North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 21

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the BRIEF this week

Jackson joins other states in suing over school funding

East Providence, R.I.

More than 20 states, including North Carolina, sued President Donald Trump’s administration Monday over billions of dollars in frozen education funding for after-school care, summer programs and more. Some of the withheld money funds after-school and summer programming at Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA or public schools, attended by 1.4 million children and teenagers nationwide. Congress set aside money for the programs, but the Trump administration recently froze the funding. The lawsuit alleges withholding the money violates the Constitution and several federal laws. In North Carolina, about 40 schools are already in session, so the state is already trying to gure out ways to keep programs going, using state and local money, along with some federal money that has not expired.

North Carolina Attorney General Je Jackson said smaller, rural school districts would be most severely impacted. The freeze could also lead to approximately 1,000 teachers and sta being laid o , Jackson said.

Trump threatens Russia with tari s Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened Russia with steep tari s and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, hardening his stance toward Moscow after months of frustration about unsuccessful negotiations for ending the war. Trump said he would implement “severe tari s” unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days.

Stein vetoes 3 more bills, brings total to 14

The governor signed nine other pieces of legislation into law

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Democratic Gov. Josh Stein cleared his last week of the deluge of bills passed to him from the North Carolina General Assembly last month, three of which he vetoed.

Stein topped o his veto total at 14 for this year’s legislative session. One of the vetoes prolongs the extensive battle between the governor’s o ce and GOP-controlled legislature over gun laws — an issue Republican lawmakers prioritized when they came to Raleigh.

Now that all of Stein’s vetoes have been returned to the Legislative Building, possible veto

See STEIN, page A3

Davis eyeing ’26 run for Tillis’ Senate seat

N.C. House Rep. John Bell con rmed he’s been asked about running, while Democrats wait on Roy Cooper’s decision

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina Congressman Don Davis (D-Snow Hill) is exploring getting into the 2026 North Carolina U.S. Senate race following Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’ announcement that he will not seek reelection.

The news was rst reported by Politico on July 7 and con rmed by Davis’ campaign manager, Hannah Spengler, in a post on X.

“Can con rm,” Spengler wrote in response to a post by Politico reporter Nicholas Wu citing Spengler as saying Davis is “looking at all options and not ruling anything out.”

Davis rst ran for North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District seat in 2022 and

‘Great American State Fair’ in Trump’s plans for 2026

The administration is planning for the country’s 250th anniversary

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — President Donald Trump announced plans for a “Great American State Fair” as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

In a fact sheet released by the White House, Trump said a “Great American State Fair” will begin in Iowa and travel around the country throughout the year before coming to the National Mall for a festival next July.

“This will be a unifying, patriotic, family-friendly event that will feature exhibits from all 50 states and

attract visitors from around the world,” the fact sheet says. “Over the next year, state and county fairs will be part of the Great American State Fair and feature America 250 programming.”

The fair will be hosted through a partnership between the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and the America 250 Commission.

America 250 festivities will also include high school athletes from around the country participating in “Patriot Games,” which will be led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to the fact sheet, the Patriot Games will be a “nationally televised

See FAIR, page A3

“Exactly one year from tomorrow, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding with a birthday party the likes of which you have never seen before.”

President Donald Trump

won reelection in 2024. Before running for Congress, Davis served in the state Senate representing District 5 from 2013-22. Over the past two years,

See DAVIS, page A2

State Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), pictured in February, far right, at the Legislative O ce Building in Raleigh, said he wouldn’t rule out a run for U.S. Senate.

GARY D. ROBERTSON / AP PHOTO

DAVID YEAZELL / AP PHOTO

Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.), pictured speaking at an October campaign rally at East Carolina in Greenville, is exploring running for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis next year.

the word | Five necessary adjustments

Every Christian needs at least ve adjustments.

First, he must be adjusted to the Lord — for God will never change his ways for us. Accepting his ways and submitting to him, will adjust us to him so that his ways suit us all right and keep us from complaining and always wishing things were otherwise.

Second, we must be adjusted to the church. There are people who are not satis ed with what their fellow Christians are doing, or with their dispositions, or with the way things are conducted in the church. They think they cannot live successfully or be on proper terms with others, unless things are going to suit them. You need not expect that everything in the church will ever come up to your ideas of what it ought to be, nor that every individual will measure up to your standard, nor that everybody will teach just as you think he ought to. Instead of being irritated over such things and nding fault—serve the Lord faithfully, but do not try to assume all the responsibility for what others do.

Third, we need to be so adjusted to the world — that no matter what comes up, it will not cause us to swerve from the true path. Worldly in uences will constantly come against our lives, but we must not let them draw us away nor hinder our spirituality.

Fourth, you must get adjusted to our circumstances — the things that go wrong in the family or in your work. Every now and then, something will disturb you or vex you — but you must learn how to meet these things. Have you ever noticed that vessels on the lakes have timbers on their sides to sheer them o the wharf and to prevent the hull from being injured by striking the wharf? Christians need some such contrivances in their lives to keep their troubles from getting too close to them. They need to have something alongside to prevent them from being hurt by the impact of natural circumstances. One of the best things to sheer o petty annoyances, is a good smile. An attitude of

cheerful courage, is a wonderful help too.

Fifth, we need to be adjusted to heat, cold, and position.

We need to be so adjusted to the Heat of human enthusiasm, that we shall not be carried away from our common sense and be led into doing unwise things. We need to be so adjusted to emotionalism, that our emotions will not run away with us nor the emotions of others in uence us too strongly. We need to be adjusted to the passions of others, so that their anger, envy, jealousy, malice, and such like will not a ect us. We must be able to hold our own position and go our own way. We need to have a de nite personality of our own, to think for ourselves, and to keep balanced — no matter how high the tide of enthusiasm, emotionalism, or passion may run about us.

We need to be so adjusted to Cold that religious formality will not freeze us out, nor the prejudice of others move us to ill feeling,

Spectrum Center upgrades among Charlotte LGC approvals

More than half of the $900 million OK’d by the Local Government Commission went to the Queen City

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Local Government Commission approved nancing requests totaling more than $900 million at its July 1 meeting.

The largest approvals went to Charlotte for $475 million in combined nancing to upgrade Spectrum Center to meet NBA requirements, re nance existing debt, and refund water and sewer bonds.

Of the total approved for Charlotte, $130 million for loans similar to limited obligation bonds will go toward modernization upgrades for Spectrum Center, as well as a parking facility and re house. The upgrades are needed for “venue enhancements are necessary to meet NBA require-

the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has targeted Davis in multiple ad campaigns. Upon news that Davis was exploring a run for Tillis’ seat, the NRCC issued a statement that Davis is looking at that race because he is in trouble facing reelection to his current U.S. House seat.

“Don Davis showed up to Congress, made a mess of things for North Carolinians, and now is trying to run for the hills because he knows voters are ready to hold him accountable,” wrote NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole. “Davis is a coward, and whether he runs for House or Senate, his days in Congress are numbered.”

Davis was considered “the most vulnerable” Democratic seat in the U.S. House during the 2024 election cycle and appears to be maintaining that status for 2026, per Roll Call.

Democrats are still waiting for former Gov. Roy Cooper to make a decision on getting into the Sen-

TREASURER’S OFFICE

Treasurer Brad Briner, center, talks with new LGC members Thomas Stith, left, and Mike Brown.

ments for franchise facilities,” according to a press release from N.C. Treasurer Brad Briner’s o ce. The Local Government Commission (LGC) also approved the private nancing agreement of $136.5 million for various

ate race, and there has been speculation that N.C. Attorney General Je Jackson or Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt may be contenders.

Sources familiar with the race, who spoke under condition of anonymity to North State Journal, indicated that remarks by Jackson at a recent event seemed to imply Cooper was getting in the race and that Jackson would endorse Cooper. North State Journal contacted Jackson’s o ce regarding the remarks.

A few hours after North State Journal posted that information on X, Raleigh outlet WRAL said Jackson told them that he would endorse Cooper if he were to run.

Further evidence of a potential run by Cooper is a since-removed online invitation to a July 18 event at a venue in Winston-Salem titled “Co ee with Cooper,” which said the former governor will speak about “the future of North Carolina.” The posting, however, could not be veri ed, and the venue has no knowledge of such an event.

Former Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel is the

Spectrum Center modernization upgrades and other governmental facility renovations.

The remaining $210 million will be applied to refund water and sewer revenue bonds.

Briner serves as the chair of the LGC, which oversees and

only Democrat who has formally led paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission for Tillis’ seat.

On the Republican side, President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, and RNC Chair Michael Whatley have been mentioned.

Three individuals have paperwork to run as Republicans for the seat: Brooks Agnew, an author and former manufacturing engineer; Don Brown, an attorney and former JAG Ofcer; and Triad area businessman Andy Nilsson.

Statehouse Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne), who chairs the powerful House Rules Committee, con rmed to North State Journal that he’s received “at least 15 calls” from various people and groups both in the state and Washington, D.C., asking if he’d consider running for the seat.

Bell, who is in his seventh term in the House, told North State Journal he’s not ruling anything out.

“I am very happy in the North Carolina House as rules

nor the indi erence of others make us indi erent.

We need to be so adjusted to Position that we shall be able to live a balanced Christian life in any surroundings. No matter whether we are rich or poor, no matter what our social position, our employment, or our associates, or whatever might naturally in uence us — they will not be able to draw us away from the Lord or prevent us from serving him. God made us to live in this world and be victorious Christians in it. “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”

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 more than 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.

monitors the scal health of the more than 1,100 government units in the state. New members joining the LGC for the July meeting included board members Mike Brown, Thomas Stith and Denise Canada, the LGC’s new secretary.

Another large approval was $63 million in limited obligation bonds for Onslow County to equip, renovate and improve county buildings in Jacksonville, plus repair work on a re station and public safety facility.

Other items approved by the LGC included Nash Healthcare Systems’ $165 million request for a new hospital tower in Rocky Mount, which includes the addition of 150 patient rooms.

Municipal infrastructure projects dominated the remaining approvals, including wastewater treatment expansions in Wilkesboro of $68.6 million and the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority of $26.3 million.

Educational facilities receiving a green light included approval for Dare County’s $26.5 million for an early college building.

The LGC also approved the following requests:

• $795,282, Moore County: Lease 18 stretchers for Emergency Management Services

• $850,000, Cape Carteret (Carteret County): Acquire one acre of waterfront land on Bogue Sound with boat ramp, dock, bulkhead and parking

• $1.3 million, Troutman (Iredell County): Rehabilitate, repair and replace clay pipe and brick manholes to reduce sewer system over ows

• $2 million, Williamston (Martin County): Rehabilitate 6,830 linear feet of sewer lines and replace manholes

• $3.8 million, Lee County: Finance renovations at Central Carolina Community College facilities at the Moore Center Bioprocessing Building

• $7.5 million, Lumberton (Robeson County): Install advanced metering infrastructure for electric utilities and water and sewer services

• $11.5 million, Hendersonville (Henderson County): Improve the city’s water and sewer system, including maintenance and expansion of the water treatment facility

• $44 million, WinstonSalem (Forsyth County): Improvements to parks, recreation facilities, streets, sidewalks and various municipal facilities

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Fog Warning” is a painting by Winslow Homer (1885) in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

N.C.

chair under Speaker Destin Hall,” said Bell, adding that he would listen to what people who would like to see him run have to say.

Bell said that “when and if” the time comes to consider entering the race, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to discuss it.

MARIAM ZUHAIB / AP PHOTO

Former U.S. Rep, Wiley Nickel, pictured in 2022, is the only Democrat so far to o cially announce he is running for U.S. Senate in 2026.

How school choice expansion will work in NC

Students could claim up to $1,700 through a scholarship granting organization under President Donald Trump’s recently signed legislation

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — President Donald Trump signed his rst major piece of legislation into law on Independence Day, delivering on a wide range of campaign promises, including making his tax cuts permanent and enacting no tax on tips.

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) also introduces a nationwide school choice program through a federal tax credit for individuals contributing to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs).

The new federal tax credit allows U.S. citizens or residents to claim up to $1,700 annually for cash contributions to SGOs that fund scholarships for eligible K-12 students in participating states. The credit supports expenses like tuition and books, and any unused credit can be carried forward for up to ve years.

Eligible students come from households with incomes up to 300% of the area median gross income and are eligible for public school enrollment. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data for 2023, the average median family income in North Carolina was $70,804, putting the eligibility range at upward of $212,400.

The SGO must meet specific requirements, such as being a 501(c)(3) organization, maintaining separate accounts for quali ed contributions, spending at least 90% of its income on scholarships, and prioritizing students who previously received or have siblings who did.

SGOs must meet strict requirements, including undergoing annual audits by independent certi ed public accountants and ensuring no scholarships are awarded to disquali ed persons to prevent “self-dealing.”

override attempts could occur later this month. House Speaker Destin Hall rea rmed that possibility in a post on the social platform X.

“We’re keeping score. Overrides coming soon,” Hall said.

With Republicans one House seat short of a veto-proof supermajority, GOP leaders may have to pick and choose which measures on which to act. A few bills with some Democratic support may be able to skirt by.

The rst vetoed bill, House Bill 193, would allow certain people to carry rearms onto private school property with permission from the school’s board of trustees or administrative director. The person — either an employee or a volunteer — would be required to have a concealed handgun permit and complete a training class. Republican proponents said the bill would keep private schools safe in rural areas where police response time is longer.

Some of the relevant language in the OBBB was altered by the Senate before Trump signed the bill, including the process for states opting into the tax credit program and SGO involvement. According to the new law, states must decide by Jan. 1 each year to participate and transmit the list of quali ed SGOs to the federal government. Additionally, the selection of SGOs is to be made “by the Governor of the state or by another individual, agency, or entity designated under state law to make such elections on behalf of the state with respect to federal tax bene ts.”

That language in the OBBB could be problematic for North Carolina, as Democrats in the state have opposed school choice expansion, including Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.

However, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), who has championed school choice in the state, issued a statement on X that he plans to introduce a

measure to allow North Carolina to participate.

“I will write legislation to enable North Carolina to take part in President Trump’s School Choice Plan, allowing taxpayers to write o contributions to organizations that fund private school scholarships,” Berger wrote in part.

One organization, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), is already positioned as a qualifying SGO. PEFNC, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary, has been a leader in school choice advocacy in the state, particularly for the Opportunity Scholarship program (OSP) and Students with Disability grants.

PEFNC President Mike Long told North State Journal he acknowledges the issue with the state “opt-in” language and that national school choice advocates would likely work to change the provision and raise the maximum donor amount before the law’s current e ective date.

“I will write legislation to enable North Carolina to take part in President Trump’s School Choice Plan, allowing taxpayers to write o contributions to organizations that fund private school scholarships.”

Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden)

“The bottom line is it does not cost the state of North Carolina anything for an SGO to grant these scholarships to families that need them,” Long said. “So the argument is, why would anybody in the state oppose something like that?”

The new tax credit program could stack with the OSP, allowing families to close any nan-

Gov. Josh Stein speaks to reporters after a bill-signing ceremony at the Executive Mansion last Tuesday.

cial gaps in a ording private school tuition and other expenses covered.

Long said his organization would encourage families to apply for the OSP rst.

“If a family, let’s say, gets a $7,200 scholarship from the Opportunity Scholarship program, but the tuition to the school they want to go to is $9,500, they could apply with the SGO for the di erence,” Long said. “So that’s how, and that’s, in my opinion, how we as an SGO would operate it. We would stack it on top of OSP.”

The OSP provides scholarships based on household income using a four-tiered system, with the largest amounts going to lower-income families under Tier One, which o ers a maximum amount of $7,676 a year. The average private school tuition in the state is around $11,105, according to the website College Transitions.

There are more than 880 private schools in North Carolina, of which over 600 participate in the OSP. During the 2024 -25 school year, 135,738 students in North Carolina were enrolled in a private school. For the same school year, there are 80,470 OSP recipients, according to data from the N.C. Education Assistance Authority, which oversees the program.

In addition to the tax credit, the OBBB also expands the use of 529 accounts to include elementary, secondary and religious school expenses such as tuition, curriculum materials, books, online resources, tutoring, standardized test fees and educational therapies for students with disabilities.

Another investment opportunity for families tucked in the OBBB is “Trump Accounts,” where the federal government will deposit $1,000 into a tax-deferred, low-cost index fund account for each eligible child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2029. Additional annual contributions of up to $5,000 can be made to the account. Those funds can be used for expenses ranging from college tuition to a house down payment once the child reaches the age of 25.

tion of the pistol purchase permit system that mandated character evaluations and criminal history checks for applicants.

The other two bills Stein vetoed also received some Democratic votes and thus could be overridden if such support holds.

Stein argued in his veto statement that school employees and volunteers “cannot substitute” law enforcement o cers, who receive hundreds of hours of safety education, when crises occur. The governor voiced support for another provision in the bill that would heighten penalties for threatening or assaulting an elected o cial. He urged the legislature to “send me a clean bill with those protections so I can sign it.”

FAIR from page A1

rst- of-its-kind youth athletics competition featuring athletes from all 50 states.”

Funding Trump’s recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill will support many America 250 celebrations, including a new landmark, the “National Garden of American Heroes” park, which will have “statues of 250 American heroes” on its outdoor grounds.

The fact sheet also says that every department and agency has plans for celebrating the nation’s anniversary and that each federal building will be “patriotically decorated” for a certain time during 2026.

“Just as we should not allow guns in the General Assembly, we should keep them out of our

Additionally, the America 250 Commission has planned multiple initiatives, including “expositions showcasing American innovation over the last 250 years and what America can achieve in the future,” dubbed “America Innovate.” Trump participated in the kicko of the upcoming year of celebrations and passage of his landmark legislation at a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 4. “Exactly one year from tomorrow, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding with a birthday party the likes of which you have never seen before,” Trump told the crowd.

schools unless they are in the possession of law enforcement,” Stein said in the statement.

Some Democrats in the House and Senate voted for the bill originally, meaning a veto override is on the table.

The ght over guns was the focus of a previous bill Stein vetoed a few weeks ago that would allow adults to carry concealed weapons without a permit. That

bill faces an uphill battle to becoming law after a handful of Republicans voted against the measure, making the chances of a veto override fairly slim.

GOP state legislators have continued to carve out further gun access over the past few years. In 2023, Republican lawmakers overrode former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto and put into law the elimina-

House Bill 96 would create an expedited removal process for homeowners and landlords to remove people who are unauthorized to live on their property. Stein said he was unhappy with a last-minute addition that would prevent local governments from enforcing their own prohibitions on pet shop animal sales and additional licensing beyond statewide rules. Senate Bill 416 would bar public agencies from collecting or releasing certain personal information about donors to 501(c) nonpro ts.

The governor also signed nine bills into law. Two were omnibus criminal justice and public safety measures, raising penalties on many crimes or creating new criminal counts. Another was designed to help active-duty military and veterans with reduced government fees and improved access to higher education.

President Donald Trump speaks at a July 3 rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

STEIN from page A1

ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump bangs a gavel after signing his signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House on July 4.

ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO

GARY D. ROBERTSON / AP PHOTO

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

America is going to hell in a handbasket culturally, so what am I going to do about it?

Our ancestors, left, right and middle, volunteered for duty to save the country they had learned to love growing up from patriotic parents, neighbors and friends.

THERE’S BEEN A LOT of chatter for decades now about how America has lost its way in terms of civil discourse, and those on the right of the political spectrum say it is the fault of left-wing liberals and media. Those on the left blame mean-spirited Christians on the right politically for turning Jesus into a political weapon, particularly on the ammable issue of abortion.

There’s enough room to share the blame, including rightwing conservatives and Republicans. Fortunately, there are ways to patch the holes in the cultural walls, but only if everyone pitches in and does their part, or rather, does the same work their great-grandparents and ancestors did on a daily, grinding, perpetual basis starting today.

There’s something to be said about having to face a common enemy that pulls people together and doesn’t push them apart. Our parents and grandparents su ered together through the Great Depression and then fought the Nazis and the Japanese Empire in the deadliest worldwide war in history from 1941-45. There were political di erences about the conduct of the war and restarting America’s moribund economy. However, turning red in the face to scream at someone for their views on social issues must have seemed peculiarly inconsequential when the morning and afternoon newspapers were screaming about how Adolf Hitler was leading his maniacal Nazis to world domination so they would enslave everyone else or, far worse, eat them after weeks of torture.

Our ancestors, left, right and middle, volunteered for duty to save the country they had learned to love

God bless Texas

“Something beautifully American about the fact that they keep their helmets and hats on to meet the president of the United States but remove them to greet a lady.”

THERE ARE A LOT OF CRAZY, in some cases upsetting, things going on in the world, to the extent that sometimes one might feel all hope is lost due to the sheer volume of what’s happening.

But sometimes all it takes is one small thing, one simple gesture, to help put things back into perspective, which goes a long way to con rm that all hope is not lost.

Last week, President Donald Trump and rst lady Melania Trump visited Kerr County, Texas, the scene of catastrophic ash ooding that tragically took the lives of at least 129 people, including 36 children, with 170 more people still unaccounted for as of this writing.

While in such situations the commander in chief becomes the consoler in chief, rst ladies also have key roles in reassuring heartbroken communities that the federal government will be there for them and that they will not be forgotten.

Melania Trump has excelled in this role in the past, and this time was no exception as she met with residents and shook hands with rst responders with warm but understanding smiles and sometimes with comforting hugs.

But another moment during the rst family’s visit unexpectedly stood out in a good way.

As the president and rst lady took turns shaking the hands of some of the rst responders, we saw some of the men they met with shake Donald Trump’s hand normally. But when they reached Melania Trump, each one took o their hats before shaking hands, an old-school style of showing respect to a woman that dates back to medieval times.

“Something beautifully American about the fact that they keep their helmets and hats on to meet the president of the United States but remove them to greet a lady,” Independent Women’s Forum legal analyst Inez Stepman

growing up from patriotic parents, neighbors and friends, just as our children and grandchildren can learn to do if we adults will start doing the same basic things our forefathers and mothers did back then. But it won’t just happen by magic or luck. And God knows no one wants another world war to force us all to do what, intuitively, we all know we need to make things right again in America.

Here are two books that might help kickstart the process if everyone just gets them and reads them right now.

The rst one, “The Air We Breathe” by Glen Scrivener, seeks to unpack how and why all Americans just come to believe everyone deserves equality, freedom, kindness and progress simply because they stand on U.S. soil. Not every culture in history or even today believes the same things. There’s something uniquely di erent about the American experience that we are in danger of losing within a generation unless we dramatically change how we do things in our daily personal and political lives.

Bernard Bailyn explains the foundational cornerstones of what we are in danger of losing in his seminal work, “The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution,” published in 1967. Reading both books in tandem will give you a safety net against which you can bat your ideas and arguments, rather than doing so in public and su ering possible embarrassment. Instead of spewing poisonous venom and being vindictive, you can add to the restoration of enlightened public discourse.

Good luck in your e orts.

observed after watching the video of the moment, which went viral on social media and had many similar reactions from men and women alike.

As for the practice, a page on the Hats in the Belfry website notes, “Traditionally, a gentleman will tip his hat to a lady in passing. He may replace it after she has passed or as they begin to walk/talk together.

“Likewise, it is generally considered an act of charming courtesy and respect for men to remove their hats in the presence of a woman.”

There has been a lot of talk over the last several decades as to whether chivalrous behavior like this should be considered a thing of the past and not followed in modern times, with many stories being told by men of how they were glared at for holding a door open or picking up a heavy item for a woman.

But I can say with a reasonable degree of certainty that the viewpoint that it is “sexist” to do so is not one most women share.

In fact, not only do most women in this country still approve of it, but they applaud it and welcome it, accepting the simple gesture as it was intended: as a sign of politeness, courtesy and respect.

What those rst responders have had to do and continue to do in the impacted parts of Texas is tough and emotional, yet vitally important work, and their classic show of respect to Melania Trump adds another layer to the admiration we all feel for them.

May God bless them, the families of the victims, and anyone else impacted by the devastating Texas oods.

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.

It is never too early to be well-educated

Eighty- ve percent of our brain’s neuron connections are developed before age 3.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, I would never have thought I’d be writing this article. I’d developed real estate for almost 35 years. After weathering the nancial meltdown of 200810, I felt called to do something di erent. Through prayer and much guidance from God, I found myself in the early education business (aka, “child care,” “preschool” and sometimes unfortunately referred to as “day care”). Our rst school, Providence Preparatory School, opened in September 2012 in Charlotte. It took only a year to learn that being understa ed infects all aspects of our business. In fact, every problem operating the business stemmed from being understa ed. I made a commitment to myself then that I was going to nd a way to solve the understa ng crisis before I died. Thank goodness, I still have time to accomplish that goal.

COVID was the best marketing campaign early education could have asked for. It only took two weeks for early education operators to be one of a handful of “essential businesses” (remember the term). Early education teachers (I prefer to call them “Neuron Developers”) were recognized as the foundational workforce supporting the rest of the greater workforce. For a while, we thought we might go out of business if employers permitted parents to work from home and they would get used to taking care of their children. We learned the exact opposite. COVID produced a lot of babies, increasing demand for child care. Child care operators scrambled to nd teachers in a marketplace where every business needed employees. Pay rates had to increase to keep teachers in and attract them to our workforce. Without a signi cant increase in the number of early childhood educators (teachers), our broken child care system will be perpetuated, inconveniencing and costing all of us, nationwide, including employers, grandparents and citizens who no longer have children to care for.

Another dominant reason there’s a huge demand for early education is that it’s arguably the most critical education for all human beings. UNC’s legendary Abecedarian Project and the Perry Preschool Project, both started in the 1960s, found that 85% of our brain’s neuron connections are developed before age 3. Think about that! If a young child’s neuron connections develop poorly before they turn 3, it’s a strong predictor that the child will underperform in math and reading and have lower IQ results in high school. Additionally, they will be more likely to become depressed as an adult, with 25% of males experiencing heart and metabolic disorders by age 30. Incidentally, for the males receiving highquality early education, zero percent

COLUMN | JANINE TURNER

A bene t to a democracy with American manners, writes the French aristocrat, is that people can be themselves.

experienced the same mental and metabolic disorders. In other words, if a young child’s neuron connections are well developed before they turn 3, it’s a strong predictor of a life that excludes those health issues, con rming that most of the social determinants of poor health can be eliminated through early education.

Citing the Perry Preschool Project and Abecedarian Project, James Heckman, an economics professor well-known for his study entitled The Heckman Equation, said, “The highest rate of return in early childhood development come from investing as early as possible from birth through age ve. … Starting at age three or four is too little too late.” Heckman’s analysis showed that highquality early education produced a 7%-13% annual return on investment as measured by increased school and career achievement, and lower health and criminal justice system expenditures through better education, health and social outcomes. We can’t continue to ignore this, but how do we pay for it?

In summary, I’m a conservative businessman, not an educator. The marketplace is showing us that early education is essential infrastructure and, in some cases, the major catalyst for economic development. Until a few years ago, we’ve never known to treat it as such. Child care and early education are no longer luxuries; they have become a necessity. Infrastructure doesn’t get built overnight. Much of what North Carolina enjoys today is a result of smart public and private investments made 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.

The Research Triangle Park, University Research Park and our airports are great examples. Therefore, it’s critical that we nd a way to convene philanthropic, corporate, state, local and federal partners to break through the barriers that keep us stalemated. Making early education an integral part of what makes North Carolina great will require attracting more teachers. Yes, on the surface, increasing child care subsidy rates or nding creative ways to add more slots by nancing and building more early education centers or family child care homes, or additional regulatory reform will barely improve access to child care if we can’t, at the same time, bring more teachers into the eld. This has been and is the key issue. Not focusing on it now will increase the cost of educating children from birth through high school, not to mention the negative impact on North Carolina’s greater workforce and our ability to attract economic development.

Sandy Weathersbee is the founder and CEO of Providence Preparatory School in Charlotte.

on American manners

ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE was a French

aristocrat and historian who endeavored to understand more concerning the United States of America’s distinct culture. The Frenchman published “Democracy in America” in 1835. Remaining true to his noble identity, he came to America, traveled its landscape and observed its subcultures. To him, the experience was intellectually inspiring yet challenging.

His beginning question, more or less, was the following: Are people born re ned or taught to be so? It was a conundrum for him. Some people are born so wealthy that they don’t care for others with less economic means. Those not at the “foremost” of society yet have means of wealth continually strive to move up the social ladder. Therefore, their public manners often include nothing more than envy of the higher level and contempt for the lower class.

Tocqueville is an observer of his near past and current time. To him, manners were cultivated within the aristocracy and became hereditary. A monarchy, to be sure, can be overthrown, but Tocqueville wonders what will replace an aristocracy’s manners. His concern reminds me of two sayings. G.K. Chesterton advises, “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason it was put up.” A Bantu proverb warns, “If a man … throws away his good customs, he had better rst make certain that he has something of value to replace them.” Democracies have more individualistic manners. There is no “ideal model” to follow. Manners are based on the “feelings and notions of each individual.” If an aristocracy disappears, Tocqueville writes, the “good breeding” is still remembered, but a “common law of manners” no longer exists. According to Tocqueville, outsiders consider American manners to be the same for all Americans. Not true, the Frenchman counters.

BE IN TOUCH

If one has ever traveled across the nation, one observes di erences within an overall subscription to American ideas. In other words, one can notice peculiarities. Think of America as Niccolo Paganini’s “Variations on a Theme.” It is the same song, yet expressed in various passionate ways.

Tocqueville’s statement reminds me of the book “There Are Many Souths.” When people say the “South,” for instance, they think of a monolithic place. Yet it is a diverse region with various dialects, colloquialisms and even barbecue preferences.

Tocqueville counters British criticisms of American manners by pointing out that the English of his time needed to look at themselves. In many cases, they are what they criticize. The American problems, Tocqueville claimed, were projections of what existed in Britain.

A bene t to a democracy with American manners, writes the French aristocrat, is that people can be themselves. Actions and social customs (or lack thereof) might not be as re ned, yet manners tended to be more sincere. In Tocqueville’s words, “Amongst a democratic people manners are neither so tutored nor so uniform, but they are frequently more sincere.”

When comparing an aristocracy with a democracy, Tocqueville makes a poignant observation. Although good manners are appreciated, actions can be a façade and a cover for cruel intentions. He writes, “Imposing externals may conceal the meanest hearts.” In contrast, an unre ned person can have the best and most sincere intentions.

In short, Tocqueville appreciates a uniform code of manners yet hopes it is constantly infused with genuineness.

Janine Turner is an actress and the founder of Constituting America, a nonpro t that educates the public about the U.S. Constitution.

What the hell happened with the Je rey Epstein case?

LAST WEEK, the internet was set abuzz by a memo from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice about the Je rey Epstein case. Epstein, of course, was found hanging in his cell in a New York jail in August 2019 after his arrest on charges of sex tra cking of underage girls. Ever since then, speculation has run rampant that he was actually murdered; that he and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell were tra cking those girls to rich, famous and powerful men; that he may have been working for a domestic or foreign intelligence agency; and that all of this was covered up by high-ranking members of the federal government.

The memo from the DOJ and FBI, however, came to precisely the opposite conclusion: “This systematic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list.’ There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. ... After a thorough investigation, FBI investigators concluded that Je rey Epstein committed suicide.”

An enormous number of Americans were deeply disturbed by this memo. After years of being told by prominent commentators and politicians that the socalled Epstein list would be revealed once President Donald Trump took o ce, that there would be a reckoning for these largely unnamed powerful men, that Americans would learn the entire truth about the piece of human debris who was Je rey Epstein, instead Americans were told that there was nothing in the vault after all.

Now this leaves two choices.

First, there is the possibility that members of the Trump administration are in on it — that the conspiracy actually now includes Attorney General Pam Bondi, who vowed to disclose everything Epstein related; FBI Director Kash Patel, who called for the release of the supposed Epstein list before entering o ce; FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who as a radio and podcast host was strongly skeptical of the conventional narrative surrounding Epstein; Vice President JD Vance, who told a podcast host just weeks ago that the Epstein list would require release; and Trump himself, who advocated for that position during the campaign. To believe this, you’d have to believe that all of these people entered o ce and then promptly reversed themselves on Epstein because they want to cover for the most scandalous pedophile ring of all time. Few who posit this possibility are willing to state it clearly; instead, they hide behind suggestion and vagary. But that is the position: that Epstein was a member or asset of an intelligence agency, for example, and that the Trump administration is now fully complicit in covering up the mass rape of children.

Then there’s the second possibility: that members of the Trump administration honestly believed that they would be able to unmask a hideous ring of pedophilic activity — and then examined the evidence and found it didn’t justify their suspicions. Frankly, I nd this possibility far more plausible than the rst possibility: I don’t believe that Bondi, Patel, Bongino, Vance and Trump are so evil that they would cover for a full-scale pedophile ring. I could be wrong. But I generally like to have actual evidence of a cover-up of this magnitude before accusing people of covering up mass child rape. But perhaps I’m wrong. That’s certainly possible. And if that happens, I’d change my opinion on the Epstein case and the people currently putting it to rest. Until then, I’d suggest that before slandering the entire Trump administration, many of his most ardent supporters examine that second possibility: that the Epstein allegations were oversold, and that good people have looked at the evidence and come to a conclusion based on that evidence. If not, they ought to have the courage of their convictions and say what they believe: that all of the members of the Trump administration are guilty of covering up a pedophilic sex tra cking ring.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author.

This week: America 250 NC

In 2026, America will commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the development of a new country dedicated to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In the years since, our country has undergone many changes and faced many challenges. North Carolina’s America 250 NC initiative — led by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources — celebrates the nation’s 250th with statewide programming. These interwoven initiatives — rooted in history, education and community engagement — are laying the groundwork for a meaningful statewide commemoration of the anniversary of the Revolution in 2026. Here are this week’s activities surrounding this ongoing commemoration.

JULY 19

Hands-on-History Day Winston-Salem

Chatham County

JULY 19

In The Glorious Cause of Liberty: The 250th Anniversary of the Burning of Fort Johnston Southport

JULY 14

Camden County Mural Ribbon Cutting Camden

JULY 17 Battle of Beaufort: American Revolution Atlantic Beach

the event is a fun way for shoppers to explore Asheville’s independent retailers. To participate, shoppers can download the Explore Asheville app and, under the “Indie Retail Challenge” icon, a map of all 239 retailers across Asheville and Buncombe County will appear. While celebrating local retailers, shoppers can enter a prize drawing. To enter the drawing, shoppers must tap the “check in now” button when visiting one of the participating stores; ve check-ins are one entry into the drawing. The winner will be chosen at random in early August and win an Asheville Goodie Bag, including two passes to Biltmore, an East Fork mug, Spicewalla Asheville 10-pack, honey from The Asheville Bee Charmer, Asheville Mix Poppy Popcorn, Asheville Grey Tea, Moonlight Makers tea towel and a print from Horse + Hero.

WLOS

The Chatham County Sheri ’s O ce said a 19-year-old man drowned Sunday evening at Jordan Lake. According to deputies, the victim was at the lake with eight friends and a family member. The group was shing at the time of the incident. Witnesses said he was using a otation device, but it drifted away. It’s believed he went under when he swam out to retrieve it. Search e orts began around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The victim’s body was recovered around 11 p.m. WXI

Beer shop embroiled in embezzlement charges

Mecklenburg County

The manager of a popular beer shop in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood has been arrested on felony tax charges, according to the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Jason Scott Glunt, 43, of Charlotte, was arrested in Raleigh last week on nine felony counts of embezzlement of state property, according to indictments led by NCDOR. Glunt, who runs Salud Beer Shop and Salud Cerveceria, is accused of embezzling more than $440,000 in state and Mecklenburg County sales taxes over several years.

NSJ

Greensboro Complex management CEO indicted in Texas

Guilford County

The CEO of the entertainment company that runs Steven Tanger Center and the Greensboro Complex has been indicted for allegedly rigging bids for an arena at a public university in Texas. According to the Department of Justice, Timothy J. Leiweke, the co-founder and chief executive o cer of Oak View Group, has been indicted for “orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university in Austin, Texas.”

OVG develops and provides various services to live entertainment venues, including running the Steven Tanger Center and the Greensboro Complex, a cluster of event venues formerly known as the Greensboro Coliseum.

OVG stepped into the management role last year, taking over from the city of Greensboro, which had previously operated the venues. The indictment says Leiweke conspired with a competitor’s CEO from 2018 to 2024 to rig bidding for managing the multipurpose arena in Texas.

WGHP

new community centers

Pitt County July marks National Parks and Recreation Month, and Pitt County is celebrating by hosting a ribboncutting ceremony for two newly constructed community centers. In 2023, county sta worked to develop a recreation site plan for the Pitt County O ce Park community center and the adjacent outdoor space located north of the Tar River as part of the $10 million American Rescue Plan. Sta said the two new centers will be a great addition to the county.

WITN

Operation Smoke and Mirrors yields arrests

Beaufort County

Eight people were arrested after more than a dozen Beaufort County businesses, many being vape and tobacco shops, were searched as part of Operation Smoke and Mirrors. The search warrants were executed last week by a coordinated e ort from multiple local and state law enforcement agencies. Operation Smoke and Mirrors was a two-month investigation by

Multiple Man O’ War stings reported; four hospitalized Carteret County Multiple Portuguese Man o’ War stings have recently been reported at a popular North Carolina beach. O cials in Emerald Isle con rmed there had been “quite a few” sting reports and four hospital visits. The sea creatures’ presence prompted a warning to beachgoers last week. Man o’ Wars have posed a risk in North Carolina for several months now; a warning was issued by the Cape Lookout National Seashore in late March. Cape Lookout is just north of Emerald Isle. Stings have also been reported at Oak Island — just south of Emerald Isle — in recent weeks. Man o’ Wars look similar to jelly sh but have dark blue or violet tentacles that can stretch 30 feet. Their balloon-like tops can stick several inches out of the water and help propel them through the water. NSJ

NATION & WORLD

Democrats lining up for 2028 presidential race

Several potential candidates are already visiting early voting states

The Associated Press

SENECA, S.C. — The rst presidential primary votes won’t be cast for another two and a half years. And yet, over the span of 10 days in July, three Democratic presidential prospects are scheduled to campaign in South Carolina.

Nearly a half dozen others have made recent pilgrimages to South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa — states that traditionally host the nation’s opening presidential nomination contests. Still other ambitious Democrats are having private conversations with o cials on the ground there. The voters in these states are used to seeing presidential contenders months or even years before most of the country, but the political jockeying in 2025 for the 2028 presidential contest appears to be playing out earlier, with more frequency and with less pretense than ever before.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was referred to as a presidential candidate at one stop in his two-day South Carolina tour last week. Voters shouted “2028!” after he insisted he was there simply to strengthen the party ahead of the 2026 midterms. South Carolina has virtually no competitive midterm contests.

Term-limited Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who acknowledges he’s considering a 2028 bid, will spend two days touring South Carolina this week. He will focus on union members in addition to the state’s black community in a speech that could draw an implicit contrast with Newsom on cultural issues, according to excerpts of

Minnesota Gov.

his planned remarks obtained by The Associated Press.

California Congressman Ro Khanna, a progressive aligned with the Bernie Sanders ‘ wing of the Democratic Party, will target black voters when he’s in the state a few days later with the son of a civil rights leader.

And former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations with key South Carolina Democrats, including presidential primary kingmaker Rep. Jim Clyburn, in which Emanuel indicated strong interest in a presidential run. That’s according to Clyburn himself, who said he’s also had direct contact with Beshear and Khanna after appearing alongside Newsom last week and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in May.

“That’s what candidates have to do: position themselves and be ready when lightning strikes,” Clyburn said.

The unusually early jockeying is playing out as the Democratic Party struggles to repair its brand, rebuild its message and ll a leadership vacuum af-

“That’s what candidates have to do: position themselves and be ready when lightning strikes.” Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)

ter losing the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2024.

Democrats are decidedly more optimistic about 2028. Republicans will not have the advantage of incumbency in the next presidential contest; the Constitution bars President Donald Trump from seeking a third term. And the race for the Democratic nomination appears to be wide open, even as 2024 nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have left open the possibility of running again.

With no clear front-runner, some Democratic operatives believe upwards of 30 high-pro le Democrats could ultimately enter the 2028 primary — more

than the party’s overpacked 2020 eld.

And as Democrats struggle to stop Trump’s power grabs in Washington, some report a real sense of urgency to get the 2028 process started.

Already this year, Walz of Minnesota and Moore of Maryland have addressed South Carolina Democrats.

Biden Cabinet member Pete Buttigieg, a 2020 presidential candidate, hosted a town hall in Iowa in May. The month before, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker headlined a Democratic fundraiser in New Hampshire.

Others are moving more cautiously.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has avoided any early state travel this year, focusing instead on his 2026 reelection. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also focused largely on her day job. Both would be top-tier presidential candidates should they decide to run.

Khanna has been working to build his national pro le since before the last election with frequent trips to New Hampshire, among other early voting states.

The California congressman is scheduled to host two townhall style meetings in South Carolina this weekend with Illinois Rep. Jonathan Jackson, the son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Newsom spent much of last year denying interest in a presidential run. But with his nal term as governor set to expire at the end of next year, his 2028 ambitions are starting to emerge more publicly.

During his recent South Carolina tour, Newsom only smiled when voters shouted “2028!” after he referenced his focus on the 2026 midterms.

Clyburn said openly what the California governor would not. Appearing with Newsom, Clyburn encouraged local Democrats to be energized by the visits of “presidential candidates” coming early and often to their state.

Newsom looked around, seemingly seeking the object of Clyburn’s remark, as the crowd laughed.

Trump to make unprecedented second state visit to UK in September

The president visited in 2019 and was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II

By Pan Pylas

The Associated Press

LONDON — U.S. President Donald Trump will make an unprecedented second state visit to the U.K. from Sept. 17-19 when he will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace said Monday.

Trump, who is a big supporter of the royal family, particularly of the monarch, will be accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, during the three-day visit, the palace con rmed.

No U.S. president has been invited for a second state visit. Trump previously enjoyed the pomp and pageantry of the state visit in 2019 during his rst term when he was hosted by Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The invitation for the second state visit from the king was hand-delivered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in February during a meeting at the White House.

After reading it, Trump said it was a “great, great honor” and appeared particularly pleased that he will be staying at Windsor Castle, to the west of the capital. “That’s really something,” he said. Precedent for second-term U.S. presidents who have already made a state visit is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, hands an invitation from King Charles III for a second state visit to President Donald Trump at the White House in February.

State visits are ceremonial meetings between heads of state that are used to honor friendly nations and sometimes smooth relations between rivals. While the king formally issues the invitation for a state visit, he does so on the advice of the elected government.

The visit is seen as part of Starmer’s e ort to keep Trump close and lessen the impact of some of his polices on the U.K. The relationship between the two appears amicable and has helped the U.K. avoid facing the sort of hefty U.S. tari s that other nations are seeing.

But like Trump’s previous visit, it’s unlikely he will be welcomed by all. Last time, protests included the ying of a gi-

ant blimp depicting Trump as an angry orange baby from outside Parliament. Lawmakers from Starmer’s Labour Party have also questioned whether the honor should be extended to Trump at a time when he is supporting Israel’s war in Gaza and threatening the sovereignty of allies such as Canada and Greenland. Charles could also face some challenges during the visit because he is the head of state of both the United Kingdom and Canada, which Trump has suggested should become the 51st U.S. state. During a speech to the Canadian parliament in May, the king highlighted Canada’s “unique identity” and “sovereignty” while echoing the

Okla. farmer killed in water bu alo attack

Jones, Okla.

A farmer in a rural suburb outside of Oklahoma City was fatally attacked by a pair of water bu aloes he purchased at a livestock auction a day earlier, police said. Bradley McMichael, a farmer in the small town of Jones, su ered deep lacerations in the attack Friday night, Jones Police Chief Bryan Farrington said in a statement. The animals were so aggressive that rst responders couldn’t get to the victim at rst, he said. One water bu alo was euthanized immediately and the other was put down after it became increasingly agitated and threatening, Farrington said.

Cuomo says he’ll run as independent in NYC mayor’s race

New York

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched an independent run for New York City mayor on Monday, restarting his campaign after a bruising loss to progressive Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary. In a video, Cuomo announced he would remain in the race to combat Mamdani, a democratic socialist state lawmaker, while previewing a strategic reset that would bring a more personal approach to a campaign that had been criticized as distant from voters. Cuomo’s decision to press on is the latest chapter in his comeback attempt, launched almost four years after he resigned as governor in 2021 following a barrage of sexual harassment allegations. He denied wrongdoing during the campaign, maintaining that the scandal was driven by politics.

German customs uncover tarantula smuggling

Berlin

Customs o cials released photos from a seizure of roughly 1,500 young tarantulas found inside plastic containers hidden in chocolate spongecake boxes shipped to an airport in western Germany. Customs o cials said the shipment was found at Cologne Bonn airport in a package from Vietnam. O cials were tipped o by a “noticeable smell” that didn’t resemble the expected aroma of the 15 pounds of the confectionery treats. The tarantulas were discovered three weeks ago. Many of the eight-legged creatures didn’t survive the trip, in a suspected violation of German animal-welfare rules, while survivors were given to the care of an expert handler, the o ce said.

Small plane crash in London kills 4

words of the country’s national anthem when he said, “The True North is indeed strong and free.”

State visits to Britain are particularly prized by heads of state because they come with a full complement of royal pomp and circumstance, including military reviews, carriage rides and a glittering state banquet hosted by the monarch.

The events normally take place in and around Buckingham Palace in central London. But like last week’s state visit from French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, the Trumps will stay at Windsor Castle. Buckingham Palace is undergoing extensive remodeling.

All four people aboard a small plane that crashed shortly after taking o from London Southend Airport are dead, police said Monday. Essex Police said that work is continuing to formally identify the victims of Sunday’s crash, none of whom are British. The 39foot turboprop plane had own from Athens, Greece, to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was due to return to its home base of Lelystad, in the Netherlands, on Sunday evening.

MEG KINNARD / AP PHOTO

Tim Walz, left, speaks to reporters as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore looks on at Rep. Jim Clyburn’s World Famous Fish on May 30 in Columbia, South Carolina.

CARL COURT / AP PHOTO

Walmart recalls 850K water bottles due to facial injuries

New York

Walmart is recalling about 850,000 stainless steel water bottles because the lid can “forcefully eject” and unexpectedly strike consumers, resulting in permanent vision loss for two people to date. The recall covers Walmart’s “Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles,” which have been sold at the chain’s stores across the country since 2017. According to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, when a consumer attempts to open the bottles after food, carbonated beverages or perishable drinks are stored inside over time, the lid can eject forcefully. Walmart had received three reports of consumers who were injured after being struck in the face by these lids when opening their bottles. And two of those people su ered permanent vision loss.

Walgreens shareholders approve $10B buyout

Deer eld, Ill.

Shareholders of Walgreens Boots Alliance overwhelmingly approved the drugstore chain’s $10 billion acquisition by private equity rm Sycamore Partners, the companies announced last Friday. Walgreens shareholders will receive $11.45 per share from Sycamore per the terms of the deal rst announced in March. The buyout, which will take the drugstore chain private, will give it more exibility to make changes to improve its business without worrying about Wall Street’s reaction. Walgreens shares were largely unchanged by the news, hovering around $11.50, as they have since the deal was announced in March.

“Click-to-cancel” rule blocked

Washington, D.C.

A “click-to-cancel” rule, which would have required businesses to make it easy for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions and memberships, has been blocked by a court days before it was set to go into e ect. The Federal Trade Commission’s changes required businesses to disclose when free trials or other promotional o ers will end and let customers cancel recurring subscriptions as easily as they started them. The rule was set to go into e ect on Monday, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said the FTC made a procedural error in its related cost analysis.

Nvidia becomes rst public company with $4T valuation

San Francisco Silicon Valley chipmaker Nvidia last Wednesday became the rst publicly traded company to surpass a $4 trillion market valuation, putting the latest exclamation point on the investor frenzy surrounding an arti cial intelligence boom powered by its industry-leading processors. The milestone re ects the upheaval being unleashed by arti cial intelligence, or AI, which is widely viewed as the biggest tectonic shift in technology since Apple unveiled the rst iPhone 18 years ago. Underscoring the changing of the guard, AI bellwether Nvidia is now worth $900 billion more than Apple.

Breakfast cereal sales declined for decades before Kellogg’s sale to Italian company

The standard morning meal could use a lucky charm

By Dee-Ann Durbin The Associated Press

U.S. SALES of the colorfully packaged morning staple have been in a decades-long decline, a trend back in the spotlight with news that Italian confectioner Ferrero Group plans to purchase WK Kellogg, maker of Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies and other familiar brands.

Except for a brief period during the coronavirus pandemic, when many workers were home and had time to sit down with a bowl of cereal and milk, sales of cold cereal have steadily fallen for at least 25 years, experts say.

In the 52 weeks ending July 3, 2021, Americans bought nearly 2.5 billion boxes of cereal, according to market research company Nielsen IQ. In the same period this year, the number was down more than 13% to 2.1 billion.

Cereal has been struggling for multiple reasons. The rise of more portable options like Nutri-Grain bars and Clif Bars — which both went on sale in the early 1990s — made it easier for consumers to grab breakfast on the go.

Concerns about food processing and sugar intake have also dimmed some consumers’ enthusiasm for cereals. One cup of Lucky Charms contains 24% of a consumer’s daily recommended intake of sugar, for example.

“Cereal nds it really hard to get out from underneath that,” said Tom Rees, global insight manager for staple foods at the consulting company Euromonitor. “It can’t escape the fact that it doesn’t look like a natural food. You have to create it and form it.”

Rees noted that for decades, cereal manufacturers focused on adding vitamins and miner-

als to build cereal’s health credentials. But consumers now are looking for simpli ed ingredient lists.

Arti cial dyes — like the petroleum-based colors that brighten Froot Loops — have also come under re. Last fall, dozens of people rallied outside WK Kellogg’s Battle Creek, Michigan, headquarters demanding it remove arti cial dyes from its cereals. Kellogg and General Mills — another major U.S. cereal maker — have since pledged to phase out arti cial dyes.

Kenton Barello, a vice president at the market research rm YouGov, said his polling shows that Generation Z consumers, who were born between 1997 and 2007, eat more vegetables for breakfast than other generations.

Barello said YouGov’s polling also shows that members of Gen Z are less likely to eat breakfast but still buy readyto-eat cereal, suggesting they’re eating it as a snack or for other meals.

“With younger generations, there are di erences in their relationship with food and these eating moments,” Barello said.

Cereal’s struggles are part of what led to the breakup of the

Kellogg Company. In 2023, the century-old company that put Battle Creek, Michigan, on the map split into two companies. Kellanova took popular snack brands like Cheez-Its, Pringles and Pop-Tarts as well as international cereals, and WK Kellogg made cereals for the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

In 2024, M&M’s maker Mars Inc. announced a plan to buy Kellanova for more than $30 billion. That plan has cleared U.S. regulators but is still awaiting regulatory approval in Europe. WK Kellogg was left to try to rejuvenate the cereal business.

The sale of WK Kellogg to Ferrero doesn’t mean supermarket cereal aisles are at risk of extinction. Packaged food companies have options for turning around their soggy cereal sales, Rees said. He thinks Kellogg’s Mashups line, which mixed brands like Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops into one box, appeals to younger consumers, who tend to like interesting avor combinations. The market may also have a fragmented future, according to Rees. Companies may have to accept that younger buyers want a sweet-and-spicy cereal while older buyers might want

a Keto-friendly option.

“The future might be realizing that the era of ‘This brand will serve everybody’ isn’t going to happen,” Rees said.

Julia Mills, a food analyst with the consulting company Mintel, thinks the shrinking population of children in the U.S. gives cereal makers the opportunity to shift to more sophisticated avors and packaging. Cereal could be positioned as a fancy topping for yogurt, for example, or a ber-rich food that can improve gut health. Some niche cereal brands, like high- ber Poop Like a Champion cereal and high-protein, zero-sugar Magic Spoon, are already doing that. But legacy brands say they shouldn’t be counted out.

Je rey Harmening, the chairman and chief executive o cer of Cheerios maker General Mills, said his company considered trying to acquire Magic Spoon. Instead, it made high-protein versions of Cheerios, which now outsells Magic Spoon.

“The key to longer term is, honestly, giving consumers more of what they want,” Harmening said during a conference call with investors in March.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 11

Beginning Cash

$2,952,625,446

Receipts (income)

$205,206,636

Disbursements

$161,983,620

Cash Balance

$2,995,806,795

Yaccarino resigns

after 2 years as CEO of Musk’s X

The platform continues to struggle to land major advertisers

By Matt O’Brien and Barbara Ortutay The Associated Press

X CEO LINDA Yaccarino said she’s stepping down after two bumpy years running Elon Musk’s social media platform.

Yaccarino posted a positive message last Wednesday about her tenure at the company formerly known as Twitter and said, “the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with” Musk’s arti cial intelligence company xAI, maker of the chatbot Grok. She did not say why she is leaving.

Musk responded to Yaccarino’s announcement with a veword statement on X: “Thank you for your contributions.”

“The only thing that’s surprising about Linda Yaccarino’s resignation is that it didn’t come sooner,” said Forrester research director Mike Proulx. “It was clear from the start that she was being set up to fail by a limited scope as the company’s chief executive.”

In reality, Proulx added, Musk “is and always has been at the helm of X. And that made Linda X’s CEO in title only, which is a very tough position to be in, especially for someone of Linda’s talents.”

Musk hired Yaccarino, a veteran ad executive, in May 2023 after buying Twitter for $44 billion in late 2022 and cutting most of its sta . He said at the time that Yaccarino’s role would be focused mainly on running the company’s business operations, leav-

ing him to focus on product design and new technology. Before announcing her hiring, Musk said whoever took over as the company’s CEO “must like pain a lot.”

In accepting the job, Yaccarino took on the challenge of getting big brands back to advertising on the social media platform after months of up

heaval following Musk’s takeover. She also had to work in a supporting role to Musk’s outsized persona on and o X as he loosened content moderation rules in the name of free speech and restored accounts previously banned by the social media platform.

“Being the CEO of X was always going to be a tough job, and Yaccarino lasted in the role longer than many expected. Faced with a mercurial owner who never fully stepped away from the helm and continued to use the platform as

his personal megaphone, Yaccarino had to try to run the business while also regularly putting out res,” said Emarketer analyst Jasmine Enberg. Yaccarino’s future at X became unclear earlier this year after Musk merged the social media platform with his arti cial intelligence company, xAI. And the advertising issues have not subsided. Since Musk’s takeover, several companies had pulled back on ad spending — the platform’s chief source of revenue — over concerns that Musk’s thinning of content restrictions was enabling hateful and toxic speech to ourish.

Most recently, an update to Grok led to a ood of antisemitic commentary from the chatbot this week that included praise of Adolf Hitler.

“We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove

the inappropriate posts,” the Grok account posted on X early last Wednesday, without being more speci c.

Some experts have tied Grok’s behavior to Musk’s deliberate e orts to mold Grok as an alternative to chatbots he considers too “woke,” such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. In late June, he invited X users to help train the chatbot on their commentary in a way that invited a ood of racist responses and conspiracy theories.

“Please reply to this post with divisive facts for @Grok training,” Musk said in the June 21 post. “By this I mean things that are politically incorrect, but nonetheless factually true.”

A similar instruction was later baked into Grok’s “prompts” that instruct it on how to respond, which told the chatbot to “not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated.” That part of the instructions was later deleted.

“To me, this has all the ngerprints of Elon’s involvement,” said Talia Ringer, a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Yaccarino has not publicly commented on the latest hate speech controversy. She has, at times, ardently defended Musk’s approach, including in a lawsuit against liberal advocacy group Media Matters for America over a report that claimed leading advertisers’ posts on X were appearing alongside neo-Nazi and white nationalist content. The report led some advertisers to pause their activity on X.

A federal judge last year dismissed X’s lawsuit against another nonpro t, the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which has documented the increase in hate speech on the site since it was acquired by Musk.

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Kellogg’s cereal products rest on a grocery store shelf in Richardson, Texas.

SUSAN WALSH / AP PHOTO

Linda Yaccarino, pictured during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2024, resigned as CEO of X after two years.

‘Superman’ reboot gives DC Universe promising new lift

James Gunn’s rst DC lm sets a con dent tone for the franchise

By Bob Garver The Sun

WITH ZACK SNYDER’S ver-

sion of the DC Universe having o cially zzled out, Warner Bros. is trying a hard reboot of the multifaceted superhero franchise under the direction of James Gunn. First up for Gunn is “Superman,” with actor David Corenswet stepping into the role of space alien Kal-El/mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent/ blue-suited metahuman Superman. Corenswet is a good t for the role, as he un inchingly nails the character’s strength and stoicism, as well as his unrelenting moral dedication and occasionally naïve optimism. His mere casting is the rst good decision by Gunn, getting the movie (and thus, the series) o on the right foot.

The lm forgoes its main character’s origin story and picks up three years after the Superman persona has become known to the public. He’s ready to help wherever needed, whether it’s a collapsing skyscraper in the American city of Metropolis or a hostile military invasion by the far-o dictatorship of Boravia. He’s a sel ess force for good in the world, which of course means that many, many people have a problem with him. In particular, evil industrialist Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult, another solid casting choice with a good balance of smugness and intensity) wants to stop Superman, ostensibly so he can carry out grand schemes without interference, but really because he’s jealous that the hero’s many good deeds keep eating up the headlines.

Speaking of headlines, “Clark” works, as always, at the Daily Planet newspaper alongside intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan, yet another good casting choice with a sharp wit and excellent chemistry with Corenswet). At rst, these two seem to have a bit of a cute crush on one another, but all is not as innocent as it seems. Lois tends to make Clark feel inse -

cure about the godlike, above-reproach identity he’s set up for himself, but maybe it’s good that he feels insecure so he can think about the consequences of his actions. Or maybe she’s wrong, and he shouldn’t be worried about backlash or second-guessing himself. It’s a complicated issue without a straightforward answer, but they’re determined to work through it together.

Surprisingly, Superman isn’t the only metahuman in Metropolis. The city is also served by Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawk Girl (Isabela Merced) and Mister Terri c (Edi Gathegi, who contributes so much to the movie’s heroics that he may as well be a co-lead). But Superman is more powerful than all of them because powers from the planet Krypton are in his DNA. Kal-El’s Kryptonian parents were able to send him to Earth from their dying planet with some advanced technology, which developed over the years into the Fortress of Solitude in Antarctica, complete with robot servants and Krypto the Superdog. They also threw in a message of encouragement via hologram. Kal-El doesn’t know what they were encouraging, exactly, but probably just a reminder to always be good, right?

This version of “Superman” has all the makings of a great superhero movie, but I can’t say it ever really becomes one. I recommend it overall, but for every well-realized character or interesting plot point, there are several others that just come o as unnecessary. For example, I may care about Lois and Clark’s co-workers at the Daily Planet down the line, but here I wonder why the movie needs to go to their o ces at all when there’s already so much new information to take in. The same overcrowding problem applies to this franchise’s rivals over at the MCU, which is why so many of their movies have seemed like mush lately.

Gunn has the opportunity here to not just bring the DCU back from the dead but also to pull it ahead of the MCU while that once-great cinematic universe is mired in its mid-2020s doldrums. This movie is not going to cause the DCU to overtake the MCU in a single bound, but for the rst time in a long time, the DCU feels like a worthy contender for superhero supremacy.

Grade: B-

“Superman” is rated PG-13 for violence, action and language. Its running time is 129 minutes.

‘Superman,’ DC Studios y to $122M opening

“Materialists” starring Chris Evans fell to 10th place

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

NEW YORK

— In a bid to kick o a new era for DC Studios, James Gunn’s “Superman” opened with $122 million in U.S. and Canada ticket sales over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. DC and Warner Bros. had a lot riding on “Superman.” While the Walt Disney Co.’s Marvel Studios has had its share of struggles, the superheroes of DC have recently found mostly kryptonite in theaters. Films like “Joker: Folie à Deux,” “The Flash” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” all opped.

But “Superman,” written and directed by Gunn, is intended as a new start. It’s the rst release fully steered by Gunn and Peter Safran, co-heads of DC Studios, since they were handed the keys to DC’s superhero cinematic universe.

And while Gunn turned “Guardians of the Galaxy” into a massive success for Marvel, his irreverent, idiosyncratic touch made the director — once a B-movie lmmaker with Troma Entertainment — an unlikely steward for one of the movies’ most bankable and beloved brands.

“It’s quite a win for DC Studios,” said Je rey Goldstein, chief of distribution for Warner Bros. “We needed to get the trust of the fanbase, and we didn’t have it. They were clear to us that we needed to take a step back and reinvent ourselves.”

Ticket sales were relatively soft for “Superman” overseas. In 78 international markets, it grossed $95 million. In China, it collected just $6.6 million.

David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting rm FranchiseRe, called the international performance the only ding against the otherwise strong “Superman” debut.

“Thus far, the foreign openings are not equal to domestic,” said Gross. “Superman has always been identi ed as a quintessentially American character and story, and in some parts of the world, America is currently not enjoying its greatest popularity.”

As an American icon, “Superman” also attracted political discourse at home. Some rightwing commentators criticized the movie as “woke” after Gunn described the superhero from Krypton as “an immigrant.” On X, the White House posted an image of President Donald Trump as Superman.

The roughly on-target opening was the third largest of 2025, and the rst DC title to surpass $100 million in its opening weekend since “Wonder Woman” in 2017. Warner Bros. could also celebrate a unique hot streak: “Superman” is their fth movie in a row to open over $45 million.

Superman stars

center, Rachel Brosnahan, left, and writer, director and producer James Gunn pose with fans during the rst stop of the Superman World Tour in Pasig, Philippines.

In “Superman,” which cost about $225 million to make, Gunn steers the Man of Steel in a drastically di erent tonal direction than in previous iterations from lmmaker Zack Snyder. Skipping the Kansas origin story, the lm instead picks up with Superman (David Corenswet) after his rst defeat. Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult is Lex Luthor.

The “Superman” debut didn’t come close to besting the $166 million launch for Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” in 2016. But it did open higher, not accounting for ination, than Snyder’s “Man of Steel.” That lm debuted with $116 million in 2013.

But while Snyder’s lms were

often unloved by critics, largely good reviews greeted Gunn’s “Superman.” On Rotten Tomatoes, it scored 82% fresh — the best for the franchise since the rst two movies with Christopher Reeve: “Superman” (1978) and “Superman II” (1980). Audiences gave it an “A-” CinemaScore.

“Superman” faced sizeable competition too. Last week’s top lm, “Jurassic World Rebirth,” slid to second place with $40 million. With “Superman” soaking up many large-format screens, Universal Pictures’ seventh “Jurassic” lm slipped a steep 57% from its opening weekend. Starring Scarlett Johansson, “Jurassic World Rebirth” got o to a thunderous $318.3 million global start. In

two weeks, it’s amassed $529.5 million worldwide.

Also still in the mix is Apple Studios’ biggest box-o ce success yet, “F1.” Joseph Kosinski’s Formula One action thriller, starring Brad Pitt, came in third with $13 million in its third weekend. The lm, distributed by Warner Bros., has collected $393.4 million globally in three weeks. But it also carries a hefty price tag of roughly $250 million, plus at least $100 million in promotion.

Top 10 movies by domestic box o ce

This list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Superman,” $122 million

2. “Jurassic World Rebirth,” $40 million

3. “F1: The Movie,” $13 million

4. “How to

AARON FAVILA / AP PHOTO

David Corenswet,

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP

Nicholas Hoult, from left, Rachel Brosnahan and David Corenswet arrive at the premiere of “Superman” on July 7 at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

Around the state for live music in July

Across the state, the second half of July o ers a packed lineup of live music. The legendary Bob Dylan, our nation’s poet laureate, joins country icon Willie Nelson to bring the Outlaw Music Festival to Charlotte and Raleigh with a rotating cast of standout performers. Ryan Adams, the often-controversial singer-songwriter and founder of Raleigh’s Whiskeytown, plays an intimate show in Charlotte. Les Claypool’s genredefying trio, Primus, brings its eccentric blend of prog, thrash, metal and funk to stages in both Raleigh and Wilmington. And ‘80s pop queen

Cyndi

A

FILE

CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK AT WALNUT CREEK

The British folk-rock band brings stomping choruses and soaring singalongs to the Triangle.

DURHAM

The Wall owers

JULY 19 – THE CAROLINA THEATER

A night of emotional rock anthems from a ’90s alt-rock favorite.

MJ Lenderman and the Wind

JULY 23 – DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Foreigner

JULY 29 – DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

The classic rock hitmakers bring decades of arena anthems like “Cold as Ice” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Cyndi Lauper and rock legend Rod Stewart are also making stops. One to watch is Asheville’s MJ Lenderman, a rising alt-rock voice gaining national attention. Pitchfork awarded his 2022 album “Boat Songs” its coveted “Best New Music” label, while Stereogum ran a feature under the headline “MJ Lenderman Is Knockin’ on Rock Stardom’s Door.” Follow this map for the best and brightest in live music around the state for July.

CARRBORO

Rose City Band

JULY 22 – CAT’S CRADLE

Led by Ripley Johnson, this cosmic country out t delivers reverb-drenched pedal steel and mellow psych-folk vibes.

MJ Lenderman and the Wind

JULY 25 – CAT’S CRADLE

Asheville’s rising indie star mixes fuzzy guitars, heartfelt songwriting and alt-country twang.

Chuck Prophet and His Cumbria Shoes

JULY 26 – CAT’S CRADLE

The San Francisco rocker delivers tight, soulful Americana laced with wit and political edge.

CHARLOTTE

Ryan Adams

JULY 23 – KNIGHT THEATRE (EDITOR’S PICK)

The proli c singer-songwriter from Jacksonville blends rock, country and folk.

Goo Goo Dolls with Dashboard Confessional

JULY 25 – SKYLA CREDIT UNION AMPHITHEATRE

Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick

JULY 29 – PNC MUSIC PAVILION

The iconic singer delivers a night of hits with raspy vocals and timeless showmanship.

WILMINGTON

Jason Isbell

JULY 21 – WILSON CENTER, CFCC

The Grammy-winning Americana artist brings heartfelt storytelling and masterful guitar work to Wilmington.

Todd Rundgren

JULY 22 – WILSON CENTER, CFCC

The rock innovator and multi-instrumentalist delivers a genrespanning set from his decades-long career.

Primus

JULY 26 – LIVE OAK BANK PAVILION

The trio returns with their genre-bending fusion of funk, prog and musical weirdness.

ASHEVILLE

Greensky Bluegrass

JULY 17 – ASHEVILLE YARDS

The progressive string band blends traditional bluegrass with rock energy and jam-band improvisation.

Budos Band

JULY 19 – HATCH AMPHITHEATER

Instrumental funk juggernaut mixes Afrobeat, soul and hard rock in a horn-heavy, danceable set.

Widespread Panic

JULY 24–26 – HARRAH’S CHEROKEE CENTER

Southern jam legends return for a three-night run of improvisational grooves and deep catalog cuts.

Silversun Pickups

JULY 29 – THE ORANGE PEEL

The alt-rock veterans bring shoegaze textures, fuzzedout ri s and moody anthems to Asheville’s iconic venue.

BEECH MOUNTAIN

Party on the Mountain Weekend

JULY 18–19 – BEECH MOUNTAIN RESORT

Live music across several resort stages, including the outdoor main stage. Enjoy scenic lift rides, mountain biking, disc golf and local craft and food vendors.

