North State Journal Vol. 10, Issue 36

New congressional map becomes law

Zebulon man charged with murder in death of 4 kids

Zebulon

A Zebulon man who told authorities he had killed four of his children and that the bodies were in the trunk of a vehicle at his home has been charged with murder after sheri ’s deputies found human remains in his garage. Wellington Delano Dickens III, 38, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder in the death of one of his children and is being held without bond in the Johnston County Jail, according to the Johnston County Sheri ’s O ce and court records. Dickens called 911 on Monday evening and told the operator he had killed the children, the statement said. Johnston County deputies responded and found Dickens’ 3-year-old son unharmed inside the residence.

The sheri ’s o ce said investigators believe Dickens killed three of his biological children, ages 6, 9 and 10, as well as his 18-year- old stepchild.

Hurricane Melissa brings ooding, catastrophic winds to Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Hurricane Melissa hit southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing heavy ooding and wind damage. Melissa made landfall Tuesday in southwestern Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. O cials warned of devastating damage and urged residents to seek shelter as the hurricane crossed the island. Melissa’s winds tied records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall.

Community college system begins search for new president

Current President Je Cox will retire in 2026

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The N.C. Community Colleges System announced it has started its search for a new president to replace current President Je Cox, who this past August announced his intention to retire in 2026.

“Serving as president of the North Carolina Community Colleges System has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Cox said in the statement announcing his retirement. “As a rst-generation college student from rural Alleghany County, I could never have imagined that one day I would lead the state’s community college system.” Cox has served as president

Two districts were altered with the GOP’s aim to unseat 1st District Rep. Don Davis

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s new congressional district map became law last week after nal passage by the House in a 66-48 vote down partisan lines. The maps received their nal approval by the Senate the previous day. The new maps do not require the signature of Gov. Josh Stein.

Two of the state’s 14 districts are altered by the new map: the 1st District, held by Congressman Don Davis (D-Snow Hill), and the 3rd District, held by Greg Murphy (R-Greenville).

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

While introducing the

maps, Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) was interrupted by shouts from the gallery until House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) intervened, reminding attendees not to interrupt.

“Once again, we’re here today because California, the radical left, launched a full- edged, coordinated attack not only on North Carolina but the integrity of democracy itself,” Jones said. “And I’ve got bad news for Gavin Newsom and the radical left: North Carolina will not stand by while they try to undermine the will of our voters and stack the decks in Washington.” Newsom and Democrats pledged to redraw California’s congressional map after Texas Republicans shifted lines to bene t the GOP. Missouri also took on redistricting to bene t Republicans, which Trump has encouraged to secure his party’s majority in Congress in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, and Indiana may also redraw its maps.

Jones enumerated the steps taken in creating the maps, remarking that the “the

“Such gamesmanship is not a serious e ort to solve the issues facing our state and should be viewed as such.”

Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick)

Gov. Josh Stein signed a minibudget, but the Senate and House remain deadlocked

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly concluded its October session without passing a full budget, but it did send another minibudget to Gov. Josh Stein, who signed the measure Thursday. Continuing Budget Operations Part IV (Senate Bill 449) is 17 pages long and contains funding priorities such as extending bridge loans for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene from 12 to 24 months and directing the state trea-

surer to modify the Cash ow Program so loan repayments can be made after FEMA reimbursement payments are received.

The bill contains another $12 million for repairingber optic and broadband systems damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Under education, tuition for out-of-state students will increase from $2,500 to $3,500 per semester starting in the 2026-27 school year at NC Promise universities, which include Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC Pembroke and Western Carolina. While attendance has increased at those schools in recent years, the NC Promise Program has been running at a de cit and is expected to have a $3.3 million shortfall next year, according to data presented during a UNC System Board of Governors meeting.

The bill also allocates $25 million in nonrecurring

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

Demonstrators protest outside the Legislative Building during a rally opposing Republicans’ redistricting e orts last Tuesday in Raleigh.

the word | Being a comfort to others

After Queen Victoria’s death, a touching story was told. She visited wounded soldiers from South Africa and was moved by the su ering of one man. “Is there nothing I can do for you?” she asked. “Nothing, your Majesty,” he replied, “unless you would thank my nurse for her great kindness to me.” With tears in her eyes, the Queen turned to the nurse and said, “I do thank you with all my heart, for your kindness to this poor wounded son of mine.”

The soldier’s sel ess thought for his nurse was beautiful. His gratitude sought honor not for himself, but for the one who comforted him. There is a rare charm in such self-forgetfulness — thinking only of others. Some people live entirely for the good of those around them: mothers who sacri ce endlessly, or quiet family members who give without asking anything in return. Outside the home, too, are those who live simply to comfort others.

There is no higher purpose than being a blessing in one’s own place. Many young people dream of doing great things, yet true heroism often goes unrecognized. A soldier may return from war to fame, while his brother, who stayed home caring for their mother, remains unseen — yet both are heroes in God’s eyes.

It’s not just what we do, but what we are, that makes a lasting di erence. Some people are active and helpful, yet not comforting. Their pride or lack of gentleness keeps others at a distance. One man said of another, “He’s good and always o ers help — but I could never go to him with sorrow.” There’s something in certain people’s religion that lacks tenderness. If we are to be a comfort, our lives must radiate love. A mother once said of her daughter, “She makes a beautiful climate for me.” That is what we should strive to create for others.

Paul, in one of his letters, speaks of certain friends who were “a comfort unto me.” He was in prison, and these friends cheered and strengthened him. He mentions Aristarchus, “my fellow-prisoner,” who perhaps chose to stay with Paul in his su ering — like a true friend, the kind who

comes in when the world walks out.

Another was Mark. Years earlier, Mark had failed Paul, who would no longer work with him. But in time, Mark regained his con dence and a ection — a reminder that even broken relationships can be restored. Paul also names “Jesus who is called Justus.” Nothing is said of what he did, but his presence, kindness, and friendship were evidently enough. Simply being there can be a profound comfort.

The word comfort comes from a root meaning “to strengthen.” It suggests more than sympathy — it suggests making someone braver, helping them endure. Paul’s friends didn’t remove his burdens, but helped him bear them with strength.

Paul himself was a great comfort to others. His presence, his friendship, and his example brought joy and inspiration. One man said of Phillips Brooks, “We didn’t know how much of God was walking with us.” Just so with Paul — those who knew

him likely did not realize how deeply his life re ected God’s love.

In his famous chapter on love, Paul wrote, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.” This wasn’t just poetry — it was how he lived. If we truly lived this kind of love, we would be an endless comfort to those around us.

Some have love in their hearts but lack lovingness in manner or speech. Paul emphasizes not just kind hearts, but gracious behavior. We often condemn lying, but forget that rudeness, thoughtlessness, or a harsh tone are also sins. Religion should be beautiful and pleasant. We should aim to make our homes, churches, and workplaces gentler, more gracious places.

A boy once said of his sister, “She may enjoy her religion — but nobody else in the house does!” Sadly, many are like this — their religion is joyless, critical, or demanding. A faith that isn’t pleasant to live with is missing something essential.

One observer said, “Many a sister spoils her testimony in the church — by her tongue in the kitchen.” Another said, “Some people lead us heavenward — but stick pins in us all the way.” Real goodness must also be gentle. We may ful ll every duty, yet if we are not pleasant to live with, we fall short of Christlike love.

“Being pleasant to live with” is a nal test of true Christian character. A loving, comforting presence is as much a gift as faithful deeds. The truly spiritual life blesses every space it touches.

Paul’s question remains for us: Are we a comfort to others? Do we bring peace to our families, kindness to our neighbors, and warmth to those around us? Christ never gave pain; even on the cross, he prayed for his enemies. To follow him is to live with such grace that we are a comfort not only to people — but to God.

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.

funds from the General Fund to the Pay Plan Reserve beginning in 2025-26. Other key spending items include:

• $300,000 to the O ce of the State Fire Marshal to support three administrative positions

• $600,000 to hire more special assistant U.S. attorneys

• $700,000 for ve full-time hires to the Environmental Management Commission

• $1.5 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to support 10 full-time Veterinary Division positions

• $2 million for radios and equipment for the State Bureau of Investigations

• $2.1 million to the State Highway Patrol for maintenance of the VIPER emergency radio network

• $2.5 million to the General Assembly for the NCGA Special Police

• $3 million for avian flu response

• $7.2 million for technology and systems upgrades for the state’s court system

• $7.5 million for State Fairground repair/renovation projects to be drawn from fair receipts

• $20.85 million for replacement of the state’s Integrated Budget Information System

of the system since April 2023. According to an N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) press release, the search process will be led by the State Board of Community Colleges and the newly formed advisory council made up of leaders in the business, government and higher education sectors.

“Our goal is simple but signi cant,” said Thomas F. Looney, chair of the State Board and co-chair of the search committee. “We will identify a transformative leader who can move our System at the speed of business and innovation — leveraging the collective strength of our 58 colleges and the communities they serve. This process will be transparent, collaborative, and focused on results.”

Looney also said the search would be conducted with “rigor and speed.”

John Kane, vice chair and co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said, “North

The two legislative chambers have been at an impasse on passing a nal budget involving disagreements over tax policies and certain project spending. And that nal budget may not come this session.

During the House session on Oct. 22, House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) indicated there may be no more votes taken during the current long session.

“Right now, though, the chair does not anticipate there being any recorded votes in the House for the remainder of this year,” said Hall. “But watch your email.

That’s subject to change.”

Veto overrides, which have been on the House calendar for months, are nearing their Dec. 31 end date for action.

The pending veto overrides include two house bills — the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) and Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) — and three Senate bills — Freedom to Carry NC, North Carolina Border Protection Act, Eliminating “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)” in Public Education, and Eliminating “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)” in Public Higher Education.

Beyond the budget and the minibudgets that have been enacted, the legislature has other

Carolina’s economic success depends on the strength of our community colleges.”

“This search will engage business and government leaders statewide to ensure the next President continues modernizing the System, strengthening workforce alignment, and expanding opportunities for every business, industry, and student across our state,” Kane said. Looney and Kane will be joined on the search committee by State Board members Chaz Beasley, Treasurer Brad Briner, Lisa Estep and Chris Lumsden.

For transparency in the search process, a seven-member search advisory council has been created that includes Amanda Lee, president of the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents; Gene Rees, chairman of the North Carolina Association of Community College Trustees executive board; Chris Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Ward Nye, Martin Marietta chairman and CEO;

un nished business, including Medicaid rebase funding and salaries for state employees.

Both chambers passed their own version of a Medicaid rebase bill last month, but neither chamber took up the other’s bill. The House’s version was Senate Bill 403, and the Senate’s was House Bill 562.

This month, the House passed another Medicaid rebase bill (House Bill 491), along with the Healthcare Investment Act (Senate Bill 405). Between the measures, the total recurring appropriations to the Medicaid rebase comes to $690 million.

“Gov. Stein has the money to keep Medicaid fully funded until April, yet he’s chosen to play politics with people’s healthcare by unnecessarily cutting rates,” Hall said in a press release. “We’re ready to work with the Senate — and anyone serious about solutions — to end Stein’s manufactured Medicaid crisis.”

The Senate’s “Back the Blue Pay Act” (House Bill 42) and Defund Planned Parenthood (House Bill 192) were passed in September by that body but remain unpassed by the House.

During the October session, the House passed its own bill blocking Medicaid funding (Senate Bill 378) from going to Planned Parenthood, as well as its own salary bill (Senate Bill 599) funding teacher and

state employee salaries along with a law enforcement bonus.

The Senate had shown no indication it would take up either of the bills.

In a joint Oct. 22 press release, Senate Appropriations Chairmen Brent Jackson (R-Sampson), Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) and Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) urged the House to pass those two bills, stating, “It’s time to stop playing politics and come to the negotiating table.”

Tensions between the two chambers increased on Thursday following a press release by the Senate announcing the return of the House’s four bills as “ineligible” under the “agreed-upon adjournment resolution set by both chambers.”

“This stunt by the House is something we have never seen before — manipulating rules the House and Senate previously agreed to instead of simply taking up eligible bills already passed by the Senate that would address the Medicaid rebase, defunding Planned Parenthood and providing pay increases for law enforcement,” said Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick). “Such gamesmanship is not a serious e ort to solve the issues facing our state and should be viewed as such.”

Under the adjournment agreement referred to by the Senate, the only bills eligible for

consideration are redistricting, conference reports with previously appointed conferees, bills returned for concurrence on or before Sept. 25, joint adjournment resolutions and vetoed bills.

The House had altered the adjournment resolution allowing for such bills to be led, but the Senate had already nished business and left town, therefore, there was no concurrence made on the House changes.

It may be likely that the House ran its own legislation because the Senate’s versions were not clean bills, one example being funding for the UNC Children’s Hospital added into the Senate’s Medicaid rebase proposal. Another example would be the addition of “fairness in billing and collections” by hospitals, which was added to the Senate’s bill blocking Medicaid money from going to Planned Parenthood. House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) picked up on the discord between House and Senate Republicans and in a statement said, “Republican leaders in Raleigh are reaching new depths of dysfunction, now even refusing to accept legislation passed from one chamber to the other.” The House has not yet issued a statement in response to the Senate returning the bills.

Cox, right, speaks as then-Gov. Roy Cooper, center, and State Board of

Colleges Chair Burr Sullivan listen during a 2023 news conference announcing his hiring. Cox is planning to retire next year, and the system is beginning its search for his successor.

state Sen. Michael Lee; state Rep. David Willis; and Seth Dearmin, North Carolina Governor’s O ce chief of sta . Cox’s successor will be conrmed by the General Assembly

required by the

GARY D. ROBERTSON / AP PHOTO

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Paul Rebukes the Repentant Peter” by Guido Reni (c. 1609) is a painting in the collection of Brera Art Gallery in Milan, Italy.

Report: Majority of states do not require civics education

North Carolina is one of 13 states with undergrad civics requirements

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A new report by the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal says most states do not mandate a civics education graduation requirement for college undergraduates.

“Civics education needs to be a higher priority in many states,” said Martin Center Research and Policy Fellow Shannon Watkins, who authored “50-State Comparison: Civics Education.”

“Requiring a robust civics education is possible, and doing so will bene t all students — including future teachers.”

Watkins’ report found 13 states require students to take at least one course in civics and that while most states require a civics course for high school graduation, some states are lacking in that area regarding future teacher preparation programs.

The 13 states that have civics as a requirement through legislative or university board policies include Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ne-

vada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

The report, which mainly examined teacher preparation programs at agship universities, showed a signi cant variation in civics alignment.

NC State was included in the agship list, and the school does o er a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education with concentrations in English language arts and social studies, which requires coursework in American politics but lacks a requirement for American history in its teacher preparation program.

The report says the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was not analyzed because it does not o er a teacher preparation-related bachelor’s degree in American history or politics.

To address de ciencies in civics education, the report proposes several evidence-based policy recommendations, starting with mandating that all teacher preparation programs require candidates to complete a course in American history and/or politics covering key historical moments and documents, as teachers cannot e ectively impart knowledge they lack.

The report also advocates for curriculum enhancement by integrating a mandatory

“Civics education needs to be a higher priority in many states.”

Shannon Watkins, Martin Center research and policy fellow

three-credit course on “American Institutions and Ideals” into general education requirements, modeled after the North Carolina General Assembly’s REACH Act, which includes reading foundational texts like the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Federalist Papers essays.

Additional suggestions include implementing a college civics literacy assessment as a graduation prerequisite

to evaluate essential civic concepts, as well as including an introduction to the First Amendment as part of freshman orientations.

Other recommendations include organizing annual Constitution Day events to foster appreciation of founding principles and conducting regular institution-wide civic knowledge surveys to identify knowledge and course gaps.

“College is a crucial time to prepare students for responsible citizenship. The knowledge they learn about their country’s history, ideas, and institutions will inuence how they conduct themselves in their professional and personal lives,” the report’s conclusion states. “Students need to take civics in high school. But it is also important for college students to study civics at a deeper and more advanced level.”

‘America’s Field Trip’ o ers students chance to explore nation’s history

The contest o ers trips to historical sites and cash prizes for students in grades 3-12

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — America 250 has launched “America’s Field Trip,” a nationwide contest inviting students in grades 3-12 to participate in commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Students who apply are asked

A new report from the Martin Center says North Carolina is one of just 13 states that requires undergraduate civics.

to submit original writing, artwork or a high-resolution photo in response to the question “What does America mean to you?” The contest will select 250 students to receive awards for either a behind-the -scenes eld trip experience or a cash prize. The contest will end at 8 p.m. on Mar. 30. The contest will o er 125 rst-place awards, each including airfare and lodging for a three-day, two-night trip for the student and one chaperone to various historical

and cultural sites across the country.

Destinations include the National Medal of Honor Museum and George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas; Kennedy Space Center in Florida; the White House and National Archives in Washington, D.C.; Mount Rushmore in South Dakota; Yellowstone National Park; Revolutionary War landmarks in Boston; and a visit to the 9/11 Memorial with a performance of “Hamilton” in New York

NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING UPGRADES TO I-77 IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY

STIP NO: I-5718

CHARLOTTE – The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold two informal, open house-style meetings regarding the proposal to upgrade eleven miles of I-77 from the South Carolina state line to I-277/N.C. 16 (Brookshire Freeway). The public is invited to view and discuss maps and project information with NCDOT representatives. Both meetings will include the same project information.

The proposed improvements include the addition of express lanes, reconstruction of interchanges and non-interchange bridges, and addition of access points and direct connectors to the express lanes. The purpose of the project is to manage congestion by providing an option for reliable travel time along I-77.

The two open houses are scheduled at the following times and locations:

Rm

Charlotte

Project details can be found on the NCDOT project webpage https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i-77south-express-lanes/Pages/default.aspx or by going to www.ncdot.gov and searching “I-77 South Express Lanes.”

Interested parties may submit comments and complete a short survey on the project webpage. Comments may also be submitted by phone at 1-800-254-0498, email i-77south@ncdot.gov, or mail to Emily Richards, NCDOT Public Involvement, 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1598 by Dec. 05, 2025.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for people who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Emily Richards, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center in Raleigh; 919-707-6014; or edrichards1@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

City, among other locations. An additional 125 second-place winners will receive $500 cash awards. Teachers associated with the top-scoring submission in each grade level will receive $1,000.

According to the contest rules, entries must be submitted by parents, legal guardians or teachers on behalf of students, as minors are not permitted to enter directly.

According to the report, 46 states require students to take a civics course for high school graduation, but four states — Alaska, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin — recommend but do not strictly require it.

To graduate, North Carolina’s high school students are required to take four civic-related courses: Founding Principles of the United States of America and North Carolina: Civic Literacy; Economics and Personal Finance; American History and World History.

Additionally, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Civic Life and Leadership will be holding “Summer Civics Institutes” for educators and high school students beginning in 2026. The grant will allow for three consecutive summer sessions to be held.

All entries must be original work created without AI tools and cannot include personal information, copyrighted materials or identi able images of others. Submissions also need to be made by an individual and not a group.

A panel of current and former educators will judge entries on a weighted scale based on student voice (50%), clarity of idea (25%) and presentation (25%).

For more information and rules for entering the contest, visit america250.org/ eldtrip.

Submissions made in essay form have varying length requirements depending on the grade level. Elementary students may submit an essay of up to 100 words, middle school students may submit an essay of up to 250 words and high school students may enter an essay of up to 500 words.

Community members hold candles at a vigil honoring the life of Iryna Zarutska, who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte commuter train in August.

Federal indictment led in Zarutska murder

Decarlos Brown is charged in the Charlotte transit killing By A.P.

Dillon

North State Journal

RALEIGH — A formal federal indictment was led last week in the Charlotte murder case of Iryna Zarutska. Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, led paperwork formally indicting Decarlos Brown, the man accused of killing Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail system in August. The indictment says Brown intentionally killed Zarutska, and the formal charge is “Violence Against a Railroad Carrier and Mass Transportation System Resulting in Death.” Brown was formally in-

dicted on Oct. 22, exactly two months after Zarutska’s murder in August. In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Waters following the indictment, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the U.S. Department of Justice will be seeking the death penalty for Brown. The indictment notes Brown’s past criminal conviction “of one or more Federal or State o enses punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year, involving the use and attempted use and threatened use of a rearm against another person.” According to paperwork led with the indictment, Brown, if convicted, can either be sentenced to life in prison or face the death penalty. He could also receive a ne of up to $250,000 and a ve -year supervised release.

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

PETER HAMLIN / AP ILLUSTRATION

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill,

senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Where

Education without excellence in performance and output could be considered a waste of time and energy.

does excellence come from anyway?

WE RECENTLY TRAVELED to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to visit our oldest son and his growing family, and it occurred to me that the demand for excellence either came out of the air in Virginia at the very beginning of our Colonial stage or there must have been something in the water.

He lives on the Rappahannock River in downtown Fredericksburg, right across from Ferry Farm where George Washington was born and partially raised.

Thomas Je erson was raised on Tuckahoe Plantation on the James River about one hour south of Fredericksburg. James Madison’s childhood and lifelong home at Montpelier is just 55 miles to the west of Fredericksburg as well.

Granted, these founding leaders of the United States were born into homes whose fathers were leaders in the community. In many cases, they inherited landed wealth that, at the time, included slaves working the land and producing products that made the families wealthy.

However, that doesn’t fully explain how or why they participated in the formation of the longest-running constitutional government the world has ever seen. And surely, the mineral content of the local water supplies didn’t speci cally target their families and make them any more brilliant or successful than anyone else who partook of those same waters.

What separated those farsighted leaders from their peers was education. Speci cally, education in the classics from ancient Greece and Rome in philosophy, religion, the sciences, mathematics, art, architecture, literature and poetry, most times in the ancient languages, Greek and Latin, direct from their authors.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

On top of that, these brilliant men bene ted from teachers, mentors and parents who didn’t simply assign coursework and hope their students completed it. They demanded excellence, if not perfection, in the successful completion of their assignments and mastery of the subjects before moving on to the next level of education. That is the de nition of pure education at its most basic form. Education without excellence in performance and output could be considered by teachers and family to be a waste of time and energy for each student. Excellence, of course, doesn’t mean that everyone had to become president of the United States to prove they were excellent in their schoolwork while growing up.

However, it does beg the question, where did this demand for excellence come from? Have we lost our collective demand for excellence in 21st-century America? Perhaps we’ve become complacent with just accepting the mundane or vulgar things in life simply because we can easily access it all on social media and feel like society is demanding us to accept it all, no questions asked.

Maybe it had a lot to do with their predecessors, who didn’t have access to such freedom to pursue such excellence through education due to their status in life or religious views and oppressive European rulers. Once freed from such unnatural boundaries, they were able to pursue whatever interests they had in whatever eld of study or endeavor they chose.

There were no restrictions on what they could or wanted to be in their lives, so why not choose excellence? What possible reason would anyone have to work and study hard to be mediocre or unsuccessful

New NC congressional map becomes a reality — for now

Twelve of the state’s 14 congressional districts were untouched.

THE NATIONAL DEBATE playing out on mid-decade redistricting has been fascinating to watch unfold considering the bad-faith actors on the left who are kicking up the biggest fuss.

Among the worst o enders on the issue of gerrymandering over the years have been states like Illinois, Maryland, California and New York. Yet it is the Democratic governors of those blue states who yelled loudest after Texas Republicans announced in July they were about to commence a redrawing of their maps.

As we’ve talked about before, Texas received a letter in early July from the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division regarding four congressional districts they said “were vestiges of an unconstitutional racially based gerrymandering past, which must be abandoned, and must now be corrected.”

Soon after, President Donald Trump said he’d like to see Texas redraw its maps, which ushered forth action by the state legislature.

This prompted a vow of payback from California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is leading the campaign for Proposition 50, which will be on the ballot in a November special election and would allow the state to temporarily suspend its purported independent redistricting commission in favor of wildly partisan maps.

As several other states jumped into the

fray, including Illinois, Maryland, Missouri and Florida, North Carolina — which went for Trump three times — initially stayed out of it.

But in late September, Newsom poked the bear, pouncing on an uncon rmed story pushed by a leftist N.C. advocacy group and ampli ed by N.C. media outlets that alleged state Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) had promised Trump he would redraw the congressional map in exchange for a primary endorsement.

“Donald Trump is swapping endorsements in exchange for rigging elections,” Newsom posted on X.

In response, Berger wrote, “I’ve been watching what’s going on in California with Gavin Newsom trying to steal the Republican majority in Congress. We have drawn four Congressional maps in the last six years in redistricting ghts with Democrats because of their sue-until-blue strategy.

“If we have to draw one more map this year, we will. That said, I’ve never spoken to President Trump about this or an endorsement.”

Two weeks later, both Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) announced they’d be ready to vote on a new map soon, one that would potentially add another GOP seat in the 2026 midterms.

The map, which doesn’t need Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s signature, passed

in life when they had the chance to be excellent?

Fortunately, there are many ways to shift people’s expectations in both education and their lives. But it will take a concerted e ort for everyone involved not to accept or look for the lowest common denominator in everyone. Rather, we should look for and expect excellence no matter one’s station in life. Many of the founders, such as Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin, were poor as church mice early in life. However, they took advantage of situations o ered to them by benevolent friends or mentors to learn a trade and get an education to not only become founders of America but to make a prosperous life for themselves. Franklin built a fortune in the publishing and insurance business world on top of his scienti c and diplomatic achievements, none of which would have happened had he or people around him not demanded excellence and achievement.

It didn’t come from the dirty waters of the Delaware or Schuylkill rivers that owed through Philadelphia. And he sure didn’t grow up along the relatively pure rivers of Northern Virginia in the 17th and 18th centuries. If the de nition of white privilege was retroactively applied to Franklin, Hamilton and many others, none of it could have been properly applied to them in their developmental years.

The main thing that bound them all together was their desire and the desire of their friends and adult mentors to achieve excellence in everything they did and to work hard for it.

Those are aspirations we can apply equally to our lives and every young person we encounter every day.

both the House and Senate last week.

Twelve of N.C.’s 14 congressional districts were untouched. The seat GOP legislative leaders targeted for a possible pickup was the 1st Congressional District, currently held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Davis narrowly held onto the seat in the 2024 elections against Trump-backed GOP nominee Laurie Buckhout, who lost by 6,000 votes in a race that saw Libertarian candidate Tom Bailey get 10,000 votes. In the aftermath of the map’s passage, Berger shared that the actions they took were about more than Newsom’s redistricting scheme; it was a response to decades of Democrats redrawing maps to redistrict Republicans out of Congress — including here in N.C.

Lawsuits undoubtedly will follow. But the race-based arguments Democrats typically put forward in their lawsuits may soon hold little to no legal weight, depending on the outcome of the Louisiana v. Callais case currently being heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case centers around what Louisiana says is a con ict between Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Whatever the case may be, it will be interesting to see how the inevitable lawsuits on the N.C. map play out in the courts. As Berger noted, it wouldn’t be the House and Senate GOP’s rst rodeo on the issue, and with the census counts coming in ve years, it certainly won’t be the last.

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.

STEPHEN MOORE AND DAVID M. SIMON

Race-based mapmaking is racist

But of the black House members in the four redesigned majority-white Southern districts who decided to run for reelection, three won. One chose not to run.

THE SUPREME COURT is considering a Louisiana redistricting case that could have a greater impact on U.S. House of Representatives seats than the Texas and California “gerrymandering” maneuvers combined.

The New York Times wrote, “Democrats would be in danger of losing around a dozen majority-minority districts across the South if the court struck down part of the Voting Rights Act.”

White House Deputy Chief of Sta Stephen Miller tweeted, “How many people just realized that Dems had as many as 20 extra seats based on years of unconstitutional race-based gerrymandering?”

For the purpose of “racial justice” under the Voting Rights Act, Democratic legislatures and politicians created several “majority-minority” districts in order to elect black and Hispanic congressional members. The Supreme Court will rule on whether these districts violate equal protection under the Constitution.

ACLU Voting Rights Project Director Sophia Lin Lakin, who supports these majorityminority districts, said, “Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act has been a critical tool in safeguarding the promise that people of color can participate in our democracy on equal terms. It has been our shield against discriminatory maps and our answer to laws designed to suppress the vote. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act with overwhelming, bipartisan support — and reauthorized it again and again — because our leaders understood a fundamental truth: You cannot cure discrimination by pretending it doesn’t exist.”

NAACP lawyer Janai Nelson told the court, “It was clear that, regardless of party, white Democrats were not voting for black candidates whether they were Democrats or not. We know that there is such a signi cant chasm between how black and white voters vote in Louisiana that there is no question that even if there is some correlation between race and party, that race is the driving factor.”

The Supreme Court decades ago in Shaw v. Reno (1993) and Miller v. Johnson (1995) ruled against districts where gerrymandering by race was the dominant factor. “Ethnic cleansing!” cried Jesse Jackson after the Miller decision. Elaine Jones of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund said, “The noose is tightening.” Her colleague, Theodore Shaw, warned that once this decision goes through, the Black Congressional Caucus “could meet in the back seat of a taxicab.”

In 2016, the city of over 100,000 population that most voted for Donald Trump, with 80% of the vote, was Abilene, Texas, a city that is more than 75% white. Shortly after Trump’s election, Abilene voted for its rst black mayor. Black Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) recently said: “Myself, Wesley Hunt, Burgess Owens, John James — we are all black men who represent majority-white districts (referring to Texas, Utah and Michigan, respectively.) Tim Scott is the United States senator from South Carolina. South Carolina does have a strong black population, but it’s a predominantly white state. These are the facts.” America’s three largest cities, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, all have black mayors, though none of these cities is majority black. There are many examples of blacks elected to statewide o ces in a country where no state has a majority black population. These include Sens. Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Carol Moseley Braun and Cory Booker, as well as Govs. Doug Wilder, Deval Patrick and Wes Moore.

About the 2008 presidential election, Obama’s principal rival for the Democratic nomination was Hillary Clinton. Obama was attempting to become the rst black president, while Clinton was attempting to become the rst female president. On the Republican side, the two primary rivals were Mitt Romney, who would become the rst Mormon president, and John McCain, who would become, at 72, the oldest elected president.

In February 2007, Gallup found that 5% of Americans said they “would not vote for” a black presidential candidate; 11% “would not vote for” a woman; 24% “would not vote for” a Mormon; and 42% “would not vote for” a presidential candidate who is “72 years of age.” So Obama’s hurdle was the lowest.

As for the Supreme Court, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) calls Republican-appointed jurists “often underquali ed or completely unquali ed for their role.”

Nothing says quali ed quite like a bartenderturned-congressional candidate. And AOC got elected, proving yet again that despite America’s “systemic racism,” there’s hope.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

It’s not ‘Islamophobic’ to wonder how Mamdani would react to 9/11

Big cities often elect absurd mayors. The Supreme Court will rule on whether these districts violate equal protection under the Constitution.

IS IT “ISLAMOPHOBIC” to wonder if NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has a soft spot for Islamic terrorists? Hardly.

“God forbid, another 9/11 — can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?” New York mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo told WABC’s “Sid and Friends in the Morning” this week.

“He’d be cheering,” host Sid Rosenberg replied.

“That’s another problem,” Cuomo added.

To this, Mamdani and his allies exploded in feigned outrage.

Why? We already know Mamdani has allied with those who want to bring the “intifada” against Jewish Americans in New York and elsewhere.

We know that Mamdani is comfortable associating and allying with those who cheer and excuse the murder of in dels.

Last week, he “had the pleasure of meeting” Siraj Wahhaj, one of the “foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century.”

Wahhaj, born Je rey Kearse, is a champion of Islamic supremacism. And not the brand of trendy, socialist, Hamas-cheering supremacism that Mamdani and his friends engage in. Wahhaj supports overturning the system (“I pray one day Allah will bless us to raise an army”) and installing medieval Muslim doctrine (“Islam is better than democracy. ... Islam prevails over every kind of system, and you know what? It will happen.”)

The imam of the Muslim Alliance in North America, who often hosted the infamous Blind Sheikh and other conspirators in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, says he would be honored to die for jihad and admits his politics are just a “weapon in the cause of Islam.”

Indeed, Wahhaj defended the 1993 World Trade Center bombers while attacking law enforcement as the real enemy. It makes sense since Wahhaj believes the U.S. is “ lthy” and “sick.” And perhaps Mamdani’s fans agree with that observation.

When Mamdani was called out for praising Wahhaj, he didn’t concede that the imam’s positions were abhorrent. Instead, he whined about how other politicians had also met Wahhaj. None of those politicians has a mentor and father in Mahmood Mamdani, who argued three years after 9/11 that suicide bombings should not be “stigmatized as a mark of barbarism.”

None of them wrote and performed a rap song that glori ed Hamas nanciers.

None of them appeared with popular podcaster Hasan Piker, who explicitly said that the U.S. deserved the 9/11 attacks.

On political grounds, it’s nearly incomprehensible to think that any politician could get away with this kind of association less than 25 years after the greatest terror attack against the United States.

Piker not only believes that the U.S. got what was coming to it on 9/11 but also that “it doesn’t matter if rapes f---ing happened on Oct. 7.” Where was the outrage from the left?

It’s true that this kind of talk has been destigmatized on social media, but Piker is no di erent, morally speaking, from a white supremacist. Imagine the stories we’d be reading about Cuomo if he had an amiable conversation with a racist alt-right podcaster.

It took until very recently, and only when pressed by Cuomo during a live televised debate, for Mamdani to distance himself from Piker’s 9/11 comments. You’ll excuse me if I nd his condemnation disingenuous.

Of course, Mamdani’s defenders accused Cuomo of being “Islamophobic.” What else is new? This vacuous term is meant to chill speech and nothing more. There are, of course, bigots in this country. But “Islamophobia” is cynical manipulation of language. Islam is not a race or a set of people. It’s a set of beliefs. The woke left might view everyone in racial terms, but people with critical thinking skills have every right to question extremism within any faith or ideology. “Democratic” socialism is an accelerant for Islamic extremism.

Now, obviously, Manhattan isn’t going to turn into a caliphate any time soon. Big cities often elect absurd mayors. But if you don’t believe the red-green alliance is worth concerning yourself over, you haven’t been paying attention to the disaster unfolding in Western Europe, where the left allows the sensibilities and traditions of unassimilated Islamic newcomers to trump basic liberal freedoms.

Would Zohran Mamdani celebrate 9/11? I don’t know. But the candidate has proven a little problematic, associating with theocrats and rationalizing violent rhetoric. New Yorkers have every right to be suspicious of how he would react.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner.

To lower health costs, legalize catastrophic health insurance plans for all

THE GOVERNMENT shutdown has focused debate on the vast sum ($136 billion in 2025, as projected by the Congressional Budget O ce) that the federal government spends to annually subsidize continually skyrocketing Obamacare health insurance premiums. The Wall Street Journal reports that regardless of how that scal tug-of-war turns out, health insurance premiums paid by Americans are expected to rise another 8% or 9% next year.

The mega-health insurers are leading the charge for more subsidies because this money lands right in their pockets. Their pro ts and stock values have been soaring while the rest of us struggle to pay the rising tab.

One reason health care costs are rising at two to three times the cost of everything else is that the entire insurance market is dysfunctional. Most Americans pay high monthly premiums (or the government pays for them) for coverage they often don’t use.

In 2024, 11.7 million people, more than one-third of those covered by Obamacare, had no medical claims. They, or taxpayers, paid a lot in premiums — for nothing.

But the whole idea of insurance is to protect your family from major expenses — not minor ones. That’s why we have re insurance on our homes — to protect against the risk of the total loss of your property.

We need a system much more sensible and less costly for patients and taxpayers. We should be encouraging insurance plans with low premiums that cover major “catastrophic” medical expenses but leave smaller expenses — like checkups or minor surgery — to be paid by policyholders directly.

Such policies — known as catastrophic health insurance plans — have been available for several decades. Most of us would be better o nancially if we signed up for these plans. With low premiums and coverage for major medical expenses, they are a win-win for families.

Even as regulated by Obamacare, this coverage charges premiums that are only about half the amount of other Obamacare plans. For example, Forbes recently analyzed the premiums of “77 catastrophic health plans nationwide.” The average premium for a 50-year-old member is $443 per month, or $5,316 per year, compared to almost $10,000 for the average Obamacare plan, according to Paragon Health Institute calculations.

This leaves a plan member with about $4,600 in saved premiums to pay for medical expenses subject to the plan’s deductible ($9,450 per person or $18,900 for a family) — or to productively invest or spend.

The Democrats and health insurers ridicule these plans as “junk health insurance.”

Wrong. Forbes notes that these plans provide comprehensive coverage for major medical expenses and have the same “10 essential health bene ts” as other Obamacare plans, including emergency services, hospitalization, pregnancy services, prescription drugs, and mental health and chronic disease treatments.

So why don’t most people choose catastrophic health plans? Because an Obamacare provision makes it illegal!

This Obamacare provision, 42 U.S. Code 18022(e)(2), only allows those under 30 or who qualify under a “hardship” exemption to enroll. Liberals in Congress want to force people to buy plans they can’t a ord because they generally support a single-payer government run system where all health services are “free.”

Congress should immediately repeal this provision of Obamacare. This simple change in the law would allow all of us to choose the kind of health insurance that so many of us want and need. And wider use of these plans would cut government spending and increase economic growth.

The new tax law signed by President Donald Trump on July 4 makes these plans even more attractive. The new law allows plan members to contribute to health savings accounts. HSAs are special tax-free accounts that allow families to pay routine medical expenses, as well as roll over any unspent money in the account into tax-advantaged retirement savings. Obamacare previously had barred catastrophic health insurance plan members from contributing to HSAs. Sometimes in life the best solution is the simplest one: Stop the hundreds of billions of dollars of wasteful subsidies, the skyrocketing premiums and the “one-size- ts-all” plans that so many of us do not use, want or need — and instead legalize pro-growth catastrophic health insurance plans for all. Stop fattening the checks of the fat and happy health insurance conglomerates like UnitedHealth, who resist paying honest claims but force you to write monthly checks for insurance you don’t use or need.

Stephen Moore is a former Trump senior economic adviser and the cofounder of Unleash Prosperity, which advocates for education freedom for all children. David M. Simon is an Unleash Prosperity senior research fellow.

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

Brew it up!

Every October, North Carolina embraces the spirit of Oktoberfest, transforming towns and breweries across the state into lively celebrations of beer, food and community. In Charlotte, the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery hosts one of the largest Oktoberfest events in the Southeast, featuring its award-winning Copper Altbier and traditional German fare. Up in Asheville, Highland Brewing Company and Sierra Nevada in nearby Mills River both throw festive gatherings with live music, Bavarian pretzels and seasonal Märzen-style lagers. The Foothills Brewing Oktoberfest in Winston-Salem highlights local bands and specialty releases, while Lonerider Beer Company in Raleigh brings its outlaw air to fall festivities with limited-edition brews. Even Red Oak Brewery in Whitsett joins in with authentic German-inspired lagers that t the season perfectly. From the mountains to the Piedmont and the Triangle, Oktoberfest in North Carolina unites communities in raising a stein to craft beer, camaraderie and Carolina fall traditions.

By A.P. Dillon

PIEDMONT

2 killed, multiple teens injured at large house party

Prescription drug take-back

to combat

Transylvania County

hospitals partnered with

e ort to combat

this

in

Prescription drug abuse remains a public health crisis, and Mission Hospitals, along with local law enforcement, hosted a “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take-back day. Organizers say that since 2019, HCA Healthcare has helped dispose of more than 88,000 pounds of unused or expired medication, and it hopes to reach 100,000 pounds in the future. NSJ

Visitors help Asheville businesses year after Helene Buncombe County Asheville is seeing an uptick in business since the start of leaf-peeping season. Many visitors have intentionally chosen to support the area this fall to help in its continued recovery from Hurricane Helene one year ago. So far this month, the Asheville Downtown Association has recorded about 443,000 out-ofmarket visitors, compared to nearly 489,000 during the same period in 2023. The Asheville Downtown Association tracks the number of out-ofmarket visitors using Placer AI, which analyzes cell phone data to see where people are coming from and which businesses they visit while in town. “For those who made it through the storm, made it through a really rough winter. We kind of kept encouraging folks, hey, fall is coming. And now that it’s here, it’s really wonderful to see the support from visitors and from locals alike,” Hayden Plemmons, executive director of Asheville Downtown Association, said. WLOS

Robeson County

A 16-year-old boy was one of two people shot and killed Saturday morning at a large outdoor Halloween party in Maxton, Robeson County authorities said. Nehemiah Locklear and 49-yearold Jessie Locklear were found dead at the scene. Eleven other people between the ages of 17 and 43 were also shot. O cials say they encountered underage drinking and people with guns, estimating around 300 people were in attendance. Deputies said more than 150 people ran away before they arrived on the scene.

WBTV

Hometown Olympic champion visits elementary school

Guilford County Olympic gold medalist and High Point native Jenoah McKiver visited Oakview Elementary last week. McKiver graduated from T. Wingate Andrews High School and won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. He also won gold at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. “I’m just here to inspire the next generation, just give them the hope,” said McKiver. School o cials said he spoke to students about discipline, hard work and chasing their dreams.

NSJ

Hemp biotech startup to invest, expand in Winston-Salem

Forsyth County WH Farms Co., a four-year-old biotech startup that grows hemp and processes it for topical beauty and wellness products, plans to expand operations in Winston-Salem with a $2.9 million investment expected to create 41 jobs with an average annual wage of $79,354. According to an announcement made Monday, WH Farms Co. intends to purchase a 12,000-square-foot building in Winston-Salem to bring formulation and manufacturing in-house instead of by its current contractor in Maryland. Founded in 2020, WH Farms Co. o ers white-label services for brands developing hemp-infused product lines and sells its own hemp-based wellness products. The company is certi ed under GMP and ISO standards, licensed by the USDA and follows ICH Q7 guidelines for active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. Its products contain no psychoactive THC and are classi ed as medical wellness items by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. WH Farms Co. also operates both domestically and internationally, with plans to expand its clientele and further invest in plant-derived wellness research.

NSJ

EAST

Tra c stop leads to major drug bust

Craven County The search of a New Bern man’s car during a tra c stop resulted in a major drug arrest last weekend. New Bern police arrested Kevin Ringling after a tra c stop on U.S. 70 around 10:30 p.m. A K-9 alerted o cers to drugs, and authorities found more than 2 kilos of what they believe is cocaine. The street is estimated to be worth between $133,000 and $444,000. The 53-year-old Ringling was charged with tra cking in cocaine and jailed on a $1 million secured bond.

WITN

Runner mourned after death in Emerald Isle Marathon

Carteret County A runner died during a half-marathon Saturday, according to a social media post from the Town of Emerald Isle. Event organizers said a female participant collapsed near the end of her race at the Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. Emergency medical personnel who were already on the scene responded immediately and began advanced life-saving measures, but she was later pronounced dead. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, the name of the runner is not being released.

NSJ

Concrete plant ned for spread of dust across Fayetteville neighborhood Cumberland County A concrete plant in Fayetteville was penalized by the state for covering the neighboring residential area near Ramsey Street with white dust. Earlier this year, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality received a complaint about the dust from the D.R. Allen and Son facility at Fay Block potentially causing health issues. Following an investigation, the NCDEQ found D.R. Allen and Son failed to adequately control dust emissions leaving the facility and failed to keep accurate records, resulting in a $10,398 ne. According to reports, the issue arose in 2023 when the concrete plant submitted a rezoning request to expand in the neighborhood, and in 2024, the NCDEQ ned the plant for similar penalties. The city council reportedly reached out to the company to o er them an opportunity to create remediation measures for the dust problem before granting expansion, but it says the company never completed the rezoning process.

WNCN

he had been in communication with Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham) about the matter. The committee could look at impeachment or expulsion, although expulsion has historically been applied for monetary or campaign nance abuses.

Top Democrats and Republicans, including NC Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton, called for Brockman’s resignation following his arrest. However, Brockman has not yet resigned or made any formal statements to that e ect. Court records show past cases involving Brockman, such as an ejection from his apartment in April for failure to pay $2,651.26 in rent for an apartment on Abberton Way in High Point. That complaint was made by Broadstone Village Apartments. The monthly rent for the apartment is $970. The ejection notice was led and signed by a magistrate on April 22. The April case was not the rst time Brockman had been ejected for nonpayment by that

COURTESY

Rep. Cecil Brockman

Trump administration says no federal food aid will go out starting Nov. 1

The ongoing government shutdown has the two political parties at loggerheads

By Adriana Gomez Licon

The Associated Press

THE U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on.

The new notice comes after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep bene ts through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, owing into November. That program helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says. “At this time, there will be no benets issued November 01. We are approaching an in ection point for Senate Democrats.”

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest on record. While the Republican administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP bene ts were paid

(JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

Mara Sleeter, marketing and communications project manager, stands near boxes of juice while being interviewed in the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank warehouse in July.

this month, the cuto would expand the impact of the impasse to a wider swath of Americans — and some of those most in need — unless a political resolution is found in just a few days.

The administration blames Democrats, who say they will not agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the A ordable Care Act. Republicans say Democrats must rst agree to reopen the government before negotiation.

Russia says it tested new missile with nuclear ability

President Vladimir Putin received a report on the Burevestnik missile

The Associated Press

MOSCOW — Russia tested a new nuclear-capable and powered cruise missile t to confound existing defenses, inching closer to deploying it to its military, President Vladimir Putin said in remarks released Sunday. The announcement, which followed years of tests of the Burevestnik missile, comes as part of nuclear messaging from the Kremlin, which has resisted Western pressure for a cease re in Ukraine and strongly warned the U.S. and other NATO allies against sanctioning strikes deep inside Russia with longer-range Western weapons.

A video released by the Kremlin showed Putin, dressed in camou age fatigues, receiving a report from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of general sta , who told the Russian leader that the Burevestnik covered

MAP from page A1

motivation behind this plan is straightforward.”

“It moves N.C.-1 from a district where President (Donald) Trump earned 51% of the vote in 2024 to 55% of the vote, an increase of 4 points,” said Jones. “The end result is a Congressional map that should perform to elect 11 Republicans.

“We did our job transparently, lawfully and unapologetically. And if that o ends the left, so be it. Because what we’re defending here today is not just a map; it’s the principle that stops the deck from being stacked against us.”

House Democrats pushed back, with Rep. Dante Pittman (D-Wilson) pointing at Texas as the cause.

“What started as a political power play in Texas has turned into a national redistricting war,

14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a key test last Tuesday.

Gerasimov said the Burevestnik, or storm petrel in Russian, spent 15 hours in the air on nuclear power, adding, “That’s not the limit.”

Little is known about the Burevestnik, which was code-named Skyfall by NATO, and many Western experts have been skeptical about it, noting that a nuclear engine could be highly unreliable.

When Putin rst revealed that Russia was working on the weapon in his 2018 state-of-the-nation address, he claimed it would have an unlimited range, allowing it to circle the globe undetected by missile defense systems. Many observers argue such a missile could be di cult to handle and pose an environmental threat. The U.S. and the Soviet Union worked on nuclear-powered missiles during the Cold War, but they eventually shelved the projects, considering them too hazardous.

The Burevestnik reportedly su ered an explosion in Au-

and my home and my people have been drug into the middle of it,” Pittman said.

Democrats Reps. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) and Marica Morey (D-Durham) argued the maps were racist and diluted the black vote, while Rep. Gloristine Brown (D-Pitt) compared the redraw to a new form of “Jim Crow.”

“North Carolina is the testing ground for the new era of Jim Crow laws going after souls to the polls, restricting early voting dates, hours and locations, and now breaking up the black belt that has been electing black Democrats for three decades,” Brown said.

Several Democrats, including Rep. Amos Quick (D-Guilford), said there were other priorities that should be the focus of the legislature, such as a lack of a state budget.

Quick said Stein had more of

Democratic lawmakers have written to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting to use contingency funds to cover the bulk of next month’s bene ts.

But a USDA memo that surfaced Friday says “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular bene ts.” The document says the money is reserved for things such as helping people in disaster areas.

It cited a storm named Melissa, which has strengthened into a major hurricane, as an exam-

ple of why it’s important to have the money available to mobilize quickly in the event of a disaster.

The prospect of families not receiving food aid has deeply concerned states run by both parties.

Some states have pledged to keep SNAP bene ts owing even if the federal program halts payments, but there are questions about whether U.S. government directives may allow that to happen. The USDA memo also says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.

Other states are telling SNAP recipients to be ready for the bene ts to stop. Arkansas and Oklahoma, for example, are advising recipients to identify food pantries and other groups that help with food.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) accused Republicans and Trump of not agreeing to negotiate.

“The reality is, if they sat down to try to negotiate, we could probably come up with something pretty quickly,” Murphy said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We could open up the government on Tuesday or Wednesday, and there wouldn’t be any crisis in the food stamp program.”

RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE VIA AP

gust 2019 during tests at a navy range on the White Sea, killing ve nuclear engineers and two service members and resulting in a brief spike in radioactivity that fueled fears in a nearby city.

Russian o cials never identi ed the weapon involved, but the U.S. said it was the Burevestnik.

“We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces,” Putin told Gerasimov.

The Russian leader also claimed it was invulnerable to current and future missile defenses due to its almost unlimited range and unpredictable ight path.

Kirill Dmitriev, a top Putin aide who was in the U.S. as the video surfaced, said his delegation informed U.S. colleagues of

a mandate than Trump in North Carolina since he received more votes than Trump in the 2024 election, arguing that “instead of pressing President Trump’s agenda in North Carolina, we ought to be voting for Gov. Stein’s budget.” Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin) balked at criticism that Republicans were doing Trump’s bidding.

“Yesterday I was told what I should not do,” Dixon said. “I was told what my motives are. None of those who called my cell phone and left hateful and vulgar messages asked me what my motives were. They just told me over and over again how right they were and how much they hated Donald Trump. I respect and sustain their right to say that. But I’m left to observe how some folks who demand tolerance do it so intolerantly. I will now exercise my elected respon-

Navy loses 2 aircraft from USS Nimitz within 30 minutes

Washington, D.C.

A ghter jet and a helicopter based o the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within 30 minutes of each other, the Navy’s Paci c Fleet said. The three crew members of the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter were rescued Sunday afternoon, and the two aviators in the F/A-18F Super Hornet ghter jet ejected and were recovered safely. All ve “are safe and in stable condition,” the eet said in a statement.

President Donald Trump said the incidents could have been caused by “bad fuel” and ruled out foul play.

Man eeing ICE fatally struck by vehicle

Norfolk, Va.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Russian Chief of General Sta Gen. Valery Gerasimov arrive to visit one of the command posts of the Joint Group of Forces.

the “successful testing” of the Burevestnik, which he said was an “absolutely new class” of weapon.

Earlier this week, Putin directed drills of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces that featured practice missile launches. The exercise came as his planned summit on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump was put on hold.

The Kremlin said that the maneuvers involved all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that were test- red from launch facilities in northwestern Russia and a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers ring long-range cruise missiles.

The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement last Wednesday.

sibility to speak for myself. I love President Trump, and I sustain him as the leader of our nation.”

Nearly 13,000 public comments had been received at the time the House held its morning session vote.

After voting concluded, Reps. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg), Deb Butler (D-New Hanover), Zac Hawkins (D-Durham) and Rodney Pierce (D-Halifax) rose and indicated they wished to “raise a constitutional challenge, under Article 2, Section 18.”

In a statement on X, Davis criticized the legislature for prioritizing the “predetermining the outcome of an election 377 days away” over other concerns.

“It is not only one of the darkest moments in our state’s history, but the way it was done o ering limited public participation by those a ected and ignoring the voices of those who did participate is morally wrong on all

A 24-year-old Honduran man who was eeing federal immigration agents in Virginia died on a highway after being struck by a vehicle. The death of Josué Castro Rivera follows recent incidents in which three other immigrants in Chicago and California were killed during immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration’s crackdown. Castro Rivera was headed to a gardening job last Thursday when his vehicle was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement o cers, brother Henry Castro said. Agents tried to detain Castro Rivera and the three other passengers, and he ed on foot, tried to cross Interstate 264 in Norfolk and was fatally struck, according to authorities.

10 on trial accused of cyberbullying Macron’s wife

Paris

Ten people went on trial Monday accused of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron after they allegedly made “malicious” comments online spreading claims that President Emmanuel Macron’s wife is a man. Brigitte Macron did not show up at the two-day trial in Paris that started on Monday afternoon. The Paris prosecutor’s o ce said the eight men and two women are accused of spreading “numerous malicious comments” online about the rst lady’s gender and “sexuality” and of mentioning the age gap with her husband as “pedophilia.” Seven of the defendants were in court Monday, while three others were being represented by their lawyers.

fronts,” wrote Davis. “Still, I remain committed to ensuring every voice in eastern North Carolina is heard, no matter how the lines are drawn.”

“Today, the Republican leadership in the legislature failed the people of North Carolina,” Stein wrote in a post on X, which included a video message that accused the legislature of “abusing its power” in passing the new map. He also criticized lawmakers for not yet passing a budget and said if he had the power to veto the map, he would.

North Carolina Republican Party Communications Director Matt Mercer applauded the passage in a statement, saying, “We commend our legislative leaders on their e ort to jump into the fray to stop Gavin Newsom and California Democrats from stealing control of Congress from President Trump and Republicans.”

Huntington Bancshares to buy Cadence Bank

Houston Huntington Bancshares is buying regional bank Cadence Bank in an all-stock deal valued at $7.4 billion that will strengthen its position across the southern U.S. Cadence, which has headquarters in Houston and Tupelo, Mississippi, has more than 390 locations across Texas and the South. It runs branches across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.

American Water Works, Essential Utilities to merge Camden, N.J.

American Water Works and Essential Utilities are merging in an all-stock deal that will create a water and wastewater public utility with an approximately $40 billion combined market capitalization. The combined company, which will use the name American Water, will have about 4.7 million water/ wastewater connections across 17 states and on 18 military installations. Essential shareholders will receive 0.305 shares of American Water for each share they own. American Water shareholders will own about 69%, and Essential shareholders will own approximately 31% of the combined company once the merger is complete.

Boeing defense workers strike in Midwest St. Louis Boeing workers at three Midwest plants where military aircraft and weapons are developed have voted to reject the company’s latest contract o er and to continue a strike that started almost three months ago. The strike by about 3,200 machinists at the plants in the Missouri cities of St. Louis and St. Charles, and in Mascoutah, Illinois, is smaller in scale than a walkout last year by 33,000 Boeing workers who assemble commercial jetliners. The president of the International Association of Machinists says Sunday’s outcome shows Boeing hasn’t adequately addressed wages and retirement bene ts.

Boeing says Sunday’s vote was close, with 51% of union members opposing the revised o er.

ExxonMobil sues California over climate disclosure laws

Sacramento, Calif.

Exxon Mobil Corporation is suing California over two climate disclosure laws from 2023. The company argues these laws infringe on its free speech rights by forcing it to adopt reporting frameworks that single out large businesses. ExxonMobil led the complaint last Friday in the U.S. Eastern District Court for California. The company claims it has disclosed its emissions and climate risks for years but disagrees with the state’s new reporting requirements.

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCT. 24

Beginning Cash

$2,725,536,341

Receipts (income)

$308,403,009

Disbursements

$185,144.723

Cash Balance

$2,848,794,627

Amazon cuts 14K corporate jobs as AI spending accelerates

The company was set to post quarterly nancial results Thursday

By Michelle Chapman

The Associated Press

AMAZON WILL cut about 14,000 corporate jobs as the online retail giant ramps up spending on arti cial intelligence while cutting costs elsewhere.

In June, CEO Andy Jassy, who has aggressively sought to cut costs since becoming CEO in 2021, said that he anticipated generative AI would reduce Amazon’s corporate workforce in the next few years.

Jassy said at the time that Amazon had more than 1,000 generative AI services and applications in progress or built, but that gure was a “small fraction” of what it plans to build.

Jassy encouraged employees to get on board with the company’s AI plans after it announced plans to invest $10 billion building a campus in North Carolina to expand its cloud computing and arti cial intelligence infrastructure.

Since 2024 started, Amazon has committed to about $10 billion apiece to data center projects in Mississippi, Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina as it builds up its infrastructure to try to keep up with other tech giants making leaps in AI. Amazon is competing with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Meta and others. In a conference call with industry analysts in May, Jassy said the potential for growth in the company’s AWS business is massive.

“If you believe your mission is to make customers’ lives easier and better every day, and you believe that every

customer experience will be reinvented with AI, you’re going to invest very aggressively in AI, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said. “You can see that in the 1,000-plus AI applications we’re building across Amazon. You can see that with our next generation of Alexa, named Alexa+.” Teams and individuals impacted by the job cuts were noti ed Tuesday. Most workers will be given 90 days to look for a new position internally, Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, wrote in a letter to employees Tuesday. Those who can’t nd a new role at the company or who opt not to look for one will be provided ,ional support including severance pay, outplacement services and health insurance bene ts.

Amazon has about 350,000 corporate employees and a total workforce of approximately 1.56 million. The cuts announced Tuesday amount to about a 4% reduc-

“Unlike the Target layo s, Amazon is operating from a position of strength.”

tion in its corporate workforce.

Amazon’s workforce doubled during the pandemic as millions stayed home and boosted online spending. In the following years, big tech and retail companies cut thousands of jobs to bring spending back in line. The cuts announced Tuesday suggest Amazon is still trying to get the size of its workforce right, and it may not be over. It was the biggest culling at Amazon since 2023, when the company cut 27,000 jobs. Those cuts came in waves, with 9,000 jobs trimmed in March of that year and another 18,000 employees two months later. Amazon has not said if

more job cuts are on the way.

Yet the jobs market, which has for years been a pillar in the U.S. economy, is showing signs of weakening. Layo s have been limited, but the same can be said for hiring.

Government hiring data is on hold during the government shutdown, but earlier this month, a survey by payroll company ADP showed a surprising loss of 32,000 jobs in the private sector in September.

Many retailers are pulling back on seasonal hiring this year due to uncertainty over the U.S. economy and tari s. Amazon said this month, however, that it would hire 250,000 seasonal workers, the same as last year’s holiday season.

Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, said in a statement that the layo s “represent a deep cleaning of Amazon’s corporate workforce.”

“Unlike the Target layo s, Amazon is operating from a position of strength,” he said. “The company has been producing good growth, and it still has a lot of headroom for further expansion in both the U.S. and overseas.”

But Saunders noted that Amazon is not immune to outside factors, as global markets tighten and underlying costs climb.

“It needs to act if it wants to continue with a good bottom-line performance,” he said. “This is especially so given the amount of investment the company is making in areas like logistics and AI. In some ways, this is a tipping point away from human capital to technological infrastructure.”

During its most recent quarter, the company reported 17.5% growth for its cloud computing arm, Amazon Web Services.

Trump, Japan’s Takaichi bond over economic interests, avow “golden age”

An agreement to cooperate on critical minerals and rare earths was signed

By Josh Boak and Chris Megerian The Associated Press

TOKYO — President Donald Trump treated his time in Japan on Tuesday as a victory lap — befriending the new Japanese prime minister, taking her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier, and then unveiling several major energy and technology projects in America to be funded by Japan.

Sanae Takaichi, who became the country’s rst female prime minister only days ago, solidi ed her relationship with Trump while defending her country’s economic interests. She talked baseball, stationed a Ford F-150 truck outside their meeting and greeted Trump with, by his estimation, a rm handshake.

By the end of the day, Trump — by his administration’s count — came close to nailing down the goal of $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade framework. At a dinner for business leaders in Tokyo, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced up to $490 billion in commitments, including $100 billion each for nuclear projects involving Westinghouse and GE Vernova.

“You’re great businesspeople,” Trump told the gathered executives before the dinner. “Our country will not let you down.” It was not immediately clear how the investments would operate and how they compared with previous plans, but Trump declared a win as he capped o a day of bonding with Takaichi.

The compliments started as soon as the two leaders met Tuesday morning. “That’s a

very strong handshake,” Trump said to Takaichi.

She talked about watching the third game of the U.S. World Series before the event and said Japan would give Washington 250 cherry trees and reworks for July 4 celebrations to honor America’s 250th anniversary next year.

Takaichi emphasized her ties to the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, her archconservative mentor who had forged a friendship with Trump during his rst term through their shared interest in golf.

Trump told her it was a “big deal” that she is Japan’s rst woman prime minister and said the U.S. is committed to Japan. While the president is known for not shying away from publicly scolding his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Takaichi.

“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”

Takaichi laid out a charm offensive, serving American beef and rice mixed with Japanese ingredients during a working lunch, where the two leaders also discussed e orts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Takaichi would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The two leaders signed black “Japan is Back” baseball caps that resembled Trump’s own red “Make America Great Again” caps.

Reporters arriving for the meeting were hustled past a gold-hued Ford F-150 outside the Akasaka Palace, which is Tokyo’s guest house for visiting foreign leaders.

“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are an ally at the strongest level.”

President Donald Trump

Trump has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets. But the Japanese government is considering buying a eet of Ford trucks for road and infrastructure inspection. Both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the “golden age” of their nations’ alliance, a short a rmation of a framework under which the U.S. will tax goods imported from Japan at 15% while Japan creates a $550 billion fund of investments in the U.S. Trump has focused his foreign policy toward Asia around tari s and trade, but on Tuesday he also spoke aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo. The president brought

Takaichi with him, and she also spoke as Japan plans to increase its military spending.

The president talked about individual units on the aircraft carrier, his political opponents, national security and the U.S. economy, saying that Takaichi had told him that Toyota would be investing $10 billion in auto plants in America.

Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday, meeting the emperor in a ceremonial visit after a brief trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

On Thursday, Trump is expected to cap o his Asia trip with a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. There were signs that tensions between the U.S. and China were cooling before the planned meeting in South Korea. Top negotiators from each country said a trade deal was coming together, which could prevent a potentially damaging confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.

President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands before their summit talk at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday.

JEFF CHIU / AP PHOTO

Amazon is slashing jobs amid an aggressive push into arti cial intelligence.

Neil Saunders, GlobalData

features

Raleigh creator lays hip-hop cards on table through conversation, debate

Die-hard and casual fans think critically about the art and craft of rap music

By Dan Reeves North State Journal

RALEIGH — For 33-year- old Jasmyn Fritz, what began as a few text messages between friends about rap music has turned into something tangible — a way to bring people back to the table and o their phones. Fritz, a project manager for Gannett and contributor with Carolina Blitz, has created a new hip-hop-themed card game called Let’s Rap that turns online debates into real conversation.

