North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 35

The North Carolina Senate passed new maps Monday in the rst step toward the Republican-led General Assembly positioning the GOP to gain a seat in Congress. The new maps alter two of the state’s 14 congressional districts, both in the eastern part of the state. The map above shows the proposed changes: The current District 1 (shown in purple) and District 3 (shown in yellow) would be redrawn. The new District 1 would shift east toward the coast into areas marked with dots, while the new District 3 would consolidate inland into areas shown with horizontal lines. These changes would make District 1, currently held by Rep. Don Davis (D-Snow Hill), more favorable to Republicans. Davis won a close race in the current con guration last election. District 3 would remain a safe Republican seat for Rep. Greg Murphy (R-Greenville). The move comes as President Donald Trump has encouraged Republican-led states to redraw maps to maximize GOP control of Congress.

GOP, Dems remain de ant as shutdown enters fourth week

Washington, D.C.

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Senate Republicans went to the White House on Tuesday in a display of unity with President Donald Trump as they refuse to negotiate on any Democratic demands. Senate Democrats are con dent in their strategy to keep voting against a House-passed bill that would reopen the government until Republicans, including Trump, engage them on extending health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year. With both sides showing no signs of movement, it’s unclear how long the stalemate will last — even as hundreds of thousands of federal workers will miss another paycheck in the coming days and states are sounding warnings that key federal programs will soon lapse completely.

Sanderson arrested for DWI the

U.S., Australia sign critical-minerals agreement

Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House on Monday as the U.S. eyes the continent’s rich rare-earth resources at a time when China is imposing tougher rules on exporting its own critical minerals abroad. The two leaders described the agreement as an $8.5 billion deal between the allies. Trump said it had been negotiated over several months. Albanese said the agreement takes the U.S.-Australia relationship “to the next level.” Earlier this month, Beijing announced that it will require foreign companies to get approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even trace amounts of rare-earth materials that originated from China or were produced with Chinese technology. The Trump administration says this gives China broad power over the global economy by controlling the tech supply chain.

Audit shows $83M in late SNAP bene ts

The report says NCDHHS leadership did not issue formal corrective actions for the late payments between 2021 and 2024

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A performance audit by the O ce of the State Auditor says $83 million

in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program bene ts between 2021 and 2024 were delivered late to recipients.

Congressional maps pass state Senate

Two of the state’s 14 congressional districts, the 1st and 3rd, are impacted

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Redistricting of North Carolina’s congressional map moved ahead Monday, with the Senate Elections Committee and full Senate approving the map after a third reading. Debate on the Senate oor lasted almost three hours, included procedural delay tactics by Democrats, and ended in a second reading vote passing the map 25-20 down partisan lines. Democrats protested the passage, with each member sub-

mitting a “Constitutional protest” to be put in the record for the reason the legislation is “injurious to the public.”

Before NSJ’s publication deadline, the House Select Committee on Redistricting and the full House were scheduled to address the maps. A similar approval outcome by the House is likely given both chambers have a Republican majority.

Since the governor cannot veto redistricted maps in North Carolina, if both chambers pass the maps, they would be enacted. The maps would also likely face lawsuits.

Lawmakers rst announced the intent to alter the maps Oct. 13.

The 1st and 3rd Districts —

The senator’s breath test was twice the legal limit

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina state Sen. Norman Sanderson (R-Pamlico) was arrested on DWI charges Saturday evening

after being pulled over on Edwards Mill Road in Raleigh by the State Highway Patrol.

Sanderson has been charged with three misdemeanors: driving while impaired, an open container after consumption vi-

olation and failure to obey a trafc o cer.

“Last night I made a regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions,” Sanderson said in a statement. “I want to apologize to my constituents, my colleagues, and my family for

NC teachers association becomes AFT union a liate

The Professional Educators of North Carolina is now AFTPENC

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The American Federation of Teachers added a North Carolina teacher professional association to its ranks this month.

The Professional Educators of North Carolina joined the ranks of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) on Oct. 14 and is now known as AFPENC, according to the group’s website.

“With the strength of the AFT behind us, we are embracing a larger movement that champions fairness, democracy, opportunity and high-quality public education for all,” AFPENC

President Joanna Loftis said in a press release. “Together, we will work with

every stakeholder who shares our belief that public education is the foundation of a strong and thriving North Carolina. We are proud to establish this AFT a liate in our state and look forward to building a stronger voice for educators across North Carolina.”

PENC had 2,082 members as of the 2022-23 school year, according to the 2024 annual state audit of state employee association memberships, a decline of nearly 4% over the previous year’s audit report. For 2022-23, there were 92,681 public school teachers in North Carolina, not including the more than 8,700 public charter school teachers.

AFT boasts representation of 1.8 million pre-K through 12th grade teachers and other education professionals.

“These North Carolina teachers have been organizing for years to

See MAPS,

COURTESY SHP

Sen. Norman Sanderson

the word | Helping by prayer

We are taught to pray for others. This is one of life’s highest and plainest duties. Paul exhorts that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men. James reminds us that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and e ective.” Thus, prayer is among the active, working forces of the world — a way in which we can truly help others. There is no way in which we can do so much for others as by praying for them. Prayer is not merely a heart sigh or an expression of goodwill; it lays hold on the hand of God and brings divine power to bear in helping and blessing those for whom we intercede. There are many things we can and should do for others with our own hands, but there are also needs that only prayer can meet.

Friendship is precious — but friendship that does not pray lacks a vital element. It leaves God out. A Christian young woman is loved by a man who laughs at prayer. Is it any wonder she hesitates to entrust her future to one who cannot o er the help that comes through a friend’s prayers? Earth’s sweetest owers need heaven’s dew to perfect their beauty. Love needs divine strength and grace to be complete. An old writer said, “Pray for whom you love; you will never have any comfort of his friendship for whom you do not pray.”

Nothing else we can do for a friend means so much. Our hands are often awkward and unskillful. Even when our intentions are kind, we may only wound the life we seek to heal. At best, we are poor helpers in the deepest things. We may lift away burdens that were meant to bless, smooth paths God intended to remain rough, or rush His providence and deliver fruit not yet ripe. How much better it is to wait for what is mellow and ready, than to spoil the blessing by our impatience. How glad we should be that we can put our friends into God’s hands — when they are in sorrow, or in perplexity, or longing for deliverance. The safest and most loving thing we can do is to pray for them — asking God to do what He knows is best.

Failing to pray for our friends is a sin against them — and against God. The law of love commands us to care for others as we care for ourselves: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Prayer is one of love’s duties, and we wrong others when we neglect it. A mother who does everything for her child but never prays for him is withholding heaven’s greatest blessing.

Christ Himself taught us to pray for others. The Lord’s Prayer is addressed to “Our Father,” not “My Father.” Even in private prayer, we are to remember others: “Give us this day our daily bread.” It is unchristian sel shness to focus only on our own needs. The last place for sel shness is in prayer.

It is not enough to pray for friends. Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us:

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are

not even the tax collectors doing that?” Matthew 5:46 The same applies to prayer. We are to pray even for those who do us harm.

There is much ingratitude in the world. Years of kindness may be repaid with neglect or wrong. But what is our duty in such cases? Are we excused from loving and praying for those who wrong us? No. Samuel said it would be a sin against God to stop praying for the people, even after they had wronged him. We are called to the same.

Christian love must remain unembittered. Like a spring of clear water that remains sweet though covered by the brackish sea, so our love must continue pure, no matter the treatment it receives. Jesus gave a clear command:

“Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.” Why? “That you may be the children of your Father in heaven.” God loves His enemies, blesses those who curse Him, and is kind to the unthankful and the evil. We are to follow His example.

So when you kneel to pray, include not only those who have loved you, but also those who have been unkind: “Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.”

J. R. Miller (1840-1912) was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain. This is an edited version of his original.

State Health Plan reinstates transition treatments exclusion following court order

Kadel v. Folwell was remanded back to the district court level following a previous SCOTUS ruling

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Following a U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruling, the North Carolina State Health Plan will reinstate exclusion of coverage of “transition-related treatments.”

The appeals court’s decision in Kadel v. Folwell vacates a district court’s earlier ruling and reactivates the exclusion of such treatments by the State Health Plan (SHP). The exclusions had been in place since the 1990s and were listed among the plan’s annual list of excluded items even though they were inactive.

State Treasurer Brad Briner applauded a ruling that reinstated the State Health Plan’s ability to determine which procedures will be covered.

a ected by the reinstatement.”

Exclusion of transition treatments had been blocked until 2022, when U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs issued an injunction requiring the SHP to provide coverage for those treatments.

such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

Briner had previously framed the case as a matter of whether elected representatives or plainti s should determine health plan coverage and praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Kadel v. Folwell has always been about one question. Do the people of North Carolina, through their elected representatives, get to ultimately manage the State Health Plan? Or can plainti s dictate what procedures we cover?” Briner said in a press statement following the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. “We are grati ed that the Supreme Court has agreed with our strongly held belief in the State Health Plan Board of Trustees’ authority in this matter.”

“Generally, the exclusion does not prevent the treatment of any infection, injury, disease, disorder or complication that has been caused by or exacerbated by the performance of gender transition medical or pharmaceutical procedures,” State Treasurer Brad Briner’s o ce, which oversees the SHP, said in a press release.

strengthen public education for their students and to secure the conditions, voice and salaries they needed for themselves, and I am so proud to welcome them to the 1.8 million-strong AFT family,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Thanks to Joanna’s inspiring leadership and the wisdom of PENC’s executive board, we are uniting because we know that we can achieve far more together than we ever can alone.”

AFT drew criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic when its involvement in keeping schools closed was discovered by a con-

seats held by Reps. Don Davis (D-Snow Hill) and Greg Murphy (R-Greenville), respectively

— are the only North Carolina’s 14 congressional districts that are changed in the maps.

The proposed map shifts six counties from Murphy’s district to Davis’ district: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde and Pamlico. Additionally, four counties would shift

“Additionally, in 2021, the Plan’s Board of Trustees afrmed continued coverage for psychological assessment and

gressional subcommittee. Following that revelation, Weingarten faced backlash after she repeatedly made the false claim that unions had actually tried to reopen schools. This year, Weingarten’s political involvement with Democrats drew headlines when she resigned in June from the Democratic National Committee. Most recently, she faced criticism for using a reference to a “Nazi occupation” while promoting her new book, “Why Fascists Fear Teachers.”

AFT spent more than $38 million on political activities and lobbying in 2024. The political spending watchdog Open Se-

from Davis’ district to Murphy’s: Greene, Lenoir, Wayne and Wilson, as well as a small portion of Swansboro in Onslow County.

Senate Redistricting Committee Co-chair Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) said the motivation for changing the maps was “simple and singular” — to draw an additional Republican seat to maintain Republicans’ “razor-thin” margin in the U.S. House and keep the Democrats

psychotherapy treatment in conjunction with a diagnosis of or connected to gender dysphoria,” Briner’s press release reads. “The reimplemented bene t exclusion does not exclude psychological assessment and psychotherapy treatment in these cases.”

The SHP is now working with the state’s third-party administrator and health care providers to “make sure this decision is fully communicated to all members

crets notes that $12 million was raised by AFT’s PAC for Democratic candidates in the 2024 election cycle.

The largest teacher association in the state, the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), also has union ties as an a liate of the National Education Association (NEA).

The NEA has also politically supported Democrats, spending $2.78 million in lobbying in 2024, per Open Secrets data.

Both AFT and the NEA have given over $220 million to left-wing groups and Democrat-linked political causes since 2015, according to a report by Defending Education.

from “torpedoing” President

Donald Trump’s agenda.

“This is a political arms race that Republicans did not start,” said Hise. “Democrat-controlled states across the country adopted far more aggressive gerrymanders than that systematically diluted Republican votes.”

Hise pointed to California

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts “to double down on California’s already severe political gerrymander.”

After Biggs’ 2022 ruling favoring the plainti s, an appeal followed, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals a rmed the decision in 2024 by an 8-6 vote. However, that ruling was appealed again to the U.S. Supreme Court, during which an amicus brief was led by 23 state attorneys general in support of the SHP’s case.

In June 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the 4th Circuit’s ruling and instructed that court to reconsider the case in light of its decision in United States v. Skrmetti, a Tennessee case in which the high court upheld a state law banning gender transition treatments for teens,

A third teacher association in North Carolina, the American Teachers Alliance (ATA), was formed in 2021 as an alternative to the NCAE. ATA was originally called the Carolina Teachers Alliance but changed names when its membership went national later that same year.

ATA has since expanded its reach to six other states: Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas.

“I was surprised by this development because North Carolina is one of the ve states in which the collective bargaining of public employee teacher contracts is illegal,” Amy Marshall, ATA’s executive director, pres-

“President Trump has called on Republican-controlled states across the country to ght re with re,” said Hise. “This map answers that call.” Hise said no racial data was used, nor did the redistricting chairs believe it should be as none of the three preconditions set out in Thornburg v. Gingles to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act were present.

Sen. Minority Leader Sydney Batch (D-Wake) asked Hise

Following the instructions from the U.S. Supreme Court, the 4th Circuit reconsidered the case and issued a Sept. 23 order vacating Biggs’ 2022 decision and remanding the case back to the district court for “further consideration in light of Skrmetti.” Court records show the case is currently unassigned at the district court level, with earlier lings in August indicating Biggs is no longer handling the case.

ident and founder, told North State Journal.

A liation with a union group like AFT or the NEA does not mean it is recognized as a union by the state. North Carolina is a “right to work” state, meaning employees cannot be forced to join a union or pay dues of any size as a prerequisite for a state job.

Democrats in the North Carolina House led a one-page bill this year that would repeal the state prohibition on unions and collective bargaining in state or municipal government jobs. The bill passed the rst reading but has remained untouched since it was sent to the House Rules Committee in March.

several questions centering on when the decision to draw the maps was made and if there were direct communications with Trump or the White House. Hise said Oct. 13 was when Republicans started to look at map alternatives and that there was no direct communication with the Trump administration. Hise also said no outside experts were consulted. He said neither Murphy nor Davis was consulted.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“The Angelus” by Jean-François Millet (c. 1857) is a painting in the collection of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA TREASURER’S OFFICE

Fun at the NC State Fair

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Collegial civil climate change debate at the first grade level

Carbon dioxide accounts for 0.04% of the atmosphere, while nitrogen makes up 71% and oxygen accounts for 21%.

WE TOOK OUR FIRST grade grandson recently to the North Carolina Zoo, which really is a marvel and true asset to North Carolinians, both young and old.

We were somewhat amazed at his knowledge of the various animals as we passed from habitat to habitat. I was even more amazed, however, at his knowledge of the climate change issue, which was emphasized at the zoo. We were in the car on our way home when we passed a truck carrying maybe 10 huge cut logs, and we heard him say from the back seat, “That is really too bad — those old trees are no longer going to be able to turn carbon dioxide into oxygen for us to breathe!”

“What do you know about photosynthesis?” was my rst grandpa response. “You are only 7 years old!”

“I saw a movie about it in school!” was his con dent response. Seeing an opportunity to engage with him on something important and perhaps inspire him to keep learning with an open mind, I decided to see if I could communicate what I have learned over the years during public policy hearings, debates and seminars and on a rst grade basis.

He seemed pretty con dent about his knowledge of the climate issue, which impressed me no end as a grandfather. He has always been a curious, inquisitive sort, so without being confrontational about the political rami cations of what he was saying about those logs, it seemed like a good time to talk about something other than toys, candy or even those magni cent animals we had just seen at the zoo. After all, I had actually listened to lobbyists and experts from the Environmental Defense Fund and the Nicholas School on the Environment at Duke University for close to two decades in D.C. and asked them to explain the intricacies

of climate change at a rst grade level so I could at least understand it myself and be able to communicate it to others when the issue came up in the U.S. House or Senate o ces.

Since I had no idea of what my political views would become far later in life, here’s what some of the basic questions wound up being on the drive home, which would have been the same if we were just two 7-year-olds sitting in a tree house somewhere talking about the world.

Me: “Do you know what eats up carbon dioxide faster than old trees? Newly planted young trees! As they are growing, they devour CO2 at far higher rates than old trees like the ones we just saw as logs on that truck up ahead.”

One scientist told me that if we wanted to totally rid the atmosphere of carbon dioxide, we should cut down every tree in an area the size of Texas and plant seedlings across the entire state, presumably after tearing down all the buildings as well.

My rst grade sensibility would have brought up this question as a follow-up to our discussion so far: “But if we eliminate all carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, what will the trees eat in order to start the process of photosynthesis, which produces the oxygen we need to live!” Not only would the trees and plants not be able to survive, but neither would anything else that lives and breathes in oxygen.

My next rst grader question to my grandson would have been, “Do you know how much of the atmosphere today is carbon dioxide to start with?” The idea of fractions and percentages might not mean all that much to him yet, but carbon dioxide accounts for 0.04% of the atmosphere, while nitrogen makes up 71% and oxygen accounts for 21%. At least the relative amounts can be explained in a manner with props such as Legos or M&M’s that most people

can understand, which is important when discussing public policy with anyone.

The main thing I hoped to convey to my grandson was that it is critically important to know as many facts as possible when talking about anything and to converse in a way that is pleasant and, if possible, humorous and gentle at the same time. So far, so good.

Now we are going to have to gure out another outing with him, which will provide us with the opportunity to engage with his young, inquisitive mind and see where that takes our next discussion. Maybe it will have to be the NC State Fair next week!

It may have to be his generation and beyond who gure out how people from all sides of the political spectrum can sit down and talk about things in a civil manner and gure out how to actually solve problems instead of continuing to blame “the other side” because nothing ever gets done.

The most pleasant thing was being able to speak to him in an adult manner and not have him retaliate with a lot of anger, vitriol and insulting words because he might have thought I was disagreeing with him and his 7-year-old views.

The good news is that there is such an amazing amount of facts and information readily accessible to his generation as long as it is not funneled in grossly partisan ways so as to provide a distorted view of the truth about any issue. The advent of AI is going to complicate matters for them, which argues for more insurance and guardrails to be put into place to guarantee free speech and open delivery of facts and gures.

But based on this short interaction, there’s hope for the future in terms of rational thought, reason and human interaction.

NYC voters poised to make big mistake with Zohran Mamdani

There has also been his refusal to condemn “globalize the intifada” chants at the anti-Israel rallies.

IT’S NOT UNCOMMON for writers who occasionally share their thoughts about things going on in cities and states in which they don’t reside to get responses that go something along the lines of “mind your own business” or “keep our city/state out of your mouth.”

It’s happened to yours truly on occasion.

But nine times out of 10 it happens to be in reference to a part of the country that has had no compunction about weighing in on North Carolina politics in a rather derisive way. So returning the favor seems only tting.

New York City is unquestionably deep blue.

In a citywide election, you expect that they will elect a Democrat to lead it. That is unlikely to change anytime soon, if ever.

In the case of their mayoral election, however, they have three candidates who are vying for the seat. Two of them are Democrats, though one is running as the nominee of the political party he created earlier this year, which was a backup plan of sorts in the event he failed to obtain the Democratic nomination.

The leading candidate is Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist of America party member who o cially won the Democratic mayoral nomination in July.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Fight and Deliver Party nominee, is running a distant second place in polling behind

Mamdani. Guardian Angels nonpro t founder Curtis Sliwa is the Republican nominee. For all intents and purposes, it is a twoman race, with current NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who ran as an independent candidate, dropping out in late September, and Sliwa having virtually no chance of winning because of the (R) beside his name.

Of the top two, Cuomo has more name recognition. Voters undoubtedly know him better than Mamdani in large part due to his time as the state’s attorney general and then governor, and because Cuomo’s father, Mario, was the state’s governor for 11 years.

But in this instance, name recognition and being from a powerful New York political family appear to be more of a hindrance than a help to Cuomo. He resigned in disgrace in August 2021 amid a sexual harassment scandal, which exploded amid another scandal Cuomo was mired in: nursing home deaths from the early days of the COVID pandemic and allegations of a cover-up in the aftermath.

Mamdani, who was trailing in primary polling up until about a week before the June primary, surged to the forefront as primary voters took to the polls. And he’s never looked back.

But New York City also has the largest Jewish population of any city in the world, and it has seen a rise in antisemitic attacks

since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. One would think that Mamdani’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war alone (he’s called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and accused Israel of genocide) would give voters pause. There has also been his refusal to condemn “globalize the intifada” chants at the antiIsrael rallies he has sometimes attended, him breaking bread with a popular leftist in uencer/streamer who said “America deserved 9/11,” and, most recently, his warm embrace of Brooklyn imam Siraj Wahhaj, who is widely believed to be an unindicted coconspirator in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

And yet despite all of that, Mamdani is on the verge of becoming the Big Apple’s mayor, which many of us on the outside view as a big mistake. I’m not one to tell anyone how to vote, but I can safely say that even with all of Cuomo’s baggage, he would seem like the saner bet for NYCers, in my opinion.

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.

Trump’s Middle East triumph embarrassed the self-proclaimed experts

Trump and his people did what Biden couldn’t.

A NEW YORK real estate developer and TV star just outsmarted America’s highly credentialed foreign policy establishment.

Hamas recently returned its last 20 living hostages to Israel. That was part of a stunning Gaza peace plan announced earlier by President Donald Trump. Israel and Hamas both agreed to it. Hamas signed on even though it hadn’t had a change of heart about its desire to destroy Israel.

“A coordinated squeeze forced Hamas to accept a deal it didn’t want,” The Wall Street Journal explained.

Qatar and Turkey said they wouldn’t continue to host Hamas leaders. Egypt said it wouldn’t try to ensure Hamas had a governing role in Gaza after the war. After two years of ghting, Hamas suddenly found itself isolated and abandoned by its allies.

This didn’t happen by accident. It required Trump’s leadership and Israel’s military brilliance.

Now, think back to the propaganda press’ narrative after former President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.

“Joe Biden’s cabinet picks send a clear message: The adults are back in charge,” Vogue wrote in November 2020.

“Joe Biden’s message to Vladimir Putin? The adults are back in charge,” CNN’s Chris Cillizza wrote in June 2021.

It’s certainly true that Biden and his cabinet had impressive pedigrees. Biden has a law degree from Syracuse University. During his decades in the Senate, he chaired the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee. He served eight years as vice president, visiting more than 50 countries.

He selected Antony Blinken as secretary of state. Blinken attended Harvard and Columbia Law School. He had spent decades in various foreign policy positions, including serving as deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration.

But those sterling resumes produced terrible results. In 2021, 13 American service members died as Biden surrendered in Afghanistan. In 2022, Putin invaded Ukraine. In 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, murdering around 1,200 and capturing hundreds of hostages.

COLUMN | JOHN STOSSEL

The resumes of Trump and his team aren’t nearly as impressive.

Trump graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. Overcoming setbacks and business bankruptcies, he largely became wealthy and famous through developing real estate. He later starred in the TV show “The Apprentice.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio once attended Tarkio College in Missouri and a community college before graduating from the University of Florida. He earned his law degree from the University of Miami. He did serve on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Steve Witko and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also played a key role in securing the deal. Their backgrounds are primarily in real estate, not diplomacy.

But Trump and his people did what Biden couldn’t — secure the release of every living hostage and get Hamas to agree to a cease re.

Hamas may not keep its end of the deal. Hamas has been openly murdering its rivals in a bid to reclaim power. Notice how little angst supposedly pro-Palestinian groups have about those deaths. Their actions suggest they don’t care about the lives of Palestinians. They care about dead Palestinians who can be used to smear Israel.

But by releasing the hostages, Hamas has given up the leverage that kept Israel from fully wiping out the terrorist group.

Trump’s triumph is a rebuke of America’s top universities, which supposedly produce the country’s foreign policy experts. These schools were once intellectual crucibles where students learned how to apply history’s greatest truths. Today, these campuses are ideological echo chambers where students learn that conformity is the key to obtaining fancy quali cations. With this, a state department bureaucrat can secure a nice pension, but not a foreign policy breakthrough.

For those, America must rely on those who understand how things work in the real world. No wonder real estate developers outperformed the credentialed class.

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

Shut down! Do you care?

Even security screenings work better when they’re private.

THE GOVERNMENT is “shut down.”

Media call this a “crisis.”

A “crisis (with) no deal in sight,” says Fox News.

Reuters says it’s a “key risk to U.S. stability.”

But when I look around, I see business as usual — families raise children, workers work, people play music ...

The media act like government is the most important part of life. It isn’t. Fortunately, most of life, and the best of life, happens outside government.

Yes, we need government. Limited government. Enough to keep us safe.

But most of life doesn’t depend on what goes through D.C.

Most of life thrives without government, often despite government.

During shutdowns, government tells “nonessential” workers not to come to work. But if they’re nonessential, why do we employ them?

The shutdown is certainly a problem for the 1.4 million federal employees currently working without pay or furloughed. But they will likely get paid once government’s back in business. That’s what happened before.

The media claim ights are delayed because of air tra c control sta ng shortages. CNN writes, “Delays spread to major airports across the country, as the government shutdown impacts travelers.”

But many of these delays happen because government runs air tra c control, and government management isn’t good.

In other places (airports in Canada, the U.K., Germany, Australia), air tra c control is privately run. A Government Accountability O ce report found that private systems lead to fewer delays. Even security screenings work better when they’re private. At San Francisco’s airport, security lines move faster, and passengers told me, “The screeners are nicer!”

They’re nicer and faster because in San Francisco (also Kansas City and some smaller airports), private companies handle security. The TSA even acknowledges that private screeners are better at nding contraband. So why does government do these things?

It shouldn’t.

Private operators are better because they must compete. Competition makes everybody sharper. Succeed, or you get red.

But government never res itself. It’s why its incompetent government workers stay incompetent.

It’s also why the Pentagon unks audits and uses outdated computers.

Shutdowns are supposed to show how

vital government is. Instead, they show the opposite.

Now, some farmers complain that they’re not getting government support checks. But why should farmers get taxpayer funding in the rst place?

Politicians said it was needed to “save family farms,” but it doesn’t. It mostly subsidizes big agribusiness.

Some claim America needs government aid to “guarantee the food supply.” But we don’t. Fruit and vegetable growers get nothing from Washington. There’s no shortage of tomatoes, peaches or green beans ...

We should take a chainsaw to much of government. Consider government inspections of foods. We’re told to be glad USDA inspectors are considered “essential” and will stay on the job to keep us safe.

But meat is safe not because of bureaucratically mandated inspections but mostly because of competition.

Food sellers have a reputation to uphold. If their food poisons us, people won’t buy from them.

As a result, today’s food producers take more safety measures than government requires. One told me they employ a thousand more safety inspectors than the government demands.

Stories like that rarely get coverage.

Politicians, gathered in D.C., are easy to report on. Journalists lazily obsess about them because they’re easy to interview. It’s impossible to cover millions of individuals pursuing our own interests.

But it’s we who make America work. Not bureaucrats bickering in D.C.

Media pundits will continue to act as if shutdowns are a crisis, but they’re not.

We’ve “survived” shutdowns before, and we’ll “survive” this one.

John Stossel is the author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

Winning against China means winning on energy

CHINA SPENT the past 40 years building an industrial powerhouse fueled by coal, while American politicians, Europe and California focused on decarbonizing and greenwashing. Such e orts enabled the purchase of Chinese wind turbines, solar panels and batteries, made from cheap coal, further subsidized power and forced labor. These products have been forced into the grid at the expense of the consumer, the economy and the nation, driving electricity prices higher and reliability lower.

As the Western world buys cheap Chinese green tech, China continues to build out its manufacturing base. China now boasts onethird of the world’s power generation, more than 10,000 TWh. In 2024, China added more than 500 TWh of coal- red power generation, equivalent to half of Japan’s entire grid. More than 5,800 TWh of China’s power generation comes from coal alone. China has more coalred power generation than any nation on Earth has total power generation. China consumes more coal now than at any time in history and constitutes more than half of global coal consumption.

Coal is reliable, energy-secure, cheap and easily transportable. It produces direct process heat for industrial use and stable, dispatchable baseload power generation. The Chinese green tech that European countries and U.S. states prize is only cheap because it is subsidized, made with inexpensive coal, forced labor and in a country with no rule of law, let alone environmental standards.

The reason China controls the rare earth market is it processes and re nes the rare earths and metals, a dirty and energy-intensive business that requires removing thorium and uranium. China’s access to ample, redundant power from coal allows them to dominate the processing of rare earths, but it also enables them to make everything from smartphones and weapons to robotics.

U.S. utility companies with executive pay tied to ESG metrics and states with unfair power purchase agreements (including Texas) have favored adding wind and solar into the grid at the expense of reliable baseload power, including coal and natural gas. These states ood the grid with intermittent wind and solar, leading directly to rising electricity prices. These states are also removing reliable baseload power in the form of inexpensive coal. This is taking place in Colorado. In California, the result is rolling blackouts, imported electricity and some of the highest power prices in the nation. It is worse in Europe; a war is being waged, and European nations lack the power generation to build the ammunition and weapons to support Ukraine. Germany has some of the highest electricity prices in the world. Drones, AI and air defense all require power generation. China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are not making weapons with wind and solar power, nor is Ukraine defending their country and making drones with it.

When it comes to energy, the U.S. should be winning the competition with China. The U.S. is producing 13.6 million barrels per day (mbd) of oil, more than any nation on Earth, ever. That is almost 4 mbd more than the next two largest producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, who produce roughly 10 mbd. The U.S. produces 130 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, more than double Russia, the second-largest producer in the world.

Natural gas makes up a substantial portion of the U.S. grid, but the grid has weakened as politicians forced the green agenda, pushing wind and solar at the expense of low-cost coal. The U.S. now has more wind and solar power generation than coal.

The Trump administration’s policy shifts and energy agenda are critical in headto-head competition with China. Energy is the lifeblood of a nation. The Trump administration understands that without abundant and reliable power, America cannot manufacture.

In his U.N. address, Trump called out Europe’s energy failures and high electricity prices. His Interior Department just opened 13.1 million acres for coal leasing, ending an Obama-era de facto moratorium. The EPA is moving to rescind the Endangerment Finding, which weakened America’s energy security by shuttering coal power plants. China’s cheap and reliable coal power underpins its industrial manufacturing power. If America wants to remain free, strong and prosperous, we must unleash our energy resources, including natural gas and coal, rebuild our industrial base, and embrace a ordable and reliable power.

Trisha Curtis is an economist for the American Energy Institute. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Leaf Peek

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

Late-October fall foliage coverage

In October, North Carolina’s fall foliage moves through its full spectacle, cascading from the highest ridges down toward the Piedmont and coastal regions. Early in the month, color changes begin rst in the mountain elevations (above 4,000 to 5,000 feet), with the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah and Great Smoky Mountains among the rst to blaze in reds, golds and oranges. By mid-October, peak color is common in mid-elevations, and by late October, the foothills and parts of the Piedmont reach their height.

According to state agriculture o cials, the vibrancy and timing of fall color depend greatly on weather — sunny days followed by cool, but not freezing, nights help break down chlorophyll and reveal the pigments that produce yellow, orange, red and purple hues. Experts note that because of the state’s broad elevation range, you can almost always nd somewhere in N.C. still showing good autumn color well into October — and sometimes into early November in lower elevations.

PIEDMONT

Taylor Swift donates to local cancer victim

Treasure hunt yields $41K prize

Buncombe County A treasure in a glass mason jar, waiting to be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has been discovered. The treasure, amounting to more than $41,000, was found Saturday, nine days after the countdown began. Adam Howell, creator of the treasure hunt, said the idea for the hunt began as a mix of adventure, family fun and a way to help western North Carolina recover from Helene. The prize originally started as $26,000 worth of gold coins. But the prize quickly grew because every time someone signed up for the hunt, $10 was added to the nal prize pool, pushing the total to more than $41,000. According to the update posted by Howell, a father-daughter duo from Georgia found the treasure on the forest oor at the Bailey Mountain Loop in Mars Hill by comparing daily cloud shadow photos to narrow a search area. The pair is giving a $16K portion of their prize to Helene recovery e orts.

WLOS

ce had been operated by Sara James since 2012. In North Carolina, license plate agencies are managed by private businesses or local governments.

NSJ

Stokes County A Stokes County family has received a $100,000 donation to their GoFundMe site from someone named Taylor Swift, according to media outlets. Two-yearold Lilah Smoot is battling a rare and aggressive form of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor that she was diagnosed with at 18 months old. Lilah is a big Taylor Swift fan and, with the help of her family, made a TikTok showing Lilah enjoying the artist’s work and catching her eye.

WGHP

Charlotte unveils upgraded Spectrum Center

Mecklenburg County

After months of construction, the $245 million renovation at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center is complete. The project includes 1,400 new seats in the lower level, wider seats in the 200 level, more bathrooms and bars, and new food options for fans. Behind the scenes, locker rooms have been renovated, and new tech, sound systems and event spaces were added — all designed to enhance the fan and performer experience, o cials told local outlets. The Spectrum Center o cially reopened Sunday with a Billie Eilish concert.

NSJ

High Point re station remains closed due to sta ng shortage

Guilford County High Point emergency o cials told local outlets last week that Engine Company 13 and Rescue Company 1 at Station 13 on Ambassador Court are out of service this shift because of sta ng shortages. The department said it remains committed to advocating for sta ng levels that can accommodate vacation, sick leave and training while ensuring all apparatus across the city are properly sta ed to protect residents.

Fire Department administration, city management and the city council acknowledged the department is currently understa ed to provide the level of service the community deserves, a recognition o cials called an important rst step. The department also noted that while it welcomes the federal SAFER Grant, which will fund the hiring of 24 additional re ghters, it faces additional challenges in meeting the grant’s performance and technical requirements.

WFMY

EAST

NC Food Bank hosts annual auction fundraiser

Pitt County The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will hold their annual Smoke in the Pitt event on Thursday. The public is invited to attend the event on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. The event is $50 to attend, and all proceeds will be used in the Greenville area to support food pantries, meal sites, delivery programs and more. The event will take place at East Carolina University at Harvey Hall in the Murphy Center.

WNCT

Man pleads guilty to 2024 shooting of wife Cumberland County

An 84-year-old Fayetteville man pleaded guilty last week in the 2024 death of his wife, court records show. Leslie David Brewer Sr., then 83, was arrested on July 11, 2024, after his wife, 83-year-old Betsy Dale Brewer, was found dead from a gunshot wound, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. Court records show Brewer was charged with rst-degree murder in his wife’s death. A grand jury indicted him on the charge in April. Brewer was sentenced to a minimum of four years and three months in prison. NSJ

Cary named one of safest cities in U.S. Wake County According to a national survey conducted by home security research experts SafeHome.org, Cary ranks 13th in the United States because of the town’s low crime rate, high number of law enforcement employees and pedestrian safety. The ndings stemmed from researching the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 population entries, the U.S. crime report broken down by state and city in 2024, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program for law enforcement sta ng, pedestrian fatality data from the National Highway Tra c Safety Administration in 2023, City Data’s 2025 September registry of sex o enders, and other sources. In Cary, according to the study, for every 10,000 residents, there are at least 14 law enforcement o cers. Cary has the lowest crime rate per 10,000 residents and the fourth-fewest registered sex o enders in the country. The study said there are fewer than 132 property crimes reported for every 10,000 residents in Cary.

WNCN

By Gary D. Robertson

NATION & WORLD

Festive ‘No Kings’ protests take place nationwide

Large crowds came together in opposition to the Trump administration

By Mike Pesoli, Matt Brown and Gary Fields

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Large crowds of protesters marched and rallied in cities across the U.S. Saturday for “No Kings” demonstrations decrying what participants see as the government’s swift drift into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.

People carrying signs with slogans such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism” packed into New York City’s Times Square and rallied by the thousands in parks in Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. Demonstrators marched through Washington and downtown Los Angeles and picketed outside capitols in several Republican-led states, a courthouse in Billings, Montana, and hundreds of smaller public spaces.

Trump’s Republican Party disparaged the demonstrations as “Hate America” rallies, but in many places the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, huge banners with the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble that people could sign, and demonstrators wearing in atable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

Attendees sign a banner representing the U.S. Constitution during a No Kings protest Saturday in Washington, D.C.

It was the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and came against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services but is testing the core balance of power, as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that protest organizers warn are a slide toward authoritarianism.

In Washington, D.C., Iraq War Marine veteran Shawn Howard said he had never participated in a protest before but was motivated to show up because of what he sees as the Trump administration’s “disregard for the law.” He said immigration detentions without due process and deployments of troops in U.S. cities are “un-American” and alarming

signs of eroding democracy.

“I fought for freedom and against this kind of extremism abroad,” said Howard, who added that he also worked at the CIA for 20 years on counter-extremism operations. “And now I see a moment in America where we have extremists everywhere who are, in my opinion, pushing us to some kind of civil con ict.”

Trump, meanwhile, was spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

“They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king,” the president said in a Fox News interview that aired early Friday before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club.

A Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests

Santos humbled after Trump pardon

The ejected Congressman was serving a seven-year sentence for fraud

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Freed from the prison where he had been serving time for ripping o his campaign donors, former U.S. Rep. George Santos says he’s humbled by his experience behind bars but unconcerned about the “pearl clutching” of critics upset that President Donald Trump granted him clemency.

“I’m pretty con dent if President Trump had pardoned Jesus Christ o the cross, he would have had critics,” Santos said Sunday in an interview on CNN.

Santos, who won o ce after inventing a bogus persona as a Wall Street dealmaker, pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft last year and began serving a seven-year

SNAP from page A1

“In total, there were over 290,000 SNAP bene t payments that were not made within the timeframe standards set by the federal government,” the audit report states.

“The State Auditor’s O ce is committed to holding government accountable for being efcient. In this case, despite repeatedly seeing there were delays in the distribution of SNAP bene ts, DHHS chose not to enforce corrective actions,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a press release.

“When a county Department of Social Services o ce fails to meet federal timeliness requirements, the Division of Child and Family Well-Being has the authority to enforce corrective actions,” the report’s cover letter reads. “Our audit found DHHS leadership made the decision not to issue formal corrective actions between February 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024. The lack of corrective action occurred when

sentence in July at a prison in New Jersey. But Trump ordered him released him last Friday after he’d served just 84 days. Trump called Santos a “rogue,” but said he didn’t deserve a harsh sentence and should get credit for voting Republican.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Santos said he had “learned a great deal” and had “a very large slice of humble pie, if not the whole pie” while in prison. He also apologized to former constituents in his New York congressional district, saying he was “in a chaotic ball of ame” when he committed his crimes. Santos admitted last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members.

But when asked about fellow Republicans unhappy that Trump freed him so soon, Santos said other presidential acts of clemency had been worse, citing President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son,

several counties issued as many as 20-25% of bene t payments in an untimely manner.”

Boliek said it’s “troubling that DHHS leadership doesn’t believe tracking untimely benet amounts would improve efciency” and that “measuring performance provides transparency and results on the spending of taxpayer dollars.”

The audit report also revealed that 3.7 million SNAP benet applications were processed during those years with payouts of approximately $15.7 billion. SNAP, which is federally funded, is administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Division of Child and Family Well–Being.

Boliek’s press release said auditors identi ed the seven counties with the worst performance in meeting federal timeliness standards as Davidson, Edgecombe, Wake, Mecklenburg, Pitt, Cumberland and Stanly counties. “These counties issued be-

by posting a computer-generated video of the president clothed like a monarch, wearing a crown and waving from a balcony.

“It just feels like we’re living in an America that I don’t recognize,” said Jessica Yother, a mother of four who joined protests in Birmingham, Alabama. She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65% of the vote last November.

“It was so encouraging,” Yother said. “I walked in and thought, ‘Here are my people.’”

In an interview with The Associated Press, Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said the movement is inspiring people to get involved.

“Big rallies like this give condence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up,” he said.

While protests earlier this year — against Elon Musk’s cuts and Trump’s military parade — drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition.

Top Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining what organizers view as an antidote to Trump’s actions, from the administration’s clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

More than 2,600 rallies were planned Saturday, organizers said. The national march against Trump and Musk this spring had 1,300 registered locations, while the rst “No Kings” day in June registered 2,100.

“We’re here because we love America,” Sanders said, addressing the crowd from a stage in Washington. He said the American experiment is “in danger” under Trump but insisted, “We the people will rule.”

his commutation from fellow inmates who saw the news on television.

Hunter, for gun and tax crimes.

“So pardon me if I’m not paying too much attention to the pearl-clutching of the outrage of my critics,” Santos said.

As part of his guilty plea, Santos had agreed to pay restitution of $373,750 and forfeiture of $205,003. But Trump’s clemency order appeared to clear him of paying any further nes or restitution.

Santos said he has been granted a second chance and intended to “make amends,” but when asked if he intended to pay back the campaign donors he had defrauded, he said only if he had to.

“If it’s required of me by the law, yes. If it’s not, then no,” Santos said.

Santos had appealed to Trump directly for help, citing his loyalty to the president’s agenda and to the Republican Party in a letter published Oct. 13 in The South Shore Press. But he said Sunday that he had no expectations and learned of

tween 14%-25% of bene t payments in an untimely manner,” according to Boliek’s press release. “The audit found that DHHS leadership made the decision not to enforce corrective actions to county o ces that failed to meet federal timeliness requirements.”

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 requires that all eligible households must receive their bene ts within 30 days of applying or seven days for those who may be eligible for expedited service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service also requires at least 95% of applications be processed within those two parameters.

The audit report notes that statewide timeliness was 98% in 2021, bolstered by COVID-19 waivers on recerti cations. But that rate fell to 91% from 2022 to 2024, dipping below the federal 95% standard, with counties like Davidson (25% untimely) and Mecklenburg (21%) faring worst due to surging applications post-waiver, work-

Vt. state senator involved in criticized chat resigns

Montpelier, Vt.

A Vermont state senator who took part in a Young Republicans group chat on Telegram in which members made racist comments and joked about rape and gas chambers has resigned.

State Sen. Sam Douglass was revealed last week to have participated in the chat, which was rst reported on by Politico. The exchanges on the messaging app spanned more than seven months and involved leaders and lower-ranking members of the Young Republican National Federation and some of its a liates in New York, Kansas, Arizona and Vermont. Douglass was the only elected o cial involved.

2 more suspects charged in attack on DOGE employee

Washington, D.C.

Revelations that Santos invented much of his life story surfaced just weeks after he became the rst openly gay Republican to be elected to Congress in 2022. Santos had said while campaigning that he was a successful business consultant with a sizable real estate portfolio. But he ultimately admitted to embellishing his biography. He had never graduated from Baruch College, where he had claimed to be a standout player on the Manhattan college’s volleyball team. He had never worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. He didn’t own property.

In truth, he struggling nancially, had drifted through several jobs, including one for a company accused of running a Ponzi scheme, and even faced eviction.

After becoming just the sixth person to be expelled from Congress, Santos made hundreds of thousands of dollars selling personalized videos to the public on Cameo. He returned to the service Sunday.

force shortages and record food in ation.

Recommendations o ered by the audit for the Division of Child and Family Well-Being included “consistent monitoring of the timeliness of county SNAP bene t payments, enforcing corrective actions, and ensuring access to the necessary data to administer and monitor SNAP bene t payments.”

The Division of Child and Family Well-Being provided a formal response to the audit report, expressing appreciation for the review while accepting the overall ndings on untimely SNAP payments.

The response detailed ongoing monitoring e orts and committed to implementing corrective actions by January 2025, such as reinstating a “formal MOU corrective actions for counties not meeting the 95% timeliness standard.” The response also partially disagreed with aspects of the second recommendation regarding data tracking.

Two more suspects have been charged with the attempted carjacking and beating of a 19-year-old man who was working for the Trump administration’s Department of Government E ciency — a crime that was a catalyst for the White House’s law-enforcement surge in the nation’s capital. Laurence Cotton-Powell, 19, and Anthony Taylor, 18, were arrested last week on charges stemming from the Aug. 3 attack on Edward Coristine, a prominent DOGE employee nicknamed “Big Balls.” Two 15-year-old suspects from Maryland previously were charged with, convicted of and sentenced for Coristine’s beating. The attack on Coristine fueled President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy federal agents and the National Guard to the city.

Paz wins race to be Bolivia’s next president

La Paz, Bolivia Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, will be Bolivia’s next president, preliminary results showed Monday, paving the way for a major political transformation after almost 20 years of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party and during the nation’s worst economic crisis in decades. Paz won 54.5% of the votes, early results showed, versus former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga’s 45.5%. Paz and his popular running mate, ex-police Capt. Edman Lara, galvanized working-class and rural voters outraged over record in ation and an acute dollar shortage that has sapped food and fuel supplies. Paz takes o ce on Nov. 8.

SANDERSON from page A1

letting them down. I commend the State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheri ’s Ofce for their professionalism during the incident.”

Court records and warrant information show he had a blood alcohol level of 0.16, which is twice the legal limit in North Carolina.

Records also show that his license has been revoked for at least 30 days and that he posted a $2,000 unsecured bond the same night he was arrested. Sanderson, 74, is in his seventh term in the state Senate. He also served one term in the House. His current District 2 seat spans portions of Carteret, Chowan, Halifax, Hyde, Martin, Pamlico, Warren and Washington counties.

ALLISON ROBBERT / AP PHOTO

Jeremy Allen White plays tortured Boss in ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’

The lm captures the rock star’s inspirations and mental health battles

By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press

IN HIS 500-PAGE memoir,

“Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen spends less than three pages on the making of his 1982 album “Nebraska.” Moving on, folks, nothing to see here, he seems to be saying.

The rst authorized biopic of his life — “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” — disagrees, delving deep into the inner turmoil The Boss was dealing with during its recording and then surfacing with an endearing, humbling portrait of an icon by a soulful Jeremy Allen White.

With heavy-lidded eyes and his head nearly almost cocked at an angle, White gives us a wretched Springsteen, open-mouthed in ecstasy when playing live but sunken in his leather jacket while roaming the streets. He sucks on his harmonica as if it could release him from pain itself. To be honest, White hasn’t stepped much out of his hangdog, tortured sweet spot. He’s the chair of the Tortured Poets Department.

The anti-commercial “Nebraska” is not the rst album you might think of when you imagine pivotal Springsteen albums. “Born to Run” was made on the verge of him being cut by Columbia Records. “Born in the U.S.A.” turned him into a global superstar.

Scott Cooper, the lm’s director and screenwriter, nds

20TH CENTURY STUDIOS VIA AP

Jeremy Allen White stars Bruce Springsteen in the biopic “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.”

“Nebraska,” nestled between those albums, to be the more enlightening. It seemed painfully pulled through Springsteen and deposited on a rudimentary four-track cassette recorder in a rented house in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Springsteen wants it released as is, imperfections and miscues intact.

“Nebraska” may be a masterpiece, but it’s not an easy listen, lled with broken and desperate people, killers, heavy drinkers, inmates and folks pushed to the edge by poverty and hopelessness. “De nitely not ‘Hungry Heart,’” says the tech who helped record it.

“It’s not about capturing sounds as much as ideas,”

Springsteen tells his manager, Jon Landau, played lovingly by “Succession” star Jeremy Strong. “I’m just trying to nd something real in all the noise.”

This Landau, who quotes Flannery O’Connor and adores Sam Cooke, is almost saintly in his devotion to Springsteen, even if he’s not sure where the songs are coming from. We all need someone like Landau — endlessly encouraging, creating creative space for his client and beating back the suits.

The record executives are, naturally, aghast at “Nebraska,” which is called a “highly unorthodox career move.” They want radio hits, not acoustic doodles of felons. “It sounds like an acci-

dent. It sounds un nished,” record honcho Al Teller declares.

The movie — built from a book by Warren Zanes and featuring vocals that mix White’s and Springsteen’s — is a meditation on creativity in battle with commerciality, the yearn to run from home and also the inescapable pull of family. “I’m lost here. I’m buried here,” Springsteen wails.

Though grounded in the weeks during the making of “Nebraska,” the script moves back in time to show scenes from Bruce’s early life. A drive to his old house dissolves into black-and-white memories of Springsteen’s father (“Adolescence” creator-star Stephen

Music could help ease pain from surgery or illness; scientists are listening

It’s a simple prescription with no side e ects

By Christina Larson

The Associated Press

NURSE ROD Salaysay works with all kinds of instruments in the hospital: a thermometer, a stethoscope and sometimes his guitar and ukulele.

In the recovery unit of UC San Diego Health, Salaysay helps patients manage pain after surgery. Along with medications, he o ers tunes on request and sometimes sings. His repertoire ranges from folk songs in English and Spanish to Minuet in G Major and movie favorites like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Patients often smile or nod along. Salaysay even sees changes in their vital signs like lower heart rate and blood pressure, and some may request fewer painkillers.

“There’s often a cycle of worry, pain, anxiety in a hospital,” he said, “but you can help break that cycle with music.”

Salaysay is a one-man band, but he’s not alone. Over the past two decades, live performances and recorded music have owed into hospitals and doctors’ ofces as research grows on how songs can help ease pain.

Scientists explore how music a ects pain perception

The healing power of song may sound intuitive given music’s deep roots in human culture. But the science of whether and how music dulls acute and chronic pain — technically called music-induced analgesia — is just catching up.

No one suggests that a catchy song can fully eliminate serious pain. But several recent studies, including in the journals Pain and Scienti c Reports, have suggested that listening to music can either reduce the perception of pain or enhance a person’s ability to tolerate it.

How music can a ect pain levels

“Pain is a really complex experience,” said Adam Hanley, a psychologist at Florida State University. “It’s created by a physical sensation, and by our thoughts about that sensation and emotional reaction to it.”

Two people with the same condition or injury may feel vastly di erent levels of acute or chronic pain. Or the same person might experience pain differently from one day to the next.

Acute pain is felt when pain receptors in a speci c part of the body — like a hand touching a hot stove — send signals to the brain, which processes the short-term pain. Chronic pain usually involves long-term structural or other changes to the brain, which heighten overall sensitivity to pain signals. Researchers are still investigating how this occurs.

“Pain is interpreted and translated by the brain,” which

may ratchet the signal up or down, said Dr. Gilbert Chandler, a specialist in chronic spinal pain at the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic. Researchers know music can draw attention away from pain, lessening the sensation. But studies also suggest that listening to preferred music helps dull pain more than listening to podcasts.

“Music is a distractor. It draws your focus away from the pain. But it’s doing more than that,” said Caroline Palmer, a psychologist at McGill University who studies music and pain.

“We know that almost all of the brain becomes active when

Graham, fearsome) being violent and drunk. Their complicated relationship is thoughtfully handled. (The movie is dedicated to Cooper’s dad.)

As if that’s not enough, Springsteen’s love life is explored through a composite character, Faye, a single mom and waitress who falls for a guy incapable at this time of settling down. Odessa Young is astonishing — half tough Jersey chick, half melting when The Boss stops by. “I know you’re scared,” she tells him.

There are also special moments for true Springsteen fans, like the time a young Bruce visits a graceful old house that will, of course, be the inspiration for “Mansion on a Hill.” Or the moment when Springsteen edits his “Nebraska” lyrics, changing “he” to “I.”

The lm rather courageously culminates with a call for Springsteen to get mental health help, which he does. We soon realize that what we’ve been watching for two hours is a man’s gradual breakdown, not what most biopics of superstars would pull the curtain back on. In many ways, this movie is, then, a mirror of “Nebraska” itself — unexpected, complicated and very American gothic.

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” a Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release that’s in theaters Friday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for thematic material, some sexuality, strong language and smoking. Running time: 117 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

we engage in music,” said Kate Richards Geller, a registered music therapist in Los Angeles. “That changes the perception and experience of pain — and the isolation and anxiety of pain.”

Music genres and active listening

The idea of using recorded music to lessen pain associated with dental surgery began in the late 19th century before local anesthetics were available. Today researchers are studying what conditions make music most e ective.

Researchers at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands conducted a study on 548 participants to see how listening to ve genres of music — classical, rock, pop, urban and electronic — extended their ability to withstand acute pain, as measured by exposure to very cold temperatures.

“The more people listened to a favorite genre, the more they could endure pain,” said co-author Dr. Emy van der Valk Bouman. “A lot of people thought that classical music would help them more. Actually, we are nding more evidence that what’s best is just the music you like.”

The simple act of choosing is itself powerful, said Claire Howlin, director of the Music and Health Psychology Lab at Trinity College Dublin, who co-authored a study that suggested allowing patients to select songs improved their pain tolerance.

“It’s one thing that people can have control over if they have a chronic condition — it gives them agency,” she said.

Hanley, the Florida State psychologist, co-authored a preliminary study suggesting daily attentive listening might reduce chronic pain.

“Music has a way of lighting up di erent parts of the brain,” he said, “so you’re giving people this positive emotional bump that takes their mind away from the pain.”

JAVIER ARCIGA / AP PHOTO

Nurse Rod Salaysay plays guitar for patient Richard Hoang in the recovery unit of UC San Diego Health in San Diego on Sept. 30.

Alicia Keys

may pop up when her musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ comes to your town

The tour coincides with the publication a book that charts the show’s 13-year evolution

By Mark Kennedy

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Alicia Keys’ semi-autobiographical, comingof-age Broadway musical is all grown up and leaving the nest. And, like any happy parent, Keys may visit it every once in a while.

A new “Hell’s Kitchen” cast has assembled in Cleveland for a national tour that will take them to the South, Midwest and West on a 28-city parade through 2026.

“It feels so good to know that it’s going to go across the country and this cast, let me tell

TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

Notice to Creditors

you, is out of control. They’re so good,” Keys says. “Obviously, everybody can’t get to New York City. Everybody can’t go to Broadway.”

Those who catch the musical on the road may also get an extra treat. Keys says she’s liable to show up on some stops as a fairy godmother as it crosses the nation. “I love, as an artist, bringing my energy to other artists. That’s really a ful lling feeling. So, I’ll be fairy godmothering. You never know where you’ll see me.”

“Hell’s Kitchen” is about 17-year-old New York piano prodigy fueled by Keys songs like “Fallin’,” “No One,” “Girl on Fire,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” as well as several new songs, including “Kaleidoscope.”

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Ursula Yvette Chesney Grady, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before 2 January 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment. This the 2nd day of October, 2025.

Maurice S. Grady Executor of the Estate of Ursula Yvette Chesney Grady 775 Magellan Drive Fayetteville, NC 28311

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF BROOKS ADCOX

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 15E000642-250 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Brooks Adcox, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Betty Adcox, Administrator, at 6321 US Highway 301 S, Parkton, NC 28371, on or before the 24th day of January, 2026 (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 17th day of October, 2025.

Betty Adcox Administrator of the Estate of Brooks Adcox.

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 23, October 30, November 6 and November 13, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF DOROTHY LOUISE BLUE

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 23 E 1288 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Dorothy Louise Blue, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Claudinette Blue, Administrator, at 1316 Skyline Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28314, on or before the 10th day of January, 2026 (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 3rd day of October, 2025. Claudinette Blue Administrator of the Estate of Dorothy Louise Blue Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 9, October 16, October 23 and October 30, 2025 NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In the General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #25e000923-250 Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Karen Cooper, 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 twenty-third day of January, 2026 or this notice will be pleased in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This twenty-third day of October, 2025. Victor Ayala

mance, and Drake got to meet and speak to veterans like Jessica Vosk and Kecia Lewis, who won a Tony Award in the show.

and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the under- signed on or before the 23rd day of January, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publica- tion of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

It centers on a young woman named Ali, who like Keys, is the daughter of a white mother and a Black father and is growing up in a subsidized housing development just outside Times Square in the once-rough neighborhood called Hell’s Kitchen. She learns to hone her music skills, falls in love and reconciles with her sometimes-overbearing mom.

Keys hopes audiences will come for her music, the story and the diverse cast: “It’s really exciting to be able to go somewhere and see yourself on the stage or to see your experience played out.”

The Ali on tour is 18-yearold Maya Drake, a recent high school graduate from San Jose, California, who endured a long, rigorous audition process. She

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF ELSIE LEE PHIPPS HALL

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E001500-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Elsie Lee Phipps Hall, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Sharon Brown, Executor, at 905 Country Club Dr., Fayetteville NC 28301, on or before the 24th day of January, 2026 (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 16th day of October, 2025. Sharon Brown Executor of the Estate of Elsie Lee Phipps Hall Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 23, October 30, November 6 and November 13, 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF ANNIE LOUISE MCDOUGAL HARRIS

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 25E000719-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Annie Louise McDougal Harris, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Barry Carlos Harris, Administrator, at 804 Southview Circle, Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 17th day of January, 2026. (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 6th day of October, 2025. Barry Carlos Harris Administrator of the Estate of Annie Louise McDougal Harris Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 16, October 23, October 30, and November 6, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Legal Representative and Administrator of the Estate of Carol Ann Hazzard, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate to present them to the undersigned on or before January 16, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment. This the 10th day of October, 2025. Princess Sellers Legal Representative and Administrator of the Estate of Carol Ann Hazzard 211 Wheat eld Ct Raeford, NC 28376

NOTICE

Estate of Linda S. High File No.25E001547-250 The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Linda Smith High, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned personal representative on or before [January 16, 2026] 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 10th day of October, 2025. All claims must be presented in writing to: Administrator of the Estate: Judy Smith Fitzgerald 6525 Willow Oaks Dr Stedman, NC 28390

NOTICE

State of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator Notice. The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Emma H. Honeycutt, 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 16th day of January, 2026,(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 the 7th day of October, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Emma H. Honeycutt 2517 Ballpark Road Eastover, NC 28312

was a fan of Keys before the musical popped up on her radar.

“The fact that I get to be in a show with somebody else’s music and, of all the people, it gets to be her — I got so lucky with that,” says Drake. “Just to have that connection is so special, and it makes the show feel 10 times more enjoyable.”

As part of her audition process, Drake came to New York to watch “Hell’s Kitchen” on Broadway, starring Jade Milan as Ali. “It’s a lot seeing it for the rst time and she never leaves the stage,” says Drake, who remembers thinking: “To be a part of something that big would just be crazy.”

After the tour cast was announced, the actors were invited onstage at the Shubert Theatre to cheers after a perfor-

NOTICE

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 25E001532-250

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of, Mary Ferguson Hugine, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 16th day of January, 2026, (which 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 16 day of October, 2025 Administrator of the Estate of Mary Ferguson Hugine Rashonda Todd 5946 Lowgrass Rd Stedman NC 23891

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE # 25E001454-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF:

Charlotte Ella Icenogle.

Administrator’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Charlotte Ella Icenogle, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of January, 2026 (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 said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 2nd day of October, 2025. Dorothy Tyndall 3221 Boone Trail Fayetteville NC 28306. Administrator of the Estate of Charlotte Ella Icenogle, Deceased.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE# 25E001442-250

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF:

Bettye Jean Johnson-Hyde

Executor’s Notice to Creditor’s

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Bettye Jean Johnson-Hyde, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of January 2026, (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 said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 23rd day of September 2025. Lynnette Maranda Hyde 2226 Shaw Rd EXT Fayetteville, NC 28311

Executor of the estate of Bettye Jean Johnson-Hyde, deceased September 23rd, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF DAVID ROBERT KIMBEL CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 17E000537-250 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against David Kimbel, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 24th day of January, 2026 (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 16th day of October, 2025. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of David Robert Kimbel

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 23, October 30, November 6 and November 13, 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Myrtle Grey McLaurin Lambert, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned at the address below on or before January 16, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned Laura Jane Lambert Administrator of the Estate of Myrtle Grey McLaurin Lambert 668 N. Coast Hwy, Unit 176 Laguna Beach, CA 92651

“That was a really special moment,” she says. “Sharing advice and getting insight from the people that are currently doing the show helped us understand what you’re about to get into and some things that can help.”

After Cleveland, the tour goes to Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, San Diego and other cities.

Drake is, naturally, looking forward to the show going to California, especially the stop in San Francisco, the closest stop for friends and family from San Jose. She’s also excited to be on the road.

“I really have not traveled a bunch of my life, which is kind of ironic because I’m about to do a lot of traveling,” says Drake, who trained at the Children’s Musical Theater San Jose.

NOTICE The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Sandra Bledsoe Matthews deceased late of Cumberland County, this

2025. James Harrison McMillian Jr. ___________________

Administrator/Executor 2328 Dreyfus Ct Garner, NC 27529 Of the Estate of Ozella Hall McMillian, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF ANNIE M. MELVIN CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 23E000791-250 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Annie M. Melvin, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 3rd day of January, 2026 (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 25th day of September, 2025. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Annie M. Melvin Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 2, October 9, October 16 and October 23, 2025 NOTICE

State of North Carolina In the General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E001447-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Dorothy Sharon Morris, 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 2nd day of January 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst

College basketball preview, B3

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

Another No. 1 pick QB, another red coach: Titans’ Callahan out after 6 games

Nashville Tennessee’s decision to draft quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick was meant to pair him with head coach Brian Callahan for long-term success. However, Callahan was red after just six games. Ward is the fourth consecutive No. 1 pick whose coach was red before the end of the rookie season.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Purdue tops preseason AP Top 25 for rst time, Duke 6th

Purdue is No. 1 in the preseason AP men’s college basketball poll for the rst time, while 2025 runner-up Houston was No. 2 and reigning champion Florida is third. UConn is fourth, followed by St. John’s. Duke, Michigan, BYU, Kentucky and Texas Tech rounded out the top 10. Will Wade’s arrival at NC State has the Wolfpack as the rst team outside the poll, three points behind 25th-ranked UNC.

MLB

Ohtani puts on 2-way Sho for the ages with 3 homers, 10 Ks; Dodgers return to World Series

Los Angeles Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers, putting on a spectacular two-way show in Game 4 of the NLCS last Friday. With 10 strikeouts on the mound and three homers, Ohtani made history in his dual roles for the defending champions, who returned to the World Series with a four-game sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers and will face the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hornets hope for growth as 2025-26 campaign begins

The Hornets were 14th of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference last season

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — Stricken by the NBA’s longest active playo drought at nine years, the Charlotte Hornets are once again attempting to correct the course of a franchise that hasn’t won a postseason series since 2002.

The second year of the Charles Lee coaching era kicked o this week as the Hornets opened the NBA regular season with a home game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.

Coming o a 2024-25 campaign that ended with the league’s third-worst record at 19-63 and a 14th-place nish in the Eastern Conference,

the Hornets enter this season seeking a fresh start. Their win total has declined in each of the past four seasons, and last year’s hopes were derailed by injuries to young corner-

stones LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

This year, with a healthy young core and several key veterans added to balance the roster, the Hornets will look to

Duke women look for next step with size, experience in 2025-26 season

The Blue Devils return four starters from last year’s team

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

ON THE WAY to what will be her sixth season at the helm of Duke women’s basketball this winter, coach Kara Lawson has raised program’s expectations year by year. In their 2022-23 campaign, the 26-7 Blue Devils met their end in the rst weekend of the NCAA Tournament. The next year, Duke reached the Sweet 16, and last season, it earned an Elite Eight bid for the rst time since 2013. The trend would indicate becoming a Final Fou contender is next. And although it’s not as simple as showing up and running it back, Duke is riding on its returning players and their experience to keep its upward trend alive.

The Blue Devils kept 10 players from last year’s roster, including last season’s top two scorers in sophomore forward Toby Fournier (13.2 points per game) and senior guard Ashlon Jackson (12.4). Lawson has high hopes for

Fournier’s development after she was able to work with the team going into her second year.

“We didn’t have her last oseason coming into her freshman year,” Lawson said. “This o season, to be able to have

show progress while building a foundation for future success under Lee.

After a 2-3 preseason in which Charlotte won two of its nal three contests, Lee said he has been encouraged by the growth and resilience his roster has shown in recent weeks.

“I learned that this group is obsessed with daily improvement,” Lee said. “I think I’ve also learned that this team responds anytime their backs are against the wall. We put them in a lot of situations throughout the o season, training camp and these preseason games where we had to embrace adversity — the group responded every time. I’m really excited about our regular-season journey coming up.”

Ball, who has appeared in 105 of a possible 246 games over the last three seasons, remains the team’s focal point. When healthy, his talent has been undeniable — he was one of only six players to average at least 25 points and seven assists last season.

Backing him up at point guard will likely be Tre Mann and rookie KJ Simpson. Mann,

See HORNETS, page B3

her on campus all summer to work within our program, everything from getting stronger to getting better with the continuity with our system, with our schemes, with our terminology. She was worried about where she was supposed to be all the time last year.” Junior Jadyn Donovan, who started all 37 games and led the team in rebounds last season, also returns alongside junior forward Delaney Thomas and senior guard Taina Mair, who both started every game last year.

“It’s been nice to have a good core of returning players that have an understanding of how we want to play on both ends,” Duke coach Kara Lawson said. “I thought they had a great summer (Fournier and Jackson) in particular, but also the rest of the team. And they’ve had a great fall, and so now, it’s just building. I think anytime you can have the continuity that we’ve enjoyed the last couple years, it helps going into the season because you have familiarity with one another.”

Duke lost two rotational pieces in guard Vanessa De Jesus and the 2025 ACC Tournament

See DUKE, page B4

GERALD HERBERT / AP PHOTO

Duke forward Toby Fournier pulls down a rebound against South Carolina in last season’s Elite Eight.

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller yells after dunking during a preseason game in Greensboro.

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

Charlotte small forward Kon Knueppel drives against the Grizzlies during a preseason game in Greensboro.