Friday: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge

Saturday: Lake Street Dive with the 502’s

Additional Acts: Boy Named Banjo, Susto Stringband, Holler Choir, Ashes & Arrows, Adrien + Meredith, The Wilder Blue, John Stickley Trio, The Wildmans, If Birds Could Fly, Goldpine, Taylor Winchester, David LaMotte, Adam Bolt

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ returns to theaters for 50th anniversary

Milos Foreman’s 1975 lm earned ve Academy Awards

By Dan Reeves North State Journal

MILOS FORMAN’S lm adaptation of Ken Kesey’s 1962 countercultural novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” swept the Academy Awards the year following its 1975 theatrical release. The movie won “the big ve,” as they call it, earning Oscars for best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay. Forman’s directorial mastery and the lm’s brilliant unfolding of delinquent ne’er-do-well Randle Patrick McMurphy’s ill-fated adventure — and the lives he touches at an Oregon mental hospital — made an indelible impact on audiences. Jack Nicholson took home the Oscar for his portrayal of McMurphy, the anti-hero accused of faking mental illness to stay out of prison, and

FATHOM ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

for his rebellious disposition toward authority, most notably the frigid, controlling Nurse Ratched — a symbol of cold, authoritarian control. The role, deftly performed by Louise Fletcher, earned her the Oscar for best actress. The part was so precisely played, Fletcher later faced challenges getting future roles. And, incidentally, the term “Nurse Ratched” is now ingrained in the slang lexicon as a reference to a heartless woman. With a slick, streetwise hus-

Jack Nicholson, seated left, and Danny DeVito, seated right, with supporting cast appear in a scene from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

tler attitude, Nicholson’s McMurphy becomes a gure of liberation through his interactions with and in uence over the other patients, sparking a sense of camaraderie and rebellion under Nurse Ratched’s oppressive rule. The cohorts McMurphy joins include recognizable young actors Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd and Brad Dourif — many of whom are institutionalized more by society’s neglect than by their actual conditions. Small acts of de ance lead by

McMurphy’s magnetism eventually evolve into major infractions. At one point, “Mac,” as his is new friends call him, and company take a highjacked bus from the hospital to a shing expedition on a boat chartered with trickery by their new hero. The incident, of course, only intensi es Ratched and the hospital’s negative position toward McMurphy. In Dourif’s lm debut, his portrayal of the shy, stuttering, emotionally fragile Billy earned him an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. He also won a Golden Globe for new star of the year and a BAFTA Award for most promising newcomer. Billy is one of the most memorable and heartbreaking characters in the lm — a young man struggling with intense insecurity, repression and fear, especially of his domineering mother (a key weapon in Nurse Ratched’s manipulative arsenal). Dourif’s performance is widely regarded as one of the lm’s most emotionally devastating.

Challenging the oppressive routines of the ward, McMurphy’s in uence on the patients grows — especially with gentle giant Chief Bromden, a native American who pretends to be deaf and mute. Ultimately, McMurphy’s nal act of de ance against Nurse Ratched leads to a full lobotomy, a tragic consequence often used on the mentally ill. Still, it’s also to an act of freedom that transcends his fate. Chief Bromden smothers McMurphy upon realizing his friend’s vegetative state and escapes himself. The legacy of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” endures not only through its powerful performances — from Nicholson’s electric de ance to Dourif’s heartbreaking vulnerability — but also in its piercing message about individuality and resistance to dehumanizing authority with a bleak window into the cruelty in icted on the mentally ill. Its emotional weight and cinematic excellence still resonate today — so much so that 50 years after its release, a new 4K restoration from the Academy Film Archive and Teatro Della Pace Films, introduced by lm critic Leonard Maltin, returned to theaters nationwide to celebrate and recognize its lasting impact.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

The legendary Bob Dylan, shown in 2012, joins Willie Nelson for the Outlaw Music Festival, coming to Raleigh and Charlotte in July.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO Widespread Panic will perform at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville on July 24-26.

SCOTT ROTH/INVISION/AP,

Rapper Wiz Khalifa performs at Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York in August 2023.

AP PHOTO

Cyndi Lauper at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York in September 2021.

Wake Forest leads the way in MLB Draft, B4

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

MLS Toklomati, Vargas each score Charlotte beats NYCFC 2-0

Charlotte Idan Toklomati and Kerwin Vargas each scored a goal to help Charlotte FC beat New York City FC 2-0 Saturday to snap a four-game winless streak. Kristijan Kahlina had three saves for Charlotte (9-11-2). Toklomati scored his third goal in four games to give Charlotte a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. Vargas made it 2-0 in the 81st.

NBA Knicks hire Brown, two-time NBA Coach of the Year

New York The New York Knicks hired Mike Brown, turning to the two-time NBA Coach of the Year after ring Tom Thibodeau. Brown will take over the team that reached the Eastern Conference nals last season for the rst time in 25 years. Brown wasn’t out of work long after getting red by the Sacramento Kings during last season.

NCAA SPORTS

Bill would prevent schools from using student fees to pay for college sports

Washington, D.C.

A bill to regulate college sports introduced in the U.S. House would o er limited antitrust protection for the NCAA while barring schools from using student fees to pay for college athletic programs. Cosponsors of the SCORE Act includes seven Republicans and two Democrats, which gives the bill a fair chance of passage in the House. It would need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate.

Cal Raleigh succeeding in the family business

The Cullowhee native won the All-Star Home Run Derby with help from his dad and brother

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

ATLANTA — Every once in awhile, Stephanie Raleigh has just had her ll of baseball talk.

“Not too much,” said husband Todd of life in the family’s Cullowhee home. “We try to kind of leave it in the (batting) cage — we’ve got a cage at home, in a separate building — or on the car ride home. We did a lot of baseball growing up and a lot of talk, and it’s on TV every night. So, there’s probably been a few times when she says, ‘Yeah. That’s enough.’”

“You know,” he added unnecessarily, “baseball is a passion for us.”

It’s also the family business in the Raleigh household and has been for decades.

Todd spent eight years as a college assistant coach, includ-

ing stints at his alma mater, Western Carolina, as well as Belmont Abbey and East Carolina. He was then hired as head coach at Western, leading the team to

NC State football’s ‘must-win’ games for the 2025 season

The Wolfpack are looking to get right after a disappointing 2024 campaign

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE COLLEGE football season is fast approaching, and the NC State Wolfpack are looking for far better results than it got in 2024.

The Wolfpack had a disappointing season last year, nishing with a 6-7 record despite entering the year with high expectations.

As a result of that season though, the Wolfpack went out and added both a new o ensive and defensive coordinator in Kurt Roper and D.J. Eliot, respectively.

NC State is hoping that some new schemes, along with the growth of their young, returning talent such as quarterback

CJ Bailey and running back Hollywood Smothers, can help get them back toward the top of the

“When you come o of a sea-

son where you didn’t like the results or you were short coming up where you wanted to end up record wise or you lose some close games, usually what you

two NCAA berths in eight years. Then there are the Raleigh boys. While sisters Emma Grace and Carley both played volleyball in college, the men in the family gravitated to the national pastime. The three of them — older brother Cal, younger brother Todd Jr., and papa Todd — combined for a successful run through the 2025 All-Star Game Home Run Derby. Dad pitched, TJ caught and Cal sent a total of 54 balls over the Truist Park wall, beating former Durham Bull Junior Caminero in thenals, 18-15.

It’s the latest accomplishment in what has been a remarkable year for Cal Raleigh. The Mariners catcher set records for most rst-half homers by a catcher and a switch hitter — he was also the rst Home Run Derby winner from either of those groups — and leads MLB in home runs while rmly establishing himself as a candidate for American League MVP, a race that was all but called for the Yankees’ Aaron Judge a couple months earlier. Raleigh credits his father with helping him to reach his current level.

“I mean, it goes all the way

See RALEIGH, page B3

get back is a bunch of guys that don’t want to go through that again,” said NC State coach Dave Doeren.

So what are the three games on the Wolfpack’s schedule that, regardless of how the rest of the year goes, will determine whether the season is considered a success or not?

Vs. ECU (Aug. 28)

It’s going to be crucial that the Wolfpack get o on the right foot to start the year with another showdown against the ECU Pirates slated for the season opener. NC State ended its 2024 season on a sour note last year, losing 26-21 to the Pirates in the Military Bowl.

Not only did the Wolfpack lose that game in a late collapse, but they also embarrassed themselves further as a ght broke out on the eld following the game.

“I’m embarrassed as a coach, and I know our players are too,” Doeren said following the loss. “That’s not how people of this program, the players of this program, the sta of this program want anything to do with some-

ACC.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

NC State safety DK Kaufman celebrates with the fans after defeating rival UNC to close last year’s regular season. The rivalry game is always a must-win for both sides.

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO

The Raleigh family — Cal, who won the Home Run Derby, dad Todd, who pitched to him, and brother Todd Jr., who caught — watch a ball leave the yard.

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO

Cullowhee native Cal Raleigh sends a ball skyward on his way to winning the All-Star Home Run Derby in Atlanta.

TRENDING

Jannik Sinner:

The 23-year-old Italian defeated two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

Wimbledon championship and reverse the result of their epic

was Sinner’s fourth Grand Slam title overall Alcaraz entered the day on a career-best 24-match

unbeaten run He d also won 20 matches in a row at the All England Club

John Collins:

The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a three-team trade

The Miami Heat acquired Norman Powell while Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson are headed to the Jazz Collins has averaged 16 points per game in eight seasons, Atlanta and two with Utah

Paolo Banchero:

The former top draft pick out of Duke agreed to the richest contract in Orlando Magic history His -year extension is reportedly worth $239 million and could reach about $287 million should he become eligible for a supermax deal Banchero was the rookie of the year in 2022-23 and an All-Star the following season He has led the Magic to two appearances

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“People want to see Miz pitch He’s the new shiny toy.”

Brewers manager Pat Murphy after former Carolina Mudcat Jacob Misiorowski was named to the All-Star team despite MLB appearances

“I’m not sure he’s going to be a s excited for mine to ar r ive ”

Former Chicago and Charlotte Knights slug ger Paul Konerko after exchanging signed No 1 4 White Sox jerseys with Pope Leo XIV

NASCAR Shane van Gisbergen ex tended his w inning streak to t wo straight and three in the is the fa stest dr iver to w in four Cup Ser ies races since 1969

Former Wesleyan Christian Academy and NC State catcher Patrick Bailey became the third catcher in major leag ue histor y to hit a game-ending, inside-the-park home r un The Giants’ time in nearly nine years that a player home r un

Tobin Heath, a three-time national champion at U NC from 2006 to 2009, announced her retirement from women ’ s soccer Heath has won t wo World Cups and three Oly mpic medals in 181 games w ith the national team Heath also announced that she married former Team USA teammate Christen Press

Consecutive multigoal games by Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi He had been the only player in MLS histor y w ith four straight before adding another t wo-goal per formance la st week

Former Duke coach Mike K rz y zewsk i wa s inducted into the Team USA Hall of Fame The long time Oly mpic ba sketball coach, Coach K wa s joined in the 2025 cla ss by A llyson Feli x, Serena Williams, Kerr i Walsh Jennings, A nita DeFrantz, Bode Miller, Phil K night, Steve Ca sh, Susan Hagel, Flo Hy man, Marla Runyan, and the 2010 four-man bobsled 2004 women ’ s wheelchair ba sketball teams

Futures Game gives spotlight to baseball’s rising stars

Ten minor leaguers with ties to N.C. were chosen for the game

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

ATLANTA — Before turning the stadium over to the best players in baseball, MLB allowed the stars of tomorrow to take the eld with the All-Star Futures Game.

More than 30 players who made this year’s All-Star team are alumni of the Futures Game, including some of the sport’s biggest names — Aaron Judge (2015 Future Game), Ronald Acuna Jr. (2017) and Clayton Kershaw (2007) — and up-and-coming stars such as Junior Caminero (2023), Elly de la Cruz (2022) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (2022-23).

This year, 53 of the top prospects in the minor leagues were chosen for the game, which kicked o the All-Star Break in Atlanta on Saturday and was won by the National League, 4-2.

A total of 10 players in this year’s Futures Game had ties to North Carolina. Here’s a look at how the products of the state fared in the midsummer showcase.

Former high school/ college players in NC (5)

LuJames Groover, in elder, Arizona Diamondbacks: Groover started his college career at Charlotte and transferred to NC State after one year, getting named third-team All-ACC in 2023. Groover is hitting .312 with 10 homers and 16 doubles at Double-A this season. He got the start at third base in the Futures Game and went 2 for 2 with a pair of ineld singles. He also closed out the National League scoring with a run in the fth inning.

Tommy White, in elder, Athletics: NC State’s single-season home run leader and the NCAA’s freshman home run champion, White transferred to LSU after one year with the Wolfpack. He entered the game in the fourth inning at third base

and struck out his only time up.

Trey Yesavage, pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays: The 20th pick in last year’s MLB Draft out of East Carolina, Yesavage faced one batter in the fourth inning and struck him out on four pitches. He has moved quickly through the minor leagues, jumping three levels, to Double-A, this season and posting a 5-1 record with 111 strikeouts in 672⁄3 innings.

Trent Harris, pitcher, San Francisco Giants: The underdog story of the Futures Game, Harris went undrafted after three years at High Point and one at UNC Pembroke. The Cary native and son of former Padres reliever Greg Harris has gone 15-5 in 21⁄2 pro seasons and has advanced to Triple-A. He pitched the fth inning and

struck out two of the four batters he faced, allowing a leado double and throwing a wild pitch. Carson Whisenhunt, pitcher, San Francisco Giants: The Winston-Salem native and graduate of Davie County High in Mocksville was drafted in the second round in 2022 out of East Carolina. He is 8-5 in 17 starts for Triple-A Sacramento this year. He retired both batters he faced in his seventh-inning stint, striking out one.

Current minor leaguers in N.C. (5)

Konnor Gri n, in elder, Pittsburgh Pirates: The 2024 rst-round pick is hitting .302 with four home runs and 15 stolen bases for the Greensboro Grasshoppers. He got the start at

Wide receivers highlight position battles, storylines heading into Panthers’ training camp

Carolina will begin training camp activities Monday

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

THE COUNTDOWN to the 2025 season begins now for the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina will begin its training camp from the practice elds outside Bank of America Stadium this coming week with the rookies reporting Monday and the veterans taking the eld the next day.

After taking eight players in the NFL Draft and making numerous o season moves, the Panthers are now on the clock with building a competitive team after a disappointing 5-12 campaign last year.

There’s some optimism going into coach Dave Canales’ second season as Carolina addressed both sides of the ball.

First round pick Tetairoa McMillan, the former Arizona receiver, and second round pick Nic Scourton, the former Texas A&M defensive end, are just two examples of the young talent brought in to add a spark.

There will be numerous storylines and position battles brewing over the next month. Here’s a breakdown of the things to look out for as Carolina hopes to make the next step.

Young’s new targets to emerge

Last season, Carolina nished second to last in passing yards and was near the bottom of the league in completion percentage and yards per attempt.

back to him coming home and me forcing him to throw me a ball and hit it and in the backyard or in the house, which was something we probably shouldn’t be doing. And then it goes back to his coaching days, when he was coaching in college, and straight after school, I was straight to the eld, and I’d help in with the guys. I’d hang out, do some drills, sometimes hit in the cage, just be part of it, and just be able to play baseball and hang around the guys and kind of where I felt well in baseball.”

His dad also made him a switch hitter.

This o season, it has looked to x that.

The Panthers resigned receiver David Moore and tight end Tommy Tremble, and they added rookies McMillan, former Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn and former Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans through the draft. Carolina also signed former Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow in April, adding another veteran alongside Moore and Adam Thielen. Now the question is who sticks and possibly makes an impact in 2025.

McMillan, a rst-round talent and the Panthers’ tallest pass catcher, has a good chance to see the eld this season. He nished with the third-most re-

“I did it from the rst day,” Todd said. “I mean, when he was in diapers, literally. And I would take that big ball. He had a big red bat, and I would throw slow, and he’d hit it. And then I’d say, ‘Stay there,’ and I’d go pick him up, turn around, switch his hands, and do it again. I just knew — I was a catcher, and, you know, I played a little bit, and I just knew what a premium (switch hitting) was. So I put in the time. I don’t recommend, if you have two kids, that they’re both switch hitters, or you want to save your arm, because that’s a lot of throwing. They both picked it up very early.”

Cal is still a coach’s kid, looking for every opportunity to

ceiving yards in the nation in 2024, averaging 15.7 yards per catch. In the Panthers’ minicamp earlier this summer, he was already getting used to playing in multiple spots within the o ense and taking reps with the rst group.

But for some of the other newcomers, it’ll be more of a competition. Renfrow, who missed the 2024 season due to ulcerative colitis, has shown some ashes of returning to form while adding valuable experience in minicamp, according to reports.

Horn has also been in the mix as his speed and route running turned heads during rookie minicamp. The Panthers resigned seven-year veterans Moore, who

hone his craft. When Seattle played at San Francisco recently, he sought out Giants general manager Buster Posey, a former catcher who won an MVP award and multiple World Series. He also made sure to sit next to Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench at the Gold Glove banquet this past o season.

“You always cling on the ones that are really good, and the ones you want to kind of be like,” he said. “You try and take things they do, catching styles, and you try to apply them to your game. Just get to talk to them, talk to baseball, talk shop, was great, super smart. Just try to pick his brain as great, as much as I can.

“I was always the guy ask-

shortstop in the Futures Game, batting second in the order, and went 1 for 2. He was also caught stealing and reached after getting hit by a pitch.

Jesús Made, in elder, Milwaukee Brewers: In his second professional season, the Dominican Republic native has 38 stolen bases for the Carolina Mudcats. The 18-year-old started at second base, hitting sixth, and went 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Braden Montgomery, outelder, Chicago White Sox: A rst-round draft pick last year, 12th overall, Montgomery was promoted from Kannapolis to Winston-Salem and has a combined 11 homers and 10 steals for the two clubs. He started in left eld, batting second, and was one of the few Futures Game players to play the entire game. He went 0 for 3 but drove in the game’s rst run on an RBI grounder in the third inning.

Noah Schultz, pitcher, Chicago White Sox: The lefthander was a rst-round pick in 2022 and put in time at Kannapolis and Winston-Salem the last two years before getting promoted to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights recently. One of the top prospects in the minors, Schultz took the loss in the game, giving up a three-run homer and four runs in the fourth inning while retiring just two of the six batters he faced.

Brice Matthews, in elder, Houston Astros: The rstround pick in 2023 has played for Fayetteville and Asheville. He was selected for the game but was unable to participate, since he just got promoted to MLB and was playing in his second bigleague game for the Astros at the

caught 32 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns last year, and Dan Chisena. Second-year receiver Jalen Coker is also still under contract after he recorded 32 receptions and 478 yards in 2024. Three young guys in Brycen Tremayne (former Washington Commander), T.J. Luther and rookie Jacolby George (Miami) will also join the race to become Young’s new targets.

Revamped defense

Carolina’s defense nished dead last in rushing yards allowed, passing touchdowns against, points allowed per game, and it was tied 30th for sacks.

To improve its front seven, the Panthers drafted pass rushers in Scourton and former Ole Miss defensive end Princely Umanmielen, who was taken in the third round. They also drafted defensive tackle Cam Jackson out of Florida in the fth round and signed former Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, who is coming o a 6.5-sack season, former Vikings linebacker Pat Jones II, who recorded seven sacks in 2024, and former Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown III.

It’ll be interesting to watch how the new pieces t around defensive end Derrick Brown during training camp. The Panthers have a youthful yet experienced defensive core, and with outside linebacker DJ Wonnum also in the fold, there should be some competition with the pass rushers.

With the re-signing of starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn

ing questions. And I’m the same way. I still ask questions. I still, you know, I’m curious. And I think any player, you know, for as long as they play, any good player, is going to be curious, gonna want to get better, ask questions. Going to talk to guys just about baseball in general, and it’s a really big deal.” Meanwhile, younger brother TJ provided encouragement from behind the plate while catching pitches from Dad — the ones Cal didn’t launch skyward, anyway. Afterward, the 15-year-old still seemed overwhelmed by the experience, boasting that he gets to keep the All-Star jersey and the other merch he was given.

and Michael Jackson, new safety Tre’von Moehrig’s impact on the secondary will also be something to watch this preseason. Moehrig looks to replace Xavier Woods and assist in the run game after recording 104 tackles ( ve for loss) and two interceptions with the Raiders in 2024.

Rookie surprises?

There will be a plethora of rookies competing for a roster spot this training camp, including the draft picks less talked about this o season.

Along with picks previously mentioned, the Panthers selected running back Trevor Etienne out of Georgia and former Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom in the fourth round.

Etienne, who rushed for 609 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games last season, joins Kayron Lynch-Adams (Michigan State) as the only rookies in the running back corps. As those two battle for a spot, they’ll also be battling new addition Rico Dowdle for touches behind Chuba Hubbard.

Although he spent one season at UGA, he follows an impressive list of Bulldogs backs that have been e ective on the next level. According to reports, he’s t in well with the running back room and has made some plays this summer.

Ransom, who was one of the top tacklers on Ohio State’s national championship team, could also nd himself in the Panthers’ defensive rotation if he proves to be e ective in stopping the run.

In the madness that’s going to be the receiver competition, keep an eye on undrafted free agent Kobe Hudson from UCF. He hauled in 91 catches for more than 1,600 yards in his last two seasons with the Knights, and he made some noteworthy plays in mandatory minicamp.

“He got to meet (gymnast, internet in uencer and girlfriend of All-Star starting pitcher Paul Skenes) Livvy Dunne today, so he’s pretty jacked up,” Cal joked. “He said that was the best part of the day. Hopefully this (Cal winning) will get close.”

There was no question what was the best part of the day for the patriarch of baseball’s rst family.

“I just, I can’t put in words,” Todd said. “Because, you know, this Derby was huge when we heard about it, but when we involved the family, the complexion of it changed. It was all a family thing. And I thought, ‘You know what? He doesn’t hit any home runs. We’re still going to be good.”

CAROLYN KASTER / AP PHOTO

Noah Schultz throws a pitch for the Chicago White Sox during spring training. One of the top prospects in the minors, the current Charlotte Knight took the loss in the Futures Game.

CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO

New Carolina Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow pulls in a pass during a minicamp practice last month.

RALEIGH from page B1

Wake Forest’s must-win games of the 2025 season

The Demon Deacons are 10-20 in their past 30 contests

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

COMING OFF consecutive

4-8 seasons as coach Jake Dickert takes the reins after 11 years of Dave Clawson at the helm, the Wake Forest football team is facing an uphill climb for the 2025 season after winning just three of its past 16 ACC matchups.

Wake has now failed to reach a postseason appearance in back-to-back campaigns after seven consecutive seasons that ended with a bowl matchup.

While Clawson built the Demon Deacons into a perennial ACC contender, he eventually grew disenchanted with the e ects of NIL and the transfer portal on college football. In his nal press conference at Wake Forest, he admitted he looked at where the industry was and “just felt like it was time” to step down.

Enter the Dickert era: The former Washington State coach led his team to eight wins last season despite a limited supply of NIL resources. Now, the 41-year-old Wisconsin native will see what he can do with a portal-heavy roster of Winston-Salem newcomers as well as the players who have remained there.

Demon

“My No. 1 priority will be building relationships with our current student-athletes and earning their trust,” Dickert said. “We will have a clear focus on retaining our current roster while adding valuable pieces that t our program and Wake Forest University. Additionally, I am excited to immerse myself in this special community as throughout this process my belief that this is the perfect place for our family and our program only strengthened.”

Here are a trio of key matchups on Wake’s schedule that could de ne the Demon Deacons’ season and impact the team’s bowl eligibility.

Vs. NC State (Sept. 11)

Dating back to 1910, this long-standing in-state ACC rivalry is the longest continuous series in the conference and will serve as a quick glance at where these two teams are at in 2025.

With NC State expected by some to be improved in 2025, sporting some key returners and new coordinators, a home win here by the Deacs would certainly be a strong early-season statement and provide condence heading into tougher ACC play.

Wake Forest controlled the line of scrimmage and won last year’s matchup 34–30 in Raleigh, giving the team a close victory over the Wolfpack after falling short in three of its past

Deacons have multiple rst-rounders in MLB Draft again

Seven Wake Forest players have been taken in the rst round since 2023

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

ATLANTA — Wake For-

est continued to dominate the rst round of the MLB Draft. Demon Deacons were taken with back-to-back picks in the 2025 draft, marking the third straight year that multiple Wake players have been selected in the rst round, the longest current streak. In fact, only one other school — Tennessee — has had at least one rst-rounder in each of the last three drafts.

A total of seven Demon Deacons have been taken in the rst round since 2023, the most from any school over that span. The rest of the ACC has combined for nine rst-round picks in the last three drafts.

A total of four players from North Carolina high schools or colleges were taken in the rst 43 picks of this year’s draft. That includes the rst round and all the supplemental picks prior to the start of the second round. Only California, with ve, supplied more talent.

NC STATE from page B1

thing like that. To me, it was a terrible response to something that happened to one of our players, and there’s no excuse for that.”

So the rematch against ECU will not only be an opportunity for the Wolfpack to start the year o right and get revenge for their prior loss, but also a chance to show themselves in a much better light.

At Notre Dame (Oct. 11)

NC State’s biggest test of the season will come in Week 7 when the Wolfpack travel to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame was last year’s

four games against NC State.

A second-straight win over the Wolfpack would send a powerful message early in Dickert’s tenure, securing momentum and the excitement of Wake’s fan base.

The Wolfpack’s true sophomore duo of quarterback CJ Bailey and running back Hollywood Smothers could make for a solid head-to-head o ensive matchup against Wake senior running back Demond Claiborne, who is poised to be the Deacons’ workhorse and o ensive centerpiece in 2025.

Vs. Georgia Tech (Sept. 27)

Like NC State, Georgia Tech is another early-season test at home and pivotal ACC matchup for the Deacs, o ering a prime mid-September opportunity after Wake’s rst bye week.

The Yellow Jackets return a solid o ense and pose a real threat within the conference, especially with senior quarterback Haynes King (25 total TDs, two interceptions, 72.9% completion) leading the charge.

It will be up to Wake’s new defensive coordinator — former Kansas State and Michigan State coordinator Scottie Hazelton — to make the most of his transfers.

Safeties Ashaad Williams (North Alabama) and Sascha Garcia (William and Mary) join defensive ends Gabe Kirschke (Colorado State) and Langston

Wake Forest running back Demond

Miami.

Hardy (UConn) as interesting additions for a Demon Deacon defense that will need to improve this season.

O ensively, Wake’s transfer quarterback duo of senior Robby Ashford (South Carolina) and sophomore Deshawn Purdie (Charlotte) will have a chance to prove their worth in their new home.

A win here by Wake would solidify a strong start to conference play before the rest of the ACC stretch hits.

At Duke (Nov. 29)

This road contest at Wallace Wade Stadium serves as both a rivalry matchup and the nal game of the regular season.

Not only would a season-ending road victory reignite the Tobacco Road rivalry (Duke currently holds a three-game winning streak), but it could also be the di erence-mak-

Wake started the ball rolling with shortstop Marek Houston going to Minnesota with the 16th overall pick. Houston was an All-American and led the Demon Deacons in RBIs and multihit games last season. He tied the school’s single-game record with 10 RBIs against Notre Dame, all while playing the crucial shortstop position.

“He has become the type of player a major league team can anchor their defense around,” Wake coach Tom Walter said in a statement from the school.

“We thought Marek was the best college shortstop on the board,” Twins amateur scouting director Sean Johnson told MLB.com. “We’ve seen him for a long time at Wake Forest and really love to watch him play shortstop.”

It didn’t take long for Wake to return to center stage, as out elder Ethan Conrad went to the Cubs with the next pick, 17th overall.

“Ethan is a ve-tool player, who is a gamer,” said Walter.

“This is a great pick by the Chicago Cubs. Ethan will be a guy who will play in the big leagues for a long time and is a potential All-Star. His bat-to-ball skills

CFP runners-up, ultimately falling 34-23 to Ohio State, and are returning quite a few key players on their talent-laden roster.

A big area to look at in this game will be how the quarterback position matches up.

After back-to-back years of Notre Dame picking up transfer quarterback from North Carolina colleges — Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard — the Irish are now having to turn to an inexperienced arm for 2025 while the Wolfpack are building around returning starter Bailey. The Wolfpack have an all-time record of 2-2 against the Irish and most recently lost 45-24 in 2023.

for

er in bowl eligibility for Wake depending on how the season goes.

Under second-year coach Manny Diaz, Duke is positioned to remain a top -half ACC team in 2025 coming o a nine-win season last year.

With a stout defense and an upgraded o ense, the Blue Devils will likely eye moderate success this season, especially if Tulane transfer quarterback Darian Mensah picks up where he left o in New Orleans.

Arriving after Thanksgiving, this game will test Wake’s discipline and Dickert’s game management, giving the Demon Deacons an opportunity to showcase the lessons that they learn across the journey of the season with so many new players.

It’s a game where Wake will undoubtedly be an underdog, but also one that it can win if everything goes right.

are elite, and he is just scratching the surface of his power potential.”

Wake has seen 2023 rst-rounder Rhett Lowder and 2024 rst-rounder Chase Burns reach MLB in the season following their selection. Conrad, who battled injury last season, was also thinking of reaching the MLB club early on.

“That’s de nitely the goal for me is just to get up there as quickly as possible,” Conrad said on the MLB broadcast. “I think the quicker that I can get up there and be helping out the Cubs’ big-league team is going to be super special, and I’m just looking forward to making that happen as soon as possible.”

A North Carolina high schooler was the next player from the state to get a call. Josh Hammond, a shortstop/pitcher out of High Point’s Wesleyan Christian Academy, was taken

With the Clemson Tigers no longer an annual opponent for the Wolfpack, this top-end matchup is probably one of the few the Wolfpack are going to have to build their season resume up this season.

Vs. UNC (Nov. 29)

28th overall by the Royals with a Prospect Promotion Incentive selection. It’s just the fourth time the PPI selection has been used in the draft. It was introduced to encourage teams to promote prospects from the minor leagues earlier and rewards teams who do so with extra draft picks.

Hammond, who attended the same school as former rst-rounders Patrick Bailey and Wil Myers, has played for the varsity team since seventh grade. He signed with Wake Forest but likely will opt to start his pro career instead.

UNC catcher Luke Stevenson, a Wake Forest native, was taken with a competitive balance pick in between the rst and second round. He went 35th overall to the Seattle Mariners.

Stevenson is the rst Tar Heels catcher selected in the

“Bill Belichick can get it too, man.”

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey on UNC’s newest head coach

Wake Forest’s Marek Houston (7) was the rst player from a North Carolina college or high school taken in this year’s draft, going 16th overall to the Twins.

rst round since BJ Surho in 1985. Stevenson was an All-American and rst-team All-ACC, nishing second in the league in home runs and led the league in walks, while throwing out more than a third of runners who tried to steal against him.

Stevenson’s UNC teammate, out elder Kane Kepley, was next to go. The Salisbury native went in the second round, 56th overall, to the Cubs. The center elder led UNC in walks, onbase percentage and steals. His 45 stolen bases were more than 59 other Division I schools had for the season and ranked third all-time in UNC single-season history.

The first three rounds of the three-day draft were held on Sunday. We’ll have a round-up of the players selected on the final two days in next week’s issue.

will be interesting to see how he adapts.

“Excited to compete against Coach (Belichick),” Doeren said.

“Obviously all coaches in the business have a great amount of respect and know what he’s done in the profession. So for me as a competitor, I’m excited to compete.”

While Doeren was more reserved in his comments when asked about the NFL’s most successful head coach, NC State starting quarterback CJ Bailey didn’t hold back quite the same.

The legendary coach is making his rst foray into college football with the Heels, and it

No matter what happens the rest of the year, there is really not a more important game on the Wolfpack’s schedule from a fan’s perspective than its annual matchup against the UNC Tar Heels, which always comes at the end of the regular season slate. The rivalry dates back more than a century, and while the Tar Heels currently hold the all-time edge (68-40-6), NC State has won each of the last four and seven of the last 10 contests. However, UNC is hoping to get back in the win column under new head coach Bill Belichick.

“Bill Belichick can get it too, man,” Bailey said. “No matter who the coach is for UNC, we’re gonna kick them.”

LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO

Claiborne runs

a rst down against

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

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

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 In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 23 E 000964250 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 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

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 Del-Raye 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

ESTATE OF STANLEY HIRD HOLGATE

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001038-250 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Stanely Hird Holgate, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to John Ragland, Executor, at 507 Cloverleaf Ct., Naperville, IL 60565, on or before the 18th 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 named above. This the 8th day of July, 2025.

John Ragland Executor of the Estate of Stanley Hird Holgate

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: July 17, July 24, July 31 and August 7, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 25E001015-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Levie Caligan Cameron, Jr., 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. Karen Denise Cameron, Administrator of the Estate of Levie Caligan Cameron, Jr. 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

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 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

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E000924-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Noel Antonio Rosado, 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 17th 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 17th day of July, 2025. Georgia Kasey Rosado Administrator/Executor 2218 Meadow Wood Road Fayetteville, NC 28303 Of the Estate of Noel Antonio Rosado, Deceased

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF RUTH S WOODARD FILE NO. 2024 E 001117

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Ruth S Woodard, deceased, a resident of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of October, 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 17th day of July, 2025.

Monica Rosier, Executor 810 Running Horse Ln Hope Mills, NC 2834

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 25E001081-250 In the Matter of the Estate of: LARRY WASHINGTON Deceased, ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Larry Washington, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before October 17, 2025 (which is three (3) 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 said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. THIS the 17th day of July, 2025.

Felicia Washington, Administrator of the Estate of Larry Washington, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY FILE# 25E001778-640

Having quali ed on June 3, 2025 as Administrator of estate for CYNTHIA ANN CARLTON, deceased, of New Hanover County, N.C. does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the said estate to present such claims to the undersigned LARRY NEEDHAM BROWN, at 205 Maultsby Road, Delco, NC 28436 on or before September 26, 2025. Run dates: June 26, July 3, 10,17.

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,

Notice to Creditors

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 ROGER DAVID WENDLING, late of Wake County, North Carolina (25E002030-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned

of Roger David Wendling

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner

Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

(For publication: 07/17, 07/24, 07/31, 08/07/2025)

4. The State of Nevada, its political subdivisions, agencies, o cers, employees, board members, commission members and legislators each have 45 days after service of this Summons within which to le an Answer or other responsive pleading to the Complaint. Submitted by: By: /S/ Stephen R. Kopolow, Esq. Mark A. Kirkorsky, P.C. Stephen R. Kopolow, Esq. Bar Number 8533 8020 W. Sahara Ave. Suite 225 Las Vegas, NV 89117 888-519-2173 Dalamaddine@makpc.com Attorney for Plainti By Deputy Clerk Date Eighth Judicial District Court 200 Lewis Avenue Las Vegas NV 89155 NOTE: The object of the action involves an unpaid debt that is owed by the Defendant(s) and to the Plainti for the renting of construction equipment that belongs to the Plainti . Plainti is seeking contractual damages including but not limited to prejudgment interest, postjudgment interest, attorney’s fees and costs

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: 1-10B218

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 61-02 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:

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

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

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 §7A-308, 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

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 Notice of Sale is being o ered

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 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

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 liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination.

Pursuant

er for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on July 29th, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 286, in a Subdivision known as Elk Run, Section Six, according to a plat of

recorded in

of Plats 98, Page 108, North Carolina Registry. Being all of

of

of

and

286, and adjoining and lying East of

123, 124, and 125 of Elk Run, Section Six as shown on a plat of the same recorded in Book of Plats 98, Page 108, Cumberland County Registry, said parcel being designated on said plat as lot retained by owner-wetlands. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 4713 Miranda Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax ID: 0424-47-8192 Third party purchasers must pay the

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

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.: 24-10261-FC01

OF WAKE IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JOHN E. DALRYMPLE AND SCARLETT

S. DALRYMPLE DATED FEBRUARY 11, 2013 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 15146, AT PAGE 592 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of

GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24CV031609-910 NOTICE OF JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE

Alabama Housing Finance Authority, Plainti , vs.

Christopher Christensen; Melissa Anne Christensen; North Carolina Housing Finance Agency; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Defendant(s).

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Jeremy B. Wilkins, Commissioner, pursuant to the Order/Judgment entered in the abovecaptioned case on April 24, 2025 (“Order”), and by virtue of the appointment, power and authority contained in that Order, has been authorized and ordered to sell the property commonly known as 205 Tranquility Ln, Knightdale, NC 27545 (“Property”). Said Property is secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Christopher Christensen and Melissa Anne Christensen, husband and wife, dated December 20, 2019 and recorded on December 20, 2019 in Book 017692 at Page 02164 of the Wake County,

default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 10:00 AM on July 30, 2025, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by John E. Dalrymple; Scarlett S. Dalrymple, dated February 11, 2013 to secure the original principal amount of $214,800.00, and recorded in Book No. 15146, at Page 592 of the Wake 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: 7906

North Carolina Registry. The Property shall be sold together with improvements located thereon, towards satisfaction of the debt due by Christopher Christensen, and secured by the lien against such property in favor of Alabama Housing Finance Authority.

The Commissioner will o er for sale to the highest bidder at a public auction at the courthouse door of the county

where the

is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 23, 2025 at 10:00 AM the following described real property (including all improvements thereon) located in Wake County, North Carolina and described as follows: Beginning at a new iron pipe in the northern right-of-way line of Tranquility Lane, said new iron pipe being the southernmost common corner of Lots 9 and 10 as shown on the hereinafter referenced recorded

Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 Tax Parcel ID: 0004339

LAST WEEK

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are John E. Dalrymple and Scarlett S. Dalrymple.

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

East 184.95 feet to a new iron pipe; running thence North 59° 06 minutes 07 seconds East 65.00 feet to an existing iron pipe; running thence South 14° 42 minutes 33 seconds East 271.01 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, and Being all of Lot 9, Section II of Breckenridge Subdivision, as shown by map recorded in Book of Maps 1985, Page 1997, Wake County Registry, according to survey entitled “Survey for Bret E. Bosecker and Lisa O. Bosecker” dated August 15, 2005 and prepared by Al Prince & Associates, P.A.

The above described property will be sold, transferred and conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS” subject to liens or encumbrances of record which are superior to such Deed of Trust, together with all unpaid taxes and assessments and any recorded releases. Neither the Commissioner nor the holder of the debt secured by such Deed of Trust, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Commissioner or the holder of the debt make any representation 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 and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such conditions expressly are disclaimed. The Commissioner shall convey title to the property by non-warranty deed, without any covenants or warranties, express or implied.

and an arc radius of 510.83

Togetherwithallrights,powers,privilegesand appurtenances there (the “Real Property”)

The personal property being foreclosed is located in Wake County, North Carolina and is more particularly described as follows: Any and all improvements, xtures, equipment, property and proceeds from the use or sale of the same upon the Real Property hereafter placed thereon, including, but not limited to, all xtures, materials, equipment, apparatus, furniture, furnishings and other property, real and personal, now or hereafter installed or used on the improvements thereon,

An Order for possession of the property may

including, but not limited to, all hearing, lighting, refrigeration, plumbing, ventilating, incinerating, water heating, cooling and air conditioning equipment for xtures and appurtenances, all engines and machinery, elevators, pumps, motors, window screens, window shades, venetian blinds, awnings, oor coverings and shrubbery and other chattels and personal property used or furnished in connection with the operation, use and enjoyment of such Real Property and the improvements thereon, and all renewals, replacements and substitutions therefore and additions thereto.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §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 NCGS §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

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,

amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD

be issued pursuant to G.S. 1-339.29 (c) in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the judge or 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. 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”.

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current record owners of the property as re ected on the records of the WAKE COUNTY Register of Deeds’ o ce not more than ten (10) days prior to the date hereof are Chistopher Christenson and Melissa Anne Christensen, a married couple.

TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is 23rd day of June, 2025.

Grady I. Ingle, Attorney for Substitute Trustee Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 (980) 771-0717 Ingle Case Number: 31298-53038

A cash deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchasing price will be required at the time of

holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title

WAKE

the BRIEF this week

Pittsboro launches Chantal recovery resource website

The City of Pittsboro has launched a website with resources to help those a ected by ooding and damage from Tropical Storm Chantal, serving as a centralized hub for storm-related information, guidance and local assistance. Visit it at pittsboronc.gov/chantal

In ation ticks up slightly in June

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.

Bank of America reports $7.12B net income in Q2, surpasses earnings expectations Charlotte Bank of America Corp. on Wednesday reported second-quarter net income of $7.12 billion. The company said it had earnings of 89 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share. The nation’s second-largest bank posted revenue net of interest expense of $26.46 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts.

$2.00

Pittsboro approves multiple city property purchases

The town acquired approximately six acres of property for a total cost $2.15 million

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners had an agenda primarily

lled with various property matters when it met for its July 14 regular business meeting.

The board approved the purchase of multiple properties, including nearly three acres of property located at 205 JA Farrell St. for the price of $700,000.

“It was appraised for $1.45 million and has a tax value of $857,000, so this is a pretty good

deal,” said Town Manager Jonathan Franklin.

The second purchase was for the acquisition of approximately three acres of property located at 274 Pittsboro Elementary School Road (also known as the RAFI Building) for the price of $1.45 million. The property is intended to be an expansion of the McClenahan Street Park, and the build-

State’s rst standalone children’s hospital coming to Wake County

North Carolina Children’s will bring approximately 8,000 jobs to Apex

The Associated Press

APEX — North Carolina’s rst standalone children’s hospital will be built in Wake Coun-

ty, the project’s health systems announced last Thursday, creating a campus estimated to bring 8,000 jobs to the area.

UNC Health and Duke Health announced in January an agreement to jointly build the proposed 500-bed pediatric hospital and linked facilities in the state’s Research Triangle region, which

includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. At that time, the specific location wasn’t nalized. But leaders of the health systems said last week that the North Carolina Children’s project will be constructed about 20 miles

See HOSPITAL, page A2

Next-generation 911 systems proving their worth in NC, FL

“It’s really quite remarkable how well 911 works despite those challenges.”

Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS

North Carolina’s system saw success during Helene

By Freida Frisaro The Associated Press

NAPLES, Fla. — When an emergency happens in Collier County, Florida, the 911 calls go to one of the most high-tech communications centers in the U.S., where callers can send text and video from the scene to dispatchers. Moving to what’s known as an NG911 — or Next Generation 911 — system is a journey Sheri Kevin Rambosk and Bob Finney, the county’s director of communication, have been on for much of the past decade. It’s a long way from Feb.

16, 1968, when Alabama’s then-House Speaker Rankin Fite made the nation’s very rst 911 call in Haleyville, Alabama, on a bright red, rotary-style landline telephone. That ceremonial call came just 35 days after AT&T announced plans to use 911 as a nationwide emergency number. Today, most calls to 911 originate with cellphones, with dispatchers in upgraded centers using geotracking to get accurate geographic locations from callers.

But the response time in an emergency depends on the type of technology being used at any of the 6,000 emergency communications centers in the U.S.

Buck Moon over North State

July’s full moon rose last week, photographed from the 16th tee at Pinehurst No. 3.

ing will be utilized as o ce and operational spaces for the Parks and Recreation Department and eventually as a community center as well.

“We are in the pre-engineering of a town hall project, and this actually would save us about $1 million on space needed because we’d be pulling Parks and Rec out of that. So essentially we’re getting three acres to improve McClenahan Park for $450,000,” Franklin said. “That’s kind of the way I’m looking at it.”

The board also approved the sale of property, 21 acres of an approximately 54-acre parcel

See BOARD, page A7

“I’m really excited about what the children’s hospital means for children of North Carolina who are sick and in need of the best, most sophisticated, advanced medical interventions to live long, healthy lives.”

Gov. Josh Stein

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

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

July 7

• Stacey Lawrence Currie, 52, of Siler City, was arrested for selling and delivering cocaine, possessing cocaine with intent to sell or distribute, and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances.

July 11

• Lori Beth Loy, 43, of Sanford, was arrested for allowing livestock to roam freely.

• Kenneth Adrian Scurlock, 59, of Siler City, was arrested for violating a domestic violence order.

• Joseph Anthony Farrar, 62, of Moncure, was arrested for making threats and cyberstalking.

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southwest of downtown Raleigh in Apex, a town of 77,000 already surging in population thanks to the region’s strong technology economy.

The 230-acre campus will also include a children’s outpatient care center, more than 100 behavioral health beds, and a research and education center operated by Duke University and University of North Carolina medical schools.

The campus is poised to be integrated into a long-discussed mixed-use development location called Veridea that will include thousands of new homes, retail, dining, o ce and research space, as well as a new Wake Technical Community College campus.

“This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Car-

olina and the Southeast, and we’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner,” UNC Health CEO Dr. Wesley Burks said in a news release.

A groundbreaking for the hospital campus is expected in 2027, with construction anticipated to take six years. North Carolina Children’s Health also issued on Thursday a request for information from potential design and construction contractors for the project.

There are children’s hospitals already in North Carolina, including those operated by the University of North Carolina and Duke University health systems that are attached to their main campuses in the Triangle.

The Apex location “will ensure that the Triangle remains a hub and a destination for the best pediatric scientists, teachers and clinicians — convenient to both medical school campuses,” said Dr. Mary Klot-

The 230acre North Carolina Children’s campus will be part of Veridea, a new mixeduse planned community.

man, dean of the Duke University medical school and a Duke Health executive.

The health systems have said the hospital campus project could cost from $2 billion to $3 billion, with a massive private fundraising e ort ahead.

The project has already received $320 million from state legislators. The next state budget, still being negotiated by House and Senate Republicans that ultimately would head to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s desk, also could contain more project funds.

Stein said in an interview Thursday that beyond the economic opportunity the project will spark, “I’m really excited about what the children’s hospital means for children of North Carolina who are sick and in need of the best, most sophisticated, advanced medical interventions to live long, healthy lives.”

CHATHAM happening

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

July 18

Orange County Lockdown 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 19

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

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge and Tours

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tour the grounds at your own pace with a map provided upon entry and additional details provided by tour guides stationed throughout the grounds. The refuge is home to more than 120 farm animals that have been rescued. Tickets are $95; call 919-533-4013 to book your spot or for more information. 7236 U.S. Highway 87 North Pittsboro

July 22

Community Blood Drive

11 a.m. to 3:30 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 800-733-2767.

Chatham YMCA 120 Parkland Drive Pittsboro

Share with your community! Send your birth, death, marriage, graduation and other announcements to community@ chathamnewsrecord. com

The weekly deadline is Monday at Noon.

HOSPITAL

COURTESY

Biggest piece of Mars on Earth going up for auction in NY

By Dave Collins and Joseph B. Frederick

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — For sale:

A 54-pound rock. Estimated auction price: $2 million to $4 million. Why so expensive? It’s the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth.

Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning what’s known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale that also includes a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton that’s more than 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown o the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before traveling 140 million miles to Earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby’s says.

The red, brown and gray hunk is about 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on Earth and represents nearly 7% of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby’s says. It measures nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches.

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that receive 911 calls. There is no uniform emergency system in the U.S., so individual cities, counties, states or geographic regions are responsible for operating their own 911 call centers.

While some states have fully updated to NG911 systems, others are still using legacy 911 systems that rely on antiquated equipment.

“We’re just reminded in these last two weeks, with the ooding in Texas, just how important the work of 911 is,” said Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS, which provides infrastructure that passes critical data to emergency centers across the United States.

The future is now for 911

The Collier County Sheri ’s O ce covers 911 calls from an area of about 2,030 square miles that stretches from sandy beaches at the southernmost tip of the Gulf Coast on Florida’s peninsula inland to the Everglades.

It’s a region that has been ravaged by hurricanes this century, including Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricanes Ian and Milton most recently.

That’s why Sheri Rambosk wanted a high-tech emergency operations center.

“We just believe that when we can reduce the response time using technology, it will improve safety and survivability of those calling in,” said Rambosk, who has been sheri since 2009. “And that’s really what we’re all about,

“This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot,” Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby’s, said in an interview. “So it’s more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.”

It is also a rare nd. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 o cially recognized meteorites found on Earth, Sotheby’s says.

Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialized lab that con rmed it is from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said.

The examination found that it is an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” a type of Martian rock formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has a course-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine, Sotheby’s says. It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through Earth’s atmosphere, Hatton said. “So that was their rst clue that this wasn’t just some big rock on the ground,” she said.

The meteorite previously was on exhibit at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. Sotheby’s did not disclose the owner. It’s not clear exactly when the meteorite hit Earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby’s said.

The juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton was found in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry, a gold mine for dinosaur bones. Specialists assembled nearly 140 fossil bones with some sculpted materials to recreate the skeleton and mounted it so it’s ready to exhibit, Sotheby’s says.

The skeleton is believed to be from the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, Sotheby’s says. It’s auction estimate is $4 million to $6 million.

Ceratosaurus dinosaurs were bipeds with short arms that appear similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex, but smaller. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs could grow up to 25 feet long, while the Tyrannosaurs rex could be 40 feet long.

The skeleton was acquired last year by Fossilogic, a Utahbased fossil preparation and mounting company.

Wednesday’s auction is part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.

Church News

SANDY BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH

It’s Vacation Bible School time at Sandy Branch! Our theme this year is “S’Mores.” Making s’mores is a great camp re tradition.

When you bite into crunchy, chocolatey, gooey s’mores, they taste so good! Kids will learn that when we experience Jesus in our lives, there is nothing sweeter. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8a.

Our VBS will begin with an ice cream party and time of registration starting at 6 p.m. Friday, July 18. On Saturday, July 19, beginning at 9 a.m., we will celebrate the sweetness and goodness of Jesus during Bible Study, crafts, music and games.

We will have lunch around 11 a.m., concluding the day’s activities.

Children preschool through 12 years old are invited. Hope to see you at 715 Sandy Branch Church, Road, Bear Creek.

in Naples, Florida.

keeping people safe and rescuing them when they need it.” Today 61 full-time employees and three part-timers sta two emergency operations centers around the clock. They rely on data that RapidSOS collects from connected buildings, devices, vehicles and even smart watches to send rst responders to emergency scenes. The baseline data is provide free of charge to all 911 centers, Martin said.

Mixing technology with emergency response

As Hurricane Helene was tracking toward north Florida last September, forecasters were predicting it could hit Tallahassee as a major Category 3 storm. O cials in Leon County, which serves the state’s capital and nearby counties on legacy 911 equipment, reached out to Collier County, some 430 miles to the southeast, to see if they could

take over emergency calls if the storm knocked their center out.

Helene moved to the east of Tallahassee, but Collier County was prepared to help if needed.

“Because of the partnership with Rapid SOS, they were able to create a map to where not only did we see our own calls, but we could see exactly where the calls were coming in Tallahassee,” Finney said.

Collier County has also partnered with Charleston, South

Carolina, as a backup 911 center. Each region is fully prepared to take on 911 calls for the other in case their emergency system goes down for any reason.

It’s a similar story in North Carolina, where legislation in 2017 helped establish funding for a next generation 911 system, said Pokey Harris, who serves as president of the National Association of State 911 Administrators and executive director of the North Carolina 911 Board.

Harris said Hurricane Helene provided validation for the upgraded system by being able to direct 911 calls from areas that were devastated by the storm to other parts of North Carolina that were not a ected.

“During Helene, if a citizen could reach a dial tone, even though their local 911 center may have been impacted because of infrastructure devastation, another center somewhere in the state could answer their call,” Harris said.

No federal funding for next-generation systems

Next Generation 911 systems aren’t cheap.

“There has been no federal funding for 911,” Martin, of RapidSOS, said. “It has been in various draft formats as long as I’ve been doing this, and it’s never gotten through Congress.”

There is also no federal oversight of 911, he said.

“It’s really quite remarkable how well 911 works despite those challenges,” Martin said. “I think it’s a testament to the people of 911, not the technology.”

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Dispatchers work emergency calls at the Collier County Emergency Services Center, last week

The 6-foot-tall skeleton of a Ceratosaurus is also on the block

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

A Martian meteorite, weighing 54.388 lbs., said to be the largest piece of Mars on Earth is displayed at Sotheby’s in New York, last week.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Grime, mud and love

I don’t know why tragedies happen. They are a mystery, and anyone who claims otherwise is a charlatan whose words are wind and dust.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION CHANTAL caused the Haw River to rise more than 20 feet, yet also resulted in a ood of relief e orts last week in Saxapahaw. “Wash me clean of my iniquity,” prayed the psalmist, “and cleanse me from my sin.” But the Good Lord leaves other cleaning projects to us. That’s how I found myself scrubbing the inside of an oven so that our crew could make meals to deliver to community volunteers.

Don’t misunderstand: Others worked harder than me. There were fallen trees that needed to be cut and moved, waterlogged carpet that had to be pulled up and hauled o , and mud everywhere — so much mud that volunteers had it coming out of their ears! And these hard-working folks labored in near triple-digit temperatures. One of them told me the work was “harder than pushing a wet rope uphill.”

I don’t know why tragedies happen. They are a mystery, and anyone who claims otherwise is a charlatan whose words are wind and dust. However, the way communities respond to su ering inspires me. We are stronger together. My colleague and friend, the Rev. Dr. Jill Du eld, wrote in her new book, “Our individual e orts matter, but our corporate ones increase the salt, light, and leaven exponentially. We need one another’s support and encouragement to stand rm in the faith, despite all

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

the forces threatening to overtake us.”

I know there are forces, both natural and human, that overwhelm and destroy. Only love can rebuild and heal. When we seek to love our neighbors after a tragedy, love has kitchen grime beneath its ngernails and mud in its ears.

Last week at church, we were busy preparing the food that others had donated. A local farm gave 147 pounds of zucchini. Others pooled their resources to contribute a cooler full of beef. A woman in Durham gave a brand-new generator, and a man, who had taken a red-eye ight to help his mother-in-law in her ooded apartment, picked up the generator in a borrowed truck and said with a tearful smile, “This means more than I can say.”

Many things defy explanation, yet we are given the chance to love: in the grime beneath our ngernails, in the mud coming out of our ears and in the smile on someone’s weary yet hopeful face, there is the extraordinary found lodged in the ordinary, a quick catch of the in nite in the always-arriving present.

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

No time like the present to say, do what we should

I loved my stu but gradually began to want it out of sight of other folks, especially visitors so they wouldn’t know what a messy fellow I was.

IT’S BEEN ALMOST 40 YEARS since the good folks who built our house built our house. By now, many of them have retired, while others have gone on to that great building project in the sky.

Many — actually most — of the details of that e ort are lost to memory or we never knew them because we weren’t always around while the work was going on. And besides, the folks doing the work were folks we trusted to do a good job, so we didn’t need to hang around and get in their way. I can’t remember a lot of the conversations about what we wanted in our house beyond some initial discussions. And through the years of living here, Better Half and I have been pleased with how things turned out. There is, however, one part of the house I really like — the room on the front of the house we call my “study.” It sits at a corner, which means when Mother Nature gives us something other than 98 degrees and a hot wind that I can throw open the windows and catch a great breeze.

But the best feature of the room, as far as I’m concerned, is one wall of built-in oor to ceiling bookcases. And, again, I don’t remember a discussion with the builder about putting them in, but I’m so glad he did.

So, for almost 40 years, I’ve had a wonderful resource … but I’ve been remiss in using it.

Better Half had some idea when, thanks to her dedication and hard work she reeled me in almost 55 years ago, that I was a pack rat. She had seen my newspaper o ce when we were dating and knew I had a terrible sickness called “Save-itis,” which means you save everything you ever had or that belonged to your parents or anyone else you liked.

Maybe she thought she could reform me or maybe she was just overcome with joy. Whatever the issue was, the reform never came. I continued to collect stu — books, newspapers, magazines, trinkets, even some junk, you name it — for years. By the time we moved into our house I had quite a collection. After all, it had been a work in progress for almost 55 years.

Logically, then, the prospect of lling up a room with a truckload of shelves prompted more stu to be brought in until it go to the point about the only room in the room

was a path. I loved my stu but gradually began to want it out of sight of other folks, especially visitors so they wouldn’t know what a messy fellow I was. I even took to closing the door even when it was just family.

Finally, even I had had enough. Better Half once spent a week away visiting our niece out of state, and I resolved to surprise her by cleaning out the study, trashing the trash and rearranging the keepings on those nice shelves. And the best way — the only way — I reasoned was to take everything out of the room and sort it back in.

A week wasn’t long enough.

When Better Half returned, the living room was covered with stu ; a couch and some chairs held a collection of my book collection and assorted stu was here and there.

Today, I’m still not through, but I’m beginning to see the light at the end of that famous tunnel everyone talks about. I’ve dusted most of the shelves, arranged books by topic, given away a trunk load of volumes and thrown away large amounts of trash.

All the while this has been going on, I’ve had a nagging thought — this has been a ne room all along with great possibilities. Why, then, did I delay in using it as it was intended to be used? Was it procrastination? Fatigue? Laziness?

From that thought then it was then only a short hop to why have I not taken advantage of all the opportunities to interact with people? To visit folks I love? To write that long overdue note? To make that telephone call? To tell someone how important they are — to me and others? To tell someone, “I love you”?

I’m pretty sure we all have “bookcases” in our lives, resources that will make our lives and those of others a little sweeter. I can’t get back the 40-plus years my study was many times a junk room, but I can do better from here.

I just need a few more days to get the rest of the stu o the oor. And then, watch out, world.

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Are you cracked, too?

I try to make excuses for myself, obscure what just occurred, or just make peace, as best I can, with the fact that I will always, always be a growing and imperfect human.

WHAT WORD that often makes me feel downright embarrassed, contracting my shoulders and blinking my eyes, uncomfortably, as in “Did I really say or do that?” Vulnerable. That word. Vulnerable. Yep, those oh-so-human qualities that I’d just love to keep behind locked doors. “I’m weak! I was so inappropriate!” But, damn, that locked door just wants to open sometimes. The sheer e ort of hiding my vulnerabilities from other human eyes can be absolutely exhausting.

You think you’re the only one who has embarrassing moments in your past (OK, truth be told, even just ve minutes ago)?

The continuing shame of how we might have done things di erently, trying to deny our perceived loneliness, our sadness. Of course, as you know, you are the only person in the United States who ever feels lonely or sad. Right?

Give me a break! Our culture applauds our “yay” emotions — joy, contentment, ll in your own favorites here. And our “not-so -yay” vulnerable emotions? Ooo-wee, I can just feel the shame rising in my face when I display my human vulnerabilities. My mistakes, my being human-ness, my ouches I really don’t want you to see. So often, I’m ready to have light shine only on my goodnesses. My frailties? Not so much. Whoa, suddenly thunderstruck! Winding its way through my slightly muddled brain, I hear, “What does the full range of one’s humanity mean?”

| SUSAN ESTRICH

Oh, great question! Here’s my current makeshift answer. Ready? The Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz”! No, no, not kidding you, or myself (I don’t think?) The good ‘ol Tin Man (hey, go back and watch the movie!) seems, to this imperfect human, wed to the path of nding a human heart, even within his tin embodiment.

I’m rather like that Tin Man, clink, clanking around. Bumping into things and then making peace with the fact that I have bumped into yet another person or thing in an unwanted fashion. I try to make excuses for myself, obscure what just occurred or just make peace, as best I can, with the fact that I will always, always be a growing and imperfect human.

Do I have room in my heart for my own vulnerabilities? Oh gosh, so hard to say, but I often learn the most fruitful life lessons from those self-same frailties and vulnerabilities. Once I can acknowledge them, that is. Ouch.

The late, great, Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen wrote what I think is an anthem for imperfect humans, i.e., all of us.

“Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect o ering

There is a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in…”

I may be cracked, but that’s how my light gets in. What’s your status?

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

The Justice Department whistleblower

Reuveni was a respected career prosecutor. He spent the rst Trump administration defending Trump’s immigration policies.

“IF THEY CAN do this sort of thing to Abrego Garcia, to 238 people that nobody knows, and send them to CECOT forever with no due process, they can do that to anyone,” Erez Reuveni, a former Justice Department lawyer who has led a whistleblower complaint with the Senate Judiciary Committee told The New York Times. “It should be deeply, deeply worrisome to anyone who cares about their safety and their liberty, that the government can, without showing evidence to anyone of anything, spirit you away on a plane to wherever, forever.”

Reuveni was a respected career prosecutor. He spent the rst Trump administration defending Trump’s immigration policies. But this time, he insists, is di erent. This time, Justice Department lawyers are being told to mislead the courts, and ignore them.

“The Department of Justice is thumbing its nose at the courts, and putting Justice Department attorneys in an impossible position where they have to choose between loyalty to the agenda of the president and their duty to the court,” Reuveni added.

In his whistleblower complaint, Reuveni describes how the administration invoked a rarely used federal law to send immigrants to the notorious Salvadoran prison, even as Emil Bove, formerly Trump’s personal lawyer and now a senior Justice Department o cial and nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals, told subordinates, including Reuveni, that the Justice Department may end up ignoring court orders, using an expletive to make his point.

Of course, the administration denies everything. But as The New York Times carefully puts it: “text messages, phone records and emails viewed by the Times appear to bolster the whistle-blower’s version of events, o ering a behind-thescenes recounting of private meetings and conversations that show Justice Department leaders pressing to take audacious legal risks.”

BE IN TOUCH

COLUMN

JENNY BETH MARTIN

Democrat leaders must condemn political violence — now

DEMOCRAT LEADERS have a problem on their hands: According to Axios, “Democrat members of Congress are facing a growing thrum of demands to break the rules, ght dirty — and not be afraid to get shot” in their e orts to oppose the Trump administration. As the leader of the nation’s largest Tea Party group, I can say from my own experience in dealing with grassroots activists angry with the actions of their political opponents that now is the time for Democrat leaders to stand up and squelch those demands — or live to regret it. In recent weeks, we’ve seen disturbing scenes playing out all over the country: In Alvarado, Texas, “10 violent assailants equipped with tactical gear and weapons” attacked the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility on July 4; in McAllen, Texas, a man was shot and killed outside a Border Patrol facility after ring dozens of rounds at Border patrol and local police o cers on July 7; and in Portland, Oregon, protesters rioted at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility with reworks and knives over a period of weeks. All of this, supposedly, was done in protest of federal immigration policies. What may be even more disturbing, however, is the deafening silence from Democrat Party leaders as these violent acts are carried out by those aligned with their cause.

It’s time for Democrats in positions of power to do what responsible leaders must do: Call for peace, condemn violence, and demand that activists reject lawlessness, no matter how passionately they may disagree with the Trump administration or its policies. Failing to do so is not just irresponsible — it’s dangerous.

Audacious legal risks? Also known as lying to the courts, misleading and misinforming them, which Reuveni was red for refusing to do.

In his complaint and in the interview with the Times, Reuveni detailed how another Justice Department lawyer misled a federal judge on March 15, when the administration sent several planes of migrants to El Salvador. The lawyer said that he did not know whether such removals were imminent. A colleague listening to the hearing texted Reuveni an expletive, followed by: “That was just not true. ... He knows there are plans for AEA removals within the next 24 hours.”

Reuveni replied, “Yes he does.”

Later that evening, Reuveni sent another text that referred to Bove’s expletive: “Guess we are going to say f--- you to the court. Super.”

His colleague responded, “Well, Pamela Jo Bondi is,” then added, “not you.”

Records Reuveni gave to Congress show State Department o cials o ered to negotiate with the Salvadoran government in order to get Abrego Garcia back to the United States.

O cials at the Department of Homeland Security rejected these e orts, insisting that he was a dangerous gang member who could not be returned. As the Times reports, “Career lawyers at the Justice Department struggled to carry out ambiguous instructions from their superiors in apparent contradiction of judicial orders.”

Democrats now argue Bove is un t to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The jury is still out on this one. Does it mean if he’s not quali ed for the bench, he goes back to telling Justice Department lawyers to defy the courts? This is not business as usual. The Justice Department is rotten. And the sh rots from the head.

Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.

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

I remember very clearly what it was like during the earliest days of the Tea Party movement. Americans were deeply frustrated, and they were angry about the direction the country was heading. They were concerned about the future their children would inherit. And they had every right to speak up, organize and protest. But what we never allowed was violence. As leaders, we took it upon ourselves to ensure that people who were angry channeled that energy into constructive civic engagement, not chaos. We taught people how to hold signs, not Molotov cocktails.

We Tea Party activists became famous not only for our passionate defense of liberty and limited government, but also for our peaceful, orderly protests — where we picked up after ourselves. That wasn’t a coincidence. It was the result of leadership that emphasized respect for the rule of law and for our fellow Americans, even when we strongly disagreed with many of them.

Today, Democrat Party leaders are failing their movement in that regard. The far-left fringe of their grassroots base is increasingly resorting to intimidation, destruction of property and even violence against law enforcement authorities. And far too many Democratic politicians are choosing to wink and nod, or worse, remain silent — perhaps because they fear losing support from their most radical activists.

That is not leadership. That is cowardice.

It’s also hypocrisy. Many of these same Democrat leaders spent years warning about the dangers of political violence. They claimed to stand for norms, for institutions, for the peaceful transfer of power and civil debate. But where are those voices now? Where are the calls for deescalation, for restraint, for returning to the rule of law? Where is the rm condemnation of those who bring violence to the front doors of ICE facilities?

Democrat leaders cannot pretend they don’t have a role in this. Grassroots energy is not a faucet you can turn on and o . Once you start inciting rage, once you elevate rhetoric that suggests your political opponents are monsters, it’s only a matter of time before someone takes that rhetoric seriously and acts on it. That’s why responsible leadership matters so much. When emotions run hot, leaders must step in to cool them down, rather than fan the ames.

When the Tea Party was growing, I, along with other Tea Party leaders, made a conscious e ort to insist on nonviolence, even when we were met with condescension and false accusations. We stayed the course because we believed in the American system. And because of that discipline, we helped change the political landscape peacefully and productively.

Now it’s time for the leaders of the Democrat Party to show the same courage and discipline. They must look their grassroots activists in the eye and say, “Violence is wrong. Period. This is not who we are.” Until they do that, they will continue to bear a measure of responsibility for the lawlessness being carried out in their name.

America needs passionate debate. It needs dissent. It even needs protest. But it does not need mobs in the streets or riots outside federal buildings, and it most assuredly does not need people shooting at law enforcement authorities. It needs leaders with the moral clarity to say: enough. For the sake of our republic, I hope they nd the strength to say it. Before it’s too late.

Jenny Beth Martin is honorary chairman of Tea Party Patriots Action. This article was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN

obituaries

Robert Carrol Wrenn

March 17, 1949 –July 12, 2025

Robert Carrol Wrenn “The Hulk”, 76, of Siler City, passed away at his home Saturday, July 12, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.

Robert was born in Chatham County, NC on March 17, 1949, to the late Carrol Willis Wrenn and Sara Bruton Wrenn. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his brother, David Willis Wrenn.

He was 1967 graduate of Jordan Matthews High School and a 1971 graduate of Guilford College. Robert had a love for lumber and thus was a coowner of Wrenn Brothers Inc. He was past member of the Home Builders Association and his love for log homes led him to donate ooring to Central Carolina Community College for tiny homes. He was a volunteer for ringing the bell at Christmas, where he had the honor of having the highest money donations in 2023 for The Salvation Army. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He always enjoyed his time as a member

Phyllis Smith Hayes

June 9th, 1955 –July 10th, 2025

Phyllis Hayes, 70, of Roanoke Rapids passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Born and raised in Siler City, NC, Phyllis went on to obtain Bachelor’s degrees from both Meredith College and East Carolina University. She began her career dedicated to caring for others through the eld of nursing in 1982. Working in many di erent settings of healthcare in the Halifax County area, she was able to share her compassionate heart while caring for others.

Phyllis later went on to teach, guide, and develop the next generation of nurses through the Halifax Community College’s Nursing Program.

Phyllis later returned to school and pursued her Master’s in Nursing and worked the last several years of her career as a Nurse Practitioner in cardiac medicine.

Outside of caring for others, Phyllis was heavily involved with the church community. She shared her love for music by participating in the choir and playing the piano for services when needed. At home, Phyllis

of the Chatham County Wildlife Club. Robert loved being outdoors. He was an avid sherman and enjoyed being on his boat as much as possible. He never met a stranger and enjoyed going to Walmart, to people watch and talk. Playing cards with his buddies and listening and telling stories with them was a fond past time. Robert had a love for animals especially his dog, Aussie, his grand dog, Honey, and grand cat, Tigre. Above all the other things he loved his family, they were his pride and joy. Whenever he was with them there was always a lot of laughter.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Jane Je ress Wrenn; one son, Adam Wrenn and wife, Kaitlyn; and one daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Wrenn. He is also survived by his brother Neil Wrenn and wife, Vivian; sister-in-law, Victoria Hutchins; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The Celebration of Robert’s Life will be held Saturday, July 19th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at The First United Methodist Church with Rev. Kyle Burrows o ciating. A visitation will follow.