“I was watching the way people were arguing on Twitter about music, especially during that Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef,” she said. “Everyone was talking, but no one was actually saying anything. It wasn’t even about the music anymore — just noise. I wanted something that would make people slow down and really talk about why they like what they like.”

Fritz said her mind naturally works to problem-solve and create things.

“This isn’t the rst idea I’ve had, but it’s the rst one I’ve made real,” she said. “I just imagined something that would clear up how those conversations go online, something that points people toward what really makes a song good.”

Each player lays down Let’s Rap cards featuring a rapper and a song or album tied to one of six music categories — lyricism, storytelling, ow, delivery,

“I really believe art — especially music — connects us, teaches us and heals us. And if a card game can help people talk about that again, that’s enough for me.”

Jasmyn Fritz

production and impact. Players make their case for why their pick ts best, and if there’s a tie, they debate.

“You have to prove it,” Fritz said. “And if you’re not the best debater, there are cards that help guide your thinking so you can speak with con dence.”

One player serves as the DJ,

cueing songs, keeping time and helping the group decide.

“If someone’s not familiar with a song, the DJ can pull up a verse or a few lyrics so everyone can listen before voting,” Fritz said. “That’s when people start discovering new artists and really listening to what makes a song great.”

Fritz said she didn’t want another online experience — she wanted people sitting together again.

“I didn’t want a virtual community,” she said. “I wanted something that makes people sit together, laugh, argue a little and rediscover music as something shared.”

Her connection to music began with church and gospel music.

“We didn’t have permission to listen to a lot of music

The game begins as players lay down Let’s Rap cards featuring a rapper and a song or album tied to one of six music categories.

growing up,” she said. “It wasn’t until middle school when we got G105 and then pop radio kind of took over. But I didn’t really listen until high school when I got my own car.”

It wasn’t until 2018 or 2019 that she began exploring hiphop deeply.

“Once I started really listening, I realized how much artistry there was in it — how layered and intentional it could be,” Fritz said. “I wasn’t just hearing it; I was studying it.”

That sense of curiosity shaped Let’s Rap.

“I think art is a healing aspect of our world that people have stopped engaging with meaningfully,” she said. “The further we get from welcoming art into our lives, the more we lose the ability to even talk about it. This game lays the

Apatow shares comedic life with illuminating scrapbook memoir ‘Comedy Nerd’

All proceeds go to victims of the Los Angeles wild res

By Mark Kennedy

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Judd Apatow likes to keep stu . He even goes as far as to say he’s a hoarder. But unlike a regular hoarder, he insists all the things he keeps are awesome — and neatly collected.

“I save everything, but I don’t have it in a mound in the middle of the house,” the writer-director said. “I’m the Felix Unger of hoarding. Everything is taken care of very well.”

Fans of Apatow — and fans of comedy in general — get the bene t of this personality quirk with the Tuesday publication of “Comedy Nerd,” a bulging, 570-page, photo- lled memoir from every chapter of his storied career.

It’s packed with behind-thescenes snapshots from sets, script fragments, notes from network bosses, essays, movie posters and mini pro les of his fellow comedians. There are his late-night ideas for “Knocked Up” typed into a BlackBerry and a photo of Adam Sandler’s old fake ID.

“I feel like just making this book justi es the hoarding,” Apatow said with a laugh. “I did save it for a reason. I wasn’t wrong to not throw out my photograph of Billie Jean King from when I was 10 years old.”

Network notes and emails

The producer, director and writer behind the movies “This is 40” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” was inspired to make the book from similar memorabilia- lled o erings from the Marx Brothers and “Saturday Night Live.”

He spent a year going through his photos — 400,000 of them — keepsakes and clippings, then

scanned everything into his computer and laid out the entire book in a raw way. He spent the next year writing essays and captions. “The idea was that the experience of looking at the book would be as if I was over your shoulder explaining what things were and telling you stories,” he said.

Apatow includes memos he got from network standards —

“Just a reminder that Ben’s gyrating dance is not sexual,” one reads about “The Ben Stiller Show” — as well as Garry Shandling’s note- lled revision to a script from “The Larry Sanders Show” and a page from an unproduced screenplay written by Owen Wilson. Andy Ward, Apatow’s editor, executive vice president and publisher of Random House, said it was a book only Apatow

foundation to get that back.”

Her playtesting events over the summer showed it’s working.

“At every event, people would say, ‘I need to add this song to my playlist,’” she said. “That’s what I love — that this simple game is helping people discover new artists and really listen again.”

The initial deck focuses on artists from 2000 and beyond, but Fritz has already mapped out expansion packs for the 1980s and 1990s, duos and groups, and regional editions for Atlanta, Memphis and the West Coast.

“Even in this rst deck, I tried to balance it — big names, veterans, newer voices,” she said. “But I want to make sure every era and every region is represented. Hip-hop is global now, and I want this game to re ect that.”

Born in Henderson and raised in Raleigh, Fritz said North Carolina’s creative energy has helped her push the project forward.

“Raleigh has so much culture — it’s a great place to create and connect,” she said.

Fritz has self-funded Let’s Rap while running a Kickstarter campaign, organizing game nights, and visiting local record stores and co ee shops to spread the word.

“I’m putting everything I have into it,” she said. “Not because I made it, but because of the impact I think it could have. I really believe art — especially music — connects us, teaches us, and heals us. And if a card game can help people talk about that again, that’s enough for me.”

“Comedy Nerd: A Lifelong Obsession in Stories and Pictures” by Judd Apatow highlights the writerdirector’s life and career.

like “North Hollywood,” about three friends trying to break into show business that would have starred Amy Poehler, Kevin Hart, Jason Segel, January Jones and Judge Reinhold. It seemed fun, at least judging from the photos at a party during the shooting of the pilot showing folks getting stoned.

“Do people want me to show the photos of them smoking enormous joints in the year 2002?” asked Apatow. The answer is yes.

Failures litter the pages of “Comedy Nerd” despite the author’s bankable instincts, which have given us “Freaks and Geeks” and “Girls” on TV and the Oscar-nominated lms “Bridesmaids” and “The Big Sick.”

“The hard part about comedy is it’s always an experiment. And everybody has a completely di erent opinion about how the story should be told and what’s working and what’s not working,” he said.

Making people laugh

Apatow’s rise coincided with fresh new voices popping up that became part of his troupe — Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Rudd and Segel. “I do think a new type of comedy was brewing, and it took the business a couple of beats to catch up to it,” Apatow said.

Apatow doesn’t think the business of comedy has gotten much easier these days, despite the vast appetite of multiple streaming services.

“I don’t think it’s better; it’s just as weird in a di erent way,” he said. “It’s just all an experiment, and there’s no way for anyone to know if anything will work. That’s why we’re all banging into each other all the time.”

could make — he being a visual thinker, a loving collector and a comedy obsessive.

“There’s a photographic element to this. There’s a sort of scrapbook-found object element. There’s advice in it about a life in comedy,” said Ward.

“It’s always an experiment”

There are pages dedicated to TV shows that never got made,

Apatow is donating all proceeds from the book to those affected by the Los Angeles wildres. He lost his old home in Paci c Palisades; its ruins are one of the rst images in the book.

“Everything in the book was donated. Normally you have to pay for all of these photos and reprints of articles. But when I told people where the money was going, everyone gave me everything for free.”

COURTESY JASMYN FRITZ

RANDOM HOUSE VIA AP

Trey Yesavage leads local players in World Series, B3

Hurricanes

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

Raiders’ No. 1 receiver

Meyers stands rm on o season trade request

Las Vegas Las Vegas Raiders receiver Jakobi Meyers’ stance hasn’t changed since training camp: The former NC State Wolfpack receiver wants to be traded. Meyers caught 29 passes for 329 yards through the rst six games. Frustrated by the lack of progress on a new contract, the 28-year-old informed the team in August he wanted to be traded. The Raiders reportedly turned him down.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Big 12 lands 5 teams in the AP Top 25, No. 9

Vandy’s ranking highest since 1937; LSU out

The Big 12 has ve teams in the latest AP Top 25 college football poll, the most since September 2024. No. 9 Vanderbilt earned its highest ranking in 88 years. LSU, which red coach Brian Kelly last weekend, dropped out after its third loss in four games. The top six teams remain unchanged with Ohio State holding the No. 1 spot for a ninth straight week.

PGA

Golf legend Nicklaus wins $50M verdict in defamation lawsuit

Miami Golf legend Jack Nicklaus won a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his former business partners. A jury in Palm Beach found the Nicklaus Companies had damaged the 18-time major champion’s reputation and exposed him to ridicule, hatred, mistrust or contempt after spreading false stories that Nicklaus considered joining Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf, was su ering from dementia and wasn’t mentally t to manage his a airs.

Despite injuries, Hurricanes o to fast start

Carolina returned from its road trip with a 6-2-0 record while missing six regulars

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — The Hurricanes’ top six defensemen missed a combined 23 last season, four of which were in the nal two games of the regular season in preparation for the playo s.

The 2025-26 season is just eight games old, but Carolina’s defense has already lost 11 man games, including missing Jaccob Slavin in the last seven.

The injuries haven’t been limited to just the blue line.

Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is

yet to play this season, forcing rookie Brandon Bussi into action. William Carrier and Eric Robinson were both knocked out in the penultimate game of the Hurricanes’ road trip in Colorado and will miss a chunk of time.

“I don’t know how many guys went out there, but it just felt like every day there was something bad happening,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of being down six players by the time the team’s six-game road trip came to an end.

But despite playing six of its rst eight games of the season on the road, Carolina is o to a 6-2-0 start (Tuesday’s home game against Vegas was after press time) with a patchwork lineup.

“When you see one guy go

down, two guys go down, four guys go down,” Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook said Monday, “you’re thinking, ‘Oh boy, here we go.’ … But I thought (the replacements) played well, and (it) just shows the organization’s got some good depth.”

The injuries on defense — to Slavin, Shayne Gostisbehere and, most recently, K’Andre Miller — forced the Hurricanes to suit up three rookie

The 2025-26 NC college basketball hot seat report

Which coaches can feel safe, and who might be sweating?

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THERE ARE three new head coaches at North Carolina’s Division I basketball programs. Everyone else has used up their grace period. Here’s a look at who can feel secure in their employment and who might want to have their people sending out feelers.

LaVelle Moton, NC Central

He’s still the longest-tenured Division I coach in the state. We had his seat as “slightly warmer than usual” heading into last year, given that it had been seven years since his last 20-win season, ve since his last NCAA bid and four since his last regular season league title. All three

of those droughts continued, and added to the pile is just the third losing season of his tenure with the Eagles. Seat: He’s safe, but things are heating up.

In his eighth year, he’s moved up two spots (thanks to changes at Campbell and NC State)

defensemen during the back end of their road trip. Alexander Nikishin, who made the team out of camp, went from averaging under 17 minutes in the season’s rst four games to playing more than 20 in three of Carolina’s next four.

Veteran Mike Reilly, the team’s seventh defenseman, was forced into action when

See CANES, page B3

to be the second longest at his current school. The Bulldogs had their third straight 20-win season last year and are expected to compete for a league title again this season. If he leaves, it will be because someone lured him away.

Seat: Ice cold.

Dustin Kerns, App State

Kerns won 17 games last year, down 10 from the previous season when App made the NIT. Still, he hasn’t had a losing season in his six with the Mountaineers. App is picked for the middle of the Sun Belt pack, but he’s built up enough goodwill that even a down year won’t put him in danger.

Seat: Ice cold.

Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilmington

Five years is when schools rst start seriously considering making a change, and Siddle won 27 games and made the NCAA Tournament in that pivotal season last year. He’s strung together four straight 20-win campaigns and produced the team’s rst tourney bid since

Mike Morrell, UNC Asheville

AARON BEARD / AP PHOTO

New NC State coach Will Wade speaks at ACC basketball tipo while sitting in a nice cold seat. Not everyone running a program in North Carolina — including down the road in Chapel Hill — can say the same.

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO

rookie defenseman Charles Alexis Legault (62) defends Avalanche forward Martin Necas (88) during Carolina’s 5-4 shootout win last Thursday in Denver.

GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ / AP PHOTO Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi, who made his NHL debut in a 5-1 win over the Sharks on Oct. 14 n San Jose, is 2-1-0 with a .911 save percentage while lling in for Pyotr Kochetkov.

TRENDING

Russell Wilson

The former NC State back at Broncos head coach Sean Payton on social media Payton took a jab at Wilson now a Giants backup after going 0-3 and losing his starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart Wilson called Payton “classless but not surprised and referenced the bounty-hunting scandal that got Payton suspended for a year Wilson spent an ill-fated 2023 season with Payton in Denver

Bill Belichick: The UNC football coach advanced candidates for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class eligibility, along with former Panthers coach George Seifert Chuck Knox — a Wake Forest assistant in 1959-60 — and Morganton native Alex Gibbs — who coached at Mount Airy high and as an assistant at Duke narrowed to nine and one to three will get chosen

Mark Carney: The Canadian prime minister challenged U.S President Donald Trump to make a friendly wager on the outcome of the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers Carney however, hasn t heard back from Trump. He doesn t like to lose ” he said He hasn t called He hasn t returned my call yet on the bet so I’m ready ”

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“I’ve got a footba ll team that needs to play bet ter ”

NC State coach Dave Doeren after the Wolfpack gave up 53 points to Pitt and fell to 1-3 in the ACC

Pitt center Lyndon Cooper who played for Doeren at NC State for three years before transferring

PRIME NUMBER

A ll-pur pose yards for NC A&T return man Elijah Kennedy, who returned a punt 96 yards and a

touchdow ns in the last seven minutes of the Agg ies’ comeback w in over Campbell He’s to score on a punt and kick return in the same game this season

NASCAR

With a Championship 4 spot on the line, William By ron put the bumper to Ryan By ron made his w inning move w ith 43 laps remaining The Hendrick Motorspor ts driver led the rest of the way Star ting from the pole position, By ron led a race-high 304 of 500 laps for his third v ictor y this season

UConn’s game against Louisv ille,

A rmed Forces Classic at Ramstein A ir Base in Germany on Nov. 4 has been moved to the Naval Academy because of the government shutdow n team was going to v isit museums in A nnapolis

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is par ticipate in the 2028 Los A ngeles Oly mpics MLB didn’t allow 40-man roster players at the 2021 Oly mpics but has discussed an ex tended A ll-Star break to allow par ticipation in 2028 Manfred says log istical issues still need to be worked on

Greg Olsen (pictured) and Philip R ivers advanced to the nex t stage of consideration for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

elig ibilit y The list of 128 modern-era nominees was narrowed to 52 to be considered by the selection committee The list includes holdover nominees Steve Smith Sr , Torr y Holt and Luke Kuechly

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

MIKE MCCARN / AP PHOTO

Ball, Hornets show promise with 2025 season underway

Charlotte is averaging an NBA-best 132 points per game

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — One week into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Charlotte Hornets are showing they could have the potential to be one of the league’s most dynamic teams.

Behind LaMelo Ball’s all-around playmaking and a deep o ensive attack, Charlotte (2-1) is tied with the Denver Nuggets for the NBA’s highest scoring average at 132 points per game.

The Hornets lead the league in o ensive rating and rank 10th defensively — a balanced start that has drawn attention across the league.

Charlotte opened the season with a convincing 136-117 home win over the Brooklyn Nets, dropped a narrow 125-121 contest at Philadelphia, and then rebounded with an emphatic 139-113 road victory against Washington.

Ball has been the centerpiece of the surge, averaging 28.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.7 assists through three games. His latest performance — a 38-point, 13-rebound, 13-assist triple-double against the Wizards — was his 11th career triple-double and the rst 35-point triple-double in franchise history.

At this current rate, the 24-year-old is primed for another All-Star Game ap -

pearance if he can stay healthy.

“I just come in every night with the right mindset, trying to get the win and keep the team on board,” Ball said.

Charlotte coach Charles Lee praised his star guard’s leadership and approach following the win over the Wizards.

“What stands out is that after the game, he said he was most excited about the fact that he won. Not even the triple-double,” Lee said. “That part stands out to me rst and foremost. And then when a guy wants to play that unsel shly as well as when you are scoring the ball, it just shows that you’re locked into all facets of the game and you’re more than just a scorer. I love where his mentality is right now.”

That mentality was on display during halftime of the Washington game. The Hornets trailed 62-51 at the break before Ball delivered a ery speech that sparked a second-half turnaround and a 26-point win.

“Player-led teams are usually the ones that are most successful,” Lee said. “The ability to speak up and hold people accountable. That’s not always yelling at people, but it’s just about keeping it real. We have expectations of how we want to play and expectations of each other.”

Charlotte’s o ensive depth has been one of its biggest strengths. Eight players are averaging at least eight points per game, with four — Ball, Miles

Yesavage leads large group of NC connections in World Series

The ECU product is one of two former Pirates to pitch in the Fall Classic

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

GAME 1 OF the World Series featured one of the postseason’s breakout players. Trey Yesavage took the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays, less than 15 months after he was drafted in the rst round out of East Carolina. In the year-plus since, he’s pitched at all four levels of the Toronto minor league system — low-A Dunedin, high-A Vancouver, Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Bu alo — before making three late-season starts for the big club.

“You should see my truck right now. It looks like a mobile home,” Yesavage said. “Many di erent stops. Now I’m changing hotel rooms every time we leave and come back, so I’ve had to consolidate and only bring necessities in my suitcase with me.”

Lately, Yesavage has been one of the Blue Jays’ top pitchers in the postseason. Game 1’s start was his fourth in the playo s — one more than he’s made in the MLB regular season.

“Every stop of the way, I learned something new,” he said. At 22, he became the sec-

CANES from page B1

Slavin was injured and has averaged more than 18 minutes a night in his rst six games with the franchise.

Joel Nystrom was a last-second call-up made when Miller su ered an injury during the morning skate in Denver. He arrived just before the start of the game, missing warmups, and took his solo rookie lap — a tradition for players making their NHL debut — as the Hurricanes came onto the ice for the start of the game.

“I’d like to know if that’s been done before, come in without a warmup and go into your rst

ond-youngest pitcher to start a World Series opener and youngest since 1947 going four innings in a game Toronto eventually won.

“It was an insane experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Yesavage said. “I wish personally I could have done a little bit better, but that’s why this is a team sport, and we have nine other guys on the eld.” Yesavage isn’t the only player with North Carolina roots in the World Series. In fact, he’s not even the only Pirate. Je Homan, drafted in the rst round

NHL game,” Martinook said of Nystrom. “And then he, I thought, was unbelievable that game too.”

Nystrom impressed enough in Denver to earn nearly 18 minutes of ice time in Dallas two nights later.

Charles Alexis Legault, inserted into the lineup when Gostisbehere was hurt, played just under 12 minutes a night in three games before being reassigned to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, with Domenick Fensore the latest rookie to get recalled. Should Fensore play during his promotion, he’d be the ninth defenseman used by the Hurricanes this season.

“It was an insane experience that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Trey Yesavage

10 years earlier than Yesavage, is Toronto’s closer. He went 9-7 with 33 saves for the Jays this year, his 10th in the big leagues. Ho man recorded the save — his second of the ALCS — in

The team used 10 in the entirety of last year’s regular season.

“I thought the guys we brought up played extremely well under a real tough circumstance, especially some of the opponents that we were playing (were) not ideal for some of your rst games,” Brind’Amour said. “I thought they really hung in there.”

The injuries may not be reected in Carolina’s record, but the Hurricanes have de nitely felt the impact of the attrition.

Despite winning 5-4 in a shootout in Colorado, the Hurricanes were overwhelmed much of the game. They then played the Stars pretty evenly in Dallas, losing 3-2, but were outshot for a

Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabate has proven to be solid, with Plumlee not factoring much into the equation. The duo is averaging 9.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and shooting 73.5% from the eld. Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot-1 rim protector, has quickly established himself as a defensive anchor and e cient nisher around the rim, while Diabate’s energy and mobility have complemented him well.

O the bench, Sexton has provided a jolt of scoring and intensity, thriving in a sixth-man role that has given Charlotte consistent production when Ball sits.

Second-round pick Sion

James has also impressed early. Drafted No. 33 overall, the 22-year-old rookie has made an impact with his defense and hustle, showing traits that earned him minutes in each of the rst three games.

Bridges (19.3), Collin Sexton (18.7) and rookie Kon Knueppel (15.0) — averaging at least 15.

Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, has quickly validated his reputation as an elite shooter. The 6-foot- 6 rookie has connected on 11 of 19 attempts from three-point range, a 58% rate that’s helped stretch defenses and open up the oor for Charlotte’s attack.

The Hornets’ new-look frontcourt has also provided a boost.

When the team traded Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic in the o season and replaced them with Ryan Kalkbrenner and Mason Plumlee, there were questions about how the center rotation would fare.

So far, the combination of

Game 7, sending the Blue Jays to the Fall Classic.

The duo became the second and third East Carolina products to play in a World Series game and rst since 2013, when Seth Maness pitched for the Cardinals.

Two other products of North Carolina colleges are competing in the Series.

Dodgers backup out elder Justin Dean was drafted out of Lenoir-Rhyne, where he hit .367 with a .999 OPS, in 2018. He’s the seventh major leaguer from the school and rst since 1969.

Blue Jays’ reliever Brendon Little played in four games with UNC as a freshman in 2016 before transferring. The Blue Jays also have Duke alum Joey Loper do, who played in the ALCS but isn’t on the active roster for the World Series.

Fans may also recall Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates was a two-time All-American for NC State as a slugging rst baseman in 2005 and 2006.

Yesavage’s opponent in Game 1 also had strong connections to North Carolina. Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, who helped pitch the Dodgers to the World Series with an outstanding performance in the NLCS, went 14-7 with the Durham Bulls from 2015 to 2017.

Other former Bulls in the Series are Dodgers back-up catcher Ben Rortvedt, who played 19 games for Durham this season before getting traded to L.A. Dodgers’ reliever Anthony Banda went 6-6 with the Bulls in 2018 and ’19. Los Angeles’ Game 3 starter Tyler Glasnow was a Bull in 2019, ’22 and ’23. In ad-

second consecutive game — the rst time that had happened to the team in back-to-back regular season games in nearly a year. The injuries to Carrier and Robinson took out two players who were o to good starts and gave Carolina four e ective lines. Their absence, however, opens the door for Mark Jankowski and rookie Bradly Nadeau — who had an impressive training camp but was caught in a numbers game.

“We know what he can do, he’s capable of,” Brind’Amour said of Nadeau. “He hit the crossbar the other night with just a blazer of a shot. So it’s getting that opportunity. And

Not all news has been positive for Charlotte, however, as third-year guard Brandon Miller injured his left shoulder in the second quarter of Saturday’s loss in Philadelphia. The team announced that Miller su ered a shoulder subluxation and will be evaluated again later this week.

With Miller sidelined, the Hornets are expected to continue starting Ball, Sexton, Knueppel, Bridges and Kalkbrenner. The injury could also open more opportunities for James, rookie forward Liam McNeeley or veteran swingman Pat Connaughton.

Charlotte played at Miami on Tuesday and will return home for two more games this week: Thursday against Orlando and Saturday against Minnesota. If the rst week of the season is any indication, the Hornets appear poised to build on their o ensive momentum and take a signi cant step forward under Lee’s leadership.

dition, two relievers that didn’t make the World Series roster — Kirby Yates and Evan Phillips — are former Bulls. So is Dodgers’ GM Brandon Gomes (16 saves with Durham from 2011 to 2015) and farm director Will Rhymes (46 games as a Bulls inelder in 2012).

The Blue Jays have just one former Bull — Nathan Lukes, who hit .303 in 2021, his second year with Durham.

Other products of North Carolina’s minor league teams include Dodgers in elder Miguel Rojas (2010-11 Mudcats), outelder Alex Call (2016-17 Kannapolis, 2017-18 Winston-Salem) and bullpen coach Josh Bard (a Mudcats catcher in 2001). and Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (2011-13 Winston-Salem, 2011 Kannapolis), out elder Myles Straw (2017 Buies Creek) and in elder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2014-15 Hickory).

The Toronto front o ce and coaching sta are also packed with local connections. GM Ross Atkins is a Greensboro native, Wake Forest alum and went 8-4 in the minors for Kinston. Bench coach Don Mattingly hit .358 in 133 games for the Greensboro Hornets in 1980 on his way to the big leagues. Coach and associate manager Demario Hale played for the Winston-Salem Spirts in 1984. First base coach Mark Budzinski was a member of Kinston in 1997. Assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense (20078) and bullpen coach Graham Johnson (2009) both played for Greensboro.

now (he’s) got to make it count.” Kochetkov and Gostisbehere both returned to practice Monday, and Brind’Amour said Miller was “around the corner” in his e orts to return to the lineup. For now, the Hurricanes will make do with what they have available.

“There’s 31 teams that aren’t feeling sorry for us in our situation,” Martinook said. “So they’re probably licking their chops to see how many guys are down. But it just puts the onus on the guys that are healthy that we’re in, obviously, a tough stretch with missing some guys, but it doesn’t change our mindset or what we need to do.”

JOHN MCDONNELL / AP PHOTO

BRYNN ANDERSON / AP PHOTO

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage delivers a pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the World Series in Toronto.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, left, looks to shoot against the Washington Wizards.

Darrion Williams looks to be key piece of rejuvenated Wolfpack

The top transfer was named the 2025 -26 Preseason ACC Player of the Year

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THERE’S A LOT of hype building around the NC State men’s basketball program heading into the 2025-26 season.

From a sold-out home opener at Lenovo Center to a resurgence of season ticket sales, Wolfpack fans have been rallying to a squad that many are hoping can bring the program back into relevancy.

New head coach Will Wade has assembled an almost entirely fresh roster, with the biggest name headlining that group being senior forward Darrion Williams.

The former Texas Tech Red Raider is coming o of a standout season in Lubbock that saw him earn rst-team All-Big 12 honors and some NBA Draft buzz as well.

But Williams decided to withdraw his name from the

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ / AP PHOTO

draft in order to build up his stock and thus became one of the top names in the transfer portal. In the end, Williams chose to relocate to NC State, and he credited Wade’s direct and honest approach with winning him over.

“He was just authentic and real with everything,” Williams said. “He broke down everything from a good and a bad standpoint of what I needed to work on to get to the NBA, get to my next level. He didn’t say what I wanted to hear, he said what I needed to hear. I think a lot of coaches just said what I wanted to hear or just started talking

Darrion Williams prepares before a Sweet 16 game last season. The Texas Tech transfer is expected to lead new-look NC State.

about money and Coach Wade was just all about basketball.”

The 6-foot-6 forward is a long way from his hometown of Sacramento, but he believes that Raleigh is the right t for him.

“This is what I wanted,” Williams said. “I wanted to play at the Power 5 level, I wanted to put myself in an opportunity to go to the NBA. It is hard because I want to be with my family all the time, but I know that it helps me grow as a person too.”

Williams has also already acclimated himself well to the city and the fanbase, which he referred to as “crazy.”

Local rookies, vets debut 2025-26 NBA season

Cooper Flagg scored 22 points in his rst NBA victory

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

TO END the misery of most football fans in the state of North Carolina, basketball season has arrived.

The NBA returned last week, debuting a new approach to presentation with the same level of juicy storylines on and o the court.

To keep it basketball, many eyes are on the highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick and former Duke star Cooper Flagg, who is still wearing blue but has upgraded to the Big D. Four of his college teammates have also begun their NBA careers, while familiar faces from North Carolina are continuing to make their impact on the league.

Here’s a breakdown of local rookies’ and veterans’ rst few games of the season and where to follow them this year.

Local rookies

Flagg, the former Duke star and highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, has been steadily improving in his rst few NBA games with the Dallas Mavericks. He scored 10 points on a disappointing 30.8% shooting clip in his league debut against the Spurs on Oct. 22. He followed that with 18 points while shooting 2 for 5 from 3 with six assists and ve turnovers in a loss to the Wizards. In his rst career win over the Raptors on Sunday, Flagg poured in 22 points on a season-high 57.1% shooting clip with four rebounds and four assists without a turnover.

Flagg’s old Duke teammate Kon Knueppel has been a heavy contributor in the Hornets’ decent start to the year. Knueppel is averaging 15 points per game while shooting 57.9% from beyond the arc. In the Hornets’ blowout win over the Wizards on Sunday, Knueppel knocked down ve 3s on the way to a 20-point night.

Sion James, another Duke rookie, has logged just under 18 minutes per night in the Hornets’ rst three games. He’s averaging 8.3 points and two assists per contest, including a season-best 13 points (three made 3-pointers) in Sunday’s win.

Former Duke center Khaman Maluach has played an average of 8.5 minutes in two games for the Phoenix Suns,

17th

NBA season for former Davidson star Stephen Curry

averaging 3.5 points per contest. He scored six points and committed four personal fouls in a loss to the Nuggets on Saturday.

Tyrese Proctor has struggled in his rst two NBA games, averaging 2.5 points per night while shooting 22.2% from the oor. In 12 minutes during a win over the Nets, Proctor went 0 for 4 with two turnovers and two personal fouls.

Former UNC forward Drake Powell played seven minutes in his league debut for the Brooklyn Nets. He recorded two points, two rebounds and four personal fouls in a loss to the Hornets, but he left the game late in the fourth quarter due to an ankle injury. Powell did not play in the Nets’ following games against Cleveland and San Antonio.

Javon Small, the former ECU guard, has played 20.7 minutes per game in the Memphis Grizzlies’ rst three contests. After scoring his rst NBA points in a loss to the Heat, Small scored a season-high 16 points on an 83.3% shooting clip in a win over the Pacers on Saturday.

Local veterans

Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry has started his 17th NBA season with a hot hand. After a 23-point game in a season-opening win over the Lakers, Curry exploded for 42 points, including the game-tying 3 with 21 seconds left in regulation, in an overtime win over the Nuggets on Oct. 23. He scored 35 points in a blowout loss to the Trailblazers on Friday.

Despite opening the year with two losses, former Duke star Zion Williamson has looked sharp this season, averaging 27 points, six assists and four steals per game while shooting 46.2% from the oor. He recorded a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double in an overtime loss to the Spurs on Friday. Former Tar Heel Cole Anthony has t in well in Milwaukee so far, averaging 16 points, six assists and shooting 42.9% from 3 in the season’s rst two games. Anthony scored 23 points and dished out seven assists in the Bucks’ win over Toronto Friday.

“They’re all bought into what we have going on, and I think they’ll enjoy what happens,” Williams said.

He also already has down one of the biggest tenants of being a part of the Wolfpack: hating UNC.

The senior stated as much at the ACC Tip-O , expanding that his dislike really stems from him not being much of a fan of Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis, who Williams said did a few of his former and current teammates “wrong.”

“I just don’t like the guy,” Williams said emphatically. As if the rivalry didn’t already have enough spice …

There are plenty of eyes already on NC State’s star heading into the season, as the senior was selected to the 2025-26 Preseason All-ACC rst team and named the 2025-26 ACC Preseason Player of the Year earlier this month.

“I feel like I’m one of the best players in the country, not just the ACC,” Williams said. “Preseason awards, they mean something, but they really don’t mean anything. You still have to go out there and earn it.”

Williams has built his career on defying the odds and proving his detractors wrong.

From only receiving limited o ers out of high school, ultimately landing with the Nevada Wolf Pack, to becoming one of the most sought after

HOT SEAT from page B1

2017. Like Morrell and Kerns, any departure in the near future will be on his (and a big-name suitor’s) terms.

Seat: Ice cold.

Steve Forbes, Wake Forest

Coming o another standout season, Duke product Paolo Banchero hasn’t played his best basketball to start the year. In the Magic’s rst three games, Banchero is averaging 19.7 points and nine rebounds while shooting 34% from the oor. He’s shooting 16.7% from 3, including a 0-for-5 performance in a loss to the Hawks on Friday.

Here’s a list of other local NBA veterans on rosters this season:

Kyle Filipowski (Duke, Utah Jazz); Dereck Lively II (Duke, Dallas Mavericks); Mark Williams (Duke, Phoenix Suns); Jalen Johnson (Duke, Atlanta Hawks); Tre Jones (Duke, Chicago Bulls); RJ Barrett (Duke, Toronto Raptors); Grayson Allen (Duke, Phoenix Suns); Marvin Bagley III (Duke, Washington Wizards); Wendell Carter Jr (Duke, Orlando Magic); Gary Trent Jr. (Duke, Milwaukee Bucks); Luke Kennard (Duke, Atlanta Hawks); Brandon Ingram (Duke, Toronto Raptors); Tyus Jones (Duke, Orlando Magic); Mason Plumlee (Duke, Charlotte Hornets); Harrison Ingram (UNC, San Antonio Spurs); Walker Kessler (UNC, Utah Jazz); Day’Ron Sharpe (UNC, Brookly Nets); Cameron Johnson (UNC, Denver Nuggets); Tony Bradley (UNC, Indiana Pacers); Harrison Barnes (UNC, San Antonio Spurs); Coby White (UNC, Chicago Bulls); Pete Nance (UNC, Milwaukee Bucks); Kyrie Irving (Duke, Dallas Mavericks); Jayson Tatum (Duke, Boston Celtics); Jared McCain (Duke, Philadelphia 76ers); Caleb Martin (NC State, Dallas Mavericks); Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest, Los Angeles Lakers); John Collins (Wake Forest, Los Angeles Clippers); Chris Paul (Wake Forest, Los Angeles Clippers); Bobi Klintman (Wake Forest, Detroit Pistons); Jahmir Young (Charlotte, Miami Heat); Saddiq Bey (Born in Charlotte, New Orleans Pelicans); Rob Dillingham (Hickory native, Minnesota Timberwolves); Anthony Gill (Charlotte Christian alum, Washington Wizards); Jay Hu (Voyager Academy alum, Indiana Pacers); Trey Murphy III (Cary Academy alum, New Orleans Pelicans); Aaron Wiggins (Wesleyan Christian Academy alum, Oklahoma City Thunder); Patrick Williams (West Charlotte alum, Chicago Bulls); Hunter Tyson (Piedmont High School alum, Denver Nuggets)

portal additions this o season, Williams has blazed his own trail.

“Honestly, I don’t feel like I was supposed to be here necessarily in a lot of other people’s eyes,” Williams said. “I was never the most athletic, the tallest, strongest, all that stu that people like. So just having to go through the steps I’ve had to go through and I think just being resilient and knowing that nobody can stop you from your goal but you, really. If you put the work in, things will come true.”

He’s also a player who isn’t afraid of big moments or being the top option in the spotlight.

“I never had the easiest life, necessarily,” Williams said. “My parents have struggled with work, both my grandmothers have beaten cancer. So I think coming up from that, I’m just not afraid of anything basketball wise. Nothing basketball is tough to me. At the end of the day, basketball is just a game, so I just try to have fun with it. I put in the work as much as anybody else and in those big moments, I’m OK with dealing with the makes or the misses. I’m good with the moment.”

Williams and the Wolfpack will have the chance to prove themselves to the rest of the league fairly soon as their season o cially kicks o on Nov. 3, when NC State hosts NC Central at Lenovo Center.

rection, but he might not be able to survive a big step back, which might be in the cards for the Phoenix this year.

Seat: Cooler but still warm

Mike Schwartz, ECU

He also survived year ve with the Deacs and, by the numbers, appears to be thriving. He’s had three 20-win seasons in the last four, including last year. The Deacs went to a pair of NITs and turned down a bid last year. However, Wake still hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament under Forbes. Even with more than 90 wins in ve years and an ACC conference record over .500, that’s only going to keep the voices quiet for awhile.

Seat: Moving past room temperature.

Mike Jones, UNC Greensboro

We had Jones’ seat “starting to warm” entering last season, which, in retrospect, seems harsh. He’s won 20 each of the last three years and has never had a losing season or losing conference record in four years with the Spartans. This might be a down year, but he should be able to withstand that, even in year ve.

Seat: Cooler than last year

Hubert Davis, UNC

It’s been a tumultuous four years for Davis at UNC. He’s had four 20-win seasons but missed one tourney and just barely got in last year via the First Four. UNC invested plenty of NIL money into the roster, which features returning vets, a star freshmen and transfer talent. Now Davis needs to give them something for their money.

Seat: One of the hottest in the state

Jon Scheyer, Duke

He took Duke to the Final Four last year and brought in the nation’s top recruiting class. That gives him plenty of goodwill, at least until the Blue Devils lose a game. That’s life at a blue blood.

Seat: Cool, until it’s not Matt McKillop, Davidson

He’s a game below .500 in three seasons at Davidson and has yet to nish higher than eighth. He also has to replace a great deal of departed talent.

Seat: Hot

Billy Taylor, Elon

He has improved every year, from 8-24 to 13-19 to 17-16 last year and a trip to the CBI. The trend is going in the right di-

He was status “warm” last year but turned in a 19-14 season. The Pirates are picked 10th in the American this year, which could be a costly backslide.

Seat: Cooler but still warm

Grant Leonard, Queens

A 20-15 record and trip to the CBI quarter nals helped cool things signi cantly for Leonard. Queens is expected to be strong this year as well.

Seat: Back down to room temperature.

Aaron Fearne, Charlotte

Won the job with a 19-12 season as interim coach then fell to 11-22 last year. Charlotte has changed ADs, so the person who hired him is gone.

Seat: Hot

Monte Ross, NC A&T

Has had back-to-back 7-25 seasons in his two years as coach.

Seat: The hottest seat in the state

Tim Craft, Western Carolina

Went 8-22 in his rst season with the Catamounts after Western lured him away from Gardner-Webb.

Seat: Still cool but warmer by the day

Jeremy Luther, Gardner-Webb

He went 11-20 in his rst season as Craft’s replacement, the Bulldogs’ worst mark in nearly 15 years.

Seat: Warming

John Andrzejek, Campbell

Kevin McGeehan wasn’t renewed after 13 seasons. Andrzejek arrives with a brand new NCAA championship ring as a Florida assistant.

Seat: Ice cold

Will Wade, NC State

The Wolfpack got their man after parting ways with Kevin Keatts.

Seat: Ice cold

Flynn Clayman, High Point

Alan Huss left after two outstanding seasons. His assistant, Clayman, steps into the void. He is 2-1 as a head coach, coaching Southern Utah in the 2023 CBI after their head coach departed.

Seat: Ice cold

CUMBERLAND

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

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 twentythird 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 Executor 1 Carissa Ct. Address Greensboro, NC, 27407 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Karen Cooper, Deceased NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E001554-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: HOYT FAIRCLOTH Administrator’S NOTICE The undersigned, having qualifed as Administrator of the estate of Hoyt Ray Faircloth, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, rms 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

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

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 25E001618-250

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Evelyn Bell Godwin, 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 30th 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.

The 30th day of October 2025, David A. Godwin 9612 Dunn Rd. Godwin, NC, 28344 Of the Estate of Evelyn Bell Godwin, Deceased

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 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

Executor’s Notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E001549-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as the Executor of the Estate of Weldon F. G. Lewis, 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 412 Island End Court, Wilmington, North Carolina 28412, on or before January 30, 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 30th day of October, 2025. April Lewis Dehu Executor of the Estate of Weldon F. G. Lewis, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 10/30/2025, 11/06/2025, 11/13/2025 and 11/20/2025

NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Sandra Bledsoe Matthews deceased late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against them to the undersigned on or before the 23nd day of January, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 15th day of October, 2025. Administrator of the Estate of Sandra Bledsoe Matthews 2806 Long Gate Ct, Midlothian VA 23112

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

NOTICE

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

State File # - 25E001633-250

28, 2025 deceased late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all person having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on for before the 30th day of January, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as administrator of the Estate of Barbara Allen Watts Trogdon, 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 30th day of January, 2026 (which

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)

OF NORTH CAROLINA

OF

HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS

undersigned, KIMBERLY LEANNE WOMACK, having quali ed as the Executorof the

of SHERRY ANN BROOKSHIRE , Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said KIMBERLY LEANNE WOMACK, at the address set out below, on or before January 29, 2026, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK

25SP001413-640

Yolanda Yvette Rivers, et al.

v. Clarence B. Rivers, Jr.

TO: Respondent Clarence B. Rivers, Jr., or any other person or entity claiming thereunder:

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the aboveentitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: the petitioner, Yolanda Yvette Rivers, John F. Rivers, Sr., Connie Zenobia Scarborough, Norena Elizabeth May, Tila Jurretta Rivers, Daniel Rivers, Carlton Ray Rivers, Clarence Rivers, and Roderick Rivers Sr. has led a special proceeding to partition the parties’ respective interests in the real property situated in New Hanover County, North Carolina, which is more completely described in the Petition for Partition. Clarence B. Rivers, Jr., is a known but unlocated respondent to the special proceeding.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than forty (40) days after October 30, 2025 (exclusive of said date) and upon your failure to so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This the 30th day of October, 2025. Scott Donaldson NC Bar No. 60263 Cline Donaldson PLLC 5725 Oleander Drive, Ste. G-3 Wilmington, NC 28403 910 701 0005 - O ce Scott@clinedonaldson.com Counsel for Petitioner Yolanda Yvette Rivers Please publish 10/30, 11/06 and 11/13 NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, AMANDA CAROL RUMSEY, having quali ed as the Executor of the Estate of CARLYN SHARP DREISBACH, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said AMANDA CAROL RUMSEY, at the address set out below, on or before January 27, 2026, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 22nd day of November, 2025.

AMANDA CAROL RUMSEY Executor OF THE ESTATE OF CARLYN SHARP DREISBACH c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 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

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, JOHN F SNOW, having quali ed as the Executor of the Estate of LINDA J SNOW, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said JOHN F SNOW, at the address set out below, on or before February 2, 2026, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.

This the 24th day of October, 2025.

JOHN F SNOW

EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF LINDA J SNOW c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

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, (25E002418640), 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

RANDOLPH

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 OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA RANDOLPH COUNTY - 24 SP 000148-

750 In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division - Special Proceeding Petition for Partition Sale of Real Estate Eliam Properties v. Tony Tysinger, Brittany McKinney, Steven Gauze, and Chad Gauze To: Brittany McKinney and the Heirs of Lisa Gail Wyatt Tysinger formerly known as Lisa Gail Gauze, Her Successors and/ or Assigns

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Petition for Partition Sale of Real Estate of the property located at 3544 Allwood Drive, Trinity, Randolph County, NC 27370 and described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 7, Section 2 Crestwood Estates, according to a map or plat of the same which is duly recorded in Plat Book 14 at Page 14 in the O ce of the Register of Deeds for Randolph County, North Carolina. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than 40 days from the date of rst publication, or 18th day of November 2025 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. Shilanka I. Ware, Attorney PO Box 28 E and, NC 27243 Publication Dates: Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Lynne Marie Gabby, 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. Kyle Gabby Administrator of the Estate of Lynne

Marie Gabby

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 MARVIN M. GALLOWAY aka MARVIN M. GALLOWAY, SR. aka MARVIN

MOORE GALLOWAY, aka MARVIN

MORRE GALLOWAY, SR., 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 23, 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 23rd day of October 2025.

NOLAN ANTHONY GALLOWAY Executor of the Estate of MARVIN M. GALLOWAY aka MARVIN M. GALLOWAY, SR. aka MARVIN MOORE GALLOWAY aka MARVIN MOORE GALLOWAY, SR. S. SCOTT EGGLESTON, Attorney

IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043

PUBL/DATES: 10/23/25 10/30/25 11/06/25 11/13/24

Inc.,

September 23,

and

was

23, 2015 in

0193, Cabarrus County

of the

of

and the

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 12, 2025 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cabarrus

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Evelyn Parson Holland, 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, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before January 8th 2026, 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 9nd day of October 2025. India Deion Stewart, Administrator Evelyn Parson Holland, Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth 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, on or before January 8, 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 9th day of October 2025. JAMES RANDALL KIDD aka JAMES RANDAL KIDD Executor of the Estate of JAMES WINFRED KIDD aka JAMES WINFORD KIDD aka JAMES W. KIDD MARION “BETH” MCQUAID, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043

PUBL/DATES: 10/09/25 10/16/25 10/23/25 10/30/25

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the 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, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before January 8th 2026, 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 9nd day of October 2025. Melissa Lynn McDonald, Administrator Dorothy Lee McDonald a/k/a Dorothy Parson McDonald, Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Mickey Rooney 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, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before January 8th 2026, or this notice

27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

County, North Carolina, to wit: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN NO. ONE (1) TOWNSHIP, CARARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: LYING AND BEING IN NO. 1 TOWNSHIP, CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF RED FOX DRIVE, AND BEING A PART OF LOT NO. 61 OF FOXWOOD ACRES, A MAP OF SAID SUBDIVISION BEING ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, IN MAP BOOK 15, PAGE 42, AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT AN EXISTING IRON PIN IN THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN LOTS NOS. 60 AND 61, SAID BEGINNING POINT LYING S. 75-13-22 E. 8.55 FEET FROM AN EXISTING IRON PIN, THE REAR COMMON CORNER OF LOTS NOS. 61 AND 62, AND RUNS THENCE WITH THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN LOTS NO. 60 AND 61, S. 75-1322 E. 181.04 FEET TO AN EXISTING IRON PIN ON THE WEST SIDE OF SILVER FOX DRIVE, A CORNER OF LOTS NOS. 60 AND 61; THENCE WITH THE WEST SIDE OF SILVER FOX DRIVE, S. 06-25-58 E. 163.29 FEET TO A NEW IRON PIN; THENCE WITH THE NORTHWESTERN INTERSECTION OF SILVERFOX DRIVE WITH RED FOX DRIVE, AS SAID INTERSECTION CURVES IN A GENERALLY SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION, AT A RADIUS OF 20.00 FEET, FOR AN ARC DISTANCE OF 40.06 FEET TO A NEW IRON PIN; THENCE WITH THE NORTH SIDE OF RED FOX DRIVE, N. 72-14-00 W. 191.88 FEET TO A NEW IRON PIN IN THE FRONT LINE OF LOT NO. 61, A NEW CORNER, THENCE A NEW LINE THROUGH LOT NO. 61, N. 05-13-00 E. 173.84 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 0.80 ACRES, AS SURVEYED BY JAMES T. WEST, RLS, OF HARRISBURG SURVEYING, JULY 31, 1996. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 874 Red Fox Lane, Concord, NC 28025. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 David E. Whitaker. 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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of William Gerald Travers, 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

CUMBERLAND

CABARRUS

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

24-119316

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 24SP002388-910

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY STEVAN T. PREBLE AND JANET E. PREBLE DATED MARCH 11, 2004 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 10725 AT PAGE 1870 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

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

24SP001019-910 AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Christopher Miller-Williams to Allan B. Polunsky, Trustee(s), which was dated March 23, 2022 and recorded on March 28, 2022 in Book 018969 at Page 00883, 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

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

of sale at the

at the

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 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

expose for sale at 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,

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

on November 12, 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 33, BATTLE RIDGE NORTH, PHASE 4 AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 2004, PAGE 988, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 6120 Paducah Drive, 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 AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

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 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 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

according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Stevan T. Preble and Janet E. Preble. 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

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

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 Christopher Miller-Williams.

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 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”.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the

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”.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to

this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 24-12780-FC01

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

Said property is commonly known as 3926 Sunset Maple Ct, Raleigh, NC 27612.

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

25SP001808-910 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 JAMES W FONVILLE AND VERONICA L FONVILLE to ROPER & COLEMAN, PA, Trustee(s), which was dated November 7, 2007 and recorded on November 13, 2007 in Book 12832 at Page 2422, 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 12, 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 LOT NO. 23 ON THE MAP/PLAN OF LAUREL WOODS TOWNHOMES, AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT OF RECORD IN BOOK OF MAPS 2001, PAGE 2407, IN REGISTER’S OFFICE FOR WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, TO WHICH PLAT REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION THEREOF.

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 James W. Fonville.

An Order for possession of the property may

be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due

as nominee for Allen Tate Mortgage Services, Inc., its successors and assigns, Mortgagee, dated June 29th, 2010 and recorded on June 30th, 2010 in Book 013990, Page 00232, Wake County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of 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 courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Wake County, North Carolina, at 10:00 AM on November 13th, 2025, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: Being all of Lot 42, Turner Farms, Section V, Phase V, as depicted in Book of Maps 1993, Page 140, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 209 Hunters Farm Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603 Tax ID: 0199129 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Martha Danielle Thompson. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(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 termination. 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

Kid-mmunity outreach

Chatham County Sheri K-9 Uno dressed up as Batman — Bat-dog? — to greet kids and parents at the Siler City Trunk or Treat last Friday.

In a post on Facebook, K-9 Uno encouraged everyone to “stay pawsitive, keep smiling, and don’t forget: not all heroes wear capes… some wear collars.”

the BRIEF this

week

Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations

House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.

Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.

$2.00

Commissioners table decision on potential 500-acre major development

The proposed Reeves Farm development could have up to 1,700 residences

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners has opted to push o a decision on another potential major development project.

At its Oct. 13 meeting, the board held public hearings for multiple items related to the Reeves Farm development, a 500-acre neighborhood mixed-use project located along U.S. Highway 64 West.

The board rst held a hearing for the voluntary annexation of the property, however, the board approved it only on the condition that the development agreement was approved as well.

“The development agreement is required in this particular instance because of a condition that you all put on the rezoning of this property back in 2023 that says prior to the site plan or preliminary subdivision approval, the applicant is supposed to submit and obtain the approval of a development agreement,”

See PITTSBORO, page A3

Siler City makes decisions on two subdivisions, delays third

The commissioners voted to table a rezoning request for a potential 371 units

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — The Town of Siler City Board of Commis-

sioners dealt with a handful of subdivision items at its most recent meeting.

At its Oct. 20 meeting, the board held three public hearings, with the rst being for major modi cations to a previously approved conditional zoning for approximately 177 acres of property located on West Third

Street, otherwise known as the Fox Haven subdivision. The prior rezoning request was approved on April 17, 2023, changing the zoning district from Agricultural and Residential to a conditional Residential zoning, with the original plan being to construct 776 dwelling units split amongst detached

When the government shutdown will a ect SNAP, Head Start, military pay

This week could be a tough one for those who rely on the government

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

WITH THE federal government shutdown nearing the one-month mark, Americans are starting to see the cascading e ects of programs shuttered by lapses in federal funding. Some states are scrambling to nd ways to account for shortfalls in food and child development assistance, and members

of the military are also about to miss their rst paychecks. Some federal workers have already gone without pay for weeks. But nearly a month in, reserves that had kept some programs a oat since the shutdown began are dwindling, meaning new layers of complications as Congress remains unable to reach a new agreement to fund the federal government.

A look at what millions of Americans can expect this week.

“We meet once a month, and this is entirely unacceptable.”

Commissioner John Foley on receiving an amended agreement just hours before the board’s meeting

single-family homes, multifamily townhomes and apartments.

The proposed changes, however, include the removal of the 288 planned multifamily apartments, instead replacing the units in that area of the plan with detached single-family dwellings.

This change also lowers the density per acre from 4.4 dwelling units to 3.2 and places the total proposed dwelling units at 560 between the detached single-family units and multifamily townhomes.

See SILER CITY, page A3

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

COURTESY CHATHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

CRIME LOG

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.

Oct. 21

• Robert Lee Mason Jr., 39, of Siler City, was arrested for communicating threats.

Oct. 25

• Daniel Austin Everwine III, 58, of Siler City, was arrested for conspiracy to tra c methamphetamine.

• Robert Ray Antlitz, 53, of Sanford, was arrested for conspiracy to tra c methamphetamine.

Oct. 26

• Tony Alexander Ledwell, 57, of Siler City, was arrested for communicating threats.

• Milton Eugine Clark, 54, was arrested for larceny from a merchant.

Oct. 27

• Jessica Rose Flanagan, 42, of Durham, was arrested for larceny and felony conspiracy.

• Brandon Douglas Massey, 35, of Pittsboro, was arrested for breaking and entering, assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Nominations open for Chatham County’s ‘6 over 60’ awards

The annual program recognizes older adults’ contributions to the community

Chatham News & Record sta CHATHAM COUNTY Aging Services is accepting nominations for the fourth annual “6 over 60” Awards, which recognizes older adults who have made signi cant contributions to the community. The awards ceremony will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Pittsboro Center for Active Living.

To be eligible, nominees must be 60 years or older as of Jan. 1, 2026, and must have

The deadline for nominee consideration is Jan. 23, 2026.

made or continue to make meritorious contributions in Chatham County. Award winners must live in Chatham County or have spent the majority of their life or career in the county.

Nomination forms are available at the Pittsboro Center for Active Living at 365 Highway 87 North and the Siler City Center for Active Living at 112 Village Lake Road. Residents can also submit nominations online at

chathamcountync.gov/agingservices by clicking on the “6 over 60” tab. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Jan. 23. Award recipients will be noti ed shortly after the deadline.

The program, which began in 2023, aims to showcase that age doesn’t have to be an impediment to community service. Nominations are submitted by the public and reviewed by a selection committee.

Nominees who are not selected remain in consideration for future years unless they request removal. Posthumous awards are not given, and current Chatham County Aging Services employees cannot be nominated or submit nominations.

NAM Y. HUH / AP PHOTO

A customer lls up his vehicle’s gas tank at a gas station in Bu alo Grove, Illinois, on April 23, 2024.

Consumer con dence dips modestly in October with Americans concerned about future

People’s assessment of their current economic situation improved, however

By Matt Ott The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer con dence weakened slightly in October as Americans remain anxious about their future nancial prospects.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer con dence index fell by 1 point to 94.6 in October from an upwardly revised September reading of 95.6. Economists were expecting the reading to come in unchanged from the previous month. One year ago, the reading was 109.5.

A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market dipped by 2.9 points to 71.5, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead.

However, consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation rose 1.8 points to 129.3. Write-in responses to the survey showed that prices and in ation remained consumers’ biggest concern. Mentions of tari s declined again this month but remain elevated, the Conference Board said.

Last week, government data showed that in ation in the U.S. remained elevated in September as gas prices jumped while the cost of rents cooled, painting a mixed picture for consumers. While the economy is still growing steadily, hiring remains slow

94.6

The consumer con dence index for October, down from 95.6 in September

and more high-pro le companies have recently announced layo s.

Consumer prices increased 3% in September from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Friday, the highest since January and up from 2.9% in August.

The report on the consumer price index was issued more than a week late because of the Oct. 1 government shutdown. Federal Reserve o cials had signaled it would cut its key interest rate at its meeting Wednesday. It would be the second time this year even though in ation is above the central bank’s 2% target. Fed o cials have cited increasing concerns about the U.S. labor market, which, while broadly healthy by historical standards, is showing signs of deterioration this year.

Responses to the Conference Board’s latest survey revealed that while respondents were slightly more positive about current job market, they are growing more concerned about their future employment prospects.

The most recent government jobs report showed that U.S. nonfarm employers added a paltry 22,000 jobs in August, following July’s disappointing 79,000 job gains. Worse, revisions to the May and June gures shaved 258,000 jobs o previous estimates. The unemployment rate stands at

CHATHAM happening

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

Nov. 8

Mocha Market 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An assortment of vendors will o er a variety or holiday décor and gift items. For more information, call 919-799-7127.

Mystic Mocha 111 Siler City Crossing Siler City

Nov. 9

Sunday Funday Market at The Plant Noon to 4 p.m.

The market o ers a wide range of vendors from crafts to eatables and beverages. Live musical performances will be showcased throughout the day. Free admission.

220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

Nov. 11

Chatham Women’s Exchange

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This conference centers around women’s issues, including empowerment and nding ways to resolve challenges and make a di erence in the community. For more information and to register, contact Cheryl Littleton at 984-265-9172.

Splendour Estates 621 Siler City Snow Camp Road Siler City

Nov. 14

4.3%, the highest since October 2021.

The government did not issue its September jobs report due to the shutdown.

In addition to the lingering e ects of 11 interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023, economists say the recent hiring slump may also be a result of Trump’s policies, including his sweeping and ever-changing tari s on imports, a crackdown on illegal immigration and purges of the federal workforce.

Many companies have been locked in a “no hire, no re” position, fearful of expanding payrolls until the e ects of Trump’s tari s are more clear. But in the past two weeks, there have been notable exceptions from major U.S. corporations.

On Tuesday, Amazon said it will cut about 14,000 corporate jobs as the online retail giant ramps up spending on arti cial intelligence while trimming costs elsewhere. Last week, Target said it would eliminate about 1,800 corporate positions.

Also last week, Meta Platforms said it was cutting roughly 600 positions and in September, Starbucks announced plans to close hundreds of stores while laying o 900 nonretail employees.

Survey respondents who said they intended to buy a new or used car in the near future rose. While the share of those saying they planned to purchase a home declined slightly this month, the broader six-month trend is still rising, the Conference Board said. Plans to buy big-ticket items like appliances was little changed from September.

Where the Stars, Stripes and Eagles Fly 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Participants aged 3-5 will be introduced to patriotic symbols through craft and story time, explaining how these things came to be associated with U.S. history and identity. Registration, which is required and costs $7, is now open and closes on Nov. 3. Contact 919-642-7086.

Chatham Grove Community Center 1301 Andrews Store Road Pittsboro

Nov. 15

Mill Town Yarns presents the Regional NC Storytellers Showcase at BFP

7-8:30 p.m.

An evening of professional storytelling by members of the NC Storytelling Guild: Ron Jones, Cynthia Brown, Steven Tate, Willa Brigham, Peg Helminski and Robin Kitson. No admission, but donations are encouraged.

Front Porch, Bynum General Store 950 Bynum Road Bynum

Don’t toss your Halloween pumpkin — bake, compost or feed it to farm animals instead

Old gourds still have value even after being carved up

By Kiki Sideris The Associated Press

DON’T LET your Halloween pumpkin haunt the land ll this November.

More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins rot in U.S. landlls each year after Halloween, according to the Department of Energy.

Yours doesn’t have to go to waste. Experts told us your pumpkins can be eaten, composted or even fed to animals. Here’s how.

Cooking with pumpkin waste

If you’re carving a jack-o’lantern, don’t throw away the skin or innards — every part is edible.

After carving, you can cube the excess esh — the thick part between the outer skin and the inner pulp that holds the seeds — for soups and stews, says Carleigh Bodrug, a chef known for cooking with common food scraps. You can also puree it and add a tablespoon to your dog’s dinner for extra nutrients. And pumpkin chunks can be frozen for future use.

“The seeds are a nutritional gold mine,” Bodrug said. They’re packed with protein, magnesium, zinc and healthy fats, according to a 2022 study in the journal Plants.

One of Bodrug’s recipes involves removing the seeds, rinsing and roasting them with cinnamon for a crunchy snack or salad topper. Then you can use the stringy guts to make a pumpkin puree for mu ns. This version di ers from canned purees in grocery stores — which typically use a di erent type of pumpkin or squash — because carving pumpkins have stringier innards and a milder avor.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted.”

Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator

A carving pumpkin’s guts can still be used for baking — you’ll just have to amp up the seasoning to boost the avor.

If you don’t want to eat your pumpkins, you can donate them to a local farm, which might use them to feed pigs, chickens and other animals.

Edible parts should be collected while you’re carving and before it’s painted, decorated or left on your porch for weeks. Paint and wax aren’t foodsafe, and bacteria and mold can grow on the skin in outdoor climates.

Once you’ve cooked what you can and donated what’s safe to feed, composting the rest is the easiest way to keep it out of the land ll.

“That way, even though they’re not safe to eat, they can still give back to the earth,” Bodrug said.

Composting at home or donating to a farm

Composting pumpkins keeps them out of methane-emitting land lls and turns them into nutrient-rich soil instead. You can do this at home or drop them o at a local farm, compost collection bin or drop-o site.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted,” said Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator at Queens County Farm in New York. “So even just cutting down something like pumpkins could really help curb how many garbage bags you’re putting out every week.”

Before composting, remove any candles, plastic, glitter or other decorations — they can contaminate the compost. A little glitter or paint won’t ruin the pile, but it’s best to get it as clean as possible before tossing it in. Then, chop up the pumpkin in 1-inch pieces so it can break down easier.

“Pumpkins are full of water, so it’s important to maintain a good balance of dried leaves, wood chips, sawdust, shredded newspaper, cardboard, straw — anything that’s a dry organic material — in your compost bin,” Sclafani said. If you don’t maintain this balance, your compost might start to stink.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a healthy compost pile should include a mix of “greens” — like pumpkin scraps and food waste — and “browns” like dry leaves, straw or cardboard, in roughly a three-to-one ratio. That balance helps the pile break down faster and prevents odors.

And if your pumpkin’s been sitting on the porch all month? That’s actually ideal. “It’s never too far gone for compost,” Sclafani said. “Even if it’s mushy or moldy, that actually helps, because the fungus speeds up decomposition.”

“Composting anything organic is better than throwing it out because you’re not creating more refuse in land lls, you’re not creating methane gas,” said Laura Graney, the farm’s education director.

Graney said autumn on the farm is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about composting since it gives them a sense of power in the face of big environmental challenges.

“Even though they’re little, composting helps them feel like they can make a di erence,” Graney said. “They take that message home to their families, and that’s how we spread the word.”

ing units while maintaining the previously promised open space.

“As our clients were going through their marketing and reacting to the sales demand that they expect, they just didn’t see the apartments in this location, so far removed from 64, as being viable,” said LJA Engineering Vice President Mark Ashton, who was representing the applicant. “Our client has several pieces of land in that western area, which is designated as a growth zone on your land use plan, and a couple of those are closer to the 64 corridor. They think that the apartments would be viable closer to that in a future phase, not associated with this project.”

According to the applicant, the changes in essence just reduce the number of dwell-

Following the hearing, the board approved the request. The second hearing was for a conditional rezoning request of approximately 27 acres of property located o of Jones Road for the development of a major subdivision with cluster option consisting of 18 single-family lots.

“For rural zoning, it is usually low-density residential, with larger lot developments consisting of detached, single-family dwellings,” said Planning and Community Development Director Tim Garner. “The developer is also proposing septic and wells for this development.” Currently, the property is vacant.

The board also approved the request following the hearing.

The nal hearing was for another conditional rezoning request for approximately 135 acres of property located o of Harold Andrews Road for a major subdivision.

The proposed development would consist of 371 residential units in a mix of detached single-family residential lots and townhomes.

However, neighboring residents brought up concerns surrounding tra c and density, so the commissioners voted to table the item to allow time for more discussions between the developers and neighbors to occur.

The Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners will next meet Nov. 3.

from page A1

said town attorney Paul Messick Jr. According to the town’s UDO, the purpose of the development agreement is to “ensure the adequacy of public facilities and encourage sound capital improvement planning while providing certainty in the process of obtaining development approval and reducing the economic cost of development by providing greater regulatory certainty.”

The agreement states that the developers are proposing to construct up to 1,700 residences and up to 1.012 million square feet of retail and commercial space within the property.

In addition, the developers are also proposing more than 100 units of a ordable housing, the dedication of over 45 acres of land for a public, recreation area, $500,000 in an escrow fund as a fee in lieu payment to be used to construct improvements on the dedicated land, a 6,000-foot-long paved greenway and pedestrian trail and a multi-use path.

Per the applicants, the project is projected to take around seven to eight years to complete.

However, following discussions, the board voted to table the item until the next meeting due to outstanding questions and to give town sta and the commissioners more time to review the agreement as the current version was only received a few hours before the meeting.

“I received four amendments to the agenda in four

days,” said Commissioner John Foley. “We meet once a month, and this is entirely unacceptable. It doesn’t make us look good when we receive a copy of this agreement hours before the meeting.”

“It seems like there are a lot of things sort of up in the air and without concrete answers, so we need concrete questions so they can give us concrete answers,” said Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Baldwin

The board also held a public hearing for a general use rezoning request for just under four acres of property located at 102 Park Drive to go from Medium Residential to Highway Business (C-2) According to the applicant, the plan is to utilize that space for o ce and residential uses, namely small-scale apartments, medical o ces, retail, restaurants and/or inn/bed and breakfast.

However, the commissioners expressed concern over the openness of the C-2 zoning, which allows more than 40 di erent uses per the town’s UDO.

“C-2 just opens this zoning up to anything,” said Commissioner Jay Farrell. “Just about anything can go there. Tire capping, adult establishments, it just goes on and on.”

Following discussions, the applicant elected to withdraw their request in order to come back with a conditional rezoning application, which will more than likely limit the allowances within the requested C-2 district.

The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet Nov. 10.

PITTSBORO

SILER CITY from page A1

MARKUS SCHREIBER / AP PHOTO

Pumpkins are displayed for sale at Klaistow farm’s annual pumpkin festival in Germany last week.

THE CONVERSATION

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

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

Lessons from a young poet

“The love of the love that I have for myself.”

MY CHURCH volunteers at least once a month in Siler City with the Chatham Youth Development Center. North Carolina’s Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention operates this facility for children under 18 years of age who have committed crimes. Chatham’s site is the only such center that serves females. From a “cognitive-behavioral treatment approach,” the sta works in a service planning team that operates under a child- and family-centered model. Each service planning team develops an individualized plan to meet each child’s needs. There is also follow-up with the child and their caregivers upon their release from the facility.

Our volunteers play a much smaller role; we teach art and poetry to the residents. I’d like to tell you about one of the poems I keep on my desk. The prompt was Billy Collins’s “Aimless Love,” and the child’s poem is indebted to that poem’s structure and even repeats some of the words. But the most striking lines are all her own:

COLUMN | BOB

WACHS

“The love of the love that I have for myself.”

Come on, how beautiful is that? Collins’ poem is about noticing the little things — the wren’s nest, the clean white shirt and the hot evening shower. I do think that such attention can call gratitude and wonder to mind for, as the hymn has it, “all things bright and beautiful; all creatures, great and small.”

However, the piercing insight of the child’s poem is that love of the created world must also include ourselves as part of the creation — we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139).

Elsewhere in her poem, the child acknowledged the negative voices in her life, which she names as “the bad a rmations I used to feed myself.” This is a fascinating choice of words, don’t you think? “A rmation” is generally a positive term, yet in this poem, it refers to negative self-talk and is imagined as toxic food or chemicals. In contrast, “the love of the love … for myself” was prompted by her own “beautiful re ection.” Another ancient poet

wrote that, in this world of sorrow and woe, we see only a dim re ection of our true selves as “through a glass, darkly.” I imagine that many residents of Chatham’s YDC are tempted toward negative self-re ection that results in shame.

I recognize that most are likely guilty of their crimes, but I wish to emphasize the distinction between guilt and shame. As sociologist Brené Brown de nes the terms, guilt is knowing that I have done something bad; shame is believing that I am bad. Guilty actions have consequences, yet the abiding sense of shame will not help a person learn from their mistakes or grow into their best self.

That’s why I return to this child’s poem, which I keep on my desk: “This is the best kind of love, I thought… The love of the love that I have for myself.”

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.

Life, like time and tide, waits for no one

We start o in spring, as little folks like buds on owers or the newly born lambs. We nd, as Bill Cosby often said before his fall, that we indeed “started out as a child.”

THERE’S A CHILL in the air. Fall is here. The calendar says so; the weather con rms it.

Sure, there are still warm days. And it’s been said by natives and transplants alike if you don’t like the weather here, just wait ve minutes; it’ll probably change.

I had an up-close, personal reminder of that early one morning recently. My better half was o being grandmother, and I was on our front porch in my rocking chair o ce, cup of co ee in hand. A modest breeze was coming from the east and, when coupled with the quiet of the morning, it made things pleasantly cool. And good.

All of that was nice, those external sensations — the breeze, the quiet, the stout java. But there was more.

As I’ve always been prone to do — and apparently am doing more — my mind began wandering. Sometimes it goes o on long trips, moving from one thought to another until I can’t get back to where I started. That’s been known also at times to happen in Sunday morning sermons to the good folks at Bear Creek Baptist. Other times, the mind takes those lengthy excursions and I can return to the starting line; the latter are more preferred than the former. And then there are those short trips somewhere of someone or some place at some time.

As I was exploring those mind roads, a thought came: Life is like that. We start o in spring, as little folks like buds on owers or the newly born lambs. We nd, as Bill Cosby often said before his fall, that we indeed “started out as a child.”

Then comes summer, and it lasts a long time, from youth to young adulthood, until mid-life sometimes. We grow, strive,

prosper in all sorts of ways, just like the trees of the forest or crops in the eld. We reach upward toward the sky, con dent we’ll always be like this. That’s one reason when tragedy intrudes into the world of youth we are so shocked.

Sitting in the rocker, alternately drinking and smelling the co ee, I thought of some of the folks of those two seasons in my life … my long-gone maternal grandparents whom I barely remember, my dad’s folks whom I do, my folks whom I remember well and miss … aunts and uncles and cousins … my brothers when we all wore younger men’s clothes, even young men’s clothes … my better half (thankfully), her folks, my own children and grands … some long ago girlfriends, wondering how their lives turned out … some high school buddies, including one who left us when tragedy entered our summer world … some college friends I was sure I’d never lose sight of until I saw their names on the obituary pages.

There were folks of di erent careers — long ago at The Chatham News, the Asheboro Courier-Tribune when I thought I wanted to be a reporter on a daily, of a corporate communication career with an out t that doesn’t exist anymore (not my fault) … of folks encountered during a journey into vocational ministry … pastors and seminary professors, all good, some better than others — Dr. Horne, Dr. Dale, Dr. Durham … a dear friend as close as a brother who crossed the Great Divide in his sleep one night when he was way too young … and on and on.

Somewhere in the midst of all that, it occurred to me that the seasons of the year and the seasons of our lives can — and do — often easily transition from one to

another. After all, it wasn’t so long ago, the weather was hot and as summer was in full swing. Then came cooler days and nights, and autumn. So with our lives. I realized, for me, summer’s long over and it’s fall. Winter’s next. Part of that is because I’ve had a few birthdays. Part is because my shoulders are shot and it’s hard to hold my arms upward for very long. Part of it is the realization I’ve had a few visits with surgeons for various necessities, and while things basically went well, they did not turn back the clock to spring … or even early summer.

The key, I think, to all this awareness of the seasons of time and life is rst, to know where we are. As much as I’m able, I want to stretch out fall as long as possible. That’s why for the weather forecast, there’s wood under the shelter, some of it in wife-size pieces, and for the body there’s Ben-Gay for aching joints.

Then, secondly, it’s to make the best of the season you’re in. I enjoyed remembering all those people, places and things while in the rocking chair the other day, but the reality is, I can’t change a thing or live there. That’s not to say I won’t visit again, maybe soon when it’s cool again and the co ee pot is on, but the key will be not only to remember but to learn.

My hope for you is that you have similar places to visit, good folks to remember and life lessons learned. If so, enjoy and pass along those lessons. If not, take a look at your calendar and see where you are. It’s likely not too late to start.

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

A completely unexpected virtue

I’m a strong advocate of lifting people up. Lifting the spirits, mood, emotional outlook (you get the drift) of my fellow humans.

SMALL TALK? You’re going to write about small talk?

Well, yes … OK, I’m outta here! Small talk? Give me a break.

No, no, how ‘bout giving me a break? Have I bored you to tears in past columns?

No. OK, let’s give it a go …

Just a heads up, the “small talk” stu doesn’t come until later, if that helps. We’re o !

I’m a strong advocate of lifting people up (well, not literally, since my back would o er a strong dissent in that direction.) Lifting the spirits, mood, emotional outlook (you get the drift) of my fellow humans. Plain and simple acknowledgment of the other. You, you and even you, over in the corner with your back turned to the rest of us. I don’t see you as just another piece of furniture in a room to be stepped around or ignored. I love seeing a glimmer of light appear in another person’s eyes that wasn’t there previously. (Cheap therapy for the world? You think?) Light? Really happy you’re a purveyor of light. More power to you. But please, tell me what the heck this “light” thing is? I’m lost in metaphor land. We’re nally getting to small talk. (Told you it wouldn’t be until later.) Small talk, we’re on the journey to pull you out of

LETTER TO THE EDITOR | DOUGLAS ALLEN

Unopposed doesn’t mean unquestioned

The intent is to focus on what’s best for Siler City, not what’s best for any political group.

SILER CITY’S write-in candidates are challenging more than an incumbent — they’re challenging us to care again.

As Siler City approaches another mayoral election, the community nds itself divided — not by party or ideology but by misunderstanding. Too many conversations about the mayor’s race have turned personal when they should be about purpose. It’s time we take a clear look at what the mayor’s role actually is and what kind of leadership our town truly needs.

Siler City operates under a council–manager form of government. In this structure, the mayor serves as the chair of the Board of Commissioners, guiding meetings, helping set agendas and representing the town at o cial functions. The town manager, not the mayor, oversees the daily operations of government — managing sta , departments and the implementation of policy. The mayor’s in uence, therefore, isn’t about control; it’s about leadership, collaboration and vision.

It’s also important to remember that our local elections are nonpartisan. Candidates do not run under political party labels. The intent is to focus on what’s best for Siler City, not what’s best for any political group. Local government, at its best, is about community, not party lines.

This year, the mayor’s seat carries a four-year term. While the incumbent appears unopposed

the ditch of misconception! Hang in!

Allow me to surprise you. Upfront and personal, I nd small talk to be boring and arti cial, but that’s small talk with people I know well. Small talk, as a social savior, is something of a di erent order.

Excuse me, small talk as a social savior? Aren’t we overdoing this a bit?

Nope. Research (my ace in the hole) shows that small talk “enhanced daily positive emotions for people … and enhanced well-being.” Oh, come on, is that not cool or what? We’re all unique human beings, no matter what roles we embody in this life. Abbreviated small talk can be an easy way to acknowledge the belonging of each of us in that great human smorgasbord. (Don’t you like belonging? I do.)

Small talk, for heaven’s sake! Who would have thought?

Should you run into me at a gas station’s checkout counter, I’m the one who’s brie y chatting up the cashier. I love seeing her come alive for a moment. She’s not solely a machine operator behind a counter. Real person! Real person! I’m an avowed dealer in righteous small talk. Is that so bad?

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

Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China

IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.

Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.

Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.

on the ballot, two residents have stepped forward as write-in candidates. That’s not a small thing.

An uncontested race doesn’t always re ect universal approval — sometimes, it highlights deeper issues like voter disengagement or a sense that community voices aren’t being heard. The emergence of write-in candidates is a signal that people care enough to speak up, to challenge assumptions and to push for renewed accountability.

Still, this election shouldn’t become a popularity contest. Leadership isn’t de ned by how many events one hosts, how many murals one is involved in creating or how many books one writes. Those contributions matter, but they don’t de ne the o ce. What truly matters is this: Who can best represent all of Siler City? Who can unite the Board of Commissioners, inspire cooperation and ensure that every resident — across every neighborhood and background (even those outside the city limits) — feels part of the town’s progress?

This election is more than a vote. It’s a moment to reconnect — with each other and with the principles of service and accountability that local government depends on. We all have a stake in what comes next.

Siler City’s future will be shaped not by titles or personalities but by our shared commitment to good leadership — the kind rooted in listening, inclusion and integrity. The opportunity before us is not just to elect a mayor but to remind ourselves what leadership should look like.

Douglas Allen is a Siler City resident, teacher, caregiver and community observer who writes about civic engagement, church, local government and leadership in small-town North Carolina.

The normie revolution

Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems. It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009-11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.

It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attentionladen bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example. And yet this time feels unique. It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.

Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as

moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos. And that chaos means mistrust. What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable.

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war. This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S.

China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.

The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.

Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.

Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.

At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.

In the wake of the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.

Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.

Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.

To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.

Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

obituaries

Harry Franklin Knepp Jr.

Nov. 11, 1937 – Oct. 24, 2025

Harry Franklin Knepp Jr., 87, of Bear Creek, went to his Heavenly home on Friday, October 24th, 2025, while at UNC Chapel Hill hospital.

Harry was born on November 11th, 1937, in Clinton County, PA, to the late Harry Franklin Knepp Sr. and Kathleen Merritt Knepp. He is preceded in death by his

IN MEMORY

parents; his sister, Sandra Williams; his wife, Jean Lupold Knepp; and his son, Robbie Knepp.

Harry worked as a computer engineer for the Navy and IBM in the technical eld. He is survived by his daughter, Erin K. Warrick and her husband, Donnie; his grandchildren, Catilin Brown and her husband, Matt. Jesse Knepp, Cheyenne Warrick, and Isaac Knepp and his wife, Becca; his great grandchildren, Oliver Brown, Sawyer Brown, and Emily Knepp. He is also survived by his four-legged best friend, Briscoe.

A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Avis, PA.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Knepp family. Online condolences can be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com

SHIRLEY AUSTIN PHILLIPS

APRIL 27, 1935 – OCT. 24, 2025

Shirley Austin Phillips, 90, of Bear Creek, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Alpine Rehab in Asheboro, NC.

Shirley was born in Durham County, NC on April 27, 1935, to the late W.A. and Hattie Welch Austin. Shirley grew up in Siler City on a family farm in the Brush Creek community and she attended Henry Siler School and Paul Braxton. She attended Brush Creek Baptist Church as a child and loved it dearly. Shirley was married to the late James Madison until his passing in 1978. She was a long-time member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. It was her instilled faith as a child that led her to serve the Lord through directing many Christmas programs, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and spending many years leading the youth, Gas and Acteens. Shirley loved to cook for her family and was known for her turkey dressing.

She is survived by her daughters, Cathy P. Brewer (Sammy) and Beckie P. Spivey (Danny) and her son, Darrell Phillips; daughter-in-law, Lynn Phillips all of Bear Creek. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Shalon Matthews, Bristin Brewer (Ashley), Hailey Phillips, Sumner Reaves (Andrew), and Spivey (Brooks); and six great-grandchildren, Ella, Ava, Rhyatt, Colby, Hatleigh “Hattie” and Holt; and many special nieces and nephews.

George Atkinson, hard-hitting Raiders legend, dead at 78

He helped build the team into one of the best of the 1970s

By Josh Dubow The Associated Press

GEORGE ATKINSON, a hard-hitting former Raiders safety who struck fear in the opposition, has died. He was 78.

The Raiders said Atkinson’s family informed the team of his death Monday. The team said he died in Georgia without revealing a cause of death.

The Raiders called Atkinson the anchor of the team’s “Soul Patrol” secondary of the 1970s that helped lead the team to its rst Super Bowl title. Atkinson remained connected to the organization until his death.

“George’s contributions as a friend and mentor to everyone in the Raiders organization continued long after his playing career, and his genuine personality and wonderful sense of humor will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him,” the team said in a statement.

Atkinson played 144 games in his career, spending 10 seasons with the Oakland Raiders and a nal season with the Denver Broncos. He played in seven AFL or AFC championship games and helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl following the 1976 season.

His 33 career interceptions in the regular season and playo s rank fourth all-time for the Raiders but he was most known for his physical play.

“Football is a collision sport,” Atkinson told the San Jose Mercury News in a 2016 interview. “If you don’t have a certain mentality, you will get run out of the game.”

Atkinson had disclosed he was su ering symptoms consistent with CTE in that interview.

Atkinson joined the Raiders after being drafted in the seventh round in 1968. He was part

of a stellar draft class that included Hall of Famers Ken Stabler and Art Shell, as well as running backs Marv Hubbard and Charlie Smith, who all helped build the team into one of the top in the league in the 1970s.

“We became part of the nucleus for the Raiders from that draft,” Atkinson once told the team website. “We wore the Silver and Black with pride. We understood what the tradition was and what we had to live up to.”

Atkinson was a major part of that almost from the start, scoring on an 86-yard punt return in his professional debut. He made the AFL Pro Bowl in his rst two seasons for his play as a returner and defensive back and later became part of the most feared safety duo in the NFL after Jack Tatum was drafted in the rst round in 1971.

In an era when receivers had little or no protection when going over the middle, Atkinson and Tatum doled out harsh punishment to anyone who tried.

“We never go out on the eld with the intention of trying to hurt anyone but we go out with intentions of getting our jobs

done,” Atkinson said at the time. “If you don’t want to get hit, it’s best not to show up when we play Sunday. I guarantee you will get hit.”

Atkinson’s most famous hits came against Pittsburgh and Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann. He knocked him out in the 1975 AFC championship game and then again in the 1976 season opener with a forearm to the back of the head on a play when Swann didn’t even get the ball.

“Maybe a little outside of the rules but that was George’s way of setting the tone for the game,” Stabler later said in an interview with NFL Films.

The second hit on Swann led Pittsburgh coach Chuck Noll to refer to Atkinson as part of the “criminal element” in the NFL. Atkinson sued Noll for defamation but lost the suit.

Atkinson’s twin sons George III and Josh both played football at Notre Dame with George Atkinson III having a brief NFL career that included a stint with the Raiders. Josh died by suicide in 2018 and George III died by suicide in 2019.

Jack DeJohnette, acclaimed jazz drummer, dead at 83

He won two Grammy awards and worked with Miles Davis, Chet Baker and more

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Jack DeJohnette, a celebrated jazz drummer who worked with Miles Davis on his landmark 1970 fusion album and collaborated with Keith Jarrett and a vast array of other jazz greats, has died at 83.

The acclaimed drummer, bandleader and composer died Sunday in Kingston, New York, of congestive heart failure, surrounded by his wife, family and close friends, his assistant, Joan Clancy, told The Associated Press.

A winner of two Grammy awards, the Chicago-born DeJohnette began his musical life as a classical pianist, starting training at age 4, before taking up the drums with his high school band. He was in demand in his early years as both a pianist and a drummer.

Over the years he collaborated not only with Davis and Jarrett but also with names like John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter — “virtually every major jazz gure from the 1960s on,” wrote the National Endowment for the Arts, which honored him in 2012 with a Jazz Master Fellowship.

In an interview for the NEA at the time, DeJohnette described what he felt was the nature of his talent.

“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to play with a lot of musicians and leaders who allowed me to have that freedom.”

He added: “I just never doubted that I would be successful at this because it just feels like something’s going through me and lifting me up, and carrying me. All I had to do was acknowledge this gift and put it to use.”

In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis and his group to work on music leading up to Davis’ 1970 in uential studio album, “Bitches Brew.”

In a Sessions Panel interview, DeJohnette spoke of how he he’d been freelancing in New York when the opportunity arose to join Davis in the stu-

“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart.”

DeJohnette

Jack

dio, at a time when experimentation with genres had become “the new frontier, so to speak.”

“Miles was in a creative mood,” DeJohnette said, “a process of utilizing the studio to go in every day and experiment with grooves. A lot of the music is not that structured. ... It was a matter of grooves, and sometimes a few notes or a few melodies. You’d turn the tape on and just let it roll.”

“Days and days and days of

American jazz drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette performs at the Five Continents Marseille Jazz festival in Marseille, France, in July 2018.

try and western music, rhythm and blues, swing, jazz, whatever,” his website quotes him as saying. “To me, it was all music and all great. I’ve kept that integrated feeling about music, all types of music, and just carried it with me.”

As a sideman on piano and drums and also with his own groups, DeJohnette had become part of the Chicago jazz scene by the mid-1960s. He was active with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and later drummed alongside Rashied Ali in the John Coltrane Quintet. It was his involvement with Charles Lloyd’s quartet, where he rst performed with Jarrett, that brought him international recognition.

this would go on,” DeJohnette added. “We never thought about how important these records would be, it was just we knew it was important because Miles was there and he was moving forward with something di erent.”

Rolling Stone, which listed DeJohnette as one of the top 100 drummers of all time (at No. 40), cited the drummer’s “own innate knack for turning a memorable tune.”

Born Aug. 9, 1942, in Chicago, DeJohnette grew up in a family that placed great importance on music and its appreciation, according to background material on his website. He studied classical piano as a child privately and then at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He turned to the drums at age 14, when he joined his school band.

“I listened to opera, coun-

In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis’ group ahead of the recording of “Bitches Brew,” and remained with him for three years, contributing to further albums while also recording his own as a leader, beginning with the 1969 release “The DeJohnette Complex.”

DeJohnette recorded on various labels during his career but mostly on ECM. In addition to his own many projects and bands, he was a member of the Standards Trio, with Jarrett and Gary Peacock, for more than 25 years.

His two Grammys were for new age album (“Peace Time”) in 2009, a continuous, hourlong piece of music, and for jazz instrumental album (“Skyline”) in 2022.

DeJohnette is survived by his wife, Lydia DeJohnette, and two adult daughters, Farah DeJohnette and Minya DeJohnette, Clancy said.

AP PHOTO

George Atkinson (43) of the Oakland Raiders breaks inside Mike Simone (51) of the Denver Broncos as he returned a Broncos punt 32 yards in a Dec. 16, 1973, game.

CLAUDE PARIS / AP PHOTO

Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

Several states, including North Carolina, have remade their Congressional maps

By Olivia Diaz and David A. Lieb The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott sent a letter last Thursday to members telling them to convene Monday for a special session but did not state a reason. The purpose includes congressional redistricting aimed at gaining more Democratic-held seats, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they are not authorized to publicly discuss them.

Virginia would be the second state with a Democratic-led legislature after California to enter a national redistricting battle with enormous stakes. If Democrats gain just three more seats, they would take control of the House and e ectively impede

Trump’s agenda.

Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina already have approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats and retain the slim GOP House majority. And even more states are considering redistricting as the battle front widens.

A spokeswoman for Democrats’ House campaign arm characterized Virginia’s e ort as the party pursuing “every available tool to counter Republicans’ desperate attempts to steal the midterms.”

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation,” said Courtney Rice, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republicans vowed to ght. Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore said Democrats missed their opportunity to carry out this procedure by 2026 and that it’s “too late constitutionally” to do so.

“We are going to do everything legally we can do to stop this

power grab,” Kilgore said. Voting districts typically are redrawn at the start of each decade to account for population changes noted by the census. But Trump took the unusual step over the summer of urging Republican-led states to reshape key districts to try to buck a historical trend of a president’s party losing seats in midterm elections.

Virginia currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans who ran in districts whose boundaries were imposed by a court after a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on a map after the 2020 census.

The e ort to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts comes in the nal weeks before the Nov. 4 state legislative and statewide elections. But Monday’s session is just the start of what could be a long legislative process, running past the election.

Because Virginia’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the electorate must sign o on any changes. And any proposed change to the constitution must rst pass the legislature in two separate sessions. Democrats are scrambling to hold that rst vote this year so that they can approve the change a second time after a new legislative session begins Jan. 14.

Voters still would have to ap-

SNAP from page A1

Friday

According to the Trump administration, funding will run out for the food assistance program that is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills. The administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program owing into November.

SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using debit cards normally loaded each month by the federal government. Some states have pledged to keep the bene ts owing even if the federal program halts payments, but a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture — which administers the program — says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.

Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like baby formula, will likely run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are running out, too.

Also on Friday, the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members are at risk of missing a paycheck. Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from military research and development funds to make payroll. But it is unclear if the Trump administration is willing — or

prove a change in the constitution to allow using the new House map. And that vote would need to occur before congressional primaries, which are currently set for June 16 — though dates for such elections have been pushed back in the past.

In many states, congressional districts are drawn by state lawmakers, subject to the approval of the governor. But North Carolina’s new map, which received nal approval last Wednesday from the Republican-led legislature, did not have to go to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Those changes target a swing district held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis by adding areas that contain more Republican-leaning voters.

Like Virginia, California has a constitutionally established redistricting commission, which approved maps after the 2020 census. California voters are to decide in a Nov. 4 election whether to temporarily suspend those districts and instead use a map approved by the Democratic-led legislature that could help Democrats pick up as many as ve additional seats.

No voter approval is necessary for the revised districts in Missouri, North Carolina or Texas, though opponents in Missouri are gathering petition signatures to try to force a statewide vote on their new map.

able — to shift money again. Last week, the Pentagon con rmed that it had accepted an anonymous $130 million gift to help pay military members during the shutdown, a bequest that amounted to a small contribution toward the billions needed to cover service member paychecks.

Saturday

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs won’t receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains shut down, according to the National Head Start Association. Centers are scrambling to assess how long they can stay open, since nearly all their funding comes from federal taxpayers. Head Start provides education and child care for the nation’s neediest preschoolers. When a center is closed, families may have to miss work or school.

With new grants on hold, a half-dozen Head Start programs have already missed federal disbursements they were expecting Oct. 1 but have stayed open with fast-dwindling reserves or with help from local governments. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be a ected.

Also Saturday, the window opens for enrolling in A ordable Care Act health plans. In past years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed consumers to preview their health coverage options about a week before open enrollment. But as of this week, Healthcare. gov appeared to show 2025 health insurance plans and estimated prices, instead of next year’s options.

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

A sign outside of the National Gallery of Art reads

“Closed due to federal government shutdown” on the sixth day of the government shutdown earlier this month in Washington, D.C.

STEVE HELBER / AP PHOTO

The state and U.S. ags y over the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond in January 2024.

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

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 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

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

The undersigned, having quali ed as Co-Executors of the Estate of Kathleen H. Braxton, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned at their address, 386 Old Siler City Road, Pittsboro, North Carolina, 27312, on or before the 30th 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.

This 24th day of October, 2025.

Kathy B. Shuping 386 Old Siler City Road

Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312

Michael E. Braxton 296 Old Siler City Road Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312

GUNN & MESSICK, PLLC

P. O. Box 880

Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312-0880 October 30, November 6, 13, 20

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

NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED, as Executrix of the Estate of Floyd Teague, Jr., 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 January 29, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 22nd day of October, 2025. Diane T. Campbell, Executrix 1982 Epps Clark Road Siler City, North Carolina 27344 (919) 663-2533

NOTICE

Town of Fuquay-Varina Interbasin Transfer Certi cate NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 6 p.m., sign-in starting at 5:30 p.m.

Fayetteville Technology Community College Cumberland Hall Auditorium, 2220 Hull Road, Fayetteville, N.C. 28303

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, 6 p.m., sign-in starting at 5:30 p.m.

Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, N.C., 27604

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, 6 p.m., sign-in starting at 5:30 p.m.

Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center

1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312

The Town of Fuquay-Varina (Town) currently relies on wholesale water purchased from neighboring water systems; however, this supply is projected to fall short of future demands, with shortfalls projected by 2030. The preferred alternative will source water from the Tri-Rivers Water Treatment Plant in the Cape Fear River Basin. This requires an Interbasin Transfer (IBT) Certi cate; therefore, the Town is seeking approval to transfer 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River basin (2-3) to the Neuse River basin (10-1).

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will hold three public hearings on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the IBT Certi cate request. The draft EIS is available on DEQ’s website (link below) and via the North Carolina Department of Administration Environmental Review Clearinghouse. Access to the hydrologic model used in the EIS is also available upon request through the DEQ’s website (link below).

DEQ’s website for the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s IBT request: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/ divisions/water-resources/water-planning/ water-supply-planning/interbasin-transfercerti cation/fuquay-varina-ibt.

The public is invited to attend the public hearings to provide relevant comments on the draft EIS document for the requested IBT Certi cate. Speaking time may be limited based on attendance. Please submit written copies of verbal comments.

In addition to accepting comments at the hearings, written comments may also be submitted by mail to Maya Holcomb, Division of Water Resources, 512 N Salisbury St, Raleigh, N.C., 27604, or by email to maya.holcomb@deq.nc.gov by Feb. 1, 2026. O30

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF Duane Lee Fraser All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Duane Lee Fraser, late of Chatham, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit them to Joseph Duane Fraser as Executor of the decedent’s estate on or before January 31, 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 30th day of October, 2025. Joseph Duane Fraser, Executor c/o Janet B. Witchger, Atty. TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517

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

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

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#25000587-180

The undersigned, MARSHAY A. PRICE, having quali ed on the 24th Day of OCTOBER 2025 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JIMMY LOUIS PRICE, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30th 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 30th DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

MARSHAY A PRICE, ADMINISTRATOR 803 NEW YORK AVE. SILVER SPRING, MD 20910 Run dates: O30,N6,13,20p

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

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

TOWN OF SILER CITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO PERMANETLY CLOSE SPEEDWAY STREET WHEREAS, Section 160A-299 of the North Carolina General Statutes prescribes the procedure to be followed by a city in order to permanently close a street or alley; and WHEREAS, Speedway Street is located within the municipal corporate limits of the Town of Siler

the Estate Hopper Cummings, PLLC Post O ce Box 1455 Pittsboro, NC 27312

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TOWN OF PITTSBORO, NC On Monday, November 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will hold a legislative public hearing for the following requests at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center at 1192 Hwy 64 Business West: A legislative request by Town Sta to amend the Open Space and Recreation Area Fee-in-Lieu provisions found in the UDO Section 5.2.3.B.2. and the

Here’s what happens to your body when clocks ‘fall back’ an hour

Despite proposals, daylight saving time is still here

By Lauran Neergaard

The Associated Press

PLAN ON A glorious extra hour of sleep as most of America “falls back” into standard time. But make sure to get outside for some morning sun, too — it’ll help your body clock reset faster.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will last until March 8 when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time.

There’s a lot of grumbling about the twice-a-year time changes. The spring switch tends to be harder, losing that hour of sleep we allegedly recover in the fall. But many people also mourn fall’s end of daylight saving time, when days already are getting shorter and moving the clocks can mean less daylight after school or work for exercise or outdoor fun.

Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have long urged adopting standard time year-round.

New research from Stanford University agrees, nding that switching back-andforth is the worst option for our health. The study showed sticking with either time option would be a bit healthier, but they found permanent standard time is slightly better — because it aligns more with the sun and human biology, what’s called our circadian rhythm.

“The best way to think about

Clockmakers Rich Finn, left, and Tom Erb adjust the time zone controllers on a series of clocks that’ll be installed at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at the Electric Time Company in Med eld, Massachusetts, last October.

it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra and each of the organs were a di erent instrument,” said Jamie Zeitzer, who co-directs Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences.

More light in the morning and less at night is key to keeping that rhythm on schedule — all the instruments in sync. When the clock is regularly disrupted by time changes or other reasons, he said each of the body’s organ systems, such as the immune system or metabolism, “just works a little less well.”

Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Ar -

izona and Hawaii don’t change and stay on standard time.

Here’s what to know about the twice-yearly ritual.

How the body reacts to light

The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24 -hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we’re more alert. The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hardto-wake teens.

Morning light resets the rhythm. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the

evening — whether from later time outdoors doing daylight saving time or from arti cial light like computer screens — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync.

And that circadian clock affects more than sleep, also inuencing things like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and metabolism.

How do time changes a ect sleep?

Even an hour change on the clock can throw o sleep schedules because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same.

2 a.m.

You’ll get an extra hour of sleep Saturday night

Some people with seasonal a ective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle too.

Many people easily adjust, like how they recover from jet lag after traveling. But a time change can add pressure on shift workers whose schedules already are out of sync with the sun, or those regularly sleep-deprived for other reasons.

About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

How to prepare for the time change

In both fall and spring, changing bedtimes by as little as 15 minutes a night in the days before the change can help ease into it.

But sunshine in the morning is critical to helping reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows.

Will the U.S. ever get rid of the time change?

In Congress, a bill named the Sunshine Protection Act that proposes making daylight saving time permanent has stalled in recent years.

The spring change to daylight saving time can be a little rougher as darker mornings and lighter evenings make it harder to fall asleep on time. Those rst few days have been linked to increases in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks.

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

CHATHAM SPORTS

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP

Seaforth, Woods Charter volleyball advance

The Wolves are in the regional nal for the rst time

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Volleyball

(NCHSAA playo s)

5A: The fourth time was the charm for No. 5 Seaforth in its fourth-round win over conference foe No. 1 Cedar Ridge on Saturday.

After losing the opening set by 13 points, the Hawks won three straight sets to down the Red Wolves 3-1 and advance to their second straight regional nal. Seaforth, in the East region, beat Cedar Ridge for the rst time this season after los-

ing the rst three meetings. Freshman Naomi Stevenson led the way with 19 kills and ve aces. Junior Taylor Perry recorded 19 digs, an senior Josie Valgus logged a career-high 40 assists.

1A: In the East bracket, No. 2 Woods Charter advanced to its rst regional nal after defeating No. 3 East Columbus 3-0 in the fourth round Saturday.

Following a close opening set, the Wolves gained more control over the game, winning the nal set by 12 points.

Before earning a Final Four berth, Woods Charter defeated No. 7 Bear Grass Charter 3-1 on Oct. 23.

In the West bracket, No. 7 Chatham Charter fell to No. 10 River Mill in the second round

3-2. The Knights led 2-0 before River Mill won three straight sets, including a 26-24 extra play victory in the third set.

No. 13 Chatham Central ended its season with a 3-0 loss to No. 4 Bethany Community in the second round.

3A: No. 20 Northwood ended the year with a 3-0 loss to No. 4 Farmville Central in the second round of the East bracket.

Girls’ tennis (Dual team and individual playo s)

Dual team 5A: In the East bracket, No. 10 Seaforth defeated No. 3 Western Alamance 7-2 in the fourth round Oct. 22 to advance to its rst regionalnal. The Hawks played No. 8

J.F. Webb’s Josiah Daniel runs through the tackle of a Seaforth defender.

The Warriors clinched the Big Seven 4A/5A conference title.

Hawks rise too late in loss to JF Webb

Seaforth falls despite three fourth quarter scores

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

OXFORD — Seaforth’s exhilarating comeback e ort at J.F. Webb fell short of its historic rewards in a 44-39 loss Friday.

Down 44-21 with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Hawks scored three touchdowns on consecutive drives to make it a winnable game.

“We just simply ran out of time.”

Tolbert Matthews

Junior quarterback Duncan Parker hit Nick Gregory on a screen pass, and Gregory took it 14 yards to the end zone to make it 44-27 de cit with under seven minutes to play. After forcing a bad J.F. Webb punt that landed on its own 23-yard line on the ensuing possession, the Hawks cashed in on the favorable eld position with a 4-yard touchdown run by Parker, bring-

ing them within 11 points with over three minutes left in the game. Seaforth recovered the following onside kick at the Warriors’ 46, and a minute later, Parker found Gregory again on a 20-yard catch-and-run touchdown that brought the Hawks within one score.

J.F. Webb went to the rushing attack, its bread and butter, to ice the game in itsnal drive. With Seaforth out of timeouts, senior Josiah Daniel broke a 14-yard run to crush the Hawks’ hopes at its rst conference title.

2

Northwood golfers qualifying for the state championships

Durham School of the Arts for a spot in the state nal.

1A: No. 4 Chatham Charter ended its season in a 9-0 loss to No. 1 NCSSM-Morganton in the second round of the West bracket. Individual 1A: Chatham Charter’s Mak Allen and Maggie Moody fell to NCSSM-Morganton’s Gina Byon and Kristen Boyd in the second round of the state doubles tournament. The Knights’

duo defeated Kara Price and Elizabeth Smith from Bear Grass Charter in the rst round.

5A: Seaforth’s Mackenzie Wray fell to East Lincoln’s Karsyn Sink in the rst round of the singles state tournament. In the doubles tournament, Seaforth’s Ella Kristiansen and Tatum Dell came up short against North Buncombe’s Natalia Cogdill and Aubrey Gilliland.

Girls’ golf

Northwood seniors Briana Graham and Taylor Thompson quali ed for the NCHSAA 3A state championship. Both Graham and Thompson quali ed

Cougars take conference title in win over J-M

Fernando Hernandez-Dominguez scored four goals in the victory

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph clinched the Four Rivers 3A/4A boys’ soccer conference title thanks to senior Fernando Hernandez-Dominguez notching a season-high four goals in the team’s 6-3 win over Jordan-Matthews on Oct. 22.

“That’s checking o boxes,” Southwestern Randolph coach Jimmy Walker said. “Winning conference is the rst box to be checked o . I’m proud of the boys for the way they hung in there, and they got after it and created good chances, and we nished our share of them.”

Hernandez-Dominguez scored the Cougars’ rst goal three minutes into the game, and six minutes later, junior Yael Rebollar-Ortiz knocked in a goal for a 2-0 Southwestern Randolph lead. With its back against the wall, Jordan-Matthews started chipping away at the de cit with a score from sophomore Humberto Vargas, facilitated by a cross from senior Samuel Basilio in the rst half’s 16th minute. Less than a minute later, Vargas scored again to tie the game, and within two minutes, senior Jeremey Alvarado put moves on a defender and scored from the left side of the net to give the Jets a 3-2 lead.

“We got down early, but we didn’t lose faith,” Jordan-Matthews coach Paul Cuadros said. “Really just knocked them for a loop. That stunned them and threw them o their plan.”

Southwestern Randolph’s response was as quick as the Jets’ eeting comeback.

With 21 minutes left to play in a

“They got after it and created good chances, and we nished our share of them.”

Jimmy Walker, Southwestern Randolph coach

Senior Taylin Banbrook sends the ball back in Woods Charter’s win over East Columbus in the 1A state playo s. The Wolves advanced to the state semi nals.

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Josie Valgus

Seaforth, volleyball

Seaforth senior Josie Valgus earns athlete of the week honors for the week of Oct. 20.

In the fourth round of the NCHSAA 5A playo s, the standout setter recorded a career-high 40 assists to help the fth-seeded Hawks overcome No. 1 Cedar Ridge and advance to their second straight regional nal. Valgus notched 30 assists in Seaforth’s third round win over No. 4 West Carteret.

Valgus, a TCU commit, has been a crucial piece to Seaforth’s success this season. She’s recorded a combined 104 assists in the Hawks’ rst three playo games.

Powell makes NBA debut, scores rst points

The former Charger started his pro career in his home state

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

DREAMS CAME true for former Northwood High School basketball star Drake Powell.

Powell, a guard with the Brooklyn Nets, made his NBA debut in his home state Oct. 22 as Brooklyn lost its regular season opener to the Charlotte Hornets 136-117. With two minutes left in the third quarter, Powell checked in for the rst time, and in seven minutes, he logged two points, two rebounds four personal fouls and a turnover. Early in the fourth quarter, Powell scored his rst NBA bas-

ket. He rebounded a blocked shot on the defensive end and went coast to coast for a layup.

Later in the fourth quarter, Powell had to leave the game due to an ankle injury. He didn’t return, and the injury kept him out of the Nets’ home opener against Cleveland Friday and Sunday’s game against the Spurs.

Powell tested his ankle in a workout Sunday morning and said he felt “pretty good,” according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. As of Sunday, he was day to day.

Over the summer, Powell

missed the Summer League as he was dealing with knee tendinopathy. He made his preseason debut against the Suns in early October, combining for 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal in two games against Phoenix. At his rst regular season game, members of the Northwood and Chatham County community were in attendance, including, but not limited to, Northwood Athletic Director Cameron Vernon, Chatham County Schools Director of School Safety Bradford Walston (formerly the principal at Northwood), Jordan-Matthews Principal Adam Lutterloh (formerly an assistant principal at Northwood) and Northwood boys’ basketball coach Matt Brown, who coached Powell in high school.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Minutes played for Powell

NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO

Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell (4) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets in Powell’s NBA debut.

Local teams look for strong nishes to regular season

Northwood

and J-M face tough battles in Week 11

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Southwestern Randolph 20, Northwood 14

Northwood (3-6) came up short in a defensive battle against Southwestern Randolph (6-3) on Friday.

The Chargers came away with three rst half takeaways. They recovered a fumble at their own 2-yard line, junior Willie Boynton notched an interception in the second quarter, and minutes later, senior Grayson Cox returned an interception 10 yards to the end zone to tie the game at 7-7 because of a blown-up screen play by senior Ben Porter.

However, Northwood had trouble containing Southwestern Randolph’s senior running back Brody Sheppard. Sheppard rushed for two touchdowns, including an 11-yard run for a 7-0 lead in the rst quarter and a 42-yard sprint to give the Cougars a 14-7 advantage just before halftime.

Senior running back Robert Tripp returned to the Northwood o ense and ran in a 20 -yard score to tie the game at 14 midway through the third quarter. But on fourth down deep in Northwood territory, the Cougars had the nal say with a 7-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Levi Dalke early in the fourth quarter.

Week 11: Northwood vs. West Carteret (Thursday at 7 p.m.)

Northwood will end its regular season hosting a nonconference opponent in West Carteret (5-4) on Friday.

The Patriots, a 5A program, have lost three of their last four, including a 49-21 loss to Croatan in Week 10. Senior running back Joshua Bauman leads their o ense as he’s accumulated more than 1,100 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Senior quarterback Tanner Payne has also been productive in the passing game with 24 touchdown passes and more than 2,000 yards this year.

While scoring hasn’t been a problem for West Carteret, stopping opponents’ o enses has. The Patriots have given up at least 20 points in every game this season with opponents scoring at least 35 points in six contests.

With Tripp back in action for the Chargers, Northwood will need a big night from its o ense, which slowed down against Southwestern Randolph.

The game is a chance for Northwood to boost its RPI,

which determines positioning in the state playo s.

South Davidson 48, Chatham Central 6

South Davidson (9-0) senior Gage Underwood led the Wildcats’ rushing attack in a big win over Chatham Central (1-8) on Friday.

Underwood accounted for 106 of South Davidson’s 342 rushing yards and three of its seven rushing touchdowns. The Wildcats outscored Chatham Central 28-0 in the rst half.

Four other Wildcats scored a touchdown, and they averaged 12.7 yards per carry as a team.

Week 11: Chatham Central vs. Winston-Salem Prep (Thursday at 7 p.m.)

Chatham Central’s regular season nale against Winston-Salem Prep (1-8) could be a good chance for the Bears to collect a win.

The Phoenix are coming o a 34-0 loss to South Stokes in Week 10. Winston-Salem Prep started the season 0-7, with its only win coming against Col-

lege Prep & Leadership (20-14). Its o ense has had trouble nding the end zone in nearly every game this season, being shut out ve times.

Chatham Central has been hobbled with injuries and a thinning depth chart that forced a forfeit in Week 9. The last time the Bears faced a team with less than four wins was against CPLA, when Chatham Central quarterback Brooks Albright su ered a season-ending injury early in the contest, and the Bears still lost by one possession.

Coming into the game on an eight-game losing streak, the Bears will need to nd a way to keep the game close and execute o ensively late in the game to pick up their second win.

Week 11: Jordan-Matthews vs. Eastern Randolph (Thursday at 7:30 p.m.)

Coming o a bye, Jordan-Matthews (5-4) will look to pull o an upset at Eastern Randolph (7-2).

Eastern Randolph is on a four-game winning streak, including a 56-0 rout over North

Moore last week. The Wildcats have outscored opponents 166 -16 in that stretch.

Juniors Kobe Walker and James Combs combine for what has been a lethal running back duo at times this season, but junior quarterback Cade McCallum has been really good at spreading the wealth to multiple receivers, especially senior Caden Revelle and freshman Cainin Glover, who leads the team in receiving yards per game and receiving touchdowns.

To avoid a season-closing three-game slide, the Jets will need its best defensive game. O ensively, protecting senior quarterback Kamarie Hadley and opening lanes in the run game will be key for Jordan-Matthews to put up points.

Week 11: Seaforth vs. Carrboro (Friday at 7 p.m.)

Seaforth (4-5) will look to bounce back from a close loss against Carrboro (1-8) at home Friday.

Carrboro avoided falling to the bottom of the Big Seven 4A/5A conference last week with

a 14-0 win over Cedar Ridge. Before last week, the Jaguars were on a seven-game losing streak, losing by more than 20 points in all but one game during that stretch.

Against a defense that has given up over 35 points in six games this season, Seaforth should be in for a big day o ensively. The Hawks showed how explosive their o ense can be at the end of the J.F. Webb loss, and if they can continue their successful rushing attack with Nick Gregory at running back, they shouldn’t have a problem putting points on the board. The key will be a fast start for Seaforth, especially on the o ensive end.

Conference standings (overall, conference)

Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Eastern Randolph (7-2, 3-0, clinched conference title); 2. Southwestern Randolph (6-3, 2-1); 3. Northwood (3-6, 2-2); 4. Jordan-Matthews (5-4, 1-2); 5. North Moore (3-6, 0-3) Greater Triad 1A/2A: T1. South Davidson (9-0, 5-0); T1. Bishop McGuinness (8-1, 5-0); T3. South Stokes (4-5, 3-2); T3. North Stokes (3-6, 3-2); 5. Winston-Salem Prep (1-8, 1-4); 6. CPLA (1-8, 1-5); 7. Chatham Central (1-8, 0-5) Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. J.F. Webb (7-2, 4-0, clinched conference title); 2. Seaforth (4 - 5, 3-1); 3. Orange (2-7, 2-2); 4. South Granville (3-6, 2-2); 5. Carrboro (2-7, 1-3); 6. Cedar Ridge (1-8, 0-4)

Power rankings (after Week 10)

1. Seaforth

2. Northwood

3. Jordan-Matthews

4. Chatham Central

Last week’s rankings:

1. Seaforth; 2. Northwood; Jordan-Matthews; 4. Chatham Central

Score predictions

• West Carteret 28, Northwood 21

• Winston-Salem Prep 12, Chatham Central 6

• Eastern Randolph 35, Jordan-Matthews 12

• Seaforth 41, Carrboro 6

Prediction record: 18-10 (since Week 2 and excluding forfeited games)

Playo picture (RPI rankings, 48 teams qualify per classi cation, except 1A) 1A: 22. Chatham Central (.26540); 3A: 36. Northwood (.42538); 4A: 42. Jordan-Matthews (.40400); 5A: 41. Seaforth (.43811)

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Duncan Parker runs toward the end zone in Seaforth’s loss to J.F. Webb. The Hawks will end the regular season against Carrboro.

high-scoring opening half, Hernandez-Dominguez found another scoring opportunity o a corner kick to tie the game.

“It was crazy to me,” Hernandez-Dominguez said. “I didn’t think it was going to come like that. That little corner, I had to take the ball. It landed on me and I took a shot, and it went it. It was like, ‘OK, we got this game.’”

From that point, the game went 16 minutes without another score. Both teams had chances to go ahead until senior Aaron Avina, who had multiple close misses throughout the night, broke through with his only goal of the night to give the Cougars a 4-3 lead with ve minutes remaining before the break.

Jordan-Matthews had a chance to tie the game once again just before halftime when Alvarado broke free and forced Southwestern Randolph goalkeeper Jonathan Perez-Dominguez, who nished the night with three saves, to come out of the net. However, Alvarado’s shot went too far left and hit the front bar.

“The message at halftime was to solidify together, keep ghting together, and to look for op-

from page B1

with scores of 110 (+38) at the 3A East regional on Oct. 21 at Washington Yacht & Country Club.

Cross-country

State Championship qualiers (Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex, Friday and Saturday)

1A (Friday): Boys: Chatham Charter (as a team), Woods Charter (as a team), Torris Price (Chatham Charter, 1A Central Regional champion), Eli Coleman (Chatham Charter), Adam Reese (Chatham Charter), Andrew Bednar (Chatham Charter), Joshuah Hayes (Chatham Charter), Rilen Wright (Chatham Charter), Lawson Cotton (Chatham Charter), Holton Mody (Woods Charter), Aidan O’Neil (Woods Charter), Youssef Reyad (Woods Charter), Baird Ritter (Woods Charter), Connor Cole (Woods Charter), Mack Oliver (Woods Charter), Connor McInerney (Woods Charter), Jackson Hughes (Chatham Central); Girls: Woods Charter (as a team), So a Rodriguez (Woods Charter, 1A Central Regional champion), Grace Murphy (Woods Charter), Leah Marshall (Woods Charter), Sonia Messick (Woods Charter), Melina Rodriguez (Woods Charter), Emily Scheidt (Chatham Charter), Ansley Pressler (Chatham Central)

3A (Friday): Boys: Northwood (as a team), Jordan Wiley (Northwood), Drew Yell (Northwood), Coleman Wiley (Northwood), Leo Druest (Northwood), Owen Zsuppan (Northwood), Easton Evans (Northwood), Austin Parenti (Northwood); Girls: Northwood (as a team), Sydney Gray (Northwood), Shiloh Teta (Northwood), Penelope Faris (Northwood), Ashley Perry (Northwood), Gabby Ghitta (Northwood)

5A (Saturday): Boys: Seaforth (as a team), Samuel Neil (Seaforth), Waylon Vose (Seaforth), London Crowling (Seaforth), Will Lippers (Seaforth), Josh Phillips (Seaforth), William Morgan (Seaforth), Joshua Stuckey (Seaforth); Girls: Seaforth (as a team), Chloe Freeman (Seaforth), Madison Putnam (Seaforth), Katie Leonard (Seaforth), Ada Kadwell (Sea-

from page B1

“We didn’t lose the game today,” Seaforth coach Tolbert Matthews said. “We just simply ran out of time. But again, if these guys would’ve started faster, started a little early, we don’t run out of that time.”

In the rst 12 minutes of the game, Seaforth had no answer for Daniel and senior running back Mikelis Hobgood, who combined for 417 rushing yards and six touchdowns (three each) on the night.

J.F. Webb took a 14-0 lead after capping o its two long opening drives with a 9-yard touchdown run from Hobgood and a 17-yard rushing score from Daniel.

Seaforth, struggling to nd

tions of the outside of the eld,” Cuadros said. “And to pressure cover on defense.”

Yet it was the Cougars’ adjust-

ments and two more goals from Hernandez-Dominguez that allowed them to take full control of the second half.

“That’s probably the longest talk we’ve had at halftime about some adjustments that we needed to make,” Walker said. “They were pressing a really high line, and we were sending balls to where the keeper was able to get it, and we wanted to create di erent angles to send balls through. And then we asked our outside mids to get back more and help out on defense.”

Southwestern Randolph moved to 19-1 overall and 8-0 in conference play with its 13th straight win.

After a nonconference test against Bishop McGuinness and two conference bouts with Northwood and North Moore to end the regular season, the Cougars are looking toward another deep run in the 4A state tournament. They’ll get a high seed and try to avenge last year’s state title loss by nishing the job this time around.

Southwestern Randolph was already in playo mode against Jordan-Matthews as multiple players donned blonde hair, a tradition started last season to mark the beginning of the postseason.

The Cougars are also playing for the memory of their former teammate Pedro Ortiz, who died from injuries su ered in a 2024

forth), Camryn Reinhardt (Seaforth), Tallulah Papendieck, Abigail Johnson (Seaforth)

Boys’ soccer

Northwood defeated Jordan-Matthews 4-0 Oct. 20,

an o ensive rhythm in its rst possession, responded at the end of the opening quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass from a pressured Parker to sophomore Mason Pooley. But with the o ense still nding its way, the Hawks’ defense stepped up in containing the Warriors’ outside runs. Seaforth held J.F. Webb scoreless in the second quarter, like its own offense, and forced a turnover on downs before halftime.

“The backs were fast,” Matthews said. “Some of the fastest backs I’ve seen this season. We tried to contain. Sometimes our guys will get caught inside and then you’ll see their gashes on the outside.”

Coming out of the break, the two teams traded touchdowns.

knocking o the Jets for the rst time since 2019. Freshman Johnny Santiago led the way with two rst half goals for the Chargers, including a score ve minutes into the game. The Chargers followed that

Up one score, J.F. Webb started cooking with a 35-yard touchdown run by Daniel to go ahead 22-7. On its next possession, Seaforth got itself out of a rstand-20 jam caused by penalties and completed a 31-yard receiving score from senior Patrick Miller, bringing the Hawks back within one score. Then, following a 40-yard bomb from junior quarterback Daniel Wright to sophomore Elijah Thorpe, Hobgood scored his second touchdown of the night on a 2-yard run, putting J.F. Webb ahead 28-13. Seaforth started playing with tempo o ensively and notched more points with less than two minutes left in the third quarter thanks to a

shooting. Perez-Dominguez said the team, which wears a patch on their sleeves in Ortiz’s memory, keeps him in mind “every minute of every game.”

“Every game is for him,” Hernandez-Dominguez said. “There’s not a time we don’t mention him. He’s always in our group huddles, in our prayers. Everything we have done throughout last season and this season, it’s for our brother.”

For Jordan-Matthews, its second defeat of the year to the Cougars was its second straight loss. The Jets hadn’t lost consecutive games since August, but things aren’t all worrisome with the young team.

As of Sunday, Jordan-Matthews was one of two teams to score at least three goals on Southwestern Randolph, one of the best teams in the state, this season. Cuadros is hopeful for what this team can do in the playo s and years to come as his players learn from experiences against tough competition.

“I think for us it’s unity and belief,” Cuadros said. “It’s a young squad, and they need to have mental resilience and toughness to be able to overcome tough times. And tonight, they took a big step with that.”

won three games in a row as of Sunday.

After earning a conference win by forfeit over Southern Wake Academy on Oct. 22, Woods Charter ended its regular season with a 3-0 win against Ascend Leadership Friday. Chatham Charter fell to Ascend Leadership 2-1 on Oct. 22. Conference standings as of Sunday (overall, conference)

Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Southwestern Randolph (20 -1, 8-0); 2. Northwood (11- 5 - 5, 5-2-1); 3. Jordan-Matthews (13-7, 5-3); 4. North Moore (6 - 6-1, 3-5); 5. Eastern Randolph (6-10-3, 2-5-1); 6. Uwharrie Charter (1-10, 0-8) Central Tar Heel 1A: 1. Clover Garden School (17-3, 12-0); 2. Woods Charter (12 -3 -1, 9-2); 3. Ascend Leadership (8 - 8 -1, 5-6-1); 4. River Mill (6-13, 5-7); 5. Central Carolina Academy (5-10-1, 4-7-1); 6. Chatham Charter (5-13-1, 4-8); 7. Southern Wake Academy (4 -11, 1-10) Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. Orange (15-5, 9-1); 2. Carrboro (11-8-1, 9-2); 3. Seaforth (8 - 8 -3, 6-3-1); 4. Cedar Ridge (8-8-2, 3-5-2); 5. Durham School of the Arts (4-14-1, 4-7); 7. J.F. Webb (5-10-1, 1-8-1) RPI standings as of Sunday (top 48 make state tournament)

1A: 7. Woods Charter (.55544); 27. Chatham Charter (.36866)

3A: 16. Northwood (.55264)

4A: 17. Jordan-Matthews (.56818) 5A: 27. Seaforth (.51439)

Girls’ ag football

Seaforth 26, Eastern Alamance 24

Southeast Alamance 24, Seaforth 0 Northwood 41, Eastern Alamance 6 Northwood 15, Jordan-Matthews 6

with a 4-2 win over North Moore on Oct. 22 for their fth straight victory.

Seaforth defeated J.F. Webb twice, beating the Warriors 6-0 on Oct. 22 (hat trick from senior Jack Bali ) and 8-0 on Oct. 23. The Hawks have

2-yard touchdown run by Parker.

After consecutive penalties at the third quarter buzzer, the Warriors completed a late-quarter march down the eld with a 5-yard touchdown run by Hobgood, taking a 36-21 advantage.

The fourth quarter started with an interception by Daniel at the J.F. Webb 22-yard line, and Daniel cashed in his own turnover with a 28-yard touchdown run to put the Warriors ahead by three scores.

“We started slow,” Matthews said. “We talked about it all week — starting fast coming out, punching those guys in the mouth, and we did the opposite.”

With South Granville losing to Orange the same night, J.F. Webb clinched the Big Sev-

Final regular season standings (top four quali ed for end of season tournament Tuesday)

1. Southeast Alamance (12- 0) 2. Northwood (9-3)

3. Seaforth (4-8)

4. Jordan-Matthews (3-9)

Eastern Alamance (2-10)

en 4A/5A conference title while moving to 7-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

Seaforth fell to 4-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play with its three-game winning streak snapped. With the loss, the Hawks slid in the 5A RPI rankings to the 41st spot, but they are still in good standing for their rst playo appearance. Seaforth will end its regular season at home against Carrboro on Friday at 7 p.m.

“We’re going to keep ghting throughout the season, whether this is our last game, or we see the playo s,” Matthews said. “People better be afraid of Seaforth football because we are coming, and we’re going to be ready to play these games. We’re not going out like this again.”

SEAFORTH

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Freshman Lauren Castro serves for Woods Charter’s in a state quarter nal win over East Columbus.

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Southwestern Randolph’s Fernando Hernandez-Dominguez works his way through Jordan-Matthews defenders in the Cougars’ win.

ROUNDUP

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

Former NFL player who died in police custody battled injuries, mental health challenges

Oakland

Many questions are unanswered about the death of former NFL running back Doug Martin. He died last weekend in the custody of Oakland, California, police, who said Martin was involved in a “brief struggle” with o cers who took him into custody. Martin’s former agent issued a statement that said Martin felt overwhelmed and disoriented, and ed his home before entering a neighbor’s home two doors down, where police confronted him. The former agent said the 36-year-old Martin privately battled mental health challenges that impacted his personal and professional life.

MLB Blue Jays manager to Ohtani: We want our hat back — and your dog’s jacket

Toronto Toronto manager John Schneider is waiting for Shohei Ohtani to return some merchandise. Before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani met with Toronto o cials. Before Ohtani led the Dodgers back to Toronto for the World Series. Schneider joked about Ohtani returning Blue Jays merchandise taken during their meeting. “I hope he brought his hat, the Blue Jay hat that he took from us in our meeting. I hope he brought it back, nally,” Schneider said. “And the jacket for (Ohtani’s dog). It’s like, give us our stu back already.” “It’s in my garage,” Ohtani replied.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Ex-Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with NCAA gambling investigation

Indianapolis Three former Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with an investigation into potential sports betting violations earlier this year. The lack of cooperation constitutes an NCAA violation that could trigger permanent ineligibility, according to a decision released by the Division I Committee on Infractions. But the three former starters — Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry — were seniors and have no collegiate eligibility remaining.

NFL Former Jets center Mangold dead at 41, less than 2 weeks after announcing kidney disease

The New York Jets have announced the death of former center Nick Mangold at age 41 from complications of kidney disease. Less than two weeks ago, he revealed on social media that he needed a kidney transplant and was seeking a donor. Diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006, Mangold had been on dialysis. Mangold, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, was enshrined in the Jets’ ring of honor in 2022. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Velocity rules when playo pressure pushes players to throw their hardest

The record for 100-mph pitches in the postseason has been shattered

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press

TORONTO — Velocity rules in October.

There have been a record 255 pitches of 100 mph or faster this postseason, up from 105 last year and the previous high of 169 in 2022.

Right-handed relievers averaged 96.2 mph with their four-seam fastballs through the World Series opener, an increase from 95.8 mph last postseason and 93.3 mph when Major League Baseball started tracking in 2008.

“That’s crazy. That’s insane,” Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott said. “You see kids in college throwing 100 (mph) and a couple of years ago they were throwing what, 94, 95?”

Pitchers averaged a record 94.5 mph with fourseam fastballs during the 2025 regular season, a speedup from 91.9 mph in 2008. Among righties, this year’s average was 95 mph, includ-

What

ing 95.6 mph by relievers. Toronto closer Je Ho man is averaging 96.4 mph with his four-seamer in October, up from 95.6 mph during the season.

“A lot of it is adrenaline and knowing that this is it. You’ve got to empty your tank every single night,” he said. “Velocity is king. I know there are a lot of kind of con icting opinions on that, but it’s harder to hit faster pitches, so it’s important to have your best stu .”

While pitches are getting faster, o speed use is increasing. Pitchers have thrown four-seamers 32.8% of the time during the postseason, down from a high of 40.9% in 2014. Overall use includes 17.2% sliders, 15.2% two-seamers, 9% curveballs, 8% changeups, 6.5% splitters, 5.9% cutters, 4.6% sweepers and 0.7% slurves.

A study released by MLB last o season concluded rising velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum e ort are the likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries. MLB decided last month to prohibit scouting of many high school prospects for three

“It’s harder to hit faster pitches, so it’s important to have your best stu .” Je Ho man, Toronto closer

months during the o season and of college prospects for two months in an e ort to mandate recovery time.

“Starting at the bottom is the best way,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said Saturday. “That’s part of a larger program that we’re going to continue to roll out in an e ort to address this issue.”

Dodgers pitchers have averaged 96.2 mph with four-seamers in the postseason, up from 94.7 mph during the regular season, and Blue Jays pitchers 95.1 mph, an increase from 94 mph. Among righty relievers, Los Angeles is averaging 97.6 mph in October and Toronto 96.8 mph.

“These are the most signi cant pitches that anybody’s thrown all year,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “A lot of it just happens to do with the pressure of these

situations, and I think you see it across baseball in the playo s. Everybody’s stu ticks up, for the most part. It seems like their stu is at a di erent level.” Milwaukee rookie Jacob Misiorowski reached 100 mph with 58 pitches — more than the entire postseason total as recently as 2018. He was followed by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene (28), Philadelphia’s Jhoan Duran (25), the Chicago Cubs’ Daniel Palencia (23) and Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (22).

