.”

“Americans in Montana specifically are really tired of the same people in Washington going back and forth over and over,” he said.

“I bring a fresh perspective. I’ve been a small business owner, a job creator for over 400 jobs.”

State Rep. George Nikolakakos argued that nominating Rosendale would play into the Democrats’ hands.

“Rosendale had his chance in ‘18 and lost,” said Nikolakakos, a Republican representing a swing district in Great Falls. “I would say that the people who are going to choose Rosendale and the peo-

ple who want Rosendale to be the nominee are the Democrats.”

Tester, 67, is a farmer and former state lawmaker who was first elected to the Senate in 2006 in an upset victory over a three-term Republican incumbent. The moderate lawmaker won his next two contests also by narrow margins, including a 3.5-percentage-point victory over Rosendale.

Montana has politically veered sharply right since Tester first took office, leaving him increasingly vulnerable with each election cycle.

Trump beat Biden by 16 percentage points in Montana four years ago and Tester is now the only Democrat holding statewide office there — an abrupt flip from last decade when Republicans faced a similar situation.

The candidates and outside political groups already have spent more than $18 million on advertising in the Senate campaign’s early months. That will quickly ramp up between now and the November election with an additional $95 million in advertising reserved, according to AdImpact, a firm that tracks political advertising.

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 51 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM | SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

MOORE COUNTY THE MOORE COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) talks during a lunch event at Bestfood Cafeteria with farmers from Chatham County and the surrounding area in Siler City on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NC Voter ID trial rescheduled for May A federal lawsuit filed years ago challenging North Carolina’s new photo voter identification mandate is set to go to trial in the spring. The U.S. District Court in WinstonSalem announced on Monday that Judge Loretta Biggs will convene the nonjury trial starting May 6.

The 2018 law was implemented for the first time last fall and remains in place for the March 5 primary elections. But a ruling from Biggs is possible in the spring or summer that could threaten its use this coming November in the general election. The voter ID law has been wrapped up in state and federal litigation for years.

Cooper sets 2040 goals for wetlands, forests and new trees NC Gov. Roy Cooper says a series of environmental directives and goals he initiated to protect and restore forests and wetlands in the state will help counter climate change and aid the economy.

Cooper signed an executive order on Monday that sets statewide acreage targets for governments and private landprotection groups by 2040.

The governor also wants 1 million new trees planted in urban areas by then.

The order also tells state agencies to use plants and seeds in landscaping projects that are native to the Southeast, with a preference for North Carolina plants.

PHOTO COURTESY FWS

The Pine Barrens tree frog is the state frog of North Carolina.

Rep. Hudson meets with farmers, discusses ag and rural issues

By Matt Mercer North State Journal SILER CITY — Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined farmers and agricultural interests for a discussion on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Bestfood Cafeteria in Siler City.

In between bites of fried chicken and refills of sweet tea, Hudson talked about the importance of the agriculture industry in North Carolina.

“Our farmers are backbone of our communities and in addition to providing us with the most abundant, cheapest food in the world, the food and fiber we need to survive as a country comes from our farmers,” Hudson told North State Journal. “I’ve always been committed to helping them fight off federal regulation, survive and be successful. The main part of that is building relationships with the farmers.”

Hudson, a Republican, told the group he has represented at least 23 different counties in various iterations across his six terms in Congress, and wants to know who he represents on a personal level and understanding the is-

sues they care about.

His newly-redrawn North Carolina 9th Congressional district includes parts of Chatham, Guilford and Cumberland counties, plus the entirety of Alamance, Randolph, Moore and Hoke counties.

Some of those issues are long-running, such as regulations that can change from one presidential administration to the next. Hudson has been in Congress across three: the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. He has endorsed 45th President Donald Trump to return to the White House this year.

Speaking about one of the issues, the controversial waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations would again change the definition of “navigable waters” and require farmers to for nearly any activity that occurs within a WOTUS requires a permit, which can take years to obtain and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the American Farm Bureau (AFB).

The group says a simple misjudgment by a farmer in determining whether a low spot is or isn’t WOTUS could trigger huge civil fines

“We all want clean air and clean water. Nobody wants it more than the farmer who loves their land.”

Rep. Richard Hudson and even criminal punishment.

In addition, the AFB says that the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have attempted to expand the definition of WOTUS to regulate land features that only occasionally get wet or become wet only in response to precipitation.

Hudson said that he opposes that kind of federal overreach.