The family request in lieu of owers memorials be made to the Chatham County Wildlife Club, PO Box 561 Siler City, NC 27344, or Southeastern Lumber Manufacturer’s Association (SMLA), 200 Greencastle Rd., Tyrone, GA 30290. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Wrenn family.

Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

thoroughly enjoyed reading, gardening, and tending to her loyal companion, Todd. Company was always welcome and many stories were shared with familiar faces. After retirement, she was fully committed to volunteering in church initiatives, such as backpack buddies and the community food bank. She was an avid supporter of the Carolina Hurricanes and other local sports teams, including ECU and NCSU.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her father, Frank W. Smith and mother, Ellen Scott Smith. Phyllis leaves behind her husband of 45 years, David Hayes; her sons, Douglas, Daniel, and Jonathan Hayes, daughters-in-law, Corinne and Kari Hayes, along with 8 grandchildren, Emalynn, Celeste, Valerie, Khloe, Rylee, Wyatt, Wilson, and Natalie. Additional surviving relatives include her brother, F. Lewis Smith and sister-in-law, Bonnie Smith; nephew, Kenneth Smith; brother-in-law, Bob Hayes; sisters-in-law, Debbie Hayes and Judy Hayes.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the doctor and sta of ECU North’s Oncology Unit for the care received.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, the church she was a dedicated member for 45 years. A reception will be held immediately after the service in the fellowship hall. The service will be available for viewing online through the church’s media feed.

In lieu of owers, the family encourages donations to First Presbyterian Church food bank funds, a cause very close and dear to Phyllis’ heart.

Herbert Franklin Pike

July 2, 2025

Herbert Franklin Pike, 79, of Pinehurst, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025.

Born and raised in Siler City, North Carolina, Herb earned an Undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and

IN MEMORY

a Master’s degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, both in Physical Education. Herb competed on the baseball team while at Wake Forest. He taught and coached in North Carolina public schools for about 25 years before retiring and following his dream to earn his PGA Class A certi cation to become a PGA Teaching Pro. Herb’s love of golf was obvious to everyone who knew him, and he shared this love through coaching golf for over 45 years, the majority of those years he spent at Ragsdale High School in Jamestown, NC, and at Sandhills Community College in Southern Pines, NC. He was also a recreational sherman and enjoyed sharing this pastime with his kids, grandkids, and extended family. He is survived by his children, Katie Starck, and her husband Paul Starck, and Emily Pike;

LAURA GRACE GARNER DUNN

APRIL 8, 1948 – JULY 8, 2025

Laura Grace Garner Dunn, 77, of Asheboro, passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Randolph Hospice House. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Joyce-Brady Chapel. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday July 11, 2025 at High Falls Christian Church, where she was a member, with Pastor Chris Wilson presiding. Burial will follow at Beulah Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the High Falls Christian Church fellowship hall following the interment. Grace was born in Chatham County on April 8, 1948 to Ed Everette Garner and Dorothy Shields Garner. She worked at B.B. Walker Shoe Co. as a district manager for 33 years. Grace enjoyed singing in the church choir, gardening and working in her owers. She loved her family, her church and her church family. She adored her grandchildren.

ROBIN MITCHELL PATE

JAN. 19, 1975 – JULY 10, 2025

Robin Mitchell Pate, age 50 of Vass, NC, passed away on Thursday (7/10/2025) at her home. She was born on January 19, 1975, daughter of the late Bonnie Hilliard. She was preceded in death by her mother, grandmother, Claudette Sykes, step-grandfather Billy Sykes and her grandfather, Harry Mitchell. Robin enjoyed going to the beach and spending time with her family. She loved to cook, had a sweet soul and was very helpful to others. She never complained and always saw the good in people and in every situation. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Thelbert “Gene” Pate of Cameron, NC; daughters, Hannah Marie Rivas of Vass, NC and Jessica and her daughter, Ameila of Mebane, NC; sister, Meghan Rigsbee (Austin Davis) of Rougemont, NC; uncle James Mitchell of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; aunts, Patty Nipper of Mebane, NC and Donna Dorton of Roxboro, NC; nephew, Hunter Sykes and niece, Cydney Sykes.

JAMES ROBERT “DOODIE” BEAL

NOV. 15, 1946 – JULY 7, 2025

James Robert “Doodie” Beal, 78, of Bear Creek, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025 at The Siler City Center. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Joyce-Brady Chapel with Kevin Poe presiding. The family will receive friends following the service. Doodie was born in Chatham County on November 15, 1946 to Vernie and Ruth Yow Beal. He was a retired inmate supervisor for the City of Sanford. Doodie loved being a cowboy and rodeoing. He enjoyed roping, bull riding and training youngsters in the “cowboy way”. Doodie was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his son, Cli Beal (Cheri), of Texarkana, TX; sister, Gayle Hughes (Dallas), of Newport, TN; grandchildren, Halie Shipley (Nathan), Madison Basso (Tony), Trevor Beal and Kutter Keys, all of New Boston, TX; great-grandchild, Jovie Kate Shipley, of New Boston, TX; niece, Sabrina Beal Oates, of Bear Creek; special caregivers, Jay and Gail Matthews , of Carthage and a host of family and friends.

grandchildren Connor and Ethan Starck; brother Jerry Pike and his wife, Wilma; his beloved nieces and nephew, Patty, Darla, Chad, and Ginna.

A visitation with the family will be at 11am and a Celebration of Life will be at 12 pm on Saturday, July 12 at Loves Creek Baptist Church in Siler City, 1745 East 11th Street, Siler City, NC 27344. Services will be o ciated by Reverend Jason Dickerson. In lieu of owers, donations in Herb Pike’s name can be made to First Tee Triangle (https:// rstteetriangle.org/), a program to teach kids the game of golf as a way to build inner strength and self-con dence. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Pike family.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

JANE FRANCES SWINDELL BARRINGER

FEB. 2, 1929 – JULY 6, 2025

Jane Frances Swindell Barringer of 490 Barringer Road, Sanford, NC passed away at home on Sunday, July 6,2025. She was born on February 2, 1929, to Alma Hayman and Lindsey Swindell of Elizabeth City, in Pasquotank County, NC. She graduated from Elizabeth City High School in 1947, where she was a ve-year member of the marching band. She graduated from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina in 1951 with a degree in History and came to Sanford the same year to teach history at Sanford High School. Jane Swindell married Paul Jehu Barringer, Jr of Sanford in 1956, and in 1960 they renovated Bridge Road Farm in the Deep River section of Lee County, where they raised their family.

WILFORD “BUD” MANUEL TURMAN

AUG. 5, 1943 – JULY 2, 2025

Master Sergeant (United States Army Retired) Wilford “Bud” Manuel Turman ,81, of Sanford, North Carolina passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at Central Carolina Hospital. He was born on August 5, 1943, in Hominy, Oklahoma. Bud was the son of Phoebe Rose Fite and Wilford “Wally” Turman. He was one of fteen children. At the age of 17, with the permission of his mother, he enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he began and ended his military career. He distinguished himself during his twenty years of service and was awarded several medals, badges, and decorations. He was awarded the Master Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He served honorably as a member of the elite 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (the Green Berets) and with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From 1967 -1969 he served two tours in Vietnam. He loved his country and sacri ced his life for the many freedoms we are blessed to have today. After retiring, he became one of many veterans who served his country well. Bud was a man of many talents and believed in having a strong work ethic. As part of his enjoyment ,as a civilian, he earned a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, coached youth football in Fayetteville, North Carolina and loved making cherished memories with his family, playing football, and visiting the mountains of North Carolina. To his grandchildren, he was a ectionately known as “Papa Mud,” a name that captured both his warmth and gentle humor. After serving in the Army, he founded several successful heating and air conditioning businesses, including the locally respected “Bud-Air.” He maintained his HVAC license until the age of 80 further re ecting his commitment to community and mentorship.

Debbie Horton

BOARD from page A1

located along Moncure Pittsboro Road, to Chatham Park for the sale price of $1.2 million.

“We had the value opinion done and it was anywhere from $800,000 to $900,000, so I think the town got a good deal on this one too,” Franklin said.

The commissioners approved utilizing $800,000 of the revenue from the sale for various Parks and Recreation projects, including bathrooms at Rock Ridge as well as various up t and improvements at Kiwanis Park, Knight Farm Park and Town Lake Park.

The board also held two public hearings, including a voluntary, contiguous annexation petition for approximately 33.5 acres of property located on Old Graham Road and between Oakwood Drive and Brookstone Lane.

The commissioners raised questions about potential ooding control for the future development and the applicant assured them that they would go above the standards set forth by the town.

“The stormwater control features of this project are going to meet whatever the Pittsboro requirements are,” said attorney Nicolas Robinson, who was representing the applicant. “In addition, after conferring with the developer and the engineer, we will size the stormwater pond in excess of the town’s requirements, and we pledge to make it as large as practical.”

The board also held a public hearing for a conditional rezoning request for nearly 17 acres of property located at 220 Lorax Lane (The Plant) from Heavy Industrial to a Community MixedUse Conditional Zoning

President Bill Clinton listens to David Gergen, right, during a Rose Garden news conference May 29, 1993.

David Gergen, adviser to 4 presidents, dies

By Patrick Whittle The Associated Press

DAVID GERGEN, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died. He was 83.

Gergen worked in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Over the years, he served as a speechwriter, communications director and counselor to the president, among other roles.

Dean Jeremy Weinstein of the Harvard Kennedy School, with which Gergen had a long relationship, said Gergen died of a long illness. Gergen “devoted decades of his life to serving those who sought to serve,” said Hannah Riley Bowles, a former co-director of the school’s Center for Public Leadership, where Gergen was the founding director.

“David was a principled leader of unmatched character, integrity and kindness, who chose to see goodness in every person he met,” Riley Bowles said.

Al Gore, who served as Clinton’s vice president, posted on X, “Of the countless ways that David Gergen contributed to our great country, what I will remember him for most was his kindness to everyone he worked with, his sound judgment, and his devotion to doing good in the world.”

David Richmond Gergen was born in North Carolina and graduated from Durham High School before atttending Yale University and the Harvard Law School, according to a biography on the Harvard Kennedy School website. He would go on to receive 27 honorary degrees over the course of his career.

Gergen founded the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and remained there as professor of public service emeritus until his death, according to the school’s website.

After serving in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, Gergen took his rst White House job in 1971, serving as a speechwriting assistant for Nixon. Bipartisanship and collaboration were hallmarks of his long career, said colleagues who paid testimonials on social media last Friday.

He was also a media personality who worked as a senior political analyst for CNN. In his 2022 book “Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made,” he wrote: “Our greatest leaders have emerged from both good times and, more often, challenging ones. … The very nest among them make the di cult calls, that can ultimately alter the course of history.”

A private burial is scheduled for Mount Auburn Cemetery on Monday, said Mark Douglass, director of Douglass Funeral Home in Lexington, Massachusetts. A larger memorial service at Harvard will be held in the coming weeks, Douglass said.

“It’s been in use since at least 2005 as a manufacturing site and as an entertainment destination,” said Planning Director Randy Cahoon-Tingle. “The primary rationale for this conditional rezoning is to bring most of the existing uses into conforming status and adapt to reuse one of the primary structures to create an indoor event space.”

Following each hearing, the board approved the requests.

The board then approved a major subdivision plat for Chatham Park Section 6.2 Phase 2. The plan for this phase constitutes approximately six acres with 57 single-family residential lots (29 single-family detached and 28 townhomes) planned for development.

The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet Aug. 11.

Your Journey Starts Here...

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Contact & Operating Hours centralcarolinadrivingschool@gmail.com | 984-315-0430 M-F 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Weekends by appointment only. Visit our website www.centralcarolinadrivingschool.com

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Born in North Carolina, he went to Durham High School

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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 #1800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one-bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc

FOR SALE

3 CEMETARY PLOTS FOR SALE – CHATHAM MEMORIAL PARKHwy.64, Siler City, NC. Please call Cheryl Powers at 910692-2539 or Diane Hairr at 336402-4552. 4tpJ10,17,24,31

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.

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SERVICES

CASH PAID FOR JUNK CARS AND PICKUPS – Call 336-5813423 Jy17,24,31,A7p

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.

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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.

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dishwasher are included in the rent. Rent starts at $630 and up. 400 Honeysuckle Dr., Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-542-5410 TDD 1-800-735-2962

Email: pittsborovillage@ECCMGT.com

TAKE NOTICE

SUTTLES ROAD IN THE TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA WHEREAS, it appears that permanently closing a portion of Suttles Road within the Town of Pittsboro is not contrary to the public interest and that no individual owning property in the vicinity of said portion of Suttles Road proposed to be closed would thereby be deprived of reasonable means of ingress and egress to his or her property; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Pittsboro as follows: That pursuant to Section 160A-299 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the Town intends to permanently close that portion of Suttles Road containing 57,853 square feet (1.328 acres) that is depicted on a survey by Thomas M. Grzebien, Professional Land Surveyor entitled “Right Of Way Abandonment Exhibit

NOTICE

1A Towers, LLC is proposing to construct a 199foot overall height monopole telecommunications structure located near 714 N Dogwood Avenue, Siler City, Chatham County, North Carolina (35° 43’ 41.9” N, 79° 28’ 12.4” W). The proposed tower is anticipated to utilize FAA Style E (medium intensity, dual red/white strobes) lighting.

1A Towers, LLC invites comments from any interested party on the impact the proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects signi cant in American history, archaeology, engineering, or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Annamarie Howell, 1375 Union Hill Industrial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@eca-usa.com. Ms. Howell can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 108 during normal business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. In addition, any interested party may also request further environmental review of the proposed action under the FCC’s National Environmental Policy Act rules, 47 CFR §1.1307, by notifying the FCC of the speci c reasons that the action may have a signi cant impact on the quality of the human environment. This request must only raise environmental concerns and can be led online using the FCC pleadings system at www.fcc.gov or mailed to FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554 within 30 days of the date that notice of this proposed action is published on the FCC’s website. Refer to File No. A1316914 when submitting the request and to view the speci c information about the proposed action. 25-002541/CLS

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

NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED SEWAGE

The City of Durham had a discharge of untreated wastewater from our wastewater collection system at an aerial sewer line located at 3001 Cameron Boulevard of approximately 82,650 gallons. The discharge occurred on July 7, 2025 for approximately 8 hours. The untreated wastewater entered into Sandy Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin. Crews set up a bypass pump to prevent further discharge and pumped the untreated wastewater back into the sewer system. The aerial line was repaired and placed back into service. This notice was required by North Carolina General Statutes Article 21, Chapter 143.215C. For more information, contact Kenny Willard, Collection System Maintenance Superintendent, at (919) 560-4344.

NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Muriel Crowley Harris, deceased, late of Chatham 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 344 West John Street, Matthews, NC 28105, on or before October 18, 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 17th day of July, 2025. John T. Harris, Executor of the Estate of Muriel Crowley Harris, Chatham County File No. 24E001335-180, c/o Garrity & Gossage, LLP, 344 West John Street, Matthews, NC 28105.

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: 25E000251180, 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

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

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Richard Drayton Peter 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 16th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 9th day of July, 2025. Linda P. Crabtree, Administrator CTA of the Estate of Richard Drayton Peter 25 Joe Brown Road Bear Creek, North Carolina 27207 MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION COUNTY OF CHATHAM FILE NO. 25CV000703-180

GILDA H. LAMBERT, Plainti , vs. JOHN DOE and MRS. JOHN DOE, NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION if married, and other UNKNOWN OWNERS, in esse and not in esse, being the owners of the Property described herein unknown to the Plainti , together with all assignees, heirs at law, and devisees of MARY LEE HORTON, together with all of her creditors, and lienholders regardless of how or through whom they claim, and any and all persons claiming any interest in the estate of MARY LEE HORTON Defendants.

TO: JOHN DOE and MRS. JOHN DOE, if married, and other UNKNOWN OWNERS, in esse and not in esse, being the owners of the Property described herein unknown to the Plainti , together with all assignees, heirs at law, and devisees of MARY LEE HORTON, together with all of her creditors, and lienholders regardless of how or through whom they claim, and any and all persons claiming any interest in the estate of MARY LEE HORTON Take notice that a Complaint has been led in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is to quiet title and obtain a declaratory judgment on real property in Chatham County, North Carolina described in the Complaint.

You are required to le a response to the Complaint not later than the 26th day of August, 2025, said date being 40 days from the rst publication of this notice in order to participate in and receive further notice of the proceeding, including notice of the time and place of any hearing, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

This the 11th day of July, 2025. GUNN & MESSICK, PLLC

By: /s/ Paul S. Messick, Jr. N.C. State Bar No. 2979 Post O ce Box 880

Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312

Telephone: (919) 542-3253

Facsimile: (919) 542-0257

Email: pm@gunnmessick.com

Attorney for Plainti

NOTICE

Newspaper Advertisement The Town of Siler City will host its Community Forum for District 4 & 5 on July 31, 2025 at 6 p.m. Attendees may bring comments and questions regarding community topics for the Town to address. First United Methodist Church, 1101 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, NC 27344. Town Commissioners may be present, but no town business will be conducted. For more information, contact the Town of Siler City’s Communications/Administrative Support Specialist, Lorie Johnson, at ljohnson@silercity.gov.

Anuncio en el periódico El Ayuntamiento de Siler City celebrará su Foro

Comunitario para los Distritos 4 y 5 el 31 de julio de 2025 a las 18:00 h. Los asistentes podrán aportar comentarios y preguntas sobre temas comunitarios que el Ayuntamiento deberá abordar. Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, 1101 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, NC 27344. Los comisionados municipales podrán asistir, pero no se tratarán asuntos municipales. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con la especialista en comunicaciones y soporte administrativo de la ciudad de Siler City, Lorie Johnson, en ljohnson@silercity.gov .

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 TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000365-180

The undersigned, MELYNNA JOHNSON DOWD, having quali ed on the 9th Day of JULY, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of FAYDEENE R. 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 17TH 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 17TH DAY OF JULY 2025.

MELYNNA JOHNSON DOWD, EXECUTOR 148 VALLEY OAK COURT LEXINGTON, NC 27295

Run dates: Jy17,24,31A7p

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. Please run in your paper: July10th and 17th, 2025

NOTICE

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY All persons having claims against the estate of Nancy Meltzer, of Chatham County, NC, who died on July 11, 2022 are noti ed to present them on or before October 15, 2025 to Robert N. Maitand, II, Executor, c/o Maitland & Sti er Law Firm, 2 Couch Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery.

Michele L. Sti er MAITLAND & STIFFLER LAW FIRM

2 Couch Road Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Attorney for the Estate

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Nancy Paschal Price 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 16th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 9th day of July, 2025.

Thomas King Price, III, Executor of the Estate of Nancy Paschal Price 301 South Dogwood 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

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Edith Fomby Gibbons, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 20, 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 17th day of July, 2025. Donna M. Beaudoin, Administrator c/o W. Thomas McCuiston 200 Towne Village Drive Cary, NC 27513

NOTICE

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against RICKEY MICHAEL RIDDLE, deceased, of Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 17, 2025, or this notice will pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 17th day of July, 2025. Nicholas Michael Riddle, Executor, c/o Elizabeth K. Arias Esq., Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, 555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1100, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Notice of Discharge of Untreated Sewage in Orange County

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) had a discharge of approximately 172,200 gallons of untreated wastewater from the collection system near Bartram Drive and Kings Mill Road in Chapel Hill. The discharge was discovered on July 7 at 9:30 a.m. and lasted for about 23 hours. The untreated wastewater reached Morgan Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin. OWASA was able to isolate an additional 795,900 gallons of untreated wastewater and pump it back into the collection system to prevent further discharge.

Orange Water and Sewer Authority had another discharge of approximately 81,000 gallons of untreated wastewater from the collection system near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Bolinwood Drive in Chapel Hill. The discharge was discovered on July 7 at 11:30 a.m. and lasted nine hours. The untreated wastewater reached Bolin Creek in the Cape Fear River Basin. OWASA bypassed the damaged sewer manhole to prevent further discharge.

Orange Water and Sewer Authority also had a bypass of the UV disinfection treatment step for about 2.7 million gallons at the Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant due to a partial and temporary failure of the UV disinfection system. The bypass occurred between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on July 7. The Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges into Morgan Creek upstream of Jordan Lake in the Cape Fear River Basin. The UV disinfection system has been fully repaired.

Damaged infrastructure from excessive rainfall and unprecedented ooding caused by Tropical Depression Chantal led to the discharges of untreated sewage and bypass of wastewater treatment.

This notice is required by the North Carolina General Statutes, Article 21, Chapter 143.215C. For more information, contact Katie Hall of OWASA at (919) 537-4236.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEASE OF COUNTY PROPERTY

The Board of Commissioners of Chatham County intends to enter into a lease agreement for the following County-owned property: LOVE CHATHAM, INC. intends to lease o ce space located in a building located at 57 Camp Drive, Pittsboro, in Chatham County, North Carolina, all as more de nitely described on the attached Exhibit

NOTICE

NORTH

FARRELL,

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 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#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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

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

Start small, dream big: A Chicken Soup story could launch your writing career

Writing a short personal essay might be the rst step toward a byline

By Erika Ho man For Chatham News & Record

SO YOU WANT to write the great American novel, do you?

Although you’ve never published before — not even a letter to the editor — you’re up for the challenge, eh? Why? Because you have a great idea, a unique idea. All that’s left is to write it down, you say. Maybe it’s fully formed and, like Athena, it’s sprouting from your head the way the goddess appeared from the paternal mind of Zeus. Your genius oeuvre needs only one small thing: You to take a seat, pick up a ballpoint pen and let ’er rip. This could happen. You may be a pantser and don’t need to outline the tale with arcs of action, emotion and intention. You may have gured out a satisfying resolution although you’re writing by the seat of your pants. Or maybe you’re a planner and will take the time to outline your plot diligently and then all you need do is ll in the blanks like a paint-by-number project.

Yet if I were a lottery a cionado, I’d wager a bet that your

in the heart of anything! Next, you’ll dutifully stow your manuscript away physically or cyberly. And you’re o to seek a new passion — one less demanding of your time, energy and listening skills. Pickleball?

novel won’t proceed much past the 5,000-word point. You’ll hit a wall, or you’ll lose gusto for the story, or you might reread what you’ve composed thus far and decree it — boring. The stake

Mass. assisted-living facility ravaged by deadly evening re

Nine were killed and 30 more hurt at the 70-resident facility

By Michael Casey The Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt.

A re ghters union said inadequate sta ng hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization, and the re chief suggested no number of rst responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised reghters and police for heroic rescue e orts said sta members did little to help.

“They didn’t knock on one door,” Robert Cabral said. “They just ran.”

Fire ghters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston, at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and ames at the front of the building. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce said in a statement that the re’s cause “does not appear to be suspicious at this time.” Its origin remains under investigation, authorities said.

Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system shot hot water onto her back.

As her room led with smoke, Ferrara opened her window and yelled. A re ghter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said.

“I really thought I was going to die,” she said. “I thought there was no way out.”

That fear mixed with anger as she watched two employees run from the building.

“They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot,” she said. “I was hanging out the window — ‘Help! Help!’ and they just kept running.”

The dead ranged in age from

61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce identi ed seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The ofce said a 70-year-old woman and 77-year-old man were still pending noti cation of family.

Mackin’s nephew, Austin Mackin, in an emailed statement from family members, described his aunt as “gifted beyond words.”

“We will all miss Kimmy,” the statement read. “Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician.”

She received a full ride scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, and after graduating, she toured around the world as rst chair viola, the statement said. During the latter part of her career as an instrumentalist, she played in the Boston Philharmonic.

Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive O ce of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments “for those seniors who cannot a ord the high end of assisted living” as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches.

“If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help,” the website states.

Dennis Etzkorn, the facility’s owner, declined to comment Monday, but o cials said he was cooperating with what Fire Chief Je rey Bacon called “a very extensive investigation.”

District Attorney Tom Quinn called the re a “terrible tragedy” in a statement that also commended rst responders “bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very di cult circumstances.”

Fire ghters union decries lack of sta , equipment

About 50 re ghters responded to the scene, including 30 who were o -duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured reghters were released from the hospital Monday.

ing a true story of fewer than 1,200 words and tailoring it to t one of the themes presented by “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

In truth, your story is already written on the walls of your mind. You’ve lived it. Now what you must do is tell the events in an engaging way, so folks enjoy reading your life’s vignettes and learning from them. You must master the craft of evoking a response in your reader. It’s your chore to make a stranger curious enough to spend ve minutes of his busy life nding out what happened to you and why it mattered. Just as a novel has a theme, your short narrative will contain a takeaway message. In some way this message will have relevance for the reader and be worth his while to hear it.

tion, you’ll have a clip — a credit to mention in future query letters to agents when you do peddle your novel. Start small. This nugget of advice may seem hackneyed, but it’s solid counsel. Rome wasn’t built in a day is a cliché because it’s true. It’s useful information applicable to every complex endeavor.

Creating a book that matters — which means someone wants to absorb and digest it — isn’t done in a day, a week or a month. Yet composing a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” story can be completed in a few hours, and, having done so, you’ll have learned much about writing in general.

Let’s rewind. Hold up. Back up. Beep-beep-beep. I was you. And now I’m Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner. I have a few words of wisdom gleaned the hard way — from having been there, done that. Everything you want to accomplish by composing a novel you can do by writ-

“Chicken Soup for the Soul” receives 6,000 submissions for each anthology. They choose 101 from that pile. Your odds are about 1 in 60. Actually, your chances are better than that because you’re going to put some thought into creating your piece, and you’re going to edit and revise it. Before zooming it o , you’ll reread it aloud to yourself. And who says you can’t submit more than one tale? When your story is accepted, you’ll be exposed to editors, publishers and other writers. Your validation will be a paycheck. In addi-

So pick a prompt provided by “Chicken Soup for the Soul” on its website and right away, write away. Today you pen a non ction personal essay, tomorrow a novel, down the road a sequel and later perhaps a series. With publishing and marketing successes, you’ll nd writing even more exhilarating. Completing projects is empowering and satisfying. Ful lling those human needs — pursuing your passion and accomplishing a goal — will give you authentic, priceless, calm happiness. And a byline! N’est-ce pas? Hey, Hollywood may come knocking. You never know!

O cials with the re ghters union said the closing of re companies and cutbacks on sta have been a problem for decades.

If sta ng had been at the nationally recommended level, eight more re ghters would have been at the scene, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

Capt. Frank O’Reagan said there was no breathing equipment available when he arrived, so he started going door to door on the third oor without an air tank until the smoke got to him.

O’Reagan’s brother and fellow re ghter Michael O’Reagan said he was shocked that 40 minutes after re ghters arrived, a large part of the building had not been searched.

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough,” said Michael O’Reagan, president of the Fall River re ghters union.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the re department is sta ed based on the recommendation from the re chief.

“We sta the re department at the number the chief asked for,” he said. “We’re not even 24 hours into this and that’s going to be a priority, not the families?”

Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw o cials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns.

“It was terrible,” he said, choking up slightly.

Clever Parra, who lives behind the facility, said he joined

several other neighbors to help evacuate residents through the windows. The 40-year-old construction worker described going up a ladder and seeing a man inside attempting to open a window to escape the ames. After trying on his own, Parra turned to a re ghter to break the window.

The re ghter “sent the guy to me feet rst and I take the guy out and bring him down,” he recalled.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey o ered state assistance to the city’s mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to rst responders.

Brian Doherty, president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said state o cials were working with long-term care facilities to nd homes for displaced residents.

Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Elder A airs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned by what has been reported about the lack of re drills, low number of sta for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,” Lanzikos said.

City is one of the poorest in Massachusetts

With about 94,000 residents, Fall River is the state’s 10th-largest city and one of its poorest. The blue-collar communi-

ty in southern Massachusetts was once a global center for textile manufacturing, but it suffered population loss and economic hardship as the industry declined. Recent decades have seen some new development and investment, but the city has also been rocked by scandal. Former Mayor Jasiel Correia was convicted in a corruption trial and sentenced to six years in prison in 2021.

Survivors of the re were ushered to a temporary housing center about half a mile from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings.

Some broke down in tears, others threw out names — desperate to know who was still alive. Sta ers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and ames.

Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by ladder from his bathroom window.

“I’ve been homeless before,” Beck said. “I guess I’ll be homeless again.”

Head cook Paul Ferreira was o the clock Sunday night but rushed to the scene and watched as bodies were removed from the building. He grew emotional describing the community of people who have long struggled to nd a ordable housing.

“Not knowing it was the last time I was cooking for them, it’s sad. They become part of your family,” Ferreira said. “Some of these people have no family members. Where are they going to go now?”

DANNY JOHNSTON / AP PHOTO

A 1930s era typewriter sits on a desk in the loft of a converted barn once used as a studio by author Ernest Hemingway on his then in-laws’ property in Piggott, Arkansas.

Hey, Hollywood may come knocking. You never know!

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

An investigator takes measurements Monday near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility following a re that started late Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts.

CHATHAM SPORTS

Top storylines ahead of 2025-26 high school football season

A new landscape is on the horizon for the local teams

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

AFTER TOMORROW, the high school football season is ve Fridays away.

Chatham County’s four teams will kick o their seasons Aug. 22. This year, the football landscape will look much di erent from the past two seasons as the local teams will no longer play in the same conference.

Seaforth, now a 5A school, will join the Big 7 4A/5A conference, and Chatham Central, still a 1A program, will play in the Greater Triad 1A/2A conference. Northwood (3A) and Jordan-Matthews (4A) will remain together in the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference.

With a new alignment brings new opponents, new rivalries and new expectations. Some teams are looking to simply improve, while others are looking to knock down the door on playo success.

Along with the other fresh developments with Chatham County football, here’s a look at the top storylines heading into the 2025 season.

New-look schedules

So long automatic playo

36

Days until the rst game of the 2025 season on Aug. 22

berths for conference champions. Playo spots are all based on MaxPreps’ RPI formula now, meaning every game is a must-win for postseason hopes. Local teams won’t have too many light Fridays this season, though. In its nonconference slate, Northwood will face three teams that made the playo s in 2024, including Harnett Central, which went 8-3 and made the 3A playo s last year, in its season opener, Asheboro and North Surry.

Jordan-Matthews will play Carrboro for the third straight year to open the season (the Jets lost by double digits both times) and end its nonconference schedule with American Leadership Academy-Johnston, which went 7-3 last season. For the Jets and the Chargers, their conference doesn’t get easier with North Moore coming o a third-round playo appearance and Eastern Randolph notching double-digit wins in each of the last four years.

Seaforth will also have a challenging nonconference schedule with Southeast Alamance,

Princeton, Northwood and North Moore — all playo teams in 2024 — queued up. For Chatham Central, every game may be a dog ght, but the competition raises with a familiar opponent in North Moore and Bishop McGuinness. Can the local teams handle the new schedules and win big games this year?

Seaforth breakthrough?

Seaforth’s Tolbert Matthews is the newest coach in the county, and many eyes will be xed on what the Hawks do in his rst season. Last year, Seaforth made improvements on the eld, especially on the defensive end, but it still fell short of its rst playo appearance after losing three games by a eld goal or less.

In this new era, Seaforth is in its best position yet to break through. The Hawks are one of three teams in their conference to win at least three games in 2024 (Carrboro and South Granville) and will have a good chance to make a playo push to end the season. The question is whether the Hawks can turn those close losses into wins.

Next steps for Jordan-Matthews, Chatham Central

Jordan-Matthews and Chatham Central made

See FOOTBALL, page B2

Whitaker’s post-grad journey lands him at Division I program

The former Northwood guard will return home against UNC in December

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

FORMER NORTHWOOD

guard Fred Whitaker Jr. is bear-

ing the fruits of a seed planted early in his high school career.

East Tennessee State’s men’s basketball program, coached by Desmond Oliver at the time, started noticing Whitaker after his freshman year of high school. As a small but crafty young guard, Whitaker averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds on the Chargers’ 2021 state runner-up team.

A lot happened throughout the next four years. Whitaker further developed into a Division I prospect, playing at IMG in Florida for one season after high school. ETSU got a new head coach in Brooks Savage

“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can.”

Fred Whitaker Jr.

— but the connection remained intact. Whitaker is now preparing for his rst collegiate season with the Buccaneers, and so far, the transition has been “smooth.”

“It’s time to keep learning — learning concepts and things like that,” Whitaker said.

Although he was a key piece of Northwood’s successful teams featuring current Brooklyn Net Drake Powell from 2020-24, Whitaker didn’t feel quite prepared for college ball after graduating.

“Since I got injured my junior year of high school, I basically didn’t play AAU that

Harrington earns preseason recognition ahead of seventh season

The former Northwood standout will play at Georgia Southern this fall

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record FORMER NORTHWOOD

football standout Brendan Harrington has high expectations going into his seventh college season. Harrington, a linebacker at Georgia Southern, earned third-team All-Sun Belt preseason honors by Athlon Sports on July 5. It’s his second preseason all-conference nod of the summer as Phil Steele magazine named Harrington to its All- Sun Belt third team on June 19. After su ering back-to -back season-ending injuries in 2022

66

Tackles for Brendan Harrington in 2024

and 2023, Harrington returned as one of App State’s top defensive players last fall. The 6-foot, 225-pound veteran played in all 11 games and led the Mountaineers with 66 tackles — including three tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Harrington had one of his best performances of the year with a game-high 11 tackles in a win over James Madison on Nov. 23. Following the season, he earned All-Sun Belt honorable mention honors for

See HARRINGTON, page B3

baby steps

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Fred Whitaker Jr. throws down a dunk during a 2023-24 game when he was a senior at Northwood. He has continued his basketball career in college and will return to the area for a game later this year.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Northwood’s Robert Tripp runs around Jordan-Matthews defenders in a 2024 matchup. The Chargers and Jets remain in the same conference this season.

Boys’ soccer schedules for local teams

The season will begin statewide on Aug. 11

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

THE NORTH Carolina High School Athletic Association boys’ soccer season will begin on Aug. 14 in Chatham County. Here’s a look at the schedules for each local team.

(* denotes conference games)

Jordan-Matthews (Four Rivers 3A/4A)

Aug. 15 — at Southern Alamance; Aug. 20 — at Providence Grove; Aug. 22 — at Currituck County; Aug. 25 — at Lee County; Aug. 27 — vs. Providence Grove; Sept. 3 — at Central Davidson; Sept. 5 — at Franklin Academy; Sept. 8 — vs. Phoenix Academy; Sept. 10 — vs. Central Davidson; Sept. 15 — at Phoenix Academy; Sept. 18 — vs. Lee County; Sept. 22 — at Asheboro; Sept. 25 — vs. Southern Alamance; Sept. 29 — at North Moore*; Oct. 1 — at Northwood*; Oct. 6 — vs. Southwestern Randolph*; Oct. 8 — at Uwharrie Charter*; Oct. 13 — vs. Eastern Randolph*; Oct. 15 — vs. North Moore*; Oct. 20 — vs. Northwood*; Oct. 22 — at Southwestern Randolph*; Oct. 27 — vs. Uwharrie Charter*; Oct. 29 — at Eastern Randolph* Northwood (Four Rivers 3A/4A)

Aug. 14 — vs. Southern Alamance; Aug. 18 — vs. Graham; Aug. 20 — at Carrboro; Aug. 21 — vs. Hillside; Aug. 25 — at Southern Alamance; Aug. 27 — at Graham; Sept. 3 — at Seaforth; Sept. 5 — vs. Carrboro; Sept. 8 — at Eastern Alamance; Sept. 10 — vs. Eastern Alamance; Sept. 11 — at Southern Lee; Sept. 16 — vs. East Chapel Hill; Sept. 18 — vs. Southern Lee; Sept. 24 — vs. Seaforth; Sept. 29 — vs.

at J.F. Webb*; Oct. 27 — vs. South Granville*; Oct. 29 — vs. Orange*

Woods Charter (Central Tar Heel 1A)

Di erent conferences this season for Chatham County’s

Eastern Randolph*; Oct. 1 — vs. Jordan-Matthews*; Oct. 6 — at North Moore*; Oct. 8 — at Southwestern Randolph*; Oct. 13 — vs. Uwharrie Charter*; Oct. 15 — at Eastern Randolph*; Oct. 20 — at Jordan-Matthews*; Oct. 22 — vs. North Moore*; Oct. 27 — vs. Southwestern Randolph*; Oct. 29 — at Uwharrie Charter*

Seaforth (Big Seven 4A/5A)

Aug. 13 — vs. Green Level; Aug. 18 — vs. Chapel Hill;

boys’ soccer teams

Aug. 20 — at Western Alamance; Aug. 25 — at Eastern Alamance; Sept. 3 — vs. Northwood; Sept. 8 — at Southeast Alamance; Sept. 10 — vs. East Chapel Hill; Sept. 15 — at Carrboro*; Sept. 17 — at Cedar Ridge*; Sept. 22 — at Durham School of the Arts*; Sept. 24 — at Northwood; Sept. 29 — vs. J.F. Webb*; Oct. 1 — at South Granville*; Oct. 6 — at Orange*; Oct. 8 — vs. Carrboro*; Oct. 13 — vs. Cedar Ridge*; Oct. 15 — vs. Durham School of the Arts*; Oct. 22 —

Sept. 2 — vs. East Wake Academy; Sept. 5 — vs. American Leadership Academy-Johnston; Sept. 8 — vs. River Mill*; Sept. 10 — at Chatham Charter*; Sept. 15 — vs. Northern Durham; Sept. 17 — at Ascend Leadership*; Sept. 19 — at American Leadership Academy-Johnston; Sept. 24 — Clover Garden*; Sept. 29 — at Southern Wake Academy*; Oct. 1 — at River Mill*; Oct. 6 — vs. Chatham Charter*; Oct. 15 — vs. Central Carolina Academy*; Oct. 17 — vs. Ascend Leadership*; Oct. 22 — vs. Southern Wake Academy*

Chatham Charter (Central Tar Heel 1A)

Aug. 27 — vs. Phoenix Academy; Sept. 3 — vs. Cornerstone Charter; Sept. 8 — vs. Eno River; Sept. 9 — vs. Eastern Randolph; Sept. 10 — vs. Woods Charter*; Sept. 15 — at Central Carolina Academy*; Sept. 17 — vs. Clover Garden*; Sept. 19 — at Cornerstone Charter; Sept. 22 — at Southern Wake Academy*; Sept. 23 — at Eastern Randolph; Sept. 24 — vs. River Mill*; Sept. 29 — at Ascend Leadership*; Oct. 1 — at Phoenix Academy; Oct. 6 — at Woods Charter*; Oct. 8 — vs. Central Carolina Academy*; Oct. 13 — at Clover Garden*; Oct. 15 — vs. Southern Wake Academy*; Oct. 20 — at River Mill*; Oct. 22 — vs. Ascend Leadership*; Oct. 28 — at Eno River

Celtics’ Stevens shuns idea team in rebuild with Tatum out

The former Duke star will miss the season with a torn Achilles

By Kyle Hightower

The Associated Press

BOSTON — Even before Jayson Tatum limped o the court with a torn Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semi nals loss to the New York Knicks, Brad Stevens knew big changes would be on tap for the franchise this o season.

Yes, big spending on free agents and contracts had lured in key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, who, combined with stars Tatum and Jaylen Brown, ultimately helped Boston capture the NBA championship in 2024.

But keeping the core of that roster intact next season with Tatum possibly missing all of it while rehabbing from his injury would have come with a combined payroll and luxury tax bill of more than $500 million. And as a team exceeding the second apron of the salary cap, it would have also meant additional penalties limiting ways they could sign or trade for players.

“We’ve known for a long time that hard decisions were coming,” Stevens said on the decisions to trade both Holiday and Porzingis. “The second apron is why those trades happened. I think that is pretty obvious. And the basketball penalties associated with those are real. ... So that was part of making the decision to push and put

FOOTBALL from page B1

last year, improving their win totals from 2023 by one game each. Both programs look to keep the progress going this fall, and although a playo appearance may be too large of a jump, extra wins will be signs the programs are headed in the right direction.

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO

Trainers help Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) o the court after he was injured during the Eastern Conference semi nals.

our chips on the table and go for the last two years.”

Now under that dreaded second apron, it’s also brought about a di erent way of looking at what’s next for the Celtics. As the team’s president of basketball operations, Stevens knows their approach will have

For the Bears, the key will be nishing games. Last season, Chatham Central was in good position to knock o the Jets and Graham, but it couldn’t hold onto early leads. As for the Jets, improving on the eld starts at being competitive outside of the Chatham Central game. A big indicator of a bright

to change while Tatum is out.

But as a former coach, he also said he’s never going to put a ceiling on any team’s potential.

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell to win the next game,” he said.

Stevens said he doesn’t want to hear any mention of the term

future at Jordan-Matthews will be its ability to turn blowouts into close losses and possible upsets.

Northwood building on playo appearances

Despite having three di erent head coaches in the past

“rebuild” this upcoming season.

“That’s not going to be part of the lexicon in our building, and that’s the way we’re going to focus moving forward,” he said. While the team could make additional moves to get completely out of the luxury tax,

three seasons, Northwood is coming o back-to-back playo appearances. But after two straight rst round exits, the Chargers are looking to make a deeper run, especially as they go into a second year with the same coach for the rst time since 2020.

Northwood will look to take

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell to win the next game.”

Brad Stevens

Stevens said it’s not the mandate he’s been given by incoming team owner Bill Chisholm.

“Bill has been pretty clear from the get go that he wants to make sure that we’re prioritizing basketball assets and the ability to retool this thing at the highest level that we can,” Stevens said. “The most important acquisition that we’re going to be able to make in the next couple of years is getting Tatum out of a (walking) boot. We’re not beating that one. So that’s going to be the best thing that can happen for us.”

Both Tatum and Brown, who had minor knee surgery last month, were in the Celtics’ facility last Tuesday rehabbing. According to Stevens, Tatum was moving “really fast” in his walking boot, while Brown was already getting shots up and is expected to get full clearance for basketball activities soon.

In the meantime, Stevens said he’s completely comfortable with Brown being the team’s focal point on the court. He thinks it’s a challenge that Brown welcomes and one that he’s proven an ability to excel in during previous times Tatum has been sidelined by injury.

“He’s ready for any challenge, and he always has been,” Stevens said.

care of business in the regular season to not only make the postseason but also earn home eld advantage. The Chargers struggled on the road in their last two playo appearances, and they’ll have plenty of chances to improve their RPI standing and earn that honor in 2025.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Jordan-Matthews’ Manuel Estrada attacks Southeast Alamance’s defense in 2024.

Overman siblings compete in international rodeo event

Zane Overman makes the short go in steer wrestling

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

A COUPLE OF local siblings took their rodeo skills to the big stage last week.

Recent Chatham Central graduate Zane Overman and his younger sister Addison, a junior, competed in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma, from July 6-11.

Zane, who played baseball and basketball for the Bears, nished 14th in steer wrestling and quali ed for the short go, or nal round. He took the steer down in 4.9 seconds in the rst round and advanced despite a score of 17.5 seconds in the second round.

Addison, who plays basketball at Chatham Central, com-

1st

Place in breakaway roping belongs to Addison Overman for the 2024-25 NCHSRA season

peted in the pole bending and breakaway roping competitions, earning a score of 2.7 seconds in the second round of roping. She nished 26th overall in pole bending.

The IFYR is one of the most prestigious youth rodeo competitions with more than 1,000 contestants from around the world. Contestants compete for more than $250,000 in prize money alongside scholarships, nightly jackpots and championship saddles and buckles.

Prior to last week’s competition, the Overmans earned

championship titles and high places at the conclusion of the North Carolina High School Rodeo Association Finals in May.

Addison nished the season as the breakaway roping champion and the team roping reserve champion, or second place. She landed in third place in pole bending and fourth in barrels.

Zane nished the 2024-25 NCHSRA season as the reserve champion steer wrestler and nished eighth in team roping. He won a round during the steer wrestling competition at the nals, and he earned the Je Hinson Memorial and NCHSRA Merit and State scholarships.

The local cowboy and cowgirl are both competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo this week at Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The event started Sunday and will nish Saturday.

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whole summer,” Whitaker said. “So I was kind of behind, and my senior year didn’t go as I planned. So I wasn’t feeling like I was ready to go to college at that point. We just looked into some decisions, and we gured out that a post grad year would be best.”

He landed at IMG, where he played for the post-graduate team. Going against junior college and Division II and III competition, Whitaker got acclimated to a more physical style of basketball, and he felt like he improved overall “in every aspect,” especially his IQ.

While learning how to be a high-level athlete on the court, he also learned what it takes to be successful o the court.

“I never lived on my own, so that was one big step that it helped me with,” Whitaker said. “Our practices were like college practices that I’m experiencing right now. I really didn’t take the weight room serious until I got to IMG, so that helped me out. And just being

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the second time in his career. Harrington signed with Georgia Southern in February. He used eligibility in 2019, 2021 and 2024, and received extra seasons after the two year-ending injuries and COVID-19 in 2020. Prior to his fresh start in Statesboro, Georgia, Harrington made an immediate impact at App State. He played in 11 games as a true freshman in 2019, and after a 10-tackle rookie season, he tran-

a college athlete, there’s a lot of people that went through college, coach in college, and they just taught me lessons.”

Whitaker thrived at IMG, averaging 16.3 points, 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.

His play garnered interest from Division I schools, like USC Upstate. One day, Whitaker’s coach sent him a text saying ETSU wanted to talk.

“I just fell in love with it ever since,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker didn’t get to visit the school because of the late timing of his recruitment, but the coaching sta was enough to pull him in.

“I connected with them very well,” Whitaker said. “I loved everything they were talking about and stu like that. I also like the city. It’s kind of like a bigger Pittsboro. The community loves basketball here. They support it very well. I think in the SoCon, they lead the league in fan attendance, they were telling me. So I was attracted to that, too. And just the team also. We’ve got an

sitioned into a starter in 2020. Harrington recorded 48 tackles and four interceptions (including a pick-six against Texas State) in 12 starts as a sophomore, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors from Pro Football Focus and an All-Sun Belt honorable mention selection. Injuries began to a ect his career as a junior in 2021. Harrington appeared in all 13 games that season but only started a total of seven (six of the rst seven matchups) after being forced to sit out of the Elon game in Week 3.

Aidan Allred

Chatham Charter alum, baseball

Aidan Allred, the former Chatham Charter baseball standout, earns athlete of the week honors for the week of July 7.

The Randolph Ropin’ Roosters’ all-star shortstop had an outstanding plate performance against the Wilkes County Moonshiners despite a 20-7 loss on July 8. To start the top of the third inning, Allred smashed the second pitch of the count over the right eld wall, bringing the Ropin’ Roosters within one run. He nished the game going 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Allred has been one of Randolph’s better hitters this season. As of Monday, he’s achieved a .319 batting average with the team’s second-most hits (tied with Aidan Cannaday at 15 hits) and the third-best OPS amongst batters with at least 20 at-bats

older team, so I feel like I can learn a lot from the guys that have been through the process already.”

Whitaker announced his commitment on May 17.

Donning No. 23, the 5-foot-11 guard will return home when the Buccaneers play UNC in Chapel Hill on Dec. 16. Whitaker will get to play in front of his family and some of the Northwood community once again, and he’ll get to suit up against a former teammate in Jarin Stevenson.

“I’m pretty excited,” Whitaker said. “Everybody’s going to be there, and it’s going to be pretty fun.”

For now, the task is to take feedback from his coaches and develop until the season opener this fall. It’s planting season again, and this time, the fruits are competing at the highest level.

“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can,” Whitaker said. “I’m just trying to gure out everything, get my body right, compete and things like that. Just trying to win, too.”

Against UNC in the 2022 season opener, Harrington su ered the rst of his season-ending injuries.

He recovered in time to start in the 2023 opener against Gardner-Webb, but in the following week’s bout at the Tar Heels, he was met with similar disappointment. Harrington injured his knee in an overtime loss and was kept out of action for another year. Prior to his nal season at App State, Harrington was named a team captain for the second year in a row.

Before college, Harrington participated in football, basketball and track at Northwood, and on the football eld, he was a playmaker on both sides of the ball. As a three -time all-conference linebacker and running back, he recorded 64 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, ve sacks and one interception while also putting up 840 rushing yards, 322 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns (16 rushing, two receiving) as a senior. Harrington received other high honors in his high school

career, including two all-region selections. In his junior season, Harrington also played defensive back, grabbing four interceptions. The three-star prospect initially committed to UNC after receiving an o er from the Tar Heels before his senior season. But after former Carolina head coach Larry Fedora was red, Harrington decommitted. Harrington will begin his Georgia Southern stint against Fresno State on Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

HARRINGTON

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Fred Whitaker Jr. goes up for a layup in the 2024 Mid- Carolina 1A/2A conference tournament nal against Chatham Central.

WHITAKER

COURTESY ANGELA OVERMAN

Zane (second from left) and Addison Overman (far right) pose with their parents, Steven (left) and Angela (right), as Zane shows o his medal for nishing top 15 in steer wrestling.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA SPORTS

Big East, ESPN reunite with 6-year media rights deal

The Big East Conference and ESPN announced a six-year digital media rights deal.

Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement the agreement gives “all 22 of our sports — especially women’s basketball and Olympic sports — the visibility they’ve earned and the access our fans expect.” ESPN had the rights to the Big East from 1980 to 2013. The revived partnership comes after ESPN lost Big Ten media rights to Fox, NBC and CBS in 2022. ESPN+ will stream more than 300 Big East events annually.

MMA Couture airlifted to burn unit following crash

Kansas City

Two-time UFC champion

Randy Couture was hospitalized with rst-, secondand third-degree burns, multiple trauma injuries and smoke inhalation, following a crash during a drag racing training run. Couture was preparing to make his NHRA debut later this month when the 62-year-old crashed and had to be airlifted to a burn center.

CYCLING

LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

Washington Greg LeMond, one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three -time Tour de France winner, has been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The 64-year-old LeMond received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he’d receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia.

NCAA FOOTBALL

BYU quarterback

Retzla transferring following tumultuous few months

Provo, Utah

BYU quarterback Jake Retzla is transferring after a tumultuous few months that included being named in a civil sexual assault suit that was later dismissed. Retzla reportedly faced a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church, after acknowledging a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. Retzla threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season. BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoided commenting on Retzla ’s situation, saying it was a private matter.

TENNIS

Williams, who hasn’t competed in year-plus, accepts wild card for the DC Open

Washington

Venus Williams has accepted a wild-card invitation to play singles at this month’s DC Open. It would be the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s rst tournament in more than a year. Williams turned 45 in June. She is listed as “inactive” on the WTA Tour’s website. Williams hasn’t competed in an o cial match since the Miami Open in 2024. The hard-court tournament begins with qualifying next weekend.

US soccer great Heath hoping Club World Cup spurs more growth

The former Tar Heel is working for FIFA on the tournament study group

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Tobin Heath might know something about what makes soccer resonate within the U.S. Her resume, in part: She won NCAA titles in college at UNC, then went on to win two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s national team and two World Cup titles as well, all of that coming after she was inspired by the 1999 Women’s World Cup. And so far, she thinks the Club World Cup could have a similar e ect. Heath — who is working as part of FIFA’s technical study group for the tournament alongside the likes of former

Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger, former German star and U.S. men’s national coach Jurgen Klinsmann and others — said Saturday that a match she attended earlier this month between Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors, with a full and jammed stadium in South Florida playing host to that matchup, shows what could be possible in this country.

“As an American, it was one of the coolest experiences of my life to witness that passion and energy,” Heath, during a FIFA brie ng with the technical group, said. “It’s something I never believed I could see in my own country. And the stadium was literally shaking. You could feel it, and the fans were absolutely incredible. So, I know the power of these home competitions. ... I know the power of these games in our country, to change the landscape of this game in our country.”

The attendance for the games in the Club World Cup has varied widely; some stadiums are jammed, some pretty much empty. But FIFA is looking to build momentum toward the World Cup that’s coming to North America next year. “This is a fantastic dress rehearsal for us,” Heath said.

Only one U.S.-based team made the knockout stage: Messi’s Inter Miami, though some wonder if that’s a club that will have a true pronounced e ect on soccer in this country. Messi is the biggest name in the sport and has an enormous following everywhere, one that obviously existed long before he came to Miami two years ago.

“Messi has not the best data of this tournament, but he’s certainly the most in uential player of this tournament because without him Inter Mi-

ami would never qualify,” Wenger said.

The job of the technical study group is simple: watch all the matches, either live or on television (with the bene t of many screens and angles), assess style of play and determine what is making teams successful. The level of data collected from these matches is beyond deep; reports are more than 50 pages thick and measure everything from time it takes a team to recover possession after a giveaway to how hard players are sprinting at key times of a match.

“This tournament has blown me away,” Heath said. “It’s made me even more excited for the summer to come, and I couldn’t be more proud of this country. It shows that football is deeply embedded and deeply personal to our country. I can’t wait to see the growth.”

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win rst Wimbledon title

The 22-year-old Spainard lost his rst Grand Slam nal after ve wins

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press

LONDON — Jannik Sinner insisted early on at Wimbledon that he put an excruciating loss to Carlos Alcaraz in their epic French Open nal behind him. Sinner was sure that one defeat wouldn’t haunt him, wouldn’t prevent a quick recalibration and certainly wouldn’t mean a thing at the All England Club. Sure was right about all of that.

Exactly ve weeks after the devastating defeat at Roland-Garros against his rival, Sinner reversed the result, beating two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win his rst championship at the grass-court major.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how you win or you lose the important tournaments. You just have to understand what you did wrong. Trying to work on that — that’s exactly what we did. We tried to accept the loss and then just kept working,” Sinner said Sunday, his shiny gold hardware in his hands. “And this is, for sure, why I’m holding this trophy here.” The No. 1-ranked Sinner earned his fourth Grand Slam title overall, moving him one away from No. 2 Alcaraz’s total as the two no-longer-ris-

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how you win or you lose the important tournaments.”

Jannik Sinner

ing-but- rmly-established stars of the game separate themselves from the rest of the pack in men’s tennis.

Sinner, a 23-year-old Italian, put an end to several streaks for Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, who had been 5-0 in Grand Slam nals.

Alcaraz had won their last ve matches, most famously across ve sets and nearly 51⁄2 hours on the red clay of the French Open on June 8. Sinner took a two-set lead, then held a trio of match points but couldn’t close the deal.

“Today was important not just because it was a Grand Slam nal, not just because it was Wimbledon, and not just because Carlos had won the last ve matches against him,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s two coaches, who had planned to leave the team at the end of 2025 but now might stick around. “He needed that win today. So he knew the importance of closing this one out when he had the opportunities.”

Asked during Week 1 at Wimbledon whether what happened in Paris created lingering doubts, Sinner immediately re-

plied: “Why negative feelings?

Because I lost in (that) nal?”

Then he continued: “No. Look, it’s a new tournament, new Grand Slam, new surface. I’m not concerned about my level I can play. ... I’m not concerned that one loss can in uence you for so long a time. I believe that here is a new chance that I can do something good.” Great, even. This time, he didn’t waver, asserting himself in a match that featured moments of terri c play by both men but also the occasional lapses — and one memorable, brief, interruption right before a Sinner serve when a Champagne cork came ying out of the stands and settled on the turf.

With Prince William and Princess Kate in the Royal Box,

along with King Felipe VI of Spain, Alcaraz stepped into the sunlight bathing Centre Court with a career-best 24-match unbeaten run. He had won 20 matches in a row at the All England Club.

“The things that went his way in Paris,” Sinner said, “went my way this time.” When it ended, he put both hands on his white hat. After embracing Alcaraz, Sinner crouched with his head bowed, then pounded his right palm on the grass.

He has participated in four consecutive major nals, including triumphs at the U.S. Open — shortly after the world learned about a doping case that eventually led to a three-month ban — and the Australian Open.

JOANNA CHAN / AP PHOTO

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

Tobin Heath, left, is congratulated by teammate Megan Rapinoe after scoring during the an international friendly soccer match against New Zealand in 2019. The former UNC and U.S. National Team star is now consulting on the FIFA Club World Cup.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner receives the trophy from Kate, Princess of Wales, after beating Carlos Alcaraz of Spain to win the men’s singles nal at Wimbledon.

Van Gisbergen dominates on another road course, wins at Sonoma to extend streak

The win is his third in the last ve races

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Another road course win was so expected for Shane van Gisbergen that Trackhouse Racing had extra tires ready for his Sonoma Raceway victory celebration.

Van Gisbergen won for the third time in ve races and second straight on Sunday when he dominated on the California road course. The New Zealander once again showed he’s in a completely di erent class on road and street courses than his rivals as he led 97 of 110 laps to win from pole at Sonoma Raceway.

He celebrated with the traditional burnout, then his Track-

house crew changed the tires on the No. 88 Chevrolet so he could do a second smoke-inducing spin on his way to Victory Lane. He also kept with his own tradition and kicked a rugby ball into the grandstands.

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars. I had an amazing time in Australia, and then to come here and the last couple weeks, or years, actually, has been a dream come true,” said van Gisbergen. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in NASCAR. Thanks, everyone, for making me feel so welcome. I hope I’m here for a long time to come.”

All three of his wins this year have been from pole — which tied him with Je Gordon for a Cup Series record of three consecutive road course victories from the top starting spot.

Gordon did it between the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

He joins Christopher Bell,

Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson as the only drivers with three wins this season, and this one moved him into third for playo seeding. Van Gisbergen was 33rd in the standings and not yet quali ed for the playo s just ve weeks ago.

Victory No. 4 for van Gisbergen — who stunned NASCAR in 2023 when he popped into the debut Chicago street course race from Australian V8 Supercars and won — seemed a given before teams even arrived at the picturesque course in California wine country. His rivals have lamented that “SVG” has a unique braking technique he mastered Down Under that none of them — all oval specialists — can ever learn.

That win in Chicago two years ago led van Gisbergen to move to the United States for a career change driving stock cars for Trackhouse Racing.

“It

means everything. That’s why I race cars.”

Shane van Gisbergen

He and Ross Chastain have pumped energy into the team over this summer stretch with Chastain kicking it o with a Memorial Day weekend victory at the Coca-Cola 600.

Van Gisbergen is the fastest driver to win four Cup Series races — in his 34th start — since Parnelli Jones in 1969.

He’s also the winningest driver born outside the United States.

“It’s unreal. To do Chicago, an experience that I really enjoyed, and never thought it would lead to more let alone moving over here and doing things,” he said.

“Its been amazing, everything that I hoped it could ever be.”

The Sonoma win made it four victories for Trackhouse in eight weeks. Van Gisbergen was second from pole in Saturday’s X nity Series race.

Chase Briscoe was second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s probably what it was like,” said Briscoe after not being able to pass van Gisbergen on two late restarts — the last with ve laps remaining.

“That guy is unbelievable on road courses. He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series.”

Briscoe was followed by Chase Elliott in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Michael McDowell in a Chevy for Spire Motorsports was fourth and Christopher Bell in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing was fth.

Shane van Gisbergen kicks a rugby ball to celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Justin Bieber releases ‘Swag,’ his longawaited seventh album

The 31-year-old has sold more than 150 million records worldwide

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Never say never! Justin Bieber surprised fans Friday by releasing “Swag,” his seventh studio album, hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts.

It is his rst album since 2021’s “Justice” and rst since becoming a father last year.

“Inspired by his devotion as a husband and father, this new era of music has fueled a deeper perspective and more re ective sound, resulting in some of his most personal music yet,” Def Jam Recordings said of the 21-track album.

Billboards depicting Bieber were found by fans Thursday in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Los Angeles. The singer also shared images of billboards on his ofcial Instagram account along with a track list that included song names like “All I Can

Take,” “Walking Away,” “Dadz Love” and “Forgiveness.”

Recommendations for an intimate new album

There’s a lot to love across the 21 tracks of the intimate “Swag.”

Here are a few choice cuts.

“Daises” — The second track on the album may very well be its strongest; an exemplar in Bieber’s slow-burn brand of alternative R&B-pop, now anchored with lo- guitar. Here, his sweet voice is pronounced — exactly what his most dedicated fans want to hear.

“Devotion” ft. Dijon — Dijon is a rising R&B voice; some fans might be familiar with his 2021 debut album “Absolutely” or his contribution to Bon Iver’s “SABLE, fABLE” from earlier this year. He makes for a standout collaboration on “Swag,” a sweet song about deepening a ection.

“Go Baby” — Bieber married the model Hailey Bieber (nee Baldwin) in 2018; she’s long been source material for his most loving tracks. “Go Baby” is a standout for that reason. “That’s my baby, she’s iconic,” he opens the

track, “iPhone case, lip gloss on it,” referencing her Rhode skincare and beauty brand, which sold to Elf Beauty in a $1 billion deal.

“Walking Away” — Marriage isn’t easy; that’s clear on “Walking Away,” a slightly-more-up-tempo track where Bieber makes his dedication evident. It’s the perfect song for dancing in the kitchen with your partner.

“All I Can Take” — The throwback opener “All I Can Take” has a vintage groove — echoes of Beiber’s early work, now matured to re ect his current adult reality. He sounds as sweet as ever in the prechorus, his declaration of “Ooh, baby, don’t it feel good? Baby, don’t it feel nice? / Ooh, baby, don’t it feel good? You don’t have to think twice.”

Bieber before “Swag”

Bieber, the two-time Grammy Award winning singer and Canadian pop idol who revolutionized teen pop and social media fame, is best known for his silky R&B pop lyric tenor, demonstrated on the diamond-selling “Baby,” “Sorry,” and “Stay” with the Kid Laroi. At the beginning of his career, and as a tween, Bieber began working with Usher and the in uential music manager Scooter Braun.

In 2023, Bieber sold the rights to his music — all six of his albums, including hits like “Sorry” and “Baby” — to Hipgnosis, a U.K-based music investment company.

‘Hotel Ukraine’ wraps up Cruz Smith’s detective Renko book series on a high

The rst in the series, “Gorky Park,” was published in 1981

By Anita Snow The Associated Press

ARKADY RENKO now fumbles with his keys at the door as his Parkinson’s disease gradually grows worse.

The legendary Russian detective has struggled to keep his declining health a secret, but the worsening symptoms have become impossible to hide. Still, Renko is determined to crack the case of a Russian defense ocial mysteriously murdered in his Moscow hotel room as Russia’s war on Ukraine rages.

The murder takes place at the Hotel Ukraine, a well-known hotel in the heart of Moscow, one of the towering Stalin-era buildings known as the Seven Sisters.

“Hotel Ukraine” is the 11th and last installment in the popular Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith that he launched in 1981 with his blockbuster “Gorky Park.” Books like “Red Square,” “Havana Bay” and “Stalin’s Ghost” followed.

We don’t nd out until we get to the acknowledgments at the book’s end to learn that Smith, like Renko, has also been concealing a Parkinson’s diagnosis for years until it was clear he had to step aside.

SIMON & SCHUSTER VIA AP

“Hotel Ukraine” is the 11th and nal installment in the Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith.

The revelation is sure to sadden Smith’s loyal fans who have followed the ctional detective’s career from Moscow’s Cold War days to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the rise of the Russian oligarchs

But the a cionados of the Renko novels will still have a gem in Smith’s latest, which upholds Smith’s reputation as a great craftsman of modern detective ction with his sharply drawn, complex characters and a compelling plot.

It’s a fresh international detective tale with a backstory pulled straight from recent headlines, referencing world leaders like presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Joe Biden of the U.S.

It’s also a well-informed personal look at how the worsening e ects of Parkinson’s can affect an individual, as Renko nds he can still drive, and he can still talk on the phone, but he can’t do both at the same time.

When Renko’s superiors discover his health problems, they place him on paid sick leave. But that doesn’t stop the intrepid detective from continuing his investigation, alongside his lover, journalist Tatiana Petrovna.

Renko discovers a Russian military group was involved in the killing and is being helped on the sly by Marina Makarova, a government o cial and former lover who he is working with on the o cial probe.

After a somewhat slow start, the action in the novel speeds up as the story advances, and the end approaches with multiple twists and surprises.

“It is surprising to think that I have had Parkinson’s for almost 30 years. For most of that time I have been remarkably well,” Smith writes in the acknowledgements. “But this disease takes no prisoners, and now I have nished my last book. There is only one Arkady, and I will miss him.”

this week in history

Bolsheviks execute Czar Nicholas II with family, Disneyland opens, man walks on moon

JULY 17

1902: Willis Carrier produced a set of designs for what would become the world’s rst modern air-conditioning system.

1918: Russia’s Czar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks.

1936: The Spanish Civil War began as right-wing army generals launched a coup attempt against the Second Spanish Republic.

1955: Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, after its $17 million yearlong construction; the park drew a million visitors in its rst 10 weeks.

JULY 18

1536: The English Parliament passed an act declaring the authority of the pope void in England.

1863: During the Civil War, Union troops spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, made up of black soldiers, charged Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina.

1925: Adolf Hitler published

the rst volume of his autobiographical manifesto “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle).

JULY 19

1812: During the War of 1812, the First Battle of Sackets Harbor in Lake Ontario resulted in an American victory as U.S. naval forces repelled a British attack.

1969: Apollo 11 and its astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, went into orbit around the moon.

1979: The Nicaraguan capital of Managua fell to Sandinista guerrillas, two days after President Anastasio Somoza ed the country.

JULY 20

1917: The World War I draft lottery began when Secretary of War Newton Baker, blindfolded, drew number 258 from a glass bowl in the Senate o ce building.

1944: An attempt by a group of German o cials to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb failed as the explosion only wounded the Nazi leader.

1951: Jordan’s King Abdullah I was assassinated in Jerusalem by a Palestinian gunman who was shot dead on the spot by security.

NEIL ARMSTRONG / NASA VIA AP

Re ections of Neil Armstrong, the U.S. ag, lunar module and TV camera appear in Buzz Aldrin’s visor as Armstrong took the photo during the rst moonwalk in history on July 20, 1969.

1969: Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the rst men to walk on the moon.

JULY 21

1925: The so-called “Monkey Trial” ended in Dayton, Tennessee, with John T. Scopes found guilty of violating state law for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. (The conviction was later overturned.)

1861: During the Civil War, the rst Battle of Bull Run was fought at Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory.

1944: American forces landed on Guam during World War II, capturing it from

the Japanese some three weeks later.

1954: The Geneva Conference concluded with accords dividing Vietnam into northern and southern entities.

JULY 22

1933: Aviator Wiley Post landed at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City, completing the rst solo ight around the world in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes.

1934: Bank robber John Dillinger was shot to death by federal agents outside Chicago’s Biograph Theater.

1942: The Nazis began transporting Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp.

1943: American forces led by Gen. George S. Patton captured Palermo, Sicily, during World War II.

JULY 23

1903: The Ford Motor Company sold its rst car, a Model A, for $850.

1958: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II named the rst four women to peerage in the House of Lords.

2011: Singer Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her London home from accidental alcohol poisoning.

Jennifer Hudson to headline Whitney Houston estate’s annual gala

The foundation raises money for the Children’s Defense Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research

By Maria Sherman

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — No one could replace the inimitable talent that was Whitney Houston. But when you need someone to sing her timeless tracks, the great EGOT (that’s Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner) Jennifer Hudson has proven time and time again that she’s up for the job.

Hudson will headline the fourth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala on Aug. 9, presented by The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation and Primary Wave Music. The event, held at the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta on what would have been Houston’s 62nd birthday, doubles as a celebration of 40 years since the launch of her career. Houston’s self-titled debut album was released in 1985.

The Legacy of Love gala will bene t the late singer’s foundation aimed at helping young people. A grant will also be awarded to the Los Angeles-based Kids in the Spotlight, an organization that seeks to heal and empower children through storytelling and lmmaking.

Houston founded the Whit-

Though Whitney is known worldwide for her exemplary talent in music and entertainment, one of the things she loved more than anything was supporting children and our youth.”

Pat Houston, co-host

ney Houston Foundation for Children in 1989 with the goal of empowering youth, providing resources to unhoused children, giving out college scholarships, and raising funds for charities like the Children’s Defense Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research. A charity auction will raise money for the foundation, which is now called the Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation.

Other performers include R&B singer-songwriter Meli’sa Morgan and Jimmy Avance.