San Diego’s Mason Miller threw a 104.5 mph called third strike to the Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series, the fastest postseason pitch in the Statcast era.

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said particular playo environments can lead to faster pitches.

“When you go to places like the Padres last year, you just feel the hate, so you’re trying to counter with an ability to keep quiet,” he said. “The more you get deeper into the playo s, the more you are just competing with — it’s energy. At this point in the World Series you are trying to empty the tank.”

Americans think about legal sports betting, according to recent polls

Skepticism over the harm from betting has increased

By Amelia Thomson-Deveaux The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

As legalized sports betting expands, recent polling suggests that Americans have become increasingly critical of its role in U.S. society and sports — although they’re more tolerant of it for professional sports. Betting scandals have multiplied since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May 2018 struck down a federal law that barred sports betting in most states. That includes a wave of incidents involving athletes and o cials. Most recently, dozens of people, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling, authorities said Thursday. In the years since the Supreme Court’s ruling, sports betting has brought revenue to state governments, but it’s also prompted concerns about the potential for wrongdoing, as well as the impact on athletes. Here’s what Americans think about the impact of legal sports betting, according to recent polling.

KATSANIS / AP PHOTO

ANGELINA

FBI assistant director Christopher Raia speaks at a press conference announcing the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling.

More think legal sports betting has a negative impact on sports and society than in 2022

Americans are more skeptical of legal sports betting than they were a few years ago, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted over the summer. The survey found that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say the fact that sports betting is now legal in much of the country is “a bad thing” for society and sports, up from about one-third in July 2022.

Many Americans continue to say sports betting is “nei-

ther a good nor bad” thing for sports and society, while few say it’s “a good thing” for either. Young men are particularly likely to have soured on sports betting’s social impact. About half of men under age 30 now say legal sports betting is a bad thing for society, up from 22% in 2022. At the same time, young men are more likely than older adults to say they’ve bet money on sports in the past year. But 34% of people who have placed a sports bet in the past year still say legal sports betting is bad for society, up from 23% three years ago.

Most say betting should be legal for professional sports but not college

Many Americans distinguish between betting on professional and college sports, according to an AP-NORC poll from February.

That survey shows that about 6 in 10 Americans think gambling on pro sports should be legal in their state, but only about 4 in 10 say the same thing about wagering on college sports.

A Quinnipiac poll from June found 60% of U.S. adults think legal betting on college sports is a bad thing, while 47% say this about legal betting on professional sports.

Who’s betting on sports?

Younger adults are more likely than older adults to have bet money on sports in the past year, according to the Pew poll, with about 3 in 10 adults under age 30 saying this, compared with only 12% of adults age 65 or older.

The AP-NORC poll found that while about 14% of U.S. adults say they “frequently” or “occasionally” place bets online using betting or fantasy sports websites or apps, it’s more common in casinos. About one-quarter of U.S. adults say they have bet on sports in person at casinos at least “occasionally.”

FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Je Ho man celebrates the nal out of Game 7 of the ALCS.

Brandi Carlile looks inward on great ‘Returning to Myself’

For Joni Mitchell fans, “Folklore” and journaling by candlelight

By Elise Ryan The Associated Press

IT’S BEEN 20 years since Brandi Carlile released her self-titled debut album. After two decades of extensive collaborations and accolades for her music that blends folk, alt-country, rock and Americana, she’s stripped back again for the great “Returning to Myself.”

What the title means for Carlile varies across the project. Just months after her buzzy collaborative album with Elton John and years after the debut of her Americana supergroup The Highwomen, Carlile’s vocals stand alone again — save the occasional backing vocal from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. That pensive performance takes on many forms: re ective, on “You Without Me,” about watching her children grow and become independent, and soulful, on “A Woman Oversees,” her rich tone heard above the electric notes of a Rhodes piano. But the project also serves as a celebration of her collaborators and the in uences that have shaped her.

Carlile is aware of that dichotomy. “Why is it heroic to

“Returning to Myself”

Four stars out of ve.

• On repeat: “Joni” Skip it: “Anniversary”

untether? / How is alone some holy grail?” she asks on the title track, her voice crisp over strummed acoustic guitar. Later she realizes: “Returning to myself is just returning me to you.”

Andrew Watt, Aaron Dessner and Vernon produce the album, which was written with Carlile’s longtime collaborators Phil and Tim Hanseroth. The full group comes together for “Human,” an anthemic, electric guitar-set ballad.

Dessner’s more intimate approach, most frequently recognized as the production style he contributed to Taylor Swift’s “folklore,” gives “A War with Time” a melancholic in ection. Watt takes on the bolder tracks: “No One Knows Us” is backed by a full band, while the standout “Church & State,” a roaring ballad about renewed tensions, feels the closest in sound to Carlile’s collaboration with John.

On “Joni,” a sentimental highlight, Carlile honors the great Joni Mitchell. Carlile was key in orchestrating

“I knew a wild woman / She threw a party on her grave.”

Brandi Carlile

the “Joni Jams” that brought Mitchell back into public performance after her 2015 brain aneurysm, including a surprise performance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.

“I knew a wild woman / She threw a party on her grave,” Carlile recounts over a chorus of guitars. Her lyrics are revealing, depicting Mitchell, now 81, as both a grounded and mythic gure. For example: “She spoke in sacred language / Every soul could understand.” Energy builds toward the song’s end, when the acoustic guitar, played in a way that emulates Mitchell’s own folk style, is joined by beckoning drums and a surprising saxophone ri . An ode of this sort may seem out of place on such an introspective album. But its inclusion, and lyrics, say as much about Carlile as they do about her muse.

Carlile can’t “untether” to nd herself because she, like Mitchell, is a connector. And that’s a story she’s been telling since her debut.

“Returning to Myself” is Brandi Carlile’s eighth solo studio album.

2nd

this week in history

“War of the Worlds” terri es radio listeners, Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral, FDR wins third term

The Associated Press

OCT. 30

1938: The radio play “The War of the Worlds,” starring Orson Welles, aired on the CBS Radio Network, panicking some listeners with its realistic portrayal of a Martian invasion.

1974: Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire.

1975: The New York Daily News headlined “Ford to City: Drop Dead” after President Gerald Ford said he would veto a federal bailout for near-bankrupt New York City.

OCT. 31

1864: President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Nevada the 36th state.

2026.

tional Memorial in South Dakota, which began in 1927.

1984: Indira Gandhi, India’s prime minister for more than 15 years, was assassinated by two of her security guards.

NOV. 1

1765: The Stamp Act, passed by the British Parliament, went into e ect, prompting strong resistance from American colonists.

1936: In a speech in Milan, Benito Mussolini described the alliance between Italy and Nazi Germany as an “axis” running between Rome and Berlin.

1938: In a two-horse match race, Seabiscuit defeated Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was dubbed the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

NOV. 2

1783: Gen. George Washington issued his Farewell Address to the Army.

On Nov. 5,

arrested after casting an illegal ballot in the presidential election and ned $100 — a penalty she refused to pay.

nal committee that he had conspired with television producers to cheat on the quiz show “Twenty-One.”

NOV. 3

the rst animal into orbit — a dog named Laika.

1964: Lyndon B. Johnson, who became president after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, won election to a full term, defeating Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater.

NOV. 4

1922: The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.

1979: The Iran hostage crisis began as militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants. Fifty-two hostages were held for 444 days and released on Jan. 20, 1981.

1980: Republican Ronald Reagan won election to the White House, defeating Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

NOV. 5

1605: The “Gunpowder Plot” failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament.

1913: The Lincoln Highway, the rst automobile highway across the United States, was dedicated.

1941: Work was completed on the Mount Rushmore Na-

The items include artwork the actor both collected and created

By Morgan Lee

The Associated Press

Anna Hicks, Bonhams *Must

1947: Howard Hughes piloted his H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the “Spruce Goose,” on its only ight. The massive wooden seaplane, with a wingspan longer than a football eld, remained airborne for 26 seconds.

1959: Charles Van Doren testi ed before a congressio-

1908: Republican William Howard Taft was elected president, defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan.

1911: The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. was founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant.

1957: The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, carrying

1872: Su ragist Susan B. Anthony was arrested for illegally voting in the presidential election and ned $100, which she refused to pay.

1930: Novelist Sinclair Lewis became the rst American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Auction house to sell Gene Hackman’s Golden Globes

“The sales o er an intimate portrait of Hackman’s private world.”

SANTA FE, N.M. — An auction house plans to sell o a variety of actor Gene Hackman’s possessions in November, including Golden Globe statues, a wristwatch and paintings he collected and created himself.

Hackman died at age 95 at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after transitioning from an Oscar-winning career in lm to a life in retirement of painting, writing novels and collecting.

Auction items include a still-life painting of a Japanese vase by Hackman and Golden Globe awards from roles in “Unforgiven” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” There are annotated books from Hackman’s library, scripts, posters, movie memorabilia — and high-brow art including a bronze statue by Auguste Rodin and a 1957 oil painting from modernist Milton Avery.

Anna Hicks of Bonhams international auction house said the sales “o er an intimate portrait of Hackman’s private world.”

Listings start as low as $100 for Hackman’s everyman Winmau dart board or $600 for a shot at his Seiko diver’s wristwatch.

The catalog includes a likeness of Hackman from portrait artist Everett Raymond Kinstler, who painted U.S. presidents and drew for comic books.

Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead inside their home on Feb. 26, sending shock waves through a high-desert city refuge for famous actors and authors seeking to escape the spotlight. Authorities determined that Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer’s disease about a week after Arakawa, 65, died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease spread by the droppings of infected rodents.

Hackman made his lm debut in 1961’s “Mad Dog Coll” and went on to appear in a range of movie roles, including as “Superman” villain Lex Luthor and as a basketball coach nding redemption in the sentimental favorite “Hoosiers.” He was a ve-time Oscar nominee who won best actor in a leading role for “The French Connection” in 1972 and best actor in a

solutions

Hackman

April 10, 1972.

supporting role for “Unforgiven” two decades later. Hackman also earned Oscar nominations for his roles as Buck Barrow in

the 1967 crime drama “Bonnie and Clyde,” a college professor in 1970’s “I Never Sang for My Father,” and an FBI agent in the

1988 historical drama “Mississippi Burning.” He retired from acting in the early 2000s.

VIA WIKIPEDIA

1872, su ragist Susan B. Anthony was

AP PHOTO

Gene

accepts his Oscar for best actor at the 44th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on

famous birthdays this week

Grace Slick is 86, Dan Rather turns 94, Henry Winkler is 80, Roseanne Barr turns 73

The Associated Press

OCT. 30

AUTHOR ROBERT Caro is 90. Football Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil is 89. Rock singer Grace Slick is 86. Songwriter Eddie Holland is 86. R&B singer Otis Williams (The Temptations) is 84. Actor Henry Winkler is 80. Ivanka Trump is 44.

OCT. 31

Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 94. Actor Stephen Rea is 79. Olympic gold medal marathoner Frank Shorter is 78. TV host Jane Pauley is 75. Football coach Nick Saban is 74. Rock musician Johnny Marr is 62. Rapper and guitarist Adam Horovitz (Beastie Boys) is 59. Rapper Vanilla Ice is 58.

NOV. 1

Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player is 90. Football Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks is 78. Apple CEO Tim Cook is 65. Rock singer Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 63. Actor Toni Collette is 53.

NOV. 2

Tennis Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall is 91. Political commentator Pat Buchanan is 87. Olympic gold medal wrestler Bruce Baumgartner is 65. Singer-songwriter k.d. lang is 64. Playwright Lynn Nottage is 61. Actor David Schwimmer is 59.

NOV. 3

Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis is 92. Economist and Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen is 92. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is 78. Boxing Hall of Famer Larry Holmes is 76. Comedian-actor Roseanne Barr is 73. Actor Kate Capshaw is 72. Comedian Dennis Miller is 72.

NOV. 4

Blues musician Delbert Mc-

Actor Matthew McConaughey, pictured upon arrival at the London screening of the lm “The Lost Bus” in 2025, turns 56 on Tuesday.

Clinton is 86. Former rst lady Laura Bush is 79. Author Charles Frazier is 75. Actor Ralph Macchio is 64. “Survivor” host Je Probst is 64. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 56.

NOV. 5

Singer Art Garfunkel is 84. Singer Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) is 78. TV personality Kris Jenner is 70. Singer Bryan Adams is 66. Actor Tilda Swinton is 65. Actor Tatum O’Neal is 62. Actor Sam Rockwell is 57.

SCOTT A GARFITT / INVISION / AP PHOTO

LM OTERO / AP PHOTO

Laura Bush attends a baseball game between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers in 2025 in Arlington, Texas. The former rst lady and wife of President George W. Bush turns 79 on Tuesday.

the stream

‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ ‘Sorry, Baby,’ Colin Farrell gambles

Florence + the Machine drops “Everybody Scream” on Halloween

The Associated Press

“JURASSIC WORLD Rebirth” roaring and snarling on Peacock and Florence + the Machine’s latest Halloween-ready album, “Everybody Scream,” 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, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, landing on HBO Max; the nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM releasing their debut Korean album; and comedian Rachel Sennott’s new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” pops up on HBO.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, comes to HBO Max on Thursday. Victor wrote, directed and stars as Agnes, a graduate student in a quaint New England town, who is assaulted by her professor. But the lm, which unfolds across ve chapters, one being “the year with the bad thing,” is less about the incident and more about life after. In his review for The Associated Press, lm writer Jake Coyle wrote, “In this remarkably fully formed debut, the moments that matter are the funny and tender ones that persist amid crueler experiences. … Just as Agnes is sarcastically and self-deprecatingly resistant to convention, Victor’s lm sidesteps the de nitions that usually accompany such a story.”

Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss are brilliant in Nia DaCosta’s ery, sensuous reimagining of the classic Henrik Ibsen drama “Hedda,” which is now streaming on Prime Video. The lm transports the “catastrophically bored” housewife to 1950s England where Hedda (Thomson) manipulates and schemes over the course of a lavish party at her country estate. DaCosta makes the story her own, seamlessly blending race, gender and queerness into the drama. In my review, I called it a “deliriously fun, intel-

ligent and impassioned spin” on a familiar tale that requires no previous Ibsen knowledge.

Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler running away from his past in Macao in “Ballad of a Small Player,” streaming now on Net ix. The lm, a stylish neo-noir from “Conclave” director Edward Berger, received mixed reviews.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” also makes its Peacock debut Thursday. In his review for the AP, Mark Kennedy wrote that this installment, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, proves there’s “still life in this old dino series” adding that “it captures the awe and majesty of the overgrown lizards that’s been lacking for so many of the movies.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Leading up to Florence + the Machine’s latest album, “Everybody Scream,” out on Halloween, frontwoman Florence Welch su ered the e ects of an ectopic pregnancy onstage.

A fallopian tube then ruptured and she nearly died. It’s a harrowing story, one that no doubt

“There’s still life in this old dino

Mark Kennedy, AP Film Writer

lends itself to the thematic horrors that abound on the band’s record. The title is appropriate. But for all the tragedy, there are pleasures across the release. Consider a song like “One of the Greats,” a erce indictment of double standards that also happens to be quite funny. “It must be nice to be a man and make borin’ music just because you can,” she sings. “Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan / You’re my second favorite frontman.”

The nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM released their debut Korean album, “Back to Life,” via HYBE Japan and YX LABELS on Tuesday. It’s a big step for the group whose members rst turned heads on the South Korean survival show “I-Land” (the same that launched the popular boy band ENHYPHEN) and the Japanese program “&Audition — The Howling.” Their multigenre, multilingual

approach to pop is sure to earn them new fans.

SERIES TO STREAM

Adapting novels by Mick Herron has worked out for Apple TV with its acclaimed series “Slow Horses.” Now, they’ve got “Down Cemetery Road,” also from Herron’s catalog. It stars Emma Thompson as a brazen, brash detective and Ruth Wilson as her unlikely Girl Friday. The rst two episodes premiere are streaming now. A new “Robin Hood” reimagining on MGM+ is described as “a romance adventure.” It stars Jack Patten and Lauren McQueen as Robin (he goes by Rob) and Marian, who ght corruption together. Sean Bean plays the main antagonist, the Sheri of Nottingham. The 10-episode series debuts Sunday, Nov. 2. HBO loves a comedy about friendships and hopes it has found a Gen Z answer to ll the millennial void left by “Insecure” and “Girls.” Actor and comedian Sennott created and stars in a new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” about a budding tal-

ent manager in Hollywood, and her friend group (featuring Josh Hutcherson as her boyfriend). It also makes its debut Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

In the galaxy of The Outer Worlds 2, three factions are battling for dominance: the hyper capitalist Auntie’s Choice, the authoritarian Protectorate and the quasi-religious Order of the Ascendant. If none of those sounds particularly appealing, that’s kind of the point. In order to accomplish your mission, you’ll nd yourself trying to meet the sometimes-preposterous demands of one faction without aggravating the other two. Developer Obsidian Entertainment brings a sarcastic edge to your usual space opera, hoping to leave you laughing while you’re hunting down radioactive mutants or malfunctioning robots. The studio has an impressive track record of role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity and Avowed, so if you’re hungry for that sort of action with rockets and lasers, prepare for lifto on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5 or PC.

CIOFFY HENRY / A24 VIA AP

Eva Victor wrote, directed and stars in “Sorry, Baby.” NETFLIX VIA AP

In “Ballad of a Small Player, Colin Farrell, left, plays a high-stakes gambler alongside Fala Chen. The lm is streaming on Net ix.

series.”

Duplin Journal

Wendell Murphy inducted to National Agricultural Hall of Fame

Veterans Day Parade returns

Warsaw The Town of Warsaw will host its 105th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m., honoring the service and sacri ce of the 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 fund raiser and museum tours.

NCDOT temporarily closes Beasley

Torrans Road

Warsaw The N.C. Department of Transportation has temporarily closed both directions of Beasley Torrans Road near Perry Rivenbark Road to perform maintenance work on the bridge over Interstate 40. The road is expected to reopen Nov. 7. Motorists are advised to use Highway 117 to Highway 903 to Isham Fredrick Road as a detour.

Sen. Jackson honored as 2025 Defender of Public Safety

Duplin County Sen. Brent Jackson was named a 2025 Defender of Public Safety by the North Carolina Sheri s’ Association. Jackson said it is a privilege to stand alongside the dedicated men and women who serve and protect North Carolina communities every day.

Kenansville Christmas Parade set for next month

Kenansville The Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the fourth annual Kenansville Christmas Parade. The parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m., promising a festive celebration full of holiday spirit and community cheer. Local groups, businesses and individuals are invited to participate in the holiday tradition. To apply, contact the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce at 910-275-0323.

Concert by Curtis Hyler and Jubilation Quartet

Albertson

Curtis Hyler and the Jubilation Quartet will perform a special concert on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at Woodland Church, located at 2695 Tram Road in Albertson. The community is invited to attend and enjoy the performance.

$2.00

Concord Baptist Church celebrates 200 years

Members honored two centuries of worship, missions and community with a service recalling the church’s roots dating back to 1825

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

CONCORD BAPTIST

Church was lled to over owing last Sunday as members gath-

ered to celebrate the church’s 200th anniversary. Some wore long dresses, bonnets, overalls and straw hats reminiscent of the 1800s to honor the church’s roots. The service opened with

a time-honored roll call — a cherished tradition that echoed Concord’s deep and enduring history.

Concord Baptist was formed in 1825 as an outreach of the Bulltail (now Wells Chapel) church. As it grew, Concord kept a mission mindset. In 1835,

See CHURCH, page A3

Duplin County early voting o to modest start in rst week

More than 100 voters have cast ballots, with Warsaw, Wallace and Kenansville showing the highest turnout

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Duplin County voters are starting to trickle into the polls for

the 2025 municipal elections, with early voting now underway at the Ed Emory Auditorium in Kenansville.

According to Carrie Sullivan, Duplin County Board of Elec-

tions director, through the close of business on Oct. 23, a total of 108 voters had participated.

Although overall turnout remains low, certain areas are showing stronger engagement.

“So far, the largest turnout is coming from Warsaw, Wallace, and Kenansville,” Sullivan told Duplin Journal.

Rose Hill leaders approve Comprehensive Land Use Plan

“Plans are typically done anywhere from a 10, 15, or 20-year time horizon. That’s how far forward we look.”

Ashli Barefoot, Insight Consulting Group

After months of review and public feedback, the town’s updated plan went into e ect

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

THE ROSE HILL Board of Commissioners and Planning Board held a joint meeting and public hearing Oct. 14 to again consider approving the town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan,

which is required by state statute for towns to have and enforce zoning ordinances. The proposed plan was originally presented to the commissioners and planning board at the Aug. 12 meeting, but approval was tabled to allow more public feedback on the plan and to make a requested change. Ashli Barefoot of Insight Consulting Group in Wilmington, the group hired by the town to create the plan, again appeared

See ROSE HILL, page A2

Ashli Barefoot of Insight Consulting Group gives an update to changes requested to the Rose Hill Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Wendell Murphy, founder of Murphy Farms, was inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas, last Thursday. Murphy’s innovation and leadership transformed pork farming, earning him a place alongside agriculture legends. Murphy, second from left, stands next to, from left to right, Mike Fergus, Linda Murphy, David Hurrelbrink and Zane Hedgecock.See story on A2.

For those who have not yet cast their ballots, early voting is available Thursday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters are reminded to cast their ballots at their designated precincts.

With only a few days remaining before the election, local election o cials are encouraging residents to take advantage of early voting to ensure their voices are heard in this year’s municipal contests.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Historic Concord Baptist Church celebrated its 200th anniversary last Sunday.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Trip

Ena Sellers

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor

Allison Batts

Advertising Representative

Loretta Carey

O ce Manager

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ROSE HILL from page A1

before the boards to update them on progress since the Aug. 12 meeting when concern was expressed that an area of land targeted for recreational use along West Ridge Street was privately owned property that could be a ected if landowners wanted to sell or develop the property. Barefoot said that the plan had been updated to remove the recreational designation and change that area to “medium high density.”

Barefoot also informed the boards that social media posts and yers were used to encourage more public feedback on the plan, but that no additional feedback had been received.

During public comments, Barefoot was asked how long the plan would remain in e ect.

She responded that the statute requires the plan to be “reasonably maintained” while admitting it is ambiguous.

“Places grow at di erent rates and have di erent things going on,” Barefoot said. “Plans are typically done anywhere from a 10-, 15- or 20-year time horizon. That’s how far forward we look.”

Both the Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which went into e ect immediately.

In other business

The board heard a report from fellow commissioner and town Fire Chief Billy Wilson Jr. on the re insurance audit completed by the state at the Rose Hill Fire Department the day before. He commended the volunteer re ghters involved in preparing for the audit.

“They worked on it extremely, extremely hard, getting all the material together,” Wilson said. “It’s an awfully lot to compile for ve years of records; hydrant testing, training and ve-year testing on trucks. It’s very important that we do maintain these records and have great audits because that’s what keeps our insurance rates down.”

Wilson said they will get the results of the audit and what the insurance rating for the department is within 90 to 120 days.

The board agreed to consider, at the next meeting, a request from a hair salon at 105 East Church St. to have handicap handrails installed from the street to the sidewalk to allow for easier access to the business by older customers who have trouble managing the steps.

The North Carolina pork industry pioneer was honored for his transformative impact on modern agriculture

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WHEN THE National Agricultural Hall of Fame welcomed its newest members Oct. 23, it wasn’t just honoring individual achievement — it was recognizing the power of innovation to reshape an industry.

Among the honorees was Wendell Murphy, the Rose Hill entrepreneur whose forward-thinking approach to pork production transformed American agriculture.

Murphy was honored with induction into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of George Washington, Thomas Je erson, Abraham Lincoln, John Deere and others. Murphy was inducted alongside former USDA Secre-

“I’m feeling many emotions — gratitude, humility, and truthfully, disbelief. To be inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame is an honor beyond anything I could have ever imagined.”

Wendell

Murphy

tary Sonny Perdue and antique tractor preservationist Michael Hinton, each recognized for their unique contributions to the agricultural landscape.

“I’m feeling many emotions –gratitude, humility and, truthfully, disbelief,” said Murphy during his acceptance speech.

“To be inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame is an honor beyond anything I could have ever imagined. When I look at the names of those who came before me, I see pioneers of American agriculture — men and women who not only shaped our industry but also our nation. To be counted among them feels almost unreal.”

For Murphy, the honor re-

ected a lifetime devoted to changing how America raises and produces pork.

“It is fair to say that no one in the history of U.S. agriculture has had a greater in uence on swine breeding and raising swine than Wendell Murphy,” said North Carolina Department of Agriculture Chief of Sta Zane Hedgecock. “Agriculture in North Carolina and the nation was changed for the better because of his vision.”

Chartered by Congress in 1960, the National Agricultural Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose outstanding contributions have led to the advancement of American agriculture.

Mount Olive moves forward on projects to ease sewer moratorium

The board authorized an engineering rm to negotiate the scope and costs of wastewater treatment upgrades

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

MOUNT OLIVE — Members of the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners gathered for a special-called meeting on Oct. 21 to consider two items related to work the town hopes will be a step in repairing the wastewater woes that have plagued the town for years and that has resulted in a moratorium issued by the state on any new sewage capacity in town.

A contract, which would be awarded to Ralph Hodge Construction Company of Wilson, for a “sewer collections rehabilitation project,” was tentatively approved by the board, subject to approval of bid documents by the N.C. Division of Water Infrastructure.

In addition, the board approved Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland’s request that authorizes McGill Associates Engineering to negotiate the scope and costs with

“It will start the process of doing the two projects, one of them being I&I (in ltration and in ow) on the collection system and the other work on the wastewater treatment plant.”

Glenn Holland

a contractor regarding the “wastewater treatment improvements project.”

In an interview with Duplin Journal, Holland was cautiously optimistic about these two projects taking the town at least in the direction of eventually ending the town’s wastewater problems.

“It will start the process of doing the two projects, one of them being I&I (infiltration and inflow) on the collection system and the other work on the wastewater treatment plant to hopefully, keyword hopefully, have a positive impact,” Holland said.

Holland said the work on the collection system will help meet some of the requirements of a special consent order between Mount Olive and the state that features several mandated steps the town must take to avoid

additional sanctions and fines on the town.

As far as how these contracts will affect the wastewater moratorium Mount Olive is under, which has basically brought development in the town and other areas its sewage system serves to a halt, Holland said that remains to be seen based on how effective the project is.

“As far as the impact on the moratorium, until the work is completed and we can look and see if we see a reduction in flow to the collection system, I have no way of telling you how far toward relief from the moratorium we will be,” Holland said.

He indicated this work is just a small step toward eliminating the town’s overall wastewater handling problems, but he, like the town, hopes it is a step in that direction.

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

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. The 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

Trunk-or-Treat at Rose Manor Shopping Center

6-9 p.m.

Heavenly Grounds will host a Trunk or Treat at the Rose Manor Shopping Center. The family-friendly event will feature candy, face painting, a costume contest, music and games, o ering a safe and fun way for the community to celebrate Halloween.

594 S. Sycamore St., Rose Hill

Nov. 7-8

NC Poultry Jubilee

The NC Poultry Jubilee returns to downtown Rose Hill 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.

512 E Main St., Rose Hill

Nov. 8

Oyster & Smoke Festival

Noon to 5 p.m.

Duplin County is heating up with the inaugural Oyster & Smoke Festival in Teachey. Enjoy oysters, authentic smoked meats, live music and all the avors that capture the spirit of eastern North Carolina. General Admission $10 (no oysters included).

Boney Street, Teachey

Greeveners mayor responds to public call for more patrols

An increase of police patrols is being considered after a con rmed shooting

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

GREENEVERS — Public safety and infrastructure improvements topped the agenda at the Greenevers Town Board’s October meeting, where o cials con rmed a recent police incident, approved major water project contracts and discussed several community concerns.

A constituent inquired about reports of a shooting at the Community Center. The board conrmed that police responded to the incident; no one was injured, and no witnesses came forward, so no action was taken. The constituent requested increased police patrols, and Mayor Diane Brown stated the town is considering adding o cers to the payroll.

After public comments closed, a representative from McDavid Associates presented updates on the town’s water infrastructure project. The bidding process be-

gan in April for a new well control system, a well house renovation, and tank painting. However, the rm initially struggled to secure the required number of bids. Bids were nally received in September, and a contractor has been selected to complete the work. The total project cost exceeded the $3 million grant, so McDavid Associates agreed to reduce their fees by $50,000 to remain within budget. The board approved tentative awards to Cox Edwards and other subcontractors for the $3.025 million in water and infrastructure

the church sent 24 members to establish Beaverdam (now Magnolia) Baptist Church. In 1853, it sent 32 members to establish Carroll’s Chapel (now Corinth) Baptist Church. Over the years, Concord has also sent missionaries to China and Africa. In the past 28 years alone, they have given more than $500,000 to missions. The heart of Concord is still beating strong today.

Following roll call, the church congregation sang hymns together, including “When We All Get To Heaven,” “Bringing In The Sheaves” and “Onward Christian Soldiers.” The church followed with prayer, o ering and a reection on attendance andnancial records.

“In the 1800s, the church started with just 15 members and an o ering of $4.50,” Gary Bell, Sunday School superintendent and chairman of the Concord Church’s Histori-

“In the 1800s, the church started with just 15 members and an o ering of $4.50. We’ve changed a lot since then.”

Gary Bell

have died since last year. Flowers decorated the front of the sanctuary in honor of one, Diane Usher Spivey. The Usher family, like many attending Concord that day, have been in attendance at the church for two to three generations.

Pastor Jimmy Johnson was also honored with a special engraved Dignitary Bible from Gideon’s Bible International. In his 28 years of service at Concord, Johnson has been a committed supporter of the ministry of Gideon’s Bibles.

Bell shared a brief summary of the church’s history and

day. It was renovated in 1996. In the early 1900s, additions started to add space for Sunday School and fellowship. A new fence and sign were added to the cemetery in 2019. In 2022, an LED sign was added in front of the church, but the structure still holds its classic, timeless charm.

Bell showed a slideshow of pictures showcasing members, growth and memories made at Concord over the years. Johnson welcomed Dennis Conner, a leader from the Southern Baptist Convention, as guest speaker. Conner preached about the importance of memorials.

“Meaningful memorials, like what you are doing here today at Concord, recall God’s promises, provision, and protection,” Conner said.

Conner recalled history and how the church had to hold strong despite political tides and wars surrounding it on all sides. He encouraged the current congregation to take time to recall God’s protection, provision and promises ful lled in

The service closed with an altar call, singing “Amazing Grace.” People lingered in fellowship and a full potluck banquet following the service.

grant funds, along with amendments and change orders recommended by McDavid Associates. Brown thanked the rm for their exibility. McDavid Associates expects to nalize paperwork and begin work within the next month or two.

Town Clerk Emma Brinson provided an update on the subdivision ordinances. She stated that at the Sept. 29 Planning Board meeting, Carlton Gideon recommended revisions to the subdivision plan, which has since been updated and forwarded to Duplin County for review. The Town Board discussed meeting with the Planning Board at a later date to review the revised plan. Under new business, Brown inquired about a vehicle obstructing a town project. Brinson reported that the owner has been noti ed by letter but has not yet responded. She also presentednancial reports and recommended releasing three accounts from

the tax roll: one for a property where the building was relocated in 2022, another that has been sold and a third qualifying for an elderly exemption. The board approved releasing all three accounts, totaling just under $250.

Brown announced the addition of new playground equipment. Brinson then reported complaints regarding free-range chickens roaming onto neighboring properties. Since the town currently has no ordinances addressing live-caged animals, the mayor suggested the Planning Board draft appropriate regulations at its next meeting.

The board also discussed contract landscaping for town maintenance. Members expressed concern about the proposed costs, debris left behind by contractors and the importance of including clear obligations in written agreements.

The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss personnel matters.

FLOCK Foundation helps launch innovative safe space at RHM Elementary

A combination of creativity, therapy and play helps students build resilience and coping skills

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL-MAGNOLIA Elementary School is breaking new ground in student mental health and behavior support with the opening of the Eagles Nest, a state-of-the -art deescalation room donated by the House of Raeford’s FLOCK Foundation. The school and foundation celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, marking the launch of an initiative designed to help students manage emotions, reduce behavioral issues and provide a safe, supportive space to regulate themselves.

“It’s a wonderful place where the kids can have an opportunity to relax, feel more comfortable, in an environment away from the classroom, away from the principal’s o ce,” said Rose Hill Magnolia Elementary Co-Principal Cary Powers.

“The mental health of our children in Duplin County schools is a high priority with school administrators. Two of the four guiding pillars of House of Raeford Farms FLOCK are youth development and mental health,” House of Raeford Farms’ Dave Witter told Duplin Journal. “As the Eagles Nest project at Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary developed, the FLOCK Board of Directors determined that this initiative would be a good t for FLOCK and our community-minded e orts.”

According to Witter, a couple of other schools in the county have expressed some interest in implementing the program.

The Eagles Nest equips sta with a valuable tool to support students in crisis while addressing broader mental health needs. The room’s multipurpose design integrates educational, emotional and even spiritual support, o ering dedicated areas for art, reading, STEM, games and counseling. Powers emphasized that helping students regulate emotions in a safe environment can boost academic performance and foster long-term resilience, ultimately bene ting the entire county.

“We know it’s going to be successful,” said Powers. “Thank you to the House of Raeford FLOCK for the hard work out here to make this happen.”

“As the Eagles Nest project at Rose HillMagnolia Elementary developed, the FLOCK Board of Directors determined that this initiative would be a good t.”

Dave Witter, House of Raeford Farms

CHURCH from page A1

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Pastor Jimmy Johnson, left, receives an engraved Bible from Gideon’s International recognizing his service to Concord Baptist Church.

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

Follow the money: How the Democrat Party lost its local touch

This ain’t granddaddy’s Democrat Party.

TIP O’NEILL, the 47th speaker of the United States House of Representatives, is the person most often credited with using the phrase “all politics is local.” We don’t hear that phrase as often as we did a couple of decades ago. However, keep that thought in mind as I express a few opinions about some of today’s politicians and their politics.

I do not believe today’s politics, especially national Democratic politics, are local to the majority of Duplin County citizens. I know that an overwhelming majority of Duplin County registered Republicans and una liated voters do not agree with the national leaders of the Democratic Party. I am acquainted with many local folks still registered as Democrats, and my experience, gained over many years, tells me they do not support the current policies or politics of the radical left wing of the Democrat Party.

Additionally, I am very well acquainted with all the elected Democrats on the Duplin County Board of Commissioners and on the Duplin County Board of Education. I consider them to be good friends, and I am truly thankful for their service to our county. I do not think they believe or support the radical left-wing policies of the national leaders of the Democrat Party.

Consider the following issues I consider to be radical and ultra-left wing. I believe they are out of line with the vast majority of

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WHILE I REALIZE I was not at my best, at least my heart was in the right place when I attended and shared remarks at the recent gathering at the Wallace Depot to show my love and appreciation for Warren Hepler, a man who helped me so much and one who served in various positions to make our community and the world a better place. He was one of the best.

Wallace has always seemed like a second home to me, having moved there the night I graduated from high school and going to work the next day with Stroud Construction. I tell folks I laid the bricks on the Roy Carter home across the street from the barbershop. And I did. I laid them on the sca old for the brickmason. While living and working there, and playing music every Saturday night at the Legion, I met a lot of wonderful people. I lived there until I entered the Armed Forces.

David Henderson, a man who would run and become a member of the U.S. Congress would play an important role in my life, while I did everything I could to help him. There was no way I could ever repay him for all he did for me. On the lighter side, I will never forget the night we went backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and took pictures with Dolly Parton. That was a night we would long talk about and remember. LOL. Warren had a strong commitment to the preservation of the Depot. You can honor him by making a contribution to the ongoing maintenance, as I plan to do. Wallace Depot, 206 Southwest Railroad St., Wallace, NC 28466.

Charlie Albertson, Beulaville

Duplin County citizens, regardless of how they are registered. Wide open borders, legalized marijuana, de-funding the police, biological men in women’s sports, bene ts for illegal immigrants, illegal immigrants voting, changing gender, late -term abortion, no cash bail, attacking ICE o cers, judicial tyranny, same sex marriage, destroying property during riots, Obamacare/ACA, DEI in higher education, vulgar language, sympathy for antifa, free giveaways, anti-Israel, support for Hamas, overfunding NGOs, unabashed lawfare against political opponents, drag queen shows in schools, inappropriate agelevel sex education, excessive mail-in voting, excessive early voting days and, nally, the rampant Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Consider these federal and state-level Democrat politicians that I consider far-left radicals with extreme secular progressive ideas who want to “fundamentally change America”: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Greg Casar, Summer Lee, Delia Ramirez, Jamaal Bowman, Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Je ries, Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, Bernie Sanders, JB Pritzer, Gavin Newsom, Zohran Mamdani, Letitia James, Jack Smith and Fani Willis.

Now consider these state-level Democrat politicians who parrot or look the other way to the politics and ideology of those listed

above: Josh Stein, Je Jackson and former Gov. Roy Cooper. Remember, “Birds of a feather ock together.” You will not hear them criticize or challenge the politics of the radical left because they need and want their support. There are, of course, other issues and other secular progressives, but these two lists are fairly convincing that this ain’t Granddaddy’s Democrat Party anymore! The politics of those listed above certainly isn’t local for Duplin County. Additionally, Jena Wadsworth and Sarah Taber, who challenged Steve Troxler in 2020 and 2024, respectively, were far from Granddaddy’s typical farmers. But each got more than 90% of the Duplin County Democrat votes, even though Troxler is the most popular and respected politician in North Carolina.

That being said, I ask this question: Why do county-level Democrats still block votes for radical left-wing candidates like Wadsworth, Taber, Stein, Jackson and Cooper, who bow the knee to such radical left-wing Democrats as listed above?

My answer is, “Follow the money.”

Thus, I believe, the voting mantra of county-level Democrats across North Carolina is to forget local politics and local ideological values and vote for the state and federal candidates who raise the money and the “Democrat Party Machine” supports. Please remember this in November 2026.

We the people should remember “if you associate with or vote for bad company, you will likely acquire their negative traits.”

Rep. Jimmy Dixon represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

The normie revolution

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems. It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course. It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example. And yet this time feels unique. It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism. Every major institution in American life — many of

which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.

And that chaos means mistrust.

What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

TEACHEY COMMISSIONER

Duplin County Elections & Commissioner Ethylen Powell talks growth, community,

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

INCUMBENT Ethylen Powell has spent more than a decade helping guide the growth of Teachey, a town she’s called home for more than 50 years. First appointed to the board of commissioners in 2009, Powell’s journey into public service was ignited by a desire to stay involved in the community and being a part of decision making and growth. Since then, she’s become a steady voice in local government, championing improvements from park facilities to public services.

Answers have been edited for spacing purposes; a full version is available online.

Looking back on your time in public o ce, what accomplishment are you most proud of, and how has it tangibly bene ted the community?

I’m proud of our town’s progress — from our park with playgrounds, trails and picnic areas to new homes, improved services and growing community spirit. We’ve added sta , sewer and trash pickup, and a new re department supported by residents. When my husband and I moved here over 50 years ago, we had to either wash clothes or take a shower. This would sometimes ll up the septic tank, and we had to call for help and that

leadership

cost was around $150. We also had to pay the county $90 a year and haul our trash to a small land ll past the Du Creek community. Our town now celebrates together with Easter events in the park and an annual Christmas tree lighting.

How will you ensure all voices, including those in outlying or underserved areas, are heard and represented in town decisions?

All citizens are always invited to every town meeting, and our mayor has an open-door policy.

In your opinion, what is the most pressing challenge Teachey faces right now?

The most pressing thing right now is the tax base, and we are working on that.

What are your three priorities, and how do they align with residents’ concerns?

To ensure a smooth transition of new growth in town, listen to citizens’ concerns and continue to serve honestly.

What is your take on livestreaming and recording all public meetings? How important is it to you that budget documents are easily

accessible for residents?

Our administration does a very good job of recording minutes, and a copy of the budget is available for all citizens.

How have you addressed the community’s concerns about infrastructure and public services during your term?

Our monthly meetings are open to the public, and residents can have a copy of the minutes. It is, and always has been, an open-door policy — whether in person or by phone — if any citizens need help.

What is the most challenging part of your job that you wish residents would understand?

No one gets what they want all the time. Everyone must understand that running a town is similar to running your home or a business; you must always budget for emergencies and set priorities in order.

If given $1 million for Teachey, where would you allocate the funds and why?

You must always have a reserve to keep the town running. Repairs for roads, sewer stations and donations to the re department are very important parts of every town.

Four generations of service in Duplin

Since 1967, families have passed down a legacy of service, keeping the Oak Wolfe rehouse and community connected

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

AS NATIONAL FIRST Responders Day honors the dedication of re ghters, EMTs and other emergency personnel Oct. 28, the Oak Wolfe Fire Department in northern Duplin County stands out for its multigenerational legacy. Since its founding in 1967, the department has seen some families serve across four generations, passing down a tradition of community protection and volunteerism.

“In our re department, we have many members whose family members served before them,” Fire Chief John Daniel Ivey told Duplin Journal. “We have had some families who are on the fourth generation of serving, and many are in the

second and third. Many times our members will join because their in-laws or friends have joined, and they become interested as well.”

Ivey, a member since 1997 and re chief for nine years, emphasizes that Oak Wolfe’s members span all ages and experience levels.

“We have a wide range of service years,” he said. “Some have been on for over 50 years and are still active in day-to-day activities as well as many younger members who have been on 5, 10, 15, 20-plus years.”

Despite di erences in tenure, members work together with respect and a shared commitment to protecting their community.

“We are blessed to have compassionate members who truly stand by each other not only on the re ground, but also in our everyday lives as friends and supporters,” Ivey said.

Many children of members and local youth help at community events, cultivating pride and interest in the re service from an early age.

Community dinners are a ma-

jor tradition. Twice a year, Oak Wolfe grills BBQ pork and chicken plates, with proceeds funding equipment and supporting the department’s operations.

“People line up early because the food is good, but the fellowship is better,” Ivey said.

The next BBQ sale will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Community Building, with drive-thru and dine-in options.

Today, re departments face growing demands, from rising call volumes and increased certi cations to higher equipment costs. Fundraisers like these help Oak Wolfe meet the challenges while maintaining strong community ties.

“Our re department would not be what it is today without the support our community has given us since our inception in 1967,” Ivey said. “Our department is blessed with a great group of neighboring departments who we train with regularly so we can work as one when there is a time of need.”

Faison mayor discusses town’s future, 250th anniversary plans

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

FROM WATER and sewer upgrades to downtown development and community festivals, Faison’s incumbent Mayor Billy Ward says his next term will focus on keeping the town running strong while encouraging growth and civic pride.

Answers have been edited for spacing purposes; a full, unedited version is available online.

Looking ahead to your next term, what are your three priorities for Faison, and how do these address the concerns and needs you’re hearing from your residents?

To me, the top priorities are taking care of your citizens, essential services, making sure the town is well-maintained and taxpayers get value. We also want to grow, attracting new businesses while respecting property owners’ preferences for retail development.

Community engagement has been a recurring theme in your administration. How are residents being invited to participate in shaping the future of Faison?

Community engagement is key. We have festivals, rec programs and committees like the Faison Improvement Group (FIG) that encourage people to get involved. We use social media to share updates and events. For example, our executive administrator, Jimmy Tyndall, produces short videos explaining how our water system works and highlighting upcoming activities. We want residents to participate, not just complain — attend meetings, join committees, and help make Faison better.

How is the town balancing immediate needs with long-term planning given aging infrastructure?

Most of our water and sewer lines have been replaced, though a few areas still need attention, like the sewer under Highway 403. We’re planning long-term solutions and seeking funding to address these issues. Overall, Faison is in better shape than many

BILLY WARD

towns, but we continue replacing and repairing infrastructure as needed.

Looking ahead to the next few years, what do you de ne as Faison’s biggest opportunity and biggest risk?

Our 250th anniversary next July is a huge opportunity to showcase Faison, attract visitors, and engage the community with events, reworks and vendors. The biggest risk is people coming to town. We want people to bring their businesses here, we want people to try and open up small businesses, but that is a risk in itself in a small town, especially when you don’t have a grocery store or you don’t have a bank like we do. We encourage people and want people to do it but because there are successful businesses in Faison.

For example, one longtime restaurant is now closed on Mondays, but food trucks have lled that gap. The hardware store has been using their parking lot to get food trucks to come every Monday. Encouraging new businesses is a risk but also essential for growth, though there are few empty lots or available properties.

Re ecting on your time in o ce, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

The memorial for Dr. William Thornton, North Carolina’s rst NASA astronaut. I can’t take full credit for it because it had been started three or four years ago, we just said it’s time to get it done. We nished up the memorial, removed the old gym and created a brick courtyard honoring his legacy. So far, that’s probably the biggest thing that has happened while I was in o ce.

Voices of WWII come alive at Ghost Walk

All the voices represented Faison natives, many of whom rest in the cemetery today

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

FAISON — Voices from the past lled the Faison Cemetery Oct. 18 during the annual ghost walk, this year spotlighting World War II. Seven actors portrayed real people who lived through World War II, at home and on the front.

The family-friendly tour started with an air warden played by Bryan Bullard, who explained eastern North Carolina’s role in World War II. During his interactive discussion, the tours moved forward in a straight line through tombstones, with lights on the ground illuminating the way. The actors were set up in individual stations along the route to tell their stories. All the actors wore period dress, with props and, in some cases, accents to bring their characters to life.

There were the Martin sisters, Rachel Martin Clifton and Marietta Martin Davis, who served in the Navy and Army and returned home to Faison. They talked about life in the service and coming home afterward. There was John Warren, a farmer with six children at the time of WWII. He told the story of life at home and the war e orts underway in America at that time. Stella McColman was there to talk about the three-star ag that hung in her window for the three sons she had o at war. Luckily, they all came home, and one became the mayor of Faison. Ron Oates Sr. was there. He talked about moving to Faison with his wife and ending up building ships in Wilmington for the war. Clifton Edgerton, a Quaker and writer-illustrator living in New York at the time, brought some of his sketches. Originally from Faison, Edgerton was killed in action and buried in Belgium. He was

awarded the Bronze Star, the French Order of the War and a Purple Heart. James Coley, an Army veteran and POW survivor, was there. He told the story of how he escaped from a German prison camp and returned to his company.

All the “voices” of the ghost walk were portrayed by actors representing Faison natives — many of whom are buried in the cemetery today. Andrew Taylor, Faison Improvement Group director, estimated that more than 100 people attended the free event. This was FIG’s third year hosting the event, and it plans to be bigger and better next year.

“Next year is the 250th anniversary of our town and country. We plan to have voices here from the Revolutionary War forward,” Taylor said.

Everyone is encouraged to come back next year for the walking tour.

BBQ Sandwich Sale, $7 for 1 or $12 for 2

BBQ Pork by the Pound, $12

Live Music: 581 South, 11 -1:30 pm Zack Lee, 1:30-3:30 pm

Craft Beer by R&R Brewing

Pickle Train Rides, $3

Classic Car Show, Vendors

Corn Hole

Bring your own chair and enjoy the day! SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8 11 AM-4 PM

PHOTOS BY REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Top, Brittany Massey Taylor and Kelly Pena bring to life the Martin sisters, Rachel and Mae, who proudly served in the Navy and Army during World War II. Bottom left, Jimmy Tyndall dons a hat, overalls and a distinctive accent to embody John Warren Sr., a WWII-era farmer and father of six. Warren is buried in Faison Cemetery. Bottom right, Wilma Best Taylor portrays Stella McColman, who displayed a three-star ag in her window for her three sons serving overseas. All three returned safely, and one went on to become mayor of Faison, highlighting the family’s enduring mark on the community.

DUPLIN SPORTS

Tigers-’Dawgs: Smashmouth

Swine Valley Conference war

“We’ll need a clean game against Wallace, without fumbles, staying in front of the chains and then just trust our defense.”

Tim Grady, JK head coach

JK is favored but could face its sternest test this season against its longtime rival WRH

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — The rubber will hit the road Friday as the Jimmies and the Joes and their respective coaches of the X’s and O’s converge on both ends of Bill Taylor Field.

And the moment one warrior leads his followers past the mid eld, it’s full throttle muscle and speed to the chains or the end zone in four-down sequences, if necessary.

Punting is for those who don’t believe in grinding out

grueling yards inside the hash marks. This is James Kenan versus Wallace-Rose Hill, playing a smashmouth football war on Halloween night.

WRH enters the game much like JK did for the previous 13 meetings: an underdog, and not because the Tigers nipped the Bulldogs in overtime in the third round of the playo s last season.

JK (8-1, 5-0) is considered to be as high as the No. 1 seed in the 3A East Region, while WRH (5-4, 4-1) sits in the midteens in terms of a seed.

A Bulldogs win might not earn WRH a rst-round bye, as JK will have, but it would give head coach Kevin Motsinger and his team a share of the Swine Valley Con-

ference’s regular season title.

And, of course, any rivalry win in Duplin County is monumental.

Motsinger, who revived the Tigers program from 2003-05 by going 24-14, said JK is loaded with talent.

“It’s been said all year they are the team to beat in the East because they are the athletes and great overall speed,” he said. “They tackle well and have like nine backs when you can only have three on the eld. The super power stu they run is tough to defend, and No. 3 (Jeremiah Hall) is so good. No. 9 (two-way lineman Cal Avent) is such an explosive fullback blowing people

Wallace-Rose Hill (3A) and East Duplin (4A) 20-win campaigns ended

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — When both

Wallace-Rose Hill and East Duplin fell in fourth-round matches on Saturday, it dawned separate new eras for two Duplin County volleyball programs with a combined record of 42-7, if matches between them were discounted.

That’s a whole lot of digging, setting and spiking for two schools that won conference separate titles after eight years of being in the same league.

ND grad and longtime Rebels coach Hugh Martin faces WRH OC and head coach Adam Scronce of Hobbton in the Carolina Conference nale

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — It’s title-claiming Friday for Duplin County schools as all four could have a piece of a conference championship.

North Duplin alumni and longtime coach Hugh Martin is seeking a second-straight Carolina Conference ag. His counterpart, Adam Scronce, is in his rst season as Hobbton’s head grid man following a long and successful stint as Wallace-Rose Hill’s o ensive coordinator.

The Wildcats enter as the hottest reball, having recently destroyed Lakewood 20-7 as part of their six-game winning streak, which followed tough losses to quality foes — Midway, Triton and Dixon.

Both had nothing short of glorious runs. Cavallaro, Page, Gavin end great careers

A third loss to perennial power Midway left WRH (21-5) with a rebuilding project next season. But oh, what a legacy seniors Angelina Cavallaro, Jansley Page and Mattie Gavin left courtside at Steve Robinson Gymnasium. Each played four varsity seasons as WRH went 77-18. Cavallaro nished with 420 kills, 125 digs and 45 aces, while Page logged 413 kills, 52 aces, 62 blocks, 147 digs and 55 assists. Gavin had 743 assists as the

leadup player to points. She had 132 digs, 21 aces and 41 kills as the organizing force for the Bulldogs. WRH also loses seniors Kaylee Lovette, Bailey Teague and Kamdyn Gideon.

Cavalarro will play at UMO, Page at Fayetteville Tech and Gavin, who head coach Kevin Williams calls, “his MVP,” at Louisburg College.

“Jansely may be our smartest and best player and Angelina the one who gets point, but we don’t win without the heart and soul of Mattie,” Williams said. No. 2 WRH beat Eastern Randolph and Louisburg in the second and third rounds,

PHOTOS BY EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Left, WRH’s Khajyre Murphy will be on the frontlines Friday against JK. Right, Alex Vasquez, left, and Zamarion Smith give JK speed and fundamental open- eld tackling.

PJ WARD-BROWN / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Zoe Cavanaugh has been a consistent senior leader for ED this fall.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Garris Warren and ND will be tested by Hobbton’s running game as the free safety likely won’t be asked to do much pass coverage.

Kinsey Cave

East Duplin, volleyball

Kinsey Cave’s best sport is probably basketball. Or softball.

In the fall, it’s volleyball.

“She’s our point guard on the volleyball court,” said East Duplin head coach Susan Raynor, who plays that position in basketball.

But the all-Duplin hoopster and softball player was the glue for the Panthers, who went 22-3 and lost to Uwharrie Charter in the fourth round of the 4A playo s last Saturday in Asheboro.

This season, the junior had 178 kills, 52 aces, 30 blocks, 159 digs and 205 assists.

Cave led the Panthers basketball team to a 49-8 mark the past two seasons and hit .362 for the 14-9 softball team last spring.

The Panthers dominated action from the opening kicko during a 38-18 win over Pender to clinch the ECC 3A/4A title

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BURGAW — The Davis gridiron brothers found ways into holes of the East Duplin Wing-T during last Friday’s 3818 win over previously unbeaten Pender.

The Panthers (7-2, 5-0) scored on four of their rst ve possession of the rst half and needed just a third-quarter score to come within a game of capturing the ECC 3A/4A title on Hyne Field.

Dwayne Davis had what would be the winning score, Shawn Davis and Aaron Hall added touchdown runs, and Branson Norris connected with Garrett Sholar for another score. The Panthers’ season nale is against South Lenoir.

The Blue Devils (3-6, 0-4) have lost ve straight, and their wins have come against Lejeune, Jones Senior and Spring Creek, which are a combined 2-27.

Another win will not only give the crown to ED but also put the Panthers in line for a top seed in the 4A playo s. Predictions with RPI rankings have ED rising to as high as the second seed.

“We’ve got one more game to take care of and then hopefully have a week o to prepare for the second round (the top 8 seeds earn byes),” Holley said. “But we’ve got to get better o ensively.”

The passing game of the Panthers is improving as Norris red his seventh touchdown strike after having only three in eight games last fall.

“For us to be able to win in the playo s, we’ve got to have that kind of thing,” Holley said. “We need quality quarterback play and better blocking from everyone else to support our running backs.”

Defensive linemen Tavarious Dawson, Allen Stukes and Jacuri Hill, cornerback Keeshon McKinnie, strong safety Bryson Brown, free safety Dewayne Davis and defensive back Zack Ball, who has a Duplin-high six interceptions, bent a bit but did not give away many big plays, especially in the second half.

“I felt it was one of our better

VOLLEYBALL from page B1

respectively, before falling to the Raiders 3-1.

Tied at 1-1, No. 3 Midway won the nal two sets 25-23 and 25-14 as Kaedyn Moran and Gracyn Hall combined for 38 kills.

“We pulled ourselves together in the second set, yet after losing a close third set looked drained,” Williams said. “I really thought we had the right pieces to go all the way this year.

“There were a lot of tears in the locker room. This is a special group, and we’ll always have great memories. That’s the best part of all of this.”

Panthers rebuilt, ready for future ‘runs’

East Duplin’s map to a 22-3

overall games and the defense played well,” Holley said. “We’re peaking but have not peaked yet. You always want to be playing your best at this time of the year.”

Up 14-12, Dewayne Davis (7-74) scored from the 10, three plays after Hall sprinted for 19 yards.

Ball’s interception on the next snap resulted in a 37-yard score for Dewayne Davis’ second touchdown scamper.

Gavin Jarman’s 22-yard eld goal came after a Dewayne Davis’ 33-yard punt return and a 10-yard thrust by Shawn Davis. ED hit the locker room in front 31-12 follow a stop of Pender at the Panthers 27.

The Panthers forced Pender to turn the ball over on fourth down twice in the rst seven minutes of the third quarter.

Shawn Davis, who was selected to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star game in December, then ripped o a 22-yard gain, converted on fourth-and-3 and scored two plays later from the 4 for his 10th touchdown of the season.

ED bene tted from Pender’s 118 penalty yards, stopping the Patriots 6 of 9 times on third down and 7 of 8 on fourth down.

While they seemingly gave up a lot of yards (324), Pender has a season-low in points. Quarterback Austin Deal, 1585 running in the Bone Flex attack, threw a touchdown pass to Messiah Darling and ran for a meaningless fourth-quarter score from 7 yards out.

Pender (8-1, 4-1) is predicted

campaign included a 16-game winning streak that was snapped by No. 1 Uwaharrie Charter (27-3) on Saturday after 25-10, 25-19, 25-17 sets in Asheboro.

“I think the 31⁄2-hour bus ride led to a slow start,” said ED head coach Susan Raynor, who credited assistant coaches Makayla Byrd and Nicole Kennedy for ED’s success as the Panther improved from 15-7 in 2024 to a contender.

“They help out tremendously as our players developed bodies to better jump and hit,” Raynor said. “But what our girls did was rst be good athletes and then develop the will to win. You can’t teach hustle, heart and determination we saw when got down 0-10 against Trask and came back and won.”

ED beat Clinton (3-2) and Ayden-Grifton (3-0) in

to be a favorite in the 3A playo eld and will likely earn a rst-round bye.

Norris’ touchdown pass came on ED’s eighth snap. A Brown sack on fourth down gave the Panthers a short eld. Norris then found Ball for a 6-yard pass, and Mckinnie’s rst-down jaunt had added yardage after a face masking ag.

Hall (10-44) scored from the 9 after Norris got slipped into the line for a rst down on the previous play.

Panther paws McKinnie leads ED in tackles at 10.2 per game. He has two interceptions. Brown is next at 9.7 followed by Shawn Davis (8.3), Isiah Bennerman (8.1), Hill (7.6), Dewayne Davis (7.1), Semaj Scott (6.9) and Stukes and Ball (5.4 each).

Mckinnie’s has two interceptions and a team-high four sacks.

Mckinnie, Hill, Brown and Scott all have eight tackles for lost yardage.

Ball is averaging 25 yards after his six picks.

Shawn Davis and JK graduate and grid coach Pat Byrd will both represent the East in the all-star game. Byrd, who led Richlands to the fourth-best season in school history in 2024, is the o ensive coordinator for unbeaten Jacksonville (8-0). He will be an assistant for head coach Jason Battle of Rocky Mount. The Cardinals beat ED 35-24 on Sept. 19 and need to whip White Oak (4-5) to win the Big Carolina 6A/7A Conference.

the second and third round, respectively.

While the Panthers lose Zoe Turner (122 kills, 70 aces, 247 digs) and Zoe Cavanaugh (138 kills, 189 digs, 39 aces) the rest of the roster is underclassmen, including Kinsey Cave (178 digs, 52 aces, 159 digs, 205 assists), Karsyn Parker (205 assists, 249 digs), Sophia Jones (80 kills, 55 blocks), Bennett Holley (71 kills, 39 aces, 110 digs) and Lauren Cottle (81 digs, 150 assists).

“They decided they could do it when they saw they could be good,” said Raynor, who left to coach at WRH but returned in 2022 and while gone led WRH to a 22-4 mark in 2016 and a fourth-round appearance in the 1A playo s.

She took two Panthers squads to that level during her rst tenure in Beulaville.

Crusaders seek rst Big East Conference title since 2021

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jeremiah Davis runs for one of his three touchdowns against Ravenscroft. The Crusaders’ top running back is 51 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.

fall was to Lakewood in the rst league matchup for both schools.

Hobbton (6-3, 4-0) has averaged 35 points during its winning streak using Scronce’s Wing-T attack.

He’s used running backs Amir Tate (144-1,014, 11 TDs), Reginald Thompson (1281,078, 8 TDs) and Anthony Cowell (32-407, 5 TDs) e ectively on the ground.

When the ball is passed, it’s been to the hands of Tate (11-168, TD) or Thompson (6 - 60, TD).

“They have a di erent o ensive scheme now and a coach who has done a great job in making it what is has become,” said Martin, who contrasted Scronce with Joe Salas’ pass-happy o ense of the past.

“It ts his personnel as they have speed at key positions, and their O-line is obviously big and improved and able to put their hands I the dirt and block.”

ND leads the all-time series 29-27, which started in 1967. Martin stepped into the middle of a long Rebels losing streak to the Wildcats and after a 1-3 start won seven straight. But then came ve consecutive losses. His Rebels have won the past two encounters, including last season’s 34-31 triumph, which was the closest game ND had en route to an unbeaten regular season.

The Rebels’ lone loss this

ND (8-1, 4-1) counters with an experienced team that can score quickly or sustain clock-chewing drives.

Any attempt to stop the Rebels will rest on Hobbton’s ability to make running back Carell Phillips (160-1,594, 23 TDs) look like anything other than the best back in the league. The Wildcats proved they are capable of that by limiting Leopard Calvin Lacewell to 89 yards last week in Lakewood to 114 yards on the ground.

Yet no school has held the Rebels senior down this fall, and when Phillips goes o on a team, it’s all over early.

He ran for 251 yards and four scores last Friday when ND stomped East Columbus 53-12 for its fourth win since a 26-22 setback to Lakewood.

“No. 21 (Phillips) is a really good player, and that team has some tough scrappy players,” Scronce said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us. They are good at what they do and will limit your possessions and chew up the clock with long drives. We have to get them behind the chains and then score when we have the ball.”

In addition, the winner of the contest will have a higher seed, possibly as high as No. 2 in the 2A playo s. Though both

HCA seeks its rst win over Fayetteville Academy in four years as two Crusaders clash

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

HARRELLS — All Crusaders are not created equal.

Only one will emerge as Big East Conference champions Friday when Harrells Christian and Fayetteville Christian clash in “Soldier City.”

It’s been a di cult place for HCA to play, though, even as it enters the game as a slight favorite.

“I tried to take care of that right after Ravenscroft by saying, ‘That eld is 100 yards long, like every other eld, and we have to get there to score points,” said Crusaders head coach Clayton Hall. “Football is football, whether it’s a parking lot or grass.”

HCA (8-1, 2-0) didn’t need to take measurement last Friday during a 48-21 win over rival Ravenscroft on Murphy-Johnson Field.

Jeremiah Davis (5-145) ran

for three scores and is within 49 yards of passing the 1,000-yard plateau this fall.

Demetrius Jones (3-35), Jarrod Miller (6-34), Riley Fatovich (9-46) and Dashaun McKoy (2 - 43) added scores as HCA went in front 35-7 at halftime.

“Our boys played for this opportunity, and they certainly know what’s at stake,” Hall said.

“We’ll have to be able to shut the door on their running game. They’re a good team, but so are we.”

It will be a battle between Crusaders teams that run the ball.

