North State Journal Vol. 146, Issue 52

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 52

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

the

BRIEF this week

FAA funds $45 million in improvements at four airports Charlotte Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced last week that four North Carolina airports are among those that will receive federal grants totalling nearly $1 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Airports in Charlotte, the Triangle, Wilmington and Spruce Pine were awarded a total of $45 million to enhance the passenger experience including new baggage systems, larger security checkpoints, increasing gate capacity, and modernizing aging infrastructure throughout terminals and ground transportation.

PHOTO VIA NCDA&CS

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Polls: Trump leads Biden in expected November presidential election Raleigh Former President Donald Trump leads President Joe Biden in a pair of polls that were released last week by East Carolina University and Fox News.

The ECU poll found that Trump leads Biden 47% to 44%, with third-party candidates earning around 4% of the vote.

In its poll, Fox News showed Trump 50% to Biden’s 45% in a head-to-head matchup.

Including third-party candidates, Trump led Biden by 47% to 36%, with independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at 8%.

Additionally, the ECU poll showed Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson with 57% and 53% of the vote in their respective gubernatorial primaries.

“Unless there is an extraordinary shift in issues or events, Mark Robinson is very likely to be the Republican Party’s nominee for governor.

It is also apparent that Josh Stein is all but certain to be the Democrats’ choice for governor,” said Dr. Peter Francia, Director of the ECU Center for Survey Research.

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Capital One to buy Discover for $35 billion in deal that combines major credit card companies New York Capital One Financial said it will buy Discover Financial Services for $35 billion, in a deal that would bring together two of the nation’s credit card companies as well as potentially shake up the payments industry, which is largely dominated by Visa and Mastercard.

The deal marries two of the largest credit card companies that aren’t banks first, like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, with the notable exception of American Express.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PHOTO VIA NCDA&CS

Top, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler poses for a photo following the announcement of a year-round Midway Event Center at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Bottom left, in this 2022 photo, the Apex Lions Club was one of seven tenants at the Lunch Stand Building that is set to be torn down. Bottom right, a rendering provided by the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture depicts what the new building will look like when completed.

Troxler announces major upgrades at state fairgrounds New year-round dining and meeting complex is set to be built

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Left-leaning NC organizations receive $1M in ‘civic engagement’ grants

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Grants” were awarded to six national groups as well as multiple groups focus in three states; ArRALEIGH — The Katz Am- izona, Nevada and North Carosterdam Charitable Trust an- lina.

One million dollars in grants nounced $3.55 million in “civic engagement grants” in late have been awarded to six 2023. Per the news release, groups in North Carolina, all grantees were chosen for their of which are all progressive and work “focusing on increasing left-leaning organizations that include Blueprint NC, voter access in comknown for its leaked munities of color, “attack memo” issued with an emphasis on to its coalition memvoter registration and “We are bers which outlined education.” committed directives to “cripple,” “We are commit“slam,” and “eviscerted to funding orga- to funding nizations that help organizations ate” elected Republican officials in the close racial gaps in state a decade ago. voter participation, that help North Carolina reso we can move to- close racial cipients include: wards the promise We Are Down of a multiracial and gaps in voter inclusive democra- participation, Home – $250,000 for impacting “communicy,” Vail Resorts CEO so we can ty change by increasand co-founder of the Katz Amsterdam move towards ing voter registration Foundation Rob Katz the promise of in rural communities of color and addresssaid in the news reing the disinformation lease. “These civic en- a multiracial and voter disenfrangagement grants are and inclusive chisement.” focused on increasing Blueprint North voter participation to democracy.”

Carolina – $200,000 help build communifor Convening “41 orty power and address Vail Resorts ganizations to provide the concerted voter CEO and cotraining and resource suppression tactics founder of the sharing to advocate that threaten to de- Katz Amsterdam for their communities stabilize the foundaFoundation Rob and advance equity tion of our democraKatz and social justice.” cy.”

North Carolina This is the eighth Asian Americans Toyear Katz Amsterdam has awarded such grants, gether – $200,000 for fosterwith funding totaling more ing “community among Asian Americans and allies in North than $56 million.

The grants support civic en- Carolina through civic engagegagement and provide “fund- ment, leadership development, ing focused on improving com- grassroots mobilization and pomunity-developed behavioral litical participation.”

Southern Coalition for Sohealth services for communities of color and reproductive cial Justice – $200,000 for supjustice.”

The “Civic Engagement See KATZ, page A2

way Event Center is completed, it will become a hub for lunch options and after work gatherings, weekend brunch dates and quick business meetings,” Troxler said in a press release.

“It will become a neighborhood meeting spot and a place where friends can enjoy time together before heading out to another event in the area.”

With indoor and patio seating available year-round, visitors would be able to sample the food hall offerings by utilizing year-round indoor and patio seating.

During the State Fair, the venue will showcase fair food classics and venue plans include multiple event spaces, ideal for hosting meetings, gatherings, and smaller events throughout the year. The fairgrounds sees some 350 events annually, per Troxler’s office.

RALEIGH — At a press conference on Feb. 12, North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler unveiled plans to modernize the state fairgrounds and add year-round dining options.

While still in the developmental phase, the Midway Event Center concept art shared by Troxler’s office envisions a glass-windowed structure with two floors that will feature a “multi-vendor” food hall.

No timeline or budget has been set as of yet, however, the future space is estimated at around 32,000 square-feet.

“We believe once the Mid- See FAIRGROUNDS, page A2

Superintendent: Legislature needs to act on math achievement

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — At a Feb. 12 meeting of the House Select Committee on Education Reform, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt urged for lawmaker action on student math achievement.

Truitt and Deputy Superintendent Michael Maher gave a presentation to the committee outlining key points to increase proficiency in math and increase application of math in classrooms, as well as generate more student interest in the subject.

The presentation’s title slide states, “It is past time to change the narrative to: “Math is for everyone” and “All kids are math kids.”

“We will need to legislate some of these requirements because when we’re hurting students we need to change the law,” Truitt told lawmakers. “We know what the problems are. We know how to fix them. We will be looking to you all to partner with us in the short session to get this done.”

Truitt’s proposal starts with shaping up Math I by implementing 60 minutes of daily, grade-level math instruction from Kindergarten to 8th grade, using effective and aligned instructional materials, making sure board policies support educators with necessary resources, and keeping both parents and students updated on progress made.

A list of strategies to accomplish those goals were also part of the presentation, as were updates on the next round of revisions to the state’s math standards with the review phase beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.

Truitt’s plan includes use of Patterns for Reaching & Impacting Students in Math See MATH, page A3

$2.00

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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2.21.24 #425

“One of One” Visit us online nsjonline.com North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Griffin Daughtry Business/Features Editor Jordan Golson Locals Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Published each Wednesday

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FAIRGROUNDS from page A1

Troxler also announced a three-to-four year fairgrounds improvement project, aimed at revitalizing key areas of the site, including the Flower and Garden and Heritage Circle.

“We are embarking on a modernization of the fairgrounds, ensuring its long-term ability to meet the needs of fairgoers and fairgrounds visitors and renters,” said Troxler. “The Midway Event Center will bring life to the fairgrounds 365 days a year and will keep it relevant to the citizens of our state as the neighborhood around us grows into a thriving entertainment district.”

The Midway Event Center will replace the aging Lunch Stand Building, also known as “restaurant row.” Last September, the state fair director notified the seven tenants of the building that the structure was being torn down to make way for a new venue.

Most of the current fairgrounds venues were built during the 1940s and 50s. The iconic white, Spanish Mission-style North Carolina State Commercial & Education Buildings that sit on the corner of Western Blvd. and Blue Ridge Rd. are the oldest, dating back to 1928. The most recent addition to the fairgrounds was the 50,000 squarefoot Agri Supply Exposition Center, which opened during 2005.

KATZ from page A1 porting “marginalized communities in fighting for their right to responsive representation by protecting free and fair elections.”

Imagine North Carolina First – $150,000 for “strategic efforts to promote civic participation among underserved communities in North Carolina.”

Imagine North Carolina First (INCF) is a “nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization,” which was registered with the N.C. Secretary of State in 2013 by Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel.

The registered address is Weisel’s Firm, Capital Law Group.

Imagine North Carolina First’s website returned a DNS error when accessed on various dates beginning on Dec. 13, 2023. The site, however, had been archived multiple times on the Wayback Machine since 2017 and the most recent capture was Mar. 30, 2023.

One of the main goals of INCF is “to increase underrepresented voter participation in the electoral process,” with a primary mis-

THE WORD: THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

This series explores the Ten Commandments through the words and admonishments of Arthur Pink.

“Thou shalt not kill.” — Exodus 20:13 The first five Commandments showed how God safeguards His glory; in the second five we are to behold how He provides for the security and well-being of men for: (1) protection of man’s person; (2) sanctity and good of his family (“thou shalt not commit adultery”); (3) safety of his estate and substance (“thou shalt not steal”); (4) his reputation or good name (“thou shalt not bear false witness”). Finally, as a strong fence encircling the whole Law, God not only prohibits outward crimes, but inward motions of evil in our thoughts and affections (“Thou shalt not covet …”).

It is the first of these regulations which specially relates to our neighbor that we shall now consider: “Thou shalt not kill.” It is the first crime we read of after the fall of Adam and Eve, wherein the corruption transmitted to their descendants was fearfully displayed by Cain. His rancor and enmity goaded him to slay Abel, because his brother’s “works were righteous and his own evil.” (1 John 3:12).

This commandment is not restricted to forbidding the actual crime of murder. It prohibits the causes of murder — anger, hatred, slanders and revenge — and whatever else may prejudice the safety of our neighbor or tempt us to see him perish when it is in our power to rescue him.

Every killing of a man is not murder.

It is not so in the execution of justice, when the magistrate sentences a slayer, for he is vested with lawful authority to put capital offenders to death. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed” (Genesis 9:6). These words state the general and unchanging principle.

Shedding of blood in a righteous war is not chargeable with murder.

It is lawful to take up arms against an invader and to recover what has been unjustly taken away. Thus, David pursued the Amalekites who had carried away his wives. Some decry this assertion and denounce all war as unlawful. Yet, when soldiers came to Christ’s forerunner for instruction saying, “What shall we do?” (Luke 3:14), he did not say, fight no more, abandon your calling, but gave them directions how they should conduct themselves. When examined by Pilate Christ declared, “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36).

Accidental slaying is also not chargeable with murder. As when hewing wood, the axe should slip and undesignedly kill a neighbor (Deuteronomy 19:5). The Lord appointed cities of refuge, where innocent slayers could find safe asylum from the avenger of blood.

sion “to foster an economy and democracy that works for all of North Carolina’s citizens.”

According to the IRS, INCF’s tax-exempt determination letter was sent in June 2015 to Sabra Faires of Bailey & Dixon LLP, Weisel’s former firm. Faires was a Democrat candidate for N.C. Supreme Court in 2016. She only received 12.4% of the vote.

According to INCF’s most recent available tax filings in 2021, Russ Swindell is listed as the “Executive Director.”

Russ Swindell is the “Client Strategist” at the progressive polling group Public Policy Polling, according to his LinkedIn bio. He has also served as the Director of a North Carolina donor alliance, Chief of Staff to Congressman Bob Etheridge, and the Communications and Party Outreach Director for the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Other Board members include notable figures such as N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein’s father, Adam Stein. The board also includes other long-time, high-profile Democrats such as

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Cain Slaying Abel” by Peter Paul Rubens (circa 1608) is a painting in the collection of Courtauld Institute of Art, London.

But, if we are engaged in what is unjustified and it leads to the death of another, this cannot be excused from murder (see Exodus 21:22-24).

Next let us consider cases of murder.

Suicide is self- murder, and is one of the most desperate crimes which can be committed. Inasmuch as this sin precludes repentance on the part of its perpetrator, it is beyond forgiveness. Such creatures are so abandoned by God as to have no concern for their eternal salvation, seeing they pass into the immediate presence of their judge with their hands imbrued in their own blood.

Suicide destroys not only the body but the soul, too.

Murder is a most heinous crime.

Those who are accessories are also guilty of murder, such as those who commission it to be done (2 Samuel 11:15; 12:9), or consent thereto (as Pilate), or conceal it, as in Deuteronomy 21:6-7.

The causes and occasions leading to murder are also forbidden. The principal of these are envy and anger.

Cain first envied the success of his brother’s sacrifice, and this quickly prompted him to murder. Unjust anger, if allowed to fester in the heart, will turn into the venom of an implacable hatred.

Nina Szlosberg-Landis (Chairperson), Mary Mountcastle, Kim McGuire, and Joel Fleishman.

Szlozberg-Landis is a 2023 Biden appointee as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

In North Carolina, Szlosberg-Landis was appointed to multiple boards and commissions over Cooper’s two terms including three separate appointments to the NCDOT Board between February 2017 and July 2019. She has also served on the board of Lillian’s List and WakeUP Wake County.

Additionally, Szlosberg-Landis was involved a fight that took place in 2013 between she and Randy Voller for leadership of the North Carolina Democratic Party.

Mountcastle is a Reynolds family heir; Mary Reynolds Babcock was Mountcastle’s grandmother. She is a trustee of the two groups that have given the largest amount of money by far to left and progressive organizations both in North Carolina; the Z. Smith Reynolds and the Mary

Anger is not, as envy, in itself, unlawful. There is a virtuous anger, which (so far from being sin, is a noble and praiseworthy grace, see Mark 3:5). To be moved with indignation for the cause of God is a holy anger.

Jonah 4:1 gives an illustration of groundless anger. Anger is immoderate when it is violent and excessive, or when it continues to boil. “Let not the sun go down on your wrath.” (Ephesians 4:26) Think lowly of yourself and you will not be angered if others slight you.

All contention proceeds from pride (Proverbs 13:10). Think often of the infinite patience and forbearance of God. How many affronts does He bear with from us. How often we give Him occasion to be angry with us, yet “He has not dealt with us after our sins.”

Beware of prejudice against any, for it is sure to misinterpret their actions.

Shun angry persons (Proverbs 22:24, 25); fire quickly spreads.

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.

Reynolds Babcock Foundations.

Of note, Blueprint NC’s biggest start-up and maintenance cash source has been the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Kim McGuire is a past board member of Democracy NC (pre2019), which INCF has also significantly supported over the years.

Joel Fleishman is a law and public policy professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. According to his bio, Fleishman left Duke for around a decade (1993-2003) to “became president of The Atlantic Philanthropic Service Company (NYC), the U.S. program staff of Atlantic Philanthropies.”

Since 2016, INCF has received over $21.275 million in gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received.

2021 spending included multiple voting-related items such as $1.4 million for “civic engagement programs” and $450,000 for a “Narrative Program,” a “comprehensive multi-modal messaging research project to determine the core values, atti-

tudes and motivations of North Carolina’s current and potential voters.”

2020 filings were similar to 2021’s with over $4.5 million in revenue, however, INCF’s net income went negative by over a million. Expenditures that year spanned 19 organizations, including many of the same names from the 2021 filing, with Blueprint NC receiving the most money with $1.445 million, followed by Think North Carolina First with $760,000 and Progress NC with $662,650.

This is not the first year North Carolina organizations have received Katz Amsterdam grants.

In 2022, five organizations received grants that included an emphasis on increasing “BIPOC voter participation” in North Carolina.

The 2022 grants included North Carolina Asian Americans Together – $200,000, Down Home North Carolina – $200,000, You Can Vote – $200,000, Blueprint North Carolina – $150,000 and Imagine North Carolina First – $100,000.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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Republican lieutenant governor hopefuls make their case at Raleigh forum

By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — Seven of the 11 Republicans running for lieutenant governor in the upcoming March 5 primary gathered at Christ Baptist Church in northern Raleigh on Tuesday, Feb. 13 for a candidate forum hosted by the conservative NC Values Coalition.

The group said it invited eight candidates they considered as performing the best in terms of their campaigning and fundraising. Seven accepted the invite; Rivera Douthit, Allen Mashburn, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, former state Sen. Deanna Ballard, Seth Woodall, Hal Weatherman, and state Rep. Jeff Elmore.

The questions were posed to the candidates by well-known radio host Steve Noble and Courtney Geels, the group’s grassroots director. The group asked each of the candidates six questions, ranging from their personal experience and why they’re seeking the office to questions about abortion, eduNORTH STATE JOURNAL cation, and parents’ rights.

Douthit said she was told by Former Sen. Deanna Ballard speaks at the NC Values Coalition forum held in Raleigh on Feb. 13, God to run for the position and 2024. She is one of the seven candidates who were invited to participate. cited her time as a critical care nurse and small business owner as experience she brings to be- been threaded with a call to and that over the course of his and strengthen existing obscening the state’s lieutenant gov- service and spoke authorita- campaign has completed a tour ity laws.

“Those two things can move ernor. One issue she said she tively about the boards the of- of all 100 counties.

Elmore, a six-term member the needle along with accountwould also focus on was fight- fice serves on: the State Board of Education and the Commu- of the N.C. House, said being Lt. ability and training for school ing sex trafficking in the state.

Gov. is a liaison position and he boards,” she added.

Mashburn, a pastor from nity College board.

Mashburn says he would lobWoodall, the second candi- was well-suited to that role. In the Sandhills, said he became active in state issues after the date from Rockingham County addition, he said he’s familiar by the General Assembly and COVID shutdowns and said he in the race, said it was his expe- with state government and was that it was an educational matwas running because the state rience as an attorney and busi- one of the chief budget writers ter, not a Christian matter.

Page said we need to “get and nation are in spiritual war- ness owner that set him apart. in the chamber.

On the questions regarding back to basics” and hold those He said he employs more peofare.

Page – first elected in 1998 ple than other candidates in education, the candidates all in education accountable.

Woodall said he would work as a sheriff – is the most expe- the race combined and wants to expressed support for school choice and combating “indoc- collectively between the goverrienced elected official in the run the state like a business.

Weatherman, known for a trination” in the public school nor’s office and the General Asrace and he was running to do sembly to benefit students. what he’s been doing in his na- long career as chief of staff to system.

Weatherman offered one of Ballard said one way to tive Rockingham County by former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and protecting the Constitution, cit- U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, said he achieve that goal would be to the lengthiest answers.

He said that “DEI (diversity, was running to fight for fam- strengthen penalties in the Parizens, and families.

Ballard said her career has ilies against the woke agenda ents’ Bill of Rights legislation equity, and inclusion) was nev-

Mark Harris is taking another bite at the Congressional apple

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Mark Harris wants another bite at the apple with his bid for North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District seat.

The 8th district includes Anson, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly and Union Counties as well as portions of Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Robeson Counties. In addition to Harris, Republican candidates vying for the spot in the March 5 Primary include John Bradford, Don Brown, Leigh Brown and Chris Maples.

In an interview with North State Journal last week, Harris talked about his past bid for the state’s 9th District seat, the challenges facing the country are, and those who are backing his current candidacy.

“Well, obviously we have relationships throughout this district and having won in 2018 it looks slightly different,” Harris said about running again.

He added the district looked slightly different county-wise but said “Overall it’s very, very similar to what it was in 2018 when I ran there.”

Harris said he had not anticipated running until Republican Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-08) decided this past summer he would run for North Carolina’s attorney general spot.

“And when he did, my wife and I began to pray about and decide whether or not we were going to step back into it and try to win this seat that we felt like we had won fair and square in 2018,” said Harris, adding that the State Board of Elections failed to certify him for the seat.

Issues with ballot harvesting conducted during that election cycle by the now-deceased po-

AP PHOTO

Mark Harris is one of six GOP candidates for NC-08. litical operative McCray Dowless resulted in a new special election being held for the seat despite Harris winning the first election. Harris was later cleared of wrongdoing by the board of elections.` ` “We are taking another bite at the apple because the problems and issues that we ran on in 2018,” said Harris. “I tell folks all the time things have become exponentially more dangerous than in 2018. And that theme then was that we gotta build the border wall, we’ve got to take care of our southern border and stop this immigration flow. And man, when you look at it today, it’s a far cry from what it was in 2018.”

“Same thing with the national debt I was saying again, we’ve got to get our debt under control. I still remember many speeches, $21 trillion in debt and how dangerous this was for our country and how unhealthy it was for our economy. And now we’re looking at $21 trillion in the rearview mirror at more than $34 trillion now.”

Harris also mentioned the need to rebuild our military which had begun under former President Donald Trump.

“Now our military has become a social engineering experiment and we just genuinely have felt the need to call for stronger leadership in our U.S. military - at the top ranks,” said Harris. “I feel like the new administration will try to restore that. So again, the issues were are very much the same as they were in 2018. We’re just facing a much more difficult path now.”

After the 2019 special election, Harris joined the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., a “nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to articulating and advancing a family-centered philosophy of public life.” Harris has been the vice president of the Association of Churches and Ministries for the organization.

“Listen, we’ve just got to get our nation back on track,” Harris said. “I’m the only candidate that has been endorsed by the House Freedom Fund, which is very close to the Freedom Caucus that Dan Bishop has been a significant part of.”

Harris also noted Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running for governor, has also given him an endorsement. He added he was “so very thankful” to have received an endorsement by the NC Values Coalition.

“I was very honored,” said Harris. “I was the first endorsement that they issued in this ‘24 election.”

“I totally understand what we’re after and what we’re trying to accomplish. And you know, there’s been a lot of hit piece ads that some of my opponents have run and I can only figure that the reason I’m the target is I must be leading,” said Harris. “I don’t know, but polling would indicate perhaps that that is indeed the case.”

MATH from page A1 (PRISM), leveraging a fiveyear, $7.86 million Education and Innovation Research Grant (EIR) with the U.S. Department of Education and a partnership with Carnegie Learning and WestEd. The partnership seeks to engage “up to 300 rural 4th grade Math teachers serving as many as 7,000 students, across the state in a unique, ongoing professional learning experience.”

The end goal of PRISM would be giving teachers individualized support in math content and instruction but also to further growth and math proficiency.

Committee co-chair Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston) indicated the legislature will act during the short session. He also urged that the upcoming scheduled revisions to the state’s math standards be kept “clean and pure.”

“I would trust that when the new standards are developed that we’d keep it both clean and pure, away from the social ills of our time and focus simply on the outcomes,” Torbett remarked.

er in legislation. It was done by executive order, the first day I’ll ask the governor to remove it from every school in our state.”

He added that SEL (social and emotional learning) was implemented after Columbine and said he understood the intent, but it’s been “hijacked” by the left.

Elmore said he’s been a teacher for 23 years and that part of the difference is understanding standards and curriculum.

Douthit said that those in education must have moral standards and there’s no point in having a law if people don’t follow it.

On the topic of abortion, the candidates framed their positions in contrast to the favorite in the Democratic primary, Mecklenburg state Sen. Rachel Hunt, who is running to “promote abortion” according to the panel’s hosts.

Most of the candidates said they personally believe life begins at conception, with Ballard saying she has a voting record backing up her position and added that moving the needle to a 12-week limit was better than staying at a 20-week limit.

Woodall and Weatherman both said they would be supportive of legislation going further than 12 weeks.

Elmore said he would not be here without two strong women choosing life and that Hunt even voted against the state legislature’s “born alive” bill.

Mashburn added that Hunt would be the “Kamala Harris of the East Coast” but cautioned that Republicans needed to work on their messaging around the issue of life.

Not appearing at the forum were Marlenis Hernandez Novoa, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill, Earnest T. Reeves, and Peter Boykin.

The nearly two-hour forum broadcast is available on the NC Values Coalition Facebook page.

The plan echoes Truitt’s 2023 statements to North State Journal that she wanted to take on math achievement in a similar fashion as she has with reading over the past two years.

“In order to tackle math, we have to shed some legacy thinking around the importance of math,” Truitt told North State Journal in September 2023. “I would never say to you as an adult, ‘I’m not a very good reader,’ but it’s perfectly acceptable for someone to say, ‘I’m not I’m not good at math.’ That has to change.”

“We are living in a society where we have normalized deficits in basic math skills. And we’re living in a society where jobs by 2030 are going to require a significant amount of computer science, A.I. — all kinds of skills that involve being proficient in math.”

Truitt said increasing Algebra I readiness since it is a “gateway course” to higher math classes was a key goal and that the state needs to mandate an early screener for elementary math similar to that used for reading.

Students at an elementary board their school bus in this undated file photo.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Lefty Driesell and the passing of the ACC golden era

Lefty had “little ole Davidson” ranked preseason #1 in Sports Illustrated in 1964.

WHEN A PROMINENT PERSON passes away, people write nice syrupy homages titled “Remembering So-and-So.” How do you write such a thing when someone is as unforgettable as Coach Lefty Driesell? It is like he never left. He retired decades ago but it seems like he must have still been coaching somewhere at age 92.

The most seasoned of Tobacco Road basketball fans will remember the great Davidson Wildcat teams he brought to the Triangle in the 1960’s. Fred Hetzel, Mike Maloy, Duke Snider ― Lefty had “little ole Davidson” ranked pre-season #1 in Sports Illustrated in 1964 which was no small feat given UCLA under John Wooden was right at the beginning of their decade-long dynastic run.

After a 27-3 record and #3 ranking in 1969, Driesell up and left for Maryland which was a backwater for college basketball. Lefty promised to make Maryland “The UCLA of the East” ― and he darn near did. Had it not been for David Thompson and Tommy Burleson having the game of his life in the 1974 ACC championship game ― universally recognized as THE greatest ACC basketball game ever ― Maryland might have won their first national title instead of NC State and replaced UCLA as the dominant power in college basketball.

My father was assistant AD at Duke when Lefty was playing center for the Blue Devils

from 1950 to 1954. He said he had helped Lefty get a job coaching a JV team at Carr Junior High School next to Durham HS during college to earn a little extra money.

Dad was in charge of handing out game day tickets to all athletes and, most importantly, those little red meal tickets. When he graduated — with honors, no less — Driesell kept two of them in his wallet. “You never know when you might get fired in coaching” he told my father. “But when I do, at least I will know I can come to Duke and get a free meal for me and my missus!” (with whom he had eloped and gotten married during college).

Bones McKinney at Wake Forest and Lefty Driesell were the top entertainers when it came to coaching personalities in the South.

Tall and lanky, both would flail their arms wildly, stomp their feet and get mad at the refs for all of the “bad calls” they got at Cameron Indoor Stadium which would only further energize the already-rabid home crowd.

Being a Duke grad, Lefty was subject to special ridicule by the always-antagonistic Duke students. A group would sit behind the bench in skull caps to tease Coach Driesell about his bald pate ― except they painted a fuel gauge on them with the arrow pointing to zero. In the aftermath of Watergate, two students would carry a huge banner around the court which read in huge blue letters:

“Duke has only made two mistakes ― Richard Nixon and Lefty Driesell!”

But Driesell could recruit. He stole Durham’s own John Lucas right out from under the noses of Duke and Carolina. Had it not been for a particularly ill-timed racial slur made by the owner of the Soda Shop in downtown Davidson, Driesell probably would have signed Charlie Scott to play for the Wildcats and knocked the Tar Heels out of two successive Eastern Regional finals in 1968 and 1969 instead of the other way around.

Driesell said a “moral victory” after a loss “was like kissing your sister.” He hated traveling every year to the ACC Tournament in Greensboro because North Carolina was home court advantage for The Big Four teams. He vowed to take the trophy and bolt it to the hood of the biggest Cadillac he could find and drive it around the whole state after he finally won it in 1984 ― which would have been the greatest stunt ever.

In 2005 at the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C., I saw Coach Driesell leaving the MCI Center after J.J. Redick led Duke to another title. I introduced myself and asked him if he really did keep those two meal tickets in his wallet from Duke over fifty years ago.

“Sure did. Never knew when I might get fired from a coaching job and needed to get a meal for me and my wife!” was all he said as he smiled and walked away in the crowd.

At a time when college athletics is being supplanted by big-time corporatism and coaches assume all of the warmth and congeniality of AI-generated automatons because of their fear of being canceled by anything they say and do, Lefty Driesell can be fondly remembered as one of the giants of the bygone golden era of the ACC.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Counting blessings

Just give it to God and rest in the knowledge that He is in control.

EVERYONE FACES CHALLENGES in life, some small, some big, and some that seem insurmountable.

That has definitely been the case for me and my family, with 2021 through 2023 being especially tough due to the health issues both of my parents were facing.

I went from being an “on-call” caregiver to being full-time in 2022 after my dad’s situation deteriorated and as mom was going through an as-yet-to-be-diagnosed health issue that we later found out was stage IIIB colon cancer.

In the midst of it all, I was trying to get my house ready to sell so I could buy a home that worked better for me, but family matters of course took precedence. Between the health issues, the caregiving, and also needing to work, there was simply no time or energy to deal with house stuff.

After Mom’s diagnosis, which happened four months after we lost my dad in 2022, there was a steady stream of appointments including surgery and several rounds of chemo, which were hard on her, as chemo usually is on cancer patients.

In part because of all the doctor appointments and because I stayed exhausted from the stress and anxiety that comes with worrying about and caring for a loved one, I had to work less, which impacted Mom and me financially — along with having a house that I was still paying for but wasn’t living in.

Needless to say, with everything going on, sometimes when I would say my prayers, I’d ask God to allow circumstances in life to present some good news here and there, because quite frankly I was starting to lose hope about there

CREATIVE COMMONS

being light at the end of the tunnel.

Little by little, the blessings started to appear.

Mom’s follow-up oncology appointments showed good numbers. I started catching up on my regular doctor appointments and got good news from them as well.

I began to have more motivation and energy to do things, which I used to finally finish getting my house ready to put on the market.

Then December 2023 came, and I got really sick. For the first two weeks, I was confined to my room. I couldn’t help Mom much, and everything Christmas-related had to be put off until I could get to it.

By the time I got to it, we had to rush through

everything and the shopping and wrapping went down to the wire. While I was thankful we got everything done in time for the festivities, I was wiped out.

On New Year’s Eve, I said another prayer and asked God to allow for some more blessings in the new year, to have it start on a good note so Mom and I could be at peace and content with the things going on in our lives so we could enjoy it more and worry a little less.

Though my family is still facing some health challenges, we have been immensely thankful for the blessings we’ve seen in the first six weeks of the new year.

Mom got some more good news with her follow-up colonoscopy report and another round of encouraging numbers from her latest oncology visit.

Financially, we are in a better place.

The house has also sold, which was a huge monkey on my back that I no longer have. And unexpectedly, my yearly tax appointment went well with a nicer refund than I expected coming my way.

If you find yourself in a situation or situations where it seems like all hope is lost, don’t lose hope. Just give it to God and rest in the knowledge that He is in control.

As the old saying goes, He works in mysterious ways, so much so that you’ll experience blessings when you least expect them, but in God’s perfect timing.

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 21, 2024

COLUMN

COLUMN | MATT MERCER

Goodbye, and see you soon

I can still remember how nervous I was the first time I walked into the newsroom.

I’VE NEVER BEEN GOOD AT GOODBYES. You know that feeling when you talk to someone, say goodbye, then you’re unexpectedly walking in the same direction?

I felt a bit of that as I sat down in my office to write this column.

I’m leaving North State Journal at the end of this month. I’m not going far, but my time here has filled me with memories to last a lifetime.

I can still remember how nervous I was the first time I walked into the newsroom.

The newspapers that lined walls, seeing and feeling the ink, the paper, and the how words and photos come together on a page.

“Am I going to be good at this?” I would ask myself.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the fruits of my, and more importantly, the talented staff’s labor.

The physical newspaper, we often hear, is dying. A relic of earlier centuries, we have laptops and tablets and phones that give us news in an instant. I didn’t believe it was true then and I don’t believe it’s true now.

The difference is producing something people want to read.

Each week, I did my best to put into practice.

I valued the feedback, good and bad, I received. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into four years. I can say with

conviction it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long.

Professionally, I led this team to produce over 200 issues of North State Journal, along with now seven distinct local editions.

Nearly 100 total pages of content per week, every week. The statewide newspaper that started in 2016 is doing pretty great, wouldn’t you say?

I’ve also interviewed a president, questioned a governor, and met hundreds of people I never would have otherwise. The N.C. Press Assocation awards made nice additions to my office décor.

Most importantly, many of my co-workers have become friends I can talk to about any subject at any time.

Leaving North State Journal is hard because it’s given me so much. Yet we all know when we’re ready to do something new and that time has come for me. The conversation with North State Journal’s publisher, Neal Robbins, was not an easy one but I’m so grateful he understood and was encouraging.

As I look back at the last four years, this has been the best job I could have ever asked for.

To everyone reading this, thank you for believing in what North State Journal stands for and voting with your wallet to help us elevate the conversation.

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

God goes to the Super Bowl My identity can’t be in football, it can’t be in the things of this world.

SUPER BOWL LVIII has come and gone. The glitzy Las Vegas event drew some 123 million viewers with a reported 68 million Americans betting more than 1.3 billion dollars on the game.

The big game is certainly more popular than attending church. Week in and week out, there are roughly 25 million Americans at church each Sunday, far less than the Super Bowl audience. The American church — at least its evangelical branch — understandably frets about the precipitous decline of religious belief and jumped at the opportunity to share Christ on such a large stage as the Super Bowl.

Enter the “He Gets Us” campaign, promoting an effort to remind people of “the example that Jesus set” by airing a 60-second ad during the game. The ad, titled “Foot Washing,” featured still photographs of people washing another person’s feet in various situations.

While the ad was panned by the usual irreligious suspects, it also received its share of criticism from Christian apologists. Some thought the ad offered a shallow and incomplete picture of true faith — and I tend to agree.

The ad’s singular focus on foot-washing, a common practice in Biblical times, but unknown to most Americans, limited its message. Ignoring the problem of human sin was another shortcoming.

For my part, I probably would have produced a commercial that focused more on the message of John 3:16 and the necessity of repentance, faith, and works for living an abundant Christian life.

But I wasn’t paying and, frankly, there is only so much you can say in sixty seconds.

Actor Mark Wahlberg teamed up with actor Jonathan Roumie from “The Chosen” to inf luence others to pray more during a commercial for the Catholic app Hallow.

“God, we take this moment just to give you thanks,” Wahlberg said in the ad, which urged viewers to take part in prayer during the Lenten season.

The game’s opposing quarterbacks,

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the Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and 49ers Brock Purdy, have long spoken about the importance of their Christian faith and routinely kneel for prayer on the field.

Mahomes immediately thanked God after the Chiefs were able to edge out the San Francisco 49ers 25 to 22 in overtime with a fantastic pass to receiver Mecole Hardman for a 3-yard touchdown.

“I just gotta give God the glory,” Mahomes said on live TV before millions of viewers.

Meanwhile, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy took the loss in stride. Purdy reminded fans that his football career doesn’t make or break him.

“My identity can’t be in football, it can’t be in the things of this world,” he said. “It’s got to be in Him.” Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker set a Super Bowl record with a 57-yard field goal.

Butker, a genuinely faithful Catholic, previously said, “I never thought I’d ever be on a stage like this, but here I am and I need to glorify God for that.”

Speaking earlier to a Christian men’s group, Butker noted, “Outside of the bright lights of the stadium, with the fans and the notoriety that come with being an NFL player, the greatest impact that I will make with my time on this earth is remaining dedicated to my primary vocation — helping my family get to heaven.” Amen to that!

If indeed we are a celebrity-focused culture, I pray Butker’s message is taken to heart by the fathers of America. Too many of our families are broken, unchurched, and living in desperate situations. No football game can fix that.

Dr. Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor, and United States Attorney who lives in Raleigh. An ordained Baptist minister, he holds degrees from Wake Forest University, UNC School of Law, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

NEWT GINGRICH

The Reagan miracle – 40 years later FORTY YEARS AGO, America was at a peak of optimism, technological opportunity, and selfconfidence.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter suffered the worst electoral college defeat for an incumbent president in American history. By 1984, President Ronald Reagan had turned the country around — and the American people knew it.

We had cut through Carter’s malaise and the politics of limitation and embraced Reagan’s belief in a better future. “You ain’t seen nothing yet” was one of his favorite terms.

Psychologically, we had shifted from fear of technology and desperate catastrophism to the positive belief that we could invent a better future. It was no accident that on March 23, 1983, President Reagan gave a nationwide speech about a “Strategic Defense Initiative.” The liberal media — which generally hated Reagan — ridiculed his proposal as “Star Wars.” Today, a modernized version of the same system is effectively defending Israel from missile attacks.

The economy was rapidly recovering from the Carter stagflation, which had peaked at 13 percent inflation and 8 percent unemployment (Reagan dubbed these statistics “the misery index.”)

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher faced the same struggle in Great Britain. With commitment and courage which rivaled his friend Thatcher, Reagan endured a deep recession to break the back of inflation in America. He paid a cost in lost Republican congressional seats in 1982.

However, the medicine had worked. Gross national product increased 6 percent in one year from the fourth quarter of 1982 to the fourth quarter of 1983. The overall economy was rushing back.

Americans were sufficiently confident about the future. Reagan’s slogan for 1984 was “Morning in America,” and Americans believed it.

The optimism carried over into foreign policy.

When asked about the long conflict with the Soviet Empire, Reagan commented simply: “Here’s my strategy on the Cold War: we win, they lose.” On every economic, technological, and psychological front, Reagan was crowding the Soviets into collapse. The U.S.S.R. dissolved 11 years after Reagan was sworn in for his first term.

President Reagan’s achievements were amazing.

But we have wandered off the path of optimism and success. We must re-learn what made Reagan successful — and what made America the “shining city on a hill.”

A new book by Craig Shirley (the leading Reagan historian and biographer) called “The Search For Reagan” is a superb introduction to the complex, determined, cheerful — but deeply realistic — man who turned America around.

In 1984, I made my own contribution to the potential Reagan was creating when I wrote my first book, “Window of Opportunity: A Blueprint for the Future.”

In that book, I wrote “there exists for the United States today a window of opportunity…to create a bright and optimistic future for our children and grandchildren.” However, I warned “If..we continue the policies of the last twenty years, that window will close and we will bequeath to them a pessimistic future of economic and social decay.”

Over 272 pages, I outlined the kind of visionary future which Reaganism could create.

Tragically, a large part of the Republican Party had no understanding of Reagan’s optimism, idealism, and passionate belief in a better future.

His willingness to work for visionary goals seemed unrealistic to traditional politicians — yet, it was the key to Reagan’s success.

Shirley’s new book — and my 40-year-old statement of the America that could have been created — are useful guides. Just like we did with Carter in 1980, I believe we can leave Joe Biden’s malaise behind. Four years from now, we can be in a remarkably safer, stronger, more prosperous country. We only need to relearn the habits and policies that work.

If we come together and determine what we must do now to create a better future, we can return to “morning in America.”

BE IN TOUCH

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

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Murphy to Manteo

NC represented in annual James Beard Award semifinalists The 2024 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists have been announced, and North Carolina is broadly represented within multiple categories. Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 3, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 10 in Chicago.

Established in 1990 and first awarded SYLVA in 1991, the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards are one Best of five separate recognition programs Chef: of the James Beard Awards. The Southeast awards recognize exceptional talent Kanlaya and achievement in the culinary arts, “Gun” hospitality, media, and broader food Supachana system, as well as a demonstrated Dalaya Thai commitment to “racial and gender equity, Cuisine community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.”

The 2024 Restaurant and Chef semifinalists are recognized across 22 categories, seven of which include North Carolina chefs or businesses.

Jones & Blount WASHINGTON Best Chef: Southeast Jamie Davis The Hackney

ASHEVILLE

BLOWING ROCK

Outstanding Restaurant

Outstanding Restaurant

The Market

The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge

Best Chef: Southeast

CHARLOTTE

WINSTON-SALEM

Best Chef: Southeast

Outstanding Bakery Bobby Bay Bakery

Ajja

Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson Jimmy Pearls

Jason Sellers Plant

WILMINGTON Outstanding Chef

Crawford & Son

Outstanding Bar Bittersweet

Best Chef: Southeast Preeti Wass Cheeti Indian Food Emporium

Dean Neff Seabird

WEST

EAST

PIEDMONT

New IKEA coming to Charlotte area

Elementary school teacher charged with exploitation of minors

Mecklenburg County The popular furniture store IKEA, known for its unique shopping experience and styles, is opening a new location in south Charlotte. According to press reports, this new store will be different from the one located in the Belgate Shopping Center near University City. The new south Charlotte location plans to be a “customer meeting point,” located in the Promenade on Providence shopping center, bringing “the IKEA experience closer to Charlotte customers.” The new Charlotte store will offer items for delivery only, and arrangements will be made to have all items transported to a customer’s home or another point of delivery. The new store will also focus on providing interior design planning with experts. IKEA has been in Charlotte for 15 years, since opening its first store in 2009.

Cleveland County An elementary school teacher in Cleveland County has been arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor, authorities told local outlets. Investigators said they discovered that the suspect, identified as Anthony Marqui Neal, was a teacher at a local elementary school. School administrators were notified and arrangements were made for investigators to interview Neal, according to the sheriff’s office. That interview led to a search warrant of his home, where several electronic devices with “inappropriate” images of minors were seized. Neal was charged with firstdegree sexual exploitation of a minor, second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is being held in the Cleveland County Detention Center under a $150,000 bond.

QUEEN CITY NEWS

Outstanding Hospitality

Pedestrian airlifted after hitand-run, suspect still at large Randolph County The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect who is wanted in connection to a hit-and-run last week, according to local outlets. At around 4:17 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, deputies came to Oakland Ave. in Asheboro after getting a report of a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. At the scene, deputies found a man lying on the ground unresponsive. Investigators say that the driver of the vehicle that struck the man had already left the scene. EMS responded and the man was airlifted to a local hospital. Once the initial investigation concluded, deputies charged 44-year-old Lashanda Kay Schwarcbher with felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

Schwarcbher’s whereabouts are not known at this time, according to local officials.

WBTV

Wheatmore HS community rallies around classmate facing long recovery after crash Randolph County The son of a High Point police officer and the teenager badly injured in a crash on Halloween, is making strides in his recovery at a facility in Georgia, according to local reports. After spending months in the intensive care unit, Caleb Dulin’s friends and family say he’s able to eat soft foods and can stand up with help. Last week, Dulin’s Wheatmore High School community showed that support by holding a pep rally for him. Local outlets reported that students packed the bleachers and decorated the gym with signs showing messages of encouragement. Some of the teachers wore “Dulin Strong” shirts, and fellow students brought handmade signs to hold up with well wishes on them like “keep pushing” and “get well soon.”

Two of Dulin’s friends led the pep rally, all while Dulin was watching through a livestream.

Teaching Fellows program returns to ECU

State fairgrounds hosts national cat show Wake County On Saturday the International Cat Association hosted their annual “Time Cat Show” at the State Fairgrounds.

Felines and their owners from across the country set up in the Holshouser Building, competing for a chance to be recognized at the all-breed championship cat show. “Our association recognizes over 75 different breeds of cats in competition, including both pedigree cats as well as non-pedigree cats for competition,” participant Vanadis Crawford told local outlets. “We have seven judging rings going on both days.

There are a lot of people here from the Florida area, as well as people from the mid-Atlantic and the Great Lakes regions,” said Rick Hoskinson, a judge.

“Raleigh is a great city for family events.

It’s a great way for us to get together and also share our love of our cats with the community as a whole,” said Crawford.

Pitt County A teaching program is returning to East Carolina University after seven years, offering to help future teachers pay for an education and find work after they graduate. ECU staff is preparing for a partnership with The Teaching Fellows Commission. Now, current and future students have the chance to enroll in the program offering tuition assistance, something one ECU graduate said made a difference in his education. The university had a partnership with the program from 1986-2015. Director of the College of Education’s Living and Learning Community, Dr. Dionna Manning will be returning to her role as the Teaching Fellows Director at ECU. In addition to focused training in the field of education, as well as assistance in finding post-graduate teaching positions, students in the program also get each $10,000 in non-loan aid if the students teach in the state.