THURSDAY 10.23.25

TRENDING

Mike Hill:

The Charlotte athletic director

13 months after signing a four-year extension Jesh Humphrey, vice chancellor for institutional integrity and general counsel, will oversee the department on an interim basis Charlotte s football team was 26-47 and the men s basketball team was 90-91 in seven seasons under Hill

Darrion Williams: The NC State senior forward was named ACC’s Preseason Player of the Year in media voting Williams who averaged 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds last season with Texas Tech received 23 -place votes four more than Duke s Cameron Boozer, who won Preseason Rookie of the Year Williams and Boozer were -team All-ACC

Manaka Matsukubo: The 21-yearhad three goals and the North Carolina Courage stayed alive for a a 4-1 road victory against Bay FC Matsukubo scored in the third minute She added a second in the eighth Shinomi Koyama made it 3-1 for the Courage (8-8-9) in the 74th before Matsukubo s 80th North Carolina is a point out of the eighth one game left

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“Na h, go score ”

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key to quar terback Hanes King, who slowed down shor t of the end zone and looked over to see if he should go down to let Tech run out

“ The cream w ill r ise to the top ” Driver Ryan Blaney quoting pro wrestling hall of famer Randy Macho Man Savage to describe his quest for a Cup Series title

NASCAR

superspeedway w in at Talladega This v ictor y g uarantees Joe Gibbs R acing two spots in the season-ending race at Phoenix R aceway Briscoe joins teammate Denny Hamlin in the four-driver showdow n Chase Elliott faces a must-w in

Retired Auburn coach Br uce Pearl w ill be par t of T N T ’ s studio team and cover Big East and Big 12 games this season The 2025 A ssociated Press Co- Coach of the Year w ill also ser ve as a game and studio analyst for CBS during the reg ular season and move to the studio for coverage of the NCA A Tournament

Yankees lef t-hander Carlos Rodón had an operation last week to remove loose bodies in his lef t elbow and shave a bone spur and could be sidelined until May The NC State product has eight weeks of no throw ing and is projected to star t the 2026 season on the injured list

Home w ins for Charlotte FC, the 11th time it’s been done in MLS histor y Wilfr ied Zaha and Ker w in Varga s scored, K r istijan K ahlina recorded his 12th shutout, and Charlotte beat Philadelphia 2- 0 Saturday to clinch a top four seed in the time in club histor y

Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback Trevon Diggs missed Sunday ’ s game against Washing ton af ter sustaining a concussion in an accident at his house Diggs had concussion sy mptoms when he repor ted to the team’s facilit y Friday af ter the accident Thursday night He was evaluated by the placed in concussion protocol The team released no details on the accident

JACOB KUPFERMAN / AP PHOTO

College basketball preview

A look at North Carolina’s mid- and low-major teams

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

OVER THE LAST few weeks, we’ve looked at North Carolina’s four ACC teams, as well as App State, ECU and Charlotte. Now, we complete our men’s basketball previews with pro les of the other dozen Division I teams in the state.

HIGH POINT

Last year: The Panthers made it to March Madness for the rst time in school history and made just the third NCAA tourney trip at any level. High Point went 29-6, 14-2 in the Big South and cut down the nets in the regular season and conference tournament.

Changes: The biggest oseason loss might have been coach Alan Huss, who went 56 -15 in two seasons. He left to serve as coach in waiting at his alma mater, Creighton. With Huss gone, the stars of last year’s team scattered, including Kezza Gi a (Ole Miss) Kimani Hamilton (UNLV) and Juslin Bodo Bodo (Baylor).

Key players: Huss’ top assistant, Flynn Clayman, took over and got to work in the transfer portal. SE Missouri State senior Rob Martin, a rstteam All- Ohio Valley guard, was named preseason Big South newcomer of the year after joining High Point. Forward Scotty Washington was also named preseason all conference after arriving from Cal Northridge.

Outlook: The Panthers may not be historically good like they were the last two years, but they won’t fall far. They’re the consensus top pick in Big South preseason polls.

DAVIDSON

Last year: The Wildcats went 10-3 in the nonconference schedule and appeared headed for a potential postseason berth after a competitive start to A10 play. However, Davidson lost seven of its nal nine and had to be content with a .500 record at 16-16.

Changes: Davidson saw its top ve scorers depart. Guards Connor Kochera and Zach Laput had their eligibility expire, while Reed Bailey (Indiana), Bobby Durkin (Minnesota) and Michael Loughnane (Northeastern) all transferred. The quintet made 146 of Davidson’s 165 starts last year.

Key players: The Wildcats add Josh Scovens, a former Patriot League Rookie of the Year and 15.2-point scorer at Army. Vanderbilt forward JQ Roberts and Wake Forest shooter Parker Friedrichsen also arrive, as does freshman RJ Greer, a former NC State commit.

Outlook: While there is a talented core, it will be asking a lot for the newcomers to match what the team lost. Look for a nish in the middle of the A10 pack.

GARDNER-WEBB

Last year: The Runnin’ Bulldogs went 11-20 in Jeremy Luther’s rst year as coach, losing eight of their last 10. It was their worst record since 2010-11.

Changes: Luther is back with nearly an entirely new crew. Sophomores Jacob Hud-

HORNETS from page B1

who re-signed on a three-year, $24 million contract this summer, has carved out a steady role as a spark o the bench.

Charlotte’s o season also featured signi cant roster turnover.

One of the Hornets’ most notable o season departures was center Mark Williams, who was dealt as part of a roster reshufe after two injury-plagued seasons.

The Hornets also brought back Mann while acquiring Pat Connaughton and Collin Sexton in separate trades and added veteran Mason Plumlee via free agency.

son (4.1 points per game) and Colin Hawkins are the only players on the roster that scored points for G-W last season. The rest are a combination of transfers, JuCo signees and freshmen.

Key players: Freshman guard Jamias Ferere was a class 3A and district player of the year at Southern Guilford. Junior forward DJ Je erson signed with Tennessee as a four-star prospect. Freshman Ashton King was all-district at Raleigh Millbrook.

Outlook: The team is rebuilding and will need to get a group that is talented but inexperienced and well-traveled to play together. It will be a push to get to .500.

NC CENTRAL

Last year: Coach LeVelle Moton had just his third losing season in 16 at the helm of NCCU. The Eagles nished below .500 in Moton’s rst year, the COVID-shortened season and went 14-19 last year.

Changes: The Eagles return just 293 of the 2,600 points they scored last season. All three double- gure scorers — Po’Boigh King (Sam Houston), Perry Smith (Kennesaw) and Keishon Porter (Evansville) — transferred. They’ll be replaced by 10 incoming transfers.

Key players: Dionte Johnson averaged 6 points and 3.8 assists last season. He returns to run the point this season and was named preseason All-MEAC. Ryan Archey, who made All-MEAC with Coppin State, gives Central a pair of playmaking guards. Outlook: Picked to nish in the middle of the MEAC, Moton will be looking to getting back to his winning ways again with a group that likely needed nametags at early practices.

UNC WILMINGTON

Last year: The Seahawks continued the best run in program history with a fourth consecutive 20-win season, going 27-8. They won the CAA tourney and made their rst appearance in March Madness since Kevin Keatts’ last year as coach, in 2017. They put a scare in 3-seed Texas Tech before losing by 10. Changes: The top six scorers all hit the portal. So coach Takayo Siddle has a rebuild on his hands.

They also used the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft to select sharpshooting Duke wing Kon Knueppel and traded back into the rst round to grab Liam McNeeley at No. 29.

Second-round selections

Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner rounded out a promising draft class. The new-look roster paid early dividends as Charlotte captured its rst-ever NBA Summer League championship in July.

Miller, who was limited to 27 games last season because of a wrist injury, remains one of the team’s most dynamic scoring options at small forward. His versatility and scoring are expected to be key factors in Lee’s

Key players: The cupboard isn’t completely bare. Guards Nolan Hodge, Noah Ross and Greedy Williams all return. The trio combined for 46 starts last season and averaged 21.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Plus, Siddle added preseason All-CAA rst-teamer CJ Luster, who averaged 16.8 points at Stony Brook.

Outlook: UNCW was picked for second in the CAA, but it was a virtual toss-up with Towson. The Seahawks have enough to keep the good times rolling.

UNC ASHEVILLE

Last year: The Bulldogs matched a school-best streak by winning 20 games for a third consecutive season. UNCA went 21-11 and tied for second in the Big South.

Changes: Jordan Marsh averaged 18.8 points and won Big South newcomer of the year. He then transferred to Southern Cal. Key players: Forward Toyaz Solomon averaged 15.7 points and hit more than 60% of his shots. He returns and was the preseason pick for Big South player of the year. Returning guard Kameron Taylor made the all-freshman team last year. Guard Mitchell Taylor (SC State) and wing DJ Patrick (Charleston Southern) are the top incoming transfers.

Outlook: Picked second in the Big South in the preseason poll, UNC Asheville should compete for an NCAA bid.

QUEENS

Last year: The Royals went 20-15 and made it to the second round of the College Basketball Invitational.

Changes: For a non-pow-

“I’m really excited about our regular-season journey coming up.”

Charles Lee, Hornets coach

o ensive system, with McNeeley, Connaughton and Drew Peterson providing depth behind him.

At shooting guard, Knueppel’s perimeter accuracy could help solve one of the Hornets’ most persistent weaknesses. Charlotte has ranked no higher than 21st in 3-point percentage over the past three seasons.

“Kon has done a great job

ful of games from .500. They went 10-8 in the CAA for their rst winning conference record since 2021 in the Big South.

Changes: The top three scorers are gone, two by transfer. Campbell was also busy in the portal replacing them. They also have a new coach as John Andrzejek arrives fresh o an NCAA title as a Florida assistant.

Key players: Dovydas Butka averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a freshman with Pepperdine last year. The Lithuanian forward was preseason All-CAA honorable mention. Senior Cam Gregory (7.8 points) is the top returnee.

Outlook: The team is picked to nish seventh in the CAA but could surprise.

ELON

Last year: The Phoenix went 17-16 for its rst winning season since COVID and its rst winning record over a full schedule since 2016-17.

Changes: It would be easy to say Elon wants to build on last season’s winning record, but it’s more of a rebuild. The top seven scorers are all gone.

Key players: Grad transfer Ja’Juan Carr won Conference Carolinas Championship Most Valuable Player while leading UNC Pembroke to back-to-back conference titles. Isaac Harrell started six games last year and played 32. He’s the most experienced returning player.

er conference team, Queens managed to avoid getting raided by power teams in the transfer portal. Two of the top three scorers return. Key players: Sharpshooter Chris Ashby is back for his senior season after setting a school record for 3s and nishing ninth in the country last year. He’s the preseason conference player of the year. Forward Yoav Berman (8.2 points) returns for his sophomore year. Outlook: Queens was picked to win the ASUN by the coaches in the preseason poll, while media voting put the Royals in third.

NC A&T

Last year: The Aggies nished 7-25 for the second straight season and have had four consecutive losing campaigns under three coaches. They went 3-15 in the CAA, two games worse than in 2023-24. Changes: A&T loses its top four scorers from last year but actually had more stability than many teams in their situation. Five players return, including two starters.

Key players: Guard Bryson Ogletree (7.3 points) and 6-foot-11 center Efstratios Kalliontzis are back. Power forward William Felton was averaging 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds before getting injured.

Outlook: The team could improve but is still a long way away. They were picked to nish last in the CAA again.

CAMPBELL

Last year: The Camels went 15-17, their third straight losing season, all within a hand-

of nding his way,” Lee said. “I think learning things, picking things up, understanding his spots, he feeds really well o of the group. I think it helps having some really good players around him and guys that obviously want to support him and see him be as good as he possibly can be.”

Forward Miles Bridges, who averaged 20.3 points and 7.5 rebounds last season, returns as one of the Hornets’ most reliable contributors.

“I’ve noticed his ability to set a tone,” Lee said of Bridges. “A lot of guys on our team look at him as a leader. He leads by example, and he’s gotten better since I’ve been here

Outlook: The team imported plenty of experience, but the key will be blending it. They were picked to nish one spot out of the CAA cellar.

WESTERN CAROLINA

Last year: After a 22-10 record in 2023-24, Western came crashing down with an 8-22 mark.

Changes: Two of the team’s top three scorers return, but coach Tim Craft also added four transfers and two freshmen.

Key players: Junior forward Marcus Kell was named preseason all-conference after averaging 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Catamounts last year. Junior guard Cord Stansberry (11.2 points) also returns.

Outlook: Western Carolina will likely nish between the two extremes of the last two seasons. Expect signi cant improvement over last year’s lost season.

UNC GREENSBORO

Last year: The Spartans kept rolling. Their 20-12 record was the third straight 20-win campaign and eighth in the last nine.

Changes: Things will look di erent in Greensboro this year. The three holdovers on the roster combined for 124 minutes played and 37 points last year. There are 12 newcomers. Key players: Valentino Pinedo averaged 10.3 points for St. Francis last year. Forward Justin Neely was America East sixth man of the year with Albany.

Outlook: The Spartans are picked for the middle of the SoCon, but if the newcomers learn coach Mike Jones’ defense, they could compete for the top of the standings.

in terms of the vocal leadership too.” Bridges will likely start at power forward alongside Tidjane Salaun and Grant Williams (when healthy). At center, Moussa Diabate appears in line to start, backed up by Plumlee and Kalkbrenner.

Lee has made it clear that while some starting spots are settled, others remain uid.

“You have to earn it. And I think it’s based on how you earn it, how you perform in practice.”

With Ball and Miller healthy, Bridges anchoring the frontcourt, and the in ux of new depth and shooting, Charlotte believes its climb back to contention can begin.

COURTESY QUEENS ATHLETICS

Chris Ashby gives Queens one of the nation’s top 3-point shooters.

COURTESY UNC ASHEVILLE ATHLETICS

Toyaz Solomon is one of the top returning players in the state and will try to lead UNC Asheville to the NCAA Tournament.

A look at week eight of college football across the state

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

JUST AN ABSOLUTELY

dreadful week for North Carolina college football, as the state has its worst week since we began tracking. There’s a shu e at the top as Wingate returns to No. 1. THE RANKINGS

North Carolina’s record: 8-17 in Week 8 (102-121 overall)

1. Wingate: 5-2, won 27-20 at Emory & Henry (at Anderson)

2. Johnson C. Smith: 6-1, won 52-0 at Shaw (Winston-Salem State)

3. Catawba: 5-2, o week (Tusculum)

4. UNC Pembroke: 6-2, lost 20-7 at North Greenville (at Chowan)

5. NC Central: 5-2, o week (Delaware St.)

6. Duke: 4-3, lost 27-18 to Georgia Tech (o week)

7. Wake Forest: 4-2, o week (SMU)

8. NC Wesleyan, 3-3, won 21-20 at Huntingdon (Southern Virginia)

9. ECU: 4-3, won 41-27 over Tulsa (o week)

10. App State: 4-3, lost 45-37 to Coastal

Carolina (at Old Dominion)

11. Gardner-Webb: 4-3, lost 37-7 to UT Martin (at Lindenwood)

12. Western Carolina: 5-3, won 45-38 at The Citadel (o week)

13. NC State: 4-3, o week (at Pitt)

14. Winston-Salem State: 4-4, won 42-10 over Livingstone (at JC Smith)

15. Lenoir-Rhyne: 4-4, won 23-10 over UVA Wise (at Mars Hill)

16. Fayetteville State: 4-3, o week (at Shaw)

17. Mars Hill, 3-4, lost, 38-24 at Newberry (Lenoir-Rhyne)

18. Chowan, 2-5, lost 28-21 at Barton (UNC Pembroke)

19. Livingstone: 3-4, lost 42-10 at Winston-Salem State (Virginia-Lynchburg)

20.Brevard: 3-3, lost 17-10 at LaGrange (at Greensboro)

21. Elon: 4-4, lost 26-21 at William & Mary (at Maine)

22. Barton: 2-5, beat Chowan 28-21 (Shorter)

23. Greensboro: 1-5, lost 41-26 at Belhaven (Brevard)

24. UNC: 2-4, lost 21-18 at Cal (UVa)

25. Campbell: 2-6, lost 24-10 to New Hampshire (at NC A&T)

26. Shaw: 2-5, lost 52-0

to Johnson C. Smith (Fayetteville State)

27. Guilford: 2-5, lost 47-0 to Randolph-Macon (o week)

28. Methodist: 1-5, lost 30-13 at Southern Virginia (at Belhaven)

29. Elizabeth City State: 1-6, lost 24-20 at Virginia State (at Lincoln, Pa.)

30. Charlotte: 1-6, lost 49-14 to Temple (North Texas)

31. Davidson: 1-6, lost 45-0 at Drake (San Diego)

32. NC A&T: 1-6, o week (Campbell)

STATE TITLE STANDINGS

In Week 8, JC Smith beat Shaw, Winston-Salem State beat Livingstone, Barton beat Chowan.

This week, we have six intrastate clashes:

• Shaw hosts Fayetteville State

• JC Smith hosts Winston-Salem State

• Chowan hosts UNC Pembroke

• NC A&T hosts Campbell

• Mars Hill hosts Lenoir-Rhyne

• Greensboro hosts Brevard

Here are the in-state records for the state’s 32 teams:

• 2-0 Duke, NC Central, Wingate, JC Smith

• 1-0 App State, Gardner-Webb, UNC, Elon, Barton

• 3-1 NC State

• 2-1 Winston-Salem State

• 1-1 ECU, UNC Pembroke, Wake Forest, Guilford, Davidson, Greensboro, Catawba, Shaw, Chowan

• 2-2 Fayetteville State

• 1-3 Western Carolina, Elizabeth City

• 0-0 NC Wesleyan, Lenoir-Rhyne, Brevard

• 0-1 Methodist, NC A&T

• 0-2 Charlotte, Mars Hill

• 0-3 Campbell, Livingstone

HOMECOMING

In Week 8, Shaw lost to JC Smith, Winston-Salem State beat Livingstone, Campbell lost to New Hampshire, App lost to Coastal, Gardner-Webb lost to UT Martin, Lenoir-Rhyne beat UVA Wise N.C. teams’ homecoming record now stands at 6-11.

Homecoming games this week:

• Catawba (Tusculum)

• NC Central (Delaware St.)

• Wake Forest (SMU)

Panthers QB Young, winner of 3 straight starts, day to day vs. Bills with ankle injury

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — Bryce

Young has won three consecutive starts for the rst time in his NFL career.

Now the question becomes whether he will have a chance to stretch that streak to four on Sunday when the Carolina Panthers return home to face the Bu alo Bills.

Young left Sunday’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets in the second half with an ankle injury, leaving his status for this week’s game uncertain.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday he is listing Young as day to day.

“We will look at him each day and really test the ankle in different ways to see if we can’t get him back out there (at practice) in some way shape or form on Wednesday,” Canales said.

Andy Dalton, who replaced Young on Sunday, would start if Young can’t play. The team is exploring the option of signing a quarterback to back up Dalton on Sunday if Young is out.

Young has been improving with each passing week, so this is a hurdle in his progression as a quarterback.

The injury occurred while Young was attempting to elude a sack in the third quarter.

What’s working

The Panthers struggled early in the season to get pressure

DUKE from page B1

MVP Oluchi Okananwa to Notre Dame and Maryland, respectively. Reserve guard Louann Battiston transferred to Rice, and forward Jenessa Cotton transferred to Kansas State. The biggest loss, though, is arguably former two-way guard Reigan Richardson, the only starter who’s not returning after averaging 9.7 points and nishing second on the team in assists.

“We lost our best defender in Reigan Richardson,” Lawson said. “She was an unbelievable defender for us. It’s going to be a challenge for our perimeter defense to replace her for sure.”

With the loss of depth piece Emma Koabel for the 2025-

“We will look at him each day and really test the ankle in di erent ways.”

Panthers coach Dave Canales on Bryce Young’s injury

on opposing quarterbacks, but seem to be rectifying the situation in recent weeks.

Carolina had a season-high six sacks against the Jets just days after learning that starting edge rusher Patrick Jones would miss the remainder of the season with a lower back injury. Defensive end Derrick Brown was dominant all game, getting two sacks, while rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen combined for two sacks.

Carolina allowed just six points in its rst road win of the season, marking the fewest points allowed in a road game since giving up three points on two occasions during the 2017 season in a 23-3 win at San Francisco and 17-3 win at Tampa Bay.

What needs help

Canales said Monday he won’t change his approach at running back.

After Rico Dowdle piled up 473 yards from scrimmage the previous two weeks, Canales made the interesting call to start Chuba Hubbard over Dowdle af-

26 season due to a knee injury, reinforcing the backcourt corps is where the new faces come in.

The Blue Devils added freshman guards Emilee Skinner and Anna Wikstrom in the o season. Skinner, standing at 6 feet, was a McDonald’s All-American and ranked No. 4 in the 2025 class.

“She’s really good,” Lawson said. “She can score. She can pass. She can defend. She can rebound. But she is a freshman. Do I anticipate that she’ll have some bumps along the way? Yeah. But she loves it, and she’s got a high IQ.”

Wikstrom, a 5-foot-11 scorer, has professional experience from playing with the Ulriken Eagles out of her home coun-

ter he returned from missing two weeks with a calf injury.

Hubbard and Dowdle then alternated possessions.

Dowdle outplayed Hubbard. Dowdle had 17 carries for 79 yards and one reception for 17 yards, while Hubbard was limited to 31 yards on 14 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards. Neither player found the end zone. It appeared di cult at times for either running back to get into the rhythm with the current system, but Canales seemed to like the two-back approach.

Stock up

Cornerback Jaycee Horn is developing a reputation as one of

try Norway. She averaged 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game to lead Ulriken to an 18-2 record and its third straight title last season. Riley Nelson, a 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore guard, will also add to the sizable guard room after missing all of last year due to injury. She was also a highly touted recruit before playing her freshman season at Maryland, earning the titles of being a ve-star, a McDonald’s All-American and a two -time Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year. Lawson expects her to be a solid 3-point shooter. Graduate guard Hailey Johnson, standing at 5-foot-11, transferred in from Pepper -

• Barton (Shorter)

• NC Wesleyan (Southern Virginia)

• Greensboro (Brevard)

SENIOR DAY

• Livingstone (UVA-Lynchburg)

ALL-STATE PERFORMANCES FOR WEEK 8

Quarterback: Taron Dickens, Western Carolina, 28-33 for 369 yards, 5 TDs

Running backs: JaQuan Kelly, WS State, 139 yards, 2 TDs; Jackson Parrish, Barton, 221 yards on 39 carries, 3 TDs Receiver: Anthony Smith, ECU 4 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs; Cooper Barkate, Duke, 13 catches, 172 yards

Defensive line: Kevin Hayes, JC Smith, 5 tackles, 5 solo, 2 sacks, 4 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble return 15 yards for a TD; Cedrick Crenshaw, Greensboro, 5 tackles, 3 solo, 2 TFLs, safety Linebacker: Ja’Correy Bible Barton, 12 tackles, 10 solo, 1 TFL, pass breakup, QB hit; Jackson Marshall, G-W, 11 tackles, 7 solo, 2.5 TFLs Defensive back: Javon Wesley, Barton, 6 tackles, 4 solo, interception, PBU; Mathias Winston, NC Wesleyan, 7 tackles, 4 solo, .5 TFL, forced fumble

Special teams: Isaiah Perry, JC Smith, 90-yard KO return for TD

Stock down

The Panthers got their rst road win of the season, and they certainly won’t complain about it, but they need to develop a killer instinct. They beat the Falcons 30-0 at home a few weeks back, but the Panthers have struggled to put teams away. That’s what good teams can do, and it’s something the Panthers need to improve upon, especially against teams such as the winless Jets.

Injuries

If the Panthers can’t get Young healthy in time, Dalton will get the start against the Bills.

Key number

3-0 — Panthers record at home this season.

Next steps

the league’s elite cornerbacks — and showing he’s ready to earn his recent $100 million contract. Horn had two interceptions, including a one-handed pick in the end zone in which he showed his outstanding speed, and shut down Jets receivers all day.

Horn became the rst Panthers player with two INTs in a single game since James Bradberry at Tampa Bay in 2019.

“Just clutch play, doing right, doing right longer,” Canales said of Horn. “And that’s our de nition of nishing, putting himself in position to make those plays. His ball skills to be able to come up with those plays was huge for us and gave us a chance to put it away.”

dine and rounds out the guard additions. She played in 31 games and made two starts at her former school.

And in the front court, 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman center Arianna Roberson will return from injury add more length to an already towering roster with 11 players standing 5-foot-11 or taller.

“We’re a much taller and longer team,” Lawson said. “That, we’re a little di erent. I can’t say better yet. I’m not saying that. They’ve got to work to be better than last year’s team. That’s a high bar, but the size this year overall is better for us.”

Duke will undoubtedly have to prove how close it is to that next step early this season. The

Carolina could have a tough time staying above .500 and equaling its best start since 2019 when it hosts Josh Allen and the Bills on Sunday.

Not only are the Bills expected to be motivated after two straight losses, but they are also well rested coming o a bye.

Also, Charlotte is very much a transplant city and there are a large number of Bu alo fans in the area already talking about a “Bills takeover” of Bank of America Stadium. There have been times when Panthers fans have been outnumbered by fans of the opposing team, such as the Cowboys or Steelers, and it could happen again on Sunday and nullify any home- eld advantage.

Blue Devils, ranked seventh by the preseason AP Poll, tip o with No. 16 Baylor in Paris on Nov. 3. They’ll also face o against No. 2 South Carolina, No. 5 LSU and either No. 4 Texas or No. 3 UCLA before the gauntlet of its ACC schedule.

“I think the philosophy is really to get exposed,” Lawson said. “We want to know what we need to work on so that when we get into conference play, we have an idea. And I think that has built us into a mentally tough team, a resilient team. We’ve taken a lot of lessons from losses we’ve had in nonconference the last couple of years, and I think it’s been a big reason why we’ve been a second weekend team the last two Marches.”

ADAM HUNGER / AP PHOTO

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and backup Andy Dalton (14) watch play against the New York Jets. If Young isn’t able to play on an injured ankle, Dalton will get the call.

NOTICE

CUMBERLAND

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE #

25E001449-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: Wanda Godwin Porter.

Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Wanda Godwin Porter, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of January, 2026 (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 said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 2nd day of October, 2025. Brenna Green Delmont 6080 Goldsboro Rd. Wade, NC 28395 Administrator of the Estate of Wanda Godwin Porter, Deceased. Administrator’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E001423-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Frances E. Raeford, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 933 Mary McCall Road, Stedman, North Carolina 28391, on or before January 9, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 9th day of October, 2025. Cheryll McNeill Administrator of the Estate of Frances E. Raeford, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 10/9/2025, 10/16/2025, 10/23/2025 and 10/30/2025

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #25E001488-250

It is for the Estate of my father Peter G Raymon deceased, laste of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of January 2026 or this notice will be in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 9th day of October, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Peter G Raymon Elizabeth Blascruz (252)314-5312 1815 W Canary Way, Chandler, AZ 85286

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as executor of the Estate of Greg Ricketson, 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 January 9, 2026, (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 the 3rd day of October, 2025. Executor of the Estate of Greg Ricketson, 315 Je erson Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Mable Catherine Robinson, 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 23rd day of January, 2026, (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 23rd day of October, 2025 Linda Ann Daniels, Executor, 925 Chippenham Avenue, Lancaster SC 29720 Of the Estate of Mable Catherine Robinson, Deceased.

Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as executor of the Estate of Carolyn H. Spence, 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 9th day of January, 2026, (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 1st day of October, 2025 Gary Hubbard, Executor 1713 Fairington Lane Fayetteville, NC 28305 Of the Estate of Carolyn H. Spence, deceased

NOTICE

In the General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File#25E000518-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Cassie M. Thomas, 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 23rd day of January, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their discovery. All Debtor of the decedent are requested to make an immediate payment to the undersigned. This 16th day of October 2025 Sarah Thomas Administrator/Executor 7427 Shillinglaw Circle Fayetteville, NC, 28314 Of the Estate of Cassie Mae Thomas, Deceased

On behalf of the estate of James William Thomas,

Request for A davit of Publication: File# E001571-250 In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #25-E001571-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned, having Quali ed as Executor of the Estate of James William Thomas, deceased, of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 23rd of January 2026, (which date is 3 months after the day of the rst publica- tion 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 the 15th day of October 2025. Administrator of the “Estate of James William Thomas” William Michael Thomas Sandra Dianne Thomas 613 Goodyear Drive Spring Lake, NC 28390

NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Kathryn Walker 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 16th day of January, 2026, 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 15th day of October, 2025. Executor 2201 Stride Ln, Fayetteville, NC 28304

Notice to Creditors

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Brenda Sue Creech Wall, deceased, of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of January, 2026, which date is three months after 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 25th day of September, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Brenda Sue Creech Wall, Stephanie Wall Powell 5929 Hirams Court Hope Mills, NC 28348

NOTICE

State of North Carolina In the General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File# 2024 E 000804

ADMINISTRATOR’S/EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as EXECUTOR of the estate of Billie Herman Weathington, 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 9th day of January, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice)) or or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the deceased are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 9th day of October, 2025

Susan Weathington Hines, Executor. 1409 Country Lake Dr. Greensboro, NC 27406 Of the estate of Billie Herman Weathington, Deceased

DAVIDSON

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Katherine Johnson Stevenson aka Katherine Elizabeth Stevenson aka Katherine Elizabeth Johnson Stevenson, late of Davidson County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before January 3, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 2nd day of October, 2025

Terry L. Johnson aka Terry Lee Johnson Executor of the Estate of Katherine Johnson Stevenson aka Katherine Elizabeth Stevenson aka Katherine Elizabeth Johnson Stevenson S. SCOTT EGGLESTON, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043 PUBL/DATES: 10/02/2025 10/09/2025 10/16/2025 10/23/2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Gregory S. McIntyre, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Melanie Lynn Shamel, late of 3310 Old Mill Farm Road, Lexington, North Carolina 27295, DAVIDSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, through the undersigned Attorney, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 112 S TRYON STREET, SUITE 700, CHARLOTTE, NC 28284, on or before Friday, January 24, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said estate shall make immediate payment to the undersigned. 25E000693-280 This the 15th day of October 2025. Gregory S. McIntyre, Esq. Gregory S. McIntyre, Administrator McIntyre Elder Law 112 S Tryon Street Suite 700 Charlotte, NC 28284 (For Publication Dates: 10/23/25, 10/30/25, 11/6/25, & 11/13/25)

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

New Hanover County THE UNDERSIGNED, Kay Ward Lambert, having quali ed on the 16th day of October 2025, as Executor of the Estate of Guy Lupton Ward, (25E002418-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at Kay Ward Lambert, 2006 Leith Court, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28405, on or before the 23 day of January, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 23rd day of October 2025. Kay Ward Lambert Executor ESTATE OF GUY LUPTON WARD Kay Ward Lambert 2006 Leith Court Wilmington, North Carolina 28405

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF SAMUEL MARION STONE, IV FILE NO. 25E002207-640

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Samuel Marion Stone, IV, deceased, of New Hanover County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before January 23rd, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This the 16th day of October, 2025.

Everett M. Bolton, Executor P O Box 10305 Raleigh, NC 27605

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS

THE UNDERSIGNED, William Timothy Raines, having quali ed on the 9th day of October, 2025, as Ancillary Personal Representative of the Estate of William Crawford Raines (25E002343-640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 19th day of January, 2026, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 16th day of October 2025.

William Timothy Raines

Ancillary Personal Representative ESTATE OF WILLIAM CRAWFORD RAINES

David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

Publish: October 16, 2025 October 23. 2025 October 30, 2025 November 6, 2025

RANDOLPH

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of WILLIE LEE ALBERTSON, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before January 2, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 1st day of October 2025.

ANGELA ELIZABETH ALBERTSON Executor of the Estate of WILLIE LEE ALBERTSON S. SCOTT EGGLESTON, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043

PUBL/DATES: 10/02/25 10/09/25 10/16/25 10/23/25

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Vicky Covington Autry aka Vicky L. Autry, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at P.O. Box 5994, Greensboro, North Carolina 27435, on or before the 16th day of January 2026, 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 16th day of October 2025. Cli ord Todd Covington Executor of the Estate of Vicky Covington Autry aka Vicky L Autry Jonathan M. Parisi Attorney at Law Spangler Estate Planning P.O. Box 5994 Greensboro, NC 27435

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Margie Ruth Vuncannon Beck, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law O ce of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before December 31st 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 2nd day of October 2025. Stanley Kent Beck, Executor Margie Ruth Vuncannon Beck, Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone:

Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of JAMES WINFRED KIDD aka JAMES WINFORD KIDD aka JAMES W. KIDD, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203,

Estate of Dorothy Lee McDonald a/k/a Dorothy Parson McDonald, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Administrator at the Law O ce of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

24SP000196-120

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Alicia Bungy and Lee Stewart (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Alicia Bungy and Lee Stewart) to Allan B. Polunsky, Trustee(s), dated January 10, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 15778, at Page 0012 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds 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

25SP000840-250 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Rachel Smiley to Investors Title Insurance Company., Trustee(s), which was dated August 30, 2022 and recorded on August 31, 2022 in Book 11560 at Page 829, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23SP000254-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Joshua Troy Hardman and Lorraine Hardman (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Joshua Troy Hardman and Lorraine Hardman) to H. Terry Hutchens, Esquire, Trustee(s), dated June 20, 2014, and recorded in Book No. 09458, at Page 0763 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location

NOTICE

North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the

courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on October 27, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 263, Hallstead, Phase 2, Map 4 as shown on map recorded in Map Book 77, Page 58, Cabarrus County Register of Deeds, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 637 Nannyberry Lane, Concord, North Carolina. More commonly known as 637 Nannyberry Lane, Concord, NC 28025. PIN: 55392023660000

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One

Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 5, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

BEING all of Lot 18 as shown on a plat entitled A REVISION OF WATER’S EDGE, SECTION TWO, PART “A”, duly recorded in Plat Book 48, Page 30, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 5941 Waters Edge Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

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

designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on October 27, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property:

Being all of Lot 39 in a subdivision known as Revision of Spring eld Place, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 122, Page 007, Cumberland County Registry, State of North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 189 Wolfpoint Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Assessor’s Parcel No: 0542-11-4101

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One

county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 5, 2025 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

Being all of Lot No. 111, in a subdivision known as Acorn Ridge, Part Six, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Plat Book 120, Page 132, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as 2332 Saltwood Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

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

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement

period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Rachel Smiley, a married woman.

An Order for possession of the property

Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is

AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/ are JOHNATHAN JACOBS AND AMANDA SINGLETARY.

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

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 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”.

required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is

If

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

CUMBERLAND

owner(s) of the property is/are Junhui

the

for

or appraisal.

25SP000772-310 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, DURHAM COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Sowrabh Shanthanand to William T. Morrison and Philip M. Rudisill, Trustee(s), which was dated February 11, 2022 and recorded on February 11, 2022 in Book 9613 at Page 426, Durham County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on

Jewell Thames P.A. and recorded in Plat Book 203, Pages 302, 303 and 304, Durham County Registry, TOGETHER WITH and SUBJECT TO those easements, rights and obligations established by that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for Stormwater Matters at Nova RTP recorded in Book 9056, Page 791, that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for Nova RTP Townhomes recorded in Book 9221, Page 717, and that certain Declaration of Nova RTP Land Condominium recorded in Book 9221, Page 676. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1122 Nova Street, Durham, NC 27713. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, 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

October 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Durham County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 97, Ganyard Towns Subdivision, as shown on map recorded in Plat Book 196, Pages 377-378, Durham County Registry, to which map reference is hereby made for a more particular description.

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

Said property is commonly known as 102 Harvest Oaks Lane, Unit 126, Durham, NC 27703.

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

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

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

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Sowrabh Shanthanand.

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

immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

on the plat of ATWOOD ACRES, SECTION 3, as recorded in Plat Book 21, at Page 151, Forsyth County Registry, reference to which plat is hereby made for a more particular description. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 3011 Carrollwood Dr, Winston Salem, NC 27103. 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

property situated in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to wit: Being known and designated as Lot No. 32, as shown on a plat entitled PHASE 2, TEA BERRY RIDGE, as recorded in Plat Book 48, Page 63, in the o ce of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth County, North Carolina, reference to which is hereby made for a more particular description.

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

Said property is commonly known as 2096 Tea Berry Ct, Winston Salem, NC 27127. 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

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Krystal Matthews.

in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination.

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

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

AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Justin Hunter.

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)].

25SP001552-910

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Garret Hedgepeth and Christine Hedgepeth to David B. Craig, Trustee(s), which was dated August 17, 2005 and recorded on August 17, 2005 in Book 011531 at Page 02523, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located,

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on November 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit:

Being all of Lot No. 5, Block J according to plat entitled “Biltmore Hills, Map #5, Raleigh, N.C.”, dated June 8, 1960, prepared by J.L. Castleberry, Jr., Registered Engineer, and recorded in Book of Maps 1960, Page 124, Wake County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 910 Newcombe Road, Raleigh, NC 27610.

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

public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on November 6, 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 Stevan T. Preble and Janet E. Preble, dated March 11, 2004 to secure the original principal amount of $65,600.00, and recorded in Book 10725 at Page 1870 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: 1223 Arbor Greene Drive, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: 0283986 Present Record Owners: Stevan T. Preble and Janet E. Preble The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Stevan T. Preble and Janet E. Preble.

25-121280 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 25sp001180-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY VENKATA SIVA KUMAR PADAMATA AND VENKATA DANDEY DATED AUGUST 29, 2022 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 19133 AT PAGE 613 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County

24-117639

courthouse at 11:00AM on November 6, 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 Venkata Siva Kumar Padamata and Venkata Dandey, dated August 29, 2022 to secure the original principal amount of $614,200.00, and recorded in Book 19133 at Page 613 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: 348 Anton Way, Garner, NC 27529 Tax Parcel ID: 1619982756 Present Record Owners: Venkata Siva Kumar Padamata and Venkata Dandey The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Venkata Siva Kumar

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24sp000223-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY BRIAN ADAMS AND MICHELLE ADAMS DATED JULY 25, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 10339 AT PAGE 2494 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED JANUARY 21, 2015 IN BOOK 15896, PAGE 2080 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on October 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 Brian Adams and Michelle Adams, dated July 25, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $119,961.00, and recorded in Book 10339 at Page 2494 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: 247 Tillamook Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Tax Parcel ID: 0223773 Present Record Owners: Brian K. Adams The record owner(s) of the property,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

dated April 30, 2019, and recorded in Book No. 017433, at Page 00854 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Wake 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 Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on October 27, 2025 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Cary in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Condominium Unit 103-1C, Phase II, Building 2, in the Chesapeake Landing Condominiums, located in or near

the Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina, as designated and described in the Declaration of Unit Ownership under the provisions of Chapter 47A of the North Carolina General Statutes, (The “Declaration”) dated August 25, 1986, recorded in Book 3807, Page 575, Wake County Registry, the First Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 3848, Page 865, Wake County Registry, the Second Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 3996, Page 607, Wake County Registry, the Third Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 4225, Page 624, Wake County Registry, The Fourth Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 4473, Page 615, Wake County Registry. The Fifth Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 4607, Page 581, Wake County Registry. The Sixth Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 4655, Page 402, Wake County Registry. The Seventh Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 4661, Page 400, Wake County Registry. The Eighth Amendment thereto duly recorded in Book 4693, Page 184, Wake County Registry (see Condominium Plan, Condominium File #109, Wake County Registry, for plans) together with a 1.593 percent total undivided interest in the Common Property and Facilities declared to be appurtenant to said unit, said unit’s undivided interest being more particularly described in the second amendment to the declaration reference herein. The land upon which the building and improvements

AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Garret Hedgepeth and spouse, Christine Hedgepeth.

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

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen 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

Padamata and Venkata Dandey.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale

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

are located is situated in or near the Town of Cary, Wake County, North Carolina and is fully described in the Declaration, the Declaration being incorporated herein by reference. Including the unit thereon; said Unit being located at 103 Marbury Court 1C, Cary, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this

pursuant to this notice of

and

is

ered

“AS

nor

of

of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in,

will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any 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 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 September 23, 2025.

form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen 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 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.

property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the

Being heard

weekend

the BRIEF this week

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops

Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

protests

and

Chapel Hill moving forward with 9-story, mixed-use development

The project proposes 175-200 multifamily residential units

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

CHAPEL HILL — The Town of Chapel Hill has approved a big step toward the construction of a new mixed-

use, multifamily development.

The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a conditional zoning application at its Oct. 8 meeting for property located at 701 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to be rezoned into MixedUse Village-CZD for the development of a 175-to-200-unit, nine-story multifamily and commercial development.

$2.00

The paddle access completes 26-mile trail section with ve entry points

Chatham News & Record sta

A NEW BOAT access on the Deep River State Trail opens Friday in Moncure, providing paddling and shing opportunities on the Deep

“Our previous (a ordable housing) proposal included 10% on-site, a ordable units,” said Landmark Properties

See DEVELOPMENT, page A7

The plan for the project is for the ground oor to contain retail space (a minimum of 1,000 square feet for o ce and commercial) while the rest is dedicated to multifamily residential. The project will include an outdoor plaza and a 10-foot multiuse path intended to complement the North-South Bus Rapid Transit station on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The application was rst brought before the council on Sept. 10, and at that meeting, the council wished to see more of a commitment to a ordable housing, which the developers adhered to.

New Deep River access opens Friday in Moncure

River above Lockville Dam.

The access, located at 7140 Moncure Pittsboro Road, completes a continuous 26-mile paddle trail section with ve access points that starts at the Carbonton Access in Sanford. It will be open daily from dawn to dusk and managed by Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

The section of river is popular with experienced paddlers, novices and families, featur-

ing only a few Class 1 rapids. The access sits within 760 acres known as the Justice Lands, which Triangle Land Conservancy acquired in 2003 before transferring the property to North Carolina State Parks for long-term stewardship. The land is part of a larger 2,400acre conservation area that includes TLC’s 31-acre White Pines Nature Preserve along the Deep River.

American colleges ghting to prove return on investment

As tuition continues to rise, parents and students are wondering if it’s worth the price

By Collin Binkley The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For a generation of young Americans, choosing where to go to college — or whether to go at all — has become a complex calculation of costs and bene ts that often revolves around a single question: Is the degree worth its price? Public con dence in higher education has plummeted in recent years amid high tuition prices, skyrocketing student loans and a dismal job

market — plus ideological concerns from conservatives. Now colleges are scrambling to prove their value to students.

Borrowed from the business world, the term “return on investment” has been plastered on college advertisements across the U.S. A battery of new rankings grade campuses on thenancial bene ts they deliver. States such as Colorado have started publishing yearly reports on the monetary payo of college, and Texas now factors it into calculations for how much taxpayer money goes to community colleges.

“Students are becoming more aware of the times when college doesn’t pay o ,” said Preston

See COLLEGES, page A8

“I’m

not saying kids shouldn’t go to college. I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon

“Chatham County is thrilled about this new access opening on the Deep River in Moncure. The Deep River is one of Chatham County’s most important natural treasures — a place of history, wildlife, and beauty that connects communities and ecosystems across our region,” said Tracy Burnett, director of Chatham County Parks,

See ACCESS, page A7

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A

lled with

against kings

maps continued into the week as N.C. House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) spoke against a proposed redistricting map on Tuesday in Raleigh.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

We stand corrected

To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

NCWRC releases 12 rehabilitated bear cubs back to wild

The last 20 hostages were released after spending two years in captivity

By Melania Lidman The Associated Press

THE N.C. WILDLIFE Resources Commission recently released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs back to the wild, with four returning to the coastal region and eight to the mountains.

The releases were conducted through the commission’s cub rehabilitation program, which has operated since 1976 as one of the rst such programs in the country. While the program initially aimed to restore North Carolina’s black bear population, it now focuses on giving orphaned cubs the best chance of survival in the wild.

The commission receives orphaned cubs beginning in late January, with most arriving April through June after female bears emerge from dens with their young. The cubs are placed with the North Carolina Zoo or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, both licensed wildlife rehabilitators experienced in black bear cub care.

The facilities provide specialized food and expert care with minimal human interaction until the cubs reach 7 to 8 months old. Some cubs receive tracking collars upon release, allowing biologists to monitor their movements and study their post-release behavior.

COURTESY PHOTO

Black bear cubs were recently released back into the wild thanks to a NCWRC cub rehabilitation program that’s been running for nearly 50 years.

leased at heavier weights than their wild counterparts to provide extra fat reserves while they orient themselves to their new surroundings.

Oct. 17

• Braddock Allen Edmonds, 28, of Apex, was arrested for possession of stolen goods/property, ctitious or altered title/ registration card/tag and driving while license revoked.

Oct. 18

• Lori Beth Loy, 43, of Sanford, was arrested for contributing to delinquency of juvenile and misdemeanor child abuse.

Oct. 19

• Branson Randall Scott, 30, of Bear Creek, was arrested for injury to personal property.

Oct. 20

• Rebecca Cheryl Poe, 32, of Bear Creek, was arrested for possession of controlled substance on prison/ jail premises, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Five cubs with tracking collars that were released before Hurricane Helene in September 2024 all survived the storm, according to the commission. The cubs found shelter during the hurricane, became active again days later and located suitable den sites for hibernation. No con icts with people were reported.

Biologists release cubs in early fall when natural foods like acorns, fruits and berries are abundant. The cubs are re-

Research shows that minimizing captivity time while maximizing release weight improves outcomes for the cubs’ survival. Cubs are released on state-managed lands away from human development in the region where they were originally found.

Wildlife biologists caution that bear cubs seen alone are rarely orphaned, as mother bears often forage nearby and return within hours.

“People who try to capture or handle a cub are not only risking the cub’s safety, but their own if the mother bear is nearby, as she may try to defend her

cubs,” said Jenna Malzahn, a black bear biologist with the commission, in a press release.

“By trying to capture a bear cub, you may cause it to become orphaned, injured or both.” By fall, the commission’s Wildlife Helpline receives fewer calls about suspected orphaned cubs and more inquiries about bears denning in urban areas. Cubs orphaned in late summer or early fall are typically old enough to survive independently, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation releases at this time of year.

National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” featured the state’s bear cub rehabilitation program in an episode. The series is available for streaming on Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.

Oct. 25

Library

1-2 p.m.

The library hosts renowned author Kamal Bell for a special presentation and book signing. Bell will discuss his latest work and the writing process during the free community event in the Holmes Family Meeting Room.

Chatham Community Library 197 N.C. Highway 87 N Pittsboro

Oct. 28

Yoga@BFP

6-7 p.m.

Yoga class for all tness levels. Bring your own mat. Free to attend; suggested donation of $15.

Front Porch, Bynum General Store 950 Bynum Road Bynum

Nov. 11

Chatham County Historical Association at Goldston Old-Fashioned Day

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An opportunity to experience the charm of Goldston, a small town listed on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring exhibits of classic cars and tractors, live music performances, and a petting zoo. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site. Free admission.

Downtown Goldston

Advice to feed babies peanuts early, often helped kids avoid allergies

For decades, doctors advised parents to avoid exposing their children to peanuts

By Jonel Aleccia

The Associated Press

A DECADE AFTER a landmark study proved that feeding peanut products to young babies could prevent developmentof life-threatening allergies, new research nds the change has made a big di erence in the real world.

Peanut allergies began to decline in the U.S. after guidance rst issued in 2015 upended medical practice by recommending introducing the allergen to infants starting as early as 4 months. The rate of peanut allergies in children ages 0 to 3 fell by more than 27% after guidance for high-risk kids was rst issued in 2015, and by more than 40% after the recommendations were expanded in 2017.

“That’s a remarkable thing, right?” said Dr. David Hill, an allergist and researcher at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and author of a study published Monday in the medical journal Pediatrics. Hill and colleagues analyzed electronic health records from dozens of pediatric practices to track diagnoses of food allergies in young children before, during and after the guidelines were issued.

“I can actually come to you today and say there are less kids with food allergy today than there would have been if we hadn’t implemented this public health e ort,” he added.

About 60,000 children have avoided food allergies since 2015, including 40,000 children who otherwise would have developed peanut allergies. Still, about 8% of children are a ected by food allergies, including more than 2% with a peanut allergy.

Peanut allergy is caused when the body’s immune system mistakenly identi es proteins in peanuts as harmful and releases chemicals that trigger allergic symptoms, including hives, respiratory symptoms and, sometimes, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

For decades, doctors had recommended delaying feeding children peanuts and other foods likely to trigger allergies until age 3. But in 2015, Gideon Lack at King’s College London, published the groundbreaking Learning Early About Peanut Allergy, or LEAP, trial.

Lack and colleagues showed

Encouraging parents to feed their children peanuts earlier in life has prevented tens of thousands of kids from developing peanut allergies.

29%

Percentage of pediatricians who reported following the expanded guidance issued in 2017, along with 65% of allergists

that introducing peanut products in infancy reduced the future risk of developing food allergies by more than 80%. Later analysis showed that the protection persisted in about 70% of kids into adolescence.

The study immediately sparked new guidelines urging early introduction of peanuts — but putting them into practice has been slow.

Only about 29% of pediatricians and 65% of allergists reported following the expanded guidance issued in 2017, surveys found.

Confusion and uncertainty about the best way to introduce peanuts early in life led to the lag, according to a commentary that accompanied the study. Early on, medical experts and parents alike questioned whether the practice could be adopted outside of tightly controlled clinical settings.

The data for the analysis came from a subset of participating practice sites and may not represent the entire U.S. pediatric population, noted the commentary, led by Dr. Ruchi Gupta, a child allergy expert at Northwestern University.

However, the new research o ers “promising evidence that early allergen introduction is not only being adopted but may be

making a measurable impact,” the authors concluded.

Advocates for the 33 million people in the U.S. with food allergies welcomed signs that early introduction of peanut products is catching on.

“This research reinforces what we already know and underscores a meaningful opportunity to reduce the incidence and prevalence of peanut allergy nationwide,” said Sung Poblete, chief executive of the nonpro t group Food Allergy Research & Education, or FARE.

The new study emphasizes the current guidance, updated in 2021, which calls for introducing peanuts and other major food allergens between four and six months, without prior screening or testing, Hill said. Parents should consult their pediatricians about any questions.

“It doesn’t have to be a lot of the food, but little tastes of peanut butter, milk-based yogurt, soy-based yogurts and tree butters,” he said. “These are really good ways to allow the immune system exposure to these allergenic foods in a safe way.”

Ti any Leon, 36, a Maryland registered dietician and director at FARE, introduced peanuts and other allergens early to her own sons, James, 4, and Cameron, 2. At rst, Leon’s own mother was shocked at the advice to feed babies such foods before the age of 3, she said. But Leon explained how the science had changed.

“As a dietician, I practice evidence-based recommendations,” she said. “So when someone told me, ‘This is how it’s done now, these are the new guidelines,’ I just though, OK, well, this is what we’re going to do.

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

Last year, Hunter Biden was convicted under the same law

By Lindsay Whitehurst The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest rearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. President Donald Trump’s administration asked the justices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user.

The Justice Department appealed after a lower court largely struck down a law that bars people who use any illegal drugs from having guns.

Last year, a jury convicted Hunter Biden of violating the law, among other charges. His father, then-President Joe Biden, later pardoned him.

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a decision likely by early summer.

decision likely by early summer.

The Republican administration favors Second Amendment rights, but government attorneys argued that this ban is a justi able restriction.

They asked the court to reinstate a case against Ali Danial Hemani. His lawyers got the felony charge tossed out after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the blanket ban is unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s expanded view of gun rights. The appellate judges found it could still be used against people accused of being high and armed at the same time, though.

Hemani’s attorneys argue the broadly written law puts millions of people at risk of technical violations since at least 20% of Americans have tried pot, according to government health data. About half of states legalized recreational marijuana, but

Church News

SANDY BRANCH CHURCH

You are invited to Sandy Branch’s annual fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be a turkey shoot and other activities beginning at 3 p.m., a hot dog supper at 5 p.m. and trunk or treat at 6 p.m.

BB guns will be provided for the turkey shoot, and there will be competition and prizes for all age groups. The youngest group is 8 and under, but the smaller children will need adult assistance.

We are located at 715 Sandy Branch Church Road in Bear Creek and hope to see you there.

Good Samaritans

it’s still illegal under federal law.

The Justice Department argues the law is valid when used against regular drug users because they pose a serious public safety risk. The government said the FBI found Hemani’s gun and cocaine in a search of his home as they probed travel and communications allegedly linked to Iran. The gun charge was the only one led, however, and his lawyers said the other allegations were irrelevant and were mentioned only to make him seem more dangerous.

The case marks another ashpoint in the application of the Supreme Court’s new test for rearm restrictions. The conservative majority found in 2022 that the Second Amendment generally gives people the right to carry guns in public for self-defense and any rearm restrictions must have a strong grounding in the nation’s history.

The landmark 2022 ruling led to a cascade of challenges to rearm laws around the country, though the justices have since upheld a di erent federal law intended to protect victims of domestic violence by barring guns from people under restraining orders.

MAKING THE WORLD SAFER

BIBLE STUDY: Psalms 100:1-5. Church of Living Water; Pastor: James Mitchell.

Let all praise Almighty God, now and forever! I praise You, God, for President Trump, for I know You, God, because You are destroying all the The evil possessed Hamas terrorists are cursed

The whole world is safer with President Trump in blind Democrats, when are you going to wake up? to stand up, speak out, and support men and women will make Turning Point USA even stronger than all our sins will be forgiven and forgotten! Praise

PATRICK SISON / AP PHOTO

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Frabjous

Lewis Carroll’s portmanteau “frabjous” came to mind — the day was a combination of “fabulous” and “joyous.”

MY WIFE AND I MET our friend, Will, in Pittsboro last Saturday at the “No Kings” rally. He brought his buddy, Steve, who no longer drives. I saw Ann, who had just gotten back from Vermont. She and I danced to the “Raging Grannies,” who sang protest songs accompanied by a kazoo. Jordan was there with her boyfriend, Alex. She’s studying Christianity and wanted to see faith in action. My friend David was there on behalf of his synagogue. I met Keri, who described herself as a “devout atheist” but added, “I really love Jesus. I mean, he loved everybody.”

Alan was there and told us, “It’s not enough to be against something. You have to do something about it.”

A young dad named Nick wore an in atable unicorn costume. He said, “It’s silliness for a serious purpose.”

I didn’t learn the name of the young man blaring Lynyrd Skynyrd from his

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

truck because he drove by too fast. I wondered what he would have said if he had stopped to talk.

Carolyn wore a T-shirt with the word “Beloved” written in rainbow colors. She wanted to share the message that Jesus loves everybody. Two women holding hands smiled at her and thanked her for being there.

Mike wore an orange vest that marked him as a volunteer. He guided people across the street. “Safety rst,” he grinned. Another Mike had a homemade poster that read “The Original Antifa” and printed pictures of World War II generals who fought against Nazi Germany. His mom beamed at him and said, “That college tuition was put to good use!”

Kris wore monarch butter y wings, and they wanted to convey that this “monarch” was the only kind that belonged in America.

Henry had a homemade yardstick that was intentionally bent and read, “Woodworkers against crooked rulers.”

Charles made a sign with a quote from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”

Richard said this was his rst protest ever. Lou said this was her rst protest ever, and she was 81 years old. Not to be outdone, Margaret said she was 85! I’ll let the experts gure out the exact number down in Pittsboro last Saturday. As I’ve thought about the day, Lewis Carroll’s portmanteau “frabjous” came to mind — the day was a combination of “fabulous” and “joyous.”

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.

Good and bad opposite sides of same coin

The Book tells us it’s along the lines of: “In all things, God works for good for those who love him” — “all things” meaning both good and bad things.

HAVE YOU EVER given thought to how events or happenings can build us up or push us down almost at the same time?

Those roller-coaster events can bring us to tears or to laughter within a blink of an eye, and both can leave us next door to exhaustion when they’re over.

One of those times in my life I remember most clearly is in the life of the older of the two grown children who used to be teenagers who lived at my house.

It was in those glorious days of high school when most of the world is right and the stars have all aligned in the proper order. As she moved along in her last year, she began to deal with “Where do I want to go to college?” and “What do I want to do with my life?” and so on and so forth.

Deciding she would follow in her mama’s footsteps and become a teacher — her choice, since she had seen the ups and downs of the career rsthand — she made application to the N.C. Teaching Fellows Program, a system that provided a four-year college scholarship if the recipient would pay it back by teaching in a North Carolina public school for four years. If you bailed out before the four years, then you were supposed to pay back the money.

As a part of that application process, you were to list, in order of preference, the colleges you’d like to attend that took part in the program. Then you mail it back in and wait — to see if you got in and where you’d be sent to school. And wait.

And wait some more. She did all that, and then came

the glorious day when Mr. Mailman dropped an envelope into our box at the road. She, by then, was pretty much living next to the mailbox, so when she saw the return address, she ripped open the envelope.

I can still see the scene in my mind’s eye: I’m standing on the front porch; she’s walking down the driveway looking over the contents.

“I got in!” (meaning she had been awarded a scholarship), she yelled to the people in the next county.

Then a nanosecond later the world comes crashing down. “They’re sending me to (XXXXX).” (The name of the school in question shall remain nameless here for fear of o ending the gentle souls who went to school there; su ce it to say that it was her third choice.)

For the next hundred hours, her mother and I sought to help her through the teachable moment that the best school anyone could attend was the one that o ered a scholarship. (I hope I feel that way always; what if one or more of my grandchildren gets a ride to Duke? … Please don’t call, write or assault me in public, Dear Reader. I’m just kidding … maybe.)

We also made the e ort to point out that she would have employment, something not easily or always guaranteed after college, while she was paying o the four years.

For her, the story had a happy ending. Sometime later, after being placed on a waitlist for her favorite school, she got in after other recipients, for whom her No. 1 choice was their Nos. 2 or 3, opted out and opened up a space.

So what’s the moral of the story? My mama would say it’s the old line, “All’s well that ends well,” or “This, too, shall pass.” The Book tells us it’s along the lines of: “In all things, God works for good for those who love him” — “all things” meaning both good and bad things.

Over the last few days, I’ve been thinking about how the good and the bad often coexist so closely in both time and space. For instance, the recent cool nights have let us turn o the air conditioner and deprive the power company of some of their revenue so it could become some of our revenue. We have ung open the windows, letting in the sounds of night — the train whistle at Bonlee, the squirrels chirping over who gets the next acorn, the dogs across the way in their nocturnal discussions, even the hair-raising symphony of the resident pack of coyotes way across the woods.

But those same open windows also let in the breezes, which often are scented with the evidence of Pepé Le Pew and the seemingly nightly skunk family reunion. I’m pretty sure most of that happens when the dogs and the skunks get together to vote.

So what to do? As in all parts of life, whether it’s a scholarship or a skunk, the answer most likely is take a deep breath, tie another knot, wait a bit, hang on and look for the good.

The smell goes away after a while.

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

My age is … what?

Clearly, I was having an internal dissonance tantrum. I don’t perceive myself as, well, that age.

WAIT A MINUTE , just wait a minute!!

Underwent an annual medical test today — always a “whoopee” event. I was told the results would show up in my electronic medical chart in several days. Nope, they popped up this afternoon. Gulp. After some challenging health issues, every medical test scares me to some degree. OK, took a deep breath, told myself, if need be, I could contact my internist tomorrow. (Such a brave woman, I am!)

Normal! Yay! Exhaled and managed to read the results for this human specimen, a 70-plus-year-old female … 70-plus? No! No way! Who the hell are they talking about? I felt as if I was looking over my shoulder for the 70-plus-year-old female identi ed in the online medical chart. Where? Where?!

Omigod, that’s me. I felt stopped in my tracks. Lost sight of the great results and actually felt shocked, reading about myself described as a 70-plus-year-old. OK, OK, my body creaks a bit more, has something of a limp, and I’ll probably not run a 100-yard dash again in this lifetime, but that august age? No, no, no!

Clearly, I was having an internal dissonance tantrum. I don’t perceive myself as, well, that age. OK, admittedly, my hair is (mostly) silver but still naturally curly and cute. Thus sayeth the wonderful woman who’s been cutting my

hair forever. (Wouldn’t you believe your longtime hairstylist or barber? Heaven knows, after all the things you’ve shared together over the years, it’s practically therapy.)

So, yes, I’m left with the query, “Is there a contradiction between how I perceive myself age-wise and the sheer reality of aging?” You ready for the big reveal? Hmmm, maybe a more medium-sized reveal would be appropriate. Aging is … well, aging. Ah, but the lens through which I perceive aging is of my own making.

For the moment, no matter the age noted in my, supposedly, all-knowing medical records, I will continue (within reason) to perceive myself as young in spirit and heart. As long as I act my age … whoa! Absolutely wrong choice of words. Wrong, wrong, wrong! As long as I can be open-hearted and continue pitching my tent in the campground of compassion (hard, but so worth it), yours truly will, eventually, make peace with aging.

Food for thought. Wondering if s’mores are available in the aforementioned campground of compassion? No matter how old I am, I’ll always, always need treats!

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

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-inlaw Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed

through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

Are government schools redeemable?

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years. The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law educationrelated policies and programs. Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships. Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens. Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable. Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

obituaries

James Thomas Cotner

Aug. 12, 1938 –Oct. 18, 2025

James Thomas Cotner, 87, of Siler City, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Mr. Cotner was born in Chatham County on August 12, 1938, son of William Owen (Bill) and Nina Mae Pugh Cotner. He was a member of Rocky River Friends Meeting. He was a truck driver for Carolina Poultry and Townsends. He also had his own salesman route. Later he became the wastewater tech for Townsends. He always enjoyed farming and being out on the farm with his livestock and teaching the next generation. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and setting up gun and knife shows with Earl Langley and other buddies. He also enjoyed going to the old men’s breakfast club

IN MEMORY

at Bojangles and McDonalds.

In addition to his parents, Thomas is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Andrew Cotner and their son James Owen “Jimmy” Cotner; his infant brother Billie Owen Cotner; father and motherin-law, AJ and Ruby Andrew, brother-in-law, Lester Odell Cox; nephew, William Brian (Bill) Cox.

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie Chriscoe and husband, James of Siler City; grandchildren, Riley Culberson and wife, Candace of Siler City, Ricky Culberson and wife Rebecca of Goldston, and Janice Chriscoe and ancé Jaxson of Siler City; great grandchildren, Haley, Owen, Lane, and Brady Culberson; sister, Mary Alice Cox of Asheboro.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Rocky River Friends Meeting Cemetery, with David Hobson o ciating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of owers the family request memorials be made to Rocky River Friends Meeting or Randolph Hospice House Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Cotner family. Online condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

LINDA HINESLEY BROWN

APRIL 13, 1952 – OCT. 12, 2025

Linda Hinesley Brown, of Robbins, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Browns Chapel Christian Church with Pastor Shawn Garner presiding. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the committal service. Linda was born in Moore County on April 13, 1952, to Willie and Josie Hinesley. She was a hair stylist for 30 years. She loved music and dancing, ower gardening, trips to the beach and family gatherings. She is known for making her famous biscuits and banana pudding. She loved spoiling her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Brown, Son, Charlie Brown and son-in-law, Charlie Wood, 6 sisters, 4 brothers, and 2 grandsons. Linda is survived by her children, Donna “Pebbles” Smith (Todd) of Robbins, Wendy Lowe (Brad) of Troy, Carol Jean Wood of the home, Belinda “Runt” Britt (Ronnie) of Spies, Sisters; Dale Howell of West End, Suzine Dodd (Bobby) of Kentucky, Carolyn Lazzaro (Joe) of Pennsylvania, 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends.

BETTY JANE LAMBERT MANESS OCT. 20, 2025

Betty Jane Lambert Maness, 86 of Bennett went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 20, 2025 at Peak Resources, Pinelake in Carthage, NC. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Leta Lambert. She was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett for over 70 years. She was a member of the choir for over 40 years and the Senior Visitation Committee for several years. She served in the Library and the Church Treasury and was always willing to bring cakes of all kinds to any church event. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 23rd at Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett, with Dr. Neal Jackson and Reverend Robert Kidd o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Joyce Brady Chapel will be open on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 1:00 5:00 pm for friends to sign the register. Visitation will be held from 1-1:45 PM in the church prior to the service. Visitation and refreshments will be served after the service with family present.

Ace Frehley, Kiss’ lead guitarist, dead at 74

He feuded on and o with his bandmates over the decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum and Andrew Dalton The Associated Press

ACE FREHLEY, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died last Thursday. He was 74.

Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.

Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Kiss, whose hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” was known for its theatrical stage shows, with re and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members dressed in body armor, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint.

Kiss’ original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley’s is the rst death among the four founding members.

Band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters — Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman.” The New York-born entertainer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer often experimented with pyrotechnics, making his guitars glow, emit smoke and shoot rockets from the headstock.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Simmons and Stanley said in a joint statement. “He was an es-

“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley

sential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at age 13.

Before joining Kiss, he played in local bands around New York City and was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at age 18.

Kiss was especially popular in the mid-1970s, selling tens of millions of albums and licensing its iconic look to become a marketing marvel. “Beth” was its biggest commercial hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.

As the Kennedy Center’s new chairman, President Donald Trump named Kiss as one of this year’s honorees.