The gala will also feature a preview performance of the upcoming orchestral tour, “The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration,” conducted by William R. Langley.

“This year marks Whitney’s fortieth anniversary and our fourth Annual Legacy of Love Gala and we are delight-

solutions

ed how the foundation has developed and expanded over the past four years,” co-host Pat Houston said in a statement. She is Houston’s sister-in-law and the executor of her estate. Houston died in February 2012

at age 48. “Though Whitney is known worldwide for her exemplary talent in music and entertainment, one of the things she loved more than anything was supporting children and our youth. She always reached

back to various communities globally.”

In addition to Pat Houston, the gala will be hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier. Clive Davis, CCO of Sony Music, is honorary chair.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Jennifer Hudson, pictured performing during the 2025 BET Awards, will host the fourth annual Whitney Houston Legacy of Love gala on Aug. 9.

*Must set up Auto Draft for 2nd Month. Offer valid through February 1st 2024.

famous birthdays this week

Martha Reeves celebrates 84, Carlos Santana is 78, Gisele Bundchen turns 45

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

JULY 17

Sportscaster Verne Lundquist is 85. Bassist Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath is 76. Actor Lucie Arnaz is 74. Actor David Hasselho is 73. TV producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Apprentice”) is 65. Actor Nancy Giles (“China Beach”) is 65.

JULY 18

Actor James Brolin is 85. Singer Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas is 84. Bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs is 71.

JULY 19

Singer-bassist Alan Gorrie of Average White Band is 79. Guitarist Brian May of Queen is 78. Actor Campbell Scott is 64.

JULY 20

Singer Kim Carnes is 80. Rock musician Carlos Santana is 78. Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen is 50. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is 45.

JULY 21

Author Michael Connelly is 69. Comedian Jon Lovitz is 68. Actor/singer Charlotte Gainsbourg is 54. Actor Rory Culkin is 36.

JULY 22

Movie writer-director Paul Schrader is 79. Actor Danny Glover is 79. Actor-comedian-director Albert Brooks is 78. Rock singer Don Henley is 78. Jazz musician Al Di Meola is 71. Actor Willem Dafoe is 70.

JULY 23

Actor Woody Harrelson is 64. Rock musician Slash is 60. Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton is 57. Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky is 52.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION /AP PHOTO

Iconic guitarist Carlos Santana, pictured performing in 2022, turns 78 on Sunday.

ANDY KROPA / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Monica Lewinsky, the former Clinton White House intern, turns 52 on Wednesday.

MARTIN MEISSNER / AP PHOTO

Actor David Hasselho poses for photographers upon arrival at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2022. The “Baywatch” star turns 73 on Thursday.

the stream

Dragons, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Billy Joel, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

“Surf Girls” returns to Prime Video for a second season

The Associated Press

THE LIVE-ACTION remake of the animated lm “How to Train Your Dragon” and a two -part, ve-hour documentary on Billy Joel are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time: The long-delayed third album from rapper Roddy Ricch, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” returns for its third and nal season and two arcade favorites — Donkey Kong and Pac-Man — get reinvented for gamers.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Movie theaters are crowded enough this summer that one recent box-o ce hit is already coming to homes. Universal Pictures’ “How to Train Your Dragon” is available on premium video on demand. The live-action remake of the DreamWorks Animation dragon tale has surpassed $500 million in global ticket sale. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr raved: “Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, it also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Joel recently canceled his summer tour after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. But “Piano Man” fans can still get their Joel x in “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a two-part, vehour documentary. Part one will arrive on HBO and HBO Max on Friday, with part two following on July 25. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin cover Joel’s life and career, with interviews with Joel, his family, his ex-wives and musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney.

Petra Costa’s “Apocalypse in the Tropics” (Net ix), documents the rise of the far right in Brazil. Costa’s follow-up to her Oscar-nominated “The Edge of Democracy,” digs into the role of the evangelical movement in bringing former president Jai Bolsonaro to power. Bolsonaro

is currently standing trial for an alleged coup attempt in 2023, a trial that U.S. President Donald Trump has called a “witch hunt.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Delayed from February, rapper Roddy Ricch returns with his third album on Friday, “The Navy Album.” The Compton rapper, who appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” has put out a few singles from the new collection, including “Survivor’s Remorse” and “Lonely Road.” The latter features Terrace Martin and was released with a video of him cruising through the city seeing angels and the lyrics: “Roddy rap like the rent due/Roddy tell ‘em the whole truth.”

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” has been everywhere in 2025; it’s a big, ino ensive ballad with loosely religious themes and meticulously designed to the pull at heartstrings. And it succeeds, due in part to the fact that Warren sings in a faux-British accent. On Friday, he’ll release his debut full-length on Atlantic Records, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid.” Expect a lot more soul and get the tissues ready. Fresh o a hot new track for the summer blockbuster “F1” soundtrack, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Myke Towers will release a new album, “Island Boyz,” on Friday. It’s just what the heart wants during these hot months — feel good reggaeton, urban pop and Latin trap.

SERIES TO STREAM

Are you Team Jelly sh or Team Bonrad? If you have no idea what that means you probably don’t watch “The Summer I Turned Pretty. “ The show returns for its third and nal season on Prime Video. It’s about a young woman named Belly (Lola Tung,) who is torn between two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, played by Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney. The series is based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han. In the second season of Prime Video’s “Surf Girls” series, cameras follow ve up-and-coming female surfers who travel the globe to compete in the Chal-

lenger Series. “Surf Girls: International” focuses on both new and returning surfers that were featured in season one. A goal is to spotlight women in a sport that has often been skewed by

sexism. All ve episodes drop Thursday. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. In the lms “The Dry” and “Force of Nature: The Dry 2,” Eric Bana played a federal agent

“Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, (“How to Train Your Dragon”) also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer

investigating murders in his native country of Australia. In the new Net ix series “Untamed,” Bana plays a U.S. law enforcement o cer investigating the mysterious death of a woman at Yosemite National Park. Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt and Wilson Bethel also star. It premieres Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

For a guy who started o as a villain, Donkey Kong has proven to be one of Nintendo’s most versatile heroes, doing everything from driving to playing drums to (seriously) teaching math. Donkey Kong Bananza focuses on what he does best: punching things. Someone has stolen his bananas, so it’s up to DK to smash his way through the Underground World in pursuit of the culprits. It’s the rst 3D adventure for the big lug in a long time, and Nintendo has said it comes from the same team that developed the bestselling Super Mario Odyssey. Start swinging Thursday on Switch 2.

Another arcade favorite — Pac-Man — returns in Shadow Labyrinth, although publisher Bandai Namco has radically altered the pellet-chomper. Here, you play as Swordsman No. 8, an explorer who is accompanied by a mysterious yellow orb named Puck. As you traverse the 2D alien world, you may be reminded of a di erent classic: 1986’s Metroid. There are some levels that look more like Pac-Man mazes, though, and you will still hunt and be hunted by ghosts — which are now called “G-Hosts.” It’s a weird and edgy approach to the legend, and it arrives Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch and PC.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

“Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a new two-part, ve-hour documentary about the life and career of the “piano man,” hits HBO and Max on Friday.

ANDREW PARK / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Gerard Butler arrives at the premiere of “How to Train Your Dragon.” The live-action remake is now streaming on premium video on demand.

Duplin Journal

the

Unity, play shine at Warsaw’s community park event

Suspects wanted in coordinated lottery ticket thefts

Duplin County

The Warsaw Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying three suspects involved in coordinated thefts of lottery tickets and prepaid Visa gift cards in Eastern North Carolina. Between June 20-21, two black males and one black female, all in their 20s, fraudulently obtained activated lottery tickets and gift cards using nonfunctional Cash App or YouTube cards, according to police. The thefts took place in Duplin, Onslow, and Sampson counties, including Beulaville, Warsaw, Jacksonville and Clinton, using a white Volkswagen SUV with Florida plates. Images of the suspects were captured and are available on the Warsaw PD Facebook page. Anyone with information should contact the department at 910 -293-7816 or Jacksonville Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273, or via text at 274637 using the code TIP4CSJAX.

Friday nal day for candidates to le for November elections

Duplin County

The candidate ling period for the 2025 municipal elections closes at noon on Friday. Those interested in running should contact the Duplin County Board of Elections for details. The 2025 municipal elections will be on Nov. 4.

Local man wins $200K in lottery

Richlands

Last week Amir Dickerson of Richlands won a $200,000 prize after purchasing a $5 Mega Bucks ticket. The announcement made by the North Carolina Education Lottery stated this was Dickerson’s rst time purchasing a scratch- o . Dickerson collected his prize last week and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $143,501.

Bank of America reports $7.12B net income in Q2, surpasses earnings expectations

Charlotte Bank of America Corp. on Wednesday reported second-quarter net income of $7.12 billion. The company said it had earnings of 89 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share. The nation’s secondlargest bank posted revenue net of interest expense of $26.46 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts.

$2.00

Warsaw families came together Saturday afternoon for a joyful celebration at the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Center. The Community Fun in the Park event o ered a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where families laughed, played and had the opportunity to join in friendly volleyball matches. Turn to B6 for more photos.

Wallace seeks federal funds to raze old school

The board hopes to transform the blighted school site into a future housing opportunity

By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal

IN AN EFFORT to clean up a hazardous and unsightly old school building, Wallace leaders voted last Thursday to seek federal funding to help cover most of the estimated $265,000 cost of the project.

The old C.W. Dobbins School building at 908 N. Teachey Road sits among weeds, vines, trees and trash on almost 3.5

acres of land that o cials believe could be better used for housing in town. The building, which has not been used as a school for decades, is nearly invisible, save the tall red brick chimney, from North Teachey Road due to overgrowth and neglect. Much of the building’s roof has collapsed, and most of the windows and doors are broken, with shards of glass litter the ground.

The town must rst complete the purchase of the property from an organization known as Christians of Faith Teaching Ministries, which,

See WALLACE, page A5

Wallace Mayor Jason Wells administers the oath of o ce to Police O cer Ralph Amitrano Jr., as Ralph Amitrano Sr., holds the Bible for the swearing in ceremony.

New retirement proposal faces scrutiny over costs

Warsaw faces $115,000 in wastewater nes as o cials push back on secrecy claims

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WARSAW — A proposal to install a four-way stop at one of Warsaw’s busiest intersections sparked spirited debate at the latest town board meeting, as o cials weighed rising crash reports on Memorial Drive and Hill Street against longstanding frustrations with state inaction and broader concerns about infrastructure, safety and town planning.

Town Manager Lea Turner explained that due to an increase in accidents at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Hill Street, a Warsaw o cer made a request to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to conduct investigations on a fourway stop at that intersection.

“DOT has sent me the information in reference to their investigation. I’ve attached that

Quiet races, erce battles shape municipal election season

“The availability of safe, ample parking and drive-up curbside voting service at the Wallace precinct would better serve the voters.” Carrie Sullivan

Incumbents lead lings across Duplin County

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — As Duplin County nears Friday’s candidate ling deadline for the Nov. 4 Municipal Election, a contrasting picture is emerging among the electorates — one marked by quiet incumbency and uncontested seats, and the other marked by competitive shakeups and a surge of new challengers.

In Beulaville, incumbents are holding their ground, with longtime Mayor Michael “Hutch” Jones and Commissioner Delmas Highsmith both facing no new challengers. The town’s trend of minimal electoral competition is likely to persist, as seen in previous elections.

Similar patterns can be observed in Greenevers, Kenansville, Magnolia and Teachey, where no opposition has yet emerged. Each of these towns has only one candidate so far despite multiple seats open. In Greenevers, incumbents Gregory Carr and Timothy Murphy have led for reelection. In Kenansville, Commissioner Linda Tyson is seeking to retain her position. Magnolia’s incumbent, Jeanine Cavenaugh, has led for reelection. In Teachey, Commissioner Danny Sutton is looking to keep his seat as well. Historical trends in some of these towns have shown spikes in competition, particularly around contentious local issues such as infrastructure, suggesting that surprises may still occur before the Friday deadline. Calypso also shows signs

email,” said Turner, explaining that DOT responded that a fourway stop could be implemented if the town passed a resolution. Some board members expressed doubt about whether this intersection warranted such a measure, arguing that other intersections, particularly one near Friendly Mart, were more dangerous. The board discussed alternatives like ashing caution lights or motion-activated signals at the stop signs. Several members expressed frustration with DOT’s past rejections of similar safety measures at other intersections. Ultimately, the group agreed to request further studies and possibly pursue warning lights instead of a four-way stop at the Memorial and Hill intersection.

Commissioner Al Searless spoke about a roundabout that was once proposed by DOT, but the town rejected it due to heavy truck tra c. Several members of the board believe the decision may have delayed

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

See WARSAW, page A5

CURT SIMPSON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

O ce Phone: 910 463-1240

To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042

CRIME LOG

July 9

• Steven Ray Harrell, 49, was arrested by Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce for possessing a rearm as a felon.

• Beth Kennedy, 66, was arrested by DCSO for assault with a deadly weapon in icting serious injury and resisting a public o cer.

• Alex Malik Lisane, 27, was arrested by DCSO for hit and run leaving the scene with property damage, driving with a revoked license, and using a ctitious or altered title, registration card, or tag.

• Milton Selin Munguia-Nunez, 24, was arrested by DCSO for possessing with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, possessing marijuana between 1/2 and 1 1/2 ounces, possessing drug paraphernalia, and felony possession of cocaine.

• Rhiannon Kay Willoughby, 44, was arrested by DCSO for tra cking in methamphetamine.

July 10

• Raheem Christopher Rogers, 32, was arrested by DCSO for failing to report a new address as a sex o ender.

July 11

• Felicia Orday Best, 36, was arrested by Beulaville PD for felony possession of cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia, second-degree trespassing, misusing the 911 system, and resisting a public o cer.

• Henna Louise Burke, 38, was arrested by DCSO for driving without an operator’s license and hit and run leaving the scene with property damage.

• Tajuan Lamarr Davis, 24, was arrested by DCSO for simple assault.

• Terry Leon Highsmith, 53, was arrested by DCSO for assault in icting serious injury and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Thomas Lee Washington, 74, was arrested by Kenansville PD for failing to register as a sex o ender.

July 12

• Luis Perez Cabrera, 19, was arrested by North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCHP) for driving while impaired, driving after consuming alcohol under 21, resisting a public o cer, and providing ctitious information to an o cer.

• Antwan Gregory Carr, 20, was arrested by Wallace PD for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, damaging personal property, misdemeanor larceny, and possessing stolen goods.

July 13

• Mario Ricardo Cuevas-Padilla, 22, was arrested by DCSO for assault with a deadly weapon in icting serious injury.

THURSDAY

17

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

Beulaville water project nears completion

Social services advocate shares resources for families and the elderly

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Wendy

Henderson addressed the Beulaville town board on behalf of the Duplin County Department of Social Services at the board’s monthly meeting last week. Henderson’s presentation highlighted the various ways the community can bene t from DSS services.

“Our goal is to provide eligibility for public assistance programs, as well as help alleviate human su ering, protect children, disabled adults and elderly adults to help them become self-su cient,” Henderson said.

Some of the services available include food nutrition, Work First, medical assistance, day care assistance, low-income energy assistance, crisis assistance, program integrity, medical transportation and social services. Henderson encouraged the community to contact DSS either by coming in person to 423 N. Main Street in Kenansville, or by calling 910 -296-2200. Henderson left pamphlets at the town hall and answered questions from the board about services available for speci c groups, such as refugee assistance.

Interim Town Manager Lori Williams and Public Works Director Ricky Raynor summarized their report on services used and gave updates on the water line project. They reported that the project is almost done with tie-ins and will start cutting all the old lines next.

“Within two to three weeks, they should be cutting up asphalt, cleaning it up and pouring concrete,” town o cials said.

Concerns about potholes were addressed, and it was clari ed that some of the areas of concern were outside of the town limits. Chief of Police Jamie Rogers reported that the Beulaville Police Department will have two positions opening July 21.

Williams then requested and received board approval to submit disbursement requests to the state on behalf of the Division of Water Infrastructure-funded projects, CDBG grant assistance from Adams Company, and Town Attorney Justin Hunter to continue his services. Mayor Hutch Jones asked for clarity on communication with the public concerning code enforcement, sign regulations, tickets, recycling bins and the transition to County Animal Control for animal problems. Williams reported that communication has been improving, less tickets are having to be written and the town’s updated website (with access to all the information) will be available soon.

The board discussed the pros and cons of food trucks and whether or not an ordinance should be considered to limit their activity in the town because of how they may negatively impact existing businesses. Williams stated there were no zoning issues involved and no laws prohib -

iting their operation as long as they had the landowners’ permission. Hunter believed there might be options available to help regulate food truck businesses. Hunter and Williams agreed to meet later to discuss possible legal solutions.

The board then discussed a cleared lot on West Church Street that remains partially uncleared following demolition.

Public Works said the lot debris had been buried and has settled. He a rmed that the only option is to keep hauling in dirt to cover it and level it out.

During the meeting, public comments were invited, and a constituent inquired about recycling bins. Jones announced that the blue recycling bins are delivered weekly for an additional fee of $1.50 per month. The new service started July 9. The bins are the same size as the trash bins and are used to collect recyclables in bulk. These recyclables are transported to a facility in Jacksonville for sorting and recycling. Both trash and recycling bins are collected by automated trucks rather than individual labor. Therefore, residents should place the bins 12-24 inches away from the road to ensure the trucks have enough space to pick them up.

Eagle Scout candidate awarded $3K for crisis relief trailer project Eagle Scout candidate Miller Ludlum (right), 15, of Wallace was awarded a check for $3,000 by Woodmen Life Chapter 923 members (pictured from left to right) Harvey Knowles, David Patterson and Tony Horne on Monday afternoon. The money is going toward the purchase and out tting of Ludlum’s Eagle Scout project, a crisis relief trailer for use during natural disasters and other emergencies. Ludlum said he was inspired to start the project after seeing the need for the equipment during relief e orts following Hurricanes Florence and Helene. Anyone wishing to donate funds or tools to out t the crisis relief trailer can call 910-296-4039.

WEDNESDAY

DUPLIN happening

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

July 17

Summer Fun Day 2-4 p.m.

The Warsaw Police Department is hosting a Summer Fun Day on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. at Warsaw Parks and Recreation. This free event is designed for elementary and middle school-aged children and will include two waterslides, a DJ, games, free refreshments and more. For more details, please call 910-293-7816, ext. 2. 309 Memorial Drive, Warsaw

July 18

Fun Friday 11 a.m.

The Duplin County Library is hosting family-friendly activities this summer as part of their Fun Friday events at the Ed Emory Auditorium. On July 18, join them for Mad Science at 11 a.m. For details, call 910-296-2117.

165 Agriculture Drive, Kenansville

Veterans stand down 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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. Duplin veterans who need transportation to the event can call 919-738-2006 by June 30.

1333 W. Charity Road, Rose Hill

July 25

The Cookie Lady 11 a.m.

Get ready for a treat and join the Library’s Fun Friday on July 25 at 11 a.m. at the Ed Emory Auditorium. Enjoy a delightful morning with The Cookie Lady, an event perfect for the entire family. For more details, call 910-296-2117.

165 Agriculture Drive, Kenansville

Got a local event? Let us know and we’ll share it with the community here. Email our newsroom at community@duplinjournal. com. Weekly deadline is Monday at noon.

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

The Beulaville town board discussed its new recycling service rollout, which started on July 9.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Faison addresses issues at July meeting

The board accepted Commissioner Carlton Lee Kennedy’s resignation and appointed former mayor Carolyn Kenyon to ll his seat

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

FAISON — The Faison town board reviewed old business, including prior meeting minutes, nancial updates and preparations for the town’s 250th anniversary celebration at its July 9 meeting.

The Parks and Recreation budget was discussed, comparing last year’s costs and outcomes to this year’s, with an overall taxpayer cost of $112,000.

“If you look at everything that is o ered over there, $112,000 doesn’t seem like a whole lot,” Ward said. Executive Administrator Jimmy Tyndall mentioned some tweaks to Parks and Recreation were in the works that would help the budget come in lower next year.

In new business, Mayor Billy Ward read Commissioner Carlton Lee Kennedy’s resignation letter. Kennedy had to resign because he is moving out of the area. The board accepted his resignation and voted to appoint Carolyn Kenyon, a former mayor, to ll the last two years of his term.

Amanda Hall, a supervisor at Duplin County Social Services (DSS), made a presentation concerning the services available to the community.

“We are doing community outreach, letting towns outside of Kenansville know what we have available for the whole county,” Hall explained.

DSS has various economic support services, including help with energy bills and medical transport. People can access services by coming to the o ce at 423 N. Main Street in Kenansville or by calling 910 -296 -2200 for more information.

Ward read another resignation letter from Parks and Rec employee Crystal Mendez, and the board approved it. The board approved hiring one part-time employee, Luke Hall, and one full-time employee, Nathan Holland, for the Parks and Rec Department.

Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Scott gave updates concerning projects and activities. An estimate of $2,135 was approved and is in the budget for awning repairs. Adult vol-

leyball was well received and nished its season in time for basketball to start. Basketball practices are on Monday. Games every Sunday in August will work well with everyone’s summer plans, according to Scott.

Fall soccer and volleyball sign-ups have opened and will remain open until the rst week of September. The board approved that registration will be $50 per child to play in sports starting this fall. Afterschool will continue at $45 a week except for spring break and Christmas.

Ward presented the renewal contract for Town Attorney Joey Ezzell.

“We’ve been really happy with his services and we want to continue that,” Ward said. “We appreciate what he does for us and the town.”

The contract was presented for the same amount of money

Amanda Hall

as last year’s, and the board voted unanimously to approve it.

Town Clerk Sharon Lee presented town nances in savings accounts at various banks and made recommendations concerning the CDs at United Bank. The board voted to renew $1 million at 4.4% interest at United Bank for seven months and deposit accrued interest into the general fund.

The town’s Christmas party was discussed. It was decided to host it on the rst Friday in December at 11 a.m. with The Farmhouse catering. To nish out the 2024-25 budget, a few amendments were presented and approved. For the new scal year, Kornegay Insurance was approved for $3,409.75. The cafeteria plan resolution was also approved for the new scal year. The board also voted for Anne Letchworth to be the town’s tax collector for the new scal year.

Delinquent tax listings were discussed. All were sent letters from the town attorney and remain unresponsive. The board discussed their options toward foreclosure and when would be

the best time to take action on the past due accounts. Most accounts will be followed up on by Letchworth.

Tyndall explained the need to appropriate funding for a backhoe. Funding was already made available in the previous budget, it just needs to be moved to the new scal year. The board approved a resolution for the backhoe and a work shelter.

Estimates for a new LED sign were approved for $19,000.

The board discussed hiring Bradley Braswell for the single vacancy in Public Works. They approved his hire as well as the transfer of his accrued sick time from working for the town of Mount Olive.

Ward requested that the September board meeting be moved to Sept. 10, and the board approved it.

Tyndall discussed the need to repave Southwest Center Street toward Goshen Medical Center. Explaining the spider web cracking and drainage issues ooding the area, he said the board “needed to decide if it’s going to spend its money on band aids or the cure. I’m going to spend money on SW Center Street one way or the other.”

The crew will cut out and rebuild the road in wedges, xing the spider webbing as well as water ow issues that would have ooded Goshen. The board approved the repair for $58,250. The funds were made available in the street repair and maintenance budget.

The board meeting adjourned following this discussion.

Push to reopen Holland rehouse gains momentum

Without enough volunteers for the re substation, local insurance rates stay high

By Mark Grady

For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Twen-

ty residents of what locals refer to as the Outlaw Store area of Duplin County gathered in the fellowship hall of Unity Methodist Church on Monday night to discuss the possibility of reopening the volunteer re department at the corner of West Wards Bridge Road and Holland Road, known as the Holland Station. The Kenansville Fire Department’s substation was forced to close several years ago due to a lack of manpower.

As a result of this closure, homeowner insurance rates in the area have increased, impacted by a re protection rating of 10 issued by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. To positively a ect insurance rates, the state requires an active re department sta ed with at least four volunteers within six road miles of a home.

Ricky Deaver, a 40-year volunteer re ghter and resident in the area, believes the Holland Station is needed.

“It needs to be reopened,” Deaver told Duplin Journal. “But it’s going to take people. Currently, we just don’t have enough. You can have all the

money and all the equipment you want to have, but the most important thing you need is dedicated people. I can remember when the re department had a cap of 45 members and there was a waiting list.”

Deaver blames societal changes for the challenge of getting people involved.

“Whether it’s the re department, the Rotary Club or just about anything, volunteerism is a dying breed,” Deaver said.

Area resident Rachel Holland said she recalled days when nding people willing to help at the local re department began at a young age.

“I remember way back when there was (nothing) for kids to do in this area,” she said. “When they got to be 16, they hung out at the re department. They wanted to. They’d become junior remen, and then they’d become regular remen at 18. They would stay on for years.”

Duplin County Fire Marshal Matthew Barwick opened the meeting on an encouraging note.

“I hope we can have an open discussion to make sure everyone knows what the expectations are from the public’s side, from the re department’s side and from the county’s side to see if we can get together and make this dream come true,” Barwick said.

Kenansville Fire Chief Robert Whitman emphasized that the key to making that dream a

reality centers on one thing — people.

“The biggest thing we need is personnel,” Whitman said. “The state says we have to have a certain amount of people to sta that station. If we don’t have enough to sta it, it will cost the taxpayers’ money, but you won’t get anything out of it. We’re going to have to have the support of the community.”

“All of us would like to see (Holland Station) come back,” Barwick added.

According to Whitman, the main Kenansville station

must have 15 active members to meet state requirements. A substation like Holland Station would require ve active members.

Whitman said that while volunteer re ghters don’t get paid, they hope to encourage more people to volunteer by emphasizing the many bene ts of serving their local re department. One of those is a life insurance policy.

“We get money from the state to help pay for the policies,” Whitman said.

The policy pays a death bene t of $250,000 to the family

of a volunteer re ghter who dies within 24 hours of responding to a re call, in addition to other bene ts paid under the policy.

Active volunteers who remain a member of the department for at least 20 years also receive a special retirement pension of approximately $170 per month.

Whitman stressed the most important bene t of being a member of a local re department is the camaraderie.

“Once you get in there, you’ll nd out it’s a brotherhood,” Whitman said. “We look after one another. If one’s sick, we’re all sick.”

Everyone in the community is hoping to attract more interest from young people like Hunter Whitman. Hunter is already training to become a re ghter and will o cially join the Kenansville Fire Department when he turns 18 in September. His inspiration is his family. His uncle is Chief Whitman.

“I grew up around the re station,” Hunter told Duplin Journal. “My dad, my grandparents and my uncle all have had a part in the re department. It’s something I wanted to do.”

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 29 at the Kenansville Fire Department in hopes of attracting those who may be interested in becoming members.

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL The Faison town board approved $58,000 for Southwest Center Street repairs during its July 9 meeting.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Duplin County Fire Marshal Matthew Barwick welcomed members of the Outlaw Store area to a meeting Monday night to discuss what would be needed to reopen the Holland Station Volunteer Fire Department.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Mainstream manipulation and the War for the American mind

We are left to conclude that never have we been so prosperous in terms of worldly thing.

GENERATION after generation has responded successfully to Benjamin Franklin’s warning in his answer to Elizabeth Powel’s question on September 1787 about what kind of government they had established. His answer, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

There have been many evil persons attempting to destroy the divinely inspired work of those noble founders. There are now many evil persons and organized groups still intent on “fundamentally changing America.” That phrase sounds so innocent, doesn’t it?

What are their names? Mark 5:9 (KJV) records the Savior asking a question of the evil spirit who was tormenting a man. “What is thy name?” asked the Savior. The answer, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” One needs only to occasionally watch the national news to conclude there are many evil forces trying to destroy America. They have all but a few mainstream media organizations supporting their e orts with ultra-liberal, biased reporting. Thank heaven for Duplin Journal and North State Journal.

We have had one horrible Civil War and two terrible World Wars that have soaked the ground and lled the oceans with the blood of patriots, trying to keep it. There have been other wars and rumors of wars facing the nations of this Earth on a daily basis. Certainly,

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

Values in action

It is not enough to use buzzwords or pay lip service to lofty ideals if we are not willing to let our actions be shaped by those values.

“GIVE ME YOUR TIRED, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

These words by poet Emma Lazarus are engraved on a plaque on the inner wall of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal. Lazarus wrote her poem, “The New Colossus,” for the fundraising e orts for the pedestal. Her poem was not placed in the pedestal until 17 years after the statue’s dedication and 14 years after Lazarus’ death.

On Oct. 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland and dignitaries gathered in New York City for festivities surrounding the dedication of the Statue of Liberty. That night, after dinner at Delmonico’s restaurant, Frédéric Coudert, a prominent New York lawyer, o ered remarks in which he compared the symbolism of the statue to the Sermon on the Mount. He said, “I will say that this statue, with no sword, but the torch raised on high,

the e ects of natural disasters in diverse areas temporarily grab our attention, and then it is back to life as normal.

However, our Republic may now be facing its most formidable challenges: extreme prosperity combined with many avors of progressivism, accelerating moral decay, and enemies within who are antagonistic, hostile and work in opposition to our founding principles.

Evil forces have slowly but surely in ltrated and indoctrinated institutions founded to inform, educate and pass to the next generations the knowledge and wisdom of prior generations.

John Calvin observed, “Men are undoubtedly more in danger from prosperity than from adversity. For when matters go smoothly, they atter themselves, and are intoxicated by their success.” In 1838, Abraham Lincoln observed, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroy ourselves.”

By casual observation, we are left to conclude that never have we been so prosperous in terms of worldly things. Certainly, we see that the new morality is really no morality at all and that decline is accelerating.

More and more frequently these days, I am prone to interject the phrase “Granny told me” or “Granny said” into a variety of conversations with family, friends or colleagues in the political

arena. Sometimes, when I don’t exactly remember who gave some good advice, I will cover the plagiarism base by saying, “Granny said.”

Almost all the wise folks whose paths I have crossed personally or through their literature are someone’s Granny or Papa. Now being called Papa, I know from personal experience wisdom accumulates as one advances from child to parent to grandparent.

More than a few folks have advised those of a younger generation thusly: “The older I get, the smarter my parents become.” The Latin phrase “Ut Est Rerum Omnium Magister Usus” is attributed to Julius Caesar and is translated as “Experience is the best teacher.” My Granny characterized experience as the only successful teacher.

We have strayed from successfully passing on that which is good to the next generations. The so-called progressive movement has turned into the “Hate anything that is good about America movement.” Remember, “Lies can travel around the world while the truth is strapping on its boots.”

We, the people should join President Donald Trump and his e orts to “Make America great again.”

Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-NC04) represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

so that all can see it, typi es all that is most striking in moral and religious instruction. It is a poem which anyone can understand without being a poet.”

One commentator noted, “In this way Coudert connected the great new monument with the struggles and ideals of the earliest European immigrants to the American continent and with their ardent wish to create a better and more just society.”

The recently conducted Gallup -Aspen Ideas American Values Index survey indicated that more than 75% of American adults agree on these most important values: respect, family, trustworthiness, freedom, kindness, health, integrity and happiness. In a discussion about these survey results, columnist David Brooks said, “I think about values di erently. I don’t think you can get somebody’s values by giving them a buzzword like family or faith. A value to me is a constellation of moral principles. So the Sermon on the Mount is a value system. The last shall be rst. The meek shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are the poor in spirit. I don’t think you could just give people a list of words and nd out what the core of their moral values are.”

Coudert and Brooks touch on the importance of living out one’s deepest hopes and beliefs. It is not enough to use buzzwords or pay lip service to lofty ideals if we are not willing to let our actions be shaped by those values. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned against false prophets and taught, “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16) We can turn that teaching around and apply it to our individual lives and our life in community. What we really value — our constellation of moral principles, if you will — will be known by the fruits we bear, both individually and as a nation. If we really value liberty and justice for all, as we say in the Pledge of Allegiance, we must be diligent in our e orts to secure and protect those values for all.

Philip Gladden is a retired minister who lives in Wallace.

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

any major safety improvements at that location.

Another commissioner noted that Friendly Mart has been under discussion for over 25 years, yet meaningful changes have not been implemented, and more recent DOT scoring and prioritization e orts have failed to place the intersection high on the list.

The idea of a roundabout was once ahead of its time, being part of a very early statewide rollout. Unfortunately, a lack of public understanding of roundabouts at the time led to resistance. Now with more municipalities adopting such tra c designs successfully, there may be renewed interest.

“I sit on the DOT Transportation Advisory Council, and I have not seen anything at the meeting where they’re scoring points for a project,” said Mayor A.J. Connors. “Many other places are getting bicycle lanes and all the other things, and changing routing of 24 in some areas, but have not seen anything in that area.”

The town plans to send a renewed request to DOT, hoping to bring attention back to the intersection and reconsider possible improvements.

Turner also spoke about the need for a retirement policy. Previously, town retirees with 25 years of service and age 62 quali ed for medical coverage until age 65, after which they would transition to Medicare supplements. That policy was rescinded in 2022, and currently, the town has no formal retirement policy in place, although some employees remain grandfathered under the old rules.

The town manager proposed a tiered retirement plan with three levels: full medical benets for 30 years of service at any age, partial bene ts for those with 25 years and age 62, and Medicare-only support for 20 years and age 65. While this plan is more generous than the previous one, some board members raised serious concerns

ELECTIONS from page A1

of continuity. Although Rodney Lambert Jr. has led, key incumbents, including Mayor JoAnn Wilson, have not as of press time. The current lack of lings so far hints at another uncontested cycle unless last-minute candidates step in.

On the other hand, Faison appears to be set for a competitive election cycle with four candidates already in the race — including incumbent Sandy McCarty, Juan Carlos Quintanilla, Alane Brewer Floyd, and Joanie Babcock vying for three commissioner seats. As of press time, Mayor Billy Ward, Commissioners Christy Allen and Sherry Franklin had not yet led, but Faison’s past elections have often drawn a strong eld, and more challengers may still emerge. Rose Hill remains quiet for now, with no candidates in sight.

In Wallace, incumbents like Mayor Jason Wells, Councilwoman Tasha Herring-Redd and Councilman Jason Davis have led to retain their seats, but given the town’s developing infrastructure and ongoing projects, it is anticipated that more candidates will join the race.

about cost and sustainability, particularly the unlimited liability of covering health care for potentially decades if someone retires at 50. They noted that most municipalities and even the state are moving away from early retirement coverage due to rising health care costs.

“I just question whether we can a ord 30 years at any age,” said Searles. “If you’ve got somebody who starts at age 20 and they go 30 years and they turn 50, you’re talking about paying their insurance for a lot of years. I don’t know of any program that does that. In fact, I know the state has pulled back a lot of the retirement programs because retirement programs will break a budget.”

“This is open as a suggestion for tonight. And it is something for you to consider and evaluate so that we can come back at a later date,” said Connors.

Board members requested that the town manager return with projected cost analyses and employee eligibility estimates.

“We have no idea what the cost of somebody’s medical might be if they were to leave at say age 55,” said Searless. “And we were saying we were gonna sign up for their medical expenses for the rest of their lives. We’re seeing both companies and municipalities and even the state back o of the idea of early retirement medical coverage because of the unlimited liability.”

During departmental updates, Betty Davis, with Warsaw Parks and Recreation, shared about her ongoing efforts to enhance recreational facilities.

Davis discussed a number of initiatives in partnership with NC State University and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. These include the development of a new walking trail with informative signage and a storytelling component, as well as a collaborative art project involving Girl Scouts to beautify the path and picnic areas. Davis explained these enhancements are being funded through grants.

In Warsaw, the eld continues to grow. With six candidates now in the mix, Warsaw is on track for a potentially intense and possibly transformative election cycle. Incumbent A.J. Connors, seeking a third term, was among the rst to le on July 7.

The race took a signi cant turn July 14 when Wesley Boykin ofcially led to challenge Connors. Boykin’s entry indicates a competitive battle for the town’s top position, with both candidates likely to face scrutiny on issues such as water infrastructure and growth strategy.

Newcomers Sheree Shepard and Kiara Smith have also declared their candidacies for commissioner, challenging incumbents Ebony Wills-Wells and Al Searles, who are seeking to retain their seats. As debates around infrastructure intensify in Warsaw, the stage is set for a dynamic and closely watched election season.

Meanwhile, Mount Olive, though not entirely within Duplin County, is witnessing strong electoral activity, with six candidates and multiple competitive races already underway. Harlie Junior Carmichael and Don Fairman are running for the commission-

Davis also shared her vision for revitalizing Warsaw’s community life and infrastructure.

She recalled the town’s more prosperous past and advocated for the community to collectively brainstorm ways to bring back the vibrancy of earlier decades.

Turner provided an update on the wastewater pretreatment program, stating that they have been meeting with the state.

“There’s still information that they’re requesting to complete our nal review of our pretreatment program, but we have been working with them on that,” said Turner, adding that the town is actively working with state agencies to address wastewater compliance issues.

According to N.C. Department of Environmental Quality documents, Warsaw has been ned more than $115,000 in civil penalties in the last three months for violations of the discharge limitations found in the town’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System wastewater permit, which occurred from January through March.

Turner told Duplin Journal that the nes are paid by the industries responsible for the violations.

Commissioner Jack A. Hawes stressed that local leaders are engaging state and federal representatives to advocate for equitable funding to bring the sewer system up to par.

“I’ve been reaching out to our representatives to get us this money because I think it’s totally unfair that they represent us and everybody gets money besides Warsaw,” said Hawes, he also encouraged residents to contact legislators.

“I kind of want to dispel some of what I feel like is out there that feels like there is secrecy. There’s some things we just can’t talk about because there’s a law issue related to it. And we go in closed sections.”

The board pushed back on any narrative that the town is hiding information, especially

er at-large seat. District 1 Commissioner Vicky Darden is facing Robert King, while incumbents J. Jerome Newton and District 2 Commissioner Delreese Simmons are also seeking reelection. Mount Olive stands out for its early political participation. Issues like leadership succession and equitable district representation seem to be mobilizing residents ahead of the November vote.

This election cycle also brings structural changes to Duplin County’s voting map: The number of precincts will be reduced from 19 to 17, with the closure of the Locklin and Rock sh precincts.

The decision, made by the Duplin County Board of Elections and approved by the State Board of Elections, was driven by nancial considerations due to low turnout and proximity to the Wallace precinct.

Carrie Sullivan, Duplin County Board of Elections director, told Duplin Journal that there were a couple of factors that the board took into account when making the decision to close them.

“Locklin is home to 373 voters, of which less than 90 voted on Election Day each time over

concerning nes. Hawes claried that all required reports are self-submitted by licensed professionals, and any issues identi ed stem from honest internal reporting, not external audits.

“When you just see or hear that we got a ne, it’s not the state coming, breaking down our doors and nding this ne,” said Hawes. “It’s the reports that we send them. So that means there’s nobody hiding nothing because we send them the report. We are working to get this sewer problem resolved as quickly as we possibly can because right now it’s really going to start stunting our growth if we don’t get it recti ed.”

Hawes praised the town manager’s willingness to confront longstanding problems, particularly regarding the water and sewer infrastructure.

“At least she has the guts to face it and try to correct it,” said Hawes. “Because the other managers did not do it. And now it’s falling square in her lap. But at least she’s not turning a blind eye to it. She’s facing it straight on. Even though she gets all the di erent phone calls, the nasty phone calls, the nasty emails, she still is moving forward, along with the commissioners, to actually x the problem that’s been there for decades.”

Connors discussed reviewing the town’s personnel policies, speci cally those related to vacation leave for full-time employees. Connors proposed changes to the internal process for approving and tracking leave. Currently, policy requires board approval for employees seeking two consecutive weeks of leave.

Connors also highlighted the need for timely performance evaluations, particularly for the town manager. Although evaluations are outlined in the town’s municipal policy, they have not yet been completed.

“That is something that needs to be done in the near future,” said Connors.

He emphasized that evaluations are also expected from department heads for their respective sta .

the past two elections,” said Sullivan. “The decision for Locklin came down to the amount of manpower and resources it was taking to service a low volume of Election Day voters.

“The Rock sh precinct was located roughly half a mile from the Wallace precinct. The location only allowed for parking on the street, which is not adequate for the 961 registered voters of that precinct. The board felt that the availability of safe, ample parking and driveup curbside voting service at the Wallace precinct would better serve the voters of Rocksh. Although there are a large number of voters registered at Rock sh, most of them traditionally vote during the Early Voting period, and around 100 of them turn out on the actual day of election.”

Sullivan added that Locklin and Rock sh voters will now vote at the Wallace precinct located at the American Legion building.

“We will be sending some of the resources and sta ng from the old precincts to handle any increase in voter tra c,” she explained.

Friday is the last day of the candidate ling period for the Municipal Election.

according to Duplin County tax records, purchased it in 2003. The sale to the town was expected to be completed by July 14.

The council unanimously voted to contract with the Cape Fear Council of Governments for assistance in applying for Community Development Block Grant funds to perform the work. CDBG funds are federal tax dollars, and they are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to pay for a ordable housing, anti-poverty programs and infrastructure development.

O cials will be seeking $250,000 in CDBG funds and will have to match it with $15,000 of local money, should the grant be awarded. The town will pay the Cape Fear Council of Governments $5,000 for assistance in seeking the funds.

Just prior to the vote, Council Member Tasha Herring said she would like to see bricks from the old building be made available to former students and for a brick walkway to be made from some of the bricks. Mayor Jason Wells agreed that it would be a good idea and said the town would consider it in the future.

In other business, the council agreed to request that the state Department of Transportation reduce speed limits from 1504 N. Norwood Street going into the town of Teachey from 55 mph to 45 mph, and on N.C. 11 from Poston Baptist Church to Stallings Road from 55 mph to 35 mph, and from Stallings Road to the Interstate 40 Exit 384 interchange from 55 mph to 45 mph. Increased tra c congestion and safety were cited as the reasons for the changes.

The town’s newest police ofcer, Ralph Amitrano Jr., was sworn in by Wells early in the meeting. Amitrano entered the force in January as a cadet, and he recently graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training. He will now begin 12 weeks of eld training as he joins the patrol division of the department. After taking his oath of o ce, Amitrano’s badge was pinned on his uniform by his father, Ralph Amitrano Sr.

Following a closed session, the council voted to raise the pay of Town Manager Rob Taylor, clerk Jackie Nicholson said on Friday. The manager’s salary was raised from $111,000 to $118,000 per year following a positive job evaluation by the board.

“The board has been very pleased overall with his performance since taking over as town manager, and we look forward to many more years of working alongside him as town manager,” Wells said.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ duplinjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

Community Fun Day

Families of all ages and backgrounds gathered Saturday afternoon at the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Center for Community Fun in the Park, which was hosted by Harvest Church. Participants enjoyed hot dogs, chips and cold drinks served under shaded tents. Handmade signs added a personal touch, welcoming guests and expressing gratitude for their presence. In addition to games and food, the event o ered moments of re ection and connection, with church volunteers available to pray with attendees. The gathering served as a heartfelt outreach, aiming to foster unity and uplift spirits across the community.

PHOTOS

DUPLIN SPORTS

Anthony Byrd ran for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns, and made 15 receptions for 132 yards and two more scores. He was third among all Division III runners in rushing yards.

Ex-’Dawg Anthony Byrd was named top male athlete at NC Wesleyan after nishing third in rushing in Division III

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WALLACE — David had a sword to slay Goliath.

Anthony Byrd had to depend on his heart to become Male Athlete of the Year at NC Wesleyan University.

The former Wallace-Rose Hill running back and defensive back is perhaps the best thing to come out of the 2019 Bulldogs team that went 7-5, losing close a airs late to East Duplin and Clinton, and then getting mopped by Whiteville in a rare rst-round playo loss.

It was the senior season for the 5-foot-7, 160-pound lightning bolt who often displayed shocking powers to win one-on-one matchups.

The problem was WRH had two future full-ride Division I running backs in senior Cameren Dalrymple (Navy) and Kanye Roberts (Appalachian State). Yet that never stopped Byrd being a feared and respected player. He made 30 tackles as a shutdown defensive back who often covered for his teammates after taking care of his business.

O ensive coordinator Adam Scronce and head coach Kevin Motsinger say Byrd was one of the all-time great ’Dawgs.

“One of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached,” said Scronce, who recently accepted the head coach position

at Hobbton and has been an OC for the better part of his 19 seasons on the sidelines.

“Pound for pound, the baddest ’Dawg around,” Motsinger, who came to WRH in 2017.

Both coaches remember the time Byrd destroyed Ja’Qurious Conley, a 6-foot-2, 215 pounder who was signed by UNC. They collided near the sidelines.

“Byrd got up and ran to the huddle,” Scronce said.

“Conley got stuck to the turf,” Motsinger added. That season WRH was worn down and beaten up with injuries abound after losses to 4A champ Wake Forest (42-28) and 3A power Havelock (21-7).

Jermel Miller takes over as the WRH girls’ basketball team after six seasons as Ervin Murray’s top assistant for the Bulldogs’ boys

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — As an on-the-road supervisor for a major package service, Jermel Miller had to make snap decisions to x a problem.

He’s now going to be doing that much more as he follows his passion to become the new head girls’ basketball coach at Wallace-Rose Hill. Miller, 52, the top assistant for boys’ coach Ervin Murray for six seasons, has coached the game at the recreational and AAU levels most of his life.

This is his rst head coaching assignment with a high school team.

“The sky is the limit, and I feel this is a golden opportunity,” said Miller, who will have former boys’ assistant Jack Well and Ben Sloan on his sta . “I’m thankful our principal, assistant, AD and all those who gave me an opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted to do.” Miller says there’s much work to be done on a program that went 5-16 last winter, 16-55 the previous four seasons and has just one winning season since 2007.

WRH was 77-28 since 2017 when Adam Scronce was the o ensive coordinator.

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Every football team needs an o ensive guru, yet the majority only have coaches who call plays.

Now Wing-T expert Adam Scronce, 1A/2A power Wallace-Rose Hill’s longtime offensive coordinator, has been named the new head coach at Hobbton.

Scronce, 42, coached in eight state championship games and in 12 of 20 years played in or was a game away from the big game.

He was approved by the Sampson County School Board in late June and shortly thereafter became a father for the fourth time.

“It was time for change, I think for a lot of reasons,” Scronce said. “It’s been time for me for a little while now.

“It’s a late start to the summer, but with no head coach, kids start to fall o after a while. It’s late, but I’m excited.”

Scronce had two stints at WRH, early in his career and then after the late Jack Holley retired. He had coached with Holley at Harrells Chris-

tian Academy and then returned to WRH in 2013 under Joey Price, who had won two state titles (2009-10) with the Bulldogs and added three more (2014, ’15 and ’16) of the school’s four straight. Kevin Motsinger followed Price and added the fourth in 2017.

Scronce also ran plays under Kevin Johnson and Brian Aldridge while with the Crusaders. Holley (412-96-9), of course, is the state’s all-time second winningest coach. Aldridge (251-95-1) was also a leading force in football in Duplin County before retiring from the helm at East Duplin after the 2010 season.

Scronce spent four seasons

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

NC WESLEYAN ATHLETICS

JULIE DAVIS

New WRH girls’ basketball coach Jermel Miller has coached recreational, AAU, middle school and been a basketball assistant for the past six years for the WRH boys.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Jake Howard

South

Lenoir, Beulaville Post 511

Jake Howard is having a summer to remember, which is on the heels of a spring to remember.

Howard leads Beulaville Post 511 in a number of o ensive categories.

He’s hitting .421 with two doubles and a homer, ve stolen bases, seven RBIs and an on-base-percentage of .532.

Post 511 is one win from a spot in the American Legion State Tournament later this month.

Howard clubbed .538 with 11 doubles, a triple and two home runs for South Lenoir, which went 23-6 and lost to East Rutherford in the 2A nals. The June graduate whacked 43 hits and 33 RBIs.

Post 511 sweeps Post 507 to advance to state’s elite eight

The win puts a Duplin County-sponsored team in the American Legion State Tournament for the rst time since 2009

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Beulaville

Post 511 head coach Brandon Thigpen played in the American Legion State Tournament in 2009 when the club was known as Sampson-Duplin Post 127.

On Monday, he experienced Yogi Berra’s “Deja vu all over again” when Post 511 beat Post 507 out of Tabor City Post 9-6 to sweep the best-of- ve series in three games.

They advance to the American Legion State Tournament for the rst time since Thigpen was a senior at East Duplin and played for the Post club.

The team that rebooted this summer after stopping in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic is state-tourney bound.

“I told our kids that we played a good rst half in Game 1 and good second half in Game 2 and that is was time to put it all together, and that’s what we did tonight,” Thigpen said. “We wanted to nish this and not have to go back to Tabor City.

Post 511 (11-4) plays fellow Area 2 foe Wilmington Post 10 in a game that will only deter-

mine seeding for the big tournament. Each of four Area divisions get two tickets to the American Legion State Tournament in Cherryville, which starts on July 25.

Post 511 jumped to an early 5-0 lead by getting clutch hits and paying attention to the strike zone. Jake Howard and Austin Clements had key singles and Sawyer Marshburn at two-run elder’s choice at-bat. But walks by Eli Avent, Gage Howard and Blayden Pridgen and a pitch that hit Christian Coples set the stage. Avent bunted his way aboard in the second and scored on a wild pitch, and Cole Jarman added a sacri ce y to bump the tally to 7-1. A two-out double by the James Kenan senior and his speed on the bases made it 8-2 in the third. It was 9-3 an inning later when Clements singled and scored.

Winning pitcher Kyle Kern kept Post 507 at bay in the fth despite an in eld error that plated two unearned runs. Kern whi ed two hitters before the miscue and another after it. And it was still too close for comfort at 9-5.

Clinton’s Henry Bass let two runners aboard in the sixth and gave up a potential run-scoring hit, but Noah Rouse’s throw to catcher Clement nailed Jordan Heser at the

plate, though a run scored to make it 9-6. Bass threw a scoreless seventh, and a bit of history was made. Here’s a recap of the rst two games.

Game 1: Beulaville 15, Tabor City 10

Panthers senior Jack Tuck and Reed Davis drove in four and three runs, respectively, and Gage Howard, Clements and Jaxson Smith each lashed a pair of hits. All told, the two teams combined for 25 hits and 25 runs.

Post 511 almost ran away with it by going in front 9-1 in the third. The lead was trimmed to 10-8 in the fth, but the home team punched four runs to the plate in the sixth another in the seventh.

Game 2: Beulaville 5, Tabor City 3

Post 511 trailed until the sixth when a four-run push and Smith’s arm turned it into a win.

Chris Jarman, Jake Howard and Clements drove in runs. Smith settled in after a slow beginning to toss a complete game, limiting Post 507 to four hits and two earned runs, while whi ng nine and walking three.

Smith has earned the title of sta ace because of his consistent performance.

BYRD from page B1

But it didn’t faze Byrd, who averaged 9.1 yards on 51 carries with ve touchdowns and had his second-best defensive game against the Wolfpack. Yet his presence defensively was worth far more than his 469 rushing yards.

The best was yet to come for Byrd, who will graduate with a business degree after the fall semester while helping the Battling Bishops as an assistant coach.

“We still go places and people talk about him.

Mind over matter

Byrd had increasingly tougher obstacles and obstructions in Rocky Mount on the Division III circuit.

Scronce said he admires Byrd for sticking to football and a level most play a season, maybe two. The ones who stay are among the bold and daring.

“You have to love the game,” Scronce said.

Byrd had that in his soul and also was stubborn enough to not believe those who said he was too small, too short, too fragile and unable to be a major factor on a football eld.

Yet he knew it wouldn’t be easy or simple to sway the

opinions of his peers and coaches.

“My motto from my sophomore year forward was to learn from the people in front of you,” Byrd said. “I’m proud of myself and proud of all the people who helped me get here.”

For Byrd, the other side of that equation was to put cotton in his ears when listening to those who doubt his ability.

“These guys told me to not let anyone tell me I can’t do it because they have seen me do it,” he said. “They said, ‘Now go out and show it.’”

He did just that his nal two seasons.

He ran for 638 yards as a junior season in which he was a second-team All-South Conference All-Conference selection.

Last fall, he ripped o 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 85.4 yards per game. He added 15 catches for 132 yards and two more scores.

He had the third-most yards in Division III even though he missed a full game and half of another one.

“My nal two years were so good, but to me they could have been even better, though our team record wasn’t as good as it could have been,” Byrd said. “I just feel like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. Having big people

in front of me won’t stop me from what I’m going to do.”

Byrd said a moment during his sophomore season was a turning point.

“I was so eager to play, and then COVID was happening,” he said. “I didn’t get on the eld until the end, but it helped me and taught me that, one, I knew I could play, and two, sometimes it’s good to sit behind people and learn.

Byrd was a rst-team All- South and All-Region Division III performer his nal campaign.

He ran for a career-high 192 yards in the opener against Averett but put that in the distance after logging 218 yards and having a 64yard touchdown catch against Southern Virginia.

He ran for more than 100 yards in eight of nine games (getting 86 against Belhaven). Byrd played a key role in Wesleyan’s late-season push with a two-touchdown performance against both Greensboro and Brevard.

“Anthony has been a cornerstone of our football program for the last ve seasons,” said Wesleyan Director of Athletics Aaron Denton. “He’s not only a remarkable athlete, but an incredible representative of our university. His impact goes beyond statistics — he’s left a lasting legacy for future Bishops to follow.”

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Shortstop Jack Tuck, left, drove in four runs when Post 511 won Game 2 of the best- of- ve with Tabor City Post 507.

ECC champs Bulldogs move to loaded Swine Valley Conference

WRH joins powers Midway and Princeton, while East Duplin and Clinton are ECC favorites in a less competitive conference

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — During the NSHSAA’s conference realignment process, the volleyball community watched intently to see where the perennial power schools would be placed.

Some schools secretly didn’t want Midway and Princeton, both of which have state titles in trophy cases.

The second-tier list features schools that are currently hot and have been for at least three years — Wallace-Rose Hill, Rosewood and East Columbus.

The NCHSAA’s reformulated conferences favored East Duplin, gave WRH and James Kenan two strong foes, and left North Duplin with a league that has struggling volleyball programs, though plenty of parity.

Here’s the pre-eason breakdown of the Swine Valley, Carolina and East Central conferences.

Swine Valley has powerhouse teams

Four of the six schools in the former Swine Valley 3A had exceptional seasons last fall.

Wallace-Rose Hill, Rosewood, Midway and Princeton had red carpets to welcome visitors to their respective courts, knowing the foursome had a combined mark of 84-17.

Midway, which beat WRH twice last season, is the favorite. It’s also historically the best program in the state.

The Raiders were 21-4 last fall and have gone 89-18 the past four seasons.

They are the team everyone will be in awe of before the opening serve. Getting past the program’s mystic is key.

Midway’s top scorer Kaedyn Moran (346 kills) is back, and she has help from returnees Cailyn Hewett (201 kills) and Gracyn Hall (173 kills). The threesome, plus e orts from June graduate Samantha Carter (103 kills), guided the Raiders to the

under Joey Price (248-57) at WRH and then worked in close alliance with current coach Motsinger (174-85), who won that 2A crown in 2017 and was a runner-up in 2021.

Scronce, who also coached basketball for many years, is a 2001 WRH grad who played for Holley and had Battle Holley (149-56) as his o ensive coordinator in the latter’s senior season. Scronce was a quarterback in the Wing-T, much like the younger Holley, who more recently guided East Duplin to its rst state title in 2022.

Football was everywhere for Scronce growing up, including when he attended rst grade and his teacher was the late Judy Holley, Jack’s wife.

When he returned to WRH, he joined up with assistant JP Price, son of then head coach Joey Price, now head coach at Whiteville.

“I took the running backs, and he took quarterback,” said Scronce, “and then on Friday I was upstairs, and JP was on the sideline. That worked pretty well.” Jack Holley took the Bulldogs to runner-up state 2A nishes in 2001, 2004 and 2005. Then the exceptionally great rush of talent resumed in 2009 and ended in 2017.

The Bulldogs have had talent after that but not the depth, which makes Scronce’s post-Joey Price period under Motsinger special. Those Bulldogs won because of a high-powered o ense that scored quickly through the misdirection of the Wing-T. Hobbton, a 2A school this fall, red Joe Salas after a 3-8 season. He was 34-32 in seven seasons, hardly the high-water mark set by Al Britt, who won a state title in 1993 and led the Wildcats to a runner-up nish 11 years later.

ND’s Lilly Fulghum unloads one of her 96 aces.

fourth round of the 2A playo s last fall.

Princeton is the second-most recognizable power. The Bulldogs have gone 55-21 the previous three years.

The Bulldogs won a 1A title in 2014 and the East Region title in 2015 while falling at that same level in 2013.

They are front loaded this season with a trio of players who combined for 660 kills.

Seniors Caroline Waller (214) and Kensley Evans (257) join sophomore Taylor Holmes (289) to make a lethal front line.

Rosewood has had back-toback 20-win seasons and are 70-28 the past four seasons.

While the Eagles lost Jessica Fones (351 kills), who was key in the squad advancing to the third round of the 1A playo s, returning to the court are Kylie Hu man (196 kills) and Avery Ramsey (281 kills).

From 2007 to 2021, the Eagles have basically been a .500 team, sans a 19-win campaign in 2013.

The last two seasons Rosewood has gone 45-7 following a 14-9 buildup in 2022. Will the rise continue as the Eagles face better competition?

WRH has its second-best season in history last fall (21-3), and the Bulldogs have also built up to reach the upper echelons, going 13-7, 17-5 and 18-7 from 2021 to 2023.

And all but one big ’Dawg returns for head coach Kevin Williams.

His squad has the attacking power from Angelina Cavallaro (401 saves, 120 digs, 32 blocks, 94 aces), who was Ms. Volleyball in Duplin the previous two seasons.

Her sidekick Jansley Page had 260 kills, 78 blocks, 153 digs and 129 assists.

While losing Analeise Rivenbark (180 kills), WRH is solid, though it will need to nd a third scoring source.

Gabby Debman (79 blocks) and Maddie Gavin (709 assists, 132 digs) should provide more, yet players such as Kaylee Lovette and Sally Martinez are also expected to play at a higher level as returnees with experience.

Tigers, Gators, Cougars seek to raise bar

The three potential bottom feeders of the Swine Valley

Adam

“He had them going pretty well, and we used to scrimmage them early as he was good friends with Jack (Holley),” Scronce said. “They had pretty good athletes then, and I believe we have good ones here. But there is a lot of learning and work to be done.”

Finally makes big move

With the Bulldogs, Scronce mentored future Division I running backs Javonte Williams, Cameren Dalrymple, Kanye Roberts and Irving Brown, as well as many other talented backs — including Desmond Newkirk, Robert Montgomery and Kaymond Farrier.

“He was my left-hand man and was a relentless worker,” Motsinger said. “He knows the Wing-T as well as anyone. He brought in and adapted our weight room with the new velocity-style training, as well as the GPS tracking with our speed work.”

Motsinger believes the latter cut down on WRH’s injuries. He also thanked his assistant coach for coming to his

seeking to compete are James Kenan, Spring Creek and Goldsboro.

None have the winning pedigree of the four powers mentioned above.

The Tigers have nothing to lose after going 12-59 the past four seasons, and the Gators are 25-53 during that span.

The Cougars’ record looks better (30-42), but that is against weaker competition.

They were 14-7 last season and return Azlayah Boyer (163 kills) and Amiyah Ford (121 kills), but lost Des’Myah Croom (128 kills).

The Tigers hopes of rising depends on Y’Anna Rivers (69 kills) and Ava Jones (81 kills).

Jourdan Joe, Aleyah Wilson and Shylah Sloan, the top athletic players in several sports, will need to accelerate their respective games to keep JK from sinking in the Swine Valley.

Panthers, Dark Horses to battle for ECC title?

East Duplin went astray from 2021 to 2023 (31-32) as former coach Susan Raynor returned to reboot the team last fall.

It worked to the tune of a 15-7 mark and several key players return, including Zoe Turner (107 kills, 124 digs, 36 aces), Zoe Cavanaugh (174 kills, 168 digs) and Kinsey Cave (138 kills, 105 digs) and Karsyn Parker (188 digs, 67 aces).

Yet Raynor will work to develop players who contribute before the ball is ready to be spiked on o ense. She may not have Anamarie Rodriguez (187 assists) because of an injury, and Emily Raynor (130 assist) got hurt late in the season and has since graduated.

Clinton went 61-31 that past three seasons and has four players with 65 or more kills back on the court, including Carrie Johnson, who had 146 lightning strikes.

The Panthers and Dark Horses split two matches last season, and the series is 4-4 since 2021.

Trask (32-51), Pender (25 -59) and Southwest Onslow (34-50) have struggled the past four years. South Lenoir (56-27) was a consistent 13- to 14- win team before COVID-19.

of the o ense bear this out.

That’s not a Scronce o ense. Nor is the weight-room activity up to his standards.

He’s going to need time. But what that means isn’t exactly clear. Hobbton football hasn’t often made deep runs in the playo s.

Yet don’t forget, Scronce is an excellent teacher of the game.

After being around football so long, it’s more about everything else he will have to learn as a rst-year guy who is absolutely the go-to source when something good or bad happens.

He’s attempting to get more assistants to bolster the three on sta .

Neuse exit helpful to Carolina Conference

Neuse Charter’s exit from the CC is bene cial to all seven schools.

The Cougars were 83-27 the past four seasons with a East Region title and a fourth-round exit via 26- and 23-win seasons, respectively. There is no clear favorite to take the crown in the new 2A league beyond possibly East Columbus or Lakewood.

East Columbus is 58-26 in the past four seasons, though it went nowhere in the playo s. They exited last season in the rst round and nished 13 - 4.

Yet the program has not had much success before 2021. The Gators were 47-67 from 2015 to 2020. Here’s one that can immediately be thrown into the basement. West Columbus is 0-79 in the past six years and just 14 wins the previous six seasons. Hobbton, which is 31-42 in the past four years, also appears to not be ready for prime time. The Wildcats have had just two .500-plus seasons since 2007.

Tag Union in that category. The Spartans are 31-53 in the past four seasons, which is an improvement from the previous four campaigns in which they were 5-53.

Lakewood has gone 13-53 in the past three seasons after having 13 .500-plus seasons. The Leopards went 241- 64 from 2010-21. During that stretch, they have eight seasons with 18 or more wins.

All of this opens the door for North Duplin, 41-40 since 2021. Historically, the Rebels have not produced conference titles or long postseason runs, going 107-139 in the past 14 seasons with ve .500 or better seasons. Its best season was a 15-9 nish in 2011.

ND lost Tateyawna Faison (127 kills, 101 blocks) and Eva Quintanilla (148 kills), but return Lilly Fulghum (412 assists, 96 aces, 129 digs), Marissa Bernal (397 digs) and Ady Spence (101 digs).

Expect Abby Noris and Maggie Brown to be frontline hitters.

“I don’t think (girls’ basketball here) has been overlooked, but it’s not paid attention to, and we want to change that culture,” he said. “We want to bring energy, excitement, hustle to the oor. We’re going to be 10-deep, and I will use that to our advantage by pressing the ball.” Miller, a 1991 graduate of East Duplin, also played ball for Lenoir Community College under the late Bobby Dawson, who won more than 500 games during his career.

rescue on and o the eld.

“In my adult life, he had to cover for me more than any other human has,” said Motsinger, whose wife Perry is recovering from cancer and facing all kinds of challenges, so much that it forced her to sell her optometry business in December.

While WRH will now be competing as a 3A school in all sports in the NCHSAA’s new realignment — and in a new conference — it will dearly miss Scronce’s touch. And the Wildcats are the big winners.

Motsinger said, “I believe he will immediately put them in the elite small group in 2A football that are in the legitimate conversation to face Tarboro to get to the dance.

“That program just went to another level.”

Not so fast. Scronce isn’t running the same type of offense as the Wildcats used under Salas.

“They had one running play, a misdirection, and then passed the ball every other play,” said a rival coach from the Carolina 1A Conference who wanted to remain anonymous. Tapes

And, he says, his wife Brittany understands there will be a lot of late nights as she cares for newborn Khloe, 3-year- old twins Sydney and Lexi and 5-year-old Bristol.

When he arrives home, it will be girls’ hour, after Scronce has spent the rest of his day developing Wildcat teenage guys.

“We want to play Duplin County teams,” he said, while also noting he was looking forward to facing North Duplin, strongly coached by veteran alumnus Hugh Martin, with UNC recruit Trashawn Ru n. “You have to play good teams to get better. That’s always been the case.”

And while the nal verdict on Scronce won’t be in for a while, it’s hard to believe he won’t be successful against current Carolina 2A schools such as Union, Lakewood, West Columbus, East Bladen and Martin’s Rebels, who they play Halloween night in Newton Grove.

Hobbton’s early slate — Midway, Triton, Dixon and Rosewood — will be an early indication if the Wildcats are on a good track.

Still, they could struggle, since nearly everything will be new.

“We want to hold our players to a standard that’s not been used,” Miller said. “It’s about team with no I (individual). It’s been great working with the girls so far. They pick up things quickly and are concerned about the details. Once they get something they say, ‘Let’s go.’”

WRH returns Savannah Smith (13.9 points), Sophia Sloan (4.9) and Jansley Page (4.5, 7.2 rebounds) as proven contributors while losing Nevaeh Dobson (9.1 points, 7.1 rebounds) and Analeise Rivenbark (5.4 points, 7.2 boards).

The team also returns less-experienced underclassmen Zymira Carr, Azee Monk, Amana Pearsall and Keyona Thomas.

WRH’s schedule appears to be better suited to rebuild as it leaves ECC powers East Duplin and Southwest Onslow for the Swine Valley that includes Spring Creek, Princeton, Rosewood and Midway and familiar foes James Kenan and Goldsboro.

The biggest power team in the conference is Goldsboro, which went 24-3 last winter following a third-round playo exit to eventual 2A champ Southeast Alamance.

Yet the conference looks wide open beyond the Cougars. Parity with the other schools could be wonderful for the Bulldogs.

SCRONCE from page B1

MILLER from page B1

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Scronce has coached in eight state championship games.

Van Gisbergen dominates on another road course, wins at Sonoma to extend streak

The win is his third in the last ve races

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Another road course win was so expected for Shane van Gisbergen that Trackhouse Racing had extra tires ready for his Sonoma Raceway victory celebration.

Van Gisbergen won for the third time in ve races and second straight on Sunday when he dominated on the California road course. The New Zealander once again showed he’s in a completely di erent class on road and street courses than his rivals as he led 97 of 110 laps to win from pole at Sonoma Raceway.

He celebrated with the traditional burnout, then his Trackhouse crew changed the tires on the No. 88 Chevrolet so he could do a second smoke-inducing spin on his way to Victory Lane. He also kept with his own tradition and kicked a rugby ball into the grandstands.

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars. I had an amazing time in Australia, and then to come here and the last couple weeks, or years, actually, has been a dream come true,” said van Gisbergen. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in NASCAR. Thanks, everyone, for making me feel so welcome. I hope I’m here for a long time to come.”

All three of his wins this year

Shane van Gisbergen kicks a rugby ball to celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

have been from pole — which tied him with Je Gordon for a Cup Series record of three consecutive road course victories from the top starting spot. Gordon did it between the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

He joins Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson as the only drivers with three wins this season, and this one moved him into third for playo seeding. Van Gisbergen was 33rd in the standings and not

yet quali ed for the playo s just ve weeks ago.

Victory No. 4 for van Gisbergen — who stunned NASCAR in 2023 when he popped into the debut Chicago street course race from Australian V8 Supercars and won — seemed a given before teams even arrived at the picturesque course in California wine country. His rivals have lamented that “SVG” has a unique braking technique he mastered Down Under that

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win rst Wimbledon title

The 22-year-old Spainard lost his rst Grand Slam nal after ve wins

By Howard Fendrich

The Associated Press

LONDON — Jannik Sinner insisted early on at Wimbledon that he put an excruciating loss to Carlos Alcaraz in their epic French Open nal behind him. Sinner was sure that one defeat wouldn’t haunt him, wouldn’t prevent a quick recalibration and certainly wouldn’t mean a thing at the All England Club.

Sure was right about all of that.

