North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 20

Chantal storms through North Carolina

Swain County sheri resigns after sexual misconduct charges

Bryson City

The longtime Swain County sheri accused of sexual misconduct has quit before he could be permanently removed. Curtis Cochran, who was rst elected Swain County sheri in 2006, retired from the post e ective July 1, according to a statement from the county Board of Commissioners. The chief deputy is performing the sheri ’s duties while the commissioners decide who will serve out the remainder of Cochran’s four-year term through late 2026, the statement said. Cochran, 72, was charged in state courts with felonious restraint and misdemeanor sexual battery, soliciting prostitution and assault on a female, according to June 27 arrest warrants. O cials sought to remove him from o ce for “willful misconduct and maladministration in o ce,” but Cochran, who was immediately suspended, then announced his retirement.

Impostor used AI to impersonate Rubio

Washington, D.C.

The State Department is warning U.S. diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other o cials using technology driven by arti cial intelligence, according to two senior o cials and a cable sent last week to all embassies and consulates.

NC cases part of DOJ health care fraud sweep the BRIEF this week

The warning came after the department discovered an impostor posing as Rubio had attempted to reach out to at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator and a governor, according to the July 3 cable. The scam messages were sent by text, Signal and voice mail.

PowerSchool contract partially renewed by state

The National Guard was solicited to vet PowerSchool’s cybersecurity

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — At a called meeting of the North Carolina State Board of Education on June 23, the board vot-

North Carolina-linked cases account for around $49 million

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Multiple cases involving North Carolina residents and companies are a part of the recently announced $14.6 billion health care fraud takedown by the U.S. Department of Justice on June 30.

“This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a press release.

“Make no mistake — this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pock-

ed unanimously to approve a short-term contract extension with PowerSchool, the student data system used by the state that su ered a global data breach near the end of last year.

Following the breach, there were subsequent ransom demands from “threat actors“ to North Carolina districts

See CONTRACT, page A3

Names oated for Senate seat

Former Gov. Roy Cooper and Lara Trump are the top picks to succeed Sen. Thom Tillis, but neither has committed to running

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Speculation is swirling about which candidates will lead the eld for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’ seat following his announcement he will not seek reelection in 2026.

Republicans and Democrats alike reacted with praise for Tillis after the news broke.

Former N.C. Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry said he was thankful for Tillis’ “years of dedicated service to our state,” mentioning Tillis’ accomplishments as speaker of the N.C. House.

“I respect Senator Tillis’s decision to end his career in the Senate when he felt the time was right,” said N.C. Attorney General Je Jackson, a Democrat, said on X.

Jackson’s name is one being oated as a candidate for Tillis’ seat should former Gov. Roy Cooper decline to run.

“Jackson’s somebody, as a Republican, he scares me down the road,” longtime Republican strategist Carter Wrenn said in an interview earlier this year with North State Journal.

The state’s other senator, Sen. Ted Budd,

See SENATE, page A8

ets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

O cials described the operation as the largest takedown involving health care fraud schemes in U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) history. Through “Operation Goldrush,” federal authorities used data analytics to identify and charge 29 individuals involved with “transnational criminal organizations” with schemes totaling $12 billion in fraudulent claims, including a $10.6 billion scheme involving stolen identities for fake Medicare claims. Those charges are from multiple Eastern European countries, Pakistan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

More than 320 people are

See FRAUD, page A2

“This recordsetting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi

“I

will work hard to ensure we elect a strong conservative candidate to represent the people of North Carolina in 2026.”

Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)

Debris is strewn across the Buddy Collins Memorial Bridge on Church Road in Saxapahaw on Monday following ooding to the Haw River caused by Tropical Storm Chantal.

PJ WARD-BROWN / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the word | Balanced lives

There are always people who live under strain. One frequently hears expressions such as: “I am so nervous,” or “I am afraid.” This tense living is not normal. The pity is that many of these tensions are wholly unnecessary.

The tensions in life often mar its quality. They cause abnormalities and a ect one’s relationships, as well as the inner life. Life needs to be balanced. The more its tensions are balanced, the richer and more satisfying life will be. If the moral life is not normal, and subject to continuous strain, not only will the spiritual life be a ected, but physical and mental health may be as well. Moral stresses may even cause death. Much of the nervousness, apprehension, and lack of physical ease people su er comes from moral or mental unbalance.

I have heard people say, “Getting religion is healthy business.”

This is true. When religion enters the life and the sense of guilt, fear of punishment, and other spiritual tensions are relieved, mental tensions are also relieved, and health often follows.

Probably the most common cause of stress is fear. The fear of past things and their possible consequences haunts many. Some fear present circumstances, while others look into the future and conjure up so many fears they hardly dare go on living. People are besieged by anxiety and worry. Anxiety and worry are forms of fear, and every fear sets up tension. That is why God says repeatedly in the Bible, “Fear not. Be not afraid.”

Some are haunted by regret, constantly reliving unpleasant things. Others labor under a sense of failure until they are tormented by it. Such tensions should be banished.

Another cause of great tension is resistance to what cannot be changed. Many rebel against their circumstances, even when they know they cannot change them. This sets up internal tensions that tear them down.

“Yes, I know I have these tensions,” says one, “but what am I going to do about them? How can I relieve them?”

The rst thing is to face the facts. Admit the tensions, then analyze them, and search out the cause. When the cause is found, relief can often follow. Many times, just knowing the cause suggests the means of relief.

A man once told me how timid he was. He wanted to work for the Lord but found it di cult. I asked about the cause of his timidity. He had been laughed at often in childhood. To shield himself from pain, he withdrew, became reserved, and afraid of being hurt. By shunning others, he had formed the habit of timidity.

When he saw the cause, he realized it was a bad habit, like any other. Then he saw it could be broken the same way — by deliberately doing what he ought to do despite feeling timid.

We need to ask ourselves, “Can these tensions be helped? Can I relieve them?” There is nearly always a way. The fears and regrets of the past can be faced with the question, “Are those things really important now? Do they have present bearing?” Usually they do not. When that’s the case, dismiss them. Refuse to dwell on them, and replace them with better thoughts.

When something comes up to produce tension, ask, “Does this need attention now?” If not, put it out of your thoughts. Ask, “Is this trouble as big as it seems?” Probably not. Try ignoring it. That’s often a good cure.

Then there is the rest of faith — trust in God, casting our cares on him. Nothing so relaxes spiritual tension as committing matters to God.

He has to handle most of our troubles anyway, so cast them upon him, and nd that rest of faith he o ers. One thing necessary is to refuse to worry. You will worry — if you let yourself. Life will always provide things to worry about. It’s easy to form the worry habit, and it always creates tension. Learn to refuse to worry. God would have us calm, peaceful, resting, content. He would have us partake of that rest of soul he promised to give. If your life is strained, unbalanced, troubled — seek the Rest-Giver and nd in him the help you need.

Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most proli c and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and over 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.

State Health Plan transgender surgery case ruling vacated by SCOTUS

Kadel v. Folwell was remanded back to a lower court

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The U.S. Supreme Court has vacated and remanded a ruling back to the lower courts for appropriate action in a case involving a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Health Plan.

The case, Kadel v. Folwell, was led over the State Health

being charged as part of the sweep, and over $245 million in cash, cryptocurrency and property of various types have been seized. According to the case summaries provided by the USDOJ, a number of those charged reside or run businesses in North Carolina.

According to the summaries, a case being prosecuted in the Eastern District of North Carolina involves three individuals: Kimberly Mable Sims, Francine Sims Super and Keke Komeko Johnson.

The trio is being charged in connection with “the payment of more than $1 million in illegal remunerations in the form of gift cards to patients of Life Touch,” which is a substance abuse treatment company in the state. They are also being charged with making false statements to medical auditors regarding the payment, as well as Life Touch sta receiving “kickbacks from a lab company that it utilized for drug testing services.”

Another case being handled by the Eastern District of North Carolina involves an individual residing in Florida.

Randal Fenton Wood of Flagler Beach, Florida, has been charged with “conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to bill Medicare, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans A airs (CHAMPVA), and other insur-

Plan’s (SHP) exclusion of coverage related to gender transition surgeries. The exclusion of that coverage goes back to the ’90s, with a one-year window during 2016 when the exclusion was not enforced.

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision and remanded it back down to the lower court “for further consideration in light of United States v. Skrmetti.”

The high court’s recent 6-3 ruling in USA v. Skrmetti involved a Tennessee law banning

puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. In its ruling, the Supreme Court rejected the plainti ’s main argument that the law violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause.

“Once the full legal process is nalized in the coming weeks, we anticipate this will lead to the State Health Plan of North Carolina re-implementing the longstanding exclusion on transition-related medical care,” said a press release from N.C. State Treasurer Brad Briner’s o ce. “Moreover, the Plan will

follow all state laws and comply with S.L. 2023-111.”

Session Law 2023-111 (House Bill 808) is the law that was passed during the 2023-24 legislative session that bans gender transition procedures for minors with limited exceptions. The measure became law after the General Assembly overrode former Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto.

“Kadel v. Folwell has always been about one question. Do the people of North Carolina, through their elected representatives, get to ultimately manage the State Health Plan?”

ance programs for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (“DME”).”

Wood owned Greenleaf Medical Supply and Nevaeh & Company (operating as Restorative Medical), which were based near Winston-Salem. Both entities operated as DME supply companies, which submitted claims to Medicare for DME supplied to bene ciaries. According to court lings, Wood conspired with seven other entities in North Carolina to defraud Medicaid, including Dox Depot, Tri-Cities, QSH, London Medical Supply, Harp Medical Supply and Advanced Rehab Tech-

nologies. The latter three were all owned by one individual dubbed “J.F.” in the ling.

Another entity Wood engaged with for the same purposes was ”M.R., the owner of Magnolia Healthcare (operating as Therapeutic Healthcare) and Bluewater Healthcare. Magnolia and Bluewater were limited liability companies incorporated in Louisiana that operated as DME supply companies.

The DOJ said the scheme resulted in more than $39 million in Medicare reimbursements, with Wood personally linked to at least $9.141 million in forfeitable proceeds. In the Western District of

“Kadel v. Folwell has always been about one question. Do the people of North Carolina, through their elected representatives, get to ultimately manage the State Health Plan?”

N.C. Treasurer’s O ce statement

the treasurer’s press release said. “Or can plainti s dictate what procedures we cover? We are grati ed that the Supreme Court has agreed with our strongly held belief in the State Health Plan Board of Trustees’ authority in this matter.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks to the media in the White House brie ng room June 27.

North Carolina, Crystal Sherrell Jackson of Charlotte was charged with health care fraud and money laundering tied to fraudulent claims for drug testing and psychotherapy submitted to North Carolina’s Medicaid system. According to the lings, Jackson was a licensed clinical addiction specialist when she committed the o enses. She owned a state Medicaid provider out t called Jackson Consulting Services. “Jackson used her company to submit $1.9 million of false and fraudulent claims in the names of North Carolina Medicaid bene ciaries for drug tests

that were not performed or were medically unnecessary, of which $1.6 million were paid,” the USDOJ press release said.

Another case being prosecuted in the Western District of North Carolina involves at least seven people, three of whom are cited as residing in North Carolina.

Individuals named in the lings and press release as residing in North Carolina include Donald Calvin Saunders (Charlotte), Latarsa Hitchcock (Raleigh) and Dajuan Strickland (Charlotte).

They have been charged with conspiring to defraud the South Carolina Medicaid Program (SC Medicaid) and engaging in illegal kickbacks and money laundering.

According to the case lings, the defendants allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for behavioral health services that were not provided through illegally obtained Medicaid bene ciary personal identi able information and National Provider Identi cation numbers. They are also accused of operating multiple billing provider companies to submit false claims, resulting in more than $2.7 million in fraudulent payments from SC Medicaid.

A fourth individual, David Cory Hill, of Charlotte, was charged separately with conspiracy to defraud the United States government and money laundering.

The individual case lings can be accessed through the DOJ website.

“Let the little Children come unto Me” by Carl Bloch (circa 1865) is a painting in the collection of the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark.

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

Inshore shrimp trawling ban bill saga ends

What started as a shing season bill turned into a contentious battle

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — House Bill 442, introduced in April, aimed to extend the recreational ounder shing season to six weeks and establish a year-round red snapper season with catch limits.

The bill passed the House in May with bipartisan support and was sent to the Senate. After that, the bill’s focus shifted dramatically when the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Energy, and Environment met June 17.

During that meeting, Sen. David Craven (R-Randolph) proposed a committee substitute with a ban on shrimp trawling in all inshore waters, including sounds, estuaries, rivers and within a half mile of the Atlantic shoreline. The change, which would go into e ect Dec.1, proposed making it a Class A1 misdemeanor for violating the bill’s ban.

Environmental groups like the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission supported the change, citing rates of bycatch of juvenile sh and various marine habitat damage.

The shrimp industry, including the North Carolina Fisheries Association and Southern Shrimp Alliance, opposed the ban. They argued that 70-80% of shrimp come from inshore waters, and many small boats can’t operate o shore. Also cited were existing regulations addressing environmental concerns, like weekend trawling bans and nursery areas closed since 1978.

The Senate’s changes were added without prior notice to House sponsors or the shrimp industry. The Senate passed the amended bill June 19 with a 39-4 vote.

Coastal area Sens. Tom Lazzara (R-Onslow) and Norman Sanderson (R-Pamlico) voted against it in committee. Lazzara and Sen. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck), who also opposed the change, were not present at the Senate vote sending the measure to the House.

Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) rst sounded the alarm about the changes in a June 18 Facebook post.

“An all-out crustacean and sh ght broke out Tuesday in the Senate Agriculture committee, thanks to a move by some of the chamber’s Republicans to ban shrimp trawling anywhere inside a half mile of North Carolina’s Atlantic shoreline,” he wrote.

In response to the Senate altering the bill, members of the House altered House Bill 441 to provide transition payments to shrimpers until October 2028 if

CONTRACT from page A1

this May. In late May, 19-yearold Matthew Lane of Massachusetts pleaded guilty to four federal charges related to the breach, including cybercrimes and aggravated identity theft.

The state ended its use of PowerSchool for student records on June 30 and will transition to In nite Campus over the summer.

The limited six-month extension approved by the board for PowerSchool pertains to the North Carolina evaluation system, or NCEES, and the systems supporting teacher applicant tracking, onboarding and a statewide job board. The latter system is used by 95% of local school districts and 90% of charter schools.

N.C Department of Public Instruction’s Chief Information O cer Vanessa Wrenn said what is being kept is “separate and apart from the student information system” that was hacked. She also said that because of the PowerSchool data breach, the limited extension will have signi cant security requirements, which include engaging the North Carolina National Guard to conduct a cybersecurity review of all of PowerSchool’s related systems.

House Bill 442 were to advance.

From June 20-24, opposition and tensions grew. Shrimpers, coastal communities and groups like North Carolina Watermen United criticized the Senate’s version of the bill being introduced without being consulted.

Anthony Street, a former candidate for state auditor from Brunswick County, was arrested for making death threats against Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick), who supported the ban.

On June 24, shrimpers, shermen and others who opposed the measure held a protest outside the North Carolina

“This is the rst time that we’ve asked the North Carolina National Guard to step in with the vendor relationship.” Vanessa Wrenn, NCDPI CIO

“This is the rst time that we’ve asked the North Carolina National Guard to step in with the vendor relationship,” Wrenn said. Additional controls include requirements for third-party penetration testing, “SOC 2 Type 2” reports and forensic reports, all to be delivered by Sept. 1. No payments to PowerSchool will be made until those reports are received.

Pricing listed in the contract details includes 68 cents per student for the applicant tracking system with a minimum cost threshold and approximately $269,836 for the educator evaluation system prorated for six months.

The board can extend the PowerSchool contract again up to three times, each for a six-month period. Any additional extensions would be dependent on Power-

General Assembly in Raleigh.

It was reported by ABC11 and other outlets that NC Catch and North Carolina Watermen Unite organized the protest, with attendees wearing “No Trawl Ban” shirts. Trucks with signage on them also circled the legislature.

Some of the groups involved also apparently met with lawmakers to demand the amendment’s removal, citing scal impacts on the shrimp industry. Research in 2021 by NC State’s NC Sea Grant reported that the “wild-caught seafood industry contributes nearly $300 million in value and 5,500 jobs to the state’s economy.”

“It’s dead. Like I said, I put a stake in its heart. I’m thrilled. I’m gonna go have a shrimp dinner tonight.”

Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort)

According to a 2024 report by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, the combined types of commercial shrimp caught o the state’s coast was worth more than $14.1 million in 2023, a steep drop from the $24.68 million reported in 2021.

The North Carolina Local Food Council said 75% of North Carolina shrimp are harvested in internal waters, while 25% come from the Atlantic Ocean.

The North Carolina Wildlife Federation cited data showing an inshore trawling bycatch kill rate of juvenile sh of four pounds per every pound of shrimp. Shrimp industry groups and shermen countered, claiming that bycatch includes species that don’t a ect game sh populations.

On June 25, House Republicans refused to advance the Senate’s amended bill, e ectively killing the measure for the 2025 long session.

The House’s refusal to advance the Senate’s changes preserved the status quo for shrimpers, but with the bill now dead, those who sh recreationally were left without the orig-

inally proposed shing season expansions.

Freelance journalist Bryan Anderson captured Kidwell’s remarks after the House killed the bill, with Kidwell stating, “It’s dead. Like I said, I put a stake in its heart. I’m thrilled. I’m gonna go have a shrimp dinner tonight.”

Kidwell and Hanig warned that the bill could be reintroduced in future sessions.

Following the bill’s demise, Rep. Frank Iler (R-Brunswick) issued a lengthy Facebook post clarifying misconceptions on social media about his involvement in House Bill 442 and House Bill 441.

Iser was an original primary sponsor of both bills but withdrew his name after the Senate’s actions. He wrote that both bills passed the House and “were sent to the Senate with the intention of passing as is,” and that it was “fake news” that he had any idea what the Senate was doing.

“However, the Senate hijacked both bills with absolutely no notice to me as the original primary bill sponsor,” Iler wrote. “I was blindsided by my own Senator in committee as I arrived to present HB 442 in Senate Agriculture, Energy and Environment last week on June 17th.”

Iler thanked the bill’s original sponsors, Kidwell and Democratic Rep. Pricey Harrison (Guilford), and singled out Hanig for his action in a “truly David and Goliath story.”

School getting a security green light.

The limited extension approved by the board comes as N.C. Attorney General Je Jackson has issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to PowerSchool regarding the data breach. A CID is the equivalent of an administrative subpoena and is often used in an investigative manner ahead of formal legal proceedings.

“Last year’s data breach com-

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

promised the personal information of teachers, public school employees and families across North Carolina,” Jackson said in a press release. “I’m demanding more information from PowerSchool about how this breach happened and who it affected, and what we learn will drive our next steps.”

According to Jackson’s press release, his CID is seeking the exact number of North Carolinians impacted by the 2024 data

North Carolina Attorney General Je Jackson, pictured in 2021, has issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to PowerSchool.

breach, what PowerSchool’s cybersecurity measures were in place to protect users’ personal information leading up to the breach and which security aws contributed to the breach. Jackson is also asking for information on PowerSchool’s actions following the breach, the steps taken to address cybersecurity failures, measures to strengthen security and what the company has done to assist a ected customers.

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

A caravan of semi-trucks circles around the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh while honking their horns to oppose a potential inshore shrimp trawling ban along North Carolina’s East Coast on June 24.

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) speaks against a ban on inshore shrimp trawling at a June 24 news conference in the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | GARLAND TUCKER

Gen. Lee and the culture wars

The e ect of some men and women continues unabated well beyond their deaths.

THE CULTURE WARS of the past decade have challenged America’s understanding of history.

There has been a sustained push to rename schools, parks, roads, cities and counties that celebrated the name of any historical gure deemed unworthy by today’s woke standards. This unprecedented frenzy has made us rethink the legacies of many historical gures — and what should constitute immortality.

There are two kinds of immortality. There is the immortality of fame. History is replete with examples of men and women whose deeds and lives are widely remembered — and in some cases broadly cherished. Shakespeare wrote of this immortality in “Henry V” when the king promises such to those who might win the Battle of Agincourt.

But there is a rarer kind of immortality — one of not only fame but of in uence, with continuing power and presence. The e ect of some men and women continues unabated well beyond their deaths. Their names not only live on, but the memory of their deeds and character has the ability to in uence and inspire the lives of generations who come after them.

Sir Francis Drake was the greatest of English sailors and has long been considered the founder of the British navy. Drake is credited with establishing the ethos that resulted in the subsequent centuries of British naval success. So important is Drake’s legacy that the Royal Naval Barracks at Plymouth is to this day named HMS Drake. This ensures that every sailor who serves in the British navy will come under Drake’s continuing in uence.

One American who has achieved this immortality of in uence is Robert E. Lee. Lee’s battle eld prowess and leadership abilities brought him lasting fame, but it was his contributions as an educator, an agent of postwar reconciliation and a man of sterling character

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

that have given Lee an immortality of in uence.

Eschewing nancially lucrative o ers after the war, Lee assumed the presidency of war-ravaged Washington College (renamed Washington & Lee University after his death) and dedicated his remaining years to rebuilding the college, reconciling the postwar nation, and imparting to his students an abiding commitment to personal integrity and Christian faith.

This sel ess dedication in his nal years raised Lee’s legacy above the controversies of slavery and the Civil War. Lee’s legacy is rmly rooted in his exemplary character, and it has continued to in uence subsequent generations of Americans.

Speaking at the centennial of Lee’s birth in 1907, Bostonian Charles Francis Adams, a distinguished former Union army o cer, spoke movingly of Lee’s legacy. After covering Lee’s remarkable military career, Adams turned to his post-war achievement, “For as the gates closed on the old occupation, they opened on the new. And it was an occupation through which he gave to his country, North and South, a priceless gift.” While enumerating the various educational reforms instituted by Lee, Adams concluded, “The most marked feature of his educational career was, however, the moral in uence he exerted on the student body.”

Adams recognized Lee’s continuing in uence in closing his address with these words,

“Whom shall we consecrate and set apart as one of our sacred men? Sacred; that all men may see him, be reminded of him, and, by new example, be taught what is real worth in man. Whom do you wish to resemble? Him you set on a high column, that all men looking at it, may be continually apprised of the duty expected from them.”

President Dwight Eisenhower was challenged to defend his hanging of Lee’s portrait in the Oval O ce. He responded with a lengthy defense of Lee.

“Lee was, in my estimation,” Eisenhower said, “one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. … Through all his many trials, he remained sel ess almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith to God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history. … To the degree that present day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities, including his devotion to this land as revealed in his painstaking e orts to help heal the Nation’s wounds once the bitter struggle was over, we, in our time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.”

In recent years, academia’s stampede into wokeness has sought to cancel Lee’s legacy. The rabid refusal to view history through any lens other than race would see Lee as fatally awed and worthy only of outright rejection. Although Lee condemned slavery as a “moral and political evil,” this revisionist mindset refuses to acknowledge either his character or his postwar contributions.

Yet, on a more sanguine note, there are encouraging signs nationally that the wokeness craze is subsiding. Anti-DEI initiatives appear to be gaining strength. Recently, the Trump administration announced the renaming of U.S. Army Fort Robert E. Lee.

Americans await the outcome of these culture wars. But, in the meantime, we can a rm that the immortality of Lee’s in uence is based on virtues that are eternal, and therein lies the assurance that his in uence will continue.

Garland S. Tucker III is the retired chairman/ CEO of Triangle Capital Corporation and author of “Conservative Heroes: Fourteen Leaders Who Shaped America – Je erson to Reagan” (ISI Books) and “The High Tide of American Conservatism: Davis, Coolidge and the 1924 Election” (Emerald Books).

When The New York Times commits an act of journalism

The Times has had a problematic history in dealing with leftist backlash.

It says a lot about the base readership and the paper itself that a New York Times piece, which was mildly critical of a Democratic candidate for public o ce, caused widespread eruptions from the left.

The outrage even extended to sta members to the point that a senior editor felt the need to explain their rationale behind the article’s publication.

It all started on July 3 when the Times published a piece on Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee in the New York City mayoral race.

The New York assemblyman and proud Democratic Socialists of America member was fresh o of o cially being declared the winner in the primary when the paper revealed in a headline that “Mamdani Identi ed as Asian and African American on College Application” back in 2009.

The college in question was Columbia University, which has become a hotbed for antisemitism and pro-Hamas sentiment in recent years, especially after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, was and is a professor there.

In the piece, the paper noted why this revelation was important.

“Columbia, like many elite universities, used a race-conscious a rmative action admissions program at the time,” the Times wrote.

“Reporting that his race was Black or African American in addition to Asian could have given an advantage to Mr. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and spent his earliest years there.”

They reached out directly to Mamdani, who con rmed the story and provided this explanation: “Most college applications don’t have a box for Indian-Ugandans, so I checked multiple boxes trying to capture the fullness of my background.”

The information came from a cyberattack on Columbia’s database, one that Mamdani was not the intended target of, according to the Times.

Nevertheless, the sourcing of the story, which was said to be an anonymous academic gure who opposes a rmative action, combined with the fact that it was mildly critical of Mamdani himself, caused leftists on the liberal social media haven BlueSky to melt down, with some sta ers even blasting o .

“Everything I have seen about him screams a guy with little to no actual brain activity,” Woke NYT columnist Jamelle Bouie wrote on BlueSky, referring to one of the reporters on the story, Benjamin Ryan.

“No surprise that one of the biggest duma--es in journalism is involved in this,” Bouie also wrote before deleting his posts and explaining that they went against the Times’ “social media standards.”

NY Times assistant managing editor Patrick

Healy responded to the uproar by pointing out on X that they were able to verify the information they shared before publication by taking it to Mamdani, who con rmed its validity.

“We sometimes receive information that has been hacked or from controversial sources,” Healy tweeted. “The Times does not solely rely on nor make a decision to publish information from such a source; we seek to con rm through direct sources, which we did with Mr. Mamdani.”

The Times has had a problematic history in dealing with leftist backlash, with one infamous example being the resignation of a top editor over an op-ed piece written by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) amid the George Floyd riots of 2020. Healy’s explainer on the Mamdani piece isn’t likely to quell the outrage mobs. But hopefully the paper will break from its troublesome tradition of bending the knee in the face of criticism and won’t allow its rabidly partisan critics on the left to in uence its future acts of journalism involving critical reporting on Mamdani or any other Democratic public gure.

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

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

The biggest conservative victory in 30 years

The law strengthens work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp recipients.

EVERYONE KNOWS that the “big, beautiful” tax bill signed into law on the Fourth of July lowers tax burdens for families and businesses. It also averts a $4 trillion tax increase starting next year. That’s enough reason to heartily celebrate.

But what isn’t well known is that this new law doesn’t just change tax policy. It includes dozens of other long-sought policy goals — what I call “hidden gems.” Here is a list of some of the major policy victories:

The law is the most aggressive federal advancement of school choice by allowing low-income parents to direct education dollars to private, charter or Catholic schools that are better for their kids.

The law also expands eligibility for personalized medical savings accounts instead of conventional insurance. This allows workers to control their health care dollars.

The law increases mining and drilling on federal lands to increase access to America’s natural resource supplies to end our dependence on the Middle East or China or Russia.

The law formally ends the absurd Biden student loan forgiveness program, which forced taxpayers to swallow the costs of unpaid college loans.

The law ends the electric vehicle mandate and phases out the Green New Deal, thus allowing Americans to buy whatever car they want.

The law expands opportunity zones and extends tax benefits for investing in inner cities and economically depressed rural areas. (I thought Democrats cared about poor communities!)

The law increases the tax to 8% on the near-trillion dollars of bloated university endowments — money that was never taxed. Is there a better way to

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

tax the privileged rich?

The law strengthens work requirements for Medicaid and food stamp recipients. History shows that work requirements end welfare dependency.

The new law authorizes the sale of expanded spectrum to strengthen rural broadband, secure America’s technological dominance and reduce the national debt by nearly $100 billion.

There’s much more to shout about,

but these are some of the greatest hits in a big and beautiful bill that advances America’s freedom and prosperity.

Expect the economy to grow at over 3% in the years ahead, which will bend down the burden of our national debt. Is it the biggest consecutive victory in modern times? It may just be.

Stephen Moore is co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

The American people want a balanced budget

The support for a balanced budget amendment is potentially overwhelming.

MAKING THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL

Bill Act into law by Independence Day was an amazing achievement. It was proof that a Republican president and a Republican Congress can work together to achieve amazing things.

The law establishes many profound changes and gives Republicans the opportunity to think through the enormous challenge of balancing the budget within the next ve to seven years. We know it can be done. In the 1990s, House Republicans led the country to the only four consecutive balanced budgets in the last 100 years.

These balanced budgets were so powerful that then-Federal Reserve

Chairman Alan Greenspan estimated the national debt would be paid o by 2009 — and said the Federal Reserve was studying how to manage the money supply if there was no debt.

So balancing the budget can be done — because it has been done.

Furthermore, the American people absolutely want a balanced budget. Consider the following wide range of polls and surveys.

A Harvard-Harris Poll in July 2023 found that 80% of voters support a balanced budget amendment. This includes support from 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

Americans for Prosperity in 2023 reported similar ndings. Eighty percent of voters supported a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget within 10 years.

America’s New Majority Project found in February 2022 that most Americans believe there is serious waste in the federal government, including fraud in the Medicare and unemployment programs.

According to America’s New Majority Project, “There was little partisan or ethnic di erence in perception of the amount of waste in government, with majorities of Democrats (57-26), Independents (53-32), Republicans (63-25), Blacks (61-15), Whites (55-23), and Hispanics (55-23) all saying that if government actually cut out wasteful spending and corruption, that it would be enough to balance the federal budget.”

The poll found people largely supported spending cuts — if the cuts were the result of better management. America’s New Majority Project also found that most Americans believe Congress should always operate under a balanced budget.

“A balanced budget amendment requiring Congress to balance the budget every year has majority support all voting groups. Overall, 70% support a balanced budget amendment, with just 13% opposed. Democrats (67-16), Independents (70-11), and Republicans (74-11), Blacks (66-14), Hispanics (62-18), and Whites (73-12) all support a balanced budget amendment,” the poll found.

The reasons were clear: “Support for balancing the budget is driven by a belief that it will force Congress to set priorities, solve the root causes of problems, and

President Clinton signs the balanced budget bill on Aug. 5, 1997, on the South

White House. From left are, Rep. Tom Davis III (R-Va.), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Vice President Al Gore, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. John Kasich (R-Ohio).

that it is something that every family and business must do, therefore Congress should do so as well,” according to America’s New Majority Project.

The Winston Group reported on Feb 10, 2025, that the American people instinctively know that ballooning debt and runaway spending will eventually lead to economic turmoil.

Its study found that 72% of people believe the statement: “If we continue down this path, in the future we will be faced with higher taxes, higher interest rates, and an economy that doesn’t work for working Americans.” According to Winston Group, “This was believed by majorities of Republicans (80%), independents (75%) and Democrats (61%).”

However, the Winston Group also found that Americans do not accept tax hikes as inevitable to solve our debt, Social Security and Medicare problems. Forty-nine percent of people rejected the assertion that “Because of the national debt and needing to shore up Social Security and Medicare, we have no choice but to accept that taxes must go up for everyone.” Only 33% agreed with the statement. Fifty percent of Republicans, 52% of independents, and 44% of Democrats did not agree that tax hikes were inevitable.

As The Winston Group reported, “There is serious concern about protecting Social

Security and Medicare, but as we heard in the focus groups, our scal problems are ‘not the taxpayers’ burden anymore.’”

One month later, The Winston Group reported similar results on March 25, 2025. In addition to earning similar responses to the above questions, the poll found that 65% of Americans believed preventing tax increases would allow Americans to save and invest their money for their own futures rather than support the federal government. Only 20% disagreed.

The support for a balanced budget amendment is potentially overwhelming. A national debate will only increase this support. The federal budget has been balanced before. With the right reforms, it could be balanced again. This would lead to lower interest rates, less in ation, lower taxes, more a ordability and prosperity. It will also produce a more e ective federal government that works faster and achieves more with fewer resources.

Our elected o cials must follow the will of the people who elected them. Congress must initiate an all-out e ort to methodically work to balance the federal budget within the next ve to seven years. Now is the time.

Newt Gingrich was the 50th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump signs his “Big Beautiful Bill” at the White House on Friday.

RON EDMONDS / AP PHOTO

Lawn of the

to host memorial ride

Ashe County For motorcycle enthusiasts who would like to support a good cause the Rolling Thunder Inc. Chapter NC-5 is sponsoring a Fallen Members Memorial Ride. The memorial ride will start and end at New River Harley Davidson on Saturday, July 13. The proceeds will bene t Wreaths Across America. Registration will start at 9 a.m., and it will be $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. There will also be door prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

NSJ

Jewish bystanders allegedly assaulted at local library

Buncombe County

Three Asheville residents, including an elderly man, told local outlets they were assaulted during a speaking session at West Asheville Library on Saturday during an event called “Strategic Lessons from the Palestinian Resistance.” Two of the three attacked are Jewish, and they attended to learn about what was being taught in their community. One of the victims was livestreaming the event and ensuing “swarming” altercation, and viewers alerted authorities to the scene of the disruption.

post shared by the Wingate Police Department warning that there was a “high probability the Wingate Police Department will be shut down,” urging residents to attend a town hall meeting on July 8. Town o cials say that while a change is under consideration, no nal decision has been made.

WLOS

WBTV

Stepmother convicted of murder to be moved to federal prison

Famous stingray Charlotte dies of reproductive disease

Catawba County A stepmother who was convicted of murdering and dismembering 10-yearold Zahra Baker in Catawba County in 2010 could soon be released from state prison. According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Elisa Baker was scheduled to be released from state prison early this month. She was expected to then go to federal prison, where she was sentenced to eight years on drug charges. Zahra Baker was diagnosed in 2005 with osteosarcoma cancer that led to the amputation of her left leg, the removal of part of her right lung and hearing loss. In 2008, Zahra Baker moved to Hickory with her father, Adam Baker, and stepmother Elisa Baker. After a protracted missing persons case in 2010, Elisa Baker nally admitted Zahra Baker had died and “was disposed of the following day.” Baker will be moved to federal prison, where she will spend the next eight years with no possibility of parole.

Henderson County Charlotte, the Hendersonville stingray that gained international fame earlier this year, has died, according to her care team. Team ECCO Aquarium announced the news on its Facebook page Sunday. Charlotte, who had become famous for possible spontaneous impregnation, was no longer pregnant, the aquarium said in a statement in late May, and had instead developed a reproductive disease. In February, Team ECCO went viral with the announcement that Charlotte was pregnant despite having no males in the tank with her. Ultimately, it was decided the most likely hypothesis was parthenogenesis, which occurs when eggs develop on their own without fertilization and create a clone of the mother. However, after several months and no signs of Charlotte giving birth, her care team determined that a reproductive disease was the culprit instead. The aquarium will be temporarily closed to the public, according to social media.

NSJ

Murphy t Manteo Jones & Blount

Murphy t Manteo Jones & Blount

PIEDMONT

Passengers rescued from vehicle trapped by Chantal

Drones to be standard for medical emergencies

Forsyth County

NC redistricting lawsuit dismissed by trial judges

By A.P. Dillon

Alamance County First responders rescued a group of people trapped in the Burlington oodwaters on Sunday night. A vehicle was submerged in water at Tucker Street and Chapel Hill Road. Emergency teams pulled three people from cars and got them onto rafts to transport them to dry land. The victims told local outlets that they were trapped for about 10 to 15 minutes. Burlington police said that out of numerous rescues, no injuries have been reported.

The Forsyth County Sheri ’s O ce shared a Facebook post this weekend announcing drones will soon be available in medical emergencies, ying automated external de brillators to cardiac arrest patients. According to the post, this quick response can increase the chances of survival. Residents can learn more and see the drone in person at information sessions held at various locations in Forsyth County. The rst will be on July 17 at 6 p.m. at Clemmons Branch Library in Clemmons.

WGHP

SBI investigating Greensboro city council member

Fantasia Barrino recognized by hometown High Point

Guilford County

Guilford County

A Greensboro city council member is the subject of a probe by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. NCSBI spokesperson Chad Flowers con rmed last week that the agency began its investigation late last week following a referral from the North Carolina Attorney General’s O ce. Flowers declined to name the council member and did not provide details about the nature of the case. The news came one day after Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts abruptly resigned.

NSJ

Stadium following the Bolt, White and Blue concert and reworks show.

Salem Police Department. On Friday around 1:45 p.m., Winston-Salem o cers responded to a crash in a parking lot on Kimwell Drive. When they arrived, it was discovered that a pedestrian had been hit by a trailer backing up to a loading dock.

A juvenile suspect involved in the incident is now in the custody of a juvenile detention center, authorities con rmed. Chief William H. Penn Jr. addressed the incident with a public statement, speaking directly to the community about the growing concern surrounding youth behavior at public events. Penn expressed frustration, focusing on the responsibility of parents and guardians, and highlighted the impact such incidents have on public safety and the burden placed on law enforcement when events like these take a violent turn.

During the investigation, o cers learned that the pedestrian, identi ed as Joshua Mullis, was between a truck, trailer and the loading dock while the tractor was backing up. Mullis was hit by the trailer and brie y pinned between it and the loading dock. He was taken to a nearby hospital but died from his injuries. Mullis was a veteran who served one tour in Saudi Arabia. He left behind three young children and a wife, who is expecting his fourth child in September.

“I am tired. I am tired of talking to you about your lack of parenting and supervision. … Public safety is something we take very seriously. We do our job 24/7. You do yours,” he stated.

WFMY

NSJ

NSJ

High Point native Fantasia BarrinoTaylor, better known by her stage name Fantasia, was honored in June by both the City of High Point and Guilford County. High Point revealed the newly named Fantasia Avenue, and Guilford County awarded her with a key to the county. Barrino, who rst rose to fame in 2004 on “American Idol,” has since won a Grammy, starred on Broadway, topped Billboard charts and appeared in the recent motion picture remake of “The Color Purple.”

WGHP

for the area, including the Boviet Solar foreign direct investment project, as well as several local industry expansions “bringing new jobs and new capital investment to Greenville.”

Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Corolla Fire Departments, Dare County EMS and the Duck Police Department. The cause of the re is currently under investigation.

WNCT

NSJ

International Paper Foundation seeks applicants for community grants

Crystal Coast o cials see fewer water rescue calls for holiday weekend

Craven County

Carteret County Town o cials along the Crystal Coast say they saw fewer water rescue calls on their beaches this July Fourth weekend than previous years. Atlantic Beach Fire Chief Michael Simpson told outlets that his crews had no water rescue-related calls this holiday weekend. Emerald Isle Fire Chief William Matthias II said they had ve water rescue calls between July 4 and July 6. Both o cials cite the e ects of Tropical Storm Chantal for keeping swimmers on land.

The International Paper New Bern Mill has announced its award of $73,000 in grants to nonpro t organizations in 2024. The International Paper Foundation awards grants for signature causes such as education, hunger, disaster relief, health and wellness. To apply, nonpro t organizations need to submit their applications by Sept. 6. Interested parties can download the application form at ipgiving.com. Applicants must be a registered 501(c) (3) nonpro t organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant.

NSJ

80 people rescued near Eno Tiver during Chantal ooding Durham County

Head-on crash claims two lives near Swansboro

The Durham Fire Department said approximately 80 people were rescued by boat Sunday and dozens more evacuated their homes on foot after relentless rain caused the Eno River to over ow. Local outlets reported that rst responders rescued dozens of residents from homes and apartments along Rippling Stream Road, where people’s homes ooded to chest level and cars were oating. The areas of High Meadow Road, Omega Road, Felicia Street and Greymont Drive were also impacted. Many told outlets they were sleeping and had no idea the water was rising until the re department beat down their door. The rain from Chantal brought on historic ooding of the Eno River, which began to rise at 9:30 p.m. The river rose 22 feet in four hours to record ood levels, beating river levels from Hurricane Fran in 1996. According to the Durham Fire Department, water rescue operations have ceased, but damage assessment will continue in the coming days.

Carteret County A fatal collision near the coast started the July Fourth holiday week. On Sunday morning, the State Highway Patrol responded to a three-car collision that resulted in the loss of two lives on N.C. 58 near Old Church Road in Carteret County. Steven Robert Shelton, 48, of Ayden was heading north on N.C. 58 when he tried to pass another vehicle, leading to a head-on collision with 60-year-old Dale Mangum of Angier, who was traveling south. Following the initial collision, Shelton’s vehicle also collided with a Subaru Outback traveling south on N.C. 58. Mangum and her passenger, 59-year-old Tammy Witham of New Bern, passed away at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash. Shelton was airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville for treatment. According to o cials, the occupants of the Subaru were unharmed. WCTI

NSJ

democratic process of elections in North Carolina.” Spokespeople for state House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger did not respond Friday to a request for comment. The lawsuit is among four led in North Carolina to challenge congressional and legislative boundaries drawn by the GOPdominated General Assembly last fall for use in elections through 2030 that favor Republicans electorally. The other three, still pending, were led in federal court and focus on claims of illegal racial gerrymandering. The “fair elections” lawsuit focuses on a handful of districts. Each of the three judges who heard the lawsuit are registered Republicans. Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican who wrote the prevailing opinion in the 2023 redistricting ruling, chooses three-judge panels to hear such cases.

NATION & WORLD

Understanding Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Congress passed the legislation, which the president signed on the Fourth of July

By Kevin Freking and Lisa Mascaro

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

President Donald Trump signed the tax and spending cut bill Republicans pushed through Congress last week, turning it into law by his own self-imposed Fourth of July deadline.

At nearly 900 pages, the legislation is a sprawling collection of tax breaks, spending cuts and other Republican priorities, including new money for national defense and deportations.

Democrats united against the legislation but were powerless to stop it as long as Republicans stayed united. The Senate passed the bill last Tuesday, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote. The House passed it last Thursday by a 218-214 vote.

Republicans say the bill is crucial because there would be a massive tax increase after December when tax breaks from Trump’s rst term expire. The legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.

The existing tax rates and brackets would become permanent under the bill, solidifying the tax cuts approved in Trump’s rst term.

It would temporarily add new tax deductions on tips, overtime and auto loans. There’s also a $6,000 deduction for older adults who earn no more than $75,000 a year, a nod to his pledge to end taxes on Social Security bene ts.

It would boost the $2,000

SENATE from page A1

had not commented publicly immediately after the news broke but issued a statement to North State Journal.

“For nearly two decades, Senator Tillis has served the people of North Carolina with devotion in the state House and our nation’s Capital,” Budd said. “I respect his commitment to public service as well as his decision not to run for reelection. I will work hard to ensure we elect a strong conservative candidate to represent the people of North Carolina in 2026.”

Former U.S. Congressman Wiley Nickel, the only Democrat to have already led for the seat, took a harsher tone, stating on X, “Thom Tillis is out. No matter which MAGA loyalist (Donald) Trump picks, I’m the only Democrat in this race and I’m ready to win.”

Nickel didn’t seek reelection last year after serving one term in Congress, citing redistricting as the reason.

Not everyone sees Nickel as a frontrunning contender.

A recent Politico report on Democrats betting on Cooper to get in cited an anonymous “progressive strategist” who said, “If it’s Roy Cooper, there’s no point for anyone else to run. But no one is getting out the way for Wiley f---ing Nickel.”

According to The Associated Press, Cooper spokesperson Morgan Jackson said the former governor “continues to strongly consider a run for the Senate and will decide in the coming weeks.”

Other names oated include Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and Democratic Congresswomen Alma Adams (Charlotte), Deborah Ross (Raleigh) and Valerie Foushee (Hillsborough).

A Democrat has not won a North Carolina Senate seat since 2008, when the late Kay Hagan defeated Elizabeth Dole.

child tax credit to $2,200. Millions of families at lower income levels would not get the full credit.

A cap on state and local deductions, called SALT, would quadruple to $40,000 for ve years. It’s an important provision to New York and other high-tax states, though the House wanted it to last 10 years.

There are scores of business-related tax cuts, including allowing businesses to immediately write o 100% of the cost of equipment and research. Proponents say this will boost economic growth.

The wealthiest households would see a $12,000 increase from the legislation, and the bill would cost the poorest people $1,600 a year, mainly due to reductions in Medicaid and food aid, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget O ce analysis of the House’s version.

The bill would provide some $350 billion for Trump’s border and national security agen-

da, including for the U.S.-Mexico border wall and for 100,000 migrant detention facility beds, as he aims to ful ll his promise of the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.

Money would go toward hiring 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement ofcers, with $10,000 signing bonuses and a surge of Border Patrol o cers. The goal is to deport some 1 million people per year.

To help pay for it, immigrants would face various new fees, including when seeking asylum protections.

For the Pentagon, the bill would provide billions for shipbuilding, munitions systems, and quality of life measures for servicemen and women, as well as $25 billion for developing the Golden Dome missile defense system. The Defense Department would have $1 billion for border security.

To help partly o set the lost tax revenue and new spending, Republicans aim to cut back on

Medicaid and food assistance for people below the poverty line.

Republicans argue they are trying to right the safety net programs for the population so they help who they were initially designed to serve — mainly pregnant women, disabled people and children — and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse.

The package includes new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many adults receiving Medicaid and food stamps, including older people up to age 65. Parents of children 14 and older would have to meet the program’s work requirements.

There’s also a proposed new $35 co-payment that can be charged to patients using Medicaid services.

More than 71 million people rely on Medicaid, which expanded under Obama’s Affordable Care Act, and 40 million use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Most already work, according to analysts.

The Congressional Budget O ce estimates that 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law, and 3 million more would not qualify for food stamps, also known as SNAP bene ts.

Republicans are looking to have states pick up some of the costs of SNAP bene ts. Currently, the federal government funds all bene t costs. Under the bill, states beginning in 2028 will be required to contribute a set percentage of those costs if their payment error rate exceeds 6%. Payment errors include both underpayments and overpayments.

But the Senate bill temporarily delays the start date of that cost-sharing for states with the highest SNAP error rates. Alaska has the highest error rate in the nation at nearly 25%, according to Department of Agriculture data. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) had fought for the exception. She was a decisive vote in getting the bill through the Senate.

On the Republican side, three individuals have paperwork on le with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for the seat: Triad area businessman Andy Nilsson, attorney and former JAG O cer Don Brown and Brooks Agnew, an author and former manufacturing engineer.

“Thom Tillis is out,” Nilsson reacted on social media.

“I’m still here, crisscrossing the state, defending America First, ICE, and Trump’s nominees from the Woke Left.”

Brown issued a lengthy post on X, which in part said Tillis’ announcement was “good news” for the state and characterized Tillis as a “RINO” — Republican in name only — who would have lost the primary. Agnew reacted by stating he predicted Tillis’ departure six months ago and that if Trump called him up, he would serve.

N.C. Speaker of the House Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) issued a brief statement, urging “unity” behind whoever the president favors.

“The NC Senate race is too important to be derailed by a

messy, divisive primary. The real ght is against the radical left destroying our country,” wrote Hall. “We must unify behind whoever President Trump picks and send a conservative ghter to DC. Let’s get to work and defeat the Democrats.”

And Trump has made his pick clear — Lara Trump.

“I mean, that would always be my rst choice, but she doesn’t live there now, but she’s there all the time,” Trump of his daughter-in-law, who is a North Carolina native but doesn’t currently live in the state.

Lara Trump, 42, has considered the seat before, telling The Associated Press in late 2024 she was seriously considering it. She married the president’s son Eric in 2014 and currently has a show on Fox News called “My View with Lara Trump.”

Another name on the top of the list is Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley, who led North Carolina’s Republican Party through Trump’s 2016 victory before taking on the RNC role in 2024 alongside Lara Trump.

Teen found on top of N.Y. subway train dies New York

A teenager found unconscious on top of a New York City subway train early Friday morning has died. New York City Police were called to the Queensboro Plaza Subway Station at 2:47 a.m. and discovered the unresponsive 15-year-old male, a NYPD spokesperson said. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation. More than a dozen New Yorkers, many of them young boys, have been killed or badly injured in recent years while attempting to “subway surf,” or lie on top of moving subway cars.

Remains found after Calif. reworks warehouse explosion Esparto, Calif.

Investigators have located human remains following an explosion at a Northern California reworks warehouse, Yolo County said in a statement last Friday. Seven were missing after last Tuesday’s reworks explosion near Esparto, which gripped the small farming community. It sparked a massive re that led to other spot res. Nearby Fourth of July celebrations were called o . The county con rmed that its Coroner’s Division was allowed access to the site of the re incident, and the Coroner’s O ce has been in contact with the families of those who had been reported missing. No positive identi cations have been made, and recovery e orts are underway, the county said in the statement.

Lion attacks woman in Australian zoo

Lara Trump, center right, and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, left, have both been oated as potential candidates for Sen. Thom Tillis’ seat in 2026.

Melbourne, Australia

A woman sustained severe injuries to her arm when she was attacked by a lion at an Australian zoo. The Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland state said the 50-year-old woman was watching animal keepers working in the zoo’s carnivore precinct before opening hours Sunday morning when she was attacked. She was own by helicopter from the rural town of Pilton to the state capital Brisbane, where she underwent surgery. Her condition was stable, the zoo said in a statement Sunday. Several news media reported the woman lost the injured arm.

Whatley has not publicly indicated his interest in entering the race, but an unnamed source told The Associated Press that Whatley is “honored to have the RNC position and is neither actively considering nor putting out feelers for the Senate race.”

Other names oated include North Carolina Republican Congressmen Richard Hudson (Southern Pines), Pat Harrigan (Hickory) and Brad Knott (Raleigh).

“I am humbled by and grateful for the hundreds of North Carolinians who have encouraged me the past few days to run for the US Senate,” wrote Hudson on X.

In a post on X, Harrigan — in his rst term representing North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District — noted the excitement around the 2026 race but deferred to Lara Trump, writing that if she gets in the race, “I’ll be the rst to endorse her and the rst to ght for her victory.”

Knott’s sta has not responded to requests about whether he would consider.

Suriname’s parliament elects country’s rst female president Paramaribo, Suriname Suriname’s parliament Sunday elected physician Jennifer Geerlings-Simons as the country’s rst female president. The South American country’s National Assembly chooses the president by a two-thirds vote. Geerlings-Simons, a congresswoman, ran unopposed after her party formed a coalition to oust the country’s current leader following a May election with no clear winner. The coalition was formed as the country prepares for an in ux of wealth following the discovery of major o shore oil deposits, with the rst production expected by 2028. Geerlings-Simons, who leads the National Democratic Party, will be inaugurated as president on July 16.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) points to President Donald Trump after he signed his signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House on the Fourth of July surrounded by members of Congress.

DERIK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

Denny’s, Wa e House remove egg surcharges as prices plummet

Denny’s and Wa e House have removed surcharges that the two restaurant chains added to their menus when U.S. egg prices spiked earlier in the year. Denny’s con rmed last Thursday that it eliminated its surcharge May 21. Wa e House said it removed its surcharge June 2 in social media posts last week. Both chains put surcharges in place in February as the price of eggs soared. The price of a dozen Grade A eggs hit a record high of $6.23 per dozen in March after large outbreaks of bird u. But egg prices began falling in April as bird u cases subsided.

Nissan recalls 480K-plus vehicles U.S., Canada

New York Nissan is recalling more than 480,000 of its vehicles across the U.S. and Canada due to potential manufacturing defects that could cause engine failure. The recall covers certain Nissan Rogues between 202124 model years and 2019-20 Altimas, as well as a number of 2019-22 In niti QX50s and 2022 In niti QX55s sold under the automaker’s luxury brand. The vehicles impacted carry speci c “VC-Turbo” engines that may have manufacturing defects in their bearings. This may cause engine damage and possibly lead to engine failure while driving, the regulator warns, increasing crash risks. As a remedy, Nissan and In niti dealers will inspect the engine pan of these now-recalled cars.

139-year-old Del Monte Foods seeks bankruptcy protection

Del Monte Foods is ling for bankruptcy protection. The 139-year-old California company is best known for its canned fruits and vegetables, which have seen sales slide as U.S. consumers seek healthier and cheaper options. Del Monte said last Tuesday that the bankruptcy ling is part of a planned sale of the company’s assets. It has secured $912.5 million in debtor-in-possession nancing that will allow it to operate normally during the sale process. Del Monte is owned by Singapore-based Del Monte Paci c. It also owns the Contadina, College Inn and Joyba bubble tea brands.

Shriners Children’s to open $153M facility in Atlanta

Atlanta

A charitable hospital system says it will open a $153 million medical research facility in Atlanta. The nonpro t Shriners Children’s system operates hospitals across North America, treating children with specialized medical conditions. The Shriners Children’s Research Institute will research cell and gene therapies, robotics, arti cial intelligence and medical devices. It will employ 470 people and become the largest tenant at Science Square, a medical lab development near Georgia Tech that opened last year. Georgia Tech is helping develop Science Square with the aim of boosting Atlanta’s biomedical research sector.

US labor market surprises with 147K new jobs last month

Economists expected 118,000 new hires in June

By Paul Wiseman The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

The U.S. labor market delivered another upside surprise last month, churning out a surprisingly strong 147,000 jobs. The unemployment rate ticked down unexpectedly, too.

But the headline numbers masked some weaknesses as the U.S. economy contends with fallout from President Donald Trump’s economic policies, especially his sweeping import taxes and the erratic way he has rolled them out.

Here are ve key takeaways from the jobs report the Labor Department released last Thursday.

Jobs numbers looked good

June hiring was up modestly from May’s 144,000 increase in payrolls and beat the 118,000 jobs economists had forecast for last month. The unemployment rate slipped to 4.1% from 4.2% in May as the ranks of the unemployed fell by 222,000. Forecasters had expected the jobless rate to inch up to 4.3%.

Labor Department revisions added 16,000 jobs to April and May payrolls.

Average hourly wages came in cooler than forecasters expected, rising 0.2% from May and 3.7% from a year earlier. The year-over-year number is inching closer to the 3.5% considered consistent with the

Federal Reserve’s 2% in ation target.

Health care jobs increased by 39,000. State governments added 47,000 workers and local governments 33,000.

Weakening in the job market

“On net, it was a good report,’’ said Sarah House, senior economist with Wells Fargo, “But when you dig underneath the surface, it was another jobs report that didn’t look quite as good as rst meets the eye.’’

Private companies, for instance, hired just 74,000 workers last month, about half the 137,000 they hired in May. It was the fewest hires since last October, when there were signi cant labor disruptions from hurricanes.

State and local governments added nearly 64,000 education jobs last month — a total that may have been in ated by seasonal quirks around the end of the school year.

The U.S. labor force — the count of those working and looking for work — fell by 130,000 last month on top of a 625,000 drop in May.

Economists expect Trump’s immigration deportations — and the fear of them — to push foreign workers out of the labor force. A falling labor force can keep the unemployment rate lower than it would be otherwise.

Good jobs can be hard to nd

With unemployment low, most Americans enjoy job se -

“We’re

bracing for a much lower pace of job growth. There’s still a lot of policy uncertainty.”

Sarah House, Wells Fargo

curity. But as hiring has cooled over the past couple of years, it’s become harder for young people or those reentering the workforce to nd jobs, leading to longer job searches or longer spells of unemployment.

The Labor Department said the number of discouraged workers, who believe no jobs are available for them, rose by 256,000 last month to 637,000.

Fed likely to stay put

The upside surprise in June payrolls likely will encourage the Fed to continue its waitand-see policy of leaving rates unchanged until it has a better idea of how Trump’s tari s and other policies will a ect in ation and the job market.

The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate 11 times in 2022 and 2023 to combat an outburst of in ation. As price pressures eased last year, the Fed reversed course and cut rates three times in 2024. More cuts were expected. But the central bank has turned cautious this year.

“Today’s results are more than positive enough to reduce expectations for Fed rate cuts in

the wake of tari s and policy chaos, at least for now,” Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a commentary. After the jobs data was released last Thursday, yields on U.S. Treasurys spiked immediately.

Traders in the futures market now see less than a 7% chance that the Fed could cut its main interest rate at its next meeting later this month. That’s down sharply from the nearly 24% chance they saw just a day earlier, according to data from CME Group.

Outlook cloudy

Employers are now contending with the fallout of Trump’s policies, especially his aggressive use of import taxes, or tari s. Mainstream economists say that tari s raise prices for businesses and consumers alike and make the economy less e cient by reducing competition.

Trump has increased the anxiety by imposing tari s in an unpredictable way — announcing and then suspending them, then coming up with new ones. The uncertainty has left businesses bewildered and hesitant to make decisions about hiring and investment.

House at Wells Fargo expects monthly job growth to fall below 100,000 in the second half of the year. “We’re bracing for a much lower pace of job growth,” she said. “There’s still a lot of policy uncertainty.”

Wegovy, Zepbound prices fall, access to obesity drugs still not guaranteed

Insurance gaps and high out-of-pocket costs often put treatment out of reach

By Tom Murphy The Associated Press

PRICES ARE falling for the popular obesity treatments

Wegovy and Zepbound, but steady access to the drugs remains challenging.

The medications still amount to around $500 per month for those without insurance — out of reach for many patients. And even for people with insurance, coverage remains uneven.

“The medications should be available, the question is at what price and can people sustain that,” said Matt Maciejewski, a Duke University professor who studies obesity treatment coverage.

Doctors say the situation forces them to get creative in treating patients, but there’s hope that prices may fall further.

Obesity drugs still in high demand

Wegovy and Zepbound are part of a wave of obesity medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that have soared in popularity.

U.S. pay $25 or less monthly.

Plus, some patients with diabetes can get coverage of the GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro from Novo and Lilly that are approved to treat that condition.

But most state and federally funded Medicaid programs don’t cover the drugs for obesity, and neither does Medicare, the federal program mainly for people age 65 and older.

Even the plans that cover the drugs often pay only a portion of the bill, exposing patients to hundreds of dollars in monthly costs.

Drugmakers o er help with these out-of-pocket costs, but that assistance can be limited.

est PBMs, run by CVS Health, dropped Zepbound from its national formulary, or list of covered drugs, on July 1 in favor of Wegovy. That forced Tchang to gure out another treatment plan for several patients, many of whom took Zepbound because it made them less nauseous.

Dr. Courtney Younglove’s ofce sends prospective patients a video link showing them how to check their insurer’s website for coverage of the drugs before they visit.

“Then some of them just cancel their appointment because they don’t have coverage,” the Overland Park, Kansas, doctor said.

Wegovy and Zepbound, two GLP-1 receptor medications, have become cheaper, but access can still be di cult.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 3

Beginning Cash

$2,939,962,958

Receipts (income)

$166,872,782

Disbursements

$154,273,965

Cash Balance

$2,952,625,445

Zepbound brought in $2.3 billion in U.S. sales during this year’s rst quarter, making it one of drugmaker Eli Lilly’s best sellers.

Novo Nordisk says Wegovy has about 200,000 weekly prescriptions in the U.S., where it brought in nearly $1.9 billion in rst-quarter sales.

Insurance coverage increasing — for some

The bene ts consultant Mercer says more businesses with 500 or more employees are adding coverage of the injected drugs for their workers and family members.

And Novo says 85% of its patients with coverage in the

“Coverage is not the same as access,” said Dr. Beverly Chang, a New York-based doctor who serves as a paid adviser to Novo and Lilly.

Coverage remains inconsistent

Bill-payers like employers are nervous about drugs that might be used by a lot of people inde nitely.

Some big employers have dropped coverage of the drugs due to the expense. Pharmacy bene t managers, or PBMs, are also starting to pick one brand over the other as they negotiate deals with the drugmakers.

One of the nation’s larg-

Cheaper compounded drugs still being sold

Compounding pharmacies and other entities were allowed to make o -brand, cheaper copies of Wegovy and Zepbound when there was a shortage of the drugs. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined earlier this year that the shortage had ended. That should have ended the compounded versions, but there is an exception: Some compounding is permitted when a drug is personalized for the patient.

The health care company Hims & Hers Health o ers

compounded doses of semaglutide, the drug behind Wegovy, that adjust dose levels to help patients manage side e ects. Hims says these plans start at $165 a month for 12 months, with customers paying in full upfront.