In 2024, the band sold their catalog, brand name and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be more than $300 million.

Frehley frequently feuded with Stanley and Simmons through the years. He left the band in 1982, missing the years when they took o the makeup and had mixed success. Stanley later said they nearly replaced Frehley with Eddie Van Halen, but Vinnie Vincent assumed the lead guitar role.

Frehley performed both as a

solo artist and with his band, Frehley’s Comet.

But he rejoined Kiss in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion and restoration of their original style that came after bands including Nirvana, Weezer and the Melvins had expressed a ection for the band and paid them musical tributes. He would leave again in 2002. When the original four entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, a dispute scrapped plans for them to perform. Simmons and Stanley objected to Criss and Frehley being inducted instead of then-guitarist Tommy Thayer and then-drummer Eric Singer. Simmons told Rolling Stone magazine that year that Frehley and Criss “no longer deserve to wear the paint.” “The makeup is earned,” he added. “Just being there at the beginning is not enough.”

Frehley and Kiss also had a huge in uence on the glammy style of 1980s so-called hair metal bands including Mötley Crüe and Poison.

“Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,” Poison front man Bret Michaels said on Instagram.

Harder-edged bands like Metallica and Pantera were also fans, and even country superstar Garth Brooks joined the band members for a recording of their “Hard Luck Woman” on a 1994 compilation. Frehley would appear occasionally with Kiss for shows in later years. A 2023 concert at Madison Square Garden was billed as the band’s last. While Stanley and Simmons said they would not tour again, they’ve been open to the possibility of more concerts, and they’ve stayed active promoting the group’s music and memorabilia.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

Ace Frehley, lead guitarist for the hard-rock glam band Kiss, performs with a Les Paul guitar during a concert in 1977.

Grammy-winning singer D’Angelo dead at 51

He became an icon with “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. The Associated Press

D’ANGELO, THE Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51. The singer, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, died last Tuesday after a long bout with cancer, his family said in a statement.

It called him “a shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life,” adding that they are “eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”

In his music, D’Angelo blended hip-hop grit, emphatic soul and gospel-rooted emotion into a sound that helped spearhead the neo-soul movement of the 1990s. Earlier this year, the Virginia native celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut studio album “Brown Sugar,” a platinum-selling o ering that produced signature hits like “Lady” and the title track. The 1995 album earned him multiple Grammy nominations and cemented him as one of R&B’s most original new voices.

D’Angelo’s sultry vocal style — a mix of raspy texture and

church-bred uidity — set him apart from his peers. That voice became inseparable from the striking visuals of his 2000 single “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The minimalist, shirtless music video became a cultural touchstone, igniting conversations around artistry, sexuality and vulnerability in Black male representation. The song earned him a Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance and propelled his sophomore album “Voodoo,” topping the Billboard 200 chart and winning the Grammy for best R&B album.

With an idiosyncratic spirit not unlike Prince, D’Angelo’s devotion was always to the craft — not the machinery around it. In a 2000 interview with The Associated Press, he spoke candidly about the cost of chasing commercial success.

“(Musicians) have gotten trapped into that mode of thinking marketable and commercial. That destroys art, that destroys the essence of what it is about,” he said. “You cannot, you cannot work like that. You cannot make music like that. That’s not what this is about.”

That same year, D’Angelo reected on his need for solitude amid fame: “I used to hang out a lot, but now I’ve become more of a recluse,” he told AP. “I long for just peace and silence.”

Beyond his own catalog, D’Angelo’s artistry shined in collaborations. He memorably duetted with Lauryn Hill on the soulful ballad “Nothing Even Matters,” a highlight of her landmark 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” He also contributed to The Roots’ 1996 album “Illadelph Hal ife” and was part of the supergroup Black Men

United, which yielded one song: “U Will Know,” which D’Angelo wrote and co-produced, for the lm “Jason’s Lyric” in 1994. “I remember hearing your music for the rst time… I said to myself damn whoever this is they are anointed,” Jamie Foxx said on social media. “Then when I nally got a chance to see you… Like everyone when they saw the most incredible music video of our time… I was blown away… I thought to myself I have to see this person in concert… I had my chance to see you at the house of blues… You came out and got right down to business… Your voice was silky and awless… I was graciously envious of your style and your swag…”

Years before stepping back from public view, D’Angelo’s life and music were closely intertwined with Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone in the ’90s. The pair met while he was nishing “Brown Sugar” and bonded over their shared Southern roots and deep church upbringing. Stone contributed to the album and later collaborated with him on “Everyday,” a song from her 1999 debut album, “Black Diamond.” Stone once described D’Angelo as her “musical soul mate,” to the AP in 1999, adding that their working relationship was “’like milk and cereal …. Musically, it was magic. It’s something that I have not been able to do with any other producer or musician.” They had a son to-

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gether, the artist Swayvo Twain, born Michael Archer Jr. Stone died earlier this year in a car crash. She was 63.

D’Angelo also has a daughter, Imani Archer, who is also a music artist.

In the years that followed, D’Angelo’s life became as dened by absence as by acclaim. After “Voodoo,” he withdrew from the spotlight for more than a decade, fueling speculation about personal struggles and creative battles. His long-awaited return came in 2014 with “Black Messiah,” credited to D’Angelo and The Vanguard. The urgent and politically charged album that arrived amid nationwide protests and helped usher in a wave of activist music responding to police killings of Black Americans and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and won him a Grammy for best R&B album, rea rming his stature as a generational voice. Its standout single, “Really Love,” earned him another Grammy for best R&B song and earned a nomination for record of the year.

Beyond his biggest singles, D’Angelo’s catalog includes fan favorites like “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine,” “Cruisin’” and “Devil’s Pie.” His in uence stretched far beyond the charts: he inspired a wave of artists including Maxwell, Alicia Keys and Frank Ocean.

Development Manager Bryan Boyles. “5% at 60% (area median income) and 5% at 80% AMI. We have updated our proposal so that all 10% is now at 60% AMI.”

The developer has also agreed to accept housing choice vouchers for the development, and the project will have a parking ratio of 1.2 spaces per unit.

“Our intention is to provide the majority of our unit within studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units,” Boyles said. “Further, we intend to cap our four-bedroom, four-bathroom units at 30%.”

The town’s planning department also recommended the project for approval.

“We recommend this project because we believe it is in alignment with the Complete Community goals and the comprehensive plans,” said Senior Planner Katherine Shor. “We believe that the requested modi cations also do serve the public purpose.”

The Complete Community goals that sta pointed to were that it plans for the future strategically, expands and delivers new greenways, provides housing, is green focused, and plans for excellence in the public realm and placemaking.

“We would like to do more projects in Chapel Hill, so we need to do what we tell you we’re going to do to be able to come back and do more business,” Boyles said. “We do multiple projects and markets across the country, and like we said, we’re long-term holders of this project, so we need to maintain a great relationship with the town.”

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Recreation and Cultural Resources. “Projects like this help ensure that conservation and recreation go hand-in-hand — that our natural resources are protected, while still being available for public enjoyment.”

The Deep River ows 125 miles from its headwaters near High Point, joining the Haw River near Moncure to form the Cape Fear River. The state legislature authorized the Deep River as a land and paddle state trail in 2007, making it one of 15 authorized state trails across North Carolina.

Funding from the state’s Complete the Trails Program has helped construct a bridge in Franklinville and will support improvements to the Carbonton river access. Piedmont Land Conservancy serves as the nonpro t partner implementing these projects.

“We would like to do more projects in Chapel Hill, so we need to do what we tell you we’re going to do to be able to come back and do more business.”

Bryan Boyles, Landmark Properties development manager

“The Deep River is one of Chatham County’s most important natural treasures.”

Tracy Burnett, Chatham County parks director

the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamnewsrecord.com

MARK VON HOLDEN / INVISION / AP

D’Angelo and the Vanguard perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York in 2015.

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

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2 B/R, 2 Bath - Mobile Home with Deck. No Pets or Smoking, in Bonlee and Chatham Central School District. Leave Phone # and Message. 919-837-5689. 2tp

AUCTIONS

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

SERVICES

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc

JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-5422803.

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LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-2583594.

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IN SEARCH OF SOMEONE

I met you at Dollar Tree in Siler City, you paid for a Birthday Gift Bag. I want to meet you again to thank you. I live on Hwy.902 at 11348, Bear Creek, NC. My phone # is 919-837-5280.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CARONLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY

THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ) ) FILE NO. 24E001684-180

ROBERT MICHAEL WELCH, ) Deceased.

)

ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

Having quali ed as Executor/Administrator of the Estate of Robert Michael Welch, deceased, late of Carlsbad, New Mexico, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before December 31, 2025 (90 days date) or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement.

This the 2nd day of October, 2025. (1st Thursday Publication Date) Steven Michael Welch 1202 N. Shore Drive Carlsbad, NM 88220

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 1st day of October 2025, as Administrator of the Estate of Shannon Lee BaileyHill, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of January, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 2nd day of October 2025. Ariel Clower, Administrator of the Estate of Shannon Lee Bailey-Hill 19429 Elkhart Street Harper Woods, MI 48225

Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: October 9th, 16th,23rd and 30th 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY

All persons, individuals and companies, having claims against Gerald M. Bernstein, deceased, Chatham County le no. 25E000373-180, are noti ed to present them to the executor named below, on or before January 23, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. Marc Bernstein, 220 Amber Wood Run, Chapel Hill NC 27516, 910-446-8028.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of THOMAS HENRY FERGUSON, late of CHATHAM 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 January 16, 2026 or this Notice will be pled in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make payment to the undersigned.

This the 13th day of October, 2025

Henry S. Morphis, Administrator ESTATE OF THOMAS HENRY FERGUSON PO Box 3149 Hickory, NC 28603

Henry S. Morphis, Attorney MORPHIS LAW & MEDIATION

Post O ce Box 3149 Hickory, North Carolina 28603 (828) 328-5297

PUBLISH: October 16 , 23, 30th and November 6th, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of LINVILLE GARNER, deceased, late of CHATHAM 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: 1917 BERNARD PURVIS RD BENNETT NC 27208 on or before the 5th day of JANUARY, 2026, 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 30th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025. LARRY MATTHEW SAUNDERS Personal Representative For the Estate of LINVILLE GARNER Frank C. Thigpen Thigpen and Jenkins, LLP Attorney for Estate PO Box 792 Robbins, North Carolina 27325

PUBLICATION DATES: October 2, 2025 October 9, 2025 October 16, 2025 October 23, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Sandra Portnoy Hirschman, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before January 16, 2026, 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 16th day of October, 2025. Daniel Hirschman, Executor of the Estate of Sandra Portnoy Hirschman 13001 Droughton Court Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

24E001488-180 NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

The undersigned, Daphne Hill, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Albert Roland Cooke, Jr., deceased, late of Chatham County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the day of January 21, 2026, or this notice will be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 23rd day of October 2025. Daphne Hill Executor Marie H. Hopper

Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM ACE SELF STORAGE, PURSUANT TO NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTES, CHAPTER 44A, SHALL CONDUCT A PUBLIC SALE OF THE UNITS LISTED BELOW AT IT’S FACILITY LOCATED AT 105 WEST

FIFTH STREET, SILER CITY, NC AT 11:00AM ON OCTOBER 30, 2025

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW ANY UNITS FROM THE SALE. ALL SALES WILL BE CASH TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

B-1 BARRY EDWARDS

B-2A BARRY EDWARDS

B-2B BARRY EDWARDS

B-2C BARRY EDWARDS

B-21B FRANKLIN BROWN

B-13 BLAINE FIELDS

B-21A NIKKI GOLDSTON

B-8 JEFF HARRIS

B4D PAUL JONES B-20 EARNEST ROSEBORO

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Administrator of the Estate of Charlene Margaret Gaddy 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 15th day of January, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 7th day of October, 2025.

Charles David Elder, Administrator of The Estate of Charlene Margaret Gaddy 4428 Huntsman Court Castle Hayne, North Carolina 28429

MOODY, WILLIAMS, ATWATER & LEE

ATTORNEYS AT LAW BOX 629 SILER CITY, NORTH CAROLINA 27344 (919) 663-2850 4tp

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM File Number 25E000558-180

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of D.

GABRIELLE BROUILLETTE, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16th day of January, 2026, 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. This the 16th day of October, 2025. Executor for the Estate Joseph J. DeGeorge 140 Bell Flower Court Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Attorney for the Executor Jennifer C. Noble N.C. Bar No. 33481 230 N. Elm Street, Suite 1200 Greensboro, NC 27401

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000546-180 All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against Mary H. Hodges, deceased, late of Huntington, West Virginia, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of January, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 9th day of October 2025. Audy M. Perry, Jr., Ancillary Executor c/o Hemphill Gelder, PC PO Box 97035 Raleigh, NC 27624-7035

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000472-180 ALL persons having claims against Judith-Ann Leporino, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jan 02 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This the 2nd day of October, 2025. RENEE EASTMAN, Executor C/O Lenfestey, Maxie & Burger, PLLC 5640 Dillard Drive, Suite 101 Cary, North Carolina 27518 O2, 9, 16 and 23

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 24CV0000235-180 TO: UNKNOWN HEIRS OF GAITHER RODGERS, SR; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF FREEMAN THOMAS RODGERS Take notice that pleadings seeking relief against you have been led in the above-entitled civil action. The nature of the relief being sought is for the condemnation and appropriation, for highway purposes, of a certain interests or estates in that certain parcel of land lying and being in Center Township, Chatham County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: Being that land identi ed as part of the Estate of Lillie Freeman Rodgers as set forth in the Estate of Lillie Freeman Rodgers, 83-E-213, Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court. Also, being that land identi ed as Tax Parcel ID No. 0075052 (PIN No. 9742-82-2831) containing approximately 1.300 acres and described as “K5-78K” and being located on the west side of Hillsboro Street/US Highway 15-501 immediately north of 50 Dark Oaks Drive, Pittsboro, NC, as is shown in the Chatham County Tax O ce. You are hereby required to make defense to such pleadings not later than the 18th day of November, 2026, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 9th day of October, 2025.

JEFF JACKSON

Attorney General Lisa B. Finkelstein Assistant Attorney General North Carolina Department of Justice 1505 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1505 Phone: (919) 707-4480 O9, 16 and 23

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

25E000548-180 ALL persons having claims against Sandra Kay Wicker Cameron, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jan 16 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 16th day of October, 2025.

JOHN B. CAMERON, III, Executor C/O Privette Legacy Planning 1400 Crescent Green, Suite G-100 Cary, NC 27518 O16, 23, 30 and 6

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000490-180

The undersigned, BEATRICE BARON, having quali ed on the 12th Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BEATRICE CANTIN, 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 16THDay 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 16TH DAY OF JANUARY 2026.

BEATRICE BARON, EXECUTOR 121 ANGEL WAY

CHAPEL HILL, NC 27516

*SONYA LINTON

MAGNOLIA LEGAL

3001 ACADEMY RD., SUITE 120 DURHAM, NC 27705 Run dates: O16,23,30,N6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000341-180

The undersigned, JO ANNE RUSSO AND JULIE C. RUDOWSKI, having quali ed on the 14TH Day of JULY, 2025 as ADMINISTRATORS of the Estate of BRENDA GRAHAM DOWLING, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16TH Day JANUARY 2026, 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 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025. JO ANNE RUSSO, ADMINISTRATOR 1113 RUSSET LANE APEX, NC 27523

*MAIL TO: JULIE C. RUDOWSKI, ADMINISTRATOR 10520 SABLEWOOD DRIVE #103 RALEIGH, NC 27617

Run dates: O16,23,30,N6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000542-180 The undersigned, RACHEL MITCHELL, having quali ed on the 29TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of GERALDINE WALSER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9TH Day JANUARY 2026, 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 9TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

RACHEL MITCHELL, EXECUTOR 3794 NC HWY 751 APEX, NC 27523 Run dates: O9,16,23,30p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000510-180 The undersigned, JOANNE ALSTON AND JUDY C. REAVES, having quali ed on the 16TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as CO-ADMINISTRATORS of the Estate of HAYWOOD AL REAVES, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd Day JANUARY 2026, 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 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER 2025. *JOANNE ALSTON, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 45 DAISY SCURLOCK RD. MONCURE, NC 27559 JUDY C. REAVES, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 283 PINECREST DR. BEAR CREEK, NC 27207

Run dates: O2,9,16,23p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25E000545-180

The undersigned, MICHAEL P ROULEAU, having quali ed on the 1ST Day of OCTOBER, 2025 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of PATRICIA JOAN PAIT, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16TH Day JANUARY 2026, 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 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

MICHAEL P ROULEAU, EXECUTOR 209 PARKGATE DRIVE CARY, NC 27519 Run dates: O16,23,30,N6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM NEWS

FILE#25000500-180

The undersigned, CAROLINE WOOD, having quali ed on the 10TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of SUSAN WOOD, deceased, of CHATHAM COUNTY, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2ND Day JANUARY, 2026, 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 2ND DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

CAROLINE WOOD, ADMINISTRATOR 1321 #2 CHILDS DRIVE HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278 Run dates: O2,9,16,23p

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Wayne Paul Powers, a/k/a Wayne P. Powers, a/k/a Wayne Powers, late of Chatham 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 the address below on or before January 4, 2026, 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 2nd day of October, 2025. Elaine P. Partin Executor of the Estate of Wayne Paul Powers a/k/a Wayne P. Powers a/k/a Wayne Powers The Chatham News & Record B. Pete Jarvis Tennant & Jarvis, P.C. PO Box 4585 Archdale, NC 27263 FOR PUBLICATION: October 2, October

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER PERMIT VIOLATIONS TriRiver Water in accordance with Federal and State Regulations is hereby giving Public Notice. Listed below are Signi cant Industrial Users that were in signi cant noncompliance (SNC) with national pretreatment regulations, 40 CFR Part 403, state pretreatment regulations, 15 NCAC 2H .0900, and local pretreatment regulations during the period of January 1st – June 30th 2025. Wolfspeed, Inc.-Permit Limits Violation All program industries continue to be

be plead in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of October 2025. Sandra Williams Executor Marie H. Hopper Attorney for the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Warner Smith Rackley, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned, whose mailing address is c/o CharlotteAnne T. Alexander, Colombo Kitchin Attorneys, 1698 E. Arlington Blvd, Greenville, NC 27858 on or before the 23rd day of January, 2026, 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 23rd day of October, 2025. Warner Cooper Rackley, Executor of the Estate of Warner Smith Rackley Colombo Kitchin Attorneys c/o Charlotte-Anne T. Alexander 1698 E. Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858 CHARLOTTE-ANNE T. ALEXANDER COLOMBO, KITCHIN, DUNN, BALL & PORTER, LLP Attorneys at Law 1698 E. Arlington Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF Rosemond Rocco All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Rosemond Rocco, late of Chatham, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit them to Kathleen Rocco as Executor of the decedent’s estate on or before January 24, 2026, c/o Janet B. Witchger, Attorney at Law, 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. This the 23rd day of October 2025. Kathleen Rocco, Executor c/o Janet B. Witchger, Atty. TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Touting bene ts of writing

It’s becoming Steven

Spielberg in your head

By Erika Ho man For Chatham News & Record

WRITING, like reading and other activities you can do solo, requires no fancy equipment, no coach, no eld or court, no studio nor stage. Of course, it helps to have accoutrements like a computer, a critique group and a room of one’s own, per Virginia Woolf’s advice. Yet sometimes my best writing happens on a legal pad using a cheap ballpoint pen while I’m sitting in my backyard listening to the chirping of birds.

Writing grounds a person. Often one’s monkey mind jumps from distraction to distraction or worry to worry; however, if a person settles down with pen and paper and writes out the ricocheting thoughts, her mind calms down. It’s therapeutic. It’s ushing the brain. You cleanse your mind when you write down your feelings.

Writing makes me joyful if I relive a happy moment or create a fun scene purely from my imagination. I get a kick — a

“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”

Virginia Woolf

certain satisfaction — from crafting a story. Occasionally, I’ll look back at an old photo of me that I didn’t think was attering at the time, and I’ll say to myself, “Not bad. Pretty good.” Ditto with my writing. I’ll reread a piece of mine that got published, and I’ll remark to myself: “Not bad. Pretty good.”

In addition, my hoarding nature is sated by my avocation/ vocation. I never throw anything away. I stow my scribbles in the bowels of my computer, and every so often I take out pieces and polish them the way I should do with wedding silver. I increase the sparkly. Then I hunt for a new place to display it. Sometimes a market turns up that the square peg piece might t into.

Writing feeds self-esteem. In the years since I started this

GEORGE

CHARLES BERESFORD / ADAM CUERDEN VIA WIKIPEDIA

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was an English writer and one of the most in uential modernist authors of the 20th century.

pastime or semi-vocation, I feel more con dent around others. I know few people ever get published. I feel proud of myself when I do. I’ve achieved something special. Because I have done genealogical research, I appreciate people who write and leave a re-

cord their descendants can discover. Two hundred years from now, my descendants will nd out a bit about the personality of their 10th great-grandma, and it will shed light on how folks in the early 21st century thought and what they did. Ergo, I’m creating a record of history by making my own time capsule.

Furthermore, I save my husband money by writing. When I used to get bored or stressed or down in the mouth, I’d head to the mall and shop. Now, I bang the keys. Toner and paper’s much cheaper than Nordstrom shoes.

Writing exposes me to a world of new acquaintances. Several writerly folks I’ve met are vastly di erent from me in lifestyles, philosophies and backgrounds, but because we share this obsession or passion about reporting our impressions of things, a bond forms. Nonwriting friends can’t really grasp why some of us humans feel compelled to spill our guts on paper or in cyberspace. A few who love to tweet or record on YouTube may get it, but they only understand it on a supercial level because they don’t really delve into the depths where one must be honest with oneself about how one feels. Sometimes, a person does encounter strange creatures the farther she descends into her subcon-

scious and memory, like a scuba diver who meets up with beautiful exotic sh and rare species unknown to those snorkeling on the surface, who never see what’s hidden deep below. Those who barely wade into the water have no idea what lurks in the deep recesses of the ocean. Writing opens worlds. Writers become more careful readers, more acute listeners and analytical thinkers. I’ve noticed a change in me since I started this ritual of writing. I am more thankful for life, and for the blessings and opportunities afforded me. I look at people differently from how I used to. I notice their mannerisms more, their speech patterns more and their personalities more. Writing makes me more sensitive to the human world as well as to the physical world. It ratchets up one’s ve senses. Although this essay could wind on and on about the bene ts of writing, I conclude that writing perhaps bene ts me the most in that it lls me up with contentment. I lose track of time when I’m deep into a story dream, imagining what my heroine will do next or what awful event will transpire that she’ll need to rise above. It’s becoming Steven Spielberg in your head. A movie reel is constantly running in my noggin — and no popcorn required.

Chatham schools honor 148 students who mastered English

Fourth annual celebration recognizes multilingual learners’ achievements

Chatham News & Record sta CHATHAM COUNTY Schools honored 148 students who successfully completed the English Language Acquisition program at its fourth annual Celebration of Success on Saturday at Pittsboro United

Methodist Church’s Family Life Center.

The students, who demonstrated mastery of English during the 2025 school year, are now able to fully participate in academic instruction without additional language support.

“This celebration is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our multilingual learners, their families, and our educators,” said Carrie Little, executive director of federal

programs for Chatham County Schools. “Each student honored today has reached an important milestone, and we are incredibly proud of their progress.”

The Saturday morning event included student recognitions and remarks from district ocials, teachers and community members.

“Today’s recognition is more than a celebration of language acquisition, it’s a celebration of perseverance, courage, and the

bright future that lies ahead for each of these students,” said Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson. “Our multilingual learners are a vital part of our school community, and their success enriches us all.”

The annual event, now in its fourth year, re ects the district’s commitment to supporting its multilingual learners. Chatham County Schools serves more than 8,900 students across 20 schools.

Number of students who successfully exited the English Language Acquisition program

COLLEGES from page A1

Cooper, who has studied college ROI at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. “It’s front of mind for universities today in a way that it was not necessarily 15, 20 years ago.”

Most bachelor’s degrees still worth it

A wide body of research indicates a bachelor’s degree still pays o , at least on average and in the long run. Yet there’s growing recognition that not all degrees lead to a good salary, and even some that seem like a good bet are becoming riskier as graduates face one of the toughest job markets in years. A new analysis released Thursday by the Strada Education Foundation nds 70% of recent public university graduates can expect a positive return within 10 years — meaning their earnings over a decade will exceed that of a typical high school graduate by an amount greater than the cost of their degree. Yet it varies by state, from 53% in North Dakota to 82% in Washington, D.C. States where college is more affordable have fared better, the report says.

It’s a critical issue for families who wonder how college tuition prices could ever pay o , said Emilia Mattucci, a high

school counselor at East Allegheny schools, near Pittsburgh. More than two-thirds of her school’s students come from low-income families, and many aren’t willing to take on the level of debt that past generations accepted.

Instead, more are heading to technical schools or the trades and passing on four-year universities, she said.

“A lot of families are just saying they can’t a ord it, or they don’t want to go into debt for years and years and years,” she said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been among those questioning the need for a four-year degree. Speaking at the Reagan Institute think tank in September, McMahon praised programs that prepare students for careers right out of high school.

“I’m not saying kids shouldn’t go to college,” she said. “I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Lowering college tuition, improving graduate earnings

American higher education has been grappling with both sides of the ROI equation — tuition costs and graduate earnings.

It’s becoming even more important as colleges compete for decreasing numbers of college-age studentsas a result of falling

birth rates.

Tuition rates have stayed at on many campuses in recent years to address a ordability concerns, and many private colleges have lowered their sticker prices in an e ort to better re ect the cost most students actually pay after factoring in nancial aid.

The other part of the equation — making sure graduates land good jobs — is more complicated. A group of college presidents recently met at Gallup’s Washington headquarters to study public polling on higher education. One of the chief reasons for agging condence is a perception that colleges aren’t giving graduates the skills employers need, said Kevin Guskiewicz, president of Michigan State University, one of the leaders at the meeting.

“We’re trying to get out in front of that,” he said.

The issue has been a priority for Guskiewicz since he arrived on campus last year. He gathered a council of Michigan business leaders to identify skills that graduates will need for jobs, from agriculture to banking. The goal is to mold degree programs to the job market’s needs and to get students internships and work experience that can lead to a job.

Disconnect with job market

Bridging the gap to the job market has been a persistent struggle for U.S. colleges, said Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, a think tank that studies the workforce.

Last year the institute, partnering with Strada researchers, found 52% of recent college graduates were in jobs that didn’t require a degree. Even higher-demand elds, such as education and nursing, had large numbers of graduates in that situation.

“No programs are immune, and no schools are immune,” Sigelman said.

The federal government has been trying to x the problem for decades, going back to President Barack Obama’s administration.

A federal rule rst established in 2011 aimed to cut federal money to college programs that leave graduates with low earnings, though it primarily targeted for-pro t colleges.

A Republican reconciliation bill passed this year takes a wider view, requiring most colleges to hit earnings standards to be eligible for federal funding. The goal is to make sure college graduates end up earning more than those without a degree.

Others see transparency as a key solution.

For decades, students had little way to know whether gradu-

ates of speci c degree programs were landing good jobs after college. That started to change with the College Scorecard in 2015, a federal website that shares broad earnings outcomes for college programs. More recently, bipartisan legislation in Congress has sought to give the public even more detailed data.

Lawmakers in North Carolina ordered a 2023 study on thenancial return for degrees across the state’s public universities. It found that 93% produced a positive return, meaning graduates were expected to earn more over their lives than someone without a similar degree.

The data is available to the public, showing, for example, that undergraduate degrees in applied math and business tend to have high returns at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while graduate degrees in psychology and foreign languages often don’t.

Colleges are belatedly realizing how important that kind of data is to students and their families, said Lee Roberts, chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, in an interview.

“In uncertain times, students are even more focused — I would say rightly so — on what their job prospects are going to be,” he added. “So I think colleges and universities really owe students and their families this data.”

COURTESY CHATHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS

148 students successfully exited the English Language Acquisition program.

CHATHAM SPORTS

Seaforth quarterback Annika Johansson throws deep during last week’s win over Jordan-Matthews

Girls’ volleyball, tennis playo

Local teams survive and advance in the year’s rst state tournaments

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record Volleyball

(NCHSAA playo s)

1A: On the West side of the bracket, No. 13 Chatham Central defeated conference foe No. 20 College Prep and Leadership 3-0 in the rst round Saturday. Sophomore Addison Goldston nished with a team highs of nine kills and 12 digs. Junior Chole Brewer notched 16 assists, while senior Sydney Sellers landed six service aces.

The Bears played No. 4 Bethany Community on Tuesday.

Woods Charter, the No. 2 seed in the East, played No. 15 Northside-Pinetown on Tuesday. The Wolves won the Central Tar Heel 1A conference tournament nal over Chatham Charter 3-0 on Oct. 15.

The Knights, seeded at No. 7 in the West bracket, played No. 10 River Mill in the second round Tuesday.

3A: No. 20 Northwood upset No. 13 Martin County 3-0 in the rst round of the East bracket Saturday. The Chargers set the tone with a 25-14 rst-set win, and they won a close nal set 25-21. Northwood will play No. 4 Farmville Central in the second round.

4A: In the East bracket, No. 24 Jordan-Matthews’ season ended with a 3-0 loss to No. 9 Southwestern Randolph Friday. That was the Jets’ third loss to the Cougars this season.

5A: No. 5 Seaforth will play No. 12 Currituck County in the second round of the East bracket.

Girls’ tennis (Dual Team NCHSAA playo s)

1A: In the rst round of the East bracket, No. 3 Vance Charter beat No. 6 Chatham Central 8-1. After beating No. 5 Leadership Academy 7-2 in the rst round, No. 4 Chatham Charter battled No. 1

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth’s Naomi Stevenson (1) winds up to record a kill. Stevenson and Forbes led the Hawks with 14 kills each in the conference championship loss Oct. 15.

Seaforth volleyball falls in conference tournament title

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

“We just didn’t take advantage of some opportunities, and they made some good plays.”

Scott Green

The Red Wolves, who also took the regular season conference title, got the best of the Hawks for the third time this season. “We felt like we could have won,” Seaforth coach Scott Green said.

Clean sheets for Los Jets as of Sunday

NCSSM-Morganton on Monday.

3A: After beating No. 17 Farmville Central 6-0 in the rst round of the East bracket, No. 16 Northwood fell to No. 1 Greene Central 6-0 in the second round.

5A: In the East bracket, No. 10 Seaforth defeated No. 23 Richlands 8-1 in the rst round. The Hawks defeated No. 7 West Carteret 8-1 and

moved on to play No. 2 Croatan in the third round Monday.

Individual state championship quali ers (all state championships played at Burlington Tennis Center)

1A (Nov. 1 at noon): Mak Allen and Maggie Moody (Chatham Charter, doubles)

5A (Oct. 31 at noon): Mackenzie Wray (Seaforth, individual); Ella Kristiansen and Tatum Dell (Seaforth, doubles)

Boys’ soccer Jordan-Matthews extended its win streak to four with a

Seaforth jumped out to an early lead in every set, but See ROUNDUP, page B4 See FOOTBALL, page B3 See VOLLEYBALL, page B4

The Bears’ battle with injuries resulted in a forfeit

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Seaforth 27, South Granville 7

Seaforth (4-4) put on one of its best performances of the year to win its third game in a row and narrow its path toward a conference title.

The Hawks jumped on South Granville (3-5) early, starting the game with a 7-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Duncan Parker to junior receiver Max Hinchman. On the next possession, Seaforth forced a fumble on a sack, and freshman linebacker Nolan Greiner scooped it up for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, senior Nick Gregory put the Hawks ahead by three scores with a short run to the end zone.

Seaforth’s defense ended the night with four takeaways, including interceptions by sophomore Jude O’Neill and senior Patrick Miller, and another fumble recovery in the third quarter. The Hawks held the Vikings to 157 yards of total o ense, as they’ve allowed two scores in their last two games.

Parker put the nishing touches on the win with a 9-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

Week 10: Seaforth at J.F. Webb (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Seaforth can clinch its rst ever conference title on the road at J.F. Webb (6-2) on Friday.

Straight wins by Seaforth for the rst time in program history

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Grayson Cox

Northwood, football

Northwood senior Grayson Cox earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Oct. 13.

In the Chargers’ big win over North Moore on Friday, Cox was responsible for all three of his team’s touchdowns. He threw two touchdown passes to junior receiver Raje Torres and scored by himself on a short run.

Cox has been instrumental in Northwood’s late-season spark. With his ability to hold multiple roles as a throwing quarterback and a running back for a shorthanded o ense, Cox has helped Northwood win two straight games and reach second place in the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference.

Woods Charter loses grip on conference title with road loss

The Grizzlies won both games over the Wolves this season

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

BURLINGTON — Clover Garden, rst place in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference, scored two goals in the second half to down second-place Woods Charter 3-0 and control its destiny for the conference title.

Up 1-0, freshman mid elder Andrew Elsdon knocked in a score early in the second half to put the Grizzlies up 2-0. Senior mid elder Brady Whitt landed the dagger late in the period with a score from close range.

Woods Charter su ered its rst shutout loss of the season.

“Clover Garden wanted it more than we did,” Woods Charter coach Graeme Stewart said. “Clover Garden made better decisions when they had the ball. We were too timid, we let them have too much space, and we didn’t earn the right today.”

Clover Garden struck rst about ve minutes into the game when goalkeeper Ethan Saunders launched the ball deep into Woods Charter territory, and junior Charlie Castaneda knocked it in the net.

“It was a simple mistake,”

“Clover Garden wanted it more than we did.”

Graeme Stewart

Stewart said. “We didn’t clear it and it fell to them, and they scored.”

Nevertheless, Woods Charter got plenty of opportunities to tie the game, or even take the lead, in the rst half. The Wolves earned multiple corners and missed numerous shots around the goal.

“We’ve worked extensively on nishing,” Stewart said. “It’s just making that decision and having the con dence to, in front of the goal, to just make that decision to go to the corner. When you’ve got a decent keeper like they did, obviously, it intimidates you a little bit, so what we did was we shot it right at him, which is what he played for.”

The Wolves were down important players due to injury and illness. They had 14 players available instead of their usual 19.

Woods Charter was without senior captain and mid elder Daniel Horil, who will be out for the season with a leg injury. The Wolves were also missing one of their key defenders in senior Odin Withrow. Stewart

expects Withrow to be back for the postseason.

“We’re moving people around, and it’s taken them a little while to get used to positions,” Stewart said. “Today’s disappointing because we played well on Friday against a decent team, but we didn’t turn up today.”

With the win, Clover Garden swept the regular season series against the Wolves. The Grizzlies won the rst meeting 2-1 in a game that Stewart felt his team “outplayed” and “outshot” their opponent.

Clover Garden moved to 10-0 in conference play and is now fully in the drivers’ seat for the conference title with two more league games left on its schedule.

Woods Charter fell to 7-2 in conference play.

Nevertheless, the Wolves are having one of their best seasons in recent memory, reaching 10 wins for the rst time since 2021.

“We’ve got a lot to play for,” Stewart said. “We’ve got work to do. And I was just completely honest with them about what I saw today, that we need to change. A lot of it is mental decision making and just work rate. Real basics of the game. Work rate. It doesn’t matter what you do in life, you’ve got to work.”

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Clover Garden’s Landon Sullivan (11) nds his way though Woods Charter defenders during the Grizzlies’ 3-0 win on Oct. 20.

Siler City baseball eld named after longtime youth coach

Nat Murray coached from 1963 to 2023

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Within Siler City youth baseball, his name and impact became the de nition of generational.

And although his lifetime of service is complete, it won’t stop being that way.

The Town of Siler City held a ceremony to rename Bray Park’s youth baseball eld in honor of former youth baseball coach Nat Murray on Oct. 14. Murray, 87, coached youth baseball for more than 60 years at what is now known as the Nat Murray Little League Field.

“It means a whole lot,” Murray said. “God blessed me to do it, and I pulled through it.”

Murray coached the Rotary Club team from 1963 until the team dissolved in 2023.

“It’s pretty amazing that somebody stays 60 years of doing anything,” Butch Hud-

The Warriors are also coming o a blowout win, beating Cedar Ridge 64-19. Senior running back Mikelis Hobgood tied the state record with eight rushing touchdowns last week as he rushed for 384 yards on 22 carries.

Running the ball is J.F. Webb’s identity through Hobgood, senior running back Josiah Daniel and junior Alijah Kinton. The Warriors have rushed for more than 400 yards in three straight games.

Seaforth’s defense has played well in conference play, including three straight wins in which opponents scored less than 30 points, but the unit will need to have its best night against the Warriors.

The Hawks’ o ense will also need to put points on the board should J.F. Webb’s running backs get loose. The Warriors have scored fewer than 30 points twice this season and have allowed 20 points per game in conference play.

Northwood 27, North Moore 6

Northwood (3-5) played yet another complete game to move into second place in the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference.

Senior quarterback Grayson Cox was responsible for all three touchdowns, including two passes of over 20 yards to junior receiver Raje Torres and a 5-yard touchdown run, to down North Moore (0-2).

Two eld goals from senior Leo Mortimer, one from 23 yards and the other from 30, helped the Chargers to a 13-6

“God blessed me to do it, and I pulled through it.”

Nat Murray

son said during the ceremony. Through the decades, Murray remained the same coach who led through his faith, treated his players like family and was a “stickler” for the rules. He prided himself with being fair to his players and giving each one an opportunity to play because he felt “that’s what they were (there) for.”

“I’ll say if you treat boys respectfully, in a lot of ways, it’ll come back to you,” Murray said. “And it’s come back to me. I see boys now, they’re grown men. And they come up to me, put their arm around me and say, ‘I appreciate you.’”

One of those men was Willie Snipes, who attended the ceremony with a team photo (including himself) of Murray’s 1976 championship team. Snipes

played for Murray for four years as an out elder and a pitcher. Murray taught Snipes how to pitch after noticing how he could

lead at the half. Northwood took full control with two touchdowns in the third quarter.

The Chargers’ defense held its opponent under 20 points for the second week in a row as North Moore’s run-heavy offense rushed for 141 yards on 42 attempts.

Week 10: Northwood at

Southwestern Randolph (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Northwood looks to continue its late-season surge at Southwestern Randolph (5-3) on Friday.

The Cougars are a balanced team with running threats at the quarterback, running back and receiver positions, and they can make big plays in the pass game. They have multiple ways to gain yards on the ground,

whether its hando , direct snap or a jet sweep.

The Chargers’ defense has been physically imposing in its last two games, allowing a combined three scores thanks to impressive defensive line and linebacker play. O ensively, Northwood has revived itself with unpredictable personnel and spreading the ball out to its receiving corps. A key, like always for Northwood, will be getting Torres opportunities in space, especially against man coverages.

Southwestern Randolph 48, Jordan-Matthews 18

Southwestern Randolph (5-3) outscored Jordan-Matthews (5- 4) 27-6 in the fourth quarter

throw runners out from right eld, and he would also take him home and pick him up on occasions when he didn’t have a ride.

to halt the Jets’ comeback e ort. Jordan-Matthews trailed 21-0 after a 15-yard touchdown pass to Southwestern Randolph’s Levi Dalke.

The Jets followed that with a 60-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Kamarie Hadley to junior Namir Wiley. They recovered the ensuing kicko , and shortly after, senior running back Jakari Blue made it a one-possession game with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Early in the fourth quarter, Wiley took a punt return 59 yards to the house to bring the Jets to a 21-18 de cit. However, two straight touchdown runs by Southwestern Randolph’s senior running back Brody Sheppard and a pick-six quickly ballooned into a 41-18 Cougars’ lead. Anal 3-yard touchdown run put the Cougars ahead by 30 points.

Week 10: Bye

Week 10: Chatham Central vs. South Davidson (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Chatham Central had to forfeit its Week 9 matchup due to injuries. If the Bears are able, they’ll host South Davidson (8- 0) on Friday.

South Davidson is having quite the turnaround season after going 0-10 in 2024. Senior quarterback Gage Underwood, junior George Nilsen IV and junior Duke Howell have led a dangerous rushing attack that has recorded over 250 yards in four straight games.

Chatham Central will try once again do what it can without its starting quarterback and with a banged-up roster.

Conference standings (overall, conference)

About 30 years later, Snipes helped Murray coach his son, Llamar.

“He always did stu the right way,” Snipes said. “No short cuts, no anything. Just a straight-up honest man.”

Along with the love and kind words Murray received during the ceremony, his service was rewarded with everlasting reminders of his impact.

Siler City Mayor Donald Matthews, at-large Commissioner Travis Patterson and District 2 Commissioner Curtis Brown unveiled “The Nat Murray Little League Field” sign placed just outside the ball park’s fence. Murray also received a bat engraved with his name and the date of the eld dedication.

“I asked him today how many young men’s lives has he touched,” Matthews said. “And we did not have a number. What is amazing is when you can touch the life of a young man, help shape and mold him to become a productive citizen. So Coach Murray, we take our hat o to you at this time for what job well done.”

Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Eastern Randolph (6-2, 2-0); 2. Northwood (3-5, 2-1); 3. Southwestern Randolph (5-3, 1-1); 4. Jordan-Matthews (5-4, 1-2); 5. North Moore (3-5, 0-2) Greater Triad 1A/2A: 1. Bishop McGuinness (8-1, 5-0); 2. South Davidson (8-0, 4-0); T3. South Stokes (3-5, 2-2); T3. North Stokes (2-6, 2-2); 5. Winston-Salem Prep (1-7, 1-3); 6. College Prep and Leadership (1-7, 1-4); 7. Chatham Central (1-7, 0-4) Big Seven 4A/5A: T1. Seaforth (4-4, 3-0); T1. J.F. Webb (6-2, 3-0); 3. South Granville (3-5, 2-1); 4. Orange (1-7, 1-2); 5. Carrboro (0-8, 0-3); 6. Cedar Ridge (1-7, 0-3)

Power rankings (after Week 9) 1. Seaforth 2. Northwood 3. Jordan-Matthews 4. Chatham Central Last week’s rankings: 1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; 3. Jordan-Matthews; 4. Chatham Central

Score predictions J.F. Webb 36, Seaforth 28 Northwood 23, Southwestern Randolph 20 South Davidson 49, Chatham Central 0 Prediction record: 16-9 (since Week 2 and excluding forfeited games)

Playo picture (RPI rankings, 48 teams qualify per classi cation, except 1A) 1A: 22. Chatham Central (.24366); 3A: 34. Northwood (.44656); 4A: 34. Jordan-Matthews (.44411); 5A: 39. Seaforth (.44494)

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Nat Murray, middle, holds his gifted bat alongside Siler City

Mayor Donald Matthews, left, and Butch Hudson.

FOOTBALL from page B1

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Seaforth’s Patrick Miller (0) and Owen Murray (55) celebrate after a big play in the Hawks’ win over South Granville.

Briscoe gets OT win at Talladega

The victory gives Joe Gibbs Racing two spots in the Cup Series championship nale

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joe Gibbs Racing was facing an internal mutiny just a month ago when two of its championship-eligible drivers didn’t feel the team owner’s grandson was helping his teammates try to win the Cup title.

Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, raced both Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin hard early in the playo race at New Hampshire. Gibbs wasn’t eligible for the championship, Hamlin grew frustrated at being held up by his teammate, so he wrecked Gibbs out of his way.

Sunday, Ty Gibbs pushed Chase Briscoe in overtime to the win at Talladega Superspeedway to give JGR two spots in the Cup Series’ championship race.

Briscoe is in the winner-take-all nale alongside teammate Hamlin as Toyota claimed the rst two of the four berths with one race remaining to set the championship eld.

“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty,” Briscoe said.

“This is an amazing team e ort. I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

“It’s such a competitive world.

I’m kind of used to it in football.

You get it,” Joe Gibbs said. “But over here, we got four teams, and the challenge is always trying to get them to work together. If you think about it, each driv-

er has got their own career. They got their own sponsor, and it just becomes extremely competitive.

“So sometimes you wind up with issues like that. It’s part of part of sports. Guys are, you know, very competitive and want to make it happen. And so at di erent times, you may have issues that you got to deal with.”

Briscoe, who raced to his rst career superspeedway victory, is in his rst season driving for Gibbs.

He’s now going to race for the Cup title for the rst time.

“Ty was the whole reason I won the race, he was extremely committed to me,” Briscoe said. “When I made a move, Ty went with me. He was just really sel ess in the fact of he’s going for his rst career win and could have easily tried to make a move or done something di erent. But he just pushed me to the

win and just an incredible team e ort.”

Briscoe was sixth on the restart — a two-lap sprint in overtime to the nish — and Hendrick Motorsports drivers

William Byron and Kyle Larson split the front row and lined up side-by-side for the Chevrolet drivers to control the race.

Byron was getting help from behind from fellow Chevrolet driver Carson Hocevar, a driver for Hendrick aligned Spire Motorsports. Larson’s push was from Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, who did get Larson into the lead.

There are two open spots left in the championship eld to be determined next week in thenale of the third round of the playo s. Bell and Larson are above the elimination line but neither is all that comfortable.

The race went to overtime

when Chris Buescher was leading with two laps to go and he was spun from behind by Byron, who was shoved into Buescher by Hocevar. Buescher spun across the front of the pack and slammed hard into an inside wall in a one-car crash that sent the race to overtime.

Todd Gilliland nished a career-best second and Gibbs was third. Wallace was fourth.

Elliott in early crash

Chase Elliott’s chances to advance into the nal four took a hit when NASCAR’s most popular driver was collected in the rst crash of the race.

Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was already below the cutline for elimination when he was caught in an early eight-car crash 52 laps into the race.

Elliott now goes to Martinsville Speedway in a must-win situation to advance to the title-deciding nale at Phoenix for the rst time since 2022.

Northwood’s Alyia

for an open receiver during a Week 5 ag football game. The Chargers are Chatham County’s best team with a 7-3 record.

it couldn’t nish in the nal three. In the second set, the Hawks led 5-1 before Cedar Ridge clawed back for an 8-8 tie. From there, the Red Wolves went on a run sparked by a combined ve kills from freshman outside hitter Dani Solomon, senior middle blocker Ellamarie Perel and senior outside hitter Claire Hargett. Perel and senior middle blocker Kayla Stoll combined for a block in the stretch too, helping Cedar Ridge take a 17-12 advantage.

After a couple of Cedar Ridge mistakes, freshman Naomi Stevenson sparked a counter attack for Seaforth with a kill and

two straight service aces to tie the set at 18. Both teams traded points until two straight kills from junior Ally Forbes and junior Abigail Valgus gave Seaforth a 23 -21 advantage. But instead of Seaforth taking a commanding 2-0 lead, Cedar Ridge scored the next four points, including three kills and a block assist all from Perel and senior setter Mia Marty, to the game at 1-1. Seaforth led 5-1 to begin the third set, but Cedar Ridge once again evened the odds halfway through. After another stretch of back-and-forth battling, the Hawks were threatening with a 22-20 lead, but consecutive kills from Marty and Solomon brought the Red Wolves right

6-2 victory over Eastern Randolph on Oct. 13 and a 5-0 win over North Moore on Oct. 15. The Jets have nine clean sheets as of Sunday.

Woods Charter continued to roll with a 3-0 win over Central Carolina Academy on Oct. 15 and a 4-0 win over Ascend Leadership on Friday. The Wolves, on a ve-game win streak for the rst time since 2023, have reached 10 wins for the rst time since 2021.

Northwood’s win streak grew to three with a 9-0 victory over Uwharrie Charter on Oct. 13 and a 4-0 win over Eastern Randolph on Oct. 15.

After a 1-1 draw with Cedar Ridge on Oct. 13, Seaforth got back in the win column by beating Durham School of the Arts 2-0 on Oct. 15.

Chatham Charter’s losing streak moved to four with a loss by forfeit to Clover Garden School on Oct. 13, a 6-0 loss to Southern Wake Academy on Oct. 15 and a 7-1 defeat to Eastern Randolph the next day. The Knights bounced back with a 3-2 win over River Mill Monday, beating the Jaguars for the rst time since 2019.

Conference standings as of Sunday: Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Southwestern Randolph (17-1, 6-0); 2. Jordan-Matthews (13 - 5, 5-1); 3. Northwood (9 - 5 - 5, 3-2-1); 4. North Moore (5-5-1, 2-4); 5. Eastern Randolph (5-9-3, 1-4-1); 6. Uwharrie Charter (1-8, 0-6) Central Tar Heel 1A: 1. Clo -

back to their feet. From that point, for almost every time Seaforth came close to sealing the set, Cedar Ridge had a response or caught a break. Down 24-23, Stevenson notched two straight kills to give the Hawks a one-point lead, but Hargett tied it once again. Then after a kill from Stevenson gave Seaforth set point once again, a subsequent service error and a ball hit out of bounds put Cedar Ridge back up one and allowed Stoll and Solomon to send the dramatic 28-26 nish o with a block assist.

“Your opponent always has something to do with it,” Green said about the Hawks’ inability to protect leads. “It’s just nervousness and tensing up in the

ver Garden School (14-3, 9-0); 2. Woods Charter (10-2-1, 7-1); 3. River Mill (6-11, 5-5); 4. Central Carolina Academy (5 - 8 -1, 4-4-1); 5. Ascend Leadership (6-7-1, 3-5-1); 6. Chatham Charter (4-12-1, 3-7); 7. Southern Wake Academy (4 -10, 1-9)

Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. Orange (13-5, 7-1); 2. Carrboro (9-8-1, 7-2); 3. Seaforth (6-8 -3, 4-3-1); 4. Durham School of the Arts (4-12-1, 4-5); 5. Cedar Ridge (7-7-2, 2-4-2); 6. South Granville (5-13-1, 2-7); 7. J.F. Webb (5-7-1, 1-5-1)

RPI standings as of Sunday (top 48 make state tournament)

1A: 7. Woods Charter (.55304); 29. Chatham Charter (.36027)

3A: 20. Northwood (.52853)

4A: 15. Jordan-Matthews (.58636)

5A: 29. Seaforth (.49743)

Cross-country

Big Seven 4A/5A Championship results (points)

Boys: 1. Cedar Ridge (50); 2. Orange (52); 3. Carrboro (54); 4. Seaforth (90); 5. Durham School of the Arts (105); 6. South Granville (176)

Girls: 1. Orange (51); 2. Carrboro (52); 3. Cedar Ridge (63); 4. Seaforth (64); 5. Durham School of the Arts (108); 6. South Granville (187); 7. J.F. Webb (202); Individual: Madison Putnam (Seaforth, second place)

Four Rivers 3A/4A Championship results

Boys: 1. Northwood (21); 2. North Moore (51); 3. Southwestern Randolph (91); 4.

moment. When they’re teenagers, you know, the freshmen are 14 years old, it’s just a lot to deal with. Sometimes things don’t go the way you want it. It wasn’t just the freshmen. We just didn’t take advantage of some opportunities, and they made some good plays.”

Down 18-12 in the fourth set, Seaforth made one last e ort to stay alive, coming within one point of the Red Wolves with two kills from senior Josie Valgus and three straight service aces from Forbes. The Hawks couldn’t overcome the de cit, nor tie the set, though, and Cedar Ridge sealed the win with a 25-22 set victory.

Seaforth nished the regular season and conference tour-

Eastern Randolph (119); 5. Uwharrie Charter (120); Jordan-Matthews (127); Individual: Jordan Wiley (Northwood, conference champion); Drew Yell (Northwood, second place); Coleman Wiley (Northwood, third place)

Girls: 1. Northwood (23); 2. Uwharrie Charter (49); 3. Jordan-Matthews (94); 4. North Moore (101); 5. Southwestern Randolph (111); 6. Eastern Randolph (129); Individual: Sydney Gray (Northwood, conference champion); Shiloh Teta (Northwood, second place); Ashley Perry (Northwood, third place)

Greater Triad 1A/2A Championship results

Boys: Individual: Jackson Hughes (Chatham Central, 16th place)

Girls: Individual: Ansley Pressler (Chatham Central, 13th place); Bree Thomas (Chatham Central, 20th place); Heidi Vicente (Chatham Central, 21st place)

Girls’ Flag Football

Seaforth 12, Jordan-Matthews 7

Southeast Alamance 26, Seaforth 6 Northwood 28, Eastern Alamance 6 Northwood 14, Jordan-Matthews 6

Standings through Week 5: 1. Southeast Alamance (10-0); 2. Northwood (7-3); T3. Seaforth (3-7); T3. Jordan-Matthews (3-7); 5. Eastern Alamance (2-8)

nament with a combined 15-8 record. The conference runners-up earned the fth seed and a rst-round bye in the 5A East state playo bracket, and they could possibly see Cedar Ridge, the top seed in the same bracket, once again in the fourth round.

“The loss hurts, and we felt like we could have won,” Green said. “But we had to take a step back and put things in perspective. We’re in the state tournament for the fourth year in a row. ... We’ve got practice time to improve on the things we saw that we need to improve on. The beauty of the state tournament is it’s just a reset. Start over, so we can take the ball and run with it.”

VOLLEYBALL from page B1

ROUNDUP from page B1

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Roberts looks

BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO

Chase Briscoe (19) leads the pack to the nish line for the win during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA BASKETBALL

Duke men, women projected to repeat as ACC champions

Charlotte

The Duke Blue Devils’ men and women have been picked to repeat as ACC champions. Duke’s men received 34 of 49 rst-place votes from the media panel. Louisville was second. UNC, NC State and Virginia rounded out the top ve. Wake Forest was 11th

The Duke women received 40 of the 70 rst-place votes. NC State received 25. UNC was picked third and Wake last. State’s Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre, Duke’s Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson and UNC’s Reniya Kelly were on the 10-player All-ACC rst team

NCAA FOOTBALL

Florida res coach Napier after 4-year run ends with 22-23 record

Gainesville, Fla.

Florida red coach Billy Napier a day after an error- lled win against Mississippi State. Athletic Director Scott Stricklin made the move following a 23-21 victory that looked like it was going to be gut-wrenching loss until defensive tackle Michai Boireau picked o a pass with 21 seconds remaining. Even so, the home crowd booed Napier as he sprinted o the eld. Napier went 22 -23 in four seasons at Florida, including 12-16 in SEC play. He was 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 away from home.

SOCCER

FIFA announces more than 1 million tickets sold for 2026 World Cup in North America

Miami FIFA announced that more than 1 million tickets have been sold for next year’s World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The highest demand for tickets comes from those three countries. FIFA reported that fans from 212 countries and territories have purchased tickets, even though only 28 of the 48 spots have been lled. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. The rst round of ticket sales was a lottery, with 4.5 million applicants. The next draw opens on Oct. 27.

MLB Padres manager Shildt announces retirement after 2 seasons in charge

San Diego Mike Shildt is retiring after two seasons as the San Diego Padres’ manager. The 57-year-old Charlotte native said he is retiring because “the grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally.” Shildt went 183-141 and led San Diego to two postseason appearances during his brief tenure. The Padres won 90 games this season and nished second in the NL West before being eliminated by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month in a tense three-game wild-card playo series.

Bills coach McDermott shows resolve, leans on past success

By John Wawrow The Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —

If the sky is falling in Bu alo, Bills coach Sean McDermott showed no sign of ducking for cover by instead presenting a calm, resolute front following two straight losses, and amid growing concerns over a porous defense and mis ring o ense.

This is hardly the rst time McDermott has been in this position over nine seasons in Bu alo. And it’s certainly not the rst time he enters a bye week facing what resembles a crisis for the ve-time defending AFC East champion Bills (4-2) and their Super Bowl aspirations.

Rather than make guarantees, McDermott drew upon the past in knowing the Bills have lost two straight in each of their last six seasons — but never three in a row — and still made the playo s. And then there’s McDermott’s record of 4-5 entering the break and 8-0 coming out of it.

“It’s not going to be easy. But we all have a job to do. And we all have to be accountable to one another,” McDermott said. “That’s really been the recipe for us in the past. Who knows this year, but we’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

The work began immediately with McDermott meeting with his two coordinators following Bu alo’s ight home after a 24-14 loss at Atlanta on Monday night.

On defense, McDermott’s message to Bobby Babich was getting his unit better prepared to start a game after Bu alo allowed 335 yards and 21 points in the rst half against Atlanta.

“It’s just not a great formula,” McDermott said.

Though the Bills limited the Falcons to 108 yards and three points in the second half, the lack of consistency has been a season-long issue.

“Completely understand the sense of panic,” Babich said. “But in this building, we know where we have to improve.”

On o ense, the message to Joe Brady was cutting out what McDermott’s called the “cute” plays in short-yardage situations that have back red in each of the past two outings.

How was Spoelstra o ered Olympic job? Hill didn’t have to ask

The longtime Heat coach was Grant Hill’s rst hire as Team USA director

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — At a dinner in Miami back in August, across the street from the arena where the Heat play their games, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill had a question for Erik Spoelstra.

Hill wasn’t even done asking before Spoelstra gave his answer.

“I’m in,” Spoelstra said. With that, USA Basketball had its next Olympic coach. Hill didn’t have to nish asking the question. Everybody knew the deal was done.

And now, the process of getting ready for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can ofcially begin. Spoelstra — who was announced as coach earlier this week — and Hill sat side by side, starting to lay out the plan toward what they hope is more gold for the U.S.

“We got our guy,” Hill said.

Spoelstra had his three children at the news conference, along with Heat President Pat Riley, Heat CEO Nick Arison and virtually the entire Heat coaching sta .

“I understand the expectations and the responsibility of

“We got our guy.”

Grant Hill

this position,” Spoelstra said.

If he didn’t understand, Heat players crashed the news conference to make sure he understood. Heat captain Bam Adebayo has been part of the last two Olympic gold medal wins for the U.S., and he and many other teammates were waving small American ags and chanted “U-S-A!” much to Spoelstra’s delight.

Adebayo has said he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics as well.

“Spo’s a genius,” Adebayo said.

Spoelstra worked his way through the USA Basketball ranks, rst as the coach of the select team that helped the Olympic team that Gregg Popovich coached to gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, then as an assistant under Steve Kerr for the World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Games in 2024.

“Coach Spoelstra represents everything we strive to be,” Hill said.

Spoelstra decided to take the job only after seeing how much USA Basketball welcomes family; he had his kids with him in Paris. Making commitments for both the summer of 2027 and summer of 2028 —

“We’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

Sean McDermott

Josh Allen lost a fumble on a botched hando to tight end Dawson Knox to end the opening drive of a 23-20 loss to New England two weeks ago. A similar play failed again against Atlanta, with receiver Elijah Moore recovering Allen’s fumble on third-and-1 at mid eld in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I feel we’re better than that, and we need to be better next time,” McDermott said. The Bills, who travel to play Carolina (3-3) on Oct. 26 upon their return, are suddenly regarded as an unknown quantity with four wins against teams entering Week 7 with a combined record of 3-21.

O ensively, Brady and Allen might have to gure things out with the players they have in a passing attack that’s shown signs of regression and lacks a reliable deep threat. Barring GM Brandon Beane getting creative, Bu alo has minimal

salary cap space to make a signi cant move before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4.

Beane continues backing his o season roster-building plan in which he added free agents Moore and Joshua Palmer to a receiving group that returned Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.

Palmer was o to strong start with two catches for 60 yards against Atlanta before going down with an ankle injury. With tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) out, no one was able to pick up the slack with Shakir nishing with three catches for 33 yards.

Meantime, Brady was second-guessed for failing to lean more on running back James Cook, who had 87 yards rushing on 17 carries before not getting another touch in the nal 11 minutes.

“There’s got to be a level of urgency. We’re not OK with how we’ve played,” Brady said.

“But unfortunately we’ve been in this position before, and I believe in the coaches and the players that we’re going to gure it out,” he added. “We’re going to come up with solutions and kind of hit the ground running again.”

always busy times for kids — wouldn’t have happened if his family couldn’t be along for the ride.

“The culture of family within USAB is simply remarkable,” Spoelstra said. “The experience that we had as a family at the Olympics will be memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. So, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Spoelstra has been with the Heat for more than 30 years now, starting in the video room — he actually was hired shortly before the franchise brought Riley in to lead the basketball operations in September 1995 — on his way to becoming head coach. He’s been with the Heat for all three of their NBA titles, the last two coming with him as head coach.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity of these 30 years to work for the Heat,” Spoelstra said.

Spoelstra will become the 17th di erent coach to take the U.S. men into an Olympics. Of the previous 16, 14 led the team to at least one gold medal.

Spoelstra was believed to be under consideration when Hill — in what was his rst major decision as managing director of the men’s national team.

Hill made that decision with Spoelstra in mind for this Olympic cycle, even orchestrating that he spend some time with Popovich after the Tokyo Games to plant some seeds.

“It worked out,” Hill said.

Spoelstra indicated that USA Basketball might take a little time before nalizing his group of assistants, and Hill said it may go into next year.

“We’ve just talked loosely about it, but really no specifics yet,” Spoelstra said. “We’ll start with the initial conversations about the pool of candidates and then also the sta , then start to talk loosely about the logistics of the World Cup.”

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Erik Spoelstra, left, and USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill hold up a jersey after Spoelstra was introduced as USA Basketball men’s national team head coach.

Bu alo will try to snap its losing streak at Carolina

COLIN HUBBARD / AP PHOTO

Bu alo Bills head coach Sean McDermott walks on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Michigan haunted house teaches how to scare

At Scare School, actors learn all the tricks of the trade

By Mike Householder The Associated Press

PONTIAC, Mich. — Grotesque makeup, menacing props and intimidating costumes are just one part of a Michigan haunted house’s 25-year-old formula to terrify guests.

It starts by educating the actors looking to provide the most horrifying experience to its visitors.

Lessons begin weeks before the four-level walk-through scream factory opens to visitors, introducing fresh talent to the getups, face paint and unnatural body movements proven to petrify thousands of customers since the turn of the century.

The actors’ report card of sorts is the “Wimp Out Score Board” in Erebus Haunted Attraction’s ground-level lobby, tallying the numbers of visitors who ee before making it through all four levels or who join the “wetters, pukers & fainters” total.

The one-time abandoned parking structure in Pontiac consistently lands on lists of the scariest haunted houses in America. Operations managers and brothers Zac and Brad

“Fear is not an accident. Fear is an art.”

Zac Terebus, Erebus Haunted Attractions

Terebus said the coaching and training performers receive isn’t just about what they wear or how loud they can shout.

“Scare School really comes down to the psychology of fear,” Zac Terebus said.

In the weeks before Erebus opened for the Sept. 19-Nov. 2 Halloween season, managers auditioned and hired dozens of scare actors, then coached them to be as frightening as humanly — or rather, supernaturally — possible.

In an upstairs room in early September, Erebus veterans schooled the newbies on the ner points of zombie shu ing and demon shrieking, walking on stilts and wielding a spiked (plastic) club. The new hires also learned about makeup application, costuming, how to get into their roles and personas as well as rules about interacting with the guests.

It’s all part of an e ort to bring out their inner end, Brad Terebus said.

“Let’s say they’re a lawyer by day,” he said. “They can come here, break their shell o and just release this monster with-

in them.”

Alan Tucker, who portrays a bloodthirsty clown, said scare acting is “therapeutic.”

“You never really think that you can be something else for a couple hours and scare people. But then when you really actually get to do that, it’s so entertaining. It’s so ful lling,” said Tucker.

Renee Piehl is in her third year, this time around playing Nyx, based on the Greek goddess of night, who frightens guests waiting in line to enter the haunt.

“They come here to be scared. It’s Halloween. It’s fun,” she said.

Plus, the scarier the actors are, the bigger the numbers will get on the Wimp Out Score Board.

The board currently lists 10,711 “wimps” and 1,246 “wetters, pukers & fainters” both cumulative totals since the Terebuses’ father and uncle opened the attraction.

“What we have throughout the haunted house, we call them ‘chicken exits.’ They’re actually re exits,” Zac Terebus said. “But, at any point in the show, if you say, ‘I want out,’ we take you out, we escort you down, you end up here in the exit lobby, you can wait for your group to come on out.

“It’s a competition among our monsters to see who can really scare the pee out of somebody.”

RYAN SUN / AP PHOTO

Visitors walk past an electronic “Wimp Board” at the Erebus Haunted House in Pontiac, Michigan.

this week in history

Beirut truck bombing kills 241 American service members, shootout at O.K. Corral, Harvard established

The Associated Press

OCT. 23

1915: An estimated 25,000 women marched on Fifth Avenue in New York City in support of women’s su rage.

1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf began. The largest naval battle of World War II resulted in a major Allied victory against Japanese forces, paving the way for the retaking of the Philippines.

1956: A student-sparked revolt against Hungary’s Communist rule began. As the revolution spread, Soviet forces entered the country, ending the uprising on Nov. 4.

1983: A suicide truck bombing at the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut killed 241 American service members, most of them Marines, while a near-simultaneous attack on French barracks killed 58 paratroopers.

OCT. 24

1861: The rst transcontinental telegraph message was sent by Chief Justice Stephen

J. Field of California from San Francisco to President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.

1931: The George Washington Bridge, connecting New York City with New Jersey, was dedicated.

OCT. 25

1859: Radical abolitionist John Brown went on trial in Charles Town, Virginia, for his failed raid at Harpers Ferry.