WNCN

NSJ

WGHP WGHP

Teens attempt robbery outside local church Iredell County According to Statesville officials, a teen armed with a gun threatened to “shoot up” a church when the man he attempted to rob refused to give him anything.

Local outlets report that deputies were called to Bethlehem Rd. on Friday, Feb. 2, after the man reported the teen trying to rob him at gunpoint while he was working outside the church. Deputies said the man refused to give the gunman anything and told him to leave the area.

Deputies later said they determined the gunman was a 16-year-old who lived in the area. The teen was charged with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony communicating threats of mass violence and malicious conduct by a prisoner, according to the sheriff’s office.

NSJ

Youth inmates briefly gain control of pod at detention center

Teen involved in 2023 campus shooting killed in downtown W-S

Cabarrus County Five inmates at a youth facility in Concord armed themselves with broken items and a pair of shackles and took control of a pod from staff, authorities said last week. Deputies were responded to a possible riot at the Cabarrus Youth Development Center, along with Concord Police. With law enforcement on the scene, the five youths who had barricaded themselves in the flooded pod started talking with deputies and the facility director, sheriff’s officials said. An hour after the initial 911 call, all juveniles voluntarily locked down without any further incident, deputies said. The situation occurred days after a correctional staff member at the Cabarrus Youth Development Center was charged for allegedly strangling a juvenile at the facility.

Forsyth County A teenager who reportedly shot himself in the hand and sent Forsyth Technical Community College into lockdown last year died in a shooting last week, according to Winston-Salem police.

Shannon Howard James Pitts, 19, was found just after 8 p.m. on Goldfloss Street. He had been shot multiple times and ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

They also found an 18-year-old young man with a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital but his injuries weren’t life-threatening. Pitts was arrested in the wake of the March 2023 shooting incident at Forsyth Technical Community College after police found him in a campus bathroom with what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound to his hand.

Triad celebrates “Random Acts of Kindness Day” Guilford County Little Miss Tarheel State, Isabella Edwards, 7, kicked off her “Random Acts of Kindness Day on Saturday by making more than 100 handmade cards to children in foster care. You never know if somebody is having a good or bad day and it’s always a chance to make someone smile,” Edwards told local reporters.

UNC Greensboro participated in the celebration as student ambassadors and honor society members greeted future students with the special gift of flowers, candy and words of affirmations. UNCG faulty member and author of “A Kid’s Book About Kindness,” Jackson Cooper, told outlets that everyone should also show themselves some kindness.

WXII

Goldsboro appoints interim city manager in the wake of ‘separation’

Fort Liberty officials offer update mold and leaks in barracks

Wayne County According to Goldsboro officials, the city council has sworn in an interim city manager after it approved a “mutual separation agreement” with former city manager Tim Salmon. In a meeting last week, the council unanimously passed a motion to approve Salmon’s release of employment, but did not disclose the reason behind the separation. In a press statement, the city announced Matthew Livingston had been sworn in on Wednesday as Goldsboro’s interim city manager. Livingston brings nearly 25 years of experience in local government, having served as town manager in Rolesville, Wallace and Ayden, and as the executive director of the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, according to the release.

Cumberland County In a press conference last week commanders at Fort Liberty addressed ongoing barracks issues. The Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks shut down in 2022 after reports of mold and leaks. Nearly 1,200 soldiers were forced to move out of the more than 50-years-old barracks.

Many relocated off post and to hotels, as the army figured out a solution. Two years later, renovations on those barracks are nearly completed. Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue said even after adding the barracks back online, it still won’t be enough barracks housing for soldiers. Fort Liberty leaders told press outlets that the base is coming up with innovative ways to house soldiers. They are pairing nearly 200 soldiers and moving them into vacant houses in a neighborhood on post.

NSJ WBTV

DMV privatization?

It’s a goal of an Onslow County senator

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH Best New Restaurant

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NSJ WNCN

RALEIGH — Sen. Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow) would like to see the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) move to the private sector.

In an interview with North State Journal, Larazza said he is optimistic lawmakers will get useful information from a study on privatizing the NCDMV due to the legislature on May 1.

The study, included in the most recent state budget, seeks to explore the possibility of further privatizing and modernizing services provided by the NCDMV to enhance citizen satisfaction and efficiency. $125,000 was set aside for an outside consultant firm to be hired to assess cost, legislative requirements, potential improvements, interaction with existing contractors, and economic impact.

Additionally, the study will look at transition strategies, oversight mechanisms, market interest from vendors, vendor selection methods, and alternative modernization approaches aside from privatization.

“We’ve just had a long list of frustrations with our DMV,” said Lazzara, who is co-chair of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee. “You know, it’s just the long wait times, the cumbersome process, the frustration from our states residents, you know our state citizens and our dealers - our auto dealers has just been overwhelming - and I think it just highlights the challenges that we face with the DMV.” “Some years ago we’d been asking for modernization and we allocated $90 million for the modernization of their software system, their processes. And you know we have LPA’s (License Plate Agencies) out there that that are, I guess somewhat private [or] they are private, but they work under a significant amount of rules and regulations and many of that are not as successful as we want them to be for the same reason.”

Lazzara said part of the problem is the outdated software systems used by the NCDMV, some of which still use a 60-year-old programming language called COBOL. “I mean, we can give them excuses and, again, we allocated $90,000,000 and they have upgraded,” Lazzara said of the NCDMV’s systems. “And they’ve used quite a bit of money for other things and they tried to launch some kiosks which weren’t successful.

So we just think that privatization is an option.”

In 2016, the only two NCDMV offices that handled registration stickers for personal vehicles as well as titles for cars used by state employees was transitioned to a company contracted through the NCDMV. Around the same time, most of the state’s license plate offices had also changed over to the private sector.

Many offices handling citizen car titles these days also are staffed by outside contract companies.

One state in the country, Hawaii, has moved its DMV operations away from state government control entirely. Hawaii’s DMV operations are now local government controlled with some partial privatization.

“We think that it it’s not just about outsourcing, it’s about infusing efficiency and customer centric into a public service,” said Lazzara. “And we just think that there may be some opportunities there to save money for our state government and to give the private sector an opportunity to provide service a lot more efficiently than we’re doing.”

Lazzara said he thinks it could lead to “substantial savings” by reducing overhead costs.

The Onslow lawmaker cited long wait times in his county, which also sees high transaction rates due to military base activity in that area, as well as a recent shutdown of an LPA that has had his office fielding a lot of complaints. Lazzara said he was able to get some relief for customers via a temporary office, however, it is only open for a couple of days each week.

We’ve just got to do better.

I mean, we can do better.

This is the 21th century,” Lazzara said. “You know we can do better and so I’m hoping that we get some really good information back where we can make some decisions to look at the potential privatization.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

NATION & WORLD

Democrats target GOP strongholds Texas and Florida with Senate majority on the line The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats hoping to hold their slim Senate majority after November are looking for upsets in two unlikely places, Texas and Florida, to help neutralize potential setbacks elsewhere.

But that means President Joe Biden’s party’s top opportunities to play political offense in Senate races are coming in America’s largest reliably red state and a onetime quintessential battleground that has moved decidedly to the right in recent years.

Still, with West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin not seeking reelection, his seat is likely to flip Republican. Retaining their 51-49 Senate advantage likely means Democrats must defend their other 22 seats on the 2024 ballot — including party incumbents and independents who caucus with them — while also gaining seats, and they say Texas and Florida are their best shot.

Democrats nationwide have championed abortion rights and are looking to build on gains among suburban women and other key swing voters since the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision in 2022. The party thinks many Texas and Florida voters are with them in believing Republicans have gone too far in restricting reproductive freedom.

In Florida, activists secured enough signatures to put on November’s ballot a referendum cementing access to abortion in the state constitution — following statewide votes defending abortion access in Republican-leaning Ohio and even more solidly red Kansas and Kentucky.

Democrats are also encouraged by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz eking out reelection in 2018 by less than 3 percentage points over Democrat Beto O’Rourke. In Florida, meanwhile, Republican Sen. Rick Scott won his seat that year by

AP PHOTO

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. around 10,000 votes out of 8.1plus million cast.

“I think they are winnable states with the right Democratic candidate and the right Republican candidate,” said Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. “And I think we’re going to have both.”

Running for Senate in Florida is Democratic former congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who upset two-term Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo in 2018 but lost her seat representing parts of Miami in 2020.

In Texas, Democratic Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas will have to overcome primary challenger Roland Gutierrez, a state senator from San Antonio, before he can take on Cruz.

Texas last voted Democratic for president in 1976. The party hasn’t won any of the 28 statewide offices there for 30 years.

O’Rourke, after nearly toppling

Cruz and unsuccessfully running for president in 2020, lost the 2022 governor’s race.

Florida voted twice for Donald Trump, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis romped to reelection in 2022, as did Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.

“Just ‘cause they’re the best options they have doesn’t mean they’re winnable, doesn’t mean they’re competitive,” said Texas Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak.

Republicans only have to defend 10 seats and are looking to flip as many as eight held by Democrats, including West Virginia.

Montana Sen. Steve Daines, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the party’s campaign arm, said “the Democrats, we know, are going to dump millions of dollars (in) out-of-state money to buy those two seats” in Florida and Texas, but he believes Scott and Cruz

are strong incumbents.

National Republicans are eying Ohio, where Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown was first elected in 2006, and Montana’s Jon Tester, also a three-term Democratic incumbent. Both states are expected to vote Republican for president.

“This team is not over-confident,” Daines said. “We know we also have a great map, but you can’t fall in love with the map.”

He said strong candidates and messaging will make the difference, as well as a renewed push to encourage early voting and mail-balloting after Trump discouraged them in 2020.

The Democrats’ Senate campaign arm is including Texas and Florida in an investment worth at least $1 million on research and communications staffers across nine total states tasked with highlighting potential weaknesses of the GOP candidates.

Nikki Haley hasn’t yet won a GOP contest.

But she’s vowing to keep fighting Donald Trump The Associated Press GREENVILLE, S.C. — There are no wins on the horizon for Nikki Haley.

Those close to the former United Nations ambassador, the last major Republican candidate standing in Donald Trump’s path to the GOP’s 2024 presidential nomination, are privately bracing for a blowout loss in her home state’s primary election in South Carolina on Saturday. And they cannot name a state where she is likely to beat Trump in the coming weeks.

But in an emotional address on Tuesday, Haley declared, “I refuse to quit.”

And in an interview, she vowed to stay in the fight against Trump at least until after Super Tuesday’s slate of more than a dozen contests on March 5 — even if she suffers a big loss in her home state Saturday.

“Ten days after South Carolina, another 20 states vote. I mean, this isn’t Russia. We don’t want someone to go in and just get 99% of the vote,” Haley told The Associated Press. “What is the rush? Why is everybody so panicked about me having to get out of this race?”

As Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement presses for her exit, a defiant Haley on Tuesday repeatedly likened Trump to Democratic President Joe Biden —and both as too old, too divisive and too unpopular to be the only options for voters this fall.

She also pushed back when asked if there is any primary state where she can defeat

MEG KINNARD | AP PHOTO

Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley gives a speech on the state of her campaign on Feb. 20, 2024, in Greenville, S.C. Trump.

“Instead of asking me what states I’m gonna win, why don’t we ask how he’s gonna win a general election after spending a full year in a courtroom?”

History would suggest Haley has no chance of stopping Trump.

Never before has a Republican lost even the first two primary contests, as Haley has by an average of 21 points, and gone on

the win the party’s presidential nomination. Polls suggest she is a major underdog in her home state on Saturday and in the 16 Super Tuesday contests to follow.

And since he announced his first presidential bid in 2015, every effort by a Republican to blunt Trump’s rise has failed.

The lone member of Congress who has endorsed Haley, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., acknowledged that it may be dif-

ficult to win South Carolina, a state where she lives and served two terms as governor.

“Obviously, you want to win them all, but for those who say it’s going to embarrass her, or end her political career, I disagree. She’s willing to take that risk,” Norman said in an interview. “I think it’s a courageous thing she’s doing.”

Moving forward, Haley’s team is especially focused on several Super Tuesday states with open or semi-open Republican primaries that allows a broader collection of voters to participate — especially independents and moderates — instead of just hardcore conservatives.

Ahead of the speech, Trump’s campaign released a memo predicting that Haley would be forced out of the race after losing her home state Saturday.

“The true ‘State’ of Nikki Haley’s campaign?” Trump’s campaign chiefs wrote. “Broken down, out of ideas, out of gas, and completely outperformed by every measure, by Donald Trump.”

Eager to pivot toward a general election matchup against Biden, the Republican former president is also taking aggressive steps to assume control of the Republican National Committee, the GOP’s nationwide political machine, which is supposed to stay neutral in presidential primary elections. Last week, Trump announced plans to install his campaign’s senior adviser Chris LaCivita, as RNC’s chief operating officer and daughter-in-law Lara Trump as the committee’s co-chair.

Israel’s Netanyahu slams Brazilian president’s comparison of Gaza war to the Holocaust Tel Aviv, Israel Israel on Sunday condemned Brazil’s president for comparing the war in Gaza to the Holocaust, accusing him of being antisemitic and trivializing the Nazi genocide of European Jews during World War II. The outcry further strained relations between the countries, which have deteriorated since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva returned to office last year.

Speaking to reporters at the African Union summit in Ethiopia, Lula said that “what is happening in the Gaza Strip and to the Palestinian people hasn’t been seen in any other moment in history. Actually, it did when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Lula’s comments “trivialized the Holocaust” and “crossed a red line.” He also accused Lula of being a “virulent antiSemite.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican opponent of US aid to Ukraine brings his case to an international conference Munich A Republican opponent of new U.S. funding for Ukraine argued at an international security conference Sunday that the package stuck in Congress wouldn’t “fundamentally change the reality” on the ground and that Russia has an incentive to negotiate peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vice President Kamala Harris and others have advocated passage of the $60 billion in aid at the Munich Security Conference, which coincided with Ukraine withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka after months of intense combat.

But Sen. JD Vance, an Ohio Republican, said “the problem in Ukraine… is that there’s no clear end point” and that the U.S. doesn’t make enough weapons to support wars in eastern Europe, the Middle East and “potentially a contingency in East Asia.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Biden plans to welcome Kenyan president to White House for state visit in May Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden plans to welcome Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House in May, hosting a state visit after reneging on his promise to visit Africa last year.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Friday that the visit set for May 23 will mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.Kenya diplomatic relations and “celebrate a partnership that is delivering for the people” of both countries while affirming “our strategic partnership” with Ruto’s country.

First lady Jill Biden traveled to Kenya last February during a five-day, two-country tour of the continent. The White House also confirmed that both Ruto and Kenyan first lady Rachel Ruto will be honored with a dinner with the Bidens.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A7

normal

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 America THIS WEEK, virus, according to members of ied to tell the world there were only “THIS IS around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spre are having to adjust to 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 tha In order to put the crisis causedVirginia’s

by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero millions of Americans ne orders go into June. ty of at Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask muted — after all, trends canhas easily revers ayer least $2.4 trillion in added working from worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over The crisis cost the Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated dur 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” tt our 231-year be that debt plus trillions more a recent coronavirus press can briefing “we just don’t know yet”asifin nd of this month. normal are treated in some circles with contempt. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social d he U.S. dollar were not the reserve and dad, the directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977 markets and financial ou will extend into May. Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. fund any of these emergency have tonot bethe th “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak.

There is evidence that the currency, would b Perhaps If he does decide to extend it, questions should bewe asked as to We need WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the The result: a reduction inwithout expected hosp Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic. massive 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures immed justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “ COVID-19 t 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 ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oftAs ciI ant ways and decisions through making. and honesty originated in at Wuhan Province probably from the completely China has to pay for th provide a all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state w asked as to the questions.

And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the Trump administration, the expected need plomacy has obviously not worked Corinthians Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. believe it came of at a home economic and financial m fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and for an undetermined message of become a gue likecentury “we health, country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 1 orldones of 21st hygiene affliction, biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to we bring China into the ci scientific experts amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands ofso c hope that will bad thing? the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the numb unist regimes never take the 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. orse, 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 no other or express regret To know date, what I’ve gone what the state has asked and then they along with 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 Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy tothar pushing until they win or the reflect on concerts, family for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery they find in adversaries the data. State Republican leaders have, too. living in a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer First, what is the true coronavirus fatal God’sback. examp don’t and when reliability adversaries gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get push asked, there AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with society were ked and then with details that give their statements believability. important because it determines whether ent happens such asThe thefinancial Chernobyl this difficult The most direct way to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exog they to disaster corruption. squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among people to treat thos church some services questions about We should families, be open or closed,meltdown whether we oughtSome to we pu believe 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 half of their in 1986. what they questioning the data and asking when we can start getting and many more Sponsored by ourselves, and our communities safe.

But we should also still continue more liberalized society that presumes wi Sponsored by o the dissolution of the Soviet In thisled sam bit of remediation.

Let’sUnion first examine what production back in the States.

There is though approximately programor of are Reagan, d to do, lastUnited I to normal they are$120 conspiracy theorists people wh don’t.as afterdown our own asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock further. neighbors he mightisbe the root academic corruption, billion worth checked. of American direct investment in plants and equipment in 1989. otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. title of a recent study, ehernobyl. to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have an date. direct investment in the U.S. is about $65We’ve seen rates — Concor the num temporary In inexpiration China. Chinese billion by case fatality Perhaps COVID-19 C Since when did questioning government at all levels become aisba “Academic Grievance Studies and the North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 20 start getting back This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal.

Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases eady talking about the possibility money to bu sacrifices are comparison.

Senators in Washingto thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were suppo Corruption of Scholarship.”

The study was are people who shape, safe, at and in theChina denominator are likely wrong.

We debt we owe them asEnergy one wayor toform. get So while we should remain vigilant and stay health care An investment tax credit of 30% U.S. investment forgiving $1.2 trw over. of China Siemens toon do,half lastof I checked. done

by Areo, an opinion and analysis sick. the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new people have actually died of coronavirus. y have caused the US. Don’t hold your today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing China to “pay” for the dam digital magazine.

By the way, Areo is short My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family expands in Mecklenburg ls become badbut ask normal.” number beenbreath overestimated, given th lee” to happen your elected foraAreopagitica, a speech delivered by investment to the U.S. would costworried the U.S.about Treasury billion in has waiting Ifor a Chin them$18 catching the virus, and I’m worried will.

Afte County, creates 559 ty were supposed Not one little bit. of death, particularly among elderly patien ountableJohn in tangible financial Milton in defense ways of freefor speech. tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion lost revenue hold C suffering fromin the H1N1 virusis(swine flu) representatives during the 2009topandem Authors sources suggest the number is dramatical new jobsHelen Pluckrose, James A. decimal dust compared to the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster. been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah 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 It is at about timenot they way too memories of a painful experience I’d prefer to ar re something has gone drastically wrong ied I will.

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

Siemens Energy Inc., one of Even more importantly, we have no clue ation. 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 world’s leading energy 2009 pandemic, actually have coronavirus. Some scientists China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American fields withincompanies the humanities. technology and aThey call l of this brings up of identified business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that theycases could be an order of ma these fields “grievance studies,” where long-standing North Carolina Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill,coronavir senior refer notscholarship to repeat. is not number of people who have had so much based upon intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and employer, announced that it ost everyone has finding truth but upon attending to replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. will be expanding its operations

business & economy Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

A6

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social grievances. Grievance scholars in the state, creating a total of bully students, administrators and other 599 jobs. Theinto project brings departments adhering to their an investment $149.8 they promote is worldview.

The of worldview Jason million scientific and will establish in neither nor rigorous.

Grievance EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS Mecklenburg the studies consistCounty of disciplines such as company’s first manufacturing sociology, anthropology, gender studies, site instudies, the United Statesand critical race COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON queer sexuality to build Large Power studies.

AP PHOTO Transformers (LPTs), a critical In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, component the nation’s Lindsay and of Boghossian started submitting academicispapers to Harvested corn grain is dumped into a grain wagon, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. power grid.bogus The expansion academic in cultural, queer, also set tojournals add positions to race, gender, fatengineering and sexuality studies the company’s to determineinifWake they County. would pass peer operations “THIS IS THEfallen DAYinto the lord has made seriousness of and the be virus and power the review accepted for need publication.

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home place.

I unders “Manufacturing large Acceptance of in dubious research in it” (Psalm 118:24). y with how people who simply ask that transformers the United orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but I editors found sympathetic to their this challenging tim n thingsjournal can start getting back States will strengthen andto are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”I know that during questions about the data, intersectional or postmodern leftist vision working from home or losing a job, it may expand our electrical grid to with contempt.

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. normal are treated in som of the world would prove the problem of incorporate more renewable be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. as Howev a societylow simply must accept without Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

They’re treated thou academic standards. energy meet growing and dad, the Easter holiday hasthe reminded s us about whenand it’s safefake to begin thepapers Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what govern Several of the research energy demand,” said Tim and of hopeful for, even alcy. were accepted for publication. The Fat a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t knowhave yet”to if be thethankful process returning back Holt, Member ofpublished the Lenten and pandemic. us, and we have the right to Executive ask those Studies journal a hoax paper state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May. No. The government w Since when did Board Siemens Energy. that argued the term bodybuilding was For me, my faith is an important part o home orders areofin place all over the Easter seasons If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the questions.

And the longer “We are excited to do that questioning andas should beinreplaced making.

As I celebrated my fs hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, justification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country,Easter and thewith stricter provide Charlotte, North Carolina, with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive government Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lo eeling isolated and/or anxious about inflation will continue. eral Reserve’s target level.

Yet The Associated Press ed lower, and in December must do this out of an abundance of caution.” the more people, sitting a where our performance.” existing factoryOne andreviewer message of politicized affliction, so that we may be able to comfo ng for their families, will demand The wholesale figures follow many Americans remain exasthey forecast that they would at all levels It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who when they can get back to incredible team is answering said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this hope that we will thisaffliction, surprisingly report thattold average prices jobless are a and cut their benchmark rate three D.C. — perated with the comfort which we our the calland of our customers and are being to remain at home hot for an undetermined answers. article believe it has an important WASHINGTON, become a once again enjoy week that showed that consumstill about 19% higher than they times this year.

Last year, the Wholesale prices in the United God.”of cases vels should be as forthcoming as policymakers help to protect contribution totomake thethey field and this amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands Leaders at the local an er pricessporting eased lessevents, than expect- IfFed its rate to athe 22-year States picked bad up inthing?

January, the were when Biden took office. youhiked are celebrating Easter season our nation’s energybut andanswer again, not vague answers, journal.” are reliable. can be with those Some of the January rise in ed last month, signaling that the high of about 5.4% to extend answer latest sign that some inflation “Our Struggle Is Although My Struggle: Solidarity national security.”

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 the its concerted drive to conquer Feminism anfamilies, Intersectional Reply topressures in the economy re- producer prices was driven by pandemic-fueled inflation surge wages willas vary depending God’s example andIts comfort allallthose in n hat we can to keep our free citizens mandated that we do, butinalong the way I’ve alsoand had fitfully questions about We should continue gatherings, is only gradually measurement quirks.

They high inflation. rate hikes, main elevated.

Neoliberal and Feminism,” was onshould position, theChoice average thiswhich difficult time.

Through faith and by h afe. But we also still continue coming under an increase in the cost ofleaders were intended toand cool The Laborliving Department the data.

State Republican have, too.control. ourselves, our comm church services in a freere- clude accepted for publication

by Affilia, a salary for the new positions in confident we will emerge out of this pand ecause while reasonable stay-at-home Some of Friday’s data is used financial management services, borrowing and spending, have ported Friday that its producer Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is to ask questions about th feminist journal for social workers. The Mecklenburg will be and the many more were in- which jumped 5.5% just from to calculate Fed’s preferred made it far more expensive to to be ins price index —society which tracks Inthose this same spirit, I continue y shouldpaper also have an County expiration date. sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat measures are understand consisted in part of a rewritten $87,036. The current average after ourwhich own will beneighbors it reaches con- December to January. In addi- price measure, obtain mortgages, take out auto helping neighbors. nd it is not normal.

Not in any way,Two other flation beforesupposed passage Mein Kampf. simply questioning the data and askinglater when wemonth. can start getting back This is all new to Amer wage infrom the county is $84,797. reported this That tion, many companies impose sumers — rose 0.3% from Deand business loans or use credit temporary In Concord, a high school senior named d remainhoax vigilant and stay safe, at papers were published, including to do, last I to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, or form.

So while w Siemens Energy has been cember to January after having price increases early in the cal- gauge has been running well be- cards.

“Rape and Queer Performativity money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to mfortable withCulture thisinso-called “new sacrifices are otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick. the same time we shouldn operating the United States fallen -0.1% from November to endar year, which often boosts low the better-known consumer Should inflation return to the checked. at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject health care outborrowing of his own home. for more than 100 years and Sinceinflation when did questioning government atthe all levels become a bad normal.” over. price index.

In second half overall measures in December.

Measured year over Fed’s 2% workers target, high was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape currently has 21 manufacturing of 2023, the Fed’s favored meaJanuary. year, producer prices rose by a rates would likely no longer bebit. thing?

That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed Not one little paper eventually forced Boghossian, and service facilities and sure, showed that prices rose at At the same time, though, mild 0.9% in January. deemed necessary.

Instead, the to do, last I checked.

Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out just in a 2% matching upwards of A 10,000 employees costs of hospital Fed would expected to cut has also under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah first concerncare, as wedocgo along allannual this, ofrate, course, is my family.

I’m beStacey Matthews themselves.

Wall Street Journal writer Excluding volatile food and the My its inflation target. tor visits and hotel stays also energy costs, “core” wholesale rates, which would make conin the country, with more than dState and Insurrection. hadLegal figured out what they were doing. worried about them catching theBut virus, and I’m worried I of will. After and is a regular contribu after Friday’s release jumped last month, a sign that prices rose 0.5%, the most since sumer and business loans more 1,250 of those currently based Some papers accepted for publication suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, last July. Compared with a year inflation in travel, health care wholesale prices, economists affordable. inacademic Charlotte.journals advocated training in I’veother beenservice tryingindustries to take extra all of this brings forecast thatbecause when core prices also precautions, ago, core prices climbed 2%, and Still,upsome officials remain men like dogs and punishing white male way too many memories of a painful experience I’ d prefer not to repeat. Late Thursday, Rain the Fed’s preferred gauge are remains elevated. up from 1.7% in the previous cautious. college students for historical slavery by reported later this month, they Friday’s figures will likely unmonth. phael But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone hasBostic, president of the asking to sit in silence on the floor in Statethem Board approves will have jumped by as much derscore the Fed’s caution about Public frustration with inflaFederal Reserve Bank of Atlanchains during class and to be expected to tion has become a central issue when to begin cutting its bench- as 0.4% or 0.5%, a pace much ta, said he was “not yet comfortPropel learn fromNC thebusiness discomfort. Other papers celebrated as a healthy in lifePresident Joe Biden’s re-elec- mark interest rate. Fed officials faster than would be consistent able that inflation is inexorably model tomorbid alignobesity funding tion bid. Measures of inflation will likely want to monitor sev- with the Fed’s inflation target. declining to our 2% objective.” choice and advocated treating privately with workforce sectors Fed officials have expressed conducted masturbation as a form of have plummeted from their eral more months of data to enheights and are nearing the Fed- sure that a downward trend in optimism that inflation is head- See INFLATION, page A11 sexual violence against women. Typically, The North Carolina State s academic journal editors send submitted Board out of Community Colleges papers to referees for review. In recently approved Propel recommending acceptance for publication, NC, areviewers new imitative to papers glowing many gaveset these redefine the alignment of praise. the state’s scientist 58 community Political Zach Goldberg ran colleges with employer certain grievance studiesand concepts through economic demands.

Propel the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press NC is set to transform the over the years.

He foundmodel huge increases in the usages funding to prioritize of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” labor-market outcomes and “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” high-demand sectors, such All this is being taught to college as of advanced manufacturing, sion from dismissing its lawsuit. ed the state constitution with The Associated Press students, many healthcare andof IT.whom This become primary The body is also one of three laws in 2023 that contain board and secondary school teachers who then approach positions the North challenged commissions where memberships that weaken his RALEIGH — A North Carindoctrinate our youngCollege people.

The environmental panel Carolina Community membership now also includes control over them.

On six of olina environmental board I doubtaswhether the coronavirusSystem a key driver of the is one of seven boards appointees of the insurance or the boards, including the enviwhose recent membership altercaused financial crunch will give college state’s economic growth and ronmental panel, the governor ation by the General Assembly agriculture commissioners, who and commissions that the and university administrators, who are a competitiveness. The new plan is being challenged by Gov. Roy no longer gets to fill a majority like the governor are executive crossbreed between a parrot and jellyfish, Democratic governor sued was approved with unanimous of positions.

Republicans have Cooper can cancel its own lawbranch officers. the guts and backbone to restore academic support from the State Board said the changes bring more disuit over pollution limits while Cooper lawyer Jim Phillips GOP legislative leaders over respectability. Far too often, they get much argued that the state constituduring February meeting of their its political support from campus the governor’s broader litigation versity to state panels.

The judges heard three hours in October. about several state commissions tion “charges the governor alone this past Friday. grievance people “Propel who areNC members of the of arguments Friday from attorcontinues, judges ruled Friday. with the responsibility to ensure is a dynamic and responsive faculty and diversity and multicultural The decision from a three- neys for Cooper and GOP legisthat our laws are faithfully exechange that allows us to administrative offices. lative leaders, mostly pitching judge panel — a setback for ment Commission was not part cuted.” He again emphasized meet the evolving needs of The best hope lies with boards of Cooper — dissolves last month’s why their clients should come of their injunction. state Supreme Court rulings employers and get theserve next as yes-men trustees, though many out victorious in Cooper’s full order from a single judge to That opened the door to a refrom the 1980s and 2010s as generation of workers readyI think that a for the university president. lawsuit.

The judges didn’t immetemporarily block the Environconstituted commission, with a confirmation that GOP legislafor high-demand, good start would begood-paying to find 1950s or 1960s catalogs.

Look the course offerings atmental Management Commis- diately rule on those competing new chairman and fewer Coo- tors went too far in membership jobs,” said TomatLooney, sion from dismissing its com- judgment requests, but asked per allies as members, to vote in changes that took away Cooper’s aChairman time whenofcollege graduates the State Board, knew how plaint against the Rules Review the parties to send draft orders January to back out of the law- appointments and gave them to to write and compute, inread, a press release.

“We needand make them today’s curricula.

Another helpfulCommission. The rules panel by Feb. 23. Any ruling could be suit that was filed when Cooper the General Assembly, its leadto take action now to ensure had blocked regulations from appealed to state courts. The appointees held a majority of ers or other statewide elected tool be to give careful consideration thatwould our colleges continue the environmental panel on new lawsuit is one of many filed by commission positions. Cooper’s officials. to eliminating all classes/majors/minors to lead in delivering a skilled numerical standards in surface Cooper against GOP legislative attorneys argued that the withBut Matthew Tilley, a lawyer containing word “studies,” workforce the essential for North such as waters of a synthetic industrial leaders over the balance of pow- draw provided evidence that for House Speaker Tim Moore women, Asian, blackeconomic or queer studies.

Carolina’s ongoing I’d bet that by restoring the traditional chemical because it said some er in the two branches of gov- changes to the 15-member body and Senate leader Phil Berger, development.”

Now that the information it received was in- ernment since 2016. prevented him from carrying said the governor has “never academic mission to colleges, they would State Board has approved the The panel of Superior Court adequate. out laws in line with his policy been alone in the exercise of put a serious dent into the COVID-19 plan, the new funding model Judges John Dunlow, Paul HolThe environmental panel is preferences. executive power in our state.” budget shortfall. will be considered by the North one of seven boards and com- combe and Dawn Layton in Dunlow didn’t give a reason Tilley also suggested the distriCarolina Assembly in of missions that the Democratic November blocked changes to in court Friday why the three bution of duties to other execuWalter E. General Williams is a professor the upcoming short session. economics at George Mason University.governor sued GOP legislative three challenged boards while judges denied Cooper’s request tive branch officers is a General leaders over in October. Cooper Cooper’s lawsuit played out. But for a longer injunction prevent- Assembly policy preference that alleges that lawmakers violat- the Environmental Manage- ing the environmental commis- isn’t subject to judicial review.

VISUAL VOICES

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

US wholesale inflation accelerated in January in latest sign that prices picked up last month

North Carolina judges say environmental board can end suit while Cooper’s challenge continues

A10

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Ford CEO says company will rethink where it builds vehicles after last year’s autoworkers strike The Associated Press DETROIT — Last fall’s contentious United Auto Workers’ strike changed Ford’s relationship with the union to the point where it will “think carefully” about where it builds future vehicles, Ford’s top executive said Thursday.

CEO Jim Farley told the Wolfe Research Global Auto Conference in New York that the company always took pride in its relationship with the UAW, having avoided strikes since the 1970s.

But last year, Ford’s highly profitable factory in Louisville, Kentucky, was the first truck plant that the UAW shut down with a strike.

Farley said as the company looks at the transition from internal combustion to electric vehicles, “we have to think carefully about our (manufacturing) footprint.”

Ford, Farley said, decided to build all of its highly profitable big pickup trucks in the U.S., and by far has the most union members — 57,000 — of any Detroit automaker. This came at a higher cost than competitors, who went through bankruptcy and built truck plants in Mexico, he said. But Ford thought it was the “right kind of cost,” Farley said.

“Our reliance on the UAW turned out to be we were the first truck plant to be shut down,” Farley told the conference.

“Really our relationship has changed. It’s been a watershed moment for the company. Does this have business impact? Yes.” In a statement, union President Shawn Fain said Ford should stay focused on building the best auto industry, not on a race to lower wages.

AP PHOTO

Ford Motor Co., President and CEO Jim Farley announces the automaker’s new BlueOval Battery Park, Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, in Romulus, M.I. “Maybe Ford doesn’t need to move factories to find the cheapest labor on Earth,” he said.

“Maybe it needs to recommit to American workers and find a CEO who’s interested in the future of this country’s auto industry,” Fain said.

Asked about Farley’s comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden believes in making goods and creating jobs in the U.S. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that continues,” she said.

Biden, she said, believes that workers have the right to collective bargaining to get better wages and benefits like the UAW did. “That is something that the president is always going to speak for and is going to stand

up for” she said.

The UAW made strong wage gains after a six-week strike at selected plants run by Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis. Top-scale factory workers won 33% raises in a contract that runs through April of 2028, taking their top wage to around $42 per hour.

High manufacturing costs are among the reasons why Ford has a $7 billion annual cost disadvantage to competitors, Farley has said. He told the conference that Ford is making progress on cutting those costs with cultural and structural changes at the company.

It expects to take out $2 billion worth of costs this year, and Farley said he thinks cuts in manufacturing costs will offset

the cost of the UAW contract.

Ford has said the contract would add $900 to the cost of a vehicle by the time it reaches full effect.

Ford has shifted its electric vehicle strategy to concentrate on smaller, lower priced EVs and work vehicles such as pickup trucks and full-size vans, Farley said. Any EV larger than a Ford Escape small SUV “better be really functional or a work vehicle.”

A small team within the company is developing the underpinnings of a less costly smaller vehicle, which Farley said would be profitable because of U.S. federal tax credits as high as $7,500 per vehicle.

He gave no time frame for the small EV to come out, but said Ford’s next generation of electric vehicles would come in the 2025

through 2027 time frame.

His comments about the union raise questions about whether the new small EV would be built in Mexico, which has lower labor costs. Vehicles built in North America are still eligible for the U.S. tax credit.

Farley also sees EV battery prices coming down with more competition. The company, he said, may go with a common cylinder-shaped cell to leverage purchasing and get better prices. He also said Ford might do that with another automaker.

Ford’s Model e, the electric vehicle unit, lost nearly $5 billion before taxes last year. Farley wouldn’t give a date for it to break even, but said any new EV built by the company has to make money within 12 months of its release.

The company still posted net income of $4.3 billion due largely to big profits from its Pro commercial vehicle unit and Ford Blue, the internal combustion division.

Farley said Ford and others will have trouble competing on EVs with Chinese automakers, who have gone from no EV market share in Europe two years ago to 10% of the market now.

Chinese auto giant BYD ‘s Seagull small electric vehicle, he said, has about $9,000 in material costs, and it will probably cost the company another $2,000 to meet crash test standards, for a total of around $11,000. It has a range of about 150 miles in cold weather, “not a fantastic vehicle, but pretty damn good.”

Ford’s lowest-priced U.S. EV is the Mustang Mach e, which starts around $43,000.

Shares of Ford closed Thursday up 2.4%.

Consumer sentiment edges higher as economic growth accelerates and inflation fades

pandemic, however, consumer spending has been mostly healthy even when measures of sentiment were quite low.

Lael Brainard, a top White

House economic adviser, in a statement Friday credited the brightening outlook to “the increase in real wages, wealth, business creation, and job op-

portunities” that have occurred duiring Biden’s term. “Consumer expectations for business conditions over the next five years rose to the highest level since

December 2020,” she added.

In recent weeks, most economic data has been positive, and has indicated that the economy is still growing, employers are hiring, and inflation is coming down. Growth reached 3.3% in the final three months of last year, much better than economists had forecast. Consumer prices rose just 2.6% in December compared with a year ago, according to the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, though the better-known consumer price index picked up a bit in January.

There has been a clear partisan gap in how Democrats and Republicans perceive the economy, and it has intensified in the past decade. In February, sentiment among Democrats was 34 points higher than for Republicans.

Yet the small gain in sentiment this month came from Republicans, whose confidence measure rose to 65 from 56.3.

There was a tiny gain among independents, from 74.6 to 76.6, and a drop among Democrats, to 98.4 from 101.7.

Other measures of confidence have also shown clear improvement this winter. A daily survey by Morning Consult has increased 7% since the end of November.

And a quarterly measure of CEO confidence by the Conference Board reached 53 in the first three months of this year, the first time it has topped 50 — when more CEOs are optimistic than pessimistic — in two years.

month, “it’s totally clear that inflation is coming down.”

Some Wall Street traders and economists had expected the Fed to implement its first rate cut as soon as March. But two weeks ago, Powell made clear that a cut that month was unlikely and said the Fed needed “greater confidence” that inflation is sustain-

ably returning to its 2% target before it would start reducing rates. Most economists now envision a rate cut in May or, perhaps more likely, in June.

Fed officials have expressed optimism that inflation is headed lower, and in December they forecast that they would cut their benchmark rate three times this

year. Last year, the Fed hiked its rate to a 22-year high of about 5.4% to extend its concerted drive to conquer high inflation.

Its rate hikes, which were intended to cool borrowing and spending, have made it far more expensive to obtain mortgages, take out auto and business loans or use credit cards.

Two weeks ago, Powell made clear that a cut in March is unlikely and said the Fed needed “greater confidence” that inflation is sustainably returning to its 2% target before it would start reducing rates. Most economists now envision a rate cut in May or, perhaps more likely, in June.

The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A measure of consumer sentiment ticked higher this month, after soaring in December and January, underscoring that Americans are starting to feel better about the economy after several years of gloom.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, released Friday, ticked up to 79.6 in February, from 79 in January. The small gain followed two months of sharp increases that were the largest in more than 30 years. How Americans feel could impact the presidential race this year, which will likely focus heavily on President Joe Biden’s economic record.

Still, consumer sentiment remains 6% below its long-run average after the worst spike in inflation in four decades pushed up the cost of groceries, rent, gas, and other necessities, frustrating many consumers.

“The fact that sentiment lost no ground this month suggests that consumers continue to feel more assured about the economy, confirming the considerable improvements in December and January,” said Joanne Hsu, director of the consumer survey.

“Consumers continued to express confidence that the slowdown in inflation and strength in labor markets would continue.”

Improving consumer confidence can often lead to greater spending, which can support economic growth. Since the

INFLATION from page A9

But other Fed policymakers said they were still optimistic, even after the release of the hot consumer inflation report Tuesday. Austan Goolsbee, president of the Chicago Fed, said Wednesday that by assessing data over longer periods than just one

AP PHOTO

A golfer drives range balls on a warm day in Des Plaines, I.L., Feb. 1, 2024.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

NCDOT CASH REPORT

A11 FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEB 18

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

Americans divided on TikTok ban even as Biden campaign joins the app, recent poll shows The Associated Press President Joe Biden’s campaign is embracing TikTok to court younger voters ahead of the presidential elections, but U.S. adults have mixed views about whether the video-sharing app should even operate in the country.

A new poll by The Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds a three-way split when it comes to banning the app, with 31% of U.S. adults saying they would favor a nationwide ban on TikTok use, while 35% say they would oppose that type of action. An additional 31% of adults say they neither favor nor oppose a ban on the social media platform, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance. Among those who use TikTok at least daily, a national ban would likely be highly unpopular: 73% say they oppose it.

Talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch in the U.S. early last year after a series of Western lawmakers, governments and regulators raised concerns that a set of Chinese laws could force the company to share user data with the country’s authoritarian government. Specific evidence of such an incident hasn’t been provided by the U.S. government or TikTok critics, who also posit the platform could be used to spread propaganda beneficial to the Chinese government’s interests or be used to bury or amplify certain topics.

TikTok has vigorously defended itself, saying in part that it has never shared data with the Chinese government and won’t do so if asked. The company also has promised to wall off U.S. user data from its parent company through a separate entity run independently from ByteDance and monitored by outside observers. TikTok says new user data is currently being stored on servers maintained by the software company Oracle.

The White House is expected to announce later this month new efforts it will take aimed at protecting Americans’ sensitive personal data from foreign adversaries, including China, according to a person familiar with the administration’s planning.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the plan that has yet to be formally announced by the White House.

The Biden administration also reaffirmed this week there is an ongoing review of the platform

AP PHOTO

Fans sit under a TikTok ad at a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, April 14, 2023, in New York.

“For politicians, it’s like a hot potato,” said Dan Ives, a tech analyst at the financial advisory firm Wedbush Securities. “Because in one way (they) want to sound tough in front of the microphone. But then the reality is, it could backfire.”

A majority of U.S. adults, 56%, said they would favor a more limited TikTok ban on government devices, such as government employees’ computers and phones. Such bans have been implemented by at least 36 states, the federal government and some other countries, as well as the European Union.

About a quarter of U.S. adults are neutral on blocking TikTok from government devices, while 17% are opposed.

The Biden campaign has said it is using a separate cellphone for TikTok to isolate the app from other communications and was taking additional steps for protection. Some Republicans have criticized the decision.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, also told

reporters on Monday that he remained concerned about the social media platform.

“We still need to find a way to follow India, which has prohibited TikTok,” Warner said. “I’m a little worried about a mixed message.”

In response to a question about whether the campaign’s use of the app neutralizes security concerns that have been raised, TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek said, “We’re hopeful policymakers — of both parties — recognize the progress we’ve made in securing protected U.S. user data, an effort that has put us well ahead of any peer company in this space.”

Last year, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joined the app in an effort to reach younger voters, despite calling it “digital fentanyl” that must be banned. Other Republican candidates found other methods to get their messages on the platform, such as producing video clips that could be shared between apps or working with conservative influenc-

ers already present on the app.

The poll also found that about 6 in 10 U.S. adults — and 41% of daily TikTok users — are “extremely or very concerned” about the amount of time children and teenagers spend on TikTok. A majority of adults, 59%, say they are concerned about the spread of misinformation on the app, while about half are worried about people doing dangerous or illegal things they see others doing on the platform, something that is felt less among TikTok users.