It’s a contentious issue. Eli Lilly has sued pharmacies and telehealth companies to stop them from selling compounded versions of its products. Novo recently ended a shortlived partnership with Hims to sell Wegovy because the telehealth company continued compounding. Novo says the compounded versions of its drug put patient safety at risk because ingredients are made by foreign suppliers and not monitored by U.S. regulators.

Prices drop

Both drugmakers sell most doses for around $500 a month to people without insurance, a few hundred dollars less than some initial prices.

Even so, that expense would eat up about 14% of the average annual per-person income in the U.S., which is around $43,000. Both companies are developing pill versions of their treatments. Those could hit the market in the next year or so, which might drive down prices.

JONEL ALECCIA / AP PHOTO

‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ swaps stars, stays stuck in the past

JASIN BOLAND/UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

“Jurassic World: Rebirth” is the seventh lm in the franchise since the original “Jurassic Park” was released in 1993.

New cast brings fresh energy, but familiar dino chaos and tired thrills hold the reboot back

By Bob Garver The Sun

AFTER THREE “Jurassic Park” movies and three “Jurassic World” movies, it seems the time has come to kickstart the “Jurassic” franchise again with “Jurassic World: Rebirth.” I’ll give the franchise credit for recognizing that there was no need to continue with the Chris Pratt or Bryce Dallas Howard characters from the last three movies, who were widely seen as uninteresting. Even the more popular “classic” characters played by Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Je Goldblum are probably best taking this movie o after fans got su ciently caught up with them in 2022’s “Jurassic World: Dominion.” Good on this movie for coming up with a new set of heroes. I can’t say I always cared for the story, action or generally the movie around them, but the movie is better for having them.

The most-talked-about scene in the movie is its cold open, where a carelessly discarded candy bar wrapper leads to catastrophic results. It reminded me a lot of one of those convoluted “Final Destination” death sequences, but that didn’t do the movie any favors; all it did was make me wish I was watching one of those movies instead of this. I’m sure the intention here was to have a scene where funny and scary were well-balanced, and I suppose technically it succeeds by delivering very little of either.

Soon after, we’re introduced to our new cast. Capable covert operative Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) is recruited by shady pharmaceutical rep Krebs (Rupert Friend) to lead a team to an island of mutant dinosaurs to collect DNA samples that can be combined to form a cure for heart disease. The team also includes Zora’s longtime colleague Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) and unemployed paleontologist Dr. Loomis (Jonathan Bailey). As the new leads travel to the island, we’re also introduced

Oasis sends fans ‘Supersonic’ as long-awaited reunion tour starts in Cardi

Principality Stadium was lled with 60,000 fans

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

CARDIFF, Wales — Oasis ended a 16-year hiatus last Friday with a punchy, powerful trip through one of Britpop’s greatest songbooks, kicking o a reunion tour in Cardi , Wales, to a crowd ecstatic for the band’s 1990s hits. And was there brotherly love between the famously feuding Gallagher siblings? De nitely maybe.

Liam’s swagger undimmed

Fans traveled to the Welsh capital from around the world for a show many thought would never happen. Guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher and his singer brother Liam, the heart of Oasis, had not performed together since their acrimonious split in 2009.

After a montage of headlines about the sparring siblings was capped with the words “the guns have fallen silent,” Oasis appeared on stage to a deafening roar, opening with the apt “Hello” and its refrain of “it’s good to be back.”

The brothers had a brief handin-hand moment but largely kept their distance onstage. Noel, 58, focused on his guitar, while a

parka-clad Liam, 52, snarled into the microphone with a swagger that has not dimmed in the 31 years since the band released its rst album, “De nitely Maybe.”

A crowd of more than 60,000 in the Principality Stadium was treated to a well-paced two-hour set that drew heavily on the rst album and its 1995 follow-up, “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory,” alongside a smattering of later tracks and fan-favorite B-sides. Songs like “Supersonic,” “Roll With It” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” sounded as thunderous as ever and sparked mass sing-alongs.

“Put your arms over each other like you love each other,” a tam-

bourine-clutching Liam exhorted the crowd before launching into “Cigarettes and Alcohol.” There was poignancy on “Live Forever” when an image of Liverpool Football Club player Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash on Thursday, was projected above the band. Noel took his turn on lead vocals for several songs, including the touching “Half the World Away,” and the show ended with encores featuring some of Oasis’ most enduring tracks: “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova.” Multicolored, sometimes faintly psychedelic, projections

to a civilian family: father Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), younger daughter Isabella (Audrina Miranda), older daughter Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Xavier (David Iacano), Teresa’s hapless boyfriend. Their boat is capsized by ocean-based dinos, and they need rescuing from Zora’s team, much to the chagrin of mission-focused Krebs. The groups are brie y brought together, then quickly separated again once they reach the island so they can go on disparate adventures.

Said adventures include Zora’s group collecting samples from prehistoric creatures on land, sea and air. It’s the “air” that proves the most challenging, as they have to scale a perilous cli to get to the nest of a fearsome predator. The family needs only to survive the island, but they don’t have things any easier. They need to make it down a river, but not if a T-Rex has anything to say about it. For the climax, the survivors of the two groups reunite for a shared showdown with the vicious mutant dinosaur that escaped its enclosure at the beginning of the movie. I at least liked the design of the new Big Bad dinosaur; it’s got more going on than previous built-up surprises that usually just turned out to be variations on raptors.

I liked the chemistry of the Johansson/Ali/Bailey team in “Jurassic World: Rebirth.” I liked them so much, in fact, that I was annoyed whenever there was any business with dinosaurs that prevented them from casually interacting. The sailing family could have been cut from the movie entirely. I know the movie wanted to throw in some cute kids for the dinos to terrorize, but they’re bland, at times annoying, and they detract from the more interesting storyline.

As for the dinosaurs and the action around them, it’s par for the course. Don’t worry, they’re here, but the special e ects are wonky at times, and nothing they do will surprise anyone familiar with this franchise. I can’t say that I strongly dislike this installment with its change-up in human leads. Still, now on its seventh installment, this series is no longer the unique property that established itself as a pop culture institution in the ’90s.

Grade: C

“Jurassic World: Rebirth” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, bloody images, some suggestive references, language and a drug reference. Its running time is 134 minutes.

ational thing. It’s a chapter of our lives. And then the second generation, as people are taking their kids. It’s really special.”

Sing-along rock choruses

formed the main technological accoutrement to a show whose focus was squarely on the songs. There was little banter, though Liam paused between songs to check that the audience was having a good time.

“Was it worth the 40,000 pounds you paid for the ticket?” he quipped at one point, referring to the scramble for seats that saw some fans pay hundreds to see a show.

“Absolutely incredible — best gig I’ve ever been to in my life,” said Nathan Price-Gearey as fans poured out of the stadium.

“It was massive,” said Millie Anderson, another satis ed concertgoer. “When they played ‘Stand by Me,’ I started sobbing my eyes out.”

“Very, very special”

The show in Cardi kicked o a 19-date Live ’25 tour in the U.K. and Ireland. Then come stops in North America, South America, Asia and Australia, ending in Sao Paulo on Nov. 23.

The streets around the stadium lled before the concert with fans who gathered in groups to sing along to the band’s hits and snapped up Oasis-branded bucket hats at 35 pounds ($48) each.

“It’s very, very special — emotional,” said 44-year-old Rob Maule from Edinburgh, Scotland, who came with three childhood friends. “For us, it’s a gener-

Founded in the working-class streets of Manchester, England, in 1991, Oasis was one of the dominant British acts of the 1990s, releasing eight U.K. No. 1 albums.

The band’s sound was fueled by sing-along rock choruses and the combustible chemistry between guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher — a Beatles and glam rock-loving musician with a knack for memorable tunes — and younger brother Liam.

Then and since, the brothers have often traded barbs — onstage, in the studio and in interviews. Liam once called Noel “tofu boy,” while Noel branded his brother “the angriest man you’ll ever meet. He’s like a man with a fork in a world of soup.”

“An absolute unbelievable blast”

The announcement of the U.K. tour in August sparked a ticket-buying frenzy, complete with error messages, hourslong online queues, dashed hopes and anger at prices that surged at the last minute.

The ticketing troubles sparked questions in the U.K. Parliament and an investigation by Britain’s competition regulator. It has threatened Ticketmaster — which sold around 900,000 Oasis tickets — with legal action. No plans have been announced for Oasis to record any new music, and the tour is being presented as a one-o .

SCOTT A. GARFITT / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Liam Gallagher, left, holds brother Noel Gallagher’s hand aloft as they perform during the Oasis reunion concert last Friday in Cardi , Wales.

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ bites o $318M at box o

“This is Spinal Tap” (41st Anniversary rerelease) earned $931,737

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press

DINOSAUR FATIGUE may be a theme in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” but moviegoing audiences don’t seem to have that reservation. The newest installment in the “Jurassic World” franchise ruled the Fourth of July holiday box o ce with a global, ve-day launch of $318.3 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Universal Pictures release, directed by Gareth Edwards, opened last Wednesday and earned $147.3 million in its rst ve days in 4,308 North American theaters. An estimated $91.5 million of that comes from the traditional “three-day” weekend, which includes the Friday holiday, Saturday and projected Sunday ticket sales.

Internationally, it opened in 82 markets including China, adding $171 million to the opening total. According to the studio, $41.5 million of that came from China alone, where it played on 65,000 screens, 760 of which were IMAX. It’s the country’s biggest Motion Picture Association opening of the year.

“It’s just a tremendous result,” said Jim Orr, who oversees domestic distribution for Universal. “‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ is exactly what audiences crave during the summer: a very big, fun, extraordinarily well-done adventure.”

“Jurassic World” was missing from IMAX screens domestically (due to a commitment to continue showing “F1”), but it thrived on the premium large format screens where it played. One of those options was Dolby Cinema, where it made nearly $8 million from only 167 screens in ve days.

“Rebirth,” starring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, is the fourth movie in the “Jurassic World” series and the seventh since Steven Spielberg’s original Michael Crichton adaptation stormed theaters in the summer of 1993. The new lm received mixed reviews from critics, carrying a 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and B Cine-

maScore from opening weekend audiences.

The studio was struck by the broad audience turnout, from ages eight to 80, and the fact that the lm exceeded estimates at every step despite the reviews.

“The word of mouth on it is stellar,” Orr said. “And it should point to a very long run throughout the summer as well.”

Factors like the holiday weekend, in ation and post-COVID moviegoing realities make it difcult to fairly compare the “Rebirth” launch to the other lms in the “Jurassic World” franchise, the rst of which opened to $208 million domestically in 2015. The other two, “Fallen Kingdom” and “Dominion” opened to $148 million and $145 million, respectively.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” introduced a new main cast to the series and brought back a familiar voice in “Jurassic Park” screenwriter David Koepp to guide the story about a dangerous hunt for dinosaur DNA (not for making dinosaurs this time,

PEN & PAPER PURSUITS

but for curing heart disease). It cost a reported $180 million net to produce, not including marketing and promotion costs.

The campaign was far reaching, including a global press tour, with stops everywhere from London to Seoul, integrated marketing across NBC Universal platforms and brand tie-ins with everything from Jeep and 7-11 to Johansson’s skincare line.

No major new lms dared go up against the dinosaurs, who left last week’s champion, the Brad Pitt racing movie “F1,” in the dust. “F1” fell a modest 54% in its second weekend with $26.1 million, helping bring its domestic total to $109.5 million. It continues to play on IMAX screens, which accounted for $7.6 million of the North American weekend ticket sales. Globally, it’s nearing $300 million with a running total of $293.6 million.

Third place went to Universal’s live-action “How to Train Your Dragon,” which earned $11 million in its fourth weekend, bringing its domestic to-

tal to $224 million. Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” landed in fourth place with $5.7 million. Globally, “Elio” has just crossed $96 million in three weekends. “28 Years Later” rounded out the top ve with $4.6 million.

A 41-year-old movie also made the domestic top 10: the rerelease of Rob Reiner’s 1984 lm “This is Spinal Tap.”

Having the Fourth of July land on a Friday could have negatively impacted the overall box o ce, but the holiday didn’t blow up the weekend’s earnings.

“We had a solid Friday despite some pretty heavy competition from the reworks,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore.

And there’s still some major movies to come in the packed summer movie calendar, including “Superman,” which opens later this week.

“This is one of the most competitive summer movie seasons ever,” Dergarabedian said. “For moviegoers, it’s so much fun.”

Top 10 movies by domestic box o ce

With domestic gures released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore.

1. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $91.5 million

2. “F1 The Movie,” $26.1 million

3. “How to Train Your Dragon,” $11 million

4. “Elio,” $5.7 million

5. “28 Years Later,” $4.6 million

6. “Lilo & Stitch,” $3.8 million

7. “M3GAN 2.0,” $3.8 million

8. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” $2.7 million

9. “Materialists,” $1.3 million

10. “This is Spinal Tap” (41st Anniversary rerelease), $931,737

JASIN BOLAND / UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey helped usher “Jurassic World: Rebirth” to the top of the holiday weekend box o ce.

MLB all-stars come to Atlanta, B4

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA BASKETBALL

EA Sports, 2K hint at revival of college basketball video games

Developers EA Sports and 2K Games have hinted at the revival of college basketball video games. EA Sports sent a cryptic tweet suggesting it wants to create a college hoops game for the rst time since 2009. 2K Games followed later in the day with a statement that it’s “exploring exciting new ways to bring athletes and schools to life.”

MLS

Enrique, Pasalić each score to rally Orlando City to 2-2 tie with Charlotte

Charlotte

Ramiro Enrique and Marco Pasalić each scored a second-half goal as Orlando City and Charlotte FC played to a 2-2 tie. Charlotte took a 2-0 lead on a Pep Biel rst-touch nish from Nicholas Scardina in the 40th minute. Bill Tuiloma scored on a diving header in the 65th. Enrique scored in the 69th minute and Pasalić in the 80th to tie the game.

TENNIS

Wimbledon call wrong because electronic system was o during Centre Court match

London A ball that clearly landed long in a match at Centre Court wasn’t called out because the electronic system that replaced line judges at Wimbledon this year was shut o . The replay review procedure that used to be in place also was scrapped, so the chair umpire decided to have a do-over on the point in the rst set of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova win over Sonay Kartal.

Hurricanes hit big, sign Ehlers to 6-year deal

The former Winnipeg winger, who was the top player on the free agent market, will earn $51 million on the contract

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes landed arguably the biggest name on the NHL free agency market, signing winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year, $51 million contract Thursday.

Ehlers was drafted by the Jets and played the last decade in Winnipeg, totaling 225 goals and 520 points in 674 regular season games. He had 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points last season. The 29-year-old Dane, the ninth

UNC announces succession plan for athletic director

Steve Newmark will take over for Bubba Cunningham in 2026

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

BUBBA CUNNINGHAM, UNC’s athletic director since 2011, agreed to a two-year contract extension through July 2029 and will transition into a new position serving as a senior adviser to the chancellor and athletic director in the summer of 2026. Steve Newmark, the current Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing president, was hired by the university to serve as the executive associate athletic director before taking over as the athletic director next year.

“As part of my last contract extension, I committed to working with University leadership on a succession plan that would positively position Carolina Athletics and our 28

teams for the future,” Cunningham said in a release. “I appreciate the opportunity to extend my contract and enhance my role in a way that will allow

me to continue to support our outstanding student-athletes, coaches and sta as we transition and navigate the changing athletics landscape.”

overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, is an eight-time 20goal scorer and has eclipsed 60 points each of the last two seasons.

“I believe that I will t in very nicely,” Ehlers said in a video call with reporters Saturday. “And that’s obviously something you look at as well when you try to make a decision.”

The addition of Ehlers — who will cost $8.5 million against the salary cap through the 2029-30 season — adds more repower on the wings, but Carolina is still looking for an answer behind Sebastian Aho at center. Don’t be surprised if that solution comes internally.

Both Seth Jarvis and Logan Stankoven are natural centers, and while the Hurricanes would ideally have a bigger body down the middle behind Aho, both will likely be given a chance to win the job.

As for Ehlers, Carolina is adding one of hockey’s most dynamic — and overlooked — o ensive players. He ranks 12th in 5-on-5 points

See CANES, page B4

forward to

The move by UNC is its latest in e orts to adapt to NIL and revenue sharing. Cunningham has been busy putting things in place since last year as he named ve general managers (football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and department-wide), established the Excellence Fund campaign with The Rams Club, a donation program for the school’s athletic programs, and hired the athletic department’s rst chief revenue o cer.

He’s also continued analyses for a new UNC basketball arena and new commercial and economic opportunities.

Newmark is a Chapel Hill native and has served as the

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham applauds during football senior day ceremonies last November. The school has announced plans to transition to Cunningham’s successor.

KARL B. DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tries to slow down Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov (37) during a game. The two will be teammates on the Hurricanes next season.

MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO

The Hurricanes signed free agent winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year, $51 million contract last Thursday.

“I look

working with Bubba and the entire Tar Heel nation to continue to elevate UNC’s status as a premier brand in college sports.”

Steve Newmark

Local products set to take court for NBA Summer League

The NBA Summer League o ers young players a chance to show their stu

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE NBA 2K26 Summer League is set to o cially kick o this week in Las Vegas.

The 10-day event will feature some of the top up-and-coming talent in the NBA duking it out for a summer league title, but more importantly, the tournament will allow prospects on all 30 teams the chance to showcase their skills and potentially turn the heads of some team executives.

As is to be expected, there are also quite a few local products that will be playing in this year’s summer league.

Duke is one of the best represented schools this year with not only their quintet of talented rookies (Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Khaman Maluach and Tyrese Proctor) set to play, but so too are former players such as Kyle Filipkowski, DJ Steward and Marques Bolden.

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, could also see some time at point guard this summer after Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said he wanted to push the 18-year-old this summer to see how he responds.

The number of NBA 2K26 Summer League players with ties to North Carolina

“I don’t look at the position,” Kidd said. “I want to put him at the point guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts to being able to run the show. Being able to play the two, play the three, he’s comfortable playing that, but we want to push, and I think he’s going to respond in a positive way.”

July 14 will feature a matchup between a few of the Duke standouts as Flagg will take on Knueppel, James and the Charlotte Hornets for one of their four slated games.

There are also plenty of former Tar Heels playing this summer as well such as 2025 draftee Drake Powell who went 22nd overall to the Brooklyn Nets as one of ve rst-round selections, and a pair of former teammates in Caleb Love and RJ Davis, who both signed professional tryouts.

Powell still has a way to go to make the NBA, but perhaps his strong defensive game (he was UNC’s Defensive Player of

the Year as a freshman last season) can be a way that he di erentiates himself in the summer league.

“I feel like my defense is mainly just pride,” Powell said. “That’s just something that I’ve had since growing up. At a young age, just playing with my older brother, older cousin. That’s just something that I always took pride in. I think I can make an immediate impact to help this team be successful.”

Also representing UNC this summer will be Armando Bacot, Harrison Ingram, Cormac

Ryan, Pete Nance, Dawson Garcia, Kerwin Walton and Justin McKoy.

While only one recent NC State player will be participating in the summer league (Brandon Huntley), a pair of 2022-23 teammates in Jarkel Joiner and Jack Clark also received invitations.

In addition, Wake Forest also had a pair of invitees in Efton Reid and Hunter Sallis.

Not only are the big four ACC schools represented, but also a few of the others from around the state, as well such as former

ECU Pirates guard RJ Felton, former Appalachian State Mountaineer CJ Huntley and former Winston-Salem State Ram Javonte Cooke.

Finally, multiple former North Carolina high school players are set to play in Las Vegas, including second-year pro Rob Dillingham, Caleb Stone-Carrawell, Jaylan Gainey, Nate Hinton, Wendell Moore Jr., Jalen Hood-Schi no, Kaden Shedrick, Jaden Springer and Hunter Tyson.

While the o cial tournament is set to start Thursday, there were also two preliminary tournaments that took place earlier in the week: the Salt Lake City Summer League and the California Classic.

The Salt Lake City Summer League, which featured the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, saw a strong performance from former Duke star Filipowski, who had 22 points, six rebounds and two assists in his rst game.

Also playing in Salt Lake City were Bacot, Reid, Sallis, Walton, Clark, Springer, Hood-Schi no, Hinton, Gainey and Stone-Carrawell.

The California Classic, which featured the Miami Heat, San Antonia Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, also had a handful of local products taking part.

Steward was one of the most notable names in the eight-game slate, as the 2021 one-and-done Blue Devil dropped 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting along with six assists in a game against the Warriors.

Also taking part in the classic were Cooke, Bolden, Davis and Ingram.

Hornets retool roster depth through o season moves

Charlotte’s front o ce has been busy since the draft

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — While they haven’t taken part in any blockbuster trades or signings, the Charlotte Hornets have quietly pieced together an intriguing o season as the 2025-26 season approaches.

Following a series of NBA Draft selections that were looked at favorably by many league analysts, the Hornets front o ce has since bolstered the team’s depth by adding players in free agency who can contribute to a roster that sputtered to a 19-63 record last season.

Charlotte is bringing back point guard Tre Mann on a three-year, $24 million deal after he showed promise (14.1 points, 3.0 assists) in his 13 games last season before a herniated disc required surgery.

The No. 18 pick by Oklahoma City in the 2021 draft looked to be inching toward a breakout season prior to his untimely back injury.

A familiar face is back in Mason Plumlee after the veteran center signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal to add frontcourt depth to a team severely in need of it. While the former Duke star is coming o his career low in scoring (4.5 points), he still has the ability to clog the

UNC from page B1

president of RFK Racing for the past 15 years. He’s already had in uence on UNC athletics, serving on the advisory committee that helped hire Bill Belichick as the Tar Heels’ football coach, and he is currently part of the advisory committee that will hire the new executive director of The Rams Club.

“He’s just been somebody that’s been around and, I think, really has a good insight,” Cunningham said on a recent podcast.

Cunningham also said talks with Newmark started last year when they discussed how more than half of the revenue generated in NASCAR is from sponsors.

“The economic model is very, very di erent,” Cunningham said. “That kind of got me

lane and scoop up rebounds as a space ller in the paint.

Charlotte will also get to see what point guard Spencer Dinwiddie can do wearing purple and teal in his 12th year in the league after he inked a one-year deal; he averaged 11 points and 4.4 assists in Dallas last season.

Previous Hornets Seth Curry, Taj Gibson and Wendell Moore Jr. were not re-signed during the recent free agency period.

Beyond new signings, Charlotte has been active with trades, sending Jusuf Nurkic to Utah in exchange for point guard Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick

The addition of Sexton gives

thinking about, ‘How do we continue to position ourselves?’ because recognizing that tickets, television and philanthropy are the three that we’re really good at, but sponsorships is something I think we have a growth area. That led us in a different direction.”

In the world of racing, Newmark was part of the small group that led the creation of NASCAR’s charter system, and he has served as a liaison with NASCAR for all teams over the last decade.

The NASCAR charter system drastically changed the landscape of the sport as it guaranteed teams entry into each race and a portion of the purse. Before the charter system was introduced in 2016, race teams had to qualify for their spot. Newmark joined RFK Rac-

the Hornets a high-usage backcourt scorer (18.4 points, 4.2 assists) with playo experience who is an e cient shooter coming o a 48% eld goal rate last season with the Jazz.

Given the persistent injury woes that have plagued LaMelo Ball in recent seasons, Charlotte can now look at its guard depth in a better light thanks to the addition of proven players like Dinwiddie and Sexton and hopefully having Mann back for a full season.

Elsewhere, center Mark Williams was o oaded to Phoenix, bringing in Vasilije Micic, the draft rights to the No. 29 pick and a 2029 rst-round pick before Micic was sent to

ing as the senior vice president of business operations in 2010. Before that, he had served as outside counsel for the organization after graduating from the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia School of Law. He was involved in the partnership formed between Jack Roush and Fenway Sports Group in 2007.

“Steve has been instrumental in shaping the culture, growth and success of our organization, and his impact will be felt well into the future,” RFK Racing said in a statement.

Newmark will report to Cunningham and start his new role with a focus on revenue-driving initiatives, particularly for UNC’s football and men’s and women’s basketball programs.

“Like many passionate Tar Heel fans, avidly following UNC

New Charlotte guard Pat Connaughton dunks for Milwaukee during a March game.

Milwaukee for shooting guard Pat Connaughton and future second-round picks.

It isn’t likely that Connaughton will make a huge impact for the Hornets in the box score, but his defense and toughness are attributes the team is always in need of.

The moves are all complementary to Charlotte’s recent draft haul of ACC Tournament MVP Kon Knueppel, Big East Freshman of the Year Liam McNeeley, ACC All-Defensive honoree Sion James and four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner.

“I just can’t tell you guys how thrilled we are to have you guys as a part of the organization and

Athletics has represented a special and unique bond with my family and friends since childhood, and I recognize the role it serves for the University, alumni, community and broader fanbase,” Newmark said. “I look forward to working with Bubba and the entire Tar Heel nation to continue to elevate UNC’s status as a premier brand in college sports with top-tier programs across the board and with student-athletes who represent North Carolina’s agship institution with class on and o their respective playing elds.”

Prior to joining the UNC sta and his time with RFK Racing, Newmark gained experience in college athletics while as a partner at the Charlotte-based law rm Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson. There, he specialized in sports and entertainment and

our family,” Hornets GM Je Peterson said of his team’s draft additions. “They’re good basketball players, but they’re better people, and we’re really excited to have them here with us and moving forward.

“Throughout the process, we thought it was important to identify players who we want to be about. These four gentlemen embody everything that we want to be about in terms of competitiveness, versatility, IQ and their willingness to be a part of the team and make people better. It’s an exciting day for the Hornets, and we can’t wait to see what they do.”

On paper, none of Charlotte’s o season moves leap o the page as additions that will radically transform a team that had its third-worst season in franchise history last year.

However, when they are looked at together in tandem to the hopeful thinking that the squad will be less ransacked by injuries, one could come away with a legitimate belief that the Hornets could surprise some folks.

Last season, Charlotte had only a 8.6% win rate when Ball was on the sideline in street clothes. If the former All-Star can stay healthy, Peterson and the Hornets’ revamped ownership duo of Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall have stayed busy enough over the past month with an active mindset to give the team a ghting chance at relevance going forward.

worked with the SEC, Conference USA and the NCAA.

Newmark will have big shoes to ll as Cunningham gets ready to leave behind an impressive legacy as UNC’s athletic director.

Under Cunningham, eight different teams (men’s basketball, eld hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s tennis) combined for 24 of North Carolina’s 63 all-time national championships.

The Tar Heels also won 22 individual national titles across seven sports. Regarding the major American sports, the football team has quali ed for 11 bowl games, men’s basketball made three Final Four trips, women’s basketball made nine NCAA tournament appearances and baseball has earned three College World Series bids.

SCOTT STRAZZANTE/SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE VIA AP

Harrison Ingram, right, battles for a loose ball. The former Tar Heel is playing for the Spurs this summer.

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO

Club World Cup not finding many good guests

“It’s

really bad having to give up your vacation to play something you’re forced to.”

Raphinha

SINCE THE 1992 Olympics in Barcelona,

Team USA’s men’s basketball team has stayed on a cruise ship docked o shore from the host city. And ever since 1992, outraged members of the world media have asked members of the team why they refuse to stay in the Olympic Village.

It’s a case of the ugly Americans coming in and acting like they own the place, disrespecting the host country’s hard work to prepare for the games.

Team USA defends the move, saying the attention drawn by the NBA players that populate the team’s roster would overwhelm the Olympic Village, crowding it with fans and media while detracting from the experience of the other athletes staying there.

“It’s not our boat,” Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said at the Rio Games, when the subject came up again. “We’re not the only people on the boat. There are other people on the boat that we see, that we say ‘good morning’ to, ‘hello.’ We’ve actually made friends on the boat. … We’re fortunate to be here for the Olympics whether we’re on a boat or not.”

Of course, it doesn’t help the Americans’ case when members of the team are saying things like the following:

“You have to go, period, because we follow orders; we have to be there playing. … Giving up my vacation to play in a new tournament is very complicated. It’s really bad having to give up your vacation to play something you’re forced to because at no point did they ask us players about anything. At no point did they ask us if we wanted to play or what the ideal dates were. They just said we had to go, and that’s it.”

Oh, wait. That wasn’t an ugly American NBA player. That was La Liga star Raphinha, complaining about having to come to the United States to play in this summer’s Club World Cup tournament.

For some reason, the importance of being a good guest and embracing the host country doesn’t extend to events being held in our hemisphere. Soccer players are infamous for opping — exaggerating their injuries in the hope of drawing a penalty by dropping to the ground as if they were shot after the slightest contact. And the soccer venues around the United States have our foreign guests clutching their pearls and falling to the turf from sea to shining sea.

After a game in Charlotte was delayed for two hours due to lightning in the area, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca speculated that “something is not working well” and maybe the U.S. “is not the right place to do this competition.”

Does that mean they don’t have lightning in Europe? No, it just means they don’t care about it. At a Euro 2024 game last year, lightning struck the eld while play was going on. They took a 24-minute break. European futballers are also outraged that it is hot during the summertime in America.

Juventus coach Igor Tudor was upset over Miami’s game-time temperature, saying, “We played under really di cult conditions. The players were really fatigued.”

Plus, people don’t understand how hard it is being a soccer star. “It’s a lot of factors that weighed in,” Tudor said. “It’s the end of the season. They had a lot of stress on them, that takes away energy as well, and then the heat is another thing that makes things more di cult.”

Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač was appalled by the notorious Cincinnati summer heat. “This is very hard for someone, and the players, they must play these games,” he said.

Of course, when Dortmund played next in New Jersey, in cooler conditions, that wasn’t any better.

“It’s more a golf green, so you can putt here,” Kovač said of the turf. “It’s very short. But this is not the grass we are used to playing on in the Bundesliga and also in the other two stadiums.”

Clearly, Borussia Dortmund players like Gregor Kobel, Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Giovanni Reyna, Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi shouldn’t have to play in overheated conditions like that. Neither should Juventus’ Bremer, Teun Koopmeiners, Weston McKennie, Filip Kostić, Jonathan David, Dušan Vlahović, Arkadiusz Milik, Randal Kolo Muani and Timothy Weah. Those 15 players competed in the 2022 World Cup — in Qatar, where it’s hot, but apparently nothing like those 86-degree Cincinnati days.

There have also been complaints about the lack of crowds at the games — because who wouldn’t want to come watch these pleasant souls engage in their craft?

However, I’m not going to harp on all the whining and opping. As an ugly American, let me just wish all of our foreign soccer guests a sincere and hearty welcome to America, where our heat is too hot, our grass is too grassy and we care just a bit too much about people getting struck by lightning. Sorry you had to give up three weeks of vacation to come here. If conditions here become intolerable, may I suggest an old trick we’ve found helpful — try getting on a ship. And maybe don’t bother anchoring it — just head on back home.

MLB’s 2025 All-Star Game brings show to Atlanta

For many of baseball’s best, the road to the Midsummer Classic came through North Carolina

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE BEST players in Major League Baseball will converge on Atlanta this weekend for the 95th MLB All-Star Game.

Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Paul Skenes and dozens of other baseball greats will compete in the annual exhibition showcase for the brightest lights in MLB.

It’s the third time Atlanta has hosted the game and the rst since 2000. Truist Park, the Braves’ home since 2017, is one of just ve current stadiums that hasn’t yet hosted the All-Star Game.

With a thriving high school, college and minor league baseball environment, it should come as no surprise that many of this year’s All-Stars spent time playing in North Carolina before arriving at the pinnacle of their sport. Here’s a look at some of the All-Stars to watch, and when they made the Old North State their home.

Home-grown all-stars

A pair of 2025 All-Stars were born and raised in N.C.

Cal Raleigh, Seattle catcher: Making his rst All-Star appearance in his fth MLB season, the Cullowhee-born Raleigh is having a year for the ages.

A former high school All-American at Smoky Mountain High, he’s now in the running for an MVP award in the big leagues. He has set rst-half records for home runs by a catcher, and his 35 homers lead the majors. With more than 3 million fan votes, second only to Aaron Judge among American League players, he was elected as the AL’s starting catcher, the rst Seattle Mariner catcher ever to be voted in by the fans.

MacKenzie Gore, Washington starting pitcher: The Wilmington-born lefthander is also making his rst All-Star appearance. He pitched Whiteville High to four straight state title game appearances and then opted for a pro career instead of pitching for East Carolina in college. Now in his fourth MLB season, he’s third in the National League in strikeouts.

Big man on campus

One 2025 All-Star played his college ball in North Carolina. Shane Smith, White Sox starting pitcher: The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon toiled in the low minors (including 19 games as the Carolina Mudcats closer in 2023) for most of three seasons before leaving the Brewers organization for the White Sox as a Rule V pick in the o season. That means that his

CANES from page B1

per 60 minutes over the past six seasons, though injuries have sometimes limited his availability.

The Hurricanes should afford Ehlers more opportunity as well. Ehlers often played second-line minutes in Winnipeg, shoved down the lineup behind Kyle Connor. He should nd a home on Aho’s wing and also be a key part of the team’s top power play unit. His ability to carry the puck into the zone, including on the power play, will bring an element Carolina missed after it traded Martin Necas last season.

“I think every player always has a little more,” Ehlers said, “and I’m hoping that maybe a di erent culture, a di erent team, playing style will make me a better player.”

His NHL EDGE stats show a player who is above average in all categories, including being one of hockey’s fastest skaters (94th percentile in top speed, 86th percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph) with a blistering shot (93.92mph hardest shot last year, nishing in the 94th percentile).

previous club didn’t think he was a valuable prospect and left him available for any other team that wanted to give him a shot in the bigs. He’s made the most of it, as one of Chicago’s most dependable pitchers.

Best of Bull City

The Durham Bulls have won more titles than any other minor league team in the state, and a pair of All-Stars won rings with the Bulls on their way to Tampa. Brandon Lowe, Tampa inelder: The second baseman is making his second All-Star appearance and rst since 2019. He hit 14 home runs for the Bulls in 2018 and has returned four times since on injury-rehab assignments. Jonathan Aranda, Tampa in elder: The rst baseman won the International League MVP award with the Bulls in 2022. He’s in his rst full season with the Rays and leads the team in OPS and batting average.

Chicks dig the Zebulon-ball

In addition to Smith, three other All-Stars played for the Carolina Mudcats.

Aroldis Chapman, Boston relief pitcher: The Cuban amethrower played in Zebulon 14 years ago as a Cincinnati Reds prospect. He’s making his eighth All-Star appearance in his 16th season in MLB.

Francisco Lindor, Mets shortstop: Making his fth All-Star appearance and rst in the National League, Lindor was voted the starting shortstop for the NL, the rst time he’s won the fan voting after getting his name checked 2.2 million times. He played for the Mudcats in 2013, when Carolina was part of the Cleveland organization, hit-

Half of his 24 goals last season were scored either in front of the net or in the slot, and that’s also where he created the majority of his shots on goal. His goals for percentage at 5-on-5 ranked 10th in the NHL among forwards, with the Jets outscoring opponents 38-22 with him on the ice. He has an 11.9% shooting percentage for his career, and he’s had 15 or more even-strength goals in eight of his 10 NHL seasons.

“He is incredibly fast and dynamic with the puck,” Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky said during the call. “He’ll bring creativity to our game. We have the puck as much as any team in the league, and the more we can turn that into premium scoring chances, the better o we’ll be.

“And Nikolaj is the kind of player who can create scoring chances out of nothing, and that’s the sort of thing that you layer on to what we’ve already built, and it can help take us to the next level.”

Ehlers has not been a huge producer on the power play, but his 22 points last season (6 goals, 16 assists) with Winnipeg were a career high.

ting .306 with 20 stolen bases. Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee starting pitcher: Four years after Lindor came to town, the Mudcats were a Brewers afliate, and Peralta struck out 78 batters in 561⁄3 innings. He’s making his second All-Star appearance and rst since 2021.

Yes, Queen City

A pair of former White Sox prospects played for the Charlotte Knights on the way up. Chris Sale, Atlanta starting pitcher: Last year’s Cy Young Award winner pitcher for both Charlotte and Winston-Salem during the 2010 season at the very start of his career and showed he’d be a force to be reckoned with, striking out 19 in 101⁄3 innings. He retuned to Charlotte for one game in 2014, on injury rehab, striking out 11 batters in a four-inning masterpiece. He’s an All-Star for the ninth time. Garrett Crochet, Boston starting pitcher: He went directly to the majors after being drafted in 2020, but, while recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2023, pitched two games for the Knights, striking out 13 in 61⁄3 innings. He’s a two-time All-Star.

Up-and-coming Astros

Houston has had a number of minor league franchises in the state, and a pair of former Astros prospects are now All-Stars. Kyle Tucker, Cubs out elder: Making his fourth All-Star appearance is the former Buies Creek Astro, who hit nine homers with a .932 OPS in 2017. Jeremy Pena, Houston shortstop: He hit .317 with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers in 2019 and now makes his rst All-Star team.

He won’t contribute on the penalty kill or at the faceo dot, but he also won’t spend much time in the penalty box — he had 17 PIMs a season ago and has never had more than 38 in a season in his career.

Ehlers was one of six players from Denmark to play in the NHL last season and will join goaltender Frederik Andersen on the Hurricanes. Both were among the six players named when Denmark released their preliminary Olympic roster last month.

“I love that guy,” Ehlers said when asked about Andersen. “So we are very familiar. I’m excited to play with him. He’s been a great goalie throughout his NHL career. We’ve obviously talked. He called me as soon as he heard the news, and we got the Olympics coming up in February as well.

“So it’ll be a very special year, I think, to have him as well there to help me get integrated as quickly as possible and show me around the city and so on. It will obviously help a lot. So I’m excited. It’s going to be fun to play with another Danish guy.”

NICK WASS / AP PHOTO

Former Whiteville High lefthander MacKenzie Gore pitches his way toward a rst-time All-Star selection in a game for Washington last month.

CUMBERLAND

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Having quali ed as Ancillary Executor of the estate of Shirley A. Abraham deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned at 829 Spellman Drive Indian Land, SC 29707 on or before October 9, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned. This the 10th day of July, 2025. Pamela Abraham Hambleton, Ancillary Executor 25E000948-250 (Order number) (July 10, 2025) (July 17, 2025), (July 24, 2025), (July 31, 2025)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT ESTATE FILE NO. 25E001034-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Leona Leslie Briody, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before October 10, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 10th day of July, 2025. Brian Haden, Administrator of the Estate of Leona Leslie Briody NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD

FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR ADMINISTRATOR Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned having quali ed as the Administrator/Executor of the Estate of Gary J. Lewis AKA Gary Lewis, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of October 2025. (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 8th day of July, 2025.

Jennifer L. Thomas Administrator/Executor 140 Zaharias Circle Daytona Beach, Florida 32124 Of the Estate of Gary J. Lewis AKA Gary Lewis, Deceased NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 23 E 000964-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE Having quali ed as Executrix of the Estate of Tandra Adams, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before October 3, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the decedent or said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this the 30th day of June, 2025. Ke’ana Munn, Executrix of the Estate of Tandra Adams 2036 Wheeling Street Fayetteville, NC 28303

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF FRANKLIN DELANO BARFIELD

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000861-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Franklin Delano Bar eld, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Angela Bar eld Neal, Executor, at 211 Rush Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before the 11th day of October 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst 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 Executor/Administrator named above.

This the 1st day of July, 2025. Angela Bar eld Neal Executor of the Estate of Franklin Delano Bar eld Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: July 10, July 17, July 24 and July 31, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF MIA PAIGE BOURCHIER

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000870-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Mia Paige Bourchier, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Charles Bourchier, Administrator, at 166 East eld Dr. Raeford, NC 28376, on or before the 27th day of September 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst 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 Administrator named above.

This the 19th day of June, 2025.

Charles Bourchier Administrator of the Estate of Mia Paige Bourchier

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: June 26, July 3, July 10 and July 17, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE NO. 25E000999-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Charles Fuller Boyd, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before October 3, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 3rd day of July, 2025. Dana Rumbold, Executor of the Estate of Charles Fuller Boyd NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF PATRICIA ANN LEWIS

CUMBERLAND County

Estate File No. 25E000594-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Patricia Ann Lewis, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at Hutchens Law Firm, LLP, 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 20th day of September (which date is three months after the day of the rst 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 Executor/Administrator named above. This the 16th day of June, 2025. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Patricia Ann Lewis

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: June 19, June 26, July 3, and July 10, 2025

NOTICE

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk

Estate File # 25E000931-250

State of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator’s Notice

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Don DelRaye Jones, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before 22nd day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of thier recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 22nd day of June 2025.

Dayana M. Jones

540 E. Benton St Benson NC 27504

Administrator of the Estate

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF RICKY DENNIS HUFF

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000971-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Ricky Dennis Hu deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Denver Ralph Hu , Administrator, at 2919 Breezewood Ave., Suite 100, Fayetteville, NC 28303, on or before the 27th day of September 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the rst 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 Administrator named above.

This the 19th day of June, 2025. Denver Ralph Hu Administrator of the Estate of Ricky Dennis Hu Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: June 26, July 3, July 10 and July 17, 2025

Notice to Creditors

Having quali ed as Executor/Administrator of the Estate of Julia

Experience , deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 65 White Birch Ln Angier NC on or before September 19, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are asked to make immediate payment. This the 13th day of June 2025.

Charlanta Anescar

Executor/Administrator of the Estate of Julia Experience 65 White Birch Ln Angier, NC 27501

Notice to Creditors & A davit of Publication

Notice to Creditors

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of

Belinda Denise Eanes, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before September 19, 2025 (three months from the date of rst publication) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment.

This the 1st day of June, 2025.

Executor: Eric Matthew Eanes

1121 Odom Dr Fayetteville, NC 28304 Publish: June 19, 2025; June 26, 2025; July 3, 2025; July 10, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Sharon Kay Cipriano Deceased

Notice is hereby given that Peter Cipriano Jr. whose address is8711 coats road linden nc 28356 has been appointed as the Executor the estate of Sharon Kay Cipriano deceased, who died on May, 3rd, 2025.

All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the undersigned within by August 19, 2025 after the date of the rst publication of June 19, 2025 this notice or the claims may be barred.

Peter Cipriano Jr.

Executor for the Estate of Sharon Kay Cipriano 8711 Coats Road Linden NC, 28356

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice

Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File 25E000762-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Joyce Tucker Pittman, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of September, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) 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 18th day of June, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Joyce Tucker Pittman

Linda Ward Johnson 7600 Autryville Road Autryville, NC 28318 Executor

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE NO. 24E001552-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Richard Patrick Salazar, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before October 10, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 10th day of July, 2025. Michael Anthony Salazar, Administrator of the Estate of Richard Patrick Salazar

NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A.

N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR ADMINISTRATOR

DURHAM

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Probate #24E002051_____ All persons, rm and corporations having claims against Harriet Wilse Vogt, late of Durham County, North Carolina are hereby noti ed to present them to Kendall H. Page, as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page,

NOTICE

NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Lynn S. Stepnowski, having quali

on the 15th day of May 2025, as Executor of the

of

A. Durham (25E001646-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, 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 22nd day of September, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 19th day of June 2025. Lynn S. Stepnowski Executor ESTATE OF GALE A. DURHAM David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

Publish: June 19, 2025 June 26, 2025 July 3, 2025 July 10, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Joan Miastkowski, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before October 10, 2025(which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney.

This the 10th day of July, 2025. Janet Chetti, Executor of the Estate of Joan Miastkowski c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146 Please publish 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of John Miastkowski, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before October 10, 2025(which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney.

This the 10th day of July, 2025. Janet Chetti, Executor of the Estate of John Miastkowski c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146 Please publish 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Jo Ann Mintz, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before October 10, 2025(which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney.

This the 10th day of July, 2025. Kimberly Jane Brock, Administrator of the Estate of Jo Ann Mintz c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146 Please publish 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Phillip Dean Sasser, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before October 10, 2025(which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney.

This the 10th day of July, 2025. Stephen D. Sasser, Administrator of the Estate of Phillip Dean Sasser

c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146 Please publish 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Alisa Jan Morris Wright, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before September 19, 2025 (which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney. This the 19th day of June, 2025. Gordon William Wright, Administrator C.T.A. of the Estate of Alisa Jan Morris Wright, Deceased c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146

Please publish 06/19, 06/26, 07/03, 07/10 ORANGE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Probate #25E000359-670

All persons, rm and corporations having claims against Suzanne Van Houten Sauter, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby noti ed to present them to Edward N. Tostanoski, Jr., as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 26th day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 6/26/2025,7/3/2025, 7/10/2025 & 7/17/2025

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Gladys Parks aka Gladys Johnson Parks, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW, PO Box 2445, Asheboro, North Carolina 27204, on or before October 13, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 10th day of July, 2025 Gary Howard Parks, Administrator of the Estate of Gladys Parks aka Gladys Johnson Parks, deceased TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT

ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 2445 Asheboro, NC 27204 (336) 953-4661 PUBL/DATES: 07/10,25 07/17/25 07/24/25 07/31/25

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Elizabeth Harris Hinshaw, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at P.O. Box 5994, Greensboro, North Carolina 27435, on or before the 19th day of September 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 19th day of June 2025. Scott Addison Hinshaw

Executor of the Estate of Elizabeth Harris Hinshaw

Jonathan M. Parisi

Attorney at Law Spangler Estate Planning P.O. Box 5994 Greensboro, NC 27435

ROBESON

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ROBESON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, SYDNEY MADRID, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of RANDOLPH BULLARD, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said SYDNEY MADRID, at the address set out below, on or before September 27, 2025, 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 17th day of June, 2025. SYDNEY MADRID ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF RANDOLPH BULLARD c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

WAKE

Notice to Creditors

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of HAROLD WALKER ELLIOTT, late of Wake County, North Carolina (22E003281-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of

COUNTY 18-SP-346

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Kevin Wingler and April Wingler, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $236,725.00, to American General Financial Services, Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 28th, 2008 and recorded on July 29th, 2008 in Book 08360, Page 0029, as instrument number 24518, and subsequently modi ed by Loan Modi cation recorded on March 25th, 2010 in Book 09098 at Page 0102 and/ or Instrument Number NA, Cabarrus County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as

Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on July 24th, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: All that certain property situated in the County of Cabarrus, and State of North Carolina, being described as follows: Being all of Lot 218 Rocky River Crossing Map 5 Section 2 as shown on that plat recorded in Map Book 36, Page 22 of the Cabarrus County Registry to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Being the property conveyed in warranty Deed from MDC Homes - Charlotte, LLC to Kevin Wingler and April Wingler, dated 02/25/2003, recorded 02/27/2003, in Deed Book 4345, Page 39, in the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Tax Parcel Identi cation Number: 1-10B-218

Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 6229 Rose Way Court, Harrisburg, NC 28075 Tax ID: 01-010B-0218.00

Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of ve 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 certi ed funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered 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(s) of the property is/are Rocky River Crossing Homeowners Association, Inc.. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into

Book 12691 at Page 0031, Cabarrus 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 o er 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 July 23, 2025 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, to wit:

PARCEL 1:

LYING AND BEING IN NO. 11 TOWNSHIP, CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA,

ON THE NORTH SIDE OF LAKEVIEW DRIVE, ADJOINING LOT NO. 6, BLOCK 1, MAP 2, OF “LAKEVIEW SUBDIVISION, (LAKE VIEW ACRES, MAP BOOK 12, PAGE 82) AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT AN IRON STAKE IN THE NORTHERN EDGE OF LAKEVIEW DRIVE, A CORNER OF LOT NO. 6, BLOCK 1, OF THE LAKEVIEW SUBDIVISION, AS SHOWN ON MAP BOOK 12, PAGE 82, AND RUNS THENCE WITH THE LINE OF LOT NO. 6 NORTH 28-58 WEST 150 FEET TO AN IRON STAKE IN THE LINE OF LOT NO. 6; THENCE A NEW LINE NORTH 61-02 EAST 100 FEET TO A NEW CORNER; THENCE A NEW LINE SOUTH 28-58 EAST 150 FEET TO A POINT IN THE NORTHERN EDGE OF LAKEVIEW DRIVE; THENCE WITH THE NORTHERN EDGE OF LAKEVIEW DRIVE SOUTH 6102 WEST 100 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, AS SURVEYED AND PLATTED BY BILLY B. LONG, APRIL, 1968, AND IS THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO PAUL B. DRYE AND WIFE, JANEANNE V. DRYE, BY E. E. SEHORN AND WIFE, ELIZABETH L. SEHORN, BY DEED DATED OCTOBER 25, 1968, AND RECORDED IN BOOK 389, PAGE 101, CABARRUS COUNTY REGISTRY.

PARCEL 2:

Lying and being in Number Eleven (11)

Township, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being a strip of land approximately 16 feet in width bounded on the West by John

R. Stiles, on the North by Donald Newton, on the East by Eugene Tucker, and on the South by Amsbury Road, and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at an iron in the northern edge of Amsbury Road, said iron being the southeast front corner of John R. Stiles, and runs thence with the northern edge of Amsbury Road N. 61-01-20 E. 16.06 feet to an iron, a front corner of Eugene Tucker; thence with the line of Tucker N. 30-35-32 W 149.88 feet to an iron in the line of Donald Newton: thence with the line of Newton S. 61-02-00 W. 12.32 feet to an iron, a rear corner of Stiles; thence with the line of Stiles S. 29-09-47 E. 149.82 feet to the point of beginning.

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

Said property is commonly known as 4069 Amsbury Rd, Concord, NC 28025.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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 o ered pursuant to this

of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in Map Book 26, Page 32, speci c reference thereto being hereby made for a more complete description thereof by metes and bounds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5913 Moray Court Northwest, Concord, North Carolina. Assessor’s Parcel No: 56000515020000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours 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 o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered for

Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale.

Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. 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 TTDA Trust.

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 e ective 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

25 SP 92

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, IREDELL COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Derek Rodney McQuain and Desire Domanique McQuain to Philip R. Mahoney, Trustee(s), which was dated September 7, 2021 and recorded on September 7, 2021 in Book 2848 at Page 1866, Iredell 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,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25 SP 146

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Fred Pritchett and Jessica R. Pritchett (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Fred Pritchett and Jessica R. Pritchett) to Ckezepis law, PLLC, Trustee(s), dated May 10, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 2488, at Page 2142 in Iredell County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Iredell County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina, or the customary

the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er 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 July 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Iredell County, North Carolina, to wit:

Being all of Lot 1 of Faith Crossing, as same is platted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 23, Page 143, Iredell County Public Registry, reference to which plat is hereby made for a greater certainty of description.

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

Said property is commonly known as 111 Midway Lake Road, Mooresville, NC 28115. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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

location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on July 17, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Statesville in the County of Iredell, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of LOTS 61 AND 62 of COUNTRY LIFE ESTATES, Section 3, as the same is platted, planned and recorded in Plat Book 19, Page 60, Iredell County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 129 Fox Run Drive, Statesville, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours 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 o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being

the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Benson in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

Tract 1

2236, at Page 552 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Smith eld, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on July 15, 2025 and will sell to

25SP000205-500 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, JOHNSTON COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Michele G Jackson to JOHN B THIRD, Trustee(s), which was dated March 6, 2020 and recorded on March 11, 2020 in Book 5542 at Page 159, Johnston 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 o er 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 July 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following

BEGINNING at a point in center of N.C. Highway #50 and corner of Joe Smith and Jasper Langdon land in Elevation Township, and runs thence as center of said highway South 8 degrees 10 minutes East 200 feet to a stake; thence North 8 degrees 10 minutes West 60 feet to a stake in Joe Smith’s line; thence as the Smith line North 86 degrees 50 minutes West 200 feet to the beginning point in center of said highway, and contains 27/100 of an acre, more of less, being Lot No. 1 of the Jasper Langdon property, of said property prepared by W. J. Lanbert, Surveyor, September 21, 1960;

Tract 2

BEGINNING at a point in center of NC Highway No. 50 and corner of Carl F and George W Byrd Lot No. 1 of Jasper Langdon property in Elevation Township, and runs thence as center of said highway S 8-10 E 57.5 feet to a point in center of said highway; thence S 86-50 E 200 feet to a stake; thence N 8-10 W 57.5 feet to a stake and corner of the Carl and George Byrd Lot No. 1; thence as the line of said Lot No. 1 N 86-50 W 200 feet to the beginning point in center of said highway and contains .26 acres; more or

described property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit:

BEING all of Lot Number 18 of Hidden Creek Subdivision as shown more fully on map entitled “Final Plat Hidden Creek Subdivision” prepared by Stancil and Associates, dated March 19, 2001 recorded May 17, 2002 in Map Book 60, Page 240, Johnston County Registry. Reference to said map is being made for a greater certainty of description.

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

Said property is commonly known as 20 Cool Creek Drive, Willow Spring, NC 27592.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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

COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 25sp000253-500 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CAMDEN JOSEPH RICHARDS AND SARAH ANN SOUAD EL-FERKH DATED APRIL 15, 2021 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 5903 AT PAGE 3 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 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 July 22, 2025, 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 Camden Joseph Richards and Sarah Ann Souad El-Ferkh, dated April 15, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $216,000.00, and recorded in Book 5903 at Page 3 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed 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: 222 Penwood Road, Willow Spring, NC 27592 Tax Parcel ID: 13C02074D Present Record Owners: Camden Joseph Richards and Sarah Ann

property situated in Johnston County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 118, Phase 4, Glen Laurel Subdivision, as depicted on plat recorded in Plat Book 40, Page 379, Johnston County, Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 22 Lafoy Drive, Clayton, NC 27527. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve 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 o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale,

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 o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. 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 Derek Rodney McQuain and spouse, Desire Domanique McQuain.

o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to

less being Lot No. 2 of the Jasper Langdon Property.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 9086 Highway 50 North, Benson, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours 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 o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising

PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. 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 Michele G. Jackson.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29

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 e ective 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)].

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 ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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 ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation 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

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 e ective 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 e ective date of the termination.

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”.

Souad El-Ferkh The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Camden Joseph Richards and Sarah Ann Souad El-Ferkh. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered 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 o cers, 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 o ered 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 ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed 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

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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of

and any

encumbrances or

of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned,

owner(s) of the

Galliher and spouse, Saundra J

is/are

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 e ective 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

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 ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation 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.: 25-11963-FC01

JOHNSTON

the BRIEF this week

3 dead as ash ooding hits mountain village in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M.

O cials say monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered ash ooding that killed three people and was so intense an entire house was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer retreat. The village of Ruidoso said in a statement that a man, a 4-year-old girl and 7-year- old boy were swept away Tuesday by oodwaters. Three people earlier had been reported missing, but it wasn’t immediately clear early Wednesday whether those were the same three who died. The water in the Ruidoso area had receded by Tuesday night, and search and rescue and swift water rescue teams were scouring the town for the missing people.

Searchers in helicopters, on horseback scour Texas ood debris for missing Hunt, Texas The search is continuing for more than 160 people believed to be missing in Texas days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people. But questions remain about the extent of a catastrophe that stretched far past the borders of a single summer camp. Many of those who are not accounted for were staying in the state’s Hill Country but did not register at a camp or hotel. The 161 missing are believed to be in Kerr County.

$2.00

2 dead, 1 missing in Chatham after Chantal ooding, tornadoes

An 83-year-old Pittsboro woman had her car swept o the road

By Jordan Golson Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — A Pittsboro woman was one of several killed in the state amid ooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal as nearly a foot of rain fell in Chatham County.

Sandra Portoy Hirschman, 83 of Pittsboro, was killed when her car was swept o a rural road by oodwaters Sunday night. N.C. Highway Patrol troopers responded to a report of a submerged vehicle on Farrington Point Road near Hinton Road near the crossing with Cub Creek. Her 2014 Audi A4 was found 100 feet o the road. She was the only occupant.

Chatham County Sheri ’s deputies have also been searching Jordan Lake for two boaters who put in Sunday afternoon and went missing. One body, as well as their canoe, were recovered, but searchers continued looking for the other boater. Names had not been released ahead of next of kin noti cations. They weren’t the only fatalities in North Carolina following the storm, which also saw several EF-1 tornadoes touch down

See FLOODING, page A10

Chapel Hill appoints new town manager

Theodore Voorhees brings three decades of governmental experience to the town

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

CHAPEL HILL — The Town of Chapel Hill has lled its vacant town manager position

An

after a multimonth-long search.

At its June 25 meeting, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved the hiring of Theodore Voorhees as the new town manager, e ective Aug. 11.

“Over the past few months, the town council has conducted a national search for our new town manager,” said Mayor Jessica Anderson. “A really strong eld of candidates applied.”

Concerns over Medicare cuts drove the decision

By Amanda Seitz The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C.

signature domestic policy package. Martin General is one of a dozen hospitals that have closed in North Carolina over the last two decades. This is a problem

that hospital systems and health experts warn may only worsen if the legislation passes with its $1 trillion cuts to the Medicaid program and new restrictions on enrollment in the coverage.

Tillis’ home state showcases the nancial impact that more Medicaid dollars can have on hospitals in rural and poor regions throughout the country. Tillis said in a oor speech last Sunday, explaining his vote, that the GOP bill will siphon billions of dollars from Medicaid recipients and the health system in his state.

“Republicans are about to make a mistake on health care and betraying a promise,” said

Voorhees, who holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University, previously served as the county administrator for Orange County in Virginia starting in 2020.

The Charlotte native has held multiple leadership positions in both county and city management over the span of his career.

While Voorhees worked out of state for the last eight years — he also served as county administrator in Powhatan County in Virginia for three years before Orange — he has ample experience working in North Carolina, having spent more than 20 years in four di erent communities in the state.

“Substantial cuts to Medicaid or Medicare payments could increase the number of unpro table rural hospitals and elevate their risk of nancial distress.”

UNC analysis

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be

See MANAGER, page A7

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

N.C. 902 was closed from Old 421 to Chatham Central High School due to ooding from Tropical Storm Chantal.

THURSDAY 7.10.25 #99

HOSPITALS

from page A1

Tillis, who has announced he will not seek reelection to a third term in 2026. Along with Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, he joined all Democrats in voting against the bill.

Tillis later accused the president and his colleagues of not fully grasping the full impact of the bill: “We owe it to the states to do the work to understand how these proposals affect them. How hard is that? I did it.”

For Martin General Hospital in Williamston, North Carolina’s decision to expand Medicaid came just too late. The emergency room abruptly closed its doors in the eastern North Carolina county that’s home to more than 20,000 people in August 2023. The closest hospital is now about a 30-minute drive away.

Then-Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper faulted the state’s failure to expand the Medicaid program to more low-income adults sooner to prevent Martin General’s closure.

North Carolina began o ering Medicaid expansion to its residents in December. Today, more than 673,000 people are receiving this coverage.

Now, Tillis and other state o cials are worried the Republican bill, which will limit how much Medicaid money is sent back to providers, threatens funds for hospitals in their state again. And it could trigger a state Medicaid law that would close down North Caro-

lina’s otherwise successful expansion of coverage unless state legislators make changes or locate funds.

The Medicaid dollars that Republicans seek to scale back in their bill have helped buttress the remaining rural hospitals across North Carolina, said Jay Ludlam, a deputy health secretary who leads North Carolina Medicaid.

“This has been a lifeline for our rural hospitals here in North Carolina and has helped provide and keep them open,” Ludlam said. “Rural hospitals play an integral role in communities both as a point of access for health care but also for the local economy because of the contributions that those hospital and hospital systems make to those communities.”

Republicans have responded to concerns with a provision that will provide $10 billion annually to rural hospitals for ve years, or $50 billion in total.

Around the country, 200 hospitals have closed or shuttered emergency services in the last two decades, many of them in

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

June 29

• Martavelin Paul Witherspoon, 23, of Siler City, was arrested for assault on a female and domestic violence.

• Colon Alston Jr, 67, of Siler City, was arrested for stealing a motor vehicle and breaking into a motor vehicle.

June 30

• Lenton Mayo, 61, of Durham, was arrested for shoplifting.

July 1

• Seth James Bartee, 45, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for violating a domestic violence order.

July 2

• Carlos PerezHernandez, 19, of Siler City, was arrested for breaking and entering, damaging property, and trespassing.

• Jesus MartinezGonzalez, 36, of Pittsboro, was arrested for statutory rape of a child.

• Michael Joseph Morgan, 43, of New Hill, was arrested for pointing a gun at someone, simple assault, and making threats.