Exactly ve weeks after the devastating defeat at Roland-Garros against his rival, Sinner reversed the result, beating two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win his rst championship at the grass-court major.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how you win or you lose the important tournaments. You just have to understand what you did wrong. Trying to work on that — that’s exactly what we did. We tried to accept the loss and then just kept working,” Sinner said Sunday, his shiny gold hardware in his hands. “And this is, for sure, why I’m holding this trophy here.”

The No. 1-ranked Sinner earned his fourth Grand Slam title overall, moving him one away from No. 2 Alcaraz’s total as the two no-longer-rising-but- rmly-established stars of the game separate themselves from the rest of the pack in men’s tennis.

CHAN / AP PHOTO

JOANNA

Italy’s Jannik Sinner receives the trophy from Kate, Princess of Wales, after beating Carlos Alcaraz of Spain to win the men’s singles nal at Wimbledon.

Sinner, a 23-year-old Italian, put an end to several streaks for Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, who had been 5-0 in Grand Slam nals.

Alcaraz had won their last ve matches, most famously across ve sets and nearly 51⁄2 hours on the red clay of the French Open on June 8.

Sinner took a two-set lead, then held a trio of match points but couldn’t close the deal.

“Today was important not just because it was a Grand Slam nal, not just because it was Wimbledon, and not just because Carlos had won the

none of them — all oval specialists — can ever learn.

That win in Chicago two years ago led van Gisbergen to move to the United States for a career change driving stock cars for Trackhouse Racing. He and Ross Chastain have pumped energy into the team over this summer stretch with Chastain kicking it o with a Memorial Day weekend victory at the Coca-Cola 600. Van Gisbergen is the fast-

NOTICES

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars.”

Shane van Gisbergen

est driver to win four Cup Series races — in his 34th start — since Parnelli Jones in 1969. He’s also the winningest driver born outside the United States.

“It’s unreal. To do Chicago, an experience that I really enjoyed, and never thought it would lead to more let alone moving over here and doing things,” he said. “Its been amazing, everything that I hoped it could ever be.”

The Sonoma win made it four victories for Trackhouse in eight weeks. Van Gisbergen was second from pole in Saturday’s X nity Series race.

Chase Briscoe was second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s probably what it was like,” said Briscoe after not being able to pass van Gisbergen on two late restarts — the last with ve laps remaining.

“That guy is unbelievable on road courses. He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series.”

Briscoe was followed by Chase Elliott in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Michael McDowell in a Chevy for Spire Motorsports was fourth and Christopher Bell in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing was fth.

last ve matches against him,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s two coaches, who had planned to leave the team at the end of 2025 but now might stick around. “He needed that win today. So he knew the importance of closing this one out when he had the opportunities.”

Asked during Week 1 at Wimbledon whether what happened in Paris created lingering doubts, Sinner immediately replied: “Why negative feelings? Because I lost in (that) nal?”

Then he continued: “No. Look, it’s a new tournament, new Grand Slam, new surface. I’m not concerned about my level I can play. ... I’m not concerned that one loss can in uence you for so long a time. I believe that here is a new chance that I can do something good.”

Great, even.

This time, he didn’t waver, asserting himself in a match that featured moments of terri c play by both men but also the occasional lapses — and one memorable, brief, interruption right before a Sinner serve when a Champagne cork came ying out of the stands and settled on the turf.

With Prince William and Princess Kate in the Royal Box, along with King Felipe VI of Spain, Alcaraz stepped into the sunlight bathing Centre Court with a career-best 24-match unbeaten run. He had won 20 matches in a row at the All England Club.

“The things that went his way in Paris,” Sinner said, “went my way this time.”

When it ended, he put both hands on his white hat. After embracing Alcaraz, Sinner crouched with his head bowed, then pounded his right palm on the grass.

He has participated in four consecutive major nals, including triumphs at the U.S. Open — shortly after the world learned about a doping case that eventually led to a three-month ban — and the Australian Open.

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 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. CHARLES L. WILSON, ADMINISTRATOR 64 MUSTANG POINT BOULEVARD ROCKY POINT, NC 28457 Run dates: Jy3,10,17,24p

NOTICE

FILE#25E001266-300 The

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Mary Wanda Strickland Cavenaugh

April 22, 1932 – July 5, 2025

Mary Wanda Strickland Cavenaugh, 93, of Magnolia passed away unexpectedly Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation, where she was a resident for the last month. Wanda was born April 22, 1932 in Duplin County to the late Forest Strickland and Unity Willets Strickland.

Surviving is her son Carroll Leo Cavenaugh of Magnolia and daughter Marion Jeanine Cavenaugh of Magnolia, a special niece Phyllis Carter of Wake Forest and her furbaby grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Marion Leo Cavenaugh.

Wanda was a homemaker for her entire married life. She was an avid reader, and the Amish romance novels were her favorite. After her husband’s retirement in 1993, they were always seen together, especially at Bojangles of Warsaw. After his death in 2021, Wanda could be found most days either watching the Hallmark channel or coloring. She has left behind an assortment of coloring books for her daughter to cherish. Wanda enjoyed the shopping trips with her daughter to Hobby Lobby. It didn’t matter where they were; if a Hobby Lobby was there, they had to check it out. She also looked forward to watching Valerie Parr Hill on QVC during Christmas in July and other seasons as well. She and her daughter would sit up until 3 a.m. watching her presentations.

Wanda was the next-tolast surviving graduate of the Magnolia High School class of 1950. She was also a member of United Fellowship PFWB Church in Magnolia.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Devotional Gardens of Warsaw.

Nancy Louise Sellers Mears

May 1, 1939 – July 13, 2025

Nancy Louise Sellers Mears, age 86, of Wallace, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 13, 2025, from Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

She was born on May 1, 1939, in Columbus County, NC, to the late John W. and Carrie Lee Ward Sellers. Nancy was also preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Douglas Mears; two children, Linda Louise Odom and Robert F. Odom; and brothers, Wilton Sellers and Buddy Sellers.

Nancy was a long-time member of the Church of Pentecostal Gathering.

Surviving to cherish her memories are her children, Earl Grey Odom and wife Patricia of Penderlea, Mark Odom of Willard and Rebecca “Becky” Fussell and husband Phillip of Willard; grandchildren Lisa Hughes, Jennifer Cottle and husband Blake, Michael Fussell, and Blake Fussell; great grandchildren Tyler, Delaney, Kayla, Samantha and Benny; great-great grandchildren Colton and Summit; sister Sandra Gail Bass and husband Larry of Sanford; brother Bobby Ray Sellers of Whiteville; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that love Nancy dearly.

Nancy was a devoted mother, caring grandmother and sister who loved her family with all her heart. She enjoyed the simplest things in life, but her greatest joy was spending time with those she loved. Nancy was a quiet, humble woman with strong Christian faith.

She loved the Lord as well as her church family and never wanted to miss a service. Nancy’s favorite pastime was being with family and friends, going shopping, and out to eat. She has fought a good ght, nished her course and is now in the presence of Jesus forevermore. Nancy will surely be missed but never forgotten.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Church of Pentecostal Gathering in Wallace with her Pastor, Rodney Bonham, o ciating.

The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m., one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.

Burial will follow the service at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey, NC.

You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by selecting our Tribute Wall above. Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Wallace, NC

Tina Louise Cashwell Taylor King

Dec. 27, 1974 – July 12, 2025

Tina Louise Cashwell Taylor King, 50, of Pink Hill, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Tina was born on December 27, 1974, in Wayne County to the late Glenn Cashwell and Barbara Ann Turner Cashwell. After her parents’ death, Tina was raised as the daughter of her aunt and uncle, Mary Ann and Charles Padgett. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. A visitation will follow the service.

Left to cherish her memory are husband, Anthony “Tony” King of the home; sons, Josh Taylor and Danielle, Nick Taylor and ancé’ Amber Kornegay of Chinquapin, Everette King of Angier; Katie Ammons and Chris of Clinton, and Toni Lynette King of Juneau, Alaska; brothers Glenn Cashwell and Beth of Warsaw, Craig Roberts and Lou of Dudley, and William Roberts and Sandy of Faison; sisters Sylvia Millen and Chris of Laurinburg, and Rita Hood and Jimmy of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Zoie Blackburn, Haylee Blackburn, Cameron Taylor, Wyatt Taylor, Brayden Fountain, Cayson Taylor, River Taylor, Anna Grace Ammons, Olivia Amons, Chris “Bubba” Ammons and unborn, Dakota Wayne Ammons; special daughters, Krystal Vernon, Kayla Taylor, Cynthia Blackmore, Harley Loomis and Jennipher Edwards.

Tina was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn Cashwell and Barbara Ann Turner Cashwell; Mary Ann Padgett and Charles Padgett; and her rst husband, Rodney Taylor.

Alan G.Hassenfeld, former CEO of Hasbro, dies at 76

He gave millions to children’s causes in Rhode Island

By Annie D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Alan G. Hassenfeld, a renowned philanthropist and former CEO of iconic toy company Hasbro Inc., the maker of G.I. Joe and Play-Doh, has died. He was 76, according to the toy company.

Hasbro, the nation’s second largest toy company behind Mattel based on annual sales, declined to o er more details. Hassenfeld’s family foundation, Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, wasn’t immediately available to comment.

Hassenfeld was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated from Deer eld Academy in Massachusetts. He received an undergraduate arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970. Upon graduation, he joined the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based family business in 1970. Hasbro was founded in 1923, by Hassenfeld’s grandfather, Henry. Known initially as Hassenfeld Brothers, it sold textile remnants but expanded into school supplies and later toy manufacturing under the Hasbro name in the 1940s, according to Hasbro’s website. It went public in 1968.

Hassenfeld rose quickly in the family business serving as special assistant to the president and worked his way up the ranks. He became one of the key architects of Hasbro’s international operations and spent extensive time traveling overseas. He was named executive vice president in 1980 and became president in September 1984.

Hassenfeld labored for years in the shadow of his older brother Stephen. His broth-

er’s death of pneumonia in June 1989 at age 47, however, moved Hassenfeld into the position of chairman and chief executive o cer.

Hassenfeld stepped down as CEO in 2003, and in August 2005, he retired from his chairman position and became emeritus chairman. He stepped away from that role last year. Hassenfeld was the last family member to sit on the board, according to Hasbro.

“All of us who have ever had any connection to Hasbro today are mourning the profound loss of Alan Hassenfeld, our beloved former Chairman & CEO, mentor, and dear friend,” Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks in an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press. “Alan’s enormous heart was, and will remain, the guiding force behind Hasbro — compassionate, imaginative, and dedicated to bringing a smile to the face of every child around the world. His tireless advocacy for philanthropy, children’s welfare, and the toy industry created a legacy that will inspire us always.”

Hassenfeld was involved in many charitable and social causes both nationally and locally in Rhode Island. His concerns ranged from childhood hunger to issues involving refugee settlement in the state. As chairman of the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives, he oversaw the foundation’s mission of globalizing safety and human rights within the area of children’s products; empowering women in developing countries; and enhancing the economy, education and business opportunities in Rhode Island. Hassenfeld was also founding benefactor of Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, and his family’s contributions helped to establish the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute at Brown University.

Hasbro Inc.’s Alan G. Hassenfeld delivers an acceptance speech after he and his late brother, Stephen D. Hassenfeld, were inducted into the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association Licensing Industry Hall of Fame in 2010 in Las Vegas.

Born in North Carolina, he went to Durham High School

By Patrick Whittle The Associated Press

DAVID GERGEN, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died. He was 83. Gergen worked in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Over the years, he served as a speechwriter, communications director and counselor to the president, among other roles. Dean Jeremy Weinstein of the Harvard Kennedy School, with which Gergen had a long relationship, said Gergen died of a long illness. Gergen “devoted decades of his life to serving those

who sought to serve,” said Hannah Riley Bowles, a former co-director of the school’s Center for Public Leadership, where Gergen was the founding director.

“David was a principled leader of unmatched character, integrity and kindness, who chose to see goodness in every person he met,” Riley Bowles said.

Al Gore, who served as Clinton’s vice president, posted on X, “Of the countless ways that David Gergen contributed to our great country, what I will remember him for most was his kindness to everyone he worked with, his sound judgment, and his devotion to doing good in the world.”

David Richmond Gergen was born in North Carolina and graduated from Durham High School before atttending Yale University and the Harvard Law School, according to a biography on the Harvard Kennedy School website. He would go on to receive 27 honorary degrees over the course of his career.

Gergen founded the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and remained there as professor of public service emeritus until his death, according to the school’s website.

After serving in the U.S. Navy

in the 1960s, Gergen took his rst White House job in 1971, serving as a speechwriting assistant for Nixon. Bipartisanship and collaboration were hallmarks of his long career, said colleagues who paid testimonials on social media last Friday. He was also a media personality who worked as a senior political analyst for CNN. In his 2022 book “Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made,” he wrote: “Our greatest leaders have emerged from both good times and, more often, challenging ones. … The very nest among them make the di cult calls, that can ultimately alter the course of history.”

A private burial is scheduled for Mount Auburn Cemetery on Monday, said Mark Douglass, director of Douglass Funeral Home in Lexington, Massachusetts. A larger memorial service at Harvard will be held in the coming weeks, Douglass said.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

President Bill Clinton listens to David Gergen, right, during a Rose Garden news conference May 29, 1993.

ERIC JAMISON/AP IMAGES FOR HASBRO

Iron Mambi sizzles to rst place

Local entrepreneurs shine at Pitch It Duplin 2025

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Lo -

cal entrepreneurs brought the heat to the pitch in Kenansville last week as the winners of the Pitch It Duplin 2025 were announced.

The county-wide entrepreneurship competition, hosted by James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center, Marine Federal Credit Union and the Duplin Chamber of Commerce, provided aspir -

ing entrepreneurs with a platform to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.

Randy Barrios took home rst place with the Iron Mambi Grill, a concept that captured the judges’ attention with its forward thinking, earning him the top prize.

The Iron Mambi is a new American-Latin fusion restaurant in Rose Hill that blends Cuban and Honduran avors with high-quality American staples like Wagyu smashburgers, set to open in 2026. The concept is deeply rooted in Barrios’ personal and cultural heritage. He invested his life savings into revitaliz-

ing a once-abandoned building, transforming it into a welcoming dine-in space for up to 40 guests. Barrios plans to accept cryptocurrency payments and rent out the commercial kitchen to food trucks. His strong grasp of business economics, attention to food quality and desire to reinvigorate the local dining scene position him for success.

Second place was awarded to Kitrina Rhodes for Special Touch Assisted Living Center. Rhodes’ vision is to create a home-like alternative to institutional care. Her business addresses the needs of adults with developmental disabili-

ties. Her business model emphasizes individualized attention, 24/7 care in a family setting, and life-skills development, all within a small, supportive home environment. In third place was Rosie Flores with Sliced & Diced Charcuterie. Her business aims to eliminate the stress of hosting events by o ering customizable, visually appealing and healthy alternatives to traditional catering, including vendor pop-ups, individual custom orders and luxury picnic experiences.

Andy Staradumsky came in fourth place with H2L Line Boring, a mobile welding ser -

vice that specializes in heavy equipment restoration, specifically repairing worn pins and bushings on excavators and bulldozers.

“We are proud of every participant who stepped up to share their vision and inspire others in our community,” stated JSCC in a social media announcement.

Pitch It Duplin was a celebration designed to support and spotlight local emerging entrepreneurs. Every participant who shared their business idea contributed to the growing entrepreneurial landscape, inspiring others to pursue their dreams. According to the Marine Federal Credit Union website, the awards for rst, second and third place winners were $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000, respectively.

End of era for dedicated Pink Hill volunteer

Swannie Turner was honored for her 25-year blood drive legacy

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

WHEN A RED CROSS blood drive was held in Pink Hill on July 8, the goal was to collect 45 pints from donors. They exceeded that goal, collecting 60 pints. Collecting more blood than expected is not unusual in the small town of only 470 people. The Red Cross and the community are quick to give credit for the success of blood drives in Pink Hill to the hard work of one woman, Swannie Turner.

Turner began volunteering for blood drives 25 years ago. Her inspiration came from within her own family, speci cally her daughter.

“Pink Hill did not have a blood drive, except every now and then,” Turner said in an interview with Duplin Journal. “I would give blood every once in a while.”

Her desire to give more blood and encourage other people to give came after her daughter was hospitalized in Portland, Oregon.

“My daughter was in the hospital, and she hemorrhaged. She had to have lots and lots of blood,” Turner said. Seeing rsthand the need for blood, Turner told a committee in Pink Hill she thought a blood drive would do well there. With the help of a man named George Holland, blood drives became a regular event in the community.

“We started the Pink Hill blood drive in July of 2000 and had it in the Presbyterian Church,” Turner said. The blood drives became so successful that they quickly outgrew their locations and eventually landed in Turning Point Assembly Church, where they are currently held. Turner, ap-

proaching her 96th birthday, has been the driving force of Pink Hill blood drives now for a quarter century.

At the July 8 Pink Hill blood drive, Turner handed over her volunteer duties to two women, Danita Sheppard and Carolyn Whit eld.

The Red Cross and volunteers honored Turner at the event and presented her with a cake. She also donated blood, bringing her total over the years to 29 gallons. It was not the rst time Turner had been recognized for her longtime e orts in encouraging people to donate blood. Several years ago, the Red Cross arranged for her to receive the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine presented by the state.

Sheppard told Duplin Journal that Turner’s dedication was behind the success of Red Cross blood drives in Pink Hill.

“We have donors come from Kenansville, Albertson and other areas,” Sheppard said. “She spent weekends calling folks and encouraging them to give blood. You just don’t say no to Ms. Swannie.”

In addition to calling to remind regular donors of the upcoming drive, Sheppard said Turner would add to the encour-

agement with her famous sweet treats.

“Before COVID, Swannie would make brownies, and we would serve them to the donors,” Sheppard said.

Turner doesn’t bake brownies for the blood drive anymore, but she said donors would ask about them after giving blood.

“They’d ask, ‘Where’s my brownies?’”

While donors had great memories of her brownies, they now bring back a sad memory for Turner.

“I was making brownies for the blood drive when I got the call that my daughter had passed away,” Turner said, adding that her daughter died at the age of 70.

On passing the torch to Sheppard and Whit eld, she said, “I’ve reached the point that I can’t get around very well.”

While Turner may no longer be a regular at the Pink Hill blood drives, that doesn’t mean she’s not still active in donating her time to others.

“I still volunteer twice a week at the Duplin hospital,” she said.

The next Pink Hill Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Turning Point Assembly on Sept. 2 from 1-6:15 p.m.

PHOTO COURTESY ELIZA ROUSE Swannie Turner poses with a cake presented by the Red Cross in honor of her 25 years as a driving force behind the success of the blood drives in Pink Hill.

Stanly NewS Journal

Food truck roundup

Last week, Albemarle’s monthly Food Truck Friday saw hundreds coming out to enjoy food from more than a dozen food trucks and the sounds of musical guest Legacy Motown Revue. The city hosts the event once a month in the summer. Next up is Chris Taylor & The Rumor on Aug. 1 from 5:30-9 p.m.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

West Stanly softball to host alumni game

Oakboro

The West Stanly softball program will host an alumni game August 7 at the high school eld. There will be a fast-pitch game, but it may include a slow-pitch game for more veteran team alums. Anyone wanting to play should contact coach Emily Smith at emily.h.smith@ stanlycountyschools.org or (704) 322-7500.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties

Greenville, S.C.

South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has announced her 2026 bid for governor. Speaking to supporters on Monday, she highlighted her work with outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster and her ties to former President Donald Trump. Evette emphasized her e orts to promote McMaster’s agenda, including support for law enforcement, stricter immigration policies, and abortion restrictions. If governor she pledged to expand school choice, eliminate income taxes and ght “woke corporations.” Evette is the rst female Republican lieutenant governor in the state. The GOP primary isn’t until next June. In ation ticks up slightly in June

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.

Locust, county o cials break ground on new senior center

Stanly Democrats host Rural Listening Party tour

N.C. Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton took questions

By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal

GERRYMANDERING, encouraging citizens to run for o ce and fundraising were among the topics discussed last Thursday night at an event hosted by the Stanly County Democratic Party. North Carolina Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton, Jesse Oppenheim — a candidate for the North Carolina 8th Congressional District — and state Rep. Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg) spoke at the town hall meeting. Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls was scheduled to

appear but could not attend due to a death in a sta member’s family.

Erin Soto, chair of the Stanly County Democratic Party, gave updates on the party before introducing Clayton.

Soto said one focus when she became chair was organizing the precincts. When she started, only three of 22 precincts had committees — meaning a chair, vice chair and secretary. She said the number has increased to seven, with a meeting scheduled July 19 to add more.

“We’re hoping to get the next six precincts organized,” Soto said, mentioning Locust, Badin, New London and West Norwood.

“Hopefully by the end of

“I believe that North Carolina is the most gerrymandered state in the country right now.”

Anderson Clayton, N.C. Democratic Party chair

The 10-month project is scheduled to open in spring 2026

By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal

OFFICIALS BROKE ground last Thursday morning for a new resource for senior citizens in western Stanly County.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Stanly County Senior Center in Locust marked the o cial start of construction, which began in earnest on Monday. Members of the Locust Town Council attended with City Manager Cesar Correa, along with Stanly County Commissioners Patty Crump, Scott E rd, Bill Lawhon, Billy Mills and County Manager Andy Lucas.

COURTESY

Members of the Locust Town Council, the Stanly County Commissioners and others break ground Thursday on the new senior center.

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY JULY 17

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

Guy, Advertising Manager

N.C. and at additional mailing o ces

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to: North State Journal

1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 “Join the conversation”

Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20

Saturday, July 19:

Sunday, July 20:

We are looking forward to having a very festive and spiritual time in celebrating our church anniversary of 155 years in worship and fellowship in the name of the Lord. Bring family, friends, children, etc. Let’s have a fun day together.

“We have come this far by Faith, leaning on the Lord.” BrownHill Church Family

Please bring your own lawn chairs, table, tent, etc.

Oakville couple celebrates 60th anniversary in style

Surrounded by family and friends, Leonard and Donna Harvell celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on July 6 at Five Points Public House in Albemarle. The couple was married on July 2, 1965.

Their son, Je Harvell, and his wife, Charlene, hosted the elegant event, which featured a soft color palette of baby blue, baby pink, white and silver, accented with diamond crystal details.

Guests enjoyed appetizers, a lunch bu et and a custom two-tier cake named “Our First Dance.” The top tier was chocolate with fudge lling, and the second tier was vanilla with mascarpone cream cheese lling. Decorated with white royal icing and three tiers of roses, the cake was a centerpiece of the celebration.

The couple kicked o the festivities

anniversary scholarship

with a dance to “The Days of Wine and Roses,” and guests enjoyed music from a playlist of their favorite songs. Photos were taken beneath a 60th anniversary banner and a balloon arch.

2025 Steven R. Smith Memorial Scholarship awarded

City Wide Exterminating has awarded Emery Joyce the 2025 Steven R. Smith Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 annual award created in 2022 to honor Locust’s late Chief of Police Steven Smith. Joyce, a 2025 graduate of Mallard Creek High School, will attend UNC Chapel Hill this fall to study biology.

“Chief Smith and his family made a lasting impact on our company and our community. This scholarship is

July 7

• Shane Reid Hanline, 26, was arrested for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, rst degree trespass, injury to personal property and misdemeanor larceny.

• Justin Wayne Morgan, 30, was arrested for felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, maintaining vehicle/dwelling/ place for controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

July 8

• Jacob Tyler Morton, 33, was arrested for larceny of motor vehicle.

• Wayne Edward Taylor, 46, was arrested for cruelty to animals, simple possession of schedule IV controlled substance and communicating threats.

July 10

a way for us to honor his memory while supporting the next generation of leaders,” said Ashley Morrison, president of the Locust-based City Wide Exterminating.

The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in the greater Charlotte metro area who demonstrate academic excellence, strong character and community involvement. Applications for next year’s award will open in early 2026.

• Kenneth David McDaniels, 55, was arrested for numerous tra c violations and possession of open container/consuming alcohol in passenger area.

• Shelton Louis Blakeney, 60, was arrested for attempted robbery with dangerous weapon, breaking and entering and assault by pointing a gun.

July 12

• Donovan Charles Blue, 34, was arrested for obtaining property by false pretense and failure to return rental property.

• Aeriel Keshaun McCorkle, 36, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

• Laurie Ann Sweet, 42, was arrested for eeing or eluding arrest with motor vehicle, assault with physical injury on

law enforcement/probation/ parole o cer, numerous tra c violations, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to commit robbery with dangerous weapon, aid and abet armed robbery and assault with deadly weapon (two counts).

• Joshua Matthew Holt, 41, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance and numerous tra c violations.

July 13

• Alfonsa Junior Bryant, 40, was arrested for communicating threats and disorderly conduct.

STANLY happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:

July 18

Locust Monthly Drive-In

5-9 p.m.

This family-friendly event is held in the center of downtown every third Friday, March through October. Bring lawn chairs or blankets so you can sit and take in the classic car cruising parade in comfort.

Ray Kennedy Drive (behind Pinnacle Bank and across from Ace Hardware) Locust

July 21

Color & Connect: Drop In

9:30-11:30 a.m.

For those who need some relaxing “me” time. Come to the library and enjoy co ee or tea while you get a little creative. Supplies are provided, or feel free to bring your own.

Main Library 133 E. Main St. Albemarle

July 24

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

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

4 years after being canceled, MLB All-Star Game back in Atlanta

WHILE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL held its All-Star game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, it must never be forgotten that the Midsummer Classic should have been played there four years ago as scheduled.

In 2021, the state of Georgia and city of Atlanta were robbed of the event during the dark days of the Biden Administration at the height of COVID lockdowns, cancel culture and wokeism. MLB moved the annual event to Denver after caving to pressure from the radical socialist left based on the absolute lie that Georgia’s election integrity measure — Senate Bill 202 — was racist voter suppression legislation.

At the time, divisive former President Joe Biden falsely called the bill “Jim Crow in the 21st century” and said he “strongly supported” moving the game to Colorado. The truth is the law simply made it easier to vote and harder to cheat — and voter turnout in Georgia has increased in recent elections. As it turns out, it was a completely phony narrative concocted by the crooked liberal establishment that ranks right up there with some of their other fake stories like the Trump-Russia collusion tall tale was real, Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, or Biden was as sharp as a tack and totally t for o ce.

The entire despicable episode showcased the radical left at its absolute worst, with Democrat politicians spinning a falsehood in coordination with their allies in the biased mainstream media designed to smear conservatives and Republicans as racists trying to disenfranchise African American voters. The reality is legislators in Georgia were just trying to make their elections more secure in the wake of the controversial 2020 campaign where somehow clueless Biden mysteriously received a record number of votes

nationwide during the fog of the coronavirus pandemic.

All the election bill did was strengthen absentee ballot procedures, limit fraud-prone drop boxes and enhanced in-person voting for individuals interested in voting early. It’s commonsense legislation that remains the law in Georgia today and is widely seen as a successful endeavor in that it made voting systems stronger while making it easier to vote simultaneously.

Earlier this year when the Justice Department dismissed the Biden administration’s baseless lawsuit against the Georgia law, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be con dent that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity.”

Sadly, the Democrat Party still views strong election measures and secure ballots as an existential threat, just like in the case of President Donald Trump’s policy to execute the largest deportation in history. Let’s face it, if every state had strong election laws that make it hard to cheat and easy to vote, and illegal immigrants weren’t able to vote in our elections, the left might have a big problem on its hands. Maybe that’s why they’re behaving like maniacs in the face of law-and-order policies and popular reforms designed to make voter fraud less likely.

This year’s All-Star game in the Peach State should serve as a reminder to the U.S. Senate to take up House-passed “no-brainer” election integrity bills like the SAVE Act, which would require people registering to vote to show proof of citizenship. This bill, along with showing identi cation to vote, is supported by more than 80% of the American people. Even if Senate Democrats are too dishonest to support these reasonable e orts, Majority

Trump challenges Congress to balance the budget

NOW THAT THE One Big Beautiful Bill has passed, Congress has set its sights on an even more ambitious long-term project. This new project will require ve to seven years of creativity, thoughtfulness and ingenuity: balancing the federal budget and beginning to pay down the national debt.

Achieving a balanced federal budget through economic growth, technological innovation, eliminating waste and ine ciency within the government and its contractors, and developing improved methods for delivering goods and services will lead to a genuine golden age of American prosperity, a ordability, and security.

The American people overwhelmingly support balancing the budget. A recent Harvard-Harris Poll found that 80% of voters favor a balanced budget amendment. This support includes 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

President Donald Trump understands that balancing the budget is both historically necessary and politically popular. When Republicans last achieved four consecutive balanced budgets — an accomplishment unmatched in a century — it reshaped Washington’s political landscape and sustained a Republican House majority for the rst time since 1928.

Consider these recent statements from Trump:

During his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump declared, “In the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years — balance the federal budget. We’re going to balance it.”

In February, as Bloomberg Television reported, Trump pledged, “We will take rapid action to battle government spending and increased borrowing costs.” Trump’s commitment to balancing the budget through scal discipline and innovation in a

low-tax environment dates back well before his rst presidency.

In his 2016 campaign, Trump insisted, “It can be done. It will take place, and it will go relatively quickly. If you have the right people, you can cut the numbers by two or three pennies and balance a budget quickly.”

We must remember how dramatically President Joe Biden’s spending spree increased both the national debt and the interest payments on that debt. The national debt currently stands at $36.4 trillion, nearly double the $19 trillion debt Trump targeted in 2016. At that time, Trump warned, “We can’t keep doing this. We have got to start balancing budgets.”

In fact, Trump’s concerns about de cits and debt precede his political campaigns. At CPAC events in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Trump consistently condemned high taxes and rising debt.

However, the challenge facing Trump and the Republican Congress has grown substantially due to the massive spending increases under the Biden administration. Biden’s policies signi cantly expanded government spending, further increasing the importance of balancing the budget and reducing debt-related interest payments.

Consider the analysis from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Minn.):

Trump’s last pre-COVID budget (FY 2019) totaled $4.4 trillion. The COVID crisis triggered emergency expenditures designed to avert economic depression, temporarily in ating the budget to $6.5 trillion in FY 2020. While Trump intended spending to return to pre-pandemic levels, the Biden administration maintained spending at around $6.8 trillion to $7 trillion annually. This prolonged spending surge projected de cits totaling $21.8 trillion over the next

Leader John Thune should get everyone on the record so the American people can see for themselves who is against securing our elections. The bottom line is that the American people are sick and tired of crazy election laws that sometimes take months to decide a winner.

As I said at the time, “the only thing worse than Jim Crow is falsely linking something to Jim Crow in order to sow division in the quest for a political win.” This was true then, and it’s true now — and we must never forget what the left did in Atlanta during the summer of 2021.

When Democrats should have been trying to get Biden’s in ation crisis under control, they instead focused on smearing Georgia and well-intentioned people just trying to strengthen their elections. And it should be remembered that Trump attended a World Series game in Atlanta in the fall of 2021 in part to stand up to the shameful behavior of the woke cancel culture mob who were doing so much harm to our great country.

Thankfully, Georgia stood tall for commonsense election integrity against left-wing bullies when it mattered most.

David N. Bossie is president of Citizens United. He served as deputy campaign manager for Donald J. Trump for President in 2016. This article was rst published by Daily Caller New Foundation.

decade, marking a 36% increase. Consequently, gross federal debt is expected to climb from $36.4 trillion today to at least $59.2 trillion by 2035, or roughly 135% of GDP.

Johnson also reported that over the next decade, the U.S. will pay nearly $13 trillion solely in interest — a massive burden that severely restricts funding for other vital priorities.

Imagine a business or family required to pay $13 trillion in interest alone, far more than the projected defense spending during that period. Such debt would inevitably lead to bankruptcy and poverty. The government faces a similar risk. Continued de cits push up interest rates, cripple economic growth, crush small businesses and divert capital from productive investments into servicing government debt.

Changing this trajectory is both necessary and achievable.

House Republicans already know a balanced budget is possible. In the 1990s, Republican leadership successfully delivered four consecutive balanced budgets, a feat unmatched in the previous 100 years. A crucial rst step could be voting on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. When Republicans pursued this in 1995, the House passed it by a 300 to 132 vote margin. In the Senate, the amendment fell short at 65-35, just one vote shy of passage (Senate Leader Bob Dole strategically switched to no to retain the option to revisit the vote).

At that time, House Republican leadership, including John Kasich, Dick Armey, Bill Archer, Bob Livingston, Tom Bliley, decided that despite narrowly missing formal passage, they would proceed as if the amendment had succeeded. With disciplined leadership, they balanced the budget within four years and sustained scal responsibility for four more years until discipline waned. We can accomplish this again. America will greatly bene t from a government living within its means, maximizing prosperity and securing a better future for all Americans.

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

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | DAVID BOSSIE

Faith Alive Ministries gives update after failed rezoning request

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE

“The

tremendously supportive,” executive director Jordan Whitley said last Thursday morning in a video response. “We are so incredibly thankful for the encouragement, the kind words, and those who showed up to the council meeting and spoke on behalf of the ministry. It truly takes a village, and we have been so humbled and blown away by the amount of people who showed up to encourage there and those who have reached out since then.”

The Albemarle-based nonpro t organization had been under contract to buy a 0.48-acre residential property at 936 North Fifth St. in Albemarle, envisioning plans to use it as both an administrative o ce space and a temporary foster care housing

Correa said the project “marks the beginning of the future for the West Stanly Senior Center in Locust. This is an e ort that began many years ago with the help and e ort of individuals like Wilson and Gail Barbee, Glen Mabry and former City Council member Harry Fletcher. These folks put in the work to establish, organize, and run the West Stanly Senior Center for many years.”

center in partnership with the Stanly County Department of Social Services. However, in a 4-3 vote with a tiebreaking decision by Mayor

The city manager credited county commissioners from ve years ago with ensuring funding and a building would be available for the center.

Correa said the Stanly County Family YMCA “was instrumental in continuing these services and increasing participation.”

Two years ago, the Locust City Council committed to provide a permanent facility. Stanly County commissioners

Ronnie Michael, the city council opted against rezoning the property to a hospital medical district classi cation despite the city’s planning board previously

contributed $750,000 toward the project.

“The Stanly County Board of Commissioners are pleased to partner with the State of North Carolina and the Locust City Council on the construction of a new western Stanly Senior Center facility,” Lucas said.

“This facility will enhance services for seniors in western Stanly and allow the county to consolidate its Locust nutrition site activities with its se -

approving the move in a unanimous vote on June 5.

Whitley said that many people had contacted her organization wanting to know how they

nior center activities. This will improve operational e ciency and increase programming opportunities for all seniors in western Stanly.”

Correa also credited former state Rep. Wayne Sasser and current Rep. Cody Huneycutt (R-Stanly) for securing an additional $500,000 for the project.

“The Locust City Council committed the remaining funds to complete the near -

could get involved or provide assistance in a variety of ways.

“I want to invite you to join us in praying that either God changes the hearts of the leaders in Albemarle or that he opens the doors for the perfect place for the ministry,” she said. “The rst action that I want you to take is to pray. Second, write emails and make your voice heard. Be kind and represent Christ well in those emails, but it’s OK to speak up for truth. It’s OK to say, ‘Hey, this decision is not right.’”

Whitley also advocated for more people to become licensed foster families and learning more about the process by emailing tarah@jointhefam.org.

“There are children sleeping at DSS on the oors because there are not enough foster homes in our area,” she said.

“If you are looking for ways to put your faith into action, and you’ve been looking for a sign, here is your big neon sign: become a licensed foster family. We can help you with that. We have several avenues where we can get you set up with a placing agency or a licensing agency so that you can start the process to become a foster family.”

She also noted that Faith Alive Ministries is always acceptingnancial donations at jointhefam. org/give.

The organization’s board of directors is planning to meet later this month to discuss its options for moving forward in light of the Albemarle City Council’s recent vote.

ly $3 million facility. I’m very proud of the leadership of our elected o cials and their collaboration. This facility is a testament of our commitment to seniors in Stanly County,” Correa said.

Cinderella Partners has 10 months to complete work on the new facility.

“We look forward to inviting everyone back in spring 2026 for a grand opening celebration,” Correa said.

COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE

Faith Alive Ministries executive director Jordan Whitley speaks at the Albemarle City Council meeting on July 7.

Albemarle planning board swears in members, appoints leadership roles

A new vice chair was named for the board

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Last

Thursday night, the Albemarle Planning and Zoning Board held its annual reorganization meeting at City Hall.

The board consists of nine members and three alternate members who all must be residents of Albemarle and appointed by city council.

Together, they prepare a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city, recommend ordinances

the fall, we’ll have all 22 precincts not just operational, but with plans that sync with our county and state plans.”

Darnell Almond announced the revival of the Stanly County Century Club, a group that supports Democratic candidates and causes. Almond, the club’s president, said he and other o cers, including attorney Charles Brown and Sheri Je Crisco, will host a fundraising event Sept. 4 at Five Points Public House.

Soto added the party aims to raise $100,000 locally this year, saying, “We did a budget of what we think it will take to win because that’s what we’re doing this for, to win.”

Clayton spoke about being proud to be a Democrat and thanked local volunteers for their work.

“I know that it takes a toll sometimes to say that you’re a Democrat in the area that fear mongering has been prevalent in that people have, you know, been threatened with their jobs, their livelihoods and everything for saying who you are and the values that you hold,” Clayton said.

“There is something so, I think, great and beautiful about people that are willing to do that.”

and amendments to city council, and determine whether or not proposed developments conform to the plan.

Brittani McLendon, planning manager for the City of Albemarle, began the meeting with a roll call, introducing new board members Leslie Phillips and Amber Farmer along with recently reappointed board members Tanner Denton (not present), Rob McIntyre and Aaron Deese.

Returning board members Marcus Owens, Jennifer Miller and Scott St. John — along with Chair Calvin Holbrook and Vice Chair Julie Curtis — were each in attendance at the meeting; the nine members

She noted North Carolina was the only state to ip two statewide races from Republican to Democrat and was the only Southern state to elect a Democrat as attorney general.

Clayton said Democrats want a 10% raise in teacher pay while Republicans support only 3%.

She also said the state Supreme Court legalized gerrymandering, which involves manipulating voting boundaries to favor a political party. When Democrats lost control of the state courts in 2022, she said, congressional boundaries changed from an even 7-7 split to 10-4 in favor of Republicans.

“I believe that North Carolina is the most gerrymandered state in the country right now,” Clayton said.

She emphasized the need for Democrats to vote for Democratic judicial candidates for both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. She also noted 44 state legislature seats went to Republicans without Democratic opposition.

Oppenheim, appearing at his rst town hall, said he’s running because of current Rep. Mark Harris (R-N.C.)

“and his MAGA agenda that calls the big, beautiful betrayal an entry into an American Golden Age.” When asked about a state

“Thank you for your service, Julie.”

Brittani McLendon, planning manager for the City of Albemarle, to former Vice Chair Julie Curtis

were each sworn in to o ce.

Because the board chose to postpone its normal July meeting a week, the time had arrived for the planning board to appoint its leadership roles for the year.

“The next item on the agenda is other sta updates,” McLendon said. “I would like to say

Democratic resolution calling for an embargo on military aid to Israel, Oppenheim, a member of the state Jewish caucus, said the caucus had concerns about the party’s process.

However, he added, the state party should focus “on North Carolinians and the issues that matter the most to them ... (with) Republicans taking away SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) bene ts, cutting Medicare and Medicaid, that is wrong, and we should be keeping the focus here in North Carolina.”

Both Clayton and Oppenheim encouraged citizens to run as Democrats for local ofces. When asked about perceptions that the Democratic Party won’t support local candidates, Clayton responded: “Because, to be honest, a lot of elections that we can’t get money for because they’re not necessarily going to be winnable elections. They are still elections that we need people to ght for because we don’t always know what’s going to happen in an election.”

Soto added that what the local party o ers is “more valuable than money. We will give you access to our database. We will register people to vote.”

She said nearly 1,700 registered Democrats didn’t vote in the last election, while about

that in taking on the responsibility of this board, it came to my attention that in our meeting for July we should have selected a new chair. I would like to add that to the agenda if you all approve and begin that discussion, leaving it up to you all.”

After a quick discussion, it was decided that Holbrook would remain in his chair position after he was nominated and appointed in a unanimous vote.

Curtis then announced her decision to step down from her vice chair role.

“I’ve just got some health issues that are going to require time, and I don’t know how reliable I will be,” she said.

3,000 una liated voters also stayed home.

“We can train you,” Soto said. “We can train your campaign manager. We can train your nance manager. We’ve got training on everything, and we can give that to you. We can hold events where you can come and speak, right? Where we do the work and you get to walk in and have an audience who gets to know you face to face.”

“There will be hard times if you run,” Oppenheim said. “But if you don’t do anything, it won’t get better, and the only way it can get better is if we do it together.”

When asked about performative politics — activism done to increase one’s social capital rather than from devotion to a cause — Oppenheim said his work as a lawyer and paralegal taught him to recognize what’s real.

“You learn pretty fast what is or what isn’t BS,” Oppenheim said. “There are a lot of performative acts on both sides of the aisle that I call BS about, and that doesn’t always get me any friends. … I’m about doing things that get results.”

Budd arrived after the meeting started but spoke with citizens, saying 20 years of practicing law taught her “it’s really important not just to listen to what the problem is, but to ask

“I think you all should select a new vice chair,” McLendon added. “Thank you for your service, Julie.”

After McIntyre indicated he was open to the position, the board unanimously agreed to name him as vice chair in light of Curtis’ move away from the role.

While a rezoning request was presented by McLendon during the meeting, the board followed a sta recommendation to table the agenda item until the applicant was present at the next meeting.

The Albemarle Planning and Zoning Board is set to hold its next regular meeting Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

the person who’s voicing the concern what they think potentially the proposed solution or solutions are.”

She discussed the struggles in the state legislature to achieve bipartisan cooperation. Budd said House Bill 805, an e ort to “combat human tra cking and work with vulnerable populations, primarily women and girls who were targeted by predators in the pornography industry online,” came from bipartisan work between herself and Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore).

“We disagreed on 98% of politics, but we could agree this was something we needed to address,” Budd said.

When the bill reached the Senate, however, Budd said it “was hijacked” by Republican senators associated with advocacy groups like the N.C. Values Coalition.

“Sometimes we have to do things to make a di erence,” Budd said, noting Jackson and two other representatives who worked on the bill, Reps. Sarah Stevens (R-Surry) and Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson).

“It took a lot of courage for him to step out of his box and for me to step out of our box and put ourselves on display like that,” Budd said, adding they plan to re le the bill in the next session.

Dr. Jarrod Landin Hayes

Sept. 12, 1966 –June 2, 2025

Jarrod Landin Hayes, beloved son, brother, uncle, and scholar, passed away on June 2, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, in Melbourne, Australia, at the age of 58. Born in Albemarle, North Carolina, on September 12, 1966, Jarrod lived a life de ned by intellectual brilliance, compassion, and deep connection with others. He was a Professor of French Studies in the School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics at Monash University in Melbourne, where he had taught since 2018. Before that, he served as Professor of French and Francophone Studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He served as Program Director of Intermediate French Language Studies in, Grenoble, France, summer of 2016. He was also Faculty Member at the Institute of French Cultural Studies at Dartmouth College, summer of 2003.

A dedicated and widely respected scholar, Jarrod held a Ph.D. degree and a M.Phil. degree in French Literature from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Jarrod held a B.A. with highest honors in French and a minor in English, from Emory University where he received the Mellon Fellowship and the Fulbright scholarship.

Jarrod was the author and editor of three in uential books. One of which received the University of Michigan Press Book Award. He also served as Associate Editor of the Australian Journal of French Studies since 2018, the External Editorial Committee for French Forum since to 2015, Editorial Board of Romance Notes since 2013, and directed numerous dissertations.

He is survived by his father, Jesse Lee Hayes; his sister, Audra Hayes Tombuelt; his nephew, Aiden Julian Tombuelt; and his niece, Ella Sophia Tombuelt. He was preceded in death by his mother, Wanda West Hayes. He is also mourned by his dear friends who became chosen family—Anita Neville, Nicholas Mapp, Anthony Cox, Andrew (Andy) West, Kath Hume, Stephen Dorman and Malcolm Wise—each of whom shared deep bonds of love, laughter, and loyalty with Jarrod. He touched countless lives through friendship, mentorship, and shared purpose.

Though Jarrod built a remarkable life in Australia, he remained deeply connected to his roots in the United States. He will be remembered for his sharp mind, gentle wit, unwavering kindness, and the generosity of spirit he o ered so freely to others. He loved ne food, drink, travel, and the Richmond Tigers footy team, which is Australian rules football.

A celebration of Jarrod’s life was held at 10:30 AM (AEST) on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 75 Reid Street, North Fitzroy, VIC 3068, Australia. A reception with shared memories followed at DT’s, 164 Church Street, Richmond, Australia. A private burial was held on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Upper Yarra Public Cemetery, Westburn VIC, Australia.

OBITUARIES

THOMAS JOSEPH HEFFERON III

JAN. 10, 1952 – JULY 7, 2025

Tom He eron passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2025. He was 73 years old. Tom was born in Lincolnton, NC, on January 10, 1952, to David W. He eron and Marjorie J. He eron, both deceased. He grew up in Charlotte and attended its public schools, graduating from South Mecklenburg High School in 1969. Tom went on to earn a BA in English and Philosophy at UNC-Charlotte in 1978 and then a JD from UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law in 1981. After passing the Bar, he practiced law in Charlotte until his retirement in 2021.

Early in his 40-year legal career, Tom worked with several law rms, eventually founding the law rm He eron & He eron with his younger brother Paul. They practiced together for 30 years and represented hundreds of clients. In 2001, Tom was certi ed as a Superior Court mediator and built a robust mediation practice, mediating and arbitrating more than 500 legal disputes for other attorneys and litigants. Along the way, he developed many deep friendships with fellow attorneys, many of them former courtroom adversaries. Though a erce advocate for his clients, Tom was a hard guy to dislike, even during the heat of battle.

In his personal life, Tom was a man of many talents and passions. Tom was a brilliant mind who spent years studying history and philosophy. He remained close friends with his professors and fellow students from the philosophy department at UNC Charlotte, hosting a Sunday morning philosophy roundtable until shortly before his death. A published author, Tom, was an avowed bibliophile, taking great pride and joy in his book collection, which grew to over 5,000 books. He loved music, played the guitar and piano, and loved art, traveling, and spending time with his family. When his grandchildren came into this world, Tom took on his favorite hobby of them all –being their Pops. Always quick with a smile, a hug, or sound advice, Tom never passed up an opportunity to have fun with his grandkids. They were, and still are, his pride and joy.

In 2011, Tom was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. After a brutal round of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, Tom beat the odds and survived, but the long-term e ects of the treatment regimen slowly accumulated and led to his retirement as a practicing attorney and, a few years later, as a practicing mediator. Although cancer did signi cant damage to his body, it never touched his mind or his spirit, even at the very end.

Tom is survived by his wife, Sylvia He eron, his daughter, Samantha Peindl (Lee), his sons, Ben He eron, also an attorney in Charlotte, and Tim Edwards (Danielle). He is also survived by his brothers Mike and Paul He eron, six loving grandchildren, Chloe, Carter, George, Lily, Spencer, and Clara, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Tom is predeceased by his younger brother Johnny He eron, who died in 1983.

The He eron family will host a Celebration of Life on July 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. The family requests that any donations be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

EPHRIAM HARDING RUMMAGE JR.

MARCH 27, 1942 – JULY 12, 2025

Ephriam Harding Rummage Jr., 83, of Norwood, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on July 12, 2025, at Atrium Health Cabarrus.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Stanly Gardens of Memory, o ciated by Rev. Keith Walters. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no formal visitation.

Born on March 27, 1942, in Stanly County, Ephriam was the son of the late Ephriam Harding Rummage Sr., and Lois “Tiny” Lee Rummage Blalock. A lifelong resident of Norwood, he spent his career as a skilled cabinet maker, working for several local furniture manufacturers. He also served his community proudly as a member of the Norwood Center Rural Fire Department.

Ephriam was a longtime member of Memorial Baptist Church and a man who found great joy in the simple things, especially spending time with his grandchildren and his beloved dogs, Penelope and Dixie. Known for his unique personality and his stubborn streak, he was a character in the best sense of the word, sharp-witted, loyal, and always unapologetically himself.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Wanda Rummage, of the home; his children, Robbie Owens of Norwood, Je rey Rummage (Sandy) of Norwood, Jeannie Poole of Norwood, Brandi Jarrett of Norwood, and Jennifer Rummage Briles (Brandon) of Norwood; his brother, Vaughn Rummage (Sharon), and sister, Bonita Smith (Marvin), both of Norwood. He was a proud grandfather to Katie Blake (Travis), Mandy Owens, Gavin Rummage, Amanda Rummage, Jessy Rummage, Brittany Gregory, Will Gregory, Cohen Blalock, Addison Jarrett, and Avery Thompson, and a great-grandfather to six.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Je Rummage and Charlie Rummage.

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is honored to serve the Rummage family.

ELAINE WHITLEY RICHARDS

DEC. 24, 1952 – JULY 12, 2025

Elaine Whitley Richards, 72, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Heather McIntire o ciating. The family will receive friends following the service.

Born on December 24, 1952, in Stanly County, NC, Elaine was the daughter of the late Billy Jay Whitley and Mary Louise Springer Whitley. She spent her career at First Health in Pinehurst and later worked with Stanly Medical Services in Albemarle. She devoted much of her life to serving others, both people and animals alike.

Elaine was a passionate advocate for animal welfare and was one of the founding members of the Stanly County Humane Society. Her compassion extended throughout the community, as she actively supported numerous nonpro t organizations, including 33 Recovery and the Esther House. She was also the proud owner of Stillwater Naturals, where she crafted handmade soaps and lotions with care and creativity.

Known for her generous spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless energy, Elaine brought light and love to everyone around her. Her family remembers her as joyful, kind, humorous, and endlessly giving. To them—and to many others—she was simply “Mom.” She was not only a devoted mother to her own children but also a nurturing presence to many who needed a mother gure in their lives.

Elaine is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Sonny Richards; her daughter, Jennifer Richards of Albemarle; and her sisters, Teresa Whitley Smith (Tony) of New London and Karen D. Whitley of Summerville, SC. She was preceded in death by her son, Je Richards, in 2023. In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stanly County Humane Society, 2049 Badin Road, Albemarle, NC 28001—a cause close to Elaine’s heart.

BLANCHE SPEIGHT ALMOND

JUNE 30, 1927 – JULY 13, 2025

Blanche Speight Almond, 98, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Trinity Place in Albemarle.

Blanche was born June 30, 1927, in Stanly County to the late Charlie William and Bertha McLester Speight. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Vernon C. Almond; brothers, Ray, Gad, Ruel, C.J., Earl, and Max; and sisters, Bernice Burleson and Helen Teeter.

Blanche was a graduate of Endy High School and a faithful and lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She also served many years as a volunteer with Hospice of Stanly County.

The family will receive friends from 1-1:45 p.m., on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church located at 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, North Carolina. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., o ciated by Dr. Rev. Shad Hicks. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Survivors include daughters, Merle Brooks (Don), Reba Funderburk (Del), and Sheila Sikes; a brother, Keith Speight (Sue); ve grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Almond family.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ northstatejournal.com

David Gergen, adviser to 4 presidents, dead at 83

Born in North Carolina, he went to Durham High School

By Patrick Whittle The Associated Press

DAVID GERGEN, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died. He was 83. Gergen worked in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Over the years, he served as a speechwriter, communications director and counselor to the president, among other roles. Dean Jeremy Weinstein of the Harvard Kennedy School, with which Gergen had a long relationship, said Gergen died

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

David Gergen speaks during a Rose Garden news conference May 29, 1993.

of a long illness. Gergen “devoted decades of his life to serving those who sought to serve,” said Hannah Riley Bowles, a former co-director of the school’s Center for Public Leadership, where Gergen was the founding director.

“David was a principled leader of unmatched character, integrity and kindness, who

chose to see goodness in every person he met,” Riley Bowles said. Al Gore, who served as Clinton’s vice president, posted on X, “Of the countless ways that David Gergen contributed to our great country, what I will remember him for most was his kindness to everyone he worked with, his sound judgment, and his devotion to doing good in the world.”

David Richmond Gergen was born in North Carolina and graduated from Durham High School before atttending Yale University and the Harvard Law School, according to a biography on the Harvard Kennedy School website. He would go on to receive 27 honorary degrees over the course of his career. Gergen founded the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and

remained there as professor of public service emeritus until his death, according to the school’s website.

After serving in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, Gergen took his rst White House job in 1971, serving as a speechwriting assistant for Nixon. Bipartisanship and collaboration were hallmarks of his long career, said colleagues who paid testimonials on social media last Friday.

He was also a media personality who worked as a senior political analyst for CNN. In his 2022 book “Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made,” he wrote: “Our greatest leaders have emerged from both good times and, more often, challenging ones. … The very nest among them make the di cult calls, that can ultimately alter the course of history.”

A private burial is scheduled for Mount Auburn Cemetery on Monday, said Mark Douglass, director of Douglass Funeral Home in Lexington, Massachusetts. A larger memorial service at Harvard will be held in the coming weeks, Douglass said.

STANLY SPORTS

Stanly’s Babe Ruth 13-16U team claims Western NC crown

The squad is playing a regional tournament in Florida this week

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — The coun-

ty’s local Babe Ruth League 1316U players are state champions for the second consecutive year.

This past Saturday afternoon, the Stanly County All Stars won the Western North Carolina Babe Ruth state title again, defeating North Bun-

combe 25-2 in the championship game at North Buncombe Park in Weaverville.

The Stanly squad, made up of players who have been nominated by coaches representing the Albemarle Parks and Recreation department, outscored its opponents by a margin 73-4 throughout a series of ve matchups.

Earlier in the tournament,

the All Stars defeated UC Waxhaw 20-0 last Wednesday before taking down Mooresville Youth 12-2 the following day.

The team then bested North Buncombe 16-0 last Friday

“Congrats to our Babe Ruth team on bringing the banner back to Stanly County. Albemarle Parks and Recreation

and followed that up by defeating UC Waxhaw 22-1 the next morning.

Stanly has now solidi ed its spot in this week’s eight-team Babe Ruth Southeast Region-

Stanly woman shows age just a number with improved tness

Diane Watkins, 74, bucks the statistical trends for older African Americans by working out ve to six days a week

By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Getting into shape and increasing one’s tness level brings its own challenges, but the challenge level rises for Americans past a certain age, as well as for members of racial and ethnic minorities. According to studies published by the National Institute of Health, energy level and physical activity decline with age, and older Americans of racial and ethnic minorities engage in less physical activity than their Caucasian counterparts do.

One African American woman in Stanly County is bucking both trends.

Diane Watkins, a resident of Stanly since 1958, decided on her 72nd birthday, two years ago, to get in shape.

Watkins, a Norwood resident who had retired from her work with seniors at the Stanly Department of Social Services,

started easy but now can be found two years later at Gold’s Gym in Albemarle working out two to three hours a day, ve days a week.

“When I had that birthday, I decided then I need to better,” Watkins said.

Having worked at various times in her life as an actor, a

model for Ashley Stewart clothing, a certi ed nurse’s aide and a local senior director for Legal Shield, Watkins bucks the trends when it comes to her physical activity level.

“I wanted to be around here to see my kids have grandkids and be here for them.”

Beyond family consider-

al Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida, held at the Sam Fleishman Regional Sports Complex from Wednesday morning to Saturday afternoon.

The All Stars are joined by Sarasota, Lynnhaven and San Carlos in the tournament’s National Division; Fort Myers, Melrose, Greenville and Manassas make up the American Division.

“Western NC State Champions! Congrats to our Babe Ruth team on bringing the banner back to Stanly County,” Albemarle Parks and Recreation said in a statement.

ations, Watkins said she wanted to have better health “because we have to function on our own” referring to older Americans.

“We can’t depend on our kids because they’re grown and have their own families,” she said. “I want to be able to do stu on my own as long as I can, so that started my journey.”

Instead of waiting to have a health problem, Watkins took the initiative and got a handle on her own health, starting with just walking 30 minutes a day.

“I just want to be an inspiration to others, as well as myself. I was talking to several other ladies about this,” Watkins said.

When they asked why she was working out, Watkins said, “Because it makes me feel good. It gives me strength.”

One of her mottos for her tness journey is the mantra, “if you don’t do anything, you’ll turn into mush. What does mush do? Nothing.”

Walking at Darrell Almond Park for 30 minutes turned into an hour, which then soon turned into jogging and, nally, to lifting weights.

“I would push myself every week to do a little bit more of what I was doing,” Watkins said.

Like the Pied Piper, people started noticing Watkins walking, jogging and exercising at the park, and started joining in with her, often people much younger than her.

Along with the help of trainer Julius Smith, Watkins started lifting weights, calling Smith an inspiration. She said Smith

“In winning, they qualify for the Southeast Regional in Fort Myers, Florida, that starts play on Wednesday. With all the travel and expenses, if you are interested in helping these boys out please contact Chris Vullo.”

Anyone interested in making a donation to cover travel and lodging expenses for the Stanly County All Stars can reach out to Vullo at 704-3890609 for more information.

The All Stars are set to face Lynnhaven on Wednesday, San Carlos on Thursday, and Sarasota on Friday. Each will have a 3:30 p.m. start. Saturday will feature a seminals round in the morning, followed by a title matchup at 1 p.m.

Following the regional tournament, the winner will continue on to the 2025 Babe Ruth World Series set for Aug. 7-16 in Branson, Missouri.

“Keep it moving. Keep it moving.”

Diane Watkins

walked and lifted with her, encouraging her when the progress showed.

She lost 15 pounds in the rst year, but the journey for her was more about feeling good, including revamping her nutritional plan.

“I don’t diet. I just eat healthy,” Watkins said.

Her diet comprises fruits and vegetables from the grill and organic juices, xing her own meals.

“You can taste your food now without a whole lot of unnecessary stu that we use,” Watkins said.

Watkins said she gets stopped all the time in public, at Wal-Mart and various places, getting questions from people about how she has transformed herself. She added she hopes her story will be inspirational to others.

“You can be healthy at any age,” Watkins said. “It goes back to movement. The longevity that you want. You want to look good, you want to feel good, you want to be able to move.”

Sometimes, though, she admits her body tells her to take a day o , but when she gets to the gym, she makes the time count.

“I always say, ‘Keep it moving. Keep it moving.’”

The Stanly County All Stars won the state championship on Saturday.

COURTESY

Diane Watkins gets full extension on the leg press machine at Gold’s Gym in Albemarle.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA SPORTS

Big East, ESPN reunite with 6-year media rights deal

The Big East Conference and ESPN announced a six-year digital media rights deal. Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement the agreement gives “all 22 of our sports — especially women’s basketball and Olympic sports — the visibility they’ve earned and the access our fans expect.” ESPN had the rights to the Big East from 1980 to 2013. The revived partnership comes after ESPN lost Big Ten media rights to Fox, NBC and CBS in 2022. ESPN+ will stream more than 300 Big East events annually.

MMA Couture airlifted to burn unit following drag racing crash

Kansas City

Two-time UFC champion Randy Couture was hospitalized with rst-, second- and third-degree burns, multiple trauma injuries and smoke inhalation, following a crash during a drag racing training run. Couture was preparing to make his NHRA debut later this month when the 62-year-old crashed and had to be airlifted to a burn center.

CYCLING

LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

Washington Greg LeMond, one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three -time Tour de France winner, has been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The 64-year-old LeMond received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he’d receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia.

Uwharrie’s Rhett Barker round third base and scores in Thursday’s home win versus the Carolina Disco Turkeys.

Uwharrie Wampus Cats go 2-2 in nal 4 games of homestand

Uwharrie has seven regular-season games left before a four-team postseason tournament

By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Uwharrie Wampus Cats nished a four-game home stand with four games in as many nights at Don Montgomery Park.

Uwharrie (11-11-1) will play

Thursday at the Disco Turkeys, then return home Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Troutman Dawgs. The Cats then host the Queen City Corndogs Saturday night at 7.

Thursday’s game

Uwharrie 7, Carolina Disco Turkeys 4

The most frequent opponent this season for the Uwharrie Wampus Cats is the team’s closest geographical rival in Winston-Salem.

Thursday’s game marked the sixth time this season the Cats and Turkeys have met on the eld.

After a big rst-inning o ensive output, the Cats evened the season series with the Turkeys with a 7-4 win.

Jett Thomas earned the win on the mound for Uwharrie.

The former West Stanly Colt allowed just one hit in six shutout innings of work on the mound with no walks and six strikeouts. Drew Holcomng picked up the save, pitching the nal 11⁄3 innings, allowing an earned run on two hits with a strikeout.

After allowing an unearned run in the top of the rst inning, Uwharrie immediately loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back groundouts put the Wampus Cats up 2-1.

Another walk and a hit batter loaded the bases for Brendan Fulcher, who cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to left.

Uwharrie added two more runs in the bottom of the second on RBI singles from Abram Threats and Connor Lindsey to lead 7-1.

The Disco Turkeys chipped away at the Cats’ lead with two runs in the seventh and an RBI double in the eighth but could not get any closer.

Threats led the o ense for Uwharrie, going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Friday’s game Carolina Swamp Donkeys 15, Uwharrie 3 (8 innings)

The Cats kept Friday’s game against the Swamp Donkeys of the Carolina Collegiate League close until the nal two innings, when the visitors pulled away with nine runs to earn 15-3 win.

Nathan Hayworth took the loss for Uwharrie, allowing three earned runs on ve hits with three strikeouts and a walk in four innings on the mound.

Uwharrie used ve pitchers in the game walking 10 and striking out seven while allowing 14 earned runs on 12 hits.

The Cats were limited to three hits in the game, with right elder Brendan Fulcher picking up two doubles and driving in two of Uwharrie’s three runs. Connor Lindsey had the other hit for the hosts, an RBI single in the bottom of the rst inning.

Saturday’s game Uwharrie 5, Joanna Hornets 4 (11 innings)

Trailing by a run in the bottom of the 11th, the Wampus Cats improved its record in one-run games to 4-3 this season with a walk-o 5-4 win.

In the 11th, with Blake McKinney placed on second base to start the inning, Anderson Moreno reached rst on a bunt single, and a throwing error by the pitcher scored McKinney to tie the game. Moreno then stole third when Carter Devore struck out. Shaked Baruch’s RBI single to center with one out scored Moreno to win the game. Moreno, Ben Mecimore and Connor Lindsey each had two hits to lead the o ense for Uwharrie, with Moreno and Baruch adding two RBIs each. Skyler Faircloth started for the Cats and pitched six scoreless innings, walking three and striking out ve, allowing three hits.

Brooks Farrell earned the win in relief for Uwharrie with three strikeouts in 11⁄3 innings while not allowing an earned run.

Uwharrie led 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning on a Moreno RBI single and stayed ahead until the top of the seventh.

In the seventh, the Hornets tied the game with an RBI single, then took the lead 2-1 with a two-out RBI double in the eighth.

Baruch sent the game to extra innings by drawing a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Both teams scored a single run in the 10th inning, then the

Hornets pulled ahead 4-3 with an unearned run in the top of the 11th.

Sunday’s game Catawba Valley Stars 9, Uwharrie 8

The Cats nearly made it back-to-back walk-o wins Sunday night against the Stars, a baseball program from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Uwharrie loaded the bases in the ninth down a pair of runs, but could only score one, falling to 4-4 on the season in one-run contests in a 9-8 loss.

A one-out triple from Rhett Barker and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Cole Smith. Smith singled to right to score Barker, but Carson Whitehead was thrown out on a force play for the second out. The next batter struck out to end the game.

Barker had a big night at the plate for the Cats going 4 for 4 with a double, a triple and an RBI. Whitehead had two RBIs, while Smith, Baruch and McKinney each drove in a run.

North Stanly grad Rylan Furr started for the Cats and allowed three earned runs on nine hits in ve innings of work, with four walks and seven strikeouts. Wallace took the loss in relief for Uwharrie.

The Wampus Cats scored a run in each of the rst three innings and led 4-1 after 5. Catawba Valley answered with ve runs in the sixth and seventh innings to lead 6-4. Uwharrie surged ahead in the bottom of the seventh with three runs, but the Stars answered in the top of the ninth, scoring three times.

Former North Stanly pitcher added to 2025 NECBL All-Star team

The All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday night

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

NEW LONDON — A former North Stanly Comet will be included in the New England Collegiate Baseball League 2025 All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Sanford Mainers and UNC Asheville standout Nic Melton was recently announced as a reserve relief pitcher representing the Mainers as a member of the North Division Team.

The upcoming NECBL game will be hosted by the Upper Valley Nighthawks at the Max eld Sports Complex in White River Junction, Vermont.

“Exciting news! Our very own former Comet, Nic Melton, has made it to the NECBL All- Star game,” North Stanly Athletics said in a statement.

“We couldn’t be more proud of your incredible talent and hard work. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition;

you’ve earned every bit of it!”

Set for a 5:10 p.m. start, the exhibition matchup will feature the 13-team league’s

“We

couldn’t be more proud of your incredible talent and hard work.”

North Stanly Athletics

top talent in front of an audience of fans and MLB scouts in attendance.

Melton is one of seven relief pitchers on the North Division squad, joining Ben Dean (Keene, Duke), Kyle Salvati (North Adams, Franklin Pierce), Zach Kittrell (North Shore, Alabama), Tyler Longoria (Sanford, St. John’s), Aaron Potter (Upper Valley, Georgia Gwinnett), and Jayson Torres (Vermont, Maryland).

“With the NECBL division realignment, this is the rst year where All-Star rosters will perfectly match with regular season divisions,” the NECBL revealed over the weekend.

“Keene, Sanford, Upper Valley,

Van Gisbergen dominates on another road course, wins at Sonoma to extend streak

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Another road course win was so expected for Shane van Gisbergen that Trackhouse Racing had extra tires ready for his Sonoma Raceway victory celebration.

Van Gisbergen won for the third time in ve races and second straight on Sunday when he dominated on the California road course. The New Zealander once again showed he’s in a completely di erent class on road and street courses than his rivals as he led 97 of 110 laps to win from pole at Sonoma Raceway.

He celebrated with the traditional burnout, then his Trackhouse crew changed the tires on the No. 88 Chevrolet so he could do a second smoke-inducing spin on his way to Victory Lane. He also kept with his own tradition and kicked a rugby ball into the grandstands.

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars. I had an amazing time in Australia, and then to come here and the last couple weeks, or years, actually, has been a dream come true,” said van Gisbergen. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in NASCAR. Thanks, everyone, for making me feel so welcome. I hope I’m here for a long time to come.”

All three of his wins this year have been from pole — which tied him with Je Gordon for a Cup Series record of three consecutive road course victories from the top starting spot. Gordon did it between the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

He joins Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson as the only drivers with three wins this season, and this one moved him into third for playo seeding. Van Gisbergen was 33rd in the standings and not

yet quali ed for the playo s just ve weeks ago. Victory No. 4 for van Gisbergen — who stunned NASCAR in 2023 when he popped into the debut Chicago street course race from Australian V8 Super-

cars and won — seemed a given before teams even arrived at the picturesque course in California wine country. His rivals have lamented that “SVG” has a unique braking technique he mastered Down Under that

North Adams, North Shore, and Vermont have battled it out all year, but will join forces on the 20th as their rosters compile the North Division All-Star roster.”

The itinerary for the game also includes a noon softball game and a home run derby at 2:40 p.m; tickets are available for $10 for adults, and children under 18 are admitted for free.

“You can catch No. 1 at the All-Star Game,” the Sanford Mainers organization announced on Sunday. “Congratulations Nick Melton on being selected as a Relief Pitcher for the 2025 NECBL All-Star Team! Well deserved.”

Stationed at Goodall Park in Sanford, Maine, the Mainers were NECBL league champions in both 2004 and 2008 and have produced more than 200 alumni in the MLB.

This season, Melton has produced a 3-1 record to go with a team-best 1.03 ERA in his eight appearances.