TikTok said last year it was implementing time limits for minors. But those restrictions still allow teens to keep watching content after they enter a passcode.

The company says it’s also bolstering its work to counter misinformation by partnering with more global fact-checking organizations, among other initiatives. This week, TikTok said it would set up fact-checking hubs inside the app to help counter false information in the upcoming European Union elections.

FDA expands use of asthma drug Xolair to treat severe food allergies

eggs. The medication allows them to tolerate higher amounts of such foods without causing major reactions.

Many people with allergies — and their families — live with constant anxiety about exposure to allergens and often avoid dining out and other social situations.

“To have this protection is going to be life-changing,” said Dr. Robert Wood, director of the pediatric allergy division at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

The FDA decision is based on a study led by Wood and funded by the National Institutes of Health. It showed that Xolair allowed about 68% of participants with peanut allergies to tolerate about 600 milligrams, or about 1/2 teaspoon, of peanut protein, compared with about 6% of those who received dummy injections.

The results were similar for other allergens such as tree nuts, milk, egg and wheat, a study abstract reported. Full results are expected to be presented at a meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal later this month.

Wood estimated that 25% to 50% of people with food allergies, particularly children and young adults, would elect to use Xolair.

The drug has been used

“off-label” to treat food allergies, said Dr. Ruchi Gupta, director of the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research at Northwestern University. She welcomed full approval of the product.

Xolair is a monoclonal antibody, a type of treatment that works by blocking the body’s natural response to allergens. It was first approved in 2003 and has been used to treat asthma, nasal polyps and chronic hives.

It is produced by drugmakers Novartis and Roche and is distributed by a Roche subsidiary, Genentech.

The most common side effects of Xolair are injection site reactions and fever, but the FDA noted that the drug has also been associated with joint pain, rash, parasitic infections, malignancies and abnormal laboratory tests. Xolair comes with a warning saying the treatment itself can cause anaphylaxis and must be started in a health care setting equipped to manage the reaction.

The medication is not approved for emergency treatment of allergic reactions.

The list price for Xolair ranges from about $2,900 a month for children to $5,000 a month for adults, according to Genentech. Most insured patients typically pay less out of pocket, the company said.

by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which last year reportedly threatened to widely ban the app if its Chinese owners don’t divest their stakes.

Meanwhile, congressional efforts to enact a broader ban — including bipartisan legislation that doesn’t mention TikTok by name but would give the Commerce Department the power to review and potentially restrict its use — was stalled last year amid opposition from industry and digital rights groups, as well as some lawmakers, influencers and small businesses who use the platform.

The AP-NORC poll shows TikTok users — about 170 million in the U.S., most of whom skew younger — are less likely to be worried about the app sharing American users’ data, reflecting a previously felt generational divide. About a quarter of daily users say they are “extremely or very concerned” about the idea of the Chinese government obtaining the personal information of users, compared to about half of U.S. adults overall.

The Associated Press

AP PHOTO

This Feb. 20, 2015 photo shows an arrangement of peanuts in New York.

A MEDICATION USED to treat asthma can now be used to help people with food allergies avoid severe reactions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday.

Xolair, the brand name for the drug omalizumab, became the first medication approved to reduce allergic reactions caused by accidental exposure to food triggers. Patients as young as age 1 with allergies can take the drug by injection every two to four weeks, depending on their weight and their body’s response to allergens.

An estimated 17 million people in the U.S. have the type of food allergies that can cause rapid, serious symptoms, including severe, whole-body reactions that are potentially deadly.

People who use Xolair must continue to avoid the foods that cause them reactions, such as peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, milk products and

A12

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Cleveland-Cliffs to shutter West Virginia tin plant and lay off 900 after tariff ruling The Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.V. — Cleveland-Cliffs announced Thursday that it is shutting down a northern West Virginia tin production facility indefinitely and plans to lay off 900 workers after the International Trade Commission voted against imposing tariffs on tin imports.

The trade commission ruled earlier this year that no anti-dumping and countervailing duties will be imposed on tin products from Canada, China and Germany because those imports do not sufficiently harm the U.S. steel industry. The U.S. Department of Commerce had determined those products were sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the Chinese government.

The trade commission also voted to stop a duty investigaAP PHOTO tion into tin products shipped from South Korea.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., center, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, right, speak Anti-dumping and counter- with Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves during a visit to Cleveland-Cliffs in Weirton, vailing duties are levied against W.V., Sept. 26, 2023. foreign governments that subsidize products so they can be mission ruling was shocking Weirton is a city of 19,000 the Weirton plant open. sold below cost.

“In what was our final effort and made it “impossible for us Cleveland-Cliffs said it will residents along the Ohio River offer either severance packag- about 40 miles (64 kilometers) to maintain tinplate production to viably produce tinplate.”

Goncalves added that the here in America, we proved that es or opportunities for workers west of Pittsburgh.

Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, we are forced to operate on an trade commission’s decision “is in Weirton to be relocated to its other facilities. The Cleve- President and CEO Lourenco uneven playing field, and that a travesty for America, midland-based company employs Goncalves said the company the deck was stacked in favor of dle-class jobs, and our critical 28,000 workers in the United and the United Steelworkers the importers,” Goncalves said food supply chains. This bad union “fought tirelessly” to keep in a statement. The trade com- outcome requires better and States and Canada.

stronger trade laws. We will continue to work tirelessly with our Congressional champions who fought with us in this case to improve the trade laws so that the American industry and our workers are not left behind.”

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W. Va., said the trade commission turned “a blind eye” to Cleveland-Cliffs workers.

The plant’s closing “is an absolute injustice not only to American workers, but to the very principle of fair competition, and it will undoubtedly weaken our economic and national security,” Manchin said.

The announcement is the latest blow for the steel industry in West Virginia’s northern panhandle. In 2022, Cleveland-Cliffs announced the closing of a coke-making facility that employed about 280 workers in Follansbee.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ tin facility in Weirton was once a nearly 800-acre property operated by Weirton Steel, which employed 6,100 workers in 1994 and filed for bankruptcy protection in 2003.

International Steel Group bought Weirton Steel in federal bankruptcy court in 2003.

The property changed hands again a few years later, ultimately ending up a part of Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, which sold its U.S. holdings to Cleveland-Cliffs in 2020.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she was “devastated” by the Cleveland-Cliffs announcement and that the trade commission’s move to reverse the Commerce Department’s decision on tin product duties ‘remains concerning and will be examined thoroughly.”

Jesus Noyola, a sophomore attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, poses for a portrait in the Folsom Library, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Troy, N.Y.

AP PHOTO

Students and parents are frustrated by delays in hearing about federal financial aid for college The Associated Press NEW YORK — For many students, the excitement of being accepted into their firstchoice college is being tempered this year by a troublesome uncertainty over whether they’ll get the financial aid they need to attend.

The financial aid decisions that usually go out with acceptance letters are being delayed because of a later-than-expected rollout of a revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the form commonly known as FAFSA that schools use to compute financial aid.

The result: Students and their parents are putting off their college decisions.

“We are not going to make a decision without knowing what we’re committing to financially; it would be irresponsible to do that,” said Jenny Nicholas of Keene, New Hampshire. She wants to make sure that her son, a high school senior, goes to a college that is most affordable

for their family.

The Education Department said the form would be easier for parents to fill out and used a new formula to compute eligibility for aid that took inflation into account. But it wasn’t ready in October, when the forms for the coming school year are usually released. During a soft launch in December, it was difficult for many people to access the form. And the initial release didn’t include the updated inflation tool.

Schools won’t get the information they need to award financial aid until next month, forcing them to adapt. Some have moved away from the popular May 1 deadline for students to accept their offers of admission.

Just this past week, Virginia Tech, for example, said it had moved its admissions deposit deadline for first-year college students to May 15. “Understandably so, families are concerned about the FAFSA process this year, and they are

telling us that they need more time to make fully informed decisions,” Juan Espinoza, interim vice provost for enrollment management, said in a statement.

The school said it anticipated notifying families about financial aid in mid-April.

“We can’t make a decision until we see a financial aid package,” said Agata James, a mother of a New York high school senior from Queens. “Everything is in limbo.”

James’ son decision is torn between two colleges, one in his home state and the other an outof-state university that is his dream school. But James says the decision will come down to what she can afford without accumulating a large amount of student loan debt.

The Education Department has said it is working to alleviate the consequences of the delays.

Some of these steps taken are reducing verification requirements, sending federal experts to under-resourced schools and

allocating money for technical assistance to non-profit groups.

“We are determined to get this right,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement this month. “We must, and we will.”

More than 17 million students use the FAFSA every year to receive financial aid for their college education. As of mid-February, more than 4 million forms have been successfully submitted, the department said.

Rachel Reniva of Dothan, Alabama, said the financial aid decision will affect not only her son’s future but also her entire family’s.

Even though the Education Department said the new application would be simpler to use, some students and parents still are having trouble filing.

Jesus Noyola, a sophomore attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, said he hasn’t been able to submit his form because of an error in the parent portion of the ap-

plication.

“It’s disappointing and so stressful since all these issues are taking forever to be resolved,” said Noyola, who receives grants and work-study to fund his education.

Other errors have been linked to Social Security numbers, said Travis Hill, director for Dallas County Promise, a college success program in Texas.

Parents without legal immigration status are not able to submit their portion of the application because they don’t have a Social Security number.

Other parents are also encountering errors linking their Social Security number with their child’s FAFSA application.

“I’m feeling stressed,” said Lorenzo Jaramillo, 17, a high school senior who is looking to major in computer engineering.

Although Jaramillo lives in Toronto, he is a U.S. citizen and thus eligible for financial aid.

Helen Faith, director of the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said she worries that the delays will harm both students and schools.

“What ends up happening is that our underrepresented and most fragile populations are the ones that are disproportionately affected,” said Hill.

Charlotte FC season preview, B3

CHRIS O’MEARA | AP PHOTO

Charlotte’s William Byron celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 on Monday.

Byron wins first Daytona 500 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke men up to 8th, UNC drops to 10th in latest AP poll New York For the first time since late November, Duke is ranked higher than rival UNC. The Blue Devils (20-5, 11-3 ACC) moved up one spot to No. 8 in The Associated Press men’s basketball poll released Monday, two spots higher than the Tar Heels (20-6, 12-3 ACC).

Duke has won four straight, including victories at home against Wake Forest and at Florida State last week, since its loss in Chapel Hill on Feb. 3 UNC rebounded from a loss last Tuesday at Syracuse to beat Virginia Tech on Saturday, but the Tar Heels haven’t yet won consecutive games this month, alternating wins and losses in six games. Appalachian State (22-5, 12-2 Sun Belt) received one 25th-place vote in this week’s poll. The Mountaineers picked up two conference wins at home — Thursday over Marshall and Saturday vs. Louisiana — last week and have won three straight and 11 of their last 12. UConn was the unanimous No. 1, earning all 62 first-place votes.

NC State women hold at No. 6 New York The top six team’s in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll remained the same this week, with NC State holding onto No. 6 in the rankings released Monday.

The Wolfpack (23-3, 11-3 ACC) beat then-No. 16 Notre Dame in South Bend last Thursday and followed that with an overtime win over Georgia Tech at home Sunday. UNC (17-9, 9-5 ACC) was the only other North Carolina team to receive votes in this week’s poll, earning four for the 29th most in the country. The Tar Heels ended a four-game skid with back-to-back wins over Pitt last Thursday and at Wake Forest on Sunday. South Carolina, Ohio State, Stanford, Iowa and Texas rounded out the top five.

Hendrick Motorsports kicked off its 40th anniversary season with a 1-2 finish

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The goal was obvious to William Byron: put the No. 24 Chevrolet in Victory Lane in the 2024 Daytona 500 to launch Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary season.

Mission accomplished, even if Byron had to complete an agonizing final lap under caution around Daytona International Speedway awaiting the winner to be declared.

“Did we win it? Did we win

it?” Byron kept asking over his radio.

The emotion he heard over his radio from crew chief Rudy Fugle confirmed Byon had just won the biggest race of his career.

“Well, no one told me. And Rudy was crying on the radio, so I was like ‘Dude, I hope he’s crying for good reason,’” Byron said. “I guess he was a ball of emotion there, and so I was like ‘Did we actually win or not?’”

Byron snapped Hendrick Motorsports’ nine-race Daytona 500 losing streak with a win Monday in the rain-delayed “Great American Race.”

He crossed under the white flag denoting the final lap at the exact moment a crash broke out behind him. The caution flag

“William Byron was already a superstar, and I mean, he just went to another level of being a superstar.”

Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman was thrown and he wasn’t quite sure if he was the official winner as he circled Daytona one final time.

The last Hendrick driver to win the Daytona 500 was Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2014.

The 26-year-old Byron from

Charlotte is the sixth different driver to win the 500 for Rick Hendrick, the winningest team owner in Cup Series history who celebrated the win on the actual 40th anniversary of his first Cup win.

“The first time we came here, we didn’t think we had any business even being here,” Hendrick said after the race. “We felt way out of our league. Now here we are 40 years later. You couldn’t write the script any better. To win this on the 40th, to the day, it’s just awesome.”

The ninth Daytona 500 win for Hendrick Motorsports tied the team with Petty Enterprises for most in NASCAR history.

“William Byron was already See BYRON, page B3

NC college teams make final push for postseason The majority of teams in the state have something to play for

By Shawn Krest North State Journal IT APPEARS that college basketball in North Carolina may finally be getting over the pandemic.

Since COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 NCAA Tournament, the state has not seen more than three teams get bids for March Madness in any of the four post-pandemic tourneys.

This from a state whose Tobacco Road had become synonymous with college basketball excellence.

JAMES CRISP | AP PHOTO In 2018, the West Region of the NCAA Tournament had Shykeim Phillips and UNC Wilmington are one of five North three North Carolina teams — Carolina teams currently projected to make the NCAA the second-seeded Tar Heels, Tournament.

No. 13 UNC Greensboro and No. 16 NC Central. And that was just a quarter of the entire four conferences have teams the last four out.

NCAA field. from North Carolina leading Here’s a look at how the state Now, the once mighty state their standings. Ten of the 19 shapes up before March arrives: is getting in as many teams as Division I schools in the state 19. NC A&T: The Aggies are Iowa, which sent three to last are in the top three in their re- one of the few have-nots among year’s Big Dance. spective conference standings, North Carolina basketball proThis year, however, the de- and 15 have records over .500. grams this year. They are just tour signs and orange barrels As of press time, the most outside of the bottom 20 in the have been removed, and the recent set of bracketology pre- KenPom rankings, at No. 341 road to March appears to once dictions has five programs from out of 363 teams. They opened again be routed through our North Carolina getting bids to the season with a nine-game state. With just over two weeks the NCAA Tournament, and a losing streak and are currently left to play in the regular season, sixth is currently listed among riding a five-game skid. A&T

is 7-20 overall, 5-9 in the CAA and 1-6 against other teams from the state.

18. Elon: The Phoenix are the only other team in the state in the 300s on KenPom. They currently come in at No. 312 at 12-15 overall and tied with A&T at 5-9 in the CAA. Elon has won back-to-back games, just their third winning streak of the season and just the second where both teams were Division I. 17. Campbell: The CAA is a meat grinder for in-state teams.

Campbell is also near the bottom with a 5-9 conference mark — only two teams in the league are worse — and are 12-15 overall. KenPom has them just barely in the 200s at No. 295. They have two wins over Elon and are the only team in the state to lose to A&T, with a rematch pending to close the regular season.

16. Queens: The only other team in the state with a losing record, the Royals are 11-17 overall, 5-8 in the ASUN and No. 275 in KenPom. They have four wins against in-state teams, but they had to dig deep to do it, scheduling games with CarolinaU and Carolina Christian.

15. NC Central: One reason the state has been sending fewer teams to the NCAAs is See POSTSEASON, page B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B2 WEDNESDAY

2.21.24

TRENDING

Parker Byrd: The East Carolina sophomore played in Friday’s season-opening win against Rider with a prosthetic leg after having part of his right leg amputated following a 2022 boating accident.

Byrd is believed to be the first NCAA Division I baseball player to play in a game with a prosthetic leg. Byrd took a first-pitch strike and then drew four straight balls to reach base before being pulled for a pinch runner.

Austin Hill: The driver of the Richard Childress Racing No. 21 won the Xfinity Series race at Daytona for the third consecutive year in Monday’s rain-rescheduled season-opener.

The Xfinity Series race was initially scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Hill held off former teammate Sheldon Creed by 0.591 seconds for the seventh win of his career.

Catherine Rigby: The renowned telemark, big mountain and expedition skier covering first descents of some of the world’s most revered peaks died in a Feb. 13 avalanche in a Kosovo resort. She was 54. Rigby was skiing out of the tourist lanes and an avalanche hit her.

She didn’t survive despite her fiancee immediately performing CPR. She was found in the “Eagle’s Nest” area, known for its avalanche risks.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ketron Shaw scored 15 and Jaylen Alston (pictured) had 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead Winston-Salem State to a 64-47 victory Saturday in the NBA HBCU Classic in Indianapolis. The game was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court as the NBA All-Stars later played on Sunday night.

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

“Don’t Stop Believin’.”

NC State women’s basketball coach Wes Moore following the Wolfpack’s overtime home win Sunday over Georgia Tech, a day after he attended a Journey concert in Raleigh.

DARRON CUMMINGS | AP PHOTO

“It was perfect.”

Golden State guard Stephen Curry on his 3-point competition against WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu on Saturday at NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. Curry beat Ionescu 29-26

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

MLB

BOXING

TONY GUTIERREZ | AP PHOTO

JOHN LOCHER | AP PHOTO

Reliever Austin Brice, who grew up in Pittsboro, agreed to a minor league contract with the Phillies and reported to the team’s spring training Sunday.

Brice, a 31-year-old right-hander who is the first Hong Kong-born player to play in the majors, pitched in seven big league seasons for Miami, Cincinnati, Boston and Pittsburgh.

The IOC will not change its rules to let 45-year-old Manny Pacquaio box at the Paris Games. The IOC says it wrote to Olympic officials in Philippines explaining the age limit of 40 will be upheld. Pacquaio ended his storied career in September 2021 after winning 12 world titles in a record eight different weight divisions.

SWIMMING

PRIME NUMBER

1,000 Career wins at NC State for baseball coach Elliott Avent after the Wolfpack beat VCU — Avent’s alma mater — 5-3 Sunday in Raleigh.

Avent, in his 28th year at NC State, is the fifth active Division I coach to reach the mark at one school.

HASSAN AMMAR | AP PHOTO

Raleigh’s Claire Curzan became the first swimmer to claim two individual gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships. The 19-year-old claimed gold in the women’s 50 backstroke, adding to her victory in the 100 back. She picked up a third gold as part of the winning 4x100 mixed medley relay team.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B3

Charlotte FC prepares for third MLS season The club posted a 10-11-13 record last year

By Jesse Deal North State Journal CHARLOTTE — It’s that time of the year — soccer is back in the Queen City.

The 2024 Major League Soccer season begins this weekend, Charlotte FC will be starting its third year of MLS play with a home game against New York City FC on Saturday night.

With 74,479 fans at the 2022 home opener and 69,345 fans last year, Charlotte is expecting another big crowd at Bank of America Stadium for the start of Year 3.

Charlotte club is coming off a 10-11-13 campaign (43 points, ninth in Eastern Conference, 19th overall) and used a late-season rally to earn its first playoff berth. Charlotte suffered a 5-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls in a play-in game on Oct. 25.

Despite reaching the postseason, the Crown ultimately decided to move on from coach Christian Lattanzio and hired Dean Smith as the franchise’s third head coach in December.

With a history of turning clubs around in the best leagues in the world — including the Premier League — the 52-yearold Englishman is now set to coach in the United States for the first time after decades of playing and coaching in his home country. Smith has spent more than two decades coaching several clubs, including Brentford, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Leicester City.

Charlotte FC went unbeaten in the preseason with a record of three wins, three draws and no losses in friendlies and the Coachella Valley Invitational.

“The three things I asked for at the start of the game were attitude, application and teamwork,” Smith said following a 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Feb. 10. “I thought we got all three of them. If you’re

ERIK VERDUZCO | AP PHOTO

Charlotte FC will kick off its third MLS season when it hosts New York City FC on Saturday at Bank of America Stadium. seeing that in the 87th minute, then you know they’re showing all three of those attributes, which are going to be massively important if the team is going to be successful.”

Smith, along with Charlotte FC sporting director Zoran Krneta, will have his work cut out for him as he looks to develop a roster that has undergone some notable offseason changes.

Charlotte’s two highest-paid players from last season are gone. Star striker Karol Swiderski is on loan in Italy, while midfielder Kamil Jozwiak left on a permanent transfer. Also departed are center back Guz-

man Corujo and forward Vinicius Mello.

That leaves just forward Enzo Copetti as the club’s lone designated player.

While Charlotte signed goalkeeper David Bingham (to back up presumed starter Kristijan Kahlina) and also brought in defender Jahlane Forbes and midfielders Djibril Diani, Tyger Smalls and Nikola Petkovic, the club could still bring in two designated players.

Multiple media outlets have reported that Charlotte has been in advanced talks to sign Uruguay U-20 World Cup hero Luciano Rodriguez in a club-re-

cord transfer. A Young Designated Player contract for the 20-year-old striker could end up being among the top five largest contracts in MLS history.

There’s no doubt that adding a young striker of Rodriguez’s caliber would be invaluable to a club that gave up seven more goals than it scored in 34 regular season games.

Smith has preached the importance of an attacking mindset for his strikers compared to the methodical build-up play the club has used the past two seasons.

“With Enzo Copetti and Patrick Agyemang, I’ve told them I

Maye, Wilson, Barton moving up draft boards An early look at local prospects as NFL Draft season shifts into high gear

By Shawn Krest North State Journal NOW THAT THE 2023 NFL season is over, it’s time to look ahead to 2024.

The end of the Super Bowl leads seamlessly into draft season, and NFL Draft prep has already started in earnest. The Senior Bowl preceded the Super Bowl by a week, and teams hoping to make the latter, eventually, need to pay close attention to the former.

The Carolina Panthers were at the top of the NFL Draft narratives last season after trading what turned out to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft in order to move up to the top spot last year and select quarterback Bryce Young. While the Panthers aren’t currently slated to pick in Round 1 this year, they’ll be busy using their later picks to stock up on offense for Young. With their quarterback need addressed last year, receivers and offensive linemen are expected to be at the top of Carolina’s draft board.

If the Panthers were still picking in the first round, they might be able to cut down on

BYRON from page B1

a superstar, and I mean, he just went to another level of being superstar,” said Hendrick vice chairman Jeff Gordon, himself a three-time Daytona 500 winner in the No. 24 Chevrolet.

“I wasn’t driving the car, but I felt like I was making every lap out there with him,” he said.

“We’re going to celebrate. This is a huge win.”

Byron, who had never finished higher than 21st in the Daytona 500, is a self-taught

MILE CAUDILL | AP PHOTO

Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton is projected to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

as

teams identify their targets and top needs, but at the moment, it appears the top two picks in the draft will once again be quarterbacks, with a chance of the top three choices all being from that spot.

USC’s Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman winner, is expected to go first overall with the Bears expected to either trade the pick or current quarterback Josh Fields. The consensus No. 2 pick would then be UNC passer Drake Maye, who not only filled the shoes of the

racer who used computer equipment to hone his skills.

He made it to the championship race last season after winning a career-high six races but lost out on the title to Ryan Blaney, the older brother of Byron’s longtime girlfriend.

“I’m just a kid from racing on computers and winning the Daytona 500, I can’t believe it,” Byron said. “I wish my dad was here. He’s sick, but this is for him, man. We’ve been through so much, and we sat up in the grandstands together and

watched the race.”

The fourth and final caution of the race began when Hendrick driver Alex Bowman hit Byron from behind and it caused Byron to sideswipe Brad Keselowski and trigger a 23-car crash that caused a red flag that lasted more than 15 minutes.

There were four laps remaining on the final restart and Byron was in second. He and Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing pushed back and forth for the lead, and it was Byron out front as a crash broke out behind

travel costs and focus on some of the in-state talent in this year’s draft pool. Unfortunately for Carolina’s NFL team, however, some of the top players from N.C. schools might be gone by the time the Panthers get around to picking.

Here are some of the storylines from the start of draft season that have an intersection with the Old North State.

Quarterbacks at the top Things

could

change

need them to be running in behind a lot more,” Smith said after a 3-0 preseason win over the LA Galaxy. “I need them to be running towards the goal rather than to wide areas.”

Now Smith and his new team will do it for real when New York City FC visits for the first game of the regular season.

“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere our fans create,” Smith said. “As (Charlotte midfielder Ashley Westwood) said, there’s a real good togetherness in the group. ... We’re still growing, there’s a lot more we can get out of our team, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Sam Hartman was the best quarterback in Wake Forest history and went on to finish his college career at Notre Dame.

His age raises red flags among NFL personnel people — he’ll be 25 before the season opens.

He also struggled at Senior Bowl practices and was just 7 of 25 in the game with an interception. Hartman is now as low as a sixth- or seventh-rounder

on many mocks.

Also harming his stock during Senior Bowl week was UNC receiver Tez Walker. He entered the week as a consensus first-round pick, but scouts criticized his route running and he had a large number of drops, both during the week and at the game itself. Mock drafts now have him as low as Round 3, although some still have him teetering at the end of Round 1.

NC State linebacker Payton Wilson was the top defensive player in the ACC this year, but NFL teams had been concerned about his injury history.

His performance at the Senior Bowl should give teams more reason to take a chance on him staying healthy. He showed athletic ability and turned in a number of big plays. He went from a likely fourth-rounder to possibly as high as Round 2.

Duke football could find itself back in the first round of the NFL Draft thanks to left tackle Graham Barton. He didn’t get to participate in Senior Bowl practices due to injury, but he has emerged as a very likely first-round prospect, with most mocks having him in the tail end of Round 1. However, some mocks have him in the early 20s and two have him as high as No. 16 and No. 17. He is projected to move inside to guard at the next level, but he seems to be the chic pick as a potential star on the line.

them just as he’d crossed under the white flag marking the final lap of the race.

Byron was followed by teammate Bowman in a 1-2 sweep for Chevrolet and Hendrick. Christopher Bell in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing finished third and was followed by Chevys from Corey Lajoie of Spire Motorsports and AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing.

Bubba Wallace was sixth in a Toyota for 23XI Racing and was followed by John Hunter Nemechek in another Toyota

for Legacy Motor Club. Chase Briscoe was eighth in a Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing followed

by Legacy driver Erik Jones and SHR teammate Noah Gragson.

The race ran one day later than scheduled because of persistent rain all weekend at Daytona. Monday was supposed to open with the rescheduled second-tier Xfinity Series race and then lead into the 500, but when it was still raining Monday morning, NASCAR reordered the events and made the Xfinity race the closer.

Tar Heels’ best quarterback in team history — Sam Howell — but took things to an even higher level.

If trades don’t shake up the order, Maye would be going to Washington, where Howell is currently the starter. That means, either the Commanders will trade the pick and send Maye elsewhere, or once again allow Maye to replace Howell by dealing Maye’s UNC predecessor.

However, at least one major mock draft has Maye slipping past another quarterback — LSU’s 2023 Heisman winner, Jayden Daniels — with Maye going No. 3 overall, to New England. In addition to Daniels, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. may also crash the top three and bump Maye down a spot.

Senior Bowl shakeup

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Lefty Driesell, Maryland coaching legend, dies at 92 The fiery and folksy men’s basketball icon also spent nine years at Davidson

By David Ginsburg The Associated Press COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Lefty Driesell, the Hall of Fame coach whose folksy drawl belied a fiery on-court demeanor that put Maryland on the college basketball map and enabled him to rebuild several struggling programs, died Saturday.

He was 92.

Driesell died at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, his family said.

Maryland honored Driesell with a moment of silence before its game against No. 14 Illinois on Saturday evening. Terrapins players wore throwback uniforms that echoed Driesell’s 1970s heyday at the school.

Driesell finished with 786 victories over parts of five decades and was the first coach to win more than 100 games at four NCAA Division I schools.

He started at Davidson in 1960.

He went 9-14 in his debut, one of only two times over an entire season in which he would finish with a losing record as a college coach.

Driesell won three Southern Conference tournaments and five regular-season championships at Davidson over nine years and went 176-65 before being hired at Maryland.

He brought Maryland into national prominence from 1969-86, a stay that ended with the cocaine-induced death of All-American Len Bias. Driesell then won five regular season conference titles over nine seasons at James Madison and finished with a successful run at Georgia State from 1997 to 2003.

“His contributions to the game go way beyond wins and losses, and he won a lot,” former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Driesell finally made the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

ELISE AMENDOLA | AP PHOTO

Lefty Driesell speaks during induction ceremonies for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The legendary Maryland coach — who also played at Duke and coached at Davidson — died Saturday at 92.

“It’s an honor he’s deserved for a long time.”

On top of launching Midnight Madness in 1971, Driesell helped knock down racial barriers in the college game.

He made George Raveling the first black coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference by hiring him as an assistant in 1969.

Driesell’s effort to recruit Charlie Scott to play at Davidson helped make the future NBA star become the first African American scholarship athlete to attend UNC. Scott initially committed to Davidson before choosing UNC but acknowledged that Driesell paved the way.

“I think if there had never been a Lefty Driesell, there would never have been a Charlie Scott attending North Carolina,” said Scott, who joined the Hall of Fame in 2018 with Driesell. “My commitment to go to

“His contributions to the game go way beyond wins and losses, and he won a lot.”

Former Duke coachMike Krzyzewski on Lefty Driesell Davidson really opened up all the other schools in the recruiting process.”

Race played no factor in Driesell’s effort to recruit the best players.

“He did so many great things in marketing the game and opened up so many doors for many African Americans players and coaches like myself,” said Len Elmore, who played for Driesell at Maryland from 1971-74. “Lefty was a trailblaz-

er and an innovator.”

Walking onto the court at Maryland to the tune of “Hail to the Chief,” Driesell would thrust both arms in the air — two fingers extended on each hand with the V for victory sign — amid a standing ovation. On the sideline, he would often stomp his foot to show his displeasure with a call, and if things got really intense he would peel off his sports jacket, toss it to the floor and trample it.

Yet, Driesell rarely raised his voice off the court and had a knack for charming the parents of potential recruits with an assuring, homespun style that smacked of his Southern roots.

“Lefty was somewhat of a character,” said Gary Williams, the Terps’ coach from 19892011, who was at Maryland on Saturday when the 1984 team that won the ACC title was

recognized. “When they write the ultimate book on basketball, he’s going to have a couple chapters.”

Driesell was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, but his entry into the Naismith shrine proved more elusive. He was a finalist four times before receiving the necessary 75% vote three months after his 86th birthday.

The long snub, many speculated, came because Driesell was forced to resign at Maryland in 1986 after Bias overdosed on cocaine in a campus dorm after being drafted by the Boston Celtics.

Before Driesell arrived at Maryland, the team was an ACC doormat and had trouble drawing fans to old Cole Field House. After going 13-13 in Driesell’s first season, the Terps announced their resurgence on Jan. 9, 1971, with a 31-30 overtime upset of No. 2 South Carolina at home. There was no shot clock then, so Driesell ordered his players to slow the game to a crawl against a team that had defeated Maryland 96-70 just three weeks earlier.

One of Driesell’s best teams never made it to the postseason.

In the 1974 ACC championship game, the fourth-ranked Terrapins lost in overtime to No. 1 NC State 103-100 during a time when only the conference champion advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

A week later, a Maryland team featuring future NBA starters Tom McMillen, John Lucas and Elmore turned down a bid to the NIT, which it had won two years earlier. NC State went on to win the 1974 NCAA title, ending UCLA’s seven-year streak as national champions.

“Lefty’s team that year,” Krzyzewski said, “was probably as good as 20 national champions.”

Driesell is survived by four children. While at playing at Duke as a student in the early 1950s, Driesell eloped with Joyce and got married in December 1952. She died in 2021.

NASCAR unveils first of 28 unique statues of Richard Petty’s famed cowboy hat The statues will honor the Petty family’s 75 years in stock car racing The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Richard Petty’s signature cowboy hat has been an iconic symbol of NASCAR for decades.

Now it’s a work of art.

NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday unveiled the first of 28 unique statues featuring Petty’s famed hat, the feathered Charlie 1 Horse. Titled “The King’s Hat,” the fiberglass and concrete statues are 6 feet tall and weigh 1,000 pounds.

They will be displayed at all NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports-owned tracks as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway, Pocono Raceway, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Legacy

POSTSEASON from page B1

that Central hasn’t been going.

LeVelle Moton used to be one of the surest bets in the state to be playing in March, but the Eagles haven’t returned to the Dance since prepandemic days.

At 13-10, 5-3 in the MEAC, they are tied for second place. ESPN knows that Moton has everyone right where he wants them and has the Eagles in the field despite a 266 KenPom rating.

14. Gardner-Webb: We move to another tier, as the Runnin’ Bulldogs are nearly 100 spots higher than Central in KenPom. At 13-14 overall and 8-4 in the Big South, they are in third place. They’ll need to win the conference tourney to get a bid, however.

13. East Carolina: Now things start to get crowded.

The Pirates are 14-12, 7-6 in the AAC and looking to win the

Motor Club and the Petty Museum.

Each version will deliver a personalized tribute to the Petty family.

“We were here when it all started, when NASCAR started,” Petty said. “It’s been a long road, and it’s been very successful for the family.”

The seven-time Cup Series champion and Hall of Famer is at the forefront of the Petty family celebrating 75 years in NASCAR. Lee Petty, Richard’s father, won three championships and the first Daytona 500 in 1959. Kyle Petty, Richard’s son, made 829 starts in the Cup Series races and remains a racing analyst for TV partner NBC. The 86-year-old Petty is now the ambassador at Legacy Motor Club, which bought the remnants of Petty Enterprises and quickly rebranded and rebuilt it.

Fellow seven-time champ Jimmie Johnson co-owns Lega-

cy and is driving the team’s No. 84 Toyota in the upcoming Daytona 500. Johnson chose to run the familiar “Petty Blue” paint scheme similar to one Richard Petty drove to victory lane in the 1964 Daytona 500.

It served as an olive branch after Petty made it clear at Daytona last year that he felt stripped of power inside his former eponymous team.

“I’m a little bit better, especially once they painted the car blue,” Petty said.

Added Kyle Petty: “That blue color hides a lot, bud.”

“Basically everything was so new when we had the conversation here last year,” Richard Petty continued. “There’s been a lot of questions answered since then, so I think I’ve gotten a little bit more comfortable with it.

It’s not where I’d like to see it, But from my standpoint, it’s a lot better, on my end of it anyway.”

That’s as close as Petty will

get to offering a tip of his feathered cap to the other living seven-time champ.

But he welcomed NASCAR’s gesture. The hat statues were hand-crafted by the same company that designed and built the Peanuts character tribute in Minnesota. The company worked with each track to create versions of Petty’s hat they hope will become landmarks for fans

to visit and pay tribute to the Petty family for years to come.

“It made me get a big head because the hat’s kind of big,” Petty said. “It’s really a neat deal because it’ll be at all the tracks.

Petty fans, other fans, all NASCAR fans will get their picture took with it. From my standpoint, it just continues to hook me up that much more with NASCAR.”

conference tourney to get a bid.

They’ve won three straight and five of seven to build up a head of steam.

12. UNC Asheville: At 153 in KenPom, the Bulldogs are six spots above ECU despite a much better-looking record. UNCA is 19-9 and 11-2 in the Big South, in a tie for first place.

11. UNC Greensboro: A few spots above UNCA, the Spartans are 19-8, 10-4 and in second place in the SoCon. They lost back-to-back games for just the second time this year a week ago but have rebounded with two wins in a row.

10. Western Carolina: The Catamounts are two games behind UNCG in the SoCon standings at 8-6, 19-8 overall, but they rank more than a dozen notches higher in KenPom thanks to a strong nonconference performance that includes wins over Notre Dame and UNC Asheville.

9. High Point: The Panthers are tied with UNC Asheville for the Big South lead and the two powerhouses have split their regular season meetings, but ESPN is picking them to get the sole bid from the conference.

High Point is 22-6, 11-2 in conference, although they’ve split their last four games following a 12-game win streak.

8. Davidson: The Wildcats are 14-11 but just 4-8 in the A-10 and in the bottom five.

A respectable nonconference schedule that includes wins over Maryland and Charlotte gives hope for a March rally.

7. UNC Wilmington: The eighth North Carolina team in the KenPom 100s, the Seahawks are at 105 with a 19-7 record, 10-4 and in second place in the CAA. ESPN has them winning the conference tourney and getting a bid. They just saw their second five-game conference

win streak of the new year end.

6 Charlotte: The 49ers are 17-8, 11-2 in the AAC and in the top 100 in KenPom at 99.

They’re a game out of first place and have won three straight and 11 of 12.

5. Appalachian State: The only other non-ACC team ESPN is putting in the field, the Mountaineers are in first place in the Sun Belt at 22-5, 12-2. They’ve also won three in a row and 11 of 12.

4. NC State: The Wolfpack are 16-9, 8-6 in the ACC and No. 72 in KenPom. They’re on the wrong side of the NCAA Bubble right now, but NC State closes the season with games at UNC, against Duke and at Pitt, all Quad 1 games. So the Wolfpack could be playing significant games in the ACC Tournament with a late-season run.

3. Wake Forest: The Deacs are 46 spots higher in KenPom

than the Wolfpack despite an identical 16-9, 8-6 record. ESPN has them as one of the first four out of the latest projections.

They also have three Quad 1 games left on the schedule, against Duke, Clemson and at Virginia Tech.

2. Duke: The Blue Devils have been overlooked at times this year, but as March approaches, they are 20-5, 11-3 and in second place in the ACC and winners of four straight. Plus, Jared McCain appears to be exploding into a star down the stretch.

Duke is projected as a No. 4 seed but could be moving up a line if they continue to win.

1. UNC: They’ve had inexplicable losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse, but the Tar Heels are still the class of the ACC this year at 20-6, 12-3. They’ve been dropped to a No. 2 seed and will be looking to close strong to move up a line.

TERRY RENNA | AP PHOTO

Race fans pose for a photo near a large cowboy hat honoring the Petty family for 75 years in stock car racing at Daytona International Speedway.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B5

What you need to know about this year’s Oscars the misogyny parodied in “Barbie,” while others have noted the tough reception comedies have historically had at the Oscars.

The nominations for “Barbie” include best-adapted screenplay (by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach), best supporting actress for America Ferrera and two best song nominees in Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For” and the Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt composition “I’m Just Ken.”

The Associated Press NEW YORK — After a winter barrage of award shows — the Emmys, the Golden Globes, the Grammys — the grandaddy of them all, the Academy Awards, are around the corner. The 96th Oscars may be a coronation for “Oppenheimer,” which comes in with a leading 13 nominations, though other films, including “Barbie,” “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Poor Things” are in the mix.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s show:

Are there any changes to the Oscars this year?

When are the Oscars?

The Oscars will be held Sunday, March 10, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 7 p.m. EDT — one hour earlier than usual — and be broadcast live on ABC. A preshow will begin at 6:30 p.m.

EDT. This is your early reminder to set your clocks accordingly — it’s the first day of daylight saving time in the U.S. Are the Oscars streaming?

The show will be available to stream via ABC.com and the ABC app with a cable subscription. You can also watch through services including Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. Who’s hosting the Oscars?

Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted last year’s ceremony, will emcee for the fourth time. That ties him with fellow four-timers Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon, and leaves Kimmel trailing only Johnny Carson (five), Billy Crystal (nine) and Bob Hope (11) among repeat Oscar hosts. “I always

AP PHOTO

A general view of atmosphere during the 96th Academy Awards Oscar nominees luncheon on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, C.A. dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times,” said Kimmel.

What’s nominated for Best Picture at the 2024 Oscars?

The ten nominees for best picture are: “American Fiction”; “Anatomy of a Fall”; “Barbie”; “The Holdovers”; “Killers of the Flower Moon”; “Maestro”; “Oppenheimer”; “Past Lives”; “Poor Things”; and “The Zone of Interest.”

Who are the favorites?

Christopher Nolan’s “Oppen-

heimer” is the frontrunner. Nolan, the best director favorite, is also poised to win his first Oscar.

The best actress category could be a nail-biter between Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) and Emma Stone (“Poor Things”). If Gladstone were to win, she would be the first Native American to win an Oscar. Best actor, too, could be a close contest between Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”) and Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”). Both would be first-time winners. Giamatti’s co-star Da’Vine Joy Randolph is favored to win best-supporting actress, while Robert Downey Jr.

(“Oppenheimer”) is expected to win best-supporting actor. His closest competition is considered Ryan Gosling for “Barbie.”

What’s up with the ‘Barbie’ snubs?

While “Barbie,” 2023’s biggest box-office hit, comes in with eight nominations, much discussion has revolved around the nominations the film didn’t receive. Greta Gerwig was left out of the directing category and Margot Robbie missed on best actress. In those omissions, some have seen reflections of

Taylor Swift gives $100,000 to the family of the woman killed in the Chiefs parade shooting The Associated Press

AP PHOTO

Taylor Swift arrives at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.

KANSAS CITY, M.O. — Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to the family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the woman killed in the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade.

Two $50,000 donations were posted Friday under the singer’s name on a GoFundMe page. Swift’s representative confirmed the donations to Variety, the trade publication reported, and The Associated Press independently verified the posts.

“Sending my deepest sympathies and condolences in the wake of your devastating loss.

With love, Taylor Swift,” read the messages accompanying the posts.

Lopez-Galvan, 43, was shot Wednesday as she celebrated the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win with her husband, young adult son and hundreds of thousands of other fans at the city’s Union

Though recent Oscars have been marked by everything from slaps,envelope snafus and controversies over which awards are presented live during the telecast, this year’s show comes in with no big changes. All of the awards are to be broadcast live (though honorary prizes remain separated in the earlier, untelevised Governors Awards ). The academy is adding a new award for best casting, but that trophy won’t be presented until the 2026 Oscars.

What else is there to look for?

Composer John Williams is nominated for his record 49th best-score Oscar, for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” and 54th overall. Godzilla is going to the Oscars for the first time, with “Godzilla Minus One” notching a nomination for best visual effects. And for the first time, two non-English language films are up for best picture: the German language Auschwitz drama “The Zone of Interest” and the French courtroom drama “Anatomy of a Fall.”

Station. Lopez-Galvan hosted “Taste of Tejano” on local radio station KKFI-FM, as Lisa G. The mother of two had deep roots in Kansas City, and was one of the few Latina DJs in the area.

“She was an amazing mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to so many.

We ask that you continue to keep her family in your prayers as we grieve the loss of her life,” the GoFundMe description reads. The fundraised had amassed over $200,000 as of Friday morning.

Twenty-two others, half of whom were under 16, were wounded in the shooting. Investigators are still trying to identify who is responsible, but say a dispute may have led to the shooting. Police have two juveniles in custody and are trying to determine whether others were involved.

Swift, who is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and attended Sunday’s Super Bowl, was not at Wednesday’s parade.

She’s currently performing a series of shows in Melbourne, Australia, as part of her Eras tour.

The Chiefs said all players, coaches, staffers and their families were safe and accounted for after the shooting.

Prince Harry says he jumped on a plane to London after learning of King Charles III’s cancer The Associated Press LONDON — Prince Harry said Friday that he immediately arranged to go to London after his father, King Charles III, called to tell him he had cancer.

“I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could,” Harry told the news program “Good Morning America.”

“I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go see and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.’’