• Christopher Lee Davis, 30, of Siler City, was arrested for second-degree arson, assaulting a government o cial, and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.

vacant

abandoned in April 2024 after being closed in August 2023.

red states across the southeastern and midwestern U.S. States that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage, the health insurance program for the poorest of Americans, have seen the closures accelerate. Tennessee, for example, has shed 500 beds since 2014, when a federal law rst allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to a greater share of low-income people. It’s one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid.

More than 300 hospitals could be at risk for closure, an analysis by the Cecil G. Sheps Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found last month. The center tracks rural hospital closures.

“Substantial cuts to Medicaid or Medicare payments could increase the number of unpro table rural hospitals and elevate their risk of nancial distress,” the analysis concluded. “In response, hospitals may be forced to reduce service lines, convert to a di erent type of health care facility, or close altogether.”

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

July 11

MOSAIC’S Summer Jam Music Series: The Castaways

7-9 p.m.

Food and beverages are available on-site for purchase. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Free admission.

Philip H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons 457 Freedom Parkway Pittsboro

Durham Ukulele Orchestra at Bynum Front Porch

7-8:30 p.m.

Free musical performance: donations are welcome. This is a family-friendly event with food and beverages available for purchase on-site.

Front Porch, Bynum General Store

950 Bynum Road Bynum

July 12

Chatham Mills Farmers Market

8 a.m. to noon

Producers-only farmers market o ering a wide variety of goods from fresh produce to other groceries, including eggs, cheese, meat, health and wellness items, and crafts. Everything is created by the vendors themselves.

Lawn of the historic Chatham Mills

480 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro

July 14

Community Blood Drive

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There is currently a shortfall in required blood bank stores. Type O donations are particularly needed. To make an appointment, contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767.

Holmes Family Meeting Room Chatham Community Library 197 N.C. 87 Pittsboro

July 16

Jazz Night at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

6-9 p.m.

Every Wednesday night from

6-9 p.m., The Sycamore at Chatham Mills hosts live Jazz Nights. The series features a rotating list of local musicians. The Sycamore also o ers its Lounge Menu in the dining room on Wednesday nights. Reservations are highly recommended.

480 Hillsboro St. Suite 500 Pittsboro

KARL B. DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

The

Martin County General Hospital sits

Swain County sheri steps down after sexual misconduct charges

He was charged last week with prostitution and sexual battery

The Associated Press

BRYSON CITY — The longtime sheri in Swain County, whom some women accused of sexual misconduct, has quit before he could be permanently removed.

Curtis Cochran, who was rst elected sheri in 2006, retired from the post e ective July 1, according to a statement from the county Board of Commissioners. The chief deputy is performing the sheri ’s duties while the commissioners decide who will serve out the remainder of Cochran’s four-year term through late 2026, the statement said.

Cochran, 72, was charged in state courts with felonious restraint and misdemeanor sexual battery, soliciting prostitution and assault on a female, according to June 27 arrest warrants. The same day, Ashley Hornsby Welch, the district attorney for Swain and six other far western counties, led a petition seeking to remove Cochran from o ce for “willful misconduct and maladministration in o ce.”

A Superior Court judge immediately suspended Cochran from o ce pending a nal court ruling. But the removal petition becomes moot with Cochran’s retirement. A petition-related hearing set for Monday in adjoining Graham County was canceled, online court data said.

Welch’s removal petition included signed a davits by two women who allege Cochran made separate unwanted sexual advances on them while he drove on land held by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Eastern Band’s reservation, known as Qualla Boundary, is in portions of Swain County.

The county of 14,000 people includes much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that straddles the Tennessee border.

Church News

BEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

480 Bonlee Carbonton Road, Bear Creek Come join us for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL as we go on a SUMMER ROAD TRIP with GOD!

July 13th - 16th. 6:30 - 8:30 PM nightly. All children aged 3 years - 6th grade are invited!

Sunday thru Tuesday night will be lled with MUSIC, CRAFTS, BIBLE STORIES, GAMES, SNACKS, and FUN! Wednesday night is FAMILY NIGHT with a closing commencement and cookout!

Cochran was released on bond on the state criminal charges and faces an Aug. 5 court hearing. He is also charged under Eastern Band tribal law with two counts of oppression in o ce and one count of abusive sexual contact, Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau said in a news release.

Cochran’s attorney didn’t respond Monday or Tuesday to a phone message and emails seeking comment and additional details.

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted.

The petition alleges that on June 22 one woman — an Eastern Band member — agged down what she believed to be a law enforcement vehicle. She was upset and crying because she and her boyfriend had been ghting verbally, and she accepted an invitation into the SUV from the driver — whom authorities identi ed as Cochran — because she believed it would di use the situation, the petition says.

The petition alleges that when Cochran started driving he began touching the woman despite her objections and

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom? Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year.

asked her to perform a sexual act, but she refused. He later pulled the SUV o the road, got out and positioned himself so the woman couldn’t get out of vehicle and asked again, according to the petition. Cochran told the woman if “there was a time that I got in trouble, all I would have to do is say his name and he would help me,” the woman’s a davit read. She again declined, ultimately was dropped o at her house and contacted tribal police.

The a davit signed by the other woman said that on June 23 — soon after being released from the tribal jail — she accepted a ride from what looked like a government vehicle that she said turned out to be driven by Cochran. She said Cochran starting touching her — doing so even as she pulled away — and she ultimately got out of the vehicle.

The FBI and State Bureau of Investigation also participated in the criminal investigation, which included video footage, according to the petition.

Cochran, a Republican, had no law enforcement experience before his rst sheri ’s election victory, having previously been Swain County’s maintenance director.

e nal deadline for all grant applications is Sept. 15, but don’t wait to apply. Applications submitted prior to the early-bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of ve $100 Visa gi cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

Family of 4, including 2 children, killed in Sanford

plane crash

The NTSB will be investigating to determine the cause

The Associated Press

SANFORD — A family of four, including two school-age children, died when their small plane crashed as they ew back from Florida.

The National Transportation Safety Board said an agency investigator was expected Tuesday at the site of the wreckage of Monday’s crash, located in a eld near some trees northeast of Sanford in Lee County.

The state Highway Patrol identi ed those killed as Travis and Candace Buchanan, who were both 35; Aubrey Buchanan, 10; and Walker Buchanan, 9. Three of the four died at the scene, while the fourth was pronounced dead at a hospital, the patrol said in a news release.

There were no survivors in the crash involving the Cirrus SR22T airplane, which an NTSB o cial said happened shortly after 1:30 p.m. under currently unknown circumstances. The aircraft ultimately will be recovered and taken to a facility for further evaluation, the agency said.

The Raleigh Executive Jetport, located a few miles north of the crash site, said in a social media post that the aircraft was based at the small airport.

Federal Aviation Administration records list Travis Buchanan of Sanford as the plane’s owner. The plane departed Merritt Island, Florida, about 11 a.m. Monday and was last seen about 1:30 p.m. near Sanford, according to according to the ight-tracking website FlightAware. Sanford is about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh.

WRAL-TV reported that the family owned Buchanan Farms in Sanford. Abraham Garcia said he had worked for Travis Buchanan at the farms for more than eight years, and “he helped me all the time.” The Buchanan family was heading back from the beach, he said.

Grace Christian School in Sanford said on its Facebook page that Travis and Candace Buchanan were the parents of Aubrey, a fth grader this fall at the school, and Walker, an upcoming fourth grader.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Crusader Families,” the post said, referencing the school’s nickname. “During this incredibly di cult time, we stand together in support of their family and one another.”

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Crusader Families.”

Statement from Grace Christian School

WLOS VIA AP

Swain County Sheri Curtis Cochran makes his rst court appearance on Tuesday in Bryson City after being charged with felonious restraint and misdemeanor sexual battery, soliciting prostitution and assault on a female.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Thoughts about the Fourth of July (and a little about ‘Star Wars’)

“We hold these truths to be selfevident,” wrote Yoda, I mean, Thomas Je erson, “that all men are created equal.”

I ASKED MY 9-YEAR-OLD, who was eating a chili-cheese dog at the family cookout, why we celebrated the Fourth of July. He shrugged, “Does it have something to do with ‘Star Wars’?” No, young Jedi. Teach you, I will.

Two months after May the Fourth was with us, we remember the rati cation of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which o cially established the United States of America.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident,” wrote Yoda, I mean, Thomas Je erson, “that all men are created equal.”

Like many of his contemporaries, Je erson’s ownership of fellow human beings was the epitome of hypocrisy. I, for one, am not worried about whether the founding fathers were Christian but rather appalled they actually believed slavery was at all compatible with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Speaking of which, the ancient rabbi, like many spiritual guides before and after him, taught the Golden Rule — to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Variations of this teaching are found in dozens of world religions and philosophies. It is perhaps the most well-known spiritual teaching in the world. To paraphrase Maya Angelou, if we know better, why do we not do better?

It’s helpful to know American history (and also “Star Wars” history, so that you don’t confuse them). But more than just knowledge, empathy is paramount. If I can empathize with

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

your situation, I am better equipped to support you e ectively. If I can’t imagine your plight and predicament, then I will be unable to adhere to the Golden Rule. At best, my response would be tone-deaf; at worst, cruel. It was a lack of empathy that permitted and eventually sancti ed racism and sexism in this country. And those forces remain strong.

Notwithstanding all the partisan rancor and divisive leadership, I believe we Americans are generally interested in the welfare of the people we know. I know someone who voted in support of deportation, yet becomes animated when defending his landscaper, who is from El Salvador. If he can see this particular immigrant as an honest man, why can he not extend that same empathy to others? I think this apparent hypocrisy is explained by a lack of moral imagination. Such imagination often requires the faith of a child.

Although my son struggles with American history, he provides valuable insights on other topics. When his friends were picking on his younger sister, he jumped to her defense: “When you hurt her feelings, then you hurt mine!” The Force was strong in him at that moment.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman’s newest book is “This Is the Day.” He serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Churchas well as a writer, pizza maker, co ee drinker and student of joy.

Celebrating the Fourth with a hand up

The man had a habit of calling all his employees together on July 4 and reading the Declaration of Independence to them, ring o a cannon and then giving them the day o (with pay!) to celebrate their freedoms.

I KNOW, I KNOW. July Fourth has come and gone on the calendar, but it’s still the season and close to the day itself, and I want to add one more thought to all those already said.

It’s America’s birthday, a least by the Declaration of Independence ... her 249th to be exact.

Quite a big cake, no doubt. Hope there was enough to go around.

Next year has all the makings of, as Ed Sullivan used to say Sunday nights on CBS, “a really, really big show” — if we’re still here.

Our fellow citizens spent the day last week and, in some cases, the week doing a number of di erent things — going to the beach, going to the mountains, going to the lake, going nowhere. We grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, hot dogs, hot dogs and hot dogs. We made homemade ice cream, set o reworks, went to ball games and played ball.

And in some cases, we actually paused a moment and re ected on the bold step folks took those 249 years ago when a mosquito of a would-be nation rose up and smacked the lion of England across the nose and said, “Enough already.” That took, pardon my French, “guts.” England wasn’t too interested in losing her pro table colonies, and when the glove was thrown down, it was, I believe, Ben Franklin who noted, “We must all hang together or we’ll all hang separately.”

Years ago, I remember hearing my grandfather — my dad’s dad — talk about Fourth of July celebrations he took in, he a rst-generation American not too long o the boat at Ellis Island as an immigrant boy from Poland. He spoke of a man he came to know after he settled in Alabama, a man who owned a factory giving jobs to hardworking Americans.

The man had a habit of calling all his employees together on July 4 and reading the Declaration of Independence to them, ring o a cannon and then giving them the day o (with pay!) to celebrate their freedoms.

Fewer and fewer places have celebrations of any kind, at least it seems such to me. Some folks in Siler City tried

mightily not so long ago to resurrect the community celebration, and thanks to them for doing so. But the parade, speeches, rodeo, games and such are precious memories.

My once-little hometown of Pittsboro no longer throws the big town party it once did, although some folks get together to shoot o reworks and such. Maybe part of the absence is found in apathy or the realization that young boys no longer want to chase a greasy pig for a $5 rst prize ... or maybe that the animal rights folks have championed the pig’s health to the point it’s politically incorrect to do such anymore.

I mean, if you can’t drop a possum in a cage on Dec. 31 to celebrate New Year’s, then what’s next?

So anyway, whatever you may have done Wednesday or may do later to note that special day, at least resolve to be a good, productive citizen. Don’t be afraid to reach out to help your fellow creature in need, to help make this place a bit better than it is.

And that can be in many ways ... even in ways like what didn’t happen to a friend once. A neighbor lady who has come to be a family friend told me some time ago she stopped one day at a local gasoline station to invest half her life’s savings in a tank of gas. Somehow, as she punched all the pump buttons and took down the hose, she got tangled up in it and — I won’t call her name here — did an inglorious sit down that turned into a fall down onto the pavement.

Coming to her rescue to see if she was wounded was not just one fellow gas buyer, not two, not three or four. Instead, none came as she lay on the concrete.

Fortunately, nothing was hurt other than her feelings and pride, but I ask you: Would George Washington have done that?

Find someone to be nice to this Fourth of July; it’s part of what makes America great.

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

Going to camp…

Endlessly kind camp counselors showed me there were other portals I could walk through and still become a leader.

IT WASN’T SUPPOSED to happen this way. Not at all. During the many years I attended a weekslong summer overnight camp in the Northeast, it was a gift to my growing soul. New kids, beautiful places, leadership opportunities (me? really?!), counselors assuring this particularly, faithless, swimmer, “No, you won’t drown in the lake because we’ve got your back.” And they did. They always did. The too-curious gnat that ew in my ear while I was climbing a mountain in Maine? “There’s a gnat in my ear! There’s a buzzing gnat in my ear! Get it out!!” Those counselors had their hands full with this panicked child on a steep mountainside, but I trusted in their calm (whether they were or weren’t), and that gnat met its end — outside my ear!

Playing jacks on our cabin’s oor and, oh God, was I bad! Really, really bad. Embarrassed at being bad. But endlessly kind camp counselors showed me there were other portals I could walk through and still become a leader, besides awkward jacks playing. Really? I didn’t know. And then, I did know. Unseen doors opened at camp.

I’m a native Texan. Got my y’all to prove it, even though I’ve not lived in Texas for many years (I still throw that y’all around, just to prove my Texas bona des). Today, as a human being, a die-hard former summer camper and a Texan, I’m crying because of an unimaginable tragedy in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. Water, water, water

Cheap and fast

But if you build cheap, you can build quick. That’s even more true if you don’t need anyone’s permission to start building.

I REMEMBER being impressed when the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the city where I lived needed a new Kingdom Hall, which is what they call their churches.

That thing got built fast, I mean in just a few days. Religiously motivated volunteer labor doesn’t dog it on the job. You go to hell for that.

Down in Florida, where hurricanes are the will of God and you better not say otherwise to your sixth grade science teacher, the new federal immigrant detention facility was knocked up from the swamp in a little more than a week.

To be fair, it’s mostly just tents and house trailers and temporary buildings, which is what you’d expect from a president whose three-book presidential library will probably be designed to look like a big Walmart.

Of course, the place was built on the cheap, and some of the contractors probably used illegals to keep their costs down, but we are not a generation that builds cathedrals or pyramids.

We build schlock, is what we build. We build schlock, and we think schlock, and we say schlock, and we have hats with “Make America Schlock Again” printed on the front.

But they built it fast, which is what counts.

As a reporter, I’ve had the opportunity to watch towns and cities spend years deciding whether to build a new homeless shelter or some a ordable housing.

The city council debates. The mayor weighs in, and there’s a tra c study to see if 15 people with big plastic bags of deposit cans will snarl tra c for miles. The zoning board gets involved. There’s a nonbinding referendum on the ballot. The neighbors organize a group called “Save Our Community.” It gets done or it doesn’t, but ve years isn’t that long for the process to last, and that’s before construction starts.

But if you build cheap, you can build quick. That’s even more true if you don’t need anyone’s permission to start building. And that lack of permission is key

everywhere, and it hasn’t stopped yet. Worse, childhood Texas friends of mine, their daughters and granddaughters, loved and attended the tragically devastated Camp Mystic over the years. No matter what one thinks of Facebook, it still o ers lines of communication. (Thank you, Susan Meyer, for allowing me to share.)

“I was at Mystic when a man landed on the moon, and we watched it in front of rec hall. I was at Mystic when the sniper was in the Tower at the University of Texas. I was afraid he was close, but knew I was safe. The weekly Sunday night fried chicken dinner, where, to get the dinner, you had to present a letter to home.”

“Mystic was about more than tennis, archery, golf, canoeing and horseback. Mystic was about sisterhood, teamwork and recognition. About older girls in uencing and helping younger girls.”

And today, as many of us struggle with these poignant losses, I keep asking myself: “Where’s the light? Where’s the damn light?”

Oh, right, I bet you’re asking yourself the same question. Here’s my two bits. May the words “Camp Mystic” and those who were lost remain alive in the ongoing deeds of all who were touched and nurtured by that magical place. Words and deeds are alive, even if their germination derives from memory.

Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

to Donald Trump’s presidency. He got elected, and to him, that means no permission is needed ever to do anything. The razor-thin election win makes all permission useless and unnecessary.

Nothing is more boring than watching the local zoning board of appeals try to gure out if they should permit a new convenience store.

But if you go to that meeting, the members of the board will talk about the e ect it will have on tra c, and will it have enough parking spaces, and will the all-night lights bother the neighbors.

Of course, if you’re building out in a swamp, and you don’t care if the rst hurricane blows it at, you can put up your alligator theme park/concentration camp fast.

The popular name for the place is “Alligator Alcatraz” because Alcatraz is a prison old people have heard of and because alligators will eat those illegal immigrants who ee into the surrounding swamps.

That nickname is an absolute, pitch-perfect hit tune you can sing to the dumbest half of the American population, and they’ll dance to it all night.

They’re already selling “Alligator Alcatraz” merch. Hats. T-shirts. The tacky never stops when you have endless permission, no class and are surrounded by a crew of advisers that includes brain- damaged junkies, active alcoholics, Confederate apologists, snake-handling religious fanatics, men who don’t like gay people but don’t seem to like women much, either, and the dregs of an entertainment/ news network.

Don’t build to last. Build for the next election cycle. Don’t speak for the centuries. Speak in sentences short enough to be printed on a T-shirt. Nuance isn’t manly. Regulations just get in the way. Compassion is weak.

The future is in the mouth of a gator.

Marc Dion is a columnist and reporter for The Herald News in Fall River, Massachusetts.

A

reminder of what’s so great about America

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S recent 249th birthday, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the most incredible things about her.

We are a nation of settlers. This is the country where ancestors risked — and often lost — their lives in pursuit of religious freedom and opportunity. From the May ower to the Oregon Trail, they persevered in extreme hardship. Davy Crockett and Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire children.

We defeated the mighty British Empire to secure our independence. American soldiers endured the cold, disease and death of Valley Forge. Under the instruction of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian, the Army emerged with greater discipline, unity and skill.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system.

Our country’s founding documents are marvels. The Declaration of Independence eloquently lays out the purpose of government — to secure our God-given, unalienable rights. The Constitution, drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, history and political philosophers, uses checks and balances to limit the government’s power.

At the cost of hundreds of thousands of Union lives, we threw o the scourge of slavery. Our heroes are too numerous to mention, but include Nathan Hale, Harriet Tubman, Teddy Roosevelt and Billy Graham. Our land is beautiful. Consider the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls and the stunning views in Canyonlands National Park. Our beaches, from Hawaii to California to the East Coast, draw people from around the world.

We conquered the continent with the Transcontinental Railroad and later, the Interstate Highway System. We completed the Empire State Building in less than 14 months. We built the Hoover Dam. We carved the faces of our greatest presidents into the side of a mountain.

We created the rst airplane in 1903. Less than 70 years later, we put a man on the moon.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system. The average American enjoys luxuries, like air conditioning, air travel, cell phones and microwaves, that the richest people 200 years ago could scarcely have dreamed of.

We have the best athletes in the world. We have more than twice as many Olympic medals as the next-closest country — the Soviet Union, which doesn’t even exist anymore. American football is way more exciting than the world’s version of that sport.

We have the mightiest military in the history of the world. We played pivotal roles in winning World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Our B-2 bombers can take o from Missouri, successfully bomb a buried Iranian nuclear site and return home without landing. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

Here are two ways leftist cynics attempt to disparage America. For one, they’ll claim America is de ned by her faults, not her accomplishments. Note well that they don’t apply that standard to their heroes. In 1969, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy drove o a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. That accident resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The left spent the next 40 years celebrating him anyway.

This hypocrisy shows the left doesn’t truly believe you should de ne countries or people by their aws. They just hope those who love America and her heroes do.

The left also attempts to sever our connection to this marvelous history. They tear down monuments to American heroes like Thomas Je erson and Christopher Columbus. They rename holidays. They teach children that America’s success comes from oppressing others. You aren’t just an individual. You are part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a state, which is part of a country. Celebrating your country is both good and natural. It should be easy to do when it’s the greatest country in the history of the world.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas ReviewJournal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.

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

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

COLUMN | MARC DION

AP PHOTO

Workers laying tracks for Central Paci c Railroad pause for a moment at camp “Victory,” a few miles from Promontory, Utah, on April 28, 1869. The “last spike” was driven on May 10, 1869 in Promontory to complete the rst transcontinental railroad.

obituaries

Robert Daniel Perry

Oct.3, 1958 – June 28, 2025

On June 28, 2025, Robert Daniel Perry, 66, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He was born on October 3, 1958, in Chatham County, North Carolina, to AJ and Naomi Perry. From a young age, Robert developed a love for the outdoors and a strength of character that would de ne his life. Robert proudly served his country in the United States Army, an experience that instilled in him a deep sense of duty and honor that he carried throughout his life.

After his military service, Robert returned to his roots in North Carolina and embarked on a lifelong career as a butcher. He became well-known in his community for his skilled handiwork and dedication, especially during deer hunting season. Local hunters knew they could count on Robert to help process their deer meat. He took pride in this work, knowing he was helping provide for others and continuing the traditions of his community.

An avid outdoorsman, Robert had an enduring passion for hunting and the outdoors. Deer hunting was his greatest love –he could often be found in the early morning hours or at dusk perched in the woods or riding along back roads scanning the elds for a trophy buck. On many evenings, he enjoyed simply driving around looking for deer, sometimes pausing to take a careful shot if a big buck crossed his path. Robert also pursued black bear and hog hunts over the years, embracing every challenge nature o ered. He cherished rabbit hunting trips too, especially when accompanied by his loyal hunting dogs running through the brush beside him. When he wasn’t hunting, Robert found joy tending to his land and farm animals. He loved raising cows, goats, and hogs, taking pride in the hard work of farming and staying connected to nature in every way he could.

Robert’s enthusiasm for rearms was legendary. He was an avid gun collector who amassed an impressive collection of around 300 long guns over his lifetime. He had a particular fondness for Browning and Winchester ri es, and his deep knowledge of guns made him the go-to expert for friends and neighbors. Whether it was explaining the history behind a classic Winchester or the mechanics of a Browning

shotgun, Robert could talk for hours, sharing his expertise and stories with anyone who would listen.

Beyond his many interests and accomplishments, it was Robert’s big personality and generous spirit that truly de ned him. He had a booming laugh and a sense of humor that could light up any room. Robert never met a stranger, and he never judged a soul based on race, background, or status – he treated everyone like family. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, give advice, or share from his own pocket with those who needed it. His kindness knew no bounds; he was a man who constantly gave to others without expecting anything in return.

Robert Daniel Perry is preceded in death by his parents, AJ and Naomi, and former spouse, Penelopie “Penni” Rose Furr Perry, and nephew Anthony “Shane” Ferguson. Robert leaves behind his brothers, Lynn & Yvonne Perry, Charles & Sandra Perry, Sam and Joy Perry, nephews Carson Hunter Perry and Ethan Wesley Perry, niece Josey and Jon Van Sickle, beloved former son in law, Stacy Dwain Glover, his loving daughter, Ashleigh Rose Perry Glover; two beloved granddaughters, Sophia Rose Glover, and Skylar Reese Glover; and his favorite grandson, Ashton Dwain Glover, who was his pride and joy. Robert absolutely adored his grandchildren, and nothing made him happier than spending time with them – eating a cheeseburger or rare New York strip, sharing hunting tales, or simply enjoying their company.

Robert’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and generosity. He lived life to the fullest, doing what he loved and making those around him smile. His family and friends will forever cherish the memories of his tall tales, hearty laughter, and unwavering kindness. Though he may no longer ride the back roads or walk the elds with us, the lessons he taught and the love he shared will remain with us always. Robert Daniel Perry will be deeply missed but never forgotten. His spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends at Smith and Buckner in Siler City, NC, on July 5, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with other visitation times available. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Emmaus Baptist Church in Pittsboro, NC, with Military Honors and burial to follow at Perry Graveyard on Perry Graveyard Road in Siler City, NC. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and support and invites all who knew Robert to join in celebrating his life. Memorials may be made in honor of Robert Daniel Perry to the Chatham County Agricultural Cooperative Extension 4-H Program at 1192 US 64W, Suite 400. Pittsboro, NC 27312. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Perry family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Carolyn Faye White

April 7, 1943 – July 6, 2025

Carolyn Faye White, 82, of Siler City, NC passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, July 6, 2025, at her daughter’s home. The last few days of her life, she was surrounded by her

loving family, and she passed away with both daughters by her side. Faye was born April 7, 1943, in Chatham County and was a 1961 graduate of Silk Hope High School. She was a poultry farmer and worked for Chatham County Schools for several years, and she was a member of Brookdale Baptist Church in Siler City. Faye adored being outdoors any waking moment she got, she loved farm life, and she could often be found riding her red International tractor. She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Larry White; mother, Ada Bell Fox; father, Clyde Adam Fox; and siblings, Iva Mae Gibbs, Kenneth Fox, Harold Fox, and Irven Fox. She is survived by her brother, Gilbert Fox; daughters, Sharon White Moore (Eddie

Moore) and Pamela “Denise” White Matthews (Mark Matthews); grandchildren, Olivia Matthews, Crystal Moore, Jay Moore, Jonathan Moore; and fteen great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Silk Hope with Pastor Bob Lovett o ciating. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tim Gibbs, Craig Fox, Jay Moore, Jonathan Moore, Shawn Petty, and Brantley Petty. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the White family.

The 56-year-old had been battling cancer

The Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Julian McMahon, an Australia-born actor who performed in two “Fantastic Four” lms and appeared in TV shows such as “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Pro ler,” has died, his wife said in a statement.

McMahon, 56, died peacefully this week after a battle with cancer, Kelly McMahon said in a statement provided to The Associated Press by his Beverly Hills, California-based publicist.

“Julian loved life,” the statement said. “He loved his fam-

ily. He loved his friends He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”

McMahon played Dr. Doom in the lms “Fantastic Four”

in 2005 and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” which came out two years later.

Along with “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Pro ler,” he also had roles in the TV shows “Home and Away,” “FBI: Most Wanted” and “Another World,” according to IMDB.

Actress Alyssa Milano, who appeared with McMahon on “Charmed,” mourned his death on social media, saying “Julian was more than my TV husband.”

“Julian McMahon was magic,” Milano said. “That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up — not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.”

The actor became a regular player in Quentin Tarantino lms

By Andrew Dalton and Itzel Luna

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Michael Madsen, whose menacing characters in “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” made him a standout in Quentin Tarantino’s lms, has died. He was 66.

Madsen was found unresponsive in his home in Malibu, California, last Thursday morning and pronounced dead, Los Angeles County Sheri ’s Department Watch Commander Christopher Jauregui said. He is believed to have died of natural causes and authorities do not suspect any foul play was involved. Madsen’s manager

Ron Smith said cardiac arrest was the apparent cause.

Madsen’s career spanned more than 300 credits stretching back to the early 1980s, many in low-budget lms. But his most memorable screen moment may have been the sadistic torture of a captured police ofcer — while dancing to Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You” — as Mr. Blonde in 1992’s “Reservoir Dogs.” He would become a Tarantino regular, appearing in the “Kill Bill” lms and “The Hateful Eight.”

“In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent lm including upcoming feature lms ‘Resurrection Road,’ ‘Concessions and ’Cookbook for Southern Housewives,’ and was really looking forward to this next chapter in

his life,” his managers Smith and Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez said in a statement. They added that he “was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”

During a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in November 2020, Madsen reected on his rst visit to Hollywood in the early 1980s.

“I got out and I walked around and I looked and I wondered if there were someday some way that that was going to be a part of me. And I didn’t know because I didn’t know what I was going to do at that point with myself,” he said. “I could have been a bricklayer. I could have been an architect. I could have been a garbage man. I could have been nothing. But I got lucky. I got lucky as an actor.”

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP

Julian McMahon arrives at the 21st annual Critics’ Choice Awards in 2016.

New interstellar comet will keep away from Earth

NASA says our planet is not in any danger from comet 31/ATLAS

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.

— NASA has discovered an interstellar comet that’s wandered into our backyard.

The space agency spotted the quick-moving object with the Atlas telescope in Chile earlier this week, and con rmed it was a comet from another star system. It’s o cially the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system and poses no threat to Earth.

“These things take millions of years to go from one stellar neighborhood to another, so this thing has likely been traveling through space for hundreds of millions of years, even billions of years,” Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies, said last Thursday. “We don’t know, and so we can’t predict which star it came from.”

The newest visitor is 416 million miles from the sun, out near Jupiter, and heading this way at a blistering 37 miles per second.

NASA said the comet will make its closest approach to the sun in late October, scooting between the orbits of Mars and Earth — but closer to the red planet than us at a safe 150 million miles away.

Astronomers around the world are monitoring the icy snowball that’s been o cially designated as 3I/Atlas to deter-

mine its size and shape. Chodas told The Associated Press that there have been more than 100 observations since its discovery on July 1, with preliminary reports of a tail and a cloud of gas and dust around the comet’s nucleus.

The comet should be visible by telescopes through September, before it gets too close to the sun, and reappear in December on the other side of the sun.

Based on its brightness, the comet appears to be bigger than the rst two interstellar interlopers, possibly several miles across, Chodas said. It’s coming in faster, too, from a di erent direction, and while its home star is unknown, scientists suspect it was closer to the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

The rst interstellar visitor observed from Earth was Oumuamua, Hawaiian for scout, in honor of the observatory in Hawaii that discovered it in 2017. Classi ed at rst as an asteroid, the elongated Oumuamua has since showed signs of being a comet.

The second object con rmed to have strayed from another star system into our own — 21/Borisov — was discovered in 2019 by a Crimean amateur astronomer with that name. It, too, is believed to be a comet.

“We’ve been expecting to see interstellar objects for decades, frankly, and nally we’re seeing them,” Chodas said. “A visitor from another solar system, even though it’s natural — it’s not arti cial, don’t get excited because some people do. ... It’s just very exciting.”

Shriners Children’s to open $153M medical research facility in Atlanta

It’s coming to a new Georgia Tech research campus

By Je Amy The Associated Press

ATLANTA — The nonprofit that operates Shriners Children’s hospitals across North America will locate a $153 million medical research facility in Atlanta, the group announced last Wednesday.

Shriners Children’s Research Institute intends to conduct research into cell and gene ther-

MANAGER from page A1

back here, and I look forward to working with one of the nest teams anywhere,” Voorhees said. “I’m humbled, I’m appreciative, I thank each one of you for your work and for considering me, and I pledge to you that I will do my best to serve with empathy and to practice deep listening during my rst several months here so that I can really understand the perspectives of the community and of our residents.”

In North Carolina, Voorhees has served as the King city manager, the Wilmington assistant city manager, the Durham dep-

apies, other biotechnology therapies, robotics, arti cial intelligence, medical devices and the study of data.

Shriners Children’s operates 17 hospitals in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada, plus clinics.

The system is owned by Shriners International, a Masonic order. It specializes in treating children with orthopedic problems, burns, urology disorders and craniofacial conditions, including cleft lips and palates. While the organization accepts insurance payments, it treats patients regardless of their abil-

uty city manager and the Fayetteville city manager. Voorhees recounted a story to the council of when he rst became the city manager of King in 1995 and attended a meeting of the North Carolina City and County Management Association in Nags Head. The new manager stated that the rst person to welcome him and embrace him was the then-Chapel Hill town manager Cal Horton, who served the town from 1990 to 2006.

“He was extremely welcoming and really made me think well of the Chapel Hill community and the management community more broadly across North

ity to pay.

“This is a decision of the health care system to expand the role we play in pediatric research,” said Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children’s. He said the institute will be nanced using the Shriners Children’s resources and should be operating within a year to 18 months.

The institute projects it will have 470 employees, many of them new hires, and Georgia Tech said it will be the largest tenant at Science Square. That is a mixed-use development that Georgia Tech is developing along

Carolina,” Voorhees said. “So it’s been a great privilege to work in this state.

Deputy Town Manager Mary Jane Nirdlinger had served as the interim manager since the start of the new year.

“I want to take a moment to say a very sincere thank you to Mary Jane Nirdlinger for stepping up as our interim town manager,” Anderson said. “Since January, she’s been a steady, dependable leader and has helped guide us through some very challenging things.”

The council also recognized council member Karen Stegman, who chose to step down from her seat at the end of June,

with the Trammell Crow Co. Georgia Tech owns the land adjoining its campus near downtown Atlanta, while the company built labs that opened last year. The development aims to emulate Georgia Tech’s success in joint developments with technology companies in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood. That tech sector has been a major driver of growth in Atlanta in recent years, and o cials are now trying to bolster growth from biomedical research.

Leanne West, the chief engineer of pediatric technology at Georgia Tech, said the university has already conducted 25 projects with Shriners Children’s. She said both Georgia Tech and Emory University will lend research expertise to the institute, and she hopes institute employees can work alongside Georgia Tech researchers.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be back here, and I look forward to working with one of the nest teams anywhere.”

Theodore

Voorhees, new Chapel Hill town manager

six months before her term was set to expire in December.

“It has truly been an honor to serve this community,” Stegman said.

While she had already an-

“The goal is to really help embed some of their researchers here with Georgia Tech, to walk across campus, to work in the same labs, to have that physical presence together,” West said. “I think we can accomplish great things by doing that.”

The state and local governments are providing incentives to Shriners Children’s, although it is not exactly clear how that would work because nonpro ts are generally exempt from income and property taxes. In Georgia, nonprofit organizations have to pay sales taxes, which means the state could waive such taxes on equipment purchases. Jessica Atwell, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the state won’t release documents until they are nalized.

nounced that she would not seek reelection, Stegman had served on the council since 2017, an upcoming move by her and her family to Carrboro left her in a legal gray area when it came to representing the town.

“I do not want to create any potential for distractions or be a source of concern for the Town I have called home for most of my life,” Stegman wrote on her Substack blog.

The Chapel Hill Town Council is now adjourned for the summer and won’t meet again until September.

“We’ll still be working, we just won’t be here,” Anderson said.

NASA/JPL-CALTECH VIA AP

A diagram shows the trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ ATLAS as it passes through the solar system.

CLASSIFIED ADS

REAL ESTATE

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www.learnaboutland.com919-362-6999.

JY2,tfnc

FOR RENT

2 B/R, 1 BATH MOBILE HOME FOR RENT – Bonlee/Bear Creek Area – No Pets, No Smoking, Leave a message – 919-837-5689. 4tp,J10,17,24,31

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted.

O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-533-6319 for more information, TDD #1-800735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one-bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc

FOR SALE

3 CEMETARY PLOTS FOR SALE –CHATHAM MEMORIAL PARK - Hwy.64, Siler City, NC. Please call Cheryl Powers at 910-692-2539 or Diane Hairr at 336402-4552.

AUCTIONS

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

SERVICES

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc

JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803.

A2,tfnc

LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000284-180

ALL persons having claims against Barbara M. Perkin, Deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 1, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This the 3rd day of July, 2025.

MARTIN JACK PERKIN, Administrator C/O Monroe, Wallace, Morden & Sherrill, PA 3225 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 117 Raleigh, NC 27612 July 3, 10, 17 and 24

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Nellie D. Tripp, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are hereby noti ed to present them to April Tripp Parker, Executrix of the Estate of Nellie D. Tripp, Estate File Number: 25E000251-180, on or before September 29, 2025, in care of the below address, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to Nellie D. Tripp, please make immediate payment. Publication dates: June 26. 2025, July 3, 2025, July 10, 2025, and July 17, 2025. This 26th day of June, 2025 April Tripp Parker, Executrix c/o Lisa K. Vira, Attorney at Law The Vira Law Firm, P.A. 205 West Main Street, Suite 207 Carrboro, NC 27510 919-918-8000 (telephone) 919-919-7887 (facsimile) info@vira-law.com

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against Graham Camp Oldham, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before September 19, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This June 19, 2025. c/o Shea Maliszewski, Barringer Sasser, LLP, 111 Commonwealth Court, Suite 101, Cary, NC 27511.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, July 21, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The hearing will be held in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro, North Carolina at 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department o ce. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www.chathamcountync.gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Input/ Hearing Sign Up. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below: Legislative Request: A legislative public hearing requested by the Chatham County Planning Board for amendments to the Chatham County Ordinance Establishing a Planning Board; Speci cally, section 1 A, B, and C; section 2 A, B, C, D; section 3 A, B, C, E; and sections 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to modernize the terminology and change the initial member appointment date. Additional changes may also be made to include amendments required from a recent update to the Chatham County Advisory Committee Policy. Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions. Notice to people with special needs: If you have an audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204 or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC

On Monday, July 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold the following public hearings in person at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West, Pittsboro, NC:

PB-25-242 - A legislative public hearing on a voluntary, contiguous annexation petition (A-2025-01) from Ransdell Farms, LLC. The applicant is requesting annexation of 33.528 acres at Old Graham Roadbetween Oakwood Drive and Brookstone Lane (Parcel ID 0006844). PB-25-175 CMUC-CZ - Lyle Estill (The Plant) has petitioned to have 16.83 acres of land, Parcels 62530, 82361, 82951 and 89681, currently zoned M-2 (Heavy Industrial) to be reclassi ed as CMUC-CZ (Community Mixed-Use Conditional). The property, located on Lorax Lane, has been in use since 2005 as a manufacturing site and as an entertainment destination. The primary rationale for this conditional rezoning is to bring most of the existing uses into conforming status. Adaptive reuse of one of the primary structures to create an indoor event space is also a key motivation of this proposal. The hearing will be held in person. The public can also watch the hearing live on the Town’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ townofpittsboronc/streams. Members of the public must attend in person if they wish to speak at the hearing. Contact the Town Clerk, Carrie Bailey, by 4 pm on July 14, 2025 with written comments or to sign up to speak at the hearing. You can contact Carrie Bailey at cbailey@pittsboronc.gov, (984) 282-6647, or PO Box 759, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

NOTICE

25E000315-180 NOTICE TO CREDITORS All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Loretta Bernice Chegash, also known as Loretta B. Chegash and Loretta Chegash, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit them to Daniel E. Chegash Sr. as Executor of the Estate of Loretta Bernice Chegash on or before September 22, 2025, c/o Thomas J. Neagle, Attorney at Law, 605 W. Main Street, Suite 104, Carrboro, North Carolina 27510, or this notice will be pled in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. This the 19th day of June, 2025. Daniel E. Chegash Sr., Executor c/o Thomas J. Neagle, Attorney 605 W. Main Street, Suite 104 Carrboro, North Carolina 27510

Attorney for Estate: Thomas J. Neagle Neagle Law Firm, PC 605 W. Main Street, Suite 104 Carrboro, North Carolina 27510 (919) 368-3536 For Publication: June 19, 26, July 3, 10, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons having claims against Rolf Peter Lynton of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present them to Rebecca Nandani Lynton, Executor of the Estate of Rolf Lynton, at NextGen Estate Solutions, 1340 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or before September 26, 2025. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Executor, and the devisees of Rolf Peter Lynton. Those indebted to Rolf Lyton are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate. This the 26th day of June, 2025. Rebecca Lynton, Executor C/O Brittany N. Porter, Attorney NextGen Estate Solutions 1340 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Norva Marie Fisher late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 12th day of June, 2025.

Mary Lois Oldham, Executor of the Estate of Norva Marie Fisher 1450 Reno Sharpe Store Road Bear Creek, North Carolina 27207

MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850

4tp

NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CHATHAM COUNTY

NOTICE

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Paul David Justice late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 12th day of June, 2025.

Vicky P. Justice, Executor of the

Estate of Paul David Justice

1353 Siler City Glendon Road

Siler City, North Carolina 27344

MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Probate #25E000174-180_____

All persons, rm and corporations having claims against Earl S. Settlemire, late of Chatham County, North Carolina are hereby noti ed to present them to Kendall H. Page, as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 19th day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above-named Executor.

Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Bar # 14261

Notice to Run: 6/19/2025,6/26/2025, 7/03/2025 & 7/10/2025

NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, rms, and corporations having claims against Donna Marie Spring Ring, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 3rd, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 3rd of July, 2025. Michelle Lynn Ring Romanowicz, Administrator of the Estate of Donna Marie Spring Ring, c/o Amanda Honea, Attorney, 1033 Wade Avenue, Suite 104, Raleigh, NC 27605.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000299-180 ALL persons having claims against Jacqueline O’Gorman, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Sep 26 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 26th day of June, 2025.

PATRICIA HURLMAN, Co-Executor

DENISE M NOWAK, Co-Executor C/O Brown Estate Planning and Elder Law P. O. Box 920 Graham, NC 27253 J26, 3, 10 and 17

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#24E001437-180 The undersigned, PAMELA KITZMAN, having quali ed on the 10th Day of SEPTEMBER, 2024 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ELIZABETH E. JOHNSON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 26th Day OF SEPTEMBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 26th DAY OF JUNE 2025. PAMELA KITZMAN, EXECUTOR 1096 EPPS CLARK RD. SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: J26, Jy3,10,17p

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

FILE#25E000317-180 The undersigned, JENNIFER LEE GOODSPEED, having quali ed on the 11th Day of JUNE, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JUDITH KAYE BREYER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 10TH Day OF OCTOBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 10TH DAY OF JULY 2025.

JENNIFER LEE GOODSPEED, EXECUTOR 697 FEARRINGTON POST PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: Jy10,17,24,31p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#24E001582-180 The undersigned, BONNIE LYNN LEONARD, having quali ed on the 6th Day of NOVEMBER, 2024 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of OLLIE WALTER WRENN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 26th Day OF SEPTEMBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 26th DAY OF JUNE 2025.

BONNIE LYNN LEONARD, EXECUTOR 637 SILVERBERRY PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: J26, Jy3,10,17p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000337-180 The undersigned, JANET COOK FARRELL, having quali ed on the 24th Day of JUNE, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROSCOE MIDDLETON FARRELL, JR., deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 3RD Day OF OCTOBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 3RD DAY OF JULY 2025. JANET COOK FARRELL PO BOX 156 PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: Jy3,10,17,24p

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS COUNTY OF CHATHAM THE UNDERSIGNED, having quali ed on the 22nd day of May 2025, as Executor of the ESTATE OF PASCAL PIGLIA, Deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of September 2025 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 19th day of June 2025. Lisa M. Ferrari Executor Estate of Pascal Piglia c/o Richard G. Long III, Attorney Walker Lambe, PLLC Post O ce Box 51549 Durham, North Carolina 27717

NOTE: For publication in the Chatham News on the following dates: June 19, 26, July 3, 10, 2025. Please send the Statement and Proof of Publication to Walker Lambe, PLLC, Post O ce Box 51549, Durham, North Carolina 27717-1549.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against James D. Seitzer a/k/a James Donald Seitzer, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 2nd of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 3rd day of July, 2025. Bruce F. Seitzer Jean S. Storrs c/o Hutson Law O ce, P.A. 3518 Westgate Drive, Suite 401 Durham, NC 27707 July 3, 10, 17, 24, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

All persons having claims against Paul Franklin Stiller, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present them to Susan Morrow, Executor of the Estate of Paul Franklin Stiller, at NextGen Estate Solutions, 1340 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or before September 19 , 2025. Failure to present a claim in timely fashion will result in this Notice being pleaded in bar of recovery against the estate, the Personal Representative, and the devisees of Paul Stiller. Those indebted to Paul Stiller are asked to make prompt payment to the Estate. This the 19th day of June, 2025. Susan Morrow, Executor C/O Brittany N. Porter, Attorney NextGen Estate Solutions 1340 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000215-180

The undersigned, PENNY REDDY, having quali ed on the 16th Day of APRIL, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of MUTYALA KRISHNA REDDY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to him on or before the 10TH Day OF OCTOBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 10TH DAY OF JULY 2025.

PENNY REDDY, ADMINISTRATOR 125 CEDAR ELM RD. DURHAM, NC 27713

Run dates: Jy10,17,24,31p

FLOODING from page A1 in the area, including at least one in Chatham.

On Monday, crews found the body of a Person County woman who went missing while on her way to work in Orange County Sunday night, according to a social media post by the Orange County Sheri ’s O ce. In Alamance County, a missing man was found dead Sunday night inside a submerged vehicle found o a road in Mebane, sheri ’s o ce spokesperson Byron Tucker told WTVD-TV.

A number of roads were closed due to the ooding, though several had been reopened at press time. Check DriveNC.gov for the latest updates, as crews are working around the clock to get trees

cleared and ooded roadways repaired.

The storm destroyed homes, impaired businesses and lives were lost, Gov. Josh Stein said during a visit to Mebane in Alamance County on Tuesday. Ocials were still assessing the scale of the damage and working on a nal number of deaths, he said.

“Storms like this show us what is best about North Carolina,”

Stein said.

He praised emergency workers for their e orts knocking on doors to get people out of their homes or diverting tra c to keep people out of harm’s way.

32.5

Feet the Haw River crested early Monday, the second-highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River.

cause of the storm, o cials said.

“This historic weather event caused ooding like we haven’t seen in several decades in the central part of the state,” Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said in a statement, noting that crews were working to assess and reopen roads as soon as oodwaters recede and it is safe to do so.

inches in some spots in central North Carolina and some isolated areas saw totals of nearly 1 foot.

Intense rainstorms are becoming more frequent in most of the U.S. — though experts say where they occur and whether they cause catastrophic ooding is largely a matter of chance.

Before his visit to Mebane, Stein told reporters in Raleigh on Tuesday morning that there will be enough money to address damage from both and Chantal and Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic ooding in western North Carolina last year, killing more than 100 people.

Federal agents, National Guard make show of force in LA park

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles expressed anger at the action

By Tara Copp and Damian Dovarganes

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dozens of federal o cers in tactical gear and about 90 members of the California National Guard were deployed for about an hour Monday to a mostly empty park in a Los Angeles neighborhood with a large immigrant population. It wasn’t immediately known if any arrests were made.

Defense o cials had said the troops and more than a dozen military vehicles would help protect immigration ocers as they carried out a raid in MacArthur Park.

“What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who was among the small crowd that watched as o cers moved through a section of the park in the late morning and then got back in the vehicles and cleared out. Some activists who had earlier warned people to leave the area lmed the o cers.

The operation occurred at a park in a neighborhood with large Mexican, Central American and other immigrant populations, and it is lined by businesses with signs in Spanish

and other languages that has been dubbed by local o cials as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast.”

Messages were sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement seeking additional details.

Jeannette Zanipatin with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights saw the brief but prominent presence of troops and federal o cers at the park.

“I de nitely think it’s a source of intimidation,” she said. “We know that the Trump administration is trying to make an example of Los Angeles.”

The operation in the large park about 2 miles west of downtown LA included 17 Humvees, four tactical vehicles, two ambulances and armed soldiers, defense o cials said. It came after President Donald Trump deployed thousands of Guard members and active duty Marines to the city last month following protests over previous immigration raids.

Trump has stepped up e orts to realize his campaign pledge of deporting millions of immigrants in the United States illegally and shown a willingness to use the nation’s military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided.

Betsy Bolte, who lives nearby, came to the park after seeing a military-style helicopter circling. She arrived to see federal o cers on horseback moving through a grassy area, with

Crews were working Tuesday to restore power, utilities and road access, o cials said. The state’s Department of Transportation reopened several major roads, including Interstate 40/85 in Alamance County on Monday, but 65 roads remained closed be-

Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded to a tropical depression Sunday after making landfall in South Carolina. While the winds dropped, a 15-to-30mile-wide swath of heavy rain followed the storm’s core across North Carolina, and areas within that swath saw impressive rain amounts, the weather service’s Eastern Region headquarters said in a social media post.

Rainfall totals exceeded 8

The National Weather Service’s o ce in Raleigh con rmed that four tornadoes, all EF-1s with peak winds ranging from 95 to 105 mph, touched down Sunday in Orange, Alamance, Chatham and Lee counties. No injuries or deaths were reported from those, though countless trees were knocked down across the region.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

activists and passersby shouting at them.

Bolte didn’t see any arrests and said it was “gut-wrenching” to witness what appeared to be a federal show of force on the streets of a U.S. city.

“It’s terror and, you know, it’s ripping the heart and soul out of Los Angeles,” she said. “I am still in shock, disbelief, and so angry and terri ed and heartbroken.”

The defense o cials told reporters it was not a military operation but acknowledged that the size and scope of the Guard’s participation could make it look like one to the public. That is why the o cials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details about the raid that were not announced publicly.

“It’s just going to be more overt and larger than we usually participate in,” one of the ocials said before the raid ended abruptly with no explanation.

The primary role of the service members would be to pro -

tect the immigration enforcement o cers in case a hostile crowd gathered, that o cial said. They are not participating in any law enforcement activities such as arrests, but service members can temporarily detain citizens if necessary before handing them over to law enforcement, the o cial said.

Sprawling MacArthur Park has a murky lake ringed by palm trees, an amphitheater that hosts summer concerts and sports elds where immigrant families line up to play soccer in the evenings and on weekends.

A thoroughfare on the east side is often crammed with unlicensed food stands selling tacos and other delicacies, along with vendors speaking multiple languages and hawking cheap T-shirts, toys, knickknacks and household items. Authorities routinely clear encampments, and medical outreach teams tend to homeless residents.

Chris Newman, legal di-

Federal agents stage

rector for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said he received a credible tip about the operation Monday.

“It was a demonstration of escalation,” Newman said. “This was a reality TV spectacle much more so than an actual enforcement operation.”

Since federal agents have been making arrests at Home Depot parking lots and elsewhere in Los Angeles, Newman said fewer people have been going to the park and immigrant neighborhoods near the city’s downtown.

“The ghost town-i cation of LA is haunting, to say the very least,” he said.

More than 4,000 California National Guard and hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed in Los Angeles since June — against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Last week, the military announced about 200 of those troops would be returned to their units to ght wild res.

COURTESY CHATHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

First responders, as well as utility and road crews were out in force after the storm hit central North Carolina.

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP PHOTO

at MacArthur Park on Monday in Los Angeles.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

CHATHAM SPORTS

Flanagan commits to UMass Lowell

The Northwood goalkeeper recorded a career-high 230 saves this spring

By Asheebo Rojas

Chatham News & Record

NORTHWOOD BOYS’ la-

crosse goalkeeper James Flanagan made his college decision ahead of his senior season. Flanagan committed to UMa-

ss Lowell last week. UMass Lowell, nicknamed the River Hawks, is a NCAA Division I program located in Lowell, Massachusetts.

“I want to thank my family for their endless sacri ces to get me to this point,” Flanagan said on social media. “It means the world, and I could not have made it to where I am without my mom, dad and sister.”

“Their coaching sta just seems like they have a really good plan for the future.”

James Flanagan

Said Flanagan, “A huge thank you to Coach Ira for changing my lacrosse career and guiding me throughout the entire process. Thank you to all of my coaches who have helped me reach this points, especially Noble, Coach Gil, the Gvozden brothers and the entire Goaliesmith team, and nally Coach Cox and the whole Northwood team.”

By Asheebo Rojas

News & Record

“We

Bryce

The former Northwood star will miss Summer League

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

DRAKE POWELL IS making his voice heard in Brooklyn.

The Nets held an introductory press conference July 1 for the former Northwood High School star and their four other rst-round selections. Powell, sitting in the middle of the draftees, took a few questions about his game and his college career during the 30-minute availability.

Powell, who won UNC’s defensive player of the year award last season, was asked how he could “leverage” his defensive abilities to become an impactful NBA player.

“I feel like my defense, that’s mainly just pride,” Powell said. “That’s just something that I’ve had since growing up at a young age, playing with my older brother, older cousin. That’s just something I always took pride in. I think that I can make an immediate impact to help this team be successful, and just do whatever Ican to be the best of my ability.”

“I think that I can make an immediate impact to help this team be

Drake Powell

Last season, Powell, standing 6-foot-6, nished third in blocks for UNC (25), swatting the most shots out of the guards and nishing behind 6-foot-10 Jalen Washington and 6-foot-8 Ven-Allen Lubin. At Northwood, Powell recorded 218 steals and 110 blocks in his career, and he notched team highs in both as a senior (66 steals, 37 blocks).

Later in the press conference, Powell was asked about his role at UNC and how playing a lesser role could a ect his NBA career.

After averaging more than 15 points per game in three straight seasons at Northwood, Powell averaged 7.4 points during his freshman campaign at UNC despite averaging 26.3 minutes per game with 24 starts. Although it was a stark change, he still focused on nding ways to make the team better on the o ensive end. Powell found his place

Powell’s defensive skills are a huge part of what makes him a highly touted player. Since his high school days, Powell has excelled in guarding on the perimeter and blocking shots in the post.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood lacrosse goalkeeper James Flanagan makes

against Seaforth this past season. Flanagan will continue his lacrosse career in

Ian McMillan

Chatham Post 305, baseball

Chatham Post 305’s Ian McMillan earns athlete of the week honors for the week of June 30.

In dominant 18-3 win over Moore County Post 12 on July 1, McMillan went 3 for 3 at the plate with three runs and two RBIs. He started the bottom of the rst inning with a single, and he scored, walked and scored again all before the third out. McMillan singled twice more in the third inning, including a two-RBI hit to give Chatham a 17-2 lead.

Throughout the summer, McMillan has been a solid two-way player as he’s held down the shortstop position while excelling as a batter.

Chatham Post 292 returns this week

Both teams will get back to action after long absences

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

AFTER LONG breaks for both its 16U and 18-19U teams, Chatham County Post 292 softball is coming back this week.

Following a Tuesday away game against South Wake, the 16U team will return home against South Wake on Thursday. The 18U-19U team will host Wayne Post 11 at Middle Creek High School Monday after Wednesday’s game against South Wake.

This summer has been a tale of long waits for the 18 -19U team. The older squad has played two games in the entire month of June, winning both.

Post 292 opened the season with a 6-3 win over South Wake on June 2, a team with familiar faces from Seaforth’s high school team such as Emma Grace Hill, Alyssa Harris, Annika Johansson and Cami

2

Games for the 18-19U team during June

Brinkley. South Wake out hit Chatham County, but a huge three-run fth inning for Post 292 gave it the edge. After a three-week absence, Chatham County followed that with a 15-0 blowout over North Wake on June 23. Pitchers Maddie Kaczmarczyk and Cici Delgado shut the opposing batters down while numerous batters drove in runs.

Meanwhile, the 16U team is coming into the week with a 6-4 record.

The young Post 292 squad started slow this summer, dropping three of four games against Alamance to open the season. In a four-game series against North Wake, the 16U team bounced back, outscoring North Wake 51-10.

Chatham County kept the hot streak going into its next bout against Randolph County, defeating its county neighbors 17-2 in the rst game of a double header. Randolph returned the favor, though, beating Chatham 7-2 in Game 2. Here’s the remaining schedule for each team.

16U

July 10 vs. South Wake; July 15 at Johnston (Campbell University); July 17 vs. Johnston; July 22 vs. Orange; July 24 at Orange (Cedar Falls Park); Aug. 4 — State tournament begins (Burlington Springwood Park)

18-19U

July 14 vs. Wayne (Middle Creek High School); July 16 at South Wake (Seaforth High School); July 21 vs. Wayne (Middle Creek High School); July 28 vs. North Wake (double header); Aug. 4 — State tournament begins (Burlington Springwood Park)

CHATHAM COUNTY FASTPITCH / POST 292 FACEBOOK

The Chatham County Post 292 18-19U team talks after a blowout win over North Wake on June 23.

Local softball players earn all-state honors

Kaczmarczyk was named the 1A Pitcher of the Year for the West region

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

MULTIPLE CHATHAM

County athletes earned all-state selections from the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association.

Sophomore pitcher Maddie Kaczmarczyk (Chatham Central), junior out elder Sallie Oldham (Chatham Central), sophomore pitcher Emma Grace Hill (Seaforth) and sophomore shortstop Annika Johansson (Seaforth) were named to the 1A and 2A NCSCA all-state teams respectively.

Kaczmarczyk, who earned all-state honors for the second time, was named the 1A Pitcher of the Year for the West region.

The standout ace nished her 2025 campaign with a 13-1 record (career-best winning percentage), and she recorded career-lows in hits allowed (62), runs (49) and earned runs (32).

2.49

Kaczmarczyk achieved an ERA of 2.45 and struck out 153 batters while pitching in 26 less innings than her freshman year. At the plate, Kaczmarczyk batted a .333 average with 22 hits, 14 runs and 14 RBIs in the spring.

Oldham, the 2025 Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference Player of the Year, also earned all-state honors for the second time after leading Chatham Central in stolen bases (25) and triples ( ve) last season. She posted a .457 batting average with 32 hits, 24 RBIs and a career-high 38 runs. She also had her best defensive season with career highs in elding percentage (.958) and putouts (23).

Hill and Johansson earned their rst all-state selec -

tions, becoming the rst allstate softball players in Seaforth history.

As both a pitcher and a hitter, Hill had a breakout season while leading Seaforth to its rst playo appearance and win.

In the circle, Hill had a 12-3 record, a 2.49 ERA and three run-rule no-hitters. The Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference Pitcher of the Year struck out a career-high 163 batters with career-lows of 58 runs, 38 earned runs and 56 walks while pitching 20 more innings than her freshman season.

At the plate, Hill batted .448 with 30 hits, 17 runs and 21 RBIs. Hill was also a National Fastpitch Coaches Association Region 7 second team all-region honoree.

Johansson led the Hawks in batting average (.485), on-base percentage (.550) runs (33), hits (33), RBIs (26), slugging percentage (.868) and doubles (11) this spring. She also achieved an OPS of 1.418 and smashed three home runs.

with a double deep to left center eld just out of reach of the Chatham out elders. Catcher Cohen Caviness, who walked himself on base, became the seventh di erent Randolph runner of the night to score.

“Got out there with a 2-2 count,” Coggins said. “Got a changeup low and in. It was a little early, but I found a gap.” Chatham out hit Randolph 14-4 and scored a run in each of the rst six innings, but it still fell short in a hard-fought battle.

For Randolph, winning the game was a testament to the team’s poise and ability to make good out of bad situations.

“I think it shows we’re playing together better” Brown said. “We lost a game like this earlier on in the season. It was a close game.”

Said Brown, “The more we’ve been playing, we’ve just been getting closer and knowing how each other plays more. That’s been helping a lot especially in these close games.”

Post 305 had ve batters notch multiple hits. Centerelder Matt Murchison, who hit a solo home run to tie the game at six runs in the sixth inning, went 3 for 4 from the plate with two RBIs and three runs. Left elder Landon Moser, second baseman Anders Johansson and designated hitter Andrew Johnson all went 2 for 3. Third baseman Colin Dorney went 2 for 4.

“I think tonight, we showed up ready,” Chatham coach Bryce Marsh said. “We had one inning we didn’t score one. That was the biggest thing. We did what we needed to do. They just did it better.”

Randolph will move on to another best of three series against Mooresville Post 66.

Chatham ended its season with a 5-13 record.

For Marsh, Monday’s loss marked the end of his rst season as an American Legion head coach.

After only having head coaching experience with Chatham Charter’s Pony League team two years ago where the only goal was to make kids better, Marsh had to adapt to an environment where the goal was to win.

“It’s di erent than high school,” Marsh said. “It’s different than anything else. Here, you got to earn your spot, and if you’re not producing, you got to switch it

up a little bit and keep rolling with it.”

Marsh, who has plans to return (although it’s not yet set in stone), said the biggest thing he learned this season was to “roll with the punches” and “keep grinding.”

“Something’s going to happen,” Marsh said. “It doesn’t matter if you have everything set, something’s going to happen. A kid’s going to get hurt. Somebody’s not going to show. It rains last minute. It’s going to happen.”