1929: Former Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall was convicted of taking bribes for oil eld leases in the “Teapot Dome scandal,” becoming the rst U.S. Cabinet member imprisoned for crimes in o ce.

OCT. 26

1825: The Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1861: The legendary Pony Express o cially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.

1881: Four lawmen, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, exchanged gun re with ve outlaws, killing three of them, in the “Shootout at the O.K. Corral” in Tombstone, Arizona.

Albert B. Fall, former secretary of the Interior, leaves the District of Columbia Court House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 25, 1929, after having been found guilty of accepting a bribe of $100,000 in connection with the lease of the Navy’s Elk Hills Oil Reserve.

OCT. 27

1995: A sniper killed one soldier and wounded 18 others during an outdoor physical training session at Fort Bragg.

2004: The Boston Red Sox won their rst World Series since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.

OCT. 28

1886: The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, was dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland.

1636: The General Court of Massachusetts passed a legislative act establishing Harvard College.

1858: Rowland Hussey Macy opened his rst New York store at Sixth Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan.

1919: Congress passed the Volstead Act, which provided the means for enforcement of a Prohibition era ban on alcohol, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto.

OCT. 29

1929: Black Tuesday descended on the New York Stock Exchange. Prices collapsed amid panicked selling and thousands of investors were wiped out as America’s Great Depression began.

1969: The first-ever computer-to-computer link was established on ARPANET, the precursor to the internet. 1998: Sen. John Glenn, at age 77, returned to space aboard the shuttle Discovery, making him the oldest person to fly in space at the time.

Reese rst pro athlete to walk in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

The lingerie showcase began in 2001

By Jonathan Landrum Jr.

The Associated Press

ANGEL REESE took her game from the court to the catwalk and made history along the way.

The Chicago Sky forward became the rst professional athlete to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last Wednesday, joining the brand’s high-pro le “Wings Reveal” lineup in New York.

“It was destined for me,” Reese said during an interview before the show began. “This is already for me. I’m so happy to be sitting in this room with so many amazing models and women. The team that put this all together has been amazing. I’m so excited.”

Reese said she hired a modeling coach to “perfect my walk.”

“I walk, sleep, hoop,” she said. “And I hoop, sleep, walk.”

Reese, 23, made her debut on the Victoria Secret runway wearing pink oral lingerie set adorned with blossoms and lace detailing, paired with a dramatic feathered stole draped across her arms. The wrap was covered in soft pink and rose-toned textures.

The 6-foot-3 Reese donned the signature angel white wings that have de ned the show for

“It was destined for me. This is already for me.”

Angel Reese

decades, a new stage for an athlete known for her con dence, charisma and crossover appeal. She walked to the tune of Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh.)”

Reese is a former Louisiana State University national champion and NCAA tournament most outstanding player in 2023.

“One of her biggest dreams was to walk this show,” said celebrity stylist Law Roach, a co-host on the pink carpet who helped reinvent Zendaya, turned Celine Dion into a fashion icon and is a close friend to Reese.

“We had a conversation. I told her, ‘I don’t think that’s a big dream at all.’” Roach said. “And for that to happen in a year or less, that she’s walking the show and, I mean, she looks stunning, like the hair, the makeup, her presence, she’s ready, she’s excited. That makes me the proudest because she’s the one out of most of the girls I have, you know, the kind of deepest connection with.”

The show was livestreamed on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Prime Video in the U.S.

solutions

The show is a mix of music and celebrities, with Madison Beer sporting pink wings performing “Make You Mine” with lin-

gerie-clad models strutting on the catwalk. Reese has become one of the most visible gures in women’s

sports. Her style, outspokenness and social media in uence have helped bridge the gap between sports, fashion and pop culture.

AP PHOTO

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO Angel Reese walks the runway during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last Wednesday in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

*Must

famous birthdays this week

“Weird Al” Yankovic turns 66, Bootsy Collins is 74, Hilary Clinton hits 78, Julia Roberts is 58

The Associated Press

OCT. 23

Film director Philip Kaufman is 89. Advocate and humanitarian Graça Machel is 80. Film director Ang Lee is 71. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 69. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 69. Film director Sam Raimi is 66. Comedic musician “Weird Al” Yankovic is 66.

OCT. 24

Rock musician Bill Wyman is 89. Actor F. Murray Abraham is 86. Actor Kevin Kline is 78. Actor B.D. Wong is 65. Fashion designer Zac Posen is 45. Singer-rapper Drake is 39.

OCT. 25

Marion Ross is 96. Author Anne Tyler is 84. Rock singer Jon Anderson (Yes) is 81. Political strategist James Carville is 81. Basketball Hall of Famer Dave Cowens is 77. “Miracle on Ice” team captain Mike Eruzione is 71. Actor Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 68.

OCT. 26

Musician Milton Nascimento is 83. Actor Jaclyn Smith is 80. TV host Pat Sajak is 79. Hillary Rodham Clinton is 78. Musician Bootsy Collins is 74. Actor-singer Rita Wilson is 69. Singer Natalie Merchant is 62. Country singer Keith Urban is 58.

OCT. 27

Actor-comedian John Cleese is 86. Author Maxine Hong Kingston is 85. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 83. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is 80. Author Fran Lebowitz is 75. Actor-director Roberto Benigni is 73. Internet news editor Matt Drudge is 59.

OCT. 28

OCT.

Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens is 88. Actor Jane Alexander is 86. Actor Dennis Franz is 81. Actor-singer Telma Hopkins is 77. TV personal-

ity and Olympic gold medal decathlete Caitlyn Jenner is 76. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is 70. Actor Julia Roberts is 58.

29

Actor Richard Dreyfuss is 78. Actor Kate Jackson is 77. Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin is 72. Actor Dan Castellaneta (“The Simpsons”) is 68. Actor Joely Fisher is 58. Actor Winona Ryder is 54.

PAUL R. GIUNTA / INVISION / AP PHOTO

“Weird Al” Yankovic turns 66 on Thursday.

STEFAN JEREMIAH / AP PHOTO

Former Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner turns 76 on Tuesday.

AMEL EMRIC / AP PHOTO

English actor John Cleese, co-founder of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” turns 86 on Monday.

the stream

Brandi Carlile, ‘A House of Dynamite,’ Demi Lovato, ‘Nobody Wants This’

A prequel series to Stephen King’s “It” lands on HBO Max

The Associated Press

KATHRYN BIGELOW’S nuclear fallout thriller “A House of Dynamite” and albums from Brandi Carlile and Demi Lovato 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 this week: Season 2 of “Nobody Wants This” sees things get more serious between Adam Brody’s rabbi and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host, Ninja Gaiden 4 asks gamers to ght their way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures, and director Ben Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents with “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

An old genre — the hypothetical nuclear fallout thriller — returns in Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” (Friday on Netix), a minute-by-minute White House drama in which a mystery missile is bearing down on Chicago. The lm tells the 18-minute run-up to impact from three di erent perspectives, with an ensemble including Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos and Idris Elba, as the president. In my review, I wrote: “With riveting e ciency, Bigelow constructs a taut, real-time thriller that opens explosively but dissipates with each progressive iteration.”

In “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, while re ecting on how their show business lives in uenced those of his own family. The lm, premiering Friday on Apple TV, is a distinctly family a air, that culls from the extensive archives of Meara and Stiller, who recorded as much in their private lives as they did in lm and television.

Howard’s “Eden” (now on Prime Video) is based on a true story about a group of disillusioned Europeans who in 1929 sought to create a utopia on an island in the Galápagos. It didn’t go so well. Howard’s lm struggled mightily at the box o ce despite a starry cast including Jude Law, Ana de Ar-

mas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Thursday, the contemporary R&B talent Miguel returns with his rst full-length in nearly a decade. The bilingual “Caos” (the Spanish word for “Chaos”) is the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s “War & Leisure,” and marks a conceptual pivot for the musician. “To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos,’” Miguel said in a press statement. “Through my personal evolution, I learned that transformation is violent. ‘Caos’ is the son-

ic iteration of me bending that violence into something universally felt.” Who is busier than Carlile? Just a few months ago, the musician known for melding folk, alt-country, rock and Americana partnered with the great Elton John for a charming collaborative album, “Who Believes In Angels?” Now, on Friday, she’s gearing up to release a new solo album, “Returning to Myself,” her rst since 2021’s “In These Silent Days.” If you need any recon rmation of her timeless talent, cue up “A War with Time,” written by Carlile and frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Aaron Dessner of The National. And on piano/back-

“To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos.’”

ground vocals? That’s Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.

It’s a “BRAT” autumn for Demi Lovato, whose ninth studio album, “It’s Not That Deep,” embraces club-dance rhythms in addictive pop songs. That’s a noted departure from her last two records, 2022’s “Holy Fvck” and 2023’s “Revamped,” which leaned more traditionally rock ’n’ roll. Both modes work for Lovato: give her space to belt with some edge, and she’ll fashion an earworm.

SERIES TO STREAM

As we get closer to Halloween, a number of new horror shows debut this month. Sam Cla in (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) stars in a new Prime Video mystery from bestselling author Harlan Coben. He plays a forensic psychiatrist who nds himself connecting the dots between a number of cold cases after his father’s death. “Harlan Coben’s Lazarus” is streaming now.

The delightful TV romance between Brody’s rabbi, Noah,

and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host named Joanne carries on Thursday in Net ix’s “Nobody Wants This.” Season 2 picks up shortly after the rst season ended with the two characters attempting to blend their lives as they get more serious. Joanne is also still grappling with the idea of committing to Judaism because it’s a non-negotiable for Noah. In a world that seems to have just gotten more complex in the past year, investing in these two ctional characters’ relationship is a great distraction. Team Joah!

AMC continues to adapt and draw from the works of Anne Rice (known as the Immortal Universe) with “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order.” Debuting Sunday on AMC+, it’s about a secret society that tracks immortals like witches, vampires and the like.

A prequel series to the “It” lms called “It — Welcome to Derry” (thankfully not titled “Stephen King’s: It — Welcome to Derry” and therefore less of a tongue twister), arrives on HBO Max also on Sunday. Set in 1962, Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star as Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, couple who moves to Derry, Maine, with their son and begin to recognize the town is pretty creepy.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 puts you in the cape of a bloodsucker named Phyre who has been asleep for a century and has somehow woken up in Seattle. But you are not alone — a “vampire detective” named Fabian has infected your blood and will update you on grunge, that “Twilight” nonsense and 21st-century goth culture. That includes six competing vampire clans, some brutal, some sneaky and some just outright seductive. Take a bite on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

If you don’t want to be a vampire for Halloween, why not try on Ninja Gaiden 4? In a near-future Tokyo, a prodigy named Yakumo must ght his way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures as he tries to lift a curse from his neon-drenched city. He soon crosses paths with Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary hero of the previous Gaiden games. The swords are swinging on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

EROS HOAGLAND / NETFLIX VIA AP

Kyle Allen stars in director Kathryn Bigelow’s latest thriller, “A House of Dynamite.”

JASIN BOLAND / VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby play Europeans seeking a new life in the Galapagos Islands in “Eden,” Ron Howard’s lm based a true story.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Adam Brody is back as the loveable rabbi in the second season of “Nobody Wants This.”

Miguel

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

Help shape Wallace’s new downtown mural

Wallace The Town of Wallace is creating a new mural to celebrate the spirit, history and future of Wallace. This mural will be part of the Legacy NC 100 Murals in 100 Counties initiative, led by artist Max Dowdle. To help bring the mural to life, the Town of Wallace is seeking input from the public. Please visit the Wallace Facebook page to take a short survey or send your suggestions to mail@wallacenc.gov.

Community leaders honored at NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet

Duplin County The Duplin County NAACP hosted its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Oct. 18, recognizing community leaders and raising funds for student scholarships. Awards presented included: Civic Engagement Community Service Award: Commissioner Wayne Branch; Living Legend Award: Melvin Felton; Trailblazer of Freedom Award: Jessica Thomas; Environmental Justice Award: Marzella Morrisey; Game Changer Award: Ykeshia Parker (on behalf of Southern Roots); and Legacy of Excellence Award: Delilah Gomes.

Town clerk earns national recognition for municipal excellence

Wallace The Town of Wallace honored Town Clerk Jacqueline Nicholson last week for receiving the EPP Bronze Achievement from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. The award is given to municipal clerks who meet rigorous educational standards and make signi cant contributions to their local government, community, and state.

NC Poultry

Jubilee returns

Rose Hill

The NC Poultry Jubilee returns to downtown Rose Hill on Nov. 7-8 to celebrate North Carolina’s rich poultry heritage at the home of the World’s Largest Frying Pan in Rose Hill. The event will feature live music, local vendors, and lots of fried chicken.

Duplin breaks ground at Airpark

Local and state leaders celebrated the construction of two shell buildings meant to spur economic growth

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — A large group of county and town leaders along with representatives from various industries and the state gathered at the Duplin Airpark Industrial Complex next to Duplin County Airport on Oct. 14 to break ground on the rst of two large shell buildings being constructed through a project initiated by the Duplin County Economic Development Commission. One of the speakers at the

event was N.C. House District 4 Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin), who has played a vital role in securing state funding for the shell building projects in the county.

Dixon told Duplin Journal before the groundbreaking that the developments can all be attributed to one important part of Duplin County — agriculture.

“It’s almost impossible to think about the development out here without thinking about what is bringing it about, and that is our magni cent livestock facilities, livestock production here in Duplin County,” Dixon said. “The world needs protein, and we produce a lot of it in Duplin County.”

Dixon added that agriculture has a $111 billion economic impact in North Carolina and 71

% of that income comes from livestock — chickens, turkeys, hogs and cattle produced in the state.

“This is important for the

county because it symbolizes growth and development, and a vision and a mission, not

Dixon appointed to redistricting committee

The lawmaker will assist in shaping legislative and congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore appointed Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) to the North Carolina House

Agri-Waste Technology proposes an a ordable alternative for East Log Cabin and Calico Bay roads

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — The Teachey Board of Commissioners heard a presentation from a representative of Agri-Waste Technology (AWT) of Cary at its Oct. 13 meeting on the company’s recommendation for a solution to the longtime sewage issue for residents on East Log Cabin Road. The company has been evaluating the issue under funding provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Dept, of Agriculture. AWT specializes in on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Select Committee on Redistricting, a legislative body responsible for overseeing the state’s redistricting process for the 2025-26 legislative session.

The 15-member committee, established Oct. 14, will oversee the state’s redistricting e orts ahead of the 2026 election cycle and is tasked with evaluating, drafting, and recommending changes to North Carolina’s legislative and congressional district maps.

enced the same issues. They discovered both areas were experiencing untreated wastewater on the soil surface, which contributed to untreated waste being introduced to surface waters of a nearby creek. The problem was forcing residents to have their tanks pumped frequently and, in some cases, being forced to cut back on water usage in fear of septic tanks over owing. It not only a ected the existing homeowners but also created limited options for new construction in those neighborhoods.

“The soils in this area leave very, very few options that would be deemed affordable for typical onsite repairs,” Davidson said.

Davidson told the board that previous solutions to the problem seemed to focus on the East Log Cabin Road area being annexed into the Teachey town limits, which most residents opposed. As a result, he recommended the town encourage the county to create a $2.00

The representative, Kevin Davidson, said the company conducted site visits in 2024 at both the East Log Cabin Road community as well as the Calico Bay Road community, which has experi-

As a longtime legislator, Dixon is one of nine Republicans on the committee.

“Duplin has a good seat at this decision-making table,” he told Duplin Journal.

The work of the committee will play a central role in shaping the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections.

The committee will submit a nal report by May 1, 2026, and has the authority to propose new legislative maps and engage consultants to support its work.

JOURNAL

PHOTOS

N.C. House Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) gives remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the rst of two 50,000-square-foot shell buildings being built at the Duplin County Airpark on Oct. 14.

Carrie Shields, Duplin County Deputy County Manager, welcomes local and state dignitaries to the groundbreaking ceremon at the Duplin County Airpark.

Duplin Journal www.duplinjournal.com

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AIRPARK from page A1

just from our economic development board, but our county commissioners as well as all state and local leaders,” Carrie Shields, deputy county manager, told Duplin Journal.

Shields served as the county’s economic development executive director before leaving brie y for another role and then returning in her current role.

“This is especially special to me because I worked with the economic development board to develop a master plan,” Shield said of the construction of the new shell buildings in the Airpark. “This is the rst step of our master plan, to see this become a reality.”

While the shell building construction is just getting underway, Shields added there is already interest in the property.

“We’ve had several prospects that have looked at this site, as well as our sites in SouthPark and our neighboring industrial park,” she said. “We’re working with North Carolina Southeast to bring business and industry here, as well as North Carolina Commerce.”

In addition to Dixon and Shields addressing those attending the groundbreaking ceremony, other speakers included Charley Farrior, chairman of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission; Scotty Summerlin, executive director of the Duplin County Economic Development Commission; and Dexter Edwards, chairman of the Duplin County Board of Commissioners.

The two new shell buildings being constructed at the Airpark by Daniels and Daniels are each 50,000 square feet in size.

Share with your community!

Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements to community@ duplinjournal.com

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THURSDAY

Longtime ECU Health Duplin Hospital Council director retires

After 17 years of service, Tom Fife has retired as director of the ECU Health Duplin Hospital Development Council. Fife was recently honored by ECU Health for his dedicated leadership. His commitment to strengthening the local community was a hallmark of his tenure.

Housing rehab grant moves forward

Project oversight, tax reform gridlock and the future of the Farm Act were discussed at the October meeting

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Leaders discussed a proposal for a federal grant aimed at housing improvements, received a legislative update from Rep. Jimmy Dixon and heard public concerns about transparency at this month’s Duplin County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Josh Outlaw from The Adams Company conducted the second of two required hearings to formally announce the county’s intent to apply for a Community Development Block Grant under the Neighborhood Revitalization category. The county is seeking the maximum amount of $950,000 in federal grant funds to support housing-related improvements. The proposed project involves the demolition and reconstruction of four homes: 1299 Botanicus Road in Mount Olive, 401 North Monk St. in Magnolia, 120 Cedar Lane in Rose Hill and 1637 Highway 24/50 in Warsaw.

“We will also include three alternates, which will just be rehabilitations in case someone isn’t eligible,” Outlaw said. The alternate properties are located at 114 Moore St. in Teachey, 703 Penny Branch Road in Warsaw and 1061 Pastor Branch Road in Rose Hill. The project’s total budget will consist of $855,000 for housing and $95,000 for grant administration.

Because of funding limitations, only four homes could be selected. Outlaw noted that community participation has improved, with more residents becoming aware of and responsive to available grant opportunities.

County o cials also discussed the re nancing of

the 2016 Limited Obligation Bonds, which could result in an estimated $1.5 million in savings over the life of the debt. Proposals were sent to lending institutions in late September, and anal lender selection is expected by Nov. 3, with formal approval of nancing documents anticipated at the Dec. 1 Board of Commissioners meeting.

North Carolina House Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) addressed the Duplin County Board of Commissioners to share updates on the state budget, the Farm Act and to express gratitude for the board’s service. Re ecting on his own transformation — from criticizing local leaders to becoming a supporter — he emphasized the importance of building up rather than tearing down public institutions.

Dixon highlighted the productive relationship between the county and state leadership, crediting Duplin’s governance with helping secure major funding. Over the past three budget cycles, he and Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson) were able to direct $88 million in state funding to Duplin County.

On the budget front, Dixon warned that continued reliance on a permanent continuation budget — while preventing shutdowns — has created complacency. He shared a major sticking point in current negotiations between the House and Senate involves income tax rate “triggers.” The House wants to adjust them to re ect in ation and prevent future decits, while the Senate sees that move as a tax increase. Dixon explained that without a change, the state could face a $3 billion to $5 billion shortfall within three years.

Finally, Dixon provided insight into delays in passing the 2025 Farm Act. Disagreements between the House and Senate over raw milk sales, present use value de nitions

and herbicide labeling have stalled progress. He emphasized the importance of provisions like protecting crop theft penalties, composting for equine mortality and school absence exibility for equestrian students.

Jessica Thomas, a Sarecta resident and leader of the Duplin County Coalition for Accountability and Transparency, raised concerns with Dixon about the handling of the $1.5 million allocated last year for clearing and snagging the Northeast Cape Fear River. She questioned why the funds appeared to be directed only to the river’s rst section and expressed alarm that Alliance Integrated Solutions may have bypassed the county’s standard bidding process, which typically involves oversight from the Soil and Water Board and the Board of Commissioners.

“That money is eligible for anything from Chinquapin to the ocean,” said Dixon, acknowledging the project. He didn’t, however, directly address the other concerns.

On broader state issues, Dixon stressed the urgent need for a statewide employment strategy, highlighting the signi cant shift in the job market over the past 15 years. Previously secure public sector jobs now face intense competition from private employers for skilled workers. He also raised concerns about more than 65% of the General Assembly’s nonpartisan research sta nearing retirement within seven years, which he believes poses a challenge for long-term policy development. Additionally, he addressed a rumor about Senate Bill 50, which would allow universal concealed carry without training for those as young as 18.

The county’s personnel policy review process continues, with plans to involve larger working groups, including legal input, before a nal version is presented to the board for review and approval.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County.

Oct. 28

Trunk-or-Treat at the Library

6:30 p.m.

Join the Duplin County Library for a festive Trunk-or-Treat at the Events Center. This is a safe, family-friendly Halloween celebration for kids of all ages. Come in costume and enjoy treats, fun and community spirit.

195 Fairgrounds Drive, Kenansville

Oct. 31

Magnolia Trunk-or-Treat

7 p.m.

Join the annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat event at the Magnolia Fire Department, featuring a costume contest. Arrive on time to participate and be judged. This fun, safe event provides a festive outlet for families and children to celebrate Halloween together.

110 Taylor St., Magnolia

Haunted Museum & Trick-or-Treat

6-8 p.m.

Get ready for a spooky good time at the annual Haunted Museum & Trickor-Treat at the Cowan Museum in Kenansville and enjoy an evening of frightful fun and familyfriendly trick-or-treating. Free admission.

411 S. Main St., Kenansville

Nov. 1

Warsaw Veterans Day Parade

11 a.m.

The Town of Warsaw will host its 105th Annual Veterans Day Parade, honoring the service and sacri ce of our nation’s heroes. Recognized as North Carolina’s o cial Veterans Day Parade and the longest-running consecutive Veterans Day Parade in the United States, the event draws participants and spectators from across the region. Highlights of the day include a memorial service, a parachute jump, and an aerial yover, followed by community activities such as a barbecue fundraiser and museum tours. Downtown Warsaw

COURTESY ECU HEALTH DUPLIN

Faison’s growth held back by idle properties

Even as new projects break ground in Faison’s ETJ, stalled renovations are slowing down development

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

FAISON — Like many other towns in the county, the northern Duplin County town of Faison is experiencing growth, according to Mayor Billy Ward. Much of the growth is just outside of town limits within the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). One of the projects is a new subdivision being developed known as Everwoods.

“They’re building the subdivision o of Highway 403 between Faison and North Duplin High School,” Ward told Duplin Journal. “It’s actually in our ETJ, so they’re going to be hooked up to our water. The water is in, the re hydrants are in,

and they’re building the roads.”

Ward said the plans call for 18 half-acre lots, each with a house.

He said he noticed that while equipment remains on the property, work seems to have stopped a few weeks ago. He didn’t speculate on what has caused the pause in construction.

On the commercial front, Ward mentioned that development is progressing but at a slow pace. One notable incoming business is a truck stop being constructed within Faison’s ETJ near the intersection of N.C. Highway 403 and U.S. Highway 117.

“It’s supposed to be a truck stop, a convenience store and a fast-food restaurant all in one building,” Ward said, adding the developer has not disclosed what brand name the truck stop or fast-food restaurant will be.

The projected completion date is 2027-28. Ward said he nds business development and opportuni-

ties within Faison’s town limits frustrating at times. One of those frustrations involves the former Piggy Wiggly grocery store property that was purchased with the intent of putting another grocery store there.

“The building has been empty now for ve years and they have been slowly working on it here or there,” Ward said. “If you walk to the front door of the store and look inside, it looks just like the day they left it. It

Growth in Wallace makes demolition grant tougher sell

The town is seeking $556,000 in federal funds to tear down abandoned structures

By Curt Simpson For Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Signs of economic progress can be seen in many parts of Wallace, with new home neighborhoods and businesses popping up in several locations. That’s the good news. The challenge is that such growth now makes it more di cult to qualify for state funds to get certain types of projects done.

One such project is the demolition of the old C.W. Dobbins School building at 908 N.Teachey Road. Following a brief public hearing last Thursday night, the town council voted unanimously to move forward in requesting $556,400 in Community Development Block Grant funding for “slum and blight demolition” to remove the old school building and three abandoned homes that are situated within the boundaries of Farrior Park at Boney Mill Pond.

The grant request should completely cover the cost of the work, including the remediation of any hazardous materials like asbestos that may be found on the sites. No local tax dollars would be spent on the project.

Project Manager Chip Bartlett explained to the council in a presentation on the project that, while the work is needed, funding is going to be tight this year and there are no guarantees that the grants will

Many communities in the western part of North Carolina, which was hit hard by Hurricane Helene in 2024, will be competing for some of the same dollars. Further complicating matters is the fact that Duplin County is now considered a Tier 2 county in the way the state de nes areas of economic distress. As reported by Duplin Journal last December, the state classi es all 100 counties each year, placing the 40 most economically distressed in Tier 1, the next 40 in Tier 2, and the 20 most prosperous in Tier 3. The shift to Tier 2 means Duplin County is now eligible for fewer funding opportunities than before. If the grant is awarded, the town will be required to complete a redevelopment plan for the 31⁄2-acre site where the school is currently sitting to

The highlighted section from the Duplin County GIS Map shows the 3 1⁄2-acre Dobbins School site that is scheduled for demolition and redevelopment.

who would be interested in purchasing the property once it is ready.

If the grant is awarded later this year, Bartlett recommended that another public hearing be held as the process continues to make sure that citizens have some input in how this project moves forward. Fritz added that the town Planning Department is always open to accepting comments from the public, as well.

In other business, the council agreed to install a street light in hopes of improving safety at the intersection of Summer eld Drive and N.C. 11, at the entrance of the Summer eld subdivision.

Council also voted to set up public hearings for rezoning of several parcels during their scheduled meeting Nov. 13. A former salvage yard on N.C. 41 in the Tin City area is proposed to be rezoned from RA20 to Highway Business; and property near the intersection of Old Wilmington Road and N.C. 11 is proposed to be rezoned from R6 to R6 MH, to allow a mobile park to be placed on the

The former Piggly Wiggly grocery store building in Faison was purchased ve years ago with the intent to open a new grocery store. However, after placing a new sign on the front of the building, work mostly stopped.

makes you wonder what they are going to do.”

He said the only visible progress has been outside on the front of the building.

“They even put up a brand-new sign,” he said. “There’s no telling what they paid for that sign to get produced and installed. The sign has been on the building for two years.”

Ward is also concerned about missed opportunities for new businesses due to some owners

of vacant commercial properties downtown being uninterested in selling or renting them out.

“There are a couple of businesses downtown that have been empty for years,” he said. “The people who own them are just sitting on them. I do know one of our town employees (interested in opening a business) went to two of them to try and rent from them, and neither one of them would rent to him.”

Ward understands that property owners have the right to manage their properties as they see t but remains hopeful they will eventually allow the buildings to be utilized, bene ting Faison’s economic development.

Ward understands that property owners have the right to manage their properties as they see t but remains hopeful that they will eventually allow the buildings to be utilized, bene ting Faison’s economic development.

Group pushes for transparency after manager’s resignation

A local advocate’s ndings prompted dialogue with county o cials

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Amid growing concerns over transparency and nancial oversight in Duplin County government, Jessica Thomas, a Sarecta resident and leader of the Duplin County Coalition for Accountability and Transparency, has become a driving force for reform, ling dozens of public records requests and contacting state and federal agencies.

Thomas met with county administration and o cials last week regarding pushback and outstanding records req ests.

“I’ve circulated this county employee survey that people are lling out anonymously. And some things have come up that are very concerning,” Thomas said.

It comes in the wake of the abrupt resignation of former county manager Bryan Miller, who, as of press time, has not responded to Duplin Journal’s request for comment.

“I think the straw that broke the camel’s back here was that the county had $273,000 worth of work done that was not properly bid out,” Thomas said. And it was not completed by a general contractor.”

According to Thomas, the projects were awarded without undergoing the required bidding process. While county o cials claimed the projects began under the $30,000 threshold, no documentation was provided to show how the projects were approved, whether cost increases occurred or if proper change orders were issued. Documents shared with Duplin Journal show at least four projects exceed the limit that triggers informal bidding and written documentation un-

“Some things have come up that are very concerning.”

Jessica Thomas

der N.C. General Statute 143-131.

Thomas told Duplin Journal that communication has improved and county leadership has begun actively brainstorming solutions to enhance transparency and public trust.

“It’s clear that they want to move forward,” said Thomas. Thomas said the coalition had submitted a list of recommendations to both the commissioners and administrative sta , and expressed optimism about the shared commitment to reform.

According to Thomas, ocials told her they were limited in what they could discuss due to public records laws but said requests would be handled according to statute.

Among the issues Thomas has documented is the disbanding of the Tourism Development Authority and the termination of sta members who were allegedly asked to sign severance agreements that appeared to function as nondisclosure agreements issued by the county’s human resources department at the direction of Miller.

Thomas said investigators encouraged her to continue gathering information and to submit ndings to District Attorney Ernie Lee.

Following Miller’s resignation, Thomas said more individuals have come forward with information.

“We are the bosses,” said Thomas. “We don’t have cannons and muskets like they did 250 years ago, but we do have knowledge, and we have our words and they carry weight.”

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

CURT SIMPSON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | SHERI FEW

Are government schools redeemable?

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education.

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years.

The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law education-related policies and programs.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are

the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships.

Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens.

Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable.

Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a

cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem.

SAUL LOEB / AP PHOTO

Current mayor pro-tem enters mayoral race to ‘run the show’

Marty Taylor says aging leadership and wastewater issues spurred his decision

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

CALYPSO IS THE only town in Duplin County where the incumbent mayor’s seat is being challenged by the sitting mayor pro-tem in the upcoming municipal elections.

Duplin Journal spoke last week with Mayor Pro-Tem Marty Taylor, who said with the exception of living and working out of town for about 10 years, he had been a lifelong resident of Calypso and served in the town’s re department for 35 years. After returning to town, he became interested in and involved with local politics.

“We nally bought a house and moved back in town about seven years ago,” Taylor said. “I started going to town meetings, and they put me on the

planning board. From there, it just moved up.”

Taylor said his decision to run was motivated by a desire to preserve the town’s legacy.

“I noticed the board was getting a lot of age on it,” he said. “I wanted to carry on some of their legacy. Two or three of the older ones have passed away. That’s the main reason I wanted to do it, to keep the town going like it’s supposed to.”

As far as issues facing the town, the wastewater woes of Mount Olive, which the town depends on for treatment of its wastewater, is the biggest challenge, according to Taylor.

“They guaranteed us so many gallons of waste (treatment), and now they can’t give it to us,” Taylor said. “So it’s stopping any kind of business that would want to start up. Even if you wanted to put up a new house, nobody can do it right now because of the situation in Mount Olive.”

Calypso is hindered by the state’s moratorium on Mount Olive’s ability to increase ca-

pacity at its wastewater treatment plant. Taylor pointed out that Calypso does not have the resources to create its own wastewater treatment solution.

“With a town of only 350 citizens, there’s no way we could a ord to do it,” he said.

“That’s millions of dollars.”

Aside from the wastewater issue, Taylor believes the town is generally in good shape.

“I would like to see some of

the ditches redone and drain water (problems xed). I’m actually working on that now because I’m in charge of streets and ditches now,” said Taylor. He had praise for his opponent, incumbent Mayor Jo Anne Wilson.

“I wouldn’t dare say anything about my opponent because she is great,” he said. “I think the world of her. I just felt it was time to move. I prayed about it and thought about it. I just felt like it was time for me to try running the show, so to speak.”

The only criticism Taylor expressed was regarding the pursuit of funding for the town’s infrastructure issues.

“My opponent is not pushing as hard as I want on getting some grants,” he said. “I want to see the infrastructure get better. I want my town to stay like it is, a beautiful little town that everybody loves.”

Duplin Journal attempted to contact Wilson several times over the course of a week but did not receive a response by press time.

Police report increase in forged checks, DWIs

Brandon Hobbs seeks to follow in his father’s civic footsteps with a write-in run

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — During the October meeting of the Kenansville Board of Commissioners, Police Chief Jackie Benton revealed the department had encountered an unusually high level of activity in September, making it a particularly busy month for the department.

Benton told Duplin Journal after the meeting that most of the crime involved a forged check operation.

“We had a busy September, probably the busiest month since I’ve been here,” Benton said. “No. 1, we had morenancial crime. Some of it was what they call a ‘check washing’ scheme where you’re changing checks and forging checks.”

Benton said the forged checks were a combination of ones from companies and individuals that had been stolen from other parts of the state and brought to smaller towns like Kenansville where the thieves believed they would have an easier time cashing them. He said there was also an increase in drivers under the in uence.

“We had ve DWIs which is a lot for Kenansville,” Benton said.

The town also held a public hearing regarding a zoning request from resident Sylvester Carlton. He proposed placing a manufactured home on a lot where a mobile home had been removed in 2001. Carlton requested that the board extend the mobile home over-

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

The Kenansville Town Board of Commissioners discuss a request during a public hearing to modify a mobile home overlay in town at the request of a resident who wants to place a manufactured home on his property. The board took no action on the request.

lay to permit the installation of a new manufactured home on the property. Zoning ordinances have changed since the previous mobile home was taken down.

The board did not approve his request.

In other business

The board voted to appoint Alex Padgett to ll the seat on the board vacated by Commissioner Nelson Baker, who died in April. Padgett will assume his position on the board Nov. 4.

“We had a busy September, probably the busiest month since I’ve been here.”

Jackie Benton, Kenansville police chief

During the public comment period, former board member Eddie Hobbs announced he would not be seeking election to the board as he had previously intended due to health concerns. Hobbs had previously served as a commissioner until he was defeated in the last election by challenger Crystal Strickland. However, he introduced his son, Brandon Hobbs, who expressed his intention to run in his father’s place as a write-in candidate.

Town Manager Anna West reported that the town was on track to have the audit completed by Oct. 30. North Carolina statutes require all cities and towns to complete an audit each scal year.

West introduced Vickie Outlaw Deaver as a newnance and administrative assistant. She will join West and town clerk Madison Jones as town hall sta . The board received comments from a citizen seeking assistance with her water bill, which had increased signicantly due to a leak discovered under her home. West stated that she would investigate the matter and report back to the board at the November meeting.

Beulaville adopts new event policy to curb noise

A 30-day permit requirement and 10 p.m. curfew follows the spike in complaints

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

THE BEULAVILLE town board adopted a new special events and permitting policy aimed at reducing disturbances from large gatherings. The policy limits events of 50 or more people to a 10 p.m. curfew and requires permit applications to be submitted 30 days in advance.

The move comes after a rise in noise complaints over the past two months. Mayor Hutch Jones emphasized that the policy is designed to give police more authority at large events while protecting residents’ quality of life.

Concerns were raised about what quali ed as a noise issue.

“We have to allow our police department the right to validate concerns,” Jones said. “You have to look out for quality of life for all tax payers. This policy is about giving our police more authority at large gatherings — not other complaints.”

After this clari cation, the board approved the policy.

The board then approved a revised fee schedule that will increase fees for planning and zoning, meter-based services and tap fees.

“Fees for water and sewer, advertising and other fees have increased. This fee revision will cover the increased costs we are seeing,” Town Manager Lori Williams said.

The Public Works Department reported on its usage and project updates, saying 155,000 gallons of water are used per day on average. Wastewater treatments are on track to be nished within two to three weeks.

Police Chief Jamie Rogers reported that September was a busy month for the police department.

“A high-speed chase took place over stolen lawn equipment out of Swansboro, and ve businesses were given letters to stop illegal gambling,” Rogers said.

All games that say players can receive a payout are illegal in North Carolina.

Code enforcement o cials reported about their e orts to improve the town. After delivering several letters regarding issues such as overgrown grass, abandoned cars, discarded appliances, furniture and landscaping problems, there are beginning to be positive results. Residents are paying their citations and completing the necessary work.

Williams updated the board on the bed and breakfast issue at 139 Dogwood Acres Blvd.; the owner plans to appeal the decision to the Planning Committee.

The board discussed the possibility of using banners instead of lights for Christmas decorations, noting that banners are “easier, cheaper and o er more variety.” They expressed interest in seeing how this approach aligns with what other nearby towns are doing.

Lastly, dates were set for closing down East Bostic Street for Halloween. The road will be closed Oct. 29 between the Beulaville Presbyterian Church and Baptist Church.

Marty Taylor

Amid scrutiny from the state, the district pushes for graduation rate gains

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — With a renewed focus on academic growth and student success, Duplin County school principals have set ambitious goals for the year ahead — including boosting the district’s graduation rate to 87% and increasing overall school achievement scores by 10%.

The goals were among the key points discussed at the Duplin County Board of Education’s October meeting, where board members also reviewed state accountability results, celebrated progress in student pro ciency and teacher retention.

The meeting served as a checkpoint for district leaders to review progress and con rm a key leadership decision: the o cial appointment of Interim Superintendent Daren Tyndall to lead the district permanently. Following the designation of seven schools as low performing, which categorized the district as low perform-

SEWAGE from page A1

special sewer district for the community that the town could manage, but would not require annexation.

After evaluating all potential solutions, Davidson said the most cost-e ective and manageable solution would installing a STEP system, a large sewage tank that would be installed on each property with a lter and pump system. In that system, only ltered water would be pumped through a common main that would ideally connect to the gravity sewer line

ing, school o cials emphasized that the improvement goals are a response to lift student outcomes.

“The performance of the grades does not really indicate the work you all are doing. … Sometimes politicians don’t understand what it really takes to make a di erence,” board member Reginald Kenan said. “We all know a lot of these kids are facing socioeconomic barriers. … It’s very upsetting when the general public wants to downgrade our schools based on grades. … There is only so far that some kids can go (without the same help and resources that other kids have). Everybody wants to feel like they are somebody, but this accountability model doesn’t do that. To judge our students by this model really decreases their hope.”

Board members agreed that test scores, while important, don’t tell the full story and should not diminish the hard work happening in schools.

The board also heard a presentation from Mandy Ross on the district’s Beginning Teacher Support Program, which continues to post impressive retention rates.

“In 2023-24, we saw an in-

that exists along East Log Cabin Road.

Davidson told Duplin Journal following his presentation that a selling point in encouraging residents to sign on to the solution is that the installation of the new larger tank on their property would be paid by the grant. He said the only cost for residents would be a $50 to $60 per month charge that would be billed by the sewer district.

The board discussed the issue and agreed to consider the proposal at a later meeting after evaluating the solution and sewer district concept.

ux of new teachers, most of which were considered alternative licenses,” Ross said. “During that year, our Beginning Teacher program took in 183 teachers; 71% of them had an undergraduate degree in something other than teaching. In 2024 -25, we retained more of our beginning teachers and supported 164 beginning teachers. Forty percent were initially licensed and some had completed a residency program. In 2025-26, we are supporting 119 beginning teachers. At the end of the ’23-24 school year, we retained 88% of our beginning teachers. We are currently sitting at a 95% retention rate.”

Ross credited the relationship building that coordinators do with beginning teachers as well as licensure testing support as the cause for the program’s high retention rates.

“Our teachers feel like they have someone in their corner,” she said.

The board asked questions about how to better support the program and improve the teacher-to-mentor ratio. Mentors are paid $100 a month and are currently asked to mentor three to four beginning teachers.

In other business, the town had scheduled a public hearing to consider changing the tax rate in town. However, after being advised by the town attorney that the requirements to change the tax rate in the middle of a scal year had not been met, the matter was dropped.

The town voted to pass a motion to change the name of Teachey Park to Johnny H. Williams Jr. Park in memory of a well-respected town resident. There will be an o cial name change ceremony as part of the upcoming Oyster Festival on Nov. 8.

Board

The Planning Board heard proposals to regulate short-term rentals as it modernizes ordinances from the 1940s

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

WARSAW’S PLANNING

Board reviewed a new 60-page Uni ed Development Ordinance at its October meeting, along with proposed regulations for short-term rentals and mixed-use development aimed at revitalizing the town and addressing blight.

With no new zoning or permit applications to consider, town zoning and code enforcement director Richmond Dugger shared that the current ordinances were written in the 1940s and due for updating. He used the meeting to introduce the draft ordinance and initiate a policy session led by Cedric Brown, a fellow from the UNC School of Government.

Brown’s proposals included stricter oversight of Airbnb-style rentals and new standards encouraging walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods to replace long-vacant properties in Warsaw’s business districts.

“The main issue in my mind is blight and vacant properties,” Brown told the board. “One person may see that as a negative aspect of Warsaw, but I see it as an opportunity to bring new growth and business to this area.”

The rst of two ordinances he proposed changed the denition of how some rentals are handled in town.

Brown said the proposed ordinance “extends the de nition of what short-term rentals look like as depicted in our code of ordinances to include Airbnbs.”

According to statistics Brown shared, Airbnb rentals created $25 billion in revenue last year and was the force behind creating a million new jobs. He said 50% of nonhotel short-term rentals are at Airbnbs. In the proposed ordinance, short-term rentals, dened as less than 30 consecutive days, would have to be registered with the town, obtain a permit and pass an initial safety inspection, as well as provide proof of compliance with building, re and housing codes.

The second ordinance Brown proposed dealt with mixed-use development standards that would promote combining residential, commercial and civic uses within a geographical area. Brown said the proposed standards would encourage walkable communities, revitalize Warsaw’s business districts and promote the e cient use of infrastructure and services.

Under this proposed ordinance, mixed-use developments could include residential dwellings, including single-family, duplex, townhouses and multifamily housing, as well as retail establishments, o ces and restaurants. It also allows for civic and institutional facilities. It would also allow upper story residential units above ground oor commercial establishments which are common in new strip shopping centers in large towns.

A few planning board members responded to Brown’s presentation expressing concern over where funding would come from to create the changes in Warsaw. Brown responded the funds would hopefully come from private-public partnerships with some public funding coming in the form of community development grants.

Ms. Virginia F. Knighton

Sept. 25, 1940 – Oct. 8, 2025

Goldsboro- On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the Lord whispered, and Ms. Virginia F. Knighton heard, “It’s time; the ght is over, you’ve earned your rest. It was then that Ms. Virginia F. Knighton departed her Earthly home for her Heavenly home while at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Celebration of her Life will be on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at noon, JB Rhodes, Jr. Memorial Chapel, 1701 Wayne Memorial Dr., Goldsboro, NC 27534.

There will be a visitation from 11 a.m. to noon. She will be laid to rest at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 3888 US Hwy. 70, Goldsboro, NC.

We extend our deepest condolences to the family, and please continue to keep the family in your prayers during their time of bereavement.

Janet Myree Newkirk

March 9, 1982 – Oct. 8, 2025

Janet Myree Newkirk, 43, of Seven Springs, NC, passed away on October 8, 2025. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Love Temple, 201 N. Oak Forest Rd. Goldsboro, NC 27534. Interment following the service at Riverview Memorial Park & Mausoleum in Willard, NC. Janet Newkirk was born on March 9, 1982, to Jimmy and Josephine Newkirk in Pender County. She departed this life on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. Janet was the only daughter and baby of Jimmy and Josephine Newkirk. Janet Newkirk attended Wallace-Rosehill High School, Wallace, NC. She attended James Sprunt Community College and received an associate degree in early childhood education in 2013. She also received a certi cate in Billing and Medical Coding at DeVry University in 2024. Janet joined New Jerusalem Pentecostal United Holy Church located in Wallace, North Carolina. She was a dedicated drummer. She was a very anointed woman of God. She was loyal to her pastor, her mother. Janet loved her family and friends unconditionally. She always kept everyone laughing with her “smart mouth” and jokes. She was truly a people person.

Today, words cannot describe the loss that we feel, but we humbly submit unto God’s will. We considered it a true blessing to have lived with one so wise and strong in her conviction. We commended her to the Lord, that we shall see her smiling face again when we, too, have reached the other shore.

She is survived by her parents: Jimmy and Josephine Newkirk; her brothers: Jimmy “Tyrone” Newkirk, Curtis “Jermaine” Newkirk, and Jason Lamont; one niece: Alexis Tyrell Newkirk; one great nephew, three great nieces, several aunts and uncles, a host of cousins, Godsisters, God-brothers, and her Godparents: Pastor Dwight Morrisey and Sandi Morrisey.

Wallace Lee Green Sr.

March 24, 1946 –Oct. 10, 2025

Mr. Wallace Lee Green Sr., age 79, of Mt. Olive, NC, passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, at home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Donna Houston Green of Mt. Olive, NC; one son, Wallace Green, Jr. of Mt. Olive, NC; three daughters: Anita Green of Richmond, VA, Christy Smith of Kinston, NC and Aleia Green of Mt. Olive, NC; ve step-children: Avery Highsmith (Maticia) of Charlotte, NC, Donna Jean Stevens (Melvin) of Kenansville, NC, Felicia Highsmith of Mt. Olive, Shawn Highsmith (Dorothy) of Utah and Demond Highsmith (Debra) of Garner, NC; a host of grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Weldon T. Hobbs Sr.

June 2, 1935 – Oct. 11, 2025

He was born in Sampson County to the late Turner Hobbs and Ora Mae Hobbs. In addition to his parents, he has been reunited with his wife, Edna Lee Brewington Hobbs, and his son, Weldon T. Hobbs Jr.

Weldon leaves cherished memories to his daughter, Belinda A. Hobbs; fteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; daughterin-law, Renita Hobbs; former wife, Bertha Darden Hobbs and a host of other family and friends.

The viewing service will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, from noon to 1:50 p.m. at Garris Funeral Home, 812 S. Center St., Mt. Olive, North Carolina 28365. Funeral service will follow after the viewing at 2 p.m.

Paul Tyrone Bryant

July 10, 1971 – Oct. 13, 2025

Mr. Paul Tyrone Bryant, age 54, of Teachey, NC, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC.

A visitation of family and friends will be on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 6-7 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill, NC. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at noon at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Duplin Memorial Gardens, Hwy 117 in Teachey, NC. Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, parents, children, grandchildren, sister, niece and other special relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

Patricia Whaley Maddox

April 26, 1963 – Oct. 16, 2025

Patricia Whaley Maddox, 62, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025

A funeral service will be held Monday, October 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. followed by visitation at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. Burial will be at Rosin Ridge Cemetery at 35 County Road 230 in Elba, Alabama

She is survived by her sisters, Mary Potter, of Jacksonville, NC, and Vera Diane Kennedy (Marlon), of Pink Hill, NC; brothers Linwood E. Whaley (Teresa) and James Ray Whaley, both of Richlands, NC. Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Maddox family.

Robert “Bob” Miller

March 20, 1930 – Oct. 13, 2025

Robert (Bob) T. Miller, age 95, resident of River Landing in Wallace, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Wallace Health and Rehabilitation.

Born March 20, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, son of the late Porter Miller and Anne Burns Miller. Mr. Miller was also preceded in death by his devoted wife of 53 years, Phyllis S. Growden Miller.

Bob proudly served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean Con ict. Locally, a past member of the Wallace Rotary Club and founder of River Landing Men’s Golf Association. Always a participant, in his last years, one could nd him on the rst tee seeing and sending golfers along their way or just having a hot dog at the halfway house.

Bob was a caring father and grandfather who took great pride in his family. Like his parents, he was an avid golfer who, at age six, was the youngest member of Beaver Creek Country Club, where he was an emeritus member until his death. Bob’s golf skills earned him an o er for the rst golf scholarship ever given to attend the University of Maryland, which he accepted and became the captain of the golf team. Over the years, he enjoyed introducing and sharing his knowledge of the game he so loved with many. He was a man who loved people and was loved in return. Bob will surely be missed, but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his children: Robert S. Miller and wife Lori of Maryland, Karen Cruz of South Carolina, Deborah Leftridge and husband Tom of Maryland and Barry Brown and wife Millika of Nevada; grandchildren, Cody Miller, Casey Charlton Nicole Lenora Brown, Christian Knukel, Stephanie Knukel and Matthew Knukel; cousin Joe Burns of Fort Myer, Florida; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who loved Robert dearly. There will be a ‘Gathering of Family and Friends’ between the hours of 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at QuinnMcGowen Funeral Home, 612 S. Norwood St., Wallace, NC 28466.

Dorothy Holloman Grady

Oct. 15, 2025

Mrs. Dorothy Holloman Grady, a Mount Olive resident, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at her home. She was 88. Mrs. Grady, known as “Mama Dot” to her family and many of her friends, was a godly woman who cared deeply for others. Always eager to lend a helping hand, she had been a dear friend to many.

Having been raised in Mount Olive on what had been part of her grandfather’s farm, she attended Salem Advent Christian Church along with her family. Her adult life took her to several areas, but in each place she became a part of the local church. While in the Kenansville area, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and assisted with the youth programs. Later, she became a member of Central Baptist Church in Goldsboro. After her church minister passed away and the membership dissolved, her life came full circle when she returned to worship at Salem, the very place in which the goodness of God had been instilled in her life.

An excellent seamstress, she

Angela “Angie” Hubbard Chavis

May 6, 1959 – Oct. 13, 2025

She was born on May 6, 1959, in Wilmington, the daughter of Joe Carroll Hubbard and Shirley Bradshaw Hubbard. In addition to her parents, Angie was preceded in death by her sons, Kameron Chavis and Craven Cory Chavis; granddaughter, Autumn Raine Chavis; and sister, Pam Patterson. Angie is survived by her children, Windy Chavis (Tony), Jamie Corbett (Jonathan), Eric Chavis (Jennifer), Shawn Chavis (Becky), Zackary Chavis (Annie) and Greg Cunningham; grandchildren, Justin Corbett (Dustie), Jaden Corbett, Steven Chavis (Emmy), Tristan Chavis, Dakota Chavis, and Elaina Chavis; great grandchildren, Brycen Chavis and Airlie Chavis; brothers, Ricky Hubbard (Debbie), Joey Hubbard, and Je Hubbard (Nancy). Her dearest and closest friend, Sherry Johnson, and her son, Samuel, are also left behind. Not to be forgotten is Angie’s fur buddy and companion, Jax. Angela, a ectionately known and loved as Angie, loved being outdoors in God’s wonderful world of nature. She loved being at the seashore picking up shells and enjoying the waves. Horses, cowboy boots and anything western were Angie’s passion. We all remember how Angie loved sweets, even though they were supposed to be limited. When the children were teenagers, they remember Angie opening her home to all of their friends. Most of all, Angie “Memaw” loved her grandchildren; they were her heart and soul. Angie was loved and will truly be missed. Following Angie’s wishes, there will be no services held. Just remember Angie as the sweet lady that she was.

had worked at Young Squire Industries in Mount Olive. Later, she and Mr. Jake Harris joined in partnership in establishing and operating Mount Olive Sportswear, which proved to be quite a successful venture, and which they eventually sold.

Mrs. Grady was a consummate homemaker whose main goal was the happiness and security of her family. All who entered her door were welcome guests.

She leaves behind her two children and their spouses, Freddie Glen and Betsy Adams of Wilmington, and Sharon Adams Nethercutt and Kirk Nethercutt of Pikeville; four beloved grandchildren, Adam Nethercutt and wife, Alana, of Boiling Springs, SC, Dr. Eden Nethercutt Manning and husband, Chris, of Kenly, Ross Adams, and Rylie Adams, both of Wilmington; a great-granddaughter, Lennon Nethercutt; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Eugene and Margaret Ann Holloman of Dudley, and Frank and Carol Holloman of Fort Mill, SC; another sister-in-law, Betty Jean Grady of Kenansville; and several nieces and nephews, and their families.

Mrs. Dorothy has gone to be with the Lord and has no doubt been reunited with her husband, Horace Cramner “Crump” Grady; her parents, Eddis Arnold and Jewel Watkins Holloman; a sister and brother-in-law, Avice H. and Carroll Jackson; and a sister-inlaw, Shirley Holloman.

Visitation was held on Monday, October 20, starting at 6 p.m. with funeral services following at 7 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home (beside Salem Church). O ciating was the Rev. Doug Abel and the Rev. David “Buck” Grady. Committal rites with Burial were on Tuesday, October 21, at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park. Friends and relatives were also received in the home that Mrs. Grady lived in and enjoyed the last years of her life.

Blonnie Marie Dobson

May 22, 1945 – Oct. 10, 2025

Blonnie Marie Dobson, 80, of Wallace, NC (formerly of West Long Beach, California), passed away October 10, 2025, at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, NC. Funeral service is scheduled for noon on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw, NC. Mrs. Dobson will return to Long Beach, California to be buried with her husband, the late Rev. Leslie Dobson.

Joseph Irizarry

April 10, 1986 – Oct. 11, 2025

Joseph Irizarry, 39, of Beulaville, NC, passed away on October 11, 2025. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at The Blessing Barn, 645 N. Blizzard Town Rd. in Beulaville, NC. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, October 20, 2025, at Hawes Funeral Home in Warsaw.

Wallace Depot hosts Rails & Cocktails

Marguerite Register Alphin

March 24, 1935 –Oct. 10, 2025

Marguerite Register Alphin, a long-time resident of Florence, SC, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the age of 90.

Marguerite was born at her grandparents’ home in Rose Hill, NC, to the late Edwin Lee Register, Sr., and Mildred Brown Register of Rose Hill. She was raised attending Dobson Chapel Baptist Church in Duplin County, NC. She spent her time preparing meals for her family and working in her parents’ cherished country store at Register’s Crossroads. Many community members still remember Marguerite serving cold ice cream on Sunday afternoons.

She attended one year at East Carolina before marrying her high school sweetheart, John Gilbert Alphin of Mount Olive, NC.

Marguerite spent her life as a loving wife and remarkable homemaker in addition to working in a family business in Kure Beach, NC. With her capable hands and heart, she created a wonderful home and childhood for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Being in her presence gave her husband and children a sense of stability and unquestioned love and acceptance; traits both John and Marguerite’s parents had instilled in them. Marguerite’s life portrayed the Proverbs 31 description of a wife of noble character as “her lamp did not

go out at night, she spoke with wisdom, and she laughed at the days to come.”

While creating a home in Florence, SC, Marguerite was a Heritage Member of Central United Methodist Church, serving and supporting her church throughout her life. She taught children’s Sunday School, Methodist Youth Fellowship, was involved in Boy Scouts, and an active member in the United Methodist Women.

Preceded in death by her parents and beloved husband, Dr. John Gilbert Alphin, one of their sons, John Gilbert Alphin, Jr., one of their grandsons, Clayton Moore Alexander, and her brother, Edwin Lee Register, Jr. of Rose Hill, Marguerite is survived by their son Gilbert Edwin Alphin and his wife Karen Rud Alphin of Kure Beach, NC; their daughter JoAnn Alphin Alexander of Florence, SC, and her daughter Callie Frances Bailey and her husband Joseph Ryan Bailey of Florence, SC and their children Nicholas Ryan Bailey, Anna Ryan Bailey, Eva Grace Bailey and Noah Alexander Bailey; and their daughter Anita Alphin Bryan and her husband William Smith Bryan, Jr. of Mount Pleasant, SC, and their son John Houston Bryan and daughter Macaulay Grace Bryan.

Marguerite is also survived by her sister Edith Register Brinkley of Teachey, NC, and their sisterin-law Catherine Blanchard Register of Rose Hill, NC; her inlaws Vance and Ann Alphin of Mount Olive, Audrey and Donald Lindsay of Mount Olive, Eva May and Kenneth Avent of Faison, and many beloved nephews, nieces and cousins. She cherished each and every one.

Funeral services for Marguerite were held on Wednesday, October 15, at 2 p.m. at the Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, NC, o ciated by the Rev. Wanda Simmons. Visitation took place at Tyndall Funeral Home during the hour before the service. The graveside service for burial followed at the Gilbert and Eva Alphin Family Cemetery on Alphin Road, Mount Olive, NC.

RESOLUTION DECLARING

WHEREAS, G.S. 160A-299 authorized the Wallace Town Council to close streets and public alleys; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Town Council to close approximately 465 feet of the75 foot -wide undeveloped public right of way North of the S NC 41 Hwy and approximately 290 feet west of Rocking Horse Lane within the Corporate limits of Wallace, North Carolina known as Olde Field Lane; and WHEREAS, a public hearing shall be conducted for the purpose of considering closing the public right-of-way street Olde Field Lane; and

Deborah Matthews Lanier

July 16, 1951 – Oct. 15, 2025

Deborah Matthews Lanier, 74, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Deborah is preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Catherine Matthews, and grandsons, Thomas Wright Lanier and Posie Hill Lanier.

Graveside Service: Sunday, October 19, 2025

2 p.m.

Amos Lanier Cemetery, 191 Brinson and Raynor Ln., Chinquapin, NC 28521

Visitation will be held at the cemetery.

Survivors: Spouse: Gary T. Lanier, Chinquapin, NC

Sons: Denny T. Lanier (Dona), Wallace, NC

Matt Lanier (Summer), Wallace, NC

Sisters:

Jean Hughes, Warsaw, NC

Dorothy Williams, Kenansville, NC

Sandra Brinson (Brad), Wallace, NC

Connie Thornburg, Magnolia, NC

Grandchildren: Cade and Maesie Lanier

Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Lanier family.

Ella Irene Lewis Buckrham Jackson

April 13, 1927 – Oct. 12, 2025

Goldsboro- Ms. Ella Irene Lewis Buckrham Jackson, age 98, was called home on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to rest eternally within the arms of the Almighty Lord. She was called home at Somerset Court Assisted Living in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Ms. Jackson was a beloved soul who is now gone from our sight but never from our hearts because for what is deeply loved can never be lost or forgotten. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 2506 New Hope Road, LaGrange, NC. The public visitation will be one hour prior to the service, noon to 12:50 p.m.

The Sta of J.B. Rhodes Funeral Home & Cremation, Inc., would like to extend their condolences to the family. Please keep the family in your prayers during their time of bereavement.

WHEREAS, a public hearing to discuss the closing of the public right-of-way street Old Field Lane will be held after 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Wallace Woman’s Club located at the 216 NE Railroad Street, Wallace, NC 28466. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Wallace that:

A public hearing to discuss closing the public right-of-way street, Old Field Lane will be held after 6 pm on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at the Wallace Woman’s Club located at the 216 NE Railroad Street, Wallace, NC 28466.

Jan. 2, 1958 – Oct. 9, 2025

Mrs. Mattie Ruth Moore Hall, age 67, of Beulaville, NC, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC. A visitation of family and friends will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6-7 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Pathway Church, 275 NC 41 Highway in Beulaville, NC, at noon. Burial will follow at Hall Family Cemetery in Beulaville, NC. Left to cherish her precious memories are her husband, Benjamin Hall of Beulaville, NC; three sons: Marcus Hall (Stephanie) of Summerville, SC, Telvin Hall (Angela) and Desmond Hall (Latesha) both of Beulaville, NC; three daughters: Taneka Love (Rodney) of Wake Forest, NC, Shereka Lewis (Michael) of Durham, NC and Letisha Scott (Marcus) of Knightdale, NC; parents: Christine Judge and Vernell Judge of Beulaville, NC; two brothers: Lamont Judge (Regina) of Beulaville, NC and Vinson Judge (Kimberly) of Kenansville, NC; four sisters: Blanquita Judge of Beulaville, NC, Evangeline Maddox (Michael) of Kenansville, NC, Cynthia Judge of Winston-Salem, NC and Geraldine Gri n (Feranté) of Capital Heights, MD; twenty-six grandchildren; one god-daughter, Tamara Williams of Durham; eight sisters-in-law, ve brothers-inlaw; two aunts, one uncle; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

The Town Clerk is hereby directed to publish the Resolution of Intent once a week for four consecutive weeks in the Duplin Times or Duplin Journal.

The Planning Director is hereby directed to transmit by registered or certi ed mail to all owners of property adjoining the alley as shown on county tax records.

The Planning Director is further directed to prominently post in at least two (2) places along the street, a notice of the closing and public hearing in accordance with G.S. 160A-299. Adopted this, the 9th day of October 2025.

Adopted by motion of Council M

NOTICE OF AUCTION FOR NONPAYMENT

The storage units contents will be sold for nonpayment of storage rental fees. Bid amounts start at the price owed on the units. All payments must be made in full, cash only, prior to the sale to stop the auction process.

Adrian Hall – #26

Zaphorah Brinson – #45

David Hollingsworth – #62

Mattie Ruth Moore Hall

PHOTOS BY MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Frey Smith entertains the crowd at the second annual Rails & Cocktails event held last Thursday at the Wallace Depot.

Left, Members of the Wallace Depot Commission, left to right, Charley Farrior, chairman Michael Blackburn, Paul Izzo, Steve Paes and Cameron Lee stand in front of a rare railroad mail car the commission is raising funds to restore. The Rails & Cocktails event took place at the Depot on Oct. 16. Right, Early arrivers to the second annual Rails & Cocktails fundraiser at the Wallace Depot secure a table to enjoy food from the Lobster Dogs Food Truck at the event.

DUPLIN SPORTS

Panthers clash with Pender for East Central 3A/4A title

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CLINTON — Much is expected from Dwayne Davis in the next two seasons at East Duplin.

The sophomore running back made the rst signi cant touchdown of a promising career with a 56-yard run that sent the Panthers to a 20-13 win over Clinton.

He set up the score on the previous play by intercepting quarterback Miles McCallop, one of three Panthers picks on a night when defense won the game. The win sets up a showdown

Pope,

between ED-Pender on Friday in Burgaw.

“It’s still his rst-year player learning the game, but he’s got some good potential,” said ED head coach Battle Holley, whose club improved to 6-2. “Our defense was bend but not break. We didn’t give up big plays and made them earn what they got. We also got turnovers from them.”

Shawn Davis (15-75) added a score, and running back Aaron Hall (14-55) took a Branson Norris pass to the house from 80 yards out.

Clinton’s Shamar Sutton and ED’s Bryson Brown and Zack Ball came up with picks

in the rst three possessions of the game, and the Dark Horses (3-5, 1-2) took a 7-0 lead on a McCallop run from the 5 following an 80-yard drive set up by a bomb to Aaran Landrum.

Hall’s electrifying score tied it with 9:39 to play in the third.

But Clinton forged 70 yards in 10 plays to go in front 13-7 after Ball blocked the PAT.

Shawn Davis kicked it in gear with two long rst-down runs in the next possession and then tied it at 13-13 by scoring on second-and-goal from the 3.

Jeremiah Monk’s sack late in the fourth quarter helped ED stop Clinton’s nal drive at the Panthers 20 after ED’s coverage held on fourth-and-10.

Brown led the Panthers with

The drive of young coaches like Ken Avent III and Lee Sutton are energizing the program

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — In the wild, Tigers travel in what is known as a “streak” or “ambush” and not a pride, as do lions. They are solo hunters of prey.

Gridiron Tigers at James Kenan work together, and the large number of former players who have returned to coaching form the foundation of a 7-1 team that smoked 5A CB Aycock 49-21 last Friday night when the school’s Hall of Fame nominees were introduced.

Head coach Tim Grady (2000) is a JK grad, but that’s just the start of the Tiger lineage. Defensive coordinator John Bert Avent is a North Duplin grad, though he’s coached all but ve years of his career in Warsaw.

Grady, a longtime middle school coach at Charity, took over after a three-year run by ex-Scotland coach Will Clark.

Coincidentally, that’s when JK grads began to ood

onto the coaching sta . Success followed him, and the Tigers began their ascent to the top of the 2A classi cation and are probably the most feared 3A team in the East this fall.

Bring on the young bucks

The return of former Tigers Ken Avent III and Lee Sutton were signi cant additions.

“K3,” as he’s sometimes called, is the son of Ken Avent Jr., the former Tigers head coach who helped JK win two state titles (2007, 2013). Like his father, who is a James Kenan Sports Hall of Fame member, he played quarterback at Catawba for four years.

Unlike his dad, he returned like a bullet to the land of Tigers,

Jayden Pope and Quan Stevens step up after Vance Carter — and Austin Wolfe — are lost for the season with knee injuries

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL TWP. — Season-ending injuries created opportunities for players such as Tom Brady, Kurt Warner and Victor Cruz to shine.

North Duplin had two players step up when the news came that Vance Carter, the team’s second-leading rusher and starter at defensive back, suffered a season-ending knee injury that will require surgery.

Enter Jayden Pope and Quan Stevens, who will ll Carter’s positions for the Rebels, who beat Union 49-20 last Friday.

Pope ran the ball nine times for 111 yards and a score, while Stevens had three carries for 21 yards. Both were heavily involved in the running game, which helped Carell Phillips do what he always does: score touchdowns.

Phillips had four scores and 292 yards via 20 totes to improve ND to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in Carolina Conference play.

ND has also lost another key player: three-year starter and linebacker Austin Wolfe.

“Jaylen has a vision to make cuts in a di erent way,” said ND head coach Hugh Mar -

tin. “I thought he was down on one cut, but he kept going and going. Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes it’s not. He’s got a di erent skill set than Vance and also blocks well.