Harry arrived from California less than 48 hours after Buckingham Palace announced on Feb. 5 that the king had cancer and had begun treatment.

The visit between the mon-

arch and his younger son at Clarence House was relatively brief, as Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, were seen leaving about an hour later.

The palace has not revealed the type of cancer the 75-yearold king has, saying only that it was discovered during a treatment for an enlarged prostate but isn’t prostate cancer.

The Duke of Sussex wouldn’t reveal any details about his father’s prognosis. “That stays between me and him,” he said.

Harry has had a troubled relationship with his family since he quit royal duties in 2020 and moved to Los Angeles with his wife, Meghan, citing what they said were the unbearable intru-

sions and racist attitudes of the British media. He showed up alone for his father’s coronation in May but left as soon as the ceremony ended to return to California for his son’s birthday.

Asked if the illness could help reunify his family, Harry, speaking at an Invictus Games event near Vancouver, said, “Yeah, I’m sure.” He said he has witnessed that type of galvanizing effect among the wounded service members who compete in the games the prince founded in 2014.

“Throughout all these families, I see it on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “You know, again, the strength of the family unit coming together.”

AP PHOTO

Duchess of Sussex, walk together after Harry slid down the track on a skeleton sled a second time while attending an Invictus Games training camp, in Whistler, British Columbia, Feb. 15

B6

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Kia Telluride

PHOTOS VIA KIA

Bold and clever design serves up a standout SUV

By Jordan Golson North State Journal BOSTON — 25 years ago, Kia was considered by many to be a brand of cheap econoboxes that would break if you so much as looked at them funny.

That isn’t true these days, but it wasn’t exactly an unfair assessment back then. Early on, vehicles from both Hyundai and Kia — they share a corporate parent and some hardware and platforms, but there exists a fierce sibling rivalry between the two — were not good.

An industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile warranty helped reassure customers that they wouldn’t be left holding the bag should they take a risk on the Korean newcomers, and 20 years of engineering and design work (not to mention the poaching of a good number of top executives) has Kia and Hyundai making some of the best vehicles around.

If you still think “cheap crap” when you see a Kia badge, it’s time to reorient your perceptions. These cars are good. And the Kia Telluride, the three-row SUV that is my test car for this week, is really good.

Painted in Wolf Gray, a color that sounds tremendously boring but is actually the opposite, my awkwardly-named Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line V6 AWD was a looker from the off.

The Telluride stands out in a mall parking lot or the pick-up line at school, looking very much like a full-on luxury SUV. It isn’t out of place next to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz SUV costing nearly twice as much, if you can get past the polarizing Kia logo that some swear (wrongly) is ac-

tually KN. The daytime running lights are a pair of blade-shaped LED units (offered in amber as a tiny tweak for 2024) on each side, and they’ve somehow ended up as one of the standout features of the Telluride. Once you notice the DRLs, you’ll start spotting them everywhere.

In back, L-shaped LED taillights continue the distinctive look, with a Telluride wordmark running across the tailgate in a way that is distinctly Range Rover-esque.

It’s hard for any vehicle to stand out from the pack these days, especially in the crowded three-row midsize SUV segment where the Telluride plays, but stand out it does — somehow.

The Telluride is modern and edgy, with styling elements that vaguely remind me of a very fancy multi-bladed razor.

The interior was designed by someone intimately familiar with the purpose of such a vehicle: hauling around families and all their stuff. Clever storage is the name of the game, with a pair of cupholders in the middle sitting alongside a traditional PRNDL shifter. A special bonus cubby could be a third cupholder or a place to store your keys (or a smartphone, or your sunglasses, or any number of things) sits just in front of those, and then there’s a large catch-all bin with USB ports at the front.

Rounding out the accoutrements for the front passengers are a pair of leather-wrapped grab handles suggesting off-road prowess that will likely never be tested, while knobs for adjusting the temperature make this auto journalist happy. Two large 12-

inch screens float on top of the console, one for the dash cluster and a touchscreen for infotainment.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both supported, and the fully-loaded SX-Prestige includes a 360-degree camera and a full suite of standard safety features, including Kia’s excellent adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and active lane centering. It’s not quite hands-off driving, but it’s awfully close.

Both front seats and the second-row captain’s chairs are heated and ventilated, which is a nice touch.

Perhaps the only real issue with the Telluride is its extremely thirsty 3.8-liter V6 engine. While many competitors like the Toyota Grand Highlander have shifted to hybrid or turbocharged options, the Telluride goes for old faithful: a naturally aspirated engine making 291 horsepower and 262 torque through an eight-speed automatic.

The engine certainly makes plenty of power and sports a max towing as high as 5,500 pounds, but you pay for that in fuel economy. The Telluride offers 18 mpg city, 24 highway and 21 combined, good for a bit more than 350 miles on a tank. For a family runabout, I would have wished for better, but I doubt most buyers will mind.

Landing around $55,000 fully-equipped, with still wellequipped versions available in the high $40’s, it’s easy to see why the Georgia-assembled Telluride remains hugely popular year after year. And with that 10-year powertrain warrany, it should keep going year after year too.

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B7

Got back! Paul McCartney’s stolen bass is found and returned to the Beatle after more than 50 years The Associated Press LONDON — Paul McCartney no longer gently weeps for his original bass guitar.

A five-year search by the manufacturer of the instrument that was aided by a husband-and-wife team of journalists helped reunite The Beatles star with the distinctive violin-shaped 1961 electric Höfner that went missing a half century ago and is estimated to be worth 10 million pounds ($12.6 million).

McCartney had asked Höfner to help find the missing instrument that helped launch Beatlemania across the universe, Scott Jones, a journalist who teamed up with Höfner executive Nick Wass to track it down, said Friday.

“Paul said to me, ‘Hey, because you’re from Höfner, couldn’t you help find my bass?’” Wass said. “And that’s what sparked this great hunt.

Sitting there, seeing what the lost bass means to Paul, I was determined to solve the mystery.”

McCartney bought the bass for about 30 pounds ($37) in 1961 when The Beatles were developing their chops during a series of residencies in Hamburg, Germany. The instrument was played on the Beatles first two records and featured on hits such as “Love Me Do,” “Twist and Shout,” and “She Loves You.” “Because I was left-handed, it looked less daft because it was symmetrical,” McCartney once said. “I got into that. And once I bought it, I fell in love with it.”

It was rumored to have been stolen around the time The Beatles were recording their final album, “Let it Be,” in 1969.

AP PHOTO

Paul McCartney performs during his “Got Back” tour on June 16, 2022, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. But no one was sure when it went missing.

What began as a long and winding road for Wass to track down the bass picked up speed when Jones serendipitously joined the hunt after seeing McCartney headline the Glastonbury Festival in 2022. The stage lights at one point seemed to illuminate nothing but the sunburst pattern on his bass and Jones wondered if it was the same instrument McCartney had played in the early ‘60s.

When he later searched the internet he was stunned to find the original bass was missing and there was a search for it.

“I was staggered, I was amazed,” Jones said. “I think we live in a world where The Beatles could do almost any-

thing and it would get a lot of attention.”

Jones and his wife, Naomi, both journalists and researchers, got in touch with Wass to spread the word more broadly.

After hitting a dead end following a lead about a roadie for The Who, they relaunched The Lost Bass Project in September and within 48 hours were inundated with 600 emails that contained the “little gems that led us to where we are today,” Jones said.

One of those emails came from sound engineer Ian Horne, who had worked with McCartney’s band Wings, and was the first big breakthrough in the hunt. Horne said the bass had been swiped from the back of his van one night in the Not-

ting Hill section of London in 1972.

The researchers published the new information on their website in October, adding that Horne said McCartney told him not to worry about the theft and that he continued working for him for another six years.

“But I’ve carried the guilt all my life,” Horne said.

After publishing that update, a bigger break came when they were contacted by a person who said their father had stolen the bass. The man didn’t set out to steal McCartney’s instrument and panicked when he realized what he had, Jones said.

The thief, who was not named, ended up selling it to Ron Guest, landlord of the Admiral Blake pub, for a few

pounds and some beers.

As the Joneses were starting to look for relatives of Guest, word had already reached his family. His daughter-in-law contacted McCartney’s studio.

Cathy Guest said that the old bass that had been in her attic for years looked like the one they were looking for.

It had been passed from Ron Guest to his oldest son, who died in a car wreck, and then to a younger son, Haydn Guest, who was married to Cathy and died in 2020.

The instrument was returned to McCartney in December and then it took about two months to authenticate it.

The project had planned to announce the news but were upstaged by Cathy Guest’s son, Ruaidhri Guest, a 21-year-old film student who posted photos Tuesday of the guitar on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: “I inherited this item which has been returned to Paul McCartney. Share the news.” He posted a message Friday saying the family had been inundated with interview requests and would tell its story eventually.

The estimated value of the instrument is based on the fact that a Gibson acoustic guitar Kurt Cobain played on MTV Unplugged sold for $6 million (4.7 million pounds), Jones said. But it held almost no value during the past half century.

“The thief couldn’t sell it,” Jones said. “Clearly, the Guest family never tried to sell it. It’s a red alert because the minute you come forward someone’s going to go, ‘That’s Paul McCartney’s guitar.’”

It is now McCartney’s once again. His official website posted a message announcing its return, saying “Paul is incredibly grateful to all those involved.”

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

CUMBERLAND

NEW HANOVER

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE OF CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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 6th 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 CoExecutors 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

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 24-E-0225 State of North Carolina Cumberland County

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURTOFJUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 23–1262 IN THE MATTER OFTHEESTATEOF: 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

NEW HANOVER 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

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 NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as the Executor of the Estate of Joyce T. Smith aka Joyce Turlington Kiser Smith, 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 630 Ransom Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106, on or before May 21, 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.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS 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

This 21st day of February 2024.

Mary Kiser Kiger Executor of the Estate of Joyce T. Smith aka Joyce Turlington Kiser Smith, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 02/21/2024, 02/28/2024, 03/06/2024 and 03/13/2024

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

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.

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

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Robin Walters Woodworth, having qualified on the 26th day of June 2023, as Administrator of the Estate of Logan Edward Woodworth (2023-E-924), 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.

This 31st day of January 2024.

Robin Walters 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 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

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B8 TAKE NOTICE

NEW HANOVER

NEW HANOVER

WAKE

WAKE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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.

Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Malinda Green Trozzo, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E000555-910), 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 24th 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 the 21st day of February 2024.

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY ESTATE FILE NO. 24E94

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

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.

This 7th day of February 2024.

Marsha Rhyne Executor ESTATE OF CLARA B. MOTSINGER

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: 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.

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.

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 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER 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.

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

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

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY In the Superior Court Before the Clerk New Hanover County File Number: 24-SP-044

(For publication: 02/21, 02/28, 03/06, 03/13/2024)

(For publication: 02/14, 02/21, 02/28, 03/06/2024)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of John William Francis Duwel, Jr., late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E000614-910), 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 24th 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 21st day of February 2024.

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

Cecilia L. Gonzales Executor of the Estate of Malinda Green Trozzo c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

Donna Marie Sulton Executor of the Estate of John William Francis Duwel, Jr. c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

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)

(For publication: 02/21, 02/28, 03/06, 03/13/2024)

This the 9th day of February, 2024.

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

Desiree A. Wilder, Administrator of the Estate of Douglas Alfred Newton, Petitioner, vs. Tomika Y. Greene, Cameron Newton, Paul E. Newton, and the Unknown Heirs of Douglas Alfred Newton, Respondents.

To the Unknown Heirs of Douglas Alfred Newton: TAKE NOTICE that a special proceeding has been filed in New Hanover County to determine the heirs of Douglas Alfred Newton. Douglas Alfred Newton (“Decedent”) died on October 9, 2023 in New Hanover County, North Carolina without leaving a will. The Administrator of the Estate of Douglas Alfred Newton seeks to determine the heirs of the Decedent.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Katherine Gentry Adcock, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E000600-910), 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 24th 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 21st day of February 2024.

All Unknown Heirs of Douglas Alfred Newton are asked to contact the Administrator of the Estate, Desiree A. Wilder, c/o Craige and Fox, PLLC, at 701 Market Street, Wilmington NC 28401.

You are required to file a written response no later than Monday, April 1, 2024, and upon your failure to do so any order entered by the Court shall be binding as if you were personally before the Court and any payment or distribution made by the Administrator under orders of the Court shall have the effect of fully discharging such personal representative and any sureties on the personal representative’s official bond to the full extent of such payment or distribution as ordered.

James Randall Adcock Executor of the Estate of Katherine Gentry Adcock c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

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)

(For publication: 02/21, 02/28, 03/06, 03/13/2024)

This, the 21st day of February, 2024.

CRAIGE AND FOX, PLLC Charlotte Noel Fox Cara R. Cook Attorneys for Petitioner 701 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28401 Attorneys for Administrator Desiree A. Wilder

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

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

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

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.

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

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, 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.

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.

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,

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

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

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

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: 14415 - 63870

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B9

TAKE NOTICE

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

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, if any Jean Smith and spouse of, if any Deborah Vanvalkend a/k/a Deborah Vanvalkenburg and spouse of, if any

DAVIDSON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 23SP566 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DAVIDSON IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY GARY C. TURPIN AND CATHY E. TURPIN DATED DECEMBER 18, 2001 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 1285, AT PAGE 41 IN THE DAVIDSON 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

DURHAM NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 610 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Ramona A. Poole (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Ramona A. Poole) to John McCormick, P.A., Trustee(s), dated December 29, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 5071, at Page 661 in Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location

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 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

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,

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 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

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 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

agreements therein contained 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 Davidson County courthouse at 11:00 AM on March 7, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Gary C. Turpin; Cathy E. Turpin, dated December 18, 2001 to secure the original principal amount of $115,845.00, and recorded in book no. 1285, at page 41 of the Davidson 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: 352 Forest Hill Drive, Denton, NC 27239 Tax Parcel ID: 07039E0000023 Present Record Owners:

designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on March 5, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 35, Phase 1 Swann’s Mill 167/265-274 Durham County Registry.

Together with improvements located thereon: said property being located at 4607 Hoppers Drive, Durham, North Carolina.

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

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.

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.

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.

This the ___ day of ________________, 2024.

HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP 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

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: 13426 - 58876

Dates of Publication: February 7, 2024, February 14, 2024 and February 21, 2024 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT

Cathy E. Turpin The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Cathy E. Turpin.

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.

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 17th 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: 22327-34752

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.

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: 1073 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: 5834 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:

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: 3074 - 7508

23-117517

22-113428

23-117502

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B10 TAKE NOTICE

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

MOORE AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 23 SP 45 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed

by TRACY L. BROWN AND KENYA L. BROWER payable to CITIFINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., lender, to J GOODMAN, Trustee, dated April 10, 2007, and recorded in Book 3209, Page 56 of the Moore County Public Registry by Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Goddard & Peterson, PLLC, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Official Records of Moore County, North Carolina, in Book 5958, Page 499, 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 Moore County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Friday, March 8, 2023 at 1:30PM, and will sell

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 262 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Mark C. Simmons (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Mark C. Simmons) to Joseph P. Clark, Trustee(s), dated December 3, 2004, and recorded in Book No. 2695, at Page 575 in Moore 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 Moore 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 Carthage, Moore County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 7, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Seagrove in the County of Moore, North Carolina, and being more

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 260 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Gregory Holley and Lashon D. Holley (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Gregory Holley and Lashon D. Holley) to Dennis F. Hardiman of Bristol County, RI, Trustee(s), dated February 10, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 2974, at Page 420 in Moore 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 Moore 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 Carthage, Moore County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on March 7, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Aberdeen in the County of Moore, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain Lot or Parcel of land lying and being in Sandhill Township, Moore County, North Carolina, and being more particularly

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

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 22 SP 474 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made

by Cheryl Ann Williams (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Cheryl Ann Williams) to William T. Morrison and Philip M. Rudisill, Trustee(s), dated July 29, 2020, and recorded in Book No. RB 6338, at Page 726 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 March 5, 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

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

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:

to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Moore, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 20040012 ADDRESS: 225 ELMERS PL., EAGLE SPRINGS, NC 27242 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): TRACY L. BROWN AND KENYA L. BROWER CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN THE CITY OF , BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, MOORE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF TRACT 1 CONTAINING 1.02 ACRES AND ALL OF TRACT 2 CONTAINING 5.35 ACRES AS RECORDED IN PLAT CABINET 8, SLIDE 101 IN THE MOORE COUNTY REGISTRY, AS SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN MAP OR PLAT ENTITLED “SURVEY FOR TRACY BROWN” DATED AUGUST 15, 2000 AND DRAWN BY DAVID F. BLUE, PLSL-3958, AND AS RECORDED IN PLAT CABINET 8, SLIDE 101, MOORE COUNTY REGISTRY, ALSO CONVEYED HEREWITH IS THAT CERTAIN EXISTING 30’ WIDE ACCESS EASEMENT AS SHOWN ON THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PLAT AND SHOWN IN PLAT CABINET 7, SLIDE 20.

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 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.

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.

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.

particularly described as follows: Being all of Tract No. 3C, containing 9.444 acres, as shown on that certain map or plat entitled “Linda K. Cagle & Others, Sheffield Township, Moore County, North Carolina”, dated February 1, 2001, and drawn by Roger Clarence Cagle, PLS, #L-1480 and recorded in Plat Cabinet 8. Slide 405, Moore County Registry. For further reference see Book 1754, at Page 206. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 270 Rocky Ridge Lane, Seagrove, North Carolina.

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.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 110 Pee Dee Road, Aberdeen, North Carolina.

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.

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.

Subject to that certain 30 foot access easements as appears of record in Book 1754, at Page 206.

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).

described as follows: A certain tract or parcel of land in Sandhill Township, Moore County, NC fronting on the East side of Pee Dee Road about 230 yards North of the intersection of Pee Dee Road and N.C. Highway No. 211, and lying about 120 yards Southwest of the Aberdeen Rockfish Railroad, near the town of Aberdeen, North Carolina, Described as follows:

Being the same property conveyed to Gregory Holley and his wife, Lashon D. Holley by deed from Hurley E. Thompson, Jr., Substitute Trustee recorded 01/28/1999 in Deed Book 1469, Page 358, in the Register of Deeds Office of Moore County, North Carolina.

Beginning at an iron stake in the East line of Pee Dee Road, said iron stake being the Northwest corner deeded to Mr. J. Mason; running thence from the beginning as the East line of Pee Dee Road, North 3 deg. 59’ West 65.00 feet to an iron pipe, a corner of H.M. Moss’ 15.34 acre tract; Thence continuing as the East line of Pee Dee Road, North 6 deg. 24’ West 35.00 feet to an iron stake in the East line of Pee Dee Road; Thence as the South line of the 60 foot road right of way, North 83 deg. 36’ East 95 feet to a point in the curve of said road right of way; Thence with the curve as it curves to the right, having a radius of 182 feet, an arc distance of 155.72 feet, a chord of South 72 deg. 00’; East 151 06 feet to an iron stake, Thence South 56 deg. 29’ West 84.51 feet to an iron stake, South 84 deg. 01’ West 160.00 feet to the Beginning, and Being the same tract or parcel of land as shown on a map entitled “Property of H. M. Moss, Sandhill Township, Moore County, Aberdeen, NC”, dated November 4, 1977, Drawn from an actual survey C.H. Blue & Associates.

TAX ID: 8570-19-62-5100

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

particularly described as follows: KNOWN as 1112 S 10th Street, Wilmington, NC, and being more particularly described as follows:

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 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

BEGINNING at a point in the western line of 10th Street 165 feet northwardly from its intersection with the northern line of Marstellar Street and running thence northwardly along the western line of 10th Street, 33 feet, thence westwardly and parallel with Marstellar Street 165 feet, thence southwardly parallel with 10th Street 33 feet; thence eastwardly parallel with Marsteallar Street 165 feet to the point of beginning, the same being the northeastern quarter of Lot 4, Block 11, according to the plan of the City of Wilmington as prepared by James Brown 1870. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1112 South 10th Street, Wilmington, 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 Forty-

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.

17-096349

Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 110 Frederick St, Suite 200 Greenville, South Carolina 29607 Phone: (470) 321-7112, Ext. 204 Fax: 1-919-800-3528 RAS File Number: [22-057341]

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: 16838 - 80147

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: 11121 - 82961

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

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: 10876 - 45974

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

B11

TAKE NOTICE

ROBESON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, ROBESON COUNTY 22 CVS 3066 Under and by virtue of that Judgment filed on July 17, 2023 in Robeson County by the presiding superior court judge, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the Deed of Trust recorded on September 27, 2005 in Book D 1491, Page 619, Robeson County Registry, and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been appointed as Commissioner in this case, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Robeson County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on March 5, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: TRACT ONE: Lying and being in Smiths Township, Robeson County, North Carolina, about 6 miles south of the Town of Red Springs about 0.2 miles West of NC Highway 710.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, ROBESON COUNTY 23 CVS 172 Under and by virtue of that Judgment filed on September 22, 2023 in Robeson County by the presiding superior court judge, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the Deed of Trust recorded on November 14, 2007 in Book 1639, Page 182, and re-recorded in Book 1676 at Page 214, Robeson County Registry, and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been appointed as Commissioner in this case, the undersigned Commissioner will offer for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Robeson County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on March 5, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: TRACT ONE That certain tract of land containing 1.17 acres, more or less located in Wisharts Township, Robeson County, North Carolina; and bounded, now or formerly, by natural boundaries and/ or lands owned by and/or in the possession of persons as follows: Warwick Mill Road in the North, East of Pauline K. Bridgeman, South by Douglas

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 23SP000056-910 AMENDED 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 George Latham, Jr. to Charles D. Mooney, Trustee(s), which was dated April 20, 2006 and recorded on April 27, 2006 in Book 11926 at Page 2671, 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 23SP001684-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NORA CRUZ DATED JUNE 5, 2017 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 16804 AT PAGE 1907 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

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

BEGINNING at an iron rod in a ditch in Lathard Locklear Estate’s line, said rod being South 87 degrees 25 minutes 37 seconds West 816.00 feet from the southeast corner original tract, and runs South 87 degrees 25 minutes 37 seconds West 108.00 feet to a set iron rod; thence crossing a 20-foot existing road North 0 degrees 07 minutes 33 seconds East 404.77 feet to a set iron rod; thence as a ditch and Lollie Lee’s line North 89 degrees 3l minutes 25 seconds East 108.00 feet to a set iron rod; thence South 0 degrees 08 minutes 32 seconds West 400.82 feet to the beginning, containing 1.00 acre more or less.

Exempt from Robeson County Subdivision Ordinance as per Article V, Section 501, Item c, of said ordinance.

TRACT II, EASEMENT FOR INGRESS, EGRESS AND REGRESS: BEGINNING at an existing iron nail in the center line of Highway 710, South 01 degrees 40 minutes 9 seconds East of the intersection of the center line of Highway 710 with the center line of State Road 1346, and running thence South 79 degrees 43 minutes 59 seconds West 136.04 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence South 87 degrees 25 minutes 37 seconds West 924 feet to a set iron rod; thence North 7 minutes 33 seconds East 20 feet to a point; thence North

Bridgeman and west by Thomas K. Cameron; said tract lying approximately 2.5 miles East from the center of the City of Lumberton, North Carolina, and being more specifically described as follows: BEGINNING at a nail in the center of the Warwick Mill Road, beginning corner (Book 18-Y, Page 47) of the original tract of which this is a part and runs as said road South 55 degrees 51 minutes East 80.07 feet to a nail, beginning corner (Book 424, page 207) and runs as the center of said road South 64 degrees 23 minutes East 105.5 feet to Douglas Bridgeman’s comer; thence South 37 degrees 22 minutes West 293.90 feet to an iron pipe, corner of the original tract; thence North 54 degrees 19 minutes West 180.0 feet to a stake in a ditch; thence as said ditch and original line North 36 degrees 41 minutes East 273.20 feet to the beginning, containing 1.17 acres, more or less.

Subject to easements, restrictions, and covenants of record, if any.

TRACT THREE Lying and being in Wishart Township, Robeson County, North Carolina, about 2.5 miles East of the City of Lumberton, south of and adjoining the Warwick Mill Road and bounded by lands of Robert E. Freeman on East, lands of Douglas Bridgeman on West and other lands original tract on south.

BEGINNING at a railroad spike in the center of

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

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 March 6, 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:

87 degrees 25 minutes 37 seconds East 924 feet; thence North 9 degrees 43 minutes 59 seconds East 136 feet to a point in the center line of Highway 710; thence with the center line of Highway 710 South 1 degree 40 minutes 9 seconds East 20 feet to the place or point of Beginning.

This description was taken from a survey of same by John D. Powers, Registered Land Surveyor L-I140, Lumberton, NC.

safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Twayna Locklear and Heath Locklear.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §1-339.29 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 (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2) or other applicable statute). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Commissioner 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 Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, 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.

Property Address: 2521 E. 5th Street, Lumberton, NC 28358 Third party purchasers must pay any land transfer tax, costs of recording the commissioner’s deed, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, 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, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner of the property is Sherri L. Bridgeman.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §1-339.29 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 (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b)(2) or other applicable statute). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of termination. If the Commissioner 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 Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, 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.

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.

Property Address: 190 Crepe Myrtle Drive, Pembroke, NC 28372 Third party purchasers must pay any land transfer tax, costs of recording the commissioner’s deed, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or

the Warwick Mill Road, northeast corner original tract and runs as said road North 82 deg 51 min west 110.0 ft to a nail, Douglas Bridgeman corner; thence as his line south 37 deg 39 min east 99.70 ft to an iron pipe in eastern line original tract; thence north 36 deg 37 min east 346.38 ft to the beginning, containing 0.72 acres, more or less.

Subject to easements, restrictions, and covenants of record, if any.

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

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.

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.

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Commissioner By: Cameron D. Scott, Esq. Pinyan Law Firm, PLLC 1320 Matthews Mint Hill Road Matthews, NC 28105 Phone: 704-743-6387, Fax: 866-535-8589

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Commissioner By: Cameron D. Scott, Esq. Pinyan Law Firm, PLLC 1320 Matthews Mint Hill Road Matthews, NC 28105 Phone: 704-743-6387, Fax: 866-535-8589

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

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.

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

Said property is commonly known as 944 Athens Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606.

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 All Lawful Heirs of George Latham, Jr.

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

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

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

on March 7, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Nora Cruz, dated June 5, 2017 to secure the original principal amount of $282,200.00, and recorded in Book 16804 at Page 1907 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: 100 Virginia Water Dr, Rolesville, NC 27571 Tax Parcel ID: 0366628 Present Record Owners: Nora Cruz The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Nora Cruz.

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 17, 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:

on February 27, 2024, the following described real 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: 101 Bainbridge Cir, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: 1710860760 / 98410 Present Record Owners: The 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 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 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.

LOGS.com Posted: By:

All of the parcel designated as Julius Roger and Judith W. Floyd Property, as shown on plat recorded in Book of Maps 1986, Page 2083, Wake County Registry, containing 0.507 acres more or less.

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

File No.: 19-11765-FC02

23-115767

23-115713

B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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AQUARIUM AND SHARK LAB BY TEAM ECCO VIA AP

Life finds a way

Charlotte, a round stingray that has lived for years without a male companion, is pregnant. She’s expected to give birth in the next two weeks at the Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville. The executive director of the lab says Charlotte has experienced parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs. The rare phenomenon can occur in various animals, with recent examples including California condors, Komodo dragons and yellow-bellied water snakes.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NCDOT on political signs along roadways NCDOT reminds campaign advocates that there are legal requirements for placing political signs along state-maintained roadsides: Signs can Signs can be placed 30 days prior to early voting, and up to 10 days following the primary election date.

The signs must be within 3 feet of the road pavement and should not exceed 42 inches in height.

Signs should not obscure driver visibility at any intersection.

Those placing signs must obtain permission from property owners of a residence, business or religious institution.

Stanly commissioner candidates Asciutto, Mills square off in debate Peter Asciutto and Billy Mills will square off in the March 5 election

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — Incumbent Peter Asciutto and challenger Billy Mills are squaring off for the District 5 seat of the Stanly County Board of Commissioners, and both were among those speaking at the GOP Local Candidate Forum here on Feb. 12.

With the March 5 primary election less than two weeks away, the two Albemarle residents fielded questions from a moderator on county growth, the local school district, healthcare and other topics during the debate at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.

In his opening statement, Mills, an engineering instructor at Gray Stone Day School, spoke on his Christian faith and how his desire to promote his personal values influenced a preference for teaching creation instead of evolution inside the classroom.

“I’m teaching that this world is only 6,000 years old,” Mills said.

“If you have a kid who thinks the world is 200 million years old, they’re just a number. But if this Earth is 6,000 years old — and say everyone lives to be 100 years old because people used to live longer — that means there’s only been 60 generations from the beginning of time.”

He also shared his belief that the promotion of evolution in schools could lead to low self-esteem, causing children “to get on TikTok to try to get attention.”

Asciutto, an educator at Anson

Mills also shared his belief that the promotion of evolution in schools could lead to low self-esteem, causing children “to get on TikTok to try to get attention.”

High School and former business owner, spoke in his opening statement about what he has accomplished as a commissioner.

“I love Stanly County and this is my home,” he said. “As a county commissioner, I helped settle the dam problem we were having with ALCOA. I partnered with Gene McIntyre, Josh Morton and Justin Burr as we got to-

gether to help settle the lawsuit that was going on for six or seven years.” Asciutto also touted his contributions towards the county’s new livestock arena that will open in the spring.

When the discussion turned to urban sprawl and responsible county growth, Asciutto said the county should aim “for slow and steady growth as our infrastructure catches up” by successfully utilizing the county land use plan with sensible zoning regulations.

“My concern is that there’s a strong anti-growth movement that is pressuring commissioners to create regulations to make it more costly for first-time homeowners to build and buy homes in the county,” Asciutto said. “We talk about freedoms and property rights, yet the same folks are See GOP FORUM, page 2

82 rehabilitated sea turtles released Cold-stunned sea turtles rehabilitated by the NC Aquarium were recently released by Coasties at Station Hatteras Inlet and from Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder at Ford Macon.

The release of the turtles, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley species, helped make room at the aquarium for 62 other coldstunned patients currently being cared for at aquarium facilities around the state.

If you find a stranded sea turtle in North Carolina, call 252-241-7367.

PHOTO COURTESY U.S.C.G CUTTER RICHARD SNYDER

A crewmember prepares to release a small green sea turtle overboard into warm ocean water.

Locust fab company gets $90k from NC Rural Infrastructure Authority Flextrol has been awarded a grant supporting a building expansion

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal LOCUST — Last week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced that a business in Locust was one of eight recipients statewide to receive a grant from the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA).

Flextrol, a fabrication company that specializes in jacketed valves, pipe flexible metal hoses and expansion joints, received a $90,000 grant from the RIA to support a 4,000-square-foot expansion of its existing building at 192 Browns Hill Road.

“These funds make strategic investments in our rural communities to help them seize opportunities to prosper,” Cooper said in a Feb. 15 press release from the N.C. Department of Commerce. “We are committed to improving the economy in all

parts of our state.”

The eight RIA grants amount to $1.4 million, with commitments from recipients to create 270 new jobs.

With the new funding, from the RIA’s “Existing Business Building Category,” the family-owned metal fabrication company in Locust expects to create 11 new jobs and invest $329,645 in this project.

“Flextrol offers many distinct advantages over other manufacturers of jacket valves, expansion joints and hoses,” the company stated in a promotional advertisement. “First and foremost, the company’s president, Rick Patterson, is a mechanical engineer. His knowledge, expertise and attention to detail is what makes Flextrol an ideal choice to handle custom applications.”

The manufacturer has been in business since 1982.

“Flextrol’s employees are experienced and fully trained and certified in their areas,” the message continued. “Each

product manufactured at Flextrol is carefully checked multiple times and pressure tested before it ships. Flextrol employs only ASME Section IX, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Certified Welders.”

In terms of official local government designation, the RIA approved grant requests to the Town of Boiling Springs, the City of Lexington (Davidson County), Lenoir County, Swain County, the City of Burlington (Alamance), Stanly County, the Town of Spencer (Rowan), and the City of Thomasville (Davidson).

Along with reviewing and approving funding requests, the RIA creates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development team.

“I will forever be proud of the investments we’re making in our state’s rural communities with these grants,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “They

demonstrate North Carolina’s unwavering dedication to uplifting rural areas, creating opportunity, and building an equitable, sustainable economy.”

With 17 voting members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem, the RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities.

Funding typically comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers.

Grants often support infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.

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ISSN: 2575-2278 Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor Jesse Deal, Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager

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Early voting starts slow in Stanly Stanly County Journal

Stanly County Journal

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IN-PERSON early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina.

Statewide, more than 340 early voting sites are open for early voting ahead of the primary.

“In-person early voting is one of the ways voters can cast ballots securely in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State

Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work at each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to ensure the ballots of eligible voters are counted.”

There are 44,512 registered voters in Stanly County as of Feb. 17, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections.

The county has just over 8,000 registered Democrats, more than 21,000 registered Republicans and close to 15,000 undeclared independents.

Over 113,000 votes have already been cast, with 884 thus far in Stanly County.

The county has two early voting sites open through the end of the early voting period, which ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m.

Those sites are located at the Stanly County Board of Elections office at 1000 N First St. In Albemarle and the Joel Honeycutt Room at the Locust Town Center at 186 Ray Kennedy Dr. in Locust.

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The county has just over 8,000 registered Democrats, more than 21,000 registered Republicans and close to 15,000 undeclared independents.

Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 STANLYJOURNAL.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

CRIME LOG x On February 17, 2024, Jonathan Lawson Woody, age 36, was arrested and charged with civil order for arrest for child support violations. x On February 17, 2024, Catrina Marie Acree, age 41, was arrested and charged with second degree trespass. x On February 17, 2024, Florentino Contreras Lopez, age 36, was arrested and charged with assault by strangulation, assault on female, and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. x On February 16, 2024, Haily Ann Long, age 23, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor larceny. x On February 16, 2024, Samantha Wilson Drake, age 51, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by concealment of goods. x On February 16, 2024, Misty Denise Tyson, age 32, was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule-ii controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Strategies for reducing stress in an election year

By Alissa Zorn Wealth of Geeks

Focus on what you can control

WORRYING ABOUT the nation’s future is a significant stressor for more than twothirds of Americans (68%), according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) latest Stress in America report.

As we head into a divisive election year, stress is high.

55% of adults identified social divisiveness as another significant stressor.

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that just the anticipation of election-related stress negatively impacts well-being — however, those with a greater sense of agency experience lower stress levels.

With months of campaign time left, there’s no quick relief in sight. Given the harmful nature of chronic stress, now is the time to plan ahead to guard against its effects.

Practical actions for stress reduction include setting boundaries around media use, building positive anticipation, spending time outdoors, and doing creative activities.

Makenzie Peterson, Director for Well-being at The American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges, created a guide for well-being during an election year. She notes that elections can make people feel overwhelmed and powerless. Taking proactive steps to create positive change in one’s life can combat those feelings.

Proactive steps that Peterson suggests are registering to vote and planning how one will vote, whether by mail or in person.

She also suggests that people should find activities they enjoy and focus on those rather than continually fixating on the news.

Therapist Emily Wilson, MA, LPC, ATR, agrees with the recommendation. “Finding something in your own life that you can help tap into a sense of agency — this will be unique for each person. It can be as simple as tackling the clean out of that disorganized closet or as thorough as taking control of your own health.”

Proven strategies for reducing election stress

Peterson suggests that people plan for political discussions that add stress rather than lead to productive conversation.

Her guide lists useful phrases for sidestepping nonproductive election conversations.

For instance:

The following are evidence-based strategies for improving well-being and managing the stress that may arise during an election year.

Set boundaries around election discussions

Build up positive anticipation While negative anticipation — like anticipating election stress — leads to poor mental health, the opposite is also true. People hoping to reduce stress can find ways to build positive anticipation in their lives. Creating positive anticipation can be as simple as planning to go to the movies and looking forward to it.

“Anticipating positive events directly leads to a better mental health well-being; the mere thinking of future positive events is associated with increased well-being,” says Wilson, referring to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology.

So think about those vacation plans, your kid’s recital, trying out a new recipe, spending the morning snuggling with your spouse, dog, or favorite book. It will do you good!”

duce stress and anxiety and can be a fun and less intimidating art activity. Anything rhythmic and repetitive, such as knitting, crochet, or felting, calms the nervous system.”

She suggests trying a simple practice like starting a small art journal and doodling or creating for 5 minutes a day.

Get moving and spend time in nature Exercise is an excellent form of stress release. Moving helps reduce stress-related hormones and increases overall health and well-being. Finding exercise or hobbies one can do outdoors gives people the combined benefits of being in nature and getting in some movement.

Stay socially connected Go for a walk or spend time with friends and family. Research shows that people with at least one or two friends or family members to turn to for emotional support during stressful times tend to cope better than people who don’t have such support.

Tap into creativity as an outlet for stress relief

More information on election stress reduction

“Creativity can help a lot with stress! And you do not have to be an ‘artist’ to create. Creating art and the desire to create something beautiful is innate,” explains Wilson.

“Coloring Mandalas can re-

The APA’s Stress in America site shares strategies for managing stress and facilitates the Stress in America survey. The survey measures ongoing attitudes and perceptions of stress among the general public.

GOP FORUM from page 1

x On February 16, 2024, James Doyle Dye, age 46, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule-II controlled substance, maintain a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, possess drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm by felon, and possess weapon mass destruct. x On February 15, 2024, Zahnine Dominique Evans, age 33, was arrested and charged with resisting a public officer, driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, speeding, and driving with a revoked license (not impaired). x On February 15, 2024, William Zachary Lisk, age 47, was arrested and charged with non-support of a child. x On February 15, 2024, Keith Morris Morgan, age 37, was arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver (PWISMD) a schedule-II controlled substance, maintain vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, PWISMD marijuana, possess drug paraphernalia, and a felony probation violation.

“That’s not a topic I’m informed on enough to talk about.””I’ve talked a lot about politics recently and could use a break — tell me something interesting going on in your life.”

PAID FOR BY ASCIUTTO FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER

trying to limit what a person can do with their property.”

Mills went in a different direction, giving support to zoning laws that would preserve the rural nature of the county.

“The number one industry in Stanly County is farming and we need to respect that, always.

These guys put the food on our tables. Industry — instead of subdivisions — can bring a lot more money in,” Mills said. “Many times, the developers come in from Charlotte and out of town and they don’t care about Stanly County.”

Asciutto said he favors school consolidation rather than the status quo, and reiterated his support for the Consolidated Human Services Board and county health department.

Later, Mills brought up the subject of immigration.

“In the short amount of time that we’ve been here tonight, 250 illegal immigrants have come into North Carolina. By them saying they want asylum, they receive full welfare and they receive the full medical treatment,” he said. “Even our own people can’t get into the emergency room sometimes. These are the illegal immigrants that are breaking the law and they’re getting your tax money.”

Asciutto challenged Mills on that in his closing argument.

“It just disturbs me that you talk about Christianity and then you talk down about people,” Asciutto said. “If people come here and ask for asylum, they’re here legally at that point.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

3

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

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

The culture of gun violence Why aren’t responsible gun owners on the forefront of gun safety?

“TURN ON THE TV,” my friend Annie said. No hello — it has to be something bad. “The Super Bowl.” At first I thought Las Vegas. But no, this must be Kansas City. A shooting. One woman dead.

Twenty-two people shot. Eleven children.

Here we go again. What could be more American? The schools were closed. A million people gathered to celebrate. And this.

Kids. Teenagers. A personal dispute turns into a national tragedy. Again.

When does it stop?

The short answer: It doesn’t.

It’s an open carry state. Last year set a record of 184 gunshot deaths. A coincidence?

The Super Bowl shooting, on Valentine’s Day, was the sixth anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. Another coincidence? A group of the parents issued a statement condemning lax gun laws. Others took to social media to point out that the law wasn’t the problem, or the answer, since it’s against the law for juveniles to buy guns.

So they got them anyway.

Three people were arrested, two of them armed. Two of the three suspects detained were juveniles.

Eighty percent of the public favors commonsense regulation of guns.

Instead, we have a patchwork that

varies from state to state, and uneven enforcement. Every time we have a shooting, we take to our separate sides, and nothing happens. What is wrong with us? Why do we routinely accept commonsense regulation of cars and bridle at the words “gun control”?

The short answer is that “we” don’t. A minority of a minority has paralyzed the political process. A minority of a minority has taken over our free will, controls the majority, turns our streets into battlegrounds.

And then something happens, as it always does. A record gets broken.

Children get traumatized. A mother gets shot.

We pretend we are helpless when we’re not.

We pretend nothing can be done when it could.

We act like it’s inevitable when it isn’t.

And then most of it goes away, gets forgotten, except for those who bear the scars, forever.

Guns don’t kill, but shooters do. People with guns do, and they must be licensed.

Checked out. Trained. Controlled.

Punished when they threaten the lives of others. Guns are inherently dangerous objects. If you aren’t licensed and trained, you don’t have a right to a car. You have to pay to register it. You have to be tested

to drive it. You are responsible for what you do with it. You must have insurance to use it. How simple can it be? How complicated can we make it?

Why aren’t responsible gun owners on the forefront of gun safety? Why aren’t they the ones with the most interest, not the least, in commonsense regulation?

Why haven’t they assumed the leadership role in encouraging parents to teach and promote the lawful possession and handling of guns and, yes, making sure that those who are dangerous do not have easy access to weapons?

Consider this irony. When there is a highly publicized shooting, it almost always follows that there is a renewed debate about gun control. And studies then report an increase — not a decrease — in gun sales. Presumably those are lawful sales. Presumably.

But what we need to do is stop the teenagers who become part of the gun culture — in many cases, beginning as targets of violence and later as perpetrators. Once they’ve progressed on the cycle of violence, it’s too late. Once they take their guns out, or go out and get them, it’s too late. The challenge is to intervene earlier, in a positive way, to avoid resorting to guns and the culture of teen violence before it’s too late. Which it was last week in Kansas City.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

What Biden bull market?

Our Magnificent Seven technology firms are close to being worth more than all of the stocks combined in any other country, with the exception of China.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN is boasting about the recent stock market rally. He’s right that stocks have been on a tear for the last 14 months. The S&P 500 hit 5,000 for the first time in history. That’s up from 500 some 30 years ago.

Even with all our problems, the United States is the unrivaled alpha male nation. The dollar is the only currency that matters globally (the Euro and BRICS are weak little sisters), and for the first time, the U.S. economy produces far more than all of socialist Europe combined. Our Magnificent Seven technology firms — Amazon, Apple, Google, Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla — are close to being worth more than all of the stocks combined in any other country, with the exception of China.

But the Biden bull stock market story isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Most of the gains in the market have only made up for the miserable returns in Biden’s disastrous first two years in office when stocks lost almost 15% of their value. In other words, for the most part, the last 14 months have simply made up for the lost ground during the 2022 rout in stocks.

Yes, it’s true that in nominal terms stocks are at record highs. But one of the

first rules of investing is that you need to pay attention to your after-inflation profits. If you make an investment in a widget company and in 10 years that stock has doubled in value but the price level in dollars of everything else has doubled, sorry, you’re no better off based on what you can buy with those profits.

So, let’s see what has happened to stocks over the first three years of the Biden presidency — i.e, through the end of January 2024.

Over that period, the price level has risen by about 18%. The real (inflationadjusted) rate of return in the S&P 500 after three years of Biden is thus only 8%. This is fairly anemic and well below the average annual real rate of return since the New York Stock Exchange opened its doors, which is a three-year average of more than 20%.