For the players, especially the local athletes who played their last American Legion game, the biggest takeaway from the experience was the fun.

Many of the players took this summer as an opportunity to improve their game in the o season, but at the same time, they’re friends and longtime teammates that have grown familiar with each other through high school and little league ball. As they put in time to win on the eld, the players also found time to make it a memorable experience, like the times they threw parties in second baseman Johansson’s Dodge Durango on the way to games.

“I had a really fun season,” Johansson said. “I’m sad we lost. I’m just happy we could all get out here. A lot of us could return from injuries and from not playing in awhile.”

Said pitcher Anthony Lopossay, “It’s a big adjustment from college. Coming from college, you come from guys you don’t really know. You’re on the same team, and you get to know each other, but coming home to the guys that you know, it’s a bunch of fun.”

Johansson (formerly of Seaforth) and Lopossay (formerly of Chatham Central) join former Northwood outelder Andrew Johnson and former Jordan-Matthews shortstop Ian McMillan as the local players closing out their American Legion careers. Johnson will be headed to Methodist University to continue his baseball career. Lopossay will return to the Cleveland Community College baseball team for another season. Johansson will not return to Barton College, but he will try to play at a junior college. McMillan is nished playing baseball and will study construction management at Cape Fear Community College.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Emma Grace Hill res a pitch in Seaforth’s rst ever playo game against Whiteville on May 6.

Seaforth pitcher

Emma Grace Hill’s ERA in 2025

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA

NBA free agent

Beasley under gambling investigation

Detroit

NBA free agent Malik

Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s o ce regarding gambling allegations tied to league games. “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement. The probe into Beasley comes 14 months after the NBA banned Toronto’s Jontay Porter, who was linked to a prop bet investigation and eventually pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud.

NCAA FOOTBALL

NBC names Fareed as host for Big Ten football, Peacock’s NBA coverage

Stamford, Conn.

Ahmed Fareed will host NBC’s Big Ten football studio show as well as Peacock’s NBA coverage on Monday nights. Fareed was an occasional studio host during the rst two years of NBC’s Big Ten package but will move into the lead role with Maria Taylor becoming the host of the network’s NBA coverage on Tuesday night and Sunday night when the NFL season concludes. Fareed is NBC Sports’ third NBA announcement in the past week. Taylor was named the main studio host and Grant Hill was hired as a game analyst last week.

NFL

Hairston, Bills’ 1st-round pick, accused of sexual assault

Bu alo, N.Y.

Bu alo Bills rst-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2021. The lawsuit, led in Kentucky, alleges Hairston entered a woman’s dorm room uninvited and assaulted her while he was on the Kentucky football team. The Bills referred to earlier remarks by general manager Brandon Beane, who said the team had investigated the allegations and found no substance to them. Hairston was drafted 30th overall in April. He is competing for a starting cornerback position.

MLB Jenks, 2-time All-Star closer and World Series champ with White Sox, dead at 44

Chicago Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, died at 44. Jenks died in Sintra, Portugal. He was being treated there for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. Jenks helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, saving four games in six appearances during the postseason. He retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever. Jenks appeared in a game for the Winston- Salem Warthogs on injury rehab in 2008.

Manager Martinez, general manager Rizzo red by last-place Nationals

The team has had six straight losing seasons since its 2019 championship

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were red by the Washington Nationals in moves that were surprising for their timing, even if the club is more than halfway through its sixth consecutive losing season since winning the 2019 World Series.

Senior VP and assistant GM Mike DeBartolo is taking over for Rizzo on an interim basis.

A replacement for Martinez wasn’t named immediately.

“While we are appreciative of their past successes,” Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in a statement issued by the team, “the on- eld performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be. This is a pivotal time for our club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.”

Rizzo’s time running the Na-

Three rookies were chosen for the game for the rst time in 14 years

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will be making their All-Star debuts in Indianapolis later this month as they were all chosen on Sunday as reserves for the game.

Thornton has been in the league for nine years and nally is getting her chance to play in the exhibition game. She was selected in the expansion draft by Golden State last year from New York and has helped the expansion team get o to a good start.

“It would be such a reward for her,” said New York’s Sandy Brondello, who will be one of the All-Star coaches. “She’s been a role player all her career, but to go into a new organization and do so well, I voted for her as an alternate to get there because she deserves it.”

Williams has been in the league for six seasons, although she’s missed time to play with France’s national team. She’s having a strong season for Seattle this year.

Washington rookies Iriafen and Citron join Dallas’ Paige Bueckers as rst-year players on the All-Star team. Bueckers was chosen as a starter. It’s the rst

tionals is over after more than a decade and a half. One of the Lerner family’s rst hires when it assumed control of the organization, Rizzo had been GM since 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013.

“He played an instrumental role in leading the transformation of our farm system and building a roster that reached an unprecedented level of organizational success,” Lerner said. “Mike helped make us who we are as an organization, and we’re so thankful to him for his hard work and dedication.”

Martinez’s full record with the Nationals was 500-622. Martinez had never been a manager at any level when Rizzo hired him to replace Dusty Baker before the 2018 season. The Nationals went 82-80 in Martinez’s rst season and got o to a 19-31 start the following year, leading to some calls for him to be replaced.

But Rizzo stuck with Martinez, and that decision paid o in a big way: Led by starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg, who earned World Series MVP honors, and Max Scherzer, rookie out elder Juan Soto,

“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a di cult, but necessary move in a positive direction,” Mark Lerner, Washington owner

young shortstop Trea Turner and a string of veterans — including Howie Kendrick, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon — the Nationals won the franchise’s rst title.

No one from the World Series roster is still playing for the franchise.

Washington took a step back in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and then Rizzo began tearing apart the roster, making a series of trades that sent Scherzer, Soto, Turner and others elsewhere. The reconstruction has continued, without much in the way of concrete progress in the standings to show for it, although the team does have

some building blocks that show promise, including starter MacKenzie Gore and out elder James Wood — both named NL All-Stars on Sunday — along with shortstop CJ Abrams, who was an All-Star a year ago.

“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a di cult, but necessary move in a positive direction,” Lerner said.

“As has been the case since my late father took control of the team almost 20 years ago, our family remains committed to winning.” Washington nished fourth or fth in the NL East every year from 2020 through 2024, never putting together a higher winning percentage than the .438 (71-91) each of the last two seasons.

“I’ve always appreciated and admired Davey’s passion for the game of baseball and the love he has for his players,” Lerner said. “Davey’s ability to connect with our sta , our players, our fans and our community set him apart. While this chapter has come to an end, we know that it doesn’t close the book on what should continue to be a long and successful career in baseball.”

time that three rookies will be playing in the game since 2011.

Other reserves chosen include Seattle’s Skylar Diggins, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum, Minnesota’ Courtney Williams, Las Vegas’ Jackie Young and Chicago’s Angel Reese.

“It means a lot to go with these other two,” said Diggins, who will be making her seventh All-Star appearance, of playing with teammates Nneka Ogwumike and Williams. Thomas will be making her sixth all-star appearance and rst with Phoenix.

“Anytime you’re an All-Star, it’s a huge honor,” Thomas said. “There are a lot of great players in the league. To be around this long and it to be my sixth is a great honor.”

The reserves were selected by the WNBA’s 13 head coaches, who each voted for three guards, ve frontcourt players and four players at either position regardless of conference. The coaches were not able to vote for their own players.

Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their teams for the All-Star Game on July 19. First they’ll chose from the eight other starters: Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Bueckers, Ogwumike, former UNC Tar Heel Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Aliyah Boston.

Some notable players left off the team were Washington’s Brittney Sykes, Atlanta’s Brionna Jones, New York’s Natasha Cloud and Los Angeles’ Dearica Hamby, a former Wake Forest Demon Deacon.

The Connecticut Sun were the only team without an All- Star selection.

“Anytime you’re an All-Star, it’s a huge honor. There are a lot of great players in the league.”

Alyssa Thomas

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

From right, Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22), Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) battle for the ball during a game last week.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, watches with general manager Mike Rizzo during spring training.

Van Gisbergen wins in Chicago once again, completing NASCAR weekend sweep

New Zealand native became the winningest foreign-born Cup Series driver

By Jay Cohen The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Shane Van Gisbergen completed a Windy City sweep, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky street course in downtown Chicago.

“Epic weekend for us. I’m a lucky guy,” van Gisbergen said.

The 36-year-old New Zealand native became the second driver to sweep the X nity and Cup races in a single weekend from the pole, joining Kyle Busch at Indianapolis in 2016. With his third career Cup win, he also became the winningest foreign-born

driver on NASCAR’s top series.

It was van Gisbergen’s second victory of the season after the Trackhouse Racing driver also won last month on a Mexico City road course.

“He’s the best road course stock car racer that I’ve ever seen,” Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said. “I think when he’s done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he’s going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen.”

Marks brought van Gisbergen over from Australia’s Supercars for the rst edition of NASCAR’s Chicago experiment in 2023, and he became the rst driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963.

He also won Chicago’s X nity Series stop last year and the rst stage in the Cup race before

“This

joint, it’s changed my life.” Shane van Gisbergen on the Chicago street course

he was knocked out by a crash.

“This joint, it’s changed my life,” van Gisbergen said. “I didn’t have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I rst came over here, and I never thought I’d be in NASCAR full time.”

In what might be the last NASCAR race on the downtown Chicago circuit, Ty Gibbs was second and Tyler Reddick nished third. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ve. Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog and rain moved into downtown Chicago, van Gisbergen con-

trolled the action the rest of the way. AJ Allmendinger was sixth, and Ryan Preece nished seventh. Ryan Blaney, who won the second stage, was 12th.

William Byron’s day was cut short by a clutch problem. The Hendrick Motorsports driver leads the point standings by 13 points over Chase Elliott.

After Michael McDowell seized the lead early in the race, Carson Hocevar caused a multicar crash when he hit the wall and spun out between Turns 10 and 11. Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suárez and Will Brown were among the

drivers collected in the wreck.

“I didn’t see it until the last second,” Keselowski said. “I slowed down and I actually felt I was going to get stopped, and then I just kind of got ran over from behind. It’s just a narrow street course, and sometimes there’s nowhere to go.”

Ty Dillon and Reddick moved into the third round of the Cup Series’ inaugural in-season tournament when Keselowski and Hocevar were unable to nish the race. Dillon, the No. 32 seed, eliminated Keselowski after he upset top-seeded Denny Hamlin last weekend at Atlanta. Bowman, the 2024 champion on the downtown street course, won his head-to-head matchup with Bubba Wallace. Bowman and Wallace made contact as they battled for position late in the race after they also tangled in Chicago last year.

when his recruitment opened Sept. 1.

Flanagan, who has been the Chargers’ starting goalkeeper for three seasons, has recorded 608 saves with a .590 save percentage in his high school career.

This spring, Flanagan nished with a career-high 230 saves and a .602 save percentage. He logged 13 games with at least 10 saves, including a career-high 20 saves in a loss to Southern Alamance in March.

Flanagan earned second-team all-state and second-team all-region selections each for the second time this spring. Given his abilities and what he accomplished in the early years of high school career, Flanagan received a signi cant amount of attention

POWELL from page B1

as a solid 3-point shooter and threat in transition.

“I’d say it really just kind of switched my mentality a little bit,” Powell said. “My usage rate dropped a lot once I got to North Carolina, I was still playing heavy minutes and being able to help the team be successful. I really could have just sulked and just complained to the coaches, but like what does that get done? That was really the way I thought.”

Powell also answered a question about what he learned with the Tar Heels that will carry on to the NBA.

“Sept. 1, the day was pretty chaotic,” Flanagan said. “A lot of schools reaching out. Set up a couple of visits in the fall. Some pretty good schools.”

Flanagan visited Division III and Division I programs, including Bucknell and Saint Joseph’s. UMass Lowell also contacted him last fall, but like the other programs, communication slowed down once the team began its season in the spring.

But at the turn of summer, the ball got rolling again.

“(UMass Lowell) saw me play at an event this summer, and they invited me out for a visit,” Flanagan said. “It was great. I loved everything about it. The campus was awesome. Academics have been a big thing

“The preparation,” Powell said. “Every day type preparation. I think that was something I struggled with going in, but I had to continue to put trust in a lot of my vets. Seth Trimble, RJ Davis, Jalen Washington — guys like that. I just tried to shadow them a little bit. See how they operated.”

The time to put the preparation to work is on delay though. Powell will travel with the Nets to Las Vegas, but he will not play in the Summer League, reportedly due to left knee tendinopathy. The team reportedly considers the issue to be minor, and Powell will work out with the team in Las Vegas.

for me, and it’s not like the most prestigious school if you just look at acceptance rate, but their job outcomes and everything are really good. I like the location. It’s right outside of Boston. I’ve always wanted to be near a city.”

While the school’s location and future job prospects resonated with Flanagan, what really got him was the coaching sta .

“Their coaching sta just seems like they have a really good plan for the future,” Flanagan said. “Everything they’re doing seems really deliberate. Historically, they haven’t been the best program. They brought in a new coach. He fully cleaned house. New culture, new system, new everything. It seemed like them and the university

were all really invested in making sure this lacrosse program can become the best that it is, and at the end of the day, I just want to be a part of something like that.”

Flanagan, who plans to major in either business administration or statistics (or a combination of both), said he wants to compete for playing time on day one, but he’s also going to be “bought into” whatever role the team needs him to ll for its success — even if it’s sitting on the bench.

But with one more season left at Northwood, Flanagan’s focus is bringing a winning mentality to the Chargers that lasts beyond his tenure. Flanagan was a part of Northwood’s 2023 state runner-up team, and since then,

the Chargers have not made it past the third round of the 1A/2A/3A playo s. A culture of guys going all in on success, something he saw in his future home, is something he hopes to foster at Northwood.

“I want to make something sustainable for the future,” Flanagan said. “Obviously, we’re going to have a lot of seniors this year. I don’t want us to leave and the program to fall apart. I want to really set a culture in the locker room. Make sure the guys are bought in. That’s a big thing for me and the coaching sta as well.”

Said Flanagan, “As a general goal, we want to win a state championship. We’re not coming into this year for any moral victories. We want to walk out with some hardware.”

Drake Powell is all business after being selected with the 22nd overall pick in the NBA Draft on June 25.

FLANAGAN from page B1

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

ERIN HOOLEY / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen holds the trophy after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on Chicago’s street course.

NBA stars to turn lmmakers at Summer League fest

“UNLV: Kings of Vegas” will premiere at the second annual event

By Jonathan Landrum Jr.

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Lights, camera, layup.

The NBA Summer League is giving athletes another shot that takes place behind the camera. With assists from Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and Hollywood power players Mark Wahlberg and Deon Taylor, the Summer League Film Festival is coming back starting July 17 in Las Vegas.

The three-day festival will bring big-screen storytelling through 34 selected projects, spotlighting stories produced by NBA stars past and present, including Nikola Jokic, Luguentz Dort, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Cole Anthony, Keyon Dooling and Udonis Haslem.

“We have a ton of NBA players who own production companies,” said Garnett, who won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. He cofounded the production company Content King Studios.

Garnett said he wants to highlight lmmakers who are telling authentic, real-life stories.

“So, the SLFF is a great opportunity to get together to share our projects, give each other our owers for doing the work, and provide an opportu-

“I’ve always been a big hoops fan, so it’s amazing to see NBA players bring these incredible stories to life.”

Mark Wahlberg

nity to get projects nanced and even sold,” he said.

The second annual lm festival will take place at the Strip View Pavilion inside the Thomas & Mack Center, the longtime home of Summer League, which was cofounded in 2004 by Warren LeGarie and Albert Hall.

“I’ve always been a big hoops fan, so it’s amazing to see NBA players bring these incredible stories to life,” said Wahlberg, who has the production company Unrealistic Ideas. Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor of Hidden Empire Film Group were brought on to help athletes explore the art of lmmaking and sharpen their acting chops.

“Today’s athletes are more than players. They’re storytellers, creators, and global in uencers,” said Deon Taylor, director of “Black and Blue,” “The Intruder, “Meet the Blacks” and “Fatale.” This marks another sports-driven venture for Hidden Empire, which teamed up with Skydance Sports and the NFL in March to host lm

training sessions for more than 20 current and former NFL players.

Taylor called the collaboration with Garnett, Wahlberg, Hall and the NBA a “culture shift.” He said the festival would help athletes control their narrative through lm, television and other media platforms.

“Together, we’re rede ning where sports, art and culture collide,” Taylor said.

The festival will feature the premiere of “UNLV: Kings of Vegas,” showcasing the untold story of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. The documentary will include interviews with popular gures ranging from Snoop Dogg, Chuck D and Jimmy Kimmel. It’s produced by former UNLV stars Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon and Greg Anthony, along with Damien Big Percy Roderick and Hidden Empire Film Group.

Along with screenings, the festival will host various private events, including a tipo viewing of “Tony Allen: The Grindfather” and a wrap party.

“The SLFF team is passionate about amplifying these amazing lms and lmmakers who are producing all forms of content at NBA Summer League,” Hall said. “Because of all the talented lmmakers who submitted lms this year, we believe the 2025 SLFF is poised to take on a life of its own and grow the second weekend of the Summer League.”

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Deon Taylor, left, speaks as K’Lavon Chaisson, seated, and Reginald Kahlil McKenzie look on during a lmmaking workshop for NFL players.

this week in history

Burr shoots Hamilton, the Rolling Stones debut at Marquee Club, Bastille Prison stormed

JULY 10

1925: Jury selection began in Dayton, Tennessee, in the trial of John T. Scopes, charged with teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

1940: The Battle of Britain began as the German Luftwa e launched attacks on southern England during World War II.

1962: NASA launched Telstar 1, the rst active communications satellite.

JULY 11

1798: The U.S. Marine Corps was formally reestablished by congressional act, which also created the U.S. Marine Band.

1804: Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel in Weehawken, New Jersey.

1859: Big Ben, the great bell inside London’s famous clock tower, chimed for the rst time.

1914: Babe Ruth made his major league debut, pitching the Boston Red Sox to a 4–3 win over Cleveland.

1960: Harper Lee’s nov-

el “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published.

JULY 12

1543: England’s King Henry VIII married his sixth and nal wife, Catherine Parr.

1862: President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill authorizing the Army Medal of Honor during the Civil War.

1962: The Rolling Stones played their rst show at the Marquee Club in London.

JULY 13

1923: A sign consisting of 50-foot-tall letters spelling out “HOLLYWOODLAND” was dedicated in the Hollywood Hills to promote a subdivision.

(The last four letters were removed in 1949.)

1930: The rst FIFA World Cup began in Uruguay.

1985: The “Live Aid” bene t rock concerts were held simultaneously in London and Philadelphia, raising millions for famine relief in Ethiopia.

JULY 14

1789: In an event symbolizing the start of the French Revolution, citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille prison and released the seven prisoners inside.

1798: President John Ad-

ams signed the Sedition Act into law, making it a federal crime to publish false, scandalous or malicious writing about the United States government.

1881: Outlaw William H. Bonney Jr., alias “Billy the Kid,” was shot and killed by Sheri Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner in present-day New Mexico.

1912: American folk singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, Oklahoma.

JULY 15

1799: The Rosetta Stone, a key to deciphering ancient Egyptian scripts, was found at Fort Julien in the Nile Delta during the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt.

1834: The Spanish Inquisition was abolished more than 350 years after its creation.

1916: The Boeing Company, originally known as Paci c Aero Products Co., was founded in Seattle.

1997: Fashion designer Gianni Versace, 50, was shot dead outside his Miami Beach home by Andrew Phillip Cunanan, 27.

JULY 16

1945: The United States exploded its rst experimental atomic bomb in the desert

of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

1951: The novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger was rst published by Little, Brown and Co.

1957: Marine Corps Maj. John Glenn set a transcontinental speed record by ying a Vought F8U Crusader jet from California to New York in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 8.4 seconds.

1969: Apollo 11 blasted o from Cape Kennedy on the rst manned mission to the surface of the moon.

Ozzy Osbourne says farewell with hometown show for 40K fans

Black Sabbath, the founders of heavy metal, formed in 1968

The Associated Press

LONDON — Hard-rock royalty and some 40,000 fans gathered for an ear-splitting tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at what the heavy metal icon says was his nal live performance.

The original lineup of Osbourne’s band Black Sabbath performed at Villa Park soccer stadium in their home city of Birmingham, central England, on Saturday.

The 76-year-old singer, who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, sang from a black throne that rose up from under the stage.

“Let the madness begin!” he urged as he took the stage and later paid tribute to fans.

“I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years. You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Osbourne said. “You’re all … special. Let’s go crazy, come on.”

Osbourne performed several songs solo before being joined onstage, for the rst time in 20 years, by Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward. The band ended a short

“You’re all … special. Let’s go crazy, come on.”

Ozzy Osbourne

set with “Paranoid,” one of its most famous songs.

It capped a daylong metal festival that included performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. Artists who sent plaudits and well-wishes included Jack Black, Dolly Parton and Elton John.

“You are one of the most remarkable singers of our time,” John said. “You are the king; you are the legend.” Osbourne formed Black Sabbath in 1968 in Birmingham, a city then known for its heavy industry that became the crucible of the British metal scene. Black Sabbath’s devil imagery and thunderous sound made them one of the era’s most inuential — and parent-scaring — metal acts. Both the band and Osbourne as a solo artist have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Osbourne’s fame expanded into the mainstream in the early 2000s when he joined his wife Sharon Osbourne and two of their children in

solutions

the MTV reality TV show “The Osbournes.” He has struggled with health

issues since 2003 following a near-fatal quad bike crash. He revealed his Parkinson’s di-

agnosis in 2020 and paused touring in 2023 after spinal surgery.

HANS HILLEWAERT VIA WIKIPEDIA

The Rosetta Stone, which held the key to decoding ancient Egyptian text, was rst discovered in the Nile Delta on July 15, 1799.

ALASTAIR GRANT / AP PHOTO

Ozzy Osbourne performs during the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England, in 2022.

*Must set up Auto Draft for 2nd Month.

famous birthdays this week

Actor Harrison Ford turns 83 on Sunday.

Singer Mavis Staples, pictured performing at the seventh annual Love Rocks in 2023, celebrates her 86th birthday on Thursday.

Mavis Staples turns 87, Cheech Marin is 79, Jane Lynch celebrates 65, Will Ferrell is 58

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

JULY 10

Actor Mills Watson (“B.J. and the Bear”) is 85. Actor Robert Pine (“CHiPS”) is 84. Folk singer Arlo Guthrie is 78. Banjo player Béla Fleck of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is 67.

JULY 11

Ventriloquist Jay Johnson (“Soap”) is 76. Actor Sela Ward is 69. Guitarist Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) is 66. Singer Suzanne Vega is 66.

JULY 12

Actor Denise Nicholas (“In the Heat of the Night”) is 81. Singer Walter Egan is 77. Actor Cheryl Ladd (“Charlie’s Angels”) is 74. Singer Ricky McKinnie of The Blind Boys of Alabama is 73.

JULY 13

Actor Patrick Stewart is 85. Actor Harrison Ford is 83. Actor-comedian Cheech Marin is 79. Actor Gil Birmingham (“Twilight” lms) is 72. Actor-director Cameron Crowe is 68.

JED JACOBSOHN / AP PHOTO Will Ferrell turns 58 on Wednesday.

JULY 14

Actor Vincent Pastore (“The Sopranos”) is 79. Actor Jane Lynch is 65.

JULY 15

Singer Linda Ronstadt is 79. Drummer Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd) is 77. Drummer Marky Ramone is 73. Guitarist Joe Satriani is 69. Actor-director Forest Whitaker is 64.

JULY 16

Drummer Stewart Copeland of The Police is 73. Michael Flatley (“Lord of the Dance”) is 67. Actor Phoebe Cates is 62. Actor Will Ferrell is 58.

RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION / AP PHOTO

CHARLES SYKES / INVISION / AP PHOTO

the stream

Spielberg looks back at ‘Jaws,’ Backstreet’s back, alt icons Pavement get documentary

Peyton Manning’s “Quarterback” returns to Net ix

The Associated Press

STEVEN SPIELBERG reecting on his shark blockbuster in the documentary “Jaws @ 50,” “Pavements” and Backstreet Boys “Millennium 2.0.” are some of the shows, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, EA Sports’ College Football 26 and Season 10 of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

Spielberg re ects on the “life-altering experience” that was “Jaws,” which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, in the new documentary “Jaws @ 50: The De nitive Inside Story,” streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday. Voices include those who worked on the lm, like composer John Williams, production designer Joe Alves and actors like Jonathan Filley and Lorriane Gary, as well as lmmaker luminaries from James Cameron and Jordan Peele to George Lucas.

Alex Ross Perry’s experimental documentary, “Pavements,” about the ’90s indie band Pavement (“Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain”) will be streaming on Mubi on Friday. There are actors (“Stranger Things’” Joe Keery, Nat Wol , Jason Schwartzman), the real guys (Stephen Malkmus), archival footage and irreverent stagings that help evoke the spirit of the band and kind of tell their story as unconventionally as possible.

Writer-director Mark Anthony Green’s debut movie “Opus,” a cult-horror about a reclusive pop star and a mysterious retreat, did not receive the best reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. But it touts the kind of cast and intriguing premise that makes it a hard-toresist curiosity, with Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich leading, that begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday. In his AP review, Mark Kennedy wrote, “How both could be totally miscast will haunt your dreams.” Kennedy added, “Green wobbles as he tries to land this plane and what had been an intriguing premise to talk about fame

and the parasitic industries that live o it turns into a gross- out, run-for-it bloodfest and a plot that unravels.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, a leading voice in Afrobeats, will release his eighth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness,” on Thursday. It’s a high-energy good time, as rst made apparent in the percussion-heavy “TaTaTa” featuring rapper Travis Scott. It was one of the best-selling albums of all time. On Friday, Backstreet Boys’ 1999 boy band classic, “Millennium,” gets a facelift with the release of “Millennium 2.0.” It’s a deluxe reissue, now with a brand-new song, B-sides and live recordings.

SERIES TO STREAM

ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” marks its 10th season this summer with a golden twist. Contestants from “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette” are sent to a resort in Costa Rica to have fun in the sun and possibly make romantic connections. Jesse Palmer hosts with Bachelor Nation favorites Wells Adams serving as in-house bartender and Hannah Brown, who is in charge of Paradise Relations, whatever

“A good voice isn’t so important. It’s more important to sound really unique.”

Stephen

Malkmus

that means. It is streaming now on Hulu.

Peyton Manning’s Net ix docuseries “Quarterback” returns for a second season. Cameras follow NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jared Go of The Detroit Lions and Kirk Cousins. Cousins was also featured in Season 1 as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, but in Season 2, we see him su er a torn Achilles injury. He eventually parts ways with the Vikings and signs with the Atlanta Falcons. All eight episodes are ready to watch.

There’s a “Bosch” spino streaming on Prime Video focusing on LAPD homicide detective Renée Ballard (who you may recognize from the “Bosch: Legacy” series nale.) “Ballard,” starring Maggie Q as the titular character, is also based on books by Michael Connelly.

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network presents “a social experiment” where three families live “Little House

on the Prairie”-style for eight weeks. “Back to the Frontier” streams a new episode for eight weeks beginning Thursday on Max.

Meg Stalter of “Hacks” stars in a new Net ix comedy from Lena Dunham called “Too Much.” It’s a semi-autobiographical story about Dunham’s life about a heartbroken New Yorker who moves to London to begin anew and nds herself drawn to a musician (Will Sharpe,) against her better judgment. An impressive roster of talent, including Andrew Rannells, Naomi Watts, Kit Harington, Andrew Scott, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant and Rita Ora, make appearances. All 10 episodes drop Thursday. Dexter Morgan takes Manhattan in “Dexter: Resurrection,” a sequel to 2021’s “Dexter: New Blood.” Michael C. Hall reprises his role as the serial killer who hunts other serial killers.

In “Resurrection,” Dexter meets a secret society of serial killers led by a character played by Peter Dinklage. David Zayas continues his role of detective Angel Batista from the original. It premieres Friday. The cast of “Love Island USA” was so popular, they’ve got their own spin-o called “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” The show follows six of the core cast living in LA as they adjust to the

limelight and attempt to maintain their relationships. It debuts Sunday on Peacock. MGM+ has an adaptation of Stephen King’s 2019 novel “The Institute.” It’s about a teenage boy named Luke — with an exceptionally high intellect — who wakes up a strange, unknown facility run by the government that imprisons kids with unique abilities. The sci- horror series is eight-episodes and stars Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker. It premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

What’s in the works for EA Sports’ College Football 26? Dozens of new mascots! We’re talking Oregon State’s Benny the Beaver, Akron’s Zippy the Kangaroo and the already legendary Pop-Tarts mascot. Real-life coaches like Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Georgia’s Kirby Smart are joining the fun. EA drew a huge audience last year when it returned to the NCAA gridiron after a decade-long hiatus, and this season promises 2,800 new plays and unique coaching schemes to go along with slicker graphics and tighter gameplay. The real season is still more than a month away, but you can begin your tailgate party Thursday on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.

UTOPIA VIA AP

Joe Keery portrays Stephen Malkmus in a scene from “Pavements.”

PATRICK WYMORE / PRIME VIDEO VIA AP

Maggie Q and Michael Mosley star in the “Bosch” spino “Ballard.”

Duplin Journal

Duplin County road to close for bridge repair

Calypso

U.S. 117 South near West Trade Road and South Fourth Street in Calypso will be closed until Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. Crews from the N.C. Department of Transportation will conduct work on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to refurbish the deck of the bridge built in 1958. A detour will be available using U.S. 11 to N.C. 50 to N.C. 403.

Veterans stand down slated for July 18

Duplin County Free meals for veterans will be o ered at the Duplin County Veterans Stand Down event on July 18 at the Charity Mission Center. Additionally, the Disabled American Veterans mobile unit will be available on-site.

Candidate ling for 2025 municipal elections closes July 18

Duplin County The candidate ling period for the 2025 municipal elections closes at noon on July 18. Those interested in running should contact the Duplin County Board of Elections for details. Candidates wishing to withdraw and receive a refund must do so by 5 p.m. on July 15. The 2025 municipal elections will be on Nov. 4.

Tra c stop leads to drug bust, stolen vehicle recovery

Albertson

Last week, the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce arrested William Jordan Bailey, 38, and Alonza Eric Barton, 45, during a tra c stop on N.C. Highway 111/903 in Albertson. Barton ed but was quickly caught. A search revealed illegal drugs and a stolen vehicle. Bailey was charged with felony possession of a stolen vehicle and misdemeanors for driving with a revoked license and altered registration. Barton faces felony possession of methamphetamine, obstruction of justice and two misdemeanors. Both are in the Duplin County Jail.

Duplin teen wins Miss North Carolina Teen 2025

Duplin County Kate Ward from Duplin County was recently crowned Miss North Carolina Teen 2025 and will compete for Miss America’s Teen 2026 in Orlando this fall. She has earned a $7,500 scholarship, plus $500 for winning preliminary awards in talent and evening gown.

$2.00

Fewer volunteers, higher stakes

Fire chiefs warn that the shortage not only increases the burden on the remaining volunteers but also puts homeowner insurance rates at risk

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

THE OFTEN-REPEATED observation, “It ain’t like it used to be,” applies to Duplin County’s many volunteer re departments. One of the biggest challenges they face today is recruiting enough volunteers to adequately sta their departments.

“People just do not have the extra time anymore to volunteer for such a cause because they’re spending the extra time that they once had to work a second job.”

Matthew Barwick, Public Safety director

As recently as 20 years ago, it was not uncommon for local volunteer re departments to have 30 or more volunteer members. Today, that number has frequently dropped to half that number or lower, not only placing additional burdens on the volunteers they do have, but

also threatening to a ect the grade their re department receives under state insurance rules.

When Duplin Journal reached out to local re chiefs and the Duplin County Fire Marshal, they all agreed there are likely several factors causing the problem.

Duplin County Public Safety Director and Fire Marshal Matthew Barwick believes societal changes are a big factor.

“Things seem to be driven more toward personal success. I think that’s a derivative of a tighter economy,” Barwick said in an interview with Duplin Journal. “People just do not have the extra time anymore to volunteer for such a cause because they’re spending the extra time that they once had to work a second job.”

Teachey Volunteer Fire Department Chief Richard Williams

Water dominates Mount Olive board meeting

O cials approved an equipment purchase to help tackle drainage amid sewer struggles

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

MOUNT OLIVE — The main issue discussed at Monday evening’s board of commissioners meeting in Mount Olive boiled down to one word — water. The cost of water, its treatment and dealing with the large amounts of it falling from the

sky were all addressed during the meeting.

An increase in water and sewer bills was raised during the public forum. Resident Kathy Turner of Main Street told commissioners she had been trying to get a resolution to a drastic increase in her water and sewer bill for some time.

“My water bill went from $64.72 to $122.50,” Turner said. “That’s a gain of $57.78. I’ve been to the water department

See WATER, page A6

Veterans gather for patriotic observance at historic lodge

“I’ve never let anybody tell me to quit.”

Jerry Davis

A former Navy SEAL spoke at a local masonic lodge, re ecting on his service

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Members and guests of St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 13 in Kenansville gathered on the eve of the nation’s 249th birthday last week for a patriotic observance dinner featuring former Navy SEAL Jerry Davis. Davis, a Duplin County native, shared powerful stories of service, sacri ce and the untold missions that shaped his military career. Davis inspiration to join the U.S. Navy stemmed from the movie “Top Gun.” The lm was credited with increasing interest in joining the Navy

substantially across the country. Davis’ enlistment came quickly after he graduated from Wallace-Rose Hill High School.

“I graduated on June 7, 1990,” Davis said. “Two weeks later, I was on a plane to San Diego.”

While his hopes were to become a pilot after seeing “Top Gun,” he had only a high school diploma. The recruiter tried to convince him to become a mechanic on F-14s instead of ying them. Davis ended up entering the Navy as a hospitalman, more commonly known as a corpsman.

Right after Davis graduated from boot camp, a major event happened. On Aug. 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, which would result in what became known as the Gulf War when the United States became involved. Shortly

See VETERANS, page A6

thanks citizens for attending the board meeting and encourages them to continue to attend meetings in the future.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Teachey Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Ronnie Page says Teachey is luckier than many area departments when it comes to volunteers — like Bryan Padilla, right — but they could always use more. Page has been a volunteer for 22 years. Padilla began volunteering four years ago.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton

O ce Phone: 910 463-1240

To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919

CRIME LOG

July 1

• Christopher O’Neal Branch, 42, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce (DCSO) for assault on a female.

Alexsia Tyteinna Leak, 24, was arrested by DCSO for domestic violence.

• William Jordan Bailey, 38, was arrested by DCSO for possession of stolen motor vehicle, driving while license revoked and ctitious or altered title registration card or tag.

Alonza Eric Barton, 45, was arrested by DCSO for possessing methamphetamine, obstructing justice, possessing drug paraphernalia and injury to personal property.

July 2

• Alex Latrell Farrior, 24, was arrested by DCSO for assault on a female.

Tyia Nyesha Thomas, 50, was arrested by the Beulaville PD for felony possession of cocaine, conspiracy to deliver cocaine, possessing marijuana up to 1/2 ounce, possessing marijuana paraphernalia and open container alcohol violation.

July 3

Taylor Blake Fortin, 30, was arrested by the NC Highway Patrol for driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger and failure to maintain lane control.

• Francisco Lizardi Vargas, 50, was arrested by the Kenansville Police Department for disorderly conduct.

Franchesca Dominique Fennell, 27, was arrested by DCSO for breaking and entering to terrorize or injure.

Megan Rae Lacomb, 30, was arrested by DCSO for possession of stolen rearm, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, shoplifting by concealment of goods, driving while license revoked (not impaired revocation), carrying a concealed gun and possessing stolen goods or property.

THURSDAY

10

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

11

SUNDAY

13

MONDAY

14

Chinquapin High School Class of 1957 holds 68th reunion

The 1957 graduating class of Chinquapin High School recently celebrated their 68th annual reunion at Rose Hill Restaurant. There were 11 classmates in attendance, along with three spouses and four guests.

Standing from left to right: Eloise Sholar Register, Judy Sholar (spouse), Jimmy Sholar, Bobby Ray Lanier, Leon Sanderson, Jimmie Bostic, Johnny Pickett (mascot), Billy Pickett (spouse) and Bobby Bar eld (spouse).

Seated from left to right: Joanne Sanderson Lasseter, Mary Sue Gurganus Sanderson, Marie James Hinson, Berena Sholar Alston, Anita Swinson Pickett and Emily Batchelor Bar eld. Not pictured: Dana Bostic, Jimmie Bostic’s daughter, Sherry Myers, Marie Hinson’s daughter, and Albert Sauls.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Anita Marie Savage, Duplin County Register of Deeds issued 25 marriage licenses for the month ending on June 30, 2025.

James Kristopher Clendenin, Chinquapin, and Felicity Mckayla Evans, Wallace;

• Gerardo Gabriel Gonzalez Borrallas, Dudley, and Elisa Irumi Hernandez Perez, Dudley;

• Yaiko Nikita Murray, Rose Hill, and Robert Randolph Watson, Rose Hill; Lynn Bryant Maready, Wallace, and Hazel Marie Quinn, Wallace;

• Cristopher Javier Contreras Ramos, Rose Hill, and Karen Saray Fuentes Alvarado, Rose Hill;

• Gary Steaven Toler, Wallace, and Minnie Whaley Jones, Wallace;

• Julius Antonio Medford, Kenansville, and Gabriella Marie Rose, Warsaw;

• Angela Marvette Williamson, Clinton, and Sunday Patrick, Clinton;

• Pamela Campbell Mcdew, Clinton, and Artis William Smith, Clinton;

Ethan Ray Bedding eld, Kenansville, and Melissa Botello, Kenansville;

• Fredys Antonio Cruz Alvarez, Teachey, and Keylin Alexandra Medina Garcia, Teachey; Carlos Ernesto Meza, Rose Hill, and Carletta Chasten Brown, Rose Hill;

• Matthew Bryant Hinkle, Pink Hill, and Michaela Elaine Dixon, Grimesland;

• Lisbet Jaime Cervantes, Pink Hill, and Jose Luis Osorio Rivas, Warsaw;

• Sarah Carmen Kunz, Teachey, and Eric Lee Murr, Teachey; Jeremy Adam Thomas, Pink Hill, and Courtney Elizabeth Rhodes, Beulaville;

• Da’quan Coremaine

West, Wallace, and Karissa Belle Sullivan, Wallace;

• Shamika Adore Chaney, Kenansville, and Hydiea Abal Anje Sauls, Kenansville; Mardoqueo Oved Angel Garcia, Mount Olive, and Acsa Herrar Solis, Mount Olive;

• James Ryan Gore, Faison, and Ashley Renee Harvell, Mount Olive;

• Joshua Brent Maready, Beulaville, and Courtney Renee Martin, Beulaville;

• Terrell Eugene Grant, Wallace, and Catyra Monique Scott, Wallace;

• Jennifer Renee Halinka, Magnolia, and Leaha Marie Robbins, Magnolia;

• Nancy Lopez Aguirre, Wallace, and Ricardo Lopez Haschak, Rose Hill;

• Liborio Neptaly Vieyra, Kentucky, and Heily Anahi Rivera Herrera, Magnolia.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@duplinjournal.com | Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

DUPLIN happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County:

July 12

Family fun awaits at Memorial Park 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Warsaw Parks and Recreation will host a Community Fun in the Park event July 12 at Memorial Park. The free event will kick o at 11 a.m. and will feature food, fellowship and fun activities for the whole family. 309 Memorial Drive, Warsaw Volleyball tournament at Boney Mill Pond Park

10 a.m.

Visit the Boney Mill Pond Park in Wallace on July 12 at 10 a.m. for an exciting day of volleyball hosted by the Wilmington Beach Academy. The tournament features 4-on-4 divisions for both men and women, with upper and lower skill levels. The registration fee is $100 per team, and cash prizes await the champions. Food and drinks will be available on-site.

128 Rose Ave, Wallace 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 14

Duplin County Public Library photography workshop

The Duplin County Public Library is inviting all third to seventh-grade shutterbugs to join their Summer Photography Workshop at the Beulaville branch on Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. July 14 to Aug. 4. Kids will learn how to frame, focus and capture amazing shots. No experience is needed, but spots are limited.

807 E Broad St., Beulaville.

County Commissioners Meeting

6 p.m.

The Board of County Commissioners will meet on July 14 at 6 p.m. at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville.

The Board of County Commissioners meets the rst Monday of each month except for holidays and the months of May and June, where the board will also meet on the third Monday. For information, call 910-296-2100.

224 Seminary Street, Kenansville

SPONSORED BY

COURTESY PHOTO

Vietnam veteran helps keep stories alive

What began as an attempt to avoid the draft turned into a decades-long journey across the Paci c

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Earl Rouse never wanted to leave home.

“I enlisted running away from the draft,” he said with a laugh. Born and raised in Warsaw, Rouse graduated from James Kenan High School and enlisted in the Coast Guard in July 1965. He chose the Coast Guard because the recruiter promised him that he would stay close to home and be able to visit his parents every weekend, but he was sent straight into the Vietnam War instead. Rouse and about six of his friends from Duplin County signed up and served together in many of the same stations. During basic training at Cape May, New Jersey, they were given a choice: Hawaii or Alaska.

“I signed up for Hawaii. When we got there, we had to race to the boat (Cutter Bering Strait) where we were stationed,” Rouse told Duplin Journal.

Instead of a sunny tour on the beaches of Sand Island, Hawaii, Rouse was immediately shipped o to Japan (Cutter Ocean Station Victor) and into the Paci c theater.

He would spend the majority of his active-duty career in the Guam and Saigon areas. Pulled into service in the Vietnam War, Rouse was a yeoman on the boat. Part of his duties in Guam included ferrying 82 boats from Subic Bay, Philippines, to Da Nang, Vietnam. Patrolling borders and facilitating medical checks on shing boats were a large part of the job in that area. Rouse was responsible for a lot of clerical activities, including transmitting target coordinates to bomber planes.

home to visit his family, as he had been promised from the beginning.

“I enlisted running away from the

Earl Rouse

Rouse recalled being stationed at the Loran Station in Yap.

“That was a year of paradise,” he said. In this rural island, natives went around half-dressed and participated in ceremonial dances sporadically throughout the day. Rouse shared how he took pictures and Kodak refused to develop the lm because they thought the people were being exploited.

“I told them this was how the

people lived and dressed normally, and they developed the lm and sent rolls with it. We never had to pay for the lm again,” he said, “it was like we were National Geographic.”

Some of those pictures are on display now in an exhibit honoring Rouse’s service at the Duplin County Veterans Museum.

Now in his 70s, Rouse serves as the museum’s curator. For 12 years, he has told the stories of Duplin County soldiers from the Revolutionary War through the more recent wars in Afghanistan. The stories were passed along with the uniforms and artifacts or researched by Rouse himself. Rouse remembers and retells them all as if the soldiers

were all his high school buddies.

Two oors of stories are housed in the historic Victorian Best home, originally donated to the Warsaw Presbyterian Church. Near the entrance to the museum stands a book more than 400 pages long, listing all the veterans from Duplin County. When you ask Rouse if he knows any other veterans in the area, he proudly answers, “Yeah, I know about 2,000 of them.”

Rouse eventually returned to North Carolina during his active duty service. His last station in July 1971 was at the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center in Elizabeth City. From there, he was able to make trips

During some of these visits, he met and fell in love with a girl from Warsaw. Because she didn’t want to leave the area, Rouse left active duty and became a part of the Coast Guard Reserves. He took a job at General Electric, settled down and started a family. Rouse credited his boss at GE for helping him make the rank of petty o cer rst class.

“He pushed me on to every opportunity (to better myself),” he recalled. Rouse served in the Coast Guard Reserves from August 1972 to December 1988. He was stationed in Oak Island, Southport and Buxton as well as Yorktown, Virginia, before nishing his service at Wrightsville Beach.

As a retiree now, all the stations “treat (him) like a king” when he visits. At Wrightsville Beach, his last station of duty, they still allow him to come and sh o their dock with them. Overall, Rouse loved his time in the service.

“I’d go back now, if they let me,” he told Duplin Journal.

Local veteran brings Marine values to community service

Sam Dixon served 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a top-secret mission in Vietnam

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

BEAUTANCUS — Sam Dixon is an understated man. Born into a farming family in Beautancus, he became enamored with the history of the Marine Corps as a young boy. At 18, he enlisted.

“The Marine Corps teaches you pride. Once a Marine, always a Marine,” Dixon said. “It is the pride that you are taught and the attitude you have toward winning.”

From 1962 to 1983, Dixon served in the Marine Infantry in California, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina and overseas. For 21 years, he loved that every day presented a new challenge, and he worked his way up the ranks to become a rst sergeant. Although six years were spent on recruitment, most of Dixon’s service required such a high clearance

that he still does not feel free to talk about it.

It was that high clearance that pulled him into the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968.

Called in on a top clearance mission, Dixon was wounded at least three times and awarded three Purple Hearts. He recalled one wound to his leg, stating, “I had to just lie there in the grass with this shrapnel wound burning in my leg, and there was no pain medication, no crying out, nothing you could do but just lie there.”

When he was wounded, Dixon chose not to notify his family. He felt that keeping them from having to “sit around and wonder” about his condition made him stronger. Overcoming the pain taught him an important lesson: Humans can survive anything.

“I fought for this country, not for what it could do for me, but for what I could do for this country,” Dixon said. “Giving back (to our communities and others in need) is just the American way. America is a great country. If we have to bleed in a foreign land, that’s

such a small sacri ce for what this country gives back to us. It’s given a lot back to me.”

In Vietnam, Dixon served in “Waste City” during the Tet O ensive — one of the longest and bloodiest engagements, yet the worst pain he experienced was when he came home.

“When I came home, people spat in my face and called me a killer,” Dixon recalled. “You don’t expect that; it tore my heart out.”

It took years of therapy to get past the mental anguish and anger this caused Dixon.

“I was 60 years old when I nally realized I couldn’t win the war by myself; I had to have people help me,” he said. “The mind is a great tool, but sometimes tools wear out and have to be xed again. Therapy did that for me. When a veteran goes to therapy, I think it is the greatest thing that can happen to him.”

Now Dixon has a new perspective on the protesters.

“They were just exercising their rights, the rights we fought for,” he says now. “We didn’t sign up for a con ict, we

signed up to defend our country,” Dixon said. “We signed up to defend our 100% right to freedom. Where we were ordered and what we were ordered to do was just a part of it.”

Dixon had years of military training in leadership and a natural talent for numbers. In 1983, that helped him transition out of service and into other positions in Jacksonville, including banking. Although he took college classes to further challenge himself, he never pursued a degree.

“It wasn’t going to secure me a better job,” he explained. “Getting a degree is now something that everyone needs, but if an opportunity comes to do something from your natural talent, you should do it,” Dixon told Duplin Journal.

After 18 years of working in Jacksonville, Dixon returned to the family farm in Beautancus and bought 15 acres to retire on. Now in retirement, Dixon supports his family and community as an active member of Bear Marsh Missionary Baptist Church, Beautancus Commu-

nity Center and several veteran organizations.

“The VA, VFW, DAV, American Legion and Military Order of the Purple Hearts are all great organizations that do a lot for the community and veterans,” Dixon said. “I’ve got 20 years experience with the VA and nothing but positive to say about it. They do any kind of medical treatment you need; if they don’t have it there, they have a community service where they partner with someone within the community to get it done.”

Dixon believes community service is just part of the American way.

“I think every young person should serve in the military, Reserves or the National Guard because they support the local community,” Dixon said.

“My mother was a great woman. She was very religious ... and she taught (her seven children) to support others. If you don’t give back some of your talent and help those in need, what would they do? That’s the American way, and it’s what we are also taught in the military.”

PHOTOS BY REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Earl Rouse, a Coast Guard veteran and longtime curator of the Duplin County Veterans Museum, explains photographs from his memorial wall — now featured in a special exhibit honoring his decades of service.

draft.”

Earl Rouse, a Warsaw native and James Kenan High graduate, joined the U.S. Coast Guard in July 1965. He is pictured here during basic training at Cape May, New Jersey.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

A reminder of what’s so great about America

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system.

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S recent 249th

birthday, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the most incredible things about her. We are a nation of settlers. This is the country where ancestors risked — and often lost — their lives in pursuit of religious freedom and opportunity. From the May ower to the Oregon Trail, they persevered in extreme hardship. Davy Crockett and Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire children.

We defeated the mighty British Empire to secure our independence. American soldiers endured the cold, disease and death of Valley Forge. Under the instruction of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian, the Army emerged with greater discipline, unity and skill.

Our country’s founding documents are marvels. The Declaration of Independence eloquently lays out the purpose of government — to secure our God-given, unalienable rights. The Constitution, drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, history and political philosophers, uses checks and balances to limit the government’s power.

At the cost of hundreds of thousands of Union lives, we threw o the scourge of slavery. Our heroes are too numerous to mention, but include Nathan Hale, Harriet Tubman, Teddy Roosevelt and Billy Graham. Our land is beautiful. Consider the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls and the stunning views in Canyonlands National Park. Our beaches, from Hawaii to California to the East Coast, draw people from around the world.

We conquered the continent with the Transcontinental Railroad and later, the Interstate Highway System. We completed the Empire State Building in less than 14 months. We built the Hoover Dam. We carved the faces

AP PHOTO

Workers laying tracks for Central Paci c Railroad pause for a moment at camp “Victory,” a few miles from Promontory, Utah, on April 28, 1869. The “last spike” was driven on May 10, 1869 in Promontory to complete the rst transcontinental railroad.

of our greatest presidents into the side of a mountain.

We created the rst airplane in 1903. Less than 70 years later, we put a man on the moon.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system. The average American enjoys luxuries, like air conditioning, air travel, cell phones and microwaves, that the richest people 200 years ago could scarcely have dreamed of.

We have the best athletes in the world.

We have more than twice as many Olympic medals as the next-closest country — the Soviet Union, which doesn’t even exist

anymore. American football is way more exciting than the world’s version of that sport.

We have the mightiest military in the history of the world. We played pivotal roles in winning World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Our B-2 bombers can take o from Missouri, successfully bomb a buried Iranian nuclear site and return home without landing. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. Here are two ways leftist cynics attempt to disparage America. For one, they’ll claim America is de ned by her faults, not her accomplishments. Note well that they don’t apply that standard to their heroes. In 1969, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy drove o a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. That accident resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The left spent the next 40 years celebrating him anyway.

This hypocrisy shows the left doesn’t truly believe you should de ne countries or people by their aws. They just hope those who love America and her heroes do.

The left also attempts to sever our connection to this marvelous history. They tear down monuments to American heroes like Thomas Je erson and Christopher Columbus. They rename holidays. They teach children that America’s success comes from oppressing others. You aren’t just an individual. You are part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a state, which is part of a country. Celebrating your country is both good and natural. It should be easy to do when it’s the greatest country in the history of the world.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.

Terminate the Green New Scam now

Our $37-trillionin-debt government ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

AS OF THIS WRITING, it’s impossible to know exactly how much Green New Scam spending has been cut by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even members of Congress have no idea. But I’m not worried. President Donald Trump can terminate all Green New Spending any day he chooses.

Goldman Sachs estimated that the climate spending portion of the 2022 In ation Reduction Act (i.e., the Green New Scam) was worth about $1.2 trillion by 2032. The total may actually have been greater as it’s extraordinarily di cult to kill o federal subsidies.

By the time Trump was inaugurated, the Biden administration had spent somewhere around $150 billion of the money, including much in red states buying Republican politicians so that they would be reluctant to roll back the spending during opportunities for scal responsibility like the OBBBA.

The House version of the OBBBA may have cut as much as 50% of the remaining Green New Scam spending. The Senate version that passed on July 1 “gutted” what the House did, according to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). So where are we? Who knows. The good news is it really doesn’t matter.

Green New Scam spending on wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and utility-scale batteries is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The supposed need to reduce such emissions is factually premised on a 2009 determination, called the “endangerment nding,” by the Obama

EPA. The nding concluded that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are harming the public health and welfare through global warming. Regardless of how you feel about climate science, the Supreme Court made the Obama EPA’s determination de facto illegal in its 2022 decision in West Virginia v. EPA. In that case, the Court determined that EPA requires the express authorization by Congress to engage in major undertakings such as greenhouse gas regulation. No such authorization has ever existed.

On Day 1 of his second term, Trump ordered the endangerment nding to be reviewed with an eye toward terminating it. Trump has, after all, repeatedly stated that he believes global warming is a “hoax.”

In April, Trump issued an executive order directing that regulations made illegal by recent Supreme Court decisions could be terminated summarily, and without the lengthy public notice and comment usually required by the Administrative Procedure Act. This makes total sense. Why keep illegal regulations in e ect?

If the illegal endangerment nding were terminated summarily there would be no factual basis for any Green New Scam spending. Trump could simply stop cutting checks for subsidies, thereby solving the Green New Scam problem.

The Trump administration, of course, would soon nd itself in court, but that is nothing new. And Trump would clearly have the high legal and moral ground: Our $37-trillion-in-debt government

ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

Coincidentally, the EPA submitted just its proposal to roll back or terminate the endangerment nding to the White House O ce of Management and Budget this week. No one outside the government knows what’s in the proposal or when it would be issued. There are two general ways to accomplish rollback of the endangerment nding. The preferred way is what has been previously described. It’s quick and easy. The other way is to do it through standard public notice and comment, which will take longer and be much less certain in outcome. Both would wind up in court, but the preferred way tees up the issue better from a legal standpoint. Republicans are often squirrely when it comes to green issues, imagining that the public is more supportive of green policies than it really is. Trump had the courage to drop multiple 30,000-pound bombs on a nuclear facility in Iran. It is certainly much easier to simply terminate an illegal regulation we can’t a ord. He should just do it now. Steve Milloy, a biostatistician and lawyer, publishes JunkScience.com. This article was published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Regenerative farming at the heart of Kornegay

Hereford Farms

Everything has a purpose on this third-generation family farm — even weeds

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

IN NORTHERN Duplin

County between the forks of the northeast Cape Fear River and Goshen Swamp, Kornegay Hereford Farms is entering its 76th year. Cecil and Jean Kornegay started the farm in 1949 with a family of four children. The farm continued a long-standing family tradition of growing row crops and raising livestock.

Today, their youngest daughter, Karen Scalf, and her husband, Gary, continue the farm with Heritage Hereford cattle and a micro dairy of Jerseys. A wife, mother, grandmother, and businesswoman, Karen Scalf juggles many hats. To stay balanced, she starts by putting herself rst, then by making decisions quickly using the C2 positive approach.

“Every decision is either positive or negative and has a compounding, cascading (C2) effect,” Scalf explained. “It is never, ever neutral.”

Mornings at the farm are a simple, repetitive process of checking and feeding the free -range ducks and caged chickens. Then it’s time for milking. Jersey cows are treated to a spa treatment at the milking shed, lovingly referred to as the Taj Mahal. Clean concrete hog slats surround the entrance while the shed itself is equipped with air conditioning and commercial milking equipment. Jersey cows are massaged, cleaned and talked to before the machine is attached to them.

“You can try to get a cow’s milk all day long, but they won’t release it to you if they are not comfortable,” Scalf explained. “The more comfortable a cow feels and the more they like you, the more cream they release as well.”

The Taj Mahal is a welcome respite from a hot summer’s day, and the cows come in with little coaxing. The milk is collected in large stainless steel containers that are still warm to the touch after just being removed from the cow. Later in the farm store, the fresh milk will be added to a larger vat of milk where it will be cooled, separated, bottled and sold. Some of the raw milk will also be churned into butter.

This micro dairy is part of how the farm has evolved under the current leadership; however, micro dairies remain controversial and heavily regulated. The sale of raw milk is illegal for human consumption due to concerns about the potential presence of illness-causing bacteria in the milk. Bad bacteria is a risk some people are willing to take for the proposed “miracle of milk” that

can only be found when milk is in its raw form. Raw milk is still a living thing; it carries bene cial bacteria and properties that support gut health, immunity and overall well-being when sourced correctly.

With a small, well-managed herd on a farm practicing regenerative agriculture, Kornegay Hereford Farms (KHFarms) is poised to be a choice that sources raw dairy right.

KHFarms also produces grass-fed beef for meat production. “Grass-fed beef has more oxygen in it,” Scalf said. “Red liquid in the packaging is not blood, it’s myoglobin. It is the liquid that carries the oxygen throughout the muscles, so the grass-fed beef is more healthy and nutrient-dense. Our meat has more moisture, and it doesn’t shrink on you. We have also had customers say it dethaws faster than other beef.”

Like her father, Scalf continues to raise Hereford cattle for breeding stock, but she has also expanded the farm’s beef market through RealFoods United.com. Through this business, farmers and gardeners come together to sell healthy foods and healing herbs directly to the consumer through the farm’s onsite store and website. Contributing to the food freedom movement and providing healthy food is a passion project that began with her desire to feed her own family nutritious meals.

Scalf believes that quality food helps restore balance to the body.

On KHFarms, every living thing has a job to do — even the weeds.

“The weeds provide shelter for the plants and shade from the heat,” Scalf explained. “I can also tell what the soil needs

agrees there are many challenges in keeping departments sta ed with volunteers, adding the state-required training to become certi ed as a reghter is a contributing factor.

“To reach the level of 1 and level 2, you’re talking about over 300 hours of training required,” Williams told Duplin Journal. “That’s a challenge for busy people to commit to that much time, as well as the cost.”

Williams also said the loss of volunteers has added to the time commitment of those who do serve the department, and that can result in burnout. That makes the need even greater.

“We de nitely need more re ghters trained for interior res,” he said.

Barwick agrees with Williams on the problem of burnout.

“The more people you have, the lighter the workload for each of them,” Barwick said. “I feel like the days of the old volunteer re department, when you had 50 people on a roster, each giving about 10% of their free time, may be gone. Now that we’ve dropped down to 15 or 20 people, they’re really getting burned out because now they’re giving 50% of their free time.”

by which weeds are growing in the garden.”

Good health starts with the soil and sourcing your food responsibly. Scalf has been vice president of the North Carolina Soil Health Coalition, Duplin County Farm Bureau and the Duplin County Cattleman’s Association. Now an active member of the Farm Bureau and Cattleman’s Association, she has been a voice for agriculture and an advocate for soil health.

Taking samples of dirt directly from di erent elds, Scalf explained soil health.

“There is a di erence between dirt and earth,” she said. “Dirt is what is left after you have overproduction. It lters through your hands like sand; there is nothing holding it together. But earth has nutrients to it. It smells di erent. It’s darker. It has glue dirt holding the soil particles together around the roots of plants. That’s what you want to see.”

Good or bad, this quality transfers to the food that is grown in or on that ground. Good soil produces food that meets your body’s needs quicker. You consume less and live healthier on nutrient dense foods. Bad soil has little nutrients to transfer to food, so we consume more of it and never feel as full or healthy.

“Our strength as a nation does not come from a strong military, but from the ability to feed ourselves,” Scalf said. “Without food and good health, we have no defense.”

Scalf encourages people to connect with local farmers and focus on restoring their health.

“What are you waiting for?” she said. “The farmer down the road needs you as much as you need the farmer.”

“Each re department in the state of North Carolina is rated by the Department of Insurance every ve years,” Barwick explained. “The rating they receive is called a ‘public protection classi cation.’ The better the grade they receive causes a parallel e ect on your homeowner’s insurance premiums.” Even a slight change in the public protection classi cation of a re department can have a dramatic e ect on a homeowner’s insurance policy. In some cases, it can more than double the rate, or even exceed that in some cases, according to Barwick.

Several years ago, a substation of the Kenansville Fire Department, near the corner of West Wards Bridge Road and Holland Road, was forced to close due to a lack of manpower. That has a ected homeowner insurance rates in that area.

Homeowners in the area are hoping the substation can be reopened. There will be a public hearing on the issue July 14 at 7 p.m. at Unity Methodist Church in Warsaw. Barwick hopes the substation will be able to bring in enough volunteers to reopen. However, their staing level would need to remain adequate to continue meeting the state insurance requirements.

“Otherwise, they’ll be right back to where they were when they had to close,” Barwick said.