“So does Quan, whose role has also changed. He brings a lot, and we’ll need him to keep stepping up the rest of the season.”

The win set up a possible showdown with Hobbton (5 -3, 4-0) on Halloween for the Carolina Conference title. That happened because East Bladen crushed Lakewood 32-0. The Wildcats play Lakewood (5-3, 3-1) on Friday, and should the

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Zachary Cruz, Allen Stukes and Keeshon Mckinne wrestle down Clinton’s Aaran Landrum.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Cassandra Stroud, from left, Kathy McNeil Bartel (for her father Mac McNeil), Marcelias Sutton and Ken Avent Jr. were inducted into the JK Hall of Fame last Saturday afternoon.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND’s Jayden Pope ran for 111 yards and a touchdown in a 49-20 win over Union.

ED seeks to quiet Pender’s high-scoring Flex Bone attack in a key league scu e

Ken Avent III Lee Sutton

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Wilmer Flores

Wallace Rose-Hill, soccer

Freshman Wilmer Flores is playing on the varsity level for the Wallace-Rose Hill soccer team because he’s shown rst-year head coach Aaron Murry his skills.

He’s proven it to everyone this fall by scoring eight goals and ringing up six assists.

Flores has scored at least a point in eight games, including his second hat trick in October during a 5-1 win over Goldsboro.

He booted in three on Oct. 1 during a win over Princeton.

Flores is the second-highest point producer for the Bulldogs (10-4-1, 8-0) to senior Felix Funez, who has 15 goals and ve assists as the second-highest spiker in Duplin County.

WRH entered the week needing two wins in its nal four games to clinch the ECC title.

Bulldogs’ speedy RB Lamb continues his ground assault

The senior running back Lamb is the workhorse that keeps WRH in the running

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — While Jamarae Lamb has the most rushing yards in Duplin County, it’s been di cult to compare him to other backs in the area given his status as a player who must carry the ball a lot of times.

Yet this season, the Bulldogs (4-4, 2-1) need every yard, rst down and score the senior makes.

Lamb has 156 carries for 1,638 yards after going for 140 yards in a 73-0 crushing of Spring Creek last Friday on Senior Night.

He scored each time he touched the ball for his seventh 100-yard e ort of the season. That total includes going for 317 yards against Midway, 278 versus Clinton and 222 in a trip to Princeton.

He’s averaging 203.6 yards on Fridays, having surpassed his 2024 output of 1,361 in which he went over the 100-yard mark six times.

“When nearly every running back coach came to watch Irving (Brown, who went to Division I Ohio University this fall), he was there working out, and a lot of folks say him,” said WRH head coach Kevin Motsinger. “His maturity makes him stand out.”

Lamb has yet to make his col-

lege choice, though Division II schools such as Lenoir-Rhyne want him, as do a couple of Ivy League schools and the Naval Academy.

“The recruiting game has changed so much with some schools waiting to see who is coming back and some waiting on kids that were committed,” Motsinger said. “So we see second-year players entering the transfer portal and situations where schools get the bulk of their players that way.”

Motsinger said Lamb always has a keen eye on the recruiting process and knows how to navigate his way through it.

“He’s such a strong communicator and keeps in touch with the coaches,” Motsinger said. “He’s just shy of a 4.2 (grade-point average) and can walk into any room and talk to anyone. That’s uncommon of kids his age.

Yet Lamb will have a handful of games at the prep level to up his recruiting value.

WRH travels to Rosewood on Friday where the senior could juke and speed his way to another 200-plus yard game.

The Eagles (2-5, 2-1) are giving up 31 points and scoring just 15 through eight games.

“They’ve gotten a lot better on both sides of the ball,” Motsinger said. “While losing (27-7), they held Midway to less points than us or James Kenan did. They do a lot of RPO stu , and their quarterback puts you in con ict. They’ve got a physical running back,

and the line does a good job.

A Halloween trip to James Kenan concludes the regular season and will decide the Swine Valley Conference. WRH must win to tie the Tigers for the title, as the two did in 2024 when the Bulldogs were upset by North Lenoir but whipped JK in the nal game of the regular season.

“This team can play with anyone,” said Motzinger, whose team will likely be an underdog among the critics and so-called experts.

The only way to prove them wrong is having the WRH defense come to life and Lamb nding his running lanes.

Extra points

Adrian Glover had two totes for 134 yards and two scores against the Gators. Jamari Carr, Montavious Hall and Logan Marks also charted courses to the end zone. The threesome needed just 10 carries to total 129 yards and three scores.

While he likely won’t catch him, Lamb has the most yardage by a Bulldog since Kayne Roberts set the school record in 2021 with 3,511 and 58 rushing scores.

Roberts’ total is third alltime in N.C. behind West Rowan’s Kevin Parks (3,794 in 2009) and Elijah Hood of Charlotte Catholic (3,690 in 2013).

Lamb has run for 3,889 yards and 35 touchdowns during his career, which includes his debut as a sophomore when he had 839 yards.

Leopards prevail, there will be a game for all the marbles on Oct. 31 in Newton Grove. Firstyear Lakewood coach Adam Scronce is the longtime o ensive coordinator at Wallace-Rose Hill.

Union (2-6, 0-4) played better than its record would suggest, and ND led 21-14 at halftime.

“We knew from lm that they ran a two-back set with one that has excellent speed, and they caught us on a couple of runs on plays we don’t normally give up,” Martin said.

That changed in the second half when the Trashawn Rufn-led defensive line got a boost from Marquis Frederick, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound junior who has been playing limited minutes

this season because of injuries.

“He did a really good job when he was in there, and we’re glad to have him back and being involved in the game,” Martin said.

Phillips had consecutive touchdown runs of 1, 36 and 68 yards in the second half. Quarterback Brock Keiz added a 17-yard score as ND ran of 28 unanswered points. Pope gave ND its rst lead at 14-7 with a 40-yard push.

Phillips’ 40-yard sprint made it a seven-point game at halftime. The senior has run for 1,343 yards and 19 scores this fall, which is second in both categories among Duplin Journal schools.

East Columbus (2-6, 1-3) travels to play on H.E. Grubb Field on Friday.

ND from page B1

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jamarae Lamb leads all Duplin Journal-area runners with 1,638 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Tabor Holley, from left, Rebecca Beach, Jenna Batchelor, Anastan Holley, Kate Miller and Hailey Maready have gone a combined 65 -2 in singles play, which includes a second-round plastering of Nash Central in the 4A team championships.

Nearly ‘perfect’ Panthers rocket into third round

ED went 12-0 during the regular season and has gone 58-6 since 2021

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Losing is a foreign concept to the East Duplin tennis team.

Sti er competition in the 4A state team tournament this week will push the Panthers, who are unbeaten in that format this fall.

Head coach Julie Register’s squad faced a little more pressure than their 12-0 regular season in a 6-0 second round win over Nash Central.

But perspective is needed. The Panthers won every regular season match by a 9-0 count, sans an 8-1 triumph over Clinton and Wallace-Rose Hill. And individual players and the Panthers’ doubles teams rarely lost a set.

Just two singles matches were extended by the Rocky Mount school. Even then, ED’s No. 2 and No. 5 players captured tiebreakers.

where he had a proli c career that was plagued with an injury in 2016 after he set school season and career passing records for yards and touchdowns.

He also had a solid stroke in baseball and golf while also playing basketball. Avent is the quarterbacks coach plus head coach and o ensive coordinator of the junior varsity team that is 5-1.

His grandfather, Ken Sr., coached at North Duplin for 25 years, so a move in the direction of the sidelines seemed natural for the youngest coaching Avent.

“The thing I like about him is his willingness to bounce ideas o ,” Grady said. “He is over the pass game, and I’m over the run game. I was a lineman and think inside the box. He was a quarterback and thinks outside of it. It’s a great blend, and some cool stu comes out when we work together.”

The day will come when his assistant will become a head coach, though these days getting there before the age of 30 isn’t advised. Young coaches need to experience every aspect of the game be-

Senior Jenna Batchelor lost her rst set 7-6 against Ashlyn Gardner but rallied to take the 6-0, (10-5) victory at the fth spot, while junior Anastan Holley topped Ava Holloway in a similar fashion 6-3, 6-7, 10-5.

Holley’s twin sister Tabor breezed to a pair of 6-0 sets over Ella Bryant at the second spot, while seniors Kate Miller and Hailey Maready took care of their business at rst and second singles. Miller wore down Hannah Bullock with a 6-3 win and nished her o with a 6-0 sweep.

Mardeady cruised by Nadia Cooper 6-1, 6-2.

The Panthers hosted First Flight this week where a win would likely pit them against No. 1 Carrboro (20-1).

Defeat has been a rare outcome during the regular season as Miller went 12 - 0, the Holley sisters and Rebecca Beach 11- 0, and Batchelor 9-2 during the regular season.

That included two-match sweeps over 5A Richlands, 4A schools Southwest Onslow and

fore leaping in and taking full responsibility of a program.

Sutton, meanwhile, has athletic genes as well, though he got into football because of an Avent.

His father, Chuck Sutton, was a three-time MVP in football, basketball and baseball at JK and played baseball at Barton College, according to longtime sportswriter Bill Rollins. He led Kenan to the East Region nals in 1990 under coach Billy Byrd, JK’s deepest run since winning its rst state title 30 years earlier.

Lee Sutton, didn’t have a football build, per se, but was talked into being John Thomas Avent’s backup at quarterback. Sutton’s other skill set made him a star in baseball and golf at JK.

“I got into football my freshman year,” said Sutton, who coaches the defensive backs and special teams and is the defensive coordinator of the junior varsity team, while being the head coach of the baseball team the past two seasons.

“After just wanting to be a backup QB, I wound up loving football and played tight end,” said Sutton, whose older brother Will (2002)

Clinton, and 3As Pender and WRH.

Entering this week, the Panthers have won 102 of their 105 matches. That’s a 97.14 winning percentage that is impossible to beat.

While the state team format does not have doubles matches, East Duplin put up dandy combinations during the regular season as the No.1 team of Miller and Anastan Holley and the No. 2 combo of Maready and Tabor Holley and the No. 3 unit of Batchelor and Beach were a combined 30-1.

Register said she has more than 30 players on the Panthers’ roster, and that unity and support were keys to ED’s success.

Under her guidance, ED went 12-0 last season and has carved out a 58-6 mark since 2021.

WRH beat McMichael in the opening round of the 3A tournament and is slated to face No. 1 Trinity (12-0).

Top Bulldogs this season include Sophia Sloan (9-3 at rst singles) and Savannah Smith (8-5 at second singles). Sloan and Smith are 11-1 at rst doubles.

also played three sports at JK.

His path also crossed with K3, who was a senior and Sutton a sophomore when they guided the JK golf team to a berth in the state championships. Sutton would qualify for the event two seasons later.

“I was blessed to coach in middle school and then with Will (Clark),” Grady said. “Lee brings such energy to the table, and he’s really helped our special teams. He’s the best scout team coach you could ask for.”

Fans who pay attention will see more stripes from the past helping JK’s grid team.

Former quarterback Andrew Pender (2022), a senior running track at UMO, coaches receivers and helps Sutton with the defensive backs, though his time is limited.

There’s also Juan “Wu” Hooper, an outside linebacker on JK’s title team in 2013; Danny Forshthe, a fullback from the 2022 squad; and Deveon Harris (2019), a wide receiver who played two seasons at Averett University (Danville, Virginia.).

“They played here, they live here, they care,” Grady said.

SOCCER ROUNDUP

Canales’ goals keep Panthers within striking distance of Dark Horses

Yoskar Canales scored three goals last week to pace ED to its third straight win

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE– Losing 6-0 to Clinton was devastating to East Duplin. But Yoskar Canales didn’t let that match get into his head.

The Panthers senior scored three times last week in two wins as ED beat South Lenoir and Southwest Onslow.

East Duplin is 6-1-1 in its last eight matches and will get a chance for revenge by playing Clinton this week on the Dark Horses’ pitch.

Canales and Brayan Mendez connected during a 2-0 conquest of the Blue Devils. Yobi Gomez added an assist as both goals were scored in the second half.

Canales struck twice against the Stallions, and fellow senior Richard Reyes picked up his third goal of the fall.

Canales’ 16 goals is tops among all Duplin Journal-area schools.

ED (11-6-2) has four league games left in its regular season.

The playo s start Nov. 3,

and as of this week, ED was the No. 13 RPI school in 4A.

Bulldogs continue winning streak reaches eight

Wallace-Rose Hill (10-4-1, 8-0) won for the eighth consecutive time last week after its 5-1 triumph over Princeton.

Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs dropkicked Goldsboro 5-0. The Bulldogs have given up just four goals during the streak, while scoring 34 against Swine Valley foes.

Wilmer Flores had a hat trick against the Cougars. Steve Acosta notched his seventh cage ringer of the fall and Felix Funes his 14th.

WRH is the No. 4 team in 3A in the NCHSAA’s RPI system.

Tigers exact revenge on Raiders

James Kenan’s 3-1 home loss to Midway on Sept. 22 bothered longtime head coach Mitchell Quinn.

The Tigers’ response last week made up for his angst. Devis Gomez scored twice and Ismael Covarrubias and Kebert David once when JK topped Midway 4-1.

JK (7-7-4, 4-4) controlled the match from beginning to end.

And giving back has helped reinforce the principles that have always made JK an elite small football school.

Besides Avent Sr., two 2025 JK HOF inductees played football for the Tigers — Marcelias Sutton (University of Oklahoma), who is not related to Lee Sutton’s family, and “Mac” McNeill.

Three additional sideline staples are coach Don Smith (2003), and Sammy Cates and Anthony Morrisey as support sta .

“Sammy and Anthony have never missed a practice or game,” Grady said. “And Don’s helped me at middle school and big-time as a rec coach.

Hill, Hall shine in win over Falcons

CJ Hill ran for two scores and Jeremiah Hall went over the 1,000-yard mark in the win over the Falcons, whose o ense consists of passing the ball after JK made their run game ine ective.

Hill also caught one of two touchdown passes from Eli Avent (2-5 for 68 yards). His score was from 56 yards out. Jamarien Graham

Richard Reyes and ED have gone 7-1-1 in their last nine matches.

hit pay dirt from 12 yards away.

Taulil Pearsall added a 4-yard score.

CBA was limited to 148 yards of total o ense. JK scored twice in each of the rst three quarters to slowly pull away from the 5A school.

Hall, who ran for 1,150 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024, has raised the bar his senior season despite not getting the touches most backs get with other teams.

He’s needed just 79 carries to forge his way to 1,040 yards and 16 scores.

“This kid would have 2,000 if I’d let him nish a game,” Grady said. “But he knows we have long-term goals and knows we won’t play him when the game is in hand, especially since he plays bigger as a game progresses.”

The Tigers travel to Rosewood on Friday and nish o the regular season with a Halloween clash with Wallace-Rose Hill in Warsaw.

JK nipped WRH in OT in the third round of the playo s last season to break a 13-game skid against its archrival. The Tigers nished 12-2 after falling to Northeastern in Elizabeth City.

JK from page B1

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Rebels nab landmark win in opening round of 1A playo s

ND advances in 2A, while 3A WRH and 4A ED earned tops seeds and byes

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Playo wins have been rare for the volleyball Rebels in the past two decades.

So is hosting a postseason encounter.

So is having back-to-back winning seasons.

North Duplin accomplished the rst two last Saturday with a 3-0 lashing of Southside-Chocowinity in the opening round of the 2A playo s after securing the third via its second-place nish in the Carolina Conference’s regular season.

The Rebels, who enter the second-round play against No. 7 Research Triangle (19-4), enter it with a 17-6 mark, after going 12-9 last fall.

Earlier in the week, league champ East Columbus (19-1) took down the Rebels 3-0 by winning the opening set 25-22 and the next two 25-14.

The No. 10 Rebels led from opening serve to nal point in three sets against the No. 23 Eagles (5-16).

Melany Sanchez saved her best for the end as the senior ripped a career-high 10 kills.

Maggie Brown, Gracie Higginbotham and 12 unreturnable winners.

Lilly Fulghum sprung for 16 digs and 25 assists, while Marissa Bernal had 16 digs and four aces.

ND won the opening set at 25-15, with the Seahawks losing steam in the nal sets, both of which were 25-14 encounters.

Brown and stepsister Abby Norris combined for 17 kills in the setback to the Gators in the CC tourney nal.

Bernal hit the oor for 23 digs and Fulghum pushed her way to 20 assists.

Brown (eight kills), Bernal (22 digs, three aces) and Fulghum (13 assists, 11 digs) were key in the semi nal victory over Hobbton (15-6).

WRH-Midway IV: For spot in regional nal?

Midway beat Wallace-Rose Hill 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-14) in the Swine Valley Tournament nal.

Kadeyn Moron had 17 kills and Gracyn Hall 10 as Midway (15-6) won the rubber match of the series after the Bulldogs

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broke the Raiders’ 52-match conference winning streak.

Angelina Cavallaro and Jansley Page were limited to 23 kills.

WRH (19-4) topped Princeton in three tight sets — 2520, 25-22, 25-21 — in the seminals behind 18 stingers from Page and 16 via Cavallaro, who was Ms. Volleyball in Duplin County the previous season.

Their classmate, Mattie Gavin, dished out 29 assists, while Kaylee Lovette leaped her way to ve blocks.

The Bulldogs and Raiders were Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, respectively, in the 3A playo s as both earned rst-round byes.

And a fourth clash is entirely possible.

WRH will host No. 15 Eastern Randolph, with the winner taking on the survivor of No. 7 Louisburg and No. 10 North Carolina School of Math and Science.

Midway will surely run over No. 19 South Lenoir and then possibly meet No. 6 Trask.

Indeed, with two wins apiece, the Bulldogs and Raiders will play for the right to advance into the East Region final.

Ayden-Grifton (22-7) is the top seed, while No. 4 Farmville Central (19-3) looms in the top half of the bracket.

Posted By: FILE NUMBER: 25SP001052-300 Date Posted: ______________ Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by MYRTLE MILLER dated April 23, 2013 in the amount of $100,642.00 and recorded in Book 1748, Page 0670 of the Duplin County Public Registry by ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O cial Records of Duplin County, North Carolina, in Book 2083, Page 732, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Duplin County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on November 4, 2025 at 11:00am, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Duplin, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0726102 ADDRESS: 137 GEORGE SUMNER RD BEULAVILLE, NC 28518 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): UNKNOWN HEIRS OF

ED’s 13th straight serves up 20-win campaign

East Duplin enters its second-round 4A playo match as one of the hottest and most-rested squads.

The Panthers won for the 13th straight time in its nal ECC game of the regular season by slicing apart South Lenoir 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-19).

Zoe Turner had six kills, two aces, eight digs and 10 assists.

Kinsey Cave added four kills, three aces, 10 digs and ve assists, while Liliana Houston and Sophia Jones each came up with three blocks.

Coach Susan Raynor’s squad took the No. 3 seed and hosts No. 19 North Johnston (12-10), which was fth in the Three Rivers Conference. It was the 20th win of the season for the Panthers, who were unbeaten in league play and gave ED nearly a week . No. 2 Uwharrie (23-4), No. 5 Nash Central (15-5) and No. 7 Central Davidson (17-6) are biggest obstacles in the way to the region nal where No. 1 Bunn (18-3) and No. 4 Randleman (20-0) or No. 5 North Lenoir (19-1) is expected to arrive.

The East Region semi nals are Saturday at the higher-seeded school.

MYRTLE MILLER THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF DUPLIN, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 1748, PAGE 0670, AS FOLLOWS: LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP, DUPLIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT NO. 5 AS SHOWN ON A MAP ENTITLED “BOUNDARY SURVEY FOR: JOHNNY E. LANIER AND WIFE, JACQUELINE S. LANER”, WHICH MAP IS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 26 AT PAGE 279 OF THE DUPLIN COUNTY REGISTRY. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in

17 tackles and a sack. Shawn Davis had 15 and a pass breakup at middle linebacker. Monk made 10 takedowns, and Dewayne Davis and Ball had seven apiece.

Panthers-Pats: Classic matchup of iconic coaches

While Holley (155-62) is a modern coaching legend in the East, Pender head coach Tom Eanes has one of the hottest teams in the region. Pender is 8-0, which includes wins over Wallace-Rose Hill and Clinton.

Holley is the o ensive coordinator of the Wing-T.

Eanes is a guru of the Bone Flex o ense, and if he has any edge on the sideline, it’s because the 70-year-old is in his 47th season, though nine were as an assistant.

He passed the 200-win plateau with a win 34-14 triumph over West Bladen on opening night. He’s also lost 230 games, though he’s often gone to schools rebuilding their program.

He’s the king in Burgaw, where he’s had two stints as head coach.

Pender was 10-4 last fall and lost to Tarboro in the fourth round of the 1A playo s.

“We got our hands full against East Duplin and with coach Holley, and (with) the sta they have we’ll have to play well because they are so big and athletic,” Eanes said.

“They are a gritty bunch, and they always get kids to play tough, smashmouth football.”

Eanes’ o ense uses a fullback and two slot backs

NOTICES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#25E001388-300

The undersigned, TAMMY PARKER, having quali ed on the 1ST DAY of OCTOBER, 2025, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of EVELENE HATCHER CAVENAUGH, 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 16TH Day of JANUARY 2026, 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 16TH Day of OCTOBER 2025.

TAMMY PARKER, EXECUTOR 2927 S NC HWY 50 BEULAVILLE, NC 28518

Run dates:O16,23,30,N6p

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Dewayne Davis ran 56 yards for the winning score when ED beat Clinton 20 -13.

while forcing defenses to make decisions.

The Pats do that with quarterback Austin Deal (20-48 for 430 yards passing, 773 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and backs Jaheim Lambe (55 -775, 9 TDs), Zyquan Murphy (96 -795, 10 TDs) and Zeke Williams (88-868, 9 TDs).

“Their DTs are big, running backs can all get after it, and the quarterback is shifty,” Holley said. “They can make big plays at any time.

“And they’re 8-0. We must play assignment football and tackle well. There’s no special sauce. We must get up on them and make plays.”

Eanes, every bit the hero at Pender that Holley is at ED after he won a 2A title in 2022, was 58-37 from 2004-10 and led the Pats to 1AA title in 2010. He returned in 2020 and has guided Pender to a 42-25 mark, giving Eanes’ a school-record 100-62 slate. But it’s more about the players he taught the game than wins. He’s had stays at ve mountain schools and spent three seasons at Ashley. The next closet Pender coach to Eans is Glenn Price, who went 30-40.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#25E001159-300

The undersigned, HENRIETTA M. WILLIAMS having quali ed on the 2ND DAY of OCTOBER, 2025, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ANDREW WILLIAMS, 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 16TH Day of JANUARY 2026, 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 16TH Day of OCTOBER 2025.

HENRIETTA M. WILLIAMS 523 W. BONEY ST. WALLACE, NC 28466

Run dates:O16,23,30,N6p

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

A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the 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,

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND’s Melany Sanchez attacks the net during a rst-round playo win over Central Nash.

Stanly NewS Journal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops

Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops.

A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

Comey’s lawyers say case against him driven by Trump’s “personal animus,” must be thrown out

Washington, D.C.

Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey are urging a judge to dismiss the case against him. In court papers Monday, they called it a vindictive prosecution motivated by “personal animus” and orchestrated by a White House determined to seek retribution against a perceived foe of President Donald Trump. The lawyers separately called for the indictment’s dismissal because of what they said was the illegitimate appointment of the U.S. attorney who led the case days after being hastily named to the job by Trump. The double-barrel attack on the indictment, which accuses Comey of lying to Congress ve years ago, represents the opening salvo in what is expected to be a protracted court ght ahead of a trial currently set for Jan. 5.

Albemarle City Council hears from candidates for vacant council seat

Six candidates gave a presentation to councilmembers

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council’s process for lling its District 4 seat vacancy is continuing to play out. On Monday night, coun-

cilmembers listened to presentations from six candidates who have each expressed interest in the open position for a term which expires Dec. 7, 2026.

Former District 4 representative Chris Whitley submitted his resignation in August so he could assist with providing care to a family member experiencing health issues. The council soon began accepting con dential letters

“It’s a very good group.”

Councilmember Benton Dry

of interest from District 4 residents seeking potential appointment to Whitley’s empty seat. James Fleming opened Monday night’s series of six presentations, noting that he has remained attentive to

Stanly County Concert Band plans fall show

The Agri-Civic Center wil host the band Nov. 6

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Concert Band has announced its fall concert performance scheduled for Nov. 6 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center in Albemarle.

There is no cost for admission for the upcoming show, “A Tapestry of Sound and Emotions,” which is set to begin at 7 p.m. Since 2012, the SCCB has become the county’s premier instrumental ensemble as it

aims to bene t the cultural life of the region through free or low-cost performances as educational experiences.

“Mark your calendar for this unique concert that will take you on a musical and emotional journey through sound,” the SCCB said in a statement. “Music, often regarded as a universal language, possesses the unique ability to express a wide array of feelings and emotions through diverse sounds and rhythms. This concert will feature selections designed to elicit meaningful connections and evoke cherished memories for every member of the audience.”

developments within the city.

“I’m very proud of what’s going on in Albemarle at the moment,” Fleming said. “I continue to volunteer for the rec department. I do a lot of umpire refereeing and in the school systems as well. But when I look at Albemarle, I see Envision Albemarle. I know you have the comprehensive land program meetings

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL

COURTESY STARLA WHITLEY

WEDNESDAY OCT. 22

THURSDAY

23

FRIDAY OCT. 24

SATURDAY OCT. 25

SUNDAY OCT. 26

Tillery Christian Academy in Norwood

proud to announce the students who received honor roll during the rst quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Kindergarten

Amelia Allred, Clyde Brewer, Elijah Shankle, Leeland King, Milah McKethan, Oaklyn Hathock and Sydney Ellenburg.

First grade

Aria Ledford, Ezra Moua, Iris Overton, Penny Parry and Jax Thompson.

Second grade

Bryson Webb, Everleigh Gi ord, Harmony Brown, Hayden Tarlton, Justice Diveley, Kayleigh Colson, Rachel Chang, Gigi Oliver, Saint Montenegro and JohnKarter Montenegro.

Third grade

Aiden Tarlton, Grace Swaringen, Lucy Parry, Richard Huang, Owen Peralta and Reed Burleson

Fourth grade

David Archer Cotoni, Grayson Blalock, Jacob Sorensen, Katherine Sharpe, Kenzie Williamson, Laurel Reeves, Mason Lowder and Merrick Cox.

Fifth grade

Austin Hill, Briana Gaddy, Dalton Keely, Ellie Morton, Elly Parry, John Sharpe, Madison Nordan, Mason Hall, Micah Williamson, Sawyer Allen and Zayla Trull.

Sixth grade

Charly Burleson, Florence Par and Cora Parry.

Seventh and eighth grade

Amberlyn Bowers, Anna Sharpe, Kiah Thomas, and Lestat Rodriguez.

High school

Addyson Burleson, Alaric Vuckovich, Blake Threadgill, Cailey Gibson, Coraly Burleson, Harley Dodge, Haylie Dodge, James Johnson, Jaxon Ruppe, Kolton Taylor, Lily Bledsoe and Tawk Hei.

PARKER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

49419 Parker Memorial Rd. • Rich eld, NC 28137

A Yard & Bake Sale

Friday & Saturday

October 24th &25th

October 30th & November 1st 7:30am – Until

Sale will be inside Fellowship Hall, rain or shine

Oct. 30

Oct. 31

Items: Dishes, Pocket Books, Lamps, Kitchen Items, Shoes, Comforters, Toddler Toys, Books, DVD’s; All New Items, clothes of all sizes

There will be baked goods to buy. Something For Everyone!

Proceeds going toward missions

Nov. 1

ages.

Loping Crow Distillery 24030 Endy Road Albemarle

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | SHERI FEW

Are government schools redeemable?

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education.

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years.

The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading.

In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law education-related policies and programs.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are

the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships.

Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens.

Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable.

Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a

cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem.

SAUL LOEB / AP PHOTO

Badin Hardaway Pow Wow

SHOW from page A1

The band consists of community members, local music teachers, and Pfei er University faculty and students. Pfei er supports the ensemble by providing rehearsal space, the use of larger band instruments and an extensive music library.

Along with the university, the SCCB is supported by Uwharrie Bank, The Stanly County Concert Association,

The Stanly County Arts Council and The North Carolina Arts Council.

The SCCB has o ered a preview of the setlist it will perform at the fall concert next month, demonstrating that the group will soon perform a variety of styles from the concert band repertoire.

The group will play “In Motion,” an original band work commissioned by the University of South Florida Concert Band

featuring woodwind ostinatos and rhythmic mallet percussion gures.

Other tracks include the ode to the Cherokee tribe, “Hymn to the Great Spirit,” as commissioned by Carolyn Smith and the Western North Carolina All-District Band, along with a medley of songs from the “Wicked” Broadway production.

“Groovitude” is inspired by funk and disco artists like Earth, Wind and Fire, while

“Fearless” is a high-energy song commissioned by the Union County Bandmasters Association for its All-County Honors Band.

Other tracks will be performed as tributes.

“Spring Will Come Again” was composed by the East Central High School Band from Hurley, Mississippi, in memory of Jordan Anthony Wells, while “Whispers from Beyond” was created by composer Rossano

Galante in memory of Cheryl Williams-Jaeneke.

Following its November concert, the SCCB will return again in the month afterward for an annual holiday performance.

On Dec. 4 at 7 p.m., the band will play a Christmas concert at Albemarle’s Central United Methodist Church. All attendees are encouraged to bring a food item for the Stanly Community Christian Ministries Food Pantry.

Last year, Hunter Biden was convicted under the same drug law

By Lindsay Whitehurst

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest rearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights.

President Donald Trump’s administration asked the jus -

tices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user.

The Justice Department appealed after a lower court largely struck down a law that bars people who use any illegal drugs from having guns.

Last year, a jury convicted Hunter Biden of violating the law, among other charges. His father, then-President Joe Biden, later pardoned him.

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a decision likely by early summer.

The Republican administration favors Second Amendment rights, but government attorneys argued that this ban is a justi able restriction. They asked the court to reinstate a case against Ali Danial Hemani. His lawyers got the felony charge tossed out after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the blanket ban is unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s expanded view of gun rights. The appellate judges found it could still be used against people accused of being high and armed at the same time, though.

Hemani’s attorneys argue the broadly written law puts millions of people at risk of technical violations since at least 20% of Americans have tried pot, according to government health data. About half of states legalized recreational marijuana, but it’s still illegal under federal law.

The Justice Department argues the law is valid when used against regular drug users because they pose a serious public safety risk. The government said the FBI found Hemani’s gun and cocaine in a search of his home as they probed travel and communications allegedly

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linked to Iran. The gun charge was the only one led, however, and his lawyers said the other allegations were irrelevant and were mentioned only to make him seem more dangerous.

The case marks another ashpoint in the application of the Supreme Court’s new test for rearm restrictions. The conservative majority found in 2022 that the Second Amendment generally gives people the right to carry guns in public for self-defense and any rearm restrictions must have a strong grounding in the nation’s history.

The landmark 2022 ruling led to a cascade of challenges to rearm laws around the country, though the justices have since upheld a di erent federal law intended to protect victims of domestic violence by barring guns from people under restraining orders.

COUNCIL

OBITUARIES

PAMELA KIMEL THOMPSON

JAN. 10, 1944 – OCT. 12, 2025

Pamela Anne Kimel Thompson, 81, of Monroe, passed away on October 12, 2025, at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with Father Benjamin Roberts o ciating. The family will receive friends earlier that morning from 10-10:30 a.m. at Davis Chapel, prior to the service hour.

Born on January 10, 1944, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, Pamela was the daughter of the late Horace Mims Kimel and Ruth Ella Ashburn Kimel. She was a retired Registered Nurse, having devoted more than 40 years to caring for others with skill, compassion, and dedication. She earned her nursing degree from Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem and later received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Purdue University.

In addition to her clinical work, Pamela also taught nursing at Salem College in Louisville, Kentucky, for three years, where she shared her knowledge and passion for patient care with the next generation of nurses.

Pamela was a long-time member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a woman of deep curiosity and joy. She loved to travel and treasured her adventures in Italy, Sweden, Russia, Scotland, England, and Hawaii. Through the Friendship Force, she and her husband welcomed families from Belgium and South Korea into their home, forming friendships that spanned the globe.

Her family remembers her as vivacious, loving, caring, and inquisitive—a bright and happy presence in every room. She was an avid reader who could often be found leaving the library with an armful of books, and she found beauty and meaning in the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. Above all, Pamela was practical, kind, and deeply devoted to her family.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Carl Vincent Thompson; her daughter, Dee Anna Nunn of Willow Spring, NC; her brother, Sam Kimel and wife Linda of Rockford, IL; her sister, Marti Smith of Bolivia, NC; granddaughter Caitlin McClure of Warner Robins, GA; and two great-grandchildren, Aubrey McCleod of Bonaire, GA, and Alanna English of Willow Spring, NC.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Horace Mims “Jim” Kimel, Jr.

CLAUDE SMITH BROOME

DEC. 25, 1929 – OCT. 14, 2025

Claude Smith Broome, 95 years old, passed away on October 14, 2025. He was born on Christmas Day 1929 in Union County, N.C He was the son of the late Claude C. Broome and Lillian Ross Broome.

Claude was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Doris Medlin Broome, brothers Worth and Larry, and sisters Polly Short and Louise Moore. He is survived by his son, Phillip Perry (Susan), grandsons, Phillip Gabriel (Laurie), Christopher Perry (Amy), a great-grandson, Lofton Broome, and great-granddaughters, Ashton Broome and Brynn Purcell. Claude also leaves an extensive family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Claude had a career as a quality control manager at Springs Industries for more than 42 years and retired in 1990. He was also active in Bethlehem United Methodist Church and served in several capacities, including Sunday school teacher. He had also been a Boy Scout leader.

Never was there a kinder, more considerate person. He had friends far and wide. He enjoyed farming and, in earlier years, raised cattle and grew peaches on family land near and dear to him in Roughedge, NC. He was quick to defend and slow to judge. He was devoted to his wife, Doris, and spent many hours gardening with her.

The funeral service will be at Davis Chapel | Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Monroe on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Chris Baucom o ciating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service.

Claude and Doris’s Ashes will be scattered together in a private family ceremony on a later date. In lieu of owers, the family asks memorials to be made to Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Union, 700 W Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110. Davis Chapel-Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Monroe is serving the Broome family.

CARL EDWARD HARKEY

SEPT. 19, 1932 – OCT. 15, 2025

Carl Edward Harkey, 93, was born in Albemarle on September 19, 1932. He passed away in the loving care of Spring Arbor of Albemarle on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Carl was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Myrtle Harkey, his brothers Fred Gaines Harkey, Jr. and Walter Harkey, Sr., and his sister Elizabeth Harkey Biedrycki. He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Harkey Walser.

Carl served in the US Army in Germany from January 1953 to January 1955.

A graveside service will take place at the (old) Norwood Cemetery, 406 N. Kendall St., at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 20th, 2025.

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Harkey family.

SAM J. HOPKINS

DEC. 31, 1941 – OCT. 16, 2025

Sam J. Hopkins, 83, of Midland, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Born on December 31, 1941, in Stanly County, he was the son of the late Sam Allen Hopkins and Raymell Atrea Harvell, and was lovingly raised by his grandparents. He was the father of 3 sons.

Sam is survived by his devoted wife of over 50 years, Mary Hartsell Hopkins.

A man of deep faith, Sam found great joy in preaching the gospel and serving in church ministry. His life was a re ection of his love for God and his commitment to helping others grow in their faith. In his spare time, Sam enjoyed working around his home and garden, always nding ful llment in caring for the place and people he loved most.

Sam’s legacy of faith, hard work, and devotion to family will be cherished by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends from 2:30-3:15 p.m., Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Clear Creek Baptist Church, 9015 Ferguson Road, Charlotte, NC 28227. The funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the church, o ciated by Rev. Homer Murdock.

In lieu of owers, memorial donations may be made to Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Cabarrus, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Hopkins family.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@northstatejournal.com

Ace Frehley, Kiss’ lead guitarist, dead at 74

He feuded on and o with his bandmates over the decades

By Hannah Schoenbaum and Andrew Dalton The Associated Press

ACE FREHLEY, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss, who captivated audiences with his elaborate galactic makeup and smoking guitar, died last Thursday. He was 74.

Frehley died peacefully surrounded by family in Morristown, New Jersey, following a recent fall, according to his agent.

Family members said in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Kiss, whose hits included “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” was known for its theatrical stage shows, with re and fake blood spewing from the mouths of band members dressed in body armor, platform boots, wigs and signature black-and-white face paint.

Kiss’ original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss. Frehley’s is the rst death among the four founding members.

Band members took on the personas of comic book-style characters — Frehley was known as “Space Ace” and “The Spaceman.” The New York-born entertainer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer often experimented with pyrotechnics, making his guitars glow, emit smoke and shoot rockets from the headstock.

“We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley,” Simmons and Stanley said in a joint statement. “He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Born Paul Daniel Frehley, he grew up in a musical family and began playing guitar at age 13. Before joining Kiss, he played in local bands around New York City and was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix at age 18.

Kiss was especially popular in the mid-1970s, selling tens of millions of albums and licensing its iconic look to become a marketing marvel. “Beth” was its biggest commercial hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 in 1976.

As the Kennedy Center’s new chairman, President Donald Trump named Kiss as one of this year’s honorees. In 2024, the band sold their catalog, brand name and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group in a deal estimated to be more than $300 million.

Frehley frequently feuded with Stanley and Simmons through the years. He left the band in 1982, missing the years when they took o the makeup and had mixed success. Stanley later said they nearly replaced Frehley with Eddie Van Halen, but Vinnie Vincent assumed the lead guitar role.

Frehley performed both as a solo artist and with his band, Frehley’s Comet.

But he rejoined Kiss in the mid-1990s for a triumphant reunion and restoration of their original style that came after bands including Nirvana, Weezer and the Melvins had expressed a ection for the band and paid them musical tributes. He would leave again in 2002. When the original four entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, a dispute scrapped plans for them to perform. Simmons and Stanley objected to Criss and Frehley being inducted instead of then-guitarist Tommy Thayer and then-drummer Eric Singer. Simmons told Rolling Stone magazine that year that Frehley and Criss “no longer deserve to wear the paint.”

“The makeup is earned,” he added. “Just being there at the beginning is not enough.”

Frehley and Kiss also had a huge in uence on the glammy style of 1980s so-called hair metal bands including Mötley Crüe and Poison.

“Ace, my brother, I surely cannot thank you enough for the years of great music, the many festivals we’ve done together and your lead guitar on Nothing But A Good Time,” Poison front man Bret Michaels said on Instagram.

Harder-edged bands like Metallica and Pantera were also fans, and even country superstar Garth Brooks joined the band members for a recording of their “Hard Luck Woman” on a 1994 compilation.

Frehley would appear occasionally with Kiss for shows in later years. A 2023 concert at Madison Square Garden was billed as the band’s last. While Stanley and Simmons said they would not tour again, they’ve been open to the possibility of more concerts, and they’ve stayed active promoting the group’s music and memorabilia.

“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley

Ace Frehley, lead guitarist for the hard-rock glam band Kiss, performs with a Les Paul guitar during a concert in 1977.

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

STANLY SPORTS

Albemarle pulls past Union Academy with

Bulldogs running back Shoddy Pergee had four touchdowns

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Bulldogs

running back Shoddy Pergee exploded for a 35-yard dash to the end zone with 3:29 left in the game to give Albemarle a 31-24 road win over Union Academy on Friday night. It was a breakout performance for the junior, who tallied four touchdowns, 266 yards and more than a dozen yards per carry as the Bulldogs (4 - 4, 2-3 Yadkin Valley Conference) pulled ahead of the Cardinals (3-5, 1- 4 YVC) in a tied contest. Earlier in the game, Pergee

late touchdown run

put his team on the board with a 10 -yard touchdown run that evened the score at 7-7 late in the rst quarter.

Albemarle soon built a 17-7 cushion behind a 34 -yard eld goal from junior Carlos Popoca and a 6 -yard touchdown run by Pergee. However, Union Academy closed the gap before halftime on a 40 -yard touchdown connection between Nico Mendoza and Gavin Short to make it 17-14.

In the third quarter, the Cardinals evened the score with a eld goal before Pergee struck again for the Bulldogs. This time, on defense at cornerback, he recovered a Cardinal fumble and ran it back 50 yards for a touchdown to put Albemarle up 24 -17 following the extra point.

South Stanly, Mountain Island Charter to square o in conference clash

The Bulls and Eagles are both 4-1 in league play

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — In a road-heavy slate, all but one Stanly County football team will be traveling to play this weekend.

Two local teams will attempt to stay tied for rst in their conference standings, one will aim to move up to .500 in league play and another will try to land its rst win since early September.

Mountain Island Charter at South Stanly

The Rowdy Rebel Bulls (6 -2, 4 -1 Yadkin Valley Conference)

posted their second straight shutout — and fourth of the sea-

son — by blanking Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy 49 - 0 in Mooresboro last weekend.

Returning home to host Mountain Island Charter, South Stanly will be battling a Raptors team (5-3, 4 -1 YVC) that has won four consecutive conference games and is tied with the Bulls, North Stanly and North Rowan in the YVC standings.

As winners of ve of their past six contests, the Bulls will attempt to keep both their offensive success and defensive efforts intact following an 89 - 0 scoring margin during the past two weeks.

North Stanly at Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy

After a 35-23 home victory over North Rowan, North Stanly will look for its eighth win of

Not going down without a ght, Union Academy tied the game with 7:37 left in the

the season as it travels to Huntersville to face Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy.

The matchup between the Comets (7-1, 4 -1 Yadkin Valley Conference) and winless Eagles (0 -8, 0 -5 YVC) is between the top and bottom teams in the YVC standings.

With three other YVC teams tied with the Comets’ 4 -1 conference record, every game over the next two weeks will be important in determining the conference champion at the end of the regular season.

Albemarle at North Rowan

Albemarle came away with a 31-24 win at Union Academy over the weekend, giving the Bulldogs (4 -4, 2-3 YVC) a second consecutive victory to help wash away some of the pain of their prior four-game losing streak. It also moved them up to fth place in the YVC standings.

Albemarle will now head to Spencer for a matchup against the North Rowan (4 - 4, 4 -1 YVC), which lost the rst three games of their 2025 season but have since climbed to the top of the conference.

The Cavaliers will be hoping to rebound after their 12-point loss at North Stanly, but they will now face a Bulldogs squad

fourth quarter when Mendoza found Lloyd Barnes in the back of the end zone. Mendoza had

160 yards for the Cardinals on 10-of-17 passing, while Barnes led all Cardinal pass catchers with 123 yards. Thankfully for the Bulldogs, Pergee’s fourth and nal touchdown strike marked the end of scoring for both teams as Albemarle’s defense stopped the Cardinals on their nal drive. His rushing e orts throughout the game served as the key factor of the night, with the Bulldogs being limited to just 18 yards from their other eight rushing attempts.

Albemarle junior quarterback Adam Jordan completed 4 of 15 passes for 101 yards, while sophomore wideout Naijay Hastings had a team-best 41 receiving yards.

The Bulldogs moved up to fth place in the YVC standings thanks to the back-to -back wins that ended a four-game losing streak. The Cardinals fell to sixth place.

Albemarle is set for another road game this coming weekend when it travels to face the North Rowan (4 - 4, 4 -1 YVC) in Spencer.

that looks to be reenergized following a rough patch and has averaged 36 points during back-to-back wins.

West Stanly at Parkwood

Five straight losses have wreaked havoc on both West Stanly’s season and its standing in the Rocky River Conference, where the Colts (1-7, 0-3 RRC) have dropped to the bottom of the pack.

Most recently, West Stanly lost 41-28 at Forest Hills as the Colts failed to come back from a 21-14 halftime de cit. A road game in Monroe against Parkwood (1-7, 0-3 RRC) is up next. The Wolfpack have lost their past seven games, giving West an opponent with aws to capitalize on. In last season’s meeting between the two schools, Parkwood came out on top with a 46-13 road win over the Colts in Oakboro.

Albemarle sophomore Jaymi Campbell, bottom, jumps on a Union Academy fumble during the Bulldogs’ win on Friday.

COURTESY STARLA WHITLEY

Albemarle running back Shoddy Pergee had all four of the Bulldogs’ touchdowns on Oct. 17.

COURTESY CALEB STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

South Stanly’s Jasiah Holt runs to the end zone during the Bulls’ shutout win over North Stanly on Oct. 10.

Briscoe gets OT win at Talladega

The victory gives Joe Gibbs Racing two spots in the Cup Series championship nale

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joe Gibbs Racing was facing an internal mutiny just a month ago when two of its championship-eligible drivers didn’t feel the team owner’s grandson was helping his teammates try to win the Cup title.

Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, raced both Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin hard early in the playo race at New Hampshire. Gibbs wasn’t eligible for the championship, Hamlin grew frustrated at being held up by his teammate, so he wrecked Gibbs out of his way.

Sunday, Ty Gibbs pushed Chase Briscoe in overtime to the win at Talladega Superspeedway to give JGR two spots in the Cup Series’ championship race.

Briscoe is in the winner-take-all nale alongside teammate Hamlin as Toyota claimed the rst two of the four berths with one race remaining to set the championship eld.

“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty,” Briscoe said. “This is an amazing team e ort. I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

“It’s such a competitive world. I’m kind of used to it in football. You get it,” Joe Gibbs said. “But over here, we got four teams, and the challenge is always trying to get them to work together. If you think about it, each driver has got their own career. They got their own sponsor, and it just becomes extremely competitive.

“So sometimes you wind up with issues like that. It’s part of part of sports. Guys are, you know, very competitive and want to make it happen. And so at di erent times, you may have issues that you got to deal with.”

Briscoe, who raced to his rst career superspeedway victory, is in his rst season driving for Gibbs.

He’s now going to race for

the Cup title for the rst time. “Ty was the whole reason I won the race, he was extremely committed to me,” Briscoe said. “When I made a move, Ty went with me. He was just really sel ess in the fact of he’s going for his rst career win and could have easily tried to make a move or done something di erent. But he just pushed me to the win and just an incredible team e ort.”

Briscoe was sixth on the restart — a two-lap sprint in overtime to the nish — and Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson split the front row and lined up side-by-side for the Chevrolet drivers to control the race.

Byron was getting help from behind from fellow Chevrolet driver Carson Hocevar, a driver for Hendrick aligned Spire Motorsports. Larson’s push was from Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, who did get Larson into the lead.

There are two open spots left in the championship eld to be determined next week in the nale of the third round of the playo s. Bell and Larson are above the elimination line but neither is all that comfortable.

The race went to overtime when Chris Buescher was leading with two laps to go and he was spun from behind by Byron, who was shoved into Buescher by Hocevar. Buescher spun across the front of the pack and slammed hard into an inside wall in a onecar crash that sent the race to overtime.

Todd Gilliland nished a career-best second and Gibbs was third. Wallace was fourth.

Elliott in early crash

Chase Elliott’s chances to advance into the nal four took a hit when NASCAR’s most popular driver was collected in the rst crash of the race.

Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was already below the cutline for elimination when he was caught in an early eight- car crash 52 laps into the race.

Elliott now goes to Martinsville Speedway in a mustwin situation to advance to the title - deciding nale at Phoenix for the rst time since 2022.

BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO

Chase Briscoe (19) leads the pack to the nish line for the win during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega.

State tournament play is here

Stanly News Journal sta

South Stanly volleyball, 9-14, 5-5 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

Last week’s scores: Lost 3-2 vs. North Stanly, Yadkin Valley Tournament Won 3-1 vs. Avery County, NCHSAA Class 2A state tournament

This week’s schedule: Oct. 21 vs. Community School of Davidson, NCHSAA Class 2A state tournament

TBD

The Bulls drew a No. 17 seed in the state championships and upset No. 16 Avery County in the rst round. That earned a date with the top seed.

South Stanly boys’ soccer, 2-12, 0-10 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

Last week’s scores: Lost 9-0 at Union Academy Lost 9-0 at Gray Stone Day

Upcoming schedule: Oct. 29 at Anson

The Bulls‘ losing streak has reached a dozen, the last three by matching 9 - 0 scores.

West Stanly volleyball, 21-3, 12-0 in Rocky River 4A/5A

Last week’s scores: Won 3-0 vs. Mount Pleasant,

Rocky River Tournament Won vs. Anson, 3-0, Rocky River Tournament

This week’s schedule: Oct. 21 vs. Bandys, NCHSAA Class 4A state tournament

The Colts won the conference tournament and earned a No. 2 seed in states. They enjoyed a rst-round bye and open play against No. 15.

West Stanly boys’ soccer, 9-10-1, 6-4-1 in Rocky River 4A/5A

Last week’s scores: Lost 4-0 vs. Monroe Won 3-0 vs. Forest Hills

This week’s schedule: Oct. 22 at Anson Oct. 27 at South Rowan

The Colts saw their four-game win streak snapped but bounced back with another shutout win.

North Stanly volleyball, 17-10, 9-1 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores: Won 3-2 vs. South Stanly, Yadkin Valley Tournament Won 3-2 vs. Gray Stone Day, Yadkin Valley Tournament

This week’s schedule: Oct. 21 vs. West Davidson, NCHSAA Class 3A state tournament

The Comets won the Yadkin Valley tournament and drew an 8-seed in the state tourney.

They drew a rst-round bye and open with the 9 -seed.

North Stanly boys’ soccer, 5-11-2, 2-6-2 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores: Lost 7-3 vs. Albemarle

This week’s schedule: TBD

The Comets completed the regular season schedule and will wait on the postseason brackets to be unveiled.

Albemarle volleyball, 7-10, 2-8 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores: Lost 3-0 at Swain County, NCHSAA Class 2A state tournament

Season complete

The Bulldogs drew a No. 21 seed in states and fell to No. 12 Swain to end their season.

Albemarle boys’ soccer, 9-9-1, 5-4-1 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores: Won 7-3 at North Stanly

This week’s schedule: TBD

The Bulldogs reached .500 with a win over North Stanly in the regular season nale.

Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

North Stanly, 7-1, 4-1

South Stanly; 6-2, 4-1

North Rowan; 4-4, 4-1

Mountain Island, 5-3, 4-1 Albemarle; 4-4, 2-3

Thomas Je erson; 3-5, 1-4 Union; 3-5, 1-4

Bonnie Cone, 0-8, 0-5

Games last week (Oct. 17)

• North Stanly 35, North Rowan 23

• Albemarle 31, Union Academy 24

• Forest Hills 41, West Stanly 28

• South Stanly 49, Thomas Je erson 0

Rocky River 4A/5A

Mount Pleasant; 6-2, 3-0 Monroe; 4-3, 3-0

Forest Hills; 7-1, 2-1 Anson; 1-7, 1-2

West Stanly; 1-7, 0-3

Parkwood; 1-7, 0-3

Games this week (Oct. 24)

• Mountain Island at South Stanly

• Albemarle at North Rowan

• North Stanly at Bonnie Cone

• West Stanly at Parkwood

COURTESY STARLA WHITLEY

Albemarle’s Shoddy Pergee (14) burst onto the rushing leaders’ list this week.

FOR RENT

Let’s Work Together

• Instructor, Business Administration (9-month)

• Instructor, Business Administration (9-month)ACI

• Program Head, Accounting

• Program Head, Information Technology/Network Management

We are eager to welcome individuals who are dedicated to our mission and committed to enhancing our community. Interested candidates are invited to browse our open full and part time positions via the website below to nd out how to apply for one of our job openings at SCC.

NOTICE AND INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

Sealed

Albemarle Attention: Matt Smith

Asst. Finance Director P.O. Box 190

Albemarle, North Carolina 28002-0190

The envelope must be marked as follows: Sealed Bid for Central Avenue Substation Additions - Material Bid No.: 2026-01

Bid Opening: 2:30 PM, Friday, November 7, 2025 Speci cations may be obtained at the o ce of the City’s Engineer, Southeastern Consulting Engineers, Inc., P. O. Box 240436, Charlotte, North Carolina 28224, or by contacting Kevin Smorgala via email at: kevin@scepower.com.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the general

public that the City of Albemarle City Council will conduct a public hearing on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 6:30pm or shortly thereafter in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 144 N Second St., Albemarle, N.C. 28001

The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comment on the City’s intent to provide an economic development incentive grant pursuant to N.C.G.S. §158-7.1 through the City’s Albemarle Downtown Area Revitalization (ADAR) Program. The ADAR Program provides grant incentives to encourage reinvestment, in ll development, and building rehabilitation within Albemarle’s Downtown Municipal Service District (MSD). The proposed project involves the redevelopment and revitalization of property located at 410 Pee Dee Avenue within the Downtown MSD. The project will include eligible building improvements and renovations consistent with City zoning, design standards, and the goals of the ADAR Program to promote economic vitality and broaden the local tax base. Following the public hearing, the City Council may consider approval of the proposed ADAR grant agreement. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak for or against this action shall adhere to applicable City policies and statutes regarding open meetings. The City Council approved agenda can be found on the city’s website, www.albemarlenc. gov Please contact city sta with any questions or comments at (704)-9849419.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the general

public that the City of Albemarle City Council will conduct public hearing(s) concerning the item(s) listed below at the dates, times, and location provided herein: ROW Abandonment: At the request of adjacent property owner, AOC 202, LLC., a public hearing will be held to consider abandonment of a 16,400 +/- sq. ft. section of City of Albemarle right-of-way of Je eries St. The hearing(s) will be conducted in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 144 N Second St., Albemarle, N.C. 28001 at the following time(s): Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak for or against this action shall adhere to applicable City policies and statutes regarding open meetings. The City Council approved agenda can be found on the city’s website, www.albemarlenc. gov. Applications and other relevant information for this case is kept on le at the City of Albemarle Planning and Development Services Department in City Hall, which is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please contact city sta with any questions or comments at (704)-984-9424. Publish: Wednesday, October 15, 2025; Wednesday, October 22, 2025; Wednesday, October 29, 2025; and Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 25-E-488

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Clyde N. Overcash Sr., deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before December 30, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 1st day of October, 2025.

CLYDE N. OVERCASH, JR. EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF CLYDE N. OVERCASH, SR. MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 206 E. North St. Albemarle, NC 28001 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Please run Notice: October 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2025

Notice of Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Norwood Town Council will, on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 pm, hold a public hearing at the Town Hall located at 212 S. Main St., Norwood, NC, to consider the following requests: Annexation of 3.20 acres in 3 parcels: PINs 657503045168,657503034943, and 657503033901 Rezoning of 3.20 acres in 3 parcels: PINs 657503045168, 657503034943, and 657603033901 Consider

48482-3 Ingram Road New London, NC 28127 Co-Administrator

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000556-830

Having quali ed as Executrix of

Brandi Carlile, ‘A House of Dynamite,’ Demi Lovato, ‘Nobody Wants This’

A prequel series to Stephen King’s “It” lands on HBO Max

The Associated Press

KATHRYN BIGELOW’S nuclear fallout thriller “A House of Dynamite” and albums from Brandi Carlile and Demi Lovato 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 this week: Season 2 of “Nobody Wants This” sees things get more serious between Adam Brody’s rabbi and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host, Ninja Gaiden 4 asks gamers to ght their way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures, and director Ben Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents with “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

An old genre — the hypothetical nuclear fallout thriller — returns in Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” (Friday on Netix), a minute-by-minute White House drama in which a mystery missile is bearing down on Chicago. The lm tells the 18-minute run-up to impact from three di erent perspectives, with an ensemble including Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos and Idris Elba, as the president. In my review, I wrote: “With riveting e ciency, Bigelow constructs a taut, real-time thriller that opens explosively but dissipates with each progressive iteration.”

In “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, while re ecting on how their show business lives in uenced those of his own family. The lm, premiering Friday on Apple TV, is a distinctly family a air, that culls from the extensive archives of Meara and Stiller, who recorded as much in their private lives as they did in lm and television.

Howard’s “Eden” (now on Prime Video) is based on a true story about a group of disillusioned Europeans who in 1929 sought to create a utopia on an island in the Galápagos. It didn’t go so well. Howard’s lm struggled mightily at the box o ce despite a starry cast including Jude Law, Ana de Ar-

mas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Thursday, the contemporary R&B talent Miguel returns with his rst full-length in nearly a decade. The bilingual “Caos” (the Spanish word for “Chaos”) is the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s “War & Leisure,” and marks a conceptual pivot for the musician. “To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos,’” Miguel said in a press statement. “Through my personal evolution, I learned that transformation is violent. ‘Caos’ is the son-

ic iteration of me bending that violence into something universally felt.” Who is busier than Carlile? Just a few months ago, the musician known for melding folk, alt- country, rock and Americana partnered with the great Elton John for a charming collaborative album, “Who Believes In Angels?” Now, on Friday, she’s gearing up to release a new solo album, “Returning to Myself,” her rst since 2021’s “In These Silent Days.” If you need any recon rmation of her timeless talent, cue up “A War with Time,” written by Carlile and frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Aaron Dessner of The National. And on piano/back-

“To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos.’”

ground vocals? That’s Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.

It’s a “BRAT” autumn for Demi Lovato, whose ninth studio album, “It’s Not That Deep,” embraces club - dance rhythms in addictive pop songs. That’s a noted departure from her last two records, 2022’s “Holy Fvck” and 2023’s “Revamped,” which leaned more traditionally rock ’n’ roll. Both modes work for Lovato: give her space to belt with some edge, and she’ll fashion an earworm.

SERIES TO STREAM

As we get closer to Halloween, a number of new horror shows debut this month. Sam Cla in (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) stars in a new Prime Video mystery from bestselling author Harlan Coben. He plays a forensic psychiatrist who nds himself connecting the dots between a number of cold cases after his father’s death. “Harlan Coben’s Lazarus” is streaming now.

The delightful TV romance between Brody’s rabbi, Noah,

and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host named Joanne carries on Thursday in Net ix’s “Nobody Wants This.” Season 2 picks up shortly after the rst season ended with the two characters attempting to blend their lives as they get more serious. Joanne is also still grappling with the idea of committing to Judaism because it’s a non-negotiable for Noah. In a world that seems to have just gotten more complex in the past year, investing in these two ctional characters’ relationship is a great distraction. Team Joah!

AMC continues to adapt and draw from the works of Anne Rice (known as the Immortal Universe) with “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order.” Debuting Sunday on AMC+, it’s about a secret society that tracks immortals like witches, vampires and the like.

A prequel series to the “It” lms called “It — Welcome to Derry” (thankfully not titled “Stephen King’s: It — Welcome to Derry” and therefore less of a tongue twister), arrives on HBO Max also on Sunday. Set in 1962, Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star as Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, couple who moves to Derry, Maine, with their son and begin to recognize the town is pretty creepy.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 puts you in the cape of a bloodsucker named Phyre who has been asleep for a century and has somehow woken up in Seattle. But you are not alone — a “vampire detective” named Fabian has infected your blood and will update you on grunge, that “Twilight” nonsense and 21st- century goth culture. That includes six competing vampire clans, some brutal, some sneaky and some just outright seductive. Take a bite on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

If you don’t want to be a vampire for Halloween, why not try on Ninja Gaiden 4? In a near-future Tokyo, a prodigy named Yakumo must ght his way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures as he tries to lift a curse from his neon- drenched city. He soon crosses paths with Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary hero of the previous Gaiden games. The swords are swinging on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

EROS HOAGLAND / NETFLIX VIA AP

Kyle Allen stars in director Kathryn Bigelow’s latest thriller, “A House of Dynamite.”

JASIN BOLAND / VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby play Europeans seeking a new life in the Galapagos Islands in “Eden,” Ron Howard’s lm based a true story.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Adam Brody is back as the loveable rabbi in the second season of “Nobody Wants This.”

Miguel

Solution to last week’s puzzle

Solution to this week’s puzzles

Gourd-geous!

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

$2.00

American colleges ghting to prove return on investment

As tuition continues to rise, parents and students are wondering if it’s worth the price

By Collin Binkley The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C.

— For

a generation of young Americans, choosing where to go to college — or whether to go at all — has become a complex calculation of costs and benets that often revolves around a single question: Is the degree worth its price?

Public con dence in higher education has plummeted in recent years amid high tuition prices, skyrocketing student loans and a dismal job market — plus ideological concerns from conservatives. Now col-

leges are scrambling to prove their value to students.

Borrowed from the business world, the term “return on investment” has been plastered on college advertisements across the U.S. A battery of new rankings grade campuses on the nancial bene ts they deliver. States such as Colorado have started publishing yearly reports on the monetary payo of college, and Texas now factors it into calculations for how much taxpayer money goes to community colleges.

“Students are becoming more aware of the times when college doesn’t pay o ,” said Preston Cooper, who has studied college ROI at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. “It’s front of mind for universities today in a way that it was not

“I’m not saying kids shouldn’t go to college. I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon

necessarily 15, 20 years ago.”

Most bachelor’s degrees still worth it

A wide body of research indicates a bachelor’s degree still pays o , at least on average and in the long run. Yet there’s growing recognition that not all degrees lead to a good salary, and even some that seem

like a good bet are becoming riskier as graduates face one of the toughest job markets in years.

A new analysis released Thursday by the Strada Education Foundation nds 70% of recent public university graduates can expect a positive return within 10 years — meaning their earnings over a decade will exceed that of a typical high school graduate by an amount greater than the cost of their degree. Yet it varies by state, from 53% in North Dakota to 82% in Washington, D.C. States where college is more a ordable have fared better, the report says.

It’s a critical issue for families who wonder how college tuition prices could ever pay

See COLLEGES, page A2

The last 20 hostages were released after spending two years in captivity

By Melania Lidman The Associated Press

THE N.C. WILDLIFE Resources Commission recently released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs back to the wild, with four returning to the coastal region and eight to the mountains. The releases were conducted through the commission’s cub rehabilitation program, which has operated since 1976 as one of the rst such programs in the country. While the program initially aimed to restore North Carolina’s black bear

population, it now focuses on giving orphaned cubs the best chance of survival in the wild.

The commission receives orphaned cubs beginning in late January, with most arriving April through June after female bears emerge from dens with their young. The cubs are placed with the North Carolina Zoo or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, both licensed wildlife rehabilitators experienced in black bear cub care.

The facilities provide specialized food and expert care with minimal human interaction until the cubs reach 7 to 8 months old. Some cubs receive tracking collars upon release, allowing biologists to monitor their

melons on display in the pumpkin

PJ WARD-BROWN / TWIN CITY HERALD

Trip

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

Last year, Hunter Biden was convicted under the same drug law

By Lindsay Whitehurst The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest rearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights.

President Donald Trump’s administration asked the justices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user. The Justice Department appealed after a lower court largely struck down a law that bars people who use any illegal drugs from having guns.

Last year, a jury convicted Hunter Biden of violating the law, among other charges. His father, then-President Joe Biden, later pardoned him.

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a decision likely by early summer. The Republican administration favors Second Amendment rights, but government

BEARS from page A1

movements and study their post-release behavior.

Five cubs with tracking collars that were released before Hurricane Helene in September 2024 all survived the storm, according to the commission. The cubs found shelter during the hurricane, became active again days later and located suitable den sites for hibernation. No con icts with people were reported.

Biologists release cubs in early fall when natural foods

attorneys argued that this ban is a justi able restriction. They asked the court to reinstate a case against Ali Danial Hemani. His lawyers got the felony charge tossed out after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the blanket ban is unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s expanded view of gun rights. The appellate judges found it could still be used against people accused of being high and armed at the same time, though.

like acorns, fruits and berries are abundant. The cubs are released at heavier weights than their wild counterparts to provide extra fat reserves while they orient themselves to their new surroundings.

Research shows that minimizing captivity time while maximizing release weight improves outcomes for the cubs’ survival. Cubs are released on state-managed lands away from human development in the region where they were originally found.

Wildlife biologists caution

COLLEGES from page A1

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

o , said Emilia Mattucci, a high school counselor at East Allegheny schools, near Pittsburgh. More than two-thirds of her school’s students come from low-income families, and many aren’t willing to take on the level of debt that past generations accepted. Instead, more are heading to technical schools or the trades and passing on fouryear universities, she said.

“A lot of families are just saying they can’t a ord it, or they don’t want to go into debt for years and years and years,” she said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been among those questioning the need for a four-year degree. Speaking at the Reagan Institute think tank in September, McMahon praised programs that prepare students for careers right out of high school.

“I’m not saying kids shouldn’t go to college,” she said. “I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Lowering college tuition, improving graduate earnings

American higher education has been grappling with both sides of the ROI equation — tuition costs and graduate earnings. It’s becoming even more

important as colleges compete for decreasing numbers of college-age studentsas a result of falling birth rates.

Tuition rates have stayed at on many campuses in recent years to address a ordability concerns, and many private colleges have lowered their sticker prices in an e ort to better re ect the cost most students actually pay after factoring in nancial aid.

The other part of the equation — making sure graduates land good jobs — is more complicated.

A group of college presidents recently met at Gallup’s Washington headquarters to study public polling on higher education. One of the chief reasons for agging con dence is a perception that colleges aren’t giving graduates the skills employers need, said Kevin Guskiewicz, president of Michigan State University, one of the leaders at the meeting.