Biden’s performance is also much worse than the bull market under Donald Trump. The S&P was up 36% in real terms at this time of Trump’s presidency, or more than four times better.

Trump has made the case that the rise in the stock market in recent months is a result of the higher likelihood that he will be elected in November. I don’t put

too much stock in that claim. If the stock market tanks, is he responsible for that, too?

However, an analysis by ace investor Scott Bessent and a member of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity economic council finds that fluctuations in the stock market over the past year HAVE correlated positively with the betting market odds that Trump will win. Right now, he stands at just above 50%. This relationship could be spurious, and of course, by far the biggest factor that drives stock valuations is profits.

One last piece of investment advice: Investors should pay attention to the Democratic agenda if they win in November. The Biden economic plan calls for doubling the capital gains tax, taxing unrealized capital gains and raising both the corporate tax rate and the dividend tax. That is very bad news for sure for stocks. And THAT, you can take to the bank.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow with the Heritage Foundation and a cofounder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity. He is co-author of the book “Trumponomics.”

4 SIDELINE REPORT

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

SPORTS

NBA

Lillard, East beats West in All-Star Game Indianapolis All-Star MVP Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks scored 39 points and the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211186 on Sunday night, with the winners putting up the most points in the game’s 73-year history.

That broke the previous mark of 196 by the West in 2016. The total points of 397 smashed the record of 374 set in 2017, while the East made 42 3-pointers to break the mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 50 points for the West in just 28 minutes.

NHL

Penguins retire Jagr’s No. 68 Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins retired Jaromir Jagr’s iconic No. 68 on Sunday.

The NHL’s second alltime leading scorer was on hand as his jersey was raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena.

The 52-year-old spent 11 seasons in Pittsburgh from 1990 to 2001, helping the franchise win a pair of Stanley Cups.

Jagr is the third Penguins player to have his number retired, joining Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and Michel Briere. While Jagr has played for nine different NHL teams, he says he knows he will be forever linked with Pittsburgh.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ohio State knocks off No. 2 Purdue in interim coach’s debut Columbus, Ohio Bruce Thornton scored 22 points and Jamison Battle added 19 as Ohio State stunned No. 2 Purdue 73-69 on Sunday, giving interim coach Jake Diebler a victory in his debut with the Buckeyes.

Diebler replaced Chris Holtmann, who was fired Wednesday after several disappointing seasons.

Ohio State (15-11, 5-10 Big Ten) entered the contest having lost nine of its last 11 games. Zach Edey had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 58th career double-double for the Boilermakers (23-3, 12-3).

MLB

Ohtani won’t play in Dodgers’ spring training opener Glendale, Ariz.

Shohei Ohtani did not participate in live batting practice Sunday, and his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut is on hold. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani, who is coming back from elbow surgery, will not play in Thursday’s exhibition opener against the San Diego Padres. The two-time MVP signed a record $700 million, 10year contract as a free agent in December. The two-time AL MVP won’t pitch this season following right elbow surgery on Sept. 19 but hopes to be ready as a hitter by the March 20 opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

Winston-Salem State guard Jaylen Alston shoots over Virginia Union forward Jonathan Salazar during the HBCU Classic on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Winston-Salem State tops Virginia Union in NBA HBCU Classic The teams played on the All-Star Game court in Indianapolis

By Mark Ambrogi The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — While Virginia Union coach Jay Butler would have liked a different outcome, both teams had a winning experience at the NBA HBCU Classic.

Ketron Shaw scored 15 points and Jaylen Alston had 14 points and 11 rebounds to pace Winston-Salem State to a 64-47 victory Saturday in the NBA HBCU Classic. Issac Parson added 12 points and 11 assists for the Rams (17-8, 11-5 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).

Jaylin Parker scored 11 points, Tahj Harding led Virginia Union (11-17, 6-9 CIAA ) with 11

points and Travis Vaughn added nine points.

The game between the two NCAA Division II teams from the historically black universities was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court as the NBA All-Stars will play on Sunday night.

“This was big time,” Butler said. “This was an awesome event, something the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. When we first got here, they rolled out the red carpet from the airport to the hotel to the arena.”

Being a Division II school, Butler said the players don’t get to play on this kind of big stage.

Vaughn, one of eight freshmen for the Panthers, said he never experienced anything like it.

“It was just an an amazing experience,” he said recounting the NBA stars he met. “I’m very for-

tunate. ... I got to meet Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard. I look up to them for my game, so I was very fortunate for that.”

Alston was starstruck, too.

“Walking in we got to see Kevin Durant,” Alston said. “I kind of stopped. I forgot a game was still happening, so I had to catch myself.”

Parson added: “The coolest thing for me was I got to see Jalen Brunson and speak with him.”

Winston-Salem State coach Cleo Hill Jr. said it was special for all involved.

“I couldn’t even imagine when I was 18 to 24 years old, coming into the All-Star Game playing in front of Earl Monroe, Clyde Frazier and Magic Johnson, so that was huge,” Hill said. “On the flip side for the student-athletes, they have career day (Sunday) and well-suited and booted to

put our best foot forward for life after basketball. For myself, with my dad playing in the NBA for a short time, it was gratifying.”

Durant, representing the Phoenix Suns as an All-Star, said it’s huge for the two teams to have the stage.

“It’s an opportunity for people around the country to see the type of talent they have at HBCUs,” Durant said. “There’s a lot of hidden gems there, great coaching, great talent up and down the board. If we can give them the platform to showcase their talents and skills, we need to do so. So I’m excited for them.

Hopefully, this becomes an annual thing and we start to see more and more talent come out of HBCUs.” Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was among those in attendance.

The Bul seed in tournam

By Jesse Stanly C

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NASCAR teams hire top antitrust lawyer The stock car sanctioning body is at odds with owners over a new revenue-sharing model

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR teams have hired one of the country’s top antitrust and sports lawyers to advise them in their ongoing dispute with the family-owned stock car series over a new revenue-sharing model.

The decision to hire Jeffrey Kessler, partner and co-executive chair of Winston & Strawn LLP, followed a Saturday meeting at Daytona International Speedway that included the majority owner from each of the 15 chartered teams in NASCAR. Although the teams invited NASCAR representatives to attend, none did.

Kessler’s hiring was revealed to The Associated Press on Sunday, the eve of the rain-postponed Daytona 500, by the five members of the team ownership negotiating committee. It comes amid a breakdown in negotiations between teams and NASCAR that led the 36 chartered teams to decline last month to extend their exclusive negotiat-

ing window with the sanctioning body on the existing deal.

The current charter agreement expires at the end of this season, and two years of talks were stalled by NASCAR’s ongoing negotiations on a new $7.7 billion television rights deal announced in early December. NASCAR’s economic offer to the teams came shortly after but with zero room for the teams to counter.

“We want to make a deal, we are just looking for a fair deal,” Curtis Polk, a part owner of 23XI Racing and member of the teams’ negotiating committee, told The Associated Press.

“There is no give and take. We’ve been told ‘This is all there is; there is no flexibility.’ That’s not a negotiation.”

Kessler has only been retained so far to help advise the teams in their negotiations. Kessler most recently successfully represented Division I college football and basketball players in a landmark antitrust case that led to financial stipends for athletes. He also led the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in its successful fight for equal pay as well as litigations for current free agency rules in the NBA and the NFL. The issues between NASCAR and the race teams are far beyond revenue and char-

TERRY RENNA | AP PHOTO

Rick Hendrick and other stock car team owners have hired highpowered attorney Jeffrey Kessler in their dispute with NASCAR over revenue sharing. ters, which are essentially a version of the franchise model used in nearly all professional sports.

The teams have asked for the charters to become permanent, which NASCAR has not even considered.

But after a Saturday meeting that included Rick Hendrick, NASCAR’s winningest owner who is launching his 40th anniversary season, Roger Penske, Joe Gibbs and Michael Jordan, among others, it became clear that having a franchise to leave as part of their legacy remains one of the more pressing topics.

The negotiating team said

it couldn’t even come to a resolution in which charters would last seven years but could be revokable by NASCAR based on failing to meet competitive standards. NASCAR has apparently stopped negotiating with the committee and is instead trying to speak to teams individually.

“I think that this whole thing is such a monopoly that you kind of get shut down in different areas, you’re allowed in some places, but not in others,” said three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, owner of 23XI Racing with Jordan and Polk.

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

South Stanly boys win YVC basketball regular season title The title marks the team’s first in four years

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal IN A WINNER-TAKE-ALL matchup between two schools with an 8-1 Yadkin Valley Conference record, the South Stanly Bulls boys’ basketball team defeated North Stanly 64-57 at home on Thursday to claim the regular season conference title.

The Bulls’ (20-4, 9-1 Yadkin Valley) seven-point victory over the runner-up Comets (18-6, 8-2 Yadkin Valley) — ensuring South’s first regular season YVC title in four years — arrived just 11 days after North came out on top over the Bulls in a 61-50 finish in New London.

Senior guard Drew Gaddy led South with 23 points while junior guard Gavyn Miller added 14 points and junior forward Jaxon Valler had eight points. For North, Junior guard Jack Williamson led the Comets with 24 points as junior guard Jalen Walker added 11.

With the YVC Tournament beginning this week, both top-seeded South and second-seeded North received a first-round bye and will play at home in the semifinals on Wednesday. The championship game is set for Friday night.

Piedmont 71, West Stanly 42 Over in Red Cross, West Stanly has now finished its Rocky River Conference regular season in fifth place out of seven teams.

In Friday’s season finale, the Colts (12-12, 5-7 Rocky River) suffered a 29-point home loss to the first-place Piedmont Panthers (16-8, 11-1 Rocky River).

After a four-game winning streak that began in late January, West closed out the regular season with three consecutive losses. The Colts will now battle in the RRC Tournament in a matchup to be determined.

North Stanly 76, Albemarle 69 The Albemarle Bulldogs (3-

20, 2-8 Yadkin Valley) fell to the Comets in a 76-69 finish on Feb. 13 in New London.

The team’s regular season marked a stark difference between last year’s roster that achieved a 14-13 (8-5 conf.) record.

In the first round of the YVC Tournament on Monday night, fifth-seeded Albemarle faced the fourth-seeded Union Academy Cardinals (6-18, 4-6 Yadkin Valley) in Mount Pleasant. The winner will play at South on Wednesday.

South Stanly 85, Gray Stone 29 On Feb. 13, the Gray Stone Knights (1-19, 0-10 Yadkin Valley) were defeated by the Bulls in a 56-point home loss in Misenheimer.

With a semifinal matchup at North awaiting for the winner, the sixth-seeded Knights squared off with the third-seeded Mount Pleasant Tigers (11-12, 7-5 Yadkin Valley) in Mount Pleasant on Monday night in the first round of the YVC Tournament.

Albemarle girls hit win No. 20 in regular-season finale The Bulldogs are the top seed in their conference tournament

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ON FRIDAY, the Yadkin Valley Conference-winning Albemarle Bulldogs (20-3, 10-0 Yadkin Valley) defeated the Montgomery Central Timberwolves (15-5, 6-4 Mid-Piedmont) in a 71-56 non-conference finish on the road.

Junior guard Amari Bald-

win and junior center Jasmine Brown combined for 43 points in the win.

The Bulldogs have won six of their past seven matchups and even managed to reel off an undefeated conference record, topping their 9-1 YVC record during the 2022-23 campaign.

Their only losses this season were to North Rowan (21-3, 12-0 Central Carolina) — twice — and Bishop McGuinness (204, 12-0 Northwest Piedmont).

The top-seeded Bulldogs received a first-round bye in the YVC Tournament and will now

host the winner of fourth-seeded Mount Pleasant (10-13, 4-6 Yadkin Valley) and fifth-seeded Gray Stone (8-14, 2-8 Yadkin Valley) in the semifinals on Thursday. The championship game is set for Friday night.

North Stanly 57, South Stanly 28 On Thursday, the North Stanly Comets (18-4, 6-4 Yadkin Valley) took down the South Stanly Bulls (1-20, 0-10 Yadkin Valley) in a 29-point road win.

North finished third in the

McClung earns perfect score, wins 2nd straight NBA Slam Dunk Contest The Magic’s G League guard beat Boston’s Jaylen Brown in the final

By Michael Marot The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — Mac McClung went back to school to win his second consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

He asked Shaquille O’Neal to squeeze into McClung’s old high school jersey, then grabbed the

ball out of the big man’s hands and leapt clear over him to draw five perfect scores on his final attempt Saturday night.

McClung compiled 98.8 points on his last two dunks, while Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown finished with 97.8.

“Shaq was so cool to put that high school jersey on, man, it almost made me emotional that he would do that,” McClung said.

“When he put it on, he said, ‘You better not miss it.’ I said, ‘OK, I won’t miss it.’”

Unlike some of his previous attempts, McClung made this dunk on his first try and was rewarded handsomely by the five judges.

As a result, the high-flying, 6-foot-2 guard who plays for Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, became the sixth player with two or more Slam Dunk titles and the first to win in back-to-back seasons since Zach LaVine in 2015 and 2016.

Hey Mac, gonna go for an unprecedented third straight title

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5

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ikey Holt South Stanly, wrestling Ikey Holt is a sophomore for the South Stanly wrestling team.

He capped a 39-4 season for the Rowdy Rebel Bulls by finishing in third place in the NCHSAA IA state wrestling tournament. Holt was the only wrestler from the county to place at states, reaching the podium in the 126-pound weight class.

Holt opened his SOUTH STANLY HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL MEDIA tournament run by pinning Swain County’s Kale Stephenson in 3:13. He was then sent to the consolation bracket by dropping a 14-4 decision to Robbinsville’s Loxston Hooper. He earned a spot in the third-place match with a 42-second pin of Rosman’s Kreed Smith, then pinned Eastern Randolph’s David Lambright at 2:52.

YVC standings, two games behind Union Academy (18-3, 8-2 Yadkin Valley) and four games behind Albemarle.

The two teams linked up again on Monday as the third-seeded Comets played the sixth-seeded Bulls in Mount Pleasant in the first round of the YVC Tournament. The winner is scheduled to challenge second-seeded Union Academy (18-3, 8-2 Yadkin Valley) on Thursday in the semifinal round.

West Stanly 61, Piedmont 46 The Rocky River Conference-winning West Stanly Colts (13-11, 10-2 Rocky River) defeated the Piedmont Panthers (14-9, 7-5 Rocky River) 61-46 at home on Friday.

The Colts closed out their

next year?

“I don’t know. We’ll think about it,” said McClung, who led his team to the G League championship last year. “I’m not sure yet.”

The only player with three NBA Slam Dunk crowns is Nate Robinson, but those didn’t come in a row.

McClung jumped over two people on his first dunk in the final round. Brown paid tribute to the late Terrence Clark, a Massachusetts prep star who died in a car crash at age 19 in April 2021.

McClung needed an even higher score after four judges gave Brown a 49 and the other one awarded a 50 on his final dunk, a left-handed slam over one person with a Michael Jack-

regular season winning five out of six games and finished with a three-game conference lead over the Panthers, Parkwood Wolf Pack (11-12, 7-5 Rocky River) and Forest Hills (11-10, 7-5 Rocky River) in the RRC standings.

The Colts will now square off in the RRC Tournament in a matchup to be determined.

Gray Stone 43, South Stanly 28 Snapping a six-game losing skid, the Knights defeated the Bulls 43-28 in Misenheimer on Feb. 13.

Gray Stone traveled to Mount Pleasant on Monday to play the Tigers in a first-round tournament matchup. The winner is scheduled to face Albemarle on Thursday in the semifinal round.

“I knew it was time to lock in for the finals.”

Mac McClung son-style sequin glove covering his left hand.

McClung then picked O’Neal out of the crowd, asked him to stand in as the prop and delivered the dunk of the night.

“It was like, ‘OK, you’ve really got to bring something, and I think they want us to make our dunks on the first try, which I completely understand,” McClung said. “So I knew it was time to lock in for the finals.”

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Another endangered whale was found dead off East Coast. This one died after colliding with a ship

By Patrick Whittle The Associated Press FEDERAL AUTHORITIES said the second critically endangered North Atlantic right whale found dead in the last month showed injuries consistent with a collision with a ship.

The whales number less than 360 and they have experienced decline in recent years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it was notified of a dead right whale floating off Savannah, Georgia, on Feb. 13.

The agency said late Friday that a necropsy of the animal “found evidence of blunt force trauma including fractures of the skull” and that those “injuries are consistent with a vessel strike prior to death.” The announcement came just days after NOAA released more details about a dead right whale off Massachusetts that showed signs of entanglement in fishing gear, which is the other major threat the animals face.

The back-to-back deaths of the rare whales that both showed evidence of the species’ two major threats should motivate rule changes, numerous enGEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES VIA AP vironmental groups said Saturday. The groups have long This photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows a DNR boat crew assessing a dead juvenile right whale pushed for stricter rules gov- about 20 miles off Tybee Island, Ga., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. erning shipping and commercial fishing to help protect the The right whales were once vessel speed rules to try to pro- January showed signs of enwhales.

“The North Atlantic right tect whales, but they have yet to tanglement in fishing lines that abundant off the East Coast, The right whales were whale’s nursery is becoming a go into effect. Environmental originated in the Maine lob- but they were decimated during crime scene,” said Greg Reil- groups have sued to try to force ster fishery, NOAA said this the commercial whaling era and once abundant off the ly, southeast marine campaign- a deadline for the new rules. week. Entanglement of whales have been slow to recover. The East Coast, but they were er for International Fund for New fishing standards designed in Maine rope is very rare, said whales migrate from the waters decimated during the Animal Welfare. “Without en- to protect the whales from en- Kevin Kelley, a spokesperson for off Florida and Georgia to New hanced protections, the North tanglement in rope are also the the Maine Lobstermen’s Associ- England every year and face commercial whaling era hazards like collisions and en- and have been slow to Atlantic right whale is doomed subject of ongoing lawsuits in- ation.

“Maine lobstermen have tanglement along the way. Some to extinction. Lawmakers need volving environmentalists, fishto get out of the way and let ing groups and the federal gov- made significant changes to how scientists have said warming recover. they fish over the last 25 years to ocean waters has caused them the administration finalize the ernment.

The whale that died off Mas- avoid entanglement and contin- to stray from protected zones amended vessel speed rule.” during the journey.

NOAA has proposed new sachusetts that was found in ue gear testing,” he said.

WV Sen. Joe Manchin announces he won’t run for president in 2024

By Steve Peoples The Associated Press NEW YORK — West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin announced on Friday that he is not running for president, saying he didn’t want to be a “spoiler.”

“I will not be seeking a third-party run,” he said in a speech at West Virginia University. “I will not be involved in a presidential run. I will be involved in making sure that we secure a president that has the knowledge and has the passion and has the ability to bring this country together.”

The speech was billed as part of a national listening tour Manchin announced when he decided not to seek another Senate term. He told the Morgantown audience that he had no interest in being “a deal-breaker, if you will, a spoiler, whatever you want to call it.”

“I just don’t think it’s the right time.”

The centrist Democrat who often bucked his party’s leadership had been considering a run for the presidency and had said he thought it would be clear by March if there was a path for a

third-party candidate this year.

He said in the speech that he thought a third-party bid might be viable at some point “but right now it’s really challenging.”

His decision comes as the leadership of No Labels, a national political movement that could offer an independent presidential ticket in 2024, has worked privately to identify serious candidates to represent the group in the general election.

Manchin was viewed as one of the top prospects.

Manchin is not running for reelection in 2024. His Senate seat in a heavily Republican state is expected to be a prime pickup opportunity for the GOP. Manchin, the only Democrat holding statewide office in West Virginia, has been at odds with members of his own party over his support for coal and other fossil fuels. With the Democrats holding a slim majority in the U.S. Senate, Manchin was a critical vote who wielded considerable influence to shape legislation and diluted much of President Joe Biden’s social spending plans.

In addition to the No Labels effort, a group pushing for Man-

Manchin is not running for reelection in 2024.

His Senate seat in a heavily Republican state is expected to be a prime pickup opportunity for the GOP. chin to partner with retiring Utah Sen. Mitt Romney to seek a third-party presidential bid filed paperwork last year to form a draft committee with the Federal Election Commission. Romney and Manchin did not sign on to the effort.

After Manchin announced last year that he would not run for reelection, he said he planned to travel the country “to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”

He visited New Hampshire, an early voting state in the presidential primaries, in January. The senator is scheduled to speak in Arizona, a political bat-

tleground state, on Saturday.

After Manchin’s announcement, No Labels issued a statement saying the organization welcomed the senator’s efforts to strengthen “America’s commonsense majority.”

“No Labels is currently speaking with several exceptional leaders about serving on the presidential Unity ticket. We are continuing to make great progress on our ballot access efforts and will announce in the coming weeks whether we will offer our line to a Unity ticket,” said the co-chairs of No Labels, former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, former head of the NAACP Benjamin Chavis, Jr., and former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory.

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips said last month that he would consider running on a No Labels ticket, though he is still challenging Biden in the Democratic primaries.

Another leading No Labels prospect, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, ruled out a 2024 presidential bid as well, announcing a Senate bid instead.

Lieberman, a Democrat turned independent, said in Jan-

uary that Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley would be a good fit for the group’s plans.

Haley, who is trailing former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential race, has said she isn’t interested.

U.S. adults are uneasy about Trump and Biden as the two likely major-party candidates, according to an AP-NORC poll from December.

Biden reelection campaign spokesman Michael Tyler was asked on a conference call with reporters on Friday if there was frustration that Manchin didn’t endorse Biden when he announced he wasn’t running for president and if the pair had spoken. Tyler said he couldn’t “speak to any conversations with Senator Manchin right now” but praised him for helping to advance the president’s legislative agenda on issues like the sweeping infrastructure package, saying “the senator’s been an incredible partner.”

“Senator Manchin has been key in these efforts,” Tyler said.

“The president looks forward to continuing to work with the senator.”

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

7

obituaries obituaries

Barbara Jean Brandon Charles (Taylor) Drye Cornelius April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

November 11, 1976 — February Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, 8, 2024 of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, Brandon Charles Cornelius, January 14, 2023 at her home.

47, passed away Thursday, Barbara was born April 17, 1936 February 8, 2024, in Concord, in North Carolina to the late Robert to LeeNorth Taylor Carolina. and the lateBorn Eva Belle Charles Brown Cornelius Watts Taylor. andwas Linda Cornelius She also Wyatt preceded in death on November 11, 1976, by husband of 61 years, Keithin Furr Salisbury, North Carolina, Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Brandon known as a man Taylor, Jr. andwas George Kenneth of strong faith, and a modern Taylor. day MacGyver, innovator, Survivors include children, and(Mike) problem solver.ofA 1995 Debbie Williams graduate of East Rowan Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) CurryHigh School, Brandon furthered of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) his education at Central Piedmont Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Community College, where he Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, earned(Destiny) an associate’s degree Samantha Smith of in Civil Engineering Oakboro, Bradley Smith ofand Oakboro, Surveying. owned Jonathan StoverBrandon of Peachland, andand operated own commercial Jessie Stover ofhis Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice grading andGoodman; concrete many business, and beloved andand hisnephews; work can beher seen ere nieces cats,throughout Bo and Garfield.

Rowan, Cabarrus, the Barbara was a member of Mecklenburg, and various Church for over 7, y wereOakboro other Baptist counties.

On October 60 years. workedmarried over 30 years 2006,She Brandon the he at Stanly Knitting AfterMartin. just love of his life,Mills.

Lindsay g era twoTheir years of retirement, began marriage wasshe blessed managing the Oakboro Senior with a wonderful daughter, to Center and did that for 18Brandon's years Scarlett Cornelius. until this past week.

Barbara was role as a family man was one known for her good cooking he cherished above all and others. always carefamily of others.

She also He taking loved his deeply, and loved going on day long shopping they had great love and respect trips - she could out walk and out for him as well.

Brandon shop people half her age.

She was a devoted follower kept of herChrist, mind and body active through attended Christ gardening, word searches, and Point Church and imitated various other hobbies.

Christ in humility, kindness, generosity, and service. He was an outdoor enthusiast, often found boating, backpacking, or working in his yard. He earned his Eagle Scout award at the age of 13, around the same time he began showing an interest in restoring boats.

Over the years, Brandon restored and owned several boats, eventually obtaining his Captain’s License. Some of his favorite memories included backpacking with his brother and brother-inlaw through various national parks. Predeceased by his grandparents Benjamin and Bertie Cornelius, and Britt and Estelle Wyatt, Brandon’s legacy is carried on by his wife, Lindsay Cornelius and daughter, Scarlett Cornelius; parents, Charles and Linda Cornelius; brother, Andrew Cornelius and wife Aubrie; brother, Adam Cornelius; sister, Brittany Honeycutt and husband Taylor; uncles & aunts, Tommy and Lois Wyatt, Eric and Phyllis Ennis, and Devan and Doris Brown; nephews & nieces, Wyatt, Benjamin, Charlie, and Anna Cornelius, and Noah, Elijah, and Stella Honeycutt. Metsger.

Dwight Farmer Kyler January 24, 1939 Kerr ~ January 15, 2023 Honeycutt

Dwight Britten Farmer 83, November 18, 1988 — Sr., February of Norwood died 12,Sunday 2024 morning, January 15,Kerr 2023Honeycutt, at Forrest Oakes.

Kyler 35, Dwight was born January 24, of Midland, NC peacefully 1939 in Stanly to the passed awayCounty at home onlate Walter Virgil12th, and Martha February 2024. Adkins He Farmer.

He was a 1957 graduate was born on November 18th, of1988, Norwood High School and in Concord, NC. Hewas a United States Army was the son of theVeteran. late Kent HeHoneycutt was a member of Cedar Grove of Midland, NC. United Church where he KylerMethodist is survived by his mother, had served as church treasurer and Brenda Kerr Honeycutt, a choir member. He began his career daughter Kaelyn Honeycutt of with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Midland, and a sister Kenda Department moving to the Norwood Honeycutt of Charlotte.

Police Department and retiring as Kyler graduated from Mount Chief of Police with the Town of Pleasant High School and Norwood after many years of service.

Rowan DwightCabarrus was an avidCommunity gardener, College with bird watcher anddegrees Carolinain fan.

Motor Sports by Management He is survived his wife Hilda and Machining. a Whitley Farmer; oneHe sonwas D. Britten machinist at Carbotech in Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, Harrisburg.

Kyler’s greatest NC; one daughter Sharon Farmerjoy was sports, especially Lowe (David) of Norwood;soccer. one He Geraldine particularly enjoyed thetwo sister Dennis of Troy; years playing and traveling as grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” a family withWhitley the Mt. Pleasant Farmer III and Rose Hui Thunder soccer team, which Lowe. later became Tri-County club.

He was preceded in death by enjoyed spending hisHe sonalso Alex, brothers, Tommy and quality timeNancy, with his family Jimmy, sisters, Cornelia on vacations toMae, the lake and Annabell, Glennie and Betty.

Memorials may his be made to Cedar beach.

He had mother’s love Grove UnitedHis Methodist for water. love ofChurch, soccer Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam was passed to his daughter Smith 36071 River Springs Kaelyn as Rocky she follows the Road, Norwood, NCof 28128. family tradition soccer.

She is excelling and Kyler was overjoyed to see her play on a club team at nine years old just as he had. Kaelyn also plays varsity soccer at Central Cabarrus, which made him very proud.

James Roseboro Lyndon Dale June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023 Hatley James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of

Albemarle, Tuesday, July 2, passed 1951 —away February 13, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health 2024 and Lyndon Rehab. Dale Hatley, 72, Mr. Roseboro was bornaway on of Albemarle, passed June 23, 1967 to the late Tuesday, February 13,Robert 2024, and Delena Shipp Roseboro.

He at Atrium Health Cabarrus graduated South Stanly Hospitalfrom in Concord, High School and surrounded bywas hisemployed loving by Triangle Brick.

He enjoyed watching family. Dale was born July football especially 2, 1951and in basketball, North Carolina to the Carolina TarHeels and Miami. the late Lawrence C. Hatley In addition his parents heHe is and Evelyn to Laton Hatley. preceded in death by his brothers was also preceded in death by and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, son, Benjamin Dale Hatley, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, and brother, Joel C. Hatley.

Henrietta Ingram, and Harold The family will receive friends Roseboro. from pm by - 8:00 pm, He is6:00 survived his sisters: Friday, February 16, 2024, Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards Hartsell Mary Funeral Home of ofatAlbemarle, Roseboro service ofAlbemarle.

WashingtonThe DC,funeral and Marion will be on Saturday, brothers: February Morrison of Albemarle; 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Faith Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Freewill Baptist Churchofin Robert Roseboro (Patricia) New London officiated Norwood, and Van Horne; aby special Pastor Gene Burial will friend of over 40Mullis. years, Michelle follow at of thethe Faith Freewill McLendon home; special Baptist Cemetery in New nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya London.

SurvivorsCrump; includespecial wife Little, and Laquanza of 51 years, Denise Hatley of nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Albemarle; Chanda Roseboro, anddaughter, Marcus Lilly; and (Terry) Waller of Albemarle; God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and Step-mother, Jo Hatley special friends, Vetrella Johnson and ("Mama Jo") of Albemarle; Ben McLendon.

Siblings, Darrell (Debbie) Hatley of Lincolnton, Inga (Ray) Koujak of Kernersville, Warren (Crystal) Hatley of Albemarle, and Lauri Jo (Louie) Sides of Albemarle.

Grandchildren Terin and Sophie Waller, Gracie and Micah Hatley.

Darrick Baldwin January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina.

Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin.

Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree.

We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

Celebrate Celebrate the life of your loved the life of your loved ones. ones. Submit obituaries andSubmit death obituaries and death notices to be publishednotices in SCJ to at be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com obits@stanlyjournal.com

John B. Kluttz Peggy March 23, 1935Sue - January 9, 2023 Greene Cox

John5,grew the Millingport May 1951up—inFebruary 13, community where 2024he drove a school bus and worked at the local Peggy Sue Greene Cox,gas station during hispassed High School 72, of Oakboro, awayyears.

He graduated from Millingport Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at High in 1954 and entered her home.

Sue was borninto May service the USCarolina Airforce to 5, 1951,with in North immediately afterward.

Upon the late Erastus Greene and return the service, and his the latefrom Margie McCoyheGreene. highwas school sweetheart were She also precededJulie in death married in Joyce 1956. He by sisters, G. graduated Morgan, from Nashville Diesel College and AudieAuto G. Joplin, and later in 1959 andJeffrey began his career as a diesel brother Greene. mechanic at Mitchell Survivors includeDistributing husband Company, moving his growing of 52 years, Richard Gordon family to Charlotte where they lived Cox of the home; son, Scotty until their retirement.

Richard (Shannon) Cox; When John purchased his first grandchildren, Bradley Hahn, Model A Ford at the age of 17, he Jude Hahn, and Jessica Hahn; said that he took the car to the great-grandson, Corey Hahn; community mechanic when he had and siblings, Charles Greene,told a small problem.The mechanic Margaret Baucom, and him that if G. he was going to keep the Ercel Duncan; andtoher dog car, heG. needed to learn work on Sparky. enjoyed reading, it. This isSue when John’s passion for gardening, quilting, collecting Model A Fords began and how he cookbooks, and caring forhis best spent his happiest days with children.

Suearound had an friends from theinfectious globe for the laugh a way to tell a story rest of and his life! thatAtalways age 50,included after yearsthat as a Detroit laugh.

Sue's besthe times were Diesel Mechanic and Julie spent with herthe dogplunge Sparky, decided to take and her husband Richard, her son open a full Model A Restoration Scotty, andthrived her grandchildren Shop. They at their shop in and great-grandchild.

Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily.

While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Award the highest award given to members at the national level.

This is what John’s Model A December 7, 1965 - February Community had to say upon 9,death: 2024 learning of his Mr. Darrell Lee member Chappell, He was an active of age 58, Chapel was born December Wesley Methodist Church 07, 1965 Richmond where he in loved serving asCounty, greeter on North Carolina Janette Sunday mornings.toHe also belonged Whittington Chappell Men. and the to the United Methodist lateJohn Wilson Eugene is survived byChappell. his wife AJulie man of great character Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years and laughter, enjoyed of the home. HeDarrell is also survived being outdoors andKluttz collecting by a son John David (Kim) trinkets on NC; his adventures. of Oakboro, two daughters, Darrell was a family man Sally Simerson of Denver, COand and Betsy Tusa (John) aofgood Lafayette, enjoyed sharing timeCO; threehis grandchildren, with loved ones.Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben)toofhis Richfield, In addition father,NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) Darrell was preceded in death of Asheville, and Seth William by his wife, NC Judy Fesperman McKinnonDarrell (Amanda) of Germany; Chappell. is survived fivehis great-grandchildren, by mother, Janette Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoriason: and Whittington Chappell; Ronan.Lamar John isChappellalso preceded in David death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Fesperman; daughters: Jessica Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; Chappell and Crystal Burr;a large and loving group ofHoneycutt; brothers and sister, Savannah sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie grandchildren: Kinstin, Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Charity, Trinity, Serenity, Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Caylynn, Kourtlynn, Allison Phillips and brothers: a grandson,Michael Kevin and Miley; Fowler Kluttz.

Chappell, James Chappel, and Eugene Chappell; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Darrell Chappell

7

Doris Jones Hazel Lean Coleman Phifer England October 11, 1944 - January 10,

2023 April 7, 1929 — February 14, 2024 Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, Hazel Lean Phifer England, went home into God’s presence on 94, of Midland, North January 10 after a sudden illness and Carolina, died peacefully a valiant week-long fight in ICU. in her home February Doris wason born on October 11, 14, 2024.Hazel was born 1944, in the mountains of Marion, inNC Charlotte 1929, toaway the while herin father was late Harvey H. Phifer and fighting in the US Navy during Mildred Moss Phifer. InJones was World War II. Raymond addition to her parents, she so proud to return after the war and was preceded in death meet his little girl!

Doris by grew up in her spouseNC of and 63 years, Oscar Durham, graduated from E. "Rusty"High England.

Durham School.The She furthered funeral service willHospital be held on her studies at Watts Sunday, February 18, 2024, and at School of Nursing in Durham 2:00 pm, atasHartsell Funeral graduated a Registered Nurse in Home, 1966. 13575 Broadway Avenue, officiated DorisMidland, married Rev. Dr. Ted by Pastor in Denny Gray.

Burial Coleman 1966 and had two will conclude theLaura.

Pine Bluff daughters Amyatand Doris United Methodist Church raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Cemetery.

She is survived by was an incredible neonatal her Doris daughter, Toi England intensive caresons, nurseLarry for most of her Wydra, and career, and this was her passion.

England, Robin England, and The Augusta Chronicle Mickey England.

She did hada feature on hergrandchildren, in 1985. She wasgreata clinical many nurse manager in Augusta, grandchildren, and great-Georgia at University Hospital NICU great-grandchildren whichand she worked there for 20 years. During loved very much. this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Church of Augusta, AprilBaptist 14, 1937 - February 14, Most Holy Trinity 2024Catholic Church inDella Augusta, Palestine Raeand Crayton, 86,United Albemarle. ofMethodist StanfieldChurch passedinaway She especially loved helping at on Wednesday February church with older adults, youth, and 14, 2024, at Spring Arbor children. of Albemarle.

Ms. Crayton She was especially talented was born on April 14, 1937, at sewing from a young age and inmade Stanly County, NC to late gifts for friends, Christmas James and Mamie Barbee. ornaments, Halloween Costumes, She was predeceased by herprom doll clothes, pageant dresses, husband, Earltote B. Crayton. dresses, coats, bags, scarves, She was also predeceased by outfits for Amy and Laura, and aChristening son Earl Crayton Jr.each andof her gowns for grandson; Jamie Crayton. Ms. grandchildren.

Crayton lovingly survived Dorisis was preceded in death by by daughters, Bonnie Barbee her father Arthur Raymond Jones, (Jeff) of Oakboro, Angie her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Morton (Randy) of Maryanne Albemarle, Jones, and her sister Amie JonesSwaringen Brantley. (Jeff) of Oakboro, grandchildren; Survivors include her two Shanna preciousGoldman daughters:(Chris), Amy Cameron Keri Mauldin (Scottie), Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Krista Fraley (Corey), Tad Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio Morton (Emily), Lindsey (husband David) of Cincinnati, Huneycutt (Dustin), Tanner Ohio; seven(Erica), grandchildren: Cameron Furr Allie Furr, Matt David Oliverio, Jae Dejak, Morton (Corey)Stephanie and greatLuca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman grandchildren; Maddie, Eli, John Dejak,Luke, CarsonCallie, JosephJack, Oliverio, Ryan Brody, NicholasClara, Dejak, Ledgen, and JadonJovie, Richard Corrine, Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, Winslow, Dayton and close nieces,friend; nephews, cousins, andMs. loved family Short Eudy. ones. was a loving Mother, Crayton Grandmother and GreatGrandmother.

Della Rae Crayton

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

8

STATE & NATION Amazon argues that national labor board is unconstitutional, joining SpaceX and Trader Joe’s The Associated Press AMAZON IS ARGUING in a legal filing that the 88-year-old National Labor Relations Board is unconstitutional, echoing similar arguments made this year by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the grocery store chain Trader Joe’s in disputes about workers’ rights and organizing.

The Amazon filing, made Thursday, came in response to a case before an administrative law judge overseeing a complaint from agency prosecutors who allege the company unlawfully retaliated against workers at a New York City warehouse who voted to unionize nearly two years ago.

In its filing, Amazon denies many of the charges and asks for the complaint to be dismissed.

The company’s attorneys then go further, arguing that the structure of the agency — particularly limits on the removal of administrative law judges and five board members appointed by the president — violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

The attorneys also argue that NLRB proceedings deny the company a trial by a jury and violate its due-process rights un-

Amazon argues that the structure of the agency violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

MICHAEL SOHN | AP

An Amazon company logo is seen on the facade of a company’s building in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany, on March 18, 2022. der the Fifth Amendment.

An NLRB spokesperson declined to comment on the filing.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Seth Goldstein, an attorney

who represents both the Amazon Labor Union and the labor group Trader Joe’s United, said the trend was “very frightening.”

“Since they can’t defeat successful union organizing, they

now want to just destroy the whole process,” he said.

The legal argument from Seattle-based Amazon, which has long resisted organizing efforts and is seeking to redo the sole

union win at its U.S. warehouses, follows similar claims made

by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in a separate lawsuit and an agency hearing last month.

SpaceX sued the NLRB in early January, arguing the structure of the agency is unconstitutional. The lawsuit came a day after the labor agency accused the company of unlawfully firing employees who wrote an open letter critical of Musk and of creating the impression worker activities were being surveilled.

At a January labor board hearing over allegations Trader Joe’s retaliated against union activism, an attorney for the grocery chain said the NLRB and its panel of administrative law judges are structured unconstitutionally.

US aid to Ukraine hinges on House Speaker Johnson, US House

By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with congressional leaders in Washington late last year he told them privately what is now public: With U.S. weapons, they could win the war against Russia, but without them Russian President Vladimir Putin would be victorious.

In a subsequent meeting with new House Speaker Mike Johnson, a looming deadline for the supplies came into focus.

Now, with U.S. aid for Ukraine teetering in Congress, it’s up to Johnson to decide what happens next.

President Joe Biden said he told Zelenskyy in a Saturday phone call after Ukraine announced it was withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka that he remained confident that the U.S. funding would eventually come through.

But asked in an exchange with reporters if he was confident whether a deal could be made before Ukraine loses more territory to Russian, Biden responded, “I’m not.”

“Look Ukrainians have fought so bravely,” he said. “There is so much on the line. The idea now when they are running out of ammunition that we’re going to walk away. I find it absurd.”

Zelenskyy said at a news conference with Vice President Ka-

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP PHOTO

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters following a closed-door GOP meeting at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2024. mala Harris in Germany that Ukraine was counting on a “positive decision” from Congress for the “vital” aid from its “strategic partner.” Earlier at a security conference in Munich, he warned of an “artificial deficit” of arms for his country.

The political and policy decisions ahead in Congress are

gravely uncertain. Johnson is insisting he won’t be “rushed” into approving the $95.3 billion foreign aid package from the Senate, despite overwhelming support from most Democrats and almost half the Republicans. But he has yet to chart a path forward in his chamber.

While many in Congress view

Putin as a global threat, particularly after Russia intervened in the 2016 election in favor of Donald Trump, Johnson’s colleagues on the far right are increasingly ambivalent about Putin’s aggression and authoritarian leadership, as seen in conservative Tucker Carlson’s admiring videos from Moscow after his recent interview with the Russian leader.

“As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states,” Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

If the $95 billion aid package was put to a vote, Johnson would find overwhelming support in the House from a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Anchoring the package is $61 billion for Ukraine, mainly in the form of military equipment from the U.S. It also sends foreign assistance and humanitarian aid to Israel, Gaza and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

Biden and the Democratic congressional leaders are imploring the speaker to cast off his right wing and join forces with them to send a sweeping bipartisan message of U.S. leadership in supporting Ukraine and confirming the U.S. commitment to its allies around the world, especially as Trump criticizes the

NATO alliance.

“House Republicans can either choose America’s national security interests or choose Vladimir Putin and Russia — that is not a difficult choice,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said after speaking with Johnson midweek.

But for Johnson, eyeing his own political future, the choices are different. If he reaches across the aisle to Democrats for a partnership, he is likely to face immediate calls for his ouster. That’s what happened when the far right booted his predecessor, former GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, after he joined forces with Democrats to pass legislation last fall to keep the federal government from shutting down.

Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, an Air Force veteran who recently traveled to the Baltic region where National Guard troops from her state partnered with Lithuanian allies, said “it boggles my mind” that colleagues don’t understand the Russia threat.

When Johnson said the House will “work its will” rather than take up the Senate package, Houlahan said the House’s “will” is to vote for it.

“He knows better than this — that there are more than 300 of us who are willing to vote for this package,” she said.

“He is the speaker of the House,” she said. “He is not the speaker of the Republicans.”

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 52 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

Randolph record THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Targeting greatness Uwharrie Charter Academy sophomore Lorenzo Alston draws the archer’s bow after winning his second individual state wrestling championship in as many years. Alston, his teammates and other entrants from Randolph County completed the state tournament Saturday at the Greensboro Coliseum. For local sports, see Pages 5 and 6.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Register for 2024 Kindergarten If your child will be five years old before Sept. 1, visit your local elementary school on Tuesday, March 12 between 5 and 7 p.m. to meet school staff and register your son or daughter for kindergarten!

Bring a driver’s license or picture id, a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate, their immunization record, utility bill with address (or lease agreement), and custody papers (if applicable).

Contact your local Randolph County elementary school if you have any questions.

82 rehabilitated sea turtles released Cold-stunned sea turtles rehabilitated by the NC Aquarium were recently released by Coasties at Station Hatteras Inlet and from Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder at Ford Macon.

The release of the turtles, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley species, helped make room at the aquarium for 62 other cold-stunned patients currently being cared for at aquarium facilities around the state.

If you find a stranded sea turtle in North Carolina, call 252-241-7367.

PHOTO COURTESY U.S.C.G CUTTER RICHARD SNYDER

A crewmember prepares to release a small green sea turtle overboard into warm ocean water.

Randolph hires Holden as County Manager Archdale city manager replaces Hal Johnson

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO – Randolph’s next county manager comes from within.

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners announced the hiring of Archdale city manager Zeb Holden to replace Hal Johnson as county manager.

Johnson retired at the end of 2023, after nine years as county manager and 48 years in Randolph County government.

Holden has been city manager in Archdale since 2016, part of a 19 year-career in local government. He was chosen from a pool of 37 applicants from eight states.