In the meantime, Barwick and the re chiefs hope more residents will consider volunteering with their local re department.

“There’s always a need for volunteers,” Barwick said. “More than anything, we need structural re ghters.”

Barwick commended the volunteers who are making a signi cant commitment to ful ll the time requirements of the role.

“They’re doing the best they can under the circumstances,” he said.

Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Matthew Casey, who has been a volunteer at the department for 18 years, said he has had to go on a few calls alone because of volunteers not being available. Casey told Duplin Journal there are many challenges to rural re departments, including the cost of equipment. A new re truck that meets the standards of regulations today can cost between $500,000 and $1 million. One of their expensive rescue units, Rescue 1, was damaged by gunre not long ago in a gang-related shooting across the street from the department on N.C. Highway 41. The volunteer re departments are not the only ones su ering when there is a lack of adequate sta ng, according to Barwick. Homeowners also su er because it a ects their insurance rates.

PHOTOS BY REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Farm assistant April milks Cookie in the Kornegay Hereford Farms’ micro dairy.

Karen Scalf, Kornegay Hereford Farms owner, poses with one of the Jersey cows for the micro dairy.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Chinquapin Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Matthew Casey has followed in the steps of his father to become chief of the department. He has been a volunteer for 18 years and is both a re ghter and a paramedic.

Homegrown candle business nds its ame in Calypso

Local entrepreneurs ignite passion for candles and expand with 160 fragrance options

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Husband-andwife duo Jimmy Tyndall and Daniela Nieves have transformed a family hobby into a thriving business in Calypso. Heart’s Desire Candle Company was established in 2007 and initially operated from their home. However, due to various life events, the business became dormant for a period of time.

A decade later, the couple started up again with 24 to 25 di erent fragrances along with the tools they had stored in their barn. They began ful lling small orders from their home once again. Over time, customers expressed a desire for a physical location where they could experience the products in person. In the fall of 2023, they decided to return to business full time and began searching for a shop location.

“When you step outside of your home, it is a risk,” Tyndall said. “It takes a lot of faith to jump out there, but this happened so organically that it was hard to say no.”

In his full-time job, Tyndall serves as the executive administrator for the Town of Faison and is also a part-time water operator for Calypso. Nieves works full time at the Sampson County Health Department.

As a team, it was their goal to set up shop in Faison, but the opportunities were not opening there for them.

“If the door doesn’t open, we’re not going to pick the lock,” Tyndall said. Then they met the owner of a vintage building in Calypso.

“They were very gracious and welcoming to us,” Tyndall said. “It was not where we thought we

from page A1

several times. ... Nobody has helped.”

Turner had a printout of her water bills for over a year. She said the highest bill prior to her current one was $88.39, with the average being around $62.

“It’s not my fault the water meters are not working,” Turner added. “I’d like for it to be adjusted.”

The commissioners did not address Turner’s remarks during the public forum, but the subject came up during the town manager’s report. Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland told Turner he would be contacting her about her bill.

During closing remarks, Commissioner Delreese Simmons said that all bills were going up due to a recent increase in water and sewer bills amounting to 8% for each service, meaning water and sewer bills total increases amount to 16%.

Simmons suggested some of the rapid increases could be attributed to errors by the town.

“For the past two years, the rate has not been put into the system correctly,” Simmons said. “That means some bills may go up higher than 16%. Once that’s corrected, everybody’s water bill will go up.”

Holland con rmed an issue regarding the system had been discovered.

“It was not put into the system correctly,” Holland said. “We are working to nd out exactly how much.” Water and sewer bills are just one of the challenges facing Mount Olive when it comes to providing water and sewer services to the town. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has placed speci c restrictions on just how much wastewater can be run through the system.

The department issued a special order of consent to the town in April, stating the town was exceeding its ow rates through the wastewater treatment facility, which a ects how much

would be, but here we are, and everyone has been very welcoming to us.”

On March 18, 2024, Heart’s Desire Candle Company opened to the public at 109 W. Trade St. in Calypso. In their shop, they o er a variety of products, including soaps, lip balms, lotions, shampoos, hand sanitizers, candles, wax melts, re llable plug-ins, car fragrances, beard oils, beard balms and sugar scrubs. The fragrance list grew to 160 primarily as customers requested speci c smells to be found or created. Searching for the right ingredients is like an Easter egg hunt: It’s a challenge

Heart’s Desire is proud to take on. Scents are diverse, from Hershey’s trademark chocolate to layered scents like leather vanilla and spiced fruit cider.

“The whole premise of this shop was to be able to o er the public something that we feel can stand up against anybody in quality and at a price that makes sense,” Tyndall said. “We are unique in a lot of ways; the sky’s the limit as far as what you want.”

Heart’s Desire is unique because it can make the same fragrance available in a variety of products, mix the ratios, and do all of this at an a ordable price. Most orders are also available within 48 hours. All scents are available year-round; one can purchase Christmas tree candles in July if they desire.

Heart’s Desire can also do custom pours.

“If it is heat resistant and will hold up in the microwave or oven, we’ll use it,” Tyndall said.

Some interesting pours in the past have included family heirloom china and antique brass bowls.

Heart’s Desire is very picky about their ingredients; raw materials have been sourced from California to the Carolinas.

“Ninety-eight percent of our fragrances are all skin safe and ve-star quality,” Tyndall said.

treated wastewater is being discharged into the Northeast Cape Fear River.

The special order of consent states, “Noncompliance withnal e uent limitations constitutes causing and contributing to pollution of the waters of this state.”

The state has placed a moratorium on the amount of wastewater that can be discharged through the town’s treatment system. The moratorium prohibits the town from o ering water and sewage services to some new businesses in the area.

Making matters even more challenging is the increase in drainage issues because of the recent heavy rains. This causes debris to accumulate in drainage ditches, which places an even greater load on the existing wastewater infrastructure, Holland explained to Duplin Journal.

One way the town hopes to deal with the debris is with the purchase of a Schwarze 2020 A4 Storm System. The board approved the purchase of the used unit at a cost of $225,000 during Monday’s meeting.

Mount Olive utilities director Jordan Conley made a presentation to the board showing a video of the unit at work. While the unit resembles a street sweeper, it is substantially more complex, with special parts that clean debris from the road and vacuum additional debris from drains and ditches.

In addition to the current restrictions on wastewater treatment outlined in the state agreement, it also lists many inspections and repairs that will be required in the near future.

In other business, the town issued certi cates of appreciation to several of the town’s police o cers and employees, including Chief of Police Jason Hughes. The commissioners also approved a proclamation honoring resident Danny King for his dedication and contributions to the community.

The next town board meeting will take place July 28.

Sample waxes are available for customers to explore each scent before placing a custom order. At Heart’s Desire, any fragrance can be crafted into a wide range of products.

“We search really hard to nd materials that are mostly vegan, always cruelty-free and natural. Our wax is a soy-coconut natural blend.”

Now starting into their second year at the Calypso location, Heart’s Desire is always thinking of new ways to appeal to customers.

from page A1

after Iraq’s attack, Davis’ track as corpsman changed.

“Two men came walking through in camou age,” Davis shared in his speech. “They sat us all down and said, ‘This is your one free opportunity. If you want to try out, be at the pool at such and such hour.’”

Another sailor, Rick Ellsworth, decided to go with Davis to try out.

“I had no idea what a Navy SEAL was, but we both made it,” Davis said.

According to Davis, training to be a Navy SEAL is as tough as its public perception.

“At rst, you think it’s going to be six months of your life and it will be done,” he said. “It’s not like that. You start convincing yourself if you can just make it through the day, I’ll be OK. That eventually becomes, if I can just make it through one more minute.”

Getting through the training gave Davis enormous con dence.

“I’ve never let anybody tell me I could not do something,” he said. “I’ve never let anybody tell me to quit.”

The Navy SEALs have been in every major con ict since its inception.

“Very few people know that during the operation in Somalia known as Black Hawk Down, there were four Navy SEALs on the ground with them that day from SEAL Team 6,” Davis said, adding that it was not publicized because SEAL operate in classied operations.

Navy SEALs evolved from what were originally called UDTs, meaning underwater demolition teams. They began to become involved in more extensive operations during the Korean War.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy asked Congress for $100 million to develop an unconventional warfare group. Kennedy handpicked a World War II enlisted man named

“At the end of the day, it is up to the customer whether or not that door stays open or not,” Tyndall said. “So far, we have been very well received. This business pays for its right to be here.”

Tyndall and Nieves do what they do for the love of it; labor costs have not been added to the products.

“For the past two years, the rate has not been put into the system correctly. That means some bills may go up higher than 16%.”

Commissioner Delreese Simmons

Roy Bowman to create the rst Navy SEAL team.

Bowman came to Fort Bragg and talked with a captain of one of the Special Forces groups.

“I’ll do you a favor,” Davis said Bowman told the captain.

“I’ll teach your guys how to scuba dive if you teach my guys how to jump out of planes.”

There were just two Navy SEAL teams formed in 1962, one on the East Coast and another on the West Coast. The team on the West Coast became involved in Vietnam. The East Coast team would go on to become engaged in a Russian nuclear scare during what would become known as the Bay of Pigs in Cuba.

Davis served during the Clinton administration and spent much of his time in South America, as well as a few deployments through the Mediterranean. In South America, his SEAL Team 4 unit served with the CIA in attempting to stop the ow of drugs into the United States.

“We always worked hand in hand with the CIA,” Davis said. “They’re secretive. They are not a ghting force. The CIA gave us missions they were not equipped to do. We would jump into di erent countries in South America and watch drug lords and note when they would send shipments. We would pass that info to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).” Davis said each SEAL team has their own specialty. There is a team trained for Asia and

“We entered this thing together, and that makes a huge di erence. It’s really easy to work together in this because it’s what we do; It doesn’t feel like work,” they agree. Still, they both have their roles to play in the business. Nieves handles all the meticulous, detailed aspects like pictures and labels, as well as their online presence on Etsy and Instagram. Tyndall handles Facebook and all the math; he can tell you what every component in the store costs. Though they both manufacture the products, Tyndall is the primary maker.

“Everyone likes their stu to smell good. There seems to be a stereotype that only women want their stu to smell good, yet I’m the guy (here making stu to smell good),” Tyndall said. While both have great support from their full-time jobs for the venture, they recognize that work comes rst.

“As much as we love this,” Tyndall said, “it does not interfere with what we do for a living. It can’t.”

Heart’s Desire Candle Company is open from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

another one for South America. There was also a team trained for snow operations.

One mission Navy SEALs performed that not many people are aware of involved the days of NASA’s Space Shuttle launches.

“The Space Shuttle had rocket boosters that would be jettisoned after launch,” Davis said. “They would splash down in the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. A SEAL Team was tasked with securing the sites around the water where the rocket boosters went in so the Russians could not get them.” Davis shared there are many details he and other Navy SEALs cannot talk about due to the highly sensitive and classi ed nature of many of their missions. He was not the only former Navy SEAL who is a Duplin County native attending the patriotic observance dinner last Thursday. Fellow SEAL veteran Niko Bouboulis was recognized by Davis.

After serving as a SEAL, Davis eventually left the U.S. Navy and joined the Army National Guard. He was deployed three times after 9/11 and was injured in 2008.

“It was pretty signi cant,” Davis said. “I broke my neck and my back.”

Despite his injuries, the National Guard kept him listed on active duty until his retirement.

“I’m far from a hero,” Davis said. “I’m just a guy who served with a bunch of heroes.”

Many other veterans from all branches of the military also attended the dinner.

During the program, the Masons from St. John’s Lodge 13 presented checks to the Wallace-based Feed Our Hungry Children Ministry and to the Duplin County Shrine Club to transport children in need of care to Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Kenansville Lodge is the 13th-oldest Masonic Lodge in North Carolina. Its building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

PHOTOS BY REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Husband-and-wife duo Jimmy Tyndall and Daniela Nieves work seamlessly together. Their son, Alex, is also learning to help make the products.

WATER

VETERANS

DUPLIN SPORTS

Bill Good, who has three daughters and a wife who graduated from Richlands and two more children at the Onslow County high school, takes over a Wildcats team that went 9-2 last season.

GOOD VIBRATIONS

and 12-3 in Coastal 3A Conference action the next three seasons.

Byrd returned to Jacksonville to be the o ensive coordinator for the Cardinals.

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

RICHLANDS — Bill Good and the Wildcats have a point to make this fall.

Richlands and its new head coach feel, despite losing 22 seniors from an 9-2 team, they will be a force on Friday nights.

“The big thing with our kids is that they want to prove everyone wrong,” Good said. “Sure, we lost 20-plus seniors, but we had some players playing down on JV that got some good reps.”

Good replaces Pat Byrd, who went 25-21 in ve seasons. Richlands hit rock bottom during the COVID-19 pandemic but recovered from an 0-8 campaign in 2021 to go 22-11 overall

Tigers,

JK’s Ronald Ramirez was the Tigers’ secondleading scorer last season.

Good, who was the defensive coordinator, is putting together a sta . So far he has Eddie Floyd and John Anderson on board. Last fall, Floyd was the head coach of the junior varsity team and Anderson the JV o ensive coordinator.

“I found out late in the game about the opening, so we’re a little behind.”

Good said. “I put it for it before coach (Gene) Boley came, but the timing wasn’t right. But, yes, I was surprised by the o er, even though coach Byrd told me he was pushing for me to get the job. It’s been a process getting here.”

It is the rst head coaching assignment for Good, 40, who will teach civics and American history after being an in-school suspension di-

rector the past three years. He also taught at Trexler Middle School for ve years and has been active in the community for more than a decade.

“I’ve coached most of these players since they were 5 years old and playing rec ball,” said the retired Marine who hails from Pennsylvania. “This is home for me and my family. I’m excited, and the kids are excited.

“It’s my 10th year here, and while a lot of decisions have to be made, it’s a good time nonetheless.”

Richlands opens the season Aug. 22 against Southwest Onslow, a team it has beaten two years straight following a three-decade losing streak.

The Wildcats will play in the revamped Coastal Conference, which includes 5A schools Northside-Jacksonville, West Carteret, Havelock, Dixon and Croatan and 4A Swansboro.

JK, WRH and ED look to be top the contenders in the newly formed conference following the NCHSAA’s move from four to eight classi cations

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Duplin County is known for its prep football, yet over the last two decades, soccer has grown at a faster pace, and success has come raining down on its trio of 2A teams: James Kenan, Wallace-Rose Hill and East Duplin. The parity and rivalries came

ND’s Addy Higginbotham was named District 2 Player of the Year, and teammate Lilly Fulghum is the top pitcher

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Five Duplin County Players were named to the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association’s all-state list, with North Duplin’s Addy Higginbotham and Lilly Fulghum leading the parade of talent.

Higginbotham, Duplin Journal’s Ms. Softball, was the Player of the Year in Region 2, while Fulghum was the Pitcher of the Year after taking the O ensive Player of the Year in Duplin two weeks earlier.

East Duplin’s Karsyn Parker, who was a Heart of a Champion winner, and James Kenan slugger Jourdan Joe also made rst-team status in the 2A classi cation.

Higginbotham, who will play at Wingate University, hit .560 with seven doubles, eight triples, a home run, 13 RBI and 28 runs.

She was a four-year starter who, like Fulghum, contributed to the Rebels’ winning ways from her rst day on the diamond.

Fulghum, who has already committed to play at UNC Charlotte, hit .632 with eight doubles, three triples and seven homers. She went 6-2 in the circle with a 0.98 ERA, whi ng 55 and walking 24 as the Rebels cut her

to a peak last fall when all three nished with 10-2 marks atop the East Central 2A Conference.

The Panthers stay in the ECC as a 5A, while the 4A Tigers and Bulldogs form the power source of a new league, the Swine Valley Conference. Meanwhile, North Duplin, which has struggled to nd success on the pitch, moves from 1A to 2A and remains in what was previously the Carolina 1A Conference.

Duplin’s Big 3 have produced top- ight talent

JK, ED and WRH have solid programs that are among the

best in the East, and will still play one another as nonconference foes, and perhaps that will help one Duplin school from knocking out another Duplin school early in the playo s. Also, the NCHSAA is moving away from automatic bids and will seed schools by RPI ratings, which will help Duplin schools who frequently beat proven contenders.

Wallace-Rose Hill’s talent pipe has produced such stars as Maynor Espinosa (2018), Jeyri Cano (2015), Hector Reyes-Zavala (2020), Brando Romero (2023) and Alex Zepeda (2024),

Richlands’ Bill Good takes over the gridiron program

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND’s Marissa Bernal hit .447 with ve doubles, four triples and two homers

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Angelina Cavallaro

Wallace-Rose Hill, volleyball

To the surprise of no one in Duplin County, Angelina Cavallaro nailed her summer audition.

The two-time Ms. Volleyball recently reserved a spot on the NC Coastal Volleyball’s 17U Premiere team.

Cavallaro, a rising senior at Wallace-Rose Hill, got onto the elite squad as an outside hitter/defensive specialist.

But on the prep circuit, she’s a scoring machine.

The Bulldogs start practicing the rst week of August and open the season in nine weeks.

That’s far too long for the volleyball-crazed Cavallaro, who last season was all about scoring, swinging her way to 401 kills and 94 aces.

She was rst in the 2A East in kills and No. 19 among all classi cations. She was fourth in aces in 2A and 19th in the state.

WRH went 21-3 and won the ECC, though this season a move to the Swine Valley Conference will include matches against powerhouse programs at Midway and Princeton.

innings down from 2024 and let Ady Spence (9-1, 0.41 ERA) hurl about 65% of the innings.

Spence needed the break, and it worked out well to change pitchers during a game.

Fulghum, who usually came on in relief of Spence, was gold.

Parker, Joe, Bernal, ’Cat pair join elite list

Parker, the Panthers’ leado hitter, hit .408, scoring 29 times and driving in 16. Her 31 hits were the third-most in Duplin last spring. The rising junior hit .435 with 32 runs and 16 RBIs during her rst campaign.

Joe was a feared hitter in the ECC. She hit .529 with seven doubles, a triple, six home runs and a .581 on-base percentage.

Richlands’ Makenzie Goin and LeNayah Jackson were all-state players in the 3A classi cation.

Goin (15-5, 1.09 ERA) was fourth in the state in strikeouts with 282 and had a mere 17 walks in 1522⁄3 innings.

Jackson hit .412 with 10 doubles, two triples, a home run and 33 runs as Richlands won the Coastal 3A Conference and advanced to the fourth round of the playo s before ending their season 20-6.

The mark is believed to be the best for the Wildcats since the sport went to the fast-pitch format in 1995.

The addition of Bernal, a

Baseball is alive, barking in Kinston via Bird Dawgs

The Frontier League baseball team hosts teams from the North, South, Midwest and up and down the East Coast

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

KINSTON — Fans often go to Grainger Stadium to catch a rising star before he explodes in the major leagues.

While it might be like nding a needle in a haystack, the process of watching and waiting has continued in Kinston during warm summer nights since 1903.

Kinston, which had a long afliation with the Cleveland Indiana and last season with the Texas Rangers, has baseball considered similar to Single-A ball.

The Down East Bird Dawgs are a Frontier League team that replaced the Down East Wood Ducks, which were in Kinston for eight seasons.

Here’s what fans can expect: Good baseball at a price tag that is less than half of seeing the Braves play in Truist Park.

Kinston has two long homestands in both July and August. Tickets are $10 from Sunday to Thursday and $14 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Friday is the start of a three-game set against the New York Boulders. The opener is Mascot Appreciation Night. Saturday is Jersey Giveaway Night, and the nale features a Christmas in July theme.

Kinston, which is 20-27 in league action entering this week, will roll out the red carpet for a three-game set against the Brockton Rox on July 29-31.

The host Atlantic Division-leading Sussex Mills on Aug. 5-9 and the NJ Jackals on Aug. 19-23.

The Down East Bird Dawgs are one of ve Atlantic Division

teams. The Frontier League has four divisions and a total of 23 clubs.

Teams have fun mascot names — Mississippi Mud Monsters, Florence Y’alls, Lake Erie Crushers, Trois-Rivieres Aigles, Windy City Thunderbolts and Evansville Otters. Three teams are in Canada. Grainger (3,400) has the lowest seating capacity in the Frontier, which has stadiums that hold 5,000 to 6,000. The biggest is Ottawa Stadium, which sits 10,332 at full capacity.

Players in the professional independent league earn an average salary of $1,500 per month, though they are given lodging and a per diem for road trips. So they are on the eld for the love of the game and to pursue

their career goals, most of which is to break into “The Show” at one of MLB’s 30 stadiums.

While football is still preferred by 53% of all sports fans, baseball is second at 27%, according to the Pew Research Institute. Basketball is next at 8%. Soccer and hockey slip in with 3% each. Baseball is one of the few sports during hot and humid nights in July and early August, making it the only “game” in town other than hijinks with a ball on the beach. Kinston has had trouble keeping a baseball team in Grainger and did not have professional pinstripes in the dugout from 2012-16. The Wood Ducks left last season following their nal game.

junior who hit .447 with ve doubles, four triples and two homers, brings the total of rst-team all-state picks to seven.

Karrie Obie of Roxbury Community and Chloe Chappell of DH Holmes were the Players of the Year winners in 2A and 1A, respectively.

Duplin oods District 2 list

The NCSCA made its all-district selections in the third week of June. The District 2 list, which includes the above-mentioned players, covers Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Samson and Wayne counties.

Players from Duplin include Wallace-Rose Hill’s Jansley Page (.407), Sophie Sloan (.346) and TaNyia Powell (.388); East Duplin’s Kinsey Cave (.362), Rebecca Beach (.391) and Morgan Brown (.323, 11 RBIs, 11 pitching wins, 95 strikeouts); James Kenan’s Kenadi Gideon (.488); and North Duplin’s Ady Spence (.396) and Abbie Norris (.378). Richlands’ Jackson captured Player of the Year in the district in 3A. West Carteret pitcher Caitlin Dumarce was Pitcher of the Year even though Going and the Wildcats beat the Patriots two of three games, including an extra one to determine the Coastal champ for the NCHSAA playo s.

Taking it to the next level

The Wallace Coach-Pitch all-star team advanced to the Dixie Youth World Series later this month in Dunn after nishing runner-up to Reigelwood. The team is coached by Bubba James, top row from left, Blake Peterson, Cory Lovelace and Steven Paylor. Player include: Walker Rivenbark (front row from left), Carter Lovelace, Jimmy Cooper, Tate Bradshaw, Jack Newton, Bryson Powell; (middle row) is Axton Pickett, Nathaniel Paylor, Baylor James, Xander Peterson, Grayson Donnelley and William Blackwell.

The mere presence of super power Havelock has the rest of the league in fear. Richlands will also have nonconference a airs with East Duplin and South Brunswick. The Wildcats lost their entire defensive line and backeld, including quarterback Caleb Simco, a three-year starter who threw and ran for more than 2,000 yards last fall.

“We won’t abandon the pass,

but we won’t throw it as much either,” Good said. “We’ll run some form of the option, and we’re hoping to get the ball in the hands of our running backs faster. Richlands won because of its defense last season.

“We won’t be as big up front, but we’ll use some of the same concept, maybe add an extra lineman and go to a 40-looking front,” Good said. “We’ll have to game plan more intensely for teams and use multiple look fronts and coverages.”

Senior Cale Wilges steps in to ll the shoes of Simco. Running back/split end speedster Tyler Clouatre could be a key returnee after Noah LeBlanc transferred to East Duplin. Trea’vaun Flanagan is the top-returning lineman.

“We’re going to surprise teams because I rmly believe we can compete with anyone we play,” Good said. “And if we compete hard in every game, I’ll be happy. The results will take care of themselves if we do that.”

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

DOWN EAST BIRD DAWGS

Players in the Frontier League make an average of $1,500 per month, plus food travel and lodging expenses.

Post 511 loses heartbreaker to snap 7-game winning streak

Tabor City Post 507 scored ve times in the eighth inning to break open a tie

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — One major eruption is usually enough to win a baseball game, especially games between fairly even teams, and particularly on the American Legion circuit.

Tabor City Post 507 broke open a close game by scoring ve times in the eighth en route to an 8-3 win over Beulaville Post 511. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for manager Brandon Thipgen’s boys of summer.

The victory was there for the taking last Monday as both clubs were handcu ed at the plate by a superb pitching via duel between Jaxson Smith and Tyler Thompson.

The combo allowed just seven hits before handing the ball to their respective relievers after Post 511’s Smith hurled 105 pitches and Thompson 90.

The eighth frame quickly turned into a nightmare as Wyatt Clewis singled in Brycen Edwards, who was placed on second base via the extra-inning rule.

who will play in the NC Coaches Association’s East-West match later this month.

Rising senior Yoskar Canales, an all-Duplin and all-ECC performer in 2024, is making his way to the Panthers’ platform of excellence where Marcos Reyes (2018) and Jesse Navarro (2017) have set the bar high.

JK has had a number of players rise to become all-state players or stars who are di erence-makers by themselves — Alex Paz (2019), Maken Augustin (2023), Yahir Benegas (2020) and 2025 grad Peter Omega.

Here is a breakdown of teams in three new conferences.

WRH, JK, Spring Creek, Goldsboro and Midway are 3A schools. Rosewood is the lone 2A.

ED and Clinton are the only 4A schools in the ECC, which includes Pender, Trask, South Lenoir and Southwest Onslow. Will Dark Horses rule new ECC?

The move away from JK and WRH as league rivals is positive for East Duplin, but playing powerhouse Clinton two times during the regular season and having it count as a conference match is daunting.

Brad Spell has built an empire, winning 2A state titles in 2023 and 2018, and going 91-11- 6 in the past four seasons.

JK, WRH and ED have beaten Clinton and are always competitive against the Dark Horses, even in defeat.

It’s going to be hard for any ECC team to match up with Spell’s gang, which regenerates from one season to the next.

They are clearly regarded as the favorite to win the league.

Stallions, Blue Devils are familiar foes

The Panthers have a ton of

Jaxson Smith allowed just four hits and one earned run in seven innings but was the hard-luck losing pitcher when Post 511 fell 8-3 to Post 507 on Monday.

Clewis scored later on a passed ball and Cade Allen rapped a two-run RBI double and Jordan Hester knocked in the fth run with a single. Down 6-1, Post 511 was down to its nal three outs. Avent took second via the

experience facing Southwest Onslow and South Lenoir.

The Blue Devils have gone 30-47-8 in the previous four seasons, and while close, they’ve never had a season over the .500 mark.

Yet that record might fall as Yeshua Gonzalez returns after scoring 19 goals as a sophomore.

The Stallions were 9-11 last fall but return Zavier Davis and Gabriel Tovar, who combined for 26 goals.

The Panthers have had competitive matches against SWO, which is 31-41-8 in the past four seasons and should be a level above Blue Devils.

At the very least, both are familiar foes, so ED knows the drills necessary to beat both on most days.

Titans, Patriots have rising programs

It would be a mistake for the Dark Horses and Panthers to dismiss Trask and Pender, two schools that have improved dramatically from the past.

Pender has gone 65-28-3 over the past four seasons, cumulating in a 21-6-1 nish last fall before falling to Hobbton in the fourth round of the 1A playo s.

While losing Aiden Murray (36 goals) and Owen Davis (25), Elvis Hernandez returns after a 22-goal campaign.

The program is looking up, but it lost Aaron Murray, the NCHSAA 1A Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. Murray takes over at his former school, WRH. Trask is coming o its best four-year run ever — 49-38-5 — and returns Diego Gomez-Reyes, who found the back of the net 17 times last fall.

Panthers have potential to stay in limelight

East Duplin had three tough seasons — 11-10-1, 8-12-3 and 10-11-2 — leading up to its 15-7-1 mark in 2024.

extra-inning rule and scored on Gage Howard’s ground out. Jake Howard followed with a home run to right eld to make it 6-3. Christian Wooten, who beat Post 10 Blue on June 30, was tagged with the loss after giving up four hits and four earned runs.

Eli Avent scored the game’s rst run when the James Kenan senior pounded a ball to left to plate Christian Coples, who was hit by a pitch to open the third inning., Jordan Hester’s solo shot to left tied it at 1-1 in the fourth.

Post 511 had a chance to win the game in the home half of the seventh as Coples walked and stole second base. Three strikeouts gave Post 507 a lift heading into the dugout.

Beulaville nearly went ahead in the sixth when Cole Jarman singled with one out. Austin Clements poked a single to center, but Jarman was tagged out at the plate by catcher Briar Johnson in a bang-bang play.

Avent was the o ensive spark during the triumph over Post 11. He had two hits in three trips, scored a run and drove in a run.

Pridgen and Jake Howard each added a pair of base knocks and an RBI.

Pridgen, Avent and Gage

It was the rst time the Panthers played completely unselfish soccer during the Blake Lanier era.

Orlando Ramirez (seven goals, three assists) and Brayan Mendez (eight goals, three assists) are among the returnees.

ED’s calling card has always been defense, so its offense doesn’t have glaring players with eye-popping statistics, yet is capable, nonetheless.

Will Tigers, Bulldogs be Swine Valley royalty?

While JK and WRH have had more success and better soccer reputations, don’t expect either to be king without due process.

Longtime Tigers coach Mitchell Quinn has his biggest rebuilding job in a decade, while the Bulldogs adjust to new coach Aaron Murray.

Both have a handful of players primed to be stars or to step up. But both have huge scoring holes to ll, as both Omega and Reyes-Zavala were all-state performers.

Yet there’s plenty of talent for both schools to win a conference title.

Gators will give teams ts

Coaches who face the Gators a few times know that Spring Creek is a soccer program that can compete against and beat any school on its schedule.

The Gators have gone 61-26-6 in the previous four seasons and won games in a similar manner to ED: through its defense and ball-control play across and up and down the eld.

They will always have scoring threats and get unexpected goals from players because of their style of play of passing and sharing the ball.

A lot of Swine Valley teams will lose 1-0 or 2-0 matches against the Gators and feel far more defeated than what is shown on the scoreboard.

Were Raiders a uke in 2024?

Midway went 15-5-1 in 2025 coming o one of its best seasons the previous campaign (19 -3-1).

So, are the Raiders legit?

Time will tell, but they will have to replace 47 goals that were scored by June graduates Luis Florido, Jayden Espino-Diaz and Luke McCray (who also had at team-high 11 assists).

Josh Santillan and Max Florido combined for 19 scores as juniors.

Midway is a team that can’t be overlooked.

Johnston teams bring interesting perspective

Johnston County’s Rosewood and Princeton bring an interesting unknown to the Swine Valley.

The Eagles were awful last fall (4-12-1) after going 49-11-1 the previous three seasons, winning the Carolina 1A each season.

Rosewood scored just 27 goals in 2024, 20 of which came from two players who graduated.

Sister school and longtime rival Princeton has gone 36-36-7 the past ve years in the Greater Neuse 2A Conference.

Look for senior Josh Coley to be an all-league pick. The Bull-

Howard singled in the two-run third. Avent singled to drive in Coples in the sixth.

Wooten limited the Blue Gang to two hits in ve frames, whi ng two and walking one. Keyle Kern hurled two hitless innings for the save.

Post 511, which has had several games moved because of rain, was to play Wilmington Post 11 Red on Tuesday in a key game in the Area 2 standings. Two teams from four areas will be invited to the American Legion State Tournament, a double-elimination event held in Cherryville on July 20-24.

Post notes

Howard (.467) leads Post 511 in hits (14), Smith (.320), Coples (.294) and Avent (.290) follow. Howard and Avent have each scored nine times. Gage Howard’s 10 RBIs are a team high. Clements has eight and Avent and Howard six apiece. Smith, a Clinton senior, has whi ed 21 in 172⁄3 innings. Thigpen feels his pitching sta – Kern, Wooten, Clements and Henry Bass, is a team strength.

East Duplin catcher Sawyer Marshburn has nearly recovered after being hit on the wrist by a swinging bat. Teammate Gavin Holmes is trying to get over a stress fracture to his hip.

dog scored 27 goals last season and had six assists. In the end, both Rosewood and Princeton will lack the depth of Clinton and East Duplin.

Goldsboro, also in the league, went 24-35-3 in the Neuse Conference, though had dismal success in the ECC. The Cougars were 40-93-8 overall and 23-62-2 in ECC play from 2013-2017.

Rebels face new foes, long road trips

Hobbton has been the epicenter of soccer in the Carolina 1A the past four years, going 7-33-2 over the past four seasons. The Wildcats were 1A runners-ups in 2024 and lost in the East Region nal the previous season.

Look for that to continue as the rest of the league nds out what North Duplin, Lakewood and Union already know: Hobbton is a tough team.

The same can’t be said of the Leopards (30-47-6 in the last four years), the Spartans (21-54 - 4 during that span) and new league foes West Columbus (3-55-0) and East Columbus (13-48-6).

ND is 25-35-4 the past four seasons and has had just three winning campaigns since 2015. Will Eagles y away with CC title?

East Bladen has been good (52-35-2) the past four seasons but great (71-14-6) from 2016-19.

The Eagles were 11-7-2 last season with a rosters that was lled with underclassmen.

Sophomore Ishag Algozy (12 goals) is one of several young players who will rise this fall. Look for senior Davion Lewis (20 assists) to be the triggerman for the o ense.

The Eagles scored 63 goals via 70 assists in 2024, meaning they know how to play together.

Not if Hobbton has a say. The Wildcats had 5-4 and 5-1 wins over East Bladen last season.

CONTRIBUTED

ED senior Ryan Jenkins will play a key role for the Panthers this fall.

Van Gisbergen wins in Chicago once again, completing NASCAR weekend sweep

New Zealand native became the winningest foreign-born Cup Series driver

By Jay Cohen

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Shane Van Gisbergen completed a Windy City sweep, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky street course in downtown Chicago.

“Epic weekend for us. I’m a lucky guy,” van Gisbergen said.

The 36-year-old New Zealand native became the second driver to sweep the X nity and Cup races in a single weekend from the pole, joining Kyle Busch at Indianapolis in 2016. With his third career Cup win, he also became the winningest foreign-born driver on NASCAR’s top series.

It was van Gisbergen’s second victory of the season after the Trackhouse Racing driver also won last month on a Mexico City road course.

“He’s the best road course stock car racer that I’ve ever seen,” Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said. “I think when he’s done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he’s going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen.”

Marks brought van Gisbergen over from Australia’s Supercars for the rst edition of NASCAR’s Chicago experiment in 2023, and he became the rst driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963.

He also won Chicago’s X nity Series stop last year and the rst

stage in the Cup race before he was knocked out by a crash.

“This joint, it’s changed my life,” van Gisbergen said. “I didn’t have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I rst came over here, and I never thought I’d be in NASCAR full time.”

In what might be the last NASCAR race on the downtown Chicago circuit, Ty Gibbs was second and Tyler Reddick nished third. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ve. Van Gisbergen regained the

lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog and rain moved into downtown Chicago, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. AJ Allmendinger was sixth, and Ryan Preece nished sev-

Rebuilding Pac-12 gets its needed 8th football school

The new-look conference added Texas State from the Sun Belt

The Associated Press

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State is joining the Pac-12, giving the rebuilding conference the eighth football-playing school it needed to maintain its status as an FBS conference.

The Pac-12 and Texas State announced the Bobcats from the Sun Belt Conference will join holdovers Oregon State and Washington State, along with private school Gonzaga and Mountain West-departing schools Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State as the nine foundational members of the recon gured Pac-12 that o cially launch next summer.

Since Gonzaga doesn’t eld a football team, the Pac-12 needed one more to remain eligible as a Football Bowl Subdivision league. Only Oregon State and Washington State had remained in the Pac-12 after the departures of 10 teams to the three other power conferences: the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12. Texas State regents approved a $5 million buyout to leave the Sun Belt, a day before the amount of that exit fee was set to double.

January.

The Bobcats will become an all-sports member of the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026, after being in the Sun Belt since 2013, a year after their FBS debut in their only season in the Western Athletic Conference. They were 8-5 each of the past two seasons.

Texas State’s campus in San Marcos is only about 35 miles south of the University of Texas in Austin. It will be the farthest from the West Coast the Pac-12 has had an all-sports member. Arkansas-Little Rock is now an a liate member for wrestling.

When the 10 former Pac-12 teams o cially departed last year, that created coast-tocoast conferences. Oregon, Washington, Southern California and UCLA went to the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State,

Colorado and Utah joined the Big 12; and Stanford and California became ACC members.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” Commissioner Teresa Gould said. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.”

The Pac-12 last week struck a media-rights deal with CBS to broadcast a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and provide a cable and streaming presence for the league from 2026-31.

Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill in a statement thanked the Texas State sta

for its “collaboration and leadership through a transformative era in college athletics” while also touting the league’s recent football success, including 12 of 14 teams making bowl games in 2023, and seven more last year.

“I will continue to update our stakeholders on developments whenever possible as we work to ensure the sustained rise of the Sun Belt Conference, a collection of like-minded, regional rivals with winning football traditions, passionate fanbases and enduring commitments to excellence in all sports,” Gill said.

Texas State is a national research university with more than 40,000 students, and has one of the 25 largest undergraduate enrollments among public universities in the United States. Kelly Damphousse, the president of Texas State, called joining the Pac-12 more than an athletic move.

“It is a declaration of our rising national pro le, our commitment to excellence, and our readiness to compete and collaborate with some of the most respected institutions in the country,” Damphousse said. “Our acceptance into the Pac-12 a rms the strength of our academic vision, our commitment to providing access to a Texas State degree, the momentum of our athletic programs, and the ambition that de nes this institution.”

“This joint, it’s changed my life.”

Shane van Gisbergen on the Chicago street course

enth. Ryan Blaney, who won the second stage, was 12th.

William Byron’s day was cut short by a clutch problem. The Hendrick Motorsports driver leads the point standings by 13 points over Chase Elliott.

After Michael McDowell seized the lead early in the race, Carson Hocevar caused a multicar crash when he hit the wall and spun out between Turns 10 and 11. Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suárez and Will Brown were among the drivers collected in the wreck.

“I didn’t see it until the last second,” Keselowski said. “I slowed down and I actually felt I was going to get stopped, and then I just kind of got ran over from behind. It’s just a narrow street course, and sometimes there’s nowhere to go.”

Ty Dillon and Reddick moved into the third round of the Cup Series’ inaugural in-season tournament when Keselowski and Hocevar were unable to nish the race. Dillon, the No. 32 seed, eliminated Keselowski after he upset top-seeded Denny Hamlin last weekend at Atlanta. Bowman, the 2024 champion on the downtown street course, won his head-to-head matchup with Bubba Wallace. Bowman and Wallace made contact as they battled for position late in the race after they also tangled in Chicago last year.

NOTICES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#25E001253-300

The undersigned, DONNA RENEE KENNEDY MCGEE, having quali ed on the 26TH DAY of JUNE, 2025, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PATRICK D. MCDOWELL, deceased, of DUPLIN County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 3RD Day of OCTOBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 3RD Day of JULY 2025.

DONNA RENEE KENNEDY MCGEE, EXECUTOR 372 LYMAN RD. BEULAVILLE, NC 28518

Run dates: Jy3,10,17,24p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#25E001212-300

The undersigned, CHARLES L. WILSON, having quali ed on the 4TH DAY of JUNE, 2025, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JAMES LLOYD WILSON, deceased, of DUPLIN

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud smokes a cigar with teammates after winning the First Responder Bowl in

ERIN HOOLEY / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen holds the trophy after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on Chicago’s street course.

James Franklin “Knott” Teachey

Dec. 26, 1937 – July 6, 2025

James Franklin “Knott” Teachey, age 87 of Wallace, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Wallace United Methodist Church, conducted by Reverend Matthew Pope and Reverend Carlton Pulliam. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace. Burial will be private.

Knott is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sue Teachey of the home, two daughters, Angela Pulliam and husband Reverend Carl Pulliam of Greensboro, NC and Robin Scott and husband Joe Scott of Wallace, NC, and six grandsons, Zach, Tristan, and Joel Pulliam, Tyler and Nolan Likens and Joe Scott III, a granddaughter, Mary Landon Goodrich and husband Taylor, and one great granddaughter, Eliza Goodrich.

Born December 26, 1937, in Tin City, NC, Knott was preceded in death by his parents, George Dixon and Margaret Teachey, and his son, Jamie Teachey. He graduated in 1956 from Wallace High School, where he was an allconference football player who played both sides of the ball. He joined the US Navy in 1957, where he served on an aircraft carrier, the USS Ranger. He loved his time in the Navy as he got to see the world and loved to share Navy stories with his grandsons. Knott was an entrepreneur and enjoyed several careers. He worked for Ramsey Feed Company in the poultry business and then worked 20 years as the owner of numerous Golden Skillet restaurants across NC and SC. In his later years, he purchased a farm and enjoyed growing numerous crops, raising feeder pigs and chickens, along with black Angus cows. Spending time at his farm on the Northeast Cape Fear River, where he built a log cabin to colonial standards, was one of his favorite pastimes. He and his wife, Sue, hosted numerous class and family reunions, gettogethers, holiday meals and all sorts of events at the cabin.

In his earlier years, Knott was a vital part of the thriving Rose Hill Jaycees, serving as President for two terms and receiving the NC Distinguished Service Award. He was a “professional” photographer and has snapped literally trillions of photographs during his lifetime, which are all stored on his computers. History, travel and the simple life from times past were favorite topics, and during the year 2024, Knott published a book titled, “My Life Stories.”

Knott was very popular in Wallace and was known as someone who loved to play jokes, decorate at Christmas in Old Williamsburg style, attend thousands of his grandson’s sporting events, travel and play golf.

Knott and Sue made their home in Wallace and were active in the Wallace Methodist Church. He enjoyed Bible study and left a legacy of faith to his wife, children and grandchildren. We will miss him very much.

In lieu of owers, donations may be sent in memory of Knott Teachey to Wallace United Methodist Church, 301 S. College Street, Wallace, NC 28466.

Donald David Carr

Jan. 16, 1948 – July 3, 2025

Mr. Donald David Carr, age 77, of Rose Hill, NC (the Greenevers Community), passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Boney Family Cemetery in Rose Hill, NC.

Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Carolyn Boney Carr of Rose Hill, NC; two children: David Carr (Michele) of Raleigh, NC and Avis CarrJarmon (Jeremy) of Louisville, KY; siblings: James L. Carr and Doris F. Carr-Cross (Darryl) both of Durham, NC; two grandchildren: David O. Carr and Jeremiah Jarmon; ve sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law: a host of nieces, nephews cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Lynwood Edward McCa ty

Nov. 8, 1956 – July 1, 2025

Lynwood Edward McCa ty, 68, of Warsaw, NC, peacefully answered the Master’s call on July 1, 2025, at his residence. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw, NC. Please continue to keep the family in your prayers.

Earl Hayden Maready

Aug. 19, 1938 – June 29, 2025

Earl Hayden Maready, age 86, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, June 29, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tebo and Eva Maready, and brothers Delwood Maready and Kellon Maready of Chinquapin, NC.

Earl is survived by his wife, Louise, of 66 years. His brother, Walter Southerland of Spring, TX. His children are Robert Maready (Dee Ann), Lagrange, NC; Penny Batten (Garry), Pink Hill, NC; Nanette King (Graham), Kinston, NC; and Thomas Maready, LaGrange, NC.

His grandchildren; Johnathan Edwards (Heather) of Deep Run, NC; Amanda Jones (Dalton) of Pink Hill, NC; Jacob Maready of LaGrange, NC; Kristin Cutlip (Zach) of Winterville, NC; Kayla King of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Dylan Maready, (Ashley) of LaGrange, NC; and Taylor Batten of Pink Hill, NC.

His great-grandchildren: Camden Batten, Sneads Ferry, NC; Raylan Futrell, Pink Hill, NC; Hayden Edwards, Deep Run, NC; Noah Jones, Pink Hill, NC; and Arden Cutlip, Winterville, NC.

Earl worked at Ford Motor Company in Wallace, NC, in his early years. He served as a Deacon at Poston Baptist Church, Wallace, NC, for several years until they moved to Kennedy Home in Kinston, NC, in 1971. They served the children in their care for 17 years while raising their own four kids. He worked in the maintenance department helping several children learn mechanical work among many other things. He worked at Lowe’s of Kinston, NC, after leaving Kennedy Home until he retired in 2000.

During his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed camping and shing on the pier in Surf City, NC, for several more years until he became too sick to do so.

Earl was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and a past Deacon of his church, Potters Hill Advent Christian Church, Pink Hill, NC.

Special love and thanks to the ladies, Kari, Donna and Ashley of Cardinal Care Hospice. Their love and attention never wavered. To our Mom, who stayed by his side, loving him daily till his last breath.

In lieu of owers, contributions can be made to the “In His Service” fund in honor of Earl Maready at Potters Hill Advent Christian Church, 984 Church Road, Pink Hill, NC 28572.

Visitation: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

6-8 p.m.

Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, NC

Funeral Service: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

10 a.m.

Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, NC

Interment: East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville, NC

Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Maready family.

Randy Maready

Aug. 20, 1965 – July 6, 2025

Randy Maready, 59, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in UNC Nash Hospital, Rocky Mount, NC. He is preceded in death by his parents, Delwood and Elizabeth Maready.

Graveside Service: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 10 a.m. East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville, NC

Visitation to follow.

Survivors: Son: Joshua Maready, Beulaville, NC

Daughters: Natalie Maready, Kinston, NC; Chelsea Maready, Pink Hill, NC

Grandchildren: Dakota Maready, Paisley Smith, Adaline Maready, Anna Chestnut and Emerie Smith

Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Maready family.

Nancy Haskins Powell

Jan. 9, 1939 – July 1, 2025

Nancy Haskins Powell, 86, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Onslow Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, NC.

Services will be held at a later date.

Survivors: Curley “Buddy” Powell, Jacksonville, NC

Sons: Michael Powell (Betty Jean), Richlands, NC; Russell Powell (Mercia), Richlands, NC

Daughter: Beverly Murphy (Lance), Richlands, NC

Sister: Frances Monette, Beulaville, NC

Grandchildren; 9

Great-Grandchildren: 29

Great-Great-Grandchildren: 4

Loving Dog: Bella

Community Funeral Home is honored to serve the Powell family.

Diane Lampack Jarmon

Oct. 13, 1944 – July 5, 2025

Diane Lampack Jarmon, 80, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in ECU Duplin Hospital, Kenansville, NC.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Travis Jarmon, and a son, Michael Peck.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

7 p.m.

Followed by visitation at:

Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, NC

Graveside Service: Thursday, July 10, 2025

10 a.m.

East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville, NC

Survivors:

Sons: Buddy Peck (Kelly), Chinquapin, NC; William Jarmon (Alicia), Beulaville, NC

Daughter: Yvonne Peck, Florida

Grandchildren: Paige Palenzuela, Jamie Wilson (Nick), Roger Miller Jr., John Peck, Cora Peck, Brianna Jarmon and Thomas Peck.

Great-Grandchildren: Ian Palenzuela, Alex Palenzuela and Hannah Wilson.

July 30, 1936 – July 3, 2025

Bobby Crawford West, 88, of Turkey, passed away July 2, 2025, at Sampson Regional Medical Center. Mr. West was born July 30, 1936, in Sampson County to the late Thurman West and Macy McGee West.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Turkey Baptist Church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in the Turkey Cemetery.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Elaine M. West of the home, sons, Terry West of Magnolia, David West of Wilmington and Timothy West and wife, Britia; daughter Sherry de’Wilde and husband Scott of Winterhaven, FL; step-children, Andy Jackson and Mary Ann of Clinton and Carol Ann Jackson and husband, Lee of Clinton; grandchildren, Alex West, Ashton West, Nikki West, Tabitha West, Jessica West, Kayla West Jacobs and Bobby Pope; step grandchildren Bella Cavenaugh, Olivia Houston, Parker Jackson and Wiley Jackson and 10 great grandchildren; sister, Sarah White of Turkey; brothers-in- law, John Hudson of Columbia, SC, Bill Fortier of Londonderry, New Hampshire.

In addition to his parents, Mr. West was preceded in death by his sisters Gladys Horne, Ann Hudson, Faye Fortier, and brother-in-law, Ken White.

Bobby Crawford West

Shaping agriculture via service, leadership

Harley Roberson champions agriculture behind the scenes

Duplin Journal sta

KENANSVILLE — Harley Roberson’s connection to agriculture runs deep, shaped by her upbringing on a generational farmland in Mount Olive and early experiences at a local seed company where her mother worked.

That foundation grew into a calling, guiding her through her education at the University of Mount Olive, where she earned a degree in agribusiness in 2022.

Though her family no lon-

ger farms directly, leasing their land kept her closely tied to the agricultural community and strengthened her desire to serve those who do the work of feeding the world.

“Growing up, I spent countless hours talking to local farmers at the seed company with my mom,” said Roberson. “It made me realize that serving others through agriculture was where I belonged.”

Now a commercial loan processor at AgCarolina Farm Credit’s Kenansville branch, Roberson plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in helping local farmers secure the nancial resources they need to succeed.

“Every

“Every loan we process represents someone feeding the world,” she said. “AgCarolina goes above and beyond for local agriculture. When people think of agriculture, they think of tractors and dirt. I think of families at dinner tables, people getting the medicine they need, and kids wearing warm coats in winter. That’s what it’s all about.” Roberson is passionate about mentoring the next generation,

especially young women entering the eld. She credits her education, mentors like Sandy Maddox and the support of her coworkers for helping her thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“I’ve been lucky to work alongside men who see me as an equal and want me to succeed,” said Roberson. “Young ladies today have so many opportunities to learn and lead. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more women in crop and animal production in the next decade.”

With a strong belief in continuous learning and representation, she encourages others to speak up, stay curious, and take pride in their place in agriculture.

“Always keep learning. Be a sponge. Stay open-minded. And never be too afraid to speak up — the more perspectives you understand, the better you’ll be,” said Roberson. “I love teaching young people about agriculture. Their curiosity is what will keep this industry strong.” Roberson hopes to inspire more young people to explore the diversity of careers agriculture o ers. She believes agriculture is about more than just machines and soil — it’s about people, families and communities.

Her story is not just one of personal success, but of dedication to an industry that sustains everyday life — and a mission to ensure it thrives for generations to come.

Stanly NewS Journal

Happy birthday America!

Oakboro celebrated America’s 249th birthday in style with its traditional parade and fair, drawing thousands of attendees from far beyond Stanly County. For more photos from Friday’s festivities, turn to page A4.

Albemarle denies rezoning request for Faith Alive Ministries

Stanly Democrats to host Rural Listening Tour

Albemarle

The Stanly County Democratic Party will host the statewide party’s “Rural Listening Tour” Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Special Events and Education Center at Atrium Health Stanly. The tour will give voters the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with Democratic candidates and elected o cials. Special guests scheduled to appear include state Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Anita Earls and N.C. First Vice Chair Jonah Garson. Parking for the event will be in the parking deck o Hawthorne Avenue.

U.S. travelers may no longer be required to remove shoes before boarding planes

For the rst time in almost 20 years, travelers may no longer have to take o their shoes during security screenings at certain U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the requirement, according to media reports. If implemented, it would put an end to a security screening mandate put in place almost 20 years ago, several years after “shoe bomber” Richard Reid’s attempt to take down a ight from Paris to Miami in late 2001. Travel newsletter Gate Access was rst to report that the security screening change is coming, with ABC News citing an internal memo sent to TSA o cers last week that states the new policy lets travelers keep their shoes on during screenings at many U.S. airports beginning Sunday.

A tiebreaking vote by the city’s mayor settled the result

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — At the Albemarle City Council meeting Monday night, the council narrowly voted down a request from Faith Alive Ministries that would have rezoned a half-acre residential property to a hospital medical district classi cation.

Councilmembers David Hunt, Bill Aldridge and Dexter Townsend voted in favor of the rezoning of 936 North Fifth St.; Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall and Councilmembers Chris Bramlett and Benton Dry voted against the move.

The request was speci cally to allow for the property to serve as a mixed-use area for both an administrative o ce space and a temporary foster care housing center in partner-

ship with the Stanly County Department of Social Services.

Because of Councilmember Chris Whitley’s absence, Mayor Ronnie Michael was responsible for the nal vote to break a 3-3 stalemate.

His tiebreaking vote was against the rezoning request, citing the surrounding area of the property and the inconsistency that a zoning change would bring.

“I’m not opposed to the reason or method to use the house,” Michael said. “I do have concerns that we are breaking up a residential lot where the entire block is residential, and we consistently hear that we do not have a ordable housing in our city. Therefore, I am going to vote no.”

Dry echoed the mayor’s sentiments: “If we go in the other way, we’re going to set a precedent that might be a little difcult to deal with in the future. It’s not that I’m against what they’re wanting to do. I’m in full favor of that, and I’d be

“If we go in the other way, we’re going to set a precedent that might be a little di cult to deal with in the future.”

Councilmember Benton Dry

happy to nd other areas that would not break up neighborhoods. In God’s eyes, this (rezoning) might be the right thing to do, but in reality we have to make hard decisions — this is probably the hardest one I’ve ever had to make.”

Jordan Whitley, co-founder and executive director of Faith Alive Ministries, had previously explained during the meeting that she wanted the building to serve as a “short-term overnight refuge” for children inside the foster care system.

“Our mission is simple yet vital: to meet the physical and

spiritual needs of orphans, widows and the broken-hearted, which is a mission grounded in James 1:27 and carried out through hands-on compassionate care,” Whitley said. “Right now, many children are removed from unsafe homes and spend their rst night on an air mattress at DSS, scared, confused and without a sense of security.”

Aldridge, who voted in favor of the rezoning request, acknowledged that the situation was a “tough deal” but noted that the Albemarle Planning and Zoning Board had voted 4-0 in favor of the request.

“This was just not the location for that home to break up a general residential area, but I wish you well in nding another location,” Michael said to representatives of Faith Alive Ministries after the vote.

The Albemarle City Council is set to hold its next regular meeting on July 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Cinderella Partners is handling the construction process

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Stanly County is making a nancial contribution to the construction costs for the new West

Stanly Senior Center in Locust.

At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night, the board unanimously voted to approve a budget amendment appropriating $750,000 into the county’s current operating budget to reimburse the City of Locust for the senior

center construction project.

County Manager Andy Lucas explained that an agreement between the county and Locust was arranged more than two years ago.

“This has been a couple of years in the making,” Lucas said. “This is actually a unique partnership between us and the City of Locust to construct a new senior center adjacent to their current library facility.”

The county’s nancial portion was originally estimated to handle around 50% of construction costs, although the pricing increased as the bidding process led to higher costs.

On June 12, the Locust City

“We’re hoping to be in it by next summer.”

Commissioner Scott E rd

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

FRIDAY JULY 11

North State Journal

(USPS 518620) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Charles Curcio, Reporter

Jesse Deal, Reporter

PJ Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

David Guy, Advertising Manager

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 “Join the conversation”

Albemarle man charged with rst-degree murder

Alex Jaime Meras will be in court on July 14

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — A resident of Albemarle has been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that took place following a domestic dispute and left two dead.

On June 30, Alex Jaime Meras, 23, was taken into custody by the Albemarle Police Department and charged with two counts of rst-degree murder and one account of attempted rst-degree murder.

Meras is currently being held without bond in Stanly County jail with a court date scheduled for July 14.

On the night of his arrest at approximately 5:34 p.m., APD o cers were dispatched to a residence on Amhurst Street where 33-year-old Lucio Carranco and 34-year - old Jesus Car -

ranco were both pronounced dead from gunshot wounds. Meras was taken into custody at the scene. No further details regarding the domestic dispute or subsequent shooting

Council approved a $2.59 million bid by Cinderella Partners of Indian Trail that came in at over $2 million lower than the highest bid of $4.6 million; eight bids in total were received from interested contractors.

BROWN HILL AME ZION CHURCH LOCUST

Church Anniversary Celebration Weekend

Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 starting

On Saturday, July 19:

• Church Yard Sale beginning at 7 a.m.

• Great Food Sale – all day

• Bouncy House for the children and fun activities for everyone.

Sunday, July 20:

• 10 a.m. – Worship and Preaching

• 2:30 p.m. – Gospel Singing

We are asking churches to please participate in an “ole fashion Gospel Singing” like we used to do.

We are looking forward to having a very festive and spiritual time in celebrating our church anniversary of 150 plus years in worship and fellowship.

“We have come this far by Faith leaning on the Lord.”

Cinderella Partners is scheduled to begin work on the project next week, with an estimated completion date set for 12 to 15 months from now.

“We’re hoping to be in it by next summer,” Commissioner Scott E rd said. “We’ve already got a lot of the components with the audio and visual stu , and they’re going to start the construction on July 14.”

July 1

• Alex Jaime Meras, 23, was arrested for rst-degree murder and attempted rstdegree murder.

• Kevin Lee Harvel, 49, was arrested for larceny of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering a place of worship, attempted breaking or entering a building, safecracking, possession of burglary tools, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, larceny after breaking and entering, defacing a public building, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny and injury to personal property.

Located at Ray Kennedy Drive right beside the Locust Library, the 3,500-square-foot West Stanly Senior Center will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the City of Locust on Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

Locust’s current West Stanly Senior Center at 213 Town Center Drive next to Ace Hardware will remain open until the new building opens up next year.

Lucas said that wanted to present this information to the board as a regular agenda item as a reminder of the arrangement between the county and city.

“Potentially, we could have

July 2

• Jason Robert Depasquale, 41, was arrested for larceny by removing or destroying components, larceny by changing price tag and rstdegree trespassing.

July 4

• Joshua Pete Sanchez, 25, was arrested for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, assault by strangulation, assault on a female, assault causing serious bodily injury, second-degree kidnapping, assault in icting serious injury with a minor present and false imprisonment.

• Jose Darwin Membreno Pineda, 27, was arrested

Alex Jaime Meras is accused of shooting and killing two people.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:

July 10

Locust Farmers Market

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This producers-only market o ers fresh produce, homemade foods and crafts by local creators. Conveniently located across the street from Locust Elementary School. Open May through September.

Corner of 24/27 and Vella Drive Locust

Shake, Rattle & Roll

have been released by police. Anyone with further information regarding the incident can contact authorities at 704-984-9500 or call an anonymous tip line at 704 - 984-9511.

put this on the consent agenda, but because it was such a large number and a lot of board members weren’t here at the time, I felt like we just needed to present it for transparency purposes.”

The county manager clari ed that the $750,000 from the county will be for construction costs only and not factor into any funding needed for the inside of the building.

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners is set to hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

for driving while impaired, eeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving with wanton disregard, failing to heed light or siren, no operator’s license and speeding.

July 6

• Denise Rochelle Wall, 32, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

• Ariel Deshaye Wall, 34, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

10:45 to 11:15 a.m.

Music and movement class for children ages 0-4 and their caregivers. These classes are designed to promote emotional, cognitive and social development, improve social skills and encourage caregiver/ child bonding! Albemarle Main Library 133 E. Main St. Albemarle

July 11

Food Truck Fridays at City Lake Park 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Enjoy food and beverages from the variety of food trucks on site while being entertained by the singing and dancing of The Legacy Motown Review. 815 Concord Road Albemarle

July 12

Carolina Soul Trail Ride 12 to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the trail ride are $23.18. For more information, text (704) 275-1415. Valley Drive/Left on 24/27 Albemarle

HANDOUT

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

A reminder of what’s so great about America

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system.

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S recent 249th

birthday, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the most incredible things about her. We are a nation of settlers. This is the country where ancestors risked — and often lost — their lives in pursuit of religious freedom and opportunity. From the May ower to the Oregon Trail, they persevered in extreme hardship. Davy Crockett and Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire children.

We defeated the mighty British Empire to secure our independence. American soldiers endured the cold, disease and death of Valley Forge. Under the instruction of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian, the Army emerged with greater discipline, unity and skill.

Our country’s founding documents are marvels. The Declaration of Independence eloquently lays out the purpose of government — to secure our God-given, unalienable rights. The Constitution, drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, history and political philosophers, uses checks and balances to limit the government’s power.

At the cost of hundreds of thousands of Union lives, we threw o the scourge of slavery. Our heroes are too numerous to mention, but include Nathan Hale, Harriet Tubman, Teddy Roosevelt and Billy Graham. Our land is beautiful. Consider the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls and the stunning views in Canyonlands National Park. Our beaches, from Hawaii to California to the East Coast, draw people from around the world.