“We’re trying to get out in front of that,” he said.

The issue has been a priority for Guskiewicz since he arrived on campus last year. He gathered a council of Michigan business leaders to identify skills that graduates will need for jobs, from agriculture to banking. The goal is to mold degree programs to the job market’s needs and to get students internships and work experience that can lead to a job.

Arguments probably will take place early in 2026, with a decision likely by early summer.

Hemani’s attorneys argue the broadly written law puts millions of people at risk of technical violations since at least 20% of Americans have tried pot, according to govern-

that bear cubs seen alone are rarely orphaned, as mother bears often forage nearby and return within hours.

“People who try to capture or handle a cub are not only risking the cub’s safety, but their own if the mother bear is nearby, as she may try to defend her cubs,” said Jenna Malzahn, a black bear biologist with the commission, in a press release.

“By trying to capture a bear cub, you may cause it to become orphaned, injured or both.” By fall, the commission’s Wildlife Helpline receives few-

Disconnect with job market

Bridging the gap to the job market has been a persistent struggle for U.S. colleges, said Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, a think tank that studies the workforce. Last year the institute, partnering with Strada researchers, found 52% of recent college graduates were in jobs that didn’t require a degree. Even higher-demand elds, such as education and nursing, had large numbers of graduates in that situation.

“No programs are immune, and no schools are immune,” Sigelman said.

The federal government has been trying to x the problem for decades, going back to President Barack Obama’s administration. A federal rule rst established in 2011 aimed to cut federal money to college programs that leave graduates with low earnings, though it primarily targeted for-pro t colleges.

A Republican reconciliation bill passed this year takes a wider view, requiring most colleges to hit earnings standards to be eligible for federal funding. The goal is to make sure college graduates end up earning more than those without a degree.

Others see transparency as a key solution.

For decades, students had little way to know whether grad-

ment health data. About half of states legalized recreational marijuana, but it’s still illegal under federal law.

The Justice Department argues the law is valid when used against regular drug users because they pose a serious public safety risk. The government said the FBI found Hemani’s gun and cocaine in a search of his home as they probed travel and communications allegedly linked to Iran. The gun charge was the only one led, however, and his lawyers said the other allegations were irrelevant and were mentioned only to make him seem more dangerous.

The case marks another ashpoint in the application of the Supreme Court’s new test for rearm restrictions. The conservative majority found in 2022 that the Second Amendment generally gives people the right to carry guns in public for self-defense and any rearm restrictions must have a strong grounding in the nation’s history.

The landmark 2022 ruling led to a cascade of challenges to rearm laws around the country, though the justices have since upheld a di erent federal law intended to protect victims of domestic violence by barring guns from people under restraining orders.

er calls about suspected orphaned cubs and more inquiries about bears denning in urban areas. Cubs orphaned in late summer or early fall are typically old enough to survive independently, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation releases at this time of year.

National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” featured the state’s bear cub rehabilitation program in an episode. The series is available for streaming on Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.

uates of speci c degree programs were landing good jobs after college. That started to change with the College Scorecard in 2015, a federal website that shares broad earnings outcomes for college programs. More recently, bipartisan legislation in Congress has sought to give the public even more detailed data.

Lawmakers in North Carolina ordered a 2023 study on the nancial return for degrees across the state’s public universities. It found that 93% produced a positive return, meaning graduates were expected to earn more over their lives than someone without a similar degree.

The data is available to the public, showing, for example, that undergraduate degrees in applied math and business tend to have high returns at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while graduate degrees in psychology and foreign languages often don’t.

Colleges are belatedly realizing how important that kind of data is to students and their families, said Lee Roberts, chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, in an interview.

“In uncertain times, students are even more focused — I would say rightly so — on what their job prospects are going to be,” he added. “So I think colleges and universities really owe students and their families this data.”

SUSAN WALSH / AP PHOTO

The Supreme Court will take on a rearm case this session.

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | SHERI FEW

Are government schools redeemable?

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education.

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years.

The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law education-related policies and programs.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are

the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships.

Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens.

Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable.

Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a

cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem.

SAUL LOEB / AP PHOTO

Thieves steal crown jewels from Louvre Museum

The daylight heist sounds like something from a movie

By Thomas Adamson

The Associated Press

PARIS — In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the world’s most-visited museum, thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvre’s facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and ed with priceless Napoleonic jewels, o cials said.

The daylight heist about 30 minutes after opening, with visitors already inside, was among the highest-pro le museum thefts in living memory and comes as sta complained that crowding and thin sta ng are straining security.

The theft unfolded just 250 meters (270 yards) from the Mona Lisa, in what Culture Minister Rachida Dati described as a professional “four-minute operation.”

One object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, French authorities said. It was reportedly recovered broken.

Images from the scene showed confused tourists being steered out of the glass pyramid and adjoining courtyards as o cers closed nearby streets along the Seine. No one was hurt.

Also visible was a lift braced to the Seine-facing facade near a construction zone, since removed — the thieves’ entry point and, observers said, a striking vulnerability for a palace museum.

A museum already under strain

Around 9:30 a.m., several intruders forced a window, cut panes with a disc cutter and went straight for the glass display cases, o cials said. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the crew entered from outside using a basket lift via the riverfront facade, where construction is underway, to reach the hall with the 23-item royal collection.

Their target was the gilded Apollon Gallery — where the Crown Diamonds are displayed, including the Regent, the Sancy and the Hortensia.

The thieves smashed two display cases and ed on motorbikes, Nunez said. Alarms brought Louvre agents to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt, but the theft was already done.

Eight objects were taken, according to o cials: a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress Eugénie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch — a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble.

“It’s a major robbery,” Nunez said, noting that security measures at the Louvre had been strengthened in recent years and would be reinforced further as part of the museum’s upcoming overhaul plan. O cials said security upgrades include new-generation cameras, perimeter detection, and a new security control room. But critics say the measures come far too late.

The Louvre closed for the rest of Sunday for the forensic investigation to begin as police sealed gates, cleared courtyards and shut nearby streets along the Seine.

Daylight robberies during public hours are rare. Pulling one o inside the Louvre with visitors present ranks among Europe’s most audacious in recent history, and at least since Dresden’s Green Vault museum in 2019. It also collides with a deeper tension the Louvre has struggled to resolve: swelling crowds and stretched sta . The museum delayed opening during a June sta walkout over overcrowding and chronic understa ng. Unions say mass tourism leaves too few eyes on too many rooms and creates pressure points where construction

tections are not uniformly as robust across the museum’s more than 33,000 objects.

The theft is a fresh embarrassment for a museum already under scrutiny.

“How can they ride a lift to a window and take jewels in the middle of the day?” said Magali Cunel, a French teacher from near Lyon. “It’s just unbelievable that a museum this famous can have such obvious security gaps.”

The Louvre has a long history of thefts and attempted robberies. The most famous came in 1911, when the Mona Lisa vanished from its frame, stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia and recovered two years later in Florence. Another notorious episode came in 1956, when a visitor hurled a stone at her world-famous smile, chipping paint near her left elbow and hastening the move to display the work behind protective glass.

“It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again.”

Tobias Kormind, 77 Diamonds

Today the former royal palace holds a roll call of civilization: Leonardo’s Mona Lisa; the armless serenity of the Venus de Milo; the Winged Victory of Samothrace, wind-lashed on the Daru staircase; the Code of Hammurabi’s carved laws; Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People; Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa. The objects — from Mesopotamia, Egypt and the classical world to Europe’s masters — draw a daily tide of up to 30,000 visitors even as investigators now begin to sweep those gilded corridors for clues.

Politics at the door

The heist spilled instantly into politics. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella used it to attack President Emmanuel Macron, weakened at home and facing a fractured parliament.

“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture,” Bardella wrote on X. “This robbery, which allowed thieves to steal jewels from the French Crown, is an unbearable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?” The criticism lands as Macron touts a decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan — about €700 million ($760 million) to modernize infrastructure, ease crowding and give the Mona Lisa a dedicated gallery by 2031. For workers on the oor, the relief has felt slower than the pressure.

What we know — and don’t

Forensic teams are examining the site of the crime and adjoining access points while a full inventory is taken, authorities said. O cials have described the haul as of “inestimable” historical value.

Recovery may prove di cult.

“It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again,” said Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds. “Professional crews often break down and recut large, recognizable stones to evade detection, e ectively erasing their provenance.”

Key questions still unanswered are how many people took part in the theft and whether they had inside assistance, authorities said. According to French media, there were four perpetrators: two dressed as construction workers in yellow safety vests on the lift, and two each on a scooter. French authorities did not immediately comment on this.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV from the Denon wing and the riverfront, inspecting the basket lift used to reach the gallery and interviewing sta who were on site when the museum opened, authorities said.

zones, freight routes and visitor ows meet. Security around marquee works remains tight — the

Mona Lisa sits behind bulletproof glass in a climate-controlled case — but Sunday’s theft also underscored that pro -

ALEXANDER TURNBUL / AP PHOTO

Visitors check jewelry in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre museum on Sept. 4 in Paris.

THIBAULT CAMUS / AP PHOTO

A police car patrols in the courtyard of the closed Louvre museum after a robbery on Sunday.

Forsyth SPORTS

James, Paul, Lowry enter season as the NBA’s largest 20-year club

For the rst time, the NBA has three players who have played two decades

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

LEBRON JAMES’ beard has quite a bit of gray in it these days. Chris Paul has been hearing questions for years about how much longer he wants to play. Kyle Lowry already has his retirement job lined up, for whenever that day comes.

Meet the NBA’s current 20-year club. It’s bigger than ever before.

There are no players currently in the league — and very few in the league’s 80 -season history — with more seniority than the trio of James, Paul and Lowry. For the rst time, the NBA has three players simultaneously entering their 20th seasons; James, when he makes his 2025-26 debut, will be the rst 23-year player in league history, while Paul is going into his 21st season and Lowry is entering his 20th.

“The love of the game is still high. The love of the process is even higher,” James said. “So, that’s what continues to push me to play this game. I mean, it is really that simple.”

There’s nothing simple about it. To still be contributing at this level, at this point in their careers, is practically unheard of.

All three invest plenty of their own money (they’ve made a combined $1.2 billion in NBA salaries) in their own individualized programs that have helped them survive the rigors of NBA life for this long.

James’ workout regimen is legendary, yet still not invincible — he’ll miss the start of this season while dealing with sciatica and there’s no rm timetable for when he’ll actually take the oor with the Los

Angeles Lakers to start Year 23.

Lowry, at least since the NBA began tracking such stats, is the NBA’s all-time leader in charges taken, which means he’s probably taken more hard falls than anybody. And last season with San Antonio, Paul became the rst player in NBA history to play 82 games in a 20th year of a career — and he started all of them, too.

“I’ve always believed in ‘keep stacking days’ and that you just have to show up every single day, every single day,” said Paul, who rejoined the Los Angeles Clippers this summer. “So, that’s what I plan on bringing to this team. … My role on this team is obviously di erent than it’s been the past 20 years of being in the NBA, but showing up every day, if I can show some of the guys what it looks like every day to clock in and clock out, I’m excited for it.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the rst player in the 20 -season club, getting there in 1988-89.

Robert Parish followed in 1995-96 (and played a 21st season as well). Kevin Willis played 21 seasons, his career ending in 2006-07.

The rest of the entrants into the club have all come in the last decade: Kevin Garnett, Kobe

Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter (the league’s rst 22-year player before James tied that mark last year), Jamal Crawford, Udonis Haslem, James, Paul and soon, Lowry.

What the likes of James, Paul and Lowry have done, and how they’ve done it, has been noticed by everyone — veteran and younger players alike.

“I’m asking and taking advice from these guys and I want to take even more advice from them in the future,” said San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama, who is going into his third season. “They’re de nitely examples.”

Lowry is back with the Philadelphia 76ers this season, though he has signed with another team as well — Amazon Prime, which he’s joining as an analyst this season, even while still playing.

“I love the game of basketball and I have had the ability to play professional basketball for 20 years and basketball my whole life,” Lowry said. “When you wake up every day you should still be motivated to play basketball. … And I have some unbelievable teammates, unbelievable teammates. That’s my motivation. I just want to continue to give what I’ve learned for as long as I can.”

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Steve Stevenson

East Forsyth, football

Steve Stevenson is a senior o ensive lineman on the East Forsyth football team.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder has helped pave the way for an Eagles rushing attack that has gained 1,519 yards this season, an average of 189.9 per week. They gain 6.1 yards per carry and have run for 16 touchdowns.

Stevenson is coming o an all-region and allconference junior season, and he was honored this year with a selection to the N.C. roster for December’s Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.

Briscoe gets OT win at Talladega

The victory gives Joe Gibbs Racing two spots in the Cup Series championship nale

By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joe Gibbs Racing was facing an internal mutiny just a month ago when two of its championship-eligible drivers didn’t feel the team owner’s grandson was helping his teammates try to win the Cup title.

Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, raced both Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin hard early in the playo race at New Hampshire. Gibbs wasn’t eligible for the championship, Hamlin grew frustrated at being held up by his teammate, so he wrecked Gibbs out of his way.

Sunday, Ty Gibbs pushed Chase Briscoe in overtime to the win at Talladega Superspeedway to give JGR two spots in the Cup Series’ championship race.

Briscoe is in the winner-take-all nale alongside teammate Hamlin as Toyota claimed the rst two of the four berths with one race remaining to set the championship eld.

“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty,” Briscoe said.

“This is an amazing team e ort.

I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

“It’s such a competitive world.

I’m kind of used to it in football.

You get it,” Joe Gibbs said. “But over here, we got four teams, and the challenge is always trying to get them to work together.

If you think about it, each driv-

er has got their own career. They got their own sponsor, and it just becomes extremely competitive.

“So sometimes you wind up with issues like that. It’s part of part of sports. Guys are, you know, very competitive and want to make it happen. And so at di erent times, you may have issues that you got to deal with.”

Briscoe, who raced to his rst career superspeedway victory, is in his rst season driving for Gibbs.

He’s now going to race for the Cup title for the rst time.

“Ty was the whole reason I won the race, he was extremely committed to me,” Briscoe said. “When I made a move, Ty went with me. He was just really sel ess in the fact of he’s going for his rst career win and could have easily tried to make a move or done something di erent. But he just pushed me to the

win and just an incredible team e ort.”

Briscoe was sixth on the restart — a two-lap sprint in overtime to the nish — and Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson split the front row and lined up side-by-side for the Chevrolet drivers to control the race.

Byron was getting help from behind from fellow Chevrolet driver Carson Hocevar, a driver for Hendrick aligned Spire Motorsports. Larson’s push was from Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, who did get Larson into the lead.

There are two open spots left in the championship eld to be determined next week in thenale of the third round of the playo s. Bell and Larson are above the elimination line but neither is all that comfortable.

The race went to overtime

when Chris Buescher was leading with two laps to go and he was spun from behind by Byron, who was shoved into Buescher by Hocevar. Buescher spun across the front of the pack and slammed hard into an inside wall in a one-car crash that sent the race to overtime.

Todd Gilliland nished a career-best second and Gibbs was third. Wallace was fourth.

Elliott in early crash

Chase Elliott’s chances to advance into the nal four took a hit when NASCAR’s most popular driver was collected in the rst crash of the race.

Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was already below the cutline for elimination when he was caught in an early eight- car crash 52 laps into the race.

Elliott now goes to Martinsville Speedway in a must-win situation to advance to the title - deciding nale at Phoenix for the rst time since 2022.

ERIC THAYER / AP PHOTO

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul poses during team media day.

Chase Briscoe (19) leads the pack to the nish line for the win during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA BASKETBALL

Duke men, women projected to repeat as ACC champions

Charlotte

The Duke Blue Devils’ men and women have been picked to repeat as ACC champions. Duke’s men received 34 of 49 rst-place votes from the media panel. Louisville was second. UNC, NC State and Virginia rounded out the top ve. Wake Forest was 11th

The Duke women received 40 of the 70 rst-place votes. NC State received 25. UNC was picked third and Wake last. State’s Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre, Duke’s Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson and UNC’s Reniya Kelly were on the 10 -player All-ACC rst team

NCAA FOOTBALL

Florida res coach Napier after 4-year run ends with 22-23 record

Gainesville, Fla.

Florida red coach Billy Napier a day after an error- lled win against Mississippi State. Athletic Director Scott Stricklin made the move following a 23 -21 victory that looked like it was going to be gut-wrenching loss until defensive tackle Michai Boireau picked o a pass with 21 seconds remaining. Even so, the home crowd booed Napier as he sprinted o the eld. Napier went 22-23 in four seasons at Florida, including 12 -16 in SEC play. He was 5 -17 against ranked opponents, including 0 -14 away from home.

SOCCER

FIFA announces more than 1 million tickets sold for 2026 World Cup in North America

Miami FIFA announced that more than 1 million tickets have been sold for next year’s World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The highest demand for tickets comes from those three countries. FIFA reported that fans from 212 countries and territories have purchased tickets, even though only 28 of the 48 spots have been lled. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. The rst round of ticket sales was a lottery, with 4.5 million applicants. The next draw opens on Oct. 27.

MLB Padres manager Shildt announces retirement after 2 seasons in charge

San Diego Mike Shildt is retiring after two seasons as the San Diego Padres’ manager. The 57-year- old Charlotte native said he is retiring because “the grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally.” Shildt went 183 -141 and led San Diego to two postseason appearances during his brief tenure. The Padres won 90 games this season and nished second in the NL West before being eliminated by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month in a tense three -game wild- card playo series.

Bills coach McDermott shows resolve, leans on past success

By John Wawrow The Associated Press

ORCHARD

PARK, N.Y. —

If the sky is falling in Bu alo, Bills coach Sean McDermott showed no sign of ducking for cover by instead presenting a calm, resolute front following two straight losses, and amid growing concerns over a porous defense and mis ring o ense.

This is hardly the rst time McDermott has been in this position over nine seasons in Bu alo. And it’s certainly not the rst time he enters a bye week facing what resembles a crisis for the ve-time defending AFC East champion Bills (4 -2) and their Super Bowl aspirations.

Rather than make guarantees, McDermott drew upon the past in knowing the Bills have lost two straight in each of their last six seasons — but never three in a row — and still made the playo s. And then there’s McDermott’s record of 4 -5 entering the break and 8- 0 coming out of it.

“It’s not going to be easy. But we all have a job to do. And we all have to be accountable to one another,” McDermott said. “That’s really been the recipe for us in the past. Who knows this year, but we’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

The work began immediately with McDermott meeting with his two coordinators following Bu alo’s ight home after a 24 -14 loss at Atlanta on Monday night.

On defense, McDermott’s message to Bobby Babich was getting his unit better prepared to start a game after Bu alo allowed 335 yards and 21 points in the rst half against Atlanta.

“It’s just not a great formula,” McDermott said.

Though the Bills limited the Falcons to 108 yards and three points in the second half, the lack of consistency has been a season-long issue.

“Completely understand the sense of panic,” Babich said. “But in this building, we know where we have to improve.”

On o ense, the message to Joe Brady was cutting out what McDermott’s called the “cute” plays in short-yardage situations that have back red in each of the past two outings.

How was Spoelstra o ered Olympic job? Hill didn’t have to ask

The longtime Heat coach was Grant Hill’s rst hire as Team USA director

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — At a dinner in Miami back in August, across the street from the arena where the Heat play their games, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill had a question for Erik Spoelstra.

Hill wasn’t even done asking before Spoelstra gave his answer.

“I’m in,” Spoelstra said. With that, USA Basketball had its next Olympic coach. Hill didn’t have to nish asking the question. Everybody knew the deal was done. And now, the process of getting ready for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can ofcially begin. Spoelstra — who was announced as coach earlier this week — and Hill sat side by side, starting to lay out the plan toward what they hope is more gold for the U.S.

“We got our guy,” Hill said.

Spoelstra had his three children at the news conference, along with Heat President Pat Riley, Heat CEO Nick Arison and virtually the entire Heat coaching sta .

“I understand the expectations and the responsibility of

“We got our guy.”

Grant Hill

this position,” Spoelstra said.

If he didn’t understand, Heat players crashed the news conference to make sure he understood. Heat captain Bam Adebayo has been part of the last two Olympic gold medal wins for the U.S., and he and many other teammates were waving small American ags and chanted “U- S -A!” much to Spoelstra’s delight.

Adebayo has said he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics as well.

“Spo’s a genius,” Adebayo said.

Spoelstra worked his way through the USA Basketball ranks, rst as the coach of the select team that helped the Olympic team that Gregg Popovich coached to gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, then as an assistant under Steve Kerr for the World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Games in 2024.

“Coach Spoelstra represents everything we strive to be,” Hill said.

Spoelstra decided to take the job only after seeing how much USA Basketball welcomes family; he had his kids with him in Paris. Making commitments for both the summer of 2027 and summer of 2028 —

“We’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

Sean McDermott

Josh Allen lost a fumble on a botched hando to tight end Dawson Knox to end the opening drive of a 23-20 loss to New England two weeks ago. A similar play failed again against Atlanta, with receiver Elijah Moore recovering Allen’s fumble on third-and-1 at mid eld in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I feel we’re better than that, and we need to be better next time,” McDermott said. The Bills, who travel to play Carolina (3-3) on Oct. 26 upon their return, are suddenly regarded as an unknown quantity with four wins against teams entering Week 7 with a combined record of 3-21.

O ensively, Brady and Allen might have to gure things out with the players they have in a passing attack that’s shown signs of regression and lacks a reliable deep threat. Barring GM Brandon Beane getting creative, Bu alo has minimal

salary cap space to make a signi cant move before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4.

Beane continues backing his o season roster-building plan in which he added free agents Moore and Joshua Palmer to a receiving group that returned Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.

Palmer was o to strong start with two catches for 60 yards against Atlanta before going down with an ankle injury. With tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) out, no one was able to pick up the slack with Shakir nishing with three catches for 33 yards.

Meantime, Brady was second-guessed for failing to lean more on running back James Cook, who had 87 yards rushing on 17 carries before not getting another touch in the nal 11 minutes.

“There’s got to be a level of urgency. We’re not OK with how we’ve played,” Brady said.

“But unfortunately we’ve been in this position before, and I believe in the coaches and the players that we’re going to gure it out,” he added. “We’re going to come up with solutions and kind of hit the ground running again.”

always busy times for kids — wouldn’t have happened if his family couldn’t be along for the ride.

“The culture of family within USAB is simply remarkable,” Spoelstra said. “The experience that we had as a family at the Olympics will be memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. So, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Spoelstra has been with the Heat for more than 30 years now, starting in the video room — he actually was hired shortly before the franchise brought Riley in to lead the basketball operations in September 1995 — on his way to becoming head coach. He’s been with the Heat for all three of their NBA titles, the last two coming with him as head coach.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity of these 30 years to work for the Heat,” Spoelstra said.

Spoelstra will become the 17th di erent coach to take the U.S. men into an Olympics. Of the previous 16, 14 led the team to at least one gold medal.

Spoelstra was believed to be under consideration when Hill — in what was his rst major decision as managing director of the men’s national team.

Hill made that decision with Spoelstra in mind for this Olympic cycle, even orchestrating that he spend some time with Popovich after the Tokyo Games to plant some seeds.

“It worked out,” Hill said.

Spoelstra indicated that USA Basketball might take a little time before nalizing his group of assistants, and Hill said it may go into next year.

“We’ve just talked loosely about it, but really no specifics yet,” Spoelstra said. “We’ll start with the initial conversations about the pool of candidates and then also the sta , then start to talk loosely about the logistics of the World Cup.”

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Erik Spoelstra, left, and USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill hold up a jersey after Spoelstra was introduced as USA Basketball men’s national team head coach.

Bu alo will try to snap its losing streak at Carolina

COLIN HUBBARD / AP PHOTO

Bu alo Bills head coach Sean McDermott walks on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

the stream

Brandi Carlile, ‘A House of Dynamite,’ Demi Lovato, ‘Nobody Wants This’

A prequel series to Stephen King’s “It” lands on HBO Max

The Associated Press

KATHRYN BIGELOW’S nuclear fallout thriller “A House of Dynamite” and albums from Brandi Carlile and Demi Lovato 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 this week: Season 2 of “Nobody Wants This” sees things get more serious between Adam Brody’s rabbi and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host, Ninja Gaiden 4 asks gamers to ght their way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures, and director Ben Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents with “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

An old genre — the hypothetical nuclear fallout thriller — returns in Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” (Friday on Netix), a minute-by-minute White House drama in which a mystery missile is bearing down on Chicago. The lm tells the 18-minute run-up to impact from three di erent perspectives, with an ensemble including Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos and Idris Elba, as the president. In my review, I wrote: “With riveting e ciency, Bigelow constructs a taut, real-time thriller that opens explosively but dissipates with each progressive iteration.”

In “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, while re ecting on how their show business lives in uenced those of his own family. The lm, premiering Friday on Apple TV, is a distinctly family a air, that culls from the extensive archives of Meara and Stiller, who recorded as much in their private lives as they did in lm and television.

Howard’s “Eden” (now on Prime Video) is based on a true story about a group of disillusioned Europeans who in 1929 sought to create a utopia on an island in the Galápagos. It didn’t go so well. Howard’s lm struggled mightily at the box o ce despite a starry cast including Jude Law, Ana de Ar-

mas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Thursday, the contemporary R&B talent Miguel returns with his rst full-length in nearly a decade. The bilingual “Caos” (the Spanish word for “Chaos”) is the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s “War & Leisure,” and marks a conceptual pivot for the musician. “To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos,’” Miguel said in a press statement. “Through my personal evolution, I learned that transformation is violent. ‘Caos’ is the son-

ic iteration of me bending that violence into something universally felt.” Who is busier than Carlile? Just a few months ago, the musician known for melding folk, alt- country, rock and Americana partnered with the great Elton John for a charming collaborative album, “Who Believes In Angels?” Now, on Friday, she’s gearing up to release a new solo album, “Returning to Myself,” her rst since 2021’s “In These Silent Days.” If you need any recon rmation of her timeless talent, cue up “A War with Time,” written by Carlile and frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Aaron Dessner of The National. And on piano/back-

“To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos.’” Miguel

ground vocals? That’s Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.

It’s a “BRAT” autumn for Demi Lovato, whose ninth studio album, “It’s Not That Deep,” embraces club - dance rhythms in addictive pop songs. That’s a noted departure from her last two records, 2022’s “Holy Fvck” and 2023’s “Revamped,” which leaned more traditionally rock ’n’ roll. Both modes work for Lovato: give her space to belt with some edge, and she’ll fashion an earworm.

SERIES TO STREAM

As we get closer to Halloween, a number of new horror shows debut this month. Sam Cla in (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) stars in a new Prime Video mystery from bestselling author Harlan Coben. He plays a forensic psychiatrist who nds himself connecting the dots between a number of cold cases after his father’s death. “Harlan Coben’s Lazarus” is streaming now.

The delightful TV romance between Brody’s rabbi, Noah,

and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host named Joanne carries on Thursday in Net ix’s “Nobody Wants This.” Season 2 picks up shortly after the rst season ended with the two characters attempting to blend their lives as they get more serious. Joanne is also still grappling with the idea of committing to Judaism because it’s a non-negotiable for Noah. In a world that seems to have just gotten more complex in the past year, investing in these two ctional characters’ relationship is a great distraction. Team Joah!

AMC continues to adapt and draw from the works of Anne Rice (known as the Immortal Universe) with “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order.” Debuting Sunday on AMC+, it’s about a secret society that tracks immortals like witches, vampires and the like.

A prequel series to the “It” lms called “It — Welcome to Derry” (thankfully not titled “Stephen King’s: It — Welcome to Derry” and therefore less of a tongue twister), arrives on HBO Max also on Sunday. Set in 1962, Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star as Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, couple who moves to Derry, Maine, with their son and begin to recognize the town is pretty creepy.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 puts you in the cape of a bloodsucker named Phyre who has been asleep for a century and has somehow woken up in Seattle. But you are not alone — a “vampire detective” named Fabian has infected your blood and will update you on grunge, that “Twilight” nonsense and 21st- century goth culture. That includes six competing vampire clans, some brutal, some sneaky and some just outright seductive. Take a bite on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

If you don’t want to be a vampire for Halloween, why not try on Ninja Gaiden 4? In a near-future Tokyo, a prodigy named Yakumo must ght his way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures as he tries to lift a curse from his neon- drenched city. He soon crosses paths with Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary hero of the previous Gaiden games. The swords are swinging on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

EROS HOAGLAND / NETFLIX VIA AP

Kyle Allen stars in director Kathryn Bigelow’s latest thriller, “A House of Dynamite.”

JASIN BOLAND / VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby play Europeans seeking a new life in the Galapagos Islands in “Eden,” Ron Howard’s lm based a true story.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Adam Brody is back as the loveable rabbi in the second season of “Nobody Wants This.”

STATE & NATION

States use redistricting to help 1 party, but sometimes move can back re

Generally redistricting is done after the census, but it can be done more often

By Margery A. Beck

The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — As states consider redrawing their congressional district lines to favor one political party, some politicians warn that attempts to gerrymander can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.

Pushed initially by President Donald Trump, state legislators across the country are discussing and at times agreeing to change boundaries in hopes of helping members of their party and ultimately deciding control of the U.S. House in 2026. Some are nding it’s not as easy as it seems.

“Trying to win more seats comes with a risk, because in order to win more seats, they have to draw districts more competitively,” said University of Texas at Dallas political science professor Thomas L. Brunell, who helped coin the term dummymander.

Republicans could try redistricting Nebraska

U.S. House districts are typically redrawn once a decade, immediately after a census, but some states allow it to happen more frequently. And the U.S. Supreme Court has said there is no federal curb on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to favor one party.

Nebraska is among a number of states being targeted for mid-decade redrawing of congressional district lines, with the head of the National Republican Redistricting Trust last week naming Nebraska among its top candidates for change. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he supports the idea.

The focus would be the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, a “blue dot” with Nebraska’s highest concentration of Democratic voters in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

Republicans hold all three of Nebraska’s U.S. House seats, including the 2nd District, but the Omaha seat is considered vulnerable. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon eked out wins in the last two elections and won’t seek reelection in 2026, bolstering Democratic hopes.

Gerrymandering in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 2-1 ratio would seem simple, but state Sen. John Cavanaugh said it’s not.

Cavanaugh, a Democrat who worked on Nebraska’s last redistricting e ort following the 2020 U.S. Census and is now seeking the 2nd District seat, said Nebraska’s congressional districts already heavily favor Republicans following decades of GOP-led redistricting e orts.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior.”

Moon Duchin, redistricting expert

“They’ve gone to great lengths to make the 2nd District less competitive,” Cavanaugh said. Redistricting and the 2026 midterm elections

This summer, Trump urged Republican-led Texas to reshape districts so the GOP could win more seats in next year’s elections, jump-starting an o season redistricting battle. The Republican Party typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections and the president is trying to buck that trend. Democrats need to gain just three seats to take control of the House.

In August, Texas lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans a shot at winning ve more seats. Democratic-led California responded with a redistricting plan intended to help Democrats win more seats, though it

still needs voter approval. Leaders in other Democratic-leaning states, such as Maryland, New York and Illinois, have said they’re considering their own mid-decade redistricting plans.

Last month, Republican-led Missouri adopted revised districts aimed at helping the GOP win another seat. North Carolina Republican legislative leaders also have announced plans to vote next week on redrawing the state’s House district map.

Redistricting remains under consideration in several other states, including Indiana and Kansas, where Republican lawmakers are gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an e ort to call a special session for congressional redistricting.

The e ort could back re

Some Republicans remain hesitant, partially because of concerns that mid- decade redistricting could back re. To make Democratic-leaning districts more favorable to Republicans, map drawers would have to shift some Democratic areas into districts currently held by Republicans, making them more vulnerable.

In South Carolina, Republican leaders worry that redrawing its seven U.S. House districts could be dangerous in a state where the GOP hovers at roughly 55% in competitive

elections. Republicans usually hold six of seven seats but lost one for a term in 2018.

Kansas had already attempted to make the state’s four districts an all- GOP congressional delegation when it redrew the lines in 2022 to weaken the Democratic stronghold on the Kansas City-area. But Democratic incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids still won easily in 2022 and 2024.

Trump’s push to redraw the maps comes as his administration’s policies face skepticism among many voters, according to polling by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public A airs Research.

Moon Duchin, a computer and data science professor at the University of Chicago and redistricting expert, said creating reliably partisan congressional maps in a large state like Texas is easier because the state has 38 districts, o ering plenty of options to tinker.

It’s tougher in states like Nebraska or Kansas, she said.

“You have fewer lines; you’re not going to be able to put them as far out of reach without creating opportunities elsewhere,” Duchin said. “And so, yes, you have to do it really carefully because it can back re.”

Even in Texas, Republicans saw the e ects of dummymandering after they aggressively redrew political lines in the 2010s that helped pad the

GOP’s House majority. That lasted until 2018, when a backlash against Trump in his rst term led Democrats to ip two seats that Republicans had thought safe.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior,” Duchin said.

Nebraska has other challenges

After initial reluctance, Republicans in states including Texas and Missouri came around to support redistricting. That could happen in Nebraska, too, but some key Republican lawmakers remain opposed. Republican state Sen. Merv Riepe said he’s not inclined to support such a measure, leaving Republicans with too few votes to overcome a libuster.

That’s in line with Republicans’ failure last year to pass a bill that would have made Nebraska the 49th state to award its Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis.

Currently, only Nebraska and Maine allow presidential electoral votes to be split by congressional district. Nebraska’s 2nd District’s vote has gone to Democrats three times in the last two decades — to Barack Obama in 2008, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session in August.

Randolph record

What-a-melon

Liberty’s Andrew Vial took home a ribbon for his 219.5-pound watermelon at the North Carolina State Fair. It’s not his rst shot at watermelongrowing glory: In 2021, Vial set a record with a 341-pound watermelon. The fair runs through Sunday at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops

Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

Asheboro council approves rezoning for major residential development

The project would bring just under 200 single-family homes

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Ashe-

boro City Council has given the greenlight for a few residential developments.

At its October regular business meeting, the council held three public hearings for zoning applications, including one for approximately 75 acres of property located on Windsor and Gold Hill Road to go to Residential Conditional Zoning for the purpose of developing a 196-lot subdivision.

The site plan for the development calls for single-family, detached dwelling units with two parking spaces and one garage

space per unit. The plan also details a recreation area, with picnic tables and a fenced dog park on the eastern side of the property adjacent to Gold Hill Road.

However, many neighbors brought up concerns regarding the potential subdivision, primarily pointing to issues with density and tra c.

Despite that, the council voted 4-2 to approve the conditional zoning, with councilmembers Bill McCaskill and Kelly Heath voting against the motion.

“I share concerns about the density,” Heath said.

The second hearing was for a rezoning of 0.65 acres of property located east of 223 Rich Ave. to go from Medium-Density Residential and High-Density Residential to a High-Density Residential Conditional

Zoning for the development of a multifamily project.

The development proposes four two-family dwellings (so a maximum of eight units) and also will include a sidewalk installed at the front of the building.

“One deviation of the site plan is the density,” said Justin Luck, planning and zoning director. “There is a proposed oor-area ratio of 26.5%, which is slightly above the 17% by-right and 22% with a special-use permit limit.”

The applicant on the project is Mayor Pro Tem Walker Mo tt.

The third hearing was for a rezoning of approximately 2 acres of property located at 2753, 2761 and 2785 U.S. 220 Business South from General Commercial to General Commercial Conditional Zoning to add manufacturing, processing and assembly use to the property.

“The existing use is printing and publishing, but the request is to add manufacturing, processing and assembly use in the district, which requires either a special-use permit or a conditional zoning,” Luck said. “One requirement of that is to specify which type of manufacturing is to occur, and in this case, it’s for food products and athletic equipment.”

According to the applicant,

Early voting launches for municipal races

Several communities in Randolph County have multiple races for town government positions

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

EARLY VOTING began last week for the fall’s municipal elections.

The early voting period started slightly more than a week after the primary that was held in Asheboro to determine those on the ballot for the city’s mayor and council races.

Now voters in Asheboro will make choices for mayor, city council and the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education. For mayor, councilmembers Eddie Burks and Joey Trogdon advanced from a four-person primary. For city council, there are four open seats with eight candidates — Phillip Cheek, Kelly Heath, Bill McCaskill, Joel McClosky, Mary Joan

Pugh, Phil Skeen, Dave Thomas and Pamela Vuncannon — left after the primary.

The board of education needs two spots lled among candidates Michael Brown, Mikayla Cassidy, Hilda DeCortez and Brad Thomas.

• Franklinville has Ben Harman running uncontested for mayor, while there are four candidates on the ballot for three town commissioner positions.

• In Liberty, sitting Mayor Filmore York is unopposed, while four candidates (Terry Caviness, Larry Coble, Rebekkah Glass, Tyson Nixon) are running for three town commissioner positions.

• Ramseur has three candidates (Diana Brower, Jesse Hembree, David Neve) listed on the ballot for two town commissioner spots.

• In Randleman, J.W. Gaster is challenging Gary Betts Sr. for mayor. Incumbent Melissa Blalock is trying to hold the alderman Ward 2 spot with a

challenge from Craig Hancock, while incumbent Nancy Henderson is unopposed in Ward 3.

• Seagrove Mayor David Fernandez is the lone person on the ballot for mayor, while voters can make two selections among Kevin McBride, Jeremy Steinhart, Ed Walker and Sandra Walker for town commissioner.

• Staley mayor Karen Scotten is unopposed in a reelection bid. There are ve positions on the ballot for town commissioner, with candidates Brooke Boswell, Renee Harrelson, Faye Johnson, Lori Lynn Langley and Sherri Martin.

• Thomasville has a small sliver of population in Randolph County. JacQuez Johnson, Wendy Sellars and Raleigh York Jr. are on the ballot for mayor, while 11 candidates are vying for four positions on city council.

Early voting continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday of this week and then from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 27-31 and 8

a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1. Early voting takes place at the Randolph County Board of Elections at 1457 North Fayetteville St. in Asheboro.

Voting on Election Day (Nov. 4) must be done at assigned precincts. Polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

There are some adjustments for the municipal elections. Asheboro voters who live in the Back Creek voting precinct will go to Asheboro Recreation Center, and voters in the Union Grove voting precinct will use the National Guard Armory. Randleman voters in the Level Cross voting precinct must go to First United Methodist Church in Randleman. Thomasville voters in Randolph County will use the Trinity voting precinct. Of the 447 cities, towns and villages conducting elections this fall, all except 67 municipalities chose to use early and absentee voting.

The number of lots proposed for the Gold Hill development

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

THURSDAY 10.23.25

Another grenade-like device found in Asheboro

A road was closed while a specialty team came to take the item away to be tested

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — O cers with the Asheboro Police Department investigated another suspicious device at a city residence last week.

The Oakmont Drive location drew attention when a resident doing yard work uncovered what appeared to be a hand grenade in a ower bed.

O cers closed o the area and the Greensboro Police Department’s hazardous devices team was summoned. That team took the device o site.

Asheboro Police say they’re awaiting the result of an examination of the device. As of Monday, Jay Hanson, as-

CRIME LOG

Oct. 13

• Tanya Clark, 40, of Trinity, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of controlled substance on prison/jail premises, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Travis Haney, 42, of Thomasville, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of controlled substance on prison/jail premises and simple possession of Schedule II controlled substance.

• Travis Thomas, 43, of Franklinville, was arrested by Randolph County Sheri ’s O ce (RCSO) for misdemeanor breaking and entering and second-degree trespass.

Oct. 14

• Denasia Williams, 26, of Asheboro, was arrested by Archdale PD for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, felony larceny of a motor vehicle and hit and run leaving scene with property damage.

Oct. 15

• Rhonwyn Bu kin, 55, of Randleman, was arrested by NC Probation and Parole for assault on a female and domestic criminal trespass.

• Adalberto Gomez, 54, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for tra cking in methamphetamine.

ASHEBORO POLICE DEPARTMENT PHOTO

The device, pictured, was found at an Asheboro residence.

sistant police chief, said there was no additional information available.

Hanson said the delay wasn’t unusual as there isn’t an open investigation. He said the Greensboro Police Department took the device to be destroyed.

This is the same residence where police checked on a device stemming from the same

• Fabiola GomezBarahona, 38, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for tra cking in methamphetamine.

• Derrick Graham, 40, of Staley, was arrested by Asheboro PD for misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen property.

• Harlee Jessup, 29, of Bennett, was arrested by Asheboro PD for injury to personal property and shoplifting concealment of goods.

• Shadow Johnson, 38, of Archdale, was arrested by RCSO for intimidating a witness.

• Kristen Lester, 31, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree trespass and injuring/tampering with vehicle.

• Ashley Smith, 34, of Pleasant Garden, was arrested by RCSO for assault with a deadly weapon.

Oct. 16

• Christopher Allred, 41, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for resisting a public o cer.

• Samuel Bump, 59, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for seconddegree trespass.

• Kevin Corum, 51, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving

type of inquiry in 2024. Then, a hand grenade was located while family members were cleaning out the location following the death of a person who had lived there. That grenade wasn’t explosive, police said.

Oakmont Drive was reopened after it was blocked o between Edgewood Road and Westview Avenue.

while license revoked and ctitious/cancelled/revoked registration card/tag.

• Brittani Hayes, 39, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Guy Wise, 49, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for violation of court order, tra cking in methamphetamine, tra cking in cocaine, tra cking in opium or heroin, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substance, simple possession of Schedule VI controlled substance, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Oct. 17

• Robert Jenkins, 57, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for failure to report new address as a sex o ender.

Oct. 18

• James Hall, 25, of Asheboro, was arrested by Randleman PD for assault on a female and interfering with emergency communication.

Oct. 19

• Douglas Manley, 43, of Liberty, was arrested by RCSO for misuse of 911 system and misdemeanor stalking.

Randolph Guide

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County.

Oct.

24-25

RSVP Community Theater Presents Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap”

7 p.m.

A popular murder-mystery by one of America’s best-known writers, this is also one of the longest-running plays in history. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, contact the theatre.

Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

Oct. 25

Liberty Farmers Market

7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Purchase a wide array of high-quality, fresh produce from local farmers and growers at this convenient downtown location. Open every Saturday through December 20.

423 W. Swannanoa Ave. Liberty

Asheboro Summer Cruise Series: Grounded Elegance Cruise-In Spooky Cruise Trunk-or-Treat

Cruise-In 6-10 p.m.

Trunk-or-Treat is 6-7:30 p.m.

Classic car a cionados gather to show o their rides and cruise the downtown strip. Those who are planning to decorate their trunks and give out candy are strongly encouraged to arrive by 5:30 p.m. to claim a parking spot at this popular event.

170 Worth St. Asheboro

Nov. 2

2025 Gala & Auction

This year’s event includes an online silent auction and a live auction, with all proceeds going to support the NC Pottery Center and its mission. The evening will also feature a live demonstration and competition between NC potters Kate Waltman and Eck McCanless.

Umstead Hotel & Spa 100 Woodland Pond Drive

the purpose of the rezoning is to allow for the expansion of Good Stu Inc., a peanut butter manufacturer, and the starting of Dill Crew Inc., which would produce pickleball grips, tacky Following those two hearings, the council approved both requests.

The council also held a quasi-judicial hearing for a special-use permit for 1.5 acres of property located on the western side of New Century Drive to authorize a new land use classied as Combustible and Flammable Liquid Storage greater

than 100,000 gallons aggregate. The request was to allow three distribution propane tanks, each containing up to approximately 34,000 gallons on the property. Following the hearing, the council approved the request. The Asheboro City Council will next meet Nov. 6.

Cary

Nov. 8

Rock ’n’ Roll

Elvis Christmas

Headliner Rick Brooks presents an evening of rock ’n’ roll classics, featuring Carol Rousseau, a Patsy Cline tribute artist. General admission tickets are $10 and available at the door.

Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | SHERI FEW

Are government schools redeemable?

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education.

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years.

The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law education-related policies and programs.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are

the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships.

Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens.

Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable.

Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a

President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem.

cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

SAUL LOEB / AP PHOTO

obituaries

Josh Adolfo Rodriguez Higinio

March 6, 2007 – Oct. 11, 2025

Josh Adolfo Rodriguez Higinio, 18, of Asheboro, went home to be with the Lord on October 11, 2025, tragically after an accident.

He was born on March 6, 2007, to Judith Higinio Aguilar and Adolfo Rodriguez Waldestran of Asheboro. Josh was a guy who loved spending time with his friends and family. Everyone would say that Josh is a laid-back guy who loved to joke around and have fun. Josh will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gumersindo Rodriguez Vasquez and Venaranda Waldestran, and his cousin Christopher Ramirez Higinio.

He is survived by his parents, Judith Higinio Aguilar and Adolfo Rodriguez Waldestran of Asheboro, sister Arlet Rodriguez Higinio of Asheboro, niece Ximena Rabadan Rodriguez, and nephew Maximino Edson Rabadan Rodriguez of Asheboro. Grandparents Catalina Aguilar and Ramiro Higinio. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services for Josh will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Visitation will follow at the funeral home. Burial will be held at New Hope Memorial Gardens.

Pugh Funeral Home is proud to serve the Rodriguez Higinio family.

Josh Adolfo Rodríguez Higinio, de 18 años, de Asheboro, se fue a casa para estar con el Señor el 11 de octubre de 2025 trágicamente después de un accidente.

Nació el 6 de marzo de 2007, hijo de Judith Higinio Aguilar y Adolfo Rodríguez Waldestran de Asheboro. Josh era un tipo al que le encantaba pasar tiempo con sus amigos y familiares. Todo el mundo diría que Josh es un tipo relajado al que le encantaba bromear y divertirse. Josh será profundamente extrañado por todos los que lo conocen.

Le precedieron en la muerte sus abuelos, Gumersindo Rodriguez Vasquez y Venaranda Waldestran, y su primo Christopher Ramirez Higinio

Le sobreviven sus padres Judith Higinio Aguilar y Adolfo Rodríguez Waldestran de Asheboro, la hermana Arlet Rodriguez Higinio de Asheboro, su sobrina Ximena Rabadan Rodríguez y su sobrino Maximino Edson Rabadán Rodríguez de Asheboro. También le sobreviven varios tías, tíos y primos.

El funeral de Josh se llevará a cabo el miércoles 15 de octubre de 2025 a las 11 a. m. en la Iglesia Católica de San José. Posteriormente, se realizará el velatorio en la funeraria. El entierro se realizará en New Hope Memorial Gardens. Pugh Funeral Home se enorgullece de servir a la familia Rodríguez Higinio.

Mary Babyak

March 25, 1930 –Oct. 11, 2025

Mary Cecelia Kerns Hoyman Babyak, age 95, of Lillington, passed away on October 11, 2025, at Harnett Central Hospital. She was born on March 25, 1930, in Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Mr. Kerns and Mary Rubbell Kerns. She is also preceded in death by her husbands, Roy Eugene Hoyman and Stephen “Steve” Babyak; son, Roy “Gene” Eugene Hoyman; daughter, Cecelia Hoyman Siko; stepdaughter, Ruthann Babyak Ho man, and three brothers, Martin Joseph Kerns, Robert Kerns, and James Kerns.

Mary left behind a legacy of love, laughter and warmth that will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have known her. Her life was a testament to resilience and dedication, beginning with her early years on the family farm. Despite having to leave school to contribute to the family’s livelihood. As a devoted wife and mother, she built a loving home lled with joy and support. Whether she was tending to her duties as a homemaker or working at the local dry cleaner’s, Mary approached each day with an optimistic heart and a genuine smile. Her love for her family was profound, and she cherished every moment spent with them, lling their lives with her caring presence.

Mary found joy in life’s simple activities: the quiet challenge of a word search puzzle, the friendly competition of a rummy card game, or the peaceful companionship of her beloved cats. Her playful exclamation upon nding a coin, “Oh Boy!

I am rich now,” perfectly encapsulated her cheerful and contented nature. In her later years, despite her health struggles and the challenges brought on by dementia, Mary’s spirit remained bright, nurtured by the unwavering love and care of her daughter, Cecelia, and her grandchildren, Marie and TJ. Even as her health declined, her family ensured she was surrounded by love and comfort.

Mary’s life is a reminder of the beauty in simplicity, the strength found in family bonds, and the joy that can be found in every moment. Her spirit now joins those who have gone before her, but the love and memories she leaves behind.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Michael Babyak, and companion, Amanda of Altoona, PA; stepdaughter, Mary Babyak; daughter-in-law, Dawn Hoyman; ten grandchildren; ve greatgrandchildren; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

Rev. Edward Anderson Jr.

March 1, 1930 – Oct. 13, 2025

Rev. Edward Anderson Jr., 95, of Asheboro, passed away October 13, 2025, at Cross Road Retirement Community.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home, with Rev. Matt Gunter o ciating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Born in Surry County on March 1, 1930, to the late Edward Anderson Sr. and Roxie Nance Anderson, Edward was a devoted man of God and a preacher for over 60 years. Music was a passion of his, especially the piano. He was also able to teach himself how to play almost any instrument simply by listening to it. Edward retired from Arrow International, and some of his favorite times were spent outside mowing and feeding the birds. He was a loving father, husband and grandfather, and he was known for always smiling and cutting up.

In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his brothers, Don, Bill, Mac and Sherman, as well as his sisters, Stella, Lena May and Ruby. Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Alene Anderson; daughters, Rita Boling, Lisa Mace (Keith), and Vivian Cooper; son, Ricky Anderson (Donna); sisters, Lorene and Ann; as well as six grandchildren, nine greatgrandchildren, and 10 greatgreat-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, before the Ridge Funeral Home service.

Linda Ritter

June 3, 1947 – Oct. 16, 2025

Linda Carol Hill Ritter, 78, of Asheboro, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, October 20, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Rev. Terry Bailey o ciating. Burial will follow at New Hope Memorial Gardens.

Linda was born on June 3, 1947, in Randolph County, the daughter of the late Paul Roosevelt Hill and Hazel Lula Owens Hill. Linda enjoyed being outside and helping her husband in the garden. Family was very important to Linda, especially her grandbabies, whom she held dear. She babysat all of her grandchildren till they were ready to go to school. In her spare time, Linda enjoyed working on puzzles and crafts and loved going on vacations to the mountains and the beach with her family. Her love for God showed through in all she did. In addition to her parents, Linda was also preceded in death by her brothers, Richard Hill, Bobby Hill, David Hill, and sisters, Carolyn Allred and Joanne Davis.

Linda is survived by her husband of 53 years, Roger Ritter; daughters, Jamie Kendall (Adam), Crystal Lambeth (Chad); brothers, Glenn Hill, Kenneth Hill (Anne), Terry Hill (Drema), Tommy Hill (Gail); grandchildren, Cheyenne Lambeth, Kendall Metz (Colby), Rebecca Lambeth, Hannah Lambeth, Braxton Lambeth, Nathan Kendall, Caroline Kendall, Rachel Kendall, Abigail Kendall, Josiah Kendall, and Lilianna Kendall.

Martha Sue McCoy

May 1, 1948 – Oct. 18, 2025

Martha Sue Harris McCoy, 77, of Asheboro, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Terra Bella Asheboro in Asheboro.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Boyd Byerly o ciating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Martha was born on May 1, 1948, in Randolph County, the daughter of the late Alfred Harlow Harris and Iris Louise Cox Harris. She was a dedicated caregiver, always doing what she could for anyone and everyone, especially

Timothy “Timmy” Klipfel

June 10, 1950 – Oct. 13, 2025

We are saddened to announce the passing of Timothy James “Timmy” Klipfel, who left us peacefully on October 13, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on June 10, 1950, in Rochester, NY, Tim lived a rich and ful lling life. Tim was a devoted and hardworking man, and his dedication was admired by all who knew him.

A sports fan, Tim rooted for the Chicago Bears, Bu alo Bills, New York Yankees and Notre Dame. He also followed the Carolina Hurricanes, the Greensboro Grasshoppers and college basketball, especially during March Madness.

Tim and Karen shared countless adventures, traveling to attend sporting events at various ballparks, stadiums and arenas. Their road trips were often lled with visits to quirky attractions at Karen’s insistence, which Tim accepted with his signature eye roll and raised eyebrows.

Known for his catchphrase, “NO BAR TOO FAR,” Tim had a deep appreciation for microbreweries. His collection of stickers, posters and tap handles adorned his garage.

Tim’s love for golf led him on numerous trips. He founded the Insulators Local 26 Annual Golf Outing in 2000, a tradition that continues to this day.

Tim loved grilling, where he patiently cooked while enjoying a cold beer. He enjoyed ne dining, often with a Manhattan in hand, and appreciated Broadway plays and musicals.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Klipfel and Mary Engelbrecht. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 34 years, Karen Thomas Klipfel; sisterin-law, Sharon Browne (Jim); brother-in-law, Chuck Wiggins (Tina); uncle, William Birecree; along with many cousins and friends.

The family will honor Tim’s life with a celebration at a later date.

Donations in Tim’s memory may be made to the Make-AWish Foundation. Tim will be dearly missed, but his spirit will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Midstate Cremation & Funeral Service in Asheboro, North Carolina, is honored to assist the family of Mr. Timothy Klipfel.

for those in her family. Martha enjoyed family trips, going crosscountry, and putting many, many miles on the streets of Asheboro.

Martha also enjoyed sneaking out for late-night runs for ice cream at Dairy Queen. Most importantly, Martha loved going to church and loving her Lord.

In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas McCoy, and brother, Tommy Harris. She is survived by her daughter, Christy Williams (Brad) of Asheboro; son, Adam McCoy (Amanda) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Thomas McCoy (Tori), Isaac McCoy; greatgrandchildren, Brantley McCoy, Ethan McCoy, Oaklynn McCoy; nieces and nephews, Tammy McPherson, Dean Harris, Cam Allred; and former son-in-law, Tommy Williams.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday at Ridge Funeral Home before the service. In lieu of owers, the family asks that memorials be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the memory care sta at Terrabella and to the sta at Hospice of Randolph for the care given to Martha.

Earnest “Corky” Eugene Reitzel

Sept. 19, 1979 – Oct. 14, 2025

Earnest “Corky” Eugene Reitzel, 46, of Randleman, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Ridge Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kevin Rollins and Preacher Jimmy Honeycutt o ciating. Burial will follow at Allred Family Cemetery, 3488 Bethany Church Road, Franklinville, NC 27248. Military honors will be provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard. Earnest was born on September 19, 1979, in Randolph County. He was a truck driver for 15 years with Routh Transport and nally achieved his dream of opening his own business in July, “Stars Express,” named in memory of his late mother, Starla Darrity. Earnest was a man of many talents; he enjoyed drawing, hunting, shing, building, woodworking, carpentry and racing. He was a culinary expert, making all of his meals from scratch, including everyone’s favorite homemade alfredo. Earnest loved comedy; his favorite movies were the Ace Ventura series, and his favorite phrase was “Bumblebee Tuna!” Earnest loved going on vacation to the mountains. He loved his family and cherished all of their family traditions. In addition to his mother, Earnest was preceded in death by his grandmother, Peggy Darrity; great-grandparents, Marie Pugh, Elmer Williamson, and Earnest Williamson; and stepfather, Phillip Presnell. He is survived by his wife, Amy Reitzel; daughters, Autumn Rayne Reitzel, Summer Rayne Reitzel; great danes, Diamond Jean and Axel; father, Timothy Reitzel Sr. (Christine); stepfather, Phillip “Bird” Nixon; sister, Afton Reitzel; brothers, Timothy “Rabbit” Reitzel Jr., Cody Alan Reitzel; grandparents, Earnest “Pete” Darrity (Sheila); aunt, Darla Allred (Buddy); great aunt, Faye Williams; step-aunt, Kasey Roberts; niece and nephew, Knowledge Thomas, Derrick “Bubba” Thomas, and many others; special cousins, Chelsea Allred, Peggy, and many others; best friends Kevin and Jeanette Rollins, Je and Dianna Greene, Ashley Sailors, Brad and Christy Routh, and Ashlyn Slagle.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home.

George Andrew Spencer

Jan. 17, 1946 – Oct. 17, 2025

George Andrew Spencer, 79, of Asheboro, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lois Johnson o ciating.

Born in Randolph County, NC, on January 17, 1946, George was the son of the late Clinton Cassidy and Josephine Spencer Cassidy. He went to the 8th grade and then went to work to help his family.

George was a wonderful father, grandfather and greatgrandfather. He loved to listen to gospel music, watch his Westerns and go to Walmart. George loved it when he did get to spend time with family.

George was a member of Covenant Christian Church. He loved to attend when he was able. George enjoyed the music and received the word.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife of 56 wonderful years, Mary Helen Baldwin Spencer; daughter, Andrea Stokes; brothers, Thomas Cassidy, Charles Spencer, William Cassidy, John Spencer; sister, Linda Sue Cassidy; and his greatgrandson, DeVante Dozier Jr. George is survived by his son, Gary L. Spencer (Jennifer) of Ramseur; daughter, Cynthia Baldwin of Lexington; sonin-law, Brett Stokes Sr. of Conroe, TX; sisters; Emma Maness of Seagrove, Dottie McGri of Durham; Portia Johnson of Asheboro; brothers, Robert Cassidy of Asheboro, Ernest Cassidy of Seagrove; grandchildren, Stephanie Spencer (James) of Ramseur, Stacey Winston of Seagrove, Joseph Brower of Asheboro, Danielle Wade of WinstonSalem, D’atra Cowan (Marque) of Randleman, Gloria Spencer (Deonta) of Greensboro, Brett Stoke Jr. (Ashley), Brandon Stokes, and Breshod Stokes all of Conroe, TX; bonus granddaughter, LaShawnda Walden; also surviving are his great grandchildren, Nehemiah Gaines, Nysaia Willard, Cequan Brower, Delonta Brady, Audrey Wade, Nico Cooper, Marque Cowan Jr., Bryson Spencer, Amir Spencer, Davis Stokes, Amara Ashby; bonus great granddaughter, Malaysia Wilcox; and a host of many other family and friends.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home before the funeral service.

Patsy Carter Riggleman

July 12, 1940 – Oct. 17, 2025

Patsy Ann Carter Riggleman, 85, of Asheboro, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025, at Randolph Health in Asheboro. There are no services scheduled at this time.

Patsy was born on July 12, 1940, in Monroe County, GA, the daughter of the late William Alva Carter and Curtis Cleo Criswell Carter. She retired from Otho Williams Buick in Suitland, MD. She was an avid NASCAR fan and a huge lifelong fan of Conway Twitty. She enjoyed her winter trips to Florida and spending time with her grandson.

In addition to her parents, Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, John Mark Riggleman; brothers, Bill Carter and Grady Carter. She is survived by her son, Mark Riggleman, and grandson, Mark Riggleman.

Shirley Caudill Evans

Aug. 14, 1944 – Oct. 14, 2025

Shirley Caudill Evans, 81, of Liberty, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at her residence.

A Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Lo in Funeral Home Chapel in Ramseur with Pastor Paul Mustian and Rev. Barry Wall o ciating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-1:45 p.m., and at other times at the residence.

Mrs. Shirley will be laid to rest at Harmony Baptist Church in Ramseur.

Shirley was born in Sparta, NC, was a longtime resident of Liberty, and retired from Whitt’s

Geraldine “Geri” Harker

April 16, 1945 – Oct. 14, 2025

Geraldine “Geri” Frances Harker, of Asheboro, North Carolina, went to be with her Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 14.

Geri was a devoted servant of the Lord and a faithful member of Sunset Church of God, where she found great joy in sharing her faith and spreading the Gospel. Her deep love for her church family and friends was evident in everything she did, and she often described her role there as an advocate for Christ.

Known by many as a prayer warrior, Geri was always ready to pray with and over those in need—o ering comfort, encouragement, and spiritual strength. She touched countless lives through her compassion, wisdom, and unwavering faith. Even throughout years of her own health challenges, she continued to witness to others, living out her belief that every moment was an opportunity to share God’s love.

Geri’s radiant spirit was celebrated by many during her 80th birthday, where family and friends gathered to share heartfelt stories of how she had impacted their lives. Her ability to make others feel loved, seen, and valued was a true re ection of her faith and her beautiful heart.

She also had a tender love for animals, especially her beloved Yorkie, Mia, who brought her daily joy and companionship.

Geri is survived by her loving husband, Vernon Harker, of the home; her son, Derrick Nixon (Kristie) of Charleston, SC; her daughter, Dr. Michelle Grewal (Dalmir) of Greensboro, NC; and her daughter, Candace “Candy” Bongiovanni (Michael) of Lake Norman, NC. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and ve great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her tremendous pride and joy.

In lieu of owers, the family requests that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse, a ministry that held a special place in Geri’s heart and re ected her lifelong passion for helping others.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at noon at Sunset Avenue Church of God with Pastor Boyd Byerly o ciating. A private burial will follow.

Co. She had a profound love for her Lord and Savior and was a faithful member of Amity Hills Baptist Church for more than thirty years. Shirley was a simple lady, and it was the little things in her life that brought her the most joy. She enjoyed cooking for her family on holidays and throughout the year, crocheting and quilt making. Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter, Corenia Evans Sweatt, her son, James Evans, her parents, James and Stella Owens Caudill as well as her brother, Howard Caudill.

Survivors: husband of 61 years, Robert Lee Evans of the home, daughter, Linda Jean Garner (Dennis) of Denton, son, Bobby Ray Evans (Tina) of Randleman, son-in-law, Don Sweatt Sr., of Liberty, sisters, Mary Miller (John) of Piney Creek, Jeanetta Edwards of Galax, VA, grandchildren, Don Sweatt Jr. (Missy), Steven Sweatt, Ashley Inman (Davis), Isaac Garner, Jacob Garner, one greatgrandson, Carter Sweatt, and Aniston Greene and Jordan Byrd who she lovingly chose as her own.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Hospice of Randolph for the wonderful care they provided to Mrs. Shirley and their family during this time.

Doris Cloutier Cordrey

Jan. 1, 1931 – Oct. 15, 2025

Doris Cloutier Cordrey, age 94, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, at Alpine Nursing and Rehabilitation, surrounded by three generations of loved ones. She was born January 1, 1931, in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Mary Jane Cloutier. Also preceding her in death are her beloved husband of 71 years, Harry Alvin Cordrey, and her son, Harry Cordrey Jr.

Doris leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and quiet strength. Foremost in her life was her devotion to serving Jehovah God faithfully, as she committed herself wholeheartedly to teaching and living the truths of the Bible to others.

In addition to her spiritual pursuits, Doris found joy in family, hobbies and the simple things of life. She tended a vibrant and diverse garden, loved to golf with her husband and friends, and her background in competitive archery made for exciting storytelling. She enjoyed birdwatching, particularly their beauty and songs.

She was a loving wife and devoted homemaker, a ectionately known as “Pear” to her husband and “Mom Mom” to her grandchildren, all of whom she cared for warmly. Her home was immaculately kept, and she expressed her love through home-cooked meals, bear hugs, and big smiles. Though reserved in nature, she also had a sense of humor and a steadiness about her that made life better for anyone who knew her.

Doris led her life with kindness, unwavering faith, & care for her loved ones. Her memory will always serve as inspiration for others to do the same.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Cynthia Grieman and husband Mike, Debbie Claurius and Terry Cordrey and wife Marie; grandchildren, Jessica, Heather, Samantha, Mandy, Harry, Barbara, Aylissa, Tyler, Kayla and Austin; 17 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and more on the way; brother, George Maynard; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

The family will hold a memorial service at the Randleman Kingdom Hall on November 1, 2025.

Russell Ervin Hoyle

Sept. 17, 1931 – Oct. 18, 2025

Russell Ervin Hoyle, 94, of Liberty, died on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Graveside Services, 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro. O ciating, Rev. Michael Mills. Russell was a native of Lincoln County and a longtime resident of the Whites Chapel Community.

Michael Everett Fox

Oct. 12, 1954 – Oct. 14, 2025

Michael Everett Fox, born on October 12, 1954, in Guilford County, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his residence on October 14, 2025, at the age of 71. He leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and dedication to his family and community.

Michael’s professional life was marked by over three decades of service as the HR representative for Burlington Industries/Ramtex from 1978 until the plant’s closure in 2009. He then continued his career at the John Plant in Ramseur until his retirement in 2019. Throughout his working years, Michael was known for his unwavering dedication and warm, supportive nature.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed baking, taking long walks, savoring long naps, sitting out on the porch, and most of all, spending cherished moments with his beloved wife, Rene, and their grandchildren.

A devout member of Zion Praise & Worship in Asheboro, Michael served his church community with passion and commitment. He taught Sunday School and served as an assistant pastor, touching many lives with his teachings and spiritual guidance.

Preceded in death by his parents, George and Rilla Simmons Fox; brothers, Jerry Venable and David Venable; and grandson, Trey Everett Heaton, Michael’s memory will be cherished by those who survive him: his loving wife of 43 years, Rene Meeks Fox; his children, Laura Simpkins and husband Jeremy of Asheboro, and Kristen Lineberry and husband Donnie of Troy; and his beloved grandchildren, Jayden Heaton, J.J. Simpkins, Chance Lineberry, Townsley Leonard, Lucian Lineberry, and Ryker Lineberry.