Longtime FA head coach Chuck Webster’s club is 6-2 after going 10-2 the past two seasons, advancing to the NCISAA’s 2A semi nals in 2024 and falling in the nals the previous season.

They whipped HCA 42-6 last season and dominated the Crusaders in ’23 (43-14) and ’22 (50-0 and 55-21 in the regular season nale and rst game of the postseason). HCA won 56 -20 and 21-15 in ’21 and ’22, respectively, which were its last state nals appearances.

Fatovich, a sophomore, came up with a team-high 10 tackles against the Ravens to help avenge a 38-35 loss to the Kinston-based school,

“We moved Day-Day (McKoy) from free safety to corner back and played Riley there,” Hall said. “He came up to support the run and along with some changes in our defense we were able to stop a good football team.”

Noah Turner had seven tackles, Jesse Smith seven, Xander Garcia and J’Kaeshi Brunson six apiece, while Amir Moore, Smith and Tanner were credited with sacks. Brunson and Smith had interceptions.

HCA’s defense is holding teams to 17.2 points, while Davis and company are hitting the scoreboard for 43 on Friday nights. In addition, quarterback Reid Strickland (31-51 for 642, 11 TDs) gives Hall other options out of his smashmouth running o ense.

The winner of the game could get a rst-round bye in the playo s, which always provides rest and healing for players and additional time for coaches on the practice eld.

schools should receive a bye in the rst round as one of eight in each classi cation, which is new this season. It appears that unbeaten Tar-

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.

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

boro has all but locked on the top spot.

ND’s top tacklers this fall are Ethan Turner (8.1 per game), Braylon Lee (7.0), Lucas Dail

(5.0), Trashawn Ru n (4.1), Noah Bennett and Noa Quintanilla (4.0 each), Ben Kelly (3.9), Garris Warren (3.4), and Holden Williams (3.1).

FOOTBALL from page B1

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Lucas Dail is third in tackles for ND, which plays Hobbton on Friday for a share of the CC title.

Bulldogs’ 10th-straight win brings home Swine Valley ag

Cergio Acosta scored the lone goal as WRH clinches the boys’ soccer conference title

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

SEVEN SPRINGS — Wallace-Rose Hill shared the East Central 2A Conference title with James Kenan and East Duplin.

This fall, the Bulldogs own the newly created Swine Valley 2A/3A Conference that was created when the NCSHSAA went from four to eight classi cations.

WRH regroup after losing a ock of players, including all- state performer Alex Zepeda (48 goals, 14 assists) under rst-year coach Aaron Murray, a former Bulldogs player.

Last week a 1-0 win on Spring Creek’s pitch gave WRH a league title as the Gators are three games behind the ’Dawgs with matches left in the regular season.

Senior Steven Acosta set up junior Cergio Acosta in the second half for the lone score against the Gators (9-12-1, 7-3).

And even though the Swine Valley isn’t as strong as the ECC was the last several seasons, the ag reassures the opposition that WRH (12-4-1, 10-0) is a big-time player in 3A.

Murray is establishing a new culture and way of playing soccer as his team was the No. 3 RPI-rated school in that classi cation entering this week.

WRH has given up just 20 goals this fall, 14 during its nonconference slate and only six in 10 league matches.

The ’Dawgs nish out the regular season against Rosewood and James Kenan. The rst round of the playo s is Tuesday, Nov. 4, though WRH will likely get a bye and start its postseason two days later.

Expect WRH to make a run at another title.

Panthers ght for playo positioning

ED (12-7-2, 6-2) was beaten 3-0 by Clinton (19-2, 8-0) last

from page B1

away and then plays great on the D-line.”

Motsinger has similar praise for quarterback Eli Avent (30 - 48 for 645 yards, 11 TDs) as he did Hall (90-1,240, 20 TDs).

“No. 11 (Eli Avent) is shifty and doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” he said. “He’s a playmaker and can take o at any time.”

Meanwhile, JK head coach Tim Grady is concerned Jamarae Lamb (170-1,812, 22 TDs) doesn’t go for long sprints as he has against every foe this fall.

“They still have speed, along with a college running back (Lamb) and speed in the secondary,” Grady said. “Their D-line is monstrous, huge, and they move their feet so well.”

WRH leads the all-time series 47-29. Motsinger is 10-1 vs. JK and Grady 1-4 vs. WRH.

Anyone thinking an underdog can’t have a big win in this series is forgetting 2015, when the Bulldogs were spanked by the Tigers 33-15 in Warsaw, the

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Cergio Acosta is mobbed by his WRH teammates after scoring the winning goal against Spring Creek.

week but got a solid 4-1 win over Trask.

The Panthers are No. 12 in the RPI system in 4A and this week are playing for one of the 16 rst-round byes. The Dark Horses are the No. 2 RPI team in 4A. ED is No. 12.

Clinton and ED are the lone schools in the ECC with an over .500 winning percentage.

Yoskar Canales scored his 25th goal of the season in the win. Gerado Lopez, Brayan Gonzalez and Oscar Ramirez added scores and Richard Reyes the lone assist.

Gomez goals help Tigers take two matches

Devis Gomez scored four goals in a pair of games last week as James Kenan (9-7-2, 6-4) captured its season-high fourth win in a row.

lone loss in a 1AA championship season for WRH, which returned the favor with a 29-13 beat down in the East Region nal.

JK’s attacking defense is led by free safety Zeleya (10.3 tackles per game), Stedman McIver (8.1), Cal Avent (7.3), Jacquez Smith (7.0), Zamarion Smith (6.8), Pearsall (5.3), Hill (5.0) and Alex Vasquez (5.0). WRH counters with Aspen Brown (6.9), Will Brooks (6.7), Khajyre Murphy (5.1), Darrius McCrimmon (4.9) and Adrian Allen (4.8).

Tigers push over Princeton; ’Dawgs whitewash Eagles

JK smoked Princeton 49-14 last Friday in Johnston County as Hall galloped for 198 yards and four scores.

Taulil Pearsall (45-451, 8 TDs) added a score with a 55 -yard run and Eli Avent had scoring strikes to CJ Hill (12-349, 6 TDs) and David Zeleya (8-193, 2 TDs) to bolster his numbers to 30 for 48 for

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

FILE NUMBER: 25SP001052-300 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 MYRTLE MILLER THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF DUPLIN, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 1748,

Gomez had a hat trick during a 6-0 triumph over Rosewood. Ismael Covarrubias, Jayden Funez and Gerzon Diaz added a goal as the Tigers went in front 4-0 at halftime.

Scores by Gomez and Kebert David lifted JK past Goldsboro 2-0.

JK can improve its No. 22 ranking this week with a win against WRH.

Rebels crown Vikes for third win of season

Douglas Torres, Jerrson Lopez, Emanuel Mendez and Allan Valencia each scored twice as North Duplin beat East Columbus 10-1 for its third win of the season.

Victor Mata and Sergio Garcia added scores in Calypso for ND, which is 3-8-2 overall and 3-7-2 in Carolina Conference play.

645 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“It was a little better than I thought it might be,” Grady said. “Jeremiah didn’t touch the ball much (eight times) but really went o .

“We’ll need a clean game against Wallace without fumbles, staying in front of the chains and then just trust our defense.”

Senior Night in Teachey produced a few tears and a 58-0 triumph over Rosewood.

Lamb (13-183), Adrian Glover (6-50) and Jamari Carr (4-17) each had a pair of scores.

“I thought it was the best we’ve been on both sides of the ball,” Motsinger said. “Our defensive line attacked, and our linebackers really got downhill. Rosewood gave us so many opportunities to practice things we’ll see down the road that are hard to simulate in practice.

“We need to lineup properly and tackle well all over the eld against James Kenan and be aware that we won’t likely get explosive plays, but to keep playing hard every down.”

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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

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#25E001393-300 The undersigned, SOMMER WILSON, having quali ed on the 6TH DAY of OCTOBER, 2025, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ANITA LOIS BURTON,

Run dates:O30,N6,13,20p

SWINE

obituaries

Mary Claudia Wilson

March 10, 1949 –Oct. 21, 2025

Mary Claudia Wilson, 76, of Magnolia, NC, passed away on October 21, 2025, at Four Oaks Senior Living in Four Oaks, NC. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Wilson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Turkey, NC. Visitation from noon-1 p.m. (one hour prior to the service). Interment following the service at Wilson Chapel MBC cemetery.

Billy Gerald Thompson

April 2, 1949 – Oct. 18, 2025

Though we are saddened by the passing of Billy Gerald Thompson, age 76, on October 18, 2025, we rejoice in knowing he has gone to his eternal home in Heaven, where pain and su ering are no more.

Billy was the son of the late Ashley and Dicie Thompson, born on April 2, 1949, in Lenoir County, North Carolina.

To his family, he was the ultimate provider — a loving husband to his wife of 56 years, Jenny, a devoted father, a doting grandfather, and a proud greatgrandfather. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, vacationing often, and creating lasting memories together.

A man of incredible integrity and a powerful work ethic, Billy dedicated 60 years to his career in drywall work. He always strived to do his best and encouraged his children and others to do the same, teaching them the value of hard work and perseverance.

Billy was a devout Christian whose faith and trust in the Lord sustained him through the highs and lows of life. He was a faithful member of West Richlands Holiness Church for 25 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Virginia “Jenny” Thompson; son, Billy Gerald Thompson Jr., “BJ” (Dana); daughter, Sherry Thompson; and special granddaughter, Amber Gwynn (William).

He is also survived by grandchildren Tyler Rodriguez (Harper), Justin Thompson, and Ashlee Thompson; greatgrandchildren Kendall Lanier, Jackson Lanier, Coleman Gwynn, Lawton Gwynn and Sawyer Reign Stephen; sister Bonnie Melton (Roy Lee); brother Bobby Thompson; favorite vacation companions Danny Brinson and Geraldine Tyndall; long-time friend Anthony “Ant” Humphrey, who was like a son to him; cherished friend Teresa Powell; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Waiting to welcome him in Heaven were his brother Wilbur James “Jimmy” Thompson and sister Bernice Thompson Sanders.

A memorial service will be held at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, North Carolina, on October 23, 2025, at 6 p.m., followed by an informal visitation, with Pastor John Taylor o ciating.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for all the thoughts, prayers, and visits during this time.

Karen Jean Littlejohn Peterson

April 1, 1970 – Oct. 20, 2025

Mrs. Karen Jean Littlejohn Peterson, age 55, of Teachey,

Stephen Glenn Mills Sr.

Oct. 26, 1936 – Oct. 17, 2025

Stephen Glenn Mills Sr. (Steve), age 88, entered his eternal home on October 17, 2025. Born on October 26, 1936, Steve was one of six children of the late James Marcus Mills and Madie English Mills. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Mills Popik. After graduating from Wallace High School, Steve was employed by J.P. Stevens (SteveCo Knit) for more than 40 years. Instrumental in ushering the company into the computer age, he became the head of the Data Processing Department. Additionally, he and Jan owned a Singer sewing machine business in the 1970s and a Japanese maple nursery in their later years. Steve also enjoyed farming on his John Deere tractor. A true patriot, Steve proudly served in the N.C. Army National Guard for eight years.

Steve was a loving husband, father, grandfather, sibling and friend. A man of great faith, he attended First Baptist Church of Wallace. He also enjoyed years of Bible Study Fellowship International. Steve was known for his strong work ethic, positive attitude, and generosity. He was a good neighbor and friend who put others before himself.

Steve was an avid golfer, a hobby he enjoyed with family during holidays and vacations. He also played the guitar, and his love of music is shared by his children and grandchildren.

Steve is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janice Cottle Mills, daughter Kim Weaver (Gary) of Goldsboro, daughter Lisa Sasser (Byron) of Lewisville, son Stephen Mills, Jr. (Summer) of Hampstead, grandchildren Lauren Weaver of Warsaw, Blake Weaver (Alaina) of Durham, Kristen Sasser of Raleigh, Haedyn and Kendall Mills of Hampstead, and great-grandchildren Lyla Weaver, Beckett Weaver, and Winnie Weaver. He is also survived by siblings James Mills of Wallace, David Mills (Sandra) of Macon, Georgia, Joe Mills (Betty) of Raleigh, Emily McCraven (Spencer) of Cary, and many other loving relatives.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace, NC, with Pastor Merrell Mckoy o ciating. The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of owers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or online at samaritanspurse.org/ our-ministry/donate-online, or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or online at give.michaeljfox.org/ campaign/725318/donate, or to a charity of your choice.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to the sta of Poplar Grove Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice for the loving and compassionate care given to Steve in his nal months.

NC, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Hospital in Wilmington, NC.

A viewing will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC, followed by the funeral at noon. Burial will follow at Burton Cemetery in Wallace, NC.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her children: Rodney D. Littlejohn of Greensboro, NC, Andre’ L. Smith of Jacksonville, NC, Terrence L. Peterson, Jr. of Wallace, NC, and Shakia M. Peterson of Teachey, NC; one aunt, Glenda Barton of Wallace, NC; five grandchildren; two nieces, one nephew; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Annie Mae Bland

Jan. 17, 1943 – Oct. 22, 2025

Annie Mae Bland, 82, passed gently from her earthly life on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. She was born on January 17, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of Jodie A. Bland and Annie Green Bland. In addition to her parents, Annie Mae was preceded in death by many sisters and brothers.

Annie Mae is survived by her son, Tony Ray Burckhard, and his wife, Julie; daughter, Judith Ann Bland Weston; brother, David Bland; three step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Annie Mae was a joy to be around. She loved laughter, speaking what was on her mind, and dressing up with hats and pretty clothes. In years past, Annie Mae enjoyed knitting and sharing items that she made.

The graveside service will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Riverview Memorial Park, with her nephew, Mr. Rusty Brewer, conducting the service. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

Simon Brock

Jan. 2, 1950 – Oct. 24, 2025

Simon Brock, 75, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025, in ECU Duplin Hospital, Kenansville, NC. The funeral service is Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 7 p.m. followed by visitation at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC. The graveside service is Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Brock Family Cemetery in Kenansville, NC

He is survived be his son, Ray Brock (Jessica), Wallace, NC; daughter Angela Foss, Kinston, NC; Sisters Lurlene Futrell of Kenansville, NC, Fannie Mae Barnette of Beulaville, NC, and Elizabeth Varker of Warsaw, NC; brothers Woodrow Brock (Penny) of Rose Hill, NC and Norwood Brock; and grandchildren Madison and Ian Davis.

Catherine LeGwin Blanchard

Oct. 10, 1929 – Oct. 19, 2025

Catherine LeGwin Blanchard, 96, of Wallace, North Carolina, passed from this life to her eternal rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025. She was born on October 10, 1929, in New Hanover County, the daughter of the late LeRoy LeGwin and Ruby Wiggs LeGwin. Mrs. Blanchard was also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, William Ward Blanchard, and her brothers L.C. LeGwin, Jr., and Joe LeGwin.

Mrs. Blanchard was a lifelong member of Wallace Presbyterian Church where she served throughout the years in numerous ministries. She was a proud and avid DAR member for many years and served various o ces.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her daughter Julie B. Case of Wallace; son William David Blanchard and wife Jennifer of Rose Hill; grandchildren, Kristen Case Barber and husband Zack, Lauren Case, Peyton Blanchard, Dylan Blanchard, Abigail Blanchard; greatgrandchildren, Zachary Loner, Case Loner, Bailey Case and Bryson Barber; special friend Stacy Alan Wells of Wallace; her faithful companion ”Zoey” and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved her dearly.

Catherine was a loving mother and caring grandmother who loved her family with all her heart. She was a woman of uncommon character, beauty, and grace; and to those who knew her, “an instrument of God’s love on this earth.” After high school, Catherine attended nursing school at Watts Hospital in Durham, where she earned her nursing degree. Catherine had a servant’s heart and loved helping others. She was an avid NC State fan and loved playing bridge with her bridge club ladies. Catherine had a special place in her heart for children. She was the ‘grandmother of the neighborhood’ and children gathered at her house for love, nurturing and ice cream. Catherine was a special lady who loved unconditionally and was always willing to help others. She will surely be missed but never forgotten.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Wallace Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Robert Lapp o ciating.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, one hour prior to the service inside Currie Hall at the church.

Burial will follow the funeral service on Thursday at Rock sh Memorial Cemetery in Wallace.

The family would like to thank Catherine’s special caregivers, Belinda Alford of Harrells and Billie Shackleford of Burgaw, for all the love and care you gave to Catherine.

In lieu of owers, memorial gifts may be given to Wallace Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 717, Wallace, NC 28466, or the Children’s Home Society of NC, PO Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415.

Ralph Robertus Hunt

Feb. 17, 1945 – Oct. 21, 2025

Ralph Robertus Hunt, 80, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

He is survived by his wife, Pearline Hunt of Kenansville, NC; sons Aaron Hunt and Keith Hunt of Asheville, NC, Bryan Hunt, Kenansville, NC, and Rudy Taylor, Wilmington, NC; daughters Lori Jones of Jacksonville, NC, and Donna Raymas of Kenansville, NC; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Ariana Nevaeh Imoni Smith

March 23, 2010 –Oct. 17, 2025

Ariana Nevaeh Imoni Smith, 15, of Pittsboro, NC, gained her heavenly wings on October 17, 2025, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Rose Hill, NC. Visitation will be noon-1 p.m. (one hour prior to the service). Interment following the service at Devotional Gardens Cemetery in Warsaw, NC. SPONSORED

June 14, 1929 – Oct. 22, 2025

Mildred Pauline Batchelor, 96, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The graveside service is Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Amos Lanier Cemetery in Chinquapin, NC. She is survived by niece Karen Jenkins of Chinquapin, NC; and great-nephews: Je Batchelor (Jessica) and Ebbie Batchelor, both of Wallace, NC.

Mildred Pauline Batchelor

Second time’s the charm for rescheduled Latino Festival

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

WALLACE — After a two-week delay caused by a nor’easter, the Duplin County Latino Cultural Festival made its second-year return to Clement Park in Wallace last Saturday, celebrating Latino heritage with music, dance and food under picture-perfect fall skies.

The festival was organized by Wallace Mayor Pro-Tem Francisco Rivas-Dias, who told Duplin Journal the past two years’ events are actually the rebirth of a Latino Festival held years ago in the community.

“In the past, there used to be a nonpro t called the Duplin County Latino Center. They started doing the festival, but the last one was about 15 years ago,” Rivas-Diaz said.

He said the event ended when the nonpro t stopped being active after the original organizers left the county.

“I told (his wife) Brenda, ‘We haven’t had a Latino Festival in a while,’ and I came up with the idea for me to create one, so we brought the Latino Festival back last year,” Rivas-Diaz said, adding, “Ours is called the Latino Cultural Festival, emphasizing that we want to promote culture within the Latino community, including the arts and music.”

This year’s event featured numerous entertainment acts, including musicians and dancers, as well as a large collection of vendors and food trucks.

Left, food vendors featuring a wide variety of treats had their own section in Clement Park on Saturday during the annual Duplin Latino Cultural Festival. Right, a group children gather for a quick game of soccer in Clement Park on Saturday afternoon during the annual Duplin Latino Cultural Festival.

Duplin County Economic Development Commission (EDC)

Notice is hereby given that the Duplin County EDC is soliciting responses for Request for Proposal (RFP) for Lot Clearing, Tree Removal, Grading, and Erosion Control Services – AirPark Center. Interested respondents may submit proposals to the Duplin County EDC O ce, 260 Airport Road, Kenansville, NC 28349. All proposals are due on or before Friday, November 21th, 2025 at 4:00PM at the Duplin County EDC O ce. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Electronic bid packets can be found at https://www.duplinnc.gov/ or scott.summerlin@duplinnc.gov. Questions can be emailed or answered by calling 910-385-6236.

The town of Wallace celebrated community and culture at Clement Park

PHOTOS BY MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Left, Mayor Pro-Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz and his wife, Brenda (center), organizers of the Duplin Latino Cultural Festival, are joined by event sta members Olga Polanco, left, and Geouanay Sauceda, right, as they keep things running smoothly at Saturday’s event in Wallace’s Clement Park. Right, the eld on both sides of Clement Park in Wallace was loaded with vendors selling wares and promoting nonpro ts at Saturday’s Duplin Latino Cultural Festival.

Stanly NewS Journal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations

House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.

Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.

Kirk murder suspect can wear street clothes in court

A Utah judge has ruled that the 22-year-old man charged with killing Charlie Kirk can appear in court wearing street clothes but must be physically restrained due to security concerns. Attorneys for Tyler Robinson said images of him shackled and in jail clothing would spread widely in a case with extensive media coverage. They argued it could prejudice future jurors. Judge Tony Graf agreed to make some allowances to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence before a trial. Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty. Graf said the charges are extremely serious and present safety concerns, so Robinson must be restrained.

Longtime Stanly 911 dispatcher receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Hayley Franklin received the state’s highest civilian honor

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — A founding member of the Stanly County 911 Center with more than three decades of experience as a telecommunicator has been honored with North Carolina’s highest civilian award.

Hayley Franklin received a surprise when she was recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for her years of service on Monday night. The moment arrived during a re -

Albemarle names planning and development director

Alysia Davis Steadman will begin the role Nov. 10

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Albemarle has announced its new planning and development director, with an ocial start date scheduled for Nov. 10.

The city revealed in a media release last week that City Manager Darren Rhodes has selected Alysia Davis Steadman for the directorial role to facilitate the city’s land use, zoning, development review

Alysia

tirement and special recognition ceremony at the Stanly County Courthouse.

“This has been my life for 30 years, so I still don’t know what the future holds, but I’m going to give it a go,” Franklin said. “You’re my second family. We spend more time together than I do with my own. We have seen some tough times, but we’ve got through it and we always have. We stood by each other during times when it was rough.”

Franklin has processed more than 200,000 calls for service during her time at the call center through three di erent computer-aided dispatch systems

The New Classic Pro Rodeo came to Albemarle over the weekend for two nights of wrangling, riding and racing at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena. Above is South Carolina’s Wess Hawkins, who lasted the full eight seconds to take third place.

DIRECTOR

and growth-management e orts.

“Alysia’s deep expertise in strategic plan development and execution, as well as community engagement, make her an exceptional t for Albemarle,” Rhodes said. “Her leadership will be instrumental as we navigate the city’s growth through Envision Albemarle 2045, our new comprehensive land use plan.”

As a former assistant planning director for Charlotte with more than two decades of experience in urban planning, community development and strategic leadership, Steadman will now oversee Albemarle’s planning and development services department.

“I’m looking forward to serving as the new planning director for the city of Albemarle because I see tremendous potential in its growth story,” Steadman said. “I was drawn to this opportunity to help shape a vision that honors Albemarle’s small-town character while guiding thoughtful, inclusive development that strengthens its future. This is a place where

Oct. 13

• Johnny Charles Knotts, 62, was arrested for possession of rearm by felon, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and failure to register as a sex o ender.

• David Levander Little, 38, was arrested for communicating threats, injury to personal property, assault on a female, misdemeanor domestic violence, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor larceny.

Oct. 14

• Larry Eugene Stanback, 53, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Oct. 17

• Tony Ray Aldridge, 56, was arrested for maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling for controlled substances,

Alysia Davis Steadman

community and possibility meet. I’m looking forward to being part of that journey.”

Steadman holds a variety of professional certi cations and academic credentials, including recognition from the American Institute of Certied Planners and membership in the American Planning Association. She has also completed programs in nonpro t management at Duke University, commercial real estate at Cornell University, municipal and county government administration at UNC Chapel Hill and innovative leadership in public administration at Georgetown University.

While in Charlotte, Steadman contributed to the cre -

possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of cocaine, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.

• Richard Scott Barber, 71, was arrested for possession of rearm by felon.

Oct. 18

• James Allen Largent, 32, was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon with serious injury, and assault on a female.

Oct. 19

• Christopher Wade McDaniel, 46, was arrested for larceny by anti-inventory device.

Oct. 21

• Timothy Raynard Bivens, 64, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine.

Oct. 22

• Nathaniel Wayne Ellis, 21, was arrested for interfering with electronic monitoring device.

ation of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, playing a key role in fostering partnerships among city departments and jurisdictions to advance the plan’s implementation. She also oversaw a combined $2.5 million budget where she directed strategic operations and sta development e orts.

Steadman began her Charlotte tenure as a planning coordinator, leading teams in strategic projects such as business corridor revitalization initiatives. She later developed a comprehensive land use strategy to support the city’s unied development ordinance, simplifying development regulations and ensuring they aligned with long-term goals.

Most recently, Steadman served as market director and planning and research lead for NEOO Partners, Inc., where she directed strategic initiatives centered on urban development and inclusive growth.

Earlier in her career, she was vice president of Charlotte Center City Partners and launched the business corridor’s rst comprehensive marketing and branding campaign.

• Jeremy Dion Davis, 34, was arrested for assault by strangulation.

Oct. 23

• Dezarae Lee Marshall, 37, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Oct. 24

• Andre McRae, 55, was arrested for possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, manufacturing, selling, delivering or possessing controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.

Oct. 26

• Brandi Leigh Napier, 24, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, driving while license revoked for impaired driving, and fraud.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:

Oct. 30

Downtown Trick or Treat

5-7 p.m.

Downtown Albemarle

merchants host Halloween trick-or-treating for children. Participating businesses welcome costumed kids for candy and family-friendly Halloween fun.

Downtown Albemarle

Oct. 31

Trunk or Treat and Bake Sale

5 p.m.

Join the members of Mt. Olive Baptist Church as they welcome area families looking for a safe and fun Halloween experience. The parking lot will be lled with cars with trunks decorated for the holiday, and it will be lled with candy and goodies for trick-or-treaters. No admission charge.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church 1109 Love St. Albemarle

Nov. 1

Stanly County Fall Fest 3-7 p.m.

Community festival featuring vendor market, food trucks, kids’ zone, live music, breweries and adult beverages. The family-friendly event celebrates fall with activities for all ages.

Loping Crow Distillery 24030 Endy Road Albemarle

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

The normie revolution

Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems.

It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.

It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus

incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example.

And yet this time feels unique.

It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.

Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.

And that chaos means mistrust.

Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner.

IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.

Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.

Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.

This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable.

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war.

This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S. China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through

economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.

The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.

Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.

Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.

At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.

In the wake of the February 2022 invasion

What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.

Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.

Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.

To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.

Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @ JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

NCWRC rehabs a dozen bear cubs, releases them back to wild

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.

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.

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 conicts 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.

COURTESY PHOTO

Shootings at Maxton house party kills 2, injures several others

More than 300 people were at the event

The Associated Press

MAXTON — Shootings at a large outdoor Halloween party in Robeson County early Saturday killed two people — one of them 16 years old — and wounded several others, a sheri said.

Robeson County Sheri Burnis Wilkins’ o ce said that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near

the South Carolina border. Wilkins said the shootings stemmed from two groups attending the event that attracted more than 300 people, with ages in attendance ranging from preteenagers to about 50.

“There’s a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started,” Wilkins told WBTW-TV. The sheri ’s o ce later Saturday identi ed the other fatal shooting victim as 49-year-old

Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton.

The o ce said the 11 others shot range in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded was taken to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while several remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, a sheri ’s news release said. Others were treated and released.

No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. But the sheri said his o ce had multiple persons of interest related to the shootings, The Robesonian reported. His o ce said that there was no current threat to the community.

Wilkins said his o ce believes multiple people red shots and multiple weapons were used, the newspaper said.

Sheri ’s deputies had been sent about 1:15 a.m. to what was the party’s location on a loud music complaint. But before they arrived, local 911 operators received reports of the shootings, a news release said.

“This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said in the release. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.” Alcohol law enforcement agencies also are involved in the investigation, his o ce said.

More than 150 people ed the location before law enforcement o cers arrived, Wilkins’

“Apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started.”

Burnis Wilkins, Robeson County sheri

o ce said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who were at the scene to contact sheri ’s investigators.

Wilkins said law enforcement wasn’t initially aware of the party because the crowd number was below the local threshold to obtain a permit, news outlets reported.

installed through the years.

“To the other end of the radio and the ones that are here, thank you for putting your trust in my voice to know that I want to take care of you,” Franklin said. “That’s always been something I’m very proud of. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, and it’s been an honor to do this.”

North Carolina House Rep. Cody Huneycutt (R-Stanly) presented the award to Franklin, who began working for the Stanly County 911 Center in 1994 and dedicated her career to public safety communications.

“Congratulations on your retirement — 30 years is something to be proud of,” Huneycutt said. “On behalf of Stanly County and the state of North Carolina, I’m honored to present to you today the highest civilian award that’s been presented since 1963. By the order of North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.” According to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine So -

ciety, the recognition is bestowed upon individuals “for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a signi cant impact and strengthened North Carolina.”

“I’m incredibly excited for your next chapter in your lives,” Stanly County 911 Director Kyle Gri n said to Franklin and her family in attendance. “Thirty-plus years of service in a 911 center is unheard of and remarkable. In this line of work, it’s rare to see a complete and entire career working here. It’s a thankless job, we all know that, and yet it’s one of the most rewarding professions.

“From day one, you’ve been a calm and reassuring voice. You’re the kind of telecommunicator who gives eld responders a sense of comfort when they hear you. I’ve heard countless people say, ‘When I hear her voice, I know we’re in good hands.’ As a supervisor — and even as a telecommunicator — that’s one of the highest compliments.”

IN MEMORY

OBITUARIES

CHARLES W. GORDON

JAN. 14, 1949 – OCT. 22, 2025

Charles W. Gordon, age 76, a ectionately known as Bill, passed away on October 22, 2025, at his home in Albemarle, North Carolina. Bill lived a life full of love, laughter, and faith. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in January 1973, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him. He retired from Norfolk Southern (Conrail) Railroad.

Bill was preceded in death by his rst wife, Izora Gordon; his father, Johnnie Gordon; his brothers, Jerry Brooks and James Gordon; and his beloved daughter, Charvette Houston.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted mother, Goletha Gordon, age 99; sisters Savannah Jackson, Otha Brenke and Barbara (Mike)Hamilton; brother Robert (Gwen) Gordon; and his children Ronnell (Mandy) Rogers, Michelle Goodbar, Iniesha (Nehemiah) Hardiman, Charles W. (Beverly) Gordon II, Ciera Gordon and Tiera Gordon.

Bill also leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth Mindy Rivera-Gordon, and her children, Omar (Lydia), Michael (Mary), Andes (Abigail) Lopez and Eve (Jabal) Marte. 16 Grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Known for his kind heart, steady wisdom and love for family. Bill was a man who believed in hard work, honesty and helping others. He found joy in simple things: good conversation, shing, barbecuing and laughter that lled a room. His presence brought comfort and calm wherever he went.

His service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 32106 NC-740, Albemarle.

ALICE ANN GREEN MUNDY

MARCH 13, 1939 – OCT. 23, 2025

Alice Ann Green Mundy, 86, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and was united with her Lord and Savior and her beloved husband, Flake.

Her funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Homeland Baptist Church with Pastor Ronnie Pugh o ciating. The family will receive friends at the church from 3-4 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Forest Lawn West Cemetery in Charlotte.

Born March 13, 1939, in Mecklenburg County, NC, Ann was the daughter of the late Robert Green and Jean Merritt Green. She was a devoted member of Homeland Baptist Church and a retired textile worker.

Her family remembers Ann as “a hoot” - determined, loving, hardworking, and always eager to help anyone in need. A faithful Christian, she loved the Lord deeply and found great comfort in her favorite passage, Psalm 23. She cherished the old church hymns and found joy in simple pleasures like gardening, shing, and tending her owers. Ann was also an avid NASCAR fan and proudly cheered for her favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt.

She loved her family dearly and never met a stranger, enjoying nothing more than sitting and talking with those around her. Above all, she adored her husband, Flake, and often said he was the love of her life. The two were inseparable and shared 62 wonderful years together until his passing on March 1, 2024.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Flake Lee Mundy; her brother, John Green; and her sister, Bobbie Crump. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Shirley Shaver of Concord, Frances Stamey of Midland, and Linda Potts of New London, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all the caregivers and friends who provided care, comfort, and support to Ann during her time of declining health.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care (tillerycompassionatecare.org/donate-now), the Stanly Senior Center Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels), 283 N. Third Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, or to Homeland Baptist Church, PO Box 114, Albemarle, NC 28002.

VIOLET HOPKINS SMITH

SEPT. 8, 1934 – OCT. 23, 2025

Violet Hopkins Smith, 91, of Norwood, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at her home.

Violet was born on September 8, 1934, in Stanly County to the late Rev. Fred Haywood and Maude Carpenter Hopkins. She married the love of her life, Jay Edward Smith, in 1958 and they had four children: Sheila Biles (Rick), Phyllis Morgan (Jonathan), Ron Smith (Tammy), and Sandy Ward (Bobby). Violet was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, with a sweet soul who raised her family in a faithful and loving home. She enjoyed attending church and loved her church family. She was a lifelong member of Porter Baptist Church. She also liked to sew, read, cook, and spend time with her family and friends.

Her family: 10 grandchildren: Eric Biles, Amanda Bowers (Kevin), Brian Burris (Jessica), Jason Burris (Hannah), Hali Ward (Jesse Woodle), Ashlyn Childers (Thomas), Weston Smith (Maggie), Damon Smith (Briana), Ally Rupert (Erik), and Bailey Freeman (Jillian).

16 great-grandchildren: Alia, Kirsten, Amberlyn, Alana, David, Jemma, Charleigh, Ruthie, Ridge, Briggs, Lucy, Walton, Mabel, Liza, Nolan, and Knox.

Sisters: Lesca Bundy (Tom) and Helen Swaringen (Conrad); Brothers: Steve Hopkins (Juanita) and Larry Hopkins (Sharon); and sisters-in-law: Barbara Whitley (Don) and Gail Morton (Rick).

The family will receive friends at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Porter Baptist Church, followed by the funeral services at 4 p.m. Rev. Flynn Richardson will o ciate, and interment will follow in the church cemetery.

JANICE ANDERSON WILLIAMS

DEC. 18, 1941 – OCT. 24, 2025

Janice Anderson Williams, 83, of Stan eld, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025, during her short stay at Stanly Manor Rehab Facility.

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Stan eld. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., o ciated by Rev. Je Springer. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Born December 18, 1941, in Stanly County, she was the daughter of the late Bill and Veda Mae Anderson.

Janice is lovingly survived by her children, Michael Lee Bost of Norwood, Terri Leslie (John) of Albemarle, and Becky Preslar (Robert) of Locust; grandchildren, Jonathan Leslie and Macy Preslar; siblings, David Anderson (Diane), Geneva Austin (Jerry), special brother Adam Anderson (Kathy), and Hazel Palmer (Randy); as well as many nieces and nephews who were very special to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Williams, in 2004, and by siblings Wyndola Godwin, Henry Anderson and Fred Anderson.

Janice had a joyful and loving spirit. She cherished her family deeply and was known as a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She found joy in the simple things; gardening, owers, which was one of her great passions, laughter, sewing, quilting, collecting treasures and her beloved dog, Ollie. She had a gift for making others feel loved, often through her famous “Janice hugs.” Her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, guided her life, and her smile could brighten any room. Janice enjoyed fashion, TV westerns and QVC, and she was always ready to share her good-natured critiques of others’ out ts.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Juanita Norris, Lisa Williams, Kathryn Carpenter and her daughters Deborah and Carrol for their kind care and compassion during Janice’s declining health.

Jack DeJohnette, acclaimed jazz drummer, dead at 83

He won two Grammy awards and worked with Miles Davis, Chet Baker and more

By Jocelyn Noveck

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Jack DeJohnette, a celebrated jazz drummer who worked with Miles Davis on his landmark 1970 fusion album and collaborated with Keith Jarrett and a vast array of other jazz greats, has died at 83.

The acclaimed drummer, bandleader and composer died Sunday in Kingston, New York, of congestive heart failure, surrounded by his wife, family and close friends, his assistant, Joan Clancy, told The Associated Press.

A winner of two Grammy awards, the Chicago-born DeJohnette began his musical life as a classical pianist, starting training at age 4, before taking up the drums with his high school band. He was in demand in his early years as both a pianist and a drummer.

Over the years he collaborated not only with Davis and Jarrett but also with names like John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter — “virtually every major jazz gure from the 1960s on,” wrote the National Endowment for the Arts, which honored him in 2012 with a Jazz Master Fellowship.

In an interview for the NEA at the time, DeJohnette described what he felt was the nature of his talent.

“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to play with a lot of musicians and leaders who allowed me to have that freedom.”

He added: “I just never doubted that I would be successful at this because it just feels like something’s going through me and lifting me up, and carrying me. All I had to do was acknowledge this gift and put it to use.”

In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis and his group to work on music leading up to Davis’ 1970 in uential studio album, “Bitches Brew.”

In a Sessions Panel interview, DeJohnette spoke of how he he’d been freelancing in New York when the opportunity arose to join Davis in the studio, at a time when experimentation with genres had become “the new frontier, so to speak.”

“Miles was in a creative mood,” DeJohnette said, “a process of utilizing the studio to go in every day and experiment with grooves. A lot of the music is not that structured. ... It was a matter of grooves, and sometimes a few notes or a few melodies. You’d turn the tape on and just let it roll.”

“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart.”

Jack DeJohnette

“Days and days and days of this would go on,” DeJohnette added. “We never thought about how important these records would be, it was just we knew it was important because Miles was there and he was moving forward with something di erent.”

Rolling Stone, which listed DeJohnette as one of the top 100 drummers of all time (at No. 40), cited the drummer’s “own innate knack for turning a memorable tune.”

Born Aug. 9, 1942, in Chicago, DeJohnette grew up in a family that placed great importance on music and its appreciation, according to background material on his website. He studied classical piano as a child privately and then at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He turned to the drums at age 14, when he joined his school band.

“I listened to opera, country and western music, rhythm and blues, swing, jazz, whatever,” his website quotes him as saying. “To me, it was all music and all great. I’ve kept that integrated feeling about music, all types of music, and just carried it with me.”

As a sideman on piano and drums and also with his own groups, DeJohnette had become part of the Chicago jazz scene by the mid-1960s. He was active with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and later drummed alongside Rashied Ali in the John Coltrane Quintet. It was his involvement with Charles Lloyd’s quartet, where he rst performed with Jarrett, that brought him international recognition.

In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis’ group ahead of the recording of “Bitches Brew,” and remained with him for three years, contributing to further albums while also recording his own as a leader, beginning with the 1969 release “The DeJohnette Complex.”

DeJohnette recorded on various labels during his career but mostly on ECM. In addition to his own many projects and bands, he was a member of the Standards Trio, with Jarrett and Gary Peacock, for more than 25 years. His two Grammys were for new age album (“Peace Time”) in 2009, a continuous, hourlong piece of music, and for jazz instrumental album (“Skyline”) in 2022.

DeJohnette is survived by his wife, Lydia DeJohnette, and two adult daughters, Farah DeJohnette and Minya DeJohnette, Clancy said.

CLAUDE PARIS / AP PHOTO

American jazz drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette performs at the Five Continents Marseille Jazz festival in Marseille, France, in July 2018.

STANLY SPORTS

South

Stanly edges past Mountain Island Charter in home win

The Rowdy Rebel Bulls trailed 14-0 early

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

NORWOOD — South Stanly rallied from a two-touchdown de cit Friday to edge Mountain Island Charter 15-14 at home, claiming a narrow victory in a matchup of Yadkin Valley Conference contenders. Both teams entered the game with a 4-1 YVC record, desperately needing another win to stay

atop the conference standings. The Rowdy Rebel Bulls (7-2, 5-1 YVC), who held the Raptors (5-4, 4-2 YVC) scoreless for the nal three quarters, trailed 14-7 with 24 seconds remaining when senior quarterback Kaleb Richardson faked a hando and looked to the end zone for a target. He connected with sophomore wide receiver Wyatt Crawford on a 5-yard touchdown pass to bring the Bulls within one point of the Raptors. Following an MIC penalty that moved South Stanly to the

1-yard line, the Bulls opted for a two-point conversion rather than a tying extra point. South running back Carter Callicutt ran it in successfully, giving the home team the one-point victory. Callicutt, a senior, posted a team-high 78 rushing yards on 16 carries.

The win marks South Stanly’s third consecutive triumph and sixth in seven games.

MIC struck rst in the matchup at 7:14 of the opening quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Aamir Gilcreast. Five minutes later, quarterback

An’Dre Ramseur Jr. found wide receiver Charmond Ford for an 80-yard score, putting the Raptors up 14-0 early. Ramseur nished 5 of 8 for 123 yards, while Ford led both teams with 113 receiving yards.

Following its slow start on offense, South Stanly responded late in the second quarter. Richardson threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Jayden Woods, who juked multiple defenders on his 35-yard trip down the eld, cutting the de cit to 14-7 at halftime. Neither team scored in the

third quarter as both defenses held rm. South Stanly seniors Ikey Holt and Tripp Edwards each recorded eight tackles, anchoring the defense.

The Bulls’ passing attack featured standout performances from Richardson and his senior wideout duo, Jasiah Holt and Woods. Woods and Holt combined for 15 receptions and 187 yards, while Richardson nished 18 for 31 for 212 yards. Richardson now has 17 touchdown passes and 1,596 passing yards this season, second in the YVC to North Rowan’s Michael Alford (2,126).

The victory puts South Stanly in a three-way tie for rst in the YVC with North Stanly and North Rowan. The Bulls will now travel to Albemarle next to face the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-4 YVC) in both teams’ regular-season nale.

North Stanly set to host Union Academy in season nale

The Bulls and Cardinals are both coming o a win

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — As thenal week of the high school football regular season arrives, two Stanly County varsity teams are ghting to stay tied for rst place in the Yadkin Valley Conference standings.

Two other local teams will be aiming to close out the regular season with wins as they enter Week 11 with a 2-6 combined record during the month of October.

Union Academy at North Stanly

Sitting in a rst-place YVC tie with South Stanly and North Rowan, the North Stanly Comets (8-1, 5-1 YVC) are hoping that they can close out their regular-season schedule with their sixth conference victory.

The Comets, who are coming o a 55-6 road win at Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy, return home to New London to host Union Academy. The Cardinals (4-5, 2-4 YVC) just defeated Thomas Je erson Classical Academy 45-19 at home to put them in sixth place in the conference.

With only one loss this season — a 40-0 defeat at South Stanly on Oct. 10 — North Stanly has fielded a stronger team than last year’s 6-5

squad that finished third in the conference.

South Stanly at Albemarle

Just like the Comets, the South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (7-2, 5-1 YVC) only need one more win to claim at least a share of the YVC title. The Bulls slipped by Mountain Island Charter in a 15-14 home win last week.

South Stanly is set to head to Albemarle to face the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-4 YVC), who lost 21-14 at North Rowan last weekend. Albemarle’s loss arrived after the team had posted back-to -back wins following a four-game losing streak, dropping the Bulldogs to fth place in the conference.

In last year’s meeting between the two teams, South

pulled out a 26-20 road victory over the Bulldogs.

Mount Pleasant at West Stanly

The West Stanly Colts (1-8, 0-4 Rocky River Conference) have only one more chance to pick up a conference win at the end of a season where the Colts have been outscored 303-171.

On Friday, the Colts lost

North Stanly’s defense prepares for a drive from the opposing o ense.

45-42 at Parkwood, marking West’s closest loss of the season and its highest-scoring output since a 43-7 win at Albemarle on Sept. 5.

The Colts will now host the Mount Pleasant Tigers (6 -3, 3-1 RRC), who are coming o a 39-21 home loss to RRC frontrunner Monroe. West and Mount Pleasant currently rank sixth and second in their conference standings, respectively.

COURTESY CALEB STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY

South Stanly wide receiver Jayden Woods had six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown during Friday night’s game.

COURTESY NORTH STANLY ATHLETICS

Byron outduels Blaney for victory at Martinsville

William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe will race for the title next week

The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, Va. —

With a Championship 4 spot on the line, William Byron put the bumper to Ryan Blaney to win at Martinsville Speedway in the third-round nale of the NASCAR Cup Series playo s. Byron made his winning move with 43 laps remaining, seizing the bottom lane in Turn 1 and moving Blaney up the track by tagging him in the left rear.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver led the rest of the way and fended o Blaney on a restart with 11 laps remaining. Starting from the pole position, Byron led a race-high 304 of 500 laps for his third victory this season in the No. 24 Chevrolet.

“I thought William drove the race of his life,” said Hendrick vice chairman Je Gordon, a four-time Cup champion and nine-time winner at Martinsville himself.

It was the rst win in 11 races since August at Iowa Speedway for Byron, who won the regular-season championship despite a six-month drought after opening the year with his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory.

He had one top- ve nish in the previous eight playo races and opened the third round with a 36th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a 25th at Talladega Superspeedway that left him in a win-or-else position to make his third consecutive Championship 4 appearance.

Byron delivered with his 16th career Cup victory — his rst in a playo elimination race and third at Martinsville.

“Damn, I got a lot to say,” Byron said. “Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested. Just unbelievable. We just worked so hard, and you put everything into Sundays. Sometimes you don’t get anything in return. That’s been the last couple of weeks and honestly throughout the year. But sometimes life is that way. You just got to keep being resilient. We were. Just feels damn good.”

Blaney was also in a

William Byron performs a burnout after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playo race in Martinsville.

must-win situation to advance to the championship round. Trying to win his third consecutive playo race at Martinsville, he came up one spot short despite qualifying 31st and leading 177 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.

There were no hard feelings afterward as Blaney congratulated Byron in Victory Lane.

“That’s just two guys going for it; I don’t blame him for taking that,” Blaney said about the contact with Byron on the pass for the lead. “I would have done the same thing. I knew it was going to be tight. I tried to crowd him as much as I could. Just proud of the e ort from the team. They gave 100% of what they had, and that’s all you can ask. Wasn’t quite enough.”

Kyle Larson, Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, captured the nal championship-eligible berth in the season nale with a fourthplace nish that put him seven points ahead of Christopher Bell, who was seventh.

“What a performance by William,” Larson said. “Happy for Hendrick Motorsports. This win is as good as it could have been for us to score more points than Christopher then have William win too. Hopefully one of us can win it.”

Bell again was the rst driver left out of the Championship 4, but he could live with the outcome more than last year’s race when he was bounced by Byron in a nish tainted by manipulation.

“I feel content with the results,” Bell said. “The four are legitimate contenders. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserving.”

Byron and Larson advanced to face Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the title round Nov. 2 at Phoenix Raceway. The championship will be awarded to the driver with the best nish of the four drivers who are split evenly between Joe Gibbs Racing (Briscoe and Hamlin) and Hendrick Motorsports (Byron and Larson). Along with Bell and Blaney, third-place nisher Chase Elliott and defending series champion Joey Logano (eighth) also were eliminated from the playo s.

With Blaney and Logano locked out of the Phoenix title race, Team Penske’s streak of three consecutive Cup championships was snapped.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Season over for local volleyball squads after state tournament losses

Stanly News Journal sta

South Stanly volleyball, 9-15, 5-5 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 3-1 to Community School of Davidson in the NCHSAA Class 2A state tournament

This week’s schedule: Season complete

A loss to the top seed in the second round of the state playo s ended the Rowdy Rebel Bulls’ season. Despite the losing record, South Stanly posted its best win-loss mark since 2022-23. We’ll salute the senior players in our weekend edition.

South Stanly boys’ soccer, 2-12, 0-10 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

Last week’s scores: No games

Upcoming schedule: Oct. 29 at Anson

The Rowdy Rebel Bulls have a two-week break in the schedule before their next attempt to break a 12-game losing streak.

West Stanly volleyball, 23-4, 12-0 in Rocky River 4A/5A

Last week’s scores:

• Won 3-0 over Bandys in the NCHSAA Class 4A state tournament

• Won 3-0 over North Surry

in the NCHSAA Class 4A

state tournament

• Lost 3-2 to South Rowan in the NCHSAA Class 4A state tournament

This week’s schedule: Season complete

The No. 2-seeded Colts beat the No. 15 and No. 7 seeds in straight sets before falling in an upset loss to No. 6 in a ve-set classic, losing the deciding game by a 15-13 score. West nished with its fourth straight 20-win season, sixth straight in a nonpandemic-shortened campaign, and ran their league winning streak to 75 in a row.

West Stanly boys’ soccer, 10-10-2, 7-4-1 in Rocky River 4A/5A

Last week’s scores:

• Won 7-1 at Anson • Tied 1-1 at South Rowan

This week’s schedule: Oct. 29 at North Rowan

The Colts have a three-match unbeaten streak and have lost just once in the last eight as the regular season schedule winds down.

North Stanly volleyball, 18-11, 9-1 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Won 3-0 over West Davidson in the NCHSAA Class 3A state tournament

• Lost 3-0 to Pine Lake Prep in the NCHSAA Class 3A state tournament

This week’s schedule: Season complete

The No. 8 seed Comets beat No. 9 West Davidson, which brought them face-to-face with top seeded Pine Lake Prep. A loss ended their season just shy of 20 wins for the rst time since 2022.

North Stanly boys’ soccer, 5-11-2, 2-6-2 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores: No games

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: No games

This week’s schedule: Season complete

Albemarle boys’ soccer, 9-9-1, 5-4-1 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores: Won at North Stanly, 7-3

This week’s schedule: TBD

The Bulldogs completed the regular season schedule and will wait on the postseason brackets to be unveiled.

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Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

North Stanly, 8-1, 5-1

South Stanly; 7-2, 5-1

North Rowan; 5-4, 5-1

Mountain Island, 5-4, 4-2 Albemarle; 4-5, 2-4 Union; 4-5, 2-4

Thomas Je erson; 3-6, 1-5

Bonnie Cone, 0-9, 0-6

Games last week (Oct. 24)

• South Stanly 15, Mountain Island 14

• North Rowan 21, Albemarle 14

• North Stanly 55, Bonnie Cone 6

• Parkwood 45, West Stanly 42

Rocky River 4A/5A

Monroe; 5-3, 4-0

Mount Pleasant; 6-3, 3-1

Forest Hills; 8-1, 3-1 Anson; 1-8, 1-3

Parkwood; 2-7, 1-3

West Stanly; 1-8, 0-4

Games this week (Oct. 31)

• South Stanly at Albemarle

• Union Academy at North Stanly

• Mount Pleasant at West Stanly

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Having quali ed as _______EXECUTRIX______ of the estate of ____CLARENCE EDWARD MAYO____, deceased of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said ____CLARENCE EDWARD MAYO____ to present them to the undersigned on or before January 8, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 8th day of _____October, 2025_____ Amanda Hopson Mayo 8294 C Renee Ford Road Stan eld, North Carolina 28163 Executrix

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

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E-000562-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executrix of the estate of Dora JoAnn Sasser Bullins, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Dora JoAnn Sasser Bullins to present them to the undersigned on or before January 30, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 23rd day of October, 2025 Patty F. Randolph 97 LeCline Circle NE Concord, NC 28025 (GS 28A-14-1)

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Oakboro will hold a public hearing at Oakboro Town Hall located at 109A N Main Street, Oakboro, NC 28129 on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 7:00pm. The purpose of this public hearing is to hear comments for or against the adoption of a moratorium on the processing of development applications and the consideration of development approvals for all major residential subdivisions and all other developments, with residential and non-residential, containing more than three dwelling units. Further information is available at Oakboro Town Hall. Any person wishing to speak should plan to attend the Public Hearing. Leslie Hatley-Murray Town Clerk

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 text amendment to Section 155.031 to add Vape shops, Tobacco stores, and Dispensaries with conditions. Persons interested in speaking for or against these requests will be heard.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 23E000684-830

Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Emma Hamilton Broadway, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Emma Hamilton Broadway to present them to the undersigned on or before January 30, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This 29th day of October, 2025 Jamila Broadway Davis 2905 London Pines Court New Hill, NC 27562 Administrator

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 25CV018480-910

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the stream

‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ ‘Sorry, Baby,’ Colin Farrell gambles

Florence + the Machine drops “Everybody Scream” on Halloween

The Associated Press

“JURASSIC WORLD Rebirth” roaring and snarling on Peacock and Florence + the Machine’s latest Halloween-ready album, “Everybody Scream,” 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, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, landing on HBO Max; the nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM releasing their debut Korean album; and comedian Rachel Sennott’s new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” pops up on HBO.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, comes to HBO Max on Thursday. Victor wrote, directed and stars as Agnes, a graduate student in a quaint New England town, who is assaulted by her professor. But the lm, which unfolds across ve chapters, one being “the year with the bad thing,” is less about the incident and more about life after. In his review for The Associated Press, lm writer Jake Coyle wrote, “In this remarkably fully formed debut, the moments that matter are the funny and tender ones that persist amid crueler experiences. … Just as Agnes is sarcastically and self-deprecatingly resistant to convention, Victor’s lm sidesteps the de nitions that usually accompany such a story.”

Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss are brilliant in Nia DaCosta’s ery, sensuous reimagining of the classic Henrik Ibsen drama “Hedda,” which is now streaming on Prime Video. The lm transports the “catastrophically bored” housewife to 1950s England where Hedda (Thomson) manipulates and schemes over the course of a lavish party at her country estate. DaCosta makes the story her own, seamlessly blending race, gender and queerness into the drama. In my review, I called it a “deliriously fun, intel-

ligent and impassioned spin” on a familiar tale that requires no previous Ibsen knowledge.

Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler running away from his past in Macao in “Ballad of a Small Player,” streaming now on Net ix. The lm, a stylish neo-noir from “Conclave” director Edward Berger, received mixed reviews.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” also makes its Peacock debut Thursday. In his review for the AP, Mark Kennedy wrote that this installment, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, proves there’s “still life in this old dino series” adding that “it captures the awe and majesty of the overgrown lizards that’s been lacking for so many of the movies.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Leading up to Florence + the Machine’s latest album, “Everybody Scream,” out on Halloween, frontwoman Florence Welch su ered the e ects of an ectopic pregnancy onstage.

A fallopian tube then ruptured and she nearly died. It’s a harrowing story, one that no doubt

“There’s still life in this old dino series.”

Mark Kennedy, AP Film Writer

lends itself to the thematic horrors that abound on the band’s record. The title is appropriate. But for all the tragedy, there are pleasures across the release. Consider a song like “One of the Greats,” a erce indictment of double standards that also happens to be quite funny. “It must be nice to be a man and make borin’ music just because you can,” she sings. “Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan / You’re my second favorite frontman.”

The nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM released their debut Korean album, “Back to Life,” via HYBE Japan and YX LABELS on Tuesday. It’s a big step for the group whose members rst turned heads on the South Korean survival show “I-Land” (the same that launched the popular boy band ENHYPHEN) and the Japanese program “&Audition — The Howling.” Their multigenre, multilingual

approach to pop is sure to earn them new fans.

SERIES TO STREAM

Adapting novels by Mick Herron has worked out for Apple TV with its acclaimed series “Slow Horses.” Now, they’ve got “Down Cemetery Road,” also from Herron’s catalog. It stars Emma Thompson as a brazen, brash detective and Ruth Wilson as her unlikely Girl Friday. The rst two episodes premiere are streaming now. A new “Robin Hood” reimagining on MGM+ is described as “a romance adventure.” It stars Jack Patten and Lauren McQueen as Robin (he goes by Rob) and Marian, who ght corruption together. Sean Bean plays the main antagonist, the Sheri of Nottingham. The 10-episode series debuts Sunday, Nov. 2. HBO loves a comedy about friendships and hopes it has found a Gen Z answer to ll the millennial void left by “Insecure” and “Girls.” Actor and comedian Sennott created and stars in a new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” about a budding tal-

ent manager in Hollywood, and her friend group (featuring Josh Hutcherson as her boyfriend). It also makes its debut Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

In the galaxy of The Outer Worlds 2, three factions are battling for dominance: the hyper capitalist Auntie’s Choice, the authoritarian Protectorate and the quasi-religious Order of the Ascendant. If none of those sounds particularly appealing, that’s kind of the point. In order to accomplish your mission, you’ll nd yourself trying to meet the sometimes-preposterous demands of one faction without aggravating the other two. Developer Obsidian Entertainment brings a sarcastic edge to your usual space opera, hoping to leave you laughing while you’re hunting down radioactive mutants or malfunctioning robots. The studio has an impressive track record of role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity and Avowed, so if you’re hungry for that sort of action with rockets and lasers, prepare for lifto on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5 or PC.

Eva Victor wrote, directed and stars in “Sorry, Baby.”

In “Ballad of a Small Player, Colin Farrell, left, plays a high-stakes gambler alongside Fala Chen. The lm is streaming on Net ix.

It’s good!

WHAT’S HAPPENING Commissioners delay potential purchase of land for new Ashley Elementary School

Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.

Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.

$2.00

The 0.26 acre lot is priced at $50,000

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has pushed back a potential decision on the purchase of land intended to be utilized as the site for the new Ashley Elementary School.

At the board’s Oct. 23 regular business meeting, the land purchase agreement was presented for nal approval, however, the board voted 6-1 to table the item for two weeks.

The 0.26-acre vacant lot is set to be purchased by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education at a nal price of $50,000, but it rst needs commissioner approval. The motion also had a sec-

ondary item, being the transfer of $500,000 to the New Ashley Elementary Project fund for administrative costs.

“We are reducing the square footage of the building to try and get it in line with the funding that is available, and then the other is for the contractor to create the GMP,” said Darrell Walker, WSFCS executive director of construction and planning.

Adjustment to the design arose due to grading issues with the current site.

“We had design through construction documents, but looking at what we’re estimating this cost to be, we knew we needed to reduce some costs in this building,” Walker said. “We reduced it by about 30,000 square feet, mostly breakout spaces on the second oor, trying to get in line with the funding that you have.”

According to Walker, if ap -

“We deserve an Ashley for our community, but we deserve to get it right.”

Commissioner Tonya McDaniel

proved, the estimated timeline for knowing the nal cost for the school would be early 2026. However, commissioners raised concerns over not having yet seen those new designs.

“I think sometimes we move too fast,” said Commissioner Tonya McDaniel. “I want an Ashley too. We deserve an Ashley for our community, but we deserve to get it right. Many times, the school board missing this opportunity is costing us, and here we are today with new information about a

lesser price for the space that’s needed. I want to be able to feel comfortable and go through these documents again, look at that design and then make a decision.”

There were also concerns raised over the asking price for the parcel, which was originally bought by the seller in 2020 for $19,000.

“That’s a 237% increase in price,” said Chairman Don Martin. “If it were one acre, that would be $346,153 for a single acre of land in this location. I think it is clearly more than it is worth.”

Commissioner Malishai Woodbury objected to the delay, stating that further holdups were in direct contrast to “what our community has been ghting for.”

“The longer we belabor this process, then we continue to,

See LAND, page A2

When the government shutdown will a ect SNAP, Head Start, military pay

This week could be a tough one for those who rely on the government

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

WITH THE federal government shutdown nearing the one-month mark, Americans are starting to see the cascading e ects of programs shuttered by lapses in federal funding. Some states are scrambling to nd ways to account for shortfalls in food and child development assistance, and members of the military are also about to miss their rst paychecks. Some federal workers have already gone without pay for

weeks. But nearly a month in, reserves that had kept some programs a oat since the shutdown began are dwindling, meaning new layers of complications as Congress remains unable to reach a new agreement to fund the federal government.

A look at what millions of Americans can expect this week.

Friday

According to the Trump administration, funding will run out for the food assistance program that is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills.

42M

Americans who use SNAP to supplement their grocery bills.

The administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program owing into November. SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using debit cards normally loaded each month by the federal government. Some states have pledged to keep the bene ts owing even if the federal program halts payments, but a memo from the U.S. De -

partment of Agriculture — which administers the program — says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.

Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like baby formula, will likely run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are running out, too. Also on Friday, the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members are at risk of missing a

See SNAP, page A2

Wake Forest kicker Connor Calvert, fourth from left, celebrates with teammates after kicking the winning eld goal on the nal play of a 13-12 nail-biter against SMU on Saturday in Winston-Salem.

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North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Trip Ho

Shootings at Maxton house party kills 2, injures several others

More than 300 people were at the event

The Associated Press

MAXTON — Shootings at a large outdoor Halloween party in Robeson County early Saturday killed two people — one of them 16 years old — and wounded several others, a sheri said.

Robeson County Sher-

i Burnis Wilkins’ o ce said that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border.

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from page A1

in my opinion, devalue the commitment that this board has already made based on the advocacy of citizens throughout this county,” Woodbury said. “It has become a moral movement to have a new Ashley Elementary School.”

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will next meet Nov. 6.

Wilkins said the shootings stemmed from two groups attending the event that attracted more than 300 people, with ages in attendance ranging from preteenagers to about 50.

“There’s a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started,” Wilkins told WBTW-TV.

The sheri ’s o ce later Saturday identi ed the other fatal shooting victim as 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton.

The o ce said the 11 others shot range in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded was taken to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while several remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, a sheri ’s news release said. Others were treated and released.

No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. But the sheri said his o ce had multiple persons of interest related to the shootings, The Robesonian reported. His of-

“Apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started.”

Burnis Wilkins, Robeson County sheri

ce said that there was no current threat to the community. Wilkins said his o ce believes multiple people red shots and multiple weapons were used, the newspaper said. Sheri ’s deputies had been sent about 1:15 a.m. to what was the party’s location on a loud music complaint. But before they arrived, local 911 operators received reports of the shootings, a news release said.

“This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said in the release. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.” Alcohol law enforcement agencies also are involved in the investigation, his o ce said.

More than 150 people ed the location before law enforcement ocers arrived, Wilkins’ o ce said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who were at the scene to contact sheri ’s investigators.

Wilkins said law enforcement wasn’t initially aware of the party because the crowd number was below the local threshold to obtain a permit, news outlets reported.

Consumer con dence dips modestly in October with Americans concerned about future

People’s assessment of their current economic situation improved, however

By Matt Ott The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer con dence weakened slightly in October as Americans remain anxious about their future nancial prospects.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer condence index fell by 1 point to 94.6 in October from an upwardly revised September reading of 95.6. Economists were expecting the reading to come in unchanged from the previous month. One year ago, the reading was 109.5. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market dipped by 2.9 points to 71.5, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead.

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Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

However, consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation rose 1.8 points to 129.3. Write-in responses to the

paycheck. Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from military research and development funds to make payroll. But it is unclear if the Trump administration is willing — or able — to shift money again. Last week, the Pentagon con rmed that it had accepted an anonymous $130 million gift to help pay military members during the shutdown, a bequest that amounted to a small contribution toward the billions needed to cover service member paychecks.