“We all want clean air and clean water. Nobody wants it more than the farmer who loves their land.

In many cases it’s multi-generational. They want to pass it on to their kids,” Hudson told NSJ. Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision ordering the EPA to revise parts of the newest rules, although agriculture interests say it still places undue burdens on

farmers.

Another issue Hudson addressed regarding farmland came from the issue of Chinese companies buying farmland and land next to U.S. military bases.

The N.C. House of Representatives took action on that issue last year, passing a bill that would prohibit China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries and state-controlled entities from purchasing agricultural land or land within a 15-mile radius of a military base, military installation, or military airport.

“It concerns me particularly when they’re buying, not just buying farmland, but buying farmland next to military installations, next to key national security points of interest. I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” said Hudson. And, and I think it is a national security problem for us. I think in many cases when national security’s threatened we ought to take the land back.”

Another agricultural issue Hudson and those attending discussed was the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program and See HUDSON, page 2

Moore County leads Tri-Share Child Care pilot

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In a move aimed at addressing the critical issue of affordable and accessible child care, Moore County has been chosen as one of three counties to spearhead North Carolina’s new Tri-Share Child Care pilot program.

The Tri-Share pilot seeks to create public/private partnerships to improve child care affordability by sharing the burden equally between employers, eligible employees, and the state.

Inspired by Michigan, which in 2021 was the first state to launch a Tri-Share program, the pilot was also designed with an eye on employers being able to retain and attract employees as well as being an effort to secure and strengthen childcare businesses in the state.

To qualify for Tri-Share, families need to be employed with a participating business and have a household income between 185%

and 300% of the federal poverty level, roughly $58,000 to $93,000 for a family of four.

Employers interested in joining the program are encouraged to reach out to Partners for Children & Families or their local Smart Start partnership for further information. A list of Smart Start Local Partnerships can be found by visiting: smartstart. org/smart-start-in-your-community/ Tri-Share’s funding was part of the 2023 state budget and included $900,000 in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium. The funds will be equally divided among three regional hubs. The budget funding mirrored unpassed bills filed in both chambers for the pilot program.

The Moore County Chamber of Commerce and Partners for Children & Families jointly made the announcement.

Partners for Children & Families, Inc., a longstanding charitable organization based in Moore

County and serving as its Smart Start agency, will oversee the administration of the Tri-Share program in Moore County and six adjacent counties: Chatham, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, and Scotland.

Amy Cubbage, President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, highlighted why Partners for Children & Families was chosen.

“Partners for Children & Families was selected to lead a TriShare region because of their strong community ties, particularly regarding workforce relations; leadership within early care and education, and relationships with other Smart Start local partnerships,” Cubbage said.

The endorsement of the TriShare application by various entities including the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, Moore County Government, Northern Moore Family Resource Center, and neighboring Smart Start See CHILDCARE, page 2

To qualify, families need to be employed with a participating business and have a household income between 185% and 300% of the federal poverty level, roughly $58,000 to $93,000 for a family of four.

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2.14.24

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‘Drastic’ homeowners’ insurance rate hike denied

moore

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

RALEIGH — The N.C. Rate Bureau’s proposed statewide rate hike of 42.2% for homeowners insurance was rejected by North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Feb. 6.

“I haven’t seen the evidence to justify such a drastic rate increase on North Carolina consumers,” Causey said in a statement. “The Department of Insurance has received more than 24,000 emailed comments on this proposal, with hundreds more policyholders commenting by mail. Consumers deserve a more thorough review of this proposal. I intend to make sure they get that review.”

This is the second time a large price hike has been submitted by the N.C. Rate Bureau (NCRB. The organization sought a 24.5% increase in Nov. 2021 but settled for 7.9% after negotiations with Causey.

Had it been approved, the new rate would have gone into effect on Aug. 1. The NCRB is a “non-profit, unincorporated rating bureau” that was created by the General Assembly in

beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties. The average increase across the 29 areas would be 39.1%, with the highest and lowest rates removed, the average increase drops to 33.9%, per the table.

In January, most of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation, led by Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03), sent a letter to Causey urging him to reject the proposal, citing rising home prices, inThe proposed increase in flation, and the hike adding to homeowners’ insurance rates in consumer financial burdens.

Republicans Chuck Edwards, Moore County.

Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, and David Rouzer, and Democrats Don Davis, Valerie 1977.