The family will receive friends during visitation on Monday, October 20, 2025, from 3-5 p.m. at Midstate Cremation & Funeral Service. A funeral will follow at 5 p.m. in the Midstate Chapel, o ciated by Rev. Terry Bachelor.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the sta of Hospice of Randolph County for their loving care and support during this di cult time.

Michael will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend whose kindness and warmth touched all who knew him. May he rest in peace, and his memory bring comfort to those who mourn his passing.

Midstate Cremation & Funeral Service is honored to assist the family of Mr. Michael Everett Fox.

He loved his country and was a veteran of the United States Army. Following his time in the service, Russell began working and retired from Kendall Futro as a supervisor. He was an active member of Whites Chapel Community Church, where he enjoyed serving others through the Cemetery Committee and in many other ways. Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie York Hoyle, his son, Ronnie Hoyle, his greatgranddaughter, Farrah Hayden, his parents, Calvin Frank and Ila Goins Hoyle, as well as his sisters, Pat Caskey and Mildred Purro, and his brothers, Clyde Hoyle, Claude Hoyle and David Hoyle. Survivors: granddaughter, Crystal Hoyle Hayden, of Ramseur; grandson, Je rey Hoyle, of Randleman; greatgrandson, Mason Hayden, of Ramseur; and his sisters, Shirley Sadler and Dorothy Kimrey, both of Staley; and brother, Roy Hoyle, of Lincolnton.

Visitation, 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Lo in Funeral Home, Ramseur.

Thomas Odell Allred

June 16, 1943 – Oct. 16, 2025

Thomas Odell Allred, of Wilmington, NC, returned to our Lord on October 16, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on June 16, 1943, Tom was the son of Odell and Julia Allred. He grew up in Asheboro and graduated from Asheboro High School in 1961 and later from Elon College. During college, he met his true love, Bobbie Dianne Andrews, and they married in 1966. They enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage together and raised their two children in Asheboro.

Tom enjoyed a successful sales career in several industries and spent some time in New York City working in the Empire State Building. Of note, he was in lower Manhattan the morning of 9/11, an event that left a lasting impression on him and an abiding love for our country. He was an avid reader and a student of American history. He was the quintessential baby boomer who loved the music and culture from his era.

Blessed with incredible charm and friendliness, Tom was also known for his neat and dapper appearance. He made friends easily and was loved deeply by his family.

In recent years, Tom showed immense grit and resilience by caring for his wife, who su ered from Alzheimer’s Disease. He was an inspiration and role model for his family and other caregivers facing similar di culties. In recent years, he moved to Wilmington, NC, to be closer to his daughter.

During the course of his lifetime, Tom was an enthusiastic parishioner at several local churches, most notably Asheboro Friends Meeting and Central United Methodist Church.

Lovingly called “Poppy” by his grandchildren, he will be remembered as a devoted father and grandfather. Tom was predeceased by his mother, Julia (2019), and father, Odell (1953). His wife, Dianne, predeceased him in 2024, and he never quite recovered from her absence. While Tom’s passing has been heartbreaking, there is much comfort in knowing he has been reunited in heaven with his beloved Dianne.

Tom will be greatly missed by his daughter, Candace Wehr (Peter) of Wilmington, and son, Jonathan Allred (Sarah) of Asheville. He is also survived by ve grandchildren, Isaac, Lee, Nate, Bennett and Elizabeth Ann. The family wishes to express their gratitude to friends who supported Tom with their kindness. A Memorial Service in his honor will be held at Pugh Funeral Home on October 24, 2025, at 2 p.m., with visitation beginning at 1 p.m.

STATE & NATION

States use redistricting

to help 1 party, but sometimes move can back

Generally redistricting is done after the census, but it can be done more often

By Margery A. Beck

The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — As states consider redrawing their congressional district lines to favor one political party, some politicians warn that attempts to gerrymander can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.

Pushed initially by President Donald Trump, state legislators across the country are discussing and at times agreeing to change boundaries in hopes of helping members of their party and ultimately deciding control of the U.S. House in 2026. Some are nding it’s not as easy as it seems.

“Trying to win more seats comes with a risk, because in order to win more seats, they have to draw districts more competitively,” said University of Texas at Dallas political science professor Thomas L. Brunell, who helped coin the term dummymander.

Republicans could try redistricting Nebraska

U.S. House districts are typically redrawn once a decade, immediately after a census, but some states allow it to happen more frequently. And the U.S. Supreme Court has said there is no federal curb on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to favor one party.

Nebraska is among a number of states being targeted for mid-decade redrawing of congressional district lines, with the head of the National Republican Redistricting Trust last week naming Nebraska among its top candidates for change. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he supports the idea.

The focus would be the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, a “blue dot” with Nebraska’s highest concentration of Democratic voters in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

Republicans hold all three of Nebraska’s U.S. House seats, including the 2nd District, but the Omaha seat is considered vulnerable. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon eked out wins in the last two elections and won’t seek reelection in 2026, bolstering Democratic hopes.

Gerrymandering in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 2-1 ratio would seem simple, but state Sen. John Cavanaugh said it’s not.

Cavanaugh, a Democrat who worked on Nebraska’s last redistricting e ort following the 2020 U.S. Census and is now seeking the 2nd District seat, said Nebraska’s congressional districts already heavily favor Republicans following decades of GOP-led redistricting e orts.

re

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior.”

Moon Duchin, redistricting expert

“They’ve gone to great lengths to make the 2nd District less competitive,” Cavanaugh said. Redistricting and the 2026 midterm elections

This summer, Trump urged Republican-led Texas to reshape districts so the GOP could win more seats in next year’s elections, jump-starting an o season redistricting battle. The Republican Party typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections and the president is trying to buck that trend. Democrats need to gain just three seats to take control of the House.

In August, Texas lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans a shot at winning ve more seats. Democratic-led California responded with a redistricting plan intended to help Democrats win more seats, though it

still needs voter approval. Leaders in other Democratic-leaning states, such as Maryland, New York and Illinois, have said they’re considering their own mid-decade redistricting plans.

Last month, Republican-led Missouri adopted revised districts aimed at helping the GOP win another seat. North Carolina Republican legislative leaders also have announced plans to vote next week on redrawing the state’s House district map.

Redistricting remains under consideration in several other states, including Indiana and Kansas, where Republican lawmakers are gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an e ort to call a special session for congressional redistricting.

The e ort could back re

Some Republicans remain hesitant, partially because of concerns that mid-decade redistricting could back re. To make Democratic-leaning districts more favorable to Republicans, map drawers would have to shift some Democratic areas into districts currently held by Republicans, making them more vulnerable.

In South Carolina, Republican leaders worry that redrawing its seven U.S. House districts could be dangerous in a state where the GOP hovers at roughly 55% in competitive

elections. Republicans usually hold six of seven seats but lost one for a term in 2018.

Kansas had already attempted to make the state’s four districts an all-GOP congressional delegation when it redrew the lines in 2022 to weaken the Democratic stronghold on the Kansas City-area. But Democratic incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids still won easily in 2022 and 2024.

Trump’s push to redraw the maps comes as his administration’s policies face skepticism among many voters, according to polling by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public A airs Research.

Moon Duchin, a computer and data science professor at the University of Chicago and redistricting expert, said creating reliably partisan congressional maps in a large state like Texas is easier because the state has 38 districts, o ering plenty of options to tinker.

It’s tougher in states like Nebraska or Kansas, she said.

“You have fewer lines; you’re not going to be able to put them as far out of reach without creating opportunities elsewhere,” Duchin said. “And so, yes, you have to do it really carefully because it can back re.”

Even in Texas, Republicans saw the e ects of dummymandering after they aggressively redrew political lines in the 2010s that helped pad the

GOP’s House majority. That lasted until 2018, when a backlash against Trump in his rst term led Democrats to ip two seats that Republicans had thought safe.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior,” Duchin said.

Nebraska has other challenges

After initial reluctance, Republicans in states including Texas and Missouri came around to support redistricting.

That could happen in Nebraska, too, but some key Republican lawmakers remain opposed. Republican state Sen. Merv Riepe said he’s not inclined to support such a measure, leaving Republicans with too few votes to overcome a libuster.

That’s in line with Republicans’ failure last year to pass a bill that would have made Nebraska the 49th state to award its Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis.

Currently, only Nebraska and Maine allow presidential electoral votes to be split by congressional district. Nebraska’s 2nd District’s vote has gone to Democrats three times in the last two decades — to Barack Obama in 2008, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session in August.

RandolpH SPORTS

Asheboro rallies; Cougars, Tigers, Patriots roll

Providence Grove remained undefeated in conference play with another football victory

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO’S DALLAS

Brinton scored on a 3-yard run with 1:02 remaining as the Blue Comets pulled out a 37-33 victory against Eastern Guilford on homecoming in Triad Area Athletic Conference football Friday night.

Brinton ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns, and Connor Brinton returned a kicko for a touchdown. Jaydon Spruill also scored a touchdown for the Blue Comets.

Asheboro (6 -2 overall, 1-2 Triad Area Athletic Conference) overcame a nine-point de cit and didn’t hold its rst lead until the third quarter.

Tyler Whaley-Melvin rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown for Eastern Guilford (4 - 4, 1-2).

Southwestern Randolph 48, Jordan-Matthews 18: At Siler City, the visiting Cougars scored four touchdowns, including two by Brody Sheppard, in the nal 6½ minutes to pull away after a sizeable lead nearly vanished in the Four Rivers Conference road game.

“Brody Sheppard did (in this game) what he has done all year long,” Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter said. “Just putting it on his shoulders and takes it to the end zone.”

Luke Dalke ran and threw for a rst-half touchdown for Southwestern Randolph (5-3, 1-1). Asher Haggerty and Thomas Costello scored touchdowns.

Trivett Kennedy returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

“We’re growing up each week

and we’re improving each week,” Baxter said. Jordan-Matthews (5- 4, 1-2) trailed 21- 0 before rallying to within 21-18 early in the fourth quarter.

Randleman 42, High Point Central 0: At High Point, Matthew Bowman caught two of John Kirkpatrick’s four touchdown passes in the rst half in the Piedmont Athletic Conference game. It was the rst shutout for the Tigers (6 -3, 4 -1) since early October 2024.

Lincoln Lawson (48-yard play) and Connor Cassidy (15yard play). Reid Herring had a touchdown throw of 43 yards to Trey Burnett. Landon Whitaker added a 21-yard run for the only touchdown in the second half.

Kirkpatrick was 12 for 16 for 219 yards.

High Point Central is 0-8, 0-4. Providence Grove 32, East

Volleyball states reach crucial stage

Two teams from the county won conference tournaments last week

Randolph Record sta

SIX VOLLEYBALL teams from Randolph County were participating in the state playo s this week.

Two of them received rst-round byes, while the other four won rst-round matches last week.

The second round was set for Tuesday. Winners of those matches will be in thirdround action Thursday, and fourth-round matches are set for Saturday. Regional nals will be held next week on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at the teams.

In Class 4 -A, Uwharrie Charter Academy is the No. 2 seed and Randleman is the No. 4 seed in the East, both receiving byes in the rst round.

UCA and Randleman had home matches Tuesday, and if they advanced, they would each be home again Thursday.

Southwestern Randolph is seeded ninth in that bracket.

The Cougars swept visiting Jordan-Matthews, the No. 24 seed, by 25-11, 25-9, 25-5 on Friday in the rst round.

Southwestern Randolph next faced a match at No. 8 seed Anson.

• In Class 3-A, 15th-seeded Eastern Randolph defeated No. 18 seed Northeastern in three sets Saturday in an East Region match. In the West Region, No. 15 seed Trinity topped No. 18 seed Providence Grove 25-23, 26-28, 25-13, 14 -25, 15-12 in Saturday’s rst round. It was the third meeting between the Central Carolina 3-A Conference teams, with the Bulldogs winning each time. Next for

Trinity was a visit to second-seeded Black Mountain Owen.

Wheatmore held the No. 21 seed and fell in three sets at No. 12 seed Polk County on Saturday. The season ended with a 9-15 record for the Warriors.

• In Class 6-A, ninth-seeded Asheboro swept No. 24 seed Ashbrook in the rst round in the West Region on Saturday, then was to head to eighth-seeded Sun Valley for a second-round match.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

• Providence Grove at Wheatmore

• Trinity at West Davidson Northeast Guilford at Asheboro North Moore at Eastern Randolph Northwood at Southwestern Randolph Ledford at Randleman

Davidson 14: At Climax, Jackson Lawver ran for 162 yards with a touchdown and threw for 110 yards in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference romp on homecoming.

Nick Straughn added 151 rushing yards with a 47-yard scoring run and Carson Jones booted eld goals from 26, 32

and 32 yards for the Patriots (6-2, 3-0), who led 21-7 at halftime. Jacob Flinchum ran for a touchdown and a two -point conversion.

East Davidson fell to 1-7, 1-2. West Davidson 14, Wheatmore 7: At Trinity, the Warriors (1-7, 1-2) lost on homecoming in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference matchup. Gavin McPherson scored the Warriors’ touchdown.

West Davidson (5-3, 2-1) won for the second week in a row by seven points.

Thomasville 44, Trinity 0: At Trinity, the Bulldogs (1-7, - 0) were held to 93 yards of total o ense in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference game.

Keyshon Sanders ran for two touchdowns and Galiesha Murchison threw two touchdown passes for Thomasville (4 - 4, 2-1), which has won three of its past four games. Bumgarner

The speedway’s track champions were determined on the nal night of regular-season racing

Randolph Record sta

SOPHIA — Michael Bumgarner won the Limited Late Models race across 125 laps in a controversial nish Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. Mason Walters was the runner-up, followed by Kyle Dudley, Coy Beard and Riley Neal in the 26 -car eld. The big race card marked the end of the speedway’s regular season, so track champions were determined if those competitions hadn’t already been settled. Racing returns to the speedway Nov. 6 -8 for the North-South Shootout. Yet there was plenty to break down after the latest racing card. Walters was in the lead with less than 25 laps remaining, but he spun out, resulting in a late caution. There was a

restart with two laps to go. That’s when drama heightened in a showdown between Bumgarner and Walters. Dudley’s bump of Walters coming out of the nal turn allowed Bumgarner to end up with a victory and the $10,000 rst-place prize by a half-car length on Walters.

Pole sitter Heath Causey ended up 10th, with Caraway Speedway track champion Bryson Brinkley in 11th. Brinkley became the third member of the family to win a track championship at Caraway following his father, Brad Brinkley, and brother, Blaise Brinkley.

• In Chargers, Brian Rose was the race winner by about a half-second on Matthew Smith.

But Smith’s runner-up nish was enough for him to claim the track championship in the division ahead of Richard Sho ner.

In the race, fast quali er Daniel Schadt placed third, followed by Sho ner, Bradley

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Southwestern Randolph’s Asher Haggerty prepares to grab a touchdown pass in front of Jordan-Matthews’ Matthew Victorino on Friday night in Siler City.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Asheboro’s Eva Vuncannon is surrounded by teammates as she sets the ball Saturday vs. Ashbrook in the state playo s.

Emory Johnson

Uwharrie Charter Academy, volleyball

Johnson helped the Eagles to the Four Rivers Conference Tournament championship. Those results built UCA’s winning streak to 20 matches.

Johnson, a senior setter, provided 30 assists in the league tournament nal against Southwestern Randolph. Her e orts contributed to 17 kills for teammate Caroline Way and 16 kills for Carly Rush. Johnson also had two aces in the match.

UCA holds the No. 2 seed in the East Region for the Class 4-A state playo s. After a rst-round bye, the Eagles were set to back in action this week. If they advance, they would be home for matches Thursday and Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL from page B1

Conference tournaments

UCA and Randleman won conference tournaments last week.

In the Four Rivers Conference, UCA was the seminal and nals host, defeating fth-seeded Northwood I the semi nal and also sweeping second-seeded Southwestern Randolph in the nal.

Southwestern Randolph had topped third-seeded Eastern Randolph in three sets in the semi nals. Eastern Randolph needed four sets to oust sixth-seeded Jordan-Matthews in the quarter nals.

Randleman claimed the Piedmont Athletic Conference title with a sweep of fourth-seeded Lexington and

a four-set decision against second-seeded Central Montgomery in home matches.

In the Triad Area Athletic Conference, third-seeded Asheboro swept sixth-seeded Northeast Guilford before falling in four sets to second-seeded Southeast Guilford.

In the Central Carolina 3 -A Conference, Trinity reached the nal before losing in four sets to top -seeded and host West Davidson. Earlier, Trinity topped third-seeded Providence Grove in three sets in the semi nals, while West Davidson swept fourth-seeded Wheatmore in that round.

In the quarter nals, Wheatmore swept fth-seeded East Davidson, while Providence Grove cruised past sixth-seeded Thomasville.

Randleman’s Leonard sets school scoring marks

The Southwestern Randolph and Trinity teams hold rst place in their respective conferences

Randolph Record sta

OWEN LEONARD became Randleman’s all-time leader in goals for boys’ soccer last week.

He became the record-holder while racking up four goals in a 7-1 romp past visiting High Point Andrews in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

The senior forward’s 30 goals this year represent a single-season school record. He has 80 career goals, two more than the previous mark.

In the next game, Ivan Collazo, Axel Rinco and Mitchell Carranza as Randleman topped host Lexington 3-0.

Earlier in the week, Randleman’s Collazo, Leonard and Ronaldo Murillo each scored a goal in a 3-1 home triumph against Central Davidson.

• Asheboro fell 4 -3 to visiting Northern Guilford with rst place at stake in the Triad Area Athletic Conference despite Ozmar Martinez’s two goals and one assist and Alexander Diaz’s goal.

The Blue Comets responded with a 6-2 victory at Southeast Guilford, with Martinez scoring twice and assisting two times. Carlos Gonzalez had one goal and two assists.

• Southwestern Randolph rolled past host Uwharrie Charter Academy 10-1 with Aaron Avina, Fernando Hernandez and Yael Rebollar-Ortiz all registering two goals. It was the only game for the week for the Cougars, who improved to 17-1 overall and 6-0 in the Four Rivers Conference.

• Trinity trounced visiting

Providence Grove 6-0 to maintain rst place in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference.

• Seth Johnson scored four goals and supplied three assists and Justin Morales scored twice in Providence Grove’s 8-1 home victory against West Davidson.

• Laurel Ortiz Sairez scored both goals in Wheatmore’s 2-1 home decision against second-place East Davidson in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference.

Carter Queen had the goal in Wheatmore’s 4 -1 loss at Thomasville.

NCHSAA sets sites for fall state nals

Championship competitions will involve more dates because of expanded classi cations

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

THERE WILL be new venues for some North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championships.

The governing body announced sites for fall championships last week, with rst-time title locations included for volleyball, soccer and football.

Because the NCHSAA expanded from four to eight classi cations beginning this school year, more venues were needed, while some sports will have championship competitions spread across multiple days.

For volleyball and football, site assignments for specific classi cations will be determined based on participating teams.

The individual girls’ tennisnals come rst among fall championships, and they’re scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Cary Tennis Center (Class 1A, Class 3A), Burlington Tennis Center (Class 3A, Class 4A), Ting Park in Holly Springs (Class 5A, Class 6-A) and Millbrook Exchange in Raleigh (Class 7-A

New title venues will be used for volleyball, soccer and football

and Class 8-A) are the sites. Dual team tennis nals will be spread across two days at Burlington Tennis Center, which has been a longtime championship spot. On Oct. 31, Class 6A and Class 8A will be contested at 9 a.m., with Class 5-A and Class 7-A at noon. The next day, Class 2A and Class 4A nals will be at 9 a.m. and Class 1A and Class 3A at noon.

The two-day girls’ golf state tournaments will be held Oct. 27-28 at Gates Four Golf and Country Club in Fayetteville (combined Class 1A / 2A), Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines (Class 3A, Class 4A), Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe (Class 5A, Class 6A), Sapona Golf Club in Lexington (Class 7A) and Pinehurst No. 6 (Class 8A).

Cross-country championships will be held for the 13th consecutive time at Ivey Redmon Complex in Kernersville, but they’ll be contested across two days (Oct. 31, Nov. 1).

Volleyball nals will be held with four classes competing

Oct. 31 at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem and titles for four other classes decided Nov. 1 at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Joel Coliseum is new to the lineup for volleyball nals.

It will take three days for boys’ soccer nals Nov. 20 -22, with all those matchups taking place at Guilford College’s Arm eld Athletic Center in Greensboro. This is a rst-time nals venue.

Three sites — Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, Durham County Memorial Stadium and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Moretz Stadium in Hickory — will be used for football nals. The dates for those are Dec. 11-13. Four games will be held at Kenan Stadium, which has been a longtime location for title games. On Dec. 13, a 2 p.m. Tar Heels men’s basketball game at the Smith Center is bound to impact the time frame for any football games on campus that day.

There will be two games at each of the other stadiums, which are rst-time sites for football nals. Durham County Stadium has a capacity of about 8,500, and Moretz Stadium can accommodate 7,200. The cheerleading invitational will be held Dec. 6 at Raleigh Convention Center.

Wolford and Joseph Clark.

• For Mini Stocks, AJ Sanders captured the 20 -lap feature ahead of division champion Tyler Bush. Third place in the race went to Blaze Sanders, with Austin Long and Hunter Rose in the next two spots among nine entrants.

• In UCARs, Jimmy Cooper won the race with a comeback e ort and the track title. Cooper edged Jeremy Kidd, who also was the division’s runner-up.

In the 14 - car race, Tito Clapp ended up third, followed

by Justin Smith and Tony Price.

• Bentley Black won the 15-lap Crown Vic race ahead of Christian Morris, Dean Levi, Steven Collins and TJ Gibson among 11 cars. Fourth place was good enough to make Collins was the division champion.

• The 602 Modi eds feature had postrace changes when Jaxson Casper’s car failed an inspection. That moved Lee Je reys into rst place, followed by Joel Belanger, Connor Shaw and Justin Taylor.

• In Bandoleros, Charlie Evans won for the second time in a row, ahead of Jackson Jones,

fast quali er Carson Caudle, Kevin Stiene and Michael Scronce.

• In U.S. Legends, Max Calles was the winner with a slight victory on Alex Reling, followed by Ethan Jaques, Charles Parker and Corbin Cannon.

• The Legacy Series made its annual stop at the speedway, with Weston Freeman of Randleman capturing his rst victory in the series. Bobby Mares was second, while third place went to series champion Ethan Elder. Brian Miller and Kyle Siler rounded out the top ve among 12 entrants.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

CARAWAY from page B1

RANDOLPH RECORD FILE PHOTO

Owen Leonard has been a proli c scorer for Randleman.

COURTESY CARAWAY SPEEDWAY

Michael Bumgarner drove the No. 97 car to victory in Limited Late Models.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Beirut truck bombing

kills 241 American service members, shootout at O.K. Corral, Harvard established

The Associated Press

OCT. 23

1915: An estimated 25,000 women marched on Fifth Avenue in New York City in support of women’s su rage.

1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf began. The largest naval battle of World War II resulted in a major Allied victory against Japanese forces, paving the way for the retaking of the Philippines.

1956: A student-sparked revolt against Hungary’s Communist rule began. As the revolution spread, Soviet forces entered the country, ending the uprising on Nov. 4.

1983: A suicide truck bombing at the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut killed 241 American service members, most of them Marines, while a near-simultaneous attack on French barracks killed 58 paratroopers.

OCT. 24

1537: Jane Seymour, the third wife of England’s King Henry VIII, died 12 days after giving birth to Prince Edward, later King Edward VI.

1861: The rst transcontinental telegraph message was sent by Chief Justice Stephen J. Field of California from San Francisco to President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.

1931: The George Washington Bridge, connecting New York City with New Jersey, was dedicated.

OCT. 25

1760: Britain’s King George III succeeded his late grandfather, George II.

AP PHOTO

Albert B. Fall, former secretary of the Interior, leaves the District of Columbia Court House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 25, 1929, after having been found guilty of accepting a bribe of $100,000 in connection with the lease of the Navy’s Elk Hills Oil Reserve.

1859: Radical abolitionist John Brown went on trial in Charles Town, Virginia, for his failed raid at Harpers Ferry.

1929: Former Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall was convicted of taking bribes for oil eld leases in the “Teapot Dome scandal,” becoming the rst U.S. Cabinet member imprisoned for crimes in o ce.

OCT. 26

1774: The First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia.

1825: The Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1861: The legendary Pony Express o cially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.

1881: Four lawmen, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, exchanged gun re with ve outlaws, killing three of them, in the “Shootout at

the O.K. Corral” in Tombstone, Arizona.

OCT. 27

1787: The rst of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays calling for rati cation of the United States Constitution, was published.

1995: A sniper killed one soldier and wounded 18 others during an outdoor physical training session at Fort Bragg.

2004: The Boston Red Sox won their rst World Series since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.

OCT. 28

1886: The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, was dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland.

1636: The General Court of Massachusetts passed a legislative act establishing Harvard College.

1858: Rowland Hussey Macy opened his rst New York store at Sixth Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan.

1919: Congress passed the Volstead Act, which provided the means for enforcement of a Prohibition era ban on alcohol, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto.

OCT. 29

1929: Black Tuesday descended on the New York Stock Exchange. Prices collapsed amid panicked selling and thousands of investors were wiped out as America’s Great Depression began.

1969: The rst- ever computer-to - computer link was established on ARPANET, the precursor to the internet.

1998: Sen. John Glenn, at age 77, returned to space aboard the shuttle Discovery, making him the oldest person to y in space at the time.

C. S. FLY VIA WIKIPEDIA

On Oct. 26, 1881, the Earp brothers faced o against the Clanton-McLaury gang in a legendary shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.

Michigan haunted house teaches how to scare

At Scare School, actors learn all the tricks of the trade

By Mike Householder

The Associated Press

PONTIAC, Mich. — Grotesque makeup, menacing props and intimidating costumes are just one part of a Michigan haunted house’s 25-year-old formula to terrify guests.

It starts by educating the actors looking to provide the most horrifying experience to its visitors.

Lessons begin weeks before the four-level walk-through scream factory opens to visitors, introducing fresh talent to the getups, face paint and unnatural body movements proven to petrify thousands of customers since the turn of the century.

The actors’ report card of sorts is the “Wimp Out Score Board” in Erebus Haunted Attraction’s ground-level lobby, tallying the numbers of visitors who ee before making it through all four levels or who join the “wetters, pukers & fainters” total.

The one-time abandoned parking structure in Pontiac consistently lands on lists of the scariest haunted houses in America. Operations managers and brothers Zac and Brad

“Fear is not an accident. Fear is an art.”

Zac Terebus, Erebus Haunted Attractions

Terebus said the coaching and training performers receive isn’t just about what they wear or how loud they can shout.

“Scare School really comes down to the psychology of fear,” Zac Terebus said.

In the weeks before Erebus opened for the Sept. 19-Nov. 2 Halloween season, managers auditioned and hired dozens of scare actors, then coached them to be as frightening as humanly — or rather, supernaturally — possible.

In an upstairs room in early September, Erebus veterans schooled the newbies on the ner points of zombie shufing and demon shrieking, walking on stilts and wielding a spiked (plastic) club. The new hires also learned about makeup application, costuming, how to get into their roles and personas as well as rules about interacting with the guests.

It’s all part of an e ort to bring out their inner end, Brad Terebus said.

“Let’s say they’re a lawyer by day,” he said. “They can come here, break their shell o and

just release this monster within them.”

Alan Tucker, who portrays a bloodthirsty clown, said scare acting is “therapeutic.”

“You never really think that you can be something else for a couple hours and scare people. But then when you really actually get to do that, it’s so entertaining. It’s so ful lling,” said Tucker.

Renee Piehl is in her third year, this time around playing Nyx, based on the Greek goddess of night, who frightens guests waiting in line to enter the haunt.

“They come here to be scared. It’s Halloween. It’s fun,” she said. Plus, the scarier the actors are, the bigger the numbers will get on the Wimp Out Score Board.

The board currently lists 10,711 “wimps” and 1,246 “wetters, pukers & fainters” both cumulative totals since the Terebuses’ father and uncle opened the attraction.

“What we have throughout the haunted house, we call them ‘chicken exits.’ They’re actually re exits,” Zac Terebus said. “But, at any point in the show, if you say, ‘I want out,’ we take you out, we escort you down, you end up here in the exit lobby, you can wait for your group to come on out.

“It’s a competition among our monsters to see who can really scare the pee out of somebody.”

Visitors walk past an electronic “Wimp Board” at the Erebus

Michigan.

Oprah picks Megha Majumdar’s ‘A Guardian and a Thief’ for book club

The author’s rst novel, “A Burning,” appeared on 13 best-books-of-2020 lists

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Megha Majumdar’s “ A Guardian and a Thief,” already a nalist for the National Book Award and Kirkus Prize, is now Oprah Winfrey’s book club pick.

Set in the near future, “A Guardian and a Thief” depicts a world of drought, ooding, crime and food shortages as it contrasts a woman whose family is about to emigrate from India to the U.S. with the resident of a shelter who has stolen her purse and the passports it contains. It’s Majumdar’s rst

novel since her acclaimed debut, “A Burning,” came out in 2020. “I was spellbound from Page 1,” Winfrey said in a statement last Tuesday. “Megha Majumdar is one of those exquisitely skilled authors who takes us into the story of characters and cultural con icts and leaves us spellbound until the last word and beyond. Who was the ‘Guardian’ who was the ‘Thief’? I’m still thinking about it.” Majumdar’s conversation with Winfrey can be seen on Winfrey’s YouTube channel and other outlets where podcasts are available. Winfrey’s book club is currently presented by Starbucks. Other recent picks include Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, “All the Way to the River,” and a novel by Richard Russo, “Bridge of Sighs.”

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

“A

and a

RYAN SUN / AP PHOTO

Haunted House in Pontiac,

Guardian

Thief” is Indian-born author Megha Majumdar’s rst novel since “A Burning” in 2020.

famous birthdays this week

“Weird Al” Yankovic turns 66, Bootsy Collins is 74, Hilary Clinton hits 78, Julia Roberts is 58

The Associated Press

OCT. 23

Film director Philip Kaufman is 89. Advocate and humanitarian Graça Machel is 80. Film director Ang Lee is 71. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 69. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 69. Film director Sam Raimi is 66. Comedic musician “Weird Al” Yankovic is 66.

OCT. 24

Rock musician Bill Wyman is 89. Actor F. Murray Abraham is 86. Actor Kevin Kline is 78. Actor B.D. Wong is 65. Fashion designer Zac Posen is 45. Singer-rapper Drake is 39.

OCT. 25

Marion Ross is 96. Author Anne Tyler is 84. Rock singer Jon Anderson (Yes) is 81. Political strategist James Carville is 81. Basketball Hall of Famer Dave Cowens is 77. “Miracle on Ice” team captain Mike Eruzione is 71. Actor Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 68.

OCT. 26

Musician Milton Nascimento is 83. Actor Jaclyn Smith is 80. TV host Pat Sajak is 79. Hillary Rodham Clinton is 78. Musician Bootsy Collins is 74. Actor-singer Rita Wilson is 69. Singer Natalie Merchant is 62. Country singer Keith Urban is 58.

OCT. 27

Actor- comedian John Cleese is 86. Author Maxine Hong Kingston is 85. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 83. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is 80. Author Fran Lebowitz is 75. Actor- director Roberto Benigni is 73. Internet news editor Matt Drudge is 59.

OCT. 28

Basketball Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens is 88. Actor Jane Alexander is 86. Actor Dennis Franz is 81. Actor-singer Tel-

ma Hopkins is 77. TV personality and Olympic gold medal decathlete Caitlyn Jenner is 76. Microsoft co -founder Bill Gates is 70. Actor Julia Roberts is

Actor Richard Dreyfuss is 78. Actor Kate Jackson is 77. Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Potvin is 72. Actor Dan Castellaneta (“The Simpsons”) is 68. Actor Joely Fisher is 58. Actor Winona Ryder is 54.

actor John Cleese, co-founder of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” turns 86 on Monday.

the stream

Brandi Carlile, ‘A House of Dynamite,’ Demi Lovato, ‘Nobody Wants This’

A prequel series to Stephen King’s “It” lands on HBO Max

The Associated Press

KATHRYN BIGELOW’S nuclear fallout thriller “A House of Dynamite” and albums from Brandi Carlile and Demi Lovato 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 this week: Season 2 of “Nobody Wants This” sees things get more serious between Adam Brody’s rabbi and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host, Ninja Gaiden 4 asks gamers to ght their way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures, and director Ben Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents with “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost.”

MOVIES TO STREAM

An old genre — the hypothetical nuclear fallout thriller — returns in Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite” (Friday on Netix), a minute-by-minute White House drama in which a mystery missile is bearing down on Chicago. The lm tells the 18-minute run-up to impact from three di erent perspectives, with an ensemble including Rebecca Ferguson, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos and Idris Elba, as the president. In my review, I wrote: “With riveting e ciency, Bigelow constructs a taut, real-time thriller that opens explosively but dissipates with each progressive iteration.”

In “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” Stiller pays tribute to his comedian parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, while re ecting on how their show business lives in uenced those of his own family. The lm, premiering Friday on Apple TV, is a distinctly family a air, that culls from the extensive archives of Meara and Stiller, who recorded as much in their private lives as they did in lm and television.

Howard’s “Eden” (now on Prime Video) is based on a true story about a group of disillusioned Europeans who in 1929 sought to create a utopia on an island in the Galápagos. It didn’t go so well. Howard’s lm struggled mightily at the box o ce despite a starry cast including Jude Law, Ana de Ar-

mas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Thursday, the contemporary R&B talent Miguel returns with his rst full-length in nearly a decade. The bilingual “Caos” (the Spanish word for “Chaos”) is the long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s “War & Leisure,” and marks a conceptual pivot for the musician. “To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos,’” Miguel said in a press statement. “Through my personal evolution, I learned that transformation is violent. ‘Caos’ is the son-

ic iteration of me bending that violence into something universally felt.” Who is busier than Carlile?

Just a few months ago, the musician known for melding folk, alt- country, rock and Americana partnered with the great Elton John for a charming collaborative album, “Who Believes In Angels?” Now, on Friday, she’s gearing up to release a new solo album, “Returning to Myself,” her rst since 2021’s “In These Silent Days.” If you need any recon rmation of her timeless talent, cue up “A War with Time,” written by Carlile and frequent Taylor Swift collaborator Aaron Dessner of The National. And on piano/back-

“To rebuild, I had to destroy myself. That is the core confrontation of ‘Caos.’” Miguel

ground vocals? That’s Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. It’s a “BRAT” autumn for Demi Lovato, whose ninth studio album, “It’s Not That Deep,” embraces club - dance rhythms in addictive pop songs. That’s a noted departure from her last two records, 2022’s “Holy Fvck” and 2023’s “Revamped,” which leaned more traditionally rock ’n’ roll. Both modes work for Lovato: give her space to belt with some edge, and she’ll fashion an earworm.

SERIES TO STREAM

As we get closer to Halloween, a number of new horror shows debut this month. Sam Cla in (“Daisy Jones & the Six”) stars in a new Prime Video mystery from bestselling author Harlan Coben. He plays a forensic psychiatrist who nds himself connecting the dots between a number of cold cases after his father’s death. “Harlan Coben’s Lazarus” is streaming now.

The delightful TV romance between Brody’s rabbi, Noah,

and Kristen Bell’s agnostic podcast host named Joanne carries on Thursday in Net ix’s “Nobody Wants This.” Season 2 picks up shortly after the rst season ended with the two characters attempting to blend their lives as they get more serious. Joanne is also still grappling with the idea of committing to Judaism because it’s a non-negotiable for Noah. In a world that seems to have just gotten more complex in the past year, investing in these two ctional characters’ relationship is a great distraction. Team Joah!

AMC continues to adapt and draw from the works of Anne Rice (known as the Immortal Universe) with “Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order.” Debuting Sunday on AMC+, it’s about a secret society that tracks immortals like witches, vampires and the like.

A prequel series to the “It” lms called “It — Welcome to Derry” (thankfully not titled “Stephen King’s: It — Welcome to Derry” and therefore less of a tongue twister), arrives on HBO Max also on Sunday. Set in 1962, Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo star as Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, couple who moves to Derry, Maine, with their son and begin to recognize the town is pretty creepy.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2 puts you in the cape of a bloodsucker named Phyre who has been asleep for a century and has somehow woken up in Seattle. But you are not alone — a “vampire detective” named Fabian has infected your blood and will update you on grunge, that “Twilight” nonsense and 21st- century goth culture. That includes six competing vampire clans, some brutal, some sneaky and some just outright seductive. Take a bite on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

If you don’t want to be a vampire for Halloween, why not try on Ninja Gaiden 4? In a near-future Tokyo, a prodigy named Yakumo must ght his way through cyber soldiers and other malevolent creatures as he tries to lift a curse from his neon- drenched city. He soon crosses paths with Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary hero of the previous Gaiden games. The swords are swinging on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

EROS HOAGLAND / NETFLIX VIA AP

Kyle Allen stars in director Kathryn Bigelow’s latest thriller, “A House of Dynamite.”

JASIN BOLAND / VERTICAL ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby play Europeans seeking a new life in the Galapagos Islands in “Eden,” Ron Howard’s lm based a true story.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Adam Brody is back as the loveable rabbi in the second season of “Nobody Wants This.”

HOKE COUNTY

A

festive fall

Attendees enjoyed the food trucks, arts, crafts,

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

2024-25 accountability data shows drop in testing scores

Hoke County also saw eight schools with decreases in their school performance grades

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — The Hoke County Schools Board of Education was presented with the district’s 2024-25 accountability data at its Oct. 14 meeting.

The district’s overall performance composite, which is the percentage of students achieving pro ciency on all EOG and EOCs, fell for the second year in a row, with just 46.3% of students reaching pro ciency.

The district did, however, have two schools achieve greater than a ve-point growth in composite score: Sandy Grove Elementary (5.4 increase) and McLaughlin Elementary (6.0 increase).

Other big growth areas for the district were ACT minimum pro ciency which increased from 29.8% to 46.9%, WorkKeys increased from 45.9% to 52%, English Learner

Progress increased from 17.5% to 27.9% and SandHoke Early College had a cohort graduation rate greater than 95%.

For Grades 3-8, the district saw a slight increase in reading scores, but there was a slight decrease in math scores and a big drop o in science scores.

For high school, Hoke County saw a big drop in Biology EOC scores (albeit the test was new this year) and a smaller drop in English II, but there was substantial growth in both NC Math 1 and 3.

The district also saw a continued decline in its high school graduation rate, down to 81.5%.

In terms of school performance grades, the district had one school receive an “F” grade (Hawk Eye Elementary), ve receive a “D” grade and six receive a “C” grade.

Overall, eight schools saw decreases in their overall school performance grades.

The only school to achieve above a “C” grade was SandHoke Early College, which received an “A” grade and exceeded growth.

“How school review components are reached is that 80% is based on achievement, which is a composite method that is the sum of pro ciency points earned by a school, and growth accounts for 20%, and that is student expected growth relative to other students across the state,” said PSU Test Coordinator Regina Hyde.

In terms of academic growth, three schools exceeded growth, four met it and ve did not meet it.

Turlington, which is an alternative school, received a “progressing” status.

“They are ranked on an alternative model,” Hyde said. “There were 77 schools who chose Option B for alternate schools and only 18 of those got

The last 20 hostages were released after spending two years in captivity

By Melania Lidman The Associated Press

THE N.C. WILDLIFE Resources Commission recently released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs back to the wild, with four returning to the coastal region and eight to the mountains.

The releases were conducted through the commission’s cub

a progressing score, and Turlington was one of them.”

In terms of low-performing designations, which are assigned to schools who achieve a school performance grade of “D” or “F” and do not exceed expected growth, the district had ve schools marked as such, the same as last year.

While Hawk Eye and McLaughlin Elementary exited the low-performing designation, Sandy Grove Middle and Scurlock Elementary ended up with the designation.

Schools designated as low performing must notify parents and also submit a plan for moving out of that designation, which is submitted for approval to the Board of Education. Plans will be made public and feedback is welcomed.

“School improvement plans are a living, breathing document,” said Executive Director of Federal Programs Mary McLeod. “It changes throughout the school year.”

The Hoke County Schools Board of Education will next meet Nov. 11.

rehabilitation program, which has operated since 1976 as one of the rst such programs in the country. While the program initially aimed to restore North Carolina’s black bear population, it now focuses on giving orphaned cubs the best chance of survival in the wild.

The commission receives orphaned cubs beginning in late January, with most arriving April through June after female bears emerge from dens with their young. The cubs are placed with the North Carolina Zoo or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, both licensed wildlife rehabilitators experienced in black bear cub care.

The facilities provide specialized food and expert care with minimal human interac-

vendors and more at the NC Fall Festival in Raeford on Saturday. 12

The number of schools that scored a “C” or lower in their school performance grades COURTESY NCRWC

THURSDAY

10.23.25

WEEKLY FORECAST

BEARS from page A1

tion until the cubs reach 7 to 8 months old. Some cubs receive tracking collars upon release, allowing biologists to monitor their movements and study their post-release behavior.

Five cubs with tracking collars that were released before Hurricane Helene in September 2024 all survived the storm, according to the commission. The cubs found shelter during the hurricane, became active again days later and located suitable den sites for hibernation. No con icts with people were reported.

Biologists release cubs in early fall when natural foods like acorns, fruits and berries are abundant. The cubs are released at heavier weights than their wild counterparts to provide extra fat reserves while they orient themselves to their new surroundings.

Research shows that minimizing captivity time while maximizing release weight improves outcomes for the cubs’ survival. Cubs are released on state-managed lands away from human development in the region where they were originally found.

Wildlife biologists caution that bear cubs seen alone are rarely orphaned, as mother bears often forage nearby and return within hours.

“People who try to capture or handle a cub are not only risking the cub’s safety, but their

own if the mother bear is nearby, as she may try to defend her cubs,” said Jenna Malzahn, a

black bear biologist with the commission, in a press release. “By trying to capture a bear cub,

you may cause it to become orphaned, injured or both.” By fall, the commission’s Wildlife Helpline receives fewer calls about suspected orphaned cubs and more inquiries about bears denning in urban areas. Cubs orphaned in late summer or early fall are typically old enough to survive independently, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation releases at this time of year.

National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” featured the state’s bear cub rehabilitation program in an episode. The series is available for streaming on Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | SHERI FEW

Are government schools redeemable?

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education.

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years.

The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law education-related policies and programs.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are

the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships.

Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens.

Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable.

Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a

cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

SAUL LOEB / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem.

Thieves steal crown jewels from Louvre Museum

The daylight heist sounds like something from a movie

By Thomas Adamson

The Associated Press

PARIS — In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the world’s most-visited museum, thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvre’s facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and ed with priceless Napoleonic jewels, o cials said.

The daylight heist about 30 minutes after opening, with visitors already inside, was among the highest-pro le museum thefts in living memory and comes as sta complained that crowding and thin sta ng are straining security.

The theft unfolded just 250 meters (270 yards) from the Mona Lisa, in what Culture Minister Rachida Dati described as a professional “four-minute operation.”

One object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, French authorities said. It was reportedly recovered broken.

Images from the scene showed confused tourists being steered out of the glass pyramid and adjoining courtyards as o cers closed nearby streets along the Seine. No one was hurt.

Also visible was a lift braced to the Seine-facing facade near a construction zone, since removed — the thieves’ entry point and, observers said, a striking vulnerability for a palace museum.

A museum already under strain

Around 9:30 a.m., several intruders forced a window, cut panes with a disc cutter and went straight for the glass display cases, o cials said. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the crew entered from outside using a basket lift via the riverfront facade, where construction is underway, to reach the hall with the 23-item royal collection.

Their target was the gilded Apollon Gallery — where the Crown Diamonds are displayed, including the Regent, the Sancy and the Hortensia.

The thieves smashed two display cases and ed on motorbikes, Nunez said. Alarms brought Louvre agents to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt, but the theft was already done.

Eight objects were taken, according to o cials: a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress Eugénie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch — a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble.

“It’s a major robbery,” Nunez said, noting that security mea-

“It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again.”

sures at the Louvre had been strengthened in recent years and would be reinforced further as part of the museum’s upcoming overhaul plan. O cials said security upgrades include new-generation cameras, perimeter detection, and a new security control room. But critics say the measures come far too late.

The Louvre closed for the rest of Sunday for the forensic investigation to begin as police sealed gates, cleared courtyards and shut nearby streets along the Seine.

Daylight robberies during public hours are rare. Pulling one o inside the Louvre with visitors present ranks among Europe’s most audacious in recent history, and at least since Dresden’s Green Vault museum in 2019.

It also collides with a deeper tension the Louvre has struggled to resolve: swelling crowds and stretched sta . The museum delayed opening during a June sta walkout over overcrowding and chronic understa ng. Unions say mass tour-

ism leaves too few eyes on too many rooms and creates pressure points where construction zones, freight routes and visitor ows meet.

Security around marquee works remains tight — the Mona Lisa sits behind bulletproof glass in a climate-controlled case — but Sunday’s theft also underscored that protections are not uniformly as robust across the museum’s more than 33,000 objects.

The theft is a fresh embarrassment for a museum already under scrutiny.

“How can they ride a lift to a window and take jewels in the middle of the day?” said Magali Cunel, a French teacher from near Lyon. “It’s just unbelievable that a museum this famous can have such obvious security gaps.”

The Louvre has a long history of thefts and attempted robberies. The most famous came in 1911, when the Mona Lisa vanished from its frame, stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia and recovered two years later in Florence. Another notorious episode came in 1956, when a visitor hurled a stone at her world-famous smile, chipping paint near her left elbow and hastening the move to display the work behind protective glass.

Today the former royal palace holds a roll call of civiliza-

Arms Residents of the Month

Wesley Price

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.

Mr. Wesley is an experienced financial worker who has only been with company a short period, however, the residents love him! He is retired military and on most of his time off he enjoys time with his family. His free time is spent working around the house.

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.

Residents love him because he takes his time explaining things to them, answers all questions and is very polite. They like his open-door policy!

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, Mr. Wesley, for a job well done and being a part of the Integrity Open Arms team!

tion: Leonardo’s Mona Lisa; the armless serenity of the Venus de Milo; the Winged Victory of Samothrace, wind-lashed on the Daru staircase; the Code of Hammurabi’s carved laws; Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People; Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa. The objects — from Mesopotamia, Egypt and the classical world to Europe’s masters — draw a daily tide of up to 30,000 visitors even as investigators now begin to sweep those gilded corridors for clues.

Politics at the door

The heist spilled instantly into politics. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella used it to attack President Emmanuel Macron, weakened at home and facing a fractured parliament.

“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture,” Bardella wrote on X. “This robbery, which allowed thieves to steal jewels from the French Crown, is an unbearable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?”

The criticism lands as Macron touts a decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan — about €700 million ($760 million) to modernize infrastructure, ease crowding and give the Mona Lisa a dedicated gallery by 2031. For workers on

the oor, the relief has felt slower than the pressure.

What we know — and don’t

Forensic teams are examining the site of the crime and adjoining access points while a full inventory is taken, authorities said. O cials have described the haul as of “inestimable” historical value.

Recovery may prove di cult. “It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again,” said Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds. “Professional crews often break down and recut large, recognizable stones to evade detection, e ectively erasing their provenance.”

Key questions still unanswered are how many people took part in the theft and whether they had inside assistance, authorities said. According to French media, there were four perpetrators: two dressed as construction workers in yellow safety vests on the lift, and two each on a scooter. French authorities did not immediately comment on this.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV from the Denon wing and the riverfront, inspecting the basket lift used to reach the gallery and interviewing sta who were on site when the museum opened, authorities said.

Visitors check jewelry in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre museum on Sept. 4 in Paris.

Tobias Kormind, 77 Diamonds

HOKE SPORTS

NCHSAA sets sites for fall state nals

Championship competitions will involve more dates because of expanded classi cations

By Bob Sutton North State Journal

THERE WILL be new venues for some North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championships.

The governing body announced sites for fall championships last week, with rst-time title locations included for volleyball, soccer and football.

Because the NCHSAA expanded from four to eight classi cations beginning this school year, more venues were needed, while some sports will have championship competitions spread across multiple days.

For volleyball and football, site assignments for specific classi cations will be determined based on participating teams.

The individual girls’ tennis nals come rst among fall championships, and they’re scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Cary Tennis Center (Class 1A, Class 3A), Burlington Tennis Center (Class 3A, Class 4A), Ting Park in Holly Springs (Class 5A, Class 6-A) and Millbrook Exchange in Raleigh (Class 7-A and Class 8-A) are the sites.

Dual team tennis nals will be spread across two days at Burlington Tennis Center, which has been a longtime championship spot. On Oct. 31, Class 6A and Class 8A will be contested at 9 a.m., with Class 5-A and Class 7-A at noon. The next day, Class 2A and Class 4A nals will be at 9 a.m. and Class 1A and Class 3A at noon.

The two-day girls’ golf state tournaments will be held Oct. 27-28 at Gates Four Golf

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Aubrey Carpenter

and Country Club in Fayetteville (combined Class 1A / 2A), Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines (Class 3A, Class 4A), Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe (Class 5A, Class 6A), Sapona Golf Club in Lexington (Class 7A) and Pinehurst No. 6 (Class 8A). Cross-country championships will be held for the 13th consecutive time at Ivey Redmon Complex in Kernersville, but they’ll be contested across two days (Oct. 31, Nov. 1). Volleyball nals will be held with four classes competing Oct. 31 at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem and titles for four other classes decided Nov. 1 at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Joel Coliseum is new to the lineup for volleyball nals.

It will take three days for boys’ soccer nals Nov. 20-22, with all those matchups taking place at Guilford College’s Armeld Athletic Center in Greensboro. This is a rst-time nals venue.

Three sites — Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, Durham County Memorial Stadium and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Moretz Stadium in Hickory — will be used for football nals. The dates for those are Dec. 11-13. Four games will be held at Kenan Stadium, which has been a longtime location for title games. On Dec. 13, a 2 p.m. Tar Heels men’s basketball game at the Smith Center is bound to impact the time frame for any football games on campus that day.

There will be two games at each of the other stadiums, which are rst-time sites for football nals. Durham County Stadium has a capacity of about 8,500, and Moretz Stadium can accommodate 7,200.

The cheerleading invitational will be held Dec. 6 at Raleigh Convention Center.

Hoke County, volleyball

Aubrey Carpenter is a senior libero for the Hoke County volleyball team. The Bucks are having a historic season, storming to a 19-3 record and winning the Mid-South 7A/8A conference title. Carpenter is a big reason why. She leads the team in digs and receptions, is second in aces and third in assists. She led the conference in digs and ranks second in N.C. Class 8A.

The No. 2 seed Bucks earned a rst-round bye in the NCHSAA state 8A championship and opened play this week against No. 7 Jordan.

Briscoe gets OT win at Talladega

The victory gives Joe Gibbs Racing two spots in the Cup Series championship nale

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joe Gibbs Racing was facing an internal mutiny just a month ago when two of its championship-eligible drivers didn’t feel the team owner’s grandson was helping his teammates try to win the Cup title.

Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, raced both Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin hard early in the playo race at New Hampshire. Gibbs wasn’t eligible for the championship, Hamlin grew frustrated at being held up by his teammate, so he wrecked Gibbs out of his way.

Sunday, Ty Gibbs pushed Chase Briscoe in overtime to the win at Talladega Superspeedway to give JGR two spots in the

Cup Series’ championship race.

Briscoe is in the winner-take-all nale alongside teammate Hamlin as Toyota claimed the rst two of the four berths with one race remaining to set the championship eld.

“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty,” Briscoe said.

“This is an amazing team e ort.

I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

“It’s such a competitive world.

I’m kind of used to it in football.

You get it,” Joe Gibbs said. “But over here, we got four teams, and the challenge is always trying to get them to work together. If you think about it, each driver has got their own career. They got their own sponsor, and it just becomes extremely competitive.

“So sometimes you wind up with issues like that. It’s part of part of sports. Guys are, you know, very competitive and want to make it happen. And so at di erent times, you may have issues that you got to deal with.”

Briscoe, who raced to his rst

career superspeedway victory, is in his rst season driving for Gibbs.

He’s now going to race for the Cup title for the rst time.

“Ty was the whole reason I won the race, he was extremely committed to me,” Briscoe said. “When I made a move, Ty went with me. He was just really sel ess in the fact of he’s going for his rst career win and could have easily tried to make a move or done something different. But he just pushed me to the win and just an incredible team e ort.”

Briscoe was sixth on the restart — a two-lap sprint in overtime to the nish — and Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson split the front row and lined up side-by-side for the Chevrolet drivers to control the race.

Byron was getting help from behind from fellow Chevrolet driver Carson Hocevar, a driver for Hendrick aligned Spire Motorsports. Larson’s push was from Toyota driver Bubba Wal-

lace, who did get Larson into the lead.

There are two open spots left in the championship eld to be determined next week in thenale of the third round of the playo s. Bell and Larson are above the elimination line but neither is all that comfortable. The race went to overtime when Chris Buescher was leading with two laps to go and he was spun from behind by Byron, who was shoved into Buescher by Hocevar. Buescher spun and slammed hard into an inside wall in a one-car crash that sent the race to overtime.

Elliott in early crash

Chase Elliott’s chances to advance into the nal four took a hit when NASCAR’s most popular driver was collected in the rst crash of the race.

Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was already below the cutline for elimination when he was caught in an early eight-car crash 52 laps into the race.

Elliott now goes to Martinsville Speedway in a must-win situation to advance to the title-deciding nale at Phoenix for the rst time since 2022.

HAL NUNN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Hoke football celebrates a big play earlier this season, its rst in class 8A.

New title venues will be used for volleyball, soccer and football

BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO

Chase Briscoe (19) leads the pack to the nish line for the win during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA BASKETBALL

Duke men, women projected to repeat as ACC champions

Charlotte

The Duke Blue Devils’ men and women have been picked to repeat as ACC champions. Duke’s men received 34 of 49 rst-place votes from the media panel. Louisville was second. UNC, NC State and Virginia rounded out the top ve. Wake Forest was 11th

The Duke women received 40 of the 70 rst-place votes. NC State received 25. UNC was picked third and Wake last. State’s Zoe Brooks and Khamil Pierre, Duke’s Toby Fournier and Ashlon Jackson and UNC’s Reniya Kelly were on the 10-player All-ACC rst team

NCAA FOOTBALL

Florida res coach Napier after 4-year run ends with 22-23 record

Gainesville, Fla.

Florida red coach Billy Napier a day after an error- lled win against Mississippi State. Athletic Director Scott Stricklin made the move following a 23-21 victory that looked like it was going to be gut-wrenching loss until defensive tackle Michai Boireau picked o a pass with 21 seconds remaining. Even so, the home crowd booed Napier as he sprinted o the eld. Napier went 22 -23 in four seasons at Florida, including 12-16 in SEC play. He was 5-17 against ranked opponents, including 0-14 away from home.

SOCCER

FIFA announces more than 1 million tickets sold for 2026 World Cup in North America

Miami FIFA announced that more than 1 million tickets have been sold for next year’s World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The highest demand for tickets comes from those three countries. FIFA reported that fans from 212 countries and territories have purchased tickets, even though only 28 of the 48 spots have been lled. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. The rst round of ticket sales was a lottery, with 4.5 million applicants. The next draw opens on Oct. 27.

MLB Padres manager Shildt announces retirement after 2 seasons in charge

San Diego Mike Shildt is retiring after two seasons as the San Diego Padres’ manager. The 57-year-old Charlotte native said he is retiring because “the grind of the baseball season has taken a severe toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally.” Shildt went 183-141 and led San Diego to two postseason appearances during his brief tenure. The Padres won 90 games this season and nished second in the NL West before being eliminated by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month in a tense three-game wild-card playo series.

Bills coach McDermott shows resolve, leans on past success

By John Wawrow The Associated Press

ORCHARD

PARK, N.Y. —

If the sky is falling in Bu alo, Bills coach Sean McDermott showed no sign of ducking for cover by instead presenting a calm, resolute front following two straight losses, and amid growing concerns over a porous defense and mis ring o ense.

This is hardly the rst time McDermott has been in this position over nine seasons in Bu alo. And it’s certainly not the rst time he enters a bye week facing what resembles a crisis for the ve-time defending AFC East champion Bills (4-2) and their Super Bowl aspirations.

Rather than make guarantees, McDermott drew upon the past in knowing the Bills have lost two straight in each of their last six seasons — but never three in a row — and still made the playo s. And then there’s McDermott’s record of 4-5 entering the break and 8-0 coming out of it.

“It’s not going to be easy. But we all have a job to do. And we all have to be accountable to one another,” McDermott said. “That’s really been the recipe for us in the past. Who knows this year, but we’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

The work began immediately with McDermott meeting with his two coordinators following Bu alo’s ight home after a 24-14 loss at Atlanta on Monday night.

On defense, McDermott’s message to Bobby Babich was getting his unit better prepared to start a game after Bu alo allowed 335 yards and 21 points in the rst half against Atlanta.

“It’s just not a great formula,” McDermott said.

Though the Bills limited the Falcons to 108 yards and three points in the second half, the lack of consistency has been a season-long issue.

“Completely understand the sense of panic,” Babich said. “But in this building, we know where we have to improve.”

On o ense, the message to Joe Brady was cutting out what McDermott’s called the “cute” plays in short-yardage situations that have back red in each of the past two outings.

How was Spoelstra o ered Olympic job? Hill didn’t have to ask

The longtime Heat coach was Grant Hill’s rst hire as Team USA director

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — At a dinner in Miami back in August, across the street from the arena where the Heat play their games, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill had a question for Erik Spoelstra.

Hill wasn’t even done asking before Spoelstra gave his answer.

“I’m in,” Spoelstra said. With that, USA Basketball had its next Olympic coach. Hill didn’t have to nish asking the question. Everybody knew the deal was done. And now, the process of getting ready for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics can ofcially begin. Spoelstra — who was announced as coach earlier this week — and Hill sat side by side, starting to lay out the plan toward what they hope is more gold for the U.S.

“We got our guy,” Hill said.

Spoelstra had his three children at the news conference, along with Heat President Pat Riley, Heat CEO Nick Arison and virtually the entire Heat coaching sta .

“I understand the expectations and the responsibility of

“We got our guy.”

Grant Hill

this position,” Spoelstra said.

If he didn’t understand, Heat players crashed the news conference to make sure he understood. Heat captain Bam Adebayo has been part of the last two Olympic gold medal wins for the U.S., and he and many other teammates were waving small American ags and chanted “U-S-A!” much to Spoelstra’s delight.

Adebayo has said he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics as well.

“Spo’s a genius,” Adebayo said.

Spoelstra worked his way through the USA Basketball ranks, rst as the coach of the select team that helped the Olympic team that Gregg Popovich coached to gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, then as an assistant under Steve Kerr for the World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Games in 2024.

“Coach Spoelstra represents everything we strive to be,” Hill said.

Spoelstra decided to take the job only after seeing how much USA Basketball welcomes family; he had his kids with him in Paris. Making commitments for both the summer of 2027 and summer of 2028 —

“We’re going to work our tails o to get it done.”

Sean McDermott

Josh Allen lost a fumble on a botched hando to tight end Dawson Knox to end the opening drive of a 23-20 loss to New England two weeks ago. A similar play failed again against Atlanta, with receiver Elijah Moore recovering Allen’s fumble on third-and-1 at mid eld in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I feel we’re better than that, and we need to be better next time,” McDermott said. The Bills, who travel to play Carolina (3-3) on Oct. 26 upon their return, are suddenly regarded as an unknown quantity with four wins against teams entering Week 7 with a combined record of 3-21.

O ensively, Brady and Allen might have to gure things out with the players they have in a passing attack that’s shown signs of regression and lacks a reliable deep threat. Barring GM Brandon Beane getting creative, Bu alo has minimal

salary cap space to make a signi cant move before the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4.

Beane continues backing his o season roster-building plan in which he added free agents Moore and Joshua Palmer to a receiving group that returned Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.

Palmer was o to strong start with two catches for 60 yards against Atlanta before going down with an ankle injury. With tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique) out, no one was able to pick up the slack with Shakir nishing with three catches for 33 yards.

Meantime, Brady was second-guessed for failing to lean more on running back James Cook, who had 87 yards rushing on 17 carries before not getting another touch in the nal 11 minutes.

“There’s got to be a level of urgency. We’re not OK with how we’ve played,” Brady said.

“But unfortunately we’ve been in this position before, and I believe in the coaches and the players that we’re going to gure it out,” he added. “We’re going to come up with solutions and kind of hit the ground running again.”

always busy times for kids — wouldn’t have happened if his family couldn’t be along for the ride.

“The culture of family within USAB is simply remarkable,” Spoelstra said. “The experience that we had as a family at the Olympics will be memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. So, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

Spoelstra has been with the Heat for more than 30 years now, starting in the video room — he actually was hired shortly before the franchise brought Riley in to lead the basketball operations in September 1995 — on his way to becoming head coach. He’s been with the Heat for all three of their NBA titles, the last two coming with him as head coach.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity of these 30 years to work for the Heat,” Spoelstra said.

Spoelstra will become the 17th di erent coach to take the U.S. men into an Olympics. Of the previous 16, 14 led the team to at least one gold medal.

Spoelstra was believed to be under consideration when Hill — in what was his rst major decision as managing director of the men’s national team.

Hill made that decision with Spoelstra in mind for this Olympic cycle, even orchestrating that he spend some time with Popovich after the Tokyo Games to plant some seeds.

“It worked out,” Hill said.

Spoelstra indicated that USA Basketball might take a little time before nalizing his group of assistants, and Hill said it may go into next year.

“We’ve just talked loosely about it, but really no specifics yet,” Spoelstra said. “We’ll start with the initial conversations about the pool of candidates and then also the sta , then start to talk loosely about the logistics of the World Cup.”

MARTA LAVANDIER / AP PHOTO

Erik Spoelstra, left, and USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill hold up a jersey after Spoelstra was introduced as USA Basketball men’s national team head coach.

Bu alo will try to snap its losing streak at Carolina

COLIN HUBBARD / AP PHOTO

Bu alo Bills head coach Sean McDermott walks on the sideline during the second half of a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

James Edward McNatt

July 16, 1970 – Oct. 7, 2025

I have fought the good ght, I have nished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. James Edward McNatt. He departed this life on October 7, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital of Hoke. Visitation will be on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 1-5 p.m. at Doby Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Faith Anointed Temple.

James Lee McNatt

April 28, 1947 – Oct. 10, 2025

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your sta , they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. James Lee McNatt. He departed this life on October 10, 2025. Visitation will be on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 1-5 p.m. at Doby Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Faith Anointed Temple. Please keep the McNatt family in your thoughts and prayers during this di cult time.

Shirley Brooks Dial

July 14, 1959 – Oct. 10, 2025

Mrs. Shirley Brooks Dial, age 66, of 1279 Milk Dairy Rd, Red Springs, North Carolina, was born on July 14, 1959, to Mr. Early Rome Brooks and Annie L. Lewis in Robeson County. She went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Early Rome Brooks, and her stepfather, Wilton G. Lewis; her brother, Ronald Ray Brooks; her sister, Connie Hill; and her brother-in-law, Harmon Locklear.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, James Dial, her daughter, Andrea Brooks, her son, Anthony Brooks, two grandchildren, Kaylan Blanks and Jaona Swett, and a great-grandson, Dravin Swett-Byrd. Two sisters, Jeanette B. Locklear and Sally Brooks. Two brothers, Gary Brooks (Loretta) and Tony Lewis, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Bishop Larry Beatty Sr.

Oct. 7, 1944 – Oct. 12, 2025

Bishop Larry James Beatty Sr., age 80, went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 12, 2025. The Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at 1 p.m. at Freedom Chapel AME Zion Church. Larry will be greatly missed.

James “Jim” Linus Bradley

Jan. 28, 1948 – Oct. 15, 2025

He is survived by his daughters, Christine Allen and Rebecca Lipps (Mark); one son, Richard Bradley; and a grandson, Jimmy Jacobs. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Galatia Evangelical Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 8800 Galatia Church Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304.

Grammy-winning singer D’Angelo dead at 51

He became an icon with “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”

By Jonathan Landrum Jr.

The Associated Press

D’ANGELO, THE Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51. The singer, whose real name was Michael Eugene Archer, died last Tuesday after a long bout with cancer, his family said in a statement. It called him “a shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life,” adding that they are “eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”

In his music, D’Angelo blended hip-hop grit, emphatic soul and gospel-rooted emotion into a sound that helped spearhead the neo-soul movement of the 1990s. Earlier this year, the Virginia native celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut studio album “Brown Sugar,” a platinum-selling o ering that produced signature hits like “Lady” and the title track. The 1995 album earned him multiple Grammy nominations and cemented him as one of R&B’s most original new voices.

D’Angelo’s sultry vocal style — a mix of raspy texture and church-bred uidity — set him apart from his peers. That voice became inseparable from the striking visuals of his 2000 single “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The minimalist, shirtless

music video became a cultural touchstone, igniting conversations around artistry, sexuality and vulnerability in Black male representation. The song earned him a Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance and propelled his sophomore album “Voodoo,” topping the Billboard 200 chart and winning the Grammy for best R&B album.