“The board wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Mayor (Lewis) Dorsett and the Archdale City Council for their cooperation and understanding throughout this process,” said Darrell Frye,

chairman of the Randolph Board of Commissioners. “We also wish to thank former county manager Hal Johnson for his commitment to this county and leaving us in a great position primed for continued success in the hands of our new manager.”

Holden’s selection came based on “a combination of extensive local government experience, leadership ability, and deep community ties,” according to a release from the commissioners.

Frye, who lives in Archdale, said Holden’s existing knowledge and background within the county was an asset during the selection process.

“It brings familiarity that none of the other candidates had,” Frye said.

Holden has a good sense of the cooperation that goes on within the county and much of that won’t have to be learned from scratch, Frye said. He’s also familiar with legislators representing the county.

“Zeb has been very active in

COURTESY PHOTO

New County Manager Zeb Holden the county as a whole for a number of years,” Frye said.

We’d “like to congratulate Zeb Holden on his new position as County Manager,” said Rep. Brian Biggs (R-Randolph), in a statement to Randolph Record.

“He has been an asset to Archdale in his current role as City

Manager. With Zeb working in this capacity, Randolph County will be set to take on all of the greatness that is happening in our county.”

Holden is an Elon University undergraduate with a degree in business administration. He received a graduate degree in geography/city planning from UNC Greensboro.

While there are differences between city government and county government, there should be crossover topics. Holden’s background in addressing water and sewer issues could be beneficial as the county grows, Fyre said.

As a member of the Randolph Community College board of trustees, Holden also had a role in the hiring of Shah Ardalan as the school’s latest president.

Holden’s wife, Stacey, is a teacher at Hopewell Elementary School. They have two children.

Holden’s starting date is yet to be finalized.

The county manager is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners.

Duties include overseeing county departments, representing the county, recommending an annual budget, and overseeing programs and operations regarding the policies, ordinances, and directives adopted by the board of commissioners.

Randolph students to get March 5, election day, off

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Schools Board of Education tweaked this year’s school calendar at its Monday, Feb. 12. meeting, adding election day — Tuesday, March 5 — as an additional teacher work day.

“Due to the March 2024 primary election being held on March 5, 2024 as well as… several schools… being used as polling sites, the following revision is being recommended for approval,” said executive director of operations Dale Brinkley.

“With all of this going on, we just felt like it was an appropriate safety measure with the presidential primaries,” said Superintendent Stephen Gainey. He told the board that RCSS has seven schools doubling as polling sites.

In other calendar news, the

board approved the second reading of the 2025-26 school calendar.

“The first day for students will be Monday, August 25, 2025 and the last day for students will be on Tuesday, June 10, 2026. The calendar includes an inclement weather makeup plan for the first five days missed and then days will be made up as scheduled.”

The board expressed frustration that the year didn’t start earlier but, as Gainey explained, the district’s hands are tied.

“The calendar law is there,” Gainey said. “Multiple school systems have [gone against it] and they’ve received a lot of notoriety when they’ve done it.

I don’t know how they have or have not been addressed, but we are continuing to follow the calendar law.”

He noted that districts have been asking the state for years to change the calendaring law,

but admitted that summer break would be considerably shorter than normal for the first year with an earlier start.

The board was then updated on a pair of received grants, the North Carolina Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Going Local Teacher Grant and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Hygiene Products Grant. “[Randleman Middle School] received $500 from the [Farm Bureau] grant and it will provide funding for materials to build outdoor raised beds,” said director of instructional support services Larry Chapel. “Julie Davis, an agriculture teacher, was responsible for submitting that request.”

The Student Services Department received the second, for $500, to provide funding to purchase hygiene products for students in the Randolph County School System.

“Kathryn Gillispie, a school nurse, and Monica Hurley, a lead nurse, were responsible for submitting for this grant,” Chapel said.

The board signed off on a $200,000 Center for Safer Schools Safety Grant, to be used for new door access controls, security alarm panels, security cameras and AED units for use during athletic events.

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet March 18.

$2.00

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

2 WEDNESDAY

2.21.24

Early voting underway in Randolph County Randolph Record

“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

ASHEBORO – More than 1,300 voters went to the polls in Randolph County during the first four days of early voting ahead of the March 5 primary.

Early voting began last Thursday.

On the first day, there were 504 voters, followed by 424 last Friday, 241 on Saturday and 146

on Sunday.

There are 95,844 registered voters in Randolph County as of Feb. 17, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections.

The county has close to 15,000 registered Democrats, nearly 50,000 registered Republicans and some 30,000 undeclared independents.

The highest turnout each day was at the Randolph Coun-

Gun confiscated from Eastern Randolph student Randolph Record RAMSEUR – A student was found with a firearm at Eastern Randolph High School on Friday, deputies said.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said in a news

release that a school resource officer received a report that a student had a gun on campus. The school resource officer found the student, and a search of the student led to the officer confiscating the gun.

ty Board of Elections in Asheboro, with a total of 557 votes cast across the four days, some 42 percent of the total.

Braxton Craven School in Trinity saw 343 voters cast ballots, while Randleman Civic Center recorded 229 and Franklinville United Methodist Church tallied 186.

Early voting runs until March 2, open from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 2. There’s no early voting this weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The primary election day is March 5, when voters can only vote at their assigned precinct.

The firearm was secured without incident. The name of the student wasn’t released based on North Carolina laws.

Parents in the district were notified of the incident.

Principal Susan Chappell’s message included: “As noted, law enforcement has been working with the school’s administration on this situation.

Please know the safety of our students and staff members remains our top priority at all times.”

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February 9 x Matthew Thomas Watts, 28, from Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department and charged with assault on a female, interfering with 9-1-1 communications, and resist/ delay/obstructing an officer.

Bond was denied due to the domestic nature of the incident. x Temorris Mandrette Davis, 49, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle. He was issued a written promise to appear. x Jason Wayne Barker, 42, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for felony obtain property by false pretense. The magistrate issued a $500 secured bond.

CALL OR TEXT 336-629-7588

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February 10 x Ismar Miranda Baltazar, 36, of Asheboro was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for hit and run (property damage). He was released on a written promise to appear. x Chaudrey Odell Parson, 29, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping, indecent exposure, resisting a public officer, injury to personal property, larceny, possession of stolen goods, felony possession of cocaine, possession of and drug paraphernalia. Bond was denied.

February 11 x Dillon Eugene Rogers Harrison, 23, was apprehended by the Randolph County Sheriff’s

Guide The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

Feb. 23 Liberty Showcase Theater present ‘Aaron Tippin’ 8 a.m.

Nashville Recording Artist Aaron Tippin has released a total of nine studio albums and two compilations, with six gold certifications and one platinum certification among them. In addition, he has charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Tickets $35 - $65, visit thelibertyshowcase.com for more info.

Feb. 26

Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

Randolph

Office Criminal Apprehension Team on a warrant for felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor assault on a female. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond.

February 12 x Jared Christopher Williams, 53, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for possession with intent to manufacture/sell/distribute cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substance, and manufacture/sell/distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park. Bond was set at $25,000. x Michael Trevor Smart, 23, was arrested and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where he was charged with felony first-degree burglary, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods/ property, and misdemeanor injury to real property. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond. x Douglas Dwayne Foster, 44, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for felony possession of a firearm by a felon, and misdemeanor assault by pointing a gun. The magistrate issued no bond.

February 13 x Octavius Cornelius Spinks, 49, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office for felony possession of a weapon of mass destruction and felony possession of a firearm by felon. x William Henry Jones, II, 42, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s

Office for felony possession of a firearm by a felon, felony possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, felony maintaining vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, felony possession with intent to manufacture/ sell/deliver Cocaine, misdemeanor resisting public officer, misdemeanor driving while license revoked - not impaired revoked, misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun, misdemeanor flee/elude arrest w/motor vehicle, and fail to maintain lane control.

Jones was not given a bond due to being out on bond for a previous charge.

February 14 x Daniel James Albright, 24, homeless, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for felony breaking and entering, felony conspiracy, injury to personal property, and larceny after breaking and entering. Bond was denied.

February 15 x Marvin Anthony Ashmon, 56, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for possession of cocaine, maintain a vehicle/dwelling/ place, simple possession of schedule-III controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a revoked license. Bond was set at $5,000. x Kenneth Ezell Marsh, 40, of Asheboro, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department for possession of a firearm by a felon, handicap parking violation, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Bond was denied.

Liberty Town Council Meeting 5:30 p.m.

The Liberty Town Council holds regular meetings on the 4th Monday in the Town Hall council room, located at 239 S Fayetteville St, in Liberty.

Feb. 27 HPU Randleman Dental Practice - Free Dental Care 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

High Point University Health is committed to extending free dental care to those facing financial hardship. If you could benefit from this support call 336-841-2660 to register. Services offered include oral exams, head, and neck exams, and limited same day care.

House Plants with Cody Craddock | 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Learn to grow and care for house plants with Cody Craddock, Extension Agent for Agriculture - Horticulture with the Randolph County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension.

Class will be held at the Randleman Public Library. To register please call 336-498-3141.

Feb. 29 Helping Elders Learn to Prevent Scams (H.E.L.P.S.) Class 6:30 p.m.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach, in conjunction with the Randolph County Public Library System’s Digital Services Librarian, will be presenting the programs again for citizens about scams/frauds and ways to prevent them and ways to protect themselves when using the internet. The Staley Fire Department is the host for this session.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

3

OPINION

de

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

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Holding the administration accountable and protecting our energy security

We must ensure the President cannot play politics with our energy security.

HAVE YOU NOTICED the price of gas lately?

Across our region, prices are up nearly 10 cents a gallon. This is the last thing families need who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, President Joe Biden and extreme Washington Democrats have continued to pursue an America-last energy policy.

Under Biden’s presidency, we have seen how our national security continues to be put on the backburner by the President’s war on American energy. Just last month, the Administration announced they would be imposing a ban on issuing permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

This is yet another ploy to cave to climate activists over our own energy security, weakening the national security of the United States and our allies, discouraging investments in natural gas production, jeopardizing good-paying jobs, and empowering foreign adversaries like Russia. We must ensure the President cannot play politics with our energy security. That is why last week, we passed the Unlocking our Domestic LNG

Potential Act of 2024 (H.R. 7176) to hold the President accountable and reverse this blockade.

Like their America-last energy policies, the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders have also continued to pose a threat to our national security. As your Congressman, I will not sit idly by as the Administration exacerbates this crisis and will ensure there are consequences.

Month after month, the crisis at our border continues to get worse due to the disastrous immigration policies of the Biden Administration. Under Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ watch, there have been around 8.5 million illegal crossings at our Southern border, in addition to more than 1.7 million known “gotaways.” Even more concerning, over 169 people on the terrorist watch list have illegally entered the United States. This has posed a grave risk to our national security and threatened the safety of not just border communities, but every community.

Secretary Mayorkas has one core obligation: to protect the homeland.

Unfortunately, throughout his tenure, Secretary Mayorkas has willfully ignored

U.S. immigration laws and intentionally disregarded his duty to keep our country safe and secure the border.

If Secretary Mayorkas truly wanted to take action to stop this chaos, he would start enforcing our immigration laws and orders already enacted by Congress and President Trump. Yet, he has made it clear he has no intention to begin complying with our laws and regaining operational control of our border. Worse, Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly testified falsely that the border is “secure” - a blatant attempt to mislead Congress, breaching the American people’s trust. That is why last week, we held him accountable by exercising our Constitutional duty and voting to impeach him.

Energy security and border security are national security. While the situation facing our country seems bleak, I’m focused on ways to unleash American energy, secure our border, and stop the Biden Administration from further threatening the safety of our homeland and our energy independence. Rest assured, I will not stop fighting for the best interests of you and your family.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

What Biden bull market?

Our Magnificent Seven technology firms are close to being worth more than all of the stocks combined in any other country, with the exception of China.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN is boasting about the recent stock market rally. He’s right that stocks have been on a tear for the last 14 months. The S&P 500 hit 5,000 for the first time in history. That’s up from 500 some 30 years ago.

Even with all our problems, the United States is the unrivaled alpha male nation. The dollar is the only currency that matters globally (the Euro and BRICS are weak little sisters), and for the first time, the U.S. economy produces far more than all of socialist Europe combined. Our Magnificent Seven technology firms — Amazon, Apple, Google, Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft and Tesla — are close to being worth more than all of the stocks combined in any other country, with the exception of China.

But the Biden bull stock market story isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Most of the gains in the market have only made up for the miserable returns in Biden’s disastrous first two years in office when stocks lost almost 15% of their value. In other words, for the most part, the last 14 months have simply made up for the lost ground during the 2022 rout in stocks.

Yes, it’s true that in nominal terms stocks are at record highs. But one of the

first rules of investing is that you need to pay attention to your after-inflation profits. If you make an investment in a widget company and in 10 years that stock has doubled in value but the price level in dollars of everything else has doubled, sorry, you’re no better off based on what you can buy with those profits.

So, let’s see what has happened to stocks over the first three years of the Biden presidency — i.e, through the end of January 2024.

Over that period, the price level has risen by about 18%. The real (inflationadjusted) rate of return in the S&P 500 after three years of Biden is thus only 8%. This is fairly anemic and well below the average annual real rate of return since the New York Stock Exchange opened its doors, which is a three-year average of more than 20%.

Biden’s performance is also much worse than the bull market under Donald Trump. The S&P was up 36% in real terms at this time of Trump’s presidency, or more than four times better.

Trump has made the case that the rise in the stock market in recent months is a result of the higher likelihood that he will be elected in November. I don’t put

too much stock in that claim. If the stock market tanks, is he responsible for that, too?

However, an analysis by ace investor Scott Bessent and a member of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity economic council finds that fluctuations in the stock market over the past year HAVE correlated positively with the betting market odds that Trump will win. Right now, he stands at just above 50%. This relationship could be spurious, and of course, by far the biggest factor that drives stock valuations is profits.

One last piece of investment advice: Investors should pay attention to the Democratic agenda if they win in November. The Biden economic plan calls for doubling the capital gains tax, taxing unrealized capital gains and raising both the corporate tax rate and the dividend tax. That is very bad news for sure for stocks. And THAT, you can take to the bank.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow with the Heritage Foundation and a cofounder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity. He is co-author of the book “Trumponomics.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

4

SPORTS

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SIDELINE REPORT NBA

Lillard, East beats West in All-Star Game Indianapolis All-Star MVP Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks scored 39 points and the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211186 on Sunday night, with the winners putting up the most points in the game’s 73-year history. That broke the previous mark of 196 by the West in 2016. The total points of 397 smashed the record of 374 set in 2017, while the East made 42 3-pointers to break the mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 50 points for the West in just 28 minutes.

NHL

Penguins retire Jagr’s No. 68 Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins retired Jaromir Jagr’s iconic No. 68 on Sunday.

The NHL’s second all-time leading scorer was on hand as his jersey was raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. The 52-year-old spent 11 seasons in Pittsburgh from 1990 to 2001, helping the franchise win a pair of Stanley Cups. Jagr is the third Penguins player to have his number retired, joining Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and Michel Briere.

While Jagr has played for nine different NHL teams, he says he knows he will be forever linked with Pittsburgh.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ohio State knocks off No. 2 Purdue in interim coach’s debut Columbus, Ohio Bruce Thornton scored 22 points and Jamison Battle added 19 as Ohio State stunned No. 2 Purdue 73-69 on Sunday, giving interim coach Jake Diebler a victory in his debut with the Buckeyes. Diebler replaced Chris Holtmann, who was fired Wednesday after several disappointing seasons. Ohio State (15-11, 5-10 Big Ten) entered the contest having lost nine of its last 11 games.

Zach Edey had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 58th career double-double for the Boilermakers (23-3, 12-3).

MLB

Ohtani won’t play in Dodgers’ spring training opener Glendale, Ariz.

Shohei Ohtani did not participate in live batting practice Sunday, and his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut is on hold.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani, who is coming back from elbow surgery, will not play in Thursday’s exhibition opener against the San Diego Padres. The two-time MVP signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract as a free agent in December. The twotime AL MVP won’t pitch this season following right elbow surgery on Sept. 19 but hopes to be ready as a hitter by the March 20 opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

Winston-Salem State guard Jaylen Alston shoots over Virginia Union forward Jonathan Salazar during the HBCU Classic on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Winston-Salem State tops Virginia Union in NBA HBCU Classic The teams played on the All-Star Game court in Indianapolis

By Mark Ambrogi The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — While Virginia Union coach Jay Butler would have liked a different outcome, both teams had a winning experience at the NBA HBCU Classic.

Ketron Shaw scored 15 points and Jaylen Alston had 14 points and 11 rebounds to pace Winston-Salem State to a 64-47 victory Saturday in the NBA HBCU Classic. Issac Parson added 12 points and 11 assists for the Rams (17-8, 11-5 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Jaylin Parker scored 11 points, Tahj Harding led Virginia

Union (11-17, 6-9 CIAA ) with 11 points and Travis Vaughn added nine points.

The game between the two NCAA Division II teams from the historically black universities was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court as the NBA AllStars will play on Sunday night.

“This was big time,” Butler said. “This was an awesome event, something the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. When we first got here, they rolled out the red carpet from the airport to the hotel to the arena.”

Being a Division II school, Butler said the players don’t get to play on this kind of big stage.

Vaughn, one of eight freshmen for the Panthers, said he never experienced anything like it.

“It was just an an amazing experience,” he said recounting the NBA stars he met. “I’m very for-

tunate. ... I got to meet Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard. I look up to them for my game, so I was very fortunate for that.”

Alston was starstruck, too.

“Walking in we got to see Kevin Durant,” Alston said. “I kind of stopped. I forgot a game was still happening, so I had to catch myself.”

Parson added: “The coolest thing for me was I got to see Jalen Brunson and speak with him.”

Winston-Salem State coach Cleo Hill Jr. said it was special for all involved.

“I couldn’t even imagine when I was 18 to 24 years old, coming into the All-Star Game playing in front of Earl Monroe, Clyde Frazier and Magic Johnson, so that was huge,” Hill said. “On the flip side for the student-athletes, they have career day (Sunday) and well-suited and booted to put

our best foot forward for life after basketball. For myself, with my dad playing in the NBA for a short time, it was gratifying.”

Durant, representing the Phoenix Suns as an All-Star, said it’s huge for the two teams to have the stage.

“It’s an opportunity for people around the country to see the type of talent they have at HBCUs,” Durant said. “There’s a lot of hidden gems there, great coaching, great talent up and down the board. If we can give them the platform to showcase their talents and skills, we need to do so. So I’m excited for them.

Hopefully, this becomes an annual thing and we start to see more and more talent come out of HBCUs.” Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was among those in attendance.

NASCAR teams hire top antitrust lawyer The stock car sanctioning body is at odds with owners over a new revenue-sharing model

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR teams have hired one of the country’s top antitrust and sports lawyers to advise them in their ongoing dispute with the family-owned stock car series over a new revenue-sharing model.

The decision to hire Jeffrey Kessler, partner and co-executive chair of Winston & Strawn LLP, followed a Saturday meeting at Daytona International Speedway that included the majority owner from each of the 15 chartered teams in NASCAR. Although the teams invited NASCAR representatives to attend, none did.

Kessler’s hiring was revealed to The Associated Press on Sunday, the eve of the rain-postponed Daytona 500, by the five members of the team ownership negotiating committee. It comes amid a breakdown in negotiations between teams and NASCAR that led the 36 chartered teams to decline last month to extend their exclusive negotiating window with the sanctioning body on the existing deal.

The current charter agreement expires at the end of this season, and two years of talks were stalled

by NASCAR’s ongoing negotiations on a new $7.7 billion television rights deal announced in early December. NASCAR’s eco-

nomic offer to the teams came shortly after but with zero room for the teams to counter.

“We want to make a deal, we are just looking for a fair deal,” Curtis Polk, a part owner of 23XI Racing and member of the teams’ negotiating committee, told The Associated Press. “There is no give and take. We’ve been told ‘This is all there is; there is no flexibility.’

That’s not a negotiation.”

Kessler has only been retained so far to help advise the teams in their negotiations. Kessler most recently successfully represented Division I college football and basketball players in a landmark antitrust case that led to financial stipends for athletes. He also led the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in its successful fight for equal pay as well as litigations for current free agency rules in the NBA and the NFL. The issues between NASCAR and the race teams are far beyond revenue and charters, which are essentially a version of the franchise model used in nearly all professional sports. The teams have asked for the charters to become permanent, which NASCAR has not even considered.

But after a Saturday meeting that included Rick Hendrick, NASCAR’s winningest owner who is launching his 40th anniversary season, Roger Penske, Joe Gibbs and Michael Jordan, among others, it became clear that having a franchise to leave as part of their legacy remains one of the more pressing topics.

The negotiating team said it couldn’t even come to a resolution

in which charters would last seven years but could be revokable by NASCAR based on failing to meet competitive standards. NASCAR has apparently stopped negotiating with the committee and is instead trying to speak to teams individually.

“I think that this whole thing is such a monopoly that you kind of get shut down in different areas, you’re allowed in some places, but not in others,” said threetime Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, owner of 23XI Racing with Jordan and Polk.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

CLASS 1-A STATE TOURNAMENT

Three UCA wrestlers capture state crowns Randolph Record GREENSBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestlers were busy in Saturday’s finals of the Class 1-A state tournament, coming away with three championships and two runners-up spots at the Greensboro Coliseum.

UCA’s Lorenzo Alston won his second state title by cruising at 150 pounds, while teammates Carson Robinson at 157 and Jaden Maness at 215 also nabbed championships.

Eagles seniors Ethan Hines (106 pounds) and Alek Millikan (165) were runners-up, while junior Caden Bond (175) was third.

Robbinsville won the team title with 124½ points across the two-day competition for Class 1-A, while Avery County’s was next with 114½ points and UCA took third with 109. The Eagles had defeated Avery County in the dual team state final earlier in the month.

Alston, a sophomore, completed his second undefeated season with a pin of Avery County’s Mason Bentley in 3:02 in the final.

To advance, Alston (48-0) needed just 28 seconds for a first-round pin of East Wilkes’ Wesley Willey and wrapped up Elkin’s Alejandro Lopez in 1:56.

Robinson, a senior who placed third a year ago, won 4-3 against Mt. Airy’s John Martin for the title. Robinson (40-3) opened the tournament with a pin of Mountain Island Charter’s Roma Perna in 2:50 and then stopped Pamlico County’s Jake Whitley 12-4.

Maness (33-3) capped his high school career with three pins, including a fall in 3:12 against Tyler Stevens of Pamlico County in the final. That came following

5

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Nathan Ellis

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Jaden Maness lifts Tyler Stevens of Pamlico County during the Class 1-A final at 215 pounds.

Maness’ 56-second pin of Swain County’s Matthew Ferguson and 3:11 sticking of East Wilkes’ Tristan Alkire.

Hines (47-2) lost in the final to North East Carolina Prep School’s Holton Quincy by 4-1.

That was the same margin as a week earlier when Quincy won the East Regional. Hines opened with a 6-1 decision against Robbinsville’s Skylar Anderson and defeated Mt. Airy’s Angel Olade 13-3.

Mt. Airy’s Andrew Meadows pinned Millikan (40-5) in 5:37 of the final. Earlier, Millikan stuck Hayesville’s Caden Gordon in 1:51 of a first-round match and defeated Lejeune’s Jacob Campos 11-5 in the semifinals.

Bond (45-11) worked for a 9-4 first-round decision against Zalen McCraw of Polk County, lost 6-4 in overtime to Rosewood’s Ryan Deloach, handled East Wilkes’ Raul Lopez 8-2

and was a second-period pin victim in the third-place match vs.

Union Academy’s Elijah Williams.

UCA 132-pounder Jack McArthur and 138-pounder Jair Ulloa both went 1-2. Caleb Saldana (113), Brennan Worrell (120) and heavyweight Devonte Harrison all lost twice without a win.

Lambright takes fourth Eastern Randolph’s David Lambright finished fourth at 126, splitting two matches that ended in decisions and splitting two that concluded with falls.

Teammates Joshua Watson (106) and Maddox Carson (215) were both 0-2.

Class 3-A Asheboro’s lone entrant was 132-pounder Oscar Zelaya, who went 0-2.

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

Southwestern Randolph’s Nathan Ellis goes up for a shot against Eastern Randolph earlier this month.

Southwestern Randolph, boys’ basketball Ellis has produced a solid senior season for the Cougars.

The senior point guard is averaging 15 points per game for the second-highest mark on the team. He’s delivering about 4.5 assists per game and is also Southwestern Randolph’s leader in steals.

After an 0-8 start to the season, the Cougars entered this week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament with a 9-15 record.

Ellis also was a versatile player for Southwestern Randolph’s football team, receiving All-PAC recognition.

PREP BOYS

Blue Comets take momentum to league tourney Randolph Record ASHEBORO – Asheboro’s boys’ basketball team carries a five-game winning streak into the Mid-Piedmont Conference Tournament.

And the Blue Comets won’t have to leave home this week because the pre-determined site for semifinals and finals is Asheboro’s gym.

Asheboro (20-3) had one of two byes to the semifinals. The Blue Comets play the winner between sixth-seeded Montgomery Central and third-seeded North Davidson at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday. The final is set for the same time Friday night.

Central Davidson is the top seed, handing Asheboro fiveand three-point losses in the regular season.

Last week, Jerquarius Stanback scored 30 points in both games for Asheboro.

The Blue Comets drubbed visiting Ledford 86-40 with Camden Walker chipping in with 25 points. Then Friday night, Asheboro won 66-60 at North Davidson with Elijah Woodle next in scoring with 13 points.

The game vs. North Davidson was called off with 1:33 remaining after an on-court fight that included spectators coming out of the stands.

Piedmont Athletic Conference Randleman is the site for Friday night’s title game in the PAC Tournament.

Randleman was the regular-season champion, but its bid for an unbeaten league mark was dashed in its lone game last week. Trinity defeated the host Tigers 56-52.

Dominic Payne’s 26 points and Jacob Hodges’ 13 points paced the Bulldogs. Greg Price scored 21 points for Randleman.

Trinity followed that upset by avenging a loss to Eastern Randolph, winning 79-57

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at home as Payne poured in 31 points and Brandon Campbell had 19 points. That outcome allowed the Bulldogs to tie Eastern Randolph for second place and take the No. 2 seed for the league tournament.

Trinity opened play this week in the PAC Tournament vs.

Wheatmore, so there was a possibility of a rematch with Eastern Randolph in Wednesday’s semifinals, which also have been designated for Randleman’s gym. ** Eastern Randolph, the defending regular-season and tournament champion, opened last week by defeating visiting Providence Grove 78-62. The

Wildcats began tournament play against visiting Uwharrie Charter Academy. ** Southwestern Randolph won its final two regular-season games, with its lone game last week a 55-38 victory at Uwharrie Charter Academy. Marcus Robertson poured in 24 points for the fourth-place Cougars, who began this week by facing fifth-place Providence Grove ** Last-place Wheatmore suffered a pair of one-point defeats last week.

UCA won a 53-52 road game against Wheatmore despite Parker Kines’ 27 points and Robert Nyamongo’s 12 points and nine rebounds.

Providence Grove rode 23 points from Brady Collins to win 63-62 at Wheatmore last Thursday night. Kines had 17 points.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

6 CLASS 2-A STATE TOURNAMENT

Trinity’s Hardister knocks off champ on way to title Randolph Record GREENSBORO – Gavin Hardister had to defeat a defending state champion along the way, but the Trinity wrestler largely dominated the rest of the Class 2-A field at 215 pounds on the way to a state championship.

The Bulldogs senior finished it with a 13-5 decision against Bandys senior Matthew Cranfill in Saturday’s final at the Greensboro Coliseum.

His toughest match: Against another wrestler from the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

Trinity had seven wrestlers with top-six finishes in the threeday tournament, though Hardister was the lone champion. He’s the school’s first titlist since 2022.

Also in Class 2-A, Trinity’s Spencer May was a runner-up for the second year in a row and Wheatmore’s Trey Swaney and Dominic Hittepole also finished in second place.

Trinity was the team runner-up with 133½ points behind Seaforth (136). Earlier in the month, the Bulldogs defeated Seaforth int eh dual team state final.

Hardister won by pin against Carlos Urbina of West Caldwell before taking out defending state champion Jose Flores of Southwestern Randolph by a 5-4 decision in the quarterfinals.

There was no more drama for Hardister (46-1). He controlled West Lincoln’s Camden Sain for an 18-6 semifinal romp.

At 120, May lost the title bout by 5-2 to undefeated Josh Miller of Seaforth after three convincing victories.

May (55-3) began with two first-period pins, flattening North Pitt’s Alden Harrington and Newton-Conover’s Phoenix Michaud. He drubbed Burns’ Kaden Shoup 15-2 in the semifinals.

Lawson Coltrane was third at 165, winning five consecutive bouts after falling to West Wilkes’ Holt Hanchey by 11-6 in the first round. Coltrane (53-10) got roiling by pinning Seaforth’s Alex Hinchman in the second period – just

Trinity’s Gavin Hardister reacts after defeating Matthew Cranfill of Bandys to win the 215-pound state title in Class 2-A .

period, topping Eden Morehead’s Nathan Howard 8-2 in the quarterfinals and squeaking past Miller 9-8 in the semifinals.

Hittepole lost by a 6-3 decision to Bandys’ Ian Moore in the title bout. Hittepole won by third-period pins in his first three bouts vs.

South Granville’s Mehki Linton, Madison’s Max Shelton and Lincoln Charter’s Garrett White.

Wheatmore’s Zack Starkweather (150) split decisions in his opening two matches and then lost by a one-point decision in an elimination bout.

Randleman duo places fourth

PJ WARD-BROWN | RANDOLPH RECORD

as he did to clinch the Class 2-A dual team state championship for the Bulldogs earlier in the month.

Coltrane kept it going by pinning Hayden Zeagler of South Lenoir in the third period, securing a 5-2 decision against Wilkes Central’s Elijah, beating West Stokes’ Samuel Ramos 5-4 and holding off Lincoln Charter’s Jack Casey 1-0.

Trinity’s Jaden Allred (52-9) placed fourth at 138. He pinned his first two foes, sticking Rutherford-Spindale’s Cameron Crawford in the first period and Ayden-Grifton’s Jermarion Folks in the third period before he was pinned by eventual champion Boedi Kirkland of Newton-Conover. From there, Allred had a 6-0 victory against Black Mountain Owen’s Fisher McPherson and a 4-2 setback to Southwest Onslow’s Jensen Miller.

At 132, Levi Dennis (53-3) was fifth for the second year in a row. Dennis fell 4-2 in overtime to North Wilkes’ Simitrio Hernandez in the quarterfinals after opening with a 13-9 triumph against Eden Morehead’s Jazay Millner. He won by technical fall against Davon Marble of Shelby in his first consolation-bracket bout before an 8-2 victory against Seaforth’s Maddock Cody. But an overtime defeat to Northeastern’s Corey Fazekas sent him to his fi-

nal bout, where he pinned East Surry’s Michael Fischer in 4:57.

Trinity 144-pounder Bear Schaefer (54-6) was fifth. It began by nipping Randleman’s Jesus Garcia 4-3 and controlling Southwest Onslow’s Ashton Shields-Adams for a 15-5 decision. Schaefer suffered a pair of losses before pinning Heide Trask’s Nicholas Johnson in 2:41 of the fifth-place bout.

Trinity heavyweight Joseph Trahan also placed fifth after opening with a third-period pin of North Lenoir’s Kane Moore before falling 9-4 to McMichael’s Michael Vazquez in the quarterfinals. Trahan stayed in the mix by pinning Northeastern’s Davante Barrington in 1:58 and edging North Surry’s Ty Gwyn 6-5. Then came a 4-1 loss to Goldsboro’s Jaden McClary before outscoring Madison’s Mason Clubb 10-7.

Trinity’s Aiden Burkholder (106), who won two decisions, and Brayden Hall (126) both went 2-2.

Hall lost by a pin before posting a pin and a major decision prior to his elimination by a decision.

Baron Justice (150) won his opener by 5-3 against Bunn’s Ryan Bell before he didn’t score in a technical fall defeat to West Caldwell’s Rakeem Smith and was ousted with a one-point defeat.

Xavier Horton (190) lost in the

first round and won a consolation bout in a close decision before Bandys’ Zackory Evans pinned him. Edgar Vasquez (113) won a consolation bout by forfeit in between a pair of defeats. ** After losing to Hardister, Flores (40-7) won three consecutive decisions to reach the thirdplace match. The junior dropped a 4-0 decision to Seaforth’s Ethan Kuball to finish fourth.

Flores scored a 7-2 decision against Manteo’s Joseph Spencer in the first round. After the Hardister match, Flores handled Shelby’s Trey Fuller for a 6-0 victory to start his march in the consolation bracket followed by a 7-2 win against Madison’s Charles Greer and a 5-0 triumph against Forest Hills’ Jaquavion Smith.

Southwestern Randolph’s Michael Jaimes didn’t place with a 2-2 record at 138. Teammate Erick Lopez Rabadan, a 165-pounder, went 0-2.

Two runners-up for Wheatmore Swaney (138) and Hittepole (175) each came one victory away from being state champions.

Swaney was a first-period pin victim vs. Kirkland. Swaney made it to the finals by pinning Patton’s Luke Parker in the first

Randleman’s Alex Raymundo (106) and Braxton Walker (190) took similar paths to fourth-place finishes.

Raymundo won twice by decisions to reach the quarterfinals, defeating Forbush’s Alan Benitez 12-6 and surviving for a 12-7 overtime victory against Lincolnton’s Isaac Powell.

Raymundo was pinned by Bunn’s Alex Monk in the semifinals before defeating Benitez again, this time 11-6 in overtime.

Gabe Rogers of Seaforth pinned Raymundo at the end of the first period in the third-place match.

Walker rolled up a couple of big point totals in his first two matches, winning by 17-7 vs. Lincolnton’s Gavin Gholami and by technical fall (leading 18-3) against North Pitt’s Wisdom Mason.

Walker dropped a 3-1 semifinal decision to Brevard’s Ray Laney before posting an 8-5 decision against Rutherford-Spindale’s Jacob Hudgins. In the third-place bout, Bandys’ Zackory Evans pinned Walker in 3:10.

Randleman’s Jesus Garcia (144) ended up 0-2 and Kolby Garner (138) withdrew.

Girls’ tournament In the first North Carolina High School Athletic Association girls’ state tournament, Trinity’s Bliss Joyce lost both of her matches via pins at 132 pounds.

PREP GIRLS

Randleman looks to run through PAC Tourney at home Randolph Record RANDLEMAN – One victory is all it will take for Randleman to reach the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament championship on its home court in girls’ basketball.

The Tigers will be going for a third consecutive tournament title if they top the winner of a game between fourth-seeded Uwharrie Charter Academy and fifth-seeded Wheatmore in the semifinal round.

Other matchups at the beginning of the week pitted sixth-seeded Eastern Randolph at third-seeded Providence Grove and seventh-seeded Trinity visiting second-seeded Southwestern Randolph.

Wednesday’s semifinals are slated for the site of the higher seed. Randleman is the designated site for Friday night’s final regardless of who has advanced.

Randleman will have had more than a week layoff before opening tournament play. The

Tigers had only one game last week and that came with Tuesday’s 56-24 home victory against Trinity as Audra Petty scored 26 points.

Other teams in the PAC also played Thursday night to close the regular season. ** Wheatmore defeated visiting UCA 50-25 last Tuesday, but then fell 53-49 to visiting Providence Grove with a chance to pull even with UCA in the standings.

Providence Grove’s Laurel Bernhardt racked up 20 points

and teammate Asia Steverson had 15 points in the Wheatmore game. Earlier in the week, the Patriots won 53-43 at Eastern Randolph behind Jada Nixon’s 21 points. ** Southwestern Randolph won 58-36 at UCA last Thursday in its lone game of the week, capping a 21-3 regular season. Maddie Strider had 21 points and Caressa King posted 19 points to push the Cougars’ winning streak to three games. ** Eastern Randolph topped

winless Trinity 51-25 for its second PAC victory, improving to 3-10 in road games. ** In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, Asheboro’s fifth-place finish meant a Tuesday league tournament quarterfinal at fourth-seeded Central Davidson.

A victory would have given the Blue Comets a semifinal home game against top-seeded Oak Grove. Asheboro is the designated site for the conference’s semifinals and final.

Asheboro won 49-25 against visiting Ledford last week for its fifth victory of the season and second triumph in Mid-Piedmont Conference play.

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

7

obituaries

Larry Houston Cox

June 16, 1976 — February 8, 2024 Larry Houston Cox, 47, of Franklinville passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024.

He was born June 16, 1976 in Asheboro, NC to Larry Ray Cox and Margie Hamlett Cox. Larry was loved by his family and will be missed by those closest to him. He is remembered for his love of fishing and how he was comical in a serious way. Larry is survived by his mother, Margie Cox of Franklinville; daughters, Sabrina Cox of Troy and Elizabeth Hicks (Justin) of Thomasville; sisters, Loretta Yonce of Randleman and Glenda Parker of Randleman; niece, Felicia Yonce of Asheboro; nephew, James Parker of Ramseur; uncles, John Hamlett of Franklinville and Charlie Hamlett of Asheboro. He is preceded in death by his father, Larry Ray Cox.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones.

Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Randolph Record at obits@ randolphrecord.com

Tonda Jean Nolan

March 26, 1953 — February 10, 2024 Heaven gained an Angel, Tonda Jean Nolan was led home by our Lord and Savior, February 10, 2024.Tonda was born on March 26, 1953, in Smyth County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Betty Jo Bailey. Tonda was raised with love by her grandparents, Hoyle Levi “Red” Burris and Clara Jewel Hahn Burris, who she called “Mama and Daddy”. Tonda was a beautiful brown eyed girl. She enjoyed life, loved the beach, dancing and fast cars. This changed to playing with matchbox cars and dancing babies to sleep when she gained the title of Mamaw after her grandchildren were born. She had a special place in her heart for children and animals. Her grandchildren will tell you there was no place as special as Mamaw’s house with a glass of her sweet tea, even if it meant you did have to push-mow several acres. She will continue to be an inspiration to her family, helping to guide us on how to live, love and appreciate the moments in life. Tonda was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Jo Bailey, grandparents, “Mama and Daddy”: Hoyle Levi “Red” Burris and Clara Jewel Hahn Burris, grandson Darrin Shane “Dash” Bullins, brothers Tony Bailey and Terry Bailey, and her sister, Lisa Bailey Barker.

Tonda is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Gary “Sam” Nolan, of the home. She is also survived by her daughter Tonya McLaughlin Lewis (James) of High Point, son Joseph Levi “Joe” McLaughlin (Missi) of Randleman, son Sean Michael Nolan of Randleman, and brothers Ricky Bailey and Ronald “Runt” Bailey of Greensboro. Grandchildren: Dustin Bullins of Sophia, Dylan Bullins (Jenna) of Asheboro, Dawson Bullins and Devin Bullins of Kernersville, Dakota Bullins of High Point, Noah McLaughlin (Lexi) of Graham, Rielly McLaughlin of Sophia and Ryan McLaughlin of Randleman. GreatGrandchildren: Saphiria Grice Bullins Shoemaker of Thomasville, Jazemyne Bullins of Asheboro, Alannah Bullins of Asheboro, Gabriel Bullins of Asheboro, Harper Bullins of Asheboro, Colton Bullins of Asheboro and Kaylynn Bullins of Kernersville. In addition, Tonda is survived by her life long best friend, Kathie Michael Godbolt of Lexington.

Robert "Bob" Futrell Morris

February 25, 1954 — February 12, 2024 Robert "Bob" Futrell Morris, age 69, of Biscoe, NC, passed away at his home on Monday, February 12, 2024.

Bob was born in Montgomery County, NC to the late Max Morris and Mary Lee Futrell Morris. He was a graduate from West Montgomery High School. He was employed for over 40 years as a truck driver, driving both locally and coast to coast. When he was younger, he liked to fish and hunt. He enjoyed being on his computer, watching westerns, and cooking, known especially for his fried chicken. Bob was a former member of Southside Baptist Church in Biscoe.

Bob is survived by his wife of 42 years, Wanda Haywood Morris; his daughter, Michelle Morris Greene of Seven Lakes; grandchildren: Lillian Greene, Kara Greene, and Sadie Greene; nephew: Casey Harris (Rebecca); and niece: Lee Haywood (Jeremy). He was preceded in death by his infant grandson, John Calvin Greene and sister, Susan Morris Harris.

Nancy Virginia Threadgill

April 7, 1951 — February 12, 2024 Nancy Virginia McLean Threadgill, age 72, of Liberty, NC, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Nancy was born in Montgomery County on April 7, 1951, to the late Carl Phillip McLean and the late Evelyn Elizabeth Hicks. She was known to be a talented seamstress. She loved arcades and to game online. She loved being around water, fishing and swimming. She was a great cook especially her BBQ beef patties and her homemade biscuits. Nancy is survived by her three children: Evelyn Dessellier of Troy, Katie Threadgill Singleton of Seagrove, and Darrell Threadgill of Troy; twelve grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and one sister: Frances Moore (Ben) of Troy. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Charles William Threadgill; daughter: Doreen Goforth; granddaughter: Haley Goforth Cole; brother: Larry McLean; and her sister Glenda McLean.

Malcolm Smith

April 14, 1945 - February 8, 2024 Malcolm Earnest Smith, 78, of Asheboro, died Thursday, February 8, 2024 at his home.

Mr. Smith was born on April 14, 1945, in Montgomery Co., son of the late David Smith and Bertha Miller Smith. He retired from Union Carbide/ Eveready and honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his sister, Julia Morgan, and nephew, William Davis. He is survived by his daughter, Amy Sykes and husband Mitchell of Asheboro; son, David Smith and wife Julie of Raleigh; sisters, Joan Cagle of Steeds, Vi Smith and husband Ray of Kernersville; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Sharon Newkirk

Emmanuel Esteban

September 6, 2022 - February 12, 2024 Emmanuel Esteban, 1, of Asheboro, died Monday, February 12, 2024, at Brenner's Children's Hospital in WinstonSalem. Emmanuel was born on September 6, 2022 in Randolph County, NC. He loved his mother reading books to him and he would always smiled when his family talked to him.

Surviving are his mother, Maria Esteban; grandfather, Armando Esteban; grandmother, Enedina Esteban; aunts, Ana Lisa (Juan Aquino), Veronica Esteban ( Marco Sosa); uncles, Adalberto Esteban (Dary Cortez), and Jose Esteban.

Martha Kay Garner Caudill

December 20, 1946 — February 15, 2024 Martha Kay Garner Caudill, age 77, of Asheboro passed away on February 15, 2024 at Randolph Hospital. Mrs. Caudill was born in Randolph County on December 20, 1946 to Alton and Doris McNeill Garner. Martha retired from Energizer Battery and Black & Decker and was a licensed beautician. She was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her grandson, Hunter Immel. Martha enjoyed gardening and traveling to the beach. She loved her grandchildren, and a big part of her life was spending time with them. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Carl Caudill; daughter, Caroline Immel and husband Tom of Asheboro; son, Derrick Caudill and wife Brooke Schmidly of Asheboro; and grandchildren, Drake Immel, Shane Immel, Sierra Caudill, and Stephen Caudill.