The NCRB will make its case Foushee, Jeff Jackson and Wiat a hearing on Oct. 7, while ley Nickel co-signed the letter.

“I’m very glad to see NC InCausey’s N.C. Department of Insurance (NCDOI) will pres- surance Commissioner Cauent its objections. A final deci- sey has rejected the Rate Busion must be made within 45 reau’s proposed homeowners’ insurance hike,” said Murphy in days.

In the notice for the hear- a post on X. “Thank you to the ing, NCDOI cites a deficiency bipartisan coalition that joined in data presented by the NCRB the letter I led in urging this and “contends that, if the Bu- bold action to protect homereau’s filing were accepted as is, owners across the state.”

“I’m glad to see that Commisit would unlawfully prejudice and burden the consumers of sioner Causey listened to me and my fellow colleagues’ calls to rethe state.”

As previously reported by ject plans to raise homeowner North State Journal, the rate insurance rates for North Cartable provided by Causey’s of- olinians,” Rep. Hudson (NC-09) fice showed increases across the said in a press release following state ranging from a low of 4.3% Causey’s rejection of the hike. in Haywood, Madison, Swain, “This is a big win for hardworkand Transylvania Counties to a ing families in the Sandhills and whopping 99.4% increase in the across our state.”

28.4%

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CHILDCARE from page 1 partnerships underscores the widespread support for this initiative.

Since February 2022, the Moore County Chamber of Commerce has led a dedicated task force focused on addressing childcare challenges, further demonstrating the community’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions.

“The goal of the Child Care Task Force is to provide resources to recruit and train child care workers and to increase the availability and accessibility of child care in Moore County,”

said Linda Parsons, President and CEO of the Moore Chamber of Commerce.

Parsons expressed satisfaction at Moore County’s selection as a regional hub for Tri-Share, recognizing the program’s potential to positively impact local families and businesses alike.

Stuart Mills, Executive Director of Partners for Children and Families, acknowledged the instrumental role played by the Chamber and its task force in securing this opportunity.

“We look forward to working even more closely with the employers and child care providers in Moore County, but also with

the Smart Start partnerships in each of these adjacent counties,” Mills said. “This is an opportunity for all of us, but particularly for the children of these seven counties.”

As Moore County takes the lead in implementing Tri-Share, it sets a precedent for proactive measures aimed at addressing childcare affordability and accessibility, serving as a model for other regions across North Carolina. By fostering collaboration between public and private entities, Tri-Share heralds a promising future where quality child care is within reach for all working families.

tions go beyond what’s necessary and start making it hard for folks to be able to produce it, that’s one you’ve got to push back.”

In closing, Hudson addressed the Farm Bill as one of the main pieces of legislation he thinks could pass in an election year.

The Farm Bill, which is supposed to be enacted every five years, is still operating under the 2018 legislation.

“It’s a bipartisan piece of legislation I think you can get a lot

of support from both sides of the aisle. That’s something I’m pushing for. We obviously have to get our spending bills done for the current fiscal year and we’ve got to get the ones done before this summer for next fiscal year.

We’ve got a lot of work in front of us and it’s gonna be very difficult,” Hudson said. “I’m hopeful that there are a number of big things we can get done and don’t have to just extend until next year after the election.”

CRIME LOG x Freddy Gregoio Gil, 30 years old, was arrested on February 10, 2024, by Aberdeen Police Department on a charge of misdemeanor larceny. x Jean Manuel Urbina Salas, 30 years old, was arrested on February 10, 2024, by Aberdeen Police Department on a charge of misdemeanor larceny. x Samuel Alonzo Williams, 31 years old, was arrested on February 10, 2024, by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of violating a domestic violence protection order. x x Sean Michael Collins, 48 years old, was arrested on February 9, 2024,

by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of possessing schedule II-controlled substance. x William Noble Hanley, 54 years old, was arrested on February 9, 2024,

by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of driving while impaired. x Keith Mitchell Jones, 30 years old, was arrested on February 9, 2024,

by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of probation violation. x Damek Tagan Locklear, 20 years old, was arrested on February 9, 2024, by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of second-degree kidnapping. x Issac Clifton Wilson, 42 years old, was arrested on February 9, 2024,

by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of attempted break or enter building. x William Nmn Dey, 57 years old, was arrested on February 8, 2024, by Robbins Police Department on a charge of second-degree trespass.

HUDSON from page 1 Proposition 12 in California, which imposes regulations on the raising of livestock.