Saturday

survey showed that prices and in ation remained consumers’ biggest concern. Mentions of tari s declined again this month but remain elevated, the Conference Board said.

Last week, government data showed that in ation in the U.S. remained elevated in September as gas prices jumped while the cost of rents cooled, painting a mixed picture for consumers. While the economy is still growing steadily, hiring remains slow and more high-pro le companies have recently announced layo s.

Consumer prices increased 3% in September from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Friday, the highest since January and up from 2.9% in August.

The report on the consumer price index was issued more than a week late because of the Oct. 1 government shutdown.

Federal Reserve o cials had signaled it would cut its key interest rate at its meeting Wednesday. It would be the second time this year even though in ation is above the central bank’s 2% target. Fed o cials have cited increasing concerns about the U.S. labor market,

which, while broadly healthy by historical standards, is showing signs of deterioration this year.

Responses to the Conference Board’s latest survey revealed that while respondents were slightly more positive about current job market, they are growing more concerned about their future employment prospects.

The most recent government jobs report showed that U.S. nonfarm employers added a paltry 22,000 jobs in August, following July’s disappointing 79,000 job gains. Worse, revisions to the May and June gures shaved 258,000 jobs o previous estimates. The unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, the highest since October 2021.

The government did not issue its September jobs report due to the shutdown.

In addition to the lingering e ects of 11 interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023, economists say the recent hiring slump may also be a result of Trump’s policies, including his sweeping and ever-changing tari s on imports, a crackdown on illegal immigration and purges of the federal workforce.

Many companies have been

D.C.

locked in a “no hire, no re” position, fearful of expanding payrolls until the e ects of Trump’s tari s are more clear. But in the past two weeks, there have been notable exceptions from major U.S. corporations.

On Tuesday, Amazon said it will cut about 14,000 corporate jobs as the online retail giant ramps up spending on arti cial intelligence while trimming costs elsewhere. Last week, Target said it would eliminate about 1,800 corporate positions.

Also last week, Meta Platforms said it was cutting roughly 600 positions and in September, Starbucks announced plans to close hundreds of stores while laying o 900 nonretail employees.

Survey respondents who said they intended to buy a new or used car in the near future rose.

While the share of those saying they planned to purchase a home declined slightly this month, the broader six-month trend is still rising, the Conference Board said. Plans to buy big-ticket items like appliances was little changed from September.

for the nation’s neediest preschoolers. When a center is closed, families may have to miss work or school.

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs won’t receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains shut down, ac-

With new grants on hold, a half-dozen Head Start programs have already missed federal disbursements they were expecting Oct. 1 but have stayed open with fast-dwindling reserves or with help from local governments. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be a ected. Also Saturday, the window opens for enrolling in A ordable Care Act health plans. In past years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed consumers to preview their health coverage options about a week before open enrollment. But as of this week, Healthcare.gov appeared to show 2025 health insurance plans and estimated prices, instead of next year’s options. SNAP from page A1

vides education and child care

LAND

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

A sign outside of the National Gallery of Art reads “Closed due to federal government shutdown” on the sixth day of the government shutdown earlier this month in Washington,

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

The normie revolution

Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems.

It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.

It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example.

And yet this time feels unique. It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.

Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.

And that chaos means mistrust.

Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner.

IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.

Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.

Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.

This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable. China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war.

This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S. China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through

economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.

The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.

Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.

Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.

At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.

In the wake of the February 2022 invasion

What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.

Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.

Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.

To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.

Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @ JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Here’s what happens to your body when clocks ‘fall back’ an hour

Despite proposals, daylight saving time is still here

By Lauran Neergaard

The Associated Press

PLAN ON A glorious extra hour of sleep as most of America “falls back” into standard time. But make sure to get outside for some morning sun, too — it’ll help your body clock reset faster.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will last until March 8 when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time. There’s a lot of grumbling about the twice-a-year time changes. The spring switch tends to be harder, losing that hour of sleep we allegedly recover in the fall. But many people also mourn fall’s end of daylight saving time, when days already are getting shorter and moving the clocks can mean less daylight after school or work for exercise or outdoor fun.

Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have long urged adopting standard time year-round.

New research from Stanford University agrees, nding that switching back-and-forth is the worst option for our health. The study showed sticking with either time option would be a bit healthier, but they found permanent standard time is slightly better — because it aligns more with the sun and human biology, what’s called our circadian rhythm.

“The best way to think about it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra and each of the organs were a di erent instrument,” said Jamie Zeitzer, who co-directs Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences.

More light in the morning and less at night is key to keeping that rhythm on schedule — all the instruments in sync. When the clock is regularly disrupted by time changes or other reasons, he said each of the body’s organ systems, such as the immune system or metabolism, “just works a little less well.”

2 a.m.

You’ll get an extra hour of sleep Saturday night

Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Arizona and Hawaii don’t change and stay on standard time.

Here’s what to know about the twice-yearly ritual.

How the body reacts to light

The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24 -hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we’re more alert. The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hard-to-wake teens.

Morning light resets the

rhythm. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening — whether from later time outdoors doing daylight saving time or from arti cial light like computer screens — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync. And that circadian clock affects more than sleep, also inuencing things like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and metabolism.

How do time changes a ect sleep?

Even an hour change on the clock can throw o sleep schedules because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same.

The spring change to daylight saving time can be a little rougher as darker mornings and lighter evenings make it harder to fall asleep on time. Those rst few days have been linked to increases in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks.

Some people with seasonal a ective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the

Don’t toss your Halloween pumpkin — bake, compost or feed it to farm animals instead

Old gourds still have value even after being carved up

By Kiki Sideris The Associated Press

DON’T LET your Halloween pumpkin haunt the land ll this November.

More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins rot in U.S. landlls each year after Halloween, according to the Department of Energy.

Yours doesn’t have to go to waste. Experts told us your pumpkins can be eaten, composted or even fed to animals. Here’s how.

Cooking with pumpkin waste

If you’re carving a jack-o’lantern, don’t throw away the skin or innards — every part is edible.

After carving, you can cube the excess esh — the thick part between the outer skin and the inner pulp that holds the seeds — for soups and stews, says Carleigh Bodrug, a chef known for cooking with

common food scraps. You can also puree it and add a tablespoon to your dog’s dinner for extra nutrients. And pumpkin chunks can be frozen for future use.

“The seeds are a nutritional gold mine,” Bodrug said. They’re packed with protein, magnesium, zinc and healthy fats, according to a 2022 study in the journal Plants.

One of Bodrug’s recipes involves removing the seeds, rinsing and roasting them with cinnamon for a crunchy snack or salad topper. Then you can use the stringy guts to make a pumpkin puree for mu ns. This version di ers from canned purees in grocery stores — which typically use a di erent type of pumpkin or squash — because carving pumpkins have stringier innards and a milder avor.

A carving pumpkin’s guts can still be used for baking — you’ll just have to amp up the seasoning to boost the avor.

If you don’t want to eat your pumpkins, you can donate them to a local farm, which might use them to feed pigs, chickens and other animals.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted.”

Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator

Edible parts should be collected while you’re carving and before it’s painted, decorated or left on your porch for weeks. Paint and wax aren’t food- safe, and bacteria and mold can grow on the skin in outdoor climates.

Once you’ve cooked what you can and donated what’s safe to feed, composting the rest is the easiest way to keep it out of the land ll.

“That way, even though they’re not safe to eat, they can still give back to the earth,” Bodrug said.

Composting at home or donating to a farm

Composting pumpkins keeps them out of meth-

ane-emitting land lls and turns them into nutrient-rich soil instead. You can do this at home or drop them o at a local farm, compost collection bin or drop-o site.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted,” said Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator at Queens County Farm in New York. “So even just cutting down something like pumpkins could really help curb how many garbage bags you’re putting out every week.” Before composting, remove any candles, plastic, glitter or other decorations — they can contaminate the compost. A little glitter or paint won’t ruin the pile, but it’s best to get it as clean as possible before tossing it in. Then, chop up the pumpkin in 1-inch pieces so it can break down easier.

“Pumpkins are full of water, so it’s important to maintain a good balance of dried leaves, wood chips, sawdust, shredded newspaper, cardboard, straw — anything that’s a dry organic material — in your com-

shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle too.

Many people easily adjust, like how they recover from jet lag after traveling. But a time change can add pressure on shift workers whose schedules already are out of sync with the sun, or those regularly sleep-deprived for other reasons.

About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

How to prepare for the time change

In both fall and spring, changing bedtimes by as little as 15 minutes a night in the days before the change can help ease into it.

But sunshine in the morning is critical to helping reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows.

Will the U.S. ever get rid of the time change?

In Congress, a bill named the Sunshine Protection Act that proposes making daylight saving time permanent has stalled in recent years.

post bin,” Sclafani said. If you don’t maintain this balance, your compost might start to stink.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a healthy compost pile should include a mix of “greens” — like pumpkin scraps and food waste — and “browns” like dry leaves, straw or cardboard, in roughly a three-to-one ratio. That balance helps the pile break down faster and prevents odors.

And if your pumpkin’s been sitting on the porch all month? That’s actually ideal. “It’s never too far gone for compost,” Sclafani said. “Even if it’s mushy or moldy, that actually helps, because the fungus speeds up decomposition.”

“Composting anything organic is better than throwing it out because you’re not creating more refuse in land lls, you’re not creating methane gas,” said Laura Graney, the farm’s education director.

Graney said autumn on the farm is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about composting since it gives them a sense of power in the face of big environmental challenges.

“Even though they’re little, composting helps them feel like they can make a di erence,” Graney said. “They take that message home to their families, and that’s how we spread the word.”

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Clockmakers Rich Finn, left, and Tom Erb adjust the time zone controllers on a series of clocks that’ll be installed at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at the Electric Time Company in Med eld, Massachusetts, last October.

Forsyth SPORTS

College-to-pro transition for coaches has mixed history

NCAA champion coach

Tony Vitello will try to nd MLB success

By Josh Dubow

The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Vitello’s ascension from college coach to manager in the pros is a journey that is unprecedented in the modern majors.

After leading Tennessee to the 2024 College World Series title, Vitello will try to have similar success in the majors after being hired by the San Francisco Giants.

While several managers in the majors previously served as college coaches, including current Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, none made the jump directly without any experience playing or coaching in the pros.

The college to professional path has been taken several times in other major sports leagues, with various levels of success and failures in the NFL, NBA and NHL.

Here’s a look at some of the noteworthy coaches who did it.

Lou Holtz

Holtz had a four-year run as head coach at NC State when the New York Jets tapped him to take over a three-win team in 1976. Holtz didn’t even make it through one full season. He resigned with a 3-10 record and one game remaining in the season, saying, “God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros.”

Holtz spent nearly four decades back in college, winning a national championship with Notre Dame in 1988.

Jimmy Johnson

Perhaps the most successful college-to-pro coach in any sport, Johnson was the controversial choice to take over for Tom Landry after Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. Johnson had won a na-

JUNJI

Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz addresses his team players before a 2009 game. Before nding success at Notre

tional title at Miami in 1987 but started o poorly with a 1-15 record in 1989. Johnson proved to be extremely adept at roster management and quickly built a dynasty in Dallas. He won backto-back Super Bowl titles and became a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Chip Kelly

Kelly was viewed as one of the most innovative coaches in college while at Oregon.

He had some early success when he was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, leading the team to the playo s in his rst season. Kelly won 10 games again in 2014, but he was red the next season with a 6-9 record before going to San Francisco in 2016, where he went 2-14 and was red after one season.

Jerry Tarkanian

Tark the Shark was one of the most successful college coaches, winning a national championship at UNLV before he nally made the jump to the NBA.

Tarkanian left in 1992 to take over the San Antonio Spurs after growing tired of repeated run-ins with the NCAA.

Tarkanian was red after only 20 games before returning to college, where he nished his career at Fresno State.

P.J. Carlesimo

Carlesimo elevated Seton Hall from the bottom of the Big East Conference to reach the national title game in 1989 before jumping to the pros in 1994.

Carlesimo led the Trail Blazers to three straight appearances in the playo s before getting red. He was hired by Golden State, where the hard-driving style that was successful in college didn’t work. Carlesimo is best remembered for Latrell Sprewell choking him at a practice in 1997. That led to Sprewell’s suspension, but Carlesimo never had success with the Warriors and was red in 1999. He had short, unsuccessful runs as coach in Seattle, Oklahoma City and Brooklyn.

Brad Stevens

Stevens led Butler to ve NCAA Tournaments and two improbable trips to the title game. He jumped to the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

Stevens helped rebuild the team behind Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum and guided Boston to three trips to the conference nal in four years before moving to the front o ce, where he helped build the roster that won the title in 2024.

Herb Brooks

Brooks was a longtime college coach at Minnesota who became a star by coaching the 1980 Olympic hockey “Miracle on Ice.”

Brooks had a brief stint as a coach in Switzerland before being hired by the New York Rangers in 1981.

He led New York to three straight playo berths but couldn’t get past the second round of before getting red during his fourth season. He later had stints as coach for Minnesota New Jersey and Pittsburgh but could never duplicate his amateur success.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Keith Foster

East Forsyth, football

Keith Foster is a senior o ensive lineman on the West Forsyth football team. The Titans are 4-2 this season and have won four straight. The West Forsyth run game has paced the o ense with 2,118 yards this season, more than 235 per game. The Titans average 7.1 yards per rush and have scored 29 rushing touchdowns.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Foster has helped clear the way. He earned a selection to the N.C. roster for December’s Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. He’ll be there with teammate and linemate Adrian “A.J.” McCloud. The pair give West Forsyth a three-year streak of sending an o ensive lineman to the Shrine Bowl. They join Desmond Jackson (2023) and Jalen Morris (2024).

Byron outduels Blaney for victory at Martinsville

William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe will race for the title next week

The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — With a Championship 4 spot on the line, William Byron put the bumper to Ryan Blaney to win at Martinsville Speedway in the third-round nale of the NASCAR Cup Series playo s. Byron made his winning move with 43 laps remaining, seizing the bottom lane in Turn 1 and moving Blaney up the track by tagging him in the left rear.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver led the rest of the way and fended o Blaney on a restart with 11 laps remaining. Starting from the pole position, Byron led a race-high 304 of 500 laps for his third victory this season in the No. 24 Chevrolet.

“I thought William drove the race of his life,” said Hendrick vice chairman Je Gordon, a four-time Cup champion and nine-time winner at Martinsville himself.

It was the rst win in 11 races since August at Iowa Speedway for Byron, who won the regular-season championship despite a six-month drought after opening the year with his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory.

He had one top- ve nish in the previous eight playo races and opened the third round with a 36th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a 25th at Talladega Superspeedway that left him in a win-or-else position to make his third consecutive Championship 4 appearance.

“Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested “ William Byron

Byron delivered with his 16th career Cup victory — his rst in a playo elimination race and third at Martinsville.

“Damn, I got a lot to say,” Byron said. “Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested. Just unbelievable. We just worked so hard, and you put everything into Sundays. Sometimes you don’t get anything in return. That’s been the last couple of weeks and honestly throughout the year. But sometimes life is that way. You just got to keep being resilient. We were. Just feels damn good.”

Blaney was also in a must-win situation to advance to the championship round. Trying to win his third consecutive playo race at Martinsville, he came up one spot short despite qualifying 31st and leading 177 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.

There were no hard feelings afterward as Blaney congratulated Byron in Victory Lane.

“That’s just two guys going for it; I don’t blame him for taking that,” Blaney said about the contact with Byron on the pass for the lead. “I would have done the same thing. I knew it was going to be tight. I tried to crowd him as much as I could.

Just proud of the e ort from the team. They gave 100% of what they had, and that’s all you

William

performs a

winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playo race in Martinsville.

can ask. Wasn’t quite enough.” Kyle Larson, Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, captured the nal championship-eligible berth in the season nale with a fourth-place nish that put him seven points ahead of Christopher Bell, who was seventh. “What a performance by William,” Larson said. “Happy for Hendrick Motorsports. This win is as good as it could have been for us to score more points than Christopher then have William win too. Hopefully one of us can win it.”

Bell again was the rst driver left out of the Championship 4, but he could live with the outcome more than last year’s race when he was bounced by Byron in a nish tainted by manipulation. “I feel content with the results,” Bell said. “The four are legitimate contenders. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserving.” Byron and Larson advanced to face Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the title round Nov. 2 at Phoenix Raceway. The championship will be awarded

to the driver with the best nish of the four drivers who are split evenly between Joe Gibbs Racing (Briscoe and Hamlin) and Hendrick Motorsports (Byron and Larson).

Along with Bell and Blaney, third-place nisher Chase Elliott and defending series champion Joey Logano (eighth) also were eliminated from the playo s.

With Blaney and Logano locked out of the Phoenix title race, Team Penske’s streak of three consecutive Cup championships was snapped.

KUROKAWA / AP PHOTO

Dame, Holtz left NC State for a brief trip to the NFL.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Byron

burnout after

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

Former NFL player who died in police custody battled injuries, mental health challenges

Oakland

Many questions are unanswered about the death of former NFL running back Doug Martin. He died last weekend in the custody of Oakland, California, police, who said Martin was involved in a “brief struggle” with o cers who took him into custody. Martin’s former agent issued a statement that said Martin felt overwhelmed and disoriented, and ed his home before entering a neighbor’s home two doors down, where police confronted him. The former agent said the 36-year-old Martin privately battled mental health challenges that impacted his personal and professional life.

MLB Blue Jays manager to Ohtani: We want our hat back — and your dog’s jacket

Toronto Toronto manager John Schneider is waiting for Shohei Ohtani to return some merchandise. Before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani met with Toronto o cials. Before Ohtani led the Dodgers back to Toronto for the World Series. Schneider joked about Ohtani returning Blue Jays merchandise taken during their meeting. “I hope he brought his hat, the Blue Jay hat that he took from us in our meeting. I hope he brought it back, nally,” Schneider said. “And the jacket for (Ohtani’s dog). It’s like, give us our stu back already.” “It’s in my garage,” Ohtani replied.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Ex-Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with NCAA gambling investigation

Indianapolis Three former Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with an investigation into potential sports betting violations earlier this year. The lack of cooperation constitutes an NCAA violation that could trigger permanent ineligibility, according to a decision released by the Division I Committee on Infractions. But the three former starters — Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry — were seniors and have no collegiate eligibility remaining.

NFL Former Jets center Mangold dead at 41, less than 2 weeks after announcing kidney disease

The New York Jets have announced the death of former center Nick Mangold at age 41 from complications of kidney disease. Less than two weeks ago, he revealed on social media that he needed a kidney transplant and was seeking a donor. Diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006, Mangold had been on dialysis. Mangold, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, was enshrined in the Jets’ ring of honor in 2022. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Velocity rules when playo pressure pushes players to throw their hardest

The record for 100-mph pitches in the postseason has been shattered

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press

TORONTO — Velocity rules in October.

There have been a record 255 pitches of 100 mph or faster this postseason, up from 105 last year and the previous high of 169 in 2022.

Right-handed relievers averaged 96.2 mph with their four-seam fastballs through the World Series opener, an increase from 95.8 mph last postseason and 93.3 mph when Major League Baseball started tracking in 2008.

“That’s crazy. That’s insane,” Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott said. “You see kids in college throwing 100 (mph) and a couple of years ago they were throwing what, 94, 95?”

Pitchers averaged a record 94.5 mph with fourseam fastballs during the 2025 regular season, a speedup from 91.9 mph in 2008. Among righties, this year’s average was 95 mph, in-

cluding 95.6 mph by relievers. Toronto closer Je Ho man is averaging 96.4 mph with his four-seamer in October, up from 95.6 mph during the season.

“A lot of it is adrenaline and knowing that this is it. You’ve got to empty your tank every single night,” he said. “Velocity is king. I know there are a lot of kind of con icting opinions on that, but it’s harder to hit faster pitches, so it’s important to have your best stu .”

While pitches are getting faster, o speed use is increasing. Pitchers have thrown four-seamers 32.8% of the time during the postseason, down from a high of 40.9% in 2014. Overall use includes 17.2% sliders, 15.2% two-seamers, 9% curveballs, 8% changeups, 6.5% splitters, 5.9% cutters, 4.6% sweepers and 0.7% slurves.

A study released by MLB last o season concluded rising velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum e ort are the likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries. MLB decided last month to prohibit scouting of many high school prospects for three

“It’s harder to hit faster pitches, so it’s important to have your best stu .” Je Ho man, Toronto closer

months during the o season and of college prospects for two months in an e ort to mandate recovery time.

“Starting at the bottom is the best way,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said Saturday. “That’s part of a larger program that we’re going to continue to roll out in an e ort to address this issue.”

Dodgers pitchers have averaged 96.2 mph with four-seamers in the postseason, up from 94.7 mph during the regular season, and Blue Jays pitchers 95.1 mph, an increase from 94 mph. Among righty relievers, Los Angeles is averaging 97.6 mph in October and Toronto 96.8 mph.

“These are the most signi cant pitches that anybody’s thrown all year,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “A lot of it just happens to do with the pressure of these

situations, and I think you see it across baseball in the playo s. Everybody’s stu ticks up, for the most part. It seems like their stu is at a di erent level.” Milwaukee rookie Jacob Misiorowski reached 100 mph with 58 pitches — more than the entire postseason total as recently as 2018. He was followed by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene (28), Philadelphia’s Jhoan Duran (25), the Chicago Cubs’ Daniel Palencia (23) and Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (22).

San Diego’s Mason Miller threw a 104.5 mph called third strike to the Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series, the fastest postseason pitch in the Statcast era.

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said particular playo environments can lead to faster pitches.

“When you go to places like the Padres last year, you just feel the hate, so you’re trying to counter with an ability to keep quiet,” he said. “The more you get deeper into the playo s, the more you are just competing with — it’s energy. At this point in the World Series you are trying to empty the tank.”

What Americans think about legal sports betting, according to recent

Skepticism over the harm from betting has increased

By Amelia Thomson-Deveaux The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

As legalized sports betting expands, recent polling suggests that Americans have become increasingly critical of its role in U.S. society and sports — although they’re more tolerant of it for professional sports. Betting scandals have multiplied since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May 2018 struck down a federal law that barred sports betting in most states. That includes a wave of incidents involving athletes and o cials. Most recently, dozens of people, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling, authorities said Thursday. In the years since the Supreme Court’s ruling, sports betting has brought revenue to state governments, but it’s also prompted concerns about the potential for wrongdoing, as well as the impact on athletes. Here’s what Americans think about the impact of legal sports betting, according to recent polling.

ANGELINA KATSANIS / AP PHOTO

FBI assistant director Christopher Raia speaks at a press conference announcing the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in connection with a federal investigation into sports betting and illegal gambling.

More think legal sports betting has a negative impact on sports and society than in 2022

Americans are more skeptical of legal sports betting than they were a few years ago, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted over the summer. The survey found that about 4 in 10 U.S. adults say the fact that sports betting is now legal in much of the country is “a bad thing” for society and sports, up from about one-third in July 2022.

Many Americans continue to say sports betting is “nei-

ther a good nor bad” thing for sports and society, while few say it’s “a good thing” for either. Young men are particularly likely to have soured on sports betting’s social impact. About half of men under age 30 now say legal sports betting is a bad thing for society, up from 22% in 2022. At the same time, young men are more likely than older adults to say they’ve bet money on sports in the past year. But 34% of people who have placed a sports bet in the past year still say legal sports betting is bad for society, up from 23% three years ago.

polls

Most say betting should be legal for professional sports but not college

Many Americans distinguish between betting on professional and college sports, according to an AP-NORC poll from February.

That survey shows that about 6 in 10 Americans think gambling on pro sports should be legal in their state, but only about 4 in 10 say the same thing about wagering on college sports.

A Quinnipiac poll from June found 60% of U.S. adults think legal betting on college sports is a bad thing, while 47% say this about legal betting on professional sports.

Who’s betting on sports?

Younger adults are more likely than older adults to have bet money on sports in the past year, according to the Pew poll, with about 3 in 10 adults under age 30 saying this, compared with only 12% of adults age 65 or older.

The AP-NORC poll found that while about 14% of U.S. adults say they “frequently” or “occasionally” place bets online using betting or fantasy sports websites or apps, it’s more common in casinos. About one-quarter of U.S. adults say they have bet on sports in person at casinos at least “occasionally.”

FRANK GUNN/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Je Ho man celebrates the nal out of Game 7 of the ALCS.

the stream

‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ ‘Sorry, Baby,’ Colin Farrell gambles

Florence + the Machine drops “Everybody Scream” on Halloween

The Associated Press

“JURASSIC WORLD Rebirth” roaring and snarling on Peacock and Florence + the Machine’s latest Halloween-ready album, “Everybody Scream,” 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, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, landing on HBO Max; the nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM releasing their debut Korean album; and comedian Rachel Sennott’s new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” pops up on HBO.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, comes to HBO Max on Thursday. Victor wrote, directed and stars as Agnes, a graduate student in a quaint New England town, who is assaulted by her professor. But the lm, which unfolds across ve chapters, one being “the year with the bad thing,” is less about the incident and more about life after. In his review for The Associated Press, lm writer Jake Coyle wrote, “In this remarkably fully formed debut, the moments that matter are the funny and tender ones that persist amid crueler experiences. … Just as Agnes is sarcastically and self-deprecatingly resistant to convention, Victor’s lm sidesteps the de nitions that usually accompany such a story.”

Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss are brilliant in Nia DaCosta’s ery, sensuous reimagining of the classic Henrik Ibsen drama “Hedda,” which is now streaming on Prime Video. The lm transports the “catastrophically bored” housewife to 1950s England where Hedda (Thomson) manipulates and schemes over the course of a lavish party at her country estate. DaCosta makes the story her own, seamlessly blending race, gender and queerness into the drama. In my review, I called it a “deliriously fun, intel-

ligent and impassioned spin” on a familiar tale that requires no previous Ibsen knowledge. Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler running away from his past in Macao in “Ballad of a Small Player,” streaming now on Net ix. The lm, a stylish neo-noir from “Conclave” director Edward Berger, received mixed reviews.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” also makes its Peacock debut Thursday. In his review for the AP, Mark Kennedy wrote that this installment, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, proves there’s “still life in this old dino series” adding that “it captures the awe and majesty of the overgrown lizards that’s been lacking for so many of the movies.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Leading up to Florence + the Machine’s latest album, “Everybody Scream,” out on Halloween, frontwoman Florence Welch su ered the e ects of an ectopic pregnancy onstage.

A fallopian tube then ruptured and she nearly died. It’s a harrowing story, one that no doubt

“There’s still life in this old dino

Mark Kennedy, AP Film Writer

lends itself to the thematic horrors that abound on the band’s record. The title is appropriate. But for all the tragedy, there are pleasures across the release. Consider a song like “One of the Greats,” a erce indictment of double standards that also happens to be quite funny. “It must be nice to be a man and make borin’ music just because you can,” she sings. “Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan / You’re my second favorite frontman.”

The nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM released their debut Korean album, “Back to Life,” via HYBE Japan and YX LABELS on Tuesday. It’s a big step for the group whose members rst turned heads on the South Korean survival show “I-Land” (the same that launched the popular boy band ENHYPHEN) and the Japanese program “&Audition — The Howling.” Their multigenre, multilingual

approach to pop is sure to earn them new fans.

SERIES TO STREAM

Adapting novels by Mick Herron has worked out for Apple TV with its acclaimed series “Slow Horses.” Now, they’ve got “Down Cemetery Road,” also from Herron’s catalog. It stars Emma Thompson as a brazen, brash detective and Ruth Wilson as her unlikely Girl Friday. The rst two episodes premiere are streaming now. A new “Robin Hood” reimagining on MGM+ is described as “a romance adventure.” It stars Jack Patten and Lauren McQueen as Robin (he goes by Rob) and Marian, who ght corruption together. Sean Bean plays the main antagonist, the Sheri of Nottingham. The 10-episode series debuts Sunday, Nov. 2. HBO loves a comedy about friendships and hopes it has found a Gen Z answer to ll the millennial void left by “Insecure” and “Girls.” Actor and comedian Sennott created and stars in a new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” about a budding tal-

ent manager in Hollywood, and her friend group (featuring Josh Hutcherson as her boyfriend). It also makes its debut Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

In the galaxy of The Outer Worlds 2, three factions are battling for dominance: the hyper capitalist Auntie’s Choice, the authoritarian Protectorate and the quasi-religious Order of the Ascendant. If none of those sounds particularly appealing, that’s kind of the point. In order to accomplish your mission, you’ll nd yourself trying to meet the sometimes-preposterous demands of one faction without aggravating the other two. Developer Obsidian Entertainment brings a sarcastic edge to your usual space opera, hoping to leave you laughing while you’re hunting down radioactive mutants or malfunctioning robots. The studio has an impressive track record of role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity and Avowed, so if you’re hungry for that sort of action with rockets and lasers, prepare for lifto on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5 or PC.

Eva Victor wrote, directed and stars in “Sorry, Baby.”

In “Ballad of a Small Player, Colin Farrell, left, plays a high-stakes gambler alongside Fala Chen. The lm is streaming on Net ix.

series.”

STATE & NATION

Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

Several states, including North Carolina, have remade their Congressional maps

By Olivia Diaz and David A. Lieb

The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott sent a letter last Thursday to members telling them to convene Monday for a special session but did not state a reason. The purpose includes congressional redistricting aimed at gaining more Democratic-held seats, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they are not authorized to publicly discuss them.

Virginia would be the second state with a Democratic-led legislature after California to enter a national redistricting battle with enormous stakes. If Democrats gain just three more seats, they would take control of the House and e ectively impede Trump’s agenda.

Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina

already have approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats and retain the slim GOP House majority. And even more states are considering redistricting as the battle front widens.

A spokeswoman for Democrats’ House campaign arm characterized Virginia’s e ort as the party pursuing “every available tool to counter Republicans’ desperate attempts to steal the midterms.”

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation,” said Courtney Rice, communications direc-

tor for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republicans vowed to ght.

Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore said Democrats missed their opportunity to carry out this procedure by 2026 and that it’s “too late constitutionally” to do so.

“We are going to do everything legally we can do to stop this power grab,” Kilgore said.

Voting districts typically are redrawn at the start of each decade to account for population changes noted by the census. But Trump took the unusual step over the summer of urging Republican-led states to reshape key districts to try to buck a his-

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation.”

Courtney Rice, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

torical trend of a president’s party losing seats in midterm elections.

Virginia currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans who ran in districts whose boundaries were imposed by a court after a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on a map after the 2020 census.

The e ort to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts comes in the nal weeks before the Nov. 4 state legislative and statewide elections. But Monday’s session is just the start of what could be a long legislative process, running past the election.

Because Virginia’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the electorate must sign o on any changes. And any proposed change to the constitution must rst pass the legislature in two separate sessions. Democrats are scrambling to hold that rst vote this year so

Flavor Flav gives bobsled and skeleton a try, joins team as hype man for Olympics

In Paris, he was the hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

PARK CITY, Utah — At 66 years old, Flavor Flav went 67 mph. That was all it took to get him hooked on sliding.

Meet the newest fan of the U.S. bobsled and skeleton program: a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, founding member of Public Enemy, reality show star and now, aspiring slider. USA Bobsled and Skeleton announced Flav as its new o cial hype man Monday, not long after he spent a couple days around the team at the 2002 Olympic track in Utah.

And he plans to be with the team at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.

“The partnership is a blessing,” Flav said. “It’s cooler than ‘Cool Runnings.’ It’s Coolest Runnings.”

The 66-year-old Flav — his legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. — spent time with

the bobsled and skeleton teams this past week. He went down the Park City track in a bobsled, then also wanted to try out skeleton, the head rst sliding sport where elite athletes can reach speeds exceeding 80 mph.

Team o cials wanted Flav to start from a low spot on the track, as is the case with all rst-timers for safety reasons. Flav didn’t necessarily like that; he wanted to start from higher up, signi cantly raising the level of di culty. Eventually, he got his chance and he hit 67 mph on his second run.

For a regular person just trying the sport, that’s exceptional. No word on whether he used his catch phrase, “Yeah, boyeeeee.”

“Oh my gosh, he’s one of the coolest, most adventurous men that I’ve ever met,” U.S. skeleton athlete Dan Barefoot told The Associated Press. “He was upset that he couldn’t go from higher up on the track. … I was kind of upset at how good he was. It’s a sport that takes a lot of skill, but he made it look straightforward.” Flav and sports often go hand-in-hand.

He was a celebrity mayo-pourer — yes, there is such a job — at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last year, helping to douse Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck with 5 gallons of celebratory condiment after the Golden Gophers

won that game. He can be found performing during Super Bowl weeks. He was there to show support when Billie Jean King got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s been a big supporter of Olympians in the

that they can approve the change a second time after a new legislative session begins Jan. 14.

Voters still would have to approve a change in the constitution to allow using the new House map. And that vote would need to occur before congressional primaries, which are currently set for June 16 — though dates for such elections have been pushed back in the past.

In many states, congressional districts are drawn by state lawmakers, subject to the approval of the governor. But North Carolina’s new map, which receivednal approval last Wednesday from the Republican-led legislature, did not have to go to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Those changes target a swing district held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis by adding areas that contain more Republican-leaning voters. Like Virginia, California has a constitutionally established redistricting commission, which approved maps after the 2020 census. California voters are to decide in a Nov. 4 election whether to temporarily suspend those districts and instead use a map approved by the Democratic-led legislature that could help Democrats pick up as many as ve additional seats.

No voter approval is necessary for the revised districts in Missouri, North Carolina or Texas, though opponents in Missouri are gathering petition signatures to try to force a statewide vote on their new map.

past, including discus thrower Veronica Fraley. And at the Paris Olympics, Flav was the o cial hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team.

“We have all been so hyped to have him with us,” Barefoot said. “Put aside the fact that Flav is one of the greatest hype men of all time, the energy in the room ... you had people who often aren’t talking to each other high- ving and hugging because of the experience of being around him. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of con dence around us right now.”

Many members of the team got Flav’s personal cell phone number, and some also got to join him at a Maroon 5 concert over the weekend. And when the Olympics are over, Flav plans to return to Park City to take part in a camp for sliders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Flavor Flav as an o cial sponsor and hype man for USA Bobsled/Skeleton,” USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Aron McGuire said. “It’s clear he has a genuine passion for sports and an authentic love for the USA team. Flavor Flav embodies the same grit, dedication, and pride that de ne our athletes, and we’re excited to have him bring that excitement to our team and fans across the country.”

STEVE HELBER / AP PHOTO

The state and U.S. ags y over the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond in January 2024.

LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO

Flavor Flav laughs during an interview with The Associated Press at the USA house at the 2024 Summer Olympics in July 2024 in Paris.

Randolph record

Autumnal gathering

Vendors and customers gathered on the streets of downtown Ramseur on Oct. 18 for the town’s 37th “A Day on Main Street” Ramseur Fall Festival. It was one of several festivals in the region this fall.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations

House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.

Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.

Randolph County Schools receives clean audit

While the audit hasn’t yet been signed o federally, the rm found no problems

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Randolph County Schools has once again received a clean audit opinion.

At the Randolph County Schools Board of Education’s Oct. 20 meeting, the board received a presentation from its auditing rm, Anderson Smith and Wike.

While the audit report of scal year 2024-25 that the board received is technically a draft, as the federal government has yet to sign o on any audits of federal funds, the board was assured that that wouldn’t a ect the ndings.

“It’s not an issue, but still to

this date, they have not signed this document,” said Shannon Dennison, CPA with Anderson Smith and Wike. “The only thing that we anticipate changing is the dates when we nalize the audits. We reviewed the drafts of everything, but we gured it was more important to get to you all the fund balance and the nancial state of the district than it is to have the dates be the nal dates.”

The district received an unmodi ed opinion on its nancial statements, the best opinion that it can receive, and no misstatements or areas of concern in controls, federal awards or state awards were found.

“A lot of work goes into that from nance sta to folks all across the district,” Dennison said. “It’s a long-standing opinion for the district, so good job for all the hard work that goes

“That is not something that is across the board in every district, so it is something to be proud of.”

Shannon Dennison, CPA with Anderson Smith and Wike

on throughout the year. That is not something that is across the board in every district, so it is something to be proud of.”

“You don’t have to watch the news very long to see some school systems that got in trouble,” said board chair Gary Cook.

The rm also reviewed the state of the district’s cash balances, stating that after starting the year with approximately $2.4 million in fund balance,

it ended the year with around $11.7 million within the general fund.

“Fund balance is the district’s savings account,” Dennison said. “Of that $11.7 million, $2.1 million is going to be appropriated in the 2025-26 budget.”

Dennison also stated that the district has around $7.5 million in unrestricted funds that can be allocated as seen t.

“You can’t say we do everything right, but it’s one thing that I’m proud of,” Cook said. “We got a clean audit and have a budget we’ve worked within.”

Finance o cer Marty Trotter said, “A lot of work goes into what they do, but also a lot of work goes on behind the scenes. They were tremendous in putting all of this together for them.

“This is the most e cient audit team I’ve ever seen in my life. To work with them is a privilege, to say the least. Truly, they come in, get their stu and get out. I appreciate what they do.”

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet Nov. 17.

Speakers o er views to EPA at public hearing

A ruling is expected after the comment period on the topic concludes at the end of October

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — Asheboro’s challenge to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s quest to put discharge limits involving water treatment at the city’s plant drew a variety of speakers and legal consultants to last week’s public hearing. The hearing, conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, was held at Randolph Community College. At issue is the 1,4-dioxane that has passed through the system, which provides water for about approximately 1 million locations after discharged from Hasketts Creek and then to Deep River eventu-

ally reaching Cape Fear River. Multiple counties in the eastern part of North Carolina receive drinking water connected to the Cape Fear River.

Representatives of environmental groups demand that discharge limits be put in place and water be ltered prior to reaching Asheboro’s system.

The 1,4-dioxane is described as a likely carcinogen.

In 2016, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality imposed discharge restrictions on wastewater facilities in Asheboro, Greensboro and Reidsville, identifying them as major contributors to the chemical’s presence in the state’s waterways.

Asheboro challenged that with a lawsuit, in part saying this put nancial burdens on the city’s wastewater facilities and various industries in the region.

“EPA’s objection gives the state a chance to strengthen its protections for families who depend on the Cape Fear River for drinking water.”

Jean Zhuang, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center

A judge ruled in favor of the city. This ruling led to an increase in Asheboro’s 1,4-dioxane discharges. Nick Coco, identi ed as a former DEQ sta member, spoke at the hearing. He said the ruling that allowed 1,4-dioxane limits to be nulli ed was “dangerous and inconsistent with science.”

Several of the speakers said that Asheboro is passing the problem downstream rather than having the issue dealt with at the source of the problem. It’s a matter of protecting clean water, speakers said in testimony that at times became emotional.

“EPA’s objection gives the state a chance to strengthen its protections for families who depend on the Cape Fear River for drinking water,” said Jean Zhuang, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

Based on EPA concerns, part of the dispute involves the judge’s interpretation of the Clean Water Act.

Asheboro o cials have said they’re following legal decisions that have been made. Written comments will be accepted through the end of October by emailing to R4NPDESComments@epa.gov

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

RCC receives grants to boost programs

The funding should assist in multiple areas at the school

Randolph Record sta ASHEBORO — Randolph Community College has received separate grants related to a couple of programs at the school.

RCC was awarded a $7,000 grant from BassCraft Manufacturing Company to support student learning in the college’s Computer-Integrated Machining program.

“This partnership with BrassCraft represents the kind of strategic collaboration that drives student success and regional growth,” RCC president Shah Ardalan said. “Together, we are not just training skilled technicians — we are shaping the future of advanced manufacturing in North Carolina. We are proud to stand with

CRIME LOG

Oct. 20

• Kenneth Poe, 55, of Staley, was arrested by RCSO for breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, injury to real property and resisting a public o cer.

Oct. 21

• Stephenie Grizzard, 43, of Siler City, was arrested by RCSO for larceny of a motor vehicle.

• Branson Pearson, 48, of Staley, was arrested by RCSO for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Zachary Todd, 44, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for larceny of horse/swine/cattle, obtaining property by false pretense, possession of stolen property and identity theft.

Oct. 22

• Christopher Maness, 36, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, assault on a pregnant woman, assault on a female and disorderly conduct.

• Jose Sanchez, 28, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in icting serious injury.

• Isai Torres, 25, of Randleman, was arrested by Randleman

industry partners who share our commitment to Access, Connection, Experience, and Success.”

The funding will enhance instruction in the college’s Machining Technology II course, helping students gain advanced skills in precision machining, measurement and safety practices — key competencies in today’s manufacturing industry.

According to a news release, the investment will strengthen RCC’s ability to prepare graduates for high-demand technical careers while supporting BrassCraft’s goal of building a stronger regional workforce pipeline for its Thomasville plant.

The other grant is for $5,000 and comes from Bank OZK, going to RCC’s Small Business Center to support outreach and technical assistance for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

According to the grant acceptance letter, “Funding will support continued outreach and technical assistance in Randolph County,” with a focus on reaching underserved communities and providing educational resources that help local entrepreneurs thrive.

“Transportation and access remain signi cant barriers for many aspiring business owners,” said Quinton Louris, director of the RCC Small Business Center. “With this grant, we can bring resources directly to those who need them most — right where they are.”

The funding will enhance the SBC’s mobile classroom initiative, enabling the center to deliver on-site technical assistance, nancial literacy workshops and entrepreneurship resources throughout the county. This includes direct collaboration with Bank OZK employees.

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

Oct. 31-

Nov. 1

RSVP Community Theater Presents Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” 7 p.m.

Police Department for injury to real property and assault on a female.

Oct. 23

• Austin Campbell, 27, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for possession of stolen property, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, larceny of a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, felony larceny, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and communicating threats.

• Scott Leonard, 33, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for felony larceny, felony conspiracy, rst-degree trespassing, obtaining property by false pretense and injury to real property.

• Pedro Ramirez, 28, of Mt. Airy, was arrested by RCSO for solicitation by computer and attempted statutory rape of a child.

Oct. 24

• Naheem Smith, 19, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for identity theft, resisting a public o cer, possession of stolen property and misdemeanor larceny.

• Dustin Stout, 39, of Siler City, was arrested by RCSO for obtaining property by false pretense, larceny of a motor vehicle and possession of a

stolen motor vehicle.

• Melissa Toomes, 43, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for felony larceny, exploitation of disabled or elderly person, obtaining property by false pretense and resisting a public o cer.

Oct. 26

• Lonnie Carlton, 49, of Snow Camp, was arrested by RCSO for resisting a public o cer.

• Rhonda Chatman, 48, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public o cer.

• Lamar Crump, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, selling or delivering controlled substance within 300 feet of school, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/ place for controlled substance, felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and driving while license revoked.

• Ethan Ledesma, 28, was arrested by Asheboro PD for resisting a public o cer.

• Ashley Rose, 32, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for eeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, resisting a public o cer, carrying a concealed gun, driving left of center and failure to maintain lane control.

A popular murder-mystery by one of America’s bestknown writers, this is also one of the longest-running plays in history. Tickets are on sale now.

Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

Nov. 2

2025 Gala & Auction

2-5 p.m.

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 N.C. potters Kate Waltman and Eck McCanless.

Umstead Hotel & Spa

100 Woodland Pond Dr. Cary

Nov. 8

Rock ’n’ Roll Elvis Christmas

7 p.m.

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

Nov. 11

Asheboro Veterans Parade 4-5 p.m.

This annual event always draws a large crowd — no admission fee.

Downtown Asheboro at Church Street and Sunset Avenue

Nov. 15

Revolutionary War Patriots Plaque Dedication

11 a.m.

As part of ongoing celebrations of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, the Randolph County America 250 NC Committee is hosting a dedication ceremony of a commemorative stone marker to be placed at the cemetery where Col. Andrew Balfour, Revolutionary War patriot, is buried. 2421 Doul Mountain Road Asheboro Randolph

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

The normie revolution

Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times

released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems.

It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.

It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example.

And yet this time feels unique. It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.

Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.

And that chaos means mistrust.

Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner.

IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.

Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.

Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.

This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable.

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war.

This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S. China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through

economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.

The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.

Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.

Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.

At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.

In the wake of the February 2022 invasion

What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.

Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.

Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.

To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.

Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @ JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Stephen Paul Ridgill

Feb. 6, 1953 – Oct. 19, 2025

Stephen Paul Ridgill (“Pa”, “Big Steve”, “anything but late for dinner”), devoted husband, legendary dad, doting grandfather, and friend to everyone, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the age of 72, surrounded by the family he loved ercely and unconditionally.

Steve spent the last three and a half years bravely battling aggressive stage 4 cancer. He amazed doctors, bewildered nurses, and may or may not hold the record for most margarita requests ever made from a hospital bed.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Steve developed a strong work ethic and sense of adventure, making mischief on the family farm.

At age seven, the Ridgill family relocated to Northern Virginia, where Steve later graduated from Herndon High School and, along the way, discovered several of his lifelong passions: woodworking, mechanics, aviation, and an equally mischievous brunette named Sharon, who would eventually become the love of his life and wife for 50-plus years.

He attended Virginia Tech, paying his own way to a mechanical engineering degree, all while nurturing his relationship with Sharon and collecting many lifelong friends. After college, he and Sharon married and settled in West Virginia, where they did a hard time for eight years, raising two small children and dealing with WV neighbors while Steve served as a maintenance foreman for Bethlehem Steel before escaping to greener pastures in North Carolina.

In North Carolina, his ingenuity and creativity were initially put to work creating custom glass imaging and etchings with a novel sandblasting machine. After which, he spent 28 years with Dart Container, overseeing the construction of the company’s rst NC plant and eventually retiring as its long-time Plant Manager. He led with the same values that de ned him everywhere else: humility, integrity, humor and practicality.

He wasn’t content just building factories. He also built airplanes (the model variety), homes (with

Royce Gray Dixon

Feb. 21, 1951 – Oct. 25, 2025

Royce Gray Dixon, age 74, a resident of Chocowinity, died Saturday, October 25, 2025, at his home.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Dixon Cemetery with Buzz Cayton o ciating.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and at other times at the home.

Royce was born on February 21, 1951, in Beaufort County, to the late Allen Linner Dixon and Josephine Wall Dixon. He was a 1969 graduate of Chocowinity High School. On November 12, 1977, he married Lydia Alice Williams. Royce was a certi ed welder, pipe tter, construction worker, and sheet metal worker, working mostly in industrial settings. He was baptized at Union Chapel FWB Chapel. Royce loved shing, cutting grass,

obituaries

Habitat for Humanity), and a family that loved every minute with him.

He ful lled a dream of becoming a pilot and loved taking up friends and family to “bore some holes in the sky.” He was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, served on the board of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (attempting the impossible), was a member of the Rotary Club and a beloved xture in the Zooland Civitan Club. His personal accomplishments were dwarfed, however, when compared to his role as husband, dad and “Pa”. His family was truly his passion. Whether it was a game of backyard football or frisbee, a school project that turned into an engineering feat, or another long day spent in “Pa’s Garage”, Steve was always there — sleeves rolled up, tool in hand, trying tirelessly to impart valuable knowledge to his o spring.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, sel essness, hard work and well-organized power tools. His handshake could bend steel, his hugs could x bad days and his stories will be retold (and likely embellished) for generations.

Steve Ridgill was one of the good ones — the best one for his family, who are grateful for the endless memories, lessons, witticisms and love he gave so freely. His boisterous laugh is burned into their memories, and they are fortunate to have copious amounts of his artisan woodworking projects, from toys to furniture, which will be treasured forever. Somewhere he’s working on a project, tools in hand, telling someone to “hold what you’ve got.”

Preceding Steve in death are his parents, James Lee Ridgill Jr. and Janie Elam Ridgill. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Bain Ridgill of Kernersville, his daughter, Nicole Ridgill Alford (Jason), his son, Stephen Paul Ridgill II (Kada), and his grandchildren, Max Mason, Aiden Alford and Maya Ridgill. He is also survived by brothers James (Jimmy) Ridgill and Jerrold (Jerry) Ridgill (Toula), niece Christina Ridgill and nephew Alexander Ridgill, cousin Ed May, and many extended family members, including sisters and brothersin-law, numerous nieces and nephews, countless friends and the many lives he touched with his generosity, humor and unshakable kindness.

A Celebration of Steve’s Life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home in Asheboro. Wear bright colors!

In lieu of owers, Steve’s wishes are for donations to be made to the Habitat for Humanity of Randolph County, 3060 US Hwy 220 Business South, Asheboro, NC 27205-73312 or habitatrc.org/ donate. Per Steve, “speci cally the Randolph County chapter, NOT the national organization.”

tractors, mules, and horses. He built custom-made horse wagons, and he loved to build things and was a big joker. His favorite quote was, “If you’re going to be stupid, you gotta be tough.” In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Dixon, and sister, April Willoughby. Survivors include his wife, Lydia Alice Dixon of the home, son, Matthew Dixon (Kara) of Vanceboro, his adopted children, Rita Cooksey of Washington, Sara Mayo (David) of Aurora, Paul Galland Jr. (Ashlie) of Washington and James Jarrett Jr. of Chocowinity, brothers, Jesse Dixon (Joan) of Chocowinity and Phillip Dixon (Jonita) of Washington, sisters, Barbara Adams of Maysville, Lillian Armstrong (Jerry) of Chocowinity, Sharon Carrow (Paul) of Washington, grandchildren, Rebekah Villalobos (Abel), Cheyenne Wood (Cody), Daryan Faircloth, Jordan Kolibabek and husband Ryan, Gabrielle Dixon, Maria Wainwright, Alex Wainwright and Wade Mayo, great grandchildren, Miguel Villalobos, Mariah Villalobos, Alicia Villalobos, Alexandria Howell and Olivia Wood.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Victoria Cadavid and Chris Hudson with Gentiva Hospice for your care and support.

In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be given to Gentiva Hospice, 222 Stewart Parkway, Suite 100, Washington, NC 27889.

Perry Shaw

Oct. 5, 1939 – Oct. 19, 2025

Perry Strickland Shaw, 86, of Asheboro, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Universal Health Care/Ramseur Rehab & Healthcare in Ramseur.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Pleasant Ridge Christian Church, Ramseur.

O ciating, Rev. Mark Beane. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Perry was born in Montgomery County on October 5, 1939, and was a longtime resident of Randolph County. He attended Ramseur High School and was retired from Eveready Battery Company. Perry was a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge Christian Church in Ramseur. In his free time, Perry enjoyed gol ng, traveling, and dancing. Perry was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Henson Shaw, parents, Dan Sr. and Minnie Strickland Shaw, sisters, Thelma Bartley and Lois Gray, and brothers, Dan Shaw Jr. and Tom Shaw.

Survivors: daughter, Cathy Dawn Shaw, of Lexington, sister, Janice Hight, of Asheboro, brother-in-law, Ray Henson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation, 1-1:45 p.m., Thursday, Pleasant Ridge Christian Church in Ramseur. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Ridge Christian Church, 1426 Pleasant Ridge Church Road, Ramseur, NC 27316.

Darrell Ray Dennis

Oct. 20, 1958 – Oct. 23, 2025

Darrell Ray Dennis, age 67 of Randleman, NC, passed away at Moses Cone Hospital on October 23, 2025, following complications from a serious fall and extensive hospital stay.

Darrell was born on October 20, 1958, to Darrell and Geri Dennis. He was preceded in death by his father, Darrell Dennis, his grandparents, “Buck” and Claudia Dennis & Leslie Leroy Cranford, and Mary Magdalene Richardson.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 37 years, Trisha Dennis, his children, Alyssa Dennis and Tucker Dennis (Madelleine); mother, Geri Dennis (Bill); sister, Pam Jordan (Rusty); stepmother, Lynn Dennis; many loving cousins; and his beloved co-pilot, hunting dog and faithful companion, Remi. Darrell will be remembered for always being an honest businessman. He owned and operated Darrell R. Dennis Auto Upholstery for 30+ years. He also had a love of nature and all living creatures. He had a passion for music and was an avid guitar player, being inspired by his idol, Eddie Van Halen. Most of all, he was devoted to his family, always cherishing time spent together. He loved them with his whole heart.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Betty Lambert Maness

Aug. 23, 1939 – 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 p.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Beulah Baptist Church in Bennett, with Dr. Neal Jackson and Reverend Robert Kidd o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. JoyceBrady Chapel will be open on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 1-5 p.m. for friends to sign the register.

Clarence Poindexter

Jan. 13, 1943 – Oct. 18, 2025

Clarence Poindexter, age 82, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away on October 18, 2025, at Alpine. Clarence was born on January 13, 1943, in Sunny City, Mount Airy, to the late Marvin Albert Poindexter and Margie Poindexter.

Clarence loved his family deeply and found his greatest joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, whom he loved to spoil. He was a kind and generous man who always provided for his friends and family. Clarence enjoyed traveling and meeting new people wherever he went. He worked for many years in the textile industry and later drove the tram at the North Carolina Zoo until his retirement—a job he truly loved because it allowed him to meet visitors from all over the world.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Cranford Poindexter; his parents; his son, Clarence Allen Poindexter; and his brothers, Charles Poindexter and Carlie Poindexter.

Clarence is survived by his sons, James Poindexter, Je ery Poindexter and Bobby Cranford; his daughter, Kelby Causey; his grandchildren, Angie C. Garren, Bobby L. Cranford Jr., Latasha C. Cassidy, Aresia Poindexter and Jason Poindexter; and many great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Tommy, Larry and Marty Poindexter and sister Carolyn Green; and by caring family members Alisha Brady and Carolyn Cranford; stepchildren Tona Pierce, Dean Yates, Ken Yates and Tammy Yates; step-grandchildren Talia Tennant, Jennifer Yates, Joshua Yates, Jade Yates, Azura Yates, Gianna Yates and Amanda Wery.

The Family will receive friends on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro. Graveside service will be held at Randolph Memorial Park at 3 p.m. with Pastor Michael Poindexter o ciating.

Visitation will be held from 1-1:45 p.m. in the church prior to the service. Visitation and refreshments will be served after the service with family present.

Betty was a graduate of Bennett High School, Campbell College and was employed over 30 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, now known as U.S. Farm Service Agency in Pittsboro, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edward Maness, son Perry Maness, daughter-in-law Martha, her brothers Marvin and Carole Lambert, Farrell and Ellen Lambert, and Sister-in-law Margaret Maness.

Betty is survived by her sons, Edward Allen Maness (Helen), of Robbins and Shannon Clay Maness, of Sanford; sister-inlaw, Betty Almond of Asheboro; sister-in-law, Frances Boone of Cowpens, SC; brother-in-law, Harrison Maness, of Asheboro and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family wishes to thank the sta of Peak Resources, Pinelake for the wonderful comfort care and special attention provided during her stay. Thank you to Barbara Morgan for the encouragement and company you provided as her roommate. A special thank you to the friends and family who visited with Betty and brought such pleasure to her with gifts and prayers.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made in memory of Betty to Beulah Baptist Church, 8454 Howard Mill Rd., Bennett, NC 27208.

Naomi St. Onge Richardson

Feb. 27, 1960 – Oct. 22, 2025

Naomi Ann St. Onge Richardson, 65, of Franklinville, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Randolph Health in Asheboro.

Naomi was born in Lapeer County, Michigan, on February 27, 1960, and was a long-time resident of Randolph County. She had a strong faith and loved the Lord. In her free time, Naomi enjoyed rock collecting as well as candle collecting. She had a deep appreciation for music and shared this love with her husband. Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Weston St. Onge and Juanita Gideos St. Onge, and brother, Tim St. Onge.

Survivors: husband of 22 years, Thomas Richardson of the home as well as three brothers. Arrangements by Lo in Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.

the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Randolph Record at obits@ randolphrecord.com

Robert Wayne Lilley

July 22, 1967 – Oct. 21, 2025

Robert Wayne Lilley, age 58, a resident of Pantego, died Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Duke University Medical Center.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Pamlico Memorial Gardens with Ronnie Aycock o ciating.

The family will receive friends Monday, October 27, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington, and other times at the home of Brittany, 140 Morgan Rd., Washington, NC.

Robert was born on July 22, 1967, in Beaufort County to Edna Rose Hope and the late Robert Henry Lilley Jr. He was a 1986 graduate of John A. Wilkinson High School. Robert was a mechanic and owned and operated High Tech Repairs. He enjoyed hunting and shing, going to tractor pulls and loved music, especially playing his guitar. Robert had previously served as a town commissioner in Pantego. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a stepbrother, Wayne Raynor. Survivors include his daughter, Brittany Elks (Justin) of Washington, brothers, Je rey Lilley (Angela) of Washington and Mitchell Lilley of Washington, ancé Tammy Knox of Bear Grass, stepmother, Betty Mae Lilley of Pinetown, stepbrother, Kenneth Raynor of Colorado, uncle, Marshall Lilley (Joann) of Pinetown, aunt, Virginia Ainsley (Dwight) of Washington, ve grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry Dean Leitschuh

Sept. 7, 1941 – Oct. 24, 2025

Jerry Dean Leitschuh, age 84, a resident of Washington, NC, died Friday, October 24, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Asbury Methodist Church and will be o ciated by Chaplain Lenny Waters. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Pamlico Memorial Gardens. Jason Bridges, Jarred Bridges, Andrew Coty, William “Bill” Coty, Stacey Lewis and Tripp Leggett will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 2 p.m. until the funeral hour at Asbury Methodist Church. Mr. Leitschuh was born in Litch eld, IL, on September 7, 1941, to the late Otto John Leitschuh and Lillian Britton Leitschuh. He was a graduate of Litch eld High School. Mr. Leitschuh served in the United States Marine Corps. He also served 12 years as a Trooper in Edgecombe and 10 years as a Line Sergeant in Beaufort County with the NC State Highway Patrol. Mr. Leitschuh enjoyed hunting, shing, gardening, and sweeping his lawn. He was a member of the NRA and Mauls Point Hunting Club.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Leitschuh, two children, Dean Leitschuh and wife Cassie of Vanceboro, Kari Leitschuh and her signi cant other Steven Phillips of Wake Forest, four grandchildren, Jason Bridges, Jarred Bridges, Andrew Coty, Tori Leitschuh, one step grandchild, William (Bill) Coty, three great grandchildren, Brandon, McKenzie, Henry and a sister Jean Groves of Illinois.

He is preceded in death by eight siblings.

Brenda Leonard Pickel

Dec. 11, 1940 – Oct. 24, 2025

Brenda Gayle Leonard Pickel, a beloved mother, grandmother, friend and retired schoolteacher, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Asheboro on October 24. She was 84 years old.

Born in Lexington, she moved to Asheboro in her youth and graduated from Asheboro High School. She went on to graduate from Catawba College, where she met her husband, Ray Wagner Pickel II, who passed away in 1994.

Brenda was smart, generous, joyful and loyal. She had an infectious laugh that could light up a room. She was an avid bridge player, a world traveler, and a keen follower of state, local and national politics.

A special education teacher, Brenda taught school in North Carolina for 32 years - 26 of them at Lindley Park Elementary. Her love for teaching helped change the lives of so many children.

Brenda’s husband, Ray, was also a schoolteacher. They were an engaging couple who loved boating in and around the

Cicero Vance Williams

Oct. 28, 1929 – Oct. 21, 2025

Cicero Vance Williams, 95, of Seagrove, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Pleasant Hill Community Church, Seagrove, with Pastor Ted Beane o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Born on October 28, 1929, in Randolph County, NC, Vance was the son of the late Jesse Williams and Eula Belle Parks Williams. He retired from Luck’s Beans after 43 years of service.

He was a member of Pleasant Hill Community Church, where he had served as a Sunday school teacher, trustee, usher, and church bell ringer. He enjoyed working outside, watching wrestling and NASCAR racing. He loved sharing about his truck driver experiences.

In addition to his parents, Vance was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Spencer Williams; and siblings, Lewis Williams, T.H. Williams, Margaret Williams, Yvonne Williams, and Shirley Kearns.

Surviving are his daughters, Wanda (Boyd) Trogdon, Pat (Phillip) Kiser, Kathy (Bobby) Marsh; grandchildren, Beth Allen, Jason Kiser, Justin Kiser, Charity Chriscoe, Jordan Kiser, Joel Marsh, Jessica MarshCreech; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and sisters, LaRue (Larry) Cook and Betty Satter eld.

Mr. Williams will lie in repose from 2:30-3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials may be made to Cross Road Retirement Community, Dream Makers Program, 1302 Old Cox Road, Asheboro, NC 27205; or to Pleasant Hill Community Church Cemetery, c/o Kathy Hayes, 448 Country Acres Dr., Randleman, NC 27317.

southern Outer Banks, discussing current events and entertaining with their many friends. They were well known for their Christmas Eve party - always a highlight of the holiday season.

After Ray passed away, Brenda continued her travels with three close friends - Lillian Jordan, Wanda Smith and Marlene Wooten. Together, these four women traveled to Italy, France and England, along with many US cities, including New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco.

Brenda is survived by one son, Ray Wagner “Trip” Pickel III and one grandson, Cameron Ray Pickel. Other survivors include her sister-in-law Diane Linnamen; her niece, Melissa Linnamen Grubb and their children; her niece Amanda Kennedy and her husband Michael and their children; and cousins Bubber Greg Callahan, Ellen Callahan, Craig and Maria Callahan and Craig and Sherry Brannon. As well as her loving “Sisters”, Lillian Jordan, Wanda Smith, Linda Tinkler, Joyce Teague and Marlene Wooten.

Brenda was a member of the First Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ in Asheboro.

In lieu of owers, the family has asked that donations be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262, or the Asheboro Library, 201 Worth St., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 31, at Pugh Funeral Home. The viewing service will be from 2-3:45 p.m., followed by a short memorial service at 4 p.m. in the Glenn “Mac” Pugh Chapel at Pugh Funeral Home of Asheboro.

Stevan Douglas “Doug” Brown

July 7, 1960 – Oct. 19, 2025

Stevan Douglas “Doug” Brown, a cherished husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2025, at Randolph Hospice House. Born on July 7, 1960, in Nyack, NY, Doug lived a ful lling life, enriching the lives of those around him with his humor, kindness, and skillful hands. At the time of his passing, he was 65 years old.