The New London native, a rising senior for UNC Asheville, is coming o a junior season during which he made 21 appearances and two starts for the Bulldogs, totaling 31 strikeouts while striking out a career-high six batters at Queens on March 11.

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars.”

Shane van Gisbergen

none of them — all oval specialists — can ever learn.

That win in Chicago two years ago led van Gisbergen to move to the United States for a career change driving stock cars for Trackhouse Racing. He and Ross Chastain have pumped energy into the team over this summer stretch with Chastain kicking it o with a Memorial Day weekend victory at the Coca-Cola 600.

Van Gisbergen is the fastest driver to win four Cup Series races — in his 34th start — since Parnelli Jones in 1969. He’s also the winningest driver born outside the United States.

“It’s unreal. To do Chicago, an experience that I really enjoyed, and never thought it would lead to more let alone moving over here and doing things,” he said. “Its been amazing, everything that I hoped it could ever be.”

The Sonoma win made it four victories for Trackhouse in eight weeks. Van Gisbergen was second from pole in Saturday’s X nity Series race.

Chase Briscoe was second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s probably what it was like,” said Briscoe after not being able to pass van Gisbergen on two late restarts — the last with ve laps remaining.

“That guy is unbelievable on road courses. He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series.” Briscoe was followed by Chase Elliott in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Michael McDowell in a Chevy for Spire Motorsports was fourth and Christopher Bell in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing was fth.

PHOTO COURTESY SANFORD MAINERS

Former North Stanly Comet star Nic Melton is set to play in the NECBL 2025 All-Star Game this coming weekend.

The win is his third in the last ve races

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen kicks a rugby ball to celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

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.

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Coordinator, Duplicating Services

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NOTICES

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000397-830 Having quali ed as Executrix of the estate of Mary Lou Lynn deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of

Lynn to present them to the undersigned on or

2025, or the

will be pleaded in

of

recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 9th day of July, 2025 Cheryl Lou Paige Edwards 44768 Baldwin Road New London, North Carolina 28127

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO.

Coordinator, Fire/Rescue/Emergency Management

Part-Time

Coordinator, Fire/Rescue/Emergency Management

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Director Campus Food Services

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Instructor, Business Administration (9-month) - ACI

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Instructor Business Administration (9-month) - ACI

Adjunct Instructor, Clinical Associate Degree -

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000386-830 Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of James Vernon McSwain deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said James Vernon McSwain to present them to the undersigned on or before October 2nd, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 2ND day of July, 2025 Joy LeAnne McSwain Swaringen 36701 Silver Springs Rd Norwood, NC 28128

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Sta , Food Service

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E001511-830

Having quali ed as Administrator of

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.

to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 2nd day of July, 2025 Kia Vue 40333 Burnhardt Rd New London, NC 28127

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 24SP000088-830 JOSEPH THOMAS, Petitioner, vs. SHANNON ASHLEY, Respondent.

NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of an Amended Order of the Clerk of Superior Court of Stanly County, North Carolina, entered on the 18th day of June, 2025, made in the above captioned Estate, the undersigned, was by said Order appointed Commissioner to sell the land described in the Petition, and will on the 29th day of July, 2025 at 12:00 P.M at the Stanly County Courthouse, Albemarle,

Avenue in the the City of Albemarle, which stake is S. 42-30 W. 261 feet from the Southwest corner of the intersection of Williams Street and Coble Avenue, and runs thence N. 47-30 W. 166 Feet to a stake; thence S. 42-30 W.

Dragons, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Billy Joel, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

“Surf Girls” returns to Prime Video for a second season

The Associated Press

THE LIVE-ACTION remake of the animated lm “How to Train Your Dragon” and a two -part, ve-hour documentary on Billy Joel are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time: The long-delayed third album from rapper Roddy Ricch, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” returns for its third and nal season and two arcade favorites — Donkey Kong and Pac-Man — get reinvented for gamers.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Movie theaters are crowded enough this summer that one recent box-o ce hit is already coming to homes. Universal Pictures’ “How to Train Your Dragon” is available on premium video on demand. The live-action remake of the DreamWorks Animation dragon tale has surpassed $500 million in global ticket sale. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr raved: “Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, it also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Joel recently canceled his summer tour after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. But “Piano Man” fans can still get their Joel x in “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a two-part, vehour documentary. Part one will arrive on HBO and HBO Max on Friday, with part two following on July 25. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin cover Joel’s life and career, with interviews with Joel, his family, his ex-wives and musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney. Petra Costa’s “Apocalypse in the Tropics” (Net ix), documents the rise of the far right in Brazil. Costa’s follow-up to her Oscar-nominated “The Edge of Democracy,” digs into the role of the evangelical movement in bringing former president Jai Bolsonaro to power. Bolsonaro is currently standing trial for an alleged coup attempt in 2023, a trial that U.S. President Donald Trump has called a “witch hunt.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Delayed from February, rapper Roddy Ricch returns with his third album on Friday, “The Navy Album.” The Compton rapper, who appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” has put out a few singles from the new collection, including “Survivor’s Remorse” and “Lonely Road.” The latter features Terrace Martin and was released with

“Unlike so many liveaction remakes of animated lms, (“How to Train Your Dragon”) also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer

a video of him cruising through the city seeing angels and the lyrics: “Roddy rap like the rent due/Roddy tell ‘em the whole truth.”

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” has been everywhere in 2025; it’s a big, ino ensive ballad with loosely religious themes and meticulously designed to the pull at heartstrings. And it succeeds, due in part to the fact that Warren sings in a faux-British accent. On Friday, he’ll release his debut full-length on Atlantic Records, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid.” Expect a lot more soul and get the tissues ready.

Fresh o a hot new track for the summer blockbuster “F1” soundtrack, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Myke Towers will release a new album, “Island Boyz,” on Friday. It’s just what the heart wants during these hot months — feel good reggaeton, urban pop and Latin trap.

SERIES TO STREAM

Are you Team Jelly sh or Team Bonrad? If you have no idea what that means you probably don’t watch “The Summer I Turned Pretty. “ The show returns for its third and nal season on Prime Video. It’s about a young woman named Belly (Lola Tung,) who is torn between two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, played by Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney. The series is based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han.

In the second season of Prime Video’s “Surf Girls” series, cameras follow ve upand-coming female surfers who travel the globe to compete in the Challenger Series. “Surf Girls: International” focuses on both new and returning surfers that were featured in season one. A goal is to spotlight women in a sport that has often been skewed by sexism. All ve episodes drop Thursday. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer.

In the lms “The Dry” and “Force of Nature: The Dry 2,” Eric Bana played a federal agent investigating murders in his native country of Australia.

In the new Net ix series “Untamed,” Bana plays a U.S. law enforcement o cer investigating the mysterious death of a woman at Yosemite National Park. Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt and Wilson Bethel also star. It premieres Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

For a guy who started o as a villain, Donkey Kong has proven to be one of Nintendo’s most versatile heroes, doing everything from driving to playing drums to (seriously) teaching math. Donkey Kong Bananza focuses on what he does best: punching things. Someone has stolen his bananas, so it’s up to DK to smash his way through the Underground World in pursuit of the culprits. It’s the rst 3D adventure for the big lug in a long time, and Nintendo has said it comes from the same team that developed the bestselling Super Mario Odyssey. Start swinging Thursday on Switch 2.

Another arcade favorite — Pac-Man — returns in Shadow Labyrinth, although publisher Bandai Namco has radically altered the pellet-chomper. Here, you play as Swordsman No. 8, an explorer who is accompanied by a mysterious yellow orb named Puck. As you traverse the 2D alien world, you may be reminded of a di erent classic: 1986’s Metroid. There are some levels that look more like Pac -Man mazes, though, and you will still hunt and be hunted by ghosts — which are now called “G-Hosts.” It’s a weird and edgy approach to the legend, and it arrives Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch and PC.

ADOPTABLE FRIENDS

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

“Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a new two-part, ve-hour documentary about the life and career of the “piano man,” hits HBO and Max on Friday.

Solution to last week’s puzzle

Solution to this week’s puzzles

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Consumer in ation ticks up slightly in June

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.

U.S. producer prices unchanged in June

U.S. wholesale in ation cooled last month, despite worries that tari s would push prices higher. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its producer price index — which tracks in ation before it hits consumers — was unchanged in June from May and up 2..3% from a year earlier. Both measures came in below economists’ forecasts. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so called core producer prices were also unchanged from May and up 2.6% from June 2024.

Bank of America reports $7.12B net income in Q2, surpasses earnings expectations

Charlotte Bank of America Corp. on Wednesday reported secondquarter net income of $7.12 billion. The company said it had earnings of 89 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share. The nation’s second-largest bank posted revenue net of interest expense of $26.46 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts.

$2.00

Buck Moon over North State

July’s full moon rose last week, photographed from the 16th tee at

State’s rst standalone children’s hospital coming to Wake County

North Carolina Children’s will bring approximately 8,000 jobs to Apex

The Associated Press

APEX — North Caroli-

na’s rst standalone children’s hospital will be built in Wake County, the project’s health systems announced last Thursday, creating a campus estimated to bring 8,000 jobs to the area.

UNC Health and Duke Health announced in January an agreement to jointly build the proposed 500-bed pediatric hospital and linked facilities in the state’s Research Triangle region, which includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. At that time, the speci c location wasn’t nalized. But leaders of the health systems said last week that the North Carolina Children’s project will

be constructed about 20 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh in Apex, a town of 77,000 already surging in population thanks to the region’s strong technology economy.

The 230-acre campus will also include a children’s outpatient care center, more than 100 behavioral health beds, and a research and education center operated by

The 230acre North Carolina Children’s campus will be part of Veridea, a new mixeduse planned community.

Duke University and University of North Carolina medical schools.

The campus is poised to be

See HOSPITAL, page A2

Next-gen 911 systems proving their worth

North Carolina’s system saw success during Hurricane Helene

By Freida Frisaro The Associated Press

NAPLES, Fla. — When an emergency happens in Collier County, Florida, the 911 calls go to one of the most high-tech communications centers in the U.S., where callers can send text and video from the scene to dispatchers.

Moving to what’s known as an NG911 — or Next Generation 911 — system is a journey

Sheri Kevin Rambosk and Bob Finney, the county’s director of communication, have been on for much of the past decade.

It’s a long way from Feb.

16, 1968, when Alabama’s then-House Speaker Rankin Fite made the nation’s very rst 911 call in Haleyville, Alabama, on a bright red, rotary-style landline telephone. That ceremonial call came just 35 days after AT&T announced plans to use 911 as a nationwide emergency number.

Today, most calls to 911 originate with cellphones, with dispatchers in upgraded centers using geotracking to get accurate geographic locations from callers.

But the response time in an emergency depends on the type of technology being used at any of the 6,000 emergency communications centers in the U.S. that receive 911 calls. There is no uniform emergency system in the U.S., so individual cities, counties, states or geo -

“It’s

really quite remarkable how well 911 works despite those challenges.”

Michael Martin, CEO of

RapidSOS

graphic regions are responsible for operating their own 911 call centers. While some states have fully updated to NG911 systems, others are still using legacy 911 systems that rely on antiquated equipment.

“We’re just reminded in these last two weeks, with the ooding in Texas, just how important the work of 911 is,” said Michael Martin, CEO of Rap -

idSOS, which provides infrastructure that passes critical data to emergency centers across the United States.

The future is now for 911

The Collier County Sheri ’s O ce covers 911 calls from an area of about 2,030 square miles that stretches from sandy beaches at the southernmost tip of the Gulf Coast on Florida’s peninsula inland to the Everglades.

It’s a region that has been ravaged by hurricanes this century, including Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricanes Ian and Milton most recently.

That’s why Sheri Rambosk wanted a high-tech emergency operations center.

Pinehurst No. 3.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

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Published

Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells at auction for 7 million euros

It was made in 1984 and has become an iconic fashion accessory

By John Leicester and Je rey Schae er The Associated Press

PARIS — Sketched out on an air sickness bag, the rst Birkin handbag — the prototype for fashion’s must-have accessory — sold for a record 7 million euros (about $8.2 million) at auction in Paris on Thursday.

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HOSPITAL from page A1

integrated into a long-discussed mixed-use development location called Veridea that will include thousands of new homes, retail, dining, o ce and research space, as well as a new Wake Technical Community College campus.

“This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast, and we’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner,” UNC Health CEO Dr. Wesley Burks said in a news release.

A groundbreaking for the hospital campus is expected in 2027, with construction anticipated to take six years. North Carolina Children’s Health also issued on Thursday a request for information from potential design and construction contractors for the project.

There are children’s hospitals already in North Carolina, including those operated by the University of North Carolina and Duke University health systems that are attached to their main campuses in the Triangle.

The Apex location “will ensure that the Triangle remains a hub and a destination for the best pediatric scientists, teachers and clinicians — convenient to both medical school campuses,” said Dr. Mary Klotman, dean of the Duke University medical school and a Duke Health executive.

The health systems have said the hospital campus project could cost from $2 billion to $3 billion, with a massive private fundraising e ort ahead.

The project has already received $320 million from state legislators. The next state budget, still being negotiated by House and Senate Republicans that ultimately would head to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s desk, also could contain more project funds.

Stein said in an interview Thursday that beyond the economic opportunity the project will spark, “I’m really excited about what the children’s hospital means for children of North Carolina who are sick and in need of the best, most sophisticated, advanced medical interventions to live long, healthy lives.”

The huge amount — which drew gasps and applause from the audience — crushed what auctioneer Sotheby’s had said was the previous auction record for a handbag. That was $513,040, for a White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28. Now, the original Birkin bag, named after the actor, singer and fashion icon that Hermès created it for — the late Jane Birkin — is in a new league of its own.

The bidding started at 1 million euros and quickly became stratospheric, with telephone bidders ghting it out until the end. With Sotheby’s fees included, the total price for the winning bidder from Japan was a cool 8.6 million euros, the auction house said.

Paris fashion house Hermès exclusively commissioned the bag for the London-born star in 1984 — branding it with her initials J.B. on the front ap, below the lock — and delivered the nished one-of-a-kind bag to her the following year, the auction house said. The subsequent commercialized version of Birkin’s bag went on to become one of the world’s most exclusive luxury items, extravagantly priced and with a yearslong waiting list.

A fashion accessory born of a chance conversation

The bag was born of a fortuitous encounter on a London-bound ight in the 1980s with the then-head of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas. Birkin recounted in subsequent interviews that the pair got talking

911 from page A1

“We just believe that when we can reduce the response time using technology, it will improve safety and survivability of those calling in,” said Rambosk, who has been sheri since 2009. “And that’s really what we’re all about, keeping people safe and rescuing them when they need it.”

Today 61 full-time employees and three part-timers sta two emergency operations centers around the clock. They rely on data that RapidSOS collects from connected buildings, devices, vehicles and even smart watches to send rst responders to emergency scenes. The baseline data is provide free of charge to all 911 centers, Martin said.

Mixing technology with emergency response

As Hurricane Helene was tracking toward north Florida last September, forecasters were predicting it could hit Tallahassee as a major Category 3 storm. O cials in Leon County, which serves the state’s capital and nearby counties on legacy 911 equipment, reached out to Collier County, some 430

after she spilled some of her things on the cabin oor.

Birkin asked Dumas why Hermès didn’t make a bigger handbag and sketched out on an airplane vomit bag the sort of hold-all that she would like. He then had an example made for her and, attered, she agreed when Hermès asked whether it could commercialize the bag in her name.

“There is no doubt that the Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind — a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most re ned way possible. It is incredible to think that a bag initially designed by Hermès as a practical accessory for Jane Birkin has become the most desirable bag in history,” said Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s head of handbags and fashion.

The bag became so famous that Birkin once mused before her death in 2023 at age 76 that her obituaries would likely “say, ‘Like the bag’ or something.”

“Well, it could be worse,” she added.

A staggering auction

The Paris auction room buzzed with anticipation as the auction got underway, with the auctioneer reminding the crowd that the bag was “totally

unique” and “the most famous bag of all time.”

From the starting price, the bids quickly surpassed 2 million, then 3 million, 4 million and 5 million, to astonished gasps. When the price jumped from 5.5 to 6 million in one swoop, there were whistles and applause.

The last bids were 6.2 million, 6.5 million, 6.8 million before the Japanese buyer’s last winning bid: 7 million. Sotherby’s didn’t identify the winner.

Seven design features set The Original apart

Sotheby’s said that seven design elements on the handcrafted all-black leather prototype set it apart from Birkins that followed.

It’s the only Birkin with a nonremovable shoulder strap — tting for the busy life and practicality of the singer, actor, social activist and mother who was also known for her romantic relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg and their duets that included the steamy 1969 song “Je t’aime moi non plus” (“I Love You, Me Neither”). Her bag also had a nail clipper attached because Birkin “was never one for long painted nails,” Sotheby’s said.

The bag that Hermès handmade for her, developed o its existing Haut A Courroies mod-

miles to the southeast, to see if they could take over emergency calls if the storm knocked their center out.

Helene moved to the east of Tallahassee, but Collier County was prepared to help if needed.

“Because of the partnership with Rapid SOS, they were able to create a map to where not only did we see our own calls, but we could see exactly where the calls were coming in Tallahassee,” Finney said.

Collier County has also part-

nered with Charleston, South Carolina, as a backup 911 center. Each region is fully prepared to take on 911 calls for the other in case their emergency system goes down for any reason. It’s a similar story in North Carolina, where legislation in 2017 helped establish funding for a next generation 911 system, said Pokey Harris, who serves as president of the National Association of State 911 Administrators and executive

“It is incredible to think that a bag initially designed by Hermès as a practical accessory for Jane Birkin has become the most desirable bag in history.”

Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s head of handbags and fashion

el, also has gilded brass hardware, bottom studs and other features that di er from commercial Birkins.

Birkin’s casual, breezy style in the 1960s and early 1970s — long hair with bangs, jeans paired with white tops, knit minidresses and basket bags — still epitomizes the height of French chic for many women around the world.

The prototype has twice changed hands

When Birkin chatted to Hermès’ Dumas on the Paris-to-London ight about what her ideal handbag would be, she’d been in the habit of carrying her things around in a wicker basket because she felt handbags in the 1980s were too small, Sotheby’s said. She was traveling with her young daughter, Charlotte, and complained that she couldn’t nd a bag suitable for her needs as a mother, Hermès says.

Hermès later gifted her four other Birkin bags. She kept the prototype for nearly a decade before auctioning it for an AIDS charity in 1994. It was auctioned again in 2000 and has since been in private hands, Sotheby’s said.

“More than just a bag, the Birkin has evolved from a practical accessory to become a timeless cultural icon,” the auction house said.

“Its presence spans the worlds of music, lm, television and the arts,” it added. “It is a red-carpet staple, a fashion magazine mainstay, and a coveted piece in the wardrobes of celebrities, artists and stylists.”

director of the North Carolina 911 Board.

Harris said Hurricane Helene provided validation for the upgraded system by being able to direct 911 calls from areas that were devastated by the storm to other parts of North Carolina that were not a ected.

“During Helene, if a citizen could reach a dial tone, even though their local 911 center may have been impacted because of infrastructure devastation, another center somewhere in the state could answer their call,” Harris said.

No federal funding for next-generation systems

Next Generation 911 systems aren’t cheap.

“There has been no federal funding for 911,” Martin, of RapidSOS, said. “It has been in various draft formats as long as I’ve been doing this, and it’s never gotten through Congress.”

There is also no federal oversight of 911, he said.

“It’s really quite remarkable how well 911 works despite those challenges,” Martin said. “I think it’s a testament to the people of 911, not the technology.”

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Dispatchers work emergency calls at the Collier County Emergency Services Center, last week in Naples, Florida.

MICHEL EULER / AP PHOTO

An auction o cer displays the original Birkin bag created by Hermès for Jane Birkin in 1984, prior to its auction on Thursday in Paris.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

4 years after being canceled, MLB All-Star Game back in Atlanta

WHILE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL held its All-Star game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, it must never be forgotten that the Midsummer Classic should have been played there four years ago as scheduled.

In 2021, the state of Georgia and city of Atlanta were robbed of the event during the dark days of the Biden Administration at the height of COVID lockdowns, cancel culture and wokeism. MLB moved the annual event to Denver after caving to pressure from the radical socialist left based on the absolute lie that Georgia’s election integrity measure — Senate Bill 202 — was racist voter suppression legislation.

At the time, divisive former President Joe Biden falsely called the bill “Jim Crow in the 21st century” and said he “strongly supported” moving the game to Colorado. The truth is the law simply made it easier to vote and harder to cheat — and voter turnout in Georgia has increased in recent elections. As it turns out, it was a completely phony narrative concocted by the crooked liberal establishment that ranks right up there with some of their other fake stories like the Trump-Russia collusion tall tale was real, Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, or Biden was as sharp as a tack and totally t for o ce.

The entire despicable episode showcased the radical left at its absolute worst, with Democrat politicians spinning a falsehood in coordination with their allies in the biased mainstream media designed to smear conservatives and Republicans as racists trying to disenfranchise African American voters. The reality is legislators in Georgia were just trying to make their elections more secure in the wake of the controversial 2020 campaign where somehow clueless Biden mysteriously received a record number of votes

nationwide during the fog of the coronavirus pandemic.

All the election bill did was strengthen absentee ballot procedures, limit fraud-prone drop boxes and enhanced in-person voting for individuals interested in voting early. It’s commonsense legislation that remains the law in Georgia today and is widely seen as a successful endeavor in that it made voting systems stronger while making it easier to vote simultaneously.

Earlier this year when the Justice Department dismissed the Biden administration’s baseless lawsuit against the Georgia law, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be con dent that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity.”

Sadly, the Democrat Party still views strong election measures and secure ballots as an existential threat, just like in the case of President Donald Trump’s policy to execute the largest deportation in history. Let’s face it, if every state had strong election laws that make it hard to cheat and easy to vote, and illegal immigrants weren’t able to vote in our elections, the left might have a big problem on its hands. Maybe that’s why they’re behaving like maniacs in the face of law-and-order policies and popular reforms designed to make voter fraud less likely.

This year’s All-Star game in the Peach State should serve as a reminder to the U.S. Senate to take up House-passed “no-brainer” election integrity bills like the SAVE Act, which would require people registering to vote to show proof of citizenship. This bill, along with showing identi cation to vote, is supported by more than 80% of the American people. Even if Senate Democrats are too dishonest to support these reasonable e orts, Majority

Trump challenges Congress to balance the budget

NOW THAT THE One Big Beautiful Bill has passed, Congress has set its sights on an even more ambitious long-term project. This new project will require ve to seven years of creativity, thoughtfulness and ingenuity: balancing the federal budget and beginning to pay down the national debt.

Achieving a balanced federal budget through economic growth, technological innovation, eliminating waste and ine ciency within the government and its contractors, and developing improved methods for delivering goods and services will lead to a genuine golden age of American prosperity, a ordability, and security.

The American people overwhelmingly support balancing the budget. A recent Harvard-Harris Poll found that 80% of voters favor a balanced budget amendment. This support includes 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

President Donald Trump understands that balancing the budget is both historically necessary and politically popular. When Republicans last achieved four consecutive balanced budgets — an accomplishment unmatched in a century — it reshaped Washington’s political landscape and sustained a Republican House majority for the rst time since 1928.

Consider these recent statements from Trump:

During his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump declared, “In the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years — balance the federal budget. We’re going to balance it.”

In February, as Bloomberg Television reported, Trump pledged, “We will take rapid action to battle government spending and increased borrowing costs.” Trump’s commitment to balancing the budget through scal discipline and innovation in a

low-tax environment dates back well before his rst presidency.

In his 2016 campaign, Trump insisted, “It can be done. It will take place, and it will go relatively quickly. If you have the right people, you can cut the numbers by two or three pennies and balance a budget quickly.”

We must remember how dramatically President Joe Biden’s spending spree increased both the national debt and the interest payments on that debt. The national debt currently stands at $36.4 trillion, nearly double the $19 trillion debt Trump targeted in 2016. At that time, Trump warned, “We can’t keep doing this. We have got to start balancing budgets.”

In fact, Trump’s concerns about de cits and debt precede his political campaigns. At CPAC events in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Trump consistently condemned high taxes and rising debt.

However, the challenge facing Trump and the Republican Congress has grown substantially due to the massive spending increases under the Biden administration. Biden’s policies signi cantly expanded government spending, further increasing the importance of balancing the budget and reducing debt-related interest payments.

Consider the analysis from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Minn.):

Trump’s last pre-COVID budget (FY 2019) totaled $4.4 trillion. The COVID crisis triggered emergency expenditures designed to avert economic depression, temporarily in ating the budget to $6.5 trillion in FY 2020. While Trump intended spending to return to pre-pandemic levels, the Biden administration maintained spending at around $6.8 trillion to $7 trillion annually. This prolonged spending surge projected de cits totaling $21.8 trillion over the next

Leader John Thune should get everyone on the record so the American people can see for themselves who is against securing our elections. The bottom line is that the American people are sick and tired of crazy election laws that sometimes take months to decide a winner.

As I said at the time, “the only thing worse than Jim Crow is falsely linking something to Jim Crow in order to sow division in the quest for a political win.” This was true then, and it’s true now — and we must never forget what the left did in Atlanta during the summer of 2021.

When Democrats should have been trying to get Biden’s in ation crisis under control, they instead focused on smearing Georgia and well-intentioned people just trying to strengthen their elections. And it should be remembered that Trump attended a World Series game in Atlanta in the fall of 2021 in part to stand up to the shameful behavior of the woke cancel culture mob who were doing so much harm to our great country.

Thankfully, Georgia stood tall for commonsense election integrity against left-wing bullies when it mattered most.

David N. Bossie is president of Citizens United. He served as deputy campaign manager for Donald J. Trump for President in 2016. This article was rst published by Daily Caller New Foundation.

decade, marking a 36% increase. Consequently, gross federal debt is expected to climb from $36.4 trillion today to at least $59.2 trillion by 2035, or roughly 135% of GDP.

Johnson also reported that over the next decade, the U.S. will pay nearly $13 trillion solely in interest — a massive burden that severely restricts funding for other vital priorities.

Imagine a business or family required to pay $13 trillion in interest alone, far more than the projected defense spending during that period. Such debt would inevitably lead to bankruptcy and poverty. The government faces a similar risk. Continued de cits push up interest rates, cripple economic growth, crush small businesses and divert capital from productive investments into servicing government debt.

Changing this trajectory is both necessary and achievable.

House Republicans already know a balanced budget is possible. In the 1990s, Republican leadership successfully delivered four consecutive balanced budgets, a feat unmatched in the previous 100 years. A crucial rst step could be voting on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. When Republicans pursued this in 1995, the House passed it by a 300 to 132 vote margin. In the Senate, the amendment fell short at 65-35, just one vote shy of passage (Senate Leader Bob Dole strategically switched to no to retain the option to revisit the vote).

At that time, House Republican leadership, including John Kasich, Dick Armey, Bill Archer, Bob Livingston, Tom Bliley, decided that despite narrowly missing formal passage, they would proceed as if the amendment had succeeded. With disciplined leadership, they balanced the budget within four years and sustained scal responsibility for four more years until discipline waned. We can accomplish this again. America will greatly bene t from a government living within its means, maximizing prosperity and securing a better future for all Americans.

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

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | DAVID BOSSIE

Man charged after kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland’s ‘Stone of Destiny’

The 335 -pound block is used during coronation ceremonies

By Jill Lawless

The Associated Press

LONDON — A man from Australia has been charged with “malicious mischief” for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood.

Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheri Court on Monday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism.

Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn’t asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week.

Police said that they were called to a “disturbance” at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Saturday after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock.

The 335-pound sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England’s King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the seat of the coronation chair.

It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since —

A mounted juvenile Ceratosaurus skeleton, of the late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian stage, approximately 154-149 million years ago, is for auction at Sotheby’s in New

rst of English and then of British monarchs. The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century.

The stone’s presence in London long irked Scottish nationalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four

Glasgow university students but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the understanding that it would return to

England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated Perth

Museum where, according to the building’s website, there are “a range of 24/7 security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object.” Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn’t damaged in the incident.

Biggest piece of Mars on Earth going up for auction in NY

The 6 -foot-tall skeleton of a Ceratosaurus is also on the block

By Dave Collins and Joseph B. Frederick

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — For sale: A 54-pound rock. Estimated auction price: $2 million to $4 million. Why so expensive? It’s the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth.

Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning what’s known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale that also includes a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton that’s more than 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long. According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown o the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before traveling 140 million miles to Earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A me-

teorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby’s says.

The red, brown and gray hunk is about 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on Earth and represents

nearly 7% of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby’s says. It measures nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches.

“This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we

have ever found by a long shot,” Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby’s, said in an interview. “So it’s more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.” It is also a rare nd. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 o cially recognized meteorites found on Earth, Sotheby’s says.

Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialized lab that con rmed it is from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said.

The examination found that it is an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” a type of Martian rock formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has a course-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine, Sotheby’s says.

It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through Earth’s atmosphere, Hatton said. “So that was their rst clue that this wasn’t just some big rock on the ground,” she said.

The meteorite previously was

on exhibit at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. Sotheby’s did not disclose the owner.

It’s not clear exactly when the meteorite hit Earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby’s said.

The juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton was found in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry, a gold mine for dinosaur bones. Specialists assembled nearly 140 fossil bones with some sculpted materials to recreate the skeleton and mounted it so it’s ready to exhibit, Sotheby’s says. The skeleton is believed to be from the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, Sotheby’s says. It’s auction estimate is $4 million to $6 million.

Ceratosaurus dinosaurs were bipeds with short arms that appear similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex, but smaller. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs could grow up to 25 feet long, while the Tyrannosaurs rex could be 40 feet long.

The skeleton was acquired last year by Fossilogic, a Utahbased fossil preparation and mounting company.

Wednesday’s auction is part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

SUSANNAH IRELAND / POOL PHOTO VIA AP

The Stone of Destiny is on display during a welcome ceremony ahead of the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III in Westminster Abbey, London, on April 29, 2023.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

A Martian meteorite, weighing 54.388 lbs., said to be the largest piece of Mars on Earth is displayed at Sotheby’s in New York last week.

York.

Forsyth SPORTS

Celtics’ Stevens shuns idea team in rebuild with Tatum out

The former Duke star will miss the season with a torn Achilles

By Kyle Hightower

The Associated Press

BOSTON — Even before Jayson Tatum limped o the court with a torn Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semi nals loss to the New York Knicks, Brad Stevens knew big changes would be on tap for the franchise this o season.

Yes, big spending on free agents and contracts had lured in key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, who, combined with stars Tatum and Jaylen Brown, ultimately helped Boston capture the NBA championship in 2024.

But keeping the core of that roster intact next season with Tatum possibly missing all of it while rehabbing from his injury would have come with a combined payroll and luxury tax bill of more than $500 million. And as a team exceeding the second apron of the salary cap, it would have also meant additional penalties limiting ways they could sign or trade for players.

“We’ve known for a long time that hard decisions were coming,” Stevens said on the decisions to trade both Holiday and Porzingis. “The second apron is why those trades happened. I think that is pretty obvious. And the basketball penalties associated with those are real. ... So that was part of making the decision to push and put our chips on the table and go for the last two years.”

Now under that dreaded second apron, it’s also brought about a di erent way of looking at what’s next for the Celtics. As the team’s president of basket-

help

ball operations, Stevens knows their approach will have to change while Tatum is out. But as a former coach, he also said he’s never going to put a ceiling on any team’s potential.

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell to win the next game,” he said. Stevens said he doesn’t want to hear any mention of the term “rebuild” this upcoming season.

“That’s not going to be part of the lexicon in our building, and that’s the way we’re going to focus moving forward,” he said.

While the team could make additional moves to get completely out of the luxury tax, Stevens said it’s not the mandate he’s been given by incoming team owner Bill Chisholm.

“Bill has been pretty clear from the get go that he wants to make sure that we’re prioritizing basketball assets and the ability to retool this thing at the highest level that we can,” Stevens said. “The most important

acquisition that we’re going to be able to make in the next couple of years is getting Tatum out of a (walking) boot. We’re not beating that one. So that’s going to be the best thing that can happen for us.”

Both Tatum and Brown, who had minor knee surgery last month, were in the Celtics’ facility last Tuesday rehabbing. According to Stevens, Tatum was moving “really fast” in his walking boot, while Brown was already getting shots up and is expected to get full clearance for basketball activities soon.

In the meantime, Stevens said he’s completely comfortable with Brown being the team’s focal point on the court. He thinks it’s a challenge that Brown welcomes and one that he’s proven an ability to excel in during previous times Tatum has been sidelined by injury.

“He’s ready for any challenge, and he always has been,” Stevens said.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Rhys Bowie

Wake Forest University, baseball

Rhys Bowie is a rising sophomore who pitches for Wake Forest University. The right-hander went 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA in 15 appearances last season for the Demon Deacons.

This summer, he’s playing for the Ocean State Waves in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He has not allowed an earned run in 14 innings and has a 1-1 record in four starts and two relief appearances. He’s struck out 25 batters and is allowing less than one baserunner an inning. That earned him a spot on the NECBL South Division All-Star team.

Van Gisbergen dominates on another road course, wins at Sonoma to extend streak

The win is his third in the last ve races

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Another road course win was so expected for Shane van Gisbergen that Trackhouse Racing had extra tires ready for his Sonoma Raceway victory celebration.

Van Gisbergen won for the third time in ve races and second straight on Sunday when he dominated on the California road course. The New Zealander once again showed he’s in a completely di erent class on road and street courses than his rivals as he led 97 of 110 laps to win from pole at Sonoma Raceway.

He celebrated with the traditional burnout, then his Trackhouse crew changed the tires on the No. 88 Chevrolet so he could do a second smoke-inducing spin on his way to Victory Lane. He also kept with his own tradition and kicked a rugby ball into the grandstands.

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars. I had an amazing time in Australia, and then to come here and the last couple weeks, or years, actually, has been a dream come true,” said van Gisbergen. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in NASCAR. Thanks, everyone, for making me feel so welcome. I hope I’m here for a long time to come.”

All three of his wins this year have been from pole — which tied him with Je Gordon for a Cup Series record of three consecutive road course victories

He

Christopher

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars.” Shane van Gisbergen

vals have lamented that “SVG” has a unique braking technique he mastered Down Under that none of them — all oval specialists — can ever learn.

That win in Chicago two years ago led van Gisbergen to move to the United States for a career change driving stock cars for Trackhouse Racing. He and Ross Chastain have pumped energy into the team over this summer stretch with Chastain kicking it o with a Memorial Day weekend victory at the Coca-Cola 600.

Van Gisbergen is the fastest driver to win four Cup Series races — in his 34th start — since Parnelli Jones in 1969. He’s also the winningest driver born outside the United States.

“It’s unreal. To do Chicago, an experience that I really enjoyed, and never thought it would lead to more let alone moving over here and doing things,” he said. “Its been amazing, everything that I hoped it could ever be.”

The Sonoma win made it four victories for Trackhouse in eight weeks. Van Gisbergen was second from pole in Saturday’s X nity Series race.

Chase Briscoe was second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s probably what it was like,” said Briscoe after not being able to pass van Gisbergen on two late restarts — the last with ve laps remaining.

“That guy is unbelievable on road courses. He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series.”

Briscoe was followed by Chase Elliott in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Michael McDowell in a Chevy for Spire Motorsports was fourth and Christopher Bell in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing was fth.

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO

Trainers

Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) o the court after he was injured during the Eastern Conference semi nals.

from the top starting spot. Gordon did it between the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

joins

Bell, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson as the only drivers with

three wins this season, and this one moved him into third for playo seeding. Van Gisbergen was 33rd in the standings and not yet quali ed for

the playo s just ve weeks ago. Victory No. 4 for van Gisbergen — who stunned NASCAR in 2023 when he popped into the debut Chicago street course

race from Australian V8 Supercars and won — seemed a given before teams even arrived at the picturesque course in California wine country. His ri-

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen kicks a rugby ball to celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA SPORTS

Big East, ESPN reunite with 6-year media rights deal

The Big East Conference and ESPN announced a six-year digital media rights deal.

Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement the agreement gives “all 22 of our sports — especially women’s basketball and Olympic sports — the visibility they’ve earned and the access our fans expect.” ESPN had the rights to the Big East from 1980 to 2013. The revived partnership comes after ESPN lost Big Ten media rights to Fox, NBC and CBS in 2022. ESPN+ will stream more than 300 Big East events annually.

MMA Couture airlifted to burn unit following crash

Kansas City

Two-time UFC champion

Randy Couture was hospitalized with rst-, secondand third-degree burns, multiple trauma injuries and smoke inhalation, following a crash during a drag racing training run. Couture was preparing to make his NHRA debut later this month when the 62-year-old crashed and had to be airlifted to a burn center.

CYCLING

LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

Washington Greg LeMond, one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three -time Tour de France winner, has been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The 64-year-old LeMond received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he’d receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia.

NCAA FOOTBALL

BYU quarterback

Retzla transferring following tumultuous few months

Provo, Utah

BYU quarterback Jake Retzla is transferring after a tumultuous few months that included being named in a civil sexual assault suit that was later dismissed. Retzla reportedly faced a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church, after acknowledging a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. Retzla threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season. BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoided commenting on Retzla ’s situation, saying it was a private matter.

TENNIS

Williams, who hasn’t competed in year-plus, accepts wild card for the DC Open

Washington

Venus Williams has accepted a wild-card invitation to play singles at this month’s DC Open. It would be the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s rst tournament in more than a year. Williams turned 45 in June. She is listed as “inactive” on the WTA Tour’s website. Williams hasn’t competed in an o cial match since the Miami Open in 2024. The hard-court tournament begins with qualifying next weekend.

US soccer great Heath hoping Club World Cup spurs more growth

The former Tar Heel is working for FIFA on the tournament study group

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Tobin Heath might know something about what makes soccer resonate within the U.S. Her resume, in part: She won NCAA titles in college at UNC, then went on to win two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s national team and two World Cup titles as well, all of that coming after she was inspired by the 1999 Women’s World Cup. And so far, she thinks the Club World Cup could have a similar e ect. Heath — who is working as part of FIFA’s technical study group for the tournament alongside the likes of former

Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger, former German star and U.S. men’s national coach Jurgen Klinsmann and others — said Saturday that a match she attended earlier this month between Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors, with a full and jammed stadium in South Florida playing host to that matchup, shows what could be possible in this country.

“As an American, it was one of the coolest experiences of my life to witness that passion and energy,” Heath, during a FIFA brie ng with the technical group, said. “It’s something I never believed I could see in my own country. And the stadium was literally shaking. You could feel it, and the fans were absolutely incredible. So, I know the power of these home competitions. ... I know the power of these games in our country, to change the landscape of this game in our country.”

The attendance for the games in the Club World Cup has varied widely; some stadiums are jammed, some pretty much empty. But FIFA is looking to build momentum toward the World Cup that’s coming to North America next year. “This is a fantastic dress rehearsal for us,” Heath said.

Only one U.S.-based team made the knockout stage: Messi’s Inter Miami, though some wonder if that’s a club that will have a true pronounced e ect on soccer in this country. Messi is the biggest name in the sport and has an enormous following everywhere, one that obviously existed long before he came to Miami two years ago.

“Messi has not the best data of this tournament, but he’s certainly the most in uential player of this tournament because without him Inter Mi-

ami would never qualify,” Wenger said.

The job of the technical study group is simple: watch all the matches, either live or on television (with the bene t of many screens and angles), assess style of play and determine what is making teams successful. The level of data collected from these matches is beyond deep; reports are more than 50 pages thick and measure everything from time it takes a team to recover possession after a giveaway to how hard players are sprinting at key times of a match.

“This tournament has blown me away,” Heath said. “It’s made me even more excited for the summer to come, and I couldn’t be more proud of this country. It shows that football is deeply embedded and deeply personal to our country. I can’t wait to see the growth.”

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win rst Wimbledon title

The 22-year-old Spainard lost his rst Grand Slam nal after ve wins

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press

LONDON — Jannik Sinner insisted early on at Wimbledon that he put an excruciating loss to Carlos Alcaraz in their epic French Open nal behind him. Sinner was sure that one defeat wouldn’t haunt him, wouldn’t prevent a quick recalibration and certainly wouldn’t mean a thing at the All England Club. Sure was right about all of that.

Exactly ve weeks after the devastating defeat at Roland-Garros against his rival, Sinner reversed the result, beating two-time defending Wimbledon champion Alcaraz

4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win his rst championship at the grass-court major.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how you win or you lose the important tournaments. You just have to understand what you did wrong. Trying to work on that — that’s exactly what we did. We tried to accept the loss and then just kept working,” Sinner said Sunday, his shiny gold hardware in his hands. “And this is, for sure, why I’m holding this trophy here.”

The No. 1-ranked Sinner earned his fourth Grand Slam title overall, moving him one away from No. 2 Alcaraz’s total as the two no-longer-ris-

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how you win or you lose the important tournaments.”

Jannik Sinner

ing-but- rmly-established stars of the game separate themselves from the rest of the pack in men’s tennis.

Sinner, a 23-year-old Italian, put an end to several streaks for Alcaraz, a 22-year-old Spaniard, who had been 5-0 in Grand Slam nals.

Alcaraz had won their last ve matches, most famously across ve sets and nearly 51⁄2 hours on the red clay of the French Open on June 8. Sinner took a two-set lead, then held a trio of match points but couldn’t close the deal.

“Today was important not just because it was a Grand Slam nal, not just because it was Wimbledon, and not just because Carlos had won the last ve matches against him,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s two coaches, who had planned to leave the team at the end of 2025 but now might stick around. “He needed that win today. So he knew the importance of closing this one out when he had the opportunities.”

Asked during Week 1 at Wimbledon whether what happened in Paris created lingering doubts, Sinner immediately re-

plied: “Why negative feelings?

Because I lost in (that) nal?”

Then he continued: “No. Look, it’s a new tournament, new Grand Slam, new surface. I’m not concerned about my level I can play. ... I’m not concerned that one loss can in uence you for so long a time. I believe that here is a new chance that I can do something good.”

Great, even. This time, he didn’t waver, asserting himself in a match that featured moments of terri c play by both men but also the occasional lapses — and one memorable, brief, interruption right before a Sinner serve when a Champagne cork came ying out of the stands and settled on the turf.

With Prince William and Princess Kate in the Royal Box,

along with King Felipe VI of Spain, Alcaraz stepped into the sunlight bathing Centre Court with a career-best 24-match unbeaten run. He had won 20 matches in a row at the All England Club.

“The things that went his way in Paris,” Sinner said, “went my way this time.” When it ended, he put both hands on his white hat. After embracing Alcaraz, Sinner crouched with his head bowed, then pounded his right palm on the grass.

He has participated in four consecutive major nals, including triumphs at the U.S. Open — shortly after the world learned about a doping case that eventually led to a three-month ban — and the Australian Open.

JOANNA CHAN / AP PHOTO

JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO

Tobin Heath, left, is congratulated by teammate Megan Rapinoe after scoring during the an international friendly soccer match against New Zealand in 2019. The former UNC and U.S. National Team star is now consulting on the FIFA Club World Cup.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner receives the trophy from Kate, Princess of Wales, after beating Carlos Alcaraz of Spain to win the men’s singles nal at Wimbledon.

the stream

Dragons, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Billy Joel, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

“Surf Girls” returns to Prime Video for a second season

The Associated Press

THE LIVE-ACTION remake of the animated lm “How to Train Your Dragon” and a two -part, ve-hour documentary on Billy Joel are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time: The long-delayed third album from rapper Roddy Ricch, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” returns for its third and nal season and two arcade favorites — Donkey Kong and Pac-Man — get reinvented for gamers.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Movie theaters are crowded enough this summer that one recent box-o ce hit is already coming to homes. Universal Pictures’ “How to Train Your Dragon” is available on premium video on demand. The live-action remake of the DreamWorks Animation dragon tale has surpassed $500 million in global ticket sale. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr raved: “Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, it also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Joel recently canceled his summer tour after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. But “Piano Man” fans can still get their Joel x in “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a two-part, vehour documentary. Part one will arrive on HBO and HBO Max on Friday, with part two following on July 25. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin cover Joel’s life and career, with interviews with Joel, his family, his ex-wives and musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney.

Petra Costa’s “Apocalypse in the Tropics” (Net ix), documents the rise of the far right in Brazil. Costa’s follow-up to her Oscar-nominated “The Edge of Democracy,” digs into the role of the evangelical movement in bringing former president Jai Bolsonaro to power. Bolsonaro

is currently standing trial for an alleged coup attempt in 2023, a trial that U.S. President Donald Trump has called a “witch hunt.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Delayed from February, rapper Roddy Ricch returns with his third album on Friday, “The Navy Album.” The Compton rapper, who appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” has put out a few singles from the new collection, including “Survivor’s Remorse” and “Lonely Road.” The latter features Terrace Martin and was released with a video of him cruising through the city seeing angels and the lyrics: “Roddy rap like the rent due/Roddy tell ‘em the whole truth.”

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” has been everywhere in 2025; it’s a big, ino ensive ballad with loosely religious themes and meticulously designed to the pull at heartstrings. And it succeeds, due in part to the fact that Warren sings in a faux-British accent. On Friday, he’ll release his debut full-length on Atlantic Records, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid.” Expect a lot more soul and get the tissues ready. Fresh o a hot new track for the summer blockbuster “F1” soundtrack, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Myke Towers will release a new album, “Island Boyz,” on Friday. It’s just what the heart wants during these hot months — feel good reggaeton, urban pop and Latin trap.

SERIES TO STREAM

Are you Team Jelly sh or Team Bonrad? If you have no idea what that means you probably don’t watch “The Summer I Turned Pretty. “ The show returns for its third and nal season on Prime Video. It’s about a young woman named Belly (Lola Tung,) who is torn between two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, played by Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney. The series is based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han. In the second season of Prime Video’s “Surf Girls” series, cameras follow ve up-and-coming female surfers who travel the globe to compete in the Chal-

lenger Series. “Surf Girls: International” focuses on both new and returning surfers that were featured in season one. A goal is to spotlight women in a sport that has often been skewed by

sexism. All ve episodes drop Thursday. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. In the lms “The Dry” and “Force of Nature: The Dry 2,” Eric Bana played a federal agent

“Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, (“How to Train Your Dragon”) also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer

investigating murders in his native country of Australia. In the new Net ix series “Untamed,” Bana plays a U.S. law enforcement o cer investigating the mysterious death of a woman at Yosemite National Park. Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt and Wilson Bethel also star. It premieres Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

For a guy who started o as a villain, Donkey Kong has proven to be one of Nintendo’s most versatile heroes, doing everything from driving to playing drums to (seriously) teaching math. Donkey Kong Bananza focuses on what he does best: punching things. Someone has stolen his bananas, so it’s up to DK to smash his way through the Underground World in pursuit of the culprits. It’s the rst 3D adventure for the big lug in a long time, and Nintendo has said it comes from the same team that developed the bestselling Super Mario Odyssey. Start swinging Thursday on Switch 2.

Another arcade favorite — Pac-Man — returns in Shadow Labyrinth, although publisher Bandai Namco has radically altered the pellet-chomper. Here, you play as Swordsman No. 8, an explorer who is accompanied by a mysterious yellow orb named Puck. As you traverse the 2D alien world, you may be reminded of a di erent classic: 1986’s Metroid. There are some levels that look more like Pac-Man mazes, though, and you will still hunt and be hunted by ghosts — which are now called “G-Hosts.” It’s a weird and edgy approach to the legend, and it arrives Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch and PC.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

“Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a new two-part, ve-hour documentary about the life and career of the “piano man,” hits HBO and Max on Friday.

ANDREW PARK / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Gerard Butler arrives at the premiere of “How to Train Your Dragon.” The live-action remake is now streaming on premium video on demand.

STATE & NATION

Massachusetts assisted-living facility ravaged by deadly re

Nine were killed and 30 more hurt at the 70-resident facility

By Michael Casey The Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt.

A re ghters union said inadequate sta ng hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization, and the re chief suggested no number of rst responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised reghters and police for heroic rescue e orts said sta members did little to help.

“They didn’t knock on one door,” Robert Cabral said. “They just ran.”

Fire ghters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston, at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and ames at the front of the building. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce said in a statement that the re’s cause “does not appear to be suspicious at this time.” Its origin remains under investigation, authorities said.

Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system shot hot water onto her back.

As her room led with smoke, Ferrara opened her window and yelled. A re ghter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said.

“I really thought I was going to die,” she said. “I thought there was no way out.”

That fear mixed with anger as she watched two employees run from the building.

“They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot,” she said. “I was hanging out the window — ‘Help! Help!’ and they just kept running.”

The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce identi ed seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The ofce said a 70-year-old woman and 77-year-old man were still pending noti cation of family.

Mackin’s nephew, Austin Mackin, in an emailed statement from family members, described his aunt as “gifted beyond words.”

“We will all miss Kimmy,” the statement read. “Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician.”

She received a full ride scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, and after graduating, she toured around the world as rst chair viola, the statement said. During the latter part of her career as an instrumentalist, she played in the Boston Philharmonic.

Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive O ce of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments “for those seniors who cannot a ord the high end of assisted living” as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches.

“If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help,” the website states.

Dennis Etzkorn, the facility’s owner, declined to com-

ment Monday, but o cials said he was cooperating with what Fire Chief Je rey Bacon called “a very extensive investigation.”

District Attorney Tom Quinn called the re a “terrible tragedy” in a statement that also commended rst responders “bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very di cult circumstances.”

Fire ghters union decries lack of sta , equipment

About 50 re ghters responded to the scene, including 30 who were o -duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured reghters were released from the hospital Monday.

O cials with the re ghters union said the closing of re companies and cutbacks on sta have been a problem for decades.

If sta ng had been at the nationally recommended lev-

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough.”

Michael O’Reagan, president, Fall River re ghters union

el, eight more re ghters would have been at the scene, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

Capt. Frank O’Reagan said there was no breathing equipment available when he arrived, so he started going door to door on the third oor without an air tank until the smoke got to him.

O’Reagan’s brother and fellow re ghter Michael O’Reagan said he was shocked that 40 minutes after re ghters arrived, a large part of the building had not been searched.

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough,” said Michael O’Reagan, president of the Fall River re ghters union.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the re department is sta ed based on the recommendation from the re chief.

“We sta the re department at the number the chief asked for,” he said. “We’re not even 24 hours into this and that’s going to be a priority, not the families?”

Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw o cials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns.

“It was terrible,” he said, choking up slightly.

Clever Parra, who lives behind the facility, said he joined several other neighbors to help

evacuate residents through the windows. The 40-year-old construction worker described going up a ladder and seeing a man inside attempting to open a window to escape the ames. After trying on his own, Parra turned to a re ghter to break the window.

The re ghter “sent the guy to me feet rst and I take the guy out and bring him down,” he recalled.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey o ered state assistance to the city’s mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to rst responders.

Brian Doherty, president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said state o cials were working with long-term care facilities to nd homes for displaced residents.

Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Elder A airs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned by what has been reported about the lack of re drills, low number of sta for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,” Lanzikos said.

City is one of the poorest in Massachusetts

With about 94,000 residents, Fall River is the state’s 10th-largest city and one of its poorest.

The blue-collar community in southern Massachusetts was once a global center for textile manufacturing, but it suffered population loss and economic hardship as the industry declined. Recent decades have seen some new development and investment, but the city has also been rocked by scandal. Former Mayor Jasiel Correia was convicted in a corruption trial and sentenced to six years in prison in 2021.

Survivors of the re were ushered to a temporary housing center about half a mile from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings.

Some broke down in tears, others threw out names — desperate to know who was still alive. Sta ers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and ames.

Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by ladder from his bathroom window.

“I’ve been homeless before,” Beck said. “I guess I’ll be homeless again.”

Head cook Paul Ferreira was o the clock Sunday night but rushed to the scene and watched as bodies were removed from the building. He grew emotional describing the community of people who have long struggled to nd a ordable housing.

“Not knowing it was the last time I was cooking for them, it’s sad. They become part of your family,” Ferreira said. “Some of these people have no family members. Where are they going to go now?”

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

An investigator takes measurements Monday near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility following a re that started late Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts.

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

Flowers rest near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility Monday following a re that started late Sunday and resulted in multiple fatalities.

Randolph record

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Consumer in ation ticks up slightly in June

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.

US producer prices unchanged in June

U.S. wholesale in ation cooled last month, despite worries that tari s would push prices higher. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its producer price index — which tracks in ation before it hits consumers — was unchanged in June from May and up 2..3% from a year earlier. Both measures came in below economists’ forecasts. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so called core producer prices were also unchanged from May and up 2.6% from June 2024.

Bank of America reports $7.12B net income in Q2, surpasses earnings expectations

Charlotte Bank of America Corp. on Wednesday reported secondquarter net income of $7.12 billion. The company said it had earnings of 89 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share. The nation’s second-largest bank posted revenue net of interest expense of $26.46 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $26.59 billion.

$2.00

City looks to upgrade dated water, sewer lines

Asheboro o cials would like to reduce water main breaks

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Recent wa-

ter main breaks in the city have brought attention to aging pipes that Asheboro o cials already have been addressing.

City crews respond to an average of more than two water main leaks or breaks each week, based on data provided by the city as requested by Randolph Record.

“Usually, repairs are made in four to six hours with minimal disruption to our customers,” assistant city manager Trevor Nuttall said. “Often, we are

Asheboro

ready to complete the needed work but must wait for all other underground infrastructure to be located and marked before we begin to ensure that we can work safely and not damage other critical systems.”

Based on information from Asheboro’s public works department, there were 115 breaks or leaks in 2024. More than half of those involved 2-inch or smaller lines that had been in service for extended periods of time. These galvanized iron pipes eventually corrode.

Nuttall said, is the installation in recent years of broadband communication lines, with construction crews at times causing damage in the process. There are more than 500 miles of utility lines in the city’s jurisdiction.

Nuttall said the water resources department and public works department attempt to identify water and sewer lines for replacement before a problem arises.

A water line on McMasters Street was recently replaced, with 6-inch ductile iron used where 2-inch galvanized line had been in place. A bonus is that larger lines can serve re hydrants, Nuttall said.

The proposal includes a mixture of townhomes and single-family homes

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council approved another step toward the development of a 400-plus unit development just to the north of the North Carolina Zoo.

At its July 10 regular business meeting, the council held a public hearing for a request to amend an existing Low-Density Residential Conditional Zoning District encompassing approximately 235 acres of property located at the intersection of Old Cox Road and Old Humble Miss Road for a residential planned development.

The current plan for the development, submitted by Southeastern Site Acquisitions, proposes 464 dwellings, with 312 of them being single-fami-

ly attached homes and 152 being attached townhouse-style dwellings, all being two-stories or less.

“This is not the developer’s rst rodeo,” said attorney Robert Wilhoit, who represented the applicant. “People say that they’re worried about this, but the two main principals of this developer are both from Randolph County. These are not Charlotte people, these are not big city people. They wish to take this property and transform it into a residential community in a really top-notch way.”

The initial rezoning was previously approved two years prior, but the applicants are proposing various changes to the current conditions placed upon the property now that plans have started to become more eshed out.

“This property has already been rezoned, we’re asking that some of the conditions be

The most-frequent times for water main breaks is between autumn and spring, so recent leaks fell outside that range.

Other factors reducing longevity of pipes include changes in water pressure, water disinfectant changes and maintenance activities.

“The city still has a signicant amount of galvanized pipe in our distribution network,” Nuttall said. “Drastic temperature changes within a short timeframe also can be factors, as constant expansion and contraction of the lines stress the material and can increase the likelihood of a break.”

Another factor in Asheboro,

Part of the preventive action the city is taking is blowing nontoxic smoke into sewer lines to pinpoint faulty connections and fractures. Nuttall said neighborhoods will be noti ed when smoke testing is planned.

Related to water main breaks and maintenance, Nuttall said

The ling period for municipal elections concludes this

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Eddie Burks wasted no time getting his name on ballots for Asheboro’s mayor’s seat. When the ling period

opened last week, the longtime city councilman was ready at the Board of Elections.

“I was there when the doors opened,” Burks said. Burks and fellow councilman Joey Trogdon led for the mayor’s position on the rst day.

“I’ve enjoyed my rst two years (on the council),”

week

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

A water main break on North Fayetteville Street in Asheboro draws attention of city workers last month.

“Prompt reporting can ensure quick response and reduce service impacts.”

Trevor Nuttall, assistant city manager

COURTESY PHOTO

Eddie Burks

COURTESY PHOTO

Joey Trogdon

THURSDAY

7.17.2025

NC Zoo director Simmons dies

She had overseen the Asheboro operations for 10 years

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — Pat Simmons, director of the North Carolina Zoo since 2015, has died, according to information Monday from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

“The world is a better place because Pat Simmons shared her unique vision for animal welfare and public education with all of us,” said Walker Mo tt, Asheboro mayor pro tem and North Carolina Zoo Society board member. “She was a great partner to the city and the General Assembly.”

Simmons had been battling cancer for about ve years, the zoo announced

… Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.”

She was chair of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums from 2015-21.

Guide

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

THURSDAY JULY 17

FRIDAY JULY 18

SATURDAY JULY 19

SUNDAY JULY 20

MONDAY JULY

She was involved as a zoo director for more than four decades, including from 1985-2014 at Akron Zoo in Ohio.

UPGRADE from page A1

an additional four-person team is involved to address emergency calls and to conduct basic maintenance.

There are numerous examples of the main breaks or leaks, some drawing more attention than others.

Last month, Southbound lanes on North Fayetteville Street were closed to tra c because of a water main break.

REZONING from page A1

changed and our plan be accepted because we’ve modi ed it and we have over 151 acres of open space,” Wilhoit said. “This property has been reformulated. It was previously all annexed by the city and rezoned two years ago. This property has over 64% open space, while the previous property was about 39%. This accomplishes a lot.”

The development is also considered low-density based on N.C. Department of Environmental Quality standards, and with the expansion of open space, no additional permanent stormwater control measures are needed.

In addition, the plan also has a 30-foot street yard buffer along both Old Cox and Old Humble Mills Roads.

The plan indicates that all single-family dwellings will

CRIME LOG

July 8

• Rodney Kyle Lopossay, 32, was arrested for maintaining a place for controlled substances, possessing methamphetamine, possessing with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance, possessing with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine, possessing a controlled substance, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Frank Vincent Patinella, 59, was arrested for possessing a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• John Robert Gainey, 45, was arrested for tra cking heroin, possessing with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance, possessing with intent to sell or deliver another controlled substance, maintaining a place for controlled substances, possessing

Information from the zoo said that Simmons “was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving many awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

Lanes closure extended from Presnell Street to Salisbury Street on a stretch that’s part of U.S. 220 Business. Two of four lanes were closed.

In May, the city dealt with a water main break on South Fayetteville Street near Walker Avenue. Asheboro Fire Department cautioned drivers to expect signi cant delays in that area.

Asheboro residents who spot water or sewer main

have a two-vehicle garage in addition to two driveway spaces, and all townhome dwellings will have a garage for at least one vehicle in addition to one driveway space.

“We have seen increased interest in this area with a lot of economic development announcements, and this area has been seeing a good bit of growth due to that,” said Community Development Director John Evans.

While there were some concerns raised about the current utility capacity in the area in comparison to the projected size of the development, the developers assured that that wouldn’t be a problem due to the timeline for the project.

“We have no desire to build this all at once, trust me,” said Tom Flanagan of Southeastern Site Acquisitions. “Once we pick a builder partner, we

July 9

• Brantley Joseph Norman, 59, was arrested for possessing with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Tammy Lynn Gibson, 43, was arrested for possessing a controlled substance, possessing another controlled substance, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Stephenie Anne Grizzard, 43, was arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia, larceny, and possessing stolen goods.

• Lacey Nicole Wright, 30, was arrested for possessing a controlled substance, breaking and entering, larceny, possessing stolen property, and obtaining property by false pretense.

• Kevin Wayne Corum, 50, was arrested for possessing cocaine,

“The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best — and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” Pamaela B. Cashwell, N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources secretary, said in a statement. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

breaks are encouraged to report those. Anyone seeing unexpected puddles or water on the ground or who experience unexplaineddrops in water pressure is encouraged to call 336 - 626 -1234.

“Prompt reporting can ensure quick response and reduce service impacts,” Nuttall said.

Asheboro isn’t alone with such issues. In Ramseur, a water line on West Ridge Street needed repair in mid-June.

will work with them to develop the project in an economic and reasonable growth period. I can’t tell you two years and I can’t tell you 10. What I can tell you is that just the construction part of the earth movement and all the utilities is probably a three-year build project before a house is even started.”

Following the hearing, the council unanimously approved the rezoning amendment.

“This is a zoning hearing to determine whether or not the plan, the layout is acceptable with X conditions to t our wants, needs and desires,” said Mayor Pro Tem Walker Moftt. “Any of the mechanics of the matter come afterwards. I hope that any concerns at least have some comfort that the permitting process will e ectively work and have the desired outcome.”

The Asheboro City Council will next meet Aug. 7.

possessing methamphetamine, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

July 12

• Larry Matthew Bullins, 37, was arrested for possessing heroin, possessing with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance, possessing with intent to sell or deliver another controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances, tra cking opium or heroin, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

July 13

• Stephen Zachary Oldham, 41, was arrested for possessing heroin, possessing methamphetamine, and possessing drug paraphernalia.

July 18

Pop-up Picnic in the Park Date Night 1-5 p.m.

Each pop-up picnic sunset date night for couples is selfguided, allowing you to attend at the time of your choice. All you need is a mobile device and an Internet connection to access your Digital Date Nite Box. Guided activities included are Quality Time with a discount code for food delivery to the park; Acts of Service with custom couplecoupons; Gifts featuring a “Digital Love Jar,” a Couple Games App and more! N. Asheboro Park 1939 Canoy Drive Asheboro

Friday Night Sunset Series: Held every Friday, May-August

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Admission for 21-plus is $8 per person. A variety of homemade concessions are available for purchase, including hard cider, local wine, craft beer and a variety of seasonal cocktails. Admission does not include food or drink but does cover musical performances.

Millstone Creek Orchards 506 Parks Crossroads Church Road Ramseur

July 19

Caraway Speedway 60th Anniversary Night

5:30-10:30 p.m.

The celebration will include the induction ceremony for new Wall of Fame members. Call 336-629-5803 for details.

2518 Race Track Road Sophia

July 19, 22 & 24

City of Asheboro Farmers Market

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fresh seasonal produce, farm-fresh products, baked goods, and a variety of owers and plants are available for purchase directly from local farmers. Open weekly on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of October.

134 S. Church St. Asheboro

July 21 & July 23

Liberty Farmers Market

4-7 p.m.

Purchase a wide array of high-quality, fresh produce from local farmers and growers at this convenient downtown location.

Open every Monday and Wednesday through the end of October.

423 W. Swannanoa Avenue

Liberty

COURTESY PHOTO

Pat Simmons

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

4 years after being canceled, MLB All-Star Game back in Atlanta

WHILE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL held its All-Star game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, it must never be forgotten that the Midsummer Classic should have been played there four years ago as scheduled.

In 2021, the state of Georgia and city of Atlanta were robbed of the event during the dark days of the Biden Administration at the height of COVID lockdowns, cancel culture and wokeism. MLB moved the annual event to Denver after caving to pressure from the radical socialist left based on the absolute lie that Georgia’s election integrity measure — Senate Bill 202 — was racist voter suppression legislation.

At the time, divisive former President Joe Biden falsely called the bill “Jim Crow in the 21st century” and said he “strongly supported” moving the game to Colorado. The truth is the law simply made it easier to vote and harder to cheat — and voter turnout in Georgia has increased in recent elections. As it turns out, it was a completely phony narrative concocted by the crooked liberal establishment that ranks right up there with some of their other fake stories like the Trump-Russia collusion tall tale was real, Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, or Biden was as sharp as a tack and totally t for o ce.

The entire despicable episode showcased the radical left at its absolute worst, with Democrat politicians spinning a falsehood in coordination with their allies in the biased mainstream media designed to smear conservatives and Republicans as racists trying to disenfranchise African American voters. The reality is legislators in Georgia were just trying to make their elections more secure in the wake of the controversial 2020 campaign where somehow clueless Biden mysteriously received a record number of votes

nationwide during the fog of the coronavirus pandemic.

All the election bill did was strengthen absentee ballot procedures, limit fraud-prone drop boxes and enhanced in-person voting for individuals interested in voting early. It’s commonsense legislation that remains the law in Georgia today and is widely seen as a successful endeavor in that it made voting systems stronger while making it easier to vote simultaneously.

Earlier this year when the Justice Department dismissed the Biden administration’s baseless lawsuit against the Georgia law, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be con dent that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity.”

Sadly, the Democrat Party still views strong election measures and secure ballots as an existential threat, just like in the case of President Donald Trump’s policy to execute the largest deportation in history. Let’s face it, if every state had strong election laws that make it hard to cheat and easy to vote, and illegal immigrants weren’t able to vote in our elections, the left might have a big problem on its hands. Maybe that’s why they’re behaving like maniacs in the face of law-and-order policies and popular reforms designed to make voter fraud less likely.

This year’s All-Star game in the Peach State should serve as a reminder to the U.S. Senate to take up House-passed “no-brainer” election integrity bills like the SAVE Act, which would require people registering to vote to show proof of citizenship. This bill, along with showing identi cation to vote, is supported by more than 80% of the American people. Even if Senate Democrats are too dishonest to support these reasonable e orts, Majority

Trump challenges Congress to balance the budget

NOW THAT THE One Big Beautiful Bill has passed, Congress has set its sights on an even more ambitious long-term project. This new project will require ve to seven years of creativity, thoughtfulness and ingenuity: balancing the federal budget and beginning to pay down the national debt.

Achieving a balanced federal budget through economic growth, technological innovation, eliminating waste and ine ciency within the government and its contractors, and developing improved methods for delivering goods and services will lead to a genuine golden age of American prosperity, a ordability, and security.

The American people overwhelmingly support balancing the budget. A recent Harvard-Harris Poll found that 80% of voters favor a balanced budget amendment. This support includes 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

President Donald Trump understands that balancing the budget is both historically necessary and politically popular. When Republicans last achieved four consecutive balanced budgets — an accomplishment unmatched in a century — it reshaped Washington’s political landscape and sustained a Republican House majority for the rst time since 1928.

Consider these recent statements from Trump:

During his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump declared, “In the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years — balance the federal budget. We’re going to balance it.”

In February, as Bloomberg Television reported, Trump pledged, “We will take rapid action to battle government spending and increased borrowing costs.” Trump’s commitment to balancing the budget through scal discipline and innovation in a

low-tax environment dates back well before his rst presidency.

In his 2016 campaign, Trump insisted, “It can be done. It will take place, and it will go relatively quickly. If you have the right people, you can cut the numbers by two or three pennies and balance a budget quickly.”

We must remember how dramatically President Joe Biden’s spending spree increased both the national debt and the interest payments on that debt. The national debt currently stands at $36.4 trillion, nearly double the $19 trillion debt Trump targeted in 2016. At that time, Trump warned, “We can’t keep doing this. We have got to start balancing budgets.”

In fact, Trump’s concerns about de cits and debt precede his political campaigns. At CPAC events in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Trump consistently condemned high taxes and rising debt.

However, the challenge facing Trump and the Republican Congress has grown substantially due to the massive spending increases under the Biden administration. Biden’s policies signi cantly expanded government spending, further increasing the importance of balancing the budget and reducing debt-related interest payments.

Consider the analysis from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Minn.):

Trump’s last pre-COVID budget (FY 2019) totaled $4.4 trillion. The COVID crisis triggered emergency expenditures designed to avert economic depression, temporarily in ating the budget to $6.5 trillion in FY 2020. While Trump intended spending to return to pre-pandemic levels, the Biden administration maintained spending at around $6.8 trillion to $7 trillion annually. This prolonged spending surge projected de cits totaling $21.8 trillion over the next

Leader John Thune should get everyone on the record so the American people can see for themselves who is against securing our elections. The bottom line is that the American people are sick and tired of crazy election laws that sometimes take months to decide a winner.