April 5, 1949 - February 11, 2024 Sharon Rhea Newkirk, 74, of Asheboro, died Sunday, February 11, 2024, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Born in Spartanburg, SC on April 4, 1949, Sharon was the daughter of the late Woodrow Easler and Virginia Pearl Cudd Easler. Sharon loved dancing, traveling and the beach. She was a loving, strong-willed person whose smile would light up a room. Throughout her sickness, Sharon held onto her faith, never letting it get her down. She was loved and will be missed by many. In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow "Woody" Newkirk. Surviving are her son, Chris Easler (Christina) of Asheboro; grandchild, Ryan Hazelwood; and sister-in-law, Ziada Newkirk (Wayne) of Kernersville.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

8

STATE & NATION

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Amazon argues that national labor board is Ste unconstitutional, joining SpaceX and Trader Joe’s col The Associated Press AMAZON IS ARGUING in a legal filing that the 88-year-old National Labor Relations Board is unconstitutional, echoing similar arguments made this year by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the grocery store chain Trader Joe’s in disputes about workers’ rights and organizing.

The Amazon filing, made Thursday, came in response to a case before an administrative law judge overseeing a complaint from agency prosecutors who allege the company unlawfully retaliated against workers at a New York City warehouse who voted to unionize nearly two years ago.

In its filing, Amazon denies many of the charges and asks for the complaint to be dismissed.

The company’s attorneys then go further, arguing that the structure of the agency — particularly limits on the removal of administrative law judges and five board members appointed by the president — violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

The attorneys also argue that NLRB proceedings deny the company a trial by a jury and violate its due-process rights un-

Amazon argues that the structure of the agency violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

MICHAEL SOHN | AP

An Amazon company logo is seen on the facade of a company’s building in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany, on March 18, 2022. der the Fifth Amendment.

An NLRB spokesperson declined to comment on the filing.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Seth Goldstein, an attorney

who represents both the Amazon Labor Union and the labor group Trader Joe’s United, said the trend was “very frightening.”

“Since they can’t defeat successful union organizing, they

now want to just destroy the whole process,” he said.

The legal argument from Seattle-based Amazon, which has long resisted organizing efforts and is seeking to redo the sole

union win at its U.S. warehouses, follows similar claims made

by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in a separate lawsuit and an agency hearing last month.

SpaceX sued the NLRB in early January, arguing the structure of the agency is unconstitutional. The lawsuit came a day after the labor agency accused the company of unlawfully firing employees who wrote an open letter critical of Musk and of creating the impression worker activities were being surveilled.

At a January labor board hearing over allegations Trader Joe’s retaliated against union activism, an attorney for the grocery chain said the NLRB and its panel of administrative law judges are structured unconstitutionally.

US aid to Ukraine hinges on House Speaker Johnson, US House

By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with congressional leaders in Washington late last year he told them privately what is now public: With U.S. weapons, they could win the war against Russia, but without them Russian President Vladimir Putin would be victorious.

In a subsequent meeting with new House Speaker Mike Johnson, a looming deadline for the supplies came into focus.

Now, with U.S. aid for Ukraine teetering in Congress, it’s up to Johnson to decide what happens next.

President Joe Biden said he told Zelenskyy in a Saturday phone call after Ukraine announced it was withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka that he remained confident that the U.S. funding would eventually come through.

But asked in an exchange with reporters if he was confident whether a deal could be made before Ukraine loses more territory to Russian, Biden responded, “I’m not.”

“Look Ukrainians have fought so bravely,” he said. “There is so much on the line. The idea now when they are running out of ammunition that we’re going to walk away. I find it absurd.”

Zelenskyy said at a news conference with Vice President Ka-

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP PHOTO

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters following a closed-door GOP meeting at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2024. mala Harris in Germany that Ukraine was counting on a “positive decision” from Congress for the “vital” aid from its “strategic partner.” Earlier at a security conference in Munich, he warned of an “artificial deficit” of arms for his country.

The political and policy decisions ahead in Congress are

gravely uncertain. Johnson is insisting he won’t be “rushed” into approving the $95.3 billion foreign aid package from the Senate, despite overwhelming support from most Democrats and almost half the Republicans. But he has yet to chart a path forward in his chamber.

While many in Congress view

Putin as a global threat, particularly after Russia intervened in the 2016 election in favor of Donald Trump, Johnson’s colleagues on the far right are increasingly ambivalent about Putin’s aggression and authoritarian leadership, as seen in conservative Tucker Carlson’s admiring videos from Moscow after his recent interview with the Russian leader.

“As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states,” Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

If the $95 billion aid package was put to a vote, Johnson would find overwhelming support in the House from a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Anchoring the package is $61 billion for Ukraine, mainly in the form of military equipment from the U.S. It also sends foreign assistance and humanitarian aid to Israel, Gaza and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

Biden and the Democratic congressional leaders are imploring the speaker to cast off his right wing and join forces with them to send a sweeping bipartisan message of U.S. leadership in supporting Ukraine and confirming the U.S. commitment to its allies around the world, especially as Trump criticizes the

NATO alliance.

“House Republicans can either choose America’s national security interests or choose Vladimir Putin and Russia — that is not a difficult choice,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said after speaking with Johnson midweek.

But for Johnson, eyeing his own political future, the choices are different. If he reaches across the aisle to Democrats for a partnership, he is likely to face immediate calls for his ouster. That’s what happened when the far right booted his predecessor, former GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, after he joined forces with Democrats to pass legislation last fall to keep the federal government from shutting down.

Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, an Air Force veteran who recently traveled to the Baltic region where National Guard troops from her state partnered with Lithuanian allies, said “it boggles my mind” that colleagues don’t understand the Russia threat.

When Johnson said the House will “work its will” rather than take up the Senate package, Houlahan said the House’s “will” is to vote for it.

“He knows better than this — that there are more than 300 of us who are willing to vote for this package,” she said.

“He is the speaker of the House,” she said. “He is not the speaker of the Republicans.”

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Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

9

pen & paper pursuits Stephen and Evie McGee Colbert collaborate on cookbook ‘Does This Taste Funny’ The Associated Press NEW YORK — Stephen Colbert’s next book is very much about stirring the pot.

Celadon Books announced Thursday that “The Late Show” host and his wife, Evie McGee Colbert, have collaborated on the cookbook “Does This Taste Funny: Recipes Our Family Loves,” to be published on Sept. 17.

“We are so excited to announce our new cookbook, which we have been working on together for two years,” the Colberts said in a statement released through Celadon. “We hope everyone enjoys the recipes and stories. We made it with love ... and an enormous amount of butter.”

The book includes more than 100 recipes, from “Stephen’s Kindergarten Soup” to “The Colbert Bump Cocktail,” with an emphasis on the Lowcountry cuisine of the Colberts’ native South Carolina.

“Readers will also enjoy the banter, reminiscences and stories, and the gorgeous food photos and informal at-home pictures that fill the book, making readers feel like they are right there in the kitchen with Evie, Stephen, their children (and dog, Benny) and the extended family who are at the heart of the Colberts’ lives,” Celadon’s announcement reads in

CELADON BOOKS VIA AP

This image released by Celadon Books shows “Does This Taste Funny? Recipes Our Family Loves” a cookbook by Stephen Colbert and his wife, Evie McGee Colbert. part.

Stephen Colbert’s previous books include “I Am America

(And So Can You!)” and “America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren’t.”

OpenAI reveals Sora, a tool to make instant videos from written prompts The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO — The maker of ChatGPT on Thursday unveiled its next leap into generative artificial intelligence with a tool that instantly makes short videos in response to written commands.

San Francisco-based OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator, called Sora, isn’t the first of its kind. Google, Meta and the startup Runway ML are among the other companies to have demonstrated similar technology.

But the high quality of videos displayed by OpenAI — some after CEO Sam Altman asked social media users to send in ideas for written prompts — astound-

ed observers while also raising fears about the ethical and societal implications.

“A instructional cooking session for homemade gnocchi hosted by a grandmother social media influencer set in a rustic Tuscan country kitchen with cinematic lighting,” was a prompt suggested on X by a freelance photographer from New Hampshire. Altman responded a short time later with a realistic video that depicted what the prompt described.

The tool isn’t yet publicly available and OpenAI has revealed limited information about how it was built. The company, which has been sued by some authors and The New York Times over its use of copy-

righted works of writing to train ChatGPT, also hasn’t disclosed what imagery and video sources were used to train Sora. (OpenAI pays an undisclosed fee to The Associated Press to license its text news archive).

OpenAI said in a blog post that it’s engaging with artists, policymakers and others before releasing the new tool to the public.

“We are working with red teamers — domain experts in areas like misinformation, hateful content, and bias — who will be adversarially testing the model,” the company said. “We’re also building tools to help detect misleading content such as a detection classifier that can tell when a video was generated by Sora.”

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

10

Microsoft is making 4 exclusive Xbox video games available to rival consoles

By Wyatte Grantham The Associated Press NEW YORK — Several exclusive Xbox games will be soon making their way to rival consoles, the video gaming brand and its parent company, Microsoft, announced Thursday.

In a special edition of the Official Xbox Podcast, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed that four Xbox games will no longer be exclusive. That means players should be able to access them on other companies’ platforms.

Spencer did not provide a firm timeframe or identify the four games but said that two will be “community-driven” games and two will be smaller titles.

“The teams that are building those games have announced plans that are not too far away,” he said. “I won’t be talking about the titles specifically, but I think when they come out, it’ll make sense.”

He did say that Microsoft-owned Bethesda titles Starfield and Indiana Jones were not among them.

Makers of gaming hardware often license popular video games in hopes of getting consumers to buy the devices that hold their exclusive rights.

Spencer did not provide a firm timeframe or identify the four games but said that two will be “community-driven” games and two will be smaller titles.

Xbox’s Thursday announcement suggests that the brand is rethinking that strategy. While Microsoft maintained that there was no fundamental change to its exclusivity approach, Spencer noted that he believes games that are exclusive to one piece of hardware “are going to be a smaller and smaller part of the game industry” within the next five or 10 years.

Microsoft has already been moving away from this through its “Game Pass” subscription service that works something like a Netflix for video games.

The tech giant’s recent acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard allows that service to grow even further. On Thursday, Xbox President Sarah Bond announced that the first Activision Blizzard game on Xbox Game Pass will be Diablo IV,

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

starting March 28.

“It’s all part of our commitment to make Xbox, the Xbox experience, and the games that we build as widely available as possible,” Bond said.

Xbox, which has previously ranked third in sales behind PlayStation and Nintendo, is expected to see a significant boost from the Activision Blizzard roster — which, beyond Diablo, also includes blockbuster games like Call of Duty and Overwatch.

Microsoft completed its purchase of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion back in October, nearly two years after announcing the deal. The Redmond, Washington-based tech giant had to fend off ample global opposition from antitrust regulators and rivals over competition concerns.

Sony, for example, told regulators that it feared Microsoft will deprive its dominant PlayStation game console of popular Activision games or offer subpar versions. But as it sought to persuade regulators and judges to approve the Activision purchase, Microsoft repeatedly defended its approach as good for gaming, saying its goal was to get Activision games to more people on more platforms rather than trying to deprive those games from rival console-makers.

KAMIL ZIHNIOGLU | AP PHOTO

The Xbox logo is pictured at the Paris Games Week in Paris, Nov. 3, 2017.

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George Santos sues latenight host Jimmy Kimmel for tricking him into making videos to ridicule him The Associated Press NEW YORK — Former U.S. Rep. George Santos alleged in a lawsuit filed Saturday that latenight host Jimmy Kimmel deceived him into making videos on the Cameo app that were used to ridicule the disgraced New York Republican on the show.

Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives last year after being charged with multiple counts of fraud and stealing from donors, is suing Kimmel, ABC, and Walt Disney Co. over alleged copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Kimmel misrepresented himself to induce Santos to create personalized videos “capitalizing on and ridiculing” his “gregarious personality,” the lawsuit alleges.

Through Cameo, Santos received requests from individuals and businesses seeking personalized video messages. Unbeknownst to Santos, Kimmel submitted at least 14 requests that used phony names and narratives, according to the complaint.

Starting in December the videos were played on a segment, “ Will Santos Say It? ” the suit says.

In one of the clips, Santos offers congratulations to the purported winner of a beef-eating contest, calling the feat of consuming 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) of loose ground beef in under 30 minutes “amazing and impressive.”

“Frankly, Kimmel’s fake requests were funny, but what he did was clear violation of copyright law,” Robert Fantone, an attorney for Santos, said in an email.

Santos is seeking statutory damages totaling $750,000 for the five videos he created that were played on the show and various social media platforms. He also asks for other damages to be determined at trial.

“Frankly, Kimmel’s fake requests were funny, but what he did was clear violation of copyright law.”

Robert Fantone, an attorney for Santos.

(STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH | AP PHOTO

Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., leaves the Capitol after being expelled from the House of Representatives, Dec. 1, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Randolph Record for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

12

accolades App State Fall 2023 Grads The following Randolph County students graduated from Appalachian State University after the Fall 2023 semester.

Summa Cum Laude reflects a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.85, Magna Cum Laude is awarded to students with at least a 3.65 GPA and Cum Laude for a minimum GPA of 3.45.

Congratulations graduates!

ARCHDALE

DENTON

Samantha Rosada Cole B.S. in Communication, Public Relations

Emily Rebollar B.S. in Health Care Management

Andrew Layton Hamilton B.S.B.A. in Finance and Banking Joshua Dale Tyree B.S.B.A. in Accounting ASHEBORO Andrew Joseph Aldrich B.S. in Communication Studies, Cum Laude Jose Luis Garcia B.S.B.A. in Marketing Daryl Austin Hill B.S. in Building Sciences, Summa Cum Laude

RANDLEMAN Kathryn Laurel Adams B.S. in English, Secondary Education, Summa Cum Laude RAMSEUR Lidia Lopez B.S. in Building Sciences Emily Elizabeth Warren B.S. in Biology THOMASVILLE Stephanie Rose Gumbas B.S. in Psychology, Cum Laude

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ ‘Priscilla’ and Dolly Parton’s puppies The Associated Press NEW MOVIES TO STREAM It missed out on Oscar nominations, but Andrew Haigh’s “All of Us Strangers” was one of the best films of 2023. The film, which debuts on Hulu on Thursday, stars Andrew Scott as a writer working on an autobiographical script, work that transports him back to his childhood home where he finds his long dead parents (Claire Foy, Jamie Bell) as they once were. At the same time, a romance with a neighbor (Paul Mescal) evolves. Metaphysical and melancholy, “All of Us Strangers” is a stunner that AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called an “a deeply felt journey of acceptance, love and forgiveness” in her review.

— Another near-miss with the Oscars, Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” hits Max on Friday, Feb. 23.

Coppola’s dreamy, textured tale of Priscilla Presley’s surreal romance with Elvis produced two of last year’s most memorably breakthrough performances in Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.

In my review, I praised “Priscilla” as “a kind of fairy tale that turns claustrophobic and cautionary.”

— Two notable veterans of last year’s Oscar race, both from A24, arrive this week on Netflix. “ Everything Everywhere All at Once, “ Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s multiverse romp arrives Friday, Feb. 23, almost exactly a year after the anarchic sci-fi whatsit’s improbable Academy Awards sweep. Also hitting Netflix, on Saturday, Feb. 24, is the 2023 best animated-nominee “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.” Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp’s whimsical stop-motion animated film about a one-inch tall seashell with a big heart and an endearing fondness for Lesley Stahl.

NEW SHOWS TO STREAM If you already miss the “Puppy Bowl,” Dolly Parton has you covered. The country music icon is hosting the two-hour variety special “Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” on Wednesday on CBS. It will feature the latest in doggy fash-

A24/NETFLIX/SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES VIA AP

This combination of photos shows promotional art for “Priscilla,” streaming Feb. 23 on Max, left, “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” streaming Feb. 22 on Netflix, center, and “All of Us Strangers,” a film streaming Feb. 22 on Hulu. ion and performances of Parton classics, including “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Puppy Love” and “Jolene,” with Parton and country hitmakers Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson and KC of KC of the Sunshine Band performing. “I know all the animal lovers out there are going to love this show,” Parton said in a statement.

— A trio of popular ABC shows return Tuesday after eight months due to the Hollywood strikes. “Will Trent,”based on books by Karin Slaughter, stars Ramon Rodriguez as an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Nathan Fillion leads the police procedural “The Rookie,” and Freddie Highmore returns for the seventh and final season of the hospital drama, “The Good Doctor” where he plays a surgeon with autism. Episodes also stream on Hulu.

— Fifteen years after the popular Nickelodeon animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” went off the air, the story has gotten the live-action treatment

by Netflix. This new “Last Airbender” stars Gordon Cormier as Aang, a 12-year-old boy with the fate of the world on his shoulders.

The series premieres Thursday.

— Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira return to “The Walking Dead” universe in their own spin-off, “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.” The six-episode series follows their starcrossed characters, Rick and Michonne, as they fight to find their way back to one another after years of separation. Scott Gimple, the chief content officer for “The Walking Dead” franchise created the series with Lincoln and Gurira. New characters are also played by Terry O’Quinn, Lesley-Ann Brandt and Aaron Bachelor. The show premieres Sunday, Feb. 25 on AMC and AMC+.

NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY From “Twin Peaks” to “Twilight,” the Pacific Northwest is the epicenter of a peculiar kind of pop culture weirdness. It’s also a cool place to go for a drive. Seat-

PHILIPPE LE SOURD/A24 VIA AP

This image released by A24 shows Jacob Elordi as Elvis, right, and Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, in a scene from “Priscilla.” tle-based indie Ironwood Studios aims to combine the two with its debut game, Pacific Drive. Your mission is to explore the “Olympic Exclusion Zone,” where experiments by some secretive organization have unleashed supernatural anomalies. Your only companion is a beaten-up old sta-

tion wagon (dig the wood paneling), which you can upgrade with gadgets scavenged from the abandoned labs. You’ll need to soup it up to deal with the radiation and bizarre weather in the Zone. Hit the road Thursday, Feb. 22, on PlayStation 5 or PC.

This image released by A24 shows Jacob Elordi, Cailee Spaeny in a scene from “Priscilla.”

SABRINA LANTOS/A24 VIA AP

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 52 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 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

Nothin’ but net

East Hoke Middle School’s Ma’Rod Wood led the team with ten points, but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles fell to Rockingham, 46-38, in the Southeastern Middle School basketball conference championships.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NCDOT on political signs along roadways NCDOT reminds campaign advocates that there are legal requirements for placing political signs along statemaintained roadsides: Signs can be placed 30 days prior to early voting, and up to 10 days following the primary election date.

The signs must be within 3 feet of the road pavement and should not exceed 42 inches in height.

Signs should not obscure driver visibility at any intersection.

Those placing signs must obtain permission from property owners of a residence, business or religious institution.

82 rehabilitated sea turtles released Cold-stunned sea turtles rehabilitated by the NC Aquarium were recently released by Coasties at Station Hatteras Inlet and from Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder at Ford Macon.

The release of the turtles, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley species, helped make room at the aquarium for 62 other coldstunned patients currently being cared for at aquarium facilities around the state.

If you find a stranded sea turtle in North Carolina, call 252-241-7367.

PHOTO COURTESY U.S.C.G CUTTER RICHARD SNYDER

A crewmember prepares to release a small green sea turtle.

School Board addresses recruiting, retention and repairs

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal RAEFORD – The Hoke County Schools Board of Education met Tuesday, Feb. 13, addressing the February 2024 vacancy report as a top priority.

It showed 50 certified teacher vacancies, 14 certified staff vacancies and 35 classified employee vacancies.

“One of our biggest areas that we see that we are struggling to actually find teachers for is our [Exceptional Children],” said executive director of career and technical education Dana Chavis. “That’s just hard across the state and not just with Hoke County. As we begin to start our recruiting, that is one of the areas that we’re trying to hit the hardest so that we can try to get those positions filled so that our students will have the right teachers in place so they can get the education that they deserve.

Hoke Schools began recruit-

ing at several different universities earlier this month. “We changed our strategy this year.

Typically, what we do is actually get the resumes and bring them back to the principals,” Chavis explained. This year, “if we see somebody that could fill a role and be a best fit, we call the principal right there, hand them the phone and they’re talking to that individual on the spot.”

In other business, Hoke County Schools will be conducting a capital outlay survey this month in order to create a ranked list of necessary repair and safety projects.

“Capital Outlay surveys have been sent out to principals and directors,” said Interim Finance Officer Willena Richardson.

“We’re asking that they be returned to us by February 23. After we get those back, then the superintendent, operations and maintenance will get together and decide which capital outlay projects take precedence. We’ll

“If we see somebody that could fill a role and be a best fit, we call the principal right there, hand them the phone and they’re talking to that individual on the spot.”

Dana Chavis, executive director of career and technical education try to get as many in as we can, but of course, safety is going to come first.”

The survey is meant to ensure that every building in the Hoke school system is considered.

The board also approved the use of capital outlay funds to repair roof damage at Hoke High School.

Repairing the damage, caused by a June hail storm, will also see

Mike Huckabee visits Raeford on behalf of NC House candidate North State Journal RAEFORD — Former Arkansas Gov. and two-time Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee made an appearance last week in Raeford to stump for Dr. Ralph Carter, one of three candidates in the upcoming N.C. House District 48 GOP primary.

Around thirty individuals gathered at the Raeford Civic Center to hear from Huckabee, who is now a frequent contributor to Fox News and notable supporter of former President Donald Trump.

“What a joy it is for Janet and I to be here this afternoon. I think you understand you have an opportunity to send somebody extraordinary to the state legislature, somebody who will really represent you, who cares deeply about the people of this area, who knows them and will work tirelessly to truly represent what you believe is important,” said Huckabee during his remarks.

He told those in attendance that a shared trip to Israel started their friendship and he was excited to come to rural North Carolina to help him out ahead

of March 5.

District 48 comprises all of Hoke and Scotland Counties and is expected to be competitive in this year’s general election.

Carter faces 2022’s Republican nominee, Melissa Swarbrick, and James Diaz. The winner will take on longtime Democratic Rep. Garland Pierce in November.p.m.

Those sites are located at the Hoke County Board of Elections at 227 N. Main St. in Raeford and the Rockfish Community Center at 2749 Lindsay Rd. in Raeford.

the roof treated with a silicone roof coating restoration system.

While the damage is covered by the district’s insurance, there is a $5,000 deductible that will be paid. The total quote for the roof repair is $426,852 and will be performed by ACI Systems, Inc. Finally, the salary scale for school treasurers was updated, adding $26,298.11 per year including benefits.

“By fiscal year 2025, all of our salary scales have to be updated and we have to be very cautious about doing that because we’re unsure if the state is going to allot more money to change the salary scales,” Richardson explained. “We’re looking at the salaries because we believe that if someone starts today, they should not be making the same amount as someone who’s been here 20 years, so we had to look at our salaries.”

The Hoke County Schools Board of Education will next meet March 12.

Around thirty individuals gathered at the Raeford Civic Center to hear from Huckabee.

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“Join the conversation”

Early voting underway in Hoke County

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 BUSINESS David Guy, Advertising Manager

North State Journal

Published each Wednesday as part of North State Journal

IN-PERSON early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina.

Statewide, more than 340 early voting sites are open for early voting ahead of the primary.

“In-person early voting is one of the ways voters can cast ballots securely in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work at each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to ensure the ballots of eligible voters are counted.”

There are 33,714 registered voters in Hoke County as of Feb. 17, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections. The county has nearly 14,000 registered Democrats, about 7,500 registered Republicans and some 12,000 undeclared independents.

Over 113,000 votes have already been cast, with 708 thus far in Hoke County.

The county has two early voting sites open through the end of the early voting period, which ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m.

Those sites are located at the Hoke County Board of Elections at 227 N. Main St. in Raeford and the Rockfish Community Center at 2749 Lindsay Rd. in Raeford.

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE: 336-283-6305 HOKE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

A weekly podcast getting to the facts across the state, around the world and at home HERE in Raeford, Hoke County, NC.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

CRIME LOG x Jalen Lonell Locklear, aged 30, was arrested by the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office on February 13, 2024, and is facing charges including harassing phone calls, communicating threats, cyberstalking, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, second-degree trespassing, felony breaking and entering, possession of a firearm by a felon, and habitual breaking and entering. He has been denied bond. x Ronnie Wade Anderson, aged 65, was arrested by the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office on February 13, 2024, on multiple charges including maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substances, possessing drug paraphernalia (excluding marijuana), possession with intent to manufacture/sell/ deliver marijuana, two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, manufacturing marijuana, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. His bond amount is $200,000. x Erine Akins, aged 50, was booked on February 14, 2024, and faces a charge of misdemeanor breaking and entering with bond denied. x Toboris Yanton Buie, aged 49, was arrested on February 15, 2024, for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. His bond is set at $500,000. x Elvis Lee Eason, aged 29, was arrested on February 15, 2024, for breaking or entering with intent to terrorize or injure occupants. His bond is set at $50,000.

Hosted by:

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Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: hokecommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

3

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

g n ty

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Holding the administration accountable and protecting our energy security

We must ensure the President cannot play politics with our energy security.

HAVE YOU NOTICED the price of gas lately?

Across our region, prices are up nearly 10 cents a gallon. This is the last thing families need who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, President Joe Biden and extreme Washington Democrats have continued to pursue an America-last energy policy.

Under Biden’s presidency, we have seen how our national security continues to be put on the backburner by the President’s war on American energy. Just last month, the Administration announced they would be imposing a ban on issuing permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

This is yet another ploy to cave to climate activists over our own energy security, weakening the national security of the United States and our allies, discouraging investments in natural gas production, jeopardizing good-paying jobs, and empowering foreign adversaries like Russia. We must ensure the President cannot play politics with our energy security. That is why last week, we passed the Unlocking our Domestic LNG

Potential Act of 2024 (H.R. 7176) to hold the President accountable and reverse this blockade.

Like their America-last energy policies, the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders have also continued to pose a threat to our national security. As your Congressman, I will not sit idly by as the Administration exacerbates this crisis and will ensure there are consequences.

Month after month, the crisis at our border continues to get worse due to the disastrous immigration policies of the Biden Administration. Under Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ watch, there have been around 8.5 million illegal crossings at our Southern border, in addition to more than 1.7 million known “gotaways.” Even more concerning, over 169 people on the terrorist watch list have illegally entered the United States. This has posed a grave risk to our national security and threatened the safety of not just border communities, but every community.

Secretary Mayorkas has one core obligation: to protect the homeland.

Unfortunately, throughout his tenure, Secretary Mayorkas has willfully ignored

U.S. immigration laws and intentionally disregarded his duty to keep our country safe and secure the border.

If Secretary Mayorkas truly wanted to take action to stop this chaos, he would start enforcing our immigration laws and orders already enacted by Congress and President Trump. Yet, he has made it clear he has no intention to begin complying with our laws and regaining operational control of our border. Worse, Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly testified falsely that the border is “secure” - a blatant attempt to mislead Congress, breaching the American people’s trust. That is why last week, we held him accountable by exercising our Constitutional duty and voting to impeach him.

Energy security and border security are national security. While the situation facing our country seems bleak, I’m focused on ways to unleash American energy, secure our border, and stop the Biden Administration from further threatening the safety of our homeland and our energy independence. Rest assured, I will not stop fighting for the best interests of you and your family.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | MELISSA SWARBRICK

Hoke’s reckless rezoning Hoke County leaders do not see any benefit in developing and following long-range planning guidelines.

MOST COUNTIES and municipalities put quite a bit of thought and effort into long range planning for their communities. You can visit the websites of most local governments and find documents called “Comprehensive Plans” and “Strategic Operating Plans” which detail public input into the vision for the community and the wishes of elected officials, business owners, local interest groups, and regional experts.

These plans are usually updated every 10 to 15 years and are used in the daily decision-making of local officials. The benefits of these plans include allowing newly elected leaders insight into the path forward for the community, guiding future development, and providing a vision and policy framework for the budget and management of resources.

These documents do not sit on a shelf.

They are used daily by all departments to ensure that decision-making is consistent with the community’s vision and residents’ expectations. Rezoning of any land parcels should be carefully weighed against the long-range plan since land use and the expectations of its use are crucial to maintaining the character of a community. Robust citizen input and transparency should be a priority when changing or developing a new long range strategic plan.

Unfortunately, Hoke County leaders do not see any benefit in developing and following long-range

planning guidelines. Properties and large parcels of land are rezoned frequently. Farmlands are destroyed and neighborhoods are fractured by careless rezoning approvals. Not only is the landscape of our county changing, our infrastructure and resources are being exhausted by constant new development. I have watched with dismay as quiet neighborhoods and beautiful farmlands all over the county are forever transformed into high density housing developments or large commercial establishments.

Now my neighbors and family are the next possible casualties of the Hoke County government’s reckless actions towards rezoning and lack of vision for long-range planning. We live on a small dirt road circle in the northwest corner of the county.

All of our neighbors enjoy ten-acre lots where we grow food and raise our animals. I can look out my kitchen window and through the trees my neighbor is riding her horse through her pasture. Across the road the baby goats are running and playing. All summer we eat fresh vegetables out of our garden, and we can open our windows at night to let the fresh air come in. All that will change soon since Hoke County Planning and Zoning recently approved a rezoning request for two lots on our little road and one adjacent to us.

A sand and gravel company wants to

use these lots to expand their business and create more storage for their supplies.

These three lots, 31 acres in total, are now covered with loblolly and longleaf pines and inhabited by birds, deer, and other wildlife. The Quewhiffle creek runs adjacent to our little community. The sand and gravel company is behind the woods right now, but soon it will be part of our neighborhood.

Our land is zoned Residential/ Agricultural for a reason. What will happen when this company cuts down all the trees on the properties and expands into our neighborhood? What will happen to our water? What about the noise? We bought our property with the expectation of quiet enjoyment and the long-term plan of protecting our environment by keeping most of our lot wooded. Our neighbors are friendly and quiet. We help each other. We do not deserve to live in an industrial park.

I urge all Hoke County residents to speak up about our neighborhoods. We deserve to keep our farms and quiet sprawling residential areas safe from this type of government overreach.

Development and growth is natural and can be sustainable if done properly.

Without any long-range plan, Hoke County and their lack of consideration for residents’ quality of life is destroying our area one neighborhood at a time.

Melissa Swarbrick lives in Aberdeen

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

4 SIDELINE REPORT

SPORTS

NBA

Lillard, East beats West in All-Star Game Indianapolis All-Star MVP Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks scored 39 points and the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211186 on Sunday night, with the winners putting up the most points in the game’s 73-year history. That broke the previous mark of 196 by the West in 2016. The total points of 397 smashed the record of 374 set in 2017, while the East made 42 3-pointers to break the mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 50 points for the West in just 28 minutes.

NHL

Penguins retire Jagr’s No. 68 Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins retired Jaromir Jagr’s iconic No. 68 on Sunday.

The NHL’s second alltime leading scorer was on hand as his jersey was raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena. The 52-yearold spent 11 seasons in Pittsburgh from 1990 to 2001, helping the franchise win a pair of Stanley Cups.

Jagr is the third Penguins player to have his number retired, joining Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and Michel Briere. While Jagr has played for nine different NHL teams, he says he knows he will be forever linked with Pittsburgh.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ohio State knocks off No. 2 Purdue in interim coach’s debut Columbus, Ohio Bruce Thornton scored 22 points and Jamison Battle added 19 as Ohio State stunned No. 2 Purdue 73-69 on Sunday, giving interim coach Jake Diebler a victory in his debut with the Buckeyes. Diebler replaced Chris Holtmann, who was fired Wednesday after several disappointing seasons. Ohio State (15-11, 5-10 Big Ten) entered the contest having lost nine of its last 11 games. Zach Edey had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 58th career double-double for the Boilermakers (23-3, 12-3).

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

Winston-Salem State guard Jaylen Alston shoots over Virginia Union forward Jonathan Salazar during the HBCU Classic on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Winston-Salem State tops Virginia Union in NBA HBCU Classic The teams played on the All-Star Game court in Indianapolis

By Mark Ambrogi The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — While Virginia Union coach Jay Butler would have liked a different outcome, both teams had a winning experience at the NBA HBCU Classic.

Ketron Shaw scored 15 points and Jaylen Alston had 14 points and 11 rebounds to pace Winston-Salem State to a 64-47 victory Saturday in the NBA HBCU Classic. Issac Parson added 12 points and 11 assists for the Rams (17-8, 11-5 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).

Jaylin Parker scored 11 points, Tahj Harding led Virginia Union (11-17, 6-9 CIAA ) with 11

points and Travis Vaughn added nine points.

The game between the two NCAA Division II teams from the historically black universities was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court as the NBA All-Stars will play on Sunday night.

“This was big time,” Butler said. “This was an awesome event, something the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. When we first got here, they rolled out the red carpet from the airport to the hotel to the arena.”

Being a Division II school, Butler said the players don’t get to play on this kind of big stage.

Vaughn, one of eight freshmen for the Panthers, said he never experienced anything like it.

“It was just an an amazing experience,” he said recounting the NBA stars he met. “I’m very for-

tunate. ... I got to meet Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard. I look up to them for my game, so I was very fortunate for that.”

Alston was starstruck, too.

“Walking in we got to see Kevin Durant,” Alston said. “I kind of stopped. I forgot a game was still happening, so I had to catch myself.”

Parson added: “The coolest thing for me was I got to see Jalen Brunson and speak with him.”

Winston-Salem State coach Cleo Hill Jr. said it was special for all involved.

“I couldn’t even imagine when I was 18 to 24 years old, coming into the All-Star Game playing in front of Earl Monroe, Clyde Frazier and Magic Johnson, so that was huge,” Hill said. “On the flip side for the student-athletes, they have career day (Sunday) and well-suited and booted to

put our best foot forward for life after basketball. For myself, with my dad playing in the NBA for a short time, it was gratifying.”

Durant, representing the Phoenix Suns as an All-Star, said it’s huge for the two teams to have the stage.

“It’s an opportunity for people around the country to see the type of talent they have at HBCUs,” Durant said. “There’s a lot of hidden gems there, great coaching, great talent up and down the board. If we can give them the platform to showcase their talents and skills, we need to do so. So I’m excited for them.

Hopefully, this becomes an annual thing and we start to see more and more talent come out of HBCUs.” Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was among those in attendance.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Hoke County wrestling finishes strong at states Middle school basketball teams advance to title games North State Journal HOKE COUNTY High School ended a successful wrestling season with both the boys’ and girls’ teams placing at states.

In the first NCHSAA-sanctioned girls’ wrestling individual tournament, Hoke County finished in fourth place with 59 points, trailing third-place Havelock by a mere three points.

Kierra Rush was the top finisher for the Lady Bucks, taking second place in the 132-pound weight class. Rush fell behind early in the state title match, trailing Trask’s Lauren Hall, 4-1 after one period. She ended up losing by a 7-2 score to cap a 3010 sophomore season.

Junior Sara Warren ended her season on a winning note, beating Green Hope’s Emily Jenkins by pinfall at the 1:58 mark to take fifth place at 107 lbs. War-

ren went 40-8 this year. Sophomore Jada Lebron finished in sixth place at 138 pounds, finishing a 35-12 year.

The Hoke County boys finished ninth in the state, with 53.5 points, two points behind Cardinal Gibbons in the 4A tournament.

NSJ athlete of the week Jekai Sedgwick was the top finisher, capping a 44-8 freshman season by advancing to the title match at 106 pounds. He was unable to make weight and forced to forfeit, however.

The boys also boasted a pair of fourth-place finishers. Junior Jaylen Bethea suffered his only two losses of the season in the final weekend, finishing at 55-2 and in fourth place at 132 pounds.

Senior Geronimo Oxendine finished his high school career with a fourth-place finish at 215 lbs. He finished the year at 55-8.

Middle school basketball The

East

Hoke

Middle

School boys’ basketball team and West Hoke Middle School girls’ basketball team both played in the Southeastern Middle School Basketball Conference Championships last week.

In the boys’ game, the East Hoke Eagles boys fell to the Rockingham Rockets at East Hoke Middle 46-38. Leading the Way for East Hoke was Ma’Rod Wood with 10 points and Omakaro Maya with 8 points. Traylin Jackson had 7 points; D’Anfre Smith had 5, Chandler Thomas had 3, and Brian Redmon added 2.

In the girls’ game, the West Hoke Lady Tigers defeated the Hamlet Rams 42-30 to capture the Southeastern Middle School Basketball Conference Championship going 12-0 on the season. Leading the way for the Lady Tigers was Janiyah Leak with 15 points and Yazmin Harris with 6 points.

Jada Bowers had six points and Aiyana McDougald also had six.

5

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jekai Sedgwick

SOUTH STANLY HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL MEDIA

Hoke County, boys’ wrestling

COURTESY PHOTO

West Hoke’s Janiyah Leak went up for two of her game high 15 points in the Lady Tigers Championship win over the Hamlet Rams.

Jekai Sedgwick is a freshman for the Hoke County wrestling team and was one of two Bucks’ wrestlers to finish in the top two at the state 4A wrestling tournament.

Sedgwick capped a 44-8 season by advancing to the NCHSAA championship round in the 4A 106-pound division. Unfortunately, he missed making weight by mere ounces and was not able to fight for the state title, settling for runner-up honors.

Sedgwick trailed in the final minute of his semifinal bout, against Brady Donovan of Hickory Ridge, before rallying for a 5-2 win, with three points in the waning seconds to break a tie.

McClung earns perfect score, wins 2nd straight NBA Slam Dunk Contest The Magic’s G League guard beat Boston’s Jaylen Brown in the final

By Michael Marot The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — Mac McClung went back to school to win his second consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

He asked Shaquille O’Neal to squeeze into McClung’s old high school jersey, then grabbed the ball out of the big man’s hands and leapt clear over him to draw five perfect scores on his final attempt Saturday night.

McClung compiled 98.8 points on his last two dunks, while Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown finished with 97.8.

“Shaq was so cool to put that high school jersey on, man, it almost made me emotional that he would do that,” McClung said.

“When he put it on, he said, ‘You better not miss it.’ I said, ‘OK, I won’t miss it.’”

Unlike some of his previous attempts, McClung made this dunk on his first try and was rewarded handsomely by the five judges.

As a result, the high-flying, 6-foot-2 guard who plays for Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, became the sixth

player with two or more Slam Dunk titles and the first to win in back-to-back seasons since Zach LaVine in 2015 and 2016.

Hey Mac, gonna go for an unprecedented third straight title next year?

“I don’t know. We’ll think about it,” said McClung, who led his team to the G League championship last year. “I’m not sure yet.”

The only player with three NBA Slam Dunk crowns is Nate Robinson, but those didn’t come in a row.

McClung jumped over two people on his first dunk in the final round. Brown paid tribute to the late Terrence Clark, a Massachusetts prep star who died in a car crash at age 19 in April 2021.

McClung needed an even higher score after four judges gave Brown a 49 and the other one awarded a 50 on his final dunk, a left-handed slam over one person with a Michael Jackson-style sequin glove covering his left hand.

McClung then picked O’Neal out of the crowd, asked him to stand in as the prop and delivered the dunk of the night.

“It was like, ‘OK, you’ve really got to bring something, and I think they want us to make our dunks on the first try, which I completely understand,” McClung said. “So I knew it was time to lock in for the finals.”

DARRON CUMMINGS | AP PHOTO

Osceola Magic’s Mac McClung is greeted by Shaquille O’Neal during the slam dunk competition at the NBA basketball All-Star weekend, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

6

Another endangered whale was found dead off East Coast. This one died after colliding with a ship

By Patrick Whittle The Associated Press FEDERAL AUTHORITIES said the second critically endangered North Atlantic right whale found dead in the last month showed injuries consistent with a collision with a ship.

The whales number less than 360 and they have experienced decline in recent years. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it was notified of a dead right whale floating off Savannah, Georgia, on Feb. 13.

The agency said late Friday that a necropsy of the animal “found evidence of blunt force trauma including fractures of the skull” and that those “injuries are consistent with a vessel strike prior to death.”

The announcement came just days after NOAA released more details about a dead right whale off Massachusetts that showed signs of entanglement in fishing gear, which is the other major threat the animals face.

The back-to-back deaths of the rare whales that both showed evidence of the species’ two major threats should motivate rule changes, numerous environmental groups said Saturday.

The groups have long pushed for stricter rules governing shipping and commercial fishing to help protect the whales.

“The North Atlantic right whale’s nursery is becoming a crime scene,” said Greg Reilly, southeast marine campaigner for International Fund for Animal Welfare. “Without enhanced protections, the North Atlantic right whale is doomed to extinction. Lawmakers need to get out of the way and let the administration finalize the amended vessel speed rule.”

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES VIA AP

This photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows a DNR boat crew assessing a dead juvenile right whale about 20 miles off Tybee Island, Ga., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

NOAA has proposed new vessel speed rules to try to protect whales, but they have yet to go into effect. Environmental groups have sued to try to force a deadline for the new rules. New fishing standards designed to protect the whales from entanglement in rope are also the subject of ongoing lawsuits involving environ-

mentalists, fishing groups and the federal government.

The whale that died off Massachusetts that was found in January showed signs of entanglement in fishing lines that originated in the Maine lobster fishery, NOAA said this week. Entanglement of whales in Maine rope is very rare, said Kevin Kelley, a spokesperson

for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

“Maine lobstermen have made significant changes to how they fish over the last 25 years to avoid entanglement and continue gear testing,” he said.

The right whales were once abundant off the East Coast, but they were decimated during the

commercial whaling era and have been slow to recover. The whales migrate from the waters off Florida and Georgia to New England every year and face hazards like collisions and entanglement along the way. Some scientists have said warming ocean waters has caused them to stray from protected zones during the journey.

WV Sen. Joe Manchin announces he won’t run for president in 2024

By Steve Peoples The Associated Press NEW YORK — West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin announced on Friday that he is not running for president, saying he didn’t want to be a “spoiler.”

“I will not be seeking a third-party run,” he said in a speech at West Virginia University. “I will not be involved in a presidential run. I will be involved in making sure that we secure a president that has the knowledge and has the passion and has the ability to bring this country together.”

The speech was billed as part of a national listening tour Manchin announced when he decided not to seek another Senate term.

He told the Morgantown audience that he had no interest in being “a deal-breaker, if you will, a spoiler, whatever you want to call it.”

“I just don’t think it’s the right time.”

The centrist Democrat who often bucked his party’s leadership had been considering a run

for the presidency and had said he thought it would be clear by March if there was a path for a third-party candidate this year.

He said in the speech that he thought a third-party bid might be viable at some point “but right now it’s really challenging.”

His decision comes as the leadership of No Labels, a national political movement that could offer an independent presidential ticket in 2024, has worked privately to identify serious candidates to represent the group in the general election. Manchin was viewed as one of the top prospects.

Manchin is not running for reelection in 2024. His Senate seat in a heavily Republican state is expected to be a prime pickup opportunity for the GOP. Manchin, the only Democrat holding statewide office in West Virginia, has been at odds with members of his own party over his support for coal and other fossil fuels. With the Democrats holding a slim majority in the U.S. Senate, Manchin was a critical vote who wielded consid-

erable influence to shape legislation and diluted much of President Joe Biden’s social spending plans.

In addition to the No Labels effort, a group pushing for Manchin to partner with retiring Utah Sen. Mitt Romney to seek a third-party presidential bid filed paperwork last year to form a draft committee with the Federal Election Commission. Romney and Manchin did not sign on to the effort.

After Manchin announced last year that he would not run for reelection, he said he planned to travel the country “to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”

He visited New Hampshire, an early voting state in the presidential primaries, in January.

The senator is scheduled to speak in Arizona, a political battleground state, on Saturday.

After Manchin’s announcement, No Labels issued a statement saying the organization welcomed the senator’s efforts to strengthen “America’s common-

sense majority.”

“No Labels is currently speaking with several exceptional leaders about serving on the presidential Unity ticket. We are continuing to make great progress on our ballot access efforts and will announce in the coming weeks whether we will offer our line to a Unity ticket,” said the co-chairs of No Labels, former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, former head of the NAACP Benjamin Chavis, Jr., and former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory.