“To me it’s an interstate commerce issue where you can’t have each state setting up different rules of the road for commerce,” said Hudson. “I’m very opposed to Proposition 12. I believe it’ll snowball, if they succeed there, they’ll expand it to poultry and other livestock. When regula-

MOORE CITIZENS FOR FREEDOM

MOORE COUNTY Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

MOORE COUNTY, WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

Republican Endorsed School Board Candidates 2024

happening

Feb. 16 Moore County Library: Pre-School Storytime 10 a.m.

The Moore County Library (101 Saunders St) in Carthage hosts a Pre-School Storytime each Friday. For additional information, call 910-9475335.

Feb. 17 Carolina Horse Park: Pipe Opener II CT 8 am. - 5 p.m.

At Carolina Horse Park (2814 Montrose Road in Raeford). Spectating and parking are free and open to the public. There are typically vendors and food trucks on site.

Bring the family out for a fun day of equestrian competition. For additional information, contact: Sarah Crevar Thomas by email at secretary@ carolinahorsepark.com

Airsoft Open War 9 a.m.

Airsoft Open Wars take place at the National Athletic Village in Southern Pines on the third Saturday of each month. Ages 13+ are welcome, minors need a parent or guardian present to play. The game begins at 9:00 a.m.

Equipment is not provided, bring your own gear. $10 per player.

Feb. 19 Family Farm Day 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come out for Family Farm Day at The Pint Sized Pasture (1525 Fire Tower Road) in Sanford. Enjoy visiting with the many farm animals, children’s/family activities, jump inflatables, tower mountain, hayrides, expanded corn pit, music wall, yard games and much more. There will be food trucks on site for the fun as well. Admission is $7 and ages two and under can enjoy for free.

Feb. 20 Pinebluff Library: Pre-School Storytime 4 p.m.

Join at the Pinebluff Library (305 East Baltimore Avenue) for a Pre-School Storytime. This event is free and takes place every Tuesday at 4:00pm.

MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

District I

District IV

Oscar Romine

Kellie Davis

MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

District II

District V

Robert M. Levy

Don Zawlocki

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

3

SPORTS Pinecrest, Union Pines compete at states in swimming, track Christian ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Mixed results for county’s basketball squads North State Journal Girls’ basketball

The Pinecrest girls’ basketball team lost both games last week, falling, 61-46, at Lee County and 57-53 against Scotland. Ava Depenbrock led the way with 14 points and 17 rebounds against Scotland. Zanodiya McNair had 22 points against Lee and 10 against Scotland. The Patriots are 6-14, 4-6 in the Sandhills, good for fifth place with two games left.

Union Pines went 1-1 last week, losing at Richmond, 72-37, and winning at Hoke County, 44-36. Junior Taryn Pekala had a 19-point game at Hoke. The Vikings are now 11-10 and in third in the Sandhills at 5-5.

North Moore split two games last week, losing 59-8 at Seaforth and winning at Graham, 55-53. Junior Zekierra Young had 28 points against Graham. The Mustangs are now 8-13, 3-11 and in eighth place in the Mid-Carolina conference.

Boys basketball The Pinecrest boys ran their winning streak to three games with a 7952 win at Lee County and a 72-60 victory over Scotland. Elijay Melton had 15 and 13 points in the two wins. The Patriots are 11-8, 5-5 and in fourth place in the Sandhills.

North Moore lost a pair of games last week, 83-61 at Seaforth and 6259 at Graham. Colby Pennington had

19 points and 11 rebounds against Seaforth. North Moore is now 6-14, 2-12 in the Mid-Carolina, good for eighth place.

Union Pines lost both games last week, falling 102-64 at Richmond and 54-49 in overtime at Hoke County.

Trent Hilburn had 20 points at Hoke, while Kingsley Donaldson scored 15 at Richmond. Union Pines is now 1011 and sixth in the Sandhills at 2-8.

Swimming Union Pines’ girls’ swim team finished tied for 29th at the 3A state meet. Ava Milkowich earned points with a ninth-place finish in the 100 butterfly. Claire Weld matched the ninth-place finish in her race, the 100 breast. Zaina Threet and Emma Post joined Milkowich and Weld in the 200 medley relay, and the boys were represented by Cullen Cox, who competed in the 100 breast.

Pinecrest competed in the 4A meet, with Grant Larsen competing in the 50 and 100 free.