As I said at the time, “the only thing worse than Jim Crow is falsely linking something to Jim Crow in order to sow division in the quest for a political win.” This was true then, and it’s true now — and we must never forget what the left did in Atlanta during the summer of 2021.

When Democrats should have been trying to get Biden’s in ation crisis under control, they instead focused on smearing Georgia and well-intentioned people just trying to strengthen their elections. And it should be remembered that Trump attended a World Series game in Atlanta in the fall of 2021 in part to stand up to the shameful behavior of the woke cancel culture mob who were doing so much harm to our great country.

Thankfully, Georgia stood tall for commonsense election integrity against left-wing bullies when it mattered most.

David N. Bossie is president of Citizens United. He served as deputy campaign manager for Donald J. Trump for President in 2016. This article was rst published by Daily Caller New Foundation.

decade, marking a 36% increase. Consequently, gross federal debt is expected to climb from $36.4 trillion today to at least $59.2 trillion by 2035, or roughly 135% of GDP.

Johnson also reported that over the next decade, the U.S. will pay nearly $13 trillion solely in interest — a massive burden that severely restricts funding for other vital priorities.

Imagine a business or family required to pay $13 trillion in interest alone, far more than the projected defense spending during that period. Such debt would inevitably lead to bankruptcy and poverty. The government faces a similar risk. Continued de cits push up interest rates, cripple economic growth, crush small businesses and divert capital from productive investments into servicing government debt.

Changing this trajectory is both necessary and achievable.

House Republicans already know a balanced budget is possible. In the 1990s, Republican leadership successfully delivered four consecutive balanced budgets, a feat unmatched in the previous 100 years. A crucial rst step could be voting on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. When Republicans pursued this in 1995, the House passed it by a 300 to 132 vote margin. In the Senate, the amendment fell short at 65-35, just one vote shy of passage (Senate Leader Bob Dole strategically switched to no to retain the option to revisit the vote).

At that time, House Republican leadership, including John Kasich, Dick Armey, Bill Archer, Bob Livingston, Tom Bliley, decided that despite narrowly missing formal passage, they would proceed as if the amendment had succeeded. With disciplined leadership, they balanced the budget within four years and sustained scal responsibility for four more years until discipline waned.

We can accomplish this again. America will greatly bene t from a government living within its means, maximizing prosperity and securing a better future for all Americans.

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

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | DAVID BOSSIE

have ever found by a long shot,”

Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby’s, said in an interview. “So it’s more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.”

The 6-foot-tall skeleton of a Ceratosaurus is also on the block

By Dave Collins and Joseph B. Frederick

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — For sale: A 54-pound rock. Estimated auction price: $2 million to $4 million. Why so expensive? It’s the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth.

Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning what’s known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale that also includes a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton that’s more than 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long.

According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown o the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before traveling 140 million miles to Earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A me-

RACE from page A1

Trogdon said. “We’ve got some stu coming up that I think is important.”

The ling period runs through noon July 18.

Mayor David Smith announced last year that he wouldn’t run for reelection. He has been in the position since 2009.

“Mayor Smith had encouraged me to run on multiple occasions,” Burks said.

Trogdon, 65, is seeking to

teorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby’s says.

The red, brown and gray hunk is about 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on Earth and represents

following his father’s footsteps. Joe Trogdon was mayor of Asheboro for 18 years (1983 -2001) with a total of 28 years on the council.

“I got exposed to a lot of that because it was part of our lives for 28 years,” Trogdon said.

Burks, a 1979 Eastern Randolph graduate who owns an advertising agency, was Franklinville’s mayor from 1987-89. He has been on Asheboro’s city council since 2007.

“I think we need an expe -

nearly 7% of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby’s says. It measures nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches.

“This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we

rienced person in the mayor’s seat,” he said. Trogdon, a general contractor, had served on city committees but was rst elected to o ce two years ago.

If more than two people le for the mayor’s position, there will be a primary in the fall prior to November’s election.

Council members Walker Mo tt, the mayor pro tem, and Clark Bell have indicated they won’t run. Mo tt has been on the council since 2005. Four of the seven coun-

It is also a rare nd. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 o cially recognized meteorites found on Earth, Sotheby’s says.

Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialized lab that con rmed it is from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said.

The examination found that it is an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” a type of Martian rock formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has a course-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine, Sotheby’s says. It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through Earth’s atmosphere, Hatton said. “So that was their rst clue that this wasn’t just some big rock on the ground,” she said.

The meteorite previously was

cil seats will be on the ballot.

Terms for Burks and Trogdon don’t expire, so if one of them is elected mayor his council seat would be lled by appointment for the remaining two years.

“If not (elected mayor), I still have two more years on council,” Burks said. “I’m involved either way.”

Four council seats are on the ballot, and Phillip Cheek, Mary Joan Pugh, Kelly Heath, Al LaPrade, Dave Thomas and Jimmy E rd have led. Heath is an incumbent.

on exhibit at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. Sotheby’s did not disclose the owner.

It’s not clear exactly when the meteorite hit Earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby’s said.

The juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton was found in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry, a gold mine for dinosaur bones. Specialists assembled nearly 140 fossil bones with some sculpted materials to recreate the skeleton and mounted it so it’s ready to exhibit, Sotheby’s says.

The skeleton is believed to be from the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, Sotheby’s says. It’s auction estimate is $4 million to $6 million.

Ceratosaurus dinosaurs were bipeds with short arms that appear similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex, but smaller. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs could grow up to 25 feet long, while the Tyrannosaurs rex could be 40 feet long.

The skeleton was acquired last year by Fossilogic, a Utahbased fossil preparation and mounting company.

Wednesday’s auction is part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.

Other municipalities

Ben Harman led for the Franklinville major’s seat. A.C. Hurley is sitting mayor.

Incumbent mayors Filmore York in Liberty and David Fernandez in Seagrove led to retain their positions.

Other races on the ballot will involve various positions in Franklinville, Liberty, Randleman, Seagrove and Staley and on the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

Cole Anthony Roth

Dec. 27, 2006 – July 6, 2025

With broken hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Cole Anthony Roth, age 18, who entered into the arms of Jesus on July 6, 2025. He was surrounded by love, strength, and unwavering faith as he peacefully left this world. Born on December 27, 2006, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Cole lived a life that, though far too short, was lled with courage, laughter, and immeasurable love. He bravely battled Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with a strength and faith that inspired everyone who knew him. Cole’s smile could light up a room, his humor brought joy even in the hardest moments, and his gentle, kind spirit left an unforgettable mark on every life he touched.

Cole was homeschooled alongside his sisters, Kaitlyn and Karissa, and together they were the “Three Musketeers,” bound by a love that will stretch into eternity—“to in nity and beyond.” He loved his family deeply and told them often. His faith was the center of his life. As he said, “Without the Lord, I am nothing.” His unwavering love for Jesus Christ carried him through every step of his journey, and he kept the faith until the very end.

Cole was full of life, endlessly curious, and always ready to laugh. He was our comedian— clever, quick-witted, and joyful. He loved playing Uno with his family, racing on his Xbox with Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Forza or having fun adventures on the Nintendo Switch with Go Vacation. He had a natural talent for rhythm—he loved music, dancing, and especially singing Christian worship songs with joy and passion.

Cole had a great sense of time and always wore his watch, frequently asking, “What time is it? It’s watermelon time!”—a

Morgan Melvin Moore Sr.

Nov. 18, 1946 – July 8, 2025

Morgan Melvin Moore Sr., 78, of Seagrove, died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Duke Medical Center in Durham.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Worthville Baptist Church, where he attended, with Rev. Junior Dawkins o ciating.

Morgan was born in Surry County, NC, on November 18, 1946, the son of the late Woody Melvin Moore and Autry Mae Harold Moore. He was a certi ed auto mechanic who worked in the eld for over 50 years. Later, he went to work in grounds maintenance. Morgan was a hard worker who would never give up. He was a man of his word and very fair to all. He was quite a character and loved being a jokester with his very quick wit.

Morgan is survived by his daughters, Linda Driggers and husband Ken of Marston, Brenda Ramey and husband Paul of Seagrove, sister, Joel Jill Moore; brother, Marvin Jasper Moore; grandchildren, Herbert Driggers, Blake Driggers, Jessica Gwyn, David Gwyn, Isaac Moore; great grandchildren, Rayne, Riley, Jax, Blayden, Brayden, Brayleigh, Bryson, and Ally.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home.

favorite saying from the YouTube channel Kentucky Ballistics. He had a big love for cars— remote control cars, real ones, and especially his go-kart. Whether riding it or xing it, Cole was the “boss man” and supervisor, always ready to tell you what needed to be done and how to do it. That was true for everything—if Cole was helping, he wasn’t just helping, he was leading. He was smart, creative, and always loved guring things out.

Cole enjoyed helping in the kitchen, especially baking with his sister Karissa. His favorite meal was chicken and mashed potatoes, and Sundays were extra special. He and his Paw Paw had a long-standing tradition of eating chicken on Sundays, and every week they’d say, “It’s chicken day!” It was their time together — a simple joy that meant so much. Cole loved all the pets he had, but he had an inseparable bond with his cat “Elsa,” who lovingly would always stay by his side. He was a cherished son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. He is survived by his loving parents, Steven and Tabitha Roth; devoted sisters Kaitlyn and Karissa Roth, all of Asheboro; grandparents Tex and Deborah Chase of Liberty, and paternal grandfather James Edward Roth of Asheboro; Uncle Brian Chase (Lisa Morgan) of Randleman; Great Uncle Cli and Aunt Andrea Priddy of Pleasant Garden; and cousins Haylen and Jacob Priddy, who will miss him deeply.

Though we grieve his passing, we rejoice knowing that Cole is now whole and free in heaven— singing, dancing, and running strong—surrounded by peace and love. We are deeply grateful to everyone who prayed for Cole and lifted our family in love and faith throughout his journey. Your prayers, encouragement, and kindness gave us strength and comfort beyond words.

A celebration of Cole’s life will be held on Sunday at Ridge Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m. o ciated by Pastor Michael Barrett. All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend and share in honoring his memory. In honor of Cole’s favorite color, the family will be wearing blue.

“I have fought the good ght, I have nished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7.

Teresa Ann Baxley Lawson

March 15, 1955 – July 11, 2025

Teresa Ann Baxley Lawson, 70, of Ramseur, died Friday, July 11, 2025, at Alpine Health and Rehabilitation in Asheboro. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Rev. Bruce McLanahan o ciating. Burial will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery, Ramseur. Born March 15, 1955, in Randolph County, Mrs. Lawson was the daughter of the late Paul Gene Baxley and Mary Frances Bunting Baxley. She was a graduate of Asheboro High School, class of 1973, and had retired from Bossong Hosiery. Mrs. Lawson attended Shiloh Baptist Church. She loved shopping at thrift stores and spending time with her best buddy, her dog Jack.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lawson was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Reid Lawson, and brother-in-law, George R. Stockwell.

Survivors include her sister, Paula Stockwell Speight (Bobby) of Denton; niece, Laura Stockwell Whitt (Tony) of Lexington; great niece, Aveline Whitt; and great nephew, Cambridge Whitt.

The family will receive friends from 12:45-1:45 p.m., Thursday, at Ridge Funeral Home prior to the funeral service.

William Wayne Hoover

May 6, 1939 – July 13, 2025

William Wayne Hoover, 86, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at his home.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Charlotte Church of Asheboro Cemetery, 1182 Charlotte Church Road, Asheboro.

Born in Randolph County on May 6, 1939, to Warren and Virginia Hoover, Wayne worked in the electrical department at Acme-McCrary for many years. He enjoyed building model airplanes and woodworking.

Wayne also loved mowing, tinkering in his workshop, and talking on his CB radio.

In addition to his parents, Wayne is preceded in death by his sister, Louise Jones, and granddaughter, Amanda Bulla. Wayne is survived by his wife, Inez Staley Hoover; daughters, Luann Cagle and husband Luther of Asheboro, Waynette Hoover Araj and husband Saba of Greensboro; brother, Edgar Hoover and wife Beverly of Asheboro; grandchildren, Ben Harless and wife Emily, Emily Allred and husband Travis, Lindsay Bulla, Hannah Mellon and husband Owen Finnegan, Katie Mellon, seven great grandchildren, Connor, Addie, Kylee, Hazlee, Brylee, Ella, and Declan.

The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.

Memorial donations may be made to Charlotte Church of Asheboro, Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 2576, Asheboro, NC, 27204.

Louise Kent Haltom

Dec. 28, 1955 – July 9, 2025

Louise Kent Haltom, 69, of Denton, NC, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, at the Hospice House of Davidson County after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Louise was born on December 28, 1955, in Greensboro, NC, to Daryl and Mary Elizabeth Kent, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Glenn Raeford Haltom Jr.; her stepson, Glenn Raeford Haltom III, and his wife Amber Haltom; her brothers, Peter Kent (Nita Lescher) of Annandale, VA, and Robert Kent (Amy Kent) of High Point, NC; grandchildren Glenn Raeford Haltom IV and Katelyn Brooke Haltom; nephews Stuart Kent of Richmond Hill, GA; Jackson Kent of Nuremburg, Germany; and niece Emery Kent of Atlanta, GA.

Louise was a 1974 graduate of Western Guilford High School and went to work for North Carolina National Bank in the Guilford College community. She left NCNB for Truliant Federal Credit Union, where she spent most of her working career.

Louise loved being granny to Glenn and Katelyn. She also enjoyed ea markets, auctions, yard sales, gardening and tending to the many animals she raised with Raeford. One of her favorite pastimes was sitting on the front porch with Molly, Bigfoot, and Milo, her fur babies, watching hummingbirds ock to their feeders.

A celebration of life will be held at the home of Jane Haltom, 3410 Surratt Road, Denton, NC, on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 2 p.m.

A special thank you to Amber Haltom for all the care, love and support she gave Louise in her nal days.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice House of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292 and/or Ru Love Foster Care and Dog Rescue, PO Box 2013, Thomasville, NC 27361. Midstate Cremation & Funeral Service in Asheboro is honored to assist the family of Mrs. Louise K. Haltom.

Juanita Sykes

Jan. 25, 1931 – July 13, 2025

Juanita B. Sykes, age 94, passed away on July 13, 2025, at Randolph Hospice House.

Juanita was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. She was an avid gardener who could make any vegetable or ower ourish. She was also a wonderful cook, known for lling family gatherings with delicious dishes, cakes, pies, and her famous homemade yeast rolls. Juanita retired from Acme McCrary Corporation after over 50 years of dedicated service.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Nixon Sykes; her daughter, Joanna Sykes; her parents, Theodore Burleson and Troula Bowers Burleson; her brother, Robert Burleson; and her sisters, Beatrice Whitt and Zell Clark.

She is survived by her daughters, Linda S. Williams (Benny) and Ginger S. Lewis (Brian); four grandchildren, Derrick Williams (Kelly) of Cary, NC, Brandon Williams of Asheboro, Kelly Hamlett of Asheboro, and Wendy Houston (Ross) of Asheboro; and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Randolph Memorial Park, with Ricky Sessoms o ciating. The family will visit with friends following the service. In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made to the Randolph County SPCA (RCSPCA) or to Randolph Hospice.

David Gergen, adviser to 4 presidents, dead at 83

By Patrick Whittle The Associated Press

DAVID GERGEN, a veteran of Washington politics and an adviser to four presidents in a career spanning decades in government, academia and media, has died. He was 83.

Gergen worked in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Over the years, he served as a speechwriter, communications director and counselor to the president, among other roles.

Dean Jeremy Weinstein of the Harvard Kennedy School, with which Gergen had a long relationship, said Gergen died of a long illness. Gergen “devoted decades of his life to serving those who sought to serve,” said Hannah Riley Bowles, a former co-director of the school’s Center for Public Leadership, where Gergen was the founding director.

“David was a principled leader of unmatched character, integrity and kindness, who chose to see goodness in every per-

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

President Bill Clinton listens to David Gergen, right, during a Rose Garden news conference May 29, 1993.

son he met,” Riley Bowles said. Al Gore, who served as Clinton’s vice president, posted on X, “Of the countless ways that David Gergen contributed to our great country, what I will remember him for most was his kindness to everyone he worked with, his sound judgment, and his devotion to doing good in the world.”

David Richmond Gergen was born in North Carolina and graduated from Durham High School before atttending Yale University and the Harvard Law School, according to a biography on the Harvard Kennedy School website. He would go on to receive 27 honorary degrees over the course of his career.

Gergen founded the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and remained there as professor of public service emeritus until his death, according to the school’s website.

After serving in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, Gergen took his rst White House job in 1971, serving as a speechwriting assistant for Nixon. Bipartisanship and collaboration were hallmarks of his long career, said colleagues who paid testimonials on social media last Friday.

He was also a media personality who worked as a senior political analyst for CNN. In his 2022 book “Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made,” he wrote: “Our greatest leaders have emerged from both good times and, more often, challenging ones. … The very nest among them make the di cult calls, that can ultimately alter the course of history.” A private burial is scheduled for Mount Auburn Cemetery on Monday, said Mark Douglass, director of Douglass Funeral Home in Lexington, Massachusetts. A larger memorial service at Harvard will be held in the coming weeks, Douglass said.

Born in North Carolina, he went to Durham High School

STATE & NATION

Massachusetts assisted-living facility ravaged by deadly re

Nine were killed and 30 more hurt at the 70-resident facility

By Michael Casey The Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt.

A re ghters union said inadequate sta ng hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization, and the re chief suggested no number of rst responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised reghters and police for heroic rescue e orts said sta members did little to help.

“They didn’t knock on one door,” Robert Cabral said. “They just ran.”

Fire ghters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston, at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and ames at the front of the building. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce said in a statement that the re’s cause “does not appear to be suspicious at this time.” Its origin remains under investigation, authorities said.

Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system shot hot water onto her back.

As her room led with smoke, Ferrara opened her window and yelled. A re ghter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said.

“I really thought I was going to die,” she said. “I thought there was no way out.”

That fear mixed with anger as she watched two employees run from the building.

“They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot,” she said. “I was hanging out the window — ‘Help! Help!’ and they just kept running.”

The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce identi ed seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The ofce said a 70-year-old woman and 77-year-old man were still pending noti cation of family.

Mackin’s nephew, Austin Mackin, in an emailed statement from family members, described his aunt as “gifted beyond words.”

“We will all miss Kimmy,” the statement read. “Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician.”

She received a full ride scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, and after graduating, she toured around the world as rst chair viola, the statement said. During the latter part of her career as an instrumentalist, she played in the Boston Philharmonic.

Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive O ce of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments “for those seniors who cannot a ord the high end of assisted living” as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches.

“If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help,” the website states.

Dennis Etzkorn, the facility’s owner, declined to com-

ment Monday, but o cials said he was cooperating with what Fire Chief Je rey Bacon called “a very extensive investigation.”

District Attorney Tom Quinn called the re a “terrible tragedy” in a statement that also commended rst responders “bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very di cult circumstances.”

Fire ghters union decries lack of sta , equipment

About 50 re ghters responded to the scene, including 30 who were o -duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured reghters were released from the hospital Monday.

O cials with the re ghters union said the closing of re companies and cutbacks on sta have been a problem for decades.

If sta ng had been at the nationally recommended lev-

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough.”

Michael O’Reagan, president, Fall River re ghters union

el, eight more re ghters would have been at the scene, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

Capt. Frank O’Reagan said there was no breathing equipment available when he arrived, so he started going door to door on the third oor without an air tank until the smoke got to him.

O’Reagan’s brother and fellow re ghter Michael O’Reagan said he was shocked that 40 minutes after re ghters arrived, a large part of the building had not been searched.

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough,” said Michael O’Reagan, president of the Fall River re ghters union.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the re department is sta ed based on the recommendation from the re chief.

“We sta the re department at the number the chief asked for,” he said. “We’re not even 24 hours into this and that’s going to be a priority, not the families?”

Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw o cials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns.

“It was terrible,” he said, choking up slightly.

Clever Parra, who lives behind the facility, said he joined several other neighbors to help

evacuate residents through the windows. The 40-year-old construction worker described going up a ladder and seeing a man inside attempting to open a window to escape the ames. After trying on his own, Parra turned to a re ghter to break the window.

The re ghter “sent the guy to me feet rst and I take the guy out and bring him down,” he recalled.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey o ered state assistance to the city’s mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to rst responders.

Brian Doherty, president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said state o cials were working with long-term care facilities to nd homes for displaced residents.

Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Elder A airs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned by what has been reported about the lack of re drills, low number of sta for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,” Lanzikos said.

City is one of the poorest in Massachusetts

With about 94,000 residents, Fall River is the state’s 10th-largest city and one of its poorest. The blue-collar community in southern Massachusetts was once a global center for textile manufacturing, but it suffered population loss and economic hardship as the industry declined. Recent decades have seen some new development and investment, but the city has also been rocked by scandal. Former Mayor Jasiel Correia was convicted in a corruption trial and sentenced to six years in prison in 2021.

Survivors of the re were ushered to a temporary housing center about half a mile from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings.

Some broke down in tears, others threw out names — desperate to know who was still alive. Sta ers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and ames.

Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by ladder from his bathroom window.

“I’ve been homeless before,” Beck said. “I guess I’ll be homeless again.”

Head cook Paul Ferreira was o the clock Sunday night but rushed to the scene and watched as bodies were removed from the building. He grew emotional describing the community of people who have long struggled to nd a ordable housing.

“Not knowing it was the last time I was cooking for them, it’s sad. They become part of your family,” Ferreira said. “Some of these people have no family members. Where are they going to go now?”

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

An investigator takes measurements Monday near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility following a re that started late Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts.

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

Flowers rest near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility Monday following a re that started late Sunday and resulted in multiple fatalities.

RandolpH SPORTS

Gainey’s knee rehabs turn out rewarding

The multisport Southwestern Randolph athlete received a courage award from the NCHSAA

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Injuries interrupted basketball and baseball seasons so often for Southwestern Randolph’s Jake Gainey that he became well-versed in reciting the setbacks.

He also committed to a series of rehabilitation sessions that he became as familiar with as shooting drills and batting practice.

Yet multiple knee surgeries later, Gainey was on the baseball eld this spring for the Cou-

gars, completing a high school athletic career that seemed anything but normal.

“I learned a lot of lessons that I wouldn’t have learned,” Gainey said of the string of dislocated knees. “Negative mindsets are a killer for everything. I realized it was a mental hurdle I had to get over. There was still a lot of uneasiness. But I love playing basketball. I love playing baseball.”

In June, he was one of four recipients of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Tony Simeon Courage Awards, which honor individuals who despite adversity demonstrated exemplary character and performance resulting in becoming an inspiration to others.

He was a guard on basketball team and a third baseman and pitcher in baseball. And a too-frequent visitor for medical exams.

There were ve dislocations of his knees. He said he relied on John 13:7 (“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”).

“I had a goal in mind that I wanted to accomplish,” he said. “I was really driven.”

Then during the past year, the day before the second basketball game, his left knee became dislocated for the fourth time.

“That was probably my toughest one,” Gainey said. “It was my senior year.”

Months later, he got back on the court for the nal two bas-

Randolph County reached the Area 3 semi nal round to face Union County

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — Randolph County Post 45 made it through two rounds of the Area 3 playo s in American Legion baseball. This week, the team is involved in a semi nal round of the playo s against Union County Post 535.

The best-of- ve series began Sunday night with Union

County prevailing 5-3 in eight innings at McCrary Park.

The winner of the series will have a spot in the state tournament. The other Area 3 seminal series pits Rowan County Post 342 against High Point Post 87. The semi nal winners will play in a one-game Area 3 nal scheduled for Saturday night.

The rst game between Post 45 and Union County included another comeback for Randolph County, though this one came up a bit short.

Randolph County’s Ben Luck scored on an inside-the-

park home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to extend the game. Grayson Slusher’s two -run homer o Elijah Prince in the eighth gave Union County the victory. In a second-round series vs. Mooresville Post 66, Randolph County needed to win games on consecutive nights to avoid elimination in that best- of-three encounter.

Game 2 was tied 4-4 in the sixth inning before Post 45 broke out with two big innings for a 12-4 decision. Caleb

“I looked down and my knee wasn’t where it usually is.”

Jake Gainey, Southwestern Randolph athlete

ketball games. He then made it through the 2025 baseball season.

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I got to play ball with my friends one last time. I knew at any moment it could be taken away.”

He had routines for the rehabs, often twice per day with visits to the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA. Sometimes it was prior to classes and more conditioning later in the day.

“The exact same thing,” he said of the injuries. “I was really hesitant. I knew I had to kick it up another gear because this is going to be hard.”

Wounded knees

The knee ailments began when he played for Southwestern Randolph Middle School.

“It really started in eighth grade,” he said. “It was that weird basketball season with COVID.”

Playing a game against Southeastern Randolph Middle School, an opponent’s foot connected with his knee in an awkward way.

“I looked down and my knee

Owen Blackledge played for two seasons with Asheboro’s team in the CPL

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Owen Blackledge is back with the Asheboro ZooKeepers this season, but not in a playing capacity.

He’s an assistant coach with the Coastal Plain League team.

Blackledge played for the ZooKeepers in 2023 and 2024 and then nished his collegiate career this spring in the Division II College World Series with Lenoir-Rhyne.

“I love coaching so far,” Blackledge said after a recent ZooKeepers game. “I knew I wanted to go into coaching at some point.”

ZooKeepers coach Korey Dunbar said the continuity with Blackledge in the dugout is a bonus.

“Another familiar face,” Dunbar said.

Blackledge said he played through a torn labrum that he sustained in the regular season with Lenoir-Rhyne.

“When that happened, I took it as a sign,” he said of closing his playing career when the college season ended. He said it was a rewarding nal season.

COURTESY

Jake Gainey dives on the oor for the ball during a basketball game against Uwharrie Charter Academy.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

See GAINEY, page B2

COURTESY PHOTO Owen Blackledge

Liberty Post 81’s Noah Lester takes a swing during an Area 3 playo game against Rowan County in Salisbury.

Dakota Ludwick

Wheatmore, track and eld/ soccer

Ludwick was active on the track for the Warriors as a sprinter.

As a senior, he was named the Most Outstanding Runner in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. He won the conference titles in the 100 meters and was the runner-up in the 200 and 400. He was the 200 league champion as a junior.

Ludwick also was a winter track and eld participant.

Ludwick was a mainstay for the Warriors in boys’ soccer as a defender. He logged the fth-most minutes on the team during his senior season. He also recorded one goal.

During the summer, we honor seniors from the past school year.

Caraway to induct 5 drivers for Wall of Fame

The speedway is celebrating its 60-year mark by recognizing past favorites at the track

Randolph Record sta

SOPHIA — Five drivers who Caraway Speedway o cials consider some of the centerpieces from the golden era of grassroots stock car racing will be honored this weekend at the track.

The speedway’s Wall of Fame will add Mike Skinner, Dennis Setzer, Greg Marlowe, Stephen Grimes and David Hyder on Saturday night. The induction begins at 7 p.m., followed by racing at 8 p.m.

It comes as part of the track’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Skinner, known as “The Gunslinger,” arrived in the area from California in 1983. He

was a crew member on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit but made a name for himself as a driver in the Late Models division at Caraway. He won the track’s 1983 championship, leading to a spot in the Craftsman Truck Series for team owner Richard Childress.

Setzer was the Late Models champion at Caraway for three consecutive years from 1988-90. He also moved on to the Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Grand National circuit. Now he’s involved in driver development on the zMAX Cars Tour.

Marlowe won season titles in Late Models in 1992 and 1994 at Caraway. He also had a fabrication business that involved design and building of cars in the Late Models division.

Grimes won 28 races at Caraway in the 1990s. Some of

Former Late Models drivers made big impacts at

those results helped him become the 1995 track champion. Three years earlier, he was voted by fans as Most Popular Driver at the track.

Hyder drove the No. 8 car and was considered by track o cials as innovative as he built his own cars. He made numerous visits to Victory Lane, but never claimed a track championship.

To honor the 60-year milestone, admission Saturday will be one dime for each year — so 60 dimes (or $6). Racing is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the induction ceremony.

Coggins and Zack Scruggs each drove in three runs and Ethan Willard scored four runs. Braxton Walker was the winning pitcher.

Then in Game 3 on Saturday night at McCrary Park, Post 45 claimed an 8-7, 10-inning victory.

Mooresville went ahead in the top of the 10th, but a string of walks helped Randolph County notch the tying and winning runs.

Carter Brown’s two-run home run helped Post 45 trim what had been a 6-2 hole. Coggins’ elder’s choice grounder brought in the tying run in the sixth.

Jake Riddle notched the pitching victory in relief of Brett Smith.

Mooresville overcame a ve-run de cit to win 9-6 in Game 1, which began at McCrary Park and nished the next day at Lake Norman High School because it was played under protest beginning in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sean Jennison took the pitching loss.

Mooresville’s season ended with an 11-6 record.

Randolph County eliminated

Chatham County Post 305 in a make-up Game 2 to sweep the best-of-three rst-round series. Brown’s grand slam was the big blow, and Willard’s sacri ce y in the sixth inning broke a tie. Drew Harmon was the winning pitcher in relief and Riddle notched the save.

Post 81 eliminated

Liberty Post 81 took South Division II champion Rowan County Post 342 to a decisive third game before falling by 7-1 on Saturday night in Salisbury in the Area 3 second-round series.

Rowan County’s ve-run third inning proved huge as Liberty starter Mason Taylor took the loss.

Liberty used a 6-5, 10-inning home victory in Game 2 to extend the series, rallying from a three-run de cit and tying the game 5-5 on Eli Holland’s two -run double in the seventh.

Holland led o the 10th with a double and later scored on Will Stalker’s grounder.

The series began with Rowan County’s 11-2 victory. Mark King took the pitching loss.

Post 81 nished the season with a 10-14 record.

wasn’t where it usually is,” he said, noting it popped it back into place.

That started what became can agonizing trend. An injury, a determined response and that wishful thinking that’d he be playing a regular role.

“I had the mindset that I was going to get back,” he said. “I really wanted to get out there, and I knew it would come.”

As a sophomore in a junior varsity game at the Asheboro Recreation Center, where Asheboro was playing home games, he became tangled up with a Blue Comets player and a teammate.

“My knee was on the side of my leg,” he said.

As he was tended to on the court, his father came out to check. Jake, fearing Stephen Gainey would be queasy, told him to turn away.

“I knew I had to get it back in place before it swelled up,” he said.

The rst two injuries involved his left knee. The sophomore injury required surgery on the right knee, so he missed the rest of the basketball season and all the baseball season.

“I was so eager to get back,” he said. “It wears on you mentally when something like this happens.”

The time o also hinders development.

“The beginning of fall baseball, of course, I couldn’t hit a beach ball if it was thrown to me,” Gainey said.

Then while playing on defense he went down again in the basketball preseason as a junior. The result was another surgery.

No hiding

During a baseball game this year at McCrary Park, Gainey slid into second base, jamming his knee. Before he could get up, Gainey had an unexpected onlooker — Asheboro out elder Ben Luck — checking on him. Luck and Gainey are longtime friends, partly through First Baptist Church Asheboro, so Luck knew the deal.

“He slid into second base and something didn’t look right,” Luck said. “Kind of in pain a little bit. … Always bad injuries. He could never stay healthy.

“Kind of felt bad for him because obviously at this age all you want to do is play sports and have fun. He has been able to do that, but kind of limited in a certain way.”

Those injuries created a wide support system beyond his family. There’s Garrie Storie and Joe Mullins from Athletic Training & Conditioning, Gary Leach with the YMCA, school trainer Victoria Curry and pastors Mark Hall and Ste -

phen Owen from his church.

“My teammates, they were always there for me,” Gainey said. “I still felt I was part of the team.”

Southwestern Randolph baseball teammate Zack Scruggs, also in the Class of 2025, had seen Gainey in the dugout more often than on the eld.

“Recovery all the time, always working through it,” Scruggs said. “Always made a point to be there, for sure. Very resilient and strong. A lot of recovery and praying.”

While Gainey rarely became the focus in the sports venues, there was certain attention. His father is superintendent of the Randolph County School System.

With that, Jake Gainey said he realized that “you may not know everybody, but there’s a lot of people who know you.”

The younger Gainey, 18, carved his own path. He was student body president and fourth in his class with a 4.611 grade point average.

At NC State, he plans to study sports management along with journalism and sports science.

“Maybe I never accomplished the personal and team accomplishments that we wanted,” Gainey said. “But I always loved sports. I wasn’t going to let these injuries stop me from doing what I love to do.”

GAINEY from page B1

Jake Gainey goes through a rehabilitation session following another injury.

the track.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Bolsheviks execute Czar Nicholas II with family, Disneyland opens, man walks on moon

JULY 17

1902: Willis Carrier produced a set of designs for what would become the world’s rst modern air-conditioning system.

1918: Russia’s Czar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks.

1936: The Spanish Civil War began as right-wing army generals launched a coup attempt against the Second Spanish Republic.

1955: Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California, after its $17 million yearlong construction; the park drew a million visitors in its rst 10 weeks.

JULY 18

1536: The English Parliament passed an act declaring the authority of the pope void in England.

1863: During the Civil War, Union troops spearheaded by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, made up of black soldiers, charged Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina.

1925: Adolf Hitler published the rst volume of his autobiographical manifesto “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle).

JULY 19

1812: During the War of 1812, the First Battle of Sackets Harbor in Lake Ontario resulted in an American victory as U.S. naval forces repelled a British attack.

1969: Apollo 11 and its astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins, went

into orbit around the moon.

1979: The Nicaraguan capital of Managua fell to Sandinista guerrillas, two days after President Anastasio Somoza ed the country.

JULY 20

1917: The World War I draft lottery began when Secretary of War Newton Baker, blindfolded, drew number 258 from a glass bowl in the Senate o ce building.

1944: An attempt by a group of German o cials to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb failed as the explosion only wounded the Nazi leader.

1951: Jordan’s King Abdullah I was assassinated in Jerusalem by a Palestinian gunman who was shot dead on the spot by security.

1969: Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the rst men to walk on the moon.

JULY 21

1925: The so-called “Monkey Trial” ended in Dayton, Tennessee, with John T. Scopes found guilty of violating state law for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. (The conviction was later overturned.)

1861: During the Civil War, the rst Battle of Bull Run was fought at Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory.

1944: American forces landed on Guam during World War II, capturing it from the Japanese some three weeks later.

1954: The Geneva Conference concluded with accords dividing Vietnam into northern and southern entities.

JULY 22

1933: Aviator Wiley Post

Re ections of Neil Armstrong, the U.S. ag, lunar module and TV camera appear in Buzz Aldrin’s visor as Armstrong took the photo during the rst moonwalk in history on July 20, 1969.

landed at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City, completing the rst solo ight around the world in 7 days, 18 hours and 49 minutes.

1934: Bank robber John Dillinger was shot to death by federal agents outside Chicago’s Biograph Theater.

1942: The Nazis began transporting Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp.

1943: American forces led by Gen. George S. Patton captured Palermo, Sicily, during World War II.

JULY 23

1903: The Ford Motor Company sold its rst car, a Model A, for $850.

1958: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II named the rst four women to peerage in the House of Lords.

2011: Singer Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her London home from accidental alcohol poisoning.

ZOOKEEPERS from page B1

Lenoir-Rhyne upset Catawba in an NCAA super regional to reach the Division II CWS. There are several Catawba players with the ZooKeepers.

“I’m a coach, so they have to talk to me,” Blackledge said with a laugh.

High-scoring games

ZooKeepers’ pitching has been problematic since the resumption of the season following a brief layo for the CPL All-Star Game.

That was fully evident in Saturday’s 21-2 road loss to the Macon Bacon.

Asheboro’s 14-9 victory against the visiting Tri-City Chili Peppers came with Da-

“I knew I wanted to go into coaching at some point.”

Owen Blackledge, ZooKeepers assistant

vis Germann scoring four runs and Jake Gri th homering.

The ZooKeepers overcame the issuing of 12 walks. Hayden Mills was the winning pitcher with one inning of relief. The ZooKeepers came o a break and lost 14-4 last Thursday night’s road game to the High Point-Thomasville HiToms. Asheboro’s Kruise Newman and Boaz Harper homered.

CPL All-Star Game

Catcher Chase Waddell of the Wilson Tobs homered and was named Coastal Plain League Hitter of the All-Star Game, helping the East to a 6-0 victory July 7 at Macon, Georgia. He also drew a walk. Waddell was a member of the 2022 Asheboro team.

The West managed three hits, with ZooKeepers Yariel Diaz and Sal Laimo each providing a single. Kruise Newman walked three times.

Asheboro’s Joe Rauscher pitched a scoreless inning, while teammate Mason McDaniel gave up two runs on Waddell’s homer in the fth inning.

In the event’s Home Run Derby, Newman advanced to the second round.

NEIL ARMSTRONG / NASA VIA AP

AP PHOTO

Children sprint across a drawbridge and into a castle marking the entrance to Fantasyland at the opening of Walt Disney’s Disneyland on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California.

Justin Bieber releases ‘Swag,’ his long-awaited seventh album

The 31-year-old has sold more than 150 million records worldwide

By Maria Sherman

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Never say never! Justin Bieber surprised fans Friday by releasing “Swag,” his seventh studio album, hours after he teased it on billboards and social media posts.

It is his rst album since 2021’s “Justice” and rst since becoming a father last year.

“Inspired by his devotion as a husband and father, this new era of music has fueled a deeper perspective and more re ective sound, resulting in some of his most personal music yet,” Def Jam Recordings said of the 21-track album.

Billboards depicting Bieber were found by fans Thursday in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Los Angeles. The singer also shared images of billboards on his ofcial Instagram account along with a track list that included song names like “All I Can Take,” “Walking Away,” “Dadz Love” and “Forgiveness.”

Recommendations for an intimate new album

There’s a lot to love across the 21 tracks of the intimate “Swag.” Here are a few choice cuts.

“Daises” — The second track on the album may very well be its strongest; an exemplar in Bieber’s slow-burn brand of alternative R&B-pop, now anchored with lo- guitar. Here, his sweet voice is pronounced — exactly what his most dedicated fans want to hear.

“Devotion” ft. Dijon — Dijon is a rising R&B voice; some fans might be familiar with his 2021 debut album “Absolutely” or his contribution to Bon Iver’s “SABLE, fABLE” from earlier this year. He makes for a standout collaboration on “Swag,” a sweet song about deepening a ection.

“Go Baby” — Bieber married the model Hailey Bieber (nee Baldwin) in 2018; she’s long been source material for his most loving tracks. “Go Baby” is a standout for that reason. “That’s my baby, she’s

BOOK REVIEW

“Inspired by his devotion as a husband and father, this new era of music has fueled a deeper perspective and more re ective sound, resulting in some of his most personal music yet.”

Def Jam Recordings

iconic,” he opens the track, “iPhone case, lip gloss on it,” referencing her Rhode skincare and beauty brand, which sold to Elf Beauty in a $1 billion deal.

“Walking Away” — Marriage isn’t easy; that’s clear on “Walking Away,” a slightly-more-up-tempo track where Bieber makes his dedication evident. It’s the perfect song for dancing in the kitchen with your partner. “All I Can Take” — The

throwback opener “All I Can Take” has a vintage groove — echoes of Beiber’s early work, now matured to re ect his current adult reality. He sounds as sweet as ever in the prechorus, his declaration of “Ooh, baby, don’t it feel good? Baby, don’t it feel nice? / Ooh, baby, don’t it feel good? You don’t have to think twice.”

Bieber before “Swag”

Bieber, the two-time Grammy Award winning singer and Canadian pop idol who revolutionized teen pop and social media fame, is best known for his silky R&B pop lyric tenor, demonstrated on the diamond-selling “Baby,” “Sorry,” and “Stay” with the Kid Laroi. At the beginning of his career, and as a tween, Bieber began working with Usher and the inuential music manager Scooter Braun.

In 2023, Bieber sold the rights to his music — all six of his albums, including hits like “Sorry” and “Baby” — to Hipgnosis, a U.K-based music investment company.

‘Hotel Ukraine’ wraps up Cruz Smith’s detective Renko book series on a high

The rst in the series, “Gorky Park,” was published in 1981

By Anita Snow The Associated Press

ARKADY RENKO now fumbles with his keys at the door as his Parkinson’s disease gradually grows worse.

The legendary Russian detective has struggled to keep his declining health a secret, but the worsening symptoms have become impossible to hide. Still, Renko is determined to crack the case of a Russian defense o cial mysteriously murdered in his Moscow hotel room as Russia’s war on Ukraine rages.

The murder takes place at the Hotel Ukraine, a well-known hotel in the heart of Moscow, one of the towering Stalin-era buildings known as the Seven Sisters.

“Hotel Ukraine” is the 11th and last installment in the popular Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith that he launched in 1981 with his blockbuster “Gorky Park.” Books like “Red Square,” “Havana Bay” and “Stalin’s Ghost” followed.

We don’t nd out until we get to the acknowledgments at the book’s end to learn that Smith, like Renko, has also been concealing a Parkinson’s diagnosis for years until it was clear he had to step aside.

The revelation is sure to sadden Smith’s loyal fans who have

SIMON & SCHUSTER VIA AP

“Hotel Ukraine” is the 11th and nal installment in the Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith.

followed the ctional detective’s career from Moscow’s Cold War days to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the rise of the Russian oligarchs

But the a cionados of the Renko novels will still have a gem in Smith’s latest, which upholds Smith’s reputation as a great craftsman of modern detective ction with his sharply drawn, complex characters and a compelling plot.

It’s a fresh international detective tale with a backstory pulled straight from recent headlines, referencing world leaders like presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin of

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

“There is only one Arkady, and I will miss him.”

Martin Cruz Smith

Russia and Joe Biden of the U.S.

It’s also a well-informed personal look at how the worsening e ects of Parkinson’s can a ect an individual, as Renko nds he can still drive, and he can still talk on the phone, but he can’t do both at the same time.

When Renko’s superiors discover his health problems, they place him on paid sick leave. But that doesn’t stop the intrepid detective from continuing his investigation, alongside his lover, journalist Tatiana Petrovna.

Renko discovers a Russian military group was involved in the killing and is being helped on the sly by Marina Makarova, a government o cial and former lover who he is working with on the o cial probe.

After a somewhat slow start, the action in the novel speeds up as the story advances, and the end approaches with multiple twists and surprises.

“It is surprising to think that I have had Parkinson’s for almost 30 years. For most of that time I have been remarkably well,” Smith writes in the acknowledgements. “But this disease takes no prisoners, and now I have nished my last book. There is only one Arkady, and I will miss him.”

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION/AP PHOTO

Justin Bieber attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala in 2021.

Martha Reeves celebrates 84, Carlos Santana is 78, Gisele Bundchen turns 45

The Associated Press

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

JULY 17

Sportscaster Verne Lundquist is 85. Bassist Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath is 76. Actor Lucie Arnaz is 74. Actor David Hasselho is 73. TV producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Apprentice”) is 65. Actor Nancy Giles (“China Beach”) is 65.

JULY 18

Actor James Brolin is 85. Singer Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas is 84. Bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs is 71.

JULY 19

Singer-bassist Alan Gorrie of Average White Band is 79. Guitarist Brian May of Queen is 78.

Actor Campbell Scott is 64.

JULY 20

Singer Kim Carnes is 80. Rock musician Carlos Santana is 78. Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen is 50. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is 45.

JULY 21

Author Michael Connelly is 69. Comedian Jon Lovitz is 68. Actor/singer Charlotte Gainsbourg is 54. Actor Rory Culkin is 36.

JULY 22

Movie writer-director Paul Schrader is 79. Actor Danny Glover is 79. Actor-comedian-director Albert Brooks is 78. Rock singer Don Henley is 78. Jazz musician Al Di Meola is 71. Actor Willem Dafoe is 70.

JULY 23

Actor Woody Harrelson is 64.

Rock musician Slash is 60. Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton is 57. Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky is 52.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION /AP PHOTO

Iconic guitarist Carlos Santana, pictured performing in 2022, turns 78 on Sunday.

ANDY KROPA / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Monica Lewinsky, the former Clinton White House intern, turns 52 on Wednesday.

the stream

Dragons, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Billy Joel, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

“Surf Girls” returns to Prime Video for a second season

The Associated Press

THE LIVE-ACTION remake of the animated lm “How to Train Your Dragon” and a two -part, ve-hour documentary on Billy Joel are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time: The long-delayed third album from rapper Roddy Ricch, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” returns for its third and nal season and two arcade favorites — Donkey Kong and Pac-Man — get reinvented for gamers.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Movie theaters are crowded enough this summer that one recent box-o ce hit is already coming to homes. Universal Pictures’ “How to Train Your Dragon” is available on premium video on demand. The live-action remake of the DreamWorks Animation dragon tale has surpassed $500 million in global ticket sale. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr raved: “Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, it also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Joel recently canceled his summer tour after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. But “Piano Man” fans can still get their Joel x in “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a two-part, vehour documentary. Part one will arrive on HBO and HBO Max on Friday, with part two following on July 25. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin cover Joel’s life and career, with interviews with Joel, his family, his ex-wives and musicians including Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney.

Petra Costa’s “Apocalypse in the Tropics” (Net ix), documents the rise of the far right in Brazil. Costa’s follow-up to her Oscar-nominated “The Edge of Democracy,” digs into the role of the evangelical movement in bringing former president Jai Bolsonaro to power. Bolsonaro

is currently standing trial for an alleged coup attempt in 2023, a trial that U.S. President Donald Trump has called a “witch hunt.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Delayed from February, rapper Roddy Ricch returns with his third album on Friday, “The Navy Album.” The Compton rapper, who appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” has put out a few singles from the new collection, including “Survivor’s Remorse” and “Lonely Road.” The latter features Terrace Martin and was released with a video of him cruising through the city seeing angels and the lyrics: “Roddy rap like the rent due/Roddy tell ‘em the whole truth.”

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” has been everywhere in 2025; it’s a big, ino ensive ballad with loosely religious themes and meticulously designed to the pull at heartstrings. And it succeeds, due in part to the fact that Warren sings in a faux-British accent. On Friday, he’ll release his debut full-length on Atlantic Records, “You’ll Be Alright, Kid.” Expect a lot more soul and get the tissues ready. Fresh o a hot new track for the summer blockbuster “F1” soundtrack, Puerto Rican rapper and singer Myke Towers will release a new album, “Island Boyz,” on Friday. It’s just what the heart wants during these hot months — feel good reggaeton, urban pop and Latin trap.

SERIES TO STREAM

Are you Team Jelly sh or Team Bonrad? If you have no idea what that means you probably don’t watch “The Summer I Turned Pretty. “ The show returns for its third and nal season on Prime Video. It’s about a young woman named Belly (Lola Tung,) who is torn between two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, played by Gavin Casalegno and Christopher Briney. The series is based on a trilogy of books by Jenny Han. In the second season of Prime Video’s “Surf Girls” series, cameras follow ve up-and-coming female surfers who travel the globe to compete in the Chal-

lenger Series. “Surf Girls: International” focuses on both new and returning surfers that were featured in season one. A goal is to spotlight women in a sport that has often been skewed by

sexism. All ve episodes drop Thursday. Reese Witherspoon is an executive producer. In the lms “The Dry” and “Force of Nature: The Dry 2,” Eric Bana played a federal agent

“Unlike so many live-action remakes of animated lms, (“How to Train Your Dragon”) also doesn’t feel super uous, or, worse, like a poor imitation of its predecessor.”

Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer

investigating murders in his native country of Australia. In the new Net ix series “Untamed,” Bana plays a U.S. law enforcement o cer investigating the mysterious death of a woman at Yosemite National Park. Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt and Wilson Bethel also star. It premieres Thursday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

For a guy who started o as a villain, Donkey Kong has proven to be one of Nintendo’s most versatile heroes, doing everything from driving to playing drums to (seriously) teaching math. Donkey Kong Bananza focuses on what he does best: punching things. Someone has stolen his bananas, so it’s up to DK to smash his way through the Underground World in pursuit of the culprits. It’s the rst 3D adventure for the big lug in a long time, and Nintendo has said it comes from the same team that developed the bestselling Super Mario Odyssey. Start swinging Thursday on Switch 2.

Another arcade favorite — Pac-Man — returns in Shadow Labyrinth, although publisher Bandai Namco has radically altered the pellet-chomper. Here, you play as Swordsman No. 8, an explorer who is accompanied by a mysterious yellow orb named Puck. As you traverse the 2D alien world, you may be reminded of a di erent classic: 1986’s Metroid. There are some levels that look more like Pac-Man mazes, though, and you will still hunt and be hunted by ghosts — which are now called “G-Hosts.” It’s a weird and edgy approach to the legend, and it arrives Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch and PC.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

“Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a new two-part, ve-hour documentary about the life and career of the “piano man,” hits HBO and Max on Friday.

ANDREW PARK / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Gerard Butler arrives at the premiere of “How to Train Your Dragon.” The live-action remake is now streaming on premium video on demand.

HOKE COUNTY

Corn grows high in Raeford on Arabia Road at Berriedale Loop.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Consumer in ation

ticks up slightly in June

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.

US producer prices unchanged in June

U.S. wholesale in ation cooled last month, despite worries that tari s would push prices higher. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its producer price index — which tracks in ation before it hits consumers — was unchanged in June from May and up 2..3% from a year earlier. Both measures came in below economists’ forecasts. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so called core producer prices were also unchanged from May and up 2.6% from June 2024.

Bank of America reports $7.12B net income in Q2, surpasses earnings expectations

Charlotte Bank of America Corp. on Wednesday reported secondquarter net income of $7.12 billion. The company said it had earnings of 89 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share. The nation’s second-largest bank posted revenue net of interest expense of $26.46 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $26.59 billion.

NC State experts help Hoke County farmers navigate changing terrain

Extension

service guides local producers through the shift from tobacco to new crops amid weather challenges

By Elaina J. Martin For North State Journal

DRIVING AROUND Hoke County this month and next, you will see a barrage of green.

“There are 37,000 acres of farmland in Hoke County, and the majority of those are crop farms,” said Katie Horne, livestock and eld crops cooperative extension agent at the Hoke County Cooperative Extension o ce. Crop farms grow plants for harvest, as opposed to livestock operations that raise cattle, hogs or poultry.

The Cooperative Extension, a partnership between NC State University and local government, provides free agricultural expertise and education to help farmers improve their operations and adapt to changing conditions.

Horne, who received her bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management from NC State and has a background in family farms with cattle, hogs, goats and hay, has witnessed signi cant agricultural changes in the county.

“There used to be a lot of tobacco, and now there’s none due to labor challenges, the higher cost of production and the Tobacco Buyout Program from 2004,” Horne said.

Not long ago, there was signi cantly more cotton, but fewer people are planting it today

because of lower cotton prices.

In July and August, local elds produce fresh corn, soybeans, cotton, sweet potatoes, bush beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupe, peanuts, squash and watermelons.

Plants need water to grow, but too much or they will rot.

Despite the rainy days in May and June, very few crops have been negatively a ected.

“I believe most of the crops are OK,” Horne said. “Some of the crops have drowned or washed away with the heavy rains, and some have been burnt up by the sun, but I would say the majority are doing well.”

Horne’s knowledge and experience prove pivotal in Hoke County’s farming community.

“I o er research-based education and support for both livestock and eld crop produc-

ers through workshops, seminars, programs and youth education development,” Horne explained. These areas of support can include nutrition, health, management, sampling, research trials, regulatory compliance and technology adaptation in eld crops, livestock, forages, waste management and pest control. Farmers need support.”

Lower crop prices, higher production costs and labor shortages make farming increasingly hard.

“Hoke County residents can help these farmers by supporting the farmers’ markets, farm stands, and visiting farms when they have events,” she said. Horne can be contacted at the Hoke County Center at 910 -848-8026 or by email at katie_horne@ncsu.edu.

School district receives above average score from accreditation agency

Cognia evaluates districts on their educational quality and e ectiveness

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — The Hoke County Schools Board of Education was presented with the results of the district’s recent Cognia accreditation review at its July 8 regular business meeting.

“Every six years, school districts have to go through accreditation review if they want to be an accredited institution,” said Director of Federal Programs Mary McLeod. “Another important reason to have your institution accredited is if you o er AP and honor courses, in order for those to be accepted by a university, they have to come from a school system that has been accredited.”

Cognia provides an index of education quality (IEQ) score

that is a holistic measure of overall performance. Hoke County School scored a 328, with the network average being 296.

According to McLeod, the district had to go through a rigorous process that included student performance analysis, stakeholder feedback analysis and learning environment observation analysis.

Some of the district’s noteworthy practices, according to Cognia, were that leaders and sta prioritize supportive practices, policies and a culture that promotes student success; that leadership optimizes recruiting, supervision and evaluating professional sta and cultivate leadership among stakeholders; and that the district optimizes multiple sources of formative and summative data to measure district and student progress.

Areas of improvement included formalizing and evaluating the student learning

environment to ensure it is enhanced by diverse resources and perspective so students may take ownership of their learning and to implement processes to promote student voice and responsibility to support academic and nonacademic skills.

“As a school district, we have three years to work on these areas,” McLeod said. “Cognia will then reach out and make contact with us to present to them what we have been doing to accomplish improving those areas.”

The board also approved two construction items, including a contract with CMTA to provide commissioning services at the new Hoke County High School.

“These services are required by the North Carolina State Building Code,” said construction supervisor John Birath. “We are having them perform the code-required work to be done on commissioning the

systems in the building, making sure we have an emphasis on what’s referred to as a building automation system. This is the control system that controls the automated lighting and all the mechanical components in the building.”

The contract is for an amount not to exceed approximately $116,000. The original budgeted amount for these services was $250,000.

The board also approved an amendment to its contract with Terracon Consultants for the extension of services at a cost just over $38,000.

“There had been some delays with the sequencing and construction, which caused them, due to weather and other elements, to have to extend their time of service for certain elements and items that they were hoping to do concurrently,” Birath said.

The Hoke County Schools Board of Education will next meet Aug. 12.

A deputy entered the smoke- lled home before re crews arrived

North State Journal sta

A HOKE COUNTY deputy rescued an elderly man from a house re Monday morning in the Clay Hill community, according to a social media post from the Hoke County Sheri ’s O ce.

Deputy Medic Lee Black was among the rst responders to arrive at the scene on Doc

Brown Road at approximately 8:24 a.m. after a report of a house re with someone potentially trapped inside.

Before re crews arrived, Black entered the smoke- lled residence and located the elderly male occupant. He brought the man to safety and began medical assessment.

The Tyler Town Fire Department arrived shortly after and conducted a search of the residence to ensure no other occupants were inside. Fire crews contained the blaze and saved the home.

COURTESY HOKE SHERIFF’S OFFICE

The aftermath of the house re on Doc Brown Road on Monday.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

4 years after being canceled, MLB All-Star Game back in Atlanta

WHILE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL held its All-Star game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, it must never be forgotten that the Midsummer Classic should have been played there four years ago as scheduled.

In 2021, the state of Georgia and city of Atlanta were robbed of the event during the dark days of the Biden Administration at the height of COVID lockdowns, cancel culture and wokeism. MLB moved the annual event to Denver after caving to pressure from the radical socialist left based on the absolute lie that Georgia’s election integrity measure — Senate Bill 202 — was racist voter suppression legislation.

At the time, divisive former President Joe Biden falsely called the bill “Jim Crow in the 21st century” and said he “strongly supported” moving the game to Colorado. The truth is the law simply made it easier to vote and harder to cheat — and voter turnout in Georgia has increased in recent elections. As it turns out, it was a completely phony narrative concocted by the crooked liberal establishment that ranks right up there with some of their other fake stories like the Trump-Russia collusion tall tale was real, Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, or Biden was as sharp as a tack and totally t for o ce.

The entire despicable episode showcased the radical left at its absolute worst, with Democrat politicians spinning a falsehood in coordination with their allies in the biased mainstream media designed to smear conservatives and Republicans as racists trying to disenfranchise African American voters. The reality is legislators in Georgia were just trying to make their elections more secure in the wake of the controversial 2020 campaign where somehow clueless Biden mysteriously received a record number of votes

nationwide during the fog of the coronavirus pandemic.

All the election bill did was strengthen absentee ballot procedures, limit fraud-prone drop boxes and enhanced in-person voting for individuals interested in voting early. It’s commonsense legislation that remains the law in Georgia today and is widely seen as a successful endeavor in that it made voting systems stronger while making it easier to vote simultaneously.

Earlier this year when the Justice Department dismissed the Biden administration’s baseless lawsuit against the Georgia law, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be con dent that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity.”

Sadly, the Democrat Party still views strong election measures and secure ballots as an existential threat, just like in the case of President Donald Trump’s policy to execute the largest deportation in history. Let’s face it, if every state had strong election laws that make it hard to cheat and easy to vote, and illegal immigrants weren’t able to vote in our elections, the left might have a big problem on its hands. Maybe that’s why they’re behaving like maniacs in the face of law-and-order policies and popular reforms designed to make voter fraud less likely.

This year’s All-Star game in the Peach State should serve as a reminder to the U.S. Senate to take up House-passed “no-brainer” election integrity bills like the SAVE Act, which would require people registering to vote to show proof of citizenship. This bill, along with showing identi cation to vote, is supported by more than 80% of the American people. Even if Senate Democrats are too dishonest to support these reasonable e orts, Majority

Trump challenges Congress to balance the budget

NOW THAT THE One Big Beautiful Bill has passed, Congress has set its sights on an even more ambitious long-term project. This new project will require ve to seven years of creativity, thoughtfulness and ingenuity: balancing the federal budget and beginning to pay down the national debt.

Achieving a balanced federal budget through economic growth, technological innovation, eliminating waste and ine ciency within the government and its contractors, and developing improved methods for delivering goods and services will lead to a genuine golden age of American prosperity, a ordability, and security.

The American people overwhelmingly support balancing the budget. A recent Harvard-Harris Poll found that 80% of voters favor a balanced budget amendment. This support includes 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

President Donald Trump understands that balancing the budget is both historically necessary and politically popular. When Republicans last achieved four consecutive balanced budgets — an accomplishment unmatched in a century — it reshaped Washington’s political landscape and sustained a Republican House majority for the rst time since 1928.

Consider these recent statements from Trump:

During his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump declared, “In the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years — balance the federal budget. We’re going to balance it.”

In February, as Bloomberg Television reported, Trump pledged, “We will take rapid action to battle government spending and increased borrowing costs.” Trump’s commitment to balancing the budget through scal discipline and innovation in a

low-tax environment dates back well before his rst presidency.

In his 2016 campaign, Trump insisted, “It can be done. It will take place, and it will go relatively quickly. If you have the right people, you can cut the numbers by two or three pennies and balance a budget quickly.”

We must remember how dramatically President Joe Biden’s spending spree increased both the national debt and the interest payments on that debt. The national debt currently stands at $36.4 trillion, nearly double the $19 trillion debt Trump targeted in 2016. At that time, Trump warned, “We can’t keep doing this. We have got to start balancing budgets.”

In fact, Trump’s concerns about de cits and debt precede his political campaigns. At CPAC events in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Trump consistently condemned high taxes and rising debt.

However, the challenge facing Trump and the Republican Congress has grown substantially due to the massive spending increases under the Biden administration. Biden’s policies signi cantly expanded government spending, further increasing the importance of balancing the budget and reducing debt-related interest payments.

Consider the analysis from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Minn.):

Trump’s last pre-COVID budget (FY 2019) totaled $4.4 trillion. The COVID crisis triggered emergency expenditures designed to avert economic depression, temporarily in ating the budget to $6.5 trillion in FY 2020. While Trump intended spending to return to pre-pandemic levels, the Biden administration maintained spending at around $6.8 trillion to $7 trillion annually. This prolonged spending surge projected de cits totaling $21.8 trillion over the next

Leader John Thune should get everyone on the record so the American people can see for themselves who is against securing our elections. The bottom line is that the American people are sick and tired of crazy election laws that sometimes take months to decide a winner.

As I said at the time, “the only thing worse than Jim Crow is falsely linking something to Jim Crow in order to sow division in the quest for a political win.” This was true then, and it’s true now — and we must never forget what the left did in Atlanta during the summer of 2021.

When Democrats should have been trying to get Biden’s in ation crisis under control, they instead focused on smearing Georgia and well-intentioned people just trying to strengthen their elections. And it should be remembered that Trump attended a World Series game in Atlanta in the fall of 2021 in part to stand up to the shameful behavior of the woke cancel culture mob who were doing so much harm to our great country.

Thankfully, Georgia stood tall for commonsense election integrity against left-wing bullies when it mattered most.

David N. Bossie is president of Citizens United. He served as deputy campaign manager for Donald J. Trump for President in 2016. This article was rst published by Daily Caller New Foundation.

decade, marking a 36% increase. Consequently, gross federal debt is expected to climb from $36.4 trillion today to at least $59.2 trillion by 2035, or roughly 135% of GDP.

Johnson also reported that over the next decade, the U.S. will pay nearly $13 trillion solely in interest — a massive burden that severely restricts funding for other vital priorities.

Imagine a business or family required to pay $13 trillion in interest alone, far more than the projected defense spending during that period. Such debt would inevitably lead to bankruptcy and poverty. The government faces a similar risk. Continued de cits push up interest rates, cripple economic growth, crush small businesses and divert capital from productive investments into servicing government debt.

Changing this trajectory is both necessary and achievable.

House Republicans already know a balanced budget is possible. In the 1990s, Republican leadership successfully delivered four consecutive balanced budgets, a feat unmatched in the previous 100 years. A crucial rst step could be voting on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. When Republicans pursued this in 1995, the House passed it by a 300 to 132 vote margin. In the Senate, the amendment fell short at 65-35, just one vote shy of passage (Senate Leader Bob Dole strategically switched to no to retain the option to revisit the vote).

At that time, House Republican leadership, including John Kasich, Dick Armey, Bill Archer, Bob Livingston, Tom Bliley, decided that despite narrowly missing formal passage, they would proceed as if the amendment had succeeded. With disciplined leadership, they balanced the budget within four years and sustained scal responsibility for four more years until discipline waned. We can accomplish this again. America will greatly bene t from a government living within its means, maximizing prosperity and securing a better future for all Americans.

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

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | DAVID BOSSIE

Man

smashes case holding Scotland’s ‘Stone of Destiny’

The 335-pound block is used during coronation ceremonies

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON — A man from Australia has been charged with “malicious mischief” for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood.

Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheri Court on Monday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism.

Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn’t asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week.

Police said that they were called to a “disturbance” at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Saturday after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock.

The 335-pound sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England’s King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the seat of the coronation chair.

It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since —

rst of English and then of British monarchs. The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century.

The stone’s presence in London long irked Scottish nationalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four

Glasgow university students but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the understanding that it would return to

Biggest piece of Mars on Earth going up for auction in NY

The 6-foot-tall skeleton of a Ceratosaurus is also on the block

By Dave Collins and Joseph B. Frederick

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — For sale: A 54-pound rock. Estimated auction price: $2 million to $4 million. Why so expensive? It’s the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth.

Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning what’s known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale that also includes a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton that’s more than 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long.

According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown o the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before traveling 140 million miles to Earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A meteorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby’s says.

The red, brown and gray hunk is about 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars

found on Earth and represents nearly 7% of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby’s says. It measures nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches.

“This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we have ever found by a long shot,” Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby’s, said in an interview. “So it’s more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.”

It is also a rare nd. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 o cially recognized meteorites found on Earth, Sotheby’s says.

Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialized lab that con rmed it is from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said.

The examination found that it is an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” a type of Martian rock formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has

a course-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine, Sotheby’s says.

It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through Earth’s atmosphere, Hatton said. “So that was their rst clue that this wasn’t just some big rock on the ground,” she said.

The meteorite previously was on exhibit at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. Sotheby’s did not disclose the owner.

It’s not clear exactly when the meteorite hit Earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby’s said.

The juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton was found in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry, a gold mine for dinosaur bones. Specialists assembled nearly 140 fossil bones with some sculpted materials to recreate the skeleton and mounted it so it’s ready to exhibit, Sotheby’s says.

The skeleton is believed to be from the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, Sotheby’s says. It’s auction estimate is $4 million to $6 million.

Ceratosaurus dinosaurs were bipeds with short arms that ap -

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.

England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated Perth

Museum

security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object.”

Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn’t damaged in the incident.

pear similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex, but smaller. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs could grow up to 25 feet long, while the Tyrannosaurs rex could be 40 feet long.

The skeleton was acquired last year by Fossilogic, a Utah-

based fossil preparation and mounting company.

Wednesday’s auction is part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.

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!

where, according to the building’s website, there are “a range of 24/7

SUSANNAH IRELAND / POOL PHOTO VIA AP

The Stone of Destiny is on display during a welcome ceremony ahead of the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III in Westminster Abbey, London, on April 29, 2023.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

Martian meteorite, weighing 54.388 lbs., said to be the largest piece of Mars on Earth is displayed at Sotheby’s in New York, last week.

HOKE SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Hoke County Padres

The Hoke County Padres are a 14U baseball team for Hoke County Parks and Rec. After an outstanding regular season, the Padres have moved on to the state tournament.

The Padres blew out Harnett County 19-2 to advance. Next was a 14-1 win to eliminate Hope Mills. Then Hoke knocked out Dallas with a 13-9 win. Hoke continued its run after press time. We’ll have the results of the Padres’ quest for a state championship next week.

Hoke volleyball, boys’ soccer release schedules

The Bucks get ready for fall sports to start next month

North State Journal sta

IT’S MID-JULY, which means that, despite the summer heat, fall sports will start playing in a month.

We previewed Hoke County’s football schedule earlier this summer. Here’s a look at two other teams who will be moving to a new conference this fall as North Carolina sports reorganizes for the future.

Boys’ soccer

Hoke comes o an 11-11-2 record in 2024, which included a 5-7-1 mark in their last year in the Sandhills 3A/4A conference. Hoke has been reclassied in the new 8A classi cation, which is reserved for the state’s largest schools, and they’ll play in the Mid-South 7A/8A conference. Richmond and Pinecrest made the move from the Sandhills as well, but the rest of the conference foes are new. Sub -

ject to change, here’s the Bucks’ schedule:

Aug. 14 East Bladen

Aug. 20 at E.E. Smith

Aug. 27 at Gray’s Creek

Aug. 28 at Douglas Byrd

Sept. 2 Purnell Swett

Sept. 17 St. Pauls

Sept. 22 at Overhills (conference game)

Sept. 24 Pine Forest (conference game)

Sept. 29 Richmond Senior (conference game)

Oct. 1 at Pinecrest (conference game)

Oct. 6 at Jack Britt (conference game)

Oct. 9 Terry Sanford

Oct. 15 at Pine Forest (conference game)

Oct. 20 at Richmond Senior (conference game)

Oct. 27 Jack Britt (conference game)

Oct. 29 at Cape Fear Volleyball

The Bucks had their rst winning season in nearly two decades, going 16-7, 8-6 in the Sandhills. They’ll try to build on that in the new Mid-South conference.

Here’s the tentative volleyball schedule:

Aug. 19 at Seventy-First Aug. 27 at Purnell Swett

Sept. 18 Pinecrest (conference game)

Sept. 23 at Jack Britt (conference game)

Sept. 25 at Overhills (conference game)

Oct. 2 at Richmond Senior (conference game)

Oct. 7 at Pinecrest (conference game)

Oct. 9 Jack Britt (conference game)

Celtics’ Stevens shuns idea team in rebuild with Tatum out

The former Duke star will miss the season with a torn Achilles

By Kyle Hightower

The Associated Press

BOSTON — Even before Jayson Tatum limped o the court with a torn Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semi nals loss to the New York Knicks, Brad Stevens knew big changes would be on tap for the franchise this o season.

Yes, big spending on free agents and contracts had lured in key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, who, combined with stars Tatum and Jaylen Brown, ultimately helped Boston capture the NBA championship in 2024.

But keeping the core of that roster intact next season with Tatum possibly missing all of it while rehabbing from his injury would have come with a combined payroll and luxury tax bill of more than $500 million. And as a team exceeding the second apron of the salary cap, it would have also meant additional penalties limiting ways they could sign or trade for players.

“We’ve known for a long time that hard decisions were coming,” Stevens said on the decisions to trade both Holiday and Porzingis. “The second apron is why those trades happened. I think that is pretty obvious. And the basketball penalties associated with those are real. ... So that was part of making the decision to push and put our chips on the table and go for the last two years.”