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips said last month that he would consider running on a No Labels ticket, though he is still challenging Biden in the Democratic primaries.

Another leading No Labels prospect, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, ruled out a 2024 presidential bid as well, announcing a Senate bid instead.

Lieberman, a Democrat turned independent, said in January that Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley would

be a good fit for the group’s plans.

Haley, who is trailing former President Donald Trump in the GOP presidential race, has said she isn’t interested.

U.S. adults are uneasy about Trump and Biden as the two likely major-party candidates, according to an AP-NORC poll from December.

Biden reelection campaign spokesman Michael Tyler was asked on a conference call with reporters on Friday if there was frustration that Manchin didn’t endorse Biden when he announced he wasn’t running for president and if the pair had spoken. Tyler said he couldn’t “speak to any conversations with Senator Manchin right now” but praised him for helping to advance the president’s legislative agenda on issues like the sweeping infrastructure package, saying “the senator’s been an incredible partner.”

“Senator Manchin has been key in these efforts,” Tyler said.

“The president looks forward to continuing to work with the senator.”

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 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 21, 2024

8

STATE & NATION Amazon argues that national labor board is unconstitutional, joining SpaceX and Trader Joe’s The Associated Press AMAZON IS ARGUING in a legal filing that the 88-year-old National Labor Relations Board is unconstitutional, echoing similar arguments made this year

by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the grocery store chain Trader Joe’s in disputes about workers’ rights and organizing.

The Amazon filing, made Thursday, came in response to a case before an administrative law judge overseeing a complaint from agency prosecutors who allege the company unlawfully retaliated against workers at a New York City warehouse who voted to unionize nearly two years ago.

In its filing, Amazon denies many of the charges and asks for the complaint to be dismissed.

The company’s attorneys then go

MICHAEL SOHN | AP

An Amazon company logo is seen on the facade of a c ompany’s building in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany, on March 18, 2022. further, arguing that the structure of the agency — particularly limits on the removal of ad-

ministrative law judges and five board members appointed by the president — violates the separa-

tion of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

The attorneys also argue that NLRB proceedings deny the company a trial by a jury and violate its due-process rights under the Fifth Amendment.

An NLRB spokesperson declined to comment on the filing.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Seth Goldstein, an attorney who represents both the Amazon Labor Union and the labor group Trader Joe’s United, said the trend was “very frightening.”

“Since they can’t defeat successful union organizing, they now want to just destroy the whole process,” he said.

The legal argument from Seattle-based Amazon, which has long resisted organizing efforts

and is seeking to redo the sole union win at its U.S. warehouses, follows similar claims made

by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in a separate lawsuit and an agency hearing last month.

SpaceX sued the NLRB in early January, arguing the structure of the agency is unconstitutional. The lawsuit came a day after the labor agency accused the company of unlawfully firing employees who wrote an open letter critical of Musk and of creating the impression worker activities were being surveilled.

At a January labor board hearing over allegations Trader Joe’s retaliated against union activism, an attorney for the grocery chain said the NLRB and its panel of administrative law judges are structured unconstitutionally.

US aid to Ukraine hinges on House Speaker Johnson, US House

By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with congressional leaders in Washington late last year he told them privately what is now public: With U.S. weapons, they could win the war against Russia, but without them Russian President Vladimir Putin would be victorious.

In a subsequent meeting with new House Speaker Mike Johnson, a looming deadline for the supplies came into focus.

Now, with U.S. aid for Ukraine teetering in Congress, it’s up to Johnson to decide what happens next.

President Joe Biden said he told Zelenskyy in a Saturday phone call after Ukraine announced it was withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka that he remained confident that the U.S. funding would eventually come through.

But asked in an exchange with reporters if he was confident whether a deal could be made before Ukraine loses more territory to Russian, Biden responded, “I’m not.”

“Look Ukrainians have fought so bravely,” he said. “There is so much on the line. The idea now

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP PHOTO

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters following a closed-door GOP meeting at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2024. when they are running out of ammunition that we’re going to walk away. I find it absurd.”

Zelenskyy said at a news conference with Vice President Kamala Harris in Germany that Ukraine was counting on a “positive decision” from Congress for the “vital” aid from its “strategic partner.” Earlier at a security conference in Munich, he warned of an “artificial deficit” of arms for his country.

The political and policy decisions ahead in Congress are gravely uncertain. Johnson is insisting he won’t be “rushed” into

approving the $95.3 billion foreign aid package from the Senate, despite overwhelming support from most Democrats and almost half the Republicans. But he has yet to chart a path forward in his chamber.

While many in Congress view Putin as a global threat, particularly after Russia intervened in the 2016 election in favor of Donald Trump, Johnson’s colleagues on the far right are increasingly ambivalent about Putin’s aggression and authoritarian leadership, as seen in conservative Tucker Carlson’s admiring videos

from Moscow after his recent interview with the Russian leader.

“As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states,” Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

If the $95 billion aid package was put to a vote, Johnson would find overwhelming support in the House from a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Anchoring the package is $61 billion for Ukraine, mainly in the form of military equipment from the U.S. It also sends foreign assistance and humanitarian aid to Israel, Gaza and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

Biden and the Democratic congressional leaders are imploring the speaker to cast off his right wing and join forces with them to send a sweeping bipartisan message of U.S. leadership in supporting Ukraine and confirming the U.S. commitment to its allies around the world, especially as Trump criticizes the NATO alliance.

“House Republicans can either choose America’s national security interests or choose Vladimir Putin and Russia — that is not

a difficult choice,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said after speaking with Johnson midweek.

But for Johnson, eyeing his own political future, the choices are different. If he reaches across the aisle to Democrats for a partnership, he is likely to face immediate calls for his ouster. That’s what happened when the far right booted his predecessor, former GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, after he joined forces with Democrats to pass legislation last fall to keep the federal government from shutting down.

Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, an Air Force veteran who recently traveled to the Baltic region where National Guard troops from her state partnered with Lithuanian allies, said “it boggles my mind” that colleagues don’t understand the Russia threat.

When Johnson said the House will “work its will” rather than take up the Senate package, Houlahan said the House’s “will” is to vote for it.

“He knows better than this — that there are more than 300 of us who are willing to vote for this package,” she said.

“He is the speaker of the House,” she said. “He is not the speaker of the Republicans.”

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 16 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024

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THE FORSYTH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

AQUARIUM AND SHARK LAB BY TEAM ECCO VIA AP

Life finds a way

Charlotte, a round stingray that has lived for years without a male companion, is pregnant. She’s expected to give birth in the next two weeks at the Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville. The executive director of the lab says Charlotte has experienced parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs. The rare phenomenon can occur in various animals, with recent examples including California condors, Komodo dragons and yellow-bellied water snakes.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NCDOT on political signs along roadways NCDOT reminds campaign advocates that there are legal requirements for placing political signs along statemaintained roadsides: Signs can Signs can be placed 30 days prior to early voting, and up to 10 days following the primary election date.

The signs must be within 3 feet of the road pavement and should not exceed 42 inches in height.

Signs should not obscure driver visibility at any intersection.

Those placing signs must obtain permission from property owners of a residence, business or religious institution.

WSFCS approves new middle school tutoring program

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald WINSTON-SALEM – The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education met Tuesday, Feb. 13.

The board approved a research partnership with NC Innovation Project (NC TIP) to identify tutoring programs, providers and processes that have the greatest impact on student achievement.

“We were reached out to in the Fall to be a part of a tutoring project to look at high dosage tutoring, its impact and sustainable models for tutoring,” said chief academic officer Paula Wilkins. “The goal was that if we engage in this partnership, what can we learn moving for-

ward as a district to continue tutoring supports that are cost efficient as a district.”

WSFCS will utilize University Instructors, whom the district has partnered with before, to provide high dosage tutoring at the middle school level.

“The focus of their tutoring supports are to look at face-toface options and push for small group instruction,” Wilkins said. “They train their tutors, they help provide them support around the curriculum, they focus on grade-level specific content aligned to the standards and it’s on-site and in-person.”

According to Wilkins, UI will provide 18 tutors – six at each of Flat Rock, Paisley and Philo-Hill – who will work 35 hours a week and tutor in two differ-

WSFCS will utilize University Instructors, whom the district has partnered with before, to provide high dosage tutoring at the middle school level. ent classrooms per period, 30 minutes per classroom.

The project will be funded through NC TIP and the tutoring will start later this month.

The board signed off on the acceptance of $500,000 in NC School Safety grant funding.

“We submitted a proposal for

a grant in safety which has been a big emphasis within this district and the district has been very successful in winning these grants,” said chief financial officer Tommy Kranz. “The submittal was for $2.9 million and what was eventually awarded was $500,000, which was one of the higher amounts you could get within the state.”

According to Kranz, the funding will be used to purchase an Ident-A-Kid printer for each school, the replacement of three door sets at Bolton Elementary, the purchase of 800MHz radios to replace current, older radios, the installation of secure vestibules at the main entrances of Glenn High School, Carver High School, Atkins High School, Reagan High School, Mount Tabor High School and Parkland High School and the installation of school fencing at Diggs Latham Elementary School, Kernersville Elementary School, Clemmons Pre-Kindergarten, Forest Park See EDUCATION, page 2

82 rehabilitated sea turtles released Cold-stunned sea turtles rehabilitated by the NC Aquarium were recently released by Coasties at Station Hatteras Inlet and from Coast Guard Cutter Richard Snyder at Ford Macon.

The release of the turtles, including loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s ridley species, helped make room at the aquarium for 62 other coldstunned patients currently being cared for at aquarium facilities around the state.

If you find a stranded sea turtle in North Carolina, call 252-241-7367.

PHOTO COURTESY U.S.C.G CUTTER RICHARD SNYDER

A crewmember prepares to release a small green sea turtle overboard into warm ocean water.

Strategies for reducing stress in an election year

By Alissa Zorn Wealth of Geeks WORRYING ABOUT the nation’s future is a significant stressor for more than twothirds of Americans (68%), according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) latest Stress in America report.

As we head into a divisive election year, stress is high. 55% of adults identified social divisiveness as another significant stressor.

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that just the anticipation of election-related stress negatively impacts well-being — however, those with a greater sense of agency experience lower stress levels.

With months of campaign time left, there’s no quick relief in sight. Given the harmful nature of chronic stress, now is the time to plan ahead to guard against its effects. Practical actions for stress reduction include setting boundaries around

media use, building positive anticipation, spending time outdoors, and doing creative activities.

Proven strategies for reducing election stress The following are evidence-based strategies for improving well-being and managing the stress that may arise during an election year.

Focus on what you can control Makenzie Peterson, Director for Well-being at The American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges, created a guide for well-being during an election year. She notes that elections can make people feel overwhelmed and powerless. Taking proactive steps to create positive change in one’s life can combat those feelings.

Proactive steps that Peterson suggests are registering to vote and planning how one will

vote, whether by mail or in person. She also suggests that people should find activities they enjoy and focus on those rather than continually fixating on the news.

Therapist Emily Wilson, MA, LPC, ATR, agrees with the recommendation. “Finding something in your own life that you can help tap into a sense of agency — this will be unique for each person. It can be as simple as tackling the clean out of that disorganized closet or as thorough as taking control of your own health.”

Set boundaries around election discussions Peterson suggests that people plan for political discussions that add stress rather than lead to productive conversation.

Her guide lists useful phrases for sidestepping nonproductive election conversations.

For instance: That’s not a topic I’m informed on enough to talk

about.””I’ve talked a lot about politics recently and could use a break — tell me something interesting going on in your life.”

Build up positive anticipation While negative anticipation — like anticipating election stress — leads to poor mental health, the opposite is also true.

People hoping to reduce stress can find ways to build positive anticipation in their lives. Creating positive anticipation can be as simple as planning to go See ELECTION YEAR, page 2

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The culture of gun violence 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

Why aren’t responsible gun owners on the forefront of gun safety?

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Get in touch

“TURN ON THE TV,” my friend Annie said.

No hello — it has to be something bad. “The Super Bowl.” At first I thought Las Vegas. But no, this must be Kansas City. A shooting. One woman dead. Twenty-two people shot. Eleven children. Here we go again. What could be more American? The schools were closed. A million people gathered to celebrate. And this.

Kids. Teenagers. A personal dispute turns into a national tragedy. Again.

When does it stop?

The short answer: It doesn’t.

It’s an open carry state. Last year set a record of 184 gunshot deaths. A coincidence?

The Super Bowl shooting, on Valentine’s Day, was the sixth anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. Another coincidence? A group of the parents issued a statement condemning lax gun laws. Others took to social media to point out that the law wasn’t the problem, or the answer, since it’s against the law for juveniles to buy guns.

So they got them anyway.

Three people were arrested, two of them armed. Two of the three suspects detained were juveniles.

Eighty percent of the public favors commonsense regulation of guns. Instead, we have a patchwork that varies from state to state, and uneven enforcement. Every time we have a shooting, we take to our separate sides, and nothing happens. What is wrong with us?

Why do we routinely accept commonsense regulation of cars and bridle at the words “gun control”?

The short answer is that “we” don’t. A minority of a minority has paralyzed the political process. A minority of a minority has taken over our free will, controls the majority, turns our streets into battlegrounds.

And then something happens, as it always does. A record gets broken. Children get traumatized. A mother gets shot.

We pretend we are helpless when we’re not.

We pretend nothing can be done when it could.

We act like it’s inevitable when it isn’t.

And then most of it goes away, gets forgotten, except for those who bear the scars, forever.

Guns don’t kill, but shooters do. People with guns do, and they must be licensed.

Checked out. Trained. Controlled. Punished when they threaten the lives of others. Guns are inherently dangerous objects. If you aren’t licensed and trained, you don’t have a right to a car. You have to pay to register it. You have to be tested to drive it. You are responsible for what you do with it. You must have insurance to use it. How simple can it be? How complicated can we make it?

Why aren’t responsible gun owners on the forefront of gun safety? Why aren’t they the ones with the most interest, not the least, in commonsense regulation? Why haven’t they assumed the leadership role in encouraging parents to teach and promote the lawful possession and handling of guns and, yes, making sure that those who are dangerous do not have easy access to weapons?

Consider this irony. When there is a highly publicized shooting, it almost always follows that there is a renewed debate about gun control. And studies then report an increase — not a decrease — in gun sales. Presumably those are lawful sales. Presumably.

But what we need to do is stop the teenagers who become part of the gun culture — in many cases, beginning as targets of violence and later as perpetrators. Once they’ve progressed on the cycle of violence, it’s too late. Once they take their guns out, or go out and get them, it’s too late. The challenge is to intervene earlier, in a positive way, to avoid resorting to guns and the culture of teen violence before it’s too late.

Which it was last week in Kansas City.

Twin City Herald

www nsjonline.com

Early voting underway in Forsyth County Twin City Herald IN-PERSON early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina.

Statewide, more than 340 early voting sites are open for early voting ahead of the primary.

“In-person early voting is one of the ways voters can cast ballots securely in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell,

ELECTION YEAR from page 1 Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

to the movies and looking forward to it.

“Anticipating positive events directly leads to a better mental health well-being; the mere thinking of future positive events is associated with increased well-being,” says Wilson, referring to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology.

So think about those vacation plans, your kid’s recital, trying out a new recipe, spending the morning snuggling with your spouse, dog, or favorite book. It will do you good!”

EDUCATION from page 1 Elementary School and Winston-Salem Prep.

The board also approved the Summer Retesting Program; a $398,190.42 contract with MWM Construction for

executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work at each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to ensure the ballots of eligible voters are counted.”

There are 264,840 registered voters in Forsyth County as of Feb. 17, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections. The county has more than 97,000 registered Democrats, over 71,000 registered

Republicans and just over 94,000 undeclared independents.

Over 113,000 early votes have already been cast, with 4,216 thus far in Forsyth County.

The county has twelve total early voting sites open through the end of the early voting period, which ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m.

Those sites can be found at vt.ncsbe.gov/EVSite/

Tap into creativity as an outlet for stress relief

creating for 5 minutes a day.

“Creativity can help a lot with stress! And you do not have to be an ‘artist’ to create.

Creating art and the desire to create something beautiful is innate,” explains Wilson.

“Coloring Mandalas can re duce stress and anxiety and can be a fun and less intimidating art activity. Anything rhythmic and repetitive, such as knitting, crochet, or felting, calms the nervous system.”

She suggests trying a simple practice like starting a small art journal and doodling or

replacement of lighting, carpet and portico at the RJ Reynolds Auditorium – funded by grants and donations from the Friends of RJ Reynolds Auditorium; a $70,000 contract with Peterson Gordon Architects for a kitchen renovation design

Get moving and spend time in nature Exercise is an excellent form of stress release. Moving helps reduce stress-related hormones and increases overall health and well-being. Finding exercise or hobbies one can do outdoors gives people the combined benefits of being in nature and getting in some movement.

There are 264,840 registered voters in Forsyth County, with more than 97,000 Democrats, over 71,000 Republicans and just over 94,000 undeclared independents.

with friends and family. Research shows that people with at least one or two friends or family members to turn to for emotional support during stressful times tend to cope better than people who don’t have such support.

More information on election stress reduction

Go for a walk or spend time

The APA’s Stress in America site shares strategies for managing stress and facilitates the Stress in America survey. The survey measures ongoing attitudes and perceptions of stress among the general public.

at Bolton Elementary; a contract with LS3P Associates for a bathroom renovation design at Hall Woodward Elementary; a $33,000 contract with Wolftrail Engineering to design for the reroofing of concrete canopies at West Forsyth High

School; and a $50,000 contract with Education Resource Group for 40 days of professional development for math teachers at Walkertown High School.

The WSFCS Board of Education will next meet Feb. 27.

Stay socially connected

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

SIDELINE REPORT

3

SPORTS

SPONSORED BY

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

NBA

Lillard, East beats West in All-Star Game Indianapolis All-Star MVP Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks scored 39 points and the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 211186 on Sunday night, with the winners putting up the most points in the game’s 73-year history.

That broke the previous mark of 196 by the West in 2016. The total points of 397 smashed the record of 374 set in 2017, while the East made 42 3-pointers to break the mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019. KarlAnthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored 50 points for the West in just 28 minutes.

NHL

Penguins retire Jagr’s No. 68 Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins retired Jaromir Jagr’s iconic No. 68 on Sunday.

The NHL’s second alltime leading scorer was on hand as his jersey was raised to the rafters at PPG Paints Arena.

The 52-year-old spent 11 seasons in Pittsburgh from 1990 to 2001, helping the franchise win a pair of Stanley Cups.

Jagr is the third Penguins player to have his number retired, joining Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux and Michel Briere. While Jagr has played for nine different NHL teams, he says he knows he will be forever linked with Pittsburgh.

Winston-Salem State tops Virginia Union in NBA HBCU Classic The teams played on the All-Star Game court in Indianapolis

By Mark Ambrogi The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — While Virginia Union coach Jay Butler would have liked a different outcome, both teams had a winning experience at the NBA HBCU Classic.

Ketron Shaw scored 15 points and Jaylen Alston had 14 points and 11 rebounds to pace Winston-Salem State to a 64-47 victory Saturday in the NBA HBCU Classic. Issac Parson added 12 points and 11 assists for the Rams (17-8, 11-5 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Jaylin Parker scored 11 points, Tahj Harding led Virginia Union (1117, 6-9 CIAA ) with 11 points and Travis Vaughn added nine points.

The game between the two NCAA Division II teams from the historically black universities was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court as the NBA All-Stars will play on Sunday night.

“This was big time,” Butler said. “This was an awesome event, something the kids will remember for the rest of their lives. When we first got here, they rolled out the red carpet from the airport to the hotel to the arena.”

Being a Division II school, Butler said the players don’t get to play on this kind of big stage.

Vaughn, one of eight freshmen for the Panthers, said he never experienced anything like it.

“It was just an an amazing experience,” he said recounting the NBA stars

he met. “I’m very fortunate. ... I got to meet Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard. I look up to them for my game, so I was very fortunate for that.”

Alston was starstruck, too.

“Walking in we got to see Kevin Durant,” Alston said. “I kind of stopped. I forgot a game was still happening, so I had to catch myself.”

Parson added: “The coolest thing for me was I got to see Jalen Brunson and speak with him.”

Winston-Salem State coach Cleo Hill Jr. said it was special for all involved.

“I couldn’t even imagine when I was 18 to 24 years old, coming into the AllStar Game playing in front of Earl Monroe, Clyde Frazier and Magic Johnson, so that was huge,” Hill said. “On the flip side for the student-athletes, they have career day (Sunday) and well-suited and booted to put our best foot forward for life after basketball. For myself, with my dad playing in the NBA for a short time, it was gratifying.”

Durant, representing the Phoenix Suns as an All-Star, said it’s huge for the two teams to have the stage.

“It’s an opportunity for people around the country to see the type of talent they have at HBCUs,” Durant said. “There’s a lot of hidden gems there, great coaching, great talent up and down the board. If we can give them the platform to showcase their talents and skills, we need to do so. So I’m excited for them. Hopefully, this becomes an annual thing and we start to see more and more talent come out of HBCUs.” Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was among those in attendance.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ohio State knocks off No. 2 Purdue in interim coach’s debut Columbus, Ohio Bruce Thornton scored 22 points and Jamison Battle added 19 as Ohio State stunned No. 2 Purdue 73-69 on Sunday, giving interim coach Jake Diebler a victory in his debut with the Buckeyes.

Diebler replaced Chris Holtmann, who was fired Wednesday after several disappointing seasons.

Ohio State (15-11, 5-10 Big Ten) entered the contest having lost nine of its last 11 games. Zach Edey had 22 points and 13 rebounds for his 58th career double-double for the Boilermakers (23-3, 12-3).

MLB

Ohtani won’t play in Dodgers’ spring training opener Glendale, Ariz.

Shohei Ohtani did not participate in live batting practice Sunday, and his Los Angeles Dodgers spring training debut is on hold. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani, who is coming back from elbow surgery, will not play in Thursday’s exhibition opener against the San Diego Padres. The twotime MVP signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract as a free agent in December. The twotime AL MVP won’t pitch this season following right elbow surgery on Sept. 19 but hopes to be ready as a hitter by the March 20 opener against the Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

MICHAEL CONROY | AP PHOTO

Winston-Salem State guard Jaylen Alston shoots over Virginia Union forward Jonathan Salazar during the HBCU Classic on Saturday in Indianapolis.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Taylor Williams

NCHSAA TWITTER/X PAGE

East Forsyth, wrestling Taylor Williams is a sophomore on the East Forsyth wrestling team and a pioneer in the sport of girls’ wrestling.

Williams won the 165-pound weight class, becoming the first girls’ wrestling state champion in the history of North Carolina. This is the first year that the state individual championships were sanctioned by the NCHSAA, and Williams capped a perfect 26-0 season by pinning Cleveland’s Winston Yarborough at the 5:56 mark of the first girls’ wrestling championship bout in state history.

After finishing in (an unsanctioned) fourth place in the state last year, Williams entered as the top seed at 165 this year, then pinned four straight foes to claim the crown.

NASCAR teams hire top antitrust lawyer The stock car sanctioning body is at odds with owners over a new revenue-sharing model

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR teams have hired one of the country’s top antitrust and sports lawyers to advise them in their ongoing dispute with the family-owned stock car series over a new revenue-sharing model.

The decision to hire Jeffrey Kessler, partner and co-executive chair of Winston & Strawn LLP, followed a Saturday meeting at Daytona International Speedway that included the majority owner from each of the 15 chartered teams in NASCAR. Although the teams invited NASCAR representatives to attend, none did.

Kessler’s hiring was revealed to The Associated Press on Sunday, the eve of the rain-postponed Daytona 500, by the five members of the team ownership negotiating committee. It comes amid a breakdown in negotiations between teams and NASCAR that led the 36 chartered teams to decline last month to extend their exclusive negotiat-

ing window with the sanctioning body on the existing deal.

The current charter agreement expires at the end of this season, and two years of talks were stalled by NASCAR’s ongoing negotiations on a new $7.7 billion television rights deal announced in early December. NASCAR’s economic offer to the teams came shortly after but with zero room for the teams to counter.

“We want to make a deal, we are just looking for a fair deal,” Curtis Polk, a part owner of 23XI Racing and member of the teams’ negotiating committee, told The Associated Press.

“There is no give and take. We’ve been told ‘This is all there is; there is no flexibility.’ That’s not a negotiation.”

Kessler has only been retained so far to help advise the teams in their negotiations. Kessler most recently successfully represented Division I college football and basketball players in a landmark antitrust case that led to financial stipends for athletes. He also led the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in its successful fight for equal pay as well as litigations for current free agency rules in the NBA and the NFL. The issues between NASCAR and the race teams are far beyond revenue and char-

TERRY RENNA | AP PHOTO

Rick Hendrick and other stock car team owners have hired highpowered attorney Jeffrey Kessler in their dispute with NASCAR over revenue sharing. ters, which are essentially a version of the franchise model used in nearly all professional sports.

The teams have asked for the charters to become permanent, which NASCAR has not even considered.

But after a Saturday meeting that included Rick Hendrick, NASCAR’s winningest owner who is launching his 40th anniversary season, Roger Penske, Joe Gibbs and Michael Jordan, among others, it became clear that having a franchise to leave as part of their legacy remains one of the more pressing topics.

The negotiating team said

it couldn’t even come to a resolution in which charters would last seven years but could be revokable by NASCAR based on failing to meet competitive standards. NASCAR has apparently stopped negotiating with the committee and is instead trying to speak to teams individually.

“I think that this whole thing is such a monopoly that you kind of get shut down in different areas, you’re allowed in some places, but not in others,” said three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, owner of 23XI Racing with Jordan and Polk.

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

4

STATE & NATION Amazon argues that national labor board is unconstitutional, joining SpaceX and Trader Joe’s The Associated Press AMAZON IS ARGUING in a legal filing that the 88-year-old National Labor Relations Board is unconstitutional, echoing similar arguments made this year by Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the grocery store chain Trader Joe’s in disputes about workers’ rights and organizing.

The Amazon filing, made Thursday, came in response to a case before an administrative law judge overseeing a complaint from agency prosecutors who allege the company unlawfully retaliated against workers at a New York City warehouse who voted to unionize nearly two years ago.

In its filing, Amazon denies many of the charges and asks for the complaint to be dismissed.

The company’s attorneys then go further, arguing that the structure of the agency — particularly limits on the removal of administrative law judges and five board members appointed by the president — violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

The attorneys also argue that NLRB proceedings deny the company a trial by a jury and violate its due-process rights un-

Amazon argues that the structure of the agency violates the separation of powers and infringes on executive powers stipulated in the Constitution.

MICHAEL SOHN | AP

An Amazon company logo is seen on the facade of a company’s building in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany, on March 18, 2022. der the Fifth Amendment.

An NLRB spokesperson declined to comment on the filing.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Seth Goldstein, an attorney

who represents both the Amazon Labor Union and the labor group Trader Joe’s United, said the trend was “very frightening.”

“Since they can’t defeat successful union organizing, they

now want to just destroy the whole process,” he said.

The legal argument from Seattle-based Amazon, which has long resisted organizing efforts and is seeking to redo the sole

union win at its U.S. warehouses, follows similar claims made

by SpaceX and Trader Joe’s in a separate lawsuit and an agency hearing last month.

SpaceX sued the NLRB in early January, arguing the structure of the agency is unconstitutional. The lawsuit came a day after the labor agency accused the company of unlawfully firing employees who wrote an open letter critical of Musk and of creating the impression worker activities were being surveilled.

At a January labor board hearing over allegations Trader Joe’s retaliated against union activism, an attorney for the grocery chain said the NLRB and its panel of administrative law judges are structured unconstitutionally.

US aid to Ukraine hinges on House Speaker Johnson, US House

By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with congressional leaders in Washington late last year he told them privately what is now public: With U.S. weapons, they could win the war against Russia, but without them Russian President Vladimir Putin would be victorious.

In a subsequent meeting with new House Speaker Mike Johnson, a looming deadline for the supplies came into focus.

Now, with U.S. aid for Ukraine teetering in Congress, it’s up to Johnson to decide what happens next.

President Joe Biden said he told Zelenskyy in a Saturday phone call after Ukraine announced it was withdrawing troops from the eastern city of Avdiivka that he remained confident that the U.S. funding would eventually come through.

But asked in an exchange with reporters if he was confident whether a deal could be made before Ukraine loses more territory to Russian, Biden responded, “I’m not.”

“Look Ukrainians have fought so bravely,” he said. “There is so much on the line. The idea now when they are running out of ammunition that we’re going to walk away. I find it absurd.”

Zelenskyy said at a news conference with Vice President Ka-

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP PHOTO

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters following a closed-door GOP meeting at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 14, 2024. mala Harris in Germany that Ukraine was counting on a “positive decision” from Congress for the “vital” aid from its “strategic partner.” Earlier at a security conference in Munich, he warned of an “artificial deficit” of arms for his country.

The political and policy decisions ahead in Congress are

gravely uncertain. Johnson is insisting he won’t be “rushed” into approving the $95.3 billion foreign aid package from the Senate, despite overwhelming support from most Democrats and almost half the Republicans. But he has yet to chart a path forward in his chamber.

While many in Congress view

Putin as a global threat, particularly after Russia intervened in the 2016 election in favor of Donald Trump, Johnson’s colleagues on the far right are increasingly ambivalent about Putin’s aggression and authoritarian leadership, as seen in conservative Tucker Carlson’s admiring videos from Moscow after his recent interview with the Russian leader.

“As Congress debates the best path forward to support Ukraine, the United States, and our partners, must be using every means available to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states,” Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.

If the $95 billion aid package was put to a vote, Johnson would find overwhelming support in the House from a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. Anchoring the package is $61 billion for Ukraine, mainly in the form of military equipment from the U.S. It also sends foreign assistance and humanitarian aid to Israel, Gaza and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan.

Biden and the Democratic congressional leaders are imploring the speaker to cast off his right wing and join forces with them to send a sweeping bipartisan message of U.S. leadership in supporting Ukraine and confirming the U.S. commitment to its allies around the world, especially as Trump criticizes the

NATO alliance.

“House Republicans can either choose America’s national security interests or choose Vladimir Putin and Russia — that is not a difficult choice,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said after speaking with Johnson midweek.

But for Johnson, eyeing his own political future, the choices are different. If he reaches across the aisle to Democrats for a partnership, he is likely to face immediate calls for his ouster. That’s what happened when the far right booted his predecessor, former GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, after he joined forces with Democrats to pass legislation last fall to keep the federal government from shutting down.

Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, an Air Force veteran who recently traveled to the Baltic region where National Guard troops from her state partnered with Lithuanian allies, said “it boggles my mind” that colleagues don’t understand the Russia threat.

When Johnson said the House will “work its will” rather than take up the Senate package, Houlahan said the House’s “will” is to vote for it.

“He knows better than this — that there are more than 300 of us who are willing to vote for this package,” she said.

“He is the speaker of the House,” she said. “He is not the speaker of the Republicans.”

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VOLUME 8 ISSUE 52 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024 | MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM | SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 336-283-6305

MOORE COUNTY THE MOORE COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DAVID SINCLAIR | FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A team effort

The Union Pines wrestling team celebrates their first state title in history after finishing first in the state 3A individual tournament. The Vikings had two wrestlers win individual state titles. We cover the wrestling results in sports.

WHAT’S HAPPENING New Traffic Signals for Two Moore County Intersections The Pine Ridge Commercial development has installed traffic signals at two Moore County intersections to mitigate traffic congestion associated with that development.

The new signals are at the intersections of U.S. 15/U.S. 501 and Carolina Green Parkway, and Morganton Road and Carolina Green Parkway.

NCDOT on political signs along roadways NCDOT reminds campaign advocates that there are legal requirements for placing political signs along statemaintained roadsides: Signs can be placed 30 days prior to early voting, and up to 10 days following the primary election date.

The signs must be within 3 feet of the road pavement and should not exceed 42 inches in height.

Signs should not obscure driver visibility at any intersection.

Those placing signs must obtain permission from property owners of a residence, business or religious institution.

Moore school board approves new high school classes

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal CARTHAGE – The Moore County Schools Board of Education met Monday, Feb. 12, beginning with a number of updates to the high school course catalog for the 2024-25 school year.

New classes include AP Drawing and AP 3D Art and Design at Pinecrest High School and Union Pines High School, and “The Bible as History” as a new social studies elective.

American History I and II are being replaced with American History, and “American History: Founding Principles, Civics and Economics” will be replaced with “Founding Principles of the United State of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy.”

The prerequisite requirements for all AP Physics offerings will be changed to Precalculus Honors or AP Precalculus, and computer science and art will be new requirements for

students entering 9th grade in 2025-26.

In other business, a contract for $651,850 for the Ed Center HVAC replacement was approved. Systems Contractors will complete the HVAC project for the education center, including engineering and planning as well as the replacement of 10 HVAC units and the replacement of the existing air handlers.

An amendment to the FY 2023-24 budget resolution for the 2nd quarter was approved to reflect an increase of $4,683,429 in funding, most of which came from the State Public School Fund.

“Just so the public understands, what we are presenting overall is that we have a current budget 2023-24,” said Board Chair Robert Levy. “As we go through our year, as we’re doing right now, there are certain adjustments and changes and the like. That’s in effect, what is being presented. These are just the

New classes include AP Drawing, AP 3D Art and Design, and “The Bible as History” as a new social studies elective. adjustments to our budget as we do each year.”

However, board member David Hensley raised questions on how the new funding would be utilized and why new expenses were added to the budget post-approval after receiving funding, rather than being accounted for beforehand.

“When we passed the budget, we were told it was balanced,” Hensley said. “We have this much revenue and we have this much expenditures and we’re going to have X amount in fund balance. ‘Okay great, we have a budget.’ Then we get a mid-year

correction. Now we have $3.5 million in extra revenue that the last two times we’ve discussed our budget, we were told that our expenses were already covered.”

District staff told the board that the process of adding expenses to the budget with state funding was a common practice for school districts due to how the state gives funding and that the funding would primarily go into fund balance which can be distributed out later when and if needed.

“I have a lot of faith in our administration and our administration is very, very judicious with funds and as a matter of fact, always reports to us even when they spend that money,” Levy said.

The board also announced the settlement of a lawsuit with the state retirement system for just less than $16,000.

The Moore County Schools Board of Education will next meet March 11.

Early voting underway in Moore County North State Journal

There are 75,487 registered voters in Moore County, with almost exactly 15,000 Democrats, more than 31,000 Republicans and some 28,500 independents.

In-person early voting for 2024’s March 5 primary election kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 15 across North Carolina.

Statewide, more than 340 early voting sites are open for early voting ahead of the primary.

“In-person early voting is one of the ways voters can cast ballots securely in North Carolina,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “The bipartisan election officials who work at each early voting site are prepared for a smooth voting process and to

ensure the ballots of eligible voters are counted.”

There are 75,487 registered voters in Moore County as of Feb. 17, according to the North Carolina Board of Elections.

The county has almost exactly 15,000 registered Democrats, more than 31,000 registered Republicans and some 28,500 undeclared independents.

Over 113,000 votes have already been cast, with 1,031 thus far in Moore County.

The county has two early voting sites open through the end of the early voting period, which ends on Saturday, March 2 at 3

p.m.

Those sites are located at the Moore County Agricultural Center at 707 Pinehurst Ave. in Carthage and the West Southern Pines Center at 1250 W. New York Ave. in Southern Pines.

$2.00

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

2 WEDNESDAY

2.21.24

COLUMN | U.S. REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Holding the administration accountable and protecting our energy security

“Join the conversation”

Neal Robbins, Publisher Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers Jordan Golson, Local News Editor Shawn Krest, Sports Editor A.P. Dillon, Reporter Ryan Henkel, Reporter Jesse Deal, 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 MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.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.

CRIME LOG x Shandell Lamar Goins, 30 years old, was arrested on February 18, 2024,

by Robbins Police Department on a charge of resisting public officer. x Alfred Nmn Washington, 33 years old, was arrested on February 18, 2024, by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of first degree trespass.

We must ensure the President cannot play politics with our energy security.

HAVE YOU NOTICED the price of gas lately?

Across our region, prices are up nearly 10 cents a gallon. This is the last thing families need who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, President Joe Biden and extreme Washington Democrats have continued to pursue an America-last energy policy.

Under Biden’s presidency, we have seen how our national security continues to be put on the backburner by the President’s war on American energy. Just last month, the Administration announced they would be imposing a ban on issuing permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.

This is yet another ploy to cave to climate activists over our own energy security, weakening the national security of the United States and our allies, discouraging investments in natural gas production, jeopardizing good-paying jobs, and empowering foreign adversaries like Russia. We must ensure the President cannot play politics with our energy security. That is why last week, we passed the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024 (H.R. 7176) to hold the President accountable and reverse this blockade.

Like their America-last energy policies, the Biden Administration’s disastrous open borders have also continued to pose a threat to our national security. As your Congressman, I will not sit idly by as the Administration exacerbates this crisis and will ensure there are consequences.

Month after month, the crisis at our border continues to get worse due to the disastrous immigration policies of the Biden Administration. Under Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ watch, there have been around 8.5 million illegal crossings at our Southern border, in addition to more than 1.7 million known “gotaways.” Even more concerning, over 169 people on the terrorist watch list have illegally entered the United States.

This has posed a grave risk to our national security and threatened the safety of not just border communities, but every community.

Secretary Mayorkas has one core obligation: to protect the homeland. Unfortunately, throughout his tenure, Secretary Mayorkas has willfully ignored U.S. immigration laws and intentionally disregarded his duty to keep our country safe and secure the border.

If Secretary Mayorkas truly wanted to take action to stop this chaos, he would start enforcing our immigration laws and orders already enacted by Congress and President Trump. Yet, he has made it clear he has no intention to begin complying with our laws and regaining operational control of our border. Worse, Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly testified falsely that the border is “secure” - a blatant attempt to mislead Congress, breaching the American people’s trust. That is why last week, we held him accountable by exercising our Constitutional duty and voting to impeach him.

Energy security and border security are national security. While the situation facing our country seems bleak, I’m focused on ways to unleash American energy, secure our border, and stop the Biden Administration from further threatening the safety of our homeland and our energy independence. Rest assured, I will not stop fighting for the best interests of you and your family.

x Rodrigo Nmn Bell-Leon, 19 years old, was arrested on February 17, 2024,

by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of aid and abet impaired driving. x Christopher Lee Bibey, 46 years old, was arrested on February 17, 2024, by Southern Pines Police Department on a charge of misdemeanor larceny. x Khelcea Darlene Carroll, 28 years old, was arrested on February 17, 2024, by Aberdeen Police Department on a charge of driving while impaired. x Donald John Harkin, 38 years old, was arrested on February 17, 2024,

by Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. x Jai’don Nashaun Hines, 19 years old, was arrested on February 16, 2024,

by Aberdeen Police Department on a charge of robbery with dangerous weapon.

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!

moore

happening Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Feb. 23 Carthage Police Department: Coffee With a Cop 8 – 10 a.m.

The Carthage Police Department invites the community for Coffee with a Cop at 201 S McNeill St in Carthage.

Meet your local Carthage Police Officers for coffee and conversation. The event is free and open to the public. Call 910- 9472231 for more info.

Moore County Library: Pre-School Storytime 10 a.m.

The Moore County Library in Carthage hosts a Pre-School Storytime every Friday. For additional information, call 910-947-5335.

Feb. 24 Drool Worthy Bowls 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Solutions for Animals, Inc. will be hosting Drool Worthy Bowls at Cannon Park Community Center.

This class will introduce and demonstrate healthy meal toppers, easy raw foods and crockpot cooking for pets! Each guest will receive a Goody Bag valued at $20.00 or more. There will be chances to win door prizes as well.

No pets are allowed.

Seats are a minimum of $20 donation. More info and register at solutionsforanimals.org

Hog Appreciation Day 12 - 4 p.m.

Join HOG members at Cox’s Double Eagle Harley-Davidson for an afternoon of socializing, food and fun. The shop will be providing free food and drinks while supplies last and offering HOG members an exclusive one day only promotion on dealer branded merchandise. Be sure to register to win a $250 Double Eagle Gift Card.

Republican Endorsed School Board Candidates 2024 Working Together Putting Kids First YOUR VOTE MATTERS!!

EARLY VOTING STARTS FEBRUARY 15TH!!

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

Authorized and paid for by the Moore County GOP

44

margi victory Union P in the s tournam

ing

North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 2024

3

SPORTS Union Pines wins 44.5 state title in wrestling Nicholas ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

margin of victory for Union Pines in the state tournament

North State Journal A week after finishing second in the state dual team wrestling championships, Union Pines brought home the state title in the individual wrestling tournament. The Vikings were dominant as they won the first wrestling title in school history. Union Pines racked up 144.5 points to post a dominant victory in the NCHSAA 3A championships, beating second-place Eastern Guilford by a 44.5-point margin.

The Vikings had two wrestlers win state titles in their respective weight classes and had a total of eight team members place in states.

Junior Brock Sullivan won the state title for Union Pines in the 175-pound division. The junior won a 15-7 decision over Orange’s Andre Hill to take the title, finishing the season at 54-2. Sullivan came in second in the 160-pound weight class

last year, coming up just short despite a 45-5 season.

Teammate Nicholas Mascolino, a senior, also made a return trip to the championship match. Mascolino won the 182-pound crown last year and, this year, took the 190-pound title to repeat as state champion.

At 144 pounds, junior Finnius McCafferty also advanced to the state championship match but lost a 12-6 decision to finish in second place. McCafferty ended the year with a 49-7 record.

Sophomore Dominic Blue finished third for Union Pines in the 165-pound division, beating Terry Sanford’s Troy Shannon, 6-0, to get the bronze medal. He finishes the year with a 48-4 mark.

Houston Leeah, a senior for the Vikings, took fourth place at 157 pounds, finishing the season with a 42-11 record.

At 215 pounds, Dantrell Williams, a junior, finished

fifth, winning a 5-4 decision over North Gaston’s Dewayne Davis in his final bout to bring his record to 47-8.

The Vikings also had a pair of sixth-place finishers—Senior Logan Mitchell at 132 pounds, who posted a 49-13 record, and freshman Tripp Sullivan, at 150, who finished 40-12.

More wrestling accomplishments Pinecrest competed in the state’s 4A wrestling tournament and had a number of wrestlers place.

Senior Cooper Ogden pinned South Mecklenburg’s Jeffrey Hoelscher in 1:39 to finish third at 165 pounds and end the year with a 43-2 mark.

Justin Travers finished fourth at 126 pounds. The senior ended his year at 28-6. Senior Henry Thompson placed sixth at 120 pounds, bringing his record to 21-13, and senior Dallin Newcomer finished sixth at 157, improving to 36-9.

Mascolino

Union Pines’ Brock Sullivan shouts in triumph after getting a win in the state championship match.

CREDIT DAVID SINCLAIR

Union Pines wrestling

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Nicholas Mascolino is a senior for the Union Pines wrestling team.

The Vikings won the first state wrestling title in school history, and Mascolino helped lead the way. He won the state 3A title at 190 pounds, repeating as state champion after winning at 182 pounds last year. He’s the first back-to-back state champion in the program’s history. Mascolino pinned two straight opponents to advance to the championship match, then won a 13-5 decision over previously unbeaten Tayshaun Glover, of Dudley, snapping Glover’s 52-match winning streak. Mascolino finished his senior year at 49-4 and was 99-7 over his final two seasons.

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North State Journal for Wednesday, February 21, 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.

SPONSORED BY BOLES FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

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

@BolesFuneralHomes