Doug spent his career as a dedicated elevator mechanic, committing his expertise to his profession until his well-earned retirement. Known as a true “jack of all trades,” Doug could tackle any project with ease and an ever-present smile. Beyond his professional life, he found joy in shing, boating, camping, and classic cars. His adventurous spirit and keen interest in these hobbies made him a beloved presence at gatherings and outings.

Doug was a devoted member of Vision Baptist Church in Randleman, where his faith and fellowship were central to his life. His warmth and humor left a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Preceded in death by his loving parents, Carlos and Irene Link Brown, and his brother, Glenn Brown, Doug leaves behind a family who cherished him deeply. He is survived by his adoring wife, Christina McKee, of the home; sisters, Catherine Satone and her husband Steve of Davenport, FL, and Lynn Allen and her husband Je of Palm Bay, FL; and brother, Gary Brown of Warwick, NY. His nieces, Janeen Satone, Vanessa Satone, Caroline McAlister, sisterin-law Janet Robbins and her companion Paul Wagner, will forever hold his memory in their hearts. Doug’s faithful feline companion, Pia, will miss his gentle presence.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Doug’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Vision Baptist Church in Randleman, o ciated by Rev. Je rey Broadstreet.

Doug will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his indomitable spirit, and his ability to bring laughter into every room he entered. His legacy of kindness and strength will continue to inspire those who knew him.

Betty Jean Davenport

April 27, 1937 – Oct. 21, 2025

Mrs. Betty Jean Alligood Davenport, age 88, a resident of Washington, went to her Heavenly home on October 21, 2025. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington. At noon, a funeral procession will go to Oakdale Cemetery for a graveside service, which will be o ciated by Kevin Cutler. Pallbearers will be Joey Taylor, Keith Taylor, Charlie Davenport, Austin Smith, Hunter Smith, and Tanner Buell. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Boyd, Floyd Sutton Jr., and Sam Robbins. Betty Jean was born on April 27, 1937, the daughter of the late Roscoe Alligood and the late Amy Easter Winstead Alligood. She graduated from Bath High School in June of 1955. She married the love of her life, Alton Davenport, on January 5, 1958. They had been in love since the seventh grade in elementary school. They were married for fty years until he passed away on June 19, 2008. She is survived by her three loving sons: Michael “Mike” Davenport and his wife Debbie, Wesley “Wess” Davenport and his wife Bonita and Alton “Al” Davenport and his wife Angela all of Washington; grandchildren: Michael Paul Davenport, Jeannie Davenport, Brett Davenport, Dylan Davenport and his wife Rhiannon, Savannah Buck and her husband Tyler, and Braxton Davenport; left to cherish her memory, her sister, Wilma Lee Anthony; a niece: Heather Buell, her husband Britt, and their children and grandchildren; three step grandchildren and three step great-grandchildren. Flowers are welcome and appreciated, and the family kindly asks for any memorial contributions to be made to the charity of one’s choice.

William “Bill” Loggains

Dec. 3, 1943 – Oct. 25, 2025

William “Bill” Lewis Loggains, 81, of Asheboro, died Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Randolph Health in Asheboro.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Tucker Family Cemetery, Asheboro, with Pastor David Hunt o ciating.

Born on December 3, 1943, in Randolph County, NC, Bill was the son of the late Ernest Clayton “Doc” Loggains and Mary Beulah Townsend Loggains. He was retired from Eveready Battery and a member of Pleasant Grove Christian Church in Bennett.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his rst wife, Claudette Tucker Loggains; brothers, Ray Loggains, Jerry Loggains; and sisters, Betty Jo Harrell and Donna Lautenschleger.

Surviving are his second wife of 12 years, Ruby Gilliland Loggains of the home; sons, Ken Loggains (Amy) of Asheboro, Kevin Loggains (Karen) of Asheboro; sisters, Judy Williamson (Phillip “Popeye”) of Asheboro, Faye Hurley of Asheboro, Sharon Thomas (Darrell) of Hickory; brother, Gary Loggains (Cindy) of Seagrove; grandchildren, Tanner Loggains (Sydney Morgan), Luke Loggains, Sarah Sprinkle (Marshall); and great-grandchild, Brian Sprinkle.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Ridge Funeral Home, and at other times at the home of Ken and Amy Loggains.

Esther Lynch

Oct. 17, 1927 – Oct. 18, 2025

Esther M. Lynch, age 98, beloved mother and grandmother, departed this life on Saturday evening, October 18, 2025, at her residence.

She was born on October 17, 1927, in Chatham County, NC, a daughter of the late James Maness and Dossie Williamson Hill.

She was a resident of Randolph County of over 70 years. She retired from Klopman Mills/Gayley & Lord, with 50 years of service.

Esther was preceded in death by her daughter, JoAnn Spainhour Cole, joining her and our heavenly Father in a great reunion.

Esther is survived by her three sons, Roger Cagle (Jean) of Denton, Darrell Cagle of Greensboro, Terry Cagle (Karen) of Greensboro; eight grandchildren, Janet Pate, Jamie Spainhour, Keith Spainhour, Jerry Spainhour, Waynette Cagle, Domini Cagle, Rodney Cagle, Angie Cagle; ten great grandchildren; 12 greatgreat-grandchildren; and one brother, Robert Maness (Carol) of Asheboro. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss her.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home, Asheboro. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. at Randolph Memorial Park, Asheboro, with family members o ciating.

Oct. 15, 1961 – Oct. 21, 2025

Mrs. Darlene Faye Woolard Elks, age 64, a resident of Chocowinity, NC, died Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at her home.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Elks Family Cemetery, located at the home. The service will be o ciated by Pastor J.T. Edwards.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington, and other times at the home.

Darlene was born in Beaufort County on October 15, 1961, the daughter of the late Darrell Wayne “Tadpole” Woolard Sr., and the late Glenda Jean Boyd Woolard. She was a 1979 graduate of Bath High School. On March 1, 1981, she married Charlie “David” Elks who survives. Along with her husband, they owned Elks Mobile Home Park in Chocowinity.

Darlene loved reading, classic cars, going to car shows, the beach and lighthouses. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was a founding member of Down East Rods & Classic Car Club.

Surviving along with her husband, David, of the home, are her children: Charlie Elks and his wife Regina, Emilie Elks Pendley, and Brandon Elks and his wife Andrea all of Chocowinity; a brother: Darrell Wayne Woolard Jr. of Washington; and her grandchildren: Grace Elks, Caleb Pendley, Jacob Pendley, Sam Elks, Haleigh Pendley, Charlotte Elks, Maggie Elks and Emma Elks.

In lieu of owers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to Chocowinity Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 145, Chocowinity, NC 27817.

Darlene W. Elks

STATE & NATION

Virginia

Democrats

will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

Several states, including North Carolina, have remade their congressional maps

By Olivia Diaz and David A. Lieb

The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott sent a letter last Thursday to members telling them to convene Monday for a special session but did not state a reason. The purpose includes congressional redistricting aimed at gaining more Democratic-held seats, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they are not authorized to publicly discuss them.

Virginia would be the second state with a Democratic-led legislature after California to enter a national redistricting battle with enormous stakes. If Democrats gain just three more seats, they would take control of the House and e ectively impede Trump’s agenda.

Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina

already have approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats and retain the slim GOP House majority. And even more states are considering redistricting as the battle front widens.

A spokeswoman for Democrats’ House campaign arm characterized Virginia’s e ort as the party pursuing “every available tool to counter Republicans’ desperate attempts to steal the midterms.”

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation,” said Courtney Rice, communications direc-

tor for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republicans vowed to ght.

Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore said Democrats missed their opportunity to carry out this procedure by 2026 and that it’s “too late constitutionally” to do so.

“We are going to do everything legally we can do to stop this power grab,” Kilgore said.

Voting districts typically are redrawn at the start of each decade to account for population changes noted by the census. But Trump took the unusual step over the summer of urging Republican-led states to reshape key districts to try to buck a his-

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation.”

Courtney Rice, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

torical trend of a president’s party losing seats in midterm elections.

Virginia currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans who ran in districts whose boundaries were imposed by a court after a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on a map after the 2020 census.

The e ort to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts comes in the nal weeks before the Nov. 4 state legislative and statewide elections. But Monday’s session is just the start of what could be a long legislative process, running past the election. Because Virginia’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the electorate must sign o on any changes. And any proposed change to the constitution must rst pass the legislature in two separate sessions. Democrats are scrambling to hold that rst vote this year so

Flavor Flav gives bobsled and skeleton a try, joins team as hype man for Olympics

In Paris, he was the hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

PARK CITY, Utah — At 66 years old, Flavor Flav went 67 mph. That was all it took to get him hooked on sliding.

Meet the newest fan of the U.S. bobsled and skeleton program: a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, founding member of Public Enemy, reality show star and now, aspiring slider. USA Bobsled and Skeleton announced Flav as its new o cial hype man Monday, not long after he spent a couple days around the team at the 2002 Olympic track in Utah.

And he plans to be with the team at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.

“The partnership is a blessing,” Flav said. “It’s cooler than ‘Cool Runnings.’ It’s Coolest Runnings.”

The 66-year-old Flav — his legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. — spent time with

the bobsled and skeleton teams this past week. He went down the Park City track in a bobsled, then also wanted to try out skeleton, the head rst sliding sport where elite athletes can reach speeds exceeding 80 mph.

Team o cials wanted Flav to start from a low spot on the track, as is the case with all rst-timers for safety reasons. Flav didn’t necessarily like that; he wanted to start from higher up, signi cantly raising the level of di culty. Eventually, he got his chance and he hit 67 mph on his second run.

For a regular person just trying the sport, that’s exceptional. No word on whether he used his catch phrase, “Yeah, boyeeeee.”

“Oh my gosh, he’s one of the coolest, most adventurous men that I’ve ever met,” U.S. skeleton athlete Dan Barefoot told The Associated Press. “He was upset that he couldn’t go from higher up on the track. … I was kind of upset at how good he was. It’s a sport that takes a lot of skill, but he made it look straightforward.” Flav and sports often go hand-in-hand.

He was a celebrity mayo-pourer — yes, there is such a job — at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last year, helping to douse Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck with 5 gallons of celebratory condiment after the Golden Gophers

won that game. He can be found performing during Super Bowl weeks. He was there to show support when Billie Jean King got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s been a big supporter of Olympians in the

that they can approve the change a second time after a new legislative session begins Jan. 14.

Voters still would have to approve a change in the constitution to allow using the new House map. And that vote would need to occur before congressional primaries, which are currently set for June 16 — though dates for such elections have been pushed back in the past.

In many states, congressional districts are drawn by state lawmakers, subject to the approval of the governor. But North Carolina’s new map, which receivednal approval last Wednesday from the Republican-led legislature, did not have to go to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Those changes target a swing district held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis by adding areas that contain more Republican-leaning voters. Like Virginia, California has a constitutionally established redistricting commission, which approved maps after the 2020 census. California voters are to decide in a Nov. 4 election whether to temporarily suspend those districts and instead use a map approved by the Democratic-led legislature that could help Democrats pick up as many as ve additional seats.

No voter approval is necessary for the revised districts in Missouri, North Carolina or Texas, though opponents in Missouri are gathering petition signatures to try to force a statewide vote on their new map.

past, including discus thrower Veronica Fraley.

And at the Paris Olympics, Flav was the o cial hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team.

“We have all been so hyped to have him with us,” Barefoot said. “Put aside the fact that Flav is one of the greatest hype men of all time, the energy in the room ... you had people who often aren’t talking to each other high- ving and hugging because of the experience of being around him. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of con dence around us right now.”

Many members of the team got Flav’s personal cell phone number, and some also got to join him at a Maroon 5 concert over the weekend. And when the Olympics are over, Flav plans to return to Park City to take part in a camp for sliders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Flavor Flav as an o cial sponsor and hype man for USA Bobsled/Skeleton,” USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Aron McGuire said. “It’s clear he has a genuine passion for sports and an authentic love for the USA team. Flavor Flav embodies the same grit, dedication, and pride that de ne our athletes, and we’re excited to have him bring that excitement to our team and fans across the country.”

STEVE HELBER / AP PHOTO

The state and U.S. ags y over the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond in January 2024.

LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO

Flavor Flav laughs during an interview with The Associated Press at the USA house at the 2024 Summer Olympics in July 2024 in Paris.

RandolpH SPORTS

UCA students rush the court to celebrate with the team after the Eagles defeated Randleman in Tuesday night’s

UCA rolls past Randleman into state nal

The volleyball match between two Randolph County teams attracted a full gym of spectators

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy’s volleyball team is heading to the Class 4A state championship match after rolling through the East Region.

The latest conquest came by defeating visiting Randleman 25-19, 25-15, 25-15 in Tuesday night’s regional nal in front of a capacity crowd.

UCA (28-3), champion of the Four Rivers Conference, will meet West Region champion Lake Norman Charter (29-3) for the state title at 5 p.m. Friday at Joel Veterans Memorial

Coliseum in Winston-Salem.

“We’re really capable of beating anybody if we jump on them early,” UCA junior Caroline Way said.

Fourth-seeded Randleman (23-5), champion of the Piedmont Athletic Conference, bowed out after facing an in-county team for the second match in a row.

“It says a lot about volleyball in Randolph County,” UCA coach Lee Kennell said.

Second-seeded UCA, which will be in the state nal for the rst time, has won 72 consecutive sets.

“It’s special,” Kennell said. “We haven’t talked about it. We haven’t thought about it. Every bit of it is what we earned. Nobody gave us anything.”

The Eagles were embracing the atmosphere and the excitement that came with it.

“When it was game point, it started to hit me and felt really real,” Way said. “That was such a cool feeling.”

Lake Norman Charter swept South Rowan (22-7) in the West Region nal.

Earlier matches

UCA upended up 15th-seeded Washington 25-7, 25-8, 25-11 and dispatched No. 10 seed Ledford 25-13, 25-14, 25-9, with Sadie Upchurch posting 26 digs. The Eagles blasted third-seeded East Duplin 25-10, 25-19, 25-17 in Saturday’s fourth round.

The Tigers reached the regional nal by avenging a regular-season loss and toppling ninth-seeded Southwestern Randolph 19-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 on Saturday. Karrington

Cougars

Even with conference memberships spread across four leagues, there’s a simple way to put the teams in order

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

FIVE OF THE SEVEN football-playing schools in Randolph County will nish with winning records in the regular season. Yet there’s a clear pecking order within the county ranks, something that has been rather evident for several weeks.

Results of this week’s regular-season nales wouldn’t change this order, so here’s how the rankings go for the county teams.

Several teams in Randolph County will nish among the top two in their conferences

Randolph Record sta SOUTHWESTERN Randolph’s boys’ soccer team secured the Four Rivers Conference championship with last week’s success. Fernando Hernandez scored four goals and added an assist as the host Cougars outlasted Jordan-Matthews 6-3 to clinch the title. Aaron Avina, who assisted twice, and Yael Rebollar Ortiz had the other goals. Next, Southwestern Randolph stepped out of conference to defeat visiting Bishop McGuinness 2-0, notching its 20th victory of the season. Earlier last week, South-

western Randolph whipped visiting Eastern Randolph 10 - 0. Braydon Tyl, Avina, Rebollar Ortiz and Hernandez all had two goals.

• Eastern Randolph had the only three second-half goals in a 4-1 home victory against Uwharrie Charter Academy. The outcome came despite Aidan Almond’s goal for the Eagles.

• Asheboro won back-to-back home games against Eastern Guilford by 11-2 and against Northeast Guilford by 9-0 victory, meaning the Blue Comets will nish no worse than second place in the Triad Area Athletic Conference. Ivan Castaneda, Zamire Bush and Ozmar Martinez all had two goals in the Eastern Guilford game. Against

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Class 4A East Region nal.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

UCA’s Carly Rush spikes the ball as Randleman’s Karrington Jones defends at the net.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Senior William Sherrod has been a key contributor for Asheboro’s football team.

Natalie Roach

playo s.

Randleman, volleyball

Roach has been a key member of the Randleman team that advanced to this week’s Class 4A East Region nal.

Roach, a senior setter and defensive specialist, notched 43 digs and 17 assists in Saturday’s fourth-round match against Southwestern Randolph.

Randleman has reached the 20-win mark for the third time in ve seasons.

Roach also has been a member of Randleman’s softball team, which reached a regional nal last spring.

SOCCER from page B1

Northeast Guilford, Martinez supplied four assists to go with one goal.

• Randleman allowed a rst-half goal in a 1-0 defeat to visiting Montgomery Central in a matchup to determine rst place in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

The Tigers recovered for a 4-3 overtime victory at Central Davidson.

• Trinity remained in rst place in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference by topping visiting West Davidson 5-1 after losing earlier in the week by 3-2 at second-place Thomasville.

• Jake Edwards scored twice, Easton DeWitt and Laurel Ortiz

Suarez each had two goals, and Carter Queen had three assists in Wheatmore’s 4-3 road victory against West Davidson, giving the Warriors back-to-back wins for the rst time since early September.

• Goals from Justin Morales, Kevin Bautista and Oscar Bautista helped Providence Grove defeat visiting Wheatmore 3-1. Ortiz Suarez had the Wheatmore goal.

State playo s

Qualifying teams will receive their seeds with the unveiling of the brackets Friday. First-round games are scheduled for Monday with second-round games next Thursday.

Area tennis players bow out in state tournaments

Two teams advanced in duals before falling out in the postseason

Randolph Record sta

BURLINGTON — Ashleigh Page of Uwharrie Charter Academy reached the second round of the Class 4A state tournament in girls’ tennis before bowing out Friday at Burlington Tennis Center.

Page defeated Addison Dollar of Ashe County 6-0, 6-1 in

the rst round before falling 6-1, 6-2 to Carrboro’s Morgan Stowe, the eventual runner-up.

In Class 4A doubles, Southwestern Randolph’s Larson Kelly and Caroline Farlow were eliminated with a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Foard’s Reese Miller and Leah Akel in the rst round. In Class 3A, the Providence Grove doubles entry of Alisa Shaw and Liz Shoe dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision to Hendersonville’s Anna MacDowell and Sophia Gallian in the rst round.

Wildcats, Patriots make pushes for football titles

The regular season ends this week with several area teams near the top of their respective league standings

Randolph Record sta

EASTERN RANDOLPH and Providence Grove closed in on conference football championships with victories last week.

Eastern Randolph clinched at least a share of the Four Rivers Conference title, while Providence Grove will hold at least a piece of the Central Carolina 3A Conference crown.

Here’s a look at Friday night’s area results.

Eastern Randolph 56, North Moore 0: At Ramseur, the host Wildcats (7-2, 3-0) recorded their second shutout in league play. Eastern Randolph nished the regular season at fourth-place Jordan-Matthews.

North Moore (3-6, 0-3) has scored a total of 26 points during a four-game losing streak.

Southwestern Randolph 20, Northwood 14: At Asheboro, Brody Sheppard racked up 204 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 29 carries in the home victory in the Four Rivers Conference.

Nathan Garner had a 7-yard touchdown catch from Levi Dalke for second-place Southwestern Randolph (6-3, 2-1).

Northwood is 3-6, 2-2.

Providence Grove 48, Wheatmore 28: At Trinity,

quarterback Jackson Lawver ran for three touchdowns and threw for two more in the road victory.

Providence Grove (7-2, 4-0) can claim the outright championship by defeating visiting Thomasville this week. A Thomasville victory would create at least a two-way tie at the top, with West Davidson joining that duo if it tops host East Davidson. Andrew Thomas had a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown, while Connor Tozer caught at touchdown pass. Carson Jones notched 12 points with eld goals from 41 and 47 yards out and going 6 for 6 on extra-point kicks.

Providence Grove’s Holden Swift intercepted three passes. Connor Benton threw for four touchdowns for Wheatmore (1-8, 1-3), with Bentley Mills, who had 165 receiving yards, on the receiving end of three of those. Kenny Hoover also scored on a pass play.

West Davidson 51, Trinity 13: At Lexington, West Davidson (6-3, 3-1) rolled in its home nale for its third consecutive victory in Central 3-A Conference play in its highest scoring game of the season. Trinity (1-8, 0-4) has lost all ve of its road games.

Randleman 49, Ledford 14: At Randleman, John Kirkpatrick threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Tigers wrapped up their regular season with a Pied-

FOOTBALL from page B1

1. Asheboro (6-3)

The Blue Comets will have their rst winning record since 2016.

They only faced two county teams, conquering Randleman and Eastern Randolph

2. Eastern Randolph (7-2)

The Wildcats would have been without question at the top of this list for the past four years. They haven’t slipped much even as the composition of their schedule has changed quite a bit.

They beat Randleman again, though this time it came early in the season rather than in a regular-season nale.

The Wildcats are one victory away from their fth consec-

VOLLEYBALL from page B1

Jones had 21 kills and Kadie Green made 28 digs for Randleman. After a rst-round bye, Randleman topped No. 13 seed Clinton 25-12, 25-13, 25-12. Then in the third round, the Tigers fended o fth-seeded North Lenoir 23-25, 25-20, 25-18, 17-25, 15-10. Southwestern Randolph (20-11) began last week with a 25-16, 25-11, 25-16 victory at

• In the dual team state playo s last week, Trinity and Wheatmore reached the Class 4A East Region semi nals before losing.

Second-seeded Trinity defeated No. 10 seed Goldsboro 5-1 before dropping out with a 6-0 loss to third-seeded North Carolina School of Science and Math.

Fourth-seeded Wheatmore topped fth-seeded Ayden-Grifton 5-2 before falling 6-0 to top-seeded Greene Central.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES Thursday

• North Moore at Southwestern Randolph Friday

• Wheatmore at Trinity

• Thomasville at Providence Grove

• Eastern Randolph at Jordan-Matthews • Asheboro at Southern Guilford

mont Athletic Conference romp. Kirkpatrick made scoring passes to Nazir Staton (27 yards), Connor Cassidy (30 yards) and Jamari Rice (56 yards). Brandon Boone’s 2-yard run and Kayden Sanders’ 16-yard run also resulted in touchdowns. Tate Andrews returned a fumble 11 yards for a touchdown for the Tigers (7-3, 5-1), who’ll nish as runners-up in the PAC unless rst-place Central Davidson loses this week at Montgomery Central. In perhaps his nal home game, Kirkpatrick threw for 241 yards on 18-for-27 passing. Cassidy had six catches for 88 yards and Rice posted 79 yards on his three receptions. Ledford (2-7, 1-4) scored rst but trailed 35-7 at halftime. Northeast Guilford 38, Asheboro 35: At Asheboro, a rough third quarter hurt the Blue Comets in their homenale in the Triad Area Athletic Conference.

Dallas Brinton rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns and threw for a touchdown for Asheboro (6-3, 1-3). Connor Brinton and DJ Scott added touchdown runs and Jewel Barrett-Riggins made a 20-yard scoring catch.

Northeast Guilford (7-2, 3-1), which trailed 21-14 at halftime before outscoring Asheboro 21-0 in the third quarter, is one game behind rst-place Northern Guilford.

utive season without a loss in league play.

3. Randleman (7-3)

The Tigers have completed their regular season. Their spot on this list is easily dened — road losses to Eastern Randolph and Asheboro, but home victories against Providence Grove and Southwestern Randolph.

4. Providence Grove (7-2)

5. Southwestern Randolph (6-3)

The Cougars have su ered all three of their losses to the three teams immediately above them on this list. Each of those setbacks came by double- gure margins.

Southwestern Randolph played every team in the county except for Asheboro. So intracounty games accounted for half the Cougars’ schedule. 6/7. Wheatmore (1-8) and Trinity (1-8) … or Trinity and Wheatmore

This will get sorted out this week when they face each other, so the rivals have something to play for.

The Patriots’ only losses came to neighboring schools Randleman and Eastern Randolph. They defeated the three teams below them on this list. The Patriots might still claim a big prize. As members of the Central Carolina 3-A Conference, a victory this week against Thomasville would give them the program’s rst championship.

eighth-seeded Anson County. The Cougars then ousted top-seeded Bunn 11-25, 25-14, 25-20, 21-25, 15-13 with Hailey Kennedy’s 27 assists, Maddie Baker’s 22 digs and Cheyanne Dixon’s 15 kills and 13 digs contributing. • In Class 3-A West Region, No. 15 seed Trinity was a 25-19, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23 victor against second-seeded Black Mountain Owen. The Bulldogs (14-13) then fell to No. 10 seed Union Academy in three

sets by 25-23, 25-21, 25-17 scores despite Hayli Cox’s 11 kills and Charlee Phillips’ three aces.

• In Class 3-A East Region, 15th-seeded Eastern Randolph’s season ended with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-21 loss at second-seeded Wallace-Rose Hill. The Wildcats ended 10-13. • In Class 5-A West Region, ninth-seeded Asheboro lost 25-12, 25-15, 25-18 at eighth-seeded Sun Valley. The Blue Comets nished 18-8.

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Randleman’s Natalie Roach serves in last week’s state

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

“War of the Worlds” terri es radio listeners, Seabiscuit defeats War Admiral, FDR wins third term

The Associated Press

OCT. 30

1938: The radio play “The War of the Worlds,” starring Orson Welles, aired on the CBS Radio Network, panicking some listeners with its realistic portrayal of a Martian invasion.

1974: Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire.

1975: The New York Daily News headlined “Ford to City: Drop Dead” after President Gerald Ford said he would veto a federal bailout for near-bankrupt New York City.

OCT. 31

1864: President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Nevada the 36th state.

1913: The Lincoln Highway, the rst automobile highway across the United States, was dedicated.

1941: Work was completed on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, which began in 1927.

1984: Indira Gandhi, India’s prime minister for more than 15 years, was assassinated by two of her security guards.

NOV. 1

1765: The Stamp Act, passed by the British Parliament, went into e ect, prompting strong resistance from American colonists.

1936: In a speech in Milan, Benito Mussolini described the alliance between Italy and Nazi

Germany as an “axis” running between Rome and Berlin. 1938: In a two-horse match race, Seabiscuit defeated Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was dubbed the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

NOV. 2

1783: Gen. George Washington issued his Farewell Address to the Army. 1947: Howard Hughes piloted his H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the “Spruce Goose,” on its only ight. The massive wooden seaplane, with a wingspan longer than a football eld, remained airborne for 26 seconds.

1959: Charles Van Doren testi ed before a congressional committee that he had conspired with television producers to cheat on the quiz show “Twenty-One.”

NOV. 3

1908: Republican William Howard Taft was elected pres-

ident, defeating Democrat William Jennings Bryan.

1911: The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. was founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant.

1957: The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, carrying the rst animal into orbit — a dog named Laika.

1964: Lyndon B. Johnson, who became president after John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, won election to a full term, defeating Republican Sen. Barry Goldwater.

NOV. 4

1922: The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.

1979: The Iran hostage crisis began as militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants. Fifty-two hostages were held for 444 days and released on Jan. 20, 1981.

1980: Republican Ronald Reagan won election to the White House, defeating Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

2008: Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois was elected the rst black president of the United States, defeating Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

NOV. 5

1605: The “Gunpowder Plot” failed as Guy Fawkes was seized before he could blow up the English Parliament.

1872: Su ragist Susan B. Anthony was arrested for illegally voting in the presidential election and ned $100, which she refused to pay.

1930: Novelist Sinclair Lewis became the rst American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

1940: Democratic incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term as president.

Alston leads area entrants in Super 32

The national tournament is one of the tune-ups prior to the high school season

Randolph Record sta

GREENSBORO — A few wrestling state champions from Randolph County had varying results in this month’s Super 32 Challenge Lorenzo Alston, a three-time champion from Uwharrie Charter Academy, had the most success, though he wasn’t able to live up to his fourth-seeded status entering the tournament at the coliseum complex in Greensboro.

Alston went 4-2 at 157 pounds. He won three matches before he was stopped with

a 2-1 loss to 13th-seeded Liam Kelly of Mokena, Illinois, in the round of 16.

Alston then handled Hortonville, Wisconsin’s Declan Koch by 11-3 before su ering a 1-0 loss to Jake Hughes of East Liverpool, Ohio. Kelly nished sixth and Hughes ended up seventh.

Earlier, Alston controlled Eric Ellis of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, for a technical fall in less than three minutes, handled Matthew Arndt of Gainesville, Virginia, by 10-2 and dominated Luke Knox of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, for a 12-3 decision. At 190 pounds, Wheatmore’s Dominic Hittepole had a rst-round bye before falling by 11-4 to Noah Templin of Manheim, Pennsylvania.

Hittepole then blanked Jordan Crouch of Greenbrier, Tennessee, by 7-0 before he exited via a technical fall in 3:45 against Holden Hoiness of Laurel, Montana. Wheatmore 126-pounder

Ayden Sumners defeated Darion Johnson of West Linn, Oregon by 7-0 in his rst match. Sumners then lost in 3:13 to Elijah Scriven of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and dropped a 2-1 decision to Austin Guerrieri of Milton, Delaware.

Trinity 113-pounder Aiden Burkholder began with a 16-3 loss to Julian Zargo of South River, New Jersey. He responded to defeat Shawnley Clervoyant of Lake Worth, Florida by 5-3 before losing 7-3 to Tahrik Bailey of Rincon, Georgia.

Earlier this month in the Journeyman Fall Classic, another national-type tournament, in Schenectady, New York, Alston placed third with a 4-1 record and Hittepole ended up sixth. Alston had the highest nish of any North Carolina wrestler.

OLIVE

VIA WIKIPEDIA

On Nov. 5, 1872, su ragist Susan B. Anthony was arrested after casting an illegal ballot in the presidential election and ned $100 — a penalty she refused to pay.

AP PHOTO

“Spruce Goose,” the 200-ton, eight-story-tall ying boat belonging to millionaire Howard Hughes, is shown during the one time it ever ew, Nov. 2, 1947.

Brandi Carlile looks inward on great ‘Returning to Myself’

For Joni Mitchell fans, “Folklore” and journaling by candlelight

By Elise Ryan The Associated Press

IT’S BEEN 20 years since Brandi Carlile released her self-titled debut album. After two decades of extensive collaborations and accolades for her music that blends folk, alt-country, rock and Americana, she’s stripped back again for the great “Returning to Myself.”

What the title means for Carlile varies across the project. Just months after her buzzy collaborative album with Elton John and years after the debut of her Americana supergroup The Highwomen, Carlile’s vocals stand alone again — save the occasional backing vocal from Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. That pensive performance takes on many forms: re ective, on “You Without Me,” about watching her children grow and become independent, and soulful, on “A Woman Oversees,” her rich tone heard above the electric notes of a Rhodes piano. But the project also serves as a celebration of her collaborators and the in uences that have shaped her.

Carlile is aware of that dichotomy. “Why is it heroic to untether? / How is alone some holy grail?” she asks on the title track, her voice crisp over strummed acoustic guitar. Later she realizes: “Returning to myself is just returning me to you.”

Andrew Watt, Aaron Dessner and Vernon produce the album, which was written with Carlile’s longtime collaborators Phil and Tim Hanseroth. The full group comes together for “Human,” an anthemic, electric guitar-set ballad.

Dessner’s more intimate approach, most frequently recognized as the production style he contributed to Taylor Swift’s “folklore,” gives “A War with Time” a melan-

“Returning to Myself” Four stars out of ve. • On repeat: “Joni” Skip it: “Anniversary”

cholic in ection. Watt takes on the bolder tracks: “No One Knows Us” is backed by a full band, while the standout “Church & State,” a roaring ballad about renewed tensions, feels the closest in sound to Carlile’s collaboration with John. On “Joni,” a sentimental highlight, Carlile honors the great Joni Mitchell. Carlile was key in orchestrating the “Joni Jams” that brought Mitchell back into public performance after her 2015 brain aneurysm, including a surprise performance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.

“I knew a wild woman / She threw a party on her grave,” Carlile recounts over a chorus of guitars. Her lyrics are

“I knew a wild woman / She threw a party on her grave.”

Brandi Carlile

revealing, depicting Mitchell, now 81, as both a grounded and mythic gure. For example: “She spoke in sacred language / Every soul could understand.” Energy builds toward the song’s end, when the acoustic guitar, played in a way that emulates Mitchell’s own folk style, is joined by beckoning drums and a surprising saxophone ri .

An ode of this sort may seem out of place on such an introspective album. But its inclusion, and lyrics, say as much about Carlile as they do about her muse.

Carlile can’t “untether” to nd herself because she, like Mitchell, is a connector. And that’s a story she’s been telling since her debut.

New Children’s Booker Prize to reward quality ction for kids

The original literary award was established in 1969

The Associated Press

LONDON — Britain’s most prestigious literary prize is getting a younger sibling.

The Booker Prize Foundation announced Friday that it is setting up the Children’s Booker Prize alongside its existing awards for English-language and translated ction.

Like its sister prizes, the children’s award comes with a 50,000-pound ($67,000) purse.

The prize will open for submissions early next year, and the inaugural award — picked by a jury of children and adults led by writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Britain’s current children’s laureate — will be handed out in 2027.

Cottrell-Boyce, whose books include the Carnegie Medal-winning “Millions,” said he was “buzzing” about the prospect.

“It’s going to be — as they say — absolute scenes in there. Let the yelling commence,” he said.

Funded by the arts, environment and education charity AKO Foundation, the new award will be open to ction from any country aimed at children aged 8 to 12, either written in English or translated, and published in the U.K. or Ireland.

Booker Prize Foundation

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

“Study for Obedience,” “Western Lane,” “This Other Eden,”

“If I Survive You,” “Prophet Song” and “The Bee Sting” are displayed during a photocall for the Booker Prize 2023 in London.

“It’s going to be – as they say – absolute scenes in there. Let the yelling commence.”

Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author

Chief Executive Gaby Wood said the prize aimed to inspire more young people to read and be “a seed from which we hope future generations of lifelong readers will grow.”

The original Booker Prize was founded in 1969 and has

SOLUTIONS FOR THIS WEEK

established a reputation for transforming writers’ careers. Its winners have included Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Arundhati Roy and Hilary Mantel. This year’s winner will be announced Nov. 10. The International Booker Prize was established in 2005 as a lifetime achievement award. Since 2016, it has gone to a single work of translated ction, with the prize money split between author and translator. Past winners include Nobel literature laureates Olga Tokarczuk of Poland and Han Kang of South Korea.

INTERSCOPE RECORDS VIA AP

“Returning to Myself” is Brandi Carlile’s eighth solo studio album.

famous birthdays this week

Grace Slick is 86, Dan Rather turns 94, Henry Winkler is 80, Roseanne Barr turns 73

The Associated Press

OCT. 30

AUTHOR ROBERT Caro is 90. Football Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil is 89. Rock singer Grace Slick is 86. Songwriter Eddie Holland is 86. R&B singer Otis Williams (The Temptations) is 84. Actor Henry Winkler is 80. Ivanka Trump is 44.

OCT. 31

Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 94. Actor Stephen Rea is 79. Olympic gold medal marathoner Frank Shorter is 78. TV host Jane Pauley is 75. Football coach Nick Saban is 74. Rock musician Johnny Marr is 62. Rapper and guitarist Adam Horovitz (Beastie Boys) is 59. Rapper Vanilla Ice is 58.

NOV. 1

Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player is 90. Football Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks is 78. Apple CEO Tim Cook is 65. Rock singer Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 63. Actor Toni Collette is 53.

NOV. 2

Tennis Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall is 91. Political commentator Pat Buchanan is 87. Olympic gold medal wrestler Bruce Baumgartner is 65. Singer-songwriter k.d. lang is 64. Playwright Lynn Nottage is 61. Actor David Schwimmer is 59.

NOV. 3

Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis is 92. Economist and Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen is 92. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is 78. Boxing Hall of Famer Larry Holmes is 76. Comedian-actor Roseanne Barr is 73.

Actor Kate Capshaw is 72. Co -

median Dennis Miller is 72.

NOV. 4

Blues musician Delbert Mc-

Clinton is 86. Former

rst

the stream

‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ ‘Sorry, Baby,’ Colin Farrell gambles

Florence + the Machine drops “Everybody Scream” on Halloween

The Associated Press

“JURASSIC WORLD Rebirth” roaring and snarling on Peacock and Florence + the Machine’s latest Halloween-ready album, “Everybody Scream,” 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, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, landing on HBO Max; the nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM releasing their debut Korean album; and comedian Rachel Sennott’s new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” pops up on HBO.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, comes to HBO Max on Thursday. Victor wrote, directed and stars as Agnes, a graduate student in a quaint New England town, who is assaulted by her professor. But the lm, which unfolds across ve chapters, one being “the year with the bad thing,” is less about the incident and more about life after. In his review for The Associated Press, lm writer Jake Coyle wrote, “In this remarkably fully formed debut, the moments that matter are the funny and tender ones that persist amid crueler experiences. … Just as Agnes is sarcastically and self-deprecatingly resistant to convention, Victor’s lm sidesteps the de nitions that usually accompany such a story.”

Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss are brilliant in Nia DaCosta’s ery, sensuous reimagining of the classic Henrik Ibsen drama “Hedda,” which is now streaming on Prime Video. The lm transports the “catastrophically bored” housewife to 1950s England where Hedda (Thomson) manipulates and schemes over the course of a lavish party at her country estate. DaCosta makes the story her own, seamlessly blending race, gender and queerness into the drama. In my review, I called it a “deliriously fun, intel-

ligent and impassioned spin” on a familiar tale that requires no previous Ibsen knowledge.

Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler running away from his past in Macao in “Ballad of a Small Player,” streaming now on Net ix. The lm, a stylish neo-noir from “Conclave” director Edward Berger, received mixed reviews.

“Jurassic World Rebirth” also makes its Peacock debut Thursday. In his review for the AP, Mark Kennedy wrote that this installment, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, proves there’s “still life in this old dino series” adding that “it captures the awe and majesty of the overgrown lizards that’s been lacking for so many of the movies.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

Leading up to Florence + the Machine’s latest album, “Everybody Scream,” out on Halloween, frontwoman Florence Welch su ered the e ects of an ectopic pregnancy onstage.

A fallopian tube then ruptured and she nearly died. It’s a harrowing story, one that no doubt

“There’s still life in this old dino

Mark Kennedy, AP Film Writer

lends itself to the thematic horrors that abound on the band’s record. The title is appropriate. But for all the tragedy, there are pleasures across the release. Consider a song like “One of the Greats,” a erce indictment of double standards that also happens to be quite funny. “It must be nice to be a man and make borin’ music just because you can,” she sings. “Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan / You’re my second favorite frontman.”

The nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM released their debut Korean album, “Back to Life,” via HYBE Japan and YX LABELS on Tuesday. It’s a big step for the group whose members rst turned heads on the South Korean survival show “I-Land” (the same that launched the popular boy band ENHYPHEN) and the Japanese program “&Audition — The Howling.” Their multigenre, multilingual

approach to pop is sure to earn them new fans.

SERIES TO STREAM

Adapting novels by Mick Herron has worked out for Apple TV with its acclaimed series “Slow Horses.” Now, they’ve got “Down Cemetery Road,” also from Herron’s catalog. It stars Emma Thompson as a brazen, brash detective and Ruth Wilson as her unlikely Girl Friday. The rst two episodes premiere are streaming now. A new “Robin Hood” reimagining on MGM+ is described as “a romance adventure.” It stars Jack Patten and Lauren McQueen as Robin (he goes by Rob) and Marian, who ght corruption together. Sean Bean plays the main antagonist, the Sheri of Nottingham. The 10-episode series debuts Sunday, Nov. 2. HBO loves a comedy about friendships and hopes it has found a Gen Z answer to ll the millennial void left by “Insecure” and “Girls.” Actor and comedian Sennott created and stars in a new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” about a budding tal-

ent manager in Hollywood, and her friend group (featuring Josh Hutcherson as her boyfriend). It also makes its debut Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

In the galaxy of The Outer Worlds 2, three factions are battling for dominance: the hyper capitalist Auntie’s Choice, the authoritarian Protectorate and the quasi-religious Order of the Ascendant. If none of those sounds particularly appealing, that’s kind of the point. In order to accomplish your mission, you’ll nd yourself trying to meet the sometimes-preposterous demands of one faction without aggravating the other two. Developer Obsidian Entertainment brings a sarcastic edge to your usual space opera, hoping to leave you laughing while you’re hunting down radioactive mutants or malfunctioning robots. The studio has an impressive track record of role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity and Avowed, so if you’re hungry for that sort of action with rockets and lasers, prepare for lifto on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5 or PC.

Eva Victor wrote, directed and stars in “Sorry, Baby.”

In “Ballad of a Small Player, Colin Farrell, left, plays a high-stakes gambler alongside Fala Chen. The lm is streaming on Net ix.

series.”

HOKE COUNTY

Honoring the fallen

Veterans and family members present a framed photo of U.S. Navy sailor Neil Daniel Frye, who was killed at Pearl Harbor, to the Raeford-Hoke Museum on Oct. 14. Vets For Vets donated the memorial to honor the Hoke County native, who died at age 20 in the 1941 attack. Frye’s remains were identi ed in September 2024 after being unidenti ed for decades, returning home for burial this April.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.

Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.

When the government shutdown will a ect SNAP, Head Start, military pay

This week could be a tough one for those who rely on the government

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

WITH THE federal government shutdown nearing the one-month mark, Americans are starting to see the cascading e ects of programs shuttered by lapses in federal funding. Some states are scrambling to nd ways to account for shortfalls in food and child development assistance, and members of the military are also about to miss their rst paychecks.

Some federal workers have already gone without pay for weeks. But nearly a month in, reserves that had kept some

programs a oat since the shutdown began are dwindling, meaning new layers of complications as Congress remains unable to reach a new agreement to fund the federal government.

A look at what millions of Americans can expect this week.

Friday

According to the Trump administration, funding will run out for the food assistance program that is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills. The administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition

Consumer con dence dips modestly in October with Americans concerned about future

People’s assessment of their current economic situation improved, however

By Matt Ott The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer con dence weakened slightly in October as Americans remain anxious about their future nancial prospects.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer condence index fell by 1 point to 94.6 in October from an upwardly revised September reading of 95.6. Economists were expecting the reading to come in unchanged from the previous month. One year ago, the reading was 109.5. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market dipped by 2.9 points to 71.5,

remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead.

However, consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation rose 1.8 points to 129.3.

Write-in responses to the survey showed that prices and in ation remained consumers’ biggest concern. Mentions of tari s declined again this month but remain elevated, the Conference Board said.

A customer lls up his vehicle’s gas tank at a gas station in Bu alo Grove, Illinois, on April 23, 2024.

Last week, government data showed that in ation in the U.S. remained elevated in September as gas prices jumped while the cost of rents cooled, painting a mixed picture for consumers. While the economy is still growing steadily, hiring remains slow and more high-pro le companies have recently announced layo s. Consumer prices increased 3% in September from a year

earlier, the Labor Department said Friday, the highest since January and up from 2.9% in August.

The report on the consumer price index was issued more than a week late because of the Oct. 1 government shutdown. Federal Reserve o cials had signaled it would cut its key interest rate at its meeting Wednesday. It would be the second time this year even though in ation is above the central bank’s 2% target. Fed o cials have cited increasing concerns about the U.S. labor market, which, while broadly healthy by historical standards, is showing signs of deterioration this year. Responses to the Conference Board’s latest survey revealed that while respondents were slightly more positive about current job market, they are growing more concerned about their future employment prospects.

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

A sign outside of the National Gallery of Art reads “Closed due to federal government shutdown” on the sixth day of the government shutdown earlier this month in Washington, D.C.

NAM Y. HUH / AP PHOTO

COURTESY

Assistance Program owing into November.

SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using debit cards normally loaded each month by the federal government. Some states have pledged to keep the bene ts owing even if the federal program halts payments, but a memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture — which administers the program — says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.

Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like baby formula, will likely

The most recent government jobs report showed that U.S. nonfarm employers added a paltry 22,000 jobs in August, following July’s disappointing 79,000 job gains. Worse, revisions to the May and June gures shaved 258,000 jobs o previous estimates. The unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, the highest since October 2021.

The government did not issue its September jobs report due to the shutdown.

Shootings at Maxton house party kills 2, injures several others

More than 300 people were at the event

MAXTON — Shootings at a large outdoor Halloween party in Robeson County early Saturday killed two people — one of them 16 years old — and wounded several others, a sheri said.

Robeson County Sheri Burnis Wilkins’ o ce said that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border.

Wilkins said the shootings stemmed from two groups attending the event that attracted more than 300 people, with ages in attendance ranging from preteenagers to about 50.

“There’s a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started,” Wilkins told WBTW-TV.

The sheri ’s o ce later Saturday identi ed the other fatal shooting victim as 49-year-old Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton.

The o ce said the 11 others shot range in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded was taken to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while several remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, a sheri ’s news release said. Others were treated and released.

No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. But the sheri said his o ce had multiple persons of interest related to the shootings, The Robesonian reported. His o ce said that there was no current threat to the community.

Wilkins said his o ce believes multiple people red shots and multiple weapons were used, the newspaper said.

Sheri ’s deputies had been sent about 1:15 a.m. to what was the party’s location on a loud music complaint. But before they arrived, local 911 operators received reports of the shootings, a news release said.

“This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said in the release. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.” Alcohol law enforcement agencies also are involved in the investigation, his o ce said.

More than 150 people ed the location before law enforcement o cers arrived, Wilkins’ o ce said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who were at the scene to contact sheri ’s investigators.

Wilkins said law enforcement wasn’t initially aware of the party because the crowd number was below the local threshold to obtain a permit, news outlets reported.

run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are running out, too.

Also on Friday, the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members are at risk of missing a paycheck. Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from military research and development funds to make payroll. But it is unclear if the Trump administration is willing — or able — to shift money again.

Last week, the Pentagon con rmed that it had accepted an anonymous $130 million gift to help pay military members during the shutdown, a bequest that amounted to a small

In addition to the lingering

e ects of 11 interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023, economists say the recent hiring slump may also be a result of Trump’s policies, including his sweeping and ever-changing tari s on imports, a crackdown on illegal immigration and purges of the federal workforce.

Many companies have been locked in a “no hire, no re” position, fearful of expanding payrolls until the e ects of Trump’s tari s are more clear. But in the

contribution toward the billions needed to cover service member paychecks.

Saturday

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs won’t receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains shut down, according to the National Head Start Association.

Centers are scrambling to assess how long they can stay open, since nearly all their funding comes from federal taxpayers. Head Start provides education and child care for the nation’s neediest preschoolers. When a center is closed, families may have to miss work or school. With new grants on hold,

past two weeks, there have been notable exceptions from major U.S. corporations.

On Tuesday, Amazon said it will cut about 14,000 corporate jobs as the online retail giant ramps up spending on arti cial intelligence while trimming costs elsewhere. Last week, Target said it would eliminate about 1,800 corporate positions. Also last week, Meta Platforms said it was cutting roughly 600 positions and in September, Starbucks announced

a half-dozen Head Start programs have already missed federal disbursements they were expecting Oct. 1 but have stayed open with fast-dwindling reserves or with help from local governments. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be a ected. Also Saturday, the window opens for enrolling in A ordable Care Act health plans. In past years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed consumers to preview their health coverage options about a week before open enrollment. But as of this week, Healthcare.gov appeared to show 2025 health insurance plans and estimated prices, instead of next year’s options.

plans to close hundreds of stores while laying o 900 nonretail employees.

Survey respondents who said they intended to buy a new or used car in the near future rose. While the share of those saying they planned to purchase a home declined slightly this month, the broader six-month trend is still rising, the Conference Board said.

Plans to buy big-ticket items like appliances was little changed from September.

The Associated Press

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

The normie revolution

Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times

released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems.

It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.

It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example.

And yet this time feels unique.

It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.

Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.

And that chaos means mistrust.

Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner.

IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.

Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.

Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.

This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable.

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war.

This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S. China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through

economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.

The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.

Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.

Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.

At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.

In the wake of the February 2022 invasion

What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.

Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.

Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.

To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.

Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @ JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Here’s what happens to your body when clocks ‘fall back’ an hour

Despite proposals, daylight saving time is still here

By Lauran Neergaard

The Associated Press

PLAN ON A glorious extra hour of sleep as most of America “falls back” into standard time. But make sure to get outside for some morning sun, too — it’ll help your body clock reset faster.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will last until March 8 when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time.

There’s a lot of grumbling about the twice-a-year time changes. The spring switch tends to be harder, losing that hour of sleep we allegedly recover in the fall. But many people also mourn fall’s end of daylight saving time, when days already are getting shorter and moving the clocks can mean less daylight after school or work for exercise or outdoor fun.

Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have long urged adopting standard time year-round.

New research from Stanford University agrees, nding that

switching back-and-forth is the worst option for our health. The study showed sticking with either time option would be a bit healthier, but they found permanent standard time is slightly better — because it aligns more with the sun and human biology, what’s called our circadian rhythm.

“The best way to think about it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra and each of the organs were a di erent instrument,” said Jamie Zeitzer, who co-directs Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences.

More light in the morning and less at night is key to keeping that rhythm on schedule — all the instruments in sync. When the clock is regularly disrupted by time changes or other reasons, he said each of the body’s organ systems, such as the immune system or metabolism, “just works a little less well.”

Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Arizona and Hawaii don’t change and stay on standard time.

Here’s what to know about the twice-yearly ritual.

How the body reacts to light

The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24 -hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we’re more alert. The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hard-to-wake teens.

Morning light resets the rhythm. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening — whether from later time outdoors doing daylight saving time or from arti cial light like computer screens — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync. And that circadian clock affects more than sleep, also inuencing things like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and metabolism.

How do time changes a ect sleep?

Even an hour change on the clock can throw o sleep schedules because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same. The spring change to daylight saving time can be a little

rougher as darker mornings and lighter evenings make it harder to fall asleep on time. Those rst few days have been linked to increases in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks.

Some people with seasonal a ective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle too.

Many people easily adjust, like how they recover from jet lag after traveling. But a time change can add pressure on shift workers whose schedules already are out of sync with the sun, or those regularly sleep-deprived for other reasons.

About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

How to prepare for the time change

In both fall and spring, changing bedtimes by as little as 15 minutes a night in the days before the change can help ease into it.

But sunshine in the morning is critical to helping reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows.

Will the U.S. ever get rid of the time change?

In Congress, a bill named the Sunshine Protection Act that proposes making daylight saving time permanent has stalled in recent years.

post bin,” Sclafani said. If you don’t maintain this balance, your compost might start to stink.

Old gourds still have value even after being carved up

By Kiki Sideris

The Associated Press

DON’T LET your Halloween pumpkin haunt the land ll this November.

More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins rot in U.S. landlls each year after Halloween, according to the Department of Energy.

Yours doesn’t have to go to waste. Experts told us your pumpkins can be eaten, composted or even fed to animals. Here’s how.

Cooking with pumpkin waste

If you’re carving a jack-o’lantern, don’t throw away the skin or innards — every part is edible.

After carving, you can cube the excess esh — the thick part between the outer skin and the inner pulp that holds the seeds — for soups and stews, says Carleigh Bodrug, a chef known for cooking with

common food scraps. You can also puree it and add a tablespoon to your dog’s dinner for extra nutrients. And pumpkin chunks can be frozen for future use.

“The seeds are a nutritional gold mine,” Bodrug said. They’re packed with protein, magnesium, zinc and healthy fats, according to a 2022 study in the journal Plants.

One of Bodrug’s recipes involves removing the seeds, rinsing and roasting them with cinnamon for a crunchy snack or salad topper. Then you can use the stringy guts to make a pumpkin puree for mu ns. This version di ers from canned purees in grocery stores — which typically use a di erent type of pumpkin or squash — because carving pumpkins have stringier innards and a milder avor.

A carving pumpkin’s guts can still be used for baking — you’ll just have to amp up the seasoning to boost the avor. If you don’t want to eat your pumpkins, you can donate them to a local farm, which might use them to feed pigs, chickens and other animals.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted.”

Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator

Edible parts should be collected while you’re carving and before it’s painted, decorated or left on your porch for weeks. Paint and wax aren’t food- safe, and bacteria and mold can grow on the skin in outdoor climates.

Once you’ve cooked what you can and donated what’s safe to feed, composting the rest is the easiest way to keep it out of the land ll.

“That way, even though they’re not safe to eat, they can still give back to the earth,” Bodrug said.

Composting at home or donating to a farm

Composting pumpkins keeps them out of meth-

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!

ane-emitting land lls and turns them into nutrient-rich soil instead. You can do this at home or drop them o at a local farm, compost collection bin or drop-o site.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted,” said Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator at Queens County Farm in New York. “So even just cutting down something like pumpkins could really help curb how many garbage bags you’re putting out every week.”

Before composting, remove any candles, plastic, glitter or other decorations — they can contaminate the compost. A little glitter or paint won’t ruin the pile, but it’s best to get it as clean as possible before tossing it in. Then, chop up the pumpkin in 1-inch pieces so it can break down easier.

“Pumpkins are full of water, so it’s important to maintain a good balance of dried leaves, wood chips, sawdust, shredded newspaper, cardboard, straw — anything that’s a dry organic material — in your com-

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a healthy compost pile should include a mix of “greens” — like pumpkin scraps and food waste — and “browns” like dry leaves, straw or cardboard, in roughly a three-to-one ratio. That balance helps the pile break down faster and prevents odors.

And if your pumpkin’s been sitting on the porch all month? That’s actually ideal. “It’s never too far gone for compost,” Sclafani said. “Even if it’s mushy or moldy, that actually helps, because the fungus speeds up decomposition.”

“Composting anything organic is better than throwing it out because you’re not creating more refuse in land lls, you’re not creating methane gas,” said Laura Graney, the farm’s education director.

Graney said autumn on the farm is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about composting since it gives them a sense of power in the face of big environmental challenges.

“Even though they’re little, composting helps them feel like they can make a di erence,” Graney said. “They take that message home to their families, and that’s how we spread the word.”

or questions. W here to help!

CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO

Clockmakers Rich Finn, left, and Tom Erb adjust the time zone controllers on a series of clocks that’ll be installed at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at the Electric Time Company in Med eld, Massachusetts, last October.

HOKE SPORTS

Volleyball season ends in playo s

Bucks were upset at home in second round

North State Journal sta

THE BEST SEASON in Hoke County volleyball history came to an end in the NCHSAA Class 8A playo s.

The Bucks entered the postseason with momentum after closing the regular season with back-to-back wins over Pinecrest

and Jack Britt. The 3-0 sweep of Britt was just Hoke’s second win over the Buccaneers in the last 10.

That earned the Bucks a No. 2 seed and rst-round bye in the rst NCHSAA Class 8A playo bracket.

It also gave Hoke County volleyball the chance to host a state playo game for the rst time in program history. Unfortunately, the Bucks’ special season ended with an upset loss to No. 7 Jordan, which en-

tered with a 12-11 record. Hoke fell in straight sets, 25-13, 25-22 and 25-16 for a 3-0 Jordan win.

Hoke nished with a 19-4 record, three more wins than it has had in any of the last 15 seasons. The Bucks were 9-1 and rst in the Mid-South 7A/8A.

Hoke now bids farewell to its winningest senior class in history — a group that includes Aubrey Carpenter, Emilee Mandarino, Karmen Campbell and Aaliyah Carter.

College-to-pro transition for coaches has mixed history

NCAA champion coach

Tony Vitello will try to nd MLB success

By Josh Dubow The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Tony

Vitello’s ascension from college coach to manager in the pros is a journey that is unprecedented in the modern majors.

After leading Tennessee to the 2024 College World Series title, Vitello will try to have similar success in the majors after being hired by the San Francisco Giants.

While several managers in the majors previously served as college coaches, including current Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, none made the jump directly without any experience playing or coaching in the pros.

The college to professional path has been taken several times in other major sports leagues, with various levels of success and failures in the NFL, NBA and NHL.

Here’s a look at some of the noteworthy coaches who did it.

Lou Holtz

Holtz had a four-year run as head coach at NC State when the New York Jets tapped him to take over a three-win team in 1976. Holtz didn’t even make it through one full season. He resigned with a 3-10 record and

JUNJI KUROKAWA / AP PHOTO

Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz addresses his team players before a 2009 game. Before nding success at Notre Dame, Holtz left NC State for a brief trip to the NFL.

one game remaining in the season, saying, “God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros.” Holtz spent nearly four decades back in college, winning a national championship with Notre Dame in 1988.

Jimmy Johnson

Perhaps the most successful college-to-pro coach in any sport, Johnson was the controversial choice to take over for Tom Landry after Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. Johnson had won a national title at Miami in 1987 but started o poorly with a 1-15 record in 1989. Johnson proved to be extremely adept at roster management and quickly built a dynasty in Dallas. He won

back-to-back Super Bowl titles and became a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Chip Kelly

Kelly was viewed as one of the most innovative coaches in college while at Oregon.

He had some early success when he was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, leading the team to the playo s in his rst season. Kelly won 10 games again in 2014, but he was red the next season with a 6-9 record before going to San Francisco in 2016, where he went 2-14 and was red after one season.

Jerry Tarkanian

Tark the Shark was one of the most successful college coaches, winning a national championship at UNLV before he nally made the jump to the NBA.

Tarkanian left in 1992 to take over the San Antonio Spurs after growing tired of repeated run-ins with the NCAA.

Tarkanian was red after only 20 games before returning to college, where he nished his career at Fresno State.

P.J. Carlesimo

Carlesimo elevated Seton Hall from the bottom of the Big East Conference to reach the national title game in 1989 before jumping to the pros in 1994.

See COACHES, page B2

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Karmen Campbell

Hoke County, volleyball

Karmen Campbell is a senior middle hitter/ middle blocker on the Hoke County volleyball team. She also plays basketball for the Bucks.

The Bucks nished their season at 19-4 with a loss in the school’s rst home game in the state playo s. Campbell came up big in the best season in Hoke basketball history, leading the team in blocks, kills and hitting percentage, according to MaxPreps stats. In two highlight wins over Pinecrest and Jack Britt to close the regular season schedule, she contributed 23 kills, four blocks, four digs and an assist.

The Hoke County volleyball team poses before the rst home playo game in school history.

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

Former NFL player who died in police custody battled injuries, mental health challenges

Oakland

Many questions are unanswered about the death of former NFL running back Doug Martin. He died last weekend in the custody of Oakland, California, police, who said Martin was involved in a “brief struggle” with o cers who took him into custody. Martin’s former agent issued a statement that said Martin felt overwhelmed and disoriented, and ed his home before entering a neighbor’s home two doors down, where police confronted him. The former agent said the 36-yearold Martin privately battled mental health challenges that impacted his personal and professional life.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Ex-Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with NCAA gambling investigation

Indianapolis Three former Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to cooperate with an investigation into potential sports betting violations earlier this year. The lack of cooperation constitutes an NCAA violation that could trigger permanent ineligibility, according to a decision released by the Division I Committee on Infractions. But the three former starters — Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry — were seniors and have no collegiate eligibility remaining.

NFL

Former Jets center Mangold dead at 41, less than 2 weeks after announcing kidney disease

The New York Jets have announced the death of former center Nick Mangold at age 41 from complications of kidney disease. Less than two weeks ago, he revealed on social media that he needed a kidney transplant and was seeking a donor. Diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006, Mangold had been on dialysis. Mangold, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, was enshrined in the Jets’ ring of honor in 2022. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Velocity rules when playo pressure pushes players to throw their hardest

ing 95.6 mph by relievers. Toronto closer Je Ho man is averaging 96.4 mph with his four-seamer in October, up from 95.6 mph during the season.

By Ronald Blum The Associated Press

TORONTO — Velocity rules in October.

There have been a record 255 pitches of 100 mph or faster this postseason, up from 105 last year and the previous high of 169 in 2022.

Right-handed relievers averaged 96.2 mph with their four-seam fastballs through the World Series opener, an increase from 95.8 mph last postseason and 93.3 mph when Major League Baseball started tracking in 2008.

“That’s crazy. That’s insane,” Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott said. “You see kids in college throwing 100 (mph) and a couple of years ago they were throwing what, 94, 95?”

Pitchers averaged a record 94.5 mph with fourseam fastballs during the 2025 regular season, a speedup from 91.9 mph in 2008. Among righties, this year’s average was 95 mph, includ-

COACHES from page B1

Carlesimo led the Trail Blazers to three straight appearances in the playo s before getting red. He was hired by Golden State, where the hard-driving style that was successful in college didn’t work. Carlesimo is best remembered for Latrell Sprewell choking him at a practice in 1997. That led to Sprewell’s suspension, but Carlesimo never had success

“A lot of it is adrenaline and knowing that this is it. You’ve got to empty your tank every single night,” he said. “Velocity is king. I know there are a lot of kind of con icting opinions on that, but it’s harder to hit faster pitches, so it’s important to have your best stu .” While pitches are getting faster, o speed use is increasing. Pitchers have thrown four-seamers 32.8% of the time during the postseason, down from a high of 40.9% in 2014. Overall use includes 17.2% sliders, 15.2% two-seamers, 9% curveballs, 8% changeups, 6.5% splitters, 5.9% cutters, 4.6% sweepers and 0.7% slurves.

A study released by MLB last o season concluded rising velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum e ort are the likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries. MLB decided last month to prohibit scouting of many high school prospects for three

with the Warriors and was red in 1999. He had short, unsuccessful runs as coach in Seattle, Oklahoma City and Brooklyn.

Brad Stevens

Stevens led Butler to ve NCAA Tournaments and two improbable trips to the title game. He jumped to the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

Stevens helped rebuild the

“It’s harder to hit faster pitches, so it’s important to have your best stu .” Je Ho man, Toronto closer

months during the o season and of college prospects for two months in an e ort to mandate recovery time.

“Starting at the bottom is the best way,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said Saturday. “That’s part of a larger program that we’re going to continue to roll out in an e ort to address this issue.”

Dodgers pitchers have averaged 96.2 mph with four-seamers in the postseason, up from 94.7 mph during the regular season, and Blue Jays pitchers 95.1 mph, an increase from 94 mph. Among righty relievers, Los Angeles is averaging 97.6 mph in October and Toronto 96.8 mph.

“These are the most signi cant pitches that anybody’s thrown all year,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “A lot of it just happens to do with the pressure of these

team behind Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum and guided Boston to three trips to the conference nal in four years before moving to the front o ce, where he helped build the roster that won the title in 2024.