With an idiosyncratic spirit not unlike Prince, D’Angelo’s devotion was always to the craft — not the machinery around it. In a 2000 interview with The Associated Press, he spoke candidly about the cost of chasing commercial success.

“(Musicians) have gotten trapped into that mode of thinking marketable and commercial. That destroys art, that destroys the essence of what it is about,” he said. “You cannot, you cannot work like that. You cannot make music like that. That’s not what this is about.”

That same year, D’Angelo reected on his need for solitude amid fame: “I used to hang out a lot, but now I’ve become more of a recluse,” he told AP. “I long for just peace and silence.”

Beyond his own catalog, D’Angelo’s artistry shined in collaborations. He memorably duetted with Lauryn Hill on the soulful ballad “Nothing Even Matters,” a highlight of her landmark 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” He also contributed to The Roots’ 1996 album “Illadelph Hal ife” and was part of the supergroup Black Men United, which yielded one song: “U Will Know,” which D’Angelo wrote and co-produced, for the lm “Jason’s Lyric” in 1994. “I remember hearing your

James Henry Gay

May 3, 1946 – Oct.13, 2025

Mr. James Henry Gay, age 79 of Red Springs, North Carolina, was born on May 3, 1946, in Robeson County to the late John Henry Gay and the late Suenell Haywood Gay. On October 13, 2025, Mr. James Henry entered his eternal rest at Richmond County Hospice in Rockingham, NC, leaving behind the many lives he touched. In addition to his parents, his siblings that preceded him in death were brothers: Clarence Gay, Terry Gay, James Gordon, Roosevelt Gay and Charles Gay; sisters: Betty Gay-Mitchell and Tama Gay Cheeks. The love of his life, Eileen Lowery, of 23 years, also preceded him in death.

Mr. James Henry was educated through the Robeson County School System. He loved to farm, landscape, ride his many motorcycles, but most of all, he enjoyed the company of his many friends.

He became a faithful member of Panthersford Presbyterian Church until his health declined. He will be missed by all who came in contact with him. He leaves to cherish his memory: his brothers, Willie Gay (Minnie), of Durham/Red Springs, Kenneth Gay (Tracey) of Durham, Rodney Gay (Faye), of Red Springs, William Tony Gay; sisters: Rebecca “Say-Sister” Gay, of Laurinburg; and Frances Gay-Brown of Fayetteville. Two very special friends: Mae Ward, who became a daughter to him, and James “Gene” McLaughlin, who supported him all the way to the very end.

D’Angelo and the Vanguard perform

“(Musicians) have gotten trapped into that mode of thinking marketable and commercial. That destroys art, that destroys the essence of what it is about.”

D’Angelo

music for the rst time… I said to myself damn whoever this is they are anointed,” Jamie Foxx said on social media. “Then when I nally got a chance to see you… Like everyone when they saw the most incredible music video of our time… I was blown away… I thought to myself I have to see this person in concert… I had my chance to see you at the house of blues… You came out and got right down to business… Your voice was silky and awless… I was graciously envious of your style and your swag…” Years before stepping back from public view, D’Angelo’s life and music were closely intertwined with Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone in the ’90s. The pair met while he was nishing “Brown Sugar” and bonded over their shared Southern roots and deep church upbringing. Stone contributed to the album and later collaborated with him on “Everyday,”

a song from her 1999 debut album, “Black Diamond.” Stone once described D’Angelo as her “musical soul mate,” to the AP in 1999, adding that their working relationship was “’like milk and cereal …. Musically, it was magic. It’s something that I have not been able to do with any other producer or musician.” They had a son together, the artist Swayvo Twain, born Michael Archer Jr. Stone died earlier this year in a car crash. She was 63. D’Angelo also has a daughter, Imani Archer, who is also a music artist. In the years that followed, D’Angelo’s life became as de ned by absence as by acclaim. After “Voodoo,” he withdrew from the spotlight for more than a decade, fueling speculation about personal struggles and creative battles. His long-awaited return came in 2014 with “Black Messiah,” credited to D’Angelo and

The Vanguard. The urgent and politically charged album that arrived amid nationwide protests and helped usher in a wave of activist music responding to police killings of Black Americans and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and won him a Grammy for best R&B album, rea rming his stature as a generational voice. Its standout single, “Really Love,” earned him another Grammy for best R&B song and earned a nomination for record of the year.

In May, D’Angelo withdrew from being a headliner for the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia due to “an unforeseen medical delay regarding surgery (he) had earlier this year,” the artists shared in a statement. D’Angelo said he was advised the performance “could further complicate matters.”

Beyond his biggest singles, D’Angelo’s catalog includes fan favorites like “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine,” “Cruisin’” and “Devil’s Pie.” His in uence stretched far beyond the charts: he inspired a wave of artists including Maxwell, Alicia Keys and Frank Ocean.

MARK VON HOLDEN / INVISION / AP

at the Apollo Theatre in New York in 2015.

STATE & NATION

States use redistricting to help 1 party, but sometimes move can back re

Generally redistricting is done after the census, but it can be done more often

By Margery A. Beck

The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — As states consider redrawing their congressional district lines to favor one political party, some politicians warn that attempts to gerrymander can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.

Pushed initially by President Donald Trump, state legislators across the country are discussing and at times agreeing to change boundaries in hopes of helping members of their party and ultimately deciding control of the U.S. House in 2026. Some are nding it’s not as easy as it seems.

“Trying to win more seats comes with a risk, because in order to win more seats, they have to draw districts more competitively,” said University of Texas at Dallas political science professor Thomas L. Brunell, who helped coin the term dummymander.

Republicans could try redistricting Nebraska

U.S. House districts are typically redrawn once a decade, immediately after a census, but some states allow it to happen more frequently. And the U.S. Supreme Court has said there is no federal curb on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to favor one party.

Nebraska is among a number of states being targeted for mid-decade redrawing of congressional district lines, with the head of the National Republican Redistricting Trust last week naming Nebraska among its top candidates for change. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he supports the idea.

The focus would be the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, a “blue dot” with Nebraska’s highest concentration of Democratic voters in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

Republicans hold all three of Nebraska’s U.S. House seats, including the 2nd District, but the Omaha seat is considered vulnerable. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon eked out wins in the last two elections and won’t seek reelection in 2026, bolstering Democratic hopes.

Gerrymandering in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 2-1 ratio would seem simple, but state Sen. John Cavanaugh said it’s not.

Cavanaugh, a Democrat who worked on Nebraska’s last redistricting e ort following the 2020 U.S. Census and is now seeking the 2nd District seat, said Nebraska’s congressional districts already heavily favor Republicans following decades of

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior.”

Moon Duchin, redistricting expert

GOP-led redistricting e orts.

“They’ve gone to great lengths to make the 2nd District less competitive,” Cavanaugh said.

Redistricting and the 2026 midterm elections

This summer, Trump urged Republican-led Texas to reshape districts so the GOP could win more seats in next year’s elections, jump-starting an o season redistricting battle. The Republican Party typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections and the president is trying to buck that trend. Democrats need to gain just three seats to take control of the House.

In August, Texas lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans a shot at winning ve more seats. Democratic-led California responded with a redistricting plan intended to help Democrats win more

seats, though it still needs voter approval. Leaders in other Democratic-leaning states, such as Maryland, New York and Illinois, have said they’re considering their own mid-decade redistricting plans.

Last month, Republican-led Missouri adopted revised districts aimed at helping the GOP win another seat. North Carolina Republican legislative leaders also have announced plans to vote next week on redrawing the state’s House district map.

Redistricting remains under consideration in several other states, including Indiana and Kansas, where Republican lawmakers are gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an e ort to call a special session for congressional redistricting.

The e ort could back re

Some Republicans remain hesitant, partially because of concerns that mid-decade redistricting could back re. To make Democratic-leaning districts more favorable to Republicans, map drawers would have to shift some Democratic areas into districts currently held by Republicans, making them more vulnerable.

In South Carolina, Republican leaders worry that redrawing its seven U.S. House districts could be dangerous in a state where the GOP hovers

at roughly 55% in competitive elections. Republicans usually hold six of seven seats but lost one for a term in 2018.

Kansas had already attempted to make the state’s four districts an all-GOP congressional delegation when it redrew the lines in 2022 to weaken the Democratic stronghold on the Kansas City-area. But Democratic incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids still won easily in 2022 and 2024.

Trump’s push to redraw the maps comes as his administration’s policies face skepticism among many voters, according to polling by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public A airs Research.

Moon Duchin, a computer and data science professor at the University of Chicago and redistricting expert, said creating reliably partisan congressional maps in a large state like Texas is easier because the state has 38 districts, o ering plenty of options to tinker.

It’s tougher in states like Nebraska or Kansas, she said.

“You have fewer lines; you’re not going to be able to put them as far out of reach without creating opportunities elsewhere,” Duchin said. “And so, yes, you have to do it really carefully because it can back re.”

Even in Texas, Republicans saw the e ects of dummymandering after they aggressively redrew political lines in the 2010s that helped pad the

GOP’s House majority. That lasted until 2018, when a backlash against Trump in his rst term led Democrats to ip two seats that Republicans had thought safe.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior,” Duchin said.

Nebraska has other challenges

After initial reluctance, Republicans in states including Texas and Missouri came around to support redistricting.

That could happen in Nebraska, too, but some key Republican lawmakers remain opposed.

Republican state Sen. Merv Riepe said he’s not inclined to support such a measure, leaving Republicans with too few votes to overcome a libuster.

That’s in line with Republicans’ failure last year to pass a bill that would have made Nebraska the 49th state to award its Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis.

Currently, only Nebraska and Maine allow presidential electoral votes to be split by congressional district. Nebraska’s 2nd District’s vote has gone to Democrats three times in the last two decades — to Barack Obama in 2008, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session in August.

MOORE

Flipping out

Pinecrest’s Giovanni Patterson ips

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Massive Amazon cloud outage resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide

A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and nancial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st- century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.

U.S. appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon National Guard troops

Portland, Ore.

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Oregon Attorney General Dan Ray eld, a Democrat, said he would ask for a broader panel of the appeals to reconsider the decision.

American colleges ghting to prove return on investment

As tuition continues to rise, parents and students are wondering if it’s worth the price

By Collin Binkley The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For a generation of young Americans, choosing where to go to college — or whether to go at all — has become a complex calculation of costs and benets that often revolves around a single question: Is the degree worth its price?

Public con dence in higher education has plummeted in recent years amid high tuition prices, skyrocketing student loans and a dismal job market — plus ideological concerns from conservatives. Now col-

leges are scrambling to prove their value to students.

Borrowed from the business world, the term “return on investment” has been plastered on college advertisements across the U.S. A battery of new rankings grade campuses on the nancial bene ts they deliver. States such as Colorado have started publishing yearly reports on the monetary payo of college, and Texas now factors it into calculations for how much taxpayer money goes to community colleges.

“Students are becoming more aware of the times when college doesn’t pay o ,” said Preston Cooper, who has studied college ROI at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. “It’s front of mind for universities today in a way that it was not

rehabilitated bear cubs back to wild

The last 20 hostages were released after spending two years in captivity

By Melania Lidman The Associated Press

THE N.C. WILDLIFE Resources Commission recently released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs back to the wild, with four returning to the coastal region and eight to the mountains. The releases were conducted through the commission’s cub rehabilitation program, which has operated since 1976 as one of the rst such programs in the country. While the program initially aimed to restore North Carolina’s black bear

population, it now focuses on giving orphaned cubs the best chance of survival in the wild.

The commission receives orphaned cubs beginning in late January, with most arriving April through June after female bears emerge from dens with their young. The cubs are placed with the North Carolina Zoo or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, both licensed wildlife rehabilitators experienced in black bear cub care.

The facilities provide specialized food and expert care with minimal human interaction until the cubs reach 7 to 8 months old. Some cubs receive tracking collars upon release, allowing biologists to monitor

“I’m

not saying kids shouldn’t go to college. I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.” Education Secretary

necessarily 15, 20 years ago.”

Most bachelor’s degrees still worth it

A wide body of research indicates a bachelor’s degree still pays o , at least on average and in the long run. Yet there’s growing recognition that not all degrees lead to a good salary, and even some that seem like

a good bet are becoming riskier as graduates face one of the toughest job markets in years.

A new analysis released Thursday by the Strada Education Foundation nds 70% of recent public university graduates can expect a positive return within 10 years — meaning their earnings over a decade will exceed that of a typical high school graduate by an amount greater than the cost of their degree. Yet it varies by state, from 53% in North Dakota to 82% in Washington, D.C. States where college is more affordable have fared better, the report says.

It’s a critical issue for families who wonder how college tuition prices could ever pay o , said Emilia Mattucci, a high

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

after scoring a goal as Joshua Mandell and Jack Melvin look on during a 4-3 loss to Jack Britt on Oct. 13.

Linda McMahon

THURSDAY 10.23.25

“Join the conversation”

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

Oct. 13

• Richard Dwayne Brady, 52, was arrested by MCSO for possession of methamphetamine, possession of stolen motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and ctitious or altered title/registration/tag.

• Joseph David Cheeks Sr., 71, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for second degree trespass.

Oct. 14

• Seqouia Clarnassia Person, 22, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for assault with a deadly weapon.

Oct. 15

• Kevin Bryant Little, 35, was arrested by Pineblu PD for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Jillian Renee Roughton, 41, was arrested by Pineblu PD for possession of methamphetamine, maintaining vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked, ctitious or altered title/registration/tag and no liability insurance.

• Kasey Morgan Tarlton, 33, was arrested by Pineblu PD for possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting public o cer.

Oct. 18

• Ronald Angelo Nunziato, 89, was arrested by Pinehurst PD for misdemeanor domestic violence and communicating threats.

BEARS from page A1

their movements and study their post-release behavior.

Five cubs with tracking collars that were released before Hurricane Helene in September 2024 all survived the storm, according to the commission. The cubs found shelter during the hurricane, became active again days later and located suitable den sites for hibernation. No con icts with people were reported.

Biologists release cubs in early fall when natural foods like acorns, fruits and berries are abundant. The cubs are released at heavier weights than their wild counterparts to provide extra fat reserves while they orient themselves to their new surroundings.

Research shows that minimizing captivity time while maximizing release weight improves outcomes for the cubs’ survival. Cubs are released on state-managed lands away from human development in the region where they were originally found.

Wildlife biologists caution that bear cubs seen alone are rarely orphaned, as mother bears often forage nearby and return within hours.

“People who try to capture or handle a cub are not only risking the cub’s safety, but their own if the mother bear is nearby, as she may try to defend her cubs,” said Jenna Malzahn, a black bear biologist with the commission, in a press release. “By trying to capture a bear cub, you may cause it to become orphaned, injured or both.”

By fall, the commission’s Wildlife Helpline receives fewer calls about suspected orphaned cubs and more in-

COLLEGES from page A1

school counselor at East Allegheny schools, near Pittsburgh. More than two-thirds of her school’s students come from low-income families, and many aren’t willing to take on the level of debt that past generations accepted. Instead, more are heading to technical schools or the trades and passing on fouryear universities, she said.

“A lot of families are just saying they can’t a ord it, or they don’t want to go into debt for years and years and years,” she said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been among those questioning the need for a four-year degree. Speaking at the Reagan Institute think tank in September, McMahon praised programs that prepare students for careers right out of high school.

“I’m not saying kids shouldn’t go to college,” she said. “I’m just saying all kids don’t have to go in order to be successful.”

Lowering college tuition, improving graduate earnings

American higher education has been grappling with both sides of the ROI equation — tuition costs and graduate earnings. It’s becoming even more important as colleges compete for decreasing numbers of college-age studentsas a result of falling birth rates.

Tuition rates have stayed at on many campuses in recent years to address a ordability concerns, and many private colleges have lowered their sticker prices in an e ort to better re ect the cost most students actually pay after factoring in nancial aid.

The other part of the equation — making sure graduates land good jobs — is more complicated.

quiries about bears denning in urban areas. Cubs orphaned in late summer or early fall are typically old enough to survive independently, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation releases at this time of year.

A group of college presidents recently met at Gallup’s Washington headquarters to study public polling on higher education. One of the chief reasons for agging condence is a perception that colleges aren’t giving graduates the skills employers need, said Kevin Guskiewicz, president of Michigan State University, one of the leaders at the meeting.

“We’re trying to get out in front of that,” he said.

The issue has been a priority for Guskiewicz since he arrived on campus last year. He gathered a council of Michigan business leaders to identify skills that graduates will need for jobs, from agriculture to banking. The goal is to mold degree programs to the job market’s needs and to get students internships and work experience that can lead to a job.

Disconnect with job market

Bridging the gap to the job market has been a persistent struggle for U.S. colleges, said Matt Sigelman, president of the Burning Glass Institute, a think tank that studies the workforce. Last year the institute, partnering with Strada researchers, found 52% of recent college graduates were in jobs that didn’t require a degree. Even higher-demand elds, such as education and nursing, had large numbers of graduates in that situation.

“No programs are immune, and no schools are immune,” Sigelman said.

The federal government has been trying to x the problem for decades, going back to President Barack Obama’s administration. A federal rule

rst established in 2011 aimed to cut federal money to college programs that leave graduates with low earnings, though it

National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” featured the state’s bear cub rehabilitation program in an episode. The series is available for streaming on Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.

primarily targeted for-pro t colleges.

A Republican reconciliation bill passed this year takes a wider view, requiring most colleges to hit earnings standards to be eligible for federal funding. The goal is to make sure college graduates end up earning more than those without a degree.

Others see transparency as a key solution.

For decades, students had little way to know whether graduates of speci c degree programs were landing good jobs after college. That started to change with the College Scorecard in 2015, a federal website that shares broad earnings outcomes for college programs. More recently, bipartisan legislation in Congress has sought to give the public even more detailed data.

Lawmakers in North Carolina ordered a 2023 study on the nancial return for degrees across the state’s public universities. It found that 93% produced a positive return, meaning graduates were expected to earn more over their lives than someone without a similar degree.

The data is available to the public, showing, for example, that undergraduate degrees in applied math and business tend to have high returns at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, while graduate degrees in psychology and foreign languages often don’t.

Colleges are belatedly realizing how important that kind of data is to students and their families, said Lee Roberts, chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, in an interview.

“In uncertain times, students are even more focused — I would say rightly so — on what their job prospects are going to be,” he added. “So I think colleges and universities really owe students and their families this data.”

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County.

Oct.

24

Trick-or-Treat in DTSP and Boofest

Trick-or-treating 5 p.m.

Park festivities 5:30 p.m.

Downtown businesses are welcoming trick-or-treaters aged 12 and under. The park will also be hosting a combination of crafts, games and other holiday-themed activities, including a best dog costume contest and ra e.

Downtown Southern Pines

Pumpkin Decorating Party

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Fun- lled evening for kids aged 3-10 includes a pizza dinner, games, stories, and of course, pumpkin decorating. Must pre-register; contact 910-757-0057.

McGym Sandhills 1343 N. Sandhills Blvd.

Aberdeen

Oct.

26

Songs for America: A Patriotic Salute

2 p.m.

Sgt. Maj. Bob McDonald and Sgt. Maj. Tony Nalker perform a variety of popular patriotic tunes ranging from Broadway classics to Sinatra hits.

Sunrise Theater

250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

Oct.

29

Lecture: Master of Light: Art & Mystery of Johannes Vermeer & his Girl with a Pearl Earring

5:30-7 p.m.

To register and for more information, call 910-692-2787. Lecture delves into the mysterious methods of master painter Johannes Vermeer.

Campbell House Gallery 482 E. Connecticut Ave. Southern Pines

Nov. 7-9

20th Annual Ederville Train and Tractor Show

Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Demonstrations, exhibitions a parade, tractor pull, nightly sparkler show and more. For more information, contact 919-708-8665.

644 Niagara Carthage Road Carthage

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | SHERI FEW

Are government schools redeemable?

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education.

THE MOOD OF THE NATION survey, published in February 2025, found that 73% of adult respondents are dissatis ed with the quality of public education in the U.S. It is the highest dissatisfaction rate since the survey began in 2001.

Government schools have failed most students by every key measure. Across ve metrics, including suicide, major depression, suicidal thoughts, mental distress and days in poor mental health, young people su ering has increased substantially since 2011. Moreover, one-quarter of individuals who identify as transgender are between the ages of 13 and 17.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows no signi cant improvement in outcomes over the last 40 years.

The 2024 NAEP scores provide shocking evidence of utter academic failure in America’s government schools, showing that 45% of high school seniors scored “below basic” in math, and 33% of seniors tested “below basic” in reading. In their groundbreaking report, “Are Government Schools Redeemable?” U.S. Parents Involved in Education concludes that government schools are not redeemable. At least not any time soon, even with a concerted e ort. Importantly, the USPIE report o ers recommendations for those determined to nd a way to rescue government schools.

The ve focus areas outlined in the report represent key issues keeping schools from succeeding: government involvement; teachers and colleges of education; teacher certi cation; standards and assessments; and teacher unions.

The Founding Fathers identi ed no constitutional role for government in education; however, in the 1840s, Horace Mann advocated universal government schools, embracing the notion that it could reduce, and perhaps even erase, human failings and compensate for biological aws.

Gradually, Mann’s vision of taxpayer-funded, government-run schools caught on. In 1867, Andrew Johnson established a national education department, and every president since has signed into law education-related policies and programs.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Yet despite ballooning federal intervention and funding, achievement in government schools is a national embarrassment.

For more than 50 years, government schools have been dumbing down teacher preparation. Teachers in training are being stripped of successful teaching methods and indoctrinated with techniques that impede learning and condition children into political activism.

Moreover, for decades, colleges have been pushing the oppressed/oppressor model, inculcating Marxist, feminist, racist and LGBTQ critical theories. Academic success is now less about merit and more about “equity.” It is evident that the colleges of education and the current installed base of teachers do not know how to e ectively teach reading, writing or math.

To teach in government-run schools, teachers must meet state certi cation requirements. Certi cation is integral to teaching colleges and is impacted by the faulty models adopted by these institutions. Indoctrination in critical theory, leftist activism and LGBTQ ideology, rather than proven teaching methods, is now what is certi ed. Teacher certi cation demands that quali ed professionals be indoctrinated in the ine ective teaching practices taught by colleges of education.

Formal standards by grade did not come to America until the 1980s. But after the release of the report “A Nation at Risk,” many asserted that grade-level standards with aligned assessments could keep students on track. Yet for centuries, if not a millennium, parents and educators intuited the phases of child development and tailored their teaching around reasoned expectations.

Standards and their correlated assessments are inappropriate, ine ective and stand in the way of actual student achievement.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) count for 70% of government schoolteachers, or 3.2 million. Teacher unions rally in support of LGBTQ policies, hiding student gender issues from parents, protecting trans-identifying teachers and other policies o ensive to many parents.

The policies and practices of the unions are

the very policies and practices that prevent government schools from improving student achievement in reading, writing and math.

That’s why we strongly recommend the following actions: Parents should remove their children from government schools and seek alternatives that are free from government funding. The government should be removed from education to the degree possible and increase the child tax credit for parents whose children do not attend government schools. Local leaders can help by supporting home education and making donations to private schools for scholarships.

Churches can start schools, provide scholarships and support home educator co-ops.

As more families exit government schools, legislators should make government school funding re ect their enrollment. This model subjects government schools to free-market competition and reduces taxes for all citizens.

Parents are well-positioned to hold schools accountable. As they make choices, the better systems will accumulate enrollments and garner income, while the failing ones will see reductions.

Most importantly, parents are the rst and best educators of their children. This is not just a slogan, not just a throw-away campaign line. It is a fundamental law. Elected o cials must embrace this truth, resist the temptation to govern education, and return control to parents who are the only people properly positioned to hold educators and the education system accountable.

Sheri Few is the founder and president of United States Parents Involved in Education (USPIE), whose mission is to end the U.S. Department of Education and all federal education mandates. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump defies conventional wisdom ... so far

Whether it was a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked.

“WHAT ALL THE WISE MEN promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.” That was the mordant comment of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s rst prime minister, on the failure of a liberal reform to achieve the results promised with great assurance by the articulate liberal eminences of the day.

With two centuries of foresight, he might just as well have been describing President Donald Trump’s triumph, celebrated “in a state of ecstasy” in Israel’s Knesset, as he secured the release of hostages held by Hamas for two years and won support from multiple Muslim nations for his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas.

Or as The Free Press’ Matthew Continetti put it, “Trump has done more to advance peace in the Middle East than the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern A airs could hope to achieve in a million years.”

Certainly, more than anyone has accomplished since Israel’s victories in the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the era when it became accepted wisdom that Arab and Muslim nations would recognize Israel’s legitimacy only after it reached some form of agreement with Palestinian leaders on the creation of a Palestinian state.

The conventional wisdom was that pressure must always be exerted on Israel, the leaders and voters of which had obvious qualms about relinquishing any supervision over armed and hostile neighbors within shooting range of their geographically tiny country.

The 1990s saw a test of that conventional wisdom, with Israel accepting the Oslo framework, and Bill Clinton, in his nal days as president, using his very considerable skills to get Israel to agree to a generous settlement, only to have it shot down at the last minute by Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat.

The Second Intifada that followed, and the Hamas terrorists’ takeover of Gaza after Israel relinquished it in 2005, ended any signi cant support for a “two-state” agreement by Israeli voters. But peddlers of the conventional wisdom ignored Israelis’ characteristic bluntness and persisted in taking seriously Arab states’ ritualistic a rmations of support for a Palestinian state.

Trump chose a di erent path. Rather than pressuring Israel to make concessions or pleading with the Palestinians to accept them, he pursued, and secured, direct agreements between Israel and other Arab nations. During his rst term, his team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, forged the Abraham Accords by capitalizing on the Gulf states’ ambitions for economic growth and regional stability.

Trump moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem,

recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and withdrew from former President Barack Obama’s Iran nuclear deal. In his second term — unlike former President Joe Biden, who repeatedly sought to restrain Israel’s response to Hamas — Trump backed Israel’s military o ensives and followed through on his 12-day war that crippled Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow.

Pressure on Hamas’ hosts in Qatar, home to a major U.S. air base, escalated after Israel launched missiles on Sept. 9 to assassinate Hamas leaders there. Trump publicly disapproved of the strike and, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Sept. 29, even urged him to call Qatar’s ruler and apologize.

Whether it was genuine remorse or a maneuver straight out of Michael Corleone’s playbook, the gesture appears to have worked. The Qataris soon pressed Hamas to accept the rst stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, the release of all surviving Israeli hostages, after Trump rea rmed, in the Knesset and afterward, that he would fully back Israeli retaliation should Hamas break the deal.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren wrote that Trump “knows the language of strength.” He seems to appreciate and admire Israel’s strength and is willing to capitalize on the weakness of the country’s enemy, Hamas, and the terrorist group’s enabler, Qatar.

Here, I think, is something that separates Trump from the conventional wisdom and, by a wider margin, from those here and abroad who have been demonstrating in favor of Hamas and the Palestinians. Those who called for a

cease re for two years are conspicuously not joining in the celebrations for the cease re now in place.

The demonstrators and the purveyors of the two-state solution tend to side with what they consider the oppressed over those they consider the oppressors. They consider any skepticism about the moral worth of the weaker party as “punching down.” The demonstrators chant that Israel is committing genocide. The conventional wisdom says Israel, with all its advantages, must make concessions.

Trump, and the large majority of Americans over 30 who have favored Israel over the Palestinians for many years, admire self-su ciency, competence, inventiveness and success. The U.S. and Israel have their faults. But overall and from a historical perspective, they have been glorious successes.

An example, in the spotlight this week, is the American Israeli economic historian Joel Mokyr, recipient of the Nobel economics prize. His writings, which I can claim only to have sampled, argue that mankind’s sudden rise above subsistence economies was the product not just of technological advances but also of habits of mind that have produced self-su ciency, competence and creativity.

Which you can argue were characteristics of the diplomacy that experienced observers dismissed as amateurish and slapdash, and whose further course remains uncertain. In any case, its success so far has transformed Trump’s lust for his own Nobel Prize from the comic to the conceivable.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner.

President Donald Trump talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on Oct. 13 in Jerusalem.

SAUL LOEB / AP PHOTO

Thieves steal crown jewels from Louvre Museum

The daylight heist sounds like something from a movie

By Thomas Adamson

The Associated Press

PARIS — In a minutes-long strike Sunday inside the world’s most-visited museum, thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvre’s facade, forced a window, smashed display cases and ed with priceless Napoleonic jewels, o cials said.

The daylight heist about 30 minutes after opening, with visitors already inside, was among the highest-pro le museum thefts in living memory and comes as sta complained that crowding and thin sta ng are straining security.

The theft unfolded just 250 meters (270 yards) from the Mona Lisa, in what Culture Minister Rachida Dati described as a professional “four-minute operation.”

One object, the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, containing more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum, French authorities said. It was reportedly recovered broken.

Images from the scene showed confused tourists being steered out of the glass pyramid and adjoining courtyards as o cers closed nearby streets along the Seine. No one was hurt.

Also visible was a lift braced to the Seine-facing facade near a construction zone, since removed — the thieves’ entry point and, observers said, a striking vulnerability for a palace museum.

A museum already under strain

Around 9:30 a.m., several intruders forced a window, cut panes with a disc cutter and went straight for the glass display cases, o cials said. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the crew entered from outside using a basket lift via the riverfront facade, where construction is underway, to reach the hall with the 23-item royal collection.

Their target was the gilded Apollon Gallery — where the Crown Diamonds are displayed, including the Regent, the Sancy and the Hortensia.

The thieves smashed two display cases and ed on motorbikes, Nunez said. Alarms brought Louvre agents to the room, forcing the intruders to bolt, but the theft was already done.

Eight objects were taken, according to o cials: a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring from a matching set linked to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s sec-

“It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again.” Tobias

ond wife; a reliquary brooch; Empress Eugénie’s diadem; and her large corsage-bow brooch — a prized 19th-century imperial ensemble.

“It’s a major robbery,” Nunez said, noting that security measures at the Louvre had been strengthened in recent years and would be reinforced further as part of the museum’s upcoming overhaul plan. O cials said security upgrades include new-generation cameras, perimeter detection, and a new security control room. But critics say the measures come far too late.

The Louvre closed for the rest of Sunday for the forensic investigation to begin as police sealed gates, cleared courtyards and shut nearby streets along the Seine.

Daylight robberies during public hours are rare. Pulling one o inside the Louvre with visitors present ranks among Europe’s most audacious in recent history, and at least since Dresden’s Green Vault museum in 2019.

It also collides with a deeper tension the Louvre has struggled to resolve: swelling crowds

and stretched sta . The museum delayed opening during a June sta walkout over overcrowding and chronic understa ng. Unions say mass tourism leaves too few eyes on too many rooms and creates pressure points where construction zones, freight routes and visitor ows meet.

Security around marquee works remains tight — the Mona Lisa sits behind bulletproof glass in a climate-controlled case — but Sunday’s theft also underscored that protections are not uniformly as robust across the museum’s more than 33,000 objects.

The theft is a fresh embarrassment for a museum already under scrutiny.

“How can they ride a lift to a window and take jewels in the middle of the day?” said Magali Cunel, a French teacher from near Lyon. “It’s just unbelievable that a museum this famous can have such obvious security gaps.”

The Louvre has a long history of thefts and attempted robberies. The most famous came in 1911, when the Mona Lisa vanished from its frame, stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia and recovered two years later in Florence. Another notorious episode came in 1956, when a visitor hurled a stone at her world-famous smile, chipping paint near her left elbow and hastening the

move to display the work behind protective glass.

Today the former royal palace holds a roll call of civilization: Leonardo’s Mona Lisa; the armless serenity of the Venus de Milo; the Winged Victory of Samothrace, wind-lashed on the Daru staircase; the Code of Hammurabi’s carved laws; Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People; Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa. The objects — from Mesopotamia, Egypt and the classical world to Europe’s masters — draw a daily tide of up to 30,000 visitors even as investigators now begin to sweep those gilded corridors for clues.

Politics at the door

The heist spilled instantly into politics. Far-right leader Jordan Bardella used it to attack President Emmanuel Macron, weakened at home and facing a fractured parliament.

“The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture,” Bardella wrote on X. “This robbery, which allowed thieves to steal jewels from the French Crown, is an unbearable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?”

The criticism lands as Macron touts a decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan — about €700 million ($760 million) to modernize infrastructure, ease crowding and

give the Mona Lisa a dedicated gallery by 2031. For workers on the oor, the relief has felt slower than the pressure.

What we know — and don’t

Forensic teams are examining the site of the crime and adjoining access points while a full inventory is taken, authorities said. O cials have described the haul as of “inestimable” historical value.

Recovery may prove di cult. “It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again,” said Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds. “Professional crews often break down and recut large, recognizable stones to evade detection, e ectively erasing their provenance.”

Key questions still unanswered are how many people took part in the theft and whether they had inside assistance, authorities said. According to French media, there were four perpetrators: two dressed as construction workers in yellow safety vests on the lift, and two each on a scooter. French authorities did not immediately comment on this. Investigators are reviewing CCTV from the Denon wing and the riverfront, inspecting the basket lift used to reach the gallery and interviewing sta who were on site when the museum opened, authorities said.

ALEXANDER TURNBUL / AP PHOTO

Visitors check jewelry in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre museum on Sept. 4 in Paris.

Kormind, 77 Diamonds

MOORE SPORTS

NCHSAA sets sites for fall state nals

Championship competitions will involve more dates because of expanded classi cations

By Bob Sutton North State Journal

THERE WILL be new venues for some North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championships.

The governing body announced sites for fall championships last week, with rst-time title locations included for volleyball, soccer and football.

Because the NCHSAA expanded from four to eight classi cations beginning this school year, more venues were needed, while some sports will have championship competitions spread across multiple days.

For volleyball and football, site assignments for specific classi cations will be determined based on participating teams.

The individual girls’ tennis nals come rst among fall championships, and they’re scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Cary Tennis Center (Class 1A, Class 3A), Burlington Tennis Center (Class 3A, Class 4A), Ting Park in Holly Springs (Class 5A, Class 6-A) and Millbrook Exchange in Raleigh (Class 7-A and Class 8-A) are the sites.

Dual team tennis nals will be spread across two days at Burlington Tennis Center, which has been a longtime championship spot. On Oct. 31, Class 6A and Class 8A will be contested at 9 a.m., with Class 5-A and Class 7-A at noon. The next day, Class 2A and Class 4A nals will be at 9 a.m. and Class 1A and Class 3A at noon.

The two-day girls’ golf state tournaments will be held Oct. 27-28 at Gates Four Golf

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Taylon Tranel

and Country Club in Fayetteville (combined Class 1A / 2A), Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines (Class 3A, Class 4A), Stonebridge Golf Club in Monroe (Class 5A, Class 6A), Sapona Golf Club in Lexington (Class 7A) and Pinehurst No. 6 (Class 8A). Cross-country championships will be held for the 13th consecutive time at Ivey Redmon Complex in Kernersville, but they’ll be contested across two days (Oct. 31, Nov. 1). Volleyball nals will be held with four classes competing Oct. 31 at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem and titles for four other classes decided Nov. 1 at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Joel Coliseum is new to the lineup for volleyball nals.

It will take three days for boys’ soccer nals Nov. 20-22, with all those matchups taking place at Guilford College’s Armeld Athletic Center in Greensboro. This is a rst-time nals venue.

Three sites — Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, Durham County Memorial Stadium and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Moretz Stadium in Hickory — will be used for football nals. The dates for those are Dec. 11-13. Four games will be held at Kenan Stadium, which has been a longtime location for title games. On Dec. 13, a 2 p.m. Tar Heels men’s basketball game at the Smith Center is bound to impact the time frame for any football games on campus that day.

There will be two games at each of the other stadiums, which are rst-time sites for football nals. Durham County Stadium has a capacity of about 8,500, and Moretz Stadium can accommodate 7,200.

The cheerleading invitational will be held Dec. 6 at Raleigh Convention Center.

Union Pines, football

Taylon Tranel is a senior center on the Union Pines football team.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder made all-conference as a junior, and he’ll be playing in college, thanks to his specialty — long snapping. He’s one of the top high school seniors in the country snapping for punts and place kicks.

Tranel has already committed to NC State, and this month, he was selected to the East roster in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.

Briscoe gets OT win at Talladega

The victory gives Joe Gibbs Racing two spots in the Cup Series championship nale

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joe Gibbs Racing was facing an internal mutiny just a month ago when two of its championship-eligible drivers didn’t feel the team owner’s grandson was helping his teammates try to win the Cup title.

Ty Gibbs, grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, raced both Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin hard early in the playo race at New Hampshire. Gibbs wasn’t eligible for the championship, Hamlin grew frustrated at being held up by his teammate, so he wrecked Gibbs out of his way.

Sunday, Ty Gibbs pushed Chase Briscoe in overtime to the win at Talladega Superspeedway to give JGR two spots in the Cup Series’ championship race.

Briscoe is in the winner-take-all nale alongside teammate Hamlin as Toyota claimed the rst two of the four berths with one race remaining to set the championship eld.

“Ty Gibbs, just incredible teammate there. I mean, I honestly would not have won that race without Ty,” Briscoe said.

“This is an amazing team e ort.

I can’t believe I won a superspeedway race. I haven’t done it at any level.”

“It’s such a competitive world.

I’m kind of used to it in football.

You get it,” Joe Gibbs said. “But over here, we got four teams, and the challenge is always trying to get them to work together.

If you think about it, each driv-

er has got their own career. They got their own sponsor, and it just becomes extremely competitive.

“So sometimes you wind up with issues like that. It’s part of part of sports. Guys are, you know, very competitive and want to make it happen. And so at di erent times, you may have issues that you got to deal with.”

Briscoe, who raced to his rst career superspeedway victory, is in his rst season driving for Gibbs.

He’s now going to race for the Cup title for the rst time.

“Ty was the whole reason I won the race, he was extremely committed to me,” Briscoe said. “When I made a move, Ty went with me. He was just really sel ess in the fact of he’s going for his rst career win and could have easily tried to make a move or done something di erent. But he just pushed me to the

win and just an incredible team e ort.”

Briscoe was sixth on the restart — a two-lap sprint in overtime to the nish — and Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson split the front row and lined up side-by-side for the Chevrolet drivers to control the race.

Byron was getting help from behind from fellow Chevrolet driver Carson Hocevar, a driver for Hendrick aligned Spire Motorsports. Larson’s push was from Toyota driver Bubba Wallace, who did get Larson into the lead.

There are two open spots left in the championship eld to be determined next week in thenale of the third round of the playo s. Bell and Larson are above the elimination line but neither is all that comfortable.

The race went to overtime

when Chris Buescher was leading with two laps to go and he was spun from behind by Byron, who was shoved into Buescher by Hocevar. Buescher spun across the front of the pack and slammed hard into an inside wall in a one-car crash that sent the race to overtime.

Todd Gilliland nished a career-best second and Gibbs was third. Wallace was fourth.

Elliott in early crash

Chase Elliott’s chances to advance into the nal four took a hit when NASCAR’s most popular driver was collected in the rst crash of the race.

Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, was already below the cutline for elimination when he was caught in an early eight-car crash 52 laps into the race.

Elliott now goes to Martinsville Speedway in a must-win situation to advance to the title-deciding nale at Phoenix for the rst time since 2022.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Pinecrest’s boys’ golf team — from left to right, Carson Bertagnole, Pete Myers, Jack Halloran, Colby Hutchen, John Santospago and William Huntley — poses with its 2024-25 state title.

New title venues will be used for volleyball, soccer and football

BUTCH DILL

Chase Briscoe (19) leads the pack to the nish line for the win during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega.

Lawrence “Bill” Demastus

Aug. 9, 1940 – Oct. 8, 2025

Lawrence (Bill) Demastus awoke in the arms of His Lord Oct. 8, 2025.

Bill was born August 9, 1940, in Clarksburg, WV, the youngest of seven, to King S. Demastus and Rose Pearl Sutton Demastus. He began a lifelong work ethic by delivering newspapers at the age of ten, going on to work in a bakery while going to high school. He enlisted in the Army and later began working for Roadway Express as a clerk. Roadway took note of his potential and helped him attend Akron University. He rewarded their trust by eventually becoming one of ve vice presidents of the company.

He was introduced to golf at age fty and fell in love. His passion for golf led them to relocate from Akron, OH, to Pinehurst, NC, upon his retirement. He spent many years honing his game, playing world-renowned golf courses, and meeting and making friends.

Church has been a most important part of Bill’s life in Pinehurst. He served as an elder, deacon, treasurer, teacher, and Christ Care group leader, among others, but his favorite was singing in the choir.

Bill became involved with the Moore County Republican Party as a precinct chair and ended that career as vice chair. As always, he gave it 200%. He married his beloved childhood sweetheart, Alice Powley, in 1959. Together, he and Alice created a family of which they were most proud: their children, Lee Demastus (Vickie), Lisa Oyler (Peter), and Shannon Bowman, who blessed them with eight grandchildren: Jamie Diaz, Ashlee Demastus, Kevin Mulford, Michael Mulford, Micah Oyler, Caleb Oyler, Ben Bowman, and Aidan Bowman. They also have eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was a father gure to his nieces and nephews, and to our Jane in Belfast, who were all very dear to him. He was a trusted mentor to many. In addition to their family, they were blessed with cherished friends all over the country.

Bill had a lifetime of adventures; one of his greatest pleasures was telling stories. No one could tell a better story. He was a people person, always ready to help, ready with encouragement, ready to do what needed to be done, and without a doubt, a natural leader and always in charge.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Aberdeen First Baptist Church.

In lieu of owers, please consider donating to the Food Bank of Southern Pines or Samaritan’s Purse for the recovery of Western North Carolina.

Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Kelly Shaw

Feb. 11, 1963 – Oct. 13, 2025

Kelly Jo Davis Shaw, age 62, of Cameron, passed away peacefully at her home on

Matthew Scott Deaton

March 15, 1992 –Oct. 12, 2025

Matthew Scott Deaton passed away at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at First Health Moore Regional Hospital.

Matt is survived by his father, David Deaton, and his mother, Angela Polston, as well as his grandfathers, Tex Deaton and Grady Polston, his Uncle, Timothy Polston, and his Aunt, Karen Tapp.

Matt was born at First Health Moore Regional Hospital on March 15, 1992. He spent his

James “Jim”

David Hawk

Feb. 26, 1942 – Oct. 14, 2025

James “Jim” Hawk, 83, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, passed away on October 14, 2025. Born on February 26, 1942, to William Hawk and Elizabeth (McLaughlin)

Hawk, Jim was a man who truly loved his wife, his family, his friends, his days playing golf, his post-golf afternoons spent with friends at the Pinehurst Country Club, and, of course, his daily dose of ice cream.

Jim grew up in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he served as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Repairman

Monday, October 13, 2025, surrounded by her family.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home in Vass.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. in the Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Pratt o ciating.

Kelly was born on February 11, 1963, in Centre County, Pennsylvania, to Judy McNeill Davis and the late Donald Eugene Davis.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her loving husband, Franklin “Wayne” Shaw; daughters, Sydney Shaw Kelly (Josh) of Lakeview, Chelsea

early years in Raeford before moving to Old Saybrook, Connecticut, for his Elementary School years. Matt returned to Pinehurst and attended Middle School and High School in Moore County. Upon graduating from Pinecrest High in 2010, Matt attended Sandhills Community College and Westchester Community College in New York, where he took a variety of classes in support of his exploration of a future career.

While Matt considered a variety of professions, including at one point becoming a chef, Matt ultimately found his way to Howell Masonry where he was employed for the last seven years. Matt is described by his work colleagues as a hard worker, consistently reliable, with strong potential and obvious talents yet to be fully realized. For Matt, being a part of this group of workers was more than a job; it was a community of friends.

Anyone who knew Matt knew he was a smart one! You name the topic, Matt could actively participate and often debate, whether it be sports, politics, world events, etc. Matt was often quiet, but when

in the United States Air Force.

When he transitioned into the civilian world, Jim spent the bulk of his years as a buyer in the Aerospace industry. In the late 1980s, he and his beloved wife of 29 years, Christine, decided to take golf lessons together, and they quickly fell in love with the game. Jim and Christine enjoyed many adventurous trips together, traveling to play golf at some of the most famous courses in the US and Europe, including St. Andrews in Scotland, Pebble Beach in California, and Pinehurst in North Carolina, just to name a few. It was Pinehurst that really won their hearts and would ultimately become their retirement destination.

Jim spent his retired years doing exactly what he intended –playing as much golf as possible on the many beautiful golf courses available to him as a member of the Pinehurst Country Club. As passionate as he was about the game, he was also quite the lucky golfer as well racking up an incredible total of 7 holes-inone over the years. As much as he loved playing golf in his retirement, he also just loved being with his people – his wife, his brothers, his friends, his children, and his grandchildren truly meant the world to him. He

Adelaide Shaw of Cameron; sisters, Lisa Davis of Lakeview, Lori Davis VonCanon (Ken) of West End; brothers, Bart Davis (LaNae) of Carthage, Brett Davis (Deborah) of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Maverick, Roddy, Averie and several nieces and nephews that she loved as her own. Kelly, a ectionately known as “Precious” loved the Lord and lived her faith. She touched many lives and planted seeds of faith in everyone she met, and everyone went to her for prayer or just for advice. She loved her garden and owers but most of all ercely loved her family and friends. Kelly was so loved and will be greatly missed.

he spoke, you heard the words of a thoughtful, caring, bright mind. Matt loved everything North Carolina, particularly his beloved Tar Heels.

Matt loved his family, his friends, and his pets. And….Matt was loved by so many. Matt had a way of drawing you in and made caring about him unavoidable. His wit and charm made him so special. Matt will be remembered, today and always, as a loyal and caring friend, a loving grandson, nephew and cousin, and a son forever cherished. May Matt Deaton, a life taken from so many that loved him far too soon, rest in peace. In lieu of owers, gifts can be made to the Mathew Deaton Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Sandhills Community College. Make checks payable to: SCCF Attn: Sandhills Community College Foundation 3395 Airport Road Pinehurst, NC 28374 SCC Foundation Contact: Jennifer Dail - 910-695-3712 dailj@sandhills.edu Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

would beam with pride whenever he had the chance to show any of his visiting family members around his beloved town of Pinehurst. From taking them to his favorite roadside stand for peaches (let’s be honest – he was there for the ice cream, not the fruit), out for a round of golf on one of his favorite courses, or to an event or dinner at the Pinehurst Country Club where he would proudly introduce everyone to his friends, he truly enjoyed his retirement, and truly loved spending time with his favorite people in his favorite place in the world.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Hawk, and his brother Thomas Hawk.

He is survived by his loving wife Christine, brother Donald Hawk, son James Hawk Jr., daughter Connie Hawk, step-daughter Amy MacDonald, and grandchildren Matthew Alberto, Steven Siner, Brian Siner, Justin Hawk, and Nathan MacDonald.

A Celebration of Life luncheon will be held on a future date for family and friends to gather and share their stories and memories of Jim. Invitations will be shared once details are con rmed. Of course, ice cream will be served.

Margaret “Pat” Benitez

April 26, 1943 – Oct. 17, 2025

Margaret “Pat” Patterson Benitez, age 82, of Aberdeen, passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, surrounded by her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor John Brown o ciating. The Family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

Pat was born in Moore County on April 26, 1943, to Jessie Barber Patterson and the late Prentice Lee Patterson. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Lynn Tevepaugh, and her brother, Grady.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 40 years, Julio Antonio Benitez; daughters, Vicki Kay Edgington of Carthage, Debbie Gay Leonard (Eddie) also of Carthage; ve grandchildren, four greatgrandchildren; sisters, Barbara, Pam, Wanda, Priscilla, Vivian; brothers, Lannie, Larry, Max and many nieces and nephews.

Her favorite things were reading, thrift, pottery shopping and bird watching, especially for hummingbirds. Pat was a great cook and enjoyed spending time with her family. She will be greatly missed.

Robert “Knot” Easterling

May 10, 1948 – Oct. 13, 2025

Robert “Knot” Easterling, 77, of Maxton, departed this life on October 13, 2025. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at The Kenneth M. Purcell Memorial Chapel. A viewing and visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Ted Lambert

Sept. 19, 1933 – Oct. 16, 2025

Ted Lambert, 92, of Robbins, passed away at his home on October 16, 2025.

Born in Moore County on September 19, 1933, he was the son of the late Riley and Flossie Lambert.

Ted worked at Carthage Fabrics and worked as a loom xer. He enjoyed hunting, shing and his game chickens. He also had a love for cats.

In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his children: Dale Garner and Tammy Garner Hussey; as well as three siblings.

Ted is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Shirley Inez Lambert.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 2 p.m. at New Testament Baptist Church in Robbins. Burial will follow at Pine Rest Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Kennedy Funeral Home.

July 28, 1997 – Oct. 12, 2025

Carla LeAnn Wensil was 28 at the time of her sudden passing, due to a car accident on the 12th of October 2025.

Carla was born on July 28, 1997, to Teresa Russell Wensil and Carl Lee Wensil Jr.

She is survived by her parents, Teresa and Carl, ancé Matt Schoemmell, her son Carlos Christopher Lopez (age 6), her daughter Elaine Noelle Schoemmell (10 months) and two sisters Angela Russell Viamontes (Turner) and Tina Hill, a stepbrother, Carl Pate, along with numerous special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her stepbrother, Leroy Buddy Quick.

Carla was an avid lover of animals, especially cats, a love that has been a huge part of her life. Carla had previously worked at Sandhill’s Bowling Center and was currently employed at Outback Steakhouse in Southern Pines. She often referred to herself as a Kitchen Witch and loved to cook and create.

In lieu of owers, the family would appreciate donations to help with burial expenses. Any contributions would be genuinely appreciated. Please feel free to use whatever platform or method you feel most comfortable with-Venmo (@Alexandra-Malissen), PayPal (@aemalissen), or mail a check to the Viamontes family at 122 Nantahala Drive Linden, NC 28356. All of the funds, regardless of the platform or method, will go directly to her burial expenses.

Family visitation will be on Saturday, October 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, October 19, at 3 p.m. at Spring Hill Cemetery (20663 Arch McLean Road, Wagram, NC 28396). After the graveside service, refreshments will be provided at The Vineyard of Life Ministries (14241 Oil Mill Road, Gibson, NC 28343) if you would like to join the family there.

Charles Willard Phillips

Aug. 3, 1944 – Oct. 17, 2025

Charles Willard Phillips peacefully entered heaven on October 17, 2025, at NHC Healthcare in Johnson City, TN, surrounded by family. Charles was born on August 3, 1944, in Moore County to Jesse Phillips and Flossie Burns Phillips.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Judy Garner Phillips, his father Jessie Phillips and mother Flossie Burns Phillips; brothers Edward Phillips and Darrell Phillips; sister Delois Phillips Moore.

He is survived by his son, Alan Phillips and wife Susan of Johnson City, TN, granddaughters Addison Phillips and Campbell Phillips and beloved sister-in-law Brenda Garner Pickler and husband Craig of Robbins, NC along with many nieces and nephews. Spending most of his life in Moore County, Charles worked as a plumber and plumbing contractor for over 50 years. He enjoyed traveling with Judy, golf with Alan and many other friends, and time with his granddaughters.

Charles was a faithful member of Acorn Ridge Baptist Church, serving the congregation in a number of roles, including as a deacon.

Funeral services will be held at Acorn Ridge Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 11 a.m., with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends before the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and at other times at the home of Brenda and Craig Pickler.

Frank “Jay” Vogel Jr.

April 7, 1947 – Oct. 15, 2025

Frank “Jay” Vogel Jr., 78, of Southern Pines and Pinehurst, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in Greensboro on October 15, 2025, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Born on April 7, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jay was the son of Frank Vogel and Shirley Dewing of Centerville, Maryland.

A proud Air Force Veteran, Jay served overseas in Germany before embarking on a distinguished career in higher education. He spent the majority of his professional life as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania, where his leadership, integrity, and passion for community left a lasting mark.

Jay was a man who found joy in simple pleasures - an early morning round of golf, breakfast with good friends, and cheering on his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. His sharp wit, warmth, and loyalty to those he loved de ned him as much as his accomplishments did. Jay is survived by his daughter, Catherine Lindsey Cave, and sonin-law, Sean Cave; his cherished grandchildren, Hunter and Cullen Cave; his ancée, Gena Kruczek; his siblings, Paige Caracuzzo, Robin DeMoss, and Scott Vogel; his second ex-wife, Laurie Hanscomb; along with many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his rst wife, Sharron Strausser.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held in the coming weeks to honor the love, laughter, and legacy he leaves behind. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.

Nancy Carolyn Needham Cummings

May 3, 1946 – Oct. 18, 2025

Nancy Carolyn Needham Cummings, age 79, passed away on October 18, 2025, at Pinelake Nursing Home, surrounded by her family.

Born May 3, 1946, Nancy was the daughter of the late James “Jim” and Grace Williamson Needham.

Nancy will always be remembered for her kind and generous ways, always sharing her canned vegetables, fresh owers, and delicious homemade pound cakes with neighbors and friends.

Nancy found pleasure in working in her yard and owers as well as visiting those who weren’t as fortunate.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Hooker, and brothers: James Needham, Jerry Needham and Leon Needham.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Wendy and husband, Lee Butner of Cameron, her sons, Todd Cummings and ancé Jennifer Ludwig of Carthage, and Rodney Cummings of Cameron.

She will be greatly missed by those who gave her the greatest title she could ever imagine, “Mema”, her loving grandchildren, Hannah and Katelynn Butner, Cole Cummings, and Jordan Nunnaley. Her sisters, Maxine Needham and Virginia (Ginny) Harris, and husband, Steve, of Carthage. Sister-in-laws: Gearlene Needham, Marie Needham and Wanda Needham all of Carthage as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Wednesday at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Carthage with Pastor Brian Gourd o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation begins one hour prior in the church Fellowship Hall. The family will receive friends at the home of Lee and Wendy Butner. In lieu of owers, memorials in her name may be made to First Health Hospice: Foundation of FirstHealth & Hospice, 150 Applecross Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374.

Services entrusted to Fry & Prickett Funeral Home.

Barbara Hill

March 19, 1957 –Oct. 11, 2025

Ms. Barbara L. Hill, 68, of Sanford, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina. A viewing will be held on October 18, 2025 at St. Mark United Church of God, 511 Church St., Sanford, from 11 a.m. until noon. Funeral service will be held at the church the following day at noon.

Stanley Wayne Cockerell

Oct. 5, 1947 – Oct. 11, 2025

Stanley Wayne Cockerell, 78, of West End, NC, passed away on October 11, 2025, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC.

Stan was born on October 5, 1947, in Burbank, California, to Jimmie and Hazel Cockerell. Stan was the youngest of three children.

Stan grew up in North Hollywood, California. He met Linda Karen Walters when she moved in across the street from him. When Linda and her family moved in, Stan told his friends that he was going to marry her one day. Linda was 14 at the time and not interested in having a boyfriend. Stan went to Vietnam, and upon his return, the two fell in love and married soon after. Stan and Linda were married on September 13, 1969. Their rst son, Scott Christopher, was born in December 1970. Their second son, Je rey Ryan, was born in April 1974. They had their third child, a daughter, Melinda Beth, who was born in June 1982. They settled in Santa Clarita, California, for 37 years prior to moving to West End, North Carolina.

Stan served in the Army in the 9th Infantry Division in Charlie Company and was attached to the Navy Mobile Riveriene Force. He joined in 1966 and was in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. The two most notable battles he fought in were on June 11 and June 19. These battles were later recognized in a National Geographic documentary titled “Brothers in War” narrated by Charlie Sheen, and a book titled “Boys of ‘67” written by Andrew Wiest. He was also later recognized and received a Bronze Star Medal on May 28, 2012.

Ricardo Roman

Feb. 27, 1964 – Oct. 13, 2025

Ricardo Díaz Román, de 61 años, falleció el lunes 13 de octubre de 2025. Ricardo nació en Guerrero, México, el 27 de febrero de 1964, hijo de los difuntos Honorio Díaz Roa y Alejandra Román. Trabajó en McMurray Fabric. Era una persona cariñosa, atenta y siempre dispuesta a ayudar y estar presente para los demás. Su familia lo recuerda por su constante apoyo a quienes lo necesitaban. Se entregó desinteresadamente, incluso después de su muerte, al convertirse en donante de órganos con HonorBridge, salvando y sanando innumerables vidas.

A Ricardo le sobreviven su esposa, Dolores Gloria García; hijas: Maritza y Esmeralda; hijos: Cli ord y Joaquín; hermanos: Ismael Díaz, Juvenal Díaz; hermanas: Ceferina Díaz, Refugio Díaz, Procopia Díaz, Irene Díaz y Ru na Díaz; once nietos, un bisnieto y muchas sobrinas y sobrinos. El servicio fúnebre se llevará a cabo el sábado 18 de octubre de 2025 en la Misión Católica de San Juan Diego, ubicada en 6963 NC-705 Hwy, Robbins, Carolina del Norte. El Padre Javier Castrejón o ciará el funeral. Posteriormente, se realizará un velatorio en el domicilio de Ricardo, ubicado en 149 Dawson Place, Eagle Springs, Carolina del Norte, a partir de las 15:00 h. Puede enviar sus condolencias en línea a través de PinesFunerals.com. La Funeraria Powell se enorgullece de servir a la familia Díaz Román.

Since his service in Vietnam, Stan stayed close with his Brothers in War and participated in many of their reunions every other year, continuing their bond for life.

After his service in Vietnam, Stan also served in the Air Force, Air National Guard as a Load Master while working as a Property (Prop) Master in the Motion Picture Industry. Working as a Prop Master was a signi cant part of his life. He traveled to more than half the states, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico while on location. He always enjoyed when Linda, their children, and other family members were able to visit him while on location.

Stan’s interests included his family, traveling, gardening, home/family projects, learning from documentaries, reading books about history, watching the LA Dodgers, attending VFW functions and watching birds and deer from the home windows. Stan also loved taking care of his beloved dog, Chanel.

Stan is survived by his wife and children: Linda, Scott, Je and Mindy. He will be missed by his four grandchildren, Aidan, Siobhan, Nathan and Jaina. He is survived by his brother, Jim Cockerell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Mae.

Stan and Linda raised three strong and independent children who have lost not only their father but their hero as well.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home, 221 MacDougall Drive, West End, NC 27376.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Pinelawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, 1105 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387. Rev. Archie Stevens will be o ciating the service.

A repast will be held following the service at Pine Grove Farm, 214 Freeman Way, Aberdeen, NC 28315. In lieu of owers, memorial donations can be made in memory of Stan Cockerell to Tunnel to Towers@httpst2t. org/donate/or The Greatest Generations Foundation @tggf. org/how-we-help. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.

March 10, 1936 –Oct. 10, 2025

Retired Seven Lakes Fire

Chief Calvin Adrian Loy Jr., passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, October 10, 2025. Born in Reading, PA, March 10, 1936, he was the son of the late Calvin A. and Gladys Solada Loy Sr. Cal grew up in New Castle, DE., and after his high school graduation, went on to serve in the Army National Guard. During this time, he started working for E I Dupont, a career that lasted 37 years. Cal then took a position with Acme Market before relocating to Seven Lakes in 1991, where he soon started his third career, that of the area’s Fire Chief. He retired from the re department after over 30 years of service. Cal had also been a long-time member of the Moose Lodge. Cal was the loving husband of the late Ada Noblit Loy. He was the father of Calvin A. Loy, III (Scott), Timothy G. Loy (Shirley), Dawn A. Loy and Rick I. Loy (Lisa). Cal was the grandfather of Tim Jr., Stacey (Joey), Megan (Jay), Rebecca, Tim “T.J.” (Micayla) Maverick, and Josie. He is survived by his great–grandchildren: Harper, Teagan, Callie, Emma, Joey, Olivia and Georgia. Cal is also survived by his brother Russell Loy (Judy). A visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, from 6–8 p.m. at the Boles Funeral Home, 221 MacDougal Dr., West End. A funeral ceremony will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Seven Lakes Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.

Calvin Adrian Loy Jr.

Carla LeAnn Wensil

STATE & NATION

States use redistricting to help 1 party, but sometimes move can back re

Generally redistricting is done after the census, but it can be done more often

By Margery A. Beck

The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — As states consider redrawing their congressional district lines to favor one political party, some politicians warn that attempts to gerrymander can devolve into “dummymandering,” when partisan goals end up helping the opposing party in neighboring districts.

Pushed initially by President Donald Trump, state legislators across the country are discussing and at times agreeing to change boundaries in hopes of helping members of their party and ultimately deciding control of the U.S. House in 2026. Some are nding it’s not as easy as it seems.

“Trying to win more seats comes with a risk, because in order to win more seats, they have to draw districts more competitively,” said University of Texas at Dallas political science professor Thomas L. Brunell, who helped coin the term dummymander.

Republicans could try redistricting Nebraska

U.S. House districts are typically redrawn once a decade, immediately after a census, but some states allow it to happen more frequently. And the U.S. Supreme Court has said there is no federal curb on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to favor one party.

Nebraska is among a number of states being targeted for mid-decade redrawing of congressional district lines, with the head of the National Republican Redistricting Trust last week naming Nebraska among its top candidates for change. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he supports the idea.

The focus would be the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, a “blue dot” with Nebraska’s highest concentration of Democratic voters in a state otherwise dominated by Republicans.

Republicans hold all three of Nebraska’s U.S. House seats, including the 2nd District, but the Omaha seat is considered vulnerable. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon eked out wins in the last two elections and won’t seek reelection in 2026, bolstering Democratic hopes.

Gerrymandering in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a 2-1 ratio would seem simple, but state Sen. John Cavanaugh said it’s not.

Cavanaugh, a Democrat who worked on Nebraska’s last redistricting e ort following the 2020 U.S. Census and is now seeking the 2nd District seat, said Nebraska’s congressional districts already heavily favor Republicans following decades of GOP-led redistricting e orts.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior.”

Moon Duchin, redistricting expert

“They’ve gone to great lengths to make the 2nd District less competitive,” Cavanaugh said. Redistricting and the 2026 midterm elections

This summer, Trump urged Republican-led Texas to reshape districts so the GOP could win more seats in next year’s elections, jump-starting an o season redistricting battle. The Republican Party typically loses congressional seats in midterm elections and the president is trying to buck that trend. Democrats need to gain just three seats to take control of the House.

In August, Texas lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans a shot at winning ve more seats. Democratic-led California responded with a redistricting plan intended to help Democrats win more seats, though it

still needs voter approval. Leaders in other Democratic-leaning states, such as Maryland, New York and Illinois, have said they’re considering their own mid-decade redistricting plans.

Last month, Republican-led Missouri adopted revised districts aimed at helping the GOP win another seat. North Carolina Republican legislative leaders also have announced plans to vote next week on redrawing the state’s House district map.

Redistricting remains under consideration in several other states, including Indiana and Kansas, where Republican lawmakers are gathering petition signatures from colleagues in an e ort to call a special session for congressional redistricting.

The e ort could back re

Some Republicans remain hesitant, partially because of concerns that mid-decade redistricting could back re. To make Democratic-leaning districts more favorable to Republicans, map drawers would have to shift some Democratic areas into districts currently held by Republicans, making them more vulnerable.

In South Carolina, Republican leaders worry that redrawing its seven U.S. House districts could be dangerous in a state where the GOP hovers at roughly 55% in competitive

elections. Republicans usually hold six of seven seats but lost one for a term in 2018.

Kansas had already attempted to make the state’s four districts an all-GOP congressional delegation when it redrew the lines in 2022 to weaken the Democratic stronghold on the Kansas City-area. But Democratic incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids still won easily in 2022 and 2024.

Trump’s push to redraw the maps comes as his administration’s policies face skepticism among many voters, according to polling by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public A airs Research.

Moon Duchin, a computer and data science professor at the University of Chicago and redistricting expert, said creating reliably partisan congressional maps in a large state like Texas is easier because the state has 38 districts, o ering plenty of options to tinker.

It’s tougher in states like Nebraska or Kansas, she said.

“You have fewer lines; you’re not going to be able to put them as far out of reach without creating opportunities elsewhere,” Duchin said. “And so, yes, you have to do it really carefully because it can back re.”

Even in Texas, Republicans saw the e ects of dummymandering after they aggressively redrew political lines in the 2010s that helped pad the

GOP’s House majority. That lasted until 2018, when a backlash against Trump in his rst term led Democrats to ip two seats that Republicans had thought safe.

“That’s the thing about gerrymandering — people are still going to vote, and you have to make guesses about future voting behavior,” Duchin said.

Nebraska has other challenges

After initial reluctance, Republicans in states including Texas and Missouri came around to support redistricting. That could happen in Nebraska, too, but some key Republican lawmakers remain opposed. Republican state Sen. Merv Riepe said he’s not inclined to support such a measure, leaving Republicans with too few votes to overcome a libuster.

That’s in line with Republicans’ failure last year to pass a bill that would have made Nebraska the 49th state to award its Electoral College votes on a winner-take-all basis.

Currently, only Nebraska and Maine allow presidential electoral votes to be split by congressional district. Nebraska’s 2nd District’s vote has gone to Democrats three times in the last two decades — to Barack Obama in 2008, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

ERIC GAY / AP PHOTO

Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session in August.