We conquered the continent with the Transcontinental Railroad and later, the Interstate Highway System. We completed the Empire State Building in less than 14 months. We built the Hoover Dam. We carved the faces

AP PHOTO

Workers laying tracks for Central Paci c Railroad pause for a moment at camp “Victory,” a few miles from Promontory, Utah, on April 28, 1869. The “last spike” was driven on May 10, 1869 in Promontory to complete the rst transcontinental railroad.

of our greatest presidents into the side of a mountain.

We created the rst airplane in 1903. Less than 70 years later, we put a man on the moon.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system. The average American enjoys luxuries, like air conditioning, air travel, cell phones and microwaves, that the richest people 200 years ago could scarcely have dreamed of.

We have the best athletes in the world. We have more than twice as many Olympic medals as the next-closest country — the Soviet Union, which doesn’t even exist

anymore. American football is way more exciting than the world’s version of that sport.

We have the mightiest military in the history of the world. We played pivotal roles in winning World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Our B-2 bombers can take o from Missouri, successfully bomb a buried Iranian nuclear site and return home without landing. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. Here are two ways leftist cynics attempt to disparage America. For one, they’ll claim America is de ned by her faults, not her accomplishments. Note well that they don’t apply that standard to their heroes. In 1969, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy drove o a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. That accident resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The left spent the next 40 years celebrating him anyway.

This hypocrisy shows the left doesn’t truly believe you should de ne countries or people by their aws. They just hope those who love America and her heroes do.

The left also attempts to sever our connection to this marvelous history. They tear down monuments to American heroes like Thomas Je erson and Christopher Columbus. They rename holidays. They teach children that America’s success comes from oppressing others.

You aren’t just an individual. You are part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a state, which is part of a country. Celebrating your country is both good and natural. It should be easy to do when it’s the greatest country in the history of the world.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.

Terminate the Green New Scam now

Our $37-trillionin-debt government ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

AS OF THIS WRITING, it’s impossible to know exactly how much Green New Scam spending has been cut by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even members of Congress have no idea. But I’m not worried. President Donald Trump can terminate all Green New Spending any day he chooses.

Goldman Sachs estimated that the climate spending portion of the 2022 In ation Reduction Act (i.e., the Green New Scam) was worth about $1.2 trillion by 2032. The total may actually have been greater as it’s extraordinarily di cult to kill o federal subsidies.

By the time Trump was inaugurated, the Biden administration had spent somewhere around $150 billion of the money, including much in red states buying Republican politicians so that they would be reluctant to roll back the spending during opportunities for scal responsibility like the OBBBA.

The House version of the OBBBA may have cut as much as 50% of the remaining Green New Scam spending. The Senate version that passed on July 1 “gutted” what the House did, according to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). So where are we? Who knows. The good news is it really doesn’t matter.

Green New Scam spending on wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and utility-scale batteries is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The supposed need to reduce such emissions is factually premised on a 2009 determination, called the “endangerment nding,” by the Obama

EPA. The nding concluded that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are harming the public health and welfare through global warming. Regardless of how you feel about climate science, the Supreme Court made the Obama EPA’s determination de facto illegal in its 2022 decision in West Virginia v. EPA. In that case, the Court determined that EPA requires the express authorization by Congress to engage in major undertakings such as greenhouse gas regulation. No such authorization has ever existed.

On Day 1 of his second term, Trump ordered the endangerment nding to be reviewed with an eye toward terminating it. Trump has, after all, repeatedly stated that he believes global warming is a “hoax.”

In April, Trump issued an executive order directing that regulations made illegal by recent Supreme Court decisions could be terminated summarily, and without the lengthy public notice and comment usually required by the Administrative Procedure Act. This makes total sense. Why keep illegal regulations in e ect?

If the illegal endangerment nding were terminated summarily there would be no factual basis for any Green New Scam spending. Trump could simply stop cutting checks for subsidies, thereby solving the Green New Scam problem.

The Trump administration, of course, would soon nd itself in court, but that is nothing new. And Trump would clearly have the high legal and moral ground: Our $37-trillion-in-debt government

ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

Coincidentally, the EPA submitted just its proposal to roll back or terminate the endangerment nding to the White House O ce of Management and Budget this week. No one outside the government knows what’s in the proposal or when it would be issued. There are two general ways to accomplish rollback of the endangerment nding. The preferred way is what has been previously described. It’s quick and easy. The other way is to do it through standard public notice and comment, which will take longer and be much less certain in outcome. Both would wind up in court, but the preferred way tees up the issue better from a legal standpoint. Republicans are often squirrely when it comes to green issues, imagining that the public is more supportive of green policies than it really is. Trump had the courage to drop multiple 30,000-pound bombs on a nuclear facility in Iran. It is certainly much easier to simply terminate an illegal regulation we can’t a ord. He should just do it now.

Steve Milloy, a biostatistician and lawyer, publishes JunkScience.com. This article was published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

A summer celebration

NOTICE OF ALBEMARLE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS

of

City Council will conduct public hearing(s) concerning the item(s) listed below at the dates times and location provided herein:

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements to be published in Stanly News Journal. community@stanlynewsjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

ZMA 25-03- a public hearing will be held to consider a request to rezone a 3 27 +/- acre parcel on Knollwood Circle, tax record 4198 from the existing split zoning of GHBD General Highway Business District and R-10 General Residential to R-10 General Residential

The hearing(s) will be conducted in the City Council Chambers of City Hall , located at 144 N Second St , Albemarle, N C 28001 at the following time(s): Monday, July 21st , 2025, at 6:30 p m

All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing Anyone wishing to speak for or against this action shall adhere to applicable City policies and statutes regarding open meetings The City Council approved agenda can be found on the city ’s website, www albemarlenc gov

Dated: July 7, 2025

Publish: Wednesday, July 9, 2025, & Wednesday, July 16, 2025

COURTESY EMELIA IRELAND PHOTOGRAPHY

June 26, 1950 - June 25, 2025

Kaye Hager Litzinge

OBITUARIES

JESUS CARRANCO-MARTINEZ

JAN. 17, 1991 – JUNE 30, 2025

Jesus Carranco-Martinez, 34, passed away on Monday, June 30, 2025. His funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel, o ciated by Pastor Carlos Jimenez. Burial will follow at the New London Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care.

DON “BUD” RUSSELL JULY 16, 1933 – JULY 2, 2025

Don “Bud” Russell, 91, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at Tucker Hospice House, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly.

June 26, 1950 – June 25, 2025

Duluth — Alice Kaye Hager Litzinger, a beloved wife, mother, stepparent, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully, on June 25th. Kaye was raised in Greenville, SC and Albemarle, NC. She graduated from Pfei er College and went on to work as a social worker. After the passing of her beloved rst husband, she dedicated her life to raising their two sons with strength and love. Over the years, she also worked as a real estate agent, travel planner, and o ce manager. She had an extraordinary eye for detail, from the beautiful works of art she created with professional-level skill, to the unforgettable parties she hosted. Her home was always lled with laughter, delicious food, and thoughtful touches that made every guest feel special. A passionate traveler, she found great joy in exploring the world with her husband and close friends. Kaye was known for her work through Parkway Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon, participated in mission trips, and played an important role in developing the church library. One of her most notable achievements was establishing the Daniel Hager Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament, raising money for perpetual scholarships for students in her community who are attending Georgia Tech. Kaye is survived by her loving husband Gerry Litzinger; her son Mark Hager; stepsons Andy, Je , and Dan Litzinger; four daughtersin-law; seven grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Jeanette Morton, husband Carlton Hager, and son Daniel Hager. A celebration of life service will be held on July 26th at 11:00, at Parkway Presbyterian Church in Cumming, Georgia. Friends and family are welcome to attend and celebrate Kaye’s life. In lieu of owers, the family requests donations be made to CurePSP, or The Parkinson’s Foundation, New York, NY.

Duluth — Alice Kaye Hager Litzinger, a beloved wife, mother, stepparent, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully, on June 25th. Kaye was raised in Greenville, SC and Albemarle, NC. She graduated from Pfei er College and went on to work as a social worker. A er the passing of her beloved rst husband, she dedicated her life to raising their two sons with strength and love. Over the years, she also worked as a real estate agent, travel planner, and o ce manager. She had an extraordinary eye for detail, from the beautiful works of art she created with professional-level skill, to the unforgettable parties she hosted. Her home was always lled with laughter, delicious food, and thoughtful touches that made every guest feel special. A passionate traveler, she found great joy in exploring the world with her husband and close friends. Kaye was known for her work through Parkway Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon, participated in mission trips, and played an important role in developing the church library. One of her most notable achievements was establishing the Daniel Hager Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament, raising money for perpetual scholarships for students in her community who are attending Georgia Tech. Kaye is survived by her loving husband Gerry Litzinger; her son Mark Hager; stepsons Andy, Je , and Dan Litzinger; four daughtersin-law; seven grandchildren; and many extended family members and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Jeanette Morton, husband Carlton Hager, and son Daniel Hager. A celebration of life service will be held on July 26th at 11:00, at Parkway Presbyterian Church in Cumming, Georgia. Friends and family are welcome to attend and celebrate Kaye’s life. In lieu of owers, the family requests donations be made to CurePSP, or e Parkinson’s Foundation, New York, NY.

Born on January 17, 1991, in Naples, Florida, Jesus was the beloved son of Lucio Carranco-Rivera of Felda, FL, and Margarita CarrancoMartinez of Albemarle. Jesus will be fondly remembered by his family and friends for his cheerful spirit, enduring optimism and love for life. He was deeply passionate about reading the Bible, brought joy and laughter as a natural jokester, and possessed remarkable culinary skills, earning admiration as an excellent chef. His love of fashion was evident, viewing style as an artistic expression that always made him uniquely stand out.

A devoted and loving father, his children were his pride and joy, often the focal point of his conversations and dreams. Demonstrating great courage and resilience, Jesus was a ghter who bravely overcame cancer and embraced every moment of life.

In addition to his parents, Jesus is survived by his cherished children, Zenelley Skye Carranco Gordillo, Amaya Carranco and Zachary Carranco; his siblings, Jennifer Popoca (husband Armando) of Albemarle, Sandra Carranco (husband Joshua) of Tampa, FL, Xavier Carranco of Felda, FL, Angel Carranco of Tampa, FL, and Summer Lopez of Albemarle; along with many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lucio Carranco-Martinez, who also passed away on June 30, 2025.

BARBARA WRIGHT WAKSMUNSKI

OCT. 18, 1938 – JULY 1, 2025

Barbara W. Waksmunski, age 86, of Stan eld, died Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Atrium Health Cabarrus Hospital in Concord.

Barbara was born on October 18, 1938, in Neptune, New Jersey, daughter of Frank Davis Wright and Marie Elizabeth Zwolinski Wright. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, Cornelius, and brother, Earl Wright. Barbara is survived by sons Frank and wife Connie of Mt Pleasant, NC, grandson, Jonathan Agop and his sons, Oliver and Elliott Agop of Charlottesville, VA; Michael and wife Jody, granddaughter Steele Marie Waksmunski of Oakboro, NC, grandsons Christopher Devin Blanton of Mt Pleasant, NC, Billy Joe Blanton,III, and great granddaughter Rayuh Leigh-Ann Blanton of Oakboro, NC; son Edward of Charleston, SC; and daughter, Jennifer of Delray Beach, FL.

After graduating high school, Barbara completed her nursing degree at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in New York and worked in the psychiatric unit. She continued her career at the VA Hospital in Washington, DC for several years.

Upon marrying Cornelius, his job led them to Georgia, where they started their family. After several transitions, the couple settled in Stan eld to raise their four children. Barbara volunteered at Stan eld Elementary and West Stanly High for many years. She was actively involved in her children’s schools as PTA president and a member of the Colt Club. For many years, she was den mother for the Cub Scouts Pack 27. Barbara was the original Uber driver, always making sure her children were at every ball game or dance recital on time.

As the children got older, one Sunday afternoon, Mayor Pete Henkle approached Barbara and asked her to take over as the town clerk of Stan eld. Barbara trained under Mr. Joe McDonald and learned the ins and outs of local government. After retiring, she spent time with her family, grandchildren, and traveled to see them when she could.

Friends and family will be received from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland, NC, at 13575 Broadway Ave., Midland, NC 28107. A celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Hartsell Funeral Home, o ciated by the Reverend Reese Linnell. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory at 2001 East Main St., Albemarle, NC 28001.

In lieu of owers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, Attention: Steele’s Gang, 3900 Park Rd., Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28209; or to the Stanly County Special Olympics.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Waksmunski family.

JOHN MEHALECHKO

OCT. 1, 1926 – JULY 1, 2025

John Mehalechko, 98, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Spring Arbor of Albemarle.

He was born to John and Mary Mehalechko on October 1, 1926, in Centralia, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Mary, Mike, Sylvia, Helen, Charlie and Mae, and his loving wife, Bonnie, to whom he was married for 68 years.

He is survived by his two children, daughter Sonja Scholl (Bob) and son John Mehalechko (Sue), ve grandchildren Tara Denton, Brock Poniatowski, Cory Pickett (Chris), Lacey McCoy (Tyler) and Michael Mehalechko (Conie) and 11 great grandchildren Luke, Lauren, Gavin, Landon, Jack, Matilda, George, Emmitt, Kate, Roman and Hunter. He was blessed with two bonus grandchildren, Heather Johnson and Andrea Scholl, and two great-grandchildren, Eden and Eli.

John graduated from high school and immediately joined the Navy. He was a proud WW2 II veteran. He used the GI bill to complete a degree in Civil Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology in Ft Wayne, Indiana. It is there he met and married Bonnie Miller in 1950. His interests were so diverse. He loved golf (which he played into his 90s), bowling, running and camping/ shing/canoeing in Canada. He played the saxophone, clarinet, organ and our favorite, the harmonica! In 2012, he moved to Albemarle. It didn’t take him long to integrate into the southern hospitality.

Bud was born July 16, 1933, in Albemarle to the late Seaford Russell and the late Nan Russell. Bud was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Lois Russell; his beloved son, Je rey Russell; two sisters; and one brother. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Lola Krick (Eddie); granddaughters Lilli Denton (Tanner), Sarah Weed (Tyler), Nastya Saprankova; and his cherished great-grandchildren Cooper, Ivy, Addy and Sam. To his family, Bud was a wonderful daddy and Paw Paw. To everyone who met him, he was a light. He was generous, kind, loving, and full of positivity. He had a way of making people feel special and loved, and his presence made a di erence in countless lives.

His memory will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know him and loved him so deeply. He was truly wonderful, and he will be forever missed.

The family will receive friends from 1-1:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Plyler Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Plyler Baptist Church in Albemarle o ciated by Pastor Charles Hensley. Burial will follow at the Plyler Baptist Church Cemetery at 25958 Austin Road, Albemarle. (Memorials/In lieu of owers) may be made to Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Russell family.

JUNE WALLACE

NOV. 8, 1947 – JULY 2, 2025

Lacy “June” Irvin Wallace Jr., 77, of Norwood, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at his home.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood.

June was born on November 8, 1947, to the late Lacy and Katherine Capel Wallace. He was a graduate of South Stanly High School in the class of 1966. He was the owner and operator of L & K Trucking.

June was a social person and greatly enjoyed talking with others. In his youth, he excelled in athleticism. June also enjoyed playing poker, shooting pool, and playing golf.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers: Franklin Capel and William Terry Wallace.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Kay Moose Wallace, his children: Leisha Kay Wallace, Dustin Joel Wallace (April), Aaron Scott Wallace (McKenzie), his grandson: Alex Evester, his brother: Ricky Wallace of Polkton, and his sister, Linda Thomas of Wadesboro

FREDDIE C. WALLACE

NOV. 28, 1937 – JULY 4, 2025

Freddie C Wallace passed away on July 4th, 2025, in Florida, his home for 60 years.

Freddie was born in the front bedroom of the family home in Robbins, North Carolina, on November 28, 1937. The middle son of Beulah Mae and Hurley Wallace, he enjoyed the simple, small-town life but always dreamed of adventure beyond Moore County.

Finishing high school, Freddie, at the age of 17, joined the US Navy. He attended the Navy Aviation school in Norman, Oklahoma and the University of Washington in Washington State. Freddie served on active duty in the Navy for 4 years. His favorite stations were the Naval Operations Sea Plane Base in Bermuda and in Panama.

The skills Freddie learned in the Navy enabled him to work on the Nike Hercules Anti-Aircraft Missile System Program with The Douglas Aircraft Corporation in Charlotte, NC. While in Charlotte, he met and married Beckey Stoker Tedder from Troy, NC. He and Beckey had two daughters, April Lynn and Melanie Rhea, before moving to Florida in 1965. For 50 years Freddie held various engineering and leadership positions on the Kennedy Space Center. He worked for the Bendix, McDonald Douglas, and Lockheed Martin Corporations supporting the Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs as a Systems Engineer. He was also part of a specialized crew on the Crawler, transporting spacecraft to the pads for launch, including the Saturn V. Freddie continued his education at Brevard Community College (BCC) and served in the Naval Reserves based in Jacksonville, FL for two years. Freddie was very proud of his work in aerospace engineering and service to his country in the Navy.

But more important, Freddie was a great example of a dedicated husband and father. He was devoted to his family. He enjoyed spending time teaching his children and grandchildren to sh, playing Yahtzee, and making up adventures about Hunkel, Dunkel, and Pinkel.

Freddie was preceded in death by his parents, Beulah Mae and Hurley Wallace, brother Billy, wife Beckey, and grandson Benjamin Bower. He is survived by his daughters, April and Melanie, four grandchildren: Christopher Bower (Ellen), Ryan Sestile (Nicole) and Aleson Lloyd (Je ), and four great-grandchildren: Mia Marie, Aria Bella, Livia Hart Sestile and Daisy Jean Bower, along with a brother, H.C. Wallace (Jo).

He will be buried next to his Beckey at Hamer Creek Cemetery, Mt Gilead, NC. In lieu of owers, please make a donation to the veteran’s organization of your choice.

Anchors Aweigh, Freddie.

RUBY JO HOWELL

OCT. 4, 1934 – JULY 4, 2025

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ northstatejournal.com

We are so grateful for the love and care he received at Spring Arbor. The Sta and Residents became family, and Spring Arbor was his home. Finally, his life was abundantly blessed by having his caregiver, Brenda Whitley, in his life for almost six years.

He was a man of God, a gentle soul and a true gentleman. His smile was infectious. Rest in eternal peace, Dad, Papa, Mr John, Pops!

We are asking that donations be made to Tillery Compassionate Care of Albemarle in memory of John Mehalechko. Because of their love and care, he thrived during the last few months of his life, and he passed with dignity. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Mehalechko family.

Ruby Jo Howell, 90, of Albemarle, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at Bethany Woods. Ruby was born on October 4, 1934, in Burke County, North Carolina, to the late Jo Clark and E e Mae Clark. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Dewell Edward Howell, and a daughter, Connie Rea. She retired from Wiscassett Mills after many years. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with family and taking shing trips to the outer banks. She was a member of Canton Baptist Church for over 50 years and adored her church family.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Canton Baptist Church Cemetery. Survivors include daughter, Joann Hu man (Cluie), granddaughter, Jessica Girton (Jeromy); great-granddaughter Emilie Ann; and many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be shared to Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N 1st St, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Howell family.

Kaye Hager Litzinger

STANLY SPORTS

Wampus Cats continue rivalry with Disco Turkeys

Uwharrie celebrated Fourth of July with a win and reworks, then fell in a road twinbill to the Turkeys

By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal

THE UWHARRIE Wampus

Cats continued the team’s season over the July Fourth holiday with three games against the team’s rivals, the Carolina Disco Turkeys.

Uwharrie celebrated a win Thursday night with reworks, while the Cats traveled to Wake Forest University’s Couch Ballpark Saturday for a twinbill with the Turkeys.

The Cats are scheduled to play at home Tuesday against the Mooresville Spinners of the SCBL, the rst of a ve-game

home stand. The Turkeys return to Albemarle on Thursday. First pitch for both games will be at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAME

Wampus Cats 8, Turkeys 3

Two big innings to kick o the Wampus Cats’ holiday celebration at Don Montgomery Park lifted the hosts to the win.

Blake McKinney got Uwharrie on the board with a two-RBI, inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the rst innings.

The Cats added ve runs in the bottom of the second inning, including a bases-loaded walk from Carter Devore and a two-RBI triple from Abram Threats. Sam Schamb added an RBI groundout to put the Cats up 7-0.

Jett Thomas got the win on

the mound for Uwharrie. The former West Stanly standout allowed two earned runs on ve hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in ve innings of work. Nathan Hayworth pitched the nal four innings to earn the save, striking out two while allowing one earned run on three hits.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Game 1

Turkeys 8, Wampus Cats 2

The Turkeys got out to a big start, scoring eight runs over the rst four innings and allowed just four Uwharrie hits to earn the win.

Shaked Baruch was 1 for 3 at the plate for Uwharrie with a one-out RBI double in the top of the seventh. Carter Devore added an RBI groundout in the sixth.

2-3

Uwharrie’s record this season against the Disco Turkeys

Ido Peled took the loss for Uwharrie, allowing six earned runs on three hits with three walks and one strikeout in 21⁄3 innings pitched. Relief pitchers Brooks Farrell and Dakota Larimore did not allow an earned run in their combined 32⁄3 innings on the mound.

Game 2

Turkeys 1, Wampus Cats 0

A pitcher’s duel came down to the wire in the nightcap of the doubleheader as the Cats fell to 8-9-1 this season.

The only run of the game came for the Turkeys on a leado solo home run to left in the bottom of the fth inning.

PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY

Carter Devore lines a hit during a Wampus Cats game earlier this season.

Drew Holcomb took the loss in relief for Uwharrie as he, along with starter Burton and reliever Threats, combined with Holcomb to limit the Turkeys to four hits, issuing no walks and striking out four. McKinney had a double for the Cats, with Baruch adding a single. Two walks in the top of the seventh put the tying run in scoring position on second, but the next batter struck out to end the game, one of 11 strikeouts on the day at the dish for Uwharrie.

Stanly athlete to compete at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Jamie Hathcock will travel to Minnesota next June

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Stanly County will be represented at next year’s 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. On June 26, it was announced that Stanly athlete Jamie Hathcock has been selected as one of four members of Special Olympics North Carolina’s athletics (track and eld) team. Hathcock will be joined by Cameron Edmonds of Wake County, Katie Howard of Mecklenburg County and Lorenzo Stancil of Franklin County as the group competes at the University of Minnesota Track and Field Stadium from June 20-26 next year. Michael Culbertson will serve as the coach of Team SONC Athletics.

“Congratulations to Jamie Hathcock for being selected

“I can’t think of anybody more deserving.”

Kim Lo in, Special Olympics Stanly County co-coordinator

viewing event, end of year celebration and 2026 selection show watch party in Albemarle as Hathcock was joined by his family, friends and coaches.

“I can’t think of anybody more deserving,” Kim Lo in, a Special Olympics Stanly County co-coordinator, said of Hathcock following the announcement. “We’ve been keeping this secret for a little while. He is a wonderful athlete — Stanly County is going to Minnesota in 2026!” Back in late May and early June, Hathcock was one of 50 athletes from Stanly County who took part in the annual Special Olympics NC Summer Games in Raleigh. He recorded gold medals in three athletic

categories: standing long jump, softball throw and 50-meter dash.

In total, Hathcock accounted for nearly a third of Stanly’s track and eld gold medals earned.

Keith Fishburne, president and CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina, spoke of his state’s USA Games representatives during the national selection show.

“The delegation announced tonight will be made up of athletes who represent a total of nearly 53,000 registered athletes and uni ed partners from throughout North Carolina,” Fishburne said.

“The candidates for Team Special Olympics North Carolina were selected based on results from their sports during the 2024-25 state level sports season, and they will now have a training camp in January of 2026. It’s a huge honor to be selected for this prestigious delegation. We look forward to showing all the country just how great North Carolinians are.”

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is slated to bring together more than 4,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states to compete in 16 di erent sports.

Blake McKinney gets a hit during a game earlier this season. McKinney had a big week for the Wampus Cats.

COURTESY SPECIAL OLYMPICS STANLY COUNTY

Local athlete Jamie Hathcock poses with a medal he won at the 2024 Special Olympics North Carolina Fall Tournament.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA

NBA free agent

Beasley under gambling investigation

Detroit

NBA free agent Malik

Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s o ce regarding gambling allegations tied to league games. “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement. The probe into Beasley comes 14 months after the NBA banned Toronto’s Jontay Porter, who was linked to a prop bet investigation and eventually pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud.

NCAA FOOTBALL

NBC names Fareed as host for Big Ten football, Peacock’s NBA coverage

Stamford, Conn.

Ahmed Fareed will host NBC’s Big Ten football studio show as well as Peacock’s NBA coverage on Monday nights. Fareed was an occasional studio host during the rst two years of NBC’s Big Ten package but will move into the lead role with Maria Taylor becoming the host of the network’s NBA coverage on Tuesday night and Sunday night when the NFL season concludes. Fareed is NBC Sports’ third NBA announcement in the past week. Taylor was named the main studio host and Grant Hill was hired as a game analyst last week.

NFL Hairston, Bills’ 1st-round pick, accused of sexual assault

Bu alo, N.Y.

Bu alo Bills rst-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2021. The lawsuit, led in Kentucky, alleges Hairston entered a woman’s dorm room uninvited and assaulted her while he was on the Kentucky football team. The Bills referred to earlier remarks by general manager Brandon Beane, who said the team had investigated the allegations and found no substance to them. Hairston was drafted 30th overall in April. He is competing for a starting cornerback position.

Local softball players earn NCSCA all-state honors

All but two all-district players in the county were also named all-state

Stanly News Journal sta

A WEEK after naming its all-district teams, the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association unveiled its 2025 allstate teams for the high school softball season.

The higher tier didn’t serve as a big hurdle for the top softball players in Stanly County. Of the 14 players that were named all-district, 12 also made all-state.

Here are the county’s all-district selections.

1A

Piper Huneycutt (South Stanly)

The junior catcher earned her rst all-state award. She has won all-district the last two seasons.

Coco Tyson (South Stanly) The freshman rst baseman was named all-state for the rst time.

Kinsley Tyson (South Stanly)

The senior pitcher picked up her second all-state honor, to go with her two all-district berths.

2A

Leah Frick (North Stanly)

The senior out elder is a rst-time all-state honoree.

Sammie Lowder (North Stanly)

The freshman utility player made all-state in her rst high school season.

Breauna Speight (North Stanly)

The senior out elder earned her second straight spot on the all-state team. She’s also

been all-district the last two seasons.

Kylie Speight (North Stanly)

The senior shortstop/pitcher made her second straight all-state team, to go with her back-to-back all-district spots.

Payton Watson (West Stanly)

The junior out elder repeated as an all-state player. She’s also made all-district the last two years.

Madi Whitley (West Stanly, District 6 2A pitcher of the year)

The sophomore pitcher was all-state for the rst time. She’s made all-district the last two years.

Kennedy Austin (West Stanly)

The sophomore shortstop picked up her second straight all-state honor. She’s also made all-district the last two years.

Saylor Edwards (West Stanly)

The junior out elder picked up her rst berth on the all-state team.

Laney Tucker (West Stanly)

The freshman rst baseman made all-state in her rookie year, and West Stanly was the only school in the county to have all its all-district players also made all-state.

Pfei er men’s soccer 2025 ID Camp continues

The training and recruiting event is scheduled for July 19

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — The second installment of Pfei er University’s 2025 ID Camp led by ninth-year men’s soccer coach Tony Faticoni is soon approaching with a scheduled event date set for July 19.

Hosted by the Tony Faticoni Soccer Academy in partnership with the university, the annual summer program at N.E. Lefko Field is designed to give high school boys valuable experience training with multiple NCAA collegiate coaches on the Falcons’ new state-of-the-art articial turf eld surface.

The identi cation camp also operates as a scouting event where coaches can identify and evaluate players for potential recruitment purposes with their respective teams, each spanning from NCAA Division I to III.

Along with Pfei er as the primary host and organizer, High Point, Catawba, Coastal Carolina and UNC Greensboro attended the rst install-

ment of the 2025 ID Camp on June 28.

Coaches from Coastal Carolina, South Carolina and Combine Academy are each set to participate with Pfei er in Misenheimer on July 19.

“I want to say thank you very much for attending my camp this past weekend,” Faticoni said of his recent June camp. “I will say it was one of

the best we have ever had. Other than the weather not cooperating, it was almost the perfect day. We also appreciate Catawba, UNCG, High Point, and Coastal Carolina for attending. Lastly, I hope everyone has an amazing summer!”

During the camp, which is capped at 90 out eld players and 15 goalkeepers, players are tested through authentic simu-

“I want to say thank you very much for attending my camp this past weekend.”

lated training sessions, giving sta an opportunity for technical ability and tactical understanding evaluation.

The morning session runs from 9 a.m. to noon, while the afternoon session is from 1-4 p.m. Each individual session is $175 per camper, with a cost of $275 per camper for those attending the full day of camp.

At the end of the event, a personalized question-and-answer segment will be held by coaches and academy sta to assist players in learning more about the college recruiting process.

ID Camp registration is available online at tonyfaticonisocceracademy.com. All attendees are expected to bring their own water, soccer ball, shin guards and cleats.

@TEAMNCTAYLOR / X

Laney Tucker, pictured in her Team NC summer ball uniform, was all-state as a West Stanly freshman.

Tony Faticoni, Pfei er men’s soccer coach

COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS

Pfei er men’s soccer coach Tony Faticoni speaks to attendees of his academy’s ID Camp during its June 28 session.

Van Gisbergen wins in Chicago once again, completing NASCAR weekend sweep

New Zealand native became the winningest foreign-born Cup Series driver

By Jay Cohen The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Shane Van Gisbergen completed a Windy City sweep, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky street course in downtown Chicago.

“Epic weekend for us. I’m a lucky guy,” van Gisbergen said.

The 36-year-old New Zealand native became the second driver to sweep the X nity and Cup races in a single weekend from the pole, joining Kyle Busch at Indianapolis in 2016. With his third career Cup win, he also became the winningest foreign-born driver on NASCAR’s top series.

It was van Gisbergen’s second victory of the season after the Trackhouse Racing driver also won last month on a Mexico City road course.

“He’s the best road course stock car racer that I’ve ever seen,” Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said. “I think when he’s done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he’s going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen.”

Marks brought van Gisbergen over from Australia’s Supercars for the rst edition of NASCAR’s Chicago experiment in 2023, and he became the rst driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963.

He also won Chicago’s X nity Series stop last year and the rst stage in the Cup race before he was knocked out by a crash.

“This joint, it’s changed my life,” van Gisbergen said.

“I didn’t have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I rst came over here, and I never thought I’d be in NASCAR full time.”

In what might be the last NASCAR race on the downtown Chicago circuit, Ty Gibbs was second and Tyler Reddick nished third. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ve. Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog and rain moved into downtown

Chicago, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way.

AJ Allmendinger was sixth, and Ryan Preece nished seventh. Ryan Blaney, who won the second stage, was 12th.

William Byron’s day was cut short by a clutch problem. The Hendrick Motorsports driver leads the point standings by 13 points over Chase Elliott.

After Michael McDowell seized the lead early in the race, Carson Hocevar caused a multicar crash when he hit the wall

and spun out between Turns 10 and 11. Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suárez and Will Brown were among the drivers collected in the wreck.

“I didn’t see it until the last second,” Keselowski said. “I slowed down and I actually felt I was going to get stopped, and then I just kind of got ran over from behind. It’s just a narrow street course, and sometimes there’s nowhere to go.”

Ty Dillon and Reddick moved into the third round of the Cup Series’ inaugural in-season

Manager Martinez, general manager Rizzo red by last-place Nationals

The team has had six straight losing seasons since its 2019 championship

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were red by the Washington Nationals in moves that were surprising for their timing, even if the club is more than halfway through its sixth consecutive losing season since winning the 2019 World Series.

Senior VP and assistant GM Mike DeBartolo is taking over for Rizzo on an interim basis. A replacement for Martinez wasn’t named immediately.

“While we are appreciative of their past successes,” Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in a statement issued by the team,

“the on- eld performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be. This is a pivotal time for our club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.”

Rizzo’s time running the Nationals is over after more than a decade and a half. One of the Lerner family’s rst hires when it assumed control of the organization, Rizzo had been GM since 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013.

“He played an instrumental role in leading the transformation of our farm system and building a roster that reached an unprecedented level of organizational success,” Lerner said.

“Mike helped make us who we are as an organization, and we’re so thankful to him for his hard work and dedication.”

Martinez’s full record with the Nationals was 500-622.

Martinez had never been a manager at any level when Rizzo hired him to replace Dusty Baker before the 2018 season.

The Nationals went 82-80 in Martinez’s rst season and got o to a 19-31 start the following year, leading to some calls for him to be replaced.

But Rizzo stuck with Martinez, and that decision paid o in a big way: Led by starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg, who earned World Series MVP honors, and Max Scherzer, rookie out elder Juan Soto, young shortstop Trea Turner and a string of veterans — including Howie Kendrick, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon — the Nationals won the franchise’s rst title.

No one from the World Series roster is still playing for the franchise.

Washington took a step back in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and then Rizzo began tearing apart the roster, making a series of trades that sent Scherzer, Soto, Turner and others elsewhere.

The reconstruction has continued, without much in the way of concrete progress in the standings to show for it, although the team does have some building blocks that show promise, including starter MacKenzie Gore and out elder James Wood — both named NL All-Stars on Sunday — along with shortstop CJ Abrams, who was an All-Star a year ago.

“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a di cult, but necessary move in a positive direction,” Lerner said. “As has been the case since my late father took control of the team almost

tournament when Keselowski and Hocevar were unable to nish the race. Dillon, the No. 32 seed, eliminated Keselowski after he upset top-seeded Denny Hamlin last weekend at Atlanta. Bowman, the 2024 champion on the downtown street course, won his head-to-head matchup with Bubba Wallace. Bowman and Wallace made contact as they battled for position late in the race after they also tangled in Chicago last year.

“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a di cult, but necessary move in a positive direction,”

Mark Lerner, Washington owner

20 years ago, our family remains committed to winning.”

Washington nished fourth or fth in the NL East every year from 2020 through 2024, never putting together a higher winning percentage than the .438 (71-91) each of the last two seasons.

“I’ve always appreciated and admired Davey’s passion for the game of baseball and the love he has for his players,” Lerner said. “Davey’s ability to connect with our sta , our players, our fans and our community set him apart. While this chapter has come to an end, we know that it doesn’t close the book on what should continue to be a long and successful career in baseball.”

ERIN HOOLEY / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen holds the trophy after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on Chicago’s street course.

HELP WANTED

Seeking skilled artist with an eye for color matching to do art restorations. I anticipate work will require acrylics and some airbrush. No deadlines. Call or text 704-322-1376. Email bdavis34@carolina.rr.com.

Let’s Work Together

Full-Time

Coordinator, Duplicating Services

Coordinator, Fire/Rescue/Emergency Management

Training Programs

Instructor, Business Administration (9-month) - ACI

Program Head, Accounting

Let’s Work Together

Program Head, Electrical Line Worker

Instructor, Cosmetology (9-month)

Full-Time

Full-Time

Coordinator, Clinical - LPN Program

Coordinator, Clinical - LPN Program

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP000027-830

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Toriano Thomas (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Toriano Thomas) to Connie E. Josey, Trustee(s), dated January 11, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 1593, at Page 386 in Stanly 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

door in Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on July 16, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Albemarle in the County of Stanly, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and being in the City of Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, on the northeast side of Bird Road, and being more particularly described as follows: BEGINNING at an existing bent iron pipe in the eastern right-of-way of

NOTICES

Part-Time

Coordinator, Fire/Rescue/Emergency Management

Coordinator, Fire/Rescue/Emergency Management

Training Programs

Training Programs

Adjunct Instructor, Adult Basic Education (Daytime)

Director Campus Food Services

Adjunct Instructor, Carolina Auction Academy

Instructor, Business Administration (9-month) - ACI

Director, Nursing Program

Adjunct Instructor, Carpentry/Building Construction

O cer, Security

Instructor Business Administration (9-month) - ACI

O cer Security

Program Head, Accounting

Adjunct Instructor, Clinical Associate DegreeRespiratory Therapy

Adjunct Instructor, Electrical Systems Technology

Program Head, Accounting

Program Head, Electrical Line Worker

Program Head, Electrical Line Worker

Adjunct Instructor, English as a Second Language (Daytime)

Part-Time

Adjunct Instructor, Field Experience Observation -

Part-Time

Residency Licensure (EEP)

Adjunct Instructor, Carolina Auction Academy

Adjunct Instructor Carolina Auction Academy

Adjunct Instructor, Nurse Aide I & II Programs

Adjunct Instructor, Carpentry/Building Construction

Adjunct Instructor, Carpentry/Building Construction

Adjunct Instructor, Plumbing

Adjunct Instructor, Electrical Systems Technology

Adjunct Instructor Electrical Systems Technology

Adjunct Instructor, Radiography

Adjunct Instructor, Nurse Aide I & II Programs

Adjunct Instructor EMS (EMT Continuing Ed)

Adjunct Instructor, Real Estate

Adjunct Instructor, EMS Clinical Practicum

Physical Survey of PID#655803212920 on Bird Road, the Larry McDowell Construction Inc. Property”, dated July 2, 2016 and prepared by On Point Surveying, PLLC, Marshville, NC, under the supervision of Justin McKeon, PLS# 4739. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1355 Bird Road and 1349 Bird Road, Albemarle, North Carolina. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Adjunct Instructor, Plumbing

Assistant, Eagle’s One Stop

Adjunct Instructor, Nurse Aide I & II Programs

Housekeeping

Adjunct Instructor, Real Estate

Adjunct Instructor Plumbing

Specialist, Learning (Part-Time) Revised

Assistant, Eagle’s One Stop

Adjunct Instructor Real Estate

Tutor/Assistance, Access to Achievement

Housekeeping

Specialist, Allied Health Learning (Part-Time)

Tutoring Specialist, Academic Support Center

Specialist, Learning Revised

Sta , Food Service

NOTICES

Tutoring Specialist, Academic Support Center

Tutoring Specialist Academic Support Center

Job descriptions are on our website. Please complete an online application at www.stanly.edu/college-information/ employment-opportunities.

Job descriptions are on our website. Please complete an online application at www.stanly.e du/colle ge-information/ employment-opp ortunities.

undersigned on or before Sept. 22, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 16th day of June, 2025

Joyce Melton 44568 Old Whitney Road New London North Carolina 28127 Executor

Spielberg looks back at ‘Jaws,’ Backstreet’s back, alt icons Pavement get

Peyton Manning’s “Quarterback” returns to Net ix

The Associated Press

STEVEN SPIELBERG reecting on his shark blockbuster in the documentary “Jaws @ 50,” “Pavements” and Backstreet Boys “Millennium 2.0.” are some of the shows, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, EA Sports’ College Football 26 and Season 10 of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

MOVIES TO STREAM Spielberg re ects on the “life-altering experience” that was “Jaws,” which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, in the new documentary “Jaws @ 50: The De nitive Inside Story,” streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday. Voices include those who worked on the lm, like composer John Williams, production designer Joe Alves and actors like Jonathan Filley and Lorriane Gary, as well as lmmaker luminaries from James Cameron and Jordan Peele to George Lucas.

Alex Ross Perry’s experimental documentary, “Pavements,” about the ’90s indie band Pavement (“Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain”) will be streaming on Mubi on Friday. There are actors (“Stranger Things’” Joe Keery, Nat Wol , Jason Schwartzman),

the real guys (Stephen Malkmus), archival footage and irreverent stagings that help evoke the spirit of the band and kind of tell their story as unconventionally as possible.

Writer-director Mark Anthony Green’s debut movie “Opus,” a cult-horror about a reclusive pop star and a mysterious retreat, did not receive the best reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. But it touts the kind of cast and intriguing premise that makes it a hard-toresist curiosity, with Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich leading, that begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday. In his AP review, Mark Kennedy wrote, “How both could be totally miscast will haunt your dreams.” Kennedy added, “Green wobbles as he tries to land this plane and what had been an intriguing premise to talk about fame and the parasitic industries that live o it turns into a gross-out, run-for-it bloodfest and a plot that unravels.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, a leading voice in Afrobeats, will release his eighth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness,” on Thursday. It’s a high-energy good time, as rst made apparent in the percussion-heavy “TaTaTa” featuring rapper Travis Scott. It was one of the best-selling albums of all time. On Friday, Backstreet Boys’ 1999 boy band classic, “Millennium,” gets a facelift with the release of “Millennium 2.0.” It’s a deluxe reissue, now with a

brand-new song, B-sides and live recordings.

SERIES TO STREAM

ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” marks its 10th season this summer with a golden twist. Contestants from “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette” are sent to a resort in Costa Rica to have fun in the sun and possibly make romantic connections. Jesse Palmer hosts with Bachelor Nation favorites Wells Adams serving as in-house bartender and Hannah Brown, who is in charge of Paradise Relations, whatever that means. It is streaming now on Hulu.

Peyton Manning’s Net ix docuseries “Quarterback” returns for a second season. Cameras follow NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jared Go of The Detroit Lions and Kirk Cousins. Cousins was also featured in Season 1 as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, but in Season 2, we see him su er a torn Achilles injury. He eventually parts ways with the Vikings and signs with the Atlanta Falcons. All eight episodes are ready to watch.

There’s a “Bosch” spino streaming on Prime Video focusing on LAPD homicide detective Renée Ballard (who you may recognize from the “Bosch: Legacy” series nale.) “Ballard,” starring Maggie Q as the titular character, is also based on books by Michael Connelly.

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network presents “a social

documentary

“A good voice isn’t so important. It’s more important to sound really unique.”

Stephen Malkmus

experiment” where three families live “Little House on the Prairie”-style for eight weeks. “Back to the Frontier” streams a new episode for eight weeks beginning Thursday on Max. Meg Stalter of “Hacks” stars in a new Net ix comedy from Lena Dunham called “Too Much.” It’s a semi-autobiographical story about Dunham’s life about a heartbroken New Yorker who moves to London to begin anew and nds herself drawn to a musician (Will Sharpe,) against her better judgment. An impressive roster of talent, including Andrew Rannells, Naomi Watts, Kit Harington, Andrew Scott, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant and Rita Ora, make appearances. All 10 episodes drop Thursday.

Dexter Morgan takes Manhattan in “Dexter: Resurrection,” a sequel to 2021’s “Dexter: New Blood.” Michael C. Hall reprises his role as the serial killer who hunts other serial killers. In “Resurrection,” Dexter meets a secret society of serial killers led by a character played by Peter Dinklage. David Zayas continues his role of detective Angel Batista from the original. It premieres Friday.

The cast of “Love Island USA” was so popular, they’ve got their own spin-o called “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” The show follows six of the core cast living in LA as they adjust to the limelight and attempt to maintain their relationships. It debuts Sunday on Peacock. MGM+ has an adaptation of Stephen King’s 2019 novel “The Institute.” It’s about a teenage boy named Luke — with an exceptionally high intellect — who wakes up a strange, unknown facility run by the government that imprisons kids with unique abilities. The sci- horror series is eight-episodes and stars Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker. It premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

What’s in the works for EA Sports’ College Football 26? Dozens of new mascots! We’re talking Oregon State’s Benny the Beaver, Akron’s Zippy the Kangaroo and the already legendary Pop-Tarts mascot. Real-life coaches like Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Georgia’s Kirby Smart are joining the fun. EA drew a huge audience last year when it returned to the NCAA gridiron after a decade-long hiatus, and this season promises 2,800 new plays and unique coaching schemes to go along with slicker graphics and tighter gameplay. The real season is still more than a month away, but you can begin your tailgate party Thursday on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.

UTOPIA VIA AP

Joe Keery portrays Stephen Malkmus in a scene from “Pavements.”

Solution to last week’s puzzle

Solution to this week’s puzzles

Exploding with joy

Towns around North Carolina celebrated America’s 249th birthday on Friday, July 4.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

3 dead as ash ooding hits mountain village in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M.

O cials say monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered ash ooding that killed three people and was so intense an entire house was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer retreat. The village of Ruidoso said in a statement that a man, a 4-year-old girl and 7-year- old boy were swept away Tuesday by oodwaters.

Three people earlier had been reported missing, but it wasn’t immediately clear early Wednesday whether those were the same three who died. The water in the Ruidoso area had receded by Tuesday night, and search and rescue and swift water rescue teams were scouring the town for the missing people.

Searchers in helicopters, on horseback scour Texas ood debris for missing Hunt, Texas

The search is continuing for more than 160 people believed to be missing in Texas days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people. But questions remain about the extent of a catastrophe that stretched far past the borders of a single summer camp. Many of those who are not accounted for were staying in the state’s Hill Country but did not register at a camp or hotel. The 161 missing are believed to be in Kerr County.

$2.00

WSFCS to request $8.5M in funding from county

The district is looking to utilize millions in reallocations to help pay o outstanding debt

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is continuing to make progress as it works to overcome its outstanding debt.

At the WSFCS Board of Education’s special called July 8 meeting, the board rst approved the submission of a request for $8.5 million in funding from the county commissioners.

“Frequent communications with the county manager around the budget de cits in the district and options with county local funds to support district

needs have been occurring,” said Interim Superintendent Catty Moore. “We are working with county sta to discover if there are existing funds or places where we can look to support the de cits that we accumulated.”

One area that the district is looking to free up funding is from the capital outlay allotment from the county, which the district receives on an annual basis, approximately $1.73 million per year.

“Those are dollars that don’t actually come to us from the county in the local funds that they are providing,” Moore said. “They are dollars that we designate and then request that the commissioners reimburse us for. Those dollars then come every year and sit in an account at the county level.”

“We are working with county sta to discover if there are existing funds or places where we can look to support the de cits that we accumulated.”

Interim Superintendent Catty Moore

According to Moore, there is currently $6.6 million in that account, some of which dated back to 2023. However, the board is asking for approximately $3.8 million of unspent/ undesignated capital outlay funds to be reallocated for paying o the outstanding debts.

“We did not cancel any projects that were already in progress or already designated,” Moore said. “We wanted to make sure we didn’t touch anything that was in progress or were already a few steps into being used even though we hadn’t asked the county for those funds yet.”

Along with that, the board approved the maintaining of $870,000 in contingency funding.

“Sometimes projects cost more, sometimes they cost less, sometimes something else comes up that jumps other things that are already in line, so we need to have the availability of a designated contingency line item in order to deal with those potential circumstances,” Moore said.

The request from the commissioners also asks for a one-time payment of $4.7 million.

“The county earns interest on bond dollars for projects and they have speci c regulations around how that interest is used,” Moore said. “But there

Flooding from tropical storm remnants leads to closed roads, water rescues

Two canoers were missing after putting in at Jordan Lake

By Allen G. Breed The Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — Heavy rain and ooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to ee their homes in central North Carolina, o cials said Monday. The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where oodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments, o cials said. More than 60 people were

displaced Sunday and Monday. There were also water rescues at shopping centers, where water ooded businesses and parking lots, o cials said. There were no reports of injuries as of Monday morning. Ofcials warned residents to take care as they ventured out Monday morning since crews were still assessing damage.

Floodwaters inundated Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossings shopping center, where the red-framed glass doors of a Talbots store were blown in and debris-specked white mannequins littered the oor. Next door at the Great Outdoor Provision Co., manager Chad Pickens said kayaks ended up 30 feet from where they had been on display and shelves in the shoe room were toppled like dominoes.

32.5

Feet the Haw River crested early Monday, the second-highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River.

Pickens said he was feeling pretty good as he watched the worst of the storm pass by on the news Sunday night, but then he got a call from the property manager. “I knew when I saw her name on my caller ID that we had indeed ooded,” he said. What happened there pales in comparison to the oods in Texas, he said.

“The bottom line is these are just things, and while it hurts to lose things, it’s a lot di erent to losing people,” Pickens said.

A large brown dumpster had smashed into the outdoor dining area of a Shake Shack in the shopping center. The windows were blown out and chairs and cups were strewn everywhere.

Hua Jiang said he put in an order at the Shake Shack around 8:45 p.m. Sunday and about 10 minutes later, water started owing through the doors. People started panicking, and after about ve minutes, employees said they should make a run for it, he said. Jiang’s Toyota RAV4 was already ooded in the parking lot, so he went to a Chipotle

See FLOODING, page A2

“Join

the conversation”

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Ryan Henkel, Reporter

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

David Guy, Advertising Manager

Published

TO SUBSCRIBE: 919-663-3232 NSJONLINE.COM

Annual Subscription Price: $100.00

Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, NC and at additional mailing o ces

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607

THURSDAY JULY 10

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

An empty rural hospital helps explain Tillis’ vote against Trump’s tax bill

Concerns over Medicare cuts drove the decision

By Amanda Seitz The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Though patients don’t rush through the doors of this emergency room anymore, an empty hospital in Williamston offers an evocative illustration of why Republican Sen. Thom Tillis would buck his party leaders to vote down President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy package.

Martin General is one of a dozen hospitals that have closed in North Carolina over the last two decades. This is a problem that hospital systems and health experts warn may only worsen if the legislation passes with its $1 trillion cuts to the Medicaid program and new restrictions on enrollment in the coverage.

Tillis’ home state showcases the nancial impact that more Medicaid dollars can have on hospitals in rural and poor regions throughout the country. Tillis said in a oor speech last Sunday, explaining his vote, that the GOP bill will siphon billions of dollars from Medicaid recipients and the health system in his state.

“Republicans are about to make a mistake on health care and betraying a promise,” said Tillis, who has announced he will not seek reelection to a third term in 2026.

Along with Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, he joined all Democrats in voting against the bill.

Tillis later accused the president and his colleagues of not fully grasping the full impact of the bill: “We owe it to the states to do the work to understand how these proposals affect them. How hard is that? I did it.”

For Martin General Hospital in Williamston, North Carolina’s decision to expand Medicaid came just too late.

FLOODING from page A1

that was on higher ground.

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s life,” Jiang said, wiping sweat from his brow on Monday morning.

In Chatham County, authorities were searching Monday for two canoers who went missing during the storm, according to a county sheri ’s o ce news release. They were last seen launching their canoe on Jordan Lake late Sunday afternoon, and their canoe was recovered Sun-

FUNDING from page A1

is an ability at the county level to look at other funds that they have available and sort of move things around.”

According to Moore, the primary goal, if the district receives the funding, will be to pay o outstanding vendor obligations as well as their state funding debt, which has a 1% monthly interest tied to it. Finally, the district was also able to provide some good news in regard to the Article 46 teacher supplement.

Article 46 funding is based upon an allocation of sales tax

The vacant Martin County General Hospital sits abandoned in April 2024 after being closed in August 2023.

The emergency room abruptly closed its doors in the eastern North Carolina county that’s home to more than 20,000 people in August 2023. The closest hospital is now about a 30-minute drive away.

Then-Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper faulted the state’s failure to expand the Medicaid program to more low-income adults sooner to prevent Martin General’s closure.

North Carolina began o ering Medicaid expansion to its residents in December. Today, more than 673,000 people are receiving this coverage.

Now, Tillis and other state o cials are worried the Republican bill, which will limit how much Medicaid money is sent back to providers, threatens funds for hospitals in their state again. And it could trigger a state Medicaid law that would close down North Carolina’s otherwise successful expansion of coverage unless state legislators make changes or locate funds.

day night, authorities said.

Chatham County Sheri

Mike Roberson warned residents in a social media post that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel.

By Monday morning more than 100 roads were impacted by the storm, including 19 major roads, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said. All lanes of Interstate 85/ Interstate 40 were closed both directions near Durham and were expected to reopen in 24 to 48 hours, o cials said.

The Medicaid dollars that Republicans seek to scale back in their bill have helped buttress the remaining rural hospitals across North Carolina, said Jay Ludlam, a deputy health secretary who leads North Carolina Medicaid.

“This has been a lifeline for our rural hospitals here in North Carolina and has helped provide and keep them open,” Ludlam said. “Rural hospitals play an integral role in communities both as a point of access for health care but also for the local economy because of the contributions that those hospital and hospital systems make to those communities.”

Republicans have responded to concerns with a provision that will provide $10 billion annually to rural hospitals for ve years, or $50 billion in total.

Around the country, 200 hospitals have closed or shuttered emergency services in the last two decades, many of them in red states across the southeastern and midwestern U.S.

States that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage, the health insurance program for the poorest of Americans, have seen the closures accelerate. Tennessee, for example, has shed 500 beds since 2014, when a federal law rst allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to a greater share of low-income people. It’s one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid.

More than 300 hospitals could be at risk for closure, an analysis by the Cecil G. Sheps Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found last month. The center tracks rural hospital closures.

“Substantial cuts to Medicaid or Medicare payments could increase the number of unpro table rural hospitals and elevate their risk of nancial distress,” the analysis concluded. “In response, hospitals may be forced to reduce service lines, convert to a di erent type of health care facility, or close altogether.”

dollars from the county, however, the funding is a variable source and changes from year to year and de cits in the sales tax projections can result in the district having to even potentially repay back some of that money. “That is a variable source of income,’ Moore said. “It can be more, it can be less. I wish it weren’t a variable source of income, but based on how this happens in this community, it is a variable source of income. In September, we’re either going to owe them or they’re going to owe us.” At last month’s meeting, the

county’s projected sales tax revenue looked to be below the amount they paid to the school system based on their projections. This would have resulted in the district having to repay the county more than $1 million. District sta therefore toyed with the idea of potentially reducing the Article 46 supplement by $25 (it’s currently a $300 per month base rate) to cover the potential hit. However, updated projections from the county showed sales tax numbers back on track, and so the interim superintendent no longer

recommended reducing the supplement.

“These are all green numbers,” said board member Steve Wood. “They are good numbers and this is good news. It’s not a solution nor a panacea for our nancial crisis, but it is good news, and I hope everyone understands and appreciates that.” Moore also stated the district would begin splitting out the Article 46 supplement from the regular local monthly supplement on paychecks to provide more nancial clarity.

The WSFCS Board of Education will next meet Aug. 12.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

An employee surveys the damage at the Great Outdoor Provision Co. after it was ooded during Tropical Storm Chantal in Chapel Hill.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

A reminder of what’s so great about America

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system.

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S recent 249th

birthday, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the most incredible things about her. We are a nation of settlers. This is the country where ancestors risked — and often lost — their lives in pursuit of religious freedom and opportunity. From the May ower to the Oregon Trail, they persevered in extreme hardship. Davy Crockett and Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire children.

We defeated the mighty British Empire to secure our independence. American soldiers endured the cold, disease and death of Valley Forge. Under the instruction of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian, the Army emerged with greater discipline, unity and skill.

Our country’s founding documents are marvels. The Declaration of Independence eloquently lays out the purpose of government — to secure our God-given, unalienable rights. The Constitution, drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, history and political philosophers, uses checks and balances to limit the government’s power.

At the cost of hundreds of thousands of Union lives, we threw o the scourge of slavery. Our heroes are too numerous to mention, but include Nathan Hale, Harriet Tubman, Teddy Roosevelt and Billy Graham. Our land is beautiful. Consider the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls and the stunning views in Canyonlands National Park. Our beaches, from Hawaii to California to the East Coast, draw people from around the world.

We conquered the continent with the Transcontinental Railroad and later, the Interstate Highway System. We completed the Empire State Building in less than 14 months. We built the Hoover Dam. We carved the faces

AP PHOTO

Workers laying tracks for Central Paci c Railroad pause for a moment at camp “Victory,” a few miles from Promontory, Utah, on April 28, 1869. The “last spike” was driven on May 10, 1869 in Promontory to complete the rst transcontinental railroad.

of our greatest presidents into the side of a mountain.

We created the rst airplane in 1903. Less than 70 years later, we put a man on the moon.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system. The average American enjoys luxuries, like air conditioning, air travel, cell phones and microwaves, that the richest people 200 years ago could scarcely have dreamed of.

We have the best athletes in the world.

We have more than twice as many Olympic medals as the next-closest country — the Soviet Union, which doesn’t even exist

anymore. American football is way more exciting than the world’s version of that sport.

We have the mightiest military in the history of the world. We played pivotal roles in winning World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Our B-2 bombers can take o from Missouri, successfully bomb a buried Iranian nuclear site and return home without landing. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. Here are two ways leftist cynics attempt to disparage America. For one, they’ll claim America is de ned by her faults, not her accomplishments. Note well that they don’t apply that standard to their heroes. In 1969, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy drove o a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. That accident resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The left spent the next 40 years celebrating him anyway.

This hypocrisy shows the left doesn’t truly believe you should de ne countries or people by their aws. They just hope those who love America and her heroes do.

The left also attempts to sever our connection to this marvelous history. They tear down monuments to American heroes like Thomas Je erson and Christopher Columbus. They rename holidays. They teach children that America’s success comes from oppressing others. You aren’t just an individual. You are part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a state, which is part of a country. Celebrating your country is both good and natural. It should be easy to do when it’s the greatest country in the history of the world.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.

Terminate the Green New Scam now

Our $37-trillionin-debt government ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

AS OF THIS WRITING, it’s impossible to know exactly how much Green New Scam spending has been cut by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even members of Congress have no idea. But I’m not worried. President Donald Trump can terminate all Green New Spending any day he chooses.

Goldman Sachs estimated that the climate spending portion of the 2022 In ation Reduction Act (i.e., the Green New Scam) was worth about $1.2 trillion by 2032. The total may actually have been greater as it’s extraordinarily di cult to kill o federal subsidies.

By the time Trump was inaugurated, the Biden administration had spent somewhere around $150 billion of the money, including much in red states buying Republican politicians so that they would be reluctant to roll back the spending during opportunities for scal responsibility like the OBBBA.

The House version of the OBBBA may have cut as much as 50% of the remaining Green New Scam spending. The Senate version that passed on July 1 “gutted” what the House did, according to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). So where are we? Who knows. The good news is it really doesn’t matter.

Green New Scam spending on wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and utility-scale batteries is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The supposed need to reduce such emissions is factually premised on a 2009 determination, called the “endangerment nding,” by the Obama

EPA. The nding concluded that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are harming the public health and welfare through global warming. Regardless of how you feel about climate science, the Supreme Court made the Obama EPA’s determination de facto illegal in its 2022 decision in West Virginia v. EPA. In that case, the Court determined that EPA requires the express authorization by Congress to engage in major undertakings such as greenhouse gas regulation. No such authorization has ever existed.

On Day 1 of his second term, Trump ordered the endangerment nding to be reviewed with an eye toward terminating it. Trump has, after all, repeatedly stated that he believes global warming is a “hoax.”

In April, Trump issued an executive order directing that regulations made illegal by recent Supreme Court decisions could be terminated summarily, and without the lengthy public notice and comment usually required by the Administrative Procedure Act. This makes total sense. Why keep illegal regulations in e ect?

If the illegal endangerment nding were terminated summarily there would be no factual basis for any Green New Scam spending. Trump could simply stop cutting checks for subsidies, thereby solving the Green New Scam problem.

The Trump administration, of course, would soon nd itself in court, but that is nothing new. And Trump would clearly have the high legal and moral ground: Our $37-trillion-in-debt government

ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

Coincidentally, the EPA submitted just its proposal to roll back or terminate the endangerment nding to the White House O ce of Management and Budget this week. No one outside the government knows what’s in the proposal or when it would be issued. There are two general ways to accomplish rollback of the endangerment nding. The preferred way is what has been previously described. It’s quick and easy. The other way is to do it through standard public notice and comment, which will take longer and be much less certain in outcome. Both would wind up in court, but the preferred way tees up the issue better from a legal standpoint. Republicans are often squirrely when it comes to green issues, imagining that the public is more supportive of green policies than it really is. Trump had the courage to drop multiple 30,000-pound bombs on a nuclear facility in Iran. It is certainly much easier to simply terminate an illegal regulation we can’t a ord. He should just do it now. Steve Milloy, a biostatistician and lawyer, publishes JunkScience.com. This article was published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Underwater turbine spinning o Scotland’s coast a breakthrough

It’s been capturing tidal energy for six years

By Jennifer McDermott The Associated Press

SUBMERGED in about 44 yards of water o Scotland’s coast, a turbine has been spinning for more than six years to harness the power of ocean tides for electricity — a durability mark demonstrating the technology’s commercial viability.

Keeping a large, or grid-scale, turbine in place in the harsh sea environment that long is a record that helps pave the way for bigger tidal energy farms and makes it far more appealing to investors, according to the trade association Ocean Energy Europe. Tidal energy projects would be prohibitively expensive if the turbines had to be taken out of the water for maintenance every couple of years.