Herb Brooks

Brooks was a longtime college coach at Minnesota who became a star by coaching the legendary 1980 Olympic

situations, and I think you see it across baseball in the playo s. Everybody’s stu ticks up, for the most part. It seems like their stu is at a di erent level.” Milwaukee rookie Jacob Misiorowski reached 100 mph with 58 pitches — more than the entire postseason total as recently as 2018. He was followed by Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene (28), Philadelphia’s Jhoan Duran (25), the Chicago Cubs’ Daniel Palencia (23) and Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (22).

San Diego’s Mason Miller threw a 104.5 mph called third strike to the Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series, the fastest postseason pitch in the Statcast era.

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said particular playo environments can lead to faster pitches.

“When you go to places like the Padres last year, you just feel the hate, so you’re trying to counter with an ability to keep quiet,” he said. “The more you get deeper into the playo s, the more you are just competing with — it’s energy. At this point in the World Series you are trying to empty the tank.”

hockey “Miracle on Ice” team. Brooks had a brief stint as a coach in Switzerland before being hired by the New York Rangers in 1981. He led New York to three straight playo berths but couldn’t get past the second round of before getting red during his fourth season. He later had stints as coach for Minnesota New Jersey and Pittsburgh but could never duplicate his amateur success.

FRANK GUNN/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Je Ho man celebrates the nal out of Game 7 of the ALCS.

Lewis “Fletcher” Oldham Jr.

Aug. 13, 1946 – Oct. 17, 2025

Fletcher was born on August 13, 1946, to the late Lewis F. Oldham Sr., and Mary Brown Oldham.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Delana Shaw.

Fletcher is survived by his brothers, Jerry Oldham, of Red Springs, NC and Roger Oldham, of Shannon, NC; his sister, Delila Stephens (Tracy), of Red Springs, NC; his children, Mary Ann Doucet, Lewis Fletcher Oldham III (Dallas), and Michelle Oldham; his grandchildren, James, Darrick, Kayleigh, Alexis, and Sebastian; several nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

A graveside service for Fletcher will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Raeford City Cemetery, Raeford, North Carolina 28376.

Thelma McLean

Feb. 24, 1939 – Oct. 22, 2025

Ms. Thelma McLean, age 86, went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Bridges Grove AME Zion Church.

Thelma will be greatly missed.

Sammie Ray Usher Jr.

Aug. 31, 1970 – Oct. 18, 2025

Mr. Sammie Ray Usher Jr., age 55 of Hamlet, North Carolina, was born on August 31, 1970, to Sammie Ray Usher Sr. and the late Karen Annette Wallace Usher in Scotland County, North Carolina. He departed this life for his eternal home on October 18, 2025, at his residence. Along with his mother, Karen Usher, he was preceded in death by a brother, Kevin Lee Usher.

Mr. Sammie leaves to cherish his memories his father, Sammie Ray Usher Sr., one son: Conner Usher, one daughter: Salem Usher, one brother: Brandon Ray Usher, one sister: Karen Lynn Usher Shelly, one grandchild, two special friends: Mickey McKenzie and Steve McKenzie, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Ernest Little

Sept. 5, 1930 – Oct. 21, 2025

Mr. Ernest Little, age 95, went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters.

Mr. Little will be greatly missed.

April Lynn Billey

Aug. 5, 1981 – Oct. 18, 2025

Ms. April Lynn Billey, age 44, of Fayetteville, NC, was born on August 5, 1981, to Rachel Billey of Fayetteville, NC. She departed this life on October 18, 2025, at home.

April is preceded in death by her grandmother, Essie Mae Smiley, and her grandfather, Cauldwell Smiley, both of Clinton, NC.

She leaves to cherish her mother (Rachel Billey) of Fayetteville, NC, two sisters, Leah Lowery, and Kesha Clark (Joe), of Fayetteville, NC.

Nephew Jacobie Clark and Niece Zena Clark, both of Fayetteville, NC.

We gather today to celebrate the life of April - a radiant soul whose heart over owed with love, laughter and joy.

April didn’t just move through life - she danced and sang through it. She lifted others with her hugs and high ves and shared her sunshine with everyone she met. She never met a stranger. Everyone was family to April. And a host of family and friends

It’s okay that we hurt today. It’s okay to cry, but as we cry, we can also smile, because we know April’s spirit lives with us and her laughter echoes in our hearts, and her hugs still warm our memories.

Lillie Jane Hunt Locklear

Oct. 15, 1957 – Oct. 19, 2025

Ms. Lillie Jane Hunt Locklear, age 68 of St. Pauls, North Carolina, was born on October 15, 1957, to the late Versell Hunt and the late Cattie Smith Hunt in Robeson County, North Carolina. She departed this life on October 19, 2025, at Harborview Lumberton. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Jimmy Hunt, Laudell Hunt and Carlee Hunt.

Ms. Lillie, a devoted mother to her children, began her career after high school, working at McDonald’s until getting employed by Converse, where she worked until its closure. She would then venture to Smith eld Foods until early retirement. Lillie enjoyed taking her children to the beach to sh, where they would spend all day with their toes in the sand and catching sh, while eating one of her favorite snacks: Saltwater Ta y. Myrtle Beach was her favorite vacation destination. She enjoyed going to the Harley Rally and to NASCAR races. Lillie enjoyed keeping her grandchildren, taking them shopping and spoiling them in many ways. She made certain her children were in church learning about Jesus when they were young. A dedicated mother, sister and friend to many: Lillie Jane Hunt Locklear

Ms. Lillie leaves to cherish her memories one son: Joshua Locklear (Anita), one daughter: Sheena Locklear, one brother: James Hunt (Jeanne), one special brother: L.D. Hunt, one sister: Mary Brewer (Carlton Ray), ve grandchildren: O’Niya Beasley (Luke), Aiyana, Triston, Neveah, Nicholas, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Jack DeJohnette,

acclaimed jazz drummer, dead at 83

He won two Grammy awards and worked with Miles Davis, Chet Baker and more

By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Jack DeJohnette, a celebrated jazz drummer who worked with Miles Davis on his landmark 1970 fusion album and collaborated with Keith Jarrett and a vast array of other jazz greats, has died at 83.

The acclaimed drummer, bandleader and composer died Sunday in Kingston, New York, of congestive heart failure, surrounded by his wife, family and close friends, his assistant, Joan Clancy, told The Associated Press.

A winner of two Grammy awards, the Chicago-born DeJohnette began his musical life as a classical pianist, starting training at age 4, before taking up the drums with his high school band. He was in demand in his early years as both a pianist and a drummer.

Over the years he collaborated not only with Davis and Jarrett but also with names like John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter — “virtually every major jazz gure from the 1960s on,” wrote the National Endowment for the Arts, which honored him in 2012 with a Jazz Master Fellowship.

In an interview for the NEA at the time, DeJohnette described what he felt was the nature of his talent.

“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to play with a lot of musicians and leaders who allowed me to have that freedom.”

He added: “I just never doubted that I would be successful at this because it just feels like something’s going through me and lifting me up, and carrying me. All I had to do was acknowledge this gift and put it to use.”

In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis and his group to work on music leading up to Davis’ 1970 in uential studio album, “Bitches Brew.”

In a Sessions Panel interview, DeJohnette spoke of how he he’d been freelancing in New York when the opportunity arose to join Davis in the studio, at a time when experimentation with genres had become “the new frontier, so to speak.”

“Miles was in a creative mood,” DeJohnette said, “a process of utilizing the studio to go in every day and experiment with grooves. A lot of the music is not that structured. ... It was a matter of grooves, and sometimes a few notes or a few melodies. You’d turn the tape on and just let it roll.”

“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart.”

Jack DeJohnette

“Days and days and days of this would go on,” DeJohnette added. “We never thought about how important these records would be, it was just we knew it was important because Miles was there and he was moving forward with something di erent.”

Rolling Stone, which listed DeJohnette as one of the top 100 drummers of all time (at No. 40), cited the drummer’s “own innate knack for turning a memorable tune.”

Born Aug. 9, 1942, in Chicago, DeJohnette grew up in a family that placed great importance on music and its appreciation, according to background material on his website. He studied classical piano as a child privately and then at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He turned to the drums at age 14, when he joined his school band.

“I listened to opera, country and western music, rhythm and blues, swing, jazz, whatever,” his website quotes him as saying. “To me, it was all music and all great. I’ve kept that integrated feeling about music, all types of music, and just carried it with me.”

As a sideman on piano and drums and also with his own groups, DeJohnette had become part of the Chicago jazz scene by the mid-1960s. He was active with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and later drummed alongside Rashied Ali in the John Coltrane Quintet. It was his involvement with Charles Lloyd’s quartet, where he rst performed with Jarrett, that brought him international recognition.

In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis’ group ahead of the recording of “Bitches Brew,” and remained with him for three years, contributing to further albums while also recording his own as a leader, beginning with the 1969 release “The DeJohnette Complex.” DeJohnette recorded on various labels during his career but mostly on ECM. In addition to his own many projects and bands, he was a member of the Standards Trio, with Jarrett and Gary Peacock, for more than 25 years.

His two Grammys were for new age album (“Peace Time”) in 2009, a continuous, hourlong piece of music, and for jazz instrumental album (“Skyline”) in 2022.

DeJohnette is survived by his wife, Lydia DeJohnette, and two adult daughters, Farah DeJohnette and Minya DeJohnette, Clancy said.

CLAUDE PARIS / AP PHOTO

American jazz drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette performs at the Five Continents Marseille Jazz festival in Marseille, France, in July 2018.

STATE & NATION

Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

Several states, including North Carolina, have remade their Congressional maps

By Olivia Diaz and David A. Lieb

The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott sent a letter last Thursday to members telling them to convene Monday for a special session but did not state a reason.

The purpose includes congressional redistricting aimed at gaining more Democratic-held seats, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they are not authorized to publicly discuss them.

Virginia would be the second state with a Democratic-led legislature after California to enter a national redistricting battle with enormous stakes. If Democrats gain just three more seats, they would take control of the House and e ectively impede Trump’s agenda.

Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina

already have approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats and retain the slim GOP House majority. And even more states are considering redistricting as the battle front widens.

A spokeswoman for Democrats’ House campaign arm characterized Virginia’s e ort as the party pursuing “every available tool to counter Republicans’ desperate attempts to steal the midterms.”

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation,” said Courtney Rice, communications direc-

tor for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republicans vowed to ght.

Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore said Democrats missed their opportunity to carry out this procedure by 2026 and that it’s “too late constitutionally” to do so.

“We are going to do everything legally we can do to stop this power grab,” Kilgore said.

Voting districts typically are redrawn at the start of each decade to account for population changes noted by the census. But Trump took the unusual step over the summer of urging Republican-led states to reshape key districts to try to buck a his-

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation.”

Courtney Rice, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

torical trend of a president’s party losing seats in midterm elections.

Virginia currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans who ran in districts whose boundaries were imposed by a court after a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on a map after the 2020 census.

The e ort to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts comes in the nal weeks before the Nov. 4 state legislative and statewide elections. But Monday’s session is just the start of what could be a long legislative process, running past the election. Because Virginia’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the electorate must sign o on any changes. And any proposed change to the constitution must rst pass the legislature in two separate sessions. Democrats are scrambling to hold that rst vote this year so

Flavor Flav gives bobsled and skeleton a try, joins team as hype man for Olympics

In Paris, he was the hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

PARK CITY, Utah — At 66 years old, Flavor Flav went 67 mph. That was all it took to get him hooked on sliding.

Meet the newest fan of the U.S. bobsled and skeleton program: a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, founding member of Public Enemy, reality show star and now, aspiring slider. USA Bobsled and Skeleton announced Flav as its new o cial hype man Monday, not long after he spent a couple days around the team at the 2002 Olympic track in Utah.

And he plans to be with the team at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.

“The partnership is a blessing,” Flav said. “It’s cooler than ‘Cool Runnings.’ It’s Coolest Runnings.”

The 66-year-old Flav — his legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. — spent time with

the bobsled and skeleton teams this past week. He went down the Park City track in a bobsled, then also wanted to try out skeleton, the head rst sliding sport where elite athletes can reach speeds exceeding 80 mph.

Team o cials wanted Flav to start from a low spot on the track, as is the case with all rst-timers for safety reasons. Flav didn’t necessarily like that; he wanted to start from higher up, signi cantly raising the level of di culty. Eventually, he got his chance and he hit 67 mph on his second run.

For a regular person just trying the sport, that’s exceptional. No word on whether he used his catch phrase, “Yeah, boyeeeee.”

“Oh my gosh, he’s one of the coolest, most adventurous men that I’ve ever met,” U.S. skeleton athlete Dan Barefoot told The Associated Press. “He was upset that he couldn’t go from higher up on the track. … I was kind of upset at how good he was. It’s a sport that takes a lot of skill, but he made it look straightforward.” Flav and sports often go hand-in-hand.

He was a celebrity mayo-pourer — yes, there is such a job — at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last year, helping to douse Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck with 5 gallons of celebratory condiment after the Golden Gophers

won that game. He can be found performing during Super Bowl weeks. He was there to show support when Billie Jean King got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s been a big supporter of Olympians in the

that they can approve the change a second time after a new legislative session begins Jan. 14.

Voters still would have to approve a change in the constitution to allow using the new House map. And that vote would need to occur before congressional primaries, which are currently set for June 16 — though dates for such elections have been pushed back in the past.

In many states, congressional districts are drawn by state lawmakers, subject to the approval of the governor. But North Carolina’s new map, which receivednal approval last Wednesday from the Republican-led legislature, did not have to go to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Those changes target a swing district held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis by adding areas that contain more Republican-leaning voters. Like Virginia, California has a constitutionally established redistricting commission, which approved maps after the 2020 census. California voters are to decide in a Nov. 4 election whether to temporarily suspend those districts and instead use a map approved by the Democratic-led legislature that could help Democrats pick up as many as ve additional seats.

No voter approval is necessary for the revised districts in Missouri, North Carolina or Texas, though opponents in Missouri are gathering petition signatures to try to force a statewide vote on their new map.

past, including discus thrower Veronica Fraley.

And at the Paris Olympics, Flav was the o cial hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team.

“We have all been so hyped to have him with us,” Barefoot said. “Put aside the fact that Flav is one of the greatest hype men of all time, the energy in the room ... you had people who often aren’t talking to each other high- ving and hugging because of the experience of being around him. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of con dence around us right now.”

Many members of the team got Flav’s personal cell phone number, and some also got to join him at a Maroon 5 concert over the weekend. And when the Olympics are over, Flav plans to return to Park City to take part in a camp for sliders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Flavor Flav as an o cial sponsor and hype man for USA Bobsled/Skeleton,” USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Aron McGuire said. “It’s clear he has a genuine passion for sports and an authentic love for the USA team. Flavor Flav embodies the same grit, dedication, and pride that de ne our athletes, and we’re excited to have him bring that excitement to our team and fans across the country.”

STEVE HELBER / AP PHOTO

The state and U.S. ags y over the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond in January 2024.

LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO

Flavor Flav laughs during an interview with The Associated Press at the USA house at the 2024 Summer Olympics in July 2024 in Paris.

MOORE COUNTY

Flag on the play

Pinecrest High School held a Powder Pu women’s ag football competition Oct. 23 as a bene t for the FirstHealth of the Carolina’s Cancer Care fund. With eight teams competing, the Blitz Babes defeated Pitch Elite 8-7 in overtime in the championship game (a touchdown was worth one point). Above, Jane Dare Trumbo on the Blitz Babes eludes a Pitch Elite defender in the championship.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.

Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.

$2.00

Moore County Schools board decides not to hire unarmed security guards

The district had recommended the hiring of six o cers for its 13 schools without SROs

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Moore County Schools will not be moving forward with the hiring of unarmed security guards.

At the Moore County Schools Board of Education’s Oct. 13 meeting, Superintendent Tim Locklair opted to withdraw his recommendation for the hiring of security o cers through the North Carolina Protection Group, following deliberation from the board.

“Based on the conversations, discussions and changes that are being brought to the contract, I’m pulling my recommendation,” Locklair said. “Perhaps we’ll cir-

cle back to this at a later time.”

The item was originally brought before the board in September, with board chair Robin Calcutt electing to table the matter and put together an ad hoc committee to further discuss it.

Locklair stated his original intention for recommending the o cers was to provide an “extra layer of security” for schools who currently do not have a permanent SRO.

“To me, this is not an either or proposition,” Locklair said. “This is an opportunity to bring in a full-time security ofcer into schools that don’t currently have full-time armed police coverage. That additional layer of security could potentially save seconds in a crisis situation. However, it does not mean that I don’t passionately want to have an armed police force in every one of our schools. I certainly want that to happen, and we will contin-

“It’s just such a waste of time and money to me.”

Pauline

Bruno, board member

ue to work toward doing that.”

The contract would also have six o cers around $66,500 annually, which would still not have covered the 13 schools needing an SRO. The contracts did, however, have built-in exibility to remove unarmed security guards should proper SROs be hired.

“We’re fortunate to have our Moore County Schools Police, I’m grateful for their expertise, grateful for their high-level training that they bring, and we are going to continue to work hard to hire more and add to that force,” Locklair said.

Ultimately, the board members were against the hiring, leading to the withdrawal

of Locklair’s recommendation.

“These people have no training whatsoever,” said board member Pauline Bruno. “They know nothing about how the school operates, they know nothing about law enforcement. You’re just bringing hall monitors in. It’s just such a waste of time and money to me. I don’t believe this is any additional layer of security whatsoever.”

“An unarmed security remedy is inadequate to meet the immediacy of armed response demanded of an active shooter or lethal attacker scenario,” said board member Ken Benway.

“I have some very serious concerns over this,” said board member David Hensley. “I have concerns over a contracting standpoint and views of impropriety, I have questions about it as far as the requirements in the contract, I have questions whether it actually provides

When the government shutdown will a ect SNAP, Head Start, military pay

This week could be a tough one for those who rely on the government

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

WITH THE federal government shutdown nearing the one-month mark, Americans are starting to see the cascading e ects of programs shuttered by lapses in federal funding. Some states are scrambling to nd ways to account for shortfalls in food and child development assistance, and members of the military are also about to miss their rst paychecks. Some federal workers have already gone without pay for

weeks. But nearly a month in, reserves that had kept some programs a oat since the shutdown began are dwindling, meaning new layers of complications as Congress remains unable to reach a new agreement to fund the federal government.

A look at what millions of Americans can expect this week.

Friday

42M

Americans who use SNAP to supplement their grocery bills.

According to the Trump administration, funding will run out for the food assistance program that is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills. The administration has rejected using more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program owing into November. SNAP helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries using debit cards normally loaded each month by the federal government. Some states have pledged to keep the bene ts owing even if the federal program halts payments, but a memo from the U.S. De -

partment of Agriculture — which administers the program — says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.

Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like baby formula, will likely run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are running out, too. Also on Friday, the nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members are at risk

See SNAP, page A2

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

“Join the conversation”

Oct. 20

• Carlos Antonio Beane, 50, was arrested by MCSO for tra cking in methamphetamine and heroin, possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, maintaining vehicle/dwelling/ place for controlled substance, and 10 other charges including eeing or eluding arrest and resisting public o cer.

• Dillon Coyote Lyston, 37, was arrested by MCSO for possession of methamphetamine, maintaining vehicle/ dwelling/place for controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking or entering, possession of stolen property, misdemeanor larceny and injury to property obtaining nonferrous metal.

Oct. 22

• Mitchell Leighton Campbell, 43, was arrested by MCSO for injuring utility wires/ xtures, felony conspiracy, attempted larceny and possession of stolen property.

• Larry Donnell Harris, 38, was arrested by MCSO for felony possession of cocaine, obtaining property by false pretenses, altering/stealing/destroying criminal evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting public o cer and assault on government o cial or employee.

Oct. 23

• Mario Termain Dockery, 43, was arrested by MCSO for accessory after the fact and possession of stolen property.

Oct. 24

• Daniel Lenard Cowan, 62, was arrested by MCSO for driving while impaired.

• Javan Luke Overton, 38, was arrested by MCSO for possession of burglary tools, possession of methamphetamine, second degree trespass, resisting public o cer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Oct. 25

• James Ryan Dupree, 41, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for injury to property obtaining nonferrous metal, felony larceny and possession of stolen property.

• Chrisalasis Marnee Marsh, 53, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen property and shoplifting/concealment of goods.

31

Shootings at Maxton house party kills

2, injures several others

More than 300 people were at the event

The Associated Press MAXTON — Shootings at a large outdoor Halloween party in Robeson County early Saturday killed two people — one of them 16 years old — and wounded several others, a sheri said.

Robeson County Sheri Burnis Wilkins’ o ce said that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near the South Carolina border.

Wilkins said the shootings stemmed from two groups attending the event that attracted more than 300 people, with ages in attendance ranging from preteenagers to about 50.

“There’s a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started,” Wilkins told WBTW-TV.

The sheri ’s o ce later Saturday identi ed the other fa-

SNAP from page A1

of missing a paycheck. Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from military research and development funds to make payroll. But it is unclear if the Trump administration is willing — or able — to shift money again.

Last week, the Pentagon con rmed that it had accepted an anonymous $130 million gift to help pay military members during the shutdown, a bequest that amounted to a small contribution toward the billions needed to cover service member paychecks.

Saturday

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs won’t receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains shut down, according to the National Head Start Association.

“Apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started.”

Burnis Wilkins, Robeson County sheri

tal shooting victim as 49-yearold Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton.

The o ce said the 11 others shot range in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded was taken to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while several remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, a sheri ’s news release said. Others were treated and released.

No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. But the sheri said his o ce had multiple persons of interest related to the shootings, The Robesonian reported. His o ce said that there was no current threat to the community.

Wilkins said his o ce be-

lieves multiple people red shots and multiple weapons were used, the newspaper said. Sheri ’s deputies had been sent about 1:15 a.m. to what was the party’s location on a loud music complaint. But before they arrived, local 911 operators received reports of the shootings, a news release said.

“This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said in the release. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.” Alcohol law enforcement agencies also are involved in the investigation, his o ce said.

More than 150 people ed the location before law enforcement o cers arrived, Wilkins’ o ce said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who were at the scene to contact sheri ’s investigators. Wilkins said law enforcement wasn’t initially aware of the party because the crowd number was below the local threshold to obtain a permit, news outlets reported.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

Oct. 30

Art on Screen: “Girl with a Pearl Earring” 7-9 p.m.

Professor Ellen Burke presents a pre- lm lecture discussing Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece. For more information, call 910-692-2787.

Campbell House 482 E. Connecticut Ave. Southern Pines

Nov. 7-9

20th annual Ederville Train and Tractor Show

Friday & 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

Nov. 8

Southern Pines Veterans Day Parade

9:30 a.m.

Popular annual event designed to show support for the troops and veterans. This is a family-friendly event that all are encouraged to attend. Downtown Southern Pines

Holly eld Design Christmas Open House

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Open house includes a display lled with all sorts of Christmas décor and holiday gifts. Refreshments provided.

Centers are scrambling to assess how long they can stay open, since nearly all their funding comes from federal taxpayers. Head Start provides education and child care for the nation’s neediest preschoolers. When a center is closed, families may have to miss work or school. With new grants on hold, a half-dozen Head Start programs have already missed federal disbursements they were expecting Oct. 1 but have stayed open with fast-dwindling reserves or with help from local governments. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be a ected. Also Saturday, the window opens for enrolling in A ordable Care Act health plans. In past years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed consumers to preview their health coverage options about a week before open enrollment. But as of this week, Healthcare.gov appeared to show 2025 health insurance plans and estimated prices, instead of next year’s options.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: moorecommunity@northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

130 E. Illinois Ave. Southern Pines

any security at all, I have questions whether it’s opening the district up for additional liability, I have signicant questions that should be publicly discussed, publicly addressed.”

Hensley went further, stating the district should be moving away from having its own police force and instead combining it with the Moore County Sheri ’s O ce if it wants to truly address the issue.

The district is one of only two counties in North Carolina (the other being Mecklenburg County) that has its own police department.

“We have failed to ll an adequate force for 15 years,” Hensley said.

The Moore County Schools Board of Education will next meet Nov. 10. SCHOOLS from page A1

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

A sign outside of the National Gallery of Art reads “Closed due to federal government shutdown” on the sixth day of the government shutdown earlier this month in Washington, D.C.

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

The normie revolution

Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted

THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times

released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems.

It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.

It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus

COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY

incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.

But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example.

And yet this time feels unique.

It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.

Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.

And that chaos means mistrust.

Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner.

IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.

Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.

Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.

This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable.

China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war.

This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S. China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through

economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.

The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.

Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.

Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.

At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.

In the wake of the February 2022 invasion

What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.

of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.

Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.

Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.

To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.

Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @ JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Here’s what happens to your body when clocks ‘fall back’ an hour

Despite proposals, daylight saving time is still here

By Lauran Neergaard

The Associated Press

PLAN ON A glorious extra hour of sleep as most of America “falls back” into standard time. But make sure to get outside for some morning sun, too — it’ll help your body clock reset faster.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will last until March 8 when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time.

There’s a lot of grumbling about the twice-a-year time changes. The spring switch tends to be harder, losing that hour of sleep we allegedly recover in the fall. But many people also mourn fall’s end of daylight saving time, when days already are getting shorter and moving the clocks can mean less daylight after school or work for exercise or outdoor fun.

Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have long urged adopting standard time year-round.

New research from Stanford University agrees, nding that switching back-and-forth is the worst option for our health. The study showed sticking with either time option would be a bit healthier, but they found permanent standard time is slightly better — because it aligns more with the sun and human biology, what’s called our circadian rhythm.

“The best way to think about it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra and each of the organs were a di erent instrument,” said Jamie Zeitzer, who co-directs Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences.

More light in the morning and less at night is key to keeping that rhythm on schedule — all the instruments in sync. When the clock is regularly disrupted by time changes or other reasons, he said each of the body’s organ systems, such as the immune system or metabolism, “just works a little less well.”

Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Arizona and Hawaii don’t change and stay on standard time.

Here’s what to know about the twice-yearly ritual.

How the body reacts to light

The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24 -hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we’re more alert. The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hard-to-wake teens.

Morning light resets the

rhythm. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening — whether from later time outdoors doing daylight saving time or from arti cial light like computer screens — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync. And that circadian clock affects more than sleep, also inuencing things like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and metabolism.

How do time changes a ect sleep?

Even an hour change on the clock can throw o sleep schedules because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same.

The spring change to daylight saving time can be a little rougher as darker mornings and lighter evenings make it harder to fall asleep on time. Those rst few days have been linked to increases in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks.

Some people with seasonal a ective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the

shorter days and less sunlight of fall and winter, may struggle too.

Many people easily adjust, like how they recover from jet lag after traveling. But a time change can add pressure on shift workers whose schedules already are out of sync with the sun, or those regularly sleep-deprived for other reasons.

About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights.

Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

How to prepare for the time change

In both fall and spring, changing bedtimes by as little as 15 minutes a night in the days before the change can help ease into it.

But sunshine in the morning is critical to helping reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows.

Will the U.S. ever get rid of the time change?

In Congress, a bill named the Sunshine Protection Act that proposes making daylight saving time permanent has stalled in recent years.

post bin,” Sclafani said. If you don’t maintain this balance, your compost might start to stink.

Old gourds still have value even after being carved up

By Kiki Sideris

The Associated Press

DON’T LET your Halloween pumpkin haunt the land ll this November.

More than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins rot in U.S. landlls each year after Halloween, according to the Department of Energy.

Yours doesn’t have to go to waste. Experts told us your pumpkins can be eaten, composted or even fed to animals. Here’s how.

Cooking with pumpkin waste

If you’re carving a jack-o’lantern, don’t throw away the skin or innards — every part is edible.

After carving, you can cube the excess esh — the thick part between the outer skin and the inner pulp that holds the seeds — for soups and stews, says Carleigh Bodrug, a chef known for cooking with

common food scraps. You can also puree it and add a tablespoon to your dog’s dinner for extra nutrients. And pumpkin chunks can be frozen for future use.

“The seeds are a nutritional gold mine,” Bodrug said. They’re packed with protein, magnesium, zinc and healthy fats, according to a 2022 study in the journal Plants.

One of Bodrug’s recipes involves removing the seeds, rinsing and roasting them with cinnamon for a crunchy snack or salad topper. Then you can use the stringy guts to make a pumpkin puree for mu ns. This version di ers from canned purees in grocery stores — which typically use a di erent type of pumpkin or squash — because carving pumpkins have stringier innards and a milder avor.

A carving pumpkin’s guts can still be used for baking — you’ll just have to amp up the seasoning to boost the avor.

If you don’t want to eat your pumpkins, you can donate them to a local farm, which might use them to feed pigs, chickens and other animals.

“A

Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator

Edible parts should be collected while you’re carving and before it’s painted, decorated or left on your porch for weeks. Paint and wax aren’t food- safe, and bacteria and mold can grow on the skin in outdoor climates.

Once you’ve cooked what you can and donated what’s safe to feed, composting the rest is the easiest way to keep it out of the land ll.

“That way, even though they’re not safe to eat, they can still give back to the earth,” Bodrug said.

Composting at home or donating to a farm

Composting pumpkins keeps them out of meth-

ane-emitting land lls and turns them into nutrient-rich soil instead. You can do this at home or drop them o at a local farm, compost collection bin or drop-o site.

“A large percentage of what ends up going to the land ll is stu that could have been composted,” said Dante Sclafani, compost coordinator at Queens County Farm in New York. “So even just cutting down something like pumpkins could really help curb how many garbage bags you’re putting out every week.” Before composting, remove any candles, plastic, glitter or other decorations — they can contaminate the compost. A little glitter or paint won’t ruin the pile, but it’s best to get it as clean as possible before tossing it in. Then, chop up the pumpkin in 1-inch pieces so it can break down easier.

“Pumpkins are full of water, so it’s important to maintain a good balance of dried leaves, wood chips, sawdust, shredded newspaper, cardboard, straw — anything that’s a dry organic material — in your com-

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a healthy compost pile should include a mix of “greens” — like pumpkin scraps and food waste — and “browns” like dry leaves, straw or cardboard, in roughly a three-to-one ratio. That balance helps the pile break down faster and prevents odors.

And if your pumpkin’s been sitting on the porch all month? That’s actually ideal. “It’s never too far gone for compost,” Sclafani said. “Even if it’s mushy or moldy, that actually helps, because the fungus speeds up decomposition.”

“Composting anything organic is better than throwing it out because you’re not creating more refuse in land lls, you’re not creating methane gas,” said Laura Graney, the farm’s education director.

Graney said autumn on the farm is the perfect opportunity to teach kids about composting since it gives them a sense of power in the face of big environmental challenges.

“Even though they’re little, composting helps them feel like they can make a di erence,” Graney said. “They take that message home to their families, and that’s how we spread the word.”

MOORE SPORTS

Volleyball seasons come to an end for county teams

Union Pines reached the state quarter nals

North State Journal sta

North Moore

The Mustangs drew an 11-seed in the NCHSAA class 3A playo s and opened with a 3- 0 win over No. 22 Goldsboro.

That brought No. 6 Heide Trask, which ended North Moore’s season with a 3-1 win. The Mustangs nish with a 14 -9 mark, 4 -7 in the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference.

The Mustangs part ways with seniors Anya Aponte, Kaiden Thompson, Ella Fields, Gabi Debray, Gra-

cie Whitley and Tate Allred.

Union Pines

The Vikings drew a No. 4 seed in the rst NCHSAA class

6A playo s. After a rst-round bye, they swept No. 20 White Oak 3- 0, and then took out No. 5 Swansboro 3- 0. That took Union Pines to the state quarter nals against top -seeded J.H. Rose. The Rampants advanced to the semis, nishing Union Pines’ season with a 3- 0 win. The Vikings nish 24 -3, 14 -1 in the Carolina Pines 6A, their best season in at least 15 years. The end of the season sees the end of the high school vol-

leyball careers for seniors Katie Burley, Mylee Scruggs, Janelle Manzo, Allie Bauer, Reese Lawrence, Savannah McCaskill, Kileigh Cameron and Keira Rosenmarkle.

Pinecrest

The Patriots drew a No. 9 seed in the rst NCHSAA class 8A playo s, but they came up on the short end of an opening round match with No. 8 Myers Park, which ended Pinecrest’s season with a 3-1 win. The Patriots nish 12-13, 7-3 in the Mid- South 7A/8A. It’s their rst losing record in more than 15 years.

The Patriots only had one senior Sophia Bonecutter.

Pinecrest senior Sophia Bonecutter saw her high school

Class 8A playo s.

run end

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Keira Rosenmarkle

Union Pines, volleyball

Keira Rosenmarkle is a senior outside hitter on the Union Pines volleyball team. She also plays lacrosse for the Vikings.

The Vikings nished their season 24-3 with a loss in the state quarter nals. Rosenmarkle helped pace their NCHSAA Class 6A run. In their two tournament wins, she posted a total of 32 kills, leading the team in both games, four aces, 12 digs and four receptions.

For the season, Rosenmarkle ranked 10th in NC Class 6A in hitting percentage and eighth in kills and was second in the Carolina Pines 6A conference in service aces. She led the team in kills per set and aces. She is committed to App State to play college volleyball.

Byron outduels Blaney for victory at Martinsville

William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe will race for the title next week

The Associated Press

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — With a Championship 4 spot on the line, William Byron put the bumper to Ryan Blaney to win at Martinsville Speedway in the third-round nale of the NASCAR Cup Series playo s. Byron made his winning move with 43 laps remaining, seizing the bottom lane in Turn 1 and moving Blaney up the track by tagging him in the left rear.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver led the rest of the way and fended o Blaney on a restart with 11 laps remaining. Starting from the pole position, Byron led a race -high 304 of 500 laps for his third victory this season in the No. 24 Chevrolet.

“I thought William drove the race of his life,” said Hendrick vice chairman Je Gordon, a four -time Cup champion and nine -time winner at Martinsville himself.

It was the rst win in 11 races since August at Iowa Speedway for Byron, who won the regular - season championship despite a six-month drought after opening the year with his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory.

He had one top - ve nish in the previous eight playo races and opened the third round with a 36th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a 25th at Talladega Superspeedway that left him in a win - orelse position to make his third consecutive Championship 4 appearance.

Byron delivered with his 16th career Cup victory — his

“Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested “

William Byron

rst in a playo elimination race and third at Martinsville.

“Damn, I got a lot to say,” Byron said. “Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested. Just unbelievable. We just worked so hard, and you put everything into Sundays. Sometimes you don’t get anything in return. That’s been the last couple of weeks and honestly throughout the year. But sometimes life is that way. You just got to keep being resilient. We were.

Just feels damn good.”

Blaney was also in a must-win situation to advance to the championship round. Trying to win his third consecutive playo race at Martinsville, he came up one spot short despite qualifying 31st and leading 177 laps on the 0.526 -mile oval.

There were no hard feelings afterward as Blaney congratulated Byron in Victory Lane.

“That’s just two guys going for it; I don’t blame him for taking that,” Blaney said about the contact with Byron on the pass for the lead. “I would have done the same thing. I knew it was going to be tight. I tried to crowd him as much as I could. Just proud of the e ort from the team. They gave 100% of what they had, and that’s all you can ask. Wasn’t quite enough.”

Kyle Larson, Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate,

William Byron

Martinsville.

captured the nal championship - eligible berth in the season nale with a fourthplace nish that put him seven points ahead of Christopher Bell, who was seventh.

“What a performance by William,” Larson said. “Happy for Hendrick Motorsports. This win is as good as it could have been for us to score more points than Christopher then have William win too. Hopefully one of us can win it.”

Bell again was the rst driver left out of the Cham-

pionship 4, but he could live with the outcome more than last year’s race when he was bounced by Byron in a nish tainted by manipulation. “I feel content with the results,” Bell said. “The four are legitimate contenders. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well- deserving.”

Byron and Larson advanced to face Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the title round Nov. 2 at Phoenix Raceway. The championship will be awarded to the driver with the

best nish of the four drivers who are split evenly between Joe Gibbs Racing (Briscoe and Hamlin) and Hendrick Motorsports (Byron and Larson). Along with Bell and Blaney, third-place nisher Chase Elliott and defending series champion Joey Logano (eighth) also were eliminated from the playo s. With Blaney and Logano locked out of the Phoenix title race, Team Penske’s streak of three consecutive Cup championships was snapped.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

volleyball

in the NCHSAA

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

performs a burnout after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playo race in

James “Jimmy” Robert Ryan

Jan. 23, 1968 – Oct. 21, 2025

James “Jimmy” Robert Ryan, 57, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at his home.

A native of New Jersey, Jimmy, was the son of the late Robert and Helga Rueckel Ryan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Bernice Grilli.

Jimmy proudly served in the United States Navy for four years during Desert Storm. Following his service, he built a successful 22-year career with Frito-Lay in sales. Talented with his hands, Jimmy had a passion for woodworking and took great pride in the pieces he crafted. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family and absolutely adored his stepgranddaughter, Gabby, who brought him tremendous joy.

Jimmy is survived by his lifelong companion, Lori Rahtes of Statesville, NC; three nephews, Justin Williams (Valerie), Nickloas Grilli, and his children, Emma and Silas and Matthew Grilli; and stepchildren, Bree and Ryan; and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

Robert Lee Richardson

Aug. 21, 1933 – Oct. 20, 2025

Robert Lee Richardson, 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 20, 2025.

Robert Lee Richardson was born on August 21, 1933, to Samuel Jasper and Flossie Brown Richardson. He was well known to most all of his generation throughout Moore County. He farmed his whole life, raising tobacco, hogs, chickens and beef cattle throughout those years. He married Lois Whitley in 1952 and together they have four children, Don Richardson (Dolores), Pam Gri n (Brack), Lisa Starck (the late Randy) and Bobby Richardson (Carol). He became “Paw Paw” to eleven grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren (plus one on the way). He showed his love to each and every one of them.

His best day would be one that had him riding his buggy (side by side) with a chew of tobacco, checking the cows and then giving his report about them. He was a “Man of Prayer” who could deliver the most heartfelt ones you have ever heard. He will be greatly missed by all who ever knew him, but he was ready to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Mount Carmel Methodist Church Cemetery in Carthage, with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall. Memorial donations in Robert’s name may be made to Mount Carmel Methodist Church, 3925 Old Carthage Road, Carthage, NC 28327.

obituaries

Manfred August Buller

March 29, 1935 –Oct. 21, 2025

Manfred August Buller, 90, passed away on Tuesday, October 21. Born on March 29, 1935, in Münster, Germany, he was a devoted husband to Anke and a loving father to daughters Mareike and Katrin.

Manfred was a dedicated and hard-working man, devoting much of his life to his lifelong career at BASF Corporation. Although he worked and traveled frequently, he always found time for his passions: hunting, shing, golf, motorcycling, and of course, family.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandchildren and his brother. We will honor his memory and celebrate his life on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at Belle Meade in Southern Pines.

John Joseph Reilly

April 30, 1940 – Oct. 21, 2025

John Joseph Reilly, 85, of Aberdeen, passed peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

Born in County Cavan, Ireland, on April 30, 1940, he was the son of the late Bernard and Eileen Reilly. John emigrated to the United States in 1958 aboard the Mauritania II. He settled in New York and, in 1962, enlisted in the U.S. Army. After service both stateside and in Europe, he was honorably discharged and returned to New York, where he met and fell in love with Jane Dillon of County Clare, Ireland. The two were married in November 1969. John studied to become an Engineer and spent the next 40 years working with high-pressure boilers for the New York City Department of Education. In 1977, the family moved to New Hyde Park on Long Island before relocating to Carmel, NY, in 1984. After his retirement, John and Jane moved to Aberdeen, NC, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

John had been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and had belonged to St. James the Apostle Church in Carmel, NY, and later St. Anthony of Padua Church in Southern Pines. He was a quiet and unassuming man with a gentle spirit and a gift for storytelling. He was known for his unique piano version of “Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesdu ,” which he played to rouse the family for Sunday morning Mass, a melody in which all the right notes were played (although not necessarily in the correct sequence).

John was the loving husband of Jane Reilly (nee Dillon). He was the father of Brian Reilly, John Reilly, Jr, Jacinta Campbell (husband Peter), and Oliver Reilly (wife Daniella). He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Sophia, Cormac, Teagan and Oliver. John was the brother of Bridget King, Anna Mary Dolan, Seamus Reilly, Patrick Reilly and the late Brian, Francis and Michael Reilly.

A private mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Mary Ann Reagan

Dec. 29, 1945 – Oct. 16, 2025

In Loving Memory of Mary Ann (Kostin) Reagan

Born: December 29, 1945New York, New York

Passed: October 16, 2025Pinehurst, North Carolina

Age: 79

Residence: West End, North Carolina

Mary Ann Reagan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and vibrant force in her community, passed away unexpectedly on October 16, 2025, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, at the age of 79.

Born in New York City on December 29, 1945, Mary Ann later moved to Michigan, where she graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School. It was there she met her lifelong partner, Terrence “Terry” Reagan. Their love story spanned 65 years, including 61 years of marriage lled with devotion, adventure and shared purpose.

Mary Ann’s creative spirit and love for Irish culture led her and Terry to establish Fear ‘n Ti and Me Productions, a venture that celebrated storytelling, music and heritage. This passion project laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong mission to share the richness of Irish tradition with others.

She and Terry went on to own and operate Fenian’s Irish Pub, formerly in Conklin, Michigan, where they welcomed worldrenowned Irish musical acts and created a haven for cultural celebration. Mary Ann’s passion extended even further: she

Betty Wallace Purvis

April 26, 1933 – Oct. 22, 2025

Betty Wallace Purvis, 92, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Mama was raised in the Howards Mill Community of Moore County. She went to Beulah Baptist Church and accepted Jesus as her savior at a young age. She met the love of her life at Highfalls High School, and she married Vernon Purvis on July 1, 1950. Together, they raised six kids and loved and spoiled many grand and great-grand kids. After marriage, Mama became active at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and served there in many ways for over 75 years. She was an encourager to many who served in ministerial ways throughout the years.

Mama worked in the Moore County School system as a Library Assistant for over 30 years. She loved her work with the students, and they loved her. Her favorite years were at North Moore High School. Cooking, sewing, quilting, and traveling were some of her favorite things. She will always be remembered especially for her fried apple pies, brownies (which she ALWAYS cooked when she knew one of the sons were coming home), Christmas fruitcake, fried chicken, and potato salad. Mama could put a meal on the table quickly for a crowd, without prior notice. Through the years, she loved to quilt, and all the family members have multiple quilts she handstitched. Grandchildren were known to bring fabric in and ask, “Grandma, can you make me a quilt for one of my friends?”, and

founded and ran Irish Melody Tours, curating unforgettable journeys through Ireland that celebrated its music, history, and spirit. She also played a pivotal role in launching the rst Great Lakes Irish Music Festival, bringing together artists and audiences in celebration of heritage and harmony.

Mary Ann was a woman of many passions. She found joy in sailing Michigan’s lakes, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and exploring the world with an adventurous spirit. Whether navigating a boat, planning a culinary feast or charting a new travel itinerary, she embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. She is survived by her loving husband, Terrence L. Reagan; her children Allyson (David Leander) Reagan, Caroline (David) Strong, Mary-Bridget (Craig) Davis, and Patrick Reagan; her sister Susan (Kostin) Dixon and brother Michael Kostin; nine grandchildren; and ten greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Kostin and Julia (McCann) Kostin, as well as her in-laws, Edward Reagan and Alice (Kubiak) Reagan.

Mary Ann’s legacy is one of joy, generosity, and erce dedication to family, culture and discovery. Her vibrant spirit and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Farewell to the bean an tí, may she rest in peace.

Funeral & Memorial Details

As per Mary Ann’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Catholic Mass: Friday, November 7, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Location: St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 224 Carrier Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505. Visitation: To take place at the church one hour prior to Mass.

Luncheon: Following Mass Private Committal Service: Resurrection Cemetery.

In Lieu of Flowers to honor a charity that was near and dear to Mary Ann’s heart, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, re ecting her lifelong compassion and love for children.

of course, she would…same with requests for Fried Apple Pies for a youth group or a school group. Mama loved her family and would do anything she could for all of us.

Mama loved to travel with Daddy and their lifelong friends, Bobby and Virginia Hill, and they had many adventures through the years. She always liked traveling with family too, after daddy’s death, and she continued to go at every opportunity. She was always up for a good adventure, even dog sledding in Alaska on one of the great-grands 8 yearold trips.

Most of all, Mama will be remembered for her deep love and her beautiful smile. Betty was the daughter of the late Coy and Sallie Wallace and was preceded in death by her brother, Newton Wallace, and son-in-law, Donald Cheek. She is survived by sons: Larry Purvis (Debbie), Robbins, NC, Nelson Purvis (Beth), Salemburg, NC, Clay Purvis (Laurie), Robbins, NC; daughters: Linda Cheek Robbins, NC, Darlene Cheek, Robbins, NC, Grace Large (Mark), Knoxville, TN; grandsons: Brian Purvis (Keri), Chattanooga, TN, Ben Purvis (Karina), Bennett, NC, Kevin Purvis, Robbins, NC, Jason Cheek (Tina), Lynchburg, VA, John Duguay (Jennifer) Asheboro, NC, Steven Duguay, NC, Daniel Purvis (Hannah), Dunn, NC, Brandon Large (Christy), Knoxville, TN; granddaughters: Amy Vuncannon (Jimmy), Star, NC, Monica Agema (Justin), Robbins, NC, Daisy Garner (Danny), Robbins, NC, Gina Tibbs (Josh), Scottsdale, Arizona, Kendal Lillard (Kevin), Radford, VA, Haley Purvis, Robbins, NC; great-grandchildren: Sam Purvis, Rachel and Jacob Vuncannon, Emma and Molly Cheek, Rosalynn Agema, Allen Duguay, James Duguay, River and Gri n Tibbs, Grayson Lillard, Elias Large. Funeral service will be 3 p.m., Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, with Pastor Vic Hill and Pastor Mark Large o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 2 p.m., and at other times at the home.

Hazel Curtis Fulk

Aug. 17, 1940 – Oct. 20, 2025

Hazel Curtis Fulk, age 85, of Cameron, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Open Arms Community Church with Pastor John Brown o ciating.

Hazel was born in Chatham County on August 17, 1940, to the late William Masters Curtis and Hattie Greer Curtis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Taylor, sister, Peggy Curtis.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Wayne Fulk; children, Tony Hinesley of Vass, Marty Cole of Southern Pines, Jaimie Fulk of Vass; grandchildren, Kasi Caddell (Scott), Tasha Strohacker, Morgan Lovelady (John), David Strohacker (Allison), Travis Hinesley, Jonathan Cole (Felicity), Renee Fulk, Hunter Fulk, Hailey Fulk; nine greatgrandchildren; one great-greatgrandchild; sisters, Kay Baker of Vass, Janet Curtis of South Carolina; brother, Billy Curtis of Pinehurst; son-in-law, Philip Taylor and many nieces and nephews.

Hazel loved to travel; she once cruised from Florida to California on a six-week cruise. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her lifelong girlfriends. She was the proudest of having ve generations of rstborn daughters. She will be greatly missed.

James Edward Blackburn

Dec. 28, 1940 – Oct. 22, 2025

James Edward Blackburn, age 84, of Cameron, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Quail Haven Retirement Village in Pinehurst, NC, surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 7-9 p.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be private. James was born in Richmond, Virginia, on December 28, 1940, to the late George Anderson and Elsie Venable Blackburn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, William “Bud” Blackburn and David Franklin Blackburn, sisters, Irene Blackburn Salmon, Betty Ann Blackburn Bennett and Mary Lee Blackburn Elliott, daughter-inlaw, Candace Blackburn.

He is survived by his children, Christopher Anderson Blackburn of Cameron, NC, William Ray Blackburn (Amanda) of Cameron, NC, Paul Edward Blackburn of Broadway, NC; sisters, Susan Blackburn Varner, Wilma Blackburn Bunnell, brother, Charles G. Blackburn Sr. (Linda); grandchildren, Jason (Shannon), Whitney, Hollie, Justin (Lauren), Jordan (Sarah Loving), Carson and Logan; great-grandchildren, Triton, Alaina, Brynlee, Harper, Aiden and Barrett; sister-in-law, Ernestine Blackburn.

James was a Shade Tree Mechanic with a kind soul willing to help anyone whether it was a car, lawnmower, weed eater, etc. His motto was “If it ran one time, it will run again.” He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

James “Jim” Robert Woodworth

April 2, 1966 – Oct. 15, 2025

James “Jim” Robert Woodworth, 59, of Rockingham, passed away on October 15, 2025, at Richmond County Hospice in Rockingham, surrounded by family.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for visitation with the family and morning refreshments. Following the service, a reception will be held at the family home.

Jim was born on April 2, 1966, in Conneaut, Ohio, and was raised by his parents, Nancy and Robert Woodworth. In 1974, the family moved to Zelienople, Pennsylvania, where many friends and many memories were made. He was a 1984 Seneca Valley High School graduate and later attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Jim moved to Pinehurst in the early 1990s. During that time, his parents lived in Tanglewood Apartments, where he often saw Charlene, who would later become his wife, around the tennis courts and at Shoney’s.

He built a respected career doing a job he loved, working for Fields Plumbing for 19 years and Pinehurst Resort for 15. On March 11, 2005, Jim married Charlene R. Littles, and together

David Silva Delgado

May 10, 1947 – Oct. 19, 2025

David Silva Delgado, 78, of Cameron, passed peacefully at the FirstHealth Hospice House on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.

Born in San Bernardino, CA, he was the son of the late Jose and Marie Elena Silva Delgado. After his high school graduation, David signed up to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served during the Vietnam War with one tour in combat and served for 17 years, earning the rank of Gunnery Sergeant before his honorable discharge. David was a man of many talents and traits; always working and never sitting

they raised two children, Chini (Littles) Gault and Joshua Littles.

A passionate musician, Jim, was the guitarist for Pneumatic Sun, a band he played in alongside several of his closest friends, brothers in every sense of the word. He loved heavy metal, especially Pantera, Alice in Chains and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” album. Beyond music, Jim was a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed playing and watching golf. He also loved chopping wood, nding peace and purpose in the rhythm of hard work outdoors. Many may be surprised to know he also enjoyed attending Broadway shows, plays and musicals, a re ection of his creative and curious spirit.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Charlene; daughter Chini Gault (Gary) of Raeford; son Joshua Littles of Pinehurst; older brother Je rey A. Woodworth of Watertown, Massachusetts; granddaughter Liliana Gault; and his beloved pets Bob, Little Bit, Millie, Momo and Missy.

Jim will be remembered for his unconditional love, his sarcasm and sense of humor, his spoton accents and heavy metal screams, and the blanket of security he o ered his family.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses, doctors and sta at Moore Regional Hospital, UNC Chapel Hill, and Richmond County Hospice for their compassionate care. We also wish to express our sincere appreciation for the many acts of kindness and expressions of compassion shown to us during this time of bereavement. Your support has brought us comfort and peace in ways that words cannot fully express.

In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s name to Richmond County Operation Fix at PayPal. me/rcof910 <https://paypal. me/rcof910 or Venmo: @ rcof910. Donations may also be mailed to RCOF, P.O. Box 2652, Rockingham, NC 28380.

still. He had many jobs and held many positions throughout his life, from an MP and CID with the Marine Corps and Police O cer in California to a baker, mechanic and a long-distance truck driver. In 1996, David met Marcena Greer, and the couple married on January 27, 1997. He was a longtime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and had a natural gift for making friends and winning people over. David was the husband of Marcena Delgado. He was the father of Stephanie Delgado, husband Rick Charles and David Delgado, Jr, wife Terah. He was the step-father of Zeus Pryde, Jeremy Greer, wife Elibeth, and Brianna Greer, wife Shaina Greensweight. David is also survived by grandchildren Landry, Kyli and Aysling and stepgrandchildren Gustavo “Alex”, Andy, Paloma, Amelita, Elicia and Iris. He was the brother of Joe Delgado, Irene Rodrigues and the late Tony, Eddie and Gloria Delgado.

A celebration of his life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9800 US 15/501, Pinehurst, NC, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

Dorothy Garman

Aug. 1, 1936 – Oct. 21, 2025

Dorothy Garman passed away on October 21, 2025, in Southern Pines, NC. She was born on August 1, 1936, in Long Branch, NJ, to the late John and Dorothy Neiberlien. Dorothy had one sister and grew up in Marlboro, NJ. She graduated from Freehold High School in Freehold, NJ. She went on to graduate from the Ann May School of Nursing at Fitkin Memorial Hospital (later known as Jersey Shore Medical Center) in Neptune, NJ. She specialized in obstetrical nursing, working in labor and delivery and newborn intensive care.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gene in 2016, her daughter Victoria in 2020, and her son Robert in 2010. She was a member of the Community Congregational Church in Southern Pines, NC. Dorothy was employed at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC, until her retirement in 2007. She enjoyed a long successful nursing and nurse management career at hospitals in New Jersey, Massachusetts and North Carolina spanning over 50 years. She was a role model and mentor to many. Her family sends love and gratitude to all the nurses who take care of us every day.

Services for Dotty Garman will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Community Congregational Church, 141 N. Bennett Street, Southern Pines, NC.

Christa Jean Burgess

Aug. 28, 1963 – Oct. 22, 2025

Christa Jean Burgess, 62, of Seven Lakes, passed peacefully at her home on Wednesday, October 22, 2205.

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, on August 28, 1963, she was the daughter of Tim Burgess and the late Carol Jean Burgess. She is survived by her brother Greg Burgess and his wife, Theresa. She was the aunt of Katelyn Skoudis, husband Zak, and Ryan Burgess. She is also survived by her great-niece, Eloise Skoudis. A celebration of her life will be held at Mary Magdalene Church, 1145 Seven Lakes Dr., West End, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m.

Stephen E. “Steve” Bracey

Sept. 13, 1961 – Oct. 18, 2025

Stephen E. “Steve” Bracey, 64 of Seven Lakes, passed away on October 18, 2025, at his home. Born on September 13, 1961, in Craven County, North Carolina, to the late Gurney and Rebecca Bracey. Steve was a skilled craftsman who spent much of his life working in millwork, building custom cabinets with care and precision. His talent and dedication to his craft left a lasting mark on countless homes and projects. Outside of work, he had a deep appreciation for classic cars, especially older Porsches and BMWs, which he enjoyed restoring with patience and pride at the “Car Ranch.” He also found joy in tending to his home - whether it was caring for houseplants or keeping the yard in top shape, he took pride in the details and loved the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.

Steve was equally devoted to the people in his life. He was a steady and thoughtful presence that showed his love not always in words, but in actions: by xing what was broken, lending a hand without being asked, and always showing up. Though he was a man of few words, his quiet wisdom and strong work ethic left an impression on everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Susie Bracey; two daughters, Michelle Bailer (Matthew) and Christi Bracey (Ryan Kerr); sister, Laura O’Donohue (the late Ed); brother, David Bracey; grandchildren, Noah, Bracey, Abigail and Benjamin; niece, Rebecca Silvestri (Nathan); nephew, Josh O’Donohue; also survived by his grand dog, Remus, and other family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home in Seven Lakes. A private service will be held for the family on Saturday. Memorial contributions in Steve’s name may be made to SPCA of Wake County, 200 Pet nder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Carl William Berth

June 13, 1934 – Oct. 16, 2025

Carl William Berth, a devoted husband, father, and proud tradesman, passed away peacefully and went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 16, 2025, at the age of 91. Born in Illinois, Carl spent his life grounded in hard work, love and music.

He built a long and respected career as an electrician at General Motors, where his skill and dedication earned the admiration of colleagues and friends alike. Outside of work, Carl loved playing his guitar, listening to Johnny Cash, and spending time with his dogs and beloved wife, Brenda.

Carl is survived by his wife, Brenda, his children, Larry Berth, Laura Potts, Patty Berth and step-children, Kathleen Lynch, Richard Dimond and Eileen Dimond.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. A private memorial will be held by the family. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to a local animal shelter.

Carol Ann Blackmon

April 14, 1945 – Oct. 21, 2025

Mrs. Carol Ann (Gaines) Blackmon, of West End, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Dahlia Gardens Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Aberdeen, North Carolina. Funeral Service on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Crusade for Christ Deliverance Center, 900 S. Gaines St., Southern Pines. Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Carol Ann (Gaines) Blackmon in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Sanford, North Carolina.

STATE & NATION

Virginia Democrats will try to reshape US House districts in counter to Trump’s redistricting push

Several states, including North Carolina, have remade their Congressional maps

By Olivia Diaz and David A. Lieb

The Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. — Virgin-

ia Democrats are taking steps to redraw their state’s U.S. House districts, hoping to boost their party’s chances in next year’s midterm elections and counter President Donald Trump’s push for more partisan districts in Republican-run states.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott sent a letter last Thursday to members telling them to convene Monday for a special session but did not state a reason.

The purpose includes congressional redistricting aimed at gaining more Democratic-held seats, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because they are not authorized to publicly discuss them.

Virginia would be the second state with a Democratic-led legislature after California to enter a national redistricting battle with enormous stakes. If Democrats gain just three more seats, they would take control of the House and e ectively impede Trump’s agenda.

Republican lawmakers in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina

already have approved new congressional maps aimed at helping their party win more seats and retain the slim GOP House majority. And even more states are considering redistricting as the battle front widens.

A spokeswoman for Democrats’ House campaign arm characterized Virginia’s e ort as the party pursuing “every available tool to counter Republicans’ desperate attempts to steal the midterms.”

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation,” said Courtney Rice, communications direc-

tor for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republicans vowed to ght.

Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore said Democrats missed their opportunity to carry out this procedure by 2026 and that it’s “too late constitutionally” to do so.

“We are going to do everything legally we can do to stop this power grab,” Kilgore said.

Voting districts typically are redrawn at the start of each decade to account for population changes noted by the census. But Trump took the unusual step over the summer of urging Republican-led states to reshape key districts to try to buck a his-

“Virginia’s decision to convene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the ght to ensure voters have fair representation.”

Courtney Rice, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

torical trend of a president’s party losing seats in midterm elections.

Virginia currently is represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans who ran in districts whose boundaries were imposed by a court after a bipartisan redistricting commission failed to agree on a map after the 2020 census.

The e ort to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts comes in the nal weeks before the Nov. 4 state legislative and statewide elections. But Monday’s session is just the start of what could be a long legislative process, running past the election. Because Virginia’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the electorate must sign o on any changes. And any proposed change to the constitution must rst pass the legislature in two separate sessions. Democrats are scrambling to hold that rst vote this year so

Flavor Flav gives bobsled and skeleton a try, joins team as hype man for Olympics

In Paris, he was the hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

PARK CITY, Utah — At 66 years old, Flavor Flav went 67 mph. That was all it took to get him hooked on sliding.

Meet the newest fan of the U.S. bobsled and skeleton program: a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, founding member of Public Enemy, reality show star and now, aspiring slider. USA Bobsled and Skeleton announced Flav as its new o cial hype man Monday, not long after he spent a couple days around the team at the 2002 Olympic track in Utah.

And he plans to be with the team at the Milan- Cortina Olympics in February.

“The partnership is a blessing,” Flav said. “It’s cooler than ‘Cool Runnings.’ It’s Coolest Runnings.”

The 66 -year- old Flav — his legal name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. — spent time with

the bobsled and skeleton teams this past week. He went down the Park City track in a bobsled, then also wanted to try out skeleton, the head rst sliding sport where elite athletes can reach speeds exceeding 80 mph.

Team o cials wanted Flav to start from a low spot on the track, as is the case with all rst-timers for safety reasons. Flav didn’t necessarily like that; he wanted to start from higher up, signi cantly raising the level of di culty. Eventually, he got his chance and he hit 67 mph on his second run.

For a regular person just trying the sport, that’s exceptional. No word on whether he used his catch phrase, “Yeah, boyeeeee.”

“Oh my gosh, he’s one of the coolest, most adventurous men that I’ve ever met,” U.S. skeleton athlete Dan Barefoot told The Associated Press. “He was upset that he couldn’t go from higher up on the track. … I was kind of upset at how good he was. It’s a sport that takes a lot of skill, but he made it look straightforward.” Flav and sports often go hand-in-hand.

He was a celebrity mayo -pourer — yes, there is such a job — at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last year, helping to douse Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck with 5 gallons of celebratory condiment after the Golden Gophers

won that game. He can be found performing during Super Bowl weeks. He was there to show support when Billie Jean King got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s been a big supporter of Olympians in the

that they can approve the change a second time after a new legislative session begins Jan. 14.

Voters still would have to approve a change in the constitution to allow using the new House map. And that vote would need to occur before congressional primaries, which are currently set for June 16 — though dates for such elections have been pushed back in the past.

In many states, congressional districts are drawn by state lawmakers, subject to the approval of the governor. But North Carolina’s new map, which receivednal approval last Wednesday from the Republican-led legislature, did not have to go to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Those changes target a swing district held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis by adding areas that contain more Republican-leaning voters. Like Virginia, California has a constitutionally established redistricting commission, which approved maps after the 2020 census. California voters are to decide in a Nov. 4 election whether to temporarily suspend those districts and instead use a map approved by the Democratic-led legislature that could help Democrats pick up as many as ve additional seats.

No voter approval is necessary for the revised districts in Missouri, North Carolina or Texas, though opponents in Missouri are gathering petition signatures to try to force a statewide vote on their new map.

past, including discus thrower Veronica Fraley.

And at the Paris Olympics, Flav was the o cial hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team.

“We have all been so hyped to have him with us,” Barefoot said. “Put aside the fact that Flav is one of the greatest hype men of all time, the energy in the room ... you had people who often aren’t talking to each other high- ving and hugging because of the experience of being around him. There’s a lot of energy and a lot of con dence around us right now.”

Many members of the team got Flav’s personal cell phone number, and some also got to join him at a Maroon 5 concert over the weekend. And when the Olympics are over, Flav plans to return to Park City to take part in a camp for sliders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Flavor Flav as an o cial sponsor and hype man for USA Bobsled/Skeleton,” USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Aron McGuire said. “It’s clear he has a genuine passion for sports and an authentic love for the USA team. Flavor Flav embodies the same grit, dedication, and pride that de ne our athletes, and we’re excited to have him bring that excitement to our team and fans across the country.”

STEVE HELBER / AP PHOTO

The state and U.S. ags y over the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond in January 2024.

LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO

Flavor Flav laughs during an interview with The Associated Press at the USA house at the 2024 Summer Olympics in July 2024 in Paris.