Now under that dreaded second apron, it’s also brought about a di erent way of looking at what’s next for the Celtics. As the team’s president of basketball operations, Stevens knows their approach will have to change while Tatum is out. But as a former coach, he also said he’s never going to put a ceiling on any team’s potential.

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell to win the next game.”

Brad Stevens

to win the next game,” he said. Stevens said he doesn’t want to hear any mention of the term “rebuild” this upcoming season.

“That’s not going to be part of the lexicon in our building, and that’s the way we’re going to focus moving forward,” he said.

While the team could make additional moves to get completely out of the luxury tax, Stevens said it’s not the mandate he’s been given by incoming team owner Bill Chisholm.

“Bill has been pretty clear from the get go that he wants to make sure that we’re prioritizing basketball assets and the ability to retool this thing at the highest level that we can,” Stevens said. “The most important acquisition that we’re going to be able to make in the next couple of years is getting Tatum out of a (walking) boot. We’re not beating that one. So that’s going to be the best thing that can happen for us.”

Both Tatum and Brown, who had minor knee surgery last month, were in the Celtics’ facility last Tuesday rehabbing. According to Stevens, Tatum was moving “really fast” in his walking boot, while Brown was already getting shots up and is expected to get full clearance for basketball activities soon.

In the meantime, Stevens said he’s completely comfortable with Brown being the team’s focal point on the court. He thinks it’s a challenge that Brown welcomes and one that he’s proven an ability to excel in during previous times Tatum has been sidelined by injury.

“He’s ready for any challenge, and he always has been,” Stevens said.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Hoke County (red and white) and Pinecrest (blue and gold) battle for the ball during soccer action last fall. These old Sandhills Conference rivals will now compete against each other in the new Mid-South Conference.

Van Gisbergen dominates on another road course, wins at Sonoma to extend streak

The win is his third in the last ve races

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

SONOMA, Calif. — Another road course win was so expected for Shane van Gisbergen that Trackhouse Racing had extra tires ready for his Sonoma Raceway victory celebration.

Van Gisbergen won for the third time in ve races and second straight on Sunday when he dominated on the California road course. The New Zealander once again showed he’s in a completely di erent class on road and street courses than his rivals as he led 97 of 110 laps to win from pole at Sonoma Raceway.

He celebrated with the traditional burnout, then his Trackhouse crew changed the tires on the No. 88 Chevrolet so he could do a second smoke-inducing spin on his way to Victory Lane. He also kept with his own tradition and kicked a rugby ball into the grandstands.

“It means everything. That’s why I race cars. I had an amazing time in Australia, and then to come here and the last couple weeks, or years, actually, has been a dream come true,” said van Gisbergen. “I’ve really enjoyed my time in NASCAR. Thanks, everyone, for making me feel so welcome. I hope I’m here for a long time to come.”

All three of his wins this year have been from pole — which tied him with Je Gordon for a Cup Series record of three consecutive road course victories from the top starting spot. Gordon did it between the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

He joins Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson as the only drivers with three wins this season, and this one moved him into third for playo seeding. Van Gisbergen was

SIDELINE

REPORT

NCAA SPORTS

Big East, ESPN reunite with 6-year media rights deal

The Big East Conference and ESPN announced a six-year digital media rights deal. Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement the agreement gives “all 22 of our sports — especially women’s basketball and Olympic sports — the visibility they’ve earned and the access our fans expect.” ESPN had the rights to the Big East from 1980 to 2013. The revived partnership comes after ESPN lost Big Ten media rights to Fox, NBC and CBS in 2022. ESPN+ will stream more than 300 Big East events annually.

TENNIS

Williams, who hasn’t competed in year-plus, accepts wild card for the DC Open

Washington Venus Williams has accepted a wild-card invitation to play singles at this month’s DC Open. It would be the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s rst tournament in more than a year. Williams turned 45 in June. She is listed as “inactive” on the WTA Tour’s website. Williams hasn’t competed in an o cial match since the Miami Open in 2024. The hard-court tournament begins with qualifying next weekend.

33rd in the standings and not yet quali ed for the playo s just ve weeks ago. Victory No. 4 for van Gisbergen — who stunned NASCAR in 2023 when he popped into the debut Chicago street course race from Australian V8 Supercars and won — seemed a given before teams even arrived at the picturesque course in California wine country. His rivals have lamented that “SVG” has a unique braking technique he mastered Down Under that none of them — all oval specialists — can ever learn.

CYCLING

LeMond receives Congressional Gold Medal at Capitol ceremony

Washington Greg LeMond, one of the most decorated cyclists in American history as a three -time Tour de France winner, has been honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The 64-year-old LeMond received the medal during a ceremony at the Capitol with his wife, Kathy, and children in attendance. It was announced he’d receive the medal in 2020, but the pandemic delayed his ceremony. Johnson presented the medal alongside Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California and former Republican Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia.

NCAA FOOTBALL

BYU quarterback Retzla transferring following tumultuous few months

Provo, Utah BYU quarterback Jake Retzla is transferring after a tumultuous few months that included being named in a civil sexual assault suit that was later dismissed. Retzla reportedly faced a suspension for violating the honor code at the university, which is run by the Mormon church, after acknowledging a consensual sexual relationship in his defense against the lawsuit. Retzla threw for 2,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season. BYU coach Kalani Sitake avoided commenting on Retzla ’s situation, saying it was a private matter.

That win in Chicago two years ago led van Gisbergen to move to the United States for a career change driving stock cars for Trackhouse Racing. He and Ross Chastain have pumped energy into the team over this summer stretch with Chastain kicking it o with a Memorial Day weekend victory at the Coca-Cola 600.

Van Gisbergen is the fastest driver to win four Cup Series races — in his 34th start — since Parnelli Jones in 1969. He’s also the winningest driver born outside the United States.

“It’s unreal. To do Chicago, an experience that I really enjoyed, and never thought it would lead to more let alone moving over here and doing things,” he said.

“Its been amazing, everything that I hoped it could ever be.”

The Sonoma win made it four victories for Trackhouse in eight weeks. Van Gisbergen was second from pole in Saturday’s X nity Series race.

Chase Briscoe was second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I never played basketball against Michael Jordan in his prime, but I feel like that’s prob -

ably what it was like,” said Briscoe after not being able to pass van Gisbergen on two late restarts — the last with ve laps remaining.

“That guy is unbelievable on road courses. He’s just so good. He’s really raised the bar on this entire series.”

Briscoe was followed by Chase Elliott in a Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Michael McDowell in a Chevy for Spire Motorsports was fourth and Christopher Bell in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing was fth.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen kicks a rugby ball to celebrate winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

John Alfred Scott

March 9, 1942 – July 2, 2025

John Alfred Scott passed away on Wednesday, July 02, 2025, at the age of 83.

He was born in Manhattan’s Harlem Hospital on March 09, 1942. John was raised by his aunt, Rosalyn “Sister” Greene. He was preceded in death by his children, Karine Dawn Ross, of Hartford, CT, and his son, Todd William Scott, of NJ. John was drafted in 1962 into the US. Army. He re-enlisted in 1965 as an Army paratrooper. During this time, he was sent to Vietnam, where he served 12 months. In 1967, John returned home and was honorably discharged in 1968. In 1987, he graduated from Bronx Community College with an Associate Degree in Arts, with a minor in Psychology. During the same year, he was upgraded from maintenance engineer to a Business Representative at Local 32E, A.F.L.-C.I.O., International Union. John worked as a business agent at Local 32E from 1987 until 1995. While an employee at the Union, he was accepted at City College as a Continuing Education student. He went on to obtain his PhD in Psychology.

John is survived by his loving wife, Amirah Caroline Annette Ross Scott; his daughters, Wanita Dodson, of AZ, Ieshia Scott, of PA, Renee Scott, of SC, and Rasha Akeela Scott, of Fayetteville, NC; his sons, John Scott Jr., of Georgia, John Scott, of Jersey, Abdual Scott, of NY, and Rasheem Scott; his stepson, Kevin Dennis Ross, of CT; his grandchildren; his great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends who will miss him very much.

John was the heartbeat of his family and was loved by many. His spirit shall live on in the lives of those he touched. May his light forever shine in the memories of those who knew him, amen!

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home.

John will be placed to rest in the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, August 05, 2025, at 2 p.m. with military honors.

Linda Scott

Nov. 18, 1957 – July 5, 2025

Mrs. Linda Locklear Scott “Brenda,” age 67 of Maxton, North Carolina, was born on November 18, 1957, to the late Frank Locklear and the late Moddie Bullard in Hoke County, North Carolina. She departed this life to eternity on July 6, 2025, at Morrison Manor, Laurinburg, North Carolina. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Robert Bullard, Andy Bullard, Dorothy Childress, Betty Pagan, Mary Rose Bullard, and Bonnie Locklear. Mrs. Linda leaves to cherish her memories her husband: Edsel Scott, two sons: Robert Kendrick Scott (Tawana), Edsel Scott Jr., two stepsons: Lashawn Scott, Dillon Bullard, two daughters: Keisha Scott (Alvin Seaberry), Diana Mills (Cameron), a special daughter: Elaina Locklear, one brother: Frank Bullard, twelve grandchildren: Kirsten Oxendine, Angel Davila, Jordan Scott, Kendra Scott, Nakya Davila, Pedro Davila Jr., Ezekiel Nickerson, Ishmael Scott, Jayda Mills, Cameron Mills Jr., Bobby Brooks III, Aiden Mills, twelve great grandchildren, a special friend Angus Hines, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Carlton “Bubba” Locklear

Jan. 21, 1956 – July 9, 2025

Mr. Carlton “Bubba” Locklear, age 69 of Red Springs, North Carolina, was born on Jan 21, 1956, to the late Mr. Sam Locklear and late Mrs. Ethel Lee Locklear in Scotland County. He departed this life into eternity on July 9, 2025, at Scotland Memorial Hospital. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one son, Keith Lowery, daughter, Lisa Bullard, ve brothers, Curt Locklear, Hank Locklear, Harry (Red) Locklear, Johnnie (Frog) Locklear, Amos Locklear, three sisters, Kathleen “Kat” Locklear, Geraldine “Lucy” Locklear, Clara Barton. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Geraldine Locklear of the home, two daughters, Jennifer Bullard and Carla Bullard (Thomas Ray), both of Red Springs, North Carolina; two brothers, Jerry “Bay” Locklear and Carson Locklear both of Red Springs, North Carolina; seventeen grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Sherry Ann Locklear

Dec. 23, 1974 – July 5, 2025

Mrs. Sherry Ann Locklear, age 50 of Little Rock, South Carolina, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, July 05, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 23, 1974, to Peter and Peggy Locklear. She was preceded in death by her father, Peter Locklear; paternal grandparents, Jessie James and Gertrude Locklear; maternal grandparents, Tommie and Ella Sanderson; and nephew, Cameron Norton.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband of fteen years, together thirty-four years: Eric Locklear of the home, two daughters: Olivia Nicole Locklear of the home, Erica Cheyenne Locklear (Jordan) of Maxton, North Carolina, one son: Jarrett Nicholas Locklear (Stevie) of Pembroke, North Carolina, her mother: Peggy Locklear, four grandchildren: Jayce Minco Locklear, Daason Nico Locklear, Coleson O’Connor Locklear, Maylinn Grace Butler, her fur baby: Sassy, ve brothers: Kenny Locklear, Michael Locklear, Brian Locklear, Brent Locklear (Mia) all of Maxton, North Carolina, Trent Locklear (Kiana) of Rowland, North Carolina, two sisters: Janet Sweat (Je ery), Jennifer Locklear, all of Maxton, North Carolina, nieces, nephews, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Norman Junior Oxendine

Feb. 6, 1960 – July 7, 2025

Norman Junior Oxendine, age 65, of Fairmont, passed away Monday, July 7th, 2025, at his home surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Robeson County on February 6th,1960, to the late Norman Oxendine Sr., and the late Annie Lee Oxendine. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sue Neal Oxendine, two brothers, Johnny Oxendine and Norman “Rabbit” Oxendine Jr., and his step-father, JD “Buddy” Oxendine.

He leaves to cherish his memories his ve sisters, Amy Oxendine of Lumberton, Shelby Bartley and Snowdie Brewer (Gene) of Fairmont; Amy Jacobs of Rennert and Yolanda Oxendine of St. Pauls; a brother Elvis Oxendine of Pembroke; and special friends, Brenda Collins, Alice Martinez, Antonio Hunt, Roger Scott, and Debbie Lozano and a host of other relatives and friends.

We would love to extend a special thanks to Cornerstone Community Church, Alice Martinez, Denise Hunt and Antonio Hunt for their acts of kindness during the time of Norman’s sickness.

Darrell Edward Dennard

April 20, 1980 – July 9, 2025

With heartfelt sadness and profound love, the family of Darrell Edward Dennard announces his passing on July 9, 2025, at his home in Lumberton, North Carolina. He was 45 years old. Born on April 20, 1980, Darrell was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was the cherished son of Dr. Pastor Darlene M. Dennard and the late Donald Edward Dennard, and a constant source of joy to his sister, Amanda Dennard and god sister Dr. Sharon Bostic. Darrell’s life was one marked by quiet strength, a warm spirit, and a deep love for his family. Darrell had a generous heart and a thoughtful soul. He found great joy in family gatherings, in laughing with his nieces, Iyana Dennard and Naomi Dennard, and in spending time with those he loved. He was especially grateful for the lifelong guidance and care of his godmother, Amanda Snow, who held a special place in his heart. Those who knew Darrell remember his gentle presence, his kind words, and the light he brought into every room. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Edward Dennard, and survived by his devoted mother Pastor Dr. Darlene M. Dennard, his loving sister Amanda Dennard, his dear godmother Amanda Snow, his treasured nieces Iyana and Naomi, his uncles; Joshua McMillan(Regina ), James Lawrence (Helen) special friends; Travis Ross, Jennifer Hullins, Charon Blue and The Dail and Snipes family a host of extended family members and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

STATE & NATION

Massachusetts assisted-living facility ravaged by deadly re

Nine were killed and 30 more hurt at the 70-resident facility

By Michael Casey The Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt.

A re ghters union said inadequate sta ng hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization, and the re chief suggested no number of rst responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised reghters and police for heroic rescue e orts said sta members did little to help.

“They didn’t knock on one door,” Robert Cabral said. “They just ran.”

Fire ghters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston, at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and ames at the front of the building. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce said in a statement that the re’s cause “does not appear to be suspicious at this time.” Its origin remains under investigation, authorities said.

Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system shot hot water onto her back.

As her room led with smoke, Ferrara opened her window and yelled. A re ghter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said.

“I really thought I was going to die,” she said. “I thought there was no way out.”

That fear mixed with anger as she watched two employees run from the building.

“They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot,” she said. “I was hanging out the window — ‘Help! Help!’ and they just kept running.”

The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce identi ed seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The o ce said a 70-year-old woman and 77-year-old man were still pending noti cation of family.

Mackin’s nephew, Austin Mackin, in an emailed statement from family members, de-

scribed his aunt as “gifted beyond words.”

“We will all miss Kimmy,” the statement read. “Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician.”

She received a full ride scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, and after graduating, she toured around the world as rst chair viola, the statement said. During the latter part of her career as an instrumentalist, she played in the Boston Philharmonic.

Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive O ce of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments “for those seniors who cannot a ord the high end of assisted living” as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches.

“If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help,” the website states.

Dennis Etzkorn, the facil-

ity’s owner, declined to comment Monday, but o cials said he was cooperating with what Fire Chief Je rey Bacon called “a very extensive investigation.”

District Attorney Tom Quinn called the re a “terrible tragedy” in a statement that also commended rst responders “bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very di cult circumstances.”

Fire ghters union decries lack of sta , equipment

About 50 re ghters responded to the scene, including 30 who were o -duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured reghters were released from the hospital Monday.

O cials with the re ghters union said the closing of re companies and cutbacks on sta have been a problem for decades.

If sta ng had been at the nationally recommended lev-

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough.”

Michael

el, eight more re ghters would have been at the scene, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

Capt. Frank O’Reagan said there was no breathing equipment available when he arrived, so he started going door to door on the third oor without an air tank until the smoke got to him.

O’Reagan’s brother and fellow re ghter Michael O’Reagan said he was shocked that 40 minutes after re ghters arrived, a large part of the building had not been searched.

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough,” said Michael O’Reagan, president of the Fall River re ghters union.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the re department is sta ed based on the recommendation from the re chief.

“We sta the re department at the number the chief asked for,” he said. “We’re not even 24 hours into this and that’s going to be a priority, not the families?”

Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw o cials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns.

“It was terrible,” he said, choking up slightly.

Clever Parra, who lives behind the facility, said he joined several other neighbors to help

evacuate residents through the windows. The 40-year-old construction worker described going up a ladder and seeing a man inside attempting to open a window to escape the ames. After trying on his own, Parra turned to a re ghter to break the window.

The re ghter “sent the guy to me feet rst and I take the guy out and bring him down,” he recalled.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey o ered state assistance to the city’s mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to rst responders.

Brian Doherty, president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said state o cials were working with long-term care facilities to nd homes for displaced residents.

Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Elder A airs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned by what has been reported about the lack of re drills, low number of sta for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,” Lanzikos said.

City is one of the poorest in Massachusetts

With about 94,000 residents, Fall River is the state’s 10th-largest city and one of its poorest.

The blue-collar community in southern Massachusetts was once a global center for textile manufacturing, but it suffered population loss and economic hardship as the industry declined. Recent decades have seen some new development and investment, but the city has also been rocked by scandal. Former Mayor Jasiel Correia was convicted in a corruption trial and sentenced to six years in prison in 2021.

Survivors of the re were ushered to a temporary housing center about half a mile from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings.

Some broke down in tears, others threw out names — desperate to know who was still alive. Sta ers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and ames.

Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by ladder from his bathroom window.

“I’ve been homeless before,” Beck said. “I guess I’ll be homeless again.”

Head cook Paul Ferreira was o the clock Sunday night but rushed to the scene and watched as bodies were removed from the building. He grew emotional describing the community of people who have long struggled to nd a ordable housing.

“Not knowing it was the last time I was cooking for them, it’s sad. They become part of your family,” Ferreira said. “Some of these people have no family members. Where are they going to go now?”

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

An investigator takes measurements Monday near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility following a re that started late Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts.

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

Flowers rest near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility Monday following a re that started late Sunday and resulted in multiple fatalities.

O’Reagan, president, Fall River re ghters union

MOORE COUNTY

Old friends and new ones

Pinecrest High School alumni had a joint Classes of the ’70s reunion to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Class of ’75 and all the rest of the era, with a few students from the early ’80s mixed in. The event took place Saturday at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Consumer in ation ticks up slightly in June

Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.

US producer prices unchanged in June

U.S. wholesale in ation cooled last month, despite worries that tari s would push prices higher. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its producer price index — which tracks in ation before it hits consumers — was unchanged in June from May and up 2..3% from a year earlier. Both measures came in below economists’ forecasts. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so called core producer prices were also unchanged from May and up 2.6% from June 2024.

Bank of America reports

$7.12B net income in Q2, surpasses earnings expectations

Charlotte Bank of America Corp. on Wednesday reported secondquarter net income of $7.12 billion. The company said it had earnings of 89 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 86 cents per share. The nation’s second-largest bank posted revenue net of interest expense of $26.46 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts.

Commissioners approve allocation for arti cial turf at high schools

The plan is to install arti cial turf at both Union Pines and North Moore

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Moore

County could have some new high school athletic elds very soon.

At its July 15 meeting, the Moore County Board of Commissioners approved the allocation of $1.2 million in interest earned from the school bonds to Moore County Schools for the installation of arti cial turf elds at Union Pines and North Moore High School.

“There are so many applications for these elds,” said Chairman Kurt Cook. “It’s

good for the kids, it’s good for the county, and it’s our duty to make sure that they have the best out there.”

The approval also comes with the encouragement of the commission to the board of education for the submission of a grant application to the Moore County Tourism Development Authority for a one-time project funding grant for each project as well.

“We don’t want to tell them what to do, we’re trying to give them an option that we think makes a lot of common sense and that can save a lot of money in the long term,” said Vice Chair Nick Picerno.

The board also approved the sending of a letter to Congressman Richard Hudson and Deputy Director of the U.S. Ofce of Management and Bud-

“It’s our duty to make sure that they have the best out there.”

Chairman Kurt Cook

get Dan Bishop regarding the county’s concerns over the potential removal of the High Falls dam. Plans to demolish the defunct dam started in 2018 from various environmental groups (Unique Places to Save, American Rivers, Resource Environmental Solutions) who want to restore the natural ow of the Deep River and help protect the Cape Fear shiner, a federally endangered sh. However, there has been

State’s rst standalone children’s hospital coming to Wake County

North Carolina Children’s will bring approximately 8,000 jobs to Apex

The Associated Press

APEX — North Carolina’s rst standalone children’s hospital will be built in Wake County, the project’s health systems announced last Thursday, creating a campus estimated to bring 8,000 jobs to the area.

UNC Health and Duke Health announced in January an agreement to jointly build the proposed 500-bed pediatric hospital and linked facilities in the state’s Research Triangle region, which includes Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

At that time, the speci c location wasn’t nalized. But leaders of the health systems said last week that the North Carolina Children’s project will be constructed about 20 miles southwest of downtown Raleigh in Apex, a town of 77,000 already surging in population thanks to the region’s strong technology economy.

The 230-acre campus will also include a children’s outpatient care center, more than 100 behavioral health beds, and a research and education center operated by Duke University and University of North Carolina medical schools.

The campus is poised to be integrated into a long-discussed mixed-use development location called Veridea

that will include thousands of new homes, retail, dining, ofce and research space, as well as a new Wake Technical Community College campus.

“This campus will create a brighter, healthier future for generations of children and adolescents across North Carolina and the Southeast, and we’re thrilled to have Apex as our home and partner,” UNC Health CEO Dr. Wesley Burks said in a news release.

A groundbreaking for the hospital campus is expected in 2027, with construction anticipated to take six years. North Carolina Children’s Health also issued on Thursday a request for information from potential design and construction contractors for the project.

There are children’s hospi-

plenty of community outcry over the potential impacts if the dam is demolished.

The three biggest concerns the commissioners cited in the letter were that Deep River may serve as a source for future water needs, there are current plans for the High Falls Fire Department to use water from the impoundment area to ll trucks and that the removal of the impoundment area may adversely impact well-water availability of property owners along the river.

“This is still in consideration as a source of water for the county,” Von Canon said. “One of our problems right now is that we have a nite amount of water in this county. We don’t have the water for a lot of future

“I’m really excited about what the children’s hospital means for children of North Carolina who are sick and in need of the best, most sophisticated, advanced medical interventions to live long, healthy lives.” Gov. Josh Stein

tals already in North Carolina, including those operated by the University of North Carolina and Duke University health systems that are attached to their main campuses in the Triangle.

The Apex location “will ensure that the Triangle remains a hub and a destination for the best pediatric scientists, teach-

7.17.2025

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Neal Robbins, Publisher

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LOG

CRIME

July 10

• Timothy Mark Lamonds, 57, was arrested by the Moore County Sheri ’s O ce (MCSO) for possession of methamphetamines.

July 11

• Jackie Lee Daniels, 34, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for driving while impaired.

July 12

• Rodney Anthony Morrison, 44, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for cruelty to animals.

July 13

• Jeremy Corral Davis, 37, was arrested by MCSO for communicating threats.

• Darion Torale Hailey, 33, was arrested by MCSO for driving while impaired.

THURSDAY

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: moorecommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

18

NC Zoo director Simmons dies

She had overseen the Asheboro operations for 10 years

North State Journal sta

ASHEBORO — Pat Simmons, director of the North Carolina Zoo since 2015, has died, according to information Monday from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

… Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.”

She was chair of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums from 2015-21.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

July 17

“The world is a better place because Pat Simmons shared her unique vision for animal welfare and public education with all of us,” said Walker Mo tt, Asheboro mayor pro tem and North Carolina Zoo Society board member. “She was a great partner to the city and the General Assembly.” Simmons had been battling cancer for about ve years, the zoo announced She was involved as a zoo director for more than four decades, including from 1985-2014 at Akron Zoo in Ohio.

Information from the zoo said that Simmons “was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving many awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

“The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best — and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” Pamaela B. Cashwell, N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources secretary, said in a statement. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

HOSPITAL from page A1

ers and clinicians — convenient to both medical school campuses,” said Dr. Mary Klotman, dean of the Duke University medical school and a Duke Health executive.

The 230acre North Carolina Children’s campus will be part of Veridea, a new mixeduse planned community.

Movie: “The Life of Chuck” 7-9 p.m.

Based on the book of the same name by awardwinning author Stephen King, this lm is a sci- fantasy. Tickets are $10.

Sunrise Theatre 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

July 17-19

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

The health systems have said the hospital campus project could cost from $2 billion to $3 billion, with a massive private fundraising e ort ahead.

TURF from page A1

growth. We have a lot of concern, and we’ve asked for help anywhere and everywhere, but we’re going to ght this to the end.”

The board also approved a variety of contracts, including an approximately $920,000 with Grosvenor Land LLC for the replacement of Sanitary Sewer Lift Station 3-3 in Pinehurst.

“This is a lift station that was put in in the early ’70s,” said County Engineer Tom Blue.

The project has already received $320 million from state legislators. The next state budget, still being negotiated by House and Senate Republicans that ultimately would head to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s desk, also could contain more project funds.

“It’s basically 53 years old now and at the end of its service life. We’ve had some overheating problems with it, and it’s a pretty heavy maintenance burden on our sta .”

“I would like to point out to the public that this is coming from retained earnings and no kind of rate increase is necessary to cover the cost,” Picerno said.

The board also approved a service contract with Judy D. Brooks, in an amount not to exceed $350,000, for the removal of shredded yard waste debris

Stein said in an interview Thursday that beyond the economic opportunity the project will spark, “I’m really excited about what the children’s hospital means for children of North Carolina who are sick and in need of the best, most sophisticated, advanced medical interventions to live long, healthy lives.”

from the yard waste treatment and processing facility at the Moore County Land ll.

“The yard waste facility at the Moore County Land ll receives, on average, 1,800 tons of leaf, limb and yard debris per month,” said Assistant Property Management Director Steven Perkins. “This debris is ground down and stored at the facility. After state regulations have been met, the grounded yard waste must be removed o site.”

The Moore County Board of Commissioners will next meet Aug. 5.

July 18-19

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

July 19

Moore County Farmers Market 8 a.m. to noon

A vast and varied selection of fresh produce, canned goods, including honey and fruit preserves and baked goods has earned this producers-only farmers market a reputation as one of the best in the region. Visitors are treated to musical performances and complimentary appetizers prepared by local chefs from fresh regional ingredients every Saturday in the summer.

156 SE Broad St. Southern Pines

COURTESY PHOTO

Pat Simmons

COURTESY

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

4 years after being canceled, MLB All-Star Game back in Atlanta

WHILE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL held its All-Star game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, it must never be forgotten that the Midsummer Classic should have been played there four years ago as scheduled.

In 2021, the state of Georgia and city of Atlanta were robbed of the event during the dark days of the Biden Administration at the height of COVID lockdowns, cancel culture and wokeism. MLB moved the annual event to Denver after caving to pressure from the radical socialist left based on the absolute lie that Georgia’s election integrity measure — Senate Bill 202 — was racist voter suppression legislation.

At the time, divisive former President Joe Biden falsely called the bill “Jim Crow in the 21st century” and said he “strongly supported” moving the game to Colorado. The truth is the law simply made it easier to vote and harder to cheat — and voter turnout in Georgia has increased in recent elections. As it turns out, it was a completely phony narrative concocted by the crooked liberal establishment that ranks right up there with some of their other fake stories like the Trump-Russia collusion tall tale was real, Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, or Biden was as sharp as a tack and totally t for o ce.

The entire despicable episode showcased the radical left at its absolute worst, with Democrat politicians spinning a falsehood in coordination with their allies in the biased mainstream media designed to smear conservatives and Republicans as racists trying to disenfranchise African American voters. The reality is legislators in Georgia were just trying to make their elections more secure in the wake of the controversial 2020 campaign where somehow clueless Biden mysteriously received a record number of votes

nationwide during the fog of the coronavirus pandemic.

All the election bill did was strengthen absentee ballot procedures, limit fraud-prone drop boxes and enhanced in-person voting for individuals interested in voting early. It’s commonsense legislation that remains the law in Georgia today and is widely seen as a successful endeavor in that it made voting systems stronger while making it easier to vote simultaneously.

Earlier this year when the Justice Department dismissed the Biden administration’s baseless lawsuit against the Georgia law, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be con dent that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity.”

Sadly, the Democrat Party still views strong election measures and secure ballots as an existential threat, just like in the case of President Donald Trump’s policy to execute the largest deportation in history. Let’s face it, if every state had strong election laws that make it hard to cheat and easy to vote, and illegal immigrants weren’t able to vote in our elections, the left might have a big problem on its hands. Maybe that’s why they’re behaving like maniacs in the face of law-and-order policies and popular reforms designed to make voter fraud less likely.

This year’s All-Star game in the Peach State should serve as a reminder to the U.S. Senate to take up House-passed “no-brainer” election integrity bills like the SAVE Act, which would require people registering to vote to show proof of citizenship. This bill, along with showing identi cation to vote, is supported by more than 80% of the American people. Even if Senate Democrats are too dishonest to support these reasonable e orts, Majority

Trump challenges Congress to balance the budget

NOW THAT THE One Big Beautiful Bill has passed, Congress has set its sights on an even more ambitious long-term project. This new project will require ve to seven years of creativity, thoughtfulness and ingenuity: balancing the federal budget and beginning to pay down the national debt.

Achieving a balanced federal budget through economic growth, technological innovation, eliminating waste and ine ciency within the government and its contractors, and developing improved methods for delivering goods and services will lead to a genuine golden age of American prosperity, a ordability, and security.

The American people overwhelmingly support balancing the budget. A recent Harvard-Harris Poll found that 80% of voters favor a balanced budget amendment. This support includes 83% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 76% of independents.

President Donald Trump understands that balancing the budget is both historically necessary and politically popular. When Republicans last achieved four consecutive balanced budgets — an accomplishment unmatched in a century — it reshaped Washington’s political landscape and sustained a Republican House majority for the rst time since 1928.

Consider these recent statements from Trump:

During his address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, Trump declared, “In the near future, I want to do what has not been done in 24 years — balance the federal budget. We’re going to balance it.”

In February, as Bloomberg Television reported, Trump pledged, “We will take rapid action to battle government spending and increased borrowing costs.” Trump’s commitment to balancing the budget through scal discipline and innovation in a

low-tax environment dates back well before his rst presidency.

In his 2016 campaign, Trump insisted, “It can be done. It will take place, and it will go relatively quickly. If you have the right people, you can cut the numbers by two or three pennies and balance a budget quickly.”

We must remember how dramatically President Joe Biden’s spending spree increased both the national debt and the interest payments on that debt. The national debt currently stands at $36.4 trillion, nearly double the $19 trillion debt Trump targeted in 2016. At that time, Trump warned, “We can’t keep doing this. We have got to start balancing budgets.”

In fact, Trump’s concerns about de cits and debt precede his political campaigns. At CPAC events in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Trump consistently condemned high taxes and rising debt.

However, the challenge facing Trump and the Republican Congress has grown substantially due to the massive spending increases under the Biden administration. Biden’s policies signi cantly expanded government spending, further increasing the importance of balancing the budget and reducing debt-related interest payments.

Consider the analysis from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Minn.):

Trump’s last pre-COVID budget (FY 2019) totaled $4.4 trillion. The COVID crisis triggered emergency expenditures designed to avert economic depression, temporarily in ating the budget to $6.5 trillion in FY 2020. While Trump intended spending to return to pre-pandemic levels, the Biden administration maintained spending at around $6.8 trillion to $7 trillion annually. This prolonged spending surge projected de cits totaling $21.8 trillion over the next

Leader John Thune should get everyone on the record so the American people can see for themselves who is against securing our elections. The bottom line is that the American people are sick and tired of crazy election laws that sometimes take months to decide a winner.

As I said at the time, “the only thing worse than Jim Crow is falsely linking something to Jim Crow in order to sow division in the quest for a political win.” This was true then, and it’s true now — and we must never forget what the left did in Atlanta during the summer of 2021.

When Democrats should have been trying to get Biden’s in ation crisis under control, they instead focused on smearing Georgia and well-intentioned people just trying to strengthen their elections. And it should be remembered that Trump attended a World Series game in Atlanta in the fall of 2021 in part to stand up to the shameful behavior of the woke cancel culture mob who were doing so much harm to our great country.

Thankfully, Georgia stood tall for commonsense election integrity against left-wing bullies when it mattered most.

David N. Bossie is president of Citizens United. He served as deputy campaign manager for Donald J. Trump for President in 2016. This article was rst published by Daily Caller New Foundation.

decade, marking a 36% increase. Consequently, gross federal debt is expected to climb from $36.4 trillion today to at least $59.2 trillion by 2035, or roughly 135% of GDP.

Johnson also reported that over the next decade, the U.S. will pay nearly $13 trillion solely in interest — a massive burden that severely restricts funding for other vital priorities.

Imagine a business or family required to pay $13 trillion in interest alone, far more than the projected defense spending during that period. Such debt would inevitably lead to bankruptcy and poverty. The government faces a similar risk. Continued de cits push up interest rates, cripple economic growth, crush small businesses and divert capital from productive investments into servicing government debt.

Changing this trajectory is both necessary and achievable.

House Republicans already know a balanced budget is possible. In the 1990s, Republican leadership successfully delivered four consecutive balanced budgets, a feat unmatched in the previous 100 years. A crucial rst step could be voting on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. When Republicans pursued this in 1995, the House passed it by a 300 to 132 vote margin. In the Senate, the amendment fell short at 65-35, just one vote shy of passage (Senate Leader Bob Dole strategically switched to no to retain the option to revisit the vote).

At that time, House Republican leadership, including John Kasich, Dick Armey, Bill Archer, Bob Livingston, Tom Bliley, decided that despite narrowly missing formal passage, they would proceed as if the amendment had succeeded. With disciplined leadership, they balanced the budget within four years and sustained scal responsibility for four more years until discipline waned. We can accomplish this again. America will greatly bene t from a government living within its means, maximizing prosperity and securing a better future for all Americans.

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

COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH

COLUMN | DAVID BOSSIE

The 335-pound block is used during coronation ceremonies

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON — A man from Australia has been charged with “malicious mischief” for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood.

Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheri Court on Monday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism.

Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn’t asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week.

Police said that they were called to a “disturbance” at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Saturday after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock.

The 335-pound sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England’s King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the

seat of the coronation chair. It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since — rst of English and then of British monarchs. The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century.

The stone’s presence in London long irked Scottish na-

tionalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four Glasgow university students but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the under-

The 6-foot-tall skeleton of a Ceratosaurus is also on the block

By Dave Collins and Joseph B. Frederick

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — For sale: A 54-pound rock. Estimated auction price: $2 million to $4 million. Why so expensive? It’s the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth.

Sotheby’s in New York will be auctioning what’s known as NWA 16788 on Wednesday as part of a natural history-themed sale that also includes a juvenile Ceratosaurus dinosaur skeleton that’s more than 6 feet tall and nearly 11 feet long.

According to the auction house, the meteorite is believed to have been blown o the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike before traveling 140 million miles to Earth, where it crashed into the Sahara. A me-

teorite hunter found it in Niger in November 2023, Sotheby’s says.

The red, brown and gray hunk is about 70% larger than the next largest piece of Mars found on Earth and represents

nearly 7% of all the Martian material currently on this planet, Sotheby’s says. It measures nearly 15 inches by 11 inches by 6 inches.

“This Martian meteorite is the largest piece of Mars we

standing that it would return to England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated

have ever found by a long shot,” Cassandra Hatton, vice chairman for science and natural history at Sotheby’s, said in an interview. “So it’s more than double the size of what we previously thought was the largest piece of Mars.”

It is also a rare nd. There are only 400 Martian meteorites out of the more than 77,000 o cially recognized meteorites found on Earth, Sotheby’s says.

Hatton said a small piece of the red planet remnant was removed and sent to a specialized lab that con rmed it is from Mars. It was compared with the distinct chemical composition of Martian meteorites discovered during the Viking space probe that landed on Mars in 1976, she said.

The examination found that it is an “olivine-microgabbroic shergottite,” a type of Martian rock formed from the slow cooling of Martian magma. It has a course-grained texture and contains the minerals pyroxene and olivine, Sotheby’s says.

It also has a glassy surface, likely due to the high heat that burned it when it fell through Earth’s atmosphere, Hatton said. “So that was their rst clue that this wasn’t just some big rock on the ground,” she said.

The meteorite previously was

Perth Museum where, according to the building’s website, there are “a range of 24/7 security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object.”

Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn’t damaged in the incident.

on exhibit at the Italian Space Agency in Rome. Sotheby’s did not disclose the owner.

It’s not clear exactly when the meteorite hit Earth, but testing shows it probably happened in recent years, Sotheby’s said.

The juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton was found in 1996 near Laramie, Wyoming, at Bone Cabin Quarry, a gold mine for dinosaur bones. Specialists assembled nearly 140 fossil bones with some sculpted materials to recreate the skeleton and mounted it so it’s ready to exhibit, Sotheby’s says.

The skeleton is believed to be from the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago, Sotheby’s says. It’s auction estimate is $4 million to $6 million. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs were bipeds with short arms that appear similar to the Tyrannosaurus rex, but smaller. Ceratosaurus dinosaurs could grow up to 25 feet long, while the Tyrannosaurs rex could be 40 feet long.

The skeleton was acquired last year by Fossilogic, a Utahbased fossil preparation and mounting company.

Wednesday’s auction is part of Sotheby’s Geek Week 2025 and features 122 items, including other meteorites, fossils and gem-quality minerals.

SUSANNAH IRELAND / POOL PHOTO VIA AP

The Stone of Destiny is on display during a welcome ceremony ahead of the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III in Westminster Abbey, London, on April 29, 2023.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO A Martian meteorite, weighing 54.388 lbs., said to be the largest piece of Mars on Earth is displayed at Sotheby’s in New York, last week.

MOORE SPORTS

Boys’ soccer releases fall schedules

New conferences and old rivals highlight high school soccer

North State Journal sta

IT’S MID-JULY, which means that, despite the summer heat, fall sports will start playing in a month.

We previewed the county’s high school football schedules earlier this summer. Here’s a look at boys’ soccer, which has released schedules across the state.

Like football, the county’s soccer teams will have new classications, conferences and opponents as North Carolina sports reorganizes for the future.

North Moore

The Mustangs are coming

o a 4-12 season, 3-9 in the last year of the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference. North Moore is now a member of the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference. Here’s a look at the soccer schedule, subject to change:

Aug. 14 at Faith Christian

Aug. 26 at Ascend Leadership Sept. 29 Jordan-Matthews (conference)

Oct. 8 at Eastern Randolph (conference) Oct. 13 at Southwestern Randolph (conference)

Oct. 15 at Jordan-Matthews (conference)

Oct. 22 at Northwood (conference)

Oct. 27 Eastern Randolph (conference)

Oct. 29 Southwestern Randolph (conference)

Pinecrest

The Patriots went 14-5, 10-2 in the Sandhills 3A/4A. Pinecrest is now in the Mid-South 7A/8A conference. Here’s the tentative schedule:

Sept. 3 at Union Pines

FOR

Union Pines (white) and Pinecrest (blue) battle for the ball during soccer action last fall. The Vikings and Patriots are no longer in the same conference, but they’ll play each other this season.

Sept. 5 at Laney

Sept. 22 at Jack Britt (conference) Sept. 24 Overhills (conference)

Sept. 29 at Pine Forest (conference) Oct. 1 Hoke County (conference) Oct. 6 at Richmond Senior (conference) Oct. 13 Jack Britt (conference) Oct. 15 at Overhills (conference) Oct. 20 Pine Forest (conference) Oct. 27 Richmond Senior (conference)

Union Pines

The Vikings went 9-10-4, 6-33 in the Sandhills 3A/4A. Union Pines is now in the Carolina Pines 6A conference. Here’s the team’s schedule, subject to change:

Aug. 13 Fike

Aug. 15 Northside-Jacksonville

Aug. 16 at Jacksonville

Aug. 19 at Pine Forest

Aug. 21 Cape Fear

Aug. 22 Southwest Guilford

Sept. 3 Pinecrest

Sept. 8 at South Garner

Sept. 10 at West Johnston (conference) Sept. 10 at South Johnston (conference) Sept. 17 Harnett Central (conference)

Sept. 22 at Southern Lee (conference)

Sept. 24 Triton (conference) Sept. 29 at Lee County (conference) Oct. 1 Western Harnett (conference) Oct. 6 West Johnston (conference) Oct. 8 South Johnston (conference) Oct. 13 at Harnett Central (conference) Oct. 15 Southern Lee (conference) Oct. 20 at Triton (conference) Oct. 22 Lee County (conference) Oct. 27 at Western Harnett (conference) Oct. 29 Richmond Senior

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Colby Wallace

Pinecrest alum, baseball

Colby Wallace is a 2023 graduate of Pinecrest. With the Patriots, he earned two all-state berths and won three conference pitcher of the year awards. He also earned an Athlete of the Week honor last month.

After a successful All-conference season at East Carolina, the rising junior joined the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, where he earned a spot as a reserve on the NECBL South Division All-Star team.

Celtics’ Stevens shuns idea team in rebuild with Tatum out

a torn Achilles

By Kyle Hightower

BOSTON — Even before Jayson Tatum limped o the court with a torn Achilles tendon during the Celtics’ Eastern Conference semi nals loss to the New York Knicks, Brad Stevens knew big changes would be on tap for the franchise this o season.

Yes, big spending on free agents and contracts had lured in key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, who, combined with stars Tatum and Jaylen Brown, ultimately helped Boston capture the NBA championship in 2024.

But keeping the core of that roster intact next season with Tatum possibly missing all of it while rehabbing from his injury would have come with a combined payroll and luxury tax bill of more than $500 million. And as a team exceeding the second apron of the salary cap, it would have also meant additional penalties limiting ways they could sign or trade for players.

“We’ve known for a long time that hard decisions were coming,” Stevens said on the decisions to trade both Holiday and Porzingis. “The second apron is why those trades happened. I think that is pretty obvious. And the basketball penalties associated with those are real. ... So that was part of making the decision to push and put our chips on the table and go for the last two years.”

Now under that dreaded second apron, it’s also brought about a di erent way of looking at what’s next for the Celtics. As the team’s president of basketball operations, Stevens knows their approach will

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell to win the next game.”

Brad Stevens

have to change while Tatum is out. But as a former coach, he also said he’s never going to put a ceiling on any team’s potential.

“My expectations are always the same — compete like hell to win the next game,” he said.

Stevens said he doesn’t want to hear any mention of the term “rebuild” this upcoming season.

“That’s not going to be part of the lexicon in our building, and that’s the way we’re going to focus moving forward,” he said.

While the team could make additional moves to get completely out of the luxury tax, Stevens said it’s not the mandate he’s been given by incoming team owner Bill Chisholm.

“Bill has been pretty clear from the get go that he wants to make sure that we’re prioritizing basketball assets and the ability to retool this thing at the highest level that we can,” Stevens said. “The most important acquisition that we’re going to be able to make in the next couple of years is getting Tatum out of a (walking) boot. We’re not beating that one. So that’s going to be the best thing that can happen for us.”

Both Tatum and Brown, who had minor knee surgery last month, were in the Celtics’ facility last Tuesday rehabbing.

According to Stevens, Tatum was moving “really fast” in his walking boot, while Brown was already getting shots up and is expected to get full clearance for basketball activities soon.

COURTESY EAST CAROLINA ATHLETICS

DAVID SINCLAIR

NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The former Duke star will miss the season with

The Associated Press

FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO Trainers help Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) o the court after he was injured during the Eastern Conference semi nals.

Catherine Allen

Sept. 9, 1947 – July 7, 2025

Mrs. Catherine (Pearson)

Allen, 77, of Spring Lake, North Carolina (formerly of Lee County, NC) entered into eternal rest on Monday, July 7, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Catherine (Pearson) Allen in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

Elise June (Talbert) Purves

June 26, 1942 – July 13, 2025

Elise June Purves, 83, went home to be with the One she loved and lived for our Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 13, 2025. She passed peacefully at her home, with her loving brother David by her side.

June spent many years in Colorado, where she completed her accounting degree and proudly opened her own accounting rm. In 1989, she returned to Raleigh, North Carolina, and joined the accounting department at Car Quest. After retiring, she moved closer to her family and her childhood home in Southern Pines, NC. Never one to sit still, June found joy in greeting and helping others at the front desk of First Health Moore Regional Hospital.

She is survived by her devoted sister and brothers: Edna Yow, David (Kim) Talbert, and Edgar (Barbara) Talbert. June was deeply loved by her many nieces and nephews, and she loved them just as dearly in return.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Albina Talbert, and her brothers Gary, Frank, and Mac Talbert.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Gregg Newton o ciating, where June was a charter member.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the church multi-use building.

Anthony Melton

Sept. 21, 1962 – July 10, 2025

Anthony Melton, 62, of Wagram departed this life on July 10, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery, Laurinburg. A viewing and visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Purcell Funeral Home. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Richard Harold Yost

Nov. 16, 1942 – July 10, 2025

Richard Harold Yost, 82, of Carthage, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Richard was the son of the late Harold and Marjoie Ann Gries Yost. He is preceded in death by his son, Daryl “Yogi” Yost, and brother-in-law, Jasper Baker. Richard served during the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army and is a long-time member of the American Legion #296 of Vass, NC. He loved bear hunting and shing. He enjoyed going on shing trips with his son, Gerald, to the coast. Richard was a Deacon, and he and his wife had been members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Carthage for over 60 years. He was a certi ed welder and taught at Sandhills Community College. He loved to help others, either volunteering at church or on job sites. He was known as being able to x anything.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Helen Bobbitt Yost, son, Gerald (Sheila) Yost of Carthage, granddaughter, Mica Dexter (Samuel) of Raeford, his grandson, Derrick Yost of Carthage, great-grandchildren, Tanner, Gunner, Jasper, and Nova, brother-in-law, Oscar Bobbitt (Joyce) of Southern Pines, sister-in-law, Catherine Baker of Whispering Pines, and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service with military honors and the American Legion will be at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 2 p.m. Pastor Gregg Newton will be o ciating. Powell Funeral Home is serving the Yost family.

Donna Hinesley Taylor

April 23, 1957 – July 7, 2025

Donna Hinesley Taylor, age 68, of Cameron, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Open Arms Community Church of Vass with Pastor John Brown o ciating. At other times, the family will receive friends at 1525 Cranes Creek Road, Cameron, NC 28326.

Donna was born in Moore County on April 23, 1957, to Hazel Curtis Fulk and the late Randall Hinesley. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Angie Jessup, Dorothy Bell, brother, Brian Hinesley.

Donna enjoyed camping, gardening, walking on the beach and dancing. She was the love of every party! Donna was an active member of Open Arms Community Church. Her achievements in life were numerous but she will be remembered as a woman of God who loved everyone, and everyone loved her as well. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Philip Scott Taylor; parents, Hazel and Gary Fulk of Cameron; children, Kasi Caddell (Scott) of Cameron, Natasha Strohacker of Vass, Morgan Lovelady (John) of Cameron, David Strohacker (Allison) of Cameron; Meme to: Amy Madison Wilkes (Jared), Riley Horne, B Caddell, Katey Coe, Greer Caddell, Elise Caddell, Zachary Perhealth, Laine Strohacker, one great, Milleranne Kate Wilkes; sisters, Sherry Jessup (Dale) of Vass, Pam Rogers (Chris) of Greensboro; brothers, Tony Hinesley of Vass, Marty Cole of Aberdeen, Jaimie Fulk of Carthage, Richard Hinesley of Vass, David Makowski (Mary) of Michigan.

James L. Marsh

Feb. 20, 1948 – July 10, 2025

James L. Marsh, 77, of West End, N.C., passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at First Health Hospice House in West End, N.C.

James F. Casey

April 23, 1948 – July 7, 2025

James F. Casey passed away peacefully on July 7 in the evening.

He was a ectionately known as the big guy or my favorite grandpa, big guy.

He was a beloved husband of Jeanne for 55 years and leaves behind two wonderful sons, ve grandchildren and two brothers.

At his last request, there will be no service.

Just remember him as you knew him with a beer in his hands.

Danielle Katida Davis

Aug. 13, 1984 – July 10, 2025

Ms. Danielle Katida Davis, 41, of Sanford, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Please keep the family and friends of Ms. Danielle Katida Davis in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

William Murdock

Jan.1, 1947 – July 11, 2025

William Murdock, 78, of Laurinburg departed this life on July 11, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Fairly Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Laurinburg Memorial Park.

A viewing and visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Purcell Funeral Home. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

John W. Constantini

July 2, 1944 – July 7, 2025

John W. Costantini, 81, of Southern Pines, passed away at his home on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, on July 2, 1944, he was the son of the late Benjamin John and Elvera Gladys Santoro Costantini. After his high school graduation, John went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University. After serving in the National Guard, he started a career with the New York Daily News. It was in Manhattan where he met Ms. Nancy Greene. They married on September 19, 1970 and settled in Bergen County, NJ. John retired from The New York Daily News in 1985 as an advertising manager and relocated to Moore County where he and his family opened Sandhills Video, “Your Ticket to the Best Show in Town.” John was a man always in motion. Along with the video store, he and Nancy owned and operated many other ventures in the Sandhills area. John was a talented musician, playing in the Sandhills Community College Jazz Band as well as with local musicians in such groups as “The MellowLarks,” “The Music Makers,” and many others. He also served as a longtime member and deacon at First Baptist Church in Southern Pines, a congregation he loved deeply and volunteered with gladly. John was the loving husband of Nancy Costantini for more than 55 years. He was the father of Jennifer Costantini (Ray Ellis) of Atlanta, Leigh Neville of Pinehurst, and Amy Cook (Stephen) of Memphis. John was also survived by his ve grandchildren of whom he was especially proud and loved deeply: Holt, Henry, and Amelia Neville of Pinehurst and Benjamin and Jonathan Cook of Memphis. He is also survived by many other loving extended family members whom he adored and appreciated. He was the brother of Patricia Aaron and the late Frank Costantini.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, 200 E. New York Ave.

In lieu of owers, memorial gifts may be made to the Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care or First Baptist Church, Southern Pines. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Walter Russell Foxx

March 19, 1957 – July 10, 2025

Walter Russell Foxx, 68, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House, surrounded by a host of family.

Walter Russell Foxx was a devoted son, an exceptional father, a loving husband, a steadfast brother, uncle and friend. Born on March 19, 1957, in the close-knit community of High Falls, North Carolina, Walter lived a life de ned by humility, generosity, and quiet strength. He

Charles Dennis Jones

May 1, 1944 – July 6, 2025

Charles Dennis Jones passed away at 81 years of age on July 6, 2025, after a long, debilitating and frustrating series of cancer and blood cancer issues.

Charlie was raised in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY. He attended a number of Catholic grammar schools and subsequently, Saint Peter’s High School for Boys on Staten Island (class ‘61). He had a Bachelor of Science (pre-med) degree, a master’s degree, and was an Eagle Scout.

While attending school, he had numerous jobs, ranging from bowling alley pin-boy, dishwasher, waiter, bartender, to New York City lifeguard.

Charlie was in the USAF for 26 years. He was a combat

Opal “Lynn” Sims

Nov. 19, 1932 – July 8, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Lynn Slusher Sims on July 8, 2025. Lynn was born on November 19, 1932, and passed away on July 8, 2025.

Lynn was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother who touched the lives of many with her warmth and kindness.

Lynn was born in Beverly, Kentucky, and moved to Southern

touched countless lives with his kindness, unwavering integrity and deep compassion. Walter proudly served in the North Carolina Army National Guard with the 1-252 Armor Regiment based out of Fort Bragg.

As a senior Non-Commissioned O cer, he embodied the strength, discipline, and honor of a true American soldier. His unwavering commitment to service guided not only his military career but also every aspect of his life, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.

For 35 years, Walter worked with dedication and distinction for the State of North Carolina Department of Corrections. Known for his calm demeanor, steady leadership, and unwavering sense of fairness, he earned the respect of colleagues and inmates alike.

Walter believed deeply in the power of second chances and treated everyone with dignity and humanity. His impact reached far beyond the con nes of his profession, shaping lives and setting an example of

pilot, maintenance o cer, Vietnam vet, and attained the rank of Colonel. During his Air Force career, he had a wide variety of assignments, mainly in ghter wings and squadrons. His “tactical sign” was Harley because he rode Harley motorcycles throughout his Stateside assignments. Two notable assignments were an exchange tour with the French Air Force and the commander of the MILGROUP in Bogota, Colombia, working anti-drug programs with the Colombian National Police and U.S. agencies. Charlie had a air for languages and was multilingual. His rst post-USAF job was working for Hughes Aircraft in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He also worked for Raytheon, where he managed a large depot facility that manufactured and repaired components for USN. He was hired by Lockheed Martin where he was the Vice-President and General Manager of one of their technical service companies.

Charlie also worked for Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) in Iraq during the U.S. withdrawal. There he was the Deputy Program Manager for Operations and a member of the senior leadership team. In his position he traveled extensively throughout Iraq. In 2005, parleying his aviation experience and expertise, he established the very

Pines, NC, in 1971. She is survived by her devoted husband of 69 years, Roy Sims, and her sister and best friend, Lucy Arnett. She and Roy had three children: Steve Sims (Maren Anderson), Susan McKibben (Brian), and Dan Sims (Ginger). She cherished her family deeply and was so proud of her six granddaughters, who were the light of her life: Jami Tobias, Stephanie Sims, Katy Sims, Emma Sims, Kea McKibben, and Annie Sims. Lynn’s love extended to her two great-grandchildren, Laken and Harry Tobias, who brought her even more happiness and joy.

As a longtime resident of Southern Pines, she opened the iconic Lynn’s Fashions on Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Southern Pines. As a small business owner, she ran the shop and loved participating in local fashion shows in the Sandhills, which showcased her sense of fashion. Lynn loved to get dressed up and always put her best face forward.

She was a devout Christian and was a long-time member at the

compassion in leadership.

Outside of his career, Walter was a pillar of his community. He was an active member of the Jaycees and the Lions Club and served faithfully on several local advisory boards. A proud member of Masonic Lodge No. 324, Walter cherished the bonds of brotherhood and upheld the values of tradition, service, and mutual respect.

Walter found peace and joy in nature, especially through his love of shing. More than a pastime, shing was a source of serenity and re ection—a time to be still, connect with God, and appreciate life’s simple blessings.

Walter’s greatest pride was his family. A devoted husband, father, and relative, he gave his love unconditionally and led by a quiet, powerful example. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, strength, and kindness. A man of deep spiritual conviction, Walter gave his life to Christ and leaned on his faith throughout life’s journey. His favorite scripture was Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall

successful C&L Consulting company. He was very generous with his charitable contributions and time, most notably to the Carolina Philharmonic, the Vass Lions Club, Moore County Schools and the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. He was well known for his sense of humor and wit. A lot of people will miss him.

Charlie is survived by Linda, his wife of 27 years, his younger brother, Donald, as well as many friends.

A Celebration of his Life will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 2 p.m. with Chaplain Father Mike Metz o ciating.

The family has requested no owers and suggested a memorial to Tunnel to Towers. He will be interred at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

John William Strohmenger

Jan. 11, 1941 – July 6, 2025

John William Strohmenger passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.

John was born in January 1941 in Piqua, Ohio, to the late Charles Strohmenger and the late Myrle (Black) Strohmenger. John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda (Bashore Burkey) Strohmenger.

John graduated from Piqua High School, Piqua, Ohio. He attended the Ohio State University while serving in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years. John

First Baptist Church in Southern Pines. Her faith was pivotal in her battle with lung cancer, and Lynn found healing through the grace of God.

She adored her granddaughters and loved to laugh and play with them as they grew up. Some of her favorite times were spent at the beach. Lynn surrounded herself with her family every chance she could get, and especially loved to host on the holidays, with Christmas being her favorite. Flower gardening was also a love of hers. She had great joy in seeing the fruits of her labor as summer blooms evolved.

Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Southern Pines on Wednesday, July 16, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church Fellowship Hall.

Donations can be sent to FirstHealth Hospice Foundation: 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Powell Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sims family.

not want… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Walter also loved to say, “Hold what you got,” a simple yet powerful reminder to be grateful and grounded in what truly matters. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Roy and Dorothy Foxx; siblings Roy Foxx Jr. (Dickey), Thomas Foxx, William Foxx, Charles Foxx (Charlie), Jerry Foxx (Jabe), Larry Foxx (Goat), Clayton Foxx (Handy), and Patrick Foxx; Penelope Foxx Dowd and father-in-law, Clarence Barrett. He leaves to cherish his memory of his devoted wife of 42 years, Cathy Foxx; his beloved daughter, Seigi Foxx Matthews; and his son-in-law, Sgt. Elliot Matthews USA (Ret.). He is also survived by his brothers Paul Foxx (Elizabeth), Col. Ronnie Foxx USA (Ret.) (Daisy), Col. Christopher Foxx USA (Ret.) (Tammy), Anthony Foxx (Andrea), and Bill Foxx; his sisters Phyllis Redman (Rodney), Jeanne Foxx Faulk, and Pamela Foxx Brown (James);

served in Japan, Turkey and the United States. After discharge from the military, John managed a bowling alley in Connecticut. Later, John was a department head for Two Guys, Shillington, PA. When that store closed, he sold insurance for the Mutual of Omaha. Then John started his janitorial business and retired from that in 2003. John and Linda moved to Seven Lakes in 2011 to pursue their love of golf. John was an active member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Southern Pines, NC and Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, Leesport, PA. John was a former member of the Seven Lakes Kiwanis. John’s interests included bowling, golf, stamp collecting, NASCAR racing, Phillies baseball, and Kansas City Chiefs football. John bowled three perfect (300) games and one 800 series, and also had two holes in one in Pennsylvania. John enjoyed the fellowship of other stroke survivors by attending the Stroke Support Group at Clara McLean House.

Sisters in law: Myrtle Foxx, Mary Foxx; his dear mother-in-law, Beulah Barrett; and his cherished Aunt, Essie Brooks. One special sister-in-love, Marie (Walter) Brower. Sisters in law: Regina (Willis) Alsobrook, Tonya (James) Bond. Brothers-in-law: Clarence (Champ), Roger, Phillip Barrett.

Two of his closest friends, Joe and Ronald McDonald, held a special place in his heart. A host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends will forever remember his kind heart, wise words and unwavering love. Walter’s life was one of service, strength and faith. He gave without expecting in return, loved deeply and lived honorably.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Viewing at 1 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2025, at New Zion AME Zion Church. Service will begin at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at New Zion AME Zion Church Cemetery, with Masonic Rites and full Military Honors.

The Foxx family has entrusted Kennedy Funeral Home to assist in the services.

Other survivors include: daughter, Maria (Strohmenger) Gagnon, Ohio; son, Gregory Strohmenger, wife - Penny, Pennsylvania; Delynne (Burkey) Matheson, wife of Denny Matheson, Pennsylvania; David Dalton, Tennessee. Other survivors include six grandchildren - Toby Knechtle and wife, Jenna - Pennsylvania; Kira (Knechtle) Achenbach and husband, Tyler Achenbach - Pennsylvania; Kimberly (Robinett) Duncan and husband, Miles - Ohio; Jessica (Yoss) Schwen and husband, Eric - Ohio; Darrell Strohmenger, Pennsylvania; Jacob Strohmenger, Ohio. Also ten great-grandchildren, Channing Knechtle, Bentley Knechtle, Zoe Pride, Dio Duncan, Charli Schwen, Hannah Schwen, Rylee Schwen, Chandler Achenbach, April Achenbach, Zoey Achenbach. Other survivors, brother Charles Strohmenger and wife Marge, Arizona; Bob Williams and wife Bonnie; and sister Peg Kolker and husband, Bill, Ohio. John was predeceased by sisters Sandra Smith and Marilyn Kies, brother Fred Williams, son Jon Michael Strohmenger, and great grandson Ryder Knechtle. Memorial services will be held at a later date at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Southern Pines and Bern Reformed United Church of Christ, Leesport, PA. Interment of remains will be in Jacob Haag Cemetery, Bernville, PA.

John “Jack” McCall

Nov. 18, 1940 – July 8, 2025

John (Jack) McCall, age 84, of Pinehurst, passed away on July 8 at Pinehurst Health and Rehabilitation following a long illness. Jack was born in New York City in November 1940 to John and Catherine McCall. After graduation from Cardinal Hayes High School, he enlisted in the Marines in October 1958. After basic training, he was assigned duty as one of 30 sea-going Marines on the USS Macon. He traveled from the Arctic Circle to the Cape of Good Hope and Europe. The friends he made in the Marines became his lifelong best friends. After discharge, he

In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1517 Luther Way, Southern Pines, NC 28387.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.

attended Manhattan College and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Physical Education. He moved to Mahopac, NY to start his teaching career rst at Copper Beech Middle School in Mohegan Lake, NY, then at New Rochelle High School. In 1969, he started teaching in the Carmel, NY school system. From 1970-1995 he taught at George Fischer Middle School, and coached track, cross country, and wrestling, and coached cross country at Carmel High School. He later coached tennis and golf at Mahopac High School. In 2001, he and his wife of 57 years, Diane Sherman McCall, retired to Pinehurst, NC, where he enjoyed golf, tennis, and his daily 3-mile run. He was a member of Pinehurst Country Club since 1994 and a life member of the Sandhills Marine Corps League. He is survived by his wife Diane, his son Brian McCall (Pam Seidler), daughter Kelly McCall Knott (Mike), beloved granddaughter Delaney Knott, and many cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, father, brother Michael, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. As he requested, no services are planned. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.

STATE & NATION

Massachusetts assisted-living facility ravaged by deadly re

Nine were killed and 30 more hurt at the 70-resident facility

By Michael Casey The Associated Press

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help, authorities said Monday. At least 30 people were hurt.

A re ghters union said inadequate sta ng hindered the response to the blaze and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization, and the re chief suggested no number of rst responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised reghters and police for heroic rescue e orts said sta members did little to help.

“They didn’t knock on one door,” Robert Cabral said. “They just ran.”

Fire ghters responded to the Gabriel House facility in Fall River, about 50 miles south of Boston, at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday and were met with heavy smoke and ames at the front of the building. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce said in a statement that the re’s cause “does not appear to be suspicious at this time.” Its origin remains under investigation, authorities said.

Lorraine Ferrara, one of about 70 residents at the facility, awoke to a neighbor pounding on her door. She tried to make her way through the smoke in the hallway but retreated to her room as the sprinkler system shot hot water onto her back.

As her room led with smoke, Ferrara opened her window and yelled. A re ghter broke the window and carried her down the ladder, she said.

“I really thought I was going to die,” she said. “I thought there was no way out.”

That fear mixed with anger as she watched two employees run from the building.

“They left us alone and ran out into the parking lot,” she said. “I was hanging out the window — ‘Help! Help!’ and they just kept running.”

The dead ranged in age from 61 to 86, authorities said. The Bristol County district attorney’s o ce identi ed seven of the deceased as Rui Albernaz, 64; Ronald Codega, 61; Margaret Duddy, 69; Robert King, 78; Kim Mackin, 71; Richard Rochon, 78; and Eleanor Willett, 86. The ofce said a 70-year-old woman and 77-year-old man were still pending noti cation of family.

Mackin’s nephew, Austin Mackin, in an emailed statement from family members, de-

scribed his aunt as “gifted beyond words.”

“We will all miss Kimmy,” the statement read. “Beyond being exceptionally kind, few knew that she was a brilliant musician.”

She received a full ride scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, and after graduating, she toured around the world as rst chair viola, the statement said. During the latter part of her career as an instrumentalist, she played in the Boston Philharmonic.

Gabriel House opened in 1999 and has 100 units, according to Massachusetts Executive O ce of Aging and Independence. Its website promotes studio apartments “for those seniors who cannot a ord the high end of assisted living” as well as group adult foster care within walking distance of shopping, restaurants and churches.

“If an emergency occurs, no matter the time, there will be someone ready to help,” the website states.

Dennis Etzkorn, the facil-

ity’s owner, declined to comment Monday, but o cials said he was cooperating with what Fire Chief Je rey Bacon called “a very extensive investigation.”

District Attorney Tom Quinn called the re a “terrible tragedy” in a statement that also commended rst responders “bringing many of the residents to safety while being confronted with very di cult circumstances.”

Fire ghters union decries lack of sta , equipment

About 50 re ghters responded to the scene, including 30 who were o -duty. Police also helped break down doors and carried about a dozen residents to safety. Five injured reghters were released from the hospital Monday.

O cials with the re ghters union said the closing of re companies and cutbacks on sta have been a problem for decades.

If sta ng had been at the nationally recommended lev-

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough.”

Michael

el, eight more re ghters would have been at the scene, said Edward Kelly, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters union.

Capt. Frank O’Reagan said there was no breathing equipment available when he arrived, so he started going door to door on the third oor without an air tank until the smoke got to him.

O’Reagan’s brother and fellow re ghter Michael O’Reagan said he was shocked that 40 minutes after re ghters arrived, a large part of the building had not been searched.

“We did the best we could with what we had, and what we had was not enough,” said Michael O’Reagan, president of the Fall River re ghters union.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the re department is sta ed based on the recommendation from the re chief.

“We sta the re department at the number the chief asked for,” he said. “We’re not even 24 hours into this and that’s going to be a priority, not the families?”

Joe Alves, who lives several houses down from the facility, said he saw o cials pulling bodies, people in wheelchairs and injured pets out of the building, with some pouring water bottles on burns.

“It was terrible,” he said, choking up slightly.

Clever Parra, who lives behind the facility, said he joined several other neighbors to help

evacuate residents through the windows. The 40-year-old construction worker described going up a ladder and seeing a man inside attempting to open a window to escape the ames. After trying on his own, Parra turned to a re ghter to break the window.

The re ghter “sent the guy to me feet rst and I take the guy out and bring him down,” he recalled.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey o ered state assistance to the city’s mayor, condolences to the families of those who died and gratitude to rst responders.

Brian Doherty, president of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association, said state o cials were working with long-term care facilities to nd homes for displaced residents.

Paul Lanzikos, a former Massachusetts Secretary of Elder A airs and co-founder of the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, said the group was concerned by what has been reported about the lack of re drills, low number of sta for a highly dependent population and safety issues such as a broken elevator and air conditioners in the windows.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,” Lanzikos said.

City is one of the poorest in Massachusetts

With about 94,000 residents, Fall River is the state’s 10th-largest city and one of its poorest.

The blue-collar community in southern Massachusetts was once a global center for textile manufacturing, but it suffered population loss and economic hardship as the industry declined. Recent decades have seen some new development and investment, but the city has also been rocked by scandal. Former Mayor Jasiel Correia was convicted in a corruption trial and sentenced to six years in prison in 2021.

Survivors of the re were ushered to a temporary housing center about half a mile from their former home, many of them in shock after losing most of their belongings.

Some broke down in tears, others threw out names — desperate to know who was still alive. Sta ers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and ames.

Neal Beck, who had lived at Gabriel House for six years, said he was rescued by ladder from his bathroom window.

“I’ve been homeless before,” Beck said. “I guess I’ll be homeless again.”

Head cook Paul Ferreira was o the clock Sunday night but rushed to the scene and watched as bodies were removed from the building. He grew emotional describing the community of people who have long struggled to nd a ordable housing.

“Not knowing it was the last time I was cooking for them, it’s sad. They become part of your family,” Ferreira said. “Some of these people have no family members. Where are they going to go now?”

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

An investigator takes measurements Monday near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility following a re that started late Sunday in Fall River, Massachusetts.

STEVEN SENNE / AP PHOTO

Flowers rest near an entrance to the Gabriel House assisted-living facility Monday following a re that started late Sunday and resulted in multiple fatalities.

O’Reagan, president, Fall River re ghters union