Tidal energy technologies are still in the early days of their commercial development, but their potential for generating clean energy is big. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, marine energy, a term researchers use to refer to power generated from tides, currents, waves or temperature changes, is the world’s largest untapped renewable energy resource.

The MeyGen tidal energy project o the coast of Scotland has four turbines producing 1.5 megawatts each, enough

Tidal turbines are installed at the MeyGen tidal site located in the Inner Sound of the Pentland

Firth, a narrow channel of water between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island, in 2018.

electricity collectively to power up to 7,000 homes annually. On Thursday, the Swedish company SKF announced that its bearings and seals on one of the turbines had passed the 6½year mark without unplanned or disruptive maintenance. It has been working closely with the industry for a decade on design and testing. Achieving six years in the water with constant operations is a “very signi cant milestone” that bodes well for the future of tidal

energy, said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe. Scotland and the United Kingdom are global leaders in tidal energy. The MeyGen site, operated by SAE Renewables, has been sending electricity to the grid for about eight years. There are very few tidal energy projects generating electricity continuously. Most have been tests and demonstrations, said Andrea Copping, an expert in marine renewable energy development. Copping said there

are still large hurdles to overcome before tidal energy can be adopted more widely, such as dealing with regulatory issues, potential environmental e ects and con icts with other ocean users. Still, the Scotland project seems to have addressed whether the turbines can last in seawater, added Copping, a distinguished faculty fellow in the School of Marine and Environmental A airs at the University of Washington.

“I think they have checked the boxes,” she said. “Because skeptics, and that includes investors, of course, and governments, said, ‘How on Earth are you going to operate these things, especially for any length of time in this very tough environment?’ And that’s what I think they proved.”

It’s very hard to take what is essentially a wind turbine normally found on land and put it under water, said Fraser Johnson, operations and maintenance manager at MeyGen. The record-setting turbine should keep going for at least another year before it needs to come out of the water for maintenance, he added.

The four turbines are in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island known for strong tidal currents. Tidal energy systems need strong currents to make electricity efficiently. MeyGen plans to add 20 turbines in 2030 to produce more electricity, after needed upgrades to the electricity grid are finished. The site could eventually hold as many as 130 turbines that are more powerful than those at the site today.

The MeyGen site is in the open water, while another type of tidal project involves creating a dam-like structure called a barrage across tidal waters. With four turbines, MeyGen is considered the largest tidal energy project of its kind worldwide, said Johnson.

“It’s a title we wish we didn’t have. We want more, we want others,” Johnson added. “Unfortunately, others are having di culty achieving what MeyGen has achieved. But working with SKF moving forward, we’ll push the industry forward.”

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts, sending searing-hot ash miles high

Debris was ung as far as 5 miles away from the mountain

By Niniek Karmini

The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending a column of volcanic materials up to 11 miles into the sky, dumping ash on villages and causing ight cancellations. No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption June 18, and an exclusion zone had been doubled to a 4.3mile radius as eruptions became more frequent.

Indonesia’s Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of sear-

ing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 3 miles down the slopes of the 5,197foot mountain. Observations from drones showed lava lling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set o earthquakes.

The initial column of hot clouds that rose just after 11 a.m. local time was the volcano’s highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wa d, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March.

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,” Wa d told The Associated Press. “We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.”

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation.”

Muhammad Wa d, head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency

The volcano erupted again just after 7:30 p.m., spewing lava and sending clouds of ash up to 8 miles into the air, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.

By Monday afternoon, at least 24 ights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others delayed, while ights on

four domestic routes were canceled, said Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali’s Ngurah Rai international airport. He said the airport was running normally despite the cancellations, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not a ected Bali’s airspace. Falling ash after the initial eruption blanketed several villages with debris and blocked sunlight for almost half an hour, Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said in a statement. He said volcanic materials, including thumb-size fragments of gravel and ash, were thrown up to 5 miles from the crater. He warned residents to be vigilant about heavy rainfall that could trigger lava ows in rivers originating from the volcano.

Photos and videos circulated on social media showed the ash cloud expanding into a mushroom shape as tons of volcanic debris covered houses up to their rooftops in nearby villages. Some residents ran in panic under the rain of volcanic material or ed with motorbikes and cars. Monday’s eruptions resulted from the accumulation of energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while building up pressure, Wijaya said.

The initial eruption was one of Indonesia’s largest since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country’s most volatile volcano, erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate.

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

BADAN GEOLOGI VIA AP

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spews volcanic materials during an eruption in East Flores, Indonesia, on Monday.

FRASER JOHNSON / MEYGEN VIA AP

Forsyth SPORTS

Rebuilding Pac-12 gets its needed 8th football school

The new-look conference added Texas State from the Sun Belt

The Associated Press

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State is joining the Pac-12, giving the rebuilding conference the eighth football-playing school it needed to maintain its status as an FBS conference.

The Pac-12 and Texas State announced the Bobcats from the Sun Belt Conference will join holdovers Oregon State and Washington State, along with private school Gonzaga and Mountain West-departing schools Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State as the nine foundational members of the recon gured Pac-12 that will ocially launch next summer.

Since Gonzaga doesn’t eld a football team, the Pac-12 needed one more to remain eligible as a Football Bowl Subdivision league. Only Oregon State and Washington State had remained in the Pac-12 after the departures of 10 teams to the three other power conferences: the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12.

Texas State regents approved a $5 million buyout to leave the Sun Belt, a day before the amount of that exit fee was set to double.

The Bobcats will become an all-sports member of the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026, after being in the Sun Belt since 2013, a year after their FBS debut in their only season in the Western Athletic Conference. They were 8-5 each of the past two seasons.

Texas State’s campus in San

Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud smokes a cigar with teammates after winning the First Responder Bowl in January.

Marcos is only about 35 miles south of the University of Texas in Austin. It will be the farthest from the West Coast the Pac-12 has had an all-sports member. Arkansas-Little Rock is now an a liate member for wrestling.

When the 10 former Pac-12 teams o cially departed last year, that created coast-to-coast conferences. Oregon, Washington, Southern California and UCLA went to the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined the Big 12; and Stanford and California became ACC members.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac12,” Commissioner Teresa Gould said. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.”

The Pac-12 last week struck a media-rights deal with CBS to

broadcast a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and provide a cable and streaming presence for the league from 2026-31.

Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill in a statement thanked the Texas State sta for its “collaboration and leadership through a transformative era in college athletics” while also touting the league’s recent football success, including 12 of 14 teams making bowl games in 2023, and seven more last year.

“I will continue to update our stakeholders on developments whenever possible as we work to ensure the sustained rise of the Sun Belt Conference, a collection of like-minded, regional rivals with winning football traditions, passionate fanbases and enduring commitments to excellence in all sports,” Gill said.

Texas State is a national research university with more than 40,000 students, and has one of the 25 largest undergraduate enrollments among public universities in the United States. Kelly Damphousse, the president of Texas State, called joining the Pac-12 more than an athletic move.

“It is a declaration of our rising national pro le, our commitment to excellence, and our readiness to compete and collaborate with some of the most respected institutions in the country,” Damphousse said. “Our acceptance into the Pac-12 a rms the strength of our academic vision, our commitment to providing access to a Texas State degree, the momentum of our athletic programs, and the ambition that de nes this institution.”

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Cole Rice

Reagan alum, baseball

Cole Rice is a sophomore catcher for the High Point Hushpuppies. Rice is a Pfa town native, a graduate of Reagan High School and formerly a Wake Forest Demon Deacon. This summer, he’s tearing up the diamond for High Point and was recently named the starting catcher in the Old North League All-Star Game.

Van Gisbergen wins in Chicago once again, completing NASCAR weekend sweep

New Zealand native became the winningest foreign-born Cup Series driver

By Jay Cohen The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Shane Van Gisbergen completed a Windy City sweep, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky street course in downtown Chicago.

“Epic weekend for us. I’m a lucky guy,” van Gisbergen said.

The 36-year-old New Zealand native became the second driver to sweep the X nity and Cup races in a single weekend from the pole, joining Kyle Busch at Indianapolis in 2016. With his third

“This joint, it’s changed my life.”

career Cup win, he also became the winningest foreign-born driver on NASCAR’s top series.

It was van Gisbergen’s second victory of the season after the Trackhouse Racing driver also won last month on a Mexico City road course.

“He’s the best road course stock car racer that I’ve ever seen,” Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said. “I think when he’s done with us all and walks away from the

sport, I think he’s going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen.”

Marks brought van Gisbergen over from Australia’s Supercars for the rst edition of NASCAR’s Chicago experiment in 2023, and he became the rst driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963.

He also won Chicago’s X nity Series stop last year and the rst stage in the Cup race before he was knocked out by a crash.

“This joint, it’s changed my life,” van Gisbergen said. “I didn’t have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I rst came over here, and I never thought I’d be in NASCAR full time.”

In what might be the last NASCAR race on the downtown

Chicago circuit, Ty Gibbs was second and Tyler Reddick nished third. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ve. Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog and rain moved into downtown Chicago, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. AJ Allmendinger was sixth, and Ryan Preece nished seventh. Ryan Blaney, who won the second stage, was 12th. William Byron’s day was cut short by a clutch problem. The Hendrick Motorsports driver leads the point standings by 13 points over Chase Elliott.

After Michael McDowell seized the lead early in the race,

Carson Hocevar caused a multicar crash when he hit the wall and spun out between Turns 10 and 11. Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suárez and Will Brown were among the drivers collected in the wreck.

“I didn’t see it until the last second,” Keselowski said. “I slowed down and I actually felt I was going to get stopped, and then I just kind of got ran over from behind. It’s just a narrow street course, and sometimes there’s nowhere to go.”

Ty Dillon and Reddick moved into the third round of the Cup Series’ inaugural in-season tournament when Keselowski and Hocevar were unable to nish the race. Dillon, the No. 32 seed, eliminated Keselowski after he upset top-seeded Denny Hamlin last weekend at Atlanta. Bowman, the 2024 champion on the downtown street course, won his head-to-head matchup with Bubba Wallace. Bowman and Wallace made contact as they battled for position late in the race after they also tangled in Chicago last year.

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

ERIN HOOLEY / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen on the Chicago street course

Shane van Gisbergen holds the trophy after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on Chicago’s street course.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA

NBA free agent

Beasley under gambling investigation

Detroit

NBA free agent Malik

Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s o ce regarding gambling allegations tied to league games. “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement. The probe into Beasley comes 14 months after the NBA banned Toronto’s Jontay Porter, who was linked to a prop bet investigation and eventually pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud.

NCAA FOOTBALL

NBC names Fareed as host for Big Ten football, Peacock’s NBA coverage

Stamford, Conn.

Ahmed Fareed will host NBC’s Big Ten football studio show as well as Peacock’s NBA coverage on Monday nights. Fareed was an occasional studio host during the rst two years of NBC’s Big Ten package but will move into the lead role with Maria Taylor becoming the host of the network’s NBA coverage on Tuesday night and Sunday night when the NFL season concludes. Fareed is NBC Sports’ third NBA announcement in the past week. Taylor was named the main studio host and Grant Hill was hired as a game analyst last week.

NFL

Hairston, Bills’ 1st-round pick, accused of sexual assault

Bu alo, N.Y.

Bu alo Bills rst-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2021. The lawsuit, led in Kentucky, alleges Hairston entered a woman’s dorm room uninvited and assaulted her while he was on the Kentucky football team. The Bills referred to earlier remarks by general manager Brandon Beane, who said the team had investigated the allegations and found no substance to them. Hairston was drafted 30th overall in April. He is competing for a starting cornerback position.

MLB Jenks, 2-time All-Star closer and World Series champ with White Sox, dead at 44

Chicago Bobby Jenks, a two -time All- Star closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, died at 44. Jenks died in Sintra, Portugal. He was being treated there for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. Jenks helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, saving four games in six appearances during the postseason. He retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever. Jenks appeared in a game for the Winston-Salem Warthogs on injury rehab in 2008.

Manager Martinez, general manager Rizzo red by last-place Nationals

The team has had six straight losing seasons since its 2019 championship

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were red by the Washington Nationals in moves that were surprising for their timing, even if the club is more than halfway through its sixth consecutive losing season since winning the 2019 World Series.

Senior VP and assistant GM Mike DeBartolo is taking over for Rizzo on an interim basis.

A replacement for Martinez wasn’t named immediately.

“While we are appreciative of their past successes,” Nationals owner Mark Lerner said in a statement issued by the team, “the on- eld performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be. This is a pivotal time for our club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.”

Rizzo’s time running the Na-

Three rookies were chosen for the game for the rst time in 14 years

By Doug Feinberg The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will be making their All-Star debuts in Indianapolis later this month as they were all chosen on Sunday as reserves for the game. Thornton has been in the league for nine years and nally is getting her chance to play in the exhibition game. She was selected in the expansion draft by Golden State last year from New York and has helped the expansion team get o to a good start.

“It would be such a reward for her,” said New York’s Sandy Brondello, who will be one of the All- Star coaches. “She’s been a role player all her career, but to go into a new organization and do so well, I voted for her as an alternate to get there because she deserves it.”

Williams has been in the league for six seasons, although she’s missed time to play with France’s national team. She’s having a strong season for Seattle this year.

Washington rookies Iriafen and Citron join Dallas’ Paige Bueckers as rst-year players on the All-Star team. Bueckers was chosen as a starter. It’s the rst

tionals is over after more than a decade and a half. One of the Lerner family’s rst hires when it assumed control of the organization, Rizzo had been GM since 2009 and added the title of president of baseball operations in 2013.

“He played an instrumental role in leading the transformation of our farm system and building a roster that reached an unprecedented level of organizational success,” Lerner said. “Mike helped make us who we are as an organization, and we’re so thankful to him for his hard work and dedication.”

Martinez’s full record with the Nationals was 500 - 622. Martinez had never been a manager at any level when Rizzo hired him to replace Dusty Baker before the 2018 season. The Nationals went 82-80 in Martinez’s rst season and got o to a 19-31 start the following year, leading to some calls for him to be replaced.

But Rizzo stuck with Martinez, and that decision paid o in a big way: Led by starting pitchers Stephen Strasburg, who earned World Series MVP honors, and Max Scherzer, rookie out elder Juan Soto,

“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a di cult, but necessary move in a positive direction,” Mark Lerner, Washington owner

young shortstop Trea Turner and a string of veterans — including Howie Kendrick, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon — the Nationals won the franchise’s rst title.

No one from the World Series roster is still playing for the franchise.

Washington took a step back in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and then Rizzo began tearing apart the roster, making a series of trades that sent Scherzer, Soto, Turner and others elsewhere. The reconstruction has continued, without much in the way of concrete progress in the standings to show for it, although the team does have

some building blocks that show promise, including starter MacKenzie Gore and out elder James Wood — both named NL All-Stars on Sunday — along with shortstop CJ Abrams, who was an All-Star a year ago.

“Nationals fans have a lot to be optimistic about, and we see these changes as a di cult, but necessary move in a positive direction,” Lerner said.

“As has been the case since my late father took control of the team almost 20 years ago, our family remains committed to winning.” Washington nished fourth or fth in the NL East every year from 2020 through 2024, never putting together a higher winning percentage than the .438 (71-91) each of the last two seasons.

“I’ve always appreciated and admired Davey’s passion for the game of baseball and the love he has for his players,” Lerner said. “Davey’s ability to connect with our sta , our players, our fans and our community set him apart. While this chapter has come to an end, we know that it doesn’t close the book on what should continue to be a long and successful career in baseball.”

time that three rookies will be playing in the game since 2011.

Other reserves chosen include Seattle’s Skylar Diggins, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum, Minnesota’ Courtney Williams, Las Vegas’ Jackie Young and Chicago’s Angel Reese.

“It means a lot to go with these other two,” said Diggins, who will be making her seventh All- Star appearance, of playing with teammates Nneka Ogwumike and Williams. Thomas will be making her sixth all-star appearance and rst with Phoenix.

“Anytime you’re an All- Star, it’s a huge honor,” Thomas said. “There are a lot of great players in the league. To be around this long and it to be my sixth is a great honor.”

The reserves were selected by the WNBA’s 13 head coaches, who each voted for three guards, ve frontcourt players and four players at either position regardless of conference. The coaches were not able to vote for their own players.

Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their teams for the All- Star Game on July 19. First they’ll chose from the eight other starters: Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Bueckers, Ogwumike, former UNC Tar Heel Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Aliyah Boston.

Some notable players left off the team were Washington’s Brittney Sykes, Atlanta’s Brionna Jones, New York’s Natasha Cloud and Los Angeles’ Dearica Hamby, a former Wake Forest Demon Deacon.

The Connecticut Sun were the only team without an All-Star selection.

“Anytime you’re an All-Star, it’s a huge honor. There are a lot of great players in the league.”

Alyssa Thomas

JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO

From right, Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22), Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) battle for the ball during a game last week.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez, left, watches with general manager Mike Rizzo during spring training.

the stream

Spielberg looks back at ‘Jaws,’ Backstreet’s back, alt icons Pavement get documentary

Peyton Manning’s “Quarterback” returns to Net ix

The Associated Press

STEVEN SPIELBERG reecting on his shark blockbuster in the documentary “Jaws @ 50,” “Pavements” and Backstreet Boys “Millennium 2.0.” are some of the shows, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time: Burna Boy’s eighth studio album, EA Sports’ College Football 26 and Season 10 of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

Spielberg re ects on the “life-altering experience” that was “Jaws,” which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, in the new documentary “Jaws @ 50: The De nitive Inside Story,” streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Friday. Voices include those who worked on the lm, like composer John Williams, production designer Joe Alves and actors like Jonathan Filley and Lorriane Gary, as well as lmmaker luminaries from James Cameron and Jordan Peele to George Lucas. Alex Ross Perry’s experimental documentary, “Pavements,” about the ’90s indie band Pavement (“Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain”) will be streaming on Mubi on Friday. There are actors (“Stranger Things’” Joe Keery, Nat Wol , Jason Schwartzman), the real guys (Stephen Malkmus), archival footage and irreverent stagings that help evoke the spirit of the band and kind of tell their story as unconventionally as possible.

Writer- director Mark Anthony Green’s debut movie “Opus,” a cult-horror about a reclusive pop star and a mysterious retreat, did not receive the best reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. But it touts the kind of cast and intriguing premise that makes it a hard-toresist curiosity, with Ayo Edebiri and John Malkovich leading, that begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday. In his AP review, Mark Kennedy wrote, “How both could be totally miscast will haunt your dreams.” Kennedy added, “Green wobbles as he tries to land this plane and what had been an intriguing premise to talk about fame

and the parasitic industries that live o it turns into a gross-out, run-for-it bloodfest and a plot that unravels.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, a leading voice in Afrobeats, will release his eighth studio album, “No Sign of Weakness,” on Thursday. It’s a high- energy good time, as rst made apparent in the percussion-heavy “TaTaTa” featuring rapper Travis Scott. It was one of the best-selling albums of all time. On Friday, Backstreet Boys’ 1999 boy band classic, “Millennium,” gets a facelift with the release of “Millennium 2.0.” It’s a deluxe reissue, now with a brand-new song, B -sides and live recordings.

SERIES TO STREAM

ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” marks its 10th season this summer with a golden twist. Contestants from “The Golden Bachelor” and “The Golden Bachelorette” are sent to a resort in Costa Rica to have fun in the sun and possibly make romantic connections. Jesse Palmer hosts with Bachelor Nation favorites Wells Adams serving as in-house bartender and Hannah Brown, who is in charge of Paradise Relations, whatever

“A good voice isn’t so important. It’s more important to sound really unique.”

Stephen

Malkmus

that means. It is streaming now on Hulu. Peyton Manning’s Net ix docuseries “Quarterback” returns for a second season. Cameras follow NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jared Go of The Detroit Lions and Kirk Cousins. Cousins was also featured in Season 1 as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, but in Season 2, we see him su er a torn Achilles injury. He eventually parts ways with the Vikings and signs with the Atlanta Falcons. All eight episodes are ready to watch.

There’s a “Bosch” spino streaming on Prime Video focusing on LAPD homicide detective Renée Ballard (who you may recognize from the “Bosch: Legacy” series nale.) “Ballard,” starring Maggie Q as the titular character, is also based on books by Michael Connelly.

Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network presents “a social experiment” where three families live “Little House

on the Prairie”-style for eight weeks. “Back to the Frontier” streams a new episode for eight weeks beginning Thursday on Max. Meg Stalter of “Hacks” stars in a new Net ix comedy from Lena Dunham called “Too Much.” It’s a semi-autobiographical story about Dunham’s life about a heartbroken New Yorker who moves to London to begin anew and nds herself drawn to a musician (Will Sharpe,) against her better judgment. An impressive roster of talent, including Andrew Rannells, Naomi Watts, Kit Harington, Andrew Scott, Rhea Perlman, Richard E. Grant and Rita Ora, make appearances. All 10 episodes drop Thursday. Dexter Morgan takes Manhattan in “Dexter: Resurrection,” a sequel to 2021’s “Dexter: New Blood.” Michael C. Hall reprises his role as the serial killer who hunts other serial killers. In “Resurrection,” Dexter meets a secret society of serial killers led by a character played by Peter Dinklage. David Zayas continues his role of detective Angel Batista from the original. It premieres Friday. The cast of “Love Island USA” was so popular, they’ve got their own spin- o called “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” The show follows six of the core cast living in LA as they adjust to the

limelight and attempt to maintain their relationships. It debuts Sunday on Peacock. MGM+ has an adaptation of Stephen King’s 2019 novel “The Institute.” It’s about a teenage boy named Luke — with an exceptionally high intellect — who wakes up a strange, unknown facility run by the government that imprisons kids with unique abilities. The sci- horror series is eight- episodes and stars Ben Barnes and Mary-Louise Parker. It premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

What’s in the works for EA Sports’ College Football 26? Dozens of new mascots! We’re talking Oregon State’s Benny the Beaver, Akron’s Zippy the Kangaroo and the already legendary Pop -Tarts mascot. Real-life coaches like Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Georgia’s Kirby Smart are joining the fun. EA drew a huge audience last year when it returned to the NCAA gridiron after a decade-long hiatus, and this season promises 2,800 new plays and unique coaching schemes to go along with slicker graphics and tighter gameplay. The real season is still more than a month away, but you can begin your tailgate party Thursday on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.

UTOPIA VIA AP

Joe Keery portrays Stephen Malkmus in a scene from “Pavements.”

PATRICK WYMORE / PRIME VIDEO VIA AP

Maggie Q and Michael Mosley star in the “Bosch” spino “Ballard.”

STATE & NATION

Federal agents, National Guard make show of force in LA park

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles expressed anger at the action

By Tara Copp and Damian Dovarganes The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dozens of federal o cers in tactical gear and about 90 members of the California National Guard were deployed for about an hour Monday to a mostly empty park in a Los Angeles neighborhood with a large immigrant population. It wasn’t immediately known if any arrests were made.

Defense o cials had said the troops and more than a dozen military vehicles would help protect immigration ocers as they carried out a raid in MacArthur Park.

“What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who was among the small crowd that watched as o cers moved through a section of the park in the late morning and then got back in the vehicles and cleared out. Some activists who had earlier warned people to leave the area lmed the o cers.

The operation occurred at a park in a neighborhood with large Mexican, Central American and other immigrant populations, and it is lined by businesses with signs in Spanish and other languages that has been dubbed by local o cials as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast.” Messages were sent to Immi-

gration and Customs Enforcement seeking additional details.

Jeannette Zanipatin with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights saw the brief but prominent presence of troops and federal o cers at the park.

“I de nitely think it’s a source of intimidation,” she said. “We know that the Trump administration is trying to make an example of Los Angeles.”

The operation in the large park about 2 miles west of downtown LA included 17 Humvees, four tactical vehicles, two ambulances and armed soldiers, defense o cials said. It came after President Donald Trump deployed thousands of Guard members and active duty Marines to the city last month following protests over previous immigration raids.

Trump has stepped up e orts to realize his campaign pledge of deporting millions of immigrants in the United States illegally and shown a willingness to use the nation’s military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided.

Betsy Bolte, who lives nearby, came to the park after seeing a military-style helicopter circling. She arrived to see federal o cers on horseback moving through a grassy area, with activists and passersby shouting at them.

Bolte didn’t see any arrests and said it was “gut-wrenching” to witness what appeared to be a federal show of force on the streets of a U.S. city.

“It’s terror and, you know, it’s ripping the heart and soul out of Los Angeles,” she said. “I am

Shriners Children’s to open $153M medical research facility in Atlanta

It’s coming to a new Georgia Tech science research campus

By Je Amy The Associated Press

ATLANTA — The nonprofit that operates Shriners Children’s hospitals across North America will locate a $153 million medical research facility in Atlanta, the group announced last Wednesday.

Shriners Children’s Research Institute intends to conduct research into cell and gene therapies, other biotechnology therapies, robotics, arti cial intelligence, medical devices and the study of data.

Shriners Children’s operates 17 hospitals in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada, plus clinics. The system is owned by Shriners International, a Masonic

order. It specializes in treating children with orthopedic problems, burns, urology disorders

and craniofacial conditions, including cleft lips and palates. While the organization accepts

Federal agents stage at MacArthur Park on Monday in Los

still in shock, disbelief, and so angry and terri ed and heartbroken.”

The defense o cials told reporters it was not a military operation but acknowledged that the size and scope of the Guard’s participation could make it look like one to the public. That is why the o cials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details about the raid that were not announced publicly.

“It’s just going to be more overt and larger than we usually participate in,” one of the ocials said before the raid ended abruptly with no explanation.

The primary role of the service members would be to protect the immigration enforcement o cers in case a hostile crowd gathered, that o cial said. They are not participating

insurance payments, it treats patients regardless of their ability to pay.

“This is a decision of the health care system to expand the role we play in pediatric research,” said Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children’s. He said the institute will be nanced using the Shriners Children’s resources and should be operating within a year to 18 months.

The institute projects it will have 470 employees, many of them new hires, and Georgia Tech said it will be the largest tenant at Science Square. That is a mixed-use development that Georgia Tech is developing along with the Trammell Crow Co.

Georgia Tech owns the land adjoining its campus near downtown Atlanta, while the company built labs that opened last year. The development aims to emulate Georgia Tech’s success in joint developments with technology companies in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood. That tech sector has been a major driver of growth in Atlanta in recent years, and o cials are now trying to bolster growth from biomedical research.

in any law enforcement activities such as arrests, but service members can temporarily detain citizens if necessary before handing them over to law enforcement, the o cial said.

Sprawling MacArthur Park has a murky lake ringed by palm trees, an amphitheater that hosts summer concerts and sports elds where immigrant families line up to play soccer in the evenings and on weekends. A thoroughfare on the east side is often crammed with unlicensed food stands selling tacos and other delicacies, along with vendors speaking multiple languages and hawking cheap T- shirts, toys, knickknacks and household items.

Authorities routinely clear encampments, and medical outreach teams tend to homeless residents.

Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said he received a credible tip about the operation Monday.

“It was a demonstration of escalation,” Newman said. “This was a reality TV spectacle much more so than an actual enforcement operation.” Since federal agents have been making arrests at Home Depot parking lots and elsewhere in Los Angeles, Newman said fewer people have been going to the park and immigrant neighborhoods near the city’s downtown.

“The ghost town-i cation of LA is haunting, to say the very least,” he said.

More than 4,000 California National Guard and hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed in Los Angeles since June — against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Last week, the military announced about 200 of those troops would be returned to their units to ght wild res.

Leanne West, the chief engineer of pediatric technology at Georgia Tech, said the university has already conducted 25 projects with Shriners Children’s. She said both Georgia Tech and Emory University will lend research expertise to the institute, and she hopes institute employees can work alongside Georgia Tech researchers.

“The goal is to really help embed some of their researchers here with Georgia Tech, to walk across campus, to work in the same labs, to have that physical presence together,” West said. “I think we can accomplish great things by doing that.”

The state and local governments are providing incentives to Shriners Children’s, although it is not exactly clear how that would work because nonpro ts are generally exempt from income and property taxes. In Georgia, nonpro t organizations have to pay sales taxes, which means the state could waive such taxes on equipment purchases. Jessica Atwell, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the state won’t release documents until they are nalized.

STEVE YEATER / AP PHOTO

Shriners Children’s Research Institute — which operates 17 hospitals, including one in Sacramento, California — plans a new research facility in Atlanta in conjunction with Georgia Tech.

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP PHOTO

Angeles.

Exploding with joy

Towns around North Carolina celebrated America’s 249th birthday on Friday, July 4.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

3 dead as ash ooding hits mountain village in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M.

O cials say monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered ash ooding that killed three people and was so intense an entire house was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer retreat.

The village of Ruidoso said in a statement that a man, a 4-year-old girl and 7-year- old boy were swept away Tuesday by oodwaters.

Three people earlier had been reported missing, but it wasn’t immediately clear early Wednesday whether those were the same three who died.

The water in the Ruidoso area had receded by Tuesday night, and search and rescue and swift water rescue teams were scouring the town for the missing people.

Searchers in helicopters, on horseback scour Texas ood debris for missing Hunt, Texas

The search is continuing for more than 160 people believed to be missing in Texas days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people. But questions remain about the extent of a catastrophe that stretched far past the borders of a single summer camp. Many of those who are not accounted for were staying in the state’s Hill Country but did not register at a camp or hotel. The 161 missing are believed to be in Kerr County.

Hoke County employees to start required customer service training

The training will apparently be mandatory and continuous for all employees

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — The Hoke County Board of Commissioners met July 7 for a short meeting, but one of the most notable updates came near the end of it.

According to the county manager, Hoke County sta will start to undergo mandatory customer service training in the coming months.

“I’m bringing someone in to do that, and they’re going to be doing some of that training now that I have an HR Di-

rector that can do that,” said county manager Letitia Edens.

“It will be mandatory and it will be kept up.

“I want to make sure our citizens get good customer service out of our employees, and so we’re going to be providing some of that training that they have to go to. We’ll keep track of that and also start bringing on more.”

In addition, the board also approved a few Health Department matters, including a change to some of its environmental fees.

“Environmental Health requested changing the sewage treatment and disposal systems soil evaluation fees mainly because of a few di erent changes,” said Health Director Helene Edwards. “The septic

system designs are now more complex, and the wells that are being put on are being put on smaller lots, so there’s more testing and more visits that are having to be done.”

The fee changes based upon the amount of gallons per day treated by the system:

• 1-1,000 gallons: $350 to $500

• 1,001-2,000 gallons: $350 to $600

• 2,001-3,000 gallons: $400 to $700

• 3,000-plus gallons: $500 to $800

“We’re still on the lower end (compared to neighboring counties),” Edwards said.

“We’re conservative, but sta felt that just an incremental increase would be wise for them.”

The board also approved the reappointment of Chris Pusey to the Hoke County Board of Health in lieu of the engineer member. It will be Pusey’s third term, which will go from August 2025 to August 2028.

Finally, the board approved the advertisement of a bid offer for the purchase of surplus property on Aggie’s Lane (Parcel #39402-00-01-048) in order to allow for any potential upset bids. The current o er is for $3,017.68 and once the advertisement is published, there will be a 10-day upset bid period. The Hoke County Board of Commissioners will next meet July 21.

Flooding from tropical storm remnants leads to closed roads, water rescues

Two canoers were missing after putting in at Jordan Lake

By Allen G. Breed

The Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — Heavy rain and ooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to ee their homes in central North Carolina, o cials said Monday. The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where oodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments, o cials said. More than 60 people were displaced Sunday and Monday. There were also water rescues at shopping centers, where water ooded businesses and parking lots, o cials said.

There were no reports of injuries as of Monday morning. Ofcials warned residents to take care as they ventured out Monday morning since crews were still assessing damage.

Floodwaters inundated Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossings shopping center, where the red-framed glass doors of a Talbots store were blown in and debris-specked white mannequins littered the oor. Next door at the Great Outdoor Provision Co., manager Chad Pickens said kayaks ended up 30 feet from where they had been on display and shelves in the shoe room were toppled like dominoes. Pickens said he was feeling pretty good as he watched the worst of the storm pass by on the news Sunday night, but then he got a call from the property manager.

“I knew when I saw her name on my caller ID that we

had indeed ooded,” he said. What happened there pales in comparison to the oods in Texas, he said.

“The bottom line is these are just things, and while it hurts to lose things, it’s a lot di erent to losing people,” Pickens said. A large brown dumpster had smashed into the outdoor dining area of a Shake Shack in the shopping center. The windows were blown out and chairs and cups were strewn everywhere.

Hua Jiang said he put in an order at the Shake Shack around 8:45 p.m. Sunday and about 10 minutes later, water started owing through the doors. People started panicking, and after about ve minutes, employees said they should make a run for it, he said. Jiang’s Toyota RAV4 was already ooded in the parking lot, so he went to a Chipotle that was on higher ground.

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s

32.5

Feet the Haw River crested early Monday, the second-highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River.

life,” Jiang said, wiping sweat from his brow on Monday morning.

In Chatham County, authorities were searching Monday for two canoers who went missing during the storm, according to a county sheri ’s o ce news release. They were last seen launching their canoe on Jordan Lake late Sunday afternoon, and their canoe was recovered Sunday night, authorities said.

WEEKLY FORECAST THURSDAY

7.10.25

THURSDAY

FLOODING from page A1

Chatham County Sheri

Mike Roberson warned residents in a social media post that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel.

By Monday morning more than 100 roads were impacted by the storm, including 19 major roads, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said. All lanes of Interstate 85/ Interstate 40 were closed both directions near Durham and were expected to reopen in 24 to 48 hours, o cials said.

The Eno River crested early Monday at Durham at 25.63 feet, surpassing the previous record of 23.6 feet, according to the National Water Prediction Service’s website.

The Haw River crested early Monday at 32.5 feet, the second-highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River. That level was only eclipsed by Hurricane Fran in 1996, when the stage reached 32.83 feet, according to a post from the National Weather Service’s Raleigh o ce.

More than 30,000 customers were without power Monday morning, according to poweroutage.us.

Chantal continued northeast through mid-Atlantic states Monday as a tropical depression before brushing the southern New England coast

Monday night into Tuesday morning. Rainfall amounts of up to 10 inches were reported in portions of the interior mid-Atlantic.

Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded to a depression Sunday after making landfall near Litch eld Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday, the Na-

tional Hurricane Center in Miami said. By late morning Monday, the storm was about 30 miles north-northeast of Newport News, Virginia, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving northeast at about 17 mph. Flood watches were in e ect for parts of eastern Virginia, southern and eastern Maryland, Delaware, southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents at beaches from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states for the next couple of days.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

An employee surveys the damage at the Great Outdoor Provision Co. after it was ooded during Tropical Storm Chantal in Chapel Hill.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

A reminder of what’s so great about America

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system.

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S recent 249th

birthday, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the most incredible things about her. We are a nation of settlers. This is the country where ancestors risked — and often lost — their lives in pursuit of religious freedom and opportunity. From the May ower to the Oregon Trail, they persevered in extreme hardship. Davy Crockett and Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire children.

We defeated the mighty British Empire to secure our independence. American soldiers endured the cold, disease and death of Valley Forge. Under the instruction of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian, the Army emerged with greater discipline, unity and skill.

Our country’s founding documents are marvels. The Declaration of Independence eloquently lays out the purpose of government — to secure our God-given, unalienable rights. The Constitution, drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, history and political philosophers, uses checks and balances to limit the government’s power.

At the cost of hundreds of thousands of Union lives, we threw o the scourge of slavery. Our heroes are too numerous to mention, but include Nathan Hale, Harriet Tubman, Teddy Roosevelt and Billy Graham. Our land is beautiful. Consider the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls and the stunning views in Canyonlands National Park. Our beaches, from Hawaii to California to the East Coast, draw people from around the world.

We conquered the continent with the Transcontinental Railroad and later, the Interstate Highway System. We completed the Empire State Building in less than 14 months. We built the Hoover Dam. We carved the faces

AP PHOTO

Workers laying tracks for Central Paci c Railroad pause for a moment at camp “Victory,” a few miles from Promontory, Utah, on April 28, 1869. The “last spike” was driven on May 10, 1869 in Promontory to complete the rst transcontinental railroad.

of our greatest presidents into the side of a mountain.

We created the rst airplane in 1903. Less than 70 years later, we put a man on the moon.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system. The average American enjoys luxuries, like air conditioning, air travel, cell phones and microwaves, that the richest people 200 years ago could scarcely have dreamed of.

We have the best athletes in the world.

We have more than twice as many Olympic medals as the next-closest country — the Soviet Union, which doesn’t even exist

anymore. American football is way more exciting than the world’s version of that sport.

We have the mightiest military in the history of the world. We played pivotal roles in winning World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Our B-2 bombers can take o from Missouri, successfully bomb a buried Iranian nuclear site and return home without landing. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. Here are two ways leftist cynics attempt to disparage America. For one, they’ll claim America is de ned by her faults, not her accomplishments. Note well that they don’t apply that standard to their heroes. In 1969, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy drove o a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. That accident resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The left spent the next 40 years celebrating him anyway.

This hypocrisy shows the left doesn’t truly believe you should de ne countries or people by their aws. They just hope those who love America and her heroes do.

The left also attempts to sever our connection to this marvelous history. They tear down monuments to American heroes like Thomas Je erson and Christopher Columbus. They rename holidays. They teach children that America’s success comes from oppressing others. You aren’t just an individual. You are part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a state, which is part of a country. Celebrating your country is both good and natural. It should be easy to do when it’s the greatest country in the history of the world.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.

Terminate the Green New Scam now

Our $37-trillionin-debt government ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

AS OF THIS WRITING, it’s impossible to know exactly how much Green New Scam spending has been cut by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even members of Congress have no idea. But I’m not worried. President Donald Trump can terminate all Green New Spending any day he chooses.

Goldman Sachs estimated that the climate spending portion of the 2022 In ation Reduction Act (i.e., the Green New Scam) was worth about $1.2 trillion by 2032. The total may actually have been greater as it’s extraordinarily di cult to kill o federal subsidies.

By the time Trump was inaugurated, the Biden administration had spent somewhere around $150 billion of the money, including much in red states buying Republican politicians so that they would be reluctant to roll back the spending during opportunities for scal responsibility like the OBBBA.

The House version of the OBBBA may have cut as much as 50% of the remaining Green New Scam spending. The Senate version that passed on July 1 “gutted” what the House did, according to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). So where are we? Who knows. The good news is it really doesn’t matter.

Green New Scam spending on wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and utility-scale batteries is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The supposed need to reduce such emissions is factually premised on a 2009 determination, called the “endangerment nding,” by the Obama

EPA. The nding concluded that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are harming the public health and welfare through global warming. Regardless of how you feel about climate science, the Supreme Court made the Obama EPA’s determination de facto illegal in its 2022 decision in West Virginia v. EPA. In that case, the Court determined that EPA requires the express authorization by Congress to engage in major undertakings such as greenhouse gas regulation. No such authorization has ever existed.

On Day 1 of his second term, Trump ordered the endangerment nding to be reviewed with an eye toward terminating it. Trump has, after all, repeatedly stated that he believes global warming is a “hoax.”

In April, Trump issued an executive order directing that regulations made illegal by recent Supreme Court decisions could be terminated summarily, and without the lengthy public notice and comment usually required by the Administrative Procedure Act. This makes total sense. Why keep illegal regulations in e ect?

If the illegal endangerment nding were terminated summarily there would be no factual basis for any Green New Scam spending. Trump could simply stop cutting checks for subsidies, thereby solving the Green New Scam problem.

The Trump administration, of course, would soon nd itself in court, but that is nothing new. And Trump would clearly have the high legal and moral ground: Our $37-trillion-in-debt government

ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

Coincidentally, the EPA submitted just its proposal to roll back or terminate the endangerment nding to the White House O ce of Management and Budget this week. No one outside the government knows what’s in the proposal or when it would be issued. There are two general ways to accomplish rollback of the endangerment nding. The preferred way is what has been previously described. It’s quick and easy. The other way is to do it through standard public notice and comment, which will take longer and be much less certain in outcome. Both would wind up in court, but the preferred way tees up the issue better from a legal standpoint. Republicans are often squirrely when it comes to green issues, imagining that the public is more supportive of green policies than it really is. Trump had the courage to drop multiple 30,000-pound bombs on a nuclear facility in Iran. It is certainly much easier to simply terminate an illegal regulation we can’t a ord. He should just do it now. Steve Milloy, a biostatistician and lawyer, publishes JunkScience.com. This article was published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Underwater turbine spinning o Scotland’s coast a breakthrough

It’s been capturing tidal energy for six years

By Jennifer McDermott The Associated Press

SUBMERGED in about 44 yards of water o Scotland’s coast, a turbine has been spinning for more than six years to harness the power of ocean tides for electricity — a durability mark demonstrating the technology’s commercial viability.

Keeping a large, or grid-scale, turbine in place in the harsh sea environment that long is a record that helps pave the way for bigger tidal energy farms and makes it far more appealing to investors, according to the trade association Ocean Energy Europe. Tidal energy projects would be prohibitively expensive if the turbines had to be taken out of the water for maintenance every couple of years.

Tidal energy technologies are still in the early days of their commercial development, but their potential for generating clean energy is big. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, marine energy, a term researchers use to refer to power generated from tides, currents, waves or temperature changes, is the world’s largest untapped renewable energy resource.

The MeyGen tidal energy project o the coast of Scotland has four turbines producing 1.5 megawatts each, enough

electricity collectively to power up to 7,000 homes annually. On Thursday, the Swedish company SKF announced that its bearings and seals on one of the turbines had passed the 6½year mark without unplanned or disruptive maintenance. It has been working closely with the industry for a decade on design and testing. Achieving six years in the water with constant operations is a “very signi cant milestone” that bodes well for the future of tidal

energy, said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe. Scotland and the United Kingdom are global leaders in tidal energy. The MeyGen site, operated by SAE Renewables, has been sending electricity to the grid for about eight years. There are very few tidal energy projects generating electricity continuously. Most have been tests and demonstrations, said Andrea Copping, an expert in marine renewable energy development. Copping said there

are still large hurdles to overcome before tidal energy can be adopted more widely, such as dealing with regulatory issues, potential environmental e ects and con icts with other ocean users. Still, the Scotland project seems to have addressed whether the turbines can last in seawater, added Copping, a distinguished faculty fellow in the School of Marine and Environmental A airs at the University of Washington.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts, sending searing-hot ash miles high

Debris was ung as far as 5 miles away from the mountain

By Niniek Karmini

The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending a column of volcanic materials up to 11 miles into the sky, dumping ash on villages and causing ight cancellations.

No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption June 18, and an exclusion zone had been doubled to a 4.3mile radius as eruptions became more frequent.

Indonesia’s Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 3 miles down the slopes of the 5,197foot mountain. Observations from drones showed lava lling the crater, indicating deep

movement of magma that set o earthquakes.

The initial column of hot clouds that rose just after 11 a.m. local time was the volcano’s highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens,

said Muhammad Wa d, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March.

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,” Wa d told The Associated Press. “We shall reeval-

Integrity Open Arms Residents of the Month

Frederick Lee Faison

Robert General has been a resident at Open Arms since August 2021. He was born in South Carolina, relocated to Richmond Virginia and later moved to North Carolina. Robert enjoys BINGO, church and knitting. He is a joy to have here at Open Arms Retirement Center.

uate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.”

The volcano erupted again just after 7:30 p.m., spewing lava and sending clouds of ash up to 8 miles into the air, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.

By Monday afternoon, at least 24 ights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others delayed, while ights on four domestic routes were canceled, said Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali’s Ngurah Rai international airport.

He said the airport was running normally despite the cancellations, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not a ected Bali’s airspace.

Falling ash after the initial eruption blanketed several villages with debris and blocked sunlight for almost half an hour, Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said in a statement.

“I think they have checked the boxes,” she said. “Because skeptics, and that includes investors, of course, and governments, said, ‘How on Earth are you going to operate these things, especially for any length of time in this very tough environment?’ And that’s what I think they proved.”

It’s very hard to take what is essentially a wind turbine normally found on land and put it under water, said Fraser Johnson, operations and maintenance manager at MeyGen. The record-setting turbine should keep going for at least another year before it needs to come out of the water for maintenance, he added.

The four turbines are in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island known for strong tidal currents. Tidal energy systems need strong currents to make electricity efficiently. MeyGen plans to add 20 turbines in 2030 to produce more electricity, after needed upgrades to the electricity grid are finished. The site could eventually hold as many as 130 turbines that are more powerful than those at the site today.

The MeyGen site is in the open water, while another type of tidal project involves creating a dam-like structure called a barrage across tidal waters. With four turbines, MeyGen is considered the largest tidal energy project of its kind worldwide, said Johnson.

“It’s a title we wish we didn’t have. We want more, we want others,” Johnson added. “Unfortunately, others are having di culty achieving what MeyGen has achieved. But working with SKF moving forward, we’ll push the industry forward.”

He said volcanic materials, including thumb-size fragments of gravel and ash, were thrown up to 5 miles from the crater. He warned residents to be vigilant about heavy rainfall that could trigger lava ows in rivers originating from the volcano. Photos and videos circulated on social media showed the ash cloud expanding into a mushroom shape as tons of volcanic debris covered houses up to their rooftops in nearby villages. Some residents ran in panic under the rain of volcanic material or ed with motorbikes and cars.

Monday’s eruptions resulted from the accumulation of energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while building up pressure, Wijaya said.

The initial eruption was one of Indonesia’s largest since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country’s most volatile volcano, erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate.

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

Frederick Lee Faison is a housekeeper with Integrity Open Arms Retirement Center and has been with the company for a little over a year. During his time off he enjoys gardening, studying the bible and working with his dogs. Frederick loves to interact with the residents as if they were his adopted aunts, uncles and grandparents, which fills his day with a sense of accomplishment.

Mrs. Florence Herbert has been a resident here since May 2021. She moved to North Carolina from Pennsylvania to escape the bad weather. Florence enjoys word searches, BINGO, watching TV and spending time with her friends on the Special Care Unit at Integrity Open Arms.

Mrs. Betty Purcell is from Raeford, North Carolina. She moved into our assisted living this past June. Besides being the mother of two, she worked for many years at Burlington Mills. Betty enjoys church, watching youtube and doing word searches.

THANK YOU, Frederick, for a job well done!

to discuss your needs or questions. W here to help!

BADAN GEOLOGI VIA AP

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spews volcanic materials during an eruption in East Flores, Indonesia, on Monday.

FRASER JOHNSON / MEYGEN VIA AP

Tidal turbines are installed at the MeyGen tidal site located in the Inner Sound of the Pentland

Firth, a narrow channel of water between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island, in 2018.

HOKE SPORTS

Hoke County softball players earn all-state, all-district honors

Three Bucks players were named all-district

North State Journal sta

THE NORTH CAROLI-

NA Softball Coaches Association announced the 2025 all-district and all-state teams over the last two weeks. A total of three members of Hoke County’s softball team were named All-District, and two of them also made the cut for the All- State squad.

It’s the rst time Hoke has had an all-state softball player since 2022, and the rst time the Bucks have sent multiple players to the team since 2016. It’s the most all-district players Hoke softball has had since 2017.

2016

The last year that Hoke County had multiple all-state softball players

Here are the Bucks’ all-district selections, for District 4, Class 4A, and what they accomplished this past season.

Alyssa Cascavilla: The senior shortstop led Hoke County in batting average and hits, was second in on-base percentage and stolen bases and nished third in slugging percentage. In addition to being named all-district, she was also chosen

for the all-state team in Class 4A.

McKenzie Freeman: The sophomore catcher led the Bucks in RBIs, doubles and elding percentage. She tied Cascavilla for the team lead in hits, was second in runs scored and third in batting average. Freeman led N.C. Class 4A East catchers in caught stealing percentage.

Niya Jones: The sophomore pitcher led the Bucks in ERA. She was among the state’s leaders in pitching wins and was in the top ve in 4A East in wins and strikeouts. She also helped herself at the plate, nishing among team leaders in base hits and doubles. In addition to being named all-district, she was named all-state.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Niya Jones

Hoke County, softball

Niya Jones just nished her sophomore season on the Hoke County softball team.

Jones was the team’s top pitcher, nishing 17th in the state with 17 wins. She was also among the North Carolina class 4A leaders in strikeouts and among the Sandhills conference leaders in ERA. As a batter, Jones was in the top three on Hoke County in hits and was just two o the team lead in doubles. She was honored with spots on both the All-District and All-State teams.

Rebuilding Pac-12 gets its needed 8th football school

The new-look conference added Texas State from the Sun Belt

The Associated Press

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State is joining the Pac-12, giving the rebuilding conference the eighth football-playing school it needed to maintain its status as an FBS conference.

The Pac-12 and Texas State announced the Bobcats from the Sun Belt Conference will join holdovers Oregon State and Washington State, along with private school Gonzaga and Mountain West-departing schools Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State as the nine foundational members of the recon gured Pac-12 that will ocially launch next summer.

Since Gonzaga doesn’t eld a football team, the Pac-12 needed one more to remain eligible as a Football Bowl Subdivision league. Only Oregon State and Washington State had remained in the Pac-12 after the departures of 10 teams to the three other power conferences: the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12. Texas State regents approved a $5 million buyout to leave the Sun Belt, a day before the amount of that exit fee was set to double.

The Bobcats will become an all-sports member of the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026, after being in the Sun Belt since 2013, a year after their FBS debut in their only season in the Western Athletic Conference. They were 8-5 each of the past two seasons.

Texas State’s campus in San Marcos is only about 35 miles south of the University of Texas

in Austin. It will be the farthest from the West Coast the Pac-12 has had an all-sports member. Arkansas-Little Rock is now an a liate member for wrestling.

When the 10 former Pac-12 teams o cially departed last year, that created coast-to-coast conferences. Oregon, Washington, Southern California and UCLA went to the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined the Big 12; and Stanford and California became ACC members.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” Commissioner Teresa Gould said. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.”

The Pac-12 last week struck a

media-rights deal with CBS to broadcast a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and provide a cable and streaming presence for the league from 2026-31.

Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill in a statement thanked the Texas State sta for its “collaboration and leadership through a transformative era in college athletics” while also touting the league’s recent football success, including 12 of 14 teams making bowl games in 2023, and seven more last year.

“I will continue to update our stakeholders on developments whenever possible as we work to ensure the sustained rise of the Sun Belt Conference, a collection of like-minded, regional rivals with winning football traditions, passionate fanbases and enduring commitments to ex-

cellence in all sports,” Gill said.

Texas State is a national research university with more than 40,000 students, and has one of the 25 largest undergraduate enrollments among public universities in the United States. Kelly Damphousse, the president of Texas State, called joining the Pac-12 more than an athletic move.

“It is a declaration of our rising national pro le, our commitment to excellence, and our readiness to compete and collaborate with some of the most respected institutions in the country,” Damphousse said. “Our acceptance into the Pac-12 a rms the strength of our academic vision, our commitment to providing access to a Texas State degree, the momentum of our athletic programs, and the ambition that de nes this institution.”

HCHS

HCHS BUCKS SOFTBALL / FACEBOOK

Catcher McKenzie Freeman was one of the top players at the plate and behind it for the Bucks.

Van Gisbergen wins in Chicago once again, completing NASCAR weekend sweep

New Zealand native became the winningest foreign-born Cup Series driver

By Jay Cohen

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — Shane Van Gisbergen completed a Windy City sweep, winning the NASCAR Cup Series race on the tricky street course in downtown Chicago.

“Epic weekend for us. I’m a lucky guy,” van Gisbergen said.

The 36-year-old New Zealand native became the second driver to sweep the X nity and Cup races in a single weekend from the pole, joining Kyle Busch at Indianapolis in 2016. With his third career Cup win, he also became the winningest foreign-born driver on NASCAR’s top series.

It was van Gisbergen’s second victory of the season after the Trackhouse Racing driver also won last month on a Mexico City road course.

“He’s the best road course stock car racer that I’ve ever seen,” Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said. “I think when he’s done with us all and walks away from the sport, I think he’s going to walk away as the best road course racer that this sport has ever seen.”

Marks brought van Gisbergen over from Australia’s Supercars for the rst edition of NASCAR’s Chicago experiment in 2023, and he became the rst driver to win his Cup debut since Johnny Rutherford in the second qualifying race at Daytona in 1963.

He also won Chicago’s X nity Series stop last year and the rst stage in the Cup race before he was knocked out by a crash.

“This joint, it’s changed my life,” van Gisbergen said. “I didn’t have any plans to do more NASCAR races when I rst came over here, and I never thought I’d be in NASCAR full time.”

In what might be the last NA-

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA NBA free agent Beasley under gambling investigation

Detroit NBA free agent Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s o ce regarding gambling allegations tied to league games. “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement. The probe into Beasley comes 14 months after the NBA banned Toronto’s Jontay Porter, who was linked to a prop bet investigation and eventually pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud.

NCAA FOOTBALL

NBC names Fareed as host for Big Ten football, Peacock’s NBA coverage

Stamford, Conn. Ahmed Fareed will host NBC’s Big Ten football studio show as well as Peacock’s NBA coverage on Monday nights. Fareed was an occasional studio host during the rst two years of NBC’s Big Ten package but will move into the lead role with Maria Taylor becoming the host of the network’s NBA coverage on Tuesday night and Sunday night when the NFL season concludes. Fareed is NBC Sports’ third NBA announcement in the past week. Taylor was named the main studio host and Grant Hill was hired as a game analyst last week.

SCAR race on the downtown Chicago circuit, Ty Gibbs was second and Tyler Reddick nished third. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch rounded out the top ve. Van Gisbergen regained the lead when he passed Chase Briscoe with 16 laps left. As fog and rain moved into downtown Chicago, van Gisbergen controlled the action the rest of the way. AJ Allmendinger was sixth,

NFL

Hairston, Bills’ 1st-round pick, accused of sexual assault

Bu alo, N.Y. Bu alo Bills rst-round draft pick Maxwell Hairston faces a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault in 2021. The lawsuit, led in Kentucky, alleges Hairston entered a woman’s dorm room uninvited and assaulted her while he was on the Kentucky football team. The Bills referred to earlier remarks by general manager Brandon Beane, who said the team had investigated the allegations and found no substance to them. Hairston was drafted 30th overall in April. He is competing for a starting cornerback position.

MLB Jenks, 2-time All-Star closer and World Series champ with White Sox, dead at 44

Chicago Bobby Jenks, a two-time AllStar closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, died at 44. Jenks died in Sintra, Portugal. He was being treated there for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. Jenks helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, saving four games in six appearances during the postseason. He retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever. Jenks appeared in a game for the Winston- Salem Warthogs on injury rehab in 2008.

and Ryan Preece nished seventh. Ryan Blaney, who won the second stage, was 12th.

William Byron’s day was cut short by a clutch problem. The Hendrick Motorsports driver leads the point standings by 13 points over Chase Elliott.

After Michael McDowell seized the lead early in the race, Carson Hocevar caused a multicar crash when he hit the wall and spun out between Turns 10 and 11. Brad Keselowski, Austin

Dillon, Daniel Suárez and Will Brown were among the drivers collected in the wreck.

“I didn’t see it until the last second,” Keselowski said. “I slowed down and I actually felt I was going to get stopped, and then I just kind of got ran over from behind. It’s just a narrow street course, and sometimes there’s nowhere to go.”

Ty Dillon and Reddick moved into the third round of the Cup Series’ inaugural in-season tour-

nament when Keselowski and Hocevar were unable to nish the race. Dillon, the No. 32 seed, eliminated Keselowski after he upset top-seeded Denny Hamlin last weekend at Atlanta. Bowman, the 2024 champion on the downtown street course, won his head-to-head matchup with Bubba Wallace. Bowman and Wallace made contact as they battled for position late in the race after they also tangled in Chicago last year.

ERIN HOOLEY / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen holds the trophy after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race on Chicago’s street course.

Dexter Wilson

Feb. 18, 1986 – June 27, 2025

Mr. Dexter Wilson, age 39, transitioned from Earth to Glory on June 27, 2025.

The Celebration of Life will be held on July 12 at noon at St. James AME Zion Church.

Dexter will be greatly missed.

Isadora Lambert Chavis

July 26, 1935 – July 4, 2025

Mrs. Isadora Lambert Chavis, age 89 of Fairmont, North Carolina, was born on July 26, 1935, to the late Mr. Howard Lambert and Mrs. Mary Lambert in Robeson County. She departed this life into eternity on Friday, July 04, 2025, at Greenbrier Assisted Living Facility, surrounded by her loving family.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Isadora is preceded in death by her husband, Allan Chavis, one son, Steven Chavis, ve sisters, Lorene Hunt Oxendine, Georgianna Butler, Suzzie Chavis, Shirley Hammonds, Mary Lois Jones, two brothers, Johnny Lambert and Howard Lambert, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories three daughters, Christy Shipman (Aldawson), Connie Hunt, Delois Chavis, four sons, James L. Chavis (Agenora), Samuel Chavis (Linda), Allen Jr Chavis (Mary Ann), Glenn Chavis (Joann), two brothers, James Lambert and Gerald Lambert, three sisters, Eva Jane Locklear, Annie Jones, Nancy Lambert, twenty-six grandchildren, fty-six great grandchildren, nineteen great-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. The family extends a special thank you to the Greenbrier Assisted Living Facility sta .

Larry Lee Moser

April 6, 1951 – July 2, 2025

Larry Lee Moser, of Hoke County, passed away on Wednesday, July 02, 2025, at the age of 74.

He was born on April 06, 1951, to the late Junior Lee Moser and Grace Fain Moser.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Gary Junior Moser, and his brother-inlaw, Ronald Wilson.

Larry was a lifelong Hoke County resident and served in the North Carolina Forest Service for 28 years. He was a member of Mt. Elim Baptist Church in Red Springs, NC, and the Lumber River Old Iron Tractor Club. He enjoyed playing the guitar and banjo, as well as listening to and playing Bluegrass music. He loved Pickin’ and Grinnin’ at the Community Building in Dundarrach, NC and the Rising Farm Barn Jam Session.

Larry was an avid family man. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Carden Moser; his children, Ken Moser (Shannon) and Beth Moser; his step-children, Chris Gri n (Jennifer), Bobby Smith, and Paula Espinoza (Carlos); his grandchildren, Bethany (Joseph), Christian, Samantha, Ashley (Travis), CJ, Justin, Lawton, Elena, Wyatt; his great grandchildren, Harvey and Anayah; his sisters, Rowena Smith (Tommy), Teresa Wilson, and sister-in-law Faye Moser; and his niece, Christy Moser.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025, from 6-9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376.

A funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Mt. Elim Baptist Church, 921 Wilson Rd., Red Springs, NC 28377.

Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Online condolences may be made on the Crumpler Funeral Home Website.

Julian McMahon, actor who appeared in ‘Fantastic Four’ lms and TV show ‘Charmed,’ dead

The 56-year-old had been battling cancer

The Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Julian McMahon, an Australia-born actor who performed in two “Fantastic Four” lms and appeared in TV shows such as “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck” and “Pro ler,” has died, his wife said in a statement.

McMahon, 56, died peacefully this week after a battle with cancer, Kelly McMahon said in a statement provided to The Associated Press by his Beverly Hills, California-based publicist.

“Julian loved life,” the statement said. “He loved his family. He loved his friends He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”

McMahon played Dr. Doom in the lms “Fantastic Four” in 2005 and “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” which came out two years later.

Along with “Charmed,” “Nip/Tuck,” and “Pro ler,” he

also had roles in the TV shows “Home and Away,” “FBI: Most Wanted” and “Another World,” according to IMDB.

Actress Alyssa Milano, who appeared with McMahon on “Charmed,” mourned his death on social media, saying “Julian was

more than my TV husband.”

“Julian McMahon was magic,” Milano said. “That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up — not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.”

Michael Madsen, ‘Reservoir

Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ star, dead at 66

The actor became a regular player in Quentin Tarantino lms

By Andrew Dalton and Itzel Luna The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Michael Madsen, whose menacing characters in “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” made him a standout in Quentin Tarantino’s lms, has died. He was 66. Madsen was found unresponsive in his home in Malibu, California, last Thursday morning and pronounced dead, Los Angeles County Sheri ’s Department Watch Commander Christopher Jauregui said. He is believed to have died of natural causes and authorities do not suspect any foul play was involved. Madsen’s manager Ron Smith said cardiac arrest was the apparent cause.