Indoor track

Pinecrest finished 50th in the boys’ indoor 4A state meet. The 4x800 team of Jacob Dorsch, Brent Mangum, Gavin Rush and Isaac Carter finished in eighth place to earn points.

Wendell Wells also tied for eighth in the high jump. Mangum (500 M), Nathan Holler (pole vault), Tyvrain Praylo (triple jump) and the 4x200 relay team of Alexander Boulanger, Praylo, Donaven Brown and Keaten

Pegues also competed at states.

Corrinne McGuire (500 M), Alessia Potts (1600 M), Nar’yah Williams (high jump) and Opie Hagan (pole vault) competed for the girls’ team.

The Union Pines’ girls finished 17th at the 3A meet, while the boys came home with a fifth-place finish at states.

Briana St. Louis finished third in the 55 M and second in the 300 M. Clara Kellner added an eighth-place finish in the high jump. St. Louis and Kellner also competed in relays.

Ellie Powell (triple jump and relays), Melody Brown (triple jump and relay), Selah Kellner (triple jump and relay), Vanessa Monroe (relay), Janie Spicer (relays), Keelyn Finn (relay), Jacqueline Lowe (relay), Anna Gaab (relay) and Nicole Norman (shot put) also competed.

For the boys, Christian Hackett won the high jump He also finished ninth in the triple jump. Ethan Biggs finished fifth in the 55 M. Logan Totten-Lancaster added a sixth-place finish in the 1000 M. The relay team of Roger Patterson, Jaydon Sterling, Caleb Milton and Biggs also finished fourth in the 4x200. Sterling added a fourth-place finish in the triple jump, while Jack Binion finished eighth in the pole vault.

Totten-Lancaster also competed in relays and Sterling in the 300 M. Other competitors at states were Monte Hay (500 M and relay), Corbin Weeks (1600 M, 3200 M and relays), Milton (55 M hurdles and relays), Braiden Benedict (relays) and Braydon Muhly (relay).

Hackett

CREDIT UPHS MEN’S BASKETBALL TWITTER/X ACCOUNT

Union Pines track & field

Pinecrest’s Ava Depenbrock puts up a shot in last week’s loss to Scotland.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Christian Hackett is a senior for the Union Pines track & field team.

The Vikings finished fifth in the boys’ indoor track state championships last week, and Hackett led the way in field events.

His high jump of 6 feet, 8.0 inches was good for the state title, four inches higher than the next closest competitor. He also finished ninth in the triple jump with a leap of 40 feet, 5.5 inches.

Hackett is a three-sport athlete who is also a forward on the boys’ basketball team and has played safety and wide receiver for the Vikings football team.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

4

obituaries

Lowell Harvey Corbin

December 1, 1933 - February 5, 2024 Lowell Harvey Corbin, 90, of Pinehurst, NC passed away at the First Health Hospice in Pinehurst on February 5, 2024, after living at the Belle Meade retirement community. Lowell grew up in Brooklyn, New York and after a brief stint in the U.S. Navy (during the Korean War years), had a long career in the retail industry.

Lowell is survived by daughters Lauren (Jerry Owens) and Patricia Nelson (Jesse), sons Glenn (Michelle) and Todd (Stacy), and grandchildren Cameron Corbin, Mackenzie Corbin, Ben Corbin, Will Corbin, Mason Chalk, Corbin Nelson, Anna Nelson, Leah Nelson, and Patrick Nelson. Lowell was predeceased in death by his father Henry Corbin, mother Pauline (Pearl) Corbin; first wife Barbara Corbin Carr; and second wife Irene Corbin.

John Lester Mauer, IV

January 25, 1945 - February 6, 2024 John Mauer, aged 79 years, passed away on February 6, 2024 at home.

He was born on January 25, 1945 to John and Doris Mauer.

He was a resident of Pinehurst, NC. He grew up in Plainfield, NJ and spent most of his adult life in Connecticut.

John received a S.B. in Physics from MIT in 1967, and a PhD in Engineering and Applied Science from Yale University in 1972. He worked at IBM for 20 years before going off to write and sell his own computer software.

He had a love of physics and mathematics especially statistics, and a passion for playing golf. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife Laura; three sons John, William and Thomas; and five grandchildren.

Bonnie Lou Emma (Holstlaw) Long

July 8, 1938 - February 5, 2024 Bonnie Lou Emma (Holstlaw) Long, age 85, of West End, NC passed away at Seven Lakes Assisted Living on February 5, 2024. Bonnie was born in Rock Island, Illinois July 08,1938 to Carleton W. Holstlaw and Emma A. (Peterson) Holstlaw.

Bonnie is survived by her husband Robert E. Long; her daughter Susan Valerien (Kevin); son Jon Long (Anne); Grandchildren: Katherine (Dallas), Deanna, Sarah, James, Jennifer and Tyler; and Great-Grandchild: Daevin and her Brother Bernard (Betty) Holstlaw. Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents and her son Scott (Teresa); her sister Leanna Wells and her brother Virgil Holstlaw.

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Lucille Margaret Casey

April 3, 1927 - February 6, 2024 Lucille Kelley Casey was surrounded by family and welcomed into Heaven on February 6, 2024.

Lucille was born and raised in Jonesport, Maine, a picturesque, seaside lobster fishing town.

Lucille began working in Bangor, Maine, where she met her future husband, John Casey. She and John fell in love, married, and spent an incredible 59 years together before his passing in 2011.

Lucille, known to her grandchildren and many friends as “Nina,” was a devoted mother, grandmother, wife, sibling, and active member of her church and community, and she freely shared her beautiful smile wherever she went.

In death, Lucille greets her husband, John, and their beloved dog, Moses. She is survived by her six children, John Casey, Jr. (Linda (dec.)), Jim Casey (Kathy), Steven Casey (Janis), Carol Ann Henderson (Chuck), Cynthia Casey Bradley, Elizabeth Brooks (Matt), eight grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.

September 15, 1939 - February 6, 2024 Eugene James Barton, Jr, 84, of Cameron, NC passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

Eugene was born September 15, 1939 in Blandford, MA to the late Eugene James Barton Sr., and the late Francis Baker Barton.

He is survived by his wife Mary Opal Barton; his children; Eugene James Barton, III, Wayne Allen Barton (Laura Daly), Evelyn Barton Tennant (James), and Teresa Barton Chriscoe (Troy); 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; his sister Beverly and other extended family. He is also survived

by Opal’s children; Tony Holder, Tim McNeill, Gail Matthews, Terry McLean, Marla Stone, and Jill Black; 12 grandchildren, 17 greatgrandchildren and 2 greatgreat grandchildren, and other extended family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Elfriede Barton Walters, second wife Peggy Phillips Barton, and all of his brothers.

Louise Wagoner Galloway Marchetti

June 17, 1947 - February 6, 2024 Remembering the life of Louise Wagoner Galloway Marchetti who passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

Known for her beauty, strength, determination and grace, Louise was a loving southern woman. She enjoyed traveling, oyster roasting, high seas sailing, a full garden, a happy heart and just about everyone she met.

Wife of Louis Marchetti, mother to Heather Galloway Koval and sis to Lori Gotch.

She is survived by each, along with stepchildren, Chris and Julia, grandchildren including Kyle, Robert, Elizabeth, Adam, Sophia, and Lia, great grandchildren Eli, Sawyer, Jenson, Jamison and Magnolia, and a host of dedicated friends.

Eugene James Barton, Jr.

Priscilla Ann Beck

September 5, 1941 - February 7, 2024 Priscilla Ann Beck, 82 of Southern Pines, passed away on February 7, 2024 at FirstHealth Hospice House just three weeks after the death of her husband of 63 years, Richard.

Born on September 5, 1941 in Decatur, Illinois to the late Homer E. and Elizabeth A. Dawson. After raising her children, Priscilla started her own Rubber Stamp and Engraving Business. She loved her family with all her heart.

She often enjoyed chocolate and never missed her Chips Ahoy cookies in the morning.

Her time with family and friends was precious and she never missed any one of their birthdays.

Priscilla enjoyed competitive sports, including bowling, playing Mahjong, painting and golfing. She was an experienced golfer, getting 2 holes in one over the years. In her later years she became a Moore County Ombudsman as a patient advocate.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Frank Beck.

She is survived by two children, Tracey Oldham (Tony) and Richard Todd Beck (Amy); four grandchildren, Travis Oldham (Bethany), Tyler Oldham, Tara Llewellyn (Clayton) and Noah Beck; also survived by one great granddaughter, Remi.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

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

Proudly supporting you every step of the way on your grief journey.

CONTACT

www.bolesfuneralhome.com Email: md@bolesfuneralhome.com Locations in: Southern Pines (910) 692-6262 | Pinehurst (910) 235-0366 | Seven Lakes (910) 673-7300

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