Madsen’s career spanned more than 300 credits stretching back to the early 1980s, many in low-budget lms. But his most memorable screen moment may have been the sadistic torture of a captured police o cer — while dancing to Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You” — as Mr. Blonde in 1992’s “Reservoir Dogs.”

He would become a Tarantino regular, appearing in the “Kill Bill” lms and “The Hateful Eight.”

“In the last two years Mi-

chael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent lm including upcoming feature lms ‘Resurrection Road,’ ‘Concessions and ’Cookbook for Southern Housewives,’ and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” his managers Smith and Susan Ferris and publicist Liz Rodriguez said in a statement. They added that he “was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”

During a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese The -

atre in November 2020, Madsen re ected on his rst visit to Hollywood in the early 1980s.

“I got out and I walked around and I looked and I wondered if there were someday some way that that was going to be a part of me. And I didn’t know because I didn’t know what I was going to do at that point with myself,” he said. “I could have been a bricklayer. I could have been an architect. I could have been a garbage man. I could have been nothing. But I got lucky. I got lucky as an actor.”

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP

Julian McMahon arrives at the 21st annual Critics’ Choice Awards in 2016.

CREDIT MICHAEL MADSEN CC BY-SA 3.0

Actor Michael Madsen was a popular casting choice for director Quentin Tarantino.

STATE & NATION

Federal agents, National Guard make show of force in LA park

The mayor of Los Angeles expressed anger at the action

By Tara Copp and Damian Dovarganes The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dozens of federal o cers in tactical gear and about 90 members of the California National Guard were deployed for about an hour Monday to a mostly empty park in a Los Angeles neighborhood with a large immigrant population. It wasn’t immediately known if any arrests were made.

Defense o cials had said the troops and more than a dozen military vehicles would help protect immigration ocers as they carried out a raid in MacArthur Park.

“What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who was among the small crowd that watched as o cers moved through a section of the park in the late morning and then got back in the vehicles and cleared out. Some activists who had earlier warned people to leave the area lmed the o cers.

The operation occurred at a park in a neighborhood with large Mexican, Central American and other immigrant populations, and it is lined by businesses with signs in Spanish and other languages that has been dubbed by local o cials as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast.” Messages were sent to Immi-

gration and Customs Enforcement seeking additional details.

Jeannette Zanipatin with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights saw the brief but prominent presence of troops and federal o cers at the park.

“I de nitely think it’s a source of intimidation,” she said. “We know that the Trump administration is trying to make an example of Los Angeles.”

The operation in the large park about 2 miles west of downtown LA included 17 Humvees, four tactical vehicles, two ambulances and armed soldiers, defense o cials said. It came after President Donald Trump deployed thousands of Guard members and active duty Marines to the city last month following protests over previous immigration raids.

Trump has stepped up e orts to realize his campaign pledge of deporting millions of immigrants in the United States illegally and shown a willingness to use the nation’s military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided.

Betsy Bolte, who lives nearby, came to the park after seeing a military-style helicopter circling. She arrived to see federal o cers on horseback moving through a grassy area, with activists and passersby shouting at them.

Bolte didn’t see any arrests and said it was “gut-wrenching” to witness what appeared to be a federal show of force on the streets of a U.S. city.

“It’s terror and, you know, it’s ripping the heart and soul out of Los Angeles,” she said. “I am

Shriners Children’s to open $153M medical research facility in Atlanta

It’s coming to a new Georgia Tech research campus

By Je Amy The Associated Press

ATLANTA — The nonprofit that operates Shriners Children’s hospitals across North America will locate a $153 million medical research facility in Atlanta, the group announced last Wednesday.

Shriners Children’s Research Institute intends to conduct research into cell and gene therapies, other biotechnology therapies, robotics, arti cial intelligence, medical devices and the study of data.

Shriners Children’s operates 17 hospitals in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada, plus clinics. The system is owned by Shriners International, a Masonic

order. It specializes in treating children with orthopedic problems, burns, urology disorders

and craniofacial conditions, including cleft lips and palates. While the organization accepts

Federal agents stage at MacArthur Park on Monday in Los

still in shock, disbelief, and so angry and terri ed and heartbroken.”

The defense o cials told reporters it was not a military operation but acknowledged that the size and scope of the Guard’s participation could make it look like one to the public. That is why the o cials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details about the raid that were not announced publicly.

“It’s just going to be more overt and larger than we usually participate in,” one of the ocials said before the raid ended abruptly with no explanation.

The primary role of the service members would be to protect the immigration enforcement o cers in case a hostile crowd gathered, that o cial said. They are not participating

insurance payments, it treats patients regardless of their ability to pay.

“This is a decision of the health care system to expand the role we play in pediatric research,” said Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children’s. He said the institute will be nanced using the Shriners Children’s resources and should be operating within a year to 18 months.

The institute projects it will have 470 employees, many of them new hires, and Georgia Tech said it will be the largest tenant at Science Square. That is a mixed-use development that Georgia Tech is developing along with the Trammell Crow Co.

Georgia Tech owns the land adjoining its campus near downtown Atlanta, while the company built labs that opened last year. The development aims to emulate Georgia Tech’s success in joint developments with technology companies in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood. That tech sector has been a major driver of growth in Atlanta in recent years, and o cials are now trying to bolster growth from biomedical research.

in any law enforcement activities such as arrests, but service members can temporarily detain citizens if necessary before handing them over to law enforcement, the o cial said.

Sprawling MacArthur Park has a murky lake ringed by palm trees, an amphitheater that hosts summer concerts and sports elds where immigrant families line up to play soccer in the evenings and on weekends. A thoroughfare on the east side is often crammed with unlicensed food stands selling tacos and other delicacies, along with vendors speaking multiple languages and hawking cheap T-shirts, toys, knickknacks and household items.

Authorities routinely clear encampments, and medical outreach teams tend to homeless residents.

Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said he received a credible tip about the operation Monday.

“It was a demonstration of escalation,” Newman said. “This was a reality TV spectacle much more so than an actual enforcement operation.” Since federal agents have been making arrests at Home Depot parking lots and elsewhere in Los Angeles, Newman said fewer people have been going to the park and immigrant neighborhoods near the city’s downtown.

“The ghost town-i cation of LA is haunting, to say the very least,” he said.

More than 4,000 California National Guard and hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed in Los Angeles since June — against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Last week, the military announced about 200 of those troops would be returned to their units to ght wild res.

Leanne West, the chief engineer of pediatric technology at Georgia Tech, said the university has already conducted 25 projects with Shriners Children’s. She said both Georgia Tech and Emory University will lend research expertise to the institute, and she hopes institute employees can work alongside Georgia Tech researchers.

“The goal is to really help embed some of their researchers here with Georgia Tech, to walk across campus, to work in the same labs, to have that physical presence together,” West said. “I think we can accomplish great things by doing that.”

The state and local governments are providing incentives to Shriners Children’s, although it is not exactly clear how that would work because nonpro ts are generally exempt from income and property taxes. In Georgia, nonpro t organizations have to pay sales taxes, which means the state could waive such taxes on equipment purchases. Jessica Atwell, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the state won’t release documents until they are nalized.

STEVE YEATER / AP PHOTO

Shriners Children’s Research Institute — which operates 17 hospitals, including one in Sacramento, California — plans a new research facility in Atlanta in conjunction with Georgia Tech.

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP PHOTO

Angeles.

MOORE COUNTY

in

Pinehurst

areas,

WHAT’S HAPPENING

3 dead as ash ooding hits mountain village in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M.

O cials say monsoon rains in southern New Mexico triggered ash ooding that killed three people and was so intense an entire house was swept downstream in a mountain village that is a popular summer retreat. The village of Ruidoso said in a statement that a man, a 4-year-old girl and 7-year- old boy were swept away Tuesday by oodwaters. Three people earlier had been reported missing, but it wasn’t immediately clear early Wednesday whether those were the same three who died. The water in the Ruidoso area had receded by Tuesday night, and search and rescue and swift water rescue teams were scouring the town for the missing people.

Searchers in helicopters, on horseback scour Texas ood debris for missing Hunt, Texas

The search is continuing for more than 160 people believed to be missing in Texas days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people. But questions remain about the extent of a catastrophe that stretched far past the borders of a single summer camp. Many of those who are not accounted for were staying in the state’s Hill Country but did not register at a camp or hotel. The 161 missing are believed to be in Kerr County.

Flooding from tropical storm remnants leads to closed roads, water rescues

Two canoers were missing after putting in at Jordan Lake

By Allen G. Breed The Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — Heavy rain and ooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal forced dozens of people to ee their homes in central North Carolina, o cials said Monday.

The Chapel Hill Fire Department and neighboring agencies completed more than 50 water rescues, many of them in areas where oodwaters entered or threatened to enter apartments, o cials said. More than 60 people were displaced Sunday and Monday. There were also water rescues at shopping centers, where water ooded businesses and parking lots, o cials said. There were no reports of injuries as of Monday morning. Ofcials warned residents to take

care as they ventured out Monday morning since crews were still assessing damage.

Floodwaters inundated Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossings shopping center, where the red-framed glass doors of a Talbots store were blown in and debris-specked white mannequins littered the oor. Next door at the Great Outdoor Provision Co., manager Chad Pickens said kayaks ended up 30 feet from where they had been on display and shelves in the shoe room were toppled like dominoes.

Pickens said he was feeling pretty good as he watched the worst of the storm pass by on the news Sunday night, but then he got a call from the property manager.

“I knew when I saw her name on my caller ID that we had indeed ooded,” he said.

What happened there pales in comparison to the oods in Texas, he said.

“The bottom line is these are just things, and while it hurts to lose things, it’s a lot di erent

32.5

Feet the Haw River crested early Monday, the second-highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River.

to losing people,” Pickens said.

A large brown dumpster had smashed into the outdoor dining area of a Shake Shack in the shopping center. The windows were blown out and chairs and cups were strewn everywhere.

Hua Jiang said he put in an order at the Shake Shack around 8:45 p.m. Sunday and about 10 minutes later, water started owing through the doors. People started panicking, and after about ve minutes, employees said they should make a run for it, he said. Jiang’s Toyota RAV4 was already ooded in the parking lot, so he went to a Chipotle that was on higher ground.

Swain County sheri steps down after sexual misconduct charges

He was charged last week with prostitution and sexual battery

The Associated Press BRYSON CITY — The longtime sheri in Swain County, whom some women accused of sexual misconduct, has quit before he could be permanently removed.

Curtis Cochran, who was rst elected sheri in 2006, retired from the post e ective July 1, according to a statement from the county Board of Commissioners. The chief deputy is performing the sheri ’s duties while the commissioners decide who will serve out the remainder of Cochran’s four-year term through late 2026, the statement said.

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s life,” Jiang said, wiping sweat from his brow on Monday morning.

In Chatham County, authorities were searching Monday for two canoers who went missing during the storm, according to a county sheri ’s o ce news release. They were last seen launching their canoe on Jordan Lake late Sunday afternoon, and their canoe was recovered Sunday night, authorities said. Chatham County Sheri Mike Roberson warned residents in a social media post that water may have subsided in some areas, but it was still dangerous to travel. By Monday morning more than 100 roads were impacted by the storm, including 19 major roads, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said. All lanes of Interstate 85/ Interstate 40 were closed both directions near Durham and were expected to reopen in 24 to 48 hours, o cials said.

See FLOODING, page A2

Cochran, 72, was charged in state courts with felonious restraint and misdemeanor sexual battery, soliciting prostitution and assault on a female, according to June 27 arrest warrants. The same day, Ashley Hornsby Welch, the district attorney for Swain and six other far western counties, led a petition seeking to remove Cochran from o ce for “willful misconduct and maladministration in o ce.” A Superior Court judge immediately suspended Cochran from o ce pending a nal court ruling. But the removal petition becomes moot with Cochran’s retirement. A petition-related hearing set for Monday in adjoining Graham County was canceled, online court data said. Welch’s removal petition included signed a davits by two women who allege Cochran made separate unwanted sexual advances on them while he drove on land held by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The Eastern Band’s reservation, known

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A

Fire Department crew removes fallen trees on Inverness Road after Tropical Storm Chantal moved through the area dropping nearly a foot of rain

some

ooding roads and bringing down trees.

WLOS VIA AP

Swain County Sheri Curtis Cochran makes his rst court appearance on Tuesday in Bryson City after being charged with felonious restraint and misdemeanor sexual battery, soliciting prostitution and assault on a female.

“Join the conversation”

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Neal Robbins, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

Ryan Henkel, Reporter

P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

BUSINESS

David Guy, Advertising Manager

Published each Thursday as part of North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 TO SUBSCRIBE:

919-663-3232 MOORE.NORTHSTATEJOURNAL.COM

Annual Subscription Price: $100.00

Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, NC and at additional mailing o ces

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

June 30

• Donald Wayne English, 42, was arrested by Moore County Sheri ’s O ce (MCSO) for operating a vehicle without insurance.

July 1

• Juan Humberto CabreraSanchez, 33, was arrested by Carthage PD for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

July 2

• Christopher Robert Stirewalt, 38, was arrested by MCSO for assault by strangulation.

• Steven Shyquan Tykei Smith, 28, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for assault by strangulation.

July 3

• Ti any Christine Johnson, 35, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for felony larceny.

July 5

• Anderson Stewart Townsend, 18, was arrested by MCSO for possession of stolen rearm.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements:

moorecommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

THURSDAY

Family of 4, including 2 children, killed in Sanford plane crash

The NTSB will be investigating to determine the cause

The Associated Press SANFORD — A family of four, including two schoolage children, died when their small plane crashed as they ew back from Florida.

The National Transportation Safety Board said an agency investigator was expected Tuesday at the site of the wreckage of Monday’s crash, located in a eld near some trees northeast of Sanford, North Carolina. The state Highway Patrol identi ed those killed as Travis and Candace Buchanan, who were both 35; Aubrey Buchanan, 10; and Walker Buchanan, 9. Three of the four died at the scene, while the fourth was pronounced dead

SHERIFF from page A1

at a hospital, the patrol said in a news release.

There were no survivors in the crash involving the Cirrus SR22T airplane, which an NTSB o cial said happened shortly after 1:30 p.m. under currently unknown circumstances. The aircraft ultimately will be recovered and taken to a facility for further evaluation, the agency said.

The Raleigh Executive Jetport, located a few miles north of the crash site, said in a social media post that the aircraft was based at the small airport.

Federal Aviation Administration records list Travis Buchanan of Sanford as the plane’s owner. The plane departed Merritt Island, Florida, about 11 a.m. Monday and was last seen about 1:30 p.m. near Sanford, according to according to the ight-tracking website FlightAware. Sanford

is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Raleigh.

WRAL-TV reported that the family owned Buchanan Farms in Sanford. Abraham Garcia said he had worked for Travis Buchanan at the farms for more than eight years and “he helped me all the time.”

The Buchanan family was heading back from the beach, he said.

Grace Christian School in Sanford said on its Facebook page that Travis and Candace Buchanan were the parents of Aubrey, a fth-grader this fall at the school, and Walker, an upcoming fourth-grader.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Crusader Families,” the post said, referencing the school’s nickname. “During this incredibly dicult time, we stand together in support of their family and one another.”

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

July

10

Concert by Candlelight: Love’s Embrace 7-9 p.m.

Experience an evening of music, including time honored Broadway melodies and religious hymns, performed by soprano soloists Beth Allen-Gardner and Liliana Whitaker with the accompaniment of classical pianist David Masterson. Tickets are $29-34. Contact 910-692-3611 for more information.

Sunrise Theatre 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

Cochran was released on bond on the state criminal charges and faces an Aug. 5 court hearing. He is also charged under Eastern Band tribal law with two counts of oppression in o ce and one count of abusive sexual contact, Cherokee Indian Police Department Chief Carla Neadeau said in a news release.

Cochran’s attorney didn’t respond Monday or Tuesday to a phone message and emails seeking comment and additional details.

The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted.

FLOODING from page A1 as Qualla Boundary, is in portions of Swain County. The county of 14,000 people includes much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that straddles the Tennessee border.

The Eno River crested early Monday at Durham at 25.63 feet, surpassing the previous record of 23.6 feet, according to the National Water Prediction Service’s website.

The Haw River crested early Monday at 32.5 feet, the second-highest river stage ever recorded at the Town of Haw River. That level was only eclipsed by Hurricane Fran in 1996, when the stage reached 32.83 feet, according to a post from the National Weather Service’s Raleigh o ce. More than 30,000 custom-

The petition alleges that on June 22 one woman — an Eastern Band member — agged down what she believed to be a law enforcement vehicle. She was upset and crying because she and her boyfriend had been ghting verbally, and she accepted an invitation into the SUV from the driver — whom authorities identi ed as Cochran — because she believed it would di use the situation, the petition says.

The petition alleges that when Cochran started driving he began touching the woman despite her objections and asked her to perform a sexual act, but she refused. He later pulled the SUV o the road, got out and positioned himself so the woman couldn’t get out of vehicle and asked again, according to the petition. Cochran told the woman if “there was a time that I got in trouble, all I would have to do is say his name and he would

ers were without power Monday morning, according to poweroutage.us.

Chantal continued northeast through mid-Atlantic states Monday as a tropical depression before brushing the southern New England coast Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Rainfall amounts of up to 10 inches were reported in portions of the interior mid-Atlantic.

Tropical Storm Chantal was downgraded to a depression Sunday after making landfall near Litch eld Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

MOORE

help me,” the woman’s a davit read. She again declined, ultimately was dropped o at her house and contacted tribal police.

The a davit signed by the other woman said that on June 23 — soon after being released from the tribal jail — she accepted a ride from what looked like a government vehicle that she said turned out to be driven by Cochran. She said Cochran starting touching her — doing so even as she pulled away — and she ultimately got out of the vehicle.

The FBI and State Bureau of Investigation also participated in the criminal investigation, which included video footage, according to the petition.

Cochran, a Republican, had no law enforcement experience before his rst sheri ’s election victory, having previously been Swain County’s maintenance director.

By late morning Monday, the storm was about 30 miles north-northeast of Newport News, Virginia, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was moving northeast at about 17 mph.

Flood watches were in effect for parts of eastern Virginia, southern and eastern Maryland, Delaware, southern New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania. Forecasters warned of dangerous surf and rip currents at beaches from northeastern Florida to the mid-Atlantic states for the next couple of days.

July 10-12

Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House and Property Tours 1-4 p.m.

The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. Tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning about the impressive history of Moore County.

Shaw House 110 Morganton Road Southern Pines

July 11

Movie: “The Life of Chuck” 7-9 p.m.

Based on the book of the same name by award-winning author Stephen King, this lm is a sci- fantasy. Tickets are $10.

Sunrise Theatre 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

July 11-12

Cosmic Bowling 6-11:55 p.m.

Sandhills Bowling Center presents an evening of Cosmic Bowling every Friday and Saturday night. Enjoy two hours of bowling for between $5.50 and $17 per person based on age. Free shoe rental.

Sandhills Bowling Center 1680 N.C. Highway 5 Aberdeen

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

A reminder of what’s so great about America

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system.

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S recent 249th

birthday, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the most incredible things about her. We are a nation of settlers. This is the country where ancestors risked — and often lost — their lives in pursuit of religious freedom and opportunity. From the May ower to the Oregon Trail, they persevered in extreme hardship. Davy Crockett and Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire children.

We defeated the mighty British Empire to secure our independence. American soldiers endured the cold, disease and death of Valley Forge. Under the instruction of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian, the Army emerged with greater discipline, unity and skill.

Our country’s founding documents are marvels. The Declaration of Independence eloquently lays out the purpose of government — to secure our God-given, unalienable rights. The Constitution, drawing from the wisdom of the Bible, history and political philosophers, uses checks and balances to limit the government’s power.

At the cost of hundreds of thousands of Union lives, we threw o the scourge of slavery. Our heroes are too numerous to mention, but include Nathan Hale, Harriet Tubman, Teddy Roosevelt and Billy Graham. Our land is beautiful. Consider the vastness of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara Falls and the stunning views in Canyonlands National Park. Our beaches, from Hawaii to California to the East Coast, draw people from around the world.

We conquered the continent with the Transcontinental Railroad and later, the Interstate Highway System. We completed the Empire State Building in less than 14 months. We built the Hoover Dam. We carved the faces

AP PHOTO

Workers laying tracks for Central Paci c Railroad pause for a moment at camp “Victory,” a few miles from Promontory, Utah, on April 28, 1869. The “last spike” was driven on May 10, 1869 in Promontory to complete the rst transcontinental railroad.

of our greatest presidents into the side of a mountain.

We created the rst airplane in 1903. Less than 70 years later, we put a man on the moon.

We have the most powerful economy in the history of the world because we have largely embraced a free market system. The average American enjoys luxuries, like air conditioning, air travel, cell phones and microwaves, that the richest people 200 years ago could scarcely have dreamed of.

We have the best athletes in the world.

We have more than twice as many Olympic medals as the next-closest country — the Soviet Union, which doesn’t even exist

anymore. American football is way more exciting than the world’s version of that sport.

We have the mightiest military in the history of the world. We played pivotal roles in winning World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Our B-2 bombers can take o from Missouri, successfully bomb a buried Iranian nuclear site and return home without landing. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. Here are two ways leftist cynics attempt to disparage America. For one, they’ll claim America is de ned by her faults, not her accomplishments. Note well that they don’t apply that standard to their heroes. In 1969, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy drove o a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island. That accident resulted in the death of his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne. The left spent the next 40 years celebrating him anyway.

This hypocrisy shows the left doesn’t truly believe you should de ne countries or people by their aws. They just hope those who love America and her heroes do.

The left also attempts to sever our connection to this marvelous history. They tear down monuments to American heroes like Thomas Je erson and Christopher Columbus. They rename holidays. They teach children that America’s success comes from oppressing others. You aren’t just an individual. You are part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a state, which is part of a country. Celebrating your country is both good and natural. It should be easy to do when it’s the greatest country in the history of the world.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.

Terminate the Green New Scam now

Our $37-trillionin-debt government ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

AS OF THIS WRITING, it’s impossible to know exactly how much Green New Scam spending has been cut by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even members of Congress have no idea. But I’m not worried. President Donald Trump can terminate all Green New Spending any day he chooses.

Goldman Sachs estimated that the climate spending portion of the 2022 In ation Reduction Act (i.e., the Green New Scam) was worth about $1.2 trillion by 2032. The total may actually have been greater as it’s extraordinarily di cult to kill o federal subsidies.

By the time Trump was inaugurated, the Biden administration had spent somewhere around $150 billion of the money, including much in red states buying Republican politicians so that they would be reluctant to roll back the spending during opportunities for scal responsibility like the OBBBA.

The House version of the OBBBA may have cut as much as 50% of the remaining Green New Scam spending. The Senate version that passed on July 1 “gutted” what the House did, according to Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). So where are we? Who knows. The good news is it really doesn’t matter.

Green New Scam spending on wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles and utility-scale batteries is aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The supposed need to reduce such emissions is factually premised on a 2009 determination, called the “endangerment nding,” by the Obama

EPA. The nding concluded that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are harming the public health and welfare through global warming. Regardless of how you feel about climate science, the Supreme Court made the Obama EPA’s determination de facto illegal in its 2022 decision in West Virginia v. EPA. In that case, the Court determined that EPA requires the express authorization by Congress to engage in major undertakings such as greenhouse gas regulation. No such authorization has ever existed.

On Day 1 of his second term, Trump ordered the endangerment nding to be reviewed with an eye toward terminating it. Trump has, after all, repeatedly stated that he believes global warming is a “hoax.”

In April, Trump issued an executive order directing that regulations made illegal by recent Supreme Court decisions could be terminated summarily, and without the lengthy public notice and comment usually required by the Administrative Procedure Act. This makes total sense. Why keep illegal regulations in e ect?

If the illegal endangerment nding were terminated summarily there would be no factual basis for any Green New Scam spending. Trump could simply stop cutting checks for subsidies, thereby solving the Green New Scam problem.

The Trump administration, of course, would soon nd itself in court, but that is nothing new. And Trump would clearly have the high legal and moral ground: Our $37-trillion-in-debt government

ought not be wasting taxpayer money on subsidies that are premised on an illegal regulation.

Coincidentally, the EPA submitted just its proposal to roll back or terminate the endangerment nding to the White House O ce of Management and Budget this week. No one outside the government knows what’s in the proposal or when it would be issued. There are two general ways to accomplish rollback of the endangerment nding. The preferred way is what has been previously described. It’s quick and easy. The other way is to do it through standard public notice and comment, which will take longer and be much less certain in outcome. Both would wind up in court, but the preferred way tees up the issue better from a legal standpoint. Republicans are often squirrely when it comes to green issues, imagining that the public is more supportive of green policies than it really is. Trump had the courage to drop multiple 30,000-pound bombs on a nuclear facility in Iran. It is certainly much easier to simply terminate an illegal regulation we can’t a ord. He should just do it now. Steve Milloy, a biostatistician and lawyer, publishes JunkScience.com. This article was published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Underwater turbine spinning o Scotland’s coast a breakthrough

It’s been capturing tidal energy for six years

By Jennifer McDermott The Associated Press

SUBMERGED in about 44 yards of water o Scotland’s coast, a turbine has been spinning for more than six years to harness the power of ocean tides for electricity — a durability mark demonstrating the technology’s commercial viability.

Keeping a large, or grid-scale, turbine in place in the harsh sea environment that long is a record that helps pave the way for bigger tidal energy farms and makes it far more appealing to investors, according to the trade association Ocean Energy Europe. Tidal energy projects would be prohibitively expensive if the turbines had to be taken out of the water for maintenance every couple of years.

Scotland and the United Kingdom are global leaders in tidal energy. The MeyGen site, operated by SAE Renewables, has been sending electricity to the grid for about eight years.

There are very few tidal energy projects generating electricity continuously. Most have been tests and demonstrations, said Andrea Copping, an expert in marine renewable energy development. Copping said there are still large hurdles to overcome before tidal energy can be adopted more widely, such as dealing with regulatory issues, potential environmental e ects and con icts with other ocean users.

what I think they proved.”

It’s very hard to take what is essentially a wind turbine normally found on land and put it under water, said Fraser Johnson, operations and maintenance manager at MeyGen. The record-setting turbine should keep going for at least another year before it needs to come out of the water for maintenance, he added.

The four turbines are in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island known for strong tidal currents. Tidal energy systems need strong currents to make electricity efficiently. MeyGen plans to add 20 turbines in 2030 to produce more electricity, after needed upgrades to the electricity grid are finished. The site could eventually hold as many as 130 turbines that are more powerful than those at the site today.

Tidal energy technologies are still in the early days of their commercial development, but their potential for generating clean energy is big. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, marine energy, a term researchers use to refer to power generated from tides, currents, waves or temperature changes, is the world’s largest untapped renewable energy resource.

Debris was ung as far as 5 miles from the mountain

By Niniek Karmini The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending a column of volcanic materials up to 11 miles into the sky, dumping ash on villages and causing ight cancellations.

No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption June 18, and an exclusion zone had been doubled to a 4.3mile radius as eruptions became more frequent.

Indonesia’s Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 3 miles down the slopes of the 5,197foot mountain. Observations from drones showed lava lling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set o earthquakes.

The initial column of hot

The MeyGen tidal energy project o the coast of Scotland has four turbines producing 1.5 megawatts each, enough electricity collectively to power up to 7,000 homes annually. On Thursday, the Swedish company SKF announced that

clouds that rose just after 11 a.m. local time was the volcano’s highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wa d, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March.

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,” Wa d told The Associated Press. “We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.”

The volcano erupted again just after 7:30 p.m., spewing lava and sending clouds of ash up to 8 miles into the air, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.

By Monday afternoon, at least 24 ights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others delayed, while ights on four domestic routes were canceled, said Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali’s Ngurah Rai international airport.

He said the airport was running normally despite the can-

its bearings and seals on one of the turbines had passed the 6½year mark without unplanned or disruptive maintenance. It has been working closely with the industry for a decade on design and testing.

Achieving six years in the water with constant operations is a “very signi cant milestone” that bodes well for the future of tidal energy, said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe.

Still, the Scotland project seems to have addressed whether the turbines can last in seawater, added Copping, a distinguished faculty fellow in the School of Marine and Environmental A airs at the University of Washington.

“I think they have checked the boxes,” she said. “Because skeptics, and that includes investors, of course, and governments, said, ‘How on Earth are you going to operate these things, especially for any length of time in this very tough environment?’ And that’s

cellations, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not a ected Bali’s airspace. Falling ash after the initial eruption blanketed several villages with debris and blocked sunlight for almost half an hour, Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said in a statement.

He said volcanic materials, including thumb-size fragments of gravel and ash, were thrown up to 5 miles from the crater. He warned residents to be vigilant about heavy rainfall that could trigger lava ows in rivers originating from the volcano.

Photos and videos circulated on social media showed the ash cloud expanding into a mush-

The MeyGen site is in the open water, while another type of tidal project involves creating a dam-like structure called a barrage across tidal waters. With four turbines, MeyGen is considered the largest tidal energy project of its kind worldwide, said Johnson.

“It’s a title we wish we didn’t have. We want more, we want others,” Johnson added. “Unfortunately, others are having di culty achieving what MeyGen has achieved. But working with SKF moving forward, we’ll push the industry forward.”

“An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation.”

Muhammad Wa d, head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency

room shape as tons of volcanic debris covered houses up to their rooftops in nearby villages. Some residents ran in panic under the rain of volcanic material or ed with motorbikes and cars.

Monday’s eruptions resulted from the accumulation of energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while building up pressure, Wijaya said.

The initial eruption was one of Indonesia’s largest since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country’s most volatile volcano, erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate.

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

FRASER JOHNSON / MEYGEN VIA AP

Tidal turbines are installed at the MeyGen tidal site located in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel of water between the Scottish mainland and Stroma Island, in 2018.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spews volcanic materials during an eruption in East Flores, Indonesia, on Monday.

MOORE SPORTS

Area softball players earn all-state, all-district honors

North Moore’s Clendenin wins district player of the year

North State Journal sta

THE NORTH CAROLINA Softball Coaches Association announced the 2025 all-district and all-state teams over the last two weeks. A total of eight players for teams in Moore County were named All-District, and half of them — four — also made the cut for the All-State squad.

Union Pines had ve players named All-District for District 4, Class 3A. North Moore had three players honored for District 4, Class 1A. Two players from each school were named to all-state.

Here are the county’s all-district selections for District 4, and what they accomplished this past season.

Calissa Clendenin: North Moore’s senior catcher ranked in the top 15 in North Carolina class 1A East in elding percentage and RBIs. She was the top elding catcher in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference and among the top three in the league in RBIs, batting average, slugging and on-base percentage. Clendenin was a repeat all-district player and also made all-state for the second year in a row. The NCSCA also named her the District 4 class 1A player of the year.

Sydney Russell: The senior pitcher for North Moore joined Clendenin on the all-state team and was also all-district and all-state for the second year in a row. She was in the top 10 in Class 1A East in ERA and top ve in wins. Playing shortstop when she wasn’t on the mound, she also posted the highest batting average, slugging and on-base percentage in the conference while nishing second in home runs.

Macey Jackson: A senior pitcher and out elder for North Moore, Jackson was third on the team in batting average, tied for second in doubles and posted the third-best ERA while pitching.

SISSYCLENDENIN1507 / INSTAGRAM

North Moore catcher Calissa Clendenin was named player of the year for Class 1A, District 4

nior out elder for Union Pines tied for the team lead in triples, was second in stolen bases and third in average, on-base, RBIs and hits. She was also named all-state.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kileigh Cameron

Union Pines, softball

Number of local players chosen for all-district

Kileigh Cameron: The junior catcher and rst baseman for Union Pines was named all-district for the second year in a row and also made all-state for the rst time. She led the Vikings in home runs, batting average, hits, RBIs, slugging and doubles. She was also fth in the state in RBIs and 14th in home runs. Madison Stein: The ju-

Elizabeth Andrews: Union Pines’ senior shortstop placed in the top three among Vikings in runs, RBIs, hits, homers, doubles, triples and slugging.

Allie Bauer: The junior second baseman for Union Pines was also a strong pitcher, leading the team in ERA and tying for tops on the Vikings in wins.

Trinity Whitt: Union Pines’ senior second baseman led the team in steals and was among the team leaders in runs, elding and doubles.

Kileigh Cameron just nished her junior year for the Union Pines softball team. She also just earned her second berth on the all-district softball team. She was the fth-most proli c RBI producer in the state of North Carolina and also ranked among the state’s leaders in home runs. She just missed a triple crown after leading the Sandhills Conference in home runs and RBIs. Her near-.500 batting average was good for fourth place.

Cameron’s outstanding season also earned her a spot on the all-state softball team, which was announced last week.

Rebuilding Pac-12 gets its needed 8th football school

The new-look conference added Texas State from the Sun Belt

The Associated Press

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas State is joining the Pac-12, giving the rebuilding conference the eighth football-playing school it needed to maintain its status as an FBS conference.

The Pac-12 and Texas State announced the Bobcats from the Sun Belt Conference will join holdovers Oregon State and Washington State, along with private school Gonzaga and Mountain West-departing schools Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State as the nine foundational members of the recon gured Pac-12 that will ofcially launch next summer.

Since Gonzaga doesn’t eld a football team, the Pac-12 needed one more to remain eligible as a Football Bowl Subdivision league. Only Oregon State and Washington State had remained in the Pac-12 after the departures of 10 teams to the three other power conferences: the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12.

Texas State regents approved a $5 million buyout to leave the Sun Belt, a day before the amount of that exit fee was set to double.

The Bobcats will become an all-sports member of the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026, after being in the Sun Belt since 2013, a year after their FBS debut in their only season in the Western Athletic Conference. They were 8-5 each of the past two seasons.

“It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.”

Teresa Gould, Pac-12 commissioner

Texas State’s campus in San Marcos is only about 35 miles south of the University of Texas in Austin. It will be the farthest from the West Coast the Pac-12 has had an all-sports member. Arkansas-Little Rock is now an a liate member for wrestling.

When the 10 former Pac-12 teams o cially departed last year, that created coast-to-coast conferences. Oregon, Washington, Southern California and UCLA went to the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined the Big 12; and Stanford and California became ACC members.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” Commissioner Teresa Gould said. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind.”

The Pac-12 last week struck a media-rights deal with CBS to broadcast a minimum of four football and men’s basketball

games per season on its main network and provide a cable and streaming presence for the league from 2026-31.

Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill in a statement thanked the Texas State sta for its “collaboration and leadership through a transformative era in college athletics” while also touting the league’s recent football success, including 12 of 14 teams making bowl games in 2023, and seven more last year.

“I will continue to update our stakeholders on developments

whenever possible as we work to ensure the sustained rise of the Sun Belt Conference, a collection of like-minded, regional rivals with winning football traditions, passionate fanbases and enduring commitments to excellence in all sports,” Gill said. Texas State is a national research university with more than 40,000 students, and has one of the 25 largest undergraduate enrollments among public universities in the United States.

Kelly Damphousse, the president of Texas State, called join-

ing the Pac-12 more than an athletic move.

“It is a declaration of our rising national pro le, our commitment to excellence, and our readiness to compete and collaborate with some of the most respected institutions in the country,” Damphousse said. “Our acceptance into the Pac-12 a rms the strength of our academic vision, our commitment to providing access to a Texas State degree, the momentum of our athletic programs, and the ambition that de nes this institution.”

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud smokes a cigar with teammates after winning the First Responder Bowl in January.

obituaries

Warren Claud Long

Dec. 6, 1963 – June 26, 2025

The circle of life closed for Warren Claud Long of Southern Pines at the age of 61. Warren fought a formidable foe - cancer since 2023. To know him was to love him because he was willing to assist those in need and was truly a “go-to” guy. Warren and his twin brother were born in Kansas City, KS to parents Raymond Claude Long and Lenore Ward Long, now deceased. Raised in Spring eld, MO he was a loyal fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals throughout his life. He also enjoyed gol ng, one of his favorite pastimes. Warren’s culinary talent was extraordinary. His career as a chef was his passion. Over the years he shared his talents in the kitchens of The Magnolia Inn, The Coves, Maxie’s Grill & Tap Room, and The Bell Tree Tavern, to name a few. He enjoyed cooking for family during the holidays and for his friends. Loving memories remain with his son Fletcher (Macie) Claud Long, sister Karen (Steve) Jameson of Sardis, MS, sister RaeLynn Summers and brother Ward Long of Rogersville, MO, nieces, nephews and the family of Monteil Mattocks.

His family and friends will gather to celebrate his life on July 13 from 4-7 p.m. at The Bell Tree Tavern in Southern Pines. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Gar eld Thompson

March 7, 1942 – June 29, 2025

Mr. Carlton Gar eld Thompson, 83, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Carlton Gar eld Thompson in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Dr. Philip Michael Kirol

Oct. 9, 1935 – June 30, 2025

Dr. Philip Michael Kirol, 89, of Pinehurst, passed away at the FirstHealth Hospice House on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Born in New Castle, PA, October 9, 1935, he was the son of the late Andrew Stephen and Julia Weaver Kirol. After his high school graduation, Philip went on to earn his undergrad and doctorate from John’s Hopkin’s University. He had also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era. On October 20, 1962, he married Mrs. Marilyn Sue Hight. The two settled in Lockport, NY, where he joined a medical practice as an OB/GYN.

Dr. Kirol had delivered hundreds of babies in the Western NY area before his retirement in 1996.

Philip was an avid golfer, and soon after his retirement, he relocated to Sanford, NC, and nally to Pinehurst, where he enjoyed many rounds of golf. He had been a member of the Carolina Trace CC in Sanford. Philip was known for and had taken great pride in his yard. He was meticulous with the hedges and keeping his yard in pristine condition.

Dr. Philip was the loving husband of Marilyn Kirol. He was the father of Karen Collins, DDS., husband John, Keith Kirol, wife Jennifer, and the late Katherine Kirol. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Claire and Mason Collins, and Chase and Cole Kirol.

Dr. Philip’s family wishes to acknowledge the kindness of his special caregivers: Princess Anne Ledbetter and Lisa Ingram.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

James E. Knowles Jr.

Oct. 3, 1966 – June 27, 2025

Mr. James E. Knowles Jr., 53, of Sanford, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, at West eld Rehabilitation and Health Center in Sanford, North Carolina. Please keep the family and friends of Mr. James E. Knowles, Jr name in your thoughts and prayers. Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

Ben Long

Jan. 17, 1955 – June 27, 2025

Ben Walker, 70, of Whispering Pines passed away on June 27, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

Ben brought with him the joy of living throughout his life’s journey. He shared this generous spirit with his many friends and family.

A passionate chef, gardener, and friend of the birds, Ben’s steady supply of good food, jellies, preserves, and various concoctions will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of enjoying them.

Internment services will be held at a later date in his native Mississippi.

In lieu of owers, please consider a donation in Ben’s name to Friends of Weymouth Woods, 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Tonya Lynn Pollard

Sept. 3, 1980 – July 6, 2025

Tonya Lynn Pollard, age 44, died Sunday, July 6, 2025, at her home in Aberdeen.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Boles Funeral Home Chapel in Southern Pines.

Tonya was a native of Montgomery County and was a graduate of East Montgomery High School in Biscoe. She had an associate degree and worked as a CNA and an EKG technician. Her last employment was with Sheetz in Aberdeen. She loved her family and adored her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Kalon Green of Raeford, Alexis Green of Cameron, Raileigh Hill of Aberdeen, Desaree Hill of Carthage, her good friend, Robert Blue of Raleigh, grandchildren, Nova Ray, Niko Ray, Raheem Shamar Blue, Tamaje Martin, her aunts, Janet Ondishko and Debbie Greene both of Albemarle.

Service arrangements are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.

Gloria M. Krug

Aug. 25, 1946 – June 28, 2025

Gloria M. Krug, 78, of Pinehurst, passed peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Born in Beeville, TX, August 25, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Lucio Chon Martinez and Trinidad “Trini” Reyna Martinez. Gloria was raised in St. Peter’s, MO by her mother Trini and stepfather Alvin Schmidt.

In 1966, she married Philip L. Krug near Fort Hood, TX, and the couple soon started a family. Their career with DuPont took them around the world, visiting 25 countries on ve continents. After retirement, Gloria settled in Pinehurst, NC, where she became a Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church of Southern Pines member.

Gloria was a woman of great faith, epitomizing the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31. A true servant of God, caring for her home and family, devoting herself to others before her own wants.

Gloria was the wife of the late Philip L. Krug Jr. She was the mother of Philip L. Krug, III, wife Kathryn, and Michael Krug, wife Vicki. She was the loving grandmother of Alicia Marie, Abigail Mynn, Emily Grace, Erin Haley, Katharine Laine and Richard Brian. She is also survived by her greatgrandsons, Samuel Edward, Jayden Tyler, and Lucia Nicole. In addition to her parents, Gloria is predeceased by her sisters Raquel and Lucia.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 330 S. May St., Southern Pines, on Wed. July 2, at 2 p.m. The family will receive prior to the celebration at the Boles Funeral Home, 425 W. Pennsylvania Ave., from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Garland Simeon Dowdy

Jan. 31, 1953 – July 2, 2025

Garland Dowdy, 72, of Carthage, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at his residence.

Donna Colleen Collier

Jan. 20, 1948 –June 28, 2025

Donna Colleen Collier, age 77, of Robbins, NC, passed away at FirstHealth Hospice House on June 28, 2025. Donna was born in Butler County, OH, on January 20, 1948, to Otis Monroe Collier and Ruth Ann Ellison.

Donna enjoyed a life of retirement in the last several years after working in retail and as a CNA in her nal years of employment. She spent her retirement in the company of her husband, Jim, her dog, Jazzy, and her family. She also enjoyed tending to her plants and bird feeders.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Earl and “Rocky” Collier. Donna is survived by her husband, James White; her children, Melisa Baker, Gerita (Daniel) Lowery, Mary (Wesley) Martin, and Marlaina (Matthew) Zell; her brothers, Dale and Frank Collier; her grandchildren, Danielle and Ashley Lowery, Hannah, Noah, Tali, and Zech Zell; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Donna requested to be cremated, and her remains will be spread at a later date. No funeral, visitation, or celebration of life is planned at this time. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines, NC.

March 22, 1995 –June 30, 2025

Mr. Tony Alexander Douglass, 30, of Sanford, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Monday, June 30, 2025.

*Family and Friends, please join us at the visitation location of 90 Countrywalk Lane, Sanford, NC 27332 between the hours of 2-9 p.m. daily.*

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Tony Alexander Douglass in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

Tony Alexander Douglass

Janie Wicker

Oct. 10, 1952 – July 2, 2025

Janie Wicker lived with quiet grace, steady faith, and a joyful heart. Though soft-spoken, her life spoke volumes, lled with love, kindness and unwavering devotion to God.

She was a beloved daughter, faithful sister, devoted wife, nurturing mother, proud grandmother, cherished aunt and dear friend. She adored her family, loved her sweet dog Toby, and had a gentle laugh that could light up the room. Janie found joy in life’s simplest pleasuresgood food, peaceful moments, and time spent with those she loved. She often got tickled over the silliest things, and her soft but contagious laughter will be remembered by all who knew her.

A lifelong lover of gospel music and a faithful servant of the Lord, Janie rarely missed a service at Crossroads Community Church of Whispering Pines, NC, where she worshiped for many years. Filled with the Holy Spirit, she was always the rst to jump up during worship-clapping, shouting, and giving God the glory. Funny enough, she clapped o -beat most of the time, but it never slowed her down. She clapped loud, proud, and with all her heart. You always knew where her spirit stood-with Jesus. Janie’s deepest hope was for all her loved ones to know Christ and to one day be reunited in Heaven. That faith guided every step of her life.

She was joyfully welcomed into eternity by her loving husband, Robert Wicker; her parents, Margaret and John Wilson; and her brothers, Paul Wilson, Robert Wilson, and Howard Wilson.

She leaves behind two loving sisters, Annie Williams and Judy Scott (Ronald); her four children: Betty Teal (Darrell), Tony Talbert (Pam), Nancy Talbert, and Brian Talbert (Trish).

Janie was a proud grandmother to Amanda Bowman (Daniel), Victoria Smith, Cody Teal, Courtney Hobgood, Dylan Teal, Amber Talbert, and Christian Talbert (Emily)-and a joyful great-grandmother to Gracin Bowman, Axel Wilson, Lynleigh Allred, Noah, and Aden Hardy.

She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whose lives she touched deeply with her love, warmth, and faith. Janie’s legacy of love, strength, and spirit will forever echo in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Crossroads Community Church, 780 Bibey Rd. Carthage. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the ceremony from 1-3 p.m. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Essie Jones Raye

March 16, 1936 – July 6, 2025

Ms. Essie Jones Raye of Aberdeen, N.C., peacefully departed her earthly home on July 6, 2025, at her home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Pugh & Smith Funeral Home.

Margaret “Peggy” Crook Arnold

Oct. 12, 1931 – June 30, 2025

Margaret (“Peggy”) Crook Arnold, 93, beloved wife of the late Gorton Milton Arnold Jr., passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, N.C.

Peggy was born in Baltimore, MD on October 12, 1931, to the late Howard E. Crook Jr. and Katharine Coblentz Crook, and grew up in Catonsville, MD. She graduated from Catonsville High School in 1948 and from Hood College in Frederick, MD, in 1952. While working at Seagram’s in Relay, MD, she met her future husband, Gorton, and they were married in 1956. When Gorton’s job at Seagram’s took him to New York City in the early 1960s, Peggy and Gorton moved to Westchester County, NY. Peggy worked at General Foods in White Plains and later in Manhattan for Dobbs/Lifesaver, Inc. After Gorton’s retirement in 1980, Peggy and Gorton moved to Whispering Pines, NC, where they resided for the remainder of their lives.

Throughout their marriage, Peggy and Gorton enjoyed an active social life that included golf and bridge. They also enjoyed the winter months at their condominium in Bonita Springs, FL. Both Peggy and Gorton were avid sports fans, especially

Gerald “Jerry” Hartman

April 6, 1935 – July 4, 2025

Gerald “Jerry” Hartman, age 90, of Cameron, formerly of Harrison, Michigan, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, surrounded by his Family.

A Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Brown o ciating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m.

Jerry was born in Michigan on April 6, 1935, to the late Earl Adam Hartman and Verina Janke Hartman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Dawn Cummings.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara Mitchell Hartman, children, Wendy Watson (Tim) of Michigan, Kim Bailey (Gus) of Michigan, Jo Ann Fruchey of Indiana, David Damon (Donnalee) of North Carolina; seventeen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren; sisters, Judy Eggert of Florida, Marilyn Kimball of Michigan.

Jerry was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Moose Lodge of Harrison, Michigan, and he loved to volunteer at both lodges. He enjoyed woodturning, woodworking, hunting, shing and gol ng. He was a wonderful family man and a loving grandpa. Jerry also had many many great friends he enjoyed spending time with.

Jerry and Barb had spent the last 33 winters in Harlingen, Texas developing friendships and cultivating a new and special snowbird family.

cheering for the UNC football and basketball teams. The happy couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. After Gorton passed away in 2011 at the age of 96, Peggy continued to reside in their home in Whispering Pines. She remained socially active until shortly before her death, when health issues increasingly restricted her mobility. She especially enjoyed meals at the Pinehurst County Club with family and friends. Peggy was an enthusiastic reader of both novels and newspapers. She especially enjoyed perusing the Wall Street Journal each day, keenly following developments in the nancial markets and selfmanaging her investments. In later years, she liked to watch sporting events and old western movies on TV.

Peggy is survived by her sister, Katharine C. Heidelbach, of Sykesville, MD, her niece Deborah H. Wagsta (Charles) of Red Oak, VA, and their two daughters Amanda W. Ratchen (Nathan) of Charlottesville, VA and Sarah Wagsta of Ellicott City, MD, and her nephew James T. Heidelbach (Karen) of Monkton, MD, and their two daughters, Lindsay H. Chase (Ben) of Alexandria, VA and Bailey Heidelbach of San Diego, CA.

Peggy is also survived by her husband’s son, Richard S. Arnold, son-in-law William Sullivan, and their extended families. She was preceded in death by Gorton’s daughter, Sally Jean Arnold Sullivan.

In lieu of owers, contributions in her memory may be made to Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701, FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or the charity of your choice.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines, NC & Sterling-AshtonSchwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, MD.

Ronnie Stephen Williams

Dec. 18, 1950 – July 4, 2025

Ronnie Stephen Williams, 74, of Moore County, North Carolina, died on July 4, 2025. Born on December 16, 1950, to Talmadge Lee and Jessie Williams, Ronnie spent his entire life in Moore County, where he built an impressive legacy rooted in hard work, creativity, and a deep connection to the land.

A natural entrepreneur with an independent spirit, Ronnie founded and operated multiple businesses throughout his life, including a landscaping company, a vineyard and winery, a nursery, and an irrigation business. He had a talent for building things from the ground up, whether it was a thriving business or a stretch of land brought to life.

Ronnie was tenacious, creative, strong-willed, and generous. He loved music, hunting, and the quiet beauty of the mountains. He found joy in time with his grandchildren and took pride in what he had built and in the life he lived on his own terms.

He is survived by his devoted and brave wife, Denise; his children: Bradley, Melissa, and Ashley (Eric); his grandchildren: Austin, Morgan, Jordan, Addison, Everett, and Zac; and his siblings: Judy, Brenda, Curtis, and Gary. He was preceded in death by his parents, Talmadge Lee and Jessie Williams.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later time.

Ronnie leaves behind a legacy of determination and grit. He was one of a kind. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of the owers, donations may be made to the Ronnie S. Williams Memorial Fund at Sandhills Community College.

Make checks payable to: SCCF

Attn: Sandhills Community College Foundation

3395 Airport Road Pinehurst, NC 28374

Jimmy Roger Morgan

Nov. 3, 1954 – June 30, 2025

Jimmy Roger Morgan, born November 3, 1954, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, to Lillie Mae Blalock Morgan and James Cleveland Morgan, passed away comfortably on June 30 at Randolph Hospital in Asheboro, leaving behind a legacy of love, hard work, and kindness.

A man of many talents, Jimmy built his own home in Robbins and lived a life lled with heart, humor, and generosity. Known as a goodhearted, country, dog-loving man, he had a knack for lending a helping hand and making others

July 11, 1933 – July 3, 2025

Gladys Harris went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2025. Born to Matt and Kate Matthews on July 11, 1933. She had two brothers: Bill and John and one sister, Cathryn. “Dink” as she was often called by her family, graduated from Aberdeen High School where she was an All-Star Basketball Championship player among other superlatives. Gladys won beauty pageants and loved swimming at Aberdeen Lake, where she caught the eye of the young Lloyd Harris. They were to be married in the summer of 1953. She was a loving mother to two children. Lloyd and Gladys would go on to own/manage Golden Corral Restaurant for 25 years, where she held many job titles. She excelled at greeting everyone with a smile and a kind word to make everyone feel welcomed.

As a lifelong resident of Aberdeen and active member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Gladys had many friends. She enjoyed hosting “Carport parties” with her family and friends. There have been many laughs, hot dogs “All-The-Way” and memories made during those parties! She also enjoyed decorating for every occasion and gardening. She was a loving, kind, caregiving person that would greet with a smile and leave you with “I love you and God Bless you.” She lived a long, full life and will be missed by everyone who knew her. Gladys is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sister and husband. Survived by her son Tommy (Kim) and her daughter Cindy. She had three grandchildren, ve greatgrandchildren and one greatgreat grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Services will be held at old Bethesda Church 1006 Bethesda Rd. Aberdeen, NC 28315. Wednesday July 9th, 2025 at 10 a.m. Donations can be made in her honor to Merry Hearts Preschool C/O Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 1002 N Sandhills Blvd. Aberdeen, NC -orA charity of your choosing. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.

feel at ease. Jimmy began his career as an electrician with Sammy Phillips and spent many years with Pipes Electric Company. Later, he moved to Asheboro, NC, where he retired from Energizer Holdings Company. Beyond his work, Jimmy found joy in gardening, attending, and participating in dog shows, and playing cards with family, always ready for a laugh and a good time.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Steve Morgan and Je Morgan; his beloved sister, Betty Morgan and his nephews Jay Watson and Nick Watson.

Jimmy’s spirit lives on in those who loved him. He is survived by his son, Nathan Morgan; his loving girlfriend, Norma Greene; his sisters, Sueanne Morgan, and Pennie Watson; and his nieces, Amy Morgan, Wendy Goins, Michelle Schneider (Matthew), and Beth Deming (Bryan), along with many cousins and extended family.

The family will honor Jimmy’s life at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines on Saturday, July 5, 2-4 p.m. All who knew and loved him are welcome to join the family.

Dec. 6, 1950 – July 2, 2025

Annette Parson Scott, 74, of Cameron, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 2, 2025.

Annette was a native of Moore County, was the daughter of the late George and Jean Howard Parson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Adam Scott.

Annette dedicated over 20 years as the bookkeeper at Union Pines High School, where she was known for her reliability and kindness. After retiring, she continued her passion for supporting others by working alongside her son in the business o ce of Sanford Contractors. Annette was the heart of her family. She found joy in celebrating birthdays, hosting large gatherings with family and friends, and especially cherished the annual summer vacations to Ocean Isle. Sel ess and giving, she always put others before herself. To Annette, there were no strangers, only extended family. Her warmth, generosity, and boundless love touched everyone she met. She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Scottie Scott of Cameron; her son Ian Scott, and his wife, Pate of Cameron; daughter-in-law, Jenn Scott of High Point; sister, Faye Halvorsen of Greensboro; her amazing grandchildren, Cameron Scott (Paxton Nash), Nate Scott, Lucian Scott, and Mason Scott; and her beautiful great-grandchildren, Patrick and Delilah Nash.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Monday, July 14, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Carthage, 110 S Ray Street, Carthage, NC 28327, with Reverend Rick Martindale o ciating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made to St. Joseph of the Pines, 103 Gossman Drive, Southern Pines, NC 28387. Online condolences may be left at PinesFunerals.com The care of Mrs. Scott has been entrusted with Fry and Prickett Funeral Home.

Gladys Harris

Annette Parson Scott

STATE & NATION

Federal agents, National Guard make show of force in LA park

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles expressed anger at the action

By Tara Copp and Damian Dovarganes The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dozens of federal o cers in tactical gear and about 90 members of the California National Guard were deployed for about an hour Monday to a mostly empty park in a Los Angeles neighborhood with a large immigrant population. It wasn’t immediately known if any arrests were made.

Defense o cials had said the troops and more than a dozen military vehicles would help protect immigration ocers as they carried out a raid in MacArthur Park.

“What I saw in the park today looked like a city under siege, under armed occupation,” said Mayor Karen Bass, who was among the small crowd that watched as o cers moved through a section of the park in the late morning and then got back in the vehicles and cleared out. Some activists who had earlier warned people to leave the area lmed the o cers.

The operation occurred at a park in a neighborhood with large Mexican, Central American and other immigrant populations, and it is lined by businesses with signs in Spanish and other languages that has been dubbed by local o cials as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast.” Messages were sent to Immi-

gration and Customs Enforcement seeking additional details.

Jeannette Zanipatin with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights saw the brief but prominent presence of troops and federal o cers at the park.

“I de nitely think it’s a source of intimidation,” she said. “We know that the Trump administration is trying to make an example of Los Angeles.”

The operation in the large park about 2 miles west of downtown LA included 17 Humvees, four tactical vehicles, two ambulances and armed soldiers, defense o cials said. It came after President Donald Trump deployed thousands of Guard members and active duty Marines to the city last month following protests over previous immigration raids.

Trump has stepped up e orts to realize his campaign pledge of deporting millions of immigrants in the United States illegally and shown a willingness to use the nation’s military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided.

Betsy Bolte, who lives nearby, came to the park after seeing a military-style helicopter circling. She arrived to see federal o cers on horseback moving through a grassy area, with activists and passersby shouting at them.

Bolte didn’t see any arrests and said it was “gut-wrenching” to witness what appeared to be a federal show of force on the streets of a U.S. city.

“It’s terror and, you know, it’s ripping the heart and soul out of Los Angeles,” she said. “I am

Shriners Children’s to open $153M medical research facility in Atlanta

It’s coming to a new Georgia Tech science research campus

By Je Amy The Associated Press

ATLANTA — The nonprofit that operates Shriners Children’s hospitals across North America will locate a $153 million medical research facility in Atlanta, the group announced last Wednesday.

Shriners Children’s Research Institute intends to conduct research into cell and gene therapies, other biotechnology therapies, robotics, arti cial intelligence, medical devices and the study of data.

Shriners Children’s operates 17 hospitals in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada, plus clinics. The system is owned by Shriners International, a Masonic

order. It specializes in treating children with orthopedic problems, burns, urology disorders

and craniofacial conditions, including cleft lips and palates. While the organization accepts

Federal agents stage at MacArthur Park on Monday in Los

still in shock, disbelief, and so angry and terri ed and heartbroken.”

The defense o cials told reporters it was not a military operation but acknowledged that the size and scope of the Guard’s participation could make it look like one to the public. That is why the o cials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details about the raid that were not announced publicly.

“It’s just going to be more overt and larger than we usually participate in,” one of the ocials said before the raid ended abruptly with no explanation.

The primary role of the service members would be to protect the immigration enforcement o cers in case a hostile crowd gathered, that o cial said. They are not participating

insurance payments, it treats patients regardless of their ability to pay.

“This is a decision of the health care system to expand the role we play in pediatric research,” said Mel Bower, a spokesperson for Shriners Children’s. He said the institute will be nanced using the Shriners Children’s resources and should be operating within a year to 18 months.

The institute projects it will have 470 employees, many of them new hires, and Georgia Tech said it will be the largest tenant at Science Square. That is a mixed-use development that Georgia Tech is developing along with the Trammell Crow Co.

Georgia Tech owns the land adjoining its campus near downtown Atlanta, while the company built labs that opened last year. The development aims to emulate Georgia Tech’s success in joint developments with technology companies in Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood. That tech sector has been a major driver of growth in Atlanta in recent years, and o cials are now trying to bolster growth from biomedical research.

in any law enforcement activities such as arrests, but service members can temporarily detain citizens if necessary before handing them over to law enforcement, the o cial said.

Sprawling MacArthur Park has a murky lake ringed by palm trees, an amphitheater that hosts summer concerts and sports elds where immigrant families line up to play soccer in the evenings and on weekends. A thoroughfare on the east side is often crammed with unlicensed food stands selling tacos and other delicacies, along with vendors speaking multiple languages and hawking cheap T-shirts, toys, knickknacks and household items.

Authorities routinely clear encampments, and medical outreach teams tend to homeless residents.

Chris Newman, legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said he received a credible tip about the operation Monday.

“It was a demonstration of escalation,” Newman said. “This was a reality TV spectacle much more so than an actual enforcement operation.” Since federal agents have been making arrests at Home Depot parking lots and elsewhere in Los Angeles, Newman said fewer people have been going to the park and immigrant neighborhoods near the city’s downtown.

“The ghost town-i cation of LA is haunting, to say the very least,” he said.

More than 4,000 California National Guard and hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed in Los Angeles since June — against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Last week, the military announced about 200 of those troops would be returned to their units to ght wild res.

Leanne West, the chief engineer of pediatric technology at Georgia Tech, said the university has already conducted 25 projects with Shriners Children’s. She said both Georgia Tech and Emory University will lend research expertise to the institute, and she hopes institute employees can work alongside Georgia Tech researchers.

“The goal is to really help embed some of their researchers here with Georgia Tech, to walk across campus, to work in the same labs, to have that physical presence together,” West said. “I think we can accomplish great things by doing that.”

The state and local governments are providing incentives to Shriners Children’s, although it is not exactly clear how that would work because nonpro ts are generally exempt from income and property taxes. In Georgia, nonpro t organizations have to pay sales taxes, which means the state could waive such taxes on equipment purchases. Jessica Atwell, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said the state won’t release documents until they are nalized.

STEVE YEATER / AP PHOTO

Shriners Children’s Research Institute — which operates 17 hospitals, including one in Sacramento, California — plans a new research facility in Atlanta in conjunction with Georgia Tech.

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP PHOTO

